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 Twenty Four O.o.O
Gray SNORTED.
"Told you it'd look like my testicles."
A lengthy sigh escaped Natsu as his cheek rested on his palm. The spaghetti plate steamed and dispersed a delicious aroma, but the meatballs looked exactly like what Gray had told him.
"I wonder why it didn't come out right."
"Didn't come out right?! Dude, that's an understatement."
"Ok, ok, ok, screw you." Natsu said and dug into the plate anyway.
"Thank god I told you getting the girls is a bad idea. Dude, they'd think we're perverts. It would be the worst payback ever for the welcoming chocolate cookies."
Natsu sighed again and stabbed his odd-looking meatball… was it? And shoved it his mouth, chewing hard, "I hope you know I'd do the same for your testicles if you don't shut up."
Gray shook his head and tried the spaghetti first.
"Decent." He was surprised, "Weird. I thought it'd taste like my testicles too."
"For the love of god—would you stop?!"
"Let's try the actual testicles."
"Enough is enough!" Natsu jumped from his seat, and in seconds, Gray Fullbuster's neck was under the mercy of Natsu's triangle choke. He tried to wiggle out, but damn, Natsu didn't have the intention to let go.
His throat hurt, and he retreated to bang Natsu's back against the sofa. Natsu saw through Gray and slowed down the collision impact between him and the sofa, instead, they both fell backwards, rolled on the sofa, then on the flooring. He punched and kicked, but Natsu wouldn't budge.
"Don't… make me bite your stupid arm!"
Natsu was breathing hard, "Go ahead coward!"
"Ok, ok, ok, I give in dude! Your win!"
"If you say anything about testicles again, I'm gonna-"
"—Not going to, promise. Let go!"
They both grunted as Natsu let go. The next minute they held their forks as if nothing happened.
Gray patted his neck and started flexing his shoulders around it, "Dude... You can't use that method with me and expect a fair fight, got that? Next time I'm ruining you."
"Promises, Promises."
"Now let's try the t-" Gray sweat-dropped when a harsh glare interrupted him, "-Ahem, my voice's getting hoarse…"
"Why won't you-ah, maybe let it rest and eat or drink or SOMETHING?" Natsu dared him to say it.
"-Yup, good thinking."
"Thought so."
"Yup."
"Yup."
Their meal time was enthusiastic. Gray got himself in small fights with his friend three times, it was fun. By the time they ended their meal, Natsu was drained, and Gray was drowsy. He was drowsy before, but the verbal and physical fights enhanced it.
He helped Natsu clean up, and jokes aside, the food tasted great. While Natsu placed the last clean plate on the dish rack, Gray held his hand, and kissed the tips of his fingers. They still had traces of the garlic and tomato smell, and… he felt lucky. That Natsu was all for him.
"Thanks for the food. I'm gonna hit the bed."
It was adorable how Natsu's skin reddened.
The boy tailed him until he reached his room. Turning around, he smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Can I help you?"
"Gonna sleep with you. In case you need anything…"
"Nope. Not gonna happen."
"Ok…" Natsu had his hands in his waist, huffing a breath, "This is… is ridiculous. What if something happens to you?"
"What're you talking about?" Gray chuckled, "Nothing worse is gonna happen to me, alright? You did an outstanding job with my wound too."
"What if…" Natsu hugged Gray, "What if I just want to? You know?"
'Oh God… don't make this anymore difficult…'
He was certain that Natsu was nervous by the way his fingers fumbled Gray's shirt. This is difficult. Gray licked his lips and shrugged off his own nervousness, "I… kinda want my space to toss and turn in pain. You won't be comfortable with it. You can come in much later, when this thing settles..."
Natsu let go, his cheeks and ears fully red. He nodded reluctantly, and chuckled to ease the tension, backing away, "Yeah, understand. If you need anything… just yell."
"Yeah, okay." He offered a small appreciative smile. "Thanks for the meal. It was nice."
"You're welcome."
Natsu headed to the living room, and he was watching the retreating figure. He didn't look fine, and it was his fault.
He hit the search button, scrolled down, and found a good title.
"Dude." Natsu called as he wore a jacket, "I'm gonna go to the store, you want anything?"
