I am so sorry I was gone so long! Honestly I didn't know where to go with this story (having gotten to the Grand Magic Games arc) so the past few months I've been thinking of some new ways I could take this story that will be somewhat original and thought out. Sorry again for the wait, but I just refuse to publish something for you that is, in my eyes, complete unforgivable crap, which I hope this chapter is not.
Magnolia was still and quiet as the sun started to peak over the horizon. As its magnificent rays rained down, showering the town in light, beams started to rise over Freed's window. Light brightened the room, and stream ran over Laxus's face.
He furrowed his brow and turned away from the beam interrupting his sleep. He felt his body rub against something smooth and warm. Cracking his eyes he saw Freed tucked neatly close to his side, hair matted and tangled, breathing in slowly and calmly.
Laxus could feel the other man's hot breath on his chest, as the memories flooded his mind from the previous night.
He shifted, getting more comfortable in the bed.
"Freed." he called, his voice horse and tired.
The mage shifted, his arm sliding around Laxus's waste. "Yeah?" he mumbled, clearly still half asleep.
"Do something about the light will ya?" Laxus yawned.
Freed nodded and sat up, sitting up, running his hands over his eyes. He stretched and stood up, stumbling a bit.
Laxus cracked one eye to take another look at him, then hugged the pillow closer, to block more light out.
Freed grabbed a crumpled ball of large black cloth, realized it was Laxus's coat, crossed the room and, standing on his tip toes, draped it over the thin white curtains that did little to protect from the light. The room instantly dimmed, losing more than half of the light it previously held, soothing the lightning wielder, still in the bed.
"I'm going to get a shower." Freed informed softly.
Laxus looked up slightly, looking a bit confused. "What? Why don't you just go back to sleep? It's too early." he groaned, rubbing his face.
Freed smiled and shook his head. "No, you sleep enough for both of us I think. Besides, I am in desperate need of a shower." he ran his hand into his tangled hair, that being the most innocent reason he needed a shower currently.
"Alright, fine." Laxus shrugged, laying down yet again, closing his eyes.
Laxus heard Freed cross the room and the bathroom door shut, easily settling down to sleep.
Freed started the shower, cold water splashing against the tile wall. He shut the transparent glass door, letting it heat up, then faced himself in the mirror.
Green tangles rained down the sides of his face, the spikes in his hair hidden in the masses of terrible on top of his head. Despite that he sported the widest grin. Though he was tired, his eyes were bright and had a sparkle to them.
He could feel his heart pounding in happiness and excitement. Right now he had the man of his dreams in his bed. Freed covered his face, telling himself to calm down and avoid fan-girling over the delectable blond snoozing soundly.
He scolded the smile off of his face, only to have it reappear seconds later. He gave shook his head telling himself it didn't matter as long as he was alone. He went to undress, but realized he was not wearing anything. Face bright red, he stepped in the shower.
The water hit his face and ran down his body, calming him down. His hair started to gain weight as water spread through his strands to the roots and tips of his locks, gently encouraging the tangles to slip away. Freed took a moment to relax in the warm spray of water, closing his eyes, letting his mind drift.
The sound of the water splashing against the tiles droned out as a particular memory came to mind. It was blurry, from years having not recalled it, and seemed to happen quickly in his mind. He remembered the soft touch of a first kiss, as well as a weak and now familiar shock. He glanced down, his eyes opening to stare down at the ground.
He wondered if Laxus remembered that kiss...but decided not to worry about trivial things like that. They were in the past, but possibly a story for another day.
Shaking off the memory, he started to wash his hair out. As soon as he felt completely relaxed, something made him tense back up quickly. The sound of the bathroom door opening. He turned quickly, almost slipping, grabbing the wall for support.
Laxus had strode in without a care in the world.
"W-What! Are you doing!?" Freed demanded.
"I couldn't get back to sleep. Figured I should get up if you're already awake…" He explained.
"That's fantastic Laxus. Truly. There is no one happier than I to see you have made a change to enjoy more of your day, but WHY are you in HERE!" He attempted to make himself clearer. He now wished his shower was more than simple glass sliding panels.
Laxus smirked, and opened the door to the shower.
"If you're already getting a shower, I might as well join you." he smirked.
Before Freed could protest, and damn did he have a great monologue for why the man should not do exactly as he was planning, Laxus had already made his way into the shower, and shut the door.
They had enough room to fit comfortably, but not without bumping, rubbing and colliding every time they tried to move just a bit too far.
"Laxus." Freed scolded, but couldn't find the power to be angry, especially not as he felt his chin lifted and lips kissed.
He accepted the kiss and allowed himself to calm down a bit. He could feel Laxus run his hands through the long tangled strands of his hair, soft tugs and pulls made the hair slip loose and lay flat. Soon he pulled away, pulling his hair in two long sections, trying to straighten most of the silky strands.
"How do you deal with this much hair every day?" Laxus asked almost annoyed as he thought about having that much hair himself.
