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Chapter Text

Returning home was one of the best feelings imaginable to Freed Justine. It was true that things would never quite be how they were before, and he could only stand to stay in the guild for a few days before he was itching to leave on another quest, but returning home filled him with nothing but a warm feeling of relief and joy.

As he walked through the doors of the guild, he saw familiar heads turn his way, small smiles tugging at lips throughout the hall at his entrance. Alzack was the first one who approached him, moving to his side the second he saw him, stepping in time with him as they approached the bar.

It was true that their new guild hall wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as their old one. It wasn’t as big, and it didn’t hold all those memories of the loved ones they had lost, but it was still theirs and he couldn’t help but smile as he and Alzack sat down, grinning at each other warmly.

It was good to be home.  

“So, news since we last saw you, Lamia Scale sent us a message about the Grand Magic Games, we’re still going to enter, right?”

“Isn’t Macao meant to be taking charge of that? He is the guild master after all.” Freed smiled at Kinana who placed a drink down in front of him before returning to where she had been sitting with Laki.

“Yeah, but you’re in, right? Bisca said it’s my turn this year and I’m happy for it. You and Bicks will kick ass again, you know, even if we don’t make it to the finals. Hey, where is Bickslow? The quest went okay, right?”

Freed picked up his tankard carefully, taking a sip of the drink. “The quest was another easy one so it went fine. He popped in to visit his foster sister at Mermaid Heel as it was on our route home, he’s going to try and convince her to take a job with him so we can get something a bit higher up the scale jewel wise.”

They both glanced towards the empty quest board and sighed. There was very little work these days, and they just continued to get less requests every passing week. They’d have completely gone under if Freed and Bickslow hadn’t managed to make some close friends in other guilds, taking their requests with them and splitting the reward.

It was coming up to seven years since what had happened at Tenrou. Freed hated that he was still holding onto a faith that probably wasn’t warranted, but he couldn’t help it. He had been there that day, watching from the ship as he saw a dark shadow descend from the clouds. It had been too late for him and Bickslow to go help them, even though they had tried, and they’d been blasted backwards into the ocean, away from their friends and lost out of sight. It had taken everything in Freed’s power to make sure they both survived and when they washed up on the shore of Fiore, battered and bruised, Freed had tried to return to the island instantly. They had spent weeks, probably months, searching the ocean to no avail. It was as if the whole island had just vanished.

Freed and Bickslow had led the search for Laxus after that. They had travelled across Fiore trying to find him, to spread word that they were looking for him so that he would come back and show his old guild mates his loyalty. Perhaps return to become the Master they had always believed he could be.

To this day they had still heard nothing from him.

Seven years later Freed had no idea of his whereabouts and every time Freed thought about it he itched to continue searching, to demand an explanation for why Laxus would leave them when they needed him the most. However, he was needed at the guild and he wasn’t going to turn his backs on his guildmates to continue his search.

“Freed!”

The voice of Romeo startled Freed out of his reminiscing and he looked up with a smile. “Hey kid.”

“You’re finally back! Can you please take me on your next quest, Freed? I’m strong enough for a bigger quest now, I swear.”

Freed chuckled, ruffling his hair fondly. “You’ve got to ask your dad, Romeo. I wouldn’t want to disrespect the Master after all.”

Romeo pouted, knowing that it would probably be a no. Alzack and Bisca had gotten in the habit of taking him out with them when they took smaller quests. However, he was still learning and taking him on a high earning job, or on an S-class quest, was something none of them wanted to do. No matter how happy they all knew it would make him, Romeo was to be protected at all costs. This the guild could agree on.

“Okay I’ll ask him. But you have to tell me how your job was when I get back.”

Freed smiled, waving him off before turning to face Alzack who was looking on fondly.

“Doesn’t he remind you of Natsu?”

“Yeah, he does.”

They looked across the guild to where Macao and Wakaba were sat, Romeo sitting on the table and trying to convince his father to let him go on a bigger quest. It wasn’t like they even had many big quests any more, but Romeo was persistent and Freed had contacts. He wondered how long it would take before Macao finally caved in and allowed his son the opportunity to go on something of a higher class. 

“Blue Pegasus are planning on dropping by later. Kinana spoke to Ichiya through a communication lacrima, he says they have some news.”

Freed nodded, turning back to look at Alzack, the fond smile that had been on his lips vanishing at the thought of what news Blue Pegasus could have that involved a drop-in call. “News about Tenrou?”

Alzack shrugged, sipping his drink. “Let’s hope so.”

“It’s been seven years Alzack. Why are we still hoping?”

Alzack sighed, looking across the guild. It was so quiet these days. How many people had left since they had lost them all? Freed still hated seeing the hall so empty. It was why he went on as many quests as frequently as possible. At least with him and Bickslow taking the big money quests they had enough to make sure the guild kept running and their friends and their kids had the support they needed.

“I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like we’re all just getting old waiting, but the whole thing doesn’t feel real. Sometimes it still feels like a prank. Like Natsu is gonna stroll in any day now and start laughing at us all.” Alzack smiled, taking a sip of his drink. “I still have faith in them. I still think there’s got to be more to what happened.”

Freed nodded, looking down at the table. It didn’t feel real that they had died. Not considering how strong they had all been, but Freed had seen that explosion, it had almost killed him. He tried so hard to believe that they were still alive somehow, but what were the chances of that? Surely, they were dead. So what were they waiting for? Because they were all still waiting. That much was clear.

Freed would sit at night sometimes and think of their faces. Would think of everything he knew about them. Sometimes it was hard, realising that memories had faded, or else he hadn’t really known many of them to begin with.  

What haunted him more than their faces was the guilt.

He should have been there. When Gildarts had said it was best for them to stay on the boat as extra backup he shouldn’t have listened to him. He and Bickslow should have gone to find their friends at seeing the warning signal. No matter how grateful he was that he was alive, and he could protect the guild, it was still unfair. On top of that he had failed in finding Laxus. His friend had still not returned home.

Freed was about to reply to Alzack’s words when there was a slam at the door and he jumped onto his feet. Twilight Ogre, of course. Alzack was stood at his side in mere moments and the two of them moved forwards to join Macao who had sprinted to the front of the room to deal with the intruders.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t what remains of Fairy Tail. Looking emptier by the day.”

Freed glared them down, standing behind Macao with his sword drawn ever so slightly. He knew they wouldn’t wreck their Guild with him present, but they would throw around a few insults if they could get away with it. Freed knew the insults weren’t worth rising to, but it still made his blood boil to watch this gruff wizard disrespect his family.

He felt stirring from the corners of the Guild as everyone swept into defensive position.

“We’ve paid you already this month. Why don’t you and your cronies leave.” Macao spoke, watching them wearily.

“Well we thought maybe you could pay us in advance for next months interest. We’re looking to extend our hall and thought perhaps you’re feeling generous.”

Freed wanted to take out his sword and dish a serving of pain onto the men before him but it wasn’t worth the trouble they’d get in. And with him constantly taking the missions that turned up on their board he couldn’t guarantee he’d be around to protect his friends when they came knocking for revenge as they always did.

“Why don’t you get lost, we paid for this month and that’s all your getting until next month rolls around.”

“Hmm, yeah, we don’t want to do that.”

Freed withdrew his sword fully at that, taking a step forwards so he was stood in front of Macao. He wore his hair short now, and his demon eye was left uncovered for the world to see. To see when he was ready to attack because Freed had learnt to attack.

Glaring directly at the man in front of him, he tightened the grip on his sword.

“You are going to leave.”

“Or what?”

With a quick flick of his sword he wrote the runes Only a Fairy Tail Wizard may remain inside this guild hall. And he watched as the five members of Twilight Ogre soared comically out of the door and through the air, landing a few meters away.

“We’ll see you in a few weeks.” He shouted, before slamming the door shut and turning to face the Master. “What?” He shrugged, putting his sword away and walking over to the bar again, not looking Macao in the eye. “We can’t let them bully us out of more than we owe them. We made up rules and they swore to abide them. They’re lucky I didn’t totally destroy them.”

“Sometimes I think you should be in charge.”

Freed shook his head, sitting down and taking a swig of his drink. “Sometimes I think you have too much faith in me. I’ve hurt the guild before and-”

“That was a long time ago, you’ve more than made up for it.” Wakaba interrupted, converging at the bar with the others.

The solemn faces of his guildmates made Freed’s heart ache, but there was little he could do to cheer them up. He tried to smile, taking another sip of his drink. “It was a long time ago. I don’t think I even properly remembered your name Alzack. I was so in my own head about the guild back then.”

“Yeah, and I was dead set on ending you.” He laughed, leaning on the bar. “I mean you had hurt the girl I was intensely crushing on.”

“You also completely beat me.” Reedus smirked, looking up from his painting.

Freed smiled, finishing off his drink. It was a matter he still felt guilty about, although he was glad they could laugh about it now. They had started the jokes mere weeks after the event, although it had taken much longer for Freed to feel as if he were worthy of still being part of their guild.

Macao was looking fondly at the group gathered around the bar, and Freed shot him a smile. The older man had really been suffering with his feelings of inadequacy. He didn’t think he deserved to be the master, he believed it was his doing that was running the guild into the ground, although nobody believed that of him for a second.

The fact that they were all still together gave them hope and Macao had been elementary in making sure they all remained the family they had always been. The amount of leaving ceremonies he had to perform would have shaken a lesser man. But Macao was strong, even if he didn’t believe so himself.

Freed admired him for this strength.

As the little group descended into teasing there was a loud noise outside which shook the guild more than Twilight Ogre ever could. They all shared glances at each other before they were running out of the door in a hurry.

There in the horizon was Blue Pegasus in all their glory, the dark shadow of Christina falling over their guild hall. Freed grinned widely at the sight of Ichiya acting like a fool and falling to the ground. He hung at the back of the group this time, knowing there was no threat from their comrades and that Hibiki might not want to see him after their last explosive break up.  

When the Trimen landed in a row he expected them to fall into a tizz over Laki and Kinana, and to their credit Eve and Ren began the ritual instantly, but Hibiki was in front of him in a moment.

Freed felt a warm feeling in his gut as he looked at the younger man, a soft smile tugging at his lips. His relationship with Hibiki was difficult, but as the man moved forwards, throwing his arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, Freed felt himself sink into his content feeling of familiarity.

“Mr Justine, lovely to see you again.”

Freed could feel his blush as he patted Hibiki on the back before drawing away, smiling at the other man.

“Please drop the formalities Hibiki, we’re not strangers. I’m glad to see you again.”

Hibiki squeezed hold of Freed’s shoulders tightly, turning to look at Ichiya. “As I am you, but this is no time for a catch up. We have news, Freed. We found it.”

“Found what?” Max spoke, turning to look at Ichiya, a frown on his face.

“Tenrou Island.” Ichiya spoke, looking at Macao, the grin wide on his face. “We believe we’ve located its whereabouts.”

Freed felt as if his stomach had dropped out of his body. They had found it. They’d actually found it. He had gone white as a sheet as Hibiki continued to hold onto him, but Freed quickly shrugged off his hands, walking towards Ichiya with determination.

“You’re sure about this? You mean we can find out what happened to them.”

Ichiya nodded which was enough confirmation for Freed to start setting plans in motion in his head. He turned to face Macao, nodding at him. “We’ll split up, half of us will go and we’ll set sail at dawn. This is..” It was good news. Possibly good news. Probably good news.

No matter what they found out at least this way they’d know for sure.

“This is what we’ve been waiting seven years for.” Macao spoke, and Freed could feel tears well in his eyes.

“I’m all fired up.”

Chapter Text

The gentle rocking of the ocean wasn’t as calming as Freed has hoped it would be. As he stood watching the horizon nervously for any signs of Tenrou, he felt sick and it wasn’t from anticipation. Everyone on deck was incredibly tense apart from Jet and Droy, who were darting about the deck excitedly buzzing about seeing Levy again.

Freed wished he had that faith as he sank against the side of the boat, feeling his stomach sink.

He didn’t think he could face finding Evergreen’s body, but he needed to know what had become of his sister. He had missed her so terribly and finding out what had happened was the only way they could at last move on.

Bickslow was back at the guild with Macao and the others. They had decided that Freed ought to go along in case there was any danger on the island, but Bickslow had been too scared about discovering his friends dead, so he had stayed behind.

In that moment he wished he’d insisted that Bickslow join him. No one was able to calm him down as well as the other did, and his guilt was weighing down hard on him in that moment in a way only he would understand.

Luckily for him, Freed didn’t just have Bickslow to rely on any more and the comforting presence of Bisca, who had moved to stand beside him, was just as relaxing. Especially as she pressed her hand to his arm, giving it a soft squeeze.

“Whatever we find, at least we’ll know.”

“Yes, you are right about that.” Freed smiled over at her, standing up straighter as he continued to watch the sea. “Do you know how close we are to the coordinates Blue Pegasus provided?”

“We’re about half an hour away. We should arrive soon enough.”

“I don’t know if I have the strength to bury her, Bisca.” Freed spoke quietly, his thoughts drawn to Evergreen as they always were. He had abandoned his comrade and he hated it. If she was dead because of his lack of action then Freed would never be able to forgive himself.

“We’ll deal with that when we know what happened.” Bisca sounded sad, probably thinking of her own best friend. They had all lost loved ones that day and the fear in finding out they had lost them for good was obvious throughout the ship.

The half hour it took to approach the coordinates passed faster than Freed was expecting as he listened to his guild mates talk amongst themselves. He stayed at the head of the ship watching the distance as he listened to Warren talk about having to accept that they may not find their friends alive.

The sudden lack of birds was the first clue Freed had to realising something was wrong. And then there was a strange taste in the air around him. Although perhaps sensation was a better word for it. It felt like an ancient spell, like the lingering effects of Fairy Law that still haunted him, and it sank into his stomach making his nerves spike.

“The waves have stilled.” Freed looked up properly then, catching sight of something in the distance. “Is that.. Is that a girl?” He spoke, the rest of his friends coming closer to look.

His senses weren’t lying to him, that much was clear by the reactions of the others.

