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Fight Me, Bite Me	By : Rhov Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail Views: 39446 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail is the property of Hiro Mashima. I make no money, I just do this for my own pleasure.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
Chapter 31
Not Your Average Announcement

Tuesday night, Natsu hardly slept. He stared out his window at the stars, wondering what Gray was dreaming about, if it was about him, and about what they were about to do.
Tomorrow, they would tell the guild that they were dating.
He bet normal couples did not get this nervous. Loke used to bring in his girlfriends all the time, sometimes two or three together. Of course, he rarely dated wizards. He wondered how Bisca and Alzack managed to tell the guild about them. It was probably no big deal, and everyone knew those two liked each other anyway. Then again, according to Happy, everyone pretty much figured out about Natsu and Gray too. It should not be a big deal.
Still, Natsu could not sleep.
Across town, Gray sat on his roof smoking a cigarette. He rarely smoked these days, but he was nervous. He normally just did not tell the guild if he was dating someone. It wasn't anyone's damn business! However, this was not some random person around town. This was Natsu, his teammate, his rival … a man! That changed everything.
He wondered if Natsu was sleeping. It was not like the Dragon Slayer had much to worry about. He wasn't the one with a history, a bad reputation, and a phobia for declaring his love.
"I … love … y-you."
Gray whispered it into the night. He had been trying to get used to saying the words, but even with no one around, it was scary.
A large moth flew up and landed on Gray's knee. He looked down at the ashen insect in the light of an orange street lamp.
"I love you," he said again, speaking to the moth and pretending it was Natsu. If someone in the guild wanted to hear him say those words, could he say it? Did he dare? Was it safe? "I … lo-love you!"
He jolted at forcing the words out, and the moth flew away. Gray watched its beating wings turning the delicate bug into a silvery spark of light in the darkness. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an owl swooped in and nabbed the moth in midair.
Gray cried out in horror. He had just said those three words to the moth. He didn't even mean them. Just saying them…
Blood on snow…
He realized he was shaking, almost convulsing, and he gasped as his lungs burned from not breathing. He crushed out his cigarette and wrapped his arms around his knees, hugging them against his chest.
"It's no good. I can't say it, dammit!"
What happened when people asked? What could he say? How could he handle this paralyzing fear for an emotion that now inundated his heart?
When morning arrived, Gray was on his third cup of coffee, trying to stay awake despite not sleeping at all. There was a knock on the door and someone called in.
"Open up, popsicle pants. It's me."
Natsu sure did sound relaxed and lively. Gray grumbled that he bet the idiot slept perfectly fine all night long. However, when he opened the door, he saw that Natsu had weary, dark circles under his eyes too.
"You look like shit," he said, letting the Dragon Slayer inside.
"Too nervous, didn't sleep. And you smell like a coffeehouse."
Gray decided to be honest. "I didn't sleep either. Now I'm too tired."
"Me too. We don't have to tell the guild first thing in the morning, y'know."
"Obviously."
Natsu walked straight to Gray's bedroom and collapsed onto his mattress. "I'm taking a nap."
"Why didn't you sleep at home?"
"I was nervous. Now I'm with you, so I'm not scared."
Gray's eyes softened. He had to admit, he also felt more relaxed just having Natsu in the house with him. He set aside his coffee and lay next to that warm, comforting body.
"So, a nap first?" he asked, stroking back Natsu's pink hair.
"Yeah. I just didn't want to sleep in and have you think I chickened out."
"Same here. To be honest, I'm ready to zonk out. The coffee isn't working this morning."
"I switched your coffee to decaf."
"… I'll kill you later, you little shit."
"Hahaha, just joking." Natsu snuggled into Gray's chest. He stared ahead into Gray's half-dark room. "It's a bit scary, isn't it? Coming out."
Gray hugged him tighter in comfort. "Are you sure you want to tell them?"
"Yes," Natsu said assuredly. "I can't keep it secret anymore, and we shouldn't anyway. It's not fair to our friends. Still, you're my first boyfriend, the first person I've ever dated at all. It's … scary."
Gray had not thought about that. Everyone knew Gray cycled through girlfriends, but for Natsu this relationship was a defining moment. People would be more shocked. It placed a lot more pressure on him, being his first time dating. All night, Gray had only been thinking about his own troubles. He felt bad that he had dismissed just how terrifying this might be to Natsu.
He kissed the hot forehead. "I'll be right there with you."
"Thanks," Natsu mumbled, but he was quickly asleep.
Gray smiled down at the adorable sleeping Dragon Slayer. "Just make sure you're there for me too, idiot."
When Natsu woke up, there was weight on his chest. He opened his eyes to see the sun slanting in and Gray sleeping beside him with one arm thrown over Natsu. The Ice-Make wizard's lips were parted, and drool made a shiny stream out of the corner of his mouth. Natsu chuckled, leaned in, and licked up the saliva. That made Gray jolt and hum. He wiped his face as he felt wetness.
"Are you drooling on me?" he asked, half asleep.
"You're drooling on yourself, idiot."
Gray grunted and flopped back onto the pillow. "What time is it?" he mumbled.
"Afternoon, I guess."
"Damn," he grumbled, but Gray still did not get up. "I guess we better get it over with."
"Do you want to eat first?"
"We can eat there. They'll have a party. Besides, I don't know if I can stomach anything." Still, Gray did not bother to get up. "Just wanna sleep here, be with you."
Natsu smiled placidly and kissed Gray's cheek. Finally, those stormy blue eyes opened and looked up at him. Natsu was drawn in to those eyes. He leaned forward again and kissed Gray on the mouth. He began to pull back, but Gray's hand reached out and grabbed the back of Natsu's head, pulling him back down for more. Gray savored the feel of those soft lips and hot breath. Then he bit Natsu's lower lip. The Dragon Slayer moaned at the pain from those teeth.
Gray suddenly pulled away and sat up on the edge of the mattress. "If we keep this up, we'll never get to the guild." He stood and began to walk toward the bathroom. However, he paused in the doorway and looked back nervously. "Do you … um … wanna watch?"
"Watch what?"
Gray opened his mouth to answer, but he held back, feeling worried about getting rejected.
"Oh! You mean … the bathroom? You want me to watch you … um, piss?"
Gray's brow tightened with guilt, but he nodded.
Natsu rose and walked up to him with a devious smile. "Okay. I'll watch."
Gray gulped and nodded again. He went into the bathroom, and Natsu followed. The Dragon Slayer leaned against the wall by the door, taking up a casual stand, but his narrow eyes stayed fixed on Gray. Those eyes sent shivers through the man so used to freezing weather. Gray walked over to the toilet, lifted the lid, and unzipped his jeans. He could practically feel those eyes on him, burning him, as he pulled out a limp penis and stared down at the toilet bowl.
Natsu was watching him! He would see it, hear it, and smell it. Those dangerous, fiery eyes would see him do this. The exhibitionist in Gray was thrilled, knowing he was being watched as he pissed.
Natsu said nothing. He smelled the urine. It was not a smell he particularly liked, but he put up with it for Gray. Watching Gray pee had no sexual appeal to him personally, but he thought about when Gray had marked him. Like an animal, Gray marked him with urine, and Natsu had marked him back. This smell reminded him of that time, and the memories made him twitch in his boxers.
Soon, Gray was done and zipped back up. He looked over to where Natsu stood silently.
"Do you need to go?"
"Do you want to watch?"
"If you're okay with that."
"Do you want it?"
Gray gulped at those blazing eyes and whispered faintly, "Yes."
Natsu pushed himself off the wall and walked over. He strode over to the toilet and set his feet apart. His hand went to his zipper.
"Actually," Gray began, but he froze up. "No, never mind."
"Tell me."
He looked guilty that his fetish would probably gross out Natsu. "Can I … do it for you?"
Natsu arched an eyebrow high. "You wanna pee for me?"
"No! I mean everything else." Still, Gray saw that Natsu looked confused. "Can I unzip your pants, pull it out … aim it?"
"You wanna do all that?" It sounded weird.
