It was a rough morning in the small apartment of Dexter Alberona. “Ugh…” A small thump could be heard as the heavy footed young man with dark blue hair struggled to get to his feet. Hangovers were the worst and the only solution for it… His hand snagged a bottle off of the end table where he chugged the rest of the contents and chucked it across the room. Luckily he was prepared for his own responses as the bottle bounced against the wall and onto the floor, the rubber bottle bounced harmlessly onto the floor.

After spending what felt like an eternity getting ready to leave his house, the young man felt himself panicking at his door. Did he really want to leave? Should he actually leave? What waited for him outside? Fear washed over him as he stared at his door handle. So many things happened in the outside world and so many bad things could happen if he didn’t maintain control over his magic, a ‘gift’ from his father if you will.

Taking a deep breath, he turned and went into his kitchen. No matter what cabinet he opened, it was filled with liquor, as if that was his only source of food; which… was rather accurate until he got to the guild hall. Popping open one of the bottle he chugged down half the contents until he started to feel his buzz returning. His darkness subsiding, his intensity and anxiety gone and his concern for his lack of ability to maintain his powers drifted away. A functioning drunk that he was, he hurried into his room, retrieved the bottle and filled it with the rest of the contents from his newly opened bottle. Once the rubber bottle was filled, he placed it back in its original spot, adjusted his dark shirt and tape around his wrists, slid his keys into the pockets of his comfortable dark pants and locked the door behind him leaving for the guild hall after disposing the empty bottle in the recycling bin.

“I’m HHHHOOOMMEEEE!!!” Dexter announced as he pushed open the door. There were a few people inside who gave him a heartfelt wave as the young man moved his way to the bar. Flopping down on the barstool he spun in the seat until Mirajane came to him.

“The usual?” Mira asked with a polite smile, to which she received a “Wwwwweeeeee!!!” from the spinning; as this is normal antics for the blue haired man, Mira just laughed and placed his drink on the bar before venturing back to report his food order.

Stopping his spinning he took his huge mug of beer with both hands and took a long drink. “Aaaahhhh.” He said slamming the mug down on the bar top. “Good morning beer. How I’ve missed you.”

When she woke up in the morning, she noticed that her mattress had turned into something that looked like an ice rink. At moments that it felt too hot for her to be able to fall asleep in her bedroom, she would use her magical power to freeze the bed a little. That way it was nice, cold and relaxing for her.

While she had a hard time keeping her eyes open, she rolled herself out of the bed. One would normally ask if that wouldn't hurt, like a lot, but she had put a thick blanket there to break the fall. That is how she got herself out of bed every morning. After landing there, she still needed a couple of minutes until she decided to stand up.

In her closet were a lot of clothes with almost all of them being dresses and almost all of them in the same shades. As she was in her usual bad mood - because of the fact that she had to get out of bed and it was still so comfortable - she just took a dress without even checking which one. In her right hand she held the stick that she always carried around and when she had looked in the mirror to check if her appearance was acceptable for the outside world, she went downstairs to take a sandwich as breakfast. Just one was enough.

While walking to the door - to go to Fairy Tail - she was thinking about which way she would take to the guild. Which way would have the most people, which one would be the busiest, which one would be the longest? After she decided, she laid her hand on the doorknob, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2..." she whispered as she opened her eyes at 1 and the door at 0.

Her feet moved her body outside of her house. After she had locked the door, she hurried herself to the first busy stop on the way. Even though someone had bought the house for her and she liked the house itself, she lived in a very quite environment. She didn't like how silent it was and so she always hurried until she got somewhere with a lot of people. After she was completely away from home, she knew she had to change her moody, serious attitude in the other side of her personality that she liked herself a lot more. She liked that side of herself so much more that she made everyone believe that it was her only side.

A big, bright smile appeared on her face while her feet started hopping instead of just walking. With her stick still in her hand, her arms started dancing back and forth with the wind - which made her look a bit like a child. Many people waved at her with a smile on their faces as their way to wish her a good day. She waved back at a lot of people and even started talking to some. As she already was taking a long route, it took her a lot of time to actually get to the guild. At least a lot more time then one would usually take.

She stepped inside of the building that she called 'her home' to the people she called 'her family'. At first she stopped moving at the doorstep, still with a bright smile she started looking around to see who already had arrived. Truly happy that she saw her partner sitting at the bar, she ran as fast as she could to him, put her hands on his shoulders and jumped a bit in the air - leaning on him. "Goooooooooooooooooood morning, my friend!" she shouted with her eyes looking down at him - even though she was much smaller then him, she enjoyed when she could lean on him and seem taller, she liked looking down like people usually do to her. When she realised that she forgot the other members, she went to stand normally and looked at Mira. "Oh yeah, good morning to you too, Mira!" she said with her hand high in the air and her eyes focused on Mira's face. After that she also said 'good morning' to some other members, she went to sit beside Dexter and ordered a drink.

