A/N: Those who read The Love of Rivals & Overcome may remember Laxus revealing Natsu & Gray's secret relationship (Overcome ch.30)… Natsu clearly learned nothing.

Chapter 14: Public Humiliation

When Freed finally returned to the guild, he and Laxus didn't get rid of scents.

And gods, they had to be strong, because Laxus finger-fucked Freed that morning and Freed replied by sucking him off. Freed imagined they reeked of every single act they'd done together. But Laxus didn't even mention washing it off.

They didn't look particularly put-together either (which for Freed was the larger sin). While Freed was healing well, he still had bandages on his arms which prevented him from wearing his normal attire. With coat thrown over his shoulders, he attempted to hide as much as possible: in the gap between his sleeveless shirt and arms-length bandages, purple bruises were visible.

Seeing them always made Laxus frown. Freed hated it.

A few meters from the entrance to Fairy Tail, the doors swung open and Evergreen mobbed them.

"Missed you," she said, arms around Freed's neck—as if she hadn't visited him every day.

But it felt good to be back.

"Where's Bickslow?" Freed asked, fretting out of habit.

"He's helping someone with a job," she replied. "I didn't catch who because he was acting cagey. Laxus, when he returns you have to smell him for us: I think he has a crush on someone."

Laxus grunted.

"Let's not stand out here," Ever chided, drawing them toward the doors.

"You should probably sit down, Freed," Laxus said.

Ever's eyes narrowed. "Yes, you should. Gods, you almost died."

"I didn't almost die," Freed snorted.

"I was there," Ever protested. "So was Laxus."

"So was I," Freed pointed out.

"Yeah: unconscious," Laxus said.

"Why are you taking her side?" When Freed mock-pouted in disdain, Laxus stuck his tongue out in imitation of Bickslow.

His two teammates pushed open the doors before Freed could reach for them—he said nothing, grateful, since that was one thing he would've struggled to do. But if they tried to pull out his chair, he'd duel somebody.

Two steps into Fairy Tail, they heard a whistle.

Laxus and Freed both whipped around, Freed confused. It was easy to spot the culprit: he was staring at them and grinning wide.

"Damn!" Natsu called over—which, since he was a noisy bastard in general, was an all-encompassing shout.

"What," Laxus growled, and it was not a question.

"Whoa." Gajeel, on the opposite side of the hall. "No kidding. Damn."

The feral look in Laxus's eyes increased as he looked back and forth between them. Freed tensed, unsure how he could possibly alleviate the situation. He knew now what they were reacting to. Of course he did. And his arms were fucking out of commission and the only weapon he had right now was his words.

More and more people in the hall looked their way. Gods dammit, why did it have to be everyone at once?

"Calm down." Freed zeroed in on Natsu. "Are you that bored?"

"But Freed." Natsu still wore a broad smile. "I mean, damn. Seriously."

Blushing, Freed glanced up at Laxus, almost afraid what expression he'd see.

There was nothing in Laxus's eyes. Nothing on his face. Shoulders bunched, Laxus leaned forward slightly, weight on his toes—to attack, or maybe to run.

"Natsu-san!"

The screech silenced the entire guildhall.

"Natsu-san and Gajeel-san!" Wendy strode forward like a small tornado. She stopped midway across the hall—exactly between the three male Dragon Slayers, Freed realized.

She didn't say anything else, looking from Natsu (who made a face) to Gajeel (who looked down) to Laxus (who took a deep breath).

Wendy strode toward the lightning tribe as if she'd already forgotten whatever just happened. Hair flying, she marched up to Freed and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better."

Freed had never fought so hard not to gape.

"Thank you," he managed.

She returned to her table.

Conversation in the hall ramped back up and Freed, Ever, and a stony-faced Laxus headed to the bar. Whatever the hell just happened was clearly a Dragon Slayer thing, and curious as Freed was, he wouldn't get answers right now. Not while Laxus looked like that. He was giving a good imitation of a locked box, and in terms of keeping things in, Laxus might give the locked box a run for its money.

The best thing Freed could do for his beloved right now was draw attention away from him, so he looked around for his best friend: he could always count on Mira for cheerful noisiness.

But the two ladies behind the bar weren't Strausses.

"Where's Mira?" Freed asked, surprised to see Lucy—and much less surprised to see Cana.

"She's running an errand and Lisanna is on a job," Lucy rattled off. Across the hall, the clamor of a fight started up. "Want anything?"

