Two days later Mirajane was at the guild taking orders and doing her routine tasks. She was at the bar when Erza came to talk to her.

"Hello Mira," the redhead greeted her. "Are you okay?", she asked sitting down at the bar.

"All great, Erza. Want something?" Mira replied cordially.

"I'm fine, thanks", Erza replied and looked deeply at the white-haired woman. "So... How's it going with Ryker?" she asked indiscreetly.

Mirajane eyed her suspiciously. "We are fine. I'm having dinner at his house tonight."

"Oh yeah, I heard something about it. Looks like he's planning something for you," Erza commented.

"Is what it seems. But who told you that?" Mira asked her in a somewhat menacing tone.

"Lucy," the redhead said bluntly. "According to her, he went to her house to ask for some advice. After that she told me" – this means Erza forced Lucy to say what Ryker was doing at her house, after Natsu commented that Ryker and Lucy were acting weird and that they talked privately at the blonde's house.

"I get it," Mira said darkly. "Well, I don't know what he plans, but it's going to be a great date," she smiles hopefully. "He's amazing," she said, bragging about her boyfriend.

"Yes I know. He's very good", says the redhead. Mira looks at her somberly, a sour taste forming in her throat.

"You. Know?", the white-haired mage spoke slowly in a frightening way.

Erza looks at her indifferently, but with an imperceptible smile on her lips. "Of course! Forgot that we were together for a while," she reminds her, angering the Take Over Maga. "It was a good time," she looked at him sideways and gave her a small smile.

Mira was seething with rage, who does that fake redhead think she is to go up to her and say they were once dating? The images of Erza making out with Ryker, kissing him, holding hands and being romantic with each other made Mirajane's stomach turn and she started to let her punk and violent side out.

"Oh yes, I remember. He left you to be with me," Mira said in a mocking, superior tone, sneering at Titania.

Erza raged and glared at her. "We decided to end it mutually. Besides, I was his FIRST girlfriend", she said emphasizing the word 'first'.

Mira glared at her, she took a deep breath and replied. "Well, sometimes we have to make some mistakes to get it right later", she gave a sarcastic smile.

"What do you mean by that?", the redhead asked in a menacing tone.

"You know what I mean. You were the mistake and I am right." Mira looked at her defiantly.

Erza ground her teeth. "Are you looking for a challenge!?", Erza looks at her intensely, bringing her face closer to Mira's and drawing two swords.

"If you get close to MY Ryker, you can bet that!", Mira leaned her head against Erza's and entered her Satan Soul form.

The two are staring at each other and growling at each other. All the other mages protected themselves as they could for the fight that would probably happen in a few seconds and would probably be the end of the guild and Magnolia.

Oblivious to everything, Ryker was in his apartment along with Wendy, who was helping him get everything ready for their date later tonight.

"Are you sure about that, Ryker-nii?", Wendy said suspiciously.

"Of course I do, shorty!" Dragon Slayer pouted at the nickname, sulking. "I have been testing these recipes. Cooking is no advanced science, nothing more than getting the cooking time right and putting the seasonings in the right measure."

"Like you have the skills for that," Wendy muttered, chopping some vegetables.

Ryker looked her up and down, half seriously. "Smart girl!" he said, nudging her with his elbow.

Wendy looked at him and pushed him back anyway. They were teasing each other as they peeled and cut vegetables, preparing everything before cooking them.

"This has got to be perfect." Ryker paced the kitchen, chopping, chopping and preparing meats for roasting.

"Do you want to impress Mira-san?" Wendy asked.

"It's not that. When the meal is made by you, it means more than when it's bought around or made by someone else," he explained. "At least that's what they say...".

"But I'm helping you, doesn't that get in the way?", she said a little worried.

"Don't be silly, Wendy!", he chided her with a small smirk. "I asked for your help, I didn't ask you to do it for me," he said as he stirred a pot. "Try it. Okay?", he handed Wendy a spoon of broth, she opened her mouth and took the contents.

Ryker watched her swallow expectantly and a little apprehensive at the little one's reaction.

