A/N: dum dum da dum- what will Laxus choose? I tried to portray his self-hating angsty side but it just didn't seem to work properly… which also might make him a little ooc, anyways as always read, review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, it belongs to Hiro Mashima

Thursday

Cana kicked Laxus as hard as she could in the arse; his reaction was well worth her stubbed toe.

"Dammit Cana, why can't you just wake me like a normal person?!" Laxus yelled from his tangled situation on the floor.

"I didn't want to get too close in case you couldn't control yourself and decided to ravish me right now" Cana retorted, walking into the kitchen to fetch the pancakes she made for Laxus and herself. Laxus grumbled until he saw the tantalising tower of pancakes, swamped in maple syrup. He reached for the plate he guessed was supposed to be his but Cana pulled it away.

"They come at a price" she said seriously, bending down so her face was level with his, her cleavage almost spilling out of her bikini top. Laxus frowned, contemplating what scam she could have in store.

"Name it." he grunted, focussing on her brown eyes to avoid the treacherous territory calling his attention.

"One kiss per pancake" Cana said, sitting the plate carefully on the bed, pretending to count the pancakes. "Looks like there's about six." she said confidently, sitting in front of him, hands in her lap. Laxus scowled at her.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked his eyes boring into her.

"Because I meant what I said last night, and I have no intension of letting this go while I've got the chance or I'll regret it forever. I've got enough regrets without adding this to the list." she said seriously, letting her stare bore into him just as intensely. Laxus clenched his jaw, clearly not out of this fight just yet.

"Us being together isn't even possible Cana, I'm in exile and you have the guild." Laxus said, his words caked in a tone of finality.

"Why are you fighting this? It's not like you don't have feelings for me too, denying it is pointless! Why can't you just make the most of the time we have together? Why are you making this so complicated when it doesn't have to be?" Cana demanded, grasping his hand. Laxus' scowl intensified but he didn't speak. Cana began to understand fully why he was avoiding becoming intimate with her. "You blame yourself for this don't you?" Cana asked softly, leaning forward to get a better look at his eyes. "Not just the merge or the fight but something else as well." Laxus eye's betrayed the answer. "It's Ok now" Cana said quickly, his face clamped tightly between her hands.

"No, it's not" he ground out, his hands trying to pull hers away but they wouldn't budge. "I've hurt you so many times, and I've let others hurt you so badly, that, I can't be with you." Laxus said seriously, trying to make her understand the revelation he had when he realised that Cana was willing to accept him back so easily.

"I forgive you" Cana said desperately, her jaw clenched, knowing that if she backed down now she'd never get him back.

"I know," Laxus paused, his struggle ceasing. "but I can't." he whispered. Cana held his face even tighter and leant forward almost as if to kiss him but she paused millimetres from his face.

"You're the person who is stopping me from being with Laxus. Tell me what gives you the right to take away my happiness?" Cana demanded, unrelenting. Laxus clenched his jaw tighter, glaring at her insistent gaze.

"You know it's not that simple." he ground out.

"How?" Cana snapped, her body almost touching his.

"I don't deserve to be happy."

"So you are stopping us from being together to punish yourself, and in the mean time making me more miserable. You're just being selfish to try to satisfy your own guilt." Cana snapped. Laxus seemed unmoved by her speech so she brought her face even closer to emphasise her point. "Be a man and live with what you've done rather than cowering behind it" she whispered, their lips brushing. Laxus snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

"You want me to be a man? How am I supposed to take responsibility for this? Do you just want me to forget everything that's happened and play happy couples for the next few days till you have to leave and we'll see each other god knows when? How is that being a man?" Laxus snapped, to many emotions for Cana to register flowing out of him like he didn't know how to stop them.

"A man would accept that he can't change the past and would move towards the future. Just because we only have limited time together now, that doesn't mean that what we have isn't important if I don't see you for ten minutes or ten months!" she replied. Laxus ground his teeth, thinking over what she was saying. She was right, he was being selfish and even childish but the guilt which haunted him was just too much for him to bear.

