Christmas with My Former Crush
Chapter 21
Disclaimer: Only the plot and Keirin belongs to Sapphire Jinx
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the waaaaay! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, HEY!"
The four ladies giggled together as they sat on the floor, huddled around the Christmas tree in the middle of the living room. Ur grinned as she asked, "Jingle bell rock?" Lucy shook her maracas once and they broke out into the eighth song they sung that evening after dinner. Gray chuckled as he took his place on the sofa, a few feet away from them, chewing on a gingerbread man.
Layla frowned when she saw where Gray positioned himself. "Come here Gray-kun," she urged gently, patting the space beside her, "Sing with us!"
Keirin turned and nodded. "Yeah, Gray, let's sing!"
He smiled as he sat beside the middle-aged blonde woman. "I don't know how to sing," he said politely.
"Kei here can't sing half the tune correctly most of the time so you'll be fine," Lucy said with a laugh, making her sister blush red and sputter. She reached over and handed him one of her maracas. She nodded in approval when he accepted it and continued singing with Ur, "What a bright time, it's the right time, to rock the night away!"
Gray shook the maraca he had awkwardly. When his mother snapped her head around to glare at him, he immediately picked up the beat, singing slightly out of tune.
After successfully decorating the interior and exterior of the Heartfillia residence (Lucy cursed the fact that Keirin had hung one too many mistletoes from the ceiling) and eating a satisfying dinner (chocolate porridge and a batch of gingerbread men for dessert), their small group (the girls, mainly) retreated into singing Christmas carols in front of the Christmas tree to celebrate that fact that the air in the house got a lot more Christmas-y than when Gray and Ur first arrived.
And so, they sung for hours, until the clock struck 10 PM. The mothers ushered their children to bed, saying it was late and that it wasn't good for their health. But when Layla closed the door to the Heartfillia sisters' room, bidding the two teenagers good night, Lucy quickly jolted up, opened her laptop that she hid under her pillow, and began typing away despite the dark.
Seeing the faint light emitting from the top bunk, Gray asked, "You're still not sleeping?"
"Nah," Lucy said distractedly, "I'll be quiet so you could go on and sleep."
Gray rose and peeked at Lucy's bed. "What are you doing anyway?" His gaze fell on the screen of her laptop. "Oh, you're updating your story?"
"Yeah, something like that," Lucy mumbled, her fingers pressing on the keyboard so fast it looked like a blur to Gray.
"You're ruining your eyesight, y'know?"
"You're ruining my concentration."
The young man sighed and walked towards the switch, turning the light on. He plopped on the lower bunk, taking out his phone. "They're gon'na scold us if they found out we aren't sleeping," he reminded lightly as he scrolled his messages.
Lucy scoffed. "You talk as if we didn't stay up late before."
"Just saying…"
The blonde shrugged to herself, deciding to focus more on the story she was writing for Levy. It's been two, three days since she last wrote—well, typed—and the words stuck in her fingertips were already itching to get out. And besides, it distracted her from thinking about her conversation she had earlier with a certain brunet. Yes, she'd write for now, because if she went straight to bed, she wouldn't be able to sleep just yet. What Gray had told her earlier this afternoon still echoed in the back her mind; it's because I liked you. Not once did she consider Gray admitting that fact to her, and she was greatly surprised when he had.
Lucy sighed as she buried her face into her palms, blushing. When her eyes found the screen, she reddened even more. Her male protagonist—who she originally named as Marco—was now called Gray by her female protagonist—whose name was originally Luisa—that was now also apparently Lucy. Groaning, therealLucy erased almost an entire paragraph that was completely not related to her story plot and typed once again. This time, Marco would stay Marco and Luisa would stay Lusia.
Under her top bunk, was Gray scowling to himself. He rolled to his side and refreshed his messages once again. Missed calls? None. Texts? Zero. Emails or PMs or DMs? Nope, not one. Just what on earthland was Juvia doing to not contact him? He already gave her a whole afternoon to reply, since he considered the fact that she was busy, but not this! He hugged one of the three comfy pillows theat were spared for him to use (he would have preferred two more by his side but since he didn't want to be rude to the Heartfillas, three would have to do) and texted her again, asking if anything was wrong. The fact that he wasn't hearing a single word from his girlfriend unnerved him.
He wondered if he did anything that might've made Juvia mad. He turned to his other side and thought. He turned again but nothing came to mind. He had rolled a good number of times when his eyes widened in realization. He shot up, eyeing his phone warily. Did Juvia already know about his conflicted feelings for her and Lucy? Did she have somebody tell her inside information like Lucy had when she learned he had liked her even before he told her? Okay so maybe calling it inside information was a little exaggerated, but still. Knowing that he'd probably hurt her (but deep inside, Gray knew it wasn't just a probably), Gray couldn't help but feel guilty.
