A/N: Here I am back again with new chapter. I had a lot of thought as to how to create this chapter and not end the story because I originally imagined it to end after 2 more chapters but... I love this story! I have more urge to bring more about it. I am conflicted... In any case, without further keeping you, I brought small NaLu fluff just for tease. Let me know what you think about chapter in review and thank you so much for your reviews so far. They indeed kept me going!

The unusual pair was outside of the guild hall. Blonde celestial wizard was sitting on the grass, leaning against the tree while pink dragonslayer was lying down with head on her lap. He was pursing his lips and frowning, displeased at how events rolled and all the while Lucy was just chuckling. It was one of more peaceful moments for the couple when he wasn't saying or doing something stupid… well it was of course still early and Magnolia is a large town, certainly some poor sod is probably going to meet fiery end of Natsu's temper… Soon but, not yet.

"I still don't get it!" Natsu grumbled, folding his arms with gaze fixed on tree branches

Lucy lifted her eyebrow, playing with his hair "Really? After master's explanation you still don't get it?"

"Well it's complicated stuff!" he growled in his usual voice, flailing with his arms making Lucy sigh and roll eyes. She wondered if she should even bother repeating but then she simply added pros and cons of it. Con was having to repeat it over and over until it sinks into his pink head, which… during his good season could range anywhere from ten minutes to several hours. Pro is that he just might get it and smile in his dumb way and make her day

"Alright, get this" she started and he averted his gaze from branches and looked at her. His bright dreamy eyes made her blush slightly

"I'm getting it!"

"I haven't started yet Natsu"

"Well I will when you start" He continued and she realized that arguing at this point is useless so she went to the point

"Gray and Juvia argued, right?"

"Right, big time" Natsu nodded

"And since that day they barely spoke to each other, correct?"

"Yeah! Like they hated each other or something" Natsu nodded again with expression of child that suddenly got a riddle to solve

"Yes, but, they do not hate each other, you understand that?"

Natsu nodded few times but then the nod shifted into waving making Lucy groan as she pinched bridge of her nose

"They love each other but they just haven't figured that out yet"

"Wait I thought Gray didn't like Juvia" Natsu propped himself on his elbow to stand a bit close to Lucy

"That's what he thought but what he doesn't realize is that he loves her but he just doesn't fully realize that yet."

Natsu took few seconds, now he was solving this difficult riddle made by worst demons of hell… or at least that's what it looked like. Lucy sighed and allowed soft smile to emerge on her face as she observed her beloved carefully and quickly pushed his head down into previous position on her lap. Best do it before smoke form his ears could emerge from overheating the system.

"Now, master Makarov forced them to work together in order to restore friendship they think they lost" her finger tapped his forehead lightly but he was too occupied with solving this unearthly riddle to mind his forehead being poked.

"But they haven't lost it!" He widened big black eyes, making Lucy smile wider

"Exactly! They are just a little confused about it now" she wiggled bit of his hair through her fingers. Suddenly Natsu clenched his right hand and gently tapped palm of his left. He got it!

"Soo what old man did was… gave them a job where they have to cooperate, talk and be together alone so that they could work out their problems!"

"Yes!" she exclaimed toward her boyfriend who had a big smile on his face "Now you understand!"

"Heeey I'm not a child! I understand things, this was just… complicated" he tried to remain mature but the fact that he folded his arms and pursed his lips did not go into his case. Lucy on the other hand had a content smirk on her face and left eyebrow slightly lifted again "No need to treat me like a child…"

She pursed her own lips and with soft, childish tone she spoke "Awww, does that mean big boy doesn't want a kissy?"

"I want a kissy…" he said quietly, his cheeks took a soft shade of pink, mimicking his hair

Lucy leaned down, adjusting his face with her hands and planted soft kiss on his lips. Natsu didn't need explanation for what struck him now, he knew better than to refuse her lips and with soft, slow movements he returned kiss on her gentle lips. It hadn't been long since they started dating and though they both would be embarrassed to publically show affection toward each other, they quickly adapted and eagerly embraced each other anytime they could.

