The entire guild saw them leave. Ryker being parried by Mira and Elfman, who helped her carry the mage to their home. Everyone's hearts were torn and angry at the same time. Finally they had found out all about their new mate, but they wondered if it would be better if they hadn't known anything.

The world they lived in was not easy, there were problems, tragedies and difficulties, but where he came from was absurd. Gray was, perhaps, the only one who saw similar destruction of cities, but not even Deliora did the same as that war. The wizards didn't know what to think or what to do.

"Master. What are we going to do?" asked Lucy in a daze.

Makarov put a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know Lucy. It's a lot to process", he said resignedly.

"We cannot let the Council do anything to him, master. You saw what happened, it wasn't his fault!" Natsu yelled angrily.

"Calm down Natsu!", Erza said seriously. "We all saw it. We have to formulate some plan if the Council comes," she spoke with a deadly serious face. Nobody would catch her friend.

"For now I don't think the Council will do anything," said Makarov. "It's not the first time a mage has killed another person on a mission, but that's always a cause for concern for them. They asked me for an explanation, that's what I'm going to give", he said seriously.

"What will happen to Ryker, master?" Gray asked.

"I'm really not sure," he replied. "Depending on the circumstances he can be banned from the wizarding world or even imprisoned," he said leaving everyone in shock and deeply concerned.

"Nobody ...! ," Wendy said in a way she's never said before. "No one will do anything to him! I…we won't let!", she yelled with determination and an intense fire in her eyes. Everyone looked at her in awe and wonder at the same time. His determination infected the entire guild.

Makarov looked at his sons and smiled, it would be difficult for anyone to do anything against his precious guild and its members. They were a family and messing with one would be like messing with everyone. Levy immediately went to the library to research anything that might be useful in defending Ryker against the Council, and the others promised to protect him.

Mira and her siblings arrived home along with Ryker, extremely dejected. They helped him to the guest room he was in before.

"Lisanna bring some water, please," Mira asked, as she placed Ryker on the bed. Her younger sister ran to the kitchen to get what was ordered.

Mira didn't leave the mage's side for a second, she was sitting beside him gently stroking his back and holding his hands tenderly. Lisanna walked into the room and handed the glass of water to her sister.

"Come on, have a drink and try to calm down," she said putting the glass in his hands. The mage took his mouth and drank it all down, his hands were shaking and he was still restless and agitated. "Rest now. It was a very... difficult day", the mage Take Over said between sighs.

However Ryker refused to lie down and sleep, he knew what was coming in his dreams. "I, I don't want, I can't. Everything comes back. I can see it, hear it, feel it all over again. Those memories, the screams the pain", his voice showed the despair he was feeling, afflicting everyone in the room. "I need my meds. They will help."

"I'm sorry but you can't, Ryker," Mira said as sweetly as she could. "Can't you see they're hurting you? You have to be strong and get over it. We are here to help you with that."

"But without them I …" , he was interrupted by the mage hugging him.

"I will stay here, nothing will happen to you. I promise," Mira said, holding him tighter and tenderly, he reciprocated and buried his head in the crook of her neck.

"Let's go Elf. Let them rest", Lisanna said pulling her brother out of the room. "If you need anything just call, sis", she said before leaving and closing the door behind her.

Ryker lay down on the bed and Mirajane lay behind him, putting her arm over the mage stroking his head, trying to relax him. He was anxious, had spasms, a racing heart and irregular breathing. The day was complicated, she never imagined that it could happen or that it happened to him. Over time he relaxed and normalized, if we can say that.

"Sorry, Mira," said the wizard with his back to her. "I didn't want to bring you any problems."

The magician shed some tears, he didn't need to apologize. He was the victim of everything, and she didn't want him to feel guilty about anything.

"Do not say that. You are not to blame for anything, you were the victim," she replied.

"Your look," he said with a sigh. Mira didn't understand at first what he was saying. "When the master said I killed those men, your look killed me," when he said that, Mira felt a sharp pain in her chest, a deep regret, and tears welled up in her eyes. How could she… "Of all the people, you were one of the only ones I didn't want to hurt."

"No! I should apologize. I didn't know, I couldn't judge you, I'm sorry", she held him and leaned against him, burying her head in his back and crying, wetting the shirt of the man lying in front of her. Ryker felt her tears dampening his back and, despite his pain and anguish, felt sorry for her. Of all, he didn't want her to suffer for him, or anyone else.

