A/N: Hi all, it's your crappy author who doesn't update much. .-.
This is actually kind of the 'end'. I'm gonna put up one more chapter, like a cherry on top of the finished cupcake. Also, this doesn't matter anymore, but I had Natsu and Gray be together like in chapter four. And the next chapter I accidentally had them get together again. Not a single soul told me, why? Ha ha.
Any who, thanks to all who stuck with this. It was crap 95 percent of the time and I'm sure it shows because I did lose interest. v.v
Can't promise when the cherry on top chapter comes out. But it will. Thanks again. =)
"It's good to see you too Natsu." Sting purred as he walked over with his group crammed behind him. His icy blue eyes flickered over to Gray. "Is this the one?"
"Don't worry about it." Natsu snapped before Gray could speak. Sting started to talk but Natsu snarled over him. "Don't worry about nothing that's gotta do with me." knowing that he would be seeing Sting one way or another, Natsu was for sure he would punch the bastard, but now being face to face with him, all Natsu wanted to do was get away. "Stay away from me." the pinkette hissed at Sting before grabbing Gray's hand and hauling them both out of the room.
Sting turned and watched the duo, eyes narrowing.
Meanwhile, Loke was blinking in honest confusion. "That's it? He looked like he was going to blow up but he just leaves instead? Not even punching the idiot?" Loke turned to Jellal and Zeref for answers. Jellal merely shrugged but his body was tense as if he was ready for a brawl to start.
Zeref looked apathetic. The cafeteria doors banged shut after Natsu and Gray. Zeref snapped. It was a blur. First Sting was standing and then the next he was on the ground, a smarting mark on his cheek. Zeref stood above him, slender arm going back down to his side. Everyone stared in shock. Erza blinked before coming to stand next to the ravenette and touched his shoulder.
Meanwhile Sting was getting to his with the aid of the inky black haired rider. "Creep, you'll regret that." the blonde promised, icy blue orbs swirling with anger.
"He's not worth it." his friend said, still having a hold on him. Sting huffed and shrugged out of the other rider's hold. Without another word, Sting turned and walked away. His companions followed, the giant mint haired rider giving the Fairy riders a nasty snarl.
Once they were gone, Zeref found himself questioned by Erza. "It's not like you to throw punches without a reason. So tell me the reason. Besides the fact that we all dislike Sting and Sabertooth and the fact that he broke Natsu's heart. We all hate that."
"Someone was confused as to why Natsu had yet blew up. They're wrong, Natsu has already exploded." Zeref's reply was soft but his voice held a hard tint to it. Loke looked offended.
" 'Someone'?" he demanded. "Now I'm just a 'someone' to you?"
Everyone rolled their eyes save for Erza and Zeref. "Hopefully Gray can calm the bomb down." Erza mused before clapping her hands for the entire cafeteria to hear her. "Let's not have the past five minutes ruin our day everyone! Finish up with your food and go get ready! The rodeo begins shortly after breakfast!"
Cheers erupted from all around the room.
...
Gray quietly stood aside while Natsu thrashed his place. The living room's couch was overturned, the table was on its side as were the chairs. One had a broken leg. Natsu currently waved the wooden thing around as he yelled nonstop curses at Sting. Gray ducked when the pinkette flung the broken leg piece and winced when it hit a lamp. The lamp fell over and the light bulb went out and cracked, pieces of glass shattering to the floor.
Gray swallowed. He was dreading having to confront Natsu in this state but now this was getting a little dangerous. Natsu was angrily making his way in to the kitchen. Gray's eyes widened as an image popped in his mind, an image of Natsu wielding sharp cooking utensils and flailing them around.
The ravenette ran after his boyfriend, catching up to him and wrapped him up in his arms. Natsu was yelling, something along the lines of "Blonde jack asses" and "Hooves stopping over his lungs" and Gray was confused by that but then Natsu was struggling and demanding him to let him go.
"Natsu, you have to calm down now. I know you're angry but please calm down." Gray spoke in a surprisingly calm voice. Inside his heart was racing and hurting for the pinkette. Natsu shouldn't ever be this angry, ever. He's bubbly and hyper and clueless at times, but sweet and goofy and all things Gray loves. He should never have to be upset and riled up like this. It angers Gray that Sting has this affect on Natsu.
Natsu thrashed, fingers trying to pry off Gray's arms. "Let go! Let me go!"
