Hey guys! So this is another Fairy Tail story! Its set in the 1990's (1994) just because I think it's pretty rad. So I hope you'll like what's in store. I do not own Fairy Tail or the characters used. Enjoy.

What was better than a party, was a party with good, loud music. See, when Natsu was asked to go to a party (which was too often), he'd always asked, "What kind of music will be playing?" first before he would even consider going or crashing it. He didn't need to be caught at some two story house of a suburb, where music had to be played in the basement only because their parents would be mad and they were afraid of noise complaints. Where the only genre of music was the kind you danced to, not the kind you could sit and feel your angst build up inside of you. That was the only good parties Natsu knew.

That's why Natsu was reluctant to go to Lucy Heartfilia's weekend party. She wasn't the type of girl to blast Nirvana or Pearl Jam at a party. Lucy was a good friend of Natsu's; best friends even, since the first year of high school, somehow every year, they would be placed in the same classes no matter what. They always tried getting together to schedule something different every semester and year, (even they got sick of seeing each other) but they always ended seeing each other in class. It was a good thing though, they didn't have to make many friends since they were together in every class and they always had a partner for projects.

But, Lucy, at first didn't seem like she would be one of Natsu's friends let alone one of his best friends. She was the type of girl that wore pleated skirts and knee high socks. No place to hold a Walkman or headphones. Natsu even thought she was ditsy for the longest time. But by some twist of fate, the bouncing blonde and Natsu became friends, despite their obvious differences.

"Natsu, come on," Lucy whine, bending over Natsu's desk, "This is my first party! It would be awesome if you could come, please? You're great for parties."

"Sorry, not going to it. You don't need me to advertise for you," Natsu replied, looking through his bag, "Find yourself another partier."

"You know I don't want you there just because of that."

"Yeah sure you don't 'Natsu will be there, you know some shit will go down. So will you come to my party?'"

Lucy groaned, and took off Natsu's headphones, "Come on, I've done so many favors for you, you could do this on thing for me," She pouted, "I don't know why it's a hassle for you. You love parties."

"A favor is when I ask you to do something, you doing my homework for me last minute or getting me albums when I didn't ask for any of them isn't doing me a favor," Natsu pointed out, "And I don't just love any kind of party, I love great parties."

"And I'm telling you it's going to be great. They'll be lots of snacks."

"Ooo, lots of chips and twelve different types of dips. Sounds riveting."

"It won't be like that and you know it. You devour food at my house. There will be beer."

"Where did a girl like you get beer?" Natsu asked.

"Oh, a girl like me finds her way," Lucy turned her head a smirked, "You can get anything once you're wearing a tight top don't you know… And when you have a good amount of money on you…"

"I'll keep that in mind next time I want someone to buy me alcohol. Still, don't feel like going. Where the fuck is my tape?" Natsu mumbled.

"There will be a ton of hot guys," Lucy sang, "Hot older guys around town who will be super nice for a night with a cutie like you."

"Don't ever call me a cutie again. And it's not hard for me to have a one night stand with a guy. I don't even need a party to meet hot older guys. Very tempting though," Natsu huffed, "Damn, I must have forgotten it at home."

"What is it?"

"My Sonic Youth tape, we listened to it at your house last weekend, I was for sure that put it in my bag this morning."

"Oh? You think so? I thought you would be looking for that," Lucy smirked and lowered her backpack off her shoulder, rummaging in her bag, "I didn't think it would actually come to this and I'd have to do this."

Natsu rose an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Lucy took out a tape from between her fingers, "I mean I've taken your tape hostage for you to come to my party."

"You've had my Sonic Youth tape for a week and you didn't tell me?!"Natsu exclaimed, standing up quick, "How long have you had it"

"Long enough for me to learn I can use it to my advantage."

"Give me."

Lucy flicked her wrist back and stood up straight, "Not until you say, 'I'll go to your party, now give me.'"

"Lucy." Natsu grumbled through clenched teeth.

"What did I just say, Natsu?" Lucy put her hands on her hips, "Either you come to the party or I'm adding Sonic Youth to my collection."

"You know I'm not afraid to hit a girl."

"You're so feisty with your music."

"I am when I'm passionate about something. You know that."

The bell rang, the shuffle of student moving to their seats and the teacher finishing a page of her book before getting up. Lucy shrugged and tucked the tape in the back her small pocket of her jeans. Natsu hit his fist lightly on the desk and annoyingly bit his lip.

"Wait," Natsu quietly called, Lucy turned her head back, "When is this party again?"

Lucy grinned, "Saturday. Parents are out for the weekend."

"Business?"

"It's always business. Starts at nine."

"Will there be people I actually know there? Other than you?"

