Freed carried the large towers of books as he made his way out of the library. The master had given him and Levy a shit-ton of work and it would be a joke if they said they were making any progress. They had been at it for 8 hours straight, and they could still not decipher the language. Levy was probably the smartest person in the guild and she was struggling to translate the ancient texts. It was starting to get annoying.

As Freed took the final step, he misjudged the height and ended up falling down, the books falling on top of him. He picked himself up and was on the verge of breaking down. Why is this task such a fucking pain? He sniffled as he started picking up the dropped books. He was all alone. No one was there to help him, to support him, to be by his side in need. He could cry for help and it seemed as if no one would come.

Freed wiped his eyes off the tears that threatened to spill, afraid if even one of them is let loose, all of them will. He closed his eyes as his hand found a place on his head to suppress the throbbing headache. He started to hear sounds of papers getting stacked and the fallen books being picked up as he opened his eyes to Laxus. He stacked a majority of books as he put one hand on Freed's shoulder, hoping to comfort him.

A strange feeling was erupting in his heart. He couldn't tell what it was. It was so foreign yet so familiar at the same time, so frightening yet so welcoming. Laxus smiled at him, "I know you're stressed, but don't worry. I am here to help you in your time of need, as you have been in mine." Freed's eyes widened and he blushed intensely. He knew he had always had a crush on Laxus but this seemed so... personal. Laxus offered Freed his hand as he gently grasped it and picked him up. Suddenly Freed saw Laxus taking off his jacket and placing it on his own shoulders. He knew how ridiculously cold Freed could feel.

Laxus grabbed two-thirds of the books stack as Freed picked up the remain third. He was blushing profusely at this point and felt as if he would pass out from the unusually gentlemanly behaviour from Laxus. They deposited the books on the table as Freed made his way back to the library. Laxus followed him and decided to ask for the status report.

"Are you getting anywhere?" Laxus asked, trying and failing at feigning disinterest, but they both knew he was truly concerned. Freed smiled at his concerns and smiled sadly as he shook his head. "We can't seem to find any connections. Levy is also struggling but Gajeel is by her side so she is staying strong." Laxus sighed. He felt almost guilty as if he was letting Freed down. Suddenly Freed hugged him which took Laxus by surprise. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, we will translate it."

Laxus nodded and entered the guild library with Freed. Their eyes reluctantly left the other's as they saw possibly the most adorable sight anyone had ever seen. Levy had dozed off and the headband that tied her hair was loose. She sat on Gajeel's lap and Gajeel had his arms protectively wrapped around her waist. On the big floor of books, Levy left a message she knew Freed would understand.

Found the source. It's hindi. I believe that you will translate it.

Freed read the note out loud as Laxus stifled a laugh from the couple. It was extremely rare to see Gajeel's tough exterior worn down. Now, seeing him tired and sleeping with Levy in his arms, it was too cute. Freed let out a relieved sigh as he turned towards Laxus. "Well, I guess we can get started now. I... uh... I gotta go."

Laxus replied promptly yet nervously, "Uh... yeah s-sure." Laxus scratched the back of his head mentally chastising himself for acting so different whenever he was near Freed. It was normal for the past 4 years (technically 11) but suddenly, he had been feeling strangely attracted to him since the past few months. He always thought he'd end up with Mira, but despite her liking him, he couldn't get himself to like her. He always liked someone else.

Freed climbed the ladder to get the books on Sanskrit-Hindi scripts as a sudden crack in the wood caused him to lose his balance and fall off the stairs. He would have fallen flat on his face... that was until 2 big strong arms held him by the sides preventing him to fall. Freed opened his eyes to meet Laxus' deep yellow orbs staring into his blue eyes. His face was mere inches away from his own. Just a smidge, just a peck, just one touch...

