Dragon Instinct

Chapter Twenty

Author's Note: This was supposed to be the last chapter of the story in the original draft, but I didn't think it tied the story together well enough. There will be one more. It's planned out but it hasn't been fully written yet. Also, I toy with the canon slightly in this chapter. It's not much, it just changes the timing of the story slightly. Nothing major, just enough that anyone who has watched or read the series as much as I have, would notice. I hope you enjoy. ^_^

The train ride to Magnolia was a lot more eventful than the train ride on the way out of town. Thanks to having Wendy with them, Laxus was able to be alert during the trip. It was the first time Freed was on a train with Laxus without him being sick since they were teenagers. It seemed as if Laxus was going to be taking advantage of his newfound health. Freed smiled watching as Laxus stood up walking to the window of the train, inhaling some fresh air.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Fantastic," Laxus said with a smirk turning to him. "Too bad she joined Natsu's team and you weren't able to get her for the Thunder Legion."

Freed laughed softly shaking his head.

"I think we handle your motion sickness just fine."

"You think so?"

"Of course I do. Besides, I wasn't just talking about the motion sickness."

"Don't worry 'bout me. I'm doin' fine. Your sister's enchantment is gone."

"That's good," Freed said softly looking down at his lap.

"What is it?"

"Are you okay leaving like this? Without finding your father and confronting him?"

Laxus sighed hands reaching up to grip the window sill. He had hoped Freed wouldn't ask that question. He took a deep breath calming himself down.

"I have to be."

"What do you mean?"

Laxus frowned turning to him slowly.

"I nearly died Freed," he said bluntly. "If Bickslow hadn't broken the mind control on Freya in time, I would have been dead."

Freed opened his mouth to reply but closed it when the words wouldn't form. He didn't know what to say in response to Laxus' words.

"If I died, what would happen to Eliana," he continued quietly. "She'd be an orphan. She already lost her mother. She can't lose me too. And what would happen to you, if I died. I...I need to get back home."

Freed walked up to him slowly wrapping his arms around him. He could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes and hid his face in Laxus' coat to hide them. Not that it mattered, Laxus would know anyway.

"What're you actin' being all mushy now? I'm just statin' facts."

Freed looked up at him slowly blinking back the tears.

"I...I'm just glad you see it that way."

"That's no reason to cry."

"O...Of course not," Freed said wiping away the tears before kissing him softly. "I'm going to go check up on the others okay?"

"Sure thing."

Freed smiled slowly pulling away from him stepping out the train compartment sliding the door shut behind him. He needed to clear his head. Laxus' words had affected him more than he wanted Laxus to know. He couldn't imagine his life without Laxus in it and the thought of losing him made Freed's blood run cold.

He forced the thoughts from his mind and started down the hallway before pausing seeing Freya at the other end staring out the window. He walked up behind her slowly crossing his arms.

"Are you okay?"

She jumped turning to him slowly.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

He raised an eyebrow and she sighed looking back out the window.

"I'm just thinking."

"Oh?"

"It's just a lot to take in."

Freed stepped up beside her putting his hand on her shoulder. She sighed again closing her eyes.

"Eve seems to think we can pick up right where we left off."

"You don't think so?"

"Would you?"

Freed frowned crossing his arms. He hadn't thought about how Freya's life would be now that she had returned.

"I'm not sure."

"It's not that I don't love him, and that I don't want to be with him," she said softly. "I do. I love him more than anything, but I don't think it's going to be so simple. I did some horrible things when I was under that curse."

"Have you spoken with him about it?"

"Not really. He wants to get back to planning the wedding and I feel like we should wait awhile. Let things settle back down."

"Sister, I'm sure he'll understand," Freed said softly. "He's just happy to have you home."

"I suppose you're right. I just don't want him to think the worst."

"Just explain to him what's going on in your head. You've been through hell. You need time to to heal."

She nodding before plastering a smirk on her face turning to him.

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you and Laxus planning a wedding?"

Freed stared at her sputtering a bit.

"I...I told you our relationship was recent."

"But he called you family."

