The next morning Juvia left Gray asleep in the bed and got up to meet with Meredy who was coming over for breakfast. Someone knocked at the door but when Juvia opened it she saw Gajeel standing outside with his brow furrowed, "What are you doing here?" he asked leaning to the side he peered through the door at the empty couch, "and please tell me you aren't sleeping with pretty boy."

Juvia stared at Gajeel, she wore a wide-eyed expression and no words left her open mouth. "Hey kid, you can relax, I'm just giving you trouble," he said.

"Well I did sleep in his room, um, with him," she stammered, "but it's not like that."

"I figured," he smirked, "you've made worse decisions though, just saying."

"So why exactly are you here?" she asked her brother.

"Levy said she saw Bora yesterday not far from here, so that unfortunately means that scum is still in the area, I hoped he'd cleared out hen the cops got involved."

"Oh," Juvia sunk into the couch, "I was hoping I was being worried for nothing, I guess it could just be a coincidence and maybe his being here has nothing to do with me."

"That dumbass better hope he doesn't get anywhere near you after trashing your place, I would love to get a hold of him," Gajeel raged.

"So, he's still around?" Gray's voice entered the conversation as he walked into the living room, "I'm glad you didn't stay alone."

Gajeel rolled his eyes "yeah, but that doesn't automatically excuse you sleeping with my sister."

Juvia made a shrieking noise, "Gajeel! I already told you that it wasn't even like that."

He chuckled, "I know, but it's too easy to mess with you."

Gray raised an eyebrow at Juvia before shaking his head, "so with the ex still hanging around are you going to stay here?"

"I suppose so, I am still kind of worried about him showing up again."

"You know you're still invited to stay at my place," Gajeel said "you don't have to stay with pretty boy here." Juvia hesitated and looked away from him and Gajeel grinned, "Fine I see how it is, picking him over your own brother, well I'm gonna head to work, the shop aint gonna run itself. See ya kid," he said ruffling her already messy hair. Gajeel opened the door to leave coming face to face with Meredy, she moved to the side allowing him past.

"Hi Meredy," Juvia greeted her friend cheerfully.

"Bye Gajeel!" Meredy called after him before entering the apartment, "aren't you guys popular this morning?"

Gray gave a nod, "seems that way, I'm getting used to the commotion that comes with having this one as a neighbor."

"It's usually not that bad, but lately things have taken a weird turn," Juvia defended.

Meredy gigged and nudged her friend, "you actually do have a certain amount of drama, but it's part of your charm,"

"I feel like this isn't a good kind of charm, "Juvia blushed.

"Where's Lyon?" Gray asked with a tone of boredom.

"Parking the car, your neighborhood has really horrible parking."

"That is the truth," Lyon said announcing his presence as he opened the door.

"Nice to see you, Lyon," Juvia gushed, "I haven't seen much of either of you lately."
"Well, my dear brother doesn't invite me over," Lyon said.

"Heh, and it was working out so well until now," he chuckled punching Lyon on the shoulder.

"So, do you guys want to come out with us today? We were gonna grab some food and go to the zoo, a date of sorts." Meredy's face beamed with excitement.

"I'd love to come, "Juvia said looking up at gray, "but I am not sure what Gray has planned today."

Gray shrugged, "No plans yet, sure why not?" he noticed the excited smile spreading across Juvia's face.

"Great," she squealed, "let's get ready."

…

In the bustling energy of the park the foursome gathered around a food stand munching on fish cakes, once they cleared their skewers the guys playfully stabbed at one another. Meredy leaned toward Juvia and whispered, "those two are completely different when they're together, have to ever noticed that?"

Juvia stared toward the brothers and took noticed of their carefree behavior, "you know, I haven't spent a ton of time with him but I can definitely see what you are saying."

Meredy gave a small smile, "I think you are spending plenty of time with you, you are practically living with him."
"Hey ladies," Gray called out, "let's move on."
Lyon reached out to grasp Meredy's hand and the group began down the path into the zoo.

Juvia leaned over a railing to see the beautiful plumage of the peacocks as closely as she could, "they're lovely" she said excitedly.

Meredy pointed up the path in disbelief, "the news is out here today, their filming our direction."

"Lyon grinned in their direction, "we will have to watch alter to see if we can see ourselves."

"You guys are easily entertained," Gray teased, tossing a piece of popcorn at Juvia before pulling her along next to him with a small grin.

"Lyon exchanged a look with Meredy giving a not in his brother's direction and giving a wink before loudly speaking to Meredy. "Look at the flowers over there, which ones should I get my beautiful girlfriend she is the most gorgeous woman in this entire place," he said his voice overly sappy.

Gray stiffened and looked toward the flower stall, moving closer he inspected the radiant blooms and spotted a bouquet of lilacs and roses in a beautiful purple hue, picking it up he paid the teller and handed the bouquet awkwardly to Juvia. Lyon gave a bunch of pink roses to Meredy and smiled when Grey mumbled to Juvia, "yours are prettier," before tugging her along with him once more.

Pushing his lips closer to Meredy's ear, Lyon whispered "he can't stand to lose to me, and I figured that would spark a fire under his ass when it comes to Juvia."

Meredy covered her mouth as she suppressed a giggle, "they are quite cute together."
"And, well, my brother has always shied away from girls and relationships but he seems to have feelings for her, he just needs a nudge."
"I can't believe she is staying with him, she has never been one to depend on anyone but big brother." They stood watching Juvia and Gray draw nearer to one another gradually before pulling back as if experiencing an electric chock. "they're fighting it about as hard as humanly possible."

"Meredy!" Juvia called out, "there's pandas on top of the hill, let's go!"

"Okay, "she responded before turning to Lyon, "I'd like to see her with someone that treats her well, I hope your brother can do that," she then headed up the path toward Juvia and Gray.

Lyon sighed, "Yeah, me too," he murmured to himself.