_-Gray POV-_

"See you later." Natsu called as he left. My heart fluttered at his voice, something that my heart seemed to do so often in recent days. Especially around a certain fire brain that always seemed to surprise me. I watched the pinkette exit and turned back to find Gajeel and Wendy grinning in my direction.

"W-What?!" I snapped, wincing a bit, I didn't mean for it to come out as a shout. Everyone turned their attention to us but Gajeel looked unaffected, a smug expression passed over his features.

"Nothing, I just found something interesting." He growled lightly in amusement. Levy returned to her spot next to the iron dragon slayer and he wrapped a light hand around her waist, pulling her close. She blushed for a moment, but sighed and relaxed into the embrace. As she did so, I could have sworn that I felt a twinge on envy. Ha! No way.

"Aw, the party seems to have died now." Mira sighed, reclining against her brother for a moment as she stretched and sat up straight again.

"Well, the man of the night has left." Erza added with hidden disappointment. "It's to be expected."

"But he took a nap after Lucy and Gray left this morning." Happy chimed in. "He shouldn't have been that tired."

"He's just confused." Wendy grinned.

"I would be too if I was in his shoes." Gajeel mused. Loke gave him a warning look which the slayer just shrugged off.

"What do you mean." I asked. Natsu was afraid of nothing and although is slow on the uptake often enough. What could that fire head possibly be so confused about? I turned to Loke, "What were you to talking about over there?"

The celestial just shrugged, "Not for me to tell."

"But I can." Gajeel yawned. "But as the man himself has left, I won't tell."

"Huh?" Lucy had been watching the conversation with Wendy braiding her hair. "Wouldn't this be the very time to tell a secret like that?"

"Not if you want to see his reactions." Was the simple answer. They all nodded their heads in agreement. "But it wouldn't hurt to give a hint. Loke?" All eyes turned to Loke.

"Why me?!" He pouted.

"You're the one he confided in. Although either me or Gajeel could tell if you don't want to." Wendy teased.

Loke sighed in defeat. "I won't tell who it is although they are a part of the guild."

"Then describe her." Lucy whined.

Loke sighed but gave in to her, "Fine." He paused for a moment, trying to pull together a description that wouldn't give the person away. "Tall but shorter than him, strong, has a quick temper just like Natsu. Although very sweet and kind of cool. Short dark hair and..."

"I'm leaving." I didn't want to listen to this anymore. I stood quickly, sliding my jacket on since it was going to rain soon and I didn't feel like getting sick. "You should keep quiet. I'm sure Natsu won't be happy that you're blabbing." Honestly, I wasn't happy either. My growing irritation evident in my voice with each word.

I moved towards the door but just before I could open it, I heard Loke call behind me. "Go visit Natsu for a bit."

"What for?" I frowned.

"You forgot to give him your gift." I gripped the little box that was settled in my pocket tightly and nodded before I closed the door behind me. I leaned against it, feeling my anger rise again as I tried to figure out who Natsu liked. But I didn't understand why I felt so pissed about it. I hesitated for a moment before walking towards Natsu's house. I could ask him myself.

With that goal in mind, I found myself running. Wanting to get there as soon as I could, gasping for breath by the time I finally reached the path that led to Natsu's. I slowed to a walk, wanting to control my now ragged breath.

I had just managed to control my breathing by the time his house came into view along with a certain pinkette I had been looking for. I didn't leave long after him (although I had also decided to run here) so it wasn't much of a shock that he had just arrived home. I opened my mouth to call for him just as he opened the door.

_-Natsu POV-_

"Natsu!" I heard Gray's voice call from behind me.

I turned in disbelief, my heart thumping away. I thought it was a dream until my eyes locked onto the ice mage's figure passing and closing the gate behind him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice cracking the slightest bit. I prayed he didn't hear it. He reached into his pocket and I took it as a sign that he didn't.

"I forgot to give you your present." He tossed me a small box. I caught it with one hand, examining it. It wasn't all that incredible, just a little black box with a white ribbon holing the lid on, barely big enough to hold in my palm. I didn't expect anything from Gray that he hadn't teamed up with someone to make.

I glanced up to see Gray standing there awkwardly as the rain, that had been just a fine mist, turned into a downpour following a strike of thunder. I glanced up and then at Gray who quickly flipped the hood on his jacket over his raven spikes.

I couldn't help but get a bad feeling but even so, "Come inside. At least until the rain lets up." I didn't have to tell him again, since he was right beside me in the next second. I opened the door and stepped inside, turning on the hall light as I did so.

I leaned on the wall a little, slipping off my shoes, setting them neatly against the little step to get out of the entrance. I let a small smile slip onto my lips as I shed my jacket, hanging it onto a hook on the wall. I turned to watch Gray do the same. I could barely believe he was in my house right now. I gripped my hand tighter for a moment before remembering the box Gray had tossed me.

I stepped into a little den where a couch sat under the window and sat down, working at the ribbon that held the lid on. By the time I'd worked it off, I was barely aware of Gray watching my every move as I opened the lid and my jaw dropped.

Inside was a beautiful silver dragon curled around a golden marble that flickered in the light as if it contained fire. On a closer look, the dragon's eyes were the same color gold. The pendent wasn't large, barely bigger than a key, attached to a thin but strong chain. A chain that looked like it wouldn't be broken if I played tug of war with it (not that I'd ever want to).

I had no words to possibly thank him, my mouth opening and closing without sound. So I was thankful when he broke the silence. "I was on a mission and I happened to see it through a store window and since your birthday was coming up..." He tried to explain, a soft blush painting his cheeks red as he sat himself next to me.

