Chapter 8 – New Journey
After Adryn and Laxus separated from their hug, they headed to Adryn's home. She needed to collect some of her things for the night before she fully moved into Laxus' home at a later date. Adryn chose some clothing and a few books as the items that she brought with her to her boyfriend's home. Once they got back to his apartment, they saw the Thunder Legion waiting there for them.
"What brings you guys here?" Adryn asked as she approached the three of them.
"We... wanted to make sure that you two were alright," Freed stated simply. His hesitancy caused Adryn to smile at them.
"You mean, you missed us, along with wanting to check up on us."
"I guess you could say that. So are you going to let us in or what?" Evergreen questioned as she shivered slightly. The night was approaching and it was getting a little chilly now.
"Of course." Adryn chuckled as she watched Laxus walk up the steps with the Thunder Legion following quickly behind. She followed them and as soon as they were in Laxus' apartment, she set her bag down. Laxus had another bag of hers as well, but she insisted on carrying her bag of books.
"What's up with the bags?" Bickslow finally asked what the three of them were thinking.
"Adryn lives here now." Laxus simply spoke up like it was no big deal.
"You two live together now?!" Evergreen cried out in shock as she looked back and forth between the two lovers. Adryn was smiling as Laxus just shrugged his shoulders.
"Laxus decided that he couldn't live without me any longer and made me realize that I can't live without him either," Adryn explained simply, leaving out the part where she tried to leave him before.
"I'm happy for you two. You guys are a good couple." Freed commented instantly.
"Yeah and I'm sure you two will have plenty of fun now." Bickslow stated with his babies repeating, "Fun! Fun!" Adryn just shook her head as Laxus glared at his friend.
"As long as you two think it's good for you, then I'll support you on this," Evergreen spoke up, ignoring Bickslow and his babies.
"So, how did you two come to the conclusion that living together was a good idea? What caused this decision other than your feelings?" Freed was clearly curious. It wasn't every day that Laxus decided to have a girl live with him.
"Well, after all the things I went through, Laxus decided that he didn't want me to be alone anymore. After I got over trying to break up with him, I decided it was a good idea as well." Adryn explained causing the Thunder Legion to all look at her with shocked faces.
"You tried to break up with him?!" All three reacted instantly.
"Yeah, she tried to leave me. Over something stupid." Laxus spoke up finally, causing the three friends to look between them with confusion. "She felt that she caused me too many problems."
"You felt you were a burden on Laxus?" Freed looked to the redhead for clarification. She just nodded her head in response. "Laxus would never think you're a burden, right Laxus?"
"Of course I don't and won't think she's a burden," Laxus stated immediately.
"I believe you, but I just am worried that I'll cause even more problems and-" Adryn was about to go on a tangent about different things, but Laxus interrupted her.
"It'll be okay. I said I'd protect you and I will. Even if it's from yourself and your negative thoughts."
"So sweet." Bickslow teased with his babies echoing his words twice.
"Don't tease Laxus!" Freed demanded as he turned to Bickslow.
"Anyway!" Evergreen spoke up, stopping Bickslow and Freed from beginning to bicker over the situation. "I'm glad you didn't let Adryn leave you, Laxus. You seem a lot happier with her around."
"He better be happier with me around," Adryn stated with a smirk on her face. Laxus just smiled at her and caused her to chuckle at her own words. From there, the group sat down and began to chat about everything that came to mind. They talked about how Laxus and Eclipse were brainwashed and how Adryn broke it. That was another thing that Adryn still felt bad about, but she chose to not admit it. They also talked about how Laxus and Adryn decided that they would all go search for the remaining members of Raven Tail and take them down once and for all. The Thunder Legion gladly accepted their invitation to come along with them to hunt them down.
Eventually though, the day grew late and the Thunder Legion had to head to their homes. The Thunder Legion bid farewell to Laxus and Adryn and headed out into the night. That left Adryn and Laxus alone for their first night as a couple who lived together. That would mean they would sleep together in one bed, which caused Adryn some anxiety.
