Juvia slid in to the Guild unnoticed, her hand straying in to her pocket to check that it was still there. I know I tried this before…and then a second time but….third time's a charm right? I hope. Juvia took a deep breath. She casually looked around the Guild, trying to locate her target. Hmm…..where is-there! Oooohhhhhh Gray looks so gorgeous today. Juvia swooned as she locked eyes on the person she'd been looking for.
Gray was sitting with an unusual group of people. Natsu, Laxus, and Sting. Sting and Rogue must be visiting…I'm surprised Laxus is over there but maybe it's a dragon slayer thing…Rogue was lurking nearby chatting with Gajeel, and Laxus's Raijinshu where scattered about the Guild…an even more unusual sight as they where usually grouped near to him. Evergreen was in one corner with Elfman while Bickslow was in another drinking. Freed was the closest to their leader, leaning on the bar and keeping an eye on Laxus. Juvia watched him curiously as he kept sneaking glances at his leader. It wasn't the usual watchful way he looked at him, making sure there where no threats to his person. It was more….oh. That must be how I look at Gray. Juvia thought, watching as Freed snuck another glance at Laxus. The rune mage flushing as Laxus treated Sting to a half smile. The laugh that Sting managed to coax out of Laxus had Freed's hands clenching. Interesting. But I don't have time for that….when Gray and I are finally together, everyone will come to me for love advice. I'll help Freed out of the kindness of my heart because everyone should be as happy as Gray and I will be! She sighed wistfully, moving closer to the group.
No-one had spotted her. She crept behind the pillar closest to the table. She had a straight shot at Gray. He was sitting next to Laxus, with Natsu and Sting opposite. She couldn't miss. Juvia pulled the bottle out of her pocket and uncorked it. She shook a handful of the dust in to her palm, mixing it with a little of her water to make it easier to throw. I won't make any mistakes this time. Juvia moulded the dust and her water in to a ball shape and got ready to throw. Making sure no-one was watching her she took aim and it fly. The ball of magical dust arced through the air, right on course for Gray…..until Gray stood up. No. No no no no no. Gray casually strolled away from the table, passing by Mira who was heading towards it with a tray of drinks in her hands. No. No no no. Can't you wait to pee for ten seconds, I beg of you! Juvia watched Gray move out of range of the ball. Her head snapped back to the table in time to see Laxus leaning forward to take his drink from Mira. Natsu and Sting following suit. Juvia could see what was about to happen. But….I practised throwing for hours….I couldn't miss…..why Gray…..
The ball hit Mira's hand as she passed a bottle to Laxus. It shattered, magic dust poofing up in to the faces of the four people clustered around Mira and her tray. Juvia frantically tried to remember how this was supposed to work. Once the dust has been inhaled….the person who inhaled it falls in love with the first person they see….I'm sure that's right. But…I can't remember how long it's supposed to take, I was just going to go over there immediately and start talking to Gray. Juvia fretted. The instructions where on the side of the bottle but she didn't want to risk taking out it again. She watched Laxus shake his head slightly and sneeze.
"Oh, here you go Laxus" Mira giggled, handing Laxus a tissue from her apron.
"Thanks" the dragon slayer rumbled, looking up at Mira as he reached to take it. Their eyes locked, and Juvia saw a faint pink glow, it was gone so fast she would have thought she'd imagined it…if she hadn't seen the same thing happen with Sting, shortly followed by Natsu.
"Hey do you smell anything…." Natsu's nose wrinkled.
"…..weird?" Sting finished Natsu's sentence, the two turning to each other and locking eyes. There was that pink glow again. Blink and you'd miss it. This is bad. This is very, very bad. Juvia fretted, watching the events unfold in front of her.
A giggling Mira had slid next to Laxus in the both, gazing up at him and batting her eyelashes. Laxus was smirking, his arm propped up on the back of the booth, Mira's fingers trailing circles around it. Juvia's gaze shot over to Freed, the rune mage….wasn't happy. His hand was clenched on the hilt of his sword, and his expression was hurt…and bewildered. The tension in his jaw indicated he was gritting his teeth.
"What the fuck?" a familiar voice growled and Juvia's gaze moved away from Freed, and to her beloved Gray. Gray was standing by the table, staring at Sting and Natsu. That's odd…why is he so upset? Juvia wondered, looking at the angry expression on Gray's face as he took in the sight before him. Natsu's face was flushed and he was smiling shyly at Sting, who'd leaned forward and was trailing a finger down Natsu's chest. Maybe Gray's upset because Natsu didn't tell him about he and Sting…..Juvia said, wilfully ignoring the fact that her potion was the reason for Natsu and Sting's behaviour.
"Seconded" Freed said stiffly.
"Thirded" a shadowy voice said, as Rogue popped up from nowhere. Juvia shuddered when she saw the look in his eyes. He looks like he's going to murder someone. This isn't good…what do I do…what do I do….maybe…they won't know it's me….maybe I can…
"JUVIA" Gray, Freed and Rogue shouted in unison. Startled she looked up to see three sets of eyes fixed on her. None of them looked happy. Oh dear.