"Woman, listen! Last night I realised that us being together is just going to hurt us even more, the guilt, the expectation- how could I ask that of you?" Laxus said, his glare transforming his expression into a cold and desolate wasteland, his grey iris' the only glimmer of hope.

"You don't need to." Cana said, kissing him lightly. Cana grinned "That's one pancake for Laxus" she said, snaking her arms around his neck. Laxus knew he had lost the battle and perhaps the war but for now he owed her this much.

"How many did you say there were?" Laxus sighed, looking down at her. Cana grinned at her victory.

"Six-"she was cut off by a gasp as Laxus grabbed her waist and tossed her beneath him. He smirked cockily at her surprised expression, before she could think of a retort Laxus crushed her lips beneath his, his tongue conquering her mouth. After what seemed an eternity he pulled back, panting for air, smirk still fixed on his face.

"two" he said, diving back into their kiss. This time Cana responded, her tongue fighting against his. He pulled back, this time quicker than before. "Three" he said, kissing her lightly, his lips dancing across hers.

"Four" Cana gasped out, eyes flashing open long enough to see Laxus lips descend on hers once again. Laxus kissed her much like previously but there was a desperation that wasn't there before.

"Five" Laxus nearly moaned, his lips barely lifting off hers. Cana laced her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer towards her. Laxus captured her lips, his arms encircling her, holding her against his body. Cana's legs wrapped around his waist as she gasped for air around his lips as they breathed each other's air. Laxus broke away, panting, too disshelved to smirk. "Six" he said, eyes glued to hers, forcing himself not engage any further, his resolve shaky. Cana saw his determination and detangled herself from him as he released her. Laxus got up, fetching his pancakes and sat at the undersized kitchen table. Cana paused for a split second before sitting opposite him. She smirked, her plan had gone a lot smoother than she had anticipated.

"Don't get ahead of yourself woman, I still haven't decided." Laxus said, watching her with curious eyes. Cana smirked at him, amused.

"That implies there was a choice to make, Sparky." Cana said, placing her plate in the sink. Laxus scowled at her retreating form until he couldn't see her anymore. Laxus scoffed to himself, wolfing down the rest of his pancakes- as if she told him what to do! Laxus could hear her rifling through something, the mystery was solved when she appeared with his clean clothes bunched in her grip, chucking them at him. "Go have a shower, today is market day and I want to check out the stalls." she said, watching him expectantly.

"There are so many problems with that plan it isn't even worth mentioning." he said lazily, washing up their plates.

"Like what, wise and powerful mater of cynicism?" she snapped, not taking her eyes off him, arms folded.

"One- what if some of those Orders Bane creeps attack us again, you're far from top condition and you'd end up being a liability. Two- with what money? And three- for what purpose, there's only going to be crappy nick-nacks you can find in any country town." Cana pursed her lips.

"Do you even know where we are?" Cana asked, scowling to hide a cheeky smile.

"Does it matter where we are?" Laxus retorted.

"This is Jersey, the next town over is Nulliora, the home of Fiore's most skilled lacrima mages. There might be something useful at the markets. Anyway, wouldn't it be better to lure them out rather than wait for them to attack. We aren't risking them finding out where we are seeing as you went and got food and nothing's happened which means their either long gone or their planning something, either of which doesn't interfere with us going to the markets."

"Cana-"

"And there should be enough money from that Orders Bane guy's reward I took down."

"Keep dreaming, the herbs, the doctor, the inn, the food- it all cost jewls." Laxus said, finally turning to face her.

"How much is left?" she asked nervously, her arms tightening across her chest.

"Enough for a train ticket to Magnolia and that's about it."

"Don't you have any money?" Cana snapped, annoyed at the sudden turn of events. She had been looking forward to going to the markets.

