Chapter Four
Wild
She was reaching her limit when the man beside her finally fell back off his stool. The crowd gathered around the bar cheered boisterously in her favor and chanted her name. She grinned and raised her bottle up, provoking more noise from them all. Nothing could truly beat the thrill of winning another contest. Especially when she won a hefty amount of the bet money. More booze for me. Cana hooted with the rest of them and chugged the rest of her drink, provoking yet another round of cheers and drinks. She relished in the laughter and good-humored mood of bar. It was with people like this that she felt the most at home. Probably since the place she called home was Fairy Tail. The thought made her giggle and stretch out onto the counter, her chin resting on her forearm.
"I remember when it was you who'd toppled from your seat." A man chuckled as he sat beside her. Her head snapped up to see him downing a small cup of liquor, that ever-present smile on his lips.
"You." She pouted, reaching out her glass for the barkeep to refill.
"I also remember you being topless, too." He had leaned over with one eyebrow cocked.
"Not by choice." Came her annoyed reply as she shot back her own drink. "What are you doing here anyway?"
He only laughed again, mimicking her action for a refill. "Why, I was in the area and heard the sound of a wild bar. My soul was shaking so badly, how could I resist?" It was difficult to tell if he was being serious or not. Her head was swimming still and she actually wondered if Bacchus was indeed sitting next to her. Drunken curiosity got the better of her as she reached out and pinched his cheek, tugging at it.
"Hwah ah yah dahingh?" The gesture didn't seem to bother him.
"You're supposed to pinch a cheek to see if you're dreaming or not." Cana released his face and shrugged after deeming he must be real after that. Bacchus rubbed at the reddening skin.
"You're supposed to pinch YOURSELF." He said in feigned discontent. "But you can keep dreaming about me if you'd like." To that she punched his arm playfully.
They laughed at each other and joked some more, drinking until he confessed that even his head began to spin. He hadn't changed much since she last saw him at the games. Though it may have been her inebriation, his eyes and cheeks seemed a little more sunken in and somehow his body was a little leaner than she recalled. Even his personality was a little… Dull? Is that the right word? She shrugged. It made no matter. What she was interested in was why he had come to Magnolia. Every time she tried to steer the conversation back to that, he would avoid it by drinking or blatantly changing the subject. At first, she paid it no mind, thinking he really might have just been in the area and happened by. It puzzled her, but as he rambled on, it was easy to ignore her desire to question him and ultimately enjoy his company. He had been talking about some kid at the train station and giving him some money or something when she mentally rejoined the conversation.
"Ho? What are you trying to imply?" She tilted her head to give him a sideways glance. "Can't pay your tab?"
He snickered and polished off the mostly filled bottle in front of him, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand afterward and looked directly at her. Much to her shock he leaned his head over towards to door, glancing over his shoulder at it, as if to signify that they were going to make a break for it. Her jaw must've dropped some as she gave him an incredulous look. She nervously looked from him to the door then back to him. After a moment the corners of his lips turn upward as he burst with laughter. He pounded a fist against the top of the counter and held his stomach as he bent over. It took him a bit to recover before he sat back upright and patted the very full looking purse tied at his waist. His smile quivered as he tried to keep from going into another laughing fit.
"It's on me." The alcohol flush already on her cheeks helped to hide her fluster, as did the highly unamused glare she shot at him. Bacchus must've noticed because he began to chuckle again.
"Ass." She jabbed his shoulder again and tried to keep from catching his contagious smile. Tamer. That's it. That was the word she was thinking of. He was tamer than usual. Before he was never opposed to stirring up some sort of trouble, like actually skipping on the tab even though he had the money to pay, or being the loudest and flashiest person in the crowd. But now she figured out what was different. He spoke loudly, but just so she could hear him over the other drunks. He drank a large amount, but didn't seem to take as much joy in it as the other times she's seen him. Then again this could all just be theory since she wasn't very coherent at the moment. So once more, Cana just pushed the thoughts from her head.
