Gray pulled at his Santa outfit, sighing. It was itchy and he just wanted to strip out of it. Mira's threat instantly came to mind.
"If you strip at any point tonight, I will take you out back and activate my Satan Soul. Then I will continue to kick your ass. Entertainment for the guests." The smile she had on her face was the worst. It was the sweet innocent Mira mixed with demon Mira. She was the strongest mage in the guild, no doubt. If she got to him, he'd be in the infirmary for weeks. He smiled a bit as a picture of Juvia, dressed as nurse, entered his mind.
"No! Not again!" He groaned.
"No what, Gray-Sama?" His head shot up and there stood Juvia. She looked amazing, and he cursed Mira. Mira was trying to kill the men. Juvia had on the same elf outfit as everyone else, but her guild emblem was on show for everyone. He wanted to tell her to change, but that wasn't his place. He wasn't with her. He had no right to say what she could and couldn't wear. And he knew she would change if he told her too.
"Ah nothing. Just an itchy Santa." He was trying to recover from the previous thought. What was wrong with him? She made a "tch" noise.
"Juvia knows what Gray-Sama is talking about. At least Gray-Sama isn't in something as short as Juvia. Juvia hates this, but for Mira-San, anything." He chuckled softly. She was as loyal as they came. It's what partially drew him to her. The other part was a common ground they shared. He's been depressed recently and, even though she's no longer depressed, she's a great asset to have on your team. She's too wise for her own good.
"You're a good person Juv." He said softly.
"Gray-Sama is better. Juvia just tries to keep people happy. Gray took away Juvia's darkness. Juvia now has freedom to live. No one yells at Juvia anymore for rain. Gray-Sama made Juvia able to see the sun again. Juvia will forever be grateful."
"You do realize, I didn't mean to do that right? You were the enemy." He chuckled. "I'm glad I did though. You're a great asset to Fairy Tail." Her eyes widened at his confession. Her cheeks were starting to grow wet.
"Juvia never knew Gray felt that way about her. Juvia always thought she was a burden, and I had to kill Gray-Sama's father. Gray should hate Juvia."
"You set him free. He was killed long ago, and not by you. That dude was using my father's body against his will." He paused. "You're no burden either. You love with everything you have, and you should never be ashamed of that. Be proud. You've overcome so many obstacles and traumas, and your heart still loves. You never look at someone and say that, because they hurt you before you have nothing to give them. You won't even tell Lyon to buzz off, because you would never want to hurt him. Not the way I have you." He said quietly. He smiled brightly at her. He never knew his feelings for her, until they poured out. He knew, his words held more truth than anything he's ever said before. He was in love with her. He just didn't want to accept it before. It hadn't always been this way though, but after her help through his depression, it all fell into place. He had pushed her away for too long.
"Juvia appreciates Gray-Sama's words. Gray's been a good friend to Juvia too. Juvia knows Gray hasn't always like her, but Juvia is glad Gray-Sama came around." She smiled brightly.
Gray leaned over the table to her. He cupped her face delicately. Her eyes met his, and he held back a chuckle as her face flushed. "Gray-Sama," before she could continue, Gray's lips met hers. She was shocked. She didn't kiss him back out of confusion. When she felt him pull back, she returned the kiss softly.
The whole kiss in itself was soft. It wasn't a lustful, or sexually driven, it was one driven by emotion. Everything he couldn't tell her, he was saying with that soft kiss.
"Juvia, I love you." He said quietly, more to himself than to her. There was no need for any other words about the subject.
A while later the two had stopped kissing, and were now having comfortable conversations. They sat closer together, and were sharing stories of their favorite missions. They joked and poked at each other. Nothing was awkward or uncomfortable. It was like they had been friends since childhood.