By the time Gray realized that Lucy had already opened the door for Juvia, the girls were already in the kitchen chatting along. Or more like Lucy chatting while Juvia listened. Gray dreaded that evening already, knowing it was going to be a long one.

Finally managing to push Natsu away, Gray got up, only to realize that he had lost his shirt sometime during their fight. Great, where the hell did he place it? While he was frantically looking around, he didn't realize the audience that had gathered at the door.

"Don't ask me how, but this boy always ends up stripping. There was one time when we went out and Cana gave him a little too much to drink. By the end of the night he ended up completely n-"

Lucy never got to finish that sentence because by then Gray was already by her side, covering her mouth with the shirt he found draped over his TV. How it got there, he had no idea. But it proved to be useful to get his blonde friend to quiet down. There are some things Juvia didn't need to know and his actions while he was too drunk to function were one of those things.

He saw Lucy glaring at him and motioning for him to get the shirt out of her face but Gray decided to keep her quiet a little longer. That's what she gets for trying to embarrass him. It was a quiet chuckle that brought him back to his current situation. Juvia was looking at him, slightly amused.

"Um, hi there.."

"Hello, Gray."

It was then that Gray realized that he was still very shirtless, not that Juvia seemed to mind if the slight blush on her face was any indication. Gray would have quite enjoyed it if it wasn't for the knowing look on Lucy's face. Maybe he should have covered more than just her mouth. Deciding that it would be for the best for everyone, Gray finally freed Lucy and put on the shirt.

"Finally, I thought you were planning to suffocate me!"

"I was thinking about it."

Gray barely mumbled his response but by the glare Lucy was throwing his way, it was clear that she had heard him. Instead of dwelling on it further, she decided to pay attention to his guest that hadn't talked much since her arrival.

"So Juvia.. what brings you here?"

"Um, well.. Juvia wanted to check up on Gray since Cana told her he wasn't feeling well."

"Aw, that's so sweet of you!"

Juvia blushed and Gray couldn't help the soft smile that appeared on his face. He also couldn't help but notice that she switched to third person. Was she nervous?

"There's no need, we're here to take care of him! Don't worry, me and Lucy can handle it on our own."

"First, it's Lucy and I not me and Lucy. Second, any help is appreciated. You won't do much beside eating anyways. Also I have a feeling Juvias help is going to be much more effective."

Lucy smirked when she saw both Gray and Juvia flushing. She was going to have fun this evening, that was for sure.

"Juvia doesn't mean to bother you. If she's a nuisance, she'll go. Juvia will just leave the food she made here."

"Nonsense, you're staying."

"Lucy's right. Besides you're the one who actually got invited, these two however just came barging in."

"That's the thanks we get for wanting to take care of you? So ungrateful."

Lucy sighed dramatically while Gray just rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Juvia, you said something about food?"

"Um, yes. I made it before I got here. Juvia thought it would make you feel better."

"Thank you, I'd love to try it."

"Of course, I just have to heat it up."

"Let me help you!" Lucy throw her arm around Juvias shoulder and walked with her into his kitchen.

"Can I get some too?" Natsu shouted while making himself comfortable on the couch.

"No. She made it for me so go away."

"Juvia seemed to have made plenty so I think you'll be able to share, isn't that right, Juvia?"

"Yes, of course."

At that Natsu grinned.

"I think we will get along very well Juvia."

To Grays surprise the evening hadn't gone as bad as he had predicted. Juvia and Lucy seemed to be getting along pretty well and Natsu hadn't been as annoying as he usually is. Now that he thought about it, Natsu was being too quiet.

When Juvia excused herself to go to the bathroom, Gray decided to voice his concerns.

"Natsu?"

"What's up?"

"You alright there? You seem awfully quiet?"

"Woah Gray, are you actually worried about Natsu?" Lucy decided to chime in.

"It's not that!"

"Uh-huh, sure.."

"What's with that look you've been giving me all day?"

"It's the 'I totally know what's happening here'-look!"

"Yeah, well if you know it all so well, care to share what's up with that idiot?"

Lucy glanced at Natsu.

"I think you infected him. He's obviously sick."

"No way he got infected so fast!"

