This story takes place where Ice Trail left off. Set before the main storyline. Enjoy!


It had been a few weeks since Gray Fullbuster had joined the profound Fairy Tail guild. He had already formed a bond with another child of the guild, Cana Alberona. She was a very quiet and sweet girl. She had been a member of the guild for almost two years now; it must have been lonely as the only kid. Gray was also well acquainted with the guild's resident smoker, Wakaba Mine, and his friend Macao. They weren't exactly on the best of terms considering it was Wakaba's persistence that had gotten Gray and a friend blown up by a dark guild, but that was all in the past, sort of. Now, Gray was welcome to the company of his new guildmates. It had taken a while for him to stop isolating himself and make the first steps into his newfound social life, but he was fitting in quite nicely.

Gildarts had finally returned from the back-to-back jobs he'd set out for several months ago. He strode into the guildhall with his head held high and greeted the master at the bar before glancing over to a familiar face.

'Yo, Gray,' he said.

'Old man,' Gray said, jumping from his seat and running up to the bar.

'So, you managed to make it to Fairy Tail in one piece, huh?'

'He almost didn't,' Makarov said.

Gray smiled sheepishly and looked away, running a hand through his hair. Gildarts looked the boy up and down, noticing the few bandages wrapped around his arms and the small plaster hidden by his bangs.

'He got dragged into some trouble with the Circus Knight guild and ended up in a fight with the guild master,' Makarov said. 'He did well to stand his ground for as long as he did.'

Gray frowned at the reminder of his defeat.

'Really?' Gildarts said. 'Sounds like when I caught him facing off against Five Bridge Familia.'

'Hey, I could've won that fight if you hadn't interrupted,' Gray said, folding his arms in protest.

Gildarts laughed. 'I'm sure you could. Look, how about tomorrow you and I go out for a training day and you can show me what you got?'

'Sure.' Gray grinned before returning to his card game with Cana.


From that day, Gray and Gildarts would spar whenever they were between jobs. Gray loved it; it reminded him of the days he'd spent learning how to wield a sword with his father. Silver Fullbuster had been an impeccable fighter in his day and would spend most weekends passing on his techniques to his son. Gray deeply missed those early years he'd spent with his family. Gildarts had given him the fatherly companionship he hadn't realised he'd missed so desperately.

Gildarts was returning from another long junket of jobs and couldn't wait to return home and spend time with the guild's youngsters. As the years went on, more and more children had been adopted into the guild and he'd become quite the role model for the aspiring wizards. He walked through the front doors and dumped his sack next to the bar, intent on grabbing a quick drink. Natsu Dragneel, one of the newest additions to the guild, was being lectured by Erza following the destruction of his former client's house. As per usual, his mind wandered elsewhere, and his eyes landed on Gildarts.

'Hey, Erza,' he said, interrupting her mid-rant. 'Who's that?'

'Him?' Erza pointed at the man. 'That's Gildarts Clive. He's Fairy Tail's strongest wizard.'

Natsu's eyes widened in amazement as a plan formulated in his head. He darted forward, shoving straight past Gray, and came face-to-face with the guild's strongest wizard.

'Old man, fight me,' he said, clenching his fists and grinning wildly.

'And who might you be, kid?' Gildarts said.

'This is our newest recruit, Natsu,' Makarov said between chugs of his beer.

'Fight me,' Natsu repeated.

Gildarts chuckled. 'Why not? But we best go outside. Don't wanna bring the guildhall down with us, do we?'

'I'm all fire up.' Natsu raced to the door, pumping his fists in the air as he went.

Gray stood from the sidelines and watched Gildarts leave the guildhall. Had Gildarts forgotten about the fishing trip they had planned for his return? He shook the thought from his mind, Gildarts wouldn't take long to knock Natsu off his high horse. They had all day to go out fishing after all, but the man didn't return.

From then on, Gray and Gildarts' time together lessened more and more. When the Strauss siblings joined and guild and Happy had been born, Gildarts took Natsu, Lisanna, and the flying cat out on day trips all the time. It was extremely rare for Gildarts to pop by the guildhall for a drink and a chat. For the second time, Gray had lost that close father/son bond he treasured, and all the past emotions for his family came rushing back. He found himself taking up more and more job requests in an attempt to push his feeling into the back of his mind.


Months later, the day Gray despised more than anything came around. The anniversary of his parents' death. For the past two years, Gildarts would sit by his side and offer his unspoken support as Gray relived the torturous moment, but not this year. Gildarts had taken Natsu, Lisanna, and Happy on a camping trip, leaving a tearful Gray sat by the riverside.

Alone.

The thousands of stars gleaming in the night sky mocked his gloomy demeanour. Gray's cheeks were stricken with fresh tears that, no matter how much he held his breath and clenched his teeth, wouldn't stop falling. Gray was no stranger to being alone, but that didn't make the heartbreak any less palpable.

'Yo.' A voice broke through his choked gasps.

'What are you doing here?' Gray said through frequent sniffles.

'I couldn't leave my favourite guy out her on his lonesome, could I?' Gildarts said and sat down on the grass by his side.

'I thought you were with Natsu and the others?'

'I was, but then I remembered that I had more important matters to attend to. Care to say what's on your mind?'

More tears streaked down Gray's face. 'Every time I get close to someone, I always end up losing them in one way or another. I'm tired of losing everyone I care about.'

Gildarts sighed. 'This is about me spending time with Natsu, isn't it?'

Gray said nothing and stared down into the river.

'Look, Gray, just because I'm not spending as much time with you than I used to doesn't mean you've lost me. We'll always have our bond and memories. Some are good memories, and some are a pain in the ass.' He laughed. 'And as for your parents and Ur, just because they're not here anymore doesn't mean you've lost them. As long as you remember and honour the times you spent with them, the bond will always be there.'

Gray turned to face Gildarts, his bottom lip quivering. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Gildarts wrapped his arms around him and pull him into a tight embrace. Gray finally let his body relax and allowed his emotions to burst out of him.

Gildarts felt the tremors in the boy's body as he held him tighter. He cradled Gray's head in one hand and patted the other on his back. Gray sobbed and snuffled until his eyes were red raw. They remained together for a long while until Gildarts shifted Gray's weight to take a look at his face. The ice wizard's eyes were closed, tear streaks drying on his cheeks. His breaths came out in silent puffs; he'd cried himself to sleep. Gildarts smiled. He picked Gray up and draped him over his back.

'Come on kid, let's get you home.'


First uploaded: 23/07/2015

Updated: 18/05/2019