What is Love?
by: Stella Formidante
Summary: A stupid game of Truth or Dare that leads to a stupid question by Natsu to everyone. How will this turn out? Hopefully not as bad as it sounds.
Chapter 01
Of Games and Stupid Questions
The Fairy Tail Guild was pretty crowded at this time of day. Master Makarov has declared a day off for the mages and dragon slayers from their jobs ranging from effortless to highly tedious missions. It was sunny, and the sun rays were illuminating the facade of the Guild Hall. It was already an hour before lunch, and then again, a certain pink haired mage was already digging in to his food for five persons serving. His cheeks were puffing out from the excess amount of food stuffed in it. He was only halted when he felt he was choking out. Happy then hurriedly got him a glass of water from the bar where Mira Jane was serving food for the other mages. The blue Exceed quickly gave the glass of water to the choking pink-haired teen, who nearly barfed out all of the food he ate if Happy wasn't on time.
"Natsu! Are you okay?!" Happy worriedly patted his partner's back in assurance. Natsu gulped the water alongside with the food stuck in his throat then released a satisfied burp and a hum.
"Don't worry about me, Happy! It's not like the first time this thing happened to me!" Natsu smiled cheekily and stood proudly, laughing youthfully at his own antics. Happy breathed out a long sigh of relief that he had not noticed he was holding back. "You got me worried there for a minute, Natsu!" the Exceed finally smiled on his own.
"I suggest for you to be careful everytime you eat, Natsu..." Mira advised from the bar counter but the pinkette merely brushed it off along with "Nah, I'm fine. Don't cha worry 'bout a thing!" Mira couldn't help letting out a groan of disapproval for Natsu. They always knew the fire mage to be so rash about doing things on his own. As time passes, the other mages were just laughing off about the pinkette's ways to handle himself.
As Natsu was finished eating, thanked Mira Jane for such a wonderful meal, Lucy approached him. She was holding a book she borrowed from Levy, sort of a book about romance again. The blonde girl settled herself across the seat where Natsu was, watching the pinkette with fond interest. Natsu looked to see his job partner staring at him quite unusually.
"Oh hey Lucy!" the pinkette greeted then narrowed his eyes ever so gently. "Wait. What does that look mean?"
"Glad to hear you being observant at all. I'm impressed Natsu." Lucy said in a well-fashioned manner which made veins popped out of Natsu's head. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" the pinkette protested and stood up, getting a furious pose.
"C'mon Natsu! Everyone knows you're so dense. Especially in terms of romance." Lucy said well-informingly. That triggered something out of Natsu and blushed. "Like hell I need that!" the pinkette retorted but settled down and gulped another glass of water.
"Oh I know, Natsu... You really need that..." Lucy smirked mischievously at the way she said those words. Natsu look horrified and stepped away from the blonde. Like he wanted everyone to know his secret. NEVER! The pinkette thought to himself. How he wished he never told Lucy about it.
FLASHBACK
Team Natsu just got back to a mission from Salsa Island about catching a number of dark mages threatening the people of Salsa just to make a ruckus. Natsu did not even bother a sweat defeating them all by himself. They went straight ahead to the Guild for a delicious food galore made by Mira.
"I had to admit..." Erza started. "You can take them all down by yourself if needed." the scarlet haired girl went on which made Natsu scratch the back of his head in mild embarassment. Lucy and Wendy agreed with Erza. Gray just hummed softly and Happy went about how his partner was very awesome.
"Nah. I wouldn't. I get so much help from you guys! You're all part of this! Thanks!" Natsu cheekily said which made the rest of Team Natsu sigh in relief. They returned the gratitude by smiling at him ever so sincerely. But one thing made Natsu's heart leap in so much bliss... Gray's smile. The pinkette blushed about it then put up an excuse to leave as he went through the bar to order food. The others just brushed it off and followed him to get a nice plate of delicious food for themselves.
'What's with the smile of that droopy-eyed idiot?! Why did I feel strange just now?' Natsu hurriedly gulped down his food and drank his glass of strawberry shake.
"Oi, squinty-eyes! You okay?" Gray suddenly appeared in front of him. Natsu almost hyperventilated. Too close... too close! The pinkette fire mage thought as he blushed different shades of pink to red.
"I'm f-fine Ice Princess! You need something huh?" Natsu asked and tried to be composed as possible, just like the usual talks he had with the ice mage. But today, it felt somewhat different. Natsu had to stop himself from thinking too much because believe it, it ain't his work. Gray seemed to be enjoying teasing the pinkette and moved a bit away then took a seat across where Natsu was seated.
"Now that's new..." Gray chuckled harmlessly. "You never even ask if I was okay or what..." the pinkette instantly blushed at what he was hearing from the raven-haired ice mage.
