Hey everyone!
It's been a long road but I'm so glad I managed to finish this story. I haven't written Miraxus in so long and they deserve this appreciation, specially on their day.
(For Gruvia shippers that might be reading this, I have a special prompt planned for them which also includes NaLu and Gajevy. Should be posted by next Monday.)
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the angst and fluff I have planned for Miraxus and ElfEver here.
Happy Reading!
September X792
"You did it, Ever!" Mirajane watched with a soft smile once her brother happily embraced his girlfriend. They were currently in the infirmary of Blue Pegasus and it had been nearly a year since the Thunder Legion had joined the guild.
"Congratulations!" She happily offered the couple.
"Thanks, Mira." Elfman briefly glanced at her before his attention went to Porlyusica. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine." The healer reassured. Sensing his and Evergreen's worry, she approached the bed where the fairy woman lay. Looking down at the green bundle in her arms, she smiled. "She's perfectly healthy."
Relief filled everyone in the room. Elfman and Evergreen shared a smile before he brought her even closer in order to kiss her.
"Thank goodness." Mirajane whispered meanwhile.
"Good." Laxus said.
"So, can we meet her now?" An impatient Freed asked.
There was a cry in response, thus everyone glanced at the newborn in Porlyusica's arms. For so long they had been waiting to meet her, but now she was here. Finally.
"Here you go." Arriving at the bed, Porlyusica carefully passed the baby to Evergreen. Carefully, the fairy woman held her daughter for the first time.
"Hey." She laughed, but tears came crashing down a moment later and Elfman was no different. Both were clearly overwhelmed with happiness and all Mirajane could think was how happy she was for them.
While the couple was lost in the joyful moment, everyone moved closer to the bed in order to get a look at the precious baby girl.
Upon trying to get to her brother's side, Mirajane accidentally bumped into Laxus. The two apologised in perfect synchrony, avoiding looking at each other because it was still awkward. Every interaction had been awkward since a few days before when they had kissed.
Such intense moment had been neither unexpected nor unforeseen. Ever since she had saved his life by eliminating the bane particles which had nearly killed him and Porlyusica had suggested that Mirajane accompany him to Blue Pegasus to keep an eye on him, something had shifted in their relationship.
Though they had tried to maintain their friendship from before the war against Tartaros, it had been impossible to ignore that she was the reason he was alive. He owed everything to her, even if she didn't see it that way.
Perhaps they could've kept on pretending if they hadn't had to spend so much time together over the past few months. Being together had only increased feelings that both continuously denied were ever there. A lie which no one believed anymore, themselves included.
Yet they had managed to remain dishonest despite their friends' constant, annoying and truthful comments. Freed and Evergreen were particularly keen to point out how unusually cheerful Laxus had been lately and the reason behind it. Similarly, Lisanna noted how happy Mirajane seemed ever since arriving at Blue Pegasus. Laxus and Mirajabe had undeniable chemistry, but for so long they had refused to act on it. The main reason for this was fear. Fear of being rejected, of not being worthy, of starting something which may not last. They convinced themselves it was because of Evergreen and Elfman unborn child and how they didn't want to take any risks which could affect her. After all, this baby would tie them together as family and thus they had decided to prioritise her happiness over their feelings.
Until they hadn't managed anymore. A few days before, during Blue Pegasus' annual festival, they had forgotten about all the reasons not to be together and thrown caution out the window. After a wonderful night of dancing, drinking and telling stories, neither had been able to deny how they felt anymore.
The kiss had happened after someone had put on the most romantic song and all the couples had started dancing. Laxus and Mirajane had found themselves on the dance floor as well and being so close like that made it extremely hard to pretend they weren't in love.
Before they knew what they were doing, they were leaning in and for a moment everything else faded away. Blissful. Magical. Perfect. They had been in their own world.
Until the yells and cheers had brought them back to reality and they realised what they had done. He had pulled away too quickly, erasing any hope of a confession. Surveying the room, he had avoided her eyes. Face flushed and voice shaken, he excused himself and left.
Just like that, the bliss was gone and she had been left wondering if perhaps she had read him wrong. Heartbroken, she had chosen to avoid him after that and he had done the same.
After multiple awkward and tense interactions, they had been forced to be in the same room for a long period of time because Evergreen was giving birth. Once again, they had pushed all feelings aside and tried to focus on the precious baby girl that was about to enter their lives.
However, neither could deny that watching Evergreen and Elfman so happy and in love made their hearts ache and their minds wonder about what could be.
"She's so beautiful, Ever." Mirajane told the fairy woman.
"She is, isn't she?" Evergreen looked fondly at her daughter.
"Just like her mother." Elfman did not miss this perfect opportunity to compliment her, which earned him a soft smile.
"She certainly got Ever's looks." Freed commented.
"So, what's her name?" Laxus asked in curiosity but also hoping to distract himself from dangerous thoughts that made his heart race.
"Yes, please tell us!" Lisanna begged.
"You've been keeping us in suspense long enough." Bixlow added rather impatiently.
The couple shared mirrored smiles before she nodded. He looked around the room, but did not give the answer they expected. "We found the perfect name last night."
