Author Notes:
Warnings: Swearing - Sexual themes/Content.
Genre, in depth: Male/Male Romance, also known as, Yaoi.
Story Cover Art: The Amazing Astrovique.
Beta Reader: The one and only enjoys literature.
Disclaimer: Dear reader, I'm not the owner of Fairy Tail's characters. If they were mine, Gray and Natsu would be boyfriends.
O.o.O Chapter Eight (A Lifetime Lasting Friendship) O.o.O
When Gray left Tokyo because of his mother's demanding job, he predicted life transforming experiences, and hard as it may be, he had to suck it up and adapt. He'd meet new people, create new friendships, maybe he'd get himself a girl, or face educational challenges with new teachers.
Certainly, establishing enemies wasn't on his 'life transforming experiences' list.
Gray knew in the depths of his heart, that his respected classmate "Natsu Dragneel" sat a ticking bomb in Gray's system that would detonate one day and startle many.
The guy lived in another realm with aliens on planet pluto, far, far away from earthian schools with crucial milestones like pop-up, mid-term, final term exams, and spent every day of his youth to the fullest with other aliens like him who dyed their hair for no reason.
Seriously, they went overboard with the tri-gay-colors. Dear alien, pink? Of all colors you dye your hair pink?
Not only did Natsu Dragneel overlook school exams, he also disturbed their classes with his stupid pranks and jokes with his friends. Ever since Ur had adopted Gray, and bothered to put him through the educational system, he always aimed to excel. His young teenager mentality wanted to prove to her he's worthy of her attention and care, not that she needed him to do that. She was a beautiful being who loved him for who he is, no matter good or bad was his grades were.
If Natsu and his friends targeted disturbing their classes, then how can Gray pass through the year with his grades in mind? Their teachers avoided involvement with Natsu and his other alien delinquents because 'no good' came out of it, and left Gray to endure Natsu Dragneel's bullshit during an important class.
Not even six months in the new high school, and Gray fantasized violence at spotting that pink headed alien-moron. His jaw pained a lot from clenching it whenever the idiot screwed up in class that one day he decided visiting the hospital to do something about it.
And when the bulletin board announced their grades, he almost cried for Natsu's ones. Fuck, he was failing alongside his delinquent buddies, and they were proud of it. They high fived each other and all that.
He was told Natsu Dragneel was rich, he didn't need education or school life, he came for the fun of it—well that was horseshit. Natsu wasn't rich, his father was. Fucker has to build himself and—
Gray slapped himself for caring.
Focusing in class failed, and his inability to understand complex algebra equations while Natsu and his nice friends discussed their youthful lives in the back has led Gray to an outburst.
"Could you cut the bullshit? There are people here who actually want to learn."
His out-burst that glorious moment in their school's history injured Natsu Dragneel's feelings. Their teacher froze, his sleepy classmates woke up, gaping at his blatant display of courage. And yeah, they exchanged insults first, then it escalated to rough chest-jerks which led to an eventual punch-up.
The principal had to come down to separate them and reinforce order.
Since that commotion, their awareness of each other's existence amplified, and their verbal fights continued whenever the class was ongoing and he couldn't focus. Gray wasn't intimidated by those freaks to stay quiet like all the cowards did.
Sadly, Gray and that alien shared Taekwondo club sessions and the walk home, that's how much God held a grudge against Gray Fullbuster.
The delinquent had seen in Gray the perfect rival since the day of the outburst, and Natsu only cared about his club activities. Emphasis on ONLY. That's why, Gray had more and more bruises every other day, and Natsu did too.
Taekwondo is a tough sport. And… Natsu graduated from a mortal enemy to an unhealthy rival.
As for that walk home, Gray cringed whenever he spotted the rouge pink hair as he dragged his feet to get the walk over with. It ended up being a rivalry walk home-freaky shit, Although they walked on different sides of the two-ways road.
Wasn't it enough he saw the bastard at school?
One day God gave him a break, and there was no PINK on the other side of the road. Oh, that feeling was indescribable. He resisted showing the 'V' sign out of nowhere, or even hugging a random stranger passing by, and settled for a beaming face, and slight teary eyes.
He bought his favorite Vanilla Ice-cream to celebrate this one day of coolness and enjoyed it as he walked. Two blocks later, his elation took a different road and left him to deal with the most heartbreaking breakup ever.
"I heard myths about Natsu Dragneel, and I never imagined you'd be a disappointment."
The uniqueness of the situation pushed Gray to hide behind a random apartment complex and watch. Six delinquents of the neighboring school gathered around the pink haired delinquent of HIS school. Natsu's head bled, and the prominent black bruise under his eye was actually funny.