"Kind of," Gray muttered awkwardly.
Well, if it made him happy…
Natsu held his hands up, showing that everything was up to Gray. With a thick gulp, the ice wizard pulled down Natsu's zipper. Slowly, he reached in and felt around until he got through the split in Natsu's boxers and felt the lump inside.
"You're half hard," he whispered in surprise.
"Your hands are cold," Natsu said as an embarrassed excuse.
Gray pulled the cock out and stood behind Natsu so he could tell where to aim it. He heard Natsu's breathing getting quicker. Gray rested his chin on Natsu's collar and looked down to the toilet bowl.
"Just relax. Let it go."
Now Natsu was getting aroused. Gray's cold breath in his ear, those gentle words, and the lithe fingers holding him made this more than just a gross bodily function. It was erotic and stimulating. Gray would not only smell and hear it, but feel it too.
"Relax."
"Easy for you to say! You aren't the one with cold hands on your dick."
Natsu closed his eyes. He forced his muscles to loosen. He felt it coming, and soon he smelled it. His heart was racing as he felt Gray's fingers deftly move him to aim better. He felt the cold chest pressed up against him and Gray's breath on his skin.
"That's … good," Gray whispered in awe.
"Just don't talk, please," Natsu said in mortification.
Gray glanced from the yellow stream to Natsu's face. The sheer humiliation was far more arousing than watching Natsu piss.
"Your dick heats up when you pee."
"Sh-Shut up," Natsu eked out, turning bright red. "Seriously, Gray. Don't. Really."
He closed his mouth. Natsu was probably at his limit, so he just stood there, holding the cock and enjoying this bonding moment. Normal lovers never got this close. Normal lovers kicked one another out of the bathroom to take care of business, ashamed to show that disgusting side of themselves to one another. Doing this showed Gray that Natsu trusted him far more than some average lover. It was physical proof of their closeness, trust, and loyalty.
Finally, it was over, and Natsu almost went limp from the mental and emotional strain. Gray let him rest against his chest, holding him up, and praised him with words like "That was incredible" and "You did so well." Natsu listened to the adulation and felt boosted by it. He was a good dragon. Gray was happy with him. Gray liked it. Gray accepted him, even the dirty parts! Being accepted and wanted to this degree burned Natsu's heart hotter than the shame warming his cheeks.
Gray put Natsu back away and zipped him up. He flushed the toilet, washed his hands, and then came back for Natsu, who still stood there in a daze. He guided the Dragon Slayer to the sink to wash up, then back to the bedroom. They sat on the edge of the mattress, and Gray gripped those burning hands, smiling with wonder.
"You have a hell of a fetish," Natsu mumbled.
"You liked it this time," Gray pointed out.
Natsu could not deny that, although he felt it was weird and perverted.
"Can I be greedy?"
Natsu looked up at him in shock. "Gray, we need to get to the guild!"
"I know. I mean about that. Can I request something?"
Natsu raised a wary eyebrow and asked cautiously, "What?"
Gray hesitated just a moment. "Wear the chastity belt."
For a few seconds, Natsu had no clue what he even meant. When it fully dawned on him, he shouted. "What?"
"I want you to wear it. I want to know you belong only to me. No one can take you from me. Your cock is mine."
"You don't even have to worry about that. We're going to tell all of our friends."
"What if someone tries to claim you? What if Lisanna or Lucy or … or someone else wants you?"
Natsu looked hurt. "Gray, don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do. That doesn't mean that I trust them."
"These are our friends," Natsu shouted, almost feeling angry that Gray would not trust their guild mates, their family.
Gray looked aside with a quiet glare. "I don't trust anyone with you."
"Gray!"
He whispered, "I'm scared. Maybe they'll try to talk you out of this. Maybe they'll tell you bad things about me, and … and you'll change your mind. I just want to make sure." He frowned and looked down to his hands. Natsu smelled fear in Gray, and the twisting hands showed his anxiety. "I want to know that tonight, you'll come back to me, even if it's because you have no choice."
"Gray." Natsu wanted to tell him flat out no, but he could see and smell for himself, this was a serious issue for Gray. He tried to reason with him. "This is going to be embarrassing enough, telling everyone. Wearing that…"
"I want you to, please."
"You should trust me and trust our friends."
"I know. I do trust you, Natsu. Maybe … maybe there's more reason to it."
"Like what?"
Gray looked gloomy now. "I … need to stay in control." Natsu tilted his head in confusion. "If they ask me h-how … how I … feel about you … I'll have to rely on you to tell them." Anger filled his face. "I shouldn't have to rely on you for that. It should be me saying it. I should be able to say at least that much on my own."
Natsu sighed. "Gray…"
"So since I can't say it, and I have to rely on you, I need to be in control. Then, even if I screw up, even if people say we're bad for each other, even if they tell you horrible stories about me and tell you I'm no good, that you deserve better, at least you'll come back to me. I … I wanna know for sure that I … that I own you."
Gray hunched down, elbows on his knees, and gripped his fingers tightly into his hair.
"This is damn frustrating, okay?" he shouted. "Being faced with having to say those words, it's terrified me from the day I asked you out. Our friends will want to know if we're serious, they'll want to hear me say those words, and … I fucking can't!"
Natsu hugged him protectively, wishing he knew how to help.
"I've been thinking about it all night, how I can make this easier. I was tempted to ask you to wear the collar under your scarf, but someone might run up and hug you, the scarf could shift, and if people saw you wearing that, it'd be too much. At least with the chastity belt, no one can see it. No one would dare grab your cock when I'm right there next to you."
Natsu still felt sad. "Are you really worried I'd leave you?"
Gray felt bad, but he softly admitted, "I'm scared to death. I don't want to lose you, even if I have to cage you."
Natsu dropped his head. He tried to tell himself, Gray was just being possessive. He should be happy that Gray wanted him this much. Still, the lack of trust saddened him.
"If … if it'll make you feel most secure, then okay."
Gray looked up with a sigh of relief. "Really?"
"I don't actually like the idea of doing it," Natsu admitted honestly. "Still, it'll make this better for you." He laughed with heat in his cheeks again. "You realize, this is gonna be ten times more embarrassing for me now."
Gray smirked and ran his hand up Natsu's thigh. "I know," he purred. "Especially today, making an announcement like this, people will be wondering about you, about what we've done. They might … look."
Natsu laughed with embarrassment. "They w-wouldn't look."
Gray leaned in close to his ear. "They might."
"They wouldn't look at me," he said, his voice getting shriller as he thought about how humiliating that would be, people looking at his crotch. His heart raced just imagining it.
"They've all seen me," Gray reasoned. With his voice lilting with teasing pleasure, he whispered seductively, "People just might look down, wondering if you're enough to pleasure me, imagining all we have done, and will do, with that dick in your pants, a cock caged up … by me! No one will be able to see you, though. If they see a bulge, they'll be seeing the chastity belt, not you. That's another reason I want you to wear it. I don't want you to get erect. I do not want them to see that!"
Natsu sat quietly, looking down at the ground. Maybe Gray thought this was erotic, but something about it just felt off. "You're being really possessive," he muttered.
Gray was about to grin and agree, but he saw wavering uncertainty in Natsu's eyes. Maybe because he was asking this on a day that was already nerve-wracking, or even because he was being this possessive just after the incident in the bathroom; for whatever reason, Natsu looked ready to tell him no.
"I'm sorry," Gray said, backing off immediately.
"Okay."
Gray froze. Okay? What was okay? He stared, not daring to move yet. Natsu looked up, and he had a carefree grin on his face marred only slightly by a drip of sweat that showed he was nervous.
"How many people come out of the closet in front of all of their friends wearing a damn chastity belt?" he laughed.
Gray was still too worried to move. Was this a yes? "Do you want to put it on?"
"Not really, but I will."
"If you don't want to—"
Natsu grabbed Gray's hand and squeezed it. "It'll give you confidence. Plus, you're right. People might look at my crotch. I don't want them to see that. Only you, Gray." He leaned forward and kissed his chilly lips. "Only you can see it."
