For the Love of GrayLu

Hi there,

Of course none taken, you're definitely allowed your opinion. Though, to share mine, I would have to say I disagree with you.

Gray has been an absolutely fun mix of insane and sane in the main Team Natsu. In a groups of folks who are dangerously over-positive and led by the heart, he offers a balancing amount cynicism and logic (a much greyer moral compass, if you will). He brings a wonderful level of artistry rarely seen in offensive magic and offers Lucy the kind of salt-comaradarie no one else does.

Without Gray:

- Erza might not have settled into Fairy Tail as fast as she did, Cana wouldn't have had snarky company and Loke would be missing a key friend from Fairy Tail

- Early members of the guild would be missing a key friend, especially Erza, Cana, Loke and of course Natsu

- There wouldn't be a balance/challenge to Natsu in the team, making it severely titled in his and Erza's choatic favour (poor Lucy)

- Ultear, who plays such a crucial role in the storyline would not have rediscovered her moral compass

- END would have gone onto an unchecked rampage

- Lucy would have most certainly died rewriting the END book

- Every other character he's interacted with wouldn't be the same, from Lyon and Juvia to practically every villain he's fought

He would seem bland especially if compared to the way more over-the-top shenanigans of main protagonist Natsu and author favourite Erza, but he still plays a quietly crucial role in the story.

Tbf, it's also worth noting that he, like almost every other character, is a victim of extremely poor writing as we got closer to the end of the tale. I'd argue Gray (along with Lucy) was among the worst hit, with his character development, villain pair-ups, individuality, character arcs and even battles compromised to please a section of the fans. So, I do get why you might feel that way.

Here you go, Anon! Sorry it took a hot minute, but I hope you enjoy it! <3 

Life in Every Breath 

Gray’s expression was stony and serious as he leaned over Lucy’s shoulder to stare down at the scratched, frayed tome that currently rested on her lap- the book of E.N.D. From his limited understanding, it was unequivocally linked to Natsu’s being; thankfully, Lucy had stopped him from destroying the book and thus snuffing out the dragon-slayer’s life. The bastard was annoying as all hell sometimes, but he shuddered to think that he could have just erased his existence like that due to some hasty actions. He watched as Lucy’s milky-white hand brushed over its uneven, rune-carved surface, the hand that was marred by scrapes and abrasions from their hard-fought war… the war that still had yet to end.

“I’m going to open it now,” Lucy breathed. They had decided to do so, because whatever was contained within could potentially save Natsu and defeat Zeref once and for all. He glanced over to see Lucy’s expression set in that determined grimace of hers, which caused him to smirk. Once Lucy got down to business, nothing could stop her. With a quick flick of her hand, she flipped the book open. For a second, it seemed like the world took a deep breath; the wind died down and nothing moved; everything just hung in limbo. Once the second passed, though, the world released a silent shriek. Light exploded from the book, along with a fierce wind that send Gray’s tousled locks to flipping. One of Lucy’s pigtails whipped up to slap him across the forehead, and he batted it away just in time to see the inked characters in the book actually moving. As if carried by the wind like leaves dancing across concrete, they swirled upwards before spreading out in constantly moving, interlocking chains of words.

Relationship

Gray Fullbuster and Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)

… and I’m like…

Some Graylu fluff lying in my drafts since March for some reason. A 1.1k word one-shot, rated T for suggestive themes.

"Bull. Shit." Declared Cana bumping his shoulder with hers.

Gray shot her a dirty look from over his drink. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's supposed to mean bull. Shit," she enunciated unnecessarily. "Like hell you're in 'touch with your roots,' you can barely speak the language anymore without a Magnolian accent."

'I can speak it just fine,'  he defended in his mother tongue, moving to pout into his beer. 

'Is that right?,' Cana followed suite. 'I hope you can speak more than one sentence, though.'

Gray was about to make a snide comment, just as Natsu, Happy and Lucy entered the guild. 

"Welcome back!" Mira called from the bar. 

"Thanks Mira!" Natsu exclaimed, as the group made their way to Gray and Cana's table. 

Cana set down her barrel for the first time to greet Lucy. "Whatcha drinking today?"

"Can't," she sighed. "This job paid us just enough for my rent. The rest went in damages."

"Tch, you'd think after a year off in training you'll learn how to destroy a little less," said Gray, rolling his eyes. 

"I agree," said Erza, interrupting Natsu's retort. She took a seat next to Cana, facing the fire mage. "You should learn to handle your abilities better, Natsu."

