Author Notes:

Longer Summary: Gray Fullbuster is an electrical engineer with a promising future. Although he works hard at his day job, he works even stronger towards burying his feelings and dulling his heart. One day, Gray gets tangled in an incident that salvages the living pieces in his chest and lights it back with the warmth it deserves.

Warnings: Swearing. Haven't been keeping up with the Anime. Relationships in this fic are based on my imagination, no Anime logic. Do you see something that looks weird because of the anime's latest season or the season before? I implore you, don't spoil it for me.

Genre, in depth: Male/Male Romance, also known as, Yaoi. That's right. I didn't include it in the warnings because if you're here, I know why. Definitely, not for the heterosexual OR friendship drama. This is a Gratsu fanfic.

World: Anime, Modern AU

Story Cover Art: A round of applause for Astrovique, the fantastic talented artist. Fantastic to work with too. Rare professionalism. You can find Astrovique at (Deviant Art, Instagram, tumbler).

Beta Reader: enjoys literature. Also known as, hawk-eye. Thank you for supporting me, for encouraging me to write this to the end, and for listening to my whining all those years.

Expected number of chapters: 28 Chapters. More or less.

Disclaimer: Dear reader, I'm not the owner of Fairy Tail's characters. If they were mine, Gray and Natsu would be boyfriends.

O.o.O Chapter One O.o.O

Kyoto, Japan – 10:00AM – Naunheimer Consolidated

"You're a sad human being!"

'News flash? I don't think so.'

When he sent that email, Gray didn't foresee himself snatched by the collar or cornered against the pantry's cold refrigerator.

"You won't get away with this, understand?"

Wow, all that rage. Oh no, his legs shivered.

"Always." Gray's muscles relaxed as if he observed the young dawn's purple rays, "Occasionally, human beings, sad ones included, will receive constructive and they have to accept it, handling it with grace and tact instead of being douchebags."

The clamp around his throat tightened, and the acidic breath of Erik disgusted him, "You know damn well it wasn't a constructive criticism I received. You compiled your shitty hatred and jealousy into one filthy document! You could have discussed it with me, but nooooo." He pressed until Gray's spine stuck against the refrigerator.

"Let him go at once."

Like a loyal dog, Erik did as he was told, bowing to show respect towards the managing director. Gildarts Clive, you are the man. The right man, the right time.

"You two. My office, now."

"Yes." Erik said.

"Can I make a cup of coffee? Before this nice man came, I was gonna make one…"

Gildarts's face was a clean slate, void of emotion. His respectful colleague's purple eyes stared at him as if he had performed witchcraft. As far as Gray understood, there was nothing wrong with desiring a cup of Coffee.

"Erik-kun, after you."

"Y-yes."

He breathed long when they left. Such a prick that guy was.

"Are you a-alright?"

He pressed the coffee machine's buttons. Despite the clawing irritation, he offered a kind smile and exited his sadistic character for a minute.

Amazing, big, and low tits aside, Kinana was a good girl. She was innocent, and she shouldn't like that prick. Why? It wasn't right.

"I'm good," He calmed Kinana, "What did I tell you?"

Her shoulders slumped, "That… it was bound to happen someday?"

"There we go. I didn't expect your boyfriend to manhandle me though."

"He's not my boyfriend!"

He likes Kinana because of the resemblance they shared. She feared exposing her feelings to the prick because of social disapproval. Put an office coffee girl (maid) with a board member's son and watch how their romance would be frowned upon.

That's what she thought. She never broke past that fear. Gray didn't too, so he can't be all judgmental now, can he?

Come on, Kinana had a shot. She was a beautiful girl that males fantasized about in the office, including him, but that was once. And it wasn't because he was a pervert, but because of his dick's normal reaction to when her purple bra once showed under a tight dress shirt.

Gray didn't have a shot, especially, with the kind of gender he has. Hold up, how did he think they shared a resemblance again?

"Oh Prince Erik! Your princess will wait for you!"

She winced and jabbed him with the tray, "It was a mistake to open up to you!"

"He didn't punch me in the face because you were watching, and you're the only one he's decent with, soooo? Think about it, cool?" God, he hated himself. Why should Gray grant a prick like Erik happiness? For god's sake, prick and Erik rhyme. Prick and Erik. Erik the Prick.

