Archive of Our Own

-1-

Laxus didn’t know why he had found himself in this situation: Freed never drank. Or at least, he never drank that much. Something must have gone wrong that night because now Laxus was standing in the middle of the road with Freed’s weight on his back and a slight snore on his shoulder.

“I’ll remind you tomorrow,” Laxus muttered. Yes, he would have accused the idiot of how he had fallen asleep before he even got home. “Luckily we live together, or I don’t know if I’d take you home,” he grunted. He started to turn right but a noise stopped him.

No.

That was the last thing he wanted. He already had a drunk, sleeping boy to look after, he couldn’t even look after a crying child. Especially since Laxus had no idea what to do when the people around him were crying. The only thing he was able to do was pass the handkerchiefs or beat the asshole on duty.

Shit. The best was definitely going home and ignoring whatever was going on. Except… the little girl was Wendy, and Laxus couldn’t really pretend he didn’t hear.

He sighed and walked through the shadows until he saw the girl sitting on a bench.

“Hey,” Laxus said.

“Hey,” she greeted, quickly wiping her face and trying to smile. “Is that Freed on your shoulders?” she asked, biting her lower lip.

“Yes, Mr. I-am-the only-responsible-person-in-the-guild got drunk,” Laxus said sliding his friend off his shoulders and sitting on the bench. With difficulty he placed Freed next to him and was surprised to see that he was still asleep. Seriously, he was going to remember it at Freed for a whole month.

“Is he fine?” Wendy asked.

“Yes, he’s just an idiot” Laxus cut short and then glanced at the girl, who still had wet red eyes. He softened his tone. “Are you ok?”

“I… yes,” Wendy stammered. Laxus raised an eyebrow and Wendy stared back into the darkness ahead. “It’s nothing.”

“Well, if you wanna talk I’m here,” he suggested. He knew he wouldn’t be Wendy’s first choice, probably the girl was more attached to Erza, but the redhead had been on a mission for a few weeks and she wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

Wendy seemed to think about it for a while, until she decided to speak.

“Yesterday I saw the girl I like dating a boy” she explained in a faint voice. Laxus groaned internally, of all things that? Maybe he would have preferred there was an asshole so he could beat him up, but he couldn’t do it with Chelia - and yes, Laxus knew Wendy was talking about Chelia.

“Um… maybe you misinterpreted it. Friends hang out.” Laxus wasn’t sure it was the right thing to say but he couldn’t think of anything else. Wendy shook her head.

“No, it was a date,” she said. “They were holding hands, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.” Laxus found himself at a loss for words, he really wanted to help her, but he had no idea how to do it. Also, if Chelia was out with another person, it was normal for Wendy to feel bad. And he couldn’t do anything about it. “I thought she liked girls,” Wendy whispered, placing her feet on the bench and wrapping her legs in the arms. Laxus gave her a tender look.

“Well, she doesn’t necessarily don’t like them,” she said. “And you can’t even know if the date went well, maybe she accepted only because she didn’t know how to say no, or maybe she realized she didn’t like him. The only way to be sure of what happened is to ask her. You and Chelia are friends, she will certainly tell you everything.”

Wendy was thoughtfully silent for a moment, then she seemed to recover from the trance.

“Thanks,” she murmured. She wasn’t in a good mood yet, but Laxus couldn’t ask too much.

“And if you wanna tell me who this guy is, I can punch him.” Wendy thought he was joking and gave a small smile.

“I don’t want him to be beaten. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Good girl,” Laxus commented and placed a hand on her head. “Seriously, don’t think about it before you talk to her. Most of the time we worry about things that doesn’t exist.”

Wendy looked up and smiled, warming Laxus’ chest.

“Thank you. But I think you should take Freed to his house,” she added with a small, amused smile, because Freed had not only been sleeping on Laxus’ shoulder all that time but had also started drooling. Laxus rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I really think I should,” he said as he got up and loaded his friend on his shoulders again. Wendy just looked at him with a sweet smile and finally no more traces of sobbing.

“Go to sleep too, it’s late” Laxus said.

“I will,” she promised. Laxus nodded and walked away. As he walked, he heard the girl whisper behind him. “Someday I want to have a relationship like yours.”

Laxus frowned slightly, not understanding what she meant. But in that moment, he had other things to think about, Freed’s weight was really getting too much.

-2-

Laxus and Freed were having dinner at a restaurant outside Magnolia after completing a short mission alone. Laxus didn’t know why Evergreen and Bickslow weren’t there, but he was happy to spend a day alone with Freed. Especially having dinner with Freed at a nice restaurant. Freed even requested the table with the best view, they could see the sea. It almost felt like a date. Obviously, it wasn’t, Freed had only suggested eating out because the food at the inn was disgusting.

“Why did Wendy thank you this morning?” Freed asked. Laxus groaned slightly as he recalled the scene to the guild before he and Freed left for the mission.

Wendy had walked in with a beaming smile and she had thanked Laxus out loud, she had said his advice was helpful and then she left with Charle for Lamia Scale. Laxus was glad that Wendy had regained her happiness, but was it really necessary to shout it in front of the whole guild? They had all grown curious, and Laxus had only managed to avoid Mirajane’s questions because Freed had said they had to take the train.

“She needed some love advice,” Laxus muttered.

“Really?” Freed asked surprised.

“Yes,” Laxus grunted. Freed smiled in amusement.

“I can’t imagine you giving love advice. Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t come back in tears” he teased him.

“Who do you take me for? I’m not that insensitive. At least not with her,” Laxus defended himself.

“I don’t mean that. You just don’t realize what people are feeling,” Freed retorted with a shrug. Laxus raised an eyebrow. Maybe he wasn’t the most interested in others love affairs, but he wasn’t an idiot, he saw things. Before he could argue, however, someone interrupted them.

“Here are my two favorite men!” Elfman exclaimed behind them, slapping Laxus on the shoulder. He turned and saw that he was in Lisanna’s company.

“We didn’t want to bother you,” she said with a sweet smile.

“We’re done with dinner, no problem,” Freed replied gently.

“Great. I’ll steal your man then, I need him,” Elfman said and grabbed Laxus’s arm, letting him know he had to follow him. The blond did it without much desire and lost the slight blush on Freed’s cheeks. He was more focused on freeing himself from Elfman’s grasp, wondering from when they had that closeness.

“What do you need?” he asked in a grunt as they walked through the restaurant.

“I have to talk to you man-to-man about Evergreen,” Elfman replied, stopping in the garden outside. Laxus looked at him for a moment in bewilderment. Then, realizing what that implied, he worried. He just wasn’t the right person.

“Better talk to Freed about it.”

“I can’t do that,” Elfman retorted.

“Why not?” Laxus frowned. Freed knew her very well, maybe even more than he did. Besides, surely, he would have helped Elfman better.

“Because I’ve already tried, and all he said is that Ever is right and I’m an asshole,” Elfman snapped irritably.

