When I woke up the next morning, I jumped back a little. In my sleep, I had somehow adjusted myself to where I was cuddling Laxus! My habit of cuddling a pillow to fall asleep still won't go away. Only...Laxus was a person...not a pillow..

I sighed then sat up and yawned. I didn't know what I should be doing. Should I wake him up? Should I just leave? What should I do?

I found myself staring at Laxus' sleeping face. So peaceful...so... beautiful..

Wait.. beautiful? Where did that train of thought come from?

"Are you gonna stare at me all morning?" Laxus said popping an eye open.

"I-i'm very sorry!" I said quickly, the heat rising on my face.

Laxus laughed and sat up. "It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about it man."

"O-okay…"

Laxus stood up and stretched. "We should probably get going now. Gramps should have left already to talk to your parents."

I suddenly remembered something. "W-where's my bag?" I asked.

"Hm?" Laxus asked, then seemed to remember. "Ohhh...your bag. I think it's still in the infirmary."

"I need my clothes…" I said as I headed to the door.

"Just wear some of mine for now Freed. No biggie." Laxus said, digging through drawers.

"B-but I want my clothes…"

"Okay, we'll go get them in a bit. Just put something else on before we go though, fair enough?"

"...okay.."

Laxus smiled. "Great." He tossed me a red shirt with tan shorts. "There you go. Sorry if it's not to your liking. Those are the only clothes I think are small enough for you."

I quickly put on the outfit he handed me. It was a bit big but not enough for the pants to fall around my ankles.

Laxus quickly changed. "Let's go get your bag Freed!" He announced happily.

It took about 5 minutes to get there. I found my bag in the same spot where I had left it. I picked it up and opened it, checking to see if anything was missing. Everything was still there.

I pulled out my white collar shirt along with my red coat and gray-black pants.

"You seriously wear that?" Laxus asked. "It seems a bit hot for this time of year…"

"I feel...safe in it...I always wear stuff like this…" I said with a slight blush.

Laxus laughed a bit. "Whatever you say man. Just get changed if you're going to."

I turned away from him, making sure no one else was here, then changed into my preferred outfit. "Much better." I said as I was buttoning my coat. I finished the outfit with my cravat tie I had buried deep in my bag. I slid my boots back on then handed Laxus his clothes back. "H-here…"

Laxus took them and stared in awe at me. "I didn't think that dorky outfit would work for you but, surprisingly, it does."

"Um, thanks...I guess..?" I said nervously.

"Yeah yeah, so anyways…" Laxus held up a picture frame. "This is your family, right?"

"H-hey! Don't look through people's stuff!" I snatched it from him and shoved it back in my bag.

"Sorry sorry but was your hair really that long before?" Laxus said, placing his hands on the back of his head. "Long hair really suits you. You should grow it out."

"Y-you think…?" I stuttered, twirling a bit of hair between my fingers.

"So why did you cut it anyways?" Laxus asked, looking at him curiously.

"I-it wasn't my choice…" I started then bit my lip. "My...my mother cut it...the day I left.. Let's just not talk about it, okay?"

"Whatever man." Laxus said then his stomach grumbled. "How about we go eat something now?"

"Sure.." I zipped up my bag and slung it over my shoulder.