"No." A tense and chilling air was coating the area where Freed and Laxus were standing. Freed's anxiety was through the roof, but he stood his ground against Laxus and faced him head-on. "Anything you need to say, we can talk about it here." Ideally, it would have been better to have any conversation with Laxus away from the apartment, given the reactions Freed had just witnessed between him and Bickslow. Freed could conclude Laxus wasn't dangerous; Bickslow wouldn't just leave him alone with Laxus if he were dangerous, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a little differently about the blonde knowing he had a history with his best friend. Freed wanted answers, he would prefer those answers from Bickslow, but if his best friend wasn't ready to talk, he wouldn't pressure him.

Laxus was livid. It seemed like every little thing that could have deterred Freed away from him was happening. How the hell was Freed Bickslow's roommate? Obviously, they were friends, if this was the person who had dropped Freed off at the salon that day. So this person also knew about Freed's hidden desires. Laxus was growing more and more pissed the more everything seemed to make sense. Laxus had competition, and he didn't do well with competitors. Cana, Gray, and now Bickslow!? Of course, Freed had to have been too good to be true. Laxus wasn't about to lose him. He'd get rid of everyone in his way.

"You want to talk here?" Laxus asked, sweeping his eyes over the living room. "In the middle of your apartment?"

Freed blinked and fidgeted with his fingers, "Uh, no." Freed faced Laxus and motioned for the hallway. "We can talk in my room."

"Lead the way." Freed nodded and brushed past Laxus and down his hallway. Laxus filled behind, and Freed led him to a door across from Bickslow's and opened it for the two of them. Freed shut the door behind them when they were both in and locked it. "So, Bickslow? Friends?"

Freed eyes Laxus cautiously, "Yes. We're childhood friends. We moved here together for college."

"I see." Laxus looked over Freed's room. It wasn't what he was expecting but nevertheless fit his interest perfectly. Every wall had a bookshelf on it, filled to the brim with books. There was a minimalistic theme going and hardly any decorations. More plants littered corners and tops of bookcases. Laxus took a few steps over to Freed's queen-sized bed with fittingly plant theme covers and took a seat. "So you went to FSU."

Freed knew it. "No, I chose Hargeon Community. I didn't feel the need to attend a four-year university."

"Why is that?" Freed shrugged his shoulders.

"I didn't have a clear major in mind and just went for general studies. I worked as a student worker in the office and realized I had a liking for cubicle work." Freed glanced over Laxus's relaxed aura. Too relaxed. "You did, though. You went to FSU."

Laxus nodded his head. "Come here." Freed raised a questioning eyebrow and took a hesitant step back.

"W-wait. Tell me what's going on with you and Bickslow. How do you know him?" Laxus rolled his eyes and motioned for Freed to come towards him again.

"That doesn't matter."

"It matters to me, Laxus. Bickslow's my best friend, and you're…." Laxus waited hopefully as Freed searched for the correct term. "My boss." Not what Laxus was expecting.

"I have no authority over you at the office," Laxus corrected with a sigh. "Look, just come here; I've been waiting to have time with you alone, and you're over here trying to dig into my history." Freed went to snap something back, but Laxus interjected over him, "I'll tell you when you come closer."

There was a multitude of reasons why Freed didn't want to get close to Laxus. He knew the moment he was within his arm's reach, Laxus would touch him, and Freed didn't like the feeling he got whenever Laxus touched him. Freed would get nervous, hopeful, and excited whenever he felt skin-to-skin contact with the other man. Freed hated it. It confused him. Was he starting to develop a crush on Laxus? Was his body just naturally reacting to physical touch? Was he just excited because Laxus was an attractive male? Freed couldn't figure it out, so he had been avoiding physical contact with the other man for two days now and wanted to keep it that way for just a bit longer. At least until he could sort out his feelings or got an answer on just what was going on between him and Bickslow. But Laxus wasn't going to take that for an answer. Freed slowly stepped towards the bed and took a seat on the edge farthest away from Laxus.

"What the hell," Laxus laughed, "you think I'm gonna bite you?" Freed cringed and shuffled farther away.

"I don't know, but now that I think about it, I feel like you would." Laxus rolled his eyes.

"I just want you close."

"B-but," Freed sucked in a shaky breath, feeling his heartbeat skyrocket once again. "Why…" Freed gasped, "Why do you want me close? Why did you bring me home? I'm confused-"

"We've been through this already." Laxus rolled his head over to look at Freed. The secretary's back was facing him, so he couldn't see his face. Laxus reached out and swiftly yanked Freed back onto the bed. Freed let out a short yelp at the sudden pull and squeaked when Laxus got up, rounded the bed, and climbed on top of him. "You're acting like nothing happened, and it's annoying me." Laxus leaned down closely into Freed's ear and let his voice brush over his lobe. "Why don't I remind you?"

