Warnings: This story contains romance of a homosexual nature. This chapter includes very sensitive themes such as suicide and child abuse. The views expressed by the characters are NOT necessarily the author's views on the subject; so do not take any offense.
Disclaimer: All characters and whatnot belonged to Hiro Mashima, may the anime return soon.
The water had long since grown cold, but Freed had remained static. Pulling himself from his stupor, he moved to turn off the tap and let the remaining moisture slide from his skin. After drying his hair, he wrapped a towel around his waist, just as his companion had earlier, and removed himself from the steamy room. The brisk air met his pores with a cool shock as he left. Freed found Laxus still in his towel, lounged across the far bed. The green haired man adorned himself in a striped, green and white pajama set and sat on his own bed. The cop show from earlier was still blaring. As Freed moved to get his hairbrush, he noticed Laxus wasn't really paying attention, but rapidly chewing on the inside of his cheek. And all I did to break him of that habit, at least it serves as a warning signal. The usually unnoticeable motion told Freed that Laxus was very upset. Sometimes, it was the only sign of emotion the blonde showed.
"Laxus, what's wrong?"
"Nothin'." At this point, they both knew he was lying, but neither brought it up. Freed sighed and returned to brushing his hair.
"Hey Freed?"
"Yes, Laxus?"
"Could I-"
"Of course," Freed didn't need the other to complete his question. He lifted his body from his bed and sat directly in front of the Thunder mage who kneeled in order to comply with the position. Said Thunder mage, took the brush from his friend's hand and ran it through the dampened tresses.
From the top to the end, Laxus brushed the green hair, working through the tangles, marveling at the two pronounced cowlicks. It was this action that had always helped him to relax, he often did it when the Raijinshuu were out on mission, or whenever he was alone with Freed. The blonde loved the repetitive motion of his right arm, the silky texture of strands beneath his fingers, like blades of grass. Laxus just adored Freed's hair; it was so delicate and pretty. Pretty? I must be high or something. He had even considered growing his own hair out for a while, but then reconsidered due to his fear that he would become blonde Gajeel. Plus it would look hella gay, he smirked, not like Freed would have to worry about that though.
The man whose hair was being brushed hummed contently with every stroke, but the trance was broken when the bristles ruptured against the buttons trailing down the back of his shirt.
"Dammit, Freed, take off your stupid shirt, it's getting in the way." Now, Freed would have usually refused, albeit blushing modestly, but due to his current state of euphoria, he soundlessly did what he was told.
"Yes, Laxus."
"Better."
The smaller male's attention turned back towards to the airing program. He didn't really remember what had been happening, but currently a policeman was searching an abandoned house. Through the speakers, the high screaming of a child could be heard, the detective moved faster. The agony in the screams was growing louder as did the bashing of furniture, and the detective rounded the final corner.
As he turned, the screen depicted a dirty grey room, trails of blood dragged across the walls. It appeared to be made of concrete, and the remains of a shattered window littered the floor. A defeated heap was discarded in the shadow of a brawny man. The heap was revealed to be a child who lay with blackened bruises, and open cuts upon his face. His eyes were wide in absolute terror, mouth open in a silent scream. The man merely laughed and raised his fist to deliver another blow as the child cried out.
"No! Daddy, please!"
He could feel the tension in the hand brushing his hair. Freed's hand lashed out to the remote and quickly changed the channel to sports. Allowing himself to exhale, he closed his eyes.
"Hey, why did you change the channel?"
"We-well," Freed stuttered, " I just wanted to check out some stats from a game last week."
"Freed, it's more likely that Droy gets laid, than you being into any sport whatsoever. You're an awful liar, you know that right?" Laxus turned Freed's head around to face him. Blue eyes searched worriedly into the orange pools, but where the Rune knight expected to see anger or frustration, he only glimpsed something softer, perhaps even singed with sadness. Gratitude? No, not when the Thunder mage had just reprimanded him. "Look, you're too damn polite to say it, but I know you're thinking about Ivan. But it's fine, don't worry bout it. I'm cool, so just go back to your show."
"Laxus, I don't need to see it, we can just wa-"
"Go back to your damn show," the blonde said with a knowing grin. When the green haired man looked as if he was going to refuse he said, "You're like an middle aged woman when her kids are at school, you need your cop show."
"I'm going to pretend that you didn't say that last part, and turn it back."
Doing as he said he would, Freed was relieved to find that the scene filled with abuse had ended, with the father being arrested. The pair sat back in silence and watched as the father was deemed unable to be tried due to his newly discovered mental sickness. He was instead sent to an institute, and a friend of the policeman's happily adopted the abused boy. The episode came to an end with the father hanging himself in the ward and his linens constricting his throat.
"Good, the world is better off without people like him." Laxus said, turning off the Television Lacryma.
The shoulders, that belonged to the man whose hair Laxus had taken to braiding, tensed. If child abuse was a touchy subject for the blonde, then suicide was the counterpart to the green haired man. "You really think that someone dying makes the world better?" The Rune knight's voice shook.
"In his case, yeah he's a goddamn bastard to hurt his kid like that, but he shouldn't have killed himself, suicide it stupid."
At this, Freed jumped of the bed and turned to face his partner. "Stupid! How?"
"Well, I mean it's a cowards move. If a problem is hard, make it better." Laxus shrugged.
"Ho-How…How can you say that so easily?" Cerulean globes expanded in fear shadowing the pale clutch of skin beneath. "Maybe, everyone isn't as strong as you are Laxus! Maybe they've tried to fight it, but life just gets too painful." Freed's fist curled into the linen's, knuckles paling.
"You're justifying some fucker, who beat their kid!"
