High School Reunion

Chapter 15

Hands of Fate

"Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades. So long as you hold on to it, love can make you immortal." -Gayle Forman

"Gray?" Lucy called out as she stared at the dark haired figure. His head shot up, his deep eyes widened at the sight of her before he shot up onto his feet. She took the last few steps closer, looking at him quizzically. She wasn't sure why he was here, not that she minded, but she was still curious.

"Hey Lucy, how have you been?" The handsome man asked. She smiled lightly at him, rather happy to see him. They haven't talked since the reunion and she was always close to Gray when they were younger.

"I've been great, what about you? Do you want to come inside, I can make us something to drink." She offered. He smiled in return, and stepped to the side to allow the blond to pass. She walked forward and unlocked the door to her home, she couldn't help but feel a little surprised that he was here. Even more so that he was dressed and not just sitting in her living room after breaking in.

Her smile grew as she thought over all the times that her friends would break into her home and be waiting for her to return. She was never certain how they got in, Gray claimed he would use the chimney and Natsu the window but neither of those seemed possible with her being on the second floor at the time. Erza would always just kick her door in then fix it when she was done.

She pushed the wave of nostalgia back as she let the dark haired man into her home and ushered him into the living room before quickly excusing herself to get them a drink. She still had some of the wine in her system, and maybe that was helping with her mood but for some reason she was really excited to see Gray. After pouring two glasses of red wine, she walked back into the living room to see Gray standing in front of the large white fireplace and glancing at her photos.

"Who's this Lucy?" His smooth voice pulled her from her thoughts before she realized that she was staring at him from a distance. What is wrong with her? She cleared her throat before walking forward and glancing at the photo in front of the man. Her eyes widened a bit when they landed upon a picture that was taken just a few years ago.

"That's Sting." She stated. She gazed at the picture of them at the awards ceremony. One of Stings major clients had just won and she was really proud of him that day. He brought the winning singer up on his own, the man being his first client with his newly opened company and they both were celebrating.

Lucy stood there, her brown eyes bright with excitement as she rose a champagne glass to toast Sting and all his hard work. Sting had his strong arm wrapped around her waist while the other held his own glass as he tapped it against hers. His deep blue eyes were closed as he planted a light kiss upon her blush coated cheeks.

"I hope you don't mind me asking this, but what's your relationship with him?" Gray rose a brow towards the blond who smiled warmly at the picture. She hadn't realized that this picture was still there, but it felt good to see it once more.

"He's my ex. We broke up shortly after the reunion but now we're just friends." She explained not minding at all that he asked such a question. He nodded in understanding before he turned towards her fully and smiled. Lucy rose her delicate hand and gave the man the glass of wine before she sat down in the accent chair. Gray sat across from her and took a small drink from the glass as he appreciated the taste.

"So Luce, how are things going between you and Natsu?" Gray asked. Lucy choked on the wine that she was just about to swallow but managed to prevent it from spraying. After a few coughs and Gray patting her back, she managed to calm herself down and finally looked him in the eye.

"I don't know." She answered. It was the truth, she wasn't certain of anything these days, especially when it came to that pink haired fool. "Lisanna tricked us into a meeting today and I can't say that it went that well."

"Lisanna did?" When she nodded Gray let out a chuckle as he thought over the irony over the whole situation. He let the subject drop when it came to Natsu and the two enjoyed their evening, Eventually music was played as the two laughed and joked, just enjoying each others company. They spoke of what they had missed during their ten year separation, they talked of Lucy's writing and Gray's ski resort. It seemed there wasn't a thing left unsaid when the night was coming to an end but the expression on Gray's face suddenly changed.

"Gray?" Lucy questioned, rather tipsy from all the wine.

"Lucy, what are your plans with Natsu?" Lucy's brow furrowed. Why would he want to know, was he asking for Natsu? Did that idiot send Gray here to question her?

"Why do you ask Gray?" She questioned in return. She now felt suspicious of his reasoning for coming here. She was enjoying his presence and she had really liked having him around.

"It's just that," he sighed as he ran a hand through his dark locks, something akin to nervousness and maybe even fear shined in his eyes. Now Lucy was really confused, she has never seen him like this before. "Well, I just want you to know that you have other options. You don't have to forgive him if you don't want to."

"What do you mean?" Her heart leaped just the slightest at his words. Did she finally have someone who understood what she was going through? Someone who wouldn't push her to accept Natsu's apology and make up with him like nothing happened?

"You were hurt, Lucy. I know that, you know that, and so do they. So I can't understand how they could sit there and try to push all this on you. I saw how much you were hurting during all that, how much you were effected. I just don't want to see you like that again."

The depth of the worry in his eyes quickened her heart rate. She gazed into his dark eyes and saw the shine of tears that had yet to be shed in them. This man, this strong, tough, amazing man, was crying for her? Her own eyes began to moisten upon seeing him so torn up. This is the same man who was as cold as ice when they were younger and never showed what he truly felt inside. All of this was far from what she was expecting. Never has she seen someone care so deeply for her in such a way but there was something more to it. There was something else in his eyes that she just couldn't place.

"Gray." She whispered before she pulled him towards her and embraced him. Gray stood in her arms shocked, before he smiled and returned the embrace. He liked the feeling of having her in his arms, the feeling was something that he wished he could experience more of. "Thank you."

She pulled away, her tears leaving trails down her flushed face as she smiled up at him. His hand rose and gently brushed away the tears. At the sudden contact, Lucy's face flushed deeper as a gasp escaped her lips, the feeling was so soft and kind yet...loving.

"Lucy," he leaned forward, his forehead pressed against hers but he made no more moves to get closer. She didn't move away, push him or back up. She just stood there, shocked at what was happening. This feeling she was getting from him wasn't what she was expecting.

"I've never been very good at expressing myself. Maybe it was fear, me just being a coward but there is something that I need to say that I should have said a long time ago." Lucy held her breath, worry consuming her as she waited for him to continue.

"I love you, Lucy. I always have, I never said anything because I knew how you felt for Natsu. I hated myself for so long for sitting there watching you two and not doing anything to prevent such a thing from happening." Lucy was beyond shocked at this point. Never had she imagined that Gray held such feelings for her.

"Gray, none of this is your fault. Don't beat yourself up over things that couldn't be prevented or changed." She responded. Gray knew not to expect an answer when it came to his confession. He could still see the love in her eyes that she felt for Natsu. It hurt to see it, but there was no denying it.

"All I want is for you to know that I am here for you, no matter what. I'll support you no matter your decision. But remember that you don't have to do anything unless you want to and he isn't the only choice you have."

After his sudden confession, Gray said his goodbye then left with a gentle smile upon his lips. Lucy stood there, her back against the door and glared at the floor. Once again, life has decided to throw another curve ball at her. What was she to do?

Gray is an incredible man. He's strong, kind, warm, caring and loving, and lets not forget handsome. He is everything any woman could possibly want. The whole package wrapped in one, but was that what she truly wanted? Could she really give Gray a chance? Would there be a possibility that he might actually help her get over Natsu?

But what if everything repeats? What if she just can't forget that pink haired idiot and they end up the same as her and Sting? She couldn't do that again, especially not to Gray. She didn't want to break his heart and make him feel just as she did for all these years. It's too painful and she cares too much for him to do that.

But what does she plan to do with Natsu? Her mind couldn't fully take in what had happened between her and Gray. It was so unexpected, she had never even so much as seen even a little sign that he loved her before. Was he that good at acting? That good at hiding what he truly feels? If so, then she could only imagine how hurt he must be over everything. And once more, another person is thrown into the equation. Another person who suffered at the hands of fate just like she did.