Juvia is a spirit, cursed to live on as a genie, and Gray is just some ordinary guy who happens to 'find' her vessel.
I got this idea when I saw a picture on pinterest (I think by yuuba) where Juvia is a genie and Gray an arabian prince. I found it adorable and the role of a genie fits Juvia perfectly.
It was meant to be a one-shot, but I'd like to know whether I should really finish it after the first part/prologue. If I am going to, there will be three chapters in total.
Btw, after my last story Memories I plan this one to be a simple romantic comedy. Difficulties? Definitely, but no tragedy whatsoever.
Enjoy.
First Wish
Gray Fullbuster's existence has always been an endless loop of drifting along life. He's the type of guy you happen to occur on random parties, bars or other social hubs. Handsome, good for small-talk, really enjoyable, but you'd never encounter him any other way than that. With only Erza and Natsu to actually call them his friends Gray regards himself as a loner. He avoids being too close to people and even Natsu and Erza are kept on a certain distance. He'd never talk with them about how much he hates his office job or how lonely he feels from time to time, his parents being dead and his love live only existing of occasional sex. Especially since Natsu and Erza have found what seems to be the love of their lives. Gray would rather not crave for too much attention and disturb their lovey-dovey intercourse with their partners, Lucy and Jellal.
So today, as always, Gray is on his way back home after bottling up his anger over a fight he once again had with his boss.
Keyes Etherious, I swear to God, one of these days I'm gonna kick his ass out his glazed office room, all the way down that fuckin' twenty-storied building!
His dream was to run a succsessful law office one day. But after passing his final state examination he failed to build the right connections. One little mistake led to another and he ended up being a low-remunerated assistant. His for all the time rival step brother Lyon on the other hand outran him and is now acting partner of his boss. He hates to execute Keyes' commands. But listen to Lyon as well is pure torture.
Finally home he checks his mailbox to find a letter, consignor anonymous. Underneath his mailbox lying on the floor he discovers a little box, obviousely belonging to the letter as the handwriting on the letter matches the one on the box.
Odd. Who'd send me this? I don't recognize the handwriting either.
Too tired to overthink his recipience though he enters his building's elevator up to his apartment.
Shower, oven-ready meal, a bottle of beer and then off to bed. In that order.
One man. One plan and Gray finds himself snuggled up in his sheets. Days like this would go on and on and on in an uniform manner, always. He considers his life rather boring, almost depressing. No dreams to chase after. No people who'd miss him if he was gone.
He sighs as he stares at his ceiling, his hands underneath his head.
You should give it a rest. Stop questioning the same things over and over again, Gray.
He closes his eyes and eventually his mind wins peace as his thoughts give in to a dozely state before entering deep sleep.
The next morning Gray takes a chair besides his kitchen island and has some cereal for breakfast. His gaze drifts throuth the room and his eyes catch a suspicious parcel.
What- ...Of course! I didn't bother opening it yet.
Still chewing Gray takes off to grab the box. Back in his seat he continues eating while undoing his mail. First, the letter:
Dear lucky recipient,
The time has come.
Open the package gingerly. The content is very fragile and valuable. Be careful!
Choose your desire wisely.
End of the message.
What the hell?
His sight turns to the little box. Knitting his brows he proceeds his unpacking. He reveals what seems to be a strait longish vase. Or some kind of liquor bottle maybe, as it has a lid on top of it. Its oriental cover with white-blue paintings like waves floating across the veneer attracts his attention. Anyway, Gray can't perceive any details. The item is far too dirty and dusty. He starts to rub it with his thumb only to cause a huge heating underneath his finger. The thing begins to glow until its shining is way too bright for Gray to leave his eyes open.
"What the fuck?!"
He turns away, covers his eyes with his left arm and waits a little longer until his instinct tells him to face the mysterious widget in his hand again. But what he spots is far off any reasonable explanation.
"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!"
It's a girl. A girl that must have emerged out of nowhere. Right in front of him. Before his eyes. In his apartment.
She's wearing a light blue casual strap dress that reaches down to her knees. Gray beholds golden bracelets around her wrists as well as a small golden chain around her waist that emphasizes her curves just the right way. He can also sneak a peek at her left thigh because of the dresse's cutout. Her likewise blue hair comes down in locks and envelops her cleavage. Her skin appears to be made for her semblance as its pale color matches her blue dress and hair perfectly.
Am I dreaming? AM I DYING? Is this an angel, ready to usher me to the next world?
The girl opens her eyes and glances around. When her look finally meets Gray's she widens her eyes. She tries to speak but Gray stifles her instead.
"Who the fuck are you?" The girl cringes at his sharp words but manages to counter.
"Are you the rightful owner of that bottle?"
"What?" Another question wasn't what Gray was looking for. Realizing his need for niceties the female points to the item in his grasp.
"The thing in your hand. Does it belong to you?" He lowers his gaze in order to study the bottle once more.
"Well, yeah, I think so. It was sent to me. I tried to clean it and here you are. So, who are you?" The man aggravates his tone. He wants answers. And answers he will get. The girl, more comfortable with the situation, takes a light bow before introducing herself.
"I go by the name of Juvia. I'm a genie and I will grant you three wishes, my master."
