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Catch the Thunder	By : Rhov Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail Views: 17785 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail is the property of Hiro Mashima. I make no money, I just do this for my own pleasure.

Chapter List
- 55
- 56
- 57
A/N: I'm posting this on January 20th as my own protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th American President and his rhetoric of hatred during his campaign, which is perpetuated throughout his Cabinet and supporters. Not all of his supporters, but a vast majority I personally know (as in literally every Trump voter but 3) are either blatantly or casually homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, sexist, racist, or they knowingly and willingly put job security or "duty to party" above the safety and security of American citizens. There are actually a few protests near me, but I'm an introvert. I don't do protest marches. So please, read this instead of watching him being sworn in, or listen to the audio instead of listening to his xenophobic-laced speeches.
Audio drama: http://chirb.it/xC3PHa
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"How was I to know at last
That happiness can come so fast?
Trusting me the way you do,
I'm so afraid of failing you."
― "Suddenly," Les Misérables
Chapter 56
Master of the House
It was Netflix … and cuddles.
Freed's birthday had been one surprise after another. Now, he needed to ground himself back into normality. The best way for him to do that was precisely this: Laxus on the couch holding a beer, Freed curled in a blanket leaning into him, watching Supernatural.
It allowed his mind to decompress.
"Dammit, Castiel, just kiss him already," Laxus grumbled, and Freed snickered in agreement.
"But his puppy dog gaze of longing is so adorable."
"How many years have they been refusing to admit it? Shit, you'd probably fuck Dean in two seconds."
"Mmm … but I'm no godly angel."
Laxus chortled and rubbed his hand along Freed's arm. "Not how I've corrupted you. Would that make me Crowley or Lucifer?"
"I happen to ship Cas and Crowley."
"Of course you would!"
Cheering on the perpetually teasing non-romance relationship between Dean and Castiel while cuddling his boyfriend: not exactly how he imagined he would spend his twenty-third birthday.
As they watched the show, the day's events were able to decompress in Freed's mind. He now had the blessing to marry his boyfriend from both his mother and his boyfriend's grandfather. Laxus also got the blessing of Freed's father. Bickslow and Evergreen seemed to like him. Pretty much everyone from both of their families approved. It was a lot to absorb.
He looked down at Laxus' left hand. How big of a ring would he need? Perhaps he could use an excuse like taking the promise rings in to be professionally cleaned and have it sized. Then he could take Makarov's wedding ring and see about having it restructured. It would likely need more metal added, perhaps a titanium rim with the gold in the center of the band. Yes, that would look incredible and show the hardness of Laxus on the outside with the heart of gold on the inside. The old ring was now in a silk drawstring pouch in the bottom of Freed's pajama drawer. Laxus rarely did laundry, so it was a safe spot. He could hide it there until the time was right.
A ring!
An engagement ring!
When would they be ready? How would he know? Maybe they were ready now.
No, he didn't want to rush into this. Just dating for now. And more cuddles. He burrowed in a little closer into the broad chest.
"I really am sorry."
Laxus glanced down and stroked through the green hair. "Hey, I ain't complaining. I love this show. Oh, come on!" he shouted at the television. "Hit her with the ax."
"You probably had something planned, right?"
Laxus kept petting his hair as they watched the Winchester brothers fighting. "Not a damn thing."
"Liar."
Laxus smiled, leaned over, and kissed Freed's head. "It was going to be a whole night of me serving your whims. From the start, I planned to obey anything you wanted to do, from bondage to obediently doing chores."
"You mean I could have asked you to do chores?"
"You still could."
Freed flopped down onto Laxus' lap. "Nope, I'm comfy."
Laxus pet his long hair. "Although … I was kinda hoping for something," he admitted.
Freed rolled over and looked up at him. "What?"
Laxus glanced aside, debating if he should admit it. He muttered with a slight blush, "That you'd take me."
Freed's eyes widened. Here he had spent all day thinking Laxus had some sadistic toy to use on him, to torture him sweetly until he could hardly move. Instead, Laxus had been planning to offer himself up, wholly and completely. Freed now felt guilty for requesting a quiet night. It must have been Laxus who had been eagerly hoping to be toyed with.
"Next time?"
Laxus chuckled and stroked his hair again. "Yeah, next time."
He knew full well, next time could be anything. Freed could need BDSM to escape life. He could need humiliation to find balance. Laxus might need to establish dominance for his own sake. Next time could never be planned, just like tonight did not follow his plans. Things came up in life. Freed dealt with stress in many different ways. Sex was just one way. Cuddling and normality like this was another way.
Which meant something today really stressed him out, but not in a way where sex was the remedy.
A lull in the show gave Laxus the chance to talk. "Are you okay?"
Freed raised his head up off the muscular thighs. "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I feel better. It was just … today was a good day, then a weird day, then a good day, then a bad day, then a really good day—" He stopped as he realized he was making no sense. "I got a bit overwhelmed."
No shit, thought Laxus. "Well, seems it was more good than bad."
"Yeah…" he said, trailing off with internalized doubts. "I-I mean, I'm okay with the house…" He stopped before he began yet again. He had talked about nothing but the house all through dinner. He slumped back onto Laxus' lap and watched yet another queerbaiting scene between Dean and Castiel. "God, I must have sounded like such an idiot. There they were, giving me the house, and I just started to whine like a spoiled brat."
"You are a spoiled brat," Laxus said, hugging him closer. "Wanting to live somewhere else, your own place, keep your freedom … I get that."
Freed pouted as the scene in the restaurant replayed in his head. "It was inappropriate behavior."
"No one blames you. It came as a shock."
That was an understatement! Freed grunted, hardly even watching the show anymore. (Dean and Cas would stare with emotions burning in their eyes, they would drop innuendos, yet they would never do more than hug; it was always the same bait.) He realized, neither Evergreen or Bickslow mocked him for his outburst. Normally, they would have made fun of him for acting out of line. Maybe Laxus was right and no one blamed him for his outburst, since they were all in different states of shock.
Bickslow, he realized in hindsight, had been completely blindsided by the announcement that he would get the family's cabin. Likely, he figured nothing of value would be handed over to him after the situation with the overdose. Honestly, Freed realized that was a shocking move by his parents. The guy had been out of rehab for less than a month, and here his parents were setting up to give him one of the houses. Of course, it would be in a trust, which meant Bickslow would not be able to sell the house to buy a bunch of cocaine. Maybe they were hoping the responsibility would be good for him.
So now, as soon as he put his signature on the deed, he would be a homeowner. It would not even be a normal house. No, it was a mansion with property and staff. That was a huge responsibility thrust onto him at only twenty-three.
The show ended, and Freed rolled around to look up at Laxus. "You'd like to live in that house, right?"
Laxus went back to the Netflix main menu so it would not continue onto the next episode. "Yeah, some day."
Freed nibbled his lower lip, and then suddenly blurted out, "When?"
"Well, not right now." He leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead. His nose playfully rubbed against Freed's. "I like it here."
"Yeah, me too," he sighed. "So … when?"
Freed sounded too serious to answer with something flippant. Laxus let a long pause lapse between them as he thought carefully about the question. "I suppose whenever we get sick of this place or need more room. We're good now, but things may change."
"Yeah," muttered Freed. He felt his cheeks heat up. "Yeah, things may change."
He knew what Laxus was hinting at. Perhaps when they got married, they would want more room. Maybe even a family. If they had a child, definitely Freed would want the larger space of the house, with a nanny to help and a nursery room with plenty of space to play. He remembered what Makarov urged: convince Laxus to want children. Maybe Laxus was already thinking about that possibility all on his own.
Laxus turned off the television. "Come on. It's getting late."
Freed sat up and stretched while Laxus took his empty bottles of beer to the kitchen.
