Lightening Strikes

A/N: Sorry this has taken forever to write, but exams are the bane of my existence at the moment and with this being the last chapter I kind of wanted it to be some way decent :P Ok...final random facty thing time...erm...its a bad idea to try and walk down three flights of stairs when your eyes have decided that vision is optional? Learnt that one the hard way. Anyways on with the fic...

"Freed you can't proclaim today as a national holiday."

"But Cana, is it not a day for joyous celebration?"

"Well yes but..."

"And has everyone not taken the day off?"

"They have all taken the day off, but..."

"And will there be copious drinking and fun?"

"Of course! But..."

"Then why is today not a national holiday?"

Cana sighed. "Freed, just because Laxus is being released from hospital today doesn't mean everyone in Fiore cares."

"Of course they will care!" Freed huffed, scowling at the card mage. "It is Master Laxus after all. Once again he has defied death and saved the guild!"

"More like get stabbed a bunch of times and scare us all to hell." Bickslow grumbled and his friend shot him a glare. "What?! It's true!"

"He does have a point Freed." Evergreen leaned in patted him on the head. "Sure it'll be fun, but lets not get carried away."

The rune mage crossed his arms and shook his head. "You clearly do not understand the glory of Master Laxus as I do."

It had been a full ten days since Laxus had woken up again and everything was back to normal in the guild. After the initial shock of him coming back and then the aftershock of his movement issues, people went back to doing their various jobs and continuing with their lives. They obviously checked up on him from time to time, but once it was clear that he was going to make an eventual recovery, all of the worry and excitement had left them.

"So what are we going to do for it?" Well...everyone bar a certain white-haired model.

The brunette gave her friend a sly look. "Are you feeling the hype for 'Laxy's' return?"

Mira blushed. "Erm...I guess..." See after the first night she spent sleeping in his hospital bed, the demon had continued to spend almost every waking moment with the Thunder God, although she actually ate and got sleep this time.

Evergreen laughed. "Maybe you'll finally manage to seal the deal."

"W-well...I-I don't want to ruin the occasion..." Her face was redder than Erza's hair by this point. This whole situation was due to the act that despite spending a metric tonne of intimate time with Laxus, there wasn't officially anything happening between them. Sure they shared the bed sometimes and dicked around a lot together in the hospital, but the actual status of them being in a relationship was yet to be achieved.

"Gahhh come on!" Cana groaned, "You guys are pretty much dating already! All you have left to do is to just ask the idiot out on an actual date."

"But what if he says n-..."

"DON'T EVEN PUT ME THROUGH THIS SHIT AGAIN!" Cana roared and pointed a finger at her. "Ok listen up; tonight you are going to go up to his royal dickness and you are going to get him to go out with you. No backing out. No excuses. This is what is going to happen!"

"I...fine." Mira drooped her shoulders and took the seat next to her friend. "There really is no arguing with you on this, is there?"

"Nope." The card mage beamed back. "Besides he clearly likes you."

"Agreed." Freed nodded grudgingly. "As much as I would have preferred it to be me, you were the first person he asked for when he woke up."

The group blinked then looked at him. "He what?"

"Freed...you never told us about this..." Evergreen eyed him warily.

"Until now I had no reason to, but with the events of the past month it has become clear to me that Master Laxus does indeed have feelings for you." He sighed and took a swig of his beer. "Therefore I have no choice but to assist him in getting the partner he desires."

There was a moments silence before Bickslow spoke. "You...sure you're ok with this? We always knew you had a thing for La-..."

"It is for the good of the tribe and him." Freed conceded then smiled. "Besides, Mira would make a great addition to our group."

"That's the spirit!" Bickslow and Cana said in unison and simultaneously hugged him.

"Enough...stop with the hugs..."

"Aww you big softie you!" Cana cooed before the green haired man pushed her away.

Mira smiled. "Well I guess I can't disappoint you all now..."

Evergreen slid in behind her and placed her hands on the model's shoulders. "Of course not. Now; let's go over the plan of attack..."

-At the hospital-

Laxus was just about done with his surroundings. The first few days after waking up had been somewhat bearable because people kept coming to for him to annoy, but after a while everyone got back to their normal lives. Well, most of them. If it hadn't been for Mira he wasn't sure he would have survived the boredom.

"...and forget about doing any quests at all for the next year!" The doctor droned on. Makarov eventually managed to convince his grandson that someone with actual medical experience would be more useful than Erza in a nurse costume.

"Why did I agree not to kill him?" The blonde groaned. "Sure sure. Anything else or can I go now?"

"Erm..." He flicked through his notes. "Nothing that I can...oh, no alcohol for a couple of weeks."

Laxus blinked. "...Come again?"

"The drugs you're taking for the pain may have some negative reactions with alcohol, so I'd recommend that..."

"So its just a recommendation?"

The doctor sighed. "Strictly speaking yes, but..."

