"Hey, asshole."

A boy with bleach-blonde hair leaned against the doorway to Gray's parents' house, staring at Gray with a smirk on his face. Natsu frowned, glancing over at his boyfriend and expecting to see irritation. Instead, Gray's face conveyed only fond exasperation.

"Fuck you," he replied out loud. Natsu was surprised – Gray never used his voice. He'd told Nastu a while ago that he'd never learned to speak and never wanted to. Occasionally he would call out something resembling Natsu's name if he needed his attention, or thank someone at a restaurant, but that was as much as Natsu had ever heard him talk. I assume you called me something rude? Gray added in sign language.

The other boy made a gesture that Natsu was unfamiliar with and Gray snorted, grabbing him and pulling him into a hug. Then he tilted his head toward Natsu.

This is my boyfriend. He spelled Natsu's name and added the name sign he'd given him – the letter "N" tapping his chin in a sign similar to the one for "food". The blonde boy raised an eyebrow as Gray turned to Natsu and continued. This is my twin brother, Lyon. He's a dick. Natsu tried not to let his surprise show – he knew that Gray had a twin, but they looked nothing alike.

"Nice to meet you," Lyon said, reaching out and shaking Natsu's hand. Gray smacked his brother's arm, frowning.

He can sign, idiot. Lyon raised an eyebrow and looked at Natsu again. Natsu could feel heat creeping into his cheeks – he'd only been here for two minutes and he was already panicking. Meeting Gray's family hadn't seemed so daunting from the safety of the car.

Mom's in the kitchen, Lyon said, gesturing for the two of them to step into the house. Gray kicked off his shoes and headed down the hall.

Natsu unlaced his own shoes and looked around, impressed. The house was very open – no walls other than a hip-high barrier between the dining room and kitchen. Everything was impeccably neat – magazines stacked in tidy piles, all the furniture lined up at even angles, the long dining room table set with expensive-looking plates.

The lights went off and on again and Natsu looked over to where Gray was flicking the switch to get his attention. He gestured for Natsu to join him in the kitchen where a dark-haired woman was taking something out of the oven. It smelled incredible, and Natsu could feel his stomach begin to growl. He'd been so nervous about this dinner that he hadn't eaten lunch, and he was regretting it.

Gray pulled the woman into a hug as soon as she set down the casserole dish and she smiled, squeezing him tightly and then leaning back to examine his face. She brushed his bangs out of his face and shook her head fondly.

You need a haircut, she signed. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek, then turned to Natsu. You must be Natsu. She slowed her pace a little for him and he gave her a grateful smile. I'm so glad you were able to make it! I'm Gray's mom, Mika.

Nice to meet you, Natsu signed, letting Mika pull him into a hug. Thank you for inviting me. It smells wonderful. She smiled, shooing Gray out of the way to check the casserole dish.

Your dad is in the garden, she said to Gray. Do you mind bringing him inside? Supper will be ready soon. She turned back to Natsu. I hope you like- she signed something Natsu wasn't familiar with, and when he frowned she repeated it, spelling out the word. Lasagna.

I like all food, Natsu replied, grinning. Mika squeezed his arm and then pointed for him to follow Gray. Natsu made his way through the dining area and stepped outside through a set of double French doors.

The yard was immaculately maintained – green grass was mowed in a geometric pattern, a fountain in the corner trickled water into a small pond full of koi fish. Flowers of different shapes and colors made up an intricate garden along the back fence, and sitting on a bench in the center of the blooms was a man who was clearly Gray's father.

He sat with his head tipped back, basking in the warm rays of the setting sun. A book lay open on his lap, and his fingertips rested over what appeared to be a blank page. As Natsu moved closer, he realized that the book was written in Braille.

Gray sat down on the bench next to his father, placing a hand on his shoulder. The man turned to him, letting Gray tuck a hand under his.

Hey dad, Gray signed, keeping his hand under his father's as he added his name sign – the letter "G" sliding across the scar on his forehead. The man's face broke out into a grin and he pulled Gray into a hug, kissing him on the cheek. His fingers brushed the hair at the back of Gray's neck and he shook his head admonishingly.

You need a haircut, he signed. Gray rolled his eyes, drawing a circle on the back of his father's hand at the same time to indicate the gesture. Are you here for dinner?

Yes, and I brought my boyfriend. The man raised his eyes.

Boyfriend? Natsu shifted nervously behind Gray, and started when the man's pale eyes immediately flicked to near where he was standing. Gray's father smiled, then turned back to his son. I can't believe you finally found someone who will put up with you. Gray snorted and tapped a finger on his father's knuckles.

