Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail blah blah duh

Chapter 1

It was a few months after the war with Tartaros, and Fairy Tail was as lively as ever. Everyone was surprised when Natsu and Lisanna announced they were dating. They were even more surprised when Laxus walked up to Mira in the middle of the guild, bent her backwards, and smashed his lips onto hers. To say that they've been celebrating is an understatement. Everyone was happy, and drunk, and excited for their fellow guildmates; well, except for two people. One of those people was sitting at the bar, putting on fake smiles that no one noticed weren't real. And the other was sitting in a dark corner, intently watching the first one.

His red eyes never left the blonde girl, he was trying to figure her out. She was usually so bright and bubbly, but she just looked deflated. He wondered how nobody else was noticing this...well, maybe it was because they were all drunk off their asses He looked over at her team. They were all laughing with...Lisanna. Maybe that's it. Maybe she's hung up over Salamander. Fucking girls and their lovesick pity parties. He watched as the said boy walked over to Lucy. He watched her reactions intently as Natsu slung an arm over shoulder. It didn't seem to faze her at all. She still had that fake smile plastered on her face. Maybe that wasn't it. Well shit, if that's not it then what is it? He wasn't particularly close with the girl, but he held a certain respect for her. Nothing ever brought her down. A lot of bad shit has happened to her, but she always bounced right back, good as new. That's why it bothered him so much. Whatever it was, she wasn't bouncing back, and she was trying to hide it. Suddenly, he felt someone's boring gaze on him, and he looked over to see Laxus raising an eyebrow at him. "What the fuck do you want, Sparky?" They were sitting a few tables away, but with their dragon hearing it didn't matter.

"I'm just waiting to see who you're gunna kill." Laxus replied.

"The fuck are you talking about?"

"You look like you're about to murder someone. So, who is it?"

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me that you don't see it either, I thought nothing slipped past you, oh great and powerful."

Laxus snarled. "I'm glad you realize that I'm superior to you, but what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Just fucking look at her!"

Laxus sighed and followed his gaze. He furrowed his brows. "Who, Blondie? You got the hots for her or something?"

"No, you fucking moron. I'm guessing you don't notice it either."

"What am I supposed to be noticing exactly? She's drinking a cocktail."

"God damnit, and you call yourself a dragonslayer."

Laxus would have shocked the hell out of the man, but his curiosity got the better of him. He studied the blonde girl. She was just drinking. What the fuck is Gajeel going on about. She's talking to Mira, smiling, drinking...whoa! What the fuck? I've never seen such a fake laugh before...everything she's doing looks completely forced...how does Mira not notice? Why the fuck didn't I notice? "Damn...your right."

"You see it?"

"What the hell is wrong with her? Is she upset about Natsu or something?"

"That's what I thought too, but I watched them together, and I doubt that's it." They both watched as Mira walked away to serve someone else, and Lucy's smile dropped.

"So you gunna say anything, metal face?"

"Do I look like Bunny's close person buddy?"

"Well, suit yourself then." Laxus stood up and made his way over to the blonde conundrum. Gajeel choked on his metal, he really didn't think Laxus would bother talking to her at all. Has he ever talked to her?

Laxus leaned on the bar right next to the blonde, and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She didn't seem to even notice him. She was just tracing the rim of her glass, staring at the liquid inside. "Enjoying the party?" She jumped and whirled her head around. Her shoulders relaxed when she saw who it was.

"Oh, hey Laxus." She smiled, that fake smile. "Congrats on getting your girl."

He smirked, "Like I wouldn't get the girl I want."

She rolled her eyes. "You know looks don't get you everything right?"

"Are you saying I look good? I'm sure you're aware of the things you can get with them."

"Well, I won't deny the obvious, but that's beside the point. Are you saying I look good?"

He smirked. "I won't deny the obvious, but that's beside the point." she smirked back at him, both surprised at how easily they could talk to each other, not that they've ever really tried.

"So what brings the great Laxus Dreyar over here talking to little ol me?"

'God she's sassy.' He looked down at her. "Well, I'm curious about something."

She raised an eyebrow. "And that would be?"

