A/N: This took too damn long. It's late where I'm at so there's probably a few mistakes but I just don't care. Feel me? We're nearing the end. I'm gonna give a number and say four more chapters till this story ends. Then I'll begin that mermaid story. :)

I added horse stuff to this chapter because I've been lacking but there's fluff towards the end. Me thinks next chapter Sabertooth will join in the story finally. *whispers* drammaaaaa

Cowboy Lust

Chapter 6

I let the water drizzle over my feet. Sand caked the bottom of them and sunk between my toes. I don't mind though, I like the feel of wet sand. While everyone else is waist deep in the crisp lake, I'm sitting on the bank with my knees to my chest staring out at the blue and green scenery lost in my thoughts.

That's metaphorically speaking, I know exactly where my thoughts are at, I'm just... confused. I don't know. Gray, god Gray. Seeing him for the first time did something to me and I just found myself liking him more and more. As of right now I guess we're kind of an item but I'm not sure. I'll have to ask him later. If I can even bring myself to talk to him.

He's in the water right now looking sexy as hell. I found him a pair of old swim trunks- well, not old because they've never been worn or had the tags ripped off, I just never grew into them. Anyways, they fit Gray like a glove, just a bit tight but in all the right places. His body was a perfect sculpture, dented and defined sexily while the pale skin glistened deliciously under the sun's boiling rays. Now that I think of it, Gray didn't put sunscreen on... eh, the trees and clouds kind of hide the sun. Then again the sun likes to play hide and peek- I'm rambling. Going to stop now.

I groaned and rested my chin on top of my knees. After taking Gray's appearance in I can't look away from him. He's so fucking good looking. And back at my room, so damn hot and sexy and a little on the freaky squeaky- I add squeaky 'cause it rhymes- side. Anyways, back at what happened in my room (insert blush here) Gray brought up past memories of mine. Ones I've kept under the lid since.. well, since my break up with my ex-boyfriend Sting. My eyes did just that at the thought of him.

That bastard. Not only was he a bastard but he was a possessive over the top jealous violent bastard. He was only violent towards the end, but hell I'd let someone put their hands on me. It still hurt, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Sting may have been all of that, but he was my first. Everything. But then he had to be a bastard. I know I told Gray our fallout was three years ago but I lied. Well, not really, I just didn't care at the time to really think about it because again- Sting's a bastard.

Anyway, it was more like last year. Almost a year and a half. I was fifteen. Sting was seventeen. We met at this festival for riders. Other stables were there as well as us, Fairy Tail, and Sabertooth. I was separated from my group of friends as was Sting. We bumped into each other, literally, in front of one of those games set up. As an apology Sting won me a small stuffed animal and well, we hit it off from there.

Our break up was due to a lot of issues between us but it was the last straw for me when he used his fists. The blow took me by surprise. We had been yelling about Sting's jealousy and the fact that he hated that I was so close with Zeref and the others. That hadn't been the only time that was brought up and I was fed up with it. His hand came out of nowhere and after that it was a blur of fists. Our fight took place at Sabertooth during the rodeo of last year. Man. I can't remember who found us fighting and I don't know how it happened, but two riders, one from FT the other from Sabe, were trying to break us apart and the next thing I knew THEY were fighting. After that both stables were in a brawl. Sabe's master and Gramps made peace but we still buttheads every now and then. The time when Fairy Tail was accused of that stampede? Sabertooth. We retaliated of course but Gramps doused out that fire before it could burn.

Gramps also refused to stop the rodeos which were an annual thing for us stables. It wasn't just us and Sabertooth, there was Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Quatro Puppy, etc. We all band together and hold the rodeos at our stables. It rotates, last year was at Sabes and this year it will be at Fairy Tail.

Moving forward, as I said, Sting was my everything. For my first relationship, having it lasted for eleven months was amazing. We both put each other through a lot but our feelings were strong. I had fallen hard for him so tt hurt when we started going downhill. Just like I am with Gray. Which is why I feel so uneasy. I don't want the past to repeat. My friends think I'm so cheerful and happy and clueless about a lot but I'm not. They helped me through Sting's breakup but I never moved on inside. Does that make sense? My personality is me but it's not all of me. I'm not losing you, am I? I'm not making you go 'What is he rambling about?' Because it's really like this: Happy crazy Natsu covers up hurt and emotional Natsu. I'm not saying that I'm happy or cheerful because that is really me, but like I said, that's only a piece of me. Sting messed me up on so many levels. He was a big impact on my life. I had to put a lid on tight to my emotions and force myself to move.

