Dragon Instinct

Chapter Two

Author's Notes:

I hoped to get this up sooner but Laxus was giving me fits.

Freed woke to a severe pounding inside his head. He hadn't felt pain like it since the battles on Tenroujima, he felt like his head was going to split in two. He moved to get out of bed, but his stomach quickly rebelled at the idea and he fell back into bed gasping for air. Bed...that's odd, he thought. He didn't remember getting into bed. He didn't even remember walking back to the Thunder Legion's home. He frowned looking around the room and paused when he found a glass filled with a greenish liquid in it and a note beside it. He reached over slowly grabbing it.

Freed,

Whenever you get up and join the world of the living, drink the tonic on the night stand. It looks like death but it's not that bad, Mira came up with it for Cana years ago. I'll be at the guildhall when you feel like joining us. I think you left your sword there, so don't wait too long. You and I need to have a little talk.

L.

By the way, get rid of the poster, it's a little on the creepy side.

Freed stared at the letter speechless. Laxus had brought him home. Laxus had been in his room. It only made sense now that he thought about it. Laxus was the only one his runes weren't enchanted to attack for stepping into his room. He liked his privacy, and his bedroom was his only reprieve from the chaos that was Fairy Tail, but he always hoped one day Laxus would want to be in his room. He just thought it would be under different circumstances.

He sighed eyeing the tonic before picking it up and drinking it down on one gulp.

"Not bad?! Are you insane?" The thing tasted like sewage. Laxus had lost his mind if he truly thought those things weren't bad. However, he had to admit that after a few minutes his headache subsided and his nausea went away.

When he finally felt it was safe to move he rushed himself through a shower and got dressed. He didn't have the energy to style his hair, so he left it flat for once. He was too busy trying to figure out what Laxus wanted to talk about. Whatever it was, he was certain it wouldn't be good. He started to walk out the room before pausing to look at the poster on the wall. His Thunder God had given him an order, but not one he was looking forward to carrying out. He sighed reaching up to slowly pull the poster of Laxus off his wall. He'd hung it up shortly after forming the Thunder Legion and moving into the house. He had put up his runes as a way to ensure his privacy to keep the others from realizing how deep his devotion to Laxus went. He was never afraid of Laxus entering his room. No matter what his Thunder God needed he never sought people out, people went to him. He folded the poster up sliding it into his dresser. He may have pulled it down but he wasn't ready to part with it just yet. He sighed steeling himself with determination before walking out his room heading to the guildhall.

It wasn't the guildhall Freed had grown to love. That was taken from the others during the seven year gap of Tenroujima. Freed and the others had been horrified to learn what happened to Fairy Tail during their absence. The guildhall was now little more than a barn house that constantly felt abandoned. There was no reminded of the old guildhall that Natsu and Gray constantly destroyed in their fights. Somehow Macao had let Fairy Tail fall, no, dive into ruin during the last seven years.

Freed shook his head quickly. He couldn't blame his guild mates. They'd suffered greatly without him and the others. They'd lost so many people close to them in the blink of an eye. Freed still had trouble believing he lost seven years of his life to the island. It felt like a sick joke the world was playing on him. However, one look around told him this was not the world he left behind...even Freya was...Freed quickly banished the thought, he would not let himself think about that. He would focus on getting his sword back, and speak to Laxus. Hopefully he had a job for him that would be a distraction. He had far too much freedom lately to indulge in fantasies and memories.

Freed felt as if almost every pair of eyes were on him when he stepped into the guildhall. He must have made quite a scene the night before. Part of him was happy he couldn't remember. All he could remember was Cana challenging him to a drink off and the shocked looks on Bixlow and Evergreen's face when he agreed. He'd just wanted to forget how much he'd lost due to Tenroujima, and Evergreen was offering him the perfect opportunity. He'd been throwing himself into his work since returning, but the guild didn't receive nearly as many requests as they did when they left. Sitting idle gave him too much time to think and wallow, so he'd decided to drink.

"Yo, greenie," Freed looked up slowly seeing Cana smirking at him from the bar. "Maybe I didn't give you enough credit if you're already up and functional."

"Good morning Cana," he said quietly. "I get the feeling that isn't a very good idea."

"Don't remember a thing huh?"

"Not a bit," he said dryly.

"Well, I got a bone to pick with you."

"What's that?"

"If you're into men, how did my sexy women cards beat you on Tenroujima?"

"I...what? Why would. . ."

Freed's heart was racing. The only people in the guild he'd told about his sexuality was Bickslow and Evergreen. He knew they wouldn't say anything. Surely he didn't blurt it out to the whole guild?

"I think everyone knows about it now, especially since you tried to swallow Laxus' face last night." Cana said with a laugh. "It was quite a show, you trying to shove your tongue down his throat."

"I...oh dear god..." Freed was going to be sick and it had nothing to do with a hangover. Laxus was going to kick him out of the Thunder Legion, and possibly the house. That's why he wanted to talk to him.