"Well it's a lot easier when I put it up at night. Every time you're over I never get the chance." He answered, reaching around Laxus, bumping against him as he grabbed his shampoo. He pulled back but the larger man grabbed his arm and took the bottle from him.
"If you're gunna bitch then let me fix it." Laxus barked.
Freed smirked, seeing through his tough guy act, and pushing his hair behind his neck, to lay down his back again. Laxus started at the roots of his hair, massaging the soap through his strands. It was a little surprising and soothing how good it felt to have the other man work the suds into his long lengths of hair.
He leaned back, his shoulders pressing into Laxus chest. Laxus worked all of the soap into soft hair between his fingers.
"Your hair suits you. Don't cut it." Laxus ordered.
Freed looked over his shoulder to face him. "What makes you think I would cut it?" he thought it over for a second. "Oh are you worried about what I said the other day? That was a joke." he assured him.
"Shut up, I'm not worried." Laxus defended, tugging Freed's hair slightly.
Freed chuckled and shook his head. "Whatever you say, Laxus." he nodded.
He allowed his leader to wash the rest of his hair, feeling more at ease than he had in a while. They cleaned up, getting out. The first thing Freed did was dry his hair completely, and lay out his clothes for the day.
Laxus on the other hand decided to simply put pants on, and gave only half of an attempt to dry his short blond hair.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Freed called to the faux dragon slayer sitting on his couch currently.
"Uhhh…" Laxus thought for a moment. "I don't know. Eggs I guess." He shrugged.
The green haired mage came out of his room finally in a white button down and his regular dark pants. He pulled his hair into a high pony tail, walking into the kitchen.
Laxus craned his head to see in through the door into the kitchen. He could see the script writer in a white apron, with thin red accents. There should really be laws about being so cute.
He stood up and leaned on the door frame, seeing Freed grab a pan from under his stove.
"Where did you learn to cook?" Laxus asked.
The mage glanced at him. "I'm self-taught mostly, but I've taken a few classes in the past." He answered, buttering the pan. "I thought it would be useful to know how to work with food while out on missions, but I suppose it's become a small hobby of mine."
Laxus nodded and moved closer to see what he was doing. The smaller man grabbed a glass bowl filled with a white bubbly batter. He poured it into a perfect round circle into the middle of the pan.
"I hope you don't mind pancakes again, I have too much batter left over." Freed commented, thinking what would go well with eggs.
There was a knock at the door, making them both look over.
"Can you answer that? It's most likely Bixlow and Evergreen." Freed requested, walking to the fridge, scanning for something.
Laxus nodded and crossed to the door, opening it. Sure as Freed said, their friends were on the other side.
Ever smiled and almost started to sing. "OHhhhh Laxus I didn't know it was possible to get you up before 10 on an off day. What are you doing here so early?" She narrowed her eyes, and her smile widened.
"Ain't it obvious? This sly dog stayed the night!" Bix added laughing, pushing past Laxus.
"Morning Freed! What ya cookin'?" Bix asked, leaning on the counter overlooking into the kitchen.
Evergreen strode into the room and sat comfortably on the couch, Laxus following and doing the same.
"Why are you guys here?" Laxus wondered, ignoring their previous comments, as he closed the door.
"We usually stop by at least once a week for breakfast. Poor Freed always ends up making too much food for himself." Ever sighed dreamily.
"So we come here and steal his leftovers, and snag a hot meal with it." Bix leaned on his arms, watching Freed cook, tongue lazily hanging out.
"This little trend of theirs started just after you left, so that's why you don't know about this." Freed called back.
"What did you make this week?!" Bix asked, poking some of his tiki's as they swayed lazily in the air. They were still sleepy so they weren't their usual hyper selves.
"The real question is what did you two get up to last night?" Ever called, and Bix seemed to agree, abandoning his previous question.
"Drop it." Freed ordered instantly.
"Oh come on! At least tell us if he slept over or not!" Bix beat his hands on the counter childishly, knowing it would bother the green haired mage.
Freed kept cooking, flipping pancakes and trying to ignore him.
Laxus rolled his eyes. "Tell them if ya want." He called. "It's not like they wont find eventually."
Freed glanced back, and nodded looking back to his pan.
"Alright then, he did sleep over." He confirmed flipping one of the flat cakes over.
Bixlow stood up, his fists thrusting into the air, head falling back. He let out a cheerful howl, as Ever bounced on the couch giddy, giggling like a mad woman.
"I HAVE NEIGHBORS!" Freed scolded, giving them both a glare, making them quiet down.
Ever tried to stop laughing. "Sorry, sorry." She cheered.
"Can't blame us. You're the ones who left us in suspense." Bix crossed his arms.
"Can we drop this?" Freed hissed.
"OTP for life man!" Bixlow smiled wide, his babies repeating "OTP! OTP!"
"OT-what?" Laxus barked, looking to Evergreen for the answer.
"Never mind." He shrugged, as a plate of hot blueberry pancakes were placed in front of him, as well as toast and eggs.
