10 Summers Later
Natsu brushed lint off the black suit jacket his brother was wearing. It fit his brother well and matched the black pants and black button up dress shirt. The only color he wore was a dark red vest and a matching skinny tie that neither boy knew how to tie.
Natsu was dressed more casually wearing dark blue jeans and a snug fit black tee that fit his now more grown and muscular body well. His fit however were encased in a red pair of chucks. It was fine that he wasn't dressed as nice he wasn't actually doing anything important during the ceremony just sitting around by the alter.
Smiling Natsu straightened Zeref's collar. The now 24 year old man drank in the moment. Natsu still house an overabundance of energy and a rapid fire mind but over time he had learned how to stop and appreciate a quiet moment. "You look great bro and I want you to know how proud I am of you."
Zeref shook his head nerves getting to him, "I'm going to flub it up Natsu. Everyone's going to he staring and I'm going to say the wrong thing."
Natsu put both his hands on his brother's shoulders, "You have this bro. You are an accomplished writer, an amazing friend, and Mavis brags to Lucy all the time about this freaky shit you can do in bed so relax and just breath."
Zeref nodded while taking calming deep breaths before the last part of what Natsu had said sunk in, "Wait Mavis does wha!?"
Natsu laughed and turned to the red head entering the room.
"Luce sent me to show you boys how to tie a tie," her arms crossed across her chest and she gave an unimpressed look. Natsu smirked and held out the red fabric for her. She took it and got the deed done quickly. Stepping back she smiled, "You boys look so grown up." The redhead pulled the boys into a back breaking hug.
Just before Zeref passed out from lack of oxygen Jellal came running in the room holding a chubby dark haired toddler up in the air making airplane noises. The little girl laughing as he flew her around. "Erza look at her smile! Look isn't she adorable." Jellal smiled widely at the redhead while holding the child up for her to see, "We should make one Erza! I want one to keep!"
Erza rolled her eyes, "I told you no! You do not get one from this belly."
Jellal gave a goofy grin, "That's fine we can adopt one."
"LEVY! COME GET YOUR OFFSPRING BEFORE JELLAL STARTS STEALING BABIES!"
Moments later a short very pregnant girl waddled into the room. "Calm down Erza once the twins are born he can have them for a night and I'm sure he will change his mind." She walked to Jellal and reached for the girl with her free hand while handing a book to Zeref with her other. The girl giggled and clung to Jellal.
Levy shrugged, "She likes him sorry." She turned to Zeref who was looking at the book.
"This is my book? The one I wrote."
Levy who while usually a very sweet person was miserable, hot, and pregnant with twins during the summer and is showed. "No shit sherlock. Sign it for me dumbass."
"Oh." Zeref quickly found a pen and inked his signature on the inside cover of the book called Zeref's Book of Demons-An Upclose look at the Unseen Demons Mental Illness Creates. He smiled and handed the book back to the cranky girl.
"Thank you."
Natsu elbowed Erza and whispered, "Is she supposed the be that grumpy all the time. Lucy isn't near that crabby."
"I heard that Natsu! Lucy is only 4 months along with one life sucking parasite just you wait! She's going to get big and uncomfortable and be just as bad!" The short girl was yelling in Natsu's face and not one person was brave enough to try to calm her down. Lucky for them Gajeel walked in and wrapped his arms around the short angry woman. She quieted but started to sniffle. Natsu looked terrified when he saw a tear run down her cheek. Gajeel whispered something into the distraught womans ear. Her face lit up before she turned and gave him a peck on the cheek and waddled as fast as she could out of the room.
Natsu took a relieved breath, "I was scared what did you say to make her smile suddenly?"
"Lyon is doing the catering remember? To ensure the cakes safety during the ceremony he made sure to bring those maple bacon cupcakes she loves from his restaurant for her to munch on. Anyway things are set up so they are ready get started soon."
FTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFT
Laxus watched Lyon smooth some of the frosting on the 3 tiered cake then he stood back to give it one more once over. Deciding it was good he threw the frosting knife in a small tool box to be cleaned later then shoved the tool box under the rectangular table with the white table cloth that the cake and drinks sat on.
Lyon looked around at the camp. It would by no means be a fancy ceremony but it was perfect none the less. The platform had a beautiful archway for the couple to stand under made from vines and flowered branches. There stood a few rows of white folding chairs for the few guests and the table off to the side held the cake and refreshments. Lyon couldn't believe how much they had all changed but the camp had stayed the same just a lot more quiet today.
The camp was empty of campers this season for major repairs. Freed and Laxus had taken over after Makarov retired. The decision was a hard one but they both knew if they didn't put the time and money in to update the facility it wouldn't have much life left in it anyway. With the camp closed for the season it was the perfect space for the wedding because of the sentiments it held and it was also free. Next summer the camp would be buzzing with noise from rowdy kids. They would have updated facilities with room for more programs and activities for the campers. Laxus was nervous about running the camp but he knew he had Freed to help back him up.
"It is crazy to think this is where it all started huh? It's really the perfect place to have the wedding isn't it?"
