Disclaimer: All rights reserved to rightful owners.
She's In Your Court 17 I'm Feeling...
…
You got that thing that I been looking for
Been running around for so long
Now I caught you, I won't let you go
Just say you feel the way that I feel
I'm feeling…
Sexual, Neiked
…
The sun was already so up high when Gray woke from his deep slumber. He stretched his arms out and cracked his neck side to side. A yawn stretched his mouth and his eyes still needed some opening. Gray felt like he went for swimming lapses last night. And then more. Who knew pouring your heart out could be that exhausting? Emotions are too overwhelming but Gray had no regrets. A satisfied smile played on his lips, forcing him to get out of bed and seek that beautiful blue-haired he suddenly missed.
Gray dragged his feet to his closet, found himself a dark grey tee and shoved his arms into the sleeve holes. Hoopster knocked on Juvia's door first, careful not to wake the woman up in case she was still sleeping in. When no one answered, he tried the doorknob, twisting the polished nob to open. It seemed like Juvia wasn't one to lock her door, which was okay, since she was staying at the safety of the Mine Mansion. Gray slowly pushed the door open, calling her name in case she wasn't decent, which he also wouldn't mind to be honest. Unfortunately, the bed was already made and there was no 'still dressing' Juvia inside. Gray hurried to the dining where he heard the utensils clattering. It turned out to be a disappointment, and he didn't even try to hide it, only seeing his mother and a few of the helps arranging the table.
"Hey mom," Gray walked into the dining room, reduced into hugging the back of the tall chair when all he wanted was his bluenette within his arms. "Has Juvia come down yet?" He looked around, a pout audible from his voice, but still no blue-haired beauty.
"Wow, not even a good morning, huh?" Mika remarked, not taking her eyes off the spoons and forks she was arranging, to address her son.
"Sorry."
Mika Mine waited for a few louder impatient breaths from her ill-mannered son, just to test his patience and to teach him a lesson. Mika placed the toasted garlic bread she bought from the market on the table. Only raised her gaze to finally look at her son after thanking one of the helpers.
"I heard she's at your fath–at the basketball court."
Gray, realizing his first mistake, threw his arms around his mother and planted a quick peck on her cheek. "Thank you." Then, he disappeared from his mother's sight.
Gray hurriedly made his way to the old basketball court, not even stopping to just see and smell the roses. He skidded to a stop at the end of the pathway and quickly spot Juvia's figure a few feet away from the ring tower. Looking closer, Gray was surprised, but definitely not disappointed, at the ballerina who was dribbling a ball between two hands before attempting a shot.
"Morning exercise?"
Juvia was just coming to pick up the ball that bounced off the ground. She whipped her head at his direction, her long ponytail flying out behind.
"Oh, Gray!" She acknowledged. "Good morning."
Her bright smile was so contagious that Gray found himself smiling back at her. As soon as he was inside the rectangle, seeing his girlfriend closer, that responsive smile quickly dropped. His thick brows met in a frown, nose crinkling in slight dismay.
"What are you wearing?"
"Oh, this? Your mother got it for me." Juvia answered, resting the ball at the side of her hip and returning to the free-throw line. "She invited me to go to the central market."
"That's good. You guys are bonding." Gray walked up to her, hands planted on his waist, dark eyes narrowing at that long wicking polyester fabric hanging on his girlfriend's shoulders. "But what are you wearing?"
"A jersey." Juvia answered, tone implying that it should have been obvious. "Fiore Knights Jersey, to be exact." She attempted a second shot and the ball went in perfectly. Juvia was about to run after the bouncing ball but Gray beat her to it.
"I can see that..." Gray sounded like he was about to say something more, purposely leaving his statement hanging. He dribbled the ball thrice before executing a right lay-up.
"I look good in it, don't I? The girl from the stall said it's an 'Isvan Must-Have'."
Juvia spun around to present herself to Gray. The boyfriend had to admit, there was something about his girlfriend wearing that basketball uniform, which he loved and greatly respected, that made those butterflies in his stomach flutter. Even if the jersey was too big for Juvia's slender figure. Gray rested the ball against his hip and walked up to Juvia, who was enjoying her Fiore Knights uniform and that long ponytail at the back of her head.
