Chapter 19: Strong Ties

It was early in the morning when Laxus Dreyar entered the double doors of the Fairy Tail guildhall. He scanned the tables for the Thunder Legion and realized that they hadn't arrived yet, so he went over to the bar where Mirajane Strauss was.

The take-over mage smiled up at him and leaned over the bar counter, her face resting on her hands. She was wearing her usual red dress with a pleated skirt and womanly accessories.

"How are you, Laxus?" she questioned cheerfully, watching him as he sat down on one of the barstools.

"Good, I guess," he replied casually. He removed his coat and placed it on an empty barstool next to him.

It was an understatement. He was actually feeling great. When he and Lucy Heartfilia had arrived back in their apartment after their time in Akane beach, his lover had demurely told him how happy he made her.

And she had said in bed that she loved him. How could he not feel elated?

"What about you, Mira?" asked Laxus.

"Oh, just peachy," answered Mirajane, battling her eyelashes at him. "Sorcerer Magazine just reached out to me and asked if I could model for them again."

His eyebrows rose. "That's great. Not that I'm surprised. You should accept the offer, Mira."

"Maybe I will," she said thoughtfully.

"Just go for it, you know," he told her earnestly. "You're still young and good-looking. Surely, you'll be on the front cover again."

"Hang on. Did you just flirt with me?" she joked, pouting her lips.

He stared at her in disbelief, looking appalled. "What? Hell, no. You're like a sister to me for crying out loud."

"I'm only kidding. Relax," laughed Mirajane. Then, she remarked, "Say, that's a nice tan you got there. Did you hit the beach or something?"

Laxus smirked. "You could say that."

The white-haired barmaid widened her eyes. "Ah, honto? But the Thunder Legion was here yesterday, so…"

"I was with her," he told her directly, resting his arms on the bar counter. He might as well tell her.

She smiled knowingly. "Oh, I see! So, when's the wedding?"

He snorted. "What are you talking about? We just started going out."

Mirajane laughed and shook her head. "I'm glad you're telling me this."

"You're one of my closest friends," he told her truthfully. "Even though you're quite annoying sometimes."

"Ouch," she said mockingly. She placed a mug on the bar counter and poured him a drink. "So, where's your neighbor?" she asked.

"Sleeping," he replied simply, taking the mug of ale from the barmaid and nodding his thanks.

"In your bed?"

"Don't go overboard, Mira."

"Sorry. Kidding again." She chuckled and clapped her hands. "This is a wonderful development. You and Lucy. My little sister and Natsu."

Surprised, Laxus raised an eyebrow at her. "Lisanna and Natsu?" he asked incredulously.

"Oh, I didn't tell you," responded Mirajane. "Lisanna went with Team Natsu on Caracole Island. She told me she was finally going to confess to him after the quest."

"Wow. But Natsu…" he started to say, but then he shut his mouth. He decided not to remind Mirajane that Natsu liked Lucy. But he hoped that the fire mage would find happiness with Lisanna; she was a great girl after all.

"Hmm? You're saying?" the take-over mage prompted.

"Nothing," he mumbled and then took a draught of his drink. "Are you and Elfman okay with Lisanna going out with Natsu?"

"Why not? She's been in love with him since they were children," she told him dreamily, clasping her hands together. "I think Natsu was in love with her back then, but, well… Anyway, perhaps this time, they'll rekindle their puppy love, you know?"

"Puppy love, huh? You and your sappy terms and sappier imagination, Mira."

"Aw, give me a break, Laxus. I know you're just acting cool, but I can tell you're dancing on air right now."

"Heh. Guess you're right."

The S-Class mages smiled fondly at each other. They had bickered and fought back when they were children, but they had always held high regard for each other even until today. And when it came to the welfare of the Fairy Tail guild, they would always do anything to protect its members.

"So, are you going to be taking a job request today?" asked Mirajane, wiping the bar counter with a cloth.

"Yeah, but I'm waiting for the Thunder Legion," said Laxus. He looked around the tables again. "Where are they anyway? They'd always come here early."

"Maybe their taking a vacation, too," suggested Mirajane.

"Sure," he said slowly, "but it's unlike them to not tell me about it first."

She was silent for a moment. Then, "You should really open up to them more, Laxus," she told him lightly. "They're overly protective of you."

"Ah? What's that supposed to mean?" he retorted, lifting his mug to his lips and preparing to take another drink.

The take-over mage heaved a sigh. "Okay, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but they think that Lucy's just leading you on. I overheard them talking yesterday and saying that they're going to have a word with her at some point."

"They're going to what?" growled Laxus, slamming his mug on the bar counter.

"Oh, look what you did," muttered Mirajane, sighing again. "And I just wiped this clean." She reached out, cloth in her hand, and then wiped the spilled liquid on the counter.

He stared at her, flabbergasted, and then he glanced at the double doors of the guildhall. It was strange that the Thunder Legion wasn't in the guild waiting for him. Then, he frowned, trying to put the pieces together.

"Listen, Mira, I have to go," he told her suddenly, rising to his feet. "Sorry about the mess."

"That's okay. Don't worry about it. Shall I put this on your tab?" she asked, nodding at the half-empty mug of ale. Her usual smiling face now looked worried.

He nodded. "Yeah, you do that. I'll see you later," he said, grabbing his coat from the barstool next to him. Then, he made his way out of the guild.

"They're overly protective of you… I overheard them talking yesterday and saying that they're going to have a word with her at some point."

Mavis, he had a suspicious feeling about the Thunder Legion's whereabouts at the moment.