Sabertooth Guild. X793.

Fairy Tail members visiting had become a common occurrence by now, and everyone around seemed about it. The little fairies spread fun and laughter wherever they went - they also spread violence and useless fights, but that also wasn't a problem for most people at Sabertooth. Sting in particular loved his petty rivalry, and while Minerva loved the thought of fighting against Erza for the fun of it, she never joined the festivities. She always stayed away from it all, watched from afar and enjoyed watching her guild mates have fun and make friends with Fairy Tail.

Maybe she could join today?

She chased the thought from her mind when she caught a glimpse of golden hair. Lucy Heartfilia. Minerva sighed and stepped further away for the pool, making her way back inside.

The guild hall was nearly empty, as everyone preferred to play in the pool and sit at the small outdoors bar. Minerva fixed herself a drink before taking a seat on a stool at the bar. No matter how many times everyone could say that they forgave her, the guilt still consumed her whole, and it was easier to drown it than to try to deal with it.

"Don't you want to have fun?"

At the sound of the soft voice behind her, Minerva clenched a fist, bracing herself to find Lucy joining her at the bar, but instead it was locks of white hair that appeared by her side. White hair? She turned her head and found a face that was almost unfamiliar, smiling more brightly than Minerva knew was possible. The face of a fucking angel.

"It isn't for me," Minerva answered as she looked back at her drink. "You should go back out there."

"We were never properly introduced to each other, were we?"

The kindness in the woman's voice took her by surprise, but Minerva didn't let it show. It was unexpected that someone who didn't actually know her wouldn't be scared, or at least intimidated, but Minerva shouldn't have expected anything else from a Fairy Tail mage - they knew how to surprise anyone.

"I'm Mirajane."

Mirajane Strauss. It wasn't Minerva's first time seeing her. She had watched her... 'fight' against Jenny Realight during the Games; it had been far from an impressive fight (out of all the battles she had missed while on her quest, that one had been the most embarrassing to watch, and she had nearly broken the crystal of the recording several times throughout her viewing), but just enough of a display to pique Minerva's interest. An interest only multiplied after what she had heard about the mage during the Tartaros fiasco. A demon among all of Zeref's toys.

Where Minerva had been a failure, Mirajane Strauss was a true demon, felt like a demon, even with that angelic smile plastered on her face. Where Minerva had failed to keep control of herself after becoming part demon, this woman held several demons within her body and still thrived. Was it jealousy, envy or simple admiration that Minerva felt?

Fuck. It would have hurt her to admit it out loud, but Minerva was impressed by Mirajane Strauss, and she wanted to try and defeat her almost as much as she wanted another fight against Erza and Kagura.

"Minerva," she finally said before taking a sip of her drink.

"Come have fun with everyone, Minerva."

She shook her head to refuse the offer. She could only stare at her drink, at her hands as they began to shake. What was happening to her?

"You're scared of your demons."

It wasn't a question. And the statement, no matter how right it was, took Minerva by surprise. Even Sting knew not to push the subject the subject. Minerva didn't want to think about it, about how scared she was. About how worried she was that whatever demon-life she still had inside of her body would take over, make her lose control, make her lose sight of who she had become and wanted to be.

"I was too, years ago," Mirajane admitted; her voice was still soft but it sounded different. Not quite as sweet or cheerful. "It's normal to be scared of demons." She spoke as if she herself wasn't a demon.

But Minerva wasn't supposed to be scare - hadn't been allowed to be scared for so many years. Even with her father gone, it was hard to tell herself that she could be scared. She had friend who protected her and cared for her.

"What kind of demon is scared of itself?"

"You are. And I still am sometimes."

If Minerva still had enemies, there was no doubt that her own name was at the top of the list, alongside her father coming back to kill her and people having lied about forgiving her for what she had done.

"You want control, don't you?" Mirajane asked. Minerva couldn't read her expression and it was almost enough to worry her. "With some help, you could learn."

Minerva blinked.

"Learn to control the demon particles?"

Mirajane chuckled and shook her head. Minerva couldn't understand what was so amusing about her question. What could possibly be going on inside that woman's head?

"Learn to control your fear and to have fun." Mirajane grinned brightly, a hand extended towards her, and Minerva only stared, mildly confused by the gesture. "There isn't enough demon left in you for me to take over your soul. You're no demon, Minerva."

Minerva looked between the other woman's face and her hand, still palm up between them. Fairy Tail mages really were something else, weren't they? All bright smiles and kind words, always forgiving and accepting even with those who didn't deserve anything good. That was the real strength of these mages. Feelings.

Stupid fucking feelings. Minerva hated feelings. They tasted more bitter than even the worst drink Sorano could come up with.

"Why do you want to help me?"

"I know what it's like to be alone with your demons. And I don't want you to let yourself go through that."

Stupid fucking feelings. They made Minerva's heart beat faster and her palms sweaty. Feelings made her feel gross, but maybe the ones that Mirajane Strauss awoke inside of her weren't that bad.