"Hell na. You know I can't do people." Gajeel said as Levy dragged him closer and closer to the guild. Although he wasn't really trying all that hard, he was still giving the much smaller woman a hard time as she pulled his arm in an attempt to drag him. "We have to tell everyone eventually. Why not now? It's not like they aren't talking about already Gajeel!" Levy said, flipping around and now using both her hands to try and drag the dragon slayer. The streets of Magnolia had filled with the typical hustle and bustle that was to be expected. The passerbys all stared at the strange scene unfolding in front of them as Levy continued to drag Gajeel through the last block before they would be at the guild. "Well, you certainly put up a tough front for such a coward." Patherlily said as he began pushing Gajeel by his ankles. "It ain't like that! This just ain't my type of deal!" Gajeel said as he protested a bit more. A slight tingling caught the dragon slayer off guard before thunder cracked loudly through the morning air. Gajeel froze in place, quickly bringing Levy into him. "Thunder? The skies are clear though." Levy said as the large man scanned the area around them. "Yeah...that ain't regular thunder. Lily, take Levy to the guild. I'll met you both there shortly." Gajeel then said lowly, looking towards the direction the thunder seemed to crack loudest. Lily had flown into Levy's arms at the sound of thunder, though he still nodded furiously. "You're just using THAT as an excuse to leave Gajeel." Levy then said, annoyed at the sudden convenience of it all. Finding the nearest building, the dragon slayer quickly pressed the small woman into it as he lifted her off her feet. "It ain't like that. I'm just a bit suspicious of what that idiot might be doin'." Gajeel then said, taking a small nibble on Levy's cheek. The script mage blushing and Gajeel pressed her harder into the wall, all the while listening to the light pops and cracks that traveled through the air. Pantherlily, having been crushed between the two mages was slapping Gajeel's arm in a desperate attempt to snap the two of them out of it as he struggled for oxygen. "G-G-Gajeel...A-a-a-ir." he managed to squeeze out before the dragon slayer backed up slightly. "Sorry Lily. Seriously though. Levy. Go..spread the 'good word' to the guild. I'll be back in a minute." Gajeel said as he kissed her lightly on the forehead and set her down. Puffing up her checks and rolling her eyes, she smiled and walked towards the guild. Gajeel smirked as he watched his Exceed and mate walk towards the guild. The pressure of having to be a family man sooner than not hardly weighing down his thoughts. "How Gajeel doesn't break you at times is beyond me Levy. Surely you should ask for him to treat you gently, especially now." Pantherlily said quietly in hopes that Gajeel wouldn't hear him. "I bought you ear plugs for a reason cat! And I ain't heard her complain once!" Gajeel then shouted as he walked backwards towards the thunder. A wide smirk covering his face as Levy turned around. As soon as the script mage made eye contact with him, the dragon slayer winked before taking off.
Laxus had been sitting in the kitchen of the Strauss' home as Mira readied a meal for the two of them. Despite the noise Mira was making as she cooked and moved, he could hear shuffling in the basement of the home. Moving slowly, he went to the basement door, unsure of what to expect when he opened the door. Gods help anyone who would even consider attempting to burglarize the Strauss' home right now, especially given then less than exemplary mood he was currently in. His night with Mira carried over into the morning. The two of them having spent a majority of their time arguing and defending their friends and siblings. Neither of them willing to admit that their chosen side might, even for a second, be wrong. As he opened the door, he was immediately hit in the chest by none other than Lisanna. He immediately locked his arm around the girl purely out of instinct. "Let me go!" Lisanna screamed out as she pounded her fists into Laxus, immediately changing into her cat form as she attempted to scratch the dragon slayer. Her actions making Laxus tighten his grip to keep her from moving. "What the hell is your problem?!" Laxus then shouted as he lifted Lisanna off of the ground, earning several kicks to the shins as he did. Mira ran over quickly to see what exactly all of the commotion was about. "Put Lisanna down Laxus!" the oldest Strauss shouted as she watched her sister struggling under the man's grip. Hesitantly, Laxus set the girl down, not wishing to egg on another argument with his mate. The moment he did, Lisanna made sure to land several deep scratches in the dragon slayer's arm before dashing up the staircase to her own bedroom. Laxus' eyes narrowing as he followed the Lisanna's movement. Cracking his neck as he did so in annoyance. He watched as Mira ran up, hot on her sister's heels. Doing his best to refrain from acting rashly, he stood in place, taking in several breaths as he did. The tingle running up his spine begging for a fight. He slowly moved to the base of the staircase, listening closely to what ever he could hear. The blood trickling down his arm elevating his heart rate.