Gray pulled him back flushed against his chest. His arms covered up the whole front of Natsu and he rested his chin in the dip of the pinkette's neck. "No." Gray murmured. "Not until you're calm." The ravenette was startled when Natsu slumped in his arms. "Nat-"
"I'm sorry." Natsu rasped. His voice was scratchy from all his yelling. He struggled to turn around and Gray let him, blinking when he was held in a death grip by arms clinging around his neck.
"Hey, hey don't apologize. Sting is clearly the douche bag here." Gray reassured and held the other around his middle and waist.
"I guess seeing after everyone we've been through and our stables' drama, I just snapped." Natsu rubbed his nose against Gray's neck. "He's mean, Gray."
Gray melted. "Aww Natsu. That was kind of cute in a sad-" Gray was cut off by Natsu's mouth closing over his and swallowing down his words. Natsu pushed himself up close to Gray as much as he could until Gray finally lifted him up by the back of his thighs and stumbled through the apartment. Blindly Gray sought out the bedroom and stumbled inside towards the bed. Falling on it but not over, Gray settled on the edge of Natsu's bed while Natsu took refugee on his lap, knees bent and on either side of Gray's legs.
The pinkette rocked his hips, puffing little moans in Gray's slicked mouth. Gray cupped Natsu's ass cheeks and rolled them in his hands like putty. Shortly after clothes were tossed and bodies were meshed and cries and moans of pleasure filled the room. Natsu screwed his eyes shut as Gray moved in him, ramming against his prostate dead on with each thrust.
It was awhile before they joined everyone else for the rodeo.
...
Natsu winced when Igneel landed from a double jump. His ass was killing him but it was worth the pain. After the land, Igneel cantered to the starting line where Juvia sat on Rain, ready to take her turn. Natsu was a blur past her, and she a blur past him.
There were a variety of obstacles set up. Jumping, barrel racing, duo tricks, etc. The one that had the most riders interested was the racing field. It was a field of obstacles mirroring one another. For two riders who did the same thing until the finish line where only one rider would win. The obstacle looked simple; it started off with three hurdles stacked with four poles. Then a seven line barrel that was positioned in a zig zag motion. Coming back off the bat was another set of three hurdles stacked with four poles. Then the seven barrels. Then home free. The whole obstacle was a set of two that mirrored each other.
Gray had watched the experienced riders from different stables take it on and was blown away how easily they made it look. Especially the turn for the half point of the race. After the seventh barrel was an abrupt turn the horse had to make to start back on with the jumps. One stupid rider from the program thought he had skills enough to do it. He raced a Blue Pegasus rider, Ren, who made it look like child's play. Not to mention the idiot had fallen off his horse at the sharp turn.
There were other fun things, like the mini pin. The minis had been let out and were giving rides to family members of the people who took the program. Seeing as it was the last day, parents and little siblings swarm the stables. There was food and drinks and loud laughter. It had recently rained, but the sun was out and shining. It was a beautiful day for a rodeo.
Gray's and Lyon's parents had yet to arrive but Gray wasn't quite looking forward in seeing them. Currently Gray was at the refreshment table gulping down ice water. It was closing in on 1 in the afternoon and the day didn't end till 5. He and Ur did the barrel racing and did small jumps. Mostly Gray just enjoyed watching the riders. Especially Natsu.
The pinkette was everywhere on the whole course. For awhile it looked like riding was a bit painful for Natsu but now he made even the experienced riders look rusty. He and Igneel were as one with every obstacle course they took. It surprised Gray to see that Natsu had yet did the race one.
He shrugged to himself, watching as his boyfriend did a beautiful jump, body lean and moving with Igneel's.
"He's good."
Gray looked over at Sting who had suddenly popped up beside him. Gray narrowed his eyes and set his cup down. He began to walk away but Sting pulled up in front of him.
"Gray, right?" the blonde smiled but it was a mean one. "You already know me but I'm Sting. You don't like me either, I can tell by your expression."
The comment made Gray mask his face up and now he stared boredly at the blonde who scoffed. "Feelings' mutual." Sting stepped forward, icy eyes hardening. "Back off Natsu."
Gray was pissed on the inside but on the cover he elegantly raised one brow. "Or what? You had your chance and fucked it up, royally." flashing back to where Natsu was going crazy in the room all because of Sting, Gray let his mask drop and a deep scowl set on his face. "He's mine. You back off." Gray snarled. He pushed back the blonde and bumped straight in to Natsu.
The pinkette was half smiling. "Don't know if I should complain about being owned by your or the fact that you claim I'm yours." Gray sighed.
"Sorry-"
Once again he was cut off by Natsu kissing him. It was an innocent peck but still enough to send jolts of electricity down his spine.