"It's cute."
Gray stopped in front of Juvia, staring her up and down. Juvia could feel his dark eyes undressing her of that jersey.
"But you got the wrong number, sweetie."
Juvia bit her lip in no surprise. It seemed like she knew exactly whose jersey number it was. Yet, she still wore the same. With a stubborn smile she told him, "It's all they have." Juvia snatched the ball from him and pushed past Gray, who still had one brow cocked up. "Apparently, yours sell like hotcakes." Her ball hit the rim and ricocheted.
"Well, missy. I don't like it when my girlfriend is wearing someone else's number." Gray followed the ballerina to the left side of the ring, catching her by surprise as she tried her luck shooting the ball on the side. "Take it off."
"What?!"
Gray played with the hem where the sleeve was supposed to be, tugging on it. "I said take it off."
Juvia just stared at him like he was crazy, which she sure Gray was apparently, demanding from her to take the jersey off. "Here?"
"Yes." Gray answered in a tone that said it should have been obvious.
"I'm not gonna take my shirt in the middle of this court, Gray." She rolled her eyes at him. Really? They may have been in the comfort of the Mine's private compound but that didn't mean Juvia would just freely flaunt herself in that open space. Who knew if someone was watching them through a telescope? Or drone? Or something?
"Wanna play for it?" Gray wasn't going to drop the subject that easily.
Juvia faced her absolutely shameless boyfriend, her jaw dropping at his audacity. He wasn't being serious, was he? Because that would be totally absurd. But she asked again, just in case.
"What?"
"If you beat me, you get to keep that stupid jersey. But if I win, you need to take it off." Juvia would have cracked up, ROFLed, you know, rolled on the floor laughing, if not for that seriousness in Gray's expression. And to prove he meant business, one corner of his mouth lifted in a challenging grin. "Here."
Totally. Absurd. She wasn't really considering it, was she?
"That would be really unfair for me. You're a professional player–"
"–Basketball god, some would say." Gray cocked a brow, as he snatched the ball in Juvia's hands, to prove a point. "No rules. First to reach ten points win." He tried to sell it but Juvia still looked skeptical. She was at the losing end going up against a three-time MVP. "I'll even let you have a head-start." Gray returned the ball to Juvia. While the ballerina accepted it, her guarded eyes remained skeptical about Gray's terms, eyeing the man as if anytime he'd attack her. She considered the slight possibility that Gray might let her win, if his ego would allow. When she walked a little distance away from him and near the net, Gray just crossed his arms against his chest and watched her score two points. He didn't move even after that and just waited for Juvia's other shot.
"That's four points all in all. I guess that's enough head-start."
Like a predator stalking his prey, Gray slowly approached Juvia while the noticeably nervous ballerina still held the ball in her hands. The Team Captain of one of Fiore's best basketball teams and three-time MVP feigned offense, pretending to suddenly approach her and steal the ball. Juvia jerked back with the ball in hand.
"Quick reflexes, Lockser."
Gray quickly cornered Juvia, raising his arms on the side guarding the ballerina, who dribbled the ball in front of her but had her back on Gray. She'd hit her back against Gray's front when he tried to dig.
"Not today, Fullbuster."
Juvia faked a right turn and eventually shook him away. Gray didn't take offense from that little trick. He was too amused and proud of that unexpected bluff that won Juvia another two points.
Juvia threw her hands in the air and did a little dance before shoving the ball to Gray. "Keep up, Captain." It sounded more like a snide name-calling rather than the respectable title it was supposed to be.
"Don't be so cocky."
And before Juvia could even react, Gray was already near the ring with his first two points under his belt. Of course, he didn't let the victory slide. Juvia was again in possession of the ball but she lost it in her hands before she could even blink. Gray shot the stolen ball from outside the three-point line, reminding Juvia why he was the best pointer of last season.
"You are taking this too seriously."
"Well, I seriously hate that shirt."
When Gray was rearing towards the net and had Juvia shuffling along with him as she had her hands in defense, the sly ballerina had the greatest idea of kissing him on the cheek, startling Gray and rooting him on the spot.
"That's eight points in total."
"So that's how you want to play the game, huh?"
