"Okay, children. Can you please tell me how do we keep a plant alive? We…"
"…water it and give it sunlight and air." The children reply simultaneously.
Juvia nods, widening her smile, "Excellent! Now, why do we need to give a plant water and sunlight and air?"
"Because photosynthesis!" They exclaim in excitement.
"Good job, everyone!" She walks over towards her desk and grabs a white rectangular case. When she opens it, the class' eyes become glued to it. She hands a cookie to each of her 25 students before taking her place in front.
"Very good, everyone. We have a test on Friday, so make sure that you all study." The class groans in unison.
Keeping her smile, she looks at the group and replies, "I'm sure you will all do well on it, if today is an indicator of your progress. Now, pack up and you are free to go. I'll see you tomorrow morning." She waves and sits at her desk as she gets prepares to go.
"Bye, Miss Juvia!" A plump boy waves before leaving with his friends.
She looks up and smiles, causing him to blush. He was so cute, she thought.
"Goodbye, Jin!" She waves as she watches him go.
After she packs up, she made her way towards the marketplace. She is planning on making dinner tonight. Even though she already does that, two more plates are supposed to be at the table. She needed to make sure everything was perfect.
She walks up to the section selling vegetables and starts to inspect. She hadn't seen them in what feels like forever. She needed to make sure they were comfortable. Ever since the guild disbanded, they haven't kept in touch. I hope all is well. She remembers watching their reaction when the Master announced that the guild was disbanding. She felt more heartbroken for them than her. Unlike her, that guild was the only place they knew. It was as if their family had broken apart. Maybe some fish and rice would go well with these, she mused as she held up the red and green peppers.
An hour and multiple grocery bags later, she began walking. It was then that she finally saw him. The tall, dark-haired figure bypassed her without saying a word. That was their relationship. And she was glad. For years, he had been the target of her unhealthy obsession. And while she still loved him, she was happy that she was so far yet so close to him. Every day it would be like this, and every day, it felt like it was getting better for her. She could keep an eye on him from time-to-time, but she didn't need him. And that was okay for her.
Her apartment is not a traditional apartment. It was more of a home than a building, with three floors. And her floor was home to her and her roommates and Gray and his. As she walked inside, she ran after a closing elevator.
"Wait," she hurried, "leave it open for me!" The door opened, allowing for her to step inside. She bowed and repeatedly thanked the person.
"Mm." The man acknowledged.
Once she looked up, her eyes perked up at the familiar face and greeted, "Hello, Laxus. I didn't see you there."
He looked down at her and nodded. Just as he was going to turn away, he notices all of the bags in her hands. He raises his eyebrow and smirks, "You know, it's just Natsu, not the King of Fiore. I'm sure leftovers would be more than enough for that idiot."
She giggles, "Yes, but we haven't seen him in so long."
"Just a year. It's not like he's been on a hundred-year quest or something."
She shakes her head, "I know that, but it's been a long time since all of us just gathered as friends."
He shrugs. Just as the elevator opens at their stop, he takes some bags from her hand, which surprised her at first, but she accepts it. Ever since Laxus moved in, he has been more sociable. He still isn't much of a talker, yes, but he does provide nice companionship every now and then. She walks behind him as he leads her to her apartment. It's interesting how this all turned out: she is closer to Laxus than she is with Gray. A funny irony as to the fact that Laxus was the one that did not want her in Fairy Tail in the first place and now they talk regularly, more than when she was in the guild.
After he drops her stuff off, he opens the door across from her: the apartment he shares with Gray. Initially, everyone assumed that he would have the Thunder League move in with him, or at least find a place where they all could live, but he separated from them too. Apparently, this time is a time for everyone to follow their own passions, so he disbanded them. That isn't to say that they aren't close or anything, but they do live in separate lives. Bickslow and Freed are now members of Blue Pegasus and Evergreen stayed in Hargeon to open up her own boutique. They all see each other from time-to-time, and according to him, they keep in contact regularly from lacrima devices.
"Laxus." Just as he was about to open the door, he stopped with his foot still in the door.
He turned his head slightly, "Hm?" She turned around, holding up her white box of treats. "Would you like a cookie? I made them for my class, but there are some extras, if you would like one." Her tone was as sweet as her snacks.
A small smirk crept up on his face, "Nah, I think I'll wait for dinner. Isn't that what you taught me?" She smiled in appreciation. If there was one thing that she liked about this new life, it was the fact that she made some unexpected friends.
She walked inside her apartment already starting to plan her menu. There would be baked fish, steamed vegetables, rice, and her strawberry cake. Erza has been begging her to make some lately anyways. Just as she stepped inside, she saw clothes flying across the living room and a shrill scream. "Get away from me!" The voice squealed. Out comes Lucy in what-looks-to-be a dress. It was ill-fitting and pink.
"Wait, I haven't finished fitting you in! Get over here!" A red menace charged past her.
"No way, Erza! You've already pricked me ten times! I'm not doing that again!" She stood behind their couch.
Erza stood in front of the couch, gripping the needles in one hand and a ball of thread in the other. "Lucy, there are still alterations to make."
"I'll wear something else!" She cried.
"Fine, but since I closed my shop early today for you, you better give me your time later. Or else." Erza threatened.
Lucy resigned, "Fine, but can you ease up on the poking please! It hurts!"
