Catching the small snow flakes with his large, glove-covered hand, Gray Fullbuster, a full-time worker and regular employee of Fairy Tail publishing books stood impeccably on the side of the road.
His other hand occupies a black umbrella, folded neatly as he used it to tap the cold, snow-covered ground. It's mid-January so that explains how cold and chilly the air was. He was covered in his black-greyish, thick coat and a black and white stripped scarf snaking around his shoulders and neck, a black beanie covering the top of his head, while his hands were covered in charcoal black, thick gloves and a pair of brown boots protecting his feet.
Despite the gloomy and cold day, he decided to spend his day off buying some of his supplies inside his house. His free hand crawled down to his coat pocket, revealing a white paper which contains all the things that he needs to buy at the grocery.
Gray Fullbuster likes very much the season. His favorite among the four seasons; Winter.
He knows to himself why he likes the season very much. Many people were annoyed or practically irritated when winter comes. Much to their dismay, they can't do anything beside from staying inside their homes, sit in front of their fireplaces and read a book, lazying all day and it'll end up ruining their active lifestyle which should be going to the park, chatting with their friends in a small coffee shop and everything.
Their daily activities or things that they like to do in a sunny and fine day were all set aside because of this chilly season. But for Gray, it was fantastic.
He likes the snow very much.
By puffing his cheeks, a small cloud of breath was released from his lips. He smirked.
A cold breeze greeted him and despite how much he likes the feeling he decided to stop by on a shed. One thing, just to make things clear is, this dark-haired man, twenty-three years of age, is only a mere human.
He felt the hair on the back of his neck and arms stand up and upon reaching the shed, he shrugged the snow off his head, followed on by his shoulders.
He chuckled lightly, pinning the umbrella between his arm and body.
He looked up to the skies which is visible to his eyes because of the transparent curved roof of the shed. He felt the warm rays of the sun greeting his face.
It's still nice, he mused to himself.
A disturbing noise caught his attention, glancing to his side, he almost jumped out of his spot when he saw a girl standing only an arm length away from him.
She was standing quietly, her face raised up and was like searching for the warm rays of the sun was giving. Her eyes were closed comfortably.
As Gray examined her further more, he noted how thinly she is clothed.
Her blue hair was tied up in a small, loose bun beside her head, her fringes and some loose strands of hair framing her small face.
He blinked, the girl is so pale. Too pale that it somewhat scares him.
She was only dressed in a light yellow sweat shirt, and he noticed that she has a dress underneath that, adorned with pink flowery patterns that ended right on her knees.
His dark eyes landed fully on the white umbrella on her side, then her bare feet.
He took another clear look and yes, her feet was not covered in any boots or sandals or anything that can keep her feet from the freezing ground.
She's really out of place, while the others including him was clothed properly and was covered from head to foot, only his hair and face were visible.
And look again on this girl, she's not properly dressed for the season.
After a full minute of staring, he found himself grabbing her shoulder roughly, a hard scowl on his face.
The girl gasped.
"Hey Miss," his eyes traveled on her face then down to her toes again. "A-are you alright?"
Her eyeballs moved but did not bother to open. "Hmm..."
This time, he dropped is umbrella and placed both of his hands on her shoulder, turning her fully to him.
A light blush appeared on his scowling face when he saw her face fully.
"Open your eyes." He commanded, and he felt himself itching because he couldn't wait to see more of her beauty.
And in that moment, he wondered of what color her eyes were.
The girl smiled faintly.
"Hey," Gray repeated, why the hell is she smiling? "You shouldn't be dressed like that."
Unnoticed by his narrowed eyes, a small pale hand crawled up to his arm then on his right hand which was placed on the girl's shoulder.
It surprised him how warm and welcoming that hand felt, he felt the heat crawl on his stomach, spreading all over his body.
His eyes averted on the small hand, it cupped his and later on squeezed it tenderly. "Thank you for your concern."