Freed shivered quickly, pushing a hand into Laxus's chest, pushing him back. "I-I remember. You don't have to."

"I told you, Freed, I want to help you. I'm waiting for your response to my offer, but I'm growing impatient."

"Tell me how you know Bickslow, and I'll base my judgment off of that." Laxus raised an eyebrow down at Freed. His eyes danced over his flushed face, to his hair fanned out over the bed. His steady rise and fall of his chest, up to his extended slender arms all the way to his hands pressed firmly at Laxus's chest.

"It's simple, really." Laxus said slowly, "We went to college together. Didn't get along, now we avoid each other. Things happen, and not everyone likes each other."

"There's more to it," Freed pushed, "I know it. The way he looked at you. It was as if he hated you." Laxus hummed at this.

"He does." Freed's heart raced. It was true; Bickslow hated Laxus. What happened? Why? Freed felt like his chest would explode if he didn't know why.

Freed balled up Laxus's t-shirt into his fist and clenched his teeth. "What did you do? "

"It's not what I did," Laxus corrected, "It's what happened. If Bickslow is your best friend, it's not for me to tell you this story. That's up for you and Bickslow to discuss."

"But you're obviously the main factor in all of this."

"Bickslow thinks I'm the main factor." Laxus shot back, "I have nothing to do with your friend's problems. You'll understand when he explains it to you, but I'm not getting any more involved." Freed couldn't understand anything Laxus was saying. If Bickslow blamed Laxus for something that'd happened in the past, then obviously, Laxus was a significant key to it. What confused Freed even more was that he didn't know anything about this. Bickslow was his best friend, his only family besides Evergreen. They were living together in college, for crying out loud; he should know who Bickslow had a grudge against. For Bickslow to carry this on his back for over four years and not say anything to him really hurt Freed. He regretted going to a different college. He regretted being so reserved that he didn't hang out with Bickslow and the people he met at his college. Freed only wanted to be around Bickslow. Freed only needed , Bickslow.

Laxus could see the pain in Freed's eyes and a well of tears threatening to fall down his cheeks. "You hate me now, don't you?" Laxus whispered, "For hurting your friend." Freed pulled one arm over his eyes to cover his tears.

"I don't know!" He shot back. "I don't know anything anymore. I'm so confused, and it hurts." Laxus let a low growl ripple through his throat. This was the last thing he wanted to happen. It pained Laxus to see something involving himself would affect Freed to this extent.

"Freed-"

"What confuses me the most is that I still want to understand you." Laxus froze. "I want to form my own opinion of you myself. I want to figure you out regardless of what happened between you and Bickslow. It's selfish, and I feel horrible saying it. We're supposed to be best friends, and all I can think about is myself."

"It's not selfish; that's just a normal human reaction. Bickslow and I may not get along, but that doesn't mean you and I won't."

Freed shifted his arm from his face and looked away from Laxus. "It's not just about that."

"I know, it's about loyalty to your friends. I understand that all too well. If you want to form your own opinion of me, then I'll stay. But if you want to wait until Bickslow tells you, I'll go." Freed didn't want Laxus to leave. There was a part of him that longed to be closer to Laxus, the peak of interest in understanding more about the blonde-haired COO. And more than anything else, he wanted to experience what Laxus had to offer. Freed wanted to experience Wednesday all over again.

"Stay," Freed said firmly, wiping his eyes. "If Bickslow hadn't told me anything up until this point, he probably would never tell me." Freed looked up to Laxus and let go of his shirt balled into his right hand. "I'm sorry."

"You should be sorry for ruining the mood, not gripping my shirt." Freed snorted.

"What mood? I was more freaking out on what to say to you than focusing on a mood." Freed said with a roll of his eyes. "And then Bickslow came in and-" Laxus shifted atop of him, snapping Freed's mouth shut. All Freed could do now was focus on the other man's body so close to him, their position, and the location. There was a long moment where they just sat there staring into the eyes of each other in silence. Ah… That mood.

"So," Laxus said, breaking the silence. "Do you have an answer?" Freed instantly started blushing and looked away from Laxus's face again. Laxus smirked, instantly feeling relieved to see these reactions from him again. This was the Freed he wanted to see. Not drunk Freed, not sad Freed.

