Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, Christmas Eve was next Tuesday. And thus an almost craze descended over Magnolia, practically like a fog.

Apparently, Magnolia Town had become a very in place, and word about their celebration seemed to have gotten out. Before long, the inn was full.

Every little corner had been taken over by tourists and so businesses were flourishing – and all despite the fact that the northern road had become blocked again.

The preparations of the town square – where more events were going to happen – took the whole weekend and that added to the mess, besides the fact that people had been flooding the coffeehouse.

Natsu, Lisanna and the others were working hard, almost non-stop, since morning to early night.

But, if there was something to cheer them, it was that everything looked so great.

The whole town was decorated, lit and seemed to nearly breathe in Christmas. Natsu couldn't feel anything but proud of everything, the work the town had made for things to be looking so good. Yet… yet, there was also a pang of loss.

Natsu didn't want to let it show but he missed his father. And Gray. Though he covered it up with boundless energy and exuberance – and a slightly exaggerated gluttony.

And then, Christmas Eve was there.

It hit Natsu unexpectedly despite the fact that he was aware and expecting it. But time just flew by.

He and Lisanna opened the coffeehouse and both the morning and afternoon flew by in an almost dizzying tourbillon of movement. Fortunately they weren't the only ones there – it was quite the "all hands on deck" situation.

However, a couple of hours before dinnertime, they decided to close the coffeehouse.

Dinner was at Lucy's this time around. And Natsu and Lisanna couldn't wait to go enjoy a meal with their friends. Hopefully this time around there wouldn't be a food fight followed by the deep cleaning – courtesy of Erza's watchful eye.

Natsu was expecting a relaxing time, busy enough to forget the little nagging voice in the back of his mind.

That there was something missing…

As soon as they got inside Lucy's house, both warmth and delicious scents enveloped them. They were the last ones to arrive so the fun was already in full swing, as well as the food being prepared and brought out to the table.

"Hey guys, go wash your hands. We're going to start putting the food out." Lucy said, her head poking from the kitchen door.

Natsu and Lisanna shared a look before heading to the downstairs washroom. They had also taken off their jackets, no need for such implements once they had gotten home. Because, despite the change in locations, whenever they were all together, they felt like they were finally home. If only…

They sat at the table, noticing the new tablecloth – not only was the fabric of the usual fare, in reds, greens and golds, there were tiny books interspersed through the print full of bells, candles, mistletoe, pine trees and stars. Only Levy would be able to find such a thing, of course. Seeing the decorative candles, lit and sprouting from a small wreath of mistletoe, their warm light cast on the steaming platters overflowing with food. Everyone was used to eating until they felt they might burst – especially one certain pink-haired glutton.

"Let's eat!" Natsu said, as soon as the clock chimed the time. He was instantly holding onto one of the spoons and ladling potatoes and vegetables to his dish.

"You know you don't have to say that as if ordering a charge into battle, right?" Cana joked teasingly.

Laughter followed her words as everyone at the table started filling their plates. There were plenty of dishes, to everyone's taste; there was cod with cabbages, potatoes, carrots and well drizzled with olive oil, a turkey leg that had been roasted with assorted dried fruits on a bed of chestnuts, roast seitan with mushroom gravy. For sides there were two types of rice, mashed potatoes, the tangy winter salad Cana enjoyed making and an assortment of breads as well as the cold meats and cheeses that had yet to leave the table from earlier. In the side tables were the desserts and fruits. This year the girls had outdone themselves with the desserts, for real. And the fruit salad (also Cana's doing) had been well-spiked with some booze and a handful of chocolate pieces. Apparently this year's Bûche de Noël was exquisite – at least the likeness to the real thing was incredible. There was also chocolate mousse, some elaborate-looking parfaits and several types of fruit.

The scraping of metal on the porcelain of the dishes, the clinking of the glasses onto one another, the splort-like noises of food falling, the crackling of the firewood on the hearth.

It was warm. It was cozy. It was family.