Her hands lingered there for a moment, then a gentle smile was placed on her face. "Can I trust you?" she spoke softly, he described her voice as a feathery, warm thing.
"E-excuse me?" he asked, confused.
"Can I trust you?" she repeated.
Gray lifted a thin dark brow at her, his face frowning. "Y-you dont even know me,"
She remained silent and Gray took the initiative to speak more. "Im only a concerned guy over here." He glanced at her and she was still passive.
Seconds ticked by, and Gray rolled his eyes, huffing. "Fine, but only if you open your eyes." he challenged her, a faint smirk covering his lips.
Her head moved from side to side, "Juvia can't."
Juvia?
"W-who's Juv-"
"That's me." she cut him off. "Juvia can't open her eyes."
This time, he furrowed his brows together. "T-then, Im Gray Fullbuster."
She only nodded.
"Why can't you open your eyes?" he asked curiously.
"Becasue Juvia is blind." the girl, named Juvia answered straightly.
Gray's eyes widened a little. "Im sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
"Juvia's not offended." the blue-haired girl replied, smiling. "There's no point of opening Juvia's eyes because she doesn't have any sight from the first place."
Gray felt bad for her. He was simply concerned towards this weird girl and here they are, having this kind of conversation.
"Now, Can Juvia trust you?"
Gray stared at her for moment, "Why are you asking me?"
"Juvia thinks that you're a good guy. You're concerned and Juvia thinks that she can trust you, now if you only allow her."
Processing her words on his mind, he sighed and his glove-covered hand gripped her shoulders gently. "Are you sure? You shouldn't be talking to me in the first place."
"But Gray-sama talked to me first, it's very impolite if Juvia ignored you."
What's with the honorifics?
"Gray-sama?!" he asked, blushing furiously.
Juvia nodded, inhaling deeply. "Can Juvia trust Gray-sama?"
"..."
The dark-haired boy removed his hand off her shoulder, the girl gasped surprisingly and Gray felt like apologizing because of his harsh actions.
"Well..." he started, crossing his arms up to his chest. "Okay." he scowled even more, as well as his cheeks reddened.
She reached forward, her hands landing on his chest. "Juvia is grateful."
Gray jolted surprisingly at the touch, he rolled his eyes before muttering a 'yeah'.
"Why are your dressed like that? Come on I'll escort you home and-"
"Oh, that was Juvia's going to ask, Can you walk her home? She's pretty lost eh, hehe."
A small chuckle escaped his lips. "Didn't I offered it already?"
The girl pouted and patted his shoulders until she reached down to his hand. "Juvia is only being polite."
Gray immediately grasped her hand, and it felt like he was crushing hers because it looked so weird and small.
Juvia told him her address and was glad because she is only living a few blocks away from him. Gray had his head down for a moment, he didn't know but there is something attracting him to her, he didn't know what is it, but for now he feel so comfortable with her presence.
Is it normal for them to be this so attached to each other? Is it normal for them who only met today, right at the waiting shed and didn't even know anything about each other aside from their names to be walking home together? Is it normal?
For Gray, he could only explain it with one word.
He knew he could, but not right now. And someday, he promised to himself that when he found that word... It will benefit both of them, with a smile on their faces.
"You live here?" he asked the blue-haired girl beside her, her arm was linked to his securely as they stood in front of a small compound apartment building.
She simply nodded, but then she tilted her head to the side, unsure. "Would you please describe it to J-juvia..."
As Gray described the place, he noticed how small she is, only dressed in a thin sweat shirt and nothing but her feet on the ground.
"Shit," he immediately pulled himself out of his coat, draping it over her shoulders. "Im sorry."
Juvia fought her best not to show him her chattering teeth. After all, it was her fault of dressing that way.
He grabbed her wrist as he crouched forward, the blind girl squeaked at the unexpected force and she landed on his strong back awkwardly.
Gray blushed at the contact and he felt like punching himself because of his rudeness.
"Gray-sama please be careful next time." The girl whispered, still pressed on his back. He pulled her arms forward before circling it to his shoulder. "Hold tightly," he mumbled.
