Title: Battlescars

Pairing: GraLu (Fairy Tail Fandom)

Summary: In the end, it was their love that brought them back together.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Chapter 2

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Monday, April 1st.

Lucy shows up early at the hospital. Her hair (still) a dishevelled mess from last night's breakdown with her eyes' red and puffy from the lack of sleep. She thought the tears had stopped after she left Gray. Yet when she lay down on her bed last night, everything crumbled into pieces.

She meets the nurse (who was kind enough to tell her about Dr. Loxar's visitation schedule) upon rounding up the corner and gives her a warm smile. From there, it takes about twenty steps before she finally reaches Gray's room.

Her fingers curl at the doorknob and she takes in a deep breath before opening the door. Hesitation creeps in her body at first, but she pushes the thought away once her eyes meets the slumbering form of her husband.

Contentment fills her entire being as she watches (in deafening and longing silence) the rise and fall of her husband's chest.

For now, this is enough.

She stays inside the room for two hours (doing nothing except staring and occasionally brushing off Gray's hair from his face) before she finally stands up and prepares to leave.

I'll see you tomorrow.

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Tuesday, April 2nd.

Today, Lucy brings with her a bouquet of freshly picked white roses (her favorites) and arranges them besides his bed. She feels better than yesterday and before she could stop herself, she hovers over Gray's form and kisses his cheeks (her favourite part of his face).

This time, she doesn't stay for long because it's Tuesday (because it means Dr. Loxar would come by earlier).

But it is okay.

She would take it as long as she sees him.

Because for now, it is enough.

.

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Wednesday, April 3rd.

She gets an unexpected early phone call. Her heart races fast because she thinks something has happened to Gray. But the moment she hears Levy's soothing voice on the phone, relief washes over her. And it's a minute too late when she realizes that she had proceeded to tell Levy the events for the past three days.

"So that's what happened."

"Lucy, I'm sure that Doctor is lying. Gray could never do that to you."

"That's what I told myself. But –" She pauses for a bit (as if contemplating whether it's all right to tell this to her friend) "- I really don't care. As long as he's alive; it is enough for me."

"But you shouldn't think about it that way!"

"Levy, I'm sorry; I have to go. I need to see him now."

"Please-"Lucy hears some mumbling on the other side before Levy speaks again."- just don't give up on him, okay? He needs you."

"I promise."

She hangs the phone up and takes a glance at the clock.

6:35am.

It's time to go.

.

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Thursday, April 4th.

She brings with her their wedding rings (because he left his inside the house saying 'I wouldn't want it to get lost in battle') and places it inside his left hand. Initially, she wanted to place the ring on his finger but decided against it.

Juvia Loxar would kill her if she did.

So, she settles for the next best thing and hopes that it sparks a memory long forgotten. When she realizes what time it is, she stands up and whispers into his ear.

"I'll be back soon, I promise."

And she leaves as soundlessly as the way she entered.

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Friday, April 5th.

He knows his wife must have visited him yesterday because there is no way in hell that his wedding ring – with Lucy's name carved inside of it – would materialize out of nowhere. He may be blind but he knows by heart the warmth and solace this simple ring possesses.

The minutes trickle and turn into hours but no Lucy Fullbuster greets him this morning.

"Dr. Loxar –" Because saying 'Juvia' (even at her insistent demand) doesn't seem right, "- I know my wife has come. Why didn't you inform me?"

Juvia Loxar purses her lips as she silently curses the woman who's currently ruining her life.

"Gray –" If the blonde won't stop, then she'll just make him do it. "- I admit, she came here. But you were fast asleep that time."

Hope bubbles inside his chest. "When is she coming back?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is – " It is better this way, because I am what you need. No one else."- she probably doesn't love you anymore."

"You're lying." Because this is Lucy were talking about here.

"Oh? So tell me Gray, if she does love you, why did she give back the wedding ring that you're hiding in that hand of yours? –"

"She probably left it as a reminder of her presence."

"Really? Then why didn't she come back here? Why didn't she even leave a message for you?"

"I..." He feels his sanity breaking with each passing second. Could she really have left me?

"Suppose she does love you still, are you ready to face her in your current state?" Juvia takes a deep breath before continuing, "You're blind. And there's a possibility that you can no longer walk because of the injuries you sustained. Can you bear to see her cry and suffer because of what you have become?"

If he did not owe his life to Juvia Loxar, he would have shouted and screamed at her for thinking so low of his wife. Lucy is different from all the other women out there. She loves him unconditionally; asking nothing in return.