Yet, something had Natsu being distracted. It was almost like he was stuck in a dark, cold void; alone in the eye of the maelstrom while his friends were in warmth and comfort just an arm length away. But no. Natsu was going to enjoy himself, and if he had to eat every bite of food, to the smallest crumb, to be able to fill that void – he definitely would do it.

With difficulty he tuned back into the conversation. The theme was books and, why was Natsu not surprised – and by the same order or ideas, why did he notice the small squeeze on his chest? It wouldn't do!

He plopped down on the sofa next to Lucy. She had been talking animatedly but the conversation had moved on and she was just sitting contently. She turned to Natsu, leaning against him as was her usual.

"You're still so warm…" she told him in a whisper, an almost secret.

"Hey, there's nothing I can do about it." Natsu replied with a small chuckle. "Just don't lean too much so as to make Levy jealous. She can be scary when mad."

"You say that about all of us," was the amused reply.

"And can you blame me?" he countered in mock-shock. "You girls are all forced to be reckoned with. No-one in the whole town wants to be on your bad side."

"You guys are so over the top. Though, Erza, Mira and Cana – I can see that, some days." Lucy mused, scratching her cheek while thinking. "They can be scary."

"See? I told you." Natsu semi-gloated before yelping at the well-applied elbow to his flank. "Hey, what was that about?" he said with a pout.

"You were gloating." Was the mock-solemn response before Lucy stood straight and looked seriously at Natsu. "But, besides that. How are you?"

"I'm fine?" Was the confused answer. Natsu's brows furrowed as he looked questioningly at her. "Why wouldn't I?"

"You…" Lucy started but a sudden wave of cheers at Elfman's arrival distracted her into glancing away. When she looked back at Natsu, Lucy let out a short sigh before shaking her head. "Nevermind. This isn't the time, it seems."

"Lucy…" Natsu began.

"No." She cut him, a sharpness to her tone. "Tonight we have a lot of fun. That's what matters, right?" At his nod she held onto his hand and squeezed. "Maybe it's time to watch a movie until it's time." She got up. "What do you think, guys? Movie time?"

A wave of cheers rose in response. And that was all that was needed.

There was a squabble over which movie to watch – there were too many options, too many choices – but a decision was made and everyone sat. Lights were dimmed and blankets were passed around, as well as some pillows.

And Natsu realized that, he wasn't doing that good a job at hiding his inner turmoil as he was thinking. Then again, his friends possibly knew him too well – and it would be a difficult thing to hide.

Natsu shook himself up, and adjusted the fluffy blanket further on his legs. He didn't need it but the blanket game him a sense of protection, he really felt like he could use that. And in the meantime, he could enjoy some of the explosions from the movie…

With midnight fast approaching, the group had bundled back up into their outside clothes and headed to the town square. One of the most important events was about to start.

Santa would be handing out presents.

The group of friends saw a good number of kids, chittering excitedly, talking and laughing, some seemed to be complaining too – as it was quite a late hour – and some embarrassed adults were standing with them in line. Some were chatting with their own kids but some also seemed to have the glint of magic in their eyes. The helping elves were spread along the line but a handful of them were near the place where Santa was sitting in a luxurious-looking red leather armchair.

"Is it me or has the line grown longer than usual?" Erza commented.

"You know how this year is being quite different from the usual," Cana commented, throwing her a meaningful look.

"Shhh, Santa's starting to call the names!" Levy hissed, throwing them an admonishing look.

And so it was. One of the elves was reading from a scroll, calling out the names. The person would get close to Santa – most of the time with their parent – exchange some words and then a present handed to them. It was simple but effective.

"They're all so happy," Lisanna said to Natsu, bouncing on the balls of her feet to try to keep warm.

"That's what this is for." Natsu told her, smiling while he knocked his shoulder against hers. "It almost looks as if you never stood in the line."

"I remember no such thing…" was the distracted reply.

"Well, I think a lot of the people here do. You and your siblings were infamous…" Natsu's cheeky grin could not be diminished even by the combo of glare and poking he was served. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger, I-" he was still teasing her when he noticed something. Lisanna had also stopped her retaliation moves and looked out.

