Chapter 15 - A New Home
Back with another chapter, I got about half a year before the Fairy Tail series ends, with the plot advancing as this rate (albeit the slower rate currently), I can probably write up to where the time skip starts - although that might not necessarily even happen :) No spoilers though.
Anyways, here is chapter 5!
"No."
"What do you mean 'No.'?!"
"No partying, Wakaba." Benjin could feel the tension starting to build.
"NO PARTYING?!" the smoke man screamed, shooting a look at Fairy Tail's newest member. "Hold on a second kid, I gotta deal with deputy downer over here."
Macao's eyes narrowed as he abruptly stood up, getting into the other man's face. "Deputy Downer? You try chugging seven bottles of Vodka then, sleeping upside down on a stool!"
Wakaba didn't back down, he simply got even close, both of them being inches from each other. "Maybe that wouldn't have happened if somebody didn't try to outdrink Gildarts! GILDARTS! What were you even thinking?!"
While the two were bickering, Benjin began to take his leave, but not without one last glance to the two older men.
I think this is going to actually be fun.
Right as he was about to leave, a familiar feminine voice boomed across the guild. "Both of you! It's too GODDAMNED EARLY for this shit! If I hear one more word out of either of you it's the ice, do I make myself clear!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Definitely going to be fun.
Finding a house, finding a house… where would I even start?
As he thought that, Benjin felt his stomach grumble in protest, right need to eat, I'll just start looking after, it's still pretty early anyway.
Now where was that restaurant? The boy was just about 100% sure that it was somewhere around here; he probably would have an easier time finding it, had he not completely forgo getting a map because of just how tired he was yesterday. Speaking of which, he must of slept well over half a day! Although when it came to that, he probably had straight garbage sleep for the past year or two, always having to snooze in a tent at best and a wet cave at worst. Really need somewhere to live, or at the very least somewhere comfortable to sleep.
Those can wait after breakfast though.
Despite having no idea what the hell he had actually eaten, it was still as good as he remembered. Interestingly, he actually heard this was one of the 'worst' restaurants to go in this city from the other people! Wow my standard in food must be really horrible… I blame Jellal, dude cooks like a literal monkey…
Speaking of Jellal, where did that blueberry run off to anyway? The boy remembered the master say something about this 'Erza' at a smith shop, then Jellal flipped out and ran like his life depended on it. Maybe I should apologize to the guy? I feel kind of bad acting like a dick to him all the time…
Considering it was still early in the morning, most if not all of the vendors were closed. It's likely he will have to wait a couple hours before anyone smart actually woke up, and it's not like he could just go back to sleep or something, there was no way he could fall asleep right now.
Maybe some light reading?
Oh right! Speaking of reading, Benjin still had the hundreds of random books he took from the Library of Alexander. Maybe he could put it inside a local library? Or better yet, make his own library. Now that sounds like an idea!
With an excited smile, Benjin ran towards the vendors, eager to start his own little building project.
Absolutely frustrated; that was what Benjin went to from relatively relaxed in the span of thirty minutes. Talking to people was fine, but being redirected to ten different people just to realize no one had ANY idea on how to get a place to live, and what the hell is with this 'renting?'
SERIOUSLY, he had to spend a minimum of 50,000J JUST to live in a place for a month? Not only that, he didn't even own the place. All his money would be evaporated within a year and that's not even counting just about everything else!
You know what? Screw this, I'm going to build a goddamned tree house, only thing I need is a freaking bed anyways…and maybe a table.
Now, how the hell would he even build a house? Most he ever managed was this hut made of sticks he assembled with random shit in the forest. It barely did anything and the rain just passed through like the roof wasn't even there. Hmm, wait! Maybe I have a book on it?
On the subject of books, Benjin really had been meaning to actually sort through his storage dimension; he didn't really have any sort of working system to actually find specific objects. The only thing he could do, was feel the rough size of the object and hope it's a book, and considering the fact that there were books the size of his own body, it would be a hard find.