"Hmmmm! It's very good!", she was positively surprised. "I'm impressed, Ryker"

He sighed in relief and laughed lightly and smiled. "Can I get married now?" he joked.

"You're going to have to get better at a lot to get married," Wendy laughed.

Ryker smiled sarcastically. "Thanks for the consideration," he commented.

Wendy smiled and returned her attention to her chores. They worked to get everything ready until Mira arrived, and she did her best to make sure everything was right, not wanting anything to go wrong with her 'brother' meeting.

"Ready! Now we just have to wait for this meat to roast", he said, relieved, closing the oven and going to sit on the sofa, relaxing and sighing in relief.

Ryker looked to the side, seeing Wendy sitting, too, quite tired from all the activity they'd had during the day.

"You know you can stay, don't you Wendy?", he said looking at her.

"I don't want to disturb your meeting, nii-san," she said sincerely.

"You don't get in the way, you should know that," he reached over and ruffled her hair as Wendy smiled fondly.

"Wait a second", he got up from the couch and went to his room, seconds later he came back and sat down again, handing her a box. Wendy opened it and saw the pendant and earrings he had bought for Mira.

"They're beautiful!" she marveled at them.

"Do you think she'll like it?" he asked, unsure of the gift he'd chosen.

"I think Mira-san will love them", Ryker was relieved, for some reason he thought his 'sister''s opinion was important and gave him security. Wendy closed the box and handed it back to him.

"I am so happy for you. I hope you guys are very happy together, Ryker-nii," Wendy was smiling, but something in her voice caught his attention. Something wasn't right.

"Thanks, Wendy. But why do I think something is wrong?" he asked her.

Wendy looked away and stared at the floor for a moment. "It's nothing, it's just that... I... I encouraged you to be with Erza and you suffered because of me. If I don't...", she said regretfully, until she was interrupted by a chuckle from Ryker, leaving her confused.

"Wendy, don't mind that!" he tried to calm her down. "It wasn't your fault," he put a hand on her shoulder.

"But if I hadn't insisted. Thinking you liked each other...", he silenced her again.

"We like each other, it's just not like Mira and I do," he looked at her tenderly. "We had a good time together and it was fun to be with her. And honestly, if it weren't for that I don't think I would be with Mira right now." Wendy looked at him surprised and confused. "You know, Wendy, sometimes we have to take a longer route to get to our destination. Me being with Erza was important to discovering my true feelings. So if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here like this. Thank you," he smiled and hugged her tenderly.

Wendy returned the hug by burying her face in his chest.

"I still think there's more to it, don't you?" he asked, feeling her tremble under his embrace. He ran his hand down her back, up and down, comforting.

Wendy nodded into his chest, saying yes. "Later, after you started dating, we didn't have much time together," she whimpered into his grip.

Ryker smiled, but he felt a tightness in his chest. He hugged her tighter and brought her closer to him, kissing the top of her head. "I've been neglecting you a bit, haven't I? I'm sorry," Wendy grunted in response, apologizing. "I promise that from now on I will always make time for you," she hugged him tighter.

"I'll charge you," she said slyly.

He let out a small laugh. "You have so many other friends, I must not be that special... Ouch!", she punched him in the chest and looked at him seriously.

"Don't belittle yourself! You are special. To me you are", she hugged him again.

He sighed and smiled, enjoying his little 'sister's embrace.

Ryker had just finished getting Mira ready when he heard a knock on the door. Immediately he stopped everything he was doing, got ready and went to answer whoever was called.

"You look beautiful," he looked her up and down as he opened the door and Mira was standing there, wearing a sleeveless red dress with a pleated skirt and matching high heels.

"You don't look bad either", she smiled shyly, he was wearing a blazer and a shirt with jeans and shoes. He checked in and she went into the apartment.

"Want something?"

"I'm fine thanks," Mira said, sitting down on the couch. Wolf immediately came out of nowhere and ran towards her. She opened a wide smile as she petted the animal, which wagging its tail in excitement.

Ryker smiled looking at the two of them playing. "I don't know if he likes you or me more," he commented.

"Of course he likes you, silly. He's friendly to everyone, that's all." Mira smiled at the dog. "He likes Wendy a lot too, doesn't he?", she looked at him smiling.