For her, Gray always reserved a smile from his limited amount per day. Coffee mug in hand, he decided it was time to face the music. On his way, he saw Erik back on his desk typing away. He groaned, then walked to the secretary who communicated with Gildarts, and sent Gray in.

He blew softly on the coffee before sipping from it under Gildarts's cold, scrutinizing blue eyes.

"You crucified the guy via mail. Let's try to reason that."

Gildarts Clive was a mountain. Naunheimer Consolidated's billions flowed because of his efforts. When people dared to look him in the eye, inspiration and awe hit them. Not only that, he was loved as a leader, and he earned Gray's utmost respect.

He was why Gray worked for the company among shitty superiors. His goal was to reach a position where he could learn from the impeccable Gildarts Clive.

In other words, he should give a damn about Gildarts Clive when his tone was tetchy. Sadly, at that moment, Gray didn't find it in himself to care. Not about Gildarts Clive or even the president of Japan. The strong coffee flavor seeped into his soul and calmed his nerves.

"Hmm. I've spent two consecutive weeks sleeping at work to get my job done, then it was fuc—corrupted, because he didn't know how to open the fuc—file the correct way. Mind you, this isn't the first time he's done this. I email people stating something, he emails another stating something else, stupefying me countless times ever since I was employed. I'd provide you with those mails if I didn't know your time is valuable. In short, he's a dick. And I'm sorry, but he had it coming."

Gildarts nodded ironically.

"And my mail wasn't that offensive. It stated facts, supported by evidence, that's all." Ahhhh, Coffee tasted delicious after bashing pricks.

Although his managing director stung him with a mini-glare, Gray wasn't threatened, "If he gave you a hard time, why didn't you speak to him like an adult? Confrontations scare you, kiddo?"

Confrontations scare who?

He did his best and contained the century's loudest grunt.

"He thinks I'm jealous of him, and that I hate him for no reason. How can you 'confront' a guy with his mindset?"

"Do you hate him?"

"He's invisible. Not worth the effort of my hatred cells."

"Gray." Gildarts stopped him with his finger, "You're what they say, hard work that beats talent. You have proved yourself, and you have earned your position."

"Flattering-"

"-Shush."

Ok. Can't argue with that.

"One word. Emotional intelligence."

Gray coughed, "Those are two words."

"Shush."

Ok. Coffee doesn't taste delicious anymore.

"Kid, I won't be wasting my time like this unless I care. You're a walking robot, and it's not right. Politics at work are devastating and one day you'll regret not learning how to handle them now. You'll be surprised knowing the number of hard-working people who are undermined because of their narrow vision. And you're right, he's a dick."

Bla, bla, bla, blaaaaa. Gray was an orphan and thank god for that. Imagine if he had a father.

"Thanks for agreeing."

"If you can't deal with that, speak to your department's head, seek advice. That email had everyone on cc, and has grave repercussions; ones that could affect your image—do you have a girlfriend?"

Gray's glasses frame slid down on his nose, "With all respect, what does that have to do with anything?"

"I'll tell you." Gildarts's finger brushed over his long burgundy tie and leaned forward, "When your life is work-based, you build everything around it, you get aggressive and violent, and I have tried that and failed. Having someone in your life-which you don't-makes it way easier. Because then, your life is centered somewhere else."

"I don't care and I regret nothing."

Gildarts shook his head, adjusting his back on the chair, "Kiddo, get outta my office, behave, and stop wasting my time. I don't want to witness today's nonsense again, am I understood?"

"Why am I the bad guy?"

Gildarts sighed, "God, I hope I'm clear."

Erik bullied him, not the other way around, why were the grenades being thrown at him?

"And get a freaking girlfriend."

Girlfriend his foot. Relationships suck. Too much emotional investment on nothing but an eventual heart break.

He put his mug aside in favor of taking a bite from his cheddar cheese sandwich. Adjusting his glasses, he re-read his long smart fact-based sentences, joy overtaking him.

Fine, Gildarts was correct. He rigidified himself. Work hard, bash pricks, meet with deadlines. That's all he has left. How else can he fill the widening black hole in his chest?

When he reached for his mug, he paused, scanning the simple black and brown writing on it.

Summer.

Drinks get colder.

Nights get longer.

Life gets better.

They sunk his heart, always. His summer and sun was a long time gone.

'Deadlines. Work. Focus.'

