#and some are loke gray cana (see love me or leave me and cheers)

[icemde]

@shinebrightlikealion asked : ♫

Yes I'm A Mess by AJR

Move by I Fight Dragons

Just Do It by BSS

Love Me or Leave Me by Day6

Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae

Cheers by SVT Leaders

What The Hell by Avril Lavigne

[mdelpin]

A Proper Send Off

Gratsu Week 2021 Prompt: Goodbye Pairing: Gray x Natsu

AO3

Summary: Natsu is having trouble coping with everything he learned during the Alvarez War and tries to sneak away again, but Gray isn't about to let him go alone.

They take off together and find all their friends waiting for them at the Magnolia town marker. After all, no one is allowed to leave Fairy Tail without a proper send-off.

0-0

Gray caught up to Natsu and Happy about a mile from the Magnolia town marker.

“You going somewhere, Flame Breath?”

Gray’s heart caught in his throat when Natsu refused to look at him, his eyes staying firmly on the ground.

“I tried to talk him out of it, Gray, but he wouldn’t listen.” Happy complained, “It’s just like last time.”

“Don’t worry about it, Happy, I’m not about to let him make the same mistake again.”

“I have to go.” Natsu said in a strangled voice. “Please don’t try to stop me.”

Gray wasn’t really surprised. He’d been expecting something like this for days.

Tartaros, Alvarez, Zeref, END…

Any one of these was a lot to handle, but all of them at once? It was just too much.

For both of them.

Things still hadn’t gone back to normal between them, and truth be told, Gray was still worried that Lucy’s attempt to rewrite the book of END might have changed Natsu somewhat.

But he knew that wasn’t exactly fair. It wasn’t so much that Natsu was different now; it was more that he didn’t know how to act around others.

And who could blame him? Even the people around town who had always treated Natsu as a friend had begun to treat him differently.

On top of that, after spending years searching for answers to his past, he’d certainly learned more than he’d bargained for. Who his family was, how he’d ended up with Igneel, the connection he shared with Wendy, Gajeel, Sting and Rogue as well as Lucy’s ancestor.

Even more, he’d learned what he was and the purpose he’d been meant to fulfill.

How many people had been killed or had their lives destroyed because of Zeref’s attempts to resurrect him? How did anyone live with that knowledge?

It was something Gray could easily sympathize with. After all, guilt was something he dealt with daily. For the people who had died so he could live, for not returning Juvia’s fervent affections, and for not being able to offer his father the peace he’d asked for.

And now he could add trying to kill the person he loved most and breaking a promise to the list.

Gray didn’t know how they were going to come back from any of this, but he knew that as much as he wanted to tell him he was wrong, Natsu was on to something. He needed to leave to sort through all of his doubts and fears, including this new one that he was a danger to his friends.

Zeref might be gone, but that had never stopped dark sorcerers from searching out any vestiges of his magic, and that was part of what Natsu was now.

But Gray wasn’t just about to let him do it alone.

And he wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“Who said anything about stopping you?” Gray said. “I’m going with you.”

Natsu’s head jerked up and Gray pointed at the travel bag that hung on his shoulder.

“But what about Juvia?” He blurted out before adding in a softer tone, “And the others?”

“Juvia will never get over her creepy obsession if I stay, and as for the others,” he paused, because the truth is this part did make him sad. “They’ll be fine.”

The members of Fairy Tail had been his family for so long, he knew he’d miss them all terribly.

But everyone had to leave home sometime. It was part of growing up, and he truly felt that his future lay with Natsu.

He knew mending their relationship wouldn’t be easy, but it was important to him to try. Besides, he’d already discussed it with Gramps, and the old man had agreed. This was what was best for Natsu right now, and it would be much better if he didn’t go alone.

“I don’t know where I’m going.” Natsu said, looking a little embarrassed by the admission.

“I expected that from a Flame Brain like you.” Gray laughed. “That’s okay. We can figure it out on the way. I doubt it matters much, anyway.”

“Are you sure about this? It could get dangerous.”

“Standing next to you is dangerous,” Gray scoffed. “Don’t worry about me, love, I can hold my own.”

“Love?” Natsu said, sounding puzzled at hearing the familiar term of endearment. “But I thought…”

“Well, that was your first mistake,” Gray quipped, but when Natsu didn’t laugh, he gave up the pretense that everything was alright between them.

“I know I fucked up. Said and did things I didn’t mean, but that doesn’t mean I stopped loving you. And I know it won’t be easy, but I want to work on us again.”

Natsu searched his eyes for the briefest of seconds, and satisfied with whatever he found in them, he began walking, pulling Gray along with him.

Happy flew around them, looking much more cheerful now that he knew Gray was joining them on their journey this time around.

They heard the commotion before they saw what it was, and Gray groaned as they got to the top of the hill, only to find Erza and just about everyone else in the guild waiting for them.

“You didn’t really think you’d be able to leave us without a proper sendoff, did you?” Erza asked, looking incredibly pleased with herself as everyone else snorted their agreement.

Yes, he’d rather hoped so. Gray hated scenes and he could already feel Natsu stiffening next to him. He shot an annoyed glare at Gramps, but the old man merely shrugged his shoulders unapologetically.

Natsu was examining the ground again, and curious what brought that about, he looked around and noticed Lucy heading towards them.

“It’s alright, Natsu. I’ll be just fine this time.” Lucy smiled. “I’m even working on a book about all of our adventures. Levy is helping me.”

Natsu looked up at that. She wrapped him up in a quick hug, and Gray backed away to give them some space.

“I-I just wanted to say thank you for everything. All the times you saved me, and all the fun we had. These last couple of years I was able to find a family again, and it was all thanks to you. I’m going to miss you. You too, Gray!”

“We saved each other,” Natsu corrected with a fond smile, even as Happy flew into Lucy’s arms and hugged her.

“Don’t let him destroy too much, Happy, okay?”

Happy nodded solemnly and gave his customary, “Aye, sir!”

Everyone jumped in with well wishes and words of encouragement until there were only a few left.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t cry,” Wendy wailed as she hugged them tightly.

“It’s okay, kiddo. You’ll see us again!” Gray assured her, hoping that he was right. He didn’t know how long this journey of theirs would take, but he hoped they could return someday.

“Try to keep your pants on,” Cana said as she hugged Gray. She whispered, “Unless you don’t have to…”

“Cana!” Gray protested as he shoved her away playfully.

“I heard that,” Natsu grumbled.

“I know,” Cana winked, capturing him in a hug as well. “Take care of each other, and say hi to my old man for me if you bump into him on the road.”

Natsu nodded.

Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna came as a group. Mira handed Natsu a bag with food.

“Here you go, I packed you both some lunch.” Mira fussed over them, “Don’t forget to eat, and write us letters from time to time to let us know how you’re doing.”

Lisanna giggled, “Like Natsu would ever forget to eat.”

She gave him a big hug, “Take care of yourselves.”

She whispered something into Natsu’s ear that Gray did not catch, but his face turned an interesting shade of red, and he shushed her.

Interesting…

Gray had little chance to think about what she might have said because Elfman enveloped them in a hug and slapped both their backs hard enough for it to hurt.

“Elfman, are you crying?” Mira asked, watching her younger brother with an amused smile.

“Crying is manly,” Elfman wiped away at his eyes.

Warren stepped forward and handed them each a mobile lacrima device. “Here, take these, in case you want to get in touch or something.”

“You don’t have to-”

Gray got no further as Warren turned away, muttering “Just take them.”

“Is he crying?” Natsu whispered, and Gray could only shrug in response.

Macao and Romeo came next, and neither made any effort to hide their tears. “Take care, you two, and try to get along, will ya?”

Romeo only stared at them and it was then Gray remembered he’d been the one who’d never given up on them all those years they’d been stuck on Tenrou.

“You’re going to have to train hard,” Natsu told him, “Cause I’m leaving you in charge of the guild while I‘m gone, okay?”

Romeo nodded, and like Wendy before him, hugged them both at once. Gray found himself petting his head, as Macao used to do to them when they were younger. It didn’t feel like it had been all that long ago, really.

“I’m not gonna say goodbye, since I plan to pop in on you now and again.” Loke gave them each a fist bump. “So make sure you have interesting stuff to tell me.”

He stepped back to stand between Cana and Lucy.

“Juvia doesn’t see why Natsu has to take Gray-sama with him,” Juvia wailed loudly to anyone who would listen.