"Hmm? Umm-Ah, sorry what?"
"Me going to the store, anything you want?"
Gray sipped from the coffee and stared at Natsu, remembering that he has nothing to worry about because his laptop's screen wasn't visible to the other.
"Ah… no… wait let me think…"
"Ok…"
"Do we still have Oreos?"
"Yes."
"Can you fetch me one packet? Pleeeeeease?"
Natsu shook his head as he headed to the kitchen, "Lazy asshole."
"Thanks dude."
His friend threw the packet that Gray fetched, "I want nothing more. I'm cool."
"Ok… don't you wanna come with?"
"I'm in the middle of something so…"
"-Yeah fine. See ya."
He waited until Natsu exited and sighed.
"Back to this shit. First, emotional: A person's heart withers if it does not answer another heart. A quote by a weird guy. Anyway… what should happen here, basically?"
He checked other titles, visited other websites, enrolled himself in relationship tests, and saw half a dozen of relationship blogs/Vlogs. He finished the cup of coffee, the packet of Oreos, and remained confused.
"… What a mountain full of shit that is called the internet."
All those people on the internet posting shit should die because they wasted his time and contributed to his confusion.
"Enough! Where're your fucking parents when you need them? Let's check the email."
He thanked himself for thinking practically since there was a mail from Hibiki, one that was sent three days ago.
'Hi Gray.
Did you think about the offer? Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing you, but It's good for me to know because I've an upcoming meeting with our director. If you're not sure, I understand. Tell me whenever you can.
I hope you're enjoying the honeymoon.
KR
Hibiki Lates.'
"Mommmmyyyyyyyy. Ouchyyyyy. That's not good, not good." He almost broke into his screen, reached out for the 'honeymoon' bit and torn it apart, "Why are those people thinking like that? Is it a crime to sit unproductive, they think you're banging all day? I don't even bang!"
"Don't even bang?"
Gray jolted at the comment and rushed to protect his laptop from crashing with the floor.
"Dude, KNOCK!"
"Sorry so much."
"Right."
His friend headed to the kitchen with a tired pace. He didn't wanna corner Natsu and open the subject yet. Maybe when he's in a better mood.
"So…" Gray said walking towards the kitchen's counter.
"Mmm?" Natsu didn't even look, as he poured the milk on his cereal. That boy was a milk lover for sure because it wasn't breakfast, it was fucking brunch.
"How are you doing?"
Natsu stared at him with the spoon half-way in his mouth. You can imagine coughing, sneezing, and cussing.
'As I said… What a mountain full of shit that is called the internet.'
"Goodness. Did I hear myself right or did I just tell you to suck me off or something?"
The coughing increased, and for a minute he thought he could do magic with words.
"-Stop." Natsu warned, "Why would you ask that?"
"I didn't know it was so private man."
Natsu used a napkin to wipe off the milk-snot from his nose, "No it's not, but—I'm okay, obviously."
"But you're eating cereals."
"So what?"
"Dude, you're eating cereals."
Natsu's weird habit gave him away, and he knew that there was no point lying.
"-Nothing… it's… I have lots on my mind that's all."
"I thought we sorted everything in your mind."
Natsu grunted and chewed on his food. He took a seat next to his partner and sensed the light nervousness he caused the other by being close.
"Did I do something?"
The boy grunted again, but not so intense and avoided Gray's gaze.
"You? You didn't do anything. Nothing at all. Just nothing." Natsu ate with an enormous appetite, "So don't worry about it."
"Come on. What's this-?" His phone vibrated, "-It's mom. Hey Ur."
"Don't 'Hey Ur' me! There's so much that I wanna hear and this isn't one of them."
Gray flopped down on one sofa, chuckling, "I'm sure."
"I know I'd get this answer, that's why I left you the first week. Sooooo…"
"Sooooo? What are you trying to reach you evil woman?"
"You kidding me?"
"No, I don't know."
"Like, how's your boyfriend taking in the new place? Please tell me he's your boyfriend now… please."
Gray shook his head with a smile, "He is, no doubt. He's cool with it yeah, I think."
"Oh that's a relief! How was his reaction? Tell me in detail."
Natsu smiled as he listened to Gray explaining to Ur their first day in his apartment.