“She’s floating above the water.” Max spoke in awe from beside him. They watched silently as she raised her arms slowly, light suddenly erupting out of the water in giant streams.

Freed felt his heart lurch at the sight, and as the waves rocked them back his mind went suddenly back to that night, back to the crashing waves sending them far away from his comrades. He felt just as hopeless as he gripped hold of the side, glad that these waves somehow weren’t enough to send the boat anywhere.

The group of seven watched in awe as between the light beams an island began to rise. It was too bright to look at directly, but Freed couldn’t pull his gaze away, desperate to know what was happening.

Then as quickly as it started the rumbling stopped and the lights vanished and there, in the middle of the ocean, just as he had seen it all those years ago, stood Tenrou.

Freed wasn’t going to cry again, not at the sight of the island, but he felt relief sweep through his body.

“This is it.” He spoke quietly, his heart hammering in his chest.

He watched as the girl who had raised the island from the ocean turned her back on them. She was almost gliding across the sea towards Tenrou and although there was clearly something inhuman about her she made Freed feel safe.

“We should follow that girl.” He spoke, the others quickly agreeing with him. Max wasted no time steering the ship into the harbour and Freed was bubbling with anticipation as he jumped into the shallow water, stepping back onto the island. He ran his hand through his now short hair, wondering how he had been able to cope with the warm climate the last time he had been there.

 The girl was still a fair distance from them and she grinned again, waving at them all before running off into the forest.

“Jet, go after her!” Alzack shouted, and the man began to run as fast as he could, the others keeping pace behind them. Freed wasted no time casting his wings into existence, flying between the trees for extra speed as he rushed to keep up with Jet and the girl.

He almost crashed into a tree when Freed saw a figure on the floor in front of him, buried in rubble.

The flock of pink hair was so unique that it could only belong to Natsu. It was him, lying motionless on the ground. He was so still, not the usual ball of energy Freed could remember, and he looked beaten and broken. Tears filled his eyes as he sank onto the floor beside Jet, gripping hold of the other for support as the rest of them caught up.

They all stayed still for a moment before Warren let out a shaky breath. “Is he breathing?”

Max was the first person to move forwards, braver than all the rest of them. Softly squeezing Warren’s shoulder as he walked past him, he carefully walked through the rubble, kneeling down beside Natsu who looked as if he hadn’t aged a day. He leant down to hold his hand over Natsu’s mouth, eyes widening as he stared up at the group, anticipation bubbling in the air.

“He.. He’s alive.”

Freed stayed back with Alzack and Bisca as the others ran forwards in one great surge. He felt tears filling his eyes and relief flooding through him. They hadn’t died. They were alive.

He hadn’t left them to die.

The others were shaking Natsu awake now, all babbling uncontrollable emotions. Natsu was alive. Their Natsu. And in that moment, it felt obvious to Freed. Of course Natsu was alive. As if something as small as a dragon could take down the raging ball of fury and love that was Natsu Dragneel.

And suddenly Natsu was shouting, pushing the guys off him. “Let me sleep you jerks!” He seemed not to realise for a moment who was waking him up until he looked at them, confusion on his face. “Would you mind telling me what’s going on? What are you guys doing on the island? And why do you look so much older?”

Freed felt relief flood through him as he watched the others sobbing, all moving forwards to touch Natsu as if checking he was actually there. It made his heart soar sky high until he stopped for a second, looking around the field.

“Where are the others?”

That was when the girl appeared again, standing in the distance, a smile on her lips.

“Your friends are safe, I will lead you to them.”

If her presence had filled Freed and the others with a sense of comfort before, her voice was another thing entirely. The bright smile on her face didn’t waver and it almost looked as if she were glowing as she turned her back and began to walk again. Freed didn’t need to look at his comrades to know that they were helping Natsu to his feet so they could all follow her together.

He wasted no time in moving forwards, his heart hammering in his chest. He needed to see Evergreen. He needed to see her with his own eyes or else he wouldn’t be able to believe that she was okay.

It didn’t take long for them to come into another clearing, a clearing filled with their friends who were each slowly waking up, pain and confusion on their faces. Freed felt Alzack grip hold of his arm and they shared a look of joy and ran forwards together.

Freed’s eyes darted around the group until they came to a sudden stop.

There she was. Looking not a day older since he last seen her, a frown on her face as she brushed dirt off her dress. There was Evergreen, alive and as stroppy as ever.

That was when Freed at last felt the tears fall from his eyes.

Chapter Text

Freed felt everything around him stop.

He looked at Evergreen for what felt like an hour, but was in reality probably only a few seconds before he felt his feet begin to move. She was exactly how he remembered. It looked as if she had been frozen in time, his best friend, the girl he had considered to be his sister. She was okay.

He ran towards her as fast as he could, flinging his arms around her without a delay and holding her as close as possible.

“Evergreen. You’re alive.” He felt her struggling against the hug in confusion, causing him to pull back so he was looking down at her, tears glistening in his eyes. He couldn’t stop staring at her. It felt as if he had to take in everything about her once again. He had to make sure that he hadn’t forgotten anything and that he wasn’t making all this up in some group delusion or dream.

He felt his hands shake as he reached up to touch her hair, gently brushing it out of her face so he could look at her properly. She certainly felt real, and the familiar frown and pout on her face reassured him even more.

“I’ve missed you so terribly.” Freed spoke again, letting himself be convinced that this wasn’t some figment of his imagination.

“Freed… Is that you?” Ever spoke quietly, her eyes darting across his face carefully. “Your hair.. You look... What? It’s only been a.. It’s only been a day.” She looked so confused and Freed didn’t know what to do or how to make it better.

Instead he settled with simply wrapping her into another hug, wiping furiously at his eyes to try and get himself to stop crying. “I’ll explain everything that I can soon, I swear. I just, I can’t believe you’re alive.”

After a few seconds Evergreen sank against him too, hugging him back just as tightly. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was so, so worried that Acnologia had hurt you and Bicks.”

“I should have been here with you all.” Freed closed his eyes tightly, letting out a ragged breath as they continued to stand with Evergreen’s head buried in his chest.

As they stood together in a tight embrace he could hear the shouts from the others. Names being called from Alzack and Max, Jet and Droy’s excited chanting over Levy. He could tell that Bisca was sobbing uncontrollably. That Warren was probably just staring in shock at the scene, not sure what to do. It was too much for them all. Too much relief. Too much confusion. Too much of every emotion.

None of them knew what to do with themselves.

Stood before them were the friends they had spent seven years mourning.

They were alive. All of them were alive.

Strangely Freed thought of Romeo, waiting back at the guild with his sad eyes. The kid was going to fall apart from joy and Freed felt a warm surge fill his chest. Macao would cry from relief, Bickslow would probably never let Ever out of his sight, everyone was going to be a mess when they walked through the halls of the guild for the first time in years and Freed felt his heart soar as he thought about his family reuniting again.

The weight that had been suffocating him for the past seven years had finally been lifted.

Finally Evergreen pulled away, looking up at him and pressing a hand to his cheek. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do now Freed. How could you cut your beautiful hair? And where are your bolts.” She tried to look stern at him but there was a warmth in her eyes as she teased him playfully. “And how could you finally go shopping without me?”

Freed couldn’t help but laugh as she scolded him, hitting his chest gently to emphasise her point. “I miss the damn coat though, you better have kept it or I really will kill you.”

He grinned down at her as she continued for a few moments before sweeping her up into another hug and spinning her around. She laughed along with him, demanding to be put down through her giggles. Freed felt a warmth in his stomach as he set her on the floor again, unable to stop smiling.

“You’re so annoying.” She smirked, nudging his shoulder.

“Not as annoying as you, Evergreen.”

Evergreen smiled a little playfully, tilting her head to the side to look at him as she put on her fake innocent voice. “You know, I’m not the only person you should be sweeping into your arms right now Freed.”

Freed frowned for a second before he turned back to the group, properly looking over the clearing for the first time to understand what she meant.

Gray and Juvia were stood watching a sobbing Max holding onto Lucy, whose face was etched with confusion. Jet and Droy were jumping up and down with excitement over Levy, Panther Lily and Gajeel. Cana was standing beside Gildarts awkwardly. Mirajane, Lisanna and Erza were all chatting animatedly to Bisca. Alzack was grinning and waving his arms about as he talked to Elfman, Natsu and a bubbling Happy about God knows what. Wendy was with Carla, checking over the Master as Warren seemed to be explaining what had happened to them. And then, stood to one side like he didn’t belong, there was a face Freed did not expect to see. A face he had never expected to see again, but for a completely different reason.

Freed felt his heart soar as he made eye contact with him.

He was exactly the same as the last time they had seen one another. From the familiar blonde hair to the small confused pout of his lips. He was staring at him with an unreadable look on his face. For a second Freed felt frozen in place and then suddenly he was moving across the clearing, stumbling slightly in his rush to get to his friend’s side.

“Laxus!”

His words echoed loudly as he flung himself at the taller man as soon as he was in reach, throwing his arms around him and holding onto him as tightly as possible. Laxus stumbled back a little at the sudden weight, but managed to keep his balance as Freed held onto him.

Laxus stood frozen for few seconds and Freed realised that maybe this was a bit much. Maybe he shouldn’t be overwhelming him like this, even though he couldn’t help it. He just wanted to hold onto Laxus forever, to breathe in that familiar smell and feel comforted that the love of his life hadn’t turned his back on them for the past seven years as he had believed only moments ago.

He hadn’t been travelling the world and ignoring Fairy Tail who needed him so desperately. Instead he had been trapped on the island just as the rest of his friends had been, unable to help, not simply being unwilling to come back.

Freed was about to pull away from the hug when he felt Laxus let out a sigh, wrapping his arms around Freed’s back and relaxing against him. A hand raised to his hair and Freed shivered at the gentle touch, leaning his head back so he could look up at Laxus.

The other man didn’t have tears in his eyes, but he looked immensely sad as he stared down at Freed.

He seemed to understand enough of what had happened as he looked down at him, his eyes darting across his face just as Ever’s had.

Freed had imagined over and over exactly what he would say to Laxus when they met again. It had started with pleading words about how the guild needed him, but before long had led to a speech of disappointment. He had planned to be angry, to tell him how they didn’t need his help any more, to tell him how mad he had been when it hit him that Laxus wouldn’t come back on his own. That he had abandoned Fairy Tail and abandoned Freed.

All those thoughts, all those words, they fell away as Laxus pressed a hand to his cheek, running his fingers softly over his skin. Freed felt relief flood him. He didn’t have to be mad, or disappointed. He didn’t have to hold back his joy at seeing his friend to shout on behalf of his guild. Freed could simply enjoy this moment, and enjoy the knowledge that Laxus had returned to his side.

He hadn’t felt this content since the other had left all those years ago.

“You’ve aged a lot in four months.” Laxus finally spoke, making eye contact with him again.

Freed let out a small laugh, gently placing his hand over the others heart. “You’ve not aged at all in seven years.”

Laxus’ expression dropped at that, his eyebrows pulling together. “What do you mean seven years?” As Laxus spoke Freed let go of him, taking a little step back but still standing as close to Laxus as was acceptable. Laxus looked angry for a second, his eyes darting across his old comrades before settling back onto Freed. “What happened?”

“You tell me. The last thing I remember was Gildarts answering the warning signal and telling me and Bix to stay behind as extra back up if we needed to flee. We were sent halfway across the ocean by the impact of that dragon’s roar. It was terrifying. We thought everyone on the island had died.” 

“You thought I’d died?”

Freed looked down at the floor, shaking his head. “We had no idea you were on the island. We searched for you for months. Years if I’m being honest. You have no clue how glad I am knowing that you were here all that time.” He smiled to himself, looking up at Laxus again, his eyes shining with relief. “You didn’t give up on us.”

There was silence between them for a moment before Laxus took a step closer to him.

“You know I’d never give up on you, Freed.”

Freed opened his mouth to reply but the quiet ringing voice of the girl from before stopped him. As if broken out of a spell they both sprung away from each other, standing side by side instead of facing one another as Mavis begun to explain what had happened.

After she had done so Freed felt himself relax. It would all be okay. Things had changed, that was obvious, but it would be okay.

“It’s time to go home.” He smiled, walking forwards to where his companions from the past seven years had collected. Turning to look at the others Freed felt himself grin even wider. “It’s time for us all to go home together.”

Practically beaming with joy, he turned to Jet. “Fancy leading the way back to the ship?”

Jet nodded, running over to Levy and grabbing hold of her hand. “Come on, let’s go back to Fairy Tail.”

Chapter Text

Levy grinned, her eyes shining with tears as Jet dragged her through the woods and towards their ship home. It didn’t take long before the rest of the group began to follow the path the two reunited friends trod through the forest. They were led by Droy running as best he could to keep up with them, Jet unconsciously pulling Levy quickly through the trees, restless with excitement.

Everyone settled into happy conversation as they began their journey home, but Freed felt a certain pang of pain that he needed to address before he could go anywhere. Shooting Laxus a small smile, he stayed behind as he and Evergreen dropped into step alongside the others. Although he longed to join them both, to catch them up with everything they had missed and express his utter joy at seeing them again, he knew he had to talk to Makarov. He had to talk to the Master before they made their way back to Magnolia and were swept up in the celebrations that were bound to follow.

Freed wasn’t the head of the guild, but he did feel a certain responsibility to explain what had happened to him seven years ago, and to catch Makarov up on matters to do with Fairy Tail. The guild no longer felt like something he was just on the surface off, it instead felt like home, like a family.

For someone who had always been the youngest brother, always overshadowed and left out of the spotlight with his less than flashy magic, it was weird for him to realise that he had fallen into the role of protector. Sure it was true that with the thunder legion he had spent a lot of time worrying and looking after them, but even then he shied away from any real responsibility.

Now Freed had begun to shine in Fairy Tail. He had complex relationships with everyone who had been left behind, and more than anything he felt responsible for their happiness. All that responsibility meant he had to address the fact that he had not been able to help his friends on the island. The guilt was eating him up, but more than that Freed had to prove to Makarov that he still deserved to be part of the guild, to remain with his family.

