Disclaimer: Don't own Fairy Tail.
Hope
Hope was an interesting word. It implied a fragile scrap of optimism that could be easily crushed. On the other hand it could be the only thing keeping you alive.
Gray hated relying on the emotion when it came to Lucy. Sure he knew that Fairy Tail used hope a lot when it came to winning battles, but he did not enjoy depending on it for relationships.
In a fight he used that certainty that everything depended on him, that he had a way to win, and beat up the other person.
But when it came to Lucy he just sat there like a fat duck and hoped.
Hoped that she would notice him.
Hoped that she liked him back.
Hoped he would finally get the guts to confess to her because currently, he was a coward. A pathetic, weak, frightened coward.
Because of his lack of courage he just hoped.
Gray clung to the stubborn idea that Lucy might, maybe, just a little bit, like him back. Even though everyone was certain she belonged with Natsu.
They still had a chance.
And Gray knew that one day, most likely after several years, he would be with Lucy.
They were soul mates.
Despite the fact that it was Natsu who brought her into the guild. Gray had been the only reason the idiot was in that town.
There were no discrepancies. Lucy was the only girl for Gray, and he was the best option for Lucy.
Because he loved her better than any of them ever could.
So he waited. He waited and he hoped.
It was all he could do.
He knew Lucy would freak out now if he told her. He didn't mind. He was patient.
One day though...
Lucy would understand how much he loved her. And she would love him back just as much.
They were meant to be.
At least, he hoped they were.