"Hey," Juvia threw him the ball and resumed her position as his guard, "you're the one who said there are no rules."
"Alright." He said. Gray wasn't mad about it or anything. He bounced the ball twice and taunted the ballerina by holding the ball at arm's length. When Juvia tried to snatch it, Gray jerked his arm away quickly. The couple stayed on the three-point line as Juvia grabbed for the ball that Gray kept above his head, out of her reach. His height played a good part while Juvia was the one who had to tiptoe, sometimes leaning on Gray for support. Hoopster seized the opportunity and stole a kiss from Juvia before throwing in his second three-point shot.
"I guess that's a tie."
The game ended with a rare dunk shot from Gray and a score of 8 vs 10, in favor of the boyfriend.
"Not bad, Lockser." Gray leaned on the ring tower, planting his palm flatly against the side of the pole, taking a shade from the morning sun. He wiped the sweat that wet his forehead with the back of his arm. "Now, time for your punishment."
"No. It's not." Juvia rested one hand on her hips in a defiant manner. She didn't sound as firm as she was when Gray first suggested the punishment.
"Be a sport, Juvia. Now, take off that jersey."
Juvia gave him a look, contemplating her options. "Fine." She dropped her hand on the side and tugged at the hem of her large jersey. "Like this?"
Gray couldn't believe that Juvia was actually going through with it. Yes, he said he'd be firm with her when he was to demand his reward/her punishment but now that it came to this… he wasn't complaining but as the bottom of the cloth lifted upwards, his heart was racing – and not because of that brief one-on-one basketball they just had – but because of that teasing twinkle in her eyes that got Gray a little nervous and honestly, turned on.
"Higher." Gray heard himself order, which was a miracle considering it was a struggle to breathe.
Juvia suddenly became very obedient. She lifted the edge of the shirt higher, revealing white, smooth skin beneath as her knuckles brushed past the band of her shorts and against her stomach.
And Gray… well, his hand mysteriously slipped off the shaft he was leaning on for support and almost fell on the ground, face first. The triumphant smile slowly dropped and he could feel his blood rushing to that one part of his body as he continued to watch the fabric slide past her belly button and further up her slim ribs.
"Higher?"
The only response he could muster was a breathy 'yeah' or a low groan. Juvia wasn't sure, neither was Gray. But the ballerina got the point, just staring at his expression: eyes wide open and lips slightly apart.
The band of her pink lace bra made a peek.
He held his breath as the shirt pulled up a few inches above the band, teasing the lace that cupped the bottoms of her breasts. Just a little more, he thought. Just a little more…
"There you are!"
Juvia pulled her shirt down swiftly.
NOOOOO!
His mother's voice sounded like nails against a chalkboard – freakishly annoying and hellishly frustrating.
Mika didn't bother to come down the court and stayed at the pathway. "C'mon! Breakfast is ready." She started back to the house and turned around again to remind them, "You two change first. Gray, put on a fresh shirt."
"I know!" Gray was obviously irritated.
"Come here. I'll wipe your face with this towel–"
"–Mom!" Hoopster whined, throwing his mother a deadly look. If she didn't get the hint then he just had to shoo her away, "We'll be right behind you." And he was glad she didn't insist on that face-wipe because: one, he wasn't a child; and two, he would have died right there and then if Mika Mine found out what his girlfriend's strip tease did to her son's body.
And Juvia… she just gave him that guilty look. They laughed it off like a bad joke but Gray almost died in suspense.
Gray knew that the stay at the mansion wasn't going to last long. Later this afternoon, they had to drive back to the city and deal with the daily grind on Monday. Back to regular programming. That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy breakfast with his family, his team and his girlfriend. Gray glanced at Juvia who was seated beside him. He didn't notice he was already glaring at her cute tight t-shirt until Loke flagrantly pointed it out. He was then forced to spend the rest of the morning trying not to think about that strip tease his girlfriend did for him, which proved to be a real struggle because he spent the rest of breakfast thinking when she could get to finish the show.
Man, Gray didn't even know she had it in her.
