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be-dazzled · 10 months

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JUVIA DAY 2023: Hare Hare

Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser June 3, 2023 Posted: June 30, 2023

Writer’s Corner: Before June ends, I'd like to share this something I came up with for Juvia Day. A little bit late but I heard we are experiencing some Gruvia drought, so here's me trying... Enjoy!

P.S. thank you for the correction regarding Keyes/Keith, @groovyah!!!

HAPPY JUVIA DAY!

All rights reserve to Hiro Mashima, original creator.

Masterlist

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How long has it been since Gray had been dragging his feet along the rough road? He stopped caring two towns ago. All that thinking only made the road grow wider. So, he decided it was better to keep his mouth shut behind the redhead leading their journey. All Gray wanted was just a little bit of information about the next dragon god they are trying to seal away. Was that too much to ask? He’d really like to put some timeline into this journey because, if he was being honest, Gray was not getting any younger and there were some things he wanted to do after this quest. But if he was really, really, being honest, he kinda, sorta looking forward to seeing a certain someone.

“Oh, this looks familiar.” It was Lucy who first noticed.

How she kept that cheery spirit in her voice was beyond Gray.

But, true enough, Gray was greeted by a familiar intersection, marked by shabby and wooden signage. He’d seen it far too many times not to recognize the arrow pointing to home – Magnolia.

Magnolia. Fairytail. Home.

That’s how that thought always flowed. Fairytail has always been home. Lately, however, his thoughts ended on something else.

Fairytail. Home. Juvia.

He wasn’t sure when it started. When she became the end of that train of thought. All he knew was when he thought of home, the picture of her blue waves, sparkling eyes, welcoming smile, and soft voice that called out to him lovingly, started to stake a claim on his consciousness.

Gray-sama, welcome home.

“It’s been a while since the last time.”

The Requip mage suggested they regroup at the guild and return to their journey after gathering some intel. Besides, they all needed to recuperate and deserved to have fun after the draining fight at the Labyrinth.

“Alright!” Exclaimed the fire-dragon slayer. “Let’s meet everyone!”

The anticipation brought some energy back to the travel party. So much so that they all agreed on how they looked forward to seeing their guild members. In Gray’s case, there was one particular member whose picture slowly and clearly appeared in his mind.

Gray-sama!

He probably didn’t notice it himself but the thought of seeing Juvia had its wicked way to arc the line of Gray’s lips.

...

The guild was rowdy as ever but the chaos brought in by Team Natsu, with two other dragon-slayers in tow, was most welcomed. They greeted each other with the excitement of an unexpected reunion. Yet amidst that chaos, Gray was able to cut through the cacophony of crazy and made his way to where his thoughts had lain lately – Juvia Lockser. Before he could take a step further, the water-mage was already walking toward him.

“Oh! My! Gray! Samaaaaaa!” Her every step was accentuated by her sweet greeting.

Juvia tackled him to the ground with the sheer force of her embrace. Then she said something, something about thinking so much of Gray that she had physically turned into him.

“That makes no sense!” He barked without thinking.

They were always like this. She’d say something ridiculous and he’d react like Juvia’s thinking was outside the realm of logic. He was so used to the crazy that his responses had become automated. But it’s not that she always said something impossible. His consciousness would like to correct him, however, when he suddenly remembered the fight he had with Sai.

Love Bond

His tone quickly dropped as the memory hit him like an arrow.

I transmuted your “bond”…

“No… it was that…” Gray avoided Juvia’s expectant gaze, scratching the back of his head thinking it might somehow redirect her attention away from his face.

“Could it be that you took on Juvia’s form as well?”

with the woman you’re in love with.

He didn’t want Juvia to see him fight this sudden rush of heat. So, he played it cool, like always.

“Well, it’s just…”

While he was thinking of a way to properly formulate his answer, so that she wouldn’t twist it into something out of this world, the alchemist’s words kept repeating in his head, louder by the minute.

the woman you’re in love with

Cornered, Gray mustered enough courage to take a peep at the water-mage, who was beaming at him with the smile that seemed forever imprinted on Gray’s mind. She looked like she wasn’t really waiting for an answer, content in just making conversation. That gave Gray some space to breathe. He wasn’t really sure how to explain to Juvia what the love bond alchemy was without confessing–confusing! without confusing her. But come to think of it, Juvia’s theory about why she turned into Gray that day wasn’t too far from possible.