"I don't blame you, other than myself. Please don't cry, I need you happy. This face doesn't suit you," he said and put his hand over hers. That last sentence, she understood and stopped crying and smiled.

It wasn't long before they fell asleep.

Days passed and the situation did not improve. The Strauss prevented Ryker from using his meds, he needed to detox, however this led to severe withdrawal. Without them, he heard sounds, screams, arrows of images appeared to him at any moment and at any moment. It was driving him crazy. Outbreaks were frequent, requiring Elfman's intervention to hold him back until they passed. It was being exhausting and distressing for the Strauss, especially Mira.

In this time, none of the three went to the guild, they couldn't leave him alone, even though most of the time he was in his room looking at nothing. There were periods of improvement, but at other times it got worse. It was a roller coaster of emotions, it was exhausting.

However, after so long, Mira needed to go to the guild, she needed to talk to the master and unwind a little. It was exhausting to take care of a person in Ryker's condition. She left her brothers in charge while she went to the guild. It would only be a few hours.

"Mira!" shouted Levy running towards her when he saw her entering the guild. Drawing the attention of other mages who went in the same direction.

"So Mira, how's he doing?" Lucy asked, looking very worried.

The mage, who showed all the weariness on her features, smiled. It was good to be back after a few days away and feel the warmth of that place. However, the memory of Ryker's emotional state made her look serious. She sat at a table, being followed by other magicians.

"Is everything okay?" Levy asked worriedly, when she saw her friend's reaction.

"Yeah…I mean, Ryker is in trouble. He's not very well… not well", she sighed and a few tears trickled down her face. "He's suffering from withdrawal and… . " She couldn't continue, until a hand was placed on her shoulder in support form, coming from Lucy, Mira smiled.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine. He's strong, it won't take him down," Natsu said suddenly.

"How can you be sure?" Lucy scolded him lightly.

"If he is a real warrior he will face this. And I know he is. He didn't go through everything he went through to give up now," the fire mage spoke with serious determination. It was hard to see that wizard that way, but in a way it was contagious.

"Thanks, Natsu," Mira said as she got up. "I need to talk to the master", she got up and walked towards her office.

"I hope you're right Natsu," Lucy said tearfully to her mate.

Natsu grinned at Lucy as a way of saying he was right. Seeing him she blushed heavily at his gesture, she always blushed when he did that.

In the Strauss house, Ryker was sitting on his bed facing his demons. He relived everything he went through for the past eleven years, in just a few days. The emotional release was too much. Memories and traumas of war, dead friends he can't save, guilt and pain. Terrible images he saw, bodies, deaths, disgrace and all the darkness that had fallen upon him. He could feel the pain in his body, the pain of each wound, of each torture and worst of all, the pain in his mind.

He was exhausted, tired of it all, tired of fighting, tired of living. He needs air, some breathing, a view of the outside world. Getting out of bed, he went downstairs and went out to the backyard, where he stayed for a few hours, sunbathing, feeling the wind in his face and breathing in a purer air.

Did not work. Nothing worked. The visions he had continued to haunt him, the sounds of war he never failed to hear. The war is not over for him, it has continued and will continue throughout his life. But, he no longer saw the sense in it. He wanted it all over, he needed to end it all, he couldn't take it anymore. The world had lost its color, its taste, its textures, its smells. Everything was lost, there was nothing left there for him.

Ryker walked into the empty kitchen, looking around for nothing. Leaning against the sink he sighed heavily and in anguish. His eyes were opaque and lifeless. Rolling his eyes, he noticed the cutlery drawer and opened it with a sharp knife. He placed the tip of it on his left wrist and held it.

"It will be quick, a deep cut and that's it. It's all over," he thought. "It's going to be okay, it's going to be okay. Be quick, be quick and be accurate. There's nothing left for me here. No nightmares, no more shit. They won't mind," he kept thinking. His hand, holding the knife, trembled as it pressed into her skin. A small cut was made and blood began to flow from the wound. Her eyes were wide and her breathing heavy, her pulse sped up, reaching the limit.

"Forgive me Mira, Lisy, Elfman … but I can't take it anymore," he whispered to himself with a tremendous weight in his heart. "Erza, I'm sorry, Wendy, forgive me. Goodbye Fairy Tail...".

