Night fell quickly over Magnolia, silence easily nestling in the city as its residents prepared for bed. Gray envied those that had that opportunity; who were given the luxury of a night off. The idea was tempting, really, to just skip the party and instead answer the darkness's sirenic lull.

Gray was never was one who enjoyed large scale parties of people he did not know, instead he found that the only social gatherings he enjoyed were the ones in which he knew virtually every individual attending.

Once upon a time Fairy Tail's almost nightly parties and celebrations used to mean the world to him. It almost hurt to think that now he only saw them as a nuisance and a tire.

In fact, he figured the only reason he was even going was because of a certain red head's threats and insistences that, and he still cringed at the idea, if they skipped the party like they were planning on she would test her new weapons out on them.

The idea wouldn't have been as terrifying had the raven not known that Titania had just recently ordered a large shipment of swords to their work in Isvan. Her excuse was that she just enjoyed collecting them, although Gray suspected that she found them much more entertaining when she could threaten the ice boys into doing what she wanted.

The ice sculptor sighed softly under his breath as he leveled his gaze to the window he was lounging beside, his phone conversation with Erza still fresh on his mind,

Gray's phone had rung, as it seemed to be doing nonstop since his fresh appearance in the Grand Fighting Games just hours ago. He had thought it was just another news crew who had somehow managed to retrieve his number (How he was not certain, however he suspected it somehow had to do with Natsu). The name had been private caller and Gray, nearing the edge of his patience with the nonstop messages, had finally had enough and snapped up his phone, angrily pressing it to his ear with a harsh,

"What?!"

Silence had been his reply and for a moment he couldn't help but smile smugly, beginning to believe that he had managed to scare the irritation away. But that sense of accomplishment lasted only moments before a familiar voice sent a shiver down his spine and a frown to his lips.

"Gray... I sincerely hope you did not mean to direct that tone at me."
"N-No! I mean…" He hesitated a moment, a hand coming up to sheepishly rub the back of his head, earning him a curious look from the silverette laying on the hotel bed beside him, "Sorry, Erza. I just keep getting all these calls from private paparazzi numbers; I thought you were one of them."

"I see…"
"Why is your number coming up as blocked anyway? Are you not using your phone?"

"No, I'm not. I am still at my… Friend's house and am borrowing his phone instead."

"His?" Gray reiterated, a slightly surprised look crossing his usually apathetic face, "Your friend is a guy?"

"Well, yes…" For a moment it almost sounded as though the scarlet's tone was hesitate and shy.

'Cute…' He couldn't help but muse to himself.

"Anyway, I did not call you to discuss the gender of my friend." The manager clarified, her low voice once again rising, its strong edge returning full force, "I wished to talk to both you and Lyon about the little stunt you pulled this afternoon. Did you not think I would find out that you two entered the Grand Fighting Games?"

Crap… Gray had been hoping that he would have more time to prepare for this discussion….

"Yeah…" He mumbled dumbly, sending the silverette a nervous look, "About that…"

"Why did you not invite me to join as well?"
The raven blinked, 'What?'

"What?"

"I am aware that you have your reasons behind entering, though I do expect to learn what they are when we meet again. I have been itching to try out some new Martial Arts moves I have been practicing. That was quite rude of the both of you to exclude me as you did."

"Uh… I'm sorry…?"

"As you should be." She readily agreed, "But we will have to discuss this further at the party tonight."
"What? You're going to that idiot's party tonight?"

"Gray…" Her voice was low in warning, no doubt in a subtle reprimand for referring to their old employer as an idiot, "I will be attending that party as my friend was invited. I expect you and Lyon to be there as well."

The ice sculptor just barely suppressed a sigh at the order. There goes his plan to just ditch the whole thing and handle the repercussions of his actions later.

"Yeah, about that, Erza…"

"I will take no arguments about this, Gray Fullbuster. You will attend and you will act civilized to Natsu Dragneel, am I understood?"

He bleakly nodded, muttering a low "Yes."

There never was any point in arguing with Titania.

That was when the scarlet began voicing her threats on what would happen should they choose to skip the party, which managed to invoke fear in both the virtually fearless men.

It was because of that that he found himself idly staring outside, waiting for Lyon to finish up getting changed. Apparently the silverette had insisted on dressing stylishly if he was forced to go whilst Gray had opted to just throw on a long sleeved, red button up shirt, a black tie and black pants. The outfit wasn't as comfortable as his usual coats, but for some reason he figured that Erza would kill him if he showed up to the 'greatly important and high ranking' party in something so casual.