Cri-ring! The sound caused him to flinch violently in surprise, making him fumble to unlock his phone. Finally! After a whole day!
December 21, X783, 10:28 PM
Fr: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Why aren't you replying?
gray-sama, juvia is so sorry she wasn't able to reply. juvia was just busy the whole day and she forgot to charge her phone last night. the internet was also down earlier. JUVIA IS SO SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE HER GRAY-SAMA DON'T BE MAD ANYMORE!
Gray shook his head, chuckling to himself. And he thought she was mad.
December 21, X783, 10:30 PM
To: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
No, no, I'm not mad. God, I was just so worried! I thought something happened to you or something. Just… Reply ASAP next time, ok? And are you free tomorrow? Can we have lunch together? I need to talk to you about something important.
December 21, X783, 10:31 PM
Fr: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
juvia is also busy tomorrow. can't she and gray-sama talk it over on the phone? aqua-nee-chan is already asleep but juvia will be quiet so that she and gray-sama would be able to talk properly
December 21, X783, 10:32 PM
To: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
Ah, no, it's fine. I wouldn't want to disturb your sister's sleeping. But I'd really want to talk to you ASAP. And it's a lot better in person. Can you really not have some time off tomorrow?
It took quite a while before she replied. Gray almost thought she fell asleep while texting (it used to happen a lot, you see), when his phone vibrated in his hand.
December 21, X783, 10:43 PM
Fr: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
no… she will be very busy at home tomorrow. juvia is very sorry. she will make it up to gray-sama next time
December 21, X783, 10:43 PM
Fr: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
juvia will sleep now. good night, gray-sama. pleasant dreams
December 21, X783, 10:44 PM
To: Lockser, Juvia
Re: Re: Why aren't you replying?
Alright, good night, babe. Sleep tight and sweet dreams.
Gray almost wondered why his girlfriend didn't shower him with her usual adorations and 'I-love-you's and heart emojis but then he realized he didn't say that he loved her as well and that he was one to talk. Sighing, he plopped back down the bed. Gray hoped he could talk to Juvia in person as soon as possible. Giving one last sigh, he felt his eyes grow heavy; the sound of Lucy's rapid typing above him strangely lulling him to sleep.
Lucy shivered as her grip tightened around her hot tea, a warm comforter wrapped around her. Her eyes darted across the laptop screen, rereading what she had written the night before. Despite sleeping half past midnight, she got up quite early. And when she woke up, it was dreadfully much colder than last night. She cursed the fact that the heater in her room was faulty.
During breakfast, she and Keirin had whined to their mother about not having a kotatsu, who had reasoned that they don't have any more space in their house to accommodate it. And when Ur had emerged clad in only her pajamas and bra, the sisters' jaws had fallen on the floor, wondering how on earth land could the middle aged woman stand the cold. Layla had just chuckled and explained that Ur once hhad had a tendency to strip her clothes spontaneously when they were younger. Thankfully now though, she only strips the colder it gets. Ur had laughed it off sheepishly and had pulled on a simple tank top to at least show modesty to the awestruck girls.
Lucy took a sip on her beverage and began typing again with one hand. She was already starting a new chapter when she felt shuffling beneath her and groggy muttering. "Morning sleeping beauty," she greeted absently, eye not leaving the screen as Gray stood up, still yawning sleepily.
"What time is it?" he asked. Gray raised an eyebrow at her when he found her the way she was before he fell asleep last night. "Did you even sleep?"
"I did," Lucy replied, sipping once again on her tea. She glanced at her batch mate. "And it's already eleven twenty—" She chocked on her drink, heat creeping up her face at the sight of a topless, flexing Gray.
"Hey, you alright?" Gray asked in concern, completely oblivious to why the girl was so flustered.
"Wear—wear some clothes on, d-dammit!" she cried, blushing furiously, "D-Dear Mavis, why do you always have to strip whenever I'm in the room!"
Gray looked down and gasped. "Since when was I half naked?"
"I-I-I-I don't know!" Lucy exclaimed, turning her head away. "J-Just put on some clothes, y-you exhibitionist!"
"Alright, alright, I get it," the brunet muttered in amusement, pulling on a random t-shirt.
"Aren't you even cold?" Lucy asked once he was done, "Or are you just like Ur-san who strips when it's cold?"
Gray nodded, grinning. "It's in the family," he said, "Even my siblings do it."
Weirdly, an image of the Fullbuster family walking around a house topless during the cold of winter popped into Lucy's head and she shuddered, not even able to imagine herself getting through winter without wearing a super thick sweater. She shook her head, letting a small, teasing smile play on her lips. "What next, are you gon'na tell me you're a family of ice wizards immune to the cold?"
"I couldn't've said it better!" Gray exclaimed, pointing at her triumphantly. The two of them laughed.
