Chapter 6

Laxus went to work over an hour ago. It was 4pm. The place was quiet; the TV was left off and Gajeel sat silently. He could no longer bear the silence and so made his way outside. Today was a miracle. It was warm, and sunny. The breeze wasn't too cold or too harsh. It had been over a month since he'd moved in, and Gajeel hadn't seen a day like this since.

Gajeel ended up walking through the town square. There was a fountain at the center with kids running around, flailing their ribbons around and talking with food in their mouths. There were markets selling toys and cute foods on sticks. He bought himself a rice ball that shaped like a panda. It was rather cute, and many people would regret eating it. However, Gajeel is not many people.

The ground was decorated with chiseled stones around the fountain and up, along with dried pink paint as if it were thrown around by kids, along with glitter and popped balloons. He kicked it around, angered at the polluted area, even though it still looked quite pretty. He moved through the crowd and out of the square. Gajeel passed a park, also full of kids playing sports as if they had no idea what they were doing, and the burger place he went to his first day here. It wasn't as cheap anymore, 100 jewels for two burgers. Still, nothing he couldn't pay for. He walked in, enjoying the less crowded area within the place.

Two burgers, large fries, 200 jewel. Gajeel sat and enjoyed himself.

Though, he felt weird. Why did he feel weird? He didn't want to feel this way, he needed space, some time to have fun while it was still sunny out. He held his head, what the hell was wrong with him?

Gajeel finished his food and headed out. He was going back home. His face was red and he was far too frustrated to be out. Gajeel jumped when he felt something lightly touch his shoulder, "What?"

"O-oh! Sorry, I didn't know you...um…" She stuttered in confusion and fear. Gajeel mentally slapped himself and held his hand up in defense, "No, it's not your fault, I was just..I…" He sighed. What the hell was wrong with him all of a sudden.

"Well...h-have you seen a man named Laxus? He looks like this!" the young woman pulled a small photo out of her leather purse, showing it to him. It was a photo of Laxus-an old one. It must've been taken back when he was in high school, maybe college? He was there with the Strauss siblings, along with Bickslow and those other two...wait. The Strauss siblings.

"...Are you...Mirajane?"

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, I am! Um... have you... seen my magazines…?"

"Uh-yes-well...no, not...no, listen, I do know Laxus, and I... also know you!" Uh, bad choice of words. "Uh, well, I mean...I went to school with you! I was no-" No, don't say that. You say things to the most popular girl at school, she shames you with mass texts and bad photos on lockers. Then again, They weren't at school. In fact, that was years ago. Though, now, she's famous all over the country and instead of humiliating himself for a day, he could potentially ruin his reputation around the world forever.

"Gajeel?"

He snapped out of his thoughts. Mirajane pointed at him, surprised, "You're Gajeel!" Her face lightened up, he smile so bright. She was very pretty. And it was interesting, not only did she remember him, she also called him by his first name.

"Wait...you left school, didn't you?"

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing she remembered.

"Oh, shit," He muttered, "Ah, yeah...I did." He had to tell the truth, but he couldn't go further into detail. So much for telling the truth. "Well...I had...uh- I moved!"

"Did you?"

He was not getting out of this. "Uh…"

"Nee-san!"

"Oop! That's my brother, Elfman, I gotta go!" Mira pointed towards her brother, waving her way.

"Wait a sec!" Gajeel stopped her, making her turn around, "L-Laxus is at work...He works at a bar a few blocks away from here!"

"Thank you!" She yelled as she skipped towards her brother. Gajeel slapped his face and held his head low, in absolute embarrassment. He felt like he would die right there on the sidewalk, and Mira would laugh from afar as she mass texted his limp body to everyone in her graduating class. He was jobless, poor, wore shitty clothes and was just generally shitty himself...no, she's so nice. She was sweet. Usually models weren't as sweet as they looked on their prints. He'd seen magazines and calendars, posters and tapes that his father owned. His father would always talk to girls that looked like models, and according to him, they were rude.

Maybe they were actually nice.

He was at home. It was dark outside, raining once more. Though, tonight, the rain was gentle and peaceful. Gajeel blinked slowly, taking in his surroundings. The large shelf to his right was full of novels. The white lamp to his right sat on a drawer full of magazines. The window in front of him was slightly opened, letting in a gentle breeze.

What was he doing in Laxus' room?

He slowly pulled the blanket over him, not wanting to wait for him any more before going to sleep. He felt sleepy, but he wanted to stay awake. He admitted, he was waiting. Gajeel was waiting for Laxus. Gajeel wanted to just be with Laxus.

The front door opened and closed. It was him. The sound of a bag hitting the floor and a sigh. Laxus removed his shoes and his jacket, opening the door to his room. Laxus saw him resting quietly in his bed. He stood there, wide eyed, "Gajeel?"

"Mmm…?"

"...everything okay?"

"Mmm…" He was half asleep. Laxus leaned over the bed, on Gajeel's side, holding his cheek. He looked so vulnerable. "Shh…"

"Okay."

