A/N: I'm sorry it takes me a while to update this story I procrastinate so much and end up writing it all in one day after two weeks of putting it off. But this chapter is what sort of puts the events for the next chapters in motion so enjoy even though nothing big happens till the next chapter.

Two boys walked hand in hand down the shops and restaurants of Magnolia. One pink haired the other a raven but both with wide smiles and cheerful auras. After they bought some lunch the young couple headed to a park where they knew they could have a picnic without being disturbed.

As they laid out the blanket and sat down Gray glanced at Natsu. His boyfriend looked happy but he knew he also seemed distracted lately.

"Hey, Natsu has something been on your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

Gray didn't really want to bring the subject up but felt if Natsu needed to talk then Gray wanted to be the one he would talk to.

"After what happened with Sting, you seem a little distracted."

Natsu frowned. He was trying not to make it so obvious but Gray caught on fast. He didn't want to worry Gray or have to talk to him about something so awkward.

"Oh...yeah it's just weird you know. I don't want things to feel awkward but we've been avoiding each other since last week. "

Gray could tell Natsu seemed to be seeing a lot less of Sting. He liked it at the start since it meant he got more time with Natsu, but it wasn't time well spent if Sting was the one on Natus's mind either way.

"Do you need to talk about it?"

Gray regretted asking later. He didn't realize just how much Natsu had been thinking about Sting. He wanted to help him but really what could he do? He was the new boyfriend and Sting was the best friend, how could he think about how to help him when he'd never really had a best friend before. So instead of actually helping he ended up listening to Natsu talk for the rest of their date. It wasn't that he felt bad about the date not going as romanticly as he liked but that he had no way of helping Natsu.

Natsu talked about how he never noticed Stings feelings before. Did that make him a lousy friend? Did he hurt Sting for so long without even noticing? He couldn't help feeling that's what he must have done. He felt like an awful friend but didn't know how to fix it. He and Sting barely talked and avoided each other for the past week. They thought things wouldn't be weird and they weren't but that's only because they wouldn't be around each other long enough for it to get weird. He let these things spill out of him as he told them to Gray. When an hour passed he noticed he had taken up the whole date talking about Sting. He really needed the rant but now he had ruined a date with Gray.

"Gray I'm so sorry I ruined this date! It was really nice of you to take me out let's make it up tomorrow okay?"

"It's okay Natsu it wasn't ruined the food you bought was good and you needed to talk. I'll always be here to listen even if I can't be of much help."

Natsu smiled and held Gray's hand as they walked back to his house. He was happy Gray was acting so understanding but he felt he really did ruin the evening. As much as Gray asked to confide in him he knew he wouldn't do it while they were out again. Gray didn't deserve that.

"Tomorrow I'm working till four but I'll come back to your place okay?

Natsu felt worse because he couldn't make it up to Gray but decided he would try making it up a different way tomorrow night then. The dirty thoughts made him blush slightly. Despite being together for two months the boys hadn't had sex. Making out and groping each other got pretty intense when they were naked but neither let it get too far. Natsu thought maybe tomorrow he could finally show Gray he was ready.

The next day Gray worked till four just like he told Natsu he would be doing but just when he was getting ready to head to Natus place his phone rang. The unexpected caller made Gray hesitate to answer.

"Dad?"

"Gray I'm back in town for a week and I lost my keys are you home right now to let me in?"

"No I'm on my way, though...uh give me a few minutes."

"Alright see you in a few then."

With that, he hung up and texted Natsu he won't be coming home to him tonight. He hoped Natsu would understand but didn't want to bring up his father at the moment.

When Gray reached his apartment he saw a man that looked like him, raven hair and all sitting at his door. He took a moment to breathe in and out mentally preparing himself for spending a week with his father. Every time his father was home they'd argue and overall didn't get along very well. His father loved him but always seemed to have a problem with things Gray did.

"Hey."

"Gray hello how have you been?"

"Good," was all Gray said as he opened the door for him and his father to step inside.

Silver Fullbuster set his bags inside and then went back to the kitchen where his son stood.

"Do you want me to make you anything?"

"No that's alright I ate before getting here. Come sit with me." Silver motioned for Gray to take a seat in front of him at the dining table.

"Tell me how's school been? Anything interesting going on right now?"

