Nightmare

It had been over a month since Fairy Tail had disbanded. In their little cottage, Gray and Juvia had settled into a daily routine of training, working, eating and sleeping. Gray had gotten used to Juvia's presence in the house by then. He found that she was actually good company when she wasn't being clingy or fawning over him.

One night, after a hard day of work, Juvia retired to bed as soon as they came home.

"There are some leftovers in the fridge," She told him with a yawn. "Juvia is sorry that she cannot cook dinner tonight, but she is too tired to do anything but head to bed early."

"It's alright," Gray told her absently. "Have a good night's sleep."

Juvia smiled softly and went upstairs.

After finishing dinner and washing the dishes, Gray lounged around for a while before he decided to go to bed.

As he walked to his room, Gray paused outside Juvia's door and opened it quietly to see if she was asleep.

Much to his surprise, Juvia was sitting up in bed and hugging her knees to her chest. From the moonlight streaming in through the window, Gray caught a faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.

"Juvia?" He stepped in cautiously. "What's wrong?"

"Gray-sama?!" Juvia gasped in surprise and hastily blinked away tears. "N-Nothing!" Juvia is fine!"

"What's wrong?" Gray repeated.

Juvia pressed her lips together and looked down at the bed spread, refusing to meet Gray's gaze. "Juvia had a nightmare."

Gray winced, having a feeling of what it was, but asked anyway.

"What about?"

"The fight against Keyes," Juvia replied hollowly. Gray drew in his breath sharply. "Father's death-and then Gray-sama was there, and he was blaming Juvia for it and then he walked away from her, leaving her all alone. And then, the rain came back and it did not leave Juvia again."

Gray cringed, as guilt washed over him. He had never truly seen how much Juvia was suffering; he had been too hung up over himself. Looking back at the blunette, he was alarmed to see a single tear trickle down her cheek.

"Hey. C'mon, Juvia," Gray went over to the bed and sat down at the foot. "I've already told you, I don't blame you for it. It was my old man's wish anyway, right? He could finally rest in peace and stop living that miserable half-life, thanks to you."

Juvia swallowed a sob and choked out, "Juvia-Juvia still feels responsible. She is sorry."

"Don't apologize," Gray commanded gently. "It's not your fault."

Juvia nodded shakily and gave him a watery smile. "Thank you, Gray-sama. Juvia is fine now."

And there was the stiff politeness again. Gray suppressed a smile.

"I'll stay here till you fall asleep. Lie down."

"Juvia wouldn't dream of inconvi-"

"Lie down."

Juvia took one look at his face and saw something she could not disobey. Obediently, she laid back down.

Gray scooted closer and placed a hand in her hair, running his fingers soothingly through the silky strands. Juvia's eyes fluttered shut.

Before she could drop off, however, Juvia gave him a small, sincere smile. "Goodnight, Gray-sama."

Gray returned the smile with one of his own.

"Goodnight, Juvia."

And the nightmares did not return again.