"Lisanna! What happened?" Mira cried out as she chased her sister up the stairs. Lisanna ignored her sister's calling and dashed head long into her room, spinning around wildly for a minute as she tried to figure out a plan for herself. Looking around her empty room, she merely collapsed onto the floor. Mira moved into the room quickly, dropping down to her own knees to level with her younger sister. "Lisanna, what's going on?" Mira said as she carefully placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. Lisanna's eyes darted to her dresser, ready to empty it's contents and run. "...he lied..." Lisanna said under her breath, gritting her teeth hard as she sat on the floor. Mira blinked several times, unsure of exactly what it was Lisanna was referencing. "What do you mean he lied? Are you talking about Bickslow?" Mira then said. Lisanna nodded quickly, letting herself relax slightly under her sister's hand.
"I didn't have to go through any of this...this...this crazy bullshit." Lisanna said to her sister.
"What do you mean?" Mira asked.
"Bickslow...in a way, planned this all out. He could have fixed this." Lisanna then said as she looked at her sister "he could have fixed this easily."
"I thought he did fix what ever the issue was though." Mira then said, confused by her sister.
"He did. But he could have fixed it all a long time ago. He intentionally let everything get as bad as it did."
"That doesn't make sense."
"I don't know Mira. He said something about me not having to be there, and him just trying to let me see what he does. He said he could have fixed this before it got this bad, but he chose not to because 'he could'."
"Did he say why he would do something like that?" Mira then asked.
Lisanna shrugged at her sister as tears started to form in her eyes. Her mind bouncing between reality, and what had happened in the past two weeks. She'd never had to watch people die violent deaths before. She was now well versed in it. Worst of all, she'd never had to watch someone she cared about die violently. That image was burned into her brain like a brand. Lisanna was no stranger to seeing some truly terrible things. She saw more than her fair share of cruelties and injustices in Edolas. Almost all of which was done to people involuntarily, or by people making simple mistakes. But to know that Bickslow knowingly let her get into harms way and give her front row seats to it all, turned her stomach. Even if his intentions were well meant, he nearly got the both of them killed for the sake of getting to know him...something she would have been happy to do had he merely asked or even struck up a casual conversation. Lisanna wasn't even sure how much of what he did was for the sake of putting on a good show, or for truly helping. Her mind split in two as part of her truly believed that Bickslow may have simply been making everything up to simply leave make and impression, the other half telling her she knows he wouldn't do something like that regardless of the track record he holds. She'd heard how easy it was for him to side with Laxus when the Raijinshu took it upon themselves to turn Fairy Tail against itself. The man had a clear history of doing things that benefit him. Whose to say playing a twisted game with her didn't somehow fall under the same category. She trusted him to make the right calls, and despite the fact that he did do nearly everything he said he would do, she still felt as though her trust was completely betrayed. She was thankful that her soul was at least intact and that she would no longer have to worry about figures that roamed around in the dark attempting to steal her away, but what ever sense of belonging she thought she had, felt as though it were nearly non-existent now.
"Mira...I...I must really not belong here at all." Lisanna cried out.
"Lisanna! Don't say that. You know you do. You just..."
"I just got my trust and hopes twisted and manipulated. I don't know who I'm trying to kid anymore. You know, I thought that I did belong here. Bickslow definitely made me feel that way, but if he's willing to lie...then I know everyone else is." Lisanna then said, completely dejected.
"How selfish can you be Lisanna?" Mira snapped out "Yes. What Bickslow did was wrong, but he still went out of his way to actually do it...to do something...something that even your brother and I...your family, failed to do. And EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US at the guild have missed you and needed you. Even Laxus. He nearly went berserk when you went away. He changed completely after you disappeared. Everyone did. Just because you don't think you'll be missed or that you'll ever be needed, doesn't make that true in the slightest."
