I do not own Fairy Tail. Happy would get more screen time if I did. So I know this was a late update, and the next one is probably going to be late to. Sorry, I won't have computer access for a majority of next week. But when I finally do again believe me I'll update. Enjoy the chapter!

Gray felt an unbelievable comforting and securing warmth engulfing him. It was cozier than the softest blanket and more inviting then a lively fireplace. This warmth surrounded every inch of him, not letting any of his usually cold body be a stranger to the welcoming feeling. It didn't leave him cold or alone. He felt like he could never be alone as long as this warm feeling encased him. He felt protected with this sensation encircling him. Nothing could hurt him, or tear him away from this. He wanted to know. What was it that made him feel beyond any feeling of love he had ever felt? He wanted so desperately to know the answer. If he opened his eyes to look would the warmth still be there? Or would it fade away and leave his heart cold and lonely once more? He had to know.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking for the cause of this irresistible impression. Instead of finding a blazing fire or even a flickering candle he found a soft, white fabric with a scale like pattern sewn in it. The end of the cloth was under his cheek, the smooth material pressing into his skin. The scarf was congenial, and promised the wearer of it was just as soothing. He glanced down and saw a well-toned chest and abdomen resting against his own bare chest. Gray felt himself smile. This person must be strong and possessive, it would explain why he knew he was safe with this feeling wrapping around his frame. His legs and the legs of the other were laced together, not letting any part of him be left out from the embrace.

He tilted his head up, twisting his neck so he could see the face of the one who held him so dear. Soft pink strands covered a tanned, sleeping face. Gray had an odd desire to run his hand though the sakura tresses. The other's mouth was slightly open, showing off sharp canines similar to a dragon's. The other's eyes were closed, but even without them being opened he knew they were as black as coal and held a spark to them. The ice mage closed his eyes and buried his head back into the scarf, enjoying the sensation of the other fully.

"What the hell?!"

Gray snapped his eyes open and took another look at who was holding him. Any sleepiness that lingered on him disappeared and realization dawned on him. He pushed himself as far away from the dragon slayer as he could. His back slid off of the bed and he plummeted to the floor. His legs that were still wrapped between Natsu's jerked away, pulling the dragon slayer forward and waking him up. Natsu opened his eyes in time to see Gray falling back and hitting his head on the corner of the night stand. The ice mage let out a yelp and held his throbbing head in his hands.

Natsu stared down at the other mage, dumbfounded. "You know, Gray, there's more than one way to get out of bed."

Gray glared ice daggers at the other. "Shut the hell up. Now why the hell were you molesting me?!"

"Excuse me? You were on my side of the bed. You came onto me." Natsu tried to hide his smirk. He couldn't blow it now.

Gray scoffed at him. He may roll over in his sleep, but he didn't crawl across the bed, especially if it was Natsu on the other side. "I certainly did not."

Natsu just shrugged. "Say what you want, but it's the truth. You just couldn't keep your hands off of me."

The raven gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Whatever the hell he was previously thinking must have been his imagination mixed with his sleeping state. Had he been fully conscious he would never have thought of Natsu the way he just did.

"What's for breakfast?"

Natsu jumped up from the bed and stretched his arms over his head. He had that goofy grin of his across his face. Gray felt himself growing angry at the fire mage's attitude. Natsu was acting like nothing out of the ordinary just happened. Like two males embracing each other intimately in bed was perfectly natural. Of course maybe to some people it was, but not to him. That wasn't his thing.

"Violators don't get breakfast." Gray grunted, picking himself up from the floor.

Natsu rolled his eyes at the ice mage. "I didn't violate you. Now hurry up, I'm starving." The fire mage turned to the door and let his smirk finally play out. He should do this more often. Gray looked so adorable flustered. He even spotted a bit of a blush creeping up the other's cheeks before he turned away.

…

"Gray!"

Natsu looked up to who had just called over the ice mage. Lyon was sitting down at one of the cafeteria tables. A girl with long, dark pink hair was sitting beside him. The fire mage watched as a smile spread across Gray's face and he walked over to the two. Unsure what to do he simply followed.

Gray placed his tray down and slid in the seat across from his brother. Natsu did likewise, sitting in the seat across from the girl. The two ice mages started a conversation involving a lot of people and topics he couldn't follow, must have been about this whole agency deal. After losing interest in it he returned his attention to his breakfast. Who needed people when pancakes were present?

"So you must be the famous Natsu Dragneel." The girl across from him settled her deep blue eyes on him. "I've heard a great deal about you, and how you refused to admit any information concerning your father. That must be love."

"Huh?" The dragon slayer found his self choking on his flapjacks. Who said anything about love?!

"Withholding critical information is not love." Lyon scolded, joining in on the conversation. The girl gave a pout but didn't say anything.

"Natsu, this is Sherry. Sherry, you already know about Natsu." Gray clarified.

"Nice to meet you." Natsu muttered.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too, young fire mage. I can tell you're filled with the burning passion of love."