This is going to be annoying…
The blonde didn't know how long he had been doing this. About a hundred or so objects in, Benjin felt the morning sun on his back, and still with little progress. Of course, considering the hefty amount of rotten garbage of all sizes, he ended up walking to a nearby lake to dump everything inside.
Hmm, no, not this one, nope not this either…
How many books did he even have? Sure, he was getting used to the size and shape, but there was so goddamned many! While in the middle of sorting however, Benjin actually took out a hefty sized tome decorated with black leather, all while leaking out an ominous aura.
What the hell? Necronomicon? Isn't that a super-cursed book of dark magic? Better dump it in the lake too. It's not like anyone would find it.
And that's that. Next book!
Ah ha!
"FINALLY!" With another golden portal, Benjin took out a decent-sized yellow manual with the title 'Construction for Dummies.'
With an excited grin, Benjin slammed the book down on the nearest bench. Alright let's get started!
It took a good four hours to finish the whole book; now, he had a decent sized list of what he needed to get and do with it to actually build a sturdy tree house. Of course, he probably could have just stuck to Chapter 4: How to Build a Tree House, but the rest was so interesting that he ended up reading all that too.
Well, extra information never hur- wait… is that Jellal?
True to that, Benjin saw a familiar tuft of blue hair coming into view as he walked back towards the vendors.
"Hey!"
Jellal, who seemed to be walking aimlessly with a smile on his face, perked up after being addressed. "Hey, what's up?"
Okay here goes…
"Nothing much per say… I just wanted to say…um" Benjin suddenly froze, some sort of invisible mental barrier preventing him from saying what he wanted to say. How can apologizing be so freaking hard?
Jellal, who still seemed to be a good mood, now looked at Benjin with a raised eyebrow. "Please don't tell me you're going to confess…"
Instantly, the light mage's face went red as a vein bulged out from his forehead. "WHAT! WHY IN THE LIVING HELL WOULD I DO THAT YOU BLUE-HAIRED PIECE OF-" The irritated mage simply gave Jellal a glare after seeing the taunting smirk on his face. And here I was, going to APOLGIZE. "Good Morning to you too, you blueberry cunt."
"Heh, what did you even do after I left anyway?" Jellal's question simply brought a frown to Benjin's face.
"Well, I got into a fight with some random asshole, got beat up-"
"To be expected-"
"Shut up! I fucked him up too!" Benjin's outburst didn't serve to rid the judging eyes from Jellal. "ANYWAYS, after that, I passed out and slept for what, like sixteen hours in the infirmary, got my stamp, woke up around 6, then went to the market area to find out how to buy a house, got screwed over by idiots, so now I'm here, about to build a tree house."
The blue-haired boy simply gave Benjin a condescending look. "A treehouse? Really?"
This coming from Mr. broke and homeless!
"Yeah? I don't see you living in castle!"
"…I was going for a hut beside the lake." That's not much better than a tree house! How can he talk shit about my idea when he… yeah you know whatever, him do him.
Sighing, Benjin began walking towards the market again, with Jellal following suit. "So what did you end up doing after leaving the guild?"
"…"
Jellal had a distant forlorn expression. The warm smile he had since they just met seemed to melt into a frown, before reforming again. "I found someone… someone I thought was gone." Was that who he was missing all this time?
"Erza, right?"
"…Yeah," Jellal began, shifting his gaze to the ground. "She's like a sister to me."
"I'm glad, your aura seems a lot brighter than before."
"Really? I didn't notice." Of course…
As they made their way around, the two boys stopped at various shops to purchase building materials, or rather Benjin buying everything because Jellal is completely and utterly broke.
"Can you even pay this back?"
Jellal simply smiled, patting Benjin on the shoulder. "I'll do it eventually." Heh, same old Jellal.
Once the two boys bought relatively enough starting supplies, the two went their separate ways; one went towards the lake, and the other went back towards the guild.
I remember there was a café inside the guild hall, might as well grab something to eat before starting my project.
