Erza and Ryker were on the train heading back to Magnolia. They had taken a booth for more privacy and were sitting side by side with him wrapping his left arm around her as he played with her red hair. She, in turn, was quiet and thoughtful for most of the trip.

"What is it, Erza? You've been weird since we left," Ryker commented.

"It's about us," she said thoughtfully.

"And what about us?"

"I'm worried about us and the guild and..."

"Are you worried about them knowing about us? I don't think they would mind," Ryker said comforting the redhead beside him.

Erza smiled fondly. "We agreed to take it slow, find out how we really feel about each other, so maybe…"

"The great Erza Scarlet who likes everything right, wanting a hidden relationship!?", Ryker spoke teasingly, plucking a cute pout from the redhead.

"It's not that! I just don't want to give anyone expectations," she explained, glaring at him. "Besides, there's Mira."

"W…what about her?" Ryker asked in surprise.

"She likes you!" Erza was amazed to realize that Ryker, perhaps, hadn't noticed. "Didn't you know!?" she asked incredulously.

"I…I don't," he said, pulling back from his thoughts. Every moment they spent together, the looks, the conversations, the touches… Did she really like him?

The white-haired mage liked him and he never noticed? How could he have let it go? The signs were there, now he would have to resolve this issue as best he could so as not to hurt the most importante person to him.

Ryker turned his face to the window, looking out over the landscape. The fact that he realized that Mira loved him made him happy and a slight blush crept into his face, he couldn't deny the fact that he liked Mirajane to like him. What the relationship with her would be like, flashed through his thoughts. He shook his head and dismissed the idea, he was with Erza now, and she was the one he should be concentrating on, but the white-haired image was coming to his mind now.

The redhead rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Men!" she mumbled and frowned at the contemplative look he'd had after she'd mentioned Mira.

"But now that you say it, I understand your point. I'll have to talk to Mira about it," he said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them for a few seconds.

"I agree, you are the one who should do this and she has a right to know first. It would be horrible for her to know from others," Erza said seriously, Ryker nodded.

"Just give me a few days to count. I need time to know what to do", he looked at her and she nodded in agreement. "In the meantime, we can sneak around together. They say it's a lot tastier like that," he said with a mischievous face, drawing a blush from Erza.

"O… okay, but you won't have all the time in the world," she said a little shyly.

"Agreed. But I have a favor to ask."

Erza looked at him quizzically. "What would it be?".

"I have to go to Fairy Hills to deliver this giant rabbit to Wendy," he said nonchalantly.

Titania looked at him seriously. "Boys are banned there. You can't go," she broke down seriously and in a determined and authoritative way.

"Come on, Erza! Let's go! I'm not giving this stuff to her at the guild," she looked her in the eye. "It will be fast. I leave it in her room and go out. No one will notice," he smiled out of the corner of his mouth.

The redhead crossed her arms and held her position firmly. "No way. Rules are rules. And I can perfectly deliver it to her".

"But it's my gift," Ryker snapped.

"Which I gained with my effort".

Ryker sighed and accepted defeat. "Okay," he resigned himself. "As soon as we get to Magnolia we go straight to Fairy Hills and you leave the rabbit in her room, I'll wait for you at the door."

"Right decision," she said in a tone of victory. "See, it wasn't that bad."

Ryker smiled and pulled her to him, kissing her on the mouth, a hot, passionate kiss. "Now that everything is resolved, why don't we enjoy the rest of the trip with something more interesting?", he said pulling her closer to him.

"Li... like what!?", the redhead said shyly and strongly blushed. He loved seeing her like that too.

He smiled mischievously, eliciting sighs from Erza. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, and with the other hand he pulled her left leg over his lap, leaving her sitting on him and facing him. Gently he moved his hand up her white thigh to the height of her skirt, slowly lifting it upward, feeling every bit of skin on her shapely leg. Erza had her face pressed to his, sighing as he played with his hand on her thigh, moving up and down, squeezing again and again, stroking and feeling her hair rise under his touch.

