"He's so weird."

Natsu lost control of a stack of coffee cups and swore, stumbling to collect them all and push them up against the bar. Lucy raised an eyebrow at him, busy brushing coffee grounds into the garbage bin.

"We serve lots of weird people," she reminded him, running the cloth in the sink and wringing it out. "You're going to have to be more specific."

"Him," Natsu hissed, gesturing across the café. A dark-haired boy around the same age as them sat at a table against the back wall, laptop open in front of him, fingers flying across the keys. "He never orders at the till. Who orders on their phone and then stays in the café? Someone who is wildly antisocial, that's who."

"Oh, leave him alone," Lucy said, swatting Natsu's arm with her damp dishcloth. "Not everyone starts up a conversation with literally everyone they see." She gave him a knowing look and he sighed. "Why does that bother you, anyway?"

"I dunno," Natsu admitted, running a hand through his hair and then cursing, moving to the sink to wash his hands. It was a hard habit to break. "Just…what kind of name is Gray? And he never even says anything when he picks up his coffee."

"Neither does 'venti six-shots-of-espresso-red eye'," Lucy reminded him. Natsu shivered, envisioning the tall, dark-eyed man who came in every day at precisely 6:54 a.m., snatched his coffee from the counter, then fled back into the early morning without saying a word.

"Okay but that guy gives me the creeps," Natsu argued. Someone came to the till and he popped over, taking their order cheerfully and doodling a quick picture on the side of their cup before passing it to Lucy.

"So he doesn't give you the creeps, then," she said, nodding at the dark-haired boy and giving Natsu a knowing smile that he steadfastly ignored. He looked over at the boy again, who was staring at his laptop screen intently. He must have felt Natsu's curious gaze on him because he glanced up briefly, catching the pink-haired boy's eyes. A startled expression crossed his face and he hurriedly looked back at his computer. "I think you liiiiiike him."

"Luce!" He protested, lowering his voice and glancing back at the boy, who was now completely absorbed in his work. "I don't…he's not…" he felt his cheeks growing hot and he looked at the ground, kicking a few stray coffee beans under the counter. "I mean yeah, he's cute, whatever. He's still weird, though."

"Mhmm," Lucy said knowingly, leaning back against the counter. "Whatever you say."

* Gray *

Gr Americano
4 shots
Extra Hot

Natsu blinked at the mobile order machine, peeling the sticker off and reaching for the appropriate cup while stifling a yawn. He was exhausted – instead of heading to bed last night, he'd let his roommate Sting convince him to sneak around campus playing Pokémon Go. Even after six shots of espresso, two hours of sleep wasn't the best idea.

He started pulling the shots for the drink, sleep-addled brain finally slamming back into wakefulness when he realized that it was the cute boy's order.

Natsu glanced around the café quickly – nobody else was here. A few of the regulars had been waiting when he'd opened the doors, but they'd quickly left for their respective jobs. Which meant…he'd be alone in the café with Gray until Lucy got here in half an hour. He tipped the shots into the cup and tapped his fingers against the bar nervously.

Seven agonizing minutes went by before the door chimed, a flurry of snow pushing Gray through the entrance. His dark hair was full of snowflakes that he shook out hurriedly, and he stomped his boots on the front mat. Then he looked up and caught Natsu's eyes.

"Hey." Natsu gave him a small smile and a shy wave. Gray's eyes widened a bit and he glanced around the store nervously. When he looked back at Natsu he nodded a little, raising his hand and scooting toward the counter to grab his drink.

"Thanks," he said, voice thick – it sounded like he had some sort of accent. British, maybe? He quickly made his way to a table in the corner, setting himself up so his back was against the wall and opening his laptop. He looked up again and gave Natsu another uncertain smile, then took a sip of his coffee and dove into his work.

Well, Natsu thought. That could have gone much worse.

When Gray's order came in again several days later, Natsu grabbed it before Lucy could reach the sticker, whipping out a sharpie and beginning to doodle on the cup. He steadfastly ignored the look she gave him as he sketched a winter scene, complete with elaborate snowflakes.

When Gray walked in the door several minutes later, wrapped in a well-cut wool coat and deep blue scarf, Natsu immediately regretted the decision. Embarrassment brought redness to his cheeks and he slipped into the back room as Gray moved up to grab the coffee. What had he been thinking?

