"OUCH! Damn it!" Laxus jolted as his finger got caught in the snap lock of his bulky black leather suitcase.

He ripped his hand away and immediately stuck his pulsing finger in his mouth, sucking the sting away. Freed glanced over his shoulder long enough to assess there was no blood or broken bones.

"You should be more careful. Is it secure now?" He asked over his shoulder, giving his own luggage a quick inspection.

"Yeah, it's fine," Laxus muttered back and shoved forward.

"That bag has fallen open quite a few times today. Are you sure it's not broken?" Freed pressed, and Laxus sighed heavily.

"It's fine. Good as ever." He was insistent but only got a long stare from the shorter man.

He tried to ignore it, but he could feel the stair laying on his skin like a bug crawling over his arm.

"So it flops open every now and again? It's still sturdy." He gave the bag a jiggle to demonstrate its integrity.

Freed's lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't look away.

"You should replace it. Why hang onto faulty equipment?"

Laxus went smug and puffed his chest out.

"Same reason you hang onto me." He boasted. He flipped around to walk backward as they approached two double doors. "Ya like the way it looks, and how much it can pack."

It was the look on Laxus face that told Freed the statement was meant as an innuendo, though he didn't know how much sense it made. He rolled his eyes and smiled anyway.

"Maybe I should replace you too. I'll have an easier time when I have a reliable bag to lug around."

Laxus stopped and rested his weight on one foot.

"Still mad?" He lifted a brow. It was playful, but Laxus still wanted an answer.

Freed considered it, then nodded.

"A little." He answered. "But, like your bag, it can't last forever."

Freed realized he had been holding back a lot. His drunken meltdown had proven that. Getting to that point was not healthy, but it was also not Laxus' fault.

"Hmm." Laxus doubted, and took one more step back, and used his shoulders to shove the doors open.

At least for the moment, their relationship was not in peril. No need to bring it up now.

The guild was quiet compared to its usual state. Laxus dropped his bag by the doorway but Freed held onto his.

"So, grab dinner and head home?" Laxus asked, stretching his arms out, cracking his knuckles at the same time.

Freed nodded.

"Should I return to my apartment tonight?" he asked.

Laxus rubbed his chin, then shook his head no.

"Nah, you're making breakfast tomorrow. Wouldn't want you to have to make a trip." he teased and gave him a slap on the shoulder.

It made Freed smile and Laxus left him there. He enjoyed the nights he was permitted to stay at Laxus' house. It reminded him that the days of him not being allowed over were growing less and less, and would soon be gone entirely.

Laxus would be filling in the rest of their team, who had no doubt been worried that they had taken so long to return home. Maybe it seemed like the more entertaining job, find and inform their team versus food pickup, but Freed felt emotionally empty. He didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment. He knew it had largely to do with allowing alcohol to sort his emotions for him. He clenched his eyes on his next blink at the thought of it. He would be living that moment down for a while.

"Freed!" Mira's happy voice grabbed him, and he turned around to see her dancing towards him.

He straightened his shoulders and prepared a welcoming face.

"I was a little worried when the others returned home without you. You two were gone for quite a while, did something go wrong?"

He shook his head, almost before she had the question out.

"No, nothing like that." He started to walk to the bar, knowing she would have some duty to return to. He did not want to impede her.

He placed his bags close to the base of the bar and nudged it forward with his foot so it was flush against the panels. Her heels clicked behind the counter and indeed she started to set pitchers up to be filled.

"We took our time returning. We had trouble at the start of the mission. So much so that we believed we deserved a few slow days."

She nodded as she worked.

"Evergreen and Bickslow were home so quickly though..." She questioned further, and Freed knew it wasn't out of suspicion.

"Laxus and his condition prevented us from returning on the train." Freed reminded with ease.

"Oh, of course. You know, I often forget he even has a problem with travel. He's always so quiet about it."

Freed smiled gently.

"Yes. I suppose there is some truth it. Music can indeed sooth the beast. He usually puts on his headphones and ignores us until the train stops. He's not a very entertaining travel companion in that regard."

"Is that so?" Mira smiled, a laugh in her voice. "Well, let me make this round, and I will put your order in when I come back."

Mira knew them well. Freed and Laxus never stayed around long after a weighty mission. They would say hello, grab their reward, order food, and go home for a long, well-earned rest. Freed didn't feel the same fatigue as he would after challenging work, but he wouldn't object to locking himself in his room for a few days.

She swayed off, cups stacked and filled, and orders ready to be taken. Freed moved for a seat, and should have had a moment to himself, but he caught blond hair at the end of the bar. Lucy had her arms folded over one another, her eyes hanging so heavily he was sure she was almost asleep where she folded.

He assessed the situation around her. No one seemed to be accompanying wrestled with himself mentally for a few moments. She wasn't in any danger unless one counted a stiff back as 'danger, but at the same time it felt so incredibly rude to let her pass out where she was. He pushed himself to his feet. In the span of a few steps he must have come up with a thousand different ways to start a conversation, but nothing felt natural or...even comfortable. He straightened his coat and cleared his throat.

