The ceiling fan spun around like it had been for hours through the night. The room was black, and it was only because of the fan that the room was cool. Even so, that wasn't nearly enough to keep someone from sweating.

A hitch in Craig's breathing made his body lurch. He was struggling, his legs shifting beneath the covers like he was struggling. His face contorted in pain, his arms and legs shuddering like he was having a seizure. His inward panic made him snort and snap. His eyes bolted open and gasped loudly. He inhaled deeply, like he was almost drowning.

His limbs spazzed out for only a few more seconds before the pain surged. He hasped again and lurched back into his pillow. He stared wide-eyed at the ceiling continuously, lost in the void that was his noggin. His mind raced from another mournful, scorning, and exponentially bloodcurdling memory, and he was sweating so much that his sheets were needed to be washed.

He turned over, but a pull in his ribs said otherwise. A pain flared, and he yelped again as he tried to reach over, but his arm also felt like crap. This was the direct result of the fight from earlier.

Both Craig and Gildarts were in critical care, so much that Porlyusica and Wendy had to pool together their resources to help their internal organs. Their bones were snapped, especially in the ribs and the face, but ice from Gray settled the swelling. It was taking a lot of time for the wounds to heal, but Craig's entire upper body was like that of a mummy. He was surprised his wounds didn't bleed inwards with all his thrashing.

As he tried to catch his breath, he caught onto something…missing. He hasn't had another flashback of some gruesome enemy with some vendetta or philosophical aspect in awhile. It was usually among lines of him having happy times with…

He slowly turned his head, looking over to see that the spot beside him was vacant. There was no brown hair, nor humungous mounds he could've mistaken for cantaloupes. It was mothing but wrinkled bed sheets and darkness on the other end.

When he looked over in that direction, he didn't feel justified. He stared at the darkness, seeing only the face Cana made when she was down earlier. The way she looked, it made him unsound. He didn't know what was going on, but he noticed how she looked when she looked at Gildarts' fallen body. It was a heavy discomfort, yet even if it wasn't his business, his mind meddled with the thought. He didn't like it. He knew how to think of it, but couldn't. He was just too dazed, and too tired to do anything. He only looked up at the ceiling, his eyelids half open as he was unable to sleep after everything.

A foot wedged in a sandal tapped onto the step, slowly catapulting Cana forwards. She found herself on the doorstep to Craig's apartment, a bag of groceries hoisted on her shoulder. She frowned as she looked at the door, knowing what she might find.

Inserting the key, she opened the door and went inside. She entered without say and the door shut behind her. She took one more hefty sigh. Before venturing and finding noises of insidious chomping in the kitchen.

Entering, she saw Craig's back and bandages covered by a light green shirt. "Well, look who's up all of a sudden." She said as she passed him.

Craig grunted as he opened his mouth and continued to chow into scrambled eggs he made.

Cana plopped the groceries on the counter. "I'm a little surprised you actually came down the steps like that. Porlyusica said you shouldn't even be moving so hastily for a few days."

"Shut it." He muffled with closed chomps.

Cana began unpacking all the fruits and groceries she took the liberty to get, shrugging at Craig. "Oh well, at least you used those crutches, right?" She turned around, seeing that right beside Craig's chair were a pair of crutches that sat idly against him.

Craig rolled his eyes and just snarled behind her back. "Some proxy nurse you are. Weren't you supposed to be at my side at 'all times'?" He rebuffed.

"How was I supposed to know you chose to come down this early?"

"How was I supposed to know that you were this more annoying when taking care of me?"

Cana mumbled incoherently as Craig just went on with massive plate of eggs. She went and fixed herself up a little breakfast, at the expense of Craig's money he still had. It wasn't that giving crap would do, but it wasn't abnormal to justify why he couldn't try and keep himself useful around Cana. Of course he only did so because he knew better. She knew what was important…at least hopefully more so than alcohol. She was inscribed by Porlyusica to stay at Craig's side at all times until he is at least able-bodied to a degree. He wasn't fully active now, but she gave a couple good looks at him and saw he wasn't moving his bones too much. Wendy would've obliged to cover for Cana, but the lush countered saying only she could perhaps handle his behavior, which was a valid excuse.

Though they were still bonding, that was no excuse for last night.

