Word Count: 805

Sorry for such a late update! I had a very busy week[end], but the next update should be somewhat on time. Apologies for the delay, but enjoy the chapter!

Sting had successfully dragged his brooding twin back to the party, clinging to Rogue's frame like a backpack as he steered him towards the others. Laxus had once again wrapped his arms around a bashful Freed, muscles forming a protective barrier around the smaller mage. Now that dinner had been finished and Freed had wrestled away from Laxus long enough to clean up after the rowdy slayers (Mama Freed), Gray was ready for whatever else the family wanted to test. Natsu however, was extremely opposed to anything his siblings, mainly his brothers, might think up.

"Geez, squinty-eyes, could you loosen the claws?" Gray asked exasperatedly, feeling the pinpricks of Natsu's sharp nails embedded into his flesh. He knew his dragon was nervous, but did he have to take it out on his poor skin? He pulled Natsu in for yet another embrace, trying to ease the tension.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you..." he trailed off, gazing up at Gray with teary eyes. He sighed, pressing himself closer to Gray's bare chest. "I don't want anyone else important to me to leave," he barely whispered, making it difficult to Gray to hear. The taller male dipped his head, placing a kiss on Natsu's forehead.

"I'm not going anywhere, my little flame," he breathed into Natsu's ear, feeling the pink-head constrict said breathing by tightening his already iron-like grip on his abdomen. He endured the crushing as he knew it would soothe the fire dragon, gently stroking his wild pink mane. 

"Laxus, no!" came a shout. The dragon slayer household seemed to be full of shouting that day. The emerald-haired rune mage backed away from the lightning slayer with his hands raised defensively. "You have to test Gray first." Those words seemed to snap Laxus out of whatever spell he had been under. He brushed past Freed, careful not to bump into his shoulder. "Gray," Freed began shakily before clearing his throat, "Laxus is going to test your physical strength."

Natsu pouted, reluctantly letting go of his icy stripper. Gray ruffled his hair, unwinding his arms from Natsu's smaller but built frame. Laxus gave his little brother a caring look, foreign to Gray and grunted to grab the ice mage's attention. He strolled outside, as the house wouldn't survive another wizard battle (living with Natsu meant the house caught on fire too many times to count). Gray followed, with Natsu following him in turn. Freed was torn between wanting to follow his leader as well as watch Laxus fight and his fear of Laxus repeating his startling, but not unpleasant, actions. Against his instincts of self-preservation, he walked through the door as well, planning to keep an eye on Natsu while he was there.

// little time skip//

Gray stood, panting and covered in sweat. He honestly hadn't believed that he would be able to last quite this long against Laxus. Then again, he did want to impress his fire dragon. Laxus had broken into his own sweat, but was much more composed. Natsu and Freed stood on the sidelines, sporting wide eyes that resembled hearts. Gray had already passed the test by Laxus' standards, but they couldn't leave a fight unfinished. The ice-make wizard shot frozen lances while dodging bolts of lightning. The two moved quickly, gracefully jumping and leaning to avoid the other's attacks. Laxus used his Lightning Body move, being blocked by Gray's Ice Shield. The lightning wielder followed up with a Lighting Dragon Iron Fist, breaking Gray's exhaustion weakened ice and landing a solid punch. Natsu stared at Gray's prone body, worried for his potential mate. His face-down body emitted a low groaning noise, and Natsu sighed in relief.

"Not bad," Laxus said, giving the best compliment he ever would to the younger mage. He briefly scented the air before turning and walking over to Freed. "I tested him. Will you stop complaining now?" he asked gruffly, embracing the rune mage. From within the strong hold muffled words reached the tall slayer's ears. He hummed in approval, nearly nuzzling Freed's hair before he stopped himself. What is wrong with me?

"Gray! Are you okay?!" Natsu rushed to his injured popsicle, flipping him onto his back. Gray smiled weakly up at him.

"Fine," he coughed out, using his arms as leverage to sit up fully. Natsu barely contained himself from launching at Gray, but he knew that would only make him hurt more. He gently shook his head at the slayer's eagerness, petting his hair. "I'm fine." Natsu curled into his side, sitting on the ground next to Gray. He nosed Gray's neck, breathing in his soothing scent. Gray was safe. And he passed both of the tests his family had given. Gray was his and he was Gray's. Natsu nuzzled into his snowflake further, lightly licking his throat. Mine.