Oh, god... This was the longest oneshot, I've ever written! You guys better like this! It was a major pain trying to write this with writers block! *wails* I'm sorry for the lateness! Btw, Happy Gratsu Day~!... Onwards! Oh!

This is requested by @AmandaElsasser
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A Month.

It's been a whole, goddamn, month since they had saw him. With every and all chances they could get to finding him; it always ended in a failure. A mission; they couldn't succeeded in... Yet.

Many of them were frightened and worried. They were frightened, because they were clueless, as to where the man could've gone. They've searched, everywhere; as to where the man could've been hidden.

They were desperate and worried, as to how they'll find him and in what condition. Negative thoughts, ran wildly, through their depressed minds.

It just wasn't like him to go missing, so suddenly and unexpectedly. And after coming back, together, in a long year.

So, they immediately assumed that he was kidnapped; even if it's surprising. The man was stubbornly, strong, but he wasn't unstoppable.

They just hoped that he was okay, or else... They'll definitely do something about it. Whether it's a good thing or a bad; it'll depend, when they find him.

Many different, allied guild's, had even, decided to join in their search; to find their missing comrade. Their missing brother... His missing lover.

Hopefully, they'll find him, and soon. They couldn't wait, any longer. If they did, the Strongest Guild in Fiore, will be coming after, with many allies; to whoever, had decided to take their friend.

They won't stop. No. They won't stop until they have him, with them. The Fairy Tail Guild won't, stop. They'll find him, no matter what. That was, until... That following, evening.
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He panted and panted and panted. He tried to breath, but it hurt just doing that. His burning chest, pulsed, quickly and worriedly.

His chest, tightened, in agony. He felt tears, prick against his eyes; they'd fallen, without his knowledge.

His vision came back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Until it was driving him madly, dizzy.
He felt nausea hit him, but he quickly, swallowed the vomit down. His head, also, throbbed painfully.

He suddenly, felt himself stumble on his two aching feet, but before he went crashing down and onto the ground; he quickly and shockingly, righted himself.

Although, he felt himself wobble, a bit; after a few seconds or two, he was able to walk, ahead, again. But, very slowly; he was almost, dragging himself, forward.

He couldn't feel anything; even if his legs were moving on autopilot. His body and mind was far too numbed, to notice the immense blood loss that he was dripping off of his person.

If he was a normal or anyone else, he would've been long, long dead. But, he wasn't. He's a Fairy Tail Wizard. A Mage who never, ever, gives up, and he's also far too stubborn, to do so.

But, at this very moment; here and right now, and for the very first time in his life; he felt like giving up. But... But, then he remembered them.

He remembered, his family. His friends... His lover. He couldn't give up, now. He couldn't give up, on them. No. He couldn't and wouldn't give up, no matter what.

A little blood, wouldn't stop him, from achieving that goal. The goal to see them, once more.

However, the boy he was unaware, as the numbness reacted his foggy brain; that, that "little" blood, wasn't exactly a little.... It was A LOT!

And that's why, there was many, horrified, concerned, and worried, citizens, around him; who were trying to get his attention. But, was failing at succeeding.

Not because he was, practically, half dead. No. It was way more then that. It was because, he was a well known man throughout, the whole Kingdom of Fiore; as Fairy Tail's, Salamander.

But, had Natsu just kept walking, on ahead. He was completely oblivious, to his surroundings. He was utterly unaware of the people of Magnolia; helping him, with his balance and direction.

But, besides that; the townsfolk's had let him walk on his own. It wasn't because they wanted to. No. It was, actually, the complete opposite.

It was because they had all, soon, saw the very familiar faces of their towns, Guild Member's. Fairy Tail.

Only then, did the wounded boy, hear the familiar voice's of his friends; shouting his name. "NATSU!" His brain had, somehow, processed that.

Natsu shakily and slowly, looked upwards, and saw to his relief; his guild mates. His friends! His family! H-His lover! They were all here!

The one who'd shouted his name, was none other then the latter, Gray. The raven man was running towards him; with his friends, following behind him.