"It's already eleven thirty-four," Lucy informed, "And there're bacon and eggs for breakfast."
Gray smiled. "Thanks." He then paused, hand encircling the door knob. "Um, I suppose I'll be going out later," he said, "What would you like for Christmas?"
The pink dress you bought for me when I turned thirteen, was what came to her mind first. Lucy's cheeks reddened a little but she shrugged it off. "S-Surprise me."
Gray raised an eyebrow, "Alright… But should I surprise Keirin too?" he asked, "What do you think she'd like to get?"
Lucy hummed. "Don't give her a new set of sweatbands and a new box of ping-pong balls," she warned, beginning to type again. "Those're my gifts."
"So what can I give?"
"Um, new Nike running shoes?"
"Too expensive," Gray said as he went out, "I guess I'll surprise her as well."
Lucy shrugged. "Suit yourself," she mumbled.
Gray slugged his hands into his pockets as he walked. With much pleading, Ur finally let him go out for only two hours. His mother had stressed that since they were just visitors so they shouldn't go out much. But when he had mentioned he was going to talk to Juvia, she finally approved. He sighed. Even if she had said that she will be busy at home last night, it's not like she could do anything if he pops up on her front porch. He'd just be borrowing maybe ten, fifteen minutes of her time? Surely, Juvia'd be able to take a break from whatever she's doing.
Gray let out a breath as he pushed the doorbell of a familiar light blue house. The door slammed open, and out came Juvia's older sister, squealing in delight, "Scorpiooooo! You're early for our date—"
"H-Hello, Aquarius-san," Gray greeted awkwardly.
Aquarius' hand stopped a few inches away from opening the gate. "Huuuh?" she said lowly as she glared at him menacingly, making him flinch. "What is my imouto-chan's stupid boyfriend doing here?" Her eyes flashed red, her evil aura leaking out of her. (This, of course, was all in the frightened Gray's imagination.)"So what is it?" she snapped.
"U-Um, I-I was wondering if I could talk to Juvia?" Gray muttered, sweating profusely. The Lockser's were a nice family and he liked Juvia's parents very much but seriously, Aquarius was just as scary as Erza. "Is it—Is it alright?"
"I thought she was with you," Aquarius retorted, opening the gate and leaning on the gate post as she crossed her arms. She raised an eyebrow. "Ju-chan went out earlier, saying she was meeting someone. It's not you?"
"S-She didn't—" Gray choked as Aquarius pulled him by the collar, knocking his forehead with hers.
"Or did you forget your date with her?" Aquarius asked threateningly. "Do you know how important dates are to us women? HUH?"
"S-S-S-She didn't tell me we'd be able to meet up today," Gray tried to explain, "She said—she said that she was busy at home."
Aquarius narrowed her eyes at Gray. When she made sure he wasn't lying, she let the brunet go, frowning, "Ju-chan didn't seem very busy these past few days," she muttered to herself, "She just kept going out…"
"Going out?" Gray repeated, "Going out with whom?"
"You're the boyfriend, you should know!" Aquarius snapped. "If it's not you, then who would Ju-chan go out with, huh?"
"E-Er, Meredy-chan?"
"I don't know either!" Aquarius pushed Gray by the shoulders and promptly locked the gate shut. "Now scram! I'm still not done preparing for my date with Scorpio!"
Gray blinked. "T-Thank you, Aquarius-san," he said, "Happy holidays to you and Mr. and Mrs. Lockser!"
His girlfriend's older sister grunted as she turned his back to him, waving a nonchalant hand.
Gray sighed, running a tired hand through his hair. Why was Juvia so hard to contact nowadays? Gray stared at his feet as he walked. I guess I'll buy my gifts for Luce and Keirin then. He took out his phone and scanned it for new messages, wondering where on earthland Juvia was. He shrugged to himself. As long as she's safe…
More than half an hour later, Gray stepped out of the local bookstore, a slightly thick romance-fiction book Lucy once told him about in hand. In his other, a box of a pair of shoes, though it was neither Nike nor running shoes, just a simple pair of purple flats he figured that was pretty to a twelve year old. Gray grumbled, eyebrows meeting as he tried to remember how to wrap a gift. He sighed when he realized he still hadn't bought anything for Layla-san. He headed back to the book store, wondering if buying a cookbook for the blonde middle-aged woman was enough. Finally done with his shopping, he headed home.
I don't suppose Mom will help me wrap up my gifts, Gray thought absently, I mean, Ultear helped me with their gifts but she's not here. Stupid Ultear now she knows I'll be giving her an anklet... But I guess if I asked nicely Mom will at least teach me or something.
Gray turned by the corner, his gaze falling on a couple making out on a bench, the boy possessing a familiar shock of silver hair whilst the girl had the recognizable shade of royal blue as locks. Immediately, his blood ran cold. The young lady opened her eyes and caught his. "Gray-sama…" she breathed in surprise.
