Weighted Hearts
Warnings: Cursing, violence, AU, slight OOC, cursing, and future Yaoi.
Disclaimer: If I owned Fairy Tail then Gray would be the main character and yaoi would be canon, so needless to say, I don't own it.
Chapter one:
"The salamander, eh?" Gray inquired, studying the piece of paper he was holding in slight annoyance, "That egotistical bastard requested us to make ice sculptures for him?"
Lyon nodded and glanced over at his comrade from the corner of his eye, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips at the raven's words. Neither were all too fond of that prideful martial artist.
"Yeah, apparently it's for some party he is hosting. He needs about 8 and the money is pretty considerable."
The younger ice maker set the parchment down before leaning back further in his chair, pondering that over for a moment
"8 ice sculptures? Let me guess, all dragons, right?"
The silver-haired male grunted in confirmation, causing the other to sigh. He knew very little about the so-called 'Salamander', however he was aware that he prized dragons greatly, a rather weird obsession if you asked him.
"I guess that doesn't sound too bad, but I can't promise that I won't punch him in the face if he acts like the rumors say."
"Oh yes, you can and will, Gray Fullbuster."
Both Lyon and Gray's eyes widened as they gulped, turning their heads slightly to the side to find their manager glaring at them harshly,
"The party that Natsu Dragneel is hosting is the most popular of the year. Everyone who is anyone will be there, making it the perfect place to showcase your work."
The dark blue haired male rolled his eyes,
"We already have quite a bit of publicity as it is. Like hell I want our success to extend because of that damn idiot."
"Are you talking back to me, Fullbuster?"
Within a moment the red-haired women was at the male's neck, the knife she always carried nearing his throat as her glare only hardened,
"N-no! What the hell, are you insane?! Put that away!" He stuttered before sighing in exasperation, "Damn it, fine. We'll accept the fucking offer."
"Very good." Within a moment Erza's expression shifted from murderous to pleased, her weapon already stashed away, almost as though it never truly existed in the first place. "Then get ready. The job states that you will be staying there for a week to make sure that everything turns out as needed."
"Staying there for 1 week?" Lyon groaned, starting to dislike the mission as well, " Why do we have to stay there?"
"Because he lives in Magnolia, which is far from Isvan. You'll leave in the morning and I do not want another word from the two of you. I'll be accompanying you both, an old friend of mine lives there that I think I will visit."
"This better be worth it..."
The raven moaned before flopping backwards on the couch, covering his eyes with his elbow as he let out yet another sigh. Never did he think he would ever have the misfortune of meeting the moron again.
Natsu Dragneel was, supposedly, the most powerful mixed martial artist around, as well as the most destructive. He was a member of the gym 'Fairy Tail' and was rumored to be extremely rash and idiotic, two things that Gray could not stand in a person. It was for that reason that he had no interest in seeing the so called 'Dragon slayer'. Needless to say the fact that he had to stay with that bastard only made his mood darken.
"Behave yourself Gray," Their manager warned as she turned to leave the room, "I know you don't like him, but at least try to play nice, alright? Maybe you'll find out he's a better person than you think."
The younger of the two boys grunted, but allowed the matter to drop in fear of the female's wrath. The ice sculptor highly doubted that. There was no way that fighter could be any good, that much he knew from witnessing it first hand. Nothing good could ever come when he was around.
"Don't get so bummed out, brat," The white-haired boy muttered before standing up, "It's only for a week. We'll be working the whole time, so it's not like we'll see too much of him."
Lyon knew quite well how his friend felt about their future employer and was determined to see to it that their interaction was kept to a minimum. After all, that was what surrogate brothers were supposed to do, or at least, that was what Lyon was convinced of.
"Yeah, you're probably right."
Yes, just 1 week. Certainly he could put up with that nitwit for just a 7 days, right? Then he would never have to see him again.
"At our pace we may just be able to finish those sculptures before then. Shouldn't be too hard." Gray assured, more to himself than to his business partner. Just dragons, that shouldn't be too hard.
The white hair male nodded in slight agreement before closing his eyes and relaxing back on the couch, ultimately signifying that he grew tired of their conversation.
In turn the dark blue haired male stood up and left the room, going to pack. The sooner they got to the Salamander's mansion the sooner they could get to work, finish and leave.
"So, Natsu," He spat the name silently to himself, "Looks like we'll meet again after all."
"How much longer until we get to Magnolia?" Gray complained, his patience wearing thin. Thus far him, Lyon, and Erza had been cooped up in the train for two days and he was long past irritated.
"We should be there any moment." The scarlet replied, her gaze flickering from her watch to the shirtless raven and albino before her, "Put on a shirt, you two, it's indecent to walk around half-naked."
"It's not our fault its hot as hell here." The white-haired male defended, his hand coming up to wipe at the sweat gathering on his brow, "It's quite a bit warmer here than in Isvan."
"Well what were you expecting? Isvan is abnormally cold compared to Magnolia. Even so, that doesn't excuse you both from being decently dressed."
"Yeah, yeah, fine, Erza, we'll put a shirt on once the train stops." The raven muttered, leaning back against the cushioned seat before rolling his eyes. This heat was unbearable, especially for two people that spent the majority of their time around ice.
With a huff the scary women crossed her arms but pushed the subject no further.
The reminder of the trip was carried out in relative silence as the three sat idly by, thoughts of their job flowing freely throughout their mind.
Lyon and Gray, otherwise known as the ice brothers, were famous around the world for their ice sculptures. Having been trained by Ur, the world's most renowned ice sculptor, they were both very skilled. Gray himself preferred making inanimate objects while Lyon preferred making living creatures, however if the pay was right neither were exactly very picky.