"Um, is there anything else you particularly want to do tonight?" Freed asked, hoping Laxus did not feel too disappointed by such a boring evening.
Laxus hummed and smiled to himself. "Well, maybe."
"Oh? What is it?" he asked with instant eagerness.
"Get naked, get into bed, and put a towel under you."
Freed was stunned, yet he supposed he was asking for that. Laxus had been looking forward to sex, after all. A towel, though? "Will it be messy?"
"Could be."
Freed blushed and pouted. Did he even want messy sex? He was not sure how he felt emotionally yet.
Laxus began to chuckle, knowing precisely what Freed was thinking, and the joke was on him. "I'm going to give you an oil massage."
Freed jolted right out of lewd assumptions. "O-oh! Okay."
An oil massage. Here he instantly assumed Laxus just wanted sex. Yet he had said he did not want kinks, so Laxus was being considerate. Of course he would be! He was a good and loving dom, after all. He would cater and spoil Freed in every way.
Freed left while Laxus did dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. He brushed his teeth and washed up for the night. Then he brought a towel to the bedroom, spread it out on his side of the bed, removed his clothes, and laid down.
When Laxus finally walked in, he looked at the pale, exposed body with an approving gaze. It made Freed feel vulnerable, lying there naked under those electric blue eyes. Laxus shut the bedroom door and turned the heat up so it would be warm enough even nude. He opened a drawer where they kept some of their sensual supplies. Laxus picked an oil with a soothing scent, not an arousing one. He turned on some soft classical music, just a violin and piano. Then he removed his shirt so he did not have to worry about oil getting on the fabric. He also knew Freed liked to gaze at him shirtless and admire the tattoos. He took a seat at the bottom of the bed and looked over Freed's body some more.
Petulantly, Freed turned away from that delving gaze. "This is rather embarrassing."
"It's just a massage."
He poured some oil into his hand, then drizzled some onto Freed's feet. The aroma of lavender and vanilla filled the room. Laxus was not particularly fond of strong smells, but Freed inhaled deeply. This was his favorite aroma, which is why Laxus picked it.
"Here we go," he warned just before grabbing Freed's foot with his oiled hands and settling it onto his lap.
Laxus ran his thumbs along the arch of the foot, then over the top, along his toes, swiping over and under his heel, spreading the oil first so everything was smooth. Once the foot was well-oiled, he settled in to the massage.
Like the rest of his body, Freed's feet had all the appearances of a pampered life. He probably had never broken a toe; his feet were soft from always wearing good socks and custom-made shoes. Even his toenails were trimmed and smooth, unlike Laxus who ripped off the nails whenever they were long enough to snag his cheap socks.
Laxus supposed it was weird that he loved pampering Freed's feet so much when he had been pampered his whole life already. Still, these feet held up such a strong man and carried him down rough roads toward a life Laxus could not even begin to comprehend. He often felt he could not always walk side by side with Freed on this journey, so at the very least he wanted to make sure his boyfriend could stand proudly and walk firmly.
Freed's soft moan pulled him out of adoring the feet. "Mmm … right up the arch like that."
Laxus smiled, feeling warm inside. These rough hands of his that had been used for horrible purposes in the past now gave tenderness to a man he adored, and that was pretty damn awesome to him.
Freed's voice began to slur as he sank into a relaxed stupor. "You give the best foot rubs."
"Oh? Do you know someone who compares?"
He chuckled drowsily and admitted, "My family has a masseuse."
"Oh yeah, I've met her."
Freed cracked an eye open. Laxus had met Porlyusica?
Oh … probably when his father was a client. Freed remembered Laxus once told him that the Justines set up to have him chauffeured in the family's limo with a masseuse in the back to ease his motion sickness. That must have been her.
"You're tense. Relax."
Freed shoved the past out of his mind. He could not dwell on who Laxus was back then, because in just a few months he had opened up his heart and become so much more.
Laxus' hands continued up to the ankles, and his thumbs sought out between bones and tendons, carefully rubbing them out. Then he added a little more oil and rubbed the calves, making sure to follow the hair down. He crept up, and his hands caressed over Freed's thighs.
"Nngh!"
"Don't worry, I'm not going there," he promised, yet Laxus could hardly help but glance as Freed's cock slowly lengthened. "Although, it looks like you're interested."
Freed blushed and turned his face aside. "I can't help it."
So adorable! "Don't worry. I'm just rubbing your muscles out tonight." To prove that, Laxus skipped over the groin and drizzled more oil up Freed's torso, getting to work rubbing out the six-pack abs and taut pectorals.
"Full body?" Freed asked, surprised Laxus would do so much.
Those blue eyes twinkled down at him. "It's your special day, so enjoy the treat."
Freed closed his eyes again, taking pleasure in the massage. Laxus' hands were so strong and sure, he felt completely safe.
"That feels goooooood," he groaned.
A thrill shot through Laxus hearing him sounding so vulnerable and peaceful. It was a moan of pure pleasure, and not sexual. It was just Freed indulging in the pleasure of his large, rough, scarred hands.
"Can you get my arms?"
Laxus cradled one arm into his grasp. He started with the shoulder, then worked down to the biceps. Spoiled and pampered he might be, but Freed was hardly weak. Laxus rubbed over the sinewy limb, but his thumb dug in a bit too hard.
"Ow!" Freed jolted and looked up.
"Sorry," Laxus muttered. He was so enthralled, he had not paid close attention. "You've really got some muscle on you."
Freed sank back into drowsy relaxation. "Mmh, fencing. I haven't been fencing in so long. My muscles are getting sore."
"Maybe you can teach me. We can do it together."
He peeked an eye open. "Really?"
Laxus shrugged. "I think I'd do better with a broadsword than a little stick you poke people with, but yeah, why not?" He was more attentive now as he worked out the forearm and those thick, strong wrists that swung a sword with grace. "You should compete again, find another group. I liked watching you."
That really shocked Freed, and his eyes opened fully. "You did?" he cried out. "I thought you were just there to humor me."
"I like those dates."
Dates? Did Laxus really see each of the events he attended as a date? Freed always worried that Laxus probably got bored. He did not understand the rules of fencing or the intricacies. He did not know the major players within the sport or the years of reigning champions. Why would he even bother to come? Was it truly just to see him?
Sort of like how Freed used to go to the strip club even after he and Laxus hooked up, purely so he could watch Laxus at work. It was the exact same situation: they just wanted to be together, watching the other doing something they liked.
"Well, there are clubs," he muttered. "I could join one."
"Yeah, do that. I wanna watch you fight again."
Freed chuckled. Laxus would never stop thinking of fencing as fighting.
Laxus finished the second arm and flipped Freed over, getting to work on his back. More oil, the smell now saturating the room, and then his hands got to work. He leaned over Freed and pressed into the strong muscles of his shoulders and back, working down the spine to the buttocks, but not rubbing there. He kept it to the low back, then slid his thumbs back up on each side of the spine, drawing out a long moan from Freed.
"Maybe we can work out together."
Freed hummed drowsily. "Mmh, I'd like that."
"Does that big-ass house of yours have a gym?"
"Mm-hmm." He sank deeper into the pillow as those hands and the soothing smell of lavender sent him away from this troubled life.
"Good. I'd like to work out again myself. Gonna get fat sitting around and drinking beer."
Freed only hummed as an image of a Laxus with a beer belly floated through his mind, only to be tossed out immediately.
Laxus rubbed slower, gazing at that smooth, pale back. Images seemed to play across it like a projector. Their life. A life together. The two of them in that huge house.
"I've been thinking," he said with a sense of reverence. "Moving into that house … it'd be nice. Intimidating as hell," he admitted with an awkward laugh, "but … I wouldn't mind. I sort of want that, y'know. A life like that. With you. Our own place. Room for us and … and maybe more. More than just us. Maybe, someday, we—" He heard a weird noise under him and paused his massage. "Freed?"
