Nightmare

The dark is not a place a certain dragon slayer liked to be but he didn't really have a choice in the matter, he moved through a forest that just didn't feel right, the trees seemed to get closer together and the path would become more narrowed each running step he took, but why or from what was he running. Pretty soon the path he was running on had completely vanished leaving him smack into a sea of trees from every angle, the dragon slayer took one step towards a tree but the ground gave way and he fell.

He kept falling, or so it felt like he was falling. Natsu didn't hit the ground and nor was he still falling, everything was just black, he had an uneasy feeling deep in the pit of his stomach but he couldn't pin point it's location.

All of a sudden a bright light filled the seemingly empty space to reveal it was a room, no where near being empty. There was a gray couch and chair along with black coffee tables and side tables which held two lamps on either side of the couch. The walls were a pale blue, there also seemed to be rooms attached to this room, a kitchen and a bedroom. Natsu took a few steps toward the so called kitchen and peered inside, everything was so clean and tidy, but it was also empty, no sign of anyone living here. Natsu thought to himself that this place seemed awful familiar, he just couldn't pin point why he felt that way because it also felt strange. He unconsciously made his way towards the bedroom, when he opened the door he was met with a queen sized bed cover in a blue blanket with silver pillows, he also noticed a single picture frame laying face down on the little black bedside table, his legs moved on there own and brought him over to the little table and then he picked up the picture turned it over and stared at it. He could pick out little details like the color of the persons hair, the face was blurry, there was a woman and a child in the picture. If only he could know who they were.

Suddenly a voice boomed behind him "Natsu! What are you doing?!"

The picture frame fell to the floor as soon as soon as Natsu spun around, the glass shattered and the frame snapped.

Natsu was staring at someone, he knew the voice but at the same time he didn't, it was almost as if the voice was distorted. All he could pick out was the pale color of skin and bluish raven hair , the face was blurred just like the picture.

"you stupid ash for brains idiot!!" that same tone barked at him

The dragon slayer knew that nickname, he knew who spoke that nickname to him, Gray.

"Gray?" he looked confused but that was when the ice mages face came into view, although it wasn't his face. His eyes were diagonal slots almost like cats eyes and they glowed red, his teeth were showing and they were long and pointy, every single tooth. Slowly the ice mages skin started to bubble and peel, he attacked Natsu causing the fire mage to be thrown to the floor rather harshly.

Gray, no this wasn't Gray this was some sick creature, it jumped away from Natsu as soon as it bit down hard on the dragon slayers shoulder. Then it turned to ashes.

Natsu felt so much pain in his shoulder, than the pain flooded his whole body, his own skin bubbled and peeled just like the creatures. How could his mind picture the one he loves as a monster. Before he perished along with the creature he woke up.

The fire mage bolted upright in a cold sweat, his breathing ragged and he was clutching his chest. He was in the exact same room as the one in his dream. No not a dream, nightmare.

The ice mage was laying right next to him, he felt the bed shift as the fire mage sat up, he knew something was wrong, Natsu doesn't sit up that fast unless he had...a nightmare.

The ice mage slowly sat up and wrapped his arms around the shaking dragon slayer.

"shhh, Natsu it wasn't real.."

Natsu was startled by the ice mage "sorry if I woke you.."

"nah I was awake for a while... What was it this time?"

Natsu had been having nightmares every night for the past two months, and Gray knew every single one, even the one he had just woken up from a few moments ago.

Gray would never get tired of comforting the fire mage after a nightmare, usually everytime he had one, Gray had already been awake, he started to grow worried some nights because of how frequent the dreams had become and because a few nights now Gray couldn't wake Natsu up and the nightmares would often make him seem as if he was lifeless, and you can guess how that made the ice mage feel, Natsu was his husband, he would be there to confort him whenever and where ever the fire mage needed it, like tonight.

"the s-same one I've been h-having for the past week..." his voice shook as he spoke, his whole body shook with fear but was slowly calming down from the ice mage slowly rubbing his back

"it's okay...like I said, it isn't real and it wasn't me. This is me...I'm sitting right next to you, I'll never hurt you, I promise you that" that seemed to calm the dragon slayer down enough for both him and his voice to stop shaking, he leaned against Grays chest and sighed "thank you Gray"

"I will always be here, flame breath" that little nickname sent shivers through Natsu's body in a good way and he grinned at his husband

"I know, droopy eyes, and that's one reason why I love you" he gave Gray a quick peck on the lips before they both settled down again with Natsu laying his head on Gray's chest. "I will be there to comfort you too, whenever and where ever."

The ice mage smiled tenderly "I know, I love you"

Both mages closed there eyes and slept peacefully throughout the night.

Well they did until Natsu decided three o'clock in the morning was the perfect Tim the kick Gray in his hip, nearly knocking him off the bed.

Next chapter: Ice Skate