Omega: Thank you for your patience and understanding of the author's note. Let's get right to the story!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its sister series. Please support the original releases.
Chapter 4 - First Date With Gray
Natsu yawned but sat up as she heard rumbling in the bedroom she and Erza shared. As she sat up, Natsu tilted her head as she saw the redhead getting into her usual outfit. "Everything ok, Erza?" Natsu yawned as she stretched before standing up. "You going on a job?"
Erza sighed as she turned to face the Fire Dragonslayer, frowning as she looked into Natsu's olive orbs. "Sadly, yes. I would love to spend the day with you but I received a letter from Master a few hours ago. It's an escort mission regarding Queen Hisui. Unfortunately, it would seem that I'll be gone until tomorrow..." Erza's eyes widened before she smirked as she excitedly held Natsu's hands. "I could say that I don't need to go because I would need to ensure your safety. That is my more important duty after all~"
Natsu blushed slightly at the redhead's eagerness before chuckling. "I thought it was Gray's turn to spend the day with me? Besides, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with Gramps so we can just wait to see each other tomorrow right?"
Erza pouted as she whined. "But I can't! I want to, no! I need to spend the day with you, Natsu! I'm your girlfriend, aren't I?!"
"W-Well I-I mean yeah you are! But Gray is also my boyfriend?" Natsu flinched as he saw Erza frown sadly. "I-I have to be fair, Erza! It's not like I don't want to spend the day with you, that's not it at all! It's just that I want to know how to best please you so I can always make you happy!"
"But, Natsu, I'm happy just being in the same space with you!" Erza whined loudly as she held onto Natsu's warm hands. "For us to be together and be close to each other like this! How could I need anything or anyone else when I have you? The person I love and cherish most! I don't need you to be anything else for me and I don't need you to sacrifice anything for me! Just having you here with me is all I need. We can figure out everything else along the way, but be with me when I go along with this journey. Can you do that for me?"
Natsu blushed slightly as her eyes widened. "Of course, I will! I will always be with you because I still promised that I'd be with you and give you a reason to smile. But... I still want to prove to you that I'm capable of making you happy. I can't be satisfied with just being with or around you because if I'm going to be your lover, I need to make an effort to make sure you stay happy, Erza. It wouldn't make me feel adequate as a person if I did nothing. You're too precious to me."
Erza's eyes softened as her cheeks reddened. "Natsu..."
"I have an idea."
"And what is it?"
Natsu smiled warmly which caused Erza to raise an eyebrow. "Tomorrow, when you return, let's go on a mission together. All day, just us two!" Erza's eyes widened whereas Natsu smiled her usual toothy warm smile. "I don't know anything about dates or spending time with someone but I think this would be a good start because we both need this and this will allow me to learn while giving you to indulge in the quality time you've been wanting!" Natsu gulped as she realized Erza hadn't said anything for a few moments. "I-I mean we don't have to if you don't want to! I was just offering because-!" Natsu was quickly silenced as Erza swiftly hugged her. "E-Erza?"
"I would love that!" Erza yelled happily as she pulled her head out of Natsu's neck, but still held Natsu tenderly. "I didn't think that I would be able to, I... I had thought of asking you, but I thought you wouldn't want to or that I would be overstepping my boundaries. Natsu, that makes me very happy! I accept and I'll follow you, it doesn't matter to me the job, all that matters to me is that you and I get to spend some quality time together."
"Great! I'll start looking at some jobs today so you should be going but before you go," Natsu cupped Erza's cheeks before softly and quickly snatching the redhead's lips with her own, making Erza's eyes widen. As Natsu pulled away, she smiled warmly and rubbed Erza's cheek. "Just come back, safe and sound, alright?"
Erza leaned into Natsu's hand and gently held it as she smiled warmly. "I promise."
Gray Fullbuster tapped his finger on the guild bartop as he looked toward the windows, his mind filled with thoughts focused on the Fire Dragonslayer. 'How do I go about asking Natsu about going clothes shopping? I mean I've never helped a girl pick out clothes... Maybe I say "Hey Natsu, I see that you've been wearing the same clothes. You might want to change them!"' Gray grumbled as his brow furrowed in anger. 'The hell am I thinking?! I can't say that! I'd be saying that she looks raggedy and no girl wants to hear that! Maybe I can say "Hey Natsu, your outfit looks great but I think you'll look better in another outfit!" No! I can't bash her usual outfit! "Want to try putting on other clothes with me?" What the hell?!'
