Standard disclaimer applies.

CHAPTER 4

The mission is simple but a really tedious job. It has no need for five potential S-class mages to finish it. In fact, Lucy could've handled it by herself; it would just take her probably a whole month. Hence, the celestial mage has made sure that Natsu joins her.

Speaking of her companion, he is continuously complaining about the job. The mission requires strength and an incredible amount of magic to help reconstruct fifty pieces or so of architecture for in a neighbouring town to improve their tourism. The town mayor commits a huge amount of jewels as payment, as long as the job gets done within a week. Lucy is sure she and Natsu can handle such an easy task. But, Natsu's whining is starting to get on her nerves.

"What the heck is your problem, Natsu?" she finally snaps, stomping her foot. The two of them are already on their twelfth reconstruction, and they've only been working for two hours. Good progress, but an exasperating process!

Natsu curses for the thousandth time. "Stupid icicle should've been here. I don't know why he stayed behind. Erza, I get. Master asked her to stay behind for an S-class mission. But freeze brain? He should've accompanied us!"

Lucy rolls her eyes for perhaps the thousandth time. Sometimes she's not sure who's more obsessed with Gray, Juvia or Natsu! "I was the one who asked Gray to stay behind," she reveals.

"Say what again?" Natsu halts, giving Lucy a menacing look he's never given her before. "Why would you do that?"

"Because Gray needs to be there on Juvia's birthday!"

Natsu feels his blood boiling inside, literally. It feels as if any time soon, huge flames will come out of his mouth due to anger. "What do you mean 'birthday'?"

"Ha! I knew you wouldn't remember. Three days from now is Juvia's birthday. So, I thought to myself," Lucy's mischievous grin appears. "Wouldn't it be more special if Gray is there to celebrate it with her? When I mentioned it to Gray, he didn't object to staying behind. Ooh, I just hope he already mustered the courage to ask her on a date!"

Natsu turns his back, so Lucy wouldn't see the expression on his face. He is mad. He is raging angry, and he finally admits to himself that he doesn't want his Juvia going on a date with Gray.

The blonde wizard continues to blab. "Gray in his scruffy dark suit, itching to take it off, but managing to keep it on for the lovely maiden's sake. He'll wait outside Juvia's dorm, hiding a bunch of roses behind his back. Juvia in a flowing, blue dress, looking sexier than ever. She giggles as she meets a blushing Gray. He'll take her on a candlelit dinner, but both will simply stare at each other. Then, they walk home together. As their first date ends, Gray leans forward to place a soft kiss on her—," she gets cuts off.

"Can you stop with your jibber-jabbering there and just work? We won't stop until we finish this project today," he declares.

Lucy snorts. "While I appreciate your sudden eagerness, I highly doubt we can finish all these today. This is why the mayor gave us a week for the deadline."

"Why? You don't want to be there for Juvia's birthday?" he blurts out which took Lucy by surprise.

"Of course I want to. But, I also need to pay my rent and have money for living expenses. You eat a lot when you and Happy come over. That reminds me, you haven't been coming to my apartment lately. Did you get yourself a girlfriend?" Lucy asks laughing out loud. She just couldn't picture Natsu being all romantic and lovey-dovey.

"So you don't want to be there for Juvia's birthday," Natsu reiterates, this time with an accusing tone.

The celestial mage frowns at the implication that she's a bad friend. Her expression changes, however. "I'm sure the presence of Gray alone is enough to make it an extra special day for her," she states with a hopeful tune.

Scowling, Natsu proceeded doing the task with all seriousness. If he puts all his strength into it, mix it with his unlimited amount of determination, he will finish this mission before her birthday.

He will be there for Juvia's special birthday.

He will show Juvia what she means to him.

He'll be damned if Gray takes his Juvia away

The water mage looks forlorn that Gray itches to wrap his arms around her. He is still unsure of how he truly feels for her, but there is already an attraction he couldn't deny.

Her presence has never annoyed him. Yes, her love declarations embarrass him all the time. He gets bothered when she pops out all of a sudden, as if she's an expert stalker. He complains a lot about her ability to turn every girl around him as a love rival, with Lucy having that permanent title.

But... Gray likes Juvia. He likes her as a comrade. He likes her as a friend, and he feels that he'll like her soon in a romantic way.

It's just a matter of time before he gets his feelings in check. To do that, he needs to spend time with her, learn about the Juvia without the craziness and 'fangirliness'.

"Restaurant's right here, Juvia," he stops in front of an alley, pointing to a corner inside. "It's quaint and small, but the food's really good."

Juvia just nods, her mind is still set somewhere far. If only Gray did this about three months ago, perhaps Juvia will be squealing and yelping in excitement. The water mage trails behind Gray as he leads her. When he opens the door for her, Juvia gives him a smile that produces a touch of pink on Gray's cheeks. The blue-haired maiden does not notice it.

Juvia glances around the tiny restaurant. There are around ten to fifteen tables, and only a few patrons are inside. A waitress leads them to a table at the far end, giving them extra privacy. As they settle down in their seats, Juvia couldn't help but sigh.

"Something wrong?"

Juvia shakes her head. "No, this place is beautiful," she says in a breathy voice, closing her eyes, and allowing the scent of freshly baked pastries fill her senses. She doesn't realize that her action prompted Gray to smile and bask in her beauty. When she opens her eyes, Gray immediately turns his head to the side, hoping to hide a seemingly semi-permanent blush. "Does Gray-sama always go here?"

