A/N: And here is one of my favorites, simply because it's about Gray. (: Honestly, not completely happy about the very end, but... *shrugs* Whatever. Don't know how to fix it exactly so... There it is.

Thanks again to Naturesshadow for reviewing, but also to the-raven-haired-wolf and 4-Sweet-Lianna to adding this story to their faves/alerts!

Mood Music: Merry Christmas, Here's to Many More by Relient K is what inspired this one. I would listen to it if I were you. (: (Not to mention that's where I got the title...)

Disclaimer: Ya'll really think I own Fairy Tail? I think you need a straight jacket and a rubber room...

Here's to Many More

If he thought about it hard, Gray could remember when Christmas brought about good times and cheer. Bits and pieces of memories long gone would surface every now and again – memories of decorating a tall tree outside with edible decorations he and Lyon and Ur had made for the birds and squirrels, memories further back of a grand feast and presents piled high under the tree in the home he shared with his parents. But that was a time long passed. He no longer had pleasant memories for this time of year because every year found him out on a job somewhere now. But that was by choice; he spent the holiday alone, and that was the way he wanted it. (Or at least that was what he told himself; he would never admit that being alone hurt.)

Everyone in the guild knew he hated the season though no one really knew why. So when Wendy approached him about the annual Christmas guild party, every member held his or her breath. Surely he wouldn't hurt her like he had Natsu the first time the fire-brain had enquired, would he?

"Gray-san!" Wendy called excitedly as she plopped down on the barstool next to his. "Are you excited for the party on Christmas Eve? I am!"

Gray simply gave the younger mage an indifferent look, much to the relief of the other mages. "Why would I be? I'm not going."

Wendy's smile fell. "You're not? Why? You've never missed a party before…"

He shrugged taking a long gulp of his drink. "I never go. I just… don't like Christmas much, okay?" He stood up, heading for the mission board. "Maybe I'll just take a job…"

"But… That's kind of a lonely way to spend the holidays, isn't it? I mean, holidays are for spending time with the people you care about…"

Gray stopped a few paces away from the bar at her words, his head falling forward, eyes closing momentarily. "Yeah, well… the people I cared the most for are gone. So I guess it's fitting to be alone, wouldn't you say?"

"No, I wouldn't say that. No one should ever be alone on Christmas."

Gray lifted his head, turning slightly to face the girl. "I'd rather be alone. Just let it be." He turned back towards the mission board.

"I don't understand why. I guess because I don't think you're telling the truth."

He hesitated. Chewing the inside of his bottom lip, Gray fought with himself. He had made it a point to never tell anyone, but should he tell her? He was six years her senior, after all, and she had yet to really see the cruelties of the world; would she even understand? He wasn't good with words in situations like this… With a soft sigh, he reluctantly returned to the bar, resuming the seat he had abandoned only a moment before. "It hurts less when I keep myself busy," he muttered, rubbing a hand tiredly over his eyes. "I don't have to think about everything I have lost as I see everyone else with their families. I know I'm not the only one who no longer has a family to spend it with, but it's just better that I'm not here. I don't want to be a damper on everyone else's joy. Believe me, Wendy; being out on a job is the best place for me to be this time of year. Please just accept that fact like the rest of the guild has."

"But… I want you to come," Wendy spoke quietly. "It won't be the same without you."

"I have to agree with her, Gray." The ice mage turned in his seat to see Erza standing behind them, her arms folded over her chest. "You know, just because you never come that doesn't mean we don't think about you and wonder where you are and worry if you're half dead or not somewhere. Besides," she smirked in attempt to lighten the mood, "what's a party without you and Natsu starting a fight?"

Gray turned away, his bangs shadowing his eyes. "I'd rather not."

Erza sighed, sitting down beside him on the opposite side from Wendy. "What would it take to convince you to come this year?"

"My parents and Ur," he answered so quietly his voice was almost inaudible in the busy guild hall.

For a moment the trio was silent as his words took hold in Erza's mind. So that's why, she mentally acknowledged. She placed a hand on the ice mage's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Gray…" She sighed softly. "Gomen'nasai. I… I know it's hard, but someone once told me that it's pointless to live in the past when you aren't capable of changing it. Instead of wallowing in sorrow, it's better to move forward. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting, after all; it simply means living, continuing on despite your loss. I may not have known them, Gray, but I do know that they must have loved you and wouldn't want you to spend Christmas alone and hurting. You may not have them anymore, but you have us. All of us. Fairy Tail is as much a family as it is a guild. You of all people should know that, Gray; you are the one who taught me that, after all."

Gray remained silent, lost in thought as memories of both his parents and Ur swirled inside his mind. "Mama, mama, mama! Papa, papa, papa! It's Christmas! You have to wake up!" – "Gray, the sun isn't even up yet…" – "So?" Gray couldn't help but let a sad smile tug at the corners of his mouth at the memory. It was the last Christmas he'd had with his parents. "Then you like it, Gray?" – "Very much, Ur-sensei!" – "Good! I'm glad… It's good to see you smiling for once, you know. You should try it more often." Slowly he nodded. "Ur always told me," he spoke softly, "that I should smile more, that it wasn't fitting to wear a frown all the time. Despite having lost her daughter, she could still be happy and smile." He paused. "I think it would make her happy if I finally learned how to smile again."

Erza smiled warmly. "It would make more than just Ur happy, Gray."

The ice mage returned her smile with a genuine one of his own. But, before he could respond, their conversation was oh-so rudely interrupted.

"OI! Popsicle!"

Wendy sighed. "Natsu always knows when to walk into a conversation, doesn't he?"

Without missing a beat, Gray rose to the challenge, standing up abruptly. "Fire-brain! Can't you see we're having a nice, civil conversation here?!"

"What? You afraid to fight, Ice Pants?"

"Not on your life, Lizard Boy!"

As the two moved away, throwing punches as well as words, Erza sighed.

"So," Wendy mused. "Do you suppose that's a 'yes, I'm going to the party'?"

Erza stood up, heading for the duo. When she reached them, she slammed their heads together. "Let's NOT have to rebuild the guild again, huh?"

"I guess we'll just have to wait and find out," Wendy murmured to herself as she listened to the melee that now engulfed most of the guild hall.

"I think," Mirajane came up to her behind the bar, "that he most likely will."

Wendy turned back around to face the waitress. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, when he first came here, he tended to avoid a lot of things at first. But, with time, the right people were able to persuade him to change some of those mindsets with the right encouragement. Sometimes," she smiled, "he just needs the right person to give him a little shove in the right direction!"