Krampus's POV
Walking out of the house with Laxus, I felt the cool morning breeze brush through my mane while our hands—no, claws and fingers—intertwined naturally. His grip was warm, grounding, and steady, a perfect contrast to the way my insides were flipping in disbelief. My chest fluttered wildly, and my tail swished uncontrollably behind me, betraying the storm of emotions boiling inside. Was this really happening? Each step felt weightless, like I was walking through a dream woven out of everything I'd secretly wanted but never dared to hope for. The sunlight spilled over us, painting gold on his blond hair, and I could barely keep my composure. It all felt like a fever dream—too good, too vivid, too real. One moment I was drowning in guilt and hesitation, unsure of my place in his world, and the next… I had confessed, and he had reciprocated. The words still echoed in my mind, and I could barely contain the joy bubbling up inside. AAAHHHHH!!! (internal screaming that could shatter glass).
Before all this, in both of my lives, all I ever wanted was to find true love—a man who would sweep me off my feet, see me for who I was, and love me anyway. But deep down, I had given up on that dream long ago, burying it under work, jokes, and long nights spent pretending I didn't care. I'd resigned myself to being the quiet creep who admired men from a distance, convincing myself that was enough. And yet, here I was—one night later—with so many of my firsts stolen in the best way possible. My first kiss. My first time really being touched like someone wanted me. My first night feeling wanted, not just tolerated. Sure, we didn't go all the way (preferably with Laxus unloading deep inside me), but that didn't matter. After everything—the mission, the adrenaline, the confessions that stripped us bare—our exhaustion was proof that it had meant something real. There would be other chances, better ones, when our hearts and bodies were ready to go further together.
It still felt surreal—like I'd stepped into some kind of waking dream that refused to fade. When I first met Laxus, all I wanted was to guide him, to keep him from turning into the arrogant brat I remembered from the anime I once knew. Back then, I saw him as family, a kid brother I wanted to protect from himself. But somewhere along the way, that feeling had shifted, evolved, deepened into something tender and powerful I could no longer deny. And now… this? Holding his hand, hearing him call me his—it was like living inside a miracle I'd stopped believing could happen. That old internet saying floated into my thoughts, making me snort softly: "Ten years ago, I planted a little brother. Now, I harvest a best friend-slash-boyfriend." Who could've imagined such a wild, beautiful twist of fate?
Before I could stop myself, my thoughts drifted to the songs I used to sing whenever I was heartsick and unable to express my feelings for him. I'd belt out "The Trouble With Love Is" by Kelly Clarkson from my old world—
The trouble with love is... it can tear you up inside... make your heart believe a lie... it's stronger than your pride...
But that was before. Now, I felt like singing "Could It Be" from the Kim Possible Homecoming episode, because honestly, I never imagined I could end up with Laxus. Maybe we'd sing it together someday—
I know we've been friends forever But now I think I'm feeling something totally new And after all this time I opened up my eyes Now I see you were always with me Could it be you & I Never imagined Could it be suddenly I'm fallin' for you Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew Could it be that it's true That it's you that it's you
I smiled faintly at the thought—until I realized I wasn't the only one singing.
From beside me came Laxus's low, smooth voice joining in harmony. "Could it be you and I never imagined..."
I froze mid-step and turned, ears flicking. "...Fuck. Where did you hear that song from!?"
He grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "From your head. You're thinking so loud that even my beginner 'Wave Reader' magic can pick it up. It's not my fault your brain broadcasts like a radio."
My face went red beneath my fur. "Wave Reader? Seriously? Since when did you learn to mind-read?"
He smirked. "Since yesterday. You were thinking too hard, so I started practicing on you. Guess it worked."
"Ugh," I groaned, but couldn't help laughing. "So you read my mind and decided to sing along?"
"Yup," he said, his grin softening. "I love that song. Fits us perfectly."
I stared at him for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "...Then let's sing it properly."
And so, we did—walking hand in hand through the forest path as our voices intertwined:
Could it be you and I never imagined? Could it be suddenly I'm fallin' for you? Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew... Could it be that it's true, that it's you, that it's you...