"He liked it," Lucy said a few minutes later, slipping into the back to grab more cups. Natsu groaned and peeked around the corner. Gray was sitting in his usual spot, but instead of staring at his laptop he was turning the cup around in his hands with a small smile on his face. "You should ask him out."

When Gray finally left several hours later, Natsu still hadn't worked up the courage to talk to him. He sighed as he watched the dark-haired boy leave the café, then jumped as Lucy poked him.

"Here," she said, grinning and handing him a napkin. Natsu frowned and glanced down at the neat, slanted writing – thanks for the picture, I like the snowflakes. -Gray

It became a routine. Gray's order would pop up, Natsu would draw something new and fun on his cup, and Gray would write him a note before he left. Uncertain smiles became silly grins, and embarrassed blushes turned to unabashed eye contact. Yet they still never spoke to each other. At first it was shyness, but after a while it turned into…habit. Natsu was comfortable in this bubble they'd made, and he didn't want to pop it with careless words.

"You're going to have to talk to him eventually," Lucy said, wiping down the counters as the last of the regulars filed out of the café. It had now been two months of her nudging Natsu to ask Gray on a date, and two months of Nastu stammering and blushing and avoiding the subject.

"We do talk," he insisted weakly. "He says 'thanks', and I say 'no problem'. Full conversation."

"You're an idiot," she said fondly, poking him in the ribs and heading to take out the garbage.

"How's your day going?" Natsu's stomach was roiling but he managed to keep the words steady, hands clasped underneath the counter as he looked at Gray and smiled. The dark-haired boy froze, hand almost to his coffee cup, uncertain expression on his face.

"Thank…you?" Gray's words came out in the same thick accent and the statement was almost as a question. His gaze flickered between Natsu's eyes and his lips. Natsu frowned a little.

"You…studying?" Natsu's voice was definitely shaky now. Gods, maybe Lucy was wrong about this. Gray didn't look happy or interested, just…scared. Why on earth would he be scared of talking to Natsu? "I'm a student too," he continued. "Art m-major, do you, um…school?" Oh gods, he was babbling now, and Gray was looking at him like he was going to bolt at any second.

"G-good?" Another question. This time Gray looked like he was going to cry as he backed away slowly. "S-sorry." Then he took his coffee and fled out the café doors.

He didn't come back. A week passed, then two weeks, then three, and Nastu kept replaying the conversation in his head, trying to figure out where he went wrong.

"Did I ask something stupid?" he asked Lucy for the hundredth time, wringing a dishcloth over the sink. "I don't know what I said wrong."

"I don't know," Lucy said gently, pulling shots and tipping them into a blank cup. Natsu hadn't drawn on anything since Gray took off. "Maybe he's got stuff going on. Who knows?" She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "It wasn't you."

Natsu had a hard time believing her. There must have been something he'd said to scare the other boy away. Maybe Gray didn't want to talk to him. Maybe Natsu had misread their coffee cup conversations this entire time.

He sighed, closing the café door behind him and lifting his backpack over his shoulder, heading down the street towards the college. End of semester was coming up soon and he had a pile of projects he needed to finish – even thinking about it made him groan. Turning left at the entrance to the quad, Natsu stared dejectedly at the art building when his eyes flicked over to a familiar figure.

Gray. He was leaning against a tree, head tilted back with laughter. The girl in front of him was moving her hands in front of her in movements that Natsu didn't recognize. He tilted his head in confusion until Gray returned the gestures, hands flying through the air.

Oh. Gods, Natsu was an idiot.

It was two more weeks before Natsu was able to bump into Gray again. Exam week was in full swing, and students were sprawled out in the quad, celebrating the end of the semester. Nastu was exhausted – hours of painting, sketching, charcoal drawings, essays about the history of art, and art analysis had drained him of energy. Currently he was only functioning thanks to red eye coffees and caffeinated chocolate.