Poor Dexter was in the process of bringing the cup to his lips for a second long drink just before his silver blue haired partner nearly threw him over the bar top. “Whoa!” He called out, the drunk juggling from his hand and bounced a few times before he caught it, a sigh of relief and his body fell limp against the bar. His panic slowly dissipated as he took a desperate drink of the liquid, “Phew!”

Turning his attention to his friend and partner, he gave a grin to her. “Gooooood morning!!!” Throwing an arm around her shoulder, he pulled her close and gave her an affectionate nuzzle face to face. Of course rubbing his light shadow against her face, scrape scrape scrape. “Glad you could make it in!”

Glug glug glug! Dexter finished his beer before slamming the mug down on the bartop as Mira returned with his ‘breakfast’, an oversized cheeseburger, fries and, of course, another beer. “Today’s the day.” He said as he scooped up the burger in his hands, “Today’s the day they announce who’s up for the S-Class Trials.” A nod rose and fell his head. “I’m so excited and so hungry!” Taking a huge bit out of the burger, he munched happily on the meat.

“Who you tink get pic-ked?” His question came through his mouth full of food. He wasn’t exactly the best with his manners but he was a good guy… for what people saw of the functioning drunk.

Happy at the affectionate attention she got from her partner, she was even jumping a bit on her chair. She liked getting attention from Dexter as he was the one Fairy Tail member that she liked the most. He was her best friend in the guild and that's why she liked it so much to be able to do her missions with him. When he was present, most of the time she didn't need to fake being happy all the time. She truly felt this way when he was near her.

Like always she couldn't hold her laugh when she noticed what he ate as breakfast. "Be sure to not become a fat ass, Dex!" For people on the outside, it must have been funny to watch the two friends and partners. He liked eating and drinking while she was too thin and actually needed to eat more. Many asked her if it didn't bother her, but it actually hurted more that people would think that she wouldn't be able to accept a characteristic of Dexter. He was her best friend, so she liked every bit of him that he showed her. Of course she wouldn't show being hurt and just laughed their comment away, at those moments it was the hardest to keep her mask on, but it would be the best for everyone if she did - even for herself.

Hearing his comment, it made her think for almost two seconds. "What are you meaning, dumb ass. WE will get chosen, of course. Many people look up to us, we're pretty strong. Why shouldn't the master pick us? We are going to the trials together! But know that if I would have to battle you, I won't go easy on you." She said with a big, bright smile to tease Dexter. She couldn't even hold her own laugh in at that last sentence. She was pretty sure that they would go there together, but wouldn't have to battle each other. And even if they did, she herself was strong enough to tie to him, she thought.

At her statement of possibly becoming a fatass, the blue haired boy opened his mouth and let out a loud belch that echoed through the area he was in before he gave a simple shrug in response as he went back to scarfing down his food. In the past he had a few people approach him lecturing him about eating so heavily in front of her and asking why he never forced her to eat more since she was on such the thin side. To that they received a ‘fuck you she’s beautiful and can do what she wants’ and those who continued to pester him about it learned about his magic despite the fact that very few actually saw it and those who encountered it spent a great deal of time in the hospital until they recovered or got new bones in place.

He finished his burger in seconds flat and swallowed the beer whole as Mirajane placed another one down in front of him with a pleasant, knowing smile. Very few people were enlightened to his need to drink so much, most just assumed it was in his blood like his sister who downed alcohol like it was nothing. But Mira knew, and she never let on. As with every meal he placed the fries between the two of them, a morning ritual if you will, but he never made any pressure into her eating, he just always offered.

“Likewise.” He said with a grin bright grin and a nod showing his straight white smile as he took a drink of the next beer.

The light chatter cut off at the old man appeared above the crowd grabbing the attention of the guild. “Listen up! This year’s S-Class trails participates have been decided. Same goes for every year, if you get picked you get to take one person with you as your partner to help you through the tasks. This year’s participants are…” The master began to list off the names, and soon he came to the last one. “And Dexter Alberon. You all have one week to choose your partner and to prepare yourself. That’s all.”

The chatter quickly began around the guild as everyone hurried to bother the participants but none were more surprised than the blue haired gray eyed boy who spit his beer all over the countertop in pure, honest, shock.

Shocked by the announcement that her partner was chosen for the S-class trials, she froze. Her arms or her legs wouldn't move. Dexter, the one that she was always going on missions with and hanging out with, he was chosen. She wanted to congratulate him immediatly and be happy for him like she should, but she realized that she herself wasn't chosen for the trials. That morning she had been dreaming of Dexter and herself battling against each other for S-class and she didn't like the fact that her dream would stay as a dream. Normally she would be happy that she could stand by his side as his partner, but she was looking forward to fighting with him.

"Euhm... Congrats, Dex..." she said with her eyes still not able to look him in the face. She was so upset that she took one of the fries and started to nibble on it for some time. One could clearly see that she was not in her usual happy mood as she normally wouldn't take up on the Dexter's offer with the fries. The sad feeling was flowing through her body and she didn't know how to get it out, so she took a second of the fries to nibble on. "I guess my role in the trials will be to be your partner..." It wasn't that she didn't like to be his partner, it was just that she hoped to had the chance herself. She knew that it was quite selfish, but she couldn't think of his happiness at the moment.

