Chapter 4: Longing and Heat

Despite Mira's initial timeline for this new couple, it actually took several weeks. After the first time Gray asked Juvia to dinner, he made it point to have dinner with her at least once a week; with missions and time schedules willing of course. Sometimes it was at restaurants, other times she cooked for them. He attempted to cook dinner once, and it ended in disaster. Juvia had to put the oven in a water lock in order to put out the fire. The stove-top fire got worse though. Grease fires and water don't mix, eventually Gray had to freeze over the entire kitchen, and Juvia ended up getting frozen to the table. It was decided then; Gray would never be allowed to cook for them again. The guild saw them as a couple at this point, though Gray insisted that they were just friends; Juvia didn't actually say anything on the matter, she was just happy to be on the receiving end of his attention for once.

Over the last couple of months, Gray has learned a lot about her: she volunteered at the orphanage because she wanted to make sure that no child went friendless like she did, she loved citric-y flavors because they reminded of her Spring, which also happened to be her favorite season. Her favorite rain was a "fox-rain" because even though it was still raining people would be pleasantly surprised that they could still see the bright sun and clear blue skies. She had an odd sense of humor that made him grin with amusement, and was one of the most romantic people he's ever met. She believed in soul-mates, and loves that lasted life times. It was an ideology that always eluded him, he was a realist at best and a pessimistic cynic at worse, she, however, was always an optimistic dreamer. One night when he was especially in a dick mood, and took it out on her, he saw her angry. Her face went blank, much like the time when she was in Phantom Lord. The tone to her voice left no argument or chance to fight back. The glasses that had held their once iced-waters started to boil. He was glad to see there wasn't any pet fish around them; they would have surely been boiled alive. Quickly he apologized, and just like that she was back to her jovial self. He learned that while she wore heavy winter clothing all the time, it wasn't because she was modest or cold, but out of habit. She spent her whole life in heavy winter wear due to her constant rain; it felt odd to be without them.

One day though, Lucy barged in on their dinner. Juvia could barely react in time; Lucy gave an ambiguous "You'll thank me later", and whispered to Juvia. Juvia stiffened before turning towards Gray to excuse herself, and then took off with Lucy. Stunned, Gray sat at the table contemplating the pair's sudden closeness. They've certainly gotten friendlier since Natsu and Lucy had finally made themselves official to the guild. Everyone had suspected it for years, but apparently they have only been dating for about a month before they decided to tell everyone. Mira-Jane was ecstatic of course. Erza was overjoyed, but quickly went into mother hen mode. She decided it was time to teach both him and Natsu about the facts of life. Needless to say they were humiliated. Gray went especially red at the mention of the "changes" a female body goes through every month. Natsu was surprisingly mature about it until…

"Pfft, I know all about that! Gildarts taught me when you had your first period and I told him that you smelled like blood."

Erza finally went red. "What?!"

"Yeah, all dragon slayers can smell it, sometimes even a few days before it actually starts, it's pretty handy to know who's going to be especially pissy some days." Natsu finished with a proud huff. Gajeel, Laxus and Wendy, froze then. The guilds eyes glued to the dragon slayers. The girls who were especially close to Gajeel and Laxus blushed heavily, embarrassed that they would know those natural and yet personal things. The sudden attention made them uncomfortable; poor Wendy was particularly red with the news. Levy and Mira gulped, this was awkward; they chanced a glance at Lucy, she blushed, but wasn't surprised at the information. That bitch knew! Before anyone could ask any stupid questions, both Laxus and Gajeel stormed over to Natsu, and plucked him from his chair. His retorts of indignation were left ignored.

"Excuse us," Laxus forced through gritted teeth, "This nitwit needs the dragons slayers version of this talk." Erza nodded dumbly, too embarrassed by the fact that at least four people at any given moment would always know when every girl would be at their most volatile. Gajeel turned towards Wendy, she was still flushed. He plucked her from her seat, ignoring Carla's warning glare.

"You too girlie, I'll be damned if I have to go through this again in a couple of years."