What? WHAT?! Gray takes his time to handle her words. He blinks a few times and notices his jaw falling down. At the same time Juvia bows her head and frowns in confusion. She waits for his reaction.
"What? Master? Is this some kinky shit you're pulling?" It's the only thing as close to plausible that Gray can think of. Sexy girl in his apartment calling him master?
If this is some stupid prank there's gonna be a pink haired head rolling...
"Juvia does not warrant any sexual interactions. But maybe she can make an exception since her new master is so handsome." She looks at him seductively and Gray being a healthy man feels first stirrings of excitement building up inside of him. How long has it been since his last nocturnal activity?
She's doin' a good job playing that masquerade... Wait, don't get any ideas, Gray. Take a break!
"Stop calling me that. I'm Gray."
"Very well, Gray-sama."
"Only Gray! Gosh..."
An awkward pause fills out the room. Juvia, ready to get any orders, and Gray, not knowing what to do or to say. He's getting nervous and starts to sweat.
Don't look at me like that! Whith those deep blue eyes, your long eyelashes, your hands combined in front of you and your head bowed like a cute little puppy.
Gray gnashes his teeth before deciding his next words.
"You're not gonna skip that act, are you?"
"What act does Gray-sama mean?"
Really, that girl!
The man clenches his fists and shouts out a little louder than he planned to.
"THAT act! Don't call me Gray-sama! Who are you, where did you come from, why are you here?" Juvia winces once again but responds nonetheless.
"Juvia told you, she is your genie and she lives in that bottle. Juvia will fulfill three wiches of yours. There are some rules to the extend of my might, though."
"Prove it!"
"You can wish for anything, except there are four rules, Gray-sama. First: Juvia cannot compete with death. The dead stay dead, it is not possible to bring them back. Second: Juvia cannot create or extinguish life. Gray-sama may not wish for anyone's death nor can he wish for a person that does not exist. Thirdly: Juvia cannot influense feelings. Making people fall in love or hate somebody is not possible. Fourth: You cannot wish for more wishes. Now you may choose your first wish if you want to, Gray-sama."
Tzz. As if... But ok, why not playing along. Most interesting morning in a long time.
Gray ponders severely. What could he wish for... He chooses the first thing that leaps in his mind.
"I wish for my apartment to be all cleaned up." With that said Juvia bows again, her hands folded in a praying position.
"As you wish, Gray-sama."
A second later and Gray can't believe his eyes. He expected her to go around and take on her task. And she did. Kinda. Only it took her a second to fulfill it without leaving her spot. All his clothes that used to lay around - gone. His dirty dishes in the sink - gone. Junk and other stuff - gone.
"What the..." After blinking like a ten times or so he questions his mental shape. There's a girl in his room, certainly capable of using some kind of magic trick and she just cleaned up his room. Not to forget she's willing to grant him two more favors and she's hot as a Vicoria's Secret model.
"Is something wrong, Gray-sama? Did Juvia make a mistake?" The poor girl must feel uncomfortable too since she approaches her new master slowly and looks at him worriedly. Gray for his part stares down at his hands that he laid on the table next to his cereal bowl.
"I'm going insane. This isn't happening..." In order to calm him and solve his struggles Juvia puts her hands on top of Gray's.
"You used your first wish, Gray-sama. Your belongings are back in its place, the trash has been taken care of, your supplies are refilled. You now have two wishes left." Gray cringes at the sudden contact and pulls his hands away, leaning backwards in his chair.
"You're fucking with my head, do you know that?" Juvia giggles and covers her mouth with a hand. She finds her new master to be quite a gorgeous one. She will enjoy her time of service with him. But seeing her making fun of his state annoyes the hell out of Gray.
"What's so funny?"
"It is not the first time that Juvia has a master who does not believe in her impact." Not the first time...
"How many masters have you had 'till now?" The bluenette puts a forefinger to her lips and thinks about it for a moment before giving an answer.
"Juvia lost count... It may be hundred-some." Gray's eyes widen.
"Wow, how old are you?"
"Juvia does not know. She does not age like humans do. She has always been a genie."
"What exactly is that, a genie? You look human. Are there more of your kind?"
"Juvia thinks she is mostly human. But Juvia is somehow bound to her vessel that allows her to perform her magic. There is no such thing as free will for Juvia and she has never met anyone like her. That is all Juvia knows."
What a strange person, Gray thinks. But he starts to believe her. Regardless the bizarre circumstances she appeared in his apartment and now she has to stay with him for some time. Where could he take her anyway? He doubts she possessed an ID, money or anything material to live on her own. But what is Gray supposed to do with that cute, innocent-looking girl in front of him?
A faint glimpse at his watch tells him now is not the time to deal with these matters though.
"Look, I don't know what happened. And I need to leave for work. You just stay here. And I mean HERE! Do not leave my apartment. I should be back by seven in the evening. We'll talk about what's gonna happen with you then. If you're hungry, feel free to explore the kitchen, there should be enough to discover since my first wish, right?."
"As you please." And Juvia waves her master goodbye with a smile on her face as he puts on his jacket and leaves through the door.
Oh lord help me. Why is my life so complicated?...
So please, tell me what you think :)
I don't know where this will lead to and I don't want to think about it deeply unless you're interested enough to find out too ;)
Thanks for reading, see ya!