But Natsu's main focus was on his taller boyfriend's. He saw the tears, trailing, down Gray's face, thickly.

Desperation, relief, love, longing, and horror was very clear on his teary face. 'Gray's crying', Natsu thought.

He hated it.

He loathed it.

He despised it.

He wanted it to disappear.

He wanted it to stop.

Gray, shouldn't be crying!

It's wasn't like Gray!

Gray should be happy, instead!

Natsu was so lost into his thoughts, that he was oblivious of himself, suddenly and unexpectedly, falling; onto his bloody, knees. Worrying and terrifying, everyone, even more.

The impact had made everything, much more worst; he'd unexpectedly, started to cough up blood, extremely.
But, he wasn't aware of this fact; because as soon as he had dropped onto his knees; he'd quickly, fainted.

He never felt the strong and familiar cold arms, catch him; before he fell, unconscious. Nor did Natsu hear the desperate, cries and shouts, from his guildmates and the citizens, alike.

"NATSU!!!"

"SALAMANDER!!!"
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*Previously: Just a few minutes, before they had found Natsu.*

The Fairy Tail wizards and it's allies; had surrounded a large table, filled with immense of books and papers, alike.

Everyone was scattered in different areas of the guild. But they were all thinking the same thing, 'We need to find Natsu!'.

Most of it's members were running around, with their heads, loosed. It was driving them mad; that they couldn't find him! It was also driving their other comrades, insane!

"We need to find him, now!"

"Do we, even, have any leads?"

"No! We have nothing!"

"What if he's hurt or... Or w-worst!?"

"Don't you dare think like that, you damn idiot!"

"I'm so worried!!!"

"That damn idiot, had better be alive or else!"

"We need to look, harder, dammit!"

"Shit! Natsu better be all right!"

"I hope he's okay!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

Silence, had instantly, surrounded the entire guild, as they'd all instantly obeyed, and looked towards the one who'd yelled that command; even the ones who weren't even members!

The Fairy Tail Guild Master, Master. Makorov. The old, short, senile man had truly looked his aging self. Worn. Exhausted. Worried. But, stern.

"The more we worry about the Boy's condition, the less we are at finding Natsu's location, you damn Brat's!" He shouted, reminding them of their focus. Everyone nodded, and looked down; sheepishly.

However, before anyone could do or say anything else; a man, bursted, into the guild's door's. Immediately, the person, had everyone's attention.

They watched, patiently. Although the majority of them weren't, as the man panted, and then shouted; fours words, that'd everyone, immediately, running towards the crowed town.

"We found the Salamander!"

Once the familiar name, had escaped the man; Gray, was the first one running towards the doors and to the town. He heard; more then saw, his friend's, following, after him.

Gray, then saw him. Natsu. Sob's, had instantly, escaped him. Gray felt immense relief, longing, desperation, and... And h-horror, settle over him.

He ignored, everyone, around him. He saw only Natsu. The younger boy looked like he'd come from the pits of hell. He was walking, hunched down, shakily, and very slowly.

Gray couldn't see where the boy was wounded; every part of skin was covered in immense blood. Natsu was covered in it, from head-to-toe.

Gray saw how his younger lover, was breathing in for air, desperately. But, was failing, at it, terribly. The pink haired boy was practically, dragging, himself forward on sheer Will, alone.

As he got closer, Gray then, saw his lovers eyes. His once, bright, childish, excited, beautiful, and reptilian, green eyes; were now, a dull, harsh, cold, and broken olive.

It instantly, shattered, his already broken heart. Gray couldn't resist, but to he shout out his name.

The raven wanted Natsu to be anchored to his voice; to remind him that he wasn't alone... Anymore.

"NATSU!" However, as if everyone, was thinking the same thing, Gray's voice had entwined with theirs.

They'd all saw how Natsu, shakily and slowly, looked upwards. They saw and noticed how his once dull, cold, and broken, olive eyes; become a bit, brighter. It was a start. But Gray, couldn't be anymore happy.

However, that'd quickly disappeared when Gray saw those green eyes, change back to the dull olive, but also with, worry and hatred.