"D...didn't we agree to...to...go slowlyyy?", she said between gasps, stuttering, over his touch.

"If you want I'll stop", he said removing his hand from her leg.

"Don't you dare!" she ordered, bringing her back to her seat. Ryker smiled and continued stroking her perfect leg. Now he had both hands on her leg, stroking her thighs and moving up to her ass, squeezing hard, eliciting a soft moan from the redhead.

"You're crazy about this, aren't you Erza?" he said mischievously.

"Shut up and kiss me!", she ordered and he obeyed.

The rest of the trip was with the two of them kissing and exchanging caresses and groping. Erza didn't get out of his lap enjoying every moment and every touch he gave her body, sighing and moaning softly as he kissed her neck and touched her ass and legs.

Once they arrived in town, as agreed, the two headed to Fairy Hills where Erza left the giant rabbit in Wendy's room, with his message for him, then they went to the guild.

Ryker and Erza entered the guild as if nothing had happened. As usual she went to a table to talk to some other magicians and eat a piece of strawberry cake, he went to the bar to sit next to Lisanna, Elfman, Mira and Cana who was drinking a barrel of alcohol, just for a change.

"How was the mission?" Lisanna asked, as soon as he sat down.

"Curious," Ryker joked with the youngest of the Strauss. "All right, nothing new. It just took a little longer than planned", he had to justify their absence for four days.

"Facing a Fenrir is a very manly thing. They are terrible creatures and difficult to defeat," said Elfman with his fist raised.

"You know a lot about that giant mutt. Have you killed any, big one?" Ryker asked the other Strauss.

"Not really," he said crestfallen.

Lisanna laughed at her brother, who was embarrassed. "He is curious about wild beasts, as his magic concerns them," she said playfully and smiling.

"Knowledge never hurts and it's a man thing," Elfman defended himself.

"He's right," Ryker agreed. "And you should follow his example and… study," he said devilishly to young Strauss, who looked at him in terror.

"AH! But studying is so boring," complained Lisanna.

Ryker smirked slightly and ruffled the hair of the mage beside him, who was looking at him with a pout. "Lisy and her dedication to books never cease to amaze me", he smirked at her, who turned her face away and snorted with a pout in protest.

"Elfman, you have to take care of your sister. It's your duty as an older brother and as a man!" Cana said on the other side.

"I don't need to be fixed!" Lisanna complained.

"They are right, little sister! It's something a man should do for his family," Elfman spoke with determination and confidence.

"Why don't you take her to the library and make her read and study every afternoon," Ryker encouraged evilly, looking at the horrified young Strauss.

"This is an excellent idea. We'll start today!" Elfman said with fire in his eyes, taking his sister by the arms and dragging her to the library. Not even her protests were able to stop him.

"Look what you guys did!" she yelled as she was dragged along by her brother. "Let go of me Elfman, this has nothing to do with you", she said desperately. Cana and Ryker, laugh at the scene.

"That was mean," Mira commented, but her amused smile gave her away.

"Of course it was, I'm bad," Ryker replied. "What tells me again Mira."

"Really nothing. The guild was as usual. Is that you?"

Ryker blushed and gulped at the question. "Nothing worth mentioning," he hastened to say.

He was suddenly nervous to be around her, now that he knew, or at least suspected, of her feelings for him, the situation between them was complicated. He knew their relationship would never be the same again.

"He is sure? I didn't feel firm in what you said", commented Cana with a silly smile.

"Of course there is no walk again. In addition to killing a giant dog," he said irritably, which only amused the drunk even more.

"It's all right. It's only been a few days, nothing could have happened in such a short time," Mira stated, which made Ryker gulp and sweat coldly.

"Of course. What else could have happened?".

"Who knows!?", Cana shrugged and turned to the mage sitting beside him looking at him with malice and sarcasm. "But one night is enough for a lot of things to happen…" Ryker turned red as a tomato and Mira looked at the two of them not understanding what was happening.

"Quiet!" Ryker yelled. "You think too much, Cana", he said and she burst out laughing.

