#djwkf

                             'I'm sorry'

      The dragon slayer's words rang in his mind, somehow managing to drown out every other thought attempting to grasp his attention. And not only lines of reasoning had begun to turn into a mess, but his emotions as well.

     "Laxus... stop apologizing..." Had he put enough focus on his own masculine vox then he'd perhaps been astonished about how steady and calm it was still, despite the brewing storm within and the beginnings of intoxication. His head slumped forward in a lazy manner, general posture following suit as he settled the hand holding his mug of beer on the tabletop. Having the taller man seated next to him, his emerald bangs shielded his entire face from his view for now and how teeth began to clench every so slightly.

      It had been Laxus' plan, Laxus' idea, Laxus' ambitions. Intially, they had spoken their approval, had prepared for this very day to come for months until it was there. However, it wasn't that easy. All of this couldn't be blamed on one man only. It wasn't fair. They had all played their part, and they had done so absolutely willingly (at least up until a certain point in the battle).

      And with this his hand began to shake faintly, barely to be visible, and his grip tightened around the mug.

     "Stop trying to take all the responsibility."

      It was almost a hiss forced out between gritted teeth though upon noticing the tension in his hand he loosened the grasp on the mug again. "You didn't force us. You didn't force me. We made our decision, and there are no excuses for them. Not a single one."

      Ever since he had encountered Laxus, ever since they met he had made him feel as though somebody would finally appreciate him for who he was, with all his skills, flaws, and characteristics. Laxus had become such an important person in his life so scarily quick, one he appreciated and grew fondness for despite his sharp edges. He had been blinded by his faith in him, by his loyalty to the one person, his friend, that had shown him a different path so he had approved of this foolish idea until first doubts started to appear at some point during the execution. In the end it had been Mira's kind words to bring him back to a different mindset, and he had made an attempt to raise his voice against Laxus as well and try to get him off this path that he had finally realized was such a fatal one.

      Calming from his sudden faint outburst Freed heaved a sigh. "Not only your mind has been manipulated. We were all in this together and at times still I cannot believe that Makarov was fine with keeping us here while sending you away." More old words popped up in his mind. Not only random ones. They were memories.

                          'Make sure Laxus doesn't go doing anything stupid for me, would you, eh Freed?’

      Makarov had entrusted this to him, nobody else. Him. He had trusted him to watch over his grandson and his friend. And he had failed. Failed.

      Finally having his now visible turquoise eye meet Laxus' electrifying orange ones he attempted to keep the pain of his anew realization out of his face. Even though it was in the past and they had without doubt become better versions of themselves... remembering these kind of things didn't do any good, and with the faintest bit of bitterness in his voice he concluded. "If you still want to grasp onto this thought of yours, Laxus... Then I should say that it has been me who had failed keeping you on a different track in the first place. Master trusted me to be the one who could be this sort of influence. But it seems he was wrong. I failed him and I failed you."

Great list, since it let me browse! ;)  But no Mirafreed?  Or is it just a very strong Fr.axus preference?