"Laxus," Freed was desperately attempting to console the both of them, "I tried to change the channel. Dammit- I tried Laxus, but please, I'm begging you, don't base every single person who commits- or even thinks about suicide on a television example… there are so many other, terrible, awful lives that people are sick of bearing.
"Well when I was away, you know when Gramps dropped my ass, this guy from Zentopia I met really helped me out, and he told me that all people that kill themselves are just being selfish by leaving their family. I mean would anyone think to care about how other people needed them? Life is all that there is and why would you go and waste it?"
"Selfish? No! The people that drive them to such measures are the one's to blame. You wouldn't know the empty, hollowness of absence, the lack of purpose or the emotions that attack you every second, the thoughts that scream, terribly loud, as the days pass so achingly slowly as everyone else goes on. Maybe you can't understand what suicidal people go through for the one's they love, it's a goddamn last resort! Everyone should be able to find an end their strife! The rules are that a human being shouldn't be able to make another of their kind want to kill themselves, it-it's wrong… It's against the rules." He couldn't help it; the frustration was causing his blue eyes to redden. Don't you dare talk to me about when you were away; I can't go back there. He could feel his lungs working fast and the awkward clenching and unclenching of his fists that jittered nonetheless. The uneven sobs that wrought his body wrecked havoc upon the practiced mask that he had worn for five years.
"Well he was a priest, so he knows what he's talking about, right? I mean, if you throw God's gift back in his face, well, you deserve to go to hell."
"No, you're wrong! You're wrong! I-I can't accept that Laxus… I CAN'T ACCEPT IT!" Laxus looked up for the first time and saw the cascade of tears that fell from Freed's eyes. Never, had he seen the man be so upset, so passionate about anything. Shit what did I do? But Freed couldn't stop himself, he was too far-gone to try and take his words back, not that he would. "If someone is miserable to the point that th-they take their own li-life… they sh-shouldn't have to be punished for being depressed. You're right; some people rationalize staying alive because they won't go to hell. But nobody commits suicide because they think they're going to heaven, they do it… they do it because what they're living now is worse than any pu-purgatory imaginable."
"Freed? Hey it's okay I didn't mean to-."
"No. They deserve to be happy… they deserve to be strong." Mother, she deserves to be happy, I can't say I do, but she does… she does. "I'm not strong. I'm not like you Laxus… I'm weak, I can see it," he whispered the last part to himself, before collapsing into a fit of tears.
In an instant the Lightning mage leapt up from his bed, still towel clad. Tan arms caught the Rune Mage as his knees buckled, but before he hit the floor. Part of Laxus was amazed; the green haired mage had never lost his composure like this. Gathering his friend into the concave of his chest, he nestled his chin into mint hair. The man whose sticky tears he felt upon his chest was a complete mess; his limbs moved shakily, his recently brushed hair was disorderly. Completely and utterly broken beneath his arms. I did this. I fucking broke him, dammit. I'm sorry Freed, I'm so sorry. I only hurt you again. I didn't wanna hurt you anymore. He didn't voice any of his thoughts; for fear that he would only further upset the Rune mage.
No words needed be said, as Freed clung desperately to the Thunder mage in the confines of his tight grasp, sobbing to no end as he let all of his frustration and angst flow through each drop of water shed. Below his chin, the Rune mage's ear was pressed tight against the blonde's broad chest, the solid pulse of Laxus's heart echoing in Freed's mind. Please Freed, I'm so sorry. Laxus sat back on his bed and so that his shoulders were against the headboard and the green haired man was straddling him like a koala, with his hands tucked into Laxus's chest. The blonde felt the other's erratic breathing and the sweat that formed from the tight embrace. I'm so sorry. He held him there tightly, not ready to relinquish his comfort until Freed's sobbing had eventually ceased. Beneath the Lightning mage's gaze, Freed looked so mistreated and defeated behind blue eyes. How long had they been there? A half hour at least, perhaps more.
Freed could finally feel himself returning to normality. Unfamiliar warmth radiated from the slightly calloused membrane beneath the Rune knight's fingertips. Ashamed to have broken down in front of his leader, he couldn't yet bring himself to look at he who was able to summon vigor that Freed had not. What will he think of me; surely he will despise me now. This warmth, h-he's… he's hol-holding me? He's holding me.
"Laxus?" Sore pupils looked up into his own.
"Freed I'm s-"
"Thank you." And really at that moment, Freed was almost the happiest he had ever been clutched in those arms; it didn't matter if he was strong. He was safe. Someone had cared. Laxus really cares, the bastard might never understand why, but he has done so much more for me than he can imagine. I could never burden him with that responsibility; it's not fair to him. But how bad the green haired man wanted to reach out and… reach out and…
And that's how Gajeel found them; two shirtless men on a hotel bed with one straddling the other. "Oh, I am so not fucking dealing with this shit."
A/N: Alright, finally done, *wipes sweat from forehead*. I think that's the longest chapter yet. Sorry for not updating sooner! *Dodges assorted rotten fruit* I must admit that I am not too pleased with the characters in this chapter due to the subject, so I apologize if they are OCC. Not sure when I can get the next update because exams are right around the corner… Like it? Hate it? Please take the time to review!
Staravia2.0: In my mind, Freed would rather maintain the 'cool guard dog' look in public, but after so many years together, they can't help but be close.
Midori the Matchmaker: Sorry for drawing it out! More Fraxus is on its way!
showsomespirit: *sigh*, there is just not enough Fraxus on this website… Thank you!
Iloveanime: Don't worry, it's-a-coming… *ominous laughter*.
Nekko: Thank you! This truly means so much, and as you can see I do plan on continuing!
