Dragon Instinct
Chapter Three
They had to take the train. Freed couldn't help but snicker at the look on Laxus' face when he realized this. The Dragonslayer already looked green just looking at the train. When traveling with Laxus the Thunder Legion went anywhere they could by foot, but the village they were going to was an eight hour train ride so going by foot would be impossible.
"You can cast the sleep spell right?"
"You hate when I do that."
"Yeah well, I hate making a fool of myself even more."
"Alright. Come on."
Freed led them to the back of the train opening the door to their carriage. Laxus groaned sitting down on the seat looking out the window. Freed forced himself not to laugh at the miserable look on Laxus' face. It was nice to see him vulnerable once in a while.
"You're not sick already are you? The train hasn't started moving yet."
"I'm not that pathetic. I just hate trains."
"And carriages, and S.E. Cars, and boats..."
"Freed...shut up."
"You know I could have flown us some of the way with my runes."
"And it would have drained your magical power. I'll survive. I can't avoid transportation my whole life."
"We could have brought along Wendy. Her powers are surprisingly strong for a wizard her age."
"Well, she is a Sky Dragonslayer."
"That is true," Freed said looking at him. "Though you were already much stronger than her at that age."
"I had to be. My father wouldn't accept anything less."
Freed frowned at the dark reminder of Laxus' father. He had never trusted or liked the man. He had forced Laxus on missions that were too dangerous for him when they were children. He was responsible for the large scar over Laxus' eye, and the reason he had nearly lost his sight in that eye. Freed would never forgive him for that mission, nor would he ever forget the look of terror on Laxus' face when they confronted the monster Ivan sent them after. Instead of protecting Laxus as a child he forced him on mission after mission so he could prove his strength.
"You might want to lay down for this Laxus," he suggested. "I don't want you falling out of the seat."
Laxus stood up again pulling off his fur lined coat as Freed watched him. Laxus rarely took his coat off, even in battle. It was like the thing was sewed to his shirts. He had to look away when he felt a blush rise to his cheeks. He forgot how tight Laxus wore his shirts and how well they showed his muscles. Laxus folded up his coat sitting it on the bench beside Freed's leg before laying down using it as a pillow. Freed finally looked back at him watching Laxus trying to get comfortable.
"Ready?" He asked softly.
Those yellow eyes looked up at him slowly, annoyance showing in them.
"I'm never ready to be knocked unconscious," he said roughly.
"I know, you hate being vulnerable."
"Don't analyze me Freed. I'm just glad I know you're strong enough to take care of yourself. Now, let's get this over before the train starts."
Freed ignored the pride that rose in him at Laxus' words and took a deep breath.
"Dark Écriture: Sleep."
Almost instantly Laxus' eyes closed and his body went limp. The sleep enchantment lasted as long as Freed wanted it to. He had started using it on longer train rides when the Thunder Legion started traveling with Laxus. It was one of the first enchantments he had learned. He hated seeing Laxus suffer.
He smiled to himself, slowly reaching down to run his fingers through Laxus' hair. It was something he didn't dare to do with Laxus awake, or with others around. He didn't even try when Bickslow and Evergreen was with them. The only other person to witness the act was Freya. She had been more than amused when when she saw how helpless Laxus was while traveling. It was right after she'd come to stay with them and they'd been invited to a ball for completing a job. Laxus hadn't wanted to go and sent Bickslow and Evergreen hoping to avoid the attention. Even back then, he was awkward around others. However, Freed talked him into going so that Freya could go with them. Laxus had looked like he wanted to throttle Freed when he realized that meant riding the train. Freya had enjoyed seeing Laxus so weak.
"You mean to tell me the big scary Lightning Mage is scared of trains?" She asked giggling from her seat.
"Freya..."
"Oh come on Freed, it's funny. The way he goes around bragging about his strength and a train can do this to him?"
Freed glared at her moving over to Laxus' bench touching his shoulder. He hated the idea that she was making fun of him for something he couldn't help.
"Want me to cast the sleeping enchantment on you?"
"Well this is your fault, so it'd serve you right if I ruined your shoes," he gasped out before covering his mouth.
"Stop being such a pain in the ass and lay down. There's no sense in making yourself suffer. It's not a terribly long train ride."
Laxus slowly laid down on the bench using Freed's leg as a pillow, pulling off his head phones.
"Dark Écriture: Sleep." Freed said softly.
Laxus fell into a deep sleep almost immediately, the green fading from his skin.
"He's pathetic," Freya said frowning a bit. "He claims to be the strongest wizard in the guild and he can't even handle this."
"Laxus isn't the only wizard who gets motion sickness," Freed argued absently reaching down running his fingers through Laxus' hair.
"Yeah, well he's the only one who makes an ass of himself bragging about his strength," she said tossing her long green hair over her shoulders.
