Story Title: Hidden Flames of Emerald
Rated: T
Warnings: Language, Yaoi, includes sexual themes.
Beta Reader: Gothpandaotaku
I don't own Fairy Tail. This Fanfic is produced for entertainment purposes only.
O.o.O Hidden Flames of Emerald O.o.O
Chapter 9
In the middle of his spacious living room, stood the last person he'd imagine on Earth.
Seriously.
The boy's Amaranth hair stuck out sharper than usual in different ways, his whole green eyes were clouded with some apparent worry, while his face held some sort of a luminance to it. He couldn't pinpoint why one hell it was very bright like that, however, his jaw never stopped bonding with the floor.
His lithe hips and legs were hugged perfectly by faded style blue Jeans while his upper body was wrapped in a V-neck pink shirt and covered by a white blazer, feet fitting perfect red sneakers. Probably, Natsu was one of the rare guys who could wear pink (and white) and still look as manly as possible. It suited him so DAMN right. It appeared as if the world around him was cast in black and white, while Natsu stood beaming with beautiful colors. He made the perfect contrast.
There was something about Natsu calling out for him. Something begging him to just DO whatever he wants to DO with him and suddenly, the consequences didn't sound so bad.
FUCK you Loke.
"Excuse me, one moment."
He left the baffled sexy thing in front of him, and went into the hall, dialing a number on his phone.
"Finally home? What took you so long?!"
"What are you thinking you miserable son of a bitch? What did you do? Why is he here in my house?"
He got the nerve to laugh. "Since you obviously can't handle this alone, I decided to give you a little eye candy. Did it work? Frankly, I don't know your type, or how you like them-"
"—Fuck you. How do you think I feel about this—wait, don't even answer. What will happen if a lion saw a deer just abso-fucking-lutely posing in front of him in a casual manner?"
"Ah well-"
"Yes, you asshole! You sent me the motherfucking deer!"
"I did? Thank god! We did a good job then."
"Bastard, why the hell is he in my-"
Shit.
The womanizer just hung up on him. Oh the day Gray gets to put his hand on his little blonde ass-and absolutely in a NOT good way-he was going to erase his existence from the face of the earth.
The descending seraph-by mistake in his home-was standing with no clue inside of his living room, obviously waiting for him.
Gray breathed for long with aggravation then huffed, taking hesitant steps towards the danger zone.
"Please, sit down." He tried to sound as polite as possible.
His response was a brief nod, and a faint forced smile.
"Sorry for coming unannounced."
Gray took a seat on a large turquoise L-sectional couch while Natsu rested on an armchair to the opposite side. Ur came, poured some drinks for the both of them who remained silent; one stared at the supposedly stunning white Carrara marble floor, and the other averted his gaze to the grande central bubble chandelier as if they both lost all of the words in the world.
Ur stood there for a moment, then sighed, going back to watch the scene from behind the kitchen counter to give them a little 'privacy'.
Natsu was the first to break the silence.
"So… how are you… doing these days?"
Quite calmly, he bent one knee underneath him on the couch and displayed a blank face.
"What? Does it say stupid on the back of my shirt? Why oh why are you here, Natsu?"
He knew this would get them talking like normal again.
"I think I'm here because I want a truce. Like… literally no fighting, no calling names, no—no idiotic nonsense because quite frankly, I'm sick of it, and sick of not knowing what did I do to make you act… dramatically different."
He could tell that Natsu was genuine about his concerns.
Only Gray wouldn't admit that Natsu has even the right to be concerned about anything anymore.
"Give me one good reason for your caring about this matter. If you did, maybe I'll tell you why I'm acting this way."
Natsu scoffed mockingly for a second, then looked like he was trying to behave since he raised his hands in defeat.
"I don't know." A chuckle, "—No, I think I know. I saw a friend in you—who I didn't think I would see before. Now Gray Fullbuster's closeted skeletons are out and for the first time, I think we can be real friends… You might not agree with me—that's my personal opinion, which is why I want you to stop being such an asshole."
