Hot and Cold

Laxus Vs. Natsu

~*****~

Luckily, Lucy can't find me hiding all the way on top of the guild hall. I seriously did not want to get mixed up in that memento business. My eye slips open when I feel a surge of magic. Lightning cracks through the sky at a small piece of the forest. I hum delicately and leap off the roof. "So, you did return," I hum casually as I find the source. "What're you up to, Laxus? Skulking around like a creep?"

Laxus snorts at me. "Of course you'd show up." He mentions irritably. "That's good. I've been lookin' for a rematch since you got lucky that last time."

I lean against a tree. "Seriously?" I trail off. "It was total luck, you idiot, did you seriously think I overpowered you?" Laxus chokes on his breath as I completely agree. "Moron, my magic as an advantage over yours. On top of that, you were probably exhausted from your fight with Natsu and Gajeel."

"You seriously need therapy for that crippling self-doubt," Laxus commented dryly. My ear perks at the sound of Natsu and Gajeel fighting about something. "Who's beatin' who, again?" Laxus asks as we trail towards the noise.

"Laxus!" They gasp. "What the hell are you doin', hanging around him?!" They both bellow once I peer around Laxus' larger body.

"Whoa! That lightning really was him, after all!" Happy chirped.

"Laxus!" More familiar voices ring out. I turn and grimace at the Thunder Legion.

"It was seem that he's not alone, either," Freed hums.

"What's going on?" Bixlow asks.

"There's nothing goin' on here, is there?" Laxus asks the two idiots still staring dumbfounded.

"Having you been living out in the woods this entire time?" Natsu asks.

Laxus snorts. "I traveled around quite a bit, but I've been here for a little while."

Gajeel snorts. "If you're this close, you should just come back to the guild already," Gajeel comments.

"Why's that? Have you been missing me?" Laxus teases.

"I don't give a crap if you come back or not. But since we're here, I think we should throw down and see who comes out on top." Natsu suggests.

"Sounds good to me." Gajeel agrees.

"You guys really want me to take the bait, don't ya?" Laxus scoffs. "You wanna go and get me all riled up and ready to fight. Well, I got better things to do."

"Like run away?" Natsu asks.

Laxus turns his head slightly. "What?"

"You've never been the type of guy who backed down from a challenge. So what are you scared of?" Natsu asked.

I scoff. "Ever since I joined the guild, he's never backed up how tough he was, no matter how many times I urged him to." I mention lightly.

"That's rich, coming from miss self doubt," Laxus retorts irritably.

"You'd be wise to mind your tongues, you two," Freed mentions.

Laxus snorts as I swing my head up to him. "So you gonna do it or what? Cause they're just gonna bother you all day until you give in." I mention impishly.

Laxus grunts. "Okay, fine." He says as he turns his gaze onto Natsu and Gajeel.

"Now that's more like it!" They chirp.

"Sorry, but you ain't layin' a finger on him." Bixlow snapped.

"You'll have to go through the Thunder Legion!" Evergreen stated.