A/N: First Fairy Tail fic!
Also I ship like almost everyone, I don't hate on other ships so just throwing that out there.
Never intentionally hate on a ship.


IMPORTANT!

- Gray thinks like this
- 'Lucy thinks like this'


Gray sat at his usual table in the guild that day, next to Cana, Natsu, and Wendy. Wendy and Natsu were talking over her newest mission she was about to take part in. Wendy would be going on a solo mission for a simple job at a library to accompany an old scholar, she needed Happy's help and Natsu was ensuring his friend would get back A-Ok. Cana on the other hand got so bored of their conversation she started to drink, even though it was only noon. Gray's thoughts strayed as he tuned out his friends around him. Face supported in his fist, his eyes roamed the guild. He saw Juvia peering out from behind a post to look at him, he saw Mirajane at the bar serving lunch with her lovely smile, and Gajeel in the corner talking to Levy… well more like listening to Levy rave about something she'd learned with an amused smirk.

To put it short: It was a normal day. His eyes darted to the door when he heard Levy greet her best friend.

"Hey Lu-Chan!" She said cheerily.
Grays stomach flinched when he heard her name, but he kept it hidden under his stone cold exterior. Lucy walked in with a smile as usual.
God she's hot… He thought.
Not even just hot, she's just…great…All around amazing person; intensely caring, rockin' body, powerful mage, fuckin' genius. She's got it all! Does she even realize that? Sometimes she's kind of insecure about herself when she starts comparing her abilities to others in the guild… But that's dumb, she came here as some crazy nervous fan girl and kicked ass ever since!
Gray muses as he unconsciously watches the blonde make her way through the guild towards her usual spot at the bar. She greeted Levy and a few other friends warmly when she felt Grays gaze. Her eyes darted to him, snapping him out of his daze, she greets him with a warm smile that leaves his chest feeling all fuzzy for some reason. That smile usually manages to crack his tough guy shell just a little, and lets his little smile peak through. Today it succeeded. He figures a smile won't uncover his ruse.

You see, Gray Fullbuster has had a crush on Lucy Heartfilia for quite a bit. Nothing he'd EVER admit to anyone besides himself of course. Not only would he be subject to endless teasing via the entire guild of Fairy Tail, but Juvia, his personal possessive fan girl, would either be thrown back into a storm of depression (Literally), or would ruthlessly attack Lucy in jealousy and or rage. Considering he'd rather keep both of his friends intact and mentally healthy, he holds his tongue. He had to admit it was a little creepy, over time he'd learned things about her one would probably forget. Like how whenever she'd get really into a book she'd hold the pages up to her nose in anticipation. Or how she'd always pick the onion chunks out of everything, it took her over three tries to get her one sided pig tail thing to work just right, she can't resist cherry flavored candy. Little things of that nature have accumulated in Grays mind in a place just for Lucy and the little things that make her, her. Of course it's hard at times when she dresses extra cute some days and he feels the urge to compliment her, but since when the hell does Gray compliment people on their appearance? Those times when Lucy complains about being unable to find a 'perfect man' or how she's single really test his self-control. It's for her sake too! Until something changes, Gray is left to suffer through his crush in isolated silence.

A drunken Cana teasingly slides a drink towards Gray as he stares off to anywhere but Lucy. He sighs and looks at the clock, only 12:15. He looks around real quick and gestures that he'll only have one, he takes a quick swig, passing it back to Cana she giggles a bit and finishes it off.

Lucy sits next to Natsu, across from Gray, at the table after getting her smoothie. "Hey Cana! What's so funny?" She asks the card wielding mage. She giggles some more.
"Got me a day drinkin' buddy hehe!" She says with lazy smile.
Lucy gives her a questioning look as she sips her smoothie.
"Take lots of fish Wendy! Lots!" Natsu says. She nods for what seems like the tenth time in this ongoing conversation.
"I know, Natsu, I've gone with Happy before." She reminds him while standing up to head out. Natsu being the older brother figure that he is, wanted to be extra super sure that Wendy and everyone she was with were ok. This resulted in him repeating very Natsu-esk advice over and over, much to Wendy's dismay.
"If a guy looks at you wrong you PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE!" Natsu says with a little demonstration. Wendy chuckles and slowly tries to creep away with Carla dragging her dress hem. "And! And! Never forget to eat real good after a fight!" He continues his voice getting louder as she moves away
"Don't talk to strangers!" Lucy adds playfully.
"Look both ways before you cross the street!" Gray adds as well with a small smirk as they all wave her off. Wendy was the whole team's collective little sister, they all care about her, but they know she's a powerful bad ass as well.