He started to cut himself, a deep cut, lengthwise in his arm. Blood splashed everywhere, staining the floor a deep crimson red. Before he could finish the cut Lisanna walked into the kitchen and saw Ryker holding the knife and all the blood. She didn't have time to process it all, she jumped at him, taking him by surprise and snatching the knife from his hand and throwing it away.

Immediately he tore a part of her dress and tied it around his arm, tightly, trying to stop the bleeding. The mage turned to him and grabbed him by the collar and looked into his eyes so seriously it startled Ryker.

"What do you think you're doing!?" she yelled. "Elfman!" she called to him.

Ryker didn't know where to look. "I just can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore." His face showed the pain he was feeling inside. Lisanna hugged him with tears forming in her eyes.

"How do you think we would feel if you had done that!? How do you think Mira would feel!?" the youngest Strauss scolded him affectionately. Ryker didn't say a word.

Elfman entered the kitchen running at his sister's call. "What was Lis!? What's going on?" he asks.

"Go to the guild and call sis, quick", she asked.

"But what's going on? And what is all this !?", he was startled when he saw the blood spread on the floor.

"Just go!" she yelled scaring him, he waved and left towards the guild.

Lisanna notices Ryker's wrist is still bleeding and runs to get the first aid kit. Luckily the wound wasn't that big and she could suture it, no problem, but if she had taken another second there would have been no way to save it.

After helping him, she takes him to the living room and settles him on the sofa. She sits beside him holding one of his hands, comforting him, waiting for Mira to return with her brother.

"So, did you get an award for your book?" Mira asked Lucy, smiling.

"Yes. I used our adventures here in Fairy Tail as a base, I think they liked the story", the celestial mage says a little embarrassed.

"I'm happy for you Lucy," Mira says smiling.

"Thank you, I'm really happy," she says. "But sometimes I feel bad, with the whole Ryker situation," she adds, looking more crestfallen.

"Don't be like that. It's a good thing that happened to you and you should be happy and proud. It's news like this that helps us get through the difficult times. So be happy," Mira told her friend, who smiles in acceptance.

"And when will the award be delivered?".

"It will be early next month. I hope everyone can go, including Ryker."

"Don't worry, for sure we will", Mira shows her usual smiling side after a long time.

A short time later, Elfman runs into the guild looking for his sister. He looks around until he finds her sitting at a table with other magicians.

"Sister!" he yelled. Mira looked at him and felt butterflies in her stomach, somehow she knew it had to do with Ryker.

"Elfman? What is it?" she says.

"Lis sent me here to call you. I think it has to do with...", he didn't even finish the sentence. She got up and pulled him by the hand running towards her house, not even said goodbye to her friends at the table. Making them apprehensive.

The two run back to the house as fast as they could. As they enter the residence, Mira and Elfman spot Lisanna sitting next to Ryker on the couch. He was with his head down and being supported by the mage, who was looking at him with concern.

"What happened?" Mira asked Lisanna. She got up and pulled her sister aside to have a private conversation with her sibilings.

Lisanna sighed dejectedly, she didn't know how to start, so decided to be direct. "He tried…to kill himself, Mira," she said, her sister whitened, her heart destroyed, as did a feeling of emptiness inside her.

"He, what!?" Elfman asked in disbelief.

"He was cutting himself with a knife when I walked into the kitchen. If I had taken a little longer I…I don't know…" she couldn't finish the sentence with the possibility coming to mind.

"How can he? This is not a male attitude! What was he thinking!?" Elfman raged.

"Calm down! We don't know what he's been going through inside his head. We should not judge, but welcome, try to help, in some way", Lisanna said wisely. "Pointing fingers now will only make things worse," she said resentfully.

Lisanna turned to her older sister and told her she should go talk to him, after all they were closer. But he warned that it would be better to speak calmly, leaving emotions aside. Ryker was very fragile and he didn't need any more stress. Mira followed her sister's advice and went to talk to the wizard on the couch.

She sat beside him placing her hands in her lap and didn't look at the wizard beside her. She didn't know what to say or what to do. The two stood side by side for a long time, without reaction to each other, until Ryker decided to break the silence.

"I'm sorry," he said in a shaky, weak voice. Mira looked at him with condescending eyes. She took his hands and turned, seeing the bandage on his left wrist. Seeing it, she felt a tightness and hollowness in her chest.

"Why?".

"I… still hear and see things. It's all so dark and cold. I can't see hope. I just want to stop suffering." She hugged him tightly, pouring out everything she had to give him, all her warmth, her friendship, her love. He reciprocated, hugging her and holding on to her for his life.

