Freed snatched up he and Laxus's things from behind the bar, extending his apologies to Master Bob before rushing after Laxus. Freed had very nearly lost his temper when that woman had touched Laxus's stomach…and tried to touch lower. He'd been ready to draw his sword and shout at her to get away from Laxus, but then he'd remembered where they where. Working. At the Guild they owed so much to. He'd forced himself to nod at Laxus. Laxus had even apologised as if it was his fault. It wasn't. His reflexes had stopped the woman from reaching her goal, and Laxus hadn't wanted to work here in the first place but he'd been out voted.

Freed was determined to shake it off and carry on. After all, he'd be able to touch Laxus all he wanted later, he'd make Laxus forget that awful woman's touch. Just like he always did these days. Not that Laxus was in any way interested in her but Freed often found himself feeling territorial during his time at work. There were just…so many of them. Luckily they never usually did more than touch or grope Laxus's arm, which set Freed's teeth on edge but he could endure it. What he couldn't endure was the woman who'd just attempted to touch Laxus far more intimately than was allowed, by both the club and himself, attempting to kiss him. Freed had been keeping an eye on Laxus since he'd snatched the woman's hand away. In fact his gaze was usually on Laxus the majority of the time.

No-one was allowed to touch Laxus except for him…but he'd had to adapt and change that rule in order to work at Blue Pegasus. He'd sacrificed Laxus's arms. After all…women where forever fawning over him and clutching at his arms. Yes, they're very well defined…strong…warm…..safe…..but it's far better to be inside them than whatever it is they're doing. He reasoned with himself. He dealt with it by recharging, as it were. Hugging Laxus tightly as soon as they got home for a good half an hour, cuddling him. Kissing him. It relaxed him after a long day of tension. Freed knew Laxus would never cheat on him, would never purposely hurt him, but it was other people that Freed didn't trust. So he kept an eye on his boyfriend.

Freed knew Laxus was upset by what had nearly happened, and upset no doubt that he, Freed, was upset. He hadn't been able to hide it before Laxus had looked at him. He could see Laxus was distracted as well as tired, so it wasn't his fault that he hadn't noticed what the woman was doing. But Freed had. He'd watched in a sort of sick fascination as she'd gotten closer and closer…and then she'd grabbed Laxus's face and Freed just snapped. He could see what was going to happen seconds before it did. He was already casting when she started to lean in, Laxus brought his hand up to shove her away but Freed had already finished casting. Kissing is definitely not allowed. You can't…you can't kiss Laxus. He's mine. You can't. Freed had thought trying to calm himself down before he did anything else. Freed couldn't seem to make himself relax, he was rigid. His shoulders tense. He couldn't unclench his fists. Not until Laxus touched his shoulder and Freed suddenly felt the tension ebb a little. He was still upset, but Laxus was there.

Laxus who was quite obviously fuming. We need this job, we have to honour our commitment, if Laxus loses his temper…I can't let him. Besides, he's only so angry because I'm upset. "Don't. It's fine" Freed managed to get out.

"It's not fine Freed" Laxus replied, his voice a growl. Freed was ready to comfort him, the words right there on the tip of his tongue…but Eve interrupted them. Eve was always so kind and complimentary to him, Freed could be nothing but the same back, but for some reason this irritated Laxus. Even more so today than usual. As he conversed with Eve, Freed felt Laxus's lightening crackling in the air. I know he's tired, he must have had a severely bad dream if he couldn't…or wouldn't go back to sleep. Freed knew Laxus would talk to him about it when he was ready so rather than pushing him for answers, Freed comforted him as best he could. But his boyfriends exhaustion was evident to anyone who looked closely at him. He's upset about what happened, and he's upset that I'm upset, but this is an extreme overreaction to a mere conversation about hair care. Freed thought to himself. Freed started to reach out his hands towards Laxus, intending to rub his arm, to show that he wasn't ignoring him…or his upset. But before he could things got…rather out of hand. One minute Eve had been touching Freed's hair, complimenting it and the next a lightening bolt had narrowly missed the other mage.

"Laxus!" Freed shouted at him, shocked, but before he could say anything else, Laxus spun and stormed out of the club. Honestly, what am I going to do with you? You're like a small child, overreacting when you feel ignored. Besides, he only touched…my…hair…oh. Oh. Freed's brain provided him with a mental image of the previous day, when one of Laxus's admirers had dared to touch his hair, their fingers petting the soft strands. Freed hadn't liked it. He wouldn't have liked it if Eve had done the same thing to Laxus. I see. This must be flirting, Laxus did say that Eve does it a lot. Freed thought to himself. Laxus had been attempting to correct his obliviousness to flirting, mostly by telling Freed that if he didn't like someone doing it to Laxus then Laxus wouldn't like someone doing it to Freed. Freed was getting there….very slowly.

Freed called out Laxus's name, but Laxus was fast and Freed knew he wouldn't be able to catch up to him. He could only hope that Laxus, feeling exhausted and upset, would head straight for home. Freed picked up his pace, and soon found himself pushing open the door to the apartment.