Because of the prick, he must start over and triple his working speed with a help of a miracle.

'God, help me not to shoot him.'

His phone vibrated, and people stared at him like getting a phone call was so awesome nowadays.

"Hello, Gray is speaking."

"Hello. We're from the NIA."

Hold up. NIA? What the fuck was the NIA? Gray did a quick mental search, but big question marks blocked him, thus, his answer lagged on the serious-straight-to business lady.

"Cool, what's-"

"-We've got your friend in custody for using a forged Guinean passport while exiting Japan from Narita's international airport. Usually, we'll contact a guardian; however, you were number one emergency contact."

"…"

The hair on his neck stood. That statement fought his skull to enter his brain with ease, so instead of sarcasm, he said the logical thing, "I think you have got the wrong number."

Obviously, NIA was an airport security heroic league, and he wasn't involving himself in a crazy mix-up. He is a great Japanese citizen who doesn't have friends forging passports for a hobby.

God, what's up with this bright morning?

"Gray Fullbuster? Male. Age 24, working in Naunheimer Industries Consolidated as a junior electrical engineer. Is that about right?"

Shit was getting real. Yes to all those, what the hell?

So who was the motherfucker who used his number as an emer-

"We believe your friend Natsu Dragneel is guilty. We're conducting our investigation, and we're not releasing him before we go through his papers."

-Gency contact.

Natsu with a Guinean Passport? Like from the Republic of Guinea?

"Natsu Dragneel?!" Gray knocked his coffee cup when he jerked on his feet. Good luck cleaning that. "There's a mishap, Natsu is incapable of-"

"-At any rate, he's not allowed to contact anyone outside the airport. If his papers are clean, he will be released without fees, however, if there is a slight possibility it's forged, the penalty will be seven years."

"Bail?"

"Not possible."

"Ok, so no one can see him?"

"Not now, no sir."

The hot liquid burned his fingers as he wiped it, just as that name did his heart. By the time he asked the lady for more information and hung up, his face decolorized in the time his managing director passed.

"Kiddo, my office, now."

"What's up with you today?"

Gray lost speech. They tell him Natsu is a national security issue and Gray's at the managing director's office for the second time.

So what's happening today? Either someone was pranking him, or he was dreaming.

"Nothing." It came out hoarse.

Natsu. Shit, Natsu?

"You look like you were electrocuted. Bad phone call?"

"Still trying to understand…"

"Hmm."

"I have to go, it's urgent." Gray braced himself for rejection since the deadline was a week away, "Super urgent."

"What's happening kiddo?"

He removed his glasses, and opened his phone, pulled up a picture from the gallery, and showed it to Gildarts, "My friend was flying from Narita's airport towards Italy when he was arrested because he has a freaking Guinean passport."

Employees outside stared at the glass cubicle, crept out by the loudness of Director Gildarts's laughter.

Natsu, the boy with the pink hair and green eyes, was a Guinean. Go joke with someone else.

"That's so messed up." Gildarts did his best stifling his stream of laughter, "What are you capable of though? Your leaving is meaningless unless you have a plan."

"I don't know... but I have to."

The case's facts were so ridiculous that he wanted to roll on the ground laughing (or crying), and curse Natsu to death.

Gildarts cleared his throat, "I know a guy who owes me big time. With his help, no lawyer will be needed. Why don't we give it a shot?"

Gray shifted to an alerted posture. Why on earth would Gildarts help him? It has to be a trap. And think about it, when your merciless director offers you help, it's not only creepy, it's suspicious and creepy.

"Appreciate that, but—I'd manage on my own, I know he's not the forging passports type of guy. There has to be a serious misunderstanding."

Gildarts's fingers were a steeple over his clean white desk, "You're smart, this is tricky, and you know you can't manage it on your own. Why won't you take my help? Consider it an order. Or maybe a gift for your appreciated efforts with us so far."

"I…"

Questions overloaded Gray. The way Gildarts expressed himself, how he sounded genuine. It was so scary to the point he wanted to laugh. That man did nothing but drain his life energy since he joined in. How-what-

"Ok? Alright? Great. Let me make the call, go to the HR and tell them you're leaving today. It will be deducted from your annual leave days, but it's a cheap price, correct?"

"Ah…" Gray was staggered, "Of course."