"You still have us and me. Focus on the good memories. You said yourself that you had good memories. Remember? When you dragged me out of the guild to give me a day off," she spoke affectionately in his ear. "I can't imagine the pain you feel, but life is too precious. Fight for her, live to see the wonderful things that are still in store for you." Ryker squeezed her tighter, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Natsu believes in you, we all believe…I believe. Come back to me!" she said as she stroked the mage's head and cried.

"And... what if I can't?"

"You go, everyone is rooting for you, everyone loves you… Wendy loves you like a brother. Don't give up on her, don't give up on us and your future," he could feel a warmth radiating from her, a comforting warmth. She pulled away from him and gently cupped his head in her gentle hands. Mira kissed his forehead in the sweetest way and then his left cheek in the same way and looked into his eyes. A sweet and soft look, reassuring and tender. "Don't give up on me," she said with a smile, one he liked to see, that face that always suited her. He wanted her to always look like that, happy, always happy. He had to fight for everyone, for Wendy and for Mira. She was a light to him, and now he could catch a glimpse of her again.

"I will, I promise," he said and Mira leaned her forehead against his. "Thanks. You are my lighthouse, Mira. Without you I would be lost in the dark, but you've been sohwed me the way", he said and there was a slight smile on his lips. Mirajane, hugged him.

"I'll walk you all the way, I'll pick you up when you fall, I'll catch you and support you. You're not alone, because I'm and will always be with you", Mira whispered to him, as she hugged him tenderly and he reciprocated and felt her love, pouring over him, giving him strength. He would start on an upward path.

The next day, Mira didn't leave the house, Elfman and Lisanna went on missions, as they couldn't go on forever without working. Only the two of them were home, and despite the clear, hot day, Ryker still felt dejected, despite his improvement from the day before.

Mid-morning knocks were heard at the door. The magician promptly answered and, not to her surprise, Erza and Wendy were brown waiting to enter her house. Mira smiled at both of them and let them in quietly. It was rather obvious that sooner or more trade guild members would visit her to see how he was doing.

"How is he Mira-san?", Wendy asked worriedly.

Mira sighed and looked at her with a tired look, but it evolved into a hopeful face. "I think the worst is over. He's still pretty down, but he's getting better little by little". She decided not to say anything about her suicide attempt the day before. Wendy looked a little relieved.

"Just the two of you came," Mira asked.

"First of all, I'm glad he's getting better," Erza said with her arms and legs crossed. "More people wanted to come, but I didn't think a crowd would do him any good right now. So we decided that it would be better just me and Wendy to come visit him."

"When Erza- san said 'we decided' she means she forced everyone not to come," the young Dragon Slayer said smiling in a drop of sweat.

"I imagined it," Mirajane replied with her usual smiling face. "If you want to see him, Wendy, he's out in the backyard, sunbathing," she pointed to the back of the house. The little mage nodded and walked outside the residence,

She walked out the door and into the yard. It was relatively large, with good space and a tree in the middle, surrounded by a flower bed of different colors. Even though the tree shaded much of the land, there was still plenty of grassy space being bathed in sunlight. Ryker was sitting on a bench where the starlight hit. Wendy went to him and without him noticing she sat down beside him.

"Ryker," she called him calmly. As if he were awakened from a sleep, the magician turned his face to the side and was surprised to see the little girl beside him.

"Wendy!? What are you doing here?" he asked, puzzled.

"We came to see how you are," she replied sweetly.

"Oh yes…" he said. "Has anyone else come?" he asked.

"Erza- san ", she said and a slight smile played on the mage's lips. Wendy noticed and smiled too, with a slight blush.

"How are you feeling? Mira says it's getting better," Dragon Slayer said bringing the mage to reality.

"Yes, yes… I'm getting better slowly, I think. It's not easy, you know", he said a little resignedly. "Look Wendy, I didn't want you to see all that, or see me like this. I know you kind of saw yourself there and..."

"It's okay," she said, interrupting him with a wide smile. "I just saw, you who suffered all that. I feel for you," she said with a more saddened face.

"Wendy eh ...", Ryker tried to speak, but was taken by surprise by a strong hug from the little girl, who held him tightly. After his brain worked, he reciprocated in the same way. It was comfortable and warm. "Thank you …" .

"Don't worry about the Council, we take care of it," she said as she hugged him. "I won't let anything happen to you, I will protect you."

