Gray hasn't seen Natsu in years - not since he moved away with his boyfriend Joel and Natsu stopped texting him. A chance run-in at a bar brings Natsu back into Gray's life, but the encounter puts Gray in danger when Joel finds out. Natsu quickly realizes that Gray's stuck in a cycle of violence, and wants to help him escape. But leaving isn't that easy, and sometimes loving someone might not be enough. Written for Fairy Tail LGBTales "I Take Pride in What I Am" event. CW for a physical/verbal/sexual/emotionally abusive relationship. Trigger warnings will be posted on individual chapters if necessary. Cross-posted on AO3 and fanfiction.net as splendidlyimperfect Find me on tumblr as @splendidlyimperfect