"You alright?" Laxus questioned as he noticed that Adryn hadn't been moving or speaking for some time. She looked up seemingly shocked at hearing Laxus' voice suddenly.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I was just thinking." Adryn responded immediately. She answered a little too fast causing Laxus to realize that she was worried about something.
"What's wrong?" Laxus asked this as he reached down and grabbed the bag he previously was holding containing Adryn's clothing. He then made his way to grab Adryn's bag of books to take them to his bedroom.
"Um, well... It's just... I haven't really ever slept next to someone before..." Laxus paused in his movements and turned around to face the girl. He was a little shocked, but as he knew, she had a not so great past, so of course she never truly slept next to someone before. They'd laid together outside as they watched the stars, but they never slept together yet. "I'm just a little nervous."
"I understand, but you don't have to be nervous. I won't do anything you don't want me to do." Laxus reassured her as he's had to a few times. She was very skittish at times when it came for them to be close together. She still had some residual trauma locked deep inside.
"I know, Laxus. I trust you." Adryn smiled at her boyfriend and then stood up from the chair she was sitting in. The two of them headed to Laxus' bedroom and began to get ready for bed. They didn't change in the same room though, due to Adryn not being ready for that level of intimacy yet. Eventually though, they were both changed and were standing in Laxus' room together. Adryn was wearing a nightgown that was blue with black roses on it. Laxus was wearing just his underwear with a shirt. He usually didn't wear a shirt, but he felt that for the sake of his girlfriend, he should wear one for a bit while she was getting used to sleeping next to him.
"Are you ready to go to sleep, Adryn?" Laxus questioned as both of them just stood there looking at the bed.
"Yeah..." Adryn had a strange look on her face. It was almost like she was debating saying something.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing yet," Adryn spoke up as she climbed into Laxus' bed. He followed after her and climbed into his side of the bed. He was on the left side and she was on the right. They both laid with their backs to each other, but something just didn't feel right. "Laxus?"
"What is it?"
"Can we lay closer together?"
"Come here." Laxus laid on his back and opened his arms up for the girl. She instantly moved closer to him and snuggled into his arms. Her head was on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her body. "Better?"
"Much better," Adryn muttered sleepily. Adryn felt quite safe in Laxus' arms, probably more safe then she's ever felt in her whole life. Laxus was just glad that Adryn was comfortable. He knew deep down inside that he'd do anything for her. So, with each other on their minds, the two lovers drifted off to sleep.
~
Laxus woke up in the morning feeling happier than usual. It was the first time he was going to wake up with his girlfriend. However, when he rolled over to see her still asleep face, he saw nothing but an empty bed. He reached out on instinct to feel if the bedsheets were still warm, but they were ice cold. Immediate panic shot through him like lightning and he shot up in bed. He nearly ran out of his bedroom, just to see Adryn on his couch just reading a book. When he threw the door open, she was so startled that she dropped her book and turned to look at Laxus.
"W-What's wrong?" Adryn spoke with worry in her voice. Laxus visibly calmed down and sighed before walking over to Adryn and sitting next to her on the couch.
"I... I thought you left. When I woke up and didn't see you, I was worried that you left me like you wanted to before." Laxus finally admitted after a few moments of debating if he should tell her or not. Adryn just frowned and took one of Laxus' hands.
"I'm never going to leave you. I swear. I'm so sorry that I made you worry." Adryn looked into Laxus' eyes and smiled at him.
"Let's go back to bed. We have the day off today."
"Alright," Adryn responded with a chuckle. She then picked up her book, put her bookmark back into it and let Laxus drag her back to his bed.
"How did you sleep?" Laxus questioned after they were laying in bed snuggling together.
"Surprisingly well, for all the bullshit that we've been through recently. What about you?"
"I slept so well I don't even think that I dreamed of anything."
"Ah, well I'm glad. I don't think I recall a dream last night either." Adryn thought hard on that. She just couldn't remember if she had a dream or not.
"When did you wake up?" Laxus asked thinking to how it was fairly early and she was up clearly long before him.
"I woke up when it was still dark outside. I felt fully rested and didn't want to just lay here bored, so I got up to read my book. Though, if I knew that it would cause you such worry, I would have stayed by your side and read the book in here." Adryn was frowning again as she felt terrible that she caused Laxus worry.
