Warnings: Constant change of P.O.V. and several scene shift. OOCness maybe. YAOI. Don't like. Don't read.

Author's Section: It's August 17 today. Exactly the 10th month since I disappeared from fan fiction. I'm so sorry for that. My reasons are not enough as an excuse. So I won't blame those who hated me for leaving the story and those who have given up waiting for an update. I've lost inspiration quite honestly despite of having way too many supporters for this story. I felt guilty. Really. Everyday I keep on thinking about how long am I going to let these people wait? I want to write, but I can't continue. My writing have become so crappy I hated everything I wrote. You wouldn't want to know how many notebooks turned into ashes because I've burned too many. Those notebooks contained all the crappy versions and drafts this chapter had before I completed the final one until just today. If it wasn't for Flame belt-san's help I wouldn't be able to finish this. We all should thank her for giving me inspiration to continue writing. And I would also like to thank those who patiently waits and still have faith in this story. As long as you guys are there, no matter how long it takes, I will finish the story.

Well enough of this drama, let's go for the real one.

Reviewer's Section:

Because of all the enormous reviews this story had received, I will be putting Reviewer's Section at the Bottom Page. It would be more convenient to us so that this section wouldn't eat too much space at the top page.

Special Thanks to:

IrisFT, 8027 is True Love, lupin181, Willow O' Wisps, Mitsuki-Takahashi, xLILKOOPAx, Cole. Just Cole, HighOnYaoi, Simlop, RoyLovesWally, Shebajay, lydiareynolds117, Sweet-Summer-June, O'Rei'nji Fishcake, Running Lynx, Showtunes4life, SkyiMello, NicoleDragneel, blackagenda, SilverThineWolf, Psyche Orihara 14, yaoifangirl479, propertyofthedead, Know-Your-Place, BlueDragon2908, ranasharmishta, mooney-996, SKYBLue152, westpanther97, nori of the sea, CrySpy27, kiyacohen15, liannalikepotatoes, 1, DemonNatsu, JaiDaw, MULTICOLOREDSOUL, Janisu, Kittenklaws13, cattleya0467, YourNewBestFriend15, .0, fallenangelsreborncall, Anime-Love97, click0o, 50ShadesOfGrayFullbuster, GateBreaker, scholtedylan and Cake-Addict.

Thank you for putting this story on you Favorite and Alert list. Also, to those who put me on their Favorite Author and Subscription list, thank you so much. Sorry for making you wait.

Super Special Thanks To:

-Flamebelt-san- thanks for all the advice and help you gave me. Thank you for being an inspiration. Keep writing a worth reading stories. I love you XD. You're such a good mentor and friend.

Disclaimer: I'm still dreaming that one day I can. But right now I don't own it.

Ice Roses

Chapter 8: In Someone's Arms

By: Johan Lee

Natsu could not believe his ears. What was being revealed, what this man before him have just said. It's as if he was being played with some cruel trick.

"I'm the secret admirer you've been looking for?"

Lyon's face hovered just an inch above him, the warmth of his breath mingling with his own. Natsu waited for the ice mage to laugh and tell him it was just a joke. However, as minutes continued to roll by, Lyon's face remained deadly serious.

A cold callous hand touched his face, caressing the slightly reddened skin ever so tenderly. Natsu couldn't move a muscle, his body was frozen like a cold statue. There's nothing he can do at the moment but to stare wide-eye at the man before him.

A green circle of light appeared beneath them, illuminating the place in a very mystical way. And then a hundred of ice roses sprouted from the ground, forming a circular garden of ice. The moment was romantic, literally magical and what Natsu only did was to stare in awe.

"I'm in love with you, Natsu."

Natsu's mind was still in daze, and he had a hard time processing those words being said to him. Until he felt a hand slipping on his waist, pulling him in a warm embrace. Lyon held him tightly, securely. With his face buried in the other's shoulder, caged in the ice mage's arms, warmth started to spread inside his chest as salty tears stung eyes.

Love. Care. Comfort. He desperately needed it. Why look somewhere else for it if it was already in front of him?

