The the training session ended in a stalemate between Gajeel and Chiyo a cute little celebration was held after as people gathered around Chiyo to ask her questions.
"You're really a god-slayer!" Max exclaimed.
"We should fight next! You're truly a manly man!" Elfman added.
"Big brother Elf, Chiyo's not a man" Lisanna laughed.
Amber, Fuyuko, Zephyr, Samael and Cia sat on the sidelines watching Chiyo receive her praise in silence.
The guild doors swung open and The dragon knight entered the hall, everybody's attention shifted to the unfamiliar presence, Chiyo pushed through the crowd to greet the knight.
The knight unsettled everybody, their silence was rare in a fairy tail member, however they weren't really a member. They refused to receive the emblem on their flesh and simply just left the hall for days on end.
The knight stared at Chiyo for several seconds before handing her a blade and a matching scabbard. The scabbard had an intricate silver rose on it and the handle of the blade was adorned with the same rose symbol.
"Oh! You finished it!" Chiyo's eyes widened taking the katana examining it.
The blade was made with the finest gold and silvers, Chiyo switched different battle stances with the blade in her hand, "It's very well made.".
The rest of the guild whispered amongst themselves, Chiyo slid the blade back into the scabbard nodding to the knight, "You can go back home, I'll see you in a week." she smiled at them.
And the knight did just that, they left without a word.
"What a weirdo..." Natsu huffed.
"I find him kind of scary... like what if he turned against us?" Wendy whimpered.
Laxus looked over at Fuyuko, knowing the knight and her were related by blood, Amber was holding onto her arm, Fuyuko's face in a somber smile maintaining her composure. He felt bad for her, he spent so much time hiding his emotions from people, when she couldn't show emotions without losing her ability to walk for weeks.
"I think I'm going to go for a walk." Fuyuko fidgeted with her fingers silently stepping out of the guild hall her feet hitting the pavement quietly.
Laxus looked in the direction she left and then back at the thunder legion who were talking amongst themselves.
"Okay but what IF you lived with us Ever." Bickslow said sticking his tongue out.
"Not happening bozo!" Evergreen smacked the back of Bickslow's neck.
Freed chuckled at their antics and then looked at Laxus who's expression was somber.
"Are you okay Laxus?" Freed asked.
"Yeah just saw something is all." Laxus ran his hand through his spiky blonde hair.
"Oooooooh! Let me guess! A pretty girl who's out of your league!" Evergreen said smirking.
Bickslow coughs, "Mira" he laughs.
Freed and Laxus hadn't told them about their situation and their new found... feelings? That they had shared with each other. Freed didn't know how to feel about it, they hadn't even kissed yet, they hadn't come out although everybody pretty much assumed Freed wasn't straight.
"Can it would you?" Laxus huffed.
"I knew it!" Evergreen excitedly hugged him.
Bickslow snorted in his chair, "Come on man just ask her out."
Freed shifted a bit in his chair looking at Laxus, his face practically begging him to shut it down. Laxus sighed rubbing his face, "Bicks, Ever just shut the fuck up.".
Evergreen scowled, "Fine grumpy pants no help getting laid for you!".
Freed sighed in relief rubbing Margaret's tiny head, she was awake for once and was just staring at Freed smiling, "Well aren't you a happy one?" Freed hummed softly at her.
"I'm gonna head home, you coming Freed? Bicks?" Laxus stood up.
"Oh! Yeah sure I'll come!" Freed smiled standing up.
"Nah. Gonna train a bit, be home later." Bickslow responded.
Laxus and Freed left the guild hall and began walking home.
"Did you have a crush on Mira at some point?" Freed asked suddenly.
Laxus looks around them seeing if anybody they knew was nearby and then gingerly took Freed's hand in his own, holding hands as they walked, "I did when I was like sixteen, just some horny teenage boy wanting to get laid is all.".
"And you're not horny now?" Freed snorted.
"Fuck off, broccoli head." Laxus rolled his eyes still smiling.
"But you don't like her now?" Freed questioned.
"Not now. Got more important things on my mind." Laxus said looking forward.
"Likeeeee?" Freed bashfully asked.
"Like the man aside me fishing for romantic sappy crap." Laxus smirked and chuckled.
Freed blushed and smiled down at Margaret who was still awake and squirming and asking for attention in his little baby carrier.
"Are you going to take her with you on your trip?" Laxus asked.
"Yeah. She'll come back much different though, much older." Freed said still looking at her tiny innocent face.
"Care to explain?"
"From what I understand it's an age advancement thing. Children I guess didn't exist in the empire. So she'll come back a teenager..." Freed answered looking back up and over at Laxus's face, "Have you decided if you're going to come or not?"
Laxus froze, looking down at the cobblestone path they were walking on. "Y'know I should just ask Gramps his opinion, if he wants me to stay I'll stay, if he says I can go, I'll go. I know what I want, stay by your side, help you see this dream through to its end.".
"Even though Amber is coming?" Freed brought up.
Laxus sighed, "I don't hate her, she's just not trustworthy, how close she has already gotten raises flags and I need to protect the guild."
"Shes just happy to be here, Laxus."
"I know. And seeing her bring you joy makes me happy..." Laxus stepped closer to Freed.
Suddenly small white flakes began to fall from the sky, "What the-" Laxus questioned.
Freed smiled at the snow falling around them and all around Magnolia, it was weird for sure, but not unappreciated. Margaret lifted her tiny arms up to grab the small white flakes, but Laxus's eyes remained still on Freed.
Freed looked back up to his thunder god as Laxus as he stepped closer once again. Freed knew what was going to happen and his face still couldn't help but turn a deep shade of red, their lips met, and they shared their first kiss in the summer snow.
