My Year of the OTP 2023 contribution for the prompt : secret relationship (reveal).

I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer : Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Their Secret Relationship

Levy looked at Natsu and Juvia. That's strange, she thought, how long had they been friends ? Of course, Juvia was close to everyone at the guild and Natsu would do anything for its members, who were family to him. However, Levy did not remember ever seeing them talk together, much less have lunch.

It was noon and most of the Fairy Tail members were having lunch at the guild. Levy was waiting for Gajeel. Natsu, Juvia and Happy were a few tables away from hers. Therefore, she had the opportunity to watch them. Usually, Natsu and Happy would have lunch together or with other members of their team, especially Lucy. And if Juvia did not have lunch with her or Gajeel, she spent most of her time with Cana and Lisanna. Something is going on, Levy was sure of it.

"What are you looking at ?"

Levy jumped. She was so focused on watching Natsu and Juvia that she did not notice Gajeel and Panther Lily approaching. Gajeel was behind her. He leaned over her to look in the same direction as her. Panther Lily was on his shoulder.

"Do you know how long they've been friends ?" Levy asked.

"Natsu and Juvia ? They are not friends."

Gajeell straightened up and sat across from her, preventing her to see the dragon slayer and water mage table. As for Panther Lily, he sat at the other end of the table.

"Happy told me they were hired for a mission a month or two ago," the Exceed said. "They must have gotten closer at this point."

Levy frowned. She felt there was something else.

~00~

A few days later, Levy and Juvia were in a children's clothing store. Levy was four months pregnant and Juvia wanted to take her shopping for her future child.

"It's never too early to prepare," Juvia had told her.

Levy had to admit that she was right and everything she saw in this store made her happy.

"Look what Juvia found."

She showed her a little yellow onesie with a smiling sun sewn on the front.

"Juvia knows what she's going to get you."

"You do not have to."

Juvia shook her head and smiled at her.

"That makes Juvia happy."

She walked over to the cash register to pay for the onesie. Levy could not help smiling. As soon as she knew she was pregnant, Juvia proclaimed herself aunt of her future child.

"Gajeel was my only family for years," she had told her. "So it's normal that I'm there for you when you need it."

Levy was lucky to have someone like Juvia in her life. She looked out the window and she saw Natsu and Happy walking on the street. Natsu carried his backpack, like when he went on a mission. Juvia approached, holding a bag containing the onesie.

"What's the matter ?" she asked.

"It looks like Natsu is going to leave the city."

"He goes on a mission for two days."

"How do you know ?"

"He told Juvia about it yesterday."

Levy looked at her, surprised. She thought back to when she had seen them having lunch together a few days ago. Which meant they had seen each other again.

"You spend a lot of time together."

Juvia looked away and Levy frowned.

"Not so much, Juvia ran into him by chance."

"Lily told me you went on a mission together."

Juvia nodded and walked towards a table where different items were placed.

"Look at these bootees. It's so cute."

Levy knew she was trying to change the conversation. There was something going on between Juvia and Natsu, she was sure of it. But she would not say anything. If Juvia did not want to talk about it, Levy would not press her.

~00~

"I'm sure they're in a relationship," Levy said, giving a screwdriver to Gajeel.

"Who ?" He answered, taking the screwdriver.

They were in the bedroom they were converting for their child and Gajeel was putting the crib together.

"Juvia and Natsu."

"What are you talking about ?"

"Haven't you seen how they behave, the way they look at each other ? And I often saw them together."

"You imagine things. Juvia never paid attention to Natsu."

"Things change. Especially after what happened with Gray."

Gajeel groaned. Everyone in the guild knew about Juvia's feelings for Gray. Unfortunately, he did not feel the same. Juvia had overheard a conversation between Gray and Erza, where he told her that he was not in love with Juvia and that he would never be. When he realized that she had heard him, he apologized, telling her that he did not want her to find out like that. Juvia had not blamed him, but she had been heartbroken. Gajeel, on the other hand, still had not forgiven Gray for hurting Juvia.

As for Natsu, Levy suspected that he was in love with Lucy. But she never realized it and when she was in a relationship, Levy saw sadness in Natsu's eyes.

"I think she might be happy with Ntsu."

"With that idiot ? He's even dumber than Gray."

Levy lightly hit his arm. Yet, she could not get the idea out of her head. And if they really were a couple, she would be happy for her two friends.

~00~

Three months had passed. The first snowflakes of winter had replaced the red leaves of autumn. Levy was seven months pregnant with twins. She still had a hard time believing it. It was both wonderful and frightening. But she knew everything was going to be okay with Gajeel by her side.

Night had fallen. They were coming home. In the distance, Levy saw Juvia and Natsu. They were smiling at each other and they were close, very close. So close that Levy thought for a moment they were going to kiss. She suddenly stopped walking.

"Is Everything all right ?" Gajeel asked, worried.

Levy nodded and pointed at Juvia and Natsu who had moved away from each other.

"Look."

Gajeel stopped himself from rolling his eyes.

"You're at it again."

Levit pouted. Gajeel did not believe her when she told him that Natsu and Juvia were a couple. Each time, he told her that she had too much imagination. And Levy had no proof for what she was saying. Just her instinct.

Without thinking about what she was doing, she approached Natsu and Juvia. She heard Gajeel calling her, but she did not stop. Her friends did not see her arriving and they kissed.

"I knew it !" Levy cried out.

Natsu and Juvia jumped and moved away from each other.

"I can't believe it, you were right," Gajeel said, opening his eyes wide.

The dragon slayer and the water mage blushed and exchanged a look.

"Why didn't you tell me ?" Gajeel asked Juvia.

She looked at Gajeel guiltily.

"Juvia's sorry. She wanted to tell you, but..."

She looked at Natsu, as if she was searching for help and comfort. Levy could see how bad she felt for lying to them. Especially to Gajeel.

"We wanted to keep our story to ourselves. Without anyone getting involved or judging us."

"And after what happened with Gray-san, Juvia was worried about what you would think. Do you forgive us ?"

Gajeel sighed.

"Are you happy ?"

"Juvia is very happy."

"So that's all that matters. Even if it's with this idiot."

"Hey !" Natsu cried out.

He glared at him, annoyed. Levy laughed lightly at his reaction. She approached Juvia and took her in her arms.

"I'm happy for you."

Juvia smiled and put her arms around Levy. Even if Natsu and Juvia were different, she knew they would be happy together. And no matter how anyone would react when they would learn of their relationship, she would be there to support them.

The end