These are from a few months back. I wasn't going to pose them because I'm not happy with the art but I might as well since I already drew them and all.
Yay Minor characters! It’s lightly hinted that Ren might be bisexual(He tsundere’s at Jellal), though it could just be because the Trimen flirt with everyone.
Prompt: Air
Character: Ren
Air always told him whatever he needed to know. Ren could read how someone was feeling by the way they breathed, or how the air currents bent around them as they walked. He could tell if a storm was coming, if anyone was sick.
However, the one time it couldn’t tell him something, it was the thing he needed to know the most.
Being a member of Blue Pegasus meant flirting with girls. That was never a problem, and still wasn’t. He loved being with women, teasing and talking with them, being as suave as the rest of the guild.
But, even so, he couldn’t stop himself from looking over at Jenny, watching her smile as she flirted with the men, shooting them smiles and cute grins. He envied her, her easy beauty speaking to men, dancing around them with the grace and beauty of a pegasus.
He’d always wanted, that, the ability to talk to men the same way he did women. To draw their attention, show them his charm, hold them as they slow-danced at the weekly balls they held at the guild hall.
Gods, he had a wife. She was okay with him being around other women, it came with being a wizard of Blue Pegasus. But what about men? What would anyone think? He wasn’t gay, he still liked women. But would anybody understand? Hell, he didn’t understand! Was there even a word for this?
It was like that for a long time, him just having to admire men from afar as he was rocked with internal turmoil. But it was okay, so long as he could cover it up. Nobody needed to know.
That was, until one summer, when there were new members of their guild.
Everyone was surprised when the Thunder Legion showed up at their door, and was even more shocked when they heard that the great Fairy Tail guild had suddenly disbanded without an explanation. Of course, they had readily accepted the powerful wizards as members of their guild. Although they struggled at first, the four of them soon found their places in the guild.
However, what was more shocking to Ren was how Freed and Laxus behaved around each other. Laxus was never any good at the hospitality part of the guild, but he was always ready for Freed’s flirtatious jabs or sudden approaches. However, his suspicions weren’t confirmed until Freed leaned up to kiss the lightning dragon’s cheek before he left for a job. Freed kissed another man, and nobody had said anything. It was just… okay.
And it happened again. Freed and Laxus were in love with each other, and they also flirted with women, and everyone was just okay with it. They were okay and confident and happy.
It took Ren a few weeks to build up the courage to pull one of them aside. Frankly, Freed seemed easier to talk to. It was a Friday night, the night Blue Pegasus held their balls. Ichiya wouldn’t be happy with him if he left in the middle of the ball, but it was for a good reason, and the only time he’d managed to catch the rune mage alone.
“Hey, Freed. Are you busy?”
“Hmm? Is there something you needed, Ren?” He asked, turning to face the air wizard.
“I just wanted to talk. Alone.”
Freed raised a brow, “Is something wrong?”
“Not really we just… need to talk,” Ren said, looking away.
“Then by all means. I’m willing to talk.”
Ren took Freed’s hand pulling him from the crowd of people and out the doors of the guild, taking a seat on the steps. The green-haired man sat next to him, “So, what did you want to talk about?”
“I… It’s hard to explain, but… well, you like men, right?”
“I do.”
“And you like women too, right?”
Freed chuckled, looking up at the night sky above them, “Not really. I mean, they’re alright, but I’d prefer to just serve them.”
Ren growled. Now he was even more confused, “What if he was gay, and he just liked women in a platonic way? What if his love for Sherry was a lie just to cover up his gayness?
The rune mage frowned, “Something’s bothering you. What’s going on?”
“Gods, I just thought this was the answer!”
Freed raised a brow, “Me?”
“Well, kinda. I just… I’m not sure if I like men or women. I feel like I might like both, but I can’t right? What if I was just lying to myself about liking women and I’m actually gay?”
Everything was silent for a moment, no noise except the wind rustling the branches of the trees that lined the road. The air was calm, nothing was out of the ordinary. He saw Freed’s breath as the rune mage let out a gentle huff of laughter, “You know, it’s perfectly fine to like both men and women. Plenty of people do.”
“Wh-what?”
Freed nodded, “I might not like women, but Laxus does. It’s called being bisexual. Just like being gay, it’s not something you can control, and it’s completely normal to be that way.”
“You’re serious? It’s okay?”
“We both know your magic can tell you that.”
He was right. Freed’s breath was steady and even. He was telling the truth, not trying to comfort him with a lie.
A smile crept onto Ren’s face, “Thanks, that means a lot.”
“Of course,” the rune mage responded, “Now, I’m going to head back inside. Take your time.”
He stood, leaving the door opened behind him as he entered the guild hall. For the first time in months, Ren could truly feel the breeze. He took a deep breath, allowing himself to take in the cool night air. His chest was no longer tight, it was easy to breathe and just… be.
“Ren! What are you doing out here, man?”
Of course, Ichiya and the Trimen would notice his absence soon enough.
“I just needed some air.”
“Of course. It can get quite stuffy in there,” Hibiki agreed.
“Come back soon! They miss you in there,” Eve said cheerily.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Wait, men!” Ichiya stopped them, “Can’t you see that our fellow man is far too quiet?” He turned to face Ren, “Is there something you need to tell us?”
Ren smiled. For all his idiocy, Ichiya was surprisingly good at telling when something was up with one of his teammates, “Yeah, I guess I kind of do.”
He took a deep breath. The rest of the trimen and Ichiya had been by his side for as long as he’d been in the guild. They were like how he observed the Thunder Legion to be: A tight-knit family that was always watching out for each other.
“I’m bisexual. I think. Yeah.”
The other three men stood silently, just staring at him for a long moment. It was Ichiya who broke the silence, “Is that all, man?”
“That’s all you have to say?” Ren asked.
“It’s not a big deal. I mean, it’s just who you are, right?” Eve replied.
“I… guess?”
“Of course, it is not a big deal, man, but you have come to terms with yourself, and that deserves celebration.” Ichiya proclaimed, “This calls for a chant!”
“Oh, gods…” Ren mumbled into his hand, but made no attempt to stop them.
“Ren is the man!”
“He’s the man!”
“Who likes men!”
“And women!”
“Ren the brave!”
“Ren the glorious!”
The other men threw themselves at him, tackling him into a hug. Ren couldn’t help but laugh, his breath easy and relaxed, “You’re all awful, you know that?”
“Yeah, but we’re your awful friends.” Eve said.
“Always have been, and always will be.” Hibiki agreed, pressing a peck on Ren’s forehead. The air wizard blushed, then reciprocated the embrace.
“It takes a lot of guts to come out. No matter who you love, you are still a man.”
