Sorry for the mistakes, staying up till 3 am didn't really help my vision. Thanks for reading. :)


-Try

Silence, there was nothing but silence among them. The air felt thick and suffocating to Juvia. Time seemed to go by slower, second by excruciating second. Tick. Tick. Tick. The soft clicks of the clock was the only sound to be heard, it read 9: 45 pm. They'd been sitting in silence for over 15 minutes. Even Stranger seemed to notice the tension, at the back of the room his beady eyes stared at the still humans in front of him.

Jordan held an ice pack against the unexpected visitor's horribly bruised cheek while the man stared at the paintings hanging on Juvia's walls, biting his lip. He was probably waiting for hell to open beneath him and swallow him up. Juvia looked down at her hands, examining them with intense interest, carefully stealing glances at the man in front of her from time to time. Gray slouched against the couch, his arms folded across his chest, irritation plain in his face, sitting across Juvia with his bags beside his feet. The movie was long forgotten, with the psycho serial killer's face paused on the screen, also seeming to stare at them from behind the TV, menacing and mocking.

"Awkward" The man Jordan called Zef finally said, shattering the silence with his deep voice, effectively making the situation much queerer. Zef was the drummer in Jordan's band, tall and skinny. His features were very striking and unusual. Everything about him felt dark and full of depth starting with the deepness of his voice that was so odd on a man of his physique. He had bright auburn hair, messy atop his head. Above all, his eyes were the most interesting, Juvia thought they were brown at first but on closer inspection, his eyes were deep black voids. Juvia immediately noticed the constant sadness in them. 20 and a full-time musician, he was the son of a wealthy business-owner, which explained the fact that he owned a 2 story house and a motorcycle and the reason why he was a musician, full-time.

"Shut up Zef!" Jordan scolded. "It wouldn't be this way if you didn't suddenly show up" she turned and regarded the rest of the company. "Holy baby Jesus, okay as he said this is really weird, so before we go on punching anyone, why don't we all make sense of this situation". Jordan emphasized the word punching, glaring at her brother. Gray didn't seem to notice as he was staring intently at the air above Juvia's head. She turned towards Juvia. "Okay Io, you start"

"Don't look at me. I just opened the door, and Bam! Zef here kisses me" Juvia said pointing a little accusingly to the bruised man.

"What?!" Jordan exclaimed, looking wildly at Zef "You. Kissed. Another. Woman?" Her voice rose with every word. Juvia saw Gray scowl, his hands tightly balled into fists under his arms.

"Hey, Hey wait, I thought she was you" Zef said in a panicky voice, backing up and raising both his hands as if to surrender. "Jordan, honey, sweetie-pie, I-I came here to apologize, I just got excited when I came and I thought she was you, at the door." Zef swallowed hard. Juvia couldn't help but snicker at the pet names. Shuddering as she imagined being called like that.

"What we fought over this morning was stupid, I understand that now. I just overreacted a little, please princess you know how I am. I'm sorry I screamed at you. I swear that won't ever EVER happen again, even if you don't change the tissue paper, or even if you burp out loud sometimes, I won't even get mad if you call me Zeffy-boo in public" Zef said hurriedly.

Jordan's face was still angry, though it seemed like she was considering the idea. After a few more ticks from the clock, finally her face softened and she smiled sweetly at Zef "You stupid silly mongrel, I'm sorry too" Jordan whimpered, tears in her eyes. She reached out and touched his bruised cheek. Juvia placed a hand on her chest, letting out a sigh of relief, it seemed like all was settled between the weirdly affectionate couple.

"So now that that's settled, let's move on to another issue. YOU STILL KISSED HER, YOU IDIOT!" Jordan screamed into Zef's ears putting too much pressure on his poor cheek, she was still definitely mad.

"Ow, Ow, Jordan that hurts, it's just a misunderstanding" Zef complained.

Looking over to Juvia, he apologized "I'm really-really-really terribly sorry Jordan's best friend. I didn't mean to do that. I didn't mean to offend you in any way, and I assure you that I am no pervert although I might have some loose screws in my old noggin'. I'm really sorry, I'm Zeref Harlington by the way" He extended his hand to her.