As Gray grumbled and rubbed his head, Lucy and Jellal couldn't help but smile smugly as they watched him. Wendy walked over to the two mages as concern filled her face. "Is Gray alright? He's been grumbling at the bar for half an hour now."
Lucy laughed as she waved her hand assuringly. "Don't worry, Wendy. Everything's fine, we're just watching a boy in love trying to figure out how to ask a girl he likes out on a date."
"Should we go help him?" Wendy asked timidly as she held her hands.
Jellal chuckled as he nodded. "I'll go over there, I think he needs some input from another guy after all." As Jellal sat down at the guild bar next to Gray, he chuckled as it seemed that the Ice Mage was so far deep in thought that he didn't notice his presence. "Gray," Jellal called out but received no response. Jellal then placed a hand on Gray's shoulder as he spoke louder. "Gray. Earthland to Gray!"
Gray flinched at the touch and whipped his head toward the Heavenly Body Mage. "Huh? Oh! Hey, Jellal, what's up?"
"You've been sitting here in deep thought for 30 minutes now. Is there something bugging you?"
Gray scratched his head as he grumbled. "I'm guessing you wouldn't be able to know how to ask a girl to go clothes shopping would you?"
Jellal chuckled before sitting up as he smiled. "Well, I would think that being honest would be the best option. Normally, girls do like an honest man after all."
"W-Well yeah, but Natsu's not a normal girl! He's never even been a girl before! And I don't even know if he's ever been clothes shopping before!" Gray yelled as he ran his hair, making Jellal chuckle. "I mean how would I go about asking someone who's never been the opposite sex on a date before?! I don't want to come off like an asshole so I've racking my brain on the right thing to say!"
Jellal smiled as he rested his head in his hand while leaning on the guild bartop. "And what makes you think you can't just ask Natsu normally? This is Natsu we're talking about."
"Because I want to use the best words with Natsu." Gray sighed as he placed his hands on the bar top. "Speaking and joking with anyone else is a total breeze for me because I feel that I don't have to show my true self. But just being around Natsu and speaking with him, it... It's more complicated. It's not a bad thing but Natsu tends to make me come out of the icy shell that I placed around myself. The way Natsu smiles after cracking jokes with people, the determination in his eyes when a friend is in trouble before he rushes to save them, the way he answers questions earnestly but without speaking in a hurtful manner, and the many cute expressions Natsu makes. I... I just can't help but fall in love with her as I spend time with her... Especially since Natsu's the only other person I've ever said 'I love you' to..."
Jellal's eyes widened as he sat up. "...Who was the first?"
Gray chuckled as he looked at the sapphire-haired man. "My mother, Mika. Ever since I lost my father and mother, I've never felt that I could ever repeat those words. That was before I met Natsu and now that I've been able to repeat them after meeting someone I felt is worthy, I can't help but be so happy."
"Then ask Natsu as you normally would!" Jellal chuckled as he lightly punched Gray's arm, making the Ice Mage's eyes widen slightly. "You're right, Natsu is a girl now so things will be a bit awkward at the start but you've established a bond of trust with him. I doubt Natsu wants you to treat her differently now that she's a girl and I think she would prefer for you to be your true self. If Natsu didn't already love you, would he offer to do this courtship with you?"
Gray's mouth opened as he held a finger up before lowering it and shaking his head. "Knowing Natsu, he wouldn't."
"Then, he cares about you. He may not love you fully but he at least cares about your feelings and wants to respond to them. Just take it a step at a time and be your natural self, then things will start to fall into place. Alright?"
Gray smiled. "Alright, thank you Jellal." Just as Gray fist-bumped Jellal, the guild doors swung open to reveal a brightly smiling female Natsu in her usual outfit.
"Hey guys!" She cheered happily as she smiled, making everyone in the guild grin at the Fire Dragonslayer.
"Good morning, Natsu!" Wendy walked up to the Fire Dragonslayer.