"You must be an angel to put up with these people," he told Mira, who laughed at them. "I'll talk to Wendy. She's more mature than a lot of people around here," he said, referring to Cana, who couldn't stop laughing.

"Come on Wendy! It's on the table!" Ryker called from the kitchen of his apartment.

Wendy walked out of the room rubbing her eyes waking up and yawning with her hair all tousled. Between sleeping and awake she sat at the table, looking at what was in front of her.

"Your favorite. Cereal and Fruit Salad," Ryker placed two bowls in front of the young mage, smiling tenderly at her.

"Thank you," she says between yawns. "I slept again at your house, I really didn't want to bother you," she says slyly.

"I don't mind, you know", he comforts her and pats her head affectionately. "If it were anyone else, yes, but you're different," he smiles, and she cheers and smiles back.

"Now eat your healthy breakfast", he jokes and ruffles the little Dragon Slayer's hair even more, who complains slyly.

Wendy and Ryker consume their morning meal animatedly, casually chatting about mundane and fun subjects with no depth. Like two brothers talking first thing in the morning, sharing news and gossip to each other, laughing and having fun.

The little Dragon Slayer felt very comfortable there, being with him brought feelings of welcome she hadn't felt yet. Wendy could feel the brotherly love there, at that breakfast. All the affection he dedicated just to make her happy, with nothing in return, the care and concern for her and her well-being, filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt before. Not that she was ungrateful to Fairy Hills or the guild or all her friends, but the feeling of having a real family was different. And if that was what it meant to be a family, she wanted it forever.

They continued talking as they finished their meal, until the fateful subject came up.

"Ryker, when are you going to tell Mira-san?", Wendy said innocently.

He sighed. "Today. We've been at it for a week. I think the time has come," he replied.

"Does anyone else know?"

"No, only you. And now she'll know," he sighed again, showing clear nervousness. "I can face the worst beasts and the worst bad guys calmly, but talking to Mira about Erza, I freaks out," he laughs nervously.

"You don't want to hurt her, do you?", Wendy said, hugging him to give him strength.

Ryker pats her head gently and smiles affectionately. "No. She is very special to me and an amazing person. The last thing I want is to upset her," he says and Wendy notices a different gleam in his eyes.

"But wouldn't it be worse for her to find out from someone else?"

"That's why I'm going to talk to her today. I just hope we can still be friends," Ryker says worriedly.

"Mira-san is a great person, she wouldn't push you away for that. I bet she would be happy knowing you're happy", Wendy comforts him smiling.

Ryker smiles and stares contemplatively at the thought of her. "Yes, she would be. She is amazing, a wonderful person."

Wendy smiles at her said brother. "And how are you and Erza doing?"

Immediately the mage's expression changes to something more serious and concerned, which makes the young Dragon Slayer worried. "I'm not sure".

"How so?" she asks intrigued.

"It's hard to explain. She didn't want to assume anything after we stayed at that Resort. She wants to take it slow and I understand, but it looks like she's not as much into it as I am," he says a little warily.

"Try talking to her, telling her how you feel," Wendy advises him, wanting to help him.

Ryker smiles at the little one and pats her head gently. "I'll give it time. After all, I know as much about relationships as she does, meaning nothing", they laugh. "Now my concern is Mira," he laughs nervously. "Finish it and let's go to the guild, get it over with."

They finished their meals and left for Fairy Tail, the two arrived later than Ryker was used to, Wendy was smiling at his side. Ryker went straight to the bar saying goodbye to the little mage. Once there he greeted everyone, which included the Strauss brothers, more distant Cana, Macau and Wakaba who were talking to the brunette. He turned his head to look for Mira and called to her as soon as he saw her.

"Good morning, Ryker," she said with that angelic face. She was wearing a black, strapless dress with white lace and long sleeves that left her shoulders and lap bare. "It came later than usual, but it's okay, right?"

"Good morning, Mira. Yes it's all right. Wendy slept at home yesterday, so I had to babysit and make breakfast," he chuckled and Mira followed.

