User blog comment:FairyRaven/Fairy Tail Chapter 428: When We Take Different Paths, Review and Commentary/@comment-7418318-20150419081221/@comment-25111584-20150419082309

It depends on how much the markings have affected Gray. The six months he spent with Juvia are pretty much proof that they are at least responsible in part for Gray's current personality.

Also, Gray is being a douche. But this isn't cowardice. If anything, it's rather a statement that he really has broken all past ties. It gives me more hope (which will mp be shattered later .-.) that Gray might not join Natsu's group for quite some time. Maybe never. So I actually liked what Mashima did with Gray in this Chapter. \( ^_^)/