"Double halves of wholeness. Find the missing equal sign. Double halves of wholeness now return to intertwine."

-Klaxons, "Twin Flames"

-

Laxus POV

The beach was absolutely beautiful this time of year. Cerulean-blue waves of salty ocean water rose up to form white-capped waves, surging forward and crashing on the khaki-colored beach. Behind us, there was a line of densely packed palm trees. Before us, there was nothing in sight but the deep blue sea.

Bickslow, Evergreen and I were waist-deep in the water, engaged in an intense splash-fight. Freed was sitting on the beach, quietly reading a book. Several times, we had tried to get him to join us, but he politely declined because he didn't want to take his shirt off.

Tch. Silly Freed.

There was a reason why none of us, not even me, had ever seen Freed shirtless. He considered it improper, though I'm not sure why. Fortunately, we had managed to keep him out of his scarlet coat, leaving him clad in a white button-up shirt and a pair of baggy black shorts. Bickslow and I were shirtless, also wearing shorts. Ever was in a bikini, naturally. But I really wanted to get Freed in the water. I couldn't help but feel like he was missing out on the fun.

"Freed!" I yelled out, after viciously pounding Bickslow into the water. "Come on out here!"

Freed looked up from his book to give me an exasperated stare. "We've been over this. I don't want to."

"I don't care if you don't want to. Come on and have some fun. Screw being proper." I waded out of the water and marched over to him, arms folded. "Come on. I'm not going anywhere until you get up and join us. I'll throw you in if I have to."

At this, Freed snapped me a venomous glare. "You wouldn't dare. Don't. Even. Think about it."

"Too late." I grinned and reached down to pick him up, intending to throw him in the ocean.

With a little yelp of alarm, he dropped his book, sprang to his feet, and bolted with inhuman speed, kicking up a bunch of sand in the process. I laughed before giving chase. The little guy was fast, surprisingly so, his jade-green hair- which was currently tied back in a high ponytail- streaming out behind him like a rippling wave of green fire.

"Cut it out, Laxus!" Freed exclaimed, eyes wide with panic, as he darted around a palm tree.

I was able to keep up with him somewhat, but not able to catch up. So I just kept running after him. "No, not until you're in the ocean! It's not that hard!" I shouted back, grinning from ear to ear. "You can keep running all you want, I'm gonna catch you at some point."

And so, we continued running around the beach. Bix and Ever continued their splash-fight, nearly drowning each other in the process.

At one point, Freed made a critical mistake and tripped over a rock. He fell, face first, in the sand. Before he could recover, I flipped him over onto his back and attacked, pinning him down with one hand and viciously tickling his sides with the other.

"Agh, no, stop!" Freed let out a high-pitched squeal of laughter, writhing and struggling, trying to kick me off of him.

"This is what you get for running away." I told him, scoldingly. "You might as well give up now, there's no way you're getting away again."

"Get off me, you oaf!" he cried, managing to kick me square in the chest.

With a winded "oof!", I toppled and fell on my side, giving him the time he needed to scramble to his feet and run away. I sighed, watching his rapid retreat. It seemed I'd never get him in the water.

Ever and Bix had my back, though. As I got up and started walking back to the ocean, the two of them managed to corner Freed and all but completely drag him into the ocean. It was hilarious. He realized he was outnumbered and stopped struggling, but that didn't mean he was done protesting, which he did, all the way to the water.

"See? It's not so bad, is it?" I asked, as I approached the absolutely miserable-looking rune mage.

"It's too cold." he said, giving me a withering glare. "And I hate you."

"I thought you couldn't tell lies, Freed." I planted one fist on my hip and grinned at him. "So stop lying. You're really bad at it."

"And what if I'm not lying and I actually completely and utterly despise you right now?" Freed asked, still staring at me with enough disdain to kill a man. "Because I actually do, but just in the moment for right now."

"Don't make me tickle you again." I flexed my fingers threateningly. He gave me a look as he sidled a few steps away from me, just to be safe. "Damn. You must really hate being tickled. I'll keep that in mind so I know what to do when you're not behaving." I grinned.

"No." he said, simply.