As far as he was concerned they could not delay the conversation.

Luckily for Freed it appeared that the Master had also realised the two needed to talk, and he was waiting for him at the rear of the group, a small smile on his face as he watched Freed approach him.

“Master Makarov, before I say anything else I must apologise for my actions.” Freed bowed his head lowly, taking a steady breath to try and control his breathing, and the obvious guilt in his voice. “I deeply regret that Bickslow and I did not return to the island when you needed us. I hold that shame in my heart and I beg for your forgiveness. We were following the suggestion of Gildarts and we believed it was in the guilds best intensions that we stayed aboard the ship. However, that is no excuse for what we did. We left you all behind and failed to find you for so long, and for that I am so humbly sorry.”

Freed didn’t dare look up as he finished his apology. He had no idea the expression that would be on Makarov’s face and he was terrified to find out that he would be rejected, or worse. However, Makarov simply pressed his hand to Freed’s arm, letting out a low chuckle.

“You did nothing wrong, child. If you had been here we do not know what may have happened with the guild. What matters is that you stayed true to your friends.”

Once again, a calm feeling settled in Freed’s chest. It was the same feeling of relief. Makarov knew he had done the right thing. He didn’t resent him for not entering the fray of battle. If he were being honest relief was too weak a word to describe Freed’s current state of emotions.

“Thank you, Master. I cannot thank you enough.”

They shared a smile at last, and Freed began to walk beside him, keeping up the rear of the group.

“I’m not the Master anymore, am I? If it’s been seven years.”

Freed shook his head, watching as Natsu and Gray bickered between themselves a few feet away. “Macao is our Master now. He’s a good man. Not as strong as you in terms of magic power of course, but he has a good heart. He leads the guild like a father, I have nothing but praise for his actions over the past seven years.”

“You speak very highly of him.”

Freed nodded, his eyes still looking over the group in front of them, fondness filling his chest. “He’s managed to keep the Guild running despite the decreasing amount of quests we’ve received, he allowed me and Bickslow room to go searching for Laxus. He juggles his own son and the children of the guild. When we lost Fairy Hills he found homes for Laki and Kinana. He has suffered but he remains strong. He is everything a good guild master ought to be and I swore I would stand beside him through everything. I still will.”

Makarov smiled, nodding his head. “My children have had a rough seven years, haven’t they, Freed?”

“We have.” He sighed but stared forwards in determination. “But that doesn’t matter, what matters is that you are all safe and we are returning to the guild together.”

Makarov smiled, nodding ahead of him. “We can talk more about what happened later, Freed. We both know you don’t want to be talking to an old man right now, you want to be talking to my grandson.” He laughed as little, looking over at Laxus’ back. “With the looks he keeps shooting us I’m fairly certain he wants to talk to you too.”

Freed wanted to ask Makarov if Laxus would be permitted back into the guild, but it didn’t feel like it was his place, or the right time to do so. Instead he smiled, bowing his head.

“Thank you, Makarov. I’ll fill you in on everything in due time.”

With that Freed sped up, moving past Natsu and Gray, who he sent a wide smile to, waving briefly at Wendy who was chatting to Bisca before sliding up between Laxus and Evergreen. The two were still staring at him a little warily, and Freed cracked out a smile.

“You can both stop staring at my hair you know. I’m still the same old Freed, I just got bored of the same hairstyle after seven years. You should see Bickslow now, completely bald.”

Evergreen laughed, a smile tugging at her lips. “Really?”

“Ah no, not any more. Although he did cut it all off when he gave up his armour, I have photos.”

Laxus chuckled, a small smile on his lips. “I always loved that armour.”

“He’s okay then? Bix?” Ever asked, looking over at Freed. “Why didn’t he come with you?”

“Bickslow is more than okay.” Freed smiled, thinking about his dear brother at home who would be so happy to see the others.

Bickslow had found so much happiness over the seven years they had been separated. He had lived his life to the fullest, in order to honour those they believed were dead. They both had done so, but there had always been something missing. It was the same for Freed, no matter what happiness their lives had brought, there was always a huge gap in their hearts. Now he had been reunited with his friends he could feel his own beginning to heal over and he could not wait for Bickslow to see his friends again.

“He was just worried about what we’d find here, so I advised him to stay behind. Only one of us needed to come.”

“More than okay, that’s good.” She smiled, leaning to take hold of Freed’s hand. Freed squeezed it tightly, a warm feeling filling his chest.

Wordlessly he reached out to take hold of Laxus’ hand with his other, so he was stood between his two friends holding onto them for dear life. The gesture reminded Freed that this wasn’t some wild dream, it was real, and his friends had returned to him. He expected Laxus to pull away after a moment or two, but he kept hold of Freed. Which Freed was grateful for, and the three walked in easy silence for a while as they made their way towards the ship.

Surprisingly it was Laxus who broke the silence as they were clambering on board to head home. “So, you’ve been training for seven years I take it?” He asked Freed, leaning against the side of the ship as the other made a quick headcount, making sure everyone had made it on board.

“Maybe you could even beat me in a fight.” The look that flickered over his face as he crossed his arms over his chest made Freed smile. He had missed this teasing side of Laxus, the one that had pushed his friends not by scathing remarks and intense training sessions, but with light hearted teasing, allowing them to build their own determination to prove themselves. It had been much longer than seven years that he had seen that smile, and it made Freed feel warmth settle in his gut.

“Maybe I could. After all, you don’t get promoted to S-Class for no reason.” Freed spoke quietly, not wanting to cause a commotion from the words, although from the look Natsu suddenly shot him, he wasn’t quiet enough.

“Hey no fair! You got made S-Class, but you lost against Cana and Lucy!” Natsu was at his side in an instant. The loudness of his voice causing more people to look around at him.

Freed didn’t like that the attention that was suddenly on him, but he cleared his throat, holding his head high. “After we lost you all it was necessary for someone to continue taking on S-Class quests and I understand if Makarov decides to revoke my status as I didn’t become S-Class with the same traditions Laxus, Mirajane and Erza did. However, it was necessary and..” Freed drew his sword, a smirk on his lips. “I’m more than willing to prove my strength if it calls for it.”

Alzack, alongside Laxus and a few others, let out a roaring laugh at his speech, patting Natsu on his shoulder good naturedly. “I wouldn’t try mate.”

“What, you think I can’t take him?” Natsu turned on Alzack, his arms already flaming as if in preparation for a fight.

“No, I think that we’re about to set sail.” He smirked as Bisca and Max tugged up the anchor and Warren began to turn the rudder and they suddenly jerked forwards.

Natsu’s fire immediately vanished and he sank to the floor, Happy hovering above him as Lucy made a remark to Erza that made the other girl giggle.

Despite the disruption to the ocean at the reappearance of Tenrou the waves had become calm quicker than expected. Freed assumed that Mavis had something to do with it, although he didn’t think it was worth questioning her magic at all. She, or at least the animated image of their first Master, had remained on the island and was watching them part.

Freed thought that someday he might have to look into the magic of the island. He would work out how they had survived and how Mavis had appeared. Research was a strong point of his, and he wanted a better understanding of what had happened in order to make sure nothing like it ever happened again. However, all that could wait for another day.

At that moment all he could think about was the tired group of his friends lounging about on the overcrowded boat and the bright future that was ahead of them. He couldn’t stop the smile on his face even if he wanted to.

He kept glancing between his friends, counting each one of them over and over again, to make sure they were real. A part of him was still worried this was all a dream and he would wake up any moment to find out he was hallucinating.

But this couldn’t be a dream, he thought as he sat down beside Evergreen, who nudged him in the ribs playfully. In his dreams his subconscious had never allowed him to be this happy.

Their hope had been worthwhile, and they were heading towards the future together.

Chapter Text

During the journey back to Magnolia Freed had come to the belief that the only feelings he could now possess were joy and relief, but as soon as they reached the city nerves spiked in his chest once again. The nerves hit as soon as Erza began to march towards their old guild hall and Warren had to call out to her, bringing her back to the main group awkwardly.

“We had to move.” Bisca explained, her eyes lowering to the ground.

Freed felt the same wave of embarrassment rush through him as he motioned to the right, heading towards the edge of town and trying to keep his head in check. He couldn’t help but feel like they had failed, and the confused looks of his old friends reaffirmed this fear.

It wasn’t until they walked up to their new guild hall that Freed really felt the mood drop. Sure, it was homely and it was his home, but it wasn’t anything compared to their old guild.

He caught sight of Lucy’s frown and he cleared his throat.

“Our membership has greatly decreased. With it so have our earnings.”

Freed felt hot in his cheeks as he said this, as if it were his fault that they had been unable to convince their former members to stay with them. He knew that it wasn’t his fault of course. No one person could have convinced that many people to stay when the living they had made at Fairy Tail was rapidly dropping as requests dwindled away, but he still felt like it had been on him somehow.

After all, Freed had been the one member selected for the S-class test who had made it back from Tenrou. That wasn’t the case anymore though and he smiled as he saw Natsu rush over to the door, slamming them both open with a grin.

Hanging at the back of the group he couldn’t stop smiling as he saw Romeo’s tears of joy and the laughter and excitement from all around as their old friends returned home.

He searched around the room for Bickslow and caught sight of the other staring in shock. Freed felt like he ought to go over to his friend and explain as much as he could but as he moved forwards to clear things up with him Laxus took ahold of his arm, shaking his head subtly.

Looking back over at the scene Freed caught sight of Evergreen.

Her face in that moment was a sparkling ray of relief. She was alight with joy at seeing Bickslow stood by the bar still looking mostly like himself, apart from the lack of armour and sunglasses to block his eyes. For a moment she eyed him up with an inkling of suspicion, checking out his new hair style, the lack of armour, the lines now etched on his face. That expression faded quickly as she began to walk slowly towards him, but then she stopped, letting out a loud laugh.  

Bickslow, who had been frozen in place finally snapped out of his trance, throwing his head back and laughing even louder than her as he rushed towards her. The hug he pulled her into looked so tight it would crush Ever’s small frame, but she was stronger than she looked and he knew Bickslow would never hurt his sister. He picked her up and span her around the room as he continued to laugh, just as Freed had done earlier in the day, completely giddy with excitement.

“You’re alive! My beautiful fairy sister I knew you were still alive.”

“Of course I’m alive Bix. You didn’t think I’d die without rightfully claiming the title of Miss Fairy Tail did you?” She grinned, pushing her glasses up her nose with an air of pride although Freed and Bickslow could see the glint of her true smile etched behind her smirk.

“I know, I know.” He sat her back on the floor, pushing her hair out of her face and pinching her cheeks, fussing over her with a grin. “I’ve missed you so much sis, don’t go leaving me again.”

She nodded, holding out her pinkie finger in seriousness, a habit her and Bickslow had picked up in their youth and only ever used in dire situations when they were being totally serious. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

Bickslow began to cry then, looping his and her finger for a moment before pulling her into another bone crushing hug.

Evergreen was clearly taken aback by this action, but she smiled fondly before managing to wriggle out of his arms, hitting his shoulder playfully. “You’re going to ruin my dress.”

Bickslow laughed again at that before looking up and catching sight of Freed.

Freed smiled at him warmly, walking a few steps towards his friends before turning back around and taking Laxus’ hand once more. He led the other slowly towards Evergreen and Bickslow, who lit up at the sight of Laxus but did not say a word as they approached, making a strange little circle very different from the last time they had all been together.

All of them continued to stay quiet, no one wanting to break the silence that was their own.

Around them the rest of the guild were chatting noisily. Someone had brought out the barrels of drink they had in storage and it was clear that they were about to start partying to make up for seven years worth of missed ones.

It was Laxus who finally broke the silence.

“You guys protected the guild?”

Bickslow shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal. “I guess you could say that. We just stuck by our family.”

Freed nodded along with his words, because it wasn’t a big deal. They had just done what was right for Fairy Tail, it was the rest of their friends who had really banded together to make sure they could keep their guild running.

Sure, Freed and Bickslow went on high earning quests, but Laki had been the one to design the new guild hall, going to the wood make wizards who had taught her and asking for advice in how to construct it as she had the most experience with wood crafting. Max had handled the finances of the guild and understood the documents the council continued to send them in a way that even Freed could not. It was Kinana who had taken up responsibility for the bar, even though she had only meant to be temporarily running it when the Strauss siblings were away. It was Reedus and Droy and Bisca who had started up the entertainment nights again to keep spirits high around them. And Macao had stepped up and taken the place of the Guild Master and the immense responsibility that came with it. Freed and Bickslow had protected the guild in a way, but there would have been no guild to protect if it weren’t for the rest of the people they had grown to call family.

“It’s been a long seven years.” Freed spoke quietly, looking over at Laxus. “A lot has happened.”

Bickslow smiled widely then, a tear slipping out from under his shades. “I’m just so glad you’re both home.”

He lunged forwards then, pulling all three of them into a hug which ended with them toppling onto the floor and laughing hysterically. Even Laxus was grinning as they were all piled on top of each other, a mess of limbs and hair.

Freed hadn’t felt this sort of joy in such a long time. The Thunder Legion had never been affectionate before, but you couldn’t spend that long with your only friends without becoming attached to them. The relief that Freed felt at having them all in arms reach was phenomenal.

They were aware that they were getting odd stares as they laughed and cried but none of them cared. Laxus kept trying to sit up but Bickslow and Evergreen kept pulling him back down towards them. Evergreen was chatting animatedly about how much they had both changed and how proud she was of them, her voice ringing with happiness and Freed knew that tears were falling from his eyes as he continued to hold onto them, chocking out laughter every time Bickslow yanked Laxus closer.

“I’m so happy you’re home.” Bickslow said again as the hysteria of their cuddle pile died down and they were all just lying with each other on the hard floor of the Guild.

“I’m happy to be home Bickslow, but you know I might not be able to stay, right?”

They all turned to look at Laxus then, stern looks on their faces which made him frown and raise his hands in defence.

“Nope. We’re not talking about that right now.” Evergreen snapped, flicking him on the nose.

