Chapter 36

"Oh dear. You look so much prettier up close!"

Juvia was standing blankly. She was sure that she wasn't exactly that pretty. But just for the sake of being polite, she muttered her gratitude. "Thank you, Ul-sama. Juvia is sure Erza-san and Lucy-san are prettier, though."

Ul caressed Juvia's porcelain cheeks before resting her palms on the side of her face, tilting Juvia's face up a bit to properly face her. "No, no. Erza and Lucy are pretty, yes. But you have a different kind of it. You have more gentleness yet firm in your beauty," Ul added before grinning mischievously. "Totally Gray's type," she gave her apprentice a meaningful smile.

Gray groaned in annoyance as he rolled his eyes. "Stop smothering her. Can't you see she's annoyed?"

Juvia blinked. "Eh? Juvia's not—"

"Don't invite someone over just to make her feel uncomfortable—"

"Ju-Juvia's not uncomfortable—"

"Now let's just go have dinner," Gray pushed Ul aside lightly as he pulled Juvia into the house. Ul chuckled at his remorseful reaction. That boy just never changed.

"Oh my god! It really is her!"

Gray groaned, palming his face as another voice interrupted. "Don't get offended with this, but... I'm starting to really regret bringing you here, Juvia."

"Huh?"

Juvia wasn't exactly able to comprehend the situation when suddenly a blob of pink hair suddenly launched into her view and successfully sent her toppling over. She let out a huff as she felt her back thumping against the sofa.

"Meredy, don't be too rough on our guest," another voice appeared from the kitchen.

"But, Ultear, it really is her in bone and flesh!" the pink haired lady said as she hugged Juvia tighter.

Ultear sighed, pulling out a napkin to wipe off her wet hands before approaching the sofa. "Get off her, Meredy. She's clearly uncomfortable."

"Exactly what I was saying," Gray grumbled.

"Actually, Juvia doesn't—"

"I've watched you in Mirajane's live show!" Meredy grabbed Juvia's hands, eyes staring into Juvia's with adoration. "You were so cool! It's like you know everything! Like you were in charge of the situation!"

"Meredy—" Ultear shot the girl a reproachful look.

"I'm going to enroll myself to be an intern in Magnolia Hospital and then I wanna be your apprentice!" Meredy added without bothering Ultear.

"Eh?" Juvia's eyes were wide in surprise.

"I told you people are gonna work hard to be noticed by you," Gray shrugged.

The house was so lively. Even though they were practically suffocating her with affections, Juvia couldn't help the smile on her lips. She never exactly had a family—Gajeel was the closest family she ever had. But right then she felt the warmth, which she was sure only a family could provide. And she chuckled lightly.

"I hope you don't mind the ruckus, Juvia-chan. These people are just excited to see you, the star of the night," Ul offered a hand to help her up which she gladly accepted.

"Juvia doesn't mind, Ul-sama. And to think that Juvia is meeting all the stars tonight, Juvia doesn't deserve all the attention. But thank you for you kindness," Juvia bowed slightly once she pulled herself back up.

"D'aww, you're being way too humble. Come on, Ultear and I cooked a lot tonight. We'll have a huge feast," Ul gestured towards the dining table filled with dishes.

"Ah, sure—"

The sound of something heavy being dragged down the stairs caught their attention. Juvia could see Lyon's figure putting his rucksack in front of the door before fumbling for something in the key box. Ul frowned, stepping into the living room to tail him.

"Lyon?" Ul called curiously. "Where are you going?"

Lyon's head whipped towards his mentor, just to see his almost family and his not-so-secret crush present in the house. "Ul. I didn't know we have a guest tonight."

"What are you talking about? I already told you I'm inviting Juvia here," Ul protested.

"Tonight?" Lyon seemed clueless. "Sorry, must have slipped my mind. But welcome, Juvia-chan. Make yourself at home," he smiled at Juvia politely before looking at Gray. "Gray, you promised you would look after Eve's post surgical care. Please keep that promise at least."

"Where are you going?" Gray asked again.

Finally snatching his car keys, Lyon picked his bag again. "My business here is done. I'm going back to Ireland."

"Now?" Ul's eyes widened.

"I thought you'd stay for another week?" Gray was equally surprised.

