Freed could hear several things. It started off as soft whispers but he couldn't make out what they were saying just yet. He was on something kind of hard, but very comfy, and it smelled AMAZING. It smelled like just cologne at first, but then a scent of sweet apples and the smell of rain before the storm would waft up his nose. He breathed in deeply feeling so comfortable and relaxed which he hadn't been in a while.
But then he started to pick up the conversation around him and even realized he was moving.
"What's this mate thing gramps was talking about anyway?" Lucy asked curiously for Natsu who was on the verge of throwing up.
"No idea. Gramps was going to talk to me about it when we got back" Laxus whispered tightening his grip around Freed. Freed's lung was badly damaged but Wendy got it to the point where he would be okay for a few days. He'd have to see Porlyusica immediately when they got back to Magnolia however.
As for the beasts, they were defeated with some difficulty leaving the group badly bruised but their spirits were never brighter. Freed was in Laxus' lap, bridal style since Wendy said he'd have to be in a sitting position for a while to help decrease the internal bleeding and pressure on his lungs. Of course Laxus picked him up bridal style after the fight and hasn't removed him from his arms since that moment. Now they were on the train headed for Magnolia and they'd be there in 10 hours.
Freed had been sleeping for the last three days, unknowingly in Laxus' arms.
"How come you aren't sick Laxus, like Natsu?" Ever asked curiously. Bickslow and Ever didn't leave Laxus' side the moment they left the battlefield considering they knew Laxus wasn't about to put the man down if they had to get in another fight again. Of course they'd be the first people to get through if someone was going to attack Laxus while Freed was unconscious in his arms. All of them badly wanted to tell Freed what really happened that day, but Freed hadn't woken up long enough to comprehend anything around him.
"It's his scent. It doesn't make me feel nauseous when on something moving" Laxus said quietly, secretly trying not to bury his nose into the unconscious greenette's hair.
"His scent doesn't smell any different to me" Wendy squeaked out, also nauseous.
"What does it usually smell like?" Gray asked curiously since he didn't go around smelling people; though I guess its inevitable if you're a dragon slayer.
"Well it usually smells like his shampoo which I think is some kind of flower something or other," Wendy said before landing next to Natsu.
"It's usually something nice to smell" Natsu groaned into the floor of the train, "what is it now?"
"It's like… freshly rained on roses and fresh brewed coffee" Laxus said, trying to place the smells.
"I don't smell that at all"
"Me either"
They all got close trying to see if they could smell what Laxus was talking about before he started growling at them making them back off.
"Maybe its that mate thing gramps was talking about" Bicks thought curiously.
"Mate!"
"Mate!"
His tikis flew around happily making Ever slap at them in annoyance.
Freed was wondering what 'mate thing' they were talking about and why they were even being nice to him. He couldn't go back to Fairy Tail! Not after his family practically threw him out. No one even stopped him from leaving the guild!
Freed didn't know whether to blush or cry at the conversation, but he realized that once Laxus had growled, he felt hands tighten around him before realizing Laxus was holding him.
I'm on Laxus' lap! *Swoon*
The train suddenly jerked forward, making Natsu and Wendy even more nauseous and for Freed to groan loudly in pain once the train returned to its normal pace. Before Laxus could even worriedly yell for Wendy to check on him, she went over to help Freed even in her current state.
"That damn conductor!" Laxus growled.
"Calm down Laxus" Erza waved her hand at him to continue sitting, "you don't want to jostle around or yell in Freed's current state do you?" Erza said slyly knowing that would probably get Laxus to remain somewhat calm until the ride ended. Said man only harrumphed at her watching Wendy's hands on Freed's chest, checking his lung.
"It still okay?" Ever asked worriedly.
"The cut in his lung is getting worse. He'll have to go to Porlyusica's immediately when we get off. The claws on the red beast must have had something on them to slow my healing magic on him," Wendy said sadly making Laxus angry at the stupid creatures along with everyone else.
"I wish we got there sooner…" Natsu said sadly making everyone's shoulders drop at the comment.
"What's done is done. We will all just have to overcome this together," Erza said gently, directing the comment mostly towards the Raijinshuu group in front of her who were looking morbidly at their friend.
