First
Gray was standing outside the building of Lucy's apartment, looking down at the thin, white, square box in his hand. It was very plain, and the only thing that hinted at the special occasion it was meant for, was the small blue bow that sat on top. Gray sighed. Why was he here again? He thought back to a few days earlier, when Lucy and Erza had taken him aside in the guild.
"Gray, you do know what day is coming up, don't you?" Lucy asked, though she must not be sure he knew the answer, as her tone was a bit harsh, and her face seemed skeptical.
"Um… Tuesday? As it's Monday, and all, I mean," Gray replied.
Both of the women sighed.
"She didn't tell him?" Lucy looked at Erza worriedly.
"We only found out accidentally ourselves," Erza reasoned.
Gray was getting impatient now. "What the hell are you people talking about?"
"Juvia," they said in unison.
That was all Gray needed to hear. He began to walk away. He didn't get far, however, as Erza grabbed a hold of his shirt collar, and he spun around on the spot.
"We're going to have a small surprise party for her, because it's her birthday," Erza informed him.
"Yup! The day after tomorrow at my apartment."
"Ok…" Gray said, a sinking feeling settling into the pit of his stomach.
"And you're coming, too," Lucy added, confirming Gray's suspicion.
"Won't this be just a girls-only thing?" Gray questioned hopefully.
"No! Levy said Gajeel agreed to go, too, and Natsu and Happy will be there as well," Lucy said, looking sternly at Gray, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking.
He looked at the determined faces of the ladies before him, and knew it'd be no good to protest. Gray sighed. "Fine," he agreed, a bit resentfully. "I'll be there."
"Good!" Erza said approvingly, "now what will you get her?"
"Huh?"
"As a present. You have to bring her a present, of course." Erza stated, seeming surprised that she needed to explain this procedure to Gray.
"What for? There's no way Natsu or Gajeel are going to show up with gifts," he said, half-laughing.
"Never mind them, you're different," Lucy said, waving aside Gajeel and Natsu's lack of birthday etiquette.
"Why?!" Gray said, annoyed that he was being held to different standards.
"You know why," Erza said kindly, a smile on her face.
Gray felt heat spread across his own face, which quickly adopted a stubborn look. He said nothing.
Lucy tried to break the tension. "She's a good friend, isn't she? And she always makes an extra effort for you, right?"
Gray couldn't argue with this point, although he'd have liked to. He bit his tongue. It's not as if he wanted Juvia to make any kind of effort with him. If anything, he wished she'd just back off most of the time, because her "efforts" usually left him in compromising situations. Still, it was her birthday, and they were friends, and he knew if the situation was reversed she'd definitely give him a present. He sighed again, but this time resignedly.
The girls glowed with satisfaction.
"So? It's settled then? You'll get her something?" Lucy asked expectantly.
"Yeah," he replied, sounding slightly bitter.
"Good! My suggestion is a necklace, or maybe a bracelet," Erza listed off eagerly.
"Or earrings!" Lucy added enthusiastically. "Or a nice ring -"
"Stop!" Gray said, cutting them off. "I am not getting any jewelry, especially not a ring. She'll twist that into something else, and the next thing you know, she'll think we're engaged."
"But-" they said simultaneously.
Gray held his hand up, cutting them off.
"Thanks for the advice, but I'm going to decide on my own what I'm going to give her."
Thankfully, they didn't put up any further arguments.
As Gray shopped for Juvia's present, however, he found himself wishing that he had asked for a few more ideas from the girls. It was a lot harder than he thought picking out an appropriate gift. As he shopped around, he tried to keep his own advice in mind. So, he steered clear of any items that Juvia might misunderstand. But, at the same time, he didn't just want to get her any old thing. As much as he hated to admit it, the truth was Erza had been right, Gray was different from Gajeel or Natsu when it came to Juvia. Gray knew this. And even more so, Juvia was different for him, too. Their relationship was complicated, and his feelings for her were likewise problematic. He felt like they varied depending on the circumstances. However, he came to settle on one main point. He wanted her to be happy, so whatever it was that he ended up getting her, he needed to make sure it would at least accomplish this task. After nearly five hours of shopping - the longest he had ever spent shopping for anyone or anything - he finally found something he hoped was suitable.
As he stood outside the apartment on the day of the party, present still in his hand, he could hear laughter and excited voices wafting down to him. He knew he was a bit late, but he didn't want to get there too early, so he had dawdled for a half hour. He hated to admit it to himself, but he was feeling kind of nervous, and he didn't want to think about why that was. So, rather than spend any more time with his thoughts, he finally made his way inside.
