The next day Ryker and Mira got up late, tired from their nightly activity and decided to take a shower together, however it was more than just a shower. Mira got ready first and headed down to the restaurant, where she would expect her boyfriend in a few minutes. She was light, happy, smiling like never before in her life.

"Good morning, Mira", Helena greeted her as she passed the inn reception.

"Good morning!" Mira sang and walked straight into the restaurant, her gaze lost and dreamy, she practically danced instead of walking. Helena looked at her knowingly and smiled happily for her, wondering the reason for the disappearance of the two from the party the day before.

Ryker came down a few minutes later, passing the reception.

"Good morning, Ryker", Helena greeted him in a mischievous tone and looking at him strangely.

"Good morning, Helena", he greets her with reservations, finding it strange the way she was looking at him.

"How was your night? It passed... well?", she asked, looking at him mischievously.

"It was, it was good. I mean... normal, no biggie. He knows? I slept well," he replied suspiciously.

"I understand… Mira is at the restaurant, if you want to know," she smiled.

"Thanks…I think", he said and left. That had been weird.

When Ryker was arriving, he soon caught sight of Mirajane sitting at a table, looking lost and dreamy, he smiled at the sight. As soon as she saw him, she got up and waved at him. Even though there were few people, and she was in plain sight, she insisted on calling him, as if he hadn't seen her. Ryker rolled his eyes and smiled, walking toward her.

Mira jumped on his neck and kissed him on the mouth when he reached the table.

"It hasn't been twenty minutes since we last saw each other, Mira," he exclaimed at her demeanor.

"It seems like an eternity to me," she said kissing him again.

"My God! You're not going to become a Juvia, are you?"

"Maybe... What do you think, Ryker-samaaa?", she joked, still clutching his neck and looking at him with longing and love.

Ryker chuckled. "For God's sake, Mira! That doesn't suit you at all. Just be my Mira that you always were. You're already perfect like that", he kissed her and sat down beside her.

"Got it for you", she handed him breakfast while he picked it up. Ryker smiled and put his arm around her, she did the same, putting her arm around him. The couple stayed together, enjoying breakfast at the inn.

"Hmmmm! This is great, give it a try", he said, taking a muffin and placing it in Mira's mouth, who bit and ate it.

"That's good too, look!", she did the same thing, taking a piece of cake and feeding it.

They fed each other all through breakfast, chatting and laughing.

As soon as they finished their meals, Ryker and Mira left for the city to take a walk, and enjoy a place that would finally have peace. They shopped and were greeted by locals. The couple decided to stop in a park and sat on a bench, enjoying the view. Ryker grabbed two ice creams, handing one to Mira.

"Will we be back tomorrow?" he asked.

"Fine by me," she replied.

Mira looked at him, it was being a perfect day, yesterday too, but there was still something that was bothering her and she wanted to know, get it out of her mind and clarify everything that mattered.

"Ryker," she called him. "It's been great, but we really need to talk," she said in a worried tone.

He sighed. "I know. And I know what you want to know about."

"What happened? At the time, you seemed…going crazy," Mira spoke with concern.

Ryker sighed and looked at her seriously. "I don't know how to say it, but it's like my bad side takes a shape of its own, which comes when I lose control of my feelings," she listened carefully. "It's not just me, but all of us soldiers in my world have this problem," that damn place again. "Since we were trained, even the battles, the traumas, everything we've seen and done... all this load accumulates in a rotten and deformed being within us. I don't know why it happens, but it happens. I don't know if it has to do with our physiology or anything else," he sighed again, looking at the ground. "When we lose control of our feelings, our rational part shuts down and this creature generated within us takes over. It's not pretty, he doesn't distinguish friends from enemies, the only thing he wants is to kill everything he sees in front of him. That's why we train our emotional control so much."

Ryker looks at Mira who stares at him with worry and sadness, back to that place he came from harming him. She hated that place, every time she knew more about it, she hated it even more.

