Chapter Text
Laxus groaned as he walked to the small kitchen in their cottage. It was entirely too early for him to functioning. He never woke up before Freed, and yet here he was, the first one up, everyone else sleeping soundly. He knew part of it was that they were pushing their limits, using much more magical power than they were used to, draining themselves. It was the only way his team knew how to train. IT was something they had all agreed on when they were younger. No one got anywhere through baby steps. Unfortunately, this also meant they were all exhausted. After three months of rigorous training, even Laxus was beginning to feel the effects. None of his team mates could fight on his level and yet even sparring with them was beginning to exhaust his magical energy.
Laxus searched the kitchen finding the coffee that Freed was always drinking. It seemed some days he needed it even more than usual. Before they left Freed barely drank coffee, having always preferred tea, but since beginning their training he drank multiple cups a day. He brewed two cups of coffee, one for him and one for Freed, leaving Freed's to keep warm on the lacrima. He would certainly need it when it woke up, especially since he was sleeping so late. He look a long drink of his coffee, pausing as he noticed the communication lacrima was beginning to glow, as if someone was trying to reach them.
Laxus walked up, putting his free hand on it slowly. He bit back a groan as he saw that his grandfather was on the other side of the lacrima.
"Good morning Laxus."
"Mornin' old man."
"I'm afraid I'm going to need you to return to the guild sooner than expected," Makarov began and Laxus blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"I gave everyone three months to train for the Grand Magic Games, and I know they are only two weeks away, but I need you to return soon," Makarov said.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything is fine," Makarov told him. "There's just a few things I need to go over with you. It would be easier to talk without the whole guild around."
"I guess I'll tell everyone we need to pack up when they wake up then."
"I was quite surprised to catch you up," Makarov state. "I thought I would be talking with Freed."
"He's still asleep."
"Well, don't rush them. Just so that you're back before everyone else."
Laxus opened his mouth to reply but before he got anything out Makarov had cut off the connection. He walked away from the Lacrima with a sigh. He knew Eliana would not be happy about cutting their training short. She had already grown by leaps and bounds in power for a dragon slayer her age. There was nothing to be done about it though. The old man wanted them home for a reason and Laxus wasn't going to keep him waiting.
"What's going on Laxus?" Freed asked as he walked into the room with a yawn.
Laxus turned to look at him with a smirk. It wasn't like Freed to sleep in, and it was even more rare for him to look so casual. It was obvious he'd just crawled out of bed. His long green hair was flattened, without a trace of his signature lightning bolt style, and he was dressed in a pair of simple pajama pants. It was a side of Freed he wasn't used to seeing and he was going to enjoy it while it lasted. Freed was usually up, showered, and dressed by time he managed to crawl out of bed. Laxus found both sides of Freed equally irresistible.
Freed finally raised an eyebrow at him reminding Laxus that he still hadn't responded to Freed's question. He cleared his throat slowly glancing away from him.
"The old man wants us to go back to the guild."
"Early? What for?"
"I didn't ask. Just told him we'd be on our way home."
"I better go pack then," Freed said with another yawn turning to the bedroom.
"That's it? I don't even get a "Good Mornin'" Laxus asked with a smirk.
"Not until I've had coffee."
"It's on the counter."
"God, I love you."
Laxus laughed loudly as Freed changed directions walking towards the small area designated as a kitchen in their cottage.
"Glad to know the little gestures still count," he called out.
Freed chose to ignore him as he poured his cup of coffee.
"Don't rush on packing. He doesn't want us back for a few days yet. We can still get another day or so of training in before the Games."
"What's one day going to do? You still blow the rest of us out the water," Freed replied walking back to him. "I didn't realize how much stronger you'd gotten in your time away from the guild."
"Neither did I, honestly."
Freed smiled slowly sipping his coffee as he sat on the arm of the sofa.
"Eliana's gotten a lot more advanced as well."
"I think she might even be able to defeat Wendy."
"That...might be pushing it Laxus. Wendy is five years older than her. Eliana may have been born a dragon slayer, but she didn't start training until she met you."