“Then talk to Bickslow,” Laxus insisted.

“I’ve already tried, his answer was the same as Freed’s.”

“What the fuck?” Laxus murmured. “What the hell did you do to get such answers from both of them?” he asked slightly irritated, and not because he was worried about his friend, but only because now he found himself in the midst of that problem, which he honestly didn’t want to know about!

“Honestly, nothing at all!” Elfman exclaimed. “It’s Freed and Bickslow who get overprotective when it comes to Evergreen, and on principle they agree with her. Honestly, I’m not surprised that she’s so spoiled” the man murmured running a hand through his hair. Laxus raised an eyebrow but didn’t reply. He couldn’t really do it, Elfman was right.

“Well,” Laxus sighed, just hoping it was quick. “What happened?”

“We had to go out on a date,” Elfman began. And that was already a catastrophic beginning for Laxus. “But then we argued, I don’t even remember why. I just know she was so angry that she said she didn’t want to go out with me anymore. So, I didn’t insist, anyway I was angry too” the man explained. “And then she went out anyway, she waited for me for half an hour, and when I didn’t show up, she got even more angry!”

“Of course she did, you stood her up,” Laxus commented.

“I didn’t stand up for her, we had canceled the date,” Elfman blurted out. “But she doesn’t want to admit it, and now I don’t know how to make amends. Well, she should be forgiven too, but I know she never will, so…”

Laxus ran a hand wearily over his face. “What the fuck am I supposed to tell you?”

“How can I be forgiven, is there something she likes so much that she forgets everything else?” Elfman asked.

“No idea.”

“Really? She’s your friend and you don’t know what she likes?” Elfman grunted now also slightly worried. All the annoyance seemed to have disappeared.

“You’re her boyfriend,” Laxus retorted. If there was anyone who knew Evergreen well, it was Elfman. The boy glared at him and then sighed.

“Well, I guess I have to think about it for myself,” he said thoughtfully as he glanced over to where Freed and Lisanna were talking. “Hoping she won’t turn me into a statue again,” he added slightly worried.

“Well,” Laxus thought, and only because he didn’t want Elfman to be turned into a statue by Evergreen. “Ever has always wanted to go to the fairy garden. Located near Hargeon, it’s full of butterflies and statues. It costs a little and there’s a very long waiting list to get in, but if you manage to get the tickets…

“Great!” Elfman exclaimed without letting him finish speaking. With a huge smile he clapped a hand on Laxus’ shoulder and damn if he hit hard. “You’re a real man!”

“Glad I helped you,” Laxus muttered. At least it had been quick and painless. Even though he had no idea how Elfman could get those tickets. Well, it wasn’t his business anyway, he’d done enough.

“I’ll leave you to your man!” Elfman exclaimed and walked away. Laxus just nodded as he walked back to Freed, relieved that the moment of torture was over. Only when he was close enough to Lisanna and Freed did he realize something. Why did Elfman refer to Freed as his man?

-3-

Laxus knew that being part of Natsu’s team would drive anyone crazy, but seeing Lucy slam every item she took from the store shelf into the shopping bag was a little scary. Also because, apart from Wendy, Lucy seemed the only sane one in that team. At least, until now.

“Idiot, fire-breathing, unbearable” Lucy kept ranting as she grabbed a can of tomato and literally tossed it into the bag. “Destroyer, confusing, impulsive” the girl continued and it didn’t take a genius to understand who she was talking about. Laxus, wanting to avoid absolutely any problem there was, stepped into the next aisle of the store, and stopped, noticing the line of conditioners. Without thinking too much, he took the coconut one, knowing that Freed liked it, and put it in the bag while trying to remember what else was missing at home.

“Oh, hi Laxus.” Laxus turned and waved to Lucy, who still had a frown on her face. Laxus just hoped she would move on, but apparently Lucy had to buy some conditioners too. “When you see Natsu, can you shock him for me?” she asked as she tossed another conditioner into the bag.

“Whenever you want,” Laxus said, after all it cost him nothing. He glanced at the girl, who was throwing a bubble bath in her shopping bag. “Why?” he decided to ask in the end, and only because he felt a little sorry for Lucy for ending up on the worst team in Fairy Tail.

She sighed heavily.

“Because he’s an idiot,” she said in exasperation. “I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, but yesterday I went out for dinner with a guy, and Natsu came to have dinner in the same restaurant, set a table on fire, scared all the waiters and inevitably ruined my date,” she explained mildly nervous.

“Ah,” Laxus said taking some hair cream. Honestly, he wasn’t surprised. Natsu did damage wherever he went, and it was pretty obvious that he was jealous of Lucy. To tell the truth, Laxus thought the girl liked the freak, but maybe he had misunderstood. Not that he cared about it.

“We also discussed because that man apparently wasn’t a good-guy. I just wonder what he meant and why he cares about who I hang out with,” Lucy muttered. Precisely. Natsu was jealous. Did Lucy really not notice? Laxus wasn’t curious - absolutely not - but he had really been convinced that Lucy liked the weirdo.

“You know he’s jealous of you, right?” he asked.

“Of course I know,” Lucy said without hesitation and Laxus raised an eyebrow. “He is the one who doesn’t,” she grunted. Laxus laughed. That was really Natsu. Lucy stared at him clearly in annoyance and Laxus stopped laughing, but the genuine smile remained on his face.

“Sorry, but this situation is absurd.”

“This is what I keep thinking, honestly I don’t even know what to think about our relationship. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been in a relationship for years already, and he just doesn’t know it,” she said, pressing her hands to her temples. “I buy these damn dragon-shaped candies just for him, by the way, who eats candy at twenty?” she asked as she slipped the packet of gummy candies into the shopping bag.

“You chose to go out with a child,” Laxus smiled. Lucy glared at him, but she had nothing to argue. She sighed heavily.

“If at least we really dated... someone should really talk to him” she muttered to herself, and then she glanced at Laxus’s shopping bag. “Anyway, why all those conditioners?” she changed the subject curiously.

“For Freed. He finished them so I buy them for him,” Laxus said as he took a bag of peanuts, strictly peeled because Freed complained about having to open them.

“Do you shop for Freed?” Lucy asked confused.

“We live together,” Laxus said and then, realizing how he sounded, he hastened to explain. “After I got back from Tenrou I went to live with him because I didn’t have a house anymore and… well, I stayed there,” he said, realizing at that moment that he had been living in Freed’s house for months now. It was a bit strange. But Freed never told him to leave, and Laxus had no reason to. Living with Freed wasn’t bad, they had gotten used to a routine that suited both of them by now.

“Oh,” Lucy said and something seemed to hit her. “It actually makes sense.”

“What?” Laxus asked confused.

“Ah, nothing. Apparently being idiots is a Dragon Slayer trait.” She shrugged casually. “Well, remember to shock Natsu for me. See you” she greeted him, and she walked out of the shop after packing a bag of fresh fish that was sure to be for Happy.

