Note: spoilers for Chapter 424 and up
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
"See you Lucy!" Gray called as he strode out the doors, "later Wendy!" Erza, who was beside him, looked at him curiously.
"What?" Gray asked.
"Oh, nothing," Erza replied, "it's just, I've noticed how you never say goodbye for some reason."
"Huh, you noticed," Gray mused, "you're actually the first one to notice this…"
Erza smiled, and patiently waited for his explanation.
"Well," Gray began, "I guess it's just because goodbye seems so final, like you'll never see them again."
"Oh I see," Erza said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.
"So, I avoid using that word, and, yeah," Gray finished lamely. Beside him, Erza remained silent, and they continued walking until they reached Fairy Hill.
"Well, that's my cue," Erza said, "see you tomorrow Gray." She rose on her tippy toes to give him a friendly peck on the cheek. Flashing him one final smile, she disappeared behind the heavy oak door.
…3 years later…
Fairy Tail has disbanded and all of Gray's former guildmates have scattered across the country. Now, he lives with Juvia in a little house by a lake, - although that was about to change very soon.
Ever since he had obtained Devil Slayer Magic, Gray had felt restless. He wanted to find END, to finish what his father, Silver, could not. Lately, his skin had also darkened around his Devil Slayer mark, although Gray seldom paid attention to it.
Today, Gray found himself at Avatar's doorsteps - again. He had been visiting for quite some time now, but today would be different. Today, he would become a member of Avatar.
"Come in," the priest said; Gray complied. With little ceremony, Gray shrugged off his coat; but as his right hand, which held the Avatar stamp, neared the place where his old guild mark had been, he hesitated for a fraction of a second.
This is for finding the book of END, Gray reminded himself. Then, he placed the stamp on his chest and felt a slight warmth as the mark branded itself onto his flesh.
"Welcome to Avatar, Gray Fullbuster," said the priest.
There is no going back now. Sayonara Fairy Tail.