Fun fact: In Chapter 19 of Melting Gray, Natsu and Gray kiss for the first time.

... ;)

Natsu's POV

I guess Gray noticed the fact that our hands were interlocked at one point or another, or maybe he was completely aware the entire time, but nevertheless, his hand suddenly dropped out of mine and he giggled sheepishly.

I bit my tongue hard to keep from making obscene noises.

Going completely against my better judgement to bury my head in the sand and forget all of that happened, but I didn't really want to pretend I didn't notice, because I did, and something clearly needed to be said.

Gray saw my scrunched-up expression and looked crestfallen. He played it off cool, though. "Haa... Sorry," He grinned. "Got a bit excited, I guess?"

I nodded sharply, averting my eyes. Heat was flooding my face and I had never felt more small and embarrassed than I had right now. God, what does this all mean? Do I like Gray?

I seemed to be asking myself that question a lot, and I definitely didn't like that. I shook my head to clear my throat and focus on the clownfish weaving enough seaweed and blowing tiny air bubbles out of their gills.

"You know, there's only about two more weeks of school," Gray pointed out randomly, hands digging into his pockets boredly. I wonder why he brought that up so suddenly. "Did you know Juvia and I are on the ballot for Prom Court?"

"Oh, that's awkward," I whistled lowly through my teeth. "Do you have to forcibly go with her or something?"

"I don't think so, and God, I hope not," He rubbed his temple, like the mere mention of Juvia's name gave him a headache. "So, important question..."

"Yes..?" I trailed off, wringing my hands. I felt my heartbeat increase, pumping blood so roughly that I felt in inside my head. What was he going to ask? For us to go to prom together?
As friends, obviously, shut up, brain! Oh my God, just spit it out already!

"Natsu, did you hear me?" Gray looked quizzical. I dizzily snap out of my thoughts and shake my head meekly. He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to repeat himself. "I asked you if you wanted to do anything else today. There's no point in going back to school, so I was just curious."

"Oh..." I mumbled, feeling slightly dejected. I tried to look chipper and nodded. "Sure, what do you want to do?"

"Something spontaneous?" Gray offered chirpily.

"Like what?" I had no ideas on what to do. Gray was usually the one who dragged me to all these places. Not like I was complaining, but you get the idea. I watched as Gray tapped his chin, pretending to think deeply.

"I don't know, that's why it's spontaneous. Now come on," He announced, taking my hand again. He looked at me for confirmation, and I smiled the tiniest bit, as if to say 'it's fine', he blushed a bit and we exited the aquarium tour. I squeezed his hand tightly and we shared a quick smile before darting our eyes in opposite directions, scowling.

That's when I got an idea.

I immediately shivered at the mere thought of it, because it was so bad, but so, so good.

"I'm driving this time," I declared as we exposed ourself to the sunlight beams of the outside world. Gray looked extremely skeptical, but I didn't give him much of a choice when I barreled into the front seat before he could object. Grumbling to himself what was most like curse words, he took the passenger seat and tossed me the keys, the pointy end almost impaling my skin.

"If you crash my car, I'll kill you," Gray glowered, staring at me through narrowed eyes. I laughed and waved him off, twisting the key in the ignition, allowing the animalistic motor to roar to life. I hastily searched up the address to the building, finding it to be on Blueberry Road. Since I knew exactly where that was, GPS instructions proved unnecessary. I backed out of the parking lot with ease, gripping the wheel in a death lock and then turning to get to the main road.

"Where are we going?" Gray asked cautiously. I peeled off my scarf and threw it in his face as a response.

"It's a surprise," I failed to mimic him from earlier, but it certainly got the point across.

Gray glared at the neckwear in disgust. "I'm not-" He began to protest, but when I slapped his arm and glared, he huffed and coveted his eyes with the scarf. Satisfied and highly amused, I swerved to the left, approaching 118 Blueberry Road. "Has anyone ever told you you're a great driver?" Gray commented sarcastically, voice slightly muffled from the scarf.

Considering he couldn't see it, I took it as a wonderful opportunity to flick him off. He sat there motionless, and I rubbed my middle finger around his face teasingly, about to start cackling up with hysterical laughter.

"What's so funny?" Gray asked monotonously.

