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Freed was sitting in the Fairy Tail guild house’s hall and his long fingers were making loops out of bright orange paper strips. No matter was it a dangerous mission or just simple crafting out of paper, he gave it his all and really focused. He made sure to cut just the right size strips, carefully glued the ends to make loops and put them aside to dry.Once he had enough of them, he cut strips from black paper and used it to link the orange loops together, ending up with a nice looking black and orange paper chain.”Freed, that’s enough”, Mirajane chuckled as she came closer. Freed had made so many paper chains already the whole table was full of them! She could only admire it how Freed always devoted himself fully on his mission whatever it might be.Freed looked at the ribbons and then back to Mirajane.”Are you sure?” he asked.”We are going to use other decorations too, silly. They look really nice, but that’s enough.””I see, I guess I did get a bit too excited”, Freed agreed with a small chuckle. ”Doing something simple yet meaningful like this, it can be very relaxing.””I know”, Mirajane smiled. ”There are still lots of things to do here before Saturday. What about your costume? Have you decided it yet?””Yes”, Freed nodded.”Oh! What costume did you pick?” Mirajane asked curiously as they took all the paper chains and for now they put them in a big box. They would decorate the whole hall by Friday with everyone.”Scarecrow.””Interesting choice, Freed. I bet you’ll make a very handsome scarecrow.””We’ll see”, Freed said amused. ”What about you?””I’ll be a ghost”, Mirajane chuckled as they took the box behind the bar where there were other decorations too.”I’m sure you’ll make a really cute costume”, Freed nodded and he sat down on one of the stools in front of the bar counter.”It’s a simple costume so if you need any help with your costume, I can help you.””That’s quite alright. I might not be a tailor, but I have fixed enough clothes so I think I should manage to make my costume. It’s nothing complicated after all, just some old clothes and a hat.””Just don’t make it too simple”, Mirajane said. ”I know you’re not that interested to join this costume party but everyone will take part in it. And the best costume will win a prize!””I don’t think I’m that interested, but I’ll do my best to at least try more than just stealing an actual scarecrow.””We also added something new”, Mirajane said and Freed’s curiousity woke up. ”There will be dancing.””Oh?””Yes, so make sure you’ll have a partner”, the white haired bartender chuckled and she started to prepare more drinks.Freed hummed and scratched his chin while thinking about it. He didn’t really enjoy costume parties but he did like dancing. It would be really nice, but getting a partner wouldn’t be that simple.Freed turned around on his stool and his turquoise eyes scanned through the hall. Most of them had came back from their missions and were chatting about the upcoming Fairy Pumpkin Day party. Even if there were people who could in fact dance, finding a suitable dancing partner wasn’t an easy task.His first choice would’ve been Levy, but he knew she had probably already asked Gajeel to be his partner. His second choice would’ve been Evergreen, but he knew the fairy mage was definitely waiting for Elfman to ask to be his partner.Freed sighed rubbing his forehead. Erza was out of the question, even though Freed was one of those few rare cases who actually could dance with her. He was sure Lucy would be a nice partner too, but Freed simply didn’t want to deal with Natsu who would definitely be complaining all the time because of that. Juvia would definitely be Gray’s partner and Cana was never interested of dancing. She just wanted to drink and eat.Freed looked at the door that lead to the kitchen. Mirajane was a good choice too, but he was sure she already had a pair. Who her pair was, he had no idea but she definitely had a pair already. He was doing his absolute best not to think too much who her pair might be as he had his suspicions...The rune mage scanned the male options this time. He could always ask Bickslow to be his partner, but the seith mage probably might want to be partners with Lisanna. There weren’t that many men in their guild who could actually dance and those who could already had someone.Freed huffed. Suddenly it felt like everyone had someone in their guild. Almost everyone were dating, or at least it was very obvious that they loved each other. Freed wasn’t the kind of guy who would go between two people, not even if he only wanted to have a partner for a dance competition.He took a coffee cup Mirajane brought over and took a sip.”I think I’ll pass the competition”, he finally decided.”You will?” Mirajane asked surprised. ”But you’re such a good dancer, Freed! It would be waste not to compete with others.””I don’t think there’s a suitable partner for me to even join”, Freed said and he turned his stool around, leaning against the bar counter. ”When dancing for a competition, the partners must cooperate well and sadly that is not the case with me and most of the people here.””You’re taking this too