Chapter 9: Laxus/Freed - "Transformation"

A/N: Laxus has been practicing Takeover magic for some fun…when he pranks his boyfriend, the demon emerges.


"Hey, there."

Laxus knew that tone of voice: the majorly-coming-on-to-you tone, the I-know-we're-going-to-sleep-together tone.

He turned and eyed the young man.

"Yes?" he said warily. He'd just wanted to practice transformation magic. Imitating Mira was the latest project—it was the first time he'd transformed into someone so small, and he was surprised how it felt.

The man, a new recruit to Fairy Tail, wasn't huge, but he still loomed over Mira, and he was using his height to his advantage.

"What are you doing this evening?" he asked, leaning forward and smiling in a way Laxus instantly disliked.

"Nothing that concerns you," he said, which got an immediate scowl. Mira probably would've been nicer about it, but Laxus was getting angry on her behalf and did not feel like playing nice. No, he decided: Mira would probably be just as cold in this situation.

"I don't know about that," the man said, tilting his head almost as if he were going to go in for a kiss. God, Laxus hoped not. He wouldn't be able to stop unleashing hell on the guy.

The guy put a hand on Laxus's arm.

Laxus felt the grip and froze for a second, startled. There was nothing inherently evil about the gesture, but something about it felt…invasive. With the height difference and the fact that this guy was way too close inside his personal space, Laxus was getting a feeling he'd never felt before: physically intimidated.

Snapping his arm away, he took a hurried step back, hating that he had to retreat in order to not crane his neck, and gave him a full glare.

"You want to flirt, pick someone else. I am not in the mood."

"Come—"

"I swear to the goddess, if you finish that sentence, you will regret it."

Apparently Laxus looked pissed enough: the guy backed down.

"Fine. I'll find someone else." He gave a competitive leer. "You'll miss out, but I guess that's on you."

When the man had finally walked away, Laxus sighed and leaned on the bar. Ugh. Assholes. He didn't know how Mira handled it: if he were her, he'd transform into someone conventionally 'ugly' every day just to get them to stop. On the other hand, would that actually stop them? Possibly not. And then they'd be even more offended when she said no.

Damn. Talk about a no-win.

Out of the corner of his eye, Laxus saw Gajeel looking at him intently. He still smelled like himself, so the iron dragon was probably wondering what the hell was going on. Grabbing Bickslow's arm, Gajeel pointed at him.

When Laxus glanced to ensure his unwanted flirt had truly left, he sighed. The man was eyeing—and then headed for—the slim, muscled package of handsome also known as Freed, who was deep in a book a few tables away.

The young man had a slight flush to his face, and if Laxus listened, he was sure he'd hear the elevated heartbeat of attraction.

Gajeel and Bickslow were coming over now, while Laxus released the transformation magic and with relief found himself back to his normal height.

"Shit, I hate being short," he grumbled as his two guildmates ambled up.

Bickslow snickered.

"What the hell?" Gajeel asked. "You playing pranks or something?"

"Honestly? Just practicing. But that asshole was something else."

"Newcomer to the guild," Gajeel said.

"And look who he's decided to go after…" Bickslow murmured.

They all turned in time to see the man sidle up to Freed and hold out a hand, pleasant smile fixed on his face like a perfect lie.

"You gonna go rescue him?" Gajeel asked.

"No," Laxus said. "Why would I?"

"Um…because a man is flirting with your boyfriend?"

"Shush, I want to hear what they say."

"Damn, what is wrong with you, Dreyar?" Gajeel asked.

Laxus rounded on him.

"You expect me to be jealous? Freed can handle himself. Just wait and see what happens. This will be good."

Looking shrewd, he turned back to the interaction taking place some meters away, while Bickslow chuckled—he knew Freed well enough he could probably guess what was coming.

Freed, being his usual formal-and-friendly self, offered the man a seat with solemn earnestness. The man slid next to Freed, instead of across from him. Freed shifted slightly—Laxus didn't think he'd cottoned on yet.

"I hear you're new to the guild," Freed said. "Welcome."

"Thank you. You do runes, yeah? I've heard about you…"

"What are they saying?" Bickslow hissed. "I don't have you guys' hearing."

"Just pleasantries so far," Laxus said.

They listened a few seconds more.

"Wow, he's laying it on thick," Gajeel observed. "I think he legitimately has a crush on your man."

"An asshole like him?" Laxus scowled. "He just wants to get laid."

"And you're just watching. Most people help their friends out of situations like that," Gajeel said.

"I told you: Freed can take care of himself, Redfox," Laxus laughed. "Just watch."