Freed came back out of the kitchen with a trey piled with three more plates, giving one each to Ever and Laxus before sitting in his favorite chair with his own plate.
Bix was about to start feasting on the deliciously prepared meal, when he noticed both Laxus and Freed had bacon as an extra treat on their plates. He stood up and crossed his arms.
"What's the deal man?! You holding out on me?!" Bix demanded.
"No. I just thought the least annoying people in the room should be rewarded." Freed answered, matter-of-factly.
Bix pouted and slumped back down. "Maaan that sucks!" he grumbled.
"Don't be so childish." Freed scolded and tossed a piece of bacon to his friend. Bix cheered up and let out a low laugh before chowing down.
Laxus watched his old friends, seeing things still went on as before. Nothing changed. His friends didn't seem to see him any differently than before.
"Do you think the rest of the guild would get worked up if they found out…well what happened?" Laxus directed the question at Freed, but knew the other two would add their thoughts.
Freed glanced down in thought for a moment.
"No. Things would never be the same. The monumental scale of the festival they would throw would be grander and greater than anything mere man had ever seen." He stated firmly but the sarcasm was easily noted by the group.
"Hmm would the guild throw that party, or do you want to throw that party?" Bix asked laughing.
Freed smirked a little. "I guess you could say I'm pleased with the series of events that's led to this point." He shrugged.
He could feel the eye-rolls all his friends gave him and only smiled softly to himself.
"Just don't make this a big deal." Laxus sighed as he continued eating.
"I wont make any promises." Evergreen sang back, sitting up proudly. She closed her eyes and gave a content sigh. "I feel like a weight has been lifted from our little group."
"Yes. I suppose. However what we should be discussing is our next mission." Freed interjected knowing lingering on this topic long was sure to get on the lightning bearers nerves.
"Boo, I don't want to think about work." Ever shrugged him off.
"Yeah man, it seems like FOREVER since we have had some time off." Bix agreed, stretching in his seat, placing his empty plate on the coffee table.
The green haired mage gave a glance to Laxus, and knew he had just returned home. He would surely want to rest a few days. He nodded.
"Understood then." He settled the case. He wouldn't mind a few days off either.
The rest of the morning was like any other. The group discussed things Laxus had missed since being away, to which he responded in acting like he could care less, but still the group felt better knowing he had been told. Their lightning wielding friend had always had a thick shell, that only grew as the years carried on, but they could see through his tough guy act with ease.
They ended up watching an old movie Lacrima about an orphan wizard, who is mistreated by his non-magical family until he is old enough to take on the world and the dark guild master that is hell bent on killing him.
The group sat contently, letting the movie roll on. Freed couldn't help but steal glances at Laxus when he was positive no one was watching. He still had a repeat of the previous night tumbling around inside his mind. He didn't want to piece together what last night meant, and didn't allow himself to worry about it. This moment was so calm and so perfect he didn't want anything to bother it.
The movie was not entertaining enough to keep his mind completely away from the topic, and he would find himself in a debate whether they were now together or not. If it would be public or not. If they would try to ignore it or not.
He didn't notice the end of the movie start to roll and was only jolted out of his thoughts when Bix had clapped his hands loudly next to the script mages ear.
Bix laughed seeing him flinch.
"Pretty zoned out there. Thinking about all the sex you had last night?" he jeered.
Freed went red. "Silence!" he ordered and waved his hand, a purple script attached its self to the loud man's mouth, rendering him a mumbling mess.
Ever only laughed, not daring to say anything thus suffer the same punishment.
"We should go do something fun." She suggested instead.
"Like what?" Laxus asked.
She shrugged, opening a compact to admire her face and check her makeup.
Bix fought with the script on his face but in all of his muffled illegible grunts he seemed to agree.
Freed looked over the growingly restless group, even their mighty leader seemed interested to get out of their regular routine.
He nodded to himself and crossed his arms.
"You really are a group of fortunate individuals you know." Freed commented offhandedly, knowing that bait was enough to make his eager friends perk up, then waved his hand, releasing Bixlow from the curse.
Ever sat up more neatly and smiled to herself, forgetting her vanity.
"What do you have up your sleeve this time?" She cooed happily.
Bix grinned and his babies started to rush rapidly around his head.
"A few months ago we went on a mission to Tabolt if you think back."
"Yeah." Ever nodded, thinking back to the false scare of a thief den starting to emerge. Turned out it was only a band of mischievous cats.
"Well, the citizens felt bad that we had traveled so far she offered us tickets to the resort in their town. It's a pretty nice place."
"What! You really WERE holding out on us!?" Bixlow accused, standing up. "Bad Mr. Freed." one of the tikis scolded.
"I was holding them so you three wouldn't rush off and burn through them." He corrected defensively. "You should be saying 'Thank you Mr. Freed.' or preferably 'Mr. Justine.'"
Bix laughed. "Don't you mean Ms. Dreyar?" he taunted.
Freed blushed a little but shook it off.
