Juvia chatted with her friend Meredy as they walked from the bus stop toward her building and she explained all about her breakup with Bora and her new helpful neighbor, Gray. "Wow, Juvia talk about having an eventful week," Meredy raised her eyebrows, "so do you like the new guy or what?"

"Well, I think that is he gorgeous but come on, Meredy, he's just being a nice guy, do you really think that any body that got pulled into the Bora drama would turn around and jump on the crazy train? Not a chance, he is not interested." Juvia sighed, "Besides, Bora is still trying to call and text me any way he can, I had to block three new numbers already."

"I don't know girl, my neighbors don't fall asleep watching movies with me and let me use their shower and wear their clothes home," Meredy giggled, "But my neighbor is also an eighty-year-old woman named Delores."

The girls reached the apartment building and climbed the stairs to Juvia's place when they began to hear music while heading toward her door, they realized the music came from Gray's apartment and from the sound of things there were quite a few people inside. The door flew open and Juvia recognized Lyon, Gray's brother emerging, "Hey ladies, I'm glad I ran into you, why don't you join us?"

"oh no, that's okay," Juvia stammered nervously, "you guys have fun though."

"Nonsense," Lyon said walking behind the girls and pushing them toward the open apartment door, "Hey Gray, look who I found in the hallway." Gray looked over and gave a quick wave before going back to talking to a pink-haired guy. Lyon turned toward the girls, "So, introduction time, I'm Lyon, That one is my brother Gray, he's talking to Natsu, that's Natsu's girlfriend Lucy and her friend Cana, and the three by the sliding glass door are Mira, Lisanna, and Elfman," he said pointing out each person as he went, turning to Meredy he then asked, "And you are?"

Meredy giggled and answered, "I am Juvia's friend Meredy."

"Charmed," Lyon said taking her hand in his, giving a dazzling smile before pressing his lips gently to the back of her hand, "you ladies should grab a drink and mingle," turning again to Meredy with a wink he said, "but don't mingle too much."

Lucy and Cana joined them, Lucy asked, "So you're the one that lives next door? Gray hasn't said much about the new place since moving here besides talking to a neighbor, but I guess that is just how he is."

Cana draped her arms over Juvia and Meredy's shoulders, "so do you two have boyfriends?"

Meredy shook her head profusely, and Juvia nervously answered, "No, well not anymore.

Cana gave a quick wink to Meredy, "Do you have a girlfriend then?" Meredy blushed and both shook their heads firmly no. Cana laughed, "You are good ladies," she took a swig from a bottle before continuing, "just checking."

Lucy rolled her eyes and scolded Cana, "You know you're supposed to use a cup, not drink from the bottle of whiskey."

"Don't be so uptight," Cana pushed Lucy playfully. Juvia took a beer from Lyon as he rejoined the group and immediately turned his attention to a blushing Meredy.

Juvia was unsure of how much time had passed but she knew that she had probably had a drink or two too many while she waited for Meredy and Lyon to wrap up their make-out session, going out on to the balcony for some come fresh air she bumped into a shirtless Gray staring off into the distance. "Oh, I'm sorry Gray, I didn't realize anyone was out here."

He gave a nod, "it's fine, sorry Lyon dragged you into this, he knows I am not much for parties and he still insisted on having a housewarming."

"Well, Meredy and I had only planned on watching a movie tonight," Juvia glanced inside at the couple, "and by the looks of things she is having more fun here."

"Heh, Jeez. Lyon moves fast," Gray shook his head at his handsy brother.

Juvia looked up at Gray and found herself wishing he would have made a move, she had to admit that she found him extremely sexy standing there in the night without a shirt despite the cool breeze. Juvia felt herself moving toward him longing to be closer, he glanced over and looked quickly away again, and she swore for a moment that he was embarrassed. Juvia's heart fluttered as she was now close enough to feel the heat from his body against her bare arms, she felt woozy from the alcohol in her system and tipped over, slightly nudging against him, as she tried to regain her balance, he gently grabbed her arms to steady her and looked down into her eyes. Juvia raised onto her tiptoes unable to resist the urge to kiss him at this proximity. The moment her lips brushed his he let go and pulled away, blushing deeply and walking inside, she barely heard the words he muttered, "I can't." Her heart pounded causing a deafening thumping in her ears, she was mortified, Gray had just shot her down. What in the hell was she even thinking? She rushed back inside the apartment making her way swiftly toward the front door while ignoring calls from Lucy and Cana as she flew past, she slid through the door and quickly entered her own apartment, throwing herself onto the sofa and breaking into heavy sobs. She was so embarrassed, she couldn't believe she had just tried to kiss him and made a fool of herself, she wondered how she would ever face him again.

Moments later Juvia heard the door open again but she did not move from where she lay hiding her tear streaked face. Juvia felt the couch move as someone sat near her legs but instead of Meredy's voice she heard Lyon speak, "I need to tell you something about Gray." Juvia looked up at Lyon, seeing Meredy standing just over his shoulder. "He's my adopted brother, our mom took him in just after his own parents died in a horrific accident that he somehow survived," Lyon paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "since I met him, he has always been very standoffish, never letting anyone in. It took ages for him to trust our Mom and to open up to her."

Juvia asked quietly, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Well, he never connects with anyone, but he talks about you. I head him tell our Mom all about you, he mentioned you the other night at our family dinner and even brought you up before the party began tonight. This is all so unlike him, I have to think that he likes you as more than a friend, but Juvia, I think it's going to take some time to get through the walls he has put up to protect himself."

"I kissed him" Juvia said sadly, "or tried to, he took off pretty quickly, I ruined everything."

"Don't cut him off just because of this, give it time and I think that if you can hang in there, he will come to realize his feelings," Lyon said placing a hand on hers.

"I will try," Juvia wiped the wetness from her cheeks, "I am really embarrassed but I promise I will try." She then looked at Meredy and decided to try to lighten the mood, "so what is going on with you two?"