It is now 6:15 in the evening, the guild is pretty quiet at the time as most of the people have either left or are sprawled on the floor, asleep after drinking too much. Me, Laxus and gramps are the only ones still present and awake with Erza still sleeping on my lap.
"I had a lot of fun today." I muttered while gazing at Erza's sleeping face with a small smile and brushing her hair with my hands.
"Me too." Replied Laxus while gramps just gave a soft smile. He suddenly had a nervous gaze and started fidgeting with his fingers and then asked
"Uh... Ar-are we friends"
"Pffttt, Hahahhaha, you are funny dude"
"You bastard" He shouted with a red face while I continued laughing and gramps also joined me.
Though after some time, he started "Are we?"
"Of course, we are. Also, you are my first friend so I would prefer it if you call me El just like other people close to me. You too gramps"
" Hohoho, sure. I am glad that you consider us close" gramps answered and I just gave him a smile.
While Laxus' reaction was a little overwhelming. Tears started gathering at the corner of his eyes.
"Oye oye come on, are you seriously crying just after I called you my friend. Seriously, that doesn't look good"
" No, it's just that, you are also my first friend" He continued while bawling his eyes out.
I gently rested Erza's head on the couch and made my way towards him after which I took out my handkerchief and wiped his tears. He looked at me with surprise.
" Men shouldn't show tears to the others as it is a sign of weakness" I stated gently and then continued with an amused tone "Though, since you are my friend, you can show weakness in front of me anytime. I will help you out. "
"Hmmm" He hummed while taking the handkerchief from my hands and wiped his tears and snot.
" I guess I should take my leave" I went towards Erza and carefully picked her on my back, careful not to wake her up. Both of them accompanied me to the guild doors.
" Bye bro, see you tomorrow" I put my fist forward towards Laxus and he bumped it with his own "see you, El".
" Bye gramps" I waved at gramps. "Take care on the way kid"
"Sure" and I left with Erza on my back towards our meeting spot.
Halfway across the Cathedral, Erza woke up and groggily looked around to make sense of the surroundings but after seeing me, she calmed down and tightened her hold around me.
"Oh. You woke up sis?" I questioned her while still walking and continued "Did you like the guild?"
"Hmm, everyone was very good to me and big sisters also told me a lot about the guild. It's just that sniff~ I miss the people back at the town" She said with teary eyes and sadness evident in her tone. "I know that we have a better future here. But, I don't like this feeling. I dont want to separate from anyone ever again"
" Me too sis. But it's not like we will never see each other again. When we grow up, we can visit them". It's true, the town's people treated us very well and well, they kinda grew on me.
"Really?" "Really" and then we descended into a comfortable silence.
After a few minutes, she asked quietly "You won't leave me, right brother?". I stopped walking and looked back at her. She was gazing at me with hopeful eyes and her eyes started getting puffy again.
I touched my forehead with hers and answered firmly but with gentle eyes "Yes, I will Never Ever leave you. No matter how much we grow up, or whatever problems come in our life, I will always be with you, You can trust me." and then softly kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you brother" she said with happiness and relief in her voice and then buried her head on my back.
"Love you too sis" I said only loud enough for her to hear and then resumed walking.