"If you aren't grateful then I can just keep them." The sword wielder suggested.
"Don't get in a tiff." Evergreen eased and stood. "I'm going to go pack." She added gleefully.
Freed nodded, watching her skip off, Bixlow following her, stopping in the door frame.
"I'm going to invite someone." He called back.
"Who? And I don't have enough for them." Freed answered.
"Nun ya business, and cool story." His friend called back before shutting the door behind himself.
Freed shook his head.
He turned to Laxus, determined to pretend everything was as if last night were only a private dream.
"You're being pretty quiet." He commented.
The lightning mage glanced up. "Yeah I guess." he shrugged.
He stood up. "Guess I should go pack too." He decided.
Freed's smile grew a little. "Somehow I didn't think this would be your sort of thing. Still, its better than nothing."
Laxus nodded. "Should be fun." He agreed.
Freed scoffed a little "The first time you're back in what seems like a lifetime and we drag you right out of town again."
Laxus nodded, a small smirk on his lips. "What else is new. The 'lightning legion' has always kept me busy." He chuckled.
The long haired mage glanced up at his large leader and had a lingering thought and pestering question on his mind.
"I don't want to make this any stranger, but seeing as Bixlow and Evergreen aren't going to drop it..." He realized he was stalling. "Do we talk about last night, or not?" He spat out his question but forced his voice to be calm.
Laxus smile faded just a bit. "I'm not sure about that yet either." He sighed, scratching the back of his head.
Freed nodded. "Don't worry about it." He assured trying to ease the mood back into something light hearted.
Laxus nodded and started for the door. He paused, looking around the room, slightly confused for a brief second.
"Bring my coat when you leave." he ordered and left without another word.
The groups were off, most to collect anything and everything they would need for their exciting and frivolous adventure. All but Bixlow who was hunting down his scrapper princess of booze.
Where else would she be besides at the bar with Mira trying to get wasted before twelve o'clock. Once he saw her he took a moment to admire how gracefully she could chug a pint and how loudly she could slam the cup down. Damn elegant!
He bounced up to the bar next to her, leaning his arms against the counter top, turning his head to face her.
"Hey there." he greeted easily, the tikis swirling and dancing around her.
"Hey! HEY!" They sang.
Cana watched them hover and a sly smile graced her calm face. "Mornin'" She slurred.
Bix smiled wider, snickering. "What do you say to a romantic get away? Just you and me baby."
She raised an eyebrow and leaned on the counter.
"What's the catch?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Bix bobbed his head back and forth. "Welllll it wont be just you and me. The rest of the gang are tagging along." He admitted.
She shook her head. "Bix. No. That is not a romantic get away." She rejected.
He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her cheek with his. "Ohhh come on. It's not like we have to hang out with them. I'm pretty sure we could make it romantic SOMEHOW. Besides. It's a free trip. That should be enough persuade you."
She chuckled and pushed his face, not moving from his arms.
"Sorry, not enough for this girl."
Bix frowned at the rejection then took a second to ponder the correct way to sway his woman.
He smirked rather evilly to himself.
"I'll pay for all of your drinks." He suggested.
She laughed and pushed him off. "You don't have that much money." She rolled her eyes.
He stood, hands on his hips. "Baby, I'm a part of the thunder legion. You would be amazed." He promised.
She glanced at him, but sipped her beer, to show her uninterest.
That wouldn't defeat him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in close to her ear.
"I'll pay your tab too." he promised.
She turned, eyes wide. "You don't have that kind of money." she denied.
Bixlow only smiled.
She sighed and glanced away, getting a little annoyed at his smugness. "This isn't about money." She insisted.
Mira giggled behind the bar.
"I know that. I won't bother you about it if you really don't want to go." He assured as he dug in his pockets.
He handed Mira a large stack of jewels and turned to leave.
Mira looked at the stack and laughed to herself. "I guess you are debt free Cana." She mused and put the money away.
The drunkard leaned on the counter and huffed.
"Now I just feel like a gold digger." She groaned.
Mira began to clean the counter.
"I don't think that was his intention. I think he really just wants you to go with him. You two are still in the honey moon phase." She comforted her friend. "I wouldn't expect you to know much about that though, seeing as you don't have many boyfriends." She snickered.
Cana glared and slammed her drink down.
"Hey! Who even asked you?" She demanded.
"Just go with him." Mira shook her head, smiling softly. "We know you want to."
Cana picked up her tankard and took a swig. "I might." She shrugged and tossed down a few jewels to pay for the beverage.
Bixlow was headed to the door when he noticed Elfman talking to a group of Fairy Tail wizards. The tikis danced through the air over to the white haired man.
Bix knew what they were thinking and easily interrupted the group, pushing past two wizards.
"Hey Elfman. Got a second?" He asked.
The buff man looked a little confused but nodded and followed the soul mage to a quiet corner of the room.
"Want to come on a romantic adventure later?" Bix asked boldly.
When Elfman looked shocked and confused he held up his hands.
