A/N: This chapter...put me through a wringer to get out but I did it (yay)~
Natsu and Gray cheered beside me loudly. I had to physically block my ears but still found myself cheering along. I was happy for them and looked forward to the next one, hoping that I could become S-class as well. I wasn't going to let my brother pull ahead for too long. Call it sibling rivalry or whatever, I wanted to be on an even surface as him, standing back to back on any battlefield we find ourselves on. Natsu was punching the air and shooting strings of cocky lines to all the other contestants. Honestly, I couldn't have expected anything else.
~Natsu POV~
I was stunned, shocked, and completely fired up. I had been thinking that it was getting to be around the time for the S-class trials. I just didn't think that it'd be this soon. I turned my gaze to Senji who was congratulating Gray. I could hear the excitement on his voice, the glow of joy within his eyes. Something that, just a couple short weeks ago, I never thought I'd have seen again.
A glance around the guild was all I needed to know that I wasn't going home without being either extremely drunk or with a few bruises as some members had already begun one of the daily brawls. I watched a flying chair narrowly miss my brother and glared in the direction it came from. Gajeel caught my expression and motioned for me to bring it on. I sure as hell would and I already had one arm flaming up when Gramps spoke, the guild quieting for a moment, fearful that they'd be chewed out when they'd barely gotten started.
"Before we start the festivities I have one more announcement." He smiled, wrinkles creasing around his eyes, "We have a new member!"
Senji took this as a sigh and moved closer to Makarov, introducing himself, "I'm Senji Dragneel! I hope we get along."
It took a comically long silence before the guild shouted out in mixtures of shock. I sighed and stepped up to my poor brother who was getting hit on my Cana again. I'd be damned if I let that fujoshi get my brother in her perverted hands.
"Get off my brother Cana!" I growled, tugging him away from her, pushing him behind me.
"Why? He's so cute." She cooed. I smirked knowing exactly what to say to push her off that high horse of hers.
"Oh? So you much think I'm cute too since me and Senji are identical." Gray started laughing behind us as Cana spit out the drink she had been trying to take.
"What?" She looked between us, "Holy fuck!"
I was trying hard at this point not to join in the laughter, but it was difficult with Senji cracking up also. Mira had caught the exchange, also joining in on the fun of teasing the guild drunkess. Cana's face flushed a deep red that rivaled Erza's hair, grumbling something along the lines of us shutting up.
"Haha, you walked into that one." I turned to find Gildarts making his way over.
"Gildarts!"
"When did you get back?" Gray asked from beside me, "Weren't you off on another mission?"
"Yeah well, I'm helping with the trials this year." He said proudly as he swiped Cana's barrel for a long drag and handing it back. Gildarts waved at us lazily as he walked around or little group, moving towards Makarov. "See you around boys."
"He seems fun." Senji said, leaning on me, a red blush forming across his cheeks. I was worried that he was getting sick until I saw the glass in his hand. Pure cinnamon whiskey.
"Mira! Did you really give him whiskey?!" I whined at the take-over mage, "He can't handle liquor!" We had found that out the hard way when we had gone out for a night during our last job and had to deal with an overly flirty Senji. Have you ever had your brother hit on you? It's very strange and uncomfortable, especially with your boyfriend right next to you laughing his ass off.
Mira gave a look of apology but I could tell it was half-hearted. She wanted to see what he was like drunk. By the way Senji clung to my arm already, I had a feeling we'd be going home early tonight.
I sighed as Gray took pity and pulled Senji off of me, letting the smaller male flirt with him instead, drawing curious stares but no one said anything. A heavy hand came down onto my shoulder and by scent I could already tell who it was. I smiled, it was about time.
I let my magic build up into my arm and gave the iron dragon slayer a fist full of fire to the jaw. Gray jumped at my sudden action as Senji cheered.
"What the hell Salamander!" The slayer shouted before quickly shutting up at my serious expression.
"Watch where you're throwing those chairs." I motioned to my brother whom he had almost hit just a few minutes earlier. I growled deep and low, with only enough malice for him to hear. It was a warning and by the look that crossed his eyes, he got it.
"Damn man, fine then." Gajeel stood and went grumpily walked to sit next to Levy, watching my brother and Gray get into a mini argument about something stupid. An argument the half-drunk Senji was winning.
Romeo and Wendy had wandered over after some time, both looking between me and Senji, who latched back onto me, with awe. "You two really are identical."
"Minus the hair." Senji chuckled. I grinned at the exchange between him and the two children. He lit a hand aflame when Romeo questioned his magic, making the guild groan about another destructive mage.
It wasn't long before many others tried to hound him with questions. I had gone to sit besides Gray at our usual table, watching the proceedings with an amused grin. Senji glanced over from his conversation with Lucy for a moment, flashing me that smile I loved so much. It was pure and just from that, I knew that everything would be just peachy from here on.
