Natsu stood on the porch, arms crossed over his chest as he stared out over the gardens, his gaze instinctively going to the place where he and Toji had spent their last painful moments together. Even now, his chest ached as he recalled the pain in his eyes as Natsu pleaded with him to stay. It had been a futile attempt, but Natsu had tried anyway. He wanted Toji to stay, to stay with him. He didn’t have to go back…to endure all the shame he was likely to face in the Veil. 

Natsu’s fingers clutched his arms tightly, more in an attempt to keep himself together than to ward off the chill of the autumn air. He needed to get back inside, get back to the kitchen. Gabby would be mad if he was late.

He turned back to the door…and froze. Standing on the other side was God King Hero Grace Helman. And he was staring directly at Natsu.

Fuck…

He stood rooted in place as Hero walked out, joining him on the porch, his youthful face solemn and strained, his eyes hollow and dimmed from the stress he was likely feeling over the fallout of the engagement ending, especially in the manner that it had…especially after what Ava had done. 

“Natsu,” Hero said, his voice empty, tense. Natsu could tell he was forcing himself to stay composed. Natsu was his enemy after all.

“Your Majesty,” Natsu replied in the same level tone.

Hero shook his head. “Hero’s fine.”

“With all due respect, Sir, but it’s not.”

Hero blinked. 

“You are the master of this house, and a God King that deserves respect due his station. I’m just a cook.” Natsu kept his gaze steady on Hero’s face, hoping his expression was just as blank. He didn’t want to be polite, didn’t want to show deference to the man who took his Toji from him, that blamed him for destroying what he had been working so hard to accomplish.

The corners of Hero’s eyes turned down and he sighed. “Fine,” he said. “I came to speak to you regarding Toji.”

Natsu flinched, a tiny gasp escaping his throat. Hero’s eyebrow ticked and he realized he had been caught.

“I thought as much.” He folded his arms and stared out over the lawn. “So you do have feelings for my son.”

Natsu gulped but didn’t reply. 

Hero’s eyes slid to him. “You can’t be with him,” he said. “You realize that, right?”

Still, Natsu said nothing as he curled his fingers into his fist, fighting against the knot forming in his stomach. He wasn’t an idiot; Toji’s actions in the garden had been enough to prove that. As far as he knew, things were over between them and that was painful enough. To have Hero rub that in his face only made it that much worse. 

“Natsu, Toji is meant to be with someone of his station. He needs to be ready to rule a kingdom, not spend his time running off with his friends, or having flings with the staff.”

Natsu gritted his teeth. Decorum be damned, Hero was out to make it clear he wasn’t good enough for Toji and he really didn’t need to be reminded.

He stepped past Hero, going so far as to bump his shoulder into the man. “You got what you wanted,” he said. “You got him away from me and won’t let him come back.” He marched into the house, heading toward the kitchen.

“Natsu, wait,” Hero said, following after him. “You need to understand—”

“I do understand!” Natsu turned on him, tears flying off his face. “Yes, I like Toji, and I’m sure you won’t be the least bit surprised to know he likes me, too! I get it, okay?! I’m nothing, worthless, below you, below him! I don’t care, Hero! I didn’t break those two up but it isn’t like you’d believe that anyway.”

“He ran off with you and came back hours later to force Ava to end the engagement, telling her awful things, lying to her! How am I supposed to believe you weren’t involved in that?” Hero’s voice roared through the cavernous hall, emptied for the season. There wouldn’t be any visitors for at least another month when Jordan and Elaine would be there to handle matters. Natsu had never wanted to have another person around more than he did right then. 

“I didn’t tell him—”

“BULLSHIT!” Hero’s teeth were clenched, his fists balled at his side. “You ruined everything, Natsu Kanaki! Tell me why I shouldn’t just toss you out on your ass right now.”

“Because I didn’t do anything!” Natsu yelled back, getting so close they were eye-to-eye. “Why won’t you believe me? Why won’t you listen to Toji? He’s your son! Why won’t you let him come back to me….” He bit his lip, the tears streaming down his face. “Come back to…Helman Hall…” he said in a weak attempt to backtrack. “Let him come back, for no other reason than to get away from all the crap, so he can have somewhere quiet to refocus and regain his mind? Who knows, if he can have a chance to clear his head, he would be more willing to focus on his duties.”

Hero’s chest rose and fell, the thinly veiled anger in his eyes burning a hole right through Natsu’s very soul. Hero knew exactly what Natsu was asking and he wasn’t about to give in to this love-sick servant.

“Toji…” he said, his voice shaking, “will not be coming back.”

With that, he stormed off, slamming the door behind him. Natsu stood there for several moments, his heart shattering in his chest as his tears fell to the rich carpet under his feet. Hero was determined never to let Natsu see Toji again…he truly was the villain in Ava’s story and Hero refused to see it any other way.

Natsu fell to his knees, his arms wrapping around his stomach as he rocked forward, his head on the floor. He couldn’t recall ever having screamed so loud in his entire life.

-*-