He sucked his vanilla ice-cream and thought about this tough situation. Your school's delinquent versus other school delinquents… which to root for? He didn't respect both, but something in that setting made him inclined towards rooting for Natsu. The guy frustrated and riled him up all the time, but he was harmless. He bullied no one, he picked up fights with people his own size, and he posed as a domestic cute delinquent who cared less for school grades.
Thinking about it, Natsu had many friends and Gray didn't.
Go fellow school delinquent!
They fucked each other up while he rubbed his chin. Natsu had beastly strength (The fucker gave him black eyes on a weekly basis in the Taekwondo sessions). How did they fuck up his face? How did they stand a chance?
Natsu's labored breaths were bad news, he held his arm in a way that signaled a minor twist or a fracture, and his reflexes slowed. Gray gritted his teeth on the ice-cream stick.
The pink haired continued to fend for himself, then one of the six wore a malicious smile, grabbed a long steel bar, and sprinted towards Dragneel's back.
NOT ok, not cool.
Dragneel froze. His head turned in slow motion to gape at his back where Gray held off the steel bar with both hands and struggled. At that moment, two things hit him.
One: The heat Natsu Dragneel's back radiated was beyond him.
Two: For fuck's sake, he practiced Taekwondo, why did he take so long before using it on the motherfucker? His foot possessed sufficient force to tear one or two organs.
His leg rose to push the steel bar and the delinquent away from him, and his… idiot classmate…
His pure classmate-delinquent didn't acknowledge dirty fighting, and that's how they surpassed him. When they practiced Taekwondo, Natsu never cheated, tricked, or fooled anyone because he didn't need it. He was more than capable of sending a few people to the infirmary because he practiced hard and won fair.
Natsu was focused and dedicated when it came to something he loved. Gray respects him a little because of that.
One guy dashed towards dumbass Drganeel who was distracted by three cute pink pigs flying behind Gray.
"IDIOT! THE FRONT!"
Natsu blocked the punch directed at his stomach in time. HA! He saved him for a second time.
HOLY SHIT… why was he proud of it?
The delinquents had accused Natsu of being a coward. With Gray's interference in the fight, the torch of rivalry between them bit Natsu's ass, and forced the boy to push himself to the limits, thus, they finished the arrogant pricks in no time.
Natsu spoke between pants, fresh blood oozing from his head, "… Hey, you're not a bad guy after all. Thank you."
What the fuck?! So Gray was viewed as the villain all along?! Fuck, he almost got a stroke hearing that.
"I have two contradicting feelings... I don't know whether I should use this situation as future leverage, or just rape the fuck out of you right now."
"But… why-why d-did you-do it?" Natsu said after choking and coughing, trying to catch his breath.
Gray picked up his bag. "Forget it! I'm leaving!"
"No, wait!" Natsu grabbed his forearm and panted, "I'm serious… why?"
Gray glanced at Natsu's scratched hands, his neck with the red marks… one of his eyes had red spots in the whites of them… he should've killed at least one of the six bastards.
"They were fighting dirty, and I didn't like it, that's all."
"…"
'Nobody fucks with you but me…'
For the first time, Natsu laughed for him. Natsu laughed all the time everywhere to everyone. Gray didn't see it in person before. When Natsu laughed, stupid stars twinkled around him, and he blinded people with the way he shined.
"Thanks!"
He wanted someone to bring a rifle so that he could shoot himself for saving the piece of shit in the first place.
At their usual practice at the taekwondo club, Gray had had his first clean (as in no hard feelings) match with Dragneel. He was supposed to feel relieved, however, the change fluttered his stomach in discomfort. He was fine detesting Natsu, he knew how to handle that.
He didn't know how to handle a… domestic Natsu Dragneel.
The cool water fountain soaked his head after the muscle crippling practice… he drank a bit, and nothing was more refreshing… and his mood was supposed to be good, if not for the idiot who mirrored his movements and stood next to him.
He sighed and grabbed his towel to dry his hair.
"S-So…"
Fuck. The great Natsu Dragneel was stuttering… and blushing? Are you fucking kidding? No, wait, it's the heat of the afternoon. Makes more sense… But what the hell does he want?
"I heard you like Final Fantasy, Overwatch, Dragons and Androids, and Call of Duty."
Wait a fucking minute.
"… How did you…?"
"I… uh… I'm not a creep or anything!" Why was this idiot suddenly defensive? "I… overheard your talk with Alzack about it. I also know you like big boobs, and Vanilla Ice-cream on big boobs-"
"-FUCKER!" Gray blocked Natsu's mouth with his hand as three girls walked behind them, "Lower your goddamn voice!"
