"Laxus, you know I won't be around forever. I'm pretty old ya' know."

"But Gramps, I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"I believe you are. Think it over, please, do it for me."

"Alright, I'll think about it…" he grumbles

'Because I don't have much more time…'

~x~

A couple of days later sitting at the bar, Laxus props his head on one hand deep in thought while the other just rests flat on the counter top.

"Are you okay Laxus?" He turns his head to see Mira smiling at him, the white-haired beauty queen who his heart secretly longs for.

"Oh, Mira, yeah I just have stuff on my mind."

'Ugh, I have One major thing on my mind and it's driving me a little crazy!'

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"No, I don't know if I should say anything."

'He's obviously bothered by something; I wish I could help him.I want to help him...'

"Alright, but if you need to talk you know you can come to me, right?"

"Yeah Mira, I'll keep that in mind." He splashes a fake grin on his face to try and ease her mind.

'Ugh why didn't I just tell her!'

Grinning too, "I'll hold you to that." She purrs, allowing her hand to drag over his as she walks away. She can feel him staring but stops herself from turning around.

'Holy shit, did she just flirt with me?!'

His eyes follow her until she's out of his sight as something begins to stir on him.

'Damn I think I need to go home and take a Cold shower.'

Getting up he starts to leave the guild hall, the Thunder Legion try to call him over but he just waves them away and walks out the door.

~x~

Letting the waters run over him, he can't help but allow all of his thoughts to flow.

'Gramps thinks I'm ready but I don't know.What makes him think I could handle such a heavy responsibility?And what would the others think, would they accept me, would they think I was ready?Ugh, I don't want to let him down!And Mira, I've had a crush on her since we were teenagers, but I Never thought she was interested in me.She's so popular with all the guys, though come to think of it I've never seen her with a boyfriend.I wonder why?Could she be waiting for….me to…? Nah, couldn't be… or could it?Maybe….'

~~xx~~

The next morning, he returns to the guild feeling a little better. Seeing the pretty barmaid, he sits down on one of the stools. "Oi, Mira!"

"Hey Laxus, you look like you're feeling better!"

"Yeah, I thought about what you said and; Err, are you free to talk later?"

A little surprised she still responds with a smile, "Of course, for you anything. I can ask Kinana and Erza to watch over things here."

"Then I'll come get you around 3."

"I'll be waiting!"

Getting up, "See you then." He walks out the door grinning from ear to ear.

On the other side of the room, Freed, Bixlow, and Evergreen who watched the whole event unfold are stunned.

"Woah! Did he just ask Mira out on a date?!" Bixlow exclaims.

"Sure looks like it." States Evergreen

"Well took him long enough, he's only had a crush on her for like forever." Freed adds; they all nod in agreement.

3pm rolls around and Laxus arrives, seeing Mira he stops dead in his tracks. She's changed into a sexier outfit; tight red halter top showing her mid-section and a short, knee length flowy black skirt, with black calf high 4-inch boots.

'Crap!'

Choking back a gulp, his heart is ready to jump out of his chest.

'Damn she's hot!Boy, Keep your cool, you're fine, I'm fine' Deep Breath.

He walks over to her and sticks out his arm, "Ready?"

"Ready!" She giggles as she sticks her arm through his. He just keeps his cool, a slick smirk on his face.

~x~

"So, where'd you wanna talk?" She asks as they leave the guild.

"I was thinking the park, its quiet there."

"Sounds nice," She squeezes his arm causing him to grin even bigger.

At South Gate Park they find a bench, a little ways from the main paths. Sitting down side by side, there's obviously some nervousness between them. They steel quick glances at each other...

'Were her blue eyes always so bright?'

'I never realized how big his hands were, I wonder what else is big?'

'Damn her lips look so kissable…'

'I never noticed the orange flecks in his eyes before!'

'She's so sexy, Damn! I just wanna ravage her right now!'

Mira breaks the silence first, "Well Laxus, didn't you want to talk."

"Huh?" He snaps out of his fantasies

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Loud exhale. "Mira there's no easy way to start off so I'll just lay it all out. Gramps asked me to be the next Master."

"Really!" Her eyes are sparkling. "I knew he's been thinking about it for a while now. I guess he feels you're ready for it."

"But that's the thing, I don't know if I am."

Softening her stare, "Why do you doubt yourself Laxus? Just be honest with me."

"Ugh, I don't think I'm good enough to be a Master. I mean look at what I did to the guild a few years ago, what if I do something stupid like that again? What if I can't handle it? I don't wanna let anyone

'or myself'

down. It's such a heavy responsibility to be in charge of; no, to be the head of this family." He starts to fidget with his hands.

Pulling his face back towards her she takes his hands into hers, "Laxus, I think you are better than just good enough, you're so strong, so wonderful. And what you did in the past is in the past. Yes, it was stupid, and yes it hurt us and me, but in the end, you needed to experience it. You've grown so much since that time; you've shown how much you truly care about everyone at Fairytail. I know that is why your grandfather thinks you are ready." Her eyes are watering, "And you wouldn't be doing this all alone, you have all of us to help you. You'll have me by your side."

"You?" He stares longingly into her baby blue eyes.

Sighing, "We're not teenagers anymore, we should just admit how we feel about each other…" she beams. "…and I've had a crush on you for as long as I've been with Fairytail but I was waiting for you to make the first move."

"Mira" He pulls her to him and kisses her on the lips roughly. She reciprocates grabbing onto his neck and biting his lip, forcing her tongue through the part it creates. He lifts her onto his lap and reaches under her skirt but she stops him. "Not too fast big boy..." she whispers as she moves his hands to her waist. Then she giggles, "But at least you finally made a move!"

"Finally, Eh!" he raises an eyebrow and pulls her face to his for another round of passionate kisses….