Now the lid is loosening up threatening to open and pour out everything I've kept hidden all because of Gray. At the same time I don't want to take a risk, I feel that even though Gray pulled me in like Sting, I can't see him hurting me like Sting had. Sure he ignored me for almost a week, but I'm over it.

My ass is starting to go numb. Nope, it's already numb. I started to readjust myself when an arm slid across my shoulders.

...

Natsu looked to side where Gray had just sat himself. "Are you okay? You've been sitting here like a statue for ten minutes now. Don't you want to swim?"

When Natsu just stared at him he pressed a hand to the pinkette's forehead. "You sick or somethin'?"

Natsu felt that warm feeling spread through his body. 'Why's he gotta be close and shirtless? Those damn water driblets mock me clinging to his body like that.' Gray was talking again but Natsu's focus was on his moving lips. They were inviting. Natsu leaned in and softly kissed Gray, effectively shutting him up quick.

There were collective catcalls and whistles but Natsu ignored them all. He pulled back from Gray and stood up before offering a hand to the perplexed ravenette. "We need to talk."

"Did I do something wrong?" Gray asked still sitting. "Did I move too fast or somethin' because I'll slow down."

Natsu couldn't help but smile at Gray's panicked look. "You haven't done anything wrong. I just need to tell you some things before I turn tail and run away."

Gray frowned while taking the pinkette's hand. "So I have done something wrong."

Natsu blew a puff of air purposely against Gray's frowning lips. "How about you and your thick head just follow me."

...

"...And that's basically the story. I didn't want a repeat of last week but have it be me avoiding you. That's another reason why Sting and I didn't work out so well; honesty wasn't something we agreed on." Natsu shrugged from his position against the wall.

Gray shortened the distance between him and the pinkette and gently held to Natsu's hips. "That's horrible. I'm so sorry that happened. The guy's a jackass. He threatened to jump Zeref?"

Natsu nodded. During one of Sting's jealousy spurt, he had once threatened Natsu that he'd do exactly that which infuriated the pinkette who was very protective over his friends.

"If I ever saw the douche I'd punch him on the spot." Gray continued, voice slightly seething. He blinked when feeling Natsu's fingers curl around his hands holding the pinkette's hips. Natsu stared up at him with his dark eyes and squeezed Gray's hands.

"You will see him. He's coming at the end of the week for the rodeo."

...

"Your form is much better everyone! Great job." Master Macarov or 'Gramps' (the students grew into that habit) informed the group of riders in the large circled pin. The days went by fast and the end of the program was coming up much to the dismay of the students taking the program. Even Gray wasn't looking forward to it ending. The riding part was fine, he had learned a lot from his time but it was Natsu who he wasn't looking forward to leave.

"Mira, who is helping me today?" Gramps asked his assistant for the day.

"The twins, Juvia, and Gajeel." the silverette beauty replied kindly, smile soft and graced on her full lips.

Gramps was just opening his mouth to ask where they were when the group let out startled gasps and squeaks when four horses with four riders atop jumped over into the pin. "Ah." Gramps emitted from his perch on top of the fence.

Gray pulled Ur to a stop and stared as Lucy, Lisanna, Juvia, and Gajeel all trotted around the learning students. Lucy pulled up on one side of Gray while Lisanna took his other. "Hey Gray!" the two said in unison.

Mirajane giggled from her spot next to Gramps. "Twins." she greeted.

"Hey." Gray looked between the two girls putting together that their names starting with the same letter deemed them 'twins'. Not to mention the fact they acted like them just in that moment.

Lyon was drooling over Juvia while Gajeel was next to her scowling as usual.

Gramps stood up on the post and clapped his hands for attention. "What's going on?" Gray asked the girls next to him. They just winked at him. Uh. Gray stared at Gramps.

"I'm handing you lot to my children. They're taking you on a trail ride that I hope you'll all enjoy." the short man announced.

"I thought you were with us today?" someone said.

