YOOOOO I SAW THE AROACE LUI AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED INTERNALLY CELEBRATING BECAUSE IM STILL AT SCHOOL YESSSMY AROACE KING— anyhow, now that that’s outta my system, how did Lui realize that he like— “liked liked” 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??? I’m genuinely curious right now, because I’m well aware of the feeling between platonic and borderline romantic, as a fellow aroace, that’s the closest I’ve been to “in love”, but I realized that I’d like to just, have a companion for as long as they’d have me and that’s mainly what made me indulge the idea of a qpr. But it’s different for everyone, so did Free ask him out and he realized he wasn’t against the idea of it or was it something else??? I’m kinda going crazy because I love aroace characters more than anything so don’t mind me rambling on about this, it’ll 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 Free’s 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 Free’s antics. Then, to grow experimental and creative with his battle tactics without restraint due to his overwhelming power. I’m not going to say that he fell for him because he helped his character arc. Rather the accumulation to Free’s existence.
Lui doesn’t need to care about Free’s feelings. Free is too nonchalant to take offence or care about the awkward silence. He exists simply to train with in Lui’s eyes. A perfect candidate of a sparring partner with the only flaws being his attendance and snark attitude at the time.
However that isn’t how he ‘fell’ for Free. That’s 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 ‘wasteful,’ 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 doesn’t 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 isn’t romantic to the typical sense, but it’s a strong trust that could possibly rival the resonance with their beys.
It’s kinda like a partnership, in a way.