Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and I wish I had the money to buy the rights...

Author's note: I seem to have lost my edge. Or there are no Graylu fans out there. I still don't understand what people see in Juvia. She's cute alright, but I still think a relationship with her would be wrong. It reminds me too much of Mirai Nikki and I tell you, Juvia is a yandere! Maybe not so extreme like Yuno Gasai, but she is. Putting her in a relationship with Gray is like saying that stalking is right. Please stalk all your crushes because they'll give in sooner or later. ...I don't think so. Enough of my rambling. Enjoy the second day of Graylu week. XD

~o~o~o~

Snow Crystal Stars
Day 2: Night
By Misty Mina

The night seemed to be endless to Lucy as she watched over her comrade. Gray had suffered severe injuries in battle and Wendy could only do so much. The severe wounds could be healed, but there was nothing she could do for the blood-loss. Gray's body had to recover on it's own. At first everything was going well, but then he developed a fever in the evening.

Now for a normal person, this wouldn't be something to be worried about. But Gray was an ice mage and Lucy knew his body temperature had to stay lower than the average person or his magic might try to 'fix' the problem on it's own. Which would drain his last magical reserves and put his life in danger. Fairy Tail's new infirmary had no windows, there was no way to cool the room down only to heat it up. So Makarov decided to move Gray to Lucy's apartment with her permission. It was closer to the guild than Gray's home.

Although the Master offered her a room in the guild, Lucy refused. Instead she volunteered to watch Gray through the night. She felt guilty since he got hurt because of her. The stellar mage hadn't seen the enemy behind her, or at least not in time. It was the only thing she could do to make it up to him.

Not even Juvia had something against this. She wouldn't know what to do since she never got hurt like that. Thanks to her magic, the water maiden rarely experienced physical wounds. She didn't know how to treat them, change bandages correctly or care for someone if they were sick. So, she was thankful to Lucy. As the unwilling part-time medic of her team, she knew what to do. Like it or not, Lucy had to teach herself the basics and consider the different types of magic in her team. Because the two guys were too rash and never thought of possible injuries when they fought and Titania needed a medic herself more often than she would like to admit. Only someone who wasn't hell-bent on beating the enemy into the ground and thought of the consequences first, could do the medic job.

The stellar mage had opened every window in her apartment an let the cold air in. A good thing it was close to winter and the nights were getting colder. Then she filled a bowl with cold water and placed it on the nightstand beside her bed.

What worried her most was that Gray didn't wake up, no matter how much she bustled through her apartment. Not even earlier, when Natsu practically dragged him through town and dropped him once on purpose. It might be only Lucy's imagination, but the Dragon Slayer seemed to be miffed about the fact that his childhood-rival would stay with her.

Virgo had appeared once when Lucy started to shiver from the cold wind and brought her the finest and warmest coat she could find from the stellar realm. Smiling at the spirit's thoughtfulness, Lucy thanked her and assured her she wouldn't be punished. The maid left with a dejected look on her face and Lucy felt almost guilty for sending her away like that.

The night grew colder and soon even Lucy's breath became visible. Her fingers were numb from washing and changing the cloth she'd put on Gray's forehead and yet she didn't mind. As long as he was alright, she wouldn't mind. It wouldn't be the first time for her to stay up all night, but usually it was Natsu who needed a nurse, not Gray.

It was such an unusual sight. Slightly disturbing too. She'd never seen Gray so vulnerable. She had seen him hurt many times, but he always stayed strong. Always getting up no matter what. This time it was different. He depended on her.

To do the right thing.
To watch over him.
To care for him.

And she was never one to disappoint. So what else could she do to help? Gray lay on top of her blanket in her bed. To tuck him in would destroy the purpose of him cooling down. Her windows were wide open, she hadn't used the fireplace since they arrived and also she'd placed a cold cloth on his forehead, yet it still wasn't enough.

Maybe...

The blonde blushed a bit at the thought.

Maybe if she unbuttoned his shirt, maybe then it would be enough. Juvia would surely kill her for this later, but she had to try. She'd seen Gray shirtless and even pantless countless times, but it was usually the ice mage who'd done the stripping. She got up to get another cloth from the bathroom. When she returned, she dunked it into the bowl with the still cold water and hesitated. Was she really doing the right thing? Wouldn't this be considered as harassment? On the other hand, if Natsu were the one who was hurt, she'd do the same thing, right?

Shaking her head she scolded herself for the immature thought. Gray was hurt and needed a medic, simple as that!

Lucy used the cloth to wipe his neck, not noticing that the frown on his forehead had deepened. With shaking fingers, the blonde started to unbutton his shirt. She'd only opened the first when his right hand shot up and gripped her left hand tightly. Startled at his reaction, Lucy yelped and dropped the cloth. Gray's eyes were unfocused and scared, as if he was staring at a stranger.

"Gray, it's ok. It's just me, Lucy." Lucy tried in a soothing voice.

It took a moment for Gray to loosen his grip on her hand, but he didn't let go. Still holding her hand, he looked around the room and when he recognized her apartment in the dim moonlight; he let out the breath he'd been holding. His breath was ragged, but this may had been due to the fever.

"Sorry." It was a whisper, but Lucy still heard him.

"I should say that. Guess I scared you..." Lucy hung her head. What had she been thinking? She would be scared too if someone had tried to take off her top.

"No, not you. …Juvia."

This sentence made no sense to the blonde. So she had only one intelligent answer for him.

"...Huh?"

He tried to laugh, but it ended in a short cough.

"I... I thought, ...you were Juvia." He tried again.

Gray was scared of Juvia? Lucy would have never guessed. Then again, maybe having your very own stalker could do this to one's sanity. Nodding she tried to pick up the cloth she had dropped but the ice mage wouldn't let go of her hand. Smiling at his antics she gave another weak tug.

"Gray, I need my hand back." The look he gave her now was different. More intense.

"Stay..." It was not a question. It sounded more like a plea and he squeezed her hand lightly, unconsciously pressing it against his chest.

Lucy was sure the fever was just messing with her friend's mind. However, she couldn't help but blush when she could feel his erratic heartbeat through his shirt and through their clasped hands.

"Of course..." And somehow, Lucy knew she'd agreed to stay for a long time. For many days and many nights to come.

~o~o~o~

Day 2. Done

*spoiler*

Soooo I thought a bit of fluff couldn't hurt before I send you on a horror trip tomorrow. I'll see you all tomorrow my dear little readers. Better bring your teddy and your blankie with you mwahahahahahaha.