Chapter Text
Freed was aware Natsu was following him, he had been since they left the guildhall. He could sense the smothering, fiery, magic energy trailing after him. He believed Natsu was simply walking home, they lived in a similar area of Magnolia. But, this was quickly debunked once Freed turned towards his apartment and Natsu turned as well. Natsu lived in a small cottage near the Magnolia river and forest, not in the domestic apartments Freed did.
Freed stopped and looked over his shoulder at the younger man following him. “Natsu, what are you doing?” Freed was afraid of Natsu, in the sense that he knew by now that Natsu was much more powerful than him, on raw power alone. But he knew Natsu would never attack him.
”Wanna talk to ‘ya.”
”Why couldn’t this wait until tomorrow?” Freed raised the eyebrow that wasn’t covered by his bangs. The guild had just closed for the night.
”Why do ‘ya keep staring at me?”
Freed blinked. Had he been doing that? He certainly hadn’t meant too. “I apologize, Natsu. I wasn’t aware I had been doing so.”
Natsu looked away from Freed, probably not entirely convinced of Freed’s innocent explanation. “Is it because I’m… END?” His voice was soft.
The mystery of Natsu’s origin was no longer a secret in the guild. Natsu had told everyone that he was Zeref’s younger brother, and END after the war ended. It was obvious this was something Natsu had no memory of, but he still felt immense guilt and self hatred over it.
Freed frowned. Actually, that probably was why he had been looking at Natsu. While Freed wasn’t as adapt at sensing demonic energy, or even non-human energy, he had certainly been focusing on Natsu’s since the revelation. “I suppose so.” He admitted.
”Knew it.” Natsu wore a sad smile over his lips. “Mira’s been doin’ it too. Gray, Bickslow, fuckin’ Loke.”
Freed sighed and brushed his hair out of his eye. “I am sorry, Natsu. You are aware no one holds it against you, right?”
”That’s what everyone says,” Natsu shook his head. “But no one is actin’ like it. Everyone’s treatin’ me different, lookin’ at me weird.”
Freed wasn’t sure how to respond. He hadn’t noticed this, but he and Natsu weren’t that close. Then again, he hadn’t heard anyone’s opinion on Natsu’s origin. Normally, the Rajinshūu told each other everything, but none of them had anything to say after Natsu told the guild who he was.
Freed watched Natsu’s left hand grip the long sleeve tied below the remaining portion of his arm that had been lost during the war with Alverez. Freed wasn’t sure of Natsu’s nervous ticks and habits, but he did know Natsu was at least a little self conscious about the loss of his arm.
Freed took a couple steps towards Natsu, trying his best to figure out a way to comfort him.
Natsu’s eyes reflected the moonlight, something that he had in common with Laxus.
Natsu didn’t move as Freed approached. “You don’t need to act like I’m gonna attack you.” Natsu noted his slow moments.
“I cannot see as well as you can at night,” Freed replied. “And the street isn’t very lit.”
Natsu shrugged.
Freed stopped in front of Natsu. Even with all the dragonic attributes Natsu had gained over the years, Freed still recognized the kid he had met on his first day in the guild. Even after the overwhelming magic power he could give off, even after learning that Natsu was, in fact, the great demon king END, he was still Natsu.
”I won’t pretend to know what it’s like, to have such a revelation dropped on you.” Freed said. “But at least some things are starting to make sense too you, right?”
Natsu shrugged again, not looking at Freed.
Freed hummed a bit in frustration. This was also something Laxus did. Obviously, Natsu needed some form of comfort, but he wasn’t taking any of the verbal attempts. Fine, then, direct confrontation was the only option that was left. Freed pulled Natsu into an awkward hug, his right arm over Natsu’s shoulders while his left hand held onto Natsu’s jaw. When Natsu moved to push him away, Freed moved his fingers up and behind Natsu's ear. Natsu had more scales around his ears than Laxus, but Freed guessed this would work just as well on him.
Natsu stopped trying to break free of Freed's grasp when he felt his body relax. Freed had found some secret calming spot behind his ear, which was just a pressure point, and was scratching at it gently. Natsu let out an involuntary purr. "What? How do you?"
"Ever discovered this on Laxus." Freed answered. "Works for him, calming him down, so I figured it might work for you."
Natsu purred again and leaned into Freed's hold. "Are you two dating?"
Freed nearly stumbled backwards. Both from the question, and the combined weight of him practically holding Natsu up right. "Me and Laxus?" He asked.
Natsu nodded against Freed's shoulder. "'Ya smell like him, plus you're always together."
Well, it was no secret that Freed had felt that way towards Laxus for a very long time. It wasn't strange that even someone as relationship deaf as Natsu had picked up on it. But, Freed didn't feel that way anymore. Any romantic feelings he had for Laxus had fizzled out over time, and now, he just admired him.
"No," He finally answered. "We're not."
Natsu didn't say anything and neither did Freed.
Freed hadn't realized he had such a soft spot for Natsu. It was strange, but, it wasn't a bad thing. Natsu was quite endearing once you got to know him.
Finally, Freed spoke again. "It's quite cold out, if you want to talk some more, let's get back to my apartment."
"Okay."