Craig gave Cana a few good looks every now and again. Whether it was to her exaggerated assets or her own glare. He wasn't necessarily appreciating what Cana did last night up and disappearing like that, but then again, she wasn't there when he was sent home. 'Something's up with that chick, I know it.' He ate constantly, but his mind kept racing to Gildarts and Cana, back and forth. 'The way she stared at him…it was of belonging. Did something…?'

Cana turned to see Craig's staring, making her own wonders explode. "What are you looking at?"

Craig glanced towards the window. "None of your business."

"I know you were thinking of something there."

"And what if I was?"

Cana narrowed her eyes at him once more. She let the matter pass over for the time being, but as she sipped her own tea, she was more contemptuous than ever. Ever since the full-scale battle yesterday, Craig was more observant than belittling. She thought it was because his ribs were shattered, and he couldn't speak, but details were far from her mind. Things were looking as usual between the two, but as of today, something seemed off.

There was an uncomfortable silence following their small rebuffing efforts. Craig glared down at his eggs as the plate was diminishing in quantity, showing not as much yellow as he thought he made. The taste of salt, pepper, cheese, and definitely egg was wedged into his noggin, but the taste faded as he continued thinking.

For the umpteenth time, rather than seeing his scowl, Cana saw the belittling thinking face of Craig. "Hey, is anyone there?"

"…how is he?"

Cana blinked in surprise. "Uh, what was that?"

"How's that guy? Gildarts? How is he?"

The question was as shocking as the fight itself. Cana wasn't sure what made him so intrigued, but he seemed piqued nonetheless. "Asking questions about people you deliberately hurt? Didn't think you'd ask such things." She played along.

"Just answer the damn question." He retorted.

Cana sighed. She knew Craig wasn't in the mood. "Alright, alright, if it'll keep you sane. His condition's stable at the moment. He's really no different from your own. Laki's acting as his caretaker, and Wendy's checking up on him periodically since he still hasn't fully healed. Bones and organs are still barely stable like your own. He'll be fine."

Craig stared down at his empty plate, staring at the embedded scraps of egg flakes lingering. "I see…"

The lush raised a brow, her own intentions finally reaching a breaking point. She leaned against the counter, giving Craig a rather leering stare as he got up from his seat. "Alright, what's biting your chain?"

Craig attempted to stand, but instantly felt a pull in his bones and muscles. They were still fresh and tender, and he winced as he bent over swift and quick to use his bare teeth to grab the side of the plate and got his crutches. It hurt, it really did, but he ignored the look Cana gave him and made it to the sink. There, he was as gentle as possible with setting the plate inside. It slid into the plate holder and he panted.

He passed her yet again, limping towards the living room. "Nothing." He muttered.

"I'm not buying that." She testified, following him.

Craig made it into the living room, where he gently sat himself down onto the couch and lid on his back. Thankfully the cushions were soft and tender to his liking. "Fine, guess you can buy me groceries and I'll pay ya for the troubles."

"Where do you think I was this morning?" She countered.

Craig turned his aching head away. "Damnit, I prefer it that you just use my funds. I hate being in debt like this, you know." Cana gently sat her rear end beside Craig's head. "And I also hate how close that fat ass of yours is to my face."

"Hilarious." Cana groaned. "Look, what's your deal? I'm here, yet you don't want me to do anything? What's the point? And what's with your attitude all of a sudden?"

"Why bother." He groggily snapped.

Cana's eyes widened.

"Why are maids hired? Why is slavery still a thing in some parts of the world? Why do rich always pay others to do their work? For the love of all things pissing me off, just hear me when I say I'd rather get things done myself. As far as I'm concerned, you're just a guest here. This is my place, and I'd rather have another spear plunge my guts than treat you like some maid asking to do everything for me. I'm not helpless you know…I don't treat people lower than me. That's not what friends do."

Cana was completely off guard by Craig's voice of reason. Granted, he was many things, and he wasn't so willing to admit things unless he truly meant it. He doesn't lie, just deflect. He meant what he said when he'd rather do his own dishes and use his own money for groceries than have Cana do it all. It was treating her like she were a servant, and that was something Craig utterly loathed about himself.

A hand brushed atop of his hair, fingers running through the slicked black locks. Craig closed his eyes and just went along with the small touch.

"You're just an idiot." Cana grinned.

"I know."

Whatever momentum and anger they usually had, it was easily resolved. That's how it worked between the two; it was just how it was. It wasn't anything wrong they did, but they preferred it that way. They bicker, then they playfully volley stuff at one another. It was all just a show of what long-lasting friends do.