Suddenly Erza comes stomping up, angrily muttering something about Wakaba and cake. Pissed, she slams a job sheet down on the table in between Natsu and Lucy. They all jumped at the sudden impact, except for Cana. "We're going to do this one." She states flatly and takes a seat next to Cana crossing her arms. Gray, Natsu, and Lucy all lean in together to read it.

GIANT SNAKE!
Location: Riba
Reward: 120,000
Requester: Mayor Yuu

Recently a massive snake had taken up residence in the forest near our town.
It eats the surrounding deer and beaver population leaving the townsfolk without much, every so often it attacks the town, especially when shipments come in. Traders are afraid to come here, our lands are being destroyed, the towns people are hungry.
All we ask is to kill or capture the beast.
If you chose to capture it, please relocate it away from any populated areas.
If you chose to kill the beast we shall make a feast of its remains!

Best of luck!
Mayor Yuu

Lucy shrugged at the reward, they'd get 30,000 each, not enough for her rent this month. Natsu saw the title and read no more, already fired up. Gray simply raised an eyebrow and nodded.

"I don't care what you have to say about it, we're going." Erza snapped still stormy from whatever happened with Wakaba and the cake.
"Hell yeah! We're gonna roast a giant snake!" Natsu yelled jumping up from his seat, startling Lucy.
"When do you want to head out, Erza?" Lucy asks the seething knight while poking at the melted remains of her drink.
"Riba is about a half day away by train, I say ASAP." She says, calmer now. Gray and Lucy release tension they didn't know they had when they see Erza isn't about to murder someone anymore.
"Alright!" Gray says with a clap. "Headen' out, meet at the station in like an hour and a half?" He suggests. Natsu doesn't even care and bolts off. The girls nod and they all head their respective ways to pack.

An hour and a half later the crew regroups at the station.

Gray was walking, bag packed, on his way to the station. While making his way downtown, walking fast, faces pass, and he's train bound, he sees his key bearing teammate. His stomach flips for a second when he sees her walking down the road, her hips shaking with each step.
Should I follow her? Duh of course I need to go to the station too! Do I catch up with her? Maybe? Would that be obvious? Would she catch on? Fuck that'd be kind of awesome honestly… But it would also suck. I wonder how she'd react to that… would she get all embarrassed and red faced like she does when Cana mentions sex? Or would she be annoyed and reject me? Yeah let's move off that topic… Negative mojo. What if she just wants to be alone? Dumbass it's Lucy she's headed to a mission she's all up for talking. What do I say? Oh I dunno Gray how about a 'hi'? FUCK, JUST GO FOR IT YA PUSSY!
Gray argues with himself while following behind the celestial mage. He groans to himself and decides to jog up to match her pace.

"Oi! Lucy!" He calls to her. She turns around mid-step to find the ice mage joining her. She gives him that warm smile like earlier that always pulls out a smile in return.
"Sorry Gray! My head was up in the clouds, I didn't notice you." She says apologetically. Gray shakes his head.
"You're fine." In more ways than one… Gray thought. Lucy smiles again.
Damnit you smiling little…Stop being so damn cute.
"What's got your mind busy?" He asks casually as he sticks his hands in his pockets. Lucy looks back to the fluffy clouds lazily rolling across the bright blue sky, her smile fading.

'You' She thinks. She blushes a bit and shakes her head.

"Just… ideas for my novel." She lies. Gray picks up on the drop in her cheery voice and raises a brow.
'Please Gray don't pry! I wasn't thinking of how I totally want you to show up at my house at midnight and pour out all of your troubles to me… which then leads to a romantic scene I read in one of Levy's romance novels or anything… That'd be crazy! Hahah! Right? Oh boy I'm screwed.'
Lucy thinks nervously as she awaits Gray's response. Gray notices Lucy's fidgets and light blush. What could be so embarrassing that she'd hold it in like that?
"Luce, you can tell me anything, you know that right?" Gray says looking off towards the road ahead. Lucy blushes more.
'Dear Spirit King, why must Gray do this to poor ole me? He seriously doesn't know what he's doing to me.'
Lucy's heart picks up a few beats. She lets out a small nervous chuckle.
"How can you tell I'm lying?" She glances up to him.
"I've known you for quite a while Luce, we're teammates—friends, I gotta know these things." He says patting her head.
Oh shit! Was that too much?!