“She’s a lot stronger than anyone thinks.”
“I'm sure she is, but I wouldn't want to throw her into battles at her age.”
“It was hypothetical,” Laxus muttered.
“If you say so.” Freed responded with a smirk going back to his coffee.
Laxus sighed shaking his head. He had been mostly joking about having Eliana battle with Wendy. He wasn't ready to see Eliana face the dangerous battles most wizards were faced with. The idea frightened him more than he cared to admit.
“I'm going to go pack. We might as well head back as soon as possible. You should probably go let Eliana know.”
“Alright,” Laxus replied getting up.
Freed grinned up at him as Laxus leaned down to kiss him.
“I'll be back to help you shortly."
"Uh huh, I'll see you in a few hours," Freed said with a smirk as Laxus walked towards Eliana's room.
Laxus laughed softly knocking on Eliana's door. He waited silently as he heard her feet shuffle across the floor. He would have felt bad about waking her, but thanks to his increased hearing, he'd heard her moving around in her room when he was talking to his grandfather. The door finally opened, and Eliana stood blinking up at him in her nightgown, her curly blonde hair a tangled mess on top of her head.
"Mornin' papa," she said around a yawn.
"Mornin' kid."
"Is something wrong?" she asked looking up at him blearily.
"Not really, but when you finally get woken up, me and you gotta pack," he told her.
"We're leaving?"
"Your great grandfather wants us back at the guild."
"But..."
"I know, you like it here, but the old man says it's time to come home."
Eliana crossed her arms, beginning to frown, and Laxus began to wonder at the wisdom of giving her bad news first thing in the morning. Eliana was even less of a morning person than he was, it took ages for her to become function. Laxus wasn't sure if it was a dragon slayer trait or a Dreyar trait. Somehow he'd definitely passed it on to his daughter while he was frozen on Tenrou Island.
"You can go back. I'll stay here with Freed." She announced turning to walk back into the bedroom.
"Eliana..."
"No. I like it here. I'm learning magic, and I'm not going to stop. Great Grandpa probably just wants to talk to you anyway. I can stay here with the others."
Laxus went to follow her into her room, but was stopped by the door slamming in his face. He blinked slowly, staring at the door in front of him. He knew she wouldn't be happy about leaving the cottage, but he hadn't expected a full on tantrum.
"Eliana, open the door."
He waited a beat before trying to open the door and finding it locked.
"Elie, this isn't funny. Open the door now."
"Don't you have packing you need to do?"
"Eliana, you heard your father, open the door now or I will open it for you."
Laxus turned to Freed standing behind him with his arms crossed.
"I guess you heard all that, huh?"
"You both have voices that carry."
Laxus nodded slowly turning back to Eliana's door with a sigh. Freed stepped forward beginning to draw ruins. If it was anyone else on the other side of the door, Laxus would have busted it down. However, he wasn't going to risk hurting Eliana just to get a door open. At least Freed could use his runes to unlock the door.
"If this door is not open on the count of three, then I will force it open." Freed announced placing his hand on the door. "If I have to do that Eliana, you are going to be in trouble. One...two...thr..."
Freed cut himself off as the door slowly opened and Eliana looked up at him pouting silently.
"You owe your father an apology."
"But..."
"No buts young lady. You owe him an apology. He would not make us leave if his grandfather had not asked for him to return to the guild," Freed said crossing his arms. "It does not matter whether Master Makarov needs to speak to him alone, or all of us. If your father has to return to the guild, then we all return to the guild. That is just how families work. Apologize, now."
Eliana slowly turned to look at Laxus.
"I'm sorry Papa," she told him quietly.
Laxus sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Go on and get dressed. As soon as your dressed, we'll eat breakfast and start packing."
She nodded slowly, before running back into her room. Laxus turned as Freed walked back to the living room. He followed him silently glancing back at the runes on Eliana's door. They'd have to scrub those off before they left.
"So...I shouldn't have found that as attractive as I did, huh?" Laxus finally asked with a smirk.
