Just wanted to wish you all happy holidays and a great new year. So even though I said that I was going to try to post every week I am still late, sorry. So I made this chapter extra long. Like I think 1000 words over the longest chapter. So I hope you can forgive me for posting late. Love you all and I hope you enjoy this chapter, I personally love the idea of Lucy being friends with the thunder legion although I did find it a little hard to write this chapter.
Laxus walked into the guild late with slightly mixed feelings. He dreaded having to do paper work all day, although being able to tease the 'She-devil' might make that a bit more tolerable. And at least he had a certain celestial mage to think about all day. Then again the more he thought about her the more he wanted to murder Natsu, how could he and even the rest of his 'team' treat her like that? He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts while heading toward the bar to get something to eat before he locked himself upstairs in his office for the rest of the day.
"Good morning Laxus!" Mira-Jane smiled brightly, she gave a smile in return before sitting down in-front of the bar. "The usual?" Laxus hummed in acceptance. "Master has some paper wo-"
"Yeah I know." Laxus sigh cutting off the eldest Strauss. She didn't seem to mind though as she went about preparing his breakfast and setting a cup of coffee in-front of him.
"Well on the up-side you should be able to get back to going on missions on a more regular basis once Lisanna and Kinana start working more." Mira smiled "That way I can take more paperwork off yours and the masters hands." Laxus nodded as she set a plate of bacon and eggs before the lightning mage. "There ya go."
"Thanks Mira." He smiled sipping at his coffee. "It will be nice to go on longer missions again." She nodded. He could tell she too knew that he hated sitting in a chair for hours signing off on paperwork from other members destruction of things.
"So long as you're not gone too long that you forget where your true family is again." She spoke with a hint of sadness. Laxus frowned knowing that she was referencing his previous expulsion from the guild.
"Yeah, I know Mira. I'm still sorry." She placed one of her hands on his with a smile. She shook her head, a gesture meaning that all was forgiven. It seemed strange to think that even after that Mira could forgive him. Then again she was Mira-Jane Strauss, other than the Thunder Legion she was among two mages at the guild that he even considered friends, the other being Cana. He smiled lightly at the gesture. Mira was always understanding even when it wasn't deserved, this had been something that made her able to connect with him when he had been younger.
"Well, What are you planning with your day after all your work?" Laxus shrugged, really he had no idea. He knew that Lucy would be taking a job with Gray today and most likely wouldn't be back for a few days. What would he do normally? Well normally he would go out with Bix, but that would probably end in bad decisions. His thoughts were interrupted by the other mage. "Oh, also a little birdie told me that you have a new friend." She grinned.
Just like that the Dragon slayer went from being grateful for Mira-Jane to absolutely terrified of her.
"Already? Thought the peace would have stayed at least a little longer than two days." Laxus hummed in thought at the wicked smile Mira was sporting. Just how much of the guild knows? "Well I'm gonna take this upstairs, See ya Mira." He grabbed his plate and coffee hoping to escape the demons wrath with the excuse of paperwork. Slipping away he gave a slight wave towards Mira and slipping behind some other member praying that if he pushed them closer to her she may be distracted.
"Laxus, do you need help carrying that?" Turning to see Freed standing before him with a slight smile.
"Well if you really want to help then I suppose but I am not doing much today." Freed nodded taking the plate from him.
"Upstairs?" Freed asked already heading that way.
"Yeah, to the office." The short walk up the stairs and into the office in the far corner of the building that had been deemed as 'laxus' office' was quiet. "Not sure how much you can do for me, just paperwork that Gramps tossed onto me."
"I could always forge your signature." Freed's offer sounded tempting but if he did he was sure the old geezer would know. Laxus shook his head.
"Nah, just keep me from getting board." Freed nodded.
"So how was your evening last night?" Laxus snorted.
"Freed not you too." Laxus sigh and folded his arms over his chest. "For your information last night was just fine. And if you even consider mentioning it to Ever I will murder you." The lightning mage pulled out a pen and the top sheet of whatever bull shit he had to sign off. "Besides I don't see how it is any of your business anyways."
Freed smiled softly. "Just looking out for you is all." Freed chuckled, "I didn't mean anything malicious by it. I am glad you and Miss Heartfilia had a good time last night." Freed sat across the room and pulled out a book. "Although I don't see how hiding your date yesterday from Evergreen will do you any good. She is bound to find out sooner or later, and she will be pissed if you don't tell her."
