Nothing Like the Holidays

By: Dragonll237

~Merry Coming Christmas! Here comes some pieces I've been writing up so enjoy and happy holidays!~

-Gifts-

The Christmas festivals at Fairy Tail were always the best, but this year felt much better than all the others. Perhaps it was because of Lucy. Ever since she joined the guild everything turned brighter even through the troubles that rose. Though that didn't seem entirely true.

"Gray-sama? Is something wrong?" Juvia asked beside me.

Her beautiful hair dazzled like an azure diamond and her eyes even more so. Yes, without Juvia this year would have been much worse than what it was. The combination of the two brought the guild to new levels.

"Naw, just drank too much of Cana's punch," I passed. Though I barely drank a cup so that was a flat out lie.

Damn her smile that could light up the world. That damn blush and nervous way she swayed was always so damn adorable. Damn the punch for not intoxicating me so I could blame it on that. Sure there was alcohol that could down anyone, if you drank enough which I did not. Kind of regretting not drinking more than a cup now… Not that those thoughts went away with the buzz, but it made me make sense of everything.

She announced, "Juvia has a Christmas present for you."

And the guilt train begins. Of course she did. I knew she would. I had looked and wondered for weeks, but I never know what to get her in return. She never really wants anything. In summary, I had no ideas and now have nothing for her.

"You didn't have to. You get me something randomly practically every month…" I began.

"Juvia wanted to," she replied, cutting me off from finishing. "Come with Juvia?"

Without much choice, I stood up and let her guide me to wherever she was leading me. That worried me. Usually she would give me something out in the open. Erza says it's to make sure other girls know that I'm taken. It didn't make much sense to me anyway.

We ended up in a visitor bedroom of the guild. Why would she have some present here? Good lord, please just don't let it be something like that damn pillow again! Just thinking about that thing makes my face flush.

There's also the problem of what to give her as well. The only thing that I could think of that I could set up asap would be to accept her on a date or something… I didn't drink enough for this! How do I do something nice back to her whilst not leading her on?!

"Juvia's sorry!" she burst with that cute ashamed posture she used when she thought she would be punished for something.

"Hua?" I questioned, not expecting her to apologize for getting me something. She was full of surprises.

"Juvia asked Loke what she should get you and Loke talked to Cancer and Cancer told Juvia and Juvia's sorry!" she exclaimed without break for air.

I rose my eyebrow at her gibberish but as she brought out an envelope and pulled the papers out of it, everything made sense. Cancer was the only one that knew… Oh, hell no! There is no way in hell that I would ever dance again! I should have never been able to say "again"!

She must have read the frustration on my face because she withdrew and whimpered, "Juvia's sorry! She didn't mean to find out! She knows you didn't want her to know what happened, but… Juvia's sorry! It's something that no one else really knows about you, and…"

"Say sorry again and I won't accept it," I warned. "How long have you hung around Lucy's spirits? You talked with Loke, Cancer, and now you're talking like Aries. Slow down."

She gave her adorable pout that was honestly too cute for the world. I outstretched my hand and she released the papers into it. It was a flyer for lessons and two papers saying that we both were signed up.

"You don't have to go. Or if you do, Juvia doesn't have to go with you. She can easily withdraw if you…" she began to ramble but I shook the papers in the air to get her attention so she stopped.

"I'm not much for dancing, but I appreciate it. I'll think on it. When do they start?" I asked. I don't know what force was able to get me to consider it, but I did.

"Next week. They have ice skating as well if you'd prefer that," she answered.

"I'll think on it. Thank you," I replied, stuffing the papers back inside the envelope then shoved it inside my pocket.

I really did appreciate it. She tried to look into something not many people know about me. Granted, it was dancing but honestly what would be the worst to happen? Embarrassing myself with how stupid I look wasn't the end of the world, I suppose.

She stood with a small proud smile. We were alone together and she just gave me a Christmas present, what better time then to come up with something off the bat? Great, just what the hell could I say? Say I didn't get her anything and act a jerk about it? Absolutely not! Erza would kill me if I did that, too.

The silence grew awkward and my time was running thin. What do I say?! If I say that we'd do something together doesn't seem like enough and I can't just say "Let's go to the dance thing together" as my present to her. It'll make it seem like I really didn't want to go with her… Not that it was on my top priority list… What else could I say?! Make some stupid ice charm or whatever that'll melt in a day?

"Juvia will…" she said, threatening to leave the room but my arm moved faster and caught her to stay where she was.

"Wait, I… Damn it… I wanted some more time to think some things over but you're here so I guess I'll tell you now," I began.

Her ocean eyes store curiously into mine, making me want to wiggle in nervousness. I was stuck. How the hell should I phrase anything to not sound like I'm a jerk? No way. I'll have to deal with Erza later, then. I have no other choice.

I explained, "Look, you really shouldn't get me anything… I mean… Because when you do I don't know how to repay you. You never say what you want in return, and I don't even know what you'd like even if I tried…"

She interjected, "Juvia never needs anything in return because she has all she wants. It's okay if you didn't get anything for Juvia."

"Well, no, that's not entirely true," I replied.

She tilted her head confused, her azure locks bouncing at the motion. Deep breaths, Gray. You can do this! Words aren't the easiest to use so just get it out!

"I… I still need time… I don't know when I will, but… I don't want you to think that… Damn it. What I mean is I'm still deciding, but… No matter how I put it I sound like a jerk!" I stumbled.

"No. You are taking Juvia seriously, and Juvia admires that. It's okay," she responded.

"What I'm trying to say is, thanks. You put up with a lot of my bullcrap, and I'm sorry about that. Ah, well, really I don't know what to say…" I frown, trying to come up with what to do.

How can I tell her that she is amazing, but that I am not ready for a relationship? Just like that? You would think that'd be easy, but I've never been really good with words when trying to be. Sure I can come up with some deep motivational crap out of thin air, but explain my feelings is a no go. Maybe actions are my last resort?

Okay, so actions… Like what? Hug her? She pretty much hugged me every day. That doesn't have much meaning behind it by now. Besides, she's seen me hug Lucy a few times before. Ug, why is everything so complicated? It's not like I could just kiss her either, could I? That'd be too much, right?

The distance between us seemed shorter all of the sudden as I watched her bite at her lower lip. Her perfectly flushed face only mere inches away. My feet must have moved on their own. There was no way I could have been that close before. I was left with no choice.

My lips made contact with her silky skin of her forehead and my arms encased her. It only took her moments to return the hug and nuzzle into my chest. I rested my chin on the top of her head of beautiful wavy locks. Her violet shampoo never smelt better.

My lowered voice whispered, "I really hope I'll find my answer soon for your sake and for mine. But for now, I really can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for me. I'm the one sorry: for not giving you a real gift for Christmas."

"This is better than anything you could have given Juvia. Thank you," came her muffled answer from my chest.

Her arms were laced around my back and I knew she would stay put for a while. But that was okay. She was soft and it was different giving the hug versus receiving them. Then it was more rough and grabby, but she isn't either of those things now.

When she finally let go she had the largest smile on her face and her eyes glowed in cheer. Who would have thought that I could make her so happy without even giving her anything tangible? That smile could light up the whole world and I caused it just by hugging her for a few seconds. Perhaps items for presents were overrated? Either way, I came out alive and without an Erza deathwish written across my forehead! Today is a good day!