Catch the Thunder

An Angel's Strength

In the stately dining room, Freed, Laxus, and Llewellyn dined under the warm glow of a chandelier. Freed and his father discussed business, stock markets, and corporate strategies, their voices steady and formal. Laxus sat quietly, his sharp eyes never leaving Freed.

They retired to the parlor for glasses of brandy and more business talk, things that went straight over Laxus' head. He remained quiet, still watching Freed for any sign of him breaking down.

Somehow, Freed kept up the mask perfectly. Even when Llewellyn left to use the toilet, Freed kept his spine straight and his face neutral.

"Freed—" Laxus began.

"Don't!" he warned. That was all, and his face never once lost its composer.

As the evening wound down, Llewellyn retired to the master bedroom for the final time before it would be converted for Freed's use. Freed and Laxus returned to the guest bedroom, where Laxus had warned Bas to prepare the softest blankets he could find, a tray of chocolates, and a heated thermos of hot chocolate—with peppermint, Bas suggested, since that had been the young master's favorite as a child.

As soon as the bedroom door shut, Freed finally allowed his emotions to surface, the weight of the evening catching up with him. He dropped to his knees in utter exhaustion.

"Freed!" Laxus cried out.

His face was in his hands, and his shoulders shuddered. "I ... I held it together for as long as I could," he muttered, his voice thick.

Laxus really was impressed. He was obviously in sub-drop, yet for four hours no one would have known. He lifted Freed straight up into his arms and carried him toward the bed.

"The shower," Freed blurted out through tears. "I need a shower. I ... I don't know if I cleaned up enough."

Laxus obeyed and carried him into the bathroom. "Shower or bath."

"Bath," he whispered weakly. "I feel weak."

"Can you stand long enough for me to undress you?"

Freed nodded, still shaking. Laxus carefully set him down, but Freed held onto the sink with one hand, trembling with a blank gaze. Laxus moved swiftly but cautiously, undressing Freed and putting his clothes on the sink counter. He threw off his own clothes, then ran to the bathtub to get it warm.

He guided Freed over as water filled the tub. Laxus stepped in first, adjusted the heat, and helped Freed to step inside. They both sat down in the massive tub big enough for Laxus to place Freed between his legs and cling onto him as the water level rose. Finally it was filled enough, and they sat soaking as Laxus gently rubbed Freed's arms

"I'm so sorry," Laxus whispered, curling around him as they lay cocooned in warm water. "I didn't want to push you like that."

Freed shook his head, leaning into Laxus. "It was my choice. And at least you're here for me."

"Always," Laxus said, his voice firm with promise. He squeezed Freed and kissed his head.

Laxus diligently cleaned Freed, and they eventually got out as the water began to turn cold. They dried off and crawled into bed, both naked. Laxus curled Freed into the fuzzy blanket, and his smile eased the dread Laxus had been feeling.

They sat up in bed watching a Disney cartoon together. Laxus fed Freed chocolates, which made his face beam with happiness. Freed felt the tension melting away, comforted by Laxus' attention.

However, as Freed got better, Laxus began to realize that he had also been holding back from dom-drop.

No! Not yet! Don't you fucking break down yet!