Slowly, he brought his hands around the older male's back, returning the hug.

"I love you too..." Natsu whispered, tears slipping down as he closed his eyelids.

"I love you so much...

.

.

.

Gray.."

Lyon strolled across the beach with the pinkette soundly asleep on his back. It was already past midnight so he'd decided to head back to the resort he was staying in for a while. The silver haired ice user hummed a song as he walked, enjoying the feel of wet sand on his bare feet. The sea waves splashed gently against his lower legs, soaking his knee-folded jeans in the process. Lyon didn't care care though. The sea water somehow always brought a soothing warmth whenever it touches his skin, like the feeling of a mother's tender touch. Or maybe it was Ur.

Glancing over his shoulder, Lyon stared at the pinkette's sleeping face, noticing the small trace of dried tears on the boy's tanned cheeks. Natsu was one of the most powerful wizard of Fairy Tail, and it was really kind of sad to see the energetic mage shedding tears because of some unrequited love which is not unrequited at all.

Secret admirer. Seriously? That was the most stupidest thing Gray could ever come up with. Don't get him wrong. It was kind of cute okay. But Lyon believed it was only for cowards. Unfortunately, his chicken of a brother is one of them. He shook his head disapprovingly. "For the love of your dead father Gray, grow some balls! Or else this hot stuff will be taken away from you seriously."

"Just like what you are doing right now?" Suddenly said a female voice on his side. Lyon scowled.

"I thought I'd asked you to keep a distance from us Chelia."

The said girl, Chelia only snorted indignantly, irking Lyon a little.

"Why? So you can freely have your own wicked way with him?" She clicked her tongue in mockery while shaking her head from side to side, imitating his earlier gesture. "What you did is so uncool. I thought you're someone better than that."

Lyon face her with a warning glare.

"Don't start on me now Chelia. This got nothing to do with you. Stay out of it."

His voice came out as threatening as it should, hoping it would make her back off. However, the young Sky God Slayer seemed undeterred. From the side, Chelia advanced forward, momentarily stopping him by surprise as she blocked his way.

"Stay out of it? Tell yourself that!"

The young teen's outburst shocked him, and Lyon was stunned.

"Don't get involve Lyon. Let them work it out. Let your brother work it out."

A tense silence filled the air, saved from the occasional sound of waves sloshing by the seashore. Her apparent dislike on what he's doing made her quite intimidating and it amused Lyon. But what can a fourteen year-old do to stop a twenty-six year-old adult?

Nothing.

And Lyon wanted the young girl to know that as he rudely brushed past her, his cold voice slicing through the thick silence.

"I know what I'm doing. I have this already plan. You're not my mother so don't get in my way. "

They're already in front of the resort. Chelia stood there in incredulity as he briskly walked through the direction of his cabin. Lyon felt slightly guilty from his brashness, but she needed to know her with place.

Before he could completely walk away, Chelia spoke again. From the slight waver in her voice, he knew she's crying.

"I hope you won't regret doing this Lyon. You're messing with other people's love. Whatever your planning, if things went out of your control and hurt you in the end, don't tell me I didn't try to stop you."

He heard her sniffed and hiccupped, and when it seems she has nothing more to say, Lyon continued his trek to his cabin. The pinkette on his back shifted a little, then snuggled on the crook of his neck.

Lyon silently smiled at that.

Bathing in the warmth of morning sunlight, Gray Fullbuster ambled down the street of Magnolia with a small limp on his left side. The accidental trip against the stupid rock must have broken something in his foot, a toe probably. His body ache from his fall, and a few cuts and bruises decorated his exposed torso.

And speaking of exposed torso.

"Where the hell is my shirt?"

Glancing around, Gray was met with several stares. Those who have known his habit of stripping only shook their heads at him, smiling at his antics. Some girls looked at him like he was some sort of a delicious treat from one of the fancy restaurant around.

'Creepy.'

As he passed more people, some elderly couple sent his way a disgusted look, likely thinking how irresponsible young people these days, walking half-naked in the middle of the street.

