Chapter 3

The Duo


Bending down to tie his shoe laces, the teenager felt anxious as the other boys made their way into the court. Gray took a long, deep breath and willed himself to calm down. It was 7AM and he was in the gym of Fairy Tale High, ready to begin his try-outs for the basketball team. A hand made its way into Gray's vision and the boy smiled, knowing the owner of the pale, outstretched fingers. He took the offered cold hand and was pulled up by his smiling brother, Lyon.

Lyon eyed his brother warily, taking note of his stressed demeanour. To any other person Gray looked his usual indifferent, nonchalant self but Lyon could see the points of anxiety in his eyes,; the bangs falling over them and cascading into his vision. That was Gray's sign of weakness and unsureness, he hid behind his raven locks and obscured himself from the world.

Lyon put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Hey," he began softly. "It's only tryouts and I know its been a while since we played ball but let's just have fun. Nothing serious, if we don't make it no big deal. Plus, I'm not staying if you aren't."

Gray lifted a thin eyebrow. "Why?" He asked, a slight frown on his lips.

Lyon shrugged. "Mmm, well basketball won't be fun without you and well its our thing, together. Plus I already got student council so if you don't make it, I won't be joining either."

"And if I do make it?" Gray questioned, already knowing his brother's answer.

"I'll stay and together we can go to Inter High and hell maybe even Winter Cup." Lyon confessed, making it seem like it was no big deal but Gray noticed otherwise.

Gray knew his brother loved basketball, he loved it dearly and it was their favourite pastime as children before things went sour. He wouldn't deprive his brother from engaging in the sport he loved. He could see how badly the elder wanted to become part of the team but he knew that his brother wouldn't join without him. Lyon was not kidding when he said that he would be with him in every step, he meant it. He wanted his brother to feel secure and wanted him to know that he would always be there for him. Gray knew, actions spoke much louder then words and Lyon was always always there for him when life screwed him over countless times. He wasn't just his brother, he was his best-friend and mentor and life long companion. He couldn't imagine a life without Lyon by his side. Others may see the constant presence of his older brother in his life as over-bearing but to Gray it was his salvation. If it hadn't been for Lyon constantly helping him pick up the shattered pieces of himself then he would have lost himself to the dark abyss a long time ago.

He had never really told his brother once how grateful he was for him because he knew Lyon was aware. Both brothers were aware of their mutual, tight -indissoluble- bond. Gray gazed at his brother who was looking at him, his eyes bright in concern. He gave him a small smile and nodded reassuringly. He could do this, he will make it into the team and resume the sport he loved, with Lyon by his side.

"Let's go out and be better then Kuroko and Kagami combined," Gray joked as his brother chuckled under his breath, following after his brother as they lined up, ready for the practice match that would determine whether or not they were worthy of being on the team.


Natsu watched in silence from the benches as the tryouts resumed, his hands were clenched by his side in agitation and disbelief.

Gray Fullbaster. Why in the bloody hells was Gray Fullbaster everywhere?

And I be damned! He's bloody good!

Natsu glanced at the side where Loki and Gajeel were seated, coach Gildarts was not far from where they were all gathered, watching the games unfold, making a few quick notes on his clipboard here and there. The first years were up against the upper-years, the game had started normally, no one stood out much, that was until two boys had switched spots with the their temporary teammates. It was calm, silent, nothing resounding through the gym except the dribbling of the ball against the ground, the familiar squeaks of running shoes as the athletes rushed around, trying to lay claim to the ball and win the spot light.

Then something changed.


One gesture, one head nod, one finger held up across the court. Natsu saw it. Gray stood at the side and locked his gaze with a silver haired boy, received a nod in return then Gray held his index finger up, the other boy smirked in response and launched his attack. It was too sudden that even Gajeel whistled. Gray went from nonchalant bystander to a sports demon, his lean figure moving like a shadow along side the silver haired boy who slithered through the amateurs, quickly slapping the ball away from the opposing side, passing it back to Gray stealthily. Gray caught it with ease, lifted his arms smoothly and jumped gracefully-poised as a professional player-ball in the air.

The running teammates stopped in shock and disbelief. Natsu's jaw dropped, Gildarts grinned. Gray was half way through court, he stood at the center circle-the mid court line just an inch from his feet- he was aiming for a three-pointer but from halfway through court; that took skill and extreme precision. He flicked his wrists up and the ball soared. It was as if everything moved in slow motion. Natsu's eyes flickered away from Gray as he saw the silver-haired race to the three-point lane, the ball hit the hoop and rolled mockingly around the rim. As everyone remained frozen, the silver-haired boy did a high jump and slapped the ball down into the hoop before it hand the chance to fall off or fall in at its leisure. Everyone remained silent and frozen, all eyes locked on the two pale boys who took over the court and scored an amiable ball. The silver haired boy raced to the raven haired and they high-fived.

"Like old times." The silver haired said, laughing and slapping the raven on the back.