Laxus stood looking at her for a moment, slowly realizing something. He and Freed were very domestic, just like Natsu and Lucy. Laxus had continued shopping thinking about Freed - was that even normal? - and he had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that the few times Freed had gone out with any man, Laxus had gotten nervous. The reason, however, was that Laxus didn’t like being alone, nothing else. And the situation between him and Freed was very different than that between Natsu and Lucy, because he didn’t have feelings for Freed. Right?

-4-

Laxus didn’t know why he kept thinking about the situation between Natsu and Lucy. He didn’t even know why he kept thinking about the situation between him and Freed. And even less did he understand why he kept comparing the relationship between him and Freed to that between Lucy and Natsu. He wasn’t like Natsu! And the relationship between Lucy and Natsu was completely different from theirs.

Nervously he didn’t even notice that Natsu was walking towards him. He bumped into him as he was on his way to retrieve Freed’s sword - why was he going there, by the way? - and he glared at the boy.

“Look where you walk,” Laxus snapped, annoyed just to see him.

Natsu rolled his eyes. “Did a viper sting you?” he blurted out, but with less force than usual. “Forget it,” Natsu muttered and went on. Laxus stared at him in amazement. Was he really leaving? No fighting? No reply? Nothing at all?

Laxus should have been pleased. In fact, he was. And the best thing to do would have been to go ahead and ignore whatever was going through that idiot’s head. So why wasn’t he doing it?

“Fuck” he murmured before turning to the boy. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he blurted out.

“Eh?” Natsu asked confused, stopping.

“I’m just saying, are you okay? It’s not like you to walk around so quiet, without even offering me a challenge,” Laxus said.

“Oh” Natsu said, perhaps surprised by the interest. He shrugged. “If you wanna fight I’m ready,” he then added.

“No,” Laxus said quickly. “You know what, forget I asked you something,” he changed his mind. But Natsu didn’t seem of the same opinion and approached him.

“I just had a fight with Lucy and… well, she looks angry. For some reason,” he said and then made a face. “Only because I saved her from a pervert who wanted to slip into her underwear,” he added in a mutter. Laxus raised an eyebrow, amused. So, he was jealous. Not that it took a genius to figure it out, the only idiot who didn’t know was the person directly concerned.

“Maybe she wanted it,” he joked, just to annoy him.

“The fuck? No, she didn’t want it!” Natsu snapped as if the idea infuriated him.

“Sure? If she went out with him, she probably wanted it” Laxus said, just because he enjoyed seeing Natsu more and more pissed off and more and more jealous. Maybe he should have teased him more often.

“I assure you she didn’t,” Natsu growled and then frowned. “And why do you know that she went out with him? Did she tell you about it?” he asked confused and surprised.

“I met her in the supermarket and she explained to me that you ruined a date” Laxus shrugged.

“So, it was a date, I knew it!” Natsu exclaimed. Laxus blinked.

“Why the hell would people go out if not on a date?” he asked slowly. Of course, Natsu was just stupid.

“She told me it wasn’t,” Natsu growled. “I knew, damn it,” he snapped. Laxus watched him impassively. “I can’t stand that guy, know-it-all, insufferable. I don’t even understand why Lucy likes him,” he added annoyed.

“Maybe because he’s not a flame-brain idiot.”

“Fuck you.”

Laxus rolled his eyes. “Do you at least know why you’re so angry?”

“Of course I know, because Lucy should go out with me,” Natsu hissed.

Laxus was speechless for a moment, then frowned.

“If you know you’re jealous, why don’t you tell her directly?”

“Because... mind your business” Natsu growled a little uncertain. Then he snorted and looked around nervously. Laxus waited. “You would be the last person I would say this to,” he added, staring at him badly.

“Yeah, I guess Erza and Gray would be your first choices.”

Natsu seemed to think about it, and then moaned loudly. “No,” he revealed. “Ok, it’s just that... she always talks about princes, love stories, she writes about girls in love, beautiful and elegant guys and other bullshit and...”

“And you’re just an idiot who destroys things,” Laxus concluded without any sensitivity.

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Natsu retorted. “I just wanted to say that we’re fine! There’s no need to have dates or whatever she wants. We’re… I don’t even know why I’m telling you,” Natsu snorted.

Laxus glanced at him, Natsu seemed really disheartened and... scared? No, that wasn’t the right word, perhaps insecure. Which made sense, if Natsu had never been in a relationship before Lucy, he could be insecure, especially if Lucy was really talking about absurd love stories.

Laxus was really tempted to teased him again, but eventually he changed his mind. Not because he was particularly interested in the business of that idiot, but because Lucy deserved some peace.

“Well, if you wanna be exclusive with Lucy you should tell her,” he said. Natsu looked at him with two wide eyes, blinking in confusion. “I mean, if you wanna be in a relationship with her, of any kind, you should tell her.”

“I know what exclusive means,” Natsu said as if he were offended.

“Well, talk to her anyway. Also because I doubt you don’t want a relationship with her, given how you behave,” Laxus said. Natsu blushed slightly and crossed his arms slightly uncomfortably. “Look, I understand that she’s probably the first girl you have a crush on, and that you’ve never had anyone before but relationships aren’t that scary. Just talk to her, everything will be fine if you are clear with each other, instead of maintain this absurd stalemate.”

Natsu seemed to think about his words for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

“Did you do this with Freed?”

Laxus stared at him.

What the fuck?

What the fuck was he saying?

“Eh?”

Natsu raised an eyebrow, peered at him, and then burst out laughing.

“Oh my god, you act like a great expert but you’re like me!” he exclaimed and Laxus blushed. “Lucy and I are in a stalemate, but you and Freed have been for like years, I can’t believe it!” he laughed. Laxus opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out, thinking about Freed just made him feel embarrassed and Natsu’s laughter didn’t stop and how the fuck had it turned around like that?

Finally, Laxus gave him a jolt and Natsu rolled over to the ground moaning and rubbing his head.

“From Lucy,” Laxus growled, before turning and walking away. That was the last time he got involved in someone else’s business.

-5-

Laxus just wanted to have dinner in peace that evening, possibly with Freed, but for some reason he found himself in the middle of the guild eating with Loke, who had invited himself to his table knowing that Freed had gone on a mission.

“Rumor has it that you’ve become Fairy Tail’s Cupid,” Loke said. Laxus looked at him impassively, he didn’t know what he was talking about but he didn’t care. The only thing he wanted was for that gigolo to get off his table. Where the hell was Lucy?

“Thanks to you now Lucy and Natsu have resolved all the sexual tension that was there. Well, actually I don’t know if they have solved that specific problem but...”

“Honestly, I don’t care,” Laxus said shortly.