The door slammed open as Evergreen called out for Laxus. The 2 were hit by reality as the one intimate moment they would possibly ever get was ruined. Laxus set Freed down as he excused himself and followed Evergreen to the exit. Freed said bye to Laxus as he was replied with silence. The door closed and Freed slumped on the floor, disappointed that he lost the one moment alone with Laxus he would probably ever get.

"Why didn't ya kiss him?" Freed was startled by the sudden disturbance in the silence as he turned towards the source of the sound. Gajeel cracked open an eye as his grip around Levy's waist remained firm. Freed blushed deeply as he suddenly realised that they had an audience. Gajeel smirked as Freed sighed defeatedly, knowing Gajeel wouldn't tell his reasons to anyone. "I-I... I don't know." Freed was answered in silence as he thought it was best to ask Gajeel for advice.

"How did you get the courage to approach Levy, considering your... history?" Freed asked as he started to pick up the fallen books. Gajeel thought for a second as he looked over Levy's left hand and saw the iron engagement ring bound around her ring finger. He then saw his own and smiled at the memory of his proposal. "Well, first of all, I don't know what she saw in me to be interested, to begin with. And... uh... before I knew it, I was in love with her."

Freed sighed in frustration as he knew how they got together but didn't get the answer to his question. "I meant, how did you... confess?"

"Well, let's see, I was about to die, Lily was holding Levy and I confessed then. Don't think ya wanna follow that." Gajeel replied with a chuckle. Freed slumped on the floor. He knew it, he was going to die alone. Suddenly Gajeel spoke up, "Freed, you will not know your answer until you ask the question. I never thought in a million years Levy would be by my side despite that night... and yet, here we are." Gajeel smiled as Levy mumbled something in her sleep.

Freed sat down on the floor. Maybe he was right.

Laxus slammed the door as he leaned back and grunted in frustration. evergreen and Bickslow looked up at him in confusion, considering he was a very carefree and stressfree person. He was so close. Just an inch further and he could've kissed Freed, god knows how badly he wanted to. Evergreen felt bad for ruining his moment but apologies wouldn't bring it back.

"Laxus, somethin' wron'?" Bickslow asked, unaware of the torment he was facing. "No nothing" Laxus flatly replied. 1 of the Raijinshuu was majorly involved in his love life, the remaining 2 were not required to be. "What is it?"

"Freed's birthday is in 3 days and we have a dinner reservation for 4. Be there got it?" Evergreen said as she gave him a page holding the details of the dinner reservation. Freed's birthday was in 3 days and he was turning 22. Maybe, just maybe, Laxus could make a move on him then? He nodded as he took the sheet and walked away.

Once Bickslow made sure that Laxus was out of earshot, pixels appeared and Bickslow transformed into Mira, or rather Mira turned into Bickslow and back to herself. Evergreen asked callously, "You sure this is going to work?" Mira smirked smugly, "It worked on you and Elfman, so..."

Mira chuckled evilly as Evergreen nervously backed away. Laxus and Freed were in for something big.

Meanwhile

Gajeel's head rested against the bookshelf as he held Levy safely in his arms. Freed worked on the translations as suddenly Levy mumbled something in her sleep. One of Gajeel's eyes opened up a crack as he tried to decipher what Levy was dreaming about. The next mumble was more audible and Freed looked up at Levy's direction as she tried mumbling something.

Suddenly she said, "Gajeel, harder." Freed was baulked at Levy's boldness and he looked at Gajeel. Gajeel looked at the woman resting in his arms as Levy woke up slowly. She woke up to the feeling of something foreign against her lower back and her ass, and she made eye contact with Gajeel who was looking at her devilishly. She knew that Gajeel knew what she had been dreaming about.

Instinctively, he got up and cradled Levy as he walked out of the library without saying another word. Freed looked at their disappearing figures as he suddenly started to remember all the other instances where Gajeel just picks up Levy and walks away.

Wow. Maybe Levy wasn't nearly as innocent as he took her for, considering what she wanted dream Gajeel to do to her.