"So when you head down to Narita's airport, I'll update you, and let's hope you get your friend out before tomorrow."

The name 'Natsu' scared him.

It replaced the dying autumn in Gray with green spring. Covered his shivering heart with a blanket of warmth, ensuring its safety. And he hated it because it deceived his fool heart.

His brain instructed him to pretend as if he never got the call, that Natsu would manage, but his warming heart hauled him in the wrong direction.

When will he learn his lesson? As much as this feeling was the best, it was the worst when it's lost.

Yet, here we are. Towards the wrong direction we march.

Gildarts squeezed Natsu's bio and other important information from Gray to get on exonerating his friend from an inane crime.

Talk about 'dumbfounded'.

Flying to Narita was his best option since he refused stretching the trip to five hours. No doubt, his manipulative son of a bitch heart chose the 'smart' decision for him. Why wait for a train when you can fly? If possible, Gray would transform into fucking superman and be there in an instant.

Fuck. What was he doing?

While waiting in line for the bus to Osaka's Itami Airport, the burden of the expenses struck. Flight tickets, possibly bail money. Thank humanity for creating Bronze/silver/motherfucking awesome all colors credit cards.

He'll make Natsu pay as soon as he comes out of NIA.

NIA…

Narita International Airport. 'Bitch so weird… must I know every little fucking abbreviation in Japan?!'

Gray praised himself for figuring it out. Kids wailing here, kids ganging up there, kids everywhere. Why the hell were elementary school kids moving out of the damn district? Annoying brats should stay in their homes sucking on lollipops. Field trips could kiss his ass.

More than anything, Gray hated spontaneous actions, which is what this trip stood for. No planning, no logic. Like a mad man, he strode to the nearest terminal, booking a ticket for the nearest flight possible to Narita.

Gildarts called him after he booked the ticket, he paused before answering, hands clammy, throat dry.

"Sir?"

"Kiddo, where're you?"

Please, who's the kid now? "Itami Airport."

"Great. From my understanding, that Natsu you're thinking innocent, is not. Yes, he was in Guinea for the past two years, but that doesn't mean he has the rights to obtain citizenship. Someone forged the passport for him, but they did sloppy work, thus, the current predicament."

"Is there a possibility that's not true?"

"I don't know, kiddo. I was gonna act on it anyway, but I wanted you to know first."

"Thanks. I'm sorry you had to be involved."

"-get down to Narita without high blood pressure, and I won't have a problem."

If anyone in this world cared, Gray fought the urge to scream in the airport.

Natsu Dragneel's logic goes beyond any other human being. Why did he think of getting the fucking Guinean passport when he was a fucking Japanese?

For fuck's sake, Natsu.

He used the hour and a half left for the next flight to NIA asking himself questions he needed answers for.

What pushed Natsu Dragneel to visit Guinea in the first place? Why the arbitrary decision? Yeah, it explained the motherfucker's disappearance for the past two years. And when he showed up, he's a national security issue and a gigantic pain in the butt.

That's the style of Natsu Dragneel, excellent.

Narita, Japan – 4:30PM – Narita International Airport (NIA)

He passed by at least a hundred blue and orange sign boards and asked a million officers about the safety regulation unit's location. And as a civilian he had to know the safety regulation unit was part of aviation security. Where was he when they issued the org-chart?! Bitch, he had to be aware.

Families cuddled, friends bickered, fuck, all of Japan was on vacation. Why did he travel districts for a friend in need and not for hot springs? Explain.

He closed in on the area where he thought aviation security existed and asked about a lady called 'Erza Scarlet', the safety regulation unit manager.

Erza Scarlet's name on his tongue whipped a few heads in his direction. Was she that great? Or was she that horrible?

They let him in a large office with white fluorescent lights and dark blue visitor chairs. The manager's analyzing cinnamon orbs punched him in the gut and forced respect upon him, regardless of the gender. Not that he's a sexist.

She had Natsu's file in her hand, legs crossed superiorly.

'Let's behave baby.'

"Fullbuster-san, it's not possible to share sensitive information. You're not a relative, a guardian, or family. In fact, you shouldn't be here." Her contempt sliced him. Shame, she was beautiful, there goes his chance with someone decent and with huge breasts, thank you Natsu.

A tall blonde fellow walked in the room, the total opposite of what Erza Scarlet is. He smiled, and shook Gray's hand as if they were long-lost friends, "You're Gray Fullbuster, right? Hibiki Lates, nice to meet you."