And there was Gray, sitting in the middle of quad, head bent over a book. Natsu's stomach erupted in butterflies, feet frozen to the ground, hands immediately sweaty enough to make him shove his phone in his pocket in an effort to not drop it. Part of him wanted to turn and run – it would be easier to just avoid this situation forever. But he'd promised Lucy he wouldn't be a coward, and he'd spent all those hours…

He picked his way through the quad slowly, stepping over sleeping bodies and stopping in front of Gray. Plopping himself down on the ground beside the dark-haired boy, he poked his book to get his attention. Gray looked up and his eyes immediately widened, but Natsu put his hands out placatingly.

Sorry, he signed hesitantly, placing his fist on his chest. Me…not know…you Deaf.

Gray's face conveyed a mixture of confusion and hesitant excitement and he set his book down slowly, keeping his eyes on Natsu's face.

You know sign language? Natsu frowned and Gray gave him a half-smile, repeating the question slower. His fingers were so graceful and Natsu found himself entranced.

Little, he replied, feeling clumsy and stupid. Internet. Wanted…say sorry. They smiled hesitantly at each other for a moment, then Gray sighed.

Sorry, he said, echoing Natsu's first sign. I'm an idiot. I felt dumb. He kept his signs clear and simple and made sure Natsu understood them before moving on. I didn't want you to think I was stupid. Some people do. He looked downcast, brushing hair out of his face.

Not stupid, Natsu said, shaking his head. I…he signed something hesitantly and Gray frowned, so Natsu spelled the word out clumsily. Gray nodded, showing him the proper sign. I miss you.

A pink flush crept across Gray's cheeks and he looked at his shoes, toying with the laces and smiling. Natsu nudged his foot, grinning.

Want coffee?

At first, Natsu had intended to ask Gray out over their first cup of coffee. However, the little sign language he had picked up from the internet proved to be woefully insufficient for communicating clearly with Gray. Not that Gray got frustrated with him – quite the opposite. He was incredibly patient even when Natsu had to resort to writing or texting back and forth.

A-R-T? Natsu spelled out. They were sitting at their usual table in the coffee shop – since they'd started hanging out together a couple of weeks ago, they'd moved to a better spot near the window. Natsu was currently on his break, shoveling a muffin into his mouth while learning new signs from Gray.

Art, Gray signed, brushing his pinkie over his palm. Natsu attempted to copy the movement but Gray shook his head, then reached out and grabbed Natsu's fingers to put them in the correct position. Natsu's breath stuttered in his throat at the feeling of Gray's cold hands on his, but Gray didn't seem to notice. Art, he signed again, grinning when Natsu got it right.

"Natsu, break's up!" Lucy called over the counter. He pouted, tipping his head towards the till.

You stay? He asked Gray, attempting to use the correct facial expressions to communicate a question. Walk later? Natsu wasn't sure how to convey that he meant walking to the library to return their books, but Gray seemed to be able to pick up on what he meant, nodding. Okay. See you. Finish work. The smile Gray gave him made his insides feel funny.

"So when are you gonna actually ask him on a date?" Lucy asked as Natsu slipped back into his apron. "It's obvious he likes you. Just…kiss already." She mimed pushing their heads together and grinned.

"When I'm better at signing," Natsu said, voice uncertain. Lucy frowned at him, head tilted to one side. It wasn't often that Natsu was insecure. "I just…I mean, I don't want to take him out somewhere and then have him spend the whole time teaching me how to talk to him." He scuffed his sneakers on the floor. "That's not fair. I need to learn more."

"You are smitten," Lucy gushed, punching Natsu lightly on the arm.

"Yeah," Natsu said softly, looking over the till at Gray with a half-smile on his face. "I am."

Food. Gray tapped his lips with his closed fingers and Natsu copied the gesture, grinning. It was a Thursday evening and they were sitting in the student arts building, both taking up way too much space on the couches. Only a few other people were there and most of them were fast asleep.

I like food, he signed, happy that he was able to make that sentence. Gray rolled his eyes and spelled out a new word, then followed it up with the sign.

Weekend. Natsu raised an eyebrow – this bunch of words was quite random. Usually Gray taught him groups of similar words – like family, or days of the week – but tonight they seemed to be all over the place.

Movie. Natsu copied the movement, laughing at the strange shape of the sign. Gray was able to go much quicker now, moving to new words after only showing the sign to Natsu once or twice. Star.

