"Ryker..." someone called out to him.
He was walking through the Magnolia Market shopping and carrying, with a frown on his face, some bags. When he heard his name called, he immediately looked back in the direction of the sound.
"Lucy!"
"Hi," she greeted him with a smile. "What are you doing around here?" she asked.
Ryker lifted the bags he was carrying in his hands. "Shopping," he replied. "Mira is at home and forced me to come here and buy some things," he said, bored.
Lucy smiled fondly. "You two are so cute together," she commented.
Ryker screwed up his face at her comment. "Since when am I cute, girl?", he retorted, just for the blonde's amusement.
"It's beautiful to see you interact with each other and the way you treat each other is so affectionate," she said dreaming of her own Prince Charming. "She's at your house, which explains why you two weren't at the guild today."
"Sometimes I think she works too much in that place. That's why I decided to drag her somewhere else, but she still insists on doing something around the house, even though I said she didn't have to," Ryker complained. He always felt that Mirajane demanded too much of herself and he was annoyed by the way too much work the guild demanded of her. He tried to lighten the weight off his beloved's shoulders whenever he could, taking her for walks and clearing her head or simply taking her out of the guild for a break. So he didn't like it when he dragged her to another corner and she insisted on working and doing something for him.
"She does it because she likes it and wants to please you. Don't worry about Mira, she always takes care of everyone, that's her way," Lucy said. What was true, Ryker didn't realize, was that she enjoyed doing it and enjoyed doing things even more for him, just as he did for her.
He glanced at her sideways and shrugged. "I perceived. What are you doing? I thought you would go on some work with your team."
Lucy sighed in defeat, completely changing her glowing aura from before to a haggard one. "With this guild thing being at risk of attack, the master doesn't want us to go on remote missions. And all the good ones are far away. How am I going to pay the rent now!?", Lucy despaired, putting her hands on her head.
"Same dilemma as always, isn't it Blonde?" he teased her, looking at her knowingly. Lucy glared at him and Ryker chuckled at her expression. "Come on, don't look like that and don't pout. I'll buy you a drink," he said.
Lucy looked at him and blushed slightly. "But isn't Mira expecting you?" she asked worriedly.
"We won't be long, and I still have a little something or two to buy," he explained. "Are you coming or not?", he asked turning his back to her and starting to walk.
Lucy looked at him for a second, slightly pink in her cheeks, and ran after him along with him. They went to a nearby cafe and sat at an outdoor table, enjoying the fresh autumn air of Fiore.
"You look fine, Ryker," Lucy commented, taking her cappuccino.
Ryker looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What do you mean by that, Lucy?" he asked intrigued.
"Well… when you arrived it was completely different than it is today. His face was always frowning and… his eyes were kind of terrifying," she remarked cautiously.
He looked at her for a while and smiled slightly. "I see what you mean," he said, taking a sip of an Ovomsltine milkshake. "I think you're right. Since I arrived I've been calming down, seeing another side of life that I didn't get to know, seeing that life can be more than just war. I think I'm discovering what it's like to live, now," he smiled out of the corner of his mouth.
Lucy smiled at him, admiring him. "I'm so happy for you, Ryker. I think that way you are much better. And I bet Mira has a lot to do with your change," she sneered.
Ryker blushed slightly. "Yeah , I think so." He took a sip of his milkshake and turned his gaze to the Celestial mage. "But you helped me too, Blondie", he commented.
Lucy looked at him in surprise. "Me!?", she asked, astonished.
"Clear! Remember, on our second mission?" he asked rhetorically. "You stopped me from killing that guy, showing that there could be another way, that I could be more, be a better person," he smiled faintly. "I guess I should thank you for that," he smiled.
She looked at him excitedly. "Ryker I... I just did what any friend would do," she said, blushing.
"Isn't that what friends are for?" he smirked. "Now you are forever branded on me, literally," she looked at him curiously and blushing. "After all, I saved your life, remember?" he said jokingly.
