Gray let out a sigh.
Right after Valentine 's Day, he'd departed for a new mission on the other side of the kingdom. Juvia had offered – though it was more that she'd told Gray – to go with him on the mission.
It wasn't a simple one, the two of them had to play some parts and, figuratively, jump to what lay in the unknown.
On one hand, Gray was busy and, due to the danger, he was alert so he couldn't quite think of the answers he needed to give but, on the other hand, Juvia was there with him. She pressured him slightly and it wasn't that great a feeling. More so when he was constructing and ordering the words he would tell her in the solitude of his mind.
Gray was already expecting the worst.
However, he had to talk to her. He didn't think it was fair to string her along. Fortunately the mission was nearing its end. Maybe whatever happened when he told Juvia wouldn't be so bad. He was bracing himself though.
And of course that the waterworks came.
The past month had been weird.
Though, it was more the uncertainty that was gnawing at Natsu in the back of his mind.
The fire mage was aware that it was a dumb thing, silly even. But, if he stopped, if he allowed himself to have dead times, he would be thinking about it, worrying at it the same way one worried at a wound on the lip, always biting and gnawing and decidedly not letting it go.
So Natsu kept himself busy.
The good thing was that at the guild, a person never got bored. There was always something happening and, fortunately, reasons for celebration tended to abound.
He'd also gone on a few short and not too difficult missions with Happy and Lucy.
Those had been fun.
It was always great to be with friends and on the move. There had even been the added bonus of making a building crash – fortunately it was a derelict building otherwise the old man would've had tanned his hide, all the while grumbling about his old age.
The food helped. As did the normal and constant chatter surrounding him. Natsu even indulged and joined the impromptu drinking contest Cana assembled. The pile of mages laying on the floor that followed was fun. Sleeping on in had been unexpected but not terrible. Wasn't the first time it happened, wouldn't be the last.
Through that haze, the news that a sudden deluge had abated at the area Gray and Juvia had taken their mission didn't quite register. It raised some mutterings but nothing too serious, at least, Natsu was quick to discard it from his mind.
Still, he made sure to stay busy.
And then, Gray and Juvia were back.
It was the eve of White Day.
It was also noticeable that something was different. The air between the two mages had a different quality – even the scent Natsu could pick off them was different! – like there was peace between them.
How the hell did peace settle between the two?
In his mind, Natsu feared the worst.
And the stupid thing was, Natsu knew that he was being silly, dumb even, for worrying and giving so much importance to the approaching day and stupid Gray. But at the same time, it was Gray. And Gray always had an effect on Natsu. It came from way back.
Everything was a strange haze for a moment but fortunately Happy was able to distract him and Natsu was, once again, forever grateful for having him in his life.
In no time, White Day began.
Natsu was low-key jittery but not only did Gray ignore him during what little time they'd both been at the guild but Gray had been away for most of the day. He'd gone on a mission to a town nearby. And Juvia went with him.
The rest of the day both sped up without control and dragged on like molasses. Natsu did have dinner at the guild, making time for unknown reasons, for something that he hoped against hope would happen.
But nothing happened. Natsu got discouraged.
"I think I'm going to head home," he told Happy, his shoulders slumped. "Would you mind going to Wendy's tonight or something?" it was unsaid but the Salamander needed the solitude to lick his wounds.
He was distracted so he didn't notice the strange expression Happy made before shoving a fish into his mouth and making an assenting noise while nodding at Natsu.
With that, he hurried to say his goodnights and hurried home.
Only to go on high alert when he got there.
There was someone inside.
Natsu entered the house, carefully and ready to kick the interloper's ass if such need arose.
But no. everything was normal. Dark. There was another scent in the air but it was familiar, not a threat and so it was easily brushed aside. That also happened because at that moment he noticed the orange glow. There was a lit candle, sitting lonely on his kitchen table. More, a small box was placed in front of it.
"What the-?" he muttered, picking up the box and looking for a card. But there was nothing.
"Took you long enough, flame breath." Gray's voice came from his right side, and the ice mage emerged from the shadows of the corridor.
'Oh, that smell was Gray.' He thought fleetingly as the other approached. It was familiar and not exactly a threat – that was why Natsu had let it pass. But he shouldn't lower his guard, either way.
Gray came to a stop a few steps from him. He had a serious look on his face, determination also coming off him.
There was a moment of silence that seemed to stretch until it was nearly unbearable and then Gray spoke.
"Natsu. You know why I'm here," he said, not one to beat around the bush. "And, well, as you can see," he waved at the table, "I accept your declaration. And, while those chocolates are store-bought, they did cost a pretty jewel, haha…" he scratched his cheek, suddenly looking uncertain. "But yeah, wanted to show you my appreciation and also, I feel the same way, dumbass." He finalized by letting out a small huff.
"Don't be rude while saying that shit, dumbass." Natsu retorted without missing a beat, a huge grin on his face. Gray threw him a weak glared.
"And, here," Gray threw something at Natsu, the fire mage grabbing it easily. "I noticed that your pouch has been looking quite threadbare for a while and it's better to change it before losing something," his tirade was half-mumbled as Gray looked in the direction opposite to Natsu. The blushing on his cheeks was noticeable.
That was why he didn't see Natsu and just let out an "oopf" as his back collided with the floor. Natsu had just tackled him to the ground. The fire mage stood, sat on the other's legs and lightly punched Gray on the solar plexus. What little air the ice mage had gotten in, then whooshed out in no time.
"I'm going to kiss you now." the fire mage announced. Gray remained prone, an eyebrow arched.
"What are you waiting for?" he quipped.
That was all the encouragement he needed. Natsu leaned down and pressed his lips to Gray.
The next day, when the two mages entered the guild, there was something different about them for they were holding hands.
It was a small detail but the uproar it caused was immense.
Their friends were quick to congratulate and tease them.
In the end, they shared a look and couldn't help the grin that stayed on their faces.
It had been worth it.
A/N: Hope you liked this silly story.
It was to be expected but just a heads up. Come the end of the month, I'm thinking of deleting my fics from this site. It was a long time but enough is enough, I guess. Come follow my updates and plenty of other fics on AO3.