"I-I need to know what exactly you have planned in regards to helping me out."

"What would you like for me to do?"

Freed's blush darkened. He couldn't believe he was about to say what was coming out of his mouth, but here goes nothing. "Show me."

Laxus was stupefied. Did Freed know what that entailed? There was no way Freed was as innocent as he was playing. Freed had to have to known what Laxus wanted to really show him. Laxus couldn't believe Freed would urge that with his best friend literally in the room across them. And especially after their previous conversation. The surprise boiled an excitement within Laxus, but he had to play this cautiously.

Laxus gave him a look up and down and angled his head to the side. "You still drunk?"

"N-no." Well shit. Laxus sucked in a deep breath and let a grin slide across his face.

"You're giving me complete permission?"

"Well- Y-yes."

"You sure about that?"

No. Freed blinked a few times, trying to bat away the blaring sirens in his head telling him to kick Laxus out. "Y-yes. I'm sure." That was all the confirmation Laxus needed to dip down and take Freed's lips into his. Freed's eyes widened the moment Laxus's lips pressed firmly against his. It was awkward. It was confusing. It was long. Freed squeezed his eyes shut to block out the growing unease in his chest, but it only flared harder when Laxus's lips started moving.

Laxus was in heaven. This was something he'd been waiting for since the moment he'd laid eyes on Freed. What would his lips feel like? What would Freed taste like? What would his reaction be if they'd kiss? Would he be too shy to kiss him back? Would he push him away out of embarrassment? Would he give in and allow Laxus to fulfill this desire of his? All Laxus's biggest questions were answered as Freed hesitantly and awkwardly kissed him back. Laxus suddenly pulled away, and Freed's face flushed with confusion.

"I'm doing everything in my power to keep a hold on my self-control," Laxus said with a sigh. He leaned back onto his feet and climbed away from Freed, leaving him on the bed, shocked and confused. "If that continued, I wouldn't have any self-control."

"W-wait!" Freed quickly scrambled up and blinked over to Laxus. "What does any of that have to do with what you said Wednesday?" Laxus raised a single eyebrow to him. "You said….um. You said you would help me with my confidence. I don't see how a…kiss could help me."

"That," Laxus said with a smirk back over to Freed. God, he loved how flustered Freed looked right now. "Wasn't part of my demonstration."

"What!?"

"I just wanted to kiss you." Freed's face quite literally turned ten shades of red. He quickly grabbed a pillow from his bed and chucked it at Laxus in a wave of pure mortification.

"Get out!" He yelled, "Pervert!" Laxus laughed as the pillow hit his chest and fell onto the ground. "The answer is no!"

"I hadn't even shown you yet."

"I don't want to see it anymore!" Freed turned away from Laxus, his face burning. "That was my first kiss, asshole."

Laxus's jaw dropped. "You're lying." Freed groaned and face-planted into his bedsheets. All he wanted to do was get swallowed up by a black hole and die. He had never felt so embarrassed before. Of course, Laxus was going to judge him for being a twenty-eight-year-old man and never having kissed someone before. It was pathetic, and Freed knew that; it just hurt more than his first kiss had to have been with someone like Laxus, the complete opposite of him. He never really had much interest in other people, so in turn, Freed never dated. Freed had seen and been around every girlfriend Bickslow had, and when Evergreen came into the picture, he was often around Elfman. Still, he was always the od one out when they all went out together, Evergreen brought Elfman, and Bickslow brought his random fling for the month. Other than the awkwardness, Freed never felt bothered by it. He found women attractive but never had the guts to ask anyone out, same with his same gender.

Freed sighed into his comforter, wishing it would just eat him and he'd be pulled away from this place. "I'm not lying." He grumbled into the sheets, "Embarrassing, I know. Feel free to make fun of me."

"Freed." Freed groaned louder at the sound of his name. "Look at me."

"I'd rather not." Laxus grabbed Freed's arm and jerked him up and straight into his arms. Freed's eyes widened when Laxus took his hand and cradled Freed's head into his chest.

"I'm sorry." Laxus whispered, "If I had known, I wouldn't have done it that way." Freed brought his hand up to Laxus's chest to push him away before Laxus spoke again, halting his movement. "Let me do it over." Freed gently laid his fingers on Laxus's chest. When Laxus let go of Freed's head, Freed pulled back enough to turn his head up to Laxus. "May I?"

