When Laxus walked in with the groceries, Freed was stirring the cake batter vigorously, his tongue poking through his lips just a bit. The countertop was covered in flour, as were his hands, face, and hair, and there were cracked eggshells scattered around. Laxus dropped the bag on the counter and got to work getting the cake pan ready. Together, they poured the batter into the pan. Laxus placed his hand on Freed's chin and gently wiped away some flour on his cheek with his thumb. How he wanted to wipe it away with his lips.
"This cake will turn out great!" Freed smiled up at him, and Laxus nodded.
"A true masterpiece."
Laxus couldn't help but notice that Freed was avoiding topics about themselves and each other. He kept his observations to himself, however, until Freed changed the subject away from himself again.
"Freed."
He kept talking about the cake.
"Freed." Laxus' arm hooked around his waist, pulling him close. It felt strange, but never had anything felt more right.
"Laxus, I-I" Freed stammered. Confusion and shyness swimming in his eyes. Why was he shy? Laxus desperately needed to experience his boldness.
"Freed, I love you," Laxus told him. "Nothing you could do or say could ever change that."
"Laxus, I-"
"Tell me you know, promise me you won't be afraid to be yourself."
"I promise," Freed said.
"Good, because that's the man I love." Laxus pulled him closer, his hand snaking up Freed's back, his fingers burrowing into his long green hair. It was too much. Of all the things he'd fought, a simple urge would finally beat him, break him. He tipped Freed's head back and pressed his lips to his. It was only a soft, feathery touch of the lips, not wanting to go to quickly for Freed, giving him the chance to pull away. Instead, Freed wrapped his arms around Laxus' broad shoulders, rising on his toes to engage in the kiss. He held him there, savoring the taste. Time slowed and each moment seemed to last a lifetime, but when the kiss was finally over, it didn't seem long enough. Every time he looked at Freed, he had imagined this moment, but nothing could have prepared him for the rush it brought. A new kind lightning seemed to be coursing through his veins, electrifying his joints. It was new, it was frightening, it was overwhelming, it was exhilarating. He didn't know how to control it, but he would damn well try.
"Laxus." Freed whispered. "The job…"
"Right…" Laxus released Freed. The movement felt wrong. He could still feel his warm body next to his, his heart aching to have those seconds back. He started stirring some ingredients together, but his hands were shaking with the intensity of the lightning Freed gave him. He felt that if only he could channel its power, there would be no foe he could not best. As he poured the cake batter into the pan and slid it into the oven, he couldn't help but think it would be bitter in comparison to Freed's kiss. He glanced at Freed, who was icing a cake, and he moved over, placing his hands on Freed's, guiding his arm as he squeezed the icing onto the cake. Freed moved his hand away for only a second, so he could entwine his arm with Laxus'. The oven timer dinged in perfect timing with Freed rolling forwards on the balls of his feet, his heels leaving the floor, his hands landing on Laxus' shoulders, and his lips placing a gentle kiss on Laxus' lips, and he brought Laxus back to the foreign paradise that was Freed.