The next chapters will be uploaded much faster now (I hope the story will be finished before september).
Two weeks had past. Mirajane had once again resumed the simple life she led most naturally. She worked, chatted with her sister, brother and a few friends like Erza, worked, slept, and worked again. She sure was fond of her routine. Not knowing if it was the peacefulness or the stability that it offered her, but she loved it.
However, a light spot obscured this perfect picture. Two spots if properly speaking: boredom and him. The second one although succeeded in partially making the first one disappear. The thunder mage had gone on an S class job six days ago with his team, without giving any news of course. That was however not what helped with her boredom.
She didn't mind what he was doing right now, why would she? No, her thoughts were kept with the strange tension building between them during the last few days. Finally able to put a word on it. Tension. Was any other word able to describe it? To define the long silence and heavy looks and with both pleasant and uncomfortable pressure in her gut? Not forgetting discomfort of her lower stomach during those times.
Tension
But it was still not enough to understand it. She had tried dozens of features, but nothing perfectly suited it. Was it a rather electric? Romantic? Sexual? The white haired woman chuckled as she thought of the first one, rather ironic to describe about the dragon slayer. But leaving it and only keeping the other two seemed however too close to a lie.
The young woman had never shared her thoughts with anyone, not even what caused them. How was she supposed to admit to a guild member that she had remained frozen before Laxus? And more, a mage from the guild, a childhood friend with whom she had had more than one fight. Her pride firstly prohibited her. Then in reality, the embarrassment.
Confessing her helplessness in front of him was one thing, the desire he had been able to give birth in her was a completely different one. And yet, one did not go without the other. Finally, it wasn't a sexual desire. Not completely. There was something else. Like an irrepressible desire to come near him and share something. But mostly sexual.
And then, she had to admit it: she had wanted to sleep with him. She frowned. What would have happened in that room if they had known each other just a little less well? Would she had not rejected the idea and swallowed up her pride? Would they have given in? Had he even felt it? His own desire like hers. Was she wrong? Did the heavy looks he offered her had another meaning? She had felt it though.
She tilted her head back to refocus her thoughts on her task. Namely, record the last received jobs. A too much difficult task with such a hazy mind. Just thinking about it, impatience twisted her gut and disturbing tickling mimicked the touch of his firm hands on her burning skin. Her head suddenly shook. Work. Work. Work.
Her younger sister expectantly chose this moment to appear at her side. The young woman jumped and stared at her who had just came up in the library. They stayed like that for a few seconds before the youngest uttered a few words:
"Are you really sure you're okay?"
Those were the only words she had since the crying incident. Not giving up however how many times the demonic mage told her she was great. Rightly so. How would you believe in the well-being of your eldest when she suddenly starts to weep and get lost in her thoughts for no apparent reason?
"I already told you, everything's fine." The latter replied with a bright smile.
Lisanna slowly nodded, frowning, obviously not really convinced. She had inquired for days with her sister to find out what happened with the dragon slayer, with no results. Mirajane had tried to tell her he's come to check on her and left as quickly as he had arrived. To which she replied that it was surprising given his way too much mischievous smirk when he offered his help. The young woman hadn't answered that, she had just stared at her tea with a sigh, and her sister had given up hope of getting any answer.
She remained worried. Truthfully, she had sent Laxus because she knew he had spoken to her just before she started crying and knew he must have had something to do with it. She had wanted to get him an opportunity to apologies. What he had obviously done, but she wasn't sure that her sister's new thoughtful state was a great improvement.
The demonic mage once again focused on the complaints in front of her. As the master grew older, it was not uncommon for her to fill them for him. But despite her good will, the requests were piling up and the dedicated pile seemed on an unlimited growth.
Jobs poorly-executed. Rude behavior ; Disturbances of public order. And above all, destruction. Again and always more destruction. A wonder how the government hadn't already locked them all up yet. Natsu was obviously the biggest threat but he was far from being the only one and even Wendy, the best-behaved of the group was the subject of a complaint for destruction of a residential area.
The white-haired woman heavily sighed in despair and her head fell into the palms of her hands. How could she manage to reply to all complaints before midnight? If only they were a bit distracting... complaints were merely repeating themselves. She grabbed the next letter from her pile, opened the envelope with meticulousness and patience, praying it would be out of the ordinary.
The result was rather disappointing. The huge title above the piece of paper and the words Request for reparation following the devastation of the town of Hargeon and the eastern forest met her eyes. Who's the goddamn idiot that did that? Her mind froze when she read the name on the complaint and a desperate but amused smile appeared on her lips. Laxus Dreyar. Of course.
She examined the request with a new found interest. Curious about what this idiot had done again. Unfortunately, nothing particularly new. Just a shortened neighborhood and the wood's biodiversity in serious danger. How could someone be so reckless? Natsu could still pretend to some stupidity that could prevent him from thinking about the consequences, but Laxus was supposed to at least think about it, if not just stable.
The young woman let out her most beautiful breath of despair. Perhaps it was time to stop doing paperwork for today, only undermining her mental health. She put the different papers back and hurried back upstairs to resume her word, ready to do something productive with her evening.