Oh please. It's not like it was his fault his perverted teacher required him to do perverted things as a part of his training.

Gray pretended he had not seen them and continued his trek down the side of the street. It wasn't his first time receiving such a rude reaction whenever he strips unconsciously on public, so he was used to it. Human beings are very judgmental, no wonder Porlyusica-sensei despise them.

Stopping in a rather crowded pedestrian lane, Gray weighed his option of where he should go for the day. Straight ahead would lead him to the guild, and to his right was the direction of his house.

A nice cold shower awaits for him at home, and his comfy bed was already calling his name from the distance. In his current restless state, the idea itself was very tempting. But a flash in his memory of a certain pink-haired idiot and the possibility of finding him at the guild prompted his injured foot to take a step forward. The movement sent a jolt of pain in his body and Gray hissed a series of colorful language under his breath.

With a determined look, Gray marched down the pedestrian lane.

"Flame Brain." Came a low whisper as the corner of his lips tug upward into a smirk, Fullbuster style.

"If you think you can just run away from me, you are totally, absolutely wrong. I will not let you go this time. And you will be mine."

He's been awake already for quite some time. As he peered over the clock, he realized it's been an hour already. Even so, Lyon couldn't find the heart to leave and dragged his lazy ass out of the bed just yet. Not that he could be blame. He just doesn't want to miss one rare opportunity to watch a sleeping Natsu Dragneel on his side.

Yes. That was right. It's not some sort of a twisted dream. But Lyon still had a hard time believing his eyes. The great Salamander of Fairy Tail lay on the same bed as he was. The said pinkette was curled up remotely close beside him, looking extremely vulnerable and defenceless. His strong frame was covered in a thin sheet of fabric only, with one delicious tan shoulder exposed for Lyon to leer at.

Lyon wore a very dangerous smirk on his face. The tip of his fingers putting featherlight touches on Natsu's exposed shoulder, sending unwanted shivers within the pinkette's body. It made him curled up even more and snuggled closer against Lyon, much to the ice mage's delight.

"Who would have thought... I'll be able to have you in a bed like this. Gray would surely be jealous."

Callous fingers travelled downwards, revealing more delicious flesh of the sleeping teen's back.

"If I only had a camera."

Gray barged in through the large guild doors with a scowling face. His piercing yet hopeful eyes scanning the hall like like a hawk out to catch his prey. In his case, it was a pink-haired idiot prey named Natsu Dragneel.

After a moment of searching and no familiar salmon pink hair to be found, Gray's dark eyebrows furrowed even deeper.

"Gray!"

It was Lucy's voice that reached his ears. He shifted his gaze towards the bar counter, soft honey brown eyes meeting his. They were etched with full concern, anxiety was evidently written. Gray swiftly broke eye contact, unable to stand her worried gaze.

Begrudgingly, he limped towards the bar, shoulders dropping both in exhaustion and disappointment. He couldn't find Natsu. It was yet another wasted day. He should have just chosen the path heading straight towards his house and have a rest. Gray seriously wanted to hit himself with that wooden chair for being so damn persistent. Natsu obviously doesn't want to see him after what happened yesterday, let alone deal with his presence so he didn't showed up at the guild.

But that won't stop him from pursuing the dragon slayer though. Maybe he needed time? Gray can give him that.

Gray sighed, perching himself on a stool beside Lucy and ordered a glass of ice cold water. Mirajane immediately poured down his order in a glass which he greedily drank down in large gulps. He hadn't realized how thirsty he was until now.

"Will you give me another glass please?"

"A-ah sure."

"Thanks."

Gray downed his second glass with the same avidity like the first. He breathed a sigh of satisfaction as he put the glass down, thanking the white haired bartender once again.

"You're welcome Gray. Anything else you want? Food?"

He shook his head.

"Okay then. I'll just go get the first aid kit. Rest here for a bit then go take a bath. I'll tend on your wounds when you're done okay?"

Gray gave a meek nod and Mirajane left. Being the mother figure of almost every Fairy Tail mages, she already knew what to do when somebody walks in with minor injuries. That's Mirajane Strauss for you.

