The car ride was silent. Erza clutched her wet skirt, avoiding looking at the man driving. Vegeta was an intimaditaing man. Albeit stubborn and prideful, he was someone Erza looked up to. He was intelligent and caring, in his own way of course.

"Care to tell me why were you running around the rain?" Vegeta asked in a serious tone

She scoweld at the saiyan's heir tone of authority. "I just missed my bus." She answered, trying to close the issue. She knew how far Vegeta would push into these matters.

Vegeta sighed. "You know I always get what I want, Scarlet. So spill it out."

Erza held her gaze against him showing defiance. She didn't feel like telling him anything. She just wanted to go home, took a long hot bath and hopefully gets some sleep. But he was still looking at her with the superior gaze he always wore and her own stare wavered a little. Damn, Vegeta really was a master at things like this.

With a sigh, Erza removed her eyes from him and stared dead ahead on the road, folding her hands on her chest in annoyance. "I saw Jellal earlier today with Ultear." Erza started.

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "And…" He trailed off, letting her know to finish her story.

Obediently, she told him what had transpired today from the beginning, from the group assignment event to how she ended up on the street in the rain. "And it's all Laxus fault." She finished her story with a grumble.

The car starts moving at the green light and Erza spotted a smug smirk on Vegeta's face.

Erza pouted and sank deeper in her seat, she knew better than to expect Vegeta to sympathize with her fate for today. It was depressing but no matter how depressed she was, she couldn't alleviate the tiny guilt she felt for soaking the comfortable car seat with water accumulated from her wet clothes.

"Sorry. I'm making a mess in your car," she said with a small voice, not looking in his direction.

"It's okay." Vegeta said in his cool voice. "Your day is bad enough without me nagging at you about it or anything."

Erza let a small smile escaped her lips. Sometimes, Vegeta frustrate her without even trying with his behavior but some other times he was understanding enough she could kiss him for it.

"We're here." Vegeta announced. He drove to the parking lot and parked the car at the designated space. They both exited the car and rode the elevator to her floor, making small talk along the way. Once they exited the elevator, they walked to the right until they reached her door. Erza took out her key and opened the door leading the way inside before Vegeta too followed her step and closed the door behind him.

But unbeknownst to the both of them, someone was watching them with a surprised expression on his face.

Freed Justine tightened his jacket around his body, shivering from the cold. He lived in an apartment owned by his father. His father respected his desire for a voluntary exile and allowed him to use the apartment. It took some time to convince Hisui that he would be leaving. She didn't let him go until he promised to visit every weekend.

The green-haired teenager was dead tired and couldn't wait to take a warm, calming shower and get some sleep. He took the stairs to his apartment, but when he reached the floor, his eyes grow wide with shook.

He saw Vegeta standing in front of Erza's apartment as the latter opened the door. Freed couldn't even remember seeing Erza around the compound. He scolded himself for being ignorant of his surroundings. He then remembered Lucy talking about Vegeta coming back to the town. It had something to do about his father pushing to get married so that hecan take over the company after his graduation.

As Erza entered the apartment, Vegeta closed the door behind him, making Freed shake his head to regain his focus. Freed made his way to his apartment and stopped. He thought about knocking Era's door to make sure that it was Vegeta and say hi to the man. He didn't see him since middle school. In the end, his desire for a shower and and a comfy sleep won. He could always call him and since he's back, he was positive he would see him around. It's not like Vegeta and his new fiancee will be going anyway.

The next day in school, things were rowdy and hectic as usual. But for Erza, it was taking its toll on her. She was not feeling well and before class started, she was called to the principal office with the reason she knew nothing about. Turns out the principal requested a meeting with the student council later that day and being the president, she needed to inform the rest of the student council body about it and prepare for the meeting. She figured there must be something important would be happening if the Principal himself requested a meeting like this on short notice.

Everything was not going her way that day. Girls gathered around the hallway in a group of two or three before the class start trying their luck at bumping into Freed. Their incessant chattering and gossiping only made her headache worse. It wasn't that the guy wasn't handsome, but their stupid acts to get attention was annoying to no limits.

