Tearing Down His Walls ~ A Gratsu Fanfic

Chapter 8: Good Morning

The morning sun peered through the window, shinning down on the two boys. One was wrapped in the others arms and the other snuggled closer the to the inviting chill of his skin. The house was quiet. Happy was sleeping just at the foot of the bed, also sleeping peacefully. The sounds of the woods around them didn't disturb the peace but seemed to add a sense of life around them. It was their own little world and everything was calm.

Gray was the fist to rise. His eyes blinked rapidly to focus his sight and squinted at the bright light of the sun. He took a moment to remember what happened the night before. His date with Natsu, popcorn and raisins, and the adorable sleeping face of the cotton candy top. They watched a classic movie and shared each others company in perfect peace. It all seemed too perfect for words.

Then he remembered Natsus tears... The way he coward in the corner with his eyes wide open and hazed, as if he were seeing something else. Gray remembered how he felt so useless. He didn't know how to help Natsu at all last night. But it only made Gray want to protect the smaller boy more. He wanted to help Natsu fight his demons and be there for him in every way possible. He loved him too much to see him suffer and struggle in silence. Gray knew it would take time and patience. He knew Natsu would tell him when he's ready. For now, Gray would have to be strong for the both of them.

Grays thoughts were interupted when he heard groan from beside him. He looked down to see Natsu snuggled closely in his arms, sleeping peacefully. He looked so carefree, so child-like and Gray couldn't look away. 'This is how Natsu should be. My angel is perfect. I love you so much. I would do anything to make you happy.'

So, he sat that way for a while. It was still very early in the morning and Gray didn't want to wake up his sleeping beauty. Gray played with Natus hair. Silently, he looked over his little angel and whispered sweet nothings. He took in every detail of Natsu's angelic face. His cheeks that were always tinted a light rosy pink and made his face round, the way he would somewhat sigh when he breathed through his parted lips, his eyelashes that delicately fluttered on his face. 'There is nobody more perfect than you'.

Gray laid there with his love for what seems like hours. It wasn't until he heard someone come into the house downstairs that he moved from his place beside Natsu. Gray didn't know who was in Natsu's home, but he wouldn't let anything happen to Natsu, that was for sure. He detangled himself from the pinkette and Natsu seemed to whimper at the loss if contact. Gray didn't want to leave him alone, but he had to make sure Natsu was safe first. Reluctantly, Gray parted from the room and went downstairs.

He looked around the corner with caution and made his way into the the living room. In the door way, he saw a pair of boots. Someone was definetly here.

"Let's get together yeah yeah yeah!- Seriously Natsu, you have to go grocery shopping! You can't just live off meat!" Gray heard coming from what he presumed to be the kitchen. He followed the voice only to find Lucy unpacking grocery bags and filling Natsu's fridge.

'Oh right. Lucy said she'd be over today.'

With that, Gray knocked on the side of the entry way to get her attention. Lucy jumped and turned around. Her eyes widened when she found Gray standing there.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you here! What's up Gray?"

"Not much Luce. Natsu's still asleep, in case you're wondering."

"I expected as much. Natsu probably won't be up until noon, considering last nights...events."

They stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. They didn't know what to say, but something needed to be said so Gray broke the silence first.

"Do you need help with those?" he asked pointing to the grocery bags scattered across the dinning table.

"Yeah thanks! If you want you can help make breakfast too! I always try to help out after Natsu panics. He hardly funtions. Don't be surprised if he doesn't talk for a while. He just needs time to get back to "normal", you could say."

"It's alright. Trust me, I understand. I just hope he'll be okay."

"...You're very sweet, Gray. I'm glad Natsu has you." Lucy smiled sweetly at Gray. He responded with a smile of his own and they continued to re-stock Natsu's cabinets in silence. It wasn't as awkward as before but still slightly so.

Gray got started on a big breakfast for all three of them. There was bacon and eggs, plus all of the ingredients for pancakes. He had his work cut out for him. 'Time to get to work.'

*~*~*~*

Natsu started to rise. Slowly but surely. For the first time in awhile, Natsu actually slept peacefully. There were no nightmares or flashbacks to haunt him. All he remembered was co embrace that brought forth comfort, saftey, and love. Natsu never thought he'd ever be able to sleep like that, unless his father were to return.

Natsu blinked open his eyes, wincing at the harshly bright light of day, and felt around his bed. Something was missing he noticed. Where was the strong embrace, the calm scent of mint, the soothing rhythm of a beating heart. 'Where's Gray.' Natsu assumed that he had gone home already, as it was late morning. He missed the raven haired boy. He felt safer with Gray and wanted him close.

'Wait...I what?? This can't be happening! Why would he want me anyways. W-why do I want him?? Oh no...'

Natsu was scared.

He didn't want to be hurt. He didn't want to fall in love. He was afraid that if he did, he'd end up all alone. After all...who would want an anoying, noisey child like Natsu.

His negative thoughts were returning. He'd have to call Mirajane today and let her know that his attacks are coming back.

'I hope I didn't frighten Gray off.' Natsu thought, only to be interrupted by Happy's mewling at the end of the bed. The little fella had just woken up as well. Natsu picked him up amd coddled him close, Happy enjoying the affection. Natsu laid there for a while as he stared up at the ceiling, thinking about how perfect the night was before the attack.

He remembered Gray being awkward and shy at first. They had barely spoken to each other, but it was a comfortable silence. Gray was kind and generous. Letting Natsu pick the movie and sharing, even making extra, of his favorite movie treats. He should really thank him when he gets the chance.

Happy suddenly jumps from the bed and out of Natsu bedroom door. Natsu questioned what caused his little buddy to run away so quickly, until he smelled  absolute heaven. If he had to guess, there was bacon and if there was bacon, that means 1: Lucy was here and 2: She made breakfast.

Natsu lept from the bed and bustled down the stairs. When he walked into the kitchen he did see Lucy, as he expected, but what he disn't expect to see was a shirt-less Gray. Natsu was looking at Grays back as Gray continued to make breakfast at the stove. Natsu watches his back mucles work as he flipped pancakes onto a stack on the counter. He was mesmerized, just like the first day he had met the talker boy.

Lucy had noticed Natsu staring, so she didn't interupt his focus in Gray and watched as her friend gawked at Gray. After a few moments, she walked over to Natsu. Softly she said

"Good Morning, Natsu"

Natsu could do nothing but stand blush.

*~*~*~*

... Okay I know I owe you guys big time. I was just really really tired and stressed out for a giod two months between graduation vacation planning and family madness. Its safe to say I'm still not back up to speed yet but I'll update much sooner I promise.

Let me know what you think, so comment, vote or whateves.

Constructive critisism welcomed!

Buh-Bye