CHAPTER 7: ANSWER


A/N: Last day! Thank you for staying with me until the end. Here's the last prompt for you.


That Which Was Worth Waiting For


Juvia stood behind Gray a few feet away, staring at his back as said man knelt down and placed a bouquet of flowers in front of a wooden cross.

Silver x Mika.

It seems like déjà vu for Juvia to be standing amidst the remains of a once peaceful village again, with the snow falling around her. The only difference was she didn't come out of guilt nor did she follow Gray without his knowledge. On the contrary, it was Gray who approached her and asked for her company. She was surprised at first but agreed nonetheless upon seeing Gray's determined eyes.

They departed the next day for Gray's hometown. And after a half a day of travel, they found themselves in front of his parents' grave.

"When the battle's over I'll give you my answer."

The war was over. Zeref was gone. The whole kingdom was at peace. Fiore was slowly recovering and Fairy Tail began taking missions again. But Gray has yet to give his answer to Juvia.

She stood still, waiting for Gray to finish talking with his parents. For the past few days, she wanted to talk to him alone and ask him straight. But she didn't want to come off as desperate. So she decided to wait for Gray to take the initiative and bring out the topic.

She has waited for a long time, but that doesn't mean she can't wait a bit more. She's willing to wait a hundred years for Gray until he's ready to open his heart.

She loves him that much.

Juvia was brought out of her musings upon hearing the snow crunch and the footsteps that were headed towards her. Seeing that it was Gray, she gave him a smile.

"How is it, Gray-sama? Did you have a nice chat with your parents?"

Gray stared at her for a moment before he nodded, "Yeah. It was…calming. Told them that everything's good and Zeref is gone. Dad can finally rest since END…" he paused before continuing, "END is gone. And Natsu is fine. Still annoying though, but fine."

For a moment, they just stood staring at the wooden cross before Gray broke the silence.

'I haven't forgotten my promise, you know. I'm just… waiting for the right moment."

Juvia's breath hitched. Her hands became clammy and her heart started hammering. She felt like she was about to explode with emotions.

Gray took a deep breath and turned towards her, his expression serious.

"I'm sorry."

And just like that, Juvia's whole world crumbled. Her heart skipped a beat and all she could her was the howling of the wind and those words resonating over and over again.

She looked down at her feet, feeling her eyes well with tears. "It's over," she thought sadly.

Suddenly, she felt Gray's hands around her, holding her tight as he leaned down and whispered, "I'm sorry for taking so long to figure my feelings out."

He held her tighter, "I'm sorry for making you wait. And I'm sorry for everything I've put you through."

Gray leaned back and looked at her wide eyes before giving her a small embarrassed smile, "Will you forgive this idiot and give him a chance to love you?"

The tears Juvia was holding back cascaded down her cheeks as she cried and launched herself at Gray, all the time muttering 'yes' and 'I love you' over and over again.

She then pulled back from their embrace and gazed lovingly at Gray, who grinned widely as he leaned his forehead on hers and intertwined their fingers together.

It was the start of a new beginning. And this time, neither will be letting go of each other. Together, they will face the future hand in hand.

It's the answer they've both been waiting for.

-owari-


A/N: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you everyone! See you all again next year for Gruvia Week 2017!