Night

Disclaimer – I do not own Fairy Tail

Author's Note #1 - I'm using the 100 Theme Fanfiction Challenge for this collection. I thought it'd be something different.

Author's Note #2 - This one I am rating T.

Author's Note #3 - These drabbles are pretty much one-shots and are not related to each other in any way unless otherwise indicated.

Summary: Wendy feels as if Laxus doesn't appreciate all the little things she does. What will Laxus think of that?

Night (Rated T)

Laxus was exhausted. He'd been up since before the sun had risen because he had an emergency mission to attend. Several fights and a few disasters later, he was finally home. It was late in the evening, so he was just in time for dinner. And boy was he ready for one of Wendy's delicious, home-cooked meals. His mouth salivated at the thought. She'd started cooking for him after she'd learned Freed up and left, saying he couldn't take it anymore. Laxus didn't understand what Freed meant. He still didn't, no matter how many times he tried talking to the run mage. But he couldn't pass up on the opportunity of having Wendy's home-cooked meals.

Entering his apartment, he threw off his jacket…and just stood there in confusion. No scrumptious aromas wafted from the kitchen, no sizzling sounds of something delectable could be heard, and no clanking of pots and pans.

Something was wrong.

Concerned, Lacus walked toward the kitchen and peeped inside. No one was there. It didn't even look as if anyone had cooked at all. The kitchen appeared spotless.

Leaving the kitchen, Laxus called out for Wendy. "Wendy? Where are you?"

"Here," a voice snapped from the living room.

Taken aback by the small dragon-slayer's harsh tone, Laxus slowly made his way to the living room. Curled up on the couch and covered in a thick blanket lay Wendy, reading the latest issue of Sorcerer's Weekly.

"Hi," Laxus said gently. Was it just him or did Wendy look...mad?

"Hi yourself," Wendy mumbled under her breath.

Okay, Wendy didn't look mad. She was mad. But why?

"Are you…all right, Wendy?" Laxus questioned as he sat on the floor in front of the young girl.

"What do you think?" Wendy answered in the same tone as before.

Laxus sighed. "Did I do something to upset you?"

"Yes!" Wendy snapped.

Laxus cringed. What had he done to deserve this? "Um…this may be a strange question, but…what did I do exactly?"

"It's not what you did do; it's what you didn't do. Or rather, what you've never done," said Wendy. "Now I know why Freed said he couldn't take it anymore."

What was that supposed to mean? "What—"

"You never compliment anyone. Especially me and my cooking. You don't thank me for preparing dinner for you. I go out of my way to make sure you have a decent meal since Freed left, and you just come in and eat without saying a word. Well, not anymore! It's fend for yourself night, mister!"

Laxus raised an eyebrow at the dragon-slayer's outburst. This only angered Wendy further. She put down her issue of Sorcerer's Weekly and threw off her blanket. As Wendy tried to get up from the couch, Laxus nudged her back down.

"Wait," Laxus said firmly. Wendy crossed her arms and averted her eyes. "I'm…sorry. I didn't know small things like that meant so much to people."

"It's not a small thing," Wendy said quietly. She took a deep breath. "Acknowledging someone's actions, thanking them for what you think are small things mean so much to another person. It just feels like you take, take, take and give nothing back in return, even if it's just words. Do you understand that?"

Laxus huffed and thought back to his time with Freed and the others. They were always supporting him, taking care of him. What had he really done in return? Sure, he'd protected them from time to time. And he was more a man of action than words. He supposed he could say something nice...once in awhile. "I think I do. I really am sorry, Wendy. It never occurred to me to say anything, and that's the truth. But I will try from now on. I'll...try to have a word with Freed, too. I may have some making up to do. And if you don't want to cook for me anymore, it's all right. I understand."

Wendy giggled. "Okay. Well, go fend for yourself tonight. Get something from the guild."

Next, Laxus said something that floored Wendy.

"You know what? Let me make you something to eat," Laxus replied, getting up and making his way toward the kitchen.

Suddenly, panic seized Wendy. Laxus? Cook?! No! He'd blow up the apartment complex in seconds!

"Laxus! Laxus, wait!" exclaimed Wendy as she hurried after the dragon-slayer into the kitchen.

Author's Note - I was a little stumped. At least it took place at night! Please Review!

*Next Theme - Expectations*