Freed sucked in a breath. "Y-yeah." Instantly, Laxus pulled Freed into another kiss. This one was less invasive and more welcoming. Laxus was gentle in the slow-motion of his lips against Freed's skeptical ones. Freed closed his eyes and focused on the feeling of Laxus. How he could feel a bit of his dry skin on his lips. How Laxus breathed more from his nose as they twisted against each other. How Laxus tasted like whiskey and how soft the skin of his nose was whenever they brushed against each other. Freed focused on how Laxus's hands slid down his back to his hips before Laxus ultimately brought them up to steady his head and keep Freed close. Freed didn't know what to do with his hands, so he took them and placed them on top of Laxus's at his cheeks.

Freed thought it was funny how their mouths moved like they were talking, but no words were spoken. He found it sexy how Laxus let out a low growl whenever Freed accidentally brushed his tongue on his lip. Freed found it romantic how Laxus held him gently as if the kiss would break Freed. Freed loves the way their lips fit together, how natural it was to time his movements with Laxus and find a rhythm to their make-out that made them both melt. But most of all, he loved the way Laxus's lips felt on his.

After a long kiss, Laxus finally pulled himself away. "Fuck, I can't do anymore, or I'll really lose control." Freed was drunk again, high off of the emotions welling throughout him. He even whimpered a bit when Laxus let his face go and watched Laxus press a hand to his mouth to hide his blush. Laxus could blush like that!? God, it was amazing to see. "Was that better?"

Freed gave Laxus a smile. "I never said the first one was bad."

"Che!" Laxus bellowed out a laugh. "Well, I just wanted you to have a positive memory associated with your first kiss." Freed's smile widened. Instead of Laxus mocking him for something he felt insecure about, Laxus made sure to make his experience memorable. It was that extra step Laxus had taken that made Freed's chest burn with a new and foreign feeling; admiration.

"Thank you, Laxus," Freed whispered. Laxus sent him a grin before standing up.

"Next time, I won't be so nice." He said back. Laxus smirked at another dark red blush fly across Freed's cheeks. "Next time, I won't care if it's your first."

Freed face-palmed back into his bed and let out a heavy sigh. "Oh my god!" Laxus chuckled and walked over to Freed's bedroom door.

"You have an appointment with Mira Wednesday, right?" Freed's sat up from his bed and nodded. "Then my appointment is straight afterward. You leave with me, and we'll go to my place. And you won't take your make-up off. We can leave out of the back door if you don't feel comfortable, but Mira's not removing it."

"Appointment?" Freed's echoed, scrambling to his feet so he could walk the other man out.

"For your confidence." Freed opened his mouth,"-don't even try and reject me. I got your answer earlier." Freed gave him a frown, but Laxus didn't budge, "I'm serious, Freed. And I'm serious about helping you."

"Fine," Freed said with a sigh. "As long as no one sees me with the make-up on."

"No one will see you but me." Laxus reassured, "I'll make sure of that."

Natsu peeked through his curtains out onto the parking lot below his apartment. His eyes scanned the area, landing on a mass of blonde hair walking to a black pickup truck. He blinked a bit, recognizing the spiky locks belonging to his COO. "Laxus Dreyer?" Since when did he live in his apartment complex? Where was he going so late? When did he leave the company dinner? He watched Laxus get into his truck, start it and pull out from his parking space until he disappeared down the three-way and off into the midnight highway. "That was no doubt, Laxus Dreyer."

Natsu's bed shifted beside him, and he turned his attention down to the blonde pouting up at him. "Natsu!" She whined, "come back to bed."

Natsu pulled away from the window and shuffled back down into the bed beside Lucy. She immediately wrapped her arms around him, and he relaxed into her embrace.

"Hey?" He asked softly, "You ever seen here Laxus before he became a COO?" Lucy hummed her reply, nestling into Natsu's neck.

"Never seen him before in my life." Natsu's eye slightly twitched.

"Right. There's no way he lives at these apartments," Natsu thought aloud. "There's someone here he was seeing." Lucy opened an eye and peaked up to her friend.

"Well," she started, "maybe he relocated for the job. He could have lived somewhere else and moved here to be close to FHA. It's possible." Natsu had to admit that Lucy had a point.

"Maybe," Natsu said, leaving the conversation at that. "So what was this about you and Cana tag-teaming him?"

Lucy giggled and threw a leg over his. "You have to admit he's sexy."

"I'm not admitting that! What the hell!?" Lucy's giggles doubled.

"If I had the opportunity, I possibly would." Natsu rolled his eyes.

"I don't see what you guys see in him. Weirdo's." Lucy only smiled and pressed her head closer to Natsu. She could totally say the same about him.

