Better than a Doll

-A Fairy Tail fanfiction

Let's face it: Gray's a tsundere, but who knew that a doll is all it takes for his feelings to show?

A/N: Aaaaand boredom strikes. I know you guys are familiar with the headcanon about Gray despising the Gray-doll of Juvia. I tried to make a fic out of it. So yeah. Pardon the errors and everything. It's just… I'm frustrated, really. Haha. Reviews are love.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but this story.

"What else do we bring?"

"I think we brought enough dresses and stuff. So I guess this is everything."

Erza and Lucy looked at the travel bag resting on the table in front of them, trying to figure out what necessities they forgot. Seemingly satisfied, Erza started to close the bag, but stopped halfway when Lucy gasped suddenly.

"What is it, Lucy? Did we forget something?" asked Erza, concerned.

Lucy's eyes were wide and earnest, and an evil smirk crossed her lips as she studied Erza's curious expression.

"I think we should bring that—" Lucy pointed at the bed, "—She'll thank us for it."

Erza's gaze landed on the bed. What she saw made her smile.

"Yeah. I think we should… And it will really help a certain someone figure out some things, don't you think?" she asked while aiming a conniving grin at the blonde celestial mage.

Lucy snickered at the great Titania's words, "Ohhh… This is going to be fun!"

"Juvia's sorry for bothering you, Erza-san, Lucy."

Erza and Lucy merely shook their heads as they helped Juvia sit up on the infirmary bed. After their fight with Tartaros, everyone managed to get away with only wounds and bruises, but in Juvia's case, healing took longer than usual, since Polyushka took time in making an antidote for her. She only woke up that day.

Juvia winced slightly when she was finally sitting, prompting the two mages to ask if she was okay.

"Does it hurt anywhere, Juvia?! Should we help you lie down again?!" Lucy asked in panic.

Said girl just shook her head, "No, it's alright Lucy. I think I just stretched my legs a bit hard," she explained.

Erza sighed in relief, "Well, it's good to see you awake and well, Juvia. But please, if something or anything feels off, tell us alright? Better to be safe than sorry," she said.

Juvia hung her head in shame, "Juvia really caused everyone to worry, didn't she? She's sorry," she mumbled.

Lucy shook her head, "Don't be. We're comrades… and we're family. When one gets hurt, everyone's hurt as well. That's what makes us Fairy Tail, right?" she said, smiling.

They both smiled at her, causing Juvia to smile as well, "Thank you," she replied softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Erza reached down, ruffling Juvia's hair, "Now, don't start with the water works. You just woke up. Using magic is strictly forbidden, consciously or unconsciously," she said sternly.

Juvia wiped the tears threatening to fall down, "So-sorry," she said.

They just smiled at her, "Come on! Let's stop this drama! You're okay now and that's what's important!" Lucy exclaimed, "Juvia, we brought some of your stuff from Fairy Hills. Just some dresses and necessities," she winked, "If we forgot something, just tell us and we'll get it for you."

"Oh no, Juvia couldn't impose—" Juvia started.

"Don't worry about it," said Erza, "We want to do this."

Juvia bit her lip, "Really, thank you for everything."

Lucy clapped her hands together, "Oh yeah Juvia! We almost forgot! We brought you this as well!"

When Juvia saw what Lucy took out from her bag, her jaw dropped and her face flushed crimson.

"Oh no! Juvia is so embarrassed!" she whined while hiding her face in her hands.

Erza just smirked, "We know you miss that idiot. After all, he left for a mission before you woke up," she explained.

"And since he's not the type to cuddle someone, might as well cuddle this right?" Lucy said with a knowing smile.

Juvia removed her hands from her face and took the object from Lucy, hugging it close to her chest and nuzzling her nose against it.

They smiled fondly at the sight. Lucy set the bag beside the bed and straightened up, "Well, we got to go. It's nearly evening… and you still need to rest. We'll come again tomorrow," she said brightly.

"I think Gray's coming back sometime this week. Mira contacted him this morning when you woke up," Erza said, "So for a while, you have to settle with that."

Juvia just smiled, "Juvia's used to it. It keeps her company every night. It's no big deal," she said.

They both grinned mischievously, "Take care of yourself, Juvia," Lucy said. With that, they left.

Juvia just stared at the door for a moment before lying down and burrowing herself in the covers, clutching the object in her hands and drifting off.

It was nighttime when Gray returned from his mission.