"Good morning, Natsu! Sleep well?" Lucy stepped behind the young Dragonslayer as she chirped happily.
"Good morning, Lucy and Wendy! I slept great! Had a nice bath too!" Natsu smiled warmly at the two Wizards.
Lucy smirked as her ears peeked at Natsu's last statement. "Oh? A bath? Did Erza join you?" Natsu stiffened as she saw Lucy smugly smile at her. "Come on, you have to be honest, Natsu~"
The Fire Dragonslayer blushed as she looked away and rubbed her two pointer fingers together. "A-And we slept together..."
Lucy's eyes widened as she gasped while Wendy blushed heavily. "Oh wow! Already getting a home run! Look at you~ Looks like you're more perverted than I thought, Natsu. Already having sex~"
Natsu stiffened as she blushed heavily with eyes as wide as dinner plates. "W-WE DIDN'T HAVE SEX! WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK THAT?!"
Lucy raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. "You just said you two slept together while blushing. What else would I think?"
"E-Erza and I just slept together in bed, that's all!" Natsu exclaimed as she stepped forward. "I mean yeah, we slept together naked and I squeezed her breasts but that's all we did! No sex!" She then held up her arms in a cross pattern.
"Oh, but you slept together naked huh?" Lucy smugly smiled, causing Natsu to flinch. "And you squeezed Erza's breasts~ So, you got second base, that's still impressive for someone who's never dated anyone before. You sly dog, you~"
Natsu blushed heavily as she began to stammer. "I... I-I'M GOING TO LOOK AT JOBS!"
"Trying to find a perfect getaway for you and Erza~?"
"N-NEVER YOU MIND, LUCY!" Lucy laughed as Natsu rushed toward the job request board.
Gray smiled and chuckled as he watched Natsu stand and study the many different jobs, Natsu's face alerted between happy, thoughtful, and confused. Something he always found adorable that Natsu did. Unbeknownst to the Ice Mage, Jellal watched Gray with a smug smile and to snap him out of his daydream, Jellal lightly elbowed Gray causing him to jump. "Go on, Gray. Better ask her because there's no time like the present~"
"R-Right!" Gray then stood up from his seat and walked to the request board, sighing as he rubbed his hands together and then rubbed them on his pants. As he stood in front of the stairs, his eyes widened as he saw Natsu walking down the steps in front of him. "O-OH! H-Hey, Natsu!"
The Fire Dragonslayer smiled warmly as she stood in front of the Ice Mage. "Hey, Gray! Good morning!"
"G-Good morning! Did you find a good job?" Gray asked sheepishly. I'm
"Yeah! A good ol' monster-hunting mission is always good!" Natsu's eyes widened after she smiled brightly. "OH! I should get out of the way so you can look at jobs too."
"Wait!" Natsu stopped and turned her head as Gray firmly spoke. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Oh, well, go ahead and ask, Gray. I just hope it's nothing too bad." Natsu chuckled before she smiled.
Gray gulped loudly before he sighed, making Natsu tilt her head cutely. "Natsu... I... Let's go on a date today! You and me! I want us to spend the entire day together!"
Natsu's eyes widened as air puffed out from her ears while she blushed. "O-OH! I-"
"I-I knew that I was overstepping my boundaries! I-I can wait, it's alright!" Gray quickly cut off Natsu as he awkwardly chuckled. As he turned away from Natsu, he stopped when he felt Natsu's warm hand grab his cold hand. "N-Natsu...?"
"I... I don't see why not..." Natsu spoke timidly as she blushed and held Gray's hand. "I'm in this courtship between you and Erza so I know that I'll have to go on dates with you both." Natsu then stood up and smiled warmly with little tints of red dusting her cheeks. "I'm glad you've asked me, Gray, and I'd love to go on a date with you today!"
Gray's eyes widened as his pale cheeks began to redden. He stood there dazed, Natsu had agreed to go on a date with him. He was going on a date with Natsu Dragneel. 'FUCK YES!' He internally yelled happily while his inner self cried tears of joy. "O-Oh, well, let's head out then, alright?"
"Sure!" Natsu happily chirped as Gray tenderly held her hand and led her out of Fairy Tail.
