For the fanfic requests... Some Mirafreed, please? If you need a prompt, how about "comfort" or "matchmaking"? You can choose^^'
The take-over mage was wiping the already pristine countertop of Fairy Tail's bar for the upteenth time, her hand never stopping the motion despite her mind being elsewhere.
Her gaze was fixated on a corner of the guildhall, vacant save for the lone figure sitting at one of the tables, a place she knew guild members moved to whenever darkness consumed their minds and the bitter liquid in the mugs she brought no longer chased away the demons consuming their thoughts.
She glanced behind her at Laki, who had volunteered to help out during the morning rush and due to Mira still recovering from her injuries.
The event that had come to be called the 'battle of Fairy Tail' had passed with no major casualties, destroyed buildings had been restored, injured guild members treated and peace returned.
However, for those with conflicted minds and turbulent emotions, their demons had stayed.
Being a take over mage specializing in that department, Mira thought she would be a little better in that.
But ever since that fateful battle between Freed and her, she realized she could not just take over a demon's body and make it her own. She had to confront the demons plaguing her thoughts as well and she had Freed to thank for that realization she'd tried running away from since Lisanna's death.
Grabbing a tray she'd places two cups on, Mirajane excused herself from Laki and walked out from behind the counter, slowly approaching the brooding rune master.
Freed's demon enchantment had been powerful, almost on par with her Satan Soul.
She remembered Freed's words during their fight.
"Only a demon can best a demon."
Mirajane stopped short behind Freed, gently set the tray down on the table and pulled her own chair out opposite of the green haired mage.
Freed didn't outwardly aknowledge her but she could see his shoulders subtly tense at her presence.
Mirajane smiled, pushing the cup of tea closer to him, "I thought you'd like some tea."
Freed still didn't look at her, "Thank you." his voice was low but polite, as if he didn't want to be too loud in case he attracted attention.
Mirajane's soft smile remained, wrapping her hands around her own cup, waiting patiently for the man to start speaking at his own pace. She learned that being patient could go a long way in encouraging people to open up about difficult topics.
Thankfully, Freed seemed to appreciate the sentiment.
"I want to formally apologize for our battle."
The take over mage blinked in surprise, not quite expecting that to be the first thing he said, she smiled and looked at his hair obscuring his face, "Then I'd like to apologize as well."
Finally, Freed turned his head, eyes widened, "Why would you? I was the one that injured your friends and your brother." she could see a storm of powerful emotions in his eyes and Mirajane couldn't blame him avoiding company.
"Yes but...we injured your comrades too. We both hurt each-other despite being on the same side." she sighed, taking a small sip of her tea.
Freed frowned, staring down at his own cup, seemingly lost in thoughts.
Until he spoke again, his voice even quieter than before, "Have you...ever felt darkness within yourself? When you use your Take-Over magic?" Mira looked at him, waiting for him to continue speaking, "During our battle, while I used the forbidden spell...I felt as if the dark magic consumed my thoughts and being and... warped me."
Fairy Tail's white haired beauty smiled sadly, seeing her blurry reflection in the dark tea, "I understand, I felt the same after...after I first used my magic. I defeated the demons only to become a demon myself."
Freed remained quiet for a while, until Mirajane suddenly felt warmth on her own hand and looked up, vibrant green eyes staring into her own accompanied by a soft smile, "You could never become a demon." he squeezed her hand meaningfully and she understood his words, smiling and wiping a stray tear from her eye.
They sipped their tea in comfortable silence, the smiles on their lips brightening the previously dark corner of the guild hall.