Chapter 5

He had to look his best. A hot pink button-up shirt with a gray vest and a red tie, along with gray khakis. He stood behind the bar and cleaned out the glasses as the manager opened the bar. Gildarts Clive was written on his name tag. He also wore similar clothes with a blue theme. He brushed back his hair and scratched the back of his neck, putting out his cigar on an ashtray sitting on a table. "Should you even be doing that?" Laxus said, annoyed. Gildarts laughed.

"I do what I want, kid."

"23."

"Right, whatever." Gildarts sighed as he lit a new cigar, walking behind the bar to stand close to Laxus. He blew smoke in his face and laughed as he coughed. "You asshole!"

He pat Laxus' back, "Shake it off, kid, focus on your grand-dad."

Gildarts left for his office and Laxus sighed as someone in a similar fashion to his walked in, out of breath. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Hey, I wouldn't be late if it weren't for-!"

"Natsu?"

"...yeah."

"Gray," Laxus moved from the counter, "What the hell is going on with him? He always...does this."

"Pfft," Gray couldn't resist laughing, "Natsu's got a girlfriend," he sang, "Lucy. Heartfilia."

Laxus looked out the door's window to see natu holding the back of his head awkwardly, while talking to her. She wore a pike blouse and a blue skirt, with white kneesocks. Her face was covered by a light blue umbrella, but when she lifted it up to kiss Natsu's cheek, her face was revealed. Lucy heartfilia. the cheerleader from Laxus' old high school. She joined in the middle of the year as a sophomore and became a really clumsy cheerleader for the football team. They were all over her regardless.

How the hell did Natsu do that?

Natsu came in, dripping wet, and laughing, "Uh, hello-!"

"You're late."

"Whatever, man! I was with my girlfriend!"

"Yeah, well," Laxus laughed, "When you said you had a girlfriend, you didn't say that it was Lucy Heartfilia. Y'know, the same girl that you fell on during the game you lost?"

"Shut the fuck up!" Natsu yelled, "Fight me!"

"No."

Laxus went back behind the bar and Natsu and gray headed for the kitchen, where they were scolded by Gildarts for being late. Laxus snickered, "What assholes."

3:30pm. the bar was thriving with people and music. The regulars, Macao and Wakab, flirted with as many women as they could while still drunk, and until Laxus told them to knock it off. People were celebrating turning 21, and 16 year olds being thrown out constantly. Parents getting away from kids, and men watching soccer, eventually also being thrown out for being as rowdy as they were; breaking glasses and tables. Messy, usual day for Laxus. But today, his grandfather would come by.

And here he was. He was rather short, but he looked all to serious to be made fun of. slowly, he walked up to the bar with his hands behind his back. He looked at his grandson as he hopped on to one of the red seats. "If it isn't Laxus, my boy, you and Gildarts must hold this old bar up well."

"Ah- we do! Uh...I do," He muttered the last part, "Gildarts is in the back, but, Gramps, what can I get ya'?" Laxus asked in a rather sarcastic tone, making his grandfather laugh. "Scotch. One shot, for now."

He poured his grandfather's drink, listening as his grandfather was called by his name by Macao and Wakaba, those loudmouths, "Yo Makarov!" "Hey gramps, what you been up to?"

Makarov waved at the men and the two continued to gaze at the women sitting beside them. Laxus looked at them, "Wakaba is such a faithful husband, ain't he?"

"Looks like they must be fighting again."

"About money. When they fight about money-"

"He spends it here," Makarov sighed, "As always." He was no different when Makarov handled the place. Him shouting for girls over and over and trying to convince Macao to do so as well. But at the time, Macao was a married man. Now he's an understandably lonely drunk, and he fell for his friend's tactics.

"Now, tell me, I hear you got a new roommate, correct?"

"Uh-! Yeah, I do...He's sick today."

"Ah, send him my best wishes," Makarov smiled. Laxus Held his breath, Holy shit. Makarov downed his shot and signaled his hand for another.

"He should be fine, he's with Bixlow," Laxus said, cleaning out a shot glass for Makarov, "He's quiet unless you talk to him first...in that case he's kind of an asshole," He laughed as he handed the glass to his grandfather, who graciously took it, smiling.

"I'm sure he's a fine lad!" He said as he took a sip from his scotch, "Now, it looks like you're busy with other customers, so I won't keep you long." He stood from the stool. He was just as tall as the stool; Laxus had to look over the bar completely to catch a glimpse of him. "I will be in town for a while, so please don't forget to stop by. I'll be at the hotel near the square."

"I'll see you around, old man."

"I may be old but I'm still pretty lively!"

"Pssh," Laxus moved on to his next customer.

Laxus stretched as he walked into the apartment. There were crumbs on the floor. That fucker. He walked towards Gajeel's room. There was no sound. He heard giggling from his room. that fucker. He opened the door to reveal Bixlow sharing the bed with Gajeel, who was deeply asleep.

"What the fu- What the FUCK!?"

"Shh!"

"Ah-! What…?"

Bixlow pointed to Gajeel. He curled up on the other side of the bed, taking up most of the blankets. Bixlow had in his hands magazines. Personal magazines.

"BIXLOW!"