"Natsu Dragneel." The elf on the scroll was booming in a resonant voice. "Natsu Dragneel, please come here."

Confused for a moment, his friends none too gently nudged him in the right direction. He walked to the front of the line, where the elf was waiting for him. With a wave, Natsu was directed towards Santa.

"Natsu, my boy. I seem to have a present for you." The man clad in red and white said, rummaging on the large bag that sat to the right of the armchair. "Where did I-? Oh!" he exclaimed suddenly, producing a small box, wrapped in silver paper from his coat. "This is your present. Open it."

Natsu held the small box, opened it and inside… there was a bell. Golden and with a red bow at the top.

"A bell?" Natsu's confusion was noticeable.

"Yes. You should ring it." Santa said.

Natsu shook the bell, the notes echoing clearly in the cold winter air.

A blanket of silence seemed to fall over the square, the quiet hubbub falling to nothing as the sound of the bell permeated the air.

Then, there was a rustling noise coming from the large decorated tree that sat behind Santa's chair.

Gray appeared from behind it. There were some exclamations and surprised noises which made him seem more awkward, even while being bathed by the differently coloured lights. Yet, his awkwardness seemed to slip away because his smile brightened as soon as he caught Natsu looking back.

In the blink of an eye, they were hugging tightly.

"I can't believe it. You- you're here." Natsu said.

"I am. I'm sorry for going…" the reply was muffled into Natsu's coat.

They were speaking low enough in the sudden bubble they had created that it was suddenly burst by the oo-ing and aaw-ing of the crowd.

Only then did they notice that they were giving a spectacle and impeding the whole gift-handing ceremony.

"Let's go." Natsu said, cheeks burning, heading towards the tree from which Gray had appeared. From then on they could slip away from the square.

Natsu led Gray to his home.

He was still under a state of shock. Gray? Actually back in Magnolia? How could that be possible?

As soon as they were inside, Natsu let go of the other's hand, rounded on him and threw him a long stare.

"What are you doing here? We had agreed that our lives were too different and so it was better to stop before it got too deep. And, well, anyone got hurt." Natsu made sure to suppress the words that wanted to escape anyway. Because, despite it having been somewhat by mutual agreement, it had hurt him. Could the same have happened to Gray?

"I know." Gray conceded, running a hand through his hair and looking down to the side. He didn't seem to be able to withstand Natsu's stare. But then he took a breath and seemed to brace himself. "Yet, things don't always go the way we plan them. Do they?" he took a step forward, stopped. "What we did hurt. And I can't believe I was the only one feeling like that. I couldn't let things be like that. So I came back. I felt like I had to."

Natsu didn't say anything. Just stood, frozen, bathed in the colourful lights of the decorated room. A game of shadows and lighted planes across his face.

"I… wait." Gray walked resolutely towards the Christmas tree and, crouching down, he picked a present Natsu hadn't noticed was there before.

Then again, given his mood, need to be busy which led him to be home for the bare minimum and the fact that he'd barely looked at the tree since Gray had left – all those things counted for that.

Gray stood and walked to Natsu, hanging him the present and, even despite the not so great lighting, Natsu could see that he was blushing profusely.

Natsu, on his end, was gobsmacked. Yet, he accepted it. Ran a hand over the glossy strong blue with small reindeer print and tugged at the light blue ribbon. Inside there was a box. Natsu opened the box and the rest of the things slipped to the floor unnoticed as he held what was inside. A scarf.

"What-?"

"It reminded me of you…" Gray said with a noncommittal shrug.

"Wait." Natsu said, turning and heading to the fireplace. From the mantle he took a small box. Returning to be beside Gray, he started justifying himself while he extended his arm, presenting the small box. "I was uncertain if you wanted a present but decided to buy it anyway. It also reminded me of you." He flashed an uncertain smile the other's way.

Gray seemed to be focusing extremely hard on the box. He opened it with meticulous but sure movements, the red paper with the green Christmas trees falling to the floor distractedly. When he opened peach skin-like box his mouth fell open. He took what was inside. It was a necklace with a silver cross.