By the time the song ended, I was smiling so wide my cheeks hurt, my voice still vibrating faintly from the last note that lingered in the air between us. The forest around us seemed to hum quietly, filled with the echo of our laughter and the warmth of something real. I felt Laxus's thumb brushing against my knuckles as we walked, grounding me again in the present.
But as the melody faded, a more serious thought crept in, soft but persistent. My ears flicked, and I glanced sideways at him. "Laxus... do you think we should tell everyone about us?" I asked, my voice quieter now, the excitement from before dipping into a nervous tremor.
He stopped walking and turned fully toward me, the sunlight catching in his blond hair and casting a halo around him. His shadow stretched across the path between us, but his warmth reached me first. There wasn't even a pause—his answer came fast, solid, and sure. "Of course," he said with that familiar, confident grin that made my knees weak. "I want everyone to know you're mine."
The words hit me like a spark to dry tinder. His tone was possessive but tender, the kind of statement that sent a thrill through me rather than fear. The way his eyes softened when they met mine melted something deep inside me. I could almost feel his emotions ripple through the air, thick with honesty and affection. My chest ached in the best way possible, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I couldn't help but smile back, my tail curling behind me and my ears twitching as a quiet purr rumbled from my throat. My heart swelled with warmth, disbelief, and something wild that whispered: this is real, this is ours.
My heart warmed instantly, tail flicking behind me. "You've got nothing to worry about," I reassured him. "The gay guys in the guild are only into humans anyway. Most of them are friends-with-benefits types, not serious about relationships. That's part of why I gave up before you confessed." I sighed softly. "I mean, look at me. In my past life, I was intimidating. Now I'm a lion beastman twice as scary. The people who'd be into this look? That's an extremely small niche."
He squeezed my hand tighter, gaze firm. "They're idiots, then. You're perfect."
That made my chest tighten again—warm, full, and strangely fluttery. My ears twitched, betraying my nerves. "Thanks, babe. But... what about Master Makarov?" I asked, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm kind of scared he'll blame me for, uh, fornicating with his grandson. It feels like I'm betraying his kindness for taking me in." My tail gave a slow, guilty flick, and I rubbed the back of my neck. "It's... complicated, y'know? He's been like a father figure to me. I don't want him thinking I corrupted his grandson or something."
Laxus threw his head back and laughed, that deep, carefree sound echoing through the path. "Grandpa'll be fine," he said, grinning. "He'll probably just laugh and say we deserve each other." He reached out, brushing a knuckle under my chin. "Besides, if anyone's corrupting anyone, it's probably me."
I snorted at that, my cheeks heating beneath my fur. "Yeah, right. You wish." But even as I teased, relief flooded me. His confidence was infectious.
"I sure hope so," I muttered, still smiling. "Because I definitely don't plan on hiding this. I wanna be lovey-dovey with you in front of everyone and let them all know—this boy is mine." I bared a playful grin, baring my fangs just enough to make him laugh. The lion in me rumbled with possessive pride, the sound halfway between a purr and a growl. Maybe it was my instincts bleeding through, but after what happened last night—after we marked each other in our own way—I couldn't help it. It felt right, like a promise sealed in more than just words.
Changing the topic to distract myself, I said with a grin, "Oh! By the way, while I was busy confessing my soul out to you yesterday, I also pre-ordered the clones from Santa's Workshop to build the new male dorm." My tail flicked in satisfaction, proud of the little surprise I'd been keeping under wraps.
Laxus blinked, his brow arching. "Wait, seriously? You got that done already?" He sounded half amazed, half amused, like he couldn't decide whether to be impressed or worried that I'd been multitasking even during our emotional meltdown.
"Yup," I said, chest puffed out like a peacock—or in my case, a very smug lion. "Built overnight and everything. It's called the Fairy Fraternity." I gestured toward the forest path ahead as if he could already see it. "It looks like a cozy mansion tucked away in the woods, but inside it's enchanted to hell and back. Each room's bigger than it looks and changes with your thoughts (like the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter, for any readers from my past life who'd get that reference). There's even a battle arena in the basement, and a massive workout room for everyone's bodybuilding magic sessions."
Laxus let out a low whistle, his eyes lighting up like a kid staring at his first S-Class lacrima. "That's awesome! Almost as good as your house." His grin was wide, genuine, and the admiration in his voice made my chest feel lighter.