Actually, the mission was fairly easy. In two days, it was over, but he needs time to collect himself, so he stayed in town for a few more days. He was contemplating on staying for another night when Mira contacted him, telling him that Juvia was awake and well. He wasted no time in boarding a train back.

He crept silently around the hall, just in case someone stayed at the guild. When he reached the infirmary door leading to Juvia's room, he paused for a while. As gently as possible, Gray pushed the door open.

He was greeted by the sight of Juvia, sleeping soundly with the covers draped around her snugly, her peaceful countenance greatly contrasting her pained one a week earlier. When he moved closer, he noticed that she was snuggling on something. It took him a minute to realize that she's snuggling on a doll.

Yeah. A doll. And not just any doll. It was a doll of him. A doll of Gray Fullbuster.

His eyes narrowed at the sight. Sure it was nicely made and all, but seeing a replica of himself in the arms of Juvia, who was smiling in her sleep, made his blood boil. He's not angry or even annoyed. No, the feeling crawling in the depths of his whole being was that of jealousy.

Oh yeah, he thought, the world must be ending. Gray Fullbuster was getting jealous over a doll. Damn it.

His eyebrows twitched when Juvia brought the accursed doll closer to her, nuzzling it.

He tched under his breath. Before he could stop himself, he carefully started to pull out the doll out of Juvia's grasp.

It took a while, since Juvia would grip on it tighter and make some unpleasant noises, but in the end, he succeeded in removing the doll.

He lifted the doll at arm's length to look at it critically before freezing it and tossing it on the couch. It landed gracelessly on its face. Gray just smirked. There's no way that a mere copy will triumph over the real deal. No way in hell.

He was broken out of his musings when Juvia whimpered, her face scrunching in discomfort. It was at that moment when Gray's feelings took over his reasoning. He carefully sat on her bed, his back against the headboard and his legs stretched in front of him. He gently brought his hand behind her back and lifted her slightly, so her head was resting on his torso. Then, he moved her arm and draped it over him before lacing their fingers together as he rested his other hand on her hair, stroking it tenderly.

Juvia's face relaxed and she stopped whimpering. Her arm tightened around Gray as she snuggled in his warmth, all the time mumbling his name.

Gray just smiled softly at the sight. Closing his eyes, he started to drift off, deciding in his sleep induced mind that there's no one (or nothing) else that can rival him in giving warmth to Juvia.

Not even that damned stuffed doll.

EPILOGUE

"I'm sorry about this, Erza, bothering you in the middle of the night," Lucy said shamefully.

"It's fine, really. We could find it faster if we look together," Erza smiled reassuringly at the celestial mage.

"I know. We have to find it soon! Aquarius will get angry at me again for dropping her key!" Lucy exclaimed with a shudder.

They made their way in the guild silently. Erza looked around the guild hall while Lucy bent down under the table.

"Where did you lose it anyway?" Erza asked, now stooping low.

"I'm sure it was around here somewhere…" Lucy mumbled, "I know! Maybe in Juvia's room!" she said.

They tiptoed towards Juvia's room. When they reached her door, Lucy pushed it slightly, peeking on the slit. Her eyes widened before she stepped back.

"I think I'll just look for it tomorrow," she said in a hushed voice, smiling slightly.

Erza tipped her head to the side, "What? But it was Aquarius' key right?" she asked. Still, Lucy continued smiling. She pointed at the door, prompting Erza to peek in the room. When she saw Juvia and Gray sleeping peacefully and the (frozen) doll tossed aside, she smiled softly.

"It seems that it worked," Erza whispered.

Lucy nodded, "I knew that Gray will not let anyone or anything near Juvia aside from him. I pity the doll though. Poor guy, to be at the receiving end of Gray's wrath…" she shook her head in mock sadness.

"Yeah, but in end… All's well that ends well right?" Erza said.

Lucy grinned, peeking in at the room again, "Yeah, and in the end, Gray proved that he's way, way better than some doll."

-owari-

A/N: For those who reviewed, followed and liked the previous chapter, I thank and salute thee! And again, I'm open to prompts and suggestions, as long as they are related to hugs, cuddles and stuff. Hihi.

What do you guys think of the epilogue? I was a little hesitant in putting it, but I couldn't resist! Erza and Lucy being partners-in-crime are just too cute!

So… was it worth reading? Or not? You can insult me or whatever. I deserve it. *braces myself*

Please do leave a review after this. Thank you for reading!