"Well maybe I-" A knock at the door interrupted Laxus, and silently he thanked who ever was on the other side of the door. Had they been any later he may have lost his temper, and while he did grow frustrated with everyone in the Thunder Legion at times he never had the intent to yell at any of them. Not any more at least. Taking a moment to regain his calm he sigh. "Come in."
The door opened to reveal Levy, "Um, I hate to interrupt. But have either of you seen Lucy?" Both men looked to the solid script mage. "I-I don't mean anything, other than that Erza said I should ask you, Laxus. Before we all get into a panic over not seeing her today."
"Last time I saw her was last night, sorry. Did you ask Gray? He was supposed to take her out on a mission." The girl shook her head.
"That's why everyone is asking. He asked me and Gajeel if we saw her because she was late." Freed and Laxus both frowned at that.
"Did you check her apartment?" Freed questioned quietly. "Maybe she isn't feeling well and you should check there."
"Gray tried. He didn't see her." Levy frowned. "And Wendy wasn't able to smell her, she thinks that she left early this morning."
Laxus frowned. "If Wendy thinks she left then she must be fine, Lucy is a big girl and she can handle herself." They really didn't trust her to do anything did they? He sigh. Levy nodded and turned before closing the door behind her. But what if she was right? What if something had happened to Lucy? Freed must have caught where his mind was going because he stood up and closed his book.
"Since you are busy with your paperwork would you like me to go check on her?" There was nothing mocking about it, Laxus sigh and rock back in his chair. If he let Freed do that wasn't he nothing but a hypocrite? "I know what your thinking." Freed frowned. Laxus looked up and scowled. "Laxus, just because you want to let her have some independence doesn't mean that you need to leave her completely to herself." Laxus sigh and Freed smiled lightly. "Think of it this way, she is your friend before anything else, Yes?"
"Yeah." Laxus leaned back in his chair.
"I would think that Mira-Jane is also your friend?" Laxus gave a slight nod. "Would you be concerned if Mira-Jane simply disappeared when she was supposed to go on a job then?"
"First of all Mira doesn't go on jobs anymore. And if she did I am sure that if she went missing Erza would be there." Freed rolled his eyes at Laxus trying to deny his point.
"Fine then, what about Cana?" Laxus stopped at that, Freed grinned lightly because he knew he had won. Laxus and Cana may have had their fair share of fights yet Cana was always forgiving and helpful. Freed knew that Laxus often went to Cana to discuss things he needed a female opinion for when he didn't want Mira's teasing or Evergreen's yelling.
"Yeah, well it's not like I have time to go check on the blondie." The lightning dragon slayer gestured to the stack of papers beside him.
"That is why I offered to go for you Laxus." the blonde man sigh and leaned back shaking his head, pulling the top paper down from the stack he started back on his work.
"She is probably fine." freed nodded and fell silent returning to his own book. The two sat in silence for a few minutes and Freed frowned as he could swear he could hear the gears turning as Laxus thought. He knew that his earlier statement was still working its way through his friends mind. So with a smirk he started keeping track of the time.
Laxus frowned re-reading the same sentence for the 7th time. Would she be okay? She was so excited about the mission last night, she wouldn't just ditch it now would she? He shook his head lucy was strong. Starting the sentence over again he sigh. But what if it was Cana? He frowned and straightened up shuffling the papers again. "Hey Freed?"
The rune mage looked up and then glanced at a clock. It had been 7 minutes, he held back a chuckle. "Yes Laxus?"
"Could you please?" The two made eye contact for a moment. Freed nodded.
"Yes, I can." The green haired mage smiled. The smile was half returned by his friend as he headed for the door.
Leaving the guild Freed thought of places he may find the blonde celestial mage, he hummed already knowing that her apartment was empty. He started walking before he had realized where he was going. Before long he found himself in South Gate Park. glancing around with a bit of hope, he had heard the rumours about lucy coming here when she was upset and hoed that luck was with him today. Scanning the mostly empty park he frowned until he saw it, on one of the staircases leading down to the park was a shock of blonde hair. He slowly made his way closer, so this is where she had gone.
Approaching her found the girl sitting on the steps with her knees tucked into her chest and her arms wrapped around them with her face buried in her arms. He frowned, the way she was curled in on herself, she looked so fragile. "Lucy?" He stepped closer but still kept himself a few feet away from the girl. "Are you feeling alright?" A head shake but no verbal response. "Alright then, I can understand that. May I sit down with you?" Silence. Freed knew that she was trying to make up her mind so he started to count. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven-
Seven seconds and there was a gentle nod. Releasing a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding he sat next to her on the stairs, making sure his movements were slow, deliberate. He didn't want to startle her. "I hope you don't mind me asking but, is there a reason you are here all alone?" She shook her head. Freed frowned then slowly her head raised up from where it had been laying against her knees.
