"thank you, for

your love and heart.

i'll never have a lonely

night again."

—

(a/n;; long chapter head!)

word count ;; 2143.

"Here. It's not much, but at least it'll keep you dry." The noirenette explained, handing her one of his folded up t-shirts. They were currently camped at Gray's apartment, as he stated that it was the closest from where they were— it was quite bold of him to invite her in. Besides, men were prohibited at Fairy Hills; the red-head would've surely bombed the place if Gray had even dreamed of breathing near the property. Thankfully, the bluenette had stopped trembling— as Gray had helped her calm down a tad bit.

Juvia swallowed, her hand slightly shaking at the rare offer— grasping the shirt and took it. "The bathroom is right to your left by the kitchen, there should be extra towels right in the cabinets inside." The ice mage simply stated, the bluenette nodding at his words. "B-But, what about Gray-sama? Shouldn't he freshen up too?" The water mage innocently questioned, the noirenette's eyebrow raising.

"You're implying that we should shower together?"

"J-Juvia di.. Huhu.. well—"

"No."

..

Gray glanced up, hearing the door knob twist open— revealing a rather flustered Juvia who now wore his shirt. Oh, oh wow. His shirt absorbed her body completely, revealing her rather small and slim figure— well, good thing he had given her one of his largest pairs. At least her important parts were cov-

"U-Uhm, Gray-sama..?" The noirenette shook his head, clearing his sudden absurd thoughts— only grunting in response. "J-Juvia.. isn't really.. wearing— anything.. underneath." She squeaked, her voice disappearing half way— the ice mage's cheeks slightly tinging pink. "J-Just don't go around jumping or skipping." He muttered, looking away.

Juvia nodded, closing the bathroom door as she headed towards him— sitting beside him on his bed. Sitting rather, uh, close. "Gray-sama~! Juvia has a question." Oh dear, she was back to her normal-self. Well, it wasn't like it was bad— or anything— but God knows what she could to him, especially it being only the two of them. And especially when she isn't wearing anything un-

Gray cleared his throat, finding it hard to peek down at her. "What is it?"

"How did Gray-sama know about Juvia's fear of thunder?" She questioned, her hands resting against her lap. Only one, well, now two people knew about her irrational phobia of thunder. One being Gajeel, who'd known for a long time. As she can remember, back when they were still members of Phantom Lord, she was just coming back from one of her first missions.

Only to find the town had been covered in ominous clouds, threatening to spill over with rain and add into her gloom any minute. She had tried to get back to her apartment before the oncoming storm, but had not succeeded. Gajeel had been walking home when he found her, eyes squeezed tightly shut and hands clapped down over ears, hiding in an alley. Similarly like today.

The rain had been heavy, not unlike the feeling in her legs keeping her from moving from her hiding spot. He had carried her to his apartment and kept her safely there until the storm had passed. Their friendship had only grown from there. "Well, let's just say I eavesdropped." The ice mage declared, a smirk curled against the corner of his lips— though it soon drifted away, as he remembered their little incident earlier this morning.

"Listen, Juvia—"

"Ah, well. Juvia thought that Gray-sama was mad at her?" She blurted, the noirenette's head swaying left and right in disagreement. "Wh- no. Why would I be mad at you?" He regarded with a questioning tone, his eyebrows furrowed as the water mage shrugged. "Juvia thought so because Gray-sama looked and sounded angry." The bluenette added.

The ice mage lifted his shoulders to a shrug, vaguely turning away from her— trying to hide the consistent annoying blush that crept to his cheeks. "I wasn't— mad or anything. I just felt sour after seeing you with— Lyon." He truthfully admitted, sneaking a peek at the bluenette whose eyes resembled eggs. "S-So— Gray-sama was jealous?!" Juvia squealed, mindlessly flinging herself onto him— tightly hugging his left arm which became immobile.

"Wh- no! I—" He cut himself off, somewhat terrified— as he peered down— no, as he felt his arm settled right in between the two 'things' on her chest. The noirenette mentally screeched, unable to process any thought or plan on what he should do next. All he knew, was that if she didn't stop her innocent acts— all his blood would come gushing down at the wrong spot.

"J-Juvia— could you— let go of my arm?" Gray peeped, his voice raising a pitch higher as the bluenette puckered her thin lips in confusion— though she thankfully let go. "Sorry. Juvia was getting carried away, she hasn't latched onto Gray-sama for a long time!"

"It's barely even the end of the day."

The water mage happily chuckled, backing herself up on the bed creating some space between them— sitting comfortably. "So, Gray-sama isn't mad at Juvia?" She repeated once again, taking one of Gray's pillows and hugging it. Sheesh. "No, I was never mad in the first place anyways." He reassured her, once again, closely watching her lips curl into a smile.

Gray looked away for a moment, the recalling image of the bluenette and Lyon still engraved in the depths of his brain. "But— you must like the attention from Lyon. Don't you?" He queried with a small frown, gulping. Everyone knew, especially Juvia, that he was a man never good with his words. He was afraid of screwing things up, so he chose to keep his mouth shut— or often times brush her away.

It was just that, no one's ever acted the way Juvia was acting with him. He wasn't familiar with the type of attention and affection she was offering him, so often times he was overwhelmed— but he did appreciate her. It was admittedly nice to have someone who was always joyful to see you, and always supportive of you. Though of course, Gray would never admit this freely. You'd have to ring it out from him.

"Well, m-maybe Juvia does like the attention Lyon-sama gives her." She hushed under her breath, fiddling with her pointer fingers. Gray felt his throat burn, his eyes swearing to twitch in anger. It stung him, the fact that she gave Lyon the honorific— sama. Every time he heard his name with the affix sama, he racked his head for a reply that would make him sound and look cool. Despite his unsteady heart, he brushed it off— like always.