Natsu pushed off his hand with the faint pink on his cheeks darkening, "I like Atlas from Dragons and Androids, which one do you like?"
The warmth of Natsu's palm was like holding the morning's soothing cup of coffee. He was so lost in that sensation that he didn't move.
"… Chayndai." FUCK, why did he answer? This idiot! Was he performing a curse on him by holding his hand—why the hell were they holding hands?! Move your goddamn stupid body!
"-Serious? The Lord of Ice? Matches you perfect." The speckles of amber in Natsu's alligator orbs glowed when he smiled.
"…You won't understand the fascination I've with him." Gray pulled his hand. He worked on drying his hair while coaxing his heart to calm down with the freakish beats.
"Atlas would kick his ass though."
"Pardon? You're so wrong."
"Prove me wrong."
"I WILL!"
"What's your online name?"
And that's how the great, great Gray Fullbuster fell into the idiot's basic trap.
From that point onwards, they dedicated time to battle online. Sometimes great friendships have ridiculous foundations. As soon as Gray heard Natsu played Dragons and Androids and has a favorite character, he knew that they were already friends, if not brothers. Kind of like when you discover that someone likes Anime and Manga in your school or workplace.
But Gray won't ACKNOWLEDGE that he has a freaking DELINQUENT friend. He was cheating on the world of fabulous education, and all the bright students.
Gray… you can't fucking do this.
"Come on… you're being an asshole. I thought we were already friends…"
"Wanna be my friend?"
"Yeah!" Natsu's eyes shone.
"There's a fantastic way."
"Hmm?" Natsu gave him his undivided attention.
"Leave me the fuck alone."
"Whaaaaat?! It can't hurt, we go the same way. This time, don't be a dick, and let's get to know each other better."
"I regret saving your ass."
"That's not nice! You did it because deep down you like my ass, right?"
"Right, and I like applying make-up on my own ass."
"I'm messing with you. I know you can't stand my ass, but maybe if you give it the chance, it'll prove you wrong."
"Why are you so adamant about this? Is it because I helped you? I don't want anything in return, ok? I want you to leave me alone instead!"
"I don't want to because I'm an asshole that way."
Gray gave the most dramatic eye-roll.
"…" An exasperated sigh escaped Gray as he continued walking home.
"I have a question for you."
"…"
"-Ok-"
"-I didn't say ask."
"You said nothing which means ok."
"…"
"Why do we not get along?"
"Because I like focusing in class, and you interrupt. You make friends with assholes, and I don't. I'm super smart, and you're super dumb, stuff like that." Gray answered.
"Ok, my turn. You think the sun shines from your anus, you're dumber than you think you are, you're super fussy and you think the world should think like how YOU think."
"All the reason we can't be friends, see?"
"Gray…"
Fuck you and your dejected puppy look. Fuck your cute cherry pink tresses. Natsu Dragneel was un-rejectable. No wonder their teachers forgave his foolishness and childish behavior no matter how big or small it was.
"... Truth is, my guard is still on the watch for you. I can't help it, okay? We've been fighting for a long time. I need time to adjust to this new freaky… progress."
"OOOOOOOH! You said progress, huh? Huh?" Natsu grinned and nudged Gray with his elbow.
"Ah hell!"
Natsu nodded, the grin never leaving his lips, "Understandable. My guard is still on the watch for you too, but I have a feeling we can make it work… somehow…"
"Yeah? Me too."
Their first fist bump was the marking of an official friendship.
At school, they made their classmates faint and their principal proud of the new change, and they were questioned about the miracle that had brought them together.
"Dragons and Androids."
If it wasn't for that game, Gray wouldn't give a fuck. With time, they revealed common interests, common dislikes, and common challenges. Like when they both were promoted to enter the nationals for Taekwondo.
And the irony. Gray and Natsu enjoyed every moment of the walk home. It was their favorite part of the day to talk about all kinds of shit. Their chats revolved around the game, crappy teachers, dorky classmates (Gray teased Natsu that he was one of them). Sometimes, they enjoyed their walk in contented silence as they ate Gray's favorite vanilla ice-cream from his favorite ice-cream shop.
They were becoming… eh, well. Best friends.
"Do you know since when I wanted to be friends with you?"
Gray let the vanilla flavor melt in his mouth, then answered with a smile of satisfaction, "… When I saved your ass, right?"
"Nah. Before that. When I heard you talk with Alzack about Vanilla Ice-cream on big boobs. That was hilarious."
People squinted at their loud laughter in public. Their bright youth was irritating.
