I've been in a crazy mood to write a love triangle between these three after editing His First Love so read at your discretion lmao
like fr I know some of yall can't handle reading Natsu kissing another girl so leave now if you know yourself!
Natsu and Gray were born within months of each other, one a winter baby and the other a summer. Their houses were right next to each other, the slightly older Gray greeting Natsu after his first week at home.
Slanty eyes met droopy ones and Gray already found the pink tuft of hair on his head somewhat annoying.
Natsu learned to walk before Gray, by just three minutes. They were only two, and had no concept of pride, but Grandine could've sworn she saw her son smirk at the other boy in diapers.
Their small rivalry grew with every second they spent together, which was most often, since both mothers felt they needed the company. While Gray wasn't an especially active baby, Natsu was entirely too wired with energy. He brought out that engaging side of Gray, something Mina smiled at whenever they were together.
It was around the time they turned six that Juvia moved into the house across from them, along with Natsu's cousin, Gajeel.
She was his own next-door neighbor around the time they were both born, her parents passing away in a car accident when she turned four.
Gajeel's parents were, luckily her godparents and were quick to take custody of the baby girl before anyone else tried to claim her.
They thought it was best to be around family, so moving across the street felt like the best option for all of them.
Juvia was healing, as well as any baby girl could. Metalicana and his wife did the best they could to help fill the void of her parent's warmth and they hoped her heart would heal further over time.
Gajeel was very protective of her; he never liked to see her cry. He watched over her with the best of his capabilities, not really wanting to hand her over to Gray or Natsu.
He met them both on a few occasions when his family came to visit, and he was sure they wouldn't be able to deal with his fragile best friend.
They walked into Natsu's house for a breakfast date and to introduce Juvia to everyone, her hand tightly wrapped in Gajeel's.
When she met the eyes of the broody Gray, her heart skipped a beat in a way she'd be able to recall for the rest of her life.
It was him, he was the one. She didn't have much concept for the notion, but something within the depths of her soul knew his like the back of her hand. It revived the dying light in her heart, and her smile stretched wider than Gajeel was sure it ever had.
The nervous blush on his cheeks went ignored as Natsu jumped excitedly in her face and asked if she wanted to play.
His goofiness made Gajeel anxious, but Juvia seemed happy enough to accept the hand he offered to her.
Their small circle only grew when they entered kindergarten and met Erza and Levy, two perfect additions that helped Gajeel's anxiety settle. He was worried she'd morph into a second Natsu with all of the annoying games he liked to play.
It was obvious how much she liked Gray the older they grew, and the harmony of the six was peaceful, for the most part.
Gajeel was her protective older brother, and his feelings would stay that way. He had his sights set on Levy, the calm in his storm. Although sometimes she could be the very cute storm in his storm.
Erza was her protective older sister, in trade, and she was constantly pushing for Gray to be honest with himself. There were only so many forlorn looks that they could give each other, only so many slight touches and glances that could say what they were both trying so hard to say.
Levy was her sweet friend and the one she turned to when the main character in the books they read together perfectly reflected her Gray. Juvia supported her hidden feelings for Gajeel, knowing that she was the perfect match for her pensive brother.
And Natsu, well, Natsu…
There was no doubt that she loved Gray with all her heart. But Natsu…
Something pulled her to his side the older they grew, and it wasn't just the fact that he was pulling her along.
His smile was always bright and comforting, and he was there for her whenever she needed someone.
He comforted her in the worst of times, in the moments when her plans to confess to Gray fell apart.
Erza and Levy always got an earful of her stress and worry, Gajeel listening in from the other side of the wall.
Juvia always thought best during a walk at night, the cool air calming the blistering flush of her cheeks.
Her attempts felt hair-brained at times, she always fumbled the words against his indifferent attitude. She usually made him something to get the conversation going, Gray assuming he was just her guinea pig when it came to baked goods. Not that he didn't feel his heart warm whenever she gave him something to eat.