That wasn't enough to catch her spotty attention. He wished it had been.

"Lucy." He addressed her, and watched her eyes flicker to life as she tried to wake herself up.
"Freed? Oh, you're back. That's great. Where were you guys?" She pushed herself up with her palms and rubbed one of her eyes with a hand.

"I'll explain in a moment. What are you doing sleeping in the guild hall," He paused, realizing the time. "in the middle of the day?"

She blinked a few times and held herself up with one arm.

"I haven't been sleeping great the last few days." He could hear her suppressing a yawn as she spoke. "When I got home from my mission my apartment had been evacuated. Some kind of parasite has been living in the walls, and apparently, it's really dangerous." She shrugged. "I was given a bag of my clothes that my snoopy landlady had packed for me, but that's it." She shrugged weakly.

Freed nodded and took the seat next to her.

"That doesn't explain the fatigue." He pressed.

She let her head roll to the side, shoulders slumping. She was putting more and more weight on the arm propped on the counter.

"Well...I didn't wanna do it, but I didn't have any choice. I asked around, to find anyone who would take me in for a while. I've been staying with Erza for the past few days, and she's very..." Lucy grimised. "excited."

Freed nodded, understanding her position.

Lucy let her head hang.

"I haven't been getting any sleep at all. I thought it would be a little uncomfortable at first but...she has something new to do every night. Some sleep-over game or project. It was fun at first!"

"I imagine balancing long nights with your work explains your exhaustion." Freed was already thinking of possible solutions to her problem. "And you have no other option?"

Lucy whined to herself, and her head dropped. Both elbows dug into the table. She folded her hands in front of herself.

"I don't think so. Being around Erza was fun, but I don't want to hurt her feelings. After a long day, I just want to lay down somewhere quiet. Maybe soak in the bath for a while and be by myself." She closed her eyes at the thought. "I guess it's rude to ask anyone to give you that much privacy after asking to stay with them. I'm grateful to Erza but..." She paused and closed her eyes, letting her head fall. "I need to find somewhere else...I guess I could live at a hotel for a while, but that would eat into my savings fast..." Her attention drifted down to the table.

Lucy looked like she was being pulled down towards the bar. She could hold her head up, but it wasn't without conscious effort.

Freed felt something pull in his stomach. He had put himself in a tough situation. He couldn't abandon a fellow guildmate without giving his best effort to aid them.

"Levy would surely make room for you. She tells me you two are close. Couldn't you stay there for a while?"

Levy found a second wave of strength and shoved herself up again, this time putting her hands in her lap. She shook her head just enough for her hair to wave with it.

"Her apartment is so packed as is. All of those books take up a lot of space. She hardly has enough room for herself, I'd be walking all over her. If it was for a few days sure."

"How long do you believe it will last?"

Lucy shrugged. "They told me it could be a month. At least two weeks."

Freed could see the pain of diminished hope being flared up again by his questions. He swallowed hard and made himself sit taller.

"Why not Natsu or Gray? Maybe a bit...inappropriate." He mumbled the last bit. "but you've gone on missions with them before, some spanning long lengths of time. That should suffice in this dire situation."

Her eyes were dropping again.

"Natsu would run me down just as much as Erza has, and Gray..." She tensed up and her brows narrowed. "Juvia would skin me alive if she found out we were living together."

Freed nodded, and he huffed quietly.

"Quite the position..." He murmured.

She gave a lazy nod.

"Erza is happy to have me. I'll find something that works. It will be okay, really. Don't worry about me." She offered him a tired smile.

Freed took a slow breath in, then crossed his arms.

"I'm sorry, but that's simply not an option." He refused.

Lucy frowned, not understanding him.

"You've assisted the Thunder Legion, which I would say entitles you to at least the bare minimum of our help. Evergreen's apartment is too small, and I can tell you from experience she is a bit of a neat freak. It makes her difficult to live with. I won't permit you to live with Bickslow, so that leaves me." He spoke quickly, having already made up his mind.

Her eyes went wide and suddenly she didn't feel the ache, and slowness of her sleep deprivation. Her heart was pounding and had leaping into her throat. She sat up straight, hands clenched in her lap. She had visions of a beautiful future with green haired children and a picket fence in the noblest of houses she could imagine! She knew these were delusions, but it didn't stop her mind from running away from her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he was already going again.

"Of course, I'm usually spending my days at Laxus' house. So naturally, you'll just have to stay there."

That put the brakes on her magic-mobile. She felt her heart halt, and now she was stiff as glass in her seat. Her lips squished into a tight line, that formed the faintest false smile.

"Ah~h...I...don't know about that." She couldn't hide her discomfort with the idea, but her daydreams were coming back down.

Freed was with Laxus. He hadn't meant to suggest anything other than a friendly helping hand. She had to be okay with that. She wanted to be okay with that.

