July 2, X791

Second Person P.O.V

"Great job, Jellal! Now they're replacing you with Cana!" Ultear shouts as the four of you gather on top of the mountain.

"It was the only way I could win! I was doing it for Fairy Tail!" Jellal retorts. You decide to intervene and step between them.

"There's nothing we can do now, so drop it. I can handle the arena on my own," you say.

"Fine. The Magic Council Custody Enforcement Unit with Lahar and Doranbolt have been snooping around anyway. It's probably best if we take a step back while we can," Jellal reveals.

"They'll never suspect (Y/N), so she's covered," Meredy points out.

"Good. The second day of the games is starting and I have to get back to my post. I'll report back as soon as I can," you say, turning and making your way down the mountain.

"Oh, and (Y/N)," Jellal calls, causing you to peer over your shoulder. "Remember where your priorities are."

You avert your attention back to the mountain, take a deep breath and striding downwards. You ignore Jellal's warning and clear your mind. He knows nothing.

✻ ✻ ✻

You walk into the infirmary and smile at the healer. "Hey."

Porlyusica turns around and sends one of her incredibly rare smiles back. "Hey, how are the games so far?"

"Pretty good, except for the invasion of Raven Tail." You frown and lean against the wall.

"I only wish someone would put them in their place so I would have a reason to 'accidently' inject them with something lethal."

Your eyes widen. "Porlyusica!"

"What?" she asks innocently.

You laugh and shake your head. "They're about to start, so I'll see you later."

You leave the infirmary and head for the stadium as you hear the next event being announced called Chariot. You already know where that's going to lead as you waltz over to Fairy Tail's balcony.

"Hey," you greet and move next to the Thunder God Tribe.

"Where have you been? You were gone before I woke up this morning," Evergreen questions.

"I had some business to take care of," you reply and all three nod in understanding.

You look at the monitors and nearly burst out laughing when you see Natsu, Gajeel, and Sting from Sabertooth trying to run on the chariots. You look at Laxus and cough furiously at the disgusted expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" Freed asks and you nod, wiping the tears from your eyes.

The speech Natsu gives not long after leaves you speechless. Friendship and family is something you once held so close to your heart, and you can feel yourself getting it all back, but can you accept it? Will you let yourself let people in to your heart? You don't know.

The chariot event ends and the battles begin. Toby and Black Snake go at it and make a wager of secrets that Black Snake wins. Then it's Elfman versus Bacchus who replaced Warcry. You know of Bacchus and even kicked his ass once or twice. The wager is Elfman's sisters and the guild name of Quatro Cerberus that is now known as Quatro Puppy.

The next battle is between Mirajane and Jenny. Your eyes widen when it turns in to a modeling contest and the loser will pose nude for Sorcerer Weekly. The women of the guilds start pouring on to the field and you feel yourself inching backwards.

"Come on, (Y/N)! You have to do it! You're an icon!" Evergreen pushes, grabbing your wrist and tugging you to the railing.

"Evergreen, I won't subject myself to this!" You struggle against her hold and you're suddenly transported in to the arena.

You're now wearing a (F/C) bikini and you're attracting almost everyone's attention from the crowd and other guilds.

Well, since I'm already here...

You sigh and lazily pose for the perverts, especially Jason. This is so stupid. Before you know it, you've been magically changed in to school swimsuits, bikinis with thigh-highs, glasses, cat ears, bondage, and lastly, wedding attire.

You look down at the dress, and you have to admit that it's beautiful. You glance up and see at least ten guys running over to be your partner until a blast of lightning frightens them and Laxus takes forms in front of you. You smirk at each other and loop your arm with his.

"You look handsome," you compliment, checking him out in his perfectly tailored tuxedo.

"You look gorgeous yourself," he smugly replies.

Both women and men glare at the two of you in jealousy and disgust, but you don't care. This feels normal and... right.

The contest ends and you and Laxus bow at each other before changing and returning to your separate balconies.

"Just friends, huh?" Evergreen asks slyly.

You ignore her and watch as Mira wipes out Jenny with one swift move. Kagura and Yukino then take the field.

"You got this Kagura!" you yell over the crowd.

Kagura looks up and smirks at you. You wink and listen as the two wager their lives. You shake your head at the rookies rookie mistake. You and Kagura had become good acquaintances when you once did a photo shoot for top female wizards in Sorcerer Weekly.

The two go at it, and Kagura ultimately takes the win but says Yukino's life is now in her hands. The second day ends and you turn to the Fairy Tail guild.

"We're celebrating at the bar if you want to come," Evergreen offers.

"Sure," you say.

✻ ✻ ✻

Later in the evening, you arrive at the bar after reporting back with Crime Sorciere. You can already hear the commotion inside and you push open the door. A drinking contest is currently happening between Cana and Bacchus.

You scan the bar and grin when you see Gajeel ruffling Laxus's hair with Levy attempting to hold him back. Freed calls for the Thunder God Tribe to assemble, but it seems Evergreen and Bickslow are too preoccupied.

"Hey, guys," you say, getting their attention as you take a seat next to a drunk Laxus.

"Hey," Laxus slurs with bloodshot eyes.

"Damn, how much have you drank?" you question with concern.

"A lot," he hiccups.

You hate being around drunk people and being drunk because anything disastrous could happen at any moment and you always want to be prepared.

"We should get you back to the hotel," you say, standing and grabbing Laxus by the arm.

"You need help?" Freed asks and you shake your head as you sling Laxus's huge arm over your should and wrap your arm around his waist. You're glad he doesn't protest and you make your way out of the bar.

"Where are we going?" he asks.

"Back to the hotel because you're wasted," you reply as you keep him from stumbling.

"Why don't you wanna be with me?"

Your heart stops at the question, but you drag your feet forward. "I can't be selfish."

"It's not selfish to wanna be happy. Plus, it's hurting me, too," Laxus complains.

You make it to the hotel and haul him in to the elevator, up to the fifth floor, and into his room, dumping him on a random bed.

"Since you won't remember this tomorrow, I'll tell you," you say, taking a breath. "I want to be with you more than anything, but I have a mission to finish. My guess is that I'll die during the mission and I can't let people get close to me because I know they'll just mourn me when I'm gone."

"But we can cherish this time now," he groans.

You sigh. "It doesn't work that way. Once something like this starts, there's never an end. Goodnight," you finish, exiting the room and leaning against the closed door.

It's for the best... right?