Dragon Instinct

Chapter Four

Freed followed Laxus through the village slowly, sleeve pressed to his face. He didn't need dragon slayer senses to be overwhelmed by the scent of death and burnt flesh. He didn't understand why Laxus was able to walk through the village unhindered. It was likely he didn't cover his face because his sense of smell was so powerful nothing would help.

"Why are we down here Laxus, couldn't we call Markarov from Belladona?"

"He'll want to know who did this."

"I doubt they'll leave proof. Not after something like this."

"If this is too much, you can go back to Belladona," Laxus said turning to him. "I can continue on my own."

Freed looked up at him slowly. There was no judgement in Laxus' eyes. Freed felt a bit of shame roll over him. This would be much harder on Laxus than it was him with his enhanced senses. He wasn't going to make Laxus face it alone. He squared his shoulders looking into his eyes.

"I'm fine."

Laxus nodded continuing down the village road. He knew Freed wanted to run but he wouldn't as long as Laxus was there. The man was an extremely powerful mage, but he wasn't ready for this sort of violence. Laxus really wasn't either. He'd never seen destruction like this before in his life. He paused turning slowly to a building that seemed to have crumbled.

"Laxus..?"

Laxus held up his hand to silence him hurrying in the opposite direction. It was faint but he could hear it. He stopped in front of a pile of rubble beginning to dig through it quickly. He knew his ears weren't playing tricks on him.

"Laxus, what is..."

He stopped when the sound of sobbing reached his ears. Laxus pulled a small child out of the rubble gently. She looked to be no more that four years old. Her long, curly blond hair was matted down with grime and she was covered in dust and dirt, but as far as Freed could see she was unharmed.

"Please," the little girl was sobbing. "Please don't hurt me!"

"Sh..it's okay little one." He heard Laxus say softly. "We ain't here to hurt you."

The child sniffled looking up at Laxus with big blue eyes, her bottom lip still trembling.

"I want my mommy," she said softly.

Laxus winced slowly looking around the village. He was pretty sure the little girl was the only one left in the village. He didn't understand how even she had survived. He suddenly knew how Gramps felt when he had to tell him his mother died.

"I'm afraid she's gone child," he heard Freed say softly. "The people who came before are gone as well. What's your name?"

The little girl looked at Freed nervously before burying her face in Laxus' chest. Laxus frowned looking down at her. Freed was the friendlier of the two, why was the kid clinging to him?

"Eliana," she said softly.

"Lovely name." Freed said smiling slowly moving closer. "I'm Freed, and the big oaf who's holding you is Laxus."

"Come on, let's get you outta here kid."

"But...but..."

"Kid...your folks..they ain't here anymore. No...don't look around. Just keep your head in my shirt. You don't wanna see any of this. The people who attacked your village, they did some awful things. We're gonna take you some place safe okay."

She nodded quickly against his chest and he turned to Freed.

"Get the communication lacrima out and contact Fairy Tail."

Freed quickly pulled out the communication lacrima trying to reach the guild. After a few moments Mirajane's face came into focus.

"Freed?"

"Mira, get the old man," Laxus called over his shoulder.

Mira stepped away quickly, coming back with Markarov and Laxus took the lacrima from Freed.

"Laxus, what is so urgent?"

"We were too late old man. The village is completely destroyed." He growled out turning the lacrima to show him the village. "All that's left is one little kid."

"Contact Bickslow and Evergreen. Make sure they're okay, and tell them to return home."

"Got it."

"And Laxus... be careful. Hurry back."

"Sure thing old man."

The communication lacrima went dark and Laxus looked over at Freed.

"I'll get ahold them. It's getting dark, we should get back to Belladona and get a room at the inn."

"Okay."

Freed took the communication lacrima and focused on reaching Bickslow and Evergreen. They were half way back to town before Evergreen's face showed in the lacrima.

"Ever, thank goodness. I was getting worried. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but the village isn't. It's been wiped out."

"Ours too. The master wants us to return to Fairy Tail immediately."

"I'll let Bickslow know...how have things been with you and the grump?"

"Fine. Talk to you soon," Freed said letting the connection die out.

Laxus smirked back at him.

"The grump huh?"