Lucy nodded, "Of course. I already asked Erza and Juvia but you better hurry and make up your mind, I have to sit down soon for class. Then you'll have to wait for your precious tape."

Lucy waved the tape in Natsu's face like some soft of animal being teased with a huge hunk of meat. Natsu was getting pissed being treated like this.

"I'll be able to score something yeah?"

"Probably, I dunno."

Natsu groaned, "Alright, okay, what kind of music will be playing?"

"Party music. Duh."

"You know what I mean. What genre?"

"Come to the party and find out." Lucy softly laughed.

"Fucking hell," Natsu mumbled, "You're horrible sometimes. Okay, fine, I'll go. You have my word, now give me my tape."

Lucy smiled and got the tape, placing it gently on the desk. Natsu snatched it and shoved it in his bag, glaring at her while she walked away.

"See you Saturday, love." Lucy said

"Hate you."

Natsu heard Lucy giggle as she sat down. The teacher had finally started class and all was silent except for her voice. Natsu wasn't listening, he got out the tape and kept flipping it over in his hand. Almost for relief.

Of course he really didn't hate Lucy. But you don't ever use a man's music against him.

When Natsu wasn't ready yet to come home yet from school, he'd stop by a coffee shop on the walk from school to home. More often than sometimes he'd go to the shop. It's not like he didn't like his house, it just was always empty. His dad left him a long time ago when he was young and he didn't know his mother. He lived in a small apartment, luckily paid for by his legal guardian and brother Zeref.

But that meant he had to work often so he was usually out late. Zeref worked for a computer company by fixing software bugs. The house just felt lonely most of the time, he didn't get the best feeling by coming to a home that didn't have anything but a cat usually. So going to a coffee shop with cheap decent coffee and good amount of people for a few hours sounded pretty good.

Natsu pushed open the door, lowering the volume on his Walkman and hung his headphones around his neck. A few girls were in line ordering, giggling, maybe over the cute coffee guy taking their order. Girls always seemed to be here. Natsu sat in a booth by a long wall of windows. He sat down his book bag and glanced over at the line. The girls seemed to have gotten their drinks and he walked towards the counter.

"Welcome to Fairy Hills coffee shop, what can I get for you?" The boy greeted.

"Yeah, hi, can I get a regular coffee and…." Natsu trailed, looking at the baked goods behind the glass, "How fresh are these muffins."

"I couldn't tell you sir, sorry."

Natsu sighed, "It's fine, I'll take a chocolate chip muffin too."

"One muffin and one coffee," He listed as he rang Natsu up, "That'll be two thirty-five, sir."

Natsu got out his wallet from his jacket pocket and got out three dollars, "Keep the change."

"Thank you- Gray! I need a coffee, regular!"

"Gotcha!" Gray (Natsu assumed) called back.

Natsu heard mumbling as he walked back to his table. He took off his jacket and opened up his bag, he usually kept five tapes on him. Enough to last him bus rides (music helped his motion sickness), passing to classes, and lunch. He rummaged through his bag and read the labels quickly. Natsu picked his Pixies tape and popped out his older tape and put in the new one. Natsu turned up the volume, his coffee wouldn't be much longer.

"Coffee, chocolate muffin!"

That was Natsu's order being called, he walked back to the counter. He picked up his paper coffee cup and muffin, wrapped in a napkin.

"Enjoy." Gray said.

"Thanks."

Natsu started to walk back and bit into the muffin. It was a little stale and dry; just how Natsu liked it. He dug into his bag quick and tried to estimate what time it was. It was probably around five or so, he thought it was the perfect time to take his medication. Natsu quietly poured out two pills from a bottle and snuck them in his mouth. He took a sip of his coffee and choked down his beverage. He coughed into his sleeve.

"Fuck," Natsu said scratchy. He glared and started to walk back to the counter. He then shivered, "Hey!"

Gray turned his head back and walked towards Natsu, "Something I can do for you? I'll do anything for you if you won't make a ton of noise in the shop."

"Yeah, I asked for a regular coffee, not an iced one," Natsu said, "I don't know how hard it is to get an order right but could I get a hot coffee?"

"Sorry, man," Gray apologized, taking the travel cup, "It's been a long day, ton of people are getting ice coffee's in the summer, it's what I'm used to."

"Yeah, well, it's whatever," Natsu sighed, annoyed. Obviously Gray noticed, "Could you bring it to my table? You're not busy making ice coffees now."

Gray narrowed his eyes and smiled, fake of course, "Yeah, sure."

Natsu turned back and put his headphones on. He hated when people couldn't get things right, it's not like he asked for much. It was whatever, he sat down in his booth and got out his notebook and trig textbook.

