Ten Days Until Christmas [Gratsu]

Six days left

Gray finally had a plan he knew wouldn't fail. He was sitting on his knees in the dead end of an alley in the middle of Magnolia, lighting a candle for mood lightning. Even though it was in the middle of the day the alley was dark, since the walls of the buildings around it were so high they put the narrow path entirely in shadows.

To the left of the candle lay a letter, because Gray knew he'd mess up if he actually had to talk about his feelings. The letter wasn't very good, because Gray didn't know how to explain what he felt even to himself.

According to the orange juice ruined schedule Gray had to help with the Christmas decorations, and therefore, if he didn't show up at the guild someone would come looking for him.

And who would be better to send than Natsu? With his sensitive nose he could easily smell where Gray had gone. Natsu had also told Gray he knew what the ice mage smelled like, so he would definitely be able to recognise the scent even in the crowded streets of the city.

The plan was completely safe and Gray was sure of it as he tied the knot of his ice blue tie. It looked like the fashion choice for a very special occasion, but was really just there so Gray wouldn't lose his shirt.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the alley and Gray heard a voice shouting his name. But it wasn't the voice he was hoping for.

Gray had forgotten that there were more sharp nosed dragon slayers in the guild. Gajeel was there!

"Shit," Gray whispered under his breath.

Gajeel came into sight, and Gray was almost panicking. He quickly grabbed the letter and lit it on fire by putting it in the flame of the candle.

The entire piece of paper caught ablaze in just a few seconds, and since Gray didn't burn papers very often, he wasn't expecting that. So he dropped the letter to the ground and stepped on it until there were just ashes left.

"What on earth are you doing?" Gajeel asked. "You're gonna melt if you keep playing with fire like that." He grinned at his joke, but his eyes still burned with seriousness.

"That's the idea," Gray said. "Or, like, not to melt. I'm practising fire resistance so I can counter Natsu's attacks better." Phew, that was close.

Gajeel chuckled. "What for? So you can finally beat him in a fight?"

Gray immediately got up from where he had been sitting, knees sore from bending them too long. "I beat him every time we fight, I just want to beat him more."

"Anyway, they want you at the guild. Your ice magic is apparently needed. Erza sent me to get you."

"Figured as much." Gray picked up the candle from the ground and started walking out of the alley. "Don't tell the others where I was, alright?"

Gajeel laughed loudly at that. "Of course I'm gonna tell them! Do you think I believe your story about fire resistance? In a tie? Do you actually think I'm stupid?"

Gray sighed and continued walking away from the dead end as Gajeel kept on laughing.

"Gray, where are your pants?"

Gray looked down to see that his shirt had stayed in place thanks to the tie, but his pants hadn't.

On the way back to the guild, Gray realised he had to try a new plan. But then he realised he had no more ideas.

Five days left.

(If anyone has an idea for Gray, however silly, he's desperate for them right now and would love to see then in the comments.)