"Pull over. Let me drive for a while." (Modern AU)
Laxus' eyes were growing heavy and it was hard to concentrate on the road before him. In the back seats he could hear Ever's and Bickslow's soft snores as they slept through the soft hum of the engine. Freed was right next to him with a serene look on his face as he too slept. The blonde only had to last a few more hours and he'll would be fine and sleeping in a motel bed.
A few minutes passed and suddenly he felt a light touch on his arm.
The sudden act had him jumping and snapping awake. But it was not enough to scare away his fatigue.
"Hey Laxus. Pull over. Let me drive for a while." Freed's soft voice floated to his ear. It was rough from just having waken up.
Laxus, still a bit surprise looked at him momentarily, but it was enough time to see the soft light in Freed's dark blue eyes and the small smile on his lips. He could feel the hand on his arm squeeze in a bit of reassurance and all Laxus could do was nod his head.
"It reminded me of you." (Canon Universe)
Sitting at the guild's bar, Freed slowly rose a cup of wine to his lips.
The party around him was putting him in a rather nice mood. So it would have been rude to have refused the drink the Mira had offered.
Sadly he was not able to enjoy himself as much as he liked because his Dragon Slayer had not returned home from a mission. So in a way the wine flowing through his veins was to try and dull the worry. Freed knew that he shouldn't be feeling at all that way, but he couldn't help feel the way he did. The moment that he realized that he had saw Laxus as more than a friend then his view on him changed. He couldn't help the lingering glances that he gave the blonde nor could he hide the way that his heart would skip a beat every time Laxus said his name. Freed cared for Laxus than he actually should but he couldn't help it.
Then suddenly a shadow fell over him and the light around him dimmed.
He turned around in shock and was faced with a broad chest clad in a tight purple shirt.
"Here I got you this book on my mission. It reminded me of you."
As those words were spoken a small leather bound journal was shoved in his hands and when Freed was able to clear his mind of the sudden shock. He looked down and saw how the little black book was branded with a design of a rose. He looked up again and he could have sworn that he saw a blush on the person's cheeks.
Maybe it was just the wine.
"Thank you, Laxus. This is very sweet of you."
"No, no. It's my treat." (Canon Universe)
"Freed, you don't have to do this!" Laxus tried to argue.
Freed just shook his head and moved over the blonde and reached to grab the bandages. Moving back to face Laxus he wore a delicate blush on his face and his hands were like feathers on Laxus' burnt chest. Freed made sure that the cream over the red flesh was dispersed evenly and then started to wrap the bandages around Laxus. "It's alright Laxus. I was supposed to be the one getting hit, but you had jumped right in front of the spell. So this is my way of saying thanks." And my way of saying that I'm sorry that I was too slow to get out of the way. I'm sorry that you got hurt because of me.
"Just please let me take care of you…" Freed added as a soft whisper.
Laxus' eyes widen when he heard those words and it made all the fight in him melt away. He just moved to lay on the bed. The day's events making his body begin to ache and his eyes grow heavy.
Freed knew that his work was done so he sat on the edge of the bed for a moment watching as Laxus rested. The thought that his God was going to be alright was enough to calm him. He got up and started to move to the door.
"Freed?" Laxus said.
The man in question turned around at the sound of his voice and saw that look a slight fear cross the larger man's face. It was stranger to see him in such a state so it was out of pure instinct that Freed had rushed to his side.
"I'm just going to make you something to eat." He saw the way Laxus' lips began to move to argue but Freed was quick in silencing with a slim finger on his rough lips. He leaned forward and with no second thought kissed Laxus' forehead. "No, no. It's my treat."
"Come here, let me fix that." (Canon Universe)
It was the big day.
Finally Evergreen and Elfman were going to get married and Freed Justine could no tie a tie to save his own life. That is why he stuck to curvets. They were simple and didn't bring on the hassle of ties. As he stood in front of the mirror he was very tempting to go without a tie but he knew that Evergreen would kill him for not looking presentable as he walked her down the alter with Laxus' and Bickslow.
"Come here, let me fix that." Came a low and rough voice.
A strong hand wrapped around his wrist and before Freed could process anything. He was spun around and soon hands were moving along his arms and came to rest against his chest were fingers began to move the fabric of the tie and manipulate it into a proper knot. Freed looked up in astonishment. His breathe was taken from him when he noticed how close he and Laxus were standing.
There something behind Laxus' stormy grey eyes that scent Freed's mind reeling and his body growing hot. He couldn't help but move his own hands and fix Laxus' crooked collar. He could feel the way that Laxus body tensed up but soon he relaxed and Freed let out a breath that he didn't know that he was holding.
"You look amazing…" Laxus told him.