The train ride was going to be a long one.
When the train finally arrived in Magnolia, Erza had to stop all seven of her teammates from leaping off while the train was still in motion. Of course when the train did stop, Laxus was the first off the train, headed for Porlyusica's (Bickslow and Ever behind him but were getting further and further from him since Laxus was moving so fast).
Erza, Gray, and Lucy headed back to the guild to let everyone know what happened. Lucy especially wanted Levy's help in identifying the beasts they fought against.
Wendy, Natsu, Happy, and Charle were after the Raijinshuu team.
"Old Hag!" Laxus yelled out making Porlyusica slam her front door open angrily.
"What you damn human!?" Porlyusica was about to yell at him some more before seeing the greenette looking ill in his arms.
"Explain idiot"
As much as Laxus hated letting Freed out of his arms, he gently laid the man where Porlyusica directed him.
These feelings are so weird to me right now, but I don't really mind them since I really like having Freed around me like this.
As Laxus explained everything from the pool incident to the mission, Porlyusica looked sadly at the greenette she was healing.
"Hey..." was whispered by Ever who had a curious Bickslow, Natsu, and Wendy by the door.
"Stop standing around brats! Either get in or get out!" Porlyusica yelled making the four people scurry behind Laxus.
"Wendy, your work on the lung was good. Come here a moment" Porlyusica had been teaching Wendy some healing techniques over the years.
Laxus was reluctant to leave Freed alone in the room, but knew he would only get in Porlyusica's way thus preventing Freed from getting the help he needed. Laxus couldn't have that, so he waited and he was going to wait there no matter how long it took.
Bicks ran off to get food knowing they were all hungry. He was surprised Porlyusica didn't kick Natsu out yet for his snoring. It was now nightfall and Laxus would walk around Porlyusica's house, making sure he wasn't too far from the house. He was thinking over everything. Freed's feelings, how he was going to talk to him, the right words to use, what not to say, how to convince him that Laxus didn't just care, but wanted to be with Freed after all these years. It was going to be hard but he was willing to try.
After Laxus was finished with his walk in a giant circle and some stretching, which the others had been doing too, he walked back in wondering if the old lady would let him sleep there. Of course he was sure Porlyusica knew he would put up a fuss if she tried to make him leave.
"Okay brats" Porlyusica walked out of the room Freed was in making everyone's attention snap to her (even Natsu woke up immediately from his napping).
"His lung is badly damaged but as long as he is able to drink the medicine I put together, once he wakes up, he should heal in about three to four weeks."
"When will he be awake?"
"Soon."
"What the hell does that mean old hag?" Laxus growled making Porlyusica scowl angrily at him.
"Do I look like a timer to you!? He'll wake up eventually brat!" Porlyusica stomped to her room, Wendy looking tired as she left Freed's room also with Charle.
"It shouldn't be long now Laxus-sama. Maybe a day?" Wendy said gently hoping it would calm Laxus back down.
"Well I'm staying here then until he wakes up!" Laxus yelled out making Porlyusica yell at him for being a moron and to go home, from her room.
"I'm already comfy in this spot so I call it!" Natsu yelled out along with happy.
"No way I want that spot!" Bicks shouted, pushing Natsu over which started a scuffle between the two.
"Well a lady needs her beauty sleep so I'm getting the couch" Ever tried sounding suave but only had eyes rolled at her. Of course Wendy was able to convince her to share the couch with her and Charle.
In the middle of the night, with much snoring from pretty much every person in the room, Porlyusica walked out of her room to make sure everything was alright. A few hours earlier she nearly threw them out for almost destroying her house for the last piece of mango candy, idiots. Porlyusica looked around for a moment before noticing Laxus was not amongst them. She quickly went to Freed's room before a soft smile made its way onto her face (not that she'd ever admit to that happening).
Laxus was in a chair, head resting on Freed's bed right next to his hand. It was kind of funny looking since Laxus was such a large guy and the bed and Freed were much smaller. Porlyusica quickly checked Freed, noticing Laxus stiffen for a moment.
Dragon slayers. Always light sleepers around people that are the most important to them.