While Craig did hold some inquiry as to where Cana was last night, he chose to postpone it for a more reasonable time. As Craig began to drift into a small nap, Cana pulled out a small liquor bottle, gently sipping from its brain cell-killing content.

With his head beside the hourglass hip of Cana, Craig was beginning to think of Cana and Gildarts. Something – just something – was off that he wasn't getting. Gildarts and Cana; the latter had a very enigmatic behavior ever since he came back, and he knew that it was of belonging and deflection at the same time. It bothered him greatly. Something was messed up, but he withdrew into slumber instead.

Cana yawned loudly as she sat by the warm, cozy fire. She was all wrapped in a blanket beside Craig, both boy and girl getting drowsy from the long day and the warm embrace of embers ahead of them.

Cornelia smiled as she looked down from her book, she, too, looking tired. It was a cold, winter night, and she was having it unsound as she was getting exhausted taking care of two little penny pinchers. With a small but soft smile, she walked on over and knelt to the already sleeping Cana and a drowsy Craig. Her baby girl was asleep, but Craig raised a tired fist.

"Wooo…I win…" He mumbled, having stayed up longer than Cana.

"Another game?" Cornelia cooed. The sudden sound she made had Craig whip around to look at her, his tired eyes fixated onto her.

Craig's gaze grew dazed as he began to falter over, but caught himself. It made Cornelia giggle.

"Alright, Mister Stamina, time for bed." She bent over and lifted her daughter up over her shoulders. "You both certainly had another fun day it seems."

"Awww…but I'm not tired yet." Craig meekly whined. However, judging from his face, it said otherwise.

Cornelia smiled as she took Cana to her room. She went in and gently placed the sleeping little girl inside her bed. She tucked in the covers and gently kissed her daughter's forehead in goodnight's bliss. After gently leaving enough space to leave a creak in the door, Cornelia turned towards Craig next.

"And now, you."

Craig gave a small pout of reluctance, but he didn't have the strength to stand to it. He stumbled over towards the soft couch, where he lazily crawled atop of the leathery cushions and felt a soft, warm blanket embrace his back.

The motherly angel got Craig a pillow and slid it beneath his sleepy head. The way he looked so sleepy almost made her heart melt. "You're such a sweet boy." She said softly. "It's such a shame you were all alone out there, fighting to find something to eat." She stroke his hair, gently massaging the sleepy boy's noggin after a long day with her own daughter. The more she thought about it, the more it made her sad.

"If only we knew who your parents were, or what happened. I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"Mmmm…" Craig moaned as he was about to drift of, but before he did, he was wondrous himself. "Cornelia?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"If your Cana's mommy…what's her daddy…?"

The question caught the mother by surprise. She didn't think Craig could ask such a personal question. Then again, it's what happens after being with someone for so long. She didn't know what made him ask such a question, but her only guess was his curiosity.

"What brought that on?" She asked.

Craig blinked weakly as his head faced her own. "Because you talked about mine. I don't know them…what about Cana's?"

Cornelia now knew why. She did in fact feel pity for the poor boy, but she knew he always had a way with screwing with her, even when half-asleep. Persistent as he was, she knew that since Cana was asleep, she could count on Craig to be responsible with what she says.

The woman looked towards the ceiling as she gently massaged Craig's hair. "Cana's father? Well, he was…he was something. He was this very generous man. He had such passion for his work. He was definitely charismatic in his own way. Handsome. Thoughtful. Made sure everyone was assured." She looked towards him, smiling. "Kinda like you."

Then Craig followed with another question. "Is he dead?"

Cornelia didn't answer right away. She smiled mournfully at Craig, but otherwise she shook her cranium. "No, sweetie. He isn't dead. I left him."

He grew confused. "You…left him?"

She nodded. "I really did love him, I really did. Cana's father was one of the most dependable people I've ever met. But at the same time, he was unreliable."

"What do you mean…?"

"I left him because all he ever did was work. He was this big and strong man who held a lot of weight on his shoulders. He was a strong mage, and it was because of that he worked so much for the guild. He worked weeks on end…it hurt. He was never around when I needed him. So I left him, and right after that…I had my baby girl."

Craig looked at Cornelia, seeing the hidden sadness in her eyes. "Do you miss him?"