Gray sat in complete silence, fully aware of Lucy's eyes still fixated on him. Perhaps she was trying to think of something they could at least talk about. But it seems she was too hesitant to speak, as if asking the question he'd already anticipated to hear would shatter him into million pieces of ice shards.

Minutes ticked by and the silence dragged on. No words came from Lucy, instead, she put her hand on top of his, surprising Gray. Silent words were passed between them as he looked her in the eyes once again. Lucy smiled reassuringly, squeezing his hand a bit. Gray squeezed back, returning the smile more to ease her anxiety than his.

She pulled back her hand first and he stood.

"Mira will be back soon. I'm gonna go take a quick bath."

He was scared. No. That's not the right word for it. Natsu was terrified. And for the second time in his life, he felt the urgent need to leave everything behind and runaway.

He was no coward or anything. But it's not everyday Natsu wakes up in the morning and finds himself wrapped in someone else's arms (not to mention that someone is a GUY!), in a bed and the fact that they were both stark naked.

"W-wait what?!"

Natsu didn't mean to yelp out loud. But as he lifted the thin fabric and saw his bare skin, shivers of dread started to run throughout his whole body.

"T-this… this is n-not ha-happening…this is ju-just a dream..a fucked up stu-tupid dream..we didn't… I didn't… Oh gosh…" He tightly closed his eyes as tears of disbelief began to cloud his vision. He felt used, taken advantaged to and he was disgusted to himself. How did he ended up in this situation? How come he let this happened to him?

Then it all flashed in his memory. Gray holding Juvia closely. Him running away, ending up somewhat in a beach. Then Lyon showing up, confessing he was the secret admirer. He created a garden of ice roses, and he was hugging him.

Natsu opened his eyes.

And it was like a big slap in the face, reality hitting him so hard and his vision began to spin. To make it worse, he felt an arm slipping on his waist, pulling him closer against the toned body of no other than Lyon Vastia.

Natsu was a poor boy frozen on his spot. Although Lyon was apparently the secret admirer he'd been looking for, and he was suppose to be happy he'd finally found someone to love him. Natsu couldn't help but to feel like everything, is not how it's suppose to be.

It felt wrong.

'I need to get out of here fast.'

Natsu only had that one thought in his mind. Thankfully, the ice mage looked like he's still in his own dreamworld.

Slowly, very carefully, Natsu tried to unlatch the arm coiled around his mid-section. It was a very hard task, but he managed to free himself from the other's grasp. He stepped out of the bed, trying his best to not make a sound.

Natsu breathed a sigh of relief after successfully doing so.

'Now, where the hell are my clothes….?'

He found his shirt first, which was thrown carelessly on the floor beside the clothes hamper. Next was his jeans. It was dangling on the foot of the bed. Then his underwear-

"Oh fuck."

After almost searching the entire room, Natsu finally found his underwear. Only he's got a major problem. His underwear was under the covers. But it was partially trapped in Lyon's -ahem- bare ass.

Natsu flushed bright red, biting his lower lip as he weighed his options. Maybe it's best to just leave the underwear behind. It's not like people would notice he's not wearing one. But what if Lyon found the underwear and thought he'd forgotten it? What if he came looking for him to give him back the forgotten underwear?

Natsu shook his head vigorously. That would be very embarrassing!

'I have to get my underwear.'

Natsu fought hard the blush trying to crawl back his face as he lifted the bed sheet. His underwear as well as Lyon's perfectly rounded ass coming into view.

'Don't stare Natsu.' He reminded himself. 'Just get the fucking underwear.'

Crossing his fingers as he took a deep breath, Natsu gave a careful tug. It took a while for the underwear to budge off, but with his full concentration and patience, he managed to pull it in success.

'Yes! My underwear!'

Natsu almost rubbed the piece of shit in his face. It sounded stupid but fucked it anyway, it was his underwear.

His melodramatic celebration after getting reunited with his underwear was soon cut short when suddenly, the ice mage stirred in his sleep, weird noises coming from his mouth. The pervert is waking up.

Natsu's body stilled like a statue.