"But Erzaaa," Natsu whined, "you don't even know what happened."

"That is fair. Enlighten me."

Natsu launched into his story and Lucy scooted a little bit to avoid his swinging arms. 

Cana rolled her eyes. 'Back to our conversation. Can you do more than one sentence?'

"Huh?" Asked Lucy, while Natsu continued on.  

Cana was quick to answer. "I'm getting Gray to speak more in the Northern dialect from his village."

"Oh? Wait, you're from the north too, Cana?"

"Mom was, yes. But you carry on, I'm not done testing stripper-boy here."

Lucy simply laughed and turned back towards Natsu. 

Gray had yet to take his eyes off of her. 

'Cute isn't she?'

"What?" Gray exclaimed, gaining everyone's attention. 

He mumbled an apology, not meeting anyone's eyes. Natsu replied with an insult before carrying on. 

'What was that for?'  he hissed.

Cana smirked. 'Calm down, lover-boy. Short of actual poetry, it's the perfect proof of your language skills. Plus, impress me and you'll win browny points with Her Best Friend and you know that'll come in handy.'

Gray thought over it, before sneaking a quick look at Lucy. She seemed suffiently preoccupied (though not too convinced) by Natsu's story. 

It definitely was tempting. He'd be talking about her while she was right there. The liquid courage coursing through his veins also seemed to agree that it'd be a fun thing to try.

Gray took a breath and casually turned around in his seat. He rested his elbows on the table and looked out towards the bar. His body language was as causal as he could manage, considering everything. 

'She's amazing.'

'Can't even say the name, can ya?' Cana teased. 

'This is crazy enough without me actually spelling it out for her, even with the language barrier,' he grit out. 

Cana laughed some more at his expense, waving dismissively when she received questioning looks from the others at the table. 

'Fair enough. But who's amazing?'

'You know who.'

'Do I? Is it the armoured one? Or the water woman. Don't tell me it's the fire guy!' she prodded, careful to not use any name. 

Taking a cue from her, Gray clarified. 'The one of the stars.' 

'Ohhh, so poetic! Care to tell me more about her?'

Low-key excited at the prospect of safely expressing his thoughts, Gray thought out his words through all the alcohol. He didn't even need to look at her to describe her.

'She really is amazing. She's brave and strong and so talented? And she's got so much love and respect almost everyone, I feel like I've actually become nicer just by being around her.'

Cana hummed her agreement, mid-swig. 

'And she gets me. She knows when to give me my space and reads my moods so easily. Talking to her is super easy. I can really be myself around her, you know.'

'I'm surprised you have mentioned her smile or hair or bod.'

Gray turned a bit pink. 'Yeah sure, that's definitely there. She's gorgeous through and through.'

'Uh-oh. M'boy, this sounds way more serious than a crush,' she teased. 

Gray paused for a moment. 'It definitely is,'  he confessed, the truth of that fact hitting him yet again. His drink lay long forgotten. 

'Then do something about it! Ask her out of something.'

'What, no! We're definitely not in that kinda space and I like what we have now.' He ran a palm over his face. 

'Just try for more, why don't you?'

'What? Just tell her I want to hold her hand and share cuddles and also want her make her scream my name? Yeah, I can definitely see that going well, Cana.' 

'Um, maybe not those exact words?'

Gray froze. For the first time in years his blood turned cold. He snuck a glance at Cana. 

Cana just grinned.

Oh, and it was downright evil.

Breathing in short bursts, he slowly turned around, towards the person who has just spoken. 

A very red-faced Lucy. 

'H-how?' he managed through his stupor.

'One of the languages I was instructed in back at the Manor,' Lucy said, softly. 

Too softly. 

Gray felt all his strength leave him as he dropped his head loudly on the table. 

Cana, having decided that she had inflicted enough trouble, picked up her barrel. She managed to usher some very confused teammates away from the blushing pair. 

'When did you start paying attention?' he groaned into the wooden table. He didn't trust his guild members to not eavesdrop, despite putting some distance, so stuck to the now cursed dialect.

'Something about "she" being cute?'

She was teasing.

She was actually teasing him.

The earth could have swallowed Gray just then and he would only have been grateful. 'So, basically, everything?' 

He didn't dare raise his head, but knew she was nodding. 

A few gruelling moments later, he felt her poke at his arm. 

"I was, um, planning to go on another mission. For rent money. Care to join me?" She switched back blushing even as she teased him, 'I'd love to hear more about this star-woman you spoke of.'

