Gray walked the streets of Fiore with his hands in his pockets, trying to think of anything else other than what had just happened. But he couldn't. The memory kept playing in his mind over and over again. He could see clearly Juvia leaving the guild arm in arm with her boyfriend after she had introduced him without a glance back at Gray. How was that possible?
You're so annoying! Why can't you just stay away? If you really love me, then leave me alone!
Gray stopped as his own voice echoed loudly inside his head. He sighed. He didn't mean to lash out at her the way he did. People say stupid things in anger. He sighed again. But he didn't apologise for his words either. He didn't think he needed to though. His harsh words had never bothered her before. The more he pushed her away, the tighter she hung on. That's how it had always been. But not anymore.
Gray quickly shook his head. It didn't matter! This was a good thing. Juvia was finally off his back. He wouldn't have to be on high alert all the time or look around every corner. He was free. She was happy. That's all that mattered. Gray smiled half-heartedly.
'But…' he muttered as he looked up at the blue sky. It seemed more blue than usual for some reason.
'I should apologise to her. It wasn't right what I said. It was mean,' Gray told himself. It was the right thing to do. He did feel bad for the way he had treated her. That was probably why he had a weird feeling in his chest. It would go away once he set things right. He took a satisfied step forward, but stopped when a new thought entered his mind.
What if it didn't make things better? What if she went back to obsessing over him again? This could all be part of her master plan. Gray quickly shook his head again. He knew that wasn't true. Juvia could be clingy and obsessive, but she was also sweet and honest. She would never use anyone for her own gain.
Gray clapped both his cheeks, trying to knock some sense into himself. He was really overthinking this all. They had been away for six months. Time was able to change a lot, even a person's feelings. Juvia was happy. Gray was free. That was all there was to it. He would apologise and that would be the end of it. There was no need to give it another thought.
Gray stuffed his hands back into his pockets and attempted yet again to continue his walk. He didn't get very far when he came to another stop. This couldn't be a coincidence. A few feet ahead of him stood Juvia, staring into the window of a shop, her eyes lightening up. Gray glanced through the shop window to see what had caught her liking. He smiled to himself without realising it. It was a hat. Juvia loved hats. He opened his mouth to address her. It seemed like a good enough time to apologise. He didn't get the chance. Before her name could escape his lips her boyfriend joined her at her side and handed her something. Gray scrunched up his eyebrows. A pickle! Juvia hated pickles. Gray smirked to himself. Some boyfriend that guy was. He waited for Juvia to reject the food. She didn't. She took it with a soft 'thank you,' and quietly nibbled on it. What! Gray stared at this with his mouth slightly open. He quickly closed it and folded his arms. It's not like he cared. He decided he was over the scene in front of him and began to turn away. Words he never thought he would hear Juvia say stopped him in his tracks.
'Are you looking at hats again?' Blake asked his water mage girlfriend.
'No, I don't like hats,' Juvia quietly answered. Gray's head snapped back in her direction. He watched in shock as Juvia emotionlessly turned away from the shop's window and smiled back at her smiling boyfriend. The two locked hands and walked off, neither aware of the stunned Gray behind them.
No, I don't like hats. His mind couldn't quite register those words. They sounded so wrong spoken with Juvia's voice. They didn't match the sparkle in her eyes she had a moment ago as she stared at the shop's hat. Gray frowned. This wasn't right. She was using the word I. She was eating pickles. She was hating hats. This wasn't Juvia. She had changed, drastically.
Gray stared in the direction they had gone. He could no longer see them, but he couldn't stop staring. Could six months really have such an effect on a person? A new thought entered Gray's mind. He didn't like it. Could words really have such an effect on a person? Was that it? Did Gray's words drive her to such a change? He didn't want to believe that was true. Juvia had been fine the way she was.
What's wrong with her now? A voice inside his head took him by surprise. It was right. He was overthinking this again. If she was happy, did it matter how much she had changed. Maybe the change was good…even for the best.
She was happy. He was free. He reminded himself of this. That was all he had to focus on. It was Juvia's life after all. He didn't play a part in it anymore and it was better that way. And it wasn't his place to get involved in Juvia's private life anyway. Gray started his walk once again, convincing himself he was satisfied with the conclusion he had come to.