Chapter 10 - Our dream

The moments that followed were of deep silence between the two mages. They were both thinking deeply about the meaning of that rule. It was kind of easy to think of your own wish, and in a room like that it was probably easy to make it true, too. But they had to think of a shared dream, one that both Juvia and Gray had. And they were both having a hard time imagining what the other one could dream of. They started walking around in the huge room, randomly looking at things hoping to have a good idea. They did not dare talk to each other, for some reason.
Juvia was silent because she perfectly knew what her dream was, and since the moment she had read the sign she feared to know the truth about Gray's feelings for her. She had always tried to push him to tell her, but now that she was so close to know the truth, she was afraid. What if he disliked her after all? Juvia has always been close to Gray-sama, cheering for him, saying nice things to him... But he never answered back... He's not the shy type, is he? He doesn't like Juvia, that's how it is... That's not the dream we share... She was growing sad, as she approached the bed to sit on it.
Gray, instead, didn't say a word because he suddenly felt extremely confused about himself. The dream he had thought about before wasn't something that Juvia could want too, and by the way, he could imagine what Juvia's dream was about. That's what troubled him the most: the possibility that that could be the dream they shared. But he just couldn't make up his mind about it, he didn't understand his feelings for the girl. Or maybe he couldn't admit them.
As he noticed that Juvia had sat down on the bed, he walked towards her and sat on an armchair in front of her. He noticed her sad look, but couldn't find the courage to ask about it.
"Uhm... As we're supposed to find a... dream that we both have, maybe we should... uhm, talk about it?" that's how he broke the ice. Juvia startled at the sound of his voice. She looked up at him and replied: "Yes... Well, what are your dreams, Gray-sama?" He didn't expect that question all of a sudden. "Er, the truth is, I don't really have... such big dreams... I can't even think of one in particular..." "What about the one you thought about at the entrance door?" She was incredibly straightforward, despite her inner upheaval.
"Oh, that one... Well... it's kind of stupid..." Gray said. "It can't be. Please, tell Juvia." she insisted. "I'd like to... some day... train an apprentice. That's it." he confessed with a little smile. "But it's stupid to think about that now." Juvia raised her voice, her eyes shining with admiration. "That's not stupid at all, Gray-sama! It's commendable!" He let out a little giggle. "I mean, as I am right now I'm definitely not able to train someone, I still need to learn many things." "Gray-sama is a very capable and strong mage." "But I'm far from ready to teach magic, if I want to be as good as Ur..." A shadow of sadness appeared in his eyes, but he was still smiling lightly.
Juvia had heard of the woman who taught Gray the ice magic, and about how much he respected her. So, she understood how he must have seen her: as a mentor, and maybe also as a mother, as he had lost his own as a child. And now that he had lost Ur too, all he got left was her teaching, so it was understandable for him to want to pass on that teaching and also her memory. And Gray being Gray, he wanted that to be done properly.
Juvia looked him right in the eyes, an encouraging smile showing upon her face. "You're doing really good. And it's not only about magic. You're also a kind and emotionally strong mage. Those are important qualities for a good trainer." Gray raised his look, not sure how to react to those words. "Juvia thinks that Ur-sama would be proud of you." she added. He looked somewhere else, a nervous smile on his face, and murmured: "Thank you... But I'm not really..." ... that strong, emotionally. I can't even finish my own sentence, tch.
"What about yours?" he tried to change the subject, without thinking. "Juvia's... dream...?" she blushed, surprised by the sudden and unexpected question. She didn't know that it was unexpected for Gray as well. Why did I ask her?! As if I didn't know... I'm just bothering her. "Well... Juvia's dream..." she hesitated. "Juvia wishes it was something that we could share." she said, looking sad again. "But probably not."
Gray was growing frustrated, and her companion's words weren't helping solving his trouble. They gave him even more to think about. He rested his head on his hands, trying to keep up with the amount of thoughts and sensations crowding his mind.
He was seeing Ur, the light of hope she had given him after he had lost his parents. Every child had a mother and a father, but he lacked that reference because of Zeref's evil demon. And Ur had come to save him from his nightmare. She even gave away her human life to protect him, so he had lost her too. Once again, he had lost someone he deeply cared about. Let's say, someone he loved. Since then, no such bonds were ever born again between Gray and someone else. Of course, Fairy Tail became his family and his guild mates became like brothers and sisters. But it wasn't the same, he saw them as nakama, they worked and shared moments and memories together, but none of them was such an important presence in his life as the one of those he had lost. That is why he never thought about love, nor about looking for someone special and things like that. I had someone special, once. Now they're all gone, so... that's it. Don't know if it's me or it's just destiny, but I can't care that much about someone if I'm going to lose that person in no time. Not only his magic, but also his heart had slowly become of ice.
"Gray-sama?"
The water mage was looking at him worriedly.
Her. It was her who had instilled a doubt in his icy heart, and was slowly, gradually melting it. Her, with her obsession, her over-protectiveness, her frenzy, her supporting smiles, her shyness. Her love.
Gray was finally starting to understand. No matter what he'd do to keep Juvia away, she would still be there for him, and come closer, because she cared about him that much. She was there to give him all she had for him, and that was her love. He was her reason to live. And she... Juvia is... He couldn't deny it. Not anymore. He liked her attentions for him. He cared about her, a lot. A lot more than he expected, and now he couldn't repress that feeling anymore. He understood how useless it was to repress it, for both of them. What's more, the fear of losing someone loved wasn't a good reason to leave the poor girl alone with her unanswered love. I'm ridiculous! Fear of losing her? Maybe, when I was little it was true. I lost my loved ones in front of my eyes, not being able to do anything to stop that. But now I'm a mage! I'm a Fairy Tail mage, dammit! If I care about someone, I will protect them! I will protect... her... Just like she's been doing for all this time... While I was just too stubborn to... to...