As the duo left, Jellal walked over to where Lucy, Wendy, and the Exceeds were sitting while smirking. "You're right, Lucy, this is pretty fun! I had no idea playing matchmaker was so fun!"
"I told you~" Lucy cooed before she began giggling. "Especially with people who don't know romance, who needs love books when you can be a part of your friends' romantic lives? This is so entertaining!" Both Lucy and Jellal laughed, which caused Wendy to tilt her head.
"I'm surprised that you two haven't taken a side of who Natsu should end up with. I figured that it'd be a competition between you two."
Lucy's and Jellal's eyes widened slightly before they both chuckled, making Wendy raise an eyebrow. "No, no, Wendy," Lucy spoke warmly as she placed a hand on the Sky Maiden's shoulder. "We're just happy that those three finally are indulging themselves in the love they've been wanting so we're happy for them. To be honest, Jellal and I both don't care who Natsu ultimately chooses because we know that she'll make them happy and in doing this, Natsu is giving them the love and affection Erza and Gray have been wanting from her so we're just enjoying how adorable Natsu is while she's learning how to love. It's cute isn't it?"
Wendy nodded as she smiled. "I suppose you're right! It just sucks that the three can't help you with your rent now though..."
Jellal raised an eyebrow. "Do you need help paying your rent, Lucy?"
Lucy smiled as she rubbed the back of her head. "Well, my rent is considerably high so I constantly need to go on jobs so I can pay it off and still have money for my own needs. I guess I'll have to figure out what to do since I doubt Erza and Gray will be focused while they have Natsu on their minds."
"Then, how about you and I go on missions? I'm sure that you and I will be able to go on missions to help solve that problem. It'll be a good way to welcome in this new member don't you think?" Jellal smiled as his yellow Fairy Tail guild mark was shown as he exposed his left arm.
"I don't see anything wrong with that!" Lucy clapped her hands together as she smiled. "I must teach you after all. Let's start today! Wendy, would you like to come too?"
"Yes! I'll show you the request board, Jellal!" As Wendy and Carla led the Heavenly Star Mage to the request board, Lucy turned to the Exceeds.
"Happy, I need you to spy on Gray and Natsu while we're gone. Remember, eye on the sky and don't get caught~"
Happy smiled excitedly as he saluted. "Aye, sir! I'll be sure to get lots of good photos!"
Natsu blushed slightly as Gray led her to downtown Magnolia while still tenderly holding her hand. "S-So, Gray... What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of going clothes shopping first then getting some food before just walking around. That alright with you?"
"Hm... I don't see why not. Lead the way!" As the two Wizards walked into a nearby clothing store, Natsu let go of Gray's hand as she walked around and began to look at some clothes. "Hm... I wonder if I have to wear skirts now..."
Gray stood next to Natsu as he chuckled. "I don't think skirts are your style, Natsu."
"You're right, but I'm a girl now so I should dress accordingly right? I mean you would want your girlfriend to look pretty and cute right?" As Natsu turned to face Gray, she blushed as Gray tenderly held her cheek.
"I don't care what the world tells you. You don't need to dress any way you don't want to, I fell in love with you, Natsu. You're someone who doesn't follow the conventional rules, you do what you feel is right, and that freedom is one of the alluring traits about you. Along with your kindness, your forwardness, your willingness to help others, and your wildness. You've never been dainty, prissy, or soft-natured, you're honest so you don't need to feel like you have to change because you're a girl and I wouldn't want you to change because you're a girl now. So, just stay true to yourself and you'll look great in anything." Gray smirked after he kissed Natsu's cheek.
Natsu's eyes shone before she looked away sheepishly. "... You're quite the word charmer aren't you?"
Gray chuckled as he smiled warmly. "I'm just being honest with my cute, beautiful girlfriend is all~"
Natsu backed away slightly as she twirled the ends of her hair and puffed her cheeks. "Whatever, well since you're being so honest, why don't you pick some clothes out for me? Since you know me so well."
"I'd be happy to!" Gray happily exclaimed, surprising Natsu. "I'll pick you out some outfits so just wait by the dressing rooms and I'll have them ready."