'No! No! No! Please not yet! Please!'

He felt like begging for his life.

'I'll give you everything you want! Chocolates. Sprinkles. Vanilla short strawberry cake. Whatever the hell you like! Just don't fucking wake up yet!'

For a moment, Lyon looked like he was about to open his eyes, and Natsu was ready to commit suicide. To his luck though, the ice mage stopped stirring and settled back peacefully in his sleep.

"Phew! That was close."

Not wasting anymore time, Natsu quickly put his clothes on. After tying the lace of his boots which he found beside the door, he was ready to go.

Natsu reached for the doorhandle. He only needed to open the fucking door and he was free. But for some unexplainable reason, hesitation tied him on his spot. Something felt amiss. Like he's forgetting something very important but couldn't put a finger on it due to his jumbled thoughts.

Sensing a movement coming from the sleeping ice mage, Natsu forcedly pushed the feeling away and pulled the door open. Whatever he's missing, he'll deal with it later. Right now he needed to get away.

An airy silence filled the room as soon as the door clicked shut. Nothing could be heard but the low humming of the air conditioning device and the constant tick-tocking sound coming from the wall clock.

In a very slow fashion, Lyon's eyelids fluttered open, revealing bright charcoal pools shimmering with pure excitement.

Pushing himself into a sitting position, Lyon wormed his hand underneath his pillow, pulling a long, white scale-like pattern scarf. Natsu's scarf.

Suddenly, a wild smirk appeared dangerously on his lips.

"Time to play some game."

Lucy caught herself staring more than necessary at the bathroom's closed door, her mind filled with vague thoughts. They were thoughts about Natsu, and mostly, about Gray. Lucy brought her attention back to the book she's previously reading before the ice mage arrived. It's the latest novel from her favorite author, released just three days ago. She should feel ecstatic and excited, yet here she was,turning the pages, skimming through its contents with no enthusiasm at all. She gave up shortly, putting her book down. She couldn't focus, her mind was else where and it was irritating. Gray's pained and desperate voice kept on playing inside her head, like a cassette tape set on rewind, only to be replayed again.

It just happened yesterday,when Gray appeared on her doorstep looking for Natsu.

"Lucy... I-is... Natsu i-in there...?" Gray had asked her with slightly broken voice. It took all of her will power to prevent herself from tearing up.

Something wrong had happened.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that things didn't go smoothly as it was supposed to be.

"Please tell me he's in there... I need to talk to him...please Lucy..."

Gray resembled a small child that time in Lucy's eyes. A child lost inside a dark freezing forest, desperately trying to find his way home.

The desperation in his voice, the small flicker of hope that shone in his eyes, it pained Lucy to watch those shattered before her as she shook her head, answering his question.

Disappointment crossed the raven's feature as he turned his gaze down the pair of sandals resting on the shoe stand located just beside the apartment's entrance. Lucy followed his gaze and gave a quick explanation as to why the pinkette's sandals was there.

"He's wearing a leather shoes when he left to meet up with you. Said he wanted to wear something different. That idiot, he was just trying to impress someone if you asked me."

The last statement somehow brought a small smile on Gray's face who's eyes were still fixed on the black sandals, his expression was replaced with longing.

"You really love him so much, ne Gray?"

Surprised dark blue eyes stared up at her and Lucy gave a soft smile.

"There's no point denying it, I know you're his secret admirer."

Silence met Lucy's ears as the shirtless ice mage gave nothing to confirm her assumption, but it was more than enough for her that he did not denied it either.

Lucy tried to asked what have happened, what made Natsu run away like that? Her curiosity was getting the better of her as she throw questions after questions, not realizing the dark haired male remained unresponsive as though he was in a different realm, unaware of her presence at all. She did only stopped spouting nonsense when Gray gave a loud sigh, turned his back around and sprinted into a run. All of her questions remained unanswered as she did nothing but to stare at her friend's retreating back until he was out of her sight.

Lucy Heartfelia did not sleep all night after that.

"...-cy? Lucy? Hey, are you in there?"

"H-huh? Oh Mira you're back."