As if sensing his intention, Juvia quickly dropped the subject. He led Gray towards the table where Natsu was already starting some commotion. The ice-mage didn’t need an invitation to join that circus. He effortlessly merged into the chaos – an old habit. Juvia was more than happy to stay out of the riotous entanglement. Glad on simply hollering for him at the sidelines – her old and still most favorite hobby. It shouldn’t come as a surprise how easily they both fell into the usual.

Gray ought to laugh at himself though. He should have realized it by now; Juvia was so attuned to his feelings that he didn’t even have to say it. Juvia just knew. She already knew.

The snow fairy toys with the women sleeping in the depths of your heart.

Gray-sama…

...

The reunion at the guild wrapped up in a tangled mess of passed-out drunks and beaten-up sobers. Good thing Gray still had full control of his faculties, and so did Juvia. He had the mindfulness of being sober enough to walk Juvia home; finally getting some alone time with her.

The walk to Fairy Hills was, in fact, far but seemed too short to recount all of Gray’s stories of his travels. He wasn’t the talkative type. Actually, he’d much rather let his fists talk than his mouth. But they’ve spent so much time apart that there were a lot of funny and incredible moments worth sharing. As Gray retold his stories, Juvia filled all the spaces with small reactions, going through the entire spectrum of emotions. When he ran out of things to say, he’d notice the few changes his absence did to Juvia – like how her hair grew a bit longer. Her bangs started to level to her eyes and framed her face a bit differently than he remembered. There was something about her, something he couldn’t pinpoint exactly. In the way she walked or spoke, it felt as if she matured in his absence. Has she grown taller? Her clothes, he noticed, were becoming tight around some areas of her body – he scolded himself at the last one because it brought back the memory of Juvina-sama stripping naked in front of him.

“You don’t look all right, Gray-sama. Is something wrong?”

Gray had to push that memory to the farthest back of his mind. He knew, even if Juvina was a spitting image of Juvia, the water-mage would never forgive her for flashing Gray. She would hunt the poor celebrity down.

Imagining what Juvia would do to her, Gray actually felt bad for Juvina-sama.

“N-nothing.”

When they reached the front of the female dormitory, Gray felt a tug of disappointment. An anxious nag that he was leaving something important. It wasn’t too big a feeling but enough to recognize what it was. And with it came another, one that told him he couldn’t wait to see her again or made him wonder when the next time would be. Team Natsu was planning to travel to Gazania and visit Sabertooth’s comprehensive library for some information. It would take Erza one more day to gather all the essentials for the long trip. After that, he wasn’t too sure when would be able to see Juvia again. The thought pushed Gray to resolve his feelings and decide to see her again if her schedule would allow it.

“Juvia, are you free tomorrow?”

“Juvia will make herself free!”

Gray panicked at Juvia’s sudden change of demeanor. And here he was, feeling regretful that she had actually matured in his absence, that maybe she’d changed into someone he wouldn’t recognize. And while it wasn’t all too new and surprising, Gray still wasn’t okay with the fact that Juvia would abandon everything for his sake.

He didn’t deserve it.

“No, I only meant…” it wasn’t like he didn’t like it, “if you’re… coincidentally if you don’t have anything to do, y’know.” It just felt like he was asking too much from her if she had to rearrange her day to accommodate him.

“Juvia can get out of anything to spend time with Gray-sama.” Seeing how her enthusiasm put Gray in an awkward position, Juvia clarified, “Since, Gray-sama will be gone for a long time again.”

“That’s…” Guilt clawed at Gray and he would have let it gnaw at him if it wasn’t for Juvia’s gentle smile and understanding gaze. So, he expelled a sigh of complete resignation. He was allowed to be selfish sometimes, wasn’t he?

“Alright, then. Let’s go out tomorrow.”

“D-d-date?!”

Gray could easily predict what would happen – and that’s carrying Juvia into the dormitory, bridal style, and explaining to the agitated swordswoman why exactly was Juvia mumbling ‘gray-sama, juvia, first date’ in a trance.

...

Gray wasn’t particularly nervous about today. He had everything in order. He wasn't a planner. Gray was the kind that lived life day by day. Went with the flow. Sailed with the tides. Nevertheless, he had a general idea of how this day would go down. He already had the checklist in his head, mentally ticking off the boxes per accomplishment.

Ask Juvia on a dat-HANG OUT. Ask Juvia to hang out while he was still in town – mentally crossed off the list. Although he initially planned on picking her up at Fairy Hills, his indiscretion the night before led him to be banned from hanging around the all-girls dormitory. While his unconscious stripping was nothing new to the Fairy Tail girls, Erza still felt the need to discipline his public exhibition. Hence, the 2-year ban. So, the two agreed to meet each other at the guild.

