“Okay, hold out your hands,” Arla directed, demonstrating by holding both of her palms up in front of her.

Natsu complied, looking over at Toji who sat next to him, his own hand out the way his cousin had directed. Arla grabbed his, turning it so it hovered over Natsu’s right hand. He could have complained but everyone was watching them and he needed to behave, especially for this. Ynda and Havik were also on the guest house living room floor with them, Arla in the center.  

She held both her hands over theirs, focusing her energy and calmly directing Natsu to do the same. “Just relax,” she said, her usually girlish voice level and calming. She glanced at Toji and gave one small nod.

“You remember how it felt on the beach?” Toji asked.

“Like a wave,” Natsu said.

“Picture it more like a stream of water running from your chest to your hand, instead of a rushing river or a mighty ocean,” Arla said. “You only need a tiny bit of energy to come out.”

Natsu breathed slowly in and out and pictured the swirling blue and purple light that filled his entire body, buzzing and warm. Concentrating as hard as he could, he imagined a small dam opening up, allowing only a tiny bit of the energy to flow through from his chest where his mark was, down his arm and to the center of his palm. There were some audible gasps and breathy exclamations from around the room as his palm began to glow and a few thin streams of iridescent light appeared, swirling and waving gently as it met the translucent purple of energy Toji was releasing.

They twisted and moved together in a smooth dance, forming a smooth orb, the colors dancing over the surface. Ava touched the centers of both their chests, right on their marks, a white light at the tip of each finger. Two new tendrils appeared within the orb, one purple, the other a shimmering blue; one for each of them. The tendrils swayed and coiled around each other, smooth and flowing without any jerks or twitches, something Arla was glad to see. She smiled and sat back, taking the orb from them and holding it between her own hands, pulling them apart slightly to enlarge it so everyone around them could see.

Moving in a constant stream was the infinity symbol. Toji’s jaw dropped and Natsu’s eyes went wide.

“It worked,” Toji whispered. “Holy shit, it worked.”

“We’re not done yet,” Arla said, nodding to the other two in their circle. She turned her eyes on Natsu, her expression serious. “If they don’t accept you, this will fail.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?” Toji asked, his heart slamming against his ribcage. “His lifespan should match mine now, right? Why do they need to—”

“Because we’re family,” Ynda said, her blue eyes steady. “And it isn’t just us, either.”

Toji swallowed and Natsu went pale. “Hero and Hawk…” he said.

Havik nodded. “You have a link with us now, thanks to Toji. It also connects to Father and Pater but they haven’t yet opened it.”

Natsu turned his panic-stricken gaze to Toji. “Neko, I don’t know how to use the link yet…maybe we should have waited until we practiced with it…”

Arla shook her head. “No, Natsu,” she said. “It has to be now while the ritual continues to move and shape the energy within you both, and while the link is being firmly established. It’s the risk you took binding yourself to a god.”

Toji took his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, love,” he said. He glanced over at his brother and sister and gave them a nod. They stretched their hands out to the sides, each of them holding the hand of the other in a connected ring.

“We only ever have to do this once, right?” Natsu whispered.

“I hope so,” Toji replied. “Like I told you, picture a door in your mind and open it. You’ll see a large room with five other doors; that’s us.”

“For each one who will accept you, a door will open,” Arla said. “If even one door remains closed, the link will not be accepted and your immortality will end; you’ll remain mortal, but you will also remain bound to Toji.”

“No pressure,” the couple muttered.

“I should clarify one thing,” Ynda said. Natsu looked at her. “This isn’t a mental link, it’s a soul link. You may see it in your mind but that’s not where it’s taking place. If anything, it’s your soul taking over and you’re just watching it happen.”

Natsu nodded. “Okay,” he said. He took a deep breath. “Ready when you are, I guess.”

“Just relax,” Arla directed. She kept the orb suspended within her hands, her eyes closed as it began to gently spin, the infinity symbol moving slowly within it.