"Natsu is only quiet when he's not feeling well!"

"I'm not sick."

Gray and Lucy both turned towards Natsu, who decided to finally speak up.

"You're not?"

"No."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I've been thinking.."

"Natsu and thinking? That's a new one."

"I'm serious!"

There was a moment of silence before Natsu decided to speak up again.

"Juvia.."

"What about her?"

"I like her. I think she fits into our group really well. She's nice and fun. And she manages to make you act less like a jerk."

Both Gray and Lucy were left quite speechless. This whole moment just seemed so unlike Natsu, but here they are, listening to him give his approval for Juvia. Gray even ignored the jerk comment, to surprised by Natsu's words.

"I think she'll do you good."

Gray kept quiet, still unsure how to deal with the words Natsu let out.

"I have to agree, I think there was definitely faith involved, having her end up in your father's company and working for none other than you."

Gray knew he didn't need approval. He knew that what mattered in the end were his emotions, no matter how anyone else felt about it. Well, Juvia and his in that case. But for some reason, having his best friends approve of Juvia and welcoming her into their circle made him feel good. He had to admit that their opinion weighed a lot to him. And for some reason, them voicing their opinion, gave him a push.

He knew he liked Juvia, liked hanging out with her and having her around. She was fun, kind and sweet. Not to mention that she was beautiful as well. He also knew his father had taken a liking to her, always mentioning her name whenever it was fitting. So did Cana. And now it seemed his two best friends had taken a liking to her too.

"You like her, don't you?"

Gray expected to see Lucy looking at him with her 'I know it all'-face. Instead she was looking at him with a soft smile. She seemed genuinely happy and he could see Natsu grinning. Gray scoffed, looking away in an attempt to hide the color that was raising up his cheeks. He didn't get to answer because shortly after Juvia came back into the room.

"I should have asked where the bathroom is before I left. I ended up walking into the wrong room three times before I managed to get there."

Juvia was smiling, scratching her neck awkwardly while Natsu and Lucy chuckled.

"Well, Grays place is unnecessarily big."

"That's rich coming from you Lucy. She literally lives in a castle."

"It's not a castle. Also, it's my father's place."

"It'll be yours one day."

Juvia laughed at Natsu and Lucy's banter while Gray just observed the scene in front of him. Natsu was right, Juvia definitely fit into their group.

The movie was coming to an end, not that Gray was paying it much attention. He was too lost in his thoughts, all surrounding a certain bluennete that had entered his life not so long ago. Said blunette was staring at the TV, too focused on the movie while his best friends were already fast asleep on the couch. Gray kept running their words through his head, unsure what to make of it. What was haunting him the most however was Lucy's question that he never got to answer.

"Gray, are you okay?"

Juvia was looking up at him. They were both seated on the floor, leaned against the couch after Lucy and Natsu had decided to take over the entire couch by themselves.

"Yeah, I'm fine, sorry. I was just lost in some thoughts."

"I could tell." Juvia giggled and he smiled at the sound.

"Hey, thanks again for today. You know, the food and company."

"Don't thank me, it's the least I could do after you were there for me all day."

"Still, you didn't have to come."

"Neither did you."

"Fair point."

"You know, I was overwhelmed at first when Lucy opened the door. But I'm glad I got to meet her. Natsu too. They're really fun."

"I'm glad to hear that. They got quite fond of you too."

"Really?"

"Mmh. Apparently you leave a good impression on everyone."

"I do?"

"You didn't notice? My dad, Cana, even Yajima and now those two."

"What about Daphne though?"

"She's a bitch who doesn't like anyone. There must have been something wrong with you if she actually did like you."

At that Juvia couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't think I ever thanked you for that."

"You mean getting her fired?"

"No, I mean interrupting her when she tried to pretty much tear me apart."

"Well, I couldn't have her scare of my newest employee on her first day."

"I'm sure you would have had no problem finding a replacement. I know a lot of people who'd kill to work for the Fullbusters."

"Hm, maybe. But I wanted you."

Gray didn't realize how that sounded until the words were out already. A moment of silence followed and Gray didn't dare to look at Juvia. He just had to go and speak without thinking.