Very funny. His name is Natsu. Gray let his father feel the shape of each letter under his fingers, moving his hand in an affirmative gesture when it was spelled back to him.

Can he sign? The man asked. Gray moved his hand in a nodding motion again, then gestured for Natsu to step closer. He did, hesitantly, settling onto the other side of the bench and tapping Gray's father's shoulder to let him know he was there.

He's still learning, and he's never done tactile before. Gray gave Natsu a comforting smile and Natsu swallowed heavily. Be nice.

I'm always nice, his father replied, and Gray repeated the eye roll movement on the back of his hand.

Natsu wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and swallowed nervously. He and Gray had practiced this at home, but being here in person felt very different. He would want to impress any partner's parents, but this time he felt like he needed to prove himself in a different way.

Gray took Natsu's wrist and brought it next to his own arm, then slid his father's hand over. His palm was soft and cool, and he squeezed Natsu's fingers gently.

Hi, Natsu signed shyly, very aware of the extra weight on his hand. I'm Natsu. It's nice to meet you. Your garden is beautiful. The signs came easier to him now, after two months of classes and practicing with Gray every day. He was still self-conscious of how choppy his movements were, though.

You as well. I'm Silver. His name turned out to be the same as the actual sign for 'silver'. I hear you have the misfortune of dating my son. He tipped his head in Gray's direction and grinned while Gray looked offended. Natsu laughed, and remembered to trickle his fingers over Silver's wrist so he knew what was happening. My wife tells me the garden is beautiful, so I'll have to believe the both of you.

Natsu flushed red as he realized his mistake, but before he could apologize for the choice of compliment, Silver waved his hand.

I do enjoy sitting out here. The flowers smell wonderful. Natsu swallowed again, feeling the embarrassment ebb a little. Do you go to the same school as Gray?

Yes, Natsu replied. I'm studying art. The initial awkwardness of Silver's hands over his was starting to fade, and he tried to put more confidence into his signs. I'm working on a... he glanced over at Gray, uncertain of the sign for "comic", but Gray gestured for him to spell it out to Silver. The man frowned at the word for a moment, then gave Natsu the sign. Thank you. My friend and I make a comic online.

They chatted for several minutes, the conversation flowing more smoothly the longer they talked. Natsu felt the tension in his chest slowly dissolving, replaced by a warm feeling of acceptance.

"Natsu!" The silent reverie of their conversation was interrupted by a shout from Lyon. Natsu glanced up and saw him waving from the doorway. "Tell them it's suppertime!"

"Oh, uh... yeah, sure." Natsu turned back to Silver and relayed the message. Gray glanced back at the deck to see Lyon heading back into the house and he laughed. He tapped Silver's shoulder and took his left hand, signing quickly.

Lyon's happy he finally has another hearing person to talk to. Silver laughed and shook his head. Want me to help you inside?

I believe you're interrupting, Gray, Silver signed, nudging Natsu's hand and smiling. I was talking to Natsu, who can help me to the dining room. If he doesn't mind? Natsu glanced over at Gray, who gave him a look that said that it was up to him.

Yeah, he signed after a second. But I've never done it before. Silver smiled broadly, squeezing Natsu's hand and standing up.

Gray has walked me into many doorways, he said. Gray sighed, throwing his head back in mock exasperation. Letting children guide you around the house is a bad idea. Natsu let the man slide a hand under his elbow before he began walking towards the house. He was hyperaware of anything on the ground that might trip up Silver, so much that he missed Gray signing to him. Natsu waved for him to start over.

Dad started losing his vision when we were about twelve, Gray said, walking backwards through the yard. Lyon and I had no idea what we were doing – of course we walked him into things.

I know you're talking about me, Silver signed with his free hand, squeezing Natsu's elbow gently as they made their way into the house. Natsu guided Silver's hand to the back of his chair and the man nodded gratefully, settling into his place.

Gray sat down and slid his hand back under Silver's. One of us interprets for dad during dinner, he explained. My turn tonight. Natsu nodded as Lyon plopped down next to him and Mika slid into her chair next to Gray.

Dinner was delicious. Natsu quickly realized that one benefit of signing was that he could talk with his mouth full, shoveling down the lasagna with one hand and answering questions with the other. Gray had to remind Mika to slow down several times, especially since Natsu found one-handed signing difficult to understand, but Lyon occasionally translated for him, which helped. Natsu was impressed by Gray's ability to eat, interpret for Silver with one hand, and contribute to the conversation with the other.

That was wonderful, Natsu said to Mika after they finished. The nervousness he'd felt earlier was completely gone now – Gray's family had been so welcoming and patient with him. He'd learned several new signs over the course of dinner as well. As Lyon began clearing the dishes, Natsu felt himself suppressing a yawn.

