Bleh another short chapter! This was probably a predictable ending anyways heh... But thanks for giving this story a chance, though I don't think it quite meets any expectations. It looks more promising in the beginning, then it just fell. BLEH. Sorry about that! But I appreciate the time you put into checking it out. And I hope you check out other stories as well. Thanks for reading!
Gruvia Week: Day 5
Answer l Care
A rush of cold water woke Gray out of his trance. He looked down to see the waves were washing up ashore and covered his feet with the cool, clear water. He felt uneasy about it. The hairs on his legs were sticking out and his body felt tense. One last tear from his eyes fell down his face and into the water. For some reason, the water stood still, not returning back to the sea. He looked over to Ultear to see that she was already gone. Quickly, Gray wiped away his eyes and placed the flower on top of a rock that sat on the beach. He sat beside it, still having his feet dipped into the tides. He was not sure what he was suppose to do.
"Gray-sama" he heard that voice. Even for an Ice Mage, hearing her voice was definitely something that can instantly make him freeze on the spot. He was not sure if he was just going crazy again, or if something was really there. He was not really sure about the idea of her soul being drawn to the sea, but he sure hoped so. But now that it was really going on, he was no prepared for anything. He has no idea what to do. Numb, yet again. "Gray-sama, answer Juvia."
He gulped, "Ju.. via..?"
"Juvia can't stay with Gray-sama for long," her voiced echoed across the water. "Father had lend Juvia some of his power to speak to you."
"Juvia, I-"
"Gray-sama," she interrupted him. He wanted to blurt out everything he wanted to say to her. Without knowing how much time he has with this moment, he wanted to make sure he said what he should have before. Who knows, maybe this was all imaginary. But it was real enough for Gray. "Juvia is sorry for putting you in so much pain."
"S-Stop! I'm the sorry one here! I'm so pathetic, I've mistreated you, I should have been there for you... like you're always there for me..."
"And Juvia's happy that she has been there for you, she's happy that you're healthy and alive," there was a short pause. "Juvia still wants to be happy... which means Gray-sama has to be too."
"How...?"
"Just remember, it's not nice for everyone else to keep making that face."
Gray remembers. Juvia had said those words to him before. Right after their team's victory over Sabertooth in the Grand Magic Games. That was the time when he figured out about Ultear's sacrifice. Similarly, he was feeling down and very hard on himself. Juvia would be the one to notice the most about his behavior. He knew she did not understand his feelings and could not blame her at all. But those words she said to him did speak to his heart. The world was not about him. He has friends surrounding him. They also have always done their best to be a part of Gray's family, to fill that hole that has been left in him. He can imagine Juvia's smile again.
"You're right...," he said as he tried to make a soft smile. He knew that he has to smile for Juvia. "Thanks."
"Take care of yourself," she said as her voice started fading away.
"I will," he answered back, managing to fight back his urge to cry.
The water on the beach had returned back to the shore, and the tides have calmed down. For that moment, he thought that the world just stopped for him to talk to someone from the heavens. He looked back at the ocean and walked closer to the water. He leaned over and dipped his hand in the water. He balled his fist and concentrated in the palm of his hand. Gray was creating a small capsule made out of ice. He had a bit of ocean water held inside and closed it off. He replaced the charm on his old necklace with this one. He had an old man's Ice Devil Slayer Magic and was able of creating ice that could never melt, just like how he froze the Sun Village of giants. He wanted to keep a part of Juvia with him, as well as his teacher. He wanted her to always be with him. To see him grow and change into a better man.
He took a big sigh and decided that it was time for him to go back home finally.
Before he did so, he traced back the path that he followed Ultear from to return to her home. He wanted to see her again before he leaves to Magnolia. The door was left unlocked but she was no where to be found, perhaps went wandering off somewhere instead of going back to her home. He saw a letter addressed to him on the dining table, but decided to read it later as he wanted to wait for Ultear to come home.
She had finally returned after hours of being out. It was night time already, but Gray did not mind and was being patient about it the whole time.
"Gray? You're still here?" she asked as she was placing down some bags she had.
"Yeah," he said as he started helping her out with some of the groceries. "I wanted to thank you. For everything."
"Well, you can thank me by telling me what you would like for dinner," she walked over to the kitchen.
"Huh? Well... I don't know, anything?"
Gray and Ultear spent the night just talking about things. The world, their feelings, their life, everything. She seemed so lonely ever since the Grand Magic Games and leaving Crime Sorciere. Although she insisted that she was content with living her life this way, Gray made it a thing for him to visit every once in awhile. He saw Ultear as a family. He did think of her mother as a parent figure and saw Ultear the same way. He wanted to make sure he treated everyone that has changed his life with the best care he can provide. He had to return to Fairy Tail and do the same thing. He needed to return to the warm home that Juvia will always cherish.
That was his answer now. For Juvia and himself, for everyone he has lost, he will be happy.
Hope that was an OK ending-ish. I felt like I could of gotten more deeper into this, but I hope your imagination would help you do that. Thanks again for checking it out!
