She was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. Her messy blue hair framing the bright red face. She had defiantly been mortified having been caught with his notebook reading his poetry out loud. Gajeel couldn't stop smiling at the short girl looking bashfully down at her feet. Honestly he was completely lost in her presence and the urgency they rushed here with left at her feet. At least until Lyon had enough of the mush.
"Can you two play your lovey dovey crap later we need to find Gray and Leo."
The girl only squeaked at the insinuation which made Gajeel laugh at her. "Sure Lyon, you hear that shrimp me and you got some talking to do later."
She glared up at the tattooed man finally finding her voice again, "I'm not a shrimp."
Gajeel smiled, "Sure you're not." He walked over using her head as an armrest, "You're right no shrimp here, not short at all."
She batted his arm off her head and stomped her foot, " It's not my fault you are a giant."
He grinned from ear to ear but saved his retort after another impatient glance from Lyon. There were more pressing matters at the moment.
Mavis who had been enjoying the banter while standing alongside her short friend spoke up. "Why have you guys crossed the camp during the block down. I'm sure you didn't risk getting in serious trouble just to chat."
"Gray is out there in who knows what condition and I'm not going to sit and do nothing." Lyon spoke with a strong clear tone but when his raised his head his watery eyes betrayed his false bravado. "I know I'm a jerk most of the time and I act like I don't give a shit but Gray is more than just some foster brother to me. He is the only family over ever really had and I, I can't just…" The strong will teen closed his mouth when his voice began to shake.
Natsu stepped to stand next to Lyon and put a reassuring hand on the white haired boys shoulder. "Leo's out there somewhere too. We need to find our friends."
Zeref was the next to speak, "You know the camp and forest better than anyone Mavis. We could really use your guidance out there while we search." Natsu couldn't help but smile at his older brother. While Zeref still had both hands anxiously shoved in his jean pockets the shy teen held his head up maintaining eye contact while he spoke.
The girls cabin grew quit at Mavis seemed lost in thought. Natsu fingered at the rubber bracelet bands on his wrist while Zeref ran a hand through his black hair. Gajeel kept sneaking glances at the blue haired girl and Lyon stared out one of the cabin windows.
Unable to take the silence anymore Lyon spoke, "We don't want you to do anything you are uncomfortable with maybe you could just tell us any useful info we might want before heading out."
Mavis ignored Lyon and turned to Levy, "If the boys had wandered in the direction of the road they would if been found by now. There is nothing but pasture on the other side of the road."
Levy nodded, "You are right and if they had went through camp or on the direction of the lake they would of been seen by a camper or staff." Levy chewed on her bottom lip as she thought, "If they had ran west they would of been going through the out side activities and would if been spotted by someone."
The boys listened Intently to the information. Mavis clapped her hands together, "That means most likely they went north. Now if you head north west the trees will thin out and eventually give way to farm land. I'm sure the staff has already been in contact with the owners of the land and they are probably looking themselves. If you head north east the trees get thicker but there are a few foot paths that they will find of they went that way. They will eventually lead them back to camp unless…"
Levy picked up where Mavis left off, "Unless they took the path that leads them to that old cabin that had been built and then abandoned long before Gramps built thus camp."
Mavis placed her hands on her hips,"Ok boys we will head north east. It's the most probable direction and the staff will have then other areas covered."
Lyon glanced hopefully around, "So you are going to help? We will be in serious trouble when it's all said and done."
Mavis's face glowed with one of her calming smiles, "Of course Lyon, sometimes what we are not supposed to do is the right thing. I never doubt what my heart tells me is right."
BR
Lucy looked frightened as the shadows of the forest raised in time with the sun setting. "Laxus are you sure we are going the right way? The seems like a pretty long detour not a short cut." The usually bubbly girl wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to comfort herself.
"Just keep walking I know where I'm going." His words were not an attempt to reassure her. His tone left no question that his words were an order. Lucy glanced over to Freed in hopes that the green haired man could talk to Laxus but Freed seemed lost in thought his eyes glued to the large blonds back.
Freed watched the back of the blond man's head as he followed behind. Something was not right, something big but Freed couldn't pinpoint what it was. Laxus had been stoically quiet but his shoulders remained tense, the muscles bunched and knotted. They also seemed to have been walking for a considerably long time and the forest was only getting thicker. They should of reached their destination by now. The slender teen felt his stomach twist as he stared at the man leading. Laxus was off, he was not leading them back to camp. Laxus was hiding something and the grim expression Freed saw on the blond's face when he turned back for a moment most assuredly meant it was something bad. Laxus was leading and it was all wrong. Freed should speak up, but he wouldn't because for some reason even if this man was leading him to certain betrayal Freed was going to follow him.
So you are going to stupidly follow this damaged boy into certain doom? You have a brain use it imbecile.
Freed swallowed thickly as the voice spoke up. Yes, If he is going to try to self destruct then i need to be there for him. I am in love.
I'm so proud not only is my son an idiot but he's also a faggot. You will never truly stop disappointing me will you.
Freed felt his palms start to sweat.
You look completely unpresentable, you do realize this don't you? You should be ashamed of how you have managed your hair. I thought the fags at least had some kind of fashion since. Of course my faggot son is cracked in the head. Forever the failure forever the disappointment.
Please do not do this. Even in his head his voice sounded weak and shaky.
Would you stop walking like a neanderthal! Stand up straight can you not accomplish even the simplest task of walking without failing. Pathetic, a fucking pathetic weak ignorant fag. That is my son my legacy. Truly Freed, the worst day of my life was the day your mother left that clinic without going through with the procedure. One weak moment and instead of an abortion she keeps you.
His entire body shook, it was nothing he had not heard before at 1st in real life and then in his head, but it still cut just as deep each time. He could feel his head start to throb in time with his pulse.
