Word count: 965

Natsu P.o.v:

Eventually we had to leave Grays ice palace and get back to school before we were reported missing.

Not that I really cared, I was too caught up in him to even remember what school was.

It's weird... how when you're with one person the rest of the world can completely disappear. Nothing else matters when I'm with Gray. It's just me and him being idiots with not a care in the world.

I've had a crush on this guy for the past five years... but I didn't know I would feel this right in his presence. I kind of just passed it off as another high school crush.

I watched him as we walked side by side back to school.

"Gray?"

"Mhm?"

"Why did you ask to be friends with me?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Because I couldn't stand admiring you from afar anymore." He said turning to catch me already staring at him.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" I asked, a blush creeping up my face.

"Exactly what I said." He finally broke eye contact and we continued walking slowly.

I stayed silent at that. What does he mean by admiring?

"Don't act like you don't know... you're extremely attractive Natsu." He said with a smirk.

Now I'm definitely blushing.

"U-Um.. I don't... T-thankyou?"

Gray laughed and I blushed even more, the sound was music to my ears, I wish I could hear it everyday.

Gray was still snickering at how flustered I was, that pretty little bastard.

I regained my composure and smirked at him.

"But there is one thing I do know... I'm nothing when put up against a flustered, blushing Gray Fullbuster... I mean, holy damn I'd have me a slice of that." I said, feigning innocence.

Grays cheeks turned a dark red almost immediately after I'd finished my sentence, making me smirk at him in satisfaction.

"I-Are you f-flirting with me?"

"Are you flirting with me?" I turned the question back on him, leaving him looking nervous and... don't tell him I said this... really fucking adorable.

"Uh n-no..." he said quietly, stumbling on his words.

"You hesitated..."

"Shut up already flamehead."

"Awh Gray! You were flirting!" I squealed and smiled at him.

"I was not!"

"Omg you're pouting! That's so cuuttee. Who knew the cocky Gray Fullbuster could be so adorable?" I teased him mercilessly until he hit me hard on the arm.

"Shut up Natsu!" He whisper shouted, and it took me a second to realise we were already back at school.

"Oh wow. We got here quickly."

"Yeah, now shush before a teacher realises we've been bunking." He said softly.

"Somehow I don't think it's the teachers you two should be worried about." A low voice from behind us said.

Oh shit. I'm fucked.

Me and Gray spun around quickly, only to be met by my big brother.

"Nata- Natsu why are you skipping class? You're way too goody for that. And since when have you two been friends?"

"Gajeel? You know him?" Gray asked pointing to my brother and then to myself to emphasise his point.

"Yeah I know him. Why are you bunking with him and trying to get him into trouble?"

"Woah. Okay, um... I don't know why it's such a big deal all of a sudden. You bunk all the time with me and you've never been against it before." He said, mild annoyance lacing his tone.

"Yeah exactly. You bunk with me. Not my little brother."

Gray looked at Gajeel and then me in mildly controlled shock.

"Anyway... seeya metalhead." I said quickly, taking Grays hand and dragging him away from my brother.

"Holy fuck Natsu, how many brothers do you have!?" He asked as we sat on a conveniently placed bench.

"Two." I said, smiling sweetly at him.

"But I have a little sister as well. It's just me, Sting, Gajeel and Wendy."

"Judging by all your names, I'm guessing Wendy's the normal one?"

"I mean... she eats air..."

"Of course she does..."

"But then again, I eat fire and Gajeel eats metal so..."

"God don't remind me. I am never sitting with him at lunch again." He said with a horrified expression.

I laughed and nodded. Gajeel isn't exactly the most polite person when it comes to table manners, and let's just say metal scraps aren't the most appealing thing to eat, especially when they're being wolfed down by my brother.

Still... fire is worse...

"Natsu?"

"Yes Gray?"

"Are you glad that I did ask you to be my friend?" He asked, he didn't look at me but rather at his worn out converse.

Am I glad? I mean sure Gray's amazing but surely once he gets to know me he won't stay... They all leave. If it were Gray to leave me next, I don't know if I'd be able to handle that. Not after I've already had a taste of life with him.

But people say to live in the moment right? I can do that... right now, in this moment? Yes... I'm glad I have Gray as a friend.

"Natsu?"

"Hm? Oh... yeah I'm glad. Really glad." I stumbled over my words as Gray pulled me from my thoughts.

"You hesitated..." he said, repeating my words from earlier.

"No, I was just lost in thought about how lucky I am to have such an awesome friend is all." I said with a smile, hoping it would be enough to overlook my blunder.

He smiled and ruffled my hair.

"Yeeaah, whatever flame for brains."

••••••

Ugh.
Writing.
Is.
So.
Harrrrdddd.
(Like Gratsu will be amiright or amiright ;))))

Thank you for reading!

Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Love you guys :)
~Max
Xx