"Same here." Who the hell was that guy anyways?

"Gildarts called me."

"Oh…" That was the guy? "I appreciate it."

"Erza-chan, you can't pick on this guy. Can you fill me in first?"

Erza Scarlet had what they called squeeze-worthy breasts. When her waist rotated to scoff at Hibiki Lates for his rude interference, her breasts bounced through the white blouse, and fuck, that trip was so worth it.

He took a while to focus on Gildarts's messenger. Despite the easy going attitude, the blonde's existence radiated with confidence. He expected her to reveal 'sensitive information' in front of Gray.

Dude gotta be in a position higher than her.

"It's so simple,"Erza shrugged, "We're in a country where dual citizenship is difficult, if not impossible. Not only that. Natsu came from Guinea, and is travelling from Japan to Italy, which is weird. He could have flown from Guinea to Italy, makes more sense."

"Could be something personal." Hibiki commented.

"Could be. Could not. We need a formal paper attested from the republic of Guinea proving Natsu is a Guinean citizen, and even then it's absurd, we don't tolerate dual citizenship, so we need to know if it's authorized from here too."

'Shit.' A heavy rock fell in his gut.

"No one may visit or talk to him if he's in our custody, not even his guardian."

Hibiki Lates nodded and his raised finger shushed Gray.

"Great, so what was done so far?"

"We contacted the Guinean embassy, it would take minimum three hours to get the paper, or maximum a week OR a month. Depends. Bail is unacceptable, not until we get the paper or any substantial evidence."

"So time difference and all that jazz. It's not easy, nor fast I believe." Hibiki's fingers tapped on the table.

"Exactly."

"Great, thanks for the info. Let's go Gray. Sorry to interrupt, manager."

Gray didn't know if it was a good thing to cut the conversation on miss booby. He was slow at standing up and digesting the situation.

"Ah…"

The girl's breasts did a noticeable bounce when she jerked to her feet. Her throat contained a growl that if anything, pulled a dirty image from his sub-consciousness.

"Natsu Dragneel has pink hair, green eyes, a body built that shows luxury in life. His dad works in Austria. Over my dead body he's a Guinean civilian. That passport is forged, it has to be nothing else. I'd appreciate it if no one interferes in my investigation."

The blonde guy maintained a confident eye-contact with Erza Scarlet, and Gray commended his prowess.

"Let's go, Gray."

"Let's forget what Erza-chan said for a moment, ok? Possibility 1, your friend may have a forged passport. Possibility 2, the Guinean government will take ages 'till they provide the attested paper, and we know that might not happen because of possibility 1, correct?"

The elevator dinged, and Gray followed the blonde.

"Didn't you say we should forget?" The Information collection squished his head, keeping up with the blonde was a chore, "There has to be something we can do, right? Should I-"

"You can't, I can. We have to get the paper, or know if there's no paper. I have a contact that will help us."

"How long will it take?"

"Is it six now? Let's say six more hours."

Gray halted, and so did the blonde who questioned the sudden move with a blink.

"The longer he stays in there, the worst this is gonna be."

"Hold your horses right there…" Hibiki walked to him, "That's not my call. My friend lives in NYC, and it's four in the morning there. He'll be eating his breakfast when we're tucked in bed. Add to that his communication time with the Guinean embassy." Hibiki chuckled, "It's a simple case, but it demands time, so, patience."

Gray knew in his heart (and mind), this case would take a hell of a lot of time, money, effort, and communication until it's resolved. But, Natsu was in this building. He was a paper away from seeing him, making sure he's okay.

He apologized for the impulsiveness, but the guy who was kind enough to give a shit dismissed it.

"Come with me."

Hibiki Lates dropped him at the airport's shopping venue, which wasn't accessible to the public. That included restaurants and other provided facilities that will make his sojourn for the next six hours less painful, and Gray appreciated it more than he thought he would.

Also, he escorted Gray to the VIP lounge to use as he pleases. They shared contact details before Hibiki left to resume his own duties.

The generous treatment embarrassed Gray. He was indebted to Gildarts Clive, the one man he didn't appreciate owing.

Just as he was getting comfy on the leather seat, his pocket vibrated.

