Laxus had gained consciousness hours ago. Since then nurses had been in and out asking him all the standard questions for a person who had broken an ankle and knocked himself unconscious. He asked about Gajeel but they all claimed to know nothing. So the blonde sat alone in silence assuming the worst.
The blonde was stirred from his dark thoughts when he heard voices on the other side of the door. Laxus knew soon he should be expecting a visit from the boys in blue. He had been on his last chance when he had went to the camp. Gramps had stuck his neck out to get Laxus that chance. It hurt knowing he let the old man down. Laxus was pretty sure conspiring to help kidnap a couple of kids was a pretty decent charge probably worthy of some decent prison time. It's not like he didn't deserve it. It was actually for the best, put him somewhere he couldn't screw up anyone else's life. All his anger and rage that fueled him these last few years had finally fizzled out. Now the blonde was drowning in guilt and heartbreak and it was almost unbearable. Laxus raised the head of the bed so he was sitting up then waited for the knock on the door.
When the knock came Laxus mumbled "come in" and focused on the wall to his left as he tried to swallow all his emotions down.
"Mr. Dryer?"
Laxus turned to the man, "Yep." The man was alone and in street clothes. He wore black motorcycle boots, faded blue jeans, and a black t-shirt. His hair was black and cut short. He was tall and muscular and also had a scar over one eye. Maybe the detective or something Laxus thought. There was something familiar about the man but Laxus couldn't figure out what it was. The man made it known when he introduced himself.
"My name is Lily Redfox," Laxus went pale, "Gajeel is my little brother."
Laxus wanted to run, he knew this man had every right to demand answers but Laxus wasn't ready to face that yet. Laxus started to open his mouth but shut it quickly, there's nothing he could say that would be any good.
"I don't know what to say, but you," the man started to stutter a little, "because of you…..." Lily stopped and stared at the blonde.
Laxus tensed ready for whatever this man needed say to him. "Because of you" Lily had tears streaming down his face. The man wipe his face with his hands then rushed the hospital bed almost tackling Laxus.
Laxus felt the man shake with sobs his arms wrapped around the blonde. Laxus himself was breaking down. He would never forgive himself. "It's all because of you! Because of you I get to see my brother again. Laugh, talk, fight with him. I will be eternally grateful to you for what you did. Thank you."
Lily pulled himself off Laxus a teary eyes smile on if face. Laxus cocked his head to the side and stared at Lily in confusion.
"Gajeel's ok?" Laxus looked to Lily.
"Yes it was close, he lost a lot of blood but they were able to get him stable. He hasn't woke up yet but the doctor said he would soon and he will be fine. Because of what you did."
"What I did?"
"Yes Gajeel's friends told me and the police everything. The officer said if you hadn't rushed to bring Gajeel back when you did it, it would've been too late." Lily almost whispered that last part.
Laxus tried to fit it all together in his head. Sure he took off with Gajeel but he didn't make it back to camp. Hell he was the reason Gajeel was hurt. He had help conspire in a kidnapping. How the heck was this man so adamant about thinking him.
Laxus cocked an eyebrow at the joyous man, "So they told you and the police everything?"
"Yes how they all went looking for the lost boys and you went looking for them and undiscovered that man's plan to kidnap a couple of kids and stopped him. You are honestly a hero!"
Laxus let his jaw fall open in a disbelieving look. What the hell had those guys told the police and why were they covering for him. It didn't make sense.
"Listen I gotta go, I want to be there when Gajeel wakes up but I just had to come say thank you." With that Lily turned and left a still confused Laxus to himself.
He wasn't alone for long as a short bald man came in. Laxus looked but couldn't keep the gaze, he could see anger and disappointment in his eyes. Laxus let his eyes drop in guilt, the happiness of hearing Gajeel was alive short lived.
"Gramps, I'm so sorry."
The short man sighed, "Laxus look at me." It took a minute before the blonde complied but he finally looked back up. "I know what the others told the police but I also know the truth. It wasn't hard for someone with the entire backstory to figure out."