"So… is everyone on your planet like that?" she asked.

"No, just people who have been through major trauma, like basically everyone in the army," he replied.

"Was it common for you to lose control?", she asked worriedly and with anguish.

"Pretty rare actually, but I'll explain this another time", she was going to question him about it, but he cut her off. "It only happened once…" Ryker sighed and I get nervous, moving my hands. Mira soothed him, holding them in hers. He looked into her eyes, which were warm and full of love and understanding, which gave him strength to continue.

"The only time it happened, it was with me." Mira looked at him, not reprimanding but understanding. "I also have a nickname, just like you guys, although I don't like it," he chuckled nervously.

"Ryker, if you don't want to…" she started, but he stopped her with an 'okay I need to tell you' look.

"We were surrounded, by an enemy battalion, we had few men, we would not survive. We knew that. But…" he sighed heavily, the memories were difficult. " a great friend, a master sacrificed himself for us. Damn!" he yelled in pain. "That shouldn't have happened! He shouldn't have sacrificed like that!" Ryker punched his thigh angrily, and trembling at the memory. Mira feared he would lose control and go into shock like he had before. She hugged him warmly and he hugged her back, clinging to her for his life.

"It's okay, Love. You don't have to continue if it's too painful for you," she said in his ear.

Ryker sighed, feeling relief that he was with her, that she was giving him strength. "It's okay, Mira. I need it, I think," he replied. They parted and Ryker sighed again, sometimes he looked into the distance, seeking the courage to continue.

"You know, Mira… war can take the best out of you," he began. "I was losing my soul, but he saved me, he saved a lot of people from getting lost. It showed us the right path and why to fight, what to fight for. He gave us a sense, a sense in all that shit," he said.

"When I saw him die I completely lost control. I went crazy and that thing took me, nothing can stop it. When we are like this our strength increases a lot, but we see everything red. If it moves it dies. My comrades fled when they saw me change, my enemies weren't so lucky. I slaughtered an entire battalion, hundreds of men. Since then I've been called the 'Demon of Burninghill'."

Mira had no reaction, just hugged him again and tenderly comforted him. Ryker buried his head in her neck and hugged her tightly.

"I understand if you…" he started to speak.

"You are the victim, Ryker. Never forget! I don't blame you for anything. You didn't do anything wrong", Mira assured him that their relationship wouldn't change, but she was grateful that he shared his difficult times with her, that he trusted her.

"When I saw you, being... trapped by him, when you looked at me with those eyes, like you were saying goodbye, I..."

"It's all right. I'm not going anywhere without you," she soothed him.

"I'll cover you…" he said.

"And you cover me," she added.

Ryker explained everything to her, he said that at that moment he hadn't completely lost his sanity, but he went crazy watching that monster mistreat her. There was still a certain level of awareness to him. But he was surprised that even his worst side loved Mira more than anything and he would never hurt her, on the contrary, he would die for her.

At the end of the day they hit it off and Mira understood him even more, increasing their complicity. She was happy to know more about him. Ryker decided to take her to dinner at Luiz's mother's restaurant, which he said was the best in town. In fact, it had a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The two ate very well and had fun, having a great time together, before heading back to the inn.

They were in the bedroom, getting ready for bed and traveling back to Magnolia.

"You know, I even think I might eventually miss this little town," Ryker commented as he sat up in bed and watched Mira come and sit beside him.

"Me too. A lot has happened in this city and it will be part of our lives forever", Mira spoke with her usual angelic face.

"I know what you're talking about, you smartass," he said slyly.

Mira laughed with a slight pinkness to her face. "That's not what I'm talking about," she laughed. "But I'm glad you're more comfortable talking to me about certain things."

"That's your super power with me. Since always you've been breaking my walls. I must thank you forever," he said gratefully, knowing that what she had done for him, there was no way he could repay her. If not for her, he didn't know where he would be.

"You do not have to thank me. I did what anyone would do for someone they love."