“Try not to get too lost in that little head of yours, alright?” Gajeel slapped Natsu on the back. He shook Gray’s hand and muttered. “I’ll try to keep the crazy away as much as I can, but you guys might want to hurry the first couple of days, so there isn’t a trail for her to follow.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Gajeel waited while Pantherlily and Carla said their goodbyes to Happy.

That left only Erza and Gramps. Erza pushed Makarov’s wheelchair over to them.

“I better not hear you two are running around destroying towns and bothering people,” Erza started off sternly, but by the end of her scolding, there were tears in the corner of her eyes.

Gray could feel matching tears coming on and he could hear Natsu sniffling next to him too.

“Come here, you two,” Erza said, grabbing them both into a fierce hug. “You’ve come so far. You’re going to be just fine, I just know it. I’ll- I’ll miss you.”

They held on to her tightly, letting her cry over them. Gray had known she’d be the hardest. For as strict as she’d always been on them, they shared the most history. Not to mention she’d also been the one to force them to get past their stupid rivalry.

They finally let go of her, smiling as they wiped away their tears.

“There’s only one thing left to do.” Gramps said, and everyone lined up behind him.

“While you are leaving us, always remember that Fairy Tail will always be your home, and should you, no, when you choose to return, it will be here waiting for you.”

“Now, as you know, there are three rules that any mage who leaves Fairy Tail must abide by.

Number One - You must never reveal sensitive information about Fairy Tail to others for as long as you live.

Number Two - You must never use former contacts met through your being in the guild for personal gain.

And Number Three - Though our paths may have diverged, you must continue to live out your life with all your might. You must never consider your own life to be something insignificant, and you must never forget about your friends for as long as you live.”

Gramps looked so small in that wheelchair, fragile almost, and Gray had a passing thought that this might be the last time they got to see him. He felt his heart clench at the thought, not ready to think about losing anyone else that was important to him.

“Thanks, Gramps.” There was so much more Gray wanted to say to him, but he had a feeling the old man knew. “For everything.”

“Yeah, Gramps, thanks for taking me in.” Natsu smiled, the first genuine smile Gray had seen since the war had ended.

“The pleasure was mine,” Gramps grinned, “Well, most of the time anyway. Now, get going!”

“Take care of yourselves boys, and try not to be so reckless.”

“Bye everyone!” Natsu and Gray called out, waving to everyone before turning around and walking away.

Gray reached out for Natsu’s hand, wanting to test the waters, and was pleased to find Natsu didn’t fight him off.

Now that they were finally on their way, the wave of sadness lifted and the excitement creeped in again, and as they turned back one last time they saw everyone had lifted their hands in air making the Fairy Tail hand signal.

Even if we can't see you... no matter how far away you may be... we will always be watching you.

“We’ll be back someday,” Gray squeezed the hand he held in his.

“I hope so.”

Happy took one look at their joined hands and squeaked. “I knew it! You looooove him!”

“Do not, shut up!” Natsu yelled, pulling away from Gray and chasing after the Exceed.

“You looooove him, you looooove him!” Happy chanted, flying just out of Natsu’s reach.

Gray watched them and chuckled, glad to see Natsu acting more like himself. They had left their home behind, and it would be tough going, but in the end, he truly hoped Natsu could find the peace he was looking for, and he wanted nothing more than to share it with him.

But of course, there was nothing wrong with having a few adventures along the way!

0-0

A/N: This is immensely personal for me. Today is the last day of the last Gratsu Week hosted by @becausewhenyoupracticeyouimprove and the @gratsu-week blog on Tumblr. It was the first event I ever participated in back in 2018, and it's an event that I have helped organize for the last three years. It's very special to me.

So it is very fitting that the last ever prompt was goodbye.

More than just a story, this represents my goodbye to canon as well. I will go no further than this point.

I was one of those people who was really excited by the announcement that Fairy Tail would continue in 100 Year's Quest, because God knows I wasn't ready to let go.

But from the moment it first came out, I was horrified by what it turned out to be (a horrible story whose only purpose was to further the big 4, with even more fan service than before, and I won't even get into the character assassination). As such, I refuse to have anything to do with it. So I have ended things my way, because if the point of Fairy Tail is now ships, then I will sail with mine.

Hopefully, this will also provide some of you with the same comfort it gives me.

[twomanyideas]

The Search for the Supreme Scent - Chapter 2

A Collaboration by @mdelpin and @oryu404 with @x-thekid

AO3 | Prev: Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Next: Ch 3

Chapter 2

Worth Woodsea - a large forest region located in the north-eastern part of Fiore

“A lost pet?” Sting whined as they walked out of the large house nestled within acres of farmland and forest. “That’s not even a challenge.”

A month earlier, the first (and third) generation dragon slayers had agreed to form a team, hoping that by training together, they’d become strong enough to one day defeat Acnologia. That was the reason they’d been taking so many missions together lately, not really caring what they were, so that their friends wouldn't ask too many questions about what they were up to, which had led them here...searching for a lost pet of all things.

“I’m sorry, Sting-san,” Wendy murmured, “I just couldn’t help myself.”

“It was Wendy’s turn to pick,” Rogue reminded his partner, glaring at him to get him to stop complaining. “I think this will be a nice change of pace. Besides, it’s not like we’re not going to train after.”

That seemed to cheer Sting up a little, although he still appeared grumpy. “Don’t worry about it, Wendy. You were right to pick that job; it’s very important, you know? Some people get terribly upset when their pets go missing.”

“Frosch is not a pet!”

“Why don’t you take the lead on this one, Wendy?” Natsu suggested, ignoring the Twin Dragons’ bickering. “You can think of it as part of your training.”

“I don’t think I could do that,” Wendy said shyly, “You all have more experience than me.”

“Of course you can,” Gajeel asserted, “You’re one of us, aren’t you?”

Wendy nodded unsurely, peering down at the job request she was holding. She looked up to find four dragons slayers flashing her reassuring smiles.

“Yes!” she responded, sounding more confident.

Rogue squeezed her shoulder gently, “We’ll be right behind you if you need us.”

Wendy set off at a quick pace, sniffing the air around the client’s house, trying to pick up the missing pet rabbit’s scent while the dragon slayers walked behind her.

Once she was far enough ahead, Sting turned to Natsu and commented, “So that was an interesting reaction Gray had earlier.”

Natsu visibly tensed at the words, “Not this again.”

“Oh come on, he’s obviously pissed you’re not spending time with him,” Sting pointed out eagerly.

“No, he’s pissed because I haven’t been on as many team jobs,” Natsu corrected.

“Natsu,” Sting laughed at him, “he challenged me to a duel and everything.”

“Because you pretty much said the stupidest thing you could have come up with,” Rogue facepalmed, “We’re pushing each other to get stronger? What the hell were you thinking?”

“What’s wrong with that?” Sting asked, confused, “It’s kind of true, isn’t it? Besides, would it have been better if I’d told him the real truth?”

“It sure as hell would have pissed him off less,” Gajeel smirked. When Sting still seemed not to understand, he attempted to explain, “Salamander and the Ice Prick have spent years beating the crap out of each other to get stronger, you basically told him we were replacing him.”

“And I was supposed to know this?”

“You were supposed to keep your mouth shut,” Rogue rolled his eyes, immediately teasing, “It’s okay. I know it’s hard for you.”

“It is hard,” Sting acknowledged, sighing like he was the victim, but he soon perked up as he addressed his friend. “Still, I think there was more to it than that.”

“You just see what you want to see,” Natsu pointed out, dismissing his friend’s remark.

"He doesn’t-" Rogue shook his head, “anything remotely subtle flies right over his head.”

“Surely even you can’t still believe he’s into Juvia after this morning’s outburst,” Gajeel frowned in consternation.

“I-,” For once, the Fire Dragon Slayer was at a loss for words, “I don’t know,” he finished weakly.

Rogue crossed his arms and frowned, “Why are you so determined to give up before you even try? He's important to you, right?”

“Of course he is!” Natsu exclaimed, “It’s not that I’m giving up. I just have no idea where to even begin.”

“Just talk to him,” Rogue advised, “tell him how you feel.”

Gajeel snickered, “Those two blockheads don’t do the talking thing unless it includes their fists.”

“Perhaps you should just come up with some grand gesture- something he can’t possibly ignore.” Sting thought for a few moments before snapping his fingers excitedly. “Oh! Remember how you wrote Fairy Tail in fire at the castle in Crocus? How about you do something like that, but like at Kardia Cathedral. He’s sure to notice that!”

