[Fairy Tail] Freed's Not So Little Love Story [Laxus|Rufus|Bixlow]

s i x t e e n

Author's POV•

The Rune Mage headed towards the train station, getting ready to go back to Crocus after his very intense conversation with Mirajane and Juvia. It was more than enough knowing Rufus had taken a liking to him, but now according to the girls, Laxus may also fall into the same boat along with Bickslow, and that thought caused him to sweat out. 

Fortunately enough, the greenette was able to keep himself calm, bumping into his team members would be the last thing he wanted right now, but knowing that they weren't coming back to Magnolia until later that day eased him.

It was insane, why would his friends even suggest the idea that Laxus and Bickslow, who were practically family, fancied him. Hearing Rufus' assumption about his team more than admiring him was gasp worthy, but unlike the demon and water mage, Rufus was from another guild who never really saw how the Thunder Legion interacted with each other. Mira and Juvia could get crazy at times, but they've seen with their own eyes unlike Rufus, so it baffled Freed more. Was he that blind to see or was it them?

The thought of Bickslow liking him, it was strange, strange at the fact that he didn't find it disturbing like he would with his un-biological sister, Evergreen, it caused a commotion in his mind. They've been friends for as long as he could remember, they were practically brothers, but somehow that didn't sit well with the Rune Mage. Flashbacks of the time he and Bickslow held each other down, fooling around and laughing without a care. Freed felt free that time, having fun and laughing so loud without worrying what the neighbors would say. Freed breathed out, realizing the thoughts he had about Bickslow.

Then there was Laxus, sure the green head more than looked up to the wizard, but that was then. He was so used to thinking that Laxus fancied Mira and the feelings were returned. That idea refrained him from growing the flower that now laid dormant. There would always be that thought buried in the back of his head that stuck out like a sore thumb, reminding him of what he felt for the dragon slayer.

"Freed", the mage looked up, separating from his thoughts after hearing his name, and soon enough his heart palpitated after making eye contact with the dragon slayer he wasn't planning on even seeing today. "L-Laxus!", Freed yelped, "we're ya goin? Guild's that way", the blonde said, pointing at the opposite direction. "I-I actually just came from the guild... Mirajane said you guys wouldn't be back until later today", Freed unconsciously bit his lips and fiddled with his hair to avoid the taller's gaze. "Well I'm back, let's talk Freed", the order made the Rune Mage nervous, the 'talk' was either the dragon slayer confronting Freed of being useless or confessing- either option made the latter's insides churn and Laxus noticed, causing him to hold the greenette's arm making Freed even more restless. "Y-yes I-I'm fine... you guys just came back from a mission- we can talk another time- go get some rest, Laxus", Freed insisted, slowly calming down his breathing.

"Let's head back to the guild to make sure you're alright-"

"No! No... that's not necessary- I really have to get going, Rufus will worry if I come home late", the mention of the Saber caused the blonde's face to contort into displeasure. Freed was his own man, why did he have to be concerned about when Rufus was worried. Crocus wasn't his home, Sabertooth wasn't his home, Rufus' home wasn't his home, nor was Rufus his home. Laxus knew for fact that Freed would never call somewhere else his home if it wasn't Fairy Tail or with the Thunder Legion so why was Freed declaring that the Saber's place was his home. Laxus boiled inside, mad at Freed, mad at Rufus, but mostly himself. The Lightning dragon slayer thought that he should have listened to Evergreen, that he should have found the balls to confess to his captain, but now it was a little to late. Someone else is on the Rune Mage's field of view and that angered the slayer. Laxus understood that he liked Freed, without Freed he'd probably die from all the irresponsible actions he had committed. He wasn't going to let go of his captain without a fight, Freed was his and no one else's, no more overthinking, no more holding back, Laxus was going to tell Freed how he felt about him and nothing was going to stop him.

"Fine then I'll tell you here, so listen Freed-" Laxus let out causing the Rune Mage to widen his eyes once more. The latter felt a panic run through his body, this wasn't good, he felt it coming this time, "I-I-" the effects of the virus were slowly building up and the deep breathes he tried to obtain were interrupted by another familiar yelling.

"Oh no you don't! I'm not letting you spill your guts before I do baby!", the Seith Mage howled, running towards them with Evergreen in tow apologizing to the disturbed citizens along the way. "Freed baby!", Bickslow tried to grab for the later but Laxus blocked the male. "Your in the way Laxus baby", Bickslow grunted, challenging the taller, "don't think I won't zap you Bicks", Laxus growled, a sly and threatening smirk appearing. "Well if you don't get out the way then I guess we'll just have to fight it out baby", the two glared at each other, already butting heads.

Bickslow was furious, Laxus walked ahead of them after leaving the train station just so he could get a head start. The blonde wasn't even fully accepting of what he felt for Freed so why was now the time Laxus had decide to gain some balls. The Seith mage was now annoyed at himself, stalling for so long, wasting so much time and now he had no other option but to tell Freed. He still wasn't ready, but he was scared, knowing that Freed had fancied Laxus scared him, his captain could jump into the slayer's arms without giving him a second thought. He didn't want it to be like that, it wasn't fair, Bickslow admired Freed for so long, longer than Laxus had figured out his feelings for their captain. The Seith Mage had always painted Laxus with admiration just like the rest of his teammates, the blonde was powerful and inspiring no doubt about it, but that was not going to make him stop, this was man against man not for the captain of the Thunder Legion but for Freed.

Freed's stress levels were in a dangerous zone, his heart raced, slow breathing taking no affect to calm him down. "G-guys guys please- please stop", the greenette pleaded, the coldness causing him to stutter. He was in trouble, if he didn't stop Laxus and Bickslow from colliding head on, Magnolia would be gone within an hour. The mere thought put him into a more negative space that caused Freed to grasp his body, the cold prodding at him more than it has ever done in the past weeks. The greenette didn't want anyone getting hurt because of him, he strongly disliked becoming a burden and knowing his condition he felt useless, weak.

The Rune mage's fingers felt numb, his whole body shaking from the cold, the sudden sharp pain that reared itself on the latter's abdomen caused him to yell, falling onto the ground. "Freed!", Evergreen yelled, running towards Freed, kneeling down to assist the male who was now struggling to stand up. Laxus and Bickslow now turning to their captain moaning in pain.

"Freed!", Bickslow and Laxus yelled in unison along with another voice. Evergreen looked up to see Mest jogging towards them. The dragon slayer and Seith mage moved forward to try and help the greenette, but soon needles of concentrated dust formed around the two, "don't". Evergreen was enraged, she was not going to let the two come near Freed, how could they have been so ignorant and careless. At first, Evergreen, didn't like the idea that Freed would stay in a city hours away from her to heal with another man she didn't know, but for Freed to stay in Fair Tail surrounded by Laxus and Bickslow was more dangerous to the latter's condition.

"Mest! Help me with Freed, you have to teleport us to the guild please!" Mest scooped Freed up into his arms, "hold on to me", he instructed. Evergreen placed her hand on the boy's shoulder, sending daggers at Laxus and Bickslow "you're walking from here" and within a second they disappeared, leaving the two to rush their way to Fairy Tail.