The Twelve Pains of Christmas
Disclaimer – I do not own Fairy Tail or The 12 Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers
*Rated T for Teen
Summary: Christmas is just around the corner, and Gray and Natsu are at it again – this time as a couple with a newly adopted pair of seven-year-old twins. And they want this to be the best Christmas ever…but will it? Modern /AU
Author's Note: Don't hate on Gray, please. I'm just trying to follow the ideas set by the lyrics of the song.
Charities
The seventh thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me is charities.
"Go get a job you lazy bum!" snapped Gray as he walked up the road toward his house. Moving quickly, he finally reached the front door.
The closer it got to Christmas, the more people crawled out from whatever rock they were hiding under to ask him for money. And he hated it!
But Natsu would definitely think differently; he was just too nice for his own good.
Shedding off his coat in the entryway, his husband eagerly greeted him.
"Hey, Gray," Natsu said lovingly as he stretched up to give Gray a kiss. "How was your day?"
"Too long," Gray grumbled in response. "The buses stopped running because of the snow, so I had to walk home from work. About every five fucking minutes, some crazy hobo nearly tackled me and asked me for money."
"And did you give these crazy hobos some money?"
"Hell no. If they want money then they can get a damn job," Gray snapped, heading for the living room with Natsu in tow.
"That wasn't very charitable of you, Gray. It's almost Christmas. The least you can do is offer them something," stated Natsu seriously.
"Why? So they can spend the money on booze and drugs? I don't think so," he quipped, sitting down on the couch. Natsu sat next to him.
"You don't haveto give them money. You could pass out food or old clothing. At least that way you know that what you're giving them would be put to good use. A little goes a long way."
"They'd probably just throw it away. They want cold, hard cash, not warm clothes or hot food."
Natsu grew quiet. "You'd be surprised what people would accept when they're living out on the streets this time of year," he said, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. He seemed to grow distant after that.
Gray looked at him fully at that. What did he mean? Shit, shit. Why hadn't he realized it before?
"You've been like that," Gray said suddenly, realizing what Natsu meant. "You've lived out on the streets like them."
Natsu nodded his head slowly. "After my parents divorced when Wendy and I were younger and my mother took Wendy, my dad hit occasional rough patches. And sometimes we'd end up out on the streets for awhile before he got back on his feet."
"I'm sorry, Natsu. I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me this before?" And what had happened those days when he'd lived out on the streets?
"It wasn't something I cared to relive. It's hard, especially during the holidays. When you're out on the streets, you see all of these families running around together, going shopping, eating, and having fun. They looked so happy, cheerful, warm, and content. And then you're just standing there, freezing your ass off, wondering if you'll survive the cold that night so that you can see it all again tomorrow.
"You're hungry, so you dig through the trash, looking for leftovers that might still be warm. And when you need to sleep—that's the hardest. You have to find a spot to hide, where the cops can't find you and where other crazy hobos can't find you…or else they'll steal your clothes so they can survive the night. It's not easy, Gray. Not one bit."
Gray was speechless. After hearing Natsu's story—what he'd been thorough—it made him feel guilty. He hadn't realized how much he'd taken his own life for granted.
"I would've given just about anything for a hot meal or a safe place to sleep during those days," Natsu continued, "but now I have you and the kids. Gray, I just want you to think twice before you start degrading people living on the streets. Sometimes there's never a choice."
If he wasn't guilty before, he sure as hell felt guilty right now.
Reaching over, Gray pulled Natsu into his lap and held him, feeling the need to wash away all those cold, lonely nights his husband had spent out on the streets.
Natsu sighed while Gray rocked and kissed him. It felt good to be safe, loved, and cherished, to feel like you were worth something. Not everyone got to feel that way.
"We're taking the family out tomorrow," said Gray, breaking the silence.
"To do what?" Natsu asked, twisting his neck so that he could see his husband.
"We're going to do a bit of shopping and put together some gift packs to give out to the homeless. I'll also see what we can do about helping them find some shelter."
"You mean that?"
"I do."
Natsu's eyes lit up and he embraced his strong husband. "Thank you."
"Anything for you."
End Drabble