"How do you feel about Lisanna and Natsu finally shacking up. Also, why aren't you sitting with your team?"

"Are you seriously wanting to talk about feelings?"

"Just answer the question, Blondie." he growled.

"Which one?"

He sighed, "both of them, shit."

"And why should I answer the questions just to quell your curiosity, Sparky?"

He glared at her. "So much sass, Blondie. Am I going to have to take you over my knee?"

"I doubt Mira would like you doing that, Laxus."

"You should learn to respect your elders."

"Did you just call yourself old?"

"Compared to you I am."

"Really? How old are you anyway?"

"26"

She whistled. "Damn, Sparky. Where's the gray hair? Or is that why you insist on calling me Blondie, even though you're blonde too. You have to dye it to hide the gray hairs, and you're jealous cuz my hair's natural."

"Well, damn you figured out my secret. Don't go spreading any rumors. But I wouldn't get jealous of a little shit like you." He smirked, but it fell when he noticed her fake demeanor drop for second until she put it back up again.

"Yeah yeah, no worries, lightning bolt, I won't spoil you secret."

He eyed her for a minute, then growled. "You're smart, you know that?"

She raised her eyebrows, "you just now noticed?"

"You managed to completely avoid my questions...until now."

She sighed. "And why exactly do you care?"

"I told you, I'm curious." He eyed her seriously. He knew the question he was about to ask would probably give him all the answers he wanted. "Do you like him?"

She growled, which surprised him. "Fuck you!" He aura changed to anger drastically.

"Whoa, chill, Blondie! It was just a question."

She sighed, closed her eyes, and calmed herself. "Sorry, your just the fifth person to ask me that, and it's really getting annoying."

"Well then answer my damn questions and I won't think that."

She eyed him up and down. "I think they're perfect together. They're always happy with each other. Like you said earlier, they finally shacked up. Everyone knows they were always meant to be together. " She said it so emotionlessly, giving no indication of how she felt about it. "As for my team, I decides I want to get stronger, so I'm going solo for a bit. It's not permanent, and they fought me tooth and nail on it, but we all agreed that it wouldn't hurt for me to get stronger."

His gaze softened when he looked at her. "You're plenty strong, Blondie, and teams are important to balance out each other's weaknesses."

"Are you gunna fight me on this too? What, does everyone think I can't handle myself?"

"That's not what I was saying." He sighed. "I know what it's like to be solo. To travel far and wide with no one by your side. It's lonely as hell, and I get the feeling that you don't like being alone."

"Well, thanks for the concern, Sparky, but I've got my spirits by my side."

"That's true, I guess." He looked at her attire, another question among many popping in his head. "Why are you wearing a sweater, it mid June. Don't you usually try to flaunt everything you've got?" He must have hit a sour note because her anger sparked again.

"What the fuck is with the 20 questions, Laxus? Usually you don't give two shits about me. I don't get it, I thought I was just some weak bitch to you?!" She stood up from her stool and started to walk away. He grabbed her arm before she could get far, and gained quite a few onlookers to the spectacle.

"Listen, Blondie, I care because you're a part of this family. You've been with us through almost every major event in this guild. And don't bring up the past with me, I know I was an ass, and I don't need you reminding me." he growled at her and finally notice practically the whole guild watching them. He glared at them, and they went back to their own business. He then sighed a lowered his voice to no more than a whisper. "Look, I know that something's up with you. And I just want you to know that you can talk to me about it if you want. Hell, you can talk to anyone in this guild, because everyone here loves you."

Tears started gathering in her eyes, she needed to leave fast before they fell. She tore her arm from his grasp. "I'm fine, but thanks, Laxus." Before he could say another word, she was out the guild doors. He sighed, stood up and went back to his table. Him and Gajeel looked at each other, he knew that Gajeel heard the whole thing.

"Somethings up." Gajeel said.

"That's for sure."

"What was that about, Laxus?" He looked up to see Mira staring at him with concern in her eyes. He pulled her into his lap.

"Nothing to worry about, Mira." He whispered, and pulled her into a sweet kiss, ignoring the gagging noises and hoots and hollers being thrown their way.