After breakfast, Mika pulled him by the corner asking about his plans for his birthday. Gray could sense she wanted to ask for another day to stay and celebrate it together. He reasoned he had commitments in the city. She didn't push it but Gray sure did feel guilty. Mothers – always playing the guilt card. And he was sure it was that which prompted him to agree to come back next weekend. After that talk and a few reminders, he wandered around the mansion to look for his girl in that pink statement shirt – Girl Power – and found her leaning against the railing at the veranda. He was about to join her when Gray realized she wasn't alone. It didn't sit with him right, having a certain pink-haired Natsu standing in his place. They looked deep in conversation. Of course, there was no reason to be jealous about it. Fiore Knight Members didn't steal a brother's girl. That rule was set in stone. But he couldn't help that bitter taste stirring in the pit of his stomach. The mental image of Juvia in that jersey with Natsu's number on didn't help too.
"What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing important." Natsu quickly answered before he peeled himself off the railing, excused himself from Juvia and walked back into the house.
Gray could tell he was trying to act like it was nothing. But it was too casual to be nothing. He threw him a side glance when his Vice Captain passed him by with that forced, toothy smile. The sound of heels tapping on the marble floor pulled his attention back to the woman coming to meet him. Gray abandoned the thought for a moment. He'll get to the bottom of that later. For now, having Juvia alone in the veranda kicked that mystery off of the priority list.
Gray met Juvia halfway. His hands automatically wrapped themselves around her waist while the ballerina snaked one arm around his neck. The other poked a finger where his furrowed brows met.
"What's with that frown?"
Gray didn't answer. He obviously wasn't going to admit to anything.
"Oh, I get it." Juvia pulled him closer, if that was even possible, and brushed the tip of her nose against his. "Is my boyfriend jealous?"
Gray snorted. "No." He tightened his arms around her body and stole a peck on the lips. "Just a little disappointed I didn't get to see the rest of your strip show."
"Oh, that."
A small flame caused by the memory powdered Juvia's cheeks rosy.
"When will you get to finish it?"
"Not anytime soon. That's for sure." answered Juvia before pressing an innocent kiss on Gray's lips.
Gray mumbled something. Then, getting tired of all that 'child kiss', he didn't let Juvia speak another word, saddled up and kissed his girlfriend like a real man – with tongue.
Gray placed their bags at the backseat of his Lamborghini. He still cocked a brow at that sequined leopard duffle. But that was just a distraction. In all honesty, Hoopster was still very much bothered by Natsu and Juvia's sudden closeness. He wasn't a jealous type. Not to anyone and especially not with any of his teammates, let alone his best friend. Although, he would never admit that out loud – Natsu being his best friend. They were brothers and they all subscribe to the unwritten Bro Code. Besides, he was happy that the guys liked Juvia – really, really liked her. He didn't mind them interacting with his girlfriend, encouraged it even. So, why all the mysterious whispers and acting like nothing?
Gray heard his mother's voice. She was saying something to Juvia, which earned small laughs and giggles from the ballerina. He opted to watch in a safe distance as his parents embraced Juvia and bade goodbye. He, the son, got a wave from afar. He preferred that. Gray wasn't in the mood to get another hug and pat at the back from the President. Too much unnecessary skinship.
Juvia walked down to Gray's car, an ear-to-ear smile still plastered on her face.
"Looks like they really like you, huh?"
"Well, I live to please." She quipped, stopping at the passenger seat's door.
"Speaking of pleasing, I–"
"–except for that."
Juvia already knew what he was driving at and no, Juvia would not engage him. His parents were still at the door waving them goodbye for goodness' sake. And even if the whole thing really did look ridiculous now that she thought back to when Gray's mother walked in on Juvia stripping… They laughed it off. Still, what would the woman think of her if she actually finished pulling off that jersey? Que horror.
Gray pouted. "No more strip shows?"
Juvia just glared at him. The ballerina swore she wasn't going to ever do that again – well, at least not in public.
When Gray was about to climb into his car, Juvia raised her open palm at him, asking for the keys to the car instead.
"You want to drive?"
"I know you're tired so I'm offering."
Gray shut his door close and leaned over it, mulling over how he was going to play this situation without him receiving the cold-shoulder treatment thereafter. He had been a part of this conversation far too many times not to know it rarely ended well. He never really let anyone drive the Ghini. It's his baby!