"Nice to finally meet you Jordan's boyfriend, you can call me Violette, Io or Juvia, your pick." Juvia took his hand, purposely leaving out her other nickname. Rae still belonged exclusively to the man across her. Looking at Zef, Juvia pondered. So this was the reason Jordan cried. He seemed nice enough, maybe except for the impulsive-kissing part. In gray long sleeves, knee-high shorts and boots, he only slightly looked delinquent.

Swallowing hard again, Zef faced Gray. It was plain in his face that after that punch, he was scared shitless of his girlfriend's brother. But trying to introduce himself anyway took a lot of courage, it was brave of Zef to do so and both Juvia and Jordan were deeply impressed. Jordan placed a reassuring pat on his back.

Not just a rich brat after all Juvia said in her mind.

"Oh right, bro this is Zef, my boyfriend and this is Juvia, my best friend, but I guess you already knew that" Jordan introduced, laughing at the last part. Juvia smiled wryly, looking up to see Gray's expression.

Zef hesitantly reached over towards Gray with his hand open, the sadness once again apparent in his noir eyes. "Nice to meet you, I-I apologize for earlier. I didn't know it was your girlfriend I kissed".

Atomic bomb here, another nuclear there and flying pigs everywhere, it was just plain chaos in Juvia's head, her eyes bulged at the word. Holy crap her conscience screamed. She looked up wildly and saw Gray's blue eyes with the same reaction. Jordan gasped and covered her mouth tightly with her hand, her eyes travelling between her brother and Juvia and her free hand clamped down on Zef's wrist. Juvia's cheeks began to blush.

Gray's face was still the same yet a second later broke into a hesitant smile, his eyes softening. He reached out and shook hands with Zef. "Name's Gray. Yeah, I'm sorry too. Don't do that again alright?" He slowly leaned back again "She's not my girlfriend" He muttered.

Before Zef could say anything more Jordan stood, pulling him up with her. Quickly, they retreated outside and into the hallway, closing the door behind them. As if sensing the situation, Stranger stalked away from them and entered Juvia's room, leaving the two alone, only with the serial killer's face to stare at them.

Only then did Gray look at Juvia, his eyes taking in her features. From the punch to the present, he avoided any eye contact Juvia tried to establish. Juvia finally saw his face clearly, trying to point out the changes that had occurred in him. He still had the same blue eyes as she remembered, only now with dark circles around them. He's tired she thought, he must've gone straight here from his flight. How does he know where I live? She thought for a moment and finally decided on one person. Jordan.

Gray's hair grew longer, landing half-way his ears, slightly covering his eyes. He pushed it back like he used to and smiled his pirate grin at her, only now it was sadder than she remembered. Memories played in Juvia's mind, how many times she'd seen that smile without the sadness directed at her, how she'd missed it after all those years. Juvia internally winced as a familiar pain entered her chest.

"Rae" He greeted, his voice like music in her ears, God how she missed everything about him. There he was right in front of her, the living personification of the man in her dreams. Their past together felt so near that Juvia's heart ached and throbbed. She studied the plains of his face, knowing how it felt without touching it, smooth and cold, always cold like glass.

"Hey" She finally managed, tipping the side of her mouth up. "We weren't expecting you".

"I can see that, good thing I came early" He joked. Gray brushed his hand over his mouth wiping away his smile. Looking up he stared at Juvia, several conflicting emotions passing through his eyes. Juvia knew he wanted to say something. Be patient she said to herself and sat quietly, waiting for him to start.

"What?" Juvia finally said when a full 2 minutes passed with him just staring at her, it was starting to make her uncomfortable. Her heart began to race in her chest, his lingering gaze brought heat to her body.

"Can we go someplace else? Your friend over there is creeping me out" Gray said, pointing at the TV screen where the criminal's eyes stared at them, with his unblinking, unflinching endless stare.

