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, Ryuji and Yuri. And they want this to be the best Christmas ever…but will it? Modern /AU
Finding a Christmas Tree
The first thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me is finding a Christmas tree.
Gray wasn't particularly fond of Christmas, per say. No. He just never had the opportunity to take part in the holiday with a real family.
Both he and Natsu had gotten together immediately after high school and with a few years in college with their careers set and marriage, they'd decided to adopt a pair of twins named Ryuji and Yuri; they were five. They'd finally come into their home the first day of December and were welcomed with loving arms.
And Natsu was determined to make this the best Christmas humanly possible, even dragging Gray into his plans to ensure all of them had a wonderful holiday season.
The four of them were currently standing in a Christmas Tree Lot. But this wasn't any Christmas Tree Lot. Here, people could chop down their own tree.
And a pissed off Gray Fullbuster was holding the axe.
"Just pick a damn tree already!" he groaned.
"But we can't pick any tree," piped up Yuri, sending her adoptive father a glare that matched his own, her pink hair billowing and blue eyes flaring up.
"Yeah! It has to be the best tree!" added Ryuji excitedly, joy lighting up in his similarly tinted eyes, dark blue hair bouncing as he jumped in excitement.
"Come on. Get in the Christmas spirit," urged Yuri as she wandered off with her brother, in search of the perfect tree.
Natsu came up beside Gray and intertwined their fingers as he grasped his hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he said, "Gray, let them have their fun. This isn't something you do every year. It's our first Christmas together as a big family. It's not just the two of us anymore."
Gray frowned for a time before sighing. "You're right. I'm sorry, Natsu. It's just…I've never had a Christmas like this before, so everything's new and I'm not sure if I know what to do."
Leaning up, Natsu kissed him lightly on the lips, causing his husband to groan. "You've done pretty well with our relationship so far."
Gray suddenly got a mischievous smirk on his face. "Do you think we'd get kicked out if we made love in the tree lot? That might help me get in the holiday spirit."
Natsu's face flashed red. "You per—"
"Here!" Natsu was prevented from finishing his sentence by Ryuji's cry of delight.
"Looks like they found a tree," said Natsu, leading Gray in the direction of the ruckus.
"It's about time," Gray grumbled under his breath.
When they turned around the bend, both Gray and Natsu halted in their tracks.
"You've gotta be kidding me. There's no way in hell I'm chopping that thing down!" Gray protested, pointing at the twenty foot tree.
"Then get a chainsaw," suggested Yuri as if it were the most obvious solution, "because this is the best tree."
"Can we get it? Please?" begged Ryuji, giving Gray puppy eyes. It seemed Ryuji had two accomplices, because now he had a total of three pairs of puppy eyes turned on him.
"Fine. Fine! We'll get the damn tree," he answered, storming off to get a chainsaw.
They'd finally managed to get the confounded tree into the living room. They'd needed to call several of their friends just to stand the tree up. Thankfully, they had a really high ceiling. Investing in their log home out in the woods had been the best decision they'd made—other than the kids, of course. And as soon as the tree was upright, everyone had set about decorating it. Even Gray!
"Okay! Let's turn off the lights!" shouted Ryuji excitedly.
As Natsu turned off the lights, Gray flipped the switch that turned the lights on the tree.
Everyone stood in awe of the breathtaking presence of it. Red and gold ribbons and ornaments glittered and sparkled as the white lights danced about the tree. It was truly magnificent to behold.
After staring at the tree for some time, Natsu finally broke the silence when he noticed the yawning twins.
"I think it's time for bed," said Natsu as he lifted a small child in each arm with ease. "Are you coming, Gray?"
"I'll…be there in a bit," he replied.
Natsu smiled at him knowingly and left the room with the dozing children.
Gray watched them go and turned back to face the tree, thinking. Getting a tree, putting it up, decorating it, and seeing the efforts of their hard work paid off felt…spectacular. He could definitely see himself doing this every year. It actually made him happy, especially when he got to share it with the ones he loved.
Stepping away from the tree, he left the living room with a smile on his face, only to immediately stop in his tracks. The happiness he'd been feeling earlier was gone.
"Who the hell is going to get all of these stupid pine needles off the floor?!" he roared. His voice echoed throughout the house. Everyone had disappeared.
Gray took back what he'd thought earlier. Next year, they were getting a synthetic tree. He hadn't realized pine trees shed more than their cat, Happy.
End Chapter