"No? Is that the best comeback you have?" I laughed. When he nodded his head with a deadpan look on his face, I sighed. "You're hopeless, you know."

"He's Freed, for fuck's sakes!" Bix shouted at us.

"Hey!" Freed bristled, and for a second I thought he was gonna assault Bickslow. "You watch your language, pal!"

"Yeah, Bix!" Ever chimed in. "This is a fucking christian Minecraft server!"

"You too!" Freed snapped at her, absolutely furious.

I wrapped my arms around his tiny body and pulled him close, stroking his damp hair, trying to calm him down. "You're just cranky because you don't like the water, aren't you?" I asked.

"Hmph. Yes." he admitted, with a very cranky huff.

"Calm down, sugarplum. Try to enjoy yourself a little bit? Please? For me?" I smoothed my thumb across the back of his ear.

"Hmm..." he sighed, and looked up at me with sparkling hazel eyes. "Maybe. But only if you carry me. I hate being wet. Plus I'm getting my shirt all wet."

I chuckled at that. "Okay. I suppose. Here, get on my back." I turned around, and he immediately jumped on my back with surprising speed and agility, wrapping his arms around my neck and his legs around my middle. I wrapped my hands around his thighs so I could hold him up. "Who knew you were the kind of person to enjoy piggyback rides?"

"Only when it's you because this is not dignified." Freed remarked, burying his face in the crook of my neck. "You smell good."

"Hah!" I barked a laugh. "That's something I've actually never been told before."

"Oh? Why not? It's true."

"Dunno. Nobody's ever really payed attention to my scent before. Not even past girlfriends. But we don't speak about them here, do we?"

"No we do not."

"Agreed."

With that, I suddenly started sprinting as fast as I could through the water, splashing it everywhere, and making extremely sharp, pivoting turns. I wasn't trying to throw him off, just scare him a little so he'd forget all about the fact we were in water.

Almost immediately he started shrieking. "Aiiiiiiiii! Laxus! What on earth? Stop it! Let me down!"

"Nope!" I laughed and spun around abruptly. He was clinging to my neck so tight I almost couldn't breathe. But I didn't care, I was having too much fun scaring the living daylights out of my poor boyfriend. Finally, I screeched to a stop where the water was up to my stomach, and abruptly dropped him.

He fell underwater, much to my amusement. I doubled over, laughing hysterically, as he resurfaced, coughing and spluttering, eyes wide with almost panic. The water was all the way up to his shoulders, and he was freaking out about it. "You do realize I can't swim, right?" he cried, absolutely mortified. "The only reason I'm still alive right now is because I managed to get my feet under me!"

"Oh shit." I rushed forward and scooped him up into my arms before a wave could come through and carry him away. Although I was having fun messing with him, I didn't want him to drown. "Shit. I didn't know. I'm sorry, Freed." I apologized, as I waded closer to the beach, carrying him bridal-style.

"I-It's okay, I'm okay." he reassured. His teeth were chattering, which I found funny and adorable.

"Aww, is somebody cold?" I asked, teasingly.

"Y-Yes. C-Can I get out of the water n-now?" he started shivering all over. "It's f-freezing..."

"Yeah, of course. I'll sit with you for a bit." I promised, as I reached the beach and set him down in the sand. The poor little thing was absolutely soaked. "Come on, let's get you dried off."

I wrapped him in a towel, laughed when I realized he looked like a burrito, and got myself a towel before we returned to the spot he had been sitting at before I so rudely forced him into the ocean. We just sat there for awhile, watching Ever and Bix goof off and watching the low-crescent waves slide smoothly onto the shore, breaking around our friends' legs.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Freed remarked. He didn't seem quite so annoyed and tense anymore, now that he was partially dried off.

"It really is." I agreed, reaching out and putting my hand over his tiny one. "And so are you."

"Quiet, you." he said, even as he scooted closer and curled up in my lap, resting his head on my chest. "Thank you for bringing me out here. I'm really enjoying myself. It's so nice."

"Anytime." I smiled and slipped my arms around him, running my fingers through his damp hair. "Sorry for throwing you in earlier, I really had no idea you couldn't swim. No wonder you hate being wet."