Gramps beamed. "Though I'm honored, I sadly do have preparations to complete with the rodeo right around the corner. But you kids have fun, okay? Dinner will be ready when you all return."

"We're staying out for that late?" Gray asked the question this time.

"Let's just go." Gajeel grumped and made his way out the pen where Mira had it open for him. He was followed by the group, Gray and the girls bringing up the rear. From this position Gray could see Lyon flirting with Juvia and failing at it.

"Don't worry, we'll get you back in time to wash up and change and whatnot." Lucy assured Gray as her horse, Celeste, brushed against Ur.

"Aaand to see Natsu." Lisanna added with a teasing smirk. Lucy giggled while Gray made a face. With these two this trail ride would be a long one.

...

Lucy and Gray laughed at the end of Lisanna's storytelling about the time her and Natsu went swimming in the lake after curfew and thought something was in the water with them. "We were eleven and Natsu was all like 'I'll protect you if anything happens' psh yeah right, he was the first one out of the water when we thought we saw something." the silverette rolled her eyes fondly at the memory.

"Natsu was like that a lot when he was little." Lucy reminded her twin. Turning to Gray she said, "Natsu wanted to be all of our protectors but he was so skittish, every little noise startled him."

"Not to mention everyone back then towered over the pipsqueak." Lisanna added giggling.

"So he was always that tiny?" Gray cut in from his spot on the soft grass. Gajeel had led the group on the trail that led to one of the meadows. It was a large oval shaped area where big trees surrounded it and the blue sky was clear and straight above their heads reaching hundrends of miles in each direction. The air was clean and fresh, warm with a slight crisp wind. It was perfect and the horses seemed to love it as much as their riders as they grazed the juicy grass.

The group had split in pairs, chatting and laughing, playing games, or some were even napping.

Lisanna, Lucy, and Gray had grouped in a half shade half sunny patch and began telling stories (mostly to Gray) about Fairy Tail stables and their riders. So far they were sharing a lot about Natsu and Gray's curiosity got the better of him. After sobering up from another laugh from Lucy's story, he asked slowly, "So, uh. Natsu told me about Sabertooth coming here for the rodeo.. he also told me about how he dated one of the riders, Sting?"

Both girls' expression went stony. "That pussy." they both hissed. Gray was surprised how lethal their voices sounded. Lucy continued while Lisanna crossed her arms over her busty chest. "Yeah, Natsu dated that cunt. That dirty, creep of a fucker cunt. Did Natsu tell you that the ass got jealous easily over the littlest things? It pissed me off. Natsu didn't deserve that shit Sting pulled that. He was rude, arrogant, just a-" Lucy clenched her hands and shut her eyes tight while gritting her teeth. "He makes my blood boil and it pisses me off that he's not here so I can punch him where the sun don't shine. Or worse."

Gray sucked in a breath. "I don't like him either but I didn't realize it was this.. this, ya know."

Lisanna nodded. "Natsu was and still is very sweet and kind hearted. Sting broke that just a bit-"

"Just a bit?!" Lucy growled. She turned to Gray with a fire in her eyes that he'd never seen there before. Gray suddenly found himself in the blonde rider's clutches by the front of his shirt. "That asshole broke my best friend. Seeing Natsu in the state he was in killed me. I wanted to hunt Sting down and strangle him slowly. Natsu hasn't tried looking for anyone else since Sting but he's got this infatuation with you and god help me Gray, if you turn out to be another Sting-"

"Lucy!" Lisanna gasped and tried to pry her best friend of her new friend. Gray could just stare at the blonde whose fire in her eyes intensified.

"Damn Bunny Girl." Gajeel's voice broke the thick silence. He stood there arms crossed over his muscled chest.

"Gajeel-" Lisanna was cut off by Lucy.

The blonde blew out a puff of air and let Gray go, patting out the wrinkles she made. "Jeez, I'm sorry Gray. I know you won't hurt Natsu, I see that you won't but I just can't handle seeing Natsu go back there, you know? Sting's a bastard."

Gajeel's eyes hardened at the sound of that name. "The fuck- you're talking about that dumbass?"

Lucy pressed her hand softly to Gray's cheek. "If it makes you feel better, Gajeel is worse than me."

