One Week Later

Second Person P.O.V

Tonight is the preliminary round for the Grand Magic Games and midnight is only an hour away. You were informed that Team Fairy Tail B will be arriving any moment so they're not seen by the other guilds and Team Fairy Tail A. The rest of the guild has arrived at their separate hotels and you've seen most of the members.

This past week has gone by smoothly, but your guilt about Laxus hasn't subsided. He said to forget anything happened and that's what you intend to do. It's for the best, you continue to tell yourself, although you barely believe it anymore.

You ride the elevator down to the lobby in your casual clothes. It's approximately 11:25p.m. and everyone is taking their places on the streets of Crocus until the event begins. The elevator doors open and you step out to the sound of arguing.

"I'll rip your head off!"

"Gajeel, calm down!"

"You idiots are causing a scene."

"I wonder where Gray is staying."

You turn the corner and see Juvia and Jellal-dressed as Mystogan-holding back a seething Gajeel. You take your time walking over and slam your hand down on the desk while giving the clerk your hardest death glare.

"What's the problem here?" you ask, looking between Gajeel and the snobby French guy.

"He said he doesn't 'wait on trash like us'," Gajeel sneers.

You slowly turn your gaze to the concierge. "Is that true?" The man gulps and you let out a frustrated sigh. "I thought I was clear the last time we had this chat. Now, these are personal guests of mine and I expect them to get treated with respect or I'll kick your ass."

Philippe, as it says on his nametag, narrows his eyes. "Is that a threat?"

You lean over the counter almost to where your noses are touching. "You better believe it is."

Philippe stumbles backwards at the malice lacing your voice and his shaky hand places their room key onto the desk. He turns around and runs to the room behind him.

You turn back to the team along with the Thunder God Tribe. While most of them are shocked, you notice Laxus has an expression on the lines of pride that sends an involuntary flutter through your chest.

"You guys better get ready. The preliminary starts in less than an hour," you suggest.

"Thanks for that, (Y/N). Are you staying here, too?" MiraJane asks.

"No problem, and yeah. My room's on the fifth floor."

"That's where all of us are. Do you always travel to Crocus for the games?" she asks as you make your way to the elevator.

"Yeah. I think it's fun to watch all the guilds battle it out and decide who's the strongest. It tests their strength along with their friendships."

The lot of you pile into the elevator and someone pushes the button to the fifth floor. The ride up is silent and you keep your focus on Laxus's coat-covered back. He knows you're watching him, but doesn't react as the doors open and the nine of you flood out on to the floor.

You walk down the hallway and watch as Team Fairy Tail B stops in front of one door. You wait as MiraJane puts the key into the lock and they all begin to enter the room.

"Wait," you say, halting their movements. "Do you guys want me to get you separate rooms? Because it wouldn't be a problem..."

"No, we couldn't ask you to do that, but thank you," MiraJane answers, although Gajeel, Jellal, and Laxus look ready to jump at the chance.

"Okay." You shrug and walk past them, sending a nod to Jellal as you do. The Thunder God Tribe follows you farther down the hallway until they turn in to one room right next to yours.

"Evergreen," you say, getting her attention. "Want to room with me instead of those idiots?"

Evergreen smiles and runs over to engulf you in a hug. "Yes! Thank you! I hate always being stuck with them."

You laugh, put your key into the lock, and put open the door. Evergreen rushes inside and pounces on a mattress with a relaxed sigh. You turn to Freed and Bickslow.

"We have to be down on the streets in-" You pause, checking a the clock inside your room to see it's already 11:45p.m. "-five minutes."

Bickslow and Freed toss their bags into their room and lock the door. Evergreen comes out and you notice Bickslow doesn't have his dolls with him, but you shrug it off. The four of you walk down the wide hallway in a horizontal line and then walk into the elevator.

"Laxus was acting weird after you left." Freed's voice fills the area.

"How?" you question.

"He wouldn't talk to us. It's like he was back to the person he was before we first came back to Fairy Tail," Bickslow answers.

"Why do you think that is?" you ask as you exit the elevator and send a quick glare to the cowering clerk.

"We're not sure. Maybe you have something to do with it..." Evergreen trails off.

You laugh and walk down the street leading to the sky labyrinth. "We're friends. Nothing more." Even saying the words left a dull ache in your chest.

The Thunder God Tribe remain silent as people move out of the way for the four of you to get past. You thank them with the best smile you can muster until you get to the front, almost directly under the labyrinth.

As minutes pass, the streets become more crowded, but people stray from your little group. The event soon begins and you're shaking with anticipation as the hotels rise into the sky and are connected to the labyrinth.

"Welcome to the seventh annual Grand Magic Games! I am your host Mato. Enough chitchat, let's get started with the preliminary! This is a magical labyrinth created by parts of Crocus's buildings. The first eight teams that reach the goals will move on! Good luck!" Mato announces from a hologram in the sky. "Also, we're pleased to have the infamous Miss (Y/N) (L/N) here!"

You wave at everyone and focus back on to the monitors around the labyrinth. They will only show what's happening in the first stage of the labyrinth, but nothing more so the teams that make it will be kept a surprise.

You search for Team Fairy Tail B and spot them already weaving their way through the obstacles. You chew your bottom lip nervously as you see the labyrinth shifting, but you're happy to see Laxus handling it like a complete pro, even with his giant coat.

Minutes pass before their team disappears from the monitors, but so has Sabertooth. You know one of them will be first and you can only hope it's Fairy Tail. The other Team Fairy Tail seems to be struggling, but stealing the other team's maps are giving them an edge.

Most of the teams have gotten eliminated by getting tossed from the labyrinth, but your main picks seem to have made it through. You couldn't concentrate on a lot of the monitors, but everything seems normal.

Before you know it, the event is over and the crowd begins to disperse. You turn to the Thunder God Tribe and start walking back to your hotel.

"We won't know if they made it until later. They'll have to get fully registered afterwards and probably stay there for a while, so we should sleep," you suggest. The four of you ride the elevator up to the fifth floor and get off, heading for your rooms.

"Okay, see you guys tomorrow," Freed says as he and Bickslow depart to their own room while you and Evergreen go into yours.

"Do you think both teams made it?" Evergreen asks once the door is closed.

You smile. "Without a doubt."