"Laxus is one of the strongest wizards in the guild. The only one stronger than him is Gildarts now that his father has been exiled. And believe me, if you had Ivan Dreyar as a father you'd be an ass too."
"Are you two dating or something?"
"What?"
"Well look at you two. He's sleeping in your lap. You practically worship the ground he walks on. No matter what he does you defend him."
"He's my friend. That's what friends do."
"You have a poster of him on your wall."
"..."
"You're in love with him aren't you?"
Freed sighed putting his hands in his lap. He knew it was only a matter of time before Freya had figured it out. She didn't just look like him, she was just as analytical as he was. She didn't stop until she got the answers she was looking for.
"Yes," he said softly.
"Your love for him has blinded you Freed. Laxus is a complete jerk."
"I have been in love with Laxus since I met him. But that doesn't make me blind to his faults." He stated. "Laxus is a good person, but sometimes trying to impress his father he forgets that. Ivan is not a good man, and he would do anything to control Laxus and his power. I love Laxus for his faults as well as the positive things about him. He is an extremely powerful mage, more powerful than even he knows. He has a warm heart and will do anything to protect those close to him. However, he is also very misguided. He still looks to Ivan for guidance despite how much he has hurt him in the past. He carries a lot of anger in his heart. His father has him convinced that power is all that matters in the world. He doesn't know to trust his heart. I know he could never love me back, and I'm okay with that. We are not a couple, and we never will be. I'm happy just being by his side, helping him make the right decisions. I won't spend my life pining for him or hoping he'll love me. I'm not a fool."
Freya looked at him speechless sitting back in her seat slowly. Freed couldn't read the emotion in her sea green eyes and he prayed it wasn't disgust. Freya had never known he was attracted to men but he knew he couldn't hide it forever, not when she was living with him.
"Freed...if you know he can't return your feelings, why do you put yourself through this torture?"
"Because to leave his side would hurt me even more. At least this way I can be near him and I know he's safe."
"Is it worth the pain?"
"Every second of it." He said with a smile reaching down touching Laxus' cheek gently.
"Well...he is awfully cute like that," she giggled. "Awe...you're blushing brother."
"Shut up."
"What would he do if he knew you were petting him?"
"I'm not petting him."
"Whatever you say brother. Looks like petting to me."
Freed shook his head looking down at Laxus' sleeping form smiling a bit. Freya was right, he was cute when he slept. All of the stress and anger he carried on his shoulders disappeared. It was the only time he appeared vulnerable.
Freed shook himself out of the memory looking out the window of the train. Thinking about Freya just reminded him that he would never see her again. The last time he'd seen her was Fantasia. She'd been so angry with him for going on with Laxus' plan that she'd left Magnolia. Freed had been a mess when she left. She was the last of his family. They both depended on each other since their parents died. He could only imagine how she'd felt when she heard they'd vanished. He sighed leaning back closing his eyes slowly as he played with Laxus' hair.
Laxus woke slowly. His mind was still clouded with sleep and he didn't have the strength to open his eyes. He could feel long fingers threading through his hair, which was strange. He never let anyone get that close to him. As he mind slowly became more aware of his surroundings he decided it didn't feel bad. It actually felt soothing. The feeling slightly eased his churning stomach. At least it did, until he felt the train go around a bend too quickly.
"Oh god!"
"Laxus! How are you awake?! The enchantment isn't supposed to wear off until I let it. It hasn't even been an hour yet."
"Please tell me you can cast it again?"
"Not if you're becoming immune to it..."
Laxus groaned laying back on his jacket.
"There is another enchantment I could cast but. . ."
"Does it work?"
"Yes, but. . ."
"Will it kill me?
"No."
"Then cast the damn thing already."
Freed took a deep breath frowning. He hated having to cast this enchantment on Laxus.
"Dark Écriture: Bliss."
He'd learn to use this enchantment after Laxus left Fairy Tail. It was a great way to interrogate others without having to hurt them. Without having Laxus around to intimidate people into talking, they needed a way to get information. This particular enchantment removed any negative feelings or symptoms of illness the subject had and left them feeling, well blissful. It also lowered any defenses they had. Those under its influence couldn't resist answering any of the questions they were asked. Freed could ask Laxus anything he wanted and Laxus wouldn't hesitate to tell him the answer. He was even more helpless now than he was when he was asleep.
Freed sighed looking at Laxus slowly. He was laying back on his coat with a goofy grin on his face. If Freed didn't know better he'd think he was drunk. Freed didn't like seeing Laxus so vulnerable against his will.
"You were playing with my hair..."
"Yes."
"Felt good."
"What?"
"It felt good. Almost calming."
Freed looked at him surprised. There was no way in hell Laxus would willingly admit something like that.
"It did?"
"Mmhmm. I dunno why I never let anyone do that."
"I don't know. Wait, are you asking me to do it again?"
"Please?"
Freed stared dumbfounded before reaching down slowly, running his fingers through Laxus' hair. Laxus smiled slowly closing his eyes.