"And, and-" She snickered, "-the baby making between men, how is that hotness going?"
"!" Gray froze, choking on his Oreos, and thankfully, Natsu was in the bathroom, "UR!"
"Whaaaat? Tell me! I'm so interested you have no idea! Like I tried imagining you both doing it, and shiiiiittt, I have to hear about it you know!"
He heard two squeals behind along with his mom's.
"Wait a minute... WHAT? Mom, what the fuck? Who's fucking listening to this?"
"Answer my question first!"
"Am I on fucking speaker?!"
"ANSWER!"
"Yeah right."
He went deaf listening to her laugh, "The girls are in town, and we all wanted to visit you guys, but weren't sure if we're interrupting anything you knowwww-"
"-I don't fucking know what you're talking about. Erza and Lucy?"
"Yup."
"You should come. It's silly that you're asking me for permission."
"Wait… I don't like the sound of that…"
"Sound of what?"
He heard a big sigh, "Ok. You didn't have sex."
"…"
"Oh for god's sake! I'm fucking coming over tonight to strangle you in person and not over the fucking phone!"
Gray flinched when she slammed the phone shut.
Natsu forced Gray to clean up the house like a boss whilst he deals with the arrangement of food, drinks, and other snacks. The boy was determined to thank Ur for arranging his room. Faking excruciating injury pain and arm pain and not-enough-sleep pain didn't do him good.
The three guests arrived. First of all, Gray got hit by a major designer perfume wave. Lilacs, lavender, jasmine, etc. Women, ugh.
It's not like he didn't have his own signature Hugo Boss perfume on, but he didn't overdo it.
His dear ol'mother shoved a box in his chest, and he had no choice but to accept. When he asked her what the hell was in it, she answered with this:
"Bed sheets. Normally, normal COUPLE will want a lot more of this shit in their bedrooms."
Gray semi-panicked. Natsu was talking to the girls and didn't hear what they were saying.
"Come with me you old graaah!" He wasn't going to be nice, he just wasn't, "God!"
"Goodness, look who's upset?!" She yelled as he dragged her to his room. "Tell me what's happening with you, ok?"
"I—you woman-" He rubbed his forehead, "-Honestly, I was planning to tell you, but now I just know I'm only gonna be criticized or made fun of!"
Her eyes were big and devilish, "Don't tell me you were thinking of 'oh-if-I-had-a-dad-shit' again. Have I not proven to be your best friend when you needed it?"
Gray sat on the bed and sighed, showing defeat. He sniffled and rubbed his nose before he shrugs, "Sorry."
"Ok, now… what's going on?" She sat opposite of him, "Does he have problems or are you guys not compatible?"
Not compatible? This is the latest joke. Their bodies were screaming for each other in his small apartment. He could barely keep his hands off of Natsu.
Gray tsk-ed, and waved his hand around trying to explain, "… I have this injury, it hurts my arm, and—I don't know what'd happen if—things-you know, and I don't want him to feel like an object or something. I rushed him into living with me, and I—I don't know anymore. Also… It's my first time with a guy, so I'm not confident… I mean, what if his earlier boyfriend was better than me? I don't want to be compared."
"Interesting… Are you impotent?"
Gray glared hard, "See what I mean?"
"Ok listen up." She threw a shirt at his chest, jerking him to the back two inches, "One, you don't need to be confident in anything because it won't be perfect, but as long as you have manly instincts, no probs! You can do it!"
His mom was lecturing him like it was about eating carrots or cooking spaghetti with meatballs… he wasn't sure they were on the same page that has the title 'BABY MAKING'.
"Two, stop BULLSHITTING. I've just heard a ton of useless excuses. These things don't even cross his mind, you know why? I'll tell you why! Wait-no-don't talk. STOP. Think you idiot, think! If he wasn't crazy about you, he wouldn't have ever accepted moving in with you! Natsu's not the kind of guy who puts himself in any situation unless he's a hundred MILLION percent willing."
"Mom…" He sighed, "We lived together before… this is… not new, okay. We're guys. Guys can live together all the time, friends or lovers."
"I'll kick your ass. Shut up."
His figure was too darn small in front of her deep draconic criticizing orbs.
