The Duchess - Gruvia

Chapter 13

During the next week, Juvia found that sharing a bed with Gray had its perks: they talked much more about their day when she was lying on his arms and their kisses became routine, but Gray still stopped when things became heated much to Juvia's frustration. She liked kissing her husband very much and he seemed to enjoy it as well by the way he was enthusiastic about it.

She was happy with her life, finally.

Gajeel, on the other hand, seemed not interested in making friends which saddened Juvia; he was such a great guy once seen past the cold and hard exterior and the Duchess wanted to see him making friends and building a life for himself.

When her husband told her that he was planning a hunting trip the next couple of days, Juvia immediately came up with the idea of having him taking Gajeel with him so her friend could bond with the other men; she only had to convince both to accept it.

She was brushing her hair, thinking about it when Gray called her from their bed. "You've been brushing your hair for fifteen minutes." He said. "I think it's enough."

Juvia looked to the mirror in front of her and saw her husband's reflection; smiling when she saw his annoyed expression.

"It is." Juvia put the hairbrush on the vanity and went to stand next to the bed while pushing her robe away, revealing her simple nightgown. "Juvia was just thinking about your hunting trip."

"I'll be away for just two days." Gray watched as his wife pushed the blanket away to lie beside him.

"Juvia knows." She told him and rested her head on his chest. "I was just thinking that it would be fun if Gajeel-kun went with you." Gray groaned in annoyance and Juvia looked up to him. "Don't be like that! Gajeel-kun is a good hunter and he's Juvia's friend."

"He hates me." Gray told her.

"He does not." He stared at her pointedly and Juvia conceded him a point. "Well, he does not like the circumstances of our wedding, but it doesn't mean that he hates you." Gray rolled his eyes. "Juvia really wants you two to one not to dislike the other and maybe a couple of days together you would know each other better and maybe at least stand being in the same room."

"Juvia..." Gray sighed. "I am supposed to go hunting with my friends to relax a bit."

"That's why this is the perfect opportunity!" Juvia sat on the bed and he frowned in annoyance by losing her body next to his. "You are going with a few friends and Gajeel-kun doesn't like crowds, so you could know him better." She was excited and it was amusing to see her that way. "Please?" She stared at him with pleading eyes and he knew he would cave in. "It would mean a lot to me."

"Fine." He said and she squealed; Juvia kissed his cheek. "But if you convince him to come with us."

"He will." Juvia grinned. "If he doesn't want to, I'll just command him to." Her husband chuckled and she kissed him again, that time on the lips. Gray pulled her on top of his body and she straddled him; the Duke knew that they finished talking for the night when he started kissing her jaw and pushed the nightgown away so he could kiss her neck.

#

Gajeel was glaring at the Duchess with hatred as she said her good-byes to her husband. She had told him that he had to go and when he said no, she ordered and he didn't have any arguments to refuse her; instead he just glared at her with hatred.

"Gajeel-kun." Juvia said when her husband got up his horse and Gajeel ignored her. "Come on, don't be like this."

"You know I hate people and I don't want any friends." Gajeel finally spoke to her and she shrunk a bit under his gaze. "But you are making me go to this hunting trip with guys I don't know just because we are all men. It doesn't mean that I will like them. You are treating me like a child; dumping me on a play date."