Eventually, the barkeep ushered them and the rest of the regulars out so he could lock up. Forced out, Cana found herself walking aimlessly with Bacchus through the dim streets. He was quiet for a bit as they strolled, his shoulders a little slumped forward and his typically bright smile more of a half-hearted grin. He listened to her talk about all the friends she had there at the bar and how quickly they all got to know each other when she finally bought her new home. Her father had sent her the money to buy it, saying that he didn't have much need of it. Bacchus commented saying how nice it must be to have a rich family, but to that Cana laughed. There was something about Gildarts wearing well-tailored suits, slicking his hair back and shaving that made for a very hilarious notion. When he asked her what was so funny, she brushed it off, deciding Bacchus wouldn't understand the mental picture she'd painted for herself. She did go on to admit that all she wanted to do was splurge it on expensive alcohols and pay off a few tabs at first, but when she'd given it some thought, at least after Mirajane lectured her into spending it on something more worthwhile, she settled on buying a home.
She told him how she lived in the guild dorms since she first came to Magnolia and figured it was about time she got a place of her own. He grinned and told her he had done the same when he first immigrated as well, though he quieted after she'd asked about how he'd come to Fiore in the first place. Awkwardly she tried to reassure him and confessed how lonely it was when she first moved out. Though the girls back at the dorms had a natural talent for getting on her nerves, they were still family and being on the other side of town was a difficult adjustment. She guessed she'd taken seeing her guild mates all the time for granted and found herself at the guild as much as possible. It took some getting used to, but eventually she'd grown accustomed to this new place of hers. Nothing felt greater than having a whole home for her to decorate and furnish and do with as she pleased. Part of her even had some further renovation ideas in mind.
"You see, the front room and study downstairs are both a little small, so I figured I could open the area up more if I knocked down the wall separating them." She'd always get excited talking about her plans for the house.
"That right?" He'd spoken softly. It was clear that something troubled him. It was also clear that he wanted to say something about it, but was being rather polite and letting her babble instead. His seemingly apathetic tone struck a nerve and reminded her of the questions he never answered back at the bar. Suddenly she stopped in her tracks, leading him to do the same. Finally she did something to perplex him.
"What did you come here for Bacchus?" Her suspicious eyes found his. Though she was still drunk and swayed where she stood, she kept as still as possible to maintain her point.
"Eh?" His brows furrowed. "I already told you. I just happened to be nearby." He grimaced, but Cana could see through it.
"Bullshit." She gave him a playful punch in his armored shoulder, which made him laugh a little. Fine, be stubborn. Why should I care why you're here? Soon enough, they continued on, heading in the direction of her home when she asked him where he was staying.
"At a small inn somewhere in town." He claimed and again she didn't believe him.
"You're not a very good liar." Cana pointed out to him and he laughed once more.
"No, I suppose not."
They had reached her home then when she spoke up again.
"Well, thanks for the escort service." She didn't say unkindly. As she walked up the three steps to her front door and pulled out the key from her little bag she noticed the corner of his lip twitched as he looked up at her. Her throat went dry as she awkwardly glanced from him to off in the distance somewhere. Is he expecting me to invite him in? What kind of arrogant- She was about to speak when he turned around and began to walk off.
"No problem. Goodnight!" He raised his arm and waved, sauntering his way down the street. Speechless, she watched him continue on. G-good. I didn't want him over anyway. But as he walked further away, her voice betrayed her again as it had during the Grand Magic Games.
"You know," She called out. Her words stilled him. "Since you paid for the drinks, it'd be pretty terrible of me if I didn't at least offer you a place to stay the night." He had half turned to face her and appeared to be struggling with how to respond.
"You have a point." He shrugged as his eyes shifted from her to elsewhere then back to her. So, he wasn't expecting to stay the night?
"I have a couch, but I think you're a little too big for it." She put more weight on one hip casually and crossed her arms. A grin finally appeared on his face as he sighed heavily and turned around to walk back toward her and up the steps. When he stood there next to her, he towered over her some. It wasn't something she was used to given her above average height of six foot even. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up a little, but soon settled as she reminded herself that he wasn't an enemy. Dangerous, but not an enemy. The light lacrima flickered on when she touched it, illuminating the room as they entered.
"I don't have many guests." She stated a little self-consciously while gathering the only spare blankets and pillow she had from the linen closet. "So I hope it won't be too cramped for you." She frowned as she set the bedding down onto the couch. He'll hardly fit on it. After finishing, she put her hands on her hips, wondering if she could some how find more bedding so that he might sleep more comfortably on the floor. When she looked up from her work, he was walking around at the room with a thoughtful look on his rosy face. He was fixated on the wall in front of him.