He was breathing heavily and evenly, his cheek smashed into the pillow, and mouth slightly open. Laxus smiled plaintively down at him.
"Just as I get serious," he muttered. "Spoiled brat."
With a heavy sigh, he got up, corked the oil, and put it away. He pulled the blankets over Freed and turned off the light. Then Laxus left to the bathroom to clean up for bed. When he returned, Freed had curled up into his normal position. Laxus stripped naked, gently slipped under the covers, and kissed Freed on the cheek.
"Goodnight, birthday boy." Gazing at his sleeping face in the dark, Laxus slowly drifted off to sleep.
It was a dream of him dancing. His body still knew the moves he had done every night for years. His mind remembered the yellow lights and the chill of the brass pole against his back. Only in this dream, there was no music. The club was silent and empty. Only one set of eyes ogled him, turquoise blue and sitting in a corner booth, like always.
He danced for only one man now.
Even without music, his body knew the moves, but his breath sounded loud in his ears. He could not lose himself in the music now. Those eyes felt closer. Closer.
They were directly below him, front and center seating, a gleaming gaze filled with desire. Laxus panted heavier, dancing for him, wanted to put on a show that would please him.
Then suddenly the eyes were right in his face. Freed had him pressed up against the brass pole. Long, cold hands trailed down his sweaty abdomen. Laxus' body buzzed with adrenalin. He wanted to dance for this man, to please him exclusively.
"Dance with me," Freed said in a seductively low voice. "Be my dancing partner."
The dream shifted. They were dancing in a grand ballroom. Freed wore a bright yellow tuxedo suit, and Laxus swore he heard Angela Lansbury singing. What the hell, was he in Beauty and the Beast now? Somehow, he swept Freed across that dance floor, twirling and flourishing under the light of a chandelier.
Could he change so drastically, from grinding against a brass pole in a dingy club to following a waltz in a ballroom?
"Just a little change," Freed said, as if to answer him. "Small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared…"
The dream shifted again, they were outdoors but still dancing a waltz. Only now, both he and Freed wore white tuxedos. There was a romantic haze to the whole scene. Laxus caught sight of a priest in the fuzzy background crowd. A wedding? His?
"Be my dancing partner," Freed said again.
Laxus forced himself to stop dancing, and it felt like the whole world came to a screeching halt.
"No," he said, and Freed looked confused. "I'll just be your partner." He tipped Freed's chin up. "For life."
The dream shifted again. This was getting to be annoying. What was his subconscious trying to work out now? Laxus thought things were settled. He wanted to marry Freed, just whenever the time was right.
When would the time be right? What was holding them back?
The new scene was familiar, a parlor room in the Justine mansion with dark wood panel walls and upholstered chairs around mahogany furniture. A tinny music box played What Child Is This as a fireplace crackled and lights twinkled on a Christmas tree in the corner.
In front of Laxus was a child standing on his feet, following Laxus through the slow movements of a dance. The child was watching the large shoes he was standing on stepping to the music. When he looked up, Laxus was shocked. Was that Freed? The child had green hair, but Laxus' pale blue eyes.
Their future child? Impossible!
The child asked him, "Will you really be with us for life?"
With us? Who else?
He sensed a presence behind him, but for some reason he could not look back. He could only stare down at the child dancing by standing on his feet.
"Be my dancing partner," the child said again.
"What is this?" Laxus asked in frustration.
He felt a body press up against his back. Lithe hands gripped his arms and swayed with him to the music. The child giggled at them. A mouth leaned into his ear, and Laxus recognized Freed's voice.
"Will you really be with us for life?" he asked, same as the child.
For life. A family? He looked down at the boy in front of him. Could Laxus be a father?
"It … scares me," he said, and the image of the child wavered, half-transparent now. "Being a father… What if I'm like my father? What if I'm abusive? What if I destroy everything? What if I simply can't love a child? What if I fuck it all up: his life, yours, my own, your dreams for a family? What if I just can't be a father? Shit."
He flinched hard as his mind admitted to this. Yes, somewhere deep inside his mind, Laxus was terrified that he would be a horrible father: abusive, manipulative, unable to show proper love.
The child spoke up. "Both a little scared, neither one prepared."
"Shut up! Yes, I'm scared. I'm so scared. Shit, what sort of dream is this?" he shouted.
As if to throw him off again, the dream changed, and he was right back to the South Pole Club. This time, it was Freed topless wearing only leather mini shorts, slithering up and down the brass pole and holy shit, Laxus just knew he would wake up with a boner now.
"Be my dancing partner," the image said yet again, this time in the most seductive voice Laxus had ever heard out of Freed. Damn, so hot!
The club, a fancy ball, a celebration, domestic joy, back to where it all started … Freed looked amazing no matter what. More than that, though; Laxus loved him no matter the setting.
Suddenly there was a collar around Laxus' neck, a leash dangling from it, and Freed held the end of the leash. He pulled, bringing Laxus in closer until their bodies rubbed against one another.
"Dance for me," he ordered with that imperious tone he used at times.
How could he refuse? Even when he was scared of the future, even when he felt overwhelmed by the high society Freed lived in, he would follow him, no matter the dance.
Just a little change? Yes, it was still dancing.
Small to say the least? He supposed so. All it took was opening up his heart.
Both a little scared? Well, he sure was, so he supposed Freed would be as well.
Neither one prepared? No, they weren't. Not yet. Someday, though.
Beauty … Laxus cupped Freed's cheek and gazed into those long-lashed eyes.
And the Beast … Freed pulled the leash a little closer. However, he reached up and snapped open the collar, freeing him.
Suddenly, they were back in the parlor of the mansion, no child, no music, just them. Freed stood a few steps away, wearing the maroon suit he had worn at Christmas. Standing straight and firm, he held his hand out to Laxus.
"Be my dancing partner," he requested yet again.
Only this time, Laxus got it.
They were dancing from one life to the next. Sometimes the dance was hard, other times it glided smoothly. So long as they hung on to one another and kept to the tempo of their lives, they would never miss a beat.
"Yeah." Laxus bowed genteelly to Freed and held out his hand. "I'll be your dancing partner."
Freed took his hand. An orchestra version of Thunderstruck started up, and they danced, half twirling, half grinding lewdly. A yellow suit, a white tuxedo, a leather holster with feathered wings, a festive maroon suit and tie, every facet of this man he loved was there, fading from one into the other.
Laxus followed the tempo. After all, that was all he could do.
Follow the man he loved. Be his dancing partner through all the steps of life.
Thunderstruck faded into actual thunder.
It was still dark, and he heard the rain pelting down harder against the bedroom window. His brain seemed to realize it was past midnight. Why had he woken up?
Then he felt something he thought was only in his dream. Freed's hands ran up and down his body. He saw only a dark shadow, but there was no mistaking those soft fingers.
"Y'kay?" he mumbled, wondering if Freed got woken up from the storm, or if he had a nightmare.
Rather than answering, that dark shadow surged up. He could almost see Freed's face now through the midnight shadows, and the long hair curtained him in the faded scent of minty shampoo. Then lips were on him, gentle at first, quickly turning hungry. If Laxus at first wondered if this was also a dream, the bite and tug to his lower lip definitely would have woken him up.
Freed's hands grasped at him, and they did not wait. Immediately, one hand plunged down into the blankets and began to caress his flaccid member. Laxus sneered with pleasure. He had been hoping all day for some birthday fun, yet had resigned to simply caring for Freed. Now, Freed was taking charge and letting him know what he wanted.
When Freed rubbed up against Laxus' thigh, he felt that desperate arousal, hard and hot. Laxus began to reach down, but Freed grabbed his wrists, pinning them to the headboard.