He had mixed feelings about it. Half of him wanted to stand up, punch Natsu to death like never before until he forgets he even met him, and the other half wanted to break down into pieces.
"Fair enough. You've earned the right to know." He never broke eye contact as he breathed deeply, "My old school taught me many lessons in life. Like for example, when I tell some guy that I like him, he will simply—spit all over my face, try to torture me to death with the help of some very good friends, try to haunt me in my sleep, my consciousness, and try to go as far as hurting my family because I'm obviously disgusting to almost all people on this granted earth."
Gray raised both of his hands in a scale like fashion, weighing both of the cases, and raised the other one, completing his explanation, "Now, I go to Fujiwara Naoki, and what do I do? I tell a guy that I like him, and what did he do?" Gray grunted and felt so puzzled for a moment, "He gives me some girly punches, next time I see him it's as if nothing happened, then he tries to make it up to me by making me a fucking gorgeous cake. BUT. This guy says he doesn't think of me in that way."
Natsu began to speak, but he vigorously interrupted him with raising his voice, "GIVE ME YOUR MIND FOR A SECOND. Ok? Give me your mind. Do you think I will function well after seeing all of this crap happening before my very right eyes?"
Green eyes glared a piercing glare. "Then what do your highness prefer I do?"
"FOR GODSAKE, Natsu. If you spit in my face—I don't know, show some real resentment, I'll get to maintain the last piece of my sanity that tells me I got no chance. You're even WORSE than that guy… You give me a DAMN hope."
"Wha-"
"This relationship can't go on, Natsu. Fuck, it can't go on. It's either you're my lover, or you're nothing. There is no friend. You can never be only a friend in my so-devilish eyes. I'm giving you a choice. Choose it now."
A slam was heard, and Natsu stood up, anger flaring through his eyes.
"I shouldn't have tried to talk to you civilly. I'm leaving."
The inner brutal and aggravated tiger sleeping within his body, showed his lethal canines. Gray knew that when he launched towards the other, taking a suffocating hold at Natsu's wrists, which made him wince and try to pry him off.
"How many times do I have to say it until you're satisfied, huh?! Why don't you get that I love you already?! I gave you a freaking choice, and you're not walking out on me until I get the answer even if I have to break your freaking arm."
"Why are you doing this?!" Natsu tried to get his wrist and arm out of his deadly grip, "Why does it have to be your way?!"
"—Because I'm a man with very little patience when it comes to things that I want. Choose now."
"So you'd destroy friendship for this nonsense—you surprise me! Keep proving to me that you're nothing but a shit-bag!"
"And you keep proving me that you're nothing but a fucked up scared chicken."
"Sure sure sure—you know what?! Fucking let go of me!" Natsu yanked his hand to the back and pushed his body to get rid of Gray's hold. "I was wrong about you. SERIOUSLY WRONG. Turns out you're just as low as you sound right now."
He watched Natsu's back as the boy stormed out of the house, stopping briefly to bow to Ur before heading out again.
Gray stormed out as well.
"I'm not going to baby you anymore, Natsu. If you go now, without answering me, there is no turning back. You'll be nothing to me. NOTHING."
They stood almost five meters away from each other. He was the most terrified of his own words, but the pointless chase had to stop somewhere, right? If Natsu's choice came out now, he'd learn if they were going to move forward, or go back to where Gray never knew the pink haired at all. It scared him, but his pride overcame that fear. If the moron is such a coward, then he sure as hell didn't like cowards.
"You think you're going to fucking let guilt control me so that I can hand myself to you?! Think again."
Gray raised an eye-brow and his eyes were half opened because of the oppressive sun rays.
"Guilt? What would make you feel guilty if you think that your actions are acceptable?"
"I just have one thing to say. It wasn't me who destroyed this relationship. It was you. You're going to have to learn the hard way that there will be things in life that you can't even touch! Not everything is just available to you!"
"You think I haven't done that already?" Gray scoffed. Ah—the beating he took, the reputation that followed him everywhere—it was hell as far as anyone was concerned, "I know things that I can't have, dimwit. I won't make the same mistake twice. You're a possibility, that's why I'll keep going after possibilities until I know for sure that it's not even possible. Say the word now, and you'll never have to have this conversation with me again." It was an obvious threat.