"You're mine, it's only fair I'm yours. And you," Natsu glared at Sting who watched the whole display with burning eyes. "Stay away from my boyfriend."
"Come back with me! I don't- I can't stand you with someone else but me." Sting tried to reach for Natsu but he backed up, Gray at his side.
"No wa-"
"Race me." Sting demanded. He was glaring at Gray. "If I win, he's mine again."
Natsu flared up in anger. "Wait a mother fucking min-"
"No." Gray replied, voice clip with restrained anger. "Natsu isn't an object."
"If I lose I'll back off." Sting went on as if neither riders he angered talked. "Now. We'll clear the arena for us two."
Gray took a menacing step forward, as did Natsu, but both were stopped by Yukino who stepped in between the trio. "It doesn't work like that you jackass!" Gray yelled.
"Don't be a pussy and race me." Sting argued back.
"Sting, you're hopeless." his sister complied. "Leave them alone."
"Stay out of this Yu!" pun not intended.
The group was making a scene and riders and families were looking over at them.
"You think I'll easily go back to you even if you win? You're insane!" Natsu spat. He ran into Yukino's spread arms trying to knock Sting up side his arrogant head.
Mirajane and Erza walked up followed by Lucy and Lisanna. Jellal and Loke were behind them as well but the bickering trio paid no mind.
"I love-"
"DON'T YOU DARE." Natsu's voice was cold and trembling. "Don't you FUCKING dare use that word on me! You don't!"
"I-" Sting tried but Natsu wasn't having it.
"NO! I love Gray and that's it. I don't want anyone else. You want to make wagers out of nowhere, fine. You and me. I win, stay the fuck out of my life." the pinkette glared at the blonde who glared back.
"Fine. I win, come back to me."
Gray had momentarily stopped being angry when Natsu dropped the L bomb. But now he was angry again. "Now wait a damn minute, why are you going through this idiot's idea?"
"I'm so lost right now." Loke mumbled in the background.
"If it'll make him happy fine. It'll make me happy to when he's gone for good out of my life." Natsu whirled on his boots' heel and stomped away, passing his questioning friends. Sting followed after, ignoring Gray. Yukino sighed, shook her head, gave Gray a look, and walked after her brother.
Word spread out about a race between Natsu and Sting. Lyon had found Gray seething against the railing on the outer arena where the race was taking place. "What the hell is going on?"
"Sting showed up and was an ass, what else is there to say?" Gray replied angrily.
"People are saying a bet is involved." Lyon pushed and Gray sighed harshly.
"I guess. Basically Natsu agreed to race the moron in order for him to leave him alone. That is if Natsu wins."
"Of course Natsu will win." Lucy's voice came on the other side of him and Gray looked at her and found Lisanna and the rest of the Fairy Tail riders were next to him. In fact, all the stables showed up for the race and were all in their rightful group. Gray would never know how they managed to wrap around the arena in their group stables orderly but he didn't care at the moment.
"It's so stupid." Gray shook his head and glared inside. Macarov was inside talking to Natsu who looked ready to jump Sting's bones. With Sting was a mean looking woman, with waist long hair that was put him in a curly twin bun style.
"Minerva. She's a bitch." Lisanna supplied. "Dumb rumors about her being one of the reasons Natsu and Sting broke up. I don't believe it but I wouldn't have been surprised."
Gray grunted. He really didn't care about all that. Right now Natsu and Sting were on their horses behind the starting line. One of them would come back as the winner and Gray hoped to hell it was Natsu. Not because he was worried that he'd lose his pinkette to Sting, but because he really wanted to see Sting make a fool of himself and lose in front of the large audience. The crowd was deathly quiet, save for innocent children asking questions on what was going on.
Macarov and Minerva left the arena. It was silent for moment before a loud bang filled the air. Both Natsu and Sting took off.
...
Gray would hand it (very very VERY begrudgingly) to Sting- he was an extraordinary rider. He took the hurdles like they were puddles on the concrete he'd just step over. He curved with his horse around the barrels and skidded around the corner to jump the rest of the hurdles.
But Natsu was ten times better. He and Igneel owned the course, speeding and not slowing down even for sharp turns. Natsu fisted Igneel's mane with his hands and leaned forward, chest pressing against the horse's neck. They were neck and neck with Sting and reached the starting line at the same time.
People had begun to get loud but quieted down when they realized the racing duo was going through the course once more. It was then that things went downhill. Natsu and Sting were having their horses go full out in speed. Natsu was half a second ahead and Igneel landed at the last hurdle, beginning to do the barrels. Sting was right behind them, nose to nose.