One by one, Toji, Ynda, Havik, and Natsu all closed their eyes. Just as Toji had instructed, Natsu pictured a large wooden door in front of him, at the end of a long dark hallway. He could hear his heart, loud in his ears as his steps rang out in the darkness. Where is everyone? I know they’re here, I can feel Toji’s and Ynda’s hands in mine but…

He reached out to the door, old with a black frame. The handle was curved, similar to the ones at Helman Hall. His hand twitched as he realized he recognized this door; it was his. He touched and went past this door every day back at home. With more confidence, he reached for the handle and pushed it open, just like he did every other time. The creaking of the hinges was even the same. The same thought invaded his mind just like always, Who do I need to harass to get that taken care of?

The room beyond was huge and not his own. It was brightly lit, a large emblem in the middle of the floor the only decoration. He walked slowly up to it, recognizing it immediately; it was the Helman Kingdom crest. A star in the center of a stone, its rays piercing past the edges. Above were two smaller ribbons, and below one large ribbon. Strength and Beauty was carved in intricate and beautiful runes in the top two banners. In the large ribbon was the family motto, When a star shines as bright as a god, it cannot be destroyed.

He was staring at the image, taking in every detail when he heard footsteps approach him from behind. He felt Toji’s sturdy arms wrap around him, his lips against his ear. 

“Got you,” he said softly, his voice a gentle laugh.

Natsu looked up at him. “Yeah you do,” he said, matching his smile.

A sound drew their attention to one of four doors that lined the walls around them. Though “walls” wasn’t really the right term; they were just there. The door had a star on it, engraved with Ynda’s name in runes. She stepped into the wide room, a bright smile on her face. She walked quickly up to them, wrapping her arms around Natsu’s neck.

“No way was I ever going to deny you,” she said. He hugged her back, a tear coming to his eye as they heard another door open from the other end of the line. The door had a stone, a ruby, etched into it. Havik walked out, his back straight, his hands folded behind his head.

His crooked grin was reminiscent of Toji’s and Natsu had to chuckle. He’d never seen Havik grin like that before.

“Brother,” the boy said, reaching his hand to Natsu. Natsu took it, shaking it firmly.

The four glanced around each other, anxious anticipation on their faces. 

“Okay, so we’re all here,” Toji said. He put his arm around Natsu’s waist, his eyes staring at the two remaining doors that were still unopened. Natsu felt a jolt go through his chest.

“They're going to reject me,” he whispered. 

“Don’t say that,” Ynda said, her voice firm. “For all we know, they’re just talking and making some big party plans or something for your arrival.”

“A ball might be fun, actually,” Toji said, his eyes still on the doors. “I’ll be fine to have one for my birthday this year.”

“Costumes?” Havik asked, his red eyes focusing on their fathers’ doors as well.

“A masquerade, maybe?” Ynda added with a nod. 

“I’m not wearing a curly wig,” Natsu said. “Those clothes are weird, too.”

They all nodded. A click resounded through the hall and they all gasped as Hawk appeared, walking tall in jeans and a tshirt, his red hair falling in his face, his blue eyes shining. He focused on Natsu, the Helman men’s cocky grin plastered on his face.

“Good to see you, Natsu,” he said.

Natsu smiled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “You too, sir.”

Hawk waved a hand in front of his face. “No formalities are allowed in here. No titles, no ‘ma’am’s’ or ‘sirs’ or any of that crap. Hawk is fine.” He chuckled as they shook hands. “Pater is cool too, later on.”

“Pater…” Toji sighed, shaking his head, his hand to his forehead. 

Hawk laughed. “What? I’m just saying!”

“Where does that even come from?” Natsu asked. 

“It’s Dutch,” Toji said. “It means father.”

“With two dads, it would have been confusing to call both of us dad, so we opted for something different. He’s Dad, and I’m Papa. Toji saw Pater online when he was ten or eleven, and it’s stuck ever since.”