"So, it's bad that I ask now?" Natsu asked which made Gray widened his eyes for a moment then turned away and spoke. "N-Not that I mind, though."
"Of course you would!" Natsu said a bit too loud, causing other mages to look at their direction. "You always say you're okay and that you don't need help." Gray looked at him sadly for a bit then stood up.
"I don't mind if it was you asking..." Gray mumbled to himself then walked away from the pinkette.
"Oi! Where are you going Ice Princess?!" Natsu tried to gain Gray's attention but the ice mage continued to walk like he heard nothing from the fire mage. 'Great... Now he's mad at me...'
After that incident, Gray was nowhere to be seen in the Guild. He has been locking up himself in the apartment. He didn't know what hit him to say things like that. But one thing's he had been sure about. He likes Natsu... more than a friend, or rival, or a guildmate. But he also knew very well that fire and ice makes a bad combination. Fire may end up melting the ice, and ice may end up solidifying things.
'Wait!' Gray thought. That was a better analogy that he thought it would be. 'If Natsu's fire can melt my heart, does that mean he can make his way through it?' the ice mage continued thinking. 'And if my ice can make him solid, does that mean he will become stronger when I'm on his side?' And then the ice mage could not help but smile at the realization.
After all, Natsu was his fate.
PRESENT
Natsu was sitting at the bay of a lake where he and Gray usually play when they were younger. He tried to brush off the thought of Gray being mad at him. But he was dead concerned to what had been the last lines of Gray before he left.
"Now what would I do to make it up to him?" Natsu thought but was interrupted by someone. He didn't even realize he said his thoughts aloud.
"Make it up to Gray?" a certain girl voice disrupted all Natsu's sense of thinking and look almost horrified. He look at the direction of the voice to see it was Lucy, then he sighed heavily in relief.
"Lucy... Goodness it was you..." Natsu came quickly to hug the blonde Celestial Wizard, which she returned it whole-heartedly.
"Yeah. Good thing it was me..." Lucy repeated. "Or else someone might have known."
"I agree..." Natsu chuckled a bit then returned to his gloomy state. Lucy patted his back ever so caringly that the pinkette felt himself relax at the touch.
"C'mon Natsu... I know this is about the incident again..." Lucy convinced Natsu to listen. "We don't know even know what he really said and you just jumped into conclusions that he became mad at you."
"I know, Lucy... And I can't help but think about it!" Natsu raised his voice a little so as to be careful around Lucy.
"You know what? You're overthinking things..." Lucy then grabbed Natsu's hand. "C'mon, the guild people are getting excited about this game they were planning since the morning."
"What game?" Natsu asked.
"You'll see... Now get your ass up 'coz they're waiting!" With that, they ran together to the Guild Hall.
"WHAT?! IT'S ONLY A TRUTH OR DARE GAME?!" Lucy shouted loudly at the prospect of what she heard. She sighed and started to calm down. "And here I thought it was a fun game all along..."
"But it's fun!" Wendy protested ever so carefully. And the rest of the guild people agreed, except Gray who just looked at them.
"We even have Sting and Rogue in the house!" Mira joyfully stretched her arm and pointed it to the two Sabertooth warriors.
"Yep! Rogue invited me to have a walk here in Fairy Tail since it's our day off as well!" Sting happily wrapped his arm around the shadow dragon mage. Rogue blushed lightly at the sensation Sting's touch has given him.
"Well, it's not like you didn't wanna come... Of course you would." Rogue rolled his eyes and Sting kissed him on the cheek. Everyone had some shocked expressions on their faces. Natsu was alarmed that he might go overdrive upon seeing this turn of events. So, to put it, Sting and Rogue are an item already.
"Sting!" Rogue kicked the blonde on his shin before blushing away.
"What? Can't I kiss my boyfriend in front of my friends?!" Sting nearly fell at the kick but laugh happily at seeing the blush on Rogue's face.
'B-boyfriend?' Natsu thought and his gaze averted secretly to Gray, who was trying to avoid cuddling from Juvia.
After all that commotion, the game of Truth or Dare has started. The first one to be chosen was Lucy, which Erza was the one who asked her if she has feelings for Natsu. Lucy just laughed it off and settled with "Natsu's my best friend. I'm contented with that." And that answer don't seem to be very suspicious to the rest. The next one to be chosen was Levy, Mira was the one who asked her, "If you would give a book to someone, who would it be and why?" The books mage answered with a "Gajeel, of course!" and her blush was undoubtedly saying that she and Gajeel have something in common. And then Erza was next to be chosen and she was dared by Natsu to requip herself with a funny mascot costume and dance around for a whole minute. Natsu can't contain his laughter but was whacked on the head by the Requip Mage herself, muttering something about "Don't make fun of me ever again, or else!" The pinkette then shut up instantly. The chain was followed by Wendy, Cana, Mira, Elfman, Juvia, Happy, Carla, Lily, Sting, Rogue, Laxus and Freed. When it's Gray's turn, he chose dare and was dared by Lucy to hug Natsu. The pinkette blushed dramatically but complied as Gray was still his composed self when they were hugging. 'Natsu really is warm.' the ice mage thought to himself.