"You guys have been getting along really well and seem pretty close lately," she commented. Ryker nodded in agreement.

"Mira, I need to talk to you about something, can you come home at the end of the shift?", Ryker said seriously.

The white-haired mage looked at him confused and apprehensive. "Sure. But what is it about?" she asked.

"It's something I need to deal with in private with you", with that phrase he caused even more anticipation in her and her brothers who overheard the conversation and looked expectantly at the couple.

The day passed normally until it was time to close the guild. Ryker, as usual, stayed until the last minute with Mira, waiting to escort her home.

The ride was a comfortable silence between them, despite the apprehension he felt and the anticipation she had. But hanging out with Mira wasn't unpleasant and he enjoyed it, even though he had a sensitive subject to talk to her.

"Want something?" Ryker asked as they entered his apartment.

"I'm fine, thanks," Mira replied gently. "Besides, you don't have much, do you?"

The wizard looked at her in surprise. "How do you know?".

Mira looked at him smiling like an angel. "Because I know you, and you always invite me over here. So I know what you have and what you don't, even more than you do," she said playfully, joking with her friend.

Ryker laughed sarcastically at her friend's insinuation, which provoked even more amusement from the mage Take Over. "Smart girl... And you haven't been coming much this week."

"You didn't invite me," she replied.

With her answer, his face took on a serious and worried shape, which Mira noticed. "Well, as to that…" he started, but nervousness gripped him and he didn't know how to continue.

"Is everything okay?" Mira asked, worried about him.

Sighing, he took the courage to continue what would be a difficult night. "No, Mira. It's not," he sat on the sofa in his living room with his head down and sighed heavily.

Mira, worried, sat beside him placing her hands over his, making him lift his head and look into his eyes. What he saw filled him with remorse, those deep blue eyes, full of love and affection for everyone, that huge heart…he was going to break all that in her. But in his heart of hearts, he hoped she would understand and continue to be what she always was.

Suddenly something occurred to him. Mira was strong and had been through a lot too, and he was just a guy, no biggie. He had no bearing on her life to break her like he imagined. Maybe she didn't even love him, she was just a good friend, that's all. He was thinking too much, thinking he was important to Mira. What a joke!

She was a model, a legion of men behind her, she wouldn't care about him or what he was with. Yes, he could continue that conversation with this new thought.

"Mira…" he started looking deeply into her eyes. "Do you… do you like me? I mean, not as a friend, as something else".

She was taken aback by that question and began to blush violently, even taking her hands from Ryker's. She was uncomfortable now. Was that it!? Was that what he wanted to talk to her about? He wanted to know if she loved him. But why? Did he want to confess to her? Say he loved her too? What was she supposed to do!? She never imagined he could like her, now she was confused and nervous about the situation.

Mira's heart was racing, her breathing was ragged, and she was sweating cold with nervousness. Experienced, she managed to control herself and composed herself and looked into his eyes.

"Ryker, I…I", she turned her face away from the shyness that attacked her. "I have feelings for you, they…they are strong. I don't know when they showed up, but I'm in love with you", she said, moving, not knowing how to behave and playing with her hands nervously.

He listened intently to her answer…it was what he feared. His eyes darkened and he turned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fixing his sight on the floor. Why? Why did your chest hurt so much? What he would have to tell her was making him sick. It was an unease he didn't know how to explain, his heart felt broken.

That wasn't the reaction she'd expected when she'd declared herself, and she was worried. "Ryker," she called him. "What is happening? Talk to me," she braced a hand on his back and leaned into him.

"Mira," he said in a melancholy voice, straightening up on the couch and using all his strength to look at her. "I'm sorry", and with that she felt an emptiness in her chest, her heart break and an anguish take hold of her.

"W…what do you mean sorry?" she asked, but she felt she knew the answer and tears began to form in her eyes.

"I…I don't want to hurt you. In fact, it's the last thing I want," he sighed heavily. "But I can't reciprocate your feelings", and with each word an emptiness in her chest intensified, her discomfort increased and the pain in her chest grew.