"I'll walk you home." (Modern AU)
Laxus came to the same diner every night after his boxing training. He went out of his way to see that one certain waiter with long green hair and striking blue eyes. Always sitting in the same booth and being over joyed when the green haired angle was the one to serve him. When he was struck with that luck they would talk for a long time. It was as if they had known each other for years. Their conversation flowing through their lips with ease.
However it was very late one night that Laxus had gone to the diner. The smell of an oncoming storm hung in the chilling air. As he walked in he noticed that Freed was walking out from the back with a large coat adorning his shoulders.
Their eyes met and Freed immediately smiled. "Laxus, I thought that you weren't coming today. I was just leaving."
Laxus felt guilty for keeping the other waiting and then suddenly a thought stuck him. This was the first time that he was able to see Freed off his shift. He was no longer the waiter that he hoped served him, but a friend that he was going to hopefully have a late coffee with.
"Maybe I can try and convince you to some coffee and pancakes. Someone told me that this place has the best chocolate chip pancakes on this side of town." Laxus knew that he had just given the worse impromptu date offer in the world but the way that Freed's eyes lit up and his cheeks grew red just made then entire ordeal worth it.
"I would love some coffee and pancakes." He said.
They sat together at a booth in the back of the dinner and they talked for a good while. The supply of free coffee was almost never endless. Their blue haired waitress smiled knowingly at Freed and that only made him roll his eyes.
As the night grew darker Freed knew that he was going to end this date eventually and the thought broke his heart.
"it's getting late…" He said over his mug of streaming hot coffee.
Laxus looked up sharply from his order of pancakes and swallowed the bit that was in his mouth. He then looked out the window and noticed how it stated to lightly rain.
"I'll walk you home." Laxus said without giving his actions a second thought.
Freed was caught off by the statement and when he finally let his mind register the words a new blush painted over his cheeks and he felt his lips form a smile. "Thank you, I would really like that."
"Have a good day at work." (Modern AU)
Everyone was in a rush.
Freed was hurrying up to finish up breakfast for Elizabeth and Laxus was running around the house trying to find his keys. If he went to work late again then his grandfather was going to kill him. Maybe if he took Elizabeth then it would lessen the outburst that the old man would have.
"Freed! Where are my keys!?" He screamed from under the couch.
Soon after he heard a jingle of metal. He quickly crawled out from the tight space and in the process banged his head. He growled in pain and rubbed at the small bump that was starting to form on top of his head. "Damn it…" He mumbled.
Laxus walked into the kitchen and saw his little 9 month baby playing with the very same keys that he had been looking for. "So you were the one that had stolen my keys." He gave her a small smirk and rose an eyebrow. The look on his face was enough to set the small baby into a fit of giggles. Freed turned from the bottle that he was prepping for Elizabeth and rushed to Laxus' side as said blonde was able to snatch his keys and give his daughter a kiss on her chubby cheeks.
"Laxus you have to get going or else you are going to be late to work." Freed scolded him, but the sigh before him made it impossible for him not to smile. Moments later he felt strong arms wrap around his waist and then a pair of lips pressing against his own.
The broke apart and Freed licked his lips. Slowing his breathing he was able to utter a simple phrase.
"Have a good day at work."
"I dreamt of you." (Canon Universe/ Post Tartarus Arc)
He could feel the poison burning through his veins and the pain was almost enough to make him scream out, but he was able to make out one thing through the haze of pain.
A soft voice was calling out to him. Begging for him to open his eyes. The voice was familiar and when he was able to make it out a flash of colors lit up behind his closed eyes. Greed, red, gold, and a dark blue. He dreamt of days that he was strong enough to keep the person most important to him safe and out of harm's way. He dreamt of a certain person that had always been by his side. He dreamt and with those dreams he was able to figure what he felt towards that person.
As he fought against the wave of the pain he made sure that he focused on the hand that gripped on to his own and to the voice that whispered in his ears. Begging and confessing emotions that he too wanted to expressed.
Then suddenly the pain began to dull and he was finally given the ability to open his eyes. For a moment he thought that he was alone but then he caught site of red, green, gold, and dark.
"Laxus, you're awake!" The angle cried.
He could feel his cracked and dry lips forming a smile and then he spoke after what felt like an eternity of pain.
"I dreamt of you."
"Take my seat." (Canon Universe)
It broke Freed's heart when he saw Laxus go through any form of pain or discomfort. At that moment he could see that the Lightning Dragon Slayer was going through some sort of internal struggle.
As the very crowded train began to move he noticed that way that Laxus' entire body began to tense and the shade of green over his face grew darker. His heart clenched painfully and he felt it like an obligation that he should try and ease whatever type of pain Laxus was in at the time.