"Yeah... It's not exactly something I talk about... Heh... Most kids learn to swim at a young age but I was too shy to take lessons or ask for help. You were my only friend until I was fourteen, and even then, I don't ask for help because I am the help." Freed told me, nuzzling his face into my chest. I could feel his warm breath on my skin.

"I understand, don't worry. You don't have to explain yourself to me." I reassured, kissing the top of his head. "Why are you so cute? Please explain that to me."

"I'm not." he snuggled closer, tucking his head under my chin and closing his eyes.

"Excuse my language but that's bullshit." I buried my face in his hair and took a deep breath, savoring his wonderful lavender scent. "You're adorable."

He was silent, choosing not to respond. Instead he just sighed and relaxed into my embrace, tracing out slow patterns on my chest with his fingertips. I hummed softly at the pleasant sensation, tilting my head back and smiling. This little creature in my arms was so absolutely perfect. I couldn't get enough of him.

"Goodness, Freed, I'm pretty sure we ruined your shirt." I remarked, noting how the white fabric of his shirt seemed stretched thin, clinging to his skin.

"Oh. You're right. That's a shame." Freed glanced down at the garment dolefully.

"Did you bring an extra?" I asked. He nodded. "Okay, good, you should probably go get it on."

He shook his head. "It's all the way back at the cabin. I'm too lazy."

"Okay, well, my shirt's right here. I left it here when I got into the water with those two muttonheads." I picked up the discarded black T-shirt and showed it to him. "You can wear it for now, if you'd like. I can get another shirt when we walk back to the cabin."

"Oh, really?" Freed's whole face lit up. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. Plus, you'll look absolutely precious in a shirt that's several sizes too big for you." I nodded, grinning widely.

"Okay. Thanks." Freed flashed me a genuine smile before turning around for modesty's sake and taking his soaked shirt off. He quickly changed into my shirt before turning back to face me, eyes sparkling with happiness. "It's too big, but I love it. It smells just like you." he said, clapping his hands excitedly.

"Oh my god!" I said, immediately pulling him back into my arms. "You look so fucking cute in that!"

"Language." Freed squirmed around for a bit before giving up and letting me fuss over him. He really did look so cute in a shirt that was at least ten sizes too big for his tiny frame. His slender, small build ensured that he could just barely wear adult clothes, only if they were in the smallest size. "Oh, for crying out loud, I'm not that cute..."

"Nonsense, Freed, you're too precious and adorable for this world. Go back to heaven with your fellow angels where you belong." I ran my hand up and down his arm.

"Pfffft. You're one to talk." Freed rolled his eyes and plunked his head down on my shoulder.

We stayed like that for so long. It felt right.

-

Bix and Ever left the next morning, so when Freed and I woke up, we were alone together. The morning started off extremely hilariously. Freed had woken up way earlier than me (still clad in my shirt) and had tried to make breakfast for the both of us (wearing my shirt) but ended up accidently setting something that looked like it used to be a piece of paper on fire (still wearing my shirt).

In summary, I came awake to the sharp smell of smoke and Freed's startled exclamation of, "Good heavens!" coming from the kitchen.

By the time I got down there to see if he was okay, he had already put out the fire and was standing there, eyes wide with shock, staring at the burnt, blackened husk of whatever the hell that used to be in his hands.

"Freed? What the heck?" I walked in and cupped his hands between my own. "What is this?"

"That... Is exactly what happens... When I try to cook in an unfamiliar environment." Freed gasped out, still adrenaline-shot from dealing with a fire so early in the morning.

I laughed and kissed his forehead before turning around to examine the white stove behind me. It was unharmed, and there were freshly made scrambled eggs sitting in a frying pan on top of it. The eggs looked really delicious, not gonna lie.

"Oh wow. Thanks, sugarplum, this looks great." I told him, as I started getting out plates.

Freed was still staring at the burnt something. "There was supposed to be bacon too but we all see how that turned out..." he muttered under his breath.

I heard him, and chuckled softly. "Oh, Freed, it's okay. Relax. Come get some food." I handed him a plate and took the burnt something from him, nudging him toward the stove.

He resisted, saying, "No, it's fine, you can get yours first."

