I Love Him

[X782, Magnolia]

— Mirajane Strauss —

"So this is where you were?"

The voice barely registered in Mirajane's mind as she sat atop the high hill overlooking Magnolia. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her knees, her head buried between them. 

The events of the previous day played over and over in her mind like a never-ending nightmare. Lisanna almost died. Elfman almost died. All because of her. Her breath hitched as her eyes started stinging with tears.

 It had only been a day since they'd returned from that disastrous mission. Her siblings could have died. Everyone else tried sympathizing but no one really understood. 

'All because of a stupid S-Class mission.'

Mirajane's thoughts were bitter, filled with self-loathing. She'd been reckless and arrogant. Thinking she finally caught up to Dannis just because she's now S-Class. But as always, she's still so utterly weak. She'd put Lisanna and Elfman in harm's way, and it was only thanks to Mystogan and Dannis that they were still alive.

She tightened her grip around her legs, as if trying to hold herself together, but it didn't work. Nothing could stop the guilt from consuming her.

Dannis's voice broke through again, this time clearer as he took a seat beside her on the grassy hill.

"Elfman locked himself in his room," he said quietly. "He's not eating or drinking, and hasn't spoken with anyone. Everyone's worried about him."

Mirajane didn't respond. Her gaze was fixed on the view before her, the town of Magnolia spread out like a painting. The familiar rooftops, the bustling streets, the sound of laughter and life drifting up to her from below. Normally, the sight of it would fill her with warmth. 

Yet today, all it did was make her feel worse. She couldn't face the guild right now, couldn't face her friends. She didn't deserve to.

Dannis continued, undeterred by her silence. "He's probably still feeling guilty, Mira. The only one who could get him out of his funk is you."

Mirajane's shoulders tensed, and she finally lifted her head, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked at Dannis, who kept his gaze to the view below them.

"But it's all my fault." she finally burst out. "If it wasn't for Mystogan, Lisanna could have died. If it wasn't for you, Elfman could have died!"

Her voice cracked as she spoke, the emotions that she had a tight grip on now being released. Her hands trembled as she clenched them into fists, her nails digging into her palms. The image of Lisanna's limp body, pale and covered in blood, being launched away from the Beast's fist. It was something that would forever be ingrained in her mind. She had to fight the urge to throw up.

Dannis listened quietly. When she finished, he spoke again, his voice low and steady.

"You could have died as well," he pointed out. "This wasn't anyone's fault. You should know by now that S-Class missions are much more dangerous than your usual jobs. The risks, the stakes… this is something you need to get used to if you want to be a proper S-Class mage."

She winced, her gaze dropping to the grass at her feet. He was right, of course. She'd known going in that S-Class missions were dangerous, that the risks were high. But knowing it and experiencing it were two very different things. The reality of it had been far more terrifying than she'd expected.

Dannis leaned back, resting his palms on the grass behind him as he gazed out at the horizon. "You almost died. Your siblings almost died. But is wallowing in self-pity really what you want to do for the rest of the day?"

Mirajane didn't respond right away. His words stung, not because they were cruel, but because they were true. She had been wallowing, drowning in her guilt and self-blame. But what else could she do? She'd failed as an older sister, failed as a Fairy Tail mage. She wasn't strong enough to protect them.

Dannis's next words cut through her thoughts like a knife.

"Lisanna's okay, you know," he said, his tone softening slightly. "No one blames you. Lisanna's already back on her feet after being healed by Porlyusica, and she's back at the guild, laughing with everyone. She's not angry with you."

Mirajane's breath hitched again. 

Dannis turned his head to look at her. "You're the She-Devil of Fairy Tail," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The Mira I know always bounces back whenever she's found herself knocked down. So come on. Elfman really needs his sister right now."

Mirajane's heart ached at the mention of Elfman. Her little brother… he'd been so strong during the battle, pushing himself to the limit to protect Lisanna and her. And now, he was suffering alone because he thought he'd failed. Just like she did.

Dannis continued. "I've made plenty of mistakes myself. It happens. All that matters is that everyone walked out of it okay and can learn from it. That's what friends are for, Mira. You'd do the same thing for me, wouldn't you? You'd bail me out when I'm acting stupid."

Mirajane sniffled. He was right. Of course he was. 

Dannis reached out and placed a hand over her shoulder, squeezing gently. "You don't have to do it alone," he said softly. "We're all here for you. For Elfman too. But he needs his sister right now more than anyone."

Mirajane blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over again as she took a deep breath. Dannis' words were exactly what she needed to hear, a mixture of comfort and tough love. He didn't sugarcoat the truth, but he also didn't let her sink into despair. 

For a moment, the two of them sat in silence, the gentle breeze rustling the grass around them. Mirajane stared out at Magnolia. Slowly, she began to realize that Dannis was right. Sitting here, wallowing in her own self pity, wasn't going to help anyone. Least of all Elfman.

She had to be strong. Not just for herself, but for her brother.

Taking a deep breath once more, Mirajane finally found the courage to speak, her voice quiet but steady. "You're right," she admitted. "I won't and can't do anything from here. I finally get what you told me a long time ago. About where strength really comes from."

Dannis gave her a small, approving nod. "I'm glad it finally got through your thick head."

A soft chuckle emerged from her lips as she looked at him. At that moment, something shifted inside her. For so long, she had always admired Dannis from afar, seeing him as a pillar of strength to lean on and the best friend she never had. He had always been there for her, guiding her, supporting her, even when she didn't deserve it.

And now, as she sat beside him, she realized the truth.

'I love him.'

The realization hit her like one of Gildarts' punches, overwhelming and sudden, yet so painfully obvious in hindsight. How had she not seen it before? The man who had rescued her from a life of misery, who had taught her to control her magic, who had been a constant presence in her life, saving her and her siblings time and time again.

It was him. It had always been him.

But now wasn't the time to tell him. Not when Elfman needed her. Not when her heart was still heavy with the weight of her own mistakes. There would be time for that later.

For now, she had to be the big sister Elfman needed.

With a soft, grateful smile, Mirajane reached out and placed a hand on Dannis's cheek, her thumb gently brushing against his skin before she leaned forward and kissed it. "Thank you, Danny," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

Dannis blinked in surprise, a faint blush creeping up his neck as he stared at her, clearly caught off guard by the gesture. But before he could respond, Mirajane stood up, her resolve firming. She couldn't stay on this hill any longer. Elfman was waiting for her, and she had a duty to fulfill as his sister.

As she turned to leave, Mirajane missed the look of shock that crossed Dannis's face, followed by a small, almost imperceptible smile. He watched her go, his heart fluttering in a way he hadn't expected.

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AN: A short chapter. I really like writing from Mira's perspective. She's a fun character who was sadly sidelined a lot of times in canon.