Catch the Thunder

For Storm or Shine

"It matters not what be thy lot
So Love doth guide
For storm or shine, pure peace is thine
Whate'er betide."
— Mary Baker Eddy

Freed was not sure when he ended up on the bed. One minute he was on the floor in Laxus' arms, he had a sense of weightlessness again, although not fully aware of it, and when finally he opened his eyes and looked around, he was on the bed with Laxus beside him, their sweaty bodies pressed naked together.

Laxus stroked Freed's hair, watching him as he slowly returned. He did not urge him to hurry up. He wanted Freed to drift in that blissful place, far from troubles. He simply watched him as his mind worked through issues of its own.

He had been harsh, binding him, spanking him, biting and scratching, leaving marks all over Freed's skin. Even now, the pink compression lines striped his skin, and they would probably remain there for hours. He had been sadistic, and yet ... he liked it. More importantly, Freed liked it.

All he wanted was to take Freed to a deeper layer of bliss. Watching him now, smiling in his twilight of consciousness, he knew he had succeeded. That calmed Laxus. Any guilt he might have been feeling about hurting the man he loved melted away with the contentment in his lover. Any mental depression buoyed with each lithe stretch and sigh as Freed found his way back into reality.

Finally, those long lashes fluttered, his eyes opened, and Laxus smiled as he saw Freed gazing up at him. He wanted to tell him Welcome back, except he almost wished Freed could stay in that space where reality was far away. Returning meant facing consequences. It meant going back upstairs, seeing Freed's family, going to work with all its stress, and Laxus had to face the harsh realities of unemployment. So Laxus almost wanted to tell him to go back, stay where there was none of that, stay in his safe little corner of subspace.

Freed was nearly done recovering, though. Without a word, he curled into Laxus and traced his tattoo. He was back, but he was still dazed.

Laxus watched those thin, strong hands and the light shining on the silver promise ring. He pouted as something pressed in his mind.

"Can we talk seriously?"

Freed hummed, still feeling light and carefree. He was not ready for anything serious. "I don't know yet. Soon."

"Just a question: yes or no." He reached down and stroked a finger over the silver ring. "Would your parents ... disown you ... if you married a man?"

Freed jolted up. "Ah?"

"Hypothetically speaking," Laxus cut in.

Freed still felt his heart racing. Hypothetical. Still, it meant Laxus was getting more serious about this possibility. Freed knew he had to face it with seriously as well. He shoved aside the shock and thought about it.

"No, they wouldn't do that. Hell, my mother tried to hook me up with a man," he said, thinking about Rufus and how his mother had pressured him into considering him as a suitor. "I'm pretty sure they realize by now, I won't be marrying a woman."

Laxus nodded, looking contemplative. "Good to know."

Freed looked at his hand, how Laxus' thick finger rubbed the silver ring. He had no idea what to even say. Laxus was seriously considering marriage!

"Just something to think about." He felt awkward, but he needed to know. He could screw up Freed's life anyway, being who he was, the past he had. He did not want to mess up his life even more.