A/N: Sorry for the wait! I had a little thing called finals to get over with recently. In addition, the author I got the story from put her site on hiatus for a bit, blocking all access, so I can't refer to the original story. It's a bit of a pain… So please bear with slower updates for the last two chapters after this while I try to write them out from memory, and thanks to everyone for reading.
Ultimately, they were the ones who were relying on his kindness all along.
It should have been the most painful for him, yet he did not say anything.
In his kindness, he would even forgive them of their own selfishness.
Gray had been sleeping on the second floor of the guild. When it was impossible to know if he would fall asleep, it was difficult to live alone now.
Whenever he was awake, he would help Mirajane with her work.
There was not a day that went by when someone was not stuck to Gray's side like glue. Especially the other members of Fairy Tail's strongest team.
But still, Happy wondered sometimes. About what kind of thoughts Gray would have when everyone else left to go on missions, one by one.
"Everyone… All of us are being terrible to you, Gray."
"Why's that?"
Sitting across from Happy at the table, Gray looked puzzled.
"You hate being at the guild now, don't you? Because everyone's selfish and we made you stay here. We said we didn't want you to go."
"…Happy."
"It's more normal to go to the hospital when you're sick, right? I-If it bothers you, you shouldn't have to stay at the guild just 'cause we said so."
Gray's hand extended, reaching over to gently pat Happy on the head. "That's enough, Happy. Don't say that sort of stuff."
The last time he had seen those hands produce delicately sturdy ice, it was as if it had been another lifetime ago. With that in mind, Happy became more and more depressed. "Gray…"
"You see, that's what I'm talking about. Stop blaming yourself. That's worse than anything else, you know?"
Saying that, Gray let out an embarrassed laugh. "I really did used to think it'd be better if I left, seeing everyone blame themselves for what's going on. This isn't anyone's fault."
"But that's…!"
Even as the involuntary exclamation slipped out and Happy clapped his paws to his mouth, the words that had been spoken just now were indeed as Gray said.
Gray's hand continued to rub Happy's head softly. "If everything had ended with Deliora back then," he mused mildly, "maybe it would be easier now."
"…"
"But everyone would kick my ass if I said that, so."
Happy lowered his gaze.
He wondered why everything had come to this.
It was like the master had once said. One person's happiness was everyone's happiness.
If Gray was suffering by being in the guild, then everyone would suffer seeing Gray with such a look.
And knowing everyone was suffering because of him, Gray would suffer too.
Everyone was hurting each other, with each other.
But there was no one to blame.
"I thought keeping at a distance would be better at first. But now, I can't even imagine doing that. Fairy Tail's still home, no matter what."
"I'm sure you'll get better, Gray. That's why, everything'll be okay…!"
…He did not want such a thing to be said.
"I know. Thanks, Happy."
Gray smiled quietly. His hand, still caressing Happy's head, was as kind, as friendly as ever.
That kindness was enough to make him want to cry.
Happy tightly squeezed his eyes shut.
It was good that he wasn't crying.
I mean, we thought he was supposed to cry the most, but he didn't.
.
.
.
palm-friendly.