“Sting, no!” Rogue scolded, “If you’re going to give him stupid ideas, at least come up with one that doesn’t include destroying a monument or getting both of them arrested.”

“Besides,” Gajeel chimed in, “the Icicle is too much of a priss to like something like that. If you want my opinion, you should do something more personal. Write him a song or something.”

“You want me to write him a song?” Natsu gaped at his friend, “What makes you think I have any idea how to do something like that?”

“You confess your love through songs? Man, I pity whoever you end up falling for,” Sting laughed, having heard Gajeel sing a few times during their jobs.

“Shut up, Glowstick,” Gajeel growled, “Like you’d do any better, you wouldn’t know love if it was standing right in front of you.”

"Anyway," Rogue coughed, "I think it's safe to say that none of us have any decent advice to give you, and the truth is, it doesn't matter. Just do something before you end up regretting the fact that you haven’t."

“What are you guys talking about?” Wendy’s voice made them all jump, unexpected as it was.

“Oh, Wendy,” Natsu laughed nervously, “finished already?

“Yeah, the rabbit was hiding in that bush over there,” Wendy pointed to a row of bushes at the far end of the property before holding the rabbit up for them to see, “Isn’t it cute?”

Rogue reached out to pet the rabbit. “That didn’t take you long at all,” he praised the younger girl proudly.

Wendy seemed embarrassed by the praise and quickly changed the subject, “ So what were you talking about just now?”

“Oh, we were just giving Natsu some ideas about how to confess his love for Gray!” Sting was happy to fill her in.

“Oh!” Wendy bounced excitedly, rabbit dangling precariously from her hand. “How about flowers? Everyone loves getting those.”

“I don’t know, Wendy,” Natsu hedged, not wanting to sound ungrateful, “Boys don’t like stuff like that.”

“That’s not true, Gray likes pretty things,” Wendy reminded him.

“You mean like Natsu?” Sting teased, getting a kick out of embarrassing his friend.

With a face that matched his hair color, Natsu shoved Sting out of the way, getting more annoyed the louder he laughed, which only encouraged Sting more. Rogue pressed his lips together, turning around and heading back to their client’s house. “Come on, Wendy, you should return the rabbit to its owner and collect your reward,” he flashed her a weak smile over his shoulder.

Gajeel watched Rogue walk away with Wendy and immediately grabbed Sting and Natsu and knocked their heads together.

“Ow!” Sting complained, “What did I do?”

“Could everyone stop hitting me on the head?” Natsu complained, “What was that for, anyway?”

“You’re both idiots!” Gajeel snapped but explained no further, leaving the two other dragon slayers to stare at each other in confusion and ultimately shrug. It wasn’t like they hadn’t heard that before from plenty of others.

Once Wendy and Rogue returned, it was time to get started on their training. They made their way further into the forest, which they knew was teeming with a type of monster they had come to call Satan due to its demonic appearance.

And despite knowing that he should be focusing on honing his tracking skills, Natsu couldn’t help but think of Rogue’s words and wonder if he were right. He didn’t want to have any more regrets. 0-0 The job Gray had picked for that day had been a simple one: cooling 8-Island's stock while they replaced their freezers. It wasn’t anything like the jobs he usually took, but It had been a very long day, starting with Juvia’s incessant attempts to get him to go on yet another job with her. He hadn’t been in the mood to take on a partnered job after that, so he’d settled for a quick and easy one that would at least get him out of the guild. Something to help distract him from his frustrations. When he’d finished and returned to the guild to report, it was relatively quiet, so he’d sat down at the bar, thinking he could really use a drink, and Cana was always good company. “Extra ice, just for you,” Cana winked as she handed him his order. “You alright? You look grumpier than usual.”

“I’m just thinking about what Gramps said earlier.”

“Everyone was pretty excited, you thinking of doing it?” Cana smirked, already knowing the answer.

“Are you?”

“I don’t know. It used to be really important to me. I thought I had to get at least that far to tell Gildarts he was my dad, but now that he knows, I’m not sure if it’s what I want anymore.”

“What about if he was your partner?” Gray suggested with a smile, knowing how much Cana enjoyed spending time with her dad, and with him on her team, she was sure to pass.

Cana’s eyes widened, “I hadn’t considered that. What about you? Who’s on your list? Are you going to partner up with Loke again?”

Gray shook his head, “I wouldn’t want to take him away from Lucy. He’s one of her strongest spirits. Besides, if we don’t have to compete against each other, then there’s someone else I’m considering.”

“Oh?” Cana’s eyes were full of curiosity.

“Nevermind, it’s stupid.”

Cana studied him intently, curling a strand of hair around her finger as she thought about who he might mean. Her mouth curved into a warm smile as she told him, “I don’t know, I think it’s fitting.”

“I doubt he’ll agree to do it.”

“When has that ever stopped you?” she teased, stepping away for a moment to take a drink order.

Gray chuckled, knowing she was right. Still, that was then; everything felt different now. These days it seemed like the friendship he’d taken for granted for most of his life was getting further and further away, which was one reason he wanted to try to do something before it could slip through his fingers.

He was saved from that gloomy thought by the sound of the guild doors opening as the dragon slayers returned from their mission. Gajeel and Wendy supported an almost breathless Natsu between them.

Although he seemed to be in the worst shape, Gajeel and Wendy also looked beat up. The Sky Dragon Slayer kept apologizing to Natsu, who only smiled and told her she should get some rest.

Happy, Carla and Pantherlily rushed over to their dragon slayers, their panicked voices making it so that Gray couldn’t distinguish anything they said.

“What happened to you guys?” Cana asked with concern, saving Gray from having to ask. Instead, he examined Natsu’s body to get an idea of what had happened. There were deep gashes on his chest and stomach that made it seem like a wild animal had attacked him, and Gray could see the beginning of bruising around his ribs.

“Natsu, Natsu!” Happy cried out, his eyes widening in fear as he took in his partner’s injuries.

"It’s nothing,” Natsu’s words came out in short pants as he tried to soothe Happy, and dismiss Cana’s concern.

“Nothing, my ass!” Gray winced in sympathy, now convinced that Natsu had at least one broken rib. He peered at the youngest dragon slayer, confused as to why Natsu would still be in such a state if she had been there with him. “Did you already heal him, Wendy?”

Wendy’s eyes filled with tears, and Gray could have kicked himself for asking such a stupid question. Of course she’d healed him, but then how bad had this been? What the hell had happened?

“Can’t you see she’s upset?” Carla huffed, giving Gray one of her angriest glares for his question.

“He wasn’t the worst off,” Gajeel explained gruffly, leaving the two slayers at the bar as he and Pantherlily went off in search of Mira, talking in hushed voices.

“I’m seriously fine,” Natsu assured them, although he didn’t look it. He smiled at Wendy once again, “My regeneration will kick in soon.”

Gajeel and Pantherlily soon returned with Erza and Mira, who immediately fussed over Natsu, much to his irritation.

“Gray, could you bring him to the infirmary?” Mira asked sweetly, but there was no mistaking the fact that it was a command.

He wanted to fight it on principle. After all, it’s what he would have always done, but he held back, reasoning that this way, he might be able to find out what happened as he doubted Erza would be satisfied without an explanation. Gajeel’s words worried him. What had he meant Natsu hadn’t been the worst off?

“Happy, maybe you should stay down here,” Cana suggested, “you won’t be able to help up there.”

“But-,” Happy protested, his little face scrunched up in outrage.

“She’s right, Buddy,” Natsu interrupted, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Maybe Cana can make you a drink?”

“Sure,” Cana agreed, giving Happy a conspiratorial wink, “ I think I heard Elfman say they bought some fish earlier. Maybe we can go liberate one?”

Happy seemed unsure, but when Natsu smiled at him, he flew up to the bar counter and sat down looking dejected. “Okay, I’ll wait for you right here.”

“Make sure you don’t drop me, Droopy Eyes, ” Natsu taunted, and Gray couldn’t believe that the moron would attempt to pick a fight with him even in this state. But he had to admit it calmed him down a bit.

He picked Natsu up carefully, being mindful of his ribs as he held him against his chest, but even so, he felt the dragon slayer flinch in his arms. Leading the way to the infirmary with Mira and Erza following close behind, Gray couldn’t voice any of the words he wanted to say. It was the closest they had been to each other in a long time, and it felt surprisingly good. He knew that any words that came out of his mouth would only ruin it.

Once they’d reached the infirmary, Gray gently placed Natsu on one of the beds while Mira started collecting the stuff she’d need.

