Like any day in the lives of Fairy Tail guild members, it wasn't ordinary. Especially since a certain water mage and a certain fire mage woke up in a snow covered town that seemed dull and isolated. Except, they knew exactly where they were, just not how exactly they got there - Isvan. And they both knew all too well what had happened to this once active village - it'd been heavily and mercilessly destroyed at the hands of a demon from The Book of Zeref, leaving only one survivor - Gray Fullbuster.

"But...I thought he and Lyon said the place got destroyed..." Natsu was almost at a loss for words, for once, as he looked round the area. Juvia stood and helped him up too before looking around as well. Everything was silent until there was the distant cry of somebody shouting for their father. It sounded frantic, but joyous. The two quickly scrambled to hide behind a wall, a small gap in between where it'd been broken was their only way of seeing what was happening.

A large, well built, man came out of a house nearby. He looked tired and worn out but gave a smile as a small boy came running up to him. The boy was instantly recognised by Natsu and Juvia as being Gray. The man, who was his father, looked down at him with a loving smile and ruffled his hair affectionately before crouching down to the child's height. "Well Gray, what did you find this time?"

"It was awesome! It was amazing! It was...umm...err...ah..." he trailed off into thought before looking back at his father, "I think it was a monster of some sort" he eventually said with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head in habit. "So what are we doing today, Dad?"

"Today we're not doing anything too special I'm afraid, I have to work at the store for a few hours".

"Aw man...you said you'd teach me magic today!"

"I know, I know kiddo, but it can't be helped. Listen, we'll practice teaching you some magic once I get another day off, alright?"

Gray sighed and his shoulders slumped, losing his grin too. His father also sighed and stood back up, patting Gray's shoulder gently. Just then a women came out of the house and smiled at the two males. Gray gave her a small smile but avoided her gaze after a few moments. "Hey Mum..."

"Good morning Gray, breakfast is on the table for you. I keep telling you not to stay out too late and I don't expect you to stay out all night either, Mister".

"I know, I'm sorry..." Gray then took the chance to slip indoors to fetch breakfast and the things he'd need for the day. His mother sighed and rested a hand on her rounded belly.

"If he's like this now then who knows what he'll be like when the baby arrives..."

"I'm sure he'll be fine once he understands it's not going to replace him".

The women looked at her husband, a little shocked, "Oh Silver, is that what he thinks?"

"That's what the little mite told me at least. Either he truly thinks that or one of his friends told him that" Silver replied. "He'll be fine Mika, whether he gets a sister or a brother, he'll love them more than anyone".

Natsu was about to say something to Juvia when she pointed out Gray's shadow slipping out the side of the house and running off. In silent agreement, they decided to follow him.

Gray was heading toward the outer area of the village, a small bag slung over his shoulder. He eventually stood at the entrance to a small forest and looked round him to see if anybody was following him before going into the trees. Natsu and Juvia grew somewhat suspicious and followed quietly as not to alert him of their presence. Gray followed down a worn out path before coming to a clearing where a few other kids were, they all looked pleasantly surprised to see him but happy at the same time.

"Baby troubles Fullbuster?" one boy sneered jokingly. Gray just stuck his tongue out in return and took up a space opposite the boy, the bag at his feet. "So what did you manage to sneak out?"

"Like I said yesterday, I don't have much. I only got what I could so no complaining".

"Gray weren't you supposed to be spending the day with your dad?" a girl who sat next to him asked.

Gray only shook his head and shrunk down a little, beginning to grow quiet until the boy spoke up again. "Oh c'mon Tama, he's just afraid that daddy's gonna replace him with this new baby their having".

"I am not!" Gray protested childishly. "I just...I dunno..."

"They're not so bad once you get used to being woken at random hours during the night" Tama told him, resting a hand softly on his knee.

"Yeah but then there's the part where your dad's never gonna teach you magic cause he's always too busy with the baby and helping your mum".

"Oh my gosh, Takeru, would you shut up about it? It's not helping Gray feel better about this whole situation".

"Tama, it's fine. Like you said, I just gotta get used to it..." Gray gave the girl a small smile before hugging her - Juvia was almost having a fit.