"You're insane." Natsu looked with disbelief.
"Whatever makes you sleep comfortably."
"THAT'S IT." Natsu bellowed and stormed away from the house.
"NOTHING NATSU! YOU HEAR ME? YOU'RE FREAKIN' NOTHING!"
Irritably, he kicked the small rock underneath and went inside, facing the ungodly glare of his mother and sister.
"What are you two looking at?!"
"A couple of idiots with a serious emotional struggle. Want some cake? So fucking delicious."
His sister needed killing at that moment.
"You took from it without my permission?"
"Oh well. You two argued for long, and the Ice-cream looked tasty."
"Out of my way." He shoved past her, and threw his body on the sofa.
"So you want or you don't want?"
"What the fuck ever."
"Ok, coming right up."
Ur shook her head disapprovingly then sat down in Natsu's position just two minutes ago.
"Here you go."
Gray took the plate with the cake from Ultear murmuring a small 'thanks bitch' before he eats from it.
"Gray."
"What?"
"Don't you think you're… bulldozering Natsu-kun?"
"Excuse me?" What the hell?
"Like walking on him with a bulldozer. You don't give him any room for thinking or debating or even showing his opinion, you're all over the place. The boy ain't know how to breathe."
"Ur, with all respect, because you don't know the half of it, stay out of it."
"Well, let me know. I mean… who'd imagine that one day I'll see a boy coming with a gift for MY son of all people?! I thought you'd die alone for sure."
"…" He almost choked on the cake, then coughed, "WOMAN!"
"C'mon! Tell me."
"It's exactly like you've heard. He's dense, and I'm one hundred percent sure that he has a thing for me. The problem is that the bastard is too much of a coward. And I don't need people like him in my life."
He absolutely didn't feel regret. How long was he going to kiss ass just for the other to notice him, or maybe take any steps forward?! This whole damn earth has something in store for him other than a pink headed fool!
"Yet, you're still eating his cake."
"No Ice-cream goes to waste on my watch."
"Grayyyyyy. I liked that boy. Don't do that now!"
"Woman, your son is in agony here. It's all because of him, and you tell me you like him?!"
"YOU IDIOT!" She punched him on his head harshly, instantly drawing tears from his eyes. "Listen to me! Nobody is going to fall for someone so thick headed and grouchy. You weren't kind to him, period. How do you expect him to come to you?"
"I spoiled him, treated him as nice as my patience span can reach to and so far, it's been crappy anyway. Just drop it, I suddenly hate the mere subject."
"Gray!"
He stood up going to his room.
"Drop it."
It has just been… TERRIBLE.
Sleepless nights, heartache, tears, sobs, frustration, depression, headaches, the worst emotional struggle…
YEAH, mid-term exams can be so tough sometimes. Natsu remembered that day where he broke down in tears at the crack of dawn because he couldn't solve a problem in the mathematics book.
Simply put, fuck the semi-finals. Natsu couldn't understand why didn't he choose to be just a butcher in the market selling meat and enjoying life like all those respectful butchers in the world. They grow big and open several branches, then they end up on a hill of thousands of dollars. Why not take the easy way?!
He growled and closed another book, loosing hope in understanding anything.
He didn't want to understand anything, he just wanted to sleep. So he did what his body told him to do.
When his head rested on the pillow, it was like he went to heaven. His head, hot and crammed full of calculations he'd probably never remember, calmed down, and he yawned like a BABY. Really.
"NOTHING NATSU! YOU HEAR ME? YOU'RE FREAKIN' NOTHING!"
It stuck to his brain like a super-duper glue. No kidding, Gray did keep his word. When he passed by him in the hall, or even Natsu tried to make an eye contact, he would be treated like an invisible object in the way. Literally. Gray didn't even acknowledge his presence. At least, the week prior, Gray was showing his anger by INTERACTING with him.
This time, Natsu has been just… invisible.
