I am endlessly fascinated with Loke and Gray's friendship. Them being close enough that they promised to be partners for the S-Class exam was so out of left field and I very much wish we could see how their friendship came about. In any event, here's some Loke-Gray friendship.
Regretably, this is another short one.
"What a bust." Loke and Gray laid side by side, hands tucked under their heads, on the lawn in front of Gray's small cottage.
"Don't look at me. You didn't seem to be very enthused."
"I know... Is the world ending? Is that what's happening? This has never happened before." Loke glared at Gray. "It was you. I've never had his problem when it was just me on the prowl."
Gray grunted in irritation, "don't be an ass. They're women; human beings. Not... prey for you chase down."
"Well, I am a lion," Loke pointed out. A roll of the eyes.
"I'm kidding. I have the utmost respect for women."
Gray grunted again, "right. That's why you had like ten girlfriends at the same time." Loke's face soured and tsked, "hey, that was a long time ago. And I was just..."
"Trying to forget. I know. I was just messing. I know you're not a complete asshat."
Loke growled, "gee, thanks."
The silence stretched. When he couldn't stand it anymore, Loke asked, "so what's up with you and Erza?"
Gray's face scrunched in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, the dynamics of your relationship has changed. You've always been close, yes. But there's something... different."
"Different how?"
"Well for one thing, she didn't punch you for stripping."
Gray chuckled, "she hasn't punched me for that in a long time. I think she's accepted that it's one of my quirks that can never be corrected. And it only took her 12 years!"
"Does she know?" Loke stared intently at his friend.
"Know what?" The ice wizard squirmed under the scrutiny.
"That you have a crush on her."
Gray bolted up, "I do not!"
Loke rose as well, "you're really going to sit here and deny it? To me of all people? I mean, it's so damn obvious! I'm surprised no one else has picked up on it!"
Gray picked at the grass and grumbled, "Don't call it a crush... we're not 12 years old for fuck's sake." He then scowled at Loke. "I never should have told you I used to have a crush on her when we were kids."
Loke pffted, "that's what happens when you drink too much."
"I'm not drunk now so why would I talk to you about this?"
"You have to talk to someone about it. Who else are you gonna talk to? Natsu?" They looked at each other for a beat and burst out laughing. Their howling laughter only dying down when their sides began to ache.
They wiped their tears away and deftly returned to the topic at hand. "So, are you gonna tell her?"
"What's the hurry?"
"Is it Juvia?"
"Why does everyone ask that? She has nothing to do with anything. Juvia accepted that I only have platonic feelings for her three years ago. Three. Years. Three! Stop bringing it up."
"True. But I still sometimes catch her staring. Or she'd call you Gray-sama before correcting herself."
"That hasn't happened since Lyon finally won her over. Well, the Gray-sama thing at least. Don't know about the staring."
Loke stroked his chin thoughtfully, "yeah, how'd that happen anyway? Thought Juvia wasn't interested in Lyon."
"I wouldn't say that. I think some part of her enjoyed the attention and Lyon's doting. And he went the nauseatingly sugary, sweet romantic route. Flowers, chocolate, god awful poetry. And it took even longer for him to win her over than it did for me to convince her that I wasn't interested in having a relationship with her."
"You know, I never thought that would be possible. How did you manage that? You never told me."
Gray shrugged, "turns out, it wasn't that difficult. I took her to the park; just away from everything and everyone and just explained that I wasn't interested. I wasn't sure if she was going to believe me. I've tried it before and she always took it as a joke. Guess a little privacy goes a long way. I was nervous as hell though. I didn't want her to get the wrong idea and think I was asking her out on a date or something."
"So then what's stopping you from telling Erza how you feel?"
"Because I'm still trying to figure it out myself!" He dropped his head, looking annoyed. "I thought I was over that ridiculous crush I had on her when we were kids. I mean, we grew up. And it feels like it was a century ago. But then..." Gray looked at Loke. "I won't get into it, but about a month ago, I came to the realization that I can flirt with her; that I can say certain things without getting punched through a wall. So now all those ridiculous feelings are back; along with several new ones that I have to contend with and I'm just trying to... Trying to make sense of it."
Loke tapped his finger on his chin thoughtfully, "I wonder if I flirt..."
"Try it and I'll put you through a wall," Gray threatened menacingly.
Loke clicked his tongue. "You know I wasn't serious. Besides, Erza would kill me before you could blink."
Loke pursed his lips in annoyance at his friend. "What's so difficult to figure out? Your feelings clearly extend beyond friendship." His eyes widened, "oh, it's that Jellal fellow, isn't it?"
"Tch. That's not it at all. I just don't want to rush things. Is that so strange? This is just so new. I... sort of know how I feel but I'm not so sure about her. I mean, sure, she flirts back... Some of the time. But I can't seem to get a read on her. And I don't want to pressure her. Make it feel like she's obligated to like me back. So I'm just going to take my time."
"Trying to slowly win her over with your 'charms?' Think it'll work?"
Gray punched him in his shoulder. Hard. "Don't air quote! I have charms! Shut up."
Loke rubbed his shoulder and scowled, "I'm going to bruise, jerkface."
"Why are we even talking about this?! Are we done sharing our feelings?"
"I didn't get to share anything! It was all your feelings!"
"Tch. Whatever. I've got a job tomorrow and if I'm late, Erza will remove my head from my shoulders."
"That would certainly teach you to take your sweet ass time."
Gray stood and brushed the grass from his pants. "Shut up. Good night. See you later. Shut up."
Loke grumbled and stood too. "Fine, be that way. You ungrateful prick. Good night."
The celestial spirit straightened his clothes and disappeared in a bright glow.
"Show off," Gray muttered and stomped into his cottage while cursing Loke for his nosiness.
And at himself for telling Loke anything in the first place.
Oof. I apologize for the clunky dialogue... and exposition. I couldn't seem to make it... unclunky.
But don't let that stop you from being a dear, and feed me with a review. The more I get, the more inclined I am to work on it.