Gray chuckled dryly and slowly removed the blonde's hand. "Not really, no. And although I appreciate your protectiveness over my boyfriend, I'd appreciate if none of you put me in the same category of this Sting guy. I still feel bad for ignoring Natsu a couple weeks ago but I swear I won't ever think about hurting him. I mean, I can't. How can you? It's Natsu." Gray smiled at a spot between the thick trees, Natsu's beaming face the only thing he saw while standing up. He turned back to stare at the trio of people all giving him looks. "What?"

A small smile played on Lisanna's lips. "You called Natsu your boyfriend."

Gajeel humphed. "That true? Not that I care."

Lucy rested her hands on her hips. "Hurt him and I'll kill you. Other than that take care of my baby, alright?"

Gray felt his face grow warm and stuttered out an embarrassed denial. It was weak and non-convincing. Gajeel snorted and turned to walk away. "Does Pinky-Pie know he's in a relationship?"

Lisanna popped up and glided next to the black haired pierced rider. Her hands clasped behind her back softly. "I don't think so, should we tell him?"

Gray watched Lucy take Gajeel's other side as they walked away. "Whose breaking the news?" she wondered aloud.

"ME OBVIOUSLY." the trio heard Gray utter behind them. Wearing, yes, even Gajeel, small teasing smirks, the trio continued on with Gray grumbling behind them.

...

"Ugghhh I wanted to go on the trail right too!" Natsu whined for the millionth time. And received a bop on the head from Erza for the millionth time.

"Will you QUIT whining the same thing over and over again?" the scarlet haired rider demanded.

"We got a lot stuff done that we won't have to worry about later on." Jellal spoke up from behind the duo. Besides those three, Loke, Carla, Pantherlily and Zeref all helped out all today for the rodeo. And throughout it Natsu complained about not going on the trail ride with the others.

Erza was about fed up. Upon reaching outside from the activity barn she had a fist poised and raised when loud voices caught their attention.

The group was finally back from the trail ride. Pantherlily made his way over once he saw Gajeel. Pantherlily's group followed up, passing the student riders and reaching the rear where Gajeel, the twins and Gray were. Natsu swelled up with an overflowing warmth feeling at seeing Gray on top of his horse. Their eyes met and Natsu ran over. Gray got off his horse and caught the pinkette's flying body, laughing as Natsu's mouth worked over Gray's face.

"Is that why you wanted to go on the trail ride? To suck face with Gray?" Carla, a pure white haired strict looking female demanded.

"Well, they're boyfriends now so it's okay." Lisanna waved a hand back and forth in front of her while Gajeel and Lucy snorted. Natsu pulled away from Gray who was now glaring at the innocent looking trio.

"Well. How come Loke doesn't know of this piece of news?" Loke huffed. He gestured to both Natsu and Gray. "When did the tie happen? Who asked who? I mean it was bound to happen, am I right?" Loke turned to Zeref. "Am I right?" Zeref nodded once.

Natsu blinked in confusion. He peered up at Gray. "Gray?"

Gray licked his lips, nervous. "Yes, Natsu?"

"We're boyfriends?"

"...I would like us to be."

"(And he said so back there so you don't have a say.")

"Shut up Gajeel." Gray snapped.

"It was cute." Lisanna informed the pinkette.

Gray opened his mouth but Erza beat him to it. "Is this true? You wish to be boyfriends with Natsu?"

Why did it suddenly feel like he was talking to Natsu's 'mommy'? Lucy and Lisanna were like the overprotective sisters but Erza was the mother. He had seen her interact with Natsu at times and could see it. Which was why he was just a little scared for his life as Erza made her way over with the boys following her. Natsu turned in Gray's arms to stare at his best friends.

"He likes you very much so I'll say this once: hurt him you'll die."

What was scary about that was that it wasn't just Erza who threatened the last part. Everyone else (minus the twins and Gajeel) joined in. Gray could only blink before he found himself being congratulated. He was feeling tired and confused and just wanted to lay down at this point but then Natsu's soft lips covered his own making his mind grow fuzzy and warm.

Their audience awwed ("Feh." Gajeel) seeing their youngest get wrapped up in Gray's arms. The twins ushered everyone away to help put the horses up leaving the new couple standing in the middle of the grass lip locked.