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Chapter 10. Mixed feelings

Laxus woke up from his heavy sleep and found that he was lying on a bed. Pleasant warmth enveloped his body. The bright sunbeams pierced through his eyelids. It was definitely a day. How long had he slept? He tried to remember what had happened but everything was so nebulous…

The pain in his right arm and shoulder made him moan out.

A hand fondled his hair and lifted his head up gently. "Drink this," a calm voice whispered and he felt a cold glass pressed against his lips. Laxus wasn't able to put up any resistance and for that reason he drank the liquid. The hand that supported his head sank it down on the pillow again.

Energetic steps directed toward him. "Is he awake?" an angry female voice asked and at the next moment someone slapped fiercely Laxus in the face.

"You fool of a boy!" the voice yelled. "Didn't I tell you to be careful? Did you forget my words only a few hours later? How came to your mind the idea to waste so much magical power when you are injured? Maybe you wanted to die indeed? Tell me, was this your wish?"

The lightning mage opened his eyes. His vision cleared up bit by bit and he saw Porlyusica; it was obviously that she was furious.

Besides her, there were many people in the room. Laxus realized that the bed he was lying on was surrounded by all Fairy Tail mages.

That sight was enough for him to remember all events.

"And what should I…" he started but the old woman interrupted his words and continued her tirade: "I told you to not trouble Makarov! I told you that he shouldn't excite! It is a wonder that he is still on his right mind! If you didn't feel sorry for yourself, you should have mercy on him!"

The enraged Porlyusica was about to slap him again but Mirajane and Evergreen stopped her.

"Don't hurt him! Please don't!" Evergreen screamed. Her tears streamed down her face. She had forgotten her usual fear of Porlyusica. "It was his magic that saved us, after all!"

The old woman turned to face her.

"I told you to cry no more, girl, or your magic ability will never recover," she said. "Laxus is alive, what do you want more? So stop crying!"

Her words made Laxus creep.

"How did you call me?" asked the thunder mage.

"Does it mean that the illusion has been ruined?" thought he. There was a mirror in the opposite wall. He threw the blanket aside and tried to stand up in order to look at himself in the mirror but Mirajane stopped him.

"Relax; we already know the entire story. Porlyusica-san has told us. You need some more rest," said the girl in a calm tone.

Laxus's feelings were mixed. On the one hand, he didn't used to be seen in such a helpless state and some kind of shame tortured him. He didn't want anyone to look at him at the moment. But on the other hand, he felt himself so well there, surrounded by all guild members… The atmosphere was so amiable and warm… Besides, he was still dazed and out of energy. After a few seconds hesitation he decided that it would be better to listen to Mirajane. He fell back on the bed and she covered him with the blanket.

"Try to get some more sleep and don't worry about anything," added Mirajane.

"That's right! You must recover as soon as possible! I can't wait to defeat you in a fair fight!" Natsu exclaimed enthusiastically.

A smile formed on Laxus's lips against his will. These words didn't surprise him.

"The same old Natsu," he thought and turned his head to the other side. Fried Justine stood there and stared at him. Obviously he was extremely worried.

"Laxus…" he started but the lightning mage gave him a sign to shut up. Fried obeyed him by the force of the habit.

At the same moment Makarov entered the room. Noticing that Laxus was awake, he gave a faint smile, came close to him and took his hand. Their eyes met.

Silence ensued. The words weren't necessary for their communication.

Feeling that he couldn't stand Makarov's glance, Laxus buried his face in the pillow.

"Hi, old man," the lightning mage said under his breath finally. "I… I'm sorry things have turned out the way they have…" added he after a few seconds hesitation.

"It's a bit late to speak so, don't you think?" Porlyusica asked sarcastically and curled up her lips.

"Can you… forgive me for giving you trouble, old man?" The question escaped Laxus's lips.

The guild master sighed.

"I wonder what I can't forgive you, Laxus… As long as you are alive, I can forgive you everything," Makarov thought but the only thing he said was: "Sleep now." He fondled gently his grandson's hair, just once.

Laxus was too exhausted to rebel against his words. An irresistible wish to sleep, much stronger than Mystogan's magic, overcame him.

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