He stood up. He took the few steps that separated him from Juvia - and in the meantime, unconsciously took off his shirt and threw it on the bed. As soon as she raised her head to look at him, still worried for his silence and sudden action, he touched her cheeks with both hands and roughly pressed his lips against hers. Juvia's heart skipped a beat. The kiss soon became sweeter and smoother, as they both started to feel more at ease and enjoy the moment. Not to mention that Juvia couldn't believe that it was truly happening. She thought, for a moment, that she would faint from happiness, but she didn't. Instead, her eyes became watery and some tears fell down, reaching Gray's fingers. As he noticed, he stopped kissing her and said, with a slightly trembling voice: "Juvia... Why are you... Damn, I'm sorry..." That completely new thing was starting to overwhelm him, and he didn't even know what to say sorry for. There must be countless reasons why I should feel sorry...
Juvia couldn't stop the tears, but she gave him the sweetest smile she had. "No, these... these are tears of joy... Juvia is so happy... It feels like seeing the sun for the first time, again... And it's always thanks to Gray-sama..." As she spoke, she put her hand on Gray's neck, and took the initiative for a new kiss.
Gray was feeling like he had finally reached something that had been missing in his life until that moment. He felt relieved, excited, happy and fulfilled. I shouldn't have kept her away for all this time. He interrupted again to talk: "Juvia, forgive me... Until now, I haven't... I have always... Right now, I see that... You..." He frowned, frustrated for not being able to say what he had in mind.
"Gray-sama. Juvia understands." she smiled, her forehead touching his. "Words are not necessary right now." He smiled back, and caressed her blue hair while he placed his right hand on the bed, to lean against it as he started a new, bolder kiss.
They soon ended up lying on the bed, embracing each other as to make up for the chances they had lost to do it in the past. Gray looked a bit sheepish sometimes, but he was enjoying the moment like nothing that had happened before. He could feel Juvia's lips, her skin, her scent that he had never really noticed until then. He couldn't stop touching her long, silky hair. Juvia's hands were gently running from his hair, to his shoulders, to his bare chest, to his back. She had dreamed of that moment for countless nights and days, and even now she felt like dreaming. But this time it was real, she could feel everything with unmistakable clearness and intensity and she wanted that moment to last forever. They were just kissing and hugging, but it felt like the most beautiful and romantic sensation ever.
Several minutes passed, but the two mages didn't notice the flow of time. They even forgot, for a while, where they were. All they could see and feel was each other.
Gray was still on top of Juvia, and his actions became more and more firm and confident. He wasn't feeling awkward at all, despite his earlier embarrassment. His kisses grew more and more passionate. His left hand ran from Juvia's neck to her shoulder, and was slowly sliding down. She had her clothes on, but as they were very tight he could easily make up the shape of her body and feel it as if he was touching her skin. Before he could realize it, his hand had grabbed her breast.
Juvia gave a little gasp on the spur of the moment, and clutched Gray's hand.
"Uh... Juvia... is sorry..." she murmured, blushing like never before. She didn't know why she had stopped him; she was definitely enjoying Gray's touch. Probably her mind was still aware of where they were, and alerted her to the impropriety of going further in that situation.
Gray soon got back to himself too, and immediately stopped touching her. "Ah! N-No, I am sorry! I was... You were..." He threw himself onto the bed, lying on his back next to the girl. He put both hands on his face, and rhetorically asked: "Have I said any full sentences since the moment I stood up from that chair?" Juvia giggled and replied: "This was the first one, Gray-sama." He put his hands away from his face, and looked at her: she was smiling brightly, and he couldn't resist but smile too. His hand searched hers; as he found her hand, he grabbed it and held it tight.
They stayed like this for a while, silently smiling and looking each other in the eyes, holding hands.
"Juvia's dream came true..." she whispered. In that moment, they both remembered where they were, why they were there and what they were supposed to do. "The dream! The door! Maybe now it's opened!" Gray uttered, sitting himself up.
A bit disappointed for not being able to relax together for longer, they both got up and reached the door which kept them inside unless they had made a dream they shared come true. The two mages had silently agreed on the fact that what had happened was something that they both wanted; so, the disappointment was even worse when they found that the door was still locked.
"What?! But... Why?" Gray punched the door with anger. Juvia, as she had done before, tried to think through it. "Gray-sama... If that wasn't your dream, what is it?" He stopped being angry at the door and turned around to look at the girl, starting to feel awkward again. I must stop being shy, this time I gotta say everything properly! We're so close to getting out of here! "Well... I-I realized that I care a lot about you, so... So... Just having a cuddle on a b-bed isn't exactly what I want... With you... Uhm..." He was staring at the floor while speaking, not able to look at Juvia. He felt embarrassed like never before, but he was also feeling relieved of being able to finally open his heart (despite finding it hard to talk).
Juvia approached him smiling, and put her hand on his arm. He finally looked at her. "Juvia wants to be Gray-sama's girl. Juvia wants to be with you, Gray-sama. Is it what you want, too?" I even need her to speak in my place... how pathetic am I! He sighed and smiled. "... Yes. I also... want you to be my girl. I care about you, and I want to protect you. That is why I want to be with you." He held her in a warm and sweet hug as he spoke. In that moment, the door in front of them began shining, and the sign changed.
'You may now proceed and go thank the Runes Master in person.'
"So, the time has come." Juvia stated, with a little grin on her face. Gray was grinning as well. "I can't wait to thank the Runes Master." As he spoke, he hit his palm with his fist, ready to fight.