"Not when you heard about the game?!"
"Nope-"
Natsu was too invested in their chat to notice the speeding heavy truck behind him. The alarming honking of the giant death on wheels approaching strung Gray's eardrums and rippled through his whole body.
'Shitshitshitshitshitshit-'
"—FUCK!"
His heart's pounding reverberated loudly, equipping his muscles with an inhuman power that tightened around Natsu's arm and flung him onto the other side of the pedestrian walk like gravity didn't exist. The truck's blast of air that resulted from speeding knocked Gray breathless.
"Gah…!" Natsu groaned.
Fuck… Natsu could've died. So… so-so easily. In a few seconds, just poof! What the fuck?! He was going to lose… his best friend, AND YES, he admits that, thanks to the cock who drove the giant ass truck! Oooooh, he wished he had an RPG with him!
"D-Dude, loosen-up, ow!"
Gray's steel grip around Natsu's arm elicited groans that went unheard. He was so fucking busy panting and calming the thrashing of his heart in his ears. One day… Gray was gonna find that cock and teach him a lesson or two, screw it, he vowed revenge.
A comforting, familiar warmth calmed his clenching jaw, harsh breaths, and rigid muscles. And that scent… the one he noticed when they practiced Taekwondo, when Natsu passed by him, or when he threw an arm around Gray's shoulders… that fresh sea breeze and sweet vanilla mix. So that… belonged to Natsu after all. He thought he was hallucinating because he always craved Vanilla ice-cream.
The steel grip loosened to a gentle hold, and since he was too lost in his favorite scent, he hated letting it go.
Natsu's notebooks and pens were sprawled on the pedestrian walkway next to his backpack, and the boy stood, hugged to Gray's chest like Gray would lose his soul if he let go.
"A—Thanks… didn't see that one coming…" Natsu's hands pushed Gray's protective hold off of him subtly, with a blush gnawing at his face, but Gray wouldn't budge.
"What… you… what, YOU FUCKING IDIOT! Watch where you're walking!"
At that outburst, once again, the pedestrians shot Gray criticizing glares.
"…" Natsu flinched at Gray's outburst, and then gasped when Gray embraced him, as if they weren't surrounded by anyone.
"Shit…" Gray's body trembled after his muscles has released the earlier sharp tension. Yes, it was awkward. Yes, it was… so unlike him to react this way, but he did. Because… Natsu has reached that level of importance in Gray's life. And… Gray didn't want to lose him.
Fuck.
'Fuck… what the fuck am I doing? So awkward, fuck!'
"Um. Ah, um… sorry. Could you… Gray, I know you love me so fucking much, but we can hug later, dude! People are watching!"
Natsu pushed Gray off, dark red smudging his face. He then kneeled to gather his scattered belongings, and Gray unconsciously joined to help him.
"He's insane. He should've stopped behind you. Fucker…"
"I'm also at fault… I was completely lost in the talk you know… Thank you…" Natsu sniffed, his cheeks glowing red, "You… I owe you one, thanks."
Gray waved a hand to dismiss Natsu's statement. He would've been panicking he hugged his friend out of the blue in the street, if not for the fear in his system that dissipated leaving sweet relief.
Their walk was so robotic and awkward afterwards that Gray was thankful they reached their homes. Living with himself that day embarrassed the hell out of him on many levels. When Gray held Natsu's body against him… two elements which aren't supposed to come together did. Like the friction point of fire and Ice, where steam violently aroused and left them both scorched.
The imaginary scorching mark was printed on his chest, deep down in his heart, lungs, his arms, and his neck. And the marking was permanent, he couldn't erase it. Help, he couldn't breathe.
So stupid.
Gray convinced himself it was fine, the next day they would forget it and move on. And this mark will be gone, and he wouldn't be in so much pain.
His phone vibrated, and with a heavy heart, he grabbed it from under his pillow and remained in a relaxing position on his bed.
Natsu: Ah… you ok?
Gray just… smiled, stupidly.
Gray: Don't steal my line, idiot.
He waited.
Natsu: COME ON! You're making a big deal out of this. So what if I died today? Listen, if that ever happened, I'd want you to find yourself some nice girl with nice curves and big boobs. Drown your sorrows in those boobs. Trust me, that'll make me and YOU happy. I don't want weeping or shit like that.
That… idiot.
Gray: Yeah, got it. Goodnight.
Natsu: Stop it with the glaring and talk.
Gray: How did you…?
Natsu: DUH. I can see it from here.
Gray sighed.
Gray: I almost lost my best friend today. Yeah, I know, close your mouth. Oh, and it's fine if you don't feel the same. Just know that I lost family before… and, I don't wanna lose you. I sound like a pussy, I know.