"This is a really expensive car, Juvia." He said slowly, careful not to strike a chord or else… Female logic was the hardest to read.
"You don't trust your girlfriend?"
See? In what universe did 'not letting her drive your car' read as 'not trusting her'? The complicated universe of the female brain.
"Juvia…" Gray talked with caution, not wanting to be misinterpreted and to start a fight that early in the relationship.
"Gray…" She kept her hand held out to him, insisting on the keys and taking the same tone he had with her.
Gray steered around his car to walk up next to Juvia, only to whisper his answer so no nosy mother come snooping. Juvia saw his purposeful smile before he leaned in to whisper into her ears, "Only if you finish that strip show, girlfriend."
But like Gray, Juvia had some trick up her sleeves too. Sensing an upcoming victory, the ballerina played the same naughtiness on her lips. "Really? While your parents are watching?" She challenged. She didn't even have to wait to get that ugly reaction wrinkling his smug face. Juvia watched him threw a glance behind her; one she was sure was directed at the older man. Because Juvia didn't spend the week without learning a thing or two.
"Keys?"
Gray withdrew his attention from the old geezer and looked down at the woman who dared… oh, dating smart-asses was such a pain. But he still had one last card to play. He leaned in, pressed a soft kiss on her lips and put up a wide, playing an innocent grin, which earned a serious look from the woman.
"What? I thought you said kiss." But the glare wasn't budging. "Although, I have a dictionary in my phone that disagrees with that definition." Gray seemed to have failed to notice, or rather, chose to ignore the serious look.
But he knew he couldn't keep up with that show anymore, he got himself a stubborn one. Gray dangled the keys in front of Juvia, which the woman quickly snatched from his hand. He realized then, he just lost and he would keep on losing where this woman was concerned. If he got to steal a few kisses – and a few more real ones too, those which abide by the definition – then he didn't mind caving in.
And that's a big commitment coming from the very competitive 'basketball god'.
Gray kept telling her where to go or how to drive, even how slow or slow-er she should go and honestly, he was starting to get on Juvia's nerves.
"Babe, if you could just sit tight while I drive," She told him off without taking her eyes away from the road. "that would be really awesome." Her voice had finality and she didn't have to throw a glare at him for Gray to know she was serious.
In the end, Gray gave up. If he was in Juvia's shoes, he'd lash out at that person bossing him around. He settled comfortably in his seat, leaving Ghini's fate into his girlfriend's hands. What's the worst that could happen?
He fell asleep.
Gray was violently woken up by the fact that: one, someone else was driving his Ghini, although that someone was Juvia and he trusted her whole-heartedly, or maybe three-fourth of his heart trusted her, the other one-fourth feeling guilty about betraying the Ghini for letting someone else – who wasn't him – drive his baby; and two, he shouldn't be sleeping so peacefully why someone else was driving it! He should have at least kept an eye on that.
"Where are we?!" Gray asked over the loud noise of impatient cars in Magnolia's heavy traffic.
"Relax. We're near your place." She smiled at him, a smile Gray was sure was all about gloating and not the friendly kind.
The Ghini crawled into a neutral and the ballerina on the wheel finally looked at him, "Did you have a good sleep?"
"No." He answered, inwardly scolding himself for letting Ghini down. Gray sure knew how Julian Lockser felt when his daughter took the Ferrari out for a spin. He'd apologize to his baby later. For now, he'd laid back and get more sleep. "Where are we going anyway?" He absently asked, tired eyes already shut close.
"Home." Juvia flatly answered.
It forced one shut lid to open, "Yours or mine?" Gray insinuated, the possibility of maybe getting some alone time with Juvia painted a knowing smile on his pulled lips.
"Yours, silly."
Dark eyes grew wide in shock. Juvia? In his bachelor pad? That could only mean one thing, right? Was he finally getting lai–lucky? From then on, Gray couldn't seem to keep his eyes closed and his heartbeat steady.
Writer's Corner: You guuuuys! Of course, I'm not going to leave you guys dry and hanging over that little drama we had in the previous chapter. So, fluffy fluff fluff all the way! Juvia stripping? Hell yeah! And imagine Gray calling Juvia sweetie and missy? I think I just died.