YOOOOO I SAW THE AROACE LUI AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED INTERNALLY CELEBRATING BECAUSE IM STILL AT SCHOOL YESSSMY AROACE KINGā anyhow, now that thatās outta my system, how did Lui realize that he likeā āliked likedā Free? Was it just that love that isnt quite platonic or romantic, or was there something else that made him consider the whole concept of being in a relationship with Free??? Iām genuinely curious right now, because Iām well aware of the feeling between platonic and borderline romantic, as a fellow aroace, thatās the closest Iāve been to āin loveā, but I realized that Iād like to just, have a companion for as long as theyād have me and thatās mainly what made me indulge the idea of a qpr. But itās different for everyone, so did Free ask him out and he realized he wasnāt against the idea of it or was it something else??? Iām kinda going crazy because I love aroace characters more than anything so donāt mind me rambling on about this, itāll probably blow over soon, anyhow, have a good day!
I FUCKING LOVE THIS QUESTION - I saw it literally on the day it was sent but had to follow one ask per day rule.
It was really a gradual process for Lui to grow attached to Free. However, it was really all Freeās doing that helped Lui grow more fonder about him. Performative male role, truly.
Before Valt came in the picture, where they had only each other to train with, Lui learnt to grow patient and forgiving over others thanks to Freeās antics. Then, to grow experimental and creative with his battle tactics without restraint due to his overwhelming power. Iām not going to say that he fell for him because he helped his character arc. Rather the accumulation to Freeās existence.
Lui doesnāt need to care about Freeās feelings. Free is too nonchalant to take offence or care about the awkward silence. He exists simply to train with in Luiās eyes. A perfect candidate of a sparring partner with the only flaws being his attendance and snark attitude at the time.
However that isnāt how he āfellā for Free. Thatās just how he got comfortable around him. Free was the first to realise he has a crush on Lui and with Valt as his sparring partner, he wanted to hang out more than train with Lui. So, he gradually changed their sparring matches as just hangovers. He would make excuses to take more breaks and simply reduce the time spent on Beyblade altogether. Free wanted to know Lui better and he was willing to wait as long as possible to get those results. Curiosity in a sense. While they were still āwasteful,ā it was the first time Lui never felt bothered by it. Hell, he actually found some entertainment hanging out with Free too. AND THIS IS HOW LUI STARTED TO GROW ATTACHED TOO.
Lui liked the idea of them hanging out and his trust for him skyrocketed. He would do things like leaning against him or showing a few flaws that seem minor to others but meant a lot to his ego. It wasnāt exactly love, but it was more than just friendship. An understanding of one another that goes deeper than anything. When Free asked to be his partner, Lui was initially against it, saying he wasnāt capable of giving him the love he wanted. Free, as usual, dismissed it and assured him that he simply wants to have Lui for himself. In other words, he doesnāt want Lui to lean against anyone but him or to reveal his worst moments to him only, as if he claimed that spot. A tad of a red flag, but it was amusing enough for Lui to consider. What they have isnāt romantic to the typical sense, but itās a strong trust that could possibly rival the resonance with their beys.
Itās kinda like a partnership, in a way.