Chapter 4

Burning lights and plummeting darkness

I will go with the rising sun…a life ends as a new day begins…how poetic. I wait atop the flat roofed building, the rain pouring miserably.

This is very similar to how we first met…upon a roof top, in the rain…I was in such a bad place, just as I am now, so gloomy and depressing. Once again he was my only hope for clear skies.

I would fall into a deep slumber and then I could dream with him forever. This was such a tragically beautiful end to our love story. Without him, I was the rain woman once again and I don't want to be that person.

The shadow from the alley came to my side once again as I stared out across the sky, it was beginning to vivify.

"Not long now" he said to me, "not long now and you'll with your Gray again…how does that feel?"

"Exhilarating" I breathed; I moved closer to the edge, it would all happen so quickly. The sun was soon to rise…I don't know if I could wait much longer, I wanted to be with him NOW!

"Steady, Rain woman" the shadow urged softly, "just wait for the rising sun…it won't be too long, patience pretty one."

It was asking me to be patient? It was getting difficult, haven't waited long enough to be his? Ten years!

My heart was drumming and my breathing getting heavier…so close, just a step away! Bellow me was shrouded in darkness, it was like a black abyss and I would have to fall into the ocean of shadow…sunlight above, just peeking through, darkness swarming bellow…it was time!

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"JUVIA!" Someone yelled, for a moment time slowed down, I turned and there standing in a glorious light, shirtless and epic…stood my beloved. "What the hell are you doing?" he snarled.

I blinked my eyes and let tears escape, with the rain and the light coming from him…he was surrounded with many pretty colours.

"I-I'm doing as you asked…I'm coming to you my love" I told him with a smile.

He stepped closer, "I told you to stop being so weak! You're better than this! You're stronger! Come on, prove everyone wrong…they've all lost hope, but I haven't I know you can make it through this!"

"This is the only way I can be with you!" I cried, "I thought you wanted this too!"

His hair covered his eyes, but I saw the tears streaming down his face and it was breaking my heart. "Dammit!" he breathed, "DAMMIT!" He let out in a terrifying roar that almost shook the town. His hands were clenched tight and he was shaking.

"Please don't be angry!" I pleaded "I'm okay with this…I want to die with you!"

He gritted his teeth, "No…please, don't do this to me!" he growled, "this is why I could never be with you! Ya damn lunatic! Everything I touch eventually dies…well not you! Ya hear me ya crazy woman? You are not allowed to die for me…I can't let you, I won't…not you Juvia…not…YOU!"

I gasped and felt the cold presence of the shadow beside me, "He doesn't know what he's saying..." it said, "he wants to be with you…but there is only one way, he'll come to understand and will thank you one day."

Gray was getting more aggressive, "You hear me? I won't allow it! I won't let you go! Get a damn grip, pull yourself together!"

I sighed and backed closer to the edge I was about to say something, but Gray suddenly started throwing his arms about in a rage and hitting the was like invisible hands were holding him back.

"NO I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!" He roared at something I couldn't see, he kicked punched and pulled away from whatever was forcing him away. "Get off me! Get off! Shut up! No I won't accept it! Let me GO! JUVIA, JUVIA!"

"Gray you're frightening me! Who are you talking to?" I wept, his light was increasing with his rage, he was caught in what looked like gold fire.

I moved towards him but the shadow grabbed me by the throat, "oh no you don't!" it snarled before it flung me off the roof.

"GRAAAAY!" I screamed as gravity pulled me down towards the abyss.

"NOOOO!" He yelled and flexed, his light burned! As I felt myself fall…time seemed to slow down once again, I was closer to the darkness and it was terrifying. But a light came hurtling towards me. It was Gray! He had leapt off the roof with arms outstretched.

"JUVIA!" He cried as he reached me and brought me into him…into the warmth of his glow. Time all of a sudden sped up and we were plummeting together. "I won't let you go!" he swore "I'll NEVER let you go!"

I sobbed into him, now we'd both be consumed by darkness and it was all my fault! "I'm so sorry!" I blubbered. The wind was hitting us, pricking at our skin like needles, it was roaring in our ears.

"Wake up Juvia!" he ordered, "WAKE UP!"

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" I screamed.

