Thanks thanks thanks! I know I'm playing with the feels, but isn't that what makes it exciting? I really enjoy writing this story and your reviews are greatly supportive! Here you go, didn't want to leave you hanging there for too long (hope it's not too rushed, though) :)

Chapter Six: Space

"What the-... what was that?"

Juvia couldn't see why Gray would leave her like that all of a sudden. Sure, she felt it, too. That strange sensation of being so close whereas there was a huge gap between them. But they were already in the thick of it - why did he have to stop there? Or was it something she did? Did he feel uncomfortable with her work? Maybe he was as experienced as he looked and Juvia embarrassed herself... Realization hit her. Still in the river Juvia lost her footing and sank in until her mouth remained underneath the surface. She exhaled a massive amount of air which caused the water to bubble. At least she learned how to connect with her element. But with Gray now desiring space? What should she do about her training sessions?

'You're such an idiot! How-, why-...' Gray was on his way back home. He had to get out of there. They had gone way too far for his liking - for his mental liking of course. His body'd responded embarrassingly fast and wherever she had learned how to give hand jobs, she had somehow known how to give him a great pleasure.

"Arghhhhh!" The whole situation drove Gray nuts. With his teeth and fists clenched he clomped along the streets and passed by many people he scared the shit out of. One certain man caught his attention in a very bad way and he lost his patience.

"Oh screw you, you have no idea how fucked up my day was!"

"Get some pants, you sick pervert!" was his response. Gray was about to argue but lowered his sight anyway.

"What-, oh SHIT!" Somewhere along the way he must have dropped his one and only clothing and now he was wandering around completely naked. And what brought matters to a head was the fact that he had forgotten to take his belongings by the river in the first place. Fortunately, he never kept his keys by himself - he knew better. Instead he hid them in a bush near his apartment.

"Okay, beer, whiskey, anything. I need something to swallow that shit." It's been only two minutes or so and Gray's search for a releasing drink got interrupted by a knocking on his door. 'What now? Is it her? She wouldn't dare...'

Angrily, Gray wrenched his door open.

"What do you want?"

"Yo, calm down. I called you but you wouldn't listen. What's gotten into you, ice princess?" It was Natsu. Of all people it had to be him. As if Gray had any motivation of fighting with him right now.

"Shut up, flame brain. What do you want? I'm busy."

"Busy doin' what? Searchin' for ya pants?"

Natsu hissed at Gray's still fully exposed body but so called ice princess couldn't care less.

"Anyway, WHADDAYA WANT?"

"Erza sent me. It's about an S-ranked missions. We have permission to do it with her and the reward is awesome. It's about- HEY! Are ya even listenin'?"

Gray lost his attentiveness and his eyes gazed into the distance.

"Sorry, been a rough day", he excused himself.

"Is it about Juvia?" Congratulations, Natsu. You're dead on.

"Sinsce when have you become insightful?" Gray knitted his brows. He became even angrier because of his frenemy's confident and right guess.

"It's always about Juvia when you're acting like a huge douche." Was he that obvious? If so, he could as well asked Natsu in. He didn't look like Gray could fob him off easily anyway.

"Oh man, common' in."

"First, you gotta get dressed. It's freakin' me out."

The Ice Mage grabbed for the first fabric he found on the floor and put it on. Next thing that came to his mind was his urge from minutes ago. Gray was sure his friend wouldn't refuse a bottle of beer so he got two refreshing ones out of his fridge and came back to the door. Natsu then followed him to his living room and they took seats on the sofa, each of them holding one of the bottles.

"So, what happened this time?"

"I can't believe I'm talkin' to you about it." Gray paused for a moment and sipped at his beer while thinking. Natsu as to overcome the silence did the same but was too curious. And he could tell that his friend had a hard time dealing with his stuff lately. As much as both of them fought and insulted each other. They were besties. Natsu hated to see any of his guild mates suffer in pain. But it was different with Gray. While Lucy allowed her emotions full bent Gray would always cloister himself away. He rarely showed any affliction. He took the first step by inviting him hin. Natsu had to push him a little in order to get him to talk freely.

"Hey, I get that this is serious. Everyone can see that she's special to you. I'm your friend, well, most of the time. So, try me."

The men exchanged a brief eye contact before Gray clutched his bottle tightly with both his hands and paid it his attention. Afterwards he began to speak.