Juvia nodded, causing her cheeks to rub on his ears.
The dark-haired guy bit his bottom lip as he felt the heat crawling up to his face once again. "Damn it,"
Juvia exhaled and it touched the side of his neck, causing the hair on his back to stand up. "J-juvia should walk instead, she's pretty heavy and Gray-sama might hurt his back and-"
"Shh,"
"b-but... Juvia is really capable of walking, she's already used with the stairs so-"
"Just shut up." he said softly, the girl hid her face shyly behind his neck murmuring a soft 'okay'.
"In what room number are you?" asked Gray as they started to walk upstairs.
"Juvia's apartment is on the third floor, the last door from the right."
Gray frowned, does people nowadays not give consideration to those who are disabled?
Her home was practically at the farthest corner of the building, and yeah on the third floor. She better have someone who lives with her.
Gray without talking reached the complex, he pressed the doorbell which startled the quiet girl on his back. "Oh, there's no one else who lives there but Juvia." she struggled to get herself free and Gray gently crouched again to let her. Gray immediately stood up and steadied her when the blue-haired girl wobbled a bit.
Juvia patted both his shoulders, then his chest before mumbling a shy 'thank you.'
She reached inside her sweater, probably finding the pocket on her dress to retrieve her keys.
"You live alone?" asked Gray, quietly.
"Hmm..." the girl answered, fiddling with the keys on her hands. She reached forward and ended up touching the air instead of the door.
Gray gently held her arms and turned her to the doors direction.
Juvia blushed, her toes fidgeting cutely. "Thank you again Gray-sama." she quietly unlocked the door and opened it with a light push.
Gray only stood there, waiting if she still needs some help.
He watched her lift her hand, cautious not to bump on things, her other hand occupied with her white umbrella was acting as her navigator, by tapping it lightly on the floor.
Later on, she is already inside, darkness engulfing her frail body and Gray finally decided to talk. "Hey, are you sure you live alone?" he asked, moving forward as he stopped right on her doorway.
"Hmm..." she answered, still flailing her hand gently.
"Where's the switch for the lights?"
"..."
"Hey Juvia, Im talking to you."
She continued to walked further more inside her house, and Gray decided to follow her.
"If you wouldn't mind, I'll enter as well..."
"Hmm..."
Only Hmm? Gray felt so proud that he is a good guy, or else this poor girl will be taken by her disadvantage.
"Sunshine..."
Gray heard Juvia, and after that, like magic words, the whole room lit up.
Gray was lost for words.
"Juvia has a friend, he helped her a lot, and he also installed some magical thing inside her home."
"Voice activation?" asked Gray, looking around. The space which she called her home is only a four-cornered room. It has two average sized windows, a small table on the side which has a radio on top of it, a large bundle of neatly folded mattress was also beside it and a few pillows on top if it. At the other side, there is a small fridge, and a small stove perched on top of another small table, underneath were some of her kitchen wares, and a few plates and cups.
There's no doubt that she's living along with herself, but it's still a thing that amazed Gray.
The walls were painted in a creamy shade of yellow, making the whole place ordinary and simple.
"Did the lights finally opened?" she asked him, still flailing her arms forward.
"Y-yeah," Gray looked around once again and notice that there is also a small cabinet on the side, a small picture frame was on top of it. "Can I come in?"
Juvia nodded, lowering herself to sit on the floor, "You can sit anywhere, Gray-sama." she smiled. "Would you like some tea?"
Gray removed his boots and carefully patted his way in front of her.
"Your home is pretty cozy." he stated, rubbing his hands on his arms. It's freezing inside as well. "Aren't you cold?"
Juvia shook her head, removing his coat from her body. She reached it to him and smiled, "Here Gray-sama, use your coat."
Gray frowned, she shouldn't be giving it to him, well she's a woman and she deserves to be comfortable than him. Man, I felt like Im really a good guy. he thought.
"No. You use it."