"Not for you to spend on useless crap! What about you?" Laxus snapped, equally annoyed.

"I spent the last of my cash on the stupid train ticket out here!" she snapped, her voice raised.

"Well I guess that settles it, we can't go to the markets after all." Laxus said smugly, walking towards the bathroom. Cana glared at the door, long after it had closed and the sound of running water sounded. Cana glanced at the clock, it read 8am. People would be setting up their stalls right about now she thought sadly. An idea sprang into her head as she fingered her cards sitting on her bedside table.

"Sparky, quit beautifying yourself, I've got an idea." Cana yelled through the door, darting around the room. The door swung open, a fully clothed Laxus stood in the doorway looking very unimpressed. "Put your boots on and grab the stuff on the bed, we're going to the markets!" Cana sang out, still darting around the room.

"No, we're not. We've already discussed this." Laxus said slowly but Cana ignored him. He stepped forward, loosely grabbing her arm. "We are not going because you are not going." he said calmly, making sure the message was clear.

"I'm going, with or without you." Cana said just as forcefully with a fake cheery tone. Laxus grip on her arm tightened. "If you are insistent on trying to keep me here then I'm going to have to fight you. We both know that I'll lose in this state and further hurt myself, so it's your decision." Cana stared up at him, unfaltering in her stare. Laxus clenched his jaw but released her arm all the same.

"I have two conditions." Laxus said, leaning down to whisper in her ear. Cana could feel his breath on her ear, a shiver running down her spine. "Don't leave my sight," Cana nodded, ignoring the goosebumps running down her arm. Laxus paused, smirking at her reaction.

"and the other?" she asked, a slight quiver in her voice. His proximity was overwhelming but she wouldn't be the one to pull away, she was too proud for that.

"Change your top, only I'm allowed to ogle you." Laxus said, withdrawing to seek out his boots. Cana shook off his comment but couldn't help a small smile.

Cana sat facing her customer, shuffling and reshuffling her deck. Laxus warm back pressed against hers as she dealt the young woman's fortune. She explained each cards significance and told the pretty brunette that she should keep her family close and look out for illness in those she held dear. The young woman thanked her and a 500 jewel note in Cana's overflowing jar.

"Is that enough?" Laxus asked again, pushing against her back so she leant forward awkwardly. Cana grinned, pushing back with all her might, unable to match is weight. In her awkward position she reached for the jar and counted the money. She'd earned roughly 7000 jewel, she split the money down the middle and pocketed her half.

"Yep, can you get off me?" she laughed. Laxus leant back and turned to see the neat pile of money.

"Is that all you made?" he asked, shocked. Cana grinned, grabbing the corner of the blanket they had set up shop on.

"No dumbass, that's your half." she said, rolling up the blanket as quickly as she could manage in her excitement to scope out the wares. Laxus snatched up the money and jumped off the blanket before Cana ran into him. Laxus pocketed the money, trying to work out how he could slip it into her pocket so she wouldn't notice.

"Don't even think about trying to give the money back, you got the smaller half anyways." Cana said, holding out Laxus' pack with all their stuff packed neatly inside. Once Laxus had the pack secured on his massively broad shoulders Cana grabbed his hand, pulling him towards a stall she had been eyeing all day. A wide range of lacrima infused jewellery laid out before them- bangles, rings, necklaces, ear rings. Laxus saw a pair of lightning infused armlets and snatched them up before Cana could see the, lucky for him she was preoccupied talking to the mage who ran the stall. Cana grabbed a water element lacrima charm necklace, an enchanted book on the uses of lacrima and other magic storing devices and finally a ice and fire element card the mage behind the counter let her have in exchange for a fortune telling. Her money was well and truly spent and then some, if she wasn't such a good bargainer she would have had to stoop so low as to borrow money from Laxus. Laxus ushered her ahead to look at the next stall which sold lollies, chocolate, ice-cream and other sweets. Cana's stomach grumbled and she looked for Laxus in the crowd, his bulky form towering above those around them.