"It's okay Freed, the guild isn't judging you," said the soft spoken Mirajane from behind the bar. "I think it's kind of sweet actually. Laxus is your closest friend. It must be romantic to be in love with your best friend."

"Thanks Mira," he said robotically.

Freed wasn't going to blame her for not seeing the rest of the story. Sure, falling in love with a friend would be romantic, if the feelings were mutual. But, for Freed it was a daily torture. He just wasn't strong enough to step away.

"So, how did dear Laxey act this morning?"

"Laxey?"

"That's what you called him last night."

"Oh dear god...I'm never drinking again..." Freed cried burying his face in his hands. He could hear Cana laughing a bit, but that was drowned out by a familiar growling voice coming from behind him.

"That's certainly a relief."

Freed took a deep breath, preparing for the look of disgust he knew he'd see on Laxus' face. There was no way Laxus would want him on his team after last night. Slowly, he turned to face Laxus for what was probably going to be the last time. However, instead of disgust and anger Laxus seemed to be almost amused, if a bit concerned.

"Laxus, I..."

"Don't worry about it, you were trashed," Laxus said shrugging him off. "Mira, can Freed get his sword and jacket back?"

"Yes of course." She said stepping away from the bar.

"My coat was here? Don't tell me I tried to strip too..." Frees mumbled praying he was wrong.

"Nah, I woulda knocked you out by then. By time I got your ass outta here you'd been sick and you were passed out. Mira agreed to clean your jacket up."

"Oh." Freed wasn't sure that was any better.

"Here you go Freed, " Mira said walking back up handing him the jacket and sword. "Just remember what I said. You're still our family."

"Thank you Mira." He said softly taking his things from her. He was deeply touched by her words, but was unsure how to respond.

"Come on, let's go." Laxus said turning to walk out the guildhall.

"But, I just got here."

"Yeah, well you took too long and gramps is sending me on a mission. Bickslow and Evergreen already left, so just leaves you."

"You want me to go on a mission with you?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Laxus asked turning to look at him.

Freed shook his head quickly following Laxus out the guild. He wasn't going to tempt his luck. Laxus still wanted him on his team and that was more than enough for him. The walk to the home the four of them shared was quiet. Laxus seemed lost in his own thoughts and Freed was too mortified by what he had done to speak to Laxus, but by time they reached the house he couldn't take the silence any longer.

"What's the job?" He asked curiously following Laxus into their home.

"A few of the dark guilds grew really active while we were gone, he wants me to investigate." Laxus said looking back at him before pausing. "Your hair is different."

"I was in a hurry today."

"It doesn't naturally stick up like that?"

"No..." Freed was following Laxus up the stairs. He figured Laxus was going to pack. Normally he would leave the Dragonslayer alone, but Laxus didn't seem to mind Freed's presence and he wasn't one to keep quiet about things. The was Laxus wad acting it seemed like he wanted to talk to Freed. It was just small talk, but at least he was talking.

"Odd... I like it the other way better. It suits you."

"I...I see." Freed was dumbfounded. Laxus was commenting on his hair style. Laxus didn't do things like that. At least as far as Freed knew he didn't. Freed hadn't changed his hairstyle since he'd shaved it off right after Laxus left the guild.

"So, you gonna tell me what the hell is goin' on with you?" Laxus asked as he walked into his room pulling down his travel bag.

"What do you mean?"

"I've known you since we were kids Freed. I know when somethin' is wrong, so what the hell is it?"

Freed hesitated looking at Laxus slowly before sitting down on his bed. Laxus put his bag down pulling a chair up sitting across from him.

"Freed?"

"Freya...she was killed...last winter.."

"Your sister?!"

Freed tried to hold back the tears, but failed miserably. He'd been forcing himself not to think about what happened since he found out.

"After we disappeared she joined Blue Pegasus and learned to use magic in order to help find us. Apparently she became pretty powerful and gained the attention of some Dark guilds. She was killed in battle. She was killed because she wanted to find me."

Laxus didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to handle tears. That's why he always pushed Evergreen off on other people. That oaf she was seeing now, even if she pretended she wasn't, was better at handling her emotions than Laxus was. Then again, Evergreen was an emotional train wreck. Freed was normally much more calm and reserved than Evergreen. Freed had his emotional moments but he tried to hide them. Laxus was only witness to them by accident.

Laxus would have sent for someone else but he knew how close Freed was to his sister. Freya was the only family Freed had. His parents were killed in a train accident when he was sixteen and Freya came to stay with him. She was one reason they bought the house. She couldn't live in the dorms without being a member of Fairy Tail. So, they all got together and bought the house so Freed could have his sister near. Freya never really cared much for Laxus, she didn't try to hide it. She told him all the time he was an arrogant ass. However, after he left the guild she'd kept in contact with him to let him know how the others were doing. He suspected she was the reason they knew Laxus was on Tenroujima. He'd written her to let her know the others were in trouble and he was going to help.

