As Lucy walked down the stairs of the observatory, she caught sight of Gray Fullbuster and another raven-haired man conversing. It took only seconds for her to identify him. Bora.

"This doesn't bode well…" She quickened her pace. Erza insisted she shouldn't walk home alone and frequently sent Natsu or Gray to walk back with her. Most of the time, it got her into more trouble than if she had just been alone. When she was in earshot, she was able to catch Bora's voice over the chatter and bustling of other students.

"You know," He paused before leaning in, "She's deliciously depraved. You're missing out."

"What did you just say to me?" Each word through gritted teeth. A menacing hiss that sent shivers down Lucy's spine. It was rare for her to see Gray so…furious. His fights with Natsu, his frustration with Lyon. None of that could compare to the dark look on Gray's face. She made her way to him, grabbing his hand and trying to force him to take a step back. He didn't budge.

"He's just trying to get a rise out of you. Forget him. C'mon, let's go." Lucy did her best to keep the uncertainty she felt out of her voice, but she wasn't doing very well at it.

"Oh, don't worry, sugar. I'm leaving anyway." Bora grinned as he leisurely walked away leaving Gray trembling with rage behind him.

A moment of silence passed between them as Lucy struggled to find the right thing to say. Gray refused to admit his obvious attraction to Juvia. Anyone could see that as time passed, Gray had fallen for the eccentric, blue-haired beauty.

"Listen, Gray," Lucy said with a small smile, "They dated forever ago. He doesn't know anything about her anymore."

"I don't care. Doesn't change the fact that he's a piece of garbage idiot asshole."

Lucy agreed. Her own experience with Bora left her scarred. Sometimes, in the dead of night, when she couldn't sleep, Lucy would still wonder what would have happened if Natsu had not interfered. Drunk and defenseless at Cana's house party, Bora recognized her as the new girl in town. Assuming she hadn't made any friends in Magnolia, he carried her upstairs while everyone else was distracted. Luckily, Natsu noticed her absence and found her before anything could happen.

"Yeah," she sighed as she tried to tuck her long bangs behind her ears in vain as they began to walk back, "You know, it still surprises me that he was Juvia's first love. How could someone like that get someone like her?"

Gray scoffed. Lucy had no doubt that Bora's words were echoing in his head. She knew that they dated briefly in high school, but never would have guessed that high-strung Juvia would have sex with anyone. Before becoming friends with Gray and the rest of them, Juvia was infamous.

"I can't believe she fucked him." Gray muttered.

Had anyone else been present, Lucy knew that Gray wouldn't have said anything, but the two of them had a good relationship. Lucy never judged him, never forced him to share more than he wanted. He had grown comfortable with her. And Lucy was truly touched that someone so guarded was willing to talk to her.

"She didn't even know you existed back then." Lucy reasoned.

"Her first love…"

"What?"

"You called him Juvia's first love. Do you…Do you think she really loved him?" His voice was hardly louder than a whisper. She watched him recoil in surprise as he heard his own words.

"What?" Lucy couldn't help but laugh. "Gray, she may have thought she loved him, but if you asked her, you know what she'd say. I've never seen anyone more dedicated to another person. At first, we all just thought it was infatuation, but the better she got to know you and all your faults, the more she loved you. I wasn't sold on her until we had this sleepover, and Erza invited her. I overheard them talking about you. It was…It was actually really beautiful, Gray. The way she talked about you and your happiness. How she wished you would forgive yourself and see yourself through her eyes. Forget the past. She loves you."

She could tell she caught Gray off guard. She gave him another moment to process her words before continuing. "You should tell her how you feel."

"You sound like Erza." He grumbled, but she saw a hint of a smile on his face.

"Want to get something to drink?"

"God, yes."

They began to walk away as the fall wind rustled the trees on campus.

"If he says anything like that to me again, I'm gonna kill him."

She wasn't sure what kept him from telling Juvia what everyone else already knew. They'd been inseparable since high school, and while that wasn't exactly Gray's choice, he'd definitely developed some feelings for her by the first year of college.

"Let's get to Fairy Tail. It's getting cold."

XxX

Gray couldn't sleep.

Deliciously depraved.

He knew. If Lucy hadn't chosen that exact moment to stop stargazing or whatever she did in there, he would have told that dick off right there. He knew what it was like to have her rolling around in his sheets. But to have to admit to another one of his friends that he'd given in? He'd rather die.

The sound of his door opening brought him to his feet.