"Not with me big guy. With one Miss Evergreen."
The larger man blushed bright red. "What are you implying!? Me and her are nothing but-"
Bix held up his hands higher. "Don't bullshit me man. I know whats going on. If you want to go pack your crap and meet us at the train station later on okay?" He ordered.
Elfman became a little more tense but nodded stiffly.
Bix crossed his arms. "Good." he agreed, and turned on his heel, headed back for the door before anything else could be said.
A few hours passed in Magnolia, Evergreen was all packed and ready to hit the road but the rest of her group was no where close. She took a stroll and ended up in the park, admiring the trees and nature around her.
Soon she would be sitting in a mud bath letting all of her problems melt away. She could hardly wait. She was overdue for some pampering so this trip was perfectly timed.
Across the park she spotted Natsu and Lucy trudging to the guild hall. She could just barely over hear what they were talking about.
"Honestly Natsu. Out of all the missions you could have chosen the VOLCANO MONSTER was the best option?!" She scolded.
Her clothes were singed and covered in ash, while her partner was nearly spotless.
"Hey come on! We still beat him and collected a reward." He chuckled happily. "It was a piece of cake."
"We would be dead if it wasn't for Aquarius!" She insisted and sat on a near by fountain. Her body was tired and sore from her battle and was only getting worse. She huffed slumping over.
Natsu sat with her and saw how exhausted she was. He didn't know what to say so just stayed quiet.
"Sorry. I just need to catch my breath." Lucy mumbled.
They heard the click of high heels approach and stop in front of them. They looked up to see Evergreen, naturally.
"Sorry. I couldn't help but overhear." She called smugly." I wish there was some way I could help. You look positively AWEFUL Lucy."
Lucy looked even more annoyed now. "Gee thanks." She grumbled bluntly.
"I wish you could go with us to the resort in Tabolt. Unfortunately we don't have enough tickets." She boasted proudly.
"Resort?" Natsu repeated.
"I can't afford anything like that." Lucy shrugged. "I can hardly make rent."
The pink haired dragon slayer stood up abruptly.
"No that's great! I'll pay for your ticket. It's the least I can do for dragging you out on that mission. I think we could use a break." He beamed brightly.
Ever frowned and backed up a little. "Hey, I wasn't really offering." She was cut off.
"Come on Lucy. We can have a lot of fun and when we get back go on an even HARDER Mission!" He laughed in delight.
Lucy shook her head and smiled a little.
"I guess if you're paying. You do know we will have to get on the train though right?"
Natsu frowned. "Ahh, can't we just walk?" He suggested, chuckling nervously.
Lucy lifted her foot showing the souls of her boots were nearly eaten through. "Not on your life."
Ever crossed her arms and huffed. "What ever." she mumbled.
"Don't be like that Evergreen. It's gunna be fun." Natsu promised.
She smirked a little and nodded. "It will be more fun to have at least one girl going with us." She agreed.
With that plans were set and everyone was off, racing to gather their things up and start out on their journey.
Freed was the first one at the train station. He had purchased the tickets the Lightning Legion would need and waited patiently on a bench, Laxus's coat draped over his arms. He looked down at the warm black cloth and ran his fingers through the soft fur lining. The coat smelled just like the dragon slayer that owned it.
The green haired man smiled to himself and hugged it close to his chest.
He didn't have to wait long for the others to arrive. First Bix and Cana, then Evergreen. They had enough time to purchase Cana a ticket before Elfman showed up, making them have to wait in line yet again for another boarding pass.
The group found seats in a group cart, all but Freed, who waited patiently on the platform for their tardy leader. He heard the yell of the train whistle, calling everyone to get on the train. The longer he stood there waiting the more anxious he felt. He could be running late or in danger. What if someone had picked a fight with him? What if they made him miss his train? How strong would someone have to be to hold the faux dragon slayer up?
His mind rambled on thousands of ways he could be hurt, stranded, kidnapped or lost. All unlikely to the green haired mage. He sat down on the bench, holding the coat tightly again.
"What if he just decided not to come." He sighed to himself. That was the most likely. It wouldn't be the first time the blond ran off without telling anyone.
He sat for a moment and looked at the train.
He smiled to himself. "Well it will still be fun." he told himself, not truly believing it. He stood up again and heard the last call of the whistle.
The mage was about to board when he got pulled back quickly.
"Leaving without me?" Laxus asked,reaching from behind Freed to grab the coat.
Freed turned and smirked.
"You didn't leave me with much of a choice." he answered, seeing the man throw the coat over his shoulders.
They both stepped onto the train and into the car with their friends.
Freed paused seeing Lucy and Natsu sitting with their group then sat next to the pink haired fire breather.
"I'm not even going to ask." He stated bluntly.
Lucy smiled brightly, feeling her excitement bubble up. She couldn't wait to relax, and not worry about going on another mission.
Bixlow grinned in his seat, Cana sitting across his lap rather comfortably.
"Alright! Lovers road trip is a go!" He announced to the group as the train hitched and started to move.