He didn't know what he should make out of it. Be glad that he has finally been off of Gray's hook, or to be sad that he had lost a friend. Either way, it didn't matter. It wasn't his fault by any measures. Gray wanted something, and he couldn't give it to him.
END of story.
Tomorrow is going to be a bright new day in his life.
WITHOUT Gray in it.
"You… are going WHERE?!"
Natsu didn't mean to overhear anything. It's just that Loke was so surprised, and his voice reached the nation next to them.
"Alice's wonderland. I will learn how to appreciate the time and know how critical it is, make the best tea, and finally I'll know the recipe to shrink people. Are you deaf? Stop putting on a show."
"Oh my god… oh my god… OH MY GOD!"
"What? Suddenly you are religious?" Gray raised an eyebrow in a mocking fashion.
"How could you do this to me, huh? This friendship that started-"
"-About four months ago-"
"-It has to mean something, eh?" Loke couldn't believe it, "What you did… is betrayal, dude. I don't take betrayal very well. I don't even know if I can talk to you."
"For god sakes, it's only three days, and it's not like we're seniors or nothing. The actual danger is after like—a year or something."
"GRAY. You didn't tell me, man! That's huge. Ok? Huge."
"I would not tell you anything like this until I'm sure. Now, I'm sure."
Loke was taking Gray's leave to Colorado pretty badly. It was like a smack in his face, and Natsu felt bad for him. He knew about Gray's leave and still felt bad about it even though they weren't as close as Loke is to Gray, so… it was even worse with the sunglasses boy.
Suddenly, Loke looked back and stared at him. "You knew about this?!"
Natsu was momentarily taken back, so he did not respond to Loke's question.
"Did Natsu know about this?!" The boy decided to question Gray instead.
"Who's Natsu?"
"You asshole! Tell me! Did he know about it?!"
"And I'm asking you, who the hell in Natsu? You really should go get your ears examined."
Loke simply bellowed and got out of the class. Poor guy. Natsu sighed and went back to scribbling some notes for Laxus' class. He could hear Gray flipping another page of the book behind him, and he knew what he just said about him was just uncalled for. Ok, fine, they are not interacting anymore because of Gray's adamant silly head, but what gives?! He can't just expect someone to like him because he fucking wanted them to.
"…" He opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. The sound the students being so boisterous in the courtyard made Natsu stare at them for a while. They looked carefree and made Natsu envy them a bit. He was carefree too. Back then, before anything happens with WHOEVER, he was carefree, he was a person holding no guilt, no wistfulness, he was always fired up and cheerful. HE WAS A ROLE MODEL.
Just what happened to him… ?
He rubbed his eyes, sighing, then rested his face carelessly on the palm of his tilted arms and felt the sun narrowing down in an awkward angle where his eyes were suffering quite enough to open.
Unkowningly to Natsu Dragneel, when he opened his eyes, his emeralds were void of the flames that used to be evident in them permanently. They were suffering from emptiness. And It was when Gray Fullbuster stopped caring for him.
It was when he felt his heart being torn into pieces…
And when tears replaced loud cheers…
Saturday rolled in so fast, and he looked to the sky from his window. As if expecting to see an airplane with Gray on it.
It was true anyway. Even though they weren't talking with each other the last few days, he felt kind of… easy because Gray was located in the same nation, but now that the boy is so far away…
It was unexpectedly frightening.
Staying at home was just a waste of time and mental health, so he slipped his feet in sandals and found himself after a long walk in front of the bookstore.
Jellal is working there.
The blue head was surprised to see him indeed.
"Natsu? Unexpected." The boy's hands were holding his waist in a baffled fashion.
"You're going to mock me again?! How annoying."
"No, of course not. A cake?"
"No."
"Then?"
"… Nothing, I just ended up here that's all."
Jellal's warm brown eyes ended up giving him a soft gaze. One that he was needing.
"Do you want to talk?"
Jellal was in his olive cargo pants and a white shirt, changed from the working apron-or whatever the hell that was-with a calm look on his face, even when that waitress tried to flirt shamelessly.
"I… didn't know you were so popular."
