A New Home (Gratsu)

Chapter One: Leaving the Blue Pegasus Clinic

"I can see what you're thinking and don't do it. This is fate, man. Just accept it!" commanded a partially nude, and entirely cocky, Gray. He and another black-haired teen sat on the floor side-by-side in front of a rather large tv with Mario Kart on the screen. Gray pursed his lips as he twisted the Wii remote, and his wrists, in ways that didn't seem possible for a human being. Rogue, on the other hand, remained almost completely still. In fact the only way you could tell he was alive, and not a very realistic wax doll, were the small movements of the remote that was in his hands.

"I don't know what you're talking about" scoffed Rogue as he pressed the button that would seal Gray's doom. With his victory assured Rogue crossed the finish line, put the controller on the ground, and promptly disappeared.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?! I want a rematch!" Gray shouted towards the shadow at the exit of the room. Frustrated, he shoved his head into his hands and could be heard vaguely muttering something about justice.

"And what would it be now... best 34 out of 66?" questioned Rogue as he reentered swathed in a blanket and with a Burger King crown (AN: do they still make these? When I was younger they'd give them out on peoples' birthdays) on his head. "Besides, I already crowned myself the winner." Gray looked at him with a mixture of anger and glee because even though he lost (again) at least he didn't look as ridiculous as his friend. How long had the two been friends now? Two... Maybe three years? In all of that time Gray couldn't remember a single moment when he had ever beat Rogue at anything. Whether it was Mario Kart or out-pranking the Blue Pegasus staff Rogue always won.
"I'm going to miss this you know... Letting you win all the t-"Gray began.
Rogue smiled as he interrupted Gray.

"Letting me win? How generous of you," Rogue joked with the boy, but as Gray looked into his eyes Rogue's smile faded. "So I guess the rumours aren't true, huh? We aren't stuck in here for life."
"Guess so. Gives you some hope for the outside world though, right? I mean if I'm leaving it's just a matter of time until you follow me." Gray said, trying to lighten the mood. He wanted to punch himself after he saw Rogue flinch, realizing he said the wrong thing. Again.

"You know... I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it..." Rogue began. As Gray opened his mouth, probably to apologise, he continued, "Not because I want to be around you. I get it. You don't feel that way about me." Rogue let out an embarrassed sigh as he remembered confessing to Gray. He had realized shortly afterwards that he only wanted Gray because his choices were limited while he was in Blue Pegasus. He didn't have the heart to say that to Gray though. Even though Gray had denied him Rogue could see that it had given Gray something that could resemble self-confidence. Rogue didn't want to be the one to take that away from his best friend. Instead he had convinced himself that pretending to be lovesick was a better idea. While he felt guilty that he was lying to Gray at least Rogue knew he was a good actor. It had been several months and Gray still thought that Rogue wanted to be with him. Rogue would be proud of himself if it weren't so exhausting to listen to all of Gray's jokes about it.

Gray, on the other hand, felt horrible because he wasn't attracted to Rogue. After Rogue had confessed to him Gray had spent the next few days trying to find some way to like him in that way. It hadn't worked in the end and so he had denied him. Even though it had been several months ago the wounds still seemed fresh for Rogue. Whenever they would hang out Gray spent about 90% of his time terrified that he would say the wrong thing. Rogue had done so much for him and Gray was only hurting him when they were together. It wasn't because Rogue was unattractive (because LORD was that not true); Gray just couldn't find himself wanting to be with anyone. He wanted to spare people the pain of being in a relationship with him.

"So where do you think you'll go when you're released?" Rogue asked, trying to break Gray out of his guilty train of thought.

Gray looked at him and shrugged. "I'd be lying if I said I remembered. All I know is some buff guy with white hair gonna drive me there..."