"I cannot lose you, because if I ever did, I'd have lost my best friend, my soul mate, my smile, my laugh, my everything."
-Unknown
-
Laxus POV
I let out a heavy sigh as I propped my feet up on the desk in front of me, clasping my muscular arms behind my head. It had been a long day and my grandfather had given me a lot of paperwork to fill out as a punishment for a building I had accidentally destroyed in Magnolia due to a careless lightning strike. Now, I was absolutely exhausted, but my lips still twitched upward in something of a smile. I was proud of the work the Thunder Legion and I had gotten done today before the paperwork began.
Evergreen had managed to single-handedly put out a roaring inferno that had completely taken the town hall. Natsu's carelessness. She also managed to get everyone out. Nobody was hurt by the conflagration and there were no fatalities.
Bickslow had done an excellent job of tracking down and apprehending two "mastermind" criminals that had been going around pickpocketing rich men and robbing unsuspecting old ladies at gunpoint. The treacherous duo were even suspected in the murder of an elderly man they had robbed. The police had been searching for them for weeks, but it only took good old Bickslow an hour to put an end to their pathetic crimes.
...And, of course, there was Freed Justine, my closest friend and confidant. He had been there for me through the highs and the lows of life, and he was almost like a little servant boy, doing whatever I asked without hesitation, loyal and devoted. He had stuck by my side throughout the entire day, helping me with this and that, making sure everything ran smoothly and even using one of his powerful enchantments to completely repair the building I had accidentally destroyed with my lightning.
I smiled as I thought of Freed. He was a couple years younger than me, and several inches shorter than me. But I learned the hard way not to let his thin build and unthreatening height fool me. He was one of the most powerful wizards in Fairy Tail, able to weave unbreakable enchantments that could turn even the strongest of the Saint Wizards against each other, trapping them within an invisible wall until they completed the "rules" his enchantment laid down. Enchantment rules were unbreakable.
Speaking of Freed... I sat up a little and glanced at the papers sitting on the desk by my ankles. I could really use someone to take these to Grandpa for me...
"Hey, Freed!" I called out, knowing my friend was close by.
A short moment passed before a familiar face poked around the corner of the door. "Yes, Laxus?"
"Sorry to bother you again, but would you mind returning these to Makarov for me?" I asked, gesturing to the pile of papers.
Freed nodded and stepped all the way into the room to collect the papers I had indicated. He was small and thin like I mentioned before, with pale skin and shimmering hazel eyes. His hair was long and a vivid true green color, cascading all the way down to his waist, where it was tied off with a black elastic, keeping it from going all over the place and getting in the way. His long bangs were free, however, and they covered his right eye and hung over his shoulders. An adorable pair of antler-like horns the same color of his hair protrudes from either side of his head, jagged like little green lightning bolts. He always wore a heavy scarlet-red British trenchcoat, with a frilly white collar and a wide black belt buckled across his waist, keeping the coat closed. I honestly liked the way he dressed. It was very prim and proper.
Something rather strange about Freed was the fact he never let anyone, and I mean anyone touch his hands. Ever. And he solemnly refused to tell me why.
"What're all these papers for, anyway?" he asked, sliding his tiny hands under the stack of paper and scooping it up.
"Makarov made me do them since I destroyed that building earlier." I shrugged carelessly.
"Oh? I thought I fixed that."
"You did, but not before Cana noticed and ran off to tattle on me."
"That's a shame."
"It really is."
I watched as he started out of the room, papers in hand, but was suddenly cut off by Bickslow bursting into the room.
"Hello!" Bickslow bellowed, raising his ginormous arms in greeting.
He was clad in a black bodysuit with thin white stripes running vertically across the whole thing, hood drawn up to cover his messy hair. Over his bodysuit, clasped around his shoulders, was a bright red satin cape with thick white fur trim around the neck. He had dark tan skin and was absolutely massive in size and build. Perched atop his head was a slitted Knight's mask, made entirely of cast iron, concealing his eyes from view.
"Sup, Bix?" I grinned before turning my back to my friends, picking up a clean sheet of paper and doodling on it furiously.
"Nothing much, Laxus!" Bickslow roared, at full volume. "Oh, what's this? Paperwork? Lame!" he lowered his arms so he could snatch the papers right out of Freed's hands and run off with them.
A very indignant Freed balled his hands into fists and chased Bickslow across the room, practically squeaking with irritation. "Give those back, Bickslow! I need to deliver those for Laxus!"
"Hehehe!" the beefy, tall boy boomed as he held the papers high above his head, far out of Freed's reach.