Freed's face turned red at her words, but he couldn't help the warmth that flooded through his body. He remembered how he felt when Laxus had said those words. He'd said them twice now. He didn't need Laxus to tell him he loved him. It didn't bother him that Laxus hadn't told him so yet, because he knew how Laxus felt.

"Freed?"

"We haven't talked about marriage." Freed finally managed to say.

"I see."

"You seem disappointed. But that's not possible, because you hate Laxus. You've always hated Laxus."

Freya frowned looking out the window again. Freed could practically hear the gears turning in her mind. They stood there for a long time in silence, Freed waiting for a response.

"He changed." She finally managed to say and it sounded as if the words caused her physical pain.

Freed laughed loudly. He couldn't help it. He knew how much Freya hated Laxus before Laxus had been exiled from Fairy Tail. To hear her admit that he had changed meant more to him than she knew, and to hear her so resistant to do so was incredibly amusing.

The train arrived at the station in Magnolia late in the evening. Freed hadn't expected it to take quite so long, but they'd been stopped along the way for track repairs. Everyone on the train was scrambling to get off by time the train stopped. Freed shook his head pulling his luggage behind him.

"Another reason I hate trains," Laxus muttered behind him.

"You just don't like people," Evergreen said laughing.

"Awe, give him a break baby, he's getting much better," Bickslow said wrapping his arm around Laxus' shoulder.

Laxus looked back at him with a glare, sending a bolt of lightning at him.

"Will you shut your mouth for once?"

"Oh yeah, he's getting loads better," Evergreen said with a laugh.

"We'll see you at the guild right?" Wendy cut in running up to them.

"Sure thing kid, we're just droppin' our luggage off at the house," Laxus said with a smirk.

"Then we'll see you there," she said with a grin before running off with the others.

"She seems too young to be part of Fairy Tail," Freya said. "She'll be corrupted in no time."

Freed just shook his head leading the way to the house. He didn't have the energy to keep up with the running commentary of the group. The events of the last couple days were beginning to catch up with him. He jumped in surprise when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned his head to see Laxus walking beside him.

"They were annoyin' me," he said with a small shrug. "You look like you could sleep for a week."

"I probably will, once we pick Eliana up."

"Well, you see, there's one small problem about your sister comin' to stay."

"Hmm."

"Eliana is in her room."

Freed looked at him again before looking forward. Laxus was right. They'd moved Eliana into Freya's room when she first came to live with them. He'd forgotten that. With the way the house was currently set up, there was technically no room for Freya and Eve.

"I uh...I could have them sleep in my room?"

Laxus looked at him before nodding.

"If you're okay with that. It's not like you sleep in there anymore anyway. But that means resetting your enchantments."

Freed groaned softly walking up the steps of the house. It was going to take longer than he had planned before they could get to the guild. He had dozens of enchantments on his door. He was very adamant about his privacy.

"This place hasn't changed," Freya said with a small smile walking in before pausing looking around at the toys and books scattered in the living room. "Okay...maybe a little."

"Laxus spoils Eliana a bit too much," Freed said with a laugh. "Come on, I'll have to let you and Eve into my room. Eliana is in your bedroom."

"We don't want to put you out," Eve said with a small smile. "We can stay at the inn."

"Oh, no it's fine."

"Freed hasn't slept in his own bed for a while," Bickslow said smirking. "He might as well move into Laxus' room. Maybe Laxus wouldn't be such a grump if he had easy access to his man."

Freed turned to him angrily, but before he could even get the enchantment out Laxus had struck Bickslow with a bolt of lightning.

"You asked for it," Evergreen said walking up the stairs.

Freya smirked at Freed, who shook his head leading her to the door of his room before beginning to rewrite his enchantments.

"I never realized you were so paranoid," Freya said crossing her arms, leaning against the wall.

"I'm not paranoid."

"This isn't paranoid?"

"I just don't like people in my room, so I warded it against anyone who wasn't you...or Laxus," he said quietly.

"Oh Freed..."

"Hey, it worked in my favor when Laxus had to bring me home drunk one night."

"Drunk?"

He shook his head returning to the enchantment. He couldn't focus on that night and the pain he'd felt over the thought of losing Freya. A lot had changed since then, and he was incredibly grateful she was alive, but nothing would make him forget what he had gone through.