"Okay Natsu, Truth or Dare?" Lucy asked and before he chose, the pinkette rose up. "Wait... I just wanna ask a question to all of you. And I know you can all answer it honestly."
That statement gathered a few noises until they all agreed to answer him truthfully.
"What is love?"
There was a heavy silence and in a few moments, all of them fell anime-style.
"What the hell was that about, Flame Brain?!" Gray was the first to react. Although his blush at the prospect of what Natsu said was damn obvious.
"Okay. Let me give my answer..." Erza obviously ignored Gray's protest. "When people are in love, they feel like it's heaven. They don't want that moment to end. They always want to stay by each other's side no matter what happens." Natsu nodded at this.
"Oh! Love is when the wind blows in your direction and tell you that there's someone out there waiting for you!" Wendy almost shouted happily in compliance with answering the question.
"Love is when you cook food for the people you care about." Mira Jane was the next one the reply. Natsu was now smiling.
"Love is when you know that there's a spark between two people!" Laxus answered then slumped on the chair while Freed was on his lap. "That's the same for me, I guess." the green-haired mage just answered.
"Love is when you read it on a book, and you wish for it to happen in real life!" Of course, Levy would say something about books.
"Love is like iron that becomes more solid as time passes by." Gajeel added as an afterthought on Levy's words.
"Love is the language of two souls fated to be together!" Juvia goes heart-eyed while saying it then Gray groaned boredly.
"Love is when the person you like accepted your fish!" Happy joyfully went about how fishes have a great role in his lovelife. And Carla seemed to agree.
"Love overcomes the past and welcomes the future." Sting answered and Rogue nodded at that.
"Love is when you feel protective of the ones you care about." Elfman got down to it.
"Love is the key to answering some questions that would open gates of possibilities." Lucy said with a wink on Natsu's side, where the pinkette instantly blushed at realizing what the blonde Celestial Wizard has said.
"Thanks guys..." Natsu smiled at them sheepishly, then turned to the ice mage. "How about you, G-Gray?"
"Uh... m-me? Well..." Gray stuttered. At Natsu. Oh great... The others were eyeing the ice mage expectantly.
"Love is the fire that melts the iciest of hearts and..." Gray stopped and looked at them then proceeded. "it is the ice that solidifies the bond between two people who are meant to be together." Wait. Did he just say fire and ice? He instantly slapped his mouth shut and looked away from all the people. Natsu blushed and he felt a hope rise within him that maybe, maybe... Gray also likes him.
"Uhmm. T-Thanks Ice Princess! And to all of you..." Natsu bowed in gratitude. Then the game proceeded with Natsu as the last player to choose when he dashed away and there were surprised looks on their faces.
"What was that all about?!" Gray, again, protested about Natsu being unfair. Then, he saw Lucy stood up and braced herself.
Natsu ran off as fast as he could. He can't afford to face Gray now because of what happened earlier. So he headed straight to the lake where he can refresh his mind and rethink about things. Yes, he likes Gray... more than a friend or a rival... But what would it lead them? 'Right... Juvia is the one for Gray... I know they were perfect and all...' But these thoughts just left a deeper hole in his heart that caused a very uncomfortable tightening of his chest. 'I want to make Gray happy... But I think I'm not the one who would do that.' Natsu's thought shifted back to what Gray had answered earlier.
"Love is the fire that melts the iciest of hearts and... it is the ice that solidifies the bond between two people who are meant to be together."
That was it! Natsu thought and left his mind into a mess. 'Fire and ice...' And he continued to run in the woods.
"WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT?!" were the next words heard from the Guild Members except Lucy and Gray couldn't help but blushed a million shades of red.
"Gray-cherie! Natsu likes you! But Juvia loves you better!" Juvia said and hugged Gray all to herself. Some things were never really meant to change. But for Gray, he needs to change it... Now.
"You love me?" Gray asked, gritting his teeth. Juvia nodded and cuddled Gray. "You'd do everything to make me happy right?" Juvia nodded but then again.
"Wait, what do you mean by that, Gray-cherie?" Juvia started frowning in worry. Until;
"Think you can just let me be happy with Natsu?" Gray suddenly said which gathered wide-eyed expressions from some mages and cheeky grins from the dragon slayers.