Gray caught himself stripping midway to the guild. He quickly ran back to find his abandoned coat and slipped back into it.

“That was close!” He exclaimed. He, at least, wanted to meet Juvia on their date HANG OUT decent.

He couldn’t help it though; the sun was unusually bright today. He shielded his eyes and quickly regretted daring to stare directly up at the sun. But he was glad. The weather was fine. More than fine actually, suitable for today’s destination – the amusement park. News about a newly opened amusement park reached beyond the borders of Magnolia. He heard about the opening while traveling back and he was curious to see it since then. He could already imagine trying all the fun rides the park boasted, adding a small bounce on his steps.

He turned the corner and jumped back. He wasn’t expecting Juvia to be so early. He, at least, wanted to be the one waiting for her but the water mage was already standing under the shade of Bake Bake Shop's awning. What really surprised Gray, making his breath hitch in his throat, was that Juvia looked different. She wasn't wearing her usual clothes. Instead, Juvia opted for a flowy skirt shorter than the one she commonly used. She paired it up with a strapless top and some high boots and completed her look with a brown puffy bonnet atop her head. Juvia had never looked this casual and c-c-cute…

He wondered how long she had been standing there. And, how long has she been fending off those losers walking up to her and trying to strike up a conversation?

His astonished eyes quickly gloomed.

But Gray had nothing to worry about. He, himself, said it, Juvia was one of the strongest mages of Fairy Tail. She defeated Keith/Keyes, one of the Demon Gates. And there was no question Juvia could have ended Invel too, a Spriggan 12. The water mage was a force to be reckoned with. He didn’t need to worry for her safety, though he was allowed to, and let himself do so every now and then. He didn’t need to worry about other men hanging around the watermage; for Juvia only had eyes for her Gray-sama.

“Sorry. Juvia is waiting for her Gray-sama.”

Gray had only seen that void in Juvia’s eyes on a few occasions. When she was still a member of Phantom Lord. When she was still the rain woman, her eyes were filled with a pointed gloom of disinterest – in life and in other people’s business. It vanished when she became part of Fairytail and when he came into her life. Sometimes, he’d entertain the illusion that he was the one who brought those sparks into her lovely blue eyes. She claimed that he did but that was too grand an illusion. So, for now, he’d settle for being the center of those ocean eyes.

“Gray-sama!”

There! There it was the brightest glimmer in her round orbs. As sparkly as the ocean being kissed by the sun. They shone because and for Gray – only for him.

Gray met her half way, approaching Juvia who scampered towards him. He waited for the tackle, like she always did when they saw each other, and if he was being honest, he wouldn’t mind it. Only to show those losers why they shouldn’t be approaching the water mage. But she settled on just beaming at him in her cute ensemble; the short skirt swaying along as she moved.

“Where is Gray-sama taking Juvia?”

He answered her smile with his cool, pompous grin. Well, he wasn’t being cocky at Juvia. Gray just wanted to show those bastards.

“You’ll see.”

Oh, if only the bastards could see Gray now, his cool, cocky grin trembling at the sight of the sign plastered at the gate – CLOSED FOR RENOVATION.

"I-I… I should have ch-ch-checked yesterday." He lamented.

AMUSEMENT PARK DATE HANG OUT - X

Juvia, who was hiding an amused smile behind one hand, was not at all disappointed. She was just happy to be spending time with Gray, just the two of them. Juvia couldn’t ask for more.

"It's alright, Gray-sama." Juvia placed a consoling hand on Gray's shoulder. "Juvia doesn't mind just walking around."

Gray turned a heel, letting Juvia push him back to the road where they came from, as he kept mumbling a dejected 'no'. Now, he was the one in a daze. Because, what a major bullcrap that was; he was really looking forward to trying the rides all day.

Juvia started a conversation to keep him from sulking. He noticed, however, that she kept fidgeting beside him. She was playing with her fingers, unsure where to keep her hand between them. Gray didn't notice himself already staring at it, at Juvia's hand. Then, he started to become conscious of his own kept inside his pants pocket. There was something off about just keeping his hands in there, which he found strange because he never noticed anything wrong about it before. So, to redress this unsettling feeling, Gray pulled one hand out of his pocket and, as he was about to reach out and seek Juvia's, something swooped in between and knocked them apart.

Of course, he had to check first if Juvia was okay before he screamed at the bastard who slipped in between them.

"Hey, watch it!"

"Sorry, mister!"

It was a kid who looked no older than Greige from Edolas.

Greige.

A mental picture of his and Juvia’s child, his cute little face and aloof eyes, tugged a string in his heart.

