Tearing Down His Walls ~ A Gratsu Fanfic

Chapter 11: An Old Friend

It was Wednesday. The school day was almost over and Natsu was making his way to his last class. Something about Natsu had changed this week. It wasn't exactly something about him, per se. No it was something more. Something that wasn't tangible. Whatever it was, it seemed to glow just bit brighter lately. That glow would only become brighter when the boy was found with Gray.

Ever since Natsu confessed to Gray just how often he thought about him, they've grown closer. They could be seen walking to classes together and sitting outside during lunch, away from the crowded dinning hall. Even just chatting outside by the lockers. Although few words were really exchanged, they found comfort in each others company. It was an unexpected changed, but Lucy was hoping for this to happen. They were friends, whether Natsu would admit it or not, and that's all she wanted for him.

Even now, as she watched them walk to their last class, she could see Natsu's smile grow just a little wider than normal.

*~*~*~*~*~*

 Natsu went to sit in his usual seat by the window. Where he would usually start looking out of the window, he instead pulled out his notebook. He wanted to write down all of his thoughts for the day. He'd bring this notebook with him when he goes to see Mirajane. Talking about what was going on was always hard for him. He couldn't face his thoughts, much less vocalize them. Writing them down helped him get them out and gave Mira an idea of what was going on.

Natsu quickly finished writing and closed the notebook. He put his notebook away and as he looked up to gaze out the window, he locked eyes with Gray. 'How long has he been staring at me? And why won't he look away? Why won't I look away? Natsu, pull yourself together!' Natsu's faced burned red with blush as he quickly turned to face the window. This time, the window didn't just provide an escape. This time it helped Natsu hide his blushing face...or so he thought.

Gray could see Natsu's burning reflection mirrored in the window. He thought it was cute that Natsu thought Gray couldn't see the things he tries to hide.  The way he blushes, the small smiles and the laughter held behind his eyes. Gray has noticed many things about Natsu and found every bit of him charming. He knew there was so much more to Natsu than the quiet shy kid and he wanted to explore it more.

The final bell rang and the classroom was a bustle of students rushing towards the exit. Waiting for the crowd to depart, Gray walked over to Natsu's desk. Natsu was just packing the last of his things as Gray approached with a sweet smile. "Ready to go home?" Gray was hoping to walk home with Natsu today. He wanted another excuse to spend time with him.

"I guess, but I'm meeting up with someone at the park today." Gray was taken aback. He didn't think Natsu had plans after school. Another thing he's noticed about the pinkette was that he always kept a schedule, planned or not. He always went home after school, fed Happy, did his homework, ate dinner and went to bed. This was new.

"Really? Who're you meeting?" Gray questioned.

"I-I guess you could they're an old friend." Natsu answered as he reflected back on all the time he had spent with Mira and her family after he was found. His eyes glistened as reminisced on those times. "Well, I'm going to head home. I'll see you tomorrow Natsu." Gray spoke as he briskly walked away from Natsu. 'He must've been in a hurry' Natsu thought as made his way out of school and towards the park.

*~*~*~*Time Skip*~*~*~*

As Natsu arrived at the park, he called Mira to make sure that they were meeting in their usual spot.

Hello dear, I'm almost there.

Are we still meeting under the willow?

Yes just like always. I'll see you soon.

Sure thing Mira, I'll see you soon.

Natsu continued down the stone trail towards the pond. In a few short minutes he had made it to the great willow. It's long vine like branches created a beautiful curtain that nearly caressed the soft ground underneath it. Natsu softly parted his way through to find Mira there, setting down a blanket dressed in a dark blue summer dress. Natsu always thought she looked so different in a dress than whens he wore her business suit for work. Her suit made her look intimidating and authoritative. It served her well in her job. It told everyone she worked with, be that in the office or with families, that she wasn't here to play.

But when she wore her dress, it made her look kind and gentle. If Natsu dare say it he'd say she looked motherly. He'd never say it out loud though. If she chose she could be just as intimidating and much more terrifying.

Natsu walked forward and cleared his throat to gain her attention. Mira turned around and smiled as she crushed him into a hug. Natsu probably wouldn't have minded the physical contact if he could breathe. He furiously patted her arm to get Mira to let him go.

"M-mira! Can't b-breath!" With that, Mira released her hold on the shorter boy.

"I'm sorry, I just missed you Natsu. We haven't spoken in so long. Which I'm both happy and sad about. You could visit once in a while you know. Everything seemed to be going well for a while."

"Yeah it was going fine. I honestly don't know what's going on. That's why I called. The nightmares have come back and my panic attacks have started up again." Natsu explained. He was troubled and scared. To Mira, he looked like the little boy she saved all those years ago. The call had come in for a domestic disturbance late that night. When the call said that children were involved, Mira was on call. Her job was to make sure the home was up to code and that the children were safe. If she found otherwise, then she'd have to remove the children from the home. She never liked separating families. They could get very ugly and the children often never forget it.

The night she found Natsu, she couldn't believe what she saw. While the house was well kept and tidy, the boy was dressed in rags that barely covered his bone thing body. His arms and legs were covered with burns and scars. Balled in the corner he clutched in his hands a white scarf. When Mira asked the boy where his parents were, he couldn't even whisper. Nothing but a small squeak came from his throat, and even that seemed to hurt him. It angered her to even think of what the poor boy had been through. Mira decided to put her anger to use. She searched the whole house after putting Natsu in the car. Someone had lived here with boy for sure. There was closet full of clothes, but the drawers had been emptied and an open safe was pulled out from under the bed. Mira figured whoever was here fled.

She walked back to car, checking the backseat to find little Natsu asleep. She would have to drop him off at a foster home for the night, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She brought him home with her. When she got home with the small boy in her arms, her brother and sister were confused. She explained to them that the boy would be staying with them, that it looked liked he had been abused. She made it clear that there was no other option. The boy was staying.

"Well, whatever it is, we can get through it. We've done it before right?" Natsu nodded but he didn't believe himself. This time felt so different than before."But I feel like I'm not getting better. I feel like I'm getting worse and worse... I-It scares me."

"Natsu, what was the first thing I told you when we started our sessions all those years ago?" Mira asked. 

"...These problems won't just go away. Even when you feel like you're falling, you're making progress." Natsu muttered.

"That's right. So we learn to cope with it and control it. We don't let it control us, right?"

"Right. You're always right."

"Come sit. Did you bring your journal?"Mira patted the spot on the blanket next to her, beckoning Natsu to make himself comfortable. Natsu sits down, pulling out his notebook to hand to Mira. As she flips through his stream of consciousness, Natsu pulls out some homework. Both of them are so engrossed in their work, they didn't notice a shadow move away from the two of them beyond the willow's curtain.

Bonjour mes amis. I know I haven't updated in a long time, but I didn't really know where I wanted this story to go. I always plan out how a story ends before I write he rest. It really had me tripped up for a while. Now, I have clearer idea of where I want the story to go. So I hopefully will update this story again soon.

Until then <3