"Laxus?" he asked.
The man bit back an annoyed growl and looked down at the seated man. "What do you want Freed?" Laxus growled.
The way that Freed recoiled at the sound of the other's voice had made Laxus feel slight guild. He hadn't meant to sound so rude but he just wasn't feeling well. Everyone knew that he didn't do well on an moving objects that wasn't another living person. Not like he had been given a ton of rides by mages who had used some sort of flying magic beside Freed. Because he was the only person that Laxus trusted.
Freed was able to recover quickly from the sudden hostile behavior from his best friend. So it only took a moment for him to stand up and press himself against Laxus' body. Seeing as there was no room around them in the crowded train cart. He pushed lightly against Laxus chest and began to turn then so the Laxus' back was facing the now open seat that Freed had created.
"Take my seat." Freed had ordered.
Laxus was stun at Freed's actions and all he could really do was stand there until the pressure against his chest became stronger and he was pushed down.
Moments later he was sitting stunned and looking up at a blushing Freed who had raised up a hand and grabbed a hold of the leather straps that the train had offered.
"You'll feel better from your motion sickness if you sit down." Freed had explained.
Laxus looked up at his Captain with wide eyes and all he could say was. "Thank you."
What was Freed doing to him?
"I've saved a piece for you." (Canon Universe)
When the guild ever had a chance to throw a birthday party they made sure that they went all out for the person. There was usually always food, drinks, and games. Everyone had a good time and at the end of the party there was always a big cake that mostly everyone got a bite out of.
At that point of the party it turned into a war because everyone would want a piece of the cake. Sadly that meant that there were a few that didn't get any and were left with a look on longing on their faces as they saw the cake slowly start to be devoured.
Freed knew that he wouldn't have a chance at getting a piece even if the snow white frosting and the strawberry toppings were a delectable sight. He stayed behind and ate his food and saw as the might Erza was the first to get a slice. She was glowing with triumph as she walked back to her seat.
It was an amusing sight that his guild mates were putting on so it was enough to replace his craving for the cake.
Breaking out of the crowd Laxus held two plates of cake and was making his way to the distracted Rune Mage.
Freed caught sight of his Lightning God and failed to notice the second plate.
He smiled up at the blonde and moved to the side to make more room for him in the booth. Laxus took his seat and pushed the second plate towards his Captain. The look of shock and confusion was a nice look on the greenett and Laxus felt a swell of affection towards the younger man.
"I've saved a piece for you." Laxus explained.
"I'm sorry for your loss." (Canon Universe)
It was strange for Laxus knowing that the old man was truly gone. He had thought somehow that his grandfather would never leave because for so long he had been a constant.
Now that the third guild mater had passed away - from old age - it truly dawned over him what an awful grandson he had been towards the old man. He didn't know what to feel. Laxus was conflicted between anger, guilt, frustration, and grief. Makarov was the only person that he had that he knew would never give up on him. Laxus had just lost his only family and during the time that the old man had been alive Laxus had treated him like shit.
Laxus wished with every fiber in his body that he had the ability to turn back the clock and start from the very beginning. His grandfather didn't deserve what had been done to him by Laxus and Ivan. He had loved them both and wanted nothing for than the best for them.
Now he was dead and Laxus would never have the chance the say that he had truly loved the old man. That he was more of a father than Ivan ever was and that he was thankful that he had never given up hope on Laxus.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and that was the thing that broke him out of his train of thought.
Getting off the couch with much reluctance and annoyance. Laxus was ready to give whoever was on the other side of the door a piece of his mind and maybe a few lightning strikes. He was not in the mood for company at the moment.
He opened the door and was met with a very familiar sight.
Freed stood before him clad in black. His eyes were wide with dark emotions and it seemed that Laxus was in such a state that it had warranted a gasp from the rune mage. Freed gave no warning to the blonde. All he did was take a few steps forward until there was no space left between them and wrapped his arms around Laxus' neck.
Soon after Laxus found himself in a tight embrace and he couldn't find it in himself to fight in.
The day had been so long that he just needed a way to let go of the emotions that he was holding back. Around anyone else he would have just kept the cold mask but he was around Freed at that moment. Freed was his oldest friend and the only family he had now. How could Laxus have thought that he was now alone when there was a person in his arms that would do anything for him?
Laxus recovered and rose his own arms and wrapped them around Freed's body.
He felt his face grow wet and to his surprise he realized that he was crying. Freed felt it too and held Laxus that much closer.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
That was the day that Laxus had lost someone very dear to him, but it also was the day that he had gained so much more.
He let himself break in front of Freed because he knew that Freed would be there to help pick up the piece and he would never leave him.