Ryker felt a strong heat in his chest, a sense of gratitude and belonging, of affection and love, radiating from her. "Wouldn't I be the one to protect you?", he said in a light, joking tone.

Wendy smiled, he was slowly coming back and that couldn't make the mage happier. "I protect you and you protect me", she said still clinging to him, who smiled at her little 'sister'.

"Always…" for her, for Mira, for Erza and for everyone, he would live.

Erza and Mira were standing in the doorway to the backyard watching the two interact. They had a smile on their face, not hiding a happiness to see the two together. The two entered, again allowing Ryker and Wendy to be alone enjoying each other's company in peace.

They stayed talking and interacting for a few hours, only occasionally interrupted by Mira, who offered them both something to eat and drink.

After this time together, the two decided to go inside and saw Erza and Mira in the living room talking. The Requip mage got up and went to greet Ryker, who sat down on the sofa next to her. Wendy was on the other side and Mira in a nearby armchair.

"I see you are without your armor," he told Erza.

"There was no reason to use it here," the redhead replied. "I'm glad you're recovering," she said looking at him.

"Gradually ..."

"Everyone in the guild hopes you'll come back soon," Wendy said.

"Really!?", the wizard replied a little surprised. "I wouldn't have guessed that, since I was such an asshole to everyone," he said crestfallen.

Erza put her hand in his and made him look at her. " The times have our time to fit in. You know I wasn't fond of socializing at first either," he nodded, remembering her telling him her story in the cave. "But Gray helped me, just as we're all helping you. You've been through a lot, and everyone in the guild understands," she finished by placing a hand on his right shoulder.

Mira was annoyed by what she saw, but she knew it wasn't time for this, it was time to support her friend, she smiled then. Wendy blushed seeing the way the two looked at each other.

"Mira-san, could I have a drink?", Wendy politely asked the hostess.

"Of course, Wendy. Let's go to the kitchen", said Mira getting up and being accompanied by the little girl. In fact, the young mage just wanted to give Ryker and Erza some time alone.

"It was…nice you guys to come," he said, breaking the silence between them, and looking away from her.

"Yes of course. That's what friends do, isn't it?", she said awkwardly and a little flushed.

"I think so. But, even so, thank you for your concern", he said. "Even more coming from you," he said in an almost whisper, and even without meaning to, Erza listened and blushed and smiled.

He slid his hand down her side and slowly approached Erza's hand, holding it gently. The red-haired mage looked in surprise at her hand being held by Ryker's, but she didn't let go. He looked like he had more courage and strength so she could only smile. She laced her fingers through his. He looked at his hand and then at her, who had a beautiful smile that made him smile back.

"You really understand me more than anyone, don't you?" he told her.

"We both went through traumatic experiences. I know what it's like," Erza said in a sweet way that wasn't her way. They approached each other until they brushed shoulder to shoulder. Erza lovingly caressed his face with her right hand while looking at him lovingly. Ryker enjoyed the affection looking at her and admiring her. He released his hand from hers and wrapped his arms around the mage's waist, who reciprocated by wrapping her arms around his neck. They were closing the distance little by little, their faces closer and closer together, feeling the heat emanating from their bodies, until... they closed the space between them in a warm embrace. They could stay there forever.

"You are important to me, Erza", he said hugging her tightly and with his face buried in her neck. "Not sure how. I need you".

It was hard for her to see him that way, frail, but she would always be there for her friends and for him. "I'll always be here," she said, just for him.

When Mirajane and Wendy returned from the kitchen, Ryker was lying on the couch with his head in Erza's lap, sleeping. She looked at him tenderly and caressed his calm face.

"He was very tired. These days must have been tiring," the redhead said to the two, but she never took her eyes off the mage in her lap.

A frustration befell Mira, even though she didn't want to judge or didn't want to be bothered, she couldn't. She was the one who wanted to be there with him and not her rival. Even though she knew that in the last few days she always slept with the wizard, in the same bed, to prevent him from having nightmares, she didn't want to allow someone else to occupy a space she wanted to have just for herself. The Take Over mage was angry, but remained firm in the situation, after all, at the end of the day, he was at her house, with her, only with her.

Erza and Wendy stayed for a few more hours, before returning to the guild and bringing the news to their companions, and Ryker and Mira were left alone again, much to the relief of the white-haired mage.

