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He’s so pretty.
Juvia idly stared at Gray while they were watching their current show together. Recently, Gray had ever-so-smoothly gotten into the habit of getting Juvia to come to his apartment for dinner most evenings after hanging out at the guild.
They spent almost every waking moment together, until one of them went on a job or Gray said he would walk her home after they were done hanging out. She knew she just had to continue being patient and he would work up the nerve to actually say anything to her about his actions.
For now, they were in a limbo of knowing each other's feelings and neither of them really doing much about it.
Juvia’s attitude hadn’t changed, other than being more patient with Gray in moments like this. While Gray’s attitude was slowly evolving. He was treating Juvia like a boyfriend would - walking her home, taking her out for food, watching shows together, dancing exclusively together at events. The list could go on really.
Juvia knew if she pushed him too far, all this lovely progress would be lost. So, she stayed as calm as she could when he asked her what she felt like eating that night when they were sitting together at the guild earlier that day.
Simply stating she was a little tired and felt like a pizza takeout. Although her voice didn’t shake, her face was almost glowing red at that moment she was sure of it.
They were currently relaxing on either end of his couch, as they usually do. With Gray focusing a little too hard on the show, and Juvia trying to watch the show but inevitably getting distracted.
His shirt had been thrown off hours ago, Juvia was nearly 100% sure that he had left it at the guild this time. His black sweatpants were low on his hips as he slouched with his feet resting on his coffee table.
It took all of Juvia’s strength to not jump into his lap and wrap her arms around him when he looked like that. He was being everything but physically attentive in recent weeks, which just made her want him that much more.
As her finger twitched in consideration, just to lean over and touch his arm, his doorbell rang, making both of them jump and look at the wooden door to his living room.
“Guess our pizza’s here. Do you mind getting plates?” Gray spoke smoothly, looking at her with his usual calm demeanour. Totally oblivious to the battle in her mind.
“Yeah,” she managed to huff out and scurried towards his kitchen as he made his way to the front door.
She quickly reached for two plates and placed them on the countertop in front of her. She fanned a hand before her face, trying to cool down and get rid of her impulsive thoughts so that she could try to enjoy the rest of her evening with Gray.
“Alright, here we go.” Gray swerved into his kitchen with a large pizza box and various small boxes on top. “I hope you don’t mind a regular stuffed crust, they said they ran out of that garlic cheese stuff that you like.”
He remembered my favourite cheese?!
“I also ordered some cookies for us to have afterwards. I know you’re a huge sweet tooth and they’re also so good from this place too. You’d really like the-”
Juvia cut off his words by storming up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his face down to kiss him directly on the lips.
He, first of all, made a confused step back which she mimicked by stepping forward, refusing to let him go. After a beat, he wrapped one hand around her waist and placed the other on the back of her neck. He kissed her back just as hard as she initiated. The force of his affection brought her back to the counter where he had placed the pizza.
She let out a small moan as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. At the noise he grabbed her impossibly closer, his fingers grabbing her hair to tilt her head to his desired angle.
Her arms detangle from around his neck to grab at his face, neck, hair, wherever she could reach during this mindless makeout session.
Gray allowed her to touch him wherever she pleased in those moments, without hesitating she skimmed one hand down to the waistband of his sweats to pull their hips together, making him groan deeply into her mouth.
This was officially the best day of her life. He was actually kissing her back!
She pulled back suddenly when she realised what she had done. Staring up at him total shock, only to him staring down at her while heavy breathing. She blinked twice before looking down at their tangled arms. He still had one hand in her hair, while the other was so low on her back, he may as well take a handful of her ass while he was at it.
“Well, that was overdue.” Gray breathed out, making Juvia look up at him again. A soft smile graced his face before he leaned his forehead on hers. “Sorry that you had to make the first move. I was really trying to find an opening without making it seem like I was only inviting you over to.. Well, you know.”
“Juvia would be fine if you wanted to invite her over for that,” she smiled shyly up at him before removing her grip from his waistband to rest her hand on his chest.
Gray chuckled at her statement.
“Yeah, I know.” He muttered. “But I have more respect for you than to take advantage of that fact.”
He kissed her softly on the cheek before burying his head in her neck. Juvia let out a breath before leaning her head against his and holding him just as tight as he was her.
She was completely lost in the moment they were sharing. Thinking about how warm his body felt against hers, how surprisingly soft his hair was, and how his breath gave a slight tickle on her neck.
While lost in her imagination, she heard a deep rumble come from between them and then a laugh burst from Gray.
“Oh, I guess we forgot about the food!” He leaned back from her with a glowing smile on his face. “Come on, let’s eat.”
He slowly let go of her and reached for a couple of slices of pizza to load onto his chosen plate. Juvia, now on auto-pilot, silently followed suit by arranging her own plate and then back to the couch.
Without thinking, Juvia sat in her usual spot on the couch and rested her plate food on her lap. What surprised her was Gray taking the spot directly beside her to eat together, casually raising his closest arm to wrap around her shoulders while he used his free hand to eat his own pizza.
Why is he acting like this is normal behaviour for him?
She tried to keep up with the light commentary he was making on whatever show they were watching, even making some comments herself, although she had totally lost track of the name and plot by now.
When her plate was empty, Juvia leaned over to rest her plate against the table. Gray quickly followed suit with his own.
On his way leaning back, he used his free hand to lift Juvia's legs to rest over his own as he leaned in to kiss her again.
Out of shock, Juvia leaned away and blinked at him which caused him to pause.
“You good?” She felt his thumb rub over her thigh as he spoke. “Juvia?”
“What’s going on?” Juvia managed to stutter out.
“Well, I was hoping we could make out on the couch right about now.” Gray said with a slight blush. “But no rush if you’re not ready!”
He was about to lean back when Juvia grabbed him back.
“No!” She yelled “I just- I really like this affectionate side of you. It’s really sweet.”
“Ahh, sorry. I guess now that the ice is broken I was getting carried away.” Gray looked at her dead in the eye and tilted his head to the side. “But isn’t this how guys are supposed to treat their girlfriends?”
Juvia squeaked and covered her mouth with her finger tips.
“Girlfriends?!” Her voice was muffled by her fingers and she looked at Gray with huge eyes.
“Well, yeah? I thought we were on the same page about that for a while now.” Gray looked more confused than Juvia looked surprised.
“Wait, don’t tell me I forgot to ask you!” Gray, now looking back at Juvia with equally wide eyes, shot back and put his head in his hands. “Oh no, I really thought I asked ages ago. I had a whole plan and everything when we went to that butterfly exhibit.”
Watching Gray be the one to freak out over the nature of their connection for the first time, made Juvia relax and even giggle a little. Which made him look at her with absolute devastation.
“You know, you don’t really need to ask me. It’s not as if my answer is a secret.” Juvia smiled kindly and sat up straight on the couch.
“Yeah, that’s true.” Gray smiled at her and grabbed both of her hands. “You deserve to be asked though.”
“No.” Juvia shook her head. “I deserve you.”