"Freed can't," Ever said, "not while he's healing. And I'm fine. But," she glanced over her shoulder at Laxus, "he would love…let's see, a scotch."

The lightning dragon blinked in surprise when Ever handed him the drink. Ever and Freed glanced at each other and laughed.

"You have That Look on your face," Ever said. "When you have That Look, you always get scotch. You're welcome."

"I've always thought scotch the best flavor for mulling over things," Lucy said, leaning on the bar.

Laxus shrugged.

"Scotch calms him," Freed explained, then blushed for knowing that. He'd always known these things. He was that person: the one who knew everything about his crush. Except it wasn't from being creepy; they'd just known each other that long.

And Freed had taken care of him for that long.

Laxus's lips tipped up around his glass and he moved closer to Freed, elbows nudging.

The guildhall exploded.

Fire was everywhere and for one terrifying second Freed was frozen, his arms trapped in an orange barrier that sucked all his magic and left him unable to protect Laxus—

When Laxus's thick arms wrapped around him, Freed relaxed. The embrace centered him: Laxus wasn't imprisoned and Freed's arms were doing much better. This was the hall of Fairy Tail, this destruction was usual, and these flames, which were probably Dragneel's, merely made everyone sweaty.

Sliding out of Laxus's grip as the fire dissipated, Freed looked around for the source of the fight.

Sure enough, Natsu and Gajeel were facing off. But as Freed looked, he found the Salamander's delighted eyes trained on Laxus.

"Hah!" Natsu shouted, pointing. "Did you see that? Gray, you owe me a thousand Jewels!"

"I never bet anything!" Gray yelled back, despite only sitting meters from his boyfriend. "I agreed with you."

"I didn't say anything this time," Gajeel bellowed, also staring at Laxus and smiling. "Squirt can't get angry at me."

Why the fuck did they all think shouting was required?

When Laxus took a step, Freed saw it in a flash: the intention, protectiveness, Laxus running over to pound the shit out of the other three. Freed reacted out of his own protective instincts.

Stepping in front of Laxus before the man could move, Freed glared the other three down. He made a low gesture with his hand to tell Laxus not to try anything and lost his coat in the process. Dammit, there were those big, dark bruises, visible to the world.

"What's your problem?" he shouted at Natsu. If he was going to stop this, the immature fireball had to be stopped first.

Before anyone could say anything, a different shout resounded.

"Natsu!" Wendy looked furious. She'd left off the -san.

"I didn't out them," the Salamander protested. "They outed themselves. Besides, Freed's always been out."

"You're a disgrace to draconic culture."

"I never cared what culture thought," Natsu retorted, defensive.

"Outed…" This from Erza. "Who got outed?"

"Oh my god!" Cana exclaimed. "You guys are together?"

Freed still had his arm out as if he could protect his Dragon Slayer, backing up another step until his back hit Laxus's warm solidity. He knew they shouldn't touch each other—that made it more obvious—but another more immediate part of him was dizzy and light.

"You mean greenie and the big lump?" Gajeel answered Cana, full of taunting pride. "Of course they're together. Why else would they smell like that?"

When Gajeel leered, Freed lost it. He lunged.

Laxus grabbed him around the waist, and it was good thing, too, because Freed stumbled, head swirling, and went down on one knee. Colors danced across his vision. Shit.

Maybe not so healed.

People still spoke loudly over them, all of Fairy Tail joining the conversation: Laxus and Freed, they're pretty obvious, why didn't we guess sooner. Dropping his arms, Freed waited for sensations to return. He'd almost fainted: he couldn't be more upset with himself.

Behind his head, Laxus's voice addressed someone near at hand: "Yeah. Maybe. So what?"

Freed shook his head.

Laxus was going to be so pissed about this later. Stupid, stupid guildmates. Family could be a real dick sometimes.

But the Dragon Slayer's hands spread over his hips and held him firm, and for now, Freed let himself relax. Laxus's fingers at his waist was a small, subtle, heart-warming thing. Something public. Thrills ran through Freed's chest and he took an overworked breath.

"You need to rest," Laxus said in his ear.

"I'm fine," Freed insisted.

A low growl, and then Freed heard: "Ever, help me."

Before Freed could escape, Ever grabbed his hands, Laxus crowded him from behind, and there was nothing Freed could do but follow them to the doors.

When they neared the exit, Freed slipped from their grasp. Natsu looked up with curiosity as Freed stopped at his table.

