Dragon Instinct

Chapter Twenty-One

Author's Note: So, this is officially the last chapter. I wanted to tie things together was well as I could before I started the sequel, Dragon Soul. I hope you enjoy this.

Freed hummed to himself happily as he pulled the clothes off the line into a basket before carrying them into the house. It was the last load of clothes from his dresser that needed to be moved into Laxus room. After that all that was left was his decorations that needed moved. The dresser and bed would stay to make it a guest room. Laxus had a closet that was more than big enough to store his and Freed's clothes. He smiled a bit to himself walking upstairs to the bedroom, propping the basket up on top of the dresser beginning to fold them.

Laxus groaned rolling over opening his eyes slowly. He shook his head fighting back a laugh when he saw Freed standing in front of the dresser, cleaned up and fully dressed already at work.

"What time is it," he asked sitting up.

"Almost ten." Freed said without turning around.

Laxus would have thought Freed was angry if it wasn't for the mild tone he was using. He could always tell when the rune mage was angry. His voice would take on an edge that could scare the bravest of men.

"You let me sleep in?"

"Well, Eliana was content to play in her room this morning, and I figured you needed it. It seems like you're still overcoming the effects of Freya's curse," Freed said turning his head to give him a small smile before going back to the clothes. "Don't get used to it."

"Trust me, I won't."

Laxus covered a yawn before standing up stretching before watching Freed curiously. He smirked, watching as Freed folded up the last of his shirts putting it in the dresser.

"Don't ya think we should have waited until we got back before we start movin' things?"

Freed flushed a bit turning to him slowly. He didn't realize it was obviously how big a deal he was making about moving his things into Laxus' room. Since they returned to the guild he'd moved the majority of his things into Laxus' room and closet. That had only been two days. Luckily the dragon slayer wasn't much of a decorator, so most of Freed's things would fit.

"It...it won't feel like it's really happening then."

"Freed, it's just movin' stuff from one room to the next. It ain't a marriage proposal. You don't have to treat it like one."

Freed flinched a bit, turning away quickly to hide how Laxus' words affected him. He knew he was overreacting, but a part of him had hoped Laxus had felt that sharing his room was as big of a step as he did. He slowly felt all the excitement he'd been feeling for the last couple of days seeping out of him.

"Freed?" Laxus frowned stepping toward the rune mage slowly. He didn't understand the sudden tension in the room, but he was certain it wasn't good.

"What?"

Laxus flinched at the sudden ice in Freed's tone. He'd never heard the rune mage sound like that before. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously wondering what the hell he did wrong.

"What'd I do?"

"Nothing."

Laxus sighed walking closer putting his hands on Freed's shoulders, giving them a squeeze. The rune mage tensed for a second before slowly relaxing with a sigh leaning back against Laxus' chest.

"This is important to me Laxus."

"What is? Moving your things in here?"

"Yes," Freed said looking up at him. "We can't just decide to move in together, like most couples do. We already live in the same home, so this, this feels like a commitment."

"Freed, we're already committed. We're mates. There ain't a relationship in the world besides ours with that kind of commitment."

Freed flushed a bit looking away from him. Now that Laxus put it like that, his anger felt a bit ridiculous.

"This is...a choice though," he finally said. "Being mates, we didn't choose that. It's something we didn't have control over. This, this is something we choose, and I feel like it should be important to both of us."

Laxus sighed rubbing Freed's shoulders gently. He hadn't realized something so simple could mean so much to Freed.

"Still, I think we should wait," Laxus said running his fingers through Freed's hair. "Freya's train leaves in an hour, and I know you wanna see her off. Besides ours leaves shortly after."

Freed sighed softly turning to face him, wrapping his arms around Laxus' waist.

"You don't want her to leave, huh?" Laxus asked with a smirk.

Freed shook his head looking up at him slowly.

"I just got her back, I'm not ready for her to go yet."

