It became increasingly difficult to speak when Gray was awake, Natsu was beginning to realize. His chest tightened, his stomach began fluttering and it was altogether an awkward experience.
He couldn't help but zone out when giving Gray medicines. The medicine was a cherry flavoured syrup, and the taste and smell of it was so disgusting that Natsu wanted to puke, more than once, but he held it in. Sometimes, Natsu would accidentally spill some of it on Gray, which would then lead to Gray kicking his ass. Though Gray would grumble when the medicine was spilled on him, which was more than once, mind you, he didn't really mind it, at all.
Natsu would then once again admire Gray from afar. God, he was so delicious. His abs, his toned chest, everything was... so delicious. He seemed unable to speak or process anything when Gray was awake, other than the fact that the boy in front of him was so delicious. He would lick his lips and his smile would become feral.
It was when Natsu was cleaning for what seemed to be the third time during that day when he happened to look at Gray. His face, turned towards the window, was awash with sunlight. The sheets were more off of him than on, exposing his legs, uncovered by cumbersome pants, much to Natsu's delight.
''Gray." he whispered, sitting softly on the bed. The moment was too magical for him to continue cleaning. He leaned in and kiss Gray again on the lips. It seemed he had done that for several blissful decades, his tongue tasting Gray's own, mingling together in an elaborate dance. Gray at once responded with much vigor, grasping Natsu's neck at the base and pulling him close to his own.
Immediately, Natsu pulled back, eyes wide open in shock, cheeks flushed. He had kissed Gray! What was worst was the fact that now Gray would figure it out and then he would leave him forever. He turned his head away.
"Natsu?" Gray whined softly, the sudden heat had awoken him and then, he had felt lips pressing against his own, his tongue asking for entry. And he had complied. He had then pulled Natsu closer, to deepen the kiss, so that then he would exactly know Gray's feeling towards him. What a mistake that was! It seemed that Natsu had none of that feelings for him however. Gray bit his lip, so that no one would see his lower lip quivering. 'Well done!' his mind reprimanded. 'Now he won't even remain your friend anymore, due to how you've acted just now.'
Looking at Natsu, he observed that his face was still turned away, probably he was disgusted by him. His heart sank. His eyes swam with unshed tears, but he refused to let them fall. He swept his gaze away, and instead, rearranged the covers around his body that had fallen to the ground. He took deep breaths as a wave of nausea hit him. Some seconds after the nausea passed, he burrowed himself into the covers, turning his face sideways and finally letting the tears fall, silent sobs wrecking his body.
The door to Lucy's house had never looked so formidable, Natsu thought with a sigh. Why had he run? Why had he acted so brashly, so stupidly? "I just... needed to get away" he muttered, more to himself, as if that would reassure him. He needed time, time to sort out his newfound feelings towards the ice mage. Away from all of his emotions clashing against each other for dominance, the tension and the stress.
He remembered Gray pulling away from him, sad. Would Gray ever want to be his friend anymore? Would he be even given the chance to protect each other's backs, argue, spat insults, punches, kicks back and forth like they used to? Natsu chuckled bitterly, of all the times, for his past with Gray to haunt him, taunt him for not being strong enough.
He raised his fist to knock, but didn't. Why should he bother her with his problems? He shouldn't, but then he realised that's what friends were for. Friends help each other when they have a problem. After all, he, Gray, Lucy and Erza were a part of Team Natsu. Their bonds were the strongest. Nothing could tear them apart forever. Right? Or so, he reasoned. Still, not one to take chances, he raised his fist and rapped the door, loudly. Loud enough that the dead would have woken from its grave to see why he had been knocking so loudly.
Moments after, the door was opened by Lucy. Good, he reasoned. I can tell her each and every thing without interruptions. He opened his mouth to speak, but was beaten by Lucy who opened her's first.
"What're you doing so early for?" Lucy yawned sleepily. She cast a glance at the fire mage, noticing how dishevelled and ragged he looked. Immediately, she was concerned and turned him back and forth, trying to deduce what was wrong.