Home time? Gray asked, rubbing Natsu's arm. Silver had moved to the couch and was talking with Mika now, faster than Natsu could understand. He caught a few signs here and there, but their fingers and hands moved in patterns that made his head spin. I know it's a lot. You did great.

Thank you for inviting me, Natsu said again as they put their shoes on. Mika smiled warmly and pulled Natsu into another hug. Silver stood beside her and Natsu ran his fingers down the man's arm before taking his hand, more comfortable now than when they were in the garden.

It was nice to meet you, he signed, fingers clumsy with exhaustion. Thank you.

You're welcome back any time, Silver replied, squeezing Natsu's hands tightly. Gray is lucky to have you. Natsu blushed, bringing Silver's hand back to his wife's elbow before stepping back towards Gray.

"Lemme know if you wanna learn the really good signs," Lyon said, grinning. When Gray frowned at him, Lyon repeated himself in sign. Gray rolled his eyes, hugging his brother and signing something that went over Natsu's head.

Gray grabbed Natsu's hand in his, twining their fingers together as they made their way down the front walk toward the car. The pattern of Gray's fingertips against the back of his hand told Natsu everything he needed to know about Gray's mood, and he didn't need to look at his boyfriend's face to see his smile.


They really liked you, Gray said when they got back to his dorm. Rogue was nowhere to be seen and Gray had scribbled GO AWAY in large letters on the whiteboard outside the room while Natsu wasn't looking.

You think so? Natsu's posture was uncertain. I liked them. They're all nice.

Except Lyon, Gray grinned, grabbing Natsu's hands and pulling him into an embrace. He kissed Natsu's forehead, pouting when the Natsu stepped back from him.

Even Lyon, Natsu corrected. How... why's he...

Not Deaf? Gray asked. Natsu nodded, blushing. No idea. My whole family's Deaf. Grandparents, aunts, uncles. Lyon's the only hearing one. Natsu frowned, worrying his lower lip with his teeth.

Isn't... was he... he huffed in exasperation. Gray tugged him down to the bed, then sat beside him, cross-legged.

Lonely? Sometimes, probably. He pushed his hair out of his eyes again. Maybe I do need a haircut, he conceded. Natsu snorted. Gray sighed, rubbing his face. Most Deaf kids are alone in their families. Lyon's the opposite. But we've always been best friends. We grew up with the same language, but he went to a regular school while I went to a Deaf one. He yawned, stretching his arms over his head. And he's not actually a dick. We just like to tease each other.

Your dad does too, Natsu added, thinking of the little good-natured barbs and jabs that Silver had made at Lyon and Gray's expense. He's fun.

You really impressed him. Gray reached over to Natsu and tugged him closer. People are usually intimidated, they don't get how to communicate with him. I only ever brought one person home before you, and... it didn't go well. He hesitated, thinking of that disastrous relationship. I'm really...

Natsu cocked his head, brow furrowed in concern as Gray trailed off.

What's wrong? He grabbed Gray's hand and squeezed it, rubbing his thumb over the knuckles.

Nothing, Gray reassured him, one-handed. I just... I really wanted tonight to go well. His cheeks flushed pink. It did and they loved you and I'm really... he reached out, touching Natsu's cheek gently and leaning in for a kiss. Natsu responded enthusiastically, bringing his hand up to Gray's hair and pulling him closer.

Gray reluctantly broke away, putting a hand on Natsu's chest. Natsu's cheeks were flushed and he looked up at Gray with want and hesitation in his eyes.

I want... Natsu stopped, staring at his hands for a moment. I don't know the signs. For what I want to... to do to you. With you. Gray's breath caught in his throat and he tipped Natsu's chin up so they were making eye contact.

Of course you don't know them, he replied, smiling a little. They don't teach those kinds of signs in first level ASL. Natsu laughed, rubbing nervously at the back of his neck. Do you... is that what you want?

The farthest they'd gone so far was grinding against each other in Natsu's dorm, kissing feverishly and hoping Sting wouldn't get home and walk in on them shirtless. At first it had felt strange to Natsu – the other two relationships he'd been in had quickly progressed to sex, but this, with Gray, felt right. He needed the words to talk about it, first.

Yes, he replied, leaning in to kiss Gray again. I want... you. Gray nodded, looking pensive.

What... do you want to know? Natsu blushed furiously, covering his face with his hands. Gray reached out and poked him. If we wanna have sex – he spelled out the word and then showed Natsu the sign – you need to know how to talk to me about it. You know I can't read lips.