Suddenly, a weird figure jumped on her, screaming as she reached the top of the stairs. Startled, her foot slipped along with her center of gravity as she fell back. Her throat gasped, her hand forcefully grabbed the railing but her chest continued to fall against the wall, strong pain spread through her skull and her mind suddenly got clouded.
When she opened her eyes, she was still standing, clinging to the railing with her right hand and to the figure which she had kept tight against her with her left one. The form withdrew from the embrace and started inquiring with questions she couldn't quite yet get.
"Mirajane-san? Are you all right? Are you okay?" She finally managed to understand after a few seconds. She stared at the blue haired figure rushing around her as she felt other people approaching with concern. She nodded slowly as she regained her senses, the faces' features gradually taking shape.
"I'm... okay..." She uttered. "Ouch!" She exclaimed as her pain went on.
"Sorry Mira !" She heard from a pink haired figure. 'I was trying to scare Wendy with gelatin!"
The boy's voice was laughing, which a little annoyed the young woman. She forced herself to smile and stammered a few words to reassure everyone.
"It's nothing."
She began to reach the back of the counter, followed by a hundred eyes who tried to detect in her the slightest sign of pain. Her younger sister joined her with the most worried look of all.
"Are you sure you're okay? Your head really got hit fast!"
"Don't worry. It was nothing." She replied, smiling brightly.
Terrible pain scratched her skull as if a dozen daggers were sinking in turn. She rubbed the back of her head and the pain instantly increased, pulling a grimace which she hurriedly hid with a smile. Attention gradually abandoned her and people slowly resumed their activities.
The girl came closer to the counter and asked again about the state of the white. She accompanied her words with an avalanche of apologies. Mirajane tried to explain to her that no harm had been done - although his head was still terribly suffering from the shock - and that so many apologies were too much. A deep voice rose on the side.
"You're lucky she caught you." The voice said. "Anyone else would have thrown you down the stairs."
He was quietly sitting in front of his beer. When had he come back? Was that supposed to be a compliment? How long had he been sitting here? Why hadn't she noticed him earlier? The lightning mage seemed surprisingly rested for someone returning from a long job. Usually, he didn't bother coming to the guild at this time and preferred to go straight home. So what was he doing here?
"Someone like you for instance?" The young woman answered.
The words had come out of her mouth on their own. She widened her eyes at the same time as he realized her joke, however said with her most serious face. A somewhat heavy silence fell between them. The blond frowned, staring at the bartender.
"I was just trying to be nice, but let's say it's the shock." He said in a very sharp voice, visibly annoyed.
The white haired woman swallowed hard, searching for the right words. Finding a way to explain she hadn't actually meant it? She hadn't even wanted to speak, the words had come out instinctively. Besides, why say that? To respond to him? But to what? To not remain frozen with a dumb smile? To annoy him? When pissing him off wasn't on her list of preferences? To get his attention?
He emptied his glass in one go and got up to leave when she yelped an apology.
"Sorry."
He turned back to her with a face filled with misunderstanding.
"I ... I didn't mean that." She mumbled with embarrassment and no correct explanations.
He studied her face. Trying to get any intention in her words.
"So, what did you mean then?" He asked more curious than upset.
The demonic mage took a step back, looking down. What was she going to say now?
"Nothing!" She replied quickly. "I don't know why I said that."
She thought she was going to die of embarrassment as he stared at her silently. He was going through each feature of her angelic face hoping to find any motive. Her big, almost hypnotic blue eyes, the curve of her slight nose, her pink lips… the whole thing shone with innocence so incredible that it became unreal. So different from the mischievousness he knew she was capable of. How would someone contain such different personalities in one?
He sat down again. Visibly intrigued by the woman's behavior. Surprisingly, the exchange didn't get noticed by the other members who still cheerfully insulted each other except for the girl who stared at the two mages in turn without daring to move. She wanted to offer her magic treatment again but the silent looks cooled her down. She mumbled a few more apologies without Mirajane taking the time to listen to her and went back to sit next to Lucy.
As for them, the lightning mage had looked down at his beer after yet another smirk and seemed to have lost interest in her woman, still looking at him without a word. Was he still upset? His tone had suggested it, but his casual attitude made him look unusually relaxed. She tried an approach to break the overwhelming discomfort:
"How was your job? You came back early." She asked.
"Fine, I guess." He uttered, closer to growling than speaking.
The woman scowled. If her attempt at conciliation fell through, he could just ignore it or make a more complete answer. But was this really better? Stubborn and proud as he was, he would surely ignore it magnificently. She swallowed her discomfort and concentrated on her work as a barmaid.
After she had served over twenty orders, all accompanied with questions about her condition. Everyone at the hall had decided to worry about her. Her headache was even more worsening, but she tried not to let anything show. Wendy tried to insist she let her take a look but she declined, claiming that her only concern at the time was to serve everyone before the next day.
She was listening wisely to Cana who was telling her one of her latest story of unsuccessful date while cleaning dishes and relating the different events of the day in her mind: boredom, work, motivation, pain, reassurance, temerity, fear, pride, resignation. So many emotions.