“Yeah man, don’t go getting all broody on us or I’ll have to show you how much training I’ve done in seven years.” Bickslow was nodding enthusiastically as he spoke.

Freed merely smiled, sitting up a little so he could look at Laxus. “Don’t worry about that right now, you said so yourself Laxus, this is your home. I will talk to Makarov tomorrow. For now, just think of yourself as visiting and lets go enjoy ourselves.”

Laxus smiled at that, nodding and finally clambering to his feet. He reached out his hand to help Freed up and Freed pulled himself up with a grateful smile.

He was about to drop his hand when Laxus gave it the tiniest of squeezes, the others silent way of saying that he didn’t want to let go just yet. Freed felt a fluttering in his heart that he hadn’t felt in full force since he had said goodbye to Laxus all those years ago.

“Come on, lets get a drink.” Freed managed to say with some semblance of his usual confidence, leading Laxus over to where Kinana stood, still holding onto his hand.

Luckily for them both they didn’t notice the eye contact that Evergreen and Bickslow shared at this exchange before busting into hysterical laughter once again.

Chapter Text

That night descended into reckless drinking faster than Freed had expected, although he probably shouldn’t have been all that surprised. Seven years was a long time. The fact that they had missed so much clearly terrified those who had been trapped on Tenrou.

It was clear to all of them that drinking for an evening to stop their anxieties wouldn’t help in the long run, but no one had the heart to stop their friends. Everyone was together again, and just for an evening they could happily drink their worries away until they passed out merry and surrounded by family.

Freed himself was reasonably drunk, although he still had his wits about him. He was sitting beside Alzack who looked like he was about to fall asleep at any moment but kept jerking awake and looking over the hall frantically, relaxing with a smile every time he spotted that all their lost friends had returned.

He was tempted to send Alzack home after Bisca who had lost the coin toss and reluctantly left Erza to pick up Asuka from her baby sitters. Freed would have done so hours back except Alzack had insisted he stay to make sure everyone was okay, as those who had been left on Tenrou no longer had homes to return to.

They would make housing arrangements in the morning. Right now, Freed just wanted to enjoy the feeling of the Guild hall being full again. 

It was a strange sight, the guild this lively again, and he couldn’t help but smile fondly at the scene.

Mirajane was singing a rowdy song as Gajeel played the guitar terribly and people were dancing around as others just stood and talked to their old friends and tried to catch up with all the new news.

Freed was glancing at Levy who was doing a complicated sort of jig with Jet and Droy as they all giggled between them. He knew how much the other two had missed her and how much they had suffered without their best friend there. Everyone who had been present for those seven years kept shooting them glances. The wide smiles on their faces was a sight for sore eyes, he didn’t think the two could possibly look happier.

“Yo Freed.”

Freed looked up to see Natsu in front of him jumping up and down with excitement. Earlier he had been running around with Romeo on his shoulders, but it looked as if Macao had sent his overexcited son home for the night.

“Hello Natsu, having a good night?”

“Would be better if you showed me those new moves you’ve been hyping up.” He grinned, his arm lighting with fire in excitement for a battle.

Freed laughed, jumping up to his feet.

“I think our duel should be left for the morning.”

“Nope, lets go now!”

Drawing out his sword in a flash Freed moved his hand in a flurry of lettering before Natsu could even blink and as the other moved forwards to take a swing at Freed there was a flash and the air around him turned into water, scorching out the flames on his arms and drenching him as he ducked away from the punch nimbly.

Freed smirked, picking up a towel from the bar and throwing it at his head.

“Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Weaving past Natsu he walked through the crowd of people, feeling a hand grip on his arm. The hand belonged to Kinana, who was smiling sweetly over at him, her cheeks a soft red. “Play for me?”

Rolling his eyes, he sighed like it was a chore, although the fondness was clear in his voice. “I guess I could manage a few songs if you want. Only for you though.”

Kinana was a comforting presence. She didn’t speak much, similar to Freed when he had first joined the guild. He enjoyed spending time with her and admired her for continuing to work at the bar despite the pay not being amazing in the last few years. She was a good person and Freed was happy to help her out in any way he could.

“I’m glad you feel that way.” She smiled and Freed spluttered.

Oh, he had said that out loud. Perhaps he was more drunk than he had realised.

She tugged him towards the small raised platform Mirajane was stood on as she finished her song. Freed smiled at her, taking her hand and spinning her around which made her giggle happily. In the four months before the S-class test Freed had grown closer to Mirajane and he had missed her presence dearly in the guild. It had been hard without their honorary mother figure keeping them calm with a drink and an interested question.

“I’ve missed your singing.” He smiled at her

“I’m sure you found other ways to have fun sweetie.” She smiled, placing a hand softly on his cheek.

“That we did but we were nothing compared to you. Do you mind?”

She smiled at him, nodding slightly before dragging Gajeel off the stage using a demon arm. He chuckled as he watched her go before collecting his violin from the storage room at the back of the stage. He smiled as he walked to the side, Kinana standing in the middle of the stage, slipping off her shoes.

They were getting a few curious looks from those who hadn’t been around to see their usual performance for entertainment nights, but the others were smiling, and he noticed Alzack standing up and heading into the crowd with a loud whoop.

Ever so quietly Freed began to play a simple tune and the rooms lights dimmed around them. Kinana started to dance softly along to the sweet melody before he started to build it up louder and louder. With its volume the tempo increased, and that was when the complexity of the rhythm became something else entirely. Kinana let out a shout at one point, beginning to clap as she danced along with Freed, showing off her skill as her dress flew around her beautifully.

When the song came to an end Kinana bowed before turning to Freed. “Another!”

He rolled his eyes before lifting his bow once again. This time Kinana dragged Mirajane onto the stage with her and having not practised anything like this before it was hilarious watching Mirajane try to keep up with Kinana’s movement, but she looked like she was having so much fun. Freed was grinning as he kept up his music and when the piece ended he let out a laugh before bowing himself and handing back the mic to Mirajane.

Jumping off the stage he landed in front of Evergreen who was grinning from ear to ear. “You played in front of everyone! You never used to do that. I’m so proud of you Freed!” She practically shouted in his ear and he chuckled, turning to look at Laxus who was hovering over her shoulder anxiously.

“How much has she had?”

“Her little body can’t take it.”

“What did you say? I can take it and I’ll take you Mr Thunderdick. Outside, now. I’m going to fight you!” She shouted as she turned around to face him, holding up her fists threateningly.

The last time Evergreen had got drunk and challenged Laxus to a fight she had won, but only because she turned him to stone and then blacked out, so he instantly woke up from it. It had been a funny night, only a few months after they had formed their group.

Laxus had the same fond expression on his face now that he had had that night, when he had scooped her up and dragged Freed by the scruff of his neck back to their home.

“Come on Evergreen, I think you should go sit down.”

She glared at him before flouncing off, walking over to Cana who was drinking by the bar and startling her out of her glumness as she began to rant about something.

Freed laughed at the sight, joy twinkling in his eyes as he watched her looking no different from the last time they had seen her. It was a strange feeling, seeing her like this as if nothing had changed. Although everything had changed for him. He was older, much more experienced and much more protective of the rest of the guild. The idea of going out for long missions like they had before wasn’t something that appealed to him anymore.

He wanted to be close to the people around him and he no longer wanted the introverted life he had had before.

“Are you okay Freed?” Laxus asked, breaking him out of his trance.

He turned to look up at him, smiling a little shakily. It was even weirder having Laxus here, but he was so glad that his friend was back by his side.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Do you want to get some fresh air?”

Freed nodded, managing a proper smile at his words. “That would be nice.”

Together the two walked towards the door of the guild, sneaking out quietly. Instantly the noise from the hall dimmed and Freed let out a chuckle. “Come on.” He motioned towards the right and began to walk a little way away from the guild. He walked the two towards a slight clearing hidden by a thin layer of trees, but they could still hear the noises from the guild seep out towards them.

“It’s a nice evening.” Laxus commented, which made Freed raise an eyebrow at him.

Laxus had never been one for small talk and Freed wasn’t sure why he was attempting it now. Perhaps it was the oddness of the situation. Seeing him looking this different must have been an odd sight he supposed, but they had time to get comfortable again. Freed sank down on a log Laki had carved into a bench big enough for two, not retorting to his remark and simply smiling at the other.

Laxus sat down beside him without another word, still shooting Freed glances every now and then, between looking up at the clear nights sky.

The silence was nice, if filled with anticipation. They had so much to talk about but neither of them wanted to do it now. Freed would never be able to fill in the last seven years no matter how many questions Laxus asked and that knowledge weighed on both of their minds.

After a while of the two sitting in silence, the stars twinkling above them, Freed moved ever so closer to Laxus, resting his head on his shoulder. Without hesitation Laxus wrapped an arm around him, bringing the other closer to him and letting out a small sigh.

“Freed..” Laxus spoke his name softly, hesitation clear in his voice. “This is hard for me, I don’t want to rush anything.”

Freed let out a shaky breath, leaning in a little closer still. He couldn’t believe that Laxus had addressed his feelings, had expressed a weakness to Freed that wasn’t to do with his magic. Laxus was struggling just as much as he was.

“I still need to make it up to the Guild, and to gramps.” He continued, his head tilted upwards as he looked up at the sky. 

“I understand Laxus, you don’t have to explain it to me or to anyone else.”

They didn’t make eye contact, both simply looking up at the sky above them.

“I’m glad you stayed at Fairy Tail.” Laxus said, surprising Freed by taking hold of his hand. “Everything you’ve done..” He trailed off, unable to find the words or look at his friend.

Freed understood. He understood how hard it was for Laxus to show his feelings. He understood how weak the other must feel in that moment, having lost seven years while his friends had moved on without him. The weight of the situation was crushing, and they were both lost in the woods without the tools to express their thoughts and feelings.

So Freed took a steady breath, squeezing Laxus’ hand.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to talk now.”

Laxus hummed lowly, the two finally making eye contact.

“But we do need to talk. I’ve missed so much, we can’t pretend that seven years haven’t passed.”

Freed stayed silent for a long moment, the truth of it sinking in. He wanted things to just go back to the way they were, but was that even possible? So much had changed, he had changed. Freed wasn’t the man he had been when Laxus had been banished from the guild. Maybe the unnamed connection between the two of them would completely vanish now they weren’t what they had been.

The idea that he might have already lost his best friend because of something out of his control filled him with immense dread. The world wasn’t meant to do this. His choices were meant to dictate his life, not the whims of fate.

“Freed?” Laxus cut his internal panic short, although the dread still sent pain through Freed’s body, making it hard for him to even look at the other, despite the softness with which he said his name. “Like I said, we don’t have to talk now. We can just sit here.”

“Yeah, that sounds nice.” Freed spoke softly, finally relaxing against the other.

They were silent for a long moment, both simply looking up at the sky. Freed almost forgot that they were holding hands until Laxus squeezed his softly.

“I missed you.” Laxus was still using that soft voice Freed could hardly remember him using before this evening. It sent a warmth rushing through his stomach as he squeezed his hand back.

Things had changed. That much was obvious. However, perhaps it didn’t have to be a bad thing. Perhaps this change would be for the better.

“I missed you too.”

Chapter Text

Freed had woken from his alcohol induced nap laying curled up with Evergreen, a hand buried in her hair as they cuddled near the corner of the room. His back ached from the uncomfortable wooden floorboards, but he didn’t have it in him to complain as he shook Evergreen awake gently.

She sent him a glare as he grinned, pulling her up to her feet and sneaking through the crowd of still sleeping people to make his way over to the bar. A handful of people were already awake and chatting quietly as Mirajane made coffee.

Freed smiled as he hugged Ever from behind, listening to Warren talking excitedly to Gray about something or other. He wasn’t paying much attention to the words being spoken, instead too excited to be holding onto Ever again. Her hair smelt the same as it always did, and she looked relaxed despite her grouchy pout from having been woken up. The whole situation comforted him intensely.  

After about half a cup of coffee she began joining in on the conversation, quizzing Warren on the guild gossip that had happened in the past seven years and Freed felt so content. He didn’t join in with the talk, just listened quietly with his eyes closed, burying his head further into Evergreen’s hair.

This was until he heard a loud yell from the door. “Uncle Freed!”

Freed snapped his head up instantly, grinning as he looked at the small figure stood in the doorway. Not for the first time Freed wondered how such a small kid could make such a big noise, and he let go of Ever, turning to face the door as the blue haired boy ran over a pile of the sleeping people, waking up most of them as he neared the bar.

“Your sister had a kid?” Evergreen asked, raising an eyebrow at the little boy who had just accidently kicked Juvia awake in his rush.

“Not exactly.” Freed grinned as he heard an equally loud shout from the door.

“Laxus! What did I tell you about running off without warning me?” Bickslow shouted almost as loudly as his son, marching over their sleeping guildmates and following Lax even though Freed had already swept the boy up into his arms before hoisting him onto his shoulders.

“Leave him be, Bickslow. He’s just excited to see his favourite godparent.”

 “Laxus?” Evergreen spoke, her eyebrows shooting through the roof. “Godparent?”

Bickslow grinned, coming up to stand beside Freed and looking up at his son. “Yeah, so this is the big news I wanted to wait to tell you. Evergreen, meet my son. Laxus, this is your auntie Evergreen.”

Lax waved at Evergreen, a huge grin on his face. “It’s nice to meet you Evergreen! You can call me Lax if you’d like cause that’s what uncle Freed calls me! What sort of magic do you do? I’m gonna learn something flashy as soon as I can. Big brother Romeo is going to teach me! How exciting is that!” Laxus spoke in his usual rush, excitement in his voice as he looked over at Evergreen with wide eyes, gripping hold of Freed’s hair.

Evergreen’s face was getting more and more terrified as he spoke, and it was clear to everyone watching that she had no idea what to do. She kept looking from Bickslow to his son, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her.

“I.. I’m so happy to meet you Lax. I..” She finally managed to speak. Tears had started to pool in her eyes, but she blinked them away, an angry look crossing her face. “I just need to go do something real quick but I’ll see you soon okay bye.”

