This is a sequel to my story "The Steady Drip." It's not entirely necessary to read TSD to enjoy this story, but it is a continuation, with references back to the events in that story. So, it would be helpful, and save on any confusion, to read that first. ^_^
Gray and Juvia made a successful return back to the guild after their wyvern job. They were able to, with just a bit of difficulty, and a lot of team work, clear the mountains of the wyvern pack. They accepted their substantial reward from the mayor of the city itself, and enjoyed a pleasant day's celebration, and night's train ride back to Fiore. It was indeed a much different journey than they had experienced a couple of days earlier. The tension that had hung over Gray and Juvia over the past month or so had seemed to dissipate entirely, but Gray quickly was realizing that there was a new tension, and new expectations as well after the events that took place during their overnight stay in the woods. Gray, with every passing look, and shy smile from Juvia, was regretting his actions more and more. Actually, regretting wasn't really the right word. He didn't wish he hadn't kissed Juvia. He enjoyed that... a lot, if he was being completely honest with himself. But, now it seemed a kiss was just the tip of the iceberg, as far as what Juvia wanted from Gray.
Expectations weren't the only problem, because ever since they got back, it seemed there hadn't been so much as a leak, as an outright tsunami of information that spread through the guild about what had happened between Gray and Juvia in the forest. And when he had confronted Juvia about this, she reminded him that he had specifically asked her to tell Erza and Mirajane that everything was settled between them. She confessed that they asked for every little detail, and she provided. She had looked at Gray with wide, innocent eyes and had asked, "was that not ok?"
Gray ground his teeth as he looked over at the bar, and could see Mirajane chatting happily with a group of eagerly listening guild members. She spotted Gray, grinned, and waved before giving him the thumbs up. The group she was talking to did the same. Gray didn't know if he was burning more with anger or embarrassment. And that was just one of the pieces of information that was causing him trouble.
Everyone also knew that Juvia had defeated Gray in a battle. Gray didn't much mind this, as everyone, including himself, always knew Juvia was a very strong mage. His ego wasn't so fragile as to be shattered by something like that. No, the problem Gray had with Juvia winning their battle, was the bet they had made. Within three days of being back at the guild, Juvia, who had reverted back to her regular, more feminine clothes again, had approached him at the guild, and told him she had decided on what she wanted. It was, as far as Gray was concerned, the worst case scenario. She wanted to go on a date.
So, tomorrow, they would be heading off into Magnolia, just the two of them, to... what? Gray had no idea. What did you do on a date? And not just a date, but a date with Juvia, who's imagination always got the better of her. Who knows what she was picturing would happen on this date? But, if Gray had any say in it, it was going to just be two friends, hanging out. That's all.
Gray sat moodily, chewing all of these annoying Juvia-related thoughts over in his head, as he nursed his drink at a table in the guild, when he heard his name.
"Gray!" Juvia said happily, sitting down beside him, a box-shaped item wrapped in a blue handkerchief in her hand.
"Hi Juvia," he said, somewhat tiredly, eying the package with narrowed eyes.
"Juvia has made lunch, and... she was hoping Gray would like to try some," she said, blushing shyly.
"I don't want to take away your lunch. I could just buy something -" Gray started, but was cut off.
"Juvia made enough for two," Juvia said enthusiastically, slamming the box down in front of him, and opening the handkerchief.
Gray sighed. "Of course you did..." he said wearily, but Juvia wasn't listening as she unpacked the levels of the bento, and placed one in front of him.
That was another thing that bothered Gray. Juvia seemed to think their relationship had reached another level, but she hadn't bothered consulting Gray about it before acting on that assumption. As far as he was concerned, Gray had not signed off on that just yet. Why couldn't they take things slow? It was embarrassing, as everyone else in the guild had made the same assumption, and even eating together drew people's attention now. Gray could see smirking, amused faces all around him. It pissed him off.
"Gray?" she said, calling him out of his irritated musings. "I made curry rice, your favorite," she smiled, indicating the bento in front of him.
Gray took note of the carrots floating within the soupy stew. They were in the shape of hearts. Gray grimaced, but took a bite. It was delicious, just like everything Juvia made, and for some reason this annoyed him even more.
Juvia, seeming satisfied that Gray was now eating, took a few bites out of her own bento. They ate in silence for several minutes, until Juvia broke it. "Gray, about tomorrow, for our -our..."
Gray looked over to her, and he could see her face had gone red. He knew she was talking about the "date."
"What about it?," he said disinterestedly, and that seemed to jolt her out of her reverie.
Her smile faltered a bit, but she pressed on. "Well, we didn't decide when and where we would meet."
"In front of the guild at noon," he said without really thinking about it.
"Oh, ok," she said, and she gave him a searching look, as if wanting to say something more. But, she must have decided against it, as she went back to her bento.
They spent the rest of the lunch in silence. Gray looked over at her a few times, and she had a smile on her face. - the kind that she got whenever she was fantasizing about something ridiculous. Gray sighed resignedly, and ate as quickly as possible, so he could get away from the situation. But, surprisingly, Juvia finished before he did, and told him that she was headed back to the dorm to get ready for the next day.
"From now?!" he asked her incredulously.
"Well yes! You see, Juvia has to pick out what she's going to wear, and how she's going to do her hair, and what accessories to -" she explained, as Gray waved his hands frantically at her.
"Fine, fine! You do that," he said, wishing he hadn't asked. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
She smiled brightly, blushing, and nodded her head. "Yes." She gave him one last, glowing look, before spinning around, and walking out of the guild into the sunshiny outdoors.
Gray sighed. Not wanting to hang around the guild himself, and continue to be smirked at, he got up and left. He was going straight to his dorm, and prepare for the next days events as well, but in a much different way than Juvia, he was sure. He doubted very much that Juvia was going to spend the rest of the night sulking, and wondering how he had ever gotten himself into this situation, and how he could possibly get himself out of it.