Laxus opened the door to his apartment and froze at the sight of Mira standing with her arms crossed over her chest. Laxus sighed and pulled his jacket off, tossing it across the room onto his couch. "You really have to stop breaking into my house."

"I have a key!" Mira frowned and stomped after him as he walked past her into his bathroom. He even tried to lock her out, but Mira was too quick and slipped in with him. "You're late."

"I dropped Freed off at home." Mira's face immediately brightened with a bright smile before it dropped into confusion.

"Freed!? Wait. You work with Freed!?" Laxus chuckled and started undressing, pulling his shirt off and then his pants, throwing a smirk Mira's way. But she didn't turn away.

"It would appear so." Laxus pretended like he would pull off his boxers, giving Mira a lift of his eyebrow, but Mira sent one back to him. He sighed and climbed into his shower to strip and threw his last article of clothing over the shower rack.

"That's amazing! So that means you two got closer tonight?" Laxus's thoughts flashed to their kiss. Freed's blush, and then their promise to meet Wednesday. He smirked to himself and started the shower.

"We didn't. I dropped him off and came home." Mira hummed at this.

"I hate to tell you bad news, but Lisanna saw Bickslow. You know him and Freed are friends, right?" Laxus figured this was going to be the conversation she was here for. He didn't like where everything was going and could feel a crowded well of dread wash over him in time with the shower spray. "I don't know how close they are, but we can't have Lisanna around Bickslow."

"I know." Laxus growled, "I don't know how close they are either, but if I find out, I'll let you know." That was a lie, and he'd hoped Mira wouldn't know that. Laxus found out today just how close Bickslow and Freed were, but it was instinct to shield that information and protect Freed from whatever Mira had planned. Laxus had been down this road before, he knew what Mira was capable of, and he didn't want to go through this again, especially not with Freed. Freed was becoming more than just someone to mess around with, and he hadn't even messed around with him yet. Laxus knew he cared for Freed, but he also cared for Mira. It was an internal battle he wasn't ready to deal with and dreaded knowing Mira would find out the truth. She always had. That was what Mira did; she found out everything and then manipulated everyone around to bend them into her biddings. Laxus was no different, and the moment she found out Freed and Bickslow were best friends and grew up together, it was over for him and Freed.

"We'll talk about this when you get out." Laxus skewed his face into a frown as he listened to the bathroom door shut behind her. Laxus quickly washed and hopped out. He was anxious to know if Mira was already plotting something. He knew she was. He just knew she was.

Laxus wrapped a towel around his waist and met Mira in his room, sitting on his bed. She beckoned him to her side, opening her arms for him to fall in. Laxus tried to picture Freed, sitting on his black comforter, smiling up at him and opening his arms up wide for him to lay in. But when he blinked, it was still Mira, Freed's long green hair replaced with her long silvery locks. Laxus walked over, climbing between her legs, and gently laid her back onto his pillows.

"What would you like for me to do?" He asked her out of instinct. Mira took a single finger and traced a line through the water droplets pooled on Laxus's back.

"Get rid of him." She demanded. "I don't want him around Lisanna." Laxus sucked in a breath and pressed a kiss to Mira's jawline.

"As you wish."

Freed woke up to the familiar pattern of Bickslow's bare feet across their hardwood floor. He sat up in bed with a stretch and rubbed the back of his head to try and help himself wake up. It was now Sunday, and Bickslow stayed out all Saturday. It wasn't unusual for Bickslow to stay up all night, but it was unusual for Bickslow to stay out all night without telling Freed he would be gone. Bickslow hadn't texted him nor called him. In fact, Bickslow left before Freed even woke up Saturday morning. Freed wasn't used to having spats with his best friend (if you could consider this a spat) and wanted nothing more than to talk with him. Regardless of the conclusion he came to regarding Laxus, he needed to know what happened between them. He didn't want whatever he had growing with Laxus to affect his friendship with Bickslow. Since he knew Bickslow was home, he'd have to jump at the opportunity to talk to him.

Freed quickly got up and sped out of his bedroom, hoping he'd catch Bickslow before he left. Thankfully, Bickslow was still standing in the kitchen with pajamas on and didn't appear to be leaving anytime soon. Freed slowly crept up behind him as he watched his best friend open their fridge and grab a milk carton, bringing it to his lips. That's when he noticed Freed standing in the open panel between the bar island.

"G-good morning." Freed awkwardly croaked out. Bickslow threw his head back in greeting before chucking the milk into the fridge.

