Prologue

Juvia Lockser had been sitting at a corner table in her guild, Fairy Tail, taking small sips of a cup of chilled vanilla flavoured latte during brunch hours when the chaos began.

It started with a loud scream from behind her that startled her so badly that she spilt her drink on the table. Juvia shrieked and turned her torso to glare at the source of the noise. She scowled as she saw Natsu Dragneel racing at Gajeel Redfox with a flaming fist. Gajeel, on the other hand, was preparing to block the impending attack by turning his arms into iron.

She turned her attention back to her coffee which was now running down the table and dripping to the floor. On the table, amidst the brown liquid, lay the freshly chipped ceramic mug and a few shards of it that Juvia would have to notify Kinana about, so that it could be cleaned. She raised a hand and signalled to Kinana, who understood and hurried to grab a broom. Juvia then proceeded to use her magic to clean the spilt coffee. Once she was done, she groaned aloud, burying her face into her hands.

"Bad day?"Lucy Heartfilia enquired as she slipped into the empty spot next to Juvia.

Juvia looked up at Lucy to see the latter fondly smiling at the fight that was happening in the hall. She followed her line of vision and noticed that more people had joined, including Gray Fullbuster and Elfman Strauss. A sizeable crowd was growing around them, placing bets on the possible outcomes and the victor. And fortunately for them, but unfortunate for Juvia, Erza Scarlet and Mirajane Strauss, both the women that could end the bickering, were far away from Magnolia on a quest.

"Juvia has seen better ones." She sighed as she placed her palms on her lap in resignation.

Lucy laughed at her reply and grinned at her. "Do you want another coffee?"

"No, Juvia has had enough." She paused and then whispered so that only Lucy could hear, "That was actually her third mug." She sheepishly looked away as Lucy looked at her with her eyes wide.

"Wow. You're addicted to this stuff, huh?" Lucy teased, her cheek resting on her palms.

"Juvia loves coffee. And vanilla." Juvia murmured. "She finds it hard to resist."

"Just like you find Gray hard to resist?" Lucy was laughing again but stopped herself when she noticed Juvia's crestfallen expression at the mention of his name. "Hey." Lucy reached for Juvia's shoulder, placing her hand on it. "What's the matter?"

Juvia debated whether to be honest to Lucy about her problem. Even though Juvia and Lucy had grown close over their years together at Fairy Tail, Lucy and Gray were closer friends. She wondered if what she told her would stay between them. She bit her lip, contemplating until Lucy broke the silence.

"Juvia. You can tell me. I won't tell anyone. Promise."

Lucy's reassuring tone brought tears to her eyes. She looked up at her face and saw the concern etched over it.

"Juvia had an argument with Gray-sama yesterday night." She began. "It was bad." A heavy lump formed in her throat and she suddenly found it difficult to speak. When she began speaking again, her voice was hoarse. "Juvia got very angry and yelled at him and told him that all he ever did was always leave." Hot tears began rolling down her cheeks as she quietly sobbed.

Lucy stared at Juvia, dumbstruck. It was a shock to her that Juvia had been capable of saying something nasty to Gray. Lucy had been a recipient of Juvia's silly jealousy over her and Gray's friendship for all the while they had known each other. But Lucy also knew first-hand just how much Gray meant to Juvia. And even through the frequent 'Lucy is a love rival' phase Juvia had, Lucy knew that Juvia did care for her and consider her a friend and that she did indeed trust her. The unison raid that the duo had pulled off during their first battle together was proof of the strong connection and understanding that they shared. Lucy was honoured that Juvia was trusting her with this bit of information. Lucy pet her shoulder comfortingly, encouraging her to continue. She felt glad that the commotion created by Natsu and the others was keeping everyone occupied.

"It's just… so hard." Juvia mumbled. "Your quest is too much."

Lucy winced at the mention of their, Team Natsu's, 100 year quest.

Juvia wiped the tears off her face before speaking again.

"You were away for four months. Four months, Lucy. And now you're all here for a few days because Erza was urgently required for a council quest. And before you know it, you guys will take off again. And nobody here knows when you'll come back next time. It could be a month or a year or longer than that!

"We have no way of keeping in touch with you or letting you know what's happening. It's so difficult to send letters when you're always on the move. And everyone is making progress. Everyone is making memories." She faltered and choked on her voice. "Everyone except Juvia and Gray."