"Shit," Laxus hissed. Whenever Freed got demanding like this, it turned him on. He laughed and gazed up at his voracious lover. "It's your birthday. You're Master of the House now, after all."
He heard a low hum. Obviously, Freed liked the idea of being master, at least for now. Maybe he needed to assert some control in his life to regain mental stability, assure himself that he actually could be master of that huge estate.
Laxus smirked in the darkness and purred out, "Master Freed."
The hand stroking him tensed for a moment, and he heard Freed gasp. Ooh yes, Freed liked that.
Freed pulled back. Even in the dark, Laxus heard him panting. What was he thinking? He wished he could see Freed's expression.
Suddenly, Freed rolled aside. He dug into his nightstand and pulled out a bottle of lube and two condoms.
"Prep yourself," he ordered.
Laxus took the lube bottle. "You're not gonna do it?"
"No." Suddenly, Freed held up his cellphone, the camera flash turned on, and the light blinded Laxus against the dark. In a seductive whisper, Freed said, "I'm going to watch."
"The video better not be on," Laxus mumbled.
Freed chuckled slyly. "You won't know if it is or not. Maybe I'm just watching. Maybe I'm recording so I can enjoy the show over and over again."
"You freak," he groaned. Shit, that really was a turn-on.
Laxus opened the condom and rolled it over two of his fingers. He had a hangnail, and Freed had likely noticed it, so he needed to protect his fingers since they were not using an enema. He drizzled lube onto the condom-protected fingers and then reached down. He did not start slow. He was used to this much, so two fingers immediately went in, slow to spread, training his body to relax. Freed's phone kept shining on the display, and Laxus wondered if he actually was recording this.
He wouldn't, right?
Then again, he might!
Shit, was he really being filmed fingering his own ass?
"I want it ready for me." Freed's voice was silk, but it was edged with danger. He reached forward, and Laxus felt one of his fingers sliding against his, entering the condom, spreading him even wider.
"Shit! Freed!"
He thrust in, slipping between Laxus' two fingers, forcing him to move his fingers faster.
"You feel good inside," he simpered. He pulled his finger out. "Keep your fingers in there."
Freed turned off the phone's light and set it aside. Then he picked up the second condom and rolled it onto himself.
"I want to play with my birthday gift now," he said, his voice whimsical and fuckable. Laxus cursed softly under his breath. "Hands and knees."
Laxus pulled his fingers out, tossed the condom aside, and rolled around. Freed pulled on him, turning him to face the closet. Laxus knew the mirror was there, but in the dark all he could see were shadows in reflection.
Still, he could see enough, and Freed knew he was weak to watching in a mirror. He saw the dark figure behind him, ominous and threatening intense pleasures. Then he slammed his eyes shut as he felt Freed press up against him. Laxus grunted as thick hotness slid inside of him.
"So good," Freed said in a raspy, hoarse voice. "Thank you."
Laxus looked up into the mirror. "Ain't no thanks about it. My body is yours to pleasure, just as yours is mine to command."
Freed's fingers grazed up and down his spine as he waited for Laxus to adjust. "I do like giving my master pleasure," he said with a sly chuckle.
"You're the master tonight."
"Only of an estate." Freed draped his body across Laxus' broad back and whispered into his ear, "You will forever be master of my heart."
Forever? Laxus turned his head over to those ardent words. As lightning flashed, he briefly saw the gentle smile on Freed's face and the adoration in his eyes.
"Damn, I love you," he muttered.
Freed caressed his face and tugged it over. They shared a kiss, but then he rose back up. Laxus felt hands on his hips, and then a sharp tug, yanking him back against the piercing cock. He grunted at feeling it pound into him.
Freed was not out to do anything too erotic, nor too exhausting. Laxus fisted up the bedsheets as he was fucked at whatever casual speed Freed desired. When he tried to reach under to stroke himself, Freed grabbed his wrist and slammed him back down to all fours. Obviously, he had something else planned after he got this lust out of his system.
After a few minutes of thrusting, Freed slowed down and pulled out. Was it over? No, he was still hard and had not made that frantic race to the end he always did. Instead, Freed collapsed back onto the pillows.
"I'm tired. Your turn. Ride me."
Those sexy words brought Laxus over. He straddled Freed and eased down, sliding onto his cock. Freed reached to the side again and brought forth his phone. The camera light turned on, and he shined it up to Laxus.
"Now I really am recording. Fuck yourself onto me. Touch yourself. It's like being on a stage. You can't see the audience, but all lights are on you. Give me a good show, Thor."
Thor! Just like in his dream, it started with just him dancing and Freed watching, it evolved to formalwear and Christmas parties together, there was a clear path to a future ahead of them, but it would always go back to how this started: two men into kinks who found one another in the darkness of a club.
Laxus gave him a show, all right! He could not see Freed, only feel his touches. He slid up and down that erection like he used to slide against the brass pole. He stroked himself in time to his thrusts, while Freed laid there, groaning in pleasure, but keeping the camera on him. Laxus played up to the camera. He licked his lips seductively, he thrust his own cock into his hand, and he gyrated his hips to tease Freed.
"Hey, you're not shining it onto my dick," he realized. He thought Freed would want to see him stroking himself. Instead, the light was aimed up at his face.
"I'm enjoying the show," he replied simply. "What matters is not the physical actions, but the pleasure that is all over your face, pleasure I give to you expressed in every sneer and every suppressed groan. That's what will make me want to touch myself while watching this video later on. Not your cock, but you, and the pleasure I give you." The camera's blinding light drifted down the rest of his body. "Of course, all of it is a really good show. Is it two-way contact?" A hand came out of the darkness and met Laxus' stroking hand. "Can I touch back?"
His fingers wrapped around Laxus' hand and made him squeeze tighter. Laxus groaned guided his hand up and down. Then the fingers released, drifted down, and cupped Laxus' balls.
Freed's voice slithered through the darkness. "It would be a better show starring both of us, right?"
Starring both of them.
One thing about all those dream bits: it was always the two of them. Always.
Laxus began to stroke himself faster. He did not even care anymore about an erotic show. He wanted Freed, needed him, was desperate for him.
"Oh God, Laxus, more!"
He heard, but his focus zeroed in on his own need ready to snap apart. He felt Freed's fingers scratch into his back as he thrust in harder, but everything within him was tightening into a tiny point. He heard Freed chanting his name, "Laxus, Lax- … nnngh … L-Laxus!" Then he felt those powerful hips slam up, both hands clenched on his hips, the light swung up and right into his eyes, and he felt Freed quivering as he came. He heard the ragged voice on the edges of his consciousness as that pinpoint of desperation continued to tighten, building more, ready to implode.
The spotlight shifted. Freed had dropped his phone for a second, but he was shining it again at Laxus. He was giving a show, just like he used to do every night, only now it was a show for one, a show for just them, and it was more erotic than anything he ever did on stage.
"Laxus."
That sigh, filled with weary contentment, hit some weak spot in him. He had only been Thor in his stripper days. Few people he knew in his adult life even knew his real name. Jellal called him Thor since he had rules against using real names at work, most of his coworkers only knew him as Thor, his clients were only given that stage name and never his real name. He could go months without hearing someone use his birth name.
Now hearing his name, his own name sighed with the fulfillment and adoration of the man he needed more than anything else in his life…
He roared. Months of past love flashed through his mind in that moment. Years of possibilities burst through him. Him, Freed, them, together, loving, fucking, cuddling, spanking, teasing, smiling, loving, loving…
It was all there for those few seconds of bliss. Everything he wanted in life was right here.
"My God, Laxus, you're…" The whisper cut off, and instead Freed let out a soft laugh of amazement. "… divine."
Everything in his life. Everything. Right here. With Freed. Everything.
