Warning: Rated M
The first incident occurred several weeks ago. Larcade was strolling the palace halls, glancing so and so at the occasional painting and pottery. His mind wandered while subconsciously making a turn into the fourth hall. An unusual sight brought him back from his traveling thoughts.
Invel Yura, resident stiff neck, was kneeling down, sweeping the tiles with his hands. However, that wasn't what brought about Larcade's curiosity. It was the cascading white locks flowing freely from their usual ponytail. With a closer inspection, it was apparent that the all familiar blue coat Invel constantly fashioned was gone too. The man sensing someone's stare glanced up. Narrow crimson eyes no longer hidden behind glasses bore into his. They squinted, pronouncing the deep curves of his olive shaped eyes. Larcade was in a sudden need of water.
"Have you seen my glasses?" Invel asked as if nothing was amiss.
Larcade didn't respond. His eyes drawn to the Winter General's figure. It was so easy to see his muscular build without that damn coat.
"Larcade." Invel cleared his throat, attracting Larcade's gaze to his glowering face, " Have you seen my glasses?"
"Uh...ah..." Larcade couldn't form a single coherent word. It was as if Invel spoken in a foreign language.
Then he felt it, the warm tingling deep in his belly and the racing of his heart. What was going on? What is this feeling?
A frown was clearly drawn on the Spriggan's face, "Is it really that difficult to answer? What is going on with you?"
Larcade's composure cracked, "I...got to go!"
Before Invel could respond, Larcade took off the other direction.
This was the first of many incidents.
A few days later, Larcade was enjoying some leisure time in the garden, smiling at the bird's soft melody. The rising and falling chords sung by the birds coaxed drowsiness. His vision blurred, then darkened into the world of dreams.
It was Invel. His hair sprawled around him like a halo, pale eyelashes outlining sly crimson irises, a devilish smirk played on his lips. And the rest of him...naked.
Larcade's eyes snapped open, his body instinctively sat up. A warm sensation, similar to that days ago, consumed not just his stomach and thighs, but pulsed through his entire body. Multiple scenarios and explanations were examined in his mind: was he ill? Was it a side effect of his magic? Was he going insane?
This situation couldn't possibly get much worse -
"So this is where you are hiding."
No, not now. Why now?
Invel stood over him, eyes glaring holes into him. Larcade's entire body felt weak.
"You decided to skip the meeting again when his majesty called." He began, "Why is it so difficult for you to attend? Must I physically drag you?"
His scolding lips moved in a mesmerizing manner; they appeared so light and soft. Did they feel that way?
"What are you doing!" Larcade's mind was thrown back into reality as he realized that he had unconsciously raised his hand and touched the edge of Invel's lip.
He tore his arm away, shame clearly visible on his cheeks.
"And? Are you going to answer my question or is your intelligence nonexistent?"
"Simple, " Larcade frantically tried to grab any free-lanced excuse, "...Your face is lopsided."
Larcade rolled away, already feeling the cold breeze of Invel's fury. He made a narrow escape through the bushes, ice grazed his heels.
Several weeks have passed. Larcade avoided Invel at any and all costs; he hoped it would remain that way forever. But of course, luck never was on the Spriggan's side, that day was inevitably, and fate would have the last laugh. Zeref, one day, called Larcade to his office. Upon entered, he was greeted with a smile:
"Hello Larcade. Thank you for coming in such a short notice." He said.
Larcade beamed with pride, "It was of little trouble."
Zeref nodded and frowned at the file before him.
"I was planning on offering you a mission that I thought you would enjoy..."
Delight glimmered in the Spriggan's eye.
"However, apparently, there was a mistake and the job was taken by one of the 12."
And it was quickly snuffed out.
Zeref finally looked up and handed a bundle of papers, " I apologize for that. May you please deliver these to Invel. I believe he is in his office."
Coldness swept through the younger mage's body, "of...of course."
Zeref gave another half smile, "thank you."
It was the signal to leave.
Larcade found himself, a few minutes later, standing before the towering pristine door that led to the office. Invel was behind the door. He could knock and leave the stack out here for Invel to retrieve it himself, but of course it was a personal request from father and failing it...
He took a breath and knocked exactly three times.
"Come in."
Larcade marched in, not caring that he threw open the door hard enough to make a dent in the wall nor stepped heavily enough that the desk rattled. Invel looked up rather surprised only to have Larcade toss the bundle aimed directly at his face.
"Father asked me to deliver." Invel flinched, barely catching the papers.
The White Dragneel turned to depart when someone grabbed his elbow firmly.
"Larcade..."
He didn't dare to turn his head.
"What is your problem? Don't even think I have forgotten what transpired in the gardens. Nor your behavior back in the halls. Nor mannerisms you displayed just now. "
Those blasted images flashed through his mind. The coldness he felt before was replaced by the familiar pulsing of heat.
"Larcade?" Invel's tone hardened, "I want an answer."
He ignored the alarm bells ringing in the back of his head. The urge to have a nice strong drink sounded like the best course of action; he was far too sober for this.
"You left me no choice." Invel sighed.
His words just began to sink in when suddenly, an ice collar materialized around Larcade's neck.
In an instant, his body refused to move to his will and his mind unable to form a single rational thought.
Invel said shaking his head, " I will release you as soon as you answer one question..."
Dread weighed down on Spriggan's helpless chest.
"What is your problem with me?"
Sweat prickled on Larcade's forehead, the collar itched, and the damned truth crawled up his throat seeking freedom.
"I.." his voice scratched, speaking against his will, "want..." the sinful images replayed in his mind over and over. "You."
Silence.
Invel's jaw dropped, disbelief mirrored in his scarlet eyes.
The collar shattered. Before Invel could say a word, Larcade slipped from his grip and burst out of the hell room. Tears stung his eyes as he raced to put as much distance between them. It was over for him.