I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters, and I do not own this plot. This belongs to CrAzY-SiLLy-Me, whom I thank very much for allowing me to use her plot to make more GraLu stories.

~Say It Again~

Chapter 13

November: My Answer

"When you tell me you're in love…"

"Are you in position?"

"Yeah."

"Good."

I raised my rifle yet still kept a low profile. My eyes scanned the area to make sure that none of our enemies are around.

"Did you see the rustling of bushes?"

"Yeah," I answered. "I see them."

"What's your command?"

I stopped myself from answering Erza's question in order to re-think the options my team had.

We could go for the kill, but we're dealing with an experienced team, so we need to take precautions.

"Lucy?"

"Don't forget how they got to Mira and Cana easily," I reminded. "We can't attack head on."

"Oh come on!" Erza argued. "We've already put Jellal out of the team!"

"We still have to deal with Laxus, Gray, Freed, and Gajeel." I shot back. "My boyfriend's an ex-soldier, remember?"

Erza scoffed at me, but gave in. "Alright, you're the boss."

I sighed silently and checked my surroundings once more. "Levy, any sign of them?"

"I saw Laxus a while ago, but he managed to hide from my line of vision."

"Great," I muttered, running towards a nearby tree while crouching low. "There has to be a way to defeat them."

"Fuck! Gajeel saw me!" Erza cried. "Levy, Lucy, I need back-up!"

I immediately got up from my hiding spot to proceed to where Erza was, seeing her being tailed by Freed, Gajeel, and Laxus.

Wait. Where's-

Click.

"Damn it," I cursed, turning my head slightly to see Gray smirking at me, his gun pointed at the middle of my back.

"That was pretty reckless of you, Lucy."

I sighed and gave a grin. "Best two out of three?"

This can't be happening.

I get the idea that Laxus is a smartass and that Gray is an ex-soldier, but how the hell can they easily take down Erza and Levy?! They left me with Cana and Mira, of all girls!

"What are we going to do?!"

"Calm down Mira!" I snapped, getting agitated. "We can't lose to them!"

"Yeah," Cana backed me up. "Those guys will just rub it in our faces."

"Not to mention how they'll say that we suck because we're girls," I added.

That awoke the feminist side of Mira, because her eyes had a sudden glint in them that promised pain.

"Just say the word, Lucy!"

I had to give a very Gray-like smirk for that answer.

"Okay," I began. "Pull the seductive act if you can."

"No problem there," Cana said with a wicked smile. "But you'll have to deal with your boyfriend."

"I got Gray, just take the others down." I moved to another spot and watched how my two friends had hastily unbuttoned their jackets and let their hair down. Luckily for us that Mira had a button-up shirt underneath, which made the clothing easier to reveal enough skin. Cana's was a tank top, and she was forced to remove her jacket – though that meant violating the rules.

"Just relax," Cana told me when I pointed out that what she did wasn't allowed. "When those boys see skin, they'll forget the violation." She then pulled down one strap, and I had to gape at them in awe for having such confidence.

"Ready Cana?"

"Yeah Mira, let's get 'em." She licked her lips while her eyes had a predatory look in them.

Next thing I knew, they had their rifles pointed at their respective boyfriends.

"Shit! Mira, Cana! Behind you!"

They turned their heads and saw Jellal and Gajeel pointing their own rifles at them, sending them out of the game.

"Damn it!" I ran off from my hiding spot, stopping when I heard the click of a gun. I turned around to meet the person who would bring me down. "Er…best three out of five?"

"You want a truce?"

"Truce...?" I asked, raising a brow as the leader of the other team, a.k.a. my boyfriend, approached me with the other boys following closely behind. "Is that even possible in Air Soft?" I asked.

"Yeah, kind of like how tribes from ancient times cease the war and form an alliance."

I humored him and crossed my arms. "Alright Lieutenant, how?"

He smirked, and I blushed. "Marriage."