Lucy was silent. She glanced around the guild, while Juvia's confession sank in. She couldn't disagree with Juvia. Her eyes momentarily stopped on Levy and her pregnant belly. A sense of sadness overwhelmed her as she realised the things she were missing out on.

The minute she and her team had returned for a few days' break from the quest, they had been greeted with the news of Levy's pregnancy. Lucy had been informed that she was in her second trimester and moving to her third in a week. She was also told that Levy would be moving in with Gajeel and that they were expecting twins.

In addition to them, Alzack and Bisca were expecting a second child. Bisca was in her third month, and her bump was only beginning to show.

And it wasn't just pregnancies that had happened. The war with Alvarez had left everyone shattered. People had realised how dangerous their life was and how they needed to cherish it more. Which was probably the reason as to why so many people had finally stepped into relationships. Cana and Bacchus had been on and off for a while before they made their relationship official a few months before Lucy had left on her quest. Mirajane and Laxus were seeing each other as well. Droy was dating a mage from Mermaid Heel. Lucy thought about all the news and gossip she'd been fed with to make up for the months she had been away; Sherry and Ren had had a healthy baby boy whom they named Francis, Hibiki had been offered a job in the archives of the new magic council, Rufus and Minerva had got together, Master Makarov had officially retired and handed the reigns over to Gildarts who had finally settled down in Magnolia to spend more time with Cana. Apart from this, Freed was rumoured to be in a relationship and there was a stronger rumour that Lyon and Meredy were a couple. And most importantly, in the third month of her absence from the guild, Elfman and Evergreen had gotten engaged.

Lisanna had given her and the others the full scoop about the event. She had told all of them that Elfman had been making elaborate plans for a month and had taken Evergreen on a trip to a beautiful island off the west coast of Fiore, where he took her up a mountain and proposed under the stars with actual vows. Immediately after their return, the entire guild had descended into a state of euphoria with a party that lasted a full day and night, and a festive mood that carried on for a week.

Lucy hated to admit it, but she understood exactly why Juvia felt so stagnant; all around her were her friends celebrating their lives, falling and being in love, building families.

And then there was Juvia who was still destined to wait for Gray till he completed a mission that could prolong for years and years.

"I understand." Lucy decided to tell Juvia exactly what she was feeling instead of trying to make her feel better.

"But do you really?" Juvia asked, her face now composed.

Before Lucy could reply, Juvia was talking again.

"You see Lucy, you're still with Natsu. You're still learning, experiencing and growing with him. And at some point in your journey, you will tell each other how you feel and start a different journey together. Similarly, Erza and Jellal meet up more often now than they ever have. And though neither of them have said anything, it's very evident that they're both so much more happier now. Even Happy and Carla have each other. Wendy's still young and this quest is going to help her so much. But Juvia doesn't have Gray-sama with her like you have Natsu. Juvia can't meet Gray-sama often or plan to meet like Erza and Jellal can. And Juvia definitely can't even be in a proper relationship with Gray-sama, much less start a family with him, until and unless you're quest is done with. Juvia is being forced to wait. And even though she tries to be patient, she feels bitter about it."

Lucy stared at Juvia wordlessly and took her hand into her own and squeezed it gently.

As Lucy pondered over what Juvia had said, Juvia thought about Gray having honoured his promise of giving her an answer at the end of the war. His answer had not been everything that Juvia had wanted it to be. Juvia had wanted to have acceptance and reciprocation of her feelings. But Gray had made it clear that while he did accept her feelings, he could not reciprocate with the same intensity yet. He had, however, admitted that he cared for Juvia more than he did for everyone else he knew and that she was an indispensable and important part of his life. He'd even gone on to tell her that he had felt empty and furious when she had been almost killed during the war. All he wanted from her was some more time. But he was willing to spend more time with her, and indulge her better.

And Juvia had been content. They weren't a couple. But they weren't just friends, either. They were a lot more and they both knew it and they were both happy. But it was then that his team had taken up the 100 year quest. And Gray had left, leaving Juvia feeling sad, but still content because this time, he had told her he was leaving and she knew he would be safe with his team.