"You're right." Bacchus said after inspecting the room behind the wall.
"About what?" She walked over and stood next to him, trying to understand what he was looking at.
"Taking out that wall would really open this room up."
"Don't suppose you're volunteering to do it for me." Playfully she nudged her elbow in his exposed rib and went back to trying in vain to adjust the sheets and pillows to a more appealing placement.
"That would depend on the reward." He was standing on the other side of the couch from her then, leaning on a hand placed onto the back of it with his other hand on his hip. The sly way his eyes looked directly at her made her even more nervous than before. Instinct took over then as she reached for a pillow and gave the side of his head a good-natured whack with it. Though he could have if he'd wanted, he didn't block it from hitting him. The slyness twinkled still, but the feral smile had gone into hiding, leaving his usual cheeky grin. He chuckled and despite the slight sense of danger she'd felt just a moment ago, Cana found herself trying not to giggle back.
"I'm going to bed." She tried to keep a straight face, plainly struggling to do so. "The bathroom's just down that hall if you need it and the kitchen is further down." She pointed to the dark hallway then to the kitchen. "You know, in case you needed water or something." He nodded as he unfolded his arms and began to unlatch his armor at the shoulders. Feeling abruptly bashful, Cana turned around and made way for the stairs. She'd gone only a couple steps when Bacchus thanked her and bid her goodnight. She froze, then did the same and hurried up the stairs and into her bathroom.
From what she recalled of him, he seemed like the sleazy type to follow after her, especially after that look he gave her earlier and the kind of bet he made with Elfman at the games, so she locked the door and waited a moment before stripping. When she heard no footsteps, her shoulders relaxed, allowing her to undress at ease and start running the water for a bath. Part of her was still on edge thinking that he would come through the door at any moment. Like a locked wooden door could really stop him. She grimly concluded. I could enchant it. My cards are right over there. She looked over at her purse, considering the option. However, the other part of her was wondering if she'd mind if he did. No! No no no. Cana shook her head of the thoughts invading her imagination and sunk her face halfway into the water. He's not really that bad of a catch though... She easily blamed all the drinks she'd had earlier for the thought of him coming into the bath and… Stop it! Perturbed, she submerged into the bath, coming up after a few seconds, hoping that her quick dunk would have drowned out her drunken desires. Thankfully, the heat of the room, water and the alcohol made that part easy as she soon became more concerned with how to get the room to stop spinning.
After orienting herself, she tried to listen for any noise downstairs, but heard nothing. Is he already asleep? It was strange how silent it was in the room. The quietness soon unnerved her enough that she finished with her usual routine in a rush and dressed. She was beginning to sober by the time she finally lay in bed.
The stillness of her home continued to make her uneasy. It had been the same when she first moved in. Back at Fairy Hills, there was always some sort of noise day and night. Either someone returning or going or training or gossiping or just being Fairy Tail mages and causing a general ruckus. She remembered times when all she wanted was complete silence for a single night. But whenever she'd yell that out at whoever was making the noise, that only made the others continue to do whatever it was they were doing louder just to vex her. It never occurred to her how much she would miss hearing the restless and lively sounds of the dorms.
Despite being only a short walk from her previous residence, she couldn't help but feel homesick. Memories came flooding over her, as they were wont to do whenever she felt this way. All the times she and the others would gather in the downstairs lounge to have a giant sleep over, all the gossip and the mindless chats, the tearful confessions and the rough horseplay that would usually cheer every one up. She missed giving them all readings and trying to help them sort out their troubles. Juvia was probably her best customer until Gray finally eased up on giving her the cold shoulder. Though he would probably never outwardly admit to anything, it was obvious how much less of a fight he was putting up against Juvia's constant displays of affection. That and how his cheeks would flush and he seemed to quiet down when asked about how their latest mission together went. At least, until Natsu teased him and they would resume their quarrel.