As he stood in front of the guild, about to open the door, the light mage heard the sound of wind rushing towards him. Wait, what's happening?
On hindsight, he should have dodged.
*CRASH!*
"ARGH!" A mess of pink suddenly slammed right into his face, knocking him onto his back. AGAIN with the nose! Benjin recovered and looked at the smaller figure that barreled into him. Pink hair, a scarf, and lots and lots of ice. Wait ice?!
"I'll get you for this, you DUMB STRIPPERS!" Right by that statement, two nearly-naked boys came out, both with an aura of cold surrounding them. Benjin, who had been observing, suddenly remembered his position, immediately opting to toss the pink-haired boy off of him.
"Get OFF!" Dusting himself, the blonde shot one more look at the grounded boy before looking at the new 'arrivals.'
"Eh? Are you new? I don't think I've seen you before."
Benjin looked at the boy that addressed him, he couldn't have been more than one or two years younger than him. Not only that, their guild mark was in the same place, on the chest - and what's with being in his damned underwear? THAT was making him severely uncomfortable.
"…Yeah, I'm Benjin. I joined yesterday, or rather this morning, I guess?"
"I'm Gray," he spoke with the same droopy expression, pointing a thumb to his chest. Looking to the side, the boy pointed to the other semi-naked boy, who had bluish-white hair. "And this here, is Lyon."
"…"
Benjin, who was still cringing in discomfort, managed to look at the two boys while his face contorted in disgust. "Are you two… normally in your underwear?"
Instantly, both boys looked down in shock, as if it was some sort of life-changing revelation. Okay then.
"ARGHH MY CLOTHES!"
"MY CLOTHES TOO!"
"FIGHT ME!" What?!
Preoccupied, the blonde barely enough time to register what was going on as he was rushed from the back, ramming him into the two boys in front of him, forcing all of them rolling back into the guild.
"Alright, flame brain, you asked for it!" The black-haired boy - Gray was it? - jumped back and stepped into a familiar stance. That's the same as the Ice woman!
Benjin, who was still in a daze, looked around him, just to see a similar stance in the other topless kid, while the one with pink hair seemed to be taking a deep - scratch that - a very deep breath. Don't tell me…
"Fire Dragon's…"
"Ice-Make…"
"Ice-Make…"
Three magic circles, two blue one red, appeared in front of the three combatants.
Did they not even see him? And why aren't they being thrown out? The moment he used magic against Laxus he got straight up manhandled!
"ROAR!"
"FALCON!"
"HAMMER!"
Fire Dragon? Ice-Make? OH SHIT! Benjin barely had enough time to react as a large plume of flame, a mallet of - pink?! - ice, and a sculpture, a LIVING ice sculpture of a falcon flew right at him.
"Light Make…" As soon as Benjin started, a couple of the spectators, including the master, all turned towards him in interest.
"Wait, he uses maker magic too?"
"This ought to be interesting!"
"Where have I seen that magic before?"
Is NOBODY going to stop this? I JUST WANT TO EAT!
"Pentagonal Prism!" The three spells collided with Benjin's multi-sided barrier. All three spells struggling against the golden translucent shield, but in the end, it was the blonde that won out.
"Alright, since you three can't even let someone enter the freaking guild, you can SIT DOWN!" With that, a golden magic circle appeared in front of Benjin, an irritated look on his face. "Twenty Four Light Rods!"
Just like the spell name, twenty four light rods shot out of the circle, splitting up into groups of three, hitting all three boys with eight each and simultaneously knocking them on the ground. All three of them had widened eyes as they struggled to even move.
"W-what? I-I can't… move!"
"L-let m-me go!"
"He just took out all three of them with a single spell!"
"That's the same kid that stood against Laxus!" Who are all these people anyway?
Benjin looked at the three boys, who still seemed to be pushing against the rods, to little success. "That's what you get, just sit there for a good few minutes, I'm going to eat, then I'm going to build my goddamned tree house, you can beat the shit out of each other then!"
