Gray strolled through the village with his hand in his pocket and the other one clutching his bag filled with supplies and various herbs and plants. He passed a small restaurant that he never bothered to try because he had Juvia, a bar that he never went to because the men always hassled him about Juvia which was a real pain in his ass, an inn which was pretty big considering the size of the town but many people traveled through on their way to the north, a book shop which Juvia frequented, a hardware store, an antique shop and small homes that where lit with Christmas trees.
"Oh wow its Christmas." Gray muttered as he felt a pang of guilt. He knew Juvia didn't expect a present but he couldn't help but feel guilty. He also didn't want to do it because then she would get carried away and talk about how it was the first of many Christmas holidays together.
His arm burned even more intensely with cold. Gray could feel that little mole slightly expanding. He ignored it and continued on his way to Grandma Guelas little medicinal herb shop on the other edge of town near the woods. Warm light poured from the tiny shop as it oozed comfort for Gray because he knew that the old lady would have left them some of her baking, tea would be brewing, a fire filled with incense would be crackling and Juvia would be at the front counter ready to greet him after a long days work.
When he walked in into the shop ready for his sweet greeting from Juvia she was not there lazily leaning over the counter. Gray scanned the room around him suspiciously, there was no sign of struggle so Gray assumed that she was probably in the back helping the old lady reach a top shelf. He was about to check when her heard muted chuckles from the back corner of the shop that was hidden behind a huge bookcase full of jars and bottles. He could make out the sound of the crackling fire and three voices. One of the old woman, the other Juvia and the other was one of a man.
Gray felt his eyebrow twitch from annoyance. He had an idea who the man may be and for reasons he wouldn't admit it irritated him... A LOT. Natsu level A LOT.
'Maybe I just don't get on well with dragon slayers.' Gray mentally speculated.
"Gray-sama is that you? Come on back here." Juvia gently called.
Gray walked towards the back corner of the shop to join Juvia, Rogue and Grandma Guela as they sat on the cushions near the fire and drank tea with lemon cookies while Frosch rolled on his back playing with a ball of yarn.
"Yo." Rogue said tilting his head up with a shy smile playing at his lips.
"Hey." Gray returned the gesture towards his love rival.
'Love rival what the hell stop this Gray.' He told himself.
Juvia looked between the two boys and could feel the awkward air that filled the space around them.
Juvia cleared her throat loudly to get Grays attention
"So Rogue-kun is coming home with us tonight Gray-sama," Juvia said shyly "She invited him and Frosch for the night since its Christmas Eve and all."
"Of course it will be nice having you over for the holiday… dude." Gray stiffly said.
"Sorry for imposing but Juvia wanted to catch up and she said she couldn't really at work and also she thought maybe you and I could talk about the 'landscape' of the mage world at the moment." Rogue amended. He noticed that Gray seemed less than enthusiastic to have him around but probably didn't want to be rude. The last thing Rogue wanted was to have a feud with Gray Fullbuster.
"Yeah that sounds good we have been so secluded lately the only real news we get is from the Sorcerer and L.V." Gray said making Rogue chuckle. "Soooo how do you know Juvia exactly I didn't know you guys talked."
"Oh we don't really. not for seven years at least." Rogue said quietly while feeding Frosch a cookie.
"Seven years… Wow so you've known her since before Fairy Tail." Gray stated in the most casual tone he could muster.
"Yeah."
"That's quiete a bit of history you have then." Gray noted.
"Yeah." Rogue said without much more elaboration.
Grandma Guela shuffled around them and served them all some more tea.
"Break will be over in five minutes." She stated.
"Got it." Juvia smiled at the old woman.
Gray gave up on asking Rogue questions realizing he would not get to much candid information out of him. He was worse than Gajeel. He was quiet and private but also wasn't rude so Gray could not find a reasonable reason to find him as irrupting as he did.
Juvia just quietly sipped on her tea and ate her cookies as she watched the boys nervously.
"Okay breaks over kids can you please clean up the shop and you can go home when you're a holiday I don't want you staying too late."
"I'll help." Rogue offered
"No no just relax with Frosch."Juvia pushed the young man back down into his cushion.
"Are you sure you are letting me stay in your home and eat your food."
"And I am not paying him!" The old lady yelled from the back of the shop.
"Good point it would be nice to get home before the night settles in. Just dust the shelves and sweep the floor." Gray said and roughly tossed Rogue a duster and broom.
"I'm going to the front to dust." Juvia stated
"I'll organize the shelves." Gray said following the blue haired girl.
"Okay." Rogue wondered if Juvia had any idea that Gray was probably just as crazy as her when it came to well her.
AN.
What do you all think?
Thank you for all your support and reading my little story. Hope to have the next chapter up tonight or tomorrow.