Laxus took in a steadying breath.

He was alone in the dim light of uncovered candles and the smell of cheap fabric. He didn't even think about sitting. The atrocities that must have been carried out here he didn't want any part of. He just stood in the center of the room, golden eyes raging against the locked door in front of him. His stomach was in knots and his limbs trembled slightly. He'd fought terrifying wizards before but this was not a situation he'd ever imagined he'd be in. Most of his clothes were laying in a heap in the corner and his feet were bare on the cold stone floor. All they'd allowed him were his shorts.

He'd been overly cruel to Natsu but the whole thing was absolutely unnerving. The second Bianca had vanished he'd suddenly resumed whatever digging around he'd been in the middle of before the encounter and was filled with disbelief when Laxus had told him they had to leave immediately. It was as if he'd just suddenly been frozen, completely unaware of time passing or the conversation that was had just in front of him. And of course the chivalrous Natsu wanted to help as soon as Laxus started to explain. The damn hot head was all fiery and ready to march into the forest after Bianca. Mavis' sakes, what was he supposed to tell him? The boy refused to take no for an answer.

"Gajeel doesn't need you, go the fuck home!"

The way his eyes had looked hurt, even if it was just for a second, made Laxus's stomach turn. But hurt turned to understanding and he paced away, realizing maybe that whatever it was that had infuriated the Thunder Dragon was worth being protected from.

And holy hell was Laxus glad he'd protected him.

This whole place, every inch of it, reeked of bodily fluids despite the clear use of bleach and alcohol to sterilize every flat surface. Bianca had upgraded since her last hideout was invaded by the Magic Council. This place was no haphazardly arranged block of cells. Instead, each cage was like a solitary confinement chamber: soundproofed and made to be easily cleaned in the event a client got out of hand. They'd thrown Laxus in this particular cell to get him on edge and it worked. He knew exactly what took place in these cold, cement walls. The thought made him want to retch.

And he was next in the lineup.

The door swung open and glaring fluorescent light pierced the soft darkness he'd been immersed in. Caetus's silhouette motioned for him to come out and he steeled himself against the chill in the air as he was led into the hall. As they passed each sell, a four-inch-thick glass window allowed Laxus to peer inside. After a couple quick glances, he was unable to do anything aside from keep his eyes forwards. They were boys thirteen years to eighteen - maybe even the early twenties for some – and they were thrown in three to a cell, all huddled together and shrinking away as the saw Laxus and his guide approach. Most looked poorly fed and a few looked beaten. Each of them were dressed as he was. He gritted his teeth against the bile rising in his throat.

He'd get them out… he'd find a way and get them out…

"In," Caetus instructed, pushing Laxus harshly towards a room without windows. The inside was well-lit. There was a desk and a wall of monitors, all black and cold like mirrors reflecting his distorted image back at him, "Sit."

Laxus sat in one of the plush chairs. The stink of leather made him wrinkle his nose. Caetus locked the door behind him and stood by it, his eyes trained on a second door on the opposite side of the room. It wasn't long before the familiar sound of heels tapping against the ground could be heard echoing behind the wall and then the slim form of a woman slipped into the room.

"So glad you could join us," Bianca smiled, gliding into her chair across the desk from him and crossing her legs, "I'll have to be honest, I'm sort of surprised you came. I thought you'd run."

"What do you want from me?" Laxus growled, crossing his arms as he attempted to calm his nerves. Her eyes seemed to pierce through his armor and see his very soul. He felt incredibly exposed.

"I just need you to get bitten and injected with venom. Then we'll just need a few blood samples and you're both free to go," she grinned, "Easy, no?"

"Easy," Laxus glared up at the monitors, "Makes me wonder why you needed my help for it."

Bianca's smile faded a bit as she followed his gaze, "He didn't take to the other options very well."

She pulled out a small remote and flipped on the screens. Laxus wasn't sure what he was expecting to see, but it made his heart seize in his chest. Flipping on one at a time, each screen was a portion of a whole picture from a vantage point high in the corner of a dark room. Furniture was sparse, only a bed and what looked to be a metal table. Any instruments that would have been on it seemed to be strewn about the room and there were scratches on the walls and floor.

"Why is there so much blood?" Laxus whispered, trying to still the tremor that shivered its way down his spine. The dark substance was splattered against the wall, black hand prints slid against the exit and stained the floor as if someone had made a desperate attempt to get away.

"It's not his, if that's what you think," her voice sounded displeased, as if the very question was an annoyance.

Laxus turned his attention to her, unable to stop the angry magic that snapped from his fists, "Where the hell is he?"

"Oh he's in there," she laid her chin against her palm and stared at him through her lashes, "He's found the camera's blind spot."

Laxus glanced back at the horror room, training his eyes on every corner to see if he could even catch a glimpse of the iron mage. He gritted his teeth as his eyes followed where the bloodstains trailed off… just outside reach of the door.

