"Women like you drown oceans"

It was outstanding that I had never visited the amazing 'Ryuzetsu Land' even once during my stay in Crocus.

Or at least, that was what Lucy said. After Laxus' battle and his subsequent breakdown, he insisted we visit the bar (which was an idiotic decision as drinking away your problems doesn't do anything to solve them thankyouverymuch Laxus), and after much squabbling I consented (apparently he didn't need my consent because 'I'm not his mother', whatever). He was back to his usual cold-hearted asshole routine. Lucy was at the bar, seated beside a rowdy Cana and Erza. Laxus was gone before I knew what'd happened, and so I sank down into a seat beside the three women.

Lucy was the one to notice me first. "Oh, Xandria, perfect timing."

"For what?"

"We were just talking about visiting Ryuzetsu Land later," Erza announced.

"Tell me, Xandria," Lucy continued. "What's it like?"

"I've never been."

"Really? But you were in Crocus for so long!"

I grinned. "Unlike you, Lucy, I actually spent that time training." Cana snorted at my comment, and even Erza gave a laugh. Lucy just rolled her eyes.

"You're no help."

Cana leaned across Lucy to reach me. "You wanna come with us?"

I didn't even waste time replying, "Yeah, sounds like fun."

"Good."

And like that it was settled. I was to meet the three of them at Ryuzetsu Land at eight, which was considerably later. I ordered a drink, and was joined at the bar by Max. He kept up a constant stream of chatter while I took mindless pulls at the beverage in my hand. I left later, took my sweet time dressing at the inn, and set off for the waterpark. It was a long walk, but I didn't mind.

Ryuzetsu Land was much, much larger than I had originally anticipated. It was home to an aquarium, a photo board, a miniature casino, and two restaurants. I explored the entire dome for a good fifteen minutes and still hadn't encountered anyone I knew. And believe me when I say how desperately boring things like waterparks are when you're going alone.

I was quite tempted to visit the casino, which seemed to be calling my name, and to try my luck there. After another five minutes of searching, I made up my mind.

My bare feet padded against the concrete floor of the dome as I began my pilgrimage to the flashing sign at the other end of the park. Along my course, I found myself in a portion of Ryuzetsu Land that I had yet to explore yet—the 'kidz zone', as it had been dubbed. A soft smile crossed my features as I watched various mothers and fathers playing with their small children in the kiddie pools. One toddler, who couldn't have been any older than three, had to be dragged from the pool after managing to pop one of his floaties. Another little girl, a bit older than the former child, was a screaming mess the moment her father tried to place her in the water. I chuckled. Maybe, just maybe, one day I could have a family too…

Another girl caught my attention, when I reached the area of the 'kidz zone' suited for the school age children. A shining mane of blond hair bounced up and down in a pool of water, great giggles and splashes coming from the person it belonged to.

"Mavis?!"

She turned her head, her vivid green eyes meeting mine. A smile blossomed across her face.

"Alexandria!"

She clambered out off the water, without any kind of grace, and launched herself at me—like some kind of flying blonde ball of energy. I caught her with a laugh and swung her around in my arms, as if she weighed nothing. Essentially, she did. Mavis giggled, and I set her down again, the bubbly young girl almost tottering as her feet hit the ground.

"You came to the Games?" I blurted, as I gave Mavis a hug. The young girl laughed as she looked up at me. I ignored the concerned stares of several nearby parents.

"You haven't seen me in the stands?"

"No. Where've you been sitting?"

"With Makarov and the others," she bubbled. "Which reminds me… He's told me so much about you."

I turned my head at her statement. Two familiar, grumpy, old men sat several yards away on chairs, their chins supported by a disinterested hand in mirror image of each other. I snorted.

"Really?"

Mavis offered an enthusiastic nod. "Oh yeah. You should hear him go on about everyone." I chuckled again and she grabbed my hand. "Do you think you can get them to swim?"

"I can certainly try, though I won't make any promises."

Mavis, a literal ray of sunshine, guided me over to where the two Dreyars sat.

"So why are you here?"

Laxus looked up at me, gave me a quick once over, and continued to frown.

"What does it look like?" He retorted. "We brought Mavis because she wanted to swim for a bit."