I cleared my throat and sat up straight,
focusing on the road ahead. "Nothing, nothing," I assured him, turning into the Blueberry Plaza. I found a relatively nice parking place, considering it was a Monday late-morning and most people were either at school or work. "You can take off your blindfold now," I explained to Gray calmly, staring at the building in front of us.

"That was quick, where even are w- Oh. My. Freaking. God."

We were face-to-face to the town's best tattoo parlor, Pins and Needles. Obviously the companies of our city loved pun-tastic business names, because I couldn't turn around without seeing a horrible joke for a company title. The building was only slightly shabby, with dark-tinted windows and a light-up, blinking OPEN sign hanging inside them. The fluorescent 'N' in 'Needles' had burnt out, so the sign read Pins and Eedles, amusingly enough.

Gray gawked at the sign, then at me. "Do you really want to do this, Natsu?
I mean, once you do this, you can never un-do it," Gray said skeptically, eyes transfixed on the building. I was already halfway out of the car.

"You sound like my mom with regards to my virginity," I scoffed. "Come on, Mr. Popular. This is about as spontaneous as it gets."

Gray exhaled loudly and shook his head. "I cannot believe I'm doing this."

I couldn't believe I was doing it either, but I decided not to say that.

A tiny bell tinkled, emitting the sound of a fairy, which was ironic, considering the scenery inside of Pins and Needles. The walls were crimson, with 16x16 posters of various tattoo designs. I admired them all wondrously, at the same time brainstorming the tattoo I wanted.

I knew I wanted to get something sentimental, as stupid as that sounds. Something tiny and meaningful, that I can look at and smile and feel instantaneously better. Something that's inspire me to keep better care of myself (I'm looking at you, bulimia.)

Speaking of, my stomach was hurting from all the food. I felt slightly nauseous, but that could also be the nervousness talking. I brushed it off and we sign up for an appointment. After our signatures and our times were dishes out, alongside legal proof that we were above sixteen, we take seats in the cold plastic chairs.

I take a seat furthest to the corner, next to a glass coffee table and a potted plant. There is a small flip book of smaller designs, alongside a sketchbook and an attachable pen. My hands drifted to pick up the pen and paper, doodling out a tiny design. I tried to sketch it out, tapping my lip with the pen cap as I scratched it out.

The design came to me in an instant, like it was a reflex. Like it's something you've always wanted, Gray's voice echoed in my head. I turned my head to find Gray staring at the side of his wrist, where the indent was between the hand and arm, rubbing it lightly with the fleshy part of his finger. He seemed entranced in his own little world, so I left him be and continued to draw.

My design came out alright, and I was pretty proud of it. It as two footprints walking, with unfilled star outlines and dashed explosion marks surrounding it. It compared to the size of roughly two quarters. I tweaked the toes slightly and stared at an anatomy reference to make sure everything was absolutely perfect.

"Natsu Dragneel?" A voice boomed across the room, starting me. I lurched in my seat and smiled timidly at the tattoo artist. He has double sleeves of tattoos, which I don't find much of a surprise, and I could see bits of permanent ink peeking from under the collar of his black t-shirt.

"Alright, hi there. I'm Billy. Is this your first tattoo?" His eyes scanned my arms. I nodded my head, all words refusing to come out, rendering them lodged in my throat and suffocating me. All nervousness was crashing down, and I felt my heartbeat quicken and my hands begin to shake. "Okay, obviously that's a yes. Don't worry, it'll be over before you know it, and the end result is always perfect. I see you've got an original, mind if I take a peek?"

His eyes wordlessly pointed to the notepad, and I handed it over to him. "This looks good, I can definitely do this. Now, I'm gonna walk you through each step so you know what's going on, alright?"

I nodded again. "Does it hurt?" Was the only question that managed to make its way into completed word fashion.

"A bit, yeah, but with every tattoo it gets easier," Billy explained, looking at the computer monitor in his setup. I shifted in my operating-like table seat and think about where I want my tattoo. Wrist? No, too generic and my parents will definitely see that. Shoulderblade? Good, until I'm shirtless. I released a raspberry breath of irritated air.

I heard the paper being scanned by the printer-like thing, and then it's on the computer monitor, alongside a different paper. This one is semi-translucent and extremely thin. Billy cuts out the design and peels it off. "Okay, where is this going?" He asked,
holding my design print carefully.