"If no one listens, why should I have to say anything to be noticed." Lisanna then said smiling
"Of course no one is going to listen if you're willing to plaster on a mask. You can't pretend that everything is okay when it's not. I know you're brother and I aren't always the best at listening to you. It's not because we don't love you wholeheartedly...it's because we love you and don't want you to hurt. The thought of it breaks our hearts, and we are both completely selfish for not listening. We lost you before even getting a chance to say goodbye to you...we'd do anything to make sure you're okay...we just aren't always sure how." Mira then said as she moved her and her sister to the bed.
"I guess Mira...I just...I don't know anymore. Why would anyone who cares willingly lie."
"Because Lisanna...we're not perfect. No body is. And we all tend to do really, REALLY dumb things when it comes to the people we care the most about. Even...even if I don't necessarily like Bickslow, he does have very good characteristics, and I hate to say it...but fierce loyalty is one of those. If he's as dedicated to you, as he is to the Raijinshu and Laxus...maybe you can look past some of his imperfections." Mira then said smiling at her younger sister.
Laxus stood in silence at the bottom of stairs. Hearing of his friend's deception gave that tingle running up his neck a reason to exist and without a word, he moved out of the Strauss' home as quietly as he could, not staying long enough to hear any more of the conversation. The morning air felt like fuel to the fire he now had burning in him as he marched silently in the direction of Bickslow's home. The citizens of Magnolia naturally held and uncomfortable stance when Laxus made his way through town. His expression was something less than pleasant as his menacing scowl and twisted smirk gave him an uncomfortable vibe. But in a state where he was enraged, the citizens of Magnolia readily parted as he walked through. The electricity popping off of his skin jumping and zapping any person that stood too close to the man. As Bickslow's home neared, Laxus' pace quickened. With single heavy kick coupled with a high dose of electricity, Laxus easily stomped the heavy door in, knocking it off of it's hinges. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Bickslow said under his breath. The seith mage fully dressed and seeming as though he were about to leave his home, his totems all now floating in a readied stance. Without a word, Laxus burst through the door. The second Laxus' eyes made contact with Bickslow's, he wasted no time in charging at the seith mage. Bickslow was able to dodge the initial punch that Laxus had thrown, but was unable to dodge the line of electricity that followed the hit. Each charge hitting him directly on his mask, forcing him to stand and convulse. With ease, Laxus was able to grab the seith mage and pin him face down to the floor.
"You lied." Laxus growled out.
"Man...Freed would seriously die to be in this position." Bickslow sarcastically choked out.
Grabbing Bickslow by the back of his head, Laxus quickly slammed Bickslow's head down once into the ground, being sure to add his own body-weight into the blow when Bickslow's head made contact. The extra weight to Bickslow's head adding an extra bit of color to the stars the seith mage was already seeing. Laxus growled out louder, letting the electricity flow a bit more freely. "FUCK. FINE! Yes. I lied." Bickslow shouted, doing his best to buck Laxus off as his totems all began slamming into various parts of Laxus. With minimal effort, Laxus was able to stop all of them from moving, much to the dismay of Bickslow as thunder cracked loudly in his home. "The hell do you want man?!" Bickslow then shouted as his totems each hit the floor. Bits of smoke rising from each of them.
"You had no fucking idea what you were doing. Did you?" Laxus said.
"Uh, yeah I did. I'd be dead otherwise." Bickslow said as he clinched his teeth.
"You did die you stupid shit. Why'd you do it." Laxus snapped out, adding a heavy knee into the small of Bickslow's back.
"Because I can." Bickslow then said, jolting his back under the sudden pressure.
"I made a promise to kill you if you fucked any of this shit up. You remember that? As far as I'm concerned, you fucked this up." Laxus said threateningly.
"Then do it. I don't give a shit." Bickslow responded in a careless tone.
"What's fucked up, is that you'd probably actually love that." Laxus responded, letting more electricity flow through him.