Lyon turned, an amused eyebrow raised. "Well, if it isn't my—" He coughed out blood, red coloring the white snow, as he toppled off the bench.
Gray's mind was blank when he punched his brother, his eyes wide in fury and his newly bought items forgotten on the ground. He panted as he pulled Lyon up roughly by the collar with one hand, his other arm retracting for another hit.
"G-Gray-sama don't!" Juvia cried as she grabbed his torso into an embrace.
Lyon smirked, "You heard the lady."
Gray glanced at his supposed girlfriend hugging him, still not able to think clearly. He heard his brother chuckling, making him snarl. With a sharp glare, he shoved him to the ground forcefully, making Lyon spit out blood again.
"Gray-sama please!"Juvia exclaimed, pulling him away. "Don't hurt Lyon-sama!"
The color drained from Gray's face as he looked at her, eyebrows high above his hairline. "Sama?" he said, his expression darkening. "You call him –sama too?"
Juvia shook her head, gasping. "J-Juvia—"
"Yeah, so she does call me 'Lyon-sama'," Lyon said, snickering in a way that infuriated Gray to his bones. "So what?"
"Were you with him the whole day yesterday?" Gray demanded, "Was that why you weren't replying?"
The girl looked as if she was already close to crying. "G-Gray-sama, J-Juvia is—"
Gray raised a hand, shaking his head in disbelief and scoffing to himself. He took a few steps backward, chuckling wryly. "You two," he began, "You go on." He bent down and picked up his gifts for the Heartfillia. He turned and ran. "I don't care anymore," he whispered. He ran and ran and ran until his legs hurt. He didn't know what to feel. He snapped his head up, laughing an empty laugh. So this is how it feels like to be cheated on.
"Hey, kid," he heard a voice say. He looked for the source and found the gentle-looking ice cream seller he and Lucy met the other day. "You look kind of worn out." He raised a vanilla-flavored ice-cream cone. "Here, take it, even if it's already kinda chilly here," he said, "It's on the house."
Despite everything, he was on auto-pilot when he accepted the ice cream. He sat on the stool and stayed there, staring at a particular spot on the wooden table. It wasn't long before a good amount of time had flown by and he'd spent quite a large amount of money drowning himself in ice cream ("I know this is good for my business and all but aren't you freezing with the amount of ice cream you've consumed, kid?"). After his thirteenth cone, he stood up and thanked Macao. He began his unsteady journey towards the Heartfillia residence.
Gray shouldered his plastic bags, walking aimlessly. He wasn't sure if he was even headed to the Heartfillia's. He just let his feet lead him. It was the wrong choice. Because even when a car turned by an intersection, even when it was honking loudly, even when it was headed straight toward him, he didn't hear it. But even if he had, he didn't make a move or anything. He just kept walking blindly. And even when a familiar voice of a blonde female called him, he didn't look up.
"Gray, look out!"
Lucy's body rammed into his, sending both of them flying onto the sidewalk. The car skidded past the exact spot they had been just seconds after Lucy pushed him out of the way. Lucy groaned. Realizing she was on top of Gray, she scrambled off immediately. "A-A-A-Are you alright?" she asked in panic, gingerly checking if he earned any injuries. "W-W-W-What were you thinking? You almost died! What if—what if I w-wasn't there? Did you know that e-e-e-everybody's worried already? U-Ur-san is furious! W-W-W-What if I wasn't s-s-sent out to fetch you? You could've—you could've—"
"Lucy?" Gray reached out and touched her cheek, still a bit dazed.
She stopped rambling and reddened slightly. "Y-Y-Yeah? His eyes searched her wide, brown ones filled with concern and worry. "G-Gray, w-what is it?" Without a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Lucy's eyes softened, though her face was still a lovely shade of red, and she returned his hug. "Gray, i-it's alright. I-I'm here."
That did it. The dam broke. And the tears he had tried so hard to keep for himself came flowing out.
Author's Note: Since stripping is Gray's trademark, I added it to our story. And I honestly find it funny that Lucy asked if the Fullbusters were a family of ice wizards. Ahahahaha, I actually wanted Gray to ask Lucy if the Heartfillias were a family of celestial wizards but I just couldn't find a connection in CWMFC so the idea was rejected. And I just love using the third person POV. Like, this part of the story is like in Lucy's POV but it really isn't and that's the same with Gray but it's not really. Then I could just write in a literal third person POV. Oh, is the story line a tad bit too fast? Haha, sorry. It's because I made it a challenge for myself to finish CWMFC before this month ends. Sooo, yeah. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SUDDEN TWIST IN THE PLOT IN THE REVIEWS (I don't know if what I wrote is considered a twist but since it sounds cool calling it a twist, I'll leave it be ahahaha).
Acknowledgements/ Thanks to:
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