Day 2: Tears
Their ride on the way back to Magnolia Town was quiet.
Natsu decided to take a nap instead to try and quell his motion sickness. Lucy has focused her attention to the clouds in the sky, Happy and Carla sleeping near her.
Although Erza would want a nap as well, she was worried about Gray.
She glanced at the Ice Mage, still looking outside the window, who hasn't spoken a word ever since he stopped the carriage awhile ago.
Something is wrong, she thought. She noticed his irregular breathing.
He's crying? she thought, noticing his shoulders shaking a little bit and hearing a sniff every now and then.
Erza glanced towards Lucy who has fallen asleep as well. Seeing that everyone else is asleep, she decided that it was safe for them to talk.
"Gray?" she said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
No answer.
"Is something the matter? You've been quiet ever since you stopped the carriage." she said.
Still no answer.
"You can talk to me, it's fine." she said.
"It's Ultear." he finally said.
Erza had a look of confusion on her face. Ultear hasn't crossed her mind until now, beginning to wonder what happened to her. She hadn't seen her since their conversation back at Crocus with Jellal and Millianna.
"I know why we had a glimpse of our future back when we're trying to stop the dragons."
Erza remained silent, listening to the rest of his words.
"I died back then. It was real. And Ultear... she saved me... She saved us... all of us..." he said as tears come spilling down his face.
"Gray..." said Erza as she pulls him in for a hug.
"She died... She died saving me... First Ur, now her... I couldn't save her..." he said, crying immensely now. He wrapped his arms around Erza, burying his face on her chest.
Erza started to caress his back, comforting her dear friend.
He continued to cry through the rest of their trip, with Erza comforting him.
"It's going to be alright. I'm always here for you." she said.
"Thank you..." he muttered, clinging onto her.