Cornelia looked towards him, again smiling in mourn. Her head shook. "Maybe sometimes, but it's okay. I'm not lonely. I have my sweet daughter to look after. And now we have you. You've been a big strong man for us, you've helped us out a lot." She bent over, kissing the top of Craig's head. "Sure he was a great man, but he was never around like you are. I'm just glad Cana has someone to look up to."

Craig was waning into slumber, his eyes closing and Cornelia's voice fading away. "I'm happy…too…"

She pulled away, smiling at him one last time, the last of her voice in that very sentence entering his ears. "I'm sure you would've liked to meet him someday…Gildarts…"

Craig's eyes meekly opened, no sound coming from his throat. He blinked, his vision returning upon seeing the high ceilings and lights as well. He was frowning, but he felt something wrong, and it wasn't from the fact that he didn't have a nightmare. It was more…complicated than it seemed.

'The hell was that just now?' He yawned, recalling the memory. 'Cornelia…so she actually left her husband and conceived Cana…? Man, that's crazy.' When it came to him, his eyes widened. 'Wait, hold on!' He almost lurched, but when he twitched, his bandages were realized, keeping him from moving so much. 'What did she say…?'

"I'm sure you would've liked to meet him someday…Gildarts…"

The realization made Craig almost pale. 'Does she mean…that Gildarts is…!' He was hearing gulps from above, making him redirect focus onto what was seen as massive buxom in front of his face cupped in a black and white bra. He tried his best to ignore the arousing sight and size as he looked as the face of Cana, seeing her gulp down more alcohol.

Once finished, she sighed, looking down at him. "I see somebody's already up." She smirked. "About time."

"Brownie?" He grumbled.

She gave him a wink. "You miss me? You were pretty sound asleep there. Hope you didn't think too hard of me while you were down."

Craig's face fell into joking despondence. In a way, he was. "More or less." He implied.

She beamed with pride as she patted his head. "Now there's a good boy."

"I still bite." He warned, urging her hand to stop petting his head. "And was your big ass still touching my head?"

Cana shrugged. "Beats me. I actually dozed off like you did. I only woke up a few minutes ago and started this bad boy." She shook the alcohol in her left hand. "Besides…" She got up from the couch, allowing herself to stretch. "You talk quite a bit about my goodies. Like 'em plump I see?" She looked over her shoulder, giving her 'patient' a nice view of what a ripe backside in cargo pants looked like. Apparently it didn't seem to faze him.

"Not today~." He groaned. "Better luck next time."

"You're such a killjoy." Cana pouted.

"That's what I live for." As he tried to get up, something else crossed his mind, making him look directly at her. "Say, what was that you said earlier? "

"Hm?"

"About catching some shut eye when I did. You make it sound like you didn't sleep last night…"

Cana raised a brow. "Is that a problem?"

Craig narrowed his eyes, giving her a prolonged leer. Usually she just came over and held him like some teddy bear. He was adorable that way, but at the same time it wasn't needed…to her. To him, it was comfort, and that comfort wasn't there last night. "…pfft. Forget it." He sneered.

Cana shrugged. "Suite yourself, ya Cranky perv." She turned around, heading right for him and helped in supporting him. "Well, I wanna get some barrels of wine from the guild, and I know I can't leave you like this…"

With his arms around his crutches, Craig slouched inwards. "Yeah, yeah. How's about saving and put me in a Card Dimension? That'll make me less of a handicap to ya."

Cana gave him a serious frown as she followed him. "I can't use magic on you in the state you're in. It'll only make things worse for your recovery. Besides, you're not exactly a hinderance to me…" She smirked. "Well, at least your jewel isn't when buying my drinks."

Craig sighed.

"Just joking." She laughed. "I'm not that cruel." Her laughing aside, she made way outside the abode with Craig, giving him a sincere smile. "You're a decent guy, Cranky. I'd rather not steal that virtue."

Craig was definitely appreciative of Cana's care for him, and he showed it in a soft half-grin demonstrated. However, he only remined that way as he internally thought of something else. 'So if Cornelia was her mother. Then her father…' He recalled her words one last time. 'Is Gildarts. Right…?'

The guild hall was boisterous as could be, even after the intense scuffle yesterday. In fact, that was all the rage spelled out today. So much talk over repairs were issued, but the bigger of the many talks were centered around Craig kicking Gildarts into the dirt.

Gildarts laughed uproariously through the guild hall. His loud laugh was echoing as he held a mug of ice cold beer in his prosthetic left arm.