"Yeah you're probably right" Juvia agreed with a laugh, getting uncomfortable too. She stood and walked towards the narrow hallway. She heard Gray follow, their footsteps in sync as they entered the kitchen. She turned and saw him looking around the place. Holy cow, Gray's in my kitchen Juvia screeched in her head.

Attempting to disperse the silence, she looked back at him. "So what were you saying?" Juvia hopped onto the counter and let her legs dangle in front of her. Now her eyes were leveled with his, Gray had grown so much taller. His chest was broader and his body looked much more mature. She looked at Gray expectantly.

He swallowed hard and his eyebrows came together. It must've been serious for him to look so agitated. Gray made his way in front of her and leaned on the counter across from her, his hands shoved into his jean pockets. Juvia knew he only did that when he was nervous or angry.

"Just wanted to know how you were doing" He finally said.

" Fine, I guess. I like my job and I actually don't stink at it"

Gray smirked at that then after a moment let out a deep sigh. "Look Rae, I really don't want to rush our reunion, but we both now that we've got more important things to talk about than work or the weather" Juvia found herself still. She could only nod her head and wait for whatever was to come.

"This is kinda stupid, but I'm just gonna say it" Gray finally said, shifting his weight and looking her straight in the eyes. He was within reaching distance and Juvia though how this morning she'd never think that they would be in her kitchen, across from each other and talking at least civilly. "Before I say anything else to you, I just want you to know that you have every right to stop me or disagree with whatever I'm going to say, just promise you'll listen, listen till the end."

Juvia nodded again and mentally prepared herself. Dread rose in her heart and her palms began to sweat. Her legs were swaying alternately, she did this for them not to cramp. She breathed in carefully measured breaths and looked at him, ready to listen.

" During the flight, I swore to myself that I would apologize to you before I'd say anything else, apologize for the last-last time I spoke to you"

He was talking about the last time he'd ever seen Juvia. The day she ran out on him. Blackness and thunder played in her mind. The memory came back to her in a rush leaving her breathless. She couldn't say anything, couldn't move. Her body tensed up and she clenched her fist so hard her nails dug into her flesh, her legs stopped swaying and were stiff. She was scared that if she did anything, all this would shatter and she'd wake up in another cruel dream.

"So here goes" Gray continued, then closed his eyes and bowed his head. Juvia's eyes didn't waver from him, patiently waiting. After a deep breath he looked up.

"You probably won't realize how much I mean this, but I'm sorry." His voice dropping to a whisper "I don't know how many times I'm gonna say those words but just bare with me okay? " He shut his mouth and shook his head, a muscle jumping in his throat.

"I'm sorry it ended the way it did, I was a jerk and I was a coward. I'd hurt you and I regret that, so much that I want to punch myself for it. That was not how I wanted you to remember me" His voice cracked and he bowed his head again, raking his fingers in his hair, breathing deeply, in and out, in and out. He probably couldn't look her in the eyes.

"You deserved better and I'd given so much less, I'm sorry" His head still bowed "I'd never thought there was even the slightest possibility that I would do that to you, I hate myself for doing it anyway. I got caught up in my emotions and I dragged you along, it was irresponsible. My actions were misleading and selfish and I just stood there, didn't even try to stop you as you ran out that door. If I were you I would've done the same thing, I'd leave myself behind."

Juvia's eyes started to water. She wanted to cry and turn away. No, not yet, she said to herself. You promised to listen.

" Now –now that I'm back, I want to clear things out with you, clean the slate. I know that I can't simply come back and we'd return to how things were before but Rae this is me trying" He looked up, his blue eyes clear with regret, stepping forward he slowly took one of her clenched hands in his, holding them hard, her fingers uncurled as soon as the contact was made.

" I NEED to make things right. Violette I've known you all my life, we grew up together. You have no idea how important you are to me, never thinking that one day I'd lose you, lose you just because I was uncertain and stupid. I used you and it cost me years of self-loathing. The past few years haven't been easy, with you at the back of my mind, knowing that I've somehow hurt you. That's why it took me so long to comeback, because I was a coward, trying to work and keep myself busy just to give me a reason from facing you again, don't get me wrong, I'm really happy to see you again" His mouth turned up into a sad smile and his eyes were still lingering on her face. "I'm sorry. I know this is pathetic. You know how I am with words".

