Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 23 🎓

March.

Two more months until you graduated high school.

To the best of your ability, you were trying to move on from what is now called the incident. You've put all your focus into searching for a college. You're plan is to study Education in hopes of being some sort of educator.

But you hope to move away from the city you grew up in. Here the incident rests in the back of your mind. By leaving, you feel like you can forget and put it all behind you.

Some may call this running away, and perhaps you are, but you're fine with that. You just want peace.

However, this would also mean that you would be leaving Nastu and Gray behind to live their lives. It's obviously not something you want to do. You'll miss them dearly, but hopefully the three of you can stay in touch.

As for the arrangement that you agreed upon at the beginning of the school year, with recent events romance is the farthest thing from your mind. You are definitely not ready for a relationship.

You'll have to break that news to the boys.

And that's why you, Natsu, and Gray are at a local park.

The boys aren't showing it, but they have a gut feeling that they know why you told them to meet you here.

Obviously, the last thing you want to do is hurt their feelings and break their hearts, but it wouldn't be fair to date them without giving it your all.

"So, I decided that I'm leaving after graduation." You began, trying to prolong the elephant in the room.

They didn't respond and you were too scared to look at their faces, so you kept your eyes glued to the ground.

"I don't know where yet," You continued, "but I want to go to a college away from the city. I want to get away for a while and when I'm ready, I'll come back." You pause to take a deep breathe before continuing,

"I know this means I'm leaving you, but it's not forever. You guys are my best friends and I'll miss you like crazy. We can keep in touch by texting each other and . . ." You were starting to get nervous. ". . . and hopefully we can meet up on holidays. Um, also about the deal we made, I don't think it's fair to date either of you. With everything that happened, the last thing I want is a relationship. I'm sorry for leading you on this long. You guys deserve better and I hope we can still be friends!"

My word, that was a mouthful! You thought, But I said everything I wanted to say!

The next few seconds felt like hours of awkward silence.

AREN'T THEY GOING TO SAY ANYTHING!!

"Hahaha!"

What the heck is so funny? You looked up at your two best friends to find Natsu laughing while holding his stomach and Gray smiling while shaking his head.

"I'm lost. What is so funny?" You asked.

Like an off switch, Natsu stopped laughing and gave you a sincere look. "Why were you acting like this was your fault?" He asked.

Huh?

"Yeah, if anything, we were the ones that forced this whole love thing on you." Gray continued.

"We knew there was always a possibility that you would choose neither of us." Natsu stated, "We didn't expect it to play out like it did, but you get what I'm saying."

"It hurts, but we have to respect your decision." Gray said, "And you've been through a lot, so your reasoning is valid. We just want you to be happy."

"And we'll always be your best friends!" Natsu smiled, "No one's taking those titles away!"

"We'll always love you, (Y/N)." They declared in unison.

You felt tears well up in your eyes. You were grateful for these friends, for the memories you have with them -- the times when you laughed together, cried together, and smiled together.

You'll always hold those close to your heart.

For 2 years.

4 years.

10 years.

You, Natsu, and Gray will remain best friends.

Laughing through your tears, you pointed out, "You know, I can't believe you two actually agreed on something."

-- THE END --