“Is Daddy late?” Ynda asked, nervousness tinging her voice, her fingers fidgeting around Natsu’s arm.

“Hm?” Hawk said, glancing back at the door that wasn’t yet open. “Oh, you know your dad.” He smiled as one last click reverberated through the hall. “He’s always late.”

Hero stepped through the door, his steps slow as he approached them. Everyone parted so Hero could stand directly in front of Toji and Natsu. Toji’s hand gripped Natsu’s side, Natsu’s hand clutching Toji’s shirt tightly.

He swallowed, determined not to let his fear and anger show. This man, this god had vilified him for almost a year, locked Toji away like a prisoner, and kept the two apart based on the words of an angry and jealous young girl. A girl who had since made amends to her main victim and was still to do so with him. Natsu wanted to yell at Hero, to call him out for being so unbelievably cruel to him and his son. For forcing Toji into a position he never wanted to be in. For breaking Toji’s heart.

Hero’s feet faltered and he winced. Everyone looked at Natsu. His breath caught as he realized what had just happened. All links between them were completely opened; his thoughts and emotions were not his own to keep. He covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes wide.

“Hero, I—”

“You aren’t wrong, Natsu,” Hero said. Toji stiffened. “I made some very bad choices when it came to Toji and I…” he swallowed, looking up into his eldest’s eyes. “I regret them all,” he finished, his throat choked with emotion. “I have much to atone for, and I know half of it you may never forgive me for, but—”

“You accepted him.”

Hero blinked, his chin quivering slightly. 

Toji swallowed. “You accepted my mate. Start there.”

Hero nodded. “I can do that,” he said softly. He looked at Natsu, reaching out and taking his hand. “I’m not asking you to forgive me,” he said. “I am asking for a chance. You love my son, I know that. I know you would never do anything to hurt him or put him in a position where he could be viewed negatively.” He averted his gaze. “Like I did.”

Natsu stared at the young man, one who didn’t look much older than himself, and only slightly taller. What was it about the Helman men that they attracted such short partners?

Hero nearly choked on a laugh. “I’ve been asking myself that for years, kid!” he said.

Natsu blushed. “Shit, sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I forgot nothing is secret here.”

Everyone chuckled. “No, it isn’t,” Hawk said. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you,” Toji said.

“Not just you, greedy jerk!” Ynda said, tugging Natsu to her and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “We need to establish our own personal link so I can talk shit about you without you knowing.”

Toji narrowed his eyes at her. “If you poison my boyfriend against me, so help me gods…”

“To be fair, I still need to work on my link control, too,” Havik said. “We can do it together if you want.”

Natsu nodded, Ynda’s breasts pressing against the back of his neck. “Sure, that would be great.” 

Hero and Hawk watched as the four chatted and laughed, teasing and making Toji promise not to torment them with images they didn’t need if he wanted to mess with them.

Hawk wrapped his arms around Hero’s waist, kissing his neck. “You did good, babe,” he murmured. 

“Natsu was innocent,” Hero said, the truth having been transferred down the link to the whole family. “I know Ava was hurt and I can understand why, but I should never have ignored Toji. I did so much wrong and it may take me an eternity to make up for it but I’m not going to give up.”

“Did you consider what we talked about?”

Hero sighed, his eyes lingering on Havik. “I did.”

“And?”

“Toji wants a ball for his birthday. I’ll announce my decision then.”

“You’re assuming we’re invited,” Hawk chuckled.

Toji rolled his eyes. “No shit you’re invited,” he said. His lips curled into a devilish grin, his fangs shining bright. “When else am I going to get a chance to kick your ass, old man?”

Hero’s eyes widened. Everyone turned their gazes to the tall Prince with the bright red hair, his mismatched blue and red eyes gleaming. 

He laughed low in his throat as he stepped toward his father. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. So prepare yourself.”

-*-