"Where do you want to have lunch?" she asked, looking around for some kind of park or clearing to have their picnic. Laxus ran a hand through his hair, searching for a bench. His eye locked onto one a few hundred meters down the street, near the small cinema at the centre of town. Laxus touched her shoulder and started walking towards it, Cana in tow. As they walked along an elderly couple cut in in front of Cana and she couldn't bypass the pair, separating them. Just as Cana was about to call out to Laxus before he got too far ahead three young men blocked her path.

"Hello beautiful, what are you doing on a lovely day like this?" the largest one asked, eyeing her up and down.

"Being annoyed by three idiots." she snapped before she thought about her situation. She didn't want to risk using magic before warming up first and Laxus was gods know where, leaving her practically defenceless against three big guys.

"Now that's no way to talk to three fine gentlemen like ourselves. I'm offended, aren't you Josh?" the smallest one said, glancing at his friend who hadn't spoken yet. He stepped forward towards Cana, causing her to retreat, her back hitting the brick wall of the pub, their location slightly hidden by a broken awning.

"Yes I am, I think we should teach this skank a thing or to about respect." Josh said, reaching for her arm, but his skin never touched hers as Laxus appeared, smashing him across the face.

"I thought I told you not to leave my sight or let anyone else ogle you? I thought, we had a deal." Laxus said in an annoyed tone knocking out the two other men in a heartbeat. Cana smiled at him, still a little on edge from the sudden nature of their attempted attack. She quietly took his hand and walked back onto the street. Laxus squeezed her hand as they sat at the abandoned bench amidst the families sharing lunch. Laxus unpacked the fruit salad and sandwiches onto the bench handing Cana a fork. Cana's eyes looked behind him into the distance. Laxus frowned, worried that he hadn't gotten to her before one of those creeps had done something. If they did, there wasn't anywhere in all of Fiore they could hide.

A hand landed on his shoulder, Laxus almost jumped. A smile broke across Cana's face as she grinned smugly at Laxus. He turned, looking up into the smug face of Gildarts Clive. Laxus groaned, shrugging off the annoying man's hand.

"What happened to the days when you would beam when I walked into the guild?" Gildarts said, sitting next Laxus.

"I realised you were just a drunk who had a shit load of luck." Laxus said, shoving a sandwich into his mouth.

"Enough for one more?" Gildarts asked. Laxus shook his head at Cana but she just grinned back.

"Of course. " Cana said sweetly, handing him a cucumber sandwich, Laxus' favourite. He scowled at her, why was she doing this? Gildarts stuffed it in his mouth and nodded appreciatively.

"Why are you here old man?" Laxus said, slowly dragging the fruit salad away from him before he had a chance to ask for a helping.

"I noticed Cana-chan's fortune telling stand and I was wondering if she would read mine before I head out on a quest." Gildarts said, practically beaming at Cana. Cana pretended to consider reading his fortune, smiling sweetly at Laxus' scowl. Cana held out a hand towards Laxus.

"How about I get us some drinks and then I'll read your fortune, old man." Cana said, wiggling her fingers. Laxus frowned, not sure what her mood swing was about. Gildarts turned to his bag and pulled out a 1000 jewel note and placed it in her outstretched palm.

"It's the least I could do after showing up unannounced." Gildarts said with a disarming smile. "I'm not sure about you going off on your own though.."

"Don't worry, it's not like you guys would lose track of me in this crowd, plus I doubt there's anyone too dangerous" Cana said, staring at Laxus. Everything clicked.

"Cana-" Laxus said, not sure what to say in front of Gildarts.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it will be fine." Cana said sweetly and took off towards the café. Laxus watched after her, guilt ridden.

"Trouble in paradise?" Gildarts asked, snatching the fruit salad.

