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''So let me get this straight,'' Laxus said as he tried to comprehend everything they just told him. ''You rescued some homeless girl in Hargeon and she won't leave you alone anymore.''

Gray sighed, ''Basically, yes.''

''And you found out she was a top-ranked criminal we're supposed to catch so you teamed up with Erza to keep her hidden.'' Laxus continued.

''That's correct.'' Erza said.

He laughed out loud. ''Sound like a love story fitting for a captain to me.''

''It's not!''Gray quickly backfired in denial. He looked over his shoulder, expecting Erza to have his back, but instead she was holding back her laughter.

He turned back to Laxus. ''Please keep it a secret.''

''Who else knows about this?''

''Only Gajeel.'' Erza said.

''And Erza's entire crew.'' Gray added.

''So basically half of the people working on project Fairy Tail?'' Laxus asked. Erza and Gray exchanged worried looks; Laxus was right. ''Why not let her be on the mission as well then already?''

Gray didn't want to answer with every fibre of his being, they had already had their fun with mocking him. He deeply sighed, he had no choice. ''The problem is that people would think we're in a relationship and if rumours would spread about us being together, it could mean the end of the King's trust in us. She's still one of the most wanted criminals in Fiore at the moment.''

Laxus raised an eyebrow. ''So? We've all been bad guys here to a certain degree. I can't see why she can't be a part of us.''

''She first has to prove herself to gain everyone's trust and be acknowledged as a pirate.'' Erza said.

''Then I'll suggest to let her join the mission.''

Gray felt nervous, there was no way he could bring up the fact that Juvia had connections to Bora. Laxus had him cornered. He couldn't tell the truth.

''I'll ask her if she's okay with it.'' Gray said as he already made his way to the door, he was so done with this whole situation. He felt cornered by his own friends and it was beyond unnerving.

''Even though she's here on Erza's ship? Why not let Erza talk to her?''

No answer. The door had already closed behind him before Laxus even finished his sentence.

''Wha-?'' Laxus looked back at Erza and just one glance was enough to make him understand the situation.

''It's a pirate's love story after all.'' He snickered.

With heavy steps Gray walked back to this room. He hadn't told Laxus about her visits. He just knew it was no use to search Erza's entire ship, when the chance Juvia had switched ships again was bigger. As he opened the door, his suspicions were confirmed.

She had already made herself comfortable on the same place she had been sleeping during the first night in his room. She was wearing the blue dress he had given her the day before and was leafing through a huge encyclopaedia about marine animals.

If she hadn't immediately turned around at his arrival, he could have stared at her for hours. There was just something about her that had him in his grasp. If he to put it in romantic terms, he would describe her as the embodiment of the ocean itself.

He shook his musings off. What was he thinking?

''Erza and I have decided to let you join the mission.'' He had hoped she would have immediately declined, but he had been too naive. ''If you want to, of course.''

''I really want to, mister,'' she said with her eyes glistering with excitement. ''Thank you so much for your trust.''

There was something about the way she formulated her sentences that made him feel like they were supposed to act formal. Like a teacher and student. He shivered. That thought was such a turn-off. As if he didn't feel old enough already.

''I'm slowly starting to think it's no use anymore, telling you to stop addressing me that way..'' he said as he stood up to walk over to the window for some fresh air.

Suddenly he felt a weight being pressed into his back and as he looked down, he saw her arms draped around his waist. Holding him tight.

''Thank you, Gray.'' she softly said as she let her cheek rest on his shoulder. He felt a shiver travel down his spine as if he had been stung.

He was totally thrown off guard by her move. Helplessly he stared at her arms. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't show that hearing her say his name so close to his ear made his heart race. Or that his face was probably flushing in the darkest shades of pink right now.

''You're surprisingly warm for an ice-wizard.''

Sweat started to break out all over his skin. There was just one way out of this without turning around.

''Forgive me.'' he whispered before touching her arm, which was instantly covered in a layer of ice. The ice quickly spread and before she could even understand what was going on, she was frozen in place.

Quickly he slid out of her grip and crawled back. With a gesture of his hand he made the ice immediately sublimate again.

Juvia almost tripped forward as she wasn't leaning against him anymore.

''I'm very sorry for doing that, I just didn't know what to do.''

She fidgeted with the fabric of her dress. ''It's okay, I was too direct, I'm sorry.''

''I guess it just reminds me to much of the people who used to hold me.'' he blurted out before he even realised it.

''What happened to them?''

This really wasn't a topic he wanted to touch, he instantly regretted ever saying that sentence. ''I'd rather not talk about that.''

Yet again they were left in an empty silence.

''Do you think you can help Erza out with planning the infiltration today?'' he carefully said.

Her eyes lit up again. ''Of course!'' she said as she already made her way to the open window.

He was glad to finally see her like this, she must have felt really useless until now. ''Welcome to team Fairy Tail, miss Lockser.'' he said as he took of his hat and made a dramatic bow.

To his surprise she had gained a colour on her pale cheeks and melted back to a puddle of water.

Puzzled, Gray stared at the bizarre scene. ''Are you okay?''

The puddle took the shape of an orb that bounced out of the window.

He let himself fall back on his bed.

He let out a deep sigh. As much as this was a drag, he couldn't help but taking a liking in her. If only she wasn't so hard to read...