Gray's first reaction, after looking up at Natsu's expectant face didn't take any thought. He kissed him.

The kiss quickly heated up. Hands holding onto the other's arms, mouths meeting sloppily so much so that the presents – and the pair – nearly fell to the ground.

Happy's surprised mewl had them breaking up to gasp for air too. Natsu quickly petting his dear kitty, throwing Gray a look. When he stood back up, he grabbed both presents and placed them on the armchair. After some gentle cooing at Happy, Natsu grabbed Gray's hand and led him upstairs to his room.

The next morning came.

And Natsu awoke alone in bed. Not even Happy had come to cuddle with him, the betrayer. Not that he quite could as Natsu knew for sure that they'd closed the door.

But the bed on his side was cold. It didn't seem to have been slept in – not like Natsu could be too certain as he did move quite a bit during the night – and so Natsu let out a sigh of regret. Closed his eyes in defeat.

It was all a dream, then.

A loud crash came from downstairs, suddenly. Natsu jumped from the bed and fell on a heap beside it, confused.

"What the-?" He asked out loud as he righted himself. He rummaged around and found a pair of boxer shorts to put on – Lisanna was only supposed to come to his house to start to help set lunch for the group in a couple of hours. Way, way later than 9 am, at least. Still, he was not going to wander naked into the house if someone was there.

Quickly but quietly descending the stairs, Natsu took notice that Happy was still sleeping content in the fluffy blanket on the sofa. The pink scarf was on the last place he remembered so, he better head to the kitchen to see what was going on.

The first thing Natsu noticed as soon as he entered the kitchen was Gray – Gray was there! – who was sitting on the floor; with cookies scattered around him, a chair on the floor, one cookie in Gray's hair and his phone seemed to have skidded away on the floor only to stop near the door.

It was… quite the strange picture.

"What the fuck happened here?" were the first words that came to Natsu.

"Hmm, surprise?" Gray said with a slightly pained expression on his face. "This wasn't supposed to go like this." He grabbed the cookie that was on his hair and let out a snort.

"And, may I ask, how was it supposed to go like?" Natsu teased, kneeling down to grab the other's phone.

"Huh, breakfast in bed…" Gray said, looking around and grimacing. "Things didn't go my way, though."

"No, they didn't…" Natsu replied seriously. Though he couldn't maintain the severe expression, it quickly morphed into laughter to which Gray joined.

"Sorry about your kitchen," Gray said after a while, leaning against the counter to keep himself upright.

"No worries. Let's just right all of this so we can get started on breakfast." Natsu replied, happily extending the broom and dustpan Gray's way.

Before long the kitchen was clean once again and the food was finished.

They went to the living room, placing the food on the coffee table while Natsu quickly lit the fireplace.

They sat on the sofa, Happy quickly settling himself on top of the blanket between the pair. It was cute. And the food… Erza's super special cookies and the festivities bread with butter and tea – everything was delicious.

"It's Erza's secret recipe, you know?" Natsu commented, spreading some butter on another slice. "Not everyone gets to try it."

"Is it that special?" Gray asked, unconvinced.

"Just you try!"

Gray did just that and the noise he made, well, he'd made less lewd ones during the previous night…

"This is soooo good. Natsu, tell me she makes you guys a batch because I need more of these!" Gray leaned back on the sofa, in bliss.

"I dunno… you'll have to ask her. Which," Natsu's change in demeanour didn't go unnoticed by the other, "how's this going to work? Can you be here? What happened over there?"

"Whoa, that's a lot of questions. Did the sugar high hit you already or what?" Gray raised his hands in a placating way. At Natsu's glare, Gray conceded. With a sigh he began. "So, huh, Juvia got sacked from the company."

"What?" Natsu did not see that one coming.

"Yeah, she started causing problems to the company. By sabotaging me." Gray took a bit of a cookie, chewing thoughtfully. "Lyon caught her red handed and he wasn't kind to her – he nearly tore her a new one." Gray let out a mirthless chuckle, "he told her, in no uncertain terms, that the obsession she had with me had to go. And she didn't quite take it well so now there's a restraining order against her. She has to stay away. From us. The company. Just… away."