Gray thinks with red creeping onto his face. The red creeps into Lucy's cheeks as well while she bites her lip.
"You don't have to tell me. Just know I'm here if you need me." He breaks the silence.
"Thanks, Gray." She says, a genuine smile stretching onto her features. Gray smiles back, just a little.
"Hey, Gray…" Lucy says.
"Mm?"
"You lost your shirt…"
"SHIT!"

The two arrive at the station.

"Hah! Fuckin slow poke ice princess here!" Natsu says as Gray approaches with Lucy.
"The fuck did you say pyro?" Gray glowered as he came nearer. Gray noticed Lucy sigh, annoyed.
"You heard me…pervert."
"You got a death wish flame brain?"
"The train is about to leave!" Erza snapped as she whacked the two over the heads and marched on the train with Lucy in tow. Everyone ended up literally dragging Natsu onto the train ignoring his every protest, causing quite a scene and nearly getting them kicked off the train. Once Team Natsu was settled and the train was in motion everything calmed down. Natsu sat with his head in Erzas lap in agony, Lucy sat at the window while Gray sat on the aisle next to her.
"I'm thinking once we get there we get an inn, and in the morning we scout out the area. Me and Natsu will search for the beast while Gray will be the second defense. Lucy," Erza addressed. Lucy perks up. "You guard the town, make sure the people stay out of this." Lucy nods with determination. "We can't let this snake harm any more people." Erza says.
"Agreed." The other two say. Natsu just grumbles.

About an hour into the ride Erza is lost deep within a book. Lucy is lost in thought while looking at the world zoom by. Gray is lost in thought watching Lucy. What could Lucy be thinking about? Why Gray of course.
'I need to relax, Gray didn't mean anything by it. It's true, we are friends! And friends care about one another, that's it, nothing else. Don't get crazy ideas in your head Lucy, he's not the type to flirt, or crush… Especially not towards me. We're just friends. He probably want's a hotter, more powerful mage for a girlfriend anyways. Someone he can work with, someone on his level. Yeah… that's it. Not me. Don't cause drama within the team Lucy.'
She gains a dejected expression as she watches the country side.

I hope she didn't pick up on my fuck up a little bit ago… She's smart, she'd figure it out in no time. She'd be on my ass about it and start treating me weird. I don't think I could handle that. But what is she thinking about? She looks so sad. What could make Lucy sad? Whatever it is I need to get rid of it. She's been weird lately, her smiles aren't as warm as usual, and she's been pretty quiet. Usually on these kinds of rides she'll talk with us until she falls asleep. She's adorable when she sleeps, her cheeks get a little pink and her features soften out, she loses that mildly concerned crease between her brows too.

Lucy feels a stare on her body from her right. She swivels her head around to see Gray turning his head away from her with an unusually blank expression. She turns pink and quickly turns back to the window. Erza smirks from behind her book pages, she saw the whole thing.

Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshsitshsitshsitshshshhshshhhh!
Gray internal screams. Yet you'd never know it as his face is perfectly void of any emotion.
'WHAT WAS THAT!?'
Lucy fidgets and blushes as she airs out her emotions like laundry.

'Was he looking at me? Do I have something on my face? Maybe he was just looking out the window too and I just happen to be in the way? Yeah that's it! No way that'd happen no way! Although the thought of it is nice… NO! Shut up Luce! You're not allowed to like him! Cut that shit out! Gray and Loke used to pick up chicks like nobody's business when they teamed up before. I'd just be a waste of time for a guy who can get any girl he wants. Lucy! Higher your standards! You don't need either of those womanizer jerks! You're a lot more than just a pretty face.'

Oh boy, did Erza see that? Let's hope to god Erza didn't see that. I've been slipping lately, I'm off my usual game, get your shit together Gray! It's just a girl!... A girl you like…a lot… Who's also super cute. God damn those pigtails are fucking adorable. So glad she settled on a normal hair style finally. She shouldn't worry so much she's gorgeous.
Gray looks up to Erza who has a sneaky smile on her face. He deflates, uncrossing his bare arms (did he ever put a shirt back on?).

This is gonna be a loooonnggg ride…


A/N: So how'd I do? Tell me! Or not, whichever you want man. More chapters to come!