Laxus nodded his agreement to Lyon, "I just hope someone remembered to bring tissues with 2 pregnant chicks."
"And Freed he will cry too."
Laxus chuckled, "Yep he probably will."
"Guy's they are ready to start." Laxus turned to the pregnant blonde with the camera around neck. "Mavis said to be in your seats and quiet before Zeref comes out so the there's nothing to distract him and make him nervous."
"He's going to be nervous no matter what." Laxus commented as they headed to sit down.
Laxus sat next to Freed and wrapped an arm around the already misty eyed man.
"It's going to be beautiful isn't it?"
Laxus leaned in and kissed the sentimental man he loved, "Yep, but ours was way better."
Freed rolled his eyes, "We went to Vegas on a whim."
"And we had a blast right? Remember you drank that huge Margarita and then we got in the back of that cab and you-"
The blonde was cut off when his frantic husband slapped a hand over his mouth, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Got it?" The blonde nodded and Freed pulled his hand away now be quiet there's Zeref."
Laxus smiled as he shook his head. Still 10 years later and he found it hard to believe he had gotten so lucky. They had their ups and downs but Freed never walked away. Lord knows Freed would if had every right to leave. Laxus would always be rough and bad at communicating his emotions but Freed was patient beyond belief and it worked for them. The blonde sighed contently as his gaze drew back to the matter at hand.
Mavis mouthed words of encouragement from her seat as she watched her love walk to the podium that sat before the arch. When Zeref made eye contact with her his back straightened and his head raised. Knowing she was there for him was an amazing confidence boost.
Zeref stood before all his friends and smiled before turning to Gajeel who sat to the side with an acoustic guitar. When Zeref nodded to him he started to strum on it. Soon the notes folded into a very distinctive tune. As the tempo picked up a tall raven haired man stormed from the right side toward the arch. He wore an all black suit similar to Zeref's but his vest and tie were a royal blue. Gray stomped and his pace was much faster than originally planned. Lyon was chuckling about the whole situation until his brother shot him a glare that silenced him.
From the left came a smiling orange haired man his suit the same as Gray's only instead of royal blue his vest and tie were golden in color. He didn't hurry but instead moved at a leisurely pace until he came to stand under the arch next to Gray.
Gray prodded the other man in his chest, "I told you I was not getting married to a freaking Journey song."
"But baby Don't Stop Believing is our song!"
"No it's not!"
"Yes it is! It's the first song I ever sang to you!"
"You are a horrible singer!"
Leo smiled slyly, "You love me anyway though. Smile baby we are getting married today!"
Lucy leaned into Natsu, "Would you have ever thought Leo and Gray would be getting married?"
Natsu smiled, "They wouldn't be if I had been gay."
Lucy turned to him, "What?"
"Nothing."
She gave him a quizzical look before turning away.
Gray glared at the other man, he wanted to be mad but honestly it was such a typical Leo thing to do. Leo was all for making people laugh and being the center of attention. As infuriating as Leo could be Gray knew it was just the facade he wore for everyone else. Gray got to see the other sides of Leo and that's what made him fall in love with the man. They all saw the playboy and clowning but Gray got to see Leo when he hurt, when he felt and loved deeply. Gray got to see the empathetic parts, how much Leo would be there for those he cared about.
Ur died 4 years ago after a 2 year struggle with cancer. All of their friends had been there for both Gray and Lyon but it was Leo who pick a destructive and drunk Lyon up at 4 am and drove him an hour to Gray's. Leo stayed for almost a week just being there for the brothers and helping out.
After that Leo and Gray started talking more. The conversations were deeper and open and it seemed so easy to just spill it all out and let the other man help hold the weight. They laughed for hours at times and other times called each other crying in the middle of the night. Then one night they had been laughing hysterically on Gray's couch while watching a movie called Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny. Leo stopped laughing suddenly looking very stoic.
Gray paused the movie, "You ok?"
Leo nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah I think I'm great actually." Leo stared in space for a moment before turning to Gray, "You know even when I'm not good it's always ok because you always got my back."
"You are there for me and I'm there for you it's what friends do."
"Yeah I suppose but I am pretty sure you have seen parts of me I've never shown anyone else and I feel like there's parts of you that are only for me. I'm comfortable with you even at my lowest, like nothing could ever make you hate me. A totally outrageous level of trust I've never had with anyone. You really are the only person I trust to know me this deep. You are the only person I want to know me this deep." Leo ran a hand through his hair.
"Well yeah best friends," Gray laughed, "I guess how you put it is pretty accurate. Sounds pretty deep and sappy when you say out loud like that. You make it sound like...heck I don't know."
"So you are my best friend?" Gray nodded smiling, "Is it OK to fall for your best friend?"
The question had caught Gray off guard and he didn't respond and simply stared at the other man. Leo decided to act brave in the face of the uncertainty and grabbed a fistful of Gray's shirt pulling the man forward crashing their lips together. It was sloppy and quick, Leo pulled back and waited for Gray's reaction. Gray watched Leo for a moment seemingly in thought. Leo started to pull away thinking maybe he crossed a line but was pulled back into a much longer more enjoyable kiss. From then they had been pretty much inseparable and Gray was marrying his best friend.