He smiled and laid his head on her shoulder. "Can I ask you a favor?" he asked.

"Uh! What?", she said a little surprised. "Of course you can".

"Could it be... could you transform into... the Satan Soul?" he said awkwardly.

"But, but why?" she asked in surprise, her eyes wide.

"It's just…it's just that I'm so curious about you, your past, what you think about everything. I want to get to know you better, Mira. I want to know everything about you".

Mirajane looked at him lovingly and laid her hand on his face. A light took her and she transformed, assuming her Satan Soul form.

"Now what?" she asked.

Ryker ran a hand over her face lovingly, admiring her shape, feeling her ruffled hair, her long, pointed bangs, those intense blue eyes, her red mouth and pointed ears. He loved every detail.

"You look beautiful like that," he said. Mira looked at him in surprise. "I like the hair and the pointy ears," he smiled. "Everything, actually," he chuckled. "How many shapes do you have? I saw three".

"I have a few more," she said vaguely.

"It will make you suspenseful then!", he smiled with the corner of his mouth. "I think I'll have to find out... Why I want to meet them all", he grabbed her and threw her on the bed, getting on top of her.

"What do you think you're doing?" She looked at him intently.

"Knowing you," he kissed her, in that way, to Mira's utter astonishment. She didn't mind after the kiss, she grabbed him kissing him more intensely.

As his hands roamed over her body, Mira caught him and turned him over so she was on top of him, assuming dominance.

"I want to meet you too, bad boy," she said inches from his face. He smiled and they continued to kiss. Ryker and Mira had their last night in Larvik in a very eventful and very satisfying way for both of them.

The next day, they left early for Magnolia and back to their respective homes.

"How was the mission, Mira-nee?" asked Lisanna.

"It was really tough, but with the help of Levy and Gajeel it all worked out," Mira replied happily. Mirajane, as usual, was working the bar and serving the wizards who rioted around the guild hall.

"Do you really have to do this? We just got back from an exhausting mission and you're already working." Ryker didn't like it, he wanted her to take at least a day off to rest, before going back to her normal guild duties.

"It's okay, Lo… Ryker," she soothed him. "I like what I do and it's not a problem."

"Tsh! Still, you should take a day off from it all. These useless ones should fend for themselves," he snapped annoyed.

"I think someone is being very protective," Lisanna chuckled nudging Ryker with her elbow. Like her, Mira also laughed at Ryker's worried, protective attitude.

Ryker looked serious at Lisanna, who didn't mind. Apparently he no longer frightened any Strauss. "Be quiet, Lisy. I'm just worried about your sister."

"Yup! I know!", Lisanna teased and turned her attention to her sister. "Speaking of which, why didn't you come home yesterday, Mira?" she asked, eyeing her mischievously.

The Take Over mage blushed and stared at her, not quite sure what to say, while Ryker choked on a drink. "Ryker's house was closer and I didn't want to wake either of you…" she said awkwardly.

"So you slept at his house!?", she spoke louder than she should have. "Tell me the details. I want to know everything!" Mira was blushing, turning as red as the dress she was wearing.

Ryker despaired and put a hand over Lisanna's mouth, preventing her from speaking. "Shut up, Lisy! We're not assuming anything yet!" he said and she protested, making incomprehensible sounds with Ryker's hand on her mouth.

Seeing his placement, Mira became thoughtful. Should they come out? It would be great to rub in Erza's face that she had a boyfriend and she didn't, plus they'd already had sex, practically four times. And the fear of him being in the guild's spotlight would be for a little while, and he'd have to get through that sooner or later. She decided that, yes, they should come out as a couple. Half of them already suspected anyway.

At a table the Natsu team enjoyed some snacks and casual conversations, discussing upcoming missions and talking about past work and fun times they had.

Juvia was sitting next to Gray, she watched Ryker's dynamic with the Strauss sisters, and was thoughtful, letting her imagination float.