Homework. Yippee.

Natsu saw his new cup of coffee as he opened his textbook, "Here you go, nice and hot this time," Gray said, "Enjoy, hot-head."

Natsu didn't hear Gray, he just waved him off and chewed his pen. Gray huffed from the lack of communication and walked away. Natsu looked at the first problem of the night.

It was about two hours later, three muffins, and two more cups of coffee until Natsu was thinking about leaving to go home. But he had been working on a notebook doodle for a while now, and he had another tape in his bag. Zeref didn't come home until nine either, he still had time to kill.

Natsu was drawing a friend of his, one that looked like he would be friends with. Erza, standing on a rock holding out a sword in broken armor. Pieces of flesh showing with pixies around her and her boyfriend (Jellal) next to her feet. Her long hair blowing. Erza was like one of those amazon warriors people write about, bold, intimidating, and scarier than hell. She was in a grunge phase too which made her fucking terrifying, she was in different colors of woolen plaid every day, some sort of dark colored crop top tee or muscle shirt in the summer and clunky shoes that looked like they belonged in a war. She is an idol that should be kept sacred in a museum for children to look at for years to come and to be made into epic poems. She was what legends wish they were made of.

He did this a lot, drawing his friends as if they were from some sort of fantasy story that was never made. He wish he was a writer than an artist sometime. He'd have some great stories to tell. Last time he was here he drew Lucy underwater, arguing with a beautiful mermaid. Bubbles rapidly popping from their mouths and Lucy's make up fading from the water. He wanted to color this drawing, but he could only shade and outline on line paper. Natsu wondered what made him think of things like this. Maybe the highs stayed in his mind. He didn't care, they always turned out great.

A muffin and new coffee was sat down. Natsu was surprised to see the hands and perked up, he lowered off his headphones. It was Gray, Natsu forgot that he was even here still.

"Oh, I didn't ask for this-"

"It's fine," Gray interrupted, "It's on the house for me giving you that ice coffee. We only had banana nut left, hope you're not allergic or some shit. You seemed like you were… Working hard but I see I was wrong."

"Hey, I'm working hard."

"Yeah, hard on some warrior goddess babe or something," Gray stuffed his hands in his olive apron pockets, "Is that textbook just for show?"

"I did do some work for your information," Natsu bit into the muffin, "I just… Thought I'd take a break."

"A two hour break?" Gray laughed, "You're a really good artist by the way. I like the style."

"Oh, yeah, thanks," Natsu swallowed his muffin and took another sip of coffee, "Am I keeping you busy or something? Don't you have, I don't know, work to do?"

"Look around here, no one is here on a Thursday at eight. Only high school kids like you doing homework and they only stay till seven."

Natsu didn't noticed how empty the place was till Gray pointed it out. He had his face down in sheets of notebook paper and he'd only go over to get more food or another coffee.

"So what are you doing here so late? You don't look much older than me?"

"I'm here because I'm a college student, they work you to the bone when you're in college. I used to stock, now i'm here closing almost every night. They also pay you more when you take the late shift "

"Cry me a river then," Natsu said and shaded Erza's armor, "Maybe you should use this time to study. You know, since you're 'worked to the bone' and probably have no time to do it."

"I already did at seven. I finished my psychology paper a while ago. I got bored and knew you were still here."

"Ah, so am I just something to do, yeah?"

Gray chuckled slightly, leaning over on the table on his forearms, "Basically, yeah."

Natsu hummed, "Wonderful. But I have a tape to listen to and math homework so…."

"Oh yeah? What tape is it?"

"Um, Sonic Youth," Natsu said, "I've been listening to it a lot."

"Take it out of the player?"

Natsu raised an eyebrow, "My dad always told me to never give my tapes to strangers."

"Do you do what your daddy always tells you to do?"

"I try to respect his wishes."

"Break the rule just once? I'll make sure nothing happens to it in my hands."

Gray smiled, sweetly but crooked. Natsu rolled his tongue and popped out the tape and handed it to Gray. He didn't know why, but he could trust that smile for some reason. Gray curled his fingers around the tape,

"I'll pay for any damages that may happen."

"Don't even joke about that."

Gray held up the tape as he walked to the back of the Employee's Only room of the coffee shop, the door closing.

What the hell does he think he's doing with my tape?

After a few minutes, Natsu noticed the soft sound and lyrics of Disapperer and Gray walked out of the room.

"Great, now we can talk while you listen to the tape," Gray slipped into the booth seat across from Natsu, "We have a player in the back, the manager doesn't like playing music but, guess who isn't here tonight?"

"You just wanted to talk to me, didn't you?"

