Sorry that this took so long.
I also have to make an unfortunate announcement: this story might be going on hiatus for a while. It is because my mind is just elsewhere and I can't seem to focus on this story. I will give it a bit space to breathe, if you can understand. It can't stay a weekly update thing or I might lose interest in it completely.
My cure to keep this story alive is that I will publish a few chapters that (as I explained before) can be skipped.
Sorry about this once again and I hope that you will like this chapter of Losing hope.
Also, THE RATING IS CHANGING TO M DUE TO NATSU AND GRAY GETTING A BIT TOO ROMANTIC!
So, this chapter has some lightly M-rated stuff. Mostly fluff, angst and lots of romance.

Natsu's POV

"He's in here."

I woke up when I felt someone touch my forehead. My body felt uncomfortably hot and the cool hand felt so nice on my forehead.

I slowly opened my eyes to see an old lady looking at me with intense eyes. It took me a while before I recognized the woman. 'If I remember right... She's Porlyusica. Master's friend.'

I still felt tired. Even more than before. Even my thinking had become slow and I felt like I needed to go back to sleep. I closed my eyes without thinking. My head felt strange and I thought that it was because I had been laying for a long time. But then I remembered, yes, I was cursed.

"Huh...Erza... and Porlyusica!" someone shouted in surprise and I recognized the voice as Gray's.

"Hey, Gray. You really shouldn't be sleeping. You're supposed to watch Natsu so nothing will happen," Erza said.

"I know," Gray sighed. "You came to help Natsu?" he continued.

"Yes."

There was a moment of silence before Erza spoke.

"How is he?"

Porlyusica sighed before saying, "Makarov was right. It's definitely a curse. And a strong one."

"Can you heal him?" Gray asked. Porlyusica removed her hand to my great displeasure and gave a sad sigh.

"I'm afraid that I'm unable to help this child."

I heard it loud and clear. She couldn't help me. I understood that she may have been our only hope. I was going to die.

The tiredness was still there, but I forced my eyes to open. My vision was blurry but I saw Gray standing close to my side and I tried to call out to him. But yea, I didn't have my voice. Thankfully, he noticed.

"Natsu!" He knelt beside me and took my hand in his own. His face was twisted in sorrow. 'It's okay.' I tried to mouth to him and he shook his head before moving our hands to touch his forehead. His grip was so strong that it almost hurt. I could hear him sob.

"Damn it... Why is this happening?" he asked. I wanted to cheer him up, but I couldn't think of anything to say even if I could have spoken.

Porlyusica walked beside me and I turned to look at her. She touched my neck softly and muttered some words. My neck suddenly felt strange. The air seemed to pass much easier than before and all the pain was suddenly gone.

"I can at least do this. I'm very sorry that I wasn't able to help you, child."

I shook my head and I realized that she had just healed my throat.

"It's okay." I was surprised that my voice came out. But still, I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't say that there would be another way for I wasn't sure.

"Isn't there really anything? Anything at all?" Erza asked desperately.

Porlyusica gave a sigh before she spoke.
"Let me tell you about this curse. It is commonly known as 'the five-day-curse' as it torments the victim for five continuous days. The fifth day is the final, decisive day. Whether he lives or dies depends completely on his willpower. However..." Porlyusica trailed off, seemingly forgetting to speak aloud.

"What is it?" Erza demanded.

"This curse also has another side to it. It has been used by necromancers in the past in order to kill the victim and gain their body to their use. I suggest you figure out who the man is who cast this curse, for if he turns out to be a necromancer, you will have a lot more trouble."

Before we could even gasp, another voice was heard.

"No need, unfortunately. The man who you just talked about was just reported dead by the council. He died in his cell last night. The cause if unknown," Master finished with a heavy tone.

My head was spinning. What was happening? I gave Gray's hand a squeeze, and he did the same for mine. Him being there helped me stay calm.

"Dead? But then the curse should be gone!" Gray almost shouted in desperation. I couldn't see Master, but I imagined that the look on his face was grim.

"No... After doing a throughout search on the man, they found out that he had truly died several years ago."

"So..then.." Erza began with a wavering voice.

"Yes, that man was just a moving corpse. The real enemy is a necromancer."