With that she was darting across the guild, almost tripping over Max before making it outside and letting the door slam shut. Freed and Bickslow stared after her for a second before turning towards one another.

“Warren, could you look after Lax for a little while?” Bickslow asked, picking Lax off Freed’s shoulders and giving him a kiss on the head. “I’ll be back soon Lax, why don’t you talk to Warren about what you’ve been learning in school.”

Warren looked like he would rather follow Ever right out the door than have to look after Bickslow’s excitable five-year-old while hungover, but he valiantly took hold of Lax and placed him up on the bar.

“Go on then, go after her.”

Freed and Bickslow didn’t need another word before they turned heel and ran. Neither was sure about why they were running. Evergreen must not have gone far, but she had her wings and they weren’t planning on losing her.

They didn’t need to talk to know where they would check first.

Whenever Evergreen got upset she would go sit at a certain spot by the river. She had once said it was because her mother swore that she had seen a fairy at that very spot when she was a kid, and ever since she had always found herself by its banks, looking for her own fairy.

As expected, Evergreen was sat at the river bank, her feet dangling into the water as she watched the river flow by. She looked like she had been crying and Freed couldn’t blame her.

They two silently made their way to the side of the river, sitting down beside her quietly. After Laxus had been banished from the guild they had come to this spot often, propping each other up as they watched the sun set. Now it was morning, the sun was high in the sky, but none of them felt any better.

It was Evergreen who broke the silence.

“This isn’t fair.”

The statement echoed in the morning around them.

There was something so childish about her words, about the phrasing of them, like she was furious at the world, or at them for leaving.

“You had a kid, you’re both so much older. Why didn’t you come back to us? God damnit. Now everything is ruined and..” The frustration in her voice was building in intensity and suddenly Evergreen was sobbing, holding her head in her hands as she continued to swell with anger. “I’ve missed everything. It’s not fair. It isn’t fair, why did it have to be you? I don’t understand. This isn’t fucking fair.”

Freed didn’t know what to say as he watched. He was at a loss of what to do, of how he could make this better. He felt useless. Yet again he was acting like a fucking disappointment to his friends and he could barely breathe, let alone articulate words.

He had been waiting years to have Evergreen back with them, but it had been so long and she was right. Why hadn’t they been on the island? And how the hell could he help her now when they had lost so much time.

All he wanted to do was cry and shout and hurt whoever had made the universe so cruel that they had taken his friends away for so long.

Luckily Bickslow was much better at handling other people’s emotions than Freed was, and he practically lifted up Evergreen, scooping her up and pulling her into his lap.

“Hey now Fairy Queen.” He spoke so softly that Freed could barely hear the words he was uttering. “The universe is a bitch and we can take it out on her later. But for now you just have to breathe.”

Bickslow demonstrated with deep, slow breaths, making eye contact with Freed as he did so.

The pain in his eyes made Freed’s throat itch, tears prickling in his own eyes. However, he pushed them away, kneeling down beside where Bickslow and Evergreen were, placing a hand gently on her shoulder and breathing along with Bickslow’s instructions.

After a while, when Evergreen had managed to even out her breathing, although she was still sniffling into her hands, Bickslow finally spoke again.

“The world has fucked us over Evergreen. We were separated for far too long, you’re completely right. It isn’t fair. But that doesn’t mean that hope is lost. Ever, you’re still my sister, you always will be. Seven years have not changed that, fifty years wouldn’t change that. Fuck, a hundred billion years wouldn’t change that Evergreen.” Bickslow pressed a kiss to her forehead then, and Evergreen finally pulled her hands away, looking up at Bickslow, her eyes still red and teary through her glasses. “It’s going to be okay. We have the future and we have the now, remember how when we were younger we only ever lived for the now?”

Evergreen let out a shaky laugh, nodding her head.

“No use in stressing about where you came from, especially considering we still want to make names for ourselves, yeah?” Bickslow said softly, brushing hair out of her eyes.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.”

Evergreen didn’t sound sure in the slightest as she moved forwards to hug Bickslow tightly. Freed thought back to when he had met them, to how little the two had showed that they cared about one another. When they had started the Raijinshuu Freed had not been aware that the two had grown up together and now he wondered how they had ever been so cold and stern in one another’s presence.

For a moment he sat back, feeling like he was intruding on something he should not be watching.

Bickslow was still speaking softly, running his fingers through Evergreen’s hair like he often did with Lax. His words were hard to make out from where Freed had moved, but he didn’t try to understand them, leaving them to the intensely private moment between the two.

Seven years had changed so much.

He was just glad that it hadn’t changed them.

Chapter Text

“You thought I had died, didn’t you?” Evergreen finally spoke as she pulled off her shoes, tossing them aside and ripping off her tights so she could dip her feet in the river.

She wasn’t looking at either of them, having crawled out of Bickslow’s lap and instead focussing intently on the running water below her.

Freed wasn’t sure how to answer her question and he spent a moment or two thinking, watching her carefully, before he finally spoke. “Sometimes we were sure of it, other days not so much. We tried to treat it like you were dead and move on, but we never could. We always felt like you would come back to us.”

“That was all we wanted.” Bickslow joined Evergreen in pulling off his shoes, splashing her a little as he spoke.  

“You’re both so much older. There’s so much about you that I don’t know.”

“We’ll fill you in.” Freed suggested, his voice sad.

“On seven years?” Evergreen laughed, wiping at her eyes. “I don’t think that’s possible. I should have been there with you, I should have been there for all this stuff. Bix, you have a kid and I’m just.. Exactly how I was seven years ago. I’m still pissed at Freed for picking you to be his S-class partner and not me because that was only a few weeks ago... I don’t know what I’m feeling.”

“That’s understandable, but we have time to work things out.” Freed tried to reassure her, but it was difficult. Things really had changed, and he wasn’t sure how easy it would be for Evergreen to slip back into their life as if nothing was any different.

“I guess, but where do you start? Also you know how jealous I get Bickslow. I bet you asked Darcy to be your best man, you did didn’t you?”

Bickslow chuckled, ruffling her hair fondly. “You think I’d replace you with Darcy as my groomsman? She’s not my partner in crime Ever, she was our older boring sis who we love to death but still.” He shook his head, looking down at her fondly. “Plus, me and Marty never got married, she hates that sort of thing. She’s so unfashionable too, if we ever do tie the knot you’ll be the one planning the wedding. She’d wear her overalls if she could.”

Evergreen was still pouting but she did look a little happier at Bickslow’s reassurance. She nudged him hard in the ribs, sending him a side long glance. “Still…” She looked like she wanted to say more, to continue bitching about the situation, but her curiosity clearly got the better of her. “So, you and Marty are in love huh?”

“They’re so hopeless Ever, you don’t know the half of it.” Freed smiled over at Bickslow, who had a slight blush on his cheeks.

“We met six years ago when me and Freed were travelling in Bosco to try and find Laxus. She challenged me to an arm wrestle in a tavern one night, then the night after and the night after that and she won every time. I challenged her every night for a week and when we had to leave I asked her to come with me.”

Bickslow had the fond smile on his face that he always had when he talked about Marty. She was petite but had strong arms from working with machines all day. She could rival Cana in a drinking competition and had the softest singing voice Freed had ever heard. In the time that Freed had known her she had become as dear to him as his own sister.

Marty had tilted her head to the side when Bickslow had asked her to leave with him and then downed the rest of her drink before declaring “Why the hell not!”

They were a match made in heaven and Freed still found it hard to believe that all it took was a week of arm wrestles and laughter for them to realise that they didn’t want to live without each other.

Marty had become a dear part of their life and so had Lax when he came along a year after they had met. Freed couldn’t be happier for them both and he knew that Evergreen was going to absolutely love her. He could see by the look on her face that she had already realised someone who could make Bickslow look that content was someone who deserved to be in his life.

“The rest just happened.” Bickslow smiled. “She’s the love of my life Ever. You’ll be begging us to get married after ten minutes talking to her.”

“As long as she wears a proper dress.” Ever chuckled, the tears in her eyes making it a little watery.

“We travelled all over trying to find Laxus.” Freed continued as Ever wiped at her eyes and steadied herself a little. She hadn’t asked for the whole story, but it was clear that she wanted to hear everything so nothing more could surprise her. “Almost half a year.”

Freed continued to explain how they had gone to every town in Fiore, how they had researched random fluctuations in storms to track him down. Together he and Bickslow had managed to find the course he had taken after leaving Fairy Tail and had followed it until it had run dry.

When they returned to the guild Macao had been appointed as Guild Master. From then on, they had started taking as many high earning jobs as possible, to both distract themselves from the pain of their loss and bring in enough money and interest to keep the guild running.

Every time they came back to Magnolia someone else had moved on. After a while it became impossible to stay at their old guild hall and they had had to move.

Laki had been placed in charge of the design. The carpenters she had once lived with had helped them put it together for free on the land that had once belonged to Ivan on the outskirts of the city. Perhaps it hadn’t been wise, but as it was technically still in the possession of the Dreyer family who had originally founded Fairy Tail, none of the council of Magnolia had complained about them constructing there. It had been a hard effort but they had all helped build a new guildhall from scratch.

He explained how Macao had not intended to rope in the help of any guild allies, but how one night Jura and Leon had turned up without warning and begun to help with the efforts of reconstructing their home. A friendship formed between the two strongest members of Lamia Scale and those in Fairy Tail who remained.

Jura had been encouraging, had suggested an alliance to help train those who wished to push their magic. He had often visited as the third year rolled around, encouraging Freed and Bickslow to aid the others in terms of training.

It was around the same time that Alzack and Freed had become fast friends. Bickslow was busy with Marty, the two looking after little Lax, and he had decided to postpone going on missions for the first year or so of Lax’s life.

Bickslow smiled as Freed spoke about this, ruffling Freed’s head. “I loved being a stay at home dad. The only problem was it forced our antisocial nerd to make friends.”

Freed rolled his eyes at this, nudging him in his ribs.

“So, one day I decided to go on a mission on my own and I almost got myself killed.” Freed shrugged, like it was no big deal. However, it very much had been.

A run in with an assassin’s guild trying to take out members of the council had ended badly. If it weren’t for Alzack being on a lower stakes quest in the same city Freed would have been as good as dead.

After Alzack sweet talked him out of a sticky situation, then saved his life countless times on the chase through the mountains, the two had come out of it as thick as thieves. Alzack wasn’t as loud as Ever and Bickslow had been on missions, and he seemed to understand Freed’s way of thinking. They worked well together, devising plans that weaponised Freed’s ability to set traps and Alzack’s knack for long distance scoping. It was an excellent partnership, and soon the two were going on more quests together whenever they came about.

Alzack had also encouraged Freed to take lower stakes quests. To spend time closer to the guild, and return home more often.

And home had begun to feel like home again.

With Alzack steamrolling him into friendship, in came Bisca. Bisca who was settled, and down to earth yet still had a mischievous eye that got her into trouble. Freed adored Bisca, and Bisca became an important part of his life.

Time moved on, the guild grew smaller and closer. Sunday dinners became a regular thing, Macao found housing arrangements for those who needed them. It was a warm New Years that year. The new Guild, the new friendships formed, the new children of the guild.

Into the fourth year things became hard again. A terrible defeat in the newly created Grand Magic Games lead to a significant decrease in quests and membership. Freed had gotten seriously injured going against a minor dark guild and in the months he spent recovering they had completely lost track of the tabs they had been keeping on Tartarus.

There had been good things as well, although they had been few and far between. Bisca and Alzack had announced their engagement and Warren and Max got hitched some point during their wedding reception. Lax was old enough to start visiting the guild and brought so much joy whenever he did.

In early spring Blue Pegasus had started research into the disappearance of Tenrou which was when Freed had gotten close to Hibiki.

“You’ve been dating people?” Ever interrupted as Freed mentioned this. “Openly dating guys? Freed that should have been the first thing you told me!”

Freed blushed at her comment, shrugging off the hug she tried to give him. He supposed that it was a big deal. Seven years ago he had been firmly in the closet to everyone except Bickslow, Ever and Laxus. He hated anyone mentioning his attraction to men and had spent a lot of time pretending he didn’t have feelings for anyone.

His year long relationship with Hibiki had had its ups and downs, but the relief that came from being openly with someone had changed Freed for the better. Hibiki had been a lot to deal with at times, he was loud and enthusiastic and Freed adored those qualities in him, but the pieces that had fallen into place when they started dating had changed by the end of it.

The following years had included a few reunions between the two, but it had not been serious since New Years two years ago and they were both better for it. He had tried to date a few people from outside the Guild community, but nothing ever stuck.

Freed knew why nothing had ever worked out, but he’d be damned if he was going to admit it out loud. Bickslow could send him as many pitying glances as he wanted, but Freed would never admit it to the other, or anyone else for that matter.

“After we lost the first games we spent most of our time just trying to keep afloat.” Freed continued with his explanation. “The years that followed were much of the same. Listening out for signs of Laxus, trying to research what had happened at Tenrou, learning how to keep the Guild from falling apart completely. It was hard, but it was life.”

Bickslow smiled at that, looking up at the sun that was now high in the sky.

“We could go on, but there’s not much more.”

Nodding at his friends words, Freed placed a hand on Ever’s shoulder.

“We never stopped missing you, you know that right? If we could go back and make sure you were there then we absolutely would. In a moment’s notice.”

Evergreen stayed silent for a moment as she looked between the two. For a second it looked like she was going to continue complaining, but instead of a pout, her lips twitched into a smile.

“I’m proud of you both.” Evergreen spoke warmly, taking hold of both their hands between hers. “A lot has happened… But if you are okay with it, would you like to be a trio again?”

 Freed had never heard Evergreen so vulnerable, and it hurt his heart to know how scared she was that she wouldn’t fit back into their lives. He felt tears prickle his eyes as he moved forwards at the same time as Bickslow, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Of course.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way Ever.”

Bickslow and Freed spoke at the same time as they held on tightly to their friend like she was going to vanish in their arms. 

Of course, there were more stories to be shared, and more explanation to be had, but they had time for that. Right now it was just enough that the three of them could simply be. That they could exist in orbit of each other, like nothing had ever been disrupted.