"M-Marriage?!" I spluttered out, cheeks flaming red as he walked closer.

"Yes," Gray said, lowering his rifle and stopping just a foot away from me. "Marriage."

"Truce or no truce." I looked away from his gaze. "I'm the only one left in my team!"

"Exactly."

"Then what's the purpose of this alliance?!"

"To know your answer."

"Answer...?"

My eyes widened when he knelt down before me, and I took notice of the other guys standing around us, probably to make sure I wouldn't escape.

"Gray...?"

As expected, he pulled something out of his pocket, but I didn't think he'd hand me the box.

"Open it," he said, getting back up.

Isn't he supposed to open this for me and then ask me? Oh well.

"Okay." I sighed and opened the box, seeing nothing but a note, and I twitched.

The guys began to laugh, and I glared at Gray who kept his smirk. "Fooled you again, didn't I?"

I swear, if I didn't love him so much, I would have killed him right now.

Oh, the note? Well…

Got you.

"You can't possibly ignore me for weeks."

I snorted and turned my head away from Gray, occupying myself in playing with Yoru and Bolt.

"It was just a joke."

I still didn't look at him.

"I doubt you came here just to ignore me."

I stuck my tongue out at him and turned back to the cat and dog.

Gray was staring at me, and the next thing I knew, he was laughing. He was actually laughing.

I snarled, silently asking what was funny.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry alright?" Gray leaned forward, but I inched away from him until I reached the end of the couch, causing him to smirk as he trapped me. "I'm sorry," he repeated, still leaning while I continued backing my head away. "Sorry," he said again, the smirk still present while I dodged his attempts to kiss me.

I was already biting my lower lip just to stop myself from laughing.

My face flushed when he bit my ear and nibbled it.

"Lucy," Oh shit! He just purred my name! "Forgive me?"

How the hell could I say no to that tone? Especially since Gray had moved to my neck to kiss it and suck on it, causing me to shiver and even pant.

"I won't stop if you won't say anything," he murmured.

Already, I can feel one of his hands invading underneath my shirt to touch my skin.

"Ngh…" I tried to prevent myself from moaning when he straddled me. Damn him.

"Don't resist," Gray whispered, moving to kiss my lips and I eagerly returned it, feeling that stupid smug smirk of his.

My arms moved to wrap around his neck and pull him closer to me, not getting enough of him.

I shuddered when he touched my back and had me in suspense by playing with the clasp of my bra. He tugged one off, and then the other, but stopped to leave the remaining one holding it.

"Gray!" I whined, and realized that I had given in.

"Heh." He pulled away from me, still smirking.

My eye twitched and I sat up, not hesitating to throw him the pillow within my reach.

"Why did you stop?!"

He raised a brow at me, and I felt embarrassed for yelling that, because it only meant I wanted him to continue.

"…Forget I said that." I blushed and looked away.

"Hn."

Gray suddenly kissed my cheek, and then jaw. I found myself lying underneath him, and he continued what he started.

"You're…glowing."

I flushed and looked away.

"Mira's right," Cana said, scrutinizing me. "You look as if…you had…" Her serious expression turned to a goofy grin. "Sex."

"N-No!" I stammered.

"Yes!" Erza and Mira said back.

"Sorry Lucy, but yeah, you look like you just had an intercourse with Gray."

"L-Levy! Not you too!" She only gave me an apologetic smile. "Come on! Leave me alone!"

"Spill girl!" Mira said, sitting closer and grabbing my hands. "How was he?"

"Well…"

"How many times?!" Cana asked.

"E-Eh?!"

"How long?" Erza added.

"What?!"

"What position?"

"L-Levy!" I yelled, my face extremely red with all the questions. "I can't tell you about that! It's personal!"

"Oh come on!" They all said. Yes, including Levy.