"Great, then I don't have to take it."

Shaking his head, the doctor stood up. "Luckily I saw this coming. You have no intention of following any of the things I just told you?" Laxus laughed. "Didn't think so..." Suddenly the door burst open and three figures appeared. "If you won't listen to me, I thought you might listen to them."

"...There are no words for this betrayal." Laxus scowled at his three friends.

Jellal grinned. "Sorry buddy, but I only get to almost kill you once a year."

"I on the other hand can do it whenever I want." Gildarts chipped in, cracking his knuckles.

"And I'm just here as payback for all the nurse jokes." Erza finished with a wink.

When they circled around him, eyes glowing, the Thunder God knew he was beat. "When I get back to full power, and I will soon, you are all going to pay for it."

"Sure about that kid?"

"...all of you except from Gildarts." He corrected himself. "Now can we go? I actually want to get back to that stupid ass guild hall and...damn, I can't believe I actually said that."

"Sure it wasn't your head that took the most damage?" Jellal chuckled before offering his friend a hand up. "Come on; lets go to a pub and get you dancing."

Laxus glared at him. "With what; the no alcohol in my system or the fucked up legs I have?"

"Ahh quit complaining and get moving." Erza laughed. It was true that Laxus had gotten a lot better, but he was still far from what he was before the incident. "Want me to get some crutches?"

"Only if you want me to shove them up your ass." He snorted back before staggering through the door of the room. "I can smell freedom; don't stop me now." As Laxus reached the doorway he turned to the doctor and snarled. "Oh and thanks for sucking all the fun out of my life."

"Just doing my job." The doctor replied before getting back to not caring about him.

As soon as he was out the door the blonde was on the floor. "The hell?!"

"LAAAAAXUS!" Natsu roared, hugging the older dragon slayer.

"MR LAAAAXUS!" Wendy screamed, joining the hug/pile on.

Gray rolled his eyes. "You idiots he's still not great! Get off him now!"

"But he's been released from hospital, that means he's fine." Natsu said, puzzled as usual.

"I...no, know what, yes Natsu, yes it does." Laxus knew better than to argue with the fire eater. "Now get the fuck off me before I show you just how fine I am."

"Play nice now Laxus." Erza chided and helped him back to his feet. "They wanted to come and make sure you were ok."

"And to make sure you don't get owned again." Gray snorted but flinched as he felt the Thunder God's gaze pierce his soul.

"Just because I'm at about 30% power doesn't mean I can't kick 100% of your ass." He rumbled, but Erza elbowed him in the side and he sighed. "Look, I guess I'm trying to say th-...to say thaaa-... trying to say that I am grate...nope, can't do it. You all suck."

Jellal laughed. "He means thanks."

"Yes yes all that crap now lets go! I don't want to spend another minute in this god forsaken place." With that they all headed to the exit.

-Back at the guild-

"Ok ok!" Yelled Makarov, going over the plan for the thirty-seventh time. "So he comes in to find that nobody is here."

"Then he'll do the logical thing that Laxus does; go to the bar and get a beer." Cana continued. "Now he won't know that the beer is laced with sedatives, so when he gets knocked out we'll have to catch him before he falls on the ground and wakes up."

"After that the Thunder God Tribe and I shall move his precious body into the middle of the room and I shall remove the runes placed on the room, revealing the party decorations." Freed finished then squealed. "Ohhh I do hope Master Laxus will be surprised!"

The rest of the guild simply nodded and went to hide in their allocated positions. Well, all except for Mira and Cana. If they weren't both at the bar, one as a bar maid and the other as the resident alcoholic, he would be suspicious. "Cana...are you really sure this will work?"

"Nope." She shrugged and winked at her friend, "But it sure will be fun to give it a shot."

"Um yeah...right. Isn't he a bit late though?"

The brunette looked at her. "Mira the last time we had this conversation things went terribly."

Mira sighed. "I know I know, I chickened out! But I was so nervous and..."

"And he happened to get almost stabbed to death." Cana finished. "Just relax! After a few drinks he'll loosen up and...oh, here they come now!"

All eyes, hidden and unhidden, moved to the door as the group lumbered in. "...Natsu have anyone ever offered to take your brain and study it for science?"

"Erm...no Laxus, why? I mean I still need it for...um...eating and stuff...right?"

"I think you could live without it."

"Gray! That was harsh!"

"Oww! Erza don't hit me so hard!"

"Yeah Erza, don't hit him that hard."

"Hey what the hell Jellal?!"

"Well Erza was hitting you too softly so..."

"Gildarts oww! Christ will you all stop hitting me!"

"Hey Wendy; you know what to do..."

"GOD DAMN IT LAXUS YOU DID NOT JUST GET WENDY TO HIT ME FOR YOU!"

Strolling up to the bar, they sat down in unison and groaned. "Hey Mira; round of beers for everyone except Wendy and Laxus."