"Freed?" He turned.
"Yes?" She frowned. "What is it?" She shook her head.
"Never mind." She set her head down again. "Sorry, I probably look like a mess don't I?" The rune mage shook his head and held out a handkerchief so she could wipe away her tears. "Thanks." She whispered.
"It's quite alright Lucy." He glanced towards her. "Say, I know you are most likely not feeling the best but would you like to go out and do something?"
Slightly shocked Lucy stared at Freed. "I am probably not very good company." She leaned back and looked up. "Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? You have done no wrong. Besides I bet you are far better company than Evergreen." Freed stood and dusted off himself. "So what would you like to do?" Lucy stared in awe. She smiled slightly.
"Can we go get ice-cream?" Lucy quickly slapped her hand over her mouth, she hadn't intended to actually ask him. It's just that it would be so great to have ice-cream right now, and going alone would suck. "Sorry, that sounds foolish, I just-"
"Ice-cream does sound nice right about now doesn't it? Alright. I will assume you know a good place?" The rune mage smiled while offering her his hand. "I trust you have good taste."
Accepting his help the blonde stood. "You really don't have to go do anything with me Freed." Freed shook his head.
"Nah, you got me thinking about ice-cream now. So that's it, we are going to get ice-cream." She nodded.
"If you insist, there is a place in the center of town that is really good." Freed nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. So she did taking him down side streets rather quietly. He followed slowly letting her sort out her thoughts. The walk was silent and Freed found himself looking the blonde over, she wasn't physically hurt, no she was simply upset. He found himself comparing her two another blonde mage he knew. Perhaps he had to rethink his strategy to cheek the girl up, now that he considered it she was not like Evergreen who went crying to the nearest person when upset, and she wasn't like Bixslow who simply avoided his issues for as long as possible. No, she was more like Laxus. She had secluded herself, but the moment that someone approached her she pretended nothing was wrong. Indeed she was just like him in that regard. So then Freed would deal with the Celestial mage the same way that he would the Lightning mage.
"So Lucy?" He asked quietly. She hummed in acknowledgement. "You don't have to tell me but I am curious, what has someone so calm such as yourself in this state." She stared at Freed dumbfounded.
"What does it matter to you?" She snapped and looked away, Freed almost chuckled. Indeed she is just like Laxus, just as quick to become defensive and irritated when angry.
"Nothing really, but we are family. Both members of Fairy Tail so to state it simply, I am worried." Freed smiled. "But if you don't want to talk about it I can respect that. So what flavour of ice-cream were you planning to have?"
Lucy shrugged. "I was just planning to decide based on what looks good once I am there." Freed nodded. "What about you. Oh! Wait I want to try and guess it." She had spun around to face him while walking backwards. "Let's see. Vanilla seems too obvious, afterall you may like order but you are not boring. Then again everything else seems like it is too- too not you." She stopped. "Sorry that must sound rude, I didn't mean to imply that you are boring or anything."
Freed laughed. "No, it is fine. I find it amusing to know what people think of me."
"Eh? Really?" Lucy grinned. That started them on how Lucy thought that he was a bit strange and uptight the first time they met, but the conversation was cut short by the two mages reaching the ice-cream shop. Stepping inside it was only a matter of time before the two sat at a table with and ice-cream cone in hand. Lucy grinned. "There is nothing like strawberry ice-cream." Freed hummed. "I still can't believe you got Vanilla." She giggles slightly, "I mean I knew you were kinda boring but really? This takes the cake."
Freed grinned. "I guess I am kinda boring sometimes aren't I?"
Lucy shook her head. " Hey, someone has to be. Besides I like you just the way you are." She smiled brightly.
The smile she got in return made her happy. "Thank you Lucy." The smile he gave her also made her frown a bit. Everyone in Fairy Tail was so nice, they were family. He wanted to help her.
"It's Natsu." Lucy said quietly leaning back in her chair. "He broke into my house last night." She frowned. "It's obvious he wants nothing to do with me now that he has this new perfect girlfriend. So why?" She teared up slightly. "Why does he have to keep bothering me? Can't he just go be happy with her?" She rubbed at her eyes, and she sniffled. "I-I'm sorry I am just so angry, I want to be over this but it's hard. H-he was my best friend, I just I want him to at least realize that things aren't going to be the same anymore." Freed nodded slightly. "He has a girlfriend now. He can't just break into my place. I may not be happy about their relationship, but I don't want him to hurt her." Freed nodded as the Celestia mage brushed away stray tears. "So-Sorry this really isn't your problem. I shouldn't be crying over this."