"Storm-chan, please wait for onii-chan!"

A young man apologized to the two mages, bowing his head so desperately that Gray thought he was going to break his back. Then, grabbed the kid and went along. He seemed troubled by his little brother but now that he carried the child in his arms, onii-chan seemed unbothered by it. They laughed together as they went their way. That’s when Gray noticed the colorful donut floater the young man had circled around his arm.

The brothers were headed to the beach.

That seems like a good idea, Gray thought.

Hit with excitement knowing today may not be a waste after all, Gray grabbed Juvia’s hand, leading her in the race to the nearest beach in town. Juvia was more than happy to be dragged along by him. How could she not when Gray never let go of her hand the entire train ride? Even when he seemed to have finally noticed it because he turned his face away and spewed something about holding hands being a normal thing.

Finally, something right was happening.

or so they thought.

Now, Gray's mood wasn't the only thing dampened by the depressing turn of events, forcing the two to find shelter from the sudden downpour. They were both soaking wet.

Way to rain on Gray's parade, quite literally.

Gray scowled at the curtain of water holding them hostage under some makeshift shed. He pushed out his hand, his palm testing the stream spilling over the roof. By doing so, he’d be able to tell if the rain was about to stop and if they could still salvage whatever remained of their day. With the strength of the rainfall, it wasn’t anytime soon. He hissed.

"This isn't Juvia's doing."

Gray, surprised at the confession, turned to Juvia with a confused look. Of course, this gloomy weather wasn't because of Juvia. His face contorted into utter confusion. How could she even assume that idea ever crossed Gray's mind?

The old Gray, the one who didn't fully understand her, would have scolded her for even entertaining those thoughts. But that version of himself was long gone now. This new Gray understood Juvia at her very core.

"I know." Was all he said, offering the sulking water mage a soft smile, one that said he would never think that. Not in a hundred years.

Because Gray-sama was the one who stopped Juvia's rain.

"Know what, to hell with this." He grabbed Juvia by the hand and pulled her out into the pouring rain. "Who says we can't have fun, eh?"

Soaking wet, the two crazy teenagers, as the onlookers anointed them, sprinted to the beach, unafraid of the strong waves hitting the shore; the sheer force of it dragged Gray and Juvia as it pulled back. They played so carelessly, splashing each other or pushing one another into the water. Then they'd share childish giggles at how silly they might have seemed. They walked on the coastal lane too, feeling the wet sand on the flat of their feet, lumps sticking between the toes.

Gray would remember something stupid Natsu said or did, or an embarrassing episode happening to Lucy. He remembered that one time when he took the last stick of grilled squid, which was meant for Erza, and thought he was going to finally meet his end. Fear crossed Juvia’s face who was absorbed with the story. Knowing the Requip Mage, Gray’s apprehensions weren’t unfounded.

Juvia would recount a few of her own stories too; telling him she went on a job with Lisanna where they had to wear funny costumes. She was a tree and Lisanna was a mountain. Gray almost broke his back laughing.

When Gray's stomach started to protest, he had the bright idea of dining al fresco. Well, they really had no other choice. No restaurant owner in their right mind would let a drenched couple dine inside. So, they settled on a small coffee table and took a shed under its large umbrella. Gray had no problem ordering shaved ice despite that weather. As much as Juvia wanted to share with him, she wouldn't survive a combination of wet clothes, rainy weather, and cold dessert. A cup of hot cocoa was the far better choice.

Juvia took a sip, the hot sweet liquid sliding from her throat and down to her stomach, warming up her insides. The water mage let out a satisfied sigh as she watched Gray, who was sitting opposite her, gulp down ice. They sat in silence, calmed by the sound of rain pelting on top of the striped parasol. While she immensely did enjoy chatty Gray, Juvia equally loved moments like this when they could just be comfortable around each other's presence. It gave her time to take notice of a few changes in Gray. He seemed to have lost some weight. She asked if he was eating all right. He said he was but all the walking and fighting burned a few pounds off of him. Juvia promised to make him a bento when she sees him off tomorrow. She said it so casually as if preparing him lunch was expected of her. Gray smiled at that, just a sober slant of the lips, and told her he’d hold her to that promise. But quickly reminded her not to give it when Natsu’s around.

“I don’t want Flamebrain to steal it or somethin’.”

They fell in total but welcomed silence again, so they could listen to the faint sound of rain hitting the umbrella. It sounded like the rain was about to end soon. Lamentably, Gray and Juvia’s time might be ending soon too. Juvia let out another sigh, this time, a bit wistful.