"But Gildarts, don't you think..."

"Just gimmie the orders." He commanded and before she knew it, the demon had made the round, served it and they had finished it. "Guys I..."

Jellal wretched after finishing his. "Wow Mira I think the beer...is off...wow..."

All but two of the group collapsed simultaneously, causing Wendy to spring up in surprise and Laxus to burst out laughing. "Oh god wow! This is the best coming home present ever! Hey...ahahaha...hey Wendy; get a marker and go wild."

"Sure thing Mr Lax-..." She was halted before she could stand up by Cana.

"God dammit Laxus the one time you decide not to drink..." The card mage sighed and glared at her currently unconscious father.

"By the way where is everyone? Are they...no. No! No this isn't some sort of shitty..."

Makarov knocked his grandson out before he could finish. "...His request still stands Wendy..."

"MASTER!" Mira yelled and the tiny man began hauling all the unconscious members into the marked centre of the room.

-A few hours later-

"...so I'm sitting there watching her eat these stupid ass cupcakes, and then she's like 'You're not technically dead'."

"Wait, so when we go to limbo, Mavis will be there waiting for us?"

"Well she was for me Mira. You might have someone less cool like Macao or someone."

The model laughed at the thought of it, despite Macao yelping when he heard the comment. As parties went, this one was somewhat of a success. Laxus had been the first to wake up again, and so took it upon himself to drink as much as possible before his caretakers stopped him. He got through approximately 4.6 beers before Gildarts, the first to wake up, quickly steered him to the toilets and forced him to vomit everything back up with the help of a few stomach punches.

"Still...what made you want to come back here?"

Laxus was taken aback for a moment. "W-Well the guild of course. I couldn't leave it to the defence of you idiots now could I?"

"Oh...I see." Mira looked down. After the vomiting was over there was cake and cookies for all. Well, at least there was for Erza, who refused to let anyone eat them. This was then followed by everyone getting progressively drunk and dancing worse and worse, which was a standard theme of all Fairy Tail parties these days. That and Natsu picking fights with everyone. Those beating were fun for Laxus to watch.

|"God dammit Laxus why can't you just tell her!" The Thunder God took a sip of his coke and swallowed hard. Since everyone had pretty much forgotten about him, Mira had taken it upon herself to keep him company. Of course this totally was totally pre-planned by Cana and everyone to set them up, but to Laxus it simply seemed like she was being the good person she usually was. And with that in mind, he decided that this was the night when he told her how he felt. "I came back for...other reasons..."

"L-Like what?" Mira's mind was ablaze with conflict. On the one hand, everyone had convinced her that Laxus and her were definitely meant for each other, while on the other hand what he said before had shaken her confidence. "He doesn't mean me. He can't mean me."

"Um..." Indeed this was the only time in history that the great Laxus Dreyar was having trouble with his words. "Well there was Wendy. She's a sweet kid and I like taking care of her..."

"Told you Mira, it was never going to be you."

"Gramps is the same, except he's old and he sucks. Still, I guess he's sort of cool at times..."

"Nope, see its not you. Not at all."

"Freed and the others obviously. Never leave a bro behind is a thing..."

"Oh screw it, what does it even matter anyway?! Might as well just go ahead and say it to shut them all up."

"...And I guess there's yo-..."

"Laxus I like you."

The Master of Emotions was stunned. "Y-Y-You fucking what?"

"As in I really like you and I've liked you for a while since you're really cool and secretly a nice guy." The demon blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Mira...I didn't..."

She put a finger over his lips to silence him. "I should have told you ages ago but I've always put it off. Then you almost died and I..." Mira looked away as she began to tear up. "You're not going anywhere right?"

"Mira..."

"Right?!" She looked him in the eyes, waiting for a reply.

A grin finally spread across his lips. "No, no I'm not. I'm never leaving you aga-..."

"Good!" Mira cut him off with a kiss. She'd heard everything she needed to hear. As she felt the sparks dance across her lips, all her fears and doubts melted away into nothing. He was there. That's all that mattered to her.

For Laxus, this was a dream come true. Sure he was shocked for the first few moments, but after that he found himself in a world of bliss. "By god I made the right choice..."

"Oi lovebirds!" The pair broke apart and spun to find the rest of the guild giving them amused looks. "May you should..."

Immediately the guild hall disintegrated as lightening fell from the heavens. "ANYONE THINKING OF MAKING A SMUG COMMENT TRY IT! I FUCKING DARE YOU TO TRY IT!"

Gildarts naturally stepped up to the mark. "Well I guess we know that Pikachu is her favourite Pokémon..."

The three seconds of laughter shared by the guild almost made up for Mira's subsequent beatings. Almost.

A/N: It's done! Haha sorry this last chapter took a while, just exam season hit and I had exams to take and then celebrate. I'm genuinely surprised I managed to survive this one... Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this fic. As always, read, review and recommend :)