For: Kitty723

Prompt: Laxus is scared of his inner demons and Freed comforts him ((originally it was Freed with the inner demons, but I switched it to Laxus, I hope that's okay))

I don't own Fairy Tail or any characters used... if it wasn't obvious from before. Enjoy~!

A fist collided Into a wall and sparks flew through through the skin. Laxus let out a growl worthy of a wild beast. He let out a few calming breaths, but he knew it was in vain. He couldn't control how he felt, never could, never will. He wanted to love all those guys in there, heck even like them, but he couldn't even tolerate them.

He was lucky that he was alone at the moment; if others were around then he was sure he would explode and end up almost killing them - whoever the unlucky soul may be. The dark shrouded his appearance, but who would go looking for the blond in an alley anyway.

Laxus placed a hand over his face. He was so close to blowing up back there. He was so close to letting out his lightning and burning the whole place to a crisp. He hated that about himself. He hated that he was so quick tempered. He hated that some brat could get under his skin so easily. He hated that when said brat did, he would come close to ripping them apart.

Before he could let it happen though, he excused himself through clenched teeth and made a hasty exit. Now here he was, in the back of some shop, almost destroying it without even trying. That was another thing he hated, his power. It wasn't even his choice to be this strong. He didn't ask to be able to break bones with a flick of his wrist, or to be able to burn someone alive by just looking at them. Who in their right mind would ask for that anyway?!

But nonetheless, this was his burden, his curse, his inner demon; a demon that was begging to be let out and run rampant, destroying everything in its path just because it could. But Laxus had to suppress it. He had to contain that beast if it was the last thing he did. The last time he let that thing loose it destroyed half of Magnolia and the guild. He didn't want history to repeat itself; he didn't want to be outcasted once again. It took this long to regain everyone's trust, it would be easy for them to remember his horrid ways and cast him out again.

It would be easy.

It would be a nightmare.

Laxus clenched his jaw impossibly tighter and squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't let that happen again. He grew, as a person and as a wizard, but he couldn't stand that. He couldn't live with that feeling of being hated by everyone in his heart. Everyday and night he would be constantly reminded of how hated he was. It made his insides turn black and shrivel up. It was horrid. He would not go through it again, so he had to suppress his emotions. He couldn't allow himself to feel anymore. He had to tune down that demon, even if he wouldn't even be himself anymore.

"Laxus?" a voice called. The blond flinched, but didn't turn around. He didn't need to, he knew that voice by heart. A voice that's called him out of his darkness. A voice that drove his nightmares away. A voice he trusted with all his heart.

The blond could hear footsteps making their way over towards him, but they were hesitant, like they didn't want to scare him off. Laxus felt something lightly press against his back, as if testing the waters. Within seconds. the hand pressed harder on his back and even gave a reassuring rub. The hand stayed in place, but the body made its way around Laxus' large frame, towards his front.

Laxus was met with blue eyes, green hair, and a concerned face. Freed looked up at him through his bangs with worry in his eye. Even if only one was visible, it was obvious to see. It was also obvious as to why he was here. Freed no doubt saw the frustration in Laxus' demeanor as he left the guild hall, and followed him here. Laxus knew that Freed was just trying to help, but at this point all he needed was solitude. He needed to deal with this himself. He's always dealt with crap by himself anyway so this should be no different.

Freed slid his hand to the blond's shoulder. The other moved towards the blond's hand - that was still covering part of his face - and moved it to reveal a tired and hopeless expression. The blond couldn't hide what he was thinking from Freed. If he didn't say it, it was written all over his face or body. Freed let a little smile make its way onto his lips as he saw the face of his lover. It was such a handsome one after all, but now it was full of negativity and Freed couldn't have that: wouldn't stand for it. The green haired male cupped Laxus' jaw and brought his head up. Laxus wouldn't look at him, not fully anyway. He was too ashamed of what he was about to do, too nervous of what he might do. However, Freed knew the blond better than he knew himself. Freed knew that Laxus wouldn't hurt him - even Laxus knew in the back of his mind, but the plague of doubt still made him think otherwise.

Silence stretched on between the two with just Freed looking at the larger man. Laxus still refused to take his eyes off the ground. Freed sighed. This wasn't a very sanitary place, but he would sacrifice his clean clothing for the man.

With little force, Freed pushed Laxus down to a sitting position against the brick wall. The rune mage elegantly took a seat next to him, smoothing out his jacket as he did so.

Freed looked over towards Laxus, but he had that same pained expression on his face. He was fighting his own battles. He was fighting wars that was raging within himself and it was so hard to just watch and do nothing.

This isn't the first time this has happened. The green haired man tried to help before, but he was only pushed away by the blond. He kept insisting that he had it under control, even when it was blatantly obvious that he didn't.

This time would be different and wouldn't end in a screaming match between the two. Freed was going to be there for Laxus, whether he liked it or not and whether he said anything or nothing.

The silence stretched on. The sun began to set in the sky. Seconds ticked by in the blink of an eye. The two didn't move, didn't talk. Freed even gave Laxus some space as he sat next to him - a good foot between them.

It didn't take long for Laxus to slowly make his way down the wall and onto Freed's lap. The blond's head rested so perfectly on the green haired mage's legs. It would be arrogant and childish for Freed to say he knew it, but he knew it.

The thin smile returned on the rune wizard's lips. He set one of his hands on the lightning mage's shoulders and the other on his head. Looking down at the man, Freed ran his fingers through those golden strands. They were coarse and rough, but he knew how much Laxus loved it.

Breaking the elongated silence, Freed said under his breath, barely a whisper, "I will always be here to help you, Laxus. No matter what."

It was then Laxus realized that he didn't have to fight this battle alone.