However, as Gray turned towards the

However, as Gray turned towards the door a bluehaired woman stuck her head out. It seemed that Juvia had gotten tired of waiting.

"Sorry. Juvia thought it was time to head back by now."

"Yeah, perhaps we should." Lyon nodded in agreement. "It is getting rather late, isn't it? I suppose I will see the both of you tomorrow again."

As Lyon began walking away, Juvia and Gray remained at the bar. A few minutes passed before Juvia, too, said her goodbyes, yet before she could go anywhere, Gray called out to her.

"Juvia, wait. I need to talk to you."

The rain woman stopped dead in her tracks, slowly turning back towards the object of her affection with stars shining in her eyes.

"Y-yes?"

"I, uh..."

Gray rubbed the back of his head, struggling to find words. This was awkward. The whole situation was awkward, but he ought to tell her. Who knew what she would end up thinking of him? Hell, how would she even react?"

"...I can't do it. Return your feelings, I mean." Gray felt like biting his tongue off. Was there even a limit as to how silly he could make himself sound? "I'm sorry."

"There's... someone else?" Juvia's eyes widened, first in surprise. Then in horror as she turned around, flustered. "Another girl? Guuuu~ Juvia will make sure she pays for-"

"Ah, that's not the issue!"

Gray's interruption only served to confuse the woman further. His embarassed expression as he finally dropped the bomb most likely only added to it.

"How can I say this? There is someone, but... it's not a girl."

Perhaps it was starting to dawn on Juvia what he meant. She still showed no sign of anger or disgust. That, however, might come later.

"It's a guy."

An awkward silence filled the street. Gray lost track of how long Juvia just stared at him as if he had fallen from the sky. He probably deserved that treatment.

"...Lyon-san..."

"Eh?"

Juvia's face went into a slight frown as she shyly averted her eyes.

"Is it... Lyon-san?"

"It's that easy to figure out, huh?" Gray chuckled, covering his eyes. Had Juvia really seen through him that easily? "Yeah. It's him."

For so long, Gray had kept the secret to himself: The feelings for a man that had always been a rival. Yet the confidence and strength Lyon held was alluring. Gray might already have fallen for him ages ago, but it was his flirting with the rain woman that had made Gray realize: He wanted Lyon as more than a simple rival.

"Aah, so relieved! Juvia thought Gray-sama had fallen for one of the girls in Fairy Tail."

Juvia had placed a hand on her chest, breathing out deeply as if a heavy weight had just been lifted. How was she able to deal with the situation so calmly?

"You're... not angry?" Gray asked carefully, afraid that much darkerbthoughts might loom underneath her calm demeanor. It quickly became apparant that this was not the case.

"No, not at all!" Juvia shook her head eagerly. "Juvia thinks it is fine. If Gray-sama can be happy with Lyon-san, Juvia will be happy as well."

"Juvia...