"I know, have you told the police everything yet?"
The old man laughed loudly which caused the blonde to stare. "Are you crazy? No way am I pissing that green haired kid and Ezra off!"
"What?"
"Ezra was the one that found you. She had been on the 4 wheeler with a small trailer looking for Ivan when she heard your plea to the man up above she assumed." Laxus suddenly remembered the buzzing that must of been the motor and the flash of red was most defiantly Ezra. "Anyway after your moment of realization there was no way she was letting you go to jail and between her and Freed they worked the whole story out."
"And everyone just went along with it? After what I did? Did Ezra threaten them." Laxus questioned.
"Actually they were all more than willing to. It's safe to say that you paid your price and redeemed yourself to them. Now of course you put the kids in my camp in danger and I can't take that lightly. We will discuss how we will move forward after you have healed up some. Ad far as jail goes I wouldn't worry. After all the identical reports the police don't even feel the need to question you."
Laxus felt tears start to build up, "They went out if their way for me. After all the shit I did. After all the shit I've put you through my whole life you're still in this room willing to help me?"
"Laxus we are family, I love you." Now Gramps was starting to tear up as well.
There was still a f we more questions rolling around in Laxus's head though. "What about Ivan and Jose?"
That straightened Gramps right up, "Ivan wasn't found but Jose was found in the trees away from the old cabin. He was dead his throat slit with his hands still behind his back. Thank God Ivan hadn't come across any of the kids on his way back to the cabin. It looks like he headed out if the area. I'm certain the kids and camp are safe. You and I both know he will need to regroup before he tries to get even."
"Yeah, I know."
They set in silence before they heard someone tap into the door. Laxus looked up to see Freed enter the room timidly at first but unable to hold himself back half way he lunged at the blonde wrapping his arms around Laxus. Gramps laughed and shook his head, "I'll let you guys catch up and go check on everyone else."
Freed still clinging to the large blonde smiled at the old man as he left.
"Freed what are you doing here, after what I put you though?"
"Stop it Laxus. If I hear you say that one more time you will be sorry." Laxus could tell by Freeds intense stare that he meant it. "People mess up but we live, learn, and forgive. I want to be by your side Laxus please stop trying to push me away because of what you think I deserve, I know what I want and I want to be here with you. Laxus I love you, I really love you."
The blonde shook his head smiling to himself. There was no use fighting him, this green haired kid, no man, was just as stubborn and much smarter. "I love you too Freed."
The smaller man smiled and leaned forward their lips barely touching in a gentle kiss.
"Hey Zeref got a kiss too but it was a lot more tongue and slobber! You should've seen it it was-"
"SHUT UP NATSU!" Zeref shouted. In the doorway filing in was the group of kids Laxus had became friends with. Mavis laughed while Natsi tried to figure out what he'd done to puss his brother off. Lyon rolled his eyes and behind him came Gray and Leo.
Mavis spoke, "We just came to say hi. We won't stay long."
"Yeah the nurse is going to be pissed when she finds out Gray left his bed again." Leo spoke.
"I don't see what it's just my hands not anything life threatening." Gray whined.
Lyon scoffed, "Sure not taking your meds for weeks and being all suicidal is not life threatening."
"Shut up Lyon!"
"Make me Gray!"
"So they are back to normal right?" Laxus asked.
"Yep!" Natsu smiled.
The conversation went on for a moment everyone excited and happy to be safe. The nurse came in after a bit after the noise got too loud and sent everyone back to their rooms or waiting room to wait for dinner with the exception of Freed. She started to shoo him away but she swore she heard Laxus growl and decided he could keep one visited. As they left Lyon promised to come update them as soon as Gajeel was awake.
Dinner was served shortly and Mira and Erza watched for a few moments from the door as Freed babied laxus feeding the man his pudding like a child. Erza took her phone out and took a few pictures for later blackmail use if needed. The two then decided to leave the lovebirds alone for the night. They could always torture Laxus tomorrow.