"These are pretty complex," Eve observed stepping up to the door. "Are you sure you didn't get any formal training?"

"I'm sure. I taught myself."

"That's amazing."

Laxus smirked leaning against the wall.

"That's Freed. He's pretty damn good at what he does."

Freed felt himself flush at Laxus' compliment and forced himself to continue rewriting the enchantments. It was nice to hear Laxus appreciated his magical abilities. He very rarely heard a compliment from the dragon slayers.

"There," he said clearing his throat and stepping back. "I'm sorry it took so long."

"It's okay Freed, thank you for letting us use your room."

"No problem sister. I'm going to go drop my bags off in Laxus' room, then we'll head to the guild."

"Great."

Freed smiled at her before following Laxus to his room down the hall. Laxus smirked at him slowly as he put his bag on the bed. Freed glanced up at him smiling at bit.

"What?"

"For once, Bicks didn't have such a bad idea."

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you still have your own room? It doesn't make sense when you think about it."

Freed opened his mouth to respond and then closed it. He didn't have an answer to Laxus' question. Sure, he'd spent most his nights in Laxus' room lately, but he'd never expected Laxus to give up his own privacy.

"Unless you want to keep your own room? I know you're pretty crazy about your privacy."

"N...No, that sounds great Laxus." He said softly. "If you're sure?"

"I am."

Freed smiled widely, turning so Laxus wouldn't see how excited he was. He knew it was something small, but to him it felt like a big step to take. It made things seem more stable than having separate rooms. Laxus looked over at him and laughed softly.

"Stop grinnin' like an idiot and let's go. I told Mira we'd pick Eliana up before dinner time at the guild."

"Right."

Freed forced himself to relax and followed Laxus out. He was sure if Laxus had his way they would have stopped by the guild before going home. However, the dragon slayer had offered the brief trip home whenever Evergreen started complaining about how heavy her luggage felt. He frowned when they reached the bottom of the stairs and noticed Evergreen wasn't there. Laxus paused looking around and Freed could hear the growl forming in his throat.

"Evergreen!"

"I'm right here! Good lord, can't a girl get prettied up before heading out?"

"Let's go."

Evergreen rolled her eyes before looking at Freed for sympathy who shook his head.

"Don't look at me. I'm just as angry as he is. We both want to get to Eliana."

Evergreen groaned blowing her hair back from her face with a roll of her eyes.

"Men."

Freed shook his head as they all headed for the door. Freya walking up to him looping her arm around his smiling slowly.

"He seems pretty tense." She said quietly.

"He misses Eliana."

"Doting dad huh?" she asked looking at the back of Laxus' head.

"Oh yes," he said smiling slowly.

"I can hear you, you know." Laxus growled out softly and Freed saw Eve jump out the corner of his eye.

"We know," Freed said smirking slowly, winking at Freya.

She grinned letting go of his arm so he could catch up with Laxus. Laxus glanced at him slowly before looking forward again. Freed sighed in relief when they reached the doors of the guild. He could feel the tension rolling off Laxus in waves.

Laxus pushed the doors open leading them all into the guild, pausing just inside the doors to scan the room quietly. He felt his body relax slowly when he caught sight of Eliana sitting on the bar talking with customers while Mira worked.

"Papa!"

Freed chuckled watching as everyone turned to the little blond girl jumping off the counter of the bar. The grin that spread across the girl's face was infectious. He glanced at Laxus who was obviously as happy to see Eliana as she was him. Laxus tried to fight back the grin that spread across his face when he saw Eliana running across the guild hall towards him. He knelt down catching her as she jumped into his arms.

"Hello kid."

She wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him tightly.

"I'm glad you're back Papa."

"So am I."

She grinned hugging him again before looking over his shoulder.

"Welcome home Freed!"

"Hello sweetheart," he said softly reaching for her.

She reached out climbing in his arms and he hugged her tightly. He chuckled softly as she peered over his shoulder at the group of wizards filing in behind them.

"Come on, outta the way, you're blockin' the door," Natsu grumbled shoving past them as he came through the door.