"You can do it…wake up!" he repeated and he just kept saying it, wake up, wake up, wake up! And as he did his light continued to brighten…it grew and grew, fighting against the blackness of the abyss, diminishing it. It grew still until I was completely blinded!

All I could feel was his arms around me and all I could hear was him crying softly in my ear, "Wake up…just wake up…"

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The wind was gone, the rain gone…I was inside I could feel it and I was in a bed. More than that I still felt Gray's arms around me. I was no longer blinded by light, all was dark but then I realised it was only because my eyes were closer.

"Wake up" he cried burying his face in my hair, I felt the wetness of tear upon my face and knew they were not my own. His musky scent filled my nose, his bare skin was warm…I felt as though I really could just melt right into him.

Before I lying limp, now I snuggled in and encircled my arms about his waist. I heard his breath hitch and his hand grabbed my shoulders, he held me at arm's length. By this time my eyes had shot open and I was looking directly at him.

He was crying and staring at me like I was a ghost, "Juvia…" he whispered.

I touched his face, I too was crying now… "Gray….my darling, you're alive!"

He chocked and winced, "You're awake!"

I laughed a little, "I don't understand…how did I get here?" looking around I saw I was in the infirmary at the guild hall.

"Would you like us to explain?" a female asked, I looked over Gray's shoulder and there stood Levy, Erza, Lucy and Gajeel.

I grinned to see them. Gray shifted so that he was sitting beside me, but still kept his arms around me. The others gathered round us, it was story time.

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Levy cleared her throat as she sat on the edge of her bed; Gajeel rested his hands on his girlfriend's shoulders. "So," the pretty blue haired girl began. "Gajeel and I arrived to the coastal town by morning like we said we would. Gajeel was ready to beat Gray to a pulp."

"He's lucky that Darthos creep beat me to it!" Gajeel put in and gave a glare at Gray who turned his face to hide the blush caused by shame.

Levy rolled her eyes, patted her boyfriend's hand and continued, "Anyway…when we got there…we found you both washed up on the beach…Gray was wounded and carrying you. We saw him collapse in the distance and ran to where you were, both unconscious."

I took in a deep breath, "then what happened?" I asked.

Lucy smiled, "well, Erza, Natsu and I heard about what happened. Erza wanted to come and defend your honour, Natsu just wanted a reason to beat up Gray so I came along to calm things down. Wendy came with us too; we arrived not long after Levy and Gajeel. Wendy healed the arrow wound on Gray, few minutes later he woke up but you didn't."

Gray squeezed me closer, "I won't forget what it felt like…waking up and seeing you like that. Every vein in your body became visible and turned black. You were so pale too. You see when the arrow disintegrated my shield and it hit you…your body being made of water it went through, but the poison that tipped the arrow spread through you…when it hit me, there was no poison left in it…you blacked out instantly. I held you… I tried to get you to wake up…you wouldn't."

I leaned my head against his shoulder, Erza continued the story, "We brought you back here…Wendy tried her best to heal you, but water is hard to cleanse. So we went to Polyusica…she gave us a potion that would cleanse your body and every time you drank it we got a little glimpse of you back. The only time you ever really showed any real response however was when Gray spoke to you. He hasn't left your side…well one time we made him, but he didn't listen again. We left the two of you alone in these convocations, but we have our little spies. He brought in some photo albums and read you the comments…he even made one just for you and read what he wrote in there too."

It was so much to take in; it explains so much about those dreams! That vile I received from the variety of places; it was my cure and those dreams were actually me coming close to consciousness. His voice was the only thing that got through.

Gajeel smirked, "Lyon came to see you too, last time he was here he was blathering on about the two of you settling down…stripper here punched him so hard it was hilarious!"

So that was what that was! I remembered the image on the train…it was Gray! I can't believe he hit Lyon so hard it actually slipped into my insentience. It made me happy that those dreams I was having of Gray…they were more real than the rest of what happened.

I then noticed I was wearing his coat and cross…he did give them to me!

Lucy fidgeted in her seat, "I remember walking into the most beautiful scene between you two! He was lying next to you, holding you, there was snow falling upon you and he covered you with his coat."

I remember that too! "How did you do that if I was in a coma?" I asked him.

He smiled, "Well…I just took your hand, lent you some of my energy…with ice and water we created snow…that's all."