He, slowly, bent down to kiss his cheek, and rest on his forehead, "Gajeel…"

"Laxus…?"

"C'mere," Laxus pulled him up and had him rest on his lap, soon scooting over to rest on the bed frame. They were exhausted. They weren't thinking. They were so close to each other's faces. The rain was so relaxing; Gajeel felt soft tingles on his forehead as he rested on Laxus' shoulder, and it was either the rain, or Laxus' light kisses. He remembered all those times this never happened. All those moments he'd spent throwing up pills in the bathroom, the moments he wasted just being depressed with no one and nothing but his drunk father. Laxus kissed his forehead once more before grabbing him by the chin and, slowly, pulling him into a kiss.

Their lips touched, softly, yet they would remain in that position for what seemed like forever. But then they both pulled away. Laxus whispered, "What happened to you not being gay?"

"You kissed me," Gajeel said, sleepily.

"You didn't object. C'mere…"

They kissed again, though this time it was deeper. Their tongues touched and moved around each other until the two would find themselves laying on the bed, Gajeel over Laxus. His eyes were wide as he realized what was going on; the heat, the sudden loss of breath, Gajeel's face was red once again as he stared at Laxus, who seemed relaxed.

"You don't have to, I don't want to either."

They were silent. The sound of light rain filled the room. The two stared at each other for long, until, finally, Gajeel responded, "Okay."

Laxus gently rested Gajeel back on the bed, pulling the blanket over him. "I'm gonna take a shower," he said before climbing out the bed. Gajeel watched him as he headed for the bathroom, scratching his head. He felt sick. He felt awful. Why did he deny it? He was ready, wasn't he? Stupid, stupid idiot, he repeated these lines in his head, stupid fucking idiot…He closed his eyes and let the rain put him to sleep. Gajeel didn't want all these feelings to keep beating the shit out of him. He was done.

He loved Laxus.

Laxus and his grandfather sat on the couch in the large hotel room, watching the news, which showed promising weather; they weren't expecting any rain this week. Makarov smiled, "It must rain all the time here, hmm?"

"So often, I can't really remember last time it was sunny," he smiled back, "Hopefully business goes well this week."

"Hmm...Laxus?"

"Yeah? What's up?" Laxus sat up, straight, looking at Makarov as he held his hand to his own chin, thinking. Makarov looked back at him, putting his hands on his lap.

"Why don't you take the week off?"

"...wait, take that week off? Me?" He asked, gesturing to himself, "Don't you think they'll need help at the bar?"

"Nah, they have plenty of employees! Laxus, you need a well deserved vacation, and this week will have such fine, warm weather! Go out somewhere with your friends!"

"...really…" Laxus looked back at the TV. They showed the beach. It was thriving with people, and the boardwalk featured various shops and restaurants. Bixlow and Lisanna did asked if he could go with them not too long ago, and maybe he could ask Mira while she was in town. Gajeel would also...Gajeel…

"Alright, I guess a vacation would be good now, actually…" Laxus rested his elbow on his knee, placing his hand to his chin, "They did ask me to go to the beach with them, didn't they…" he muttered. Makarov smiled again.

"Go enjoy yourself, boy, I'll talk to gildarts myself."

Laxus headed out, The sun was showing through the clouds, and patches of blue sky could be seen. A lot of people came outside since the weather report, hopeful that the sun would truly shine again. The last sunshine lasted half the day. This really bought hope to the people. Laxus sighed in relief, heading back to his apartment, only to run into Bixlow.

"Laxus!" He yelled, punching his arm, "What's up?"

"We're going to the beach, you asshole."

Bixlow's eyes went wide. Laxus wanting to go to a public place? No way, no way. The only place that he'd want to be in that's crowded is that bar, he wants to go to the beach? "Laxus, holy shit," He said before reaching out to touch his head, "You got a fever man? You sick?"

"'Fuck off me!" Laxus said, pushing him away, "I ain't sick, I just...wanted to-"

"Ooooh!" Buxlow teased, "I think I know where this is going!"

"What the hell do you even know-"

"You want to take Gajeel!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Laxus yelled, grabbing at the hand that pointed at him, "SHUT UP."

Aww, Laxus, it's not that big of a deal, you and Gajeel are going as friends, no problem, no problem, Bixlow said, smiling and shrugging, "But then, in the hotel room-"

"Bixlow."

"As the sun sets and you two have relaxed together in your room…"

"BIXLOW."

"You two look into each other's eyes-"

"BIXLOW I WILL THROW YOU OFF A FUCKING ROOF."

"I am just KIDDING, Laxus!" Bixlow laughed, soon falling on the ground out of breath. He panted, "You...just take him, then…!...oh god," he wiped his face of the sweat that fell from his forehead. Laxus snarled as he grabbed his friend's hand, pulling him up from the sidewalk. Bixlow was about to comment on how this would be a double date, but the way Laxus looked at him, he kept his mouth shut about it, still giggling at the thought. Gajeel and Laxus going out.

How crazy.