"Laxus?" Freed called out. Silence greeted him. He cautiously closed the door, before venturing further in to the apartment. Laxus wasn't in the kitchen or the living room, which left one place he might be. After depositing their things in their usual spot, Freed gently pushed open the bedroom door and came to a halt. Laxus was curled up in the foetal position on Freed's side of the bed, his face buried in Freed's pillow and he was definitely asleep, if the steady rise and fall of his chest was anything to go by. Freed smiled at the sight, carefully padding forward. He lightly brushed Laxus's hair out of his face, before gently tugging the blanket over him. Tucking him in as carefully as he could so as not to wake him. Freed smiled down at the man he loved, and kissed him lightly on the cheek before retreating.

Laxus slowly came awake, blinking his eyes open gently. He wasn't sure what it was that had woken him up, but he figured he'd slept enough. He slowly sat up, the blanket that had been tucked over him falling down to his waist…..wait…blanket? I didn't….Laxus sniffed the air. Freed. He could tell the other man was in the apartment from the smell. Freed's scent was stronger. That and he could smell something cooking. All signs pointed to Freed, which meant….Laxus glanced at the time. Yep. He followed me. He's going to be so mad. Laxus scrubbed a hand over his face, before sighing deeply. I better get this over with. Laxus swung his legs out of bed and slowly trudged in the direction of the kitchen.

Freed was totally absorbed in his cooking, so he didn't notice Laxus enter the doorway. Laxus paused for a moment and just watched. Freed was standing in front of the stove, wearing a pair of dark pants, and a black, sleeveless shirt. Freed's lightly muscled arms on full display. His hair was tied back in a ponytail, high on his head. He was bustling around, adding a little of this, and a little of that before tasting it. If music had been playing, Freed would probably have been dancing, but he'd obviously elected to work in silence so he wouldn't wake Laxus up. Laxus couldn't help the smile that came to his face, the little ways that Freed showed how much he cared got to Laxus more than the bigger ones he had to admit. He steeled himself for what he had to do. It was never easy for him admitting he was wrong, especially when it came to something like this. He didn't like the way that Eve fawned over Freed, and he didn't like the way he'd been shut out of the conversation…but he had overreacted. He knew that.

"I'm sorry" Laxus said roughly. Freed spun, a concerned look on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I can apologise without being sick Freed" Laxus mumbled. Freed waved his hand.

"I'm not talking about that" Freed said, dismissively.

"Oh. Yeah. I'm just…tired." Freed raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate and refusing to back down. "I had a bad dream so I didn't sleep well and I…I got jealous okay. Eve's always flirting with you and he was touching you" Laxus sulked. Freed blushed and turned back to the stove, making himself busy.

"I…..I was jealous too" He said quietly. "That woman…she was touching you and she nearly…." Freed swallowed. He felt a presence at his back and knew Laxus was right behind him.

"I'm going to switch to working behind the bar. I know it's not what Ichiya wanted but…I don't want to keep hurting you Freed. I'm sorry, I know it's not what the deal with Blue Pegasus was. You went to so much trouble to protect me-"

"What do you mean?" Freed said quickly, too quickly. Laxus smirked.

"I figured out why you wanted to go to Blue Pegasus so much. You had to know I'd figure it out eventually" Freed mumbled something unintelligible and Laxus smirked, bringing his head down so his lips where near to Freed's ear. "You wanted me to work as a host with you because I'd be safe. No dangerous missions…." Laxus trailed off, kissing the spot behind Freed's ear that he liked so much. He felt Freed shiver.

"I don't…I don't know what you're talking about. We owe Blue Pegasus quite a debt and-"

"Yeah yeah, I know the spiel Freed. But I'm not buying it anymore"

"I…but…I…." Laxus wrapped his arms around Freed, snuggling close to him.

"Thank you." he whispered. "No-one cares about me as much as you do. No-one's ever wanted to protect me before" Freed relaxed in to Laxus's arms, turning to face him. A soft smile that only Laxus could produce gracing his features.

"I understand why you got upset earlier, I won't let Eve within such close proximity to me again, I promise" Freed said earnestly. Laxus smiled before he leaned down and pressed his lips to Freeds, kissing him sweetly. Freed opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, and brought his hand up to cup Laxus's face….he pulled away abruptly.

"What?" Laxus asked, frowning down at him.

Freed studied his face. His skin felt warm…far warmer than it should normally be, and his skin was pale. Freed brought his hand up to feel Laxus's forehead.

"You have a temperature" Freed said, concern written all over his face. "I should have noticed earlier. Go back to bed"

"No, today's been shitty and I'm comfortable here" Laxus said stubbornly. Turning the smaller man back around slightly, and pulling Freed's back tight against his chest. "Let's just stay like this for a while, kay?" Freed turned his head slightly so he could get a look at Laxus face, and couldn't help the small smirk at Laxus's flushed cheeks and adorably embarrassed face.

"Stop looking at me like that" Laxus mumbled before burying his face in Freed's neck. Freed didn't say a word. He merely touched his head to Laxus's and brought his hands to where Laxus's where pressed against his stomach and gently wove his fingers with his dragon slayers.