Freed shook his head. "We are family. Part of something bigger, and there is always going to be someone to look out for you. So I will do all that I can to help you." He smiled. "So please don't cry." Lucy wiped away the tears with her sleeve.
"Thanks Freed but I don't think you could do much, no matter what Natsu will find a way to break in." Freed hummed and then looked at her.
"If you would like I could write runes around your house to keep him out." He looked at her, if a few hours of easy work would make her feel better the rune mage could definitely manage that. "Only if you would like though."
"Wow Freed! You would really do that for me?" Yeah, that smile was worth it, he could see now why everyone in the guild loved her so much. He nodded. "When do you think you could set them up? What do I owe you?" Freed laughed.
"You don't owe me anything. I can set them up as soon as you wish." Freed leaned back. Lucy grinned having just finished her ice cream she stood up and grabbed hold of Freed.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" The two wasted not time with Lucy practically running down the streets of Magnolia. And so before long the Blonde was sitting on her bed while Freed moved a few things to make it easier.
"How would you like me to set them up? Who would you like them to apply to? Everyone or just Natsu?" Freed tilted his head in curiosity. "Would you like them to keep him from entering completely or simply only when he does not have permission?" Lucy leaned back thinking.
"How about permission based, and just Natsu. After all if Erza tried to get in and couldn't she might stangle me when I come out." She frowned at the thought.
Freed nodded and started to work. Lucy jumped up and out of the way. "Ah, Sorry! I should get out of the way. I can leave if you'd like." Freed shook his head as Lucy Settled at her desk across the room.
"I normally write runes with Bixslow and Evergreen around so some more relaxed company would be just fine." Lucy nodded and the two once again fell into slow conversation recounting old jobs. Soon enough Freed had finished the runes and Lucy had brought him coffee and the conversation went on and on and on, until Lucy found herself yawning and the rune mage let himself out with a smile and a half wave. Lucy nodded thanking him for spending time with her. He almost was surprised by the lightning dragon slayer, almost. Laxus stood in front of the door hand raised as if to knock when Freed opened the door.
Freed smiled up at him and nodded, "I think she is getting ready for bed. It is getting late." Laxus nodded. "She seems okay."
"Thanks Freed." Freed moved out of the way and Laxus slipped through the door. Heading slowly towards her room ast to not startle her. "Lucy? How are you feeling." Laxus asked coming up to the doorway. She smiled at him brightly.
"Laxus! What are you doing here?" She smiled and pat the bed beside her as a gesture for him to sit down. He slowly walked over and sat next to her.
"I was worried, Levy told me you didn't show up for your job with Gray. I wanted to make sure you are okay." Lucy smiled and looked out the window.
"That why I had one of your thunder legion follow me around all day?" She asked, Laxus chuckled leaning back a bit. She moved closer and leaned against him.
"Sorry Blondie. I should have told him not to." He frowned. "I didn't mean t-" Laxus was cut off by the smaller mage pressing her lips to his and shaking her head with a smile. Before she sat back down and leaned all her weight on Laxus.
"Thank-you, for checking up on me. It was good, I like Freed." She yawned. "He can stay." Laxus chuckled and looked down at her, reaching up to brush her hair from her face.
"Can he now?" He moved his arm so that she would be more comfortable leaning into him lightly wrapping his arm around her. "So what did Freed do that means he gets to stay, hmm?" The dragon-slayer was curious now, after all Freed was not one to make a lot of new friends. Still it made him smile to think of the two becoming friends.
"He took me for ice-cream." She smiled brightly. "Then he wrote runes to keep Natsu out." She grinned, and closed her eyes. "I can see why you like him, he is nice, and made me smile," she pauses to yawn, "and helpful. Kinda like Levy." He nodded.
"I am glad you had a good day, but you look tired. You should try to get some sleep." She nodded and slipped out from under his arm. He stood to let her get under the covers. "Rest well blondie." He turned and headed towards the door.
"Hey Laxus?" He looked back over his shoulder and nodded. He didn't need to say anything she stared at him, bright smile. "See you tomorrow at the guild? Before I go I mean. And turn out the light. Please."
Laxus nodded. "Yeah, I will see you tomorrow, Lucy." He smiled and flipped the light switch. She pulled the covers tighter over herself. Night Sparky. She thought to herself.