Lucy blushed in embarrassment and took another sip of her drink. "As for that, Ryker, I...".
"It's okay, Lucy. It wasn't a big deal anyway."
Lucy smiled in relief, she drank some and turned her attention to Ryker again. "You know, I wonder why you didn't join our team? I mean, you did two missions with us, but then never again," she asked curiously, looking at him expectantly.
Ryker stopped and thought for a moment. "Honestly, I don't know," he replied. "I think I prefer solo work. I don't know," he shrugged.
Lucy was looking at him and then laughed smiling. "You haven't completely changed yet," he smiled, confirming her statement.
"Well, sometimes I get along with other people," he defended himself.
"Like that time we went to work together?"
"Like that. And don't remind me of that fateful night."
Lucy looked at him and blushed at the memory, but at the same time, her chest tightened. "I was really scared at the time," she said in a sad tone.
"I'm sorry about that, but it passed and you helped me again at that time", he comforted and thanked her. "But let's keep that between us," he concluded.
She looked at him and smiled. "For sure! I don't want Mira to know," she said with some dread and trembling just to imagine what Mira would do to her if she found out.
"To know that we slept together, with you holding me? Not in a million years," they laughed.
"That was embarrassing," Lucy commented, looking away from Ryker.
"So it is. Although I did feel some indiscreet touches," he glared at her slyly. "I think you liked it," he looked at her deeply.
"That…that's not true!" Lucy yelled. "You're making it up, you idiot!"
"Oh, really!? So why are you blushing?" Ryker teased her.
"I'm not!" she huffed and pouted indignantly, crossing her arms.
"You're red as a pepper," he said jokingly.
"That's why I'm irritated with you!" she snapped.
Ryker smiled and looked at her. "I'm kidding you, Blondie."
Lucy looked at him and smiled a little. "I know", although she may have taken advantage of that situation a little and felt his chest and belly, and she may or may not have had dreams later about that moment...
"You know, I don't know how you don't have a boyfriend," he commented.
"That... that's none of your business!", Lucy grumbled, blushing.
Not caring, Ryker continued. "I really think if you wanted you could have any man you wanted."
Lucy looked up at him, her big, bright brown eyes, curious and surprised, her cheeks tinged with red. "Really?".
"Clear. See, you're smart and you're a spectacle!" Lucy blushed violently, becoming shy at his praise. "It's everything a man could want, besides being blonde. And we all know that men have a thing for blondes and it's not hard to see that you get attention."
Lucy looked at him shyly, reacting to the compliments he gave her. "I don't think I'm all that," she shrugged in her chair, her cheeks flushing.
"Don't give me that, Lucy! A woman knows when she's beautiful, and I know you know she is," he said making her blush even more.
"T…thank you," she thanked. "Do you like blondes?", she whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear shyly looking at him.
Ryker smiled fondly. "Blondes, brunettes, redheads, women with beautiful white hair... if she's nice and has character, that's what matters."
Ryker approached her, Lucy looked at him expectantly, her heart pounding in her chest, her palms were sweaty and she felt butterflies in her stomach watching him approach. She looked at him deeply and accepted what would come, Lucy closed her eyes and went to meet him, preparing her lips to meet his.
They kissed, a kiss chaste at first deepening as time passed. He asked for entry and Lucy let her, she opened her mouth for his tongue to enter. Ryker put his hand behind her head pulling her closer to him and they deepened the kiss even more, a fiery kiss where the two explored each other's mouths in a perfect dance. They ended the kiss with a sequence of peck kisses.
"I've waited a long time for this Lucy," Ryker said, looking at her passionately.
"Me too, Ryker. You're such a good kisser," she replied giddy after their contact. She looked at him passionately and with desire. "Kiss me again?", she asked and approached him.
"Of course my love. Anything you ask for, Lucy…Lucy…Lucy."