In her hasty to go to school this morning she forgot to take her lunch, which was two slices of strawberry cake, with her to school. Now she had to go to the cafeteria to buy some food during lunch. She dreaded what was on the menu today. The tasteless and awful food in the cafeteria was legendary. She was also trying her best to avoid Laxus who was trying to get her attention. His accusation of her yesterday was still fresh in her mind and she felt a little bitter about it. She's the grudging type, there's no way she's going to forget about that soon.

The only good thing that was happening today is that Vegeta was finally back after spending two years overseas with his father. She got closer to him after he disclosed an information that made her look at him from a different perspective. She never talked more than necessary with him before. Their interaction consist of more like him getting scolded by her for sleeping in class and his prideful attitude didn't help his case. She didn't know how a man so arrogant and laid back like him could be so brilliant.

Slightly feeling better, she walked back to her class. She frowned when she saw him hunching over with his face buried in his folded arm on the desk. Damn, the class didn't even start and he was already sleeping. With a purposeful stride, she walked towards her seat and sat in it. She swing her hand trying to slap his head to wake him up but before her hands could connect with his head, his hand shot out and grabbed hers instead.

Vegeta raised his head and stared at her blankly. "Is this how you welcome someone you haven't seen for a long time, Scarlet?"

Erza grinned. "Who told you to sleep here?"

The Saiyan's heir groaned. "The teacher is not even here yet. Who cares?"

"Well, you have a point." She grudgingly accepted. "But at least have some manners and greet me." She scolded.

Vegeta grinned. "You mean that you missed me?"

Erza scoffed, but knew he was right. "Don't worry, I missed you too, Scarlet." He gave her one of his rare small smiles.

Erza smiled back at him. "You're a pain in the ass sometimes, but I guess I missed you too."

"Vegeta-san!" Erza turned to see Mirajane making her way to them with a smile on her beautiful face.

Vegeta maintained a blank expression on his face. He didn't like to throw smiles around. He was raised in a harsh environment that left no place for any sign of weakness. He learned that only a few selected people deserved his smiles.

"Hey there, Mira. Hope that punk didn't give a heart attack yet." He joked with a wave. He didn't mess the way Erza seemed to tense at the mention of the blond-haired delinquent.

Mira giggled. "I believe I'm going to have to stick for a good long time because of his recklessness."

"Speaking of which, where is he?" Vegeta asked, raising his eyebrow.

"He's at the principle's office."

...

"Do you understand, brat?"

Laxus sat in front of the principle. He learned that the old, grumpy, short man calling him can't be for anything good, but the words he said made him angrier than usual.

"So in short, you're telling me that you're taking Mira with you to Monaco so that she can continue her studies?"

Makarov nodded. "Mira has an astounding talent in fine arts. It would be a waste for her to stay here in Japan."

"Excuse your humble grandson, but let me say this," Laxus glared at Makarov. "This is bullshit."

"You have to understand, Lax." Porlyusica, his grandfather secretary and wife, stood beside Makarov. Laxus admired the woman because she had put up with grandfather's nonsense for 50 years. If anyone had god-like patience, it was her. "Mira is going to benefit from it." She said, giving him a pleading look.

Laxus growled. "If it was for her benefit, you could've told her directly without telling me. This means that you already offered the thought to her. And now, you want me to convince her."

Makarov and Porly sighed. Sometimes, Laxus was too smart for his own good. And it was always annoying that this smartness would come out in times like this.

"Mira will be a scholarship student. And her life expenses, including study materials will be funded by the government." Makarov explained, rubbing his forehead tiredly.

"Laxus, I'm aware that you're worried about her, but I swear it's for her own benefit." Porlyusica said exasperatedly.

Laxus glared. "The hell it is!" He roared. Porly and Makarov recoiled back from the intensity of his voice. "You come back after all this time to tell me that you want me to convince Mira to come with you? That's bull!" He turned to leave, slamming the door behind him.