Everyone but Bixlow and Cana instantly tensed up.
"What do you mean Bixlow?" Evergreen asked, pulling out her fan, hiding behind it. Elfman looked away from the group, pretending he had heard nothing.
"You guys know exactly what I mean." Bix taunted and nudged Natsu. "Specially these two. Am I right." He snickered.
Natsu looked at the man pestering everyone questioningly.
Lucy shook her head. "You have got the completely WRONG idea!"
"Ignore him." Freed suggested and glanced to Laxus, who was sitting across from him in the cart.
The larger man slipped his earphones on and a second later Freed cold hear the muffled sounds of his music playing. The lightning barer closed his eyes and leaned back, seemingly to ignore and avoiding any conversation.
Natsu groaned and doubled over. His stomach was churning already.
"Ah Lucy, are you sure we can't walk." He begged.
She patted his back shook her head. "Sorry Natsu. Don't worry. The trip isn't that long." She tried to comfort him.
Laxus chuckled, catching everyone off guard.
"Man you're pathetic. How can you be so weak? You're all fight until you get on, well, anything that's moving."
"Hey, don't get to cocky." Natsu choked out. "Gajeel started getting motion sickness to. It's only a matter of time." He insisted in a queazy, shaking voice.
"That's true. How long will it be before you start turning to jelly on the train Laxus?" Bix asked, patting the blonds back.
"You might be waiting a while. I'm a second generation Dragon Slayer. First and Third have to deal with that sickness crap. And I don't have an Exceed and I think that plays into that somehow." He slapped Bixlow's hand away.
"No Exceed? You mean you don't have an adorable sidekick that can fly and encourages you to do your best? Hmmmm Laxus. Buddy. I think you have an Exceed." Bixlow snickered. His dolls laughed.
"What do you mean?" Laxus asked, slightly confused.
"ExFreed! ExFreed!" His babies laughed.
"Yeah. Freed is totally your Exceed." Cana laughed delightedly.
Freed rolled his eyes and briefly asked himself what he did to deserve this.
"Ha ha." The swordsman called bluntly. "You are both very amusing."
Lucy started to laugh a little, doing her best to hide it, earning a sharp glare from Freed.
"I'm sorry. It's just to easy to see a little green cat flying around Laxus." She giggled.
"See man. She dosn't even KNOW you and she can since your obsession." Bixlow busted out laughing.
Cana laughed with them and grabbed Freed by his white cravat and pulled him to be standing up.
"Come on don't be shy!" She slurred joyfully. "Go and give him a big ol' Smooch." She pushed him swiftly, and with the rocking of the train he fell over easily, right into Laxus lap.
"Are we missing something?" Natsu asked, trying to distract himself from the back-flips his stomach were doing.
"Nothing!" Freed insisted trying to stand up quickly.
However the writer was not so kind as to let him stand up with some remaining dignity.
As he rushed quickly to get back on his own two feet. The train hit a rather bumpy part of the track, making his legs too unstable on the ground to get back up. He could only wobble and get snickered at.
He felt Laxus grab his sides firmly and push him up, the support was enough to get him on his feet again.
"Sorry." Freed gushed and quickly sat in his own seat again.
Laxus shrugged, not to bothered by the accident.
Cana smirked and bounced over to sit next to Lucy, whispering something quickly.
Freed ignored it, positive it was about himself. He looked to Bixlow, positive he had let the cat out of the bag.
Bix looked back and shrugged happily. Freed rolled his eyes but what had been done was done. There was no use in getting worked up about it now.
The travelers talked and joked and laughed nearly the whole ride. Natus of course never recovered while the train hitched and carried on but everyone else was pretty content with the trip.
They arrived in the town around sunset. Once everyone was on the platform they gathered around.
"So, whats the next step Freed?" Evergreen asked, inspecting her nails, questionably close to Elfman.
"Right. Well we need to get our bags and check into the hotel. I've already arranged for our rooms to be on the same floor, but I'll have to arrearage things now that we have more guests then expected."
"Alright then. Girls, we will go to talk to the hotel people. Guys. You go get to the heavy lifting."
"Why do we have to do all of the hard work?" Bixlow groaned.
"Why are you complaining? Be a MAN!" Elfman ordered, grabbing up suitcases.
"Yeah! We can make a contest out of it!" Natsu agreed, snatching up bags.
Bix sighed and snapped his fingers his dolls zoomed forward to balance bags on their heads.
"No Fair! You can only use your own body!" Natsu complained, seeing how well the tikis could carried bags.
"Alright Ladies. Lets go." Cana called and the group started for the hotel.
"Why am I always included in the female groups?" Freed asked himself glumly.
"Face it Justine. You are a part of the girls." Cana patted his head.
"I bet you would win the 'Miss Fairy Tail competition' if you entered." Lucy teased.
"WHA!" Ever gasped. "Surely a MAN couldn't be 'Queen of the Fairy's'" She rejected worriedly.
