Pairing: Gray Fullbuster x Juvia

Rating: E for Everyone

AN: Extreme Fluff. This is one of my favorite drabbles I've ever written. (Maybe not the best way to start this, everything else looks like poop ahah) I hope you enjoy it.

Red cheeks.

Red nose.

Red ears.

A knotted brow.

An averted gaze.

It was the little details that Juvia remembered the best. All the little details that added up into the big picture: the most wondrous day of her life yet.

All of the blood had rushed to Gray's extremities. His fingers were wrapped around her wrist, though even the slightest touch from the man could have stopped her in her tracks.

They had been wandering town together, for no reason in particular. It had started a few months ago? Maybe a whole year? Time passed differently when Juvia was near Gray.

However long it had been, it began when she had been injured. A mangled leg, a fractured rib, a broken smile. Gray kept visiting her in the infirmary, every single day. He didn't say a word, but Juvia could see the guilt painted on his features.

One day though, he found her pressing her fingers against the window, reaching for the sunbeams that the indoors kept her from. Before she knew it, she was saddled up in a wheelchair, being pushed around town by her ice prince.

That's how it had started. He would take her out every day, unless the rain cancelled their plans. They would talk about whatever was on their minds; they would stop of Juvia's favorite cafés and trinket shops; they would visit friends. Gray had given her back the life that her failed mission had taken away.

The party that celebrated her recovery felt bitter sweet, knowing that it meant the end of her outings with Gray. However, much to her surprise, the raven haired man stood outside of Fairy Hills the next day, awaiting her company. She never asked why, but she hoped, she prayed, the he enjoyed their sunny days together as much as she.

And then winter came. Snow was in Grays hair, on Juvia's hat, and his cold hand felt like fire on her wrist. She stood still, staring at him, scared, excited, worried, ecstatic—she felt everything at once.

His eyes slowly met hers, and she jumped in anticipation.

"Juvia…"

She loved the way he said her name. Pronouncing each syllable carefully. Breathing each letter of her title. She exhaled a "yes, Gray?" in response.

"I need to tell you…" His gaze wandered away again, and his features seemed to get warmer. "…something."

Her pace quickened. His grasp on her wrist tightened, before he tugged her softly, bringing her a step or two closer.

She stood right in front of him, eyes shimmering with hope. Her breathing was barely in control.

"We've been out on town all year now." It had been a whole year. "And I'm around you all day, so you probably already know."

Juvia's own cheeks began to glow the same shade of crimson as her darling. Slowly, she traced her fingers across his cheek, bringing his dark blue eyes to her own again. His breath hitched, and he turned his head away from her touch.

"Look at your face. You already know what it is without me saying." He spat. Juvia found his bashfulness endearing, but…

"No. Juvia has to hear it." Her words felt foreign as they escaped her lips. She was still scared that she misunderstood the situation.

Gray gulped audibly, and turned his reddened countenance back to her again. "You're going to cry."

"Juvia will try not to." She promised.

His fingers reached out and entwined with hers, their hands hanging between them. Slowly, he placed his forehead against hers, and she was sure he could feel her body heat rising.

She still recalled her exact thoughts. Three words, Gray. Just say them for Juvia. Please say them.

One. Two. Three. Four? Five words?

"I'm in love with you."

Her gasp was loud. Her tears were hot. Her fingers were too tight around his, though one hand escaped her grasp. She couldn't even move.

"You barely tried." He chuckled. His palm wiped her cheeks free of tears, but they were quickly replaced.

"Juvia thought Gray would say 'I love you.'" She sobbed, and joined him in trying to stop her tears.

"I did, didn't I?" His voice sounded puzzled.

"No. In love with Juvia is very different." She told him, and then pushed past his hands to wrap her arms around his torso and burry her face in the crook of his neck. "Juvia loves Gajeel, Juvia loves Lucy, Juvia loves all of her friends and her guild and her family. But Juvia is in love with Gray." She inhaled deep, and then lifted his head off of Gray's shoulder to smile at him through her tears. "Gray is the only one for Juvia."

His puzzled expression remained for another moment or two, before the young man smiled, and brushed the hair from Juvia's features. His eyes shut slowly, and he leaned in towards her.

Juvia's fingers clenched the fabric of his jacket. She had dreamt of this moment, but she didn't know what to do. So she didn't do a thing.

His lips were softer than she ever imagined. It was a short kiss, but it was full of love and care. When he pulled away, he kept his eyes locked on hers. She let out a soft, breathy giggle, and then he wrapped her up in his arms and held her close.

Juvia cuddled her head against his cheek. "I love you, Gray." She whispered softly.

"Yeah." He said. His usual response when he didn't just ignore her confessions. And then, "I love you too, Juvia."

The shifting of the mattress pulled Juvia from her train of thought. The sun that had brought her from her slumber became clear to her again, as it danced across her skin. She turned herself to the center of the bed to find Gray pushing himself up from the covers.

"What are you doing awake so early?" His voice was still thick with drowsiness.

"Just thinking about us." She said softly, and reached to tousle his hair. He dodged her hand though, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling the seated woman back down onto the mattress with him. Juvia chuckled as Gray held her back against his bare chest.

She gave a little gasp as he pulled back the strap of her sleeping gown to kiss the skin beneath it. "What about us?" He spoke into her skin.

Her fingers traced the muscles of his forearm that was wrapped around her stomach. "Juvia still remembers the day Gray said he loved Juvia for the first time."

She didn't even need to glance back to know Gray's cheeks had gained a familiar red tint again.

"Why do you have to remember embarrassing things like that?" He snorted, and then pushed his head over her shoulder and blew in her ear.

Juvia let out a surprised laugh and reached to cover the ear. "Stop it, Gray." She giggled, before pushing her head back to kiss his cheek. "Those memories are important to Juvia."

"The future is more important." Gray grumbled, and ran his hands over Juvia's thighs.

"Gray will be just as bashful in the future too." She smiled. Gray scoffed and blew at her ear again. She let out a laugh again, "Gray, I said stop tha—"

Juvia's words were cut short when Gray leapt to his hands and knees and kneeled over top of her.

She gasped, her cheeks turned red, and she stared up at him.

Red features, a knotted brow, but this time, a strong direct gaze.

"Gray?" His name barely escaped her throat.

"Juvia, I need to ask you something." He spoke clearly, and to the point.

"Yes… Gray?"

"Are you serious about the whole 'thirteen babies' thing? Because that might be a bit too much for me. Is like, six of seven alright? Or something sane like three?"

Juvia's laughter cut off Gray's rambling, and his cheeks grew warmer still. "Hey! I'm serious here!" He barked.

Juvia wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought the ice mage down on top of her with little resistance. "Yes. Juvia would love to start a family with Gray."

She felt his heartbeat quicken and his body temperature rise, but the man said nothing. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and buried his head in her shoulder.

"I love you too, Gray."

End