I like that sign, Natsu said, grinning. He glanced out the window at the night sky – there were no stars to be seen this far in the city. Star, he repeated, then turned back to Gray. The other boy's eyes were wide and soft, and Natsu suddenly felt very vulnerable. He blushed and looked down at his lap but Gray waved at him.

One more, he signed. W-A-R. War.

Why war? Natsu asked, puzzled. Gray gave him a half-smile, sitting up on the couch. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and began signing all the words they'd just practiced, slowly.

Weekend. Saturday. Food. Movie. Star. War.

Gray looked expectant, as if Natsu was supposed to figure out the connection between the six signs. He frowned, gesturing for Gray to repeat them. The dark-haired boy looked mildly exasperated but acquiesced.

Don't understand, Natsu signed eventually, looking apologetic. He found himself using that sign often. Gray sighed, running his hands over his face. He glanced up at Natsu, giving him a look that was usually present on Lucy's face when Natsu was being particularly dense. What?

You. Gray's signs were very clear, and he kept eye contact with Natsu. You want? Weekend. Saturday. Food. You and me. Movie. Star War. Natsu's eyes widened in realization and Gray huffed out a laugh, spelling a final word. D-A-T-E. Date.

Date? Natsu's eyebrows lifted both in question and uncertainty of the sign and Gray laughed out loud – a sound that made Natsu's stomach flip in funny ways. You want…date? Me?

Yes. Gray reached out his foot and nudged Natsu gently with the toe of his sneaker. His cheeks were pink but he looked up at Natsu anyway. I like you.

Natsu swallowed, the uncertainty of earlier fading away into surprised contentment. Gray felt the same way! Then his face fell.

Don't want…he frowned, trying to figure out what to say. Can't sign good. Want learn more, talk better to you. Gray huffed.

It's my choice, he replied. You can sign. You're not perfect, but you try for me. Natsu's face flushed hot and he ducked his head in embarrassment. Most people don't try. I was…lonely. Natsu glanced up at Gray, who looked slightly uncomfortable. I got coffee at your store because I thought you were cute.

Natsu blinked as Gray spelled the last word and then shyly showed him the sign. He felt slightly overwhelmed – a heady rush was flooding through him at the unexpected confession.

You're cute too, he signed slowly, giving Gray a smile. Yes. You and me. Date.

Like movie ?

They left the theatre in a crowd of people, walking out into a starless night where the moon hung blunt in the sky. Natsu's hand had been clasped in Gray's before he started signing and he relinquished it reluctantly, already missing the closeness. Halfway through the movie he'd missed a character's name and had taken the opportunity to lean closer to Gray so that he could examine his captioning device. His hand had brushed Gray's and the dark-haired boy had immediately grasped it. It had been all Natsu could focus on for the rest of the movie.

Natsu tapped Gray on the arm to get his attention as he signed the question again. Gray nodded enthusiastically, fingers tapping his palm. Natsu had figured out that this was Gray's reaction when he wanted to sign quickly, but needed to keep the pace slow for Natsu. Prefer text? He asked.

No, Gray signed, shaking his head. Sometimes it was easier for him to text with Nastu, especially when the pink-haired boy didn't understand the concept in sign language yet. Fine. Excited. He grinned.

Natsu's cheeks flushed as they made their way out of the crowd of people and back onto the main road that led up to the campus. The wind had picked up and was blowing Gray's hair from his face, and Natsu felt something in his chest tighten when Gray's dark eyes met his.

I had fun, Natsu signed, eyes intermittently flicking to the sidewalk to keep from walking into something. Learned more new words. He paused for a moment, then gave Gray a shy smile. I start class. Next week. Gray looked puzzled. Sign language class, Natsu clarified. Gray's eyes widened and he nearly walked into a newspaper stand, saved only by Natsu's hand on his arm.

Really? He looked genuinely shocked and Natsu felt dismayed that the gesture was clearly unexpected. Nobody… has learned for me before. He must have seen Natsu's disquieted expression and he shook his head, waving away the concern. My mom signs, my brother too. I meant friends. He gave Natsu an uncertain look, then continued. Friends or…more.

Natsu was about to reply but they had reached the campus, where the path was poorly and sporadically lit. As they moved into a patch of darkness Gray reached out and snagged Natsu's hand, twining their fingers together and pulling him close. Natsu stumbled a little, shoulder bumping Gray's, then sighed at the feeling of their palms pressing together.

