Natsu Kanaki couldn’t stay still, every nerve and cell in his body on fire as he dashed around the kitchen, making sure everything was ready, his nervous energy driving him to check and recheck everything the rest of the staff was doing. He had a feeling everyone was getting annoyed, but they were patient with the young chef, understanding what had him in such a state.

They were coming back.

He ran a hand through his messy, short black hair as he dashed out of the kitchen to the large dining area where the maids and waiters were putting the final decorative touches to the table, making sure every place setting was perfect. He didn’t care about what was going on around the rest of the huge manor house, this was his corner of the world, his domain. Gabby had handed over the reins six months ago and he had done everything in his power to live up to her high expectations while she watched and managed from a distance.

Now, she stood to the side, watching him with an amused smile as he bounced around, anxiously ensuring everything was clean and ready for when the Helmans and their cousins arrived. 

Toji… he swallowed, his palms sweaty as he stopped at one of the large windows that overlooked the massive back yard that held the magnificent gardens where he and Toji would run off for secret meetings, talking and laughing for hours. As the years passed, however, those talks turned more serious, their words more flirtatious, their touching becoming caresses, and the secret rendezvous becoming far more passionate than anyone ever knew; could ever know.

Natsu knew about the Helman family link, knew how Toji managed to keep so much to himself. If they knew how far the two had gone, Hero would make sure they never saw each other again. He’d tried once…

He stared at the arch, ivy and white roses growing all around it. His eyes slid to the hedge wall nearby, to the last place he had seen him…to the place where he had begged Toji to stay with him, wanting to touch him but knowing he couldn’t. He remembered the way Toji looked at him, the pain and regret in his blue and red eyes, the words they wanted to say hanging heavily between them.

“Toji, hurry up, we need to go!” Ynda’s voice had been loud and insistent. She thought he was taking one last walk through the garden by himself, something that wasn’t out of the ordinary for him to do. 

Did she know? Did he tell her?

He shook his head, his hand going to the window. Toji promised to tell no one, not even Ynda. 

Not even Lukas.

Everyone in the manor believed what the two had was a harmless, thinly veiled crush, probably one sided depending on who was asked.

His blood began to heat as images of their last few nights together played out in his head. He could feel Toji’s hands on his skin, taste his lips, hear his breathy voice in his ear as Natsu begged for more. It had been almost a year, but the memories were still so vivid and strong. While the Franks’ had kept in contact with everyone in the Veil, the staff had only managed to pass along messages. Natsu couldn’t say anything more than a friendly hello or take any requests for meals they might want. He could never ask directly, it all went through Lady Elaine. 

There was a flurry of activity as Victor, the head butler, rushed in, informing everyone the masters would be arriving in about ten minutes and to finish up any last preparations before heading down to the garden to greet them.

Natsu’s heart leapt into his throat and he swallowed down his excitement. He was eager to see everyone again, not just Toji. But he was still worried…would Toji want to see him? Had he missed Natsu as badly as he had missed Toji? That final day had been so hard, the pain so ridiculously intense…he had cried for weeks afterwards. What had Toji done?

He pushed himself away from the window, catching Gabby’s eye as he passed back into the kitchen to pass on the announcement from Victor.

“They’re going to be hungry as hell so make sure everything is ready the moment they arrive, understand?” he called out, his voice clear and strong.

“Yes, Chef!” they all replied loudly. Natsu may only be twenty-one, but he had earned their respect and they enjoyed working with him. He may be tough at times, but he was fair.

He smiled at them, taking off his apron. “Alrighty, then, let’s get ready to go greet our masters.”

“Yes, Chef!” they said again, the ones who were already picked to be part of the greeting party finishing up what they needed to before removing their own aprons and hats, following Natsu out of the large, hot kitchen and out through the dining area to the wide front entrance and out the back door to the garden. 