Makarov sighed. He knew that Laxus was always stubborn when it comes to family. He knew that he had friends, but his loyalty to his siblings was unquestionable. He already talked to Mira about going with overseas to study and for... other things, but the latter utterly refused and stated that she will stay in Japan with her siblings. Makarov thought that if he could convince Laxus, then Lisanna and Elfman will follow him almost blindly, but it seems to be harder than he excepted.

He turned to find Porlyusica narrowing her eyes at him. "Oh, don't give me that look." He moaned, rubbing his shoulders in exhaustion.

Porlyusica scrunched her nose up. "He had a point, Maky. You left them before and now you come back to force them into things they can't except?"

Makarov turned his chair to the window, looking at the clear blue sky that seemed to be carrying his thoughts. "You know what would've happened if I stayed too long. They managed to create their own personalities and ideals without any help. Their lives taught them to be strong and unyielding." He turned to give her an annoyed look. "And that's what made them a pain in my ass."

Porlyusica giggled. "You deserve it." When her giggles died down, an uncomfortable silence filled the room, the elderly couple thought quietly and carefully about their next words.

"How are you going to tell them?" She asked with a gloomy expression.

The question caught Makarov by surprise. He knew what she meant, but it pained him too much to answer. "Tell them what?"

Porlyusica took a shaky breath looking at the blue skies and remembering the times she spent with the siblings.

"That they're not related by blood."

...

Laxus walked back to the class, infuriated by his grandfather's proposal. Makarov was a hypocrite! He rarely comes to visit and now he comes to tell him that he's taking Mira away? For her own sake?

Bullshit!

Laxus took a calming breath. If anyone is going to choose, it's Mira. When he reached the classroom, he noticed many of his friends circling the center. He shrugged nonchalantly. He never cared about anything that happened in school.

Well, that was before he heard a familiar voice.

"Pleased to make your aquintance." Vegeta said politly, nodding at Wendy.

Wendy bowed while smiling. "Pleased to meet, Vegeta-san. My name is Wendy Marvell."

"Hmm, the name does ring a bell." Vegeta hummed.

Wendy laughed nervousely. "Well, I don't know anything about that."

To say that he felt at home would be a lie. Vegeta didn't feel anything about being back. He only felt neutral, like it was just another school day, but he was glad he's studying with similar faces.

"Well, well, well, look who's here." Vegeta heard a familiar voice. He turned to find a smirking Laxus looking at him.

Vegeta smirked back. "Good to see you're still alive, scarface." He stood up and walked until he was face to face with Laxus. "This way, I can make sure I'm killing you."

Both young men bumped their foreheads. "Bring it on, monkey."

The entire class sweatdropped at their antics. Mira and Wendy laughed nervously while Gray collected bets.

"My money is on Laxus!" Natsu said loudly.

Gray snickered. "I would like to share your stupidity, but I'm going with Vegeta."

Natsu hit Gray at the back of his head. "Who're you calling stupid, stripper?" Natsu fumed comically.

A tick mark appeared on Gray's forehead. "You! Ash for brains!" They bumped foreheads against each other.

Lucy shook her head, irritated. "Gray, your clothes!"

"Gray-sama!" Juvia swooned with hearts in her eyes.

Gray looked down in comical shock, finding that he was only wearing his boxers. "DAMMIT NOT AGAIN!" He used his hands to cover his himself while Natsu laughed.

"What the hell is happening here!?" Erza's voice boomed as she entered the classroom. Everyone went silent as she walked to stand in front of Laxus.

"I knew that you bring nothing but problems." She said with sigh, crossing her arms.

Laxus glared at her. "It's not me! It's this shorty!" He pointed at Vegeta, who smacked his hand away.

"Who're you calling a shorty!? Know your place, you scarfaced siscon!" Vegeta said in comical anger.

Mira blushed while Erza shooked her head in disappointment. "The hell I am, monkey!"

"Well, even I can't deny that." Freed said with a nervous smile while Ever and Bickslow nodded in approval.