"Gets me off just thinkin' about it." Bickslow said, trying to get Laxus' eyes into his vision.
His fist raised above him comrade, electricity sparked loudly through the air as Laxus prepared to pummel his comrade into the flooring. Bickslow watched from the corners of his vision as bright white and yellow sparks started to blind him slightly. Closing his eyes slowly, Bickslow prepared himself to be pummeled down and beaten. He felt Laxus' weight shift on him and braced for impact, only to feel all of the heavy dragon slayer's weight removed from him and hearing loud scuffling on the floor next to him. Quickly looking next to him, he saw Laxus pinned down on the ground. Sparks flying out of the dragon slayer and finding their way into the heavy iron rods situated heavily onto Laxus' hands. "The hell did you do to piss this one off freak?!" Gajeel then shouted, doing his best to keep Laxus pinned to the flooring. Laughing maniacally, Bickslow immediately rose to his feet, his totems all following suite. "It's me metalhead. You already know." Bickslow laughed out. Slowly, Gajeel started to lose his grounding on Laxus. The second Laxus was able to raise himself up onto one knee, both Gajeel and Bickslow ran out of the home. Bickslow laughing wildly as Gajeel eyed him down curiously, sticking next to the seith mage. He may not have cared too particularly for the man, but he was still a a bit of heathen like himself. As far as Gajeel was concerned, "birds of a feather" applied to this situation. Bickslow and Gajeel readily and easily bounded and hopped over the buildings of Magnolia, harboring the attention of any and all the citizens who were out for the late morning rushes. Within seconds, Laxus was right behind them. If there was anything the iron dragon slayer hated, it was being chased like a prey item. Without thinking, Gajeel immediately turned around to face the lightning dragon slayer. Using one of his arms as a lightning rod, Gajeel was able to redirect the shot of electricity that Laxus had thrown at them. The iron dragon slayer more than surprised to see Bickslow dropping down and placing a knee heavily down into Laxus shoulder before bounding off. His totems all mimicking the action. Signalling for the two men to again start running, Bickslow quickly gestured and Gajeel hopped to it.
"Seriously man. What the hell did you do?" Gajeel laughed out nervously, following the seith mage closely. Electricity popping behind him.
"I fucked his girlfriend's sister in every sense of the word." Bickslow said as he bounded off of Poppo. The totem letting out almost an offended grunt as he did.
"That warrants him to kill your ass?" Gajeel then said.
"Technically yes." Bickslow shouted out, turning to the left quickly as a bolt of electricity formed on the right and Laxus appeared.
"Man you guys got a fucked up relationship." Gajeel laughed out.
"He loves me for it. I owe ya one by the way."
"Yeah ya do. Levy's gonna kill me."
"Why'd you come here then?!" Bickslow shouted.
"The sound of thunder gets me goin' nowadays...giheehee." Gajeel smirked out.
"Any chance to fight Laxus again, huh?" Bickslow said as a wide grin crossed his face.
The two men spent the better part of the morning trying to outrun and out maneuver Laxus. Both of which failing miserably as the lightning dragon slayer was easily able to keep up with the two of them. They had managed to get out to the outskirts of Magnolia at least, keeping the amount of damage they had done to a minimum. Only a few roof shingles and Bickslow's home had any real damage to them. Finding a heavily wooded area, both Bickslow and Gajeel stopped running much to the pleasure of the iron dragon slayer as he readied himself to fight the lightning dragon slayer. Laxus stopped right behind them as well. His temper having fizzled off slightly after having to give chase to both men.
"You know. I only had plans on killin' Bickslow. But I'm more than happy to remind you exactly where it is you stand Gajeel." Laxus spat out.
"Big words comin' from a guy who was just pinned to the ground by me." Gajeel said, excited for the match to come.
"Hey, I was bent over ready to take it Laxus." Bickslow laughed out.
"The hell are you even here for Black Steel?" Laxus then said in annoyance.
"I was supposed to be with Levy officially announcing...having...twins...But you were makin' a ruckus." Gajeel responded as he smirked.
"Twins? Holy shit. How'd you find that out?" Laxus then said relaxing his stance slightly.
