Natsu nodded and took a bite of nachos. He said. "This is a great breakfast" but it came out as "Tis 's a gra brefas." since his had a mouthful. He smiled after the mouthful was gone. "This is pretty good." He said, and took another bite of food. "So what should we do today? I vote we take a bath and go chancge for one thing."

Gray knodded with laughter. A bath was an understatement. They had slept outside, had sand on them, and then their other activities as well. "Well I guess we could go see about renting an apartment. It would make being around each other when we want to do these kinds of things easier. In the guild dorms there is always the possibility of interruptions." He ate another taco and then dusted off his hands. Standing, he looked back over at Natsu with a wicked gleam in his eye.

Natsu grinned right back at his partner. "Alright. Let's get that apartment then. It certainly sounds appealing to me." He thought about it. What were people at the guild going to think when Gray and himself suddenly moved in together. He didn't really care what anyone thought, he just wondered. He knew Lucy would know what was going on, and knowing her blabbermouth, shed tell the rest of the guild. But maybe he liked it that way. He wanted to claim Gray as his own. He thought it likely that people wouldn't flirt or try to get with Gray if they knew he was Natsu's. Most people didn't want to cross him for his crazy temper. He grabbed Gray's arm and pulled him in close, biting down a little on his neck and leaving a dark bruise. "There." He said. "I've marked you." He smirked and then took Gray's hand in his own.

Gray looked thoughtfully at Natsu. He was surprised with himself for not actually minding. That was weird. Holding Natsu's hand, they headed into town. As they walked along, he saw Lyon. Lyon saw them and turned with a gaping mouth. Gray calming looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Lyon slowly started knodding and then did a victory dance. He took off towards the guild faster than Natsu could fly into a temper tantrum. Gray felt satisfaction inside. Julia would not be able to turn Lyon down now that there was obviously no hope for getting Gray. Lyon could be very persuasive.

Going to the apartment complex, they found the land lady. She was a scary big women with gleaming glasses on. Giving them a thorough looking over, Gray calmly kept his cool. Inside his heart was racing though. She just gave her trademark "hmmmm" and led them to an apartment room. Opening it up, she handed Natsu the key. "You owe me rent at the end of the month. Don't cause any ruckus or complaints you hear." With that she bounded out as only a really big lady with attitude can.

Natsu wondered what was up with Lyon. Had he really been that surprised that he and Gray had gotten together? A lot of people knew they used to fight all the time, but weren't those the kind of people who got together? The ones who didn't always get along all the time seemed to always end up together as far as Natsu could tell.

Natsu thought he might die at the sight of the landlady. She was a huge woman and as she looked over them, Natsu couldn't help back look away. She handed him a key and Natsu backed up slightly, not liking having such a scary woman so close to him. As the lady went out, Natsu started looking for their room. "So, how many beds will there be?" He asked Gray, hoping for just one. He really didn't want to sleep separated.

Gray calmly watched the landlady leave. She was big and imposing, but secretly she had a soft heart for her tenants inside. She would never admit to it and would always be brash with them. Especially since she kept between Natsu and Lucy. Well, though luxurious compared to the dorm. It is just a small apartment. Like Lucy's, it has a main room with a bed, desk, and wardrobe. There is a small kitchenette. And there is a bathroom. Sorry it isn't bigger. Figured we guys didn't need much and it does save money. Money we will need to go out on a job to have. He smiled and leaned against the wall beside the door with his hands in his pockets. Predictably, his shirt had disappeared on the walk over here. He tilted his head and winked at Natsu. Natsu, with his jolly nature would normally love being around others. But he was moody right now and crowds didn't seem appealing to him. Especially those with women. Gray was suspicious that is was because most women liked him.

((I'm lovin the avi!))

Natsu really liked this place. It was just right for them. "It's perfect." He said with a little smile. He grabbed Gray and kissed him. "I think we'll do well here. It's nice and private and just for us." he laughed a little. "And of coarse you would lose your shirt on the way here." He shrugged. "I guess it happens Eh?" He didn't mind Gray's habit. Getting naked was something Natsu didn't mind Gray doing at all. He rather encouraged it. "So, we officially have our own place. How nice." he smiled.