I know, Natsu said reluctantly. He licked his lips, then sat up straight and looked Gray in the eyes. How do I sign b-l-o-w-j-o-b?


P-please, Gray signed, reaching down and squeezing Natsu's shoulder as Natsu toyed with the zipper of Gray's pants. Please. Want. His signs were sloppy and erratic and Natsu grinned, moving up to kiss him again. As he leaned up he pressed his hand against the bulge in Gray's jeans. Gray jerked his hips up and groaned, realizing he was being loud when Natsu's lip twitched up in a smile. Sorry. It was hard to sign so close, but he managed.

Don't apologize, Natsu replied, leaning down and biting his lip. I like it. He tipped Gray's head to the side, raising his eyebrows in a question and getting a nod. Natsu placed his lips behind Gray's ear, then trailed soft kisses down his neck and to his throat. He trailed his hands down Gray's chest, enjoying the soft gasps and moans, then tugged at the hem of Gray's shirt with one hand. Okay? He signed with the other.

It was a bit different to do this with the lights on, but Natsu didn't mind. If it meant he could see every expression that flickered across Gray's face, he was okay with it.

Gray lifted his arms in response to Natsu's question and let Natsu tug the t-shirt over his head, exhaling when gentle hands ran across his chest. Natsu's fingers trailed across Gray's collarbone and down his arms, hands coming to rest lightly around Gray's wrists. Gray shook his head and Natsu pulled back.

Don't pin my hands, Gray explained, smiling softly at the embarrassed flush that colored Natsu's cheeks. It's okay. Come here. He tugged at Natsu's shirt and the other boy pulled it off, throwing it to the floor. Gray hummed appreciatively, running his fingertips over Natsu's chest and stomach. He could see that Natsu's mouth was open, and he hoped that the sounds he was making were good ones.

Natsu dropped down and began to kiss down Gray's chest, trailing his fingers over Gray's ribs as his lips made their way to his hipbones. He glanced up at Gray, signing a quick okay? as he played with the button of his jeans. Gray nodded, running his fingers through Natsu's hair and exhaling sharply as the other boy slid the zipper down his jeans, then shimmied them over his hips. His underwear followed shortly and soon he was lying naked on the bed beneath Natsu.

You good? Natsu asked, one-handed, other hand gently stroking Gray's thigh. He shivered and jerked his hips up, nodding.

Not fair, he managed, letting out a moan as Natsu's fingers trailed dangerously inward. You have... pants.

Natsu grinned and stood up slowly, unbuckling his belt and slowly pushing his pants and underwear down his hips. Gray felt a deep flush run up his chest and into his cheeks as he stared at Natsu, and he licked his lips, suddenly breathless. He was glad that Rogue had agreed to stay at Natsu's with Sting tonight.

Better? Natsu asked, leaning back over Gray and kissing just above his bellybutton. Gray made a deep, low sound in his throat and Natsu shivered. Fuck, the noises he made... he looked up to see Gray staring at him with a look so intense it made his breath catch in his throat. I like those sounds. I want to hear more.

Then he dove back down and took Gray into his mouth, delighting in the loud groans and gasps that resulted. The louder Gray was, the harder Natsu got, and he didn't care if the rest of the dorm heard what they were up to. All he wanted to was to drag more of those sounds out from Gray's lips.

"Na..." Gray grunted after a minute, sliding his fingers into Natsu's hair and tugging gently. Natsu pressed a soft kiss to Gray's hip, then moved up his chest to his lips, kissing him deeply. Gray moaned into his mouth, tightening his grip on Natsu's hair and digging the fingers of his other hand into Natsu's hip.

Natsu pulled back from the kiss reluctantly, wanting to make sure his signs were clear. I want to make love to you. Gray had shown him several signs, and had made a clear distinction between 'sex' and 'making love' - something that Natsu appreciated. This meant more to him than any time he'd done it before and he wanted Gray to know that.

Please, Gray replied, dropping his hand from Natsu's hair to his own chest. His eyes were wide and pleading. I have... condoms. Lube. Top drawer. He gestured to the side table next to the bed and Natsu leaned over, heat flushing through his cheeks and throat. Gray leaned up and pressed a kiss to Natsu's stomach while he was stretched over him, causing Natsu to shudder.

Have you done this before? Natsu asked as he settled back between Gray's legs, signing with one hand while he stroked Gray's hip with the other. Gray blushed and nodded, letting out a loud sigh as Natsu leaned over and kissed him again, other hand trailing down the back of his thigh until his fingers were teasing against Gray's entrance. He tensed a little, then exhaled hard and relaxed into the sensation, letting Natsu distract him with lips and teeth and soft kisses down his neck.