Gray sat still, staring in stunned silence.
"But," Natsu added, "that means you're in control of me. You're obligated to help me while I wear that. You had better not abandon me, and if anything happens, you had better be ready to take responsibility."
Suddenly, Gray remembered to breathe. He needed to hear that so much, he almost wanted to laugh. "Yes, I'm in control. I'm responsible for you. You're my dragon, and I'm your pet owner, your kainushi."
"That's right. I'm your dragon." Natsu's eyes narrowed. "Dragons are noble creatures. They're also loyal. You had better trust me and respect me, and get it through your glacier-thick skull that I'm not going to cheat on you. Even if people say something bad about you, you're my boyfriend now, and I'll pound their faces if they insult you. So don't ever think that a few rumors will drive me away. I've claimed you and marked you, Gray! I'll let you put a cage on me, but I'm allowing it. Got it?"
Gray smirked at that aggressiveness. "Got it."
He ran to the chest of kinky supplies, threw it open, and dug through to find the box that held Natsu's chastity device. He grumbled, realizing he needed to organize this chest better. He was getting too much of a collection since they started dating. Finally, he found the box and held it up. He grinned at seeing it. His cock cage!
When he turned around, Natsu was already undoing his pants, blushing furiously but his mind set on doing this. The fact that Natsu was doing this despite not really wanting to made it so much more special. For Gray, if there was no humiliation, there was no point to it.
When he stepped up to Natsu, the Dragon Slayer's eyes were cast down. He did not want to see anything sensual in Gray's face, or else he would get hard and just have trouble. Although that was Natsu's reason, to Gray it looked like Natsu was being an obedient Submissive, waiting for his Master. He felt boosted just seeing that lowered face.
"Fetch some lotion."
Natsu obeyed. Although he was naked from the waist down, he walked over to a dresser where Gray had a bit of hand lotion and brought it back to the ice wizard, still with his eyes down, waiting anxiously. Gray took the bottle, squirted some lotion into his hands, and rubbed it onto Natsu's cock. The Dragon Slayer flinched and slammed his eyes shut as those cold fingers caressed him.
"Don't get hard."
Not easy! Natsu stood there silently as Gray slipped on the cock cage and locked it with a ring around Natsu's balls. Once it was snug and secured with a small padlock, Gray held up the key.
"You're mine."
Natsu finally looked up. Behind the fringe of black hair, Gray's eyes gleamed possessively.
"Get dressed."
Natsu was starting to get sick of being ordered around. Feeling a little cranky, he walked over to his clothes and yanked them back on. Gray slipped the key into his back pocket, walked out to the main room, and shrugged on a coat.
"Are you ready?"
"No!" Natsu snapped.
Gray jolted and looked back into the bedroom. Natsu was dressed, but he stood stone still, his head down.
"Did I put it on wrong? Does it hurt? Is it that bad? I can take it off."
"No," Natsu snapped again. "Sorry. Just give me a moment. This is hard enough, knowing I'm about to tell everyone I'm dating you." Reluctantly, he confessed, "It's almost my limit."
Gray walked in and hugged Natsu, showing him he would be right beside him. "You're doing good. It'll be fine. It'll be kinky and fun."
Natsu raised his head a little and glanced up to the ice wizard. "Does this arouse you?"
Instead of answering, Gray took Natsu's hand and placed it against his own crotch, letting those hot fingers feel the bulge trying to tent his jeans.
"Maybe I should wear one of those," Gray teased.
Natsu's eyes narrow. "Yeah, you should. Do you think I want people seeing you hard?" Natsu grabbed Gray a little harder, until the ice wizard cried out in pain. "This is my cock, and I don't want anyone to see you like this."
Gray liked that aggressive side to the Dragon Slayer. "Too bad. I only have one of these cages."
"Then today, I'll wear it, but until Juvia returns, you have to wear it all the time. Sleeping, too. I had to wear it for two days last time, so you have to wear it extended now."
"Until Juvia gets back?" asked Gray.
Natsu's hand heated up, making Gray's cock ache and want more. "Like hell would Lucy or Lisanna just run up and grab my crotch, but Juvia very well might when she comes home and learns about us. She would try to take you away from me. So you have to wear it until then, and until she calms down, that way I know she can't have you. I don't want her to touch you," he sneered. "Only I can touch you, because this is my cock. I claimed it. I marked it. I've tasted it." Natsu ran his tongue over his upper lip. "I won't let anyone else have it."
Natsu voice was so low, so dangerously seductive, Gray bent over slightly as his blood rushed south.
"It's a deal." Gray chuckled that this time, they were sharing the role of the aggressor. "If you're a good dragon and wear this in the guild today, then starting tomorrow, and until Juvia comes home, I'll wear the chastity belt every day."
"Good," Natsu huffed victoriously. "Wait, why starting tomorrow?"
"I'm this aroused already. Tonight, after we tell everyone, we're celebrating."
Natsu blushed, and he felt his cock leap a little before the plastic cage tamed it. Gray hummed at the discomfort in Natsu's face.
"Oh yes, I'm going to enjoy this."
"No teasing me about it," Natsu insisted. "I will seriously melt this off if you tease me about it at all."
"Fine, I won't tease you, but I might keep staring at your crotch."
"People in the guild will notice that."
"In a few minutes, everyone in the guild will know why."
"Heh, true, and they'll know you're a pervert who stares at your boyfriend's dick."
"Are you ready to go now?"
"Yeah. C-Can … can we … h-hold hands when we enter?"
Gray's face brightened. Natsu was such a romantic. "Yeah. Let's hold hands the whole way there." He grabbed up Natsu's fingers, feeling light in his heart. "Your hands are hot and sweaty."
Natsu frowned. "I'm nervous. Your hands are cold and clammy."
"I'm nervous too."
They squeezed each others fingers and smiled at one another. This was their last moment of being a secret couple. They were about the walk outside holding hands. Natsu saw Gray's lip shiver with the fear he bottled down, and Gray saw Natsu struggling to gulp his anxiety. Then Natsu smiled with confidence.
"Let's go tell everyone."
Inside Fairy Tail, things were a bit boring. Lucy was stumped on her novel and chewed the tip of her pen. With nothing new to read, Levy had nearly fallen asleep beside her. The Thunder God Tribe was there drinking and joking with Elfman and Lisanna, while Laxus kept staring at the bar. Mira found herself in a lull with nothing to do but wipe glasses and chat with Erza and Cana. Happy was telling a fishing story to Wendy and Romeo, hoping to impress Carla.
That was when the doors opened, and a sight none of them could have imagined walked in. It was normal to see Natsu and Gray together—they were teammates, after all—but not standing so close to one another, holding hands, and looking anxious.
"Whoa, is that…?"
"Wait, are they…?"
Lucy looked up from her manuscript. "Natsu!" she cried out.
The two just stood there, looking out at everyone. Awkwardness ticked by in slow seconds with only mutters from the onlookers. Then Gray squeezed Natsu's hand, trying to urge him on. Natsu's brow tensed, and he squeezed back, assuring Gray it was okay. Still, neither said anything.
"Hey," Gray hissed. "Aren't you gonna tell them?"
Natsu glanced over and whispered, "I thought you wanted to tell them."
"I thought you did."
"You were going to."
"But I thought … Oh dammit, we didn't even plan this," Gray grumbled.
Natsu saw Gray grow anxious, so he shouted out, "Hey everyone!" Already, the whole guild was staring at them. "Uh … haha!" He flashed a massive grin. "We're dating!" He lifted up his hand crushing Gray's fingers, as if people could not already see it.
Gray rolled his eyes. "Oh God, that was the worst coming out ever."
"What? I told everyone clearly."
"You just blurted it out, idiot!"
Natsu leaned into his face with a glare. "Well, what were you planning on doing, cowardly stripper? Pussyfooting around and be all 'oh, um, you see, uh' … Just tell them." Natsu looked back out to the guild and declared, "Gray and I are now a couple. So there!"
"Idiot," Gray grumbled, blushing at how stupid Natsu could be.