But this time, since Lyon had shared the same affix as him— it doesn't feel the sa- "But, it's different from the attention Gray-sama gives Juvia." Juvia softly uttered, a petite smile smothered on her lips— though Gray knotted his eyebrows in confusion. "You don't make any sense. I- I barely give you attention, often times anyways." He regretfully murmured, retracing his gaze back to the bluenette who wielded a gentle smile.

The ice mage stuck his gaze towards her, finding himself examine her features. Her skin was milky, rather soft and porcelain as ever. Chunks and strands of blue hair fell over the maidens eyes— her odd hair colour making her delicate pale face stand out. Her nose was small and snub, fairly pinch-able— and her dark blue eyes. Her eyes were locked with his, her eyes seemingly filled with an overwhelming brightness and purity.

"It doesn't matter if Gray-sama doesn't give Juvia enough attention as Lyon-sama. Besides, Gray-sama and Lyon-sama are two different people!" Juvia stated, breaking his distracting gaze off her— letting out a huff, a blush smothered on the noirenette's cheek visible to Juvia. "I guess.. but I don't— understand." Gray muttered, lifting a hand up to his semi-fuming cheek.

"Don't understand what?"

"How you could still, erm— you know. Like me." He chastised, rather straightforwardly. The ice mage hasn't really had an actual straight up conversation with the bluenette, regarding their feelings towards each other. Well, he wasn't oblivious nor an idiot. He knew the way she felt towards him, as she projects it everyday.

Sure, Gray found Juvia's over-the-top declarations of love for him embarrassing and annoying at times. But when she wasn't as clingy, nor overbearing— like right now— he found her pretty nice to be around. He was well aware, more than aware, of her affection towards him— although it was flattering, he just wasn't a person who easily admits their feelings. It was hard for him.

"Gray-sama! Are you doubting Juvia's love for you?!" She incriminately huffed, crossing her arms— her cheeks puffing up. "Well, yeah. Slightly." He disclosed, an unplanned chuckle slipping past his lips— he had to admit, she looked fairly adorable when her cheeks puffed up like that.

( From what Gray is seeing, Juvia currently looks like this ;; (눈‸눈) )

The water mage propelled herself forwards, flinging her arms around Gray's neck. He jumped in shock, leading to his downfall on the bed, his back securely against the mattress— Juvia toppling over him. Both mages' cheeks tinged red, but neither refused to get away. "Gray-sama doesn't have to worry! Juvia loves Gray-sama and Gray-sama only." She stated, a mischievous grin on her lips— only resulting Gray to become even more flustered.

The ice mage underneath panicked, as Juvia merrily cuddled him. Yes, he should be used to her odd behaviour— but just, the way they were positioned made his mind go blank. His hands awkwardly settled on his opposing sides, his body slightly trembling— feeling his whole body steam up. That's it. She was too close. His other part will surely go loose.

Other than the pleasant feeling of her warm breath against his skin, and her gentle touch against his neck— he could feel her chest pressed forcefully against his— and it made him feel, weird and tingly. Sure, yeah. Her chest felt soft, and- "Is Gray-sama okay? Is Juvia hugging too tight?" Juvia innocently queried him, a twinkle visible in her eyes as he gulped.

The noirenette blanked out for a few moments, the bluenette on-top of him patiently awaiting for his response. Nonono- Gray squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment, trying his best to rid of the disturbing images that popped into his head.

"N-No. You're fine."

"Ah~ Juvia is happy that she could hug Gray-sama like this." The bluenette murmured with a smile, carefully inhaling— beads of sweat forming on the noirenette's skin. Gray peeked down at Juvia who clung herself onto him, a racing question crossing his mind as he steered his eyes way. ..Should I hug her back? This was at least, the 100th time he's asked himself. Every time the water mage hugged him, he questioned himself the same thing.

Once again, he glanced down at her and the delighted smile she had— tugging on her mouth, that shortly made him smile too. Her smile was infectious, and for the for the first time in a long while— he felt his stomach flutter. Hell with it.

Slowly and surely, with no shilly-shally— he coiled his arms around her, holding her dear in his arms. To his surprise, the bold woman squeaked and twitched simultaneously. Juvia's heart skipped a beat, feeling his mighty arms wrapped around her frail body. The bluenette could feel the ice mages unsteady heart, though it only made her smile.

Closing his eyes momentarily, he drowned into her embrace— a rush of warmth filling his chest. She was always surprising him, loving him unconditionally— caring for her comrades with an open and loving heart. How could he help himself? It was impossible to not have feelings for her at this point. For only she wanted to stay by his side, and love him no matter what. Heck, if Gray had even decided to betray his own friends, his guild, his home— Juvia would surely risk herself and defend him either way.

Right now, he stood before her— not as a fellow guild member, not as a mage, but rather a man. A man that was interested in her no less. Gray had slightly embraced her tighter, never wanting to let go. Gah, now he even sounded like her. The noirenette shifted himself closer to her, lowering his head— burying his face in the crook of her neck. He gulped, letting out a sigh.

"Juvia, is only mine— right?"

The water mage nodded, her blue hair ruffling against the man's chest underneath her. She still felt like she was dreaming, but if she was— then this was easily one of her best dreams. "Juvia is all yours."

—

a/n;; congrats! you made it to the end. thank you for reading! i know, it was short— but that was exactly what i was aiming for. i apologize if this story seemed rushed and messy :'' again, thank you for reading and i wish you good health. 💗

+

and if you're wondering what happened to natsu and happy, well. let's just say that they crashed into lucy's apartment since they gave up on trying to find juvia. natsu and happy just wanted juvia to come fishing with them since her magic would surely give them an advantage at many fish.