It was strange not to be able to communicate in the dark. Natsu was a talker – Lucy usually tuned him out after a minute or two of him babbling. But with Gray, each word was though out, precise, contemplated. It made their conversations hold more weight, Natsu thought.

Gray's fingers drew patterns over Natsu's knuckles as they walked – soft, feather-light caresses that sent little electric shocks straight to Natsu's stomach. He exhaled sharply, dragging his thumb over Gray's. The dark-haired boy let out an audible contented sigh and Natsu's heart jumped, realizing with a start that Gray didn't know he'd heard it.

He repeated the motion as he walked, eventually sliding their hands far enough apart that he could drag his fingers up and down Gray's palm. He traced each of Gray's fingers, touch feather-light, and Gray continued to make soft sounds that made Natsu's face flush hot. How was it possible that hand-holding was this sensual?

It didn't take long to reach Gray's dorm, where Natsu tugged the dark-haired man into a patch of light next to the building. He squeezed Gray's hand, then regretfully let go. Gray looked at him with a mix of affection and bewilderment.

You're…loud, Natsu signed bashfully, feeling his cheeks flood with heat. Gray looked mortified and moved to reply, but Natsu shook his head. No, I like. I…feel good. He glanced up at Gray again and licked his lips nervously. I really like you.

Gray's cheeks were pink and his eyes flicked to Natsu's lips. Natsu could see him swallow hard and he shifted a little before replying.

I really like you too, he said, then pushed his bangs out of his eyes. I had fun. Want to do it again? Natsu nodded enthusiastically, tucking his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans. Good. They stood there awkwardly for a moment, neither looking at the other, then both raised their hands at the same time. Gray shook his head and laughed, gesturing for Natsu to go first.

You want…he hesitated, then took a small step closer to Gray. He could smell the other boy's shampoo and he exhaled shakily. It was harder to sign like this, so close together, but Natsu made it work. Can I kiss you? Gray's eyes widened and then he smiled, reaching up and running his hand over Natsu's cheek.

He didn't sign anything but instead pulled Natsu in, tipping the shorter boy's head up and bringing their lips together. Natsu exhaled, running a hand through Gray's hair and curling shaky fingers around his hip. Gray made a soft noise into Natsu's mouth and the pink-haired boy responded by pushing him gently backwards until he was leaning against the dorm wall.

All the anticipation and hesitation and nervousness in Natsu's body suddenly dissipated, replaced by a deep contentment and a warm sensation that spread from his stomach up to his chest. He pressed himself closer to Gray, tilting his head and relishing the moan that spilled from the other boy's lips. His left hand drifted slightly underneath Gray's shirt, thumb brushing against the soft skin of his hip, while the other cupped his cheek.

Gray responded enthusiastically, bringing both hands up to the center of Natsu's back and pulling him in. The soft sounds he was making into Natsu's mouth were increasing in volume, sending sparks down Natsu's spine, but he pulled away regretfully.

Loud, he signed with a grin on his face, tapping Gray's lower lip. Other people hear. Gray's already pink cheeks turned even redder but before he could drop his gaze to the ground Natsu leaned in for one more soft kiss. You…good. Kissing. He grinned.

Gray shifted from foot to foot, looking hesitant, then looked up and met Natsu's eyes. I like you so much. Not only...he gestured between them and made a sign that clearly insinuated being intimate. I want to spend more time with you.

Natsu's stomach did several quick somersaults and he felt his heart fluttering in his chest. It had been so long since he'd felt even close to this way about someone else, and he found his hand shaking as he moved it up to rest on Gray's shoulder.

I really, really like you, he signed, one-handed, hoping Gray understood. Want…more dates. And kissing. Gray blushed again and smiled.

You…want to come up? He gestured to the pattern of lit and unlit windows above him. Natsu's eyes widened but the grin didn't disappear from his face. My...he spelled the word "roommate" and quickly showed Natsu the sign. My roommate is gone for the week. Nobody to listen. He swallowed, looking uncertain.

Yes, Natsu signed, leaning in for another kiss. He slid his free hand underneath Gray's and signed it again for emphasis. Yes, yes, yes.