The white-haired lady gave her a look. "I've been for quite a while."

"Oh sorry. I guess I spaced out a bit." Lucy explained, looking sheepish.

"You did. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing really."

Mirajane gave her a knowing look, the one that always made her fidgeted on her seat.

"I can read you Lucy."

She diverted her gaze away and faced the bathroom's door again.

"Let's not talk about it here Mira."

"Okay," she agreed. "But you'll tell me about it later."

Lucy sighed. There was no escape when it comes to Mirajane. Once she'd caught onto something, no matter how small it is, she'll do anything to take the truth out of you. It's like she had six sense or something.

The bathroom door soon opened, distracting Lucy out of her thoughts as Gray stepped out, finally cleaned and refreshed. Mirajane ushered him to a nearby table and began inspecting his wounds. For a little moment, Lucy caught Mirajane's eyes who gave her a secretive smile.

She was a little embarrassed but smiled back in return. It didn't lasted long though as she faced reality. Gray cared for Natsu strongly and it was only Natsu that he saw. He would never look elsewhere, not even her way.

And it's not like she stood a chance. It was Natsu after all.

Lively voices. Loud cheers. Boisterous laughters. The Fairy Tail guild produces these musical sounds almost everyday. He was usually a part of it, along with his long time best friend and rival, Gray. On normal occasions, Natsu would barge in through the large guild doors with a strong kick, accompanied by his loud voice announcing his presence to everyone.

Natsu wished he could still do that today.

'C'mon Natsu! Just one powerful kick then shout 'I'm home!'. You can do this. Act like nothing happened. Put on the widest smile and they'll think nothing's wrong.'

Natsu raised his foot, ready to kick the door. He cleared his throat then stretched his lips, showing his pearly white teeth in a fake grin.

"I can do this."

THUD!

The supposedly powerful kick of the mighty dragon slayer only came as a pathetic push to force the guild door open.

Everyone stopped their activity and looked at him. The cheerful face he was trying to put on melted into a look of surprise, his voice suddenly got stuck in his throat. Natsu's mask fell off.

'I can't do it.'

"Natsu!"

A blue winged cat came rushing through the air.

"Happy!"

"Natsu I miss you!"

He caught the blue exceed in a tight hug. A real smile appearing on his face.

'Maybe I can do this after all.'

"I miss you too buddy. Thank you."

Everybody cheered loudly, greeting him as if he'd been gone in a year long mission. Natsu smiled back at them.

"I'm home."

He spotted Lucy at the bar, chatting animatedly with Levi. She did stopped upon spotting him, waving a hand as she smiled widely. Mirajane waved at him too with a smile whilst skillfully balancing a tray of beers on her other hand.

And then there's the shirtless ice mage, his torso partially covered with some bandages. He's not smiling like the rest, nor giving him a warm welcome. Gray's face showed a total indifference. But his eyes, his glossy dark blue eyes were giving him chills. The emotion swirling in them, it was overwhelming.

"You showed up finally. I've been waiting for you."

Natsu's heart started lashing excitedly in his chest upon hearing the unmistakably deep, cold voice. It was like calming whisper of winter breeze, sending shivers down his spine.

His stomach almost did a flip when he saw Gray making his way towards him. There was a limp in his every stride, but the dark haired male doesn't seem to mind. He was like a predator ready to lung forward, about to bite his neck.

Natsu gulped, taking retrograded steps while Gray advanced forward.

'I can't do this. Not now. I'm not ready to confront him yet. Not after all the things that happened.'

"Don't you dare try to run away again, Flame Brain. I won't let you."

Gray's pace suddenly quickened. He's stance suggested he was more than ready to sprint if Natsu decided to run away. Again.

Natsu began to panic. He took another brisk step backward as the other came closer, their distance reduced to almost three meters now. Gray's intense gaze never leaving him.

"Come anymore closer and your dead Ice Block." He threatened.

"Don't try to scare me Flamingo. You're the one who looked scared shitless right now."

"I'm not scared of anything especially with the likes of you, malnourished Polar Bear! I can take you on anywhere, anytime!"