Laxus nodded slowly wrapping his arms around Freed holding him close. Freed sighed burying his face in Laxus' chest, feeling the wave of sadness wash over him. He'd known Freya's stay with them was only temporary. He'd known that when they got back to Magnolia, but he still didn't want to let her go. He'd barely gotten used to the idea that she was really there, that she was actually alive and he was going to have to let her go again.

"We'll see her again, soon," Laxus said softly, rubbing his back gently.

Freed sighed again, relaxing into Laxus' embrace, fighting back tears that threaten to well up in his eyes. He was being ridiculous. He could see Freya any time he wanted. He should just be thankful she was alive. Eventually he pulled back, clearing his throat.

"I'm going to go see how their packing is going," he said softly.

"Sure thing. I'll get cleaned up so we can go."

Freed nodded walking out the room slowly. He was thankful Laxus knew he needed a moment to compose himself. He very rarely allowed himself to be so emotion. It seemed that things had changed since they got back from Tenrou and he had slipped up more often, breaking down in Laxus' presence, but he assumed that was because the long separation they'd been through.

He knocked on the door to his old room, poking his head inside slowly. Freya glanced up from where she was packing her bag and gave him a small smile.

"Did you need something?"

"Just wanted to see how things were going. I wanted to see if you needed any help."

"As an excuse to spend more time together?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Because I'd do the same thing," she said softly walking up to give him a hug. "It's been seven years, this was not nearly long enough."

He sighed hugging her tight, burying his face in her neck. He'd forgotten the seven year gap. Despite how hard the last couple months had been on him, he could imagine how hard it'd been for her.

"It's just a couple months," she reminded him softly. "Blue Pegasus will be at the games as well. And then we'll have time to spend together afterwards."

Freed stepped back nodding.

"You're right."

"Of course I am, I'm always right."

Freed laughed pulling away from her.

"Where's Eve?"

"Oh, Eliana managed to talk him into a tea party."

"Oh, I have to see this," Freed said grinning. "I hope it's as awkward as when she manages to strong arm Laxus into them."

Freya laughed following him to the door of Eliana's room. Freed poked his head in with a grin and had to stifle a laugh when he saw Eve sitting in one of the tiny chairs in Eliana's room. He'd been talked into wearing a flowery necklace and hat as Eliana brought her tea set to the table. They watched in silence for a few minutes before Freed had to cover his mouth to stop the laughs from breaking out.

"You look great dear," Freya called from behind Freed.

Eve looked up slowly and grinned at her. Freed had to admire that he wasn't even embarrassed. Usually whenever he caught Laxus stuck in these situations the dragon slayer was red faced and grumbling.

"Not so sure that pink is my color, but she insists," Eve said with a laugh.

"Well, she always forces purple on Laxus, so I think you got lucky."

"Papa looks good in purple!"

"I suppose he does," Freed said smiling. "He does tend to wear a lot of it lately."

"Hate to say it, but it looks good on him," Freya said quietly.

Freed looked at her and grinned a bit.

"Admit it, you're starting to like him."

"Well, I don't hate him anymore..."

"Well, that's certainly a relief."

Freed jumped and turned to see Laxus walking their way. He smiled widely walking up to him.

"You've been traded out for a younger model," he said with a laugh.

Laxus looked at him sharply raising an eyebrow in confusion. Freed laughed again shaking his head.

"Eliana coerced Eve into a tea party."

"She's good at that," Laxus said with a small laugh.

Freya giggled turning back to watch them with a smile.

"Looks like Eliana is going to miss Eve more than she misses me."

Freed shook his head with a laugh, pulling Laxus away to leave Eliana to enjoy her tea party. He'd been putting off packing since they'd gotten back from Blue Pegasus. With only an hour before Freya left, he needed to get his things ready.

The Magnolia train station was bustling with the usual activity. People were rushing from ticket booths trying to get to the right side of the platform so they could catch their trains. Laxus tried not to let it bother him as he stood with Freed as he said his goodbyes to Freya.

"Be careful sister," Freed said softly, hugging Freya and kissing her cheek affectionately. "I'll write you as soon as I can."

She smiled touching his cheek as he pulled away.

"Of course I will Freed."