"It's alright, just wake me up next time. You don't need to be alone anymore. I'll wake up at any time if it means we get to be together." Adryn's heart soared with Laxus' words. He was being extra sweet which was a surprise to both of them.
"Alright, just don't get angry when I wake you up in the middle of the night just because I'm lonely."
"I'd never be mad at you," Laxus admitted as he looked to his girlfriend. He gave her a small smile and she returned it, along with a blush on her face. "You know, you should smile and blush more often, you look beautiful when you do." That caused Adryn's blush to deepen and her smile to widen.
"You look really good when you smile too, Laxus."
"Shut up," Laxus muttered as he turned his head away from her. There was a hint of pink on his face. Adryn hadn't told him something like that before, and it affected him a bit more than he thought it would. Adryn couldn't help but chuckle at him, which caused him to turn back to her and slightly glare at her without any true malice in his eyes.
"So, where do we go from here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I... I want to go further with our relationship than where we're at now, but... I just don't think I'm ready to..." Adryn looked away from Laxus as she spoke as she was clearly embarrassed due to her words.
"It's alright, Adryn. There is no rush." Laxus stated as he guided her face back to look at him.
"I'm sure that you want to go further, and I feel bad that I'm not ready for it yet."
"Of course I want to go further, but that can wait until you are comfortable. I wouldn't want you to feel scared or uncomfortable due to my actions."
"You're being awfully understanding and considerate, Laxus. Are you feeling alright?" Adryn teased her boyfriend, causing him to smirk at her.
"You are the only one who gets to see me like this, so don't go around tellin' everyone."
"Alright." Adryn laughed and snuggled up against Laxus further.
"In all seriousness though, we will go at your pace. Besides, whether we do more things or not, I won't leave your side again. Nothing will take me away from you." Laxus held Adryn close to him as he spoke so that she couldn't see his flushed face.
"Same here. Nothing, not even any of the Gods or Goddesses can take me away from you." Adryn swore to Laxus who just nodded his head in return. The two then fell silent and slowly drifted back off to sleep while holding each other. They both had pleasant dreams of the future that they would remember when they woke up this time.
~
A few days later Adryn got summoned to the Magic Council to hear the verdict on Eclipse's so-called crime. Most of the members decided that due to all Ivan did to Eclipse and many other people, that Eclipse wasn't truly guilty of anything, other than killing someone who deserved death. However, there were a few members that felt that she still needed punishment for her actions no matter how right she felt they were. They felt that she had no right to take someone's life. So, they sentenced her to be locked up for a year.
"I'm... I'm going to be locked up?" Eclipse questioned in shock after the verdict was read to her.
"What?! She only killed Ivan to protect us!" Adryn yelled out instantly. Laxus, who came with her, was by her side and kept her from angrily going after someone.
"We understand that, however, a crime was still committed. Eclipse murdered someone, no matter the reason." The councilmen spoke up glaring at the redheaded girl. To calm Adryn down, Eclipse calmed herself and turned to face her best friend.
"It'll be alright. It's only a year. I'll be out of here sooner than you think. I mean really, what can change in just a year?" Eclipse smiled at the now crying girl. Adryn calmly got up and walked to her friend before hugging her.
"I'll miss you though. We just got each other back!" Adryn cried out as Eclipse did her best to hug her back with the shackled still around her wrists.
"Do me a favor, just don't run off and get married until I'm out." Eclipse's words caused Adryn to laugh and blush.
"Don't worry. We'll wait for you." Laxus stated with a blush of his own on his face. That caused Eclipse to burst out into laughter, causing the man to glare at her but he quickly just smiled at her.
"It's time, Eclipse." One of the guards spoke to her causing the best friends to break apart.
"Don't worry, like I said, what could change in a year?"
"You're right. Nothing will change." Adryn swore to her friend as she was pulled away and out of the room. Instantly Adryn broke down and began to cry. Laxus made his way to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Come on, let's head home. We have a new journey to go off on, right?" Laxus' mention of their journey caused Adryn to perk up. "We have to get back and get the Thunder Legion ready to head out to hunt down the rest of Raven Tail, right?"