I rolled my eyes. "Lame. Seriously Laxus, this is breaking whole new records of lame."

"You're annoying, Alexandria."

I ignored him and cast Mavis a conspiratorial glance. "He's not any fun is he?"

"Not at all." She agreed with a giggle. I patted her on the head; she only came up to my shoulder.

"We should have some fun then, if they're just going to sit around." I announced. Laxus grunted at my statement, his eyes narrowing.

"Since when were you so great with kids?"

"Mavis is not a 'kid', Laxus," I stated. "She's older than you are."

Mavis seemed to appreciate the sentiment, because she brightened at my words. "Why thank you, Alexandria."

I shook my head. "Poor Mavis, stuck with two grumpy old men..."

"I'm not old, woman!"

"Excuse me, I misspoke. You're ancient."

"I'm twenty-three!"

"Well, considering the time skip, you should actually be thirty, you old fart."

"Oh yeah? And how old are you?"

I uttered an overdramatic gasp.

Makarov chimed in, "You've got a lot to learn Laxus…"

"I'm twenty-one, thank you very much."

"Whatever."

I turned to the girl beside me, my movements drawn and over-exaggerated, "Do you think he's old, Mavis?"

"Practically a living fossil."

We both burst into raucous laughter. Honestly, I thought I was going to cry I chuckled so hard.

"Looks like they're teaming up on us." Makarov drawled. "You better watch out Laxus."

Mavis and I burst into another bought of laughter, tears streaming from her eyes as we tried to compose ourselves. I was about to make another joke about the two decrepit old men in front of us when it happened.

The bikini top was pulled from my body, and I gasped in shock, cupping my hands to my chest in defense. I whirled around, and none other than Jenny Realight stood behind me, my bra swinging in her hand like a trophy.

She let out a sharp bark of laugher and spoke, "That's for yesterday! You put me to shame, now it's your turn, you little-"

My fist crunched against her nose and she was on the ground before she knew what hit her. Mavis, Jenny, and I screamed as Jenny crashed down, though mine was more war cry than squeal. The bikini top fell from Jenny's manicured hand, and I watched as her nose gushed red while she cradled it with mewling whimpers.

I bent over, and with as much grace as I could muster, scooped up the bra from the ground while I used the other arm to cover my chest.

Jenny wasn't the only one with a bloody nose. All of Laxus was bright red, and I watched in surprise as a crimson substance gushed past his nostrils. His hands flew up over his face in an attempt to staunch the flow.

I steeled my face, turned my back to the group, and returned the bikini top to its home on my chest. Jenny peeled herself up off the ground as I was trying the string in the back, and she was gone in a flurry of tears before I could say or do anything else.

Makarov's voice met me, "You're going to get us in trouble. Going around and breaking peoples' noses isn't considered acceptable behavior." I turned and observed the three individuals remaining. Laxus was wiping the remaining blood from his nose.

"She played dirty, and so she paid the price, besides, I doubt it's even broken," I announced, and as I folded my arms I felt the straps I'd tied slipping from their knot "Oh shit. Hey, Mavis, would you mind retying this for me? I keep having trouble knotting it tight enough on my own." I turned my back to Mavis so she could work on the knot, but instead of her hands her voice met me.

"Xandria, I'm sorry but um…" She was a ghost. Right. "I can touch you," she added. "I just can't actually affect anything on or around you."

"Oh yeah, well, I, uh…" I turned to the two other men and sighed. I didn't know if Makarov could reach my back, more importantly, I didn't know if I really wanted him to. My eyes landed on Laxus. "Would you mind—"

He cleared his throat. "Sure."

I took a step closer and turned around; pulling my hair over my shoulder so he could reach my back.

After a moment I spoke, "You do know how to do this right?"

"What do you think I am, an idiot?" He retorted, and upon realizing his mistake he corrected himself. "You know what; don't answer that."

He grunted and grabbed the two strings, but I felt him pause slightly. And I could feel it; I could tell what he was doing. A rough finger floated down my back, tracing over a thin white scar that ran down from my shoulder to my mid back. An unwelcome shiver running through my body as he touched the exposed skin. I cleared my throat.

