sin & sorcery

4. i try to picture me without you but i cant

Three years ago, Gray was stuck behind in Acropolis after a botched rescue mission. As a Magehunter prisoner, he was branded a terrorist, and faced execution - or worse.

TW for death, torture and violence

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i am the sand in the bottom half of the hourglass
i try to picture me without you but i can't

.

Three Years Ago
Edolas

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

"Be strong." Gray's hands trembled as Natsu's fingers dug into them, nails leaving marks in his palm. "I'll find you." He tried desperately not to look at the burned, peeling area on Natsu's arm.

"Gray, n-no," Natsu pleaded. Gray shook his head, feeling the tears escaping from his eyes and running down his cheeks. He took a shaky breath, trying to look reassuring. They were supposed to make it home together, but there just wasn't enough time. "Please..."

"I have to keep you safe," Gray whispered, voice breaking as he let out a sob. He was so, so scared. "You have to go now. I love you so much." Before he could change his mind, Gray tore his hand away from Natsu's and raced back in the other direction.

"Gray!" Natsu screamed, but Gray's attention was focused entirely on the enormous man ahead of him. The energy barrier had powered down, and three Magehunters were bearing on them, Joekel leading the charge. Gray threw up another ice wall in front of him, but Joekel's enormous energy sword sliced through it easily. "GRAY!"

Frak, he thought. They're not going to have enough time. Some part of him had hoped that maybe he could hold off the Magehunters long enough to get himself out as well, but it was clear now that wasn't an option. Gray squeezed his eyes shut. Natsu, I'm so sorry.

He turned back towards the group and got one last glimpse of Natsu's tear-stained, sobbing face before it disappeared behind the dome of ice that Gray summoned around them. He concentrated on making the ice as thick and impenetrable as possible, pouring all of his magic into the creation – into keeping Natsu safe. Gray's hand began to tremble, body shaking from the exertion of holding such a powerful spell.

"Arrogant fool." A hand closed around Gray's throat and he was yanked upwards, then turned to face the Magehunter captain in front of him. Joekel's face was twisted in fury, his dark eyes hard and lip curled up in a sneer. "You've doomed yourself."

"Doesn't... matter..." Gray choked out around the hand on his throat. His vision was going spotty as he scrabbled feebly at the thick, heavy fingers on his neck.

"I could choke you to death right now," Joekel snarled, squeezing harder until Gray's frantic thrashing became weaker and weaker. "But that would be too easy." He flung Gray to the ground, leering at him when something audibly cracked in his chest and he cried out in pain. "Where did they go?"

Gray struggled to push himself onto his elbows, relief flooding through him when he saw that the Magehunters had broken down his dome only to find it empty inside. He collapsed back on the ground, letting a smile creep across his features.

"You're too late..." he wheezed, waving a rude gesture at Joekel. "You'll... never find them."

"Oh, I will," Joekel said, gesturing for one of the Magehunters to drag Gray to his feet. Gray swore as whatever was broken in his chest shifted painfully. "But first, I'm going to break their spirits."

Gray panted in short, shallow breaths, arm crossed over his chest. It didn't matter. Natsu got away, Natsu was safe, and for that, Gray would gladly give his life. He felt the chill of the metal band on his finger and closed his eyes, trying to bring back the memory of this morning, in their bed—