It's been four weeks since that incident, and one week since he's last seen Juvia, not that he's counting or anything. The last time he saw her was when Lucy had grabbed her. They kept missing each other at the guild due to missions. The summer heat was rolling in again; he always hated this kind of weather, it was way to fucking hot in his opinion, the waves of heat reminded him of Natsu's flames, and that kind of pissed him off. Not to mention the fact that he stripped almost constantly because of the heat too.

"Another snow cone Mira." Gray asked as he finished his third one. Mira almost dropped his food on the bar when the guild doors opened. Her mouth was astonished and her eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, the rest of the guild was eerily silent. Gray turned towards the open doors, and was just as surprised at the rest of the guild. There stood Juvia, wearing a tank top, and really short shorts with high heeled sandals. Her long legs were especially highlighted by this outfit, Her medium length hair cascaded down in waves that gently caressed her face and shoulders, but it also served to innocently accentuate her chest. Walking over to Mira, Juvia took the seat next to Gray.

"An ice-water if you please, Mira-san." She requested, Mira stumbled out her shock, and handed Juvia her requested drink. Juvia took it, taking in a mouthfull. Some of the water dribbled down the corners of her mouth leaving a trail down her throat as she swallowed. Gray couldn't help, but stare; following that single trail of water. This sight almost made him grateful to the heat.

"Something wrong Gray-Sama?"

"Huh-Uh no! No, I'm fine." He turned back to his now half melted snow cone and cursed when he saw its liquefying state. He looked around the guild again, noticing the longing and heated stares directed at his friend. The feelings of anger and possessiveness barreled into him again. It was the first time since Lyon came into the guild with Juvia at those months ago. What the hell is the matter with me? Apparently his distaste for the reactions of his fellow guild members where noticed.

"Gray-Sama? Why are you growling? Are you sure you're alright?" Juvia was looking at him, her bottom lip softly nibbled on by her teeth directing his attention to her soft looking lips. It's Juvia! Just Juvia! You are not to think of her that way dammit! Juvia placed a hand on his shoulder, and another on top of his forehead. "You're awfully hot, Gray-Sama." A blush rose to Gray's face, he was suddenly very aware of his nakedness and was thanking every deity there ever was, and ever will be that he managed to keep his rapidly tightening pants on.

"I-I'm fine, it's just this heat that's getting to me." Man if Natsu could only see him now, that fire eating bastard would never let him live it down.

"Oh? Would Gray-Sama like Juvia to help cool him down?" She looked at him from under her eyelashes. He never noticed until now but her eye lashes were just as blue as her hair, they complimented her eyes greatly. "Juvia has been experimenting with her magic lately, you may enjoy it." Was it him or was that last bit said in a slight purr? "Juvia is very talented when it comes to releasing…heat." He almost chocked on what was left of his pathetic snow cone. All the while Mira was watching this display behind the safety of her bar, thoroughly amused.

"I'm Good! Honest! I'm-I'm gonna head home, BYE!" Gray shot out of the guild like lightening, escaping to the cold winter wonderland that was his apartment. He needed to get out of the heat if he was going to be able to think everything through calmly.

Juvia giggled at his absence, forgetting she was being watched by Mira. "That was mean Juvia," The demon giggled into her palm, "I thought he was going to go insane." Juvia looked at the barmaid, and took note of the smirk on her face. Juvia had heard stories about Mira's mean streak when she was little, looking at her now though she certainly believes it.

"Juvia didn't have the heart to tell him he voiced some of his thoughts out loud."

Mir cackled, "Bout time you guys moved forward."

"Lucy-san helped Juvia put this plan together, Juvia has learned that subtlety works best with Gray-Sama, big gestures often scares him away, or makes him defensive."

"This wasn't big?"

"Mira-san, you have a lot to learn about Juvia." A wicked gleam was in her eyes, was the only response to Mira's question. Mira giggled. "Everything is up to Gray-Sama now." Suddenly Juvia's eyes were down cast. "Mira-san…Juvia longs for the day Gray-Sama sees Juvia as a woman, but Juvia would be content to just be by his side, even as a friend."

"Juvia…"

"Juvia must go now, bye Mira-San!" they waved each other goodbye. Juvia's smile showing hints of sadness and worry as she left. Though Juvia put up such a strong front, Mira couldn't help but suspect that her friend was drowning in loneliness. Don't worry Juvia, I'm positive this will happen eventually.