The guild still stared in jaw-dropping shock. Gray, and Natsu?
Cana gave a wide shrug. "Okay! Happy won the bet."
"Yay!" the Exceed cheered.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Lucy accused him.
Happy folded his arms stubbornly. "No, I didn't. I only later found out they were gonna tell everyone today."
"What? Wait, you mean you've been hiding this from us?"
Natsu rolled his eyes. "Happyyyyy."
Wendy watched the fellow Dragon Slayer she admired so much and quietly said, "W-Well, I think it's kind of nice that he found someone he likes."
"Yeah," Romeo agreed hesitantly, "but … Natsu-nii and … and Gray? I didn't think Natsu-nii was … that he was … uh, that way."
Wendy looked confused. "That he likes boys? That's okay, right?"
"Well, sure, but … it's just surprising."
Elfman thumped a table. "It's manly to come out and say it directly."
Evergreen rolled her eyes. "It's gay."
Suddenly, Laxus loomed over her. His voice was low and rolled like threatening thunder. "What wrong with being gay?"
Elfman leaned back out of his shadow, and Evergreen looked up to see the yellow warning sparks of his anger.
"Oh, uh … n-nothing, Laxus," she squeaked out. "There's nothing wrong with it. Uh, why are you so defensive?"
"Freed's gay." To Laxus, that was reason enough. He stuck by his friends, and he did not want them to be insulted by anyone, even a member of his own team.
"I … I know that," Evergreen muttered. She had just said it out of habit, not meaning to be prejudiced. "Sorry, Laxus. Sorry, Freed. I didn't mean it badly."
"It's fine," Freed said, sighing slightly. "I'm used to it."
That sadness in his voice vexed her. "You shouldn't be used to it. People shouldn't say things like that. I … I'm really sorry." She dropped her head to show her sincerity.
Laxus patted her shoulder. "Just learn to watch what you say."
Suddenly, Freed turned away with stars in his eyes and his hands clasped together. "Laxus stood up for me!" He looked ready to burst with happiness.
Lucy bounced up to her two teammates with an ecstatic grin. "So, who asked out whom?"
Natsu grinned proudly. "I asked him out."
Gray glared over. "What are you talking about? I asked you out."
"Yeah, and then you dumped me, so I had to ask you out. I asked last, so I'm the one who asked you out."
"Wait, wait," Lucy said, interrupting their argument. "You broke up with Natsu? When were you dating before?" She looked sad. "Were you … hiding this from us?"
Gray panicked. He did not want people to know they had been secret lovers for over two months. "Fine! Natsu asked me out. He was a totally stupid romantic about it too." Gray folded his arms and looked away.
Carla watched in surprise. "Wow. Gray's tsundere."
"Aye!" Happy grinned, already knowing about that from what Natsu had told him.
Pantherlily added in too quietly for Carla to hear, "You would know."
Lucy squealed and clapped her hands. "Well, I win that bet."
"What!" Gray shouted. "Another bet?"
She shrugged. "Sure! It was only fifty-fifty odds. I lost the good bet on which day you'd come out." She smacked Natsu on the arm. "I told you to announce it on Sunday."
"I didn't want to wait," Natsu said, rubbing out where she hit. Girls sure could hit hard! "Sheesh, sorry, Lucy."
"It's fine. At least I won the bet on who asked whom out." She trotted off to see Cana about that bet.
Gray glared over at Natsu. "I asked you out first."
"I asked you out last."
"I didn't even break up with you, asshole. You asking me out shouldn't even count."
"It totally counts. You were happy, you said yes, so it counts."
"If that's the case, I could ask you out right here."
"We're already dating, idiot stripper."
"We never broke up, flame-brain bastard!"
Erza stomped up to the quarreling couple. Completely out of habit, they grabbed each other in a friendly way and smiled ingratiatingly at her.
"H-Hello, Erza…-san."
"Aye!" Natsu squeaked.
She smiled proudly that, at last, they were truly getting along. "At least you two won't be fighting anymore."
"Of course not!" Gray shouted. His grin grew wider and stiffer as he crushed Natsu in a hug. "We're just a happy, not-fighting-whatsoever couple."
"Aye!" Natsu squawked again.
Amidst all the chatter now spreading through the guild, Lisanna came up to the couple. "Natsu?"
Natsu felt Gray's fingers tighten. Sure, he and Lisanna were childhood friends, maybe some of the people in the guild thought they were as good as betrothed, being Happy's mother and father, but he did not realize that Gray saw her as a potential rival even now. He remembered what Gray had said earlier, though; he feared Lucy or Lisanna would try to take Natsu away.
"Hey, Lisanna." He wondered why her eyes looked so sad. Lucy had appeared simply happy for them. Then again, Lucy and Loke were dating, or at least banging. "Um … uh, heh…" He grinned and shrugged apologetically. "Surprise?"
"I-It's okay. Surprising," she admitted with the same sad look. She glanced over to Gray, who had a death-grip on Natsu's hand and icy eyes boring into her. She knew why he would look at her like that. There were all those rumors back when they were kids. There might still even be bets going on for if she and Natsu got married. Sure, she used to dream about Natsu as her husband—maybe she still did—but she knew he had changed during her time away. If she had never gotten stuck in Edolas … well, who knows how things might have ended up. She focused back on Natsu instead. "You're happy with him, right?"
Natsu blinked in surprise. "Yeah! I wouldn't have asked him out otherwise."
"So, you two are in love?" She thought she saw Gray flinch and glanced over to him. "You love him, right?"
With Gray squeezing his fingers so hard, Natsu felt the tremble in them. Already, people were asking what Gray dreaded most.
"It's okay," Natsu whispered soft enough so no one could hear. Then he smiled to Lisanna, and he saw that many others were watching and waiting for their answer. "Yeah, we're in love."
With his eyes still down, Gray yanked Natsu's arm and gripped it hard. "He's my beloved." It sounded gruff and forced, yet by then there were already rumors that Gray was tsundere. This way of acting just seemed to prove it.
Lisanna could hardly help but laugh at Gray's possessiveness. "That's all I need to know. If you can make him happy, then it's fine. Oooh!" She leaped at Natsu and hugged him around the neck. "I'm so happy for you!"
Gray was ready to yell at her to back off, but Natsu looked so glad that his childhood friend approved. Natsu let go of Gray and hugged Lisanna back. Gray saw him whisper something into her ear, although he could not hear what he said. Still, he let it go … this time. He was also relieved he had opted not to have Natsu wear his collar. Lisanna definitely would have discovered it.
While Natsu was hugging Lisanna, Makarov walked over and tapped Gray on the leg. "Can I speak with you?"
He looked to Natsu quickly, who was too busy telling Lisanna about one of their dates. He decided Natsu was comfortable enough to be on his own, at least for a little while.
"Of course, Master," Gray said, and he followed the tiny guild master away from the crowd.
Once he was gone, Lucy dragged Natsu over to her table, where Levy, Erza, Mira, and Cana had already gathered, waiting for the juicy details.
"So have you two … um … y-you know," Lucy stuttered with flushed cheeks.
Cana said it bluntly, "Have you banged?"
Natsu grinned at them. "Yup."
"Oh!" Levy cried out, covering her mouth.
"Right on!" Cana cheered, lifting her wine barrel for a toast. "I win that bet."
"Y-You have?" Erza asked in shock. She could not imagine it. She had tried, lots of times, but she still couldn't.
"So … um … who…" Lucy leaned in closer and partially covered her mouth. "Who tops?"
They all leaned in closer with avid curiosity.
Natsu chuckled that the girls were okay with this, and even curious. Girls were so weird. "Who do you think?"
"W-Well, we were … um … actually kind of…" Lucy glanced around at the other girls. "…we were discussing that … a little … a-and … w-well, to be honest, I think you do."
"Hmm," Natsu nodded, holding his chin and considering her guess. "Well, last time, I did."
Cana spat out her drink. "W-What? You?"
"Last time?" Levy picked up.
Mira had a mischievous smile. "Then there were other times."