“What happened?” Erza asked, her eyes trailing Natsu’s injuries as Mira removed his vest carefully. “Why is Wendy so upset?”

Natsu’s eyes remained on Gray even as Erza continued to ask her questions, her voice growing more shrill as she received no response.

“Gray, why don’t you go see if you can get anything out of Wendy?”

He wanted to protest, but the truth was Natsu’s almost empty stare was freaking him out. Maybe Erza was right, maybe Wendy would be able to give him a better idea of what was going on.

He nodded and spared one last look at his friend before leaving in search of Wendy, but when he came downstairs and scanned the guildhall, she was nowhere to be found.

"Where’s Wendy?” he asked Cana, going back to where he’d been sitting earlier.

“She just left. Gajeel and Lily walked her and Carla home,” Cana informed him, “I’m kind of worried about her, she seemed really upset. Did Natsu say anything to you?”

“Nope.” Both wizards shared a worried look. Natsu had always loved to brag about his jobs to anyone who would listen. “You think maybe we should have Gramps call Sabertooth?”

“Why? You worried about your little rival?” Cana teased, but when Gray didn’t respond to the taunt, she changed her tone. “Whatever happened, I’m sure they’ll tell us when they’re ready.”

Gray hoped she was right, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. The look he'd seen in Natsu’s eyes still haunted him. The only other time he'd seen it was after Tartaros.

After Igneel had died.

The infirmary door opened, and Mira came out, the annoyed expression on her face giving testament to how things were going inside. The sound of Erza and Natsu arguing reverberated around the guildhall.

Mira walked over to them and, with an exasperated sigh, reported, “He refused to say anything until Erza demanded he stay in the infirmary overnight. He’s determined to go home.”

“I can take him,” Gray offered, but before he had a chance to even get up from his stool Happy had already flown past him and up the stairs. He returned a few minutes later, carrying a smug looking Natsu and leaving an infuriated Erza behind.

Erza joined them a few minutes later, looking as irritated as only Natsu could make people. Her eyes fell on Gray, and after gazing at him thoughtfully for a few moments, she finally spoke.

“Gray, I’d like a word with you.”

[lucyydragneel]

Shadows

FanFiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/~lucyydragneel Rated: T First chapter of my NaLu Angst Week 2018

A/N: Hey guys! I'm back?! Anyway I decided to participate in NaLu Angst Week 2018 and I am very excited! I really hope you all enjoy these one shots and thank you all for your continuous support! Enjoy :D!

Day One: Shadows (AU)

Lucy's POV

Ever since my mother died I started to believe in strange things. Not really the paranormal per say but something like that. I was 5 years old when she died so I didn't really understand it. I just assumed that she would come home one day; she never did.

After her death was when I started to notice strange occurrences. The time I couldn't sleep for instance, I had always been afraid of thunder storms and my mother would be there to console me. She would play this music box I owned that had a dragon saving a princess on it, weird right? It was always calm me down. Well after she died and I was afraid the music would start playing. Yeah I know what you're thinking, "that's so creepy!" Well not to me.

It reminded me that somehow she was still here. As I grew older I realized that telling people these stories would freak them out, so I kept it all to myself.

On my 18th birthday I moved to Magnolia and decided to go to university. I had gotten a job at a local club called Fairy Tail. Everyone there was like family and I wasn't sure if I was going to fit in. I found out that most of them went to Magnolia University too.

They welcomed me and I met so many amazing people. There was one person in particular that I became very close with. His name was Natsu Dragneel. I will say at first his pink colored hair threw me off but then he smiled and I felt something. Something I haven't felt since my mother died; happiness. Of course I made other friends as well. Levy, Juvia, Erza, Cana, Mirajane and Lisanna as well as Gray, Elfman, Loke, Gajeel, Laxus, Gildarts and our boss Makarov.

Loke is a flirt and is convinced we will date one day. Levy is a total bookworm just like me and she's dating Gajeel which at first I thought was strange since they are complete opposites but I soon realized that they are cute together. Elfman, Mirajane, and Lisanna are siblings and they're all very sweet. Laxus is Makarov's grandson who is actually really sweet but acts like a total dick. Gildarts is Cana's dad and fawns over her every second which annoys her. Erza is… well… scary! She's super sweet but can turn into a demon in a split second. Juvia and Gray are dating and she is obsessed with him. Gray and Natsu are always fighting but then again Natsu fights with every guy we work with.

I can't really explain why Natsu and I became so close because it just happened. He slowly became my best friend and we told each other everything. I trusted him with my life. Slowly but surely I fell in love with him and I was too afraid to tell him. I feared that he would reject me and we wouldn't be friends anymore.

Flashback

Natsu was walking me back to my apartment since we both don't own a car. He doesn't like when I walk alone in the dark… which is cute.

"Hey Luce?" Natsu said. He looked nervous for some reason.

"Yes, Natsu?" I said. He started to play with his scarf and he only does that when he's nervous. "Natsu? What's wrong? Why are you so nervous?" I asked.

"Uh… well… um… fuck! Why is this so hard?!" He shouted.

"Natsu its okay you can tell me anything!" I said. He stopped walking and turned to me. I saw that we were across the street from Magnolia Park. It's our favorite park.

"C'mon lets go sit under our tree! Then you can tell me what's wrong!" I said. A few months ago Natsu and I carved our names in a huge Sakura tree we found. He smiled at me so I went to run across the street and waited for him to follow.

I heard him yell, "LUCY LOOK OUT!" And that's when I saw the headlights of the car that was coming towards me. I stood frozen in the middle of the street not knowing what to do. As the car was about to hit me something pushed me out of the way. I heard a thud and when I looked up I screamed.

"NATSU! NO! NO! NOOOO!" I screamed. I saw his body lying in the street... not moving. I ran over to him and thankfully he was breathing.

"Natsu? Can you hear me?! P-Please o-open your e-eyes!" I yelled while crying. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled weakly at me.

"I-It's gonna b-be o-okay… I-I'm gonna g-go c-call for h-help." I said as tears streamed down my face. As I reached for my phone Natsu grabbed my hand.

"N-No L-Luce… I-I d-don't t-think… I-I'm g-gonna m-make i-it…" He said weakly.

"WHAT?! Natsu no… I need t-to call f-for h-help…!" I stuttered.

"N-No L-Lucy. I-It's o-okay…" He said trying to reassure me. "I-I w-would r-rather die here w-with you…. t-then a-alone in an h-hospital…" He said. He smiled at me and squeezed my hand. At this point I was balling and my heart was breaking.

"Lucy… I-I wanted… t-to t-tell you… t-that I-I… love y-you a-and y-you're everything… t-to m-me… p-please don't c-cry… s-smile f-for me!" He said and smiled that special smile… the one that made me feel happy. I smiled through the tears but the smile was insincere.

"I… l-love you too N-Natsu! S-So much you changed m-my l-life and I-I could never thank y-you enough f-for it! B-But I CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" I screamed hyperventilating from crying so hard. His breathing began to slow and his eyes started to lose that fire inside of them.

"I-I'll always b-be… with y-you…" He mumbled. His breathing became raspy.

I leaned down and kissed him… and then he was gone. I was holding him crying and screaming for him to come back to me; but just like my mom… he never did.

End Flashback

That was over a year ago and I have been so depressed. I could never love someone other than him. Everyone from Fairy Tail tries to cheer me up but I know they are all sad themselves. I took Happy, his blue cat… yes blue. It's like having a part of Natsu with me.

Since that night there has been this shadow in the corner of my room. I thought it was from my dresser but when I moved it… the shadow was still there. It looks like a person and I'd like to think that it's Natsu.

Tonight is one of those nights when I'm… afraid. When Natsu was alive he was there to calm me down during thunder storms and now that's he gone I don't know what to do.

I still have that music box but it hasn't played in a long time. I got up to close the curtains and curled up under my blanket.

Happy jumped up and plopped down near my head. As I was starting to fall asleep I heard something… no I heard… music. I looked at my dresser and my music box was playing. And like I said before it doesn't scare me.

I saw the shadow looming over the music box and thought it was my mind playing tricks on me until it moved its arm and touched my cheek… I felt it. It's real. I started to shake because I was so scared. As I was trying to get off my bed I heard someone say my name.

"Lucy…its okay…" I heard it say… no Natsu say!

