Minerva x Max

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Note: This is a christmas gift for Dragon'sHost

Author's Note: After Tartaros, before Avatar!

Song Name: Fractures
Artist: Illenium

Featured artist: Nevve

Album: Awake

Released: 2017

Genre: Dance/electronic

Burning everything I know

Desperate for a change

Minerva looked back at the guild, her face pensive as she got lost in thought. A part of her wanted to go back to Sabertooth. She was ready to repent to those in the guild while she had been power hungry. Believing as her father believed. That power and strength were all one needed in the world.

Now, she knew that was wrong now. Having had it beaten into her body, mind, and soul twice now. Her body forcibly being changed into a demons. That had left her cold, empty. It made her fear. Though it was not always a bad thing to recall those memories, just when she did, it left a bitter taste in her mouth and several nights worth of Night Terrors. Forcing her to wake up in cold sweats and crying.

Crashing down the ancient roads

Past our yesterday

Max was at a loss. He had several skill sets that were not all magic, though that in and of itself had grown. But his home, his family was broken, leaving him to walk a road that look old, worn and broken. No clue what to expect at the end of the day or on the marrow. It honestly had him a little scared. But he would survive. There was always hope, he knew that. His guild proved it time and time again. Someone, anyone, but him in the guild could probably bring it back when the time was right. He, himself, was not a big name, or easily recognized by the rest of the guild. He loved everyone regardless.

Sighing, as he slung his trusty broom over his shoulder and started walking. What he wanted to bring of what was left of his meager possession in the small kerchief tied at broom's end. Max set out on a road, hoping that tomorrow would bring him something good, if not tomorrow, then it would be days past it. Because he wouldn't look back at yesterday, not when he lived for the day.

Shattering, collide

Call it post-traumatic

A scream rent the air, causing the night life of the forest to go still or run scared. It was pain and horror filled. As it echoed over and over again. The intermittent sobbing between the screams drew the forest other occupant, who had been given the job of getting rid of what was making it. Said person knew that it was no animal or spirit like the small remote village residents thought. No, he knew that kind of scream. It only came from a human. One who was hurt.

Slowly they made their way towards were the screams came. He felt his own pain well up. The loss of their own. Images flashing of what had been lost in the war with the demons and almost losing all magic to Face. Swallowing as he stepped into the clearing, adjusting to the sudden pale light from the full moon. And what it was bathing. A person they'd not expect to ever see again. A person who had hurt their friends and family time and again.

Creeping closer he saw that the person was curled into a small ball and crying actual tears. Something they thought was impossible. Causing a pang of guilt to well in their heart. The person's reasons were unknown, but he knew giving as second chance was what was right. Slowly he sank down beside the person and began to hum a soothing tune, quieting them. Allowing them to slowly slip into a more peaceful sleep.

Feeding frenzy is in my brain

I'm hopeful every day

She had not a clue what had happened those two months ago, but she had a new companion. A person who by all means and purposes should hate her. This was causing her mind to go nuts and leaving her unable to focus. Minerva was highly confused and it almost cost her her life a few times in battle. Something the person she was now traveling with told her would help if she did it for a good reason, not just to prove how powerful she was.

This had at first had her curling her lip and snarling in disgust, before realizing that she was acting like she used to. And trying something new couldn't and wouldn't hurt, right? So, at the suggestion she had. Surprising herself at the feeling she got for helping others instead of demanding and forcing them through fear. It was great, warm. This person gave her a bit more to look forward to each day. The patience they showed her was astounding. Though one thing was always on their mind. Why the hell did he always carry around a broom?

I gotta get it while we are still young enough to break

We're finally not afraid

Max was truly happy. He was getting to see the gradual change in the woman, whom he had split his reward with after bringing her back to the village. Which had shocked the poor reclusive people. Watching her bow and apologize for terrorizing them while she slept. The head of the village didn't say a darn thing, but looked on in understanding before telling Max to watch over and help the woman. Which he had done. Now he was proud and no longer even remotely afraid of Minerva Orlando, former terror from Sabertooth.

He couldn't help it as the days turned into week, then months. There was something about her that was drawing him to her. A brightness that begged to be let out. A gentle soul that was now struggling fiercely to break free. With each new adventure they went on, helping people, he saw a child-like wonder light her beautiful eyes. Making him bite the inside of his mouth as he realized what was happening between him and the young woman.

See me running full speed at it

Coming after tiny fractures

It happened so damn fast. Neither of them expected it. The job taken was simple. But it had gone horribly wrong due to being misinformed. Now they stared into each other's eyes. Running towards the other at their best speed, just to have their hands touch and activate the Unison Raid they'd come to practice for just an emergency. That territorial magic coupled with his Sand Storm was damn deadly.

Their eyes lit up with their magic as they grinned and turned to the members of the Dark Guild who seemed to go still at the amount of magical power that they put off. The way their magics blended together perfectly as if they were two halves of one whole. Then the explosion happened behind them, leveling their small base of operations and demolishing a few good miles of the forest. Before the sand shimmered as it heat and turned to a fine glass.

When they looked at each other, still grinning, both blushing as they saw the other for who they were with all their tiny flaws that they were helping the other overcome. It had them going a bit more flushed before they looked away and one called for the rune knights on a new lacrima device.

What comes after

Tiny fractures

Minerva stood there looking at the newly reconstructed Fairy Tail. Her nerves were frayed and she was scared of going near it. But she had agreed that the last step in healing was to apologize formally. Which was only made that much more awkward by her showing belly. That and the ring on her left hand, that Max himself had designed. It was all glass, but it was magically enforced and held small bits of gold dust and some other rare and precious metals he had used his magic to pull from the ground.

Max looked at his new bride as she shifted a bit behind him. Smiling at her as he turned and placed a calloused hand on her cheek. Seeing her dark eyes look into his, before he let his hand drop to her showing belly. A night of passion he would never regret led to that little life that was growing in his new wife's belly. Their marriage only taken place five weeks ago. They'd been together for almost a full year, just sigh based on when he took that job that brought her into his life. He knew his guild mates would accept her and them.

Together they strode through the newly reconstructed gate and drew the attention of everyone. The weight of so many eyes on them, before the gathered people noticed the ring and rounding belly and how their hands were clasped. Causing a look of brief confusion, before awe and happiness crossed everyone's faces. It was clear that there'd be talking later, but now one of their fold had returned, married and expecting. IT was a cause of celebration. Enemy or not, trusted or hated, it didn't matter. There was proof of a new life, something to be joyous about. Causing the two to relax as they leaned into the other.

THE END!