Disclaimer: Inspired By Blue Spring Ride. I don't own Fairy Tail.
Juvia entered the staff lounge humming happiness in every sound. She found her way to Gajeel who seemed unhappy with his lunch. She filled herself up with excitement to give him the meal she prepared knowing he will gladly take it.
"Good afternoon!"
She took the seat next to his and opened her lunch box for Gajeel to smell.
"Care to trade?" she tempted her friend.
Gajeel grinned giving his approval.
"You're too cheerful today" Gajeel questioned between his delicious bites. He swore Juvia's food was getting better by the day.
"Juvia is not."
"What happened rain woman?" he refused to believe. He has known her a long time to miss when she is troubled. Upset people share a common trait. They exposed the same symptoms when things are not well. For Juvia being too happy was a red flag. Ever since the incident in her balcony she tries to hide her agony behind a joyful mask. But Gajeel could see right through it.
"Gajeel is wrong" she pouted.
"I am not going to ask again" he took his last bite savoring as much as he could.
"Fine" she moved her head close to Gajeel's ear to ensure no one heard. She used both of her hands to cover her mouth for additional barrier.
"Juvia found out Principal Vastia was engaged."
She moved away the moment those words escaped her lips. She felt somewhat relieved. Silence took over until Gajeel finally spoke.
"Don't give me a reason to arrest you" he said standing up to leave to prepare for his class.
"Juvia wasn't planning to" she mumbled. She glanced at her meal ready to consume when an unpleasant thought triggered thanks to Gajeel. There was no doubt they've been through so much.
.
.
.
"I'm going to kill them all" Gajeel shouted. Juvia has never seen her friend this angry, she almost feared him.
"Gajeel please listen to Juvia" she pleaded standing between his rage and duty.
"Juvia I swear if you don't move I'll-"
"What?! Push Juvia out of the way? Kill Juvia too" she challenged barely holding up herself.
"They have her!"
"Juvia knows that."
"They have my woman goddamn it! Move now!" Gajeel decided to push Juvia to the side but she somehow found the strength to hold him back. She was scare for him. He was an officer of the law with a great reputation pending a promotion for his last case. People categorized him as the best of the best. His last case which involved putting a infamous gang away made a lot of noise in the media. But this didn't sit well for the remaining followers of this gang. They specifically wanted to take revenge for the killing of their leader. In their eyes the leader was their salvation. They obtained personal information including his marriage to his high school sweetheart Levy. When Juvia and Levy were walking to their park from a fun shopping spree a van pulled over. Everything happened so fast. They grabbed Levy while Juvia fought to get her back. Thanks to a rough childhood she learned defensive techniques. Juvia was no match for them however. One of them hit her with the edge of a gun where she lost conscious. As a courtesy to Gajeel they left a note inside her coat with directions and the disclaimer to not involve cops. Gajeel ran to the hospital when he received the emergency phone call. Juvia had to lie to avoid involving cops being already familiar with the process. She was quite the good actress.
"Gajeel is going to get himself killed" she whimpered not being able to contain her emotions any longer.
"If something happens to her Juvia I-"
"Don't finish. Gajeel will lose everything."
"I don't care."
Juvia was defeated. Gajeel wasn't one to share his frustrations let alone his desperation. In the rare occasions he did it was unbearable to witness. She lowered her hand and gave him the blank stare she thought was only of the past.
"Gajeel can go with one condition." Gajeel understood what she meant but he couldn't get her involved. This was his problem.
"If Gajeel refuses Juvia will call the cops."
Gajeel didn't take her threat lightly. He knew the real Juvia Lockser and it wasn't something pretty. Like him she was chained to the sins of their families. Ever since they met both have been trying to break that chain that was never of their doing. They vowed not to commit the same mistakes their miserable relatives did. But life was beginning to teach them it wouldn't be easy. Gajeel was about to take on the road he rejected and it seems Juvia wasn't going to let him walk alone. He could knock her unconscious except she would make good of her threat eventually because the true Juvia Lockser doesn't back down.
"You still have your uncle's inheritance?"
"Same place, same code. When the cops raided his territory they missed it."
"Can it be traced back to you?" Juvia shook her head.