Erza gawked. "Wait, you've had sex more than once?"
"Well, a few times," Natsu admitted cautiously. "Last time was my turn."
Erza smirked triumphantly. "I told you, they switch."
Lucy whined, "Dammit, I lost. I thought for sure I'd win that one."
Natsu laughed at the girls. "You bet on it?"
"Kiiiinda," Lucy bashfully admitted.
"Well, sorry to disappoint you, Lucy." Natsu looked haughty. "Sometimes it's Gray, but last time, he was the one wanting it. He wanted it bad. He begged to take it."
All the girls, even Cana, blushed brightly at that, and Levy turned away to wipe her nose.
"So, you've also … taken it?" asked Lucy. Natsu nodded, figuring that was obvious. Lucy leaned in close again, and all the others leaned in to listen to her question. "What is it like for a guy?"
Natsu thought about it. "Ummm … fun?"
"Natsu!" she sighed in exasperation. "I mean, doesn't it … um … hurt?"
"Oh! Uh, I guess, but you know, sometimes pain is good."
Cana scoffed. "That makes you sound like a masochist."
Natsu just shrugged. "If you're with the person you love, pain doesn't matter. You'd fight for them, and you'd withstand any pain, because you want to always be with that person."
Mira sighed at such a romantic declaration. "That's so sweet!"
The girls all nodded, with tears in a few eyes.
"But seriously," Lucy huffed, "just how long have you been in love with Gray? I totally didn't notice until recently."
"Not that long. I'm not sure precisely."
Erza stared hard. "So, this isn't something you've been hiding from me for years, right?"
"N-No!" Natsu said, worried under the Titania's hard gaze. "Actually, it kind of came as a surprise."
"Surprise?" asked Mira.
Natsu shrugged. "Well, yeah. I didn't think much about that stripper, and then suddenly, I was in love. It just kind of happened."
Levy leaned over to Lucy to whisper, "I bet it happened while Gray was sick."
Lucy nodded. "Definitely." She had in her head the whole scene: Gray sick and regretting his promiscuous past, Natsu willing to tend to him, seeing a gentler side to Gray, maybe Gray broke down in tears and Natsu comforted him. Her imagination had been ripe for some time, thinking about how it must have gone, how two rivals could become lovers.
Cana suddenly set her barrel down hard, jolting them all. "Is he really in love? Has Gray actually said I love you?"
Natsu flinched that Cana, of all people, was bringing this up. She and Gray had a history together, after all. "What are you talking about?" he asked guardedly.
She shrugged candidly. "When we were together, he never said it once, not even during sex."
"Cana!" Lucy scolded. Talking about that in front of Natsu was just plain rude.
"He said he didn't like to say it." Cana's dark eyes stayed fixed on Natsu, almost as if she was challenging him. "So I'm curious if you were able to melt that icy barrier, or if he still can't even say something as simple as I love you."
At that moment, Natsu was glad Gray was off with Makarov. He thought carefully about how to reply, and his words came out levelly.
"Gray loves me. Even if he's shy to say it, he's shown me his love in many ways. Not just in the bedroom. He's been gentle. He's taken care of me, and I've taken care of him. He treated me to dates, and he even cooked dinner for me. He's held me through the night, and he's kissed me in the morning. He accepts everything about me." Natsu blushed as he thought about earlier, how Gray had wanted to be with Natsu even during something disgusting, bonding with him during such a private and intimate bodily necessity. "He doesn't need to say anything at all, but he still calls me his beloved. Hearing that … makes me really happy."
The girls all went "awwww" and looked absolutely smitten by his romantic words. Boys Love was an adorable thing.
Meanwhile, Makarov led Gray out of the main room and upstairs. No one was up there, but still they went deeper into the guild halls to a room Gray rarely entered. It was Makarov's personal study, where he could meet formally with other guild masters, a room filled with books and writing supplies, with a whole pile of letters the aging guild master had to write to apologize for all the destruction caused by his crazy brats. When the door shut, Gray sensed magical runes. They were now in a soundproof area. No one would be able to spy on them, not even magically.
"I think there's something you need to know about Natsu," the guild master began immediately.
"Do you mean about his childhood?"
Makarov's eyes narrowed. "How much do you know?"
"Natsu's talked about it," he said solemnly. "It … it is a trouble, I won't deny that, but I'm helping him."
One wrinkly, white eyebrow raised up high. "You're … helping him?"
Gray blushed as he realized that Makarov would know precisely what that meant. He stuttered with embarrassment. "W-We've talked and … and maybe we've … done stuff. Stuff that's helping him to get over it."
Makarov chuckled. "You're just now telling everyone, but for Natsu to open up that much to you about that subject, you two must have been intimate for a while now."
"Ehhhh … w-well, kind of, yeah."
"And you still care for him, despite all that?"
Gray blinked in confusion. "Well, sure. It wasn't his fault or anything."
Makarov stared silently, his eyes narrowing as if searching Gray's soul. Slowly, his head lowered. "Natsu … has much deeper issues than I think you know."
Gray felt something within him flinch. "No, really, he's told me about the past. It's fine."
Makarov looked at him suspiciously. "Really?"
Again, something deep within Gray was trying to warn him. Cautiously, he asked, "Why? He talked about … about that guy, about being locked up and abused like that. It wasn't easy for him to tell me, but we spent a night talking about it."
Makarov nodded solemnly. "Did he tell you about afterward?"
Afterward? "Oh, about how he … he killed that guy? Yeah, he told me about that. I mean, it's shocking, sure, but how I see it, he can't really be blamed for that. The asshole made him insane. He said he hardly even remembers what happened after he snapped."
Makarov's brow tightened more, and being as vague as possible, he asked, "So you mean he didn't tell you about what happened after that?"
After that? Natsu's story about that day ended with him ripping off the head of his captor. He had killed a man barehanded, but he had also mentally snapped after weeks of torture, sexual abuse, and then having the man trying to kill him. After that? Natsu said only that he did not really remember what happened afterward. Had he lied about not remembering?
Makarov saw the confusion in Gray's face, sighed, and nodded to himself. "He'll tell you when he's ready." He began to turn back toward the door.
"W-Wait!" Gray's heart felt ready to freeze. He knew Natsu's issues ran deep, and he often sensed that there was something more, some things just did not make sense. Natsu had issues that did not fit with what little he had told Gray about that time, and Gray had been too scared to bring it up directly. "What else happened?" he asked softly, dreading to know.
Makarov looked up at Gray. "I'll be bluntly honest. I don't think Natsu is ready for a relationship. Not a sexual one. Not without … special needs."
"We've figured that out," Gray admitted. Makarov arched an eyebrow. "I … I mean—"
"It's fine, Gray," he assured. "You don't have to explain it or justify it. Whatever you two have worked out, if it works, that's good." His eyes narrowed. "But if it doesn't work, just realize that it may be in Natsu's best interest if he doesn't have you."
"No!" Gray had thought that people in the guild would say horrible things about him, tell Natsu about his promiscuous past, and try to talk the Dragon Slayer out of the relationship. He never once imagined that it would be Makarov suggesting that Gray himself should break it off. "Master, how can you say that?"
"Because I care about him," Makarov said, "and I'm seriously worried about you."
"About me?"
Makarov nodded sadly. "He's holding something back. He probably wants to protect you, and he's probably scared that telling you would drive you away. However, if you don't know everything, you can't avoid the problems he has. That … could be a fatal mistake."
"Then tell me."
Makarov stared at him firmly.
"Oh … no, don't tell me," Gray realized. "Natsu would be mad if I found out through you and not directly from him."
"That's true, but I'm not sure if he's able to tell you. He wouldn't tell anyone. He wouldn't tell Happy about any of this at all, and that issue is something he wouldn't even tell to me, or to any of his psychiatrists. He refuses to face it. He might have even convinced himself that it didn't happen."
"Then how do you know?"
Makarov hesitated. "I have my ways."
"You read his mind."