I never wanted a child and I surely did not want to have to pretend to be the father of the disgusting product of your mother's rape. It was sick the way she pretended like she loved you. I can only assume it was a coping mechanising for having to look at you and remember what happened to her. There is no way she, much less anyone else could ever truly love you. You were never meant to be loved. You should've never been born.
Freed shook his head side to side. You are wrong, she does love me. I am her child and she has never regretted keeping me.
You have to be worthy of love Freed. You can't even keep your goddamn hands clean, your shirt straight, or brush your hair the appropriate number of strokes. You slack of instead of earning the love you crave so you are nothing. So I honestly do not care if you let this ignorant white trash lead you to doom because he is just like you. The resemblance is uncanny. He is nothing just like you.
The green haired teen felt a heat rush through his head like a large crashing wave. A damn somewhere had broke under the violent wieght it had been intrusted with. Freed had never known there had been a line not to be crossed until the bastard crossed it. "No, you are so very wrong!" His voice was strong and the outburst caused Laxus and Lucy to turn to Freed.
Don't you dare raise your voice to me you worthless piece of shi…
"Shut up! I will not hear it no more. I'm done with your impossible rules and expectations. I will never be good enough for you. I have listened to you berate and hate me my entire life. My existence has been spent walking forward only for you to shove me back. Some how though I endured. Even when you told me I was worthless and stupid. When I felt like nothing I still kept going. I survived the hell that is you and I will continue to survive despite you! But you will not use the filth you spew on him. You know nothing about him and what he has been through. I will not allow you to speak ill of Laxus, I care enough about him and myself to cease this poison. You might continue to speak but I will no longer listen to anything you have to say." His breath came out ragged now but he felt the waves of heat settle and die out. Instead of the the pressure pushing against a wall his head now had a calm ripple running through it. A small humble smile graced his lips as he felt the adrenaline give in to a calmness he had craved for so long. He basked in his new peace for a few seconds before he noticed the 2 blonds staring at him. After he realized they were staring at him Freed also realized they had stopped walking. When had that happened, had they been stopped very long.
"It's very rude to stare at someone," he scolded them but his voice had no real anger in it. HIs eyes grew big as the reality kicked it, "I was speaking out loud, I was off in my own world wasn't I?" His voice fell to a whisper.
Lucy walked up and placed a hand on each of Freed's shoulders pulling him to face her, "Don't you dare hang your head like you are ashamed Freed Justine! You should be proud that you found the courage to stand up for yourself. I'm so happy that you finally see some self worth and I commend you for raising your voice and telling that asshole to shut up. You have to get loud to be heard by a bully, you did nothing wrong."
Lucy pulled him into a warm hug before releasing him. Laxus who had been watching from a few steps away moved in as Lucy moved back. His eyes lingered on the vibrant green hair and the newly formed blush that was dust Freed's face. "You stood up to your old man for me?"
"Only to the voice in my head, but yes."
"Freed you are really an amazing person and I don't deserve one ounce of your trust. We are not alike, you are a honest good person and I'm the guy that will let you down in the end. You're strong enough to face your demons and I keep crawling back to mine. Do not ever compare us like that again, because you are a mountain and i'm just the dirt." Laxus chewed on the inside of his cheek looking everywhere but in Freed's eyes.
"How can you say that? Laxus you are like some incredible giant that I look up to. I could never look so lowly upon you and for you to suggest I do is ludacris. You may not see all that you are as of yet but I can see it and it is beautiful to me." Freed placed his hands on his hips ready to argue the point.
"I'm a snake Freed. You are out here trusting me when you know we are going the wrong way, standing up to your old man for me and I'm leading you guys straight to my devil of a father so he can use you 2 to make a profit."
Lucy's brown eyes widened as she looked from Freed to Laxus. Freed kept his composure however, "Yes I followed you even though I knew something wasn't right. I trusted and still trust you even if you wait til the last minute to prove my trust right. I know you care and I know you are a good person. You just don't know it yet but I believe you will get there."
Laxus shook his head, "My dad wants to hold you guys ransome. I am literally one of your kidnappers. I lied and i'm leading you straight to him. How can you still have any faith in me? We are almost there. I am on the edge of throwing you to the wolves and you still want to follow me?"
"I would follow you to the end of the earth just to prove my faith in you. I have no doubt if you threw me to the wolves you would save me minutes later. Laxus I trust you with my life."
Laxus ran a hand through his hair. This guy was unbelievable, he was so close to where he couldn't turn back. He should be running, he should be getting as far away as possible. Instead this man was waiting for Laxus to let him down…...unless he possibly didn't let Freed down. There is no way Laxus could live up to what Freed see's in him but maybe he could be more than the man who betrayed him.
"Fuck, I have never questioned my every decision as much as I do with you."
Freed frowned, "I make you doubt yourself?"
"No you make me want to be better." Laxus saw Lucy smile as Freed wrapped his arms around the tall blond. "Listen he was expecting us a little bit ago so we need to hightail it back before he realizes we ain't showing up."
Laxus saw Lucy's smile fall instantly and before he could turn around he heard a very distinctive click of a gun being cocked. Keeping Freed and Lucy behind him he turn to face his own demon.
Ivan smirked as he placed the muzzle of his gun on the forehead of his son. Laxus said nothing staring through the gun at his father's eyes. The cold enjoyment they took at hurting other caused a shiver to run down his spine. It was that moment he realized his father would have no problem with killing his own son.
"Im disappointed but not surprised. I guess you no longer have a purpose in this plan. We both know I don't like carrying dead weight and I'm far from sentimental. Take heart in the fact that the old man and his feelings will ensure you a proper burial. Good bye son."
Laxus closed his eyes and prayed Freed took this moment to run.