"N-Natsu…?" I whispered. I smiled as I reached for the shadow… as I was about to touch it he disappeared. I pulled my hand back and started to cry… no sob. It felt like he died all over again and I thought my heart couldn't break anymore… but I was wrong.

I heard a thud from the corner and I jumped. I looked over to see the shadow standing there and my heart started beating faster. I realized he was here and he was protecting me. The music box was still playing.

Before I shut my eyes I saw the shadow closing the music box and say, "Sweet dreams Lucy… from your mother and me.

I hope you enjoyed it! I'm sorry if it isn't that good because I am just getting back into writing but hopefully the rest of the chapters will be better.

[petri808]

Karaoke Kraze

Lucy, Cana, and Levy have been friends since childhood.  Home for the summer from college they head to their favorite club to drink, sing, and just party the night away.  Levy’s boyfriend Gajeel brings his friends along but Lucy’s lyrical enchantments quickly leaves his younger cousin Natsu spellbound....

Chapter 1 of 10: The Voice

It’s nearly 7pm on a Saturday night in June as the three best friends all stand around one of the mirrors in Lucy's bathroom.  Sure, there are others they could use in her changing area but it's always more fun when they get ready together.

This is the first time in about 3 months since they’ve been able to hang out like this; each busy with college.  But every summer break when they come home to Magnolia their focus is on catching up and having fun like there were no cares in the world.  And tonight, was no exception, nothing was gonna stop them from heading to their favorite hangout spot; the Fairytail Karaoke Bar & Nightclub.

"Lucy quit hogging the mirror!" Levy whines, "It’s not like you need it."

Her friend was right; the beautiful blonde could turn heads just wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.  Over the years her girlfriends just put up with all the attention their friend received because they knew her better; she's never really cared for any of the guys who've worked up the courage to ask her out.  Not because many weren't handsome or rich since most of them were, but mainly because they only looked at her appearance and that's not what she was looking for in a real man.

"Levy your just as adorable."  She pinches her friend’s cheek eliciting a squeal from the girl.  "Besides, you've already got a boyfriend so who are you trying to impress?"

Humph!  She crosses her arms, "So, maybe I like it when guys still check me out!"

"Uh, you Naughty girl!" Lucy shrieks

"Isn't Gajeel gonna meet you there tonight?  Or are you trying to make him jealous?"

Levy smirks, "Maybe...   It makes the night games even spicier."  Cana and Lucy's jaws drop; their mousy, bookworm little friend sure has changed since she started dating this guy.

"My hero!"  Cana puts her arms around Levy’s shoulders.  "Where have you been all this time!"

Blushing, "So, um, he's gonna have a few friends with him too."

"Oh yeah, are they hot friends?!" The brunette wiggles her eyebrows

"I’m not sure whose coming.”

"Well I hope so, maybe Lucy here will finally get some action!"

Tch  “You might be getting too much action Cana!  Try settling down for once."

Placing a hand on her hip, she cocks it to the side, "Oh please, life's too short, I'm still young, and I wanna have fun."  She retorts in a serious tone.

Levy and Lucy look at each other smirking when all three start singing and waving their hands in the air, "Oooh, Girl's just wanna have Fu-un, Ooohh girls just wanna haaave fun!"  Erupting into a giggling fit at the end.

Turning back to the full-length mirror, “So, do you guys think this is too revealing?”  Lucy inquires of her friends as she smooth’s down the skirt and checks herself over.  “I still wanna be able to dance without anything bunching.”  

“If anything, I think it’s not revealing enough,” Cana not so coyly replies as she pulls at the halter top and pokes at Lucy’s breasts.  “Show off more of these!”

“No way, I don’t need those falling out!”  Sigh, “They are such a pain sometimes.”  Turning back to the mirror she poses a couple more times.  The simple but elegant red halter top dress she chose was cut in the middle and with her sizable boobs, plus an open back, there was plenty of skin up top to reveal.  The skirt was loose fitting, good for dancing, but short barely reaching her mid thighs.  Lucy worried it was too short but as long as she was careful she should be okay.  With a pair of black 5inch heels at the end of her long silky white legs the girl was stunning.  

As Lucy and Cana primp and strike poses in the mirror Levy’s cell phone rings.  “Hey Gajeel… Yeah we’re leaving in a few to head to the club… Alright we’ll save a booth… How many..  okay.  What time are you guy’s…  We’ll see you there… I Love you too.  Bye.”  

She turns around to let her friends know about the group when she sees them making kissy faces at her.  “Ooh I love you Gajeel.”  Cana wraps her arms around herself and starts to imitate the sounds of sloppy kisses.

“Cana!”  She shrieks; her face heating up as images of her and Gajeel making out pop into her mind.

“Ah” Lucy points out giggling, “She is thinking about it!!”

“Guys quit it!  You better not mess with me tonight, I don’t wanna be embarrassed!”

“Oh, lighten up Levy!”  Lucy teases her friend, “It’s just us in here.”   “So, what’d he say?”

“They’ll get there around 8:30-9, and there’s 5 of them so he said find a big enough booth.”

“I don’t think we’ll all fit in one booth, but I’m sure Mira will just give us the VIP section, I’ll call on the way there.”

“Sooorry, Miss influential,” Cana snickers

“Whatever, we’re all friends and she always take’s care of us.”

“Then why are we still standing around in here!  I wanna get my drink on!”  The brunette puts her arms around her friend’s shoulders and leads them out of the room.

“I’ll text Gajeel on the way there to find us in the VIP section.”

“It’s Time to party girls!”  Lucy squeals

As the black Bentley limo pulls up in front of Club Fairytail, one of the security guards named Al Connell opens the car's door for them.  Lucy instructs her driver Capricorn that she’ll call when they’re ready to leave.  He nods and wishes them a good evening as the three girls exit the vehicle.

“I can never get used to riding in that thing.  Lu I don’t know how you mind the attention.”  

She shrugs her shoulders, “I just grew up with it being normal.”

“Well I looove the attention,” Cana grins and waves her fingers at a few decent looking guys staring at them.

“Come on,” Lucy drags her drooling friend towards the door’s bouncer.  “Hey Elfman!”

“Hey girls; back for more I see.”

“You know it!”

“Mira’s already got the VIP section ready for you guys.  Is there anyone else in your group still coming?”

“Yeah, my boyfriend Gajeel, do you remember him?”

“The guy with the facial piercings?”

“That’s him,” Levy blushes, “and four more of his friends will be with him.”

“I’ll direct 'um to you guys when they get here.  You girls have fun tonight.”  He opens the door for them.

“Thanks, Elfman.”

They head straight for a roped off section that has a reserved sign next to it.  A girl with short white hair reaches them just as they are about to sit down.  “Hi Lisanna, how’s everything going with you and Bixlow?”

“We’re doing great, he finally proposed to me last month.”

“Really, congratulations!”

“Thanks.  So, what can I start you off with?”

“I think our usual’s, right?”  Lucy looks at the other two and they nod, “Oh and could you bring us the karaoke book?”

The girl smiles, “Already got it.” She hands the book to Lucy.  “I know your routine already, Karaoke then dancing.  I’ll be back shortly with your drinks.”

“You’re the bomb Lis!”  Cana yells after her.        

Lisanna puts in their orders with the bartender, her brother-in-law Laxus.  It doesn’t take long since he also anticipated their usual’s and soon the girls are half way into their first round.  

“So, what should we sing?”  Levy asks with the paper and pen in her hand, “We’ve got about an hour till they get here so we need about 7-10 songs.”  She enjoys hanging out when they come here to sing, but she rarely participates, saying that Lucy has the nicest voice and Cana, well Cana just likes to be a part of any action.

The three girls huddle around the song book and start pointing out songs for Levy to write down.  Mostly fun ones to sing but Lucy pick’s a couple of slower love songs as well.  Her friends tease her that those are All hers as usual.  She tries to plead for them to at least sing back up, but they reply no guarantees.  “Fine,” she huffs, “I still don’t know why you won’t sing them with me.”

“Because we can’t pull them off like you.  Duh!”  

Lisanna returns with their second round and they hand her their list of songs.  This section has its own karaoke set up so Lisanna programs the songs for them.  Cana and Lucy eagerly grab the mics and stand up in front of the screen ready for the first song to come on; ‘Love Shack’ by the B52’s.  “Okay you got the girls part.”  Cana winks at Lucy who giggles, “Kay.”

C- “If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says 15 miles to the…” L- “Looooove Shack!  Love Shack, yeah, yeah.  I’m headin down the Atlanta highway… Lookin; for a looove getawayyy.  Headed for the looove getawayyy.”

