Chapter 35: When Times Change

"Laxus! You're outside! Are you cured?!" Lucy yelled as he stumbled backwards unexpectedly. Her weight easily knocking him over. The two falling into the grass, which did nothing to soften the impact. Somehow he managed to cradle her. All kinds of pain exploded up his spine as he rolled from his back to his side. The wind knocked out of him soon gave way to a coughing fit. He barely managed to avert his face away from her.

"Lucy." He whispered a bit bemused once he turned to face her, gently pushing her away. He had never been one to believe in day dreams, until that moment. His aches and pains instantly forgotten. He still wasn't sure if the moment was real. Maybe he wished so desperately for her to return that he had imagined the whole moment? He reached out, half expecting her to disappear. Or transform into Cana playing a joke on him.

Laxus placed a hand on her head, noting all the differences - her hair, the lack of weight, her complexion. A whole minute passed of the two just silently studying each other. That more than her physical changes showed him how real the situation was. Her eyes were more hooded then normal. He felt her withdraw from him. Maybe in fear of alienation? She thought maybe he was going to be mad at her? Punish her for getting kidnapped?

Shit, he was such a dumbass to make her expect that reaction.

He had to show her that he wasn't like that anymore.

"You're home." He said giving a large hug. The tension, accumulated from many days of stress, melted like butter on the concrete in the middle of June.

"Are you ok?" She asked, squeezing him back equally. In a battle of strength, she was clearly the victor.

People say that in times of conflict, you learn to appreciate the little moments of life. They were wrong. Life wasn't about smelling the roses. It was about people. The people you grow bonds with. The ones you love. The ones you hated. The ones you see everyday. Mostly the ones you loved that you didn't want to let go. He tried to convert those thoughts into his hug before pulling away a second time.

"It's me that should be asking you that!" He bellowed a laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood. No, he decided, he would not let her worry a second more.

"Why?! You're sick!"

"But you were kidnapped, idiot." He pointed out. She puckered her lips before laughing; both helping each other up.

"You were never outside. It's so good to see you up moving around," the girl concluded, and Laxus found the entire speech disappear as she looked back at him with a mixture of curiosity.

"Thanks! It feels good to be outside a bit. Now you. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm f…fine!" she stuttered, finally gathering her wits. A light frown brushed the features of the young girl. "It's good to see you outside."

"And you."

"So are you better?"

"I am better than what I was." Laxus answered truthfully. The girl nodded in understanding. "I'm not going to be dying any day soon. It's time for me to start living again."

"I feel like an old person," Lucy sighed, absentmindedly pulling back. "achy bones and no energy. Like you."

"Thanks, you whipper scamper," he said with a grin, remembering how they had started bantering after she had moved into the house. Between her and Mira, they had lightened the shadows that lingered over the place from his father's betrayal. "Just call me Pops." Then winced at his joke. He did feel older, but he was still happy nonetheless.

As if sensing his discomfort, his brother appeared.

"I'm going to die Lucy! NEED.. FOOD!" Sting whined, stepping forward as he slung her over his shoulder. "This is too much mushy love to watch. Why do you have to make everything so cutesy? GO MAKE ME A SAMWICCCH!" He then grabbed her and spun her in a circle.

She screamed, "Sting Eucliffe Dreyar, you put me down this instance."

Once he did, Laxus slapped him on the back of the head. The motion had no heat behind it, so Sting just smirked like an idiot.

Levy walked up with a smile. "Everything is as it should be."

"We gotta have a party to celebrate tonight!" Elfman cheered, pumping a fist in the air. Slowly everyone from the wagon and the farm were making their way to the three. And then they were all talking at once - telling and teasing, grumbling and laughing.

Natsu snorted, adding, "Celebrate? What about sleep?"

"You did plenty of that before we reached here, Salamander." Gajeel pointed out, leading to Natsu taking a swing at him.

"Sleeping on the job, that doesn't sound like Natsu Dragneel," said the redhead man who interrupted the brawl.

"General Gildarts." Natsu saluted at his former commander.

"Ranger."

"It's good to see you again." The two shook hands before Gildarts slung his arm over the younger man's shoulder pulling him. "I knew if anyone could find the gal, you could."

"That's a real man for you!" shouted Elfman as Gildarts leaned into whisper "We need to talk but not now, Dragneel. Redfox too." He nodded toward the pierced man who cocked his head in question. Natsu shook his head in reply, as he locked gazes with Laxus who was close enough to hear.

"Happy!" Natsu shouted suddenly before dashing to the fence. "I got to see if he is ok. My baby!" Laxus eyed the group, wishing he knew what the secret was. The chatter was confusing to follow. Turning to Lucy, he said "Go see Mira. She's been worried sick."

"Come on, Levy! We have to check on Mira!" Lucy sang happily, reaching for her friend. "Lets go to the house." She grabbed Levy's hand and the two dashed into the house almost trampling poor Juvia in the process. Laxus made sure she was ok before telling Sting, "You did a good, kid."

Sting shook his head bashfully, "It was mostly Jellal and Natsu. I just got in the way."

"You didn't get yourself killed and you didn't run away. Pretty good in my books."

Sting blushed at the statement before glancing away, "There's something I got to tell Elfman and Mira later."

"What?"

The blonde boy's demeanor changed. Disoriented and sad, he slumped, putting his hands in his pockets.

"I killed him."

Laxus barely heard the words. His mouth went dry. No matter what Sting was going to say, he still was his little brother. Even though Sting had left the ranch to be a gun slinger, he wasn't a murderer. Mostly a foul mouth kid with a gun and a ego to match. Honestly before Natsu had brought him home alive, Laxus had worried Sting would get himself shot more then shoot someone else. He could only imagine what the boy was feeling if he had shot a person, no matter how justified.

"We can talk about this later, if you wa..."

"The one who killed Lisanna. He was there."

Laxus stopped. Was this real? He frantically started trying to calm himself down, even as a bit of excitement gripped him. Had Sting killed that son of a bitch? The boy remained silent so Laxus answered his own thoughts. He didn't know if that was the right assumption. He hoped it was. He need to get a grip otherwise he was going to shake his brother into telling the story faster.

"I had a shot.' Sting stared at the ground before kicking some imaginary object. Laxus placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort. He tightened his grip to make his brother continue. "I keep telling myself it was an accident. I could save him or shoot the other guy who was a real monster." He paused before saying, "He's dead though. Now Lisanna's spirit can live in pea…"

An agonizing scream interrupted. The kind that made the hairs on your skin stand up and listen. Everyone turned to find the source.

"You!" Juvia pointed accusingly at Gajeel before screaming again.

"You killed him! You killed my Gray!" She pushed people out of the way before lunging at the man.

"I'm going to kill you, Gajeel Redfox!"