Gray sighed as he took a seat. Every time his father came home after a couple of months he would sit and talk with Gray about school and things they normally wouldn't talk about. They usually ended up disagreeing on something Gray was doing and then a week later his dad would leave again.

"School is fine and nothing particularly new or interesting."

"Aren't exams coming up are you studying? Have you thought about what you'd like to take up as a career yet?"

Gray rolled his eyes this was one of the things they always argued about. Gray didn't find anything intriguing at school and he wasn't worried about deciding just yet, he still had a year to do that.

"I plan on studying for exams soon with a friend but as for my future studies, I'm still taking my time as I've told you before."

"That's the problem son I feel you'll spend too much time 'taking your time.' Don't end up like me having to live in such arrangments where you hardly get to see the person you love."

Gray looked at his dad but rather than sympathy he felt anger. Sure his dad loved him and he needed to work to support the both of them. But it's not like he called him whenever he got a chance. He barely checked up on Gray, not even a text message. And it's not like he couldn't quit and take up another job. But that didn't matter anymore they got along better the longer he was away anyway and they've both had their separate routines for years now.

"If you don't need anything then I'll be going to bed."

"You're not going to tell me about your new friend?"

Gray stopped and turned back to his dad. How did he know?

"I saw a new toothbrush in the bathroom and there's a lot of clothes around here I know isn't yours." His dad responded as if reading Gray's thoughts.

"It's just a friend he comes over often so he likes leaving stuff around. Not a big deal..."

"Not a big deal? So he's just a friend nothing more?"

"Yes dad just a friend so can I go now?"

Silver looked at his son and knew he was lying but let him go for now. He had a week to talk to him and he was tired from traveling so he gave up for tonight.

Gray took a quick shower and headed straight for bed. He always felt having his dad around was exhausting. His dad never really accepted him being bisexual. Silver didn't disown Gray or anything but he always urged him to try finding a simple, normal life. To pick something to study then earn a living to keep himself busy and then maybe finding a wife to have kids. But Gray didn't care much for women he honestly preferred guys and as for studies he was at a total loss. He decided not to tell his father about Natsu at least for now. It would make things much easier, they had enough to argue about. Either way, this would be over within a week then his dad can go back to work and Gray could go back to Natsu.

Thinking about Natsu reminded him that he messaged him earlier. He read Natsu's response from an hour ago.

Is everything alright? I'll see you tomorrow right?

He didn't like worrying Natsu but he didn't want to talk about his father either.

Yeah everything's fine something came up I'll see you tomorrow

Oh alright goodnight Gray 3

Night Natsu 3

Natsu frowned back in his own house. Gray was holding something back but he didn't want to push him. If something came up then Gray would tell him tomorrow. He looked up at his ceiling like he used to when he had a bad day. Today wasn't a bad day he just wasn't spending the night with Gray, something he had gotten used to. He felt himself start to want to cry for no apparent reason. Gray didn't abandon him he was just busy. So why was he starting to feel so lonely like he used to get?

He thought of Gray, of seeing Gray tomorrow that's what kept him from breaking down. He wouldn't have an episode, not tonight. He wouldn't let that happen when he had someone like Gray. He should feel lucky, happy, grateful even! So he stopped acting so weak and went to sleep.

The next day Natsu received an unfortunate text. Rather than spend the day with Gray he would have to wait for Monday.

Natsu I'm really sorry but I'm busy today too, I'll see you Monday okay? Don't be mad...

I'm not it's okay Gray, we'll talk Monday.

Gray wanted to believe those words but he felt super guilty for leaving Natsu without and explanation. Monday he would try clearing things up about his dad. Today he had to spend some time with his father, he hadn't seen in four months.

"You didn't have important plans with that friend of yours did you, Gray?"

"No let's go but tomorrow I have school so let's not be out too late."

"Of course."

So with that Gray and his father left to spend some father and son time they both felt they needed while Natsu stayed home.

Natsu stayed in bed all day. He thought about Gray and what he was doing but nothing came to mind it just worried him Gray wasn't spending time with him on purpose. What if Gray didn't want to spend time with him because he talked about Sting on their date? That also made him think of Sting. He couldn't call or hang out with Sting just yet either. He wouldn't risk going to the diner because that's where Sting most likely was if not with him. He felt stuck but could do nothing about it.

A/N: Things start to get dramatic the next chapter so, please let me know what you think of this one and keep looking forward to the next one.

Disclaimer: I don't own fairy tail or any of the characters