"Freed...I...honestly, I don't know what to say. Why didn't you tell us? We loved her like family too."

"I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to believe she was gone." He said burying his face in his hands.

Laxus cursed under his breath moving to sit beside him putting his hand on Freed's back. Freed leaned into him sobbing quietly. Laxus rubbed Freed's back awkwardly. He was more than out of his area of expertise. He never had to comfort people. He had no clue how to comfort Freed.

"Is there anything I can do?" He asked slowly. "I know that's a dumb question but.."

"No...can we just sit here like this for awhile.." Freed asked softly looking up at him, tears running down his cheeks. His sea green eyes clouded in sadness.

Laxus paused looking at him. His chest tightened a bit seeing Freed like that. He never wanted to see him in so much pain. Laxus slowly pulled him in tight reaching up running his fingers through his hair awkwardly mumbling soothing words in Freed's ear. A distant part of him noted how surprisingly soft Freed's long hair was and how unique Freed's scent was filling his nose. It was an earthy smell, one that he would have never associated with Freed if he didn't know better.

"Freed, I wish there was something I could do. Freya was important to us too. We will help you through this," he said quietly.

"Th..thank you Laxus."

Freed was slowly calming down. He tried to convince himself that it had nothing to do with being held so tightly by Laxus. His face was buried in his chest and he was able to inhale his scent. He could spend all day curled into the Dragonslayer, his arms holding him tight making him feel safe. Finally, after his tears subsided he pulled himself out of Laxus' arms wiping his tears away looking up at Laxus.

"Sorry for losing it like that Laxus."

"You're allowed Freed, don't feel bad."

Laxus slowly pulling his fingers out of Freed's hair. He didn't try to focus on the fact that his arms suddenly felt empty without Freed in them. Finally realizing at how close they still were Freed blushed a bit standing up straightening his coat.

"I'll go pack a bag for the trip."

"Hey Freed."

"Yes Laxus?"

"Stop worrying about last night. I'm not upset with you."

"You're not?"

"Tch, you think that little of me?"

"N..no, I just thought...I mean, I wasn't sure how you felt about.." Freed was sputtering and Laxus couldn't help but grin. He'd never seen the rune mage so flustered before. He stood up walking over to him, putting his hand under his chin forcing Freed to look up at him.

"Freed, you are one of my oldest friends, and the person I trust above all others. You've never turned your back on me, and you're not afraid to call me on my bullshit. If I were to turn my back on you because of something you can't control, I'd hope you'd cast those runes of yours on me. I'd deserve the pain," he said seriously looking into Freed's eyes. "Besides, I'm not as blind as you think I am. I've known, I just...wasn't sure how to tell you I knew."

"You've known..oh dear lord...you must think I'm a creepy stalker like that Juvia..."

"No..god no...that girl takes creepy to a new level. Listen to me, nothing will change. No matter what, you are my ally, and part of this team. Got it? Stop thinking so little of yourself. And stop beating yourself up over a drunken kiss. Shit happens."

Freed blinked back tears looking into Laxus' yellow eyes for any sign of amusement. He never knew Laxus to be so...well he didn't know the word for the look on Laxus' face. The Dragonslayer clearly meant every word he was saying though, and relief flooded Freed's heart. Without thinking he wrapped his arms around Laxus' neck tightly burying his face in Laxus' chest. He felt arms slowly wrap around him and Laxus' chest rumbled with laughter.

"Stop acting like such a girl Freed. This isn't like you."

"I'm sorry," he mumbled against his chest.

Laxus felt a smile tug at his face despite himself. Freed may be acting like an emotional wreck, but it was almost cute. Laxus felt the urge to protect Freed swell up in him. It wasn't a new feeling, he'd felt it before when he heard the guild was in trouble on Tenroujima. However, he'd never felt it this strongly for a single person. He cleared his thoughts trying to ignore the emotions flooding through him and focus on calming the newest emotional outburst from Freed, rubbing his back slowly. Freed was not an emotional person, and he obviously needed the comfort.

"Relax Freed, don't be so sensitive," he said quietly.

"Laxus I..." Freed started slowly.

Laxus looked down concerned and found those sea green eyes looked up at him. There was a small blush on Freed's cheeks and couldn't help but smirk. Who knew Freed was so easily embarrassed? He barely had a chance to register what was happening before Freed leaned forward and kissed Laxus again, only this time fully aware of what he was doing.

Laxus gasped a bit in surprise putting his hands on Freed's shoulders. He didn't know what he should do. A part of him wanted to return the kiss, and another part of him wanted to push him away and pretend this never happened, that was the more logical and responsible side of him. It was losing the battle inside of Laxus. He didn't have the strength to pull away this time. However, he was saved from a decision when Freed pulled back quickly hurrying from the room. The poor man looked mortified. Laxus watched him disappear before sitting on his bed slowly running his fingers through his hair. He needed to get a grip before he broke Freed's heart.