“What’s wrong, Juvia?”

Gray’s face was contorted into worry.

“Nothing.” She pouted. “Juvia will just miss Gray-sama.”

Imagining the days she has to spend without the presence of Gray, Juvia couldn’t help but whine, slumping herself across the table at the sullen realization that Gray-sama will be so far away again. At the other end of the world even!

She snapped back up when warmth enclosed her hand. Her heart skipped a beat when she confirmed that it was Gray’s hand gently placed over hers. She stared at Gray, who returned the look with equal guilt and plea. His eyes, softened by his silent request, gave her an assurance that he wouldn’t be long. There was promise in them that whatever happens, he’ll find his way home – to her.

Juvia didn’t even have to hear him say it. She knew. She could see it in the way he softly looked into her eyes and gently squeezed her hand. Gray had conveyed his feelings through these simple gestures far better than his words ever could. And they reached Juvia, loud and clear.

I will be back.

Juvia will wait for you, Gray-sama.

Gray opened his mouth to say something but he quickly noticed the rain retreating. He withdrew from her gaze only to confirm this suspicion. Just like the way he tested the strength of the downpour earlier, Gray extended his free hand outside the roof of the umbrella. All the while, not loosening his hold on Juvia’s hand now enclosed in his.

Totally unnecessary but very much appreciated.

“Looks like it stopped raining.”

The realization widened both their eyes; a rapturous glimmer reflected in both. As if reading each other’s minds, Gray and Juvia cheered in unison, “Let’s try wave surfing!”

The hold on each other’s arm had become so permanent that wherever they went, none of them ever let go.

Even when the two of them were brought in at the police station for indecent exposure. Because Gray and Juvia were so excited to ride the waves, now that the sun had peaked through the clouds and the weather finally agreed with them, they both unconsciously stripped down and walked around in public in their intimates.

It didn’t come as a surprise for Gray since he’d been down the station on more than one occasion, all for the same reason. He was embarrassed though, for causing Juvia to spend the night in jail on their last night together.

“Juvia doesn’t mind, Gray-sama!”

The culprit for his current state – his face turning beet red – clung to him despite the warnings from the watch guard. The heat from, he wasn’t sure if it was because of getting in jail, their intimate position together inside the very small space, or maybe both, was making him nauseous.

What tipped the scale, though, was having Erza Scarlet march down the police station to bail them both out. And the Requip Mage did not look happy. In fact, she was so mad about having to wake up in the middle of her beauty rest and come down the station that she added another year to Gray’s ban from ever setting foot at Fairy Hills.

And for Juvia, to endure a year of curfew.

“As if it’s not punishment enough for Juvia not being able to see Gray-sama in the middle of the 100 year quest.” Juvia mumbled under her breath as she miserably followed Erza home.

“You were saying somethin’?”

Juvia was one of the strongest mages of one of the strongest guilds in Fiore. She was not afraid of anything, except for that murderous glint in Erza’s brown eyes that made her feel weak, small and breakable all at the same time.

“N-not-nothing, Erza-san.”

...

As promised, Juvia brought Gray a bento lunch she woke up so early to make. They met separately ahead of the others so that, as Gray requested, he could eat it in peace, away from the nosy fire dragon slayer who would have demanded a bite or two. They walked together to Team Natsu’s meeting point and Juvia wished them well on their journey to the Sabertooth guild. She sulked at Gray’s departure despite his assurances that he would be back, whatever it took. She suggested he give her a goodbye kiss so she wouldn’t miss him that much and aggravated the swordswoman for flirting too much in the open.

Juvia settled with just waving her beloved Gray goodbye, looking as their figures grew smaller and smaller by the distance. She didn’t know how long the quest would take her beloved away. But in those times that she missed him, in those hours that she’s alone and lonely, in those moments when her desire to see the ice-mage overwhelmed her, she had yesterday and today to think back to. This feeling today, the elated bliss lingering from having to spend the whole day with Gray, playing around and just having fun, without a care in the world.

In spite of the heavy rain.

Or maybe, because of it.

Gray not only took her rain away. Yesterday, he gave a whole different meaning to it.

#gruvia #gray x juvia #happy juvia day #juvia day 2023 #juvia lockser #gray fullbuster #fairytail #fairytail fanfiction #be-dazzled #gruvia fanfiction

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superduperizee · 1 year

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gruvia week 2023 day four: delirium

~right in your arms, i'm home (where i'm safe and sound)~

“It couldn’t be you… She told Juvia you’re dead… She told Juvia that I’m the one who killed you…”

A ghost.

