Chapter Text
While Natsu’s team went to train at the beach, the Thunder Legion headed deep into the mountains to a house that Freed had suggested. Their home for the next few months sat at the end of the long road, past a tiny village that clung to the side of the mountain.
The mountain setting was beautiful, but more importantly, it would be isolated. Surrounded by nothing for miles meant that the team could train without fear of harming locals or destroying private property. It also meant they would get to spend their nights in actual beds, so no one complained. When they asked him how he knew the place, Freed wouldn't answer. The others were used to his stoicism, so they stopped asking and let him lead them past the village, farther up the mountain to where the road ended.
“This is the little cottage you knew about?” Evergreen asked with a raised eyebrow. She looked up at the manor that towered over a pristine lawn, complete with hedge animals and rows of perfectly manicured roses. Ornate columns stood either side of a marble staircase that led up to a large porch and it’s intricately carved front door. One glance at the building told her that it was owned by very old money.
“I never said it was a cottage,” Freed muttered as he led then up to the porch.
Before he could touch the doorknob, the manor's door was opened and in the doorway stood a short man with dark brown hair combed over his very balding head. He stood with a stiff back and nose in the air, wearing a pristine uniform. He looked over the thunder legion with a quizzical eye then his gaze settled on the greenette captain and joy spread onto his pinched features. “Master Albion! Welcome home sire.” He bowed deeply and stepped aside to let them in.
“It's Freed actually.” He answered stepping past, face neutral despite the torrent of emotions flooding him from being back after so long. “This is Evergreen, Bickslow, and Laxus Drayer. Everyone, this is Mr. Thatch. He runs the house.” He introduced them as they stepped inside, eyes roaming the entryway.
“Yo! We've got a butler for the next three months?” Bickslow asked, “You sure know how to spoil us baby!” His totem dolls bounced into the room after him. Each voiced their agreement while his tongue lolled out of his mouth in his signature grin.
Mr. Thatch ignored the seith mage and turned to Freed, “Master Albion, I hope your trip was pleasant. I have made up the guest rooms on the east wing for your companions to choose whichever is to their liking.”
“He said his name is Freed.” Laxus stepped up closer behind Freed, towering over both him and the tiny butler who shrunk a little farther at the gaze leveled at him. Laxus had heard the quickening of the usually so calm rune mage’s heart. His face never showed anything, but the rush of adrenaline that Freed had felt since the door opened concerned Laxus. He didn't like how much fear was in the mix.
“I do apologize. Master… Freed, which rooms shall your companions be occupying?”
“Whichever rooms they would like.” Freed answered, grateful for the dragon slayer’s sharp but well-meaning defense. He wondered if the old Laxus would have even noticed.
“I had the master made ready for you, sire.” Mr. Thatch started, “It seemed most appropriate since you are the master of the house now. With your mother gone and your father...”
“No.” Freed cut him off. The others looked at him shocked. Freed never cut someone off. It was against the rules. “I am not the master of this house. Merely the current owner. But thank you, I am sure that Father’s room will be fine. Please excuse me.” He slipped up the stairs without another word.
Mr. Thatch bowed as he left, then turned to the others and broke the silence that had fallen, “Which of you would prefer a balcony view?”
Bickslow and Evergreen looked at each other momentarily before they bolted up the stairs to claim their rooms. Thatch followed, chuckling at their joy.
Laxus followed last. At the top of the stairs, he could hear the others arguing about who got which room to his left, so he turned to the right. He stopped at an ornate door and looked inside. The room was beautifully decorated, but Laxus only cared about the massive bed that was in the center of the room. He had never seen one that large before.
“You have a good eye. That is the master suite.” Freed’s voice came from behind him.
“I can tell.” Laxus commented, turning to look at Freed.
His expression was neutral as usual. “Mother always did like comfort.” He chuckled to himself.
“What about you?” Laxus asked. “Aren't you in the master suite?”
“Father slept next door. The bed is smaller, but I shall be content. Will my being so close be an issue?”
Laxus actually liked the idea of Freed being close. He wasn't sure how to voice that though. Ever since they'd come back, and reality settled in, Freed had been almost distant and Laxus didn't like the change. “It's cool. Just means I've got you looking over my shoulder.”
“I will always watch your back.” Freed assured.
Laxus smiled down at him. Neither one spoke for a moment, both standing in the doorway until Laxus grunted, “What’s in that room?” He pointed across the hallway to an open doorway.
“That was my room.” Freed explained while Laxus peeked inside.
Laxus saw the small twin bed against the wall, surrounded by bookshelves. “You can’t sleep in there, Freed! You’ll hurt yourself without a good night’s rest.” He then paused, unsure how to phrase his offer in a not creepy way. His time in exile had made him realize a lot of things but now was not the time to mention them. “You could… I need a king for the length. Not the width.”
Freed gave an appreciative smile that always made the blond’s chest feel warm. “Thank you for the offer, but I have taken Father's room. It is to your left. This is my childhood bedroom.”
Laxus took a longer look at the room, noticing the small details of Freed’s childhood. Toys tucked onto the shelves, scribbled runes on the desktop and a small collection of rapiers, child sized. He also noticed the layer of dust on everything. “Why's it look abandoned?”
“Because it was.” Freed’s voice was almost sad as he watched Laxus.
“Freed… What happened?”
Freed paused. He couldn't lie to Laxus, but he also couldn't find the energy to bring up his past. It was likely that the truth would come out eventually, but they hadn’t even been in the house an hour. What if they learned and left? Would they abandon him if they knew?
He was saved from answering by a high-pitched squeal, followed by a crash, then a fit of giggles. The pair looked up to see Bickslow laying at the end of the hallway upside down with Evergreen smirking down at him, hands on her hips. She had won the battle of the balcony.
Laxus opened his mouth to speak but Freed was quicker. “I will let you get settled.” He ducked away towards the nearest door. It was his childhood bedroom. Once he turned the lock, Freed slid to the ground and sighed out the tension that had begun to build in his shoulders since the house had come into view.
Everything else was gone after 7 years on Tenrou, every scrap of memory that he had cared about was lost. Not this house though. No, he still had the house just like his mother had promised. This house and these memories… Tears stung at his eyes, but he fought them back. It was just a building, he reminded himself. It was four walls to shelter his family while they trained for the Grand Magic Games. After that, he would sell and then forget once again.
Are you afraid of what they will discover here? How long until they learn who you really are? Will they still love you then?
“Leave me alone, Darkness.” Freed muttered.
He sat on the floor, drawing runes in the dusty floorboards. Of course, they hadn’t cleaned in here since he left. Mother wouldn’t have allowed anything to be changed. The room felt frozen in time except for the posters that had started to peel away from the walls. He laughed at the sight of a pre-scar Laxus glaring at the camera on the cover of a very old Sorcerer Weekly. Freed tried to remember if he had a crush back then too or if it was just a coincidence. Either way, he was grateful the real Laxus hadn't noticed. The wardrobe was still half open, empty but for a few forgotten articles. Faded papers sat on the desk, half written and splashed with a pool of now dried ink. Old photos smiled up at him from behind the glass frames. Pain jolted him toward the desk. He wretched open the drawer and swept his arm across the surface, dragging everything into the drawer before slamming it shut.
Laxus froze when he heard the glass breaking across the hall. Should he knock or pretend he didn’t hear anything? When the soft sobs followed, he knew that Freed wanted to be alone. He slowly returned to unpacking, wishing he was in the other room instead.