"The thing is, she still doesn't know anything. Even about her magic. That's why she asked me to train with her. And she did well. She learned quickly. But..."

"But? Come on, spit it out."

"But, uhm, we had a moment, she kissed me and we kinda got lost in making out and stuff."

"Eww, okay, you can stop there."

"Don't get scared shitless, pinkie!"

"Sorry bro. Anyway, I don't get it? You spent time with her, you make out - correct me, but isn't that awesome?"

"NO!, Well, yes. It's weird, man. For that moment I mistook her for the real Juvia. But she's not. And I shouldn't have taken advantage of her."

"It's not like you raped her, right? Besides, what do you mean, real Juvia?"

"She's not the one that fell for me. And she's not the one I-..."

"Love?"

"Oh shut up!"

"It's still her. You should better take good care of her. I mean, she's been through a lot with you. It's your turn to do the same."

"Really, who are you?" Gray couldn't believe the words that were coming out of Natsu's mouth.

"Anyway, about that mission..."

"It starts the day after tomorrow. It will take a while. It's overseas."

"Perfect."

"You comin'?"

"Sure. I need time and space for distraction."

Juvia arrived home just to let herself fall down on her bed. Staring at her ceiling she recalled what happened that day. It was only odd in the beginning. They soon got along well. And it was so simple to follow his orders. Whether it was their magic, their physical attraction or their past that still lingered somewhere hidden inside her mind - it felt like they were meant to be so close. She sighed and closed her eyes. Her chest soared by her deep breathing. Only remembering their luscious moment made her back arch. Gray's hands exploring her body's landscape, his lips caressing her lips, her neck, her ear. His doing was breathtaking even in memory. Why? WHY? Juvia stayed in bed as to come to terms with her noon but failed every time. Her thoughts were spinning around like crazy until she spaced out into a relieving doze in the end.

It was already in the evening by the time Juvia awoke and arised from her bed. It was time for a shower after her succsessful practice. But she stopped on her way to the bathroom. Someone was knocking on her door and calling her name. She assumed it had to be Erza. Knowing her (even if it was just for such a short time) it was no good idea to let her wait. Juvia turned on her heel and answered the door.

"Hey."

"Hi, Erza. What brings you here?" Erza appeared much enthusiastic. She smirked devilishly. Juvia didn't like it. Erza was planning something...

"We'll be having a girls night today at my place. You coming?"

"Uhm... Who else is comming?"

"Lucy, Cana, Levy."

Cana is comming? That surprised Juvia. Cana seemed to have no interest in Juvia. They obviously spent time together during their last job. But ever since her waking up Cana somehow avoided her. It irritated Juvia. She didn't want to be on any bad terms with her dorm mates. Juvia should definitely hang out with the girls and clear that out.

"Sounds like fun. Sure. When does it start?"

"Lucy's already at my place. You can come whenever you're ready."

"Okay, I just need to take a shower first. Thanks for asking. See you."

"Great, see ya!"

"Sooo Levy, what was your worst kiss?"

The girls were sitting in a circle and playing a game. Like truth or dare, only without the dare part. In order to ease the atmosphere and be able to even talk about confidential stuff Erza had organized a grand amount of booze. By the time Erza initiated her little game of private torture all the girls had reached the perfect level of drunkenness that lay a bit over tipsy. It was Erza's turn to shoot another painful question and Levy was her victim.

"I CAN'T tell you that!" Levy was beaming like a traffic light and clenched the fabric of her pyjama trousers.

"Come on! Don't be a wussy!" There was no way Erza would accept any attempt of evation. Being aware of the inevitable Levy began to confess.

"I guess it was after I- well... one time after I gave Gajeel, you know..., a blowjob, he wanted to kiss me right after that. But I had all his, ahm... in my mouth. He said he'd be fine but he wasn't. It was so embarrassing. For the both of us."

No one expected THAT kind of avowal. Not coming from Levy. All her friends wore shocked eyes of surprise - most of all Erza.

"Eww! That's gross!"

The redhead immediately received a confused look by Lucy who was sitting to her right. Of all people Erza was the one finding that gross? Lucy had imagined her to be the most experienced in all kinds of smutt. She met up with Jellal from time to time and everyone recognized the sexual tension between them when Jellal was in town. But it was true, still waters run deep. Only Levy didn't deserve to be responded so harshly. And Lucy answered for her.