"They are still confusing though…" Natsu said, looking up at Lucy's dreamy eyes as she moved slightly away from his lips, displaying a smile "Why couldn't they just say what are thinking? Wouldn't that solve a lot of problems?"

"It would but first they need to realize their feelings"

Natsu took few moments to allow these words to fully sink into his head and Lucy rolled eyes at this. She knew that if he continues he will either overthink something or his brain will overheat… Either way she is in for a giggle "I still find it confusing, I mean… when I am thinking something I say it out loud"

"Like I'm starving?" she giggled

"Well not just that"

"Oh? There is more?"

Natsu nodded to this and she was obviously intrigued "Like for example… I love you Lucy"

Her cheeks suddenly flushed in darker red. It wasn't about just the words, it was more about the way he could say them and he did with his bright, dumb, idiotic smile that she loved so much. She leaned forward again and whispered just before she could connect their lips again "I love you too"

On the other side of town at the station another pair of wizards were standing. Juvia was looking around as she held small bag in her hands while Gray was too busy talking with lady at booth. Passengers were passing by her, busy as always and Juvia took this small bit of peaceful time to observe them all. Some came alone, others were with family and few were displaying public affection among each other. She couldn't but feel slight tightening sensation in her chest and her eyes quickly averted from such couples in another direction. Why did she have to be chosen for this mission? Certainly another stronger wizard could have taken her place instead. She felt slightly nauseated, not by Gray's presence but rather from situation.

These opportunities would be perfect if it was any other time in the past. She would give half of everything she had for just one train ride with Gray, just one… and now not only did she got to spend so much time with but she also had to work with him. Not knowing Makarov's true intentions, she allowed herself to believe that this was just a cruel fate playing with her. That very thought made her shoulders drop, her fingers clenching her bag as hee eyes followed the mood she felt in her heart, looking into single point between her feet. What a cruel game fate plays with her…

"Alright, thank you very much" Gray said in polite tone and took two tickets along with his bag that was on the ground leaned against his leg and went over to Juvia. He wasn't feeling any better about this situation than she did. Every step he took toward her brought ever stronger desire to rush to her.

"I have good news and bad news" he placed bag over his shoulder. She looked at him with confused look at the mention of these two kinds of news "good news is we can cut at least half the path by taking the train but that's where bad news comes in… we can only go as far as Oshibana town, from that point on we'll have to walk to Silver Lake"

"Then we should take that route" Juvia took deep breath and he nodded "Does Gray-san know the way to Silver lake"

He offered a firm nod which gave her smile relief "We'll arrive at Oshibana sometime around sunset and we can either wait for the morning to walk to our destination. If it was up to me I wouldn't wait, we could camp out in the woods and save some time"

Juvia listened carefully and nodded slightly "Juvia agrees, we shouldn't linger too much"

Two mages boarded the train and started looking for unoccupied coupe though that seemed more difficult than they believed as all were taken. They decided to stand near the windows at passage, perhaps someone will leave on next station. Well it wasn't a bad start he thought, at very least she was talking to him, but that could be more mission related rather than her own desire to do so. Maybe if it is like that, maybe it is just a cover. Great now I am overthinking this…

Train whistled and suddenly started, initial thrust made all wagons jerk and Juvia lost her balance, falling close toward Gray who managed to catch her. Her head was pressed against his chest and she could hear his heart that beat so fast right now. They both felt the blood rush to their cheeks and she quickly straightened herself, standing few feet away.

"J…Juvia is sorry… for that…" she stuttered on her words. Why is Juvia blushing? Juvia is supposed to distance herself from Gray-san

Gray cleared his throat and looked away, his cheeks were just as red as hers "There is nothing to apologize for…" this could not go any worse than this.

Train reached its full speed and aside from occasional bump or two, ride was smooth. After long period of silence they broke the heavy tension. Despite all that screams in Juvia's head to not be too close to Gray she simply couldn't avoid it anymore. The dreadful silence and closeness were killing her.