seriously”, Mirajane chuckled amused. ”This is just for fun. You don’t have to win.””You know how competitive I can get”, Freed said with a small smile. ”That’s why I’m saying I don’t fit well with just anyone. Most of our guildmates are relaxed and I don’t think they could handle me.””There’s one who can.””He is out of the question, I will not ask him”, Freed frowned looking at Mirajane.”Why not? Are you afraid he might say no?””He will definitely say no. He doesn’t like dancing. Trust me, I’ve tried to ask him if he might want to try but he’s not interested.” Being ignored like that, it had felt like thousand daggers stabbing his heart over and over.”But -””No and that’s final”, Freed said and he emptied his cup, getting up. ”Thanks for the coffee, Mira. I think I’ll go home now”, he decided and Mirajane sighed when looking how the rune mage walked out.If only she could do something to help… The bartender hummed, thinking about it and then her eyes went wide. Of course! She knew exactly how to help! Friday came and by then everyone had returned and were helping with decorations. Freed too was there hanging up the paper chains he had made. It was not difficult at all, his wings could carry him wherever he needed to go and while doing so he was also helping with his magic by keeping Natsu and Gray trapped so they wouldn’t cause chaos.”I promise not to burn anything so just let me out, Freed!” Natsu whined when leaning against the purple wall.Freed looked at the youngster.”I do not trust you, Natsu”, he said bluntly.”You’re just being mean!” Natsu groaned. ”I don’t like you!””And I do not care.””Meanie!””Shut up, it’s annoying to listen to your whining”, Gray finally snapped. Freed sighed, ignoring the two who immediately started fighting, but thankfully there was a wall separating them from everything else.Freed finished hanging up the chains and he landed, dismissed his wings and looked at his work finally nodding with approval. Perfect. Everything was where it was supposed to be and there wasn’t too much of them or not enough. It was balanced and he was very happy with it.”You sure look pleased with yourself, baby”, Bickslow smirked as he came closer. ”Nice work.””Thank you”, Freed nodded.”I don’t know how they managed to make any decorations here before when you weren’t here to keep those two trapped”, Bickslow snickered when looking at Natsu and Gray.”I’m sure they have other ways too to keep them from making trouble”, Freed chuckled amused when moving away the box where they had kept the chains.”I guess. Hey, since you’re free now, would you help me with my costume?””I suppose that’s okay, I have already finished my costume so I have time. How much have you done already?””I’ve almost started”, Bickslow smiled happily.”No, I’m not even surprised”, Freed sighed rubbing his face. ”Fine, we better start working immediately then if we want it to be ready for tomorrow”, he decided.”This will be fun!” Bickslow cackled and they were almost stepping out when he noticed something. ”I guess Laxus is asking for help too”, he said and Freed turned to look as well.Laxus was talking with Mirajane by the bar counter. They couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Mirajane seemed excited while Laxus looked more annoyed. Freed slightly narrowed his eyes. Could this be…?”I guess Mirajane is asking Laxus to be her partner for the dance competition”, Bickslow chuckled. ”Since Laxus is looking so annoyed.””I guess”, Freed said, slightly cold and he turned back towards the doors.”It’s only a contest, it’s nothing serious”, Bickslow assured, following after his friend as they left the guild house. ”It’s your own fault, you know? You could’ve asked him to be your partner.””Laxus doesn’t like dancing”, Freed reminded.”Maybe but I’m sure he would do it for you, baby.””He wouldn’t dance with me.””Man you can be so stubborn sometimes”, Bickslow groaned. ”If you’re not going to do anything then stop acting all jealous if someone else is approaching Laxus.””I’m not acting jealous”, Freed said frowning at the seith mage.”Yeah and I’m smarter than you. You should grab him and give him a kiss so hot he’ll burn his lips.””He might just hit me.””Or he might top you.””That’s just ridiculous”, Freed huffed. ”This conversation is over.”Bickslow sighed. When Freed got like that it was pointless to try and turn his head. Him and Evergreen had been watching this situation for years already, both very much aware of the fact that Freed loved Laxus. The Lightning Dragon Slayer was just dumb and they were pretty sure he had no idea of Freed’s feelings.It was sad but even though they wanted they couldn’t really do anything. Freed would kill them if they went to say anything to Laxus behind his back. All they could do was watch and hope that maybe some day Freed might tell Laxus how he was feeling or Laxus might notice what was going on. Finally it was Saturday and everyone was excited for the party. They did some last minute preparations, finished their costumes and made sure all the decorations were finished.Freed arrived to the guild house already wearing his costume. It was very simple, but he had made sure it wasn’t too simple. He had even added some