Thank You Always

Chapter Two: I Will Never Let You Down

"Gray!"

Gray hesitated when he heard that voice. Her voice. Erza...

Gray turned around and immediately regretted doing so. He saw tears coming out of Erza's eyes and trailing down her cheek, and he already knew that he wouldn't be able to go through with his plan.

"Erza, please don't cry," Gray said after a while of just looking at her. Erza just stared at him. Then she grabbed his wrist and pulled him away from the water.

"Gray..." Erza said quietly. Gray just stared at the river.

"Gray!" Erza shouted, making Gray jump. "Don't do that again! Do you know how scared I was? I thought I lost you! Gray, I don't want to lose you! Gray, I love you!" Gray's heart skipped a beat. "You're my family!" Of course.

Gray stopped her rant by hugging her. Erza's eyes opened wide in surprise but she hugged him back after she got over her shock.

"I'm sorry I worried you," Gray mumbled into Erza's shoulder. She sighed.

"It's okay Gray. I'm just glad I got here in time."

They sat at the riverbank for a long time, until Erza started shivering. Gray quickly suggested that they go back to their own dorms, and Erza agreed.

They parted with a hug, and Erza kissed Gray's cheek and reminded him that Fairy Tail was always there for him. With that, they went to their own separate houses.

***

When Gray opened the door to his dorm, he heard, "Okay, Halena, good night, I hope to see you tomorrow," and a feminine giggle that he guessed belonged to Halena.

A girl brushed past him as Gray sat on his bunk.

"So, where have you been, buddy?" Loke asked, leaning over the edge of his bunk (A/N: Loke is the top bunk and Gray is the bottom bunk, if you couldn't tell).

"Around," Gray answered simply, cheeks heating when remembering how long he and Erza had sat hugging each other.

"Don't lie to me, tiger, I saw you hugging Erza on my way to the dorm today."

Gray grunted. "Not. A. Word," Gray warned. Loke laughed and nodded.

"Alright, but I'm expecting any advances in your relationship. I demand to be the first one to know everything that happens between you." Loke looked at Gray expectantly, and Gray had to laugh, for he looked funny doing that face upside-down.

"Agreed," Gray managed.

***

When Erza opened her dorm room, she immediately went to her bed.

Her dorm was large, so it was able to fit two beds, two closets, two desks and two chairs, with a mini fridge.

Lucy, her roommate and good friend, was sitting on the edge of her bed, seemingly waiting for Erza. Said girl tried to go to sleep, but she kept feeling a burning stare shooting straight through her head. Erza sighed and turned to look at Lucy.

"Well?" Erza inquired. "What is it?"

Lucy immediately squealed and said, "Mira, Levy, and I totally ship GrayZa now!" She said excitedly.

"What?" Erza asked. What the heck is GrayZa? Erza thought. Isn't Grayza a Farscape character?

Lucy must have completely misunderstood, because she went on to say, "Well, I know that Jerza is canon right now but still, GrayZa is so cute! You guys are good friends, and-"

"What the heck is GrayZa?" Erza cut in. Lucy's eyes widened. Then she nodded with understanding.

"You and Gray, of course! You two are so cute! And earlier, Natsu and I saw you kiss Gray's cheek! It was so cute!"

Erza understood, and she blushed at the thought of anyone watching them during their hug.

"Not a word of this to anyone, Lucy," Erza said. "Or else..." she added menacingly. Lucy shivered.

"Of course, ma'am!" Lucy saluted.

***

Gray and Erza were ready to forget the events of the night and move on. Apparently, though, fate didn't want them to forget, and thanks to a certain idiot who can't keep his mouth shut, they never will.