Author's Note: Hi guys! You guys always cheer me up with your super sweet, generous reviews. Thank you so much! This one was for Gruvia week's Day 1 prompt, ambiguity, and I'd posted it to my tumblr and realized I forgot to share it here! I remember writing it on the plane in an evening flight in a small size font because the lady next to me was peeking over my shoulder, but lol I digress. I hope you like it!

title: say, say, say what you want
rating: T
summary: But don't play games with my affection.

"All right! Reward time!" Nastu shouted, kicking the casino doors open.

"Wow, look at this place!" Lucy gasped, admiring the glittering lights adorning the ceiling.

"It's natural to take a break every now and then," said Erza, eying the slot machines with a glint in her eye.

Gray glanced around, hands resting in his pockets. "Not bad," he muttered before feeling a tug on his sleeve.

"Gray-sama, look!" Juvia chirped, pointing to the bar.

Following her gaze, he lifted a brow. "Free cocktails, huh?"

"Um," she mumbled, pressing the tips of her fingers together, "w-would you, um—"

"What?"

A pink blush spread across her cheeks as she ducked her head. "W-Would Gray-sama like to… with Juvia… m-maybe—"

Gray suddenly stumbled forward, shoved from behind as he collided into the blushing girl. She squeaked as he caught himself, his hands on her shoulders as he glared at the pink blur behind him.

"Watch where you're going, jackass!" he snarled.

"Free buffet!" Natsu chortled. "Let's go, Happy!"

"Aye sir!"

Gray sneered, clicking his tongue before looking to Juvia. "What were you saying?"

Steam rose above her head as a dark flush colored her cheeks. "S-S-So—close—"

"Huh?" He blinked, arching a brow before recognizing the close proximity between them. "Oh, uh—" He stepped back and dropped his hands from his shoulders, glancing away. "Sorry."

Erza stepped forward, dressed in a bunny suit with one ear flopping. "We'll regroup tomorrow morning," she announced, eyes gleaming before she sauntered to the slot machines.

"Natsu!" Lucy chided, trailing after the boy. "Leave some food for the other guests too!"

"Mine!"

"Idiot," Gray muttered, walking towards the bar as Juvia quietly followed behind him.

"Um, Gray-sama," Juvia mumbled, pressing the tips of her fingers together, "Juvia wants to thank you for inviting her on the mission—"

"Why're you so formal?"

She paused, blinking. "Eh?"

"Nothing," Gray muttered, taking his glass and tipping his head back. Finishing it, he placed it against the counter, adding to the litter of empty glasses. "Oi, bartender! Need another one!"

"Ah, maybe Gray-sama should slow down—"

"She needs another one too!"

"Thank you, but Juvia's okay—"

"Then I'll take it."

"Wait, Gray-sama—" She placed a timid hand on his arm as he glanced at her. "Gray-sama should be resting, your arm—"

"S'fine, see?" He promptly stripped off his shirt, eliciting a blush from the girl as he casually tossed it aside. "Can't even feel it."

She frowned, resting her hand over the bloodstained gauze binding the deep gash. "It doesn't hurt?"

"Nope, thanks to you!" He patted her hand and grinned, making her heart skip a beat. "Didn't know water could heal like that, and you're pretty good with bandages."

"Really?" she peeped, scooting closer as two more cocktails were placed before them.

He nodded sluggishly, eyes unfocused and cheeks flushed. "You should come on our jobs more often."

"Gray-sama wants Juvia?!" she squealed, eyes sparkling.

"Sure," he slurred, taking her cocktail and adding it to his. "You're a good fighter and a good healer, so why not?"

Her face lit up as her heart fluttered. Shifting closer to him, she wrapped her arm around his, affectionately nuzzling his shoulder. Instead of shrugging her off like he always did, he let her be and simply continued drinking. The thought made her smile as she snuggled closer to his side.

"What else does Gray-sama think of Juvia?"

"This thing needs more gin," he replied, eyeing the bottom of his empty glass. "Yo! Bar guy!"

"Gray-sama?"

"Lighten up, will ya?" he drawled, sparing her a side-glance. "Here."

Juvia blinked as he slid his drink to her. "From Gray-sama's glass?"

"Why not, it ain't poisoned or nothin'."

Her cheeks flamed as she stared at the drink. In a sense, it's like receiving a kiss from Gray-sama…!

"Ya just gonna stare or—"

Juvia snatched the drink, quickly swallowing the contents as Gray blinked.

He chuckled before smirking at her, sending her heart racing. "There ya go."

Her face twisted at the bitter taste before she slumped against his shoulder. "Juvia feels dizzy…"

"S'a bit strong. I had 'em add some stuff." He took the glass from her and drank the remnants. "Oi! Need some more over here!"

"Maybe you were right," Gray slurred, slanting into Juvia's shoulder as she carried him up the stairs. "Might've had a bit too much."

"Is Gray-sama okay?" she asked, glancing to his flushed face.

"M'fine," he mumbled, bleary eyes meeting hers, "'xcept that there's two of ya."

She giggled, smiling at him before looking ahead of her. "We're almost there."