Gray's POV

The sun had started to set in the horizon, turning the earlier blue sky into several beautiful shades of red and orange. I knew this even though I wasn't even looking outside, for the room I sat in was bathed in those deep colors.

Had it been a normal evening at the guild, I would have grabbed myself a beer and sat outside or near a window, letting myself relax. However, today wasn't normal and I knew that there was no way for me to enjoy the evening. My chest was tight with worry, anger and frustration and I couldn't deny the feeling of powerlessness as I stared at the unconscious figure resting under the covers on the infirmary bed. I found myself stroking the boy's hand absentmindedly as it was held in my own.

I stared at the pinkette's face for a while before I once again felt a painful twinge inside my chest and I sucked in a deep breath, throwing my head upwards and trying to hold in those tears which wanted to escape again.

'This can't be happening, it can't be!' I thought to myself while running a hand over my face before letting it linger over my mouth.

How was this all possible? We had gone through so much together, but this time it was just him alone fighting this battle.

A tired groan woke me from my thoughts. "Hm? Gray? What's wrong?" I let my hand fall down as I turned to look at the tired dark orbs staring into mine. I managed to smile at him, though I knew it came out as a sad one. "Hey...nothing's wrong. How are you feeling?" My tone was far more soft than I imagined it being, but I knew that Natsu wouldn't mind.
The boy gave a smile while pushing himself up saying, "good, I'm feeling good." I knew it was a lie by the look in his eyes, but I decided not to say anything about it.

I once again drifted into my own thoughts and it took me a long while to realize how quiet the room had become. Only when Natsu spoke again, his voice sounding loud in the silence, did I notice that even the atmosphere had changed.

"It can't be helped." I looked at the boy in confusion. His eyes had turned intense as he stared at me meaningfully. "This situation can't be helped, so stop looking like that. We'll get through this." His words sounded so naïve, so simple that they couldn't be true.

"How?" I demanded with a slight hiss in my tone, "are we just going to wait it out while you go through all that pain over and over again for five days?" My tone was filled with anger and frustration but I knew that I was venting on the wrong person. Natsu frowned at my words, but even his bothered expression couldn't shut my mouth. "And how do I even know that this won't kill you before those days are over? That guy is a necromancer! Who knows what crazy shit he has planned to do to your body?!" At this point I was already shouting. I was begging myself to stop already as the hurt in Natsu's eyes seemed to increase after every word. "And what good am I, huh? There is no 'we' here, is there? I can only sit here and watch you suffer day after day!" Before I could take another breath to continue my meaningless ramble, Natsu stopped me.

"Gray!" His voice was sharp and loud as he stared at me in anger. I instantly fell silent and my mouth snapped closed. "I get that this is hard for you. It's not any easier for me, either... I don't know what's going to happen and it scares the hell out me," Natsu confessed, his eyes shining with honesty. "-But if we lose hope, then everything will be lost. I won't be able to hold on, even for a day." I looked at Natsu in admiration. I knew that he was right. I had honestly known those things even before I had started talking, but I had despaired and panicked in fear of losing him. He had to go through all that physical and emotional pain, which must have made him feel terrified, yet he didn't lose hope. I shook my head to myself and looked down. I was definitely the worst.

"So, Gray..." Natsu started, his voice filled with strange desperation which caused me to look up. He was looking at me sadly, his eyes shining with strong feelings. "-Don't ever say those things again. I...I need you. If you don't support me...I don't think I can-" Natsu snapped his mouth shut after those words and looked away from me while sucking in a quick breath. He swallowed and stared at the ceiling while blinking. He was...trying not to cry. I was really, truly the worst.

"Oh god.." I breathed and with a swift move, I leaned over Natsu and pulled him into an embrace.

"I'm sorry, Natsu. I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have said those things. You have to go through all of this and now I'm acting like such an idiot! I'm supposed to be making you feel better, not like this." I put my hand behind his head and pulled him even closer to myself. "I'm sorry. Things will be different from now on."

I heard Natsu's uneven breaths next to my ear and I felt the way his body relaxed as he let himself go. His body shook with those pure feelings he had held inside as his tears created damp spots on my shirt. He nodded once, then twice, and I knew that he didn't trust his voice that moment.
I knew that Natsu didn't like anyone seeing him weak and even though he had opened his heart up for me a bit more, he still wasn't too comfortable about crying in front of me. I stroked his pink hair, marveling at the way it curved into those spikes yet stayed so soft.