Gray peeked at her through his eyelashes. She was as red as he definitely was, but there was no disgust. Or hostility. 

Hope bloomed in him.

"Sure, I'm game," he feigned nonchalance, gaining the courage to sit up straight. 

Lucy smiled (whoops, his heart), before getting up to examine the quest board. He followed, still very much in quiet but joyous disbelief. They selected a mission, logged it with a suspiciously starry-eyed Mira and stepped out of the guild. 

They agreed to meet up at the station. But not before Lucy stood on her toes and planted a soft kiss on Gray's cheek.

It was an excuse, he realised, to whisper in his ear: 'I wonder how your name tastes on my tongue.' 

Here you are! :D Thanks for requesting and I hope you enjoy it~ 

Heartbeat

“Lucy, are you all right?”

Lucy was brought out of her melancholy contemplation at the sound of Gray’s voice, and she quickly raised a hand to dry the tears still leaking from her eyes. They were currently sitting side-by-side on a bench in the deserted streets of Magnolia. Lucy clutched the book of E.N.D. tightly in her quivering, bruised and scratched arms as she looked up at him.

“Yes, thank you.” A silence fell between them, and then she tentatively asked, “You’re not going to try and destroy the book again, right, Gray?” As if he had already answered negatively, she pulled the book closer to her chest and turned her body away from him, as if she could shield Natsu like that. A shocked- and uncomfortably hurt- expression form on Gray’s face and she immediately regretted acting in such a way.

“Of course not! If I’d have known it would’ve done anything to Natsu, I wouldn’t have tried in the first place!” Good… He’s cooled down, then. Lucy’s eyes flickered down to his right arm, currently swathed in bandages, and remembered the writhing, swirling bands of demon-slayer magic that he had obtained from his father Silver- the magic that came with the will to destroy E.N.D. Overtaken by that power and rage, Gray had nearly succeeded- even though it would’ve meant killing Natsu. Erza had stopped him then, and then it had taken Lucy to stop him from destroying the book and nearly killing Natsu again. Gray doesn’t want to hurt Natsu. I know that. He wants to save him as much as I do. Still, after seeing him so distorted, she couldn’t help but be a little uneasy. Suddenly, she leaned over to press her face into the crook of Gray’s shoulder, and she felt him tense up. Lucy was exhausted, so she righteously didn’t care about pretenses or propriety. Her emotions were boiling at the surface, threatening to spill over.

“Gray… Don’t lose yourself, okay?” She expected an angry retort or a “What the hell are you talking about?” but Gray knew exactly what she meant. She felt his body relax as he exhaled deeply.

“Yeah. I know, Lucy.” She was oddly quite contented with just staying like that, resting her head against his sturdy shoulder, but there was matters to be dealt with. With a small, sad frown, she raised her head and looked down at the worn, leather-bound tome containing Natsu’s doom or salvation. The First’s riddle echoed in her mind. “That’s when you will have to save Natsu! Use the power of your friendship to do it!”

“If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?”

I tried a less messy style and I actually like it. I haven’t been able to do much art lately due to so much work and stressing for finals. But I have been keeping up with the new season and the little graylu moments inspired this <3

I’m really happy with the colors and the shading, usually I hate everything I make so I’m glad. I also didn’t rush through it like I usually do lmao.

HELLO, this is one of my first Fairy Tail Lineart

From my favorite couple Graylu

If you like to color it, with pleasure do it, it’s not much but it’s something, just give me credits please and thank you.

Original artist Hiro_mashima

899 words.

     ‘At least she had an arm warmer on?’ He thought as he looked at Lucy shivering as the snow swirled around her nude figure. Smoke rose from a menthol clenched between his teeth as he stared at the woman before him and shook his head. “Lucy! What the hell are you doing out in weather like this?!” He shouted and immediately removed his hoodie and tossed it to her.

      ‘She could have worn worse though.’ He tried to tell himself. At least she had something covering her stomach and chest and had on arm warmers. She could have had on her Aquarius star dress, she could have had on a bikini, she could have had on much less… he swallowed hard thinking about it and shook any perverse thoughts from his head in seconds. Her safety came first.    

      “Come on, Lu. It’s cold. Let’s go home.” He finished his cigarette and tossed it into the snow and swallowed hard. Lucy looked really good in his hoodie. He’d take a cold shower when they got back to her place if he wasn’t immune to sub zero temperatures. Damned Ice Mage training.  