At first she had mentioned a suit, to which he flat out refused. There was no way in hell he was going to ever be seen in something as uncomfortable and formal. It just wasn't him. The outfit he was wearing now was a compromise in itself, though it was obvious that Erza got the better end of the agreement, just like always.

Sometimes it really sucked having such a scary and persuasive manager and friend.

"Are you ready yet, squinty eyes?" The raven called, his boredom increasing the longer he was forced to sit there, "I swear, you take as long as a girl to get ready."

"Hush, brat. Unlike you I actually want to look nice for tonight. That blue haired girl I saw at the café the other day may be at that party and I want to make a good impression."

"The blue haired girl?" The younger of the two repeated, his eyebrows scrunching together in question.

"Yeah, she was the one who you were talking to today." The sound of shuffling could be heard as Lyon was doing god knows what in the bathroom before he finally flicked the light off and exited the small room, "I take it you two already know each other."
"You mean the girl who tackled me today? That's the girl you wouldn't shut up about for the past few days?"

He was met with a nod.

"Well… Her name is Juvia and yeah… I knew her once, but not anymore…"

The raven shrugged slightly and glanced over at the older male, who was now hovering in the hallway to the regular sized hotel room they were sharing. The albino was dressed in a black tux that really made his now slightly tamed white hair stand out as well as his pale skin. Gray couldn't help but admit that he looked pretty good dressed up.

Suddenly he felt a little underdressed…

"Well, if you knew her once than you still know her." Lyon pointed out, crossing his arms, "In that case that means you can introduce me to her."

Gray let out a low chuckle at the notion and rolled his eyes,

"What makes you think I'll do that? I don't hate her enough to set her up with you."

The silverette mimicked the eye roll,

"Very funny, Gray. Do you like her or something? It seemed like she was pretty fond of you."

"Me liking Juvia?" He snickered, "No way in hell."

"That's not very nice, Gray."
"Oh, don't give me that shit, Lyon." The teen groaned, standing up from his seat, "I didn't mean to be rude or anything, she's a great girl and all, just not my type. I just knew her when we were kids, that's all. When I met her she was a part of a gang, I think it was called Phantom Lord or something. Anyway, they used to give Fairy Tail a lot of shit and we would end up getting in fights with the brats pretty much every week. I was around twelve at the time when she joined the hotheads and, well, apparently for her it was love at first sight or something. During one of our big brawls I managed to convince her that she was hanging out with the wrong kids and got her to join Fairy Tail. Her crush stayed for the next two years until I… Left..." He shrugged, "She was probably just happy to see me again, nothing more."
He looked back over at the albino and raised an eyebrow at the piercing stare he was receiving. Did he say something wrong?

"What's up with your face?"
"That's one of the first times I've heard you talk about anyone from your past."
The raven blinked, surprised at the other's words before simply shrugging again, looking away,

"Yeah, whatever. You asked and I just figured I'd explain…"
"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Well, sure I guess…"
"Like why it is you hate Natsu so much. I mean, I know he's obviously an arrogant asshole, but there has to be something more; something you aren't telling me."

There was actually a lot he wasn't telling the other, but he figured that it was probably best to keep that part unspoken.

"I don't really hate him." He admitted, idly fingering his rolled up sleeves uncomfortably, "I just…"

He frowned, mentally berating himself for his sudden loss of words. He always hated talking about his feelings and Lyon knew it, yet here he was, pressing him to finally admit what he had been carefully hiding for years.

But… He couldn't really blame the silverette for it. In fact he had to appreciate that this was the first time since they were kids that Lyon actually was pushing his comrade to talk about his past. Usually he always just accepted that it was not something the raven wanted to be reminded of and left it at that… He supposed that now he really owed the other an explanation, especially since he would be meeting the monsters of his past within the hour.

"Fairy Tail… Was my home for a large part of my life…" He explained, his gaze drifting to the floor as he crossed his arms self-consciously, "Natsu was my first friend when I moved here from Isvan… We stayed best friends for a long time, but… the day before my parents were killed we got in an argument and that was the last I heard from him…"

He tried to keep the story as limited in detail as possible, not wanting Lyon to know how weak he was. He didn't need any damn pity or words of comfort or any of that shit; it was why he never told anyone anything. It was why he kept his bullying a secret and it was why he never told anyone, not even Ur what led up to his parents death.