"Thank you." I finally said, "It's so beautiful."

I jumped as Gray reached his hand over, his fingers lightly brushing mine. My heart began beating loud again as he undid the latch and then clipped the necklace around my neck, moving my scarf just enough so he could see how it looked on me.

"It's the same color as your eyes." The ice mage said softly, his hand brushing my neck lightly leaving a cool trail. I wonder if he can hear how hard my heart was now beating, how loud it was beating...for him. I felt the familiar crawling heat of blush rise into my cheeks.

A silence fell between us. I felt so far away from him despite how we were literally next to one another. It took the strike of the clock upstairs before we even moved. By the single chime, I assumed it was 1. I glanced at Gray; he was staring out the window behind the couch at the worsening storm.

"There's a spare bedroom across from mine if you'd like to spend the night." I mentally slapped myself. This was just my desire of wanting to be near him as long as possible. "I don't think that storm will pass until morning anyway."

A moment of silence and then, "Sure, if you are fine with having me stay."

"Of course." I was happy but somehow nervous. I suddenly felt like a little child at a sleepover. My feeling proven correct when my stomach decided to join the room. Snack time.

I stood and headed to the kitchen, glancing over at Gray who was watching me, "Are you hungry? I can make you a couple of snacks."

"Sure, I'll come help." The ravenette said, stretching after he stood. "I'd feel bad."

"Are you sure you're not just doubting my cooking skills?" I joked. "I can cook pretty well you know."

"Hmm, okay then," Gray gave up quickly, sitting on a stool next to the little island in the kitchen that held the counter and sink. "Show me." I couldn't help but hear the challenge in is voice.

I smiled with confidence. It was true, I can cook pretty well. Even though it took me a while to learn that burnt is bad when it comes to food.

But sandwiches don't need heat and a little of the sauce I'd whipped up the day before would surely make the flavors pop. I hummed a little tune as I grabbed the little sauce bottle as well as some sliced meat, a cucumber and, some cheese, whipping it up into a sandwich that seemed naked (since I had taken off the crusts neatly).

I set Gray's plate right in front of him and watched with satisfaction as his mouth dropped lightly. I quickly fixed my own sandwiches and sat across from him, keeping an eye on his reaction. He was hesitant, but finally took a bite and I swore I saw heaven in his eyes.

"Where did you learn to fix things like this?" Gray asked, taking another, larger bite from the sandwich.

I shrugged, "Just something I picked up from a nice old lady on a mission." That was a lie. But I guess it really didn't matter. At least he was enjoying himself.

"You're really something. So full of little surprises." The ravenette added in passing and I felt my cheeks burn. My heart that had settled just the slightest bit was now back to full speed as I took the time to look closer at his features.

His hair wasn't just a dark raven, but it also had slight blue tinges on the very tips of his hair. His onyx eyes holding a depth that held many different colors beneath the surface. His skin, flawless and fair. I couldn't spot any flaw past the various scars he had attained. His shirt had just a low enough collar for me to see his collarbones and the edge of his fairy mark.

My eyes moved back up to his face, tracing his delicate but strong features. I glared lightly at the sandwich he was eating, a bit envious that it gets to touch those perfect lips.

I'm pretty sure he could feel my eyes on him by now. Especially with how red his face was getting. The blush coloring his cheeks and ears with a deep red. I watched his cool facade slip away, leaving him to conflict with himself. But over what? I couldn't venture a guess.

"Is there something on my face?" Gray asked, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I looked away, a blush crawling into my cheeks. I shook my head and stood.

"No. Just staring into space." I lied.

His eyes narrowed at me before I finished my food, taking both our plates to the sink. I glanced to my left at the little clock I had sitting on the window behind the oven (perfect for emptying the kitchen of smoke during my first cooking attempts). It was just after 2 now and I didn't want to stay up, but at the same time, didn't want to go to sleep.

I stared at the clock with a frown. Between the time we arrived, we just ate and sat in silence and seeing as it was clear I wasn't quite ready for bed, Gray's next question would surely keep us busy. "So who is this person you like so much?"

I swear on my life, at that point, I could not have turned a darker shade of red. "N-no one important!" I stammered, suddenly turning into a nervous wreck. Why would he just up and ask me that?! This, I couldn't understand.

"You must like her a lot." Gray teased. True, I really liked Gray. Even if he didn't return my feelings, I supposed it couldn't hurt but say they were true. That my feelings for him were real.

I smiled sadly, "I do." My heart felt like it would break. Just thinking that he may never know.

"Who?" He asked, looking like he was in between curiosity and fear, like a secret that should never be told. But why would he be afraid to know?

"Someone you see every day." I was avoiding a direct answer and by his darkening expression; he knew.

"Name. Don't avoid the question." The ravenette grumbled. I turned back to the sink, starting the dishes. They were piling up a bit and I didn't feel like killing whatever decides to make a nest in the kitchen...again.

A clatter was the only warning I had before being yanked around, face-to-face with Gray. His grip was like ice, almost cold enough to make me shiver and tight enough to say that I wasn't getting away. So I just stood there, not knowing what to do as he reached around me and shut off the water.

"Stop avoiding me." His eyes almost pleading. "I need to know."

I couldn't look away, trapped in those hurt eyes. "Gray..." I stopped, gathering my thoughts (and my courage) for what I was going to do next.

A/N: Phew~ This story seemed to take months to push out, but I did it.

This chapter is short but the next will be longer .

Thanks for reading and please leave a review