Chapter 2: Vague Apology
It was hard to believe that Laxus was able to avoid the guild for one whole month. Actually, he was only able to do it because of the mission he was given. Coincidently, his gramps sent him on a "very top-secret" mission for one of his old friends right after his little spat with Mirajane. But just because he hasn't seen her for a month, didn't mean he hadn't missed her any less. If anything, the only thing he thought about, aside from his mission, was finding a way to apologize for his childish behavior. That one month, made him realize that what she thought of him in the past is not important, it is about how sh feels about him now. Live in the present, his gramps had told him before.
Fortunately, Laxus learned patience. He always had a soft spot for Mirajane, but then again who didn't. He'd wait a lifetime if he had to, just for her to say 'yes' to a date. His eyes twitched at the realization. Shit. She had his heart in her demon clutches and he can't even do anything about it. He heaved a heavy sigh as he pushed through the guild doors revealing what he had left a month ago. Nothing changed. Members fought, drank, laughed, and fought. What had changed was the barmaid at the counter. Where had his white haired demon take-over mage go?
He sniffed the air and his feet led him towards his grandpa's office. On his way there, many of the members were welcoming him back with drunken slurs and foolish smiles. It was nice to be back home. But it would have been better if she greeted him like how she always did. The door to the master's office was slightly ajar and he used his amazing dragon slayer hearing to listen in on the whispered conversation.
"Master, are you sure you're going to be okay with me going on this mission? I don't mind at all going but I'm a little worried about how you'll be doing without me here." Her voice lulled his ears and it didn't stop him from smirking, just a little.
"You're a hundred years too early to be worrying about this old man. Haha. I'll survive a day or two without your council." He heard his gramps say. "But Mira, while you're on your mission, please stop by this store and buy me this item." Laxus assumed he had given her some sort of picture or paper of said item.
"Of course Master. I'll try to finish this quest as soon as I can." He heard the chair creek.
"Also Mira, why don't you take someone with you, like one of your siblings?"
"I'll be alright by myself."
Before Laxus could back away from the door, Mirajane whipped it fully open and caught his stare. Her eyes grew wide and he could tell that the wheels started turning in that mastermind head of hers. He didn't know he was sweating until one of the beads of sweat dropped into his right eye. Mirajane turned around to face Makarov.
"Actually, I'll take Laxus." She smiled her infamous smile.
A large gulp ensued after she flashed her evil grin. He felt sweatier under her gaze. Why on Earthland would she volunteer him to be her partner for this job? She was more than capable. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. She didn't need him for help, she wanted him to go so she could talk with him. For the love of Mavis, she's going to talk about his feelings. Anxiety started to escalate in his bones and all he wanted to do was to get out of there. Teleport… He told himself. Just teleport. As soon as she drops her gaze, or even blinks, teleport. Just. Get. Out. His mantra repeated a thousand times in a time frame of 20 seconds. Yet her gaze not once faltered.
"Well then Laxus, you have no choice if the lady asks." He smiled an all-knowing smile.
Laxus whipped his head towards the small master. His eyes narrowed thinly as he watched his grandpa hop off his desk and did his own business, leaving them quiet and alone.
"Certainly you'll accompany me, right Laxus? Since you've just gone and disappeared for a month after that night." He watched as the anger started to build in her face. She looked almost hurt by him, which was beyond belief.
"Sorry." He spat out quickly. There was reasoning, a plan, an essay even, that he prepared in his head for her. But in this moment, he only said one word. Shit.
"SORRY?!" She yelled. Her small delicate hand grabbed his collar and then her hand was not so delicate anymore, not so small either; it was covered in scales and her eyes became dark. Her hair was standing up and Laxus's life basically flashed before his eyes. Her death grip was real, scary, and real.
Then he finally remembered where his balls were and grabbed her hand and ripped it off his collar. He pushed her against the wall and crushed his weight against hers to calm her down. She continued to glare at him.