The group laughed and carried on.
Switching the rooms around was easy. Both Lucy and Evergreen declined private rooms with their 'lovers' and decided to share a joint room to save face. Cana was not so easy to convenience. She insisted on a private room banishing Freed to sharing a room with Laxus.
He was mature enough to sleep in the same room with him, and had done many times on missions in the past, but now things were a little different, and he had to decide on spending more on a room with two double beds or getting a cheaper room with only one. In order to prevent anymore 'stalker' jokes he decided two beds would be better than one.
As soon as bags were put up Cana and Bixlow were off like a rocket to the adult only bar/swimming pool. Ever and Elfman went to see the butterfly garden not far from the resort and Natsu went with Lucy to find something to eat, by the fire breathers request.
The dragon slayer and his key carrying partner wandered through the resort, following the slayers nose. He smelled something that seemed delicious and was hunting it down.
"It's a pretty nice place." Lucy called, looking the map over.
"There are three pools, stages, karaoke bars. There's too much to do in just a few days." She beamed. "And there's a spa, free to all residence in the hotel." She bounced happily. "I can't wait."
"Yeah yeah yeah. I just wish the food was free." He called back.
"Here it is!" He turned to face a high class restaurant Scarlet Magic.
He barged into the eatery only to be stopped by the host, who looked him over.
"Sir. This establishment has a code. You cannot eat here unless you are properly dressed." He informed
Natsu looked himself over.
"What are you talking about man?" He asked. "My clothes aren't dirty." He stated defensively.
The host raised his eyebrows. "Ah sir. You aren't wearing a shirt." he pointed out.
Natsu looked down again and then glanced up.
"And?" he asked.
The host looked at a loss for words.
Lucy stepped up and hugged Natsu's arm.
"Sorry sir. I've got him." She laughed nervously and pulled him away quickly. "Natsu if you want to eat there you'll have to wear a suit."
He frowned and grumbled. "Man." He sighed. "I really want their steak. It smells amazing." He grumbled dreamily, glancing back to the fancy place. "Guess we will have to come back in some better clothes." He decided.
Lucy laughed. "How about we come back later tonight. For now we can grab a quick bite and go get a massage." Lucy offered, eager to reduce the strain on her back.
Natsu frowned a bit.
"Eh. Not really my thing." He rejected, but Lucy just pulled him along.
"Come on. Just try it. For me." She pleaded.
Natsu was quiet, then nodded, following her along.
The two continued on to the spa and were instantly taken to a large room filled with massage tables. Fresh candles and a relaxing melody drifting in the air. Lucy hid behind a curtain to take her clothes off and wrapped up in a towel, while Natsu stripped down to his boxers, refusing to go any further.
They laid down on their stomachs as the two masseuse came in and started rubbing away, relieving stress and working away years of warranted worry. Lucy felt amazing, all of her worries dripping off as she was tended too.
Natsu was quiet but soon Lucy heard a very obscure sound, very familiar to purring. She turned her head to see her pink haired friend completely relaxed and on the verge of falling asleep.
"See?" She laughed softly. "I knew you would like this."
The purring became louder as the session continued. Lucy closed her eyes and listened to the calming rhythmic sounds of her friend, sighing contently.
Freed looked over the map, Laxus had already gone off somewhere, and honestly Freed didn't mind the lack of company right now. He had planned on Bixlow and Evergreen. Not the four other guests that tagged along. He was grateful for a moment of peace.
He scanned over the list of locations and activities without seeing anything he simply had to attend. He did pause, however, when seeing many bars had live entertainment every night, in any manner of talents. Magical and non.
He sat up a little, thinking Laxus might actually want to go see a performance. He loved music and even if they had never heard any of these bands there was a possibility his leader would be more interested in this than anything else the resort had of offer.
That got him to thinking how nice having everyone there would be. Having Lucy and Natsu there would possibly reduce the torment from Bixlow and with company it would be easier to have a conversation than being just with the lightning mage.
Freed had decided and was off to make plans.
Bixlow was laying back in the water, next to Cana who was sitting up at the in pool bar. All of his tikis floating around him, one acting as a table, carrying a fruity green drink on his head.
"So. Favorite color." Cana demanded, propping her feet on his stomach as if he were a table himself.
"Blue. Dua. Same question." He shot back quickly.
"Hmm… Maybe yellow?" She mused and paused to think of another question.
"What's the strangest thing you've ever done at a place like this?" She asked.
"Haven't done it yet." He snickered. "I'll tell you at the end of this trip." He added.
She laughed and eased deeper into the water, floating next to him.
"Your turn." She reminded, grabbing her drink off the bar counter.
He was silent for a moment. "What do you think Gildarts is going to say?" he spouted easily.
She shrugged. "Does it matter?" She asked, making Bix laugh loudly.
"I'm strong, but I'm not Gildarts strong." He admitted.
She shrugged, poking one of the tikis.
"You'll be fine." She promised.