Laxus turned to glare at his friends,causing them to look away and whistle.

"So you're into younger girls?" Lucy asked with a nervous smile.

"HELL NO, YOU IDIOTS!"

...

Laxus walked to the student council room for his after school classes with Erza. Everyone was either doing club activities or going home. He groaned, remembering the events that transpired today. Gildarts kicked Vegeta out of the class for sleeping, Natsu and Gray got kicked for fighting, and his grandfather announced the events that were allowed for the next school festival.

Laxus growled as the image of his grandfather came to his mind. His grandfather worked overseas for most of his life as a business man, but at the same time, he worked as the Principal of Fairy Academy. Laxus's great grandfather, Yury, was one of the founders of the academy along with Mavis Vermilion. The last he heard, Mavis was excepting a child.

When he reached the student council room, he was shocked to find Erza sleeping with her head on the desk. There were at least four opened books in front of her. Laxus sighed. Overachievers and their ways.

He noticed the peaceful look on Erza's face as she snored softly. It was different from the authoritative one she gave when she was in class or the stern one she gave him as she tutored him. Frankly, this side of her was well welcomed by the blonde-haired drop out.

What are we?

Laxus couldn't deny that he was interested in knowing more about the scarlet-haired president, ever since he saw Jellal. But he thought about the nature about the nature of their relationship. Were they student and teacher? He snickered at that thought. Teacher don't sleep and stand out their students. Classmates? Hardly, she didn't realize his existence until this year.

Then maybe friends?

He pondered about it. They were certainly familiar with each other, but there were many things that they don't know about each other. He wondered when did he end up so interested in her, but he didn't find an answer.

"Laxus?" A soft, groggy voice cut his train of thoughts. He looked up to find Erza looking back at him with one eye while rubbing the other.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to put up her authoritative facade, but failing miserably as she yawned.

"I came for our tutoring session, but found you sleep." He said in honesty.

She straightened her back. "Well, let's beg-"

"Cut the bull, Scarlet. You're tired." He pointed out. "We can do it tomorrow."

Erza huffed tiredly. "I don't need your pity. You ju-"

Laxus cut her off again. "No, you don't, but you I can't let you sleep on me. I'm not going to learn anything like that."

Erza groaned begrudgingly. She hated to admit it, but he had a solid point.

"You've better not have taken a picture." She said as she glared at him. She was weary about him ever since he kissed her and took a picture to blackmail her. A small part of her felt embarrassed that she was with him in the same room after that particular incident.

Laxus looked insulted by her accusation, but shrugged. "I didn't." He smirked. "But you gave me an idea."

Erza shivered at his malicious smirk. She heard what other students said about Laxus. He was feared by everyone, except those who knew him. They say he once stabbed a teacher for raising his voice at him. She was never one to believe what people said until she saw for herself, but there was something about him that didn't make her believe. He was kind to his friends and family. He seemed to not care about what others said about him and she found herself interested in knowing his true self; the one he shows around his loved ones.

She stood up and yawned. "I'll give you a rest today, but be ready exhausted tomorrow."

Laxus smiled, a genuine smile. "That's our school council president for you. Always a hardworker... and a pain in my ass."

Erza scoffed. "Let's hope that there will be something left of you when I finish."

The two walked to the school's exit, with Laxus trailing behind Erza. When they made their way to the street, Erza noticed that he was following her. She turned to look at him questioningly. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm walking you home." He answered, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

She blinked. "Huh?"

"It's getting dark, and everyone would have my head if something happened and they knew I left you alone." He replied with a calm look.

She opened her mouth to respond but closed it. It was true that it was getting late and there was a chance that there was criminals and perverts lurking. She nodded, not grasping enough reason to refuse.

They walked to her home in an awkward silence. Erza strangely felt uncomfortable, not because of Laxus, but because of the fact that they never spoke outside of school. Erza wondered about her relationship with the blonde-haired young man.

"A-Ano, h-how was your day?" She cursed herself for her stammering. And cursed herself more when she noticed the nature of her question. She looked like an old housewife.

