Hello, again!

Well, it certainly took me a while to finish this one. Guess that's what happens when you keep changing your mind.

Also, my teachers decided to remind me that I have plenty of Coursework to finish, so writing time had to very be limited.

In any case, here is my prompt for day 2: alluring. It's rather simple up until the last scene.

Hope you'll enjoy!

September X784

After apprehending the guards, Gray took a look around to see how everyone else was faring. Predictably, Natsu had no trouble taking them down and Lucy seemed to be doing well too.

When he turned towards Juvia, the ice mage was speechless. Though he was aware that she was a powerful mage; it never occurred that she might also be cool, collected and patient.

Watching her in action was magnificent. With a single word Juvia managed to trap guards in water locks or knock them down with a water slicer. She made no movement to fight them which Gray found strange but also practical.

It was a contrast to the fighting style he was used to from Fairy Tail members, but he guessed Phantom Lord had a different strategy. Or perhaps this was due to Juvia's ability to turn her body into water thus remaining unaffected by her opponents' attempts to harm her.

In any case, Gray had to admit that she was turning out to be quite a useful ally. Maybe it would be a good idea if Fairy Tail had someone like her on their side. If he had someone like her….Thankfully, his train of thought was interrupted by Lucy's call of his name.

Looking for the celestial mage, he realised that she had Natsu joined in the centre of the cave. Juvia had been approaching them, but had stopped to glance at the ice mage. Her eyes showed worry, so Gray quickly offered a reassuring look.

"I'm coming." He ran towards his friends just as Jellal's familiar voice welcomed them to the Tower of Heaven.

October X784

During the Miss Fairy Tail contest Gray realised another thing about Juvia that he hadn't been expecting. She was gorgeous.

It's not as if he had found her ugly before, but usually her beauty would be hidden behind a heavy coat and large hat. Well, not anymore, for she now stood in a bikini in front of everyone.

Gray was surprised that someone he had deemed shy would expose herself like this. Then again, she was hardly the only participant in this contest or the only one wearing a swimsuit.

Ignoring the loud reactions of his friends, Gray focused his attention solely on her. His eyes roamed over her body; appreciating how flawless her pale skin was and how she had curves in the right places.

As Loki put it, she was hot. However, this wasn't what impressed Gray since Erza, Lucy, Mira and so many other girls also had beautiful bodies.

What amazed him was the fact that Juvia could turn her body into water. She embodied the element so perfectly; with even her hair and eyes matching it.

He admired how deeply connected she was with her magic. She was water; the rain and the sea.

Once his gaze met hers Gray was entrapped by those mesmerising blue eyes. They were so huge; even from a distance. Her gaze was intense but also warm and welcoming. He couldn't look away nor did he want to.

In the end, she was the one to divert her gaze first. Glancing around the crowd, Juvia smiled nervously. "Do you like what you see?"

Many people cheered, but Gray remained silent. He assumed, though, that she didn't need verbal confirmation to know he did.

December X784

Gray learned that Juvia wasn't just beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. Though it had become clear that she was kind and compassionate, their experience on Tenrou Island taught him that she was selfless too.

Juvia had just surprised them by showing up after their battle against Grimoire Heart was over. He quickly noticed that something was wrong when she didn't stand. Recalling she had mentioned an injury on her leg before, he volunteered to help her get to the tent.

After he and Erza had pretty much carried Juvia there and helped her sit on the mattress, the re-equip mage gave him a pointed look before leaving.

"So, what happened to your leg?" Gray asked while sitting in front of the water mage.

"It was nothing." Juvia replied, conjuring water to clean her injuries.

"Doesn't look like nothing." Gray observed, concerned.

Her face grew somber and he knew that look all too well; it was on his face whenever he thought about his past. "Was it….Meredy?" He struggled to recall the young girl's name.

"No, she...she didn't do this." Juvia barely suppressed a moan of pain upon starting to clean her leg.

Gray moved closer to her. "Can I?" Receiving a nod, he gently pressed a hand against her leg, letting his magic cool it down.

"That feels nice." She smiled, slightly relieved.

A few moments passed in silence. "You know, I'm confused." He frowned. "I thought physical attacks couldn't hurt you."

Juvia avoided his gaze. "Not when someone else uses them."

"Wait..." His eyes widened. "Are you saying that you did this to yourself?" He removed his hand from her leg, inspecting the wound which was quickly blackening.

"I didn't have a choice!" Juvia yelled before the somber look returned. "She was going to kill you."

