Liquid Courage

It happened again. Freed was used to it, though. A call from some tavern owner, his number was the first listed on Laxus' phone, "Come get your friend. He's too drunk to move."

It wasn't so frequent that Freed would say Laxus had a drinking problem. Still, it happened. A challenge, a drinking contest, Laxus always won, but there were consequences.

He walked into the tavern and saw him, the last person left, flopped over a table, the rest of the tavern empty except the owner wiping tables.

"I'm glad you're here. I almost called the police to take him away."

Laxus raised his head, murmured Freed's name, and collapsed back down onto the table covered in beer spills.

Freed shook his head. Still, what were friends for! He carefully hoisted Laxus up. Despite being 195cm tall, Freed managed to get Laxus onto his back.

The tavern owner arched an eyebrow at the lithe man carrying such a giant. "Ya sure you can manage?"

Freed smiled in gratitude for his concern. "I'm used to it."

Laxus grumbled. "Freed?"

"I have you. Just keep your arms around me."

"Mmmh ... hug ya. Like huggin' ya. Yer warm," Laxus muttered.

The tavern owner chuckled. "One of them cuddly drunks, huh? Good luck with him."

Freed thanked him for calling and left the tavern.

Carrying Laxus was not that difficult. Despite his thin frame, Freed was anything but weak. Weakness was not allowed around Laxus. Plus as this sort of thing became common, Freed made sure his workout included being able to lift at least as much as Laxus weighed.

It was still a sight that garnered attention. More than one person offered help or to call him a cab. Freed politely refused. Laxus would definitely vomit in transportation.

"Freed?" the drunken blond finally muttered.

"Don't talk and try not to throw up," Freed advised. The last thing he wanted was vomit on his clothes.

"Kayyy," Laxus slurred. Then Freed felt snuffling on the side of his neck. "You smell good."

Freed's cheeks burned, and he was glad the street was mostly empty.

It took half an hour, and he was pretty sure Laxus slept through most of it. When he finally got to his house—it was closer than Laxus' home—Freed felt drool on his shoulder.

Laxus snorted awake when Freed shifted to unlock the door. He grumbled, trying to figure out how he got there.

"Weeee home?" he slurred.

Freed entered and kicked the door shut behind him. "Yes, we're at my place. You can sleep it off here."

"Sleep with ya?" Laxus muttered. "Like that ideeeeeea..."

Freed blushed a little and shook his head. Maybe that tavern owner was right. Laxus always did say weird things when he was drunk. He went to the bedroom and carefully eased Laxus onto the bed.

"Yer bed ... smells good," Laxus muttered. "Feels good. Mmm ... your bed."

"You're very endearing when you're like this," Freed chuckled. "Try to sleep it off. I'll get a bucket in case you need to vomit."

"Noooo, stay!" Laxus grabbed Freed's arm and yanked him. Freed might be strong, but Laxus had brute strength far exceeding his own. "I like ya here. Always like ya around. Yer my bestest best friend, Freed."