Unedited and Untitled Ice Cream Shop AU.
Pairing: Gruvia
Written as a surprise gift to cobblepottantrum on tumblr.

It was his first visit and Juvia couldn't manage to control the palpitations of her own heart.

Tall, broad shouldered, fluffy black hair framing a pale face and blue eyes, it was like looking looking into heaven with bright lights shining down upon her, warming her cold limbs that were stuck between the Ice Cream Counter. Or perhaps the chill that ran down her spine was caused by the case being open.

"Uh," Rightfully confused, the customer before her scratched the back of his head and stared, "You okay in there?"

Well, that was embarrassing. Cheeks flared red and she cleared her throat, swiftly knocking back whatever distraction she had been lost within. How unprofessional, he was a customer! How could she stare like that? "- Oh dear, Juvia- I mean, me," She struggled with her words, random stammers and embarrassment multiplying, "I'm sorry! How can I help today, sir?!"

The man before her looked as if he was questioning every decision he had made that day and her heart deflated. Oh, I must look like a complete freak! And to a complete stranger at that! What was she doing? A silent tension mounted between them as Juvia began to sweat bullets. Had she lost a sale already? Thankfully, that moment broke when he exhaled, smirking softly. It only served to increase the sparkle to his handsome features and Juvia's heart pounded once again.

"Yeah, just wanted to see what sorts of flavors you got here." He said, looking down at the case of cold sweetness. Juvia blinked, processing his words slower than normal before shaking her head wildly.

"Oh, yes, of course! We have thirty-two different flavors and you can mix-match to your heart's content!" She sang out, trying desperately to regain her air of professionalism. Working part-time at a small Ice Cream Cafe had been a rash decision, but Juvia took it seriously. The fact she was losing track of her usual spiel and acts of customer service was abnormal for her.

"Right, so," Whether the man noticed or not, he didn't say, opting to focus on the swathe of containers before him, inches away from his fingers through thick glass. His brows narrowed in scrutiny, reading the titles for each flavor as he considered his options. It gave Juvia a moment to breathe, counting to ten in her head to calm her racing heart. Oh why was she reacting like this today?! "Gotta be honest, I don't know what half of these even taste like."

That seemed par for the course with any new customers at this particular location. Juvia inhaled again, feeling much calmer with the familiar territory. Right, she could do this, "Well, we can't have you picking something if you don't know if you will like it, now can we?" She said, humming as she pulled out some smaller cups and spoons, "It it well help, I would gladly get you some samples of whatever you'd like!"

His smile was small, but the way his features softened made Juvia's heart picked up the pace again. She did her best to ignore it. "I'd like that. How about this one over here- the mint-eye icing? Bit of a weird name, but I usually like mint…"

Scooping a small dollop of the request flavor, Juvia fell back into a pattern she had been used to for months. One flavor after the other. She would hold out a small cup for this man to try and he'd point to the next one. She moved down the line with him, chirping her opinions to the flavors, fighting off moments of speaking in third person and enjoying the way his eyes lit up with each new flavor. It was almost too perfect, having a handsome man like him visit that day. She thanked whatever God or Goddess chose to bless her that morning.

If only she could learn his name. Wait, is that unprofessional to ask? But what if he becomes a regular? Wouldn't it be good to know? Maybe he'll pay with his card and then I can read it or- This was getting bad. Why were her thoughts charging through like this? Were her hormones acting up? She made a mental note to check her calendar on her next break, just in case it was almost time for the dreaded curse all women hated.

"Hey, I'm thinking I really like that Mint one I first tried," He interrupted her thoughts, finally moving back down towards the register. It pulled her from her deep thoughts, smile still framed across her face.

"Would you like a scoop of that, then?" She asked, already moving to grab the serving cups, but he shook his head, looking sheepish.

"Nah, I'm thinking I might mix it with something today. You've got so many here, I'm almost thinking I'll have to show up a few more times just to try everything." That was music to Juvia's ears, and she tried desperately to hold back in a squeal..

This, this is what she wanted! Yes! Even if it was unprofessional to flirt while on the job, just the thought of having a chance to see him was more than enough for her. How had her coworker, Lucy, worded it? Eye-candy. Yes. That. She had never understood the point in the term before, thinking her blonde peer was a little bold with the statement, but after today, she would have to recount the decision..

He certainly fit the bill. She examined his profile once again as he eyed the menu for it's other options and quickly glanced back towards the entrance. The doors had yet to jingle from another customer entering, but her attention had been narrowed ever since he had walked in. Juvia was starting to get paranoid she would accidentally ignore another patron. Luck was still with her, no one in sight, nothing ignored. Perfect!

Allowing her eyes to drink the man in again, her stomach dropped when his phone rang, pulling his attention away to answer it. Was it a girl? Did he already have a girlfriend? That would be just my luck, oh please say it isn't-

"Dude, I said I'd be there later, don't you know anything about patience?"

Ah, a man. Did that mean boyfriend? Juvia made another mental note to ask her friend Cana about these sudden thoughts she was having. How did one make them stop?! It was bad enough she'd almost spoke third-person again. It had been years since she had fallen into that old habit. Subconsciously, she worried and wondered until a pain shot through her and Juvia winced, realizing too late she had been biting her bottom lip.

