Chapter 3- The Date
He had been gone for twenty minutes, leaving Juvia alternating between pacing around her room and flopping down on the bed in a mess of happy squeals. She swung from being so overjoyed that she nearly burst into song, to so frantic and nervous that she felt sick. A sudden thought struck her as she tumbled off the bed. Should she change her outfit? Was this going to be like a real date or did he just pity her?
"Juvia is not to be pitied by anyone," she growled, her face setting determinedly as she swiped a lock of her blue hair back into place and jumped to her feet. She marched over to her small closet and yanked open the door. She then promptly wished she went shopping more often.
She grumbled to herself, "No, that's too much…no, that'll make Juvia look desperate when Juvia needs to look nice…that one's not too bad…Juvia must buy more clothes…hmm, perhaps this one."
She reached in and pulled a knee-length pale blue dress out, holding up against herself. It was an off the shoulder dress and would look very nice with a thick waist belt she had in one of her drawers. She nodded decisively and placed the dress on her bed before stripping off her hat, shoes, dress and other accessories.
She was so focused on undressing and deciding what else she would wear that she didn't hear the heavy footsteps that signalled someone was approaching her room. The door was flung open and she let out a startled yelp as her hands flew up to cover her scantily clad body.
"J-juvia…" Gray stuttered, standing in the doorway with his face turning red and his jaw on the floor.
"Gray-sama!" she gasped as she dove to the side of her bed, "The door!"
She heard his stammered apology and listened for the click of the door being closed. She peered over her bed and was surprised to see that Gray had his back to her and that he was leaning his forehead against the wall, she wondered why he hadn't just waited for her outside.
"I'm sorry," he said again, "I didn't expect you to be…uh, you know."
"It's fine, Gray-sama," she responded quietly, her cheeks growing warm, "Just do not turn around now."
She stood up just as he turned and asked what she had said. He clapped a hand over his eyes as she squeaked in fright again.
"Juvia said not to turn around, Gray-sama!" she admonished shakily.
"I'm sorry!"
Juvia hurriedly slipped on her dress and fumbled with her waist belt.
"Juvia is starting to think that Gray-sama wants to see her in her underwear," she mumbled loud enough for him to hear.
"Hey!" he said indignantly, "It was an accident!"
Juvia found some simple blue shoes then and she put them on even as she ran her fingers through her hair and smoothed the light material of her dress.
"Are you done yet?" muttered Gray irritably, still covering his eyes.
She stepped around the bed and moved to stand in front of him, reminding herself that she needed to stay calm and in control.
"Juvia is ready now."
He sighed and let his hand drop away. He blinked to adjust to the brightness of the room and then he stared at her. She blushed and couldn't meet his gaze.
Wow, he thought.
"You look…-" he started gruffly.
Stunning.
"-nice."
Despite his comment not being what he really thought, Juvia seemed thrilled with it because of course; she didn't know what he was really thinking. Her blush intensified and a new thought popped into Gray's head.
She's cute.
He also came to the conclusion that he probably should've put on clothes that weren't just what he normally wore. Nah, this is fine, it's not like this is a real date anyway…is it?
He didn't know what to think or feel anymore and it frustrated him, especially since Juvia appeared nearly completely serene. At least she knows what she wants.
"Come on, let's go," he told her in a rough voice, grabbing her wrist and towing her out of the room and along the hallway.
"Where are you taking Juvia, Gray-sama?" she asked, moving to walk beside him once they were outside.
Crap, he had no idea what to do or where to go, he had been too focused on other things, like the fact he was confused about Juvia's behaviour, he had no plan, he was screwed.
"Uh…" he stalled, "Well, I think we should…do whatever you want to do."
He saw a slightly wicked look come to her eyes and quickly added, "Like eat at your favourite restaurant or something."
Her face crinkled up slightly as she forced her thoughts away from ideas of the two of them running off to get married.
"Oh, well," she began slowly, "Juvia does love to go to the ice-cream parlour along the canal…"
"Ice-cream huh?" questioned Gray thoughtfully, "I think I know the place. It's not too far from here, right?"
Juvia nodded absently even though she had stopped listening, she had become aware of the fact that Gray still had hold of her wrist and that he was gently swinging her arm between them. She looked away and smiled, hoping he wouldn't realise. Gray on the other hand, kept talking in the hopes that Juvia wouldn't notice he was holding onto her. For some reason, he just couldn't make himself let go.
As they ambled further into Magnolia and the streets became more filled with people, Gray subtly shifted closer to her. She passed it off as 'oh he's close because there are a lot of people' but really, he had noticed the leering looks Juvia was receiving from some shady guys lining the street. He resisted the urge to put his arm around her and bare his teeth at the guys.
When did I turn so primitive? he asked himself in annoyance, deliberately forcing himself to move away from her again.
Juvia beamed and pointed to the cute little shop up ahead, "Look, Gray-sama!"
