A Public Celebration


This was the moment. The difference between winning and losing.

Natsu hated that he was on the sidelines, but that was how a penalty shootout worked. All that was left between Natsu's team and the championship trophy was the opposing team's main striker. Natsu had to wait, watching on the sides as the striker looked at the goal. Natsu wanted to yell at him to kick the damn ball and put them all out of their misery, but he couldn't. The only thing he could do is put his faith in their goal keeper, Freed.

He trusted the man entirely; he hadn't let a single goal in all match, after all. But he couldn't help but worry. It was just what happened when your boyfriend was in the goal of a life changing game. Natsu couldn't help it.

Freed would handle it. Freed always handled it.

The striker was moving before Natsu had a chance to realise it. The ball flew through the air with speed, and Natsu couldn't move his head fast enough to see it. One moment there had been a tense silence, where thousands of people were watching with bated breath, the next moment there was a carcorphany of yelling and cheering. Natsu looked to the goal to see Freed, on his knees, the ball in his hands.

They had won. They had won. They had fucking won!

A feeling of pure, unbridled euphoria filled Natsu within an instant. He felt like he could climb the highest mountain, run a mile faster than anyone ever had before, and take on any challenge that might occur. Everyone on the Fairy Tail team was a god at that moment, and none more than Freed.

Everyone pounced on him within a moment, pulling him into a group hug of jumping and cheering and an overwhelming smell of sweat that nobody gave a damn about. The sound of the crowds cheering was all drowned out by the teams private celebration, because the had all been working for this for so long and they'd done so much and it had all paid off because they were world champions! They were the best in the damn world.

A blur of things happened next, and they all seemed to rush by. They indulged in their celebrations on the pitch, then went back to the locker room to shower and change into their official track suits. It was a rowdy affair of cheering, champagne being poured over people, and the occasional towel snapping; they were all kids at heart, really.

And in a quiet moment, Natsu had cornered Freed and told him just how goddamn amazing he was. He wanted to kiss his boyfriend, but was pulled away, because the trophy needed to be given to them.

Back on the pitch, the sporting press of the world were all looking toward them. The crowd cheered them as they approached the stage where the trophy was placed, and everyone on the team waved to them, with certain members like Loke and Bickslow playing to them by giving air kisses. It was a moment of pure joy for everyone involved, and Natsu was filled with an unhindered energy that he couldn't push down no matter what. He just wanted to burn through it somehow.

They were all on the stage a moment later. Natsu and Freed were at the front; Natsu because he was team captain, Freed because he had been a kickass master at keeping balls out of the goal. Cameras started to flash, people continued to cheer, and Natsu couldn't think of anything better.

Well, maybe one thing. He still hadn't kissed Freed yet.

An onslaught of questions began, most of them professional. About tactics, how they felt about winning, what they were going to be doing next. All boring. Natsu wished they would go away. Who cared about the press? But it was part of his job, so he didn't complain when one of the tabloid reporters walked up, a sneery smile on his face.

"So, Natsu, Freed," He began, and his voice was creepy. Slimey. "Two single men, on the high of a win like this, you're gonna be having women falling at your feet. Is there a point in asking how you'll be celebrating tonight?"

The journalist chuckled, and Natsu felt a little grossed out. He wondered why Evergreen - their PR rep - had allowed him in. By the look of anger on her face, it seemed like she hadn't known that was the question he would ask. Before she could storm over, which she would, her husband and the player liaison, Hibiki, placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

"Well," Freed began. He was better at dealing with things like that. "I expect both of us won't be sleeping a lot tonight, that's all I can say."

Some of the crowd - the more 'boys will be boys' side - laughed. Natsu took the opportunity to reach his arm around Freed's back and give his ass a pinch, just to let him know that he was right. They wouldn't be sleeping.

He still needed to kiss Freed.

"We'll take two more questions," Evergreen said, getting the attention of the reporters. "And then we'll let the boys enjoy their victory."

Just as the next reporter walked up to ask his question - another tabloid, so probably something as equally weird as the previous one - Natsu felt an adrenaline rush hit him out of nowhere. It coupled with the buzzing energy that had already been fizzing inside of him, and pushed him to do something that maybe he'd regret later.

"I've got something to add to the last question," Natsu said, leaning into the microphone. "First of all, come on man. Acting like the only thing we're capable of doing is screwing someone after a win like this. Second, you're not even right about us being single. Neither of us are."

The team, who knew what him and Freed were, all looked at Natsu. He ignored them, because Freed had placed a hand on his back. A comforting hand, giving him permission to go on.

"You boys got some girls hidden away from us?" The reporter taunted, ignoring Natsu's criticism of him.

"Hell no."

Without taking a moment to think, Natsu turned towards Freed, grabbed him by the middle of his shirt, pulled him forward and kissed the hell out of him with the world's press watching. Cameras flashed and questions were shouted, but Natsu didn't care

Freed kissed him back, and Natsu felt true euphoria. That was what was really important.


Of course, Natsu couldn't just leave it there.

Evergreen had told them both, once they got in the locker room again, to talk to nobody about it without her saying something first. There would be a media storm already - not only were they the first openly gay male footballers, but they were dating each other too - and as such she needed to be in control of the narrative so they could be protected. They had both promised to turn off their phones, go to Natsu's mansion, and just enjoy each other's company while she decided how she would handle things.

Natsu had done that. He had. But, you know, the thing about turning your phone off was that you could just turn it back on again. Which he had. Almost immediately.

In his defence, he hadn't answered any of the hundreds of calls, emails and texts that were begging for answers and insight and what the story was. The only thing he did was open his camera as he climbed into bed, where Freed was sleeping happily. He leant down and gave his boyfriend a little kiss on the forehead, before snuggling into his chest. He took a quick selfie of them both together, and quickly uploaded it to his Instagram.

'Two Kings. Two Champions. Thanks for the support. I'll probably make an official statement later, but I've got a man to wake up. Any suggestions? :P'

Almost the moment he uploaded it, his phone exploded with notifications, but he didn't care. He looked up at Freed's face, to see Freed was awake again, looking down at him with amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"You're a menace," He chuckled. "Evergreen is going to murder you, you know that."

"I can take her," Natsu grinned, leaning up and hovering over Freed with glee. "And like you don't want me waking you up like that."

"I certainly didn't say that," Freed stated, and Natsu cackled when he was grabbed around the waist and pulled down so he was resting against Freed's body. "I don't think I'll ever complain about that."

"But no cameras this time?"

"No cameras this time," Freed nodded. "Not with what I've been planning to do to you."

Natsu cackled, reached for the light, and dragged his champion under the covers. Now, with his boyfriend naked and in his bed, it was time for the real celebration to begin.