Walking towards the counter, the light mage sat beside a familiar blue-haired man.
"You're pretty strong for a kid, Benjin was it?"
Benjin gave the man a thorough look down, he was in the same clothes as before, but a lot neater. And he's not doing the annoying long-sipping either, so that's certainly a plus.
The blonde smirked. "And you're looking rather relaxed for a grumpy old man."
"Hah! He's got you there, Macao!" That's Wakaba, isn't it?
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, that was probably the worst hangover I have ever had in my life!"
With that, Benjin heard the familiar taunting laughter that he had heard before inside this very hall. I guess that IS pretty funny… what's a hangover?
"Hey you guys," Benjin began, garnering the two laughing men's attention, "random question, but do you know anywhere in this town with a large tree?"
Magnolia Park, huh?
After eating a gigantic bowl of soup, Benjin began slowly trekking towards the west side of the city, as per instructions of the two older men.
Wait is that it?
Once he turned the corner, he came across a relatively open area with sidewalks surroundings trees, beds of flowers, and even a couple ponds. What really caught his attention though, was the presence of a large tree in the middle. That has got to be the one!
Up close, the tree - oak? - seemed far bigger than it did away. Which means, he'll actually have a decent sized area to put his future home.
This will be good, now, where on the branches can I actually put a house?
Hmm, No matter how you looked at it, there was nowhere on the tree that could actually fit a decent-sized house. No matter, he can easily just blast a hole into it and shove his whole house in there.
Yep, it is decided, this tree is where he shall live!
3 Weeks Later
It was definitely hard work. Trying to build the house on the tree was probably one the most aggravating things he had ever done. He originally opted to simply use his magic to climb the tree, then try to do all the work just like that. But you know what? Pre-building everything on the ground, putting the whole shed into his storage then just plopping it in a decent-sized hole was far easier. And now, from his efforts, he was no longer homeless.
It's nothing special, but it's certainly something.
When he first started building, he had actually discovered that he was NOT allowed to build there because apparently it was something stupid called 'public property.' Come on, it's just a freaking tree! It's not like he was planning to set it on fire or anything.
It's quite funny though, he just kept doing it anyway and no one really cared. People probably have better things to do then stop a kid trying to not be homeless. Doesn't matter though, as long as nobody bothers him up there, those 'city patrol' people can do whatever.
With that, the light mage pulled himself up with a single light chain, landing on the small balcony that marked the entrance to his new house. Despite the finish product, and his first 'official' entrance since he just finished it hours ago, it felt like… there was something missing. Something, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Benjin looked inside the small shed, the one window he had gave him the view of the park. A ladder in the corner led to the top deck consisting of a single platform giving him a view of most of the city. Beside it, was a small table where he would read his books and a simple bed with a wooden frame, not unlike the one he used to have. Just like the one I used to have.
The blonde stared at his handiwork for a few more minutes, before looking into his storage.
There's still something I have to do.
…
Close to nightfall, Benjin made his way towards the guild. I've been holding this off for too long…
Opening the doors, the blonde noticed that the hall was scarcely populated, with some familiar faces in the form of Jellal, who was sitting with Erza - again -, and the two gentlemen that helped him join the guild.
The blonde gave another quick glance around the area, not spotting a certain old man. "Hey does anyone know where the master is?"
"The master? He's probably in his office," Benjin stared at Macao, waiting for him to continue, "…go towards the infirmary, second door on the right."
The blonde smiled. "Thanks."
…
Following the dark blue-mustached man's instructions, Benjin opened a door with a Fairy Tail symbol at the front and a sign saying 'Master's Office.' Nice and straight forward, I like it.
"Master?" The blonde entered, noticing the tiny old man on his desk… is that a snore bubble? True to that, the master was collapsed on his side among the mountains of papers stacked on the piece of wooden furniture.
*Poke*
Benjin half-expected the master to panic-grow and smack him for waking him up, however, it didn't happen… thankfully.
"Hmmm? B-b-enjin? How can I… *Yawn* help you?" Wow, now I feel bad I woke him up.