Jellal sipped from his coffee and just shrugged, "When you're popular, you don't tend to notice others who are popular as well."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're outrageously popular—so I'm actually complimenting you."
Natsu didn't know why he was getting all worked up for nothing.
"Yeah, well, whatever. I don't think I am."
The other laughed briefly, then leaned forward to start a serious conversation.
"So… what actually happened that day? The cake day?"
Natsu froze.
And he took a lot of time.
"It's just that I've never heard the details. I was expecting you to be doing it for someone, and I wanted to know the result."
He definitely noticed the cold sweat trickling down the back of his neck. Because realization hit him so bad.
"Ah… I want to ask you something."
Jellal nodded. "Sure, ask away."
Swallowing, Natsu hesitated, but then wrapped his fingers around the warm drink and inhaled.
"Is it… easy to fall for someone? Like… love them 'n stuff?"
Natsu couldn't fathom the look across Jellal's face. It was… vague, he actually didn't see Jellal wear that look until today.
It was… hurt in a way.
"Yes, it is easy. Very."
"Reasons?"
The senior shook his head. "No reasons. You just do. Unlike fake admiration, love happens fast. There are no reasons or intentions behind it. You just… find yourself tangled up in some mess."
"You talk like it's a bad thing…" Natsu felt nervous.
Jellal instantly realized what he was saying. "NO-no-no, it's not… like that! I—just-uh, had some thoughts that's all. It's definitely not bad, it makes the person happy… ah, but sometimes it's a happy yet painful feeling. I can't really explain, falling for someone is complicated, no one could ever put it in words."
"Did you try it before?"
Natsu wasn't an idiot to not notice how the other tensed up before him. Looks like someone had some experience.
"… Well… yeah, at some point, I thought I found the person I like for sure, but then… it turned out all wrong, you know? Turned out that love is breath taking whereas 'like' is… not enough."
"Mmmhmm. Somehow I get it." Natsu smirked, "So who's the chick?"
"It's not… a 'chick'."
"Wow, I never knew adult women is your type."
"It's not… an adult woman."
"If you told me it's a book from that bookstore, I will hurl the coffee you're holding at your fucked up head."
"Geez Natsu." Jellal was unmistakably BLUSHING. OH GOSH. He never thought this day would come, "It's… just not a girl."
Natsu blinked, "What do you mean 'not a girl'?"
Jellal slapped his forehead, then tried to stop blushing for some time. He looked like he was gathering up the courage to say, "It's a guy, ok? Not a girl."
Natsu instantly spat the tea he just drank in the cup again.
Jellal looked a bit taken back.
"Uh… sorry… I-sorry, I know this must be… difficult for you take."
Natsu rubbed his own face with a napkin and shook his head, trying to assure the other that he had nothing to apologize for.
"If you told me this like… a month ago, I would've fainted. But now, it doesn't affect me at all. I'm just surprised that YOU would like a guy. Do you know that you're the ultimate dream for the two thirds of females in our school?"
"… Is it… bad?"
Somehow, Jellal gives the aura of authority in their school. He was a senior, plus, he was pretty much a perfectionist at anything he does, and most of the girls were even scared of approaching him. He is kind, but not THAT accepting. He looked and acted firm.
Yet now… he looks somehow… somehow… vulnerable with all the blushing, and slight stuttering.
This was something that irked Natsu for days.
"Natsu?"
"I…" He started loud, then he noticed that people were looking so he kept it low, "—think that liking someone makes you a fucking weak. I HATE it. I can't stand it at all! I'm NOT weak, and I don't want to be feeling like that! It's so terrible!"
His response was a perplexed look from Jellal.
Then he realized that he probably said too much.
Way too much.
But then, rather than pestering him with questions, Jellal just smiled slightly—partially wistfully, and partially gently.
"Uhm. Personally, I think Love is a sort of dependence. When you like someone, you are expected to depend on them, and… to feel as though your guard is down. Contrary to what you think, Love is not weakness. It's the ultimate strength when it's reciprocated."
Natsu just didn't get it.