She is perfect.

She is his life.

Yet, even though he wanted to tell Juvia Loxar all these, he wouldn't erase the fact that she has a point. His wife would surely suffer from his current predicament. Life would be harder (especially) for Lucy because he would need her to be his light and guide.

He promised her happiness.

He promised her the world.

He promised her his life.

How could he fulfil all those things now? When he is blind and nowhere near the man she had married two years ago?

"Please leave now doctor. I want to rest." He says it with finality in his voice.

"Suit yourself."

Juvia's nearly out of the door when she remembers something.

"By the way, the sky's color is blue."

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Wednesday April 9th.

It has been five days since Lucy's last visit. He wakes up early every single day just to wait for her arrival.

But she didn't come.

Perhaps his doctor was probably right. His wife must have left him for good. After all, who would love a blind and nearly crippled man?

He is about to take a nap when he hears the nurse enter.

"It's time for your rehabilitation, Sir."

And for a fraction of a second, he considers the idea of stopping all treatments because what is life without his wife? But then again, for now, he will continue what he has done for the past few months.

Because she will definitely come back.

"Thank you."

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Friday, April 12th.

The rain suddenly pours as Lucy's about to enter the hospital. Her heart is beating fast at the thought of seeing him again.

She prays Gray could forgive her for the long absence because she had things to take care of back home. But now, everything is okay.

The short drizzle stops fifteen minutes later. Her shoes are damp with rain water but that doesn't deter her from entering his room.

She greets him with a peck on his cheek and tells him how much she misses him (and how the rain had almost soaked her to the bone).

It is when she places her hand over his that she feels the ring on his finger.

It looks so perfect in his hand.

And then, she feels his hand squeeze hers in return (as if her husband wanted to comfort her). But she dismisses the thought a second later because she knows he is fast asleep.

I must be dreaming.

.

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Thursday, April 25th.

Finally, after how many days of waiting, he finally had the chance to feel his wife once more. It first started out as a gentle squeeze of her hand – a gesture he often makes nowadays; he does this every time Lucy tells him 'I miss you'.

And then, when Lucy tells him of tales about how her cooking has improved for the past (almost) eleven months, he would try to control a small smile forming on his face. She was just too cute for him not to laugh at.

Sometimes, Gray would even faint turning on his sides (while pretending he was asleep) because he merely could not hold his laughter at Lucy's cute antics that consists mainly of 'Gray, I can't wait for you to wake up because I don't have someone to bully now', 'I can't wait to poison you with my newest concoctions', and 'Honey, seriously, open your eyes already! My beautiful and glowing skin would go to waste soon.'

He wanted so badly to talk to her, to hug her, and to just kiss all her worries away. But those have to wait.

For now, he would focus on using his legs again –to be able to walk and stand on his own two feet.

"Sir, are you ready?"

Gray turns to the direction of the door and nods his head.

"I am."

.

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Saturday, May 4th.

Lucy is unusually quiet as she sits beside his bed.

For the past few days, she had told him of tales ranging from happy to sad. She told him about how their farm had produced some good crops this year (which almost took an entire visit because she had to give a blow by blow report to her husband). On the other days, she talked about their friends, how Erza and Jellal had finally married last October, how Levy's kid (their goddaughter) was reaching the age of the terrible two's soon, and how she cried upon hearing Gajeel's death.

Sometimes, when she couldn't control herself, Lucy would end up crying by Gray's bedside. She would tell him how hard she fought against her loneliness and grief these past few months (alone), of how Erza snapped her back to reality when she learned of his death, and of how she tried to give dying a room in her mind – because she simply wanted to give up.

But today is unlike any other.

She thought of a hundred different ways on how to break the news to him but to no avail. How could you tell the one person you love the most about their loss? Is there a proper way on how to break the news without hurting the others' feelings?

Lucy's not dumb. She knows he's awake (because even his breathing is so familiar to her) yet he acted as though he wasn't. His reasons are unclear to her but she would give him this privilege. When the time is right (with his strength and courage back inside of him), she knows he would be the one to break this silence.

"Gray," she pauses for a bit as she wipes away the tears that formed in her eyes, "we lost our child".

I can do this.

"I was going to tell you about her but you never came back. It happened on a warm September night when I was drowning on my own despair. I'm sorry." She chokes at her next words, "I should have been stronger but I became such a mess when I heard you were missing..."

She wants to tell him how badly she tried to save their child-

-of how badly she tried not to crumble into pieces;

-of how she spent the nights looking aimlessly at the sky;

-of how she tried to cling to sanity by thinking of him.