Surprisingly, he gave a simple answer. "Not bad enough."

She felt relief that he spared her his teasing. Maybe he wasn't that bad everyone said he was.

Laxus smirked. "Grandma."

"FUCK YOU!"

Laxus gave a booming laugh, making her fume. She turned, hot on her heels.

Laxus walked after her, grinning. "But seriously," she turned to glance at him with the corner of her eye. "Thank you for asking. It's nice to have someone other than my siblings asking me." He finished with a smile.

Ba-dump!

Erza blushed and averted her gaze from Laxus. "D-Don't get used to it, idiot!" She shouted and walked away, making the blondie quirk his eyebrows at her behavior.

It was dark when they reached her apartment complex. The stood side by side at the entrance, waiting for someone to say something.

"No wonder you're so independent." Laxus voiced out.

She turned to look at him in confusion. "I mean, your dependable and level-headed. I thought that was because you depend on yourself to live."

Erza's face flushed at the compliment. Little did she know that he didn't say it as a compliment, but as a fact.

She looked down, fiddling with her fingers. "T-Thanks."

He raised his eyebrows as she turned to give him an appreciative smile. "I'm always criticized that I'm living alone. No one took it nicely, and my friends are always worried about me. So hearing the opposite from someone is nice."

Ba-dump!

The fuck! That smile should be outlawed! Laxus thought as he looked away with a blush on his face.

"W-Well, I think I'm going see you tomorrow." He waved at her, turning to leave.

Something tugged at her heart. "Do you want to get in?" She could feel heat erupt in her face as she said the words before she could stop herself.

She felt him stiffen before he turned to offer her a small smile. "Maybe another time, Erza"

Erza closed the door of her apartment, leaning her back on it. She could feel her cheeks heating up and her heart race.

She knew this feeling all too well, she felt it in the past and found herself scared of it.

But maybe, just maybe, it could feel better this time.

...

"Welcome home, onii-chan." Lisanna said with a polite smile as Laxus entered.

He patted her while smiling fondly. "I'm home, Lisa." He quirked an eyebrow in confusion, noticing that she wore a an apron.

She noticed his stare and smiled at him. "Mira-nee is cooking today for grandpa."

His face darkened slightly at the mention of his grandfather. He didn't wont to trouble his sister so he smiled back. "Is that so? Do you think you can keep up with her now?"

Lisanna pouted cutely at him. "I don't need your opinion on it, but I can! Just so you know, she was the one who came to me asking for help." She said, crossing her arms and beaming with pride.

Laxus chuckled and walked to the living room. He noticed Elfman playing video games and looked so focused. He made his way to the kitchen when he found Mira, wearing a pink apron while looking at the recipe book. She was mixing ingredients in a bowl.

"I hope it wont burn this time." She looked up with startled eyes to find a grinning Laxus.

"Onii-chan!" She ran to him with a bright smile, throwing herself on his chest, making him stumble back.

He chuckled wryly. "You missed me this much?"

She looked up at him with a pout. "Of course I do! If I had a choice, I would never leave you for an entire day!"

He sweatdropped as he chuckled. "I don't know if I should say that's cute or creepy."

"Then don't say anything." She said softly as she gave a content sigh, wrapping her arms around him.

Both siblings were enjoying the comfortable silence. Laxus couldn't help a blush as he felt her breasts pushing against him.

It's wrong! His conscience shouted. He swallowed, his arms shaking as he wrapped them around Mira causing her to squeal.

But why does it feels so right?

He didn't knew what to do or say. He didn't know what he felt at the moment, but he knew one thing...

This wasn't wrong.

Mira, on the other hand, felt she could die of happiness. Her heart was hammering on her chest and her face heating up in both giddiness and embarrassment. Lately, her brother was a little distant. She knew that it was normal for those who knew him, but it wasn't normal for him to be late from his family.

"You're late. Where have you been?" She asked, her voice muffled.

"I was walking Erza home." He could feel her tremble in his arms. "I couldn't leave her alone in the night."

