A/N: Fairy Tail does not belong to me in any way, shape, or form. Thanks~

He heaved out another sigh and Juvia glanced over at him curiously. "Natsu-san seems… upset."

"Yeah." She was taking a break from Lyon (and unfortunately her beloved Ur-sama) and was keeping him company.

Or, well, her beloved asked if she could keep an eye on him. With his mood, he was liable to set something on fire. "Is Natsu-san upset because Love-Rival isn't here?" He sent her a funny look before slumping further onto the table.

"It's so boring without Lucy…" She reached out, patting his head lightly. He sighed again, eyes lowering as he watched the twirling skirts and blurring colors. Wendy had disappeared after they got there, something Gajeel had panicked a bit about before Levy pointed out she was dancing with Mest Gryder once more

That had been news to the elder brother, who insisted on harassing the man, something their father beat him to, Wendy pleading with him not to cause a scene while Grandine made friends with the teen.

The Strausses had disappeared and Erza and Siegrain were moving as the music changed from one song to the next.

"Hey, hey, Juvia?" The bluenette saw the look in his eyes and immediately frowned. His lips curled into a grin. "How about you cover for me, okay?"

Juvia had a right to be suspicious. "Why?"

"So, how angry do you think Lucy would be if I showed up to keep her company?"

Gray glanced over where Natsu was seated, raising a brow as he gripped Juvia's hands, a bright grin on his face. Juvia looked mildly uncomfortable, but suspicious. "—listening to me?"

"No," Gray responded easily, shifting his gaze back to his cousin, head tilted lightly as he crossed his arms. "Ya finished?"

"I am not!" Lyon had pulled him away, something about a heart-to-heart chat(Gray had gagged at the sentimentality that phrase brought up) but he had complied. Juvia had been stricken and Lyon was about to scrap the idea before he, being the brilliant genius he was, asked her to keep an eye on Natsu. She had flitted off to do just that, sitting with him at the table and speaking with him while the pinkette just slumped in his chair. "You just don't understand what a glorious woman Miss Juvia is! I demand you stop leading her on at once!"

As if Gray had done that. "Look, maybe you're just not her type?" Lyon went an interesting shade of red and Gray's smirk grew. "I haven't done anything to gain her affections. She's the one who latched onto me. While polite, I think she's made it clear that she will only be as civil as society mandates. Sorry, Lyon. Now, I gotta go harass that Flame Idiot before he does something stupid." Gray turned, intent on finishing this once and for all.

"Why does she call you Ur?" The questioned was quiet, his voice low as he asked. Pain flared up in the two of them, but Gray had come to terms with it long ago. "Why does she call you our Master's name?"

"Drop it, Lyon," Gray turned, glaring over his shoulder. Lyon gazed back, eyes narrowed and lips pulled into a frown. "It doesn't concern you." Understanding passed through his eyes and Lyon tilted his head. The beginnings of a smirk grew on his lips, but Gray stepped back, form tense. "Drop it."

"You haven't told her."

"I said drop—"

"You haven't told her who you really are, have you, Gray?"

"Lyon, I swear, I will—"

"She should know. It won't do for her to—" Gray moved, grabbing him about the collar and glaring at him, faces inches from his. Lyon looked too smug. "If you feel nothing for her, why are you so defensive?" Gray scoffed, tightening his hold. "Or has someone finally broken through your frozen heart?"

"I don't feel anything for her, she's just someone I've been seeing for the party," Gray stated, letting go of his kin to cross his arms.

"Ah. My mistake then. You don't return her affections."

"Not in the least."

"Then, you wouldn't mind if I pursued her?" His smirk was too cocky and if they weren't at this party—this blasted party—Gray would give him what-for. "Hm?"

"That's hardly your decision, Lyon, now is it? You may go after her, but she can refuse you," the Prince breathed, dark eyes searching out his father and wondering if he caught the tension between them.

"But you won't interfere?"

"Why would I? Juvia's nice, but she's a little too clingy for my tastes."

"That's all I needed to hear." He swept an arm before him, bowing slightly. "Miss Juvia, if I could implore you for a dance?"

Gray closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. 'Damn him.' He rolled his shoulders, glowering darkly at his light haired cousin before turning sharply on his heel, facing the bluenette. She swallowed thickly, blue eyes flicking away from his own gaze.

"Ju-juvia… Juvia… Juvia is…"

"Juvia needs some air, so, if you will excuse us," Natsu wrapped an arm around her, tugging her away and towards the gardens. Gray saw her shoulders shaking and watched as Natsu moved all the faster.

"That was low, Lyon."

