Cold as Ice

This is my first GraLu fic, I ship them! I'm still not sure how long i'm making this. Depending on if you guys like it, I'll upload more. It's been fun to write so far. Anyway, I hope you like it! Please R&R!

I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL.

It was never my intention to fall for her. After everything I've been through, I surely had the strength to turn away from those beautiful brown eyes. Walk away before she could ensnare me. I could have turned and walked away in an instant. Her eyes weren't that beautiful, her smile-not so charming, her laugh wasn't like the sound of the most beautiful music against my ears, and her tears...they didn't feel like stab wounds to the gut. No they couldn't. Eyes that reflected the pain that she had felt in the past, the insecurities of her youth apparent. They were dull from her illusive exhaustion. Her smile, faint and weary from the years of disappointment. The years of being the other woman. That laugh, wholehearted and genuine, yet sad. And when she did cry, she hid it. She thought that no one would notice. She never wanted anyone to worry about her.
Noble and strong girl...She didn't know I watched her so much, hoping and waiting. Waiting for my chance to tell her what she meant to me. Except, I didn't know if I had the courage. She was never mine from the start. She would surely turn away if I approach her. No, I was wrong. I try to talk myself out of feeling this awful, heart wrenching affection towards her. The truth, the truth is that her eyes were the most beautiful shade of amber I had ever had the pleasure of holding gaze with. They bewildered me more and more everyday. That smile, the same one I had hoped to be the reason for every day of my existence since she set foot in the guild. The one that always made me feel better, no matter what was going wrong. That damn laugh, it was the only precious thing in this world. She brought me so much joy with that laugh. And when I did see her cry, I felt as though my heart had been ripped out of my chest and thrown in my face. I would do anything to never have to witness her
crying again, even if it killed me. I spent so much time thinking about her, the future, our future. If it could even exist, what our first kiss would be like, what our kids would look like...It brings me great solace to contemplate these false hopes. Even if they are nothing more than hopeful daydreams. I would give anything to tell her how she makes me a better man. But does she want to hear it? Would she listen, if I told her? I have to know, I just have to.