That was the most probable thing the apparition was.

The vengeful ghost of her beloved had come for her to take her soul.

And she’d willingly give it to him, to end this suffering. After all, she didn’t want to live a life without Gray in this world.

“Gray-sama… be Juvia’s executioner. I have no right to live after killing you.”

Juvia closed her eyes, submitting to her fate. The world became dark and quiet, and she’s all alone. All alone, just like the old days. She let the tears fall.

This was her punishment.

~0~

Blinded by rage, Gray went to every neighboring town Juvia was last seen. He didn’t take the news of Juvia’s disappearance lightly and began his own rescue mission to find her.

It was in the middle of the night during their trip back home when they got a call from the guild. Their panicked expressions made Gray and the others instantly awake. Everything was quiet except for the crickets outside of their inn. And it was then when the master dropped the news like a bomb.

Even when he didn’t exactly know the details of Juvia’s disappearance, Gray got up and put his clothes on swiftly. He headed for the door without a word. His friends called out to him, but he continued to move forward. They reasoned out that they needed to go together and it’s better to go in the morning, but all their words fell on deaf ears. It was still six hours before sunrise and they’re asking him to wait? A lot can happen in a minute, heck, even a second, and he’s supposed to start to search for Juvia after six hours? No way.

“Either you go with me or you come right after me. I don’t care what you’ll do, but I’m gonna start to search for Juvia now.”

His team stood up and got ready to follow his lead.

~0~

Looking for her was easier said than done.

Nobody saw Juvia after she got her reward in the town hall five months ago. The mayor said they offered her to stay for free for a vacation after she succeeded in her job but Juvia declined. That was the last time the townspeople saw her.

Five months… It was already a really long time. What if?

What if…

Gray shook his head and covered his face with his hands. No, it wouldn’t help him find Juvia if he thought of the worst possibilities. He was already restless with her disappearance. He didn’t need anymore stress by thinking of that happening.

While walking near another town where she was last seen, Gray noticed a young boy looking at him. He followed the line of sight of the boy and concluded he was looking at his chest. Over the years, people had stared at him because of his lack of clothing, but he didn’t care about that anymore. However, the stare of the boy fixated on his chest. It looked like he’s trying to remember something, and it made Gray ask him if needed something from him.

“Is that a guildmark, sir?”

Gray just nodded and continued his walk, because the priority right now was finding Juvia. The priority was finding her and bringing her safely back home.

“I saw someone with the same mark on her thigh. Are you perhaps related?

Gray stopped in his tracks and faced the boy.

That description… could it be?

“Where is she? Is she alright? Is she… alive?” Gray’s voice cracked a little when he asked the questions. Cold sweat formed on his forehead as he waited for the boy to answer.

The weight of the world on his shoulders got lifted when the boy answered him.

“My mama’s taking care of the lady. But she’s out of it every time she wakes up.” The young boy led Gray to his hut. “I think the lady needs to see someone she knows when she wakes up. Let’s go!”

Gray followed the boy with only one thing in mind.

He’s gonna see Juvia after a long time.

~0~

The young boy’s mother led Gray to a room where Juvia was sleeping. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw how thinner and paler she became.

“What… what happened to her exactly?”

Placing the basin full of warm water near the bed, the mother began to wash Juvia’s body gently. “We don’t know entirely, but my husband found her near the foot of the mountains nearby. No one from the village sets foot there. It’s said to give you the worst of your nightmares in mere minutes.”

“It’s good if you stay with her for a while. I’ll prepare dinner, please look after her.” Gray nodded as she closed the door of the room, never letting go of Juvia’s hands.

Gray’s grip tightened on her hands. Heaven knew what she saw while she was there. He knew Juvia was strong, but to relive the worst of her nightmares… even he wouldn’t be able to handle that head on.

A groan from the sleeping Juvia brought him back to his senses.

“Juvia,” he whispered as he saw her open her eyes. She groaned again, and tried to focus her eyes on the owner of the voice.

“Gray-sama?” No, it couldn’t be him…

“It couldn’t be you… She told Juvia you’re dead… She told Juvia that I’m the one who killed you…”

His heart ached with the suffering she’s in. The tears in her eyes, the pain in her voice… He shared it all with her. Gray felt her suffering. Gray should feel her suffering, because he didn’t want her to suffer alone.

“Gray-sama… be Juvia’s executioner. I have no right to live after killing you.”

“Don’t say that!” He wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t say that, please, Juvia.” Gray sighed and rubbed Juvia’s back to ease the sobbing of the woman.

“Let’s live long together. Please.”