Freed punched him in the mouth.

Natsu crashed backward into his boyfriend. Hands quickly restrained Freed—big, familiar hands—but the rune mage was done.

"Someone needed to," he said, glaring at Gray, who had opened his mouth angrily.

Freed let his teammates lead him out.

Once in the street, Freed yelled, "Fuck!"

Ever startled so hard she left the pavement, Laxus tripping sideways.

"Gods dammit, Freed," he said. "What was that for?"

Shaking out his fist, Freed hissed, "That fucking hurt."

When he glanced over, Ever was gaping.

"Freed just said 'fuck' in two consecutive sentences in public," she told Laxus. "Take him home right now."

"I'm not dizzy anymore," Freed lied. "And you both know he had it coming."

"Not arguing that." Ever smirked. "That'll be guild gossip for the next few years. It was a pretty spectacular punch."

"Good." Freed rubbed his knuckles and smiled at her.

"Home," Laxus said gruffly, but softened as he caught Freed's injured hand and caressed the knuckles. Freed just rolled his eyes, grinning.

"Get moving, Big Lump."

"You're not the boss of me, Greenie."

"Boyfriend privileges," Freed said.

To his surprise, Laxus hummed happily and kissed his forehead.

The Dragon Slayer looked at Ever.

"Don't."

"I didn't say anything. It's Bickslow you'll have to worry about. He loves telling people's romantic stories."

"Like how I almost died after we got together? Oh yes, very romantic," Freed snorted.

"Like how Laxus almost had a panic attack watching you bleed everywhere while Wendy healed you," Ever said seriously. "He filled the infirmary with static. Mira tried to give him something to calm down, but he refused until she put a knife to your arm and started cutting you back open."

"Mira cut me?" Freed asked in surprise.

"Illusion magic," Laxus grumbled. "But I just about took her head off."

"Thank you for not. She's a dear friend of mine."

"I didn't want you getting caught in any crossfire," Laxus muttered.

"So he finally sat down and took his medicine," Ever said. "See? That's a romantic story."

"If overprotectiveness is romance, I've been doing it wrong," Freed snorted.

"Come on, don't be hard on him." Evergreen smiled. "People do dumb things when they panic. Especially if they've never had a panic attack before."

Freed glanced at Laxus. "I guess I'm your first."

"Ha ha." Laxus's cheeks reddened. "I'd appreciate that being my last, if you don't mind."

"Speaking of firsts, this came for you in the guild mail." Ever handed Laxus a thick, colorful envelope.

He read the seal. "From the First Order of the… Wait, really?"

The Dragon Slayer halted and ripped it open. Freed and Ever waited while his eyes tracked down the page.

"Huh."

"Is that from the magic prison?" Freed asked, recognizing the seal.

"They finished questioning my father and moved him to a permanent cell. He can have visitors."

Freed exchanged a look with Ever.

"Are you going to?" Ever asked.

"I don't know."

The three began walking again in silence, until Laxus let out a little chuckle.

"I can't believe you hit Dragneel, Freed."

"I have no regrets."

"Someone always gets beat up when a Dragon Slayer starts dating," Ever said. "Whose turn will it be when Wendy hits that age?"

"She's different." Laxus cracked his knuckles. "Nobody will out her relationship: nobody messes with a woman. If anyone tries, they'll be dead."

"At six Dragon Slayers' hands," Freed laughed.

"Yeah," Laxus chuckled. "Probably."

A/N: The End. ^^ Please leave a comment if you enjoyed. It's hard posting sometimes, and I love hearing from you.

PART II will be going up soon! (Work is a bitch rn, please be patient with me.) I wanted a HFN with Laxus overcoming self-loathing, without Ivan-resolution yet because you don't have to face your abuser to move on.

But for Laxus, things will continue in Part II when he and Freed face his father.

Preview of Part II:

As if someone cut his strings, Laxus collapsed onto the floor.

"Laxus!" Freed shook the massive shoulder as he crouched over him. In the sudden silence, he rolled Laxus onto his back and touched the Dragon Slayer's face.

Laxus's eyelids didn't even flutter. He didn't look unconscious: he looked dead.

It couldn't be Ivan: it couldn't be. Ivan didn't have magic, this shouldn't be possible, it didn't make sense—

"No, no, no…" Freed gasped, filling the air with sound. If he filled the space with noise, he wouldn't have to face his panic.