"I know it won't be...ideal." Freed noticed her discomfort. "but Laxus has a spare bedroom he never uses, it's on the other end of the house, and for the most part, we both keep to ourselves. No one will be poking in on you or bothering you at all. Trust me." he paused and closed his eyes, his arms went tighter. "I don't like inviting strangers into my home, and I don't know you well at all. But this is a matter of your health, and well-being. You'll make yourself sick if you don't sleep, if you keep working on top of that, and you won't be able to provide quality service to your clients. I wouldn't be offering if I didn't think it was necessary... trust me."

She was quiet for a moment and stared back at him. She didn't feel uncomfortable under his eyes. Intimidated maybe, but she was getting used to the intense stillness, and seriousness she now associated with blue-green.

"Laxus won't agree to it." Lucy reminded him.

He nodded "He will. We just have to ask nicely."

She snorted, and had to cover her mouth to keep the laughter in.

"Is that a joke?" She asked through her fingers. "You have to be kidding?"
Freed raised his brows, then smirked.

"Clearly you have never tried," Freed stated.

"Hell no." The rejection rang out like a shot from a gun. Laxus didn't even give time to consider it. He didn't even look up from his plate.

Lucy felt her heart quiver, but Freed was unaffected.

"Laxus-" He started

"Freed." Laxus cut off in a tone mocking Freed's.

Freed gave him a flat look, and Laxus returned a glare, ripping a chunk of chicken off the bone with his teeth.

"She has nowhere else to go." Freed was firm.

"Put her up in your apartment, you aren't even using it." Laxus waved the drumstick at Freed. "Why don't you put yourself out instead of me?"

"I haven't had electricity or running water in months. You helped me deconstruct my bed, and everything is in boxes. Mainly because you don't like to make your own breakfast."

Laxus growled and sat back. He wasn't anywhere near angry but ticked described him pretty well.

"She just needs a room right? That's what you do when times are tough. Whatever you have to. Give her your place."

Freed narrowed his eyes at Laxus, and Laxus looked away. He threw his elbow on the table and leaned forward, dropping his food on his plate.

"I'm trying to be nice okay? I'm trying to be 'big brother Laxus' over here like you want, but you're pushing things on me to fast! Living with her is gonna be...weird!"

"You're right. You're right Laxus." Freed conceited, and Lucy took a breath in. It seemed like this avenue had failed as well, but she had a feeling Freed wasn't finished. "But I think you would admit that keeping your boyfriend a secret for over a year is also very strange."

Laxus swallowed hard, his face tense.

"Don't try and throw that back at me. That's not fair at all Freed. You know why-"

Freed raised his hand gently, and Laxus stopped, hesitated, and then relaxed, to let him speak.

"I'm not trying to shame you, or hold anything over you. But I am saying I know when to push a subject. I know when it matters, and in what way. I don't like being a secret, but I understand why its necessary. I know why you're rejecting Lucy now, and it's not necessary. Yes, it will not be ideal, but we are the best suit for her. We are mostly quiet, level headed, people, who wouldn't bother or be bothered. If you say no, I will respect that. But saying no without real consideration will not be accepted."

Laxus sighed, long and hard, and rolled his head to the side. They went quiet enough to hear Laxus was growling faintly. His head snapped back, and he looked at Lucy long and hard.

"No house guests." He told her.

Her brows lifted and after the shock, she nodded.

"No loud, shitty music."

She nodded again, adding a 'yes sir'.

Laxus eyes went sharp as he tried to think of anything else he wanted to establish.

"Fine. Last rules. Freed makes dinner every night, but we fend for ourselves for breakfast and lunch-"

Freed cut in.

"Unless you make special requests."

Laxus nodded. "Sometimes he feels nice." He shrugged, then moved on. "If, for whatever reason you aren't coming to dinner that night, let him know so he doesn't make you food and waste something. I'm not a fan of too many left overs in my fridge." He stood up and grabbed his plate, and his coat, throwing it over his shoulder. "No messes, don't go in my room, ever, even if you think I'm dead in there. Don't do it." he took a step to go, but paused, and turned. "Oh, and last one. If you have a fuckin' problem with someone, say it. Don't be shy. Even if you have to get Freed to hold your fuckin' hand, say it."

He moved away from them and Lucy let out a hard breath. She wanted a warm bed, and a dark room. She turned to Freed who had a pleased smile on his face.

He was glowing with his victory, and after a long moment of basking in his success he looked down at Lucy.

"Don't worry, he makes it sound militant, but I think he's just sour. We are both very particular about how we live. Every rule he's given you is something we follow for ourselves. Well…except the music. Laxus is lenient on himself when it comes to music."

His assurance helped her relax. She could easily see Freed running a structured, sometimes strict ship.

"So…just 'house rules?" She threw out the words to keep the conversation going. Talking about anything was better than nodding and sinking into silence.

"Yes." Freed answered and rose from his seat. "I am going to talk to Erza and get your things in order to be moved over. You should go to the house and get some rest."

She nodded and stood.

"Wait, ah." Lucy started. Freed looked at her to continue. "Why are all of your things in boxes? at your apartment?"

He smiled and let out one short laugh.

"Well that should be rather obvious I believe." He tilted his head at her. "I'm hardly ever at my own place anymore. No need to keep it if I wont be living there any longer."