Author's Note: My apologies for the random angst thing last chapter! I promise I won't be writing angst much, it's pretty hard and I don't think I did a stellar job lolol. Anyway I still have plenty more ideas for this collection, it's just hard finding the time to sit down and write them all out. This one is okay, I'm not exactly jumping for joy hahaha, but it's written and just sitting on my computer so I'll share it.

title: you've got to hide your love away
rating: K+
summary: [AU] [Maid!Juvia] Wouldn't it be nice to live together in the kind of world where we belong?

Gray slipped his arms through the holes of his vest, shrugging it over his shoulders as Juvia approached him with a silk blue tie in her hands.

"Is that really necessary?" Gray asked with a frown, eyeing the necktie with distaste.

"Tonight is very important for Gray-sama," Juvia replied softly, slipping the tie around his neck, "so Gray-sama must look his best."

He rolled his eyes, lifting his chin nevertheless. "S'not a big deal," he muttered as she made a loop and fastened the tie to his collarbone.

Juvia flattened the creases in his vest, a frown tugging her lips before she mustered a bright, cheery smile. "Don't say that. Tonight Gray-sama will dine with his future wife."

Gray scoffed. "How would you like to marry someone you just met?"

Her eyes fell from his face as she gently patted down his tie. "Well, maybe it'll be love at first sight."

"Che. You believe in that?"

She laughed softly, wearing another fake smile. She only believed it because he was her proof.

"Juvia believes in a lot of silly things."

Gray raised a brow. "Yeah? Like what?"

She gave a small shrug, idly adjusting his tie. "Like… marrying for love."

A silence reigned before Juvia realized what she had said, making her flinch as stepped back and clasped her hands together, bowing politely.

"Juvia's very sorry, it wasn't in her place to say—"

"You don't have to apologize," Gray cut in. "It's not like that's a crazy idea."

Juvia stared at her feet, a sad frown crossing her face before she shyly peeked up at him. "…May Juvia go begin dinner?"

"Yeah," Gray replied, buttoning the cuffs of his sleeves. "Thanks."

She blushed naturally, giving a brief nod before bowing once more and leaving the room. Fixing herself in the kitchen, she began preparing a beautiful dinner, knowing Gray would want to give the best first impression for his future wife.

As she set the table, placing the freshly cooked dishes against the elegant mahogany, Gray entered the room, slinging his suit jacket over his shoulder. She glanced at him, feeling her heart skip a beat. He looked so handsome in his perfectly tailored suit, leaning his weight on one leg with strands of messy black hair hanging in front of his dark eyes.

"Wow," he said, staring at the food as Juvia approached him, timidly taking his jacket and folding it over her arm. "Looks good. Really good."

"Thank you," she said politely, giving a short bow. "Does Gray-sama need anything else?"

"No," he said, pulling his chair back and taking a seat. "This is perfect."

There was a pang in her chest as Juvia averted her gaze, bowing once more before silently returning to the kitchen.

She busied herself with menial tasks, focusing on washing on the dishes and polishing the floors and not thinking about how Gray's future wife would be arriving in the next few minutes. A woman that was probably exceptionally beautiful, wealthy, educated and came from a noble bloodline, just like Gray.

Lathering the dishes in soap, Juvia scrubbed them raw. It wasn't fair. A virtual stranger was marrying the man she'd served loyally for two years, the same man she'd fallen in love with the moment she laid eyes on him. But who was she to be upset? She had no right to be. Noblemen married noblewomen; it was just the way things were.

As she dried the dishes, rubbing them clean until they shined, she heard Gray call her name. Obediently, she went to him, passing through the kitchen door and entering the room with a fake smile on her face.

Hands clasped together in front of her, she asked, "Yes, Gray-sama?"

She glanced to where his future wife was sitting, only to blink upon finding the seat empty. Puzzled, she looked at his face.

Gray smirked at her, raising his wine glass with dark eyes glinting, making her heart race.

"Join me."

Juvia's eyes widened as she stared at him, baffled. "Eh? J-Juvia?" she peeped. "But Gray-sama's future wife—"

"—is having dinner with me tonight, yeah. So are you coming or not?"

The girl gasped, popping a hand over her mouth. Impossible! Was this… a proposal…?!

As her feet remained planted where she stood, her cheeks colored pink, Gray rolled his eyes. "Come on, are you that surprised? Did you really think I'd be fine with marrying a stranger?"

"B-But," she stammered, toying with the hem of her skirt, "Juvia has no title—"

"So what? That doesn't make you any less of a person."

Her heart fluttered as her eyes glistened in happiness. "Gray-sama!" she swooned, flinging her arms around his neck and engulfing him in a crushing hug.

He grunted before drawing a breath, scratching the back of his hair. "Yeah, well, can we eat already? I'm starving."

"Ah, yes, of course!" she released him and laughed, smiling bright. "Juvia apologizes, Gray-sama."

"You don't have to keep calling me that," Gray said. "You're going to be my wife, you can just call me Gray."

Juvia nodded, "Yes, Gray-sa— …Gray."

Gray simply nodded while Juvia giggled quietly to herself. Just Gray, no -sama. It sounded so… nice.

"Gray, Gray, Gray," Juvia repeated to herself, getting herself accustomed to it. Every time, a silly, childlike smile spread across her lips. She laughed and closed her eyes, beaming a bright, radiant smile. "Gray. My Gray."

The way she was looking at him, glowing radiantly with such genuine affection, stirred something in his chest. Acting on impulse, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth against hers.

Juvia almost fainted when his lips touched hers. This was too good to be true—the man she had always loved wanted her as a wife, and now he was kissing her!

She wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly returned his kiss, sinking into the wonderful euphoria of his mouth against hers. He held her cheek and drew her closer before gradually pulling away, meeting her eyes as she smiled bright like a child with cheeks flushed dark pink.

"Juvia's so happy," she said, arms resting around his neck.

He averted his eyes, a light blush dusting his cheeks. "Yeah, good," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "So uh, about the food—"

"Juvia doesn't care!" she cried jovially before launching forward and kissing him several times more.

His words muffled against her mouth before he quickly relented, holding her waist and pulling her closer.

Maybe missing one dinner wouldn't be so bad. They had the rest of their lives to make up for it.