"It's safe to say that you get exposed or even naked to that person. They see you for who you are, and… that makes you feel nervous and weak. You are constantly afraid of what they think of you… but you never think that they must be feeling that same way. Just as you are feeling nervous and worried, they are too. They also want to feel accepted by you. It's a sort of a mutual emotional transaction." Jellal finalized.
Ok… somehow he got it.
"Natsu, what I want to say is… It's okay to be weak… with the person you like. It's just the way it is supposed to be. Once you get that, you'll find out the person who shows interest in you will be also weak, maybe even scared. I think Gray must be suffering on top of that plane."
"Yeah, no way that guy is-"
Wait…
WHAT?! HOW IN THE FUCKING HELL DID HE…?
"Natsu, it's just too obvious. Don't ask how. Please."
Natsu remained gaping as a dead fish.
"First, I'm a senior so obviously we are labeled smart. Second, I thought it was weird for you to get along with just one person, since you tend to move in packs. Ever since Gray came… I think I saw some new side of you."
"Don't say his name again. I BEG YOU! IT'S THE ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE!"
"So what happened? Why don't you tell me everything so that I can ACTUALLY help you? Be a dear, will you?"
Natsu waved from afar to Jellal who returned to his part-time job.
He wasn't comfortable at first to share anything with Jellal-who gave off the aura of a stuck up senior for too long, which turned out to be the total wrong image if you get to know him closely-nonetheless, when Natsu gave in and actually held a conversation to sort out many things, he felt that he got some helpful advice. And that he has something off of his chest.
The first person he thought he would go to was Lucy. But then… Lucy wouldn't perfectly understand, not because of anything, but because she was a girl. She helped him way too many times, and she was his best friend of all times, this one time, however, he figured he wouldn't want to give her the wrong image of him. He really didn't.
Talking to someone new and getting a very unbiased opinion, was refreshing, moreover, it wasn't judgmental, and he wanted that for too long.
He will just have to bear with it, until Gray is back on Wednesday. Although… now he finds the mere absence of Gray is nearly like having to do yoga. He was taking all the jumbled thoughts and sorting them, then getting to see everything in their right perspective.
Then… in reality, yoga ends at some time, and real life comes back. He has to know if his life should contain Gray or not. He had to choose, exactly like the other had told him several days back.
Eventually, he will have to make a choice.
But could he, really?
Somehow… he wondered if he actually had any choice from the very moment he met Gray.
There were some people who didn't take the absence of Gray very well.
Loke: As per position of a class representative, he made them suffer. The bastard had their behavior marks in the palm of his hands, so yeah he can do whatever the fuck he wants because his best friend was relaxing somewhere in the united states.
Laxus: He paced around relentlessly in class, spouting some insults here and there because obviously, 'The fucked up ass that left was some rare gem of intelligence between you, you worthless ants.' And that's quoted. He really said that, and some students wanted Gray back already or Laxus will be leading the campaign of endless quizzes and tests and they didn't need it at the end of the semester.
Erza: Needless to say… she was killing it in the Dojo/sword arts. Some of her club mates were already severely injured, and she was fined at some point because she just can't kill or injure another person. Hello, school laws?
Lucy: She was losing inspiration to complete any more of her novels. On several occasions, Gray snooped around and maneuvered his way towards her stories. It made her pissed, but he was her only reviewer. He was precious in his own unique way. So she was sulking somewhere, watching Erza blatantly try to kill more people.
Natsu:
… Hmm.
Actually, Natsu couldn't feel any livelier. He was doing his best at the Dodgeball team, he was enjoying every minute of muscle training, wrestling training, running training, he was indulging himself in various types of sports. He even went as far as kicking ass in the swimming club.
He was lively. He was cheerful. He was… well, he was the old Natsu again.
During that time, his choice started to be clearer and clearer.
He couldn't be any more right.
All his friends were excited.
It was a Wednesday.
The freaking Gray day.
Natsu felt uneasy a bit, but over and over and over, he reminded himself with the few days he had without the pressure, and he… learned how to appreciate it. Now, real life doesn't work that way. Some things had to change, and he just wished that he made the right decision.