It was just so much easier to keep everything hidden where no one could see it… That way… He couldn't be hurt again…

"I know all that, idiot." The albino snorted, "But what was the argument about?"

"Does it really matter, Lyon? It's in the past. Besides, we have to get to the party before Erza kills us for being late."
The black haired teen could make out the smallest shiver rake down his comrade's body at the scary reminder, making him believe he had won the talk. That is, until he met the other's gaze.

"Don't think you're getting out of it this time, Gray. I've let you keep your silence for seven years, but now I want to know."
Damn it…

He stared at his partner steadily, his blue eyes giving a dull shine,

"I've told you already, Lyon, it doesn't matter."
"Dammit, Gray, stop giving me that already!"
The silverette's face was contorted into an unattractive scowl and he narrowed his eyes,

"This obviously does still matter to you. I know coming back here pained you, so don't act like it's no big deal. I've dealt with your stubborn ass for long enough to tell when you are lying and I know you've been lying since the day we came here."
"You don't know anything, Lyon, so don't act so superior." Gray growled back, momentarily wondering just how many times he had said those first four words since he arrived to Magnolia, "Don't act like you know me because you don't."

His tone was harsher than he meant for it to be and for a minute he feared he was unintentionally taking out his built up anger on his friend.

"And whose fault is that, Gray? I'm not the one who won't tell a damn thing about their past because of their stupid pride."

Their gazes met and Gray could feel his fists clenching at his sides, the urge to hit something growing with each passing minute.

"I… Damn it, you want the truth? Will that finally shut you up?! Well fine, you want to know why I hate Fairy Tail so much?! It's because I was a weakling and was unable to defend myself!"

Lyon's hard glare seemed to soften at his younger's words. This was the most Gray had ever admitted to him about his past and he briefly found himself wondering if this was really such a great idea after all.

No… They were practically brothers, he did need to know. He had to know why he was fighting in the festival, why he was supposed to hate their past employer and why his friend always seemed to radiate darkness.

That way once he found out he could pick up from where their teacher left off and help Gray really be happy again.

"Defend yourself from what, Gray?"

He only received a bitter smile in response.

"Gray, what did you have to defend yourself from?"
"The lies, the mental abuse, the physical abuse, you name it." He chuckled bitterly, his bangs shielding his face from view, "Gajeel, Laxus and, my personal favorite, Natsu. I wasn't strong back then like I am now, Lyon. I couldn't fight and I couldn't stand up for myself; I was weak, so I was treated like it."
"You were bullied…"

"Now you're getting it. That's why I hate Fairy Tail… It's why I wanted to join the Grand Magic Games with Fairy Tail." He finally looked back up at his comrade, his eyes hard and colder than Lyon had ever seen them before, "I want to show them I'm not the same fucking pushover I was before; I want to get revenge."
With that the raven left the room, stalking past Lyon before he could so much as grab him to pull him back.

Silently, the baffled albino watched as his friend stormed out the door and down the hall, unsure of what to say or do. He knew that attempting to show empathy for what the raven went through would only add to his anger, just like he knew attempting to convince him to get over it would be out of the question. Gray's internal scars were deep, too deep to be healed with just time alone.

The boy had been bullied throughout his young life, even by the one person that Gray really looked up to and liked. Based on the emotions blazing in the younger's eyes while he spoke Lyon could even dare to say that he loved Natsu Dragneel. He put up with his insults because he didn't want to lose the other, but then one day the pinkette pushed the bounds so far that they broke, leaving Gray in pieces.

Finally finding the ability to walk again, Lyon frowned slightly to himself and followed his friend out of the room, silently closing the door behind him.

Gray Fullbuster loved Natsu Dragneel when they were younger, he knew it.

That was why the raven despised the fighter so much. It was not about his personality or even his physical abuse. After all, physical wounds could always heal, however mental wounds never seemed to fully mend, especially when they were constantly being poked and prodded.

The only way Gray would be able to find comfort for what happened to him would be by proving his worth and by defeating the ones who tormented him, the silverette was certain of it.

For now he could just follow behind his comrade and silently support him, just like he always had and always would.

He would be there for the raven regardless of what shit he got himself into and he would help him get over the pain that he had been trailing with him for far too long.

And the only way to do that was to get him to forgive Natsu Dragneel.