"Ahhh... mmmnnn," Natsu growled at the sounds he was pulling from Gray, whose eyes were closed and head was thrown back on the pillow. Gray's hand was tight around Natsu's hip, fingers digging into the skin as he shivered and pressed against Natsu's fingers. "Na..." His voice was rough and deep and Natsu moved back up to kiss him again, trying to capture those sounds with his lips.

After a few minutes he sat up again, slowly, and brushed a thumb over Gray's cheek. Gray opened his eyes, breathing heavily and licking his lips.

You're beautiful, Natsu signed, running a hand up and down Gray's side. Are you ready? Gray nodded, pulling Natsu tight against him with both hands on his hips.

Natsu was certain that the entire dorm floor knew what they were up to now. Both him and Gray's moans were deep and noisy as he pushed into his boyfriend. He dropped his forehead to Gray's shoulder and shuddered at the sensation. It had been so long since he'd done this, and Gray felt better than anyone else he'd had.

"Fuck," he whispered, rocking his hips forward and shivering at Gray's heavy breath in his ear. He pushed himself up a little on his elbow so he could lock eyes with Gray, whose cheeks were flushed red. Good? Natsu signed awkwardly, and Gray nodded.

You? He looked hesitant for a moment and Natsu nodded, sighing happily and resting their foreheads together.

Gray moved a hand up to the side of Natsu's neck and gently trailed his fingers over the front of the Natsu's throat. He raised his eyebrows in a question and Natsu looked confused for a moment, then grinned, pushing his hips forward and groaning. The vibration under Gray's fingers was enough encouragement to have him return the gesture, placing a hand on Natsu's lower back and tugging him forward.

After that there were no room for signs, just panting and moaning and grasping at hair and hips. Gray kept his hand over Natsu's throat, feeling each sound he made and returning them in kind. A tightness spread through Natsu's chest and down to his stomach as he rocked forward, fingers tangled in Gray's dark hair, lips pressed to his collarbone.

"Fuck," he whispered, unable to help himself. "Fuck, god, you feel so good." Gray's fingers tightened momentarily on his throat and he let out a laugh, then sat up a bit so he could see his boyfriend's face. You... good. Feel good. He dropped both his hands to Gray's hips and pulled him closer, groaning at the sensation balling in his stomach. S-soon, he signed sloppily.

Me too, Gray replied, tugging him down for a kiss as they thrust against each other. Gray could feel the frantic vibrations in Natsu's throat growing deeper and closer together, and he was sure the sounds he was making matched that. Natsu reached down between them to stroke Gray and he cried out, throwing his head back onto the bed and coming suddenly, back arching and fingers tightening around Natsu's neck.

Natsu let out a deep, rough growl and tipped his head forward, hips stuttering against Gray as he panted and collapsed onto one elbow. Their chests pressed together, shuddering with deep breaths and residual moans as they both came down from their highs.

After a moment Natsu sat up shakily, pressing a hand to Gray's hip and sliding out of him. He winced at the expression on Gray's face and signed a quick sorry before standing and tossing the condom in the garbage. Then he nudged Gray over in the tiny bed until his Gray's back was pressed against the wall.

You're amazing, Natsu signed, hands still shaky, grin plastered across his face. Gray returned the expression, eyes soft as he pulled Natsu in for a kiss.

Did we – he spelled out the word 'traumatize' and showed Natsu the sign. Did we traumatize the neighbors? Natsu snorted, shaking his head.

I don't care, he replied, tugging the pillow down for the both of them to share. I like it. You... good? Gray laughed, grabbing Natsu's hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

Perfect. Sleepy. He gestured to the lamp next to the bed, but before Natsu could reach for it, he added, you're amazing too. You make me happy.

You make me happy too, Natsu replied, kissing the tip of Gray's nose. Then he leaned over and flicked off the lamp, pulling Gray until his chest was pressing against the Gray' back. They lay for several moments, breaths evening out until Natsu was almost certain Gray was asleep. It was strange to not be able to talk after the lights were out, but Natsu had learned to appreciate the soft sounds Gray made while making himself comfortable.

He felt Gray move a hand underneath his and he frowned, realizing he was signing something. Frowning, Natsu felt the edges of the sign, trying to figure out what Gray was trying to say. He froze for a moment as he recognized it – I love you. They hadn't said it to each other yet, but Natsu recognized the sign from one of his classes.

He huffed out a soft laugh, pressing a kiss to the nape of Gray's neck. The day had been a whirlwind, but every piece of it was settled comfortably under his skin. He squeezed the arm around Gray's waist tightly, then moved his hand into the same shape and pressed it under Gray's fingers.

I love you too.