Nowadays, I'm always finding myself walking alone at night.

I walk to think about things. It gives me room to breathe when I find I'm loosing my breath. Sometimes I think about my past, and how much it's impacted my life today, certain fears I couldn't ever talk to anyone at the guild about.

My feet hit the snow, as I walk around the frozen river that runs through Magnolia. I don't like the winter snow nearly as much as the summer breeze. I'm around ice too much of the time that it's not as impressive when the holidays come around. Overlooking Magnolia, the moon shines solely on the town.

The moonlight shifted, and it was now darting across the field. I followed it with my eyes, until it acted as a spotlight on her.

She sat on the dim-lit grass, facing towards the river, head buried between her legs in frustration-or drowsiness, I couldn't tell. That bold red hair of hers was covered in snow, and her armor was getting soaked in it as well.

But she didn't look like she cared, Erza Scarlet just lay there, possibly in a great amount of pain. She dug her feet in the snow, and lifted her head up to look at the moon, as it shined on her head.

Before I knew it, my heart started beating again. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't see straight, I couldn't feel anything except for the pounding in my chest. Looking down, I realized I was half naked again, with only boxers on, freezing myself to death.

My feet were moving on their own, marching to where she sat, and plopping down like a dumbstruck fool with his boxers on. I had to think of something to say, quick, before I screwed up my chances.

"Gray!" She exclaimed, looking at me with eyes usually so full of light that it'd make anyone brave. But I saw a line of tears streaming from her left eye, the non-artificial one.

I gave her a small smile. "Hey. Sick of the snow yet?"

She shook her head, trying to wipe the tears without me noticing. I'd thought It was so adorable that I turned my head for a split second so she couldn't see me blush.

"I love the snow. In my eyes it's a change, and a symbol of new beginnings. I'd never want to give up hope when I see freshly fallen snow." She says. "But I see your not that fond of it, ice wizard."

I noticed she hadn't drawn attention to my lack of clothing. I bet she's so used to it that it's not on her mind anymore.

But I wonder what is. The only things that could ever break Erza were her past, and Jellal. They were inseparable. I envied it so much it killed me, but she looked more lovesick with him than strawberry cake, which is a miracle if you ask me. He'd lifted her spirits, shattered them, saved her, left her, fought alongside her, tormented her, and finally fallen for her. It was a wonder they weren't already together, although everyone in the guild knew how hopeless they were.

In painful reality, I didn't hold a dammed candle to that scar idiot. She'd loved him since she was a kid, and I'd been a comrade. A friend.

"Do you wanna talk about why your sad? You said winter makes you smile, so what brought you down so much?" I asked her, as she stretched out her long legs.

She shook her head. "It's nothing really. I was just remembering something."

So it was Jellal. Last time we'd saw him, he formed an independent guild with Ultear and Meldy, Crime Sorciere. They'd spent some time alone, on the beach where no one could see them. Not even Lucy, or Natsu knew what went on during that time. It was a mystery.

I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. "You know you can tell me. I'm always here to listen. It's the least I can do. You always listen to my stories."

She smiled, tears forming at the crease of her eyes. "You've probably already guessed it. I'm sure that I'm feeling lonely, without Jellal around."

I grit my teeth. "Oh, right. I'm sure he's going to pop up some more out of the blue. It seems he can't keep away when it comes to you."

She chuckled under her breath. "I hope so."

As she smiled at me, and thanked me, the moonlight lit up her teeth, making my heart pound even more. Before I could process anything, I leaned forward, closing in on space between us.

"Gray..." She said, frozen stiff.

My lips were on hers in seconds. It lasted for a second before she pulled off, and looked away. Something kept me from feeling embarrassed. I was more alarmed, although it's no surprise she'd act this way.

She looked down at her feet, face turning as red as her scarlet hair. "Why did you...?"

"Kiss you?" I finished for her, biting my lip as I looked at hers.

She nodded. I didn't want to give her an explanation.

"I'll tell you after this." I said, leaning in again, moving my lips with hers.

This time she didn't move away. She kissed back, and I placed my left hand on her chin to guide her. Erza's lips felt soft against mine, warm, fragile. We kept each other warm with our mouths.

But she knew when to stop. Id just put my hands around her waist when she pulled away again, blushing.

I sighed. "You want to know why I kissed you? How could I not? You're so beautiful, and wonderful, and you're eyes light up my world when I look into them."

She was alarmed, and speechless. I kept going.

"I think." I begin, heaving in a deep breath. "I think I'm in love with you. I really do. I couldn't imagine a life where I couldn't see you each day."

She tried to speak, but she choked on her tears. Throwing her hands around my back, she jumped on me with a bone crushing hug. Her motions spoke louder than her words ever could.

As soon as she alarmed me with that hug, I did something I hadn't done in a while. I genuinely laughed. Not laughing to make fun of Natsu, or laughing when I demolish a dark Mage, but laughter for her. I don't know. I couldn't stop. It just...came, and I was clutching my chest, as I looked at her, loomed over me.

She laughed as well, looking down at me, and brushed her finger on my chin. "I don't know how I feel yet, Gray, but I want to know."

I sat upright, and brushed a bit of snow off of my jacket and shook the flakes off my Raven hair. "Let's go on a Job. Tomorrow, just us. We can picnic on the way."

She glared, reminded of her first failed attempts at making a perfect picnic with a couple other guild mates, but then returned to the present.

"That would be amazing." She said, closing her eyes and resting her head on my shoulder.

As she rested, I watched the snow fall down. Freshly fallen snow did symbolize a change.

This time, I wasn't walking alone at night.

<Authors Note>

Ahh....I tried. I keep thinking that maybe the way I portrayed Erza was a bit off, and maybe she'd act more awkward than this.

I hope you like it! If you do, please vote and follow, and check out my other fairy tail related stories!

1)Mating Season
2)Facebook and Fairy Tail

Thx! ~Jemmal~ <3