Gray spends way more time with Juvia than anyone, including Lucy. They lived together. On the contrary, I don't think he spends much time with Lucy at all.
I could understand that if Team Natsu had missions like they did in the beginning. They really don't anymore. Even back then, Gray and Lucy didn't speak that much to each other on missions.
This is the first time in 60+ chapters Gray has any interaction with Lucy. He still hasn't spoken one word to her even though they are currently in the same location. Lucy keeps worrying and talking about Natsu, and Gray was with Juvia the entire arc up until this point.
In conclusion, while they are important to each other I would not consider Gray and Lucy very "close".
My favourite pairings are mainly Gray x Juvia (OTP), and Gajeel x Levy.
I don't like NaLu (but appreciate some of their moments) and am neutral on Jerza.
Here's something fun, rank the following ships in order most to least favorite: Nalu, Gruvia, Gajevy, Jerza, Zervis, Lyredy, Kinabra, AlBis. Just canon/semi canon ships here, no crack pairings. Here's mine:
Nalu - I keep trying to tell people, after that Kain fight this became FT's best ship. Romance or not I could really care less, their bond is just dope.
Gajevy - when you go from crucifying your chick to eventually having twins I think that counts for something
Zervis - all those Zero flashbacks just made this glorious, Larcade stuff is about to be explained but I just like how they contrast from each other.
Jerza - I like Jellal more in part than Erza in this too but you can make a case that Jegura is further ahead than Jerza. So serious too lol.
Lyredy - Meredy is hot. Lyon is funny and goofy. It works, flat out
Gruvia - Gray coming into his own with Juvia really is the only thing I like about them, it's aight to me but don't hate it or anything. Just "aight".
Kinabra - this one is very lowkey but it's pretty good
AlBis - don't care but their voice actors got married which I think is crazy but cool to hear
1.. NALU
The bond. The adventures.
The little family they have (+Happy).
They are really comfortable with each other. Very cute.
Natsu takes care of Lucy and vice-versa.
Comical and Sexy ship too. HAHA.
Destiny!
They understand each other well.
2. JERZA / ZERVIS
The connection they have.
Overflowing feelings and angst.
POWER COUPLE!
They understand each other soooooo much
Light and Dark!
SEXY!
Zervis : I like the drama due to their curse, well I'm not so sure how I feel about how they are know, but how they were able to find each other in their misery and love each other was really amazing for me, the feels...
Jerza : again I love their past together and all the drama ( I should stop loving the drama xD).
Gajevy : cool progression, and a really nice couple
Nalu: cool too, i like them as much as Gajevy
lyredy/ kinabra/ albis : cute couples but I kind of dont feel anything towards them
1. Laxus and Mira. Cute, with Laxus being the strong brute and Mira being the soft, gentle side who can become a demon if she has to. Great pairing, if not the best.
1. Gajeel and Levy. Very moe and tsundere, and Levy just seems to present the softer side to Gajeel's try-hard exterior. It's pretty cute.
2. Natsu and Lucy. Fun interactions. Fans aren't as fun though, making up stuff to make them look canon or potentially canon. Bu I love seeing them do stuff together, although fan service should stop.
3. Gray and Juvia. Not as good with Juvia now solely fawning over Gray and not having her own character anymore. Gray seems to return her feelings so that's good. Used to be higher than Natsu-Lucy.
4. Jellal and Erza. Used to be higher than Natsu-Lucy as well, but barely much development and a lot of repetition. T'is boring.
1. NatsuxErza: They are a couple very funny and compatible and are like two flames that need to burn together to warm everyone, in addition to that they are destined to be together, thanks to the two are related to dragons.
2. GrayLu: It's a very cool couple, I think they have very good chances to start a relationship, maybe that opportunity comes thanks to Mavis's plan.
3. GaLe: A couple will work well.
4. Jellal and Meredy: I think they would be a good couple.
holy shit, I can't believe I forgot that pairing! To be fair though, I almost forgot Jellal and Erza. Ever and Elf definitely belong above Natsu and Lucy!
1. Gruvia: well I don't think I have much to say about it, I've talked enough in this thread about them. This couple has it all: development (the best done out of all the big4), angst, comedy, and the common japanese troupes a couple must have (mutual desire of protecting the other one, father's blessing etc). I love how it revolves around their powers- Juvia, water, melted Gray's ice. They are what keeps me reading the manga now and... Your mad hate for them just excites me
2. Jerza: I do not talk that much about them due to lack of content, but I love it so much and is only second to my otp. I love how they met, their mutual feelings are clear af; they are also the most mature couple of ft probably. They do not depend on each other, Jellal does his things and Erza hers. I like it overall and I wish there were more moments.