"Hey bud, looks like someone's had his screws loose." Macao teased.

"Either it's the alcohol or the adrenaline talkin'." Wakaba said.

Gildarts' laughter turned to a cough. Instantly Laki looked down with worry. "Gildarts, what did I just say? You can't strain yourself so early in your recovery." She lectured.

Catching his breath eventually, Gildarts looked at her with a sheepish smile. "Uh, sorry. Guess I'm still gloating off what a head rush I had yesterday."

"I'll say. You had your ass handed to ya." Wakaba said.

Once again, Gildarts laughed.

"I don't think he should be laughing this much." Macao half-grinned as he pulled the alcohol away from the patient. "I think doctor's orders were 'slow and steady', weren't they?"

"Oh come on, don't be such a killjoy. I'm just relaxing." Gildarts insisted. "It's been awhile since I had good quality beer. It actually makes my bones feel a lot better!" He sheepishly rubbed his hair, smiling cheekily.

"Here we go." Laki face palmed.

Not too far away, a few tables away, Natsu and the rest of his team was looking at Gildarts trying to get drunk, but wasn't necessarily helping with how he felt.

"There he goes making a mess again." Gray examined.

"Will he be alright? I mean his Crush Magic is unstable, right?" Lucy inquired.

"I'm sure he's fine. Porlyusica and Wendy treated him, right? He's probably trying to drown his loss like anybody else would."

Erza nodded with the statement. "I could agree. However, I think he's just trying to take it in stride. He is hardy that way."

"Aye! I bet next time, Craig could learn a thing or two when Gildarts gets first shots!" Happy announced.

The table ranged loudly from a fist hammering it. The many people of Team Natsu looked over, seeing Natsu with gritting teeth. "Man, that battle left me disappointed! I wanted to see old man Gildarts knock the dino chump down some!"

Wendy nervously smiled. "I think you're overlooking this just a bit, Natsu."

"Indeed." Carla agreed.

Erza crossed her arms and pondered. "Although Craig is more disagreeable with what we live up to, you can't deny that what he's been through isn't exactly what we were prepared for either."

Natsu pouted. "Hmmmph! Man, I just wished that guy lightened up, or I can at least kick his teeth."

"He'll bite your arm clean off." Happy said.

"Damnit!"

"Hey, don't make such a fuss over there! It's annoying!" Gajeel berated.

"Yeah, some of us are trying to find work around here like real men!" Elfman shouted.

Natsu shot up, raising a fist. "Wanna come and make me?!"

Lucy facepalmed. "Here we go again."

At another table more wayward towards the walls, there was another table. This one was made preferably by Craig and Cana, the latter of which holding many mugs and barrels of fine wine and alcohol on her side of the furniture. The former just tried to lay his head down.

A mug slamming on the table made his groggy eyes open. He glared up at Cana, showing great irritation as she hiccupped.

"Must you do that after every mug you finish?" He complained.

"Oh don't be such a whiner. You've been sleeping this whole morning. Get up, would ya?" Cana slurred as she went and had at another mug sitting close by. She smiled slyly, but within her modest and laid-back cheering – jeering in Craig's case – there was that similar deflection.

Craig just gave a tired grunt as he laid his head back down on his arms. He ignored the ongoing rumble that was caused by Natsu and the trademark men who were yelling at one another, disregarding all the crashing and furniture breaking as he just gazed at one table in particular. Said table housed his opponent from yesterday.

He had trouble wrapping his head around what kind of flashback he had, and he knew better than to let it slide. Looking at Gildarts and comparing it to Cornelia, there wasn't a canny resemblance. 'Looks like Brownie got the looks from her mom. Hard to believe that guy is…' Gildarts' uproarious laughter put the brakes on his thought train for a short bit; to no surprise it annoyed him. He'd rather not think about it, but it only served to belittle his imagination. His face contorted in utter frustration. 'I can at least see where she gets her drunken behavior from. Still, Gildarts is her Dad. What's Brownie been up to all this time with him even?' He looked back at Cana, shooting a glance to see a mood shift that made him turn towards her completely.

She was once a somewhat perky woman who drank with no issues on her mind, but as she gulped down a mug, her head tilted forward when releasing the tip from her mature lips. Her purplish eyes were directed on towards Gildarts, a deep frown in which framed her insecurities.