"Goddess, this is twisted," Bickslow cackled. "Poor Captain."

"Shh," both Dragon Slayers said at once. "He's backed Freed into a corner with compliments," Gajeel added. "Okay, he's a player. Gotta admit, the young guy has skills."

"Not the kind that are actually useful," Laxus mumbled.

Bickslow was pouting. "Still can't hear."

"Fine. Let's move closer. But out of Freed's sight."

They sat at the table behind Freed, with a perfect view of the flirt's enraptured face. Okay, Laxus was a little jealous seeing that look. Because it was a fact: Freed was incredible. Part of Laxus got protective of that, even though he knew there was no reason to be.

It was probably good for him to sit here and watch how this played out.

After a few more rounds of increasingly suggestive talk, Freed sputtering as the man managed to twist every word he said into an innuendo, the man dropped his question.

"What are you doing this evening?"

"Going home and reading." Freed sounded confused. "What about you?"

"Maybe the same thing. Except not reading…"

The young man smiled, and Laxus could hear Freed's bewilderment. To Freed, his and Laxus's relationship was an immutable fact, so he could be thick when guys tried to pick him up. It went completely against his reality.

The man touched Freed's arm.

Laxus growled, which made Gajeel smirk.

"You did say to watch and wait," Bickslow pointed out.

"I know," Laxus grumbled. "The good part is coming."

"What are you doing?" Freed asked, drawing away from the man's hand.

"You really don't know?" the man asked, smiling. "Someone as intelligent as you?"

"What? No, stop touching me."

"Come now," the man grinned, clearly unaware when it was time to give up. "You've got to be bored of always going home to the same house by yourself. Have a drink with me, and maybe I can persuade you to come relax at my place instead."

He touched Freed's arm again, his fingers slipping between strands of Freed's hair and lightly combing through it—

Freed launched out of his seat.

"Kindly don't touch me."

"Whoa. Calm down." The man backtracked, smile apologetic, conciliatory, kind. "I'm so sorry: I didn't mean to upset you."

He took hold of Freed's bicep and Freed's eyes burned with anger. When he tried to jerk away, the man's grip didn't break, still making calming motions. As if holding on would calm Freed down.

"I said don't," Freed snarled, and then his eye really was burning, whirling with magic as a wall of runes appeared, knocking the man backward out of his seat.

Rising from the floor, the man realized this display had gained them an audience: Laxus could see the realization in his eyes. Then the irritation and pride. This guy felt he had a reputation to maintain.

"What the hell?" the man snapped, keeping his voice low. "What was that reaction for? I apologized."

The runes dissipated, but Freed was still glaring daggers at the guy.

"You did more than that."

"Fine," the man sighed as he dusted himself off. "Let me start over. Looks like we could both use a drink. Hey, Kinana—"

A fourth time, he grabbed Freed's arm.

This guy never fucking learned.

It was obvious the grip wasn't painful or hard, but it was possessive. Ire flashed over Freed's features.

"Don't. Ever. Touch. Me. Again."

Freed slammed the heel of his hand into the man's chest and the young man went flying, crashing into a pillar and cracking it. Freed was vibrating, but more than that, he'd used magic without thinking about it; Laxus wasn't sure Freed realized he was wearing his dark form. Rising, Laxus came to his side.

"Damn," someone said.

"Freed…" Laxus caressed a knuckle across Freed's back.

Freed rounded on him, helm dissipating but armor still on.

"Goddess. It's you." Freed settled into relief. "This guy was trying to… Hold on."

Turning, Freed marched up to the young man, who hadn't pulled himself out of the cracked remains of the pillar.

"I'm with that imposing and incredibly hot man over there," Freed said, pointing at Laxus with a gauntleted hand. "I let him touch me, and no one else. I go home with him every night. My loyalty belongs to no one else. Don't ever try to get between my boyfriend and me again."

Gazing in bleary confusion between Freed and Laxus, the young man didn't speak or even nod.

Freed transformed back to his usual self, hair settling about his shoulders. Behind him, Laxus tilted down to kiss Freed's ear.

"Freed, that was really—"

Freed had whirled and launched across the gap between them, kissing Laxus like he was starving. Hard enough Laxus's mouth was going to be sore. He could hear chuckles behind him, Bickslow and Gajeel, but that didn't matter. What did matter was that he was running his fingers through Freed's hair and Freed didn't push his hand away like the young man: Freed drew Laxus into an embrace, and groaned at Laxus's teeth biting his lip, and never once tried to say, Don't.


A/N: Again, I am taking a holiday and can't write, edit, or post, so I figured I'd spam you guys with updates to tide you over ;)

Comments are encouraged.