"Um…" I looked down, the blush not fading. "He was…good." I coughed, answering Mira's question. "This is the second time we've done it," I told Cana, who raised a brow as if I was lying. "Oh alright! We did it twice earlier!" I turned away from their grinning faces. "It…well, I got to his place around two in the afternoon, and he took me back home at five…so…do the math." I avoided Erza's smirk. "Missionary style," I murmured to Levy. "On all three times."

"Three?" Cana echoed.

"W-We've done it before he left last September."

"You two were able to resist for that long?!" Erza looked at me in disbelief. "September, once. And then the whole month of October, nothing!"

"He went to NDA!" I yelled. "A-And do we have to do it on a daily basis just because our first time has been done?!"

"YES!" they all exclaimed, save for Levy who just remained quiet.

"H-Hey! We're not as addicted as you!" I defended. "You're not included, Levy."

"Oh please," Mira rolled her eyes. "You both need to have an active sexual life."

"Who's thirsty?!" I laughed nervously while getting up. "I'm thirsty, anybody else thirsty?!" I left my friends and went to the counter to order a bottle of tequila and five shot glasses.

As I waited, I tried hard to forget about the activities Gray and I have done earlier, but the images kept playing in my head.

The way he touched me…

The way he kissed me…

The way he said my name…

The way he would move within me…

"Yo!"

I blinked, my face turning beet red when the bartender snapped his fingers in front of me repeatedly.

"Awake yet?"

"A-Ah. Sorry." I smiled nervously and eyed the six shot glasses and tequila bottle. "I only ordered five glasses," I said, picking one up.

"Well, you seem to have a new friend over there." He pointed at where the girls were, and I looked to see Juvia.

"Oh, okay." I took the tray filled with my orders, and then went back to my friends. "Hey Juvia."

"Hey." She nodded once.

We may not be enemies or rivals, but we still weren't close enough to be called friends.

…Yes, she still likes my boyfriend.

"Gray's outside."

I blinked. "Huh?"

Juvia sighed and looked at me. "He's outside."

"O-oh." I turned to my friends who waved me off, silently telling me to go on ahead, so I did.

"Hey."

I smiled and ran up to Gray, and immediately, I felt his arms around my waist while my fingers clung to the front of his shirt. "Geez Gray, zip up your jacket, it's cold."

"Hn." He pulled me closer to him, and I had to hold back a squeak when he nuzzled my neck. "You're warm enough."

"I-I'm not a pillow! Or a blanket for that matter…"

"Then how come I'm feeling sleepy just from hugging you?"

I flushed. "Um…it's our daily night out, why are you here?" I pulled away from him.

"I missed you?" I would have laughed at the sheepish grin he gave.

"Very funny mister." I poked his chest – hard and firm chest may I add – and glared. "How come you were alone with Juvia?"

Gray smirked and shrugged, turning his head elsewhere. "I wonder…"

"Tell me."

"Why?"

"Ugh! Why were you alone with her?! She still likes you!"

"Hn…"

"Gray!"

"What?"

"Tell me!"

He raised a brow at me.

I pouted.

His eye twitched.

I gave him puppy dog eyes.

He sighed.

My eyes began to tear up.

Gray cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair. "I asked for her help."

"In what?"

He looked at me seriously, and my heart started beating fast – why? I didn't know.

"Lucy," he began with his eyes locked onto mine. "I need to know."

"K-Know what?"

He moved closer until my back hit the wall behind me.

"I want to know…" He leaned in, I blushed. "Would you…" he began.

I gulped when his breath tickled my right ear.

Damn it. Was he going to propose this way?!

"Would you like to come with me?"

"Huh?"

"Camping," he said, pulling away. "The kids I teach want you to come."

"…Oh." I sighed. "Alright."

"…You okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Gray held my right hand with his left one, intertwined his fingers with mine, and slowly, he brought both our hands up to his lips, and he kissed mine softly.

Sneaky bastard – my disappointment just flew off.

"I'll take you home," he murmured, looking at me. "It's getting late, and cold."

I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around him. "Can I stay over?"

