Hello boys and girls. I'd like to tell a story.

It's been so long since I've written anything. But there was something inside of me saying that I should write something for Gruvia Week 2018. So of course I had to take part in it. These one shots aren't going to be anything too taxing. It'll be around a thousand words each. If I'm getting back into writing, I need to take it slow. Hopefully this will be the start of a return to form. In any case, enjoy.


Promise

The city of Magnolia looked peaceful at night, Gray thought to himself as he overlooked it and taking another bite out of his late-night meal. It was too quiet for his tastes, but then again, how many people really want to stay in a town that will soon be an active war zone. The Alvaraz Empire would soon invade this town, his town, he mustn't forget. The city, in its wisdom, ordered a full evacuation of its citizens. For the time being, they would be sent in makeshift camps near the capital where the royal army would protect them. That way, Fairy Tail could go all out without having to worry about civilians being hurt.

Gray noted that some of the buildings still had lights on even though there was no one there. A feeling of dread started to creep up on him. This was going to be the toughest fight in his life, he already knew. Gramps hadn't sugarcoated it either. The possibility was there that some of them might die. The thought was terrifying on one hand. After all, he had never considered that he would die before he was old and wrinkled, with his teeth falling out. On the other hand, there was a certain level of peace that came with death. As much as he would miss his friends, there was something appealing to being reunited with the people he loved: his mom, whose face he couldn't remember even to this day, his father, the man who made him feel conflicted, and Ur, his beloved teacher. Don't get me wrong. It's not like he wanted to die. Just saying that there was something to look forward to if that became a possibility.

A feeling came to him, like the lapping of the ocean on one's bare skin. He slowly smirked. He knew exactly who was causing this feeling. She was a constant presence in his life ever since the first time they met. Her feelings were almost infuriatingly overwhelming. She had endured similar pain to what he had and yet her heart is like an open book while he closed himself off. He only wanted to be her friend, someone he would say hello to whenever they saw each other in the guild, maybe trade stories of their mission. But she wanted to be so much more. He couldn't imagine all of the scenarios that went through her head; in fact, he almost didn't want to. He didn't indulge her feelings. But it seems as though every interaction was a gift to her. He rejected her once. But she kept pursuing him.

His interaction with her is like that story the Master once told him about the hedgehog's dilemma. Hedgehogs wish to seek others for warmth. However, their quills make it impossible to do that without hurting each other. So the hedgehog has a choice: loneliness and cold or pain and warmth. For a long time, Gray kept his friends at a comfortable distance, close enough that he could feel their warmth but far away enough that if something ever happened to them, it wouldn't hurt as much. But she wasn't like that. She was the steady drip of water around the block of ice in his heart. Once he wanted nothing more than to be her friend. Now...

"Gray-sama" Her voice finally reached out to him, as if she were afraid of ruining his peace with her presence. How far away from the truth that was now.

"Juvia" He replied, taking a big bite of his handheld meal. Suddenly, the pangs of hunger were less pronounced. He offered the rest of his food to Juvia. "Want the rest." He didn't wait for an answer. He put the food in her hands.

She began to stammer about his lips being on the food. It would have been amusing to watch her contemplate whether or not she should eat what she was given. However, he went back to watching the town.

This was his home. This was his friends' home. This was Juvia's home. The buildings themselves were nothing. It was what was inside his heart that mattered, the bonds and memories they made.

"I'm grateful to you." He said still overlooking the town while he spoke to her, missing the heated blush on her face. "You are always by my side."

And that's when it hit him. Gray knew what he wanted…or rather, who he wanted by his side. Juvia was a force of nature that cannot be ignored. And you know what. He was tired of trying, tired of closing himself up so he didn't feel pain. He wanted to be more like her. No. That wasn't it. He wanted to be with her. He wanted more than just surviving. He wanted to live with the warmth, even if it could cause him pain. Because it was worth it. She was worth it.

"When the battle's over, you'll have your answer." He said, stealing a quick glance at the woman who was by his side, the one person who has always been by his side. "So let me focus on the fight ahead, okay?"

"Juvia will." She replied, perhaps stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Gray knew what he had just done. He had made Juvia a promise. And the weight of such a promise couldn't be taken lightly. He now had to keep it. It wasn't time for him to be reunited with his mother, father, and teacher. After this fight, it would be time to explore the possibility of a relationship with Juvia.


And that's the end of that chapter. So, thoughts? Liked it? Hated it? Have no opinions one one way or the other? Leave me a review. I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time,

A. Angel