"Using your hearing like that is cheating."

"Hey, Ever was the one gossipin'. You know she's gonna be pissed at you when she gets back right?"

"Elfman can take care of it."

Laxus laughed loudly causing Eliana to look at him.

"Is it okay to look now?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, kid, it's okay."

"I'd ask if you want to walk but you look pretty comfortable where you are," Freed said with a smile.

"It's warm," she said with a giggle snuggling further into a rather bemused looking Laxus. Freed had to remind himself it was not okay to be jealous of a little kid.

"Looks like you have a new fan Laxus."

"Don't rub it in."

"It's kind of sweet though."

Freed couldn't help but laugh at the annoyed expression on Laxus' face. The man always tried to pretend he was so tough but with the little girl curled around him like she was he didn't look nearly as intimidating as he hoped. The effect was almost comical. When they rented a room at the local inn for the night even the lady behind the counter smiled sweetly at Laxus whose mood was souring by the minute.

Freed unlocked their room letting Laxus walk in and lay Eliana down.

"You hungry kid?"

She nodded quickly looking up at him.

"I'll go get some food."

"Thank you Laxus."

Laxus walked out the room slowly shutting the door behind him. He needed a break from that kid and her constant need to cling to him. Freed was the less intimidating out of the two of them. He couldn't understand why she didn't cling to him. It didn't help that ever since he pulled her out of the rubble something in him kept screaming at him to hold on to her, protect her. Even as he walked down to the kitchen to get their food, something was telling him to go back to their room and get her.

Laxus quickly bought them three meals from the kitchen and returned to their room quietly, pausing in the doorway to see Eliana curled into Freed's side as he spoke to her softly. It looked like the little girl was asleep. He barely fought back the grin that came to his face as he walked towards the bed.

"I grabbed the only thing on the menu that looked decent. Sure ain't your cooking." He told Freed passing the dishes over.

"It'll do until we get back to Magnolia, not that she'll notice, " grinning at Eliana's sleeping form. "You really intend to take her to the guild?"

"What else is Fairy Tail but a guild of orphans looking for a family and a home?"

"I suppose you're right."

"We'll catch the first train in the morning. You are not allowed to cast that damned enchantment on me unless you promise not to let me say a single word."

"I still want to talk about what happened. What was said."

"Freed..."

"Not about what you said...about how I acted..." Freed said putting his plate down standing up to look Laxus in his eyes. "I...I know this is going to be the millionth time we've spoken about this since this morning, and it feels like we keep going in circles, but I keep doing things to push my luck. It's no secret, apparently, that I have feelings for you. In fact, I'm in love with you Laxus. I have been for as long as we've known each other. But I never expected you to return my feelings. I know where you stand. You don't even like men. So, as of today, I'm going to stop pressing my luck."

"Freed.."

"No, Laxus. Don't tell me you don't mind, or that you understand. I need to start making a conscious effort to move on. I can't keep saying I'm not going to pine for you, when I've never even tried to find someone else. When we get back to Magnolia I'll do my best to find someone else...go on dates...or..."

Freed was cut off from his rambling by the Dragonslayer pulling him in pressing his lips to his roughly. Freed's eyes widened, heart beginning to race at the realization that Laxus was kissing him. It wasn't him kissing Laxus this time. His head began to spin at the possibility of the Dragonslayer returning his feelings after all, and he let his eyes close as he began to kiss him back. However, it was over as soon as it begun. Freed felt Laxus pull away from him and the door shutting behind him, leaving the stunned Rune Mage without a word.

Freed moved to go after him but turned back to Eliana sleeping on the bed and sighed sitting down.

Laxus groaned leaning against the side of the hotel running his fingers through his hair. He really was a selfish bastard. He knew Freed deserved to move on. The Rune Mage had wasted enough time on him. Laxus knew that. However the minute the man mentioned seeing someone else he'd panicked.

He needed to get ahold of himself. He told himself he wouldn't do this when he saw Freed again. He needed to let him go.

He groaned again closing his eyes. As much as he told himself he needed to let Freed go, he knew he wouldn't be able too. The man meant too damn much to him, and just the thought of someone else making Freed smile the way he did drove Laxus insane.