"Gray-sama", she called him. "Juvia still thinks Ryker-san and Mira-san are in a romantic relationship."

Gray stopped what he was doing and sighed. "Still with it Juvia?", she looked at her with her usual frown. "I already said that there is nothing between the two. Do you see romance in everything?" he said in exasperation.

"Juvia is a romantic woman, Gray-sama", she pouted charmingly. "She's sure this time."

"Juvia, I'll say this one more time. They're not dating," he said a little annoyed.

"Why don't you make a bet?" They both looked at Levy, who was talking to Lucy. Gajeel, was sitting nearby and held back a few laughs. He liked a sadistic side of Levy every now and then.

"It's not such a bad idea," Gray said, glancing mischievously at his blue-haired girlfriend.

Juvia swallowed with anticipation. She rubbed her hands together in nervousness and blushed at the possibilities. "Ju... Juvia accepts, if Gray-sama accepts," she said stuttering.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Wendy wisely commented.

"Quiet, Wendy! That's their business," Gajeel chided the little Dragon Slayer, who shrank back in her chair. "I love it when your mind works for bad," he turned to Levy and whispered in her ear.

"That's right! This will be interesting and I'm already excited!", exclaims Natsu smiling.

"Hey! This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it!" roared the ice mage.

"He's right, Natsu. You'd better stay out of it," Lucy said wisely.

Natsu frowned, but his brilliant brain started to work. "Then we make our own bet," he told Lucy.

"What's it like!?", she yelled scared.

"Simple, if Gray wins the bet, you do whatever I ask. If Juvia wins the bet, you'll cook for me and Happy all week", the fire mage spoke victoriously, to the blonde's utter astonishment, who didn't believe her ears.

She got mad and slapped him on the head. "And since when did I agree to this!? This isn't even a gamble where I always screw!"

"I think the bet can be very interesting. I would agree, Juvia", Erza gave her opinion, already knowing the result.

"Well, I bet anyway," Gray said. "If I win...", Juvia gulped, "you will do what I ask", he looked at her defiantly.

Gajeel threw it all to himself, not believing his ears. "YOU IDIOT!" he yelled. "She already does everything you ask!"

"Shut up, metal head! Don't meddle in our affairs," snorted Gray.

"Ju... Juvia agrees. But if Juvia wins… hmm", she was thoughtful for a few seconds. "Gray-sama is expected to show affection in public for a week", she smiled with hearts in her eyes, looking at her precious Gray.

The ice mage backed up a bit and thought for a while. Everyone at the table thought he would refuse, they knew how difficult it was for him to show his affection in public. That would be challenging for him.

Gray, however, smiled. "I accept," he agreed to everyone's astonishment.

Gajeel smiled. "This will be interesting," he commented to Levy, smiling beside him.

"I still don't think it's a good idea," Wendy said shyly.

Across the guild, Lisanna and Ryker were arguing and teasing each other excitedly while Mirajane reflected on her life.

"She's my sister, Ryker. I have a right to know," she huffed staring at him.

"This is a private matter, Lisy!" Ryker snapped.

"It could be, but the sisters should share this type of subject with each other"

"But nothing happened!"

"I do not trust you. Even more so knowing that you two slept in the same bed," Lisanna spoke up.

Ryker was stunned by her boldness. "Who… who said we slept in the same bed. I may as well have slept on the couch"

"Liar!"

"Short!"

Despite the argument, they were pretty friendly with each other and smiled most of the time.

"Tell me the truth, Ryker!" she pressed him, but he didn't care.

"No, you don't deserve it, Lisy. And I think you deserve to be punished, for your poor upbringing", he chuckled lightly, taking Lisanna's arms.

"Let go of me, Ryker!" she whimpered. "Mira, help me!" she begged her sister for help, who laughed, seeing the two being silly with each other.

The truth was, Lisanna saw Ryker as a member of the family, and she grew fond of him. She liked to chat and tease him from time to time, just as he did to her, too. The time he spent with the Strauss brought them together and they treated each other like more than just friends.