They took their places, a few of them making sure their chef coats were clean, their sleeves rolled up to their proper length. Natsu had to keep himself from fidgeting with his own coat, reminding himself not to button the top two. He wasn’t sure the family knew of his promotion and he wanted to be presentable for when they learned of it. Gabby took his hand and squeezed it, giving him a soft, grandmotherly pat, her cool hand pleasant around his own hot, sweaty palm.

“Relax, mijo,” she whispered, giving him a wink. “You look like you’re about to pass out. Breathe.” She chuckled as he took in a deep breath, willing himself to obey.

“Sorry,” he whispered back. “Too nervous, I guess.” His eyes skated around the rest of the staff that was gathering around the garden, taking their places in strategic areas where they could be seen but not get in the way. The kitchen staff was lined up against the raised porch near the stairs, right where their masters would see them. Right where Toji could see him. His heart thudded in his chest at the thought, every possible scenario, good and bad, racing through his mind.

What if Toji ignored him? What if he looked his way? What if he said nothing? What if he grabbed him right then and there? What if, what if, what if…

“If you don’t calm down, I’m going to smack you with my chancla, don’t tempt me,” Gabby said, her voice stern.

Natsu straightened, the threat of the chancla enough to put the fear of God in him.

“That’s what I thought,” she said, following it up with a few choice words in Spanish he didn’t catch or even understand. 

One of the maids across from him caught his attention, mouthing the words, are you okay?

He nodded, exhaling slowly.

She grinned and turned her attention back to the arch. Amber was a friend of his, one of only a few he could trust, but still not even she knew what had him in such a nervous state. No one did. No one could.

Humans couldn’t be with gods…the Helman Hall staff were absolutely forbidden to. If they knew, he’d be sent packing, if he was lucky. If he was unlucky, God Kings Hero and Hawk would get involved…

Natsu swallowed and inwardly shook the thought out of his head. No…nothing would happen. He was going to act just as he always had; normally. 

A bright line of light appeared in the center of the arch, slowly stretching out to fill it, taking shape before it stopped. Natsu’s breath caught in his throat as one by one, shadows began to appear first, and then figures.

And there he was…God Prince Toji Grace Helman leading the line, something his fathers usually did. Natsu had to remember they weren’t going to be here this summer, just the kids. He took in every detail as Toji walked. He looked…different, somehow, but the same. His hair was a little longer, but still hanging in his eyes. His posture was straighter, his shoulders broader, his body leaner, stronger. His uniform was adorned with more cords, ribbons, and medals. But he was still Toji. His Toji.

Are you still mine? Am I still yours?

After Toji was Princess Ynda, Prince Havik, Lady Ava, Lord Noah, Lady Arla, Sir Lukas, Lady Chloe, Lady Kayla, and…

Devil Prince Finn?!

Gabby nudged his arm and he joined everyone in the respectful bow, fist over his heart. “Welcome home, Masters!” they all said. Trying to say “Your Highnesses, Lords, and Ladies,” had been unanimously nixed for being way too much of a mouthful. They had all learned to just greet the group as Masters years ago.

The gods, angels, and Immortals all smiled, greeting everyone in return. Ynda rushed over to greet her personal maids, all of them squealing like little girls. Havik’s valet took his cape and followed him inside, stoic as always. Victor bowed to Toji and greeted him politely, motioning to everyone as they passed by. He pointed out the line of kitchen staff, and the entire world stopped for a very brief second as Toji’s eyes fell on Natsu.

His expression didn’t change, but there was something in his eyes…a flash that came and went. Natsu swallowed, his entire body going hot and his breathing became shallow and ragged. 

God, what do I do?! What should I say?!

He didn’t have to worry about it too long, however. Victor swooped in and guided Toji and the rest into the house, Toji’s eyes sliding off him as though he hadn’t been there at all. Natsu felt his knees go weak and a knot formed in his stomach. There was excitement all around him but he didn’t even notice. Toji had arrived…

And he ignored Natsu completely.