Chapter 3 - Truth and Kisses

Still too weak to get about much, Freed called a family meeting in his bedroom. Bickslow exclaimed in surprise when Freed told him his gender, then looked around at Ever and Laxus, shrugged, and said, "That explains a lot of things."

Freed laughed. "What kinds of things?"

"You never were very girly," Bickslow said, prompting Freed and Ever to launch into an explanation of gender stereotypes and queerfeminism. "I get it, sorry," Bickslow laughed. "I meant this fits you. Glad you're open."

Freed smiled. He was doing that more.

Freed had never been dour, but a new peace settled on him as he recovered. The new Freed was confident, relieved, energetic. As if a jittery soul-sickness was finally dying away.

Ever slept for a full day and Laxus took over as Freed's helper, discussing more of the book with him and reading in between times because it turned out Freed had a knack for collecting interesting books. Whenever they looked at each other, eye contact lasted a few seconds longer than it should. The air between them changed so fast, but it didn't feel strange: someone had flipped a switch and the lights were on now.

It took two days before Freed could start doing things for himself, and a week before he was in full working order. To celebrate, he and Laxus trained lightly together, which turned into a magic lesson since Laxus was curious about runes and Freed enjoyed teaching.

When he wasn't at the Raijinshuu home, Laxus busied himself with a secret new project. At some point, his teammates grew curious, forcing Laxus to lock them out of his house, laughing at their ridiculous attempts to guess what he was up to.

A month after Freed's breakdown and several weeks since letting the guild know his true gender (simply showing up as himself—it was quite a moment), Laxus arrived on their doorstep, grabbed Freed, and walked right back out again.

"Where are we going?" Freed asked in bewilderment, hand in Laxus's as the Dragon Slayer led him down the street.

"To show you what I've been doing this month."

Freed's eyes shone with excitement and he hurried to match Laxus's stride.

When they reached the old house which had begun as Yuri and Rita's home a century ago, Laxus stopped out front and looked at Freed. Confused, Freed surveyed the building.

"It's cleaner?"

"Considerably. I don't think the outside has been scrubbed since my mother died. Nearly scrubbed my fingertips off."

"You did it yourself? Ew," Freed teased, making a show of releasing Laxus's hand and wiping his palm on his pants, though this had the unfortunately side effect of them no longer holding hands.

"There's more." Laxus led the way inside, Freed stopping dead in the doorway.

"Oh my god. Laxus…wow."

His reaction made Laxus grin.

"Painting took the longest," he said. "I asked Kinana to pick less depressing colors. She has an eye for that kind of thing."

"You definitely don't."

"If you're referring to my wardrobe choices in my early twenties, let's not even go there."

While Freed chortled, Laxus glanced over his body: Freed's wardrobe had changed considerably since coming out. At the same time, it hadn't changed all that much. He'd always hated overly effeminate clothes…now he simply got to go all the way, in a tailored, Freed-like way. He looked superb.

"So what's all this about?" Freed poked his head through a doorway and drew back in awe. "Just how much did you change?"

"A lot."

"You did all the work yourself? The floors, cabinetry…?"

"Pretty much. Doing it myself helped me."

Biting his lip, Freed asked slowly, "With what?"

"Letting go." Laxus spread his arms. "I'm selling the place."

Freed's jaw dropped.

"Where will you live?"

"With Jijii while I find a new place."

"With Master? He must be overjoyed."

"I had to bribe him to keep his mouth shut. I don't need the entire guild knowing I had to move back in with family. At my age."

Freed snorted a laugh, his smile infectious as he stared up at Laxus, the understanding in his eyes encompassing so many things.

"I never thought you'd actually get rid of it," he murmured, voice warm.

"I didn't either." Laxus looked around. "What you said about my memories of this place got to me. I kept the house because I wanted it to be happy again; but my mother isn't coming back, nor is Ivan—I wouldn't want him to, the fucker. But like you said, it doesn't all have to be connected: I can keep the good memories without subjecting myself to everything this house means over and over."

"I said that?"

"You kind of said the opposite," Laxus laughed. "But you meant things which are part of us: we stuff them away if they get too painful. But this place isn't part of me anymore—I've moved on to a better life. So why am I holding onto it? I can keep the good things and still let go."

Stepping closer, Freed smiled up at him. "You seem far more complete having made this decision."

"Thanks."

Hearing Freed inhale, Laxus's heart sped up. He was just so pretty.

"That's what I wanted to show you," the Dragon Slayer said, breathless. "We can head back."

"Wait." Wrapping sudden arms around Laxus, Freed drew him into a hug. "Here's one more not-terrible memory for this place," he murmured. "A comparatively tiny one, but…you know what I mean."

"Freed."

The word drew Freed's gaze up, still embracing Laxus. Touching his fingertips to Freed's face, Laxus traced his jaw and tipped his chin up. Freed didn't draw away.

Laxus kissed him.