Juvia beamed around at the assembled guests at her first ever birthday party. She couldn't believe anyone would go to this trouble for her. It was a complete shock when she had been asked by Lucy to come back with her to her apartment, because she wanted some advice about a recipe. She'd never been to Lucy's apartment before, having no previous reason to enter the lair of her love rival. But, Lucy was also a friend, and she felt it would be rude to deny her when she was asking for help. However, as they headed inside the dark apartment, suddenly the lights turned on of their own accord, and many people were shouting birthday greetings at her. Several of the Fairy Tail female guild-members were there, including Cana, Lisanna, Erza, Wendy, Charla, Mirajane, and Levy. Even Natsu, Happy and Gajeel had shown up, although Juvia had a suspicion that Lucy and Levy were greatly behind their attendance. On a side table filled with food sat a lovely strawberry shortcake with "Happy Birthday Juvia" written in icing. Erza said she had ordered it the day before, and told her it was the baker's specialty that she had sampled many times, assuring her it was delicious.
There was just one person missing, and for Juvia, it was the most important person. Gray was nowhere to be seen. Her heart fell as she realized her favorite ice-make mage hadn't attended. She knew it was ungrateful to be sad, considering the kindness her friends were showing her, and all the effort they obviously went through by throwing her this party in the first place, but Juvia couldn't help it. Gray's absence weighed heavily on her heart.
She couldn't linger long on her worries, however, as she was soon led into one hug after another from her friends, and before she knew it, she was having a good time. Even grouchy Gajeel seemed to be having fun, taunting Natsu, who's face was stuffed with appetizers, and infuriating Lucy and Levy, by poking around in Lucy's clothing drawers. As Juvia and Lisanna sat laughing at the boy's antics, the door to Lucy's apartment opened.
Juvia's heart jumped into her throat. Gray, wearing a collared, short-sleeve button down khaki shirt, and black pants, walked into the room, carrying a white box in his hand.
"He came," Juvia said in barely above a whisper, her eyes shining brightly at the handsome mage, who, she noticed, had the top four buttons of his shirt undone, as if he had stopped himself mid-strip on his way there.
Lisanna, who was sitting right next to her, looked over at the newest arrival, and back at Juvia again, smiling.
Juvia wanted to rush over to Gray, but he was accosted almost immediately by Lucy and Erza, who seemed to be chastising him.
"What do they think they are doing to Gray?" Juvia said crossly, imagining that Lucy was trying to find a way to lure him into a compromising position now that he was in her home. She scowled.
Thankfully, however, Gray seemed immune to Lucy's charms that day. He managed to shake both ladies off, and to Juvia's delight, started heading in her direction. She sprung up immediately from her seat on Lucy's bed, and went to meet him.
"Hi," Gray said.
"Hello!" she said back, a little too enthusiastically.
"Um, ha-happy birthday," he stuttered awkwardly.
Juvia beamed at him. "Thank you, Gray! Juvia is so glad you came."
"Ah," was all Gray managed to say in reply, before Natsu started complaining loudly.
"So, is it time for cake yet?"
"Yes!" Erza agreed.
Juvia's conversation with Gray was put indefinitely on standstill, as the light's of the apartment dimmed. The group sang a rounding chorus of Happy Birthday to Juvia, as she blushed embarrassedly. The cake was then cut and served. Erza was right in saying is was good. Then it was time for present opening. Juvia was led to Lucy's armchair, where she sat opening presents. As she made her way through the gifts, which contained things like a hair ornament, a pair of fuzzy mittens, and a fancy sewing basket, Juvia couldn't help glancing every other minute in Gray's direction. He was sitting somewhat stiffly on one of Lucy's dining room chairs, the white box still clutched firmly in his hand.
While Juvia opened up Lucy's present, which turned out to be a beautiful and very soft, white scarf, she had lost track of Gray somehow. When she had started opening the gift, Gray was still sitting across the room from her. But, after she was done thanking Lucy for the thoughtful present, she had turned back to Gray, only to find he had vanished from view, and his chair was now occupied by Gajeel, helping himself to another piece of cake. Juvia was at a loss as to where he had gone.
Once all the gifts had been opened, people scattered once again, and music was turned on. Some of the girls began to dance, and Natsu started ungracefully spinning Lucy around, which led to protests from her, and caused the rest of the room to erupt into laughter.
That's when Juvia heard a weird hissing noise coming from her left.
"Pssst! Juvia! Hey! Over here."
Juvia looked around and saw Lucy's apartment door was ajar. She followed the voice into the hallway.
Gray was standing there, his hands behind his back.
"Gray," she said in surprise. "Juvia was wondering where you went. She was worried you'd left," she said, thoroughly relieved.
"No, I just didn't want to do this with everyone watching, that's all," he replied, his hands still behind his back. There was something uncharacteristically timid about his stance, Juvia thought.
"Oh," was all she could say, confused.
"He-here," he stuttered, biting his lip as he held out the white box with the blue bow to her.
"Thank you, Gray!" she said, smiling widely as she took it from him.
"Don't say thanks until you open it," and he sounded worried.
Juvia cocked her head at him, puzzled, before turning her attention to the box. It didn't take long to open, as there was no wrapping paper on it, just a few pieces of tape keeping it sealed. Within the box was some plain white tissue paper. Gray took the top of the box from her hands, so she could grasp the rest of it properly. She slowly pulled the paper away from the item it was concealing. Inside lay a large, stained glass panel featuring cherry blossoms on which sat several beautifully intricate, blue butterflies. Juvia didn't say anything, as she carefully removed it from the box to take a closer look at it. The light from the overhead lamp caused the colors of the glass to dance around them. She stared at it in awe.