I felt happy as I realized my duty. I was the one who hid Natsu's true feelings. His tears, his fears... they would all be told to me, no one else. I knew that it was a very important task and it had been given to me.

"I'll protect you. I swear on my life, Natsu, I won't leave you." Those words just seemed to slip from my mouth and I would have felt embarrassed about voicing those thoughts if it weren't for the hands that appeared behind me, pulling me closer that moment.

We stayed in that embrace for a long time until Natsu decided to pull away. I looked at him in affection as his eyes were red and puffy from the earlier tears. He shyly looked into my eyes and managed a smile.

"Thanks," he said with such innocence and honesty that my heart leaped in joy. I smiled back at him and nodded while saying, "you can count on me. I won't mess up from now on." Natsu gave an amused huff and replied, "we'll see about that." It was obviously a lighthearted joke, but I took those words seriously.
I grasped Natsu's hand tightly in my own and leaned closer to the other. Natsu's eyes widened in surprise as our noses were almost touching. I stared at him in seriousness and desperation.
"I'm serious. I will support you from now on. You can show all your weaknesses to me, I will carry them all. I'll keep you safe."

"Gray-?" Before Natsu could finish saying my name, I crashed our lips together. Natsu let out a surprised sound as I pushed his body down on the bed, our mouths still connected. I deepened our kiss but I felt that Natsu was hesitating.

I felt my love overflowing. I wanted to show him just how desperately I needed him, how strong my feelings were! I held his hand down next to his head before I reached for his other one and did the same for it.

I broke our kiss, leaving us both gasping and panting. I stared at Natsu's flustered face for a while and the way his eyes were almost closed. He was so cute...so perfect.

I leaned myself down to kiss his neck, earning a hitched breath from the body below.

"G-Gray...!" he gasped my name as I nibbled at the sensitive skin, traveling lower and lower while leaving hickey's behind.

I let my other hand go of Natsu's, letting it travel down his chest and belly before I slipped it under his white shirt. Natsu was about to open his mouth to protest, but I cut it off with a kiss.

A muffled moan was heard from Natsu as I trailed my fingers over his warm skin, slowly making my way higher. I carefully avoided his bandages and reminded myself to be gentle with my actions. I tried to feel every curve on Natsu's body. All the muscles and his ribs.. I wanted to feel them all through his warm skin. I wanted to know everything about him.

I traveled higher up under his shirt before I found a very sweet spot. The little bud was hard and erect which made me unable to resist the urge to give it a pinch. Once I did, Natsu broke our kiss with a surprised shout.

"G-Gray! What are you doing?" His breaths came out fast and deep and I just couldn't help but to continue to massage that tiny spot on his chest with my fingers. Natsu closed his eyes tightly and tried to hold back a moan. I smiled at his sensitivity.

I removed my fingers to lift his shirt up higher, but I was stopped by Natsu's hand.

"Gray, n-not here! Someone could come in!" I was brought to reality by those words. What had I been doing? Did I really just try to..! Realizing that I had been moving completely by my emotions, I pulled myself away from Natsu.

"S-sorry. I...wasn't thinking straight." I looked away from the younger to hide my red face. I heard rustling behind myself and soon I felt two arms making their way around my body. Natsu grasped my open shirt (when had I opened it?!) tightly as he pulled his body against my back.

"It's okay, really. I...want to do it too but... let's wait, okay? When this is all over, I want you to touch me, just like you did." Natsu's voice was silent and wavered in embarrassment, but his words reached me loud and clear. I put my hand on Natsu's and pulled it up to my face before planting a small, affectionate kiss on it.

"Yeah, I'll make sure it will be something special."

Natsu laughed against my back softly, "thanks."

A long silence was shared between us. I felt the body against mine turning relaxed before it slowly fell limp. I listened to Natsu's calm and long breaths for a while, just enjoying the peace. I then removed the pink-haired boy's hands and, as gently as I could, turned around to catch his body to rest him back on the bed. Once his head was back on the pillow I ran my hand through his hair. He was in such deep sleep that he didn't notice anything that I did, but when I trailed my hand down his face he unconsciously snuggled against it. I smiled at him lovingly.

"One day finished, four to go..." I whispered to myself.

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