His eyes fixed on her face, the intensity in his gaze coaxing a blush on her cheeks.

"…Gray-sama?"

He openly stared, leaning slightly closer as her heart stopped.

"Ya got nice eyes," he muttered, "and you smell kinda good—"

Her face reddened before she stumbled, her shoulder colliding against the wall as Gray staggered after her.

"Shit," he hissed, eyes closing as the spinning in his head amplified. "Juvia—"

"Sorry!" the girl squeaked, "Juvia's so sorry, she was just—" Her heart hammered inside her chest, wild and erratic.

Gray-sama's being so…

"We there yet?" he asked.

"Yes, but…" Juvia paused at the door, eyeing the room lock.

"Key's 'n my pocket," he said, and Juvia's face erupted in a fresh blush.

"U-Um," she stammered, shyly avoiding his eyes, "excuse me…"

"S'fine," he replied, lifting his hand and idly toying with a lock of her hair.

Juvia's blush darkened, her hand shakily slipping inside his pocket and feeling for the key card. She quickly grasped it, withdrawing her hand and biting her lip as he brought her hair to his nose and breathed in the scent.

Sliding it in the slot, the room beeped open as Juvia shuffled Gray inside. He promptly staggered to the couch, collapsing on his back with his forearm resting against his forehead.

"Thanks," he breathed, the ceiling spinning above him before he closed his eyes.

Juvia went to the kitchen, gathering a damp towel and a glass of water before returning to Gray.

"Gray-sama," she called, placing the items on a nearby table, "can you sit up?"

"Why," he replied flatly.

She timidly approached him, sitting against her shins as she pushed his bangs back and placed the cool towel against his forehead. He exhaled a sigh, resting his hand over the towel as his eyes drowsily opened and glanced at her.

"Gray-sama needs water," Juvia said, turning around and lifting the glass.

"Mn. I'll drink you."

She flinched, fumbling the glass. "E-Eh?!" she squeaked, whirling around with a wild blush on her cheeks.

Gray grinned lopsidedly. "Come 'ere."

Juvia's face turned twenty shades of red as he thumbed a lock of her hair.

"G-G-G-Gray-sama—"

His fingers leisurely trailed down the arch of her cheek. "Well, Juvia?"

"I-I—um—ah—"

His hand rested beneath her chin, tilting her face up. "Can I?"

She whimpered, eyes shutting tight as her hands balled into fists in her lap. Cool breath ghosted over her face and she froze, expecting warm lips to press against her own, but instead his hand suddenly fell from her face. Her eyes fluttered open, finding his closed as he laughed.

"You're so easy," he snickered, hand sliding down his face. "Only you…"

"Gray-sama!" Juvia whined, pouting. "So mean…"

Nevertheless, she helped him sit up, handing him the glass of water and dabbing his face with the towel.

"I don't get it," he murmured, fingers wrapped around the glass as he passed a hand through his hair. "Only you, only you…"

The girl blinked, tilting her head. "Gray-sama…?"

He greedily drank the water down before leaning his head forward. Wiping his mouth clean, he handed her the empty glass and exhaled a satisfied sigh.

"Thanks," he breathed, collapsing back against the couch. "You're pretty good at this."

She glanced to a corner as she placed the glass aside. "That wasn't nice, Gray-sama."

"Then why're you still helping me," he replied, turning on his side and closing his eyes. "Anyone else would've left by now, but you… you're different."

Her brows furrowed, his face obscured as his back faced her. "Juvia doesn't understand."

"Hm."

"…Is Gray-sama making fun of Juvia's feelings?"

"You're persistent, you know that?"

She blinked, "Eh?"

"You're real persistent, but you're so formal—why me, I don't… after all this time… but you're kinda… sometimes… and it makes me… but…"

"Gray-sama…?" She tilted her head down, peering up at him through her bangs. "Juvia's confused…"

He snuck a glance over his shoulder, meeting her eyes briefly before whisking his head away. "There, you're doing it again."

"Doing what? Juvia doesn't…?"

He mumbled to himself, shifting his legs. "You're… making me want to…"

"Eh?"

"…You should go."

"Gray-sama, please—" She placed a hand on his shoulder and he tensed, startling her. Her hand recoiled, retreating to her chest as she ducked her head. "Gray-sama was very kind today, telling Juvia nice things… did Gray-sama mean it?"

He said nothing for a few moments, silence reigning in the room before he muttered, "What do you think?"

"Juvia can't tell," she said with a frown. "First Gray-sama is sweet, but now—Juvia's very confused… what does Gray-sama really think of Juvia?"

She paused, anxiously waiting for his response, but she was met with a prolonged silence. Her stomach churned in nervous knots before she timidly called, "Gray-sama…?"

She heard even breathing, making her blink as she stood up and peered at his face. Gray was sleeping soundly, the damp towel slipped off his forehead with his bangs falling messily over his eyes.

Her shoulders slouched as she pouted, but the sight of his peaceful face coaxed a small smile on her lips. Carefully sitting beside him, she passed a hand through his hair, lightly tracing his jawline with the back of her finger before leaning down and pressing a tender kiss to his temple.

"Goodnight, Gray-sama."