"Lucy? What are you doing?" she stopped and opened her eyes to stare at Ryker's confused expression. Apparently she was dreaming and had got it all wrong...
Lucy shifted in her chair and coughed, masking her embarrassment and frustration. "It… it was nothing", she said blushing and looking away. "Unfortunately," she whispered.
Ryker shrugged. "Anyway, there are a lot of guys looking at you," he told her.
Lucy looked around, seeing nothing. "I didn't notice. Like you...?".
"I'm aware of everything around me, Lucy", he was confident and proud of himself. "How beautiful you are, all these guys are drooling over you. That's why I said you can have any guy you want," he nudged her with his arm.
Lucy looked at him and smiled, she was flattered, it was nice someone complimenting her and saying she was pretty. She felt confident and well, with high self esteem even though she was very confident in her appearance, but others saying that always helps. They finished having their drinks, Ryker made sure to pay for everything and the two stayed together for a while until he finished doing the groceries that Mira asked/forced. In that time they continued talking about different subjects, telling stories and getting to know each other better. He escorted Lucy back to her house before he went back to his, even though she insisted she didn't have to.
"It was nice being with you today, Ryker. I hope we can do this more often", Lucy said, happy for the company, they were in front of her house.
"For me… I just don't want to give you false hope," he teased her.
Lucy laughed at the teasing. "Don't worry about that. I don't want to fight you with Mira."
He smirked. "Well, we'll see you around," he said and kissed Lucy's cheek in farewell.
"See you, Ryker," she gave him a tight, lingering hug. She wouldn't have him, but it didn't hurt to enjoy a long, tight hug. He waited for her to enter her house and then he went his own way.
Ryker arrived at his apartment with all the groceries that were required, he opened the door and found Mirajane, along with Wendy, cooking together in the kitchen. The two laughed and smiled as they paced around, preparing whatever they were doing. He looked at the scene and leaned against the doorframe, watching his girls interact, with a genuine smile.
He felt happy to see them, it was as if, for the first time in his life, he knew what it was like to be in a real family. His Mira and his little sister together, in the same house. He wanted that forever and to see those smiles on their faces, the pure happiness that settled in that environment.
For a while he was silent watching the two of them in the kitchen, before entering and closing the door behind him. Mira, hearing the noise, turned her face and smiled sweetly at Ryker who entered.
"Did you bring everything?" she asked him, as soon as he put the groceries on the table.
"It's all there," he replied. Mira took the bags and took out all the groceries putting away what she wasn't going to use at the moment. "You know I can help you, don't you?"
"Don't worry, we're almost done," Wendy said pushing him into the living room. "Rest, lunch will be out soon," she led him to the couch.
"You're the ones who are tired, not me," he grumbled.
"With all due respect onii-chan , you've improved, but you're still a disaster in the kitchen," Wendy said and laughed, as did Mira, while Ryker looked at her bored.
"As you wish, you boring," he lay back on his couch, waiting for them to finish.
They had lunch and chatted happily during the meal. The rest of the afternoon was spent with them watching a few things on television and trying to teach Ryker some games, spending time together as a family. Wendy sat next to him the entire time with Carla on her lap, enjoying the company she had. Ryker's house practically became the little Dragon Slayer's second residence. She had clothes and toiletries in his house and she often didn't even go back to Fairy Hills, spending days with him.
With nightfall, he took the little girl back to her room in Fairy Hills, while Mira waited for him at home. As soon as he returned the two were together on the couch, talking. He had an arm around her shoulder, she was gently stroking the back of his neck while keeping her head resting on his left shoulder.
"Open a new aquarium in Hargeon ," Mira commented.
"And I imagine you want to go," Ryker concluded.
" Unhum ", Mira morning .
"I never thought you liked marine life."
"The sea is beautiful, with its colorful fish, corals and all the aquatic life. Who wouldn't!?" Mirajane smiled.
"I think so," he shrugged. "But I figured whoever would like that would be Juvia."