Zeref had started, "I'm beyond honored to be here officiating the wedding for some of my best friends. When I look at the two men in front of me I look at them knowing this day is a day they both fought tooth and nail to get to. The struggles faced where hellish but during those struggles their friendship only grew as they relied on the other for strength when it got hard. Through that kind of bond and trust a much deeper relationship grew and now they are ready stand in front of everyone and proclaim this relationship. Now Gray and Leo had a few words they wanted to say to each other."
Leo went first, "Gray there is no one on earth who will tolerate me the way you do.
So now Gray I come to you with open arms.
Nothing to hide believe what I say.
So here I am with open arms hoping you'll see what your love means to me. Gray I love you and I'm so happy to be marrying my best friend."
The guest awed and then Gray spoke next, "Leo I know you probably think that I don't know that those were Journey lyrics. Unfortunately being with you means I know Journey when I hear it but that's OK. I'm glad you are a goofball and that you know how to make me laugh when I just want to hide. I love that I can guess what you're thinking and you know when I'm deflecting. We hold each other accountable and make each other better. And I want to keep laughing and growing and getting better with you for the rest of my life."
Zeref smiled, "Now as a symbol of their love they will exchange rings."
No one moved and Zeref spoke again, "It's time for the rings."
Once again nothing happened and almost as if it was part of the ceremony everyone present seemed to shout "NATSU!" in unison.
The man in question looked around and Lucy nudged him, "the rings." He jumped up and started searching all the pockets on his jeans frantically as he saw Gray marching over to him. Gray was only a step away when he succeeded in pulling two silver bands from his pocket. Gray rolled his eyes and snatched the rings as Natsu shrugged sheepishly.
When Gray got back to the arch he gave Leo one of the bands then turned to Zeref, "Listen I'm sure you have something really beautiful planed but can we just announce this thing because it's way to freaking hot for these suits and I want a piece of that cake before all the frosting melts."
Zeref sighed, "Thank God because I forgot my note cards and I was making it up as I went along. Exchange rings, kiss each other, you guys are married!"
They all cheered! The rest of the evening was spent dancing and enjoying the company of friends. Freed and Laxus told everyone about their exciting plans for the camps renovation. Natsu and Gajeel talked smack back and forth about how much better the police force they worked for was better than the others. They both had reasons to be proud Natsu had started a program where he and a couple other officers when to college campuses and informed the student about human trafficking and the signs to look for. Gajeel worked closely with the DARE program but also started another program where an addiction could come to the station turn in the drugs and seek treatment without the fear of being arrested.
Leo talked about the firm he was working at as a paralegal and how he planned on working his way up and becoming partner some day once he had his license. He also talked about how proud he was of Gray who was working on his doctorate in psychology.
Levy enjoyed putting her feet up as the toddler chased after Jellal until she was wore out then Gajeel held her letting his pregnant wife relax. Levy was a kindergarten teacher but she talked to Gajeel about staying at home for a couple years after the twins were born. Gajeel would stand behind whatever she decided to do. The man always seemed like all hard edges but everyone knew he'd find a way to give Levy the moon if she ever thought to ask for it.
Lucy was lucky enough to work from home running a small photography business in her and Natsu's basement. She rubbed her belly absentmindedly and smiled as Natsu winked at her. He still gave her butterflies.
Lyon's restaurant did pretty well and he took pride in the fact that they all raved about his cake and had to promise his baking skills for any and all gatherings. He no longer counted calories or kept a food journal. He ate healthy and stayed fit but no longer obsessed in the mirror.
Zeref stayed quiet but Mavis bragged about his bestselling book and how the publishers were already fighting to print his next book. She had been working at the camp but when Zeref's book got big she started traveling with him as his agent/assistant/and breakdown stopping girlfriend. Zeref often felt like she was his crutch but she looked at him like a work of art.
Finally the time came for Gray to whisk Leo off to leave for the honeymoon. Goodbyes were said but they were happy and lighthearted because they all knew they were friends with unbreakable bonds. With smiles and waves they all parted.
Leo looked at the airline tickets his new husband had handed him, "Gray this is a freaking town in Alaska!"
Gray smiled coolly, "You like Journey and I like snow. Marriage is give and take."
The other man was flabbergasted, "Gray it's freaking cold in Alaska!"
"Don't worry I've got ways to keep you warm."
Leo smiled and chased after the other man, "Oh do tell!"
A/N- Thank you all so much reading! It's done, this is my chaotic attempt at The End. I really struggled with writing it. I have pretty much just been making it up as I go and got in over my head. The fic was way longer than I had intended and I really had no clue how to end it properly. I have never really been good at the endings to begin with so I anxiously made myself finish it because even accomplishing a sloppy ending is better than nothing (I hope). I am very grateful for the comments and helpful suggestions, they really encouraged me when I was very unsure. I'm rambling again so I'm just going to say THANK YOU again for reading.