And for a moment, as the sun shined down on them, nothing had changed. They were just a trio of idiots who had decided to throw their lots in with an angsty teenage lightning mage. They cared about each other, and they would fight together, push each other to be better, bicker like siblings. Nothing could stop them.

They were together again.

Unstoppable.

Chapter Text

After collecting themselves and another few rounds of hugs, the trio finally decided to return to the Guild Hall to reunite themselves with everyone else they had missed. The journey back to the Guild Hall had been easier than their journey from it, but it was still a strange atmosphere no matter how hard they tried to pretend everything was normal. Evergreen was clearly still upset about the whole situation but was trying to put on a brave face instead of bitching, keeping faith that everything could go back to normal, which was weirder than if she had been complaining.

Still, the three walked together comfortably enough, Bicks chatting away about little Lax as they approached the Guild Hall. The place was crammed with people, and Freed wondered whether they would be moving back to their old hall sometime today. For now though, it was nice, seeing familiar faces etched in with the old.

As they made their way inside, Elfman joined the three of them, talking about how Lax was causing a scene to behold and Mirajane needed help. Evergreen and Bickslow followed him across the room to where Lax was tormenting a shaken looking Mirajane, but Freed hung back, noticing a familiar face stood awkwardly near the doorway.

Leon looked out of place stood to the side from Lamia Scale who were all engaging in conversations with their usual reckless energy. Leon was instead staring over at the bar, his anxiety clear on his face as he created little bursts of icicles with his left hand that he didn’t even seem to notice he was doing.

"What are you doing over here on your own?" Freed smiled as he approached his friend, giving his shoulder a soft squeeze to break him out of trance he seemed to be in. "You aren't going to welcome Gray back properly?"

Leon looked a little taken aback by Freed's words, a slight blush tinging his pale cheeks a soft pink colour that Freed very rarely saw. "I don't know what you mean. I'm not here to see Gray, Jura made me come as a display of good will."

Freed rolled his eyes, clearing his throat as he looked across the room.

“Well if you’re not here for Gray, I guess I’ll just ask him to come help me out with the chores I need to do today. I’m sure he’s not got anything better to do.”

Leon shot a glare at him, narrowing his eyes in the way the made Freed remember how dangerous his friend could be, except it only managed to bring a smile to his lips.

“Don’t do that.” Leon mumbled, his gaze flickering back to where Gray was sat.

"I won’t if you stop being a coward. You care about him and you're going to go talk to him, come on."

With a determined expression on his face, Freed grabbed hold of Leon and began pulling him towards the bar. The Guild Hall was packed with people, some still drinking, a great many visiting from other guilds, but it was still easy to get where he needed in only a few steps. Friendships were being rekindled everywhere he looked as he dragged Leon across the room, and it made him smile even as his fingers began to freeze a little as he approached Gray who was sat next to a grinning Lucy.

"Good afternoon you two." Freed spoke as Leon tried to free himself from his grasp. "I just ran into our second favourite Ice Wizard, he was hoping to speak to you Gray."

The look on Leon's face was that of pure anger which matched the wide-eyed shock on Gray's face quite nicely. Smiling to himself Freed loosened his grip on Leon as the other pulled free, his arm feeling as cold as ice as he did so. Leon looked like he was going to fight Freed for a moment before Gray let out a laugh, standing up and punching his friend on the shoulder.

"You missed me huh?"

Leon looked shocked for a moment before he turned to face Gray, pulling his expression into something less biting, but still just as cold as usual. "Not a chance in hell, I just wanted to see with my own eyes whether my competition is back to stay. But it seems like you’re not much of a competition now.”

Freed could see the fury bubble in Gray’s eyes as he stood so he was face to face with Leon.

“Take that back, no amount of training could get you to the level where you could beat me.”

“You wanna test that?” Leon smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Hell yeah I do.” Gray grinned, grabbing Leon’s arm and pulling him out of the guild hall, both of them grinning as they marched out of the room to show off.

A moment of silence passed as Freed and Lucy watched them go before the two burst into peals of laughter.

“What was that? Did that really just happen?” Lucy laughed, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “I swear, Gray is one of my best friends and I have no idea what goes on in his head.”

“Leon’s one of mine and I feel the exact same way. I’ll never get the competition thing.” Freed spoke, taking the seat beside Lucy and smiling softly over at her. The other looked so similar to how he remembered her. It felt so strange to lay eyes on her smiling again.

“How are you feeling?” Lucy asked after a moment of silence. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like.”

Freed shrugged, looking over at his friends. “I’m not one to lie, it wasn’t easy. However, we shouldn’t talk about that now, not when we should be celebrating that you’re all home.”

Lucy shook her head, turning to face him. “You guys suffered a lot. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I spent seven years thinking Natsu, Erza and Gray were dead and… You saw it happen. I mean, you and Bickslow were the only ones of us who..”

Freed sank a little in his chair as Lucy trailed off, reaching over to place his hand on hers. “It was a lot. This situation is not good for any of us. What matters is what we do with it now.”

Lucy nodded, taking a steady breath. “What are the chances my landlord still has my place?”

Freed sucked in a breath, knowing in his heart the chances were low. “We looked into all that stuff after about a year. Macao said that he was refused entry to collect your things. Your landlady is scary.”

“Huh, yeah, she really is. I guess I’ll go see for myself.”

Freed paused for a moment before nudging her shoulder. “Would you like some company?”

Lucy looked shocked at the suggestion, frowning up at Freed. He supposed the offer was a little out of nowhere as the two were hardly friends, and he had hurt her in the past. In her not so distant past he had to remind himself, even if it was so long ago for him. But Lucy was a good kid, and Freed knew what it was like to move to a town for a guild without so much as knowing a soul. To find that all this time had passed, it must be difficult for her.

She looked like she was about to turn down the offer, before she seemed to shake her thoughts away, sending Freed a grin.

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“And if it turns out you haven’t got a flat to speak of, there’s room in my place for a few others, although you may have to sleep on the floor. I highly doubt Evergreen will let you take the sofa. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she stole my bed.”

Lucy smiled at his words, letting out a small laugh as she stood up, linking arms with Freed as the two walked out of the Guild and through Magnolia.

The conversation was easy to maintain, the day warm and comforting as they took the scenic route through town. Lucy was asking questions about things Freed would never have brought up. About a well known book series that had been completed while she was away, about what Bisca and Alzack’s wedding had been like, whether Sorcerer Weekly was still publishing and if she’d missed anything interesting in its pages.

Freed was glad for the easy conversation. He was glad that Lucy seemed curious rather than disappointed at everything he said. It would take a while before Evergreen could ask questions and not be bitter by the answers, but Lucy was approaching the whole situation as if she were a researcher. Seeking information so that she could catch up as fast as possible.

It was a nice change of pace, and Freed was glad that she had taken him up on his offer.

As they neared the apartment however, she became much quieter, her nervous thoughts taking over. Freed knew whereabouts Lucy lived and as they approached, he slowed down their pace.

“Do you want to go in on your own? I can wait outside for you.”

Lucy nodded, glancing over the sight of the river and taking in a few steady breaths.

“You can do this Luce.” Freed spoke softly, squeezing her hand to break her out of her thoughts.

Smiling a little, Lucy nodded, squeezing his hand back before facing away from him and knocking at the front door.

Taking a seat on the wall that cut off the river, Freed waited peacefully for a few moments before he heard the argumentative voice of Natsu approaching. Turning to look at him he raised a hand at him and Happy, who was as always floating beside him, beckoning them over.

“Heya Freed!” Natsu shouted, running over to him with a spring in his step. “What are you doing here?”

Freed smiled, nodding towards Lucy’s apartment. “I was just escorting Lucy to her flat. She was terribly nervous about how her landlady may have reacted to her absence. Perhaps you should wait for her when she’s done? I’m sure she would appreciate your company much more than mine.”

Natsu shrugged, sitting down beside him. “We could both wait.”

“Of course, we can.” Freed smiled, looking over at the house with a fondness in his eyes. He wasn’t quite sure what to say to Natsu, but he was happy to sit in silence until the other raised his voice. Luckily for Freed Natsu was the type who wouldn’t shut up if you paid him, and he spoke up after only a moments pause.

“Do you think Macao will stay Guild Master?”

Freed shrugged, as Happy shook his head.

“I think Makarov will take over again Natsu! He’s much stronger than Macao is after all.”

Freed laughed at Happy’s bluntness, raising an eyebrow at him. “That very well may be the case, but they are both good men. Personally, I think Makarov wants someone else to take over, so Macao may remain in charge.”

“Do you still want it to be Laxus?”

The question was so sudden it struck Freed into silence, he blushed as he turned to look at Natsu, who didn’t seem to see the problem in his question. If Freed was being honest that was exactly what he wanted. It was why they had left to find him all those years ago, so he could build the guild into something powerful and respected again. Although, he wasn’t sure if Laxus would be able to do that now.

He wasn’t sure who could replace Makarov after all this time, but he knew that many of the others wanted him to return. Yet he was sure Makarov didn’t want the title. It wasn’t a question he knew the answer to right now, although his gut still believed that Laxus would make an excellent Guild Master one day. 

“I do not know, if I’m being honest. I would like him to return to the guild and that it all I can wish for at the moment.”

“Same! Laxus is so strong. He helped us out a bunch when we fought against Hades. I think he deserves to come back for sure.”

Freed smiled at his words, continuing to look over at Lucy’s house as he did so. “I would like to hear that story.”

Natsu and Happy looked like they were about to act it out when Freed caught sight of Lucy leaving the house looking less than pleased. Nudging Natsu in the ribs the two sprung to their feet, but before he could rush off, Freed took him by the shoulder carefully.

“She can stay at mine if she needs to. If there’s anything I can do to help you both Natsu, you know where to find me.”

 “Thanks Freed, you’re not so bad.” Natsu nodded, smiling at him before he took off after Lucy, Happy flying ahead of him as they made their way to her side.

Freed watched them go for a moment before he let them have their space, turning his back on the three of them as he began to walk back to the Guild Hall.

He wasn’t sure what to do now, as he walked away from Natsu, Lucy and Happy. He wanted to help his friends, his guild mates, but seven years was hard to comprehend. What they had all missed, how much he had changed, it collided messily. He knew they would find it hard to view him as he was now, and it was hard to understand that.

That for all his growth and dedication to Fairy Tail, for so many of them he would still just be the rune mage who had hurt them for Laxus.

Not for the first time since they had found the group on Tenrou, Freed wished things had been different. But it was the first time he began to realise just hurt he felt. How his heart ached to be understood.

To be able to be loved for himself, and not who he was seven years ago.

Chapter Text

Freed was unsure of where to go.

His mind was running in circles after Lucy, Natsu and Happy had left him at the riverbank. He felt agitated and directionless, which was a feeling he hated more than anything. And as of that moment Freed was of two minds, and neither course of action seemed wholly appealing.

One instinct was telling him to go back to the Guild, to find a job while no one was looking and get out of Magnolia so he could properly process what had happened in the only way he knew how. The other was telling him to avoid the Guild altogether, to let the others get back into the swing of things, give Ever a bit of time with Bickslow and just let the next few days play out as he watched from the side-lines.  

He wasn’t sure which decision was best, so Freed simply began to walk. He hoped that his legs would take him where he needed to be, as right now his brain was being no help at all.

Magnolia was always nice this time of year. With its warm climate people always tended to flock to the city on days like this, and there were markets lining the sides of the streets, bustling with life and undisturbed by his own confused thoughts. He felt himself drawn to a street performer stood on the pavement and bellowing a song as if she were at the opera. Freed paused to listen to her sing for a few moments, placing a few spare jewels in her hat before moving onwards, feeling a little lighter as he did so.

With his mind on the cheery tune she had been playing he didn’t realise he had been heading towards the old Guild Hall before he was stood right outside of it. And even then, he only realised because he practically ran into Macao and Wakaba who were stood side by side in the middle of the road.

“Hello Master, Wakaba.” He smiled politely before he heard the loud noises of fighting and his hand flew to his sword instinctively. “Is there trouble?”

Freed made himself aware of his surroundings as quickly as possible, easily catching sight of the destruction through the windows of their old guild hall. The glaring troll at the top of building seemed to be staring down at him, and he felt a surge of rage at the sight of it, feeling the itch to join in with whoever was fighting heighten in that moment.

“There’s no need to fight, Freed.” Wakaba smiled, blowing out smoke from his cigar as he looked up at their old guild. “We’re waiting for Makarov, Erza and Mirajane to clean things up. They’ve got it handled.”

“Feels like old times doesn’t it?” Macao hummed softly, the smile on his face warm as he looked over at the building.

“No doubt. I can’t believe everything that’s happened. You must be over the moon Freed. With Ever back and Laxus around again. After you searched so hard for him.” Wakaba turned to look at him curiously, raising an eyebrow in a way which seemed far more suggestive than Freed appreciated. 

Freed felt himself blush as he turned to look at the Guild Hall, cringing at the noise of a high pitched scream, followed by a clattering sound. “Of course. I’m pleased to have all of our guildmates return. And it is nice to have our old team reunited again after so long. I’m anxious to go on a mission soon.”

He smiled, although the warmth dimmed as he caught the look the two exchanged at his words. “What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing Freed.” Wakaba spoke, clearing his throat. It was obviously a lie, and he felt heat rise to his face as he began to glare at the two men.

“What did that look mean? I know your looks and that look meant something.” Freed straightened up, placing his hands on his hips as he watched them both carefully.

The two shared another silent glance between each other before Macao cleared his throat, looking at him with a small smile. “Well, we just thought that maybe you’d want to stay around for a bit.” Macao spoke softly. “With everything going on, we have some things to run by you.”

Freed narrowed his eyes even further, if that was at all possible.

The two men had always been so honest with him over the past seven years and it made him feel petulant that they were clearly keeping secrets from him now. Like he was some sort of child they were trying to taunt with their supposed superior knowledge.

Yet, the way they were doing it, their completely unsubtle way of doing it, meant that it wasn’t a secret they were planning to keep for very long. If he knew them as well as he believed he did it was probably because they needed to speak to someone else first, or else it was some lighthearted surprise party, which were both thoughts that made Freed relax just a small fraction.