"Stop being rude flame brain!" Gray's voice called from the other side of the room.

"You gonna make somethin' of it popsicle?!"

Freed groaned softly looking at Laxus who was watching the two wizards glare at each other annoyed.

"It's nice to see some things never change," Freya murmured softly to Freed as she walked into the guild.

"Auntie Freya!" Eliana cried. "You're even prettier in person!"

"Oh...thank you Eliana." Freya said surprised.

A hush fell over the guild at Eliana's cry. Freed looked around slowly, noticing all of the guild member's eyes trained on the door now that they had their attention. He frowned stepping in front of Freya, trying to block her from the worst of the stares. He could only imagine how self-conscious she felt.

"It really is Freya," Freed heard Macao whisper. "She's alive."

He looked back at Freya to see how she felt about the attention but her face was surprisingly blank. He supposed it was probably because of Eve's constant presence by her side, and the comforting hand he had placed on her back.

"I guess no one stays dead in this guild," Wakaba muttered around his cigar.

"Freya!" Lisanna called out hurrying forward from the bar hugging her tightly. "Welcome home."

Freya grinned widely before hugging her back.

"Thank you Lisanna." She said softly. "But I'm only visiting."

"Hey, isn't that the welcome I'm supposed to be getting?" Bickslow complained loudly interrupting them.

"Guess you don't rank over friends returning from the dead," Evergreen said smirking.

"Hey, I don't see your man running into your arms."

"He's not my man!"

"Whatever you say."

Laxus groaned pulling away from the crowd at the door walking to a table at the end of the room. He was already tired of the commotion. He'd been hoping to pick Eliana up at Mira's for this very reason. The crowd was driving him insane.

Freed smirked when he saw Evergreen, Bickslow, Eve, and Freya following them to the table.

"I don't think your escape plan is going to work Laxus."

Laxus looked over his shoulder and frowned. Then he glanced around at the small brawl that had begun due to Natsu and Gray's argument.

"Shoulda just met Mira somewhere other than the guild."

"I like the energy. It's nice to see everyone so excited."

"That's one word for it," he muttered sitting down at the table.

Lisanna walked up with a smile as everyone took their sets at the table.

"Can I get you guys some drinks," she asked with a smile.

"Sure thing baby," Bickslow said with a smirk.

Lisanna rolled her eyes with a laugh before getting their drinks and walking off.

"What's going on with you and Lisanna," Freya asked with a grin.

"Nothing yet."

"Mmhmm."

Freed smirked slowly looking at Eliana who was curled into Laxus' side happily. He reached out playing with a lock of her hair.

"How are you feeling sweetheart?"

"I'm okay. I'm glad you two are home. I've missed you so much."

"We missed you too," he said softly. "And we don't plan on leaving again, not unless we can take you with us."

"You promise?"

"We promise kid," Laxus said with a smirk.

Freed glanced up to catch Freya looking between them slowly, eyebrows drawn together.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm just amazed at you two."

"Amazed?"

"You two already act so much like a family with her. It's unbelievable. Especially since you haven't been back from the island that long."

"I told you we were a family."

"Yes, but I didn't realize you meant you three were already so close."

Laxus shrugged as Lisanna came back with their drinks and sat down beside Bickslow.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm joining you guys. Mira said I could have a break."

Laxus grunted grabbing his mug off the tray.

"Freed, come on, give your man some loving so he isn't so damn grouchy all the time."

Freed turned to Bickslow slowly, eyes narrowing in anger.

"I'd watch it if I were you Bickslow," Freya said. "You've been asking for trouble a lot. Pissing off Laxus today and asking me for a kiss..."

"A what?" Lisanna asked.

"It was..."

"Is kissing Freya on the table the?" She asked cutting him off. "I didn't realize that and I haven't seen her in a few years, if kissing her is on the table I'd like to get in on that."

Freya smirked moving closer to her and Bickslow's jaw dropped. Eve opened his mouth to say something but Freed stopped him quickly.

"Freya's just going along with it. Lisanna is riling him up. They've been dancing around the subject of dating since we got back from Tenrou and once they move in that direction he pulls this," Freed said quietly.