Gray was in front of him now, his dark eyebrows ceased down to a frown as he stared down at him. It's one of the moments where Natsu hated that Gray was an inch taller than him. It intimidated him effectively.

"Oh yeah? How about you tell me the reason why the hell did you run away yesterday?"

Gray threw the dreaded question at him on the spot.

Natsu had difficulties answering, as if he'd just get his own tongue swallowed. Unconsciously, his legs moved backward again.

"R-runaway?" He tried to laugh, hoping it would masked out his nervousness. "Sorry but that's not what I did. I just gave you and your girlfriend a privacy."

Lying behind his teeth, something Natsu hated because he was a terrible liar. And it surprised him greatly when the words stumbled out of his mouth sounding almost naturally. Almost if it wasn't for the bitter infliction he'd unintentionally put on the word 'girlfriend'.

"Girlfriend?" Gray's serious expression was suddenly replaced with surprise. Then he started to chuckle softly. "Who's girlfriend? Sorry but I don't have one."

Natsu felt like he was being mocked. He glared venomously at the chuckling ice mage. "Do I really have to spat her name in your face jackass? You think it's not obvious that you and Juvia had thing for each other? I am not an idiot like how you always thought so stop playing dumb with me!"

Gray soon stopped laughing, but an amuse smile was now plastered on his face. "Juvia is not my girlfriend, Natsu. I think you mistook it when you saw me hugging her yesterday. She's just a friend, nothing more. Geez, I never thought you were the jealous type."

"W-what?!" Natsu spluttered, almost getting choked with his own words at the other's accusation. A red blush dusted his tanned cheeks. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not jealous of anybody!"

"Natsu." Gray took a step forward.

"I am warning you Gray! Take another step towards me and you're-"

Natsu suddenly found himself trapped between the wall and the ice mage's body. Both Gray's hands were on either side of his head, giving no room for escape.

"H-hey pervert! W-why the hell are you su-suddenly getting so c-close?! T-this is harassment! I-I will sue you if you didn't get off of my personal space!"

"Then sue me."

Gray challenged, silencing Natsu in shock.

"If it's a crime to get this close to the person I desired then sue me. I don't care. I don't mind committing a crime if it gives me the chance to be this close to you."

"..?.."

"I desire you Natsu."

Natsu was shocked, speechless. Moreover, he was overwhelmed by the raven's confession, as well as the strong emotions laced in his every words.

"I care for you, more than anything else in this world. It took me so long to have the courage to say how much you mean to me. I'm such a coward, I'll admit that. But now." Gray cupped his cheeks, his thumb caressing his lower lip. "Now that you're finally in my arms. I will not let the chance slipped pass my hands for the second time and not be able to say how much I love you."

Gray did not bother wait his for his answer as he delved down and captured his lips in a long passionate kiss. Wolf whistle and cheers could be heard from the crowd behind them. Natsu finally lost his ability to speak, his face escorting the brightest blush.

"Natsu," Gray breathed, shortly ending the kiss. "I want you to know that the secret admirer you're looking for, is no other than-"

"Is no other than me." Interjected a suave, mature voice, cutting Gray off. "The one you have entrusted your everything yesterday night."

Natsu whipped his head to the side, horror filling his bright forest green eyes. His breath got caught in his throat as he saw silver hair and slanty eyes.

"L-lyon…"

And so this war begins.

to be continued...

Author's Section: And that's the extra long chapter of Ice Roses. I will not expect for anyone to leave a review but I will definitely appreciate if there's even one. Either it's a threat, a flame, a compliment, a question, a constructive criticism or even a violent reaction. All is welcome. Thank you for reading guys! Let's hope it won't take another 10 months for me to finish the 9th chapter.

Any mistakes are mine. Spellings. Grammars. Whatever you found.

Until then. Bye.

Reviewer's Section:

-AsDarknessSpreads- woah, getting a little overprotective to our favorite dragonslayer aren't we DJ? No, Lyon is not sexually harassing Natsu. Well not yet. But I think his about to do that. *smiles innocently*

-darkhuntressxir- I apologized for the wait dear but here's an extra long chapter for you. Let's see what's going to happen between Lyon and Natsu. Will Gray be able to stop Lyon from stealing Natsu away from him? Let's all see.