Being master must have been stressful as hell! Must have taken so much dedication to do… this everyday. I feel bad for whoever has to take the job next…
"Oh uh," the blonde rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "sorry for bothering but um… is there any place, where you can uh," Benjin hesitated. Asking this is harder than I thought!
"Any place… you can what?" The master yawned once again, finally lifting his head upright.
"Where you can," Come on Benjin just spit it out! "…bury the dead."
The master slightly widened his eyes, before he gave the boy an understanding look.
"It's behind the Cathedral…" Benjin tilted his head in confusion. "…At the center of the city."
Benjin looked down, turning to leave the office. "Thanks."
"Hey young man…" the blonde stopped, facing the master, "I hope you find peace."
Benjin's gaze traveled to the floor again, his hands reaching to close the double wooden doors that made the entrance to Makarov's office. I hope she does. Turning around one last time, the blonde seemingly opened his mouth to say something, but stopped short, leaving the old man to his own.
…
"Hey, where you going?" Benjin turned towards the blue-haired boy, who was reading a book at his table; the blonde simply kept walking, a forlorn expression on his visage.
"Just… doing something I've been meaning to." Jellal turned back in contemplation, seemingly understanding, before going back to his book.
"Well good luck, I guess…" Through the growing feeling of emptiness, the blonde was able to form a slight smile.
"…Thanks."
…
Despite the growing silence of the night, there were still lights around the city. There were seldom people that would cross paths with him, and those that do were simply hurrying home.
Maybe I should have done this during the day… wouldn't have been as depressing.
Absence of human voice would sometimes be peaceful, especially during times when he would read. But now… It was just lonely.
"Daddy!" Heh, maybe not so much anymore.
Benjin found a smile creeping onto his frame, the sight of his 'son' running towards him.
"Hey Drajin! Where have you been!" The hatchling ran around the blonde, sniffing his legs before sitting down in front of him. Awwwwww.
"I was napping and I smelled you!"
Benjin began petting the small dragon, to his delight. "Where do you usually go? I don't really see you around." Drajin adorably tilted his head, his maw opened in such a way that could be compared to a smile.
"In the forest! Chasing monkeys!" Benjin now had a large smile on his face. Is this… pride?
The blonde stood back up, his thoughts going back to his 'errand.'
"Alright Drajin, I'm going to be away for a bit, feel free to stick around, okay?"
"Okay!" How did I end up with something this adorable?
Benjin continued towards the Cathedral, with the dragon following close behind.
…
The blonde looked up towards the clear sky, not a cloud in sight. Moon's full tonight… As Benjin walked through the fence, he noticed the hundreds of gravestones lining the area, with some empty spaces in between. For new stones?
Curiously, Benjin continued walked down the decently sized clearing; nearing the end of the rows, the teen's eyes landed on a particular grave, shaped similarly to a sun circle, and had a fresh bouquet of flowers at its base.
Mika Dreyar
X744 - X767
May she rest in peace.
Don't tell me…
Whatever, whoever this grave was for, it wasn't important. He was here to make one himself; it was something he really should have done when he had left the village… but I couldn't bring myself to.
Benjin gritted his teeth, feelings of weakness long past suddenly rising through him. Why couldn't I do- NO! He wouldn't think like that anymore, he promised! Forcing his tears back, the blonde found an empty spot beside the grave he read, before he simply stood in front.
Well, here goes nothing…
The blonde took out a shovel from his storage, giving one last glance at Drajin, who had started napping to the side - again - before getting to work.
…
Benjin didn't know if it had been minutes, or hours; but he had been so focused on what he was doing, he didn't even notice the time had gone by. Digging non-stop, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, satisfied with the rectangular pit that lined up with the rest of the graves.
"So this is what you were doing?" Wait what?!
The blonde turned around, seeing a familiar blue-haired boy standing in-between the graves on the previous row. "How did you…" a scowl crawled up to Benjin's face, "Did you follow me?!" Immediately, Benjin dropped his shovel and tried to look behind Jellal, expecting his usual 'companion' to be there too.