Gray eyed her apprehensively. "I-it's a a sun catcher," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Sun?" she questioned, that word in particular struck something within her.
"Yeah, you hang it on your window, and on a sunny day, the lights reflect into the room," Gray elaborated.
Juvia again fell silent. She looked from Gray to the sun-catcher, and back again, her eyes shining.
Gray cleared his throat, and went on. "It didn't cost a lot of money, or anything," he said hurriedly, "but… it made me think of you," he explained, a feint blush rising to his face, as he looked anywhere but at her.
Juvia stared at Gray's embarrassed face, and then at the sun-catcher. Her heart felt fit to burst. Something as beautiful as this, that was made for the sun, reminded Gray of Juvia, the former rain woman? Just this fact alone made her eyes swell with tears, never mind that he had bought her anything at all, and seemed so anxious about what she'd think of it.
She wanted to thank him, but she had already thanked him with words when he had first handed the box over. She now wanted to thank him in a different way. A rush of excitement ran through her as the idea struck. But could she do it? Surely, if it was just on the cheek, it would be ok? He still wasn't looking at her. His attention was focused in nearly the completely opposite direction, as he looked down the stairway instead. She had decided. Quick and painless.
She arched her head up, and inched as close as she could to him without him noticing. With her eyes she locked on target, which would be just to the left of his mouth, above his jaw. Juvia could hear a low voice coming out of Gray. He had started speaking again, but nothing else mattered right then to Juvia. She had her objective, and she needed to concentrate. She took a deep breath, pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and made her move.
"Look," Gray was saying, "if you don't like it, it's no big deal," he said in what he seemed to hope was an off-hand voice, as he turned back to her. "I can ju-"
Something was soft. And wet. 'Why would his cheek be wet?' Juvia wondered to herself, her eyes still firmly shut, and her heart beating wildly, as her lips had made contact with Gray's flesh. Did she dare look?
Gray's eyes and Gray's nose were so close to her own. 'That can't be right,' Juvia thought stupidly, as her head tried to catch up to her senses. Gray's wide, surprised eyes were staring into her own bemused ones. Gray's breath from his slightly open mouth, which she had caught midway through speech, on her lips. Juvia, slowly but surely started piecing it all together, and when she finally figured it out, she pulled away. She could feel the moisture from Gray's lips lingering on her own.
Nothing was said. They just stared at each other, seemingly at a loss at what had just occurred. However, Juvia's emotions were finally reentering the picture. She had just kissed Gray. REALLY kissed him. And his mouth was open. A thrill rushed through Juvia. Such a turn of events on top of all the other wonderful things that had already occurred that day was too much for her to handle. She was bubbling over, her body couldn't contain it all anymore. Before she knew it, she was wobbling in the hallway in liquid form, sliding down into a puddle of happiness.
"Oi!" Gray shouted in distress and anger. "Don't do stuff like that if you're going to melt!" he scolded her, his face a deep shade of red.
"Gray and Juvia's lips… Juvia is so happy!" Juvia said, her entire body drowning in ecstasy.
"You…" he started, though he sounded less angry now.
Before anything else could be said, however, they were both interrupted. Lucy's apartment door opened, and Lucy popped her head outside. "There you both are! We wanted to take some pictures…. Wh-what happened?!" Lucy asked, seemingly dismayed to find the birthday girl literally as a puddle on the ground.
"Uh," Gray began warily, scratching at the back of his head, but Juvia cut him off.
"Juvia was just happy about the wonderful gift Gray gave Juvia," she said, as she slowly collected herself, and reformed into her normal body. Lucy's presence seemed to have stirred some sense back into Juvia. She did her best to look as composed as possible, though her face had a significant pink tint to it nonetheless.
"Oh!" Lucy sounded impressed, as Juvia showed her the stained glass panel. "How nice," she said, giving Gray a discreet thumbs up behind Juvia's back. "Well, let's all go inside and get those pictures taken, ok? Then the memories will last forever," Lucy grinned, leading Juvia back into the party.
"But, Juvia will never forget this day, no matter what," she assured Lucy. "It's been the best day of Juvia's life." She gave a shy, but warm sideways glance in Gray's direction. There was something secretive about the smile on her face as she let Lucy steer her back into the apartment.
Little did Juvia know, once Gray was alone again, he leaned up against the apartment door in order to gather himself. He slowly and deliberately pressed his lips together as if trying to savor something. His mind seemed to wander, his eyes glazing over, before a throughly satisfied grin appeared on his own face.
End
A/N:I know this is in no way any kind of original idea, but this one turned out to be one of my favorites. ^^ Also, I thought long and hard about a gift for Juvia. I'm still not sure if it's a good one or not, but I hope it works. ^_^