"This is kind of nice" Gray was first to break the silence, looking at the countryside as they just left Magnolia

She looked at him slightly confused "The ride?"

"Yeah, I mean… most of the time I am teamed up with Natsu, Erza and Lucy and this is one of rare times where I don't have to worry if flame-for-brain will puke on my shoes"

Juvia chuckled silently but quickly regained her composure, scolding herself for this little moment of weakness

"Does Natsu-san puke often?"

"Often? Every chance he gets!" Gray made sour face, disfiguring his lips in memory "He deliberately eats before we travel so he can properly digest it and send it my direction. Now that I think about it… he might be doing that on purpose"

"Juvia is sure Natsu-san isn't doing that on purpose" her smile emerged regardless of her efforts "Is that why Gray-san fights with Natsu-san often?"

"Nah I just hate his guts" They both chuckled on this

The tension seems to have been eased between them. Juvia even allowed herself to fully face Gray, leaning against the doors of coupe and listened to Gray who for some reason started explaining their past, how they fought when they were kids and progressed and of course how Erza kicked both their asses every chance she could get. Conversation moved on from topic to topic, changing from Juvia's past to Gray's when he was with Ur and his training with Lyon. The very mention of this name made both of them blush suddenly, looking away. Juvia remembered the moment he kissed her, or well, what she believed to be while Gray had completely another view of it.

At the very mention of their journey to Edolas, Juvia felt the tension again in her chest although now she could no longer understand why. Perhaps it was the thought of another Gray who did all that she was doing up to this point, hopelessly and perpetually chase after her love. She scolded other Juvia in her thoughts, repeating what a fool she is for not allowing Gray-san to be close to her but now she realized the same scolding would befall Gray of this realm. Juvia wanted to scold him, to scream how big of a fool he is.

Gray however could not miss the sign that she was again uncomfortable and changed the subject, focusing on what he heard about other Lucy and her merciless torture on Natsu in 48 different ways.

"Really?" She asked in slight shock

"I was surprised myself when I heard" Gray grinned "To actually have Natsu drive and not have sickness… It's a small miracle"

"What was Erza-san from Edolas?" she asked, now obviously excited as she never paid attention further than what Gray Surge was.

The very mention of her name brought memory of her, armor and long spear, glaring at him and after that image of two Erza that collide in combat bringing out the very hell. His face changed, eye twitched slightly on the memory of those two and terror they inflicted upon Natsu.

"Believe it or not, Erza is remarkably same as this one only more frightening"

"Is that even possible?" Juvia suddenly looked at Gray's expression

"As it turns out it is possible"

They slowly reached first station and as they stopped passengers started leaving the train. Gray moved beside Juvia and started looking at each of it before he beckoned for her to come as he found two seats available, although side by side they were eager to sit knowing they will have long day ahead of them. Conversation continued until suddenly Juvia's voice turned serious.

"Can Juvia ask Gray-san something?"

"Sure" he turned head toward her, noticing that she was still uneasy on her seat

"Does Gray-san hate Juvia?"

"What? No!" he quickly replied, raising his voice "Why do you think that?"

"Well it is…" Juvia took one big breath "Juvia couldn't stop thinking about that day when Gray-san called Juvia annoying" her heart was uneasy; she was feeling rock in her throat that just couldn't pass down. Gray sighed, moving hand through his hair

"No Juvia, I do not hate you at all" It is quite the opposite really "I was just under a lot of stress, I was tired, I had a lot of my mind and everything just… piled inside my head so I started saying things I did not felt on person who didn't deserve it"

"Juvia doesn't want to be bother to Gray-san…" she began fidgeting on her seat, if she had the chance now she would run away

"Listen to me!" he raised voice, taking her hand that was on her lap. At that moment he did not care that other passengers were looking at him or that she blushed the very moment his hand touched hers"I want you to remember this now so that I never have to repeat myself, understand?"