Said teen put up his hands defensively. "Relax, I walked her home before coming here." The frantic blonde calmed slightly, before shooting his friend a glare.
"How did you know I was here?" The blue-haired boy shrugged, a slight smirk on his frame.
"I saw you head this direction, really just checked around until I found you." Damn, I was really hoping to just do this myself and go home.
"…Think you can leave?" Benjin's voice came out as unsure and dismissive, not even bothering to face the blue-haired boy.
Jellal stood his ground, waiting a few moments before speaking. "Are you sure?" I don't even know anymore.
Benjin sighed, hesitation on his face before sitting in front of the ditch he made, focusing. "Whatever, do what you want, I don't care."
A golden rippling portal appeared, and with it, a body, one that was seemingly unblemished from the waves of time, began descending downwards. How long has it been… two years?
Benjin barely even noticed the nearly unchanged form of his mother, still cold and lifeless, until it landed. The blonde didn't want to look, wanted to just leave, and not come back… but he had to face it.
"…"
There she was. Frozen. Unmoving. I know she's not coming back… So why did it still feel so empty? Just as Benjin thought his world had stopped moving, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Jellal…
"Was that, your mother?" How did he…? Benjin sighed.
"…Yes."
A moment passed.
"Hey listen," the blue-haired boy began, sitting down next to the blonde, "I can't say for sure that I know what you're going through, but I just want you to know what you don't have to go through this alone."
Benjin turned towards the tattooed mage, tears threatening to fall from his bloodshot eyes. "…I guess."
The two sat there for what seemed to be minutes, but in reality a far longer time passed.
"You good now?" The blonde looked up towards the sky, still seeing the round moon, surrounded by a field of endless stars.
"…I guess."
Benjin strengthened his resolve, however shaky it was, before grabbing another shovel, giving it to his friend. With that, the two boys silently filled the ditch, laying the fallen woman into a well-deserved rest.
…
After what seemed like hours, the two managed to grab a hold of a tombstone, before putting it similarly to the others, where Benjin used his magic to carve the letters he wanted.
Rosalia Solarus
X746 - X776
Rest in peace.
The blonde was now staring at the rather simple stone that marked the final resting place of his mother. To his side, Jellal stood, equally silent. "You didn't have to do this you know…"
The blue-haired boy gave his friend an assuring smile. "I know, but I wanted to."
"…"
A smile. "Thanks."
…
Benjin, despite attaining closure, if he could call it that, couldn't shave away the feeling of emptiness that had been plaguing him. Maybe I can just sleep it off.
As he walked towards the park, he reached the familiar oak tree where he had placed his home. With a single chain, he hoisted himself up.
"Home, sweet home…"
Why does something still feel like it's missing?
The boy didn't even realize he was staring into the room, a single tear falling from his eyes.
He thought back to the times before he fought his first demon, before the library, before he found Drajin, before Jellal. Back then… someone would always welcome me home.
But that wasn't going to happen anymore. Benjin looked at the bed, the soft pillows, and the warm sheets.
Mom used to tuck me in…
But she wasn't here anymore.
Had it really been two years since then? When he watched as his mother slowly fade away, when he was forced to run… when his father stayed and fought.
Benjin suddenly thought of his fight against Laxus, how he hit him with nearly everything he got, but at the end, he still lost. I was but a kid back then… Everything that he went through, all the battles he fought. Did anything even change? Was it all… pointless?
Suddenly, memories of his last meeting with his father rushed into his mind.
Nemesis… Acnologia…
"DAMN IT ALL!" Tears began cascading down his cheeks, he didn't even notice he had hit the railings in frustration, splintering the wood. How was he supposed to do this? He was just a kid! HE WAS WEAK.