Despite the circumstances he needed to continue, she had a right to know from him. "I…I'm with Erza," it went without saying that she wasn't shocked. If he was going to be with someone else, it would be her, Mira knew. Which is not to say it hurt less.

Mirajane held back the tears that threatened to fall. "I have to go," she said getting up abruptly and running towards the door. Before reaching the door she was stopped, having her arm held by Ryker, who prevented her from leaving.

"Let me go, Ryker!" she cried morosely. He ignored her and pulled her to him, holding her in a tight hug, letting her head rest on his chest.

"Not like that. Not without working things out," he said dead inside.

Mira burst into tears, hiding her face in his chest, wetting the shirt he was wearing, he couldn't care less. "Don't make things harder," she cried.

The pain he was feeling had never felt before. Seeing her suffer, and because of him, was too much. He didn't understand the emptiness, the pain, the feeling of loss, of abandonment. It wasn't right, he felt everything was wrong, the order of the universe was wrong.

"Mira," she called her as kindly as she could. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, stroking her back tenderly while she was still crying. "If I could rule my heart...".

"How long? How long have you been together?" she interrupted him.

"A week," he said. "I didn't want you to know from someone else," she said nothing, just clung to him, shedding her tears.

"Please, Mira, don't push me away. You are my first and my best friend. You took me in, twice, helped me more than anyone else. I need you in my life, don't hate me," he said in a choked voice.

She pulled away from him, shocking him. Mira wiped the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her dress and placed her hands on Ryker's face lovingly and looked at him with all her love. Ryker's heart raced like never before, a heat in his chest that was hard to resist, but at the same time the realization of the loss took him and the chill of loneliness hit him.

"How could I hate you?" she said tenderly. "I love you! But being around you now is difficult." His heart broke.

Ryker walked over and rested his forehead against hers. "It's wrong. I feel like this is all wrong."

"Goodbye, Ryker." Mira walked away from him towards the door. "I wish you all the happiness", she said, and left and closed the door, leaving the magician alone and stunned in the apartment.

He sat on the couch, completely lost and torn apart inside, hands on his head. "Love!? Relationships!? Who was the idiot who invented this!? FUCKING!" he yelled.

Elfman and Lisanna were in the living room watching something on television and waiting for their sister to arrive. That's when the door to the house opened, and a sullen Mirajane entered.

"Hey! How was the meeting with Ryker?" asked an innocent Lisanna with some malice.

"Okay, I guess," Mira said with no emotion in her voice, being noticed by her brothers. "I'm going to the bedroom, I'm a little tired", she said and went upstairs to her room on the first floor.

"Something happened," Lisanna commented worriedly.

"What do you hear?" Elfman asked in the same way.

Mira went into her room and didn't even bother to turn on the light, the darkness would suit her well. She sat on the edge of the bed remembering what had happened, the emptiness she felt, the pain in her chest, the sadness. She should be happy that her lover is with someone who loves him, but that wasn't true. She wanted him, she loved him most of all and it hurt to lose him. No longer holding back, she put her hands over her face and cried...

Not long after, Lisanna and Elfman opened Mira's bedroom door and saw her crying like they had never seen her before. They ran and sat beside her on the bed hugging her and comforting her.

"What was it sis? What happened? Did Ryker do something? Why did you do it…" Elfman raged.

"He…he didn't do anything. He was a gentleman," she said between sobs and sobs.

"So tell us, sis. What happened? Why are you like this?" Lisanna asked worriedly.

"He asked if I loved him," she said, taking her brothers by surprise. "I said yes", her choked voice turned to tears again, with the memories of a short time.

"And what happened then?" asked Lisanna.

"He has someone else in his life. He wanted to tell me before I knew otherwise", she couldn't stand it and cried anymore.

"It's Erza, isn't it?" Mira didn't say anything to her sister, nodding. "Oh, sis...", he sighed.

Lisanna and Elfman hugged her and comforted her for the rest of the night.