Gray

The tension in the air made it hard to focus but pushing into work was the only way I could see myself getting out of this situation with any amount of dignity. Storm of Shadows had three more weeks of shooting, but I wouldn't be off the hook until I finished the press events that I was contractually obligated to complete. I felt the chill of Minerva's gaze wash over me; she'd been staring daggers my way since I arrived on set today and I was ready for it to stop.

"Gray, Minerva, we need to reshoot that last scene. Can we get everyone back to their marks and ready for touchups?" the director called out gesturing for hair and makeup to repair any damage we'd caused in our scene. "Alright, now this time remember to keep a firm expression, don't crack for anything. Action!"

Minerva glared into my eyes as she circled me, keeping her anger for the scene was definitely not an issue for her. "Marco, you're not yourself, did you think we wouldn't notice?"

I sunk into my character, ready for this to be the last take. "I knew you would, that's what makes you so good at your job, but it's too late now, the shadows are taking hold." I nailed it.

"You know I'm going to take you down," Minerva missed her mark and was edging closer to the step down beside her, and I wondered if she would stop in time.

'You just do what you've gotta do and I'll worry about me, but don't count on it being easy," Minerva stopped on the edge of the step, the heel of her boot had nothing under it, one wrong move and she'd tumble off the edge.

"Have it your way, but this won't be the last you see of me, mark my words," there was acid in her voice, like it was a personal message for me.

"CUT!" with the scene done I lunged forward pulling Minerva before she fell, she pushed me back firmly with both hands and spat, "don't touch me."

"Fine, next time I'll let you fall, or maybe next time you could hit your mark instead." If looks could kill I would surely be dead right now, her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed firmly together, she turned her back to me and hurried out to her trailer.

The director approached me, "I don't care what you've got to do, we're going to finish this series on time."

"Yes sir,"

"You're something else, you're too polite, you're going to get eaten alive out here one of these days," he said shaking his head.

"I'll be careful," I knew what to expect, that didn't mean I had to be some cocky bastard.

"See that's what I am talking about, you're too nice for all this showbiz crap."

I glanced at the time, "Well if we're done, I'm going to go, I have something I need to do."

He waved as if he were dismissing me, 'Check the updated call sheets and I'll see you tomorrow."

I arrived back to my trailer with just enough time to grab the remote and change the channel, within seconds I watched the show begin and there stood Juvia and Mira, but Juvia was nearly unrecognizable with the hair and makeup they'd done. Even her dress looked overdone, they were really going all out today. I pulled my focus back to what Mira was saying, "Tonight we have photos and video of our night with Gray Fullbuster at the Magnolia Victory game, my co-host Juvia Lockser was the lucky girl to share her night with the up-and-coming star."

Juvia didn't hesitate, if she was nervous she didn't show it, "That's right, it was a surprise to find out I'd sit next to Gray, but I have to admit he was a perfect gentleman, even going out of his way to help explain the game to me at times."

Mira winked, "wow, and do you want to tell us about the kiss cam moment?"

A wide smile spread across Juvia's face, "Of course, who wouldn't want to talk about the Gray Fullbuster taking their hand and kissing it in front of all those amazing Victory fans?" She was really selling it, where was the girl who had called him freaking out just hours before? Maybe she should be the actor, because she was putting on a show right there on live television. I gave a chuckle as the two continued their banter and Juvia continued in her on air persona, "And Gray," she cooed, "If you ever want to come on and do an interview I'll be waiting." Wow. She was smooth and it was thoroughly amusing to watch her work in her element. It made me wonder what she would say if I actually told her I wanted an interview, she'd probably panic.

I grabbed my phone and shot a text her way knowing it would be a bit before she saw it.

Can't wait to see you tonight. You did great.

#

After dinner and a movie in the arcade I couldn't help but ask. "are you okay with just hanging out at my place, don't you want to go out and do something?"

Juvia hummed as she thought, "I like spending time with you, I don't really care what we do, and if we go out that is just going to cause a lot more drama for us in the long run."

I sat back putting my arm around her, "I get that you aren't ready to report on yourself, but eventually I want to take you somewhere."

She rested her head back against my arm, "I think we will eventually, just not yet. I am just happy seeing where things are going with us now."

"You mean without the entire world speculating," I knew what it was like to have every person's opinion of my relationship, and it was only going to get worse with the move on the horizon. "I just want to make sure this is enough for you."

"You are enough." her fingers laced with mine and I suddenly believed her, this was enough. It didn't matter if anyone knew what was going on behind closed doors because I had found someone that just wanted to be with me for me, and maybe a little for my video game collection. I lifted her chin, looking into her eyes before lowering my lips to hers. I'd been thinking of kissing her all day, but I couldn't wait any longer.

She shifted, her lips never leaving mine, and before I knew it she was sitting facing me, legs straddling mine as her fingers ran though my hair. We came up for air for a split second before another kiss pulled us deeper, her mouth opening for my tongue. I dug my fingertips into the denim of her jeans as she rocked her hips into me, things had heated up quickly. Her hands slid under my shirt, touching and grasping as they roamed. My mouth dropped to her neck, kissing my way down her jaw, her skin heating under my touch. She let out the smallest moan and rocked against me again and somewhere in the back of my mind logic kicked in, "Wait."

Juvia pulled back panting, cheeks flushed, "what?"

"I don't want to rush from our first kiss to our first time just like that, although it's really fucking tempting." Stopping was probably the hardest things I had ever done.

"Oh," her face flushed deeper pink, "I got a little carried away."

"You're not the only one," I laughed, had I not stopped us who knows how far things would have gone. "For now how about we turn on another movie and keep things above the clothing."

She looked sexy nibbling on her lip as she nodded, "I think that's a good idea." she leaned in smiling against my neck before planting a kiss on my cheek. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table pulling us both from the moment. "I should probably check that." she moved to sit beside me once more and grabbed her device and laughed, turning the screen she revealed a picture of Laxus and Mira. Mira wore a sexy smirk and Laxus had his arms crossed in front of him with a grimace plastered to his face. "Looks like we aren't the only ones having date night."

"I think we're having more fun than them too,"

"You only say that because I haven't beaten you at your own games yet tonight," she stuck out her tongue.

"Ouch, is that a challenge?"

"Mhmm," she hummed kissing me quickly. "I have to show you who is the boss."

"And that's you?"

""Yup," she punctuated her word with another kiss.

"You're playing a dangerous game, challenging me in my own home."

"Then I guess you will have to win or that would be pretty embarrassing." There was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she watched for my reaction.

"I guess I will." I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back against me as she giggled, "Pick any game and winner is the boss."

"I won last time we did this," she pointed out.

I leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "I let you win."

She gasped and smacked my arm, "you did not"

"Wanna bet?"

"Rematch!" she poked me hard in the chest, "and this time no holding back." I liked the fire in her eyes.