Freed stepped back with a sad smile before turning to Eve.

"Don't worry Freed, I'll take care of her," Eve said looking at Freya with a smile on his face.

Freed bit back a bit of laughter shaking his head.

"If she'll let you," he said. "Freya's never been one for letting others take care of her."

"That's because I can take care of myself," Freya said with a small smile before kneeling down in front of Eliana. "I'll see you soon okay Eliana?"

"Okay Auntie Freya," she said stepping forward to hug Freya tightly.

"Be good for Freed and your papa," Freya said ruffling her hair affectionately as she stood up.

"I will!"

Freya smiled before turning to Laxus slowly.

"You better take care of him Laxus," she said softly.

"I plan on it."

She nodded slowly before turning to Bickslow and Evergreen. Bickslow took off his helmet with a grin pulling Freya in for a tight hug causing her to laugh loudly.

"You better be careful baby!"

Freed couldn't help the grin that spread across his face as he saw Freya reach up and grab a handful of Bickslow's hair, using it to pull Bickslow off her.

"If you call me that again, I will make sure it is impossible for you and Lisanna to get past the hand holding stage," she said, her eyes flashing angrily.

Laxus laughed loudly watching as Bickslow stumbled back from her, rubbing the back of his head with a wince.

"And this is why she doesn't need anyone to protect her," Freed said, crossing his arms with a proud grin.

Freya opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as a train whistle sounded.

"I guess that's our cue," Eve said turning to her.

"Well, guess we'll see you in Crocus in three months," Freya said kissing Freed's cheek affectionately.

"Have a safe trip sister," Freed told her.

She smiled at them, before walking away with Eve. Laxus turned to look at Freed who was watching them walk away quietly. The rune mage let out a sigh as they disappeared onto the train. He put his hand on Freed's shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. Freed turned to him slowly blinking away the tears that formed in his eyes.

"When does our train leave again?"

"Bout fifteen minutes."

"Where are we going?"

Laxus cleared his throat turning to him slowly.

"Amaryllis."

"What?"

"The old man told me that the council members finally identified and buried the bodies found there," Laxus said, barely loud enough for Freed to hear. "Valerie was among them. I thought it would be good for Eliana to be able to say goodbye."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Laxus looked at Freed slowly, seeing his sea green eyes flash with emotion. He sighed looking away running his fingers through his hair. He wondered if there would come a day that he didn't screw up. Things had been so natural between him and Freed in the beginning, he didn't need to worry about saying the wrong thing.

"I...just wanted to do somethin' good for Eliana."

Freed sighed reaching out touching his arm gently.

"I just meant, why didn't you tell me the council contacted your grandfather? News like that is incredibly important to share."

"He just told me last night," Laxus said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I didn't want to distract you from your time with Freya."

Freed smiled a bit, slipping his arm around Laxus' waist.

"Come on, looks like our train is arriving."

"Come on guys," Laxus called out to Bickslow and Evergreen who were still bickering among themselves.

"Oh, are you two done with your little spat?" Bickslow asked with a smirk.

Freed turned quickly to look at Bickslow, a purple glow showing from behind his bangs.

"Spat?"

"Freed, you look scary." Eliana said softly.

Freed backed off quickly, letting the magic disappear turning to Eliana.

"I'm sorry darling. Come on, let's go find a compartment."

Laxus looked back at Bickslow slowly before following Eliana and Freed onto the train.

"I really think he's going to wind up killing you one of these days," Evergreen muttered.

"Possibly."

The train ride to Amaryllis was a lot less eventful than the first one. Thanks to the enchantments Freed had to learn to keep Freya knocked out, he was able to put Laxus to sleep during the trip, so he didn't have to censor Laxus' blissed ramblings. They arrived in Belladonna just at nightfall. They checked into the local inn for the night, and traveled to Amaryllis that morning. Bickslow and Evergreen stayed back at the inn to give the three of them some privacy during the trip. Eliana was quiet the whole way, clinging to Laxus' hand.

"Are you sure she's going to be okay?" Freed asked him quietly.

