Green Envy in Blue Pegasus

Chapter 5

The next day, there were twice as many women surrounding Laxus than usual. He sat on a couch amidst them, arms folded, looking as surly as ever.

"Annoying," he grumbled at all the high-pitch chatter around him.

Then suddenly there was a whoosh of green, and Freed arrived presenting a bottle. "I got the wine you wanted, Laxus."

"Freed!" the women squealed. "Come sit by him. Sit, sit! You two have hardly sat together all day."

Freed took a seat, sidling up close to Laxus and bashfully gazing up at him. Laxus looked away, trying to act tough. All the ladies noticed, too.

"He's so cold."

"But it's so cute!"

"Pour my drink," Laxus ordered loudly.

With genteel grace, Freed filled a wine goblet and handed it over to Laxus.

"Oh! Taste it, Freed-kun," the women insisted. "You're his bodyguard, so you have to taste it first."

"Yes, taste it for him."

Freed took a sip of the wine, then handed the cup back to Laxus. He took it and gulped without refinement.

"Indirect kiss!" the ladies squealed in excitement.

"You two should kiss for real again."

"Yes, it was so sweet. Will you kiss?"

Freed choked up, and Laxus could feel his body going rigid.

"You're all too noisy!" he bellowed. He immediately stood and stormed off.

"Aww, Laxus-kun is so bashful now about doing things in public."

"But that fits his image, right?"

"He just wants Freed to himself."

"Freed-kun, you're so lucky to have him."

"Y-yeah, I am," he stuttered.

Laxus stood to the side, but he smiled to hear Freed say that. He could pretend to be the bashful and awkward one to save Freed from embarrassment. After all, he promised to get stronger to protect the ones he loved.

At Blue Pegasus, missions required a different sort of strength.

Laxus was glad they came here, now. It was the perfect place for him to work on something other than physical power.

Here in Blue Pegasus, he could work on social skills, interaction ... and how to be the perfect boyfriend to Freed.

The End