"Will you hurry up and tie the damn thing already?"

"Oh, shut up already."

"Make me."

Laxus froze, again, and we both cleared our throats. There was an awful lot of throat clearing. I don't really know why people clear their throats, other than to avoid awkward situations. The only thing throat clearing is good for is getting rid of tension.

I was about to snap again when he finally finished, and tied off the string. After that, I tried my hardest to turn the mood light again.

"Well, it took you long enough."

No one laughed. Mavis and Makarov were absorbed within an entirely nonverbal conversation, exchanging skeptical looks and teasing glances. I turned around to Laxus, to ask what he thought of their behavior, and was met by the sight of him trying to wipe away even more blood. I clenched my teeth.

"Laxus, you've got a little-"

"What a wonderful observation."

"Asshole."

We both glowered at each other, and the world was right again.

Mostly.

Mavis and Makarov refused to stop staring; they wouldn't stop shooting each other glances either. And they sure as hell weren't going to wipe the smirk from their faces.

"What?" I barked, and Mavis giggled.

"Nothing."

"Well would you like to swim again, then?"

"Actually…" She paused, considering something for a moment. And Mavis decided that she, being the strategical young woman that she was, was going to take matters into her own hands. "I have some, uh, important Fairy duties to speak with the master about."

"Oh really?" I quirked a brow. "Like what?"

Her hand scratched at a spot on her face when she replied, "Er… I can't tell you. It's just for the master's ears."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a terrible liar, you know that Mavis?"

"She's telling the truth, actually," Makarov interjected.

"Wait, why haven't I heard of this?" Laxus' voice was suspicious.

Mavis' answer made no sense. "Well because you're not the master, of course!"

"What are you-"

"You'll both need to leave, of course."

Makarov nodded, "Go ahead Laxus, take the girl somewhere."

"This girl can take herself somewhere, thank you very much," I announced in a huff. "I don't need you two geezers projecting yourselves into my life."

Mavis and Makarov responded in unison, "Geezers?!"

"Can't this wait until later?" Laxus pressed.

"You two are a real pain in the ass, you know that?" Makarov grumbled. "Just go do something fun for a bit. Enjoy each other's company! We're perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves."

"I wouldn't count on that…" Laxus muttered.

Makarov's eyes flashed. "What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Just go, we have important Fairy matters to discuss," Mavis blurted, and before I could fix her with a proper scowl, Laxus had his hand round my arm, dragging me in the opposite direction. I wriggled in his grip, voicing loud complaints as he tugged me away.

Makarov called after us with a laugh. "Have fun kids!"

He released my arm as soon as we were out of eyesight, offering up a grumble of frustration.

"They're so annoying."

"You're so annoying."

"That's probably the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," He retorted, and I grinned. He glanced around, and after a moment added, "So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know; I was supposed to be meeting Lucy and Cana here earlier, but I could never find either of them," I stated.

"Oh, we saw Lucy earlier. She and Erza were walking around together."

"Huh."

There was a distinct pause, and Laxus opted to change the topic. "Hey are you hungry?"

"Huh?" I'd barely heard what he said.

"I asked if you were hungry."

I shrugged. "Sort of; I haven't eaten dinner yet, though."

"You wanna grab something then? I hear they've got two great restaurants here."

"I'd rather just grab something quick."

He nodded. We ended up getting two corndogs and splitting one of those 'funnel' cakes. I'd never had a funnel cake before, nor did I realize how unlucky I was for missing out. It was like eating a cloud. A warm, doughy, heavenly cloud. Powdered sugar stuck to the roof of my mouth as I swallowed chunks of the dessert. Steam poured from the crispy crust upon pulling pieces apart, exposing the soft center.

After we finished, I didn't know if I'd ever taste something so fantastic again.

"So, what'd you think?" Laxus asked, and I smiled.

"What'd I think? I thought it was amazing! Why've you been hiding those things from me for so long?"

He laughed, obviously amused at my tone, and I found myself laughing alongside him. Powdered sugar still coated his lips like a fine layer of dust. His teeth were gleaming pearls as he smiled at me.

"What d'you wanna do next, then?"