"D-damn, it all…"
He always thought he had everything together. Find Fairy Tail, get stronger, build a house. Every step was planned, but just now he realized, just how lost he was. How… HOW was he supposed to beat those monsters, when he couldn't even beat a goddamned Balrog alone! A FUCKING PEON IN THEIR DAMNED ARMY!
Reflexively, Benjin put a hand on his pendant, just like all the times he did when he was feeling lost. Dad, what would you do, if you were in my position? Wait that's right… he was. If someone who ruled the heavens for centuries, someone who commanded legions upon legions, someone… who could rearrange the continents with but a single thought couldn't do it, how could he - a fourteen year-old boy - even hope to start?
The blonde clenched his pendant tighter. Mom, Dad… I miss you.
This feeling… He hated it! Why did it have to come! Why did he have to feel this way! WHY! Why did it feel like… the world had refused to turn.
Not knowing anything else he could do, Benjin simply sat down on the balcony, looking down at the park, where he noticed children barely his age run around with their parents.
Once again, the boy let out the tears that he thought had already ran dry.
How long have I been up here?
Benjin didn't even notice the passing of time. It could have been a minute, an hour, or even day. But it feels like an eternity.
Maybe he should just give up? There has got to be other people out there that can do the job for him. It wasn't like he was the only one that knew about this, right? His dad must have told the others!
But what if he was the only one?
No, there was no way that was true!
But what if it was?
A beat.
Benjin gritted his teeth, gripping the cloth the made up his robe until his knuckles turned white.
"Young Man?" A wizened old voice called from the ground, snapping Benjin out of his thoughts. Is that…?
"Master?"
"Mind if I come up?" There was nothing more that Benjin wanted at the moment to say yes. But could he really tell him? The kind master that took him in, the one that showed him kindness. Can Benjin really do something as cruel to tell him of… everything?
There's no way he could do that!
"No, Go away!" The blonde could see a saddened smile on the old man. He felt bad for saying that, he really did. But he couldn't bring himself to tell him! What his father told him, was his burden to bear. His alone.
For a few minutes, Benjin became lost in his thoughts once again. Only after, did he notice that the master didn't move a single step from his spot.
"…Why are you still here?! I told you to go away!" Benjin's words came out as barely more than a choke, his voice was breaking as the tears once again threatened to escape. I want to be alone.
The master looked up directly, compassion in his eyes. "You're Seijin's son, aren't you?" Benjin recoiled back, his shock showing through his sadness.
"Y-y-you… y-you knew *sniff* my dad?"
"Of course," the old man smiled, "why wouldn't I know my own guild mate?" My dad, was in Fairy Tail? I never knew that…
The master simply extended his arm with his magic, pulling himself up to the balcony. This time, Benjin did nothing to protest.
"W-what was he like? M-my… my father I mean."
"Seijin was many things," The master simply looked into Benjin's eyes, before continuing, "he was a mentor, a friend, he was strong, my god he was strong…"
A smile slowly found its way onto Benjin's face, causing the master to do himself.
"…but above all else, he was family." How?
"But you two aren't even related!" Benjin's answer simply caused the old master to chuckle, to the boy's slight irritation. After, the master simply pointed to the boy's chest, where his guild mark was.
"That. Is what makes him family." Despite the clear look of confusion on Benjin's face, the master simply continued. "No matter the circumstances of your birth, no matter how strong. Everyone who bears the mark of the guild… is family." Benjin felt the master's small hands on his shoulders. "We're in this together, never forget that!"
Benjin stared into the master's eyes, which held the same compassion from before, but this time, with an aura of power and safety that he couldn't explain. Together…
"When I told you to leave…" Benjin began, guilt in his eyes, "Why did you stay?"
The old man looked into the distance, towards where the guild hall was. "Because you looked like you needed family."
Benjin thought back to the master's words - We're in this together - before catching the smaller man into a bone-wrenching hug, one the master was eager to return. The old man felt drips on his shoulder, causing him to tighten his embrace.
Maybe, I don't have to do this alone.
"T-thank you… Gramps."
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Chapter 15 Done! Next Chapter: Light and Lightning
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