crash & burn

1. new beginnings and unwelcome complications

Gray starts the program with the goal of not getting attached, but when he meets Natsu, he realizes that might not be possible.

TW for strong language and homophobic slurs

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i was born in the arms of imaginary friends
free to roam, made a home out of everywhere i've been
then you come crashing in, like the realest thing
- half of my heart, john mayer

"Those things are gonna kill you, y'know."

Gray flicked his cigarette and watched the ash tumble to the ground before he looked over at the boy leaning against the brick wall next to him.

"The fuck do you care?" Gray took another drag, savoring the burning sensation and the taste behind his teeth. He kicked a rock away from him, toward the boy, and scowled.

"Just seems like a stupid habit," the boy replied. He flashed Gray a grin, catching his lip ring between his teeth. Gray rolled his eyes.

"Fuck off and keep your opinions to yourself," Gray muttered, inhaling once more and then throwing the butt to the ground, grinding it out beneath the toe of his sneakers. He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the time.

"You here for the group too?" The boy, seemingly unperturbed by Gray's rudeness, leaned back against the wall. Gray turned and took a better look at him. Torn jeans, wild pink hair, eyebrow piercing, black hoodie. This guy was ridiculously attractive. Not that it mattered.

"Maybe," Gray replied. He knew he was being difficult, but he didn't care. All he wanted was to go home, take a couple painkillers, then pass out on his couch. His shoulder was already burning and it wasn't even lunchtime.

"I'm Natsu." The boy stuck out his hand and Gray looked at it contemptuously.

"Bless you," he deadpanned, and Natsu actually laughed, withdrawing the hand and running it through his hair.

"Well, I guess I'll see you in there." Natsu grinned, swinging his backpack over his shoulder and tossing Gray a wave as he headed into the building.

Gray sighed, rubbing his face and wishing he had enough time for another cigarette. As loathe as he was to admit it, the boy – Natsu – was right. He really should quit, but it was a coping mechanism, and healthy coping mechanisms were for... well, other people. Which was precisely the reason his sister and his therapist had suggested – rather forcefully – that Gray attend this program. Therapy and enough credits to finally finish high school. Yay.

Gray shoved his hands in his hoodie pockets and caught the door with his foot, stepping into the Youth Center and looking around. It wasn't actually that bad, but Gray was bitter. He should have been long finished with this shit. Fucking Lyon. Gray's hands tensed at the thought of his brother – no, that man had no relation to him anymore. He could rot in prison for all Gray cared.

Here goes, Gray thought, ducking into the common room as quietly as possible. It was a large, sunny area, populated with couches and bean bag chairs. A couple kids were already here – Natsu was sitting next to a blonde girl with dark circles under her eyes. And in the far corner was—

"Gajeel," Gray growled. Gajeel looked up, sneering at Gray. Piercings decorated almost every inch of his face, and he even had microdermals down his arms, which gave Gray the creeps.

"The fuck are you doin' here?" Gajeel snarled. He stood up, towering over Gray by nearly six inches, and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "How's your brother doin'?"