Ok, he didn't think his words through. He was the STUPID ONE. Natsu would hurl those words in his face, if not blackmail him in the future.
'What the fuck are you-'
Natsu: You're my best friend too. And… thank you. You really saved me, but next time I'll take you with me, since it'll be lonely if I go alone.
Gray: It's a promise, I'll go with you.
Natsu: Fuck you. Depressing bastard! Sleep! Clear your fucking head! No one's going anywhere!
Because the idiots in his class discarded their headgears and shin-guards like toddlers in kindergarten, they had to stand for half an hour listening to their coach's reprimands. Some of them slept awake, and some of them didn't care and snored in the back (Natsu Dragneel).
Dear coach unleashed a frenzy of insults upon Natsu and gave him the day's cleaning duty.
Gray strode to the showers, not waiting for even a minute to pass after the long hellish practice. The cold shower buzzed through his bruised muscles and untied the tensioned knots in his system.
"Natsu, shouldn't you be cleaning?"
"Pffffffffffffffffff, me? Are you insane?! WHY WOULD I DO THAT? No ways! Booooooring."
Gray shook his head inside the shower cubicle, overhearing Natsu's conversation with a friend.
"You're gonna be eating the coach's shit if he finds out you ditched."
"Ooooooooh, MAJOR key word here. If. Which he won't, because uh, he won't. He had tried before and failed, remember?"
"Dude… he's coming here, and… fuck!"
"SHIT!"
He was drying his hair with the towel when a heavy weight fell on his back.
"Oh shit… there's someone here—Gray! Cool! DUDE I NEED TO HIDE!"
"… You fucking…" Gray's face and body was glued to the wet flooring tiles. His head rung a twisted whistle from the pain, and he wanted to murder his friend.
"Shhhhhhhhh!" Natsu slapped his hand on Gray's mouth who got up and rested his abused naked back on the door.
"NATSU! YOU CAN'T HIDE FOR LONG! YOU'RE GONNA BE EATING MY SHIT!"
'Ouch…'
Natsu laughed his head off and tried to kill his voice, which pulled a laugh out of Gray. This guy… he didn't care at all, did he? Since Natsu didn't have a shirt on, his eyes traced shower water droplets roll on his chiseled chest, next to his nipples, travelling towards his stiff abdomen, and stop at the hem of his pants... What if he pulled the zipper of those pants… and… yeah, he's going insane.
They waited for another five minutes before the coach stormed off looking for him.
"Goshhh…" Natsu rubbed imaginary sweat off, and grinned, giving the thumbs up sign, "Success!"
"You're gonna be dead." Gray grunted, and then laughed.
"Shut up!" Natsu laughed… then his eyes widened as he stared down.
Well, what did he expect? He invaded Gray's showering time, so yes, he was stark naked, and Natsu practically straddled him. Crimson blew up in Natsu's cheeks, neck, ears, and it was funny. The great Natsu Dragneel was embarrassed, huh? Weird.
Natsu backed off and bowed comically, "Ah… will be on my way out now!"
The minute Natsu climbed the cubicle like a skilled monkey and did not use the door like normal people, he winced and fell back. Gray's chest received his fallen weight as the black haired kneeled on the floor, holding Natsu in his arms.
"What's wrong?"
"My… foot…" Natsu gritted his teeth, "-Hurts so much, fuck! I'll kill that brunette!"
That brunette = Someone Natsu fought at today's Taekwondo practice.
"Wait… let me see…"
"Don't touch it! It hurts!"
"Fuck, did you break it or what?! Just wait a sec."
Gray's examined the other's right foot, and Natsu rested his head back on Gray's shoulder, biting his lips to endure the pain.
"Ok, you know what? It's fine. A little strained, that's all. I'll help go to the infirmary."
"Why did this have to happen?"
"Karma."
"Right. Screw you."
"Ok, let's-"
"-No no no no no! I need time to prepare myself-wait!"
"Ok…"
They both sighed and laughed lightly at the situation Natsu has put himself in.
"NATSU! GET OUT!"
"FU-"
It was Gray's turn to shut Natsu's mouth with his hand. Their breaths came out hardly as they saw the coach's feet outside their cubicle.
"It's okay." Gray whispered in Natsu's ear.
The showering cubicle got impossibly tight. They were bounded by the shower's water. Skin to skin. Heart to heart. And Natsu's warmth was too good, but equally dangerous. His sweet vanilla and sea breeze mix converted Gray to a crazy being.