He smiled. "Your dad won't allow you."

"Please?"

Gray shook his head and pressed his lips on my forehead. "You are so stubborn." He leaned his forehead on my own. "If he allows you, then fine, you can stay."

I cheered all the way home.

"What's up?"

I looked at Gray and sighed.

"…I asked if you wanted to come."

"I'm not complaining," I muttered.

"Then what's with the face?"

"…What face?"

He poked my cheek. "Your sad face."

"I'm not sad."

Gray gave a disbelieving look, before offering me a hand.

"What?"

"Come with me."

I sighed and took his hand, letting him lead me somewhere.

"Wait, what about your students?"

"We won't be far."

I glanced back at the campsite and then shrugged as he led me somewhere.

My eyes widened at the scene before me, and I couldn't help but beam.

The way the water sparkled – well, to me it sparkled – caught my interest, and the waterfall was just perfect!

"Lucy."

I blinked and turned to my boyfriend, gasping when he held my hand and pulled me close.

"I want to ask you something," Gray said. "It's important."

Here it comes! FINALLY!

"I have to go somewhere with the guys tomorrow, is that alright with you?"

If I didn't love this guy so much, I would have drowned him right now.

"Why are we here again?"

I ignored Erza's question and just continued staring off into nothing, my mind replaying the multiple times I thought Gray would propose.

"Because our guys NEVER get together!" replied the resident blue-eyed matchmaker.

"Keep your voice down, they'll hear us," said Cana.

"We shouldn't be so suspicious about them…"

"She's right,"I said, eyeing Levy then turned to Mira. "Don't you trust Freed?"

"I do!" she yelled. "But what they're doing right now is very suspicious."

"So why the heck am I here?"

I looked at Juvia and smiled sheepishly. "We thought you might know something, or better yet, Mira here believes you and Loke are an item."

She looked aghast at what I said.

"That is a very, very wrong assumption!"

"I figured as much," Cana muttered. "You and Loke are like water and oil. Maybe Lyon though..."

"Pfft. What about Levy and Gajeel? They're total opposites aren't they?" Mira pointed.

"Much like you and Freed." Erza smirked. "You're too loud and he's too quiet."

"Oh like you and Laxus aren't opposites!" she shot back. "He's not into partying much, but you seem to like it!"

"Hey! We share common interests too! We both like drinking!"

"You used to hate it!" Mira said smugly.

I raised a brow at this. "Since when has Cana hated drinking?"

"Don't get me started with you and Gray."

"We're so not opposites," I protested.

"So too!" she said back. "He's much calmer than you, he's good in everything you suck at, and he can fight while you can't!"

"…He's a retired soldier. Duh."

"The fact still remains that you and him are not alike!"

"We are alike in some ways!" I defended.

"Okay," Mira grinned. "Name one."

"…Pizza?"

That earned me a face palm from the girls – save for Levy, because she's just sweet and kind.

"Um…this plan is a failure," Levy commented out of the blue.

"How can you say that?!" Mira overreacted once again.

Levy pointed to the guys, and we followed her finger to see them standing in front of us. Most of them had their arms crossed while some had theirs on their hips.

"So, when did girls become peeping toms?" Gajeel grinned.

"We were so not peeping!" Erza yelled, blushing. "Like hell we'd spy on you guys! There's nothing to see! Right girls?" She looked at us, but I just glanced at the rest, almost close to laughing since they were all gaping at the topless forms of the guys. "Sorry Erza, looks like we have to join in," I said with a smile before turning to check out my lover, who seemed pretty amused at catching us in the act.

"Instead of hiding, just join in," Loke said, wrapping an arm around Juvia. "I knew you had the hots for me."

"Go to hell!" she snapped.

I just stood up from my kneeling position and brushed off dirt from my clothes. I took the hand my boyfriend offered as he assisted me out of the bushes. "Since you're here," he smirked. "Let's go somewhere."

He held my hand and led me elsewhere while the others watched Loke and Juvia bicker non-stop.