Natsu squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. First off, who talked like that? (Other than Laki back at the guild, but even she didn't make conversing this awkward.) Second of all, he wished she would stop saying 'love.' That concept has become a pain in the ass lately. "Same to you." He replied, somewhat embarrassed. Lyon and Gray returned to their previous natter, leaving the two pinkettes to themselves.

The fire mage took another bite of his breakfast and tried avoiding his gaze from Sherry. Too bad she was persistent. "So who is it that receives your embers of love?"

The flame mage took a deep breath, trying to keep the heat from reaching his face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sherry gave him a cherry smile. "You don't have to be so humble about it. Love is meant to be declared. Not to mention it is obvious that you are no stranger to the depths of compassion."

"I-I'm not in lov-"

"No need to deny it! Embrace your love and prove to the one who holds your heart that it is true!"

Natsu hung his head so his blush wouldn't be spotted. What was wrong with this girl?! Did she do anything other than get tangled in other's personal manners? She was like Lucy on steroids. Speaking of the blonde, he really needed her advice right about now. But if this girl was like a hyperactive Lucy, maybe she could help him. "Umm, Sherry, about love, should you always be bold with it?"

A spark of interest came to life in her dazzling blue eyes (not as dazzling as Gray's, but that goes without saying). "Advice? On love? I would be honored to help. I shall show you how to make your love blossom like a rose for the one you love."

"Thanks." The fire mage grumbled. Could she get any louder?

…

Gray talked with his older brother halfheartedly. He had become immune to Sherry's love babbling over the years, but he had never bothered to actually listen. That was until Natsu talked about it back with her. No one had done that before. He would never have dreamed the flame idiot would be the first. He unashamedly eavesdropped on their conversation. Part of him said he didn't care what 'love' Natsu had for someone. Another part of him was dying to find out. It was probably someone back at the guild. He couldn't put his finger on it but that vexed him beyond his limits. Must have been because Natsu could find happiness. Let's go with that.

"Interesting…so if they reject you, you should just continue your advances?"

Gray had to smother his laughter. Sherry gave the weirdest advice.

…

"So after they reject you they tend to fall in love with you? Fascinating." Natsu smiled to himself. He should have talked to someone days ago. Not to mention rethink his whole plan. If Sherry was right it meant his plan of not letting Gray know his feelings for him would pointless. It also gave him reason to tell the ice mageabout his affections for the other. Now the only problem was how to court the raven. Should he try more of a 'sweep him of his feet' approach or a 'direct' method?

He glanced at the ice mage out of the corner of his eye. Gray never seemed to be one that would prefer to be 'wooed.' Heck, he didn't think the popsicle could be.

Sherry nodded vigorously. "Yes, courageous love is the best of all. Now go forth, and spread your love to the world."

"Okay, that's enough." Gray stood up, pulling the fire mage up along with him. "The last thing I need is another lovey dovey person to know."

Natsu happily let the ice mage pull him along. It was fine with him. He already got everything he needed to know.

…

"Sit."

Natsu did as he was told and flopped down on the bed. Gray shuffled through his nightstand and took out a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

"Write."

Natsu stared at the paper puzzled. "Write what?"

Gray rolled his eyes. "A letter. What else? Just a short one to the Fairy Tail guild to let them know you're not in danger. Don't say anything about where you are or what happened."

Natsu froze at that. Shit, he hadn't thought about that. He left his little buddy, Lucy, and a terrifying scarlet in the middle of a damn forest during a mission. "Umm, Gray…Erza's going to massacre us. We left them alone."

"Correction, she's going to massacre you. I don't need to go back. Don't worry about it too much, everyone returned to the guild the other day."

"How do you know?"

"I have my ways. Now write the damn letter."

Natsu tapped the pen against his head for a moment, thinking of what to say. After a time he finally began writing in his unmistakable messy handwriting.

Dear Minna,

Sorry this was kind of sudden but don't panic. Everything is okay.

More or less.

I should be back pretty soon. Until then I'm staying with a friend.

That was true in its own twisted way.

Sincerely, Natsu

"That was the worst message I've ever read." Gray commented, reading over the fire mage's shoulder.

"Aw, shut it." A thought occurred to him and his pen began moving once more.

P.S. Happy, I left a few fish in the bottom drawer. They were going to be a surprise but I didn't get the chance to give them to you. They should still be good.

"The part directed to the cat was better than the part directed to actual human beings."

Natsu punched the other in the shoulder. "I said shut it. Now what do I do?"

Gray picked up the paper and folded it before placing it in his pocket. "You're going to sit here quietly and refrain from obnoxious behavior. I'm going to take this to intelligence for them to scan to make sure there isn't a secret message encoded. Though I'm pretty sure you're not clever enough to come up with one in that short amount of time."

Natsu brushed the insult off. "All that for a letter?"

"You'll be surprised what lengths they go thru when it comes to small things like this."

Natsu watched Gray's back as he left the room. He didn't really mind. It gave him enough alone time to think clearly…and plan. He was definitely coming up with a good strategy to get the ice mage to fall for him. He'll have Gray begging for him by the end of the week.