"I brought in a specialist at the recommendation of a psychiatrist who realized Natsu was hiding something. He would rather repress that memory, pretend it never happened. It very well might be best if he never remembered it at all. If you trigger that memory, I'm worried how he'll lash out at you."
"Then I'll help him through it, like I'm helping him through the rest," Gray shouted in anger.
Makarov's face remained passive. "Natsu's issues run deep. So do yours. You have some dark wounds to your heart, on the same level as Natsu's, if not worse." Makarov crossed his arms. "Are you ready for this? Is your heart ready to love someone?"
Gray felt the instinctive flinch again. "I've … been thinking about that … for a long time, sir," he admitted hesitantly, tripping over his words. "I think I am. Even if I'm not fully ready, we're helping each other, because that's what you do when you … w-when you're … in lo- … luh…" He felt the air leave his lungs, and his heart pounded with terror.
Blood on snow. The moth suddenly eaten by the owl. Natsu with dead, empty eyes. Memories. Harbingers. Nightmares.
"Gray, don't force it—"
"Love!" he shouted, eyes slammed shut. "When you're in … l-love … with someone." He swallowed hard as it felt like his stomach might heave up with dread.
Makarov touched his arm gently. "Gray, take a seat."
He collapsed into a chair and bent over, shaking and breathing so hard, he began to go numb. He did not even realize that he had begun to cry. Makarov stayed beside him, not saying anything, but keeping a hand on him to let the ice wizard know he was okay. After a minute, Gray snuffled, roughly wiped his eyes, and looked into the small Master's face.
"Did you know about that? About my issue?"
"Yes," Makarov said softly. "That's why I worry about you."
Gray sniffed up his snotty nose and raised his head stubbornly. "I can take care of myself."
That independence was something Makarov cultivated in his brats, but this time it worried him. "I'll let you deal with it, but don't force yourself, don't force Natsu, and don't let him force you. Realize that, at any time, either one of you might simply need to just step back."
Gray shook his head. "I don't want to do that."
"I know you don't. No one does. That's why I'm telling you, because you won't want to, and he definitely won't want to, not until it's too late. He's even more stubborn than you. Still, it might be for the best. I honestly hope you two never come to that. Seeing Natsu happy and in love is wonderful, and I want him to work through his issues. Still, I'm giving you a warning. Love blinds us, but don't be so blind that you don't see if something is obviously hurting you both." He turned and walked to the door.
Gray's fists clenched. Makarov had not directly demanded that Gray break up with Natsu, but these vague warnings infuriated him. "Tell me this much," he shouted. "Natsu's issue, does it have to do with that man, or is it something else?"
Makarov sighed sadly. "Yes, it has to do with him. He was a vile man. I don't like to say that anyone deserves death, but I don't blame Natsu for what he did. I also can't forgive him."
"Master!" Gray said in shock.
"You might forgive him," he said, "but if you can't, realize that you don't have to."
"I'd forgive him for anything—"
"Gray," Makarov cut in, and his eyes were stern. Slowly, he enunciated, "Realize, you don't have to. Also…" Makarov frowned as he thought over how to say this, and after a moment, he looked up with stern yet caring eyes. "If Natsu ever hurts you, don't blame him too much, and don't push him past what he can do. I don't know how much you two have done, but he has limits that should never be pushed."
"I'll … keep that in mind," Gray said hesitantly. He knew about some of Natsu's limits. They had been pushing those limits almost since the beginning. Were there others? Was there something more Natsu couldn't do … shouldn't do?
"Now, stop looking like that." Makarov flashed a smile. "I'm just being an overprotective old man. Are you happy with him?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Is he happy with you?"
Gray blushed slightly. "Y-Yeah, I guess so."
"Who tops?"
"Master!"
"Kidding," he laughed. "Although there is a bet going around about that. Come on, let's get you back to your boyfriend. This is enough talking. You'd think I'm giving you advice about taking a bride."
Gray blushed brightly at that. Natsu … as his bride?
As they walked back through the hall, Makarov saw the pinkness to Gray's sallow cheeks. "Have you thought about that?"
"A-About what?"
"Far in the future, long-term goals, what you both want out of this relationship … marriage?"
Gray's face went even brighter. "We're not ready for that."
"Obviously not, but have you thought about it?"
"I … uh … that is…" His head turned away as he muttered, "Maybe a little."
"Marry before I die, okay?" He grinned playfully. "I wanna attend a gay wedding."
"Master! For one, don't talk about dying, and two … sheesh, we've just started dating."
"You two have slept together already though, right?"
"Ah … we … ummm…"
"He tops, right?"
"No!"
"Oh, you do?"
"Master!"
Just then, they reached the stairs and Makarov bellowed down to the crowd below. "All right, you brats, time to party. We have a new couple in our guild."
There were cheers, and Mira got busy filling glasses as a party started to celebrate.
Makarov leaped down and landed nimbly next to a beer barrel, but Gray walked down the steps. He saw Natsu race forward and wait for him at the base of the stairs, grinning up at him. Gray's steps faltered. Why the hell did he suddenly feel like a bride coming down a grand staircase and into the arms of a lover?
"Hey, Gray! So, what did the old man say?"
Gray's forehead tensed up. How much deeper did Natsu's pain go? What about him was so dark, he hid it from Gray, or maybe even lied about it?
"Gray?"
He snapped out of his worries. "He said … to take care of you."
"Oh. That's good. You were talking for so long, I was worried."
Gray silently kept walking down the stairs. He was worried? Was he worried that Makarov might tell him whatever secret he was holding back on? Gray paused at the base and looked out at the crowd. He did not feel Natsu take his hand, and he did not notice those narrow eyes gazing up at his face.
"Gray?" Natsu waited for a response, but the ice wizard was lost in thought. "Graaaay?" he called out softly, but still Gray's eyes were distant. "Yo, icicle dick!"
Gray jolted at that. "Huh?"
"Sheesh! Are you still half-asleep?"
"S-Sorry," he muttered. He looked at Natsu. Two months ago, he never would have guessed at the pain Natsu hid, that dark secret, a bloody past of torture and humiliation that only a handful in the guild even knew about. Now he worried about what more Natsu hid. "Hey, you can tell me anything, okay?"
Natsu's face tilted to the side in confusion. "Ooookay?"
"I mean it. Anything."
"Seriously, what did that geezer say to you? You were talking forever."
"Just … you don't have to hide anything from me."
Natsu gave a wide shrug. "I don't. Hell, Gray, you know more about me than anyone does."
Gray glared in the direction of Makarov and grumbled, "Apparently not."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
He tried to put it out of his mind. Natsu really had told him a lot of crap. Maybe Makarov was worried about something Gray already knew. Maybe this was not an issue at all. They had been pushing limits for two months, delving into bondage and some intense kinks. Sure, they had hangups and freak-outs, but they worked through it. If this really was something else, they would work through it again.
"So," Gray said, shoving the issue aside. "Has anyone tried to feel you up?"
"No!" Natsu snapped. "I told you they wouldn't." Suddenly, he was reminded of what he was wearing.
"Good." He saw the brightness to Natsu's cheeks, leaned over, and whispered, "Are you still embarrassed about wearing that?"
"I told you not to mention it."
"No, you said not to tease you about it. I'm not teasing. I'm asking. Are you really aware of it? Does it remind you all the time about who owns your cock?"
"Shut … up! Not here. And yes, it does, so shut the hell up before someone hears you, you pervert."
"Fine, fine. So, are you glad we told them?"
"Oh, hell yes! I hated keeping it a secret. I feel more relieved now."
Gray smiled and looked out at their friends partying, and all in their honor. "Me too," he decided happily.
Natsu sighed and looked at Gray. He had been stiff and nervous all day, then dark and worried after his talk with Makarov. Now Gray looked just happy. Everyone knew. They (more or less) approved. From now on, the two of them could be open about this. No more hiding. No more midnight dating. No more guilt about keeping this hidden from their friends.
"Hey, Gray?"
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Natsu grabbed Gray's head, yanked him in, and kissed him hard. Gray flailed out in surprise, but Natsu thrust his tongue in.