"I'm glad you did."

Juvia wasn't looking at him when she spoke up again and Gray was glad because he was sure that even the dark couldn't hide his flushed face.

"Juvia.."

"Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask you about something.. I brought it up once before but I never got a clear answer."

"What is it?"

"You mentioned that you got a pretty good offer from your old company.. I don't want to pressure you or anything, but I'd like to know if you already made a choice.."

Gray was afraid of the answer. Last time that topic came up it ended in a not so pleasant way. But he needed to know. For one, it would be a loss for the company. Sure, Juvia was right. There were a lot of people who'd love to work for the company, but most of them would come nowhere close to Juvia. She's been managing the office well, even better than Cana did. She was a great employee and it didn't surprise him one bit that her old boss was asking for her to come back. Guess you truly don't know what you lost until it's gone.

But there was more hanging on her answer. Because for some reason Gray felt that it was more than her choosing between two companies. It was also a choice of whether he was worth it. He knew he shouldn't make it about himself, knew that it is Juvias career that's the centre and yet he couldn't help it. Would he feel betrayed if she choose the other company? Disappointed, angry, sad or hurt? Would it affect their friendship and whatever it was that was developing between them? Gray wasn't sure and he was afraid to find out.

To add to his fear, Juvia had been silent ever since he asked the question that has been plaguing him. She must have made a choice by now, after all her probation would end the upcoming week. There is now way she didn't.

"Gray.."

"Yes?"

"I need you to know that, my choice, it has nothing to do with whatever it is that is going on between us. I've thought about this for a while and I came to the decision I made, solely my career in mind."

He admired her honesty, how she could just say what she was thinking. Sure, he had been thinking pretty much the same, questioning whatever it was that was going on between them, but he would have never dared to voice it so openly. But here she was, just blurting it out. That girl seemed to truly wear her heart on her sleeve.

"I had planned to tell you when I got back into the office, but then I got sick and you got sick and now we are here."

Despite the feeling of uneasiness, Gray found himself smiling.

"Things never go according to plan, do they?"

"No, not really." Juvia was smiling as well.

"So, are you going to make me wait until we're both back in the office or will you tell me now?"

"I don't know, I'm thinking about keeping you waiting."

"Don't you dare."

"Okay.."

Juvia took a deep breath before looking up at him. They were staring at each other intently, both anticipating what was coming next.

"Gray."

"Yes?"

"I'm going to leave."

Silence. What followed was complete silence. She was.. she was leaving? Gray knew that the option was there, that it was a possibility. He even feared it. But deep down, deep down he had believed that she wouldn't make that choice. That she wouldn't leave the office, leave the company, leave.. him.

The thought hurt him more than he would like to admit. He had let her close, let his walls down and now she was going to leave. Sure, she had told him that she was solely thinking about her career, but what could her old company offer that theirs couldn't? Gray was about to question that when he found Juvia staring at him, a smug look on her face before she bursted out into laughter.

"You should see your face, it looks like you've seen a ghost."

"Huh?"

"Cana was right, this is hilarious."

"Cana?"

"She said I should pull this prank on you. I wasn't sure at first, but then I thought why not and went along with it. Your reaction was totally worth it. I didn't think you'd care that much but it literally left you speechless."

Gray had yet to process her words.

"It was a prank?"

"Yes."

"So, you're not actually leaving?"

"No."

"You declined your old companies offer?"

"Yes."

"So you're really not leaving?"

"No."

"You're staying with us?"

"Yes."

"This isn't another prank, is it?"

"No."

He should be mad at her, but he couldn't truly be. He was way to glad to know that she wasn't leaving. He'll still be able to see her everyday, get greeted by her every morning. She'd still be around almost every day. To say he was relieved would be an understatement. He didn't realize how much she had already affected him until the possibility of her not being there anymore came up.

"You okay?"

Juvia was looking at him, still pretty amused. Gray nodded shortly before glancing down at her.

"Just so you know, if I die I'm haunting you first. No scratch that, Cana first. Then you."

She laughed at that and Gray couldn't stop his mouth from turning into a smile.

Juvia was staying and in the end, that was all that mattered.