The way she looked like she was going to hunt him down, it belittled Craig. He knew that meaning, and he's witnessed it before. He only glared at Cana like nothing was happening. She was so focused on Gildarts that she didn't return a leer of her own.

Their deflection of stares were absent-minded to the others. Natsu and everyone were in a full-scale brawl by now, but none of the furniture nor bodies flying kept them away from their intended targets. It was like they were fixated. Something had to give in.

As Max flew over Gildarts head, the man drank one more mug, gulping down the last of its contents before exerting a sigh of relief. He sat it down, taking alleviations. "Now that's the ticket." He huffed. When he raised his head, his ears rang with similar sounds of Natsu exerting flames.

"I'LL SHOW YOU!"

"AYE, SIR!"

Within the distance, Natsu was boisterous and uncontrollable. Makarov groaned on the countertop while the guild was rampaging like no other. Gildarts smiled as he could see the lively energy that he possessed. "Well, at least some things haven't changed around here." He mused. "Hm?" Of course his attitude turned when he noticed the table not too far away.

With Gildarts looking in their direction, Cana immediately deflected towards Craig with a hidden scowl. Instantly, Craig caught onto the deflected notice. Avoiding it seemed, but nonetheless something that he was aware and practiced quite often…or used to.

"What are you looking at?" Cana asked.

Craig leaned back with crossed arms, giving her a contorting judgement. All he did was stare and gave no verbal answer. It was like a teacher to a schoolgirl. It unsettled Cana that she only narrowed her vision on him. It didn't faze him.

Within their intense stare, a pair of crutches and footsteps were heard. Both looked away as their attention went towards Gildarts, who was barely supporting himself with his injuries. Thankfully, Laki made Wood-Make material to make braces for Gildarts and for her to help support him as she followed.

"Yo." He greeted the two.

"Oh, hey Gildarts." Cana answered flatly.

Craig's mind clicked at the way she referred to him. In a flash, he looked back at him.

"So how've you both been holding up?" Gildarts asked.

Cana sighed as she lowered her head. "As well as you can imagine." Once again, she showed no sympathetic emotion.

Gildarts served to smile. "That's good. And what about you?" He and Craig and eye contact, both participants giving the other blank stares.

As the brawl went on, Gray punched Gajeel in the face. "How do you like that?!" He stood back up and looked in another direction, but rather than a foe, he instead saw Gildarts and Craig staring at the other.

With his back turned, Natsu went for a sucker punch. "Alright, it's you and me ya ice…" Natsu trailed off, noticing where Gray was looking. All the momentum the Dragon Slayer had went south as his feet slowed down. Like Gray, he stopped in place and looked at the scene.

One by one, many Fairy Tail mages were ceasing fire as they were looking at the scene. The guild's boisterous fire was settling as the momentum shifted to looking at the intense scene of Gildarts and Craig. After yesterday, the many mages were so contorted with what to feel, or rather what the other felt about each other.

It was all silent as could be. One could've heard a pen drop. Not a word was spoken as Craig and Gildarts were two bandages mummies glaring at the other like they were dinner.

Finally, Craig got the guts to speak up. "I could ask you the same thing. Shouldn't you be on a couch or something?"

Gildarts smirked. "Well I can see you haven't lost your sense of humor."

Craig mustered a tug on his lips on the left side. "As boundless as the number of broken bones I have, sure. But I can see you've got your own work cut out for yourself."

Gesturing to his body, Gildarts followed his gaze. "What, this? Yeah, you cleaned my clocks pretty good. I'm impressed. I didn't think there was someone like you who could even repel that last blow. Now that did my arm in." True to what he said, Gildarts' right arm was limp, held by a cast. "Of course I could be saying that to you?"

Craig looked down at himself. "What? These? Well yeah, it hurts to move my chin and all, and I'm stuck with these things for a few days, but I'm just as well as ever."

"Tough. I like that." With his bandaged and still dented prosthetic arm, Gildarts reached down towards him. "I owe you an apology."

Craig frowned in confusion. "For what?"

"You know, for everything I believed about you. When we battled, I wasn't sure what to believe you were. Honestly after hearing and seeing bots of what you did, I just thought you were an animal. But now…I think I got a good feel about you. We cool?"

There was a second's worth of hesitation. Everyone looked around, hoping something good would come out of the recipients. Many of the stares were directed towards Craig, who was looking hesitant.