But, Gray's attention, had quickly changed, when he saw the shorter male, unexpectedly, trip and fall onto his bloody knees.

What happened next, frightened and worried them, much more. Natsu had, started, coughing up blood.

Just right as Natsu had, he suddenly, fallen onto his side. However, before he could fully fall onto his side, Gray had, swiftly, caught him in his strong arms, protectively.

"NATSU!!!"

"SALAMANDER!!!"

Gray cried, harder. The raven haired male had tried to ignore everything and everyone. His attention was on the younger boy, alone; who had laid, practically, lifeless, in his shaky and arms.

But then he had quickly, thought of something, very important. Natsu needs medical help!

Gray, quickly but gently; as he didn't want to hurt Natsu, anymore; picked the wounded boy into his arms. Until Gray was holding him bridle style.

He ran and ran and ran. Ignoring, everything and everyone. He need Wendy's and Porlyusica's help! He ran to the guild, and then to the guilds infirmary; completely unaware of everyone, following him, again.

Gray ran inside the infirmary; which half of the guild had stopped shortly and waited. They couldn't go inside, as there wasn't any space for them, all. Which was saying, a lot.

Gray, had instantly, spotted the two female healers. Wendy had stayed behind in the guild with Porlyusica, once they'd heard that they'd found their missing comrade.

The latter, however, had been in the infirmary, just shortly; Jet had went and got her. Porlyusica was already informed; beforehand. So she went without any, hesitation.

Before anyone could say or do anything, Porlyusica, had urgently, demanded to put the boy onto one of the many bed's in the infirmary. And have everyone besides herself, Wendy and Master, to leave.

To which they did, however, some were quickly, and the others weren't; but they left, nonetheless. Gray and Happy, however, both remained on their very spots, stubbornly.

The former was being clutched like a teddybear... Or more like a teddy-cat to Gray's chest, but he didn't mind.
They both, needed, an anchor to this horrible and cruel, reality. They had just wanted everything to be back to normal and happy, again!

When Porlyusica had saw the inner pain, they shared, from their eyes; she instantly knew, she didn't have the heart to make them leave.

She saw their heartbroken and teary faces, looking to the wounded boy, longingly and lovingly.

She sighted and began working with her student, Wendy; who's working, hard, on healing the wounded boy; all the while, crying, her heart out.

"How is he?" Makorov, said. He didn't want to interrupt their hard concentration, but he needed to know the boy's condition. Wendy; who knew this, had said to his relief.

"He'll live." She left it, with that. She didn't know the full intent of the Fire Dragon Slayer's injuries, but she did know that he'll live. He always did.

Wendy just had to believe in him, and she wasn't going to make Master, Gray, and Happy; feel anymore worse, with the possible alternative.

While Wendy was thinking about that, inside Gray's mind, however, was a raging storm; it was the calm before the storm.

He'll get his revenge. Oh, they'll pay. Gray, no, the Fairy Tail Guild will, definitely, get their revenge. No one. No one, dares try to torture one of their own and tried to get away with it, so easily.

Especially, towards Natsu. Their bright and childish, Dragon Slayer.
Whoever did this, without a doubt; will regret, ever, hurting... No... They'll regret, ever, touching a Fairy Tail wizard!!!

Anyone who's foolish, enough, had a death wish; coming for them. They'd miss with the wrong, family! Fairy Tail, and maybe their allies, as well; will get their revenge. Even if it kills them.

No one hurts, Natsu Dragneel, and gets away with it; without, getting burned back, ten times harder.
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The silent room was interrupted by a small groan, and after what felt like an eternity, he felt himself starting to awake.

A few seconds had past, before he manage to open his green, reptilian eyes. Only to instantly shut them back, with a loud and an annoyed hiss; the brightness, burning his eyes.

A minute or two, had possibly past, before, he'd reopened his eyes, again, and looked around his surroundings.
He was in a room. He then, realized, that he was laying in a very familiar-looking bed; he's laying in one of the Fairy Tail's Guild, infirmary's bed.