straws in his hair and made them stick out from here and there.He opened the door, looking around. Not all of them were here yet but those who were here were admiring each other’s costumes. Everyone had done their absolute best and it was quite fun to see what they had decided to be for tonight.Freed stepped ahead and straight to the bar counter, sitting down.”You look great, Freed!” Mirajane giggled when looking at the rune mage who had dressed up as a scarecrow.”You look quite good as well, Mira”, Freed smiled. Mirajane’s costume was simple too, she was just wearing a white sheet that had been folded and tied here and there, but it looked good.”Thank you”, Mirajane smiled. ”I can’t wait to see everyone dancing!””Not everyone will be dancing”, Freed reminded.”You’re still saying that?” Mirajane sighed.”That’s my decision”, Freed nodded.He looked at Mirajane, hesitating a bit.”You’re going to dance too?” he finally asked.”Of course”, Mirajane smiled. ”I aim to win the contest too.””I see…” Freed said. So that must mean Mirajane really had asked Laxus to be her partner.”It’s not too late for you to find a partner too, Freed”, Mirajane assured when giving Freed a drink.”I’m not going to change my mind”, the rune mage said and he took his glass. ”No one will even notice it if I won’t compete.””I relly hope you will change your mind”, Mirajane said and now she sounded a little bit mysterious which made Freed to raise his eyebrow. ”Who knows what might happen tonight?””I suppose”, Freed muttered slowly. ”Have you been scheming something?””I can’t tell you something like that”, Mirajane giggled. ”Let’s just enjoy this night, okay?””Yes”, Freed said and he was still suspicious but left the bar counter. He went up the stairs to their usual table where the Thunder Legion always sat and he could see the whole hall from there.He didn’t see Laxus. It was always possible that Laxus might not even come. He saw Evergreen with Elfman and Bickslow with Lisanna. Tonight they probably wouldn’t gather together to sit around their usual table. It would be just him alone.Freed took a sip of his drink. He shouldn’t think something like that, he should be happy for his friends. He really was, but sometimes it did feel like he was left alone. Thankfully Laxus wasn’t dating anyone but Freed was sure that too would happen soon, it was only natural.He was not looking forward to that day, but there wasn’t really anything he could do about it. The day went by and when it got dark they could finally lit all the candles outside and the party could really start. There were foods on the tables, more booze for everyone to drink and music to enjoy. The whole yard was looking so beautiful with all the decorations and candles.Freed had joined others too now, though he avoided drinking too much. Some of them were already wasted – yes, he was looking at Cana – and Freed didn’t really enjoy the idea of having a hangover tomorrow.He looked around again. There was still no sign of Laxus and it made his heart sank. Maybe Laxus really wasn’t going to come? The man didn’t care about costume parties and he didn’t like dancing so maybe he just decided this wasn’t a party for him?Freed sighed and he just walked around. He knew he should enjoy the mood more, just go wild with others but somehow he didn’t seem to be able to do so.”Hey.”Freed stopped immediately when he heard that familiar voice and he turned around to look at Laxus.”I thought you wouldn’t come”, he said and just like always, he felt how his heart was beating a little bit faster when talking to the Thunder God. He really was in love and he couldn’t help it.”Almost didn’t, but then Mira said she’d kick my sorry ass if I won’t move it here immediately”, Laxus grunted.”Sounds like her”, Freed said amused.He looked at Laxus’ costume. Lots and lots of dark feathers. It looked like a coat made out of feathers and the man had feathers even in his hair. Surprisingly, he did look really, really good.”What’s your costume?” Freed asked confused and Laxus snorted.”I thought it was obvious, I’m the crow you can’t scare away, dork”, he said with a smirk and Freed’s heart jumped.”You knew I would be a scarecrow?” he asked, blinking. Laxus went as far as to have matching costumes with him?”Yeah, Mira told me. She helped me to make this costume.””So she wasn’t asking you to be her partner?””Why would she? She asked Cana to be her partner”, Laxus said. ”If I want to win that dance contest I’d obviously pick you, you’re one of the best dancers in the whole guild.””But Mirajane is a good dancer too”, Freed said and he still couldn’t believe this.”What? You want me to go and ask her then?””No! I didn’t mean that”, Freed assured quickly. ”If you want of course I’ll dance with you”, he smiled.”Good”, Laxus nodded. ”Then we better go and sign up”, he said and turned around, walking towards the table where they would sign up.Freed followed after Laxus and he was still amazed of this whole situation. Maybe… Maybe things might even develop to even better direction from here? The night was still young so maybe anything could really happen?For now Freed was absolutely going to enjoy this and they would win that dance competition for sure!