Freed's nervous shudder was exquisite, vibrating against Laxus's body. The Dragon Slayer exhaled roughly against Freed's cheek. When Freed's tongue slipped into his mouth and connected with his own, the tension in Laxus's gut burst in a shower of sparks.

"Freed," he groaned.

They stared at each other, so close, wide-eyed and tender, and then Freed wrapped his hands around Laxus's neck and pulled him down for more. Fuck, more. Freed moving against him, wanting him, kissing him.

Sliding his hands along Freed's sides, Laxus kissed a passionate trail down Freed's neck, sucking on hard tendons and making Freed moan. When Freed pushed him against the wall, the assertiveness made Laxus's blood race. Grinding against Laxus, Freed kissed him heavily, calloused palms framing his face, and Laxus felt exhilarated—Freed was this turned on for him.

With Freed in control, Laxus gripped him with shaking fingers, entering Freed's mouth, letting Freed slip under his shirt and scratch his skin.

"Fuck," Laxus gasped, shooting harder. "Holy shit. You kiss even better in real life."

"You fantasize about me?"

"Did you think all the flirting was fake?"

"Definitely not." Freed's smile twitched. "I like hearing you say it, though."

The Dragon Slayer raised a cocky eyebrow, but inside his pulse was throbbing. The rune mage's fingers crept back under his shirt and dragged at the skin.

"Oh gods," Laxus muttered, melting.

"You're so easy." Freed leaned his forehead against Laxus's shoulder. "This is so breaking the rules."

"There aren't any rules, Freed."

"Unspoken."

"The only rule is respect." Laxus drew back so he could look Freed in the eye. "Do you feel respected?"

"Yes."

"Well then."

"Laxus."

Freed inhaled, and Laxus wasn't sure how he was going to finish that sentence.

"Please kiss me again."

The Dragon Slayer swept Freed into another long kiss and when Freed took over, the brazenness was the most attractive thing Laxus had ever experienced. Pressing Laxus to the wall, Freed pinched his ass and got an undignified whimper in response, Laxus moving closer into his embrace. He wasn't the least bit ashamed by his own surrender.

Kissing Freed's neck made the rune mage winded, which in turn made Laxus grin. As he fiddled with the top button of Freed's shirt, Freed gently took his hands.

"Before you do this," Freed whispered, "I need you to understand. This body won't be like others you've touched. And there are scars."

"Scars?" Laxus asked in alarm.

"On my chest, from the magic."

Relieved, Laxus kissed his forehead.

"My body might not be what we want it to be…" Freed continued. "It might be disappointing. It may be hard to work around. But it's what I've got."

"I'd like the chance to make up my own mind," Laxus said in a quiet growl. "Don't decide for me."

"Oh. Okay." Freed pushed long hair behind an ear. "I just wanted to warn you."

Laxus sucked the newly-bare skin along Freed's jaw and Freed groaned.

"Are you warning me because you're afraid I'll leave?" Laxus asked softly, lips brushing his throat.

"You're attracted to men, so it stands to reason you'd be attracted to proper male bodies," Freed stammered, breathless as Laxus kept kissing him.

Laxus kissed the soft skin under Freed's ear and Freed gasped: despite his arguing, he was clearly conceding to Laxus's attention.

"You act like you have to see a person naked to know if they're attractive," Laxus muttered. "But you are so damn hot. You turned me on in Nichou, and that hasn't changed."

Laxus tugged Freed's hips even closer to illustrate his point. It was more stimulating than he expected, his brain whiting out for a moment. Freed ground against him groaning, "Holy shit…"

Freed grasped Laxus's chin and guided him in for a kiss. Asking tactile permission, Laxus hovered his fingers at Freed's buttons again.

"You may," Freed said into his mouth.

So Laxus removed Freed's shirt, slow because Freed's tongue was distracting him. As Freed let the garment slide off his shoulders, Laxus was still kissing him. Eyes closed. He wanted to appreciate Freed's body, get his fill, but would looking making Freed nervous? He'd never seen Freed shirtless. He wanted to see.

Hands around Freed's waist, Laxus leaned back and took him in. Corded arms; ridged scars on his chest where runes had changed that part of his appearance; his toned abdomen. As Freed swallowed, the tendons in his neck stood out, and that was sexy too.

"Goddamn, you're ripped," Laxus said hoarsely.

Freed chuckled, biting his lip. "I work out as much as you do."

"Damn…" Laxus slid his hands up Freed's muscles, then stopped. "I can touch you, right? This is okay?"

"Yes." Freed released a tense breath and smiled. "This is more than okay."

Trailing his fingers over Freed's body, Laxus marveled in the warmth of his skin and watched his awed expressions. Freed's sigh of pleasure made shivers break over his skin. Laxus kissed his eyebrow and got a happy hum in response.

When he touched the end of one of the scars, Freed flinched. Laxus drew back.

"Sorry, it's fine," Freed said immediately, flushing. "I didn't expect it to be so sensitive. No one's touched my scars before."