"It was necessary." Gray narrowed his eyes, glaring. "You don't deserve her, not with how you act towar—"

"Neither do you, not after that!"

Screw the party, Lyon needed a good punch in the face.

"Juvia… Ju-juvia does-doesn't un-under-understand!" she wailed, her form pressed tightly to his as she sobbed. They were in the gardens now, the only ones there. She had been so excited when she saw her beloved and Lyon so close by and she decided that it was time to ask him to dance again and politely decline Lyon's offer. She dragged Natsu along so he wouldn't bolt for the Heartfilia estate. He hadn't wanted to see her all love-sick over him, but now he was glad she took him along.

One thing was for sure, Gray sure didn't deserve her. Yeah, she was a little… clingy, but she was just very open with her feelings, something he could learn a thing or two about.

"There there," Natsu patted her back lightly. He still wasn't all that sure about this comforting thing, but he didn't like it when people cried and Juvia really was a nice girl. He was used to Gray's behavior, he grew up with it, but Juvia didn't realize the northern prince was just emotionally stunted. "Gray's just a bastard, forget him, yeah?"

"B-but Ju-ju-juvia loves Ur-sama!" she clung to him tighter and he sucked in a breath as her hold began to crush him.

"Y-yeah, wel-well the icy bastard doesn't deserve ya!" he managed, voice strangled as he tried to breathe.

Juvia looked up with tear-filled, red-rimmed eyes. "Does… does Natsu-san… really think that?" He nodded quickly and her form heaved once again, breaths short and loud as she tried not to sob. "B-but Juvia… Juvia…"

"Don't let that jerk make ya upset, okay?" He wiggled a bit, trying to see if she would let go, but when she refused to ease up on her hold, he huffed out a sigh. "Look, the Stripper ain't good at expressin' his emotions or anythin' like that, okay? Like that metal bastard." Juvia's bottom lip trembled. "Yeah, he shouldn't have said that, but he doesn't like admitting he even has emotions. So don't take them too seriously."

"So… so... Ur-sama…. Doesn't hate Juvia?"

"Nah. He likes ya pretty well, actually. He's just jealous that Lyon can confess to you like that and he can't. He's shy." Natsu wasn't sure why he was explaining the inner workings of Gray Fullbuster's mind to her, but it seemed to make her feel better. He could also breathe, so that was awesome. "Okay? If you want, I can go punch him for you?"

"Ur-sama… is shy? Ur-sama… really… does like Juvia?" She looked so hopeful and Natsu knew for a fact that yeah, Gray didn't like her clinginess or her bold nature, but he liked her.

"Yup." She let go abruptly and he breathed in deep. "You okay now?"

"Ur-sama is just shy. Juvia understands. Juvia is shy, just not around her beloved. Will Ur-sama mind if Juvia spends so much time with Natsu-san?" Natsu waved off her worries, loosening his cravat and brushed down his jacket. "Juvia doesn't want to upset Ur-sama, not when he's so emotionally fragile."

Natsu snorted. Gray was emotionally fragile. Yes, that's exactly right. Perfect. "Nah, don't worry about it, he understands sometimes you gotta talk these things out." Juvia smiled, leaning her head down to wipe at her eyes. "You alright now?"

"Yes, Juvia is fine. Thank you, Natsu-san, for listening to Juvia!"

"Sure thing! We're friends, aren't we?" She nodded brightly. "Good. Now, let's go find the Stripper. He owes you an apology." He rose, offering a hand. She blushed prettily and rested her own in his, rising as he led her back up the stairs to the balcony before the re-entered the palace. A commotion drew their eyes to the side of the room, where Gray was held back by his father (the man was not amused) and Lyon was held off by Jellal. "Jeez, what's the idiot done now?" Natsu used his free hand to smack himself in the forehead, huffing out a sigh.

"Natsu-san, is Ur-sama in trouble?" She honestly looked concerned, but he wasn't sure. So he shrugged. She faced forward once more, biting at her lip and gazing back across at the men.

It looked like Silver was scolding the both of them, but Gray didn't look like he cared at all and Natsu knew that nothing the man would say would change his mind.

So, this fell to Natsu to handle. Joy.

"Better get over there 'fore he attacks Lyon, unless that's why they're holding them back." Juvia gave a small nod, eyes dark and concerned. The crowd was leaving by now, the show apparently over, when he spotted Gajeel and Levy, the two flanked by Erza. "So what've you done this time, Stripper?" Natsu began cheerfully, ignoring the fact that Silver looked livid.