Natsu chuckled after she huffed. "Alright." As she walked over and stood by the dressing room doors, she watched Gray pick out outfits with a cheery smile on his face. He looked to be in deep thought before nodding and happily picking up outfits. Natsu smiled, she felt good that Gray was happy. 'He deserves to,' Natsu thought. 'After everything he has been through, he definitively does. Losing both his parents, his village, and his teacher... That's something we have in common: we don't have much family to turn to. Of course, there's everyone in Fairy Tail, but not everyone can relate to the terrible feeling of loneliness. Well... I'm not the only one whom Gray has opened up to.' Natsu groaned as she facepalmed herself. 'I almost forgot about Juvia! She's crazy in love with Gray! I forgot because I haven't seen her in a week! If she sees how close Gray and I are... She'll end up killing us both!' Natsu then looked up as she rubbed her face. 'But I don't want to ruin Gray's happiness... Maybe it'll be better if I just say that this is a friend date. I don't want Gray to be hurt so how would I-?'
"And here's your outfits for the next two weeks!" Gray smiled warmly as he held in his hands 14 different outfits.
"AH!" Natsu jumped as she was snapped out of her stupor and whipped her head toward the Ice Mage.
Gray raised an eyebrow and slightly tilted his head in confusion. "Everything OK, Natsu?"
Natsu's eyes widened before she chuckled and waved her hands. "Y-Yeah! Sorry, I was just thinking about something. That was quick! I'll try them out!" She then quickly grabbed the pile of clothes and headed into a dressing room. As Natsu began to strip out of her usual outfit, she stopped as she looked at herself in the mirror. She frowned as turned to face herself, studying herself. Natsu knew that the muscles and physical had lessened when he became a girl, they were still there, but the muscles were leaner and cut, making him more muscular than the average girl. However, what made him frown was the large breasts he now had. They weren't as big as Lucy's, Erza's, or Mira's, but they weren't exactly as small as Wendy's or Levy's. They were heavy enough for Natsu to feel their weight and big enough to push his vest open, he would say they were the same size as Daphne's, that woman who was obsessed with dragons. Natsu shook her head as she focused on the present and took off all of her clothes. As she finished getting dressed, Natsu opened the door and stood in front of Gray. "H... How do I look?"
Gray smiled as he studied Natsu. She currently was wearing a red shirt with white fairies flying downwards on the right side designed on it and was wearing blue jeans shorts. "You look great, Natsu."
"O-Oh! W-Well, thank you." Natsu blushed as she smiled. "Let me try on another outfit then." After Natsu closed the door, she opened it again to reveal herself wearing a yellow shirt with pink flowers designed all over it with white pegged pants. "A-And what about this?" Natsu smiled timidly as she showed herself off to Gray.
Gray smiled dreamily as he looked at her. "You look great, Natsu."
Natsu raised an eyebrow before she nodded and closed the door once again. When she opened it again, she was now wearing a black sleeveless top and gray joggers. "And what do you think of this?"
"You look great, Natsu."
"Gray!" Natsu puffed her cheeks as she crossed her arms. "I'm not going to go through all these outfits with you just saying that I look great! Give me your honest opinion! If I look bad or weird, just tell me!"
Gray chuckled as he took Natsu's warm hands with his cold ones, making the Fire Dragonslayer's eyes widen at the sudden gentle touch. "Natsu, I am being honest. You always look great in whatever outfit you choose, whether you're a guy or a girl. If I'm being truly honest, now that you're a girl, you look great and cute." Gray smiled as Natsu blushed and looked away.
"Y-You think I'm cute?"
"Amazingly cute!" Gray exclaimed and laughed as he saw Natsu blush harder and look away. "Seeing you all in these outfits shows off your natural cuteness and your great physique so all I can think is to say you look great because you do look great. I'd buy you all the outfits in this store if that'll prove to you how great you look and I'll be here to tell you each time."
Natsu's eyes widened as she stared at Gray in shock. "Wha?! Gray, you're not buying all these clothes for me! That would be unfair to you!"
"But I'd be buying them for my adorably cute girlfriend~" Gray cooed as he smiled.
Natsu blushed as her eyes widened before she shook her head. "Gray! I don't need a clothing store's inventory of clothes! I'm good with these!"
