A week has passed, and not a single day went by without Laxus missing Mira. He never thought he would be so nervous today, yet here he is this morning at the other side of the guild entrance gate fiddling with his purple shirt.

*Creaking door*

Ignoring the usual loud chattering of the crowd, Laxus confronts Mira straight on since Nathan isn't around, at least that's what his nose tells him. He rests his elbow on the bar counter and then snaps his finger twice at her. "Mira, a second please."

"... Hmm?" Her response is slower than usual when she turns around to face him, and the frown on her speaks a thousand words.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Laxus whispers. Until, a nasty thought crosses his mind, one that causes him to lose his temper immediately. "Nathan didn't mistreat you on your date, did he!?"

"No, it's nothing like that... really. It's just..." She pauses, placing her hands on her cheeks as they burn up, causing Laxus to be more curious than ever now. "I'm sorry. I don't think I should discuss such personal matter with anyone."

"Even me?" Laxus grunts under his breath.

"What, it's not like you were ever opened to me either. Now do you see why I was so upset with you?"

"Tch, believe me, Mira, I've learned my lesson."

Mira giggles. It's been a while since she last saw Laxus pout, and she is honestly starting to miss that adorable look on his face. "Well, if you really want to know, I guess I could tell you."

"I want to, but it better not concerns Nathan."

"Actually, it does." Mira fidgets her finger as the blush on her face grows even stronger. It sends Laxus a bad vibe. "Nathan proposed to me on our date, and I said—"

A sudden strong grip on her wrist interrupts Mira.

"Don't say it... Please, I beg you."

From the way Laxus lowers his head, to the dark expression on his face, until the way his hand is trembling, Mira can't help but empathize with the man. "Laxus... is there something you've been hiding from me?" she asks while placing her hand on top of his, but Laxus only stays silent throughout the next few seconds.

"Listen," he finally whispers and releases his hand, "I know it's probably much too late to try and apologize for my mistake, but I just want you know that... I was wrong."

Mira never thought she'd live to see the day Laxus apologize to her, and it melts her heart to see how sincere he was. "Aww, Laxus... you know I will always forgive you."

"Truth is, I still have feelings for you, Mira. It was only until I had lost you that I realize how much you meant to me, so much that I couldn't get you off my mind no matter how hard I tried."

Again, her heart melts for the second time as she places her other hand on top of her breast. "Aww, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."

"So please, don't tell me it's too late to apologize..."

"Laxus, I never said it's too late."

"Then what about the proposal?"

"About that," She scratches her cheek with her finger, "I still haven't said 'yes' to Nathan yet."

In that instant, Laxus enthusiastically gets up on his feet and slams his hands on the counter. "In that case, please give me second chance. I promise you things will be different." Leaning his face closer and closer to Mira, Laxus' heart is beating fast like a speeding bullet. That is, until Mira pushes him away.

"I can't. I still have Nathan..."

Dying inside, Laxus falls back to his seat. Nathan, Nathan, Nathan, how the name sickens him to his stomach. "Damn that bastard!" He slams his fist on the counter and grits his teeth.

"Laxus, please don't take this the wrong way. It's just that love isn't something we can just throw away and replace as we see fit. Certainly not in just a day."

"Tch." Laxus jumps off from his seat and digs his hands inside his pockets as he walks toward the guild exit, however he stops to look at her one last time. "Mira, I love you more than ever now. That's why... I'll do whatever it takes to make you fall in love with me once more. You bet I will." With that, Laxus leaves Mira all flushed and dumbfounded as she watches him leave.


The street bazaar is bustling with life as always, and Laxus finds the sweaty smell and noise of the crowd almost intolerable. It certainly doesn't help his mood.

"Jewelries! Fine Jewelries!" A petite old salesman at a jewelry booth yells, showcasing variety of polished delicacies such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, tiaras, and earrings on his booth. Jewelries certainly doesn't pique Laxus' interest, but it is the tanned bulky man standing next to the booth that does.

"I'll take two of these." Nathan points his finger at a pair of diamond rings.

"That will be 5,000,000 jewels in total, sir."

"Didn't I make myself clear enough? I said I'll be taking them!"

"I can't possibly let you. Please leave before I call the authority. Urgh!" A ruthless grip on his collar suffocates the old man as Nathan smirks and pulls him closer to his face.

"Watch to whom you speaking to, old hag. You are in the presence Nathan Kreuz, Fairy Tail's strongest wizard!"

"They're yours... Please... *coughs* just put me down..." The old man struggles to get loose while kicking in the air, and for Laxus, that is the last straw.

"That's about enough of you."

"Heh? Pfft, it's you." Nathan reluctantly lets go of the man after he feels a rough hand clutching his shoulder from behind.

"You're coming with me. We're moving." Laxus, not liking the stares and whispers from the crowd, flashes Nathan along with him to a nearby narrow secluded alley and furiously pins his body against the wall. "Bastard! Think about how your action would tarnish the guild's reputation for a sec!"

Nathan smirks. "Heh, that coming from the man who once took the whole town as hostage and pitted guildmates against each other. You of all people have no right to reprimand me!"

Laxus can see his former self reflected through Nathan's eyes. Haunted by guilt, he growls as he hesitantly lets go of Nathan before taking a step back. "... Still, you didn't have to go so far over two stupid rings."

"Not stupid, luxurious! They make the perfect engagement rings for me and Mira."

