crash & burn

25. new year's day

you're the best friend that i've ever had
i've been with you such a long time, you're my sunshine
and i want you to know that my feelings are true
i really love you
- queen, "you're my best friend"

Gray woke up the next morning snuggled up to Natsu's back, arm wrapped tight around Natsu's stomach and face buried in his neck. Gray groaned, feeling the distinctly uncomfortable sensation that came with waking up in yesterday's clothes.

Sitting up slowly, Gray blinked and looked around, realizing that they were still at Laxus' place. That explained the dozen other people spread throughout the room, each in various states of undress. Gray and Natsu were lying on a pull-out couch, with Natsu facing Lucy and holding her hand. Cana was wrapped around Lucy much as Gray had been with Natsu, and had a leg thrown over Lucy's thighs for good measure.

Huh, Gray thought. That's new.

Sting and Ryos had somehow managed to curl up in one recliner without tipping it over, while Gajeel's very pregnant girlfriend Levy was fast asleep in the other.

Gray heard shouting from the next room, so he slipped out of the bed, pressing a kiss to Natsu's cheek. Natsu mumbled something, but didn't wake. Gray made his way to the source of the noise, and found Laxus, Gajeel, and Erza playing MarioKart.

"Morning, Gray!" Erza said cheerfully, and Gray could see she was winning. Gajeel groaned, hands clumsy on the joystick of his controller. Gray shook his head.

"You three didn't sleep at all, did you?"

"I'm not givin' in first!" Gajeel insisted, bumping his shoulder against an equally sleepy Laxus, who merely grunted at him.

The doorbell rang, and Gray could hear a chorus of groans from the sleeping group in the other room.

"Do you mind getting that?" Laxus asked, tipping his head back and looking at Gray. "It's probably Bix and Ever, they said they were gonna come for brunch."

Gray headed down the hallway and opened the front door to see a stack of large boxes overwhelming a tiny woman. Behind her was a tall man with bright blue hair and sunglasses.

"Happy New Year!" the woman shouted. Gray reached out to take the boxes, realizing they were full of donuts. "I'm Ever and this is Bix, where's Laxus? Lazy fuck." The affection in her voice softened the words, and Gray laughed.

"He's playing videogames," Gray replied. "I'm pretty sure he hasn't slept at all." Ever rolled her eyes.

"Sounds like our idiot," she said. "Bix, there's a step here."

Gray realized that Bix's hand was on Ever's elbow, and she was guiding him into the house. "And we have been let into the house by a lovely boy named..."

"Uh... Gray." Gray felt self-conscious, suddenly. "I'm assuming you know your way around?" Ever nodded, kicking off her shoes. "I'd offer to take your jacket, but..." He gestured at the donuts.

"Ooh, and he's a gentleman too!" Ever said. Bix snorted, pulling off his sunglasses and tucking them in his pocket. He looked in Gray's general direction and smiled.

"Don't take it personally," he said, "she flirts with anything that moves." Bix reached out his hand and Gray maneuvered the boxes into one arm so he could shake it.

"Unless you want to take it personally," Ever interjected. Gray laughed.

"Already taken, sorry," he replied, then shifted the boxes. "I'm gonna take these to the kitchen. Honestly, almost everyone is still asleep. What time is it anyway?" Bix reached down to his wrist and ran his fingertips over his watch.