"Shh!"

"WHERE...where did you get those!?" Laxus whispered, loud enough for Bixlow to hear.

"I found them in a box under the bed."

"You fucking searched my room!? Dude what the fuck, those are really personal!"

"Sure they are, Laxus," He mocked as he turned the page. A naked woman with short blonde hair popped up, making Bixlow smile. She wore only pink kneesocks and rested on a round, white bed with red and pink heart pillows. The next page showed a darker woman in the same setting. It was the Valentines Day issue. "Can I keep this?"

"Fuck no you can't keep it!"

Bixlow grinned, "I really can't? You must really like this, ne?" He teased.

"I don't-I MEAN I DO!"

"Shh!" Bixlow said once more before patting the ill figure beside him.

"And why in here?" Laxus asked, putting his hands on his hips, "I don't exactly like it when people are in here other than myself."

"Well...there was a bug."

"...a what."

"Dude, a spider. It was huge, and Gajeel didn't like it. So here we are, enjoying the comort in your room!"

"..."

"Okay fine, fuck, Gajeel came here on his own."

"...why?"

"I dunno...maybe he likes you!"

" I don't fucking like him!" Laxus retorted, slamming his foot to the floor.

"Well he-wait what?"

"I said I don't-"

"I didn't say that you liked him."

"You said-!...fuck"

"Wait!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Laxus yelled, pulling him out of the bed, "Just shut the fuck up!"

"You...you!" Bixlow pointed to Laxus, "Do you really!?"

"GET OUT!" Laxus pushed him out of the room and towards the door, "GET THE FUCK OUT!"

"DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE GAY."

"I. AM. NOT." Laxus pushed him out of the door. Bixlow raised his hand in defense.

"No, no dude! Just wait a sec! ...do you...do you have feelings for Gajeel?"

Laxus glared at him, and then sighed, "I do."

"Dude, you might be bi, first of all," Bixlow stepped under Laxus' arm and back into the apartment, much to laxus' dismay, "Secondly, if you got feelings for Gajeel why don't you tell-!"

"Sh-SHHH don't let him hear THAT!"

"...fine, whatever, dude. But," Bixlow looked at Laxus' room door. It was slightly opened, "what if he likes you, dude?"

"Bullshit, Bixlow."

"Just a suggestion...Oh shit, hey, I gotta go, I'm supposed to be home soon, Lisanna's moody again tonight!" Bixlow said, running out the door and shutting it. Laxus held his hand to his head sighing, and moving back into his room to put the magazines away. Gajeel woke up slowly, sitting up while still holding a pillow from the bed. He wiped his eyes and looked into space, before finally turning to meet Laxus. Laxus could only smile.

"You okay?"

Gajeel nodded sleepily. He turned away once more before going back to sleep. Laxus caressed his cheek, listening to his soft, relaxed moans. "Stay here," he muttered under the sheets. Laxus took off his jacket and sat beside Gajeel on the bed. He wasn't as warm anymore, which was good.

"My grandfather came by today…he said that he wishes you well."

"...mmm…" Gajeel sat up once more, "Your...grandfather?"

Laxus didn't stop gently brushing his roommate's cheek, "Yeah, he used to own the bar I work at."

"...Mm." Gajeel grabbed his hand and pushed him against the bed frame. Laxus' eyes opened wider as Gajeel wrapped his arms around his neck and rested on his chest. His breath was shaky, but warm. Laxus, nervously, rested one hand on his back. Later, the other, on his hair. It was soft. "Gajeel…?" Laxus called, nervously, "What...what are you doing?"

"...I don't...know."

"..." Laxus lifted him up and let the younger man rest on his shoulder as he rubbed his back, and combed his hand through his hair. "Are you okay?"

"Um...yeah." Gajeel said as he nuzzled into his shoulder, "I'm okay."

"All...alright then." He held him tighter as Gajeel sighed, releasing warm breath onto Laxus' neck, making him shudder. Laxus pulled the blanket over the sleeping figure and turned out the light. This felt nice, to the both of them. Laxus relaxed in Gajeel's warmth over his body as he continued to bush his soft, long locks. He turned his head slightly, and-

What was he doing? Was this right? Was this something he should be doing? He did it anyway. He kissed his forehead. but he did so softly. Gajeel moaned, sweetly. Though he was far too deep asleep to notice the kiss. Laxus was relieved. He turned off the lamp and closed his eyes.

They woke up staring at each other. Their faces were red. They bit their own lips. Gajeel, hesitantly, moved away, "I...uh?" Laxus started, "S-sorry, you were...I-"

"No...It's….it's okay…It's…" Gajeel sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking at Laxus. He still had his day clothes on and probably didn't shower last night. Laxus wiped his face in embarrassment. Gajeel kept his sleepy eyes on him. He crawled back over to him, resting beside him and laying his head on his shoulder. "It's okay."

This was weird.

Laxus didn't say anything. They spent the morning there, asleep. Changing positions. Wrapping their arms around each other. They had no idea what they were doing but they'd embraced the soft touches and tight hugs. The two would look at each other when the positions would change. Eventually, it was 12pm, and Laxus pulled Gajeel out of bed, "Let's eat."

"Okay."