'Shit…'

"How many times do I have to call until you freaking pick up?! Or is it the new trend you wanna show you're a real asshole?"

"Not really. I have valid reasons."

His mother wasn't the most understanding neither the most patient sometimes.

"Gray, this better be good. Your brother is here, dinner's done, and you have promised you'd leave work earlier for this! It's six thirty now!"

"Ah… Yeah, about that. I'm not in Kyoto…"

"Pardon? Stop bullshitting ok? Gray, the fucking Yakisoba and Teriyaki Salmon you asked for are turning stone cold. People are hungry."

Fuck, he could smell the Yakisoba and even start to taste it. His mom did him a favor by accepting his request and offering a meal which wasn't convenient store or sloppy handmade food. Cause who LOVES cooking for themselves?

Mannn, his grand dinner, his yakisoba. Bummer.

"Ur, I'm sorry I didn't contact you earlier. Stuff happened and I'm in Narita's International airport."

"God, are you ok? What happened? You sound stressed."

"Natsu is in NIA, and involved in a goddamn passport forgery case."

"THE FUCK IS NIA?! Natsu! Shit… hold on a minute, did you say Natsu?!"

"Yeah. Natsu."

"Back up, Back up. What's happening? Tell me everything, don't miss a detail!"

Gray breathed, "Why not? I've got six hours to kill."

"What are you talking about? I'm so lost now."

"You asked for the details right?" Gray leaned backwards, the leather sofa easing his stressed back, "Bear with it then."

"… This is so messed up. So when are you coming back? What's your plan?"

"I wait for Hibiki's contact."

"Hohoho. So your wife is back."

"Your wife my foot." If she thought she would elicit a reaction, she was wrong.

"Do you want your brother to come?"

"No, no, no. You guys have dinner, I'm managing. I need downtime to brainstorm different solutions to make this work."

His mother sighed. She was an inch away from screaming in his ear for abandoning her efforts with dinner, and travelling to another district without contact, but she saved it. She was sweet and loving, and didn't wish to stress him further.

When he gets back, she's gonna rape him. He knew it. There was nowhere on earth he could hide to prevent that tragedy.

"Take care of yourself and your wife. Just in case, do I search for a lawyer? You rejected my advice too…"

Those silly 'wife' comments were just that. Silly. You're better than that, Gray.

"Maybe."

"Did you have lunch?"

"Hey. I'm fine. Trust me. Just drowsy."

"Okay, I'm gonna let you go. Call me if anything happens, and update us often, agreed?"

"Sure."

Hibiki Lates carried an elegant smile when he invited him for a late dinner meal.

With the third grade drama happening in his life, he lacked the appetite, but his stomach needed feeding. Since the cup of coffee and half a cheese sandwich in the morning, he hadn't eaten as he invaded the internet, searching for a way out.

Turns out, google can't solve this one. And he was a fool thinking it could.

The Marble café wasn't a full-fledged restaurant, but it served decent fresh meals.

Hibiki probed Gray and Natsu's relationship subject because no one will abandon their work and fly over multiple districts for another person unless they were as important as a family member. Gray's smile dropped, his appetite vanishing.

What were they indeed?

He stated they were good friends and left it at that.

The blonde didn't pester him with other related questions, getting the hint, and Gray was thankful for it.

In return, Hibiki Lates intrigued him and stirred his interest. If a woman as intimidating as Erza booby Scarlet paid him respect, then his role and authority must be crucial and higher than airport security. Were these the people Gildarts knew? There was more to his managing director than what meets the eye, and a glimpse of it was enough.

Better not venture into scary territories.

Hibiki offered Gray a stay in the adjacent hotel since it wasn't confirmed when his contact would reveal helpful details. A bubble of disappointment aroused within. He wanted to reach the bottom of it and free his friend at the earliest.

At 10:30PM, Gray entered his room in the Glacier hotel. After he had set the alarm for 2:30AM, he threw himself on the soft clean bed, wasted. He needed a shower, and a change of clothes, but shopping for new clothes? What a pain. Maybe if it ended soon, he wouldn't have to.

Gray removed his glasses, scratching where it's marking on his nose itched. Over the years, his eyesight degraded, all thanks to his comfortable working schedule. His glasses served two purposes, computer screen protection and an optical aid. Sleep conquered his other desires, and although his eyes shut, Natsu's image never left him.