"I have to say I'm a little surprised. Most guild mages have a hard time with violence. Boys are raised not to lay their hands on a woman and be disgusted by their inner demons and desires… Even you,"

Laxus turned his glare back to her, eyes widening as his gaze ran over her. Her white sleeves were rolled up slightly and Laxus caught sight of large green bruises, old and healing, in the shape of a hand gripping her arm. He ran his tongue against his teeth.

"I don't know what you mean,"

She sighed out a sultry laugh that made the air feel heavy, "Of course not," she stood and paced around the desk, each step slow and meaningful. She was a predator and even though he was larger and undoubtedly stronger than she, he felt powerless as she approached him, "Sit."

He stepped back but he didn't make a move to obey. She moved closer to him, her eyes sparking with something close to fury. His heart was pounding as she approached, singing so loudly in his ears that it drowned out every other noise in the room.

"Sit down."

She placed her hands on his hips, dug her nails into his flesh. He dropped down, everything in his body screaming. His will was telling him to stand. Why should he take orders from this demon of a woman? But what about Gajeel? What did she have the power to do? What kind of mage was she that she could have control of him like this? It was frightening and maddening. He growled at her as she shifted her weight forward and slipped her hands from his hips. His senses were on edge. He felt every inch of his skin that she touched cringe from her. She stopped at his thighs, never moving her eyes from his. He felt out of breath. She was manipulating him as if he were no more than a feeble boy. He felt like he was going to be sick from her closeness and his heart was in his throat. He couldn't believe how much he suddenly hated her.

"Good boy," her voice was like poison ink slipping from her mouth and pooling in his chest as she spoke. Her eyes were like kaleidoscopes. A million iridescent shades of blue and green stabbed into him like daggers, "You listen to authority, you don't hurt women, you keep your friends safe… you've been preconditioned for this all your life, don't you see?"

She sat down on his lap and he dug his nails into the leather of the chair. He kept his eyes forwards and refused to look at her. It took everything in him to keep his magic still. He told himself he was doing this for Gajeel, for those boys out in their cells. He'd endure this disgusting feeling in the pit of his stomach until he made sure they were safe. This wasn't weakness. This wasn't preconditioning. This was… this was…

"Like all bad things, Laxus, this will end too. You'll have your friend, you'll go home, live your quiet, happy, good life and put all of this behind you… the exact way you should be."

"Jealous, Bianca?" Laxus growled, somehow finding his voice.

"Hmm…? Of course not," she laid her head against his collar and he could feel her breath ghosting against his chest, vile and hot like the heat coming from her body, "I'm just thinking about how I hate people like you… kind… complacent… good. Make a villain of me when you're the ones who want this. You just won't get your hands dirty like I will."

"No one in their right mind wants shit like this,"

"They don't? I wonder what they pay me for, then?" she withdrew from him and instantly he felt cold. She threw her long hair over one shoulder as she walked away. She sat on the edge of her desk and crossed her knees, eyeing the monitors without another glance to Laxus, "Caetus."

"Yes, Master," he was at Laxus's side in an instant and Laxus could immediately feel the rage just boiling underneath the mage's skin.

"Let's wrap this up, then," she sighed, "Just keep in mind, darling, I will be watching… everything."

Caetus hauled him up and Laxus jerked away from him, growling at the slim man in warning as they exited. Back in the harsh white of the corridor, he felt his senses come back to him. It was almost as if everything that had happened in the office was just a dream. How could he have just let that happen? How could he have just let her touch him, manipulate him...

"What kind of magic is that?" he breathed, wrapping his fingers into a ball over his heart as if it would quell it's incessant pounding.

Caetus scoffed, a hateful noise as he strode before him, "Master Bianca didn't use any magic. She wouldn't waste her energy on you,"

Laxus opened his mouth to say something but was silenced by commotion farther down the hall. People were rushing to get things together. Three men who looked to be doctors or nurses were getting an examination table ready. Laxus swallowed as he noticed the tools that were obviously to be used for taking his blood. A few other men were lined up in the hall. They were wearing armor and with them small shields, almost as if they'd come straight from a crowd control squad. Laxus clenched his fists and his eyes fell on the door to Gajeel's cell.

"Bianca is going to radio us when to extract you," Caetus turned to face him, raking his eyes up and down Laxus's figure critically, "and as soon as she does, you're going on the table. I think you'll know what will happen to you if you or your friend struggle."

"Can we get this over with?" Laxus pushed him out of the way, walked pointedly past the guards and stood at the ready.

"After you," Caetus smirked, flipping a switch that seemed to power something down. Laxus heard the sound of an automatic lock unlatching and springing open. The four guards took a step back and Laxus could smell the fear falling off of them in waves. The silence that filled the air seemed to seep out like a shadow. He took a breath and pushed down the dread that had been eating at him since he'd stepped foot in this damn place.