Both girls start imitating 70’s & 80’s styles of dances like the disco finger, the bump, and of course the ‘Love Shack’ dance move; bopping around and having a blast with the music.  Even Levy can’t resist, joining them during the choruses.

C- “Knock a little louder, baby.” L- “bang, bang, Bang, on the door baby…” C- “I can’t hear you.” L- “Bang, Bang, Bang, on the door baby…” C- “Knock a little louder, sugar.” L- “BANG, BANG” C- “On the door, baby.” L- “BANG, BANG” C- “On the door baby!.” L- “BANG, BANG!” C- “Your What!?” L- “Tiiiinnn roof, Rusted.”  “Love Shaaack, that’s where it’s at.  Love Shaaack, that’s where it’s at.” C- “At the Lo-o-ove Shack…”

Levy starts clapping enthusiastically as the two girls plop down on the couch and gulp their drinks; luckily Lisanna anticipates their routine and is already on her way with the next round.  Over the next hour they sing to their hearts content, even growing a small crowd of mostly guys cheering them on.  

Gajeel and his friends all pull up around 8:25pm and head into the club.  Elfman opens the door and directs them to the VIP section, “Just follow the singing, I can hear Lucy right now.”

“Who’s Lucy again?”  Questions Gray

“She’s one of my girl’s best friends.”

“Are they nice, Juvia hopes she will get along with them?”  

“Oh yeah, their cool, you already know Levy so just talk to her if not.  I’m pretty sure the other two will be dancing most of the time anyways.”

“Are they hot?!” drools Loke, their playboy friend.

“Gehe, you’ll like Cana, she’s just like you, loves to party and isn’t looking for a serious relationship.”

“Sounds like my kind of woman!”

As the other four in the group just chat along the way, Natsu’s pace slows.  Silently wrapped up in his own thoughts, soaking up the words and her voice wafting through the air; ‘So this is Lucy we’re hearing....My God her voice is just so beautiful….’

“… Two by two their bodies become one…….  I see you through the smoky air.  Can’t you feel the weight of my stare…  You’re so close but still a world away…..  What I’m dying to say, is that I’m crazy for you.  Touch me once and you’ll know it’s true.  I never wanted anyone like this….”

Gray turns to say something to Natsu when he realizes his friend is trailing behind, “Oi Natsu, you coming?”  Looking more carefully he sees the dazed expression in his best friend’s face. “Dude, what’s the matter with you?”

“Her voice is just….  There are no words to describe it…”

“Huh?  Oh, you mean that Lucy chick whose singing, you don’t even know what she looks like; she could be ugly...”

Natsu cuts him off.  “With a voice like that….”  He looks at his friend, “You don’t gotta wait up for me I’ll catch up.” “Slowly now we begin to move.  Every breath I’m deeper into you… Soon we two are standing still in time.  If you read my mind….”

“Whatever man.  We’re heading to the bar first to grab our drinks.  I’ll see you at the table.”

“Yeah sure,” Natsu mutters as he continues towards the voice, drawn to it like a moth to a flame.   “It’s all brand new, I’m crazy for you.  And you know it’s true…”  

Making his way through the small crowd she finally comes into view.  His heart stops and feet plant locked to the floor.   He can’t believe what his eyes are trying to tell him… This girl, with the entrancing voice is drop dead gorgeous too!  A striking blonde with a flirty little red dress; his favorite color by the way, holding the microphone to her luscious looking pink lips… and those long…silky smooth legs…  “Wow…” he softly breathes out leaving his lips parted.  Her big bright brown eyes sparkling when the lights hit them; he listens spellbound as she drags out the last line.     

“…I’m crazy, crazy for you…”

[riverofmemoriesft]

. Between the Lines. 196

Scowling at the fact that he, Gray, and Jellal were all stuffed together into the foyer of a house that belonged to a single woman who'd been more than willing to let them borrow her bathrooms, Natsu tugged at the red tie he wore. Gray was having issues beside him, constantly tugging at his own tie to try and strip, making the woman laugh as she watched them from the kitchen.

Jellal chuckled, looking at them with amusement. "Gray, stop stripping. Erza won't be pleased with you if you do."

Gray shuddered at the thought.

Natsu fumbled with a cuff at his wrist. "Can we get going then? Luce will be there before we are at this rate, guys." He shifted impatiently and from his place on Natsu's head, Happy laughed.

"She's not going anywhere, Natsu," Gray sighed, rolling his eyes. "She doesn't need you there every five seconds." He frowned at him, suddenly looking honestly concerned. "Did you sleep at all last night? You've got these huge shadows beneath your eyes."

Natsu lifted a hand and touched them with a hand, grimacing. "No. Nightmares." He said nothing more on the matter and turned away, only to jump when the woman's hand rested on his arm.

"Here," she offered, holding up some concealer. "Our skin tones are pretty close. I can hide it for you if you want."

He blinked. "Thanks." She was near Levy in height, so he carefully bent over. She smeared the makeup on his face, careful not to get it in his eyes. When she was done, she smiled gently.

"You should talk about those nightmares of yours, Mr. Dragneel," she told him with a kind look. "Even if it's just to your cat friend. Believe me. My husband was murdered in front of me a couple years ago and I woke up screaming several times. Just talking to my friend helped me get through it. I rarely get the nightmares now."

Natsu gawked in shock, and then gave her a true grin. "Thanks. I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to try that."

She laughed and then waved as they ducked out of her home. She closed the door behind them.

"Cheating on your girlfriend?" Gray mocked, but Natsu ignored him, feeling oddly comforted as he made his way towards the palace.

"Lucy!" Erza gasped when she had checked into the party, sweeping into the grandly decorated hall that led to ballroom. "You look beautiful!"

Lucy flushed, her cheeks red. She swept her hands down the dress she'd been sent, her fingers smoothing over the silken material. As requested, the formal gown was red. It was a beautiful crimson in color, sleek and hugging every part of her. Golden lace that looked as if it was fire spread up the left side, starting up at the hip and spreading out over her breasts and up her throat. It wrapped around the back of her neck before leaving her shoulder blades and lower back open to the air from the back of her neck to the small of her back. It had a train that trailed behind her, and her golden heels - gifts from one of her Spirits, she'd assumed, left out for her when she came back from changing into her dress - boosted her height quite a bit. Lucy's nails had been painted red by the wife of the house they'd been allowed into, and though she'd wanted to summon Virgo, the wife had done her hair, too, into an elegant style. It had been curled, and then gathered into a knot at the back of her head, a braid running along the right side. The strands tickled her neck, and she'd wrapped her choker around her wrist.

It had been an absolute shock when a tiara, golden and studded with rubies, had been added to the outfit.

"Do you think so?" she murmured, furrowing her brow. "I mean, I know it's a formal event, but you look so much nicer than I do…"

Erza scoffed. She placed her hands on her hips and Wendy clapped beside her. Both were dressed just as beautifully. Wendy wore a silver dress, her blue hair loose and stylishly curled, and Erza wore a black dress that had a slit up the side, a loose dazzling silver belt draped over her hips. It set her scarlet hair off beautifully.

"We know so," Wendy laughed. She beamed when at her feet, Charle huffed, "If your men don't trip over themselves, there's something wrong with them."

"She's dating Natsu," Erza sighed, and then leaned back against the wall with a warm smile. "Go on in, I'll wait for the boys here. Juvia's already inside."

"Are you sure?" Wendy said anxiously. "We can wait with you, Erza-"

"No, go," she said gently. "Before Lucy has that tiara plucked right off of her head." Her eyes shone with amusement. "Besides, Hisui said that she wants to announce you as the princess of Bosco to those present. I told her that you and Natsu are here together and she needs help debating whether or not to call Natsu a prince or something similar."

Lucy was puzzled. "He's just...Natsu," she sighed as she was dragged inside by an excited Wendy.

"Lucy!" Cana laughed from where she stood arm in arm with a flustered Romeo. She waved, her eyes glittering, and Lucy returned it as Romeo eagerly abandoned her to come and shyly ask Wendy to join him for something to eat. Charle went with them.

Lucy, alone, found herself suddenly swept out of the doorway by a grinning Sting. He winked playfully as he told her, "Hey, Lucy. Thought you could join Yukino and Rogue and I while you waited for Natsu."

She beamed and then arched a brow when she saw his gaze darting up and locking on the rubies in her tiara. "Sting. You're not allowed to touch my crown, do you hear me?"