"I've used the fact that I have headphones as an excuse before so I don't have to talk to anyone. I think this is better though."

"Is that a fact?"

Gray nodded, "Sure is. Don't you remember? You're something for me to do. You wouldn't want to see me bored, would you?"

"How could I live with myself if I did that?"

"Don't ask me," Gray shrugged, "Do you always draw when you come here?"

"Most likely yeah."

"Bring any with you?"

"No, but I have some drawings from school, if you want you can see those," Natsu suggested, "You can look at them while I finish this up. They're mostly just drawings of friends."

Gray smiled, putting his hands on his cheeks, "I'm Gray."

"Natsu."

Natsu didn't think he would stay much longer after Gray took interest with him. He thought he'd quickly scarf his muffin, drink his coffee, and ask for his tape back. Instead, he stayed until Gray closed up. Natsu couldn't even remember what they talked about. Probably school, music, and maybe about hobbies. All he knew was that he somewhat enjoyed it.

He had to admit though, he probably kept talking to him because Gray was pretty hot. He was Natsu's type, pale skin, dark hair, and a crude personality he couldn't get enough of. Natsu almost wished he would have noticed Gray earlier. Instead of him being background noises and a coffee jockey.

Gray already wanted that.

Natsu unlocked the door and closed it. His brothers' head poked around the corner after Happy ran down the hall, meowing gladly and curling around Natsu's legs.

"Natsu, hey," Zeref said, "What are you doing out late?"

"I went to a coffee shop to work on some homework," Natsu replied, taking of his jacket the shoes, "I lost track of time. Were you worried?"

"Nah, you're old enough to take care of yourself. I just want to make sure you come home at a reasonable time. I don't need police dropping you off at two in the morning like other times before."

Natsu rolled his eyes, "So basically you just don't want me to get caught."

"Pretty much, yeah. Anyway, how was your day?"

"Like every day. School isn't different until your four years is up. You know how it is, you did your time too. What about you?"

Natsu picked up Happy and walked passed Zeref, keeping his hand on his bag strap.

"I had to help work with tech support today. Everyone is getting sick so it was busy and horrible," Zeref yawned, "Hey, I just started Breakfast Club, it's only fifteen minutes in. Want to watch it?" Zeref asked.

"Sorry, I'm pretty tired, I should get to bed. School night you know?"

Zeref always did this when he thought Natsu was being "neglected". Natsu wasn't in the mood for that tonight, but he wasn't ready to go to bed either, not after sweets and coffee. Zeref could the hint Natsu was dropping.

"Oh yeah, sure. I get it. I'll try to keep it down out here."

"Thanks. Remember your pills. Night."

" I will. Night. See you in the morning."

Natsu walked to his room and closed the door. He deeply sighed and threw his bag on the bed, dropping Happy on the ground with a final pet. He took off his shirt and hopped on the bed. He looked up at the ceiling, Happy hopped on his stomach. Natsu ran his hand on Happy's fur. He was at that time of night were thoughts of the day run together. That time where you think, what if I did this differently today. Or what did I really do today questions.

All he thought of were Gray's cold eyes, contrasting with his warm sly smile. It somehow pissed him off. Natsu clicked his tongue and realised he was bored already. He didn't notice he already had inspiration in his head. Natsu sat up and picked up some sheets of white paper and dull pencils from his nightstand. Happy laid in his lap now.

"Buddy, you're gonna have to move."

Natsu picked up Happy and put him to the side

Gray was his something to do now. He thought of the ice coffee Gray had given him, that evolved into Gray having frost come out of his palms, creating snowflakes. Wearing that smile that made Natsu give him his tape. God he would hope he'd hope Gray would talk to him again. Now Natsu had to connect thoughts to paper.

Natsu rummaged in his bag quick and got out his player. He put on his headphones and looked for his Sonic Youth tape. He sighed.

Fuck.

Gray slinked down in the bean bag chair as he took a drag of his cigarette. Trying his hardest to blow out the window; Lyon hated the smell. Lyon was laying on Gray's bed, reading his book. He noticed how blank Gray was.

"Gray, is something wrong?" Lyon asked.

"What? No, why would you think that?"

"Well, first off, you've been home for an hour and you haven't stripped down to your boxers," Lyon began, "Secondly, you haven't talked to me much since you got home. What's wrong with you?"

Gray shook his head, "Nah, no. It's nothing I'm just thinking right now."

"Thinking about what?"

"Thinking about when I'll give this guy who wears a scarf in August his tape back."

"So how's that going?"

"I'm thinking whether or not I'm gonna give it back." Gray smirked.

So I hope you enjoyed. Review, favorite and follow if you did. Helps me out a lot. See you next update.