The girl frowned, shaking her head. "Gray-sama I know you're so cold, use it." she paused. "I can here your hands rubbing together, didn't Juvia told you that she has a good sense of hearing?" She smiled proudly, and Gray felt like hitting her hard on the head for being an idiot.
"Baka."
"But Juvia's used to it." she smiled again. "Im sorry if I didn't switched the lights earlier, it's just Juvia doesn't need them anyway but Gray-sama is here and he needs it." this time, Juvia grinned, revealing her perfect white teeth.
Gray still ignored her offering his coat and looked to his side, "Don't bother, I still have my jacket on."
"Hmm..." Juvia draped it once again on her shoulders but Gray stopped her in mid-way.
"Here, let me." he told her as he properly placed it on her shoulders, "There." a grin covered his face.
Juvia lifted her head, not aware how close their faces were. "Juvia is really grateful to you Gray-sama." Her breath touched his cheek, and Gray being a good guy as what he said to himself, backed away, flushing hotly on the cheeks.
"Yeah,"
"Did Gray-sama want to have some tea?" she repeated her previous offer.
Gray lifted a brow at her, "That's impossible."
The girl crawled carefully on where her utensils was and Gray was surprised to see a thermos, he didn't know how did she managed to do it. But after a few minutes of waiting, she gladly served it to him, still steaming and warm.
"T-thanks." he took a gulped and was surprised how delicious it was. "You're great at this?"
"Hmm..." a beam was now on her face, "Juvia is already a pro when making tea's! The kind oba-san from the orphanage she used to live is a good instructor."
"Orphanage?"
"Hmm... Juvia is an orphan," a sad smile graces her small face. "When Juvia reached eighteen, they offered her to stay at the orphanage, but she declined it. Juvia already owes her whole life to them, she can't just bother them forever. And Juvia also like to try everything in her own way."
Gray only remained silent, the only thing he is feeling right now is the tight grip his heart was receiving. He didn't want to pity the girl, but he felt bad for the blue-haired girl's story of life.
"Juvia's been living here for about four years, that's why she told you she's already used to these things."
"..."
"My friend, Gajeel-kun helps me. He visits me four times a week."
"..."
"Gray-sama are you still-"
"I don't know why are you still smiling, but please stop forcing yourself."
"Juvia's smiles are not forced." she stated, "I smile because it's the only proof that I managed to survive everyday, on my own."
"..."
"Gray-sama?"
Gray's eyes stared deeply on her face, he swallowed difficulty as he reached his hand forward, covering her small ones.
"Juvia,"
"Hmm? What is it, Gray-sama?"
"Open your eyes."
A light chuckle escaped her thin lips, "Gray-sama, didn't Juvia told you bef-"
"Open it." he demanded, his hands gripping hers tightly.
The girl frowned. "Why?" and Gray couldn't be mistaken, he heard her voice cracked.
"Just open it and Ill..." he paused, didn't know what to say next. But then, he strengthen his resolve and finally understood what that word he is trying to decipher earlier.
.
Is it normal for them to be this so attached to each other? Is it normal for them who only met today, right at the waiting shed and didn't even know anything about each other aside from their names to talk with each together? Is it normal?
Is it normal for him to feel Love even it's only their first meeting?
Love, that's the word.
Love.
.
"Just open your eyes and I'll never leave your side."
Her lips curled, her small button nose reddening. "G-gray-sama..."
"Open it," he commanded her, a small smile on his face.
Juvia sniffed, and Gray saw the water works.
A single tear escaped her closed lids, she sniffed again, and Gray wiped it using his thumb.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Revealing glassy yet lively dark blue eyes.
.
Is it really okay? For him to feel Love even it's only their first meeting?
Love. It echoed inside his head and Gray likes the word, very, very much.
Yay! Only wrote this in one go! Gosh, Im so tired. so... what do you think of it? comment/review your thoughts, opinions, criticism about this one. Sorry if you encountered multiple grammar, spelling errors! Thank you~!