As the lust faded, what filled him was a warm, buzzing peace. It was just like their relationship, he supposed. It started off fast, wild, and messy; it built into a frenzy, sometimes focusing on themselves and their needs, sometimes focused on their partner; then the moment when it all came together, it all exploded, and he realized he had become consumed by compassion and love; then, upon realizing he wanted Freed forever, it was a warm feeling, buzzing with joy, lingering in an afterglow of devotion.
He felt Freed's hand on his now rubbing over the promise ring. Was he thinking the same thing? Was he wondering why the hell they were holding themselves back?
"Was that what you were wanting all day?"
Wanting? Oh, the sex. Maybe he wasn't thinking the same thing after all.
"It depends," he replied. "Did you enjoy it?"
Freed leaned up, and he held his phone out to get some video of both of them now. Finally, Laxus could really see him, his face flushed pink, his eyes glazed with lust, and his hair an absolute fucked-out mess.
"What I enjoy isn't sex."
Laxus arched an eyebrow. Wait, was it bad?
"It's watching you doing something to pleasure me, and knowing it's because you love me. It's knowing I can please you, and knowing you'll do anything to make me happy." He picked up Laxus' hand and kissed the silver ring. "That's what I enjoy. Whether if it's me inside or you inside me, whether if it's in here getting sweaty or out there wrapped together in a blanket watching TV, I just like being happy together."
Laxus stared with his mouth dropped. He probably looked ridiculous in the video, but sometimes the things Freed said with such eloquence really floored him.
"Turn off the phone."
Freed smirked slyly, clicked the camera off, and put the phone aside. As soon as it clinked on the nightstand, Laxus clutched a handful of Freed's messy hair and yanked him in. Their mouths crashed together so roughly, Freed grunted a protest. Laxus licked his lips to sooth them, then dipped down and bit right into Freed's shoulder.
"Ah! Lax- …" Freed clawed into Laxus' back as his face drew up in pain. Then the teeth suddenly went down harder. "Oww! Seriously, enough."
He released his jaw and saw that he really had left in deep bite marks. He could hardly help himself, though.
How could he show this man just how much he wanted to be all his?
"Many birthdays," he blurted out.
Freed stared in confusion.
"I want … many birthdays. Many … with you. All of them! I want to be greedy and claim all of them."
He knew what he was really saying, and by the shock on Freed's face, he knew as well. Then, he saw the smile, the silent agreement, and the blush of wanting the same thing, just as Freed's phone screen finally faded off.
"Yeah," Freed whispered, choked up but laughing softly to himself in the darkness. "Yeah, you can be greedy."
Laxus could not see in the dark anymore, but he grabbed Freed into his arms and crushed him into a hug. "Damn," he whispered, overwhelmed with emotions to the point of squeezing his eyes shut so he would not cry. "Dammit, I love you. So much!" He hugged him tighter and sighed, "So much."
Freed embraced him back and smiled wearily and happily. "I love you, too."
Laxus glared out, hearing the rain tapping against the window and the rolling thunder. His fists tightened as he blurted out, "Dammit, Freed, why are we waiting?"
Freed yanked back and gasped. Laxus had enough of the dark and reached over to flip on the lamp by the bed. Freed looked completely stunned, with his mouth open and eyes huge. They stared at each other in silence for nearly a full minute with only the sound of the summer storm outside.
Finally, Freed tucked his head down. "Are you going to ask me?" he muttered awkwardly.
Laxus thought about it. He could ask right now. It was Freed's birthday—or at least it was two hours ago, if the clock was right. However, like this … no … it was bad. He felt frustrated, and he did not want to ask out of pure frustration.
"Hey," Freed said soothingly, caressing the scowl on Laxus' face. "I didn't say that to pressure you. We both know what we want … and we both know it's probably not a good time. We haven't even known one another for a year. I told your grandfather something today. I said, I learned a lesson from my father: never rush into what seems like a perfect deal. Since before I even knew your real name, I thought you were perfect. We've had bumps along the way—nothing is truly perfect—but we're making it through together. I know what my heart wants right now, but I also know, for both of our sakes, we have things to work through: you and me. Although we both want to be together and make this lifelong, it's … it's just not the right time. I don't even know when, or what's the issue. Many issues, I guess. I don't want to put it off, but I don't want to rush in, even if every piece of my soul wants to join with yours, and it's like tugging away a magnet, not asking you. I just … we both … we need…"
He gave up, lost for words. Part of him wanted to be wild and impulsive, maybe run off to Las Vegas right now and have some Elvis impersonator marry them. Yet part of him wanted this to be the most serious and solemn decision of his life. He wanted to be certain, and as much as part of him screamed yes, do it, another part of him trembled and said no, not yet.
"Tell me when you're ready," Laxus blurted out.
Freed looked up in shock.
"Let's promise to give each other a hint, a word … like a safeword, but a safeword to stop punishing ourselves, holding back like this. A safeword to stop … putting this off."
"A safeword … that we're ready … for marriage?"
Laxus jolted this time. Marriage! He actually said it. They had been calling it everything else—being together, making this lifelong, spending every birthday together—every phrase but that one. Marriage.
Freed chuckled as he saw the flabbergasted face. "Yeah, I just said it," he replied, knowing Laxus' thoughts without words.
Laxus mused over it. "A marriage safeword?" That actually sounded good, so when either one of them was ready to propose, they would not have to worry about rejection. "One condition, though, and we have to take this seriously. Hard limit seriously! Whoever says the safeword first absolutely can't pressure the other person. Not in the slightest. You say the word, and you leave it at that. The one still waiting should not feel pressured to reciprocate right away. You wait for consent, and you don't give consent unless you're mentally and emotionally prepared. So if you say it tomorrow, and it takes me three years to get through my issues, no frustrations, no manipulations, no urging or making me feel like shit just because it takes me longer."
"Agreed," Freed said solemnly. "And no surprises. I don't want to be surprised. So if you say it first, I promise I won't simply surprise you with a proposal, and if I say it first, don't propose as your way of saying it back. The second person has to actually say it, and he has to give the other time to process it. Even if it's just ten minutes, give me some time."
"Smart idea. No surprise engagements. Gimme time to plan it out."
Freed smiled seductively. "Oh? Were you planning on taking me to a restaurant, maybe slip the ring into a glass of champaign?"
Laxus hugged Freed again as he chuckled. "Hell no, not my style. You can do that, if you happen to ask first. I might beat you to it, though."
"Sounds like this could become a competition. Once we both say the safeword that it's okay, who can prepare a ring and place first?"
Laxus laughed at the idea. "Yeah, but … no rush. Like, we could both tell each other, we're definitely ready, but it's fine if we wait even after that."
"Not too long," Freed warned playfully. "I'm not a patient man. I'll wait a lifetime for you to say the word, but once you do, I may set dinner reservations for that very evening."
"Oh? Have you got a ring ready and hiding somewhere? God, don't tell me you do or I really will want to rush into this mentally unprepared."
Freed thought about Makarov's wedding ring. "I don't have a ring for you yet." After all, it still had to be resized. "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Not until you say the marriage safeword."
"I love calling it that," Laxus admitted. "We need to decide on a word."
Freed thought about it. "Fini. It's French. It means finished, done. So like, we say that when we're finished thinking about it, when we're done with whatever in life is holding us back."
Laxus nodded solemnly. "Fini. Simple, easy to remember, not some foreign phrase I can't even pronounce. That's a good one. Fini. We'll say that when we're ready."
"Can … can I ask something serious?"
"Can I get off your dick first?"
Freed only then realized, Laxus was still straddling him, and his limp cock was still in his ass. He held into the rim of the condom as Laxus pulled off slowly. Then he eased the condom off, and Laxus tied the end so make sure the dollop of whiteness inside did not spill. He threw it into a nearby wastebasket.