"I see, so that's what this is all about." Laxus sighs, leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. "Tell you what, I need you to back out coz I'm taking Mira back. Or else..."

"Yeah? Whatcha gonna do about it?" Nathan asks in a condescending tone as he confronts the dragon slayer, to which Laxus quickly responds with a suppressed laughter.

"Imagine how Mira would feel when she finds out her future wannabe fiance was mistreating an old man."

"Damn you! You dare threaten me!?" Nathan launches a sucker punch at Laxus' face, but this time Laxus dodges the attack by tilting his head to the side and doesn't flinch one bit when the wall next to his face crumbles from the impact. Grabbing Nathan by his forearm with both hands, Laxus quickly throws him over his shoulder down to the ground.

"Ugh!"

"Mira deserves to know this true color of yours. I've just about had it." Laxus glowers at the puffing man lying helplessly on the ground.

"What are you waiting for, then? Go ahead and tell her."

Groaning, Laxus crouches next to Nathan's face. "It kills me to say this, but Mira does love you more than you ever deserve. That's why I need you to break up with her so that she and I can get back together."

"Forget it. Mira is mine and mine alone."

"Don't fuck with me if you know what's good for you! I'll take her by force even if I have to!"

"Force, you say?" Nathan snickers, pushing himself off the ground to his feet and then boastfully coming face to face with Laxus. "Then let's make a deal. If you promise to keep your lips sealed about what just happened, I'll agree to bet Mira on the line in fight in a one-on-one duel with you. What do you say to that?"

"..."

"But only under one condition, that whoever loses must forever stay out of her life."

"..."

"Come on, Laxus. Don't tell me you're too chicken as always to accept my challenge. Think about it. This may be your one and only chance." When Nathan offers Laxus a handshake, Laxus hesitates to shake his hand until he finds his courage after thoughts of Mira smiling at him surge through his mind.

"It's a deal."

"Now we're talking! Meet me at Magnolia South Gate Park this midnight and get ready to get your ass whooped."

"You talk too much. Do me a favor and scram!"

After releasing his hand from Laxus, Nathan climbs up the alley by jumping wall to wall like a ninja as the sunlight blinds Laxus from keeping up with his speed. "Don't you chicken out now, Laxus!" His last words echo throughout the alley.

"Hmph, show off." Laxus mumbles to himself while he strolls out the alley. Much to his surprise, someone has been waiting to greet him just outside.

"Young man, thank you for saving me earlier."

The petite sweet-looking old man reminds Laxus of his grandfather, and he can't stop himself from smiling. "Don't mention it, gramps. You take care of yourself now."

"Please, wait." The old man grabs Laxus by his hand before he could leave, and Laxus waste no time kneeling down on one knee to meet the old man's height, curious as to why the old man looks so serious.

"I'm listening..."

"*Coughs* I want you to have these. Consider them my tokens of gratitude."

"These are...!" His eyes widens at the sight of two diamond rings the old man is presenting on his palm. "I'm sorry, but I can not possibly accept something so precious." The next thing he knows, however, the ring has already fallen into his hand as the old man gently folds his hands around his.

"I overheard everything. You go get him and win your girlfriend back. I shall be right here rooting for you and the day I see you two walk hands to hands with these rings around your fingers."

Warmth feels Laxus inside his heart. Now he can't stop himself from smirking as he clasps the rings in his hand. "You bet I will. Thanks for everything, gramps." Having got up on his feet and turned his back on the old man, Laxus raises one hand at him as he walks.

Laxus keeps the diamond rings on his way back home inside his coat pocket, the very same pocket he now keeps most treasured photograph at.


Back home bare chested in his backyard, Laxus pushes himself to the limit doing two hundred reps of pushups under the glaring sun. Sweats trickle down his forehead along his nose before dripping off his chin, while his ripped exposed body glistens in the sun as he is puffing. All he can think about is not losing to Nathan.

"198, 199... 200!" He moans as he drops to his chest, rolling on his back to spread his tensed bulky arms on each side. "Ahh... hah..."

*Door bells*

Laxus sighs. "Who the hell is it!?"

"It's me, Mira."

"M-Mira!?" Laxus immediately jumps to his feet, dashes through his living room, and bangs the door open. He thought he was just hearing stuffs, but there she is gasping before him with her hand covering her mouth.

Laxus, not realizing he is still half-naked and all sweaty, rests his elbow on the door jamb and asks, "Hey, why are you staring at me like that?"

Mira is lost for words. Her eyes continue to trail down Laxus' body up from his pumping chest, down to his rock-hard abs, until the bulge of his pants. She's too distracted to even notice the odor of his sweats.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to stare." She blushes as she faces away.

"So, what brings you here to my little slice of hell?"

"I, I just came here to speak with you, Laxus..."

"Then come on in and make yourself at home." Laxus gestures Mira to follow him inside but later frowns when she only stands silent by the door with her dropped to the ground. "Hey, are you just gonna stand there all day or what? I thought you wanted to speak to me."

"Yes I did, but first..." Mira finally looks Laxus in the eyes, covers her nose, and yells, "go take a shower and put some clothes on, you perv!"


To be continued...

Thanks you guys so much for reading and patiently waiting for the long update. Keep looking forward to the next chapter. Also, I will be more than thrilled if you would share your comment with me for this chapter ^_^.