"Almost?" I teased, bumping my shoulder against his arm. "I'll take that as a challenge."
He chuckled, bumping me back. "Fine, it's tied. Still, that's crazy fast. You really don't do anything halfway, huh?"
"It's nearby too," I added proudly. "Only a five-minute walk from here. You'll love it—perfect for the guys to hang out, train, and probably break half the furniture within a week."
Laxus laughed, shaking his head. "Sounds like home already."
We talked and laughed about the dorms, trading ideas for decorations and joking about which of the guys would break the first piece of enchanted furniture. Our laughter echoed through the trees as the forest slowly opened up to the familiar cobblestone roads of Magnolia. The morning air carried the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, mingling with the faint chatter of merchants setting up their stalls. Before long, the skyline shifted, and there it was—the Fairy Tail guildhall, proud and welcoming, its banners glowing gold in the sunlight like a symbol of home.
Even with all our teasing and chatter, our hands never parted. Laxus's thumb brushed absentmindedly across the back of my paw, sending tingles up my arm every time. My grip on his stayed steady, firm, unwilling to let go. My heart, though racing, felt grounded for the first time in years. For the first time in both my lives, I wasn't just ready to face the music—I was ready to dance to it, side by side with him.
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The guild doors swung open as Laxus and I walked in, still holding hands, the faint creak of the hinges echoing through the quiet hall. Sunlight poured in from behind us, painting long shadows that stretched dramatically across the worn wooden floorboards. The air was thick with the scent of last night's debauchery—stale alcohol, sweat, and the sharp bitterness of coffee strong enough to wake the dead. A few early risers were slumped over tables, groaning into their mugs, while others tried to fix their hangovers with toast and questionable potions.
My mane was still a little messy, sticking out in odd angles, and my fur felt warm where Laxus's fingers brushed against it. He was humming softly under his breath, his posture relaxed, the corners of his lips curved in that boyish grin that always melted me inside. Everything felt peaceful for once—a rare, quiet morning in Fairy Tail. My chest loosened, my steps lighter. For a moment, I let myself believe we could just walk in unnoticed.
Then Billy, who was mopping near the entrance, spotted us.
He froze mid-swipe, his mop squeaking against the floor as his eyes widened like saucers. I saw the exact moment realization hit him—the widening pupils, the twitch at the corner of his mouth, and then... the explosion that would shake Magnolia.
"OH MY GOD!!!" Billy's voice cracked through the still air, shrill enough to rattle the windows. The mop slipped from his hands and slapped onto the floor with a wet splat, but he didn't even notice. His face lit up like a festival lantern as he pointed dramatically at us, practically vibrating with excitement. "THE BIG BOSS AND THE YOUNG MASTER ARE FINALLY DATING!!!"
The entire hall froze for half a heartbeat before erupting into chaos. A hundred groggy heads shot up at once, eyes blinking blearily at the scene. Coffee mugs were dropped, spilling onto tables. Chairs scraped back as people stumbled to their feet. Hangovers were forgotten in an instant as the words sank in, and the guild burst back to life like someone had cast Resurrection!
Then came the applause.
The entire guild erupted into cheers and whistles, clapping so loud the walls seemed to shake. I blinked, my brain short-circuiting as my ears twitched uncontrollably. What the actual hell...? I looked around with a bewildered WTF expression, but Laxus looked smug as ever, grinning ear to ear. He lifted our joined hands high into the air like we'd just won a championship.
"YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT!" Laxus called out proudly, puffing out his chest like he'd just claimed first place in a championship. His voice boomed with smug satisfaction as he basked in the attention, his grin wide enough to rival a sunrise. He gave my hand another confident squeeze and threw our joined arms up higher, turning the moment into a mini victory pose. "WE'RE TOGETHER!" he declared again, louder this time, just to make sure no one in Magnolia could possibly miss it.
