Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 13 🎓

Thanksgiving Break

"Zero, it's time to go."

The teenager's mother exited the room after receiving a grunt from her son. For the Thanksgiving Break, Zero's parents insisted on visiting his maternal grandparents and spending time with family -- something that Zero was internally dreading.

He wanted to stay in town where his infatuation, (Y/N), was. He didn't want to be separated from her, but he wouldn't expect his parents to understand.

He also certainly did not want to be around his suffocating extended family who were immensely touchy; they were huggers and talkers -- the exact opposite of Zero.

This would definitely be a challenge for him.

On the other hand, you were staying in town during the break.

And so were Natsu and Gray.

A huge gathering between the three families was in order.

The days prior to Thanksgiving were spent in bliss by you doing absolutely nothing. You considered it your "you days" so that you could be to yourself and your thoughts.

It was just you, your bed, your TV, and your phone. You would text Natsu and Gray, but under no circumstances were they allowed to come see you.

You didn't need any of their shenanigans.

On Thanksgiving Day, everyone gathered at the Fullbuster residence.

"Oh great. Natsu's here." Gray stated, sarcasm in his voice.

"I don't like your tone, Fullbuster!" Natsu snapped with a scowl.

"Well, I don't like your face."

"I don't like yours either."

"Your breath stinks."

"Yours too!"

"At least I shower once a day."

"At least I don't walk around naked and scare little kids."

"At least my intelligence is above a little kid's."

The sound of their arguing was drowned out by the adults around you.

"They get along so well, don't they?" Mr. Fullbuster asked to no one in particular.

"I know what you mean." Mr. Dragneel nodded.

"Poor (Y/N) has had her hands full for her entire childhood." Your mother smiled.

"Now, let's talk about this issue Gray has with keeping his clothes on." Mr. Dragneel crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Listen," Gray's father held a hand up and shook his head. "I don't know where in the world that came from. I swear that's the only bizarre thing about him though."

"In any case," Your father, who has been silent the entire time, spoke. "those two have been good company to (Y/N) over the years. It's a shame that they'll probably be split up in six months when they graduate and follow their dreams."

"You know," Natsu's father continued the conversation, "ever since Natsu made the track and field team, he's been talking about going pro -- even wanting to be in the Olympics one day."

"Seriously!?" Your mother asked, "Natsu does?"

You couldn't blame your mother for being surprised. You, yourself, was surprised that Natsu had made such a declaration to his father.

"Did you know," Gray's father spoke, sticking out his chest. "Gray got the lead role in this play and he's begun rehearsal and he says he actually enjoys it. I mean, can you believe it? My son, an actor."

"Wow. (Y/N), honey, do you know what you would want to do after you graduate?" Your mother asked.

All eyes were on you, with the exception of Natsu and Gray because they were still arguing, and the attention and pressure was starting to make you sweat.

"I-I honestly don't know yet." You admitted, avoiding eye contact.

"Well, that's ok. You've got plenty of time." The adults murmured in unison, nodding to confirm their statements.

You sighed. There was so much pressure, you felt, for deciding what you wanted to do as a career choice.

Did you want to go to college?

Military?

Start working fresh out of high school?

Those were basically your only options and you still found yourself lost when it came to what you liked to do amd whether you could earn money doing it.

And to make it worse, if what their fathers said was true, you were being left in the dust by Natsu and Gray.

"Ok, enough of that. Let's get this food warmed up." Your mother eased the slight uncomfortable tension in the room by changing the subject.

And everyone was grateful for that because it was Thanksgiving Day and they all came here for one main purpose: to eat.

"Geez, Gray, why don't you show some manners?" Natsu taunted.

After the food was heated and everyone made their plates and was seated, a deep and rumbling burp escaped from Gray's mouth. His cheeks turned pink as a result.

"Shut up, booger eater!"

You rolled your eyes and shook your head, not this again.