"You're right. We need to focus on that for now." Adryn agreed as she wiped the tears away from her eyes as she calmed down.
With that, the two lovers headed out of the building and made their way back to Fairy Tail's guildhall where they figured the Thunder Legion would be. They were correct in their assumption. Freed was chatting with Levy about some code that he came across in one of his books. Evergreen was with Elfman and Lisanna talking about Evergreen and Elfman's "not date" they went on. While Bickslow was picking on Lucy about whether she was in love with certain males in the guild or not. However, once Laxus and Adryn walked in, the Thunder Legion stopped what they were doing and flocked over to them.
"How did everything go? What was Eclipse's sentence?" Freed questioned immediately, even before the lovers made it all the way through the door.
"She has to be locked up for a year." Adryn sadly responded with her head down.
"I am sorry that she cannot go on our journey with us."
"I'm sure this year will fly by!" Bickslow stated with his babies repeating his last two words twice.
"Thank you, guys." Adryn finally looked up and smiled at her friends.
"Is it time to get ready to leave?" Evergreen asked, bringing things to a more serious tone.
"Leave to go where?" The group turned to see Master Makarov standing there with Mirajane. He was the one who spoke up first.
"You all are leaving again?" Mirajane questioned before anyone could respond to the master.
"We are going to take down all of Raven Tail so they can't hurt anybody else." Laxus simply responded as he looked at his grandfather.
"When do you think you'll come back?"
"After we have every member of Raven Tail locked up," Adryn spoke to her other best friend.
"I don't like that you might be gone a while, but I agree that it is necessary to take down Raven Tail before they destroy any more lives." Master Makarov finally spoke up after a moment of thought.
"Thank you, Master." Adryn smiled at the short man.
"You're family now child, call me 'Gramps'."
"It's not like they are married yet." Evergreen stated causing Adryn to blush.
"What do you mean 'yet'?" Adryn questioned as she looked to her friend.
"It's obvious that you two will end up married one day."
"Ever, stop teasing Adryn," Freed spoke up before the girl could say anything else that would cause Adryn to blush.
"It's not teasing if she's telling the truth." Bickslow spoke up as he chuckled with his babies repeating "truth" a few times. Adryn then blushed deeper at that, causing Bickslow to chuckle more and for Evergreen to join in with him.
"Okay, let's stop making me embarrassed," Adryn spoke, trying to calm her friends down. The two were about to say something more, but a glare from Laxus stopped them.
"We should get going," Laxus stated guiding the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"Be safe," Mirajane spoke to Adryn as she pulled her into a hug. The two girls shared a goodbye as Laxus said goodbye to his grandfather.
"Don't worry, Mira. I'm sure things will go well."
"Just be safe," Mirajane repeats as she smiles at her friend.
"I will," Adryn responded with a smile on her own face. With that, the Thunder Legion, Laxus and Adryn head to their homes to get ready for the trip. Each of them packed a single bag with some clothing and other necessities. They all met back up at Laxus and Adryn's apartment to discuss where exactly they would be going.
"So, does anyone have any leads?" Adryn questioned as they at on the couches in the living room.
"I heard that there was a group of Raven Tail members in a town a few days away. They are trying to start an uprising and take over the town." Freed explains after a moment of thought.
"Then that's where we should go," Adryn stated instantly as she stood up.
"That's a lot of train rides," Freed spoke up, causing Adryn to frown and sit back down.
"Fuck," Adryn muttered as she looked to the ground.
"It'll be alright. I think I have come up with a potion to fight against motion sickness."
"Really? Can we try it?"
"It may cause some... interesting side effects," Freed spoke hesitantly.
"What kind of side effects?" Laxus questioned curiously. He was a bit worried but he wouldn't admit that.
"I'm worried," Adryn admitted for the two of them.
"You could hallucinate." Freed simply stated worrying the dragon slayers further.
"Oh. Well, that's not that bad. Right?" Adryn spoke up hopefully.
"You could see things like demons and other creatures that aren't really there."