"Shut up old man, why can't you just leave already? You've done enough!" Laxus snapped. He didn't mean to let the last three words slip but Gildarts seemed pretty preoccupied, hoeing into Cana's fruit salad.

"I just wanted to make sure Cana was doing ok before I left, is it a crime to look out for a guild mate?" Gildarts said, snatching up another cucumber sandwich. Laxus stared at him in disbelief, why did he have to keep butting in to their business? "Did you think about what I said?" Gildarts asked, glancing around to make sure Cana wasn't coming.

"We worked it out for ourselves if that's what you asking." Laxus said quietly, taking a bite of another sandwich, never taking his eyes off the café Cana went into.

"That's good to hear." Gildarts said, checking his watch. "She looks a lot better than she did a few days ago, you've done a good job of looking after her." Gildarts said. Laxus scoffed, thinking of her spitefulness earlier. Laxus turned to Gildarts, the only person who could really look after Cana that he would run into for a long time.

"Old man," Laxus said, "would you…"

"Do you even need to ask?" Gildarts said, his serious expression coming to light for the first time in a long while. Laxus gave a half smile but it was cut short as he felt a slight lowering of his magical energy and almost simultaneously blots of lightning shattered the windows of the café.

"Cana" both men said in unison, rushing through the crowds towards the destroyed shop front. Inside stood Cana with three groaning men at her feet. She was panting heavily but it seemed to be more from anger than any physical exertion. She looked up to see the worried faced of her companions.

"I'm fine, didn't I say I would be?" she said, grabbing the three glass bottles off the counter and walking towards them.

"Just because you didn't use your own magic doesn't mean you can just-"

"Oh so you noticed this time? What does it feel like?" Cana asked, her tone playful but her eyes were anything but. Gildarts frowned but left the arguing to the youngsters. Cana sat down first, sipping her drink.

"Stop fussing like Mira, those guys got what they deserved and everyone's fine, right Gildarts?" Cana said, shuffling her cards.

"I don't know Cana-chan, that was pretty reckless." Gildats said, Cana froze, she turned her face to Gildarts, eyebrow raised. When Gildarts refused to comment she dealt the cards, explaining their significance as she had done to countless customers earlier in the day.

"So basically, if you think you've just made a lucky break you're being deceived, don't buy into it or it could prove fatal, but if you live through that then an even bigger adventure awaits you were you will lose much but gain more." Cana said, shuffling her cards back into her deck. Gildarts nodded appreciatively. He glanced at his watch, grabbing his bag he stood, looking down at the pair.

"I'd better be leaving, are you sure you can manage till you get back to Magnolia, Cana-chan?" Gildarts asked, a concerned frown on his face.

"I'm sure me and Laxus'll be fine." Cana said with a smile, glancing at Laxus who was quietly sipping his drink as if ignoring everyone. "On second thoughts why don't you stay forever, we can train until I'm back on my feet." Cana said, getting Laxus' attention.

"God, anything but that." Laxus groaned, his glare alternating between the two. Gildarts chuckled, patting Laxus shoulder which he automatically cringed away from.

"I'll see you round the guild Cana-chan." Gildarts said with a wave, moving off into the distance.

"You ready to go Cana-chan?" Laxus said with a smirk. Cana glared kicking him under the table. She turned, looking down the main road.

"Actually I was hoping to cash in a favour." Cana mumbled, scoping out the surrounding area. Laxus raised an eyebrow, packing up the food containers. "Could you help me… exercise my magic a bit? I don't want to have to rely on your magic if something happens." Cana said, looking him up and down.

"And where exactly do you plan to do that?" Laxus said, zipping the bag shut and looking at her expectantly. Cana grinned,

"Feel like doing a little performance?" Cana asked and Laxus scowled at her cunning grin.

