Warmness on the Soul
A Fairy Tail romance story
(A/N) This is my first fic so I don't expect it to be very good. Be patient with me. Future ones, if I ever write more, will hopefully be better. Oh, and I don't own Fairy Tail
Chapter One: Discussion at the Bar
Gray didn't know how long it had been. Juvia still chased him as she always had, still using the honorific suffix –sama, and everything else she'd ever done since they had met. Months had gone by and she still showed no signs of quitting. Gray sat at the bar of the guild, contemplating his situation regarding her, sipping an iced coffee.
Natsu soon showed up at the guild in his usual loud manner and sat beside Gray at the bar. He greeted them both. "Hey, Mira," he said, "I'd like the usual, please."
"Coming right up," the Take-Over mage/barmaid said with her usual smile.
Natsu looked at Gray. Despite his density, Natsu knew something was on his friend's/rival's mind. "Hey, Gray," he said, "What's wrong?"
"Who said anything's wrong," Gray replied, remaining stone-faced. "I'm fine."
Natsu received his drink. "Thanks, Mira," he said to her. She smiled then he turned back to his friend. "You're sulking a lot more than usual. Something's up."
"Leave me alone, pinkie," Gray snapped. "Besides, shouldn't you be with your lovey Lucy?" He had a mocking tone to his voice.
Natsu ignored the mocking remark regarding his girlfriend. "She's still getting ready in her apartment. She told me to go on ahead without her. Now, talk to me. What's wrong?"
"What about Happy," Gray asked harshly. "Where's he?"
"That furball is off on a date with Carla," Natsu said flatly, "Again." He rolled his eyes. The blue Exceed had been very persistent in his efforts to get Carla's attention, which eventually succeeded. Carla even found that she enjoyed the company of the fish-loving blue cat. "He really has something for her. Now, enough with me and my friends. What is on your mind?"
Gray sighed, knowing the stubborn Dragon Slayer would not leave him alone until he spoke. His thoughts were summarized in one word. "Juvia," he said in a quiet, bitter voice.
Natsu smirked at the Ice-Make mage. "She's still not letting you go, huh?"
"Obviously not, flame brain," Gray hissed. He ordered another iced coffee which was swiftly prepared and given to him. "It's like she won't give up on me until she dies or something. That girl is obsessed with me. It's ridiculous. Do you know what I found at my house last night?"
"What," Natsu asked.
"I found a bento box and a scarf on my doorstep!"
"Hey at least it wasn't a hand-stitched doll of her," Natsu tried. Gray punched him in the shoulder. "What?!"
"That's not helping, slanty eyes," Gray growled.
"Sorry," Natsu stammered. Gray made a move to stand up when they heard a familiar voice. Natsu smirked at Gray, both of them knowing who it was.
"Good morning, Juvia," Mira said. "How are you today?"
"Good morning, Mira-san. Juvia is fine." They turned around to see the bluenette water mage. "Good morning, Natsu-san." Her voice took on a much higher pitch. "Good morning, Gray-sama," she squealed. There were practically hearts in her eyes as she greeted her beloved.
"Hey, Juvia," Natsu said with a smile.
"Good morning, Juvia," Gray said, somewhat agitated by her voice.
"What's up, Juvia," Mira asked.
"Oh, nothing. Juvia was just going to ask for a glass of orange juice before going to look for a job. Juvia has to pay her rent soon."
"Orange juice? Coming right up."
Upon receiving her drink, Juvia smiled and said, "Thank you, Mira-san," before turning and going to the request board.
Mira turned to Gray, a dark aura emanating from the girl. "You really should give her a chance," she scolded. "Juvia puts so much effort into doing nice things for you and all you do is blow her off. Try being a little warmer at times." She tsked before going away to clean some glasses.
"She's got a point," another voice said. The two mages didn't need to turn to know who was standing behind them. They instantly recognized the voice as that of Erza Scarlet.
"I don't need your opinion on this," Gray muttered before turning around.
"I heard that," she said sternly. She glared at Gray, scaring the Ice-Make mage. "Mira's right. Juvia does so many things for you because she cares. At least give her a chance."
"Yeah," Natsu double-teamed. "Give the girl a chance. You never know. She might just be the one that you've been waiting for." Gray let a growl rise up from the back of his throat, knowing very well that he could not win.
"Fine," he said bitterly. "I'll give her a chance."
"That's better. Now go over there, icicle," Natsu said as Gray made his way to the bluenette. Erza smacked him. "What?!"
"Behave," she said in a warning tone, effectively scaring the Salamander and putting him in his place. "Would you like to be in his position, Natsu?"
"No, ma'am," he squeaked.
"I thought so. Now behave." She glared at him once more.
"Aye," he said in terror.
Well I do need some money, Gray thought. Maybe I can go on a mission with her.