The perfect place clicks into my mind. "Could I get it on my right hip bone?" I asked, patting the area reflexively. He nodded and I realized I have to yank down my pants a tiny bit to make room. I push my shorts and boxers down enough so I'm still covered, but there's plenty of room for the tiny design. Billy stuck the paper to my skin, and I shivered unconsciously, the paper feeling like cold jelly. He waited a moment before removing the paper, but it left blue ink where the design was filled in.

"The paper is a sanitizing paper that both sterilizes the skin to protect you, and it also leaves a trail for me to trace with the real ink," Billy explained monotonously, ushering to the tattoo gun, where his hand is resting on it. I quickly realized that was the next step and I gulped. "Okay, take a deep breath, kid."

I inhale dramatically and release all the air out of my lungs slowly. My eyes scrunch shut, because I don't want to look. I heard a whirr of a machine coming to life and I stifle a gasp by biting my lip. I felt the needle begin to press the pigments under the levels of skin tissue, and although the pain feels uncomfortable and definitely unpleasant, it's not the worst pain I've been in.

Thankfully, I didn't cry out or anything embarrassing like that. The process feels like hours, needles chopping and peeling through skin cells, lifting and pressing, the burning feeling of hot metal, the loud chainsaw-esque whine of the gun. I decided to focus on something happy to distract myself, and I imagine my fun morning with Gray today.

Maybe that was a bad idea, because I felt a blush creeping up on my face and I cover my face bashfully as I think of it. I left my hands there, forcing my world into a pit of infinite blackness, and for some strangely weird reason, I felt relaxed.

"All done."

"Hmm?" I echoed.

"You're all done. Don't touch it for a minute, let your skin cool down, and when the redness fades away, your skin is good as new!" Billy told me happily, setting down the gun. I uncover my hands and immediately look at my hipbone.

My design was there, looking better than I drew it, with its imperfectly perfect footprints and simple star decals. My face lit up in a wide grin as I feel splendidly proud and reborn. Vibrant feelings exploded inside of me as I thanked Billy, yanked my pants back up, and pulled myself up into a standing position. I was still a little shaky, but I got to the register to pay for the tattoo, which was cheaper than I expected. It cost most of what I had in my wallet, but that's alright.

"Gray Fullbuster?" Billy called out. Gray standed and followed him to the chair, looking more nervous than I was. I took out my phone and immediately texted Sting, because I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I pushed my pants to the side stealthily and snapped a photo of my new hipbone tattoo design, sending it to my best friend.

Natsu: I got a fucking tattoo! Isn't it boss?

I almost got an instantaneous response. Sting was most likely on his phone. It was the middle of our school's lunch period, after all.

Bumblebee 🐝: THAT'S AWESOME! But... you skipped school for a tat? What's next, buying a drug dealer starter pack? Oh my God, I wanna be there when your parents find out!

Natsu: They're not gonna, believe me. And I've been spending the entire morning with Gray, for your information. I wanted this and I love it so much, so don't tell me different!

Bumblebee 🐝: Hey, hey, I'm not! All I'm saying is that tattoo may not be the only thing you love... ;)

Natsu: What do you mean?

Bumblebee 🐝: Gray, silly.

Natsu: I'm not gay, Sting. (Now on the other hand, you are.)

Bumblebee 🐝: Wait, really? You two aren't.... (Yes, I'm quite aware, thanks. Rogue says hi by the way.)

Natsu: Sorry to disappoint, but no. (You didn't hide it very well. Hi, Rogue.)

Bumblebee 🐝: Well, that honestly shocking. So you harbor no romantic feelings for him whatsoever? (He says hi again.)

Bumblebee 🐝: Don't try to work your way out of this. I can see you read my message, you ass.

Natsu: ...

Bumblebee 🐝: You do, don't you!!

Natsu: Okay, listen up. Don't tell a soul, you hear me? I'm totally confused about it myself, and the thoughts just won't go away. But yeah, maybe I like him a teeny bit. Let me think about it though, okay? I have a lot to worry about already.

Bumblebee 🐝: Remember what you told me when I was in this place? "You're still Sting, and that's okay." Take your own advice, Natsu. Whatever you choose to do, I support you 110%, and our friends will too, promise.

Natsu: Sting...

Bumblebee 🐝: I'm not kissing you though, man. These lips are reserved for one boy only.

Natsu: Ah, shut it. I have to go, please, please don't speak about this. Delete the messages. We'll talk more later, okay?