"Don't say that!"

"What, do you all swallow?" Erza, now visibly offended, fought back.

"Of course, it isn't nice not to. I mean, if you love the guy." The blonde blushed and peered sidewards.

"Poor Jellal...", chaimed in Cana. Her chin leaned on her right hand that for its part rested on one of her tailor-fashion legs. Her expression was a rather attacking one and she grinned after her assault, looking Erza right in the eyes as she was sitting in front of her.

"Hey, he's never ever been unsatisfied!"

"As if he'd dare to complain. You'd punch him in the face if he ever complained." Cana had a point which caused all the mages to burst into laughter. All except for one grumpy redhead. It was just too hilarious. Juvia enjoyed her evening very much. The girls of her dormitory were all so relaxed and carefree, it was easy to fit in. And when the time came Juvia would ask Cana about her behavior. As much as they laughed together Juvia still had the impression that the brunette avoided to talk to her directly. But for now Levy was next.

"Okay Levy, it's your turn."

"Right. I pick...Lucy!", and with that sat Levy darted a mischievious glance at her friend, "who were you talking about regarding the blowjob... and the one you love?"

You could tell that Lucy was caught off guard as beads of sweat ran down her face. At that moment it was her who pegged to her pyjamas.

"I ahm... What are you talking about?" Chuckling insecurely Lucy did her best to elude the topic. Though it didn't work at all. Not with Erza besides her who was all too happy about the change of subject matter.

"Don't play that stupid! We know there's something going on with Natsu."

"NO! There's not!"

"I think I saw him leaving your place with a very pleased smile on his face. Shirtless. And his belt still slack." Juvia did saw that. Many times actually. Lucy's apartment was on her way to the guild and Natsu used to stumble out of her door at times.

"Not you, too, Juvia!" Lucy felt very much affronted all around. Her so called friends were stabbing her with spears of curiosity and she was their quarry.

"Why do you keep objecting. It's so obvious." And there she went again, saying out loud what ecerybody else was thinking. Cana loved to tease her girlfriends about their sex live.

"Is it?"

"Yes." Hoplelessness got the better of Lucy and she surrendered with her head bowed in defeat.

"Well, yeah. We have something going on. But as long as we don't have a clear arrangement about us we want it so be a secret. So please, don't tell anybody!"

"Sure. I'm so happy for you, Lucy!" Levy was the first of the group to come out about her relationship with Gajeel. It was only a matter of time when the others did as well and now was Lucy's moment of confession.

"Fine. Make sure he deserves you. And tell me if I should kick his ass!"

"Erza!"

The clique shared another time cackling and chinked their glasses afterwards. Lucy however was aware of her might. And she'd make the most of it.

"Okay, my turn. Juvia!", she knew exactly what she wanted to ask, "how was your training with Gray?" Juvia's smile vanished for a glum expression to emerge.

"Uhm..." That got Erza interested. Even though it wasn't her turn she barged in and pelt Juvia with another question.

"You trained with Gray? Is he still pissed and acting like a dick?"

"Well... as for the training part - it went well, very well. I could turn myself into water at the end of it."

So far so good. But Lucy needed more from her.

"Go on. Did anything happen between the two of you?"

"We made out and it was horrible!" The bluenette cupped her own cheeks and suppressed her tears. She weeped so fast, especially when drunk. Damn her connection with water.

"Really? He's that bad of a kisser? Expected more of that stripper..." Cana laughed in her sleeve. That knowledge was worth a mint.

"NO! Not the kissing part. But in the middle of it he broke away and just left me. He's so confusing. I don't think we're going to see each other anytime soon."

Silence spread all over the room. Meanwhile, Erza mulled over for a second and then formed her assumption into words.

"That explains why he accepted that mission. Thought he'd quit."

"Mission?" Juvia blinked at Erza hopefully. Her tears threatened her again.

"Yeah, Team Natsu's going on a mission to Caelum. It's probably going to take a few weeks, maybe a month."

"I see. He said he wanted some space..." Juvia sank her head. She felt a bit heartbroken. While it was so simple to be friends with everyone else Gray was one untransparant book to read. Why could he make her feel so high and so low from one moment to another? And now he was avoiding her... avoiding... Juvia arised her gaze again and fixated on Cana.

