This is an old draft from my Gruvia-shipping days. It contains UST, romance, angst and graphic lemon - don't like, don't read.

Divided into parts. Modern AU.

Read parts 1-5 first.

Originally posted on Tumblr (FlipSideofC)

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After the xmas trip when they went as friends but before Juvia's dare kiss, Magnolia experiences some unusual thunder weather. Gray wakes up in the middle of the night. There is a lot of thunder and rain going on. Gray finds himself panting and sweating heaviliy and can barely move. Damn, it's been years… He manages to get out of the bed and goes to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. He can hear someone knocking on his door, so he pulls on pyamas pants and checks it out. Outside the door is Juvia, dressed in nightclothes. Gray looks surprised, over the pale and haunted look.

"Juvia? You ok?"

Juvia looks at him pointedly and Gray sighs, lets her in and closes the door.

"I shouldn't have told you", he mutters. "I am ok, really."

However, at the next thunder Gray starts to look really sick. Juvia takes his hand and pulls him towards the bed.

"Now, we are going to sleep. I'll be here with you, ok?"

Gray is too tired and scared to argue, so he just collapses on the bed and Juvia crawls in as well. While Juvia strokes his hair Gray tells her why he is scared of thunder. When he was a kid his parents were killed by a serial killer kalled Deliora, who broke into their house. Deliora would have killed Gray as well, had he not been shot by Ur, who was the police officer coming onsite first. Deliora actually shot at Gray, but Ur shielded him and got hit in the leg, then shot Deliora. Gray had woken up due to thunder that night - and was on his way to his parents' room. That's ironically probably the reason he wasn't shot in his bed, like his parents. Juvia hugs Gray and strokes his hair and Gray eventually falls asleep - and sleeps like a log until next morning. Juvia loves him at this point, but is reluctant to make any advances as he's so vulnerable right now - what if he regrets it? She needs to be strong and stable for him this time, not seduce him.

Juvia wakes up with Gray's arms around her. His head is pressed against her shoulder and she can feel his breath against her ear, making her shiver. He is actually half-ontop of her, so she should be uncomfortable, but it just feels wonderful - and not just because of something nice and warm and large that's pressed into her thigh. Oh to be able to sleep like this every night would be heavenly. Gods he looks so cute when he's asleep. Gray will probably feel uncomfortable waking up like this, remembering his confession last night and crying in her arms etc. Reluctantly, Juvia untangles herself. Gray mumbles and opens one eye. When he sees Juvia, she can see his expression wary from confusion - why is Juvia here? to jumping to conclusions - did we do something? to looking for clothes - and seeing Juvia has hers on (he has lost his during the night obviously) and remembering why she's here. Juvia smiles at him.

"Feeling ok?"

"Yeah", Gray mumbles.

"I have to go to work. See you later."

"Juvia?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

Juvia just smiles at him.

—

Ur is only 15 years older than Gray. She has one biological daughther, which she lost when her ex-husband moved abroad - and spent years searching for. Gray and Lyon are foster kids, although Ur later adopted Gray. Lyon has a biological family, but spent many years with Ur when things were bad at home. Ur eventually found her daughther after the father died and they now have a good relationship after a rocky start. They celebrate xmas all together every two years, otherwise it's just Ur and Gray. Lyon celebrates with his biological family every two years. Ur travels abroad to visit her father's family every two years.

Juvia used to talk in third person and call Gray gray-sama, but she has gradually stopped over the years - and only reverts back when she's nervous or distracted.

—

They got together in December the next year and this time Gray called his mother a bit more in advance than the previous year.

"Mom hi."

"Gray, how are you?"

"Actually I was just going to say that I'll be bringing my girlfriend for xmas, if that's ok with you."

"Oh Gray, that'll be wonderful…I am so happy for you."

"Yeah well…thanks mom."

"I look forward to see you and Juvia the 23rd then." Gray can hear that she's grinning saying this.

"Damn, you knew already?" Gray mutters.

"I've known since last xmas Gray. You didn't really think you could hide your feelings from your mother did you?"

"One day I'll manage to surprise you mom, just you wait."

Ur is laughting as they hang up.

—

While driving up they have as fun as they usually do, but when they are approaching Juvia turns a bit silent, although she says she's fine. Gray sneaks looks at her and when he spots a tear he pulls over.

"Juvia? What's wrong?"

Juvia manages to say that she's so very happy to be able to celebrate xmas with his family.

"Our family", Gray corrects her.

This appears to be a bit too much for Juvia's hightened emotions. She swallows and carresses his cheek.

"Thank you for being Juvia's family."

They kiss and Gray brings her into a hug, trying to comfort her. He talks close to her ear while striking her hair.

"You know Juvia, my mom said something last xmas. She said that a woman like you deserves a large family. And she was right you know." Juvia is smiling now, although she's still crying softly, holding on to Gray. Gray is still talking though, although he now sounds a bit embarrassed. "And you know, it's not that large at the moment…but…eh… well, I'll help you with that later… I mean, not right now, alright? But…you'll have that…ok?"

Juvia tightens her hold on him.

"I love you so much Gray."

"Yeah well, I love you too. I might not tell you that often enough…but I do."

Juvia eventually moves out of his embrace and looks at him. Gray looks a bit embarrassed and flushed and Juvia also has a light blush on her face. She's smiling though.

—

They were apart next xmas - and it broke Ur's heart to see Gray's face when he arrived that year.

—

Ur is not even surprised when their first child turns out to be twins. Gray mutters that they perhaps should have triplets next time - perhaps that would at least cause her to blink.