She nodded slowly, trying to pull out her hand but as it didn't budge she relaxed her hand, letting her hold her. Oh how much she wanted for him to never let go right now

"I will never consider you a bother"

What am I doing? What am I saying?

"What I said that day… erase it, forget about it, say that it was a bad dream, say that it was me being drunk or stupid or hell, say Natsu kicked my ass so hard it switched place with my brain but I want you to forget that day was real!"

Stop it Gray, stop it now!

"I do not hate you; I never hated you, not even when you were in Phantom Lord, not when you stalked me or were behind every corner during my missions"

Why am I still speaking? What the hell is wrong with me?

"Last weeks were a mental hell for me. I couldn't sleep, I barely ate anything and on last mission I was so distracted not only did I underperformed but I also nearly caused my team-mates to get injured. I never told Natsu or Lucy that but the reason why I got so injured is because I couldn't focus, I got tired fast and completely lost all my energy and forgot how to dodge!"

Stop it before you make things worse damn it!

"So please… please… don't say that you bother me… I know I am poor at expressing my feelings but existed a moment when I hated your presence… I was just-"

He was to continue, there were so many things he wanted to say but he couldn't. Her fingers reached his lips and pressed against them, making him shut up immediately. She knew exactly when he was supposed to shut up and silently he was grateful to her.

"Juvia understands and Juvia is grateful that Gray-san doesn't hate Juvia" she smiled wide at him, forgetting that she was touching his lips. They felt so soft under her touch, perhaps a few sharp bits but the edges, the slight, thin lines were so soft, cold under her fingertips but the sensation completely filled her senses and she pulled it fast away, cheeks turned as red as the seat they were sitting on.

"Juvia is ready to see Gray-san as friend again" her smile was soft, melting even to his glacial heart

Did she have to use those words? Did she have to call him Gray-san still? Why is this word friend bothering him so much now?

The trip continued and that rock in her throat that she felt for so long has passed, her chest felt strong relief and for a minute she allowed herself to be vulnerable again and as stress left, tiredness caught her. She yawned into her hand and leaned head back to catch few moments of sleep. Poor girl probably wasn't sleeping well in past days and who is to blame for that?

Me of course, who else is to be blamed for all the shit that happens, only this time… I am at fault

Then, something unusual happened, something that caught him completely off guard. He felt a light pressure on his right shoulder and his eyes immediately turned to look and inspect what could it be. Smile emerged as he saw her head leaned against him. Her expression was peaceful; somehow soothing, relaxed and Gray couldn't help it anymore. There was no way around it, no excuse to be made, no convincing that could tell him otherwise… There was no way out anymore…

He was in love and that glacier in his chest began to crack, to shatter into pieces and warmth of his heart that was missing for so long, that he chose to freeze solid just so he could not get hurt anymore… it emerged.

Elderly woman with her husband that were sitting across them smiled as they observed this unusual couple. She smiled while he stared at some undefined point on the opposite wall

"Look at them, isn't that just beautiful?" woman nudged her half-deaf husband with wide grin and a wink

"What?"

"I said aren't they beautiful?" she repeated

"What is movable?!"

Gray immediately raised his finger, pressing against his lip and simply uttered one short but well heard "Shhh!" making granny suddenly close her mouth and smile wide while her husband uttered one more "What?" before she smacked him lightly on his hand.

His eyes fell on Juvia again and warmth of her cheek slowly began to transfer under his clothes warm up his own skin. So warm he thought… never before did he thought that this kind of warmth could be so pleasing, so fulfilling… so desirable. His hand slowly moved, taking her that nearly fell from her lap due to the slight tilt of the wagon that shook on the rails.

Thoughts wandered and spin in his head and eyes gazed out the window, yet again enjoying the splendor of the countryside. Hills and mountains in the distance and lush green forests and rivers looked so beautiful. How come he never noticed them before when he traveled? Answer came in form of memory of certain dragonslayer who emitted various sounds from stomach that ranged from sound of dog barking to call of wood grouse in mating season.

"Oh right… the puking-machine" he muttered silently with a grin. If only this moment would last a little longer…