Takeru then got a sly idea. "Hey Gray, before we start building what we can of the fort, can I give ya something?"

"Umm...s-sure...?"

"Great!" Takeru stood up and walked over to the two before grabbing Gray's shoulders and smacking their lips together. Gray's eyes flew wide and he squirmed, eventually kicking the other boy off him and pinning him to the ground, slamming a fist into the ground beside his head.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT?!"

"I thought it'd cheer you up! Guess it didn't"

"That was...that was..."

"Your first kiss?"

"NO! Of course it wasn't!" Gray let the other boy up but sent him back to the ground with a swift kick to the shin. "You can't just do something like to people, especially your best friend!"

Takeru stood back up and grinned, "I'm sorry Gray. But y'know, kissing you isn't all that bad. Whoever becomes your soulmate is one lucky guy! Or girl".

"W-Whatever! I'm not interested in that sort of stuff. I don't think I ever will be".

"Oh yes because you totally haven't been checking Natsu out"

"Shut up!"

"What?" Natsu was a little dumbfounded from where he sat with Juvia. Juvia just giggled quietly.

"Natsu is a girl's name, with all due respect, Natsu-san".

"Oh... Eh heh" the fire mage grinned sheepishly and ran a hand through his hair.

Takeru just smirked and chuckled at Gray's slightly flushed face. "Oh plu-ease, every time she's anywhere near you, you just can't help but freeze into a statue, face turning red and I bet your heart is pounding too"

"I said shut up! I don't like her like that, I don't!"

"Then who do you like?" Tama asked.

"Nobody!"

"Whatever dude, anyway, let's get building this fort we decided upon. Got the plans?"

"Yup, right here!" Gray rummaged in his bag until he found what he was looking for, handing them over. The team looked over the plans for a final check and then began to build.

When the trio had grown bored of building the fort for the day, they wondered on what else they could do. Gray sat beside Takeru on a wall near the edge of Isvan, swinging his legs and looking up at the sky like the most innocent thing in the world. Tama had found the local stray cat and had decided to play with it. Takeru was also looking at the sky until he tried wrapping an arm round Gray but the latter quickly jumped off the wall before he could. "What?" Takeru asked innocently as Gray scowled at him.

"Don't play dumb with me dumbass, I know what you were tryna do to me. Your brothers are a bad influence on you Takeru".

"Aw c'mon Fullbuster, what's eatin' you today? Besides the new sibling".

"Nothing". He looked up at the sky again. "I should get home, my dad's gonna send a search party otherwise".

Natsu folded his arms, that Takeru guy was getting on his nerves easily by the way he acted around Gray and he could only imagine Juvia felt the same.

"You're so lame, always having to run home to Daddy before he kicks your pathetic ass. Live a little!"

"Takeru, leave him alone. I'm not surprised he wants to go home to get away from your stupid flirting. We're too young for that stuff anyway!" Tama tried to scold him.

"Nah, Gray's just a big baby that's all. He's too much of a wimp to fight back. I bet if a demon from The Book of Zeref was here he'd pee himself in fear!" the boy began to howl with laughter and Gray's fist tightened at his side.

Before Takeru could say anything more, a strong fist connected with his jaw and sent him flying off the wall and into a pile of snow behind him. Gray winced a little at the pain that shot through his hand but ignored it best he could and stalked off home. "I'll show 'em. One day I'll be as strong as my dad...one day I'll have the best magic there is and then they'll all see who's a scaredy wimp!" he muttered to himself.

Juvia and Natsu followed Gray home and he was greeted by his parents happily. Gray forced a smile after seeing his mother's belly again and quickly made haste for his room, Natsu and Juvia quickly slipping inside before anyone noticed. It turned out that nobody could see them, so they didn't have to hide so much anymore. Gray's room wasn't the best in the world. He only had a few scattered and tattered dolls, some wooden toys and a few books. Gray sat on a chest by the window and sighed. "Today's the worst..." he stifled a sniffle and rubbed his arm across his eyes to rid of any tears. "I should've gotten him something...but all I managed to do today was get hit on and punch my best friend in the jaw. They're gonna be so disappointed and angry at me. Running away isn't an option, that'd make things worse, like before when they said they were gonna have a new baby". By this time Gray was crying a little. "I just wanted one more day with my dad before everything changed for the worse..."