“I’m sure you do,” Loke smiled. Laxus glared at him, as if to say he didn’t do it at all. Loke ignored him and continued. “Besides, they’re not the only ones you’ve helped. Wendy told me that thanks to you she’s now dating Chelia, and Elfman has taken Evergreen on a great date. By the way, a great idea is that of the fairy garden. I should take someone there,” Loke said and Laxus rolled his eyes.

“If you’re here to bother me you can leave.”

“I’m here for a love advice” Loke smiled immediately. Laxus stared at him silently, thrilled. “Yes, I know, the God of love who asks for love advice. It’s absurd,” Loke said.

“I hope this is a joke,” Laxus grunted.

“In fact, it seems like the beginning of a joke: the stellar spirit of love asking for advice from... well, the most awkward person in the world in social relationships. No offense,” Loke said. Laxus wasn’t in the least offended. Honestly, if Loke thought that of him, so much the better, he had a reason to go and ask someone else for advice. “The point is that you know this guy well, after all you are his best friend...”

“Freed?” Laxus asked in a tone that came out somewhere between a snarl and surprise.

“I’m not hitting on guys in a relationship,” Loke defended himself. “Well, more or less. I tried once with a married woman, but I had no idea she was, it wasn’t my fault. Anyway, I’m not going to flirt with Freed.”

“Freed has a boyfriend?” Laxus asked, he had stopped at that point. Loke frowned in confusion.

“Well, isn’t he y...” he began uncertainly looking at him but stopped in the middle and lit up his face. He smiled in amusement. “Natsu was right in saying that you are an idiot, I thought he was exaggerating.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Laxus growled. Loke went to answer but Laxus quickly changed his mind. He wasn’t an idiot, he knew what that little salamander might have said to Loke. Laxus made a point of killing him later. “I’ve changed my mind, I don’t wanna know and I won’t give you any advice. Just go away,” he snapped.

“I understand, you’re the one who needs some love advice,” Loke said with an increasingly amused smile. The bastard also made fun of him.

“I don’t need that shit,” he snapped.

“Don’t worry, it’s just the two of us. And honestly, I give the best love advice in the world, thanks to me, many couples are happy. Well, many are also unhappy but this is another matter and it doesn’t concern my love advice, which incidentally, have always worked” Loke said and the temptation to electrocute him was stronger.

“Where the fuck is Lucy?” Laxus groaned. Loke just had to leave.

“Ok, ok, first you help me and then I’ll give you some quick advice. Anyway, it’s about Bickslow.”

Laxus frowned. Was Loke interested in Bickslow? Suddenly that idea seemed bad. Really bad. Laxus could already imagine those two assholes, Bickslow taking Loke with him on missions, Laxys having dinner with his friends and the gigolo and... for God’s sake, he just hoped Bickslow had better things to do than hang out with that gigolo!

“I have to surprise him, and you have to help me,” Loke said, as if he wasn’t even in doubt.

“Ask Freed,” Laxus said quickly.

“Freed isn’t there, and before you say it, Evergreen isn’t very helpful to help me.”

“I’m not either.”

Loke ignored him. “I don’t know if Bickslow told you, probably not, because we were trying to keep it between us. Let’s say that our relationship is rather casual, we’ll see each other, mainly at his house because Lucy’s is useless and we have a lot of fun, and…”

“For God’s sake, I don’t give a damn about your sex lives!” Laxus blurted out, blushing slightly.

“Yeah well you could get some inspiration to have fun with Freed.” Laxus nearly tossed him out of the guild, blushing now visibly, but Loke went on. “Anyway, back to me and Bickslow. I want to surprise him, make him understand that I want something serious with him, that I want him to be my man, and I want to be the only one for him. And I want to do it in style, so that he will remember this day for the rest of his life.”

“You’re definitely asking the wrong person,” Laxus muttered, trying to focus on what Loke was saying and not on what he wanted to do with Freed. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought about it, but now that someone else was putting it into words, it felt so much more real. Oh fuck, he didn’t have a crush on Freed, did he? Damn, why he pictured Freed in his bed now? It was all Loke’s fault!

“So? What do you think he would like? “

“I don’t know,” Laxus growled. “And I don’t even care. And anyway, I doubt Bickslow is interested in a serious relationship with you. Or with anyone else,” he snapped. Actually he had no idea, but the further away Loke was, the better it was. And Laxus knew that if he and Bickslow got engaged, his life would be hell.

“How can he not be? Everyone is in love with me,” Loke said. “Well, except Freed, don’t worry,” he added with a mischievous grin.

“I don’t give a shit about Freed,” Laxus snapped.

“Sure? So why do you get upset when I mention his name? Don’t tell me you never thought of him naked in your bed before…” Laxus wanted to kill him. Seriously. “Or that you never thought about him when you touch yourself in the shower.” This time the shock hit Loke hard, but the asshole’s tongue kept going. “Or that you have never...”

“The next thing you say and the shock will seriously hurt you,” Laxus threatened. Loke laughed and raised his hands in peace.

“I’ll stop talking about Freed and his sexual activities. But you have to advise me with Bickslow. You know him, you can tell me how to surprise him” the celestial spirit insisted. Laxus groaned.

“Just... take him to a party,” he blurted out, hoping he would go away. Loke frowned.

“It’s not a very romantic idea,” he objected. Of course it wasn’t, but what the fuck did it matter?

“I told you you came to the wrong person,” Laxus growled. “This is all I have.”

Loke snorted. “You are a really bad friend, think of something more personal. Or I’ll keep reminding you what Freed might look like when...”

“Bickslow is very romantic,” Laxus snapped, and he only said it because he no longer wanted to hear what Loke had to say about Freed. No other reason, and he also hoped that Bickslow and Loke would never get together. Those two together could only be a danger.

“Really?” Loke asked curiously.

Laxus sighed. “Well, he’s a lot more romantic than he shows. Take him out to dinner, give him some bullshit. Flowers, chocolate, candy, weird stuff that only he likes. I have no ideas, maybe a cake with a declaration of love on it, or serenade him, I don’t know. Just make sure it’s mushy and overdone,” Laxus said in annoyance.

Loke thought about it, until his face lit up.

“I have a brilliant idea!” he exclaimed.

Good. Finally. So now Loke could leave.

“He’ll cry with emotion, I already know,” Loke said with a huge smile on his face.

“Go arrange this surprise then,” Laxus grunted, gesturing for him to leave.

“Never let me leave before I have paid my debt. Regarding the advice I have to give you about Freed...”

This time the shock that came to Loke knocked him off his chair. And if Laxus walked out of the guild with his face on fire and his heart racing, no one was supposed to know.

-6-

“I have to admit, this is a really nice place,” Laxus said, looking around. Freed had booked a resort for both of them to relax after a busy week of missions. Well, at least for Freed. Laxus actually had been more stressed about dealing with guildmates, who for some reason were now asking him for love advice.