Gray scratches his cheek with a finger. "I, uh, found out about this place because of Lucy," he says carefully, hoping Juvia won't go into battle mode hearing about her love rival.

"Did you go on a date with Lucy-chan here?" she asks, her tone not changing.

Gray furrows his brows, not sure if Juvia is mad or indifferent. "Uh, no. Natsu was with us, as well. It was actually just the two of them, but I happened to meet them on the way here." He notices Juvia's hands, resting on top of the table, turned into clenched fists. "Lucy is just a friend," he states, feeling the need to explain. "If there's someone who'll be more than a friend to her, that's probably Natsu," he chuckles, not knowing him fuelling her annoyance.

The waitress arrives to take their orders, halting their conversation, much to Juvia's relief. He orders waffles, while she places a huge order of omelette, pancakes, croissants, and chocolate milkshake. Juvia decides to pig out to cure her growing irritation. Gray eyes her, not sure whether she's trying to impress him with her appetite or turn him off. He settles for a different option.

"Seems like you're quite hungry," he says this with a teasing smile.

Juvia has a sheepish look on her face. "Juvia didn't get to eat much yesterday evening." She's spent dinner mostly watching Natsu gobble the dishes she prepared.

"You have to eat slowly, Natsu-san," she told him as he devoured the roasted chicken in front of him. She watched him with great interest, her chin resting on the back of her hands with her elbows propped up on the table.

Natsu gave her puppy look. Juvia was sure he was trying to act cute but failing miserably, which actually resulted in him being quite cute. She laughed out loud.

"Is very good, Juv," he complimented her in between chews. "You can put up your own restaurant if you want to."

With a blush, Juvia scooped him more potatoes. "Sometimes, Juvia isn't sure if Natsu-san is just saying these words or really means it."

Natsu put his fork down. "I'm hurt, Juv. I really mean it. Everyone in the guild actually knows how good of a cook and baker you are." He cocked his head to one side, his eyes simply focused on her face. "C-can you make me a, uh, N-Natsu bread?" he stuttered his request.

Juvia beamed, clapping both her hands. "You wouldn't mind? You won't think it's creepy?"

"Of course not! I asked, didn't I?" he looked away, not wanting her to see how embarrassed he felt. "Now eat. You've been watching me the whole time. I need you to have energy to keep up with me later," he winked; his last statement was glazed with naughtiness.

Natsu's expression transformed from a carefree, immature boy to a masculine predator ready to pounce on his prey. Juvia gulped at the sight and a sense of longing engulfed her body.

Dinner was halted for the time being. Natsu stood from his seat and was in front of the water mage in one huge stride. Juvia remained on her seat, but titled her head up. Natsu bent down to meet her eager lips.

The kiss started soft and sweet then soon became rough and intense. Juvia didn't even know how it happened, but she just found herself being carried by the dragon slayer. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. One of his hands cupped her bottom, while the other was running up and down her thigh tracing her guild's tattoo. When Natsu's tongue licked the fresh kiss mark on her neck — which he created as soon as he arrived — a soft moan escaped from Juvia's mouth, prompting Natsu to suck on it more, as if making sure to make it a permanent one.

He laid her down gently on the bed, hovering above her with one hand supporting his weight. She stared at his face, her long and thick lashes barely covering the desire in her eyes.

"I will ravage you until you begged me to stop," she heard him say. Or, it could've been her imagination on overdrive. Or, it was her very thoughts that wanted to be conveyed out loud. Either way, the burning passion had been ignited. The only thing missing was the act itself. Natsu brushes the strands from her face and leaned forward, an impish grin on his lips. Juvia could tell he wanted her badly as much as she does — perhaps even more. When their lips met, Juvia couldn't control the hungry moan escaping her lips...

"Juvia?"

The sound of Gray's voice slices through an invisible screen that was playing a flashback of yesterday's event. Juvia blinked nonstop, trying to clear her vision. She tilts her head to the side with confusion.

"I was asking if you've got something planned this Saturday."

BeforeJuvia could answer, the waitress arrives with their food. The two start eating in silence with Gray glancing at Juvia every now and then. The water mage has remained oblivious of the effect she has on him. Even Gray, he's majorly surprised that his senses are heightened with Juvia around. Perhaps it has to do with finally seeing Juvia other than the obsessive stalker she loves to portray herself.

"Does Gray-sama want to try?" she offers her plate of omelette. The ice wizard chuckles as the thought of opening his mouth for her to feed him, but he decides otherwise. He shakes his head. "It's really delicious. Just let Juvia know if you want some. It seems Juvia ordered quite a lot," she sheepishly admits. Gray just wants to squeeze her and some.

"So... what are you doing this Saturday?" he attempts to ask her again.

Juvia sighs heavily. "Just stay in. It would be rest day before a big mission with Gajeel-kun on Monday."

"You can rest on Sunday. Just have dinner with me that day," he coolly tells her, trying hard to come off as naturally nonchalant.

"Gray-sama?"

This time, Gray looks at her directly with sincere eyes, albeit keeping that stoic demeanour. "Spend your birthday with me, Juvia."

The water mage drops the fork in her hand, unable to completely comprehend what she's just heard. There is a loud thumping inside her chest. This is what she's waited for since joining the guild. This is what she's dreamed about. Yet, why isn't she as excited as she should be? There's only one answer to that…

…Natsu.

A/N: Once again, thank you for the reviews. I can't believe I'm on the 4th chapter of a one-shot I planned. many NaVia story ideas are running through my head. But for now, I'll focus on this story. Please enjoy. as usual, feedback and criticisms are always welcome.