I really struggled coming up with a story for this one but here we go. May not 100% fit but here it be!

Day 3: Discovery

Everyone got a laugh when they realized the new guildmate from Phantom Lord of all places was head over heels crazy for Gray. Everyone wanted to know what it was that he did to make her like this and were ultimately confused when they saw him flat out reject her. More surprise followed as they saw her continue gush, taking each rejection as nothing more than a small bump in the road.

Everyone was so concerned about Gajeel joining the guild that no one considered that Juvia was the rumored rain woman. Absolutely nothing about her gave that away and when asked about it she wouldn't deny it. In fact, she would credit Gray for changing her. She'd tell them that he took away her rain and while that didn't make a lot of sense to them, they couldn't deny how happy she looked reminiscing about her first time seeing the sun.

As far as they could tell, on the surface he never showed interest in romance and would blow off her romantic advances. That didn't stop him from joining her on jobs, they were quite the power couple except for the couple bit.

They eventually learned more about her and how her personality didn't 100% revolve him. There was darkness, there was love, and there was intense intimidation. She was powerful and loyal as hell.

It became their normal routine seeing her displays of affection and the ultimate rejections. No one felt bad for her anymore as they knew she wouldn't give up. Eventually most of the guild was rooting for them to get together, or at least for Juvia to be successful.

Erza maintains that she was the first one to discover Gray's true feelings. Yes, she wasn't the only one to grow up with him but used that as an explanation to her perceptiveness. And so she called him out on it.

Everyone else just teased. With time they all discovered his rejections were just denial and so they went with it waiting for him to realize his own true feelings.

When did he discover his true feelings? When did he realize that the warmth he felt in seeing her smile was more than what he felt with other members of the guild? When did he realize that he was especially perceptive about her other feelings, like sadness and worry. He would think about her and a smile of fondness crept onto his face. If she was sad, with no rain to give it away, he could still tell.

Looking back at all they had gone through, all the journeys, the missions, the war. From that rooftop fighting to wanting to see her himself. When did that happen?

He had convinced himself that he needed to protect her, the same thing she offered to him the day they met. And so he would make himself stronger until he was worthy of what he felt. He never wanted to see her face down in battle again. He couldn't take it.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia yelled enthusiastically after the battle with Aldoron.

"You called, Juvia?" Gray whipped around quickly.

Several guildmembers watched the exchange expecting it to go the same as always. She hugs him he pushes her away with a blush telling her not to aggravate her injury or some excuse.

And then it happened. He hugged back. He reciprocated her advances. In front of everyone. All the teasing. All the rumors. It was leading up to this. Gray Fullbuster finally discovered his feelings and decided not to hide it any longer.

Everyone was shocked but it was about time.

A/N: I'm planning on having my next one be angst because I love it so beware. idk when it'll be up I really need to do my thesis work