"No use asking your sister for help, she can't save your life right now. You will be punished", he laughed mischievously, startling the poor youngest.

"Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me!" she begged and Ryker chuckled lightly. She released her and poor Lisy walked back to the bench frowning.

"You boring!" she sulked, in mock annoyance.

"I'll buy you a math book for your birthday," he said making a shiver run down Lisanna's spine.

Mira smiled happily at their dynamic, she knew that deep down they liked each other and that was important to her. Ryker and his brothers were the most important people in her life, and getting along was critical to her, and Mira was grateful that it was possible.

After things picked up, she took the courage to show the guild that she and Ryker were together now. Mira walked around the bar and approached Ryker, who was sitting on his stool. He looked at her confused, not knowing what she was doing.

"What's up, Mira?" he asked when she reached him.

"I think we've waited too long," she sat on his lap, much to his surprise. She wrapped her arms around his neck, moving closer to Ryker's flushed face. "I want the world to know the reason for my happiness", she whispered and kissed him ardently, to her surprise he didn't push her away but brought her in for a deeper kiss.

Lisanna turned red as a pepper watching the scene unfold beside her. She clapped her hands over her mouth in shock, but happy for her sister, they would have a lot to talk about later. Luckily Elfman wasn't in the guild at the time, probably wasting his time with Evergreen. He wouldn't allow his precious sister to fall into the clutches of anyone, even Ryker.

The rest of the guild was in shock with the two, they had no reaction, their chins hit the ground and their eyes were wider than fish. Only one person celebrated...

"JUVINNNN!", Juvia raised her arms in celebration, much to Gray's disgrace. She looked up at him with hearts pounding in her eyes and an intense glow. "Now Gray-sama must show all the love he feels for Juvia in public. Starting right now!", Juvia jumped on his lap and started giving countless kisses on the poor ice mage's face.

"Hey Juvia, wait!", Gray tried to beg, but it was useless.

"Hey Juvia!" shouted Gajeel. "Wasn't HIM to show affection? You're doing this!"

The water mage stopped and glared at the Iron Dragon Slayer. "Don't meddle in Gray-sama and Juvia's affairs, Gajeel-kun!" and she kissed Gray's face again, which was immobile and scared.

"I give up on her," Gajeel resigned.

"This is our Juvia, Gajeel", Levy approached him and put a hand on his shoulder. Gajeel looked at her and smiled in his own way.

Juvia looked maliciously at Gray and whispered, just for him to hear. "If Gray-sama wants, Juvia can do whatever he asks, too", she stroked his defined chest.

"Ju... Juvia...", the ice mage was surprised, and as soon as the scare had passed, he smirked back at her. "I guess showing affection won't be that bad," he smiled.

Somewhere on Fiore...

Footsteps traverse a dark, shadowy hallway, lit by torches on either side. At the end of the hall is a large double door, he opens it and enters a large room, where a man is sitting in an armchair, looking at the fireplace in front of him, watching the fire crackle.

"Report?", this man asks the one who entered.

"Mirajane Strauss, S-Class mage, and Ryker, the rookie, defeated Balor at Larvik. Apparently they formulated a strategy and were successful"

"Defeat Balor!?" the man said slightly surprised. "I'm impressed," he laughs sarcastically.

"They are very powerful and this Ryker guy, he apparently can tap into incredible strength, but that depends on his emotional state. Mirajane also got stronger."

"Yes, that's what it looks like."

"My lord," called the man standing in the room. "Mages are more powerful, both from Fairy Tail and from other guilds. You don't think it's better for us to postpone our plans. Give us more time to prepare?"

The man in the room laughs carelessly. "I predicted this would happen. We got stronger too, don't worry. Let's stick to the schedule," he looked at the other person seriously. "All ready for the next step?"

