Author's Note: Hi! Sorry I've been MIA. Been really busy with school (essays and exams galore), but today (or yesterday since it's 4 AM) I finished my last final! Already done with my second year of university, it's going by so quick! Also, thank you very much for your reviews last chapter! I'm so happy my humor attempt was successful :) I hope you like this one!

xi.

Gray exhaled a breath before bending an arm behind his head, pushing down on his elbow as Juvia tied her hair up.

"Don't forget to stretch," he told her, and the girl nodded zealously as she fell into place beside him.

"1, 2, 3," she counted under her breath, mirroring Gray's movements before bending over and touching her toes.

He looked at her, dark eyes openly wandering down her legs before he leaned over and stretched his own.

"It's important to stay in shape," he added in a lunge position. "If you're fit, your body won't easily exhaust itself when you overexert magical power."

Juvia stood up straight, nodding as she swung her legs behind her, one after the other.

"Besides, this ain't all magic, ya know?" He gestured to his shirtless chest and Juvia flushed, shamelessly trailing her eyes down his chiseled physique. "Well, not totally."

Juvia pumped her fists in the air, eyes burning in determination. "Juvia's ready, Gray-sama!"

He smirked, nodding at her. "Good. Let's go."

"Go, Gray-sama! You can do it! Juvia believes in you!"

Gray grunted, lifting the last few reps of his bench press before setting the weight bar against the rack. He sat forward, panting quietly as Juvia rushed to his side.

"Amazing, Gray-sama!" she cried, diligently fanning him with a Juvi-paper fan and handing him his water bottle.

"Thanks," he muttered, grasping it and taking a swig.

"200 pounds!" Juvia gasped in awe. "Gray-sama is so strong!"

He lowered the water bottle and screwed on the cap, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Juvia took the bottle from him, placing it aside before attentively dabbing his face with a towel.

Gray looked at her, blinking at her diligent ministrations. "Uh, Juvia."

"Yes?" she replied, lowering the towel and tilting her head. "Does Gray-sama need something?"

"It's not that," he answered with a frown. "You're supposed to be working out too, you know."

The girl nodded, "Yes! But Juvia already finished her workout."

He arched a brow. "What? When?"

"Gray-sama takes two hours to work out, but Juvia only needs one!"

"Are you sure you did everything? Arms, legs, obliques—"

"Yes! Juvia started with 20 minutes of cardio, then followed the line of machines for 100 reps each!"

He blinked. "Oh. So you're just waiting for me?"

She beamed. "Juvia doesn't mind, but if Gray-sama wants Juvia to work harder, Juvia will keep working out!" She stood up, pulling him up by the arm. "Come, Gray-sama! Push-ups!"

"Uh, don't overexert yourself—"

"Juvia will be fine, Gray-sama!"

She led him to the exercise mats, coaxing him into the proper position. Just as he was about to begin, Juvia arranged herself in the middle of his back, sitting on top of him with her legs crossed.

Gray grunted at the additional weight, glancing over his shoulder with a hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Oi, what are you—"

"Juvia will help build Gray-sama's strength!" she exclaimed, patting his shoulder blade. "Go, Gray-sama! Begin! One!"

He furrowed his brow, complying nevertheless as he lowered and raised himself.

"Excellent, Gray-sama! Two!"

"Wait, what about your workout?"

"Juvia is working out, Gray-sama! Three!"

"How're you—"

He felt her back press against his, her torso curling forward with every lowering of his body.

"Very good, Gray-sama! Four!"

Gray blinked, pausing before chuckling at his sudden personal coach.

"How many of these are you gonna make me do?"

"Up until Gray-sama gets tired! 27!"

He nodded, focusing on his core strength as Juvia continued her sit-ups above him.

At 75, Gray exhaled a breath before forcefully pushing his body up. Juvia squeaked as she bounced in the air, glancing down to find Gray on his back with a handsome grin on his face.

She fell in his arms with a peep, her hands on his shoulders and her chest pressed against his. "Gray-sama?" she cheeped, looking at him with flushed cheeks.

Gray smirked at her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm done," he said, leaning forward and pressing a brief kiss to her lips. "Thanks. Let's hit the showers."

She blushed and stammered as he winked at her, pulling her up by the hand. He smacked her butt and she squeaked, blushing darker as he snickered and led her out the door.

first work out together