Mira bit her lip in jealousy. She knew that her brother didn't mean anything by doing it, he was just doing what anyone in his place would do. But she couldn't stop these feelings from bubbling out.

"Grandpa is having dinner with us to today." She said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice.

Laxus grumbled. "Let's order some pizza."

She pouted at him. "After all I did?"

"That pervert old man doesn't deserve to eat from your cooking." He said with a groan.

She swatted him in the chest. "Onii-chan, he's still our grandfather, our only family. We have to show him some respect."

Laxus grunted.

"And love."

Another grunt.

"And admiration."

A growl.

He gently pushed her back by her shoulders. She felt disappointment at losing his warmth.

He looked straight at her eyes. "My only family is you. You're the one who deserves love and admiration. No matter where I go, I know that in the end I'm going to come back to you; to our home."

Mirajane was caught off guard by his words. She could fell her belly swelling with butterflies and her heart fluttering, At that moment, she felt it again. The desire to be closer to him. To be his as he will be hers. To love him more than anyone could.

"Laxus, I-"

"Onii-chan!" Both turned to find a pouting Lisanna glaring at them.

"You shouldn't be in the kitchen! You're hindering our work!" She scolded.

"I thought I heard someone playing with Elf." Laxus replied teasingly.

Lisanna flushed in anger and embarrassment. "Onii-chan, you idiot, idiot, idiot!" She shouted as she started hitting him on his chest, but being tall and well-toned, he didn't budge, and laughed.

Lisanna grumbled as she came behind him to push him out of the kitchen. "Out with you, meanie! We have work to do!"

Mira couldn't help but to giggle while Laxus chuckled. "Fine, but you owe me some dessert."

"Hey, Elf, what's that game you're playing!" The two sisters could hear him calling Elf.

Lisanna turned to her older sister and sighed. "That idiot. He's not getting any dessert."

Mira laughed, ruffling her sister's hair. "Then let's make one that he'll regret not tasting."

Lisanna's face brightened and she bumped her fists up in enthusiasm, causing Mira to giggle. She always liked her younger sibling cheerfulness. It kept the house alive for her, not to mention Elfman's shouting whenever he losses in a video game, or Laxus's laughing whenever he does.

Are you ready to throw all of that for love?

The question rang through her brain. Is she ready? Her family was her world; she would do anything and everything for them.

She ignored it for the time being. She will not let it disturb her happy night with her siblings. She would enjoy it fully and leave such matters for another time.

Would you mark your brother, if it meant the world for you?

...

The dinner with their grandfather wasn't eventful that much. They all hugged their grandparents affectionately, except for Laxus who settled on a nod and a handshake for greeting.

He didn't tell any of his siblings about his encounter with their grandparents earlier today. The mere thought of it made her angry. Just when things started getting good and he was living happily with his siblings, someone comes to take it away of him... because they think it's better?

Fuck it.

They sat at the dinner table, with Makarov at its head with Porlyusica on his left and Mirajane on his right. Laxus and Lisanna sat beside Mira while Elfman sat beside Porlyusica. Noticing the discomforting silence, Lisanna tried to start a conversation.

"Grandpa, you're the principal of our school, but also a business man. Is that even allowed?" She asked with a smile.

"Nah, he just bribes the government so he can do it." Laxus deadpanned.

A tick mark appeared on Makarov's forehead. "IF I CAN BRIBE ANYONE IN THIS DAMNED COUNTRY, I WOULD'VE BECOME THE PRESIDENT!" He shouted, raising a fist at Laxus.

Laxus stood up, a similar tick mark on his forehead. "WHO THE HELL WOULD WANT YOU AS A PRESIDENT?! YOU PERVERTED OLD MAN!"

Mira sighed and rubbed her forehead in frustration. Those two will never know how to hold down hostilities. She watched as Porlyusica tried to hold her short husband from smacking his grandson and Lisanna trying to calm her brother.

She couldn't help but to give an amused smile at the situation.

Well, it was just another normal day in the Dreyars home.