Mira woke up tired as if she didn't slept at all. Well, it was kind of true. Just like she feared, she had a really light sleep that night because of her pained leg and that, not considering all the times she suddenly woke up by moving her wound in her sleep. She somehow managed to sleep to a certain point because when she opened her eyes, Laxus wasn't in bed anymore. He was sit on it, is back in her direction while looking through the window. He seemed sad, just like on the ferry. He was obviously thinking about yesterday's events and the young woman now knew it was about his father.

Mira hadn't known Laxus's father, but the events seemed recent enough when Makarov took care of her brother and her. Then, Mira wasn't really interested about anything other than own drama. Anyway, she thought, even younger, Laxus never was the kind of guy to talk, so things would probably have been the same. She sighed. Ignoring the pain, she lifted herself up and made a couple of hesitant steps, using the bed as support. Laxus was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice her approaching. When she placed a hand on his shoulder, he turned to her. His face seemed to say "since when are you up?" Then his traits went neutral again, taking his stare back to the window.

- How are you feeling? Asked Mira worried.

- You're the one that got shot, he said diverting the question. How do you feel?

- I'm okay, she answered with a smile.

- You should sit with that leg, he said keeping that sober tone he was using since the beginning of the discussion.

His eyes were still aiming outside, not looking something in particular. There was nothing to look at anyway.

- I'm okay... really, don't worry! Answered Mira. And anyway, it doesn't hurt that much! She lied, taking her characteristic joyful tone.

- Tssss.

Instead of the reaction of relief she was hoping for, he turned back, finally taking his burning look from the window.

- Aren't you sick of faking?

She definitely wasn't expecting that. The young woman was staring at Laxus, agape.

- Wh...haaat? She finally managed to say.

- You know dawn right what I'm saying. Your constant smile, your fake joy. It's obvious it huts like hell! Damn it! I heard you turning all night Mira.

When he saw she wasn't about to retort, he continued.

- Last night, I saw the true Mirajane. If you're always that happy, why did you learn to fight like that?

- Can't a girl simply like martial arts?

- If that was the case, you wouldn't have hid it, right?

The white haired girl was caught off guard. She always thought Laxus was ignorant to what anyone could feel. And there he did just, in only a few hours in her company, pierced the shell she forged around herself since her sister's death.

- Whatever, he concluded. You don't have to do that.

A tear crossed he cheek. She haven't cried in front of anyone in six years. How that egocentric guy did just manage to make her react that way? He may not be that self-centred after all.

Within a minute, Mira could swear she saw a smile in the corner of his lips when he noticed the tear. Normally, Mira would've think of him as an insensitive man, but she now knew it wasn't the case. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, she knew he was slowly stating to let go. He dried the tear with his thumb then stood up as if nothing just happened.

- Pick up your stuff, we're leaving.

- What stuff? She sneakered, looking with disgust to her still blood covered clothes.

Laxus was also wearing the same t-shirt from which a sleeve was missing. When the blond man understood she probably didn't had time to pack anything when his sneaky grandfather send her to his pursuit, he let out an annoyed smile. He searched his bag before throwing a pair of joggings at her face.

- It's twice my size! Exclaimed Mira.

- Put a hair elastic on it or something! Unless you want to keep those on? He added pointing her soiled and pierced pants.

Mira went to the bathroom, put on the sports pants and tightened the exceeding fabric with her hair elastic. "The look is horrible", she laugh at herself, contemplating in the mirror. Oh well, like Laxus said, it was way better than her own pants... or at least what was remaining of it. After rolling the bottom of the pants, she got out of the washroom.

- Oh! She whispered to herself seeing that Laxus had taken of his shirt to put another, non-ripped, one.

Okay... she already knew Laxus was well built, but, how could she put it... it was way better seeing than guessing.

- Got a problem? He asked in front of her blank look.

- No, she lied. My leg's just a little sore.

- Its normal when walking without your crutches like you are, he criticised.

On that note, he turned back to pick a clean shirt. Jeez, thought Mira, his back is not half bad either... Oh would you calm down! She reprimanded herself. Determined to not be interrogated anymore on her currant train of thoughts, she went to her crutches and pretended to wait for him.

- Took you long enough! She teased him.

- Shut up Mira.

***

Levy was shitting with her book at one of the cafeteria tables. However, she barely had time to read a few pages before her two best friends, Jet and Droy, met with her. They weren't really Fairy Tail employees. Being delivery men, their round was three times a week to refill the kitchen's refrigerators. Oddly, they most of the time managed to eat lunch with her even the days they didn't have any delivery at the hostel. The blue haired girl was listening to them narrating an anecdote from their last delivery when M. Makarov placed a hand on her shoulder, startling her.

- Hello M. Makarov!

- Hi Levy! Sorry for scaring you.

- No bother, she reassured him.

- Can I ask you a favor? He demanded.

- Of course! What is it?

- I need you to recover one of our cars in Hargeon.

- Hargeon! Exclaimed Levy. It's a four hour drive from here! Why is it that far?

- Mira and Laxus when there for... business. They had an accident and Mira was wounded. They only could bring on of the two cars back.

- Mira? How is she? She pressed him with questions, worried.

- She fine now, he simply said. So? Can I count on you?

- Sure!

- You should bring someone with you. Both of them seemed quiet about their trip and I'm worried it could be dangerous.

She could read in Makarov's eyes something worrisome. And Mira keeping something from M. Makarov? She was sure of one thing, she was better off taking the owner's advice and chose a partner for that job. Makarov was barely done, when her two friends started bickering and begging her to pick one of them as her accompanist.

- Bring me with you Levy! Exclaimed Jet, practically yelling

- No me! Added Droy.

The young woman sighed. Even though she adored them, one like the other, she just hated managing those kind of situations. She already had rejected each and every one of their invitations to dates but neither of them ever let go. What was Makarov thinking by talking about that request in front of them...

- I'll go, settled a hoarse voice Levy was starting to know very well.

No. He would never offer to accompany her. It couldn't really be...

- Gajeel?

- The old man said you should bring someone to keep you safe, right?

She nodded in approbation.

- In that case, you'll have to bring a real man with you if you want your protection to be worth it, he added in a detached tone, glaring at Jet and Droy.

Levy knew they were dying to retort to Gajeel's insult. She also knew they were afraid of Gajeel.

- So you're ready to endure my presence a whole day? She kid him.

- If I must, he growled.

- You volunteered!

- Someone has to get the work done the right way, he complained.

Despite their never-ending bickering, both of them headed for their respective apartment, that to say practically the same direction, to pack their stuff. Better be safe than sorry, thought Levy even if they were supposed to be back tonight. She also took a book to distract herself on the road, but, for the first time in her life, she hope she wouldn't use it. Despite the fact that she wanted to strangle the guy more times than not, she wanted to know more about Gajeel. With a little chance... Maybe they could get to know each other.

Little reference to the Tenro arc when Gajeel offers himself as Levy's partner. And an opportunity for Mira to have a nice peek at Laxus! Hope you liked it!

Lily xx