Keeping Secrets

Save The World

Welcome back, everyone!

Firstly, I wanna say I'm thankful for everyone's comments regarding the events of last chapter. Y'all are the best!

Now, this chapter is kinda an info dump and while things are a little calmer this time around... I think some of you will be surprised come the end of the chapter.

I really don't have any better way to cryptically describe it so I'm just gonna shut up and let you read now.

Also, not sure who the original artist for the art is. If you know, let me know so I can credit them!

Enjoy :)

KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 23: SAVE THE WORLD

A smile broke out on August's face upon hearing Natsu's words, and his cries turned to laughter.  After he calmed himself, he said, "You have no idea how happy this makes me, uncle." He laughed again, and then said, "But I have to point out... I'm actually older than you, so that really makes you using 'ol' to describe yourself incorrect-"

"It was just an expression, you don't gotta be so techni- Oh my God, you really are Zeref's kid!"  Natsu said sarcastically.  August looked startled for a moment but then chuckled.  Smiling, Natsu said, "You know, now that I know... there were so many things you did that would have given you away, had anyone even remotely known Mavis and Zeref had a kid..." 

August laughed too.  "I suppose I should count myself lucky, then, if even you can pick up on that." 

Natsu stopped laughing.  "What's that supposed to mean?" 

August looked a little sheepish.  "Well, it's just, sometimes, people have to be extra forward with you to get you to realize things..."

Natsu looked unphased.  "Like what things?" 

August held up his hands and tried to deflect.  "I'm only repeating what His Majesty has said... and what I witnessed as far as Brandish attempting to get your attention. I'd say Miss Heartfilia has been quite exasperated as well-"

"Okay, STOP."  Natsu said, face turning red.  "That kinda stuff doesn't count, you can't hold that over me!  And Zeref has no room to say anything about what I'm dense about when he's been walking around having his biological son as his right-hand man for the past ninety something years and never realized it!" 

August grinned a little.  "Alright, fair enough.  Though, in his defense, when you believe your partner to be dead from the point you committed... the act, you wouldn't think you had any secret children running around either."  He grew red in the face as he said the second part of the sentence. 

Natsu laughed.  "That's fair too, I guess.  Man, this is just so crazy... Hey wait, I just realized something else!  The first day we met, at breakfast!  When Zeref said to go tell Larcade he couldn't eat with us, I could have sworn I saw you smirk for a second..."

August looked embarrassed again. "Erm, I may have... as embarrassing as it is to admit, because I know it's for childish reasons, I have never cared for Larcade.  His identity as His Majesty's child simply infuriates me." 

While Natsu's first impulse was to laugh, his smile slipped as he thought about it.  "It makes sense, though.  He goes around, shouting about how he's Zeref's son from the rooftops, when you, his flesh and blood kid... I get it." 

August nodded before a hint of a smile formed on his face again.  "I have to admit, I enjoyed helping you train, and then watching you knock the snot out of him during your match... but when you were in that coma for a few days afterwards... I went with His Majesty to confront Larcade over his actions.  I was looking forward to him finally getting his 'just desserts', so to speak..."  August's smile disappeared as he continued, "but as His Majesty tore into him, I found that I felt no joy whatsoever, watching him break.  Especially when His Majesty yelled that he 'had no child, or no son...'  at that moment all I could imagine was myself in his place..."