Gray was just so…
The breeze calmed her down and prepared her for the next attempt, the moment unable to resolve itself without a few disappointed tears.
It wasn't long before she was facing the park down the road that her first sniffle managed to conjure the pink-haired boy.
He always caught sight of her sneaking out, following quickly behind her just in case. It was never safe for a girl to be out on her own at night.
Natsu didn't prod or ask her why she was upset, simply providing a shoulder for her to cry on.
They would sit underneath the wide berth of an oak tree and she would cry for a little while, Natsu not minding the stain her tears left behind.
So if she had to categorize Natsu, her opinion wavered along an ever-shifting tightrope.
Juvia only began to feel herself categorize her friends when they entered high school. Like she had to remind herself that her friends were her friends, and the one she loved was Natsu.
.
.
.
.
.
Gray! The one that she loved was Gray!
"Juvia?" She flinched as she felt the end of a chopstick poke against her cheek.
Natsu stared at her with a half smile, waving his hand in front of her face.
"Your food's gonna get cold, you know? What're'ya spacing out for?"
"O-Oh, I was just thinking about something," She feigned a smile and turned back to her rice bowl, missing the worried look of one friend and the annoyed look of another.
They were all out together, their Saturday being spent shopping for clothes with Erza. She was a fiend for any new Heart Kreuz drops, and made sure to bring them all along to help her get exactly what she wanted.
They sat at a long table, three on one side and three on the other. She sat comfortably next to Gray, Natsu right across from her.
She felt a foot tap against hers, Erza's voice drowning out and her chewing slowed. Juvia caught the playful smile that spread as he slurped his noodles. She kicked him back, subtly and quietly, the tapping of their toes hidden as they continued their meal.
Her shoulder bumped against Gray's as they walked home, The few inches he had on her felt looming, in a comfortable and daunting sort of way. When he looked down on her, she couldn't help the over-beating of her heart.
They had their moments, even when she failed to get her confession across correctly. Their friendship was gentle, even if everything seemed like it was moving a mile a minute when they were together. She baked something every so often when she worked up the nerve to try and say something, otherwise, they were generally comfortable with one another.
He was her calm, like a slow moving river that swept by gently. And she was his storm, the fluttering of his stomach and every irrational thought he had.
Gray expected reality when it came to love, because love at first sight felt entirely too fictional. He loved her, and expected himself to know why. He asked himself every day why he loved her so much, and it was annoying that he couldn't find an answer beyond the fact that he just did.
It annoyed him even more that Natsu looked like he loved her too.
Gajeel, Erza, and Levy; he knew the looks of familial love.
When Natsu stared at her, sometimes it was softer. It was warm, kind, and loving; there was no doubt about it.
Maybe Natsu didn't realize it himself, maybe it could've been the same brotherly love and protection that Gajeel imparted onto her. Maybe they wouldn't have to fight over her.
But Gray knew his rival better than anyone else.
It was never a coincidence that when he wasn't looking, something seemed like it happened between them. One day they were close, and another night, they were closer. There was a secret happiness he knew he saw when they met up before walking to school.
There was a brewing seed of jealousy in his chest, and sometimes he wanted to just blurt everything out. That he loved her and knew she loved him. Just to say it before he knew Natsu was going to.
Gray, incidentally, feared that said confession might only ruin things. That his relationship with Juvia changing would leave Natsu hurt…and then what? Not that he wanted to admit it, but Natsu was his best friend. Again, he knew his rival better than anyone. Him being the one to break his heart wasn't something that Gray was especially looking forward to.
The inevitable day came, when the sky was gray, and the silken scent of the rain stuck to the sidewalk.
Juvia found herself inspired, her kitchen blooming with the scent of warm muffins, Gajeel sitting silently at the counter as he watched.
"You're really going for it this time?" Gajeel asked as he leisurely wrote down lyrics in his songbook.