"Wow." Natsu didn't know what to say. "That has got to be a low blow for her."

"Last I heard from her she had had a meltdown. Not pretty and, well, at this point I guess I'm just a bit relieved about all of this?" he said, looking at Natsu, who nodded in understanding. "That was not that great."

"No, I can bet it wasn't." Natsu patted Gray comfortingly on the shoulder. "But I'm sure good things must have happened too."

"Oh, for sure. I mean, that bad chapter is closed. Heh, profession joke." Gray poked his tongue out.

"Duuude, that was so dry!" Natsu guffawed slapping the other's arm. "Didn't know you had it in you."

"Shush, you. Or I won't tell you the good news." Gray humphfed for effect.

"No, no. I'll be good. What's the good news?" Natsu batted his eyes innocently and was shoved backwards right in the face by the other.

"Well, it is about the company…" Gray let the suspense hang until a napkin hit him in the forehead. "Fine, you dumbass. We're going to open a branch here in Magnolia."

"Oh shit!" Natsu's mouth fell open. "Those are good news! I mean, I'm just thinking about Lucy and Levy but… how and why?"

"Well, I can say that I made some interesting connections here. Then this area also has untapped potential that we would be remiss to not explore. I'm sure there are quite a few surprises that we'll decidedly find here," he winked, "and I guess that what brought me here so far has been a good sign. I'm sort of going with my gut feeling right now."

"Whoa. That's fucking big. Hard to believe." The surprise and amazement were heavy in Natsu's voice.

"I have a good feeling." Gray said, a moment later after taking a sip of his drink.

"Looks like change is here to stay, huh?"

"Don't tell me you think that's a bad thing, Natsu?" Gray was surprised.

"Oh no. It's quite needed, in my opinion." He petted Happy who purred contently. "As long as things improve for the better."

"They will. But, now, let's leave the heavy conversation. How about you?"

"Me?"

"Who else?" Gray rolled his eyes.

"Oh, you know, the usual home-work and work-home routine. With some sprinkles of moments with the friends here and there." He shrugged.

"Didn't take you for that much of a workaholic." Gray mused.

"You know how it is. Sometimes you have to be busy. But," he smiled brightly towards Gray, "I sense some things will change too."

"I hope so." Gray agreed. "Because, while we haven't quite said it yet but, we're dating, right?"

"Of course we're dating, you dumbass." Natsu looked at Gray uncomprehending. "I'm past the time of wild adventures."

"You? Are you serious?" Gray said in disbelief. "Because I've heard some stories and-"

"They're all fabrications, I'm not as bad as they make me to be!" Natsu said in embarrassment.

"They weren't all that bad." Gray teased. "But," he became serious again, "I just wanted to clear this up, you know? To not have misunderstandings or something like that."

"I get it. And yes," he grasped Gray's hand tight, squeezing it for a beat, "we are dating." The two exchanged a smile.

After that, a comfortable silence settled over them. At the moment they didn't need words, while watching the fire in the crate, holding hands.

Then.

The front door opened with a bang. Happy jumped in fright, choosing then to hide under the blanket, on Gray's lap. He looked down, astounded before glancing at Natsu. The pink haired youth just nodded approvingly before standing and heading towards the door.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Lisanna asked cheerfully. She'd brought the bustle with her – and by that it was just their friends, lots of food and noise. The house filled with the vivacity of the friends and everything else. Someone put some music in the background and in the kitchen – there was always someone in the kitchen – someone was singing along to 'Let It Snow' while being very off-key.

Time flew in such a way that lunchtime was fast approaching. It was time to set the table.

Natsu was shooed to the kitchen and, from that point on, organized chaos ensued. They worked like a well-oiled machine, like a way too familiar dance was being performed. The group in the kitchen was getting the food up to speed – delicious scents were emerging from there – and the rest had set the table and moved to and fro to place the things at the table and on the long console by the wall.

