#arcanaaa

He watched her lean in, blinking behind his visor. The usual grin was gone, replaced with a look of abject confusion.

"If you knock 'im out he can't hold anything to try it?"

Or think about it. Win-win (and some peace and quiet).

*Bullies*

Gives a firm, exaggerated kiss on his cheek, releasing the flesh with a loud 'mwau!'-- the gesture is all in fun, and Cana's sure to give Freed a cheeky grin before she'll saunter away. Good lucky getting an explanation from her though~.

     Perplexity made its immediate appearance. Unlike its natural procedure, it didn't just pass by Freed's features this time, no. This time, it was there to linger for a moment long enough for the people in his direct proximity to take note of the alteration in his facial expression. Some of his guild mates were too preoccupied to pay attention ( which, the Raijinshuu's captain was utterly fine with with ); others, however, were shamelessly directing their gaze at the scene that unfolded before their very eyes just now. A scene that was, doutblessly, rare to the eyes of his guild mates. That much became apparent when his features dropped.

     After the drawn-out seconds of processing, Freed blinked once. Twice. His attention shifted to where Cana was sauntering away as though nothing at all had transpired. She embodied a a quick breeze. Soft almost, whirling up the surroundings just enough for a refreshing taste. Teasing ( clearly, teasing. the cheeky grin she'd thrown his way was all evidence he required for sufficient interpretation. not to mention the ridiculous sound she'd emitted ), though, and that was an important detail in the entirety of this, all in good nature.

     Oh he would opt to deny this very fact but a gentle heat rose to his face, cheeks tinting in a crimson shade ( barely noticable, but definitely existent ). Freed cleared his throat, looking up from underneath his eyelashes. Flabbergasted, without doubt. A ' now what are you looking at? ', directed at whoever had been observing, was dancing on the tip of his tongue though the knowledge that it would come out less sharp and more casual kept the words in his mind, didn't allow them to slip between his lips.

     His cheek certainly hadn't made the acquaintance of Cana's lips before - however, things were bound to change. Always. Constantly, there was no stopping this process, no stopping this particular movement in life. Change manifested differently for everybody. It tore apart for something else to grow ( positive, or negative ) and at other times it'd grow wings and assist something else in flying high ( though, wings could always be cut off again at any point. sometimes that was good, other times not so much ).

     For Freed, this small gesture that Cana expressed towards him was significant for the journey their bond had gone through ( the bond he'd been so close to demolish beyond salvation ). He was very well aware that the brunette adored to indulge in teasing play, though to him it bore another meaning that she was indulging in it and choosing to involve him. Respect he felt towards the seer grew with so many interactions shared and it was as though there had always been an unspoken feeling of understanding beneath the surface, with none of them needing to name it specifically. Quite frankly, he was thankful for the bond grown between them and by this time he was happy to partake in , simply fun, interactions or more casual conversations with her, share a drink, or offer his unabashed and honest opinion should she be in need of a thought. He'd learned quickly that she appreciated his honesty, and he appreciated hers in return. No filter necessary.

     So, at some point, he had begun to let her in and bare other sides of him than just the appearance, the figure, he maintained towards the public eye on so many occasions - and perhaps that had helped them both to feel more comfortable, perhaps that had assisted to manifest such silly, exaggerated cheek kisses.

     Freed had dedicated himself to his translations again, shifting his posture in the chair he was sitting in, some strands of emerald hair falling in front of his visage. They may veil the follow-up alteration of his features, though it was no intention of his to conceal it this time. Or perhaps he didn't particularly notice? Either way, the corners of his mouth were tugged upwards, the existence was undeniable, shaping a small smile as he lightly shook his head, huffing. Silly, so silly. Perhaps he didn't mind being target of her ( affectionate? ) games.

                                  Not always, at least.

     Despite chances of receiving a response being small, he'd have to ask her what this had been all about ( even if it turned out to be nothing at all, and simply a jest between buddies in light-hearted atmosphere ). Or, the more secretive option number two, he'd simply have to discover a way of sucessfully getting back at Cana.

sometimes, his mind liked to throw him in loops. natsu hated it when that happened because instead of reaching an easy conclusion right away and then moving on — natsu had to repeatedly think about it. he couldn't let it go until he was left somewhat satisfied. and the worst part the current question was one that, in the end, did not matter in his life. maybe to others it would, but not for natsu.