"I'm so sorry."

She never waits for his response as she ran though the door.

(It is only after the door closes that Gray let the tears fall and slaps his thighs in frustration and anger for ruining his wife's life).

Perhaps the doctor is right after all – I don't deserve her love.

.

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Monday, May 13th.

He still can't forget Lucy's confession. How could he not notice the signs of her pregnancy? Surely he was the densest man in the world. How could he screw up things like this? How can he face her after all that has happened?

Ever since that day (even though Lucy tells him 'I forgive you' and 'It's not your fault'), he could never erase the fact that he is the one to blame. He knows his wife's waiting for his small responses and gestures, but he never gave in.

Lucy deserves much more than a horrible man like him.

"Gray, stop being stubborn and drink your medicines." He hears his doctors' voice at the background.

"No. I don't want it."

Juvia grits her teeth in annoyance at Gray's childish antics. If she had known that by coaxing Lucy to tell Gray of her miscarriage would lead to this, she would have never urged the blonde to do so.

It happened around two weeks ago (when she overheard the blonde talking on the phone about some 'lost baby') that she started convincing Lucy to tell her secret. She thought it would jeopardize the couple's relationship and leave Gray devastated and angry at his wife.

Actually, she had it all planned out. As soon as Gray started to grieve, she would lend him her shoulders and be there for him (until he forgets Lucy). He would then realize his mistake by marrying the blonde. Slowly, she would weave into his heart until she's all he would think about.

Bu that was not the case.

Her plans have backfired and took a turn for the worse.

She feels her fingers shaking in irritation and anger as Gray refuses his treatment once more.

"Gray. For the last time, drink your medicines."

He shakes his head and she feels her patience break every passing second.

"Please."

"I SAID NO!"

And finally, she cracks.

"You are so pathetic moping around here. If you love her so badly, then try to help yourself dammit!"

It is when she leaves that she realizes what she has done.

I blew it all up.

.

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Sunday, May 26th.

Lucy feels that something has change.

His face is no longer scowling and his shy touches are back. He still pretends to be asleep but it's all right.

Because she has been forgiven.

And that's all that matters.

"I love you" she says finally.

But sadly, you already love someone else.

.

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Friday, May 31st.

After months of rehabilitation, he can finally will his legs to move.

"Sir, you're improvement is so fast. With a few more therapy, I'm sure you'll be able to walk soon!"

He smirks.

"Of course. I have an important date to attend."

The nurse chuckles from behind – obviously knowing what he's talking about.

"Do you think she'll come Mira?"

She helps him sit on the chair as he gulps down a cup of water.

"Yes. But probably not on Tuesday."

He raises a questioning eyebrow.

"Because the evil queen is going to be around."

.

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Tuesday, June 4th.

Lucy steps in the hospital at six in the morning. Her mind is screaming at her to come back tomorrow but she needs to see him (even for a minute).

She turns on her heels and finally reaches his door-

A few more minutes and she'll arrive.

-only to find an empty bed (with a very awake and healthy Gray Fullbuster standing with red roses in his hands).

The tears fall immediately.

"Y-you're aw-awake." She sobs.

"Yes." He walks (slowly) closer towards her. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting Lucy Fullbuster, I had to make sure I'll be standing up when I face you."

Lucy catches him as he almost stumbles on the ground.

"Sorry, I guess I need more practice."

She shushes him with her finger and hugs him tight.

"It's okay. We'll take it slowly."

"I'm sorry I can no longer see –"

She tries to stop him from talking but Gray continues on (he owes her this much).

"-but I know I can still play our old piano without worry." He winks a tired left eye at her direction.

"Gray pleas-"

"It's such a shame to not see your face anymore, but don't worry –", he reaches for her hand and places it beside his thumping heart, "-I have it painted right here with your beautiful radiant smile."

"But-"

"Lucy, I love you. And I hope you won't get tired of this blind man."

Understanding finally dawns on her, on why Gray still wears his wedding ring, on why he refuses to see her until he can stand, on why Juvia Loxar tries so hard to get her out of his life.

It is all clear now –

"Never."

-because Gray will always be hers (something an accomplished and highly regarded doctor could never have).

"I love you too." And she moves forward to catch his lips and seal their love with a kiss.

"Lucy?" he pulls back a little as he tries to picture her face in his mind.

"Hm?"

"Happy Anniversary."

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Thanks for reading and I'm hoping to hear your wonderful feedback/comments/criticisms/thoughts.

hugs and kisses,

Fia