Tearing Down His Walls ~ A Gratsu Fanfic

Chapter 4: Getting to Know You

"Hey! Lucy!" Gray called to her from across the dining hall. They were well aquainted with each other since Lucy invited him into her group of friends. Both were secretly hoping to get Gray closer to Natsu and so this plan worked out in silence.

"Hey Gray. More chemistry problems?" Lucy joked. Gray wasn't quite caught up yet since he came mid-year. They both decided to sit down at a table towards the back of the room.

"Not this time Luce. I have a question o-or more like...a request really but I didn't know who else to go to and I don't want this to sound wierd it's just-"

"Just ask Gray" Lucy decided to cut his rambeling short. Gray stood there blushing and thinking about his words. He starts getting antsy, fiddiling with the hem of his shirt and avoiding Lucy's eyes. Lucy has never seen him like this and becomes more interested in what Gray's question/request is.

"Spit it out Gray come on" Gray heaves out a sigh.

"What d-do you know a-about Natsu?" Gray muttered loud enough so only Lucy could hear. The answer he got back was not at all what he had expected.

"Not much really"...'Not much? I thought they were close friends.' Lucy sees the puzzled look on his face. It was obvious that Gray was interested in Natsu. With Natsu's introverted behavior and lack of people skills, Lucy knew that it would be hard for Gray to get close to him. Especially if he couldn't get Natsu let down his guard as much as he did with Lucy. She figured she better explain.

"Look, Gray there are things you should now about Natsu if you want get close to him. By the time I met him, he was shy to begin with. He proactively keeps his distance from people, almost like he's scared of them. Natsu also doesn't like talking about his family. It's a touchy subject for him" Lucy knew Natsu's father went missing but that was about it. 'I probably shouldn't tell Gray about Natsu's father. That for Natsu to decide.' Gray was listening intently. Taking in every bit of information he could about Natsu. But all the the things he has heard from Lucy are what he had derived soley from just watching Natsu. There wasn't anything new being said, apart from Natsu's family. Gray refocused as Lucy continued.

"Like most people here he lives by himself. Oh, and only God knows whatever is running through his head when he's daydreaming" Lucy chuckled trying to lighten the somewhat depressing mood. Gray flashed a sad smile.

"It's just that... he's always by himself and...I kinda feel sorry for him. I figured, since you were the only one close enough to talk to him, I'd ask you about him. I thought you and Natsu were close friends." Gray nervously smiled and scrathed the back of his head.

"Well I wouldn't say friends" Lucy stated "It's more like, hmmm...I'm his tolerated confidant" Lucy couldn't take it anymore. She seriously needed to get these two together.

"Gray I'm going to be blunt here. Do you like Natsu?" Gray froze as a bright pink blush flood across his face. He opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't figure how she knew. "I'm taking that as a yes" Luvy smirked

"Yeah" Gray admitted. "I do like him" Gray couldn't believe he was admitting this to someone. He liked other guys before and even went out with one guy, Lyon. But Lyon didn't make Gray feel the same way Natsu did. Natsu wasn't like all his other previous crushes. Natsu in every way was perfect, sweet, and gentle.

Gray wanted nothing more than to stay by his side and hold him close. Every time Natsu spoke, it sent shivers down his spine. Every time he focused on the work in front of him Gray felt a proudness for him. And every time he saw Natsu daydreaming and smiling while gazing out the window, it melted Gray's heart. 'I love him.'

"You should talk to him" Lucy interrupeted his thoughts. She thought it was time to set some gears in motion.

"W-w-what!?!" Gray blushed furiously.