"What the hell!"

"Wha-"

"Is that Laxus?"

Were the questions that greeted them when the dragon slayers all returned to the guild.

"The hell are you starin' for? Get outta the way!" Gajeel snarled, and the guild parted immediately, giving them a path to the infirmary.

"You-" Mirajane stopped, fury fading from her eyes when she saw the state of her husband. Biting her lip, she tied her hair in her signature ponytail, with a purple ribbon, before guiding the slayers to any open infirmary beds. Rogue sat up from the bed he shared with a still unconscious Sting, Frosch in his arms.

"Are you all okay?" Frosch asked tearfully, whimpering when no one answered it's question.

"What happened?" Makarov asked sternly as Mirajane tended to his grandson.

"Remember Freed had said Laxus started acting really weird after the last Raijinshuu mission?" Levy asked. "I still don't know all the details, but this was inside Laxus," The bluenette held up the jewel. "I think it's a kind of parasite- It sucks off of people's positive emotions and feeds their negative ones- that's only a theory, of course,"

"Salamander smelled it first- Said since it hadn't been there long it hadn't completely latched so we ripped it out," Gajeel grumbled, Natsu having past out on the bed beside him.

"W- You guys beat Laxus?" Lector gaped. Gajeel snorted.

"Hell no. When the She-Demon over here roared he started screaming and clawing at his own ears- Probably would've torn 'em off too if we hadn't sparred. When we ripped out that thing he collapsed," The iron mage pointed to the jewel Levy was holding.

Makarov remained silent, staring at his grandson with a grim look on his face.

o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o

When Laxus opened his eyes, he was alone. Natsu was still passed out on a nearby bed, Happy now on his chest. A blue haired girl was asleep with an Exceed on her pillow, and Sting and Lector were asleep as well, but other than them the room was empty.

The blond sat up as memories rushed back to him. Looking down, his eyes caught the gleam of the gold band around his left hand ring finger. His heart clenched as he realized the pain he'd inflicted on his guild- on his wife. Her roar of anguish was fresh in his mind and Laxus felt his heart twist and swallowed the bile in his throat.

He did that. He was supposed to take care of her, to protect her (when she needed it). But he'd caused her pain and-

"Ah!" Laxus fell back onto the bed, clutching his now red cheek.

Mirajane glared down at him, her hand still in the air. Laxus couldn't meet her eyes, shame and guilt coiled around his heart. Gradually, Mira's glare lost its heat, her eyes filling with tears as she collapsed on his bed, pulling her mate close to her.

"I was so worried, you asshole. Now stop blaming yourself," Her voice cracked. Laxus pulled away from her, keeping his gaze down.

"I-"

His chin was forcefully jerked, the pair now looking each other in the eyes.

"This was not your fault. I can feel what you feel, Laxus. None of this was your fault and everyone understands. That wasn't you, and Natsu and Gajeel got the jewel out of you. Levy's working her tail off with Lucy and Freed to find out what it is. No one blames you. It's okay, love," She said softly.

Laxus looked away, at Natsu and Sting. His nestmates- his brothers. Covered in bandages because of him. And from what he heard from the main guildhall, Gajeel and Rogue were also covered in injuries. And the blue haired girl- he could smell she was a part of the pride, she was one of them.

"I did this. To Natsu, and Sting- our pride. And I-" His voice cracked and something in Mirajane ached when he looked at her again, eyes filled with tears. "I hurt you. I can still hear it, I can't get it out of my head- and that was me,"

"No," Laxus froze when he heard his grandfather's voice. "That wasn't you. That jewel is very rare, and very illegal. And you know who planted it in you,"

Laxus shut his mouth, looking down. Mirajane's hands were still on his shoulders, and her grip tightened as she hissed the name.

"Ivan,"

"It doesn't matter," Laxus took a deep breath, getting to his feet. "I did this. I need to atone for it,"

Makarov stared at his grandson while Mira's eyes widened in alarm- and fear.

"Laxus-"

"I have to go," Laxus said, head held high as he finally look at his grandfather. "It's the only way,"

The two Dreyars looked at each other before Makarov closed his eyes.

"You are hereby excommunicated from this guild!" Makarov announced, slicing his arm through the air.

There was a crash as the other dragon slayers all burst into the infirmary, rousing Natsu, Sting, and the other girl.

"Master!"

"Gramps you can't be serious!"

"It wasn't his fault!"

They all protested vehemently. Laxus smiled faintly.

"Zip it. It's already been done," He growled in Draconic.

"Juvia thinks Laxus is a very wise and selfless man," The bluenette, Juvia, nodded. Mirajane gave her mate a watery smile.

"He is," She said softly, getting to her feet. Mirajane kissed her mate's cheek before nudging his shoulder.

"You should probably go before the Master changes his mind," She raised an eyebrow at him playfully, gesturing to the crying Makarov behind her.

Laxus placed a kiss softly on her lips, clapped Gajeel on the shoulder-

And walked away.

Mirajane looked down when she felt something hug her leg.

"He's gonna come back. Laxus never leaves for long," Rogue said softly, giving the white haired woman a big smile, Sting nodding beside him. Mirajane nodded, one hand going to her stomach, relaxing upon feeling the magic beneath her skin.

"He'll have to. He still doesn't know he's soon to be a father," Mirajane grinned, sending a sly grin to her grandfather-in-law.

"WHA-?!" Makarov exclaimed.

"Sh! Master! It's a secret!" Monmo whispered to the now pale white old man, who had been shell shocked by the news.