"Let me clean you up. You've got my cum on your stomach."
Freed smiled seductively. "I like it."
Shit, he was too hot! Laxus could only shake his head as the little vixen already tempting him again. He grabbed a few tissues on the nightstand, splashed some water from a bottle Freed kept by his side of the bed, and got to work cleaning.
"So, what's the question?"
Freed watched Laxus taking care of him, always so tender and considerate. He liked this side, the caring and gentle side that could fuss over him and spoil him.
"Do you want kids?"
Laxus nearly gagged as he looked over to Freed in frozen shock. He had asked Freed that question not too long ago, yet Laxus had deflected answering it back, saying he simply had never been around kids. After that dream, he knew this was a big issue for him, and he knew he was not ready for marriage precisely because he had no idea how to respond to Freed's desire for a family.
"I … don't know," he admitted, and his brow tensed up. "That's one of the big things I need to think about. I mean, my past, my dad—"
"I get it," Freed cut in to save him from bad emotions. He reached up and stroked along the tattoo that covered Laxus' scars. "See, that's why I haven't asked you. I figured that's an issue. Your dad in general is a pretty big issue. I don't want you running off to Greece again."
Laxus flinched and pulled back. He felt immensely guilty for having done that to Freed.
"Oh! I … I didn't mean…" Freed looked panicked as he realized what he had said. "I know, if you find your dad … I know … I just meant, I wouldn't want to be planning a wedding, and the day before the ceremony, you get news of your dad and have to rush off. You need the freedom to go when you need to, to chase after him, and I get that."
Laxus let out a heavy sigh. Freed was trying to be understanding, like always, but Laxus still hated himself for knowing he actually might have to do something like that, race off in the middle of the night, barely a chance to pack a bag. Plus, how long would this hunt take? He had been chasing after his dad for years, working in a strip club to keep paying a private investigator, hoping to find him before INTERPOL did. He still paid the detective, although technically it was Freed's money now funding his obsessive search.
"Anyway," Laxus muttered, shoving the guilt aside. "I guess that's what's holding me back. I know you want kids, and sometimes I think it'd be great, but then … I get worried," he whispered. "Seriously worried. With that bastard as my role model, how the fuck would I make a good father?"
Freed chuckled deviously. "Maybe you'll make a better mother."
"Fuck you," laughed Laxus, and he tickled Freed's ribs in punishment, sending him into a fit of giggles that made all the darkness melt away. Laxus sighed in awe; Freed truly was his saving grace. "What about you? I know you want kids, but would you rather adopt or use a surrogate, y'know, keep your own Justine genes?"
Freed blinked. "Oh. I … I never thought about it. I always assumed adoption, but … they can do that now, huh? A donated egg, your own sperm, a surrogate. Neil Patrick Harris did that."
"A little mini-you might be nice."
"I was more thinking a girl version of you. Long blond hair, pretty blue eyes—"
"Fuck you."
As Freed laughed, Laxus finished washing them both up. He plopped down onto the pillows and curled against Freed's chest.
"Both, maybe?"
"Both?"
He caressed Freed's chest as he listened to his heartbeat. "Yeah, like … like maybe a kid that's actually ours, and then if we want more, all the rest we'll adopt. I dunno about my own kid, but I think if it's an adopted kid, I'd be okay. Like, the issue with my father … I wouldn't do that to a kid who I took in, as opposed to a kid that's my own blood. I dunno if that makes sense."
"It does, actually," Freed assured. "Maybe we can adopt first, and if things work out, we'll think about surrogacy."
"Yeah, maybe. I wouldn't mind adopting a few kids, like older ones, maybe even a baby…"
"Laxus, you sound like you're secretly the crazy cat lady of adopting children."
"Adoption is nice, that's all. Society needs more people to adopt kids."
"Okay, so we could adopt, make sure you're okay with having kids around, gain confidence in being fathers, then maybe have one surrogate kid with Dreyar genes—"
Laxus bolted up. "I thought it'd be your kid."
"Evergreen and Bickslow can carry on the family tree, if they want. You're an only child. So one with your genes."
"What if it turns out like my father?" he shouted.
Freed looked straight at him. "What if it turns out to be like my father?"
Laxus paused. "Shit." He sank back onto Freed's chest. "See, the issue of kids has me scared shitless."
"Then it's something we can talk about more. We don't even have to come to a decision right now. I mean, I'm certainly not ready for a family! Maybe in five or ten years. We'll be different people then. We might not even want kids anymore and just want each other."
Laxus knew he was right. A year ago, he would have been utterly against having children. Now, it was something he didn't mind, but something he feared. In another year, maybe it would be something he definitely was ready for, or maybe he would grow too jealous of Freed's time and not want to share him with children. He needed to stop making this the biggest roadblock to his happiness.
"We'll talk more later," he decided. "So, if it's okay to ask: what's holding you back?"
Freed stared up at the ceiling, and the events of his birthday played through his mind. He muttered distantly, "A legacy."
"Huh?"
"Nothing." He smiled to himself. "I think I need to get my own life in control. I still feel like … you know, I just finished college. I don't completely feel … set. It's like a brick, when you first put it on a wall, it wobbles around. It needs cement to hold it in place to keep that wall strong. I feel like a wobbling brick."
Laxus stared hard at him. "You have the most fucked up metaphors."
Freed laughed silently and corrected him, "They're similes."
"Whatever."
Freed began to stroke mindlessly through Laxus' spiky hair. "I think I need more time in my job, settle in, really figure out that part of my life. And now a house. Oh God!"
"Hey, don't fret it. I mean, everything is pretty much set, right? Just sign the paperwork and that's it."
"Not quite. There's handling the staff who maintain the estate, I'll probably have to be updated on who we've hired lately, who's coming up for retirement, assign replacements if any have to go on extended leave for health or family, make sure they get paid, Christmas bonuses, work out the taxes. I mean, it's like a small business: housekeepers, cooks, butler, chauffeur, gardeners, poolkeeper, masseuse, accountants, plumbers, electricians. I know I can do it, I was brought up to know how to run the estate, but … I'm not ready for it. Not this soon! I thought I'd have to wait for my father to retire. Then again, it can be a good thing. I know I have that house, in case … you know … kids some day. I-I-I mean, if I want them … when the time comes … if it comes."
Laxus smiled at him through all this until Freed felt uncomfortable.
"What? What is it?"
Laxus shook his head and leaned over to turned off the lamp. "You're cute, that's all. Don't worry about the house. You'll be kickass, and I'll be there to kick the ass of the staff if they try to fuck with you."
"You do realize, that's basically the job of the butler."
"Then I'll be your fucking butler."
Freed chuckled at that. With the rain tapping on the glass and the passing storm rumbling softly, they rolled around, this time with Freed curled out and Laxus spooned into him. He stroked Freed's hair as he listened to the rain.
His butler … well, why not? Maybe it was a good job. Freed could keep the finances in order, and Laxus would make sure everyone was working properly.
"Master of the house," he muttered to himself.
Freed lifted his head and looked around. "Are you singing?"
"Shut up," he grumbled.
"You were! You were singing Master of the House. Are you really going to start calling me master now? I should give you a good opportunity to let you get used to that. Lots and lots of opportunities."
"I said shut up. And you're wrong. We're both masters now. I'm a master who can tell you what to do and humiliate you like a little bitch, and you're a master who allows me to cater to you in everything. You're master of my heart, and you've complete enslaved me."
Freed's mouth dropped. "Laxus…" That was actually poetic.
"Shut up," he grumbled. "Don't say anything. You work tomorrow, so get some sleep. That's an order."
Freed chuckled and rolled up to be right against Laxus. "Yes, master." He grabbed the thick arm and yanked it around him. "There, that's better!"
Laxus kissed the back of his head. "If you want to be cuddled, all you need to do is order me."