But that had not prevented her from missing him. The truth was that Juvia was scared that she'd be left alone and fated to wait while everyone else grew older together. And that was why she'd asked Gray if he could atleast give her an estimate as to when his quest would be over. Gray had told her that he didn't know and she had pushed. He'd gotten irritated and told her that if she wanted, he could tell her the exact dates as to when he had to leave. This retort had angered Juvia who had screamed at him like she never had before, saying "All Gray-sama ever does is always leave!"

She had regretted it the moment she had said it, but it had already been too late. Gray had stared at her blankly and then left. She hadn't chased after him to apologise either. Something had been broken and Juvia was too tired, too passive to fix it.

And they still had not talked to each other. And Juvia was terrified of what this extended silence could mean for the two of them.

She was brought back to reality by Lucy.

"It will all work out."

Juvia had a feeling that Lucy was trying to convince herself rather than Juvia that everything would be all right.

And if there was one thing Juvia knew with conviction, it was that things were never all right for her.

The day was drawing to a close and the rays of the setting sun illuminated the interiors of the guild with a golden glow. Erza and Mirajane had returned earlier that afternoon after the successful completion of the council request while Lucy had left Juvia with her thoughts a little earlier than that, due to her wanting to spend some quality time with Levy. And now, as the day bordered on the darkness of night, a few guild members had lingered in the guild to bid farewell to Natsu and his team as they left on their quest once again.

Juvia sat at the bar, clutching a glass of apple martini. Next to her, Levy sat sipping orange juice. Gajeel sat to Levy's right, making small talk with both the girls. Kinana was cleaning up the various shelves while Lisanna and Mirajane cleared and cleaned all the tables. Laxus, Freed and Bickslow sat at a table, talking in hushed tones.

Their attentions were drawn to the doors of the master's office as it opened and Gildarts exited, followed by Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Gray, Happy and Carla.

As they made their way down the stairs, the other mages stood up, preparing to send them off.

There was soon a small gathering at the main doors. Levy cried as she hugged Lucy, telling her to try and make it for the birth of the twins. Lucy shed a few tears of her own, not wanting to miss it, but knowing that she wouldn't be able to make it either. Gajeel playfully hit Natsu's arm with a grin and politely nodded at Gray. Panther Lily stood by Happy and Carla in a comfortable silence. Mira and Laxus talked quietly to Erza, wishing her the best. Meanwhile, Freed and Bickslow gave Wendy a neatly wrapped parting gift while Lisanna flitted between everyone before stooping down to wrap Happy in a hug. Kinana stood at the bar and waved at them with a small smile, not wanting to come interrupt the close-knit group.

For a while, Juvia stood aside with a brave face, eventually moving towards Lucy once Levy had stepped away and hugged her. Lucy held her back tightly. She moved on to the others hugging them all until she reached Gray, who eyed her silently. She stood in front of him and peered into his eyes imploringly. He looked back, his eyes not defying his stoic expression. She carefully raised her hand and placed it gently on his cheek. "I'm sorry." she whispered, eyes brimming with tears. Gray held her hand by her wrist for a few short seconds and pulled her palm away from his cheek and let it go. Juvia stood there in awe for a few moments, aware of the questioning glances they were receiving before pulling her hand back to her chest and stepping away. She hung her head, facing the wooden floors of the guild hall. As the last of the goodbye's were whispered and tears were dried, the team of seven moved outside.

Juvia timidly stood inside with everyone else. As Gray and the others began to walk away, Juvia's heart clenched.

After he had taken a few steps forward, Gray paused and looked back. His eyes swept over the group that was watching them leave. He saw Gajeel and Levy and Lily standing together, with Gajeel's arm snaked around Levy's waist and her own arms wrapped around her bulging stomach. He saw Laxus and Mirajane, Laxus' hand around her shoulder and her one arm around his waist and the other palm on his chest. He saw Lisanna, Bickslow and Freed huddled close. And then he saw Juvia, alone, looking at him expectingly, her eyes pleading.

Juvia thought he would. She really expected he would.

And yet, he didn't.

Gray Fullbuster turned and walked away into the blackening horizon without a single word to Juvia Lockser.

A/N: I haven't written anything except essays and short notes in a really long time, so kindly forgive me if I'm a bit rusty. This is a story that's been spinning in my head for a year or so now. And I just had to get it out. I hope to make weekly updates because college sucks and ruins my spirit. Also, I need to let you all know that this an alternate account because my other one has too many pending stories that I may move here and work on later, once this story is done. Also, this one might be a slightly long ride.

xoxo

~ Ana