At the last barrel, both riders had their horse turn opposite ways. The horses were going so fast they skid at the turn and crashed together tail to tail. Horse legs and riders tangled together and fell to the ground.
Chorused of gasps resonated around the arena and riders from FT and ST started piling in to aid their fallen riders. Gray was the first to reach Natsu who was unharmed but fussing over Igneel. "No no no no no no no." the pinkette was chanting. He unhooked his helmet and let it fall next to him. "No no Igneel, I'm so sorry."
Gray sank down next to his boyfriend whose eyes were watering up rapidly as they stared at Igneel. The horse was on his side sweating and breathing heavily. Natsu gently moved his fingers over his horse before collapsing on him, arms wrapped around Igneel's neck.
"I'm horrible, I'm sorry!"
Gray could see one of Igneel's leg was twisted in a weird angle. But it wasn't Natsu's fault. It wasn't Sting's either. Gray looked over at Sting to see Yukino making sure he was okay. Other riders, including the three who were with Sting earlier, was around the fallen blonde who was on his knees. His horse seemed shaken up but fine. Yukino urged the horse up which it did and had the mint green haired rider take it away. Sting wasn't paying attention, he was looking over at Natsu.
A short blonde female, Gray remembers her as Mavis, squeezed her way through the growing crowd and sank down next to the pinkette. She examined the horse efficiently, nodded once, and turned to Natsu. Resting the palm of her hand on his lower back, she rubbed softly, once. "Natsu, Igneel is going to be perfectly fine."
Natsu shot up at hearing the voice and practically fell in the woman's lap. "Really?!" Tears streamed down his cheeks but his eyes were bright at the news.
Mavis nodded and wrapped her fingers around both of Natsu's arms. "His leg isn't broken, it just got out of place. He'll be sore for a week or so but that's it. I'll fix him up right here, 'kay?" Mavis smiled and Natsu melted in relief.
"Thank god thank god."
"Not a broken leg?" Macarov asked while walking up. The crowd practically parted for him as he walked up. Mavis shook her head.
"Nope. I'll just need my kit-"
"We have it here." Erza said while carrying up a big yellow bag. Jellal was next to her but he moved over to Natsu and held out a hand. Natsu took it and stumbled up.
"You were going extremely fast." Jellal inquired.
Natsu nodded. "I wasn't thinking about Igneel at all. I just wanted that-" the pinkette whipped his head around to see the Sabertooth riders leaving the area. Sting was in the back with his black haired companion. An arm was over Sting's shoulder and this time he wasn't shrugging it off.
Yukino walked up to the group frowning. "My brother finally sees what a dick he is and it's because of your horse. He knows Igneel means a lot, he said he feels shitty about pushing both of your horses over something silly. We're going back to the rooms, I'll probably be back though."
Erza nodded. "Thank you, Yukino."
Lisanna and Lucy circled around their friend and told her that she had to come back so they could go on a trail ride. Yukino nodded. "Definitely. Oh, and Natsu?" the girl waited until Natsu's eyes left the back of her brother. "Sting said to tell you that you won." with a wave the girl trotted after her group.
Gray slowly stood up and stared at the pinkette whose face he could not read. The others seemed a bit confused and also stared at Natsu. When Loke couldn't stand the silence no longer, he opened his mouth but Natsu suddenly took off towards the ST riders.
...
"You asshole!"
Sting was yanked backwards out from under Rogue's hold and flung to the ground. Natsu pounced on him and started beating whatever skin he could reach.
"What are you doing you shit?" Sting demanded and protected his face with his arms.
"First you're cool, then you're a dick, then you're an even bigger dick and now you're starting to be cool again? MAKE. UP. YOUR. MIND." Natsu growled through his teeth and struck a punch with each word.
"What are you talking about?!" Sting snapped.
"Don't fuck with me!" Natsu snapped back. He flipped over by hidden strength and now stared defiantly up at Sting who glared at him.
"Maybe I'm tired of being the dick everyone says I am? Maybe after seeing our accident opened my eyes? You love that horse, I don't want to have it injured because of us, and that stupid bet. I'll leave you alone, go be with Crayola."
Natsu had been surprised at this turn of events but now he was confused. "Crayola?"
Sting rolled his eyes and got off the pinkette. "Goodbye Natsu."
Natsu sat up and watched for the second time Sting's back retreat. His friends gathered around him and he was hauled up by strong familiar arms. It was Gray who looked confused, shocked and worried. Natsu wrapped his arms around him and sighed.