God, it was hard to though. He felt so tense in his shoulders, as if he was ready for a fight at any moment. Relaxing hadn’t even crossed his mind.

“I would push you into telling me what you mean, but I can see when I’m outmatched by stubbornness.” Freed practically huffed after his words, running his fingers through his hair, missing the length he had once had in that moment. Freed stared between the two as the noise of fighting continued before them, waiting to see if they caved and told him anyway.

Instead Wakaba simply smiled, rising his cigar to his lips and taking another deep drag as he turned his gaze to the Guild Hall before them. “They’ll be at this a while, I think. But I have no doubt we’ll be back in here by the evening. After some debts have been paid.”

Humming in agreement, Macao took a step closer to Freed, squeezing his shoulder gently to get his attention.

“Why don’t you head back up to the guild? You can inform the others to head down here.” Macao spoke softly, the smile on his face content for what felt like the first time in years. “And then why don’t you go get some rest? You slept on the floor last night, and you’ve been taking on too much responsibility. Have a break from it Freed. We can both see you need it.”

The idea of having a break felt like an act too selfish to pull through on. He hated feeling like he was useless, but he knew he’d just end up intensifying the guilt he already felt if he stayed hovering around trying to help.  

What he really wanted to do was properly spend some time with Laxus.

It felt like they’d barely had a chance to talk, and a part of him was worried that Makarov would not allow him to return to the Guild, and that after all this time Freed would just lose him again. Freed could not lose him again, not so soon after he had come back. If Freed was being totally honest all he wanted was to spend every moment he could with the other, but he was still so worried for what that would entail. What if things were different?

He had tried so hard to forget his feelings, to push them away and make a name for himself away from them. If he simply went back to Laxus, who would he be in the eyes of the people who had been trapped on that island for seven years? Who would he be to the allies he had made in his dedication to forget the other?

Freed didn’t like making decisions when he couldn’t see the clear and obvious solution, and yet this didn’t have one. He knew it didn’t, and that he had to decide anyway. It wasn’t as if the world would wait for him to get his emotions in check.

Freed could feel the curious looks of his older friends as he stared off into space, his anxiety making him feel sick, yet he didn’t care. The other two had seen him panicking worse than this, at least his thoughts were staying firmly in his head where they could not be planted into reality and become actualised. Although maybe if he talked about it, he could get help. The idea of finally talking about what he was currently feeling to someone he trusted to understand was appealing to say the least.

“Are you okay there, kiddo?” Macao asked softly, exchanging another glance with Wakaba.

Freed couldn’t help but pull a face at the childish name, although it only lasted for a second before his face fell into something much more solemn. He looked up at Macao, who had always been a good friend to him, someone solid in the years of chaos, and for a moment he felt it all rising up inside him. His desperate need to talk about everything he was feeling.

All the guilt, the pain, the loneliness.

“I don’t know-“

As quickly as Freed began to speak he heard a loud crashing noise and he fell into silence. Quite suddenly there was a banging as the door to the guild burst open, throwing his train of thought as from the open doors a group of very injured members of Twilight Ogre ran from the building.

“And stay out!” He heard a loud shout by who he could only assume was Erza, who appeared at the doorway of the building moments later, looking as if no one had laid a finger on her. “That didn’t take as long as we thought, huh?”

Erza smiled ever so warmly as she brushed her hands together, not one hair out of place as she looked towards the three men stood in the road. She was beaming with joy, standing in the doorway to Fairy Tail as she let out a laugh. “We’re finally home.”

Freed felt his mouth close on instinct, pushing away the urge that had crept up in him to talk about how he was feeling. None of that mattered now, he couldn’t explain how he felt in front of someone like Erza.

“Freed are-“ Macao began, reaching out for his shoulder, but Freed was too quick.

He pulled a wide smile onto his face, clapping his hands together and hoping that the wetness in his eyes was not obvious to any of the people looking at him. “That’s simply excellent news. News which must be spread back to the others as quickly as possible. I’ll go on ahead, let them all know we can pack up and return to our home.”

He couldn’t make eye contact with Macao as he turned his back on them, waving for a moment before beginning to run back towards their Guild Hall. “Excellent news!” He shouted as he jogged quickly out of sight, hoping that he didn’t look as crazed as he felt.

Making his way back to the Guild Hall didn’t take very long, and when he arrived he was pleased to see that the majority of people were still mulling about. Gray and Leon seemed to be perched on the roof after whatever their fight had become. Bickslow was sat outside with Evergreen and his son, entertaining the two of them effortlessly as he got reacquainted with his sister. Almost everyone seemed to be accounted for in the grounds outside the Guild or inside the main hall itself, and it didn’t take long for Freed to track down Alzack and have the other help him spread the news.

Freed watched in an almost daze as his friends cheered and laughed and packed up whatever they would need from the Guild, talking animatedly between themselves as they meandered down towards their old home.

He almost felt as if he were a ghost watching it happen. Feeling as if he didn’t quiet belong to the scene, like he was intruding on some feeling that he was not entitled to feel.

It took about an hour for everyone to empty out, shouting about celebrating what was to come. In that time only Bickslow approached him, but Freed waved him off easily enough, sprouting some excuse about staying back to make sure no one left behind anything important.

It was a strange experience, to be sat in the Guild after everyone had left it. The place upturned and quieter than he’d ever known it.

He had had this fantasy before, of sitting alone in the abandoned Guild Hall, but it had always been a dreadful sort of thing. The inevitable feeling of dread that one day he would end up alone, the Guild abandoned, Fairy Tail lost for good.

It was strange sitting here in with that image in mind, knowing that this inevitable fear which had been looming over him had not come to pass.  

Now he was sat there with the knowledge that Fairy Tail was going to be just fine. He had completed his own mission, he had done everything he had set out to do. Protect, grow, cherish. He had done all of those things and the end result had meant his family had returned to him.

Yet, sitting in the dead hall all on his own, he couldn’t bring himself to be happy. Despite everything, there was a strange feeling of loss hanging over him which he couldn’t explain to himself, let alone out loud.

If he had to word this uncomfortable feeling churning in his stomach, if he had to explain it, it felt like he had lost his purpose.

It felt as if he had been holding up a wall from falling for such a long time. He had been holding back this destruction, and time had moulded himself to the wall, made himself one with it, changing under the pressure over time. He was no longer a man holding it back but had become part of the wall itself, a beam of indestructible stone. And now, after so long of holding back this wall he finally had the aid to right it. And now the wall wasn’t falling, but he was still stuck there with a singular purpose etched into his new form. But his position had not changed, he was no longer needed.

What was he to do now that the wall did not need support to stop it crumbling? What was he to do now his defining role in the guild was no longer necessary?

He protected Fairy Tail. That was his purpose, it had been his only purpose for so long. He wasn’t a father, he wasn’t a leader, he wasn’t the heart and soul and laughter that made Fairy Tail what it was.

No, Freed was that solid beam, and now he wasn’t needed.  

Could he go back to being what he had been? To taking S rank quests only when he was with Laxus? To terrorising dark guilds with Evergreen and Bickslow without being worried about retaliation on Fairy Tail? Could he return to his task of supporting his friends quest to become Guild Master, ignoring Macao, and Makarov and the potential of people such as Erza and Natsu? Could Freed really return to pining for Laxus hopelessly? To being nothing but a support for just one friend instead of all of the guild?

He wasn’t sure he could, but he knew he would have to work it all out sooner rather than later.

As Freed sat alone, he felt tears begin to roll down his cheeks and for once he let them fall.

It was only when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat did he begin to wipe them away, looking up at the source of the noise with a light blush on his cheeks.

When he saw Laxus stood in the doorway, he felt his shoulders relax a little, and he lowered his hand to properly look at the other, in all his awkward familiarity.

The two looked at each other in silence for a long moment, neither sure of what to say. Freed felt his mouth drop open to form some excuse for his tears but before he could say a word Laxus was holding out his hand for him, an open invitation for him to take it, to join him, no explanation required.

Freed said nothing as he got off the stage, walking across the small room before he took his hand firmly with his own, feeling everything start to slot just a little bit more into place.

“I don’t think I’m welcome at the old Guild.” Laxus spoke softly, finally breaking the quiet between them.

Freed looked at him for a moment, before he let out a watery chuckle, leading him out of the Guild Hall which had kept them as a family for so long.

“Well, you’re more than welcome at my place. Want to get something to eat there?”

Laxus smiled down at him as he followed, his voice soft as he asked quietly. “Do you still make that roast that I love?”

“For you?” Freed hummed like he was considering it, before turning to look back up at the other. “I think I can manage.”

Chapter Text

The walk back to Freed’s apartment was only a short one, and thankfully the two managed to make it home without being disturbed by anyone they knew.

It wasn’t that Freed was purposefully avoiding their friends, but he couldn’t help but feel relieved to make it back without running into anybody. Although he was sure no one would mind that he didn’t attend the second part of their welcome back festivities, he was sure he’d be dragged along if they’d been caught.

That and he knew that his eyes were still probably still a little red from the tears he’d shed earlier.

Laxus didn’t speak as he followed Freed, obviously lost in his own thoughts as the two walked side by side towards his new apartment.

It wasn’t new for Freed, but for Laxus it was very different from the small house they had once shared before he’d been banished from the Guild. Freed and Bickslow had had to give up the lease after it had become too expensive for just the two of them, and when Bickslow had met Marty Freed had downsized to a small apartment which was just enough for him and his books.

Seeing Laxus stood in it now was a strange sight, the other feeling almost too big for the small kitchen space he was currently assessing.

“I know it’s not much.” Freed shrugged, hanging up his jacket on the door before smiling over at the other. “But it’s home.”

Laxus looked contemplative for a moment as he curiously peered through the cupboards, his eyes searching for something in particular. It took a few tries before he found it, his lips gently tugging into a small but genuine smile as he pulled out a tattered old recipe book from one of the many drawers in the room.

“You kept this?” He spoke without glancing up at Freed, running his fingers delicately over the well-worn and stained to hell cover.

“Of course I did, Laxus. Your mother would haunt you if she found out you got rid of her family recipes. I knew you would return some day for it, and I’ve put them all to good use.”

Laxus had a soft look on his face as he surveyed the book, unable to look up at Freed as he let out a small chuckle.

“You know.. I left this in the house on purpose. I was planning on returning to collect it at some point, just so I could make an excuse to see you and Gramps.” His eyes were unreadable as he placed it back into the draw, turning to look at Freed for just a moment. “Sorry it took me so long.”

Freed stared for a moment, unsure of what to say, before he moved across the room, squeezing his shoulders so he could look at the other.

“You’re an idiot if you ever thought you needed an excuse to visit me.” He sighed, tapping the crease on Laxus’ brow to make the other relax. “Even if you are seven years later than planned, you’re always welcome in my home. Especially when your lateness is not your fault.”

Smiling warmly, he walked towards his living room, knowing the other would follow him to the small space. Again, it wasn’t as big as their old home, and it looked even smaller due to the insane number of things collected in it. Books in piles on the floor, a messy desk of notes and maps, clothes strewn about on the sofa. The place was clearly lived in, and Freed felt a little embarrassed about how messy it was compared to how he used to be when he lived with Bickslow and Laxus. It turned out that his compulsion to keep things clean had been more to do with living with other people and now that he was alone his tendency to get way laid had turned him into a bit of a slob.

“I’m sorry, I should have tidied before I left, but I didn’t dare to hope that we’d be bringing back anyone from the island.” Freed mumbled, walking further into the room.

“It’s okay.” Laxus replied, stepping into the room after him. “It’s really the last thing you should worry about.”

Freed pulled a face at that, still feeling guilty as he started to tidy up nervously, just for something to do so he didn’t have to look too long at Laxus in his new home. He moved some of the books off the coffee table to the side before picking up the pile of clothes on his sofa, about to take them to his room when he felt himself halt. There in the pile was his old coat. Still a shining red, still kept in immaculate condition despite the many battles it had seen.  

He had contemplated wearing it on the expedition to Tenrou, but something had made him leave it behind. It was a symbol of who he had been last time he had been on the island, and he’d spent most of the morning getting ready taking it off and putting it back on again. It felt soft in his hand and he couldn’t help but hold it close to him, turning to look over at Laxus as he did so.

Laxus had entered the room behind him and was currently eyeing up the art from Reedus that he had framed on the wall with an expression that was frustratingly hard to read. He felt like he was watching something personal as Laxus stared at the sketch of Alzack and Bisca’s wedding party, but the moment was soon broken as Laxus felt his gaze and turned to look at him.

Adopting a quick smile, Freed held up the jacket up for him to see, doing a quick twirl with it. “Would you feel more at home if I put this on?”

Laxus let out a chuckle as he watched him, raising an eyebrow at the other. “I don’t know why you ever took it off. I thought you told me it belonged to your dad, right?”

Freed smiled, unable to help himself slipping on the thing as he tossed the other clothes to the side, sitting down on the sofa and pulling his legs to his chest.

“Yeah, but it was more than that. I guess it sounds kind of stupid, but after a while me and Bickslow had to just get rid of our old looks.”

Laxus smirked, sitting down beside him, humming to indicate he was listening and getting him to continue.

“Well, we had this image of who we were. We were the Thunder Legion, right? But after about a year it became clear that we weren’t the Thunder Legion anymore. We weren’t your bodyguards because there was no you to protect, and without Evergreen we weren’t the three amigos either. Bickslow missed his sister, and the two of them had pretty much adopted me when we joined the guild around the same time. We were just… A unit, you know? Even when we were acting selfishly, we still did it all together.”

He sighed, leaning back on the sofa and looking up at the ceiling.

“And we had a whole thematic thing, didn’t we? The eyes, the costumes, playing on our villainous attributes, our carnival style. Maybe it was childish, but it was ours. We just couldn’t bare to hold onto it without her... Without you.”

Freed trailed off for a moment, only turning to look at Laxus when he felt the other gently run his hand along his arm, his eyes looking at the soft red fabric with an ever so slight frown.