It was that body that obscured the functioning of Gray's lungs. His fingers loosened around Natsu's mouth, and God, the velvet lips underneath his fingers hardened his length that almost pressed up against Natsu's back...
The imaginary scorch mark glowed and urged him to pull away from his guy-friend.
But then… he stared at Natsu's back, and Natsu's back was beautiful, and sexy, and his mouth watered looking at it, his teeth itching to graze the shoulder bone.
'You're a creep… fuck you, he's a guy… he's… a fucking guy!'
Their skin contact channeled Natsu's heartbeats… his ears reddened, and he tilted his head to the back and Gray didn't understand the look he gave him. For a second, he lost himself in the sensation of the inflamed skin's goose bumps and blemishes under his Index finger that lightly stroke Natsu's forearm.
And the scorch mark of fire meeting Ice produced that intense steam, attempting at pushing Gray's hold on Natsu.
"… Gray…" Natsu whispered, then swallowed, "… What…?"
Gray's thumb brushed Natsu's moist cheek, quivering with need, and Natsu didn't shrug it off, it was his fault. Or maybe he should have trusted Gray less, that dumbass.
"… I don't know…"
Natsu's breath tickled his nose and tempted him to smash his lips on him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Natsu, get out, he's gone!"
They reeled away from one another, their hearts thrashing, and their brains too foggy to comprehend what had happened.
And like that… the mark slept in Gray's core, satisfied that its job was done. It forced them apart… because fire… can't meet with Ice, and Gray was doing something forbidden and wrong.
One that… might have lost him the best friend he ever had. But why did it hurt? That day, he was so upset that he didn't eat for the rest of the day, and slept with a heart that weighed 500kgs in his chest.
The coach chased Natsu's ass to hell till the end of the academic year.
Natsu interrupted their daily routine during their second high school year for two months when he dated. Lunches, online gaming, breaks, hanging out… gone. Having a girlfriend brightened a lot, but think of your best friend whom you'd sacrifice, would you?
The last thing Gray kept to himself was going home. YES.
"What…? You finally got someone who could tolerate your spontaneous self, bruise their reputation for you, and you tell me it's over? You sure you're alright… mentally?"
"Shut up!" Natsu yelled.
"You're a magnificent idiot."
"I got no choice alright?!"
"Fucker, of course you have!"
"No, I don't!"
"…"
"She wants to go home together, ok?"
"Wha…?"
Holy shit… even though Natsu was done dating, Gray felt threatened. Who did SHE think herself was to come between them? He had known Natsu for a short while, but it was more than enough to establish a strong friendship that lasts for a lifetime.
LIFETIME.
Gray agreed with himself that he committed a horrible mistake when he allowed foreign feelings to merge with his and Natsu's friendship. It accumulated throughout high school, and then some afterwards. Although they fought like Kilkenny cats during high school, college life offered lots of enhancements.
Don't misunderstand, they maintained and further developed their casual punch-up routine, but the emotional and sexual tension of their relationship reached its peak to the extent that Gray wished approximately EVERY day he'd grow enough manly balls and… maybe force Natsu into a physical relationship. It would've been so easy, considering the fact that Natsu gravitated towards him.
NOT.
Natsu was a fucked up idiot like himself who (probably) bottled-up everything and acted as a loyal friend. He often forgot that he contributed to the desperation of the silent raging physical and emotional attraction they've got for one another. In Gray's defense, a lot of obstacles came along.
Aside to the gay-romance criticism, Gray and Natsu could die a hundred times, live again, and Natsu's father wouldn't approve of them. From head to toe, Natsu was controlled by his father, not only because he was supporting him but also because Natsu loved his father too damn much.
Forget that, Gray's social status differed from Natsu's well-affiliated with wealth-family, and the complications accompanied with that… If that relationship was ever to be formed, the amount of headache coming with it was too vast for Gray's health.
Sometimes, Gray imagined himself raping Natsu, and then Natsu forgives him because… he just did?
Maybe that's what it was. Maybe he wanted Natsu to get out of his system by having sex with him once. Maybe he was a sick pervert. Just because he was curious about how Natsu's hot body would feel against him, didn't mean it was worth ruining their friendship. Why was he thinking Natsu had the same desire? Or feelings?
Man...
Natsu convinced his father to go to the same college as Gray after long discussions and arguments. It was hard to persuade him to live with Gray because it's closer to college.
It was so awesome living together at the beginning. Later, Gray discovered it was disastrous and dangerous, because his inner perverted self was unpredictable.
Come on, they were in the phase where they grew so touchy-feely to a normal friendship's taste. They snuggled watching TV, they were glued to the hip while playing online games, they didn't sleep together, but Natsu used his lap to sleep before, they fucking needed physical contact and it was getting out of control.