Honestly, Laxus had wanted that vacation more than his friend. And not because he wanted to be with Freed - even if that in itself was a good reason to take a few days off - but because he wanted to get away from that guild of insane. That morning Juvia even clung to his arm asking for Cupid’s help. Fortunately, Laxus had managed to escape.

“And you haven’t seen the room yet. I booked the one with the terrace and the whirlpool,” Freed said as he walked down the hall. Suddenly the image of Freed immersed in the hot tub crossed Laxus’s mind, and he hurriedly chased it away. Damn, this wasn’t really the time. Even if… what if Freed booked that vacation hoping for more? After all, Bickslow and Evergreen weren’t there. Come to think of it though, if Freed wanted something more, he would just tell him.

Laxus snorted and followed his friend. Before he could enter the room, however, he heard voices behind him and he and Freed turned hearing their names.

“Laxus, Freed! You’re here too!” a blond guy exclaimed. He had to be Sting, if Laxus remembered correctly.

“Hi, yes, we took a few days off,” Freed said politely.

“You did well! Rogue and I have also decided to leave the guild for a while. It was getting stressful.”

“Speak for yourself,” Rogue said as he stroked what must have been his cat. Or was it a frog? Well, whatever it was, better that it stayed away from Laxus.

“We agreed,” Sting retorted.

“You dragged me,” Rogue said impassively.

“You said the missions were getting maddening!”

“Actually, it was you,” Rogue retorted.

“You know, maybe I should have come alone,” Sting said now slightly annoyed.

“If you had been alone, you wouldn’t have even gotten there, and without me you would have made a wrong booking. I still wonder why you’re the Master” Rogue murmured, while his frog said he agreed. The creature was weird, although Laxus had to admit that he was pretty cute.

“Frosch is the one who gets lost,” Sting grunted.

“That’s no true!” Rogue suddenly blurted out.

“But if you said it two weeks ago,” Sting complained. “Forget it, however, there’s a fantastic buffet downstairs, we could go together” he proposed.

“We still have to unpack,” Freed began, probably to decline the invitation, but Sting seemed not to understand or ignore it on purpose.

“You can do it later, you’ll have all afternoon,” he insisted. Frosch repeated that he agreed, and ok, Laxus could now easily admit that this was the cutest creature he had ever seen.

Freed glanced at Laxus, asking him with his eyes if he agreed, and Laxus just shrugged. A buffet was a buffet, and Sting and Rogue weren’t bad company. Surely Laxus hadn’t accepted because of the frog’s sweet eyes. The creature was really cute though, and Laxus assumed he was cuddly too.

“Well, we’ll join you shortly then,” Freed said.

And that was the worst decision they made.

At least, for Laxus it was the worst decision, because ten minutes later he found himself in the hotel dining room, without Freed, without the cute creature, and with an annoying Sting who for some strange reason knew he had become Fairy Tail’s Cupid.

“You got it wrong,” Laxus hissed, looking for Freed and Rogue. Where the hell had they gone?

“Yukino told me that Natsu and Lucy are a couple because of you,” Sting retorted.

“It didn’t go that way,” Laxus hissed.

“But her star spirits don’t lie. They cannot. Anyway, I’m not surprised you’re Cupid, with all the girls you hang out with,” Sting commented. Laxus decided that he would kill Loke, all of Lucy’s other celestial spirits, and possibly Lucy too. He liked the girl, but he was in that situation because of her.

“Look, all those rumors are fake,” Laxus said shortly.

“Oh well sure, I know. You’re in a relationship with Freed,” Sting said with a shrug, and Laxus widened his eyes in disbelief. Why the fuck did he think so? Sting must have noticed his expression, because he hastened to explain. “If you want to keep your relationship a secret, I won’t tell anyone. Although, I have to say, coming on vacation together makes you so obvious,” he added.

“No, we don’t…” Laxus broke off. What the hell was he supposed to tell him? That they had gone on vacation together to a place where usually only couples went, but that they weren’t really a couple? Sting would have teased him as everyone had done up to that point, it was probably best to shut up.

The fuck, why did this suddenly feel more like a romantic getaway than a vacation? After all, that was a resort, they were alone, they shared a room - not a bed, fortunately - and the hotel staff had literally left two candles and flowers on the terrace table, to recreate the perfect romantic atmosphere.

Damn, why had Freed chosen this one of all the hotels?!?

“Um, listen, can I ask you for some quick advice?” Sting asked slightly agitated, looking around and lowering his voice. Laxus nodded absently, too busy thinking about the room he and Freed would sleep in tonight. “Weren’t you afraid of ruining your friendship with Freed when you declared your feelings?”

“What?” Laxus asked.

“Well, I mean, you were close friends before, right?” Sting asked, giggling a bit embarrassed as he ran a hand through his hair. He continued to look around agitated, and Laxus understood. So, he and Rogue were… well, not officially something, but they probably would be soon. Why the fuck was Laxus once again in the midst of someone’s romantic life?

“I guess,” he muttered having no idea what to say. He just hoped Freed would never find out about that conversation.

“Look, I just need some quick advice. I don’t know, tell me how it happened to you, or whatever might be useful to me,” Sting said frantically. And Laxus had no idea what to say or do.

“Well,” he began awkwardly. Maybe it was best to tell him that he and Freed weren’t a thing! “I just think that at some point you just have to act” he said then and thought of his friend. It wasn’t wrong, Laxus now knew he had to. He just had to take courage, find something to say and hope that Freed would reciprocate his feelings. Still, it was likely, wasn’t it? They were in a fucking resort.

“You’re right,” Sting said slamming his glass on the table, and Laxus looked at him a little surprised. “I’ll never know if I don’t tell him, and it won’t necessarily ruin our friendship. Rogue isn’t an asshole, you’re absolutely right.”

Great. Now Laxus could even give advice without speaking. Well, better for him, who made less effort.

“I’m going,” Sting decided and walked decisively towards Rogue, who was now back in the room with Freed. Laxus looked at him a little surprised and a little admired, thinking that he had to do the same thing that Sting was doing. It was the right thing, he just had to walk up to Freed and ask him on a date, or talk to him about his feelings, or kiss him and...

When Freed reached Laxus all his words died in his throat.

“Do you know what Sting wanted? He basically kicked me out, after he insisted we go down with them” Freed asked.

“No idea,” Laxus lied in a grunt, and decided he would do it the next day.

-7-

“Walk of shame?” Cana grinned as Laxus sat down at the guild counter.

“Are you drunk already?” Laxus scoffed in irritation. He wasn’t in the mood to put up with her jokes, since for days he kept thinking about how to declare his feelings to Freed.

“Maybe, but that’s definitely not your shirt, or you would have buttoned it,” Cana said.

Laxus looked down and... how the hell hadn’t he noticed? That’s why it felt tight to him, that shirt belonged to Freed!

“So, you two enjoyed your vacation,” Cana laughed.

“Absolutely no!” Laxus exclaimed with heat rising up his neck. Cana stared at him skeptically, taking a sip straight from the bottle.