Slamming my fist against the shower wall lightly, I turned the knob in one fluid motion and wrapped a towel around my waist. Dressing quickly, knowing the rest of team Natsu would be waiting on me to leave the hotel and head back home. This mission had been
a rough one. We were all exhausted at the end of the battle. I approached my guildmates in the hall, Erza and Natsu. Where was she? I looked around puzzled. And then, with a gasp of relief escaping my mouth, I saw her. She was pulling the door to the room shut, her
blonde hair shining as bright as ever. She wore a dark grey sundress that had the usual generous amount of cleavage. I noticed a large bruise on her leg, which I assume was from our battle. I tried not to smile when I saw her but knew it was inevitable. Instead I shook
my thoughts loose enough to speak.
"Hey guys, sleep well?" I noticed as I got closer that she and Natsu weren't making eye contact. That's odd.
"I would have, had someone not decided to crash in my room. Again." Lucy glared at Natsu now. I felt my heart drop. Why did he do that all the time? He was with Lisanna, wasn't one pretty girl enough for him? What hurt more than knowing Natsu was with the woman I love was knowing
that it hurt her that he was engaged to someone else.
"Well what did you expect? He's trying to be extra friendly before his big day. No come on, we have a train to catch." Erza ordered. Lucy's smile dropped and she looked at the ground, as if resorting to option two she turned towards me.
"So Gray, how did you sleep?" Her words rolled off of her tongue perfectly. It made me guilty to think about how much I enjoyed her saying my name.
"I slept fine." Would have been better with you...
"That's good. So do you think Juvia will be happy that you're returning after a week?" I hated when people brought her up like I belonged to her.
"Dunno and can't say that I care." I sounded cold. My own tone surprised me.
"Oh." Her head bowed and she continued walking. Great, now she thinks I'm an asshole. We boarded the train and dealt with Natsu's usual sickness. Once back in Magnolia, we all headed towards the guild. The walk there was very silent, other than Natsu carrying on. I couldn't say that
I disliked him. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He was like a brother to me and I felt a deep need to care for him. His affection towards Lucy hurt me though. Erza and Lucy were walking ahead and I was pulled from my daydreaming by the pink haired idiot.
"So you're quiet. Something on your mind?" Yeah, your affair.
"Nothing that concerns you." Still sounded cold.
"You know about Luce and I don't you?" His words shocked me. I had never in a million years thought that he would come right out and say it. Everyone in Team Natsu knew but no one said anything.
"What about?" My voice was low and pained.
"She's great, I just can't do it anymore. I'm supposed to be getting married in 3 months. I love Luce, but I have Lisanna and I won't lose her. Not again." His words were genuine. His face looked hurt and he was starting to choke up.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I dunno, you're the only one I trust enough to talk to about this, her. I love her too. She's so inspiring." Yeah no kidding... "I'm breaking it off with her tonight. I was kind of hoping you would keep an eye on her, for me?" His gaze was at the ground when he talked. The affair had been
going on for a long time. Natsu and Lucy did a good job hiding it, but not from everyone.
"I'll be there for her, not for you though. For Luce. This is gonna be rough on her. You know that right? Or do you not even care?" I couldn't help but sound cold. I was relieved that this would finally end but I know that she'll be heartbroken.
"Of course I fucking care. It's going to kill me when she finds someone that can step up and be the man I never could. This is hard on me too, ya know?" Now was my chance to be there for her. But I won't use this to get close to her.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry, I guess I just let my feelings-" What was I saying. I looked at him. He didn't seem phased by my unfinished confession. Hell, he probably wasn't even listening. "When are you telling her?"
"Well Lisanna is on a mission until tomorrow, So probably when we get back to the guild before she goes home. My fiance doesn't want me going to her apartment anymore." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He was so willing to just drop Lucy to make Lisanna happy. I tried not to judge him but it was hard.
The guild hall was in sight and Lucy and Erza were already opening the door. Natsu brushed past me and shouted at Lucy. He must be planning on telling her and making a break for it. I watched as Natsu pulled her down a hallway that lead to a store room, I knew I shouldn't have but I followed them.
"Hey, Luce, I need to talk to you." He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her around the corner, not noticing me.
"What is-" He cut her off with a passionate kiss to the lips. I looked away for the display hurt me too much to watch. "You can't wait until tonight? I thought you were coming over tonight." She looked at him questioningly, and lovingly.
"Baby, I can't. I can't do this anymore. I wanted to give you a goodbye that would be at least a little pleasant to remember. I do love you, but I made a promise that I cannot break. She-" He clarified. "Lisanna, has asked me not to go to your apartment anymore. I hope you know how hard this is for me. You've been my best
friend for the past 8 years." I watched the emotion on her face as she turned her gaze to the ground, tears streaming down her beautiful blushed cheeks. Natsu brushed her bangs up behind her ears and pulled her into him for a hug, he gently planted a kiss on her forehead. "I don't want you to resent me, I love you and I always
will. Maybe even more so than I love Lisanna. You have to understand. Please..." she looked up at him,l broken. "Baby, say something. Say anything." She shook her head and CRACK.
"You lost the right to call me that." She went to walk away and he caught her arm. I stood up straight, preparing to help her.
"Thank you...I deserved that. Please come talk to me when you're ready. I do not plan on giving up on our friendship. I will miss you more than you know." he released her and she started walking towards me with her head down. I backed down the halway and pretended to be reading a job request when she bumped into me. Looking up,
shocked, I saw the pain in her eyes. "Gray, I'm sorry, I was just."
"Luce, are you OK? What happened?" I played dumb and reached out to wipe the tear from her cheek. At my touch, she flinched and went to walk away. Now was my chance. With one effortless movement, I lifted her into my arms. Shocked she caught my gaze and wrapped her arms around my neck for support.
"Gray?! What are you doing?" She looked shocked but not mad.
"Taking you home. Come on, we'll go out the back." I walked in the direction of Natsu. Seeing me carrying her caused him to stop walking and glare at me. I could tell he was not pleased. He didn't say anything though, just watched until we were out of sight.
"Thank you Gray." She buried her head in my chest. "I can walk, you don't have to carry me anymore." I could tell she wanted down so I gently released her.
"What did that asshole do to you?" She looked at me puzzled.
"Nothings going on."
"I never said anything was."
"Well, I'll be heading home. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for getting me out of the guild. I would have died of embarrassment if anyone had seen me." She was blushing.
"No, I'm making sure you get home alright. A sailor friend of mine tells me all the time that he sees the most beautiful blonde walking on the edge of the river. I wanna make sure you don't fall in, you've had a hard enough day." I had to find some way to cheer her up.
"How do you know that was me? There are tons of blondes here."
"Yeah but you're the only beautiful one I know." Shit, where was this confidence coming from. My comment caught her attention and a small grin formed. Small, but real.
"Oh yeah?" She seemed as though she was challenging me.
"Yeah." I smiled at her and she laughed. I was so caught up in her beauty that I didn't realize we were outside her apartment. Slightly disappointed at how quick the walk was over, I sighed.
"So you want to come in? I'll make you tea, and I'd love some company right now." She smiled warmly. "only one condition, you have to put your shirt back on." she extended her arm, holding my shirt out to me. I blushed madly and quickly put it back on.
"I'd love to." She opened her door and let me in. Her apartment smelled like her, a mix of vanilla and cool mint. I was so intoxicated in her scent I hadn't heard her talking to me.
"Are you listening, Gray?" She tapped her foot.
"Oh sorry, what?"
"I said, do you really want to know what happened? Back at the guild." She placed a mug of hot tea in my hands and grabbed my hand, pulling me back to her bedroom and sat me down on the bed next to her. I thought for a second. Not knowing whether to admit to easedropping or not.
"Tell me everything." I reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it for support. I knew how much pain she was in, the look on her face said it all.