Laxus sits at the guild, agitated. "You're going to have to calm down a bit, Laxus."
"I'm fine," he huffs.
"You're visibly tense."
"Aren't you worried?"
"I am, but I also know that if anything happens, we'll know."
"But you don't look worried." Laxus points out. And he doesn't. Freed is sitting in the round booth with his feet up and leaning against Laxus's side, flipping leisurely through a book, his jacket thrown over the back of the booth with his sword attached. What he won't tell the lightning mage is that he hasn't read a single word in twenty minutes as he flips the pages at the same rate.
"She isn't in danger in the spirit world. She's even in favour of the king. But if you won't relax, at least pretend to. Mira has been looking over here every so often and has talked with Evergreen twice. They both look worried. After Mira went behind the bar for a bit, Master peeked over the railing outside of his office."
"It might be because you're laying on me."
"Mira wouldn't be worried with that. In fact, it would be the opposite if my thinking is correct. However, if you don't do something, lightning will join Juvia's rain."
"Why is she making it rain again?"
"When struck by a big enough emotion in a dire situation with an absence of Gray, the sky will open up and cry for the sake of the Rain Woman."
"That almost sounded from a text. Are you reading so much that you're turning into a book?"
"That would be an interesting thing. But it doesn't seem like they know anything of Lucy. I don't think anyone has said anything."
"Flametard looks too happy to know."
"I wonder why he hasn't said anything considering that they were supposed to have dinner together last night."
"I think Icyidiot took him out last night. They've been sticking closer together since we last saw him. Mira almost has heart eyes when she looks at them, but they seem dull. Maybe they came to the guild together this morning."
"Well, Lucy did say that Mira had acknowledged the couple enough to name them, but not enough to make stories like with us. Maybe she is starting those stories?"
"I feel sorry for them then." They sit in silence for a few minutes more before Laxus snatches the book out of Freed's hands, closes it, and throws it on the table with a thud.
"Hey!" Freed sits up quickly and faces him.
"What? It isn't like you were actually reading that thing."
"What are you-?"
"Every two and a half minutes the page would turn, regardless of whether or not the page had pictures or half the amount of words." Laxus starts. "I couldn't see your eyes, but they probably were moving only halfheartedly. That, and you were telling me things that you don't normally pay attention to when you're actually reading, like Mira and Master. And even then, you turned the pages at the same rate. I'm not saying for you to lay out all of your emotions for all to see, but don't keep bottling them."
"I already told you that I am worried; I'm just choosing not to show it."
"Show it some."
"No."
"No?"
"I refuse. I'm going to just wait for word from Loke and move from there. It doesn't matter if you show it or not, it's still there. Whether you pretend to read a book or sit like a statue, it's still the same. So, if you excuse me," he reaches for the book again.
Laxus lifts his arm and pins Freed to his side. "No, I'm not going to excuse you."
"What are you doing?"
"Showing affection."
"Affection."
"Yes. We're pretending to be together, right? I'm showing affection. I am not letting you have that book. That book is a problem."
"A problem?"
"Yes. It is an enabler. It's letting you hide. I have removed it, so just lean on me."
"You're an idiot."
"And you're bolder since mixing up with Blondie." Freed doesn't say anything and turns around under Laxus's arm, allowing himself to get comfortable with the stubborn dragon's arm across his chest. "Don't think I haven't noticed it," Laxus says, leaning his head down to speak in Freed's ear for both show and privacy from the other dragon slayers. "You had started liking Blondie, which is a first I've seen with you. You're worried about her to the point you can't read. If I was your real boyfriend, I'd be jealous, but I'm not, so I'm happy for you. I've got to admit that I've started liking Blondie a bit more, but don't worry, it's more like kin. I think your competition starts when this game is over if my hearing has been correct." Laxus pulls back, but keeps the same low tone. "Hmm. An ex-lord and lady. What a pair." Freed's face gets pink as his words sink in and he looks up in a mild shock to Laxus's smirking face. "I didn't think you would notice it and I was right apparently."
"S-shut up, Laxus."
"Ooh, a stutter from Freed. Wish I got that recorded." With a huff of air, Freed looks away, still embarrassed. They both don't notice the starry eyes of the girls at the bar.