He nodded in acknowledgement and tensed as they approached a point that would take them passed a particularly ugly and lecherous brute that was leaning against the red brick wall of an art supply shop. What's the bet that he's gonna try something?
Juvia was in her own little world of ice-cream castles and coloured sprinkle rain, she didn't notice the effect she was having on the surrounding males and only had enough presence of mind to stop herself from hugging Gray's arm in delighted anticipation.
"Hey there, sugar," a sly, greasy voice called.
Gray sighed, just as he had predicted. Juvia blinked when the brute called out again.
"Hey pretty blue woman! I'm talking to you."
She gained a cute frown as she stopped and flicked her gaze over to the insolent man. They were only a few steps away from each other. Gray's anger and frustration simmered and he tightened his grip on Juvia's wrist. He was about to speak for her but the she beat him to it.
"Juvia is not interested, thank you," she said quietly but firmly.
The ice mage gritted his teeth as the other man eyed Juvia lustfully.
"Your name's Juvia?" he asked in a voice that was no doubt supposed to sound seductive, "Beautiful…My name's Rion."
Rion completely ignored Gray's presence and sidled closer to Juvia, signalling for some of his cronies to come and back him up.
"Well, Juvia," he crooned, looking her up and down again, "Why don't you ditch droopy eyes over there and hang with us?"
The man reached out a grimy hand to touch her face. Gray's hand snapped out and caught it.
"Don't you touch her," he snarled.
Rion jerked out of Gray's hold and gave him a vicious glare, "Who're you to tell me what to do?"
Before Gray could even form a response, Juvia's demeanour underwent a rapid change; she was no longer watching confusedly and with mild disgust, she was now deadly focused and restraining her growing wrath.
"Gray-sama is Juvia's date!" she said fiercely.
Rion was clearly startled by her sudden transformation and he went to make a snarky remark. She used the water from the nearby canal and washed Rion and his thugs away. People started to gawk and Juvia paid them no mind and set about taking a relaxing breath and smoothing her dress. Gray couldn't help but be a little in awe of her and it showed in his slack expression.
She sure does know about being in control…
"Now," she sighed, looking innocently up at him, "Shall we continue, Gray-sama?"
He cleared his throat before answering, "Uh, yeah, sure thing."
The distance to the ice-cream parlour was not very far at all but it seemed to be miles away for Gray, because now every step caused the material of his boxers to rub against his growing erection. He mentally shook himself, trying to remove certain images from his mind.
What's wrong with me? I wonder what-No! Stop it Gray! We're not into that!
He could feel sweat gathering on his palms and forehead, he glanced sidelong at the blue haired woman walking joyfully beside him. The way her mood could change like that, as quick as a blink, it was somehow…intriguing to Gray now. He barely suppressed his own squeak of surprise as a vivid scenario painted itself in his mind's eye.
It had him sitting on a bed, he was tied with a length of silk around his neck, like he was a pet. Juvia was crouching in front of him in a sexy lingerie set, her head tilted as she studied him with an angry look on her face. She slapped him, saying he was a bad pet and he apologised profusely. She immediately began cooing to him, smiling as she gently petted him until he was practically drooling and begging.
"-Gray-sama?"
He felt a sudden pull on his arm, the sensation served to yank him out of his thoughts and he blinked, seeing Juvia's worried expression up close as she stared up at him. Unbearable heat swept through his body, concentrating in particular areas and he cursed himself inwardly again, he knew his skin would be flushed pink.
Dammit!
"G-gray-sama?" Juvia asked with growing urgency, placing her hands on his arms and shaking him slightly.
"Huh? What is it?" he answered gruffly.
Juvia was uncomfortable as she remarked, "Gray-sama was about to walk past the ice-cream parlour…"
As he looked around, he realised she had understated it. They were now five shops down from where they had wanted to go. To his intense frustration, he could feel his face turning redder.
Use your brain, Gray, he scolded, and stop having weird daydreams about Juvia!
He turned away from her and scrubbed his hands over his face and dark hair as he let out a heavy breath.
"Come on," he grumbled after a moment, "Let's go."
Slower than he wanted because of certain aches, he walked towards the parlour with a confused Juvia following two steps behind. She frowned at his back, trying to figure out why he was acting so peculiar.
"Oh," she realised, stepping faster so she was next to Gray.
Gray-sama must need some ice-cream!
Convinced now that that was what he needed in order to regain his normal behaviour, Juvia sped up and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the shop ahead.
"Juvia," he groaned in protest.
"Do not worry, Gray-sama!" she called over her shoulder, "Juvia will give you what you need!"
He groaned again.
If only…he thought longingly, then his eyes widened, Wait…what?
AN: Hehehe, a big thanks to those of you who are reviewing! I hope you readers are having as much fun as i am :D Next chapter...The Ice-cream!