"They get along well," Ryker replied. "Now, you two, I'm sure you prefer this flea over me."

"That's true," she laughed. "And don't call him that! He's cute and clean," she looked at the dog fondly.

"I have my doubts. I don't take care of him like you take care of yours."

Mirajane smiled widely remembering her dog. "Alexandria is cute too, isn't she?"

Ryker smiled and rolled his eyes. Who Names a Dog Alexandria Strauss? But that's one of the reasons he loves her so much.

He took her hand in his. "Shall we?" he called, helping her up and leading her into the kitchen, where the table was set, ready for them to have dinner. He pulled out the chair for her to sit.

Ryker was preparing Mirajane's dish, with everything Wendy and he had prepared, hoping she would enjoy what he did and his effort. As soon as he finished hers, he did the same for himself, taking a seat across from her.

"This looks great!" Mira exclaimed upon seeing the meal. "Where did you buy it?" he could feel daggers being thrust into his chest.

"I did it," he said with some indignation. "Wendy helped, but...".

"Ryker, you can't cook...", she looked at him amused, thinking he was lying and teasing her.

"I learned. It took me forever to do this for you. Do you want me to call Wendy? She is on trial".

Mira laughed. "No need, I believe you", she looked at him fondly after laughing.

"Cooking isn't that hard… Well, it is! But I only did it because it was for you," he said shyly, looking down at his plate.

Mira stared at him and then at the meal, which actually looked delicious. She felt a comforting warmth inside her chest and smiled. "You did all this for me? Why?" she asked.

Ryker looked up and looked at her. "Mira, you always do things for me, I wanted to do something for you too, that meant something."

"Ryker, you do things for me too. But this is special", she looked at all the effort he made to please her. Mira could barely contain a smile of pure joy.

"It's what men should do for their girlfriends. Treat them like princesses, and you're my princess", he smiled – ' yeah that was really corny! ' he thought, punching himself in the face mentally.

Mira chuckled at the comment, making Ryker blush with embarrassment, knowing she now thought he was a complete slushy idiot.

"That was… cute," she said.

"We'd better eat," he quickly deflected the subject before it took on proportions he didn't want. He could already see the other women in the guild looking at him and laughing, because he knew Mira wouldn't miss a chance to tell her friends this to Lisy, which would surely make him hell.

The couple was having dinner, and Mira was really enjoying the meal Ryker had prepared. It wasn't the best she'd ever tasted, but it was very good, and even better that it had been made by him, for her.

"This dinner is delicious, Ryker," she commented. "Who knew you would have culinary skills."

"I think I can get married now," and as soon as he said it, a snap went through his head. When looking at his girlfriend, she looked at him with frightened eyes. Of course, he tried to correct it.

"Oh no! It's not that! I don't want to get married!" he said shaking his arms in denial. He realized it only got worse when Mira looked at him with an expression that looked, in his eyes, a little disappointed. He tried to correct it, again… "No, not that I don't want to get married. I don't want to marry you…", putz, Ryker, seriously! "…or with none other…now! In the future... yes, in the future I intend to marry someone... with you... or... or... Let's keep eating, yes?", he lowered his head and I continued to eat – ' congratulations Ryker ! Very good, really very good, ' he wanted to kill himself inside.

Mira looked at him completely confused and lost, she giggled and went back to eating, laughing at her flustered, nervous and shy boyfriend.

After the main course, he brought two pieces of dessert. An apple pie, and Mira could tell he had a better talent for sweets than savouries. They finished and sat on the couch, sipping wine, talking and laughing about everything, even the little incident Mira and Erza had earlier.

"Wait here. I have one more thing for you," Ryker said at one point in the conversation.

Mira waited for him for a little while, then he left the room with two small boxes in his hands. He sat beside her handing over the first one.

"What is this, Ryker?" she asked happily.

"Open up," he asked, smiling out of the corner of his mouth.

She opened the box and her eyes lit up with the objects that were inside. A heart-shaped sapphire pendant and two small earrings, which matched the set. Mira looked at Ryker, her eyes shining with emotion and happiness.