"Kid?" Laxus said looking down at Eliana.

"Yes papa?"

"You okay?"

"Yes."

Laxus looked at Freed and he fought the urge to roll his eyes, reminding himself that his parents always told him it was rude. He shouldn't be surprised that Laxus trusted a child to tell him if she was uncomfortable or not, but somehow he still managed. He leaned down picking her up as they climbed the hill into Amaryllis. Freed couldn't help but shiver as the reached the top of the hill. The village had been completely emptied. All the old buildings he'd seen when he and Laxus came to help them were gone. The council had apparently had everything torn down. He wasn't surprised. The entire town had been decimated by Ivan's guild. There hadn't been a single building that hadn't been burnt down. Freed could remember how horrified he'd been when he had arrived. Now though, it was a ghost town. Eliana wrapped her arms around Freed's neck, clinging to him a bit.

"It'll be okay sweetie. There's no one here that can hurt you."

Laxus frowned looking at Eliana slowly. He thought this trip would help give her some closure but it seemed like it was only making her feel worse. When his mother had passed away being able to go to her grave and tell her goodbye had helped him cope with her death, and he thought it would do the same for Eliana. However, his mother had not been killed during a massacre.

"This way," he said quietly.

Freed looked up seeing a new cemetery standing near the church. It was large, covered at least a quarter of the village. A small black fence surrounded it, with a gate in the front. A small sign hung between the fence post with the words "Memorial Garden of Amaryllis" painted on it.

Eliana looked around slowly, brow furrowing in confusion.

"What's this place," she asked softly.

"This is a cemetery," Freed told her, hugging her close to his side. "The council built it for the people who died in the village."

"Like my mommy?"

"That's why we're here," Laxus told her. "They have a place for her, and I thought you'd want to talk to her. She won't be here, but..."

"Her spirit will be," Freed told her with a small smile. "She'll hear you, even if you can't see or hear her."

Eliana looked at him wide eyed before turning to Laxus.

"It's true. I talk to my mother's grave all the time."

"Do you talk to your parents?" she asked turning back to Freed.

"Whenever I'm near them. Yes."

She gave him a small smile leaning on him again as Laxus led them down the pathway, looking at the gravestones.

"Here we are."

Freed walked up to his side looking down at the gravestone labeled Valerie Tyne. He looked up at Laxus slowly. From what Laxus had told him they were a couple, but he knew the dragon slayer considered her a dear friend. He could only imagine how Laxus had felt knowing she'd been killed during the massacre. He hadn't said much about it, but Freed was certain this trip was as much about him getting closure as it was for Eliana.

"This is where Mommy's spirit is?" Eliana asked quietly.

"Kid, your mama's spirit is everywhere," Laxus said taking her from Freed. "I know it's hard to understand. But, her spirit isn't trapped in one place. Sometimes it's just easier to talk to people who've died when you're somewhere like this place."

Eliana looked up at him confused and he sighed. Freed had done a good job explaining to her what it meant that her mom died, but Laxus didn't know how to explain why they made this trip. It was easier for him to understand, when he was her age. He'd been there when his mother had been buried. He'd known why his grandfather had taken him to the cemetery to visit her. He'd known that her body had been buried. He didn't know how to explain that to Eliana without scaring her, and he'd never brought her back to the village after they brought her home because he didn't want the destruction to scare her. The nightmares she'd had when they first took her in was bad enough.

"But why?" She finally asked.

He sighed kneeling down in front of her putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Your mama was here when she died right?"

Eliana nodded slowly.

"Alright kid, you have to listen really well okay?"

"Okay."

"When your mama died, it meant her spirit was no longer in her body. But," he looked to Freed for help freezing up. He couldn't do it, she was too young. He knew she was smart enough to understand, but he didn't want to make her relive the pain of losing her mother.

"Eliana, look at the stone sweetie. You see your mom's name don't you," Freed asked leaning down touching the marble stone.

"Uh huh."