“It makes sense… to get rid of the reminders. I wouldn’t begrudge you if you took it off and never wore it again.” He spoke softly.

A small smile graced Freed’s lips as he shrugged, pulling his knees closer against his chest as he watched Laxus quietly for a moment. The other was ever so gently running his fingers across his coat still, almost absentmindedly, as if he didn’t realise what he was doing. They sat close together on his sofa, not leaving room between them even though they could if they really wanted to.

It was nice. Just sitting with him like this. Like they had all the time in the world.

Freed supposed they did for the time being, although he wasn’t sure how long it would take before something interrupted their calm. For now though he was in no rush to move, or think of his next steps. It was good for him to think about these things, but with Laxus he could take it slow, and that was the best reward he could have asked for.

As Freed looked over at the other, he couldn’t help but study his expression closely, hoping to see some of the thoughts he kept locked safely in his brain. He seemed to be full of thought, although Freed couldn’t for the life of him read between the frown on his face and the sad look in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if his anguish was due to the time he had missed, or about his place in the Guild or any number of other worries that must be going through his friends’ mind. But he wished he could make it go away none the less.

Seeing him sit so quietly, his hand still on his arm, Freed wished he could help his friend even though he could hardly help himself.

After a while, Freed spoke softly, leaning his head onto Laxus’ shoulder.

“I still love this old coat.” Freed smiled, letting his eyes close for a moment as he relaxed against the other. “It’ll always be mine, but I just can’t bare to wear it every day. Although, if we’re being honest, I miss my hair. I always loved it long.”

“I never asked,” Laxus spoke quietly, shifting so his arm was around Freed’s shoulder. “Did you style it so it did the bolt thing? You never told me.”

At mentioning the lightning bolts Freed let out another laugh, hiding his face with his hands. “Oh, you had to ask that didn’t you? You know the answer so don’t go teasing me for it.”

Laxus let out a hearty laugh at his words, shaking Freed as he did so.

And ever so suddenly, Freed felt a not all too unfamiliar warmth filling his chest as he laughed alongside Laxus.

For a while the conversation evolved into something more lighthearted and teasing. The two friends talked and joked before they made their way into the kitchen, making food together and continuing their conversations.

The afternoon fell into evening and no one had interrupted them.

Freed was grateful for the time with his friend, and over the course of the evening they found themselves falling into a familiar, yet unfamiliar pattern. It was as if they were picking up where they had left off, but the changes Freed exhibited were easily evolved around. It felt easy, which was more relaxing than anything else could have been.

And for that evening, for that moment it simply felt as if everything would fall back into place.

Chapter Text

Freed woke up to the sound of his doorbell ringing softly. It was a quiet sound, but one he was accustomed to, and it woke him up instantly from the first restful sleep he’d had in a long time.

After sitting down to eat, he and Laxus had migrated back to the sofa, and at some point in the evening they had fallen asleep leaning on each other like they were kids at a sleepover. He wasn’t sure which one of them had fallen asleep first, but he was thankful to wake up to the warm sensation of his friend sleeping beside him.

Freed very carefully sat up at the noise, trying not to disturb Laxus who seemed to be in a heavy sleep. He was laying very close to Freed, making a low noise that sounded a little like the rumbling of thunder.

Freed found he couldn’t stop smiling as he carefully escaped the arm that had been holding him. For a moment it looked as if Laxus might wake up, but then the moment passed and he settled again, his breathing heavy as he adjusted to a position without Freed curled up against his side.

Almost silently Freed tiptoed through his apartment, opening the front door to find a more than slightly panicked looking Evergreen staring up at him. Her eyes were red from tears and she smelt of alcohol. Freed instantly felt something deep in his gut sink as he took in how upset she seemed.

“Hey Freed… Can I crash here?”

Freed didn’t answer for a moment, simply stepping forwards and pulling her into a crushing hug. Evergreen seemed to sink into the feeling of his arms, taking in a shaky breath that could have easily been mistaken for a sob.

“Of course, but only on the condition that you tell me what happened.”

Evergreen let out a groan of protest, pulling back to look up at him. “Can we at least do it inside?”

Freed nodded, walking up the stairs and into the kitchen where he shut the door to the living room quietly, hoping they wouldn’t wake up Laxus. Putting some hot milk to heat up on the stove he watched Evergreen settle down on the table, her eyes peering about the room in curiosity. Freed glanced at the clock for a moment, seeing that it was almost three in the morning.

He didn’t push as he began to make them both hot chocolate, instead moving around her in near silence, letting Evergreen discreetly rub at the tears still staining her eyes. It had been a long day, she looked a mix between distraught and exhausted, and Freed felt his heart go out to her. No matter how hard this was for him, he knew she was struggling more. Evergreen always tried to be strong, to be rude instead of vulnerable, to not let anyone know her weaknesses, but Freed knew. He knew that she was scared, and he knew that she was even more scared of someone realising she was scared. It was an endless cycle of fear she had spent years covering by maintaining her ice cold heartless image.

As he sat down beside her, passing her a large mug of hot chocolate, she finally looked up at him, a small smile of thanks on her lips before she dropped her eyes back down to the table.

“I couldn’t stay at Bickslow’s.” Evergreen finally spoke, her voice quiet. She paused for a long moment, before taking a deep breath. “I thought that if I could hear everything that had happened it would be okay because then I’d know, and it would be like I hadn’t missed anything, but it’s just… It isn’t the same. He’s changed so much.”

Freed knew that Bickslow had changed. Not just in his appearance and in his mannerisms, but he’d changed his wants and desires as well. Freed had been there for all of it, for seeing Bickslow struggle with parenthood, of seeing him go from drinking late all night to family dinner that finished by nine. He’d been there for everything, and for him it almost felt as if he hadn’t changed at all, because the two had changed together.

But that wasn’t the case, and he knew that Evergreen could see these changes more clearly than anyone else. Bickslow was a different person to who he was seven years ago, and Freed had been proud to see these changes in him. Bickslow had flourished over the years.

He had really come into his own with fatherhood. His weird quirks were used in jest. They were used to play and laugh, and he’d honestly become one of the most dependable guys Freed knew.

“I’m sorry Evergreen.” Freed sighed, letting his hand rest on top of hers between them on the kitchen table. “I know it isn’t going to be easy.”

“It just feels so unfair Freed. Why didn’t you come back to the island? Why was I the only one of us three to get left behind? Why did you get to create these amazing lives for yourselves without me in them?”

Freed had been asking himself similar questions for years now.

Why had he not gone back? Why had he not gone to the island earlier? He could have helped, or at least died with his family. Could he have done something? Could he have protected them? The questions had haunted him since the moment he had woken up on the shores of Fiore.

His rune magic was about protection. It was about defences and wards. He spent years wishing he could have gone back and changed it somehow, but it hadn’t worked out like that.

Hearing Evergreen vocalise these questions was hard to bear. He wished he had an answer for her, or that he could say anything to make her feel better, but he’d spent years searching for these answers, and he had found nothing.

It wasn’t fair and there was no reason behind it. It was just a thing that had happened, and it had changed how they would all be for the rest of their lives.

It would affect the whole of Fairy Tail and everyone who had been left behind, but for the four of them it was different. They had been split up. Their team had been broken apart and it would never be quite the same, even though they so desperately wanted it to be.

“I think...” He withdrew his hand, taking his mug and sipping at it slowly. “I think it didn’t happen for any reason Ever, I think that maybe it just happened. Or…” Freed let out a deep sigh, unable to look at her. “Or perhaps it happened because of what we did. Maybe the world wanted us to pay for betraying our guild like that. Maybe this was our punishment. I used to think that sometimes, surviving was my punishment. A punishment to make me see how wrong I had been, how following Laxus was the worst decision of my life.”

Evergreen was looking at him with a sadness in her eyes, but also recognition. She had always been too proud to properly apologise to the people they’d hurt when they’d pitted their friends against each other. But he knew she regretted it. They all did. Maybe the same thoughts had come across her mind when she woke up on Tenrou to find out that Bickslow and Freed had aged and she’d been left behind.

Maybe they were right, maybe they weren’t. They’d never know if this had been coincidence or punishment. But no matter what the guilt would remain.  

“We did those horrible things to people who would have fought to protect any one of us.” Freed spoke quietly, his heart hammering in his chest as he finally spoke his mind to one of the few people who would really get it. “It was only months ago for you Ever, but it was years for me and I still think about it. It still haunts me, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for everything we did. I put Elfman through excruciating pain, I made Mirajane watch me do it. I attacked Alzack, you know? Alzack who has been nothing but supportive of me for years now. I was his best man. I did all those horrible things because I decided that I would follow Laxus to the ends of the world if he asked me, no matter what. I can’t forgive myself for that.”

He sighed in frustration, standing up from his seat and beginning to pace the small kitchen, his hands running anxiously through his hair.

“And you know the really awful thing? Looking at him now, after all these years I still feel that I would do anything he asked me to. All he would have to do is ask and I’d be right back to where I was then. You think we’ve changed and maybe Bickslow has but I’m starting to realise that I haven’t. Not really. Not when it comes to Laxus. And I hate that he has this pull over me, I hate him for it. It was so much easier when I could just hate him for leaving and not feel like this. I hate that he does this to me Evergreen.”

He looked over at her, her eyes following him around the room with an unreadable expression as they both fell to silence. For a long moment Freed looked at her, his breathing calming down. He hadn’t realised how heated he’d got until she was looking at him, her eyes unreadable.

“Sometimes I think it would just be easier if he’d never come back.”

The two stared at each other for a long moment after the words slipped from his mouth. This was all just too much for Freed. It was too much, too soon and he had no idea how to handle all the emotions that were tumbling around in his head.

After a long while he lowered his eyes from her, the fight going out of him as he sank back to the seat at his small dining room table. The silence drew on for another few seconds before there was a loud creaking noise as Evergreen pulled her chair next to him, resting her hand on top of his.

“You’re still in love with him, aren’t you?”

It took all the courage Freed had to look up at her, unable to answer a question that used to be so simple.

After all that time away from Laxus he had been so sure he’d moved on. He had thought the other had betrayed the guild in refusing to come back and help them in the time that they were most in need. It had been so easy to deny those feelings then.

Because the two had never dated, they had never been together like that, but Freed would be lying if he said that there hadn’t always been something unspoken between them.

On late nights, when it was just the two of them, there was something that lingered in between soft touches and wordless conversations. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t felt it again earlier that evening.

And maybe he hadn’t stayed in love with him over those seven years. Freed had dated, had loved and had his heart broken in turn. For a moment over all those years, he had even considered buying a ring for Hibiki, but hadn’t there still been a part of him, the same part that had continued to hold onto the hope of the others being alive, which had continued to love Laxus?

But he simply couldn’t say it out loud. Not to Evergreen, not when it was so ridiculous for him to still be harbouring feelings for a man he hadn’t known in seven years. It was painfully embarrassing in a way which made him feel ridiculous.

Once upon a time Freed had felt such pride in defining himself by the man sleeping soundly on his sofa. It had been his purpose, his goal. But now, feeling driven by that love once more, it felt wrong. It wasn’t who he was anymore, and yet they had a second chance at something which once could have been everything to him.

“I don’t know.” He settled for, which he supposed was the truth. He didn’t know how he felt.

Even as he said it he could tell that Evergreen didn’t believe him. His feelings were surely written on his face clear as day. He did know. In his heart he knew what he wanted, he just couldn’t say it.

He had been in love with Laxus for as long as he could remember. And it turned out that seeing him again had once more unlocked those feelings. Now they weren’t covered by a layer of betrayal, now he knew the truth, all he wanted to do was pull the other into his arms and never let go again.

He loved Laxus. Wholly and completely.

But was that enough?

Freed wished he knew the answer to that question.

Right now he did not. But what he did know was that it certainly wasn’t the time to be mulling over his complicated feelings. It was late and he was tired. Evergreen needed to sleep as well, so she could properly deal with her feelings in the morning. This was hardly the time to be talking about his feelings for Laxus, and the pain that they still caused him.

“Look, Ever, I think you should sleep.” He stood up, running his fingers through his hair and glancing around the room. “We can talk more in the morning, but I think a good nights sleep will do us both the world of good.”

Evergreen looked like she wanted to protest for a moment, but then she let out a sigh. “Sure thing, Captain.” She smiled, standing from her own chair and walking to his side. “Just, promise me you won’t ignore this? You need to deal with your feelings.”

Freed smiled softly, nodding his head. “Anything for you Ever. Now, lets quietly get you to my bedroom, Laxus is sleeping on the couch.”

For what was probably the first time that evening, Ever let out a smile before wrapping her arms suddenly around Freed. She let out a deep sigh, burying her head into Freed’s chest.

“After all these years you’re still the best friend I’ve ever known.” Evergreen mumbled quietly before pulling back, sending a wink over her shoulder and quietly opening the door to the living room.

Freed paused for a moment, watching her go. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen with Laxus, but he knew they needed to talk about it. Without knowing how the other felt it was all simply unspoken, and after seven years of practically hating his best friend, he knew he couldn’t live with unspoken anymore.

His thoughts were cut short however as he heard Evergreen call his name from the living room, a sense of urgency in her voice.

“Shh, Ever, Laxus is sleep-.” Freed whispered as he walked after her, but his words fell short as he joined his friend in the living room.

The space on the sofa where Laxus had been sleeping was empty. There was a leftover taste of static in the air, and a note in Ever’s hands.

The two made eye contact for a long moment, before she held out the piece of paper, carefully folded in half.

Freed felt his heart begin to race as he cautiously took it. His eyes glancing around the room, empty except for Evergreen with her eyes full of pity. The gears in his brain caught up before his heart did, and he heard his loud words echoing in his mind as he looked down at the note in his hand.

I’m sorry I keep hurting you. You’ve become a better person without me. Don’t try and find me this time.

As he looked down at the familiar handwriting, Freed felt tears filling his eyes. What had happened in Tenrou, losing Laxus in that way, that hadn’t been his fault. But this?

There was no one else to blame. Laxus was gone. And it was his words that had driven him away.