Gray shook his head. "I'm a little rusty, it didn't fall in; haven't touched a ball in a while," he confessed, a frown marring his features as he flicked his fingers.

Natsu stared in disbelief. That three pointer halfway through court was a lousy throw? He hadn't touched a ball in a while? Both boys were like pro players while rusty, Natsu couldn't imagine just how good they would be after practice and redundant sessions of drills.

Gildarts blew the whistle and called the players to their bench. Natsu gazed at his coach who had an impressed expression on his face; he seemed to really like those duo.

Natsu looked up as the players gathered in front of him and his seated teammates. His eyes locked with icy blue and he immediately scowled meanly at the raven head. Just because Gray was good at game didn't mean Natsu had to like him.

"Say yours words Captain" Gildarts said, waving a hand at Natsu.

Natsu stood up slowly and gazed at Gray whose eyes widened in disbelief. Yes asshole, I'm Captain so take that!

The pinkette gazed around at the group of young lads trying out. He gazed curiously at the silver haired boy who held his gaze firmly, his eyes dark and attentive. He had a strong gaze, a chalky complexion similar to Gray and was the same height as the raven who stood close next to him. What was their relationship? Wondered Natsu as he clapped his hands together and put on his winning smile.

"Alright guys! Today was great! We commend your efforts and the list will be posted today, I'm Captain Natsu Dragneel and I look forward to us becoming a team. I only have three rules 1)Teamwork-we are a team and in more ways then most, we look out for each other in and out of the court. 2) Health, stay healthy! Eat well, sleep enough, don't push yourself too hard! 3) Have fun! Yes, we're a team and we want to kick some ass but we're also here because we share the love of the ball, so have fun and let's all get along! And that's all for my eloquent, colloquial speech" The pinkette ended, scratching the back of his neck and laughing in embarrassment.

"Grades moron!" The coach commented as he threw an arm around the captain's shoulders, earning a glare from the pinkette. "Don't let your grades fall or the student council will get involved. And dear lord…we do not need the student council president on our asses. So maintain your grades!"

Gajeel snickered. "Just get C's is good enough."

Some of the boys laughed at his comment as the coach glared at him and smacked him with his clipboard.

"They don't need to become as dumb as you are, metal head," mumbled Loke.

"What is that blondie?"

The couch dismissed the group and turned to the bickering pair and used his clipboard on all their heads; their howls of pain followed the boys as they exited the gym and headed into the change room.

Gray looked over his shoulder and watched the pinkette who had his head thrown back, laughing at the expense of his friends who were passive-aggressively insulting the coach who waved the clipboard in the air threateningly, a mean grin on his face.

Captain huh?


Inside the change room, chatter was exchanged lively and friendships were made between the boys who tried out. The two brothers kept to themselves, quietly retrieving their bags from their temporary lockers, their expressions grim and their postures oozing from discomfort. Their demeanours confused the boys because what reason did they have to be so glum? They had most definitely made the team, awing everyone with their joint performance and mastery over the ball. The brothers collected their things and left the change rooms without changing out of their gym clothes and the whispers rose, some in confusion, others in complete admiration, some boys still enamoured by their earlier display in court.

The ice brothers walked quickly and with purpose, checking over their shoulders as they entered the boy's bathroom. Each entered a separate stall and began shedding off their clothes.

"Don't you think this will cause us trouble?" Gray asked from his stall as he threw on his shirt quickly, refusing to allow his eyes to venture away from the door and down to his chest. He had a good day and he didn't want to see his body to be reminded of those days; those days were behind him and he didn't want his day to go sour.

"We have no other choice, you know very well we can't change in public." Lyon replied, his voice low as he changed quickly. "Even if people are curious, who cares? They can't…do anything about it."

Gray sighed and nodded to himself. That's right, they had no other choice. If anyone saw them without their clothes on, the state of their bodies will definitely cause alarm and instigate many questions. Questions neither of them wanted to answer, or face. They had to hide away, from the curious eyes of the onlookers, they had to continue in the shadows, they couldn't be seen nor found out. It was a sad way to live but it was their safe way, they had each other and that was all that mattered.

Natsu groaned as the decision was made. He huffed and protested as the names were posted. It was official, Gray and Lyon made the cut. They were now part of Fairy Tail High's basketball team.

Natsu stood in front of sports bulletin board, arms crossed and eyes drawn to the bolded names, the names of the new members, the names of his future team mates: his nakama. He sighed heavily and frowned.

Gray Fullbaster.

Well…only basketball and the house. He would make sure that their lives would not get any further intertwined. Just a teammate and a housemate is what he swears they'll be. Nothing more.

—-


Author's Note:

Yes a very dry chapter (but awesome basketball)! But things pick up in the next! I know everyone is dying for some action/romance, I promise things start in the next chapter. Gratsu shall start then, I promise it gets better (and longer update) _ Reviews are welcome =]]]