Long white fingers of frost creapt slowly along the ground, stretching out as of to ensnare all that they could within their grasp. Leaves, red and brown with the dying hue of Autumn became coated with a thin layer of icy crystals as the season gave way to the coming onslaught of Winter. A stream, as ancient as the very elemental powers that whirled around it, began to grow lesser in stature as the edges gradually froze over. The air was crisp, disturbed only by a breeze that while , seemingly gentle at first, carried with it an icy chill that knifed through anyone that decided to venture out into Winter's embrace.
Not that any of this bothered the girl as she stood atop a bridge looking down into the flowing waters. Wrapped up tightly in a fur trimed coat and hat, her clothing protecting her from the worst of the chill. Sparkling like brilliant sapphires in her porcelain skin, her eyes watched as the last few leaves fell from their lofty perches and danced gracefully to the frozen floor. Twirling her long, blue hair around one of fingers absent mindedly, Juvia Lockser reached inside her pocket and pulled out a small golden locket. The pendant was a simple affair and not overly extravagant. Shaped like a heart, the locket was attached to a chain around Juvia's slender neck. Juvia began to fumble with the lock ( the cold weather had caused her to lose some of the dexterity in her hands) opening the case and allowing her to peer in. Inside were two portraits. The first was of Juvia herself and showed her smiling vibrantly. The second one showed a young man about the same age as Juvia. He had rich ebony hair and dark eyes that contrasted brilliantly with his pale skin. His handsome features formed a look of determination, a look that Juvia uttered adored.
"Oh Grey, " she sighed closing the locket and holding it close to her chest, her breath forming whisps of vapour in the cold air. " One day you will be mine and our family will be beautiful. " She then drifted off into her imagination as she pictured her and Grey sat on the porch of a cozy, little cottage with his arm around her.
To say that Juvia was obsessed with Grey would be the understatement of the century. She absolutely adored him with every fibre of her being and would do almost anything to make him fall for her. Grey himself was a good friend of the water mage but had never shown any direct signs of romantic interest. How he would react to the tens of pictures of him on Juvia's mantlepiece or the fact that she slept with a little Grey doll was unknown but Juvia hoped he would see it as a token of love and not freak out.
Shivering slightly, Juvia held her arms tightly across her chest and checked the time. Five thirty. The sun was now starting to set over the horizon allowing the dark of night to trickle slowly in. Turning on her heels, Juvia slowly started to make her way back towards the guild hall, passing through the marketplace to save time. Relatively empty, bar a few last minute shoppers seeking a bargain as the sellers often lowered the prices on their wares so they wouldn't have to repack them. Paying no heed to the sellers calling out to her, Juvia made her way quickly to the guild hall.
Brightly illuminated by lights, the Fairy Tail guild hall stood magnificently in the twilight. A banner with the Fairy Tail emblem emblazoned upon it fluttered slightly in the breeze. Juvia could not but help feel a stirring of pride as she looked up at the banner. The Fairy Tail wizards had accepted her like a family. Of course every family had its problems but Juvia wouldn't switch them for anyone in the world.
As she opened the ornate wooden doors, Juvia was greeted by a blast of noise as her fellow guild members went about their business. At the bar, Juvia could make out her old friend Gajeel arm wrestling with Elfman Strauss. Muscles were visibly bulging under their arms as the two men strained against each other, both equally matched in both physical strength and their sheer stubborness and refusal to back down. A small crowd had gathered around them, placing bets on who they thought would be the victor. As far as Juvia could tell, the onlookers would have a while yet to wait.
Other wizards sat at tables, chatting idly amongst themselves while Mirajane worked her way around them. The young woman looked up and waved to Juvia, a smile that could have launched a thousand ships painted upon her delicate features. Dipping her head in greeting, Juvia smiled briefly to Mirajane before scanning the tables for a place to sit. Eventually she spotted him. Sat at a table not far from the the back of the room, Grey sat reading a sheet of paper from the jobs board.
As she walked over, Juvia's heart sank as she recognised an all too familiar figure sat opposite Grey. Lucy Heartfilia blew aside her golden blonde hair as she chatted to Grey. Although both Grey and Lucy denied it, Juvia was certain that the blonde celestial mage was hitting on her love. They spent a lot of time together after all and while Grey did spend a lot of time with another woman, Erza Scarlet, Juvia knew that his relationship with her was more out of mutual respect, friendship and Grey's absolute terror of angering the red head demon. Lucy was a different matter entirely, not being the kind of person hat struck fear into anyone and often tried to make friends with everyone in the guild.
" Are you sure you won't come with me and the others?" Lucy asked as Juvia drew closer, contemplating if she should arrange an "accident" that would remove Lucy from Grey for a period of time. After all stairs were known to get slippery when wet.
The ice mage shook his head slowly. " No thanks Lucy. With all due respect, I was thinking of doing a bit of solo work for a bit. That and Firebrain has been really getting on my nerves recently and I need a break."
" Suit yourself, " sighed Lucy getting up genty, " I'll see you around. I'll try and talk to Natsu about your feud and see if he can tone it down a bit."
As Lucy walked away, Juvia thought she picked up a hint of dejection in her voice. Allowing herself to smirk quietly, Juvia watched her go and sit with Natsu. " Yes, go to Natsu," Juvia mused, " He may not be as amazing as my Grey Sama but he should be a perfect replacement for you Lucy."
" Oh hey Juvia, didnt see you there," Grey's voice broke Juvia out of her schemes to set up Lucy and Natsu to eliminate a love rival.
" Good evening Grey Sama," she blushed and waved her hand nervously, " Juvia was just came back from her evening walk."
"You went out in that weather?" Grey slowly raised an eyebrow, " You must be absolutely freezing. Come and sit here and we'll see what we can do to warm you up."
Slowly, as though unsure if Grey really wanted her there or was just being polite, Juvia took a seat next to Grey. The ice mage smiled and rubbed her back gently. "Oh you are cold. Mira?"
While Grey placed an order, Juvia felt her face flush bright red. Grey had rubbed her back! He was trying to comfort her. "Does this mean he loves me?"
" Thank you Mira." Grey smiled as Mira placed two hot chocolates in front on him and Juvia. Looking up, Juvia took the drink and watched as Mira stood there.
"So looks like you two are finally official. " Mira beamed as she stod watching them. " Well good for you, many of us were wondering how long it would be."
"What? No," Grey replied softly, " We were just having a drink as friends."
" Whatever you say," Mira smiled and walked away leaving Juvia and Grey at a loss for words. Sitting quietly, Juvia drank with a glum look upon her face. Just friends. Was that all that Grey saw her as.
Glancing up at him, Juvia caught Grey glancing at her. Hurriedly he dragged his eyes down at the paper then back at her. Juvia giggled internally.
" What do you have there Grey Sama?" she pointed at the paper.
"Oh nothing," he remarked cooly as he rolled up the sheet and pocketed into his jacket, " Just a job I'm thinking of taking." For a moment he looked around awkwardly as if unsure about what to do. Then with exaggerated surprise, he glanced at his watch. "Oh my is that the time? I need to get home."
" Juvia understands," She nodded, a little saddened that he didnt seem to want to share the information with her. " Thank you for the drink Grey Sama."
" Any time," he grinned, packing his stuff and leaving the hall. Juvia watched him leave for a moment and smiled sadly. If only she could show him just how much he meant to her. Maybe then he would fall for her. Turning back to her hot chocolate, Juvia fondly hugged herself, imagining herself wrapped in Grey's arms.
