Hey guys!

I'm back with another chapter :D Hope you'll like it!

Lily xx

Gray was laying on the fence that was marking out the limits of the Fairy Tail domain, thoughtfully looking at the stars. Looking at them always helped him clear his head, and with everything happening right now, he really needed it. First of all, he had learned that Levy, with Erza's help, had managed to convince most of the hesitating troops to follow her. With them and the numerous Fairy Tail residents that had a soft spot for fighting and the help of those Western villages, taking back his childhood friend's throne was possible. However, it also meant that the rebellion would start no later than the next day.

It was sudden, certainly, but with Phantom by that false king's side, they didn't have any time to waist. It was only a matter of hours before their ennemies would have the information on their plans. Despite all the faith he had in their abilities, the young man couldn't ignore this little realistic part of him reminding him that this night could be his last. He shook his head. He refused to listen to this annoying part of his brain. Then he sighed. If only that could be all he had on his mind... But despite the little importance it may seem to have in comparison of the upcoming battle, another problem was on his mind: Juvia. Well, she wasn't a problem, far from it, and that was what was troubling the young man.

** A few hours earlier **

Gray was sitting alone at a table. After spending most of the day by his side, Juvia had decided to go ask Levy how was her meeting with the palace's soldiers after seeing her back in the tavern.

"You seem very thoughtful" said Erza, surprising him by appearing behind him.

"Hum... Maybe."

"You're thinking about Juvia, aren't you?"

"What?" He said slightly blushing. "Of course not!"

"Don't even try to deny it. I've never seen a girl hitting on you the way she does without seeing you getting annoyed and avoiding her right away."

"Juvia is..."

"Different?" Completed Erza for him.

"Something like that" he grumbled.

"You know, you're the only one who can figure out if you like her the way she obviously likes you. You may return her feeling or not but, either way, you should talk to her. Juvia seems like a really nice person and she deserves a straight answer."

Gray blushed a little more, his cheek laying on his hand while avoiding eye contact. Erza laughed a little to his reaction then rose up.

"Ah and Gray?" she added. "Put some clothes on, would you..."

** Present **

Since his conversation with the red haired young woman, he couldn't think about something else for long. He indeed never felt something similar with any other girl but could he really put word to those feelings?

"My beloved?" asked a shy voice behind him.

He turned to her, a smile on the corner of his mouth, knowing very well that the only person calling him that way was the very one that was on his mind.

"Hi Juvia"

"Juvia brought Gray something to eat because he had not eaten dinner yet."

The young man smiled to her, sitting on the ground while leaning on the fence and started to eat the content of the plate she brought him. Of course, the young woman took place beside him and both of them looked at the sky for a while. She was there, next to him, happy with the simple fact that she was near him. As for Gray, he had to admit that her presence brought him one of the rare heat source he could not only bare but also appreciate.

When Juvia started to shiver, he offered her his sweater without hesitation. He didn't need it anyways. She mumbled something but silence quickly took over once more, both of them making most of the moment they were sharing.

"Oh! Look!" She marveled. "A shooting star!"

Once again, she showed this natural happiness he loved so much about her. Without really planning it, he turned to her.

"Thanks" he said.

"But why?" she said, honestly surprised. "Juvia only brought problem to her love since the day they met".

"That's not true" he let out. "What happened was inevitable anyways and we needed that to chase that imposter. And... you've always been there for me, smiling no matter how difficult the situation was".

Red instantly took over Juvia's face. She was about to initiate a long monologue the way only she could do, but Gray continued before she got the chance to say a word.

"After tomorrow's battle, I'll give you my answer" he said seriously.

The young woman stared at him for a moment, obviously not knowing how to react to his last sentence, before offering him that beautiful smile, nodding. She tightened his sweater around her shoulders and both of them spent most of the evening looking at the stars before deciding they probably should go to bed.

***

It was probably on of the most stressful days of her life! Okay... A lot of days in the past few weeks were among the most stressful of her life, but this one easily made top three. At least, for a reason still unknown to her, she managed to rally them to her cause. Her cause... this was still an unreal concept to her, especially when, to Levy's eyes, this cause belonged to all of them.

But despite all her worries, the young woman managed to fall asleep, thanks to Gajeel's protective arms around her. It wasn't the first night she was spending the night next to him, but until now, it was in the forest, that place who seemed so disconnected from reality. Right now, she was in his arms, in her bed, in her room and Levy knew for a fact that she would never get tired of it.

"Levy!" Called out that voice she loved so much, waking her up.

At first, she lazily kept her eyes shut, wanting to sleep a little more, but she stiffened as soon as she realised something was off: he had said Levy, not shrimp, thing he only did when he was serious. She quickly opened her eyes, seeing her boyfriend on top of her, holding back a sword that tried to hit her, using a nightstand he probably picked up in the hurry.

"Move it!" He yelled, letting Levy barely enough time to react before the nightstand shattered in pieces under the swords strength, the blade cutting through the bed right where she stood the moment before.

Once Levy was out of reach, Gajeel quickly picked up his own weapon and took a fighting stand, soon imitated by his shrimp.

"Aren't you tired of failing?" he said, provoking the man from Phantom. "Ain't the first time Jose tried to send men to kill us but he miserably lost every single time".

"Jose gave a try at solving the problem at the source, but don't you worry, the rest of the army is ready to stop any disturbing element. You don't stand a chance" he snickered.

"He has an army ready?" said Levy, getting a little paler.

"You didn't really think that this miserable rebellion of yours would remain silent?" he said looking at her like she was some kind of annoying insect.

Everyone knew Phantom wouldn't take much time to figure out their intentions, but she had hoped her and her allies would be able to attack the palace before they had time to properly prepare their men. With a single hit with the pommel of his sword, Gajeel cut him off before dragging his limp body out of Levy's house like he was taking out the trash.

"Come on, shrimp" he said." We don't have time to waist."

She nodded, her heart racing.

***

The sun was starting to rise above the horizon, the dim light still omnipresent. After learning about the assassin's attack, it only took an hour before seeing all the allies walking, ready for the upcoming battle. On the left, Erza and Jellal were leading those who once belonged to the royal guard. On the right were the reinforcements from the west lead by Makarov and the village's chefs. As for Levy, she was at the center, however a little in retreat, Gajeel by her side and Fairy Tail's residents surrounding her. The later group had for mission to infiltrate the palace, looking for the king and José while the others were distracting the king's men.

After a walk that seemed endless, she could discern, next to the castle, the troops that were waiting for them. Levy's heart tightened. She briefly took Gajeel's hand in hers, squeezing it as if she could fill up with his courage and let it go, drawing her own sword. With regret, Levy thought that this day could very well dethrone all the other to the title of worst in her life. Adrenaline pumping through her veins, she walked to this terrifying battle.