“Well, don’t you clean up nicely!” June Grace exclaimed. 

Toji and Natsu came down the stairs arm in arm, dressed to the nines in royal attire. Toji wore his sash, cords, and medals decked out on his blue and white dress jacket, his black trousers were pressed, his black boots were shining, and his ceremonial sword at his hip was encased in an ornate sheath that was bedecked with red, blue, and amber stones. His bright red hair was slicked back, giving him a much more dignified appearance, along with his straight posture and bearing.

Natsu looked just as amazing in his own noble attire. He wore a green long coat with ornate embroidery over a white dress shirt with gold trim. He also wore black trousers and boots, but he didn’t have any ceremonial weapons on him. His black hair was combed back, the large scar over his right eye white against his olive skin.

Toji grimaced at his grandmother while Natsu smiled. “I’m only wearing this because Ynda insisted it be formal.”

“Regardless, you two still make a fine looking couple,” she said, giving them both a kiss on the cheek. 

“Well, that I can agree with,” Toji said, smiling at Natsu. He turned back to his grandparents. “You look nice, too, Oma and Opa.”

They, like everyone else, were in fancy ballroom attire, with June bedecked in a wide skirt dress, fancy hair, and glittering accessories. Toji gave his grandmother a peck on the cheek and shook his grandfather’s hand. 

Charles handed Toji a six inch rectangular box with a ribbon on it. “Happy birthday, kid,” he said with a smile.

“What’s this?” Toji said, surprised he was getting a gift. He thought he had mentioned he didn’t want anything for his birthday.

“It’s called a birthday present,” Natsu said. “People give them to celebrate the fact they were born.”

Toji stuck his tongue out at him. “Har har, you brat.” He pulled the ribbon off and carefully removed the lid. When his eyes lit on the contents, his whole body froze. Even Natsu went still. 

Charles swallowed. “I, uh, found it while I was cleaning out my office a few weeks ago,” he said. “I think your Pater left it there by accident one year when they came for a visit to honor his memory. I figured he’d want you to have it.”

Within the box was an armband with three feathers attached, along with several beads.

Toji…

Toji ran his fingers along one of the feathers. “Thank you,” he said without looking up. 

“I didn’t get to know him long,” Charles said, “but he was one incredible kid. Whip smart, driven, and loyal as hell to your parents. Great sense of humor, too. I know it’s his life you were born from, so I suppose it would be silly to say but…I’m sure if he knew what he gifted us, he’d be incredibly proud.”

A single tear rolled off the end of his nose, splashing onto the velvet lining of the box. Natsu gently reached up and wiped the streak away, drawing Toji’s attention back to his surroundings.

“Sorry,” he chuckled with embarrassment as he looked from one smiling face to the other. “Yeah, um…I don’t know what to say…I know who he was only through his memories, but I hope you’re right.” He smiled. “Thanks.”

Natsu took the band from the box and carefully wrapped it around Toji’s right bicep, making sure to tie it as tight as possible so it didn’t come loose. Once he was confident the feathers were laid flat, he reached up and kissed Toji’s cheek. 

“Looks good on you,” he said. 

Toji rolled his eyes. “Everything looks good on me, baby. Especially you.” Natsu laughed as Toji leaned down to kiss him behind his ear.

June and Charles chuckled as they linked arms. “I swear, you’re just as bad as your Pater,” June said. 

“Had to learn it somewhere,” Toji said as they all headed to the main ballroom on the west wing of the house.

They were chatting comfortably when a voice caught their attention. They turned to see Ynda walking up on the arm of Cain, the anishif they had rescued not long ago, Ava and Finn, and Lukas and Evie. Even Toji had to admit everyone, including his sister, looked incredible. 

“Hey, have you seen Daddy and Pater yet?” Ynda asked as they neared. Toji shook his head.

“We just got downstairs ourselves,” he said. He looked around at all the faces that were milling around, but none resembled his fathers or any other member of their family. “They might already be inside.”

“I was hoping to see them before the party started, though,” she pouted. 

“It’s not like you won’t get a chance to see them at all, Yin,” Ava said reassuringly. 

“I know, but still,” she sighed. She smiled at Natsu. “You look nice!”

“Thanks,” Natsu said with a smile. “So do you.”

Ynda waved it away. “You’ve seen me dressed like this dozens of times,” she said. “We’ve never seen you dressed up ever.”

Lukas nodded. “Seriously, dude, you look different, but in a good way.”

“Almost like you were meant to be a member of royalty or something,” Finn grinned.

The girls giggled while Natsu rolled his eyes. “It’s definitely not something I’m used to, that’s for sure,” he said.

“Trust me, you never will,” Ava said. “We grew up like this and it still feels weird.”

“How do you even move in these?” Cain asked, running his gloved hand down his own dress jacket. “Seems a bit constricting.”

Toji laughed. “That’s kind of the point,” he said. “We wear these to look pretty and that’s it. Give it a few hours and you’ll notice a huge difference in how it’s all worn.”

“For you guys, maybe,” Ava grumbled. Finn chuckled and kissed the side of her head. 

“Can you people move already?” Arla’s voice called out from behind the group.