Because deep down Gray still loved the fighter. It was broken love that was allowed to fester for so long that it churned into blind hatred.

He was suffering from an infected, broken heart for seven years and Lyon was set on fixing it one way or another.

Even if it killed him.

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Loud…

Way too loud…

Gray ran a hand through his tousled black locks, his lips pulling up into a grimace as the music and laughter in the room only seemed to increase by the seconds.

It was honestly just too much…

He huddled further against the wall, absentmindedly nursing the alcohol in his hand as he took to scanning the party with little interest. He observed for several moments before heaving a sigh and closing his eyes, enjoying the temporary shield from the irritating flashing lights.

"You know most people at least pretend that they aren't dying on the inside in public. You, on the other hand, look like you're able to kill either someone here or yourself. Probably both."

Focusing one blue eye open, the raven wearily regarded the blonde standing beside him, a smirk marring the others face.

"Yeah, you're probably right about that, Sting." He muttered, leaning further against the wall he had been hiding by since he and Lyon had first arrived at the party, "I guess you can say that parties just aren't my thing."

"They never really were, huh?"

"No…"

The raven sighed again, silently cursing every individual in this establishment. He had been at this party that he was forced to attend for a total of twenty minutes and he had already lost Lyon to a pretty lady he was convinced he could get to dance with him, leaving him to dwell in the shadows alone.

He was so going to kick his so called friend's ass when they got back to the hotel for ditching him.

"At least some things never change." His comrade let out a soft chuckle as he took another sip of the drink in his hand. Based on the smell seeping off the blonde's voice the ice sculptor figured it was something alcoholic.

"Yeah, you could say that…"
Finally opening his eyes completely, Gray fully regarded his friend, noticing that he too was dressed somewhat causally with only a white dress shirt, red tie and black pants. Apparently he wasn't the only one that despised dressing like a penguin.

Thus far he had neither seen nor heard from any of the Fairy Tail members nor Erza and a part of him was truly grateful for that. He really was in no frame of mind to deal with either party because he knew all they would have would be questions; questions that he would rather avoid.

"You know you're becoming a big hit now." The Sabertooth member mentioned nonchalantly, seeming to sense his friend's unease, "Everyone's talking about you and how you're alive."
He knew that would happen.

"Yeah, so I've heard. If they had any sense they would just leave it be. I'm not answering any of their questions and soon enough I'll be gone again anyway."
"So you are planning on skipping out of town again after the Grand Fighting Games, huh?"

"That's the plan. After this Lyon and I are going back to Isvan."
Sting frowned slightly, his grip on his glass tightening subtly as he leveled his gaze on the raven who seemed to find the far wall more interesting than anything else.

"Gray, you know you're welcome to stay a part of Sabertooth." The blonde offered, "We're all willing to take you."

"Thanks Sting, but I don't think staying here long is a good idea." He shrugged slightly, taking a sip of his own drink, "Heck, I'm already staying longer than I should."
"You should-…"

The scarred man was cut off by a bubbly blond suddenly bounding up to them, her blue dress sparkling with her movements as she stopped just short of the raven.

"I'm so glad you two could make it." She smiled, looking from her fellow golden haired attendee to the bored looking ice sculptor, "Why aren't you guys dancing?"

"I don't dance." Gray dismissed idly, recognizing the girl to be Lucy, Natsu's friend and business partner.

"I'm just trying to keep the spoil sport here company, Lucy." Sting grinned, seemingly well acquainted with the salamander's companion, "He hasn't left this corner since he got here."
Blinking in surprise, the black haired wallflower couldn't help but wonder how exactly Sting knew that he hadn't left his comfortable corner since he had arrived.

"Oh come on, Gray. It's a party, have fun!" Lucy pestered, her long blonde hair framing her face prettily. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful the girl really was.

The flamebrain must be lucky to have a girlfriend like her. Gray mused somewhat dryly to himself.

"Thanks, but I'm perfectly fine here."
"Hmph, no you're not." Her smile swiftly morphed into a stern look (one that almost rivaled the scarlet's) and she gave the now slightly uncomfortable ice sculptor a hard look, "You are at a party and will have fun, mister."
"Y-yeah…"

"Good! Now, I need you to come with me." Grabbing the ice sculptor's wrist, the blonde pulled him forward, "One of the ice sculptors got nicked and I need you to fix it."
"What?" Taken by surprise by the sudden force, Gray found himself stumbling forward slightly, his drink barely remaining in its container, "Can't you get Lyon to check it out?"