His nose fantasized about the vanilla, fresh sea breeze scent of his long-lost friend, and messed him up all over again.

And he thought he was recovering. That he was getting better.

What bullshit.

Gray jolted from the bed to answer his vibrating phone.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Finally. My subordinate called you three times."

Fuck, Gildarts? Why?

"Sir, I'm… sorry—what time is it?"

"I hope you weren't screwing around with any of the hot girls—I wouldn't blame you if you did."

"No sir-"

"So was it screwing with one of the guys?!"

"What the…"

"I'm just pulling your leg. Loosen up once in a while."

"Umm…" Sleep increased the weight of his body on the bed, and he struggled against dozing, "What did I miss…?"

"You have to call Hibiki Lates. WAKE UP SUNSHINE. I'll see you later."

Gildarts hung up, and his phone blinked in anger with the number of calls he missed coming from Hibiki. The trip's fatigue lost him in deep slumber he heard no alarm going off. He forced himself to hop off the bed, wash his face, and be awake for Hibiki Lates's brief.

This better be good, Natsu.

"Hibiki Lates, speaking?"

"Hello. This is Gray."

"Oh hey! Calling early?"

"I'm sorry, I slept like I dunno—what did I miss?"

"No need to apologize, I slept through the alarm myself. Woke up at four like crazy. You didn't miss much. My friend hasn't been able to reach the Guinean embassy until now, that's the bad news…"

Gray sighed, "Are there any good news?"

"YES!"

"What's that?" There couldn't be possibly-

"I arranged a meeting with your friend. You'd have a limited time, you two alone, and you might get something useful out of him to help us with the current predicament."

"But… how? She said that-"

"—I told you I'm awesome. Now please, get down here fast before Erza changes her mind."

Gray hung up, his stupid heart skipping.

Second Day

Narita, Japan – 6:45AM – Narita International Airport (NIA)

Gildarts's abrupt call drilled through Gray's head.

At mornings, Gray's sensory and cognitive system lagged. If someone said good morning, he would answer with silence, but, he would think 'Fuck mornings'. And then awkward.

That kind of thing isn't curable.

For this one occasion, he greeted Hibiki Lates, and fuck, the wonders excitement achieved in people.

"The minute your time is over, it is over. Trust me… we don't want to upset Erza more than she already is. I went through the trouble of buying a fucking strawberry cake topped with strawberry frosting and has a double layer of cream and strawberry jam; it costs 60,000¥ so don't screw this up."

"Mhmmm."

"You're not a morning person, are you now?"

"Mhmmm." Gray shook his head as in No, definitely not. Not me. Not a morning person.

The corridor they walked in led to a spacious room judging by the double door entrance. A conference room? Gray heard Hibiki's instructions, eyes flickering between the blonde and room's number.

Can he jump past Hibiki Lates? Please, say yes.

"He's cuffed. Security's outside. Trust me, don't trust him. We don't know if he's innocent, and I don't want you to turn a hostage today. I've asked them to shut the CCTV surveillance, but no luck. I pushed further, and they compromised and permitted shutting off sound, so we'll see a video of you two."

"Mhmmm."

"And if it goes wrong, I want you to know we got your back."

"…"

"That… and I am authorized to shoot without asking questions." The young man smiled.

That woke Gray up, thank you. Natsu wouldn't harm him. Or would he? Ok, Gray expected a punch or two because of what he did, not terrorism.

"Alright, here we go."

Hibiki opened the big wooden double door. Gray's heart picked up the speed it left off after hearing he could see Natsu.

And just like that, he saw him. Without mental preparation, no planned speech, or the expression he should make.

The pink haired youth's smile was silly as he sat on one of the leather seats, gazing at the sky from the large glazed surface of the room with cuffs around his hands. An abundance of daylight glowed Natsu's outline and his weary alligator chartreuse eyes, tingling Gray's nerve endings.

He wore faded jeans and a silly looking red Henley shirt. Suddenly, he was 16 years old Natsu from high school with his stupid innocence and stubborn head.

It blinded Gray.

How much time has passed? Three years? Three damn years he thought he was over the extra heartbeat that played around Natsu's presence, the fluttering tornado roaming in the chest.

Three years… why did his body feel he saw him yesterday?

To Be Continued...

Thank you for reading.

Next chapter release date: Monday, 24th December, 2018.

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