Guess who's back! Back again! It's me! Hello everyone, HOW YOU ALL DOING! Today is my first official day of summer vacation, so that means more chapters and faster uploads! Also I want to say a huge thank you to the people who had reviewed the last chapter. It means a lot to know that there are people reading my work and are finding enjoyment in it. Even when I thought that it was a horrible chapter there were still people telling me the kindest words. You guys are the reason why I gained back my inspiration, so please have this new chapter as a thank you gift. To be honest, I really liked how this one came out, and now with the story reaching it's first climax I am getting all the more excited!
The bright runes over Freed's chest felt like they were burning him. His entire body trembling from the effort of keeping the spell in place.
Because of his runes he had been able to disappear from Laxus' sight. Laxus wouldn't be able to hear, see, or smell him, making Freed invisible to the larger man.
At the sight of his broken face, Freed did all he could to hold back the soul-wrenching sob that was threatening to escape him. Laxus looked so lost; so broken.
Desperately, Laxus took a shaking step forward, unknowingly making the space between him and his beloved that much smaller. He looked right through Freed in hopes of finding that man that was right in front of him. Something in his eyes seemed to shatter making the entire scene that much harder to go through without revealing himself or running away.
"I'm not going to let you go, Freed." He whispered to himself.
Freed's breath caught in his throat, his eyes instantly burning with tears. He dug his finger nails into the rough skin of his palm to try and draw his attention to something else beside the sharp ache in his heart. He shook his head in agony trying to silently step aside from Laxus. His back hit the wall hard making the little air in his lungs vanish.
For a few agonizing moments Laxus just stood in the middle of the hallway with nothing but a numbness in his bones. He was hurt and confused. What had he done to deserve Freed's reaction? Was it something that had happen before the seven years? Was he still angry over the Fantasia Parade? He wouldn't blame the Rune Mage. What he did back then then was the most horrific thing that he could have done to his family. Yet, Laxus still was set on bringing back Freed. If not for his sake, then for Ever and Bickslow. He wanted Freed back, even if it wasn't in the way he wants it to be.
The way that he had only just realized he wanted.
He just prayed to the Gods that he would be given the chance to speak to him again. It didn't matter in what setting.
Laxus just needed Freed.
"I'm sorry…" He whispered into the air around him. With those words said he began to walk away.
Freed was left alone with those two words ringing in his head dangerously loud. His body trembled so viciously that his legs threaten to buckle.
He looked at the space that Laxus had just been standing in. The sight of it made his heart jump in his chest and conflicting emotions collide in his mind.
"I won't go back. I won't go back. I won't go back. I won't go back." He repeated those four words to himself like a mantra. He had suffered enough because of Laxus. His heart had broken into a million pieces and it had been almost impossible to put back them together. Freed was just be able to heal after what had happened.
How dare Laxus think that he could come back into Freed's life and just break him apart all over again?
Sadly, however, Freed knew that his true weakness would be his heart. Laxus had taken control of it all over again without even realizing it.
Everything faded around the edges for Freed as his legs collapsed underneath him.
God, look at him. He was reduced to this just from seeing Laxus. Only Mavis knew what would happen to him if he were forced to confront him again. He couldn't do that. He didn't think that his heart would be able to handle it in the long run. There too many unsaid words between them both; too many emotions. The thought of dealing with them had the Rune Mage dreading another confrontation.
Well that wasn't entirely true, his body and heart craved to see the Lighting Dragon Slayer again. It was just that he wasn't ready yet. If he were given some time, then maybe everything would be able to calm down, he could sort through his thoughts and he would be able to see his old team again. He knew that he wouldn't be able to return to Fairy Tail, but that didn't mean that he was going to shut out the people who were most important to him. As long as he had the strength to keep his guilt at bay then he would give himself the chance to see them again. Welcome them all back home, even though he wouldn't be able to go home with them.
You always could, Lamia Scale would understand. A soft voice told him.
The moment that the thought sprouted in his mind he knew that he was trending in dangerous waters. There was no way that he would afford to think that. If he did, then he would break yet another promise.
His knees began to register the impact against the hard stone floor; helping him clear his mind with the throbbing pain his legs were sending to his head.
Taking a deep breath, he was able to slowly get back on his feet. For a moment the world around him spun on its axis, but it only was for a few short seconds. When everything was as clear as it was going to get Freed began to walk back to his team.
It was strange how much it hurt to go in the opposite direction of the man he wished he could be with.
Lyon was giddy from the game; his body was humming with a rush of adrenaline only a good fight could give him. When he got back to his team there was a sort of dark cloud hanging over them all. It was strange to see the usually lively group so seldom.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
Yuka, Chelia, and Jura were looking out into the arena with eyes filled with rage, worry, and something else that just didn't seem right.
Jura was the first to speak and the tone of his voice made Lyon's hair stand on end.
"Raven Tail is doing their best to show their power…" He said.
Lyon was still lost, but the eerie silence of the crowd was clear sign that something was terribly wrong. He took a few steps forward to see a sight that made his stomach drop.