"Morning." Bickslow walked around the bar island and started back for his room, but Freed called out to him.

"Bickslow, wait!" His best friend stopped, turning around to look at him. Freed took a seat at one of their barstools and motioned Bickslow to join him. Bickslow didn't, much to his disappointment, but instead, put his hands in his pajama pockets and gave Freed his full attention. "I want to talk. About everything."

"Sure." Bickslow said with a dip of his head, "Shoot." Freed sighed and ran a hand through his messy bed hair.

"I meant both of us," He grumbled, "Together."

"I have nothing to say, Freed."

"Okay, so you're angry at me." Bickslow shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not angry, man."

"You're lying." There was a period of silence before Bickslow spoke up.

"If I'm honest, I'm just a bit upset." Bickslow breathed. "You aren't talking to me, you haven't told me much about your progress with Mira, and all of a sudden, I find Dreyer in my kitchen." Freed flinched when he heard Bickslow say Laxus's last name. The realization that they genuinely did know each other sucked a little more every time Freed spoke to one of them. "I feel like you're drifting away, and that sucks cause you're my best friend."

Freed shook his head, "I'm not drifting away. It's just been a lot going on on my end. I feel like many things are happening in my life, and they're all new experiences. I'm just having a hard time keeping up with everything. I'm not purposefully keeping you out."

"Okay," Bickslow said, "Then what are all these new experiences? I know nothing about them." Ouch. Freed only realized then everything that had happened since that first day at the salon and everything he'd kept back from Bickslow. It wasn't intentional, but he had left Bickslow out on pretty much everything.

"I'm so sorry," Freed whispered. He pressed his head into the palms of his hands and breathed the best as he could while trying to hold in tears, "I hadn't realized-"

"I know," Bickslow said back softly, "I tried not to fault you for it. I get it you're changing, and that's what we wanted. But even Ever feels like you're holding stuff back from us, it sucks." Freed balled his hands into fists but kept his head into his palms.

"You are too." Freed said, "I didn't know you went to college with Mira and Laxus."

"That's a different story, Freed. That was years ago."

"And we weren't friends years ago?"

Bickslow sighed and raked a hand through his hair, ruffling it at the base. "We were, but this is completely different."

"How!?" Freed took a deep breath and calmed himself. He didn't want to fight with Bickslow. They were supposed to be talking things out. "How?" He said again, this time softer, "You're accusing me of holding things back, but I know nothing about what happened between you and Laxus."

"Because it doesn't matter, Freed. I honestly thought I'd never see him again."

"But he's best friends with Mira, so I don't understand why you thought you'd never see him if we went to the salon."

" You went to the salon. I went once. And I forgot, okay. How was I supposed to know you and him would become buddy-buddy? I took you to the one stylist I knew, and that was Mira. You guys left and went in the back, and whatever happened back there, I had to hear about it the same as Ever did. It's been years, Freed. Over four years since I've last seen Mira and Laxus, and if Ever wasn't dating Elfman, I would never even have contact with Mira. It doesn't matter anymore; me and Ever put it behind us."

Freed's eyes widened, and Bickslow immediately cursed himself for what he'd said. "Ever?" Freed repeated. "This deals with Evergreen too?" Freed could feel a pain darkening in his chest. He shouldn't feel so betrayed, but now that he knew even Evergreen knew, Freed couldn't help feeling intentionally left out. Who two best friends, his only friends, had gone through something together and had purposefully kept it from Freed. "I bet Elfman knows too!"

"Freed-"

"Laxus and I aren't friends, Bickslow. He became a COO at my company and was at the company dinner. I got really drunk, and he took me home. That's all. He was just being polite." Freed stood from the barstool and started for his room. "I'm going out," he mumbled as he stomped past Bickslow. "I'll see you later."

Bickslow felt Freed walk past him and then heard his bedroom door shut. Once again, Freed hadn't told him the entire truth considering him and Laxus, but really did Bickslow have the right when he was literally doing the same thing? This pained him more than he wanted to admit. He didn't want to fight with Freed. He couldn't lose another person to Laxus. He couldn't.

Bickslow quickly walked over to his room and grabbed his cell phone on his dresser. Within seconds he had a number punched in and a line ringing.

"Who the hell told you to call me at ten in the morning on a Sunday! A Sunday, Bickslow!? You know I sleep in on-"

"Ever." Bickslow croaked. Evergreen quickly shut her mouth, hearing the strain in her friend's voice.

"Hey?" She cooed, "What's wrong?"

"I need help."