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After a fortunate turn of events, Gray and Juvia come up with an agreement to pose as a married couple. Neither are aware of each other's occupation or Greige's abilities to read minds.
"We award this Stella to Greige Fullbuster! For the meritorious deed of helping save another's life." The Headmaster of Fairy Academy, Master Makarov, said with a booming voice as he pinned the Stella badge on the front of the small boys' uniform coat.
Greige stood tall and proud, puffing his chest out as he listened to all the voices that began flooding his head.
"I can't believe he beat me!" One of the little boys pouted off to the side.
"I can't believe Greige did it; he got the first Stella in all of first grade!" His closest friend, Nashi, beamed in excitement as she calmly clapped her hands for the boy.
"An exceptionally elegant feat, Mr. Fullbuster." His headmaster added internally.
Greige felt like he was at the top of the world at that moment as everyone's attention fell on him, but most importantly, he knew he did well in supporting his 'father's' mission to bring peace between the East and West.
"I never expected he would earn a Stella that way. As far as the mission goes, it's an ideal outcome." Gray thought happily as he stared at his 'son.'
Juvia knelt before her 'son' and hugged him tightly. She knew how much this meant to the father and son duo and was so glad she could experience it with them. "Juvia is so happy for her Greige! That was incredible; you really are amazing, isn't that right, Gray-sama?"
Pulling away, Juvia stared up at her 'husband' with a joyous smile, which Greige easily mirrored; anyone walking on the street would have genuinely believed they were a real family.
'It's strange though…." Gray thought as he looked down at Juvia, who was still kneeling on the ground with Greige in her arms. The small boy looking up at him with big blue eyes made his chest feel whole. "I can't help but think of the time I foiled that terrorist attack…." Greige listened to his dad's thoughts carefully as he approached the pair; he could see a pink tint on his cheeks as Gray replayed the old mission in his head. "I feel that same pride today."
"Nice work, Greige." Gray finally said, rubbing the young boy's head in admiration.
"Call me Starlight Greige from now on!" The little boy demands his father, and to his surprise, Gray lets out a hearty laugh.
"Okay, Starlight Greige."
"These two….this family." Greige heard Juvia's thoughts wander. "Juvia is so lucky to be a part of them. Even if it isn't forever."
"Should we go out and celebrate?" Juvia said in a cheerful voice, standing up from her previous position but not letting go of the young boy's hand.
"Caramade Franks!" Greige shouted his suggestion causing both parents to laugh, knowing how much their son loved eating the pastry.
"Let's go." Gray agreed, placing his hand on Juvia's back and gently pushing her in the direction where to start walking.
Greige felt his mom's hand tighten as she silently panicked in her mind. "Gray-sama is touching Juvia!" She internally screamed; her mental version swayed back and forth like a young schoolgirl in love.
Love? Greige thought to himself curiously. Is it possible that Juvia really loves Gray even outside of the mission?
The young boy started to replay all the time Juvia got flustered, shy, or embarrassed when Gray did anything affectionate. Additionally, he thought about all the times Juvia thought about Gray when he wasn't around.
Greige looked at his dad, who looked unbothered by how he held his wife. It was just a part of the mission for Gray, playing a loving family and perfect husband, but Greige knew that wasn't the whole truth. He had heard his dad talk to himself about Juvia many times before. When she comes out of her room before she leaves for work or just to stay home, he always notices how his father perks up in mood, even if it's just slightly.
Greige walked with a devilish smile as he looked back to his parents, who lightly chatted with one another. Yes. This is my mission. I will get mama and papa to confess their love for each other!
Just then, a wild cyclist appeared on the sidewalk out of nowhere, swerving their bike manically through the crowd, and Gray had to quickly move to action to prevent them from getting hit. Greige cheered when his dad had the chance to show off his secret impressive spy reflexes, wrapping his arms around both Juvia and him, spinning them around just seconds from impact.
Gray tightly held the pair in his arms when he felt a familiar shiver of danger run up his spine. It wasn't a feeling he often got, only when someone got the best of him, but for some reason, he started to feel it more and more around Juvia.
Looking down, he noticed the woman's eyes were sharp as she glared at the biker in rage for almost hitting Greige. Then, before Gray could even feel a shift change, Juvia's hand was thrown out, and the loud bang of the cyclist's bike wheel popping resonated in his ears.
The biker flung forward and rolled onto the hard ground, everyone staring in shock as they rushed toward the man. It was then Gray noticed a familiar pen wedge into the man's tire. He quickly looked down at the inside of his coat and saw his pen was gone. How did she….When did she grab it?
Greige heard his dad wonder. The small boy laughed. Not only is dad a spy, but mom is an assassin. They are so cool. Well…maybe a little scary, but for the most part, cool.
Juvia visibly panicked as she realized what she had done, bending forward in a deep bow. The blue-haired woman shook her head repeatedly. "Juvia is sorry, she doesn't know what got into her."
"Hey, that hurt lady!" The biker yelled, causing Juvia to sink further into herself, but Gray firmly pulled her to stand tall, wrapping his arm around her waist and tugging Juvia closer to him. His other hand grabbed onto Greige as he began pulling the family away.
"Next time, ride in the bike lane, then my wife won't have to teach you a lesson. You could seriously hurt someone."
Wow! Greige thought, shocked as Juvia covered her crimson face from Gray calling her "my wife" she nearly squealed but did her best to contain herself.
"Let's go," Gray muttered to the pair and began walking away, but Greige held his spot firmly on the ground.
"Greige, let's go if you want to get Caramade Franks." Gray tried again, but the young boy only tsked his tongue and turned his head with a pouty lip.
"Where did he learn this kind of behavior from?" Gray tsked.
"Greige is a mini Gray-sama!" Juvia almost laughed.
Having an idea, Juvia went on the tips of her toes and whispered something into Gray's ear that made him flush in embarrassment.
"I'm not going to say that," Gray argued, but Juvia lightly shrugged.
"Juvia thinks he deserves it after all his hard work recently."
Gray clenched his teeth and nervously began kicking his feet as he looked down at Greige's beady eyes. "Let's go…." The world-class spy mumbled quietly. "Starlight Greige."
Opening his arms out wide, Greige heard honorary trumpets and fireworks explode in his head at the use of his new name. "Let's go." The smooth kid spoke confidently, starting to walk….in the wrong direction.
Gray sighed, shaking his head at the young boy's antics, placing his hand on his hair and turning him around.
"Oh," Greige said, flustered, wiggling his limbs to loosen his nerves. His tiny hands adjusted the already straight Stella pin on his chest and started walking again.
Gray grabbed the little boy's hand but let Greige lead until he needed help. Juvia rushed beside them, linking her arms with Gray and smiling kindly at him.
"It's just a mission." Gray studied the woman who stood at his side, her soft smile taking over his mind as she looked at him like he was the most important person in her life. Second actually, Greige being number one, of course.
"None of this is real." Gray reminded himself as Juvia broke their gaze, peering at Greige, who herded the group. "It's just an act so…" Pulling his arm out of her grasp, Juvia frowned until she felt Gray silently slip his fingers to entwine with hers. Greige cheered in excitement as he saw the front of the pastry stand, quickly running ahead to stand in line. "Why am I so happy?"