I'm sorry for the delay! I've been doing tests and homework's while catching up with my hero academia! It's a great anime for those of you who have not watched it!

AnYwHo! I am sorry for not writing sooner. Thank you all for your patience. You're all my little angels! (: I hope you continue to enjoy my story!

Confession

The trip to Fiore was quick and painless for the most part. The dragon slayers passed out half way home on the train but not before simultaneously throwing up out the window. After getting off the train, the Natsu hurled himself at the ground kissing it, promising never to ride a train again. Once they made it to Fairytail, they had requested to speak to Gramps in private.

"Now, would you brats like to tell me what's so important that you had to drag me away from my paper work?" he asked.

"Its about a guy named Nami," Gray answered. The old man perked a this.

"Are you talking about a boy about your age with blue-green hair and eyes to match?" he asked.

"You know him?" Juvia asked, taken back.

"He came here looking for you, but we told him you and the girls went to a hot spring. We didn't say which one. He had this in his pocket when he got here," Makarov answered, revealing the torn-out photo of Juvia. "I thought it was suspicious, so I snatched it from him before he left."

"He came and found us anyway," Gajeel told him.

"He wants to take Juvia to be his wife and revive Atlantis," Lucy informed.

"He wants to create a new world, a utopian empire of sorts," Erza added.

"Another nut job is what he is!" Natsu added, Happy nodded.

"Gray stepped in and fought him off, but in the end Nami just fled and said he would come for me again," Juvia explained.

"I think it would be good for Juvia to be guarded for a while," Gramps spoke after a moment.

"That was our plan," Gray replied.

"I told the boys that they should stay with us for a few nights in the dorms," Erza explained. "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on them."

"Very well," Makarov spoke, "you all should go get settled in and rested up."

"Aye," Natsu answered first. Lucy nodded and lead the group to the girls' dormitories.

It didn't take long for the group to get settled into the dorms. Each of the girls brought their comforters, pillows, and extra blankets into the main area. Music played and the group worked to rearrange the big room into a big bed. Soon, there was a large pallet made in the center of the den. Juvia and Gray were once again placed in the center to keep the water mage safe.

Of course, supper time rolled around and the group tried to decide what they wanted to eat. Erza dragged the girls into the kitchen, demanding that they have a feast. They gathered several meats and vegetables along with rice and ramen.

The girls worked together enthusiastically to make katsudon, chicken fried rice, miso ramen, and pork goza. Natsu was drooling over the food. Gray was drooling, too, in his mind, only it wasn't at the food. Erza had put each of the girls in a short apron with little sayings on them. Juvia's read "got milk?" and it read right across her breasts.

The girls served the guys their food before sitting down and enjoying their meal together. They laughed and joked, poking fun at one another. Levy left for a moment before returning with a bottle of wine. Wendy waved her off, and she and the cats went to her room to go to bed.

The group polished off a couple bottles as the night time approached. They made their way to the living room and piled up. Gray smiled as he watched the blue-haired mage giggled and smiled. He adored listening to her. He looked around the room at his friends. The ones who were awake and the ones who passed out: aka Natsu and Lucy.

"I'm going to go get some fresh air," Gray spoke up.

"Juvia will come too!" Juvia swooned, following behind. Gray didn't mind so much, the arm she was clinging went numb from her tight hold, but he didn't care. He pulled her closer along as he walked to the nearest balcony. He opened the door and pulled her though it, closing it behind them.

"The stars are so pretty tonight," Juvia commented.

"Hn," Gray responded as he stood beside her.

"The air is so fresh and coo," she continued. "Its kind of romantic, don't you think?"

"Juvia…"

"Yes?" she asked.

"Promise me that you will always be by my side," he whispered.

"G-Gray… of course! I-"

"I want you…to be by my side…" he paused, "forever." He blushed, looking away from her. "I know you're strong on your own and you probably don't need me, but-"

"Gray," she smiled at his nervousness. The water mage gently grasped his chin and turned his face towards her. She leaned forward and kissed him gently, pecking his lips.

Gray's dark eyes flew open. As she pulled away, he tucked a hand behind her neck and pulled her back to him, her lips meeting his own eager ones. He put an arm around her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

When they broke away from one another, Gray pulled her close, resting his chin on her head. Juvia's ear was pressed flush against his chest; she could hear the pounding of his heart beat, a pounding that matched her own.

"Juvia, I have something to say, something I need to tell you," he spoke. Juvia pushed herself up so that she could look into his eyes.

"What is it?" she asked softly.

"Juvia, I-" he sputtered. He looked into her shimmering, awaiting eyes. His blush deepened. "I-I-I- UGH!" Gray threw his hands over his face and blushed deeper.

"Are you alright?" she chuckled.

"I don't know why this is so hard to say," he mumbled before taking a deep breath.

"It's alright, you don't have to-"

"I have feelings for you, Juvia," He blurted, covering his mouth afterward. Juvia blushed in turn at his forwardness; this gave him a spark of courage. "I've noticed you for a long time, and I'm sorry that I never said anything sooner. Its just, I've lost so many people that were close to me. I thought if I pushed everyone away, I wouldn't get hurt." He paused to look into her eyes. "But you wouldn't let me be alone." He smiled.

"You've always pushed me to do my best, encouraged me when I felt down, and managed to put a smile on my face when I needed you most. Juvia, you mean so much to me," he paused to capture her lips quickly before cupping her face in his hands. "I love you, Juvia." The water-mage gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Her eyes began to water as she stared at the ice mage. She blinked hard once, letting dormant tears run down her face.

"I love you too, darling!" she cried, throwing herself into Gray's arms. His eyes shot open as he held onto her. He grit his teeth as he felt her hold onto him even tighter. He pushed a hand into her hair and the other around her waist. Relief washed over him as happiness brought him to his knees. Tears rolled down his face and he buried himself into her neck.

"Juvia," he murmured happily.

"ABOUT FREAKING TIME," Natsu slurred from the hallway.

"Yay! My ship has sailed!" Lucy agreed.

"You were watching us?" Gray shouted, embarrassed slightly. Not that he would take any of it back.

"Hey, what do you mean your ship?" Natsu asked. "They were my ship first."

"Alright you two drunkards," Erza cooed, "time to go back to sleep," she smirked as she led them away. "You two need to leave those love birds alone," she spoke before turning and giving the new couple a thumbs up.

"Yes ma'am," they slurred. Gray turned to Juvia and they laughed.

"Please tell me this isn't a dream," Juvia sighed, resting against Gray's chest. "Gray actually confessed."

"You don't have to go and say it like that," Gray blushed, steam flowing from his ears.

"I'm so happy. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life," She cooed. She threw herself into Gray's arms once more. He happily accepted her, hugging her close to him while they watched the stars together.

"You're mine from now on," he whispered into her hair.

"I'm all yours, Gray, darling," she replied. Juvia turned so that she could face him. "Can I ask for something?"

"What is it?" he returned.

"Will you kiss me again?" she asked politely. He smirked down at her with a small blush before cupping her chin and pecking her lips. They just sat together outside on the balcony enjoying one another's company.

"Gray?" Juvia asked.

"What? You want another kiss?" he teased.

"Maybe," she pouted, "but I was going to say maybe we should head inside, it's getting cold." Gray smiled before picking her up bridal style and kissing her deeply, leaving her slightly dazed.

"Can't have you getting sick, now, can I?" He grinned as he turned for the door.

"Well, well, well, isn't this just romantic?!"