Freed jumped a couple times, arms extended as far as they could, but he couldn't reach that far. "Give them back, you bumbling idiot! Please?!"
I twisted in my seat to see Freed standing in front of Bickslow, hands on his hips, glaring at the taller male fiercely. Rolling my eyes, I called out, "Ey, Bix, stop making fun of Freed and give the papers back, will ya??"
Bickslow groaned with mock irritation. "Aw, but it's so funny when this little insect gets all angry." he said, as he gave the papers back to the green-haired, flustered wizard standing before him. "And you're no fun, Laxus, always defending him like he needs your help."
"Hah. You're one to talk. I'm the only one who treats him right around here. Stop being an ass." I waved a hand dismissively, and he obediently left the room, grumbling loudly to himself.
Freed sighed and lowered his gaze to the floor, seeming extremely deflated. He shouldered the stack of papers and started out of the room, but I called out, "Hang on a second," and he immediately froze, glancing at me over his shoulder.
"Yes?" he asked, giving me that odd, peering look of his that I never understood.
"Don't let Bix get to you, okay? He's just... Being an ass." I said, offering the smaller boy a reassuring smile. "I appreciate all your hard work, it means a lot to me. Keep your chin up."
Finally Freed smiled in return. Mission accomplished.
"Thanks, Laxus. Means a lot to me." he nodded sincerely. "Well, I'd better take care of these. My arms are getting tired." he waved a cheerful goodbye as he hurried out of the room, beaming like a little ray of sunlight.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head as I turned back to my now-empty desk. It was kinda nice, being done with all my work for today. There was something satisfying about having nothing left to do except whatever the hell I wanted. Maybe I'd go get something nice for dinner. Or maybe I'd take a look at the job board and pick one out for me and my friends to go on. The options were limitless.
"Laxus?" now it was Evergreen's turn to poke her pretty little head in the room.
"Yeah?" I called over my shoulder, not even looking at her.
"So I was wondering if we could all go on patrol together tomorrow." she came all the way in, smoothing down her soft green dress with a look of total contempt. "I had fun doing it by myself today, I figured the whole team might enjoy it." she pushed her wireframe round glasses up on her nose.
Evergreen was a short, curvaceous woman with long, wavy brown hair, glittering gold eyes, and well-tanned skin. She was clad in a short green dress that ended well above her knees.
"Well, that sounds nice. It would either be that or some random job, and I guess staying in town is a good plan too." I agreed, nodding slightly. "Haven't fire rates been up? You're good with conflagrations and things like that, as you demonstrated earlier..."
"Indeed." Evergreen puffed up a little with pride. "That's another reason I wanted to go, putting out buildings on fire is my new specialty."
I grinned playfully. "Sounds like a plan, I guess that's what we're doing tomorrow."
She turned and strode out of the room, satisfied, calling out, "Byeeee, Laxus!" in her usual singsong voice.
I didn't bother replying as she disappeared around the corner. My friends certainly were a crazy bunch. We had Freed, whom was super shy and quiet but really sweet. Bickslow, whom only ever spoke as loud as he possibly could and liked to mess with those smaller and weaker than him. And of course Evergreen, whom was prideful and vain but still made for a great teammate.
They were an odd group, but I loved them all to death.
For whatever reason, my thoughts lingered on Freed. The sweet smile gracing his face when I told him I appreciated him was branded into my memory. He really was such a precious person, one that I treasured closest to my heart.
-
Going out on patrol the following day was a good call. I was glad I agreed to it.
At first, I thought it would be boring. But walking slow laps around the city with my friends wasn't so bad after all. It was nice just enjoying the sights and helping those on the sidelines who needed assistance with minor things. I had many great conversations with my comrades, whom followed close behind me, talking and laughing like we always did.
The sky was blue, a few large, fluffy white clouds drifted lazily through the sky. At the edge of the horizon, a black line was forming, indicating the rapid approach of a massive thunderstorm. It was hot outside, a typical summer day. The trees were green, everything was bright and beautiful, and the citizens of Magnolia were all smiling. I think everyone's spirits were lifted in the city, everyone was having a good or at least pleasant, enjoyable day.
It was absolutely perfect, if that word is socially acceptable...
"Oh wow. It really is pleasant out here today..." Evergreen remarked, glancing around at the whitewashed buildings on both sides of the cobblestone road we were walking upon.
"I second that." Freed agreed, from where he managed to keep perfect pace with me, on my right side.
"Shut up, pipsqueak." Bickslow snarled as he playfully elbowed the smaller boy, causing him to stumble and nearly faceplant on the street.