"No! It has to be you." The brown eyed girl smiled once more and looked over at Sting, winking at him teasingly, "Sorry Sting but I have to borrow your friend for a minute."
The Sabertooth fighter looked from the girl to the man she was now dragging away, a disgruntled look crossing his face.

"Just when I get him alone he's taken away…" He muttered begrudged to himself, missing the pair of masked eyes watching him intently from the other side of the room.

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"Hey, s-slow down! Damn it, how are you even moving so fast?!" Natsu complained, just barely managing to keep up with the small, dyed blue haired girl who seemed so keen on pulling him along with her through the hallways, "What's so important?"

"There was a problem with the preparations!" Levy informed, just barely managing to suppress a giggle as she stopped just short of the last door in the hallway.

"Well what's wrong? I'm missing time to party!"
"It's in there!"

"What's in there?"

"The problem." The bookworm informed, a slight blush marring her fair cheeks as she looked from the pinkette to the door, the sound of voices conversing just barely filtering through the crack of the door, "It's in there…"
Knowing he wasn't going to get any questions answered by the small female, the fighter resigned himself to instead opening the door. Instantly the once muffled words from within the room became clearer,

"What are you talking about? There's no ice sculptures even in here. I don't-…"

At the sound of the door opening the sound cut off, the producer of it instead focusing its attention on the other side of the room.

Immediately black eyes met dark blue ones and silence consumed the room, the two men taking to engaging in a silent stare down for several moments.

"Natsu…" The dark haired man finally muttered, breaking both the silence and the tension, "What is really going on here, Lucy?"

"A reunion." The blonde stated excitedly, quickly leaving the black haired man's side to instead stand by the pinkette at the door, "You and Natsu have some making up to do. Good luck!"

Without giving either party a chance to interject the two girls swiftly fled from the room and closed the door, the soft sound of a lock occurring only seconds later.

"What? No way! Let me out of here, Lucy!"

Stalking towards the door in annoyance, the ice sculptor grabbed the handle and yanked on it, not surprised to find that it wouldn't budge an inch,

"This isn't funny! Let us out, damn it!"
He waited several moments, hoping for a response…

Only to be met with silence.

They had left.

He groaned and looked over at his shoulder, glaring darkly at the bemused dragon slayer.

"Hey, don't look at me." The older of the two defended, holding his hands up in mock surrender, "I wasn't in on this."
"Of course you weren't." He sneered sardonically, his teeth clenching as he turned to face his old friend, "Nothing is ever your fault. Isn't that right, Natsu?"

"Are you trying to get me mad, ice freak?" The pink haired martial artist asked, his tone neutral as he no doubt struggled to not react to the other's taunts, "Look, Gray, I may not have known what the girls were trying to do, but I understand why they did it."
He was met with a snicker,

"You understanding something? That's new."
"They want us to make amends, Gray."

The raven just stared at his once friend, somewhat surprised by the serious tone he was using. He was hardly ever serious about anything.

"I don't care what they want us to do, Natsu. I'll break this damn door down if they don't let us out in the next few seconds."

"Go ahead and try. These doors were made so that I couldn't accidentally break them while I'm training, so good luck with that."
Not willing to take Natsu's advice, the ice sculptor tested a punch on the door, disheartened to find nothing more than a thump occur at the action.

A kick.

Nothing.

Another punch.

Aside from a pain searing through his knuckles, nothing.

"Believe me now?"

"Shut it, flamebrain."

"Go ahead and keep trying then, snow princess."
"I said shut it."
Though Gray wasn't exactly the most intelligent individual he definitely wasn't stupid. It was obvious to him that blunt force was not going to get him anything other than a pained foot or hand.

Which left him with only one last choice…

Taking a deep breath the raven struggled to control his animosity and turned his body to the side slightly, his gaze downcast so his hair was shielding his eyes,

"What do you want, Flamebrain?"

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So it would look as though I unintentionally lied in the last chapter… I meant to add fluff into this chapter, however it didn't quite work out that way because I had to add more than I had initially planned. Hopefully the fluff will be added next chapter.

Also sorry if this chapter bounced around a bit. I wanted to get to the main point without it dragging too much, however I'm not certain as to how that went. Erza will be coming in soon and so will Gajeel and Laxus, so look forward to that!