How is two individuals doing what makes sense for themselves not a free market? Free market doesn't mean altruistic
That’s what free means. Not “companies free to do whatever they please”.
The fact that you used the word "free" here to tell us what "freedom" doesn't mean implies otherwise, because I believe "free to do whatever they please" is exactly what it does mean. There are no "requirements" in a free market other than serving demand and making a profit.