"That's a memorial. The council built it. It's to honor the fact that your mother was alive. And that, to a lot of people is really special. So, that makes this a special place where you can come and talk to her, and tell her everything going on in your life."

"Oh! Okay."

"Now your papa and I are going to go sit over there," Freed told her point to a bench on the other side of the path way. "So you can have some privacy to talk to your mom."

"Thank you Freed."

"You're welcome sweetheart."

Eliana gave them a small smile and Freed pulled Laxus towards the bench.

"Are you okay?" Freed asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good."

"This was a good idea. For both of you I think."

"What do you mean?"

"Laxus, you needed this as much as Eliana did. You may not have loved Valerie, you may not have dated her, but she is the mother of your daughter and she was a friend of yours."

Laxus sighed leaning back on the bench watching as Eliana sat in the grass in front of the gravestone talking.

"I suppose you're right. I just hate that she's got to go through this."

"So do I. She's too young to go through this, just like you were at her age."

"Thank you, for what you told her." Laxus said softly. "I didn't know what to say to her."

"She'll understand eventually Laxus. Now, go on. You should join her. Tell her what you need to say. Tell her you found your daughter and you're going to raise her in a way that will make Valerie proud."

"I thought you told her we'd give her some privacy?"

"I'm sure it'll mean a lot of you join her and help her talk to her mother."

Laxus sighed looking back at Eliana and nodded.

"Thank you for understandin'."

"Of course."

Laxus took a deep breath standing up walking over to Eliana, kneeling down at her side putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Hello Papa," she said with a small smile.

"Feelin' alright kid?"

"I'm okay. Did you have something to say to mama?"

Laxus cleared his throat looking at the gravestone before nodding.

"Go ahead. I think she's listening."

Laxus sighed and nodded.

"Valerie, I wanted you to know that Eliana is with me. She's safe. And I want you to know I will keep her by my side, and make sure no one hurts hers." He took a deep breath clearing his throat. He would force himself to do this, for himself and Eliana. He needed to get the words out. "I'm sorry it took me so long to find her. I would have been back sooner if it were possible. And I'm sorry you got caught up in this mess with my father. We'll find him, I swear to you we will and when we do, he will pay."

Laxus broke off looking back at Freed on the bench and smirked a bit.

"Remember that friend I told you about? The green haired rune mage? He's helping me with Eliana. We're raising her together. I hope you're okay with that."

"Freed!" Eliana called out waving to him. "Get over here!"

Laxus jumped turning to her before standing up. Freed walked up to him putting his hand on Laxus' shoulder.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes, papa was telling mama about you so I thought you should introduce yourself."

"Oh! O...okay."

Freed put his hand on three gravestone clearing his throat.

"Hello Valerie. I wish I could have met you. From what Eliana says about you, you were a wonderful person. I hope you don't mind me helping Laxus take care of her." He said softly. "They both mean everything to me, and I promise you I will take good care of them."

Eliana grinned up at him slipping her hand into Laxus'.

"Ready to go kid?"

She nodded and he picked her up with a grin.

"Ready to go train for the games?"

"Uh huh! Do you think grandpa will let me participate?"

"Only if you get big and strong first."

"Well, that's why I have you right?"

Laxus laughed loudly turning to Freed with a grin.

"She's definitely your daughter," Freed said slipping his arm around Laxus' waist as they walked out the cemetery together.

Author's Note:

Well, that's it. I hope you guys enjoyed it. I will start posting Dragon Soul as soon as I make decent headway into the story. I don't want to post too soon and make you guys wait months for chapters again. Here's a little teaser of it for you. Just a short line to let you know who's going to be making an appearance. ;)

Laxus sighed looking around the room.
"Y'all are too forgivin' for your own good."
Freed put his hand on his shoulder gently and Laxus turned to look at him briefly before stepping closer to Jellal.
"Look, I don't trust ya," he said quietly. "You said you're here to help, fine. The old man trusts ya, sure. But just so you know if you hurt them, any of them, I will end you."
"Believe me," Jellal said, meeting Laxus' gaze again, his voice steady. "If I do anything to hurt them, I will end myself."