Gray smiled and knodded. This was a pretty sweet place. However for him, it was the company he kept that made it worthwhile. "You know, the guild will know by evening. They will probably joke about us without realizing how close to the truth they are hitting." He reached over and expertly made Natsu's shirt disappear too. It just wasn't right to be the only one shirtless. Seeing his muscled abs gave him pause and he should his head to try to clear it. What had gotten into him for him to be so driven at the mere sight of Natsu?

Natsu couldn't say he really minded the guild knowing, or joking around. He wasn't ashamed of what he was doing. He was actually rather proud. What was the point of them doing this if they had to hide and be afraid of getting caight. "I don't mind. Let then talk. I don't really care." He smiled at Gray. He wasn't expecting it when Gray suddenly removed his shirt, and he blushed a little. It always made him Giddy when Gray touched him. He could see Gray looking over him and squirmed a bit. He knew Gray liked what he saw. Why else would he come back for more? The look on Gray's face told him that the other liked him as well.

Gray leaned close and stared Natsu in the eyes with an intense gaze. "Your really something Natsu," he said in a low voice. Pushing Natsu against the wall by his shoulders, Gray leaned and rested his forehead against the wall above Natsu's shoulder. "I don't understand..." He took a deep breath to attempt to slow his racing heart. What was this? He had always cared deeply for those in Fairy Tail, but this was more. Had he actually come to care for Natsu like a partner? Like an actual couple? Surely not! He shook his head slowly, letting the cool wall seep into his forehead but unable to bring himself to let go of Natsu's shoulders. This just didn't make sense. He didn't, wouldn't, allow himself to form bonds where his heart would be so easily in danger. It just wasn't something he wanted to do. This was just friends with benefits. That was all. In his mental struggle, he didn't notice his grip on Natsu's shoulders tighten or that he was pushing his forehead harder against the wall. A solitary tear escaped his clenched eyelids as he asked, "Why do I feel so much for you? That wasn't supposed to happen."

Natsu was rather startled by Gray's quite sudden behavior. "G-Gray?" He questioned, feeling himself pushed up against the wall. His shoulders were being firmly gripped by his friend and he wasn't sure what was going on. He listened to the other speak and frowned. "I don't know...I mean, what we've been doing with each other is considered rather personal and intimate." He wasn't sure of what to say. He knew that he'd felt that way about Gray since this whole thing started. "I feel the same way you know..I love you." He thought that was what Gray was trying to say. Gray was trying to say that he loved Natsu. That's what he thought this was.

Gray's eyes snapped open at the intake of breathe. Love? Is that was he was feeling. He leaned back a bit and looked Natsu in the face with questioning eyes. Loyalty and caring deeply he understood. But love? "Is that what I am feeling? It is so strong..." An emotion stronger than anything he had ever dealt with before, including the protectiveness for those in the guild. Perhaps. What else fit? He slowly started to nod. "That makes sense, but I am not comfortable with that. I have never dealt with it before." Love. An unknown. He didn't like that part of it. If only he had some experience with this strange turmoil inside of him. Then he would know how to react and respond.

Natsu could understand what was going on inside of Gray. He was probably confused and maybe a bit frightened...that's what seemed to be the case. He frowned just slightly. "Gray, there's a first time for everything you know..." He said quietly. "Maybe this can be your first tine for love. I'd love for you to share that with me." He brushed his fingertips lightly against Gray's cheek. "You can trust me. You've trusted me with your life before, so why should this be so hard hmm? I'm not going to break your heart." He was sure of that. No matter what, he was going to be dang sure that he didn't hurt Gray. He wanted to be the best partner his friend had ever had. "If you want to know how to deal with those feelings, Don't even try to. Just let it all out."

Gray felt a blush follow the warm fingertips as if Natsu had used a paintbrush across his cheek. There was trusting and then there was trusting. He didn't realize he had so much to lose before. His heart was fluttering and he felt speechless. There had to be a way. He stared at Natsu trying to make reason, and finally gave up. He wouldn't think about it. He would just try to live life to the fullest he could. With all honesty he said, "Guess I might mess up or something, but you'll be there to catch me if I fall right? You have my heart now. Take good care of it." With a hesitancy and a sort of shyness he hadn't had before, he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against Natsu's cheek. A new start indeed. All of this was taking on new proportions. No wonder Natsu had reacted as he had earlier. He had exposed his inner self, which can be more fragile than Gray had known it could be.