I was so overwhelmed by all this! This was incredible. "So the potion cleansed me?" I asked.

They all looked a little uncomfortable for a moment and it made me worry. Erza was the one to give clarity, "you were slipping away…the potion did a lot…but it was Wendy that saved you in the end...she's actually a couple of beds away, we just tucked her in. I took every bit of your strength to bring you back."

That was the light! It was Wendy's magic that brought me back…Wendy's magic and Gray's voice.

Panic came over me, "Is she okay? Tell me she'll be alright!" I pleaded.

Gray gave a gentle shush and rubbed my arm for comfort. The other girls came around me ad calmed me.

"She'll be fine!" Levy assured, "she just needs rest, Wendy would do it all again…trust us."

It calmed me knowing that the sweet girl was okay; I now owed her a lot. "So I've been in a coma for about two weeks huh? That's how much time passed in the world I was in."

They all exchanged glances, the looked so befuddled. "What?" I asked, "What is it?"

"Juvia…." Lucy began, "you've been in a coma for four months."

What! Four months? How is that possible? "Four months…I must have missed so much!"

The door opened, "You could say that" a sweet woman giggled, it was Mira-Jane she was carrying a tiny bundle of joy in her arms. It had tufts of blonde hair and big blue eyes! I could tell he was a boy.

I covered my hands over my mouth, "Mira-Jane!" I gasped, "He's beautiful!"

She chuckled and came closer, placing the little angel in my arms. "Say hello to the newest member of Fairy Tail. My son, Lazar Dreyar! He was born five weeks early, gave us quite a scare."

I stroked those chubby cheeks, last time I saw Mira-Jane she was five months pregnant, it really has been four months, this little darling was proof of that.

"What else have I missed?" I begged to know.

Lucy blushed, "Well…I'm dating Natsu now" she confessed.

Levy lifted her left hand and there dazzled a beautiful diamond ring, "Gajeel finally popped the question, took him long enough"

Gajeel gritted his teeth, "I told ya shrimp, I was saving up for a decent ring!"

I giggled, I have so much to catch up on. "What else?" I asked excitedly.

Mira-Jane shrugged, "not much else has happened…well Gray is living in the guild hall now…he's been sleeping the infirmary with you, he hasn't left here for four months and all his stuff is here."

I looked up at Gray in alarm, "what about your apartment?"

He appeared nervous and didn't want to answer so Erza did for him, "four months he hasn't left here. So he hasn't taken any jobs, no jobs…no money for rent, he was evicted two months ago."

I felt awful! An awkward silence filled the room. Mira-Jae came and took back Lazar, "why don't we leave you two to talk…I gotta get this little guy down for a nap. It's Laxus on the night shift tonight and he'll be moody in the morning if our son keeps him up all night."

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They all followed her out leaving me and my beloved alone. I was snuggled up to his side our palms pressed together. He moved his fingers along mine before linking them together.

Leaning his cheek upon my head, he smiled, "This feels kinda nice huh? How are you feeling, are you dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous?"

I shook my head, this was so cosy, I could spend an eternity like this. "I can't believe you lost your apartment, all because you wouldn't leave my side. I' m so sorry to have caused you so much trouble."

He chuckled, "Trouble? You fell into a four month coma for me…you almost died for me… you think you caused me trouble?"

"I would do it all again, my darling…" I expressed to him with full sincerity.

He beheld me then with a serious expression, "don't!" he said fiercely, "Don't you ever put yourself in danger for me, promise me that."

I shook my head, "I can't keep such a promise…I told you the day I met you that I would protect you."

He tucked his finger under my chin, "Looks like I got a lot of making up to do then, huh? Guess I'll also have to keep an eye on you, you're kind of a loose cannon."

My face was so red, so was his. "Only when it comes to you" I giggled "What are you going to do about a place to live? You can't live at the guild forever you know."

Gray shrugged, "eh, that old place was getting boring anyway; I've been wanting a new place for a while now. Now that you're awake I can start taking jobs and saving for a bigger place. Maybe a house…painted white, blue shutters, a porch…maybe a swing set?"

My heart skipped a beat, "and a sandpit and slide!" I put in eagerly.

I loved his smile; it was so content and gorgeous! "Sure why not…but with such a big place, I'll need a roommate, you know anyone who's interested?"