"O.. Oi, Lucy let go." Natsu managed to get out, gritting his teeth and trying his hardest not to throw up right then and there. Face turned green, he raised his hand to cover his mouth. His breathing was also laboured. Lucy immediately let go seeing his face. As soon as he was released, he doubled over and tried to quell his rising nausea. For a few minutes, nothing was heard except the sound of heavy breathing. After the nausea passed, he raised his head up, to talk about the reason why he had decided to visit.
"Luce, I need a favour." he said. Lucy nodded. With a heavy sigh, he told her each and every thing, from the start. Lucy stayed silent, absorbing the new information, slowly. Her eyes widened as an idea struck her. She was a matchmaker, after all. One of the best. Reaching over to Natsu, she whispered something in his ear. His face lit up at once, like a child. Pumping his fist in the air, he smiled very brightly and at once rushed out of the house. Lucy smiled. She was very happy that both of them had found true love.
Which reminded her, that someone had been listening silently. With a sigh, she called her favourite spirit.
"Loke." He stepped out of his hiding place, and bowed to her.
"What can I do for you, Luce?" he replied flirtatiously, fixing his glasses. Lucy scowled, the nerve of him! Sometimes, she herself wondered how she managed to keep him in control. Rubbing her hand against the forehead, she sighed. "How much did you hear, Loke?"
"Not enough." Loke was smirking now.
"So you know now, huh?" Lucy asked.
"Of course." the reply came.
Grabbing his hand, she ran to her room, and disappeared shortly, not before leaving him outside. Loke whined, but didn't say anything. Seconds later, she re-emerged, dressed as usual. Checking herself once more, she nodded. Loke whistled at the sight of her.
"Shut up, you horny lion!" She screeched.
"Whatever you say, Princess." He replied, smirking again.
Shaking her head, she grabbed his hand again and together they made their way to the guild.
Meanwhile, with Gray
Gray sighed. First Lyon had pushed him away, and now his best friend? That kiss had been something, he thought ruefully. What had caused Natsu to break away? He concealed a sniff for a minute, but then realized there was nobody here to see it.
He let loose, waves of salty tears spilling over his eyes and down his cheeks, wetting the pillow beneath him. All of his sorrows, from Lyon's brutal betrayal years back to Natsu's fresh one right now, and everything in between, flowed out in the form of tears. And he couldn't care less.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to him. It was Natsu. Wiping his tears quickly, he didn't want anyone to know how weak and pathetic he was, he turned and glared through red rimmed eyes. "I.. I.." he stuttered.
But before he could finish, Natsu covered his babbling mouth with his soft lips. His next words died unspoken in his mouth as Natsu ran his tongue over Gray's bottom lip, grazing it slightly with his teeth.
Instead, a soft sigh of pleasure escaped his throat as he wrapped his arms around Natsu's blazing body. Natsu took it a step further, pinning Gray to the bed, leaning over him. One hand was on Gray's chest, keeping him on the bed, Gray's arms entwined around Natsu's neck.
He moulded into Natsu's body; somehow they fit together in a way that he hadn't imagined, not even in his most erotic dreams. When Natsu moved his other hand up Gray's leg, he couldn't help giving a soft moan from the back of his throat. In response, Natsu's hand went even higher, and squeezed softly.
They stayed like that for minutes, mouths mingling and, for the first time in what seemed like forever, they were happy.
Natsu ended the kiss slowly, and Gray whined with sadness.
"Sorry." Natsu said, regret in his eyes. "I shouldn't have-"
"It was my fault-"Gray started.
"No, I started-"
In unison, they both said "I want to make it up to you."
Natsu noticed the pink on Gray's cheeks deepened to a red when he said that, and guessed exactly what Gray meant when he had said those past eight words. Exactly what he had been thinking of.
"Want to continue, then?" He asked, trying to hide how unsure he was.