"Which is?" Freed raised a brow.
Silence. Everyone prepared for the long-awaited response. "Bella. Bella Strauss." Elfman finally answered with the brightest smile.
"Bella..." Laxus whispered, testing the name.
Mirajane couldn't help but to smile too. "It's perfect."
The others soon joined in with their own reactions and for a while everything was okay. Able to focus on her niece, she momentarily forgot about the defining kiss, heartbreak and all that remained unsaid.
Until Evergreen and Elfman called both her and Laxus. "Look, we know that things are weird between you two..."
"But we'd really appreciate it if you could put your feelings aside for now and focus on Bella." Evergreen finished her boyfriend's sentence.
Mirajane nodded immediately. "Of course."
Laxus followed that with his agreement. "I can do that."
Clearly relieved, Evergreen and Elfman shared a meaningful look. "Do you want to ask them or..." He began asking and she replied with one word. "Together."
"Ask us what?" Laxus wondered, confused.
"Is everything alright?" Mirajane became concerned.
"Everything's fine." Evergreen replied while accepting her boyfriend's hand. Together, they made an important yet unexpected request. "We were wondering if you would do us the honour of becoming Bella's godparents."
"Are you sure?" Laxus asked, shocked.
They nodded before Elfman answered. "We thought it over and this is what we want."
"Oh, thank you." Unable to contain neither emotions nor tears, Mirajane moved to hug her brother. Laxus stood there, watching her, a significant look upon his face. There was no doubt; he knew what he wanted and what he needed to do in order to fix things.
Later on, when everyone was still fawning over Bella and all had gotten a chance to hold her, he asked to speak to Mirajane in private. She was surprised, but followed him to the garden nonetheless.
It was a warm night but there was a cool breeze which kept them from being too hot. The sky was beautiful with so many bright stars and a full moon which they hadn't seen in a while.
There could not have been a more perfect nor romantic setting; which Laxus was thankful for. While Mirajane was appreciating the endless night sky, he tried to remain calm and composed.
"It's so beautiful." She looked up in amazement.
"Certainly is." Only he wasn't looking up but at what was in front of him.
Noticing his gaze, she blushed as a soft smile came upon her face. However, it quickly turned into a frown upon remembering the last time he had alluded to her beauty.
Noticing this, Laxus sighed. "I'm sorry."
Though necessary, an apology wasn't enough. "What are you sorry for?"
Part of her feared his answer, but that was soon dismissed. "For leaving you and avoiding you."
"Thank you." Mirajane let out a sigh as well. "But why did you leave?"
He looked away, frowning. "I guess I just couldn't stand there with everyone judging us and coming to their own conclusions about what happened."
"I understand that." She nodded, giving him a comprehensive look. "But didn't you think about how I would feel being left alone after we..."
"Of course I did!" Laxus interrupted, looking back at her, then taking in a breath to calm himself. "But I needed to be alone. To figure out exactly what it meant before I could face you again."
"And? Have you?" Mirajane raised a brow.
His answer was unexpected. "I realised there was nothing to figure out. I knew exactly what it meant but I wasn't ready to accept the truth yet."
Heart hammering in her chest, she asked. "What truth?"
Looking into her eyes, he saw hope which eased his fears. It was time to be brave. "That I love you, Mirajane."
Silence. Tension. He awaited for a reaction but she was too stunned. Though she had been hoping for this confession and was relieved that her feelings were returned, it felt unbelievable.
Time passed and Laxus started getting uncomfortable. Nervous again, he suddenly worried she didn't feel the same. What if he had read her wrong?
When she finally reacted, it was nothing like he had imagined. Closing the distance between them, she took his face into her hands and kissed him. Though caught by surprise, he was quick to reciprocate with as much passion and wrapped his arms around her like he had been wanting to do for so long.
They were in their own world again, only this time there were no interruptions. When they pulled apart it was only due to the need for air. They stared at each other giddyly, but still Laxus needed confirmation. "So... what does this mean?"
Mirajane answered without hesitation. "It means that I love you too."
Both filled with joy, they leaned in for another fiery kiss, forgetting that they were supposed to be catching their breaths. Blissful. Magical. Perfect. This moment was everything they had dreamed of and more.
What they didn't know, though, was that this wasn't just their moment for Elfman and Evergreen were watching them through the window. Smiling brightly, the other couple rejoiced in this happy turn of events.
"See? I told you he would confess." She smirked at her boyfriend.
"I'm glad he did. Mirajane deserves to be happy." Elfman stated.
"They both do. They've been through so much." Evergreen noted with sadness.
"That's true." He nodded. "We've all been through so much."
Thinking back to darker times when they had almost lost each other, they frowned. Fear and sorrow briefly persisted before happiness filled them again once Bella let out an intelligible noise as if trying to catch their attention. Looking down at the perfect baby girl in his arms, they smiled again. "She really is perfect. "
"She is." Evergreen agreed before looking at him with love and adoration. "Our new beginning."
They shared a soft kiss and there was no doubt what it meant. While some people look forward to that infamous happy ending, they knew that true happiness could be found in second chances and new beginnings.
So, what did you think?
I hope everyone has a nice day :)