"I will take your offer but you need to go to the safe house in case these scumbags decide to chase you. Or in case I don't make it."
"B-but Gajeel promised to never go near that place."
"And you promised to never speak of your uncles present. I hate my blood but they protect their own. Since you're my family they'll keep you safe."
Juvia took a deep breath attempting to ease the anxiety she was under. She wanted to scream, breaakdown completely.
"Come back alive" she moved forward to give him a hug in case this was their last meeting. He released her and left. Juvia didn't turn away because she wanted her last memory with him to be that embrace.
After an hour of pulling herself together she drove to the safe house. It was an old rusted house located in one of the most dangerous cities owned by Gajeel's father Jose Porla. He was a well known drug lord among the feds. Numerous attempts to find evidence of his crimes have failed earning him the title of untouchable lord. Gajeel despised his father.
Juvia knocked on the door fearless as ever. This place was not meant for the weak. She could feel the stares of others probably holding a gun. She didn't back down because she makes good with her promises. No one answered the door. She knocked louder. The stares increased intensifying the situation. Juvia refused to leave so she knocked repeatedly and faster until the door listened. There were three men with guns glaring.
"Juvia is here on behalf of Jose Porla's son Gajeel Redfox. She wishes to see his father right away."
"Why should we trust-"
"Juvia my dear! Long time" the man in questioned greeted.
"Now boys lower your weapons for this bluenette is family. Please Juvia come in. What brings you here? Don't tell me you're interested in joining the four elements?"
The man gave her chills all over. The manner in how he spoke creep her out. She was lucky to be on Gajeel's protective side or who knows what type of trouble this man would have given her.
"Gajeel is going through a rough situation. Bad enough he asked Juvia to come for protection."
Jose's joyous appearance washed away with seriousness. He gave her an unsaid "don't worry I'll take care of the rest".
"Close the door and make sure she wasn't followed. Capture for interrogation in event she was." His men obeyed without further questions. Juvia saw them scrambling all over while giving each other instructions. They seemed to be preparing for war.
"Tell me everything" he waved at the table nearby. She sat down and explained every detail.
"Juvia doesn't believe Jose should go after his son. She has faith in his ability to rescue Levy."
Jose listened not wanting to interrupt. Three hours later a big muscular man leaned to Jose whispering in his ear. He was not pleased.
"My people found suspicious men following you. Thanks to our productive interrogation we have the gist of it."
"Jose your son doesn't want you involved" Juvia reminded knowing Gajeel's stance regarding his father.
"He should have thought of that before sending you here."
Juvia glared.
"Rest assure my dear, I'm aware he can take those men. What comes after is what I'm worried."
"You won't go after him then?"
"No. We will keep you safe and clean the mess when he finishes."
"Thank you."
Jose's words relieved some pressure off her. Gajeel going on a rampage to rescue his wife also meant unfavorable repercussions. Losing his badge, jail time and any hope for a peaceful future with Levy would be ripped out. He didn't deserve this. Sure his father was a notorious criminal but he fought to stay clean. Juvia didn't see anything wrong having Jose clean his son's name. Not when the only reason Gajeel was in this predicament was for doing his job.
Juvia had a free hour she often used to catch up on grading or running errands. Today she chose to leave campus to go to the pharmacy. Lately she has been coughing a lot at night packaged with an annoying exhaustion. A cold was coming her way.
"Hey" she called out to a student who seemed to be chilling in the hallway while classes were in session. The student turned to her unfazed. What she saw next was unexpected. For a minute she saw the face of the boy she fell in love with during her high school years. He had the same spiky hair, dark blue eyes, practically the same body built except he was taller and his hair was more purple than black. Unlike her Gray's happy demeanor, this boy had melancholy written all over.
"Why aren't you in class?"
"Had to go to the restroom."
"Is that so? Show Juvia your restroom pass." She crossed her arm instilling authority. This boy was a tough one. She can smell them right away.
"No" he replied. Juvia could tell he wasn't afraid of disobeying if anything he found it entertaining. But something was off. He stared at her with sharp eyes. If looks could kill she'd be dead. Usually rebellious teenagers don't see faces. This felt personal to her.
"Tell Juvia your name" she demanded.
