I just got so excited and the idea of a really thrilling story came up my mind. I had to start this one. I have it all concocted in my head - I just need to put it down into words and do it properly. My own heart aches a bit by the thought of how the story will develope. So be prepared for love, drama and a little bit smut.

The plot takes place from 545 onwards. Gray wants to take Juvia's feelings more seriously but is interrupted by the fact that both of them have to work on some jobs that need to be done after war. Not returning healthy after one of those Juvia falls victim to a spell that extinguishes almost all her memories - of her past, of Fairy Tail, of her friends and of course - of Gray.

Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Enjoy!

Chapter One: At the wrong time

Present

When we first met I'd never imagined that we'll grow together the way we did. Juvia Lockser was the most annoying, affectionate and unpredictable person I knew. She'd always tell me I was some kind of a savior for her and that she'll always love me for some bullshit girly reasons I never understood. That I cleared up her gloomy and rainy being and she will thank me for that for the rest of her life. In fact she was the one that saved me. She took away my anger and coldness. Until I thought it was all for nothing.

Two years earlier

February

"Gray-sama, you promised to stay for at least two days! How is Juvia able to recover properly if she cannot even see her beloved at all?" Juvia panted at the other end of the line and Gray could imagine too well what her face would look like - ballooned ckeeks and mock upset eyes.

"I'm sorry, look. It's gonna be over in a wink. And after that, I'll take you out, ok?" Gray really wished to do so. Spending time with Juvia after going through hell. Losing her, fighting Invel, attacking his best friend, then the final boss Acnologia. Him and the other mages were so exhausted - he couldn't spend time with her more than one hour. And Gray wanted to be around her, talk wo her, prove his intensions. He needed to tell her... Well, what exactly would he tell her? She confessed her love for him like a million times. Was it love for him as well? Could he even spell the three freaking words? What Gray knew was that the moment he thought Juvia died in his arms he was feeling painfully tormented. Images of their past, of mutual memories and him rejecting her most of the time haunted him in between seconds. It tore something apart Gray didn't know existed inside his heart. And he raged. He sod with anger. Not only did she sacrifice herself for him. He also tried the same with no hesitation. And it meant something. Something big. At least those thoughts Gray wanted to share with Juvia. And that he accepted her affection. And that he'd try to show her he really cared for her in a, yes, romantic way. It sounded absurd in his ears but that was how he felt: rediculously atteched to Juvia Lockser.

"Hmm...fine", Juvia snorted, "but it's a promise!"

"Ok, I'll call or see you whe-"

"You have to promise! Say it!", Juvia commanded.

"Yeah, yeah, I promise. So, see you around."

"You better... love you. Bye!" The last part was lovelier again and she always paid attention to say it in a tender way.

"Bye."

Beep.

It was Juvia who ended the call. She knew him enough to know he wouldn't respond to her daily confession but it didn't bother her.

Gray took care of his packing for his mission and got dressed (not that he would keep his clothes on for too long but hey, it's the thought that counts). Along with his teammates they were assigned to convoy the transportation of injured to Crocus for better treatment and on their way back they should haul goods and medicine for Magnolia. Pretty easy, but after all it must be done. They all had to bear their crosses in order to reconstruct what war had caused.

As said, the mission went easy-peasy and on their forth day Team Natsu was already on their way back home, only a puddle jump away from their home Fairy Tail.

"Haaa...I soooo want to take a long and hot bath when we get back", Lucy exhales while stretching her arms and back.

"Hell yes, let's take a bath together Lucy and have some fatty food. Whaddya say Happy?!", Natsu was all fired up hearing about Lucy's plans and Happy nodded in agreement.

"No way! I can't see your face no more. I need a break." Lucy sighed and holded her head in both her hands.

"Well, I bet someone else is having a hot bathing time the moment he gets home." Gray winced at that and Erza made sure she emphasized it as much as to hit the nail.

The group was now looking at Gray expectantly and waited for a rejoinder. However, Gray wanted the topic to veer off on its own and proceeded to walk as if he'd heard nothing. But he didn't contemplate Erza's devilish persistence.

"Juvia must be bursting to see her Gray-sama again." Erza smirked succesfully and Gray started to blush.

"Of course she does, that's just her character." Natsu certainly did not unederstand that Erza was referring to Gray's and Juvia's progress in their relationship. Lucy on the other hand chatched it all too well and chuckled.

"Are the two of you dating now, officially?", Lucy pressed Gray. He had told her that he needed to talk and apologize to her adequately during their last fight and by looking at his face Lucy concluded something must have happend to his emotional state.

"Shut up, all of you. It's none of your business!", Gray speeded up in order to flee from their bothersome interrogation.

Natsu who's not interested in Gray's love life at all started to pester Lucy again about what they would do as soon as they arrived their aka Lucy's home. Erza was now in two minds. Either mess with Lucy and Natsu's embarrassing oh-so-obvious-teasing-in-a-sign-of-affection-demeanor or intervene in Gray's privacy. She leant toward the latter and cought up with Gray.

"But seriously, what's going on? You can tell me, you know that." Erza tried to create an appealing atmosphere for Gray to open up.

"..." Didn't go as planned, though. Gray avoided her look and Erza as well parted her gaze from his face.

"Really, that's all I get? I'm dissapointed." Erza stuck her nose up in the air, partly arrogant partly hurt for not being esteemed as a trustworthy friend in that matter.

"I wouldn't call it dating if that's what you mean."