At last, Craig weakly curled his fingers beneath his bandages and gently stretched them out, slowly bumping bruised knuckles with Gildarts.

"Tch, you are a dunce." He answered. "Hasn't anybody told you not to judge?..." He managed a half-grin. "But yeah…for now." True, Craig held questions for Gildarts, but for the most part, he was having respect for his skills and experience. Personality and history wise, however, that was still up in the air.

Gildarts pulled away and smiled. "Glad to hear." He moved away, his braces making him turn with Laki in pursuit. "Well, that's enough for me. I think gonna hit the sack at home. Catch ya later. Coming, Laki?"

Laki followed behind. "Wait up, don't rush yourself."

"I won't." He said. Before he got too far, however, he stopped and looked over his shoulder, smiling. "By the way, Cana…"

The brunette looked over her shoulder, she and Craig alike looking at Gildarts with passing wonder.

"Thanks for stopping by this morning with those drinks. I really needed one after a long night of hell."

Craig's eyes went over towards Cana. She gave Gildarts a half-grin, showing little emotion again.

"No worries." She answered.

With that, Gildarts smirked and went on with his business. He and Laki exited the guild hall, allowing everyone to follow along with their business as usual. However, as they were still raptured in the mild scene, Cana turned back in her seat with a distressing sigh.

As she looked at Craig, the two made eye contact. As she looked at him, he gave her a narrowed fixture. From that one look, she knew that Craig caught on.

The door to Craig's abode opened and closed. Once the two entered the living room, Craig sat up while Cana stretched her arms beneath the ceiling fan, exhausted after a long day.

"Well, that sure made me tired." She hummed.

"Were you planning to tell me this before or after we got back here?" The brunette didn't like the tone Craig used with her. He sounded more threatening than factual. When she looked towards him, she the way he lounged back with crossed arms. In a way, she knew for a fact he was annoyed more than usual.

Cana took a long sigh before relenting. "It's not like I meant it." When Craig didn't answer, she turned her head away. "I didn't mean for it to go overnight, but the truth was that I went on a job. I have to pay my own wages too, you know."

Craig turned and rolled his eyes away. "You left after you dropped me off at that old dirt bag's place, didn't you?"

"Like I said, I had to make it as fast as possible."

"That's not the point I'm making." Craig snapped, hunching forward. He made sure to stay gentle with his arms and fingers still unable to move about. He adjusted his leery gaze at Cana, making sure she saw him and his contempt. "The job and the fact you left me alone for one night is one thing, but the fact you did it just to avoid that guy is just low. Whatever your deal is, I know that it's got something to do with unable to face him head on."

Cana looked down at the ground, her face contorted with uneasiness. "…please, just stop."

"No." He deadpanned. "If you're just going to keep going like this, then fine. Maybe you're the one who shouldn't show herself instead of him. I've seen the way you stare when he isn't. I know what's going on with that look."

"What do you know about me and my life?" She offendedly asked.

"That you're hiding truth from him."

Cana gasped at the fact she was caught.

"Don't think I've been down that road either. Don't even question how, because you know I've been like that. I've seen and I acted in deflection a lot. When you're unable to commit to a truth. When you're wanting to turn tail and rather not bite the bullet. When that one person who is closest to you doesn't know a terrible reality that brought upon themselves or the others around you. A deflection is basically me. I always tried to deflect you idiots from my personal life, and you go and be weasels."

"Craig, please…this isn't of your concern."

Craig narrowed his eyes. "I disagree."

"Just what do you want out of me already?" She snapped back. "What do I know that you want?! Why are you being so…!"

"What are you hiding from Gildarts."

Once again, Cana was brought to a standstill. Her heart stopped when Craig got to the point.

"It's not about you hiding things from me. It's about hiding things from that guy. Whatever is going on, I know you're deliberately ignoring him." For the briefest of seconds, he thought of his latest memory and of Cornelia leaving Gildarts. "Maybe he did something or you did something before and never could face the truth. Well?" He gave Cana just one more look, and that was all he did before she went completely stiff.

The lush had shadows over her eyes. She frowned heavily as Craig caught onto her deflection. She wanted to say nothing of it, but the reality was sinking in. She was beat. Craig was the master of deflection and keeping secrets. If that were the case, she knew she couldn't bottle it up anytime soon.

"…guess I should've known, given your experience." She said low.

"Pfft." He sniped.