"I changed my mind," Lyon chuckled, winking towards Juvia. "Even though I started to regret it seeing the most beautiful maiden is here."

"Get out of here now," Gray tossed a cushion towards the silver haired guy.

Lyon dodged with a laugh. "And here I thought you wanted me to stay until after dinner."

"Yeah, stay," Gray rolled his eyes. "Just keep your annoying flirt to yourself."

"Ouch," Lyon faked a hurt expression, grinning naughtily. "Nah, I guess I'll just go. You know it's not really nice to see someone you love sitting as someone else's lover," he turned to head out.

"Lyon," Ul called, halting his step. Ul stared at his back, wondering if all these while Lyon's back had always been that broad. She never noticed how his boys had grown so dependable. And she wondered if she was a good enough teacher for them. "You did so well. It was so noble of you to do that. I actually wanted to celebrate you for tonight too."

Lyon's lips curved into a small smile. "Not well enough, I guess. There is nothing to celebrate about that."

"Juvia—" Juvia's voice croaked. "Juvia thinks Lyon-sama had done the most too. Juvia really thinks Lyon-sama is a great man and Juvia is very thankful that Lyon-sama is here. We wouldn't have done it without you."

Lyon turned his head to steal a glance towards the beauty. They most probably will meet again in the future, maybe as Gray's lover or more. Either way, he was sure she would still capture his heart in the slightest way. It wasn't fair that she wouldn't feel the same. She might think he was a great man, but wasn't great enough for her.

His eyes shifted towards the man of her choice. And for the first time, Lyon felt inferior. He shook his head with a soft chuckle. "I'll be going now," he finally said, eyes fixed on his fellow apprentice. "If anything happen, just call. I'll immediately fly back."

Gray grinned. "Of course."

"Also, Juvia-chan, if Gray makes you cry, call me too. I'll quickly come back to sweep you off your feet—"

"Get lost now," Gray chucked another cushion.

And Lyon laughed, quickly running out of the door, leaving his family behind. He wasn't one for a sappy parting. This one would do.

The dinner was delicious. The Milkovich family seemed to be an expert in sukiyaki recipes. Juvia found herself talking about the ingredients far too deep that Gray seemed to be lost in their conversation. Well, on his defense, he can cook. But of course, not the complicated recipes and certainly not involving weird spices and ingredients! By the time they finished eating, Gray went up for his shower, and Juvia helped Ul cleaning up the table, insisting it despite the legendary cardiac surgeon kept on telling her to rest. Juvia thought cleaning was the least she could do. Ul and Ultear had cooked for them after all.

"I'm relieved," Ul heaved a sigh as she wiped another plate clean.

Juvia glanced at the lady, hands still soaping a pot. "Relieved?"

"Gray and Lyon," Ul smiled softly, eyes fixated on the plate she was holding. "When I first met them, their eyes hold so much potential that they scared me. But both had emotional baggage dragging their true talents. Lyon might seemed like he wanted to surpass me so much, but at the same time, he didn't want to. It's a complicated alter ego. He put me on a superhuman level that he wasn't willing to see the reality," she scoffed lightly. "It was his first flaw."

"First flaw?" Juvia was perplexed. She couldn't comprehend the feeling of being scared of someone's potential. Then again, she had never been in the position to see people's talents.

"Putting me as his target," Ul chuckled as she answered. "He set a limit to himself when he didn't have one."

Juvia felt her hands paused.

"You know," Ul continued. "Gray was talented and cheerful. But he dragged his past way too much that it interfered with his growth. He kept blaming himself for not being able to save his parents from the fire at his house before. And then he blamed himself for causing me to lose my leg. He didn't let go even one guilt."

Juvia couldn't help but glanced down to Ul's artificial leg.

"That boy thought his heart was big enough for the world and tried to lift it on his own. He thought he could burden everything to the point that people thought he trusted no one. And people called him the cold-hearted surgeon because of that," Ul grinned at the azure-haired lady. "You thought so too, right?"

"Eh?" Juvia blinked, her mind flipped back to months back before she got to know Gray. "Oh, yeah. The rumors went around that way, it seemed."