"You think he accepted living with you because you're friends? You better—BETTER—Think deeeeeep before you answer that."
Nope. Natsu didn't agree to live with him because they were friends. In fact, when they first entered this apartment, Natsu had clarified that matter.
His silence stretched, and he didn't need to answer his mother's question.
"See? Idiot. You've a tendency to worry and burden yourself with unnecessary shit! Think about the last three years ok? You're partially guilty of your own pain. I thought you'd straighten your ways and grow out of this shit, but you just can't have enough, can you?"
"-I mean-"
She glared.
"-Ok…"
"I want you to be the selfish one. So selfish that Natsu comes and complains to me! Because right now my dear son, you appear not to give a shit about it! Do you not give a shit? That's a rhetorical question, shut up. Ok, no. You're extremely invested in this relationship, you give a shit, but he doesn't even know, cause guess what? You don't freaking talk!"
She was so right that he didn't want to listen anymore.
'I'm being roasted, shit.'
"I don't know what more can I say to make you understand. Is Natsu not attractive enough for the likes of you?"
"Are you crazy?" Gray said without thinking, "He's amazing, and he makes me feel happy even you know… without that… and… he is… I'm barely able to keep my hands off."
"Guys!"
They both flinched, then relaxed when they saw Lucy coming in.
"What are you doing? We're gonna eat without you."
Ur stood with a sneer at Gray.
"I was giving him the talk."
"Woooooo, that's creepy." Lucy criticized Gray with her big honey ironic stare, "You're unbelievable, dude. He texted your mom asking her for your favorite recipe, and you're like an unmoving sack of potatoes."
He wanted to hurt her. Physically hurt her.
"I don't wanna hear anything from you, and it's none of your business."
"HUH. Dude, Natsu's so hot, if you don't claim him, I will. He loves me, and if I try hard enough, I can pull the rug from under your feet. So keep up the good work and remain a frozen sack of patatas."
She high-fived his mom before they both cackled evilly and left him in the room.
Gray was dumbfounded and extremely blackmailed.
'Women are the source of evil in this world, hands down.'
When he returned to the living room, he found out that the two girls next door were brought into their house. Natsu was telling Erza about what the girl did on their first day, and they chatted, exhausting the subject of good deeds around the globe.
"Heavens! This meat oh my god! Who cooked this?" Lucy asked. Her hand was on her chewing mouth, and her eyes were wide, a light blush on her cheeks.
'She's cute... it's not only the tits after all…'
"That's right. I love the meat, and the potatoes." Kagura's body shivered from the goodness.
"Gray did." Natsu smiled, "He's great. He's so good, and the way he deals with potatoes is just mind-blowing."
Lucy's chortle came out, and he kicked her foot from underneath the table, earning loud dumb giggles from her and Ur.
Natsu questioned Gray with a stare and one raised eye-brow.
"Wooow Gray," Lucy bit her lips to conceal a laugh, "You're SO natural when it comes to potatoes. What's your-Ahem—what's your secret?"
Ur pretended to be ignorant, boiling his guts.
"Ahem. Excuse me guys…" Gray stood and grabbed Lucy's shoulder, "You! Come with me!"
"Heyyyyy!" Lucy squealed, laughed and let Gray drag her all the way to his bedroom.
The blonde's back and his arms were glued to the wall of his bedroom, he towered over her, his lowered eyebrows were furrowed, lips were thin, raised, and pushed out, and hot breath came out of his nostrils.
"What's with you? Can't take a joke?" She crossed her arms challengingly in the compact space between her boobs and his chest.
"Don't… poke your nose in my sensitive business, are we clear?"
She chuckled, "What now-"
"Are we clear? Or do you want me to rape you right here to prove my masculinity? I could arrange that."
"HoHoHo, is this all what this is about?" Her hands were in her waist, "You could prove your musicality with me, but not him?"
Gray gritted his teeth threatened her with a full fist then punched the wall, "Look-"
"-No. You look. I'm actually giving you advice here. Man up. When I heard that you guys were in virtual relationship for like ages, and you wouldn't even say it, I felt pain. Imagine him. And now this? You're a total mess. Don't go nuts on me! Go nuts on yourself!" Her smile was gone, sadness dimming her honey eyes.