He rolled his eyes before replying "Silver Milkovich".
The bell rang giving the boy a chance to escape. She recognized the last name. Juvia wondered if his resemblance to Gray was a coincidence. Could it be Gray was the substitute teacher? Of course only if this boy was the brother Lucy mentioned. He did seem to fit the personality quite well. Juvia ignored the possibility Gray being connected to this troubled boy. She knows Gray's last name was Fullbuster plus he never mentioned a little brother. At least she found the perfect chance to speak with Mr. Milkovich for Lucy's sake.
After school Juvia knocked on the class door belonging to Mr. Milkovich. She could hear someone inside. She knocked again until she decided to barge in.
"Juvia apologizes for barging in but she felt it was necessary when nobody answered. Do you have a moment to speak with Juvia Mr. Milkovich?"
She found the man writing on the board some sort of agenda showing his back. The man stopped writing, he didn't turn even though his hand was in mid air. She recognized the hair. It couldn't be him. There was no way.
"Give me a second" he replied. He returned to writing the agenda.
That voice…
"You can stop starring at me sleepy head."
Clearly Juvia was hallucinating…
"You know if you really want to go I can take you to the staff's restroom."
"It'll be better than dancing around while waiting."
"Shy as always."
This voice was manlier…
"I'm Gray. I would ask you for your name but you never seem to talk."
He was gone. He left her years ago. This was not her Gray…
"Talking to yourself or to the rain?"
Then why did this man's voice resemble his? Why in the hell his brother have the same features if it isn't her Gray…
"I-I don't mind going with you."
This man had to be her first love…
"Meet you at the park near the café on Saturday at 6:00?"
Juvia's put her right hand over her heart and grab on to the nearest chair. She felt a shortness of air. For years she has imagined her reunion but never believe it would ever happen. She wasn't prepared for this.
"J-Juvia will come back-" she wanted to run. Return in a calmer state.
"Done" the voice stopped her tracks. He adjusted his form revealing the smirk she fell in love with. Older but the same. She widened her eyes before everything went black.
"Juvia Lockser you are late!"
Juvia was panting with a hand on her side trying to relax after a run. She had texted Gajeel not to give her a ride last night because she wanted to walk. Instead of enjoying a nice walk she had to survive a run because she overslept. Having her worst teacher for first period didn't help. She ran as fast as she could to get to class on time. Her resolve drove her forget combing her hair or brushing her teeth. Her outfit wasn't lovely either.
"J-Juvia apologizes. Please forgive her tardy" she managed to speak.
"Make it the last or next time I'll send you to sweep."
Juvia nodded in understanding. She was trying her best to be a great student so going to sweep didn't sit well with her.
"As I was saying" her teacher continued speaking to the class.
"You'll be working with your partners for the remainder of the semester. Juvia since you arrived late you'll be going solo on this. Everybody else have picked their partners."
Juvia frowned. The teacher was known for assigning complex assignments to groups. She could only imagine how much harder it was for a single person.
"I don't have one" someone said earning the attention to him.
"Another tardy. You're lucky I gave Juvia a pass or I'd send you to sweep Mr. Fullbuster. Take a seat next to Juvia."
Gray obeyed choosing the seat to the right and unzipping his backpack.
"Anyways each group will need to…"
"Thank you" Juvia whispered to Gray.
"So you can speak" Gray replied making Juvia blush a little.
"Juvia will try her best to be a good partner" she smiled.
"Just talking to me would be enough."
Juvia's shade of red multiplied. She opened her mouth unable to speak.
"Because the secret of a successful partnership is good communication" he smirked.
.
.
.
"Juvia you're awake!"
She felt someone rub the top of her hand gently. Juvia squinted until she didn't feel the light's discomfort. Her head moved to the sides attempting to analyze the room. It didn't appear familiar. Beside her she found a worried Lucy.
"Welcome back" she said.
"Hey Lucy" Juvia replied. She wasn't sure what she was doing in a room that looked like a hospital. The last thing she remembered was heading to a classroom. Everything else was a blur.
"Ouch" Juvia complained when she touched the right side of her forehead. It was covered by a square bandage.
"Careful Juvs. The injury is still healing." Lucy shooed Juvia's hands from her forehead.