"But you're more earnest now, right?"

Of course he was. The last time he met Juvia he invited her over. It was a short reunion but better than not seeing her at all. She took a break on rebuilding social sercive providers for children in need such as orphans. And he was lucky to have an interval between his duties as well. They shared a snack Juvia prepared at his place. At first the room was filles by an awkward ambiance. Their conversation went superficial with questions such as how-was-your-day or what-are-your-plans-tomorrow when it was clear to the both of them that they wouldn't get the chance to spend time with each other. Although they were sitting in front of each other they could hardly look in each other's eyes. Juvia didn't want to provoke Gray by saying annoying nonsense and Gray just didn't know what to say at all. The time they finished Juvia made her way to the sink and started to wash the dishes. Gray remained in his chair and studied her movements. He observed each and every detail of Juvia's body. Her by this time very long curly hair, her close-fitting top and skirt that accentuated her curves, mostly her breasts and hips, her soft and almost fragile looking arms that took care of the work, her pale skin...

He had to remember the events of their fight till death and how he held her motionless body in his arms. Her skin went paler each second as life left her. Gray immediately wagged his head in order to shake off the memories. This moment was supposed to be relaxt. He wanted to make each minute count. So he got off his seat, walked over to Juvia and took her in a tight embrace from behind. He crossed his arms around her upper body and she startled at his sudden action. "Gray-sama?" Juvia waited for an explanation and got one shortly after. "I just want to hold you for a moment." In response she grabbed his arms with her own and leaned into his hug. She bowed her head to the left and Gray lowerd his in the gab between her neck andher shoulder. Whether a few seconds or minutes passed - they couldn't tell. But Gray eventually turned Juvia around and placed his lips on hers. He didn't spare a thought about it - he just did. His right hand was holding her cheek and his left one pulled her closer by her waist.

Their first contact lastet for an eternity. Gray's lips touched her top lip and Juvia's kissed his bottom lip. Still a little in shock Juvia couldn't manage to react properly. Her hands grazed his upper arms but that was as far as she went. It was Gray's lead. He decided to pull away. And it was also him who longed for another kiss after they exchanged a brief eye contact. This time he leaned to the right for a deeper and more intimate kiss. Juvia let herself in for his decision and did the same. She moved her right hand to his neck and the other one around his shoulders. Gray was still holding her waist with his left arm and supported her backwith the remaining one. It was that second kiss when they swapped tongue junction. Soft and slowly and passionate which made Juvia moan a few times as well as Gray.

When Gray pulled back ultimately they stared at each other's eyes again - Juvia still keeping his neck and Gray grabbing her waist. Their faces were flushed and their breathing a bit heavier than before. Gray scrutinized her face but didn't know what words to choose. So instead he leant forward until both their foreheads touched. His eyes closed and he was sure Juvia's did the same. It was their first intimate intercourse and Gray planned to have many more in the future. It felt right, it felt good and he started to get addicted in that very moment. Considering whether to continue or to give her a little break Gray reminded himself that they wouldn't have much time for that the next weeks. Therefore he suggested to move to his bedroom. Juvia abruptly stammered and was irritated but he only meant for them to lie in his bed. They lay there, cuddling, kissing and getting to know their bodies a bit.

They were definitely making progress in their relationship.

A little pause later and back to reality Gray added a faint "yeah".

"It was about damn time! She affects you, in the most positive way, you know?"

"You think so?"

"I'm absolutely sure! Just don't mess it up. The two of you deserve to be at peace at last."

Erza could be a brutal badass when on the fields but deep down she was a caring and profound person.

"I won't."

Arriving at his apartment Gray was surprised of how tired he actually was. It was mainly just walking and carrying, no fighting, no dangerous stunts whatsoever. But his body must had been still influenced by the effects of his deep wounds that needed time to fully heal. He smashed his bag on his sofa and took off his clothes - only remaining his underpants.

He recognized a red light blinking and checked his lacrima phone for missed calles and messages. He turned on the loudspeaker so that he could make a sandwich in the meantime. While buttering the slices he listened to his first message.

"Gray, where are you. You're late. Get your ass right here...[blah blah *foul language*...blah blah]

It was a message by Erza from the day they left. He was only five minutes late and of course he couldn't get the call as he already headed out. Tzzz. Erza flipping out even before the mission had started... he thought.

"Shit!" Not paying attention to his work Gray accidentally dirtied himself up with mayonnaise. His eyes met his sink and lowered halfway.

"Oh common..." So typical Gray, he didn't take care of his dishes and had to go to his bathroom to clean himself up. During that he overheard another message he got on his phone.

"Gray-sama? It's Juvia! Juvia's been asked to join Cana on a mission. Juvia hasn't heard anything from you yet. Please call Juvia when you're back. The mission starts tomorrow, but we need to get off quite early in the morning. And it's a long one. Juvia only accepted because Gray-sama seems to be very busy lately and Juvia gets bored easily. If you're back until tonight, Juvia can still cancel. Cana has a replacement in case Juvia wants to stay with Gray-sama. Juvia misses you and is looking forward to finally meet you again, Gray-sama! Love you."

Gray returned to the kitchen when the voice mail had already ended. He finished his sandwich, watched some silly series in the TV and went to bed moments later. He didn't care for a shower nor contacting his not-girlfriend-girfriend. That could wait until tomorrow.

Hope you liked it. And hopefully you're curious about the next chapter.

Thanks for reading!