"Then I'll be more gentle. Now, come over here and let me finish the dress!" Erza turned her back and made her way towards her room.
"Hello!" Juvia waved to them awkwardly. The scene was not unusual, but with everything going on tonight, the air around the room was busy. It would be the first time that they all saw Natsu since he took off on his own journey. It would be the first time that the gang—well, most of the gang—would have dinner like the old times. It needed to be perfect.
"Hey, Juvia!" Lucy ran towards her. But instead of a hug, it was more like she was using Juvia's body for a shield against Erza. "I'm just getting my outfit fitted, but Erza keeps attacking me."
"I was making alterations! And you won't even stand still!" Erza replied, she was annoyed. And she should be, she already had a load of orders due this week.
"But it hurts!" Lucy whined.
Juvia sighed. It's been awhile since both women have been early enough to see her come in. Erza, following her other passion, has opened up a clothing boutique in Hargeon, specializing in costumes, suits, and uniforms. It was a commute, yes, but that was where the majority of her clients pass through. And it was a perfect spot to see her some old faces, such as the ladies of Mermaid Heel and even Jellal and Crime Sorciere. They were among her first customers. Lucy, on the other hand, got a job as a reporter for Sorcerer Weekly. Sorcerer Weekly headquarters were, however, all the way in Fiore's capital Crocus, therefore making the trip that a longer one than Erza's but it was worth it, according to her. She liked the scenery in Wisteria, it gave her further inspiration for her stories.
"Did you talk to Wendy?" Juvia asked.
"Yeah, I did. She said she was on a mission with Chelia and Lyon and she's sorry that she couldn't make it tonight. But, she said she'll drop by later." Lucy replied.
"Okay." Juvia nodded and walked towards the kitchen with Erza and Lucy in tow with the rest of the bags. "I was so excited to see her too. It would've been the first time since she left that we all would have dinner. I'm glad she's enjoying her time at Lamia Scale though." The other two nodded.
Wendy was originally the fourth roommate, but after a week, Chelia and Lyon recruited her to join Lamia Scale. And they mutually agreed it would be better for her to be around someone around her age and get stronger. Plus, she would have tutors that could further their magical knowledge. They missed her dearly, but it was the best for her. She still visited from time-to-time and she called regularly. It was Wendy that suggested that Juvia became a schoolteacher after noting how attentive she was to her and the rest of the children around town.
"So, what's for dinner?" Lucy took a seat.
"Baked fish, steamed vegetables, and rice."
"And dessert?" Erza asked.
"Your favorite: strawberry cake." Juvia said with a smile.
Erza practically jumped for joy. "Do you need any help? I could—"
"No!" Juvia and Lucy put their hands in front of her to halt any of her movements. Erza was talented at a lot of things—fighting, dressing, designing, sewing—but cooking was not one of them.
"Uh, it's okay! Really! This won't take too long. I just—go back to fixing Lucy's dress. I'll be fine." Juvia quickly said with a forced smile. Lucy gave her an incredulous look.
"Are you sure? Because I could—"
"That won't be necessary. I want to take my time preparing a good meal. You know…"
"Did you see him today?" Erza questioned.
"Him? Who's him?" Juvia asked.
"You know…him. Did you see him today?"
"Yeah,' she sighed, 'we didn't speak but we walked passed each other."
"Don't you think that this is too much? I mean you two used to be so close."
"We were close, but only because I made him stay close to me, but we were never that close. And honestly, it's for the better. After our last chat, I think it's better if we keep it that way, at least for now." The two other women nodded, not needing to say anything further.
Dinner was ready. The tables were set. And the guests were here. Well, most of the guests. Natsu was running late. About 30 minutes late. And everyone were various degrees of annoyed.
"When I see flame breath, I am going to kill him." Gray muttered. It was awkward for him. To be here, in Juvia's apartment, sitting across from her. It was not like they were alone, there was three other people joining them, but he did not like it. He felt himself anxious and ready to leave. But his best friend isn't here and it was testing his nerves.
"Maybe something came up." Juvia said, ignoring his mutter.
Erza gripped her fork, "He better have a good excuse. The cake is getting cold."
"Did you guys tell him the time for him to come over?" Juvia asked, looking at Laxus.
"I told the idiot that to be here by 7. It's almost 8." He was hungry and the scent of the food did not help his case neither.
"He's always had a bad sense of time." Lucy said defensively. She sunk in her seat a bit and sighed. She really wanted to see him. It was all she thought about since he came yesterday.
"Well, tell the dummy needs to get that fixed."
"Where did he go anyways?" Juvia asked.
"I don't know. He just up and left this morning. Said something about going to see something."
"I wonder what could it be." Juvia remarked. She knew, he knew, they all knew where he went. To see the ruins of the guild in Magnolia. It wasn't a surprise since they've done the same.
"Whatever it is, I wish he'd hurry up." Laxus said through gritted teeth.
That was when, like clockwork, there was a knock on the door. A jittery Lucy already stood up. It was him. She knew it would be him. "I'll go get it." As she hurried to the door, she breathed in and out. After all of these months, it was finally time to see him.
When she opened the door, a familiar smile looked back at her. It was him. And Happy. He was taller and his hair longer, but it was still the same Natsu.
"Welcome back!" She greeted.
"Glad to be back." He replied.