"I prefer yanking you into the position I like."
"Oh? Like how you love to yank on my tie whenever I wear one?"
Freed hummed sensually, but it ended with sleepiness. Laxus nuzzled that green waterfall of hair and lazily stroked any bit of skin his hand could reach, pulled around Freed like it was.
"Hey Freed?"
He hummed, half asleep.
"Don't forget the marriage safeword."
Freed smiled to himself. "You don't speak French, so you're the one who better remember it."
"I'll definitely remember. Fiji, right?"
Freed rolled around with a glare. "Fini!"
Laxus laughed and kissed his cheek. "I know that. Just screwin' with ya. Now seriously, get to sleep."
Freed pouted and flopped back around. "Don't you dare forget."
A flash of thunder showed the secretive smile on Laxus face. "I won't. Happy birthday."
"Plus one."
That was right. It was already Monday. "Happy birthday plus one."
Laxus kept playing with his hair, and he thought he heard Freed's breathing deepen, drifting off into slumber. His eyes softened as he listened to the even breaths and felt the body heat radiating off of him.
"I love you so much," he muttered ardently.
Suddenly, he heard Freed puff out a laugh. "Heh! You're sappy tonight."
Shit, he thought Freed was asleep! "Shut up," he snapped defensively.
Freed chuckled, liking to tease him a little, but then he sighed wistfully. He stared out at the shadows and rubbed his thumb over the silver ring on his finger. Quietly, he muttered, "Someday."
Laxus heard the longing in that sigh and kissed Freed's head. "Yeah, definitely. We'll say the safeword someday. Wait for me."
"You wait for me."
"Don't hold back for me to say it."
"I won't. I don't think I could, honestly. I'll want to blurt it out."
"Heh … yeah, same here." He kissed Freed's bare shoulder and scooted up to be closer to him. "Is it weird, I already know that I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but I'm not ready for marriage?"
"That's not weird at all," he said, slowly falling into a slurred sleepiness. "One is cohabitation, the other is a legally binding social contract."
"You really know how to make marriage sound like a business venture."
"It is, in a way. Two entities join in a merger which is mutually beneficial."
"That is the least romantic thing I have ever heard you say."
Freed twisted around and bopped his nose against Laxus'. His turquoise eyes gleamed in the low light from a street lamp. "Then, I need to say something to make up for it."
"Nothing sappy."
"You have the sappy lines."
"Shut up, bitch."
Freed's face went serious. "You know, there's only one thing in the world that I can think of that would be a greater honor than one day being your husband, and it's something I already have."
Laxus' brow furrowed with confusion. Something more honorable than that? But he already had it? Did that make marriage somehow less important to Freed? What did he mean?
Freed picked up Laxus' hand and kissed his knuckles. "It's the honor of knowing that you fell in love with me. It's the honor, responsibility, and pure delight of having the duty to protect that love." For a moment, it sounded like he was about to break into tears, and Laxus felt the hand holding his tremble. "I can't think of a better thing than that. Marriage: that's just a layer of frosting on top of a cake; and kids, that's beautiful decoration pipped on top of the frosting. The years will see layer after layer piling up, but under all that incredible delight is one honor, one task, that I don't dare want to fail at upholding: protecting the love you've given to me. Everything else we want in the future builds upon that foundation."
The rain came down, lightning flashed outside, but all was silent in the bedroom as the two gazed at each other. Laxus knew, it was one of those moments when he did not need words. He cupped Freed's chin, leaned in while watching those adoring eyes flutter closed, and gave him a gentle kiss. Then, in a quiet but gruff voice, he requested:
"Be my bodyguard."
Freed made a confused "Huh" grunt.
"Keep protecting it: that love. Because I've never fallen in love before, and part of me really is scared of ending up totally and irreparably broken. So guard it."
Freed's smile burst out like the sun after a thunderstorm. "I will. Like a treasure!" He kissed Laxus again, swift and filled with delight. "I want to keep being the bodyguard who shields your heart, and to make sure I'm at least up to that important task before I take on the next level."
"Then you do that. If you make a good bodyguard, maybe I'll ask to promote you."
"Nope, being bodyguard of Laxus' love is a lifelong duty."
"Don't say that yet," Laxus warned.
"Too bad." Freed flipped around and immediately snuggled in against Laxus. "You'll have to fire me."
"I ain't doing that."
"Then that's my decision. Bodyguard-for-life, although higher management positions may become available in the future."
"Seriously, stop making marriage sound like a fuckin' business negotiation."
Freed giggled, and Laxus grabbed around him, hugging him tightly.
"You're a bitch," he said, but with complete adoration.
"I know," Freed said mischievously.
"Lova ya despite that."
"I love you despite being a brute."
"Who the hell said I was a brute?"
"My mother. Yet she still gave her blessing."
That silenced Laxus. Liberty Justine actually approved—or at least would tolerate—a marriage between them. Crazy! He really thought that would never happen.
"Your mother is right."
"Yep."
"But you like brutes."
"Mmm, can't argue with that."
"Masochist."
Freed yawned. "Can't argue with that, either."
"I seriously do love you."
"Of course you do."
"That's my line, bitch."
"I'm the master tonight."
"Shut up," he laughed quietly, but then Laxus felt the weariness in his body sinking him into slumber. "G'night." He heard Freed only hum back, and then the room was silent except for the rain. On the very edge of unconsciousness he heard Freed's voice.
"I'll protect it, and protect you, because you're the one who taught me how to be bold and gave me confidence in myself. I owe you a lifelong debt, and I want to pay it off in servitude to the only man I trust enough to be my master."
Laxus smiled at hearing that, but all he could do was squeeze him a little tighter before falling completely to sleep.
Morning arrived with a bright sun. The summer storm had passed. Freed was already awake. He stared across the pillows at Laxus' sleeping face, so innocent and relaxed with his lips slightly parted.
He was twenty-three now. He wondered where his life might have been without Laxus there. If he had to deal with his parents divorcing, with the end of university, a new job, a new place to live, and if he had to handle the news of inheriting the house so soon without this incredible man standing behind him to catch him every time he stumbled — where would he be? Probably outwardly keeping the guise of a perfect son and responsible man, but then returning home to collapse and cry alone, feeling lost and lonely. He wanted to think he could have handled this on his own, and maybe he would have found a way without turning to alcohol or other vices. Still, having Laxus there made life simpler and happier.
It was so easy to assume that if he married Laxus, he would have nothing to worry about for the rest of his life. Maybe if his parents were still married, he would feel that optimistic. It dawned on him in his sleep, their divorce was a big reason for his hesitation toward plunging into marriage. He needed to know he could take care of himself first before he dedicated himself to also taking care of Laxus. He could not rely on Laxus to always be strong enough to catch him, and he needed to know that he was strong enough to support Laxus when it was his turn to be caught.
He needed to prove to himself that he was mentally and emotionally strong enough to be a husband who did not succumb when things got rough, because there was no way he would put future kids through a divorce.
Suddenly, the alarm clock clicked on, and Laxus jolted out of sleep. Freed rushed to turn it off, and Laxus grumbled in annoyance.
"Fuckin' too damn early."
It made Freed smile, because Laxus said that every Monday. "Morning, sleepy. You can rest longer. I'll make you breakfast. I kept you up last night, after all."
"Hell yeah, you did," he mumbled. Laxus grabbed him and curled around him.
Freed squirmed around. "Hey, breakfast."
"Shaddup."
"I need a shower and to get ready for work."
"Call in."
"I can't." He struggled out of Laxus' hold.
"Dun wanna."
"Don't want to what?" he asked, but he heard a snore. Laxus had already fallen back to sleep. "I really wore you out, huh?" He held back his hair as he leaned over. "I'll make up for it." Then he gave him a kiss on the forehead.