"Looks like he's fitting in quite nicely." Gray mentioned lightly, closing some of the distance between us and putting an arm around my shoulders playfully.
"Careful." I warned, "I don't want them to know yet."
"I know." The ice mage chuckled softly, a undertone of sadness behind the words.
"I want to tell them as much as you but..."
"Tell us what?"
I looked behind me to find Gajeel giving me a smug look. My eyes narrowed as I caught the intention behind that mischievous smirk. This was the exact reason why I had wanted to wait. Gajeel spoke in a louder voice, not only catching the attention of those closest to our seats, but the other dragon slayers, Wendy and Senji, attention as well. Senji frowned. I could feel his glare on Gajeel and knew he wouldn't just sit tight if the iron dragon dared to try anything. "Is there something you two are hiding from us?"
I glanced at Gray for a moment, catching his concern, "What are you implying?"
"Oh, big words from such a small brain Salamander." I saw Senji stand, making Lucy look this way with worry.
"Humph, I bet you don't even know what implying means." Gray smirked.
"I don't care. All I want to know is why your smells are integrated." I silently cursed myself. I had lain across Gray the entire train ride, even wearing his coat at one point for hell knows what reason. "I don't see any other reason for them to mix unless you two are mates."
I went to voice my denial but not fast enough as Gajeel wound up an arm and let it hit me. The contact was just enough to know some of the air out of my lungs and make me crash into Gray. We fell off the side of the bench since we'd been sitting too close to one side. I coughed lightly, glancing up to catch a cold look cross the iron dragon slayer's expression, "I'm disappointed. To think that the same Salamander who'd beaten me not so long ago was a faggot."
"Gajeel!" Levy warned, "That's not in any way necessary."
"The ice cube too, why don't you two go take your faggot selves and-" Gajeel began to rant on, but not before being cut of and blasted into the wall. I could see my brother's blue flames licking at the dazed man's jacket lightly. I couldn't say I had not expected that. But the rage that Senji held in his expression said everything.
"YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He growled, blue flames curling around his arms as he prepped for another go. Guild members that were standing close enough backed away feeling the anger flowing off him in waves, especially as Gajeel went to stand, a smirk curling the corners of his lips.
"What? Are you a fag too. A faggot brother for a faggot." It was my turn to be enraged, my own crimson flames swirling in the air around me as I launched an attack of my own, pinning the larger male against the wall. He dared say shit against my brother.
"If you ever call my brother a fag again..." I muttered with a low growl, feeling the slayer gulp beneath my hand, "I'll make sure ashes are all that remain of you." I let him slide to the ground, a shocked expression crossing his features as he shakily returned to his feet and wandered towards a back corner of the hall, as far from us as he could get without leaving.
"Wow, remind me not to ever piss you both off at the same time." I chuckled, turning to Senji, who had let his flames fade, and Gray who had the boy in a playful headlock. "I'm just glad that wasn't directed towards me."
"It won't be as long as you keep your cool." I said swatting his shoulder, "Now let him go Gray."
"You're telling an ice mage to keep his cool?" Gray let an amused smile slip as he released Senji. "Really Natsu?"
"Yes?" I grinned his way, leaning over so I was closer, "What are you going to do about it?"
"What do you think I'm gonna do about it?" Gray replied in a husky voice. I blushed, turning away. I was sure I didn't even need him to say anything. I opened my mouth to said something back when a shout from the bar caught our attention.
"Go get a room you two!" Cana called. "We have enough couples flirting daily! Y'all are making the single people lonely!" We turned to her, realizing that most of the members were staring at us with mixtures of shock, confusion, and a few with nosebleeds. I mentally cursed myself. I had completely forgotten that we were in the guild. Gray had a light blush tint his cheeks as Senji took that chance to start laughing. It wasn't long before others nearby joined in.
"Wow. That was perfect." He cried, clutching his stomach.
"I thought you were drunk." I cooed.
"I am." He laughed, "I thought you two would at least wait until you got home to flirt."
"That didn't stop you."
"Oh hush, I'm drunk."
I laughed at Senji as he stumbled slightly before dropping unceremoniously into a seat. He pressed his head against the coolness of the table, sighing. "So what are you going to do about telling everyone?"
Gray scratched his neck nervously, "We weren't planning telling yet and considering Gajeel's reaction..."
A silence fell between us. I knew what he meant. He thought that there would be others with that reaction, shunning just because we like were the same gender. I looked between us and the guild and stood, "Fuck it."
"What are you doing?" I climbed on top of the nearest table, tugging Gray with me.
"Letting everyone know you're mine." I growled. "Hey everyone listen up!"
I went to speak again when Gray turned me towards him, taking my lips in a kiss before I could say anything. Ice met fire. The feeling addicting as it had been each time I was able to get it. Each one felt like our first, sending a shock through me. Gray pulled away, smiling warmly at me, rubbing my reddened cheek with a chuckle. "You face is redder than your hair Natsu."