"I just feel like today is a really lucky day," She shrugged one shoulder with a smile, placing the cooled treats into a decorated basket. "I think I can tell him."
"You think or you know?" He snorted, Juvia sticking her tongue out at him.
"A little bit of both? Don't make me doubt myself! I want to tell him today." She said matter-of-factly, huffing before taking her basket and heading to the door.
"Good luck," He called out after her, Juvia feeling the nip of the early night air on her skin.
The scent of the forgotten rain filled her nose and her heart fluttered with every step she took across the street.
Her fist fell in light, uneven taps as her nerves got the better of her, the door opening almost as quickly as she knocked.
"Juvia," The deep timbre of his voice shook her, a familiar smile spreading on her lips as his own did. "What's up? You made muffins?"
"A-Ah yeah," She lifted up the basket as he moved aside to let her in. "I made strawberry and pineapple this time."
"Pineapple? That's a new one," He chuckled, leading her toward the kitchen. "But that sounds like it might be good. What made you think of that combination?"
"At this point, I think I'm just going through all of the fruit combinations I can think of." She hummed, setting them down on his counter and taking a seat against it. "Where are Silver and Mika? They're not home?"
"They went out to listen to some poetry thing with Natsu's parents," He said, taking a bite of one of the muffins. "Woah, this might actually be my favorite so far. You really need to open a bakery once we're done with school."
"I'm thinking about it," She laughed at the crumb that stuck to the corner of his mouth. "You know…I actually came over to tell you something."
"Oh, yeah?" His lip turned up in a casual smirk, her stomach squeezing at the sight. "What is it?"
"Well…" She swallowed the thick lump forming in her throat, her fingers knotting together as she continued. "I wanted…I wanted to say…"
She watched as he finished his muffin, his eyebrow raising slightly as he waited for her to continue.
"I like you," Her words felt like they cut through the air, through him, and through her. "Or rather, love you, Gray, I love you."
Juvia stared down at the hands in her lap, feeling herself burn with an entirely new form of embarrassment and worry. She said it. She really said it. And with each passing second, the world felt like it stopped and wouldn't stop moving all at the same time.
When her eyes finally fluttered upward, the giddy beating of her heart sank almost immediately to her stomach. Her lips felt queasy, her thoughts rushing with denial and confusion. Why was he making that kind of face?
He looked…he looked…annoyed? Or was that disappointment? Like he wished she never said anything, like he wished she would have continued to deny her own feelings…
Gray's head was turned away, facing the kitchen as he sighed bitterly, refusing to make eye contact with her.
"Juvia," The low octave of his voice hit her even harder, the cold tone of his voice unfamiliar. It scared her. "I think you should leave."
She didn't register the steps it took to end up on the sidewalk, alone and colder than before, the moon a little higher in the sky.
He didn't really say anything, did he? Was that even an answer? But as much as that non-answer wasn't an answer, wasn't it?
She felt dizzy, panic slow to rise through her, a desperate sob stammering its way out of her.
"Juvia?" Like clockwork, Natsu was there, as if he always knew when she was about to cry. "Hey, are you okay?"
The fast and slow pace of the world pushed her into a state of shock, blurry eyes blinking at her best friend as everything came crashing down.
"Juvia!" Her upset stomach resulted in a colorful splatter of puke painting the sidewalk, successfully missing their shoes. "Shit…! Oh my god,"
"Let's get you inside, okay? You need to go lay down," He said, walking her toward her house across the street. She managed to shake her head, weakly gripping on Natsu's arm.
"N-No," Shaking her head anymore would make her too dizzy, her exhausted body leaning into Natsu's. "No, I don't want to go home. Not right now,"
"...okay," His hand was comforting against her back, Natsu picking her up carefully before walking back toward his own home.
Natsu knew that Juvia loved Gray, and that Gray loved Juvia. There was no doubt about it, even if his rival wanted to ignore that simple fact.