"She likes whatever her Gray-sama is doing," she said and they both laughed at her sarcastic comment.
"That's true." He leaned his cheek against her head. "When do you want to go?".
Mirajane smiled happily. "We can go the day after tomorrow. We slept there and came back the next day. Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful in Hargeon , and it is a very pleasant city at that time."
"Fine by me," he accepted and Mira wrapped him in a hug and kissed him on the mouth. "Who knew that Mirajane Strauss would kill another day's work. I don't recognize this girl anymore," Ryker joked, after they stopped kissing.
Mira looked at him with her angelic face. "They are the bad influences".
"Of course, the man is always to blame," he smiled out of the corner of his mouth. "Are you going to spend the night here?"
"Perhaps...".
"Yes or no, Mira!"
"I don't know. Do you deserve it?", she said, sitting on his lap and looking deeply at him inches from his face with a teasing look.
Ryker sighed seeing her so close to him. "I don't know... I've been a bad boy."
Mira smirked. She assumed the form of Halphas in a great bang, which shook the entire block. "Have you been a bad boy!? Should I punish him?", she said whispering in his ear, making him shiver.
"Please punish me," he begged.
"Punishing him…?", she nibbled at his neck.
"Yes..."
Mirajane Halphas kissed him lightly. "Like you said, I need to rest... So not today", she returned to normal and got off him, sitting next to him on the couch.
Ryker was left confused and frustrated. "What!?".
"I'm not ready today, Love. So let's go to bed and just sleep," she smiled angelically at him.
"After teasing me like that!?" he said indignantly. "You're a devil!", he said defeated, to his smiling, happy and sadistic girlfriend.
"They are so beautiful!" Mira commented excitedly as she looked at the fish in one of the tanks at the aquarium in Hargeon .
"They are freshwater. I thought there would only be marine animals", Ryker was surprised by the diversity in that place.
"Here there are animals from different environments, it was written at the entrance. Didn't you read it?" she looked at him disapprovingly.
"I might have missed it...", he shrugged it off. "But they're pretty interesting anyway," he watched the different types of fish swim around the tank, watching each one.
"Yeah... Now come on, we still have a lot to look at", Mira took him by the hand and pulled him towards the next attractions.
Mirajane and Ryker spent hours walking around the aquarium, seeing all the attractions and animals that this place had. He was fascinated when he arrived at the shark tanks, admiring his favorite animals and was surprised to see that there were sharks in that world, just like his, and that delighted him.
The two continued with their visit, having lunch at the aquarium's restaurant and enjoying the animal shows that the keepers put on from time to time. They had a good time together, having fun and alleviating recent worries.
The day was ending, and both Ryker and Mira decided to take a walk on the beach, despite the cold weather. The sun was setting on the horizon behind the mountains in the west, dyeing the clouds a fiery red. They were walking along the sand hand in hand, letting their feet get wet by the waves of the sea, which crashed on the sand.
"Thanks for today," Mira said looking at Ryker beside him.
"But it was you who invited me."
"And you did," she hugged his arm as they walked.
"I'm awesome, really," he bragged.
"Convinced...".
They sat on the beach admiring the end of the day and looking out over the immensity of the sea. Ryker placed his jacket over Mira, to keep her warm and protect her from the cold, as he hugged her.
"Don't you think we'd better go back to the hotel?" Ryker asked worriedly.
"Just a little longer," Mira asked, admiring the scenery.
"It's getting cold, I don't want you to catch a cold."
"Don't worry, I'm stronger than you think", she turns around and places a light kiss on his lips. "Isn't it beautiful?", she said looking at all the nature around them.
Ryker looked at her curiously and sighed, shrugging, staying for a few more moments with his girlfriend on the beach, before heading back to the hotel. As soon as they return, the two decide to wash and get dressed and have dinner at the hotel's own restaurant. It was a good and pleasant meal with light and cheerful conversation. Before retiring, the loving couple took one last night stroll along the city's edge, enjoying the night breeze and the city's night air, before heading back and getting the sleep they deserved.