"So…" I intertwined my fingers with his. "You're not mad I'm…well, we…"

"Hn. It's nothing to be angry about, don't you think?" Gray said. "But it wasn't your idea, right?"

"No," I answered. "Like I'd be suspicious of you."

"Alright," he stopped and faced me. "What if this turned out to be what your friends assumed?"

"Huh?"

"What if we planned on seeing other girls?"

"I doubt it."

"It's just a 'what if' question, so answer it."

"I'd be angry at you, and then I'll cry...?"

"Not very convincing." He laughed. "But I get the idea."

"So this was just a regular get-together, huh?"

"Yeah." Gray walked again with me next to him, and we stopped by the shore, far enough to not get our feet wet, but close enough to see the water touch the sand. "We did talk about you and the other girls."

"What is this? Some kind of kiss and tell guy version?"

"Not entirely." He smirked. "I just asked their opinion on something."

"What? What did you ask?"

"It's about you," Gray told me. "It's something important." He faced me.

"What is it?"

"I asked their opinion on something I plan for tomorrow night with you."

"A-And?"

"They told me to go for it."

"Are you going to tell me or not?"

"You'll find out tomorrow."

Whatever it is Gray was planning, I was anxious – especially because he asked to meet me here at the dock; the same place we became a couple, the same spot he said goodbye when he was asked back in NDA, the same area he came back to see me.

Maybe this is it – maybe he's planning on asking me the big question this time.

"Why are you early?"

I looked at him and smiled. "Why are you in your NDA uniform?"

He smirked. "You wanted to see me in it, right?"

"True." I nodded, observing his all black military get-up. "But didn't people look?"

"I was riding my bike, and it's night time." Gray raised a brow at me as if to ask "what do you think".

"Hm. You look good," I said, scrutinizing him and walking around him as he stood still, yet followed me with his eyes.

"Just good?"

"Okay, dangerous?" I supplied. "Dashing maybe…"

He raised a brow and kept the smirk.

"Heroic is another," I stopped before him, meeting his gaze. "Maybe even pretty."

"Pretty, huh?" he snorted.

"Handsome," I added, lowering my gaze to his chest. "Gorgeous even." I stopped at his abs. "Perfect."

I felt his hand gently grab my chin and raise my head. "Keep your eyes up cadet."

"Oh, sorry Lieutenant." I grinned. "I couldn't help but ogle your body."

Gray leaned forward. "That's Captain to you." And his lips touched mine.

"Wait," I pulled away. "You got promoted?!"

He laughed. "Before I left NDA, my promotion was supposed to be finalized, but I resigned, so when I went back, I got the position."

"Oh my gosh! That's great!" I jumped at him, immediately wrapping my arms around him. "No, wait." I pulled back. "You're…still a soldier?"

"No." He shook his head and leaned his forehead to mine. "I quit after the mission, but my position changed."

"Wow…that's just…wow!" I hugged him.

"Yeah, the guys said you'd be thrilled if I told you."

I stopped and realized something.

"That's what I wanted to tell you about tonight," Gray held my hands. "And this place is perfect for it, since it's where we became together, where I said goodbye, and where I came back."

"Y-yeah." I smiled and hugged him. Damn. So much for thinking he was going to propose.

"By the way," he held something out. "What do you say we have fun?"

I eyed the tickets, seeing them dated for today. "The amusement park?"

Gray smirked. "Where we first met."

I continued laughing even as we stepped out of the horror house.

Can you blame me? I couldn't be scared if Gray kept defending me!

"I can't believe you punched that guy!"

"He scared you…" he muttered.

"And you even strangled that vampire!"

"You yelled."

"And…and…you elbowed that fake zombie!"

"Out of reflex," he said in defense. "He shouldn't have grabbed me from behind."

"Priceless!" I yelled, still laughing. "Come on! I'm hungry!"