"Look, whatever you're thinking, don't get the wrong idea. It wasn't him, it was me. The truth is…well…" She clutched her arm tighter, hesitating to give a proper answer. "Gildarts…he's my father."

Th reality melted into Craig's mind. 'So I was right all along.'

"I came to the guild when I was really young. I learned of my father's name and I chose to join Fairy Tail just so I could be closer to him. But…he always was away on big missions. He's always gone, and I just couldn't bring myself to say anything. I learned Fortune telling and Card Magic so I can pick up on Gildarts' whereabouts, just so I can see him. I found some chances but…" Her arm was clutched tighter, hidden frustration boiling inside her eyes. "I don't know…I guess since he's this bog shot…I thought I would finally have a right to tell him if I ever become S-Class. He's got a lot to handle, but I want to do what I can to prove myself before I can tell him I'm his daughter. There's no way I could face him the way I am now."

Craig stared at her a long time. He didn't say anything, nor did he even move. It was like he was frozen, but at the same time didn't show any signs of emotion. He knew what she was talking about, as that happened when he said such things and did them.

A small sigh escaped from him. "You really are a much bigger dumbass than him, you know that?"

"What?" She retorted.

"So he's a big honcho, so what? That doesn't change the fact that you're his offspring. It's not a rite of passage to wait and tell your parent to declare yourself as their child. You're basically making excuses for something you could've done sooner. So you think you're not good enough or are afraid he might reject you, I've been there before, but ask yourself this: You'd rather die with something on your heart? Something tells me you'd only make others suffer because of that." His glare sharpened on her shocked expression, continuing to push deeper into her mentality. "You know I've seen people die without knowing something that was most important to them. I knew friends who died before their girlfriends had their children. Imagine knowing you never had a dad. Imagine being fostered only to realize you had a real mom and dad out there. How will you know how they'll react unless you try? Look, play chicken all you want…but you nor him probably wouldn't be at peace knowing something in your life has been missing." He looked down, his frown dampening. "Believe me, too many suffered taking the belief 'It's better this way' with them."

Cana was quiet from Craig spilling beans once more. She thought back to her childhood in Fairy Tail, when she first saw Gildarts. She was so excited, yet so nervous. As time went on, it wasn't something she felt as she grew older. She just grew more and more sad. Even now, it was a weight on her chest. Maybe she felt that way for a reason, but it was selfish. That's what Craig was pointing out.

Craig grunted as he slowly leaned back on the couch. "Well, I'm gonna nap till the day rises again."

Cana shot him her own look. "Shouldn't you be in bed to do that?"

He turned his head away. "Don't look at me. Not tonight. Unless you wanna settle your 'selective selfishness' elsewhere."

Cana sighed in defeat. She should've known Craig would've been this difficult. "Just who are you calling selfish."

"Hey, I said 'selective selfishness'. I never meant yourself as a whole."

"Sure you did."

"Just sit that butt somewhere and drink into a comma already…" With that, Craig dozed off, his tired mind and body finally relenting into a nice, relaxing slumber, now that Cana was here.

Cana looked down at the ground, her gaze growing unsound as she thought of Craig's words. She deeply thought of the words he said, and how she was 'selectively selfish', and at the same time she went on a job to buy a few drinks, get beer for her father – who she still couldn't look in the eyes with – and get some groceries. That wasn't selfish, but the fact she started it to avoid Gildarts was selfish of its own right. Maybe she was being hard or selfish and is too scared. Maybe she wasn't as fearless as Craig, but maybe she just needed a good push.

The more she stared at Craig, the more she saw the mild look of sleep on his face. He looked sound asleep by now. Maybe she didn't do justice last night, but she couldn't say anything for the time being. Like Craig, she was too tired to do anything else. Finding a comfortable spot on a seat, and slouched back.

'Sorry, Craig. Maybe I'm not like those guys you've met who you've seen take secrets and regrets to the afterlife…but maybe if it is for the best, maybe…' She pulled out a booze bottle from her purse, turning towards the ceiling with a frown. She watched the fan go around and around without stopping. "Mom…"

For the rest of that evening, the sound of Cana's chugging.

So what did you guys think about this chapter? Not so much action as there was drama, but it leaves you thinking of their relationship taking yet another step. Next chapter, I'll see if I can wrap up this arc. Afterwards, I may have plans for one more 'grand' arc, if that means anything. But even so, hope this chapter left you guys thinking.