"Speaking of which. Cana, I'd like to know why you have evaded me so far." The girls locked eyes. Levy, Lucy and Erza also stared at Cana and were excited for her response.

"Me evading you?" Cana straightened herself and became nervous. She hesitated to answer right away. It wasn't like she intended to avoid her. It was simply hard to face her knowing she caused her pain. It was the same with Gray if not worse. When she first told him about the accident she couldn't read his expression at all. He appeared dense and buried in the progress of understanding when he left her hospital room. Ever since that she prevented to meet him. He had to be angy with her.

"Cana, you did evade Juvia." Being the attentive friend she was Levy naturally saw the change in the brunette's manner. Not by any means was it now possible for Cana to escape. She had to open up. She blinked a few times and eventually gave Juvia her answer.

"To be honest, I didn't think you wanted to speak to me at all. I mean, after everything that happened..." Cana stopped there so as to await the blunett's reaction. Said recipient however knitted her brows.

"What do you mean?" Juvia couldn't recall their last job. How would she know?

"It's my falt after all."

"What is your falt?"

"Juvia, you saved me. My movements were too slow in the fight and you took that spell to save me. If it wasn't for me you'd still have your memories."

So that's been the heavy burden on her heart. She's been suffering all the time. Suffering in vain but suffering. Juvia was not the only one effected by the spell after all. It was tough in the beginning but she had sorted herself out in most of her issues. Cana shouldn't have thought that way. That was for Juvia to assure and her face slackened off in the course of her upcoming statement.

"Don't blame yourself. Whatever happened - it's in the past. We can't change anything. And I'm fine. I started to regain my magic skills and I feel so comfortable with you and Fairy Tail in general. I'm happy the way things are." Juvia cocked her head and gave Cana a sweet smile. Her kind and honest gesture appeased Cana a bit but she was still worried about a certain person.

"Yeah, but what about you and Gray?" The topic of Gray annoyed her at that point. She was too drunk. And strictly speaking, the girls required a night of joy. Why bumming them out any more?

"I don't know. Maybe we have to move on."

'Poor Gray' were everyone's thoughts but no one dared to say it out loud. It was useless to push or to judge Juvia in that matter. Truth be told, from what Juvia had told them Gray was acting his usual withdrawn dumbass self. If someone could handle that side of Gray it would be her and only her.

They soon continued to play their truth or truth game. Levy became the silly drunk, Juvia the wailing one, Erza the bossy one and Lucy cuddled with one of her friend's pillows and called out Natsu's name. Only Cana remained her usual self - as always.

The night went on in laughter, teasing and tears of love. Juvia learned a lot about herself and her mates. And at the end of the night she felt as confident as she could regarding her company and calling them that way - because that's what they were: true friends.

May

Gray gazed into the distance and let himself get carried away by the sound of the waves and the soft sea breeze touching his bare torso. His team had been on business for more than three weeks. It had taken them a whole week only to travel to their destination. One day left of traveling back home and he didn't know how to handle Juvia, though. Ignore her? Overact as if nothing had happened? He sighed and sank his head onto his crossed arms. The comfort he seeked in the light swell didn't sneak in - not in the slightest. What was it he expected of his relationship with Juvia? Being her boyfriend? Going back to being friends? Could he do that? Could he resist her pull? Could he accept it if they moved on and she dated another guy? Only imagining it transformed his bowles into jelly.

His wallow in self-pity got interrupted when he sensed a pair of feet and the rasping of somebody clearing her throat to his left.

"So, what are you going to to about Juvia?" Gray looked up and darted Erza the most pissed-off gaze he owned.

"Why do you care?" Erza felt offended. Her purpose was helping him, not taunting. She crossed her arms but pointed out her true intension. She tried her voice to sound calm and understanding.

"You're my friend, of course! And Juvia, too." There lay concern in her eyes. Gray noticed that. He decided to offer her that talk after all. But what was there he could say?

"Don't know", was the only thing he could give her. He hated his lips forming those words. Apparently, he used to say them more often lately.

"Do you want to lose her?"

"No."

"Then it's obvious, isn't it?" Erza bowed her head like a confident parent lecturing a child. Gray despised her for that kind of behavior.

"I hate you."