"I will be watching… everything…"

He cast his eyes up. A black camera was just above him. He glanced down the hall and saw more, one every five feet or so. There was one in every cell he was sure.

"Stage fright?" Caetus's voice almost startled him. He glanced over at the crystal blue eyes that were glaring into him, "I'm sure you'll forget about them soon enough."

Angrily he gripped the handle and pushed open the heavy door. The room was darker than he thought it would be. Before he had time to contemplate his next step, four pairs of hands gripped his arms and forced him in. The sound of a heavy door slamming echoed in the small room and he was gripped by the palpable gloom. His breath caught in his throat. The scent of Gajeel was everywhere. It filled everything, everywhere. It numbed his senses and he felt almost as if he'd been completely wrapped in the man. Sweat. Arousal. Blood. Filth. If he could drown in a person he was sure he was doing it now.

A deep growl suddenly grounded his swimming mind. He turned slowly, his eyes fighting to see in the near pitch blackness around him. A shadow in the corner caught his attention and he froze as glittering ruby eyes gazed up at him.

"Don't fucking move," his voice was gating and cruel like nails against iron and Laxus could make out a faint tremble in his limbs, "or I will kill you."

"Redfox?" Laxus breathed, taking a step forward, "It's me… Laxus."

"Of course it is," Gajeel sneered, not moving an inch from his crouch in the corner, "How the hell did ya get here, then?"

"Natsu convinced me. He said there was something wrong if you were gone so long,"

"That so?" Gajeel growled. He took a quick breath and exhaled sharply, his whole body shook with the action, "Fuck… where the hell is Natsu, then?"

"I made him go… I didn't… I didn't want him to…" Laxus felt like his mind was getting fuzzy. Gajeel was still in heat. How was that even possible? How much of that damned potion had they been pumping into him to make it last 3 damn weeks? Laxus took another step towards him, "Redfox…"

"Didn't I tell you not to fucking move?!" Gajeel was on his feet, iron scales suddenly covering his body. Laxus froze as Gajeel seethed, his entire body shivering as he stood ready to fight.

"Listen, I want this about as much as you do but Bianca says if I don't do this she's kidnapping Natsu and dragging his ass into this too," Laxus didn't know if he was pleading or demanding or just trying to convince himself to move, but the words spilled out of his mouth with all of the dread that had finally boiled over inside of him. He had to do this, didn't he?

"How do I even know it's you?" Gajeel breathed as he ran his tongue over his fangs.

"…what?"

"She pretends to be you," Laxus's eyes widened. The bruise…

"How… how do I prove…?" he stepped forwards again. They were just a couple more steps away from each other now. Laxus could make out each glittering scale on Gajeel's chest. It was just now that Laxus realized how sharp his talons were and how absolutely impenetrable he was. He was on the defensive and his skin was crawling with torment.

Gajeel grinned and it was coy and mischievous and almost sickeningly notGajeel, "How do you think?"

Laxus stopped his approach but it was getting harder and harder to stay calm. He didn't want to lose control. Not here. Not after everything Gajeel had been through…

"I…"

"You came all this way and you're scared now?" Gajeel growled, ruby eyes swimming, "Is it the claws?"

"I'm not scared of you, Redfox," Laxus said firmly and made himself take another step, "I… I don't know."

Gajeel's lip curled in a smirk, "You don't know?"

Laxus tried to contain himself but Gajeel's pheromones were driving him insane. He closed the space between them. Gajeel didn't move. His eyes were dilated and he was clearly taking in every inch of Laxus.

Laxus swallowed, "I… want to kiss you."

Gajeel leaned in close until his hips were aligned with Laxus's. Unlike Laxus, he was completely bare. His entire body was covered in his iron armor but when Laxus ran his fingers against his flesh it was still smooth and soft. Laxus's heart was pounding as Gajeel closed the remaining distance and forced his lips against to his own. They were harsh and hungry and Laxus felt like he might be eaten alive by the Iron Dragon. Harsh, clawed fingers gripped at his abs and inched fiery marks down his chest. Laxus gasped at the pain and tried not to pull away as Gajeel's lips started a trail to his jaw.

"Shit…" Gajeel growled, "I thought I could do this…"

"What…?"

Pain lanced through Laxus's chest as Gajeel dug his claws into his flesh. He tried to pull back Gajeel's hand gripped onto his arm and slammed him against the door. Laxus opened his mouth to call out but a knife-like talon was being pressed against his throat, causing him to tilt his head back in order to keep from being impaled.

"My bad…" Gajeel was panting and his body was shivering, "You gotta understand, after all that shit they pumped into me, I ain't exactly willing to take chances."

Laxus couldn't speak. He could barely breathe.

