Cold Love (Gray Fullbuster x female reader)

Chapter 11 - Why is this so different?

(Your POV, 6 months later)

I love my cute little dorm. The bed in the corner is surrounded by posters of (favorite artist) and at the end of the bed is a small tv stand with a tv facing towards the couch across the room. I sit and watch tv while eating ice cream when I hear a knock at the door. I look up at the clock on the wall.

"10:30? Who could it be this late?" I asked myself as I approached the door. Before my hand even reached the handle, the door swung open.

"(Y/N)!! Grab a swim suit and come with me. I have something to show you!" Gray exclaimed outside my door.

"Shhh! People are sleeping! And it's so late! Where could you possibly be taking me?" I asked.

"Don't worry about it, hurry up and grab your suit!" He said as he pushed me towards my dresser. Without any more questions I dug to the bottom of my drawer and pulled out the only swim suit I own. I pulled a towel off of a small shelf in my bathroom and shoved both things into a small bag before locking my door and running down the hallway after Gray.

We leave Fairy Hills and quickly make our way down the path. "Now will you tell me where we are going?" I asked.

"Would you shut up and walk." He rolled his eyes sarcastically. "It's a surprise. I found it while taking a different way home than usual." I was curious and wanted to know where we were going, but Gray's never tried to surprise me like this so I'll let him. We walked through town and went behind some buildings and met the edge of the woods. It seemed familiar, like we've been here before, but I can't remember why. We walk down a small pathway through the trees and after a few minutes he stops.

"Go into the trees over there and change, i'll wait over here." He directed. I raised my eyebrow at him before doing what he suggested. The only light we had was from the moon. It was full and the skies were clear, so it shone through the trees quite well. A moment later I emerged from the trees and tapped Gray on the shoulder. He glanced down at my bikini so quickly I almost missed it, but he maintained a straight face.

"This way! Through these trees here." He said, pointing to his left. The trees were so close together the light from the moon dimmed more and more the further we went in.

"Gray, it's getting dark. Are we almost there?" I asked. He didn't respond, only because moments later I saw it.

It was a beautiful little pond surrounded by large rocks and trees. Some of the rocks covered in moss, so much it grows right off the rock and into the water. The water is crystal clear and when you look to the bottom it appears to be sandy. I usually hate lakes or ponds because of their rough grounds, i usually end up using my magic to clear them out. But this looks perfect.

"Gray this is amazing!! This was on your way home!?" I questioned.

A drip of sweat fell from his forehead, "I may have gotten a bit lost..." We both laughed.

"How could you have possibly gotten this lost!! I mean seriously are you blind??" I was almost falling over out of laughter.

"Hey now, don't make fun of someone when you're standing next to water!!" He exclaimed and immediately pushed me in. I would have been mad if the water didn't feel this amazing. It is the absolute perfect temperature. As I reach the bottom and turn my body to shoot myself off the ground, I feel the sand beneath my feet and hesitate a moment. How did he find such a perfect place for me? And how did he know I would love it so much? I didn't think he paid attention that way. I love the feeling but my lungs crave air so I boost off the ground and emerge from the water.

I have so many questions, but all I can come up with at the moment is, "Thank you so much Gray."

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(2 hours later)

"I thought you might like it." Gray said as we walk back to Fairy Hills.

"Can I ask, how did you know? I mean that was literally the perfect pond for me. How did you figure it out?" I asked sheepishly.

"I dunno. We've been close friends for a very long time, I think it would be weird if I didn't know what kinds of things you like and which you don't. Anddd you complain a lot so it's easy to pick up on." He chuckles and nudges me with his shoulder. I sarcastically fold my arms and pout.

"Yeah yeah whateverrr." I say, rolling my eyes. After a moment he picks back up with,

"I know a lot about you and the things you like because I want to. It's hard for me to get close to people because of my parents and Ur. But it's always been harder for me not to be close with you. And if I'm going to do that I want it to have meaning. I don't want you to just be there. I want to know you." He pauses and looks to the side, seemingly a bit embarrassed. He let out a small laugh and said, "Ya know?"

I didn't know how to respond at first. "Of course I know what your talking about. We are family. I should've realized sooner because I feel the exact same way about you. And on top of that, I love knowing you." I pause because now I'm embarrassed. It came out as a different way than I meant, but he understood.
"You're my best friend and I hope it always stays that way."

He looks over at me a bit surprised, but then smiled. "Me too." After that we continued down the path in silence.

Things with Gray feel different sometimes than they did when I called Lisanna a best friend. She was truly like my sister. But I don't feel that way about Gray. I don't have a brotherly connection with him like I do say Natsu or Elfman. It's different, but for a while I haven't been able to figure it out. I've never had a boyfriend before, or even a real crush, so I'm not sure exactly what that's like with a person. It hasn't been until this moment on our way home that it dawned on me that maybe this is what's different. I slightly blush and hope he doesn't notice. I've grown up with him for a lot of my life, is it possible that after all this time I could develop different feelings for him?

He just said it himself, he's not good with getting close with people. And I know it's because he's scared he will lose them and have to deal with the same pain again as he did with his parents and Ur. I would never wish that upon him. I don't think he'd even want a girlfriend for that reason. But if that ever were the case, I'd survive for him, no matter the cost. Because he is my best friend and I wouldn't be where I am today without him.

I think about this as we turn the corner to approach Fairy Hills, and as we both look up at the entrance, we see a silhouette standing firm with their arms crossed, which we quickly realize is Erza.

"We are in so much trouble."

What do we think guys does he want a girlfriend?? 🥴