The appetizers and drinks were there already; several types of bread, including Erza's special, more cheeses and cold meats as well as assorted dried fruits. The drinks were similar to the previous night with the exception of the addition of sparkling wine sangria. In no time the main dishes started to be taken to the table. Roast pork, a turkey braid with dried fruits and a novelty dish, octopus à Lagareiro with a corn bread crust – which Levy had attempted. The side dishes were also being brought to the table and it was only then, when he was taking a bowl with roast potatoes with thyme, that Natsu saw it.

The seat at the head of the table.

It had a plate.

That was Igneel's spot.

No-one else sat there. It was a well-known established rule.

"Hey guys, who put the dish on-?" he started to ask, only to be interrupted by the doorbell ringing shrilly.

Seeing everyone else busy and with a sudden air of expectation, Natsu didn't have other choice but to go open the door.

As the door swung open, Natsu stood frozen, a gasp catching up on his throat.

"Igneel." He all but gasped, at last. "Igneel!" he repeated but louder and in a moment he was throwing himself into his father's arms. "I can't believe this!" he held tight onto him.

"Son." His hug was returned equally tight.

After standing like that for a while longer, Natsu took a step back and then nearly dragged Igneel inside. Mindless of the bags that fell or the suitcases still outside the door. But at the moment none of that mattered. He had to do one thing.

"Dad, this is Gray. I'd told you about him." He said, rosy cheeked.

"Why, yes." Igneel extended a hand which Gray took. Gray seemed to be slightly intimidated but he shook the older man's hand. A mewl came from under and the tension of the moment broke. "Ah, Happy, there you are." Igneel petted the small cat.

"Now that the introductions are done, come eat, you guys!" Lisanna said, sprouting from the shadows of the hallway. She grabbed the suitcases from outside – where it was starting to snow once again – placed them inside and closed the door.

"Lisanna, sometimes you look so much like Mira that it's scary." Natsu commented, chuckling a little.

"Hmpfff." Lisanna elbowed him on the side. "I will take that as a compliment, 'cause Mira is awesome."

"That she is," Igneel agreed while she gave him a quick hug.

"Now, come on. The food's going to get cold." She started dragging the trio towards the dining room.

A wave of welcoming words greeted the newcomers. Igneel excused himself for a moment but before long they were all sitting at the table, everyone ready to dig in.

The meal was going smoothly. Conversation flowing, everyone listening to Igneel's stories of his travels and complimenting the cooking abilities of their friends – even though everyone had contributed to the meal. Wine was flowing seamlessly, but the rambunctiousness that sometimes marked the meals was kept in check. And then, one question brought things to a standstill.

"So, boys, how exactly did you start dating?" Igneel's words gave way to laughter and the two people put on spot became beet red in no time.

"Huh, you see…"

"Well, it was…"

Laughter followed the flustered words, once more. But after a moment, Natsu and Gray could tell the whole story while the others at the table were teasing and laughing at the whole thing.

After the meal, they quickly cleaned the table and took the desserts to the living room. It was also time to exchange presents.

Natsu and Gray, after being in the middle of the fray, went to a calmer place to keep watching everyone. Sitting on the windowsill seat, Natsu turned to Gray.

"I've been thinking." He said, looking intently at Gray. "Did your snowglobe wish happen to come true?" He sounded quite curious.

"Hmm," Gray looked pensive, tapped his index finger against his lips for a moment before answering. "Yes, somehow I seem to have found my way in you, Natsu." He smiled and then asked, "How about yours?"

"How did you know I'd made a wish?" Natsu was shocked.

"It was… magic." Gray said teasingly. "And…?"

"Oh, yeah. It most certainly did come true." Natsu answered with a big smile, squeezing Gray's hand and looking at his family.

Finis

A/N: This chapter was a bit of a struggle. Anyways~

I am so, so sorry about the sappiness. But, hey, Christmas magic and all of that.

Also, if you want to read the full chapter (the porn), head out to my AO3 page. Username is the same.