Already Mine

By Faralyne

O– Chapter Three –O

Gray didn't dare to stop running until the door to his studio apartment slammed shut.

He slid to the floor, chest heaving, lungs begging for air, eyes darting in the darkness.

His apartment was icy. Normally, that would soothe him. Tonight, it cloaked him chilling apprehension.

His mind choked on one detail. One fact that could destroy the superficial happiness he built up and the secret he happily kept to himself.

'Natsu found out.'

A shuddering breath escaped his dry lips. An attempt to calm him down. He needed to think this through. Gray ran a cold hand through his spiky hair, snagging and pulling at any knots.

But like an old dam cracking under pressure, a million new thoughts flooded his mind.

'Why was Natsu there in the first place?'

'How did he even get in? I thought he didn't like those types of scenes. Did he use my name to get in?'

'Wasn't he on some quest?'

'Does this mean other guild members were there?'

'Did he really see me? Did he know it was me?'

'No shit, I looked him straight in the eyes before hightailing it out of there,' Gray thought, a morbid huff following.

'What if he tells someone?'

It was no surprise Natsu had a loud mouth. But, was it loose?

Gray hated to admit it, but he and Natsu were close. They had an unbreakable bond—an unbreakable friendship that pulled them through dangerous situations and scarring tribulations. Again, Gray was not one to admit it. Most of the time, Natsu wasn't one to either. Under the pretense of friendship, it was a weird bond. Gray couldn't describe it, so "unbreakable friendship" would have to do. Exploring it would open doors neither of them were ready for. It was a lot easier to keep each other close by the pull of an insult or the challenge of a prank. It was just how they operated.

That scared Gray. Natsu might not think much of his discovery. Gray didn't doubt Natsu would accept him the way he was, but he might not realize that not everyone was Natsu Dragneel. Natsu might just blabber to the guild to be funny or to initiate a playful fight or to just embarrass Gray a little bit. Yes, Gray was bisexual, but he tended to prefer guys over girls. Not everyone may be open to that kind of news. Or worse, they might think different of him.

Gray loved the guild. They were his family. He knew they would either accept him as he is, or they might take a little time to—but no one would shun him.

However, it wasn't about acceptance to Gray. He was afraid of losing the bonds he had now. No matter how much they may try to hide it, this little piece of information would mold those bonds. They would see him differently, pretending they didn't. And although the guild would always accept him, they would now be forced to accept him for different reasons. They would change their words or watch what they say. They would look back on past interactions and wonder self-centered thoughts.

Gray stared into the darkness, drowning in his thoughts, until the morning sunlight found his hiding spot.