"Hn." I grabbed Gray's arm and dragged him to the multiple food stalls. "Hey, Luce, just tell me what you want alright? I'll buy it." He kissed the side of my head. "You can go wait for me."

"Okay. I want takoyaki." I smiled, but before he left me standing there, he whispered something that I totally forgot.

"Happy monthsary."

Shit. I didn't get him anything!

I watched as Gray turned to buy what I wanted, and then immediately, I ran off in search of a present for him.

My feet took me to wherever I willed it to go, and I still couldn't find any suitable gift for him. Finally, I decided to just head back, but only after I took a rest for a bit.

"Whew… I wonder if suggesting a make-out session would be good?" I asked myself while attempting to lean against the wall nearby.

Unfortunately, I felt someone grab my arm, and immediately, I opened my mouth to yell, but that someone closed my mouth with his other hand.

Damn.

"Lucy Heartfilia, right?"

How did this guy know me?!

"Boys, we got her."

I looked up to see myself surrounded by five more guys, so that makes a total of six if I include the one who was holding onto me.

"Go contact Fullbuster."

What do they want with him?! Are they terrorists?!

"Lucy!"

My calling out to his name was muffled by the hand on my mouth, and I saw my boyfriend glaring at my captor.

"Just as planned," said the guy, and I could feel a smirk coming from him. "So, what do we do?"

I was surprised when his hold loosened, and he pushed me forward a bit, and I gaped when Gray held my hand.

"What…"

"Lucy," Gray gave me a small smile, and I looked around to see Gajeel, Natsu, Laxus, Jellal, Loke, and Freed remove their masks. "Sorry, it's the only way I can think of to keep you unsuspecting."

"S-Suspecting what?!"

I flushed and stared wide-eyed when Gray knelt down on one knee before me and pulled out a white gold ring with a diamond in the middle.

"To keep you from suspecting my proposal," he answered. "So," he kept that smile I loved so much. "Will you marry me?"

If I was Levy, I would have fainted.

If I was Mira, I would have squealed.

If I was Cana, I would have yelled a curse word.

If I was Erza, I would have just gaped in surprise.

If I was Juvia, I would have immediately yelled a yes.

But I was Lucy…

And what I did was something Gray did not expect…

"You…you bastard!"

…I ran away.

"You…just ran off?!"

"Yes Mira! I just ran off!" I yelled on the phone while stopping to catch my breath. "I called him a bastard too."

"WHY?!"

"Reflex...?" I sighed. "Um…well, I was caught by surprise, and my brain wasn't functioning well! And…and…"

"You do plan on answering, right?"

"Of course! But I have to clear things up with him first, I probably damaged his pride," I cried and panicked. "What if…what if he suddenly decides to not want to marry me?!"

"…Lucy," she called. "We're talking about Gray. You think he'd do that?!"

"…No."

"Good. Now, go clear things up!"

"I'm on my way to him already!" I said. "In fact," I looked at the door before me. "I'm already here."

"Alright, go get him!"

We bid our goodbyes and then hung up.

"Phew. Here goes." I rang the doorbell, deciding not to use the spare key he gave me, and when the door opened, I smiled at his surprised expression. "Don't close the door, please?"

"…Why would I?"

"Erm…" I stepped inside when he let me in. "I…well, admit it, I damaged your pride yesterday."

"…Hn."

"Well, I'm sorry for that." I held out a white box before him, and he raised a brow. "It's my gift to you for our monthsary yesterday, and also a sort of…apology present."

Gray took the box from me and untied the blue ribbon. Next, he opened the lid and looked inside, and then stared at me with wide eyes.

I smiled. "You're not the only one entitled to surprise me." I leaned forward and kissed him softly.

He looked back down at the box where the chocolates I made for him were, and the three pieces in the middle had the letters of Y, E, and S.

"That's my answer," I murmured, and Gray looked at me and smiled.

"Say it again."

Can you believe there's only one chapter after this?! Only one left!

One final update you have to wait for...