"Huh?" Freed said turning to him quickly.
"You takin' control like that. I kinda enjoyed watching it."
Laxus grinned crossing his arms, watching the flush fill Freed's cheeks. After being together for the last few months, it was still rather easy to embarrass the rune mage. He watched Freed's jaw work as he tried to find a response.
"I...I was just hoping you weren't upset with me for stepping in....I mean...she is your daughter," he said finally.
"Our daughter. We're family now, remember?" Laxus reminded him as he pulled Freed into his arms. "And I appreciate the help. I realize I am way over my head here. I need you to help make sure I don't screw this up entirely."
Freed smiled slowly wrapping his arms around Laxus' neck.
"I remember. But it is nice to hear you say it still."
Laxus leaned in to kiss him, but pulled back slowly as the door to the cabin opened.
"Oh...am I interrupting?" Evergreen asked as she walked into the living room.
"Only a lot," Freed muttered pulling back from Laxus. "I'll go make breakfast."
Laxus sighed as Freed picked up his coffee cup walking back to the kitchen area.
"Sorry..." Evergreen said wincing.
"It's fine. It's been an interesting morning already. We needed to talk to you and Bickslow anyway. Where is he?"
"Still in bed." Evergreen sat down on the sofa looking at him expectantly. "What'd you need?"
"The old man wants us to come back early."
"To the guild?"
"Yeah. He didn't say what. Just that he wants us back early."
"I guess it's a good thing I didn't unpack half the stuff I brought," she said leaning back in her seat. "I'll pack up after breakfast."
"That's what we're doing," Laxus said, turning as he heard Eliana's feet running across the floor.
"Auntie Ever!" She called out, running to give her a hug.
"Hello sweetie," Evergreen said with a smile pulling her into her lap. "Did you just wake up?"
"Uh huh. Papa says we gotta go back to the guild."
"That's what he just told me."
"I don't wanna go," she pouted laying her head on Evergreen's shoulder. "I like staying in the cabin with Papa and Freed."
"You don't like our house back in Magnolia?" Laxus asked confused.
"I do..."
"Bickslow snoring bug you that much?" Evergreen asked with a smirk. "You like him staying in another cabin?"
Eliana laughed loudly and Evergreen chuckled. Laxus blinked, staring at Eliana in shock. He didn't understand how she could go from throwing a temper tantrum, to pouting, and then joking in the time span of less than fifteen minutes. He picked up his unfinished coffee taking a sip from it as he watching her joking with Evergreen. He could hardly picture what she would be like as a teenager. The idea left him silently terrified, and thankful he would have Freed's help.
"I'm going to check on breakfast," he said, standing up walking to the kitchen.
Freed glanced back at him from the stove with a small smile.
"Sounds like Eliana is in a better mood," he said as Laxus sat at the table.
"Yeah...is that normal? Are all kids like that?"
"All the kids I know. It does not take much. Besides, she was not even awake when you went to talk to her. I would not have suggested that if I knew. Granted, that does not excuse her tantrum," Freed said with a smile. "Eliana is a good kid Laxus. Typically she is in a good mood. That does not mean she isn't going to have her moments."
"I know. Just the complete change in attitude threw me for a moment."
"You'll get used to it. Stop second guessing yourself. You're a good father. Eliana knows that."
Laxus nodded slowly finishing his coffee.
"I suppose you're right."
Freed smirked at him before nodding to the living.
"Go let them know breakfast is almost ready. I'm sure Eliana is starving."
Laxus walked back to Eliana and Evergreen quietly. The two of them had their heads together, giggling. Laxus could only imagine what they were talking about that they found so funny.
"Hey you two. Freed says it's time for breakfast."
"Yay!" Eliana cried out, jumping off the couch and running to the kitchen.
"I'll go wake Bickslow up," Evergreen said with a laugh.