"So, I didn't know what to tell him…"
It was still strange that he came to the guild this late after such a long absence.
"The guy was convinced I had already slept with at least fifty other guys..."
And then why was he so sensitive on this subject? The battle of Fairy Tail had been over for years, well, according to the calendar. No one suspected him of being an asshole without empathy anymore.
"When I really slept with none, you know?"
Did he think otherwise? Or, maybe it was more personal than that.
"I can't believe I'm still a virgin after all the dates I've been to…"
Did he think she thought he was not trustworthy?
"Whenever I go on a date, it's always the same..."
Did he think she held a grudge against him?
"Most tell me I drink too much and so, I get nervous that they might think that…"
It was in the past, she trusted him completely, well, for most things…
"And I drink even more! Isn't it horrible?"
Like it was worth getting angry! He certainly enjoyed playing with her.
"And others think I'm basically a slut…"
He allowed himself to make comments about her every day and she couldn't make one without upsetting him? Who did he think he was?
"So, they just tell me I'm intimidating and I stop seeing them..."
You really had to be stupid to allow yourself to play with people and then get all pissed when they replied!
"Isn't it nuts?"
And she had been replying for years! Why was this idiot blaming her now?
"Mira, you're listening?" The brunette asked.
Mirajane looked up and stammered a weak confirmation that did not seem to convince her comrade. Suddenly, she saw the lightning mage display his predatory grin from upstairs. How annoying it could be! He looked at her, still leaning on the railing, then stood up to head to the room reserved for S class members. Which was weird since he had just returned from a two weeks job. Suddenly, he froze at before door and turned his gaze to the demonic mage, still gazing at him while working. He smirked once more and got inside.
It was too much! If he had a problem with her, he could at least come and tell her to her face! And not hide in a small, remote room by silently inviting her and turn the situation against her to accuse her of having gotten worked up about it!
The card mage desperately repeated the white haired woman's name, who had stopped listening a long time ago.
"Two minutes." She abruptly uttered while going towards the room.
She went up the stairs discreetly under the uncomprehending eye of her friend and walked through the door without thinking about her real intentions.
The atmosphere was radically different. Silent, austere... Perhaps it would have been a little warmer if the dragon slayer hadn't been waiting on one of the sofas, armed with his eternal grin and a freshly lit cigarette.
Or if he hadn't immediately jumped on her when she closed the door...
The pain became even more powerful when her white hair hit the wall again. He was now very close to her, one arm resting against the wall, like a fence to her prevent escape. The mage took a few seconds to regain her mind and blushed instantly, realizing their position. His chest, on which she had a fantasy a few weeks before, was facing her and unwanted thoughts quickly came to her mind. She looked up, ignoring the pain, to stare right into his eyes.
"You still haven't gained in delicacy." She articulated with difficulty.
"I don't really like being humiliated this way." He replied coldly, still staring at her.
"Humiliated?"
He groaned in contentment. Their last exchange came to her mind.
"I didn't know you were so touchy, did your last achievements in Hargeon make you all grumpy?" She said with a provocative smile.
He straightened slightly, reducing the distance between his body and the woman. She held a comment but blushed even more when she crossed his smirking glance while taking a puff of tobacco. The moment their eyes broke away made Mirajane regain her senses.
"So what, you smoke to think about what you're going to say next?"
In response, he threw the smoke over her face and smiled as he watched her cough strongly. Oh, how she hated that smell! The idiot was really trying to piss her off! But she wouldn't let herself get mad.
"The forest was that beautiful?" She went on between two coughs.
"I saw better..." He finally answered.
She thought she had won but froze immediately as she felt his fingers slide over her waist. Red rose violently to her cheeks while in a state of amazement. She felt them go against her hip then down and finally stopped just above her buttocks, without daring to go further on their journey. She didn't move but managed to utter a word.
"Stop."
"Why?" He asked in a suddenly serious tone.
"Because I'm telling you to." She replied dryly, glaring at him but still not moving.
His hand went back to her back without however leave her skin. The woman let out a sigh of relief and even found herself enjoying the feeling. He was still staring at her. She looked into his golden eyes and felt her gut boil. He slightly bent down to bring his face closer to hers. The mage closed her eyes, wanted to abandon herself but stiffened and abruptly whispered for herself:
"Not here."
He froze, remained a few instants above her, took a deep breath, and then disappeared through the door.
The young woman was motionless, his breath still echoed against her skin and his hand seemed to have left an imprint on her flesh. Her organs were still burning, as were her cheeks. She took a few moments to connect her words to his departure and didn't know what to think. On the one hand, she felt grateful and reassured that he had listened to her, but on the other hand, she would have liked him to get a little closer. Just a little.
She shook her head violently. He was better off... She had no desire to be surprised in such a position with him, especially by a member of the guild who turned out to be Erza. What did really bother her? That he would touch her like this or that Laxus would touch her inside the guild? She was starting to have an idea on the matter. Maybe it was better to avoid being alone again in order to keep thinking of him as a comrade.
Because it was still the case, wasn't it?
Thank you for reading ! Please leave a comment !