"Whoa!" Alzack said in surprise.
Bisca covered Asuka's eyes. "Sheesh, in public?"
Romeo blushed as he saw the tongue action going on. "I-I've never seen two guys kissing before."
Wendy looked over. "Really, Romeo?"
"Y-Yeah. It's … kind of weird."
"Yeah. It makes my tummy feel funny."
"Huh? Like sick?"
"No, like … umm … hot? Tingly?" Wendy did not fully understand, but she kept watching despite Carla telling her not to stare.
Lucy sighed as she saw them. "I wish I had a camera."
"Lucy!" Erza scolded.
"I really do. I just wanna take a picture of this moment … and write a story about it."
Levy's eyes began to glitter. "A naughty story?"
"Oh yes!"
"Oooh, I wanna read it!"
Natsu suddenly pressed Gray up against the wall and thrust slightly against him. Then he nibbled up to Gray's ear and hissed a whisper. "How do you like feeling this caged cock rubbing against yours. Is it hard? Is it good?"
"N-Natsu," Gray whispered in mortification.
"Do you know what I heard while you were talking to the old man?" His narrow eyes gleamed slyly. "Everyone thinks I top."
"Wh-What? Dammit, what did you tell them?"
"Nothing, but after this, now they'll really think that."
Gray shoved him away. "You did that on purpose."
"Yup!" Natsu admitted haughtily.
"I should tell them about you."
"Nope. You're not going to."
"Why not?"
"Beeeeecause you won't."
Gray realized he was right. He could not tell people that Natsu was a masochist who loved to be restrained and spanked, because then he would have to admit that he was a sadist who loved to bind people with his ice and dominate over them. There was no way he could admit all that.
"Don't worry, ice princess. I told them already, we switch."
"We … what? We don't switch."
"Yeah we do." Natsu leaned into his ear. "Or do you not remember what happened last time?"
Memories surged into Gray's mind, the feel of that burning cock inside of him, riding Natsu, those ardent words whispered in the dark, Natsu touching him, stroking him, while thrusting up into Gray's undulating body.
"Oh fuck," he groaned, and he collapsed into a chair before anyone saw how those memories affected him.
"That's right, bastard. And you loved it." Natsu chuckled and glanced around to see if anyone was specifically staring at them. "I'm glad my cock can't get hard, or I'd be pitching a tent right now."
Gray had his hand under the table, trying to push down his own trouble. "Maybe you're the lucky one."
"I'm a bit glad you made me wear it. Hurts like a bitch right now, though."
Gray glanced up slyly. "Does it really hurt?"
Just then, Cana stomped forward. She knew she should not feel jealous, but knowing that Gray never said anything remotely romantic to her, while now it seemed like he was in some lovey-dovey relationship with Natsu, just irked her.
"Hey, Gray," she shouted. "I wanna hear you tell Natsu that you love him."
Natsu glared at her. She did that on purpose! She had mentioned it before too. Beside him, Natsu heard Gray gasped, and he could tell that he had stiffened in terror.
"Wh-What are you talking about?" asked Gray. Natsu saw his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists to keep his hands from shaking.
"Ooh, I wanna hear it too," Lucy squealed.
"Oh, how cute," Mira soughed. "Say it, say it!"
"Yeah, tell each other," Bisca cheered.
Elfman added, "It's manly to declare one's love!"
Natsu reached under the table and put his hand on Gray's leg. He was shaking, although he was trying to look calm under that terror.
"Gray," he whispered, "calm down." If Gray breathed any faster, he would probably pass out.
Over at his table, Laxus sniffed the air. Where was this stench of fear coming from?
Despite the cheers, Gray had not moved a muscle. Natsu took his fisted hand and held it comfortingly. "Calm … down." When it was obvious that Gray was not getting better, Natsu cried out cheerfully. "I've got a better idea." He looked over to Gray and whispered. "Say just the first word, and be sweet about it."
Gray gulped hard. They had at least done this before. He realized this would make everyone happy, and he did not have to say that dreaded phrase, not in its entirety.
"I…"
Natsu placed his hand on Gray's cheek. "…love…"
Gray tilted up Natsu's chin. "…you." Then he pulled Natsu's face closer, Natsu's fingers threaded through that mess of black hair, and they kissed each other in front of everyone.
Mira squealed. "Omigosh, that is soooo sweet!"
Lucy sighed romantically. "Finishing each other's sentences. Oh, that's just adorable. I need to write this down!"
"Isn't that cute?" Wendy said excitedly.
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
Cana turned aside and muttered, "He didn't say it." She almost walked right into Makarov, who glared up at her in disapproval.
"Don't ever harass Gray about that again," Makarov warned quietly.
Cana backed off a step, surprised to see him so furious.
Natsu pulled back from the kiss, feeling the discomfort of the chastity belt. Gray's eyes were hazy with lust. Under the table, he slid Natsu's hand up until he felt just how Natsu's kisses, out here where everyone was watching, affected him.
"Me too," Natsu whispered. His eyes told Gray 'We need to get out of here right now.'
Gray turned to the crowd. "We're gonna take off."
"Ooooh," the crowd said with snide chuckles.
"N-No!" Gray stuttered. "I … I mean…"
"I'm gonna walk him home," Natsu blurted out.
"Uh-huh." They smirked and winked knowingly.
Lisanna leaned over to Happy. "If Natsu doesn't come home tonight, you can stay with me."
"Thanks, Lisanna," Happy said cheerfully.
"I'll be back," Natsu insisted, blushing at the insinuation.
"No, it's okay, Natsu," Happy assured. "You can stay the night with Gray again."
"Happy!"
Evergreen chuckled. "Again? Just how often have you two done it?"
Happy grinned mischievously. "Natsu's stayed over many times."
"Happy!" Natsu shouted, scandalized that his best friend was ratting him out.
Happy looked stubborn. "That's what you get for not telling me right away that you were dating."
"I … w-we…" Natsu snatched up Gray's hand and yanked him away. "Let's go," he shouted, storming out of the guild with Gray stumbling behind him.
The guild laughed at Natsu's reactions. What an awkward couple!
"So," Lucy said, leaning into Happy. "How many times?"
"I'm not sure, but Natsu would sneak out and not come back home until the next morning. Sometimes, Gray stayed at our place. Once, I caught them and they were still in bed."
"Ooooh, that's so sweet," Lucy squealed. "I wanna hear some stories about them."
"Aye!"
Out in the street, Natsu had Gray by the hand, racing through the crowds.
"Idiot, stop pulling me so hard," Gray shouted, tripping along behind him. "Natsu!"
"Sorry," he said, and finally Natsu stopped. "I just wanted to get away." Then he corrected, "I wanted to get you away."
"I'm fine, Nat-…"
"No, you weren't fine!"
Natsu suddenly yanked on him again, pulling Gray along and keeping his pace brisk. Within minutes, they were back at Gray's apartment, up the stairs, and inside.
"Okay, we're home, you can stop crushing my hand." Gray yanked his hand out of the sweaty hot fingers.
Natsu's eyes were narrow. "Lie down."
"But I—"
"Lie down!" Natsu demanded.
Gray arched an eyebrow. Hesitantly, he walked to the bedroom and sat on the bed.
"Just rest," Natsu insisted.
"Natsu, what the hell is wrong?"
"You were about to panic," he shouted.
"I …" He did not want to admit to that. "I'm fine. Sure, that's what I was worried might—"
"Exactly!" Natsu yelled, pacing the floor as he tried to drive out the anger blazing inside him. "That's what you were afraid might happen. Dammit, Cana!" he bellowed, and flames sparked over his skin. "You didn't want to tell anyone because you were scared that might happen, and it's precisely what happened."
"We got past it," he muttered. "It worked out. I said some of it and you said the rest—"
"And you've been holding yourself back," Natsu snapped, stopping his pacing and staring to where Gray sat. The anger in his eyes softened. "I can smell it, Gray. You've been on the border of a panic attack. You can let it out now."
Gray shivered slightly. "I'm … fine, really."