I glowered at him, "I can't believe you're asking me to help you find a roommate! What do you want some bimbo, did it occur to you to ask me?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Dammit Juvia, I was talking about you! Do you wanna get a house together or not?"

My mouth turned into the shape of an o, " Oh…." My lips stretched across my face, "aww! Of course my darling! I WILL, I WILL, I WILL!" I threw my arms around him and hugged him so tightly that I heard him choke a little. "When we have a house we can fill it with wedding photos, anniversary gifts-"

"-Whoa-whoa-whoa…slow down there crazy pants!"

I wasn't listening I was just yammering on"…and children and pets and cradles and pillows….so many pillows! We could get a-"

I was silenced by a lips upon mine, it was only a light touch…he just captured them for a moment. It was like a test at first…but it was enough to start a spark. He leaned in again, this time pressed more firmly. It grew deeper and more ardent, our bodies growing hot…little moans escaping up. I clasped at his hair, a little groan indicated that he liked that, when he sunk his fingertips…oh I liked that too!

He peeled off the coat he gave me and pinned me to the bed, holding my hands above my head. He hovered over my lips for a moment, teasing me. He grinned mischievously, fully away of what he was doing to me and that I might explode any moment. He moved down to my neck… I gasped at the contact. Gray still held my arms above me, his body pressed down hard on me…I wrapped my legs around. This felt so good!

Finally he let go of one of my wrists to move his hand up my leg. We were panting, our lips merging and moulding. "Juvia…" he whispered.

With my free hand I press him closer, but then I recalled that we weren't technically alone. "Gray…Wendy is only a couple of beds away, we can't go any further."

He stared down at me, his lips tight, "B-but…ten years Juvia…ten years and four months!"

Gray nevertheless pulled my up so that I was now resting in his lap. "I know…so ten more days won't hurt." I said cheerfully.

His eyes went wide, "Ten more days?!"

I nodded with a playful beam "that's right my darling, ten days to plan and fit in three glorious dates!"

He frowned at my incredulously, "you wanna go on dates? We're moving in together…we've been at this will they won't they crap for ten years and you wanna date? Don't you think we're a little more serious than that now?"

I patted his head, "that's so sweet my love…but still three dates in ten days, each day for the year you kept me waiting for you."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked, "ah I see…you're punishing me a little. Fair enough, ten days, three dates and they'll be good too. Once that's done we start going on jobs and saving for that house, deal?"

I nodded eagerly at him and threw my arms around his neck, probably choking him again. "Oh my love! I'm so HAPPY!"

He laughed and held me back "Wanna start tonight?"

I nodded, "yes! Maybe after the third date…we'll have made our little Indigo or Blue…Maybe both at the same time!"

I felt his heart race against mine, "Maybe we shouldn't be making them…just yet?"

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Gray's POV

I smiled as I looked on our house; it was good to be home to our little dream come true, the blue door was beckoning me to enter.

I opened the gate and walked down the cobbled path. I had to come here first after missions, if I went to the guild first Juvia would start crying, saying something like "You don't want to spend any time with me!"

It had been two years since we got together and bought a house, it took about a year to save up and actually find the perfect place, and even then we had to fix it up in our image. Still keeping up with this place was expensive so we had to start taking on more missions. Juvia said the more risky ones we take the higher pay they'll be, I made sure I accompanied her on every dangerous mission; no way was I losing her again!

I opened the door and was greeted with the smell of freshly baked bread. Seems the little woman's been at it in the kitchen again. I only ever cooked with Juvia on special occasions…because it always lead to a little argument…then some pretty intense making up…the kitchen always ended up trashed.

Sure enough that very blue haired minx came bounding over. "My darling you're home!" she squealed, she jumped into my arms; I caught her just in time and held her. First time she greeted me like this we both keeled over. "My sweet prince…every moment without you feels like a thousand years. I feel like a withered old woman…then you walk in and all the passion of youth returns!"

She is so theatrical! I chuckled, kissed her and then set her down. "You been at the sugar again?" I accused playfully, lightly tapping under her chin. She never asked how the job wet right away or if I got the money, she was always just glad to have me back.

She giggled…I loved it when she did that, "Maybe" she teased "…I knew you were coming back today so I prepared something extra special for you."