"And then they met you and your team," Ul nodded, still with her soft smile. "Which is why I'm so relieved. I'm thankful that you're by his side. I thought they wouldn't be able to grow from there," she paused, looking away. "But you see, Gray is the warmest boy of all. And Lyon is the kindest. Because I know my boys."

Juvia finally smiled through their talk. "Juvia is sure everyone knows that now."

Ul's hand gingerly hold hers. "You are the first person to whom Gray was able to properly open up to. For that, I wanted to properly thank you."

Juvia blushed. "N-no. Juvia was just... Well... Gray-sama is someone really important to Juvia..."

"Gray is sure lucky," Ul teased. "Not only such a great anesthetist is head over heels for him, she's actually very nice and beautiful too. That boy must have saved the world in his past life."

Juvia's blush turned a few shades darker.

Ul chuckled again. "And you see, I finally see through my daughter's façade. She always wanted to appear strong and powerful. She was so prideful and rebellious. At one point of time, I felt so worried about her."

"Worried?"

"I thought she joined the medical administration just to spite me. But when I met Jellal the other day, he told me something very interesting," Ul's voice sounded excited.

"Interesting?" Juvia blinked.

Ul nodded enthusiastically as she recalled Jellal's face when she met him after Minerva's surgery. "There's a reason why she wanted to be in administration," she cleared her throat as if to imitate Jellal's voice. "Ultear wanted to reach the top of the society because she didn't like how the medical world is handled. And if you don't like the rules—" Ul paused, a smirk formed on her lips. "Then be the rule maker."

Juvia raised her brows at the last sentence. Dear lord, that totally makes sense. Juvia had always wondered what Ultear actually gained from this whole fiasco. But if that was any indication, Ultear actually had implemented her rules. She was fighting for her dreams.

"I'm relieved because not only I have a child I can be proud of, but I have three," Ul grinned, placing a finger on her lips in a hush manner. "But keep this a secret between us okay? Don't ever tell them."

"Eh? Why?" Juvia asked in confusion. She didn't get what was it that she needed to keep a secret.

"Because the three of them have infinite potentials, and I don't want them to stop thinking they had reached their goals. I want them to go further. I want them to reach a destination I never could. And if there is one secret I could bring to my grave—" Ul grinned cheerfully as she turned to face Juvia. "It would be the fact that they had actually surpassed me."

"You can spend the night if you want," Meredy frowned with a pout, hands clinging on to Juvia's arm. "If you're scared that Gray might take you in bed, you can sleep with me."

"Oi! What the fuck are you saying?" Gray immediately snapped at her. "And anyway, where did you learn that? Aren't you too young for that?"

Meredy rolled her eyes. "Gray, I'm entering internship. Do you seriously think I'm a virgin?"

"What?!"

"I was joking."

"You're grounded for a week."

"What?! You can't ground me! I have to work, and you're not my parent!"

"I don't care. Go sleep now."

"Don't suddenly decide on my curfew—"

"Meredy," Ultear sighed, pulling her shoulder a bit so the girl stepped back. "Juvia needs to go home and rest. Don't make her feel uncomfortable."

"But—"

"Meredy."

Meredy pouted, deciding not to say anything further this time.

Ultear smiled, turning to the couple. "Take her home safely, Gray. And Juvia, I hope you enjoyed the dinner."

Juvia returned the smile and bowed politely. "Juvia really did. Thanks for having her."

"Take care. Come, Meredy," Ultear turned, pulling a pouting Meredy with her as they head upstairs.

Ul grinned before turning back at Gray and Juvia who were standing by the main door. "Well, that's how it is. Take care. Gray, I don't mind if you don't come back tonight. Now go, you lovebirds," Ul shushed them, pushing them out of the house.

"Wha—" Gray blushed heavily. "What is wrong with you guys tonight?" he stumbled a bit, slipping into his shoes. He didn't need to turn to Juvia to know that she was blushing furiously too.

Ul was laughing until she finally grabbed the doorknob, ready to close the door when she finally looked squarely into Gray's eyes. "Also, I'm not going to say this again, Gray."

"Huh?"

"I didn't hide my prosthesis because I was ashamed of it."

Gray's blush disappeared in an instant.

"This prosthesis is the prove that even in such a dire situation where facilities are lacking, my two apprentices can still do a surgery perfectly. It was never a shame. The two of you had never been a burden. Don't ever feel like you bring troubles to me," Ul said firmly. "If anything, the only thing you brought to me—" she smiled. "Is pride."