Without the need to mention it, Gray didn't even look twice at him when all his friends were clustered around him, some hugging, some kissing, some just commenting on the 'air' that surrounded him from his trip. Natsu didn't take ANY part of it.
But it was okay.
Wednesday was a brutal day in club activities, especially if you're signed in up in basketball or anything of the mighty sort. Unfortunately, for Gray as a main thing.
As if jet lag wasn't already taking it's freaking toll.
Natsu shook his head, and smiled sadly. He went to the coach, and excused himself from the Dodgeball club for the day. His coach bitched about it for hours, but Natsu managed to back off that day. The emotional pain was going to be great and he didn't need the physical pain on top.
Putting that in mind, he sent a text message, and waited for the answer.
Gray,
I will be waiting for you in the locker room when you're over from practice. We need to talk.
Natsu.
He wasn't surprised that he got no answer, and all he could do was wait. He knew it would be no easy waiting, since Gray's club was so brutal, and it he could be practically waiting until seven in the evening or maybe more.
But he would do it.
Even if Gray didn't show up, he had to wait.
He just had to.
"What… Natsu, why… Why have you kept this, dude? It's no joke."
"I know… That's why I have no confidence."
"Listen. You are going to tell him this, and you have to. You just HAVE to. Otherwise…"
"—Look, you don't understand! This could destroy everything, Jellal! I've worked so hard to keep friendship all glued up, I don't want everything to be over! Let alone trust!"
"Deep down, you know this has to come out, right?"
"… Yeah… I know. But what do I do if… if every ounce of his will just… loathe my existence afterwards?"
"Natsu… You got to do what you got to do. You've to take responsibility for what you've done, and… at the end of the day, you've got to rectify it for you own sake even if it meant losing something for it."
"… It sucks. It really does."
"…"
Yeah, it sucked.
He will have to just wait and hope for tonight's result to be… something that he can live with.
Author Note:
To be Continued.
To all of my Reviewers:
disgurluvs8fiction
"Weeeeee! I'm gonna warn u that this specific review isn't gonna to be aaaall that intelligent, BUT i HAVE been following this story for quite the time! Phew! BUUUT, tripple-BUUU-UUT! I JUST got this FLABBERGASTING-SMARTASTIC idea of actually making an account! :D SO, here i am, finally reviewing on this... *sniff*... amazingly written story. Your pieces never fail to satisfy my hunger of gratsu... for a while! I mean come on! Who can get enough of a cutie who COINCIDENTALLY is Natsu with a hottie who COINCIDENTALLY is Gray!.. or the other way around. ;p Keep up the great work!"
You are amazing. Just know that. Thanks for taking such an interest in my stories, and I am glad you made an account. Seriously, every human watching anime, should have an account in fanfiction. It's basics! Haha, this site is the rescuing asset of our fans minds. It's good that you created one. And I am glad my stories stuff you! Hehe, there is more… though… not quite that fast, I am so slow and terrible.
Hope you get to learn to like me that way!
Enjoy the chapter~
(Thanks for reviewing this twice, I appreciate it, it makes me extremely motivated).
MiserablePunk
"I've been rolling on the floor laughing my ass off reading this chapter.
It was. Hilarious.
And cute.
It was HILARIOUSLY CUTE.
And cakes! And ice-creams! Oh boy. *drools*
Can I have some of Natsu home/handmade ice-cream cake? *-*
Puh-leeeeeeeze?"
Of course you can have the ice-cream! You reviewed! That counts!
I'm so glad that you are following my other stories, and I'm really grateful, now I am finally finding you everywhere which makes me on cloud 9. Can't say how much I am ecstatic that you are reading almost half of my stories or something, thanks! Also, so darn smiling because you found the last chapter hilarious, I try my best. I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY.
MULTICOLOREDSOUL
"Haha, I love you too! *hugs back!* spit my drink out when i say the update (again)
It's so frustrating to know that they love eachother but to stubborn to admit it *sigh*
I would just grab them both, smash them together and be like 'JUST KISS ALREADY!"