"Okay, I'm here. What's the big fucking emergency?" Natsu yawned. Normally, Gray would have rather been alone than call Natsu, of all people, for help, but Natsu was the only one who knew. He was the only one who could help snap him out of this. It was worth the embarrassment. At least, that's what the four shots he had at the bar told him.

"I had sex with Juvia." He had never said those words aloud. It sounded foreign. Almost as if he was reading words off a paper rather than recalling an event that had happened in his life.

"Yeah, I know," Natsu laughed loudly, earning a glare from Gray. "Sorry. It's just…It's still funny."

"Forget it. Get out."

"Is that seriously why you called me here? You're still upset that you had sex with your girlfriend? I have a test tomorrow morning."

"She's not my girlfriend, asshole!"

"Yeah right," Natsu scoffed and rolled his eyes, "She's into you, you're into her. You guys talk every day. You go out to eat. You study together. You flip out every time your cousin gets within a mile radius of her. Remember when we thought we heard gunshots in the quad and you lost your shit until you got in touch with her? Oh, plus that time you banged her?"

"I'm not…We're just friends. That was just a drunken mistake. A one-time thing."

"Whatever." Natsu shrugged and walked into the kitchen area, searching through cabinets.

"When did you get a key to my apartment? I sure as hell didn't give you one." Natsu paled and chuckled awkwardly.

"Well, it's complicated and…Look, it's a long story." Gray opened his mouth, but Natsu quickly regained his composure, "Anyway, Lucy told me you two ran into that shit-eating Bora guy today. She said you got pretty mad."

"Don't change the damn subject," He said before sighing in defeat. Gray knew what Natsu was doing, but for the first time, he really just wanted to talk to someone, so he decided to let it go. For now, at least. "It wasn't that big of deal. He was just picking a fight."

"You should've kicked his ass," Natsu said nonchalantly as he grabbed a box of cereal from Gray's pantry.

"Yeah, well, I didn't want to freak Lucy out." He muttered, suddenly feeling rather defeated. Or maybe his buzz was just wearing off.

"You should just ask her out." Natsu said after several beats. "You guys are good together."

"You think so?" Gray asked earnestly, forgetting for a moment about the charade he and Natsu normally put on.

"She balances you out, y'know? Gets you out of your comfort zone, makes you try new things. You guys have fun together. She cares about you. She's hot. And the sex was good, right?"

"Insanely good." It was true. The sex had been mind-blowing for him.

"So, what's the problem?"

The truth was that Gray didn't fully understand what the problem was either. Maybe, deep down, he knew it had something to do with the death of his parents. Or watching his foster mom waste away in a coma. Maybe, it was simpler than that. Maybe, he was just scared.

"I don't love her as much as she loves me." He said, surprising himself for the second time that day with the words that came out of his mouth. Natsu stopped shoveling cereal into his mouth and stared at Gray. Feeling uncomfortable and rather vulnerable, Gray decided changing subjects was the best move. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you…What's going on with you and Lucy?"

"Ugh, fuck if I know," Natsu groaned, "Girls, right?"

Gray smiled. He wasn't regretting asking Natsu for help as much as he thought he would.

"Life was a lot easier before everyone started pairing up. Gajeel and Levy getting engaged, Bisca and Al are married with a kid on the way, even Loke is talking about settling down." Natsu said exasperated, before speaking again in a tone Gray didn't recognize, "I mean, I can't imagine marrying anyone else. She's my best friend. We do everything together."

Silence fell between them before Gray finally sighed, "Yeah, I get that."

XxX

It had been three weeks since she spent the night at Gray's, and she was going crazy. Could she survive like this? She was elated at first, but the darker reality set in after a few days. He had been so distressed when he woke. She swore her secrecy, she'd take it to her grave. Only after that was he able to relax. She was sure he must have threatened Natsu with death. Well, if Natsu actually realized what had happened.

She shook her head as if the physical action could make the thoughts disappear. It didn't matter. Juvia was just happy to accept anything he could give her. She knew he was damaged and was willing to wait. This was love. Regardless of whether or not, she lived her life as his dirty secret, as his regret, she would stay faithful to her love. Juvia would spend her life making sure he was happy.

Acting as if nothing happened between them left her exhausted and drained. She tried to convince herself it didn't hurt, but she found herself crying more frequently. But if that's what he wanted, she would give it her all. Better than losing him altogether. And if she lost him, would she lose everyone else too? She would not let herself be deterred.