Some things were just meant to be, and he had no intention of getting in the way of that.
But he couldn't stop his own feelings from growing. He didn't even notice they were there until it was too late.
All of those long nights soothing her after what he assumed was something to do with Gray, her body curled against his, the gentle smile she'd flash before walking into her home.
They had fun together, the kind that he never shared with Erza or Levy. He didn't differentiate between the way he felt about her until the longing looks that she gave Gray began to twist into an odd jealousy.
Natsu knew she'd never look at him that way.
He was comforted by the knowledge that they would always be good friends. And he was fine with that, really, he was.
Gray went too far this time, whatever it is that he did. Juvia managed to clean herself up in the bathroom, insisting that she was okay even after throwing up.
But as soon as she came out, her bottom lip was quivering as Juvia fell apart almost instantaneously.
When she cried in the past, it was never more than a quiet, choked-back sob. The sound was low enough to muffle itself into his jacket, but now, it was actually impressive how loud she was.
Natsu felt his own heart begin to wretch as she cried into his chest, shifting his back comfortably on the wall his bed touched. He pulled a blanket around them and held her close, letting her cry everything out.
He kept tissues on his bedside, handing some to her every so often. Maybe an hour or two passed before her tears for the night dried up, sure that if she had a light sip of water,
He smiled when her cries quieted into periodic sniffles, her head nuzzling against his chest as she pulled the blanket closer.
"Feeling better?" He asked, shifting her hair that cascaded over the left half of her face.
"No," She offered him a light laugh, letting out a somber sigh. "Maybe a little. But not really."
"What happened?" His voice was quiet, brushing against her ear in the comforting way his voice always managed.
She hesitated, not really excited to relive the moment just yet, even though his words were all that echoed in her head.
"I told Gray that I loved him," Her breath shook as she spoke, Natsu tightening his arms around her. "And he told me to leave."
Her words hung in the air, the memory still as piercing as the moment. She drew herself closer to Natsu, feeling him reciprocate and his chin rested atop her head.
He didn't say anything, knowing that if he uttered a word, it would probably be the wrong one.
Gray loved her, he knew his rival better than anyone. So if he turned her away, it was because he knew Natsu loved her too.
He sighed as she blew her nose, wishing the tips of his toes didn't rumble with the anxiety spreading through him.
Gray gave him tonight, gave them both tonight, to properly resolve the feelings that had long since been stewing inside him.
Which was incredibly unfair, he broke her heart to prove this stupid point when Natsu could've gone his whole life without having to say anything.
"I'll beat some sense into him, hm?" He laughed, enticing a small giggle from her lips. "I know he loves you back. Don't worry, Juvia. He'll come around,"
"Sure," She snorted and rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure if I even want him to."
"That's just the tears talkin'," He shook his head, lifting her head gently between his hands, wiping the faint damp trail from her cheeks. "He loves you, I see the way he looks at you."
"You're just getting my hopes up," She pouted, Natsu laughing as she sunk into his palms. "I didn't want to have to see the way he didn't even look at me."
"Knowing that jerk, he probably wanted to spare himself from seeing you like this. Which is totally selfish, but I know he was just pushing you to end up…here with me."
Juvia felt her deflated heart skip a beat, Natsu's unwavering gaze turning the forgotten dials in her head.
Natsu was softer than most people would think, even when his behavior was wild and rampant. He was an energetic person, never stopping, never slowing down.
The world felt slow with him, like his gaze methodically calmed her to a still.
"...here with you?" The roughness of her voice fell as the warmth of her whisper bloomed his familiar smile.
"Gray's never really been the kind to say what he's thinking," Natsu shrugged, his hands still stirring on her cheeks. "He can't really say that he loves you when he knows that I love you too."
Juvia couldn't run or hide, even if his grip wasn't firm and she could leave whenever she wanted to.
Natsu always gave this side of himself to her; the emotional, the caring, the honest side that warmed her heart in a way she rarely experienced with Gray.