It made Cana's chest feel a little caved in reminiscing about the guildhall and her friends. It almost felt as if they were all going forward without her because they were there and she wasn't. She'd even feel a tad left out when they'd mention an inside joke that she, which she would usually have been there for, missed. For a few weeks after she first moved away, she went into a depression thinking about the gap expanding between them. Though she'd never admit it to Lucy or Erza or anyone, she couldn't help but feel lonely. Lucy has her own place, too, but she also has Natsu and Happy over all the time. That made her a little jealous of the blonde mage. Everyone always seemed to want to go to Lucy's place. Although she wasn't too upset after she considered how much Lucy would complain of the mess everyone always made or how often she'd come home to see everyone lounging in her room. For that, Cana decided she was lucky they went there instead and she didn't have to worry over her privacy. But the loneliness didn't completely diminish after realizing that either. Once, she considered selling her new house and moving back to the dorms, but come the next morning realized what a terrible idea that was and went right back to wanting to keep the home she was trying to make. It's not so bad, really. It'll just takes time, is all. Sighing, her body curled up tighter as she pulled her pillow closer and soon after, drifted off to sleep.
Morning, as it always would, came sooner than she had wished and peaked in through the curtains. She hardly felt as if she'd slept at all and wanted to go back to sleep. Unfortunately the sun had other ideas and only brightened up the room with its rays as the minutes passed. Well, I made it through the night. Cana groaned as she sat up and stretched. Choosing she'd better get up and check on her guest downstairs before he decided to come check up on her. She rubbed at her face and slowly rose from bed. As usual, she went to the little balcony connected to her room and opened the doors to let in some air. The morning was cool and fresh as the breeze flowed inside, kissing her skin and making goose prickles cover her arms and legs. It was quiet mornings like this that she'd come to love the most. After those lonely nights and the days she would feel homesick, it was the dawning light that reminded her of the peacefulness in having a place of her own. As much as she wanted to continue with the usual routine of enjoying the first light on her balcony, there was still a guest downstairs and so she reluctantly dressed and headed down.
Much to her surprise, he was already awake. Even more to her surprise, and truthfully to some curiosity, he was sitting half-naked with his hair down and cross-legged on the floor facing the window. Unsure of whether to speak or not, she continued down the last few steps as quietly as she could. He was inhaling and exhaling steadily and started a flow of motions that brought him to a standing position. Slowly, he began to sway in a rhythmic way, his arms and body moving almost as if he were a dancer. Cana watched in awe at how fluid and balanced the motions were even with his eyes closed. The way his muscles flexed and rippled then relaxed was incredible. She knew though, that if he chose to speed up those ever so precise movements, he could very well kill any man caught on the other side of those hands. It was simply because he had that much control over his power that she felt such a sudden admiration for him. At least, that's what she believed to be the cause of the heat in her face.
He continued on for another moment before drawing to a close, standing still and returning to simple breathing. It must have been harder than it looked, because his entire body was glistening with sweat.
"Like what you see?" He asked. It startled her and for some reason she felt as guilty as a peeping tom.
"This how you always start your day?" She avoided his question, trying to maintain a composed attitude.
"Not always. Depends on where I wake up." The wink he gave made her eyes narrow.
"I don't suppose you perform this little show for every woman whose house you stay the night at."
"Only the ones I feel would enjoy it." He'd started to pull his hair back and fastened it with a black tie. She invited him to the kitchen and offered to cook breakfast, but quickly changed plans to going out upon discovering that she didn't have much food stored up. Bacchus agreed, asking if he might shower before they left. Cana returned upstairs to permit him his privacy and ready herself as well. It wasn't long until she came back down and saw him sitting on the couch with that wild grin of his and a much more light-hearted presence that he'd been the night before. She never did get the real answer out of him as to why he'd come to town. Deciding she'd find out most likely over their meal, she let it be for the moment and the two of them left for the nearest open shop.
A/N: Hey guys! This is one of the longest chapters thus far, so sorry if it drags a little bit. As for the chapter number and title correlation, I did not plan that... It just happened, haha. But seriously, thanks for all the views and follows! I've been a little busy and sick this week so I haven't gotten around to writing much, so that double chapter promise is on hold for the time being. I have the chapter (mostly) written, but haven't really edited it or began on more sequential chapters. But as I always promise, if I get more than enough written, I'll gladly post as much as I can. Thanks again and until next week! -Betty B.