He pouted. "Fine."

"Hey, Lucy," Yukino giggled as they reached the other two. She slipped her arm through Sting's, her silver dress giving her silver hair a surprising shine. "You look beautiful."

"So do you," Lucy told her, beaming. Sting and Rogue were both dressed professionally. Rogue was in a simple suit with a red shirt underneath and Sting had put on some kind of special coat over his white shirt. "What's with your jacket, Sting?"

"Guildmaster privilege, actually." He grinned. "Check it out." He turned his back to her, showing her the Sabertooth emblem that had been stitched into the back of it, like a royal crest. It was surrounded by the outline of a shield, stitched in the same gold that lined the rest of his jacket. "Makarov would have gotten one this morning. They wanted us to wear them. Probably so those who need our guilds will know who we are."

"Oh," Yukino suddenly giggled. "Look, Lucy. Juvia's over there."

Lucy followed her gaze and found Juvia standing alongside Gajeel. Both looked just as good as the rest of them. Gajeel, in some kind of stylized suit, the black and gold bringing out his eyes. Juvia was in blue, of course, a deep oceanic blue. Her dress, sleeveless with a high collar, faded from blue to white at the bottom of the skirt, draping gracefully from her hips. They chatted easily to one another, Gajeel teasingly tugging on a curled blue lock.

"She's lovely," Lucy murmured.

"Mhm," Yukino agreed before furrowing her brow. "Lucy, have you heard anything from our Spirits lately? Or tried to summon them?"

Lucy showed her a golden heel. "I got these from them. There was a note that looked like Loke's writing. He and the rest of the Zodiacs as well as every other Spirit in their Realm are going to take some time off and ask that we don't summon them. I hope not too long. Loke has my whip."

The bracelet at her wrist gave a small flare, but Lucy pretended not to notice. It did that sometimes.

"I see," Yukino murmured. "Okay. Thank you, I understand." She turned her face away, not upset, merely thoughtful. "Oh! Erza!"

Lucy looked over and found the scarlet-haired woman finally entering. She was proudly striding beside Jellal, arm in arm with him, her head bent close to his. "They look good together," Rogue commented.

"They do," Lucy agreed. "I hope they officially get together soon. They both deserve it."

Gray ducked in not far behind them, a frown on his face as he spoke urgently with a pretty Levy, who wore a long orange dress that made her look elegant and professional, her blue hair hanging in her face. Juvia caught sight of him and waved. Levy went eagerly to greet her new husband-to-be.

Gajeel made a happy sound as she slid her arm through his, rising to greet him with a kiss.

Gray caught sight of Lucy as Juvia grabbed his hand happily. He gestured for her to go over and Lucy excused herself to the Sabertooth mages. She strode over quickly. "Where's Natsu?" she questioned. "I thought he and Happy were with you?"

"They were...Happy went with Charle and the other cats to eat," he explained, puzzled. "Natsu disappeared."

Lucy looked around, seeing a cheerful Mirajane greet Laxus, who seemed surprised by her, unable to tear his gaze away. Lisanna had her lips close to Evergreen's ear, her eyes locked on them as Bickslow tried to eavesdrop on the pair. Freed rolled his eyes to the ceiling above and muttered a quick prayer for patience.

She saw Asuka with her cheerful parents, and Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel and Blue Pegasus. She saw Mavis, pouting beside Makarov as he devoured a piece of cake. Cana had greeted someone playfully, a man that Lucy didn't recognize. Rufus and Orga and a few other mages from Sabertooth had gathered around their guildmaster, trying to get past Yukino so they could get him drunk.

She saw everyone, even Hisui, but not Natsu.

Worried, because she knew he'd been having troubles though he hadn't said anything, she bit her lip. "He'll be okay," she murmured finally, though she didn't believe herself.

Gray patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. "How are you feeling, Lucy?" Juvia turned blue eyes on her, too, worried.

Lucy opened her mouth to answer, but was cut off as a call of her name filled her ears. Hisui was suddenly there, dressed in emerald green. Her eyes were shadows from sleepless nights, but she merely asked, "May we announce you? Where's Natsu?"

"I don't know," Lucy said, biting her lip. "He's not here apparently…"

"I'll send some people out to look for him," Hisui promised. "But Father wants to announce you soon, so be ready." She slid away and Lucy wondered in silence if she would ever forgive her for bringing the dragons to Fiore.

"Juvia likes your dress," Juvia said suddenly, beaming at her. Lucy returned the compliment, eyes filling with amused gratitude. "Juvia thinks it looks like flames. The Council payed very close attention to who we mages have given our hearts to."

Lucy flushed then. "Well, I mean, look at Levy, all engaged and stuff."

"Juvia had to help Gajeel," Juvia sighed. "Juvia doesn't think he knows what he's doing sometimes."

Lucy giggled and then blinked when trumpets sounded, like some kind of television show. Everyone faltered and then looked up. Hisui was sputtering, lost. "Father's not supposed to come for another half hour!" she cried, "What's he-"

"Grab him!" Lucy heard someone cry just a split second before someone crowned in the king's crown and robes threw himself over the banister that he was supposed to appear on. He landed just a breath away from her, hitting the ground with a thud, and then grinned at Lucy. She wailed and buried her face in her hands.

Natsu beamed at her. "Hey, Luce. You look great." He paused to drag her in for a quick kiss on the lips, pressing close and letting his mouth move warmly and bruisingly against hers, and then was sprinting for the door as guards came bolting after him, laughing loudly as they gave chase.

Lucy sputtered, flushed. Gray threw his head back and laughed as Juvia giggled.

Distantly, Lucy heard Gajeel groan. "I know the it's made of gold, but holy fuck Salamander! You can't hoard the king's crown!"

[mdelpin]

I Take Pride In What I Am 2019 Prompt: “But I’m sick of hiding my heart” Pairing: Natsu x Gray

First Part

Natsu arrived at the guild early the next morning grabbing the first job he saw that sounded like it would be far away and would give him the biggest chance to fight monsters. He didn’t bother to look at any of the details. His mind was still reeling from the events of the night before. He wanted to get away from any chance of possibly running into Gray for the foreseeable future. At least until he could figure out what the hell was happening.

He showed Mira the request, waiting to be given approval and immediately scowling when it wasn’t forthcoming.

“I can’t let you take this job alone,” Mira protested, “It’s too dangerous, I’d feel more comfortable if you took someone like Gray with you.”

“Hell no!” Natsu crossed his arms in front of his chest, “I don’t need that stripper’s help.”

“Well if not him, then Lucy or Erza.” Mira insisted.

“I’ll go,” Both mages jumped surprised to hear Loke offer to go on a job.

“Loke?” Mira studied the Celestial Spirit carefully, “Doesn’t Lucy need you?”

“She’ll be fine without me for a day or two,” Loke waved away Mira’s protests, “Besides, I’m still a Fairy Tail wizard and I haven’t gone on a job in ages. So how about it, matchstick?”

Natsu couldn’t really understand why Loke would want to come along, they’d never been particularly close but he was a good fighter and if he had an ulterior motive Natsu couldn’t think of what it was. He relaxed and decided he didn’t care as long as he could get out of Magnolia before Gray got to the guild. “Suit yourself.”

“I guess it’s alright as long as Natsu is fine with it,” Mira agreed grudgingly, not entirely sure what Loke might be up to, but seeing no good reason to deny his request.

“Great!” Loke cheered and as they began to walk out of the guild he asked, “Isn’t Happy coming along?”

“No, I’d been hoping to go alone.”

“I see,” Loke smiled internally, having a good idea what was bothering the dragon slayer but knowing better than to bring it up too soon, “Something on your mind?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Natsu snapped.

“Where are we going anyway?” Loke asked and Natsu showed him the job request.

They made their way towards the train station, Natsu itching for a fight and Loke being annoyingly agreeable.

Xxx

Gray woke up nursing the worst hangover he’d ever experienced in his life. All he’d done was move his head and now his stomach was rebelling and his mouth felt like it was covered in sand. But that was nothing compared to the feeling that someone was stabbing his head with a knife. He sat up slowly, cradling his head between his hands. He couldn’t stop himself from groaning out loud.

“Not feeling so good, huh?” Cana shoved a glass in his face that smelled surprisingly of the thing that got him there.

“No more vodka,” Gray groaned again as he shoved the glass away from his nose, “How can you be drinking already?”

“The best way to get over a hangover,” Cana shrugged, drinking the contents of the glass when Gray refused it again.