"Then I'll buy these 14 outfits and we'll get more when you feel you need some, alright?"
"But Gray-!" Natsu flinched as Gray smiled and placed one of his fingers on Natsu's lips.
"It's a boyfriend's job to buy the things his girlfriend needs so sorry, Natsu, I'm not taking no for an answer. Besides, it'll give me a reason to see you in more outfits that can show off your natural appeal."
"F... Fine. But if you're going to buy me clothes, I'm making you dinner and I'm not taking no for an answer!" Natsu giggled after she saw Gray's eyes widen.
"I... I thought you were going to Fairy Hills after?"
"Nope! Erza won't be back until tomorrow so you have me all day so just tell me what you would like and I'll happily make it!"
Gray stared at Natsu in disbelief before he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "O-Oh, I... I don't have anything special in mind so I'm good with whatever you make."
Natsu smiled happily as she grabbed Gray's hand and led him to the front of the store. "Then, leave all to me and I'll be sure to tend to your needs tonight!"
"Shouldn't I be doing this? I'm your boyfriend aren't I?" Gray frowned as he sat in his dining room while watching Natsu hum and cook in his kitchen.
"It's alright, Gray, I don't mind at all!" Natsu chirped as she sauteed some ground beef in a pan while boiling some linguine noodles as well as steaming broccoli and cauliflower. "I normally cook for myself and Happy so cooking for others makes me happy. Besides, it's a girlfriend's job to make sure her boyfriend is well-fed right?" Natsu turned her head slightly to smile warmly at Gray.
Gray blushed slightly as he sat up. "I suppose so." As Natsu turned her head back to the stove, Gray leaned on his hand and watched the Fire Dragonslayer masterly smash some boiled tomatoes and mix in some spices to finish making the meat sauce for the spaghetti. After she mixed the meat into the sauce, Natsu then pulled the vegetables out of the steamer and placed them on plates.
Natsu then placed the cooked pasta noodles in the meat sauce with some leftover pasta water in the sauce. Natsu then lifted a spoon filled with a few noodles and sauce to taste and after nodding, she then turned the pot off and poured some of the meat sauce spaghetti on two plates before pouring some grated parmesan on top of them. Natsu then walked out of the kitchen and smiled as she placed the two plates on the table. "Thanks for waiting and I hope that you're not mad at me using your kitchen."
"No way! You can use my kitchen whenever you want to, Natsu!" Gray exclaimed as he sat up. "It'll be put to good use since I hardly use it." Gray chuckled sheepishly.
Natsu smiled as she grabbed a fork and knife. "Then, you just tell me when you want a home-cooked meal and I'll happily make you some!" As she and Gray ate their meals, Natsu smiled as she heard Gray happily moan while he ate. "I take it that you like it?"
Gray smiled as he nodded and continued to eat. After finishing his plate, he placed his utensils down and smiled warmly at the Fire Dragonslayer. "It was one of the best meals that I've had in a while. Thank you, Natsu."
"Anytime, Gray. I'm happy to do so." Natsu smiled warmly as she took both of their empty plates and placed them in the sink, quickly washing them which caused Gray to frown.
"Natsu, I can wash the dishes, ya know? You did enough of making us that wonderful meal..." Gray groaned as he leaned on the molding of the kitchen entrance.
Natsu laughed as she washed and scrubbed the dishes. "Gray, I don't mind at all. I cooked so I have to clean my mess. This is no issue for me, I'm just glad that you liked my cooking."
Gray huffed as he crossed his arms as he watched Natsu. It was nice having help and company in his normally lonely apartment, especially when it was the company of the person he loved more than anything. 'Natsu looks a happy homewife...' As Gray thought that, images of Natsu wearing an apron with two little kids running around and hugging her began to fill his mind. After kissing the kids' heads while they drifted asleep, Natsu and Gray would sit on his leather couch, cuddling each other. Gray would then turn his head toward his wife who blushed after he tenderly kissed her hand and cheek. Gray smirked as he gazed at the wedding ring Natsu was wearing and was soon about to snatch those soft, puffy lips before he-.
