Night bestowed the town of Magnolia, and Gray could be found in his apartment, at his window, a suitcase by his side and a sigh leaving his lips. Tomorrow, he had to leave for a mission with Lucy and Erza. Honestly, he had no idea why, but he wanted to stay by Natsu's side as the dragon-slayer went through his heat. He shrugged it off. He was just helping his comrade and best friend, there was nothing else to it.
Except, for some reason unknown to Gray, the ice mage had been starting to get a weird feeling whenever he was around his rival. At the slightest of touches, his skin would crawl like he had just been electrocuted, and whenever the pinkette even looked at him, a weird jittery feeling would erupt in his stomach. It was scary.
Gray had just figured it had something to do with Natsu being in heat, but then common sense had sunk in. The heat only affected submissive dragon-slayers, so he couldn't be affected by it. He wasn't a dragon-slayer or submissive. The sensations he had been feeling had nothing to do with the dragon mating season.
Gray closed his eyes as he brushed it off. Oh well. He'd find out soon enough what was happening. He turned away from the window. He really needed to get some rest.
*************************
It was morning, and Gray was at the train station waiting for Lucy and Erza. They showed up soon enough with Ezra's giant wagon of luggage in tow. Gray rolled his eyes. He was used to the scarlet-haired warrior always bringing her many suitcases. Honestly, he'd be worried if she didn't.
"So what's this mission about, Erza? You never gave us any details." Lucy pointed out. Gray was curious as well.
Erza gave them her usual small smile. "We just have to defeat a few bandits who have been attacking travelers. An easy job for 8,000,000 jewels, I'd say."
"That's enough to pay my rent for a few months. Sure, I'll do it." Gray agreed. Lucy nodded.
"Very well, then. Off we go." Erza ordered.
We climbed aboard the train and took our seats. It was a long, uneventful ride. Gray couldn't help but frown. If that flame-brain were here, he would be hunched over as he tried his best not to get sick. Without Natsu with them, an awkward silence had taken over. Gray could tell the others were thinking the exact same thing. They both had a thoughtful look in there eyes and a small smile on their lips. Going on a mission just wasn't the same without that pyro.
Gray sat back as he let his thoughts take over. He began to worry. He had left Natsu without a second thought, even after what happened yesterday. Natsu was still in heat, which meant he was completely at the mercy of any dominant dragon-slayer that may try to claim him.
He started to feel sick. Natsu was only saved from being fully assaulted by Laxus because Gray was there. Now he had chosen to go on a mission, and the pinkette was left defenseless. With the heat keeping Natsu from using his magic, he had no way to defend himself against anyone except for brute strength. Gray highly doubted that Natsu would be able to fight someone because of his heat.
Gray silently hoped that the mission would be over quickly. He needed to get back to Natsu. Just the thought of someone forcing themselves onto Natsu made him sick.