~0~

Juvia's whole body ached.

For a moment, she didn’t register where she was. All she knew was that she’s in a dark, warm room with a stranger sitting next to her.

She blinked, and suddenly the memory of the nightmare began to fill her mind again. Images of how Gray died during the dragon attack, because he pushed her away. Of how he died again when he stabbed himself to get themselves out of the ice lock. She remembered the wounds, the pools of blood, the cold body without any sign of breathing.

Her chest tightened as she tried to push the nightmares away. She pushed herself up to sit on the bed and let her tears fall.

The warm feeling of a hand rubbing her back calmed her down.

“Juvia, it’s me.”

But Juvia didn’t want to look. What if it’s another trick her mind was playing on her? She couldn't handle anymore nightmares.

“Juvia, it’s me, Gray.” He repeated. “I’m alive and breathing and you didn’t kill me, okay?” Gray caressed her hair then massaged her scalp after to calm her down.

“So please, please, go home with me. I’ll do my best to keep you safe from everything.”

After one last sigh, Juvia gathered up the courage to look at him.

“Gray-sama…” Tears pooled at the corner of Juvia’s eyes.

She hugged him so tight like her life depended on it. And Gray just let her. He was so relieved she was okay. The whole five months was a scare but he was glad she’s safe from the effects of the extended nightmares. But she still needed to restore her energy back. Hopefully, she’d let him restore her to health for a brief time before going back. He was thinking they could stay in their cabin first before they went back to Fairy Tail. Fresh air from the woods would be good for her.

“Gray-sama,” Her whisper snapped him out of reverie.

“Yeah?”

“Sorry for worrying you and the others.”

“Don’t think about that too much. I already contacted them and let them know you’re already safe with me.”

They stayed hugging each other for some time. Juvia’s eyes were drooping. She was still tired and needed a lot of rest. Gray noticed her slipping arms and laid her on the bed.

“Gray-sama?”

“Hm?”

“You know you’re my home right? Whenever I’m with you, I am home.”

A small smile graced Gray’s lips.

“Rest up. You can spend time with your home when you have your energy back.”

Juvia closed her eyes and let her body rest. The wonderful scenery where she and Gray were lounging in their old cabin filled her mind.

#gruvia #gruvia week #gruvia week 2023 #gray fullbuster #juvia lockser #the prompts are hard this year!#eli writes

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malockser · 1 year

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Gruvia Week Day 7: Contentment 💙

I'm late (as always XD), but i plan to color this later.

If you like it pls ❤ and share, this helps a lot :)

#gruviaweek2023 #gruvia #fairytail #gray #juvia #グレジュビ

#gruvia #gruvia week #gruvia week 2023 #fairy tail #gray #juvia #グレジュビ

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yoseinoame · 1 year

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Gruvia Week 2023 - Day 2: Whisper

Faint moonlight cast a soft glow inside a small room of an old rickety inn as sounds of steady breathing coming from the silhouettes of two people sharing a single bed filled the silence of the night. Outside the old inn, everything was covered in white as powdery snow kept on falling from the dark sky. From time to time, the cold howling wind would blow giving the place an eerie vibe.

Such a scene was a normal occurrence up in the Northern Mountains of Fiore.

Back inside the small room, one of the two occupants was fast asleep while the other one was wide awake listening to nature’s creepy lullaby. Lying on their sides with their backs on each other, Juvia’s only indication that her ice mage companion was in slumber was his calm breathing. Unlike the unbothered man, the water mage couldn’t fall asleep.

Aside from the sound of the wind that didn’t really bother her that much, the fact that she was sharing a bed with the dark-haired man beside her was giving her heart an overdrive.

Earlier when they arrived looking for rooms to stay overnight, the cliché plot of not having enough available rooms occurred and left them with no choice.

They were on a mission to capture some rouge mages hiding in the snowy mountains and it was an easy job, but unfortunately, the weather hindered them from completing it on time.

Though the environment was to their advantage, risking being caught in a snowstorm was not part of their plan. Those fugitive mages they were tracking down won’t be able to leave the mountain anyway, so they decided to find a temporary shelter.

As the inn was the only lodging place they could find around the area, they didn’t have any options and it was Gray who decided that they would just share the room. It’s not like it was the first time they would be doing that.

It’s been a few months since the chaotic hundred years quest ended and Gray’s team returned. Within those months Juvia has gone on missions with the ice mage a few times.

The first one was her idea.