"Oh, that's wonderful. I'll take the motion sickness." Adryn immediately spoke up causing Freed to frown.
"I apologize," Freed responded to the girl.
"I think I'll pass too," Laxus stated after he thought about it for a moment.
"I will work hard to make a side effect-less potion for motion sickness."
"Thank you though, Freed. I appreciate your hard work." Adryn smiled at her friend, causing him to smile back.
"Why don't you two stop flirting and let's head out," Laxus grumbled as he looked between his girlfriend and friend. That caused Adryn to chuckle and lean against him.
"Come on, Laxus. Don't be bitter. I promise I won't flirt with anyone but you... I don't even think I know how to flirt, to begin with though." Adryn's end comment made them all chuckle at her.
"Either way, we should get going before the train arrives and leaves without us." Freed finally spoke up once everyone calmed down from their laughter. So, with that, the five of them grabbed their bags and headed to the train station to head off to the town they needed to head to. It would take a few days and a couple of trains to get there, so they were going to stay the night at an inn in a town about a quarter of the way there.
"How long until we get there?" Adryn muttered as she laid her head down on Laxus' shoulder, trying to not get sick. The man she was laying on was sleeping or at least trying to sleep.
"It'll take until tonight to get to our stop," Freed responded as he watched the girl turn slightly green. He suddenly worried about his well being as he was seated across from the dragon slayer couple. Bickslow sat next to him but was chatting with Evergreen who was in the next seat over so neither of them noticed the girl getting sick.
"Lovely," Adryn responded sadly as she closed her eyes but then they shot back open. "Closing my eyes makes it worse. Do you have that potion on you?"
"I do, why?"
"Give it to me. Now please."
"That's a bad idea," Laxus muttered while his eyes were still closed.
"I'm going to puke on you if I don't get rid of this motion sickness!" Adryn snapped back before turning green again. Laxus opened his eyes to see her and frowned.
"Freed, hurry with the potion." Laxus immediately stated. The green-haired man hurriedly pulled out the potion from his bag and handed it to Adryn. The bottle itself was clear, revealing a toxic looking green color of potion within it.
"Drink half of it," Freed instructed as Adryn opened the bottle up. She followed his instructions and drank only half of the bottle or at least what she thought was half, but it probably was a little less than half. She then closed the bottle and handed it back to Freed. It thankfully didn't taste as dangerous as it looked. It was just a mildly disgusting flavor that left a terrible aftertaste in Adryn's mouth.
"How long until I start hallucinating?"
"It should take a couple of minutes for the potion to take effect and the hallucinations to start. It just depends on how quickly it moves through your body." Freed simply explained as Adryn nodded her head.
"How long will they last?"
"The potion will work for about 4 hours, but the hallucinations won't last nearly as long as the potion's effects will. The hallucinations should calm down about an hour or two after they start."
"Lovely," Adryn muttered as she sighed. She then felt something at her hand and looked down to see that Laxus had reached out and held her hand. "Laxus?"
"I'll protect you from whatever you might see," Laxus stated as he looked to his girlfriend. She just smiled and nodded her head.
"Thank you."
"How are you supposed to protect her from something you won't be able to see?" Evergreen questioned joining in on the conversation. Apparently, she and Bickslow had begun to pay attention to the others when Adryn drank the potion.
"I believe Laxus meant that he'd be there for more support than anything," Freed explained simply as Laxus paused to think about how exactly to answer Evergreen.
"I want to know everything that you see while you are hallucinating," Laxus spoke to Adryn who just nodded her head in response.
"Oh!" Freed's outburst caused the group to jolt and look to him. "I nearly forgot, with the hallucinations, you may hear them speak to you. They will be real enough that you may also feel them, should they touch you. However, you need to remember that it is all the work of a potion and that it isn't truly real."
"Oh, great. That's just fucking wonderful." Adryn sighed yet again and tightened her grip on Laxus' hand. "I get the feeling I'm in for a wild ride... Wait, I don't feel motion sick anymore. Does that mean the potion is wor-" Adryn was going to finish her question but she began to see something behind Freed that wasn't there before. "Oh... Yeah, no, it's taken effect."