Natsu was happy now. "Yeah. I can take good care of your heart. You have mine too you know." He smiled and then pulled Gray close after having a little kiss on the cheek. "We can just take this one step at a time ok? Everything will be ok." He knew that things would be different now. They'd be closer, but there was also a chance that they may ruin each other completely. Their friendship could possibly be ruined by this. That was a kind of horrible thing to risk, but if they lasted then it's be worth that risk they were taking. He also knew they couldn't jump each other's bones as much either. He didn't want a relationship based soley on sex. They needed more than that.

Gray cuddled in and let Natsu's strength fill him. A relationship. Though they were already friends, it looked like they were going to have to start almost from scratch on the relationship side. This was going to be interesting. Not butting heads with Natsu. That by itself would take adjustment. Looks like Erza was going to get her wish after all. He slowly stood back and asked, So what do you say we go get a job? There must be something that that two of us can handle without the rest of the team.

Natsu honestly couldn't explain how happy he was. He and Gray would be even closer than when they'd just been friends. He loved his partner quite alot. More than even he knew. "Sure we can. I don't see why we can't go on a job by ourselves." He knew they'd get a good amount of time together if they went alone. They'd also get some money for their rent as well. That would be great and he was pretty ready to go and find out what they could go ahead and do just the two of them. "Let's go back to the guild and see what's available."

Gray agreed and they headed on outside. Walking towards the guild, Gray wondered if news had traveled fast already. It didn't matter really. He would just have to man up and accept the teasing that was sure to come their way. Lucy probably would point out a job that would work for them just to give them time together. They walked up to the guild door and Gray took a deep breathe and opened it.

Natsu watched everyone's reaction carefully. There were stares and snickers, a few girly giggles. He thought this was ok so far. It was Erza who seemed the most shocked. She looked so odd, her face puzzled. "What should we do now?" He whispered to Gray, wondering what would happen if they spoke.

Gray put on his calm, nonchalant face and shrugged. "Pretend things are normal because, well, this IS the new normal." He strolled casually across to the job board. Be normal and things would be okay right? Erza clearly wasn't sure how to respond. She liked being the mature one who broke up their fights.

Natsu nodded, knowing that was the best idea. He tried to act like nothing was up, but was kind of shaking a little. He was scared that someone might say something to them. He could feel the stares that were on them. Hs looked at the bored curiously, not sure what job to take. He had no idea.

Elfman strode over to them and gave them a good looking over. Hmmm... your not running. Be a Man! He clapped them both on the back. Lucy yelled at Elfman, "Hey that doesn't even make sense. Stop always telling people to be a man. They are men." Cana scooted away from Lucy and commented, "Calm down Lucy. He is just being him." Lucy turned to respond and saw her drinking out of her barrel of alcohol. Her eyes shot out of her head and she cringed, "Cana, you really should go easy on that stuff." Mirajane grinned at Lucy and then turned to Natsu and Gray, "Have you found one yet? If not, I have a suggesting." She stepped from behind the bar and walked over.

Natsu looked at Elfman funny, not really even sure what the guy was trying to say or why. He shook his head and then looked at Lucy who'd suddenly gotten all mad. He knew she was just standing up for them. She was nice like that. Cana of coarse tried to calm her and was drinking from her liquor. That was typical. He decided they could go for Marijane's advice for a job. "What do you suggest?" He asked, looking at her.

Mirajane beamed and held up a poster she hadn't gotten around to posting yet. It had a reasonable reward. "It is just a couple bandits bothering a trade route. The employer is fed up with them. Can you go take arrest them and return the stolen goods?" Gray leaned in and looked it over. Probably the same dudes they had taken on before. It would figure.

Natsu thought it seemed like an easy enough job. He'd leave the real choice up to Gray though. He liked the reward thy was offered for such a small task. It was quite a lot for just getting rid of some bandits. He smiled at his lover and waited to see what he would say about this task. He figured Gray would go for it. A job like that would leave them plenty alone time after they accoished their goal.