Laxus shook his head following Eliana to the kitchen, stopping to refill his cup of coffee before joining Eliana at the table. He was beginning to understand why Freed needed multiple cups to get through the day. He was no longer sure if it was the training or the six year old. A few minutes later, they were joined by Evergreen and Bickslow at the table and Freed was putting out platters full of food.
"So, we're leaving today huh?" Bickslow asked as he piled his plate full of food.
"That's what Master Makarov wants."
"Wonder what's going on?"
"He said it wasn't anything serious," Laxus said, handing a plate of food to Eliana.
"Guess we'll find out huh?" Evergreen said quietly.
Bickslow shrugged beginning to eat.
"At least it doesn't interrupt our training much at all," Freed said, finally joining them. "It's only a few days early, so we don't miss out on much."
"But...it's so nice here..." Eliana said softly.
"You'll like Crocus too. The capital of Fiore is a great city. I was raised there actually."
"That explains a lot," Bickslow muttered, grinning at Evergreen.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
Bickslow swallowed, shaking his head.
"Nothing Freed."
Laxus fought back a snort, focusing on his breakfast.
After breakfast they all went their separate ways to begin packing their belongings. Packing Eliana's things went a lot more quickly than Laxus anticipated, but that was mostly due to Freed. Laxus was banned from packing her bags after Freed saw the state of the first suitcase. Instead he was sent to pack the one or two bags he brought with him for the trip. He'd known it was only going to be training, so he hadn't brought much with him.
By the time he was done shoving his clothes into his duffel bag, Freed was helping Eliana load her four suitcases onto the SE Car they had rented for the duration of their stay. Laxus blinked, eyeing the suitcases.
"I didn't realize we brought so much for Eliana," he commented, placing his bags beside hers.
"You have a problem with telling her no," Freed told him, grinning a bit.
"Yeah...that might be true."
"Might be?"
"Okay, it's definitely true. But I think we all have that problem."
"Probably. I'll be back with my things."
"Do you want help?"
"You are not going near any of my suitcases. Your packing skills are abysmal."
Laxus laughed loudly as Freed walked back to the cabin.
"Can I go check on Auntie Ever and Bickslow?" Eliana asked looking up at him.
"They should be out soon kid. Give them some time."
"Okay," she said with a sigh, climbing up in the back of the SE Car.
He joined her, wrapping his arm around her, letting her lay her head on his shoulder.
"Sorry about this morning papa. I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's okay kid. Long as you're sorry."
"I just had fun here..."
"Me too kid. But you'll have fun at the Grand Magic Games too."
Eliana smiled a bit looking up at him.
"Mom and I watched those last year on Lacrima Vision."
"Yeah? Who'd you root for?"
"Sabertooth." She said with a giggle. "The Twin Dragon Slayers are amazing!"
"Of course they are," Laxus muttered, looking away.
"Auntie Ever!" Eliana called out jumping off the back of the car running to her.
Laxus chuckled watching Bickslow follow Evergreen to the car carrying the luggage for the both of them. It was typical of Evergreen to make one of them to do all the work. He shook his head standing up, helping Laxus load them into the car.
"I think we would have been better off with a carriage. It would have held more." Bickslow muttered, eyeing all of the luggage.
"All that's left is Freed and we all know he's a minimalist," Laxus replied. "We'll be fine. Although I don't remember having this much on the way here..."
"I may have bought some souvenirs..." Evergreen said with a giggle. "You said it'd be one Cabin...I didn't expect a camp ground with a tourist shop."
"It changed a lot in the seven years I was gone. For the better, I guess, or else we wouldn't have had enough room for the five of us." Laxus said, looking around the camp grounds. "There's no way we would have all fit in the same cabin."
"Especially not with all her junk."
"Excuse me?"
Laxus sighed, tuning out their argument. The ride home was going to be long, especially with Bickslow and Evergreen trapped in small quarters for hours. He hoped Freed could use his magic to knock him out for the duration of the trip. He relaxed as Freed stepped out of the cabin they were renting and walked up to him.
"Ready to go?"
Freed nodded putting his bag with the others.
"Let's go."
"Alright. Come on guys. Time to get goin'."