A New Home (Gratsu)

Pizza? Pizza.

Gray felt surprisingly calm as he followed Lisanna down the stairs. The entire day so far had been full of new experiences so he just wanted to get as many of them out of the way on this day that he could. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, hardly listening to what Lisanna was saying, he could hear laughter and shouting from what he assumed was the kitchen.

"--- And I'm just going to say this once because it'll be awkward if I have to mention it again but try not to stare into Evergreen's eyes. She has the unfortunate tendency to petrify anyone who does... She likes to call herself Queen of the Faeries, which would be romantic if she wasn't so terrifying... Oh! And don't let Cana trick you into any drinking competition! She'll always win and you'll just wake up with a hangover and a lot of regret.

Gray... Gray! Have you been listening to me? This is pretty important stuff here!" Lisanna said, sounding very annoyed.

"What? Oh. Yeah. Don't look Wintergreen in the eyes and have a drink with Cana. Alright!"

"How did you hear the complete opposite of what I said? And what about all the other people I told you about?"

"Alright you caught me... But shouldn't I be learning all this stuff about them on my own? I don't want to go in with an opinion about them already made up..." Gray reasoned. Lisanna had to admit that he had a point so she changed the subject.

"You've got to be hungry right Gray? I mean after being stuck with my brother in his stupid car for so long you have to want something!"

Gray wasn't sure what to say. Whenever he found himself in new places he had difficulties eating because he felt people would judge him. Not only that but food was a form of control for him and, since today was overwhelming, he knew he wanted to exercise that control. The only thing keeping Gray from hiding up in his new room and pretending like he had snacks in his bag was his own strong desire to stay healthy. Gray realized that an awkward silence had ensued because Lisanna was waiting for him to respond.

"Y-yeah... What's for dinner?" He asked looking at the floor, wanting to avoid her worried glances.

"Well since you're new to our weird family and all we wanted to give you one of our favourites! Mira made her famous pizza! Don't tell her I told you this but when I say made I mean she ordered it from the shop down the street." Gray chuckled as Lisanna had whispered that last part.

They stood at the entrance to the room that Gray had heard all of the noise come from. Looking through the open archway he saw the back of 5 colourful heads. He noticed Freed from earlier and sighed in relief. Meeting 4 more people tonight was something he could handle. Elfman and Mirajane were at the opposite side of the table, facing towards where Gray and Lisanna were standing.

"Gray my man! Come one over here, grab a slice of pizza, and sit next to me! I was just telling Evergreen here about the funhouse I sprung you out of! Man that place was weird... That Master Bob guy had a weird look in his eye," Shouted Elfman, whose hair was wet from what Gray had hoped was a very long shower. Mirajane noticed them as well and waved Lisanna over before whispering something to her.

Lisanna nodded after Mirajane had finished whatever it was she had to say. She cleared her throat and the rest of the table quieted down as they looked at her. "Hey guys! I just wanted to introduce you all to the newest member of our family... Gray!"

Gray was still standing uncomfortably at the entryway as Elfman continued to motion to the chair next to him and the rest of the table turned to stare at him. His ears muffled the excited welcomes as he blushed. It was moments like these that reminded Gray why he never wanted to be any kind of performer. There wasn't even a stage here and he felt like he had stagefright.