He took Laxus's hand and drew it back to his chest.

A little nervous, Laxus ran his palms down Freed's body, surprised at the moan this pulled out of him. Laxus kept caressing and kissing, while Freed continued grinding across the very hard bulge of his trousers. At some point Freed dispensed with Laxus's shirt and sucked his nipple, causing Laxus to swear loudly.

Propping one knee against the wall at Laxus's side and trapping him further, Freed increased the pressure between them. While Laxus grabbed his ass, Freed sucked a hicky onto the side of his neck, high and visible. A roll of his hips had Laxus grunting and gripping him harder. Laxus got lost in their frantic movements and eager sounds.

Freed coming was a beautiful thing. He broke away from the kiss, his eyes slid shut, and he held Laxus painfully hard to keep him from moving away. Laxus soaked up the desperation on Freed's face, kissed every centimeter he could reach as Freed mewled his name, the scent of sex everywhere.

All it took was Freed grating against him for Laxus to come in his pants. Shaking, he held tight to Freed while the world spun around him, and Freed leaned up to kiss his mouth.

As Freed resettled on both feet, their chests touched, naked skin on naked skin. They stared at each other without saying anything. Laxus could only think one thing: Freed looked so strong when he was vulnerable.

Glancing down, Freed smirked. "Oops. Did I do that?"

A wet spot had soaked through the front of Laxus's pants.

"Good thing I haven't moved out yet," Laxus chuckled. "Guess I should change."

"One more of these first," Freed murmured, stretching up to kiss him. "Just to finish things off."

The kiss turned into an embrace, cuddling against the wall for a long moment.

When Freed pulled away, he self-consciously hunched his shoulders, hair spilling across his chest like a curtain. Laxus wondered if he felt weird walking around shirtless.

He pushed Freed's hair behind his ear so he could get another look at him. Gods, he was so gorgeous.

Laxus found Freed's hand.

"I don't want this to just be a sex thing," the Dragon Slayer muttered. "I want this to be an everything thing."

"Are you asking me out?" Freed asked, smiling.

"Dinner tonight?"

Freed blinked. "Tonight?"

"Unless you're busy."

"I'm not," Freed said quickly. He chuckled, self-conscious. "I didn't know you wanted me that bad."

"I saw a hot guy in Nichou and had to wait a month to get a date with him," Laxus said gruffly. Staring at Freed was turning him on again. "Gods, please put your shirt on—you're too damn attractive."

Grinning, Freed gave the front of Laxus's pants another suggestive look and went to find his clothes on the floor.

When Laxus reemerged, Freed was leaning in the hall smiling. Though crisp and put-together, a glow still radiated from him. That Laxus could physically satisfy Freed made him feel he could do anything.

And Freed…Freed could truly do anything. He was the most capable person Laxus knew—not just in life, but in courage, honesty, and letting go.

Freed took his hand and nodded to the door.

"Shall we? Don't want to defile this house even more right before you sell it."

"It could probably handle being defiled a time or two more. It's a sturdy house."

Freed's laugh followed them out in to the street. It caught on the wind, chasing after them as they returned from dinner that night, contagious, like Freed was just that full of happiness. That happiness spilled over until Laxus's chest was full and tight.

"This might be premature," Laxus said as they strolled down the street, "but maybe…after a few more dates…you'd consider being my boyfriend."

Freed stopped short and put a hand over his mouth, eyes wide. Laxus slammed his mouth shut. Shit.

"Boyfriend," Freed whispered. "Not girlfriend."

The awe in his face was the most beautiful and heart-breaking thing Laxus had ever seen.

"I don't date women, Freed," he said softly. "Only men. Like you."

Freed's smile twisted with emotion.

"Just like you," Laxus continued. "Strong arms, nice ass…"

"I see your true motive," Freed chuckled, the words tight and happy.

"I don't just want your body," Laxus said with a mock-pout, knowing Freed would flush red, and enjoying the vulnerability on his face.

"I'm glad you want my body," Freed murmured, quiet, as if hoping Laxus wouldn't hear.

"I didn't decide on principal to 'be okay' with you. If you'd asked me a few months ago what I thought about dating trans partners, I wouldn't have had an answer," Laxus admitted. "I was simply attracted to you, independent of anything else. So this might sound presumptuous, but…I think you can trust I won't just stop finding you hot."

Freed swallowed. "Thanks. That actually means a lot."

Grinning at this affirmation, Laxus swung their hands, feeling like a little kid—which he hadn't felt on a date in a long time.

"Let's find someplace to get dessert."

Freed caught his grin. "Let's."


A/N: I love writing trans/enbie smut because it's awkward and complicated and too many people shy away from the body issues. WE NEED MORE SMUT-REP

Gratsu is OTP, but I'm kind of in love with these two as well. Maybe because I relate with Freed as a Supergay avid reader lololol

Drop a comment and tell me your thoughts. It helps me to hear from you lovelies.