- Laxus wait! Yelled Mira, walking as fast as she could with her crutches.

- The fact that I let you follow me once doesn't gives you the right to do it again. He commented annoyed without bothering to turn.

- Pffff, the only reason you let me follow you was because I prevent you from getting a bullet through your skull!

He turned now, obviously irritated, scanning the surrounding to make sure no one had heard.

- Just yell it for everyone to hear why don't you? I swear Mira, if someone else get wind of it...

- What will you do Laxus? She interrupted him. Injure my other leg?

- You really are a pain when you want to.

- You already said that!

- Well I mean it!

He turned again and went through the steps separating him from his apartment bloc. - I just want to know what you're planning to do about it! Said Mira, out of breath. - None of your business.- Yes, it is now, she said glancing at her wound. - Tssss, was his only answer.Laxus was irritated, Mira knew it with certitude, but it was out of question she'd let him alone with his demons. Especially if his past was leading him into situations as dangerous as Hargeon's events. - You know I won't let go, she added with a challenging tone.- That one of the reasons why you're a pain, he said. Five minutes! Not a single one more, he settled, lifting her up to climb the stairs. - Wait! What are you...- You really think I'll talk about it were anyone could hear?- I will soon start to like that kind of method of transportation, she laughed. - Keep dreaming.Once in his apartment, he dropped the young woman on the couch and sat in front of her. It didn't took a lot of observation from Mira to understand Laxus wasn't the organised type of guy.- So? You plan to go there? Asked Mira, removing a dirty plate to stretch out her wounded leg.- What are you talking about?- And you're the one who told me to stop acting? You know damn right what I'm talking about!Laxus couldn't help himself from smiling despite his annoyance.- I'll go in two weeks... alone. He specified.Mira didn't add anything. Sadly, she knew the answer before he said a thing. - I was expecting a major opposition from you, he smiled, satisfied.- I know that even if I object, you'll do as you wish.- And you're damn right about that.- I also know you'll bring me with you!- No way! He shouted, his limited amount of patience starting to be all used up.- And no way you're going on your own! Cut Mira, keeping her calm.- Have you seen in what state our last trip put you in? He yelled indicating her leg with his hand. You can't even walk properly without me!Red tinted Mira's cheeks. She would not change her mind though.- If I can't go myself, I'll have to find someone to do it for me!- Who the hell do you think you are? I'm warning you Mirajane, no one else must know. He had raised from his seat, getting closer on the effect of anger. His face was only an inch or two from hers when he stopped. His eyes were expressing rage, but also, paying attention, a certain anxiety. She wanted to tell him she understood, that she was with him, that she only wanted to be sure everything would be fine... But it was so much harder to tell than to think.

- Listen Laxus...

- DREYAR!

A voice full of anger, accompanied by a hammering on the door of the apartment, was calling him. If possible, the blonde's expression filled with even more rage.

- Just open the damn door you asshole! I know you're there! He barked again.

- Calm down... It's no use, said a small voice to the first one.

The newcomers' exchange was interrupted by the violent opening of the door by Laxus.

- I won't tell you twice, shouted Laxus to Gajeel without letting anyone the chance to place a word. It troublesome enough the old man let a bastard like you in here... Don't push you luck!

That said, completely ignoring Levy, he initiated to slam the door but Gajeel wasn't ready to conclude the conversation yet.

- No way you're getting out of this so easily. The shrimp and I almost got killed while retrieving you stupid car!

- What? Exclaimed Mira, who had heard everything, while Gajeel broke through, closely followed by an uncomfortable Levy.

- The old man asked Levy to get the car you left in Hargeon. Who was those guys?

Gajeel, with a rage comparable to the young Dreyar's, seemed to be ready to start a fight any moment. Arms around his torso, restraining, or at least trying to restrain him, calmed him down a little though.

- Let go of me, you'll hurt yourself! I have a message to deliver, he said referring to the hits he received without the possibility to defend himself.

- Gajeel, we got through it, no need to be so worked up...

- You should listen to the kid and get the hell out of it, growled Laxus.

- Who are you calling a kid? He barked, the envy to hit Laxus growing more and more.

- ENOUGH! Yelled Mira. She made a couple of laborious steps to take place between the two men, keeping her balance on one leg only to spare the injured one.

While she didn't clear the air, at least Mira had the merit to concentrate their attention on her.

- You don't like each other, we know it! No need to make a scene. Laxus, it's normal for Gajeel to be upset, she added.

To the glare Laxus was giving her, she continued.

- Gajeel, it's not Laxus' fault... and I think it would be best to keep this whole thing silent, she said, begging the young man and her friend to not talk about what happened.

They could feel an unpleasant tension in the room. Levy was the one to break the silence after a moment.

- Mira, what's happening? Asked the troubled blue haired girl.

- It only concerns Laxus, she said before the later could react again. I can assure you, he did nothing wrong, she added to their questioning looks. I'm sorry you got involved in this mess.