"Why do I keep letting you talk me into stupid crap like this?" Laxus asked rhetorically as Cana slowly let her magical energy rise, flowing into her deck. They stood back to back, their performance area defined by a crowd circled around them, giving them enough room to work their magic. Cana spun her cards out, spinning in a wide sphere around them, working the audience. A little boy reached out to grab one, quickly stopped by his excited mother.

"Ready?" Cana asked, Laxus grunted in return, lightning orbs appearing above the crowd, giving off feint static. Cana's fire card burst into life, three phoenix' flew out of the card, circling the lightning orbs in a mesmerising dance. After a few moments the lightning orbs began to shift, forming the pattern of a star.

"You doing ok?" Laxus murmured, watching the scene above them with extreme precision.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to change to ice now, ok?" Cana said, "On three."

"One, two," Laxus said, preparing their synchronised move. "three." the lightning globes and phoenix' dissipated over the crowd and they began to applaud, but the show wasn't over yet. Cana stopped all her cards except one, her ice card. Snow began to fall over the crowd, thin at first then slowly thickening. Children stuck out their tongues and parents smiled at the sight. Laxus set into motions small bolts of lightning, creating a beat which became more complex as time went on. Laxus closed his eyes, focussing on the beat to his favourite song, three rhythms operating simultaneously. The crowd began to clap along and the snow stopped, replaced by the appearance of three snowmen. Cana activated her marionette card, a very rare and powerful card she had yet to master, but she knew enough to animate the snowmen. They bounced to the beat, making jerky movements which resembled dancing.

"I don't think I can keep this up much longer." Cana whispered, the sound of her voice causing Laxus to miss a beat.

"Ok, skip to the last bit then, on four." Laxus said, counting the beats in his head "One, two, three four." Laxus mumbled, his eyes snapping open at the last word. The snowmen dissolved into the ground and a burst of fire and lightning shot up into the sky like fire crackers. The crowd cheered, Cana held out the box that had held their sandwiches, handing it around. Coins clanked as they entered the box, piling high. The crowd began to dissipate and Cana looked down at the mass of money in the box, easily twice the amount she had raised from her fortune telling.

"How about we head back to the room?" Laxus asked, shouldering the pack previously at his feet. Cana nodded, a little unsteady on her feet.

"Just one second-" Cana said rushing into the shop she had destroyed earlier. Laxus watched her through the shattered window panes as she approached the bewildered man at the counter. After a few brief words Cana handed over a heap of cash, overflowing through her fingers. The man gave a relieved smile and thankfully took the money. Cana gave the man a hearty slap on the shoulder and made her way back to Laxus.

Without another word the two walked down the street after street until the came across their tucked away inn. The door to their room opened easily and Cana took the first opportunity to slump on the bed. Laxus locked the door behind him, tossing their almost empty pack to the ground. Laxus sat on the other side of the bed, hastily unfastening his boots before lying down next to her.

"It's been a long day." Cana mumbled, her breathing slowing. Laxus stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened in the past week. It was time to make a decision about all of this. He couldn't just keep kissing her, or claim it was a fling, he had to choose whether or not he wanted to be with her, maybe not forever but close to it, or run. Running was a very attractive option, if he chose to stay he would have to live with the guilt and the worry. But now after the link he was going to feel that anyway. Laxus sighed, oblivious to Cana's dozing form snuggling against his side. Maybe he was taking this out of proportion, everything isn't do or die. He could simply go with the flow and test things out. Test things out- what was he saying? He didn't doubt his feelings for her and Cana deserved real commitment. She was right before in saying he was being selfish by keeping her at arm's length though he couldn't even do that properly! Laxus clenched his jaw. It was pointless saying that he could resist her if she asked him again, and knowing her she would. Why was he complicating things? It was just him and her, that's all that mattered, everything would work itself out. His guilt wasn't going anywhere any time soon but it wasn't her burden to bare. "I'll give this my best shot" he thought as his arm snaked out protectively around her. Too early for sleep he decided to watch over her until she woke, whenever that would be.