"Grow a pair, Gray. When we're back home you gonna get your girl. You're not giving up on her, right?" Erza used just the right words. Giving up on her? The hell he'd give up on what is his! That bitch was damn right. Why would he even falter. It's Juvia. JUVIA. HIS JUVIA. His girlfriend. To hell with her loss of memory. They could make plenty of more ones. They had a foundation nevertheless. They matched. And he loved the way they matched. How her sweet and soft body clung to his. The way her voice released a brief shriek whenever he made her startle. He loved that he could still make her blush. He loved her laughter. He loved her curly blue hair. He loved how easily he got lost in the depths of her ocean like eyes. It was as simple as that. He loved her.

What gnawed at him was the fact he needed Erza's assistance for that matter.

"Again, I hate you."

"Love you, too, sweetheart."

Gray stood in front of his guild. He had checked on Juvia at her apartment but she was out. He presumed she'd be at the guild. He just had to march in, take her boldy in a tight embrace and press his lips on hers. Well, maybe he'd choose a more careful method. But his feet wouldn't move. They were rooted to the spot. What did move was his raging pulse, his hammering heart and his boiling blood. He felt the urge to strip right then and there. Was it that hard to tell the girl you love about your feelings? They were just three teeny tiny words. Yet they held so many expectations, hopes and promises. But he had to tell her. She had to know. She deserved to know.

When his muscles finally gave in and carried him through the front doors his eyes searched for his goal eagerly. He scanned the room from right to left and there she was - chilling at the bar, talking to Mira and sipping at a drink. She was hot, damn hot. She wore a sleeveless, tight, dark blue hoodie, a black short skirt that revealed her guild mark and her usual overknees. She was sexyness to perfection which caused Gray to almost drool all over the place.

'Kay, Gray. Calm down. You prepared yourself. Not the fuzzy kissing part. The talking part. You know what's gonna happen. You know what to say. Man, was this how Juvia felt when she creeped all around me? Have we exchanged roles?'

Gray inhaled deeply, braced up and stepped closer to his target.

"Juvia."

The called bluenette turned and put on a gentle smile immediately. A smile that sent Gray a chill down his spine. She was so beautiful. Why has he never told her that? She deserved to hear it every day. And her eyes. He could sink in those seas. His right arm bestirred to touch her cheek but stopped in the process when she spoke.

"Oh, hi Gray. How was your mission?" Right, it's been weeks or a month that they had last seen another. Plus it was according to his will. In light of this it was rather impressive that she welcomed him in such a sweet way. First small talk, then confession, then exchange of affection. Yes, that could work.

"Flame breath was a pain in the ass. Erza beat the shit outta us. We earned a lot of bucks. Pretty normal job."

"That's great." Gray didn't mean to dwell on small talk too much, though. He came with a mission of his personal concern and that mission he would fulfill or his name wasn't Gray Fullbuster. However, his left hand couldn't resist but scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Yeah, anyway. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Juvia widened her eyes. Certainly, for him to seek her out with the need to talk was not his typical demeanor.

"Sure. What's it abou-"

"JUVIA", a male voice from afar disrupted her speech. The man owning that said voice came nearer and grabbed Juvia by her shoulders (a bit too familiar for Gray's liking), "I won! You're truly my lucky charm." The man had greasy brown hair that reminded Gray of his hairstyle back in his Avatar times. His toothy grin was gorgeous and his whole appearance was handsome (he could hear Lucy's description in his ears if she was here). Gray hated him. But the worst part of it was Juvia's reaction. She responded with a childish giggle and reddened. She REDDENED.

"Told you Gajeel would save that one as his trump card."

"You're the best!"

What came next morphed the Ice Mage into a speechless, dizzy picture of misery. His blood froze. His heart stopped for a second. His breathing failed to feed his lungs. The brown haired man leaned forward and kissed Juvia who willingly reciprocated by cupping his cheeks. It was short but it happened. Juvia had kissed another man right in front of him. Gray became violently sick in an instant. Someone else's mouth on hers. That was the most grievous scene he could have expirienced there. Shock or anger or consternation couldn't even signify his state of mind.

After they had pulled apart Juvia faced Gray again, looking innocently.

"What was is you wanted to talk about?"

Boom cliffhanger bitches! [Sorry for my language]. I know I'm being the bitch here. And I know I'm not easy-going on Gruvia but hey. If we're being a bit realistic it has to be complicated for them to work things out.

Btw, who do you think the handsome brown haired man is?

Thank you guys, again. See ya.