He showered, shaved, brushed out his hair, and got dressed. He started up coffee, and as he was frying eggs Laxus shuffled in, eyes swollen, looking comically hideous. Freed handed him a cup of coffee, and Laxus collapsed into a chair with the steaming mug, guzzling it.
"I will never get used to mornings."
"If you get a job, you'll have to."
Laxus took a sip and stared out. "About that. I thought of something."
"A job?"
"I wanna help kids."
Freed heard the seriousness in those muttered words and paused in his cooking to gaze at him.
"I think that would help me somehow. With my issues, I mean."
"Help them how?"
"I don't know. I just wanna help kids, kids who have been abused, who are fucked up. I wanna get them out of that, get them help, get them love, show them it's not all piss and shit in this world. I don't want kids to grow up to be like I was. I want to somehow help."
Freed scooped the eggs out and set the plate with toast and slices of honeydew melon in front of Laxus. "We could set up another donation, maybe a social project in your name."
"Nah. Money's a good start, but … more. So I was thinking, maybe I can work somewhere. I need a job anyway."
"Maybe you could get a job at that shelter we visited."
"Oh, fuck no! That place really screwed me over."
"Then maybe not right in the shelter itself. Maybe work behind the scenes, like … computer work? Accounting? Driving a delivery truck to bring them supplies? Oh, or maybe heading donation drives. I've done that sort of work with my mother. I'm sure they need lots of help behind the scenes."
"Maybe. Something like that, knowing I'm helping … I think that'd help me."
"I'll look into it. My mother has lots of contacts."
Laxus hummed. A job would also help to get his mind off troubles. He was growing bored and restless sitting at home.
"I think I'll go out walking later. Gray's back in town with that pink-haired boyfriend of his."
"Sheesh, I haven't seen them around in months. Some trouble with the law, right? Arson, if I recall."
"Yeah, it's all cleared up. I wanna see what Gray's doing now for work and ask what the hell actually happened with that warehouse fire."
"Well, have fun with them. If you go out for drinks, let me know."
"Sure, and if things go south with your dad and the house, you call me."
"Do you want to go out to dinner with them, make it a double date? Might be nice for both of us to make more friends who are … you know … like us."
"Gay pals, or BDSM buddies? Sure, I can ask them."
Freed smirked slyly. "No public handjobs this time."
"Not a chance. Later tonight we're watching that video you made."
"Mmmm … got something planned?"
Laxus' eyes gleamed as he sipped more coffee. "I actually did buy you something for your birthday."
Freed licked his lips. "Oh?" He figured Laxus probably had despite telling him not to. "What is it?"
"Nope. You'll get hard before work. You'll find out later."
"Oh, that's no fair! Tell me, tell me!"
Laxus chuckled at the playfulness. He gazed up and down at Freed's creamy skin, wanting to see it turn pink with lust. "It's not much, honestly. Ankle stocks, a new ball gag, and something I thought we could try. Not sure if you'll like it, and I've never used it so I really don't know what I'm doing, but I've been watching videos to teach myself."
"I'm drooling with anticipation."
"Liar, you're sipping your damn coffee like a prince."
"Well, what is it?"
Laxus hesitated to build up the reveal. "A sounding rod."
Freed nearly dropped his coffee cup. "Oh God," he whispered with a shiver.
"With e-stim," he added seductively. Right away, he saw Freed's whole body shiver, and his hand grabbed down under the table to hold himself.
"Shit, Laxus! I want that."
"Of course you do," he said smugly.
"Tonight!"
"Fuck no. If I use that shit on you on a weekday, and I don't know if I'm doing it right, I could fuck you up and then you miss work for the whole week. We'll do it Friday night so you can recover over the weekend."
"Oh … um … actually, my family's garden party is this weekend. It's pretty big and really important, all of my parents' friends will be there, the mayor, Senator Mard Geer, executives from over a dozen companies from around the world. Father will be showing me off a bit, too, due to that magazine article. I have to stand straight, walk around properly, look my absolute best. No bruises or signs of weariness. We shouldn't have sex at all for at least two nights so that I'm not hurting."
"Fuck," he muttered. "Anything Sunday?"
"Um … no, or at least nothing yet."
"Then I'm doing it to you Saturday after the party. For making me wait, I'll have to punish you good and hard before pleasuring you until you can't handle anymore. I can't wait for it," he purred, leaning slightly across the table. "I'm gonna pull as many orgasms as I can out of you, seriously make you beg me to stop, and only then will I take out the toys and fuck you myself."
Freed squirmed. "Dammit, Laxus, you're seriously making me hard. Any more and I'll have to change my boxers."
Laxus laughed as he watched Freed blush. How he loved to tease him and deny him! Freed would have to wait a whole week to play with the new toys. However, it was a bit torturous for him as well.
"Tonight?" Freed asked petulantly. "Can … can we do something tonight?"
"I told you, we're watching your little sex video."
"And?"
A lascivious chuckle rumbled out. "And … you'll have to find out after work. Wouldn't want you to mess your panties," he said, and Freed glared petulantly at the mockery.
They finished eating, and Laxus walked him to the door. He kissed Freed goodbye and waved as he walked down the condo hallway to elevators to take him to the parking garage. He pulled back inside and called Gray.
"Hey Ice Prince, it's me. Yeah, doin' alright. You guys up for drinks? Oh, rehearsal, huh? You're still a dancer? No shit, you were in Les Mis? Freed and I just watched that yesterday. I totally didn't recognize you. Damn. Well, how about later, like maybe this weekend? Busy still, huh? Wait … wait, did you say garden party? Where? Well, go ask him. What?" Laxus bellowed. "How the hell does your boyfriend know the Justines? He's what? Whoa, wait, who the fuck is that pink-haired hothead?" As he listened, Laxus' eyes widened. "You're … you're shitting me. Wait, you … you're … you're fucking the President's brother?" he screamed. "Shit. Yeah, sorry for yelling, just … shit. Okay, yeah, you go dance and … and I'll see you Saturday at the party, I guess. Bye."
Laxus dropped the phone and stared straight ahead, trying to picture again the feisty guy with bright pink hair. He definitely knew how President Zeref Dragneel looked, and that boy looked nothing at all like the solemn, raven-haired leader. Brothers! It was hard to believe.
"Gray has it so much worse than me."
Next Chapter: "Summer Garden Party"
A/N: "Master of the House" is the title of the first act finale in Les Misérables. Using titles of songs is legal under copyright protection.
For added realism, I actually wrote Laxus' dream sequence while falling asleep on my laptop. I really did fall asleep and had to be woken up before the laptop slipped off the bed. It was an interesting experiment that I think worked out well. I didn't even understand whole sentences of what I wrote, I kept repeating lines, plus I threw in stuff about "Beauty and the Beast" as well as Christmas, culminating with "orchestral Thunderstruck." (Probably due to listening to 2Cellos.) So Laxus' dream was actually a real-time recording of a "Rhov dream." My subconscious is obviously a weird place.
Just to clarify, Laxus and Freed do not really know Natsu, other than "Pinkie" from the strip club who was the customer who practically threw money at Gray and would hire him exclusively all night. When they met in the bar, Loke knows Natsu from college, but only his first name was given to the rest. Also, I apologize if any anime-only fans somehow are so utterly sheltered that this reveal of Zeref and Natsu's connection was a spoiler.
I had to hold back on creating the audio because a winter storm kept us snowed in, followed by an ice storm that made driving impossible. My husband had to take a week off work due to unsafe driving conditions (we live on a mountain and honestly could not get down), so since he was home, I didn't dare make the audio drama. I only do those when I'm alone. So to make up, there's a lot of music in there, including the "orchestral Thunderstruck."
Audio drama: http://chirb.it/xC3PHa
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