Ryker woke up, it was still early and the sun hadn't begun to rise. It had been a few days since Erza and Wendy had visited him and after that day they had both started to visit him frequently and rejoiced in his constant improvement. He himself felt that he was reasonably better.

He got out of bed and stood in front of his bedroom window looking out over the city still dominated by the clear, cool night. For some time he just watched and enjoyed the peace, in the background, on the horizon, you could see an orange, the sun was threatening to rise.

Mira went through Ryker's bedroom door that was open, after Wendy and Erza's visit he didn't need her to sleep with him always. I had gotten over the nightmares most of the time. She saw him standing in front of the window and entered the room standing beside him watching him.

"Didn't sleep?" she asked with some concern.

Ryker looked at her and smiled. "I slept, don'y worry. I just woke up early. I'm really used to getting up early, I caught this craze in the army," he said casually.

Mira felt relieved. "And what are you looking at?" she asked, resting her right hand on his right chest and wrapping her left arm behind his back and resting her hand on his left shoulder, leaning her head on his arm. She had a calm, peaceful gaze, taking in the same view from the window.

"Paulo, a great friend, once told me that no matter how dark the night is, the sun will always come up the next day."

"And what does that mean?" she asked tenderly.

"May there be no evil that lasts forever, and no good that does not end," he said with a contemplative air. "Life is full of ups and downs, Mira. In bad times we work and do our best to improve, with the hope that it will get better. And in good times we take advantage and prepare for bad times. That's life. It all depends on how you handle each situation."

"It's a good point of view…" she was saying as Ryker put his arm through her bringing her closer, settling her against his chest. A blush came to her face, giving her a fluffy pink hue.

"Now I'm in the night, Mira," he said, but he didn't look sad. "But you are the stars of my sky. It's a starry night, so I don't think it's that bad", he smiled and looked at her with affection and admiration. Mira looked at him with a strong blush and in a shy way he'd never seen her before, but she was amused and kind of cute.

"And you Mira, are the moon. The full moon in my sky," now Mira couldn't even look at him she was so red and shy, for some reason.

Mira leaves the hug and very awkwardly tries to change the subject, getting nervous and with a heat that she has never felt before. "Yeah…speaking…speaking, by that, I mean stars…you know, Lucy. She, is... she won an award for the book she published, and... and there's going to be a party and, and everyone's been invited. Including…including you", she managed to finish more shy and nervous than before. Ryker smiled for her and thought she was cute that way.

"I didn't know the blonde wrote, much less published and won an award. When is this party going to be?" he asked.

"In... in a few days"

"I don't have clothes for this type of event," he said thoughtfully, and turned to the mage. "Do you know any tailors? I'll have him make a suitable outfit".

"I know a few," Mira replied.

"Fine, then you can take me to one of them," she nodded. It was time for him to get on with his life and she knew he was ready.

"You know, I think I'm going back to my house," he said suddenly, taking Mira by surprise.

"What!?" she said in amazement. "But I don't know if you're ready. I don't think it's a good idea yet."

"Is that what you think? Or just don't you want me to leave?" he said with a smirk.

"No, that's not it!" Mira screamed redder than a tomato, and totally embarrassed. But at the same time she was happy, he was coming back and showing her the kindest, most playful side that she had known before and liked.

"Come on, Mira. I have to move on one day. I feel like I'm fine now. Well, as far as possible. I know I can handle this alone at home from now on. And you know you can always go there", he said approaching her and touching her shoulder affectionately. "I promise that if I feel anything or have any bad feelings I'll call you right away", he said smiling confidently at her. Mira looked at him and nodded, she knew deep down that he would handle it.

"Anyway, it won't change much. You always went home anyway," he said softly and cheerfully.

"Someone has to take care of you! How he manages to live with nothing in that apartment is still a mystery", she said looking at him serious, but amused.

"You exaggerate too much. I don't need more than what's already there."

"Ryker! There's nothing in your fridge, just beer," she pouted, pouting, which he thought was the cutest thing in the world.

"Because, I don't need more than that. I really don't know how to cook, and I always eat in the guild or buy food around," he said casually.

"It doesn't hurt to learn how to cook, as well as being healthier," Mira said, hands on hips facing Ryker.

"But I like your food," he said.

"What if one day I can't cook, or move to another city?"

"I shop around, I told you," replied the magician.

"Ryyyykerrr !" Mira caught his eye.

"Oh Mira! Let's not start this again!"