As soon as this realization struck his confused mind, he choked on a loud sob; one that had, suddenly, left him.
'Finally! Finally, I'm home!' Natsu thought, tearily and joyfully. Raw relief and longing, settle, over him.

He couldn't believe it! After, all this time, he was finally, finally, finally, back! He felt, tears, trailing down his face and... Bandage's? Wait, what?
He looked down and around, his body; only to noticed that he was covered in bandages and plaster cast's, from almost, head-to-toe.

He looked like an exact replica of a mummy. He would've laughed, if it wasn't for the fact, that every and all movement hurt. Or Natsu, thought.
He tried to move and realize with a start; he was completely numbed. 'I really hope, that's the painkillers,' He hoped and thought, through the tears.

However, Natsu's thoughts were suddenly, interrupted, by a familiar person; who entered the quiet room.
Mira. Who's holding a plate of food, but, when she looked up and saw him awake; the food slipped and fell onto the now dirty floor. A sharp gasp, escaped her, and she brought a hand to her mouth, in shock and surprise.

"N-Natsu. You're awake!" But before Natsu could even say anything, Mira had left the room, swiftly and quickly.

He laid there, confused and lost; his tears were still falling down his face.
Natsu didn't have the chance to thing about it, because as soon as Mira had left; he heard many loud noises outside the room, and then it was suddenly packed with his guild mates.

"NATSU!!!" They all shouted, joyfully and relieved. Some were bawling in tears, while others, were holding it in. Everyone were pushing, each other, to see him better or be besides him.

However, only three had managed to do so, swiftly and easily: obviously it was the Master and Gray. The latter stood to his right. While the former, stood to his left.

"Natsu!" Gray cried. When he had saw his beloved boyfriend, awake, he immediately bolted to his side, and grasped his left hand, tightly. While, tears were trailing down his face.

Tears of relief and joy, Natsu noted.

"I'm glade to see you're finally awake, my boy." Gramps had suddenly, said. Silence, surrounded them. Everyone, knew not to interrupt.

Natsu looked to him; only after, he was done whispering sweet nothings, and looking at Gray in tears of joy, of his own.

"Gramps... I..." He chocked; not able to continue on. Seeing this, Master. Makorov reassured the younger boy with words of comfort.

"It'll be okay. We'll talk about it, once you're ready and no longer hurt. As for now; you need as much rest, as possible, if you want to get better and back to doing mission's." He joked, everyone chuckled or laughed.

And with those words, everyone had left the room, for the wounded pink haired boy to get much more needed rest. They only ones who'd remained behind, were Happy and Gray. Not to anyone's surprise, though.
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They all knew it wasn't long, before Natsu was back on his feet and doing missions, again... Hopefully.

Who knew what his mentally, was like, after all the trauma he's been through? They just hoped it wasn't, too bad.

They had saw it; the devices they were using on him... Probably, but it was most likely. They wouldn't have saw it, if it wasn't for the Dragon Slayer's noises; who had managed to get a irony scent, on where Natsu had come from.

It wasn't easy; each Dragon Slayer had a team with them, just incase, and after a day or two of following the trail of blood; to which they were disgusted and boiling in rage, for.

Laxus, was the one who, surprisingly, found the scent and the location. Although, they'd stood afar from the horrible place. They had then, went back to the guild, to notify them all.

After that, no one. No one, had stayed behind. Each and every one of them; even their allied guild's, had fought tooth and nail, to the horrible and disgusting dark guild members; for what they had mistakingly done.

Who were regretting, ever, messing with the Salamander of Fairy Tail; instantly, afterwards.

It was a tough and long battle, but one they had managed to win. After that, they'd left the guild feeling much better; even more so, when the Magic Council, had surprisingly; taken the Dark Guild members for charges of many, many crimes. And without any bad lip to them all, too.
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When everyone left, beside Happy and Gray; who were both beside him. The former had curled up, against, his bandaged chest, and started crying. The pink haired boy rubbed, smooth circles, to the exceeds, blue head.