"Yes, my Sir. They are on hand"

"Excellent. Give the signal," the man ordered and the other bowed, turned around and left the room, closing the portal behind him.

"Long Live Fairy Tail," the man in the room chuckled enthusiastically.

Extra

Ryker was returning to his house alone, Mira needs time with her siblings and, in fact, Lisanna has kidnapped her from him. He was walking through the streets when he noticed someone leaning against a wall watching him get closer. He recognized those shapes, he knew very well who it was...

"Cana," he greeted her.

She looked at him and smiled broadly. "So, you and Mira, huh?" She eyed him mischievously.

"Look, Cana..."

"I think I missed my fun with you," she cut him off.

"Cana…, is that okay with you? You know, you weren't, were you?" he asked her awkwardly.

"Oh, you silly," she pinched his cheek, much to his annoyance. "Of course I wasn't in love with you. Don't go thinking that's what you're all about," she laughed. "We were just friends. Friends with benefits, but friends," she smiled.

"So you're not upset?"

"Idiot!" she slapped him with a serious face. "I'm happy for you and Mira," the card mage smiled. "Even more for her, she deserves it. And if you're doing to her what you were doing to me, then I wonder how happy she is," Cana smiles silly.

"CANA!" Ryker yells.

"What's up!?", she says silly, shrugging, not understanding the reason for his scream.

Ryker looks at her in disbelief, but smiles as he remembers who he was talking to. "It's okay, Cana. From today onwards, friends only," he extends his hand to shake her hand.

Cana smiles and greets him, waving his hands. "Now everything is clear, why we hadn't slept together for a while."

"Cana!" he says in a warning tone.

"Don't get your head so hot," she says in a relaxed way. "You weren't dating. What was the problem?"

"It's just that you're so inappropriate sometimes," he retorts.

"Am I inappropriate?" she says indignantly. "Who was dragging me into an alley every day and groping my breasts?", she says staring at him.

Ryker looks at her slightly flushed and uncomfortable with the comment. "Let's forget about it, shall we?", he smiles shyly.

Cana looks at him mischievously and grins. "Okay, since I'm the best friend anyone could ever have, I'll let that go," she says, boasting to herself. "Besides, you'll miss this beautiful little body", he looks at her teasingly.

Ryker swallows hard and watches her disbelievingly in his eyes. "Cana, Cana!" he massages his temples. "It will be nice to have you as my friend. My idiot friend", he smirks at her.

Cana looks at him slightly annoyed. "Stupid friend!?"

"Yes, in a good way, and that's already decided", he steadies his position, the card magician looks at him and smiles silly. "Well, since we're around here, would you like to have one?" he asked.

"And you need to ask," she takes him by the hand and drags him down the street.

"Don't pull me, Cana!" Ryker complained.

"Hurry up! Do you want to drink or not?" she snapped.

Ryker let go of Cana and walked beside her. "Of course, but I don't want to overdo it. So control yourself," he warned.

"I always control myself, if you don't know. And why is that now?", she looked at him suspiciously.

"Because I don't trust you", this left Cana in shock. She put her hands on her chest in mock indignation.

"I'm in shock... How can anyone say that about me!?", she said feigning sadness. "Apart from being a great friend I'm the most trustworthy person in the guild," she said with false modesty.

Ryker chuckled, amused by her antics. "Cana, even Happy is more trustworthy than you," he joked.

"Now I'm offended", she looked at him with her hands on her hips.

"Leave it. Do you want to drink or not?", he asked walking away and leaving Cana behind.

"Stealing my lines now!" she ran after him.

He watched her coming to his side and looking at him slightly irritated and with a slight pout. "You know, if it weren't for Mira, I wouldn't mind having something with you," he smiled.

Cana looked at him and smiled mischievously. "And who said I would have something with you?"

"Touché!" he motioned with a knife entering his heart. "That one hurt, Cana".

"Well done!", she smiled contentedly.

The two continued to walk through town to the bar, talking, laughing and enjoying the friendship they had.