"Lisanna knows he wasn't serious and so does Freya. He has no choice. If he was he knows I'd lock him in his own mental hell."

"So Freya was off limits for him huh?"

"Freya was off limits for everyone, you're just lucky I was trapped in time and space on an island for seven years." Freed said sharply leaning back in his seat.

Eve swallowed nervously following while Lisanna playfully caressed Freya's face, making Bickslow's face turn red. Freya laughed loudly pulling away from Lisanna leaning on Eve as he wrapped his arm around her. Bickslow opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a commotion at the bar.

"What's going on up there?" Freed asked looking at Lisanna.

"Oh, they're upset because the master announced that we're going to to be in the Grand Magic Games."

"Do what?" Bickslow asked confused.

"Apparently it's a tournament they've been holding."

"It's once a year, and it's how they decide the number one guild in Fairy Tail now," Eve said softly. "They have us compete in fights to win points, and they have talent competitions like sharp shooting and foot races."

"Sounds like a pain in the ass," Laxus muttered.

"It's fun, and they give out quite a bit of prize money," Freya said with a shrug. "But Sabertooth wins every year."

"Sabertooth?"

"It's the new number one guild in Fiore, apparently," Lisanna said with a shrug. "Master has decided to compete. Almost everyone's excited. At least, the ones who came back from Tenrou are."

"And the others," Evergreen asked.

"Are pretty upset because Fairy Tail has failed the last seven years," Lisanna said softly.

"Well, with the Tenrou team back you guys should do pretty well," Eve said looking between them.

"We missed seven years of training," Evergreen said looking at him brows drawn together.

"Well, I just fought with over half the Tenrou team and you guys could have wiped the floor with me," Eve said putting his drink down. "Especially Laxus."

Freed smiled a bit looking at Laxus slowly.

"When are these games," Laxus asked putting his drink down.

"In three months," Lisanna replied. "We just found out when Natsu and the others returned from going to help you guys with the dark guild."

Freed smirked noticing the way Laxus tensed up when Lisanna said they needed help. Freed leaned forward to look at Lisanna.

"Who's participating?"

"Master says he'll choose before the games. Everyone is an option."

"Looks like we got some trainin' to get in," Laxus said quietly.

"So you're going to try and compete?"

"Why not? I'm sure Eliana will at least enjoy it."

Freed smiled at him.

"Where are we going to train?"

"Well...where do you suggest?"

Fred paused looking at him before stopping to think.

"Well, what about where you were training when you were exiled?"

Laxus leaned back thinking.

"That might work. If it hasn't been destroyed, Valerie had a cabin there. We could make it work for the five of us."

"Sounds like a plan," Evergreen said with a grin.

"Good, guess it looks like we're goin' on a trip soon," Laxus said smiling slowly. "Hear that kid? You get to travel with us."

"Does this mean I get to see where you met my mom?"

Laxus paused looking at her. He hadn't thought of it that way, but he had met Valerie at her cabin. He had been injured and she helped him.

"Yeah kid. You do."

Freed smiled watching them before finishing his drink.

"Come on, let's go home and eat. Then we can plan for the trip," he said with a laugh.

Laxus smirked standing up, glad he was getting out of the guild. It wasn't as crowded as it used to be, but the noise was driving him crazy. He was exhausted from the week they'd had, and he'd like to get some rest before they left town again. Eliana jumped off her chair following them to the door. He glanced back at Freed who smiled at him holding onto Eliana's hand. He smirked a bit before schooling his emotion as he caught Freya grinning at him.

"You sure you want to compete in the games?" Bickslow asked him quietly.

"Why not? Got nothin' better to do."

Bickslow nodded slowly.

"You're just upset you're going to lose three months with Lisanna," Evergreen said with a smirk.

Laxus tuned them out slipping his arm around Freed's waist pulling him close to his side. Freed looked up at him smiling slowly. He couldn't hide the grin that spread across his face when he saw the happiness in Freed's sea green eyes. His heart felt lighter than it had in years being back home with Eliana and having Freed with him, so obviously happy. He didn't care what he did for the guild so long as those two stayed near him, safe and happy.