"By some miracle, I got myself a plane ticket and came here before I could back out. I need to try, to have you know that I regret letting you out of that door. I regret that I didn't give you a proper answer, every day of my sorry existence. I'm not forcing you Rae, you can tell me to leave, and I'll do it, I'll leave you alone. I know I broke your heart and it's not easy to get over that. But I also have to try, can't we start this over? Rae, will you give me another chance? Not like we were before, start again as friends, if that's what you want, it's fine with me, just give me a chance Rae." He pleaded.

She saw the pain in his blue eyes as he talked, it was deep and jagged. His body was also tensed and she knew he was trying hard to keep himself in check. Her hand hurt by how tightly he was holding into it, like a lifeline. Juvia remembered the day he knocked at her doorstep, desperate to see her.

"Forgive me" Gray was looking up at her, holding his breath, his face was so uncertain that Juvia truly believed that he was at her mercy. He was near and her knees were touching his waist. With just one word she could send him away, tell him to never bother her again. With just a shake of her head, she could break him, deepen his sorrow and prolong his self-loathing. Revenge filled Juvia's mind. Why would I Gray, after all you've done? Juvia knew the answer even before she could ask him. Because if you don't you'll never get yourself out of this Juvia. She quickly banished every thought of holding a grudge, ashamed of herself for even thinking of it. He slowly released her hands and instead laid his on the counter.

She had a hard time breathing too, here he was, back to her once again, asking, pleading for her to forgive him, to give him on more chance. Her fears crashed into her mind, What If the past repeats itself? What if we come to hurt each other more than before? What if this doesn't work out? Her inner voice said frantically. Looking into his eyes she knew she wanted to start again, she wanted it as badly as him. They could be friends again, start fresh, If only she would say yes. Her words didn't get past her lips.

The answer to her what ifs, she found in him, He was Gray Raphael Breck. The first man she'd fallen for, the man to teach her how it felt like to love someone even though it was unrequited, it was still love. He was the man that brought her happiness and contentment, and the man to give her first kiss and her first heartbreak. But before all that he was her friend, the boy with the bright light, the boy she shared her childhood with. She wanted that person back, to hell with her ruined heart. She could love again, Juvia knew that. She also knew that this time she had a choice, her heart was her own again, not Gray's. She thought briefly of ash brown hair and silver eyes, a man she could potentially fall in love with. Yes, I know I can love again.

She reached out and touched his cheek gently. Gray softly moaned as their skin connected and his blue eyes fluttered shut. He swallowed hard and his hands balled into fists beside her. Gray was restraining himself, Juvia thought. Their past also had an effect on him, SHE still had an effect on him and it was massive.

" Another chance Gray, probably the last one. I'd also like to start over, very much. Above all Gray, you were my friend and I'd like to have that back. I'm sorry too, I pushed you too hard" Juvia whispered.

" No" Gray said with a shake of his head. He gave her a sad smile, and opened his arms to her. Juvia whimpered as she entered his embrace. Tears began to flow from her eyes. Gray's arms were tight around her waist and his head was buried in her hair. Slowly, he pulled her from the counter and gently brought her down, till her feet touched the floor. She could almost hear his heart race.

"You don't know how much I was afraid that you wouldn't say that. I swear I won't waste it. Back abroad, I went crazy just thinking about how I would say this to you and what I'd do if- if you refused. I promise we'll be better this time." Juvia nodded on his chest. "God, I missed you so much" He said in her ear a little too fiercely, his voice full of determination and relief. Juvia rested her head on his shoulder. It felt so good, like the weight of the world was carried away from her shoulders. She guessed Gray felt the same. "By the way, you look amazing ".

They were like that for a long time, trembling in each other's arms.

Click.

The flash startled them both and broke their embrace. Jordan stood before them with Gray's camera in her hands, grinning with an expression that only spelled mischief. There was no sign of Zef. Both of them didn't hear her enter the room, her quietness baffled them both.