“Then why do you have Freed’s clothes?”

“I...” Laxus had no idea. “I must have confused them while I was folding the shirts,” he thought then and Cana laughed.

“So, you’re practically married and don’t have sex?”

Laxus gave her a dirty look. They weren’t practically married. Just because they were roommates didn’t mean there was anything between them, and it was normal to swap clothes when they were in the same house.

“So, rumor has it that you have become Fairy Tail’s Cupid,” Cana began. Laxus didn’t know whether to feel lucky that the Freed-argument was over, or whether to be even more nervous because the teasing would start now.

“For God’s sake, I don’t even know why people call me that.”

“Well, Natsu and Lucy are dating. And this is enough to call you Cupid, I thought those two idiots would never notice” Cana said glancing at the two guildmates, who were chatting while Natsu was looking for as much contact as possible with the girl under the table. Laxus had to admit they were cute. “Awww you’re happy for them!” Cana exclaimed, and Laxus turned serious, realizing that a smile had escaped him. “Your tough guy facade is gone now.”

“I’m just happy for Lucy,” Laxus grunted.

“You’re just a big fluffy one,” Cana laughed and Laxus almost knocked her off the chair. Almost, because he suspected that if he had done it, Cana would have vomited her soul. “But I wonder, why did you start giving love advice? Had it been someone else I wouldn’t have been surprised, but you...”

“I honestly don’t know,” Laxus snapped and he wasn’t lying. “For some reason people ask me for help, I thought I was pushing everyone away, not inspiring sympathy.”

Cana chuckled, amused by his annoyance. “Maybe you look more like your grandfather than you think,” she then said in a sincere tone, without a hint of mockery. Laxus snorted, he would have preferred not to be. “And your advice is probably really useful since now many couples have solved their problems thanks to you,” she added thoughtfully.

“It’s probably just luck,” Laxus cut it short.

“Well, even if it was just luck, it’s a very good fortune. One comes to you and bam, gets engaged to the person he wants,” Cana said, still thoughtful.

“Can we talk about something else? And give me a drink.”

Cana strangely passed him the bottle, and Laxus almost thought it was his lucky day. Cana had finished the teasing and he could drink in peace. But Cana spoke again.

“Well, while you’re here, I need some advice.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding, or I’ll get up and leave,” Laxus said. But Cana was serious.

“Will you help everyone and not me?” she complained.

“I didn’t help anyone.”

“My cards say otherwise.”

“Why don’t you ask your cards to help you directly with Mira instead of talking to me?” Laxus growled. Cana blinked for a moment, blushing slightly, but she recovered quickly.

“Just do as you did with everyone else! Give me some useful advice, bring me luck, I don’t know, but my cards aren’t wrong,” she insisted. Laxus was beginning to think he had been cursed. He knew he’d done a lot of wrong things in life, but was that supposed to be his punishment? He would have preferred to take a ride to hell.

“Listen, I have decided that I will speak with Mira,” Cana said.

“Great. Go and do it,” Laxus said quickly, getting a punch on the shoulder.

“You have to help me figure out what to say,” she snapped.

“Just ask her for a date?” Laxus proposed, hoping only that Cana would accept the suggestion and go and settle her issues with Mirajane.

“It’s Mira,” Cana whispered. “I can’t just ask her out, what if she says no? What if she thinks I’m not serious? And even if she agrees, where will I take her? I don’t have enough money to take her to a nice restaurant, and besides, you know she dated with Jenny in the past. Jenny, you know? The model of Blue Pegasus, the beautiful, rich, cool one.”

“Yes I understand, the one you can’t compete with.” And so Laxus took another punch in his arm.

“I’m serious,” Cana hissed. “And do you know what she told me yesterday? That I should stop drinking. To me!” Cana snapped. “Should I choose between her and alcohol? How will I do without alcohol?”

“Would you give up alcohol?” Laxus asked surprised.

“Don’t bullshit, of course not. I just wouldn’t drink it in front of her anymore,” Cana said and Laxus rolled his eyes.

“She’s probably worried about you, and decreasing a bit wouldn’t hurt you,” Laxus said.

“Anyway, that’s not the point,” Cana snapped. “The point is: you have to help me. You have to figure out if she’s interested in anyone right now, and if I might have a chance.”

Laxus stared at her in amazement. “And how should I do?” he asked slowly, also wondering why he was considering helping her.

“You have to think about it. Shut up, she comes here,” Cana hissed. Laxus was about to say something but the brunette stepped on his foot before he could. He glared at her but didn’t say anything because Mirajane was there.

“The usual?” Mira asked and Laxus nodded. “How was your holiday with Freed?” she asked as she started to heat the bread.

“Good. Listen, are you dating someone?”

Cana groaned loudly and facepalm, while Mirajane widened her eyes in surprise.

“No,” she said confused, looking from him to Cana. “Why this sudden interest?”

“Ah, nothing. Forget it,” Laxus said, and Cana this time stamped his foot hard. “What the fuck, stop it,” he hissed at Cana.

“What’s going on with you two?” Mirajane asked puzzled.

“He’s an idiot,” Cana immediately hissed. “There are rumors about you and another model, and he was convinced you were dating. I told him it wasn’t true, but he doesn’t believe me,” she lied.

Laxus sighed wearily. He just wanted to drink his beer in peace, and besides, Cana had asked him to inquire, why was she complaining now? He wasn’t subtle, and he knew it, but who cares? Anyway Laxus doubted Mira understood his intentions.

“Oh, I didn’t know there were rumors about me,” Mirajane said thoughtfully. She obviously didn’t know, because there was no rumor.

“It doesn’t matter,” Cana hastened to say.

“Just give me my beer,” Laxus sighed, hoping only that after that Cana would give up asking him for help. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case, because when Mira left again to serve other guildmates, Cana began to complain again.

“What the hell was that?”

“You told me to ask.”

“In a subtle way!” Cana exclaimed.

“You didn’t specify,” Laxus grunted. “Anyway, who cares, I was asking, not you.”

“Mirajane is not an idiot, she saw us talking all the time and then you came up with that question and… I don’t even know why I asked you for help. I knew it was a waste of time,” she snapped.

Great. She finally understood it, so now she would leave him alone. And actually, that’s what Cana did, leaving annoyed and demoralized and… Laxus felt guilty.

Why? Why? Why couldn’t he just mind his business? No, now he also felt guilty about something he hadn’t done.

“Was Cana okay?” Mirajane asked as she approached, in a worried tone. “She left early, I had reserved lunch for her,” she murmured.

“Yeah, she’s just… she was bothering me and we argued,” Laxus said. It wasn’t entirely a lie.

“Oh,” Mirajane said in surprise. Seconds later her expression changed to a much more dangerous look. “Well, you’d better apologize,” she said threateningly, and holy shit, there was no need to be so aggressive! It’s not like Laxus killed anyone.