“I need to go find Natsu,” Gray moaned as he got up from his couch where it appeared he had passed out the previous night.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be so eager,” Cana mused, watching him with slight concern.

“I’m not, I just want him to knock me out so I don’t have to feel like this any longer.”

Cana chuckled, “Let’s get you some food and then we can figure out what you should do.”

“I already feel sick, don’t you think it’s cruel to feed me your gruel?”

“Oy! I know I should be insulted but you’re probably right,” Cana mused good-naturedly, “Are you up to going to the guild?”

Gray sighed, “I’m going to have to go there eventually. Let me just take a shower.”

Twenty minutes later Cana and Gray left his apartment and headed for the Fairy Tail Guild.

Xxx

“So Gray kissed you last night, huh?” Loke had waited until the train had already started moving to bring up the topic, knowing Natsu would be at his most vulnerable.

The smirk on his face was enough to make Natsu want to punch him into next week but he was too weak from motion sickness to do so, so he attacked the only way he was able. He emptied the contents of his stomach all over Loke’s impeccable suit, wiping the smirk off the Celestial Spirit’s face and replacing it with a look of disgust.

“You could have just said you didn’t want to talk about it you know,” Loke complained, frustrated when Natsu remained silent, although he could have sworn the fire mage was smiling in between moans.

Xxx

“How are you feeling, Gray?” Mira asked as she watched the ice mage sit on a stool wearing sunglasses.

“I may never drink again,” Gray replied seriously.

“Well here’s some ice water, I’ll go make you some breakfast.”

Gray thanked her and looked around the guild to see who was around. He saw no sign of any of his teammates and as much as he didn’t want to appear desperate he also really needed to know how Natsu was doing so when Mira returned with his food he had to ask.

“So, uhm, by any chance has Natsu been by this morning?” He asked as nonchalantly as he could manage.

“Natsu?” Mira grinned knowingly, “Oh yes, he went off on a job with Loke.”

“That’s a funny way to say Lucy, for a moment there I thought you said Loke,” Gray laughed uncomfortably, hoping against hope that he’d heard Mira wrong.

“That’s because I did say Loke,” Mira smiled up at him, innocence in her smile but a devilish glint shining in her eyes.

“Huh. Hey Mira?” Gray lay his head down on the bar knowing that if things hadn’t been bad before he was now truly and completely fucked, “Can I go ahead and have a drink now?”

Mira tried to stifle a laugh as she and Cana shared a knowing look. She poured Gray a drink and handed it over and he downed it quickly. He was about to order another when he heard the door burst open as Erza walked in screaming his name.

His headache protested but he knew better than to say anything, he just waved at his red-headed friend. She immediately charged in his direction.

“Did you defile Natsu in the guild last night?” Erza demanded loudly.

“What?! Of course not!” Gray yelled out in indignation, quickly looking to make sure no one was around before whimpering as his head throbbed, “Who the hell told you that?”

“It’s all over Fairy Hills.” Erza explained, “Juvia won’t leave her room, I left Lucy with her to try to calm her down.”

Oh yes, this day was just getting better and better.

“Well, then what did happen?” Erza stood over him, the intensity of her glare not even remotely dimmed through his sunglasses, her fingers twitched, itching to requip a weapon but attempting to exert self-control.

Gray looked down at the floor and mumbled nervously, ”I may have kissed him, and told him I was in love with him while incredibly drunk.”

Now Gray knew how protective Erza was of Natsu. She had taught him to read and write and since then she’d proclaimed herself his big sister much like Natsu had done to Wendy. Gray was fully expecting Erza to come at him when she learned he’d touched Natsu in any way that was not part of a fight, so he was surprised when she didn’t immediately attack him after his confession.

He waited as she studied him seriously before suddenly and quite unexpectedly erupting into loud guffaws quite unlike anything he’d heard from her before. After a few minutes spent holding her belly and wiping away tears, she finally calmed down.

“Are you done?” Gray, who had not found her reaction amusing in any way, groused at his friend.

“I’m sorry,” Erza replied not looking remorseful at all. “Well, how did he take it?”

“He turned away and ran out of the guild.”

“Well, you didn’t pick a great day for it, did you?,” Erza pointed out while ordering a slice of strawberry cake and motioning for Gray to follow her to their team’s table.

“I wasn’t exactly planning on it,” Gray snapped before softening his tone as he remembered who he was talking to, “It just sort of happened.”

“Take off those ridiculous glasses, it’s not that bright in here,” Erza grabbed the sunglasses off the bridge of his nose and placed them on the table before smiling at him. “That’s better.”

Mira came by with Erza’s cake and sat down next to Gray, while Cana sat on his other side, wine glass in hand. Gray found himself surrounded by three of the most terrifying women in the guild who seemed intent to either make fun of him or help him with his fledgling love life, he couldn’t quite make out which.

“Now tell us all about it,” Erza demanded, her tone bossy.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Gray muttered under his breath.

Mira put her hand over his and said kindly, “Try us, when did this start?”

“I don’t know, a while ago, but after Galuna I was sure.” Gray rubbed his temple trying to will his headache away. It was hard to have a serious conversation with the constant pounding in his head.

Erza smiled, “I guess I can see that, it was a very emotional time for the two of you. What are you planning to do about Juvia?”

“I can only handle one headache at a time, Erza.”

Cana snorted, “I think the more important question is what are you going to do now? Natsu is not exactly the easiest person to talk to about anything serious.”

Gray groaned, “Based on what Mira said he’s avoiding me, which means he doesn’t feel the same way.”

“You don’t know that for a fact,” Erza reminded him, “Natsu has a hard time with feelings, and July 7th is a hard day for him. You literally couldn’t have picked a worse day to hit him with this.”

“I’ve already told you,” Cana reminded him, “Give him time to figure it out, he might surprise you.”

“And Loke is probably trying to help your case as we speak,” Mira giggled into her hand.

“Loke?” Erza asked with interest.

“He went out on a job with Natsu,” Mira informed her girlfriend.

Erza tried her best not to laugh, not wanting to make Gray feel any worse, but Cana had no such qualms. Her laughter rang out next to Gray’s ear making him so annoyed you could see a vein bulging in his forehead.

“You know what? Fuck it,” Gray decided, “I’m glad I told him, whatever happens, happens but I’m sick of hiding my heart from him.”

“That’s the Gray I know,” Erza encouraged him proudly, “You’ll have a fight and you’ll sort it out.”

“I’m surprised you’re taking this so well,” Gray puzzled, “I was sort of expecting you to be mad.”

“Oh, we’re not done by a long shot,” Erza assured him, her aura once again turning dark, “If you start dating Natsu, we’re going to have a talk.”

Gray gulped, okay at least things were normal there. They spent the rest of the afternoon trying to help him come up with ways to talk to Natsu once he was ready. He was feeling a bit better when the door burst open and Loke entered carrying Natsu in his arms.

Both were bickering and Gray was able to see that Natsu was bleeding severely.

He and Erza both got up and rushed over to their teammate although they quickly moved back when they got a good whiff of Loke’s clothes.

“What happened?” Erza barked at Loke who looked decidedly nervous.

“N-nothing,” He stuttered, having been on the receiving end of Erza’s anger several times before.

“Nothing, my ass,” Natsu hollered, “He wouldn’t stop talking about the Ice Prick, we got ambushed by the mages that were controlling the monsters we were sent to destroy.”

Loke tried to meet Gray’s eyes but the ice mage only looked away, angry that he’d been responsible for Natsu getting hurt unnecessarily.

Meanwhile, Natsu was trying to avoid his gaze which was not exactly giving him the warm fuzzies, even though he understood.

Gray figured it was best if he found an excuse to leave the guild so Natsu could be more comfortable. “Loke, take Natsu to the infirmary, I’ll go find Wendy. And for Mavis sake, change your clothes, you reek.”

Loke looked miserable but he did as he was told, carrying Natsu up the stairs with Mira and Erza following.

Gray walked over to Fairy Hills, looking for the youngest dragon slayer. He knocked on the door and waited for the dorm mother to answer, but to his chagrin, it was opened by none other than Juvia and Lucy, who were apparently on their way to the guild.

“Gray-sama,” Juvia wailed, holding on to his arm and begging him to tell her that the rumors weren’t true.

Fuck! He managed to ask Lucy to go find Wendy so she could take a look at Natsu before being forced to calm down Juvia.

This just wasn’t his day.

To be continued… 

A/N: It should finish up tomorrow. Spoiler, I lied!