"GRAY!" The Ice Mage was soon snapped out of his daydream when he heard Natsu yell at him. As he turned to look at her, he chuckled as he saw Natsu puffing her cheeks at him while crossing her arms. "Geez, I've been calling you for five minutes. What were you dreaming about?"
"Oh, nothing. Just trying to find out what sounds better: Gray Dragneel or Natsu Fullbuster~?" Gray cooed, making Natsu blush heavily. "You've cooked and cleaned for me while coming to my apartment so you really can't blame me for daydreaming when my girlfriend does all that for me~"
Natsu blushed harder as her eyes widened. "W-Wha?! You Ice Pervert! We aren't even dating seriously! And you're already thinking of marrying me?!"
"Of course I am," Gray answered honestly with a smile. "I love you, Natsu and I can't imagine myself with anyone else. So, how about we get on that?" Gray smirked as he stepped closer to Natsu, pushing her against the kitchen counter as he smirked. "Let's get married, Natsu. I promise that I'll do everything in my power to keep you and our precious children happy and healthy."
"I-IDIOT!" Natsu blushed heavily as she looked away. "You can't propose to me just yet! I'm not ready to get married! And I'm not pregnant!"
"We could change that, ya know~?"
"G... GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER!" Natsu then covered her lips as she blushed heavily, making Gray frown as he pulled away. "Anyway, I have to be fair with both Erza and Juvia! It wouldn't feel right to just take advantage of them."
Gray raised an eyebrow as he stood up. "Erza, I get but why would you be taking advantage of Juvia's feelings?"
Natsu stopped blushing as she looked at Gray confused. "What do you mean, 'why Juvia?' Because she's in love with you!"
"No, she's not. She's dating Lyon, Natsu."
"... Huh?" Natsu stared at Gray with a blank which caused Gray to chuckle.
"I guess no one told you. Juvia and I already had this talk. After the disbandment of Fairy Tail, we decided to train and travel together. We bonded and got to know each other more deeply, but it came with telling each other the truth. I told her that I couldn't go against what my heart was telling me." Gray lightly pushed Natsu's hair off her cheek before tenderly rubbing it as he smiled. "I told her that I was already in love with you, Natsu, and I couldn't bring myself to fall in love with anyone else. They say that you can't get over your first love and it seems like that it's true. Despite our past bickering and arguments, I can't think of another person to spend my future with so I want to focus on the present every day with you. You've always been there for me when I'm at my lowest and saved me from even my darkest despair so how could I fall in love with someone else?" Gray smiled as he brushed the long, wild hair away from Natsu's cheek and tenderly held it as he smiled warmly. "Natsu, you don't have to worry about me falling in love or even being attracted to anyone else because you've been my best friend, my partner, the person that I'm able to trust with my everything. I get that I'm in a courtship with Erza so one of us can have your heart but I don't care. I'm happy to finally be able to have you and I'm going to do my best to earn your heart because I truly love you." Gray then kissed Natsu's forehead before cupping her cheeks and giving the blushing Fire Dragonslayer a short but love-filled kiss. He then chuckled as he held Natsu's warm hands with his cold ones.
Natsu was too stunned by Gray's confession. She couldn't believe that Gray had told her that and that he was completely sincere as he spoke. 'He... He meant every word.' Natsu knew that Gray was never a good liar but she was astonished by the utter honesty and passion that littered every word that left the Ice Devil's mouth. Natsu's eyes shone as she saw Gray's warm smile. 'He looks so happy... He does love me... Erza had that same happiness filling her face when she talked about her feelings. Erza and Gray... They truly do love me. I... I need to make sure I make them happy. I'm ready.'
"You OK, Natsu?" Gray asked worriedly as Natsu firmly squeezed his hands.
Natsu opened her mouth before lightly biting her lower lip. After nodding her head, she looked up at Gray. "Gray... Let's head to bed. I want to share your bed with you."
Gray's eyes widened in shock. "O-OH! W-Well, I have no problem with that! Here, let me guide you." He then led the Fire Dragonslayer upstairs to his bedroom. As Gray opened the door to the grayish-blue colored room, he then let go of Natsu's hand and quickly fixed the sheeting on his full-sized bed. "Sorry about the mess, I didn't expect to have you over." He sheepishly chuckled before standing up. "Damn! I forgot to buy you pajamas! You can..." As Gray turned his head back to Natsu, his eyes and mouth slowly widened for he saw that Natsu had fully stripped out of her afternoon clothes and stood in front of him, completely naked.