What was the difference? She loved them both, and she knew it was different, but found herself in this never ending circle.
Natsu leaned in with the stillness of time accompanying him, Juvia feeling the slow flutter of her eyes closing.
Her lips were slightly chapped and not as wary as he would have expected. He knew he was taking advantage of the situation, only wanting to savor the moment before returning her to his best friend.
He parted from the gingered touch and let his hands fall, leaving her with every intention to give her the advice to talk to Gray.
But Juvia returned his kiss with one of her own, her arms wrapping around his neck as she better positioned herseld in his lap.
She learned how to kiss from Erza's books and some minor adult television. Now that the match was lit, she wanted to blow harder against the flame, unable to let this oppertunity escape her.
Her touch was light and explorative, confidence building somewhat as Natsu's hands moved upwards along her back.
She kissed him again, parting her lips to ease his to follow. The sensation was new and climbed toward exhilarating, the tendrils of her despair beginning to peel off one by one.
Their kiss deepened with each and every pucker, Juvia moaning first when he nipped her lip.
The air felt hot between them, the distance never more than an inch when one pulled away. Each second felt more desperate, more enticing, more tempting. She wanted more, he wanted more. They were crossing the line and refused to turn back without getting every last piece they could of each other.
Natsu nipped at her teeth again, feeling the space under his eyes burn with desire at her delighted whine. One hand brought her closer to him, steady against her neck and nape, the other on her hip. Juvia felt her thumbs on the curve of his ear, refusing to let Natsu move father away than she deemed necessary. With his back pressed against the wall, she was the one who slid into him, whose hips began to pin him in place.
Her tongue met his and their eyes twisted in burning delight. The vibrations of his moan in her mouth spurred Juvia to lead his tongue between her lips, a light suckign sound sending chills through their spine. Her toes curled as he growled, the slight aggression met with his lwed retaliation.
The two were momentarily trapped in their own euphoric bubble, their touches slowing when they knew everything had to come to an end.
Their final kiss was somewhat sloppy, Juvia not shy to wipe away the trail of saliva left dribbling on her chin. She giggled as Natsu kissed the tip of her nose, before kissing both of her cheeks.
"I really do love you," He smiled, fillowing the curve of her chin with his thumb. "But I'm happy being friends."
"I love you too," Her heart felt full this time, Juvia almost daring to steal another kiss. "I have for a while now."
"Good to know I wasn't the only one," He sighed, closing his eyes as Juvia nuzzled against him. "Thanks, Juvia."
"Mmn," She shook her head as she yawned. "Thank you, Natsu."
Gray's behavior would be punished, certainly, but he wasn't apologizing any time soon. They all needed that, even if the details were lost on his end. Juvia deserved to love them both, and choose Natsu if that was who she really wanted.
(He wasn't upset to find out that it was him.)
Juvia was happier, maybe the happiest she'd ever been in a long time. Having Natsu made her feel safe, and Gray made her feel loved. They didn't fight, like she might've expected them to, Natsu silently holding onto the fact he was the one who had Juvia's first kiss.
Things wouldn't be awkward at all, maybe only for Gajeel when he found out what all went down from the other side of his bedroom wall.
And Natsu would find his happy ending too, after high school and on his first day of college, sitting next to a blonde that struck a very familiar chord in his heart.
I turn 23 on the 15th! so please give me the gift of your reviews ;-;
I've been wanting to play with the idea of NaVia for a while! I think its a really cute ship, tho I'd still help Natsu and Lucy get together in the end lol
I know most of yall are here for my NaLu so I feel like a bit of a disappointment lmao
But I'm super busy with school and purely writing atm bc I'm frustrated! So sorry if it seems like I'm MIA
I'll get back to my bigger stories once I'm done with this semester, just because they honestly take a lot more work than the random one shots I shoot out when I have a random idea
if you ever need to hmu I'm available on tumblr!