Frost Burned (A Natsu x Gray fanfic)

Fever

It had been three days since Gray had woken up next to Natsu. He had not left his side as doctors and healing mages had filed in and out of Fairy Tails infirmary, a procession of hopelessness and futility. Natsu's body was perfectly fine, as far as his physical injuries were concerned. His bones had been mended, his hemorrhaging stopped, his cuts closed up. The last mage besides Wendy who had worked on Natsu had said 'His mind may be a little off for a few days but besides the magic issue, his body should be fine if he ever wakes up. I don't think I'd get my hopes up though. Optimistically, he has a few days left at most.' She had said it in a professional manner with sympathy and respect. Gray had blasted her into the wall with ice without a second thought. When his guild mates looked at him incredulously, he'd shouted at them to get her out of his sight.

They had obliged.

The only healers who came near Natsu now were Porlyusica, Wendy, and a mage that had come from Lamia Scale with Lyon, who kept Natsu fed and hydrated through magical means. He was incredibly wary of Gray, giving him lots of space and always watching him out of the corner of his eye, as though he expected the ice mage to attack at any moment. Gray was grateful for his help, and treated him with more deference than even his own guild mates were getting at the moment. Mirajane brought food that sat untouched until she took it back out again with a sigh. Lucy went home only at night, staying at the guild all day, often holding vigil with Gray next to Natsu's bed. She and Levy poured through books in the library, trying to find something to help their friend. Happy stayed at the guild, sleeping curled up by Natsu each night. Gray was a little jealous to be honest, and that just made him feel selfish. Happy was like Natsu's child. The blue exceed was lost without him, just as Gray was.

Everyone in Fiore had heard of the dark mage and his rampage across the country. Some of the townspeople had seen Gray carry Natsu into Fairy Tail, had heard from the guild that he'd been hit by Dorobo's spell. Rumors began to spread that Natsu was, in fact, dead already. People came from all over to pay their respects to the Salamander, the great dragon prince of Fairy Tail. They lit candles and brought flowers to Fairy Tails entrance, piling up stuffed dragons and fire lacrimas in tribute. Until Gray found out, and flew into a blind rage. He chased the mourners away, screaming and throwing their offerings at them as they ran. He then froze everything that had been put there, photos of Natsu and votives and toy salamanders, and shattered them into pieces.

No one brought tributes now.

After the rumor of Natsu's death had spread, Fairy Tail mages who had been on jobs rushed back to the guild, along with some of their allies from other guilds. Gildarts had been the first to arrive back, followed by Laxus and the Raijinshuu. Sting and Rogue from Sabertooth, along with the Trimens of Blue Pegasus. The guild was full of friends and fighters.

Surrounded by so many people, Gray had never felt so alone.

Wendy and the others had told him that after the ice bubble had thawed, Natsu's magic had been depleted somewhat. Wendy and Gajeel swore that it had been Natsu that formed the ice that had surrounded them. Gray told him that was impossible, but Gajeel just scoffed at him.

"Magic has a smell, it's different for each person. It might have been ice, but it smelled like the Salamander." The iron Dragonslayer narrowed his eyes at Gray. "Kind of like you, ice boy. Why is that, you think?" Gray's eyes went wide, and Gajeel just smiled. "That's what I thought." Gray looked around, fearful, but no one was within earshot. "Don't worry, frostbite, it's none of my business anyway." He walked away without another word. Fuck.

He didn't know how Natsu could've done it, but he wanted Gajeel and Wendy to be right. Gray could make ice in his sleep, sure, but he had been out of magic. If Natsu had formed the ice, and his magic had been depleted to safer levels, maybe he could do it again. Now his magic had built back up inside him, and Wendy had to do maintenance treatments on him just to keep it from tearing him apart. When they examined his eyes they were bright red with burst vessels. Look in his mouth and you could see his gums bleeding. Wendy went home with Carla to get some clothes early on, and was a half hour later than normal with her magic. Natsu's ears had started to ooze gore. Wendy's eyes began to tear as she healed him. Gray had put his arms around the little sky dragon and together, they cried. They cried for their friends pain... and their own.