The roar of approval only grew louder. The guild shook with laughter, cheers, and wolf-whistles, a few voices shouting teasing congratulations. Even the hangover crowd looked suddenly energized, some pounding the tables in rhythm. Confetti exploded from seemingly every direction—I swear some of them had those cannons enchanted just for drama. I had no idea where half these people got them, but there they were—firing them in perfect synchronization like it was a national holiday. Even Mina, the strong, heroic woman behind the counter, broke into a grin and joined in, pulling out her own cannon from under the bar with military precision.
BANG!
Colorful streamers rained down on us, shimmering in the light. Everyone in the guild—hungover or not—was suddenly in party mode again.
"DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!" someone shouted, and the chant spread like wildfire.
Before I could protest, Billy came striding up to us with the kind of confidence only someone who's seen too much could muster, holding two mugs like trophies. "Coffee with milk for the Big Boss, and coke for the Young Master," he announced proudly. He handed them to us with a wink so exaggerated I almost choked on my own breath.
I blinked down at him, still trying to process. "Billy… what in the world—what's with all this?" My tone came out somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.
He laughed, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "C'mon, Boss, everyone knew! You've got it bad for the Young Master. Half the guild's been betting on when you two would finally hook up. We were this close to starting a pool," he admitted, pinching his fingers together with a grin. "Honestly, we were just waiting for this to happen. We all wanted you to find your own happiness someday. So yeah, we're stoked you two are finally together."
I stared at him, stunned. "Everyone... knew?" My voice came out half a whisper, half a squeak. I could practically feel my ears folding down in embarrassment.
"Of course we did!" Billy said, grinning from ear to ear. "How could we not? You're terrible at hiding things, Boss. The way you'd look at the Young Master whenever he sparred or laughed—yeah, that gave it away ages ago. And besides, you've done so much for this guild over the years. Everyone's noticed. We all wanted to see you happy for once."
That hit harder than I expected. I blinked rapidly, my throat tightening as I tried to swallow the lump that had formed there. "You… care that much?" I asked quietly, my voice softer than I intended, betraying the crack in my composure.
Billy tilted his head, his grin softening into something genuine. "How could we not? The stuff you've done changed all our lives. Your bodybuilding magic—man, that revolutionized the entire guild! Back in the day, guys like Macao and Wakaba used to think they'd hit their limit, that they'd never reach S-Class. But because of you, because you taught us how to train and grow steadily, everyone's got a shot now. No one feels hopeless anymore. You gave us something to fight for."
His words stirred something deep inside me, the kind of warmth that made my chest ache. My throat tightened as he went on.
"And it's not just that," Billy continued, his voice dipping lower with emotion. "At least a quarter of the people here only joined Fairy Tail because of you. You're the backbone of this place, Boss. You've inspired more people than you realize. Everyone owes you, big time. We've all wanted to find some way to repay you. But…" He hesitated, rubbing his neck awkwardly, his grin turning sheepish again. "You're just too damn perfect, Boss. Like, you can do everything better than anyone else. Sometimes it's like you don't even need us. Feels like the words 'I don't need anybody's help' are just glowing above your halo."
My breath hitched slightly, and I squeezed Laxus's hand without realizing it. Billy's words hit a nerve—one that went straight to my first life. That same old loneliness, that sense of isolation from being too capable, too self-reliant—it all came flooding back like a cold wave. The ghost of my old self whispered in the back of my mind: See? You're still alone, no matter how strong you get. My chest tightened, the ache familiar but unwelcome.
Laxus must've sensed the shift in my energy, because his hand tightened around mine, grounding me with steady warmth. When I looked up, his eyes were locked on mine, glowing with that quiet determination that had always been his strength. No words needed—his expression said it all: You're not alone anymore. The simplicity of that look shattered the walls I didn't even realize I was still holding.
Billy caught the subtle exchange and, for a moment, hesitated. His usual grin softened, understanding flickering across his features. But instead of backing away, he pressed on, his voice gentle. "That's why we were all rooting for you two, Boss. We saw how your feelings for Laxus changed. Everyone agreed to give you two space, to let things develop naturally. We wanted you to find your happiness, Boss. And now that you have… it's like a win for all of us."
I swallowed hard, the tension in my chest melting into something warmer. My throat burned with gratitude I didn't know how to express. "...You guys really are something else," I murmured, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I looked down at Billy. My voice wavered, but my heart felt light. "Guess my efforts didn't go to waste after all."