"Sorry Sparky, but I have to be sure it's you…" Laxus could hear feet shuffling on the other side of the door. No doubt Bianca had said something so they'd start preparing for whatever Gajeel was about to do, "Shock me."

"Why the-"

"I SAID SHOCK ME!"

Laxus was so confused but dammit he gripped onto Gajeel's arm and let loose all the electricity he'd kept pent up. The flash blinded them both and suddenly Gajeel's body was gone from in front of him. Laxus stumbled away from the door and steadied himself in the darkness. He blinked into the darkness his eyes hazy from the sudden shift in light.

The sound of screams made him bolt towards the now open door. Bright white florescent lighting had been replaced with blaring red and flashing in alarm. His eyes widened in horror as he caught sight of Gajeel, covered in blood and raking his claws against one of the guard's faces. He fell to the ground screaming as Gajeel dodged out of the way of a barrage of magic arrows from Caetus. He lunged into the room where the doctors had been waiting, all of them now shaking in the farthest corner of the room from him and he rummaged around for something.

"Redfox! What the hell?"

Gajeel managed to find a pair of pants and quickly dressed as Caetus approached, magic circle ready as he aimed for Gajeel's cover. Gajeel was working quickly and it amazed Laxus how cool he seemed under the circumstances. His bloody eyes cast around the room and he stopped on something that was sitting on the examination table. He picked it up and stuffed it into his pocket and made a motion at the doctors to tell them not to move.

"Redfox! Answer me! What the hell are you doing?"

"Don't follow me, Sparky. I'm going to do something you won't like,"

"Wh…What the hell do you mean…?"

Gajeel jumped into the corridor. He growled at Caetus and clenched his fists.

"Your buddies ain't here this time, fucker, and you and I both know you can't hurt me."

Laxus saw Caetus clench his teeth and aim.

"Get back in your cell,"

Gajeel sneered at him, "Make me."

A barrage of magic arrows launched forward at him. Gajeel didn't flinch, just smiled as the assault bounced off of him harmlessly. A serene, far off look came to his face as he waited. Laxus furrowed his brow. Gajeel… wasn't himself… or maybe he just wasn't the Gajeel Laxus was familiar with. He was cold and calculating and relished the fear that was filling his opponent's eyes.

He lunged forwards through the endless volleys of magic. Caetus pulled out a knife and swiped at Gajeel who let it ricochet off his arm as if it were a matchstick. A solid punch to the face had the slim mage crumpling to the ground. Laxus pulled himself from his cover and ran to the two. Caetus was screaming as Gajeel gripped his collar and slammed him against the wall. He was all rippling power as he pulled whatever it was he'd taken out of his pocket and held it up to Caetus's eyes.

"You know what this is, don't you?" Gajeel's voice was low as he spoke and his eyes were glittering darkly at his victim. Caetus didn't respond, only gasped under the Iron Dragon's crushing grip, "This is that sedative… remember? I know what it did to me… I wonder what it'll do to you?"

"Redfox…" Laxus breathed, but he didn't stop him.

"Let's find out."

Caetus screamed as Gajeel stabbed him in the neck and dropped him to the ground. The man convulsed, his eyes rolling back as he fought to control his limbs. Slowly, his movements became smoother, more sluggish, until finally he wasn't moving at all. His eyes, however, were wide and staring and full of terror.

"Whoops… wrong one. That must have been the one you used to paralyze me," Gajeel crouched down, his raven locks spilling over his shoulder as he gazed at him, "Must suck without that shit that puts you to sleep, huh? Now… what? You can still see? Hear? Feel?"

Caetus's breath hitched as Gajeel gripped the nape of his neck.

"We're about to have some fun, Caetus. I think maybe you should come and see it… since you like watching people in pain."

"Redfox!" Laxus growled, "You're not torturing that man."

Gajeel picked him up as if he were nothing and turned on Laxus, "This is your last chance, Laxus. Leave, follow that corridor and go get help - the magic council, Natsu, whoever the fuck you can find. Bring them back here and save the kids. Otherwise, stay out of my way."

Laxus gritted his teeth, lightning snapping at the air as he stared down the Iron Mage, "What are you going to do?"

Gajeel didn't respond, just turned with his prize in tow and began making his way down the hall.

"Gajeel!"

The Iron Dragon didn't say a word, just kept walking. Caetus's icy eyes were piercing into Laxus, a silent beg for help, for mercy, for anything aside from the fate the raging raven had planned for him. Laxus just stood with the red lights blaring around him, surrounded by the bloody destruction Gajeel had left.

They deserved this, he told himself, whatever it was Gajeel was about to unleash on them, they deserved this. For every life they destroyed, for every child they'd taken from the streets, for every atrocity that had been employed in this place…

So why was it that Laxus had never felt so lost before?