"Back off, Natsu," Gray growled back at him. Silver glanced over at him, his eyes zeroing in on Juvia. He promptly let go of his son to stride over bowing low. Juvia apparently noticed the resemblance and flushed pink. Gray groaned, realizing what his father was about to do. "Pops, don't even—"

"It seems my son is quite fond of you, Miss. Would you honor this old man with a dance?"

"J-juvia is dancing with Ur-sama's father?!"

Gajeel realized the pending danger and tried to step in to stop her. "Rain woman, don't think about it!"

But the woman would not be swayed, cheeks red as her mind conjured up elaborate proposals by her beloved. "I-it's all going so fast! Of-course Juvia will be your wife, Ur-sama~!" And the bluenette swooned into Natsu's waiting arms. The pinkette grunted at the weight, shifting his hold and glowering across at the prince of the north.

"Way to go, Stripper. And after I calmed her down and everything." Gray looked properly embarrassed and Silver looked over at him, raising a brow.

"Well Natsu, are you going to be a gentleman and carry her to a couch?" Erza questioned him, her arms crossed as she glared at how casually he acted around the girl.

"R-right! Of-course!" He lifted her and started towards the hall, where he knew a couch would be available in the nearby parlor. The redhead followed close on his heels, refusing to let the unconscious woman be alone without a proper chaperone. Levy let go of her hold around Gajeel's arm to hurry after them.

Which left the boys and Silver.

Jellal released Lyon, who rubbed at his jaw where the skin had darkened. Gray gazed at where the girls had disappeared and Silver raised a brow. "Well, boy. Wanna tell me why you attacked your cousin? In the middle of the party?" Gray's expression soured. "Hm."

"Considering Rain Woman was with the flame-idiot and not clinging to yer arm," Gajeel growled, "you did something to tick her off." Jellal had to silently agree with Gajeel's assumption, in addition to the fact that it looked like she had been crying. "So, do I have ta take a swing at ya too?" The man towered over him, face a grim mask as he rolled his shoulders.

He had just found his friend again after so long. If she was upset, there'd be hell to pay.

"No," Gray managed to ground out, his father resting a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Pops, let go already."

"So you've proposed to her already? She is awfully pretty."

"W-what? To Juvia?! No way!"

"Ur-sama~!" and then there was a blur of blue and suddenly something was clinging to him. "Juvia knew Ur-sama didn't hate her! Natsu-san explained everything! Ur-sama's just shy! Juvia thinks it's cute!" She smiled up at him and there was a tense moment of silence before Gajeel snorted. "Ah! Gajee-kun's here too! Now you get to uphold your promise and walk Juvia down the aisle!"

"Y-YOU'RE MOVING WAY TOO FAST, JUVIA!" Gray frantically tried to push her off but while he struggled, Natsu was howling from the entryway and Gajeel choked. Jellal offered an amused smile.

"Is that right? Then it's only fair I get a dance with my future daughter-in-law. Just call me Silver," and the bluehaired girl was whirled away, excitedly gushing to the King about the wedding and their future children.

Gray felt like crying. He honestly felt like curling up into a corner and just sobbing at the unfairness of it all. "My life is over. He will never let me live this down." And by he, he meant his father.

Not that they would ever get that far. He was pretty sure Erza would exact her revenge when they all found out who they really were and how he totally crushed Juvia's feelings. And his father would never let it go, that she had fallen so hard in-love with him.

Well. At-least he had this great party to remember his short life by. In the grand scheme of things, there were worse ways to go.

It seemed that Gajeel could feel his impending doom and merely patted his shoulder. "It was real nice knowin' ya, Stripper. You will be missed."

That didn't help.

"—and six children! Juvia would like little girls—would Silver-sama like granddaughters?—but little boys that take after their handsome father would be lovely too!" she chattered on and Silver was smiling.

He liked her. He liked her a lot. She was a happy young woman and she wasn't afraid to show her feelings for his brat. Sure, she was possibly a little obsessive, but Gray needed someone to push him to show emotions. If it was true that his son had a 'frozen heart' as so many women had said, then he wouldn't have attacked his own cousin over this bright young lady, now would he? So that was another few points in her favor.

"Little girls that take after their lovely mother would be nice as well, Juvia-chan," he mused. The woman flushed prettily and he grinned down at her. "Is six a little much?"

"Do you think? Would Ur-sama like a smaller family? Juvia always saw herself with a large family, since she came from such a small and lonely one… But if Ur-sama wants a small family, Juvia will be happy! Because she's with Ur-sama!"