“Don’t worry, she’ll get over it.”

“What the hell did you tell her?” Mirajane snapped.

“Our business,” Laxus grunted. He wouldn’t have betrayed Cana, or the brunette would have seriously killed him.

“Look, Cana has been in a bad mood for days,” Mirajane said now without hiding her annoyance. “I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever you said to her without a hint of sensitivity, you’d better apologize, and do it right away. You bring her lunch, talk to her, and if I see her annoyed again, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“What the fuck, it’s not my fault that she’s been nervous for days. In fact, the fault is…” Laxus bit his tongue. He couldn’t tell her that the fault was hers, and Cana’s crush on her.

“Whose?” Mirajane raised an eyebrow.

“It doesn’t matter,” Laxus snorted, taking the bag with Cana’s lunch and getting up.

“Whose fault is it?” Mirajane repeated, demanding an answer.

“If she didn’t tell you, I won’t tell you,” Laxus growled. Mirajane glared at him, but she didn’t insist. Instead, looking annoyed, she turned away.

“Well, go then” she hissed furiously and Laxus looked at her puzzled. Why the hell was she so pissed off all of a sudden?

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just find it strange that she confides in you, of all,” Mirajane said annoyed. Laxus stared at her. It wasn’t strange in the least, he and Cana had always been close enough. And Cana either confided in him, or in Lucy. And, well, Mirajane, if the problem wasn’t with her.

Oh.

Oh, Mira was envious.

“Are you upset because she talks to me and not you?” Laxus asked. Mirajane glared at him, confirming only his suspicions. “Why are you interested in her? It’s not like you’re the only one who… oh,” Laxus said, suddenly understanding. “You like her.”

Mirajane didn’t blush, but she still glared at him.

“You like her?” Laxus asked, now having to know.

“None of your business.”

“Yeah well…” In fact, it wasn’t his business. Laxus would just have to pretend he didn’t know anything. Except he couldn’t, not when he knew Cana had clear feelings for her. “You bring her lunch,” he said placing the bag on the counter. “And maybe take her somewhere tonight, she definitely needs to have fun, and I know she would have fun with you” he added, while Mirajane looked at him with an expression still pissed but with a hint of surprise.

“What do you mean?” she asked harshly.

“You’re the genius in social relations, figure it out for yourself” Laxus shrugged, before leaving the guild. He knew that Mirajane was smart enough to put things together, and that way he hadn’t even revealed Cana’s feelings. Eh, maybe he was getting really good at bringing people together.

-8-

Laxus sighed as he walked out onto the guild terrace. He had been thinking of a way to talk to Freed for days, but he could never find the right words. Also because he didn’t want to ruin what they had. They went out, spent most of their time together, even went out to dinner together, worked out together, and Laxus was terrified that revealing his feelings might make Freed uncomfortable.

Of course, there was also a little voice in his head that kept telling him that maybe Freed might be interested, that maybe the vacation they had taken was an excuse to be together, that maybe Freed hadn’t kicked him out of the house not only because he was a good friend, but because he wanted him around. Each time, however, that little voice was silenced by bigger doubts.

“You too here,” Laxus observed, approaching Erza and resting his elbows on the railing, observing the sunset that was illuminating Magnolia. “Do I disturb you?”

“No,” Erza smiled. “I was just enjoying the view,” she said calmly as Laxus nodded. He leaned forward, watching the river and the people, and smiled slightly as he saw Loke and Bickslow walk by, hand in hand as they shared a pancake and carried huge balloons with them.

He glanced at the redhead, to tell her that he didn’t expect those two to form a couple, but stopped when he saw her expression. Erza was definitely not in the mood.

Laxus turned back into the sunset, slightly uncomfortable as he watched the sun go down. He had no idea what to say or do, and was almost tempted to call Gray and Natsu, they were idiots, but they were also the only ones who could lift the girl’s mood.

“Hey,” he just said, not knowing how to go on, and Erza smiled wearily.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to cry,” she joked, knowing full well that Laxus tended to fidget when someone around him did.

“You can do it.”

Erza shook her head. “I’m just waiting,” she said with a slight blush on her cheeks. Or maybe it was the sunlight. “I’m pathetic, right?” Laxus didn’t follow her. “Waiting for a person who doesn’t allow himself to be loved,” she said softly and finally Laxus understood.

He scanned the mountains as a light air cooled his arms.

“It’s hard to let yourself be loved after doing damage you will forever regret,” he said softly.

Erza didn’t reply.

“Is that why you and Freed aren’t something yet?” she asked after a while.

Laxus remained silent, continuing to watch the sun hide behind the mountains, and the clouds turn red.

“No” he shook his head. “I’m just afraid of throwing myself into something I’ve never tried,” he admitted. Saying it out loud was… liberating.

“Why?” Erza asked. “Love is not something to escape from. Love is to be chased.”

“Maybe you should tell Jellal,” Laxus murmured.

“Maybe someone else should, I’ve already done it,” she sighed. “And… I understand it’s a complicated situation but, you know, I just think at some point you have to accept what happened and move on. Everyone deserves love, even though he doesn’t think so.”

Laxus stared at her silently, letting her speak. “I know he loves me, and I know he’s making up for his mistakes, but I wish it were easier. Selfishly, I just wish he would stop running away from me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being selfish sometimes.”

“Tell him,” Erza smiled with sad eyes. “I don’t think he will understand.”

“He just needs time,” Laxus murmured.

“Yes,” Erza sighed. “I just wonder how much time,” she murmured, resting her head on her arms. Her gaze was still lost in looking at the mountains, the sun had disappeared behind them, the clouds still colored.

“Less than you think,” Laxus promised in a low voice. Because in that moment he decided that he would go and talk to Jellal. He had never really liked that guy, but Erza… she really deserved to be happy. Laxus had no idea why he felt attached to her - or anyone in the guild - but he did, and he wanted her happy.

“You are more Cupid than you think,” Erza smiled.

“Please, don’t call me that” Laxus moaned rolling his eyes and Erza laughed. And, despite it being at his expense, Laxus felt relieved.

“How many couples have you put together? Five? Six?”

“It was just luck,” Laxus mumbled embarrassed.

“I hope to be part of it too,” Erza said and Laxus stopped.

“I think you will,” he said after a while and the redhead turned to him, a sweet smile on her face.

“Don’t feel obligated,” she said. “I just want you to know that you will be a great Master.”

Laxus was left speechless. Honestly, he didn’t know what to say, and hearing it from Erza was… well, something. He had always feared that he didn’t deserve that place, but now he knew that he could do it.

“Just hurry up and follow the advice you’ve given to others, and get Freed,” he added.

Laxus laughed embarrassed. “What if the advices I’ve given were bad?”

“Then follow mine,” Erza said and Laxus frowned slightly. “Food is the easiest way to get to someone’s heart,” she said clearly being proud of that phrase, and Laxus laughed.

