Author's Note: A request from the gruvia challenge for the prompt fever! I'm meh about this one, but hope ya like it!

title: hot mess
rating: T
summary: I'm burning up for your love.

"Juvia, don't go. Don't leave me—"

"Juvia must go, Gray-sama."

"No, I need you to stay. Stay with me—"

"Gray-sama, you'll be okay—"

"Juvia, you can't—Juvia!"

"Gray-sama!"

Juvia sighed, tugging on the wrist Gray had latched his hand onto.

"Juvia will be back, Gray-sama," she said gently, lightly pulling on his grasp. "She's just going to go look for more medicine—"

"It's so fucking hot," he groaned, his fingers tightening around her wrist as he rolled on his stomach. "I'm melting, Juvia. You can't leave me in this stuffy as hell cabin, in these thick-ass clothes—"

"But Gray-sama already removed his clothes…"

The ice mage paused, looking down to find that, indeed, he was stripped down to his boxers.

"That's not the point," he retorted, snapping his gaze back to her. "It's burning in here, Juvia. God, it's so disgustingly warm—"

"Gray-sama doesn't get fevers very often, does he," Juvia said kindly, a small smile tugging on her lips. Placing her hand over his, she knelt down in front of him, meeting his flushed face while giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Gray-sama. Juvia would never leave you! She just wants to find you more medicine and some pillows and blankets for you to rest on—"

"Forget all that," he countered. "I'll just rest on you."

"Eh?!" she flinched as her cheeks flushed pink, her heart skipping a beat.

"Don't leave," he muttered, pulling himself forward and pressing his face against her lap. "Please…"

The girl stared in bewilderment, feeling her cheeks grow incredibly warm. "G-Gray-sama…"

He clutched her tighter, burying his face in her lap. "Stay with me… Ur."

Her eyes widened, heart thumping in her chest before her face gradually softened. Placing a tender hand in his hair, she softly stroked the dark locks, easing her posture as he instantly relaxed against her.

"Gray-sama…"

Sitting on her shins, she gently coaxed him on his back. His eyes were closed, his face flushed and breathing strained with the shallow rise and fall of his chest.

He suddenly hissed, startling her as his eyebrows knit together and his teeth clenched.

"It's hot," he groaned, grinding his molars harshly. "So damn hot…"

Juvia frowned, brushing his bangs away from his forehead as beads of sweat rolled down his temple. He grunted at her touch, squeezing his eyes tighter with the cool carress of her fingers.

When she began to retreat her hand, he suddenly caught it in his own, making her jump at the swift movement. His thumb swept the inside of her palm, brushing slowly back and forth.

"Juvia…" he mumbled, faintly opening his eyes. "It's you…"

Her heart pounded in her chest, accelerating quicker as she leaned slightly towards him. "Y-Yes…? Does Gray-sama need anything?"

He closed his eyes, his grip tightening on her hand. "Can you… get me some water?"

She quickly nodded, only to frown as she glanced around. The cabin was practically empty, save for a small fire pit in the center. She did catch a glimpse of a river nearby, but that would mean moving Gray off of her to go and retrieve it, and he looked so—

"Eep!"

She shrieked at a sudden wetness enveloping her fingertips, snapping her gaze to his face. He had taken her hand and placed her fingers in his mouth, so casually and nonchalant. Her heartbeat raced wildly at the sight, blood rushing to her face while her breath hitched in her throat.

When his mouth sucked, her body instantly reacted, water seeping from her fingertips as liquid drops trickled down his throat. He swallowed the water dripping from her fingers before gliding his tongue along the lengths, sipping every last drop. Juvia's face flamed, her chest tightening while shivers crawled along her spine.

Pulling her hand out of his mouth, he exhaled a sigh, draping his palm over his stomach and licking his lips.

"Thanks."

The girl stared in shock, her body trembling as he turned his face in her lap. She cradled her hand to her chest, her cheeks flushing dark and her head spinning.

G-Gray-sama… just drank Juvia…!

His breathing grew even and she paused, glancing to his face. He was sound asleep against her, his features softened with his dark hair sprawled messily over his closed eyes. Timidly, she passed her hand through his hair, gliding her fingers down the side of his face and along his jaw. He gave a low hum, his chest rumbling while she slid her hand beneath his bangs and pushed them back.

He seemed to be cooling down as she placed her palm against his forehead, feeling the thin film of sweat on his skin. Her finger tenderly traced the scar above his brow, her eyes quietly studying his handsome face, and just when she dragged her fingers along the arch of his cheek, he stirred against her, furrowing his brows before relaxing once more.

"Hm," he grunted, turning his face towards her touch. "You're warm…"

The girl stiffened, her cheeks flushing pink as she shyly averted her gaze. "Ah, s-sorry—"

But he wearily shook his head and mumbled something she couldn't hear, the words slurred together in his drowsy state. He fell asleep before she could ask, his cheek leaned against her palm on her lap. Her heart pounded as she held her other hand to her chest, her face warming at the sight before her. Gray, sound asleep on her lap with the flush of his cheeks gradually receding while he rested.

She'd never seen a more precious sight.

"Gray-sama seems to be feeling much better this morning," Juvia smiled, gently cleaning the cold sweat from his face.

Leaning his back against the wall, Gray sighed, pressing a palm to his forehead. "I guess, but my head's killing me… I'd kill for some water right now."

"Water?!" Juvia suddenly exclaimed, and Gray arched a brow when she extended her hand eagerly before his mouth.

"Uh… what are you—"

"Gray-sama can drink Juvia again!" she beamed, gleaming sparkles twinkling around her.

He twitched. "Again?!"