At the age of 16 and 18 the two boys started their own business called 'Ice make Creations'. They served as a party business, catering to small gatherings that desired ice decorations. But that phase did not last long, for before either knew it, they had become the talk of Isvan. Their statues rivaled that of professionals that had been working for years. It was because of that that by the time they were 18 and 20, they were considered celebrities.
It was then that they employed their childhood friend, Erza, to be the manager, seeing as neither were very good when it came to dealing with people. Both were quick to anger and rather impatient, making it so they had lost several jobs just because their clients were not too fond of their attitude. That and their bizarre stripping habits had the tendency to make many feel uncomfortable, not that anyone could really blame them.
Gray resisted the urge to chuckle lightly at his last thought. Ah yes, that particular habit served to help them as well as crush them. Some found the actions amusing, whilst others, mainly straight males, found it disgusting and refused to hire them for that very same reason. That didn't really bother him, though. They made fine business anyway, so not having a few jackass clients was perfectly acceptable to him.
At the sound of the intercom buzzing the trio gathered their belongings and happily filed out from the train. Begrudgedly, the boys slipped their shirts back on due to a particularly vicious look from the only female member. Surely they would melt if they stayed in this desert like terrain for long, especially if they were expected to remain fully dressed the entire time.
"Be on your best behavior you two," Their manager scolded as she scanned the train station, "Natsu said he would be picking the two of you up personally."
"Picking us up personally?" Lyon snickered, his tone turning sarcastic, "To what do we owe that honor?"
Erza shook her head and shrugged, "He seems to enjoy doing the majority of things by himself."
There went all of Gray's hopes that he would not have to actually speak to the damned pinkette. Now they even had to ride with him back to his mansion. Of course, nothing could go right for him.
"Well, I'll see the two of you in a few days?"
"A few days?!" The raven gawked, his head whipping to the side to look at Erza, "Just where the hell are you going?!"
"Language, Gray." She reprimanded, "As for your question, I told you I am going to visit a friend who lives around here. I have no reason to come with you guys because I know you will both behave politely," Her eyes flashed dangerously and her tone turned even stricter, "Right, boys?"
Gulping, both ice makers nodded their heads, which seemed to be enough for the frightening female.
"Very good. Then have fun boys."
With a slight wave Lyon and Gray watched in shock as their worker walked away, leaving them alone.
"Damn, so much for her doing all the talking." The dark blue haired male groaned, shaking his head in annoyance, "and of course 'The Salamander' is late. He really is an ass."
"Who's an ass?"
Jumping in slight surprise, Gray whirled around, shocked to find a pink haired male just a bit taller than him standing behind him, a questioning look glistening in onyx eyes.
"N-no one..." The raven cleared his throat before taking a step back to establish a decent amount of space between himself and the stranger.
Wait... Pink hair... Muscular build... Don't tell him...
"Natsu Dragneel?"
The male nodded as a grin crept onto his face.
"Ah, are you a fan of me? Not that I'm surprised, what's not to like, huh."
Oh yes, there was no doubt that this jackass was the one and only Fire Dragon slayer.
"Not even in your dreams, pinky. We're the ice sculptors you hired."
The wrestler blinked, a frown resting on his lips at the other's rather rude response.
"EH? You mean that you and the albino are the famous 'Ice brothers'? Aren't you a little... Young...?"
Lyon frowned at the nickname he was given and glared at the male.
"Watch your tongue, brat. Age has nothing to do with skill."
"Oh, I know that, ice freak. After all, I'm best MMA fighter and I'm only 21." A smirk reappeared on the tan skinned man's face as he bragged once again about his title, "I'm just surprised, is all."
"Oi, no one cares, squinty eyes."
"Are you trying to start something, droopy eyes?"
"Hell yeah, hot head!"
"You have some nerve challenging me, frosty. I'll knock you out no time flat."
"Then prove it, ash for brains!"
The pink haired wrestler grit his teeth and raised his fist, ready to knock some sense into the rude raven when suddenly a high-pitched, female voice cut him off.
"Ugh, Natsu! Did you find them yet? I want to go!"
Sighing, the salamander lowered his hand and turned to the side to see his work partner, Lucy, walking towards them, a bored expression on her face.
"Yeah, Lucy, I found them alright."
"Great!" She cheered, stopping just short of the two grim-faced ice sculptors. At the moment it was taking all their strength not to murder the big-headed bastard.
"It's nice to meet you two. I'm Lucy Heartfilla." Her chocolate-brown eyes widened as she hesitated a moment, studying them closely, "Wow... You both are the ice brothers? I've never seen a picture of you guys, since you prefer to not be photographed..." Her smile widened even further, "Well, come on! Let's go!"
Natsu glared at the two men for just a moment longer before walking towards the exit with Lucy, no doubt expecting Gray and Lyon to follow.
Those two had some nerve to back talk to him like that. Very few possessed the audacity to insult, let alone so bluntly challenge him like that dark blue haired idiot had. That very fact infuriated him as well as interested him. That boy was an interesting fellow, though for some reason he seemed rather familiar. Perhaps he had happened upon him once at a party? He wouldn't doubt that, seeing as the guy was rather popular. Popular enough to be invited to some high-ranking parties, although for some reason that didn't sound quite right.
With a shrug Natsu returned to talking to his blonde friend. Ah, what did it matter? He wasn't one for thinking anyway.
Gray, however, was fuming for several different reasons besides the fact that the fighter was every bit the nuisance he thought him to be. No, what annoyed him was that the other didn't seem to know who he was. For some reason that caused a bit of sadness within him we well, but he tried not to focus on it. Sadness was a useless feeling after all. Instead he focused on his irritation
"So, Natsu, you really don't remember me, do you?"
This was just a little idea that came to mind the other day. More about the two shall be explained as time goes on, though. So, what do you guys think?