Gray just nodded. The kiss they had this time was more passionate, more daring, as they began to explore what was new to both of them.
Natsu bit Gray's lip, first gently, and then harder. He had Gray pressed up against the headboard, his body overpowering Gray's newly-recovered and frail one. His legs were straddling Gray's, and he noticed Gray was just as aroused as he was. Gray gave soft whimpers while Natsu rubbed at Gray with his own, kiss still intact.
Quickly, Natsu got rid of Gray's pants, and his own, too. He stopped the kiss as he nipped the waistband of Gray's boxers with his teeth. His teeth caught on the tender skin right above said waistband and Gray jerked, wanting more, always more.
He tore the offending boxers off, and then his own, leaving them discarded on the floor. The two men were in a frenzy of ecstasy and groans, Gray clinging to Natsu as he went inside of him, thrusting in and out repeatedly. Gray gave noises, almost grunts, of both euphoria and pain.
Lube next time, Natsu thought, promising to make it up to Gray for hurting him.
When he hit Gray in the exact spot, Gray gave a howl of pleasure. "Again" he begged. And, eagerly, Natsu complied.
Gray came then, and fell limp, and panting, Natsu following right behind him.
Both were sweat-soaked, and wearing happy grins on their faces. They lay next to each other on the bed, panting slightly.
Natsu's leg was over Gray's, his hands rubbing circles on Gray's stomach, sometimes dipping lower.
At those times, Gray gave a shudder of pleasure as Natsu's hand went there once more.
"That was my first time", Gray admitted.
'"Mine, too." Natsu said, his breath warm on Gray's ear.
Gray rested his head on Natsu's chest. "I had a nice time."
"I did, too."
"So what are we now?" Gray said, asking the one question that had been on his mind the entire time.
"I don't know, Gray." Natsu's voice was heavy with sleep and weariness. "I don't know."
Timeskip(Some days later)
Gray woke up to the smell of burning eggs and the sight of Natsu frantically devouring the flames emanating from them.
"The hell- Natsu!"
He yelped, leaping up and conjuring ice to stifle the flames. Then he remembered there was a fire mage in his house that was capable of eating fire.
An amazing, handsome fire mage that through some miracle was in love with him.
Eggs (mostly) salvaged and appetite sated, Natsu walked over to Gray with a platter of breakfast. "Eat". He said firmly but kindly, giving the plate to him.
"How can I be positive that you didn't poison them or something?" Gray asked jokingly. Natsu rolled his eyes.
"I'd be a crap boyfriend if I poisoned my other half's food" He said. "That is, if you want to be my other half."
Fighting the urge to blush deep red at Natsu's choice of words, he muttered incomprehensibly. Natsu pretended to not have heard it. Taking deep breaths, he willed his face to return to its normal color.
Even though it was only nine o clock in the morning, Gray decided that today was the best day of his life.
"We already had sex, I'm pretty sure we're going out." He said, struggling to keep a calm demeanor.
Natsu gave one of his trademark grins, and leaned forward.
Before Gray knew what was happening, Natsu's lips were on the sensitive spot above his collar bone, doing amazing things with his tongue.
Gray gave a soft moan as Natsu sucked harder and pulled Gray to himself.
Natsu's lips ghosted up Gray's neck, and he tilted his head back to give Natsu more access to his Adam's apple. Natsu's mouth found Gray's own at long last, his teeth biting Gray's lower lip in a way that made him give yet another, deeper moan from the back of his throat.
"The entire guild's worried about you, Ice Princess". Natsu told him, once again calling him by the same nickname. Leaning down, he gestured as if wanting to carry the ice mage on his back. Gray promptly shrank away.
"I am not some freaking invalid nor am I some freaking old lady that you have to carry me, Flame Brain. I can walk by myself". He turned his face away, annoyance marring his features. But not before Natsu saw that his face had turned beet-red. Natsu giggled, oh, how he loved to annoy him! The reaction was worth it, Natsu decided.