"They, they are beautiful, Ryker," she said excitedly.

"Can I?", immediately she handed him the pendant and turned her back so he could put it around her neck. Mira tossed her hair to the side and Ryker placed the pendant on her, fastening the clasp behind her neck.

Mira looked down, and held the pendant in her hand, admiring the beauty of the stone.

"It matches your eyes," he whispered in her ear. "This will make you even more beautiful", he kissed her right shoulder, while hugging her from behind.

Mira chuckled. "Thank you, I loved it. Everything was perfect, today," and without her realizing it, Ryker took her wrist and gently wrapped it in a delicate gold bracelet, embellished with red rose blossoms.

"What is this!?", she looked at her wrist, when she saw the delicate jewelry.

"The last gift," he smiled. "Lucy and her brothers helped me through all of this. They said you have simple but refined taste," he said, leaning his head on hers. "I hope I got it right."

"Oh, Ryker…! They're beautiful." She stroked his head affectionately. "You got everything right. I am so happy. You make me feel special," she turned and kissed him.

"It's because you are," he whispered when they finished kissing.

"I love you, Ryker," she spoke close to his ear.

"I love you too, Mirajane Strauss," and they kissed again.

When they finished kissing, Mira looked at him and smiled angelically. "I have something for you too," she said, taking him by surprise.

"Serious!?".

Mira turned around and picked up a package she'd left beside the couch when she walked in, without Ryker noticing.

"What's this?" asked Ryker as he took the gift from him.

"Open it," Mira said.

Ryker opened it, revealing a framed portrait of him and Mira at the celebration party on Larvik when he had defeated Balor.

"It's our first mission together. A small souvenir that can decorate your home. It was a special moment for me and I wanted to share it with you," said Mira.

Ryker looked at the portrait and smiled fondly. "It was special for me too. I don't have many good memories, but since I met you I only have good memories. I loved the gift, Mira. Thanks".

"From now on, you will always have good memories, Love. This portrait is proof of that", Mirajane said whispering in his ear, as they embraced lovingly.

The couple was cuddled, side by side on the couch enjoying each other's company, and watching something on television, without paying much attention. Despite the comfortable silence, Ryker resolved to break it.

"These days I was with your brothers and Lisy mentioned Edolas," Mira looked at him curiously. "It's a curious world where there's a copy of each of you," he commented.

"It's not exactly a copy. Edolas is a parallel world to ours, we have our versions there, but they are not exactly like us," she said.

"I understood. But it's still curious." Ryker chuckled lightly.

Mira looked at him and smiled slightly. "I wonder if there's a copy of you there too?"

Ryker looked at her and thought for a few seconds, smiling warmly at his girlfriend. "I'm sure it is," he replied.

"Aha, aha! How can you be so sure?" she asked in disbelief.

"It's simple. If there is a Mirajane in any world, there will be a Ryker," he smiled. "Because I don't exist without you, Mira. No matter what life or what world, I will always find you."

Mira blushed and giggled. Ryker smiled at her nervous and embarrassed attitude, kissing her lightly on the lips and hugging her and bringing her to his lap, where she sat and they snuggled together.

The rest of the night they spent hugging each other watching horror movies, which Mira chose. When they felt tired enough they slept together, leaning against each other.

.

.

.

In Edolas...

"HELLO!", a voice came through the Fairy Tail guild's door, catching everyone's attention. A man entered and crossed the guild hall, looking around feeling uncomfortable with the looks that everyone there was giving him.

"What can I help you with?" asked a sweet voice as soon as he reached the bar.

"I... I... am lost and in the city... they told me that I could get help here", he stuttered as he saw the beautiful image of the white haired girl in front of him.

"Yes you can. I'm... I mean, we're at your disposal", she said blushing when she saw the man in front of her.

"Oh yes, thank you," he replied. "Could I know your name, lass?" he asked.

She looked at him slightly blushing and shyly. "It's Mirajane, Mirajane Strauss. But you can call me Mira," she giggled. "And yours?".

He blushed slightly and smiled shyly. "Ryker". They stared at each other the entire time with silly smiles on their faces, while the rest of the guild stared at them indiscreetly.