They needed manly BALLS. One of them had to break it to the other he wanted a relationship, and the other won't be baffled!
The fact that he thought their relationship through so many times meant he was serious about being involved with Natsu. That fucking-awesome-realization hit him in the college's library.
Ok. This was it. It was the day he shoves Natsu down and confesses his attraction to him through a kiss.
He packed his belongings and headed back to find that Natsu was already there.
'Ok… you're gonna do this! Nothing will stop you! NOTHING.'
"Nat?"
He entered their bedroom with the two single beds and found Natsu shirtless, applying a soothing gel on his bruises.
"Mmm?"
They still practiced Taekwondo after high school, and Natsu was super intense sometimes.
"What's wrong?"
"Coach. He's so brutal." Natsu's finger struggled to reach the purple bruise on his back and sighed, "This was the worst ass-handing ever, I'm drowning in shame and disgust from myself."
"Serves you right for challenging him out of the blue with no damn plan."
"Shut up and make yourself useful."
"Ok."
"Why are you taking your shirt off?!"
Gray smirked when Natsu's face and hair matched in color, then snatched the gel from the flustered guy, climbing the bed from behind.
"Did I embarrass the little girl?"
"As if. Dude, don't just strip out of no where, it's so fucking weird. I swear to god, I didn't sign up for this when I wanted to be friends with you, poor naïve me."
"Oh shut up. That's me getting useful."
"Anyone told you, it's a habit going out of control?"
"Anyone told you, you talk nonsense?"
"How did I ever manage to live with you?" Natsu rolled his eyes.
Gray pushed Natsu's upper back forward with so he gets easy access to those… horrendous bruises.
"Dude… that's… not normal." The purple slaps of bruises on Natsu's waist, where his ribs met with his spine… this wasn't a challenge, it was a fight, "Did you… get into a fight?"
"No." That sounded honest, strange.
"Sure about that?"
"Why would I lie about this?"
"…It's too much ok? It's way too much. Looks very serious."
Gray watched Natsu's rigid muscles convulse to give that long exhale, "Told you. I was like fight me like I'm a professional with no gears! He was like BRING IT ON BRAT. Next thing you knew, it was like bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! And poor me flying out and landing hard on my ass. And… I needed it… I needed something to make me stop thinking…ugh."
His fingers were feathers spreading the gel on Natsu's sensitive skin, and he swallowed, what if he caused him more pain?
"I didn't know you had something tacky going on in your head… how come I don't know about it?"
"…"
"Come on, say it."
"Can't."
"Interesting… now we're keeping secrets?"
"…"
"You fucker…" Gray positioned Natsu in a headlock and threatened to choke him, "Say it. Say it or you're dead."
"What the-" Natsu shrugged him off, but it wasn't strong enough, and Gray was adamant to know what was disturbing his friend.
"You'll be dead!"
"Asshole! No, get off!" Natsu winced in pain, and Gray's soft spot for him urged him to let go, but what if it was serious, and Gray needed to know about it?
"Dude, you can tell me whatever ok? You're so transparent I can see the digestion of that hamburger you ate after practice, so while you're at it, just tell me what's going on in that stupid brain of yours."
"FUCK! How'd you know it was a hamburger? Shit, that's so creepy, stop X-raying me you bastard!"
"Why? Is there something you don't want me to X-ray?" Gray choked Natsu harder.
"There's nothing! Let go. I'm serious-"
"-So am I!" Gray let go, but he held Natsu's cheek and chin and turned it to face him, his fingers marking Natsu's skin red, "What's wrong?"
Natsu's eyes brimmed with tears and agony, he bit on his lips and his shoulders drooped.
"… What…?"
Why? Was it so serious… and he hasn't noticed? Natsu was hurting so bad, and he didn't know. He worried about himself, his feelings, his fucking bullshit, and he did not notice how his guy was hurting? What kind of failure was that? Fuck.
When Natsu refused to speak, he couldn't bring himself to press him further. It was the first time he had seen Natsu breaking down, and he hated it. That… sinking feeling in his stomach, it grew worse watching those eyelids host a flood of tears and those pink eyelashes strained from blinking not to have them fall. He let go and continued soothing Natsu's bruises.
He heard the other sniff, then crumble and sob.
That constricted Gray's chest… how powerless and useless was he?
"Shit, Natsu. I didn't… sorry…" He muttered an apology. He was such an S-class douchebag.
"Nah… it's cool. I don't know what's happening you know?" Natsu's voice was tearful and breaking.
"You got your period? Shoulda taken a pain killer."