"Hey. Be nice." I scolded, protectively nudging a very annoyed Freed over to my other side where he'd be out of Bickslow's reach. "Let's keep this fun for everyone."
"What about me? We haven't come across any burning buildings yet and that irks me." Evergreen planted her fists on her hips and turned up her chin, reminding me of a bratty teenager.
"You want to come across a place that's on fire?" Freed's hazel eyes widened and he gave her a bewildered look over his shoulder.
"It would make today a lot more fun." Evergreen shrugged, blinking at him with obvious confusion.
"That's ridiculous!" Bickslow boomed, this time elbowing the brunette. She also stumbled and almost fell, falling behind as she took a moment to regain her balance. "We aren't out here looking for trouble, we're just making sure everything's okay!"
"Sheesh, can you be any louder, Bix?" I asked, teasingly.
"Yes I can!" Bickslow shouted in reply. "This is my quiet voice, believe it or not! You should hear me when I'm screaming!"
"Oh, please don't..." Evergreen groaned, rolling her eyes.
I laughed heartily. My friends were the best.
"Does anyone else smell smoke?" Freed asked.
Suddenly there was the high-pitched sound of a girl screaming bloody murder. I froze for a split second before whirling around to face the sound. A teenager girl, maybe around sixteen years old, came running down the street, shrieking, "FIRE! FIRE!"
"Where?" I demanded to know, raising my voice to get her attention.
She frantically jabbed her finger at a spot off to my left, where a thick curtain of black smoke was rising behind the buildings, maybe a block or two away.
"Well, it seems you got your wish, Evergreen." Freed remarked, coldly.
"No time for it! Let's go!" I took off at a dead run, darting between shops and homes, trying to reach the source of smoke as fast as possible. "Evergreen, Bix! You guys need to work on putting out the fire as fast as you can! Freed, you're with me! We're gonna find as many people as we can and get them out before the building collapses!" I barked, as the smell of ash and burning metal became thick and heavy and the air became hazy from smoke.
"Aye!" Bickslow roared.
A small crowd had gathered at the front of the burning building, which used to be the city hall. Once tall, proud brick walls were blackened and coated with soot. All the windows had exploded, leaving glass shards all over the ground below, as bright orange flames leapt and danced from within, often flickering out of the building for short periods of time as smoke poured off the whole structure in thick veils. I couldn't help but gape. It was terrifying.
"Laxus!" Freed shouted, suddenly appeared beside me like he had a habit of doing. "I can put an enchantment on you that'll keep fire at least five feet away at all times." he told me, practically jumping up and down with anticipation.
"Yes, please." I said, dropping my arms to my sides so he had room to work with.
He hesitated, then began writing the enchantment across my chest, fingers dancing across my shirt in complicated patterns, forming little purple runes that I couldn't read, materializing from thin air. He was frowning with sheer concentration as he worked, and suddenly I found myself thinking he looked kinda cute when he was all worked up and ready for danger.
A moment later, he stepped back and sighed. "There. You should be okay now. Let me put one on myself. Go on in, I'll be right behind you." he gestured to the rapidly growing inferno behind me as he began writing the same enchantment on himself.
"Alright. Be safe." I told him, turning and rushing through the old wood door that was almost burned to shreds into the burning building.
Inside, the smoke was so thick I couldn't see my own hand in front of my face. Flames licked at the invisible walls Freed's enchantment had put into place, but fire wasn't allowed within those walls, so they never entered. I pulled the collar of my shirt up over my nose and mouth, coughing uncontrollably as the smoke curtain overwhelmed me and my eyes began to water. The heat was unbearable, even with the enchantment and my dragon slayer skin, which was used to the heat of lightning bolts. The air was so heated it rippled and waved, making the crumpled objects around me dance up and down like sailors on choppy seas.
I ignored the horrible feeling of suffocation and pressed forward, yelling out, "Hello! Is anyone in here? I need to get you out now before the building collapses!"
I heard a muffled response from my left and blindly ran toward it. The glowing, flashing purple runes on my chest pushed back and even extinguished any flames that got in my way.
Thanks, Freed, you've done well. I thought, smiling a little as I thought of him.
The response I had heard was from a middle-aged man hiding behind some charred, burnt object that might've been a chair a few hours ago. I hauled him to his feet after making sure he wasn't hurt and guided him to the safe exit near the back of the building, telling him to go see the healers just to make sure he was okay.
I heard soft footsteps creeping off in the distance that might've been Freed- or perhaps it was just another survivor getting themselves to safety.