"W-whose fault is that!" I stammered, feeling almost every eye of the guild on us. I would have been fine just announcing it like anything else but no. Gray had to go and kiss me like that. I could tell he was teasing me lightly to see my reactions. "Bastard."
"Cheers for the newest FairyTail couple!" Makarov and Gildarts cheered, half-drunk and grinning like idiots. "Everyone Party!" Cheers erupted from the guild hall, so loudly that I'm pretty sure the surrounding shops and homes would complain about all the noise if Freed's runes weren't in place already.
Gray just smiled that sexy crooked smile of his and hopped down, sitting next to Senji, leaving me to stand atop the table as a flustered idiot. Gray just chuckled and pecked my cheek in apology. "I just wanted to show them in a way they could never misunderstand." He pulled me closer, our sides flush against one another.
"There's no way anyone misunderstood that little show." Lucy grinned holding a small tray of drinks, including my favorite fire whiskey. "But you can sure as hell bet that Gajeel won't let you live it down."
"That guy can go fall in a hole somewhere." I picked up my drink, downing most of it in one go. A wave of dizziness hit me as I finished off the rest with a sigh. "If he doesn't like the idea of two guys together, he doesn't have to be in our business."
"I'm curious, when did you two hook up?"The blond asked, sipping on a pink drink. "It had to have been recently right?"
"I'm betting it was on his birthday." I turned sharply to find Erza sitting beside me with an amused grin. She had effectively scared the shit out of me. Just when the hell did she show up. "Also, congrats on making it as contestants boys."
"Thanks." I said as my heart finally calm from that scare. "But how did you know?"
"Hmm, know what?"
"That we started dating on my birthday."
"So I was right." she grinned, turning to shout at Cana, "I won Cana!"
"God damnit!" The card mage cried, past her barrel. I was almost sorry for her, this day just didn't seem to be going her way. Almost.
I chuckled, leaning into Gray's hold. His body giving off the slight coolness that I'd come to enjoy in recent days. It was calming and safe. It wasn't long until I felt my eyes begin to droop.
~Gray's POV~
I couldn't help but smile at him. His olive eyes I'd fallen into so many times beginning to droop under the weight of the whiskey. It wasn't very late yet, the sun was just now touching the horizon outside, casting a red glow though the windows. The light caressed Natsu's hair and skin, causing them to glow. His expression was lax, completely oblivious to the brawl that had begun around him. Although the furrow in his brow when Erza shouted at a couple idiots was very cute.
"How and the hell do you manage to sleep through this noise flamebrain?" I asked his sleeping figure fondly. I received a sigh and a nudge closer in response. "Whatever."
"He's always cute when he's sleeping." Senji cooed from beside me. "So different from when he's awake."
"No kidding, but it's not like you're one to talk." I grinned, "You sleep walk. How many times did you end up on the couch in the morning if we didn't lock the bedroom door?" He stuck out a tongue playfully. I returned the gesture, laughing lightly. Senji just grinned.
It wasn't long after that he too began to nod off, the alcohol catching up to him finally. Even I was starting to get tired. I nudged him, "It's about time to head home. I don't want to get caught in an after party prank."
"What about Natsu? There's no way he's going to wake up now." The red head yawned, stretching his arms. I just picked up the pinkette bridal style, giving Senji a smile. "Okay then."
We started to head to the exit, saying our goodbye's as we went. It wasn't ten minutes before I turned to Senji, "Prepare for a pretty good hike. Natsu's house is off the edge of town a good way's into the forest."
"I wouldn't doubt it." He sighed, his shoulders sagging.
"At least his house is clean for once. I heard Erza saying something about helping Lucy clean it." I smiled at the thought of the many mystery animal surprises that the girls may have encountered. "It wasn't that bad last time I was there, just a few boxes here and there." I chuckled, "But you couldn't really see the any of the furniture under everything else."
"I was talking to Lucy about it earlier." Senji sighed, "I can assure you I won't let it end up like that again."
"Me neither." I looked at the pinkette in my arms, his hand curled against my bare chest. Wait. I glanced down. "The hell?"
"How'd you manage to strip while holding him?" Senji asked through barely suppressed laughter.
"Hell if I know." I grumbled. I always managed to strip in the strangest situations. This was no different.
A/N: whoo~ A longer chapter. (it may not seem like it though) I'm working on the newest chapter of Second Life now, but it's not looking like it will be out for a while longer. For anyone who wants something to read in the meantime, I'm uploading a brand new FairyTail!AU called My Dark Lover. Pretty much the idea is this; Vampire Natsu...Love triangles...open ending. If you're interested, I have the first chapter up on my profile and will be updating daily. Yes, DAILY. I have an entire 6-subject folder full of just this story so that makes this easier. OwO Bye for now ducklings!