“Yeah, I think my advice isn’t that bad compared to yours after all,” he admitted and Erza laughed.

“Go, Freed is definitely waiting for you for dinner.”

And Laxus greeted her and went. But before he went to Freed, he had to catch up with a certain guy from Crime Sorciere.

-9-

Laxus was trying. Well, at least in his mind. In reality he hadn’t said anything yet, but Freed had started talking about an ancient text he was translating, and Laxus didn’t want to interrupt him. Freed hated being interrupted when he talked about something he was passionate about, and Laxus still enjoyed listening to him. At least, he generally did.

But he was distracted tonight, because he kept thinking about how to talk to Freed. Was he just supposed to ask him for a date? No, first he had to explain his feelings, somehow. But even before that, he had to understand where their relationship was, if for Freed theirs was just a close friendship or if he too wanted more. Shit, why was it so hard?

Laxus opened his mouth to say something but closed it immediately after not having the words ready yet.

“Are you also listening to what I’m saying?” Freed asked suddenly.

“Ah, sure,” Laxus lied in embarrassment, and Freed arched an eyebrow. Evidently, he hadn’t believed him. “Sorry, I’m full of thoughts,” Laxus admitted at that point.

Fortunately, Freed wasn’t offended.

“Thoughts about what?”

Laxus was silent, then took a deep breath. He could do it.

“Well, I... do you know that I’ve become Cupid?” Laxus regretted as soon as his words left his mouth and Freed looked at him puzzled.

“Yes, I heard,” he said and then smiled in amusement. “I just wonder how this is possible”.

“Ah, I don’t know either. I don’t even remember how it all started, I just know that now people come to me because they think I’ll solve all their love problems” he complained and Freed chuckled.

“I don’t know if it surprises me more that you’re willing to listen to other people’s heart problems, or that your advice is actually useful,” he teased.

“Well, just because I don’t care about other people’s love lives doesn’t mean my advice sucks,” he defended himself. Laxus didn’t even know why he did it, if someone else had told him he would have agreed. But it annoyed him to know that Freed thought little of him.

“Then tell me how you can give love advice if you don’t even notice what’s going on around you,” Freed said and then frowned. “Unless you pretend you don’t notice what’s going on around you,” he added in a low voice. Laxus probably shouldn’t even have heard him, but he did.

“What do you mean?” he asked, feeling agitated for some reason.

“I mean, how did you realize that Mira had a crush on Cana? She only said it to me and was very discreet,” he explained, this time serious and even looking slightly annoyed. Why was he?

“I don’t know, it just seemed... obvious?” Laxus shrugged. Why was Freed suddenly so serious?

“Ah. So, Mirajane was obvious,” Freed commented and laughed nervously. “Great,” he murmured.

“Where are you trying to say?”

“Nothing,” Freed said quickly, and he quickly got up from the couch taking the cups of the herbal tea they had been drinking and carrying them to the kitchen. Laxus looked at him puzzled. He had the impression that something had happened, something that made Freed nervous.

Laxus got up and followed him into the kitchen.

“What happens?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Freed repeated avoiding his gaze as he stuffed the cups into the dishwasher.

“It isn’t nothing,” Laxus grunted. “Why are you suddenly so nervous?”

Freed looked up at him, scrutinizing him with an indecipherable expression.

“You really don’t know?”

“I’m asking you,” Laxus said annoyed, though not exactly Freed’s. There was something he was missing.

Freed didn’t answer right away, looked at him again as he did when he was studying something, and then crossed his arms.

“Well” he said after a while “So since you’re the new Cupid, give me some advice.”

Laxus stiffened.

“What do you mean,” he grunted.

“A few weeks ago I asked this guy on a date,” he began and Laxus tensed his jaw. What the hell? “He accepted. Well, I thought he accepted, until he said something about how lucky he was to have me as a friend,” Freed said slightly frowning. “I thought it was a nice way to tell me he wasn’t interested, but the more the evening went on, the more it seemed like he didn’t actually notice it was a date,” he explained.

Laxus said nothing, he just listened with a strange feeling of discomfort in his stomach. He didn’t know if it was because of the idea of Freed dating someone else, or if it was because that situation seemed terribly familiar.

“In the end I didn’t say anything, I came to the conclusion that he wasn’t interested in me. Except… this guy sends conflicting signs,” Freed continued. “I can’t explain, but he seems really interested at times? Like, he stares at me, really, like he’s attracted to me.”

For some reason Laxus blushed.

“I mean, he also suggested taking a vacation together, and we did it. I booked a resort clearly for couples hoping to understand if he was uncomfortable.”

Oh shit.

“He wasn’t, not at all. But when I tried to flirt with him he... didn’t react? Honestly, I don’t know if he’s stupid enough not to notice, or if he’s just faking it because he doesn’t know how to gently reject me,” Freed said, staring intently.

Laxus had a dry throat.

“And I forgot to say, we live together, and we’re happy to do it. At least, I think he is. I sure am, and he really takes care of me when I need him,” he said and then ran a hand through his hair, looking up at the ceiling.

“I’m trying to figure out if he’s been interested in me for like… six months?”

“Six months?” Laxus repeated in a faint voice.

“Yes,” Freed sighed as he looked down at Laxus’s again. “So, what would you advise me to do?”

“Kiss him,” Laxus said, without thinking twice. Freed jumped, and his eyes widened slightly. He didn’t have time to take his advice that Laxus had already taken a step forward, wrapping his hand behind Freed’s neck and pulling him in a kiss. Freed returned right away, like it was natural, like he hadn’t been waiting for anything else and wow, why the fuck had it taken so long?

But it wasn’t the time to think about it, not when Laxus had Freed in his arms, their lips pressed against each other, as they got closer and closer as if he wasn’t close enough.

Somehow Laxus found himself wedged against the kitchen table, Freed’s hands on his neck and fingers gripping the rune wizard’s hips.

They parted panting, Laxus felt his face warm.

“Was it a date?” he asked and Freed smiled, placing his forehead against Laxus’ shoulder.

“Well, that was the intention,” he admitted. “Until you told me I was definitely a better friend than Ever,” he added.

“Fuck, I’m an idiot,” Laxus moaned and a chuckle tickled Laxus’ chest.

“You said so,” Freed said. Laxus snorted as Freed looked up, his incredibly blue eyes looking at him with some uncertainty, and his cheeks suddenly redder than before. He was fucking cute.

“Are you coming on a date then?” he asked suddenly unsure.

Laxus looked at him puzzled, was that Freed when he was shy?

“No need to be insecure, I never said no,” Laxus said, he wanted it to come out as a mockery after making an idiot of himself, and it worked, because Freed blushed even more but frowned.

“You could change your answer now that you know my intentions,” he pointed out.

“Nah,” Laxus immediately said and smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever change it,” he said before bending down and kissing him again.