Billy grinned, tipping his head with a small salute. "Not a chance, Boss. Not with how much heart you've put into all of us."
Just then, a familiar, commanding voice spoke from behind us.
"I hear congratulations are in order."
Every hair on my neck stood up straight like I'd been zapped. I turned my head slowly—too slowly—and sure enough, there stood Master Makarov. His arms were crossed, his eyes twinkling beneath those thick brows, and yet his expression was so unreadable that sweat instantly prickled beneath my fur. Laxus froze for all of two seconds before smirking, the absolute menace. Meanwhile, my stomach dropped into my boots.
Billy, bless his terrified soul, moved faster than lightning. The mop he'd been holding was abandoned mid-floor as he vanished into the crowd at a speed that made me wonder if he'd unlocked a new kind of teleportation magic.
"Oh... crap," I muttered under my breath. My tail drooped and my ears pressed flat against my head. If before Makarov had been my elder and benefactor, now he was officially my potential in-law. And the weight of that realization hit like a meteor. The pressure radiating from him was the kind only those about to meet their partner's parents for the first time could understand.
Makarov stroked his beard slowly, eyes narrowing in thought as he tilted his head. "So, I hear my grandson and you are... dating?" His tone was mild, but there was that undercurrent—the same one that made even S-Class mages quake.
"Y-Yes, Master!" I blurted out immediately, panic taking the reins. My words came out in a jumble as I stood at attention like a soldier in court. "It's true! I—I have no regrets! I love Laxus with all my heart and I want to make him the happiest man in the world!"
Laxus pinched the bridge of his nose with a chuckle. "Krampy, breathe," he whispered.
For one terrifying moment, silence stretched between us. Then Makarov's face split into a grin, followed by a booming laugh that shook his whole tiny frame. "Relax, Krampus! No need to look like I'm about to exile you! Hahaha! Of course I approve." He slapped his knee and wiped a tear from his eye. "Honestly, you look like you were about to stand trial."
Laxus smirked, puffing his chest out. "Told ya, Krampy. Grandpa's chill."
I blinked, completely dumbfounded. "Wait, really? Just like that? What about... you know, ending the Dreyar bloodline?"
Makarov waved a hand dismissively, his laughter subsiding into a gentle chuckle. "Bah, bloodline this, bloodline that. I've heard that nonsense all my life. I don't care about lineage or legacy. All I've ever wanted is for my grandson to be happy. And judging by that smile—" he pointed toward Laxus, whose grin was so wide it looked like it might split his face—"he's happier than I've ever seen him."
My throat tightened again, but this time the emotion that welled up was warm, not anxious. "Master... I... thank you," I managed, my voice low but sincere.
Makarov's expression softened into something paternal, almost tender. "I've watched your actions for years, Krampus. You've been a pillar for this guild and for Laxus too. You've helped him grow into a man faster than I expected." His gaze flicked between us, pride clear in his eyes. "I can rest easy knowing he's in your hands. And besides," he chuckled with a wink, "I doubt I could stop him even if I tried."
Laxus laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Damn right, you couldn't."
The tension in my chest finally melted away, replaced with pure, overwhelming joy that made my whole body feel lighter. The weight of fear and uncertainty evaporated, replaced by the simple warmth of being accepted. I looked to Laxus, who gave me that toothy grin that said, See? Told you everything would be fine. That grin—so proud, so full of love—hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken. My heart swelled until it felt like it could burst, and I couldn't help but laugh too, the sound bubbling out of me in relief and happiness.
The entire guild seemed to share in it. The tension that had hung in the air moments ago snapped like a string, replaced with cheers and laughter once more. Music roared to life, barrels of ale rolled out with thunderous clunks, and confetti rained again in glittering waves. Makarov had somehow conjured another mug of ale and was leading a toast while standing on a table, laughing louder than anyone.
By noon, the entire guild had completely wiped itself out from drinking—again. Only the sober few remained standing to clean up the aftermath, trudging through confetti and spilled beer with groans of defeat.
But I didn't care. Standing there with Laxus's arm still draped around my shoulders and the guild roaring around us, I finally understood what peace felt like. For once, everything was right in the world—and I was exactly where I belonged.