Ryker woke up the next morning feeling alone in bed. He looked around and didn't see Mira nearby, lifting her body and sitting up, he looked around, no sign of his girlfriend. He got out of bed and realized that the sun had not yet risen over the horizon.
The wizard looked around the room looking for her, when he saw a woman sitting on the balcony in an armchair, he immediately went towards her. When he arrived, Mira was watching the sunrise intently. Ryker placed his hand on her shoulder, catching her attention.
Mira looked at him and smiled, she stood up letting him sit in her seat. Then she settled on his lap, sitting on his side, and wrapping her right arm around his neck and he held her by the waist. They snuggled into each other, enjoying the view they had.
"Is everything okay, Mira?" he asked worriedly. "You've been weird the last few days."
"I'm fine," she replied.
"Mira!" Ryker knew she wasn't, she wasn't used to acting like that. "You're lively and restless, not in that introspective way. Come on, what's the problem?"
Mirajane sighed and gave in to her boyfriend, after all he knew her. "I'm worried. The guild with this threat, the imminence of another war... it's a lot".
Ryker understood her perfectly, but he was more used to it and knew how to act in these situations. "I understand, but that's not all, is it?" Mira nodded in confirmation.
"There's you too", she looked at him fearfully and he was surprised to see her like that. "I've been having nightmares… nightmares where I lose you," she clung to him speaking in a shaky voice.
"Mira...", she clung even tighter to him. Ryker hugged her tight. "I'm not going anywhere, Mira. Look… the sun is rising," he said and Mira looked eastward, watching the sun rise from the horizon. "Light always breaks darkness. Doesn't Fairy Tail prevail over its enemies, always? It will happen again, I guarantee it," he smiled at her, a smile that left her calm and at ease. "You and I are going to be fine, let's be cautious and fight smart. Your brothers are stronger and the others are getting ready too. Don't worry".
Mira breathed, feeling relieved at his words. "Thanks".
Ryker laughed at his girlfriend. "Who would have thought that Mirajane Strauss would look like this!".
"You bring out my most sensitive side," she replied.
"Don't blame me. You who are all sentimental," he teased her.
Mira clapped him on the shoulder. "Idiot!" she yells to Ryker's amusement.
The two continue to watch the sun rise over the horizon, enjoying each other's company and enjoying nature.
"Remember when we went to that rock concert?" Mira asked.
"The one in Bus , with that weird band?"
"It was our third date."
"It wouldn't be the second. The first one, we went to a restaurant," Ryker commented.
"I tell the first one when you dragged me out of the guild for a day just for me. I thought it was so romantic," Mira said dreamily and nostalgically.
"But, but we weren't even boyfriends?", he replied blushing.
"It doesn't matter, it counts for me. Anyway, that show was really good, and special."
"I remember your outfit," he smirked.
"Is that all you have in your head!?"
"There's no way to get out! You with that tiny, revealing top and your miniskirt and those high boots were so sexy."
"It was a rock show, I had to go with it", she huffed and pouted.
Ryker smiled and brought her closer. "Don't be mad, I enjoyed the show, too. I will remember him, after all it was my first time in a music show and even more with you", Mirajane smiled happily. "I just didn't like all those guys looking at you and drooling like idiots all over you."
"I got rid of them all," she said boasting.
"My girl...".
"I dressed like that in my punk phase," she revealed.
"Really!?" Ryker said in surprise. "I think you can use it again, but just for me..."
Mira glared at him. "You pervert," she giggled.
They stayed that way until the sun finished rising, dyeing the entire sky over Hargeon a beautiful shade of orange .
"We'd better go," Ryker said.
"We still have time." Mira got off his lap and took him by the hand leading him into the room.
"What do you intend, Mirajane Strauss?" he asked slyly.
She smiled seductively leading him to the bed. Hours later they returned to Magnolia...