"The freak came over and sorta figured that one out...was having an episode." Gajeel then said, keeping his guard up still.
"Flashbacks?" Laxus said as his fighting stance dropped entirely.
Gajeel nodded slowly. Laxus sighed as he rubbed his temples, glaring over towards Bickslow. Even if he genuinely did want to beat his friend into oblivion for lying, the man still meant well in almost everything he did and Laxus knew it. Laxus reached into cloak and pulled out a cigar, clipping it quickly for himself and began the process of smoking it. Without missing a beat, he then tossed a cigar over towards Bickslow. The seith mage immediately relaxing his stance as he readied the cigar for himself. Gajeel stood in a bit of confusion as the two men that he had walked in on mid battle, were now casually enjoying a smoke together. Laxus eyed the iron dragon slayer down for a moment before forcefully handing the man a lit and readied cigar. "One kid has got to have a mostly functioning dad...two means you'll need to be fully functioning. Congrats. Save the fight for another time." Laxus said as the earthy taste of the cigar filled his mouth. Gajeel took the cigar and tilted his head in thanks to the lightning dragon slayer. "I'll beat your ass in front of my kids then Laxus. It'll be great giheehee."
"Can I ask you a question Gajeel?" Bickslow said quietly.
"Knock yourself out freak." Gajeel then said as he slowly began to appreciate the taste of cigars.
"You almost killed Levy. How the fuck did she ever see anything in you past that?" Bickslow asked honestly, much to the surprise of Laxus.
"To be honest with ya...I can't answer that 'cause I ain't gotta clue. I guess she just did. Why? You do something to that extreme with Natsu's sloppy seconds?" Gajeel said receiving a hard punch to the back by Laxus.
"Call her that again man. I'll kill you AND Bickslow." Laxus said as he passed Gajeel a sharp glare.
"Pretty much metalhead. I fucked up pretty good. Lied about it too." Bickslow said as he spun each of his totems individually in the air.
"Well...if Lisanna is anything like her sister..." Gajeel said cautiously as Laxus let out a low growl from his chest "then she'll forgive you. Just give her some time. I doubt what ever you did, was even on the same level of shit I did, and even if it was, I'm sure you actually had reasons to do so."
"You'd be surprised." Bickslow said huffing out a breath of air.
"Why did you lie about all this shit Bickslow." Laxus then said, squaring up to his comrade.
"You of all people should know Laxus. I don't really know how to handle myself with Lisanna. I had to give myself some sort of a legitimate reason to be around...just happened to have the best AND most fucked up reasons out there." Bickslow said. The advantages of being the same height as Laxus now being nothing short of a godsend as he stood eye level with the man.
"Pull this shit again man...I swear. I won't give you a warning." He said to Bickslow "and YOU. If you wanna have a couple of orphans runnin' around. By all means. Get involved with shit involving the Raijinshu." Laxus then said to Gajeel.
"Oh I dare ya to try it bolt brains..." Gajeel then spit out, tossing the cigar onto the ground and stomping it out.
"You really want that metalhead?" Laxus then smirked out getting back into a fighting stance.
"Holy shit. I'm the one whose supposed to be gettin' fucked here guys. Gajeel, Levy has you whipped and YOU should probably get back to her. Laxus, if you actually killed Gajeel, Mirajane would kill you. Ya know she has a thing for kids." Bickslow then said as he casually walked away and headed back in the direction of Magnolia. The two dragon slayers let out low, threatening growls towards each other before acknowledging that what Bickslow said, was about as true as it could be. Both eventually turning to follow Bickslow back into town. The walk would be no less than an hour away as the crow flies, and none of the men wanted anything to do with having to expel any more energy to get back to town. None of them would let on that they were, in the slightest way winded, but none of them would suggest taking any short cuts. "You know freak. Us dragon slayers know who our mates are the second we meet 'em. I guess you could call it 'soulmate' type of shit if you believe in that sorta thing. If Lisanna's anything like a normal mate, she'll come around." Gajeel said quietly, earning a nod from Laxus. The dragon slayers may not have agreed on much, but this was certainly one thing they agreed upon. "Yeah...we'll see about that." Bickslow said quietly.