3. I do not have a specific third place but I'd say Nalu? Honestly I love colouring them, they have a graphic appeal xD but there are some things I do not like and I need more romantic development considering Natsu's side.
4. Lyredy: I honestly didn't like them at the start but they are growing on me, mostly because of Lyon/Gray and Meredy/Juvia friendships. I see them as OT4.
5. Elfever and Albis: general appreciation but I am not an active shipper.
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6. Gajevy and Zervis are my notps so I won't talk. I think I dislike Zervis more for obvious reasons.
1. Nalu - I just love them. All arts fanfics and everything even fanservice but i want from them more development... and i also love their bond.
2. Lyredy -Lyon is my fav male character ^^ and when Lyon said "She is cute" i get awww omg
3. Gruvia - I love Juvia she is so nice and i like their development.
4. Jerza - HOT
5. Gale It is ok for me.
The rest.
1. Miraxus
Sometimes i wonder why so many people continuously keep saying that its a crack ship, sure they might not have had much interactions but there are indeed some teeny-tiny possibilities that this may become canon.
Why you ask?
because
Now some people would say that Mira would have said that to anyone. Did we see her go to anyone but Laxus? Did we see her talk to Freed, Ever, or Bixlow? Sure, she may have checked up on them, but the fact is Mashima chose to show Mirajane saying those specific words to Laxus and no one else.
Moreover I love how the relationship Went from
And one of the best evidences :-
This was in the Guild arts section at the end of volume 53.
They also got 2 covers together and lets admit they are fcking hot.
So yeah, i can go on and on about this but i think i should stop.
2. Gruvia
I love the whole development of the ship, how their relationship was in the phantom lord arc and how it is now .. Best ship development ever. ( Gruvia is kinda heartwarming tbh )
3.Elfgreen
Love the comedic interactions b/w these two
4. Lyon x Meredy - Would be pretty sweet lmao
5. Frexus
Dunno if mashima choose the gay route but its pretty funny i must admit
1) Gajeel x Levy (I'm saddened at the lack of love for this beautiful ship)
2) Gray x Juvia (cute, beautiful, ice and water combination, nice!)
3 Natsu x Lucy (main pairing, it will be interesting to see what route mashima takes)
4) Erza x Simon (come at me jerza fans )
5) Elfman x Evergreen, Mirajane x Laxus
1) Gajeel x Levy (I'm saddened at the lack of love for this beautiful ship)
2) Gray x Juvia (cute, beautiful, ice and water combination, nice!)
3 Natsu x Lucy (main pairing, it will be interesting to see what route mashima takes)
4) Erza x Simon (come at me jerza fans )
5) Elfman x Evergreen, Mirajane x Laxus
I tried shipping it, but I really can't. It's just not really a good relationship they are in. Maybe if Zeref is cured of his contradiction curse, and treats Mavis better, then I'll re-consider.
That's really it for me: (do ship the other big 4 members to different degrees depending on storyline)
As you should know by now, I am a Lucy fan so I ship who I think would make HER happy.
Natsu makes Lucy happy. And he accepts her for what she is - weak or strong, laughing or crying, smart or stupid, kind or bratty. Not trying to change her into a badass or calm her down or make her a more proper lady.
He even says "Because Lucy is Lucy." Natsu knows she's weird and a lot of trouble but he chooses to be around her anyway..... maybe he likes trouble.
I also believe Lucy makes Natsu happy.
And it took some time but she finally accepts him (after realizing Prince Charming isn't real and he doesn't clean his own house) for being a badass goofball.
And when you find that someone who you fit with... the real you and not that fake person you try to be for acceptance. It's not a compatibility matter of comparing how you would fit with 12 other fish in the sea (Gray, Erza, Lisanna, Loke, Cana, Brandish, Wendy, Laxus, Zeref, Yukino)... or who you could potentially have better chemistry with.... but a matter of why would you even want to look for something else cuz you found all that you need in the person in front of you. The person who you want to spend every hour of every day with.
The place where you belong.
Of course, I would love the relationship to be more romantic....
I'm a faithful believer of the phrase "I married my best friend."
But when you aren't looking at the bond as romantic but what makes them.... Well Natsu and Lucy... it transcends description. Which is why it inspires absolute adoration in some and mutual loathing in others.
Are they friends?
Are they lovers?
We care.
But they don't. They just enjoy being together.
And that's what I want them to be. Going on adventures together forever. Two halves of one whole.