Nope, not at all, I looove long reviews. But haha, let's say it's your longest, so I was actually very happy. Believe me, if I was you, I would do the same thing, but Natsu is just refusing. So, I don't know, break a bone in his body or something.
Let's wish for the best. The BOTH OF US cause Natsu is growing me white hair.
Loveforgray
"Waaaaah that ending made me so exited ! Shit i seriously cant wait until you update im waiting to see what gray thinks and why he though 'thats so not natsu dragneel' i just hope that he was just shocked that natsu looked drop-dead-gorgeous which he is $,$"
Sorry for the devastating cliffhanger. But haha, I hope it pays off this chapter. OH OF COURSE NATSU IS HOT! Hehe, Gray knows that, Natsu is the one with the big elephant head. Wish them the luck?
Hehe, have fun reading. Thanks for your lovely entry.
AsDarknessSpreads
"… Cake! I don't care what happens to the boys anymore GIMME DA CAKE M8 ! CHOCOLATE!¡
I hope Gray leaves for Colorado. Because I have this... Thing for angst. Is it... Love? *gasp!* angst for love, angst for life! I need to propose angst..."
Ohhhhh I didn't know you liked angst, it was a big shock of a discovery you know. Personally, I like little, but much… is sometimes overwhelming… But sometimes angst pays off when the ending is happy hehehe. I would certainly give you the cake! It's the most delicious ice-cream cake. ALSO, if you want the Recipe, I have it so don't worry!
Thanks for this funnnnn review! Love you.
blackhatred
"*slams hands on table* every single chapter of every story you have written have been honorable. I loved this chapter i loved all of the chapters. And now im going to go fantasize, cliffhangers make me fantasize, that is not always a good thing."
My god, you made my heart comes out with your slam. LITERALLY! OMG I was so shocked, but then when I read the rest, I calmed down a bit… and then laughed! Ahaha, thank you so much, you are so adorable. Read dear, read!
Amy Kitty Katz
Hahaha, okay for you my dear, I didn't quote anything from your review because simply, it was all fun. Well, I didn't intend to put them together (Loke and Lucy) because my focus is on Natsu and Gray, and sadly, if I am putting another pairing in my stories, it would be, a male on male pairing. Like a yaoi pairing, because sadly, again, I am a Shounen Ai writer. I love Loke and Lucy too, but my path is the forbidden path. So please don't hate me.
Okay, I am so glad you liked Ur. Her personality is too difficult for me to write because she's the least appearance in the anime you know. I can't capture her personality right all the time. ALSO, thank you so much for investing time here, I really became fond of you. As well as all of my other readers.
ahuna67
"When I saw the update a weird sound came from my throat lol.
Another great chapter! But a horrible cliffhanger. Make it up to us by updating soon :)
I mentioned before that I'm not a GrayxNatsu fan (but I love yaoi) but by reading too much good Gratsu fanfiction I've become a small one xD But normally I don't, if you exclude the yaoi fangirl part of me xP
Anyway, update fast!"
Hahaha, I do that sound also when my favorite story gets updated, it's very weird. We all fans are crazy in some sense or another.
Sorry for cliffhangers, I love them, but readers ALWAYS hate them, what should I do?! They add something to the story so that's why I am using them that's all! NO HARM intended. Sowwwy.
Have fun reading! And thanks tons for following.
Mgluvsbl25
"… thank you for the suggestions I think i've improved a bit so thank you. I can't wait until you update until then :)"
No problems at all, just know that I am always here. I wish you luck with your works. Writing is really easy but it requires some patience that's all.
Have fun reading! And thank you so so VERY much for keeping up with this screwed up story.
snowflake00
"On another note; I didn't know that Natsu's dad baked the same way I do. XD the kitchen is literally World War III; flour on the ceiling, egg yoke on the stove, and horrid burning smells."
OMG, That's the same as my cooking too, especially when it has anything to do with pastries at all. I think they are difficult, and then I don't know the basics of it at all. But I am a master in normal cooking.
Pastries sucks. Bottom line.