-Dattebayo Luna and Ginny- I love you too for loving this story, sorry if I made you wait for too long. I'm flattered you even gave it 10/10. I hope you don't go jumping from a 10th floor building after reading the latest chapter. I'm gonna kill myself if you did.

-Crystalangel554- the latest chapter is here! I can see you're reacting so bad about Lyon claiming he's the secret admirer. Maybe he's plotting something? Who knows? But please don't hate him so much.

-Guest (1)- man you really needed to make an account or maybe put a name so I have at least something to call you. Sorry if I updated a little to late but here's the latest issue. You'll finally know what's gonna happen next.

-theabridgedkuriboh- yeah it is. And it's just Lyon for now. I wonder what will happen when Loke finally entered the scene. It's going to be a crazy love quadrangle! Gray you chicken! Move your lazy ass. Natsu will be taken away from you!

-Pholas- I love your review pholas. Don't worry I'm not offended at all. Good criticism is helpful. I'm grateful for your honesty. Sorry if the story so far is lacking your needs for a love story. Don't worry I'll try my best to make it up.

-Inoskidesu- hi there! Thank you for loving the plot line. I hope you'll love it even more with the newest chapter. It has so much going on.

-HighOnYaoi- thank you for the support you're giving to this story. Sorry for the wait. Here's the awesome 8th chapter of Ice Roses. (If it's still awesome for you.)

-lydiareynolds117- personally I'm starting to fear Lyon's safety. I think I have to keep him away from public eyes for a while, especially now that chapter 8 is finally out. Thank you for loving the story. But I'm not awesome really. I'm a terrible author for making you guys wait. *cries*

You're so sweet I don't deserve a reviewer like you! *cries even harder*

-O'Rei'nji Fishcake- don't go screaming O'Rei'nji or your neighbour might think there's a fire going on XD. And please get use to my twisted ways. I'm an evil author. Now let's see what Gray can do to stop those who wants to steal Natsu away from him. Happy reading! Thanks for loving the plot.

-Running Lynx- hello Lynx-chan! Is your poor heart still intact? I hope you're still out there. I feel so terrible leaving you for too long. Especially to you. You are the longest review I've ever receive yet and how did I repay you? I kept you waiting for 10 months? I'm sorry! I'm such a heartless person. I want to die now! *points a banana on myself*

On the other hand, I'm so honored to finally hand you the 8th chapter of Ice Roses! Happy reading!

-smartbrainmonkey- hi! Sorry for making you wait. There's nothing I can offer to make up for it but to hand you the latest issue. I hope I can make you at least happy with this. Thanks for reviewing.

-blackhatred- you guys are making me nervous. Please don't hate Lyon so much! *hugs a trembling Lyon* He's just doing his job.

Anyways, thank you for reviewing.

-yaoifangirl479- I have finally updated! It's not that great but I really appreciate your support. Thank you!

-GraTsuSonAdow- here's the update! Read on!

-ranasharmishta- next chapter you say? Here it is! finally. Sorry for making you wait for too long!

-Guest (2)- I'm not sure if you and Guest (1) is just the same person (that's why you need to put a name at least!) but either way, I apologized for making you wait for almost a year. It's 10 months actually. Its just I'm experiencing a serious crisis and such. I know it's not much of an excuse but I'm here now. Chapter 8 is finally up! Thanks for putting up with me!

-YourNewBestFriend15- hello best! You don't have to wait longer because chapter 8 is finally here! It's a very long one. Enjoy!

-Cake-Addict- I'm not mean cake, i'm evil. Haha. Cliffhangers happen a lot in my story. I did not planned it really. It just...happened. Anyways, thank you for reviewing. You are one lucky reader because I went to check my email first before posting this chapter. I wouldn't be able to include you in this section if I hadn't. Enjoy your time reading!

-Dark Sorcerer of Fire-

8/17/2014