"Injury?"
"Yup. When you collapsed your forehead hit against a school chair. The doctor says you're lucky the impact wasn't too brutal."
A chair? Yes. Juvia started to recall the previous events. She remembered being around chairs even holding on to one for support.
"Juvia sees. Can Lucy explain where Juvia was when she fainted?"
"Well I don't know the full scope. From what I understand you were speaking with Mr. Milkovich in his classroom."
Mr. Milkovich?
"I was walking to my car when I spotted him carrying you."
That's right. Juvia was going to discuss Lucy's problem.
"He explained all of a sudden you fell and bumped your head. Next thing I know I'm driving behind him to the hospital."
Juvia remembers. She saw Gray's face when he turned but she must have been confused.
"Is he still here?"
"He left when he placed you on a hospital bed."
"Thanks Lucy for staying by my side." Juvia extended her arm for Lucy to take. Lucy extended her hand in return.
"That's what friends are for!"
Juvia was released early morning. The doctor wanted to keep her in observation overnight in case they missed something. Lucy stayed and drove her home. She even notified the school so they can get a substitute teacher. As requested by her doctor Juvia rested until her confrontation with Mr. Milkovich invaded her thoughts.
She wanted to believe he was Gray. A lot of things didn't add up though. She has walked by him on several occasions and under no circumstance did she ever think he was Gray. Granted she wasn't too alert on his presence for her focus has been on work. She also knows Gray's last name wasn't Milkovich. Then there is the fact he left her at the hospital. The Gray she met years ago was kind even if he stood her up. Too many uncertainties to believe the teacher who was labeled brood was Gray.
The curiosity was eating her up until she couldn't take it any longer. She went through her old notebooks searching for a specific page. Her frustration worsened when night came and hadn't found the piece of paper. Out of the blue she spotted a box she hadn't opened in years. Unhappy flashbacks came to her but drove them aside. Tonight she had bigger fish to catch. Juvia celebrated when she found the paper with Gray's old address written. It was a long shot and crazy. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
She walked to the house because it wasn't too far from her apartment. There were lights coming from the house indicating a tenant. The house was different. It used to be filled with green grass and lively flowers. In this season the tree bloomed with a sweet fragrance. The paint of the house used to be rich in color welcoming every by passer. Now everything was falling apart, no sign of life anywhere.
"What are you doing here?" the voice startled Juvia. She saw Silver Milkovich standing on the porch offended with her presence.
"Are you stalking me you weirdo?"
"J-Juvia...No…Uh…Juvia wanted to see-" she couldn't find the correct words and the pinch her wound was inflicting didn't help.
"I'm calling the police freak" Silver took out his phone. Juvia panicked.
"No! Juvia wants to-"
"Silver stop" a second voice joined. His voice. He was shirtless coming out of the garage door neither noticed was opened.
"Hell no. This freak is stalking us."
"I won't repeat myself" Gray glared. Silver rolled his eyes giving up.
"Screw you." He went back into the house slamming the door shut.
Gray turned to Juvia. His demeanor changed.
"It's-It's you" she mumbled. She was shaking unable to believe this reunion was really happening.
"You should be resting."
"You're Gray. Gray Fullbuster."
He sighed.
"Juvia go home" he insisted. She shook her head in defiance; she was determined to get answers tonight. Or at least she wanted.
"Fine. It's about time you noticed me." he moved a few steps in her direction.
"Almost gave up to be honest" he added moving more steps.
"Do you want a reunion hug?" Juvia stepped back. He chuckled.
"Don't blame you. I am the jerk who stood you up ten years ago. Go back home. We can talk when you're not in shock." He closed his garage door and went to his front door. He opened his door showing Juvia his naked back.
"My last name isn't Fullbuster anymore and just so you know, I'm not the Gray you met in high school."
Juvia saw him go in and close the door once more leaving her standing in a dark starry night.
Author's Note: Sorry folks this one was a little shorter. I'm super excited for next chapter because some intense moments are coming this way. Also, I won't be able to update until at least two weeks from now. There is another story I'm writing that needs some love too.
Thanks for the kind comments and support. Hoping to give you all a story worth reading :)! And share your thoughts if you want.