A corner of my lips pull up and my eyes twinkle with delight at all the promise. "Oh really…well I am pretty tired from the job, but I think I can manage to receive something special for my lady…"

Grinning widely she took my hand, "Good! I was at it all night with Gajeel!"

Something snapped inside me, "You what!?" he growled, I'll kill that rust bucket!

She guided me into the kitchen; I was taken aback by all the trays and trays of baked goods. There were cupcakes, cookies, full sized cakes and bread. All of them had our faces on them.

"Well I needed help baking all of these!" she explained, "We've got Juvi-baked goods and Gray-baked goods!"

I looked around and sighed with relief, it was stupid of me to jump to such wild conclusions about my girlfriend of two years and her now married friend with a baby on the way. The trays covered the table and every inch of our counters.

She smiled so proudly upon her work, I have to admit even though a part of me still found seeing my face on food a little weird, all the effort she put into it was so cute.

"Do you think I over did it?" she asked bashfully.

I smiled and put my arms around her, "You wouldn't be you if you didn't go a little over the top. I'll hop in the shower and then we'll get started on all of these, they smell great."

Her eyes sparkled and her smile changed, it was devilish ad she chew on her bottom lip. Sensually she circled her fingers on my chest. Juvia knew just how to drive me wild, her body pressed to me, I placed my hands on the graceful arch of her back.

"Would you like some company? Perhaps someone to wash your back?" her voice oozed with fervour, it made me shake with raging passion. I threw her over my shoulder and ran up the stairs. She giggled at how quickly I moved.

I never thought I would have something so sweet and simple, a great house, beautiful girlfriend…maybe even more soon.

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Juvia's POV

I didn't have a lot of pyjamas; I tended to sleep wearing one of Gray's baggy shirts. He says he likes it when I wear them because I always leave my smell on them.

I miss him so much when he goes away, we often take jobs together but every now and the he united with team Natsu for old times' sake. When that occurred he told me to stay at home and wait for him, either at the house or the guild. Gray didn't like me going on missions alone; it would often take some persuading.

We were resting on couch, he was sitting a small distance away so that I could lounge and lay my legs across him. He was painting my toe-nails for me, he was very grateful for our little shower together. The concentration on his face was adorable, a little tongue poking out between his as he was trying to paint the nails as neatly as possible.

"Sorry we didn't get the chance to go to the guild today" I sighed contentedly.

He smiled, "cookies and a shower with a beautiful woman, or stupid bar fights with a couple of drunks? Kind of a no brainer really."

I snuggled into the couch, "those drunks are our friends…we should go see them tomorrow."

He hummed in agreement, "Sure…" he kissed my completed foot, "done, hand over the next one….will you stop fidgeting so much!"

"But it tickles!" I droned, "Oh I forgot to tell you, we're having a little dinner party tomorrow night, couples only."

Gray groaned, "who's coming to this thing and how much is it gonna cost us?"

"Well Levy and Gajeel, Natsu and Lucy, Bisca and Alzack, Laxus and Mira and Elfman and Evergreen. No kids, Erza is babysitting them. As for the cost, it won't be that much…just some wine and a few appetisers. The weathers been so nice I thought we could make it a barbeque? So you'll need to put up the fairy lights for the ambiance."

My love exhaled in defeat, "Fine! But Natsu isn't allowed anywhere the grill!"

I nodded, "whatever you wish my darling."

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Gray's POV

When she first woke up after the coma she was afraid to ever go back to sleep for quite some time. The only way she would drift off was if I was beside her, which was pretty difficult considering I was living at the guild at the time.

Now she slept so peacefully…I ever told her, but I was just as scared as she was, for a long time I stayed up to watch her sleep, so terrified that she would slip back into that coma and I couldn't reach her.

After two years it got easier, but every now and then that fear would creep back up and terrify me, tonight was a perfect example. I held her in my arms, listening to her light breathing lightly. Juvia's skin was so soft and warm…and she smelt so great! How was it possible for me to have ignored and rejected this girl for so long? How did I manage to resist her? She is the only person in the world who has always been on my side, who never doubted me or gave up on me. For that I'll always be grateful to her, I'd support her and protect her through everything.

