Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 19 🎓

Nobody's Valentine's Day should end up like this.

SIX HOURS AGO . . .

"Are you sure it's alright for me to be here while your parents are out?" You asked in a wary manner.

You sat down on the living room couch, noticing the silent house.

"My parents are on a 'date night,' so we're good. They'll be back in a couple of hours and they said it was fine with them." Zero answered.

You opened your mouth to reply, but opted to nod your head instead. Zero turned the TV on and set the channel to Freeform -- Twilight was on.

He popped a large bowl of popcorn, had your favorite candy present, and had your favorite drink. Blankets were there in case you got cold and the lights were turned off for the ultimate movie experience, especially since sunset has already begun.

After the first Twilight movie ended, Zero switched stations and put Vampire Knight on.

"You know, that's my brother." He said out of the blue.

True, the actor on screen did have a striking resemblance to Zero. It was kind of hard to believe that he had a brother -- a twin brother -- who could act on camera.

"Really?" You asked, "What's his name?"

"Zack." He shrugged, nonchalantly. "He's always been the charismatic brother. The one good at making friends. The one who gets the girls -- I-I remember one time in middle school. I had a crush on this girl, but she . . . she, uh, liked Zack." You noticed his jaw tightened. "It happened before that too in, uh, fifth grade. I-I don't know what's wrong with me. Why no one likes me. Why everyone thinks I'm weird."

His words pulled at your heart strings. You know that Zero is not the most popular guy in school. And you definitely can testify that he's had a hard time making friends.

In fact, you're pretty sure that you're his only friend.

Your expression softened and you so desperately wabted to comfort him. You put your hand on his. "Look, everyone is into different things." You began, "People fear what they don't understand. Just because you're into things that others aren't, does not make you weird. 'Different strokes for different folks,' right?"

At your words, Zero looked at you. His eyes were glossed with tears and deep within his eyes, you could see pain. "You're such a nice person, (Y/N)." He said, "I'm glad I met you."

"You're a good person too, Zero. People shouldn't judge before they get to know you."

"And despite that you were the only person to speak a word to me on my first day."

"Well, I-"

"I love you."

The world stopped. The TV series began simple background noise, and the only sound you could hear was the air coming out of the AC unit.

"What?" You asked, tilting your head to the side. Additionally, you removed your hand from his.

"I-I love you." Zero stuttered. His eyes turned from pain to pleading. He tried to grab your hands, but you scooted away from him. "You're the only person that has been there for me -- the only person who understands me. I-I may not be the ideal guy, but I can make you happy."

"Zero, I-" You sighed, shaking your head. The last thing you wanted to do was break a heart or hurt someone's feelings. "You said this was platonic."

"That's right." He nodded, "Was."

You were starting to become frustrated. "Look, I'm sorry, but I just don't see you in a romantic way. I just want to be friends."

". . ."

You expected him to say something -- anything. Then again, he may be embarrassed beyond belief. The silence, however, was making things awkward.

"I think I should go." You said, breaking eye contact.

"Wait." Zero said, standing up from the couch. "What can I do -- What do I need to do to get you to stay?"

"I-I don't think there's anything -- I think I should leave to let you clear your head." You stood up from the couch as well. "I'll see you at school tomorrow. I guess."

"No." He replied immediately. "No, you can't leave." He shook his head and frowned. " T-This wasn't how things were supposed to go."

"Zero, it's fine. Just relax and clear your head." You sidestepped to walk around him and toward the front door, but before you could take that first step he was in front of you.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)."

Before you had time to react or question him, he took one of the blankets and used it to cover your head. He maintained a grip on the "reins" of the blanket, which were tight enough to obscure your vision but not tight enough to choke you.

He tugged on the blacket which jerked your head and neck foward. Using this method, he led you throughout his house.

Specifically, he was on his way to his bedroom.

"Oh my gosh! Zero, STOP! LET ME GO!"

Your hands worked to try to pry his off of the blanket as you stumbled your way through the house.

"Don't worry, (Y/N). I'm not going to hurt you."

You growled in response. You've watched enough movies to know that, that wasn't true.

You wrists were grabbed and handcuffed before the blanket was removed from your head. Your eyes scanned your surroundings and you noticed Zero closing his bedroom door and locking it.

You also noticed a window in his room.

You made a run for it out of desperation.

But window was locked. You barely had time to unlock it before Zero pulled you away from the window.

"Zero, STOP! This is INSANE!"

"But I can't let you leave. You're the one good thing in my life and if I let you leave you may never come back."

He dragged you over to his closet and opened it. There you saw his shrine dedicated to you.

It made you quite uncomfortable.

"I've created the perfect spot for you, right next to the shrine."

It was at that time that you knew. This was planned. He must have spent months preparing. He knew where he was going to put you because everything was set up and ready to go.

And that sent chills down your spine.