The Virgin
I slowly open my eyes to the gentle touch on my bare chest. There she is, the last person I'd expect to be sitting on a small wooden chair next to my hospital bed frowning upon my agony. Wiping the sweat off my chest with her handkerchief, she bites her lip. Those bags under eyes... could she have taken care of me this whole time?
"Mira..." My voice comes out hoarse and weak.
"Ah, Laxus! It's good to see you're finally awake." She smiles, wrapping her hands around my fist as her eyes sparkle in tears. "Thank God. I was worried I'd never see you again."
"The guild, everyone... what became of them?"
"Thanks to your bravery, we were able to drive Tartaros away from the guild. The injured were long back on their feet while you were unconscious for almost a week." Mira says as she now wipes the sweat on my face. Her face is only inches away from me, and somehow it sets my heart pounding fast like never before. "Do rest up for the day."
"Thanks." I look away flustered. "I mean, you didn't have to do this when I've been nothing but a jerk to you these past few years. Yet you—" Much to my annoyance, Mira suddenly giggles.
"Aww, Laxus, you're so cute when you blush~"
"Gah! Am not!"
Mira sighs. "Look, that's all in the past now. Freed told me everything, that you did a lot for your friends..." Nothing however prepares me for her bright, angelic smile. "I won't forget your courage."
"..."
For seconds we stare into each other's eyes. That is, until my damn stomach growls like a lion.
"Ah right! You must be starving." She quickly takes out a basket of fruits from under her chair and set it next to my pillow. "Here, I brought you some food."
Staring at the fruit basket, I fake a frown, hoping that she would take the bait. "That's really too bad. You see I can't feel my arms yet."
"Right. Say no more." She picks a grape, glides it my way, and smile. "Open up." As I chew on her first grape, I can't help but smirk as she picks another. Her affection, it's addictive.
Minutes have passed and I've finally had my fill, so I figure it's time to leave and head back to the guild, but as soon as I rise out of bed, excruciating pain immediately soars through my chest. "Arghhh!" I clutch my chest in pain, much to Mira's dismay.
"Laxus! No! The doctor said you need at least another day of rest before you're allowed to move out of bed!"
"This is nothing... ugh!"
Mira rises to her feet and grabs my arms. "Enough! You are to lay back down this instance!"
"Make me!"
Pinning me down on the hospital bed with her forearm above my chest, Mira eventually ceases my struggle when a single drop of her tear drops on my face. It's at that very moment, that I can only stare.
"You don't understand... I, I can't stand the thought of losing you..."
"You what...?" I ask panting.
Mira caresses my cheek, weakly smiling as another tear escapes her. "You're special to me. Don't you forget that."
No woman has ever called me special, and it melts my heart to think that she would care for me this deeply. I can feel my cheeks burning up. Drown in the romantic atmosphere, I slowly lean forward to kiss her.
She however quickly dodges.
"W-what are you doing!?"
"Mira I'm really sorry." I immediately apologize, terrified of her inner demon that is about to awaken as she glares at me. "I wasn't thinking."
"I, I should go."
Before I can find my voice, Mira has stormed out of the hospital room. I don't get it. We seemed to be hitting it off just fine with all the touching, kind words, and everything... so why would one harmless little kiss freak her out like that? Tch, I roll over to the side of my bed frowning.
Truth is... I miss her already.
All this time lying in bed thinking of Mira has pushed me to the edge of my bad habit. As I slip my hand inside my pants under the cover, I find myself instantly getting hard. Damn, to think she would arouse me this much. I shut my eyes in pleasure, fantasizing about Mira in nothing but her birthday suit as my tempo increases. That is, until...
"Erhem!"
I glance to my right to find Mira standing with her arms crossed, so I quickly pull my hand out. "Gah! Why have you come back!?"
"I see your arms have healed." Her eyebrow twitches as she sits back down on the small wooden chair. Then she looks at me and sighs. "Listen, I shouldn't have taken off like that. I'm sorry."
"I'm afraid you still owe me an explanation, lady."
"Alright here's the thing," Mira sighs in defeat. "It is my personal choice to stay abstinent, and by that I'm still waiting for the right guy to share intimate moments with, a guy who practices the same morals and values as I do. Until then I must resist all temptations. You, Laxus, however, are my strongest temptation."
Wow just wow.
"Heh, I don't blame you. I mean what lady wouldn't want to get on with this?" I smirk, lifting up the sheet to showcase my well-defined abs which prompts Mira to bite her lower lips.
"Laxus... that's not funny."
"Haha!"
"Laxus!"
Having finally composed myself, I stare at the ceiling with my hands under my head. "So tell me, when was the last time you were in relationship?"
"Actually, I..." Her fingers fidget. It doesn't take an expert to deduce an answer from the blush on her cheeks. Yet could it be? Could it really be!?
"Mira, don't tell me you're a virgin."