It took him a while to understand. Thinking back to the strange pink bracelet that had suddenly appeared on his arm, the unwanted emotions he had been overwhelmed by and the immense pain which had crippled him; the truth became clear.

It had been her emotions, her pain. His heart started beating faster once Gray realised this meant that the love she claimed to feel for him was true.

Unwilling to dwell on the repercussions of that, however, he focused instead on her last statement. "That bracelet...it connected us somehow."

"It's Meredy's magic. She linked me to you so that you'd share my pain." Juvia confirmed.

He failed to understand what the young girl might have against him. "But why? What did she have against me?"

Her voice trembled as she finally looked back at him. "She was doing it for Ultear. She said you...you killed her mother."

"Ur." Gray whispered, realisation dawning on him.

"I knew that wasn't true. I remembered Erza told me about your master." Juvia informed.

He offered an apologising look. "I'm sorry you had to become involved in this."

"It's alright." Her gaze fell down to her injured leg before she tried cleaning it again. "I'm just glad I was able to stop Meredy."

Watching her, Gray suddenly felt guilty. "You hurt yourself...to save me. Why?"

"I thought you knew by now that I'd do anything for you." Was her honest response.

Beautiful, strong, kind, clear and selfless. Resisting her was getting harder, but Gray was stubborn and still refused to give in.

The memories of those who lost their lives protecting him were a constant reminder of how dangerous it was to let someone get too close. Death had followed him like a curse but he couldn't allow it to take her away too.

July X791

Gray learned that he wasn't the only one who found Juvia incredible after Lyon seemingly fell in love with her. At first he had assumed it was some sort of prank, a strategy to bother him and reignite the brothers' rivalry.

If that was so, it certainly worked. Though he tried to appear unaffected, Gray couldn't deny that he disliked all the attention Lyon was giving her. Even less so knowing he had no right to tell the other man to leave her alone.

Juvia should've been the one to push Lyon away, but she hadn't. Gray wasn't sure why, but convinced himself it had nothing to do with her actually enjoying being flirted with.

He couldn't phantom that she would have interest in someone else after claiming to be in love with him for so long. He expected her to always be there for him, thus made no move to advance their relationship.

Some people claimed he was taking her for granted and unfairly misleading her to believe that he would someday reciprocate her affections. Others warned that if he kept dismissing her, she would find someone else.

What they didn't know, though, is that Gray had already been reflecting about his feelings for her. Since getting confirmation that she truly loved him on Tenrou Island, he had begun seeing her in a night light.

Yet the answer still evaded him as the conflict between fear and hope remained. His heart was such a mess it was no wonder he couldn't figure out whether he loved her or not.

Meanwhile; Lyon kept flirting with Juvia, asking her on dates and offering gifts. He wasn't backing down and soon Gray realised this wasn't just a prank.

On the second day of the Games, he was dragged to an uncomfortable conversation during which Lyon pressured him to give an answer regarding his feelings for Juvia.

It seemed the older ice mage wanted to prove to her that Gray didn't feel the same way so she might consider accepting to go out with Lyon.

Gray figured this out quickly and escaped without saying anything. Returning to the inn, he came across Erza on the balcony.

Another uncomfortable conversation ensued. She reminded him that Juvia wouldn't wait forever and finished with the words that wouldn't leave his mind for the next two days. "She deserves a straight answer."

Ironically, Juvia would be the one required to give answers soon. For even though it was still unknown to them, Lyon was not the only man who had taken an interest in her.

"You've been staring at her picture for a long time." Agent Doranbolt from the Magic Council finally looked away from the picture of the water mage and towards his partner.

"What is it, Lahar?" He asked with disinterest.

"I've got news from the Council." Lahar answered, approaching the messy desk where files were scattered.

"What did they say?" Doranbolt asked while placing the picture inside an envelope.

"They said we have permission to question her."

He smiled. "Good. It's about time we find out if our theory is true."

"If we're right, she could be dangerous." Lahar warned. "So we must act cautiously."

Doranbolt took another paper which showed the schedule for the Grand Magic Games. "We can take her after the Naval Battle since she'll probably represent Fairy Tail Team B."

Lahar nodded. "That's a good idea. We just have to be discreet about it."

"Not a problem." Doranbolt chuckled as he stood. Quickly gathering the papers and organising them, he picked Juvia's picture again.

"You know, I never would have suspected her of all people to be a spy."

So, thoughts?

Lord, I know this is already getting complicated, but that's to be expected with my stories. I have a hard time coming up with simple plots.

The last scene is meant to introduce my latest plot twist which will be featured in Day 3: Perverse. Any theories about what that might be?

I hope everyone has a good day.