Gray studied her facial expressions for a long while before he snorts, "You like him for real?"
"Why would I lie?" Her words were firm, "Admitting it is the first step to move on or move forward. I'm not a fool like you…"
"I'm not handing him over to you. So, move on."
"We'll see about that." She smiled, "You're not bad yourself. Very charming."
"Too bad I'm taken. I like your boobs too."
Someone cleared their throat. They both looked at the door, seeing Natsu's face flushed and stunned at their physical proximity.
"Guys… the food is gonna get cold, so…"
They chuckled nervously.
"Just a minute and I'll be finished with this woman." Gray tried to smile.
Natsu wanted to say something, but returned to the living room with no further comments.
"Anyhow, stay out of my way tonight ok?!" Gray shouted in a small voice.
"Whatever, let's go. You're pathetic."
Lucy and Gray were pretty civil the rest of the evening.
Dinner was a huge hit and their neighbors were lucky enough to join them (they said it). He tidied the living room, while Natsu rolled his sleeves and filled as many dishes as he can into the dishwasher.
His housemate didn't make any sounds since the women herd spared them and left. Silence condensed in the air, and his guts flipped. He scratched the back of his neck as he tried to break the stillness. Natsu made it more difficult to achieve when he focused on dishes and washing detergents.
'Fuck, he's so quiet… why's he so quiet?'
Natsu washed the remaining dishes. Gray helped him tidy up the rest of the kitchen, hoping they would get into a conversation; however, a huge crimson barrier deepened its roots between them for no reason. What made it worse is that Natsu supported its growth. When Natsu was done, he rotated his stiff shoulder around, then slipped out of sight.
He revisited the evening events before and after dinner, but couldn't find this awkwardness trigger. Was Natsu mad or tired? Or was he both? Gray rubbed his hair then continued drying the glasses.
When done, he decided to check on Natsu. His room was dark, the door was half opened. Gray meandered towards the room with noiseless steps and peered inside from the small gap between the door and wall.
His friend relaxed on the yellow-ornamented chaise-lounge. One knee hugged up to his chest, the other extended, and his cheek rested on top of his palm. Hurt engulfed his longing green eyes that stared at the calm street and swaying trees. He resembled a caged bird that longed for freedom, and the mere sight of him unnerved his heart.
Just what happened? Why is he like this? He was laughing and cracking jokes all night, this bipolar dumbass! Well… whatever dumbass he was, he was Gray's dumbass, and Gray will get to the bottom of this.
He entered after he had knocked the room's door thrice, not waiting for permission. Natsu flinched at his knocks, and even more so when Gray lifted his extended leg, sat in front of him, then placed Natsu's leg on his lap, hugging it to his waist.
Natsu's mouth opened to protest, but closed in seconds, as if his voice was stolen.
"Tired?" Gray's lips curved into a slight smile; while his fingers drew diagonal lines on top of Natsu's hip.
Natsu rested his cheek back onto his palm. The sigh that came out, was laced with bitterness.
A nod responded to him.
"So what? You had too much fun, and now what's happening with you?"
Natsu glanced at him for seconds before he gives the streets more attention.
"I'm a human being you know…" Natsu sighed, "I get hungry, I get thirsty, I get gloomy, I get confused, I get tired and fed up too... normal… haha, stop that. It tickles..."
The small snicker eased him up. Gray continued to brush Natsu's hip with his fingers, bringing light shivers out of the boy.
"Bullshit. Both you and I know that." Gray winked, "Or don't you agree?"
Natsu reddened, "Shut up. I hate you."
"I bet."
"…" Natsu licked his lips and looked outside once more, "That's… yeah, I hate you."
"Wanna sleep?" Gray held a pink strand in his hand and felt the smoothness under his fingers.
"Not really…" Natsu's ears blushed while trying to ignore Gray's touch, "I'm sure you're exhausted cause you didn't sleep well last night. Go rest. You gotta take your pain killer before that."
"Wanna play cards?"
"No." His firm tone forced Gray not to make any more suggestions.
"Mmmhmm." Gray grinned, "Don't you want me to carry you to bed? You look like these kids who want sleep so bad, at the same time, they won't move cause they're freaking lazy."