She weakly nods.
"Wow just wow."
"Please don't judge me."
"No, no, no, please don't take this the wrong way. I thing it's a wonderful thing. It amazes me how you've still managed to keep yourself pure and untainted when many have failed, really!"
Mira smiles. "Thanks, Laxus."
Waiting for the right person, huh? Never thought I'd be saying think, but maybe it's about time I stop fooling around with my life and start searching for a serious relationship. One woman. One woman who appreciates and loves me with all her heart. That's all I'm asking for...
"Laxus?" Mira waving her hand in front of my face snaps me back to reality.
"Ah, yes, you just got me thinking, is all."
"Really!? Oh please oh tell me what you were thinking!"
Annoyed , I growl under my breath as I shut my eyes. "Forget it."
"Tee-hee~ You're just as cute when you're angry."
"Hmph!"
The clock ticks to 9:00 pm, and Mira seems notice as she grabs her shoulder bag before leaving her chair. "Rest well, Laxus. I'll see you back at the guild."
"Already? Can't you stay and talk to me just a little longer?"
"..."
"I see... then at least allow me thank you properly."
"You're welcome, Laxus. I promise we can talk some more once you're back on your feet. I know It would make me happy. For now I need you to be a good boy and focus on your recovery."
With that, I watch as Mira wave her goodbye and leave. The harsh clunking sound of the door leaves me lonely as I roll to the side of my bed once more to sulk. Why? Why does she get my heart skipping so? Soon it finally occurs to me.
I believe I'm in love.
Days have passed since then, and instead of confessing my feelings to Mira, I find myself avoiding her outside and inside the guild.
"Yo, Laxus! Long time no see!"
I leer at the brown-haired S class wizard who has just casually sat next to me on one of the guild's wooden benches. "What do you want, pervert?"
That's right, Gildart. Apparently the old geezer had returned and fought along side everyone to prevent the guild's destruction while I was unconscious. Now he's even more renowned and respected by everyone.
"Let's hit the strip club tonight." Gildart nudges. "We can be each other's wing man and bang some hot chicks like old times. What do you say, big guy?"
I sigh despite the tempting offer. "I'll pass..."
"Laxus, oh please~ it's been weeks since I last had sex and it's killing me!"
"For God's sake you have a daughter, you sad excuse of a Father!"
"Alright you got me." Gildart shrugs his shoulder. Much to my annoyance, he later throws his arm around me and asks, "What about you? Why the sudden change of heart?"
My eyes dart to the white-haired beauty behind the guild's bar counter, and Gildart seems to notice as he gawks and point his trembling finger. "Ah ah ah! Don't tell me you're actually in love with—"
"Say another word and I'll kill you!"
Gildart bursts into laughter, repeatedly slapping me on the back like an uncontrollable child. "Well good for you. I honestly thought you would die a single man given your one-night stand record."
"Whatever."
"Tell you what, go for it..." He pats my shoulder, gets up, and leaves for the gate, but not before throwing one last pervy comment which leaves me red as a beet on the way. "If you do manage to score, I want every little detail, kay~?"
"Beat it!"
Alone and perplexed on the matter, I raise up my hand to order a drink. "One shot over here please." Little did I know that Mira would be the one serving that drink.
"Here you go, Laxus."
"Ah, thanks." I grab the mug of beer from the table and chug it down in one go. Having slammed the empty mug on the table, I smirk at the barmaid. "Meet me at the backyard."
"Eh?"
"You heard me." I shut my eyes looking badass before flashing away. Seconds have passed when I glance at the guild's backyard door for the fifth time with no sign of Mira, but then just as I'm about to give up, she is crossing the stepping stones that leads to the small tree where I'm leaning.
"So Laxus... what is this all about?"
I scratch the back of my head. "Mira, you and I have known each other for years now. I have to wonder, why haven't you asked me out yet?"
Mira turns red as a rose. "W-what...?"
"Feel that?" I place her hand on top of my beating chest, forcing her to stare into my eyes. "Ever since you took care of me in the hospital I've been having these strong feelings for you."
Mira is speechless. After a long pause she finally takes a step back. "Oh wow, Laxus, I don't know what to say. This is all so sudden." Hoping to ease her mind, I approach her and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"I understand you're looking for a serious relationship. That's why I want you to know that you're the only woman I've ever truly loved, and that I'm serious about planning our future."
"Oh, Laxus, I'm flattered that you would feel this way about me. I mean look at you. You're such a handsome, sexy, wonderful man. Any woman would be lucky to have you. Sadly..." Mira carefully removes my hands from her waist, clenches her forearm, and stares away. "I can't date a man who's not a virgin."
Just like that, my world crumbles before my eyes.
To be continued.
If you were in Mira's position, would you have also turned down a flawless man like Laxus just because he has been with another woman? Please tell me what you think of this chapter in the review section. It would mean the world to me ^_^.