"No! Wait- I mean... If that will make Gray-cherie happy..." Juvia felt like sinking in the ground but managed to steady herself.
"Thank you Juvia... You'll have your own one day." Gray said and ran away from the guild to follow Natsu.
"This is getting better than I thought it would..." Erza said to no one but she earned approving nods from each of them.
"I knew better, Erza..." Lucy answered. "I knew better..."
Gray was getting tired as his breathing becomes faster. Luckily, he stopped at the lake where he saw someone sitting there and looking up to the moon. The ice mage smiled to himself. He's going to own the night.
"Gray..." the ice mage stopped in his tracks. "Gray, I wish you luck with Juvia..." What is Natsu saying?
"I know... I'm not... The perfect person for you..." Natsu was crying? How did Gray not notice it earlier?
"Fire and ice would make a bad combination... I should've known..." Natsu finished his monologue and stood up. When he turned around;
"GRAY?!" Natsu's first reaction was this and he threw a nearby object which hit the ice mage in the face.
"Oi! What was that for, Flame Brain?!" Gray complained but his expression softened when Natsu bent down on his knees.
"Great... Now you heard me talking about you." Natsu sniffled a bit and chuckled lightly. "I'm really an idiot."
Gray approached Natsu and took him in an embrace. It lasted for a while before sobs were heard from the pinkette who was cuddled to Gray's chest.
"I'm glad you felt the same..." was only Gray's words. Natsu had to move his head and see the expression in Gray's face. That smile which gives the pinkette tweaks in his stomach, the smile that gives him inspiration to fight. He knew it...
"But how? When did you-"
"Don't ask me about it idiot! Of course I've been feeling this way for a while now!" Gray snapped at Natsu but in good-natured way.
"But I thought you were mad at me because I said you would mind if I ask you're okay and that... you are always fine on your own... That's why you left at that instant."
"And you skipped stones again?" Gray had a hearty chuckle after hearing this. Discovering this side of Natsu makes him want to ravish the pinkette ever so passionately.
"That's what Lucy said to me..." Natsu replied. "Not the exact one... But it'll pass as it is..."
"Look, Natsu... Wanna know what I said that time?" Gray asked and Natsu just stared at him interestedly, prompting him to continue with a nod.
"I wouldn't mind if you were the one asking me if I'm okay." Gray just said it with all honesty and Natsu started pouting and whacked himself in the head a few times, earning a light chuckle from Gray.
"Idiot Natsu! Idiot, idiot, idiot!" Natsu kept tapping his head then Gray claimed those arms as he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the pinkette's lips. It was abrupt, but really enough to make them both sigh heavily in search of oxygen.
"Calm down... I love you, Natsu..." Gray whispered huskily in Natsu's ears. The pinkette almost shrieked at the intimacy, but who is he to complain? He wanted this all along.
"I love you, too G-Gray..." Natsu replied and later on, something fluffy is working under way.
The next day, Gray and Natsu were congratulated when they got inside the Guild. It was a missions day, so meaning they will either be sent on a job together or separately. But neither of them felt worried because in the end, it was all worth it. That is until;
"Natsu?! Are you okay?!" Gray suddenly bursted out when Natsu puked on the Guild's Floor. The ice mage quickly picked up the pinkette in his arms and went straight ahead to the clinic, calling Wendy to join them. Natsu forgot to mention about dragon-mating to Gray, and tell that he was a submissive one, who turns out to be the one capable of giving birth when knotted by his mate... And after what happened last night, this could be the very reason why Natsu vomited at that instant.
Natsu got checked up by Wendy and Porlyusica, bringing themselves to a conclusion that will surely change Gray and Natsu forever.
"How was he?" Gray ran up to the clinic literally and was met with a smile from Wendy and a nod from Porlyusica.
"Natsu's pregnant... With a twin." Wendy said naturally and...
"WHAT HAVE I DONE?!" Gray growled and slapped a hand on his face. He knew he should've been patient with Natsu, but then forgetting about the dragons' mating cycle and such. He's done now. Very, very done.
But what shocked him was that Natsu seemed so happy about it, so Gray couldn't help but smile and kiss his boyfriend nonetheless.
Oh yeah, a stupid game started all of this.
Insert Ending Song: Don't Let me Down by Mariya Nishiuchi
Happy: Hey Natsu! Do you think Lucy and Juvia will be okay?
Natsu: Of course they will! Strong girls are okay!
Happy: Hey, but you're a girl now too!
Natsu: I'm not! What makes you think that, Happy?!
Happy: I just thought so...
Happy & Natsu: Next on Fairy Tail! "Love is Acceptance!"
Happy: I really thought you are a girl now, Natsu!
Natsu: I said I'm not!
Tsuzuku...