Lucy was being suspended by fiery red hair. Her long legs were spread apart just making the bright burns on her feet that much more noticeable. She was in clear pain, desperate for release. Yet, there was nothing anyone could do. This was her fight after all.
"She needs to find a way out of that…" Lyon said in a low voice.
He had expected for Freed to say something about the match, seeing as the young girl had been a guild member of his.
However, that's when he noticed the absence of the man he thought he could sense so well. He ripped his eyes from the match in front of him to look around the balcony. "Where's Freed?" He asked.
A strange sort of fear settled in his gut. Millions of thoughts ran through his head as to where Freed had gone. Then something in him snapped. He turned around slowly to look across the field.
Fairy Tail Team B were looking at Lucy with rapt attention. Every single mage was enraged at the fact that one of their most treasured teammates was going through hell.
Lyon saw the way that Juvia was ready to snap into action, the way Mira was glowing with a dark energy. All the while Gajeel was seething, eyes shining with a dark light. Mystogan was in a similar state, but one couldn't see his face behind the scarf that he wore.
Yet there was one person missing from the group.
Laxus was nowhere to be seen.
Freed must be with Laxus.
Three Years Ago…
It was the day after the S-Class trials. The entire guild was partying in honor of their new S-Class wizard, loud music making the walls tremble from how hard the bass was coming off the lacrima amps.
Lyon pushed passed all the drunk dancing bodies, feeling his own intake of liquor in the way his entire body was warmer and looser.
His eyes scanned for the man of the hour only to see that he was nowhere in sight. Something told him that he shouldn't be surprised or that he shouldn't feel the all too familiar sharp pain in his heart that was just common when Lyon thought of the man.
However, Lyon knew just where the man he was looking for was. The only problem was that it would be a rather long walk to get there.
Anything to be by his side. His tipsy mind added.
With those words floating around his head he began to walk towards the front doors of the guild, he opened them only wide enough so that his slim body would be able to fit through. There was no need to make a scene and have the rest of the guild question him. He didn't have time for that.
When he was outside the cold night air was a comfort to his naturally cold skin. The guild had been hot and humid from all the people surrounding each other in such close quarters. It was nice to be free of that for a while.
Lyon began to walk towards the city's park in hopes of finding the man he was desperate to see.
That was something that he hated about himself. He hated the fact that it only took three years to turn the man into something so important to Lyon. Every waking moment he thought of dark blue eyes and short emerald hair.
It took a while for Lyon to reach his destination, but when he did it wasn't really hard to reach the place he knew his friend would be.
The fountain in the center of the park had always been a favorite of Freed's. It would be the place where he would go when he was having a hard time, or just needed a quiet place to think things over. Lyon was lucky enough to have found him once. He'd stayed there with Freed on more than one occasion.
When Lyon was able to catch sight of the man he had been looking for, he felt his heart race.
"Freed…" He whispered.
At first he had thought that Freed hadn't heard him at all and that he was going to have to speak up again, but when the Rune Mage turned his head back to look at the Ice Mage; Lyon knew that he had been heard. He always was.
"You know the party is on the other side of town. As the man of the hour I would have thought you'd have known better." Lyon joked as he made his way to stand right neck to Freed. Their shoulders grazed each other and Lyon couldn't help but shiver.
Freed let the corner of his mouth turn up in amusement. However, there was something in his eyes that made the action seem forced.
Then it hit Lyon suddenly. Freed was alone for a reason.
"They'd be very proud in how far their Captain's come." Lyon offered, the words leaving a nasty taste in his mouth.
Freed visibly stiffened at the words and Lyon saw the way his eyes glazed over in memories of the past. A past that Lyon wished Freed would have never gone through.
The Rune Mage took a deep breath before he was finally able to speak.
"I know they would be. As a matter of fact, I know exactly how they would have reacted." Freed spoke with a pained fondness in his voice that just furthered showed the suffering that he was going through. The pain of years ago was coming back to haunt him. He could feel it in the way his eyes burned, the way his throat tightened up, and how his heart ached with a loneliness that would seep into his bones if he wasn't careful.
Lyon didn't know what to say to that, so he just stood there, taking in Freed's presence.
The entire scene was rather romantic in Lyon's eyes. There were fireflies lighting up the dark park in a pale white glow. The moon was full and the light it was able to reflect was enough to drape a blanket of soft silver light over everything. Water from the fountain redirected some of the light to caress Freed's sharp noble features. No sounds could be heard beside the water flowing from the fountain. It was so peaceful and Lyon didn't want to ruin the moment.
By the Gods, Freed had never looked so stunning.
Then the silence was broken.
"When will it go away?" Freed spoke softly, his voice cracking at the end.
Lyon was caught off guard by the question not sure what Freed was asking of him.
When Freed saw that he wasn't going to get a response he tried to clarify. "The pain."
At that Lyon's breath caught. He knew that he was going to have to choose his words very carefully if he wanted everything to go well. Yet, there was something in him that was breaking. Was he not enough for Freed?
No you're not, cause you're not him.A voice told him.