The smoke was blinding and choking. I couldn't breathe after a few minutes of finding and redirecting survivors. I had to get out. Plus, the ceiling was beginning to crack and crumble and make all sorts of alarming noises. I knew the building was about to collapse. Not even Freed's enchantment would be able to stop it.
"Fuck..." I mumbled, muffled by my shirt, which was now stained with ash.
I glanced behind me, and saw the ceiling beginning to fall apart, as long, jagged cracks snaked up the charred wood surface like lightning bolts. I flinched as there came an unbearably loud screeching sound from above me: the sound of metal scraping against metal. The whole place was gonna fall apart any second now.
It was time to go.
I turned and bolted toward the exit, eyes so dried out and irritated from the smoke they hurt like a bitch. So I closed my eyes and instead trusted my instincts and Freed's powerful enchantment to keep me safe. I tripped over a piece of something hard that dug into my ankle and broke skin, leaving a long scratch. I ignored it and kept running. It was so hot I felt like my skin would start melting off any second. I ignored that too... And kept running.
Finally, I felt cool air on my face and knew I had made it outside.
I opened my eyes and found myself standing outside the building, where I had gone in. The air was thick and hazy with smoke, but out here, it was so goddamn breathable compared to how it had been inside. I gasped and choked, stumbling to my hands and knees as I coughed over and over again, my lungs burning as I tried to get the smoke residue out of my system.
"Laxus! Are you alright?" Evergreen and Bickslow rushed to my side. "We were so worried about you! Bix was about to run in and get you out of there!" the brunette exclaimed, kneeling beside me and laying her palm on my blackened shoulder.
"Y-Yeah... I'm alright..." I reassured, finally managing to stop coughing.
I let Bickslow pull me to my feet and I glanced around, trying to get my bearings back. The building was a burning, blazing, melting mess. It had sunk down way lower than it had been when I entered as it slowly gave out, and the fire roaring out of the windows seemed a lot larger and more aggressive. The creaking and groaning hadn't stopped, it was like the walls themselves were in agony.
I whirled around, my eyes rapidly scanning the muttering crowd around me to make sure all my friends were present.
I could make out Bickslow's hulking shape in the smoke, and Evergreen's smaller, more feminine, winged shape too. I heaved an inward sigh of relief, but then my heart dropped into my stomach as I didn't find the last shape I was hoping to see.
"Where's Freed?" I choked out, around the burning sensation of smoke caught in my throat.
He wasn't with us. The little enchantment wizard was nowhere to be seen. And that terrified me. He was my closest friend, I couldn't lose him!
"What?? I thought he was with you!" Bickslow's jaw dropped open as the same realization hit him.
"We haven't seen him!" Evergreen agreed, voice shrill with panic. "He went in not long after you, and still hasn't come out. Where could he have gone? Maybe there's a back exit somewhere he used?"
"No, he's smarter than that, he would've found his way back to us by now." I whirled around to face the building. If we're all here... And Freed isn't... That could only mean one thing. He's still in there. I started running back toward the building, which had been completely engulfed in flames at this point. "I'm gonna go get him. You two stay here, keep each other safe."
"It's too dangerous, Laxus!" Evergreen shot forward and grabbed my shoulder. "I can't lose both of you! Just one is enough for today!"
"Don't you ever say anything like that again! I'm gonna bring him back, it's gonna be fine." I pushed her away, but before I could start running toward the entrance again...
The building collapsed.
The charred walls suddenly caved in and the whole thing gave up, sinking into a twisted mass of burning material and smoking debris. My eyes widened as I watched it happen. I couldn't believe it. Freed was still in there!
"Freed!" I screamed, at the top of my lungs.
There was a long pause, and I didn't stop staring at the burning wreck. I couldn't believe it. Freed was... Was dead? No. I couldn't believe it. This was wrong. This was all wrong. It couldn't be real. This had to be a bad dream. Wake up.
But then...
"Laxus!" a familiar voice cried, coming from the twisted mass of burning building. "Help me!"
"Oh shit, oh fuck, he's alive!" I sprinted toward the wreck with renewed vigor, my eyes practically popping out of their sockets. "He's fucking alive! I'm coming, Freed, just hold on!"
I managed to get into the wreckage through what used to be a window, long since destroyed, the frame stretched out of shape. Fortunately, the building was still in accessible condition, and the collapsing ceiling had smothered some of the inferno. But it was impossible to get through. I pushed past so much wreckage it was unbelievable that this place used to be a building full of people.
"Freed! Where are you?" I called out, raising my voice to ensure he heard me.