"You two sure get along" Jordan said in a sly voice, her finger twirling her newly cut hair. "Just wanted to say that Zef already went ahead, by the way Io, if you're wondering why he knows about this place it's because I gave him your address, since I was crashing in with you I thought maybe you might as well meet him too" Jordan finished with a smile. "Oh, and I also accidentally told Gray that I was staying here, so yeah, my baaaad."

"I knew it" Juvia muttered.

Jordan settled the camera on the glass dining table and skipped her way back to their bedroom, calling for Stranger with a sing-songy voice, violet hair bouncing with each skip.

Juvia felt Gray's arms loosen on her waist. Only then did she realize the closeness of their faces. Embarrassed, she jumped out of his arms, muttering an apology. She stood straighter and wiped her palms on her pants, they felt sweaty. Gray just smiled at that, his face looked better and his manner was more relaxed, he looked more similar to the Gray she remembered.

"I guess I should go." He said, turning his head towards the living room. Juvia nodded and followed behind him as he grabbed his camera and walked towards his bags on the living room floor. Jordan called from one of the rooms that she was gonna stay over and keep Juvia company. Gray looked at her with a question in his eyes, one of his eyebrows raised.

"Oh, it's okay, I don't mind" Juvia quickly answered. "Besides we have to finish the movie"

"Okay, you two have fun" Gray chuckled. Stranger appeared and barked up at him.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, this is Stranger" Juvia said as she bent down to ruffle the dog's head.

"Cool dog, very big too. You never liked the small ones, did you? Gray said as he followed her lead and patted Stranger's head gently. He took out his camera and snapped a few shots of the dog. Stranger wagged his tail and nudged his head to his hand. Stranger liked Gray, or maybe the camera, Juvia wondered. This made her smile as Gray shot more photos.

"Yeah" she just said as Gray rose and walked towards the door, his bags hanging from his shoulder and his camera dangled from the straps around his neck. His back was broader than she remembered, her hand reached towards him, and then she realized that she wasn't supposed to. Juvia drew it back quickly, realizing that it was involuntary. She put her hands behind her and clasped them. What am I doing?

At the doorway he stopped and turned to face her, a shy grin on his face.

"You know, don't put your guard down so easily" He assessed her with his blue eyes, hair falling over them. He was referring to Juvia being mistakenly kissed. Pushing the black strands back he said "You don't know how bad that looked from my point of view".

Juvia smiled, appreciating the concern, not wanting to put a label on his intentions." I'm glad you came when you did, although the punch wasn't necessary".

Slowly with his free hand, he reached out and touched the tips of her hair, staring at them as he twirled the lock between his fingers, his lips tipping up into another grin. "Believe me, it was" he whispered.

It was such an intimate act that Juvia couldn't help but hide her blushing cheeks. He left without another word. She watched as he turned and walked, getting farther away till his figure disappeared into the corner, he'd taken the stairs.

Juvia closed the door and leaned back into it. Start over she repeated in her mind. Gray and I, were gonna start from the beginning, as friends. With a sigh Juvia went back to the living room, there she found Stranger, half-seated on the couch. She collected him up and rested his body on her lap, then buried her head in his soft fur. Yes, just as friends.

"You wanna continue the movie?" She said to the dog with a sigh. Stranger wagged his tail, indicating he did. Jordan appeared from the kitchen, holding a bowl of popcorn and two cups of coffee. Handing one to Juvia, she sat down beside her.

"This must be the strangest day of your life" Jordan said as she sprinkled pepper on her food and tossed the popcorn in her mouth.

"Yeah" Juvia said tiredly and pressed play.


"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."
- Pablo Neruda

Not to spoil anything, but I'm open to any suggestions on how I can introduce Natsu's character into the story. His name kinda sounds too foreign for the setting, if you guys know any names that might sound okay then that would be awesome. Or if not, I could just say that he's from a foreign country or something, depending on your responses. Lots of thanks!..

Please review! Till the next chapter..:)