Her feet led her straight to the swimming pool. Peace came to her in the water. She'd given up swimming competitively years ago, but she never lost her fondness for the sport. She was cunning and quick when she needed to be. That's how she managed to steal and copy the key to the building. It was how she managed to break in without being caught on camera. Growing up on the streets had little advantages, but Juvia had to admit pickpocketing and shoplifting taught her skills she would use long after she found a home.

Switching the security camera behind the lifeguard's chair off, she felt the edges of her mouth threaten to turn up in a smile. Anticipation formed as she prepared to dive into the first lane.

"Juvia. What a surprise to see you here."

Juvia wobbled on the edge before regaining her balance. She turned to face the voice she had recognized instantly.

"Bora. What are you doing here?" Juvia had no interest in seeing him. No interest in talking to him. More than anything, she felt angry for being disturbed.

"You always did love swimming in the moonlight. I remember how we used to go to that one beach in Oak Town in the dead of night. We'd leave before morning. It was so cold, our hands all prune-y." He chuckled.

"What are you doing here?" She repeated in a slightly more aggressive tone.

"My, my, Juvia. Is it so impossible that maybe I also grew fond of swimming?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, but was all too aware of the fact that if she was caught, her scholarship would be revoked. She went to the bleachers and grabbed her towel and gear. "Fine."

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving." She huffed. She had been looking forward to this release all day.

"I think the pool is big enough for both of us." He was trying to be charming. She might have fallen for it again if she hadn't met Gray. She didn't look back as she walked away.

Before she was out of earshot, she heard him say, "I talked to your little boyfriend today. How is all that going anyway?"

Juvia was intrigued. She stopped and turned to face him. "What did you say to Gray-sama?"

"Nothing of consequence. Don't worry, darling, I wouldn't dare ruin your chances with him."

"What do you want?" Juvia knew Bora well. This was about more than catching up or swimming or even their past.

"I need your help with something. Your name was big for a while back when you worked with Porla. The Rain Woman. Guess I wasn't the only one who thought you were gloomy."

Juvia hoped her face accurately reflected her disgust and hatred for him. They hadn't talked since he unceremoniously dumped her. The fact that he had kept tabs on her after made her feel uncomfortable. She didn't want to remember anything before she and Gajeel found their new family.

"Not a chance in hell."

"I wouldn't make a decision quite yet. After all, there's something in it for you." His grin grew bigger and bigger. Juvia couldn't help feeling like she was being taunted. "I know where your parents are. And I'll tell you, if you help me find a couple old friends."

xXx

Natsu woke up to a blaring alarm. He silently cursed Gray's name as he dressed himself ad rushed to make it to his exam. Gray dumping his purse out was about to get him a zero on his midterms. Though he wouldn't admit, Natsu was actually quite pleased to be Gray's confidant for the first time. Walking in to find a disheveled Juvia leaving in last night's clothes was a blessing in disguise. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he could put one and one together.

As he jogged to campus, he caught something rather curious. Juvia lived in an apartment complex with Erza, Levy, and Wendy nearby to the little house he was renting. She stood outside as Bora walked up to her with a smile.

"That guy again." After his run in with Bora a couple years ago, he hadn't heard the guy's name. But in the last week, it seemed like he popping up everywhere. He watched as Bora opened his car door for Juvia. They drove off, leaving Natsu slightly confused. He was all for second chances. He was well-known for making friends with his enemies, but he had a bad feeling in his gut.

After his exam, he called Lucy to ask her if she had left something out of her story of seeing him the night before. As he recounted what he saw, he could almost hear her furrowing her brows. He felt uncomfortable talking to Lucy about Bora. After what happened, he wondered if the memory still bothered her.

"No," Lucy's voice was a little hard to hear over the background noise, and he assumed she was in the observatory with Loke and the other astronomy nerds. "But that doesn't sound right to me at all. Juvia wouldn't do that. You know how she is. It's strange. Last night, he was antagonizing Gray. Today, he and Juvia are driving off together."

"Did he say anything about her yesterday?"

"I don't think so. I only caught the end of whatever that was, and if he had, Gray would have said something about it."

"Hm," Natsu paused, "It's probably nothing."

"Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing." But he knew she didn't believe that for a second.

He heard Lucy sigh, "Should we say something to Gray about it?"

"I'm sure she's already told that idiot what's going on. And if it's serious, I bet Gray's already handled it."

They said their goodbyes, and Natsu made his way to his least favorite place: the library. As he attempted to study, his mind continued to wander back to Juvia getting into Bora's car. He had caught a glimpse of her face. It was quite a bit of distance away, but he couldn't mistake the expression on her face.

Fear.