Bloom.
Of everything that could have happened in Gray's life, this had to be one of the worst.
"Not again." He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Together with Erza, Natsu and Lucy, he had come here on a job similar to this. And, true to their nature, the building had been nothing but rubble by the time of their departure.
He'd vowed he'd never come back to this place. He swore on everything he owned, even on his own magic, that he'd never return.
But yet, here he was. Again.
"Excellent!" Rabian exclaimed after the duo had finished their routine. "It was spectacular!"
Gray groaned inwardly while Juvia let a happy squeal escape her. He turned to look at her immediately. Juvia wore a poofy dress that almost swallowed her entirely, the light purple color of it drawing anyone's attention. Her hands were in front of her and she was jumping up and down excitedly.
How any of them had talked him into this, he did not know. How she talked him into it, he did not know.
Gray stood alongside Natsu and Erza, who were portraying fearless warriors (though they were already that, they were in ridiculous costumes for the part) and Gray, who was the prince of some made up kingdom on a journey to save the princess.
Princess Juvia, of course.
"Encore!" The audience behind the curtain screamed.
Somehow, the mages had managed to get through their performance without turning the building into rubble a second time.
"They're a demanding bunch they are!" Rabian clapped happily. "I'll tell them that you all are preparing a second act for them!"
"WHAT?" The group exclaimed, all of them staring helplessly as the theatre director wobbled outside of the curtain. Moments later, the crowd burst into whooping and hollering.
"What are we going to do?" Lucy whined, dropping into the floor.
"We have no other choice but to act." Levy's small voice spoke.
"We didn't plan a second act." Erza said nervously.
"Guess we're gonna have to just make something up, huh?" Natsu stated.
"You all go on in ten!" Rabian ran through, heading back to his place backstage.
Ten minutes. That's how much time they to arrange a second act, including seven people, and perform it perfectly in front of hundreds of fans.
Suddenly Gray remembered something and ran to Juvia's side, taking her hand to gain her attention.
"Do you remember yesterday when we were messing around with our magic?"
Juvia nodded quickly.
"We can do that for the next act!"
Juvia gasped, knowing Gray had a good idea.
"But, Gray-sama, what if Juvia messes it up like she did yesterday?" Juvia tore her eyes away from Gray.
Gray placed his hands on her shoulders, drawing her attention again. "You won't. Trust me." Gray gave her a small smile.
Instantly Juvia returned the smile. "Juvia will do it and make Gray-sama proud."
"That's my girl." Gray turned suddenly, missing the bright shade of red covering not Juvia's cheeks. "Now, everyone come here, I have a plan."
By the time the curtains opened they had the second act planned out. They didn't have time to practice, but they understood what they were to do.
The crowd cheered as the group was revealed. Gray and Juvia stood center stage, hands locked together as they stood side by side. Once the crowd became silent, they let go of each other and Gray used his magic to create the beginning of their next act.
Soon enough, snow began raining down on him and he glanced up, seeing Gajeel holding Levy in the air from the rafters, her magic making snow fall from above. Things were going smoothly for the moment.
Gray turned and made ice appear, huge chunks all around the stage, most of them taller than himself. Quickly he hurled himself over one of them, leaving nothing but the ice creations for the crowd to enjoy.
Lucy, Erza, Natsu and Gajeel were ready for their part of the show.
Gray hurried to Juvia's side, taking her hand once again. She smiled widely at him and he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. Juvia squeezed his hand and suddenly he felt them flying up over the ice and almost into the rafters, where Levy continued to make snow fall on the stage.
Gray looked down to see the other four destroying the ice he'd made, chunks of it flying around the air. It caught the light in just the right way and made the pieces shine. The crowd was so hypnotized by the show going on below that they didn't see Gray and Juvia.
"Showtime." He said, using his magic to freeze the water pillar he and Juvia stood upon. He straightened and turned to Juvia. "It's up to you now, Juv."
She gasped at the nickname, but nodded and began her part.
Slowly, Gray felt the ice begin to shift under him. The duo had been thinking of a way to use their magic combined in a part of the show, and they'd figured it out and been very relieved.
Ice was just frozen water, and Juvia discovered she could move the ice and shape it to whatever she liked.
Slowly their ice pillar was shifting into something wider, bigger. The more Juvia used her magic the more Gray began helping. Moments of their combined magic use and they stood in front of an ice castle, much like the one on their Fantasia Parade float.
The crowd was astounded, cheering wildly for everyone.
The curtains closed and the Fairy Tail members all cheered and congratulated each other.
"That was great, Juvia!" Gray said, smiling at the water mage.
"Thank you, Gray-sama was extraordinary in today's show."
He smiled and had a strange urge hit him.
"Hold out your hand."
Juvia complied, holding out her right hand to him.
Gray magicked a thin chunk of ice into her hand and Juvia looked up expectantly to Gray. Slowly, he placed his hand on the base of the ice, his fingers grazing Juvia's palm. Slowly, he ran his hand up the ice, and after each inch tiny pieces protruded from it. Juvia watched, completely mesmerized at what Gray was doing.
As Gray neared the top, he brought his other hand up, cupping the air beside the ice with both hands. He moved his hands until his palms faced each other, and after a moment, pulled away.
Juvia gasped. Growing from her hand was a flower made entirely of ice. She had watched it bloom, watched as Gray made it bloom before her eyes.
"It's beautiful." Juvia gaped, tearing her eyes away to look at Gray.
Feeling as if he wasn't in control of his own body, he leaned forward, his lips beside Juvia's ear. "You were amazing today, Juvia." Gray pulled backs. Few inches and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to Juvia's cheek.
He pulled away fully and turned, leaving Juvia to stand with an ice flower in her hand and a face flushed a bright red.
Okay, so maybe today wasn't the worst.