The only issue he found was that she kept calling his boy Ur. While, yes, the brat had great respect for his former Master, Silver was beginning to worry he was going to reject the name his mother gave him, like Natsu was. His wife wouldn't like that. But that was hardly a question to ask Juvia about. If he had introduced himself as 'Ur', who was she to argue?

"Well, he's all we got. I'm not sure he's really put much thought into it. He didn't grow up with a lot of cousins either. But I'm sure if it's with you, he won't mind," he offered her a dashing smile and she squealed, pure and utter joy painted across her features.

"Does Silver-sama really think so?! Oh, oh, Juvia is so happy~!" The music faded and he pulled away, dipping into a bow. She bobbed a quick curtsy, her smile still wide. "Thank you so much for dancing with Juvia, Silver-sama!"

"No, thank you, Juvia-chan. It was a pleasure. Now, should we go meet your future mother-in-law?"

Her eyes went comically wide. "U-ur-sama's mother? Oh, Juvia isn't sure! Silver-sama is very nice and Juvia is sure Ur-sama's mama is also very nice, but it's all happening so fast! Ju-juvia is so overwhelmed!" Her cheeks were red and she was obviously panicking. "W-what if Ur-sama's mama doesn't like Juvia? What if she doesn't think Juvia is good enough for Ur-sama?!"

"Now now, Mika will love you. Never fear," he patted her hand, attempting to calm her down. She was attracting a few stares as it was, and he doubted that would help her.

"Juvia~!" The bluenette looked over curiously at the brunette moving close. "Juvia, Juvia, oh, you're here!" the green eyed girl hugged her and his future daughter blinked.

"Cecilia?"

The girl pulled back, grinning brightly, her cheeks flushed. "I know you said you would all be coming, but I haven't seen you! Oh, oh I want you to meet someone!" the girl chirped excitedly, taking hold of Juvia's hands. A smile lit on the bluehaired girl's lips, expression teasing.

"Does Juva finally get to meet Cecilia's friend~?"

"D-don't say it like that! H-he—w-we—we're just acquaintances! That's all!" she let go of Juvia's hands to press them against her flushed cheeks. "W-we've only danced once…" Silver was curious about the rather impressed look his future daughter was giving her friend.

"And he survived? Now Juvia really wants to meet him!"

"I-I'm not that bad!" Juvia didn't look convinced and Cecilia huffed out a breath, cheeks puffing as she showed her irritation. "I'm not…"

"So, where is Vijeeter-san?" Juvia asked, blue eyes taking in the people around them. Cecilia's cheeks grew redder as she shyly pointed out the man talking with a dark-skinned ambassador from the desert country. "Ah. He seems… interesting." That was the only word the bluenette could come up with to describe the man. His outfit wasn't formal wear(or if it was, it was a style Juvia was unfamiliar with) and the turban on his head was strange as well.

"Doesn't he~?" Cecilia seemed to be floating, her hands pressed against her pink cheeks. Juvia could only nod, watching as the girl fawned over her beloved from afar. "Ahh~ Juvia~" The brunette took her hands again, beaming up at her. "Do you think Mother will allow to me invite him to my party?"

"Ju-juvia is sure that if it is what Cecilia wants, the Madam would allow it…" To be honest, Juvia had no idea. Suzuno was a strange woman who was under the impression that only Princes were good enough for their daughters, despite her youngest's obvious infatuation with the Fiorian dance instructor.

"You think so? Oh, oh I hope she does!" And she fluttered off to go bask in the presence of the man, slipping close and joining into their conversation. Juvia couldn't help but watch her for a moment, wondering if she would get her happy ending.

Also, would she ever meet this strange man? She walked off without taking Juvia along!

"So, Juvia-chan, shall we go see Mika?"

"Juvia… Juvia would love to!" She beamed up at him and he grinned.

He was going to enjoy harassing his son. He already had a great idea of how the wedding would go and he had no doubt Mika had been watching and already had plans for the dress. Their son wouldn't know what hit him.

So~ Lots of Gruvia~ Hope you liked it! I'm not really sure what happened, but Silver took over!

My, so, this took awhile… But hey, finals are over so now I don't have to worry about school for the next month! I will finish this over break, since we're winding down! It's gonna get interesting as everyone is revealed to each other!

So, hey, my poll's over and the results are on my profile. Thanks to everyone who voted!

If you're interested, I'm working on a new story called "Growing Up Magical" and it's about all the Fairy Tail kids, but the catch is Lucy is much older! I like it so far and the people who have read it have given good reviews! There's two chapters up and it would mean a lot to me if you checked it out!

So, thanks so much for reading, please tell me what you thought!

Until the next time, ciao~!