Lying back as the moonlight poured into our master bedroom and the wind picked up on our gossamer curtains, I thought of some of my favourite moments over the past two years.

There was this one time when we had just finished furnishing the house, we were done and I was heading back from a day at the guild…

What a day! Natsu really pissed me off, why does he get so heated? At least I beat some sense in to him. At least I'm home now…Juvia will know a good way to relieve my stress…know what I mean?

I stepped into the house and immediately shrugged off my clothes, "Finally I can relax! Hey Juvia, what's for dinner? I'm star-"

Oh holy hell! Something just struck me I the shin! It hurt so frickin much! It was the coffee table, why was it there? I took a look around our living room nothing was how I left it this morning. There was no way the couch was on the left, why was the grand clock there?

I growled lowly, "Juvia!" I yelled, "Did you rearrange the furniture AGAIN!?"

She sauntered in breezily, holding a magazine in her hand, her face was innocent, "I had to darling, the Feng Shui was all wrong." She said it like it was the most normal and obvious thing in the world.

My palm met my face; I had to ask "Feng Shui?"

She nodded and showed me the magazine she was holding, "Yes, I've read all about it. The energy was simply not flowing before; can't you feel the positive energy now, just flowing all around our lovely home?"

I sighed heavily, I decided I'd just let it go…my girlfriend is a crazy person; I just gotta love her and let her be who she is.

"Yeah" I said with defeat, "Definitely feeling some good energy here, now about dinner, I was thinking-"

"-actually" she intercepted "I don't like it…can you put it all back the way it was?"

"Dammit woman!"

I did it though; I told her I'd do anything for her…

I giggled at the memory; another favourite of mine was when she'd been gossiping with the girls…

I entered the guild, I greeted the usual faces and headed straight to the bar, I was greeted by Mira, she was blushing deeply and smiling at me knowingly.

"You okay there Mira?" I asked cautiously.

She nodded quickly before bursting out laughing. The white haired woman quickly retreated to her husband who was sitting at a stall with their son, Lazar, on his lap. His wife whispered something in his ear, he looked at me and the belted out a huge roar of laughter.

What the hell is going on, I observed the corner there was sitting most of the girls. Lucy, Levy and Erza were giggling to each other; Juvia sat with them with a guilty expression. Cana joined them, she looked just as confused as me, Lucy whispered something in her ear, and the same thing happened as before with Laxus, Cana looked at me then burst out laughing.

Okay now I know something is up, I was about to walk up to the girls and ask what was going when Natsu appeared. "Hey ice princess, look familiar?" he called and removed his vest and started swinging it I the air and shaking his hips to music he singing loudly and out of tune.

I winced when I realised what was happening, I looked to Juvia to see she had gotten up out of her seat and was walking towards me. It would appear my sweet girlfriend of six months had been letting slip a few details of our private life.

"Hey is it true Gray?" Cana called to me, "did you do a little a striptease for Juvia?"

Next thing I knew the entire guild hall was laughing at me, if there was anything I do best…it's keeping it cool. I simpered indifferently and hooked my arm around Juvia's shoulders.

"Hey…I'm not ashamed of it, there is no shame in pleasing my woman" I told them all coolly and that shut them up.

Juvia's eyes turned into little pink hearts, she squealed and wrapped her arms around my waist. "And you do it so well my handsome prince!" she assured.

Now time for payback! "As it happens, Juvia does a lot for me too…you see we have this game called prisoner of love where she lets me-"

My mouth was covered by her hand; she started yapping at me to be quiet. The others all hooted and asked me to continue.

"What does she let you do?" the all asked "come on tell us."

I was in hysterics as Juvia tried to prevent me from telling them anymore about our naughty game; she actually climbed on my back and tried to physically close my mouth shut. "No Gray no! I've learned my lesson darling honest! I will keep such things between us from now on!"

Then there was our first Christmas together in this house!

"We have to open the presents in the stockings first!" I instructed as we gathered by the tree, it was early morning and it was still cold outside so we lit our log fire.

"But why my love?" Juvia complained, "I want to open the big ones under the tree!"

"We'll get to those" I promised, "you're the one who said you wanted to start our own holiday traditions, well I think this is a good one…open the stocking presents first."

