Month One

Second Person P.O.V

By the end of the train ride, Laxus said he was feeling queasy again, so you guessed the medicine lasted only a few hours.
The five of you exit the train and you're now wearing your regular clothes while your cape is stuffed into your bag. The humidity is picking up and you know the hike will only make it worse. Laxus also decided to ditch his coat and he's wearing a casual T-shirt with dark pants and boots. You're pleased that you get to sneak glances at his muscles as you walk.

You soon come to the edge of the mountain and the hour-long hike begins. Coincidentally, Bickslow, Freed, and Evergreen walk in a horizontal line a few feet ahead, leaving you and Laxus to bring up the rear.

"Why did you never join a guild?" Laxus suddenly asks.

You hesitate a moment. "I have too much responsibility to let that weight be shared with other people. I can't, no, I won't put others in danger for my own selfish reasons," you reply.

"It's not selfish to want friends. What about your parents?"

You stiffen and your next step is a forced one. "Touchy subject, Bolt Boy. I don't think we should get into that."

You peer over and see him nodding his head in understanding. Understanding because his own family life isn't entirely something he's proud of, but you already know that.

"What about Zeref? What's your fascination with him?" Is his next question.

"Confidential."

"Will you answer any question I ask?"

"Possibly."

Laxus gives up and you smile, knowing he's frustrated at the lack of information he has on you. But you know, it's better for some people to stay left in the dark.

✻ ✻ ✻

You and Laxus exchanged in random banter the rest of the way up the mountain. You were surprised at how much you were enjoying your time with the quartet, especially Laxus, which is a dangerous thing.

The Thunder God Tribe managed to find an opening with a view of the nearby town. There is a small forest opposite of the cliff where the boys are currently off getting firewood.

"Do you like Laxus?" Evergreen asks out of nowhere.

"Do you like Elfman?" you retort, remember what you've heard around Fairy Tail while they were on Tenrou Island.

"What?! N-no," she denies, her cheeks turning a dusty shade of ruby red.

"There you have your answer."

"But you guys were being all friendly the whole hike here. That's what Bickslow, Freed, and I were talking about the whole time."

Your eyes widen a fraction and you chuckle. "Funny, but we just... get each other."

"Yeah, get into each other's pants," she murmurs.

"What was that?" you demand angrily.

"Nothing!"

The boys soon return with the firewood, and although it's blazing hot out, you know you'll need it for later at night when it gets cold. They stack it off to the side while Freed prepares the fire for tonight in the middle of the circle of tents.

"Okay, princesses, time to get training," you say, stretching out your limbs.

"We found another clearing on the other side of the forest we can use," Freed says, dusting off his jacket.

The five of you head in that direction and scrape through the woodsy forest. After a few minutes, you come to a huge clearing with a view of the entire forest below the mountains. You can't help but wonder what the view would look like at night with the sky full of stars and a moon lightning up the area.

"Let's get to work. I'll partner up with (Y/N) while you three switch off," Laxus directs.

"Why do you get (Y/N)?!" Evergreen argues.

"Have you seen her fight? She beat Freed using a quarter of her power," Bickslow points out, stifling laughter.

"Fine, but I want a shot at her eventually," Evergreen huffs and the three of them walk off across the field.

"All right, Bolt Boy. Time to see what you're made of. No holding back," you say, waltzing backwards so you can start with enough distance.

"Same to you," he replies.

You subtly check him out as he stretches his rigid muscles and resist the urge to swoon. You can put up the badass act, but you're still a hormonal girl at heart.

You quickly avert your eyes as you notice him turn in your direction. You stare at the scenery as you feel his eyes following your movements.

You look back at him and his head whips back to the side. "Let's do this," you say, getting into a fighting position.

"Start!" Freed shouts and you now realize that the Thunder God Tribe are off to the side, watching your fight.

You let your marks crawl up your arms and put your hands together. "Holy Devil's Zeroth Destruction Bow," you say, letting a black and white bow appear out of thin air.

"Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!" Laxus shouts, sending a trident of lightning magic straight at you.

You reflexively jump out of the way and aim your bow at the space around him. You release one arrow that multiples into ten as it gets closer, but Laxus uses his lightning to demolish the them. One manages to get through his magic and slices his shirt in half. Laxus then rips off the rest of his shirt and you almost get distracted by his abs and tattoo. Almost.

The two of you go back and forth for almost an hour, neither of you landing a single blow. Every time one of you sends an attack, the other counters with equal amount of power. You're actually astonished that the both of you are giving it all you've got, yet neither of you can tip the scales on this balanced battle.

"Lightning Dragon Slayer Roar!"

"Holy Devil Slayer Rage!"

Your attacks collide in the middle of the field and create a massive explosion. The dust makes you break out in to a coughing fit and you can hear the others struggling, too.

"That's enough. It's clear you guys can't overpower the other," Freed states once the dust settles.

"Agreed," you say, letting your body relax and the darkness to fade.

"I've never seen someone match up to Laxus. You guys would be one hell of a team," Bickslow comments.

You and Laxus walk over to the Thunder God Tribe, trying to catch your breaths. You smile at each other and it sends a little flutter through your chest.

"Sorry, but I work alone," you joke. "I've never met anyone that was as powerful as me."

"Same goes to you," Laxus replies.

"I've never seen two people so evenly matched. It's remarkable," Freed praises.

"Thanks, but if this were a real fight instead of training, I would've taken the gold," you say, walking back toward the campsite.

Laxus catches up with me and scoffs. "You wish. Your coordination may be perfect, but my attack aim is way better," he defends.

"Your attack aim may be better, but you can't compare with my combination."

"I have a bigger array of spells."

"Mine are stronger."

The two of you go on and on the whole way through the forest and don't stop until you sit down around the fire. You didn't even notice the three people you left behind.

Back with the TGT

"They're so perfect for each other," Evergreen gushes.

"But do you think they notice?" Bickslow ponders.

"Doubtful. They have such a strong bond that they're bound to end up together," Freed replies.

"I've never seen Laxus so carefree. He's almost a different person," Bickslow says.

"That's what love does. It changes you," Evergreen states.

Yes, yes it does.