"I've every right to be lazy now. I cooked, cleaned, your mom exhausted me laughing, the neighbors rained me with questions about Africa as if every country in Africa has Zebras, Jesus." Natsu snorted, "So yeah, I'd make you carry me, but you have way too many physical disabilities for that kinda shit."
"Horseshit. I feel fine."
"Reeeeeally?" Natsu smirked, "Who was squirming in the bathroom day before yesterday?"
"Shut up. I hate you."
"I bet." He laughed the comment off, but seriousness lingered on Natsu's face.
OK. Enough beating around the bush.
"I know you more than anyone. Something's bothering you. Just say it."
Natsu's leg stiffened at his statement. The hurt in his face turned to a small glare, and for no reason, guilt settled in Gray's stomach.
He pulled his leg away from Gray lap and adjusted himself on the chair.
"You're playing me. Gray, you're playing me and I don't know why! I-I don't even wanna know why, okay? Please, you need to go."
Excuse me?
Where did that come from? The harshness of Natsu's accusation wasn't expected, and to top it all off, Natsu believed in it. He was convinced he was right, and fuck, if he didn't clear this one up, it might leave severe damage.
"Nat-" His palm reached to caress Natsu's cheek, but was slapped away, unwelcomed.
"Leave." Natsu's eyes watered, and his being adjusted to reject Gray in every way. His fists were balled, his toes were curled—Natsu acted like a tiger who hissed, waiting to leap and attack at the right moment. Gray wasn't one to go along with orders, but he didn't want to upset Natsu more.
"Natsu. I won't push you further, but tomorrow, we're gonna talk nice and long about this."
"Yeah right."
"What's that?"
"Goodnight."
He sighed and stood up. He won't sleep peacefully tonight, for sure.
He held Natsu's chin and covered his mouth with his own. Then the tiger jumped, his tears fell, shocked and angered. He jabbed Gray's chest, and retreated, gritting his teeth.
"Don't touch me!"
Gray wasn't only confused, but also frustration burned his blood.
"What's with you?!"
"I told you! Leave now!"
Gray's jaw clenched, his calm blue orbs turned to white icy ones. In a flash, he forced Natsu back on the chair, fingers digging deep in his arms. He pressed his mouth harder against Natsu's warm protesting one, tasting rejection in it. When Natsu almost bit his lips, Gray pulled away and kissed his forehead.
"Goodnight…"
Natsu wiped his mouth, hurt, confused, and a ferocious teary glare bit Gray's soul.
He threw himself on his own bed. At that point Gray made a promise to himself to make Natsu fully his. His heart couldn't take the thought of Natsu not existing in his life AGAIN because of a misunderstanding-AGAIN.
Under the revealing moonlight, Natsu's body gave in on the floor, every muscle that was charged with anger and defensiveness, eased up. His eyes surrendered to the crowd of tears blinding it. The sleeves of his shirt dampened as he kept wiping his face.
'You… you idiot… idiot, idiot, idiot! Do you even know how much I love you? You don't! You never did, and you won't!'
"Idiot… I can't breathe…"
His lungs constricted with the sobs he killed. He slammed his fists on the floor, as if he did that he will stop crying, but he couldn't. Why the hell was loving Gray so damn hurtful?! Always, always, always!
"Gray…"
He wanted to sleep next to him. He wanted to hug him, kiss him, be embraced by him more than anything. He wanted him for himself, and he didn't want others to touch him… yet tonight he… he…
Natsu's figure collapsed on the bed. His knees touched his chest, his eyes shut, while pearl like drops never stopped wetting his pillow.
'I wish I never loved you…'
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter Release: In a week, more or less, subject to change.
Special thanks to: JO, (He does hehe. More than you can imagine, you'll see more of it next chapter.), Kori No Koibito (I know! Gray's his baby after all. If he doesn't make it for Gray, who will he make it for?!), deboome, (More of those chapters coming on the way. Though not a lot since we're almost done hehe.)
Thank you ALL for reading. Feel free to share any comment, inquiry, or advice. I'd love that. AND stay safe, stay home.
Alright, till next time!
Looooooove,
Flame-Belt