Natsu blushed slightly but she nodded as her eyes filled with determination. "Gray... We can... We can have sex. Right now if you want."
"I-I didn't want you to feel forced, Natsu! I would never force you!" Gray quickly snapped out of his daze as he grabbed Natsu's hands. "I can wait until you're ready!"
"You say that, but you've stripped too." Natsu giggled as she pointed to the now-naked Ice Mage.
"AH! DAMNIT! Let me find my clothes!"
"No, it's alright." Natsu cupped Gray's blushing cheeks as she smiled warmly. "I am ready and I want to show you that I love you too. I may not know how to fully please a person sexually but I promise to at least try. So... Do you want to do it?" Natsu blushed slightly as she looked at Gray timidly. She flinched as Gray suddenly hugged her, making Natsu turn her head toward Gray. "G-Gray?"
"I want to, I desperately want to," Gray answered quickly as he embraced Natsu. He slowly lifted his head to smile reassuringly at the Fire Dragonslayer. "It's just that I want to do love-making, rather than fuck you senseless. My body is telling me to grab you and fuck you like a crazy beast, and I definitely will do that. But, our first time to be special. I want you to understand that I love you for you, not for your sexiness."
Natsu's eyes widened and shone at his answer. "T-Then let's cuddle for tonight. That should be fine right?"
"O-Oh, I... Idontknowhowto cuddle." Gray muttered under his breath as he looked away from Natsu.
The Fire Dragonslayer tilted her head but after seeing him act so sheepishly she figured out what he had said. She smiled as she took Gray's hands and led them to the bed. As the covers were wrapped around the two Wizards, Gray stiffened in the bed as Natsu wrapped her arms around him. "I'm not too cold am I?"
Natsu giggled as she shook her head. "You feel perfectly fine, Gray. Perfectly cool." She then looked up at Gray as she smiled warmly. "We can cuddle as much as you like, Gray. You don't need to worry about feeling like you'll hurt me because I trust you completely, I'm glad to have someone so considerate of my feelings."
"Of course I do, you're incredibly special to me, Natsu," Gray spoke warmly as he soon wrapped his arms around Natsu, allowing her to rest her head on his chest.
"And Gray?"
"Yeah?" His eyes widened in shock as Natsu kissed Gray lovingly before pulling away with a warm smile and lightly red-dusted cheeks.
"I love you."
Gray smiled warmly as his cheeks soon dusted red as well. "I love you too, Natsu." Soon enough, both Wizards soon fell asleep, holding each other in their arms. Both Mages were happy and excited for the future. Gray was far happier than Natsu for he was glad that the Fire Dragonslayer knew and accepted his feelings so as he began to fall asleep, his head was filled with happy dreams and ideas of spending time with his beloved Dragonslayer, soon hoping that these dreams would become reality.
'We should cuddle more often.' Gray smiled in his sleep and fully embraced Natsu. As long as Natsu was by his side, Gray could make anything happy and despite not knowing much about romance, it was moments like this that made it worthwhile.
Omega: And here's chapter four! I will say this, after this chapter, I will focus on uploading new chapters for my older stories and I plan on making them in the upcoming months so please stay tuned for that. I plan on making the first chapter by the end of next month or the beginning of March. Also, I plan on making some more content for my YouTube soon but I'm not saying you all have to subscribe now. When I finally make more videos, I will ask but until then, await further notice.
Thank you so much for reading this and rocking with me. I feel like 2024 will be a good year and I'm not saying that it's the year of the Dragon (Because Dragons are my favorite beast). I have some things planned and I thank you for your support. When I'm ready to release the information, expect some author's notes.
If no one told you this, let me be the first: you are loved, unique, and worth the effort to live. Keep going not only because you are a precious gift from Heaven but also because you live for those around you and you touch everyone who you meet so keep your head up high and smile. Those who smile are the strongest. Thank you so much for reading this story and I hope to see you all in the next one. Sayanora!