Putting up his hands, he stiffled his laugh and tried to placate him. After some coaxing, they were normal.
"Shall we go to the guild, then?" He asked.
Gray shrugged noncommitally, but couldn't help remembering Lyon pushing him away all of those years ago. What if the guild would turn out like that? What if they gave him the cold shoulder or pushed him out completely?
He hadn't noticed Natsu's warm arm rest across his shoulders.
"Don't worry about it." Natsu said, and when Gray looked into his eyes they glittered with determination.
"If anyone messes with you I'll kick their asses."
Gray smiled and leaned his head on Natsu's shoulder, reveling in the fact that he got to date this amazing man. He breathed in Natsu's comforting scent slowly, as they sat there in a peaceful silence.
"Kay, let's go." Gray said, getting up, resolve invigorated.
Natsu nodded, and off they went.
When they reached the guild hall, Gray smiled at Natsu as he opened the doors. Racuous noise suddenly quieted into an eerie silence as everyone stared openly at the newest couple in Fairy Tail.
"Hey, guess what?" Natsu called.
"What?" echoed everyone.
Gray raised their conjoined hands, and audible gasps were heard. Some sported nosebleeds, while others like Lucy and Mira only smiled. Both knew from the start that the two loved each other and also that both of them were too demse to do anything about it. Lucy was excited and jumping with joy on the inside. She would finally get to experience some real yaoi stuff that Erza was always going on about. On the side, it would also help her to counter her writer's block. She drooled at the very thought.
"Dang, Wakaba!" Macao said, handing over money to the smiling man. Seeing Natsu's confused expression, he explained.
"I thought that you'd end up dating Loke but Wakaba said Gray."
"So you never doubted that I might be.. gay?" Gray asked, feeling relieved as the general clamor of the guild started up again.
"You're a freaking stripper and he has pink hair. I think it's slightly obvious!" The person who said this wasn't Macao or Wakaba, but Erza who was standing behind them.
Both above mentioned males gulped, while the others waited for the reaction of the Queen of Fairies, the so called Titania, Erza Scarlet. Erza marched to them, the clanking of her boots audible in the silence. Pulling both of them into a hug, the sound of their heads hitting her armoured chest echoed in the room. Some winced at the sound. But nobody said anything. They were used to her strange displays of affection.
She whispered something to both of them, and released them, smirking slightly. Turning their heads to look at her retreating back, they both burned red at her whispered words.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Seems like Erza was also very happy with the pair. The noise once again resumed, albeit higher in intensity than before. Master also smiled, happy for his sons.
"Listen up, brats! Today is a very important day for all of us. Let's hope such events and reunions keep on happening! Party hard!" he hollered.
Mira smiled and nodded. Balancing trays of wine glasses, she handed them to everyone, even the non-drinkers. Cana smirked, chugging another barrel of wine. In general, the atmosphere was very lively.
Gray pulled at their conjoined hands and when Natsu glanced at him, he gestured towards the request board. He hoped Natsu understood his wordless gesture. He was in no mood to speak. Natsu seemed to understand what he was trying to say, and shook his head, not allowing it. Gray was annoyed. He wordlessly questioned him again.
'Why the hell not? Come on, please! I need the money. My funds are running out.' He begged. When it seemed that Natsu was still unrelenting however, he sighed. He had only one trick up his sleeve to convince Natsu. He had sincerely hoped it wouldn't come to this. Oh well. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Putting on his best puppy dog face, he tried to convince Natsu again. Natsu's resolve started to waver, but he held on. 'Fine!' Gray huffed, irritated. 'You can tag along, happy now?'
Natsu immediately brightened and nodded, now willing to let him choose. With Natsu in tow, he walked to the request-board and started skimming through it for missions. When he found a good one, he nodded and tore it out of the board.
"Mira, mark us down for this one!" He yelled. Mira nodded and wrote it down.
Whistling, they made their way out of the guild, oblivious to the stares of everyone.