         At least the walk to his place wasn’t far. Making it to the doorstep, he reached for the key in his pocket and unlocked the door, letting her in. Shutting the door behind them, he ushered Lucy over to the couch and went to her kitchen, starting some hot cocoa for her.

        Throwing marshmallows into the mug, he handed one to Lucy and noted her shivering. Taking her hand, he massaged it to warm her as her other hand brought the hot drink to her lips and his next sentence made her almost spit the cocoa into his face. “You need to strip.”  

        “Excuse me?!” She shrieked.      

      Gray shook his head. “Lucy. You were just in sub zero temperatures, your clothes are soaked. You need to strip out of that wet outfit and go take a hot shower. I’ll get some of my old clothes for you to wear. We can finish our drinks once you’re warmed up.”  

         She held the cup and agreed. Taking another sip, she stripped right in front of him and smiled smugly until the chill hit her and she realized what happened. “Sorry, it’s just a..” Lucy went to say one of Gray’s trademarked phrases as he cut her off and finished the sentence for her as couples sometimes do.    

      “Just a habit.” He smirked and showed her the way to the shower. Once Lucy was in the bathroom starting her shower, he went to gather clothes for her and realized he had no shirts that would fit her, everything else had already been ripped because of his stripping habit.

       Digging around in his room he did find a clean black zip hoodie and though it would be baggy, it would still fit her. He smiled and sprayed a little cologne on it for her and took it to the bathroom, simply opening the door and tossing it in, not even daring to look in at her and get kicked through the fucking wall. “Here ya go, Lu. It’s the smallest one I got!” He called to her over the sound of running water, left the hoodie in there and closed the door to the make shift sauna Lucy had created with the steam of the shower.    

     Back downstairs, Gray flopped onto the couch and sighed. “Why do women make their showers as hot as geysers?” He asked himself aloud and choked on his words as a sight stood before him that was just as hot as a geyser…Lucy looked like an angel with the sensuality of a succubus. Seeing her with her hair messy and soaking wet, and wearing nothing but his hoodie made him have thoughts that he knew Lucy’d kick him across Magnolia for if she ever heard them.      

     “Thanks for the clothes.” Lucy smiled and flopped onto the couch with him and crawled into his lap.    

      Pulling her close, he stroked her hair and kissed her. “Yeah, no problem. Looks better on you, honestly.”    

      And just as the moment grew romantic between them and a long gaze and a passionate kiss shared, the glow was gone as fast as it started as a familiar purring popped up between their heads. “He liiiikes her!”    

       Placing the mug down, Lucy ripped the hoodie off and Gray’s jaw dropped realizing Lucy had lived with him so long, she caught his stripping habit.    

     Simultaneously a pair of big sparkling eyes bulged out of the blue exceed’s eye sockets as they overflowed with shock and terror as it wasn’t his first time seeing Lucy’s bare breasts, but it was unexpected as the blonde reached for the winged feline and the poor kitty flew for his life as a topless Lucy chased him around the apartment and Gray ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation. “Why me? At least no one else saw anything. It’s just Happy.”

      His optimism was short lived as his lacrima went off with a text from Natsu that was just a lewd comment on Lucy’s figure and something about knocking for the past half hour and no one answering, but Gray didn’t care. He’d kick the cotton haired prick’s ass later, right now he had to get Lucy to keep from killing Happy.

     “Were you and Gray having sex?!”

Shipping the main female character with the other guy

Lucy stretched herself out, curled into Gray’s side with a familiarity that was soothing; she had not had a home since she ran away from the estate, but now found that feeling of warmth and belonging in a person, not a place.

He grinned, threw his arm around her shoulder, and they laughed together, breathless. Days spent like this, just enjoying the company of the people she loved, were more valuable to Lucy than any quest or title ever could be, and she knew that she would carry them in her heart always. 

Gray was warmer than expected, and it was a comfort to Lucy, and she found herself seeking it out more and more until Gray’s arms were her favourite place to relax, his smile the balm she craved on her broken heart. They stayed like that for as long as they could, smiling, free; together. 

Graylu Headcanons

Gray is a loner

He tends to stay away from crowds

He met Lucy in French

He whispered “Ce cours sera ennuyeux”

In which Lucy responded “Ne soyez pas si prompt à juger”

They started studying together

Gray slowly joined Lucy’s group of friends

When Lucy turned 20, they officially got together

On their one year anniversary, Lucy’s birthday, they got matching tattoos

A snowflake with a star on it

Each is on their small of their back

Lucy’s dad about had a heart attack when he found out

“I’m an adult! Also, it’s just a small one”