He sighed and let go of her hand.
"Look Mira, we'll talk about it later okay?" He was trying to compromise. Of all people, 'he' was compromising. She makes him do stupid things, he thought.
"Okay. Tomorrow we're leaving early." She dusted her dress and started to walk towards the bar.
"Aren't you going to brief me on the mission?" He asked as he followed her.
"Not until we talk about 'it' first." He can sense her smirk. Smartass.
He huffed as he walked to a bar stool and watched her put on her apron to start serving drinks. Without even asking, she popped open a beer for him and gave it to him. He tilted the bottle to her and said his thanks without using words. She knew he was watching her because he saw her cheeks tint slightly pink whenever he'd be in her peripherals.
Once he finished his beer, he decided to head home since he would be gone again in the morning. Mission means mission, not a time to share feelings. Unfortunately, he dreaded going on this mission with her. She just had a way of making him do stupid things and act in a stupid way.
It was time to leave, and before he left the bar, he felt a small hand tug him. He turned around and it was Asuka. One eyebrow lifted curiously as the little girl smiled happily at him.
"Uncle Laxus," she started off, "can you do me a favour?"
He picked up the young gunslinger mage and put her on his shoulder. "What is it Asuka?"
"Can you get me this new gun?" She whipped out a crumpled piece of paper from her chest pocket. "Like this one." She opened it wide and rubbed it in his face. He took the paper from her, and he felt a little awkward why a 4-year-old needed a gun.
"Asuka, I don't think you're parents want me buying guns for you." He coughed uncomfortably. This was strange. Really strange.
"But… aren't you going to that rich town for your mission with Aunty Mirajane. She said that you could get it for me. I'll pay you." Her eyes started to water.
"No, no,… please don't do that Asuka." He tried to calm her down. But it was too late. She was balling.
His eyes found that mischievous mage who set him up, and all she did was smirk.
"Asuka, I'll get it if you're parents let me."
"Laxus, don't feel obliged. She's a kid." Biska came and took her daughter from him. "Asuka baby, you can't just ask people to get you stuff." She cooed. He heard her giggle. "Thanks Laxus." Both girls walked away and he was left there a little confused. He noticed that Asuka dropped the picture on the floor. A picture of a gun in the hands of an infant, what in the world was happening? Even though he thought it was absurd, he picked up the paper and put it in his pocket.
The next day, he met Mirajane at the train station. He debated if he should pick her up from her place but decided not to in fear that she might force him to talk about his feelings. She was late. But then again she never told him a time, she just said early and he assumed she meant early morning. Actually, it was surprising that she never even said where they were supposed to meet. But here they are, together.
"I didn't even tell you a time. How foolish of me. I hope you weren't waiting long." She stepped closer to him.
Laxus stood still and eyed her suspiciously. "If you're going to randomly snap at me, do it now so we can get it over with. I don't wanna be choked on the train if I say something wrong or sparks your anger. I know you well enough that you like to hide your emotions."
He heard her sigh. "So we're talking about feelings now?"
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I just wanted to know why you stormed off that night. I thought I said something wrong and then I wanted to make it up to you. Then you disappeared. For a long time."
"I was being dumb. Okay? Just forget about it." She smiled. He coughed uncomfortably and tried to avoid her mushiness. Before she reached for her luggage, he took it from her.
"You're being very gentleman-like." She teased.
His face turned hot and he looked elsewhere. "Elfman probably carries everything for you and your sister. I assumed you preferred that." He was right. She made him act stupid and foolish.
"Thanks Laxus."
They both entered the train and found seats nearest to the window. Laxus started to feel queasy and dizzy. Shit. The one flaw of being a dragon-slayer: motion sickness. Before passing out he felt warm hands caressing his hair as he lulled himself to sleep.
A/N: Um... sorry? LOL I'M BAAACKKKK -.-" i'm trying with my stories... Promise :P R&R