Gray felt as if there was a lump in his throat, almost suffocating him. He wasn't even sure what to feel. He had lived his entire life feeling like a burden. He caused so many miseries to people around him—his parents, and even Ul. And then there she was, telling that he was her pride.

"I'm sure Mika and Silver would feel the same too," Ul shrugged with her smile. "Good night," and she pulled the door close, leaving the two outside.

Juvia stared at Gray's back. He was facing the door for a few seconds before balling his hands into fists. He was struggling with his emotions, Juvia knew. And when she felt him trembling, she gently wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back. He can cry all he wanted. Tonight, Juvia wouldn't stop him.

"It's probably hereditary," Juvia said softly, half joking. "Being tsundere in Milkovich family," and she tightened her hold. He didn't sob, he didn't cry. He refused to. But even so, Juvia knew, his heart was breaking. And when Gray turned to hug her, burying his face into her nape, Juvia embraced him, giving him warmth in the chill of night breeze.

Kagura folded her dresses and carefully put them into her luggage. Sighing, she zipped her bag firmly, stuffing some medications into her purse. "I'll be fine here, Erza. You don't have to see me off."

Erza looked rather impassive. She had been visiting Kagura a lot more than Millianna did. But they never exactly talked. It wasn't that they didn't have anything to talk about—rather, they had a lot—but she just didn't know how to start. Is she still mad at Jellal? Does she loathe him? Will she still file a lawsuit against him? If she really files the suit, she'll definitely win, since they already signed the agreement. And the thought that everyone else will be saved except Jellal somehow didn't sit right for Erza.

"Millianna didn't come to fetch you?"

"She's coming after work," Kagura's answer sounded monotonous. "I told her to complete her job coz I plan to go somewhere after this."

"I see," Erza nodded. "Where are you going?"

"My brother's grave."

Erza could feel herself frozen from the answer. Her questions in her head were swarming in again.

"This is actually the longest I have gone through not visiting his grave," Kagura added.

"You visit his grave often?" Erza blinked.

Kagura sighed, a sad smile made its way to her lips. "Almost everyday," she casted her eyes down in remorse. "I'm probably the one who couldn't move on from this the most."

"Kagura—"

"I'm sorry."

Erza swallowed the lump in her throat, eyes drilling into Kagura's being.

"I forced my own misery onto you for years, chaining you with guilt. I keep on repeating about what my brother felt about you and you had to come to the grave every year. I'm sorry that I gave you unnecessary emotional burden," Kagura's voice was low but filled with sincerity.

"N-no," Erza shook her head slowly. "I wanted to visit the grave by my own will. Simon was a very dear friend of mine. It was a huge loss to me."

Kagura chuckled slightly. "Dear friend, huh? Does that mean even if he was still alive, the two of you would never advance more than just friends?"

Erza wasn't able to answer that question. Because she was well aware that even before Simon died, her heart had always belonged to a certain someone. It had always been. And she didn't dare to give anymore hope to Kagura. Not when she had lost more than she had gained.

"I see," Kagura sighed after she noticed Erza had taken a good minute of silence. Her hands picking up her luggage, ready to leave the hospital. "You don't have to send me out. I want to be alone for a while."

"Kagura—"

"We can still be sisters, right? Even if you don't share the same feeling with my brother."

This time, Erza was able to reply with a genuine smile. "Of course. You will always be like a sister to me."

"Also, can you please convey a message for me?" Kagura paused at the door.

Erza blinked. "Message?"

A/N: We'll be finishing in 3-4 chapters more. I hope that will be soon. And I am really glad that some of you loved my characterizations, be it the main characters or the side ones. I am so glad that you guys enjoyed it. It made me feel my effort in this is worthwhile. Thank you for those who reviewed, favorited and followed , especially; kary . net, lintak26, idek . writings, RiverSong5, mio . akiyamacool, heather XD, inukekarynatsusu, The Silver Tongued Alpha, ILoveSxS, Swagger1354, IzzyQuagmire0907, Rifurein, LazyAssOtaku, Anoncchi, TheRedSin, DJ Zane Jr. Roo and the unnamed Guest.