Her hand was spinning the stick she always took with her around while she was focusing on her breathing, so it would become more stable. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened them again. She wanted to think about Dexter, but she could only think about herself and the fact that she wasn't chosen.

There was a look of pure shock across Dexter’s face when his name was called. Really? Him? Why?! His gaze turned to the countertop below him as he stared it down, his face crunched together in thought, attempting to process what was happening in this moment. Him? The dangerous fist fighter getting a chance to become an S-Class wizard while someone as skilled as Dawn doesn’t get the chance?

Dexter muttered something that sounded like a thank you before he got to his feet and went upstairs without giving her much of a word before he disappeared.

There was a lot of shouting and a few sounds of thumping before Dexter came back down and sat down in the seat, he had a nice shiner on his right away and he waved down Mira, “Steak please, raw.” He said before gesturing to his eye and picking up the beer. Downing it roughly, he slammed it back down on the counter top and muttered under his breathe, “I’m sorry Dawn…” His voice seemed gentle and sincere as he tossed a fry into his mouth.

“I… I tried to convince the Master to give my spot to you but he said the choice is absolute; he even said he wouldn’t let me drop out and that he’d drag me to the island himself…” Yes, Dexter had went to the Guild Master and requested – demanded with attempted force- to have his spot given to Dawn. She was much more talented than he was and he felt almost undeserving of the situation he was now it. His head fell forward, smacking against the counter top, the only space between his face as the wood as the steak he received which was slid under his face to help the swelling in his eye, “Master hits hard…” He muttered under his breath in an attempt to make a joke.

Dawn was shocked as she saw how much her partner cared about her, she absolutely didn't expect for him to try and give up his spot to her. It took her some time to realise what had happened, but afterwards a bright smile appeared on her face, the smile she usually had on her face when she wasn't at home. "You're the best, Dex! I guess fate doesn't want us to be apart", she said with a loud voice. She put her arm around Dexter's shoulders and put her other hand on his eye with a very soft touch. "Does it hurt a lot?" It probably was a stupid question, but she wanted to make sure that he was okay anyways.

Looking around, she noticed that a lot of the guild members were trying to receive a place as the partner of one of the members that we're chosen. Some were even looking at Dexter, but behaved rather hesitant as they weren't sure they should try and talk to him or not. Deep inside she felt jealous and unsure of herself, but to the outside world it looked as if she was trying to scare them away with a simple look in their faces.

Her glance moved back towards Dexter and after some thinking she said with a happy look on her face: "So... We're gonna do this, right? If someone is going to make you S-class, it should be me!" She still wasn't sure about herself and still couldn't process what had happened, but she wanted to be their for the partner that meant so much for her and couldn't show him her biggest secret: her real personality. The fact that he tried to give his spot to her, that act out of pure friendship made her able to support her friend.

At the soft touch, the young man winced; it shouldn’t come as a surprise as their guild master wasn’t someone who could have gotten into his position over nothing. “He’s far from a pushover I’ll give him that.” Dexter said with a chuckle to his voice as he laid his face onto the raw steak. His gut turned at the thought of becoming an S-Class Wizard. Not because he didn’t want to but because he wasn’t sure where he and Dawn would end up; could he still take her on S-Class Missions? Could they still work together? Or did they have to wait until she became S-Class, and if she did get called… would he be allowed to help her? Or worse… could she end up picking his tunnel and they had to fight?

All the thoughts that were racing through his mind stopped when she asked if they were going to do this and declaring that if anyone would help him make S-Class it would be her. Lifting his head from the steak he turned to look at her. He stared at her for a long moment before reaching out and taking her by the shoulder… he pulled her to him, close and almost rested her against his chest.

Almost…

Instead he put her in a headlock before ruffling her hair. “Like I’d choose anyone else, stupid.” He rubbed his hand playfully across her head, tussling her hair in a loving fashion with a bright smile on his face. With that he let her go and gestured towards the board, “Why don’t you grab a job and we’ll get some good practice in.”

A gentle expression appeared on her face when she heard his words. That is why he liked having him around, in some way he could always make her smile. Of course he wouldn't go without her, it would feel so wrong. She chuckled before looking at him and saying: "Are you sure that you can go on a job with that eye?" while lifting one eyebrow. But she didn't even wait on his answer before standing up and going on a job. She knew what he was about to say, so she didn't have to wait for him to say it out loud. Of course they would go. She tried to take a look at the board, but it was pretty busy. A lot of mages were trying to choose a job. The ones chosen wanted a good training and the ones who didn't get picked wanted to train to get better and be chosen for the next selections.

She had a hard time pushing everyone aside to even be able to reach the board. Eventually she gave up to take a good look and just took one that she could reach. She didn't even dare to look at the one that she chose. She went to take a seat again next to Dexter and handed him the flyer. "Please tell me that it's good enough and I don't have to go back there again!" After she had handed over the paper, she covered her eyes with one hand and crossed her fingers with the other.