Juvia and Natsu's hearts went out to the child, Juvia was trying her hardest not to walk over and hug him, and Natsu was trying his hardest not to walk over and smack him on the head and tell him to stop being so stupid. Natsu sensed someone coming and quickly pulled Juvia out of the way of the door as Silver walked in, closed the door quietly and walked over to his son, who was now looking up at him in slight fear.

"Gray, tell me what's wrong. Why are you crying? It's not like you". Gray only looked away towards the window and gave a small hiccup. "Gray, answer me". Still Gray sat silently, though more tears slid down his cheeks. "Gray, if this is about your new sibling then it's getting ridiculous. You can't just ignore this forev-"

"It's not about the baby!"

"...Then what is it about?"

"I forgot...to...get you something for your birthday today..."

Silver sighed and then chuckled, picking his son up and taking his place, resting the boy on his knee. "That's what you're upset about?"

"That and Takeru tried hitting on me again..." Gray muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing!"

Silver hugged his son close, letting the latter nestle close to him. "Gray...you know you don't need to get me anything. All I want everyday is my family, that means more to me than a simple gift ever could".

"Really? So...I'm not in trouble?"

Silver shook his head and gave a small laugh. "Not at all. Me and your mother thought you ran out through the back door because of the baby".

"Oh...well, I'm still not liking the idea much".

"That's alright, you'll grow used to it, I'm sure".

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"...Am I ever gonna be strong like you?"

"Oh Gray, of course you will. You just gotta grow up more and practice whatever magic you end up learning. But remember, one day you're going to have to cool down once in a while, alright? No hissy fits and sulking. No crying over small things. Your heart will always be in the right place, I know you'll do me proud".

Juvia put a hand on her heart, feeling it's pulsing beat under her palm while Natsu gave a soft smile. They both knew what had happened during their time with Tartarous, that Silver's body had been used as a tool for Deliora. Natsu and Juvia both silently vowed to be there for their ice mage whenever they had to be. And wit that final thought, they both collapsed and woke up in their rooms back in their time.

Natsu was on his way to the guild when he ran into Juvia. "Hey...did you have a dream last night about Gray and his father?"

"Silver-sama? Oh yes, Juvia found it most upsetting but sweet indeed".

"You haven't seen Gray yet, have you?"

Juvia shook her head. "No, Natsu-san, Juvia has not seen Gray-sama".

Natsu nodded and the two continued on their way tot he guild, not noticing they were passing the local cemetery until they recognised Gray's curled up form beside a particular stone. The two walked over quietly and Gray looked over his shoulder at them. "Hey you guys..."

"Hey yourself, Ice Princess, whatcha doing here?"

"Oh..." Gray lifted himself up and stretched, revealing the name on the stone; Silver Fullbuster. "Today used to be my father's birthday..."

"Gray-sama misses Silver-sama, doesn't he?"

Gray nodded and Juvia took that as the opportunity to wrap her arms round her ice mage's waist comfortingly, letting him rest his hands on her shoulders gently. Natsu only grinned and ruffled his rival's hair a little bit. "We're always here for ya buddy, don't forget it". Gray vowed to himself to never forget that Juvia and Natsu always were and always had been and always would be with him.

A/N: Well, I did this kinda based off the latest episode that just got released: A Boy's Tale. Oh boy Juvia is gonna flip isn't she?! Did you guys see the look in her eye! And Silver being Gray's father is just so freaking awesome! But that flashback though (not the one with a cute little unconscious Lyon being held up by Gray) was so freaking sad! It brought tears to my eyes the way Gray was just shown kneeling beside his father's body, crying helplessly while Deliora was in the background destroying things. Heck, the poor boy has been through more Hell than most of these characters! Ah well, this week is Gray vs Silver, the big fight! So looking forward to it! :D Please review, I love reviews! Oh, and yes, in my mind Juvia and Natsu as well as Lyon are the closest people to Gray (maybe I think that cause Gratsu, Gruvia and Lyoray are my top 3 ships...hmm...)