"I'm over here!" was the shrill reply. His voice was twisted and high-pitched with pain, I realized. I quickened my pace.
I followed the sound of his voice until another sound became audible: soft sobs. I had found him.
Freed was sprawled on his back, his legs pinned beneath a heavy chunk of ceiling. Another part.of the ceiling, a long, thick wooden beam, lay across his stomach. The poor thing was absolutely panicking.
"Laxus!" he cried, as soon as he realized I was there. "Laxus, please get me out of here! I'm scared, please!"
"It's alright, it's alright. Calm down. I'm gonna get you out of here, okay? Be as still as possible, I don't want to hurt you even worse." I told him, trying to keep my voice calm so he didn't freak out. I was already at his side, trying to determine the best way to lift the chunk of ceiling.
I slid my arms under it and pulled upward, grunting with exertion. That damn thing was heavy! Freed tipped his head back and let out a groan of agony. After heaving on it for a moment, I managed to lift the chunk of ceiling just enough so I could carefully maneuver it away from Freed before setting it down and dusting myself off.
"Almost there." I said, taking care of the wood beam easily.
Once that was gone, I paused a moment to assess his condition. His left leg was a bloody, mangled mess, and in the places where his heavy crimson coat was torn, I could see more blood. Suddenly he coughed a few times, and all that came up was... Blood, and lots of it.
"O-Oh my..." his eyes widened as he touched his hand to the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and realized what it was.
"It's okay, it's okay." I rushed to calm him before he passed out. He looked a lot paler than normal. "Come on, I'm gonna get you out of here. But I need you to relax, okay?" I knelt beside him and slid my arms under his legs and shoulders, scooping him up as gently as possible so I didn't aggravate his injuries.
Freed let out a weak whimper of pain as I stood up, keeping him nestled safely in my arms. I noticed how small and lightweight he was. This wouldn't be hard at all. I took off toward the window I had gotten in through, moving as fast as I could, being careful not to jostle the poor creature I was carrying. The building might collapse even further, and we'd both die with it if it did. I couldn't let that happen. I had to get Freed to safety.
After fighting past mounds of debris and charred bodies, I made it back outside. I wriggled through the misshapen window, beyond excited to make it out. I had managed to save us both, but to me, Freed was more important. If he had died... I never would've forgiven myself for not going after him sooner.
It was even more horrific to think that he would've died alone and scared out of his wits, pinned beneath chunks of the building, trying and failing to escape, completely helpless... I decided it was best to not think about it.
As soon as I made it outside with Freed, we were rushed by Evergreen and Bickslow. Evergreen was crying hysterically with relief that we had made it, Bickslow was absolutely overjoyed and kept raising his massive fists to the sky, whooping as loudly as he could, making my ears ring.
I carried Freed away from the wreckage before sitting down on my knees, holding him in my lap. "The healers should be here soon..." I told him, cradling his limp body to my chest. My shirt was smeared with bright red starbursts of his blood. He'd been coughing up more blood. "I just want to make sure you're not hurt anywhere else. What hurts?" I asked, sliding my hand under his chin and gently tilting it upward so he was looking at me.
He suddenly flinched and I realized I had subconsciously put my hand over his tiny one. He jerked his hand away, mumbling, "Please don't touch my hands..."
"Fuck, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." I apologized, quickly sliding my hand up to clasp his forearm instead. He relaxed a little.
Bickslow appeared at my side. "Is he okay??" he roared.
"He's been coughing up blood and his leg's all messed up... But I think he'll be okay once we get to a healer." I replied, looking up at my extremely beefy friend, whom was squinting at Freed over my shoulder.
"M-My coat's all torn up." Freed remarked, sounding absolutely dismayed and near tears.
"It's alright. We'll get it fixed." I promised, sighing and tilting my head so my cheek was resting on the top of his head.
I was so absolutely overjoyed that he was alive and safe the relief was overwhelming. I wanted to laugh and cry and scream all at the same time. Now that the excitement was all over, I realized how fucking tired and sore I was. I could really go for a nap, I realized. A forty-eight-hour-long nap, to be precise. But hey, all that mattered was I had gotten Freed out of there before something terrible happened to him.
I had managed to save the most important part of my life, and that was all I cared about.
To be continued...
A/N: okay so. This is my first time writing Laxus x Freed. I discovered this ship literally yesterday and was immediately hooked. The truth is, I love Freed, but I didn't realize just how much I admire his character until two days ago, and then I discovered this amazing ship and just had to write something for it XD. I hope it's not too disappointing, I tried really hard lol. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you stick around for the second chapter. Please leave a review and tell me what you think! Much love!