"Gray," Natsu whispered. He walked over to the bed and sat beside the ice wizard. "We're alone now. You don't have to hide it from me. I already know. It's okay to let it out now." He stroked back Gray's hair. "I'm here. It's safe now."
"I … I'm … f- …" Gray could not keep acting brave. His eyes lined with tears. Terrors he had held down bubbled up.
Blood on snow.
As he began to shake, hot arms held him, melting away the icy barrier. It all gushed out, and Gray burst into shivering sobs.
"Let it out. It's just us now."
Gray grabbed Natsu so tightly, a bone popped in the Dragon Slayer's back. His wet face buried down into the white scarf, hiding the terrified tears, while Gray shivered and battled old demons of fear.
"Y-You're gonna … d-d-die … if I say that."
"I'm not going to die." Natsu held him and rubbed his back. Suddenly, he realized Gray's shirt was missing. When the hell did that happen?
Still, Gray cried into the scarf. "The moth … last night."
"Moth?" Natsu asked in confusion.
"The moth."
"What the hell do you mean? What moth?"
Through sputtering sobs, Gray said, "I … I was … p-practicing … last night. I said … those words … to the moth."
Natsu gawked at him. "You told a moth that you loved it?"
"I was just trying to say the words, just trying to … to say it … and … and the moth died. It was killed … just s-seconds after saying it. Killed! R-Right in front of me." He broke into harder sobs. "Just like everyone else. Killed! In front of me! Dead!"
Natsu hugged him tighter as Gray's crying went out of control, more like screams at past terrors than tears of present worries. He did not really understand what this was all about, but he knew he had to be with Gray right now.
"I know it's dumb. It … it didn't even count. I didn't mean it. I just said it. Just the words. And still … it happened. It died!"
"Gray—"
"With you, I do mean it," he yelled through his tears. "And … I'm so scared." He buried his head deep into the scarf. "So scared," he muttered, "that it'll happen to you."
"Gray," Natsu sighed.
"I'm scared it might be too late. What if you're already cursed? What if it's just a matter of time? It's like, when I confessed to my teacher, she didn't die that day. And the first time I told my parents I loved them, they didn't die right then. But … eventually! Eventually, they all did," he whispered miserably. "Every single one of them."
Blood on snow. Screams from his mother. His father's fallen body. His childhood friends torn to blood pieces of crushed under fallen buildings. The demon roaring in the night lit by his burning town.
"What if it's too late for you? What if … if I've already damned you, and you're just a moth, fluttering around, waiting for the owl to come and snatch you away from me?" he screamed, and he clutched tightly to Natsu. "I … I can't … risk that. But … but what if it's too late? What if I can't stop it? I can't lose you, Natsu. I can't. I … c-can't!"
Natsu eyes were closed, holding Gray, feeling the intense terror in those gripping fingers. He must have been scared about this all day. No, for many days. Maybe since the beginning. Gray rarely broke down. He hated to show this side to Natsu. He did not want to face the darkness in his soul. He craved control over everything, even the pain of his past. Now, that control had crumbled, and Natsu held up the broken pieces, supporting Gray this time.
"I'm not going to die," he said calmly.
Gray cringed. "You can't make a promise like that."
"Well, I will," Natsu said stubbornly. "I won't die."
"How can I believe that?" Gray muttered, feeling weak from all the sobbing.
"You should, because I won't lie to you."
Bitterness flashed past him. "You also don't tell me the whole truth."
Natsu looked stunned. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." He sank down. Now was not the time to ask about what Makarov had hinted about. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I'm here, I'm alive, and I won't die."
"We all die eventually."
"Ummm … nope! I'm gonna live forever," Natsu said with a massive grin.
Gray had to chuckle at his optimism and muttered, "Idiot."
"Fine." He lifted Gray's face. "I won't die before you, okay?"
Gray wanted to ignore that, but stubbornness infected him. "Make that a promise."
Natsu nodded firmly. "I promise. I absolutely will not die before you."
Gray chuckled as he shook his head. "Somehow, I can almost believe that. Still, I can't say those words."
"You don't have to. I know."
Still, Gray looked down, seeking deep in his soul for some sort of perseverance. "I…"
"Huh? You what?"
"Do it. Our thing. I…"
Natsu nodded in comprehension. "…love…"
"…you. There!" His face became sternly obstinate.
Natsu smiled proudly. "Very good. Now, the opposite way. I…"
Gray choked on the word. "L- … luh … love…"
"…you." Natsu caressed the cold cheek. "I love you, Gray. When two people really, truly love one another, they don't need words. I don't need words. I just need you."
Natsu leaned in and tilted his head, staring at Gray's fretting lips. Gray looked up with worried eyes, begging to be cared for this time. Natsu held him and kissed him while Gray let himself be kissed, numb to the touch. Somehow, those hot lips soothed away the icy dread of that bloody day in the snow, when his heart froze over at the roar of a demon.
"I … I do … feel that way."
"I know," Natsu assured him. "They may want to hear it, but I don't need to. You show me."
Gray nodded slowly. Natsu had never tried to force him. He had never once nagged Gray, or tried to make him say anything more than what he was comfortable saying. As tears stung his eyes, Gray realized that, although he liked to think of himself as the dominant in this relationship, it was Natsu who took care of him without ever trying to push Gray's limits.
"Thank you, Natsu."
"Maybe I'll take Happy up on his offer and stay the night."
Gray sighed. "I'm not in the mood anymore."
"Well, that's a first!"
"Shut up."
He laughed. "It's fine. I didn't mean it that way. I just meant, I wanna hold you more. You need it, right? Also, I liked waking up next to you this afternoon. This time, I wanna wake up with you in the morning."
Gray smiled placidly. "I'd like that."
"We didn't eat."
"You're right. Wanna go on a date?"
"I'm paying," Natsu insisted.
"You've always been in charge when it comes to the romantic stuff," said Gray.
Natsu took care of the romance, and Gray took care of the kinks. He would not want it any other way.
They got up, and Gray found where he had tossed off his shirt. He pulled it on while Natsu stretched.
"Hey, Gray. Now we're officially a couple."
"Idiot. We've been a couple for a while."
"Yeah, but now we're official, we've told everyone, we don't have to hide … and I loved the look on your face when I kissed you in front of everyone."
Gray's fingers fumbled on his shirt buttons. "Bastard!" he muttered, feeling heat in his cheeks.
Natsu laughed wildly. "That was priceless."
"Asshole!"
Natsu looked at Gray seriously. "I wanna do it more often."
"What?"
"Kiss you in front of everyone. Maybe your exhibitionist streak has rubbed off on me, as well as your damn pissing fetish." He leaned into Gray's ear. "I like the idea of everyone watching us. I like having them looking at me as I kiss you. I want them to watch us."
Gray looked up in shock. "Natsu…"
"Tomorrow, you'll be wearing this damn cock cage, and I'm going to kiss you hard in front of everyone again." As he watched, Gray squirmed, and it made Natsu smug. "Is there anything you wanna do while I'm wearing it?"
Gray could think of lots of kinky things, but he felt too emotionally worn out now. "Dammit, if I was feeling just a little bit better!" He glanced up to Natsu. "Did you like wearing it today?"
"It was utterly humiliating."
"Good!"
"Did you like the idea of me wearing it?"
"Definitely."
"Maybe we can use it again."
"Well, tomorrow I'll be wearing it, right?"
"That's right. Tomorrow until Juvia arrives."
"I just hope she doesn't take too long on this mission."
"I dunno," Natsu chuckled. "I'm gonna like having you with it on." Natsu hesitated. "Gray, I … I gotta … pee. Did you wanna watch … with me wearing this?"
His eyes widened in surprise that Natsu was actually offering. Then a smile curled onto Gray's face, and he looked at his boyfriend levelly. "Yes," he whispered.
Natsu felt his cheeks grow hot. He held his hand out, Gray took it, and they walked to the bathroom together, far closer than average lovers.
End of Chapter 31

A/N: Happy one year anniversary, FMBM. Here's to more fluff and kinks.
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