While his other arm, was being held, softly and gently, against Gray's. It being in a cast; but he, thankfully or not?, couldn't feel the pain, so he didn't mind Gray holding onto it.

Silence surrounded the three. It was a peaceful and soothing silence. One they had definitely, needed, after the heartache, they had went through.
But more so, to Natsu. They didn't want to break the peacefulness that allured them to their tranquility. But they, eventually, had too.

"Natsu... I!... I'm so sorry!..." Immense guilt, shame, and failure, struck Gray, heavily and harshly. If only he was there, when Natsu need him. But, no... He wasn't. Gray won't... He couldn't, forgive himself, for that.

"Gray, it's okay-"

"No! Natsu! It's not, okay! I wasn't there! I wasn't there for you, when you needed me the most! I couldn't be there for you, when you were hurting! I'm sorry! I'm so, sorry! Natsu!" He ranted and cried. Gray's breathing coming out, loud and harshly.

Silence, surrounded them, again. It was deafening. It was horrifying. It was awkward. It was depressing. It was painful. It's complete, madness.

There was a pleasant, silence; where it's soothing and peaceful.

Then there was, now; an awkward and depressing, silence.

"Gray-"

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't be yelling at you; when you just woke up, and got back from that hell hole. I'm a terrible boyfriend and best friend, aren't I?" It was rhetorical; he didn't expect an answer.

"You aren't! You're the best! Gray! I love you! Please, stop talking! Just, s-stop!" Natsu chocked out; new tears falling down his face.

"N-Natsu! Shhhs! Please, don't cry!" Gray was startled by the sudden tears. Great. Now he felt even more, guilty. He just made his lover, cry! He quickly, wiped the falling tears, away, with his thumps.

"I-I won't c-cry, if you s-stop feeling g-guilty, for something t-that wasn't y-you're fault!" He, said and cried.

"Okay." Gray, promised.

The silence, returned. Although, this time; it was peaceful and soothing.
However, it didn't last long... Again.

"Hey... Gray?"Natsu said, quietly and hesitantly. This, instantly, got the older's attention.

"Yeah?" Gray wondered what the younger boy was worrying about.

"C-Can you tell me what... Happened, after I was unconscious, and why I can't feel anything? I'm completely, numbed." He said, curiously at first, but was worried; towards the ending.

"Ah! W-Well, you see. After you had f-fainted in my arms, I immediately took you to the guild; where Wendy and Porlyusica, quickly, tried to heal you. It wasn't until, a week later, that you awoke. It was worrying. We... We though, you weren't going to wake up. But, then you did!" He started, off.

"Anyways, after we had found you; the Dragon Slayer's had managed to follow you're scent and trail of blood. It took awhile, but we managed to do so. After that; there was no stopping us. We destroyed them. The Magic Council, had even, took them in; they were apparently charged for many crimes." He concluded that ending.

"And as to why you aren't feeling anything, well, you have many broken bones and new scars, that still needs healing. If it wasn't for the analgesia, you'll be feeling immense pain. I'm pretty sure, you'll be bawling in pain, like a newborn baby." Gray finished off, teasingly.

"Shut up! Oh! Wait, but wouldn't that mean I wouldn't be able to talk and see?" Gray didn't think about that.

"Huh. Umm, who knows? Everything, impossible, could be possible for you. You're too, stubborn, I suppose." He replied, annoying Natsu more.

"Gray!" He whined, annoyed.

"I'm just teasing~!" Gray, chuckled.
Before anyone could say anymore, a sudden loud, tired yawn, left Natsu. Another, chuckle, left Gray as he saw Natsu blush.

"Go to sleep. It'll do you good. Don't worry, I'll stay here with you." Gray, said softly and warmly.

"M'kay... Love ya, Gray." Natsu said, sleepily; feeling the exhaustion grow, quicker, all of the sudden.

"I love you, too, Natsu." Gray, said. Brushing some of the pink hair, away, with his free hand.

However, before Natsu could fall, asleep, completely. He distantly heard the familiar words of, "You looooovvvveee each other~!" and he couldn't hold back a laughter. They both, couldn't. It was true. They were.

~Fin!