She gave up and sulkily started rummaging through her stocking. Juvia pulled out a long velvet blue box and smiled. "What could it be?" she wondered aloud. She opened the lid ad her eyes sparkled. "Oh my…dear, beloved Gray! It's breath-taking!"

I smiled; I had gotten her a silver bracelet, designed so the diamonds looked like frost and little white ivory snowflakes hung from it.

"Want me to put it on you?" I offered, she nodded eagerly, "I was gonna get you a necklace, but I know you'd never take my cross off so it would be pointless, a bracelet however is perfect."

She covered her mouth with one of her hands, I held the other, the bracelet glimmered and dazzled her. "My darling can we really afford this?"

I shrugged, "Don't you worry about that, this is what a guy's are supposed to do for his girl, right?"

Juvia tearfully grabbed my face and kissed me hard. When she released my lips she still kept my face in her soft white hands, "this is the best Christmas ever! You were right…I like this tradition, let's do it every year!"

I was happy, really happy…who knew life could be so great, I finally accepted someone fully into my heart and nobody died. Nothing tragic was happening…no, I was happy.

"Sure thing" I concurred, I took my stocking, "right, my turn, let's see what my girl got me."

Panic swept her adorable features and she snatched my stocking out of my hand with lightening reflexes.

I was so confused, "what the hell are you doing give that back!" I tried to snatch it back but she pulled away.

"No! My gift is a disgrace! It's nothing in comparison to yours, I'm too ashamed…you can't have it, I'll get you something better." She squawked girlishly.

I rolled my eyes, "whatever it is I'm sure I'll love it, just give me my damn present!"

"No!" she ran off taking the stocking with her.

"Juvia!" I yelled racing after her, my girlfriend is so insane! I'm madly in love with a psycho! "Give me my present!"

"No!"

She ran out into the snow. We must have looked a sight, I was wearing nothing but my boxers, she was wearing one of my shirts and that was all! I was running after her yelling "GET BACK HERE AND GIVE IT TO ME!" while she constantly screamed "NO!" The neighbours will think we're more insane than they already do!

I caught her and tackled her to the ground, not too roughly though. Straddling her and holding her down I pried the stocking from Juvia's hands. I reached and pulled out my gift, which turned out to be a pretty naughty pair of red silk boxers.

Juvia covered her face with embarrassment. You know what…I loved them! She was so cute, here we were out in the snow wearing practically nothing and I was straddling her while holding up a pair of silk underwear. This really was the best Christmas.

I smiled slyly, "How about we go back inside where it's warm, I'll wear your gift and only that…if you wear nothing but the bracelet I got you?"

She removed her had from her now beetroot face, her cheeks were as red as the boxers in my hand. "Oh my…so bold!"

No doubt about it, we were obsessive, overly-attached, overly protective and jealous…but we were absolutely made for each other. Cautiously I slipped out of bed, being careful not to wake her and padded over to my closet. I searched in one of my coat pockets and pulled out a velvet blue box. There was a ring inside, a blue sapphire diamond in the shape of a raindrop and either side was two regular diamonds in the shape of snow flakes, I had it custom made.

I have been thinking of proposing for a while. I know I don't want anyone else…she was it for me. But marriage…I don't know, I just never pictured it, I don't think it's really my thing.

Juvia was amazing, every now and then she'd drop hints about one day getting married and when Natsu proposed to Lucy a couple weeks back, I could practically see the things playing in her mind. It was even worse at Gajeel and Levy's wedding. Still she ever pressured me or gave ultimatums, I was hers and right now that was enough for Juvia and I was grateful. Because right now what we have is enough, I'm not ready to change anything just yet.

I heard her stir and quickly put the ring back in the pocket.

"Darling? are you okay?" she called sleepily.

"Y-Yeah, fine" I answered a little nervously, "just coming back from the bathroom."

she hummed and burrowed into the sheets, "okay...well come back to bed now my sweet."

I smiled and snuggled up to her back, she nestled in closer and I felt a rush pulse through me and kissed her shoulder. I'll never let her fall into that darkness again, I will never again push her away, I'll keep bringing her in as close as she is to me now and closer if I can.

Hello all my lovely readers! Thanks for the reviews! Well this isn't the last chapter the last one is coming next, I hope that okay. I would be so grateful for some feedback.

Thanks guys Mirsanxox