summary: anything you say can and will be held against you

She cannot escape.

There was a disaster in Hargeon—an explosion of buildings to be exact. Juvia was a victim and it was nearing an hour but her limbs were stuck under the ruins of cements and iron sheets. She also knew from the moment the explosion took place that she already ran out of power to turn into her water body. She clenched her fists, hating the fact that she's rendered powerless in this situation; but she has to free herself and go back to the guild where everyone is waiting.

And so she propped her elbows on the ground and tried to pull out her limbs, every second making her flinch in pain as she fears that those two legs of hers will be cut off from her body. But she cannot afford herself to die. If she did, she won't be able to go shopping with the girls, watch Natsu brawl with the others, and Gray—oh she'll miss him. She'll never get to witness the success of having him fall for her finally. She'll never get to have missions with him. Lastly, she'll never get to show him how much her love is.

A lone tear fell from her eye, regrets flooding her mind as she tried to think of an escape plan. Looking around, she didn't see any sign of someone nearing her place so she shouted help at the top of her lungs. She has to go home safe and see them all before it's too late.

But three hours had passed since she last called for help. There wasn't a sign of anyone coming to rescue. She slumped her shoulders, admitting defeat and probably telling herself that she's better off alone under these ruins. And the next few hours, sleep claimed her senses.

The next morning, she felt a sudden warmth envelop her entire being.

Her blue eyes slowly fluttered open, feeling an even breathing on her neck and arms tightened around her. She slowly turned around and was surprised that the ice mage who's been on her mind was snuggling on her like a body pillow even with the blanket covering them. He seems so comfortable with their position too!

She scanned the surroundings. They're in a cave and she guessed that he must have carried her all the way here. She carefully shifted towards him, not wanting to hurt her limbs in the process. Once she's done, she gently shook his shoulders and whispered to him to wake up.

He did what she said but never removed his hold on her which confused her. Upon noticing her gaze upon his, he patted her head gently.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Juvia is feeling fine, Gray-sama," she answered. "She just wanted to know how you found her."

Gray chuckled. "The flame brain tracked your scent and Erza and Lucy managed to help the other victims go to evacuation centers. Wendy healed and bandaged your limbs and managed to get some of your clothes."

Juvia lifted the blanket and looked down to see her limbs bandaged and healed like he said but she still have to be careful in case.

"Juvia, you're awake!" Happy exclaimed as he flew in along with Charle.

"That man from Shadow Gear sprinted to the guild and told us about the explosion which was a good thing," Charle added.

The water mage softly smiled at them. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank us," Natsu interjected, entering with Lucy and Erza.

"Natsu's right," Erza agreed. "You should thank Gray. He was the one who insisted going after you here in Hargeon."

Now that she mentioned it, Juvia turned to the said man and noticed that he was blushing and scratching the back of his head.

"Er... you're a friend... so I guess it's normal," he explained.

Lucy covered her mouth, stifling a giggle and giving him a sneaky look. "A friend, huh? Yet you were snuggling on her last night."

Gray immediately sat up, blushing even further. "It was to warm her up! She was cold so I did that."

Natsu cockily smirked and raised a brow. "But I could've warmed her up, you know."

"Shut up, flame brain," he muttered.

"Hey—"

"Let's go home," Erza announced. "Juvia needs rest."

They all nodded and started to move out. Juvia was about to stand up when Gray placed a hand behind her back and the other under her knees, gently lifting her from the ground with the blanket still covered around her. Juvia blushed, hiding half of her face with the blanket. Gray wasn't one to be this sweet.

"G-Gray-sama, you can put Juvia down. She can walk on her own."

Gray shook his head. "You need to rest. I'll carry you back to the guild."

"Will Gray-sama still be there to take care of Juvia?" she asked in a low whisper.

He just placed a quick kiss on her head and followed the others. Juvia instantly knew what it meant and continued to sleep in his arms, all the while muttering his name in her sleep.