This last job had been tough on both you and Gray. Mentally and physically you were both in need of a relaxing vacation, but you had no ideas of what to do. It didn't really matter, because either way, there was still plenty of business to take care of. The two of you needed to report back to Makarov and check in with the others before you could even think about doing anything else. "_." His voice calling your name had interrupted your thoughts. You turned to him and waited for him to continue. "I saw a job on the board before we left and it looked like we could take it. It's at a restaurant a few streets over. It might be worth it to go check it out." He said with a cool tone and seeming to make an effort to avoid eye contact.
You smiled a little. "Are you asking me out on a date, Gray?" You joked.
He shot a glance at you, shocked that you would be so blunt. "No! I just thought maybe-"
"In that case, it can wait until we get back to Fairy Tail." You said smugly and continued to the path towards Fairy Tail. Once your back was turned you bashfully looked to the side, trying not to get too confident with your own flirtations.
"_!" Suddenly you felt his hand gripping your arm and holding you steady. "Wait." He said after a moment to decide. The expression on his face was soft, like all the anger had finally released from within him and nothing was left but a small bit of something that took your breath away. He looked hesitant and his eyes shifted around as if he was trying to catch up with the thoughts and questions that were racing through his brain. He let go and took a step back to present what he was about to say properly. "Forget what I said earlier," He said after letting out a big sigh, "about the job. I was really asking you on a date." He mumbled nervously at the word 'date'.
You smiled coyly at him and looked up through your eyelashes. Realizing that you needed to be a bit more forward, you spoke the only three words that could honestly portray what you wanted most. "Then ask me."
He snapped his gaze back up at you to reveal a sudden blush lightly painted across his cheeks. Those words were terrifying. He didn't understand how just three words could strike more fear into him than any of the numerous jobs that should have scared the living hell out of him recently, but this was a completely different sort of fear he supposed. To his surprise, a grin crept it's way onto his face. He couldn't believe that he was about to ask you so bluntly. "Will you go on a date with me, _?" He asked, stuttering just a little bit.
You smiled as widely as your lips could reach and giddily linked your arms with his with a small triumphant giggle. "So where is this restaurant?" You said as the two of you turned away from Fairy Tail and headed back into town. The feeling of tension releasing throughout his whole body was what made you realized just how nervous he was about asking you, so you gave him a little nudge as you walked, just for reassurance. The walk to the restaurant was mostly quiet, but peaceful. It wasn't quite the vacation either of you were hoping for, but it was a start and it did the trick perfectly.