She noticed how Gray was no longer trying to pretend to avoid her or deflect her affections, so she tried her luck and asked him to go on a job together. He agreed, saying that would be a good way to catch up with each other after such a long time of not working together. That one time was followed by another and then some more until going on missions more than a few times in a month became a routine. Unless necessary, Gray rarely went on a mission with his team. Most of the time it was him asking her to go on those jobs together.

To say that the water mage was happy about the sudden change between them was an understatement.

She was ecstatic.

In the past, it was always her initiating everything. She was the one asking Gray to go out with her, go on missions with her, and eat out with her. But recently it was him asking her to do things with him despite all the lame reasons he was giving every time that he did so.

Unable to force herself to sleep, Juvia opened her eyes and studied the empty wall of the room in front of her. Behind her, she could feel the slight rise and fall of Gray’s breathing.

When the battle is over, I’ll give you my answer…

She’s my power to live…

Out of nowhere, those words echoed in her head as her hand clutched the edge of her pillow.

Juvia knew without a doubt how Gray feels about her.

It’s certain that she occupies a place in his heart and she’s glad that Gray was getting more comfortable when it comes to showing his emotions. It’s just that she can’t stop herself from thinking of how long they are going to keep their unclear understanding.

With that thought, a wistful smile tugged on the sides of her lips.

Of course, if Gray didn’t want to do anything about it, she won’t force him. But at the end of the day, she’s still just a human and she could not avoid having hopes and expectations.

Deep inside her, she knew she was yearning for that answer that he promised her.

There were things she wanted to do and say but cannot due to their current relationship as nakamas who obviously harbor romantic feelings for each other but without an actual romantic relationship.

Her thoughts were futile.

There’s no point in thinking about such things. She had long proclaimed what she feels, and she already did what she had to do about her feelings in excessive ways. It’s no longer up to her how her relationship with Gray would further develop. If worse comes to worst, she could just continue loving him in her own way and cast away her hopes.

With that in mind, Juvia told herself to sleep and rest because she’ll need her energy to complete their mission when morning comes. She sighed once more and tried to block her train of thoughts that kept on nagging her.

When the wind blew once more, she unconsciously tugged her blanket to ward off the cold, but somehow it got tangled up with one of Gray’s legs and she felt the man behind her shift along with the force of her movement. He rolled on his other side and he’s now facing her back. She bit down on her lip when she felt his breath at the back of her head.

“Juv…”

Juvia’s body went rigid when she heard a low voice that seemed to be calling her name. Was Juvia dreaming already? She asked herself confusedly. Or maybe she was thinking too much and just hearing things?

But she was sure that it was Gray’s voice that she heard.

Was he sleep talking and calling out her name?

“Juvia,” there it goes again and this time it wasn’t just Gray’s voice that she could hear. She could also feel his hand on her side as his arm slowly moved around her waist. With a gentle tug, he pulled her closer to his chest and buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Can’t sleep?” he asked in a sleepy voice, his hot breath tickling her sensitive skin.

Juvia’s own breathing halted as her heartbeat hammered inside her chest, her face flushed and her mind frozen.

What just happened?

What is Gray-sama doing?!

Since Gray’s face was on Juvia’s neck, she felt it when his mouth moved, and a smile formed on his lips. “G-Gray-s-sama?”

“Hmm?”

Juvia swallowed hard when she heard his sexy hum. She was certain it was still snowing outside, and the temperature was still freezing cold, but she could feel herself heating up.

She had shared a room and a bed with Gray before. More than a few times, she had embraced and tackled him. They also shared a few physical contacts before, but as far as Juvia could remember, Gray had never initiated such intimate physical interaction.

“Gray-sama,” she called out again and though she didn’t stutter, her voice was a little hoarse. “Wh-why are you holding Juvia like this?”

Instead of responding to her question, Gray only tightened his arm around her. With how close their bodies were, Juvia could feel that she was not the only one whose heart was beating fast. After a few minutes of silence with only their breathing filling the room, Gray finally said something. “Am I not allowed to hold you like this?”

What?

Did she hear him right?

How was she supposed to answer that?

Obviously, she won’t stop him from holding her like that. But there’s more to that question that made her unable to think properly.

Juvia was just thinking about so many things, but why is Juvia’s mind suddenly blank!? Juvia thought as she nibbled her lip.

The sudden turn of events was something she wasn’t expecting at all!

In the silence of the night Gray’s chuckle resonated within the room. “Don’t think too much about it,” he whispered. “I love you.”

#gruvia week 2023 #gruvia week #gruvia fanfic #gruvia #Gray X Juvia #Juvia Lockser #gray fullbuster #fairy tail #gruvia week day 2

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