"Fuck you…" A weak laugh broke through Natsu's tears, "Seriously, fuck you."
"Anytime. Just say it, you got it."
"I hate you."
"I know."
When Gray was done treating his bruises, Natsu took a deep breath and wiped his eyes, breaking Gray more. There was nothing he could do to make Natsu feel better since he didn't know the cause of his friend's dilemma.
He switched off the lights, leaving a small table lamp open, and pushed Natsu back on his bed.
"What are you… d-doing?"
"You're gonna relax. Try not to think about anything."
"What…? What, no-"
The boy protested and pushed himself to sit, but Gray laid him back with all the gentleness in the world to not irritate his bruises.
"I'm not-"
Natsu released a gasp as Gray's face invaded his breathing space, and as he laid next to him. He brushed a stray pink tress away from the bright green orbs and frowned.
"Can you shut up now? Don't move, stupid."
Gray hugged Natsu to his bare chest, and with hammering heartbeats, he pressed a firm kiss on Natsu's forehead.
It was the first time he expressed affection, and he didn't know what came over him. When Natsu's honeyed skin melted against him, Gray didn't have a desire rush, he didn't want to take or claim. Because then, Natsu's warm tears had wetted the pillow and his chest, and guilt squished him for his careless and unthoughtful attitude earlier.
"Gray… I really don't…" Natsu swallowed, "…don't… hate you."
Duh.
"I know."
"No you don't know… stop saying you know everything because you don't!" Natsu broke, his tears rushing hotter than before.
"Alright, alright, alright…" Gray petted his hair, "Alright… I don't know… I don't know shit."
Natsu kept repeating I don't hate you until crying knocked him off asleep. He then wiped Natsu's tears and hugged him tighter; as if whatever paining Natsu would disappear this way.
Gray still doesn't know what unsettled his friend that night… to this day. All he remembers is him, sleeping next to Natsu, useless.
And… confessions be damned. He wasn't about to make it more difficult for the guy. Gray had to give up for the time being and be the best version of a best friend.
A life changing incident occurred at third year college.
Natsu was sent to the district's Investigation Department by mistake among a group of drug dealers. Natsu's high school delinquent friends were fooling around until they got caught in the cross-fire between two entities. Gray got scared shitless, and he went as far as contacting Natsu's father who had so many connections able to spare the boy.
Then came the surprise when the man visited him after the call. They sat down and-
"Why are you seducing my son?" Nicely put, the man expressed the qualms he had about them both.
"…"
"I know Natsu like the back of my hand. You're special to him."
Gray suffocated and replying to the man's stiff accusing language proved hard. Especially, when so much demeaning spiraled in the father's cerise eyes.
"With all respect, I'm not seducing anybody… and I don't think that's the issue we should discuss now…"
"Let me explain. I'd rather have my son imprisoned than have him out banging his best male friend."
"… HOW… What are you saying?!" That shit has never happened!
"Well then, back off. Natsu's not your soul mate, alright? Stop confusing him kid. The minute I get him out of this mess, you will cut all ties and let him go. It'll be good for you both, trust me."
Being the loyal best friend and all, Gray backed off. He cut all ties, moved out of the apartment, and contacted Natsu by text messages and calls. Causally, they'd meet, but Gray would pretend as if he's busy with college, work, and other complicated things in his life, until the string tying them got so thin.
Natsu tried getting Gray to talk so many times, but Gray suited up in his douchebag suit.
Honestly, there were two reasons Gray obliged to Natsu's father's request. He thought being away from Natsu might clear his head, might change the way he feels about his friend and vice versa. Also, what kind of friend was he if he couldn't protect his best friend on his own? He was weak and pathetic.
And then Natsu disappeared.
And then Gray got the call he was arrested at the NIA because of passport forgery, what bullshit.
Natsu has always got himself into complicated fuckery.
Maybe if he had accepted his feelings towards his friend, Natsu wouldn't have laid in KMC. Maybe things would've been different, and he would've been laying that unfortunate night of arrest safe and sound next to Gray.
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter Release: TBD. My (expectation) is 15 days, subject to change.
Special thanks to: The Sorcerer of Winter (Dude, I can't thank you enough, no words will express that), Guest, deboome. Guys, thanks for your lovely words.
Question by Guest: 'Whose the sergeant? Gajeel or another guy?'
Sting and Gajeel are both sergeants within the same military base. Yes, there's more than one.
SO YEAH, backstory is revealed. Thank you ALL for reading. Feel free to share any comment, inquiry, or advice. I'd love that.
Alright, till next time!
Looooooove,
Flame-Belt