Bumblebee 🐝: Fine... Byeeee!

I hastily swiped the messages to delete them all and clicked the sleep button on my phone to turn the screen off. I leaned back in the uncomfortable chair a bit, only just now beginning to process everything. It was all too much to take in and my mind couldn't take it all.

I'm still Natsu, and that's okay.

I'm still Natsu, and that's okay.

I'm still Natsu.

That's okay.

I felt tears well up in my tear ducts and I brushed them away quickly before they dripped down my face. I refused to cry, not right now, not about this. Everything was too overwhelming, I just needed to sleep, honestly. My eyes fluttered shut as I waited quietly for Gray to finish. I heard the gun click off and the shuffling of someone standing up.

I cracked my eyes open to find Gray standing at the register, paying. He received his change and thanks Billy, who moves on to the next customer. Gray turned around and smiled a hello my way, waving.

"Show me," He egged on immediately.

"I don't really wanna pull my pants down in public, thanks," I casually declined the notion, pushing the door open.

"Oh my God! Did you get a dick tattoo?
Or a butt one, perhaps?" He gasped, genuinely horrified. We crossed the parking lot, rushing so we wouldn't get killed by speeding cars zooming left and right.

"No! God, no!" I cried in disgust, shaking my head vigorously. "On my hipbone."

"Jeez, you scared me," He breathed out, unlocking the car with his key button. It made a clicking sound and we piled in the front seats, him resting in the driver's and me in shotgun, not making a move to drive yet. "Kay, let me see it now."

I pushed down the bottom-half articles of clothing to show off my ink. He smiles fondly at it, nodding. "It's beautiful," He complimented honestly, eyes sparkling. "What does it stand for? Does it stand for anything, I mean?" He quickly corrected himself, clearing his throat with a terse cough.

"It tells me to keep moving forward," I explained to him seriously, touching the ink delicately with my forefinger. "To keep walking towards the future and accepting yourself. Your past does not define you, that sort of thing."

"That's wonderful," Gray's voice was nearly at a whisper level.

"Okay, let's see yours," I rubbed my hands together excitedly. Gray holds his left hand out, where he was rubbing his wrist previously. On the inside of his forearm, right next to the wrist, was a tiny date, 1/11/07, written in semi-cursive writing. Beside it is a trail of four or five birds, wingspans poised like they're in flight. "Wow, I love it," I resisted the urge to touch it myself with my hand. "What's the date?"

"Um..." He trailed off, darting his eyes to the radio system. He avoided my gaze as he explained the mystery numbers. "It's the day my sister passed away."

My heart dropped to my stomach. I was not expecting that bombshell to be dropped. "What?" I asked, completely stunned.

"Don't make me repeat it," He pleaded with a covered hysteria to his tone. I watched with sympathy as he gulped down a sob. "She had lung cancer and anemia," He answered the unspoken question dying to be explained in my head. I could only nod and rub his shoulder soothingly. "She was set free on January 11th, when she gained her wings," He choked up, eyes watering.

I couldn't stand to see Gray like this. It was an awkward scooch, but I managed to squeeze him into a tender hug. Gray buried his head into my neck submissively, and I rubbed small circles between his shoulder blades, whispering calming words in his ear.

His momentarily broken state reminded me of myself in the forest yesterday, and a lot of last year. So helpless, confused, lost, wishing for an escape and to be free. "Hey, it's alright. Shh, it's gonna be okay," I told him quietly.

Gray lifted his head and we separated. He shook as he laughed at himself. "Ah, sorry. Didn't mean to go all teary-eyed and morbid on you. Anyway, I'm glad we did this today. It was really, really fun, and I enjoyed it a lot."

I couldn't lie. "I did too," I beamed at him. "Can we do it again sometime?"

We buckled in our seat belts, heading back to school for the second half of the day. "Definitely sometime soon," He promised. "But no more tattoos."

"Alright," I chuckled. "No more tattoos."

- - - -

A/N: Is this story going too slow? Or am I rushing it too much? I've basically hit the 20 mark, and I don't really know how many more chapters. Maybe 5-6?

Maybe it's totally whack and all over the place? Idek. It never feels right to me.

I'm going on a 2-hour road trip tomorrow for a long weekend vacation, so I'll have writing time in the car, yay for updating! I sooo wanna finish this story already, jeez! XD

Vote and comment?? :)