In the end, that's what it came down to. Lyon was never going to be Laxus. He was never going to be able to match up with a love and friendship that had the time to bloom for years. Lyon was never going to be able to take that spot in Freed's heart.
"You can't get rid of the pain. You just learn how to live with it." Lyon finally said. "…But that doesn't mean that you have to deal with it alone."
Lyon needed to make sure that Freed knew that he was not alone when it came to the loss of his team. He needed to reassure Freed about the fact that he had people that cared about him.
Freed smiled at that, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You know that's not how that works between us…" He almost said those words with pity. Maybe Freed knew what Lyon was thinking when it came to their relationship.
How pathetic would that be?
From there they stood together in silence. Nothing uncomfortable, just a silence that showed their trust in one another.
Lyon didn't dare break the silence in hopes of trying to keep the moment alive as long as he could. It wasn't often that he was able to indulge in just being with Freed.
Then suddenly he felt a delicate touch graze against his knuckle. He bit back a gasp of shock and he didn't dare look at Freed. Moments later strong warm fingers intertwined with his. Then he felt a solid weight lean against him.
"Can we stay here for a while?" Freed asked as he rested his head against Lyon shoulder.
For a second Lyon wanted to laugh at the question and say that he wished he could stay right there as long as it was with Freed. But he decided against it.
"Just promise me that you won't leave." He whispered softly.
What did that question mean? Was Lyon referring to the guild? To himself? He didn't know just yet, the words just felt right falling from his lips.
Freed moved closer so that they were flushed against one another. "I promise…" He said against Lyon's shoulder.
Something in the Ice Mage fluttered at the sound of his Freed's voice. It was impossible to stop the soft smile that formed on his lips. Just as long as he had Freed by his side then he was going to be fine. He didn't need to worry about the past because Freed was with him right then and there.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep you by my side…
Lyon snapped back to the world around him when he heard he door behind him open.
Finally returning to his team, Freed made sure to let his head hang low. He couldn't risk them seeing him in the state that Laxus had left him in. It would raise questions that he was not in the mood to answer. He was too tired and wished the day would be over.
"Freed…" Lyon asked. His voice laced in a sort of desperation.
Please tell me that you weren't with him! His mind screamed.
Something in the way that Freed' shoulders were hunched over made the entire Lamia Scale team worry.
"Lyon, I can't do this right now. I'm not feeling well." Freed said brokenly. He made his way to take a seat closest to the back of the balcony. Then for a split moment Lyon was able to catch sight of his flushed cheeks, cheeks wet from tears.
The Ice mage took a step forward towards Freed. "You've been crying!" He said as a matter of fact. His heart began to race and he could feel the air around him start to drop several degrees. "It was because of him, wasn't it?" He said in something close to a growl.
How fucking dare he! He thought he would be able to walk back into Freed's life to just tear him apart all over again!
Something snapped in Lyon. He was going to end this once and for all. He was going to find Laxus and make sure that he knew to stay away from Freed. There was not going to be any fighting for the Rune Mage because Freed was going to stay with him. Freed had promised him, after all.
He marched towards the door ready for a fight.
Then out of nowhere an arm shoots out blocking him from going any further.
Freed brought up his head in a sharp movement causing Lyon to take a step back.
"Vastia, this has nothing to do with you, and like I said months ago; this doesn't have anything to do with me." Freed said in a low menacing voice.
Lyon was stunned into silence. His dark eyes wide and filled with hurt. Then something in his mind snapped. He was not going to have this happen. Laxus was the one to blame for the fact that Freed was falling apart. If the man had just stayed dead, then he wouldn't have to be going through any of this!
"He needs to be taught a lesson." He threatened, gaining a bravado. "Laxus needs to understand that he needs to leave you alone."
A deadly light flashed across Freed's eyes.
Lyon had never seen Freed in such a state. He had thought it impossible for Freed to ever lose control of his emotions and yet there he was; watching the most important man in his life look at him as if he was the scum of the earth.
"If you lay a single hand on Laxus, or anyone from Fairy Tail… I will not hesitate to put you back in your place. You will leave them alone." Freed snarled.
"Freed calm down!" Jura exclaimed. The man pushed away from the balcony to make his way to Freed. His large rough hand came down on Lyon's shoulder pulling him away from Freed. "This is not the time or the place to be arguing." He said. His voice was loud and booming causing Chelia to bite back a whimper of worry.
She couldn't take the look on Freed's face any longer. He looked so broken, so angry, and so, so sad.
Then the voice of the announcer broke the tension in the air.
"It seems that we have a winner! Flare from Raven Tail has won the match!" Something in the way he delivered those words made Freed's heart stop.
In desperation he pushed through Jura and Lyon.
"Lucy!" He called out. The moment he reached the edge of the stone railings guilt racked through is body. He stood there motionless as he saw Lucy crying on the ground. Her body was covered in burns, her legs in the worse state. How could he have forgotten what Natsu had said as he ran past both him and Laxus?
He couldn't take it anymore. There a pain in his chest that was growing. The guilt, regret, and anger were making the world around him fade to black.
Something told him that he was not going to survive these games.
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