"Maybe go on a ride or something; I haven't ridden anything yet."

"Isn't there a rule about not getting in the water for, what, thirty minutes after you eat?"

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, mom, but I think it's safe to say I'll be fine."

"I swear to God if you get sick…" He trailed off, chuckling. "As long as you don't puke on me though, I guess its fine."

"I'll make sure to vomit on you, then."

He ignored me. "There's a really big one waterslide over there." He motioned to the ride that stood near the center of the park, and a smirk appeared on his face. "You aren't afraid of heights are you?"

"You wish."

"Alright. I've got an idea. How about we ride as many rides as we can, but in between each one we have to eat as much food as we possibly can. First one to puke loses."

"Sounds fun."

"You think you're up for the challenge?"

I returned the smirk, leaning forward across the table we sat at. "You know I never back down."

"Oh I know." His eyes glinted as his fingers grabbed a stray lock of my hair, twisting it around and around.

"Prepare to lose, bitch."

~Laxus' POV~

His lips curled deeper into the smirk as he tugged softly at the tress.

He had to admit it. She was a sight for sore eyes. Not that'd he'd tell her that, but looking at her always reminded him of something nice, something refreshing. Her presence had a habit of lightening the air around the room, and it was no different than when he sat beside her there. Her eyes always danced with laughter and something like mischief; her lips always tilted upward, like she knew something you didn't—like there was some hilarious secret that you'd never get to know. In such close quarters he could catch subtle hints of her smell, clean and otherworldly, and smelling strongly of spearmint.

He couldn't help but feel like an idiot when he looked at her. She would have probably told him that as much—staring like that. But he'd just make up some halfhearted retort if she called him out. Tell her to pull her head out of her ass or something. She'd reply with her own smart remark, and they'd both turn their backs to each other. They'd repeat the usual cycle. The classic fuckyouverymuch routine they upheld around each other.

Or at least that's what should've happened, but he didn't know anymore.

If only things could be simpler. If only they could've hated each other again. Then they wouldn't have to worry about anything else.

A/N: It has come to my attention that there's something which I need to address. That something is Plagiarism.

I was informed by someone who reads this story that an account on was posting a plagiarized and slaughtered version of this story. Everything was almost the same, character names, relationships, background, location, theme, etc., etc. The person that posted my story has since taken it down, though I had no contact with them so I am unaware if they did it out of fear that I would find out, or if one of you told them off. If it was one of you, thank you so very much, but you don't need to feel like it's your responsibility to take care of situations such as this. Plagiarizers can turn out to be very mean people, and so I don't want any of you exposing yourselves harassment or cruelty for any reason, even if it's to protect or preserve me or my work. The situation has been (I guess) mostly handled, even though I had no hand in it. All the same I will be keeping an eye on the person that plagiarized my work to see if she does it again to me or anyone else. I am not going to tell you who she is (unless something serious happens later) because I don't want you going out and harassing her. She may've done a bad thing but that doesn't make her a bad person.

And I want to add this.

I work very, very hard on every one of my stories. Thought goes into every word that I write. I have spent almost two years working on this fic. What you're reading now is the product of my (metaphorical)blood, sweat, and tears. I have devoted a large portion of my time and energy into writing this. Alexandria, and this story, are my babies. I have worked so, so hard to get this story where it is today. Anyone who's created something will understand how I feel to have the thing I worked so hard to create, copied and ruined by another person. Maybe you think I've being overdramatic, and maybe I am, but that's how it is and that's how I'm going to be.

I have handled this with as much eloquence and tact as I could muster. I've tried to conduct myself with grace and kindness, and I've done everything to try to see things from the plagiarizers point of view. But, honestly, to anyone out there who's currently plagiarizing my work or the work of others, then fuck you. I mean it, and I'm not going to apologize for what I've said. Waking up and receiving a message about how someone is taking credit for my work was not how I wanted to start this day, but it's how my day started regardless.

The point isn't what the plagiarizers intentions were, the point is that they have committed a crime and have hurt people because of that.

Anyway, I'd appreciate if you, my readers, would let me know immediately if someone is plagiarizing my work. It means a lot. As always, I love you guys, and thank you so much for the R&R.