Wiping her mouth, she tried to hide her discomfort, just in time for the man to slip his phone back in his pocket, looking far more annoyed than he had been. "Sorry about that- got this room mate who doesn't understand how time works."

Oh, NOT a boyfriend then! She could have cheered and sang her praises to the ceiling!

"That's quite all right," She said, "In fact, I'm used to people answering their phones. Do you need a bit more time to decide?"

He frowned and her worries shot through the roof. Had she said something wrong? Or had he lost interest in ordering now that he'd been annoyed by his phone call? The thoughts kept tumbling through her mind, but she nodded, content to wait. The nearby wall-clock ticked on as he continued to read the menu just behind her head and her fingers drummed against the counter as she waited.

It was a marvel he managed to look gorgeous even with his nose scrunched in thought. Adorable even. She committed the expression to memory. His consideration gave her far too much time to watch him, her mind already derailing into possibly scenarios where she could ask for his name, possibly his number and throw out a compliment or two. All situations Juvia would never do, not while on the clock. It would be devastating if he filed a complaint with her manager for such a thing.

Shifting her weight, she managed to tear her gaze away from him when her reflection in the glass caught her attention, cheeks turning red when she did. Easy to spot and plain as day was a clump of hair dangling from her ponytail, crusted from melted ice cream. Horror filled her. How long had that been there? Had he seen it?

With a surprised squeak, she rushed away from the counter, towards the nearest water fountain and doused her hair. She barely noticed the man change his focus back to her, brow raising in question as she rushed away. Once she had turned back, however, his gaze met hers and he chuckled.

"Got somethin' in your hair?" He asked, "Don't freak out on my account, I didn't even notice."

"Oh, really?" She replied, voice losing all emotions. Was that a good proclamation or a statement he didn't find her interesting enough to look at? Oh, why were all her thoughts so complicated today?! "Thank you. Juvia was wor- I mean,"Again with the third- person? "I mean, I was worried, yes."

"No reason to be, a little ice cream in your hair isn't going to stop it from looking nice." His reply send her heart careening into her throat and she almost tripped over her own feet. Rushing back behind the counter to hide the blunder, she cleared her throat and resume standing awkwardly by the cold case.

"T-thank you!" She said, cheeks so warm she feared she'd melt the ice cream.

"No problem." His finger pointed back towards the mind ice cream, tapping the glass, "Could I- maybe have another sample? I may have already forgotten how it tastes, but I think I know what I want."

Now, she should have said know. Juvia knew this. Too many samples could lead to issues and he'd already had one, but she wasn't thinking with a clear head. In fact, after that compliment towards her hair, she was on auto-pilot. Rushing to grab the sample cup, she was surprised when he shook his head, "Just the spoon is fine. I don't need that much for a taste."

"Oh-" She blinked, a little surprised at this, but shrugged, "I can do that, sure."

Getting the tiniest of spoons out for him, she held it over the glass, the mind-green glowing in the fluorescent lighting. She expected him to grab it, to test it out on his tongue as he'd done earlier. Instead, he surprised her yet again, eyes glinting in sudden mischief as he leaned forward and promptly tasted it while it was still in her fingers. Everything froze. Juvia couldn't hear the clock, she couldn't hear the stunned gasp of surprise, the rumble of contentment as he licked the sweet off the plastic. None of that came to Juvia's ears.

She only heard her heartbeat as it thudded so loudly in her ears she feared the whole world would catch it. It thundered like a stampede of elephants and her entire arm went numb. "I- Uh- oh my, s-sir- Juvia doesn't think…"

Lips popped off the spoon and a swipe of his tongue cleaned the substance away, but his eyes never left hers. "Thanks, Juvia, but you can call me Gray, not sir."

"I, what?" Juvia's mind was whirling, her body still in place until he grasped her hand and slowly pushed it down to rest on the counter. "-Oh, yes, well, Gray is a very nice name," she meant it to, but was mostly rambling to distract herself.

"Thanks." He said, smirking full blast. "So can I get a waffle cone with two scoops of that mint-eye please?"

Juvia blinked, stunned and sluggish at processing his words, but the moment it clicked, she reacted, jolting back and rushing to get his order ready. "Uh- y-yes! Of course, hold on!" Ringing him up so he could use the pay pad, she bustled about the counter, putting together his order with speed and grace. Luckily, her muscle memory could do the work for her as her mind raced.

Did he really just do that, did he really just do that, did he really just - heeeeee! And now I know his NAME! She was so lost in the expanse of her mental excitement that she had already given him his order and receipt by the time her attention was attending the room again.

Gray, and she made her millionth mental note for the day that is was a name she would never forget, tested his ice cream and gave her a two finger wave. "Thanks, Juvia. I'll come again sometime!"

"Y-yes, have a great day!" She exclaimed, tilting from side to side as he left, cheeks still burning and heart set to burst right out of ribcage. The door jangled as he left and her eyes glanced back towards the forgotten sample spoon left on the counter. Another wave of embarrassment flooded through her and she rushed to quickly toss it out, squealing all the while.

"I HAVE to tell Lucy!" She said.

He was going to come back! This is the BEST day ever!

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