"Freed Justine, I refuse to let you do anything of the sort. You are taking a break, remember? Get your food." I scolded, before he could say anything else.

"Good grief..." he mumbled, rubbing his forehead, as he pushed past me and obediently started scooping some eggs onto the plate I had given him.

Much to my amusement, he got eggs for both of us and tried to give me a plate of them first. But I refused to accept it and told him to put it back on the counter where I could come get it.

"You're impossible." he told me as he returned to the dining room with only his plate and started eating, albeit a bit begrudgingly.

"Heh. So are you." I smiled and got up to retrieve my plate from the kitchen. When I got back a moment later, I noticed it for the first time. "Hey. You're still wearing my shirt." I remarked.

"Indeed." Freed said, noncommittally.

"Good. It looks really good on you." I nodded my approval and sat down across from him, wolfing down the eggs with a gusto. "Damn. These are really delicious." I told him.

"Language. And thank you." my partner was making a huge point to keep his responses brief and blunt. I knew exactly why, it was his way of pouting because I wasn't letting him help me with anything at all and it was really starting to bother him.

"Freed. Look at me." I leaned forward, propping my chin up on my hand, with a lazy grin on my face. As soon as his lovely hazel eyes rose to meet mine, I said, "Don't make me tickle you again. Because I can and I will. Remember, you're on a break until the day after tomorrow, which means you aren't allowed to help me with anything. Those are the rules."

"I know, I know. It's just hard." he shrugged and returned to his meal. "I'm so used to doing the little things that not doing them makes everything feel wrong. If I didn't know any better I'd say someone ripped a hole in the space time continuum."

"Sometimes you can be a bit dramatic with your choice of words, silly." I told him, smiling gently.

We finished eating in silence, mostly because he didn't seem interested in talking. I just had to get him back in the mood for everything. So once we had both finished eating, I took his plate from him and washed them both before putting them away and returning to him. He had moved, and was now seated across the dining room at a little nook in the large window there, reading a book, a blanket tucked around his waist.

I came up on him and surprised him by getting on my knees beside him, turning his chin so he was looking at me, and kissing him passionately, crashing my lips into his. He slowly let go of his book and slipped an arm around my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss.

"Laxus..." he whispered against my lips.

I didn't respond, slowly shifting so I was sitting on the windowsill beside him. I pulled him closer so he was sitting in my lap, facing me, and locked our lips together again. I took the time to study his perfect features. Everything about him was soft and lovely and gorgeous. I just wanted to kiss every inch of him.

"Freed... I love you so much..." I muttered, as he pushed up against me, blushing as I nipped at his soft, plump lips.

"I-I love you too..." he stammered out.

Just the sweet, nervous tone in his voice was enough to make me lose some of my grip on my own self-control. I couldn't do it when he sounded like that.

I kissed him, hard, running my hand up and down his thigh as I did. His skin was smooth, soft, and warm. Perfect. But he was slowly pulling away, I noticed immediately. I let him go, even though my instincts screamed at me to keep him from leaving, to continue to kiss him until neither of us could breathe.

I opened my eyes, realizing for the first time that I had closed them, and studied Freed's face. He didn't seem hurt or frightened or angry. He just seemed... Neutral.

"It's too early." he smirked at me before I could ask any questions. "And I want to finish my book."

"So promise me you'll let me kiss you more later." I learned closer, smoothing my thumb across his chin. "Because you're amazing."

"Would it make you happy?" Freed inquired, studying me with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

"Indubitably." I nodded.

"Alright, then. You have yourself a deal. Now go away and let me read." The little rune mage gave me a playful shove in the chest. "Shoo." he added, as he picked up his book and opened it up again.

Seeing as there was nothing else I could do, I just went outside and viewed the scenery, leaving him to his book. There wasn't a single doubt in my mind that the remaining days I had alone with Freed would be the best two days of my life.

To be continued...

A/N: just warning you, in the next chapter there will be some sexual content but it won't be a lemon, and it won't escalate past some heated making out and everything that goes with that, but nothing that comes after. I have a head canon that Freed is saving his "first time" for marriage, like the proper little boy he is, so don't expect to see any lemons in this story lol. See y'all next time, byeeeee!!!

-UltimatexAdmin