Juvia is becoming very popular at the guild and neighboring guilds, especially around guys, even more so after a photoshoot in Sorcerer Weekly. For some reason this is starting to really annoy Gray and he’s getting slightly grumpy without understanding why. Guys usually ask him if she’s available (Mira and others take great delight in referring people to him) and he’s not quite sure what to say - and why are they asking him all the time? The discussion usually starts with Gray saying that she’s not married, which leads to questions regarding boyfriends etc and sooner or later Gray is forced to admit she doesn’t have one. Even if Juvia doesn’t seem to encourage any of them Gray is not happy about it at all, constantly on edge when she’s approached.
One day, Gray is so annoyed he’s rude to Mira, who turns scary and says that his behavior is unacceptable. Mira says that if it bothers him so much that Juvia is being courted by others perhaps he should do something about it. Gray first refuses to admit this is making him annoyed, but gradually realizes it does bother him. He apologizes to Mira, who says he should do something about it. Like what? Well, court her yourself for example.
Gray starts to behave a bit out of character even if it makes him feel uncomfortable. Juvia pulls him away and asks what he’s doing. Gray explains. Juvia however says that she loves him just as he is and that she wants him to be happy, not uncomfortable. Juvia says he doesn’t have to do anything, just what comes naturally to him.
Gray’s stomach growls
“I am hungry. Wanna have lunch?”
Juvia smiles.
After this incident, Gray and Juvia are much more relaxed around each other. They start to hang out more - eating lots of meals together, going on missions together, just being a lot more together than before, enjoying each others company. Gray is amazed it was this easy - he just has to stay close to her so that other guys can’t - if she’s having dinner with him, she can’t have dinner with other giys - piece of cake really - and his extra attention towards her means she’s no longer clingy at all, she’s happy and glowing with the attention. This of course makes her even more attractive to other guys, unfortunately for Gray.
Gradually, they start to touch each other more - just small things, nothing explicit.
One day, when Gray suggests dinner, Juvia says she’s too tired to go out, she’s just going to cook something at home. Gray feels disappointed, but doesn’t understand why, as usual. Juvia says he’s welcome to join her if he wants to and Gray shrugs and says sure. Juvia’s very good at cooking. They leave the guild walking relaxed side by side, stop to buy food on the way and make their way to Juvia’s house, chatting. Gray helps Juvia cook and they have a great time.
They start to do this more often. After dinner, they continue to talk on the couch.
One evening, Gray throws a pillow at Juvia, she retaliates and they end up entangled with Gray on top of Juvia. Gray is drowning in Juvia’s eyes and asks slowly
“You said I should just do what comes naturally, right?”
“Huh?”
Before Juvia understands what he’s talking about Gray kisses her softly.
“I am pretty sure it feels natural for me to do that again, if that’s ok with you?”
Juvia nods, rosy in the face. They continue kissing for a while before falling asleep tangled together on the coach.
Juvia wakes up first, smiling happily when she sees Gray and remembers yestersay. However she knows this could make Gray run , if he feels things are moving too fast. She knows this is not a sign of Gray being madly in love with her or anything, just that he wanted to kiss her, although it’s a great sign - they have come a long way already and they will go further if Juvia has anything to say about it. Juvia slips out of Gray’s arms, gets dressed and makes breakfast.