- Mira... Started Levy worried for those whom she knew for years.

- Everything's gonna be fine, Mira said with her famous smile to reassure her, knowing Laxus would hate that act. Please, don't tell M. Makarov.

***

Levy wasn't convinced by Mira. Everything was clearly not fine. She also knew the respect and admiration the young receptionist had for the hostel's owner. Hiding something from him was definitely suspicious. But whatever was the trouble Laxus was in, Levy had to respect their choice.

Against her will, she agreed to let go. Levy give a look at Gajeel. Seeing his murderous glare still pointed on Makarov's grandson, she knew he didn't understood the gravity of the situation and the pain Laxus seemed to have. Insensitive idiot, she thought, sighing. She barely knew Laxus, and even was a little afraid of him, but she also was aware that Mira was worried about him. And that was enough for Levy.

- Let's go Gajeel, she said in a resigned voice.

- What? No way we're letting him have it that easy after what happened! He began to complain, getting dangerously closer to Laxus, his fist raised.

On his behalf, Laxus responded without hesitation to the provocation and was ready to counterattack. Not thinking, the young woman took place in front of Gajeel, getting in his way.

- Scram shrimp! He barked with frustration for her getting in the confrontation.

- Let's go Gajeel, she repeated with a firm voice, way stronger than what she ever thought she could do.

Gajeel seemed to be in a painful internal dilemma between listening to his fists, like always, or letting go for once. Against all odds, he finally capitulated, lowering his arm and slamming the door on the way out. Levy let out a sigh of relief.

- I don't know if you know what you're doing Mira, but I'll trust you.

She did a couple of steps to get out of the apartment, then turned to add a last precision.

- One of those guys threatened to kill the next person who goes there before the two weeks are over. Just make sure no one else goes there by mistake.

On that note, she closed, with much more gentleness than Gajeel, the door behind her. For listening to his never-ending complains on Makarov's "stupidity" for offering him an apartment across Laxus', she knew he lived on the other side of the hall. Anyway, if she had any doubts left an instant before, the slamming sound of a second door confirmed the location of Gajeel's apartment.

- Can I come in? She asked while the hot-tempered man answered without making the effort of hiding his frustration.

- Tsss...

Gajeel let the door open, probably to let her in, hoped Levy. He didn't wait for her reaction and when back on his couch. She was surprised to see how clean the place was compared to his neighbour's, but she hadn't have the occasion to say any comment. When she arrived in the living room, she had to concentrate to not burst in laugh seeing him petting a black cat. He seemed to be evacuating his frustration each time his hand passed on the poor thing to the point Levy was wondering how it was still alive. Apparently, it was not the small cat's opinion and he was happily purring.

- He's cute! She said about the feline.

- He's not cute! He's a real cat!

Levy raised her eyes to the sky, not the least impressed by Gajeel's childish reaction and sat next to him, petting the cat as well. After a moment, she felt his surprised look on her.

- What?

- Normally he only lets me near him! He said, a childish smile on his face.

- Are you sure you're not the one not letting others near him? She teased.

- Pfffff, he sulked again.

This time, Levy knew he wasn't sincere. When she heard his stomach growl, surprise she though with sarcasm, she started to laugh for good.

- Come here, I'll make you something to eat.

- You're at my place shrimp...

- What? It's not a normal thing to take over other's kitchen? She faked to be offended. If that's the case, I'll have to talk to a certain someone!

- Gihi! You're not even able to cook at your place! And you think you'll be able to handle my kitchen?

For an instant, she stared at him, searching for a good retort. She found none and stuck her tongue out before running in the kitchen's direction. She wasn't able to go far though before being caught by the giant and thrown on his shoulder.

- Let go of me! She screamed laughing.

- Gihi! Hands off my kitchen, he said searching in his refrigerator as if she wasn't struggling to get off. If you liked the pasta of last time, prepare yourself to be swept off your feet... even more than now, gihi!

- You're such a dumbass! She shouted, knowing that even with the insult, she wasn't able to hide another burst of laugh.

***

In the following days, Mira tried to act normal. Even if her leg was still painful, she could move more and more without her crutches to the point she barely needed them. Sometimes, when she was about to lose her balance or seem to be in too much pain, Laxus was quickly giving her a hand, not hiding his annoyance, and disappeared again, barking orders, especially to Natsu like always. As for Levy, Gajeel never far from her even if they seemed to be constantly bickering, she was giving Mira brief worried looks to check if everything was fine. To those, Mira always answered with a radiant smile.

Every day was longer than the other for Mira and the worry she felt for him was constantly growing. However, the time flew way to fast to her taste and, without even noticing, the two weeks delay was over.

There you go! Good thing the girls were there. Otherwise, Laxus' apartment would've be seriously damaged ;) Please share your thoughts with a comment! :)

Have a nice day! Lily xx