"Do you do this every time I sleep on the train?"
"...Yes..."
"You're hopeless Freed."
"I know."
"Why do you put up with me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you still around? I've been horrible to everyone for so long..."
"Because I know you're a good person. You're my best friend Laxus. I think I know you better than you know yourself."
"You do?"
"I know you're someone who cares deeply about the people around them. You'd do anything to protect your friends. That's why you tried to take over the guild. You were worried about how people saw us."
"I don't deserve your loyalty, and I certainly don't deserve your love."
"M...my love...how long have you known.."
"Awhile."
"You never said anything..."
"I didn't want to see you in pain. I hate to see you upset. I thought if I kept quiet you'd find someone who deserved your love."
Freed knew he should stop him. Laxus was saying things he'd never say on his own. He was admitting to things that Freed didn't have a right to know. That didn't stop him from wanting to hear more. Laxus knew about his feelings and never said anything. He never even acted like he knew Freed was gay. He never even knew Laxus thought so poorly of himself.
"Laxus...you deserve my feelings as much as anyone does. You're an amazing person."
"All I do is bring pain to those that love me." His words sounded sad, but thanks to the enchantment they were said with a smile. For some reason that broke Freed's heart more than what it would otherwise. He hoped Laxus wouldn't remember their conversation after he broke the enchantment.
"That is not true!"
"Yes it is," Laxus said softly reaching up to play with the hair hanging in front of Freed's hair. "Look at what I did to the guild."
"Laxus...you made up for that. You're the only reason we defeated Grimoire Heart. You were trying to save our lives. That means more than anything."
"Freed...I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'd be lost for sure."
Laxus laughed more loudly than necessary at that and Freed smirked a bit.
"Now shut up. If I keep letting you run your mouth and you remember this, you'll kill me in the morning."
Laxus just smiled moving to lay his head on Freed's thigh.
"Thank you for always taking care of me Freed. And I'd never be able to hurt you. No matter what you do."
"I'm not going anywhere Laxus."
Laxus finally fell silent as Freed leaned back in his seat. He didn't want Laxus to reveal anymore of his secrets. The last thing he needed was Laxus to be angry about anything he said. He just hoped Laxus stayed quiet for the rest of the trip.
The train pulled into Belladonna station after six and a half excruciating hours later. In order to keep Laxus from spilling anymore of his feelings Freed had to ramble on about the guild members and the events since Laxus left. The Dragonslayer never moved from his spot. He stayed with his head laying on Freed's thigh, silently hinting for the rune mage to continue playing with his hair. Freed enjoyed having free reign to be so close to Laxus but he wanted the Dragonslayer back to normal and he hated talking so much. He preferred to sit quietly and read on long train trips. As soon as the train came to a stop Freed stood up and removed the enchantment on Laxus.
A few seconds later Laxus' expression returned to normal and he sat up.
"Laxus, ah, do you feel normal?"
"Let's go. We're in Belladona right? Amaryllis isn't much of a walk."
Before Freed had a chance to respond the Dragonslayer was walking out of the train station. Freed grabbed his bags and ran after Laxus surprised.
"What is this mission again?"
"The two villages Amaryllis and Linnea have been under the control of Dark Guilds. There of been some violent mage fights recently as official guilds have tried to help. The villages do not have many magic users and cannot defend themselves. Bickslow and Ever are going to protect Linnea while we help Amaryllis," Laxus explained as they walked down the dirt path.
The roads were deserted. It was a disturbing sight. The village Belladona that the train pulled into was a bustling city like Magnolia. A small village like Amaryllis should have people constantly walking back and forth to the market.
"Laxus...how much of the train ride do you remember?"
"All of it.
"Are you angry?"
"No...you tried to warn me. Guess there's worse things than runnin' my mouth."
"Do you really feel..like you don't deserve to find someone?" Freed asked softly.
"Now isn't the time to talk about that."
Freed's voice had sounded so small. Laxus wanted to ease the smaller man's pain but everything he'd said under the influence of that enchantment had been true. Some of it had been things he wouldn't even admit to himself. He had hoped Freed wouldn't bring it up.
Laxus stopped suddenly and sniffed the air, disgust rising in him. Something inside him begged him to send Freed back to Belladona. Laxus knew better, the rune mage would die before leaving Laxus' side.
"Get behind me."
"Laxus..?"
"Now Freed. Something is very wrong here."
Laxus stepped up to the top of the hill and looked down slowly. His heart clenched in despair at what he was seeing. He felt, more than heard, Freed gasp behind him. The village had been destroyed. Everything was burnt to the ground. Even the fields were gone. Bodies were strewn about on the road, many of them burnt beyond recognition. Freed covered his mouth feeling his stomach roll with nausea. He didn't need to have Laxus' nose to be able to smell the stench of decay in the air. It seemed as if the villagers rose in a last effort to fight back against the guild.
"We were too late."