Laxus was maybe half awake, but could probably tell Porlyusica's scent was in the room meaning she was probably just checking on Freed.
I guess this means that he trusts me with Freed. That's rather rare for a dragon slayer and their mate. Has that old geezer Makarov explained mates to you yet boy? He should get to that soon or even more chaos will probably ensue. Although from what I can see, there is no marking on him. So now is probably the only time you'd trust me with Freed unless he is injured again… maybe.
Porlyusica made a huff in amusement before leaving the room once more. Laxus opened his eyes blearily seeing Freed in the same position as before, before placing his cheek on Freed's fingertips. Conscious or not, Freed's touch was very soothing to Laxus, calming him down.
Wake up soon Freed. So much I need to tell you. Rejecting me or not after I say what needs to be said, I just want to see you smile again.
(Early Evening the Next Day)
Numbness… Pain…what?
Freed could feel a sort of comforting energy around him from time to time. It smelled the way it did on the train; of sweet apples and rain before a storm.
Such a nice smell.
Freed was comfortable, but then something worried him on the edges of his mind before he shot up in fear.
Fairy Tail! The beasts…Laxus? Freed was now sitting up in a bed before looking around. It looked very familiar before realizing he was in Porlyusica's home. He looked down to his chest seeing heavy bandages before remembering Wendy telling him his lung was damaged during the battle.
What the heck happened!? Is everyone okay? How could I have been so stupid to have taken that mission… even breaking the rules! It's not like… I'd be welcome back to Fairy Tail anyway…
Freed sighed sadly, wiping a lone tear before hearing soft feet next to him. His head snapped up seeing a sad look on Porlyusica's face.
"Is everyone okay?" Freed croaked out before touching his throat at the weird way that came out.
"Yes. Some bruising but they'll all live" Porlyusica nodded before checking on his chest.
"It's fine. Thank you Porlyusica-san. I'll just leave now. I know how you are bothered by humans after all right?" Freed wanted to get out of there, needing to avoid his old team before anything else happened.
"You have misunderstood something child. You will stay here for a few days to drink the medicine I have made specifically for your lung. Then you will listen to your friends."
Freed stiffened in fear, his heart beating wildly.
"I… can't hear those words again…don't you understand that!" Freed was on the verge of tears "please let me leave!"
Porlyusica gently put her hand on his shoulder as Freed shook, trying to hold in his tears.
"Like I said before, a grave misunderstanding. They all care about you deeply and went after you to save you. That should be enough to convince you to hear what they have to say"
Freed just looked at her confused, hardly believing what she was saying to him.
"I…" Freed began to shake his head 'no' before Porlyusica shoved the steaming cup of medicine into his hands. Freed drank it slowly, grimacing at the taste, before gulping the rest of that down.
"That… was disgusting"
"Don't complain brat! It'll help and you will drink it, damn it, or so help me!" Porlyusica growled making Freed shy away from the angry woman.
"Even if you left, the people that have been waiting for you to wake up, will never stop trying to find you. Especially Laxus" Porlyusica left Freed to rest, who tiredly shut his eyes not understanding what the woman meant, willing his tears to not fall.
All was in vain though when he fell asleep, tear tracks evident down his cheeks. Laxus returned from his walk a little while later, with the others (who had stopped by the guild except for Laxus who was not going to leave Freed there alone).
Laxus frowned, becoming angry with himself and saddened at how Freed had been crying, evidently showing how he felt when he must have woken up (Porlyusica told him before).
"Freed" Laxus whispered into his ear, "I really do like you, you know?" Laxus rested his head on top of Freed's bed again hearing the others enter the room.
"I suggest you all stay on high alert. Freed doesn't think you want him here and may try to leave again before you can explain anything," Porlyusica said.
Ever and Bicks frowned unhappily. Erza shook her head while Lucy and Wendy looked down saddened. Natsu and Gajeel saluted the old woman knowing they were on night duty. Of course that's if Freed could get past Laxus.
And Freed was NOT going to get past Laxus.
I feel... like this was a filler... and yet it wasn't... maybe. What will happen when Freed wakes up? Some form of chaos I'm sure ^^