Bixlow moved forward in the water to be standing up again and grabbed Cana, lifting her quickly, holding her over his head.
"You positive about that baby?" He asked, his tongue hanging out.
She yelped and started to laugh, resting her knees on his shoulders.
"Yes." She chuckled and ran her hands into his hair. "Now let me down ya big goof." She ordered.
He lowered her down but didn't let her go. He kissed her cheek and rested his forehead on hers gently.
"Having fun?" They heard Freed call from the side of the pool, making both look up.
"Yeah we are." Bixlow nodded, picking Cana up quickly again, this time throwing her back quickly.
She squealed before she hit surface and was enveloped in the cool water.
Bixlow laughed happily as she sputtered back to the surface. She stood shakily and tried to splash water at him, but only managed a small wave.
"Jerk." She giggled and took his fruity drink, chugging it down. "What ya need, Freed?" She asked.
"Nothing. Just wondered if you two wanted to go see a band play. I thought we could all go later tonight." He answered.
Bix swam up and nodded. "Yeah man. Sign us up. We will be there. And don't worry about telling the others. We will round em up and pass the message." He swore.
Freed nodded. "It's appreciated."
He quickly dismissed himself, trusting his friend completely.
"He is way too gullible." Cana shook her head watching him go.
Bix snickered and nodded. "When it comes to me, Ever, or Laxus, he will believe anything. Usually anyway."
She turned to face Bixlow. "So him and Laxus are really a thing?" She asked.
"I don't know." The doll controlling mage admitted.
She nodded, looking like she was in thought.
"I'm a little shocked. I mean, Freed makes more since, but Laxus?" she mused out loud.
Bix shrugged. "I don't know. They work together. Always have."
"Really?" She asked. "What were you like as a kid? I don't remember many of you being around the guild hall when we were little. Laxus sure. But not any of the 'Lightning Legion'." She leaned on the side of the pool, running her finger around the lip of her glass.
Bix threw his arms back on the ledge to support himself.
"Well we were pretty much the same I guess." He shrugged.
"Especially you hua?" She teased.
He smiled, but looked into the water, consumed by a distant memory.
"Yeah I guess." He was oddly serious now. "Freed has always admired Laxus, for as long as I've known him…and honestly, I don't know why. I understand he would for the fact that he's a great wizard, and a tough fighter. They are both my best friends so I understand the good qualities they both have…but Freed has always had something I've never seen in someone else."
Cana nodded, matching his serious tone.
"Maybe it was just love at first sight?" She suggested.
Bix shook his head. "It's more than that. I think something happened...maybe Laxus did something before I met either of them that stuck with Freed. I don't know. He has so much more than just love for Laxus. He cherishes every second he has with him, but at the same time when leaves…Freed still finds the will to be happy." He faced Cana. "When people fall in love, they usually become a little selfish, wanting that persons attention, wanting to see them every day, and wanting to be loved back. Freed…I mean… He doesn't care." Bix frowned a little. "He genuinely just wants Laxus to be happy. He's selfless and never asks for anything from him. He would follow Laxus to Hell without question."
Cana nodded and smiled softly into her glass.
"Then Lauxs is very lucky." She decided.
Bix nodded, his smile returning.
"I remember as kids we would all go down to the park, and Freed would practice with his sword, and Laxus would bark at him every time he messed up. There were a few times I wanted to tell him off and suggest he give it a try, but every time he would yell, Freed would smile, listen and hang on every word. 'You have to have better balance' or 'If you pull something like that in a fight, you'll get killed'. You would think by the way Freed listened, that Laxus was reciting a love poem." He paused yet again.
Quickly he brought his hand through the water, hitting Cana with a huge wave of water, catching her completely off guard.
Her shocked expression left the large man laughing hysterically, his babies joining in, swirling around in the water.
She laughed and started slapping water at him.
"YOU JERK!" She scolded, drenching him in water.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He heaved. "It was just too easy." He backed away, trying to get out of the spray of water, unable to when laughing so loudly.
The two fought carelessly in the water and, unlike every other couple in this story, accepted that they worked together, and made no attempt to hide it. They enjoyed their days as a couple and didn't question why or where or how anything happened. They enjoyed their time without debate, love such an easy and obtainable thing.
Thanks so much for reading and a HUGE thank to everyone who followed and favorited this story, you have no idea what it means to me to see that you guys are enjoying this. It just makes me want to write more content and more often which is what I am going to try to do. I know this story is kinda a jumble of every FanFiction arc and Fairy Tail OVA with some different twists but I just want to have fun with these characters. Also if I made any mistakes with spelling/grammar please tell me about it. I will happily fix it.
Seriously though, I can not tell you how much I love reading your reviews. I read and re-read every single comment. I am flattered anyone would take time from their day to tell me what they think, good or bad. If you want to see more of something (or less of something) go ahead and tell me, I will do my best to comply. Some things I can write easily (FreedXLaxus) while other things, not so much (LucyXNatsu) but I will do all I can.
K enough rambling. Bye!
-Katie