“You’re blocking the way!” Noah added. 

Ava and Finn scooted over while Lukas and Evie also backed out of the way, making room for the twins, resplendent in their matching white and silver outfits as they made their way toward the ballroom. Everyone stood gaping, watching them pass. Natsu was reminded of the conversation they had at the lake and he had to admit it even now.

“Those two really are the most beautiful creatures here.”

“That, sir,” Toji said, his head slowly turning back around. “Is a damned lie.” He pulled Natsu closer to him but before he could do anything, Ynda and Cain rushed past, her hand up in front of them.

“I swear to god, if you’re going to suck face in the middle of the damn passageway, then I’m out.”

The others hurried along after them, Lukas shrugging as he passed. 

Once they were alone, Toji and Natsu laughed before Toji gave him a kiss. “She swears like I’m going to make out with you in the middle of everyone.”

Natsu’s eyebrow ticked and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

“I mean, she isn’t wrong, but still.” Toji tucked Natsu’s hand in the crook of his elbow and turned to follow the rest of the crowd. “Guess we better join this circus show.”

Natsu chuckled. “You wanted this, remember?”

“Is it too late to change my mind?”

“Very.”

“Dammit.”

They were still chuckling as they made their way through the grand entrance into the massive, rarely used, and now ornately decorated ballroom. Toji hadn’t been allowed to step foot in here once since the party planning had begun. To say he was taken by surprise was an understatement. 

“Holy hell!” he breathed, rocking back to a stop, his eyes wide as he took in everything.

Natsu smiled up at him. “Surprise,” he said.

The last time Toji had been in here, it was a standard, traditional looking ballroom with white walls, a marble floor, high ceilings, huge floor to ceiling windows and glass doors that led out to a wide patio with stairs that fell off on either side to the yards and gardens beyond. Now, however, the ceilings were dripping with fairy lights and hanging vines. Along the walls were white roses and sketches of wild cats, shifters, and tiny imps from the Veil. There were also three large chandeliers with red and blue streamers hanging between them. Tables were situated along the walls, each with red or blue tablecloths and ornate dishware. The food was lined up along the back wall, ready for any and everyone who was hungry. Unlike at other high society functions, the Helmans served real food at their parties. 

Natsu laced his fingers with Toji’s, amused by the utter amazement on his face. “Like it?” he asked.

Toji nodded slowly. “This is incredible,” he breathed. “Did you do all this?”

“Well, I mean, I helped,” Natsu said, blushing.

“It was all his idea!” Finn said as he and Ava joined them. “We just had to go along with it.”

“He had a vision and we simply made it a reality,” Ynda said with a shrug, taking her brother’s other arm with a smile. 

They continued through the massive room taking in all the decorations and greeting everyone as they went. It may be Toji’s birthday, but they were still figureheads and expected to adhere to a standard no matter where they were or what day it was. It was maybe thirty minutes in when all attention was drawn to the doors as Hawk and Hero made their way in. Everyone either bowed or curtsied in respect as they walked through, Havik right behind them. 

When they got close to where Toji and the rest were, Toji grinned. “Just had to steal my thunder, didn’t you, old man?” he said good naturedly to Hero.

Hero laughed. “I promise, I really wasn’t trying to.” He touched the blue cord that was looped around Toji’s shoulder. “I thought for sure you were going to burn this thing.”

“I thought about it,” Toji admitted. “But I was pretty tired of being side eyed as it was so I decided against it.”

“You should still be proud of what you did to earn it, though,” Hawk said. “I know things weren’t always easy, but you still did a lot of good for the Veil, and for us.”

Toji smiled softly. “I only did it so I could get back here.” He put his arm around Natsu’s waist. “I mean, I still tried to escape the whole time, but I figured if I made myself look good then—”

Hawk reached out and took his arm, his eyes wide as both he and Hero stared at the armband that encircled it.

“Oh, Opa gave that to me,” Toji said. “He said Toji might want me to have it so…”

Hero gulped, gently fingering the feathers. “He wasn’t wrong,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I made this for him,” Hawk said. “He’d found the feathers in the woods one day and, when he was in a shit mood, I took them. It wasn’t to be an asshole, I really just wanted to make him feel better. He never took it off a day in his life after I gave it to him.”

He looked into his son’s unique mismatched eyes and smiled. “I see a lot of him in you sometimes,” he said. “Sometimes I forget which Toji I’m actually dealing with, especially when you get mouthy.”

Toji chuckled softly. 

Hawk patted him on the side of the neck. “He’d be proud of you, kid. Just like I am. Like we both are. You are an incredible pain in the ass, and have put us through more than I think we ever deserved. But to be fair, it wasn’t wholly without cause.” He glanced down at Hero who gave an apologetic smile. “I guess that’s just the risk we took in becoming your parents. And I know for both of us, it’s a risk we’d take a thousand times over.”

Toji swallowed past the lump in his throat, his fingers clutching lightly at Natsu’s coat. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Hawk took him into a hug before letting Hero have his chance. “I love you forever, Neko,” Hero said. 

Toji smiled, ducking his head into his father’s shoulder. “However long that may be.”

-*-