Juvia followed Gray and Eve to the stables where they were scheduled to train on the pegasi. The two boys did not seem the most enthused about it, but Juvia was excited to see the winged creatures.
"So do I get to ride one?" she asked Gray eagerly on the way.
He looked at her appraisingly. "How are your ribs? I don't want you to overdo it, not with such bad injuries."
"They are feeling great," she said with a smile. Unfortunately, she tripped on a rock and winced at the jarring motion, pain ripping through her chest. Gray noticed and scowled.
"Well, after that, absolutely not!" he said.
Her smile had turned into a frown, tears welling up in her eyes. Eve noticed Gray's panicked expression at the sight of her saddened face. He knew his brother was not good with crying girls and he was still upset that Gray didn't stop Wakaba and Mest from pranking him, so he stepped back to enjoy the show.
"No, no! Don't cry! Juvia, please don't cry!" Gray floundered, waving his arms vigorously.
Juvia sniffled. "I'm sorry," she said, "I just don't want to be a disappointment again. I thought if I could do something right at this camp, then you wouldn't feel obligated to let me stay here." At this point, she burst into tears. At the same time, clouds darkened the sky and rain poured down on them, even though the camp was supposed to have borders to keep unwanted weather out.
Eve looked at the sky, amazed. Was this girl the cause of the rain?
Gray looked up, concerned, but didn't think much more about it than that; he was much more concerned with the crying girl in front of him.
"Juves," he started, softly. "You are not a disappointment. I know that it might not mean much coming from a guy who's only known you for a couple days, but I will do anything in my power to try and convince you of that. We will always be glad to have you at Camp Fairy Tail. Always."
Juvia looked up through her lashes at him. He was startled, again, at how incredibly blue her eyes were, especially when they were watery with tears. It made her lashes look even darker, her eyes more luminous.
"Do you really mean that?" she asked slowly. "You really do want me here?"
"Of course I do," he replied. "And so do Lucy, Levy, Erza, and Jellal. Hell, even Fire Freak and Metal Breath do, too. You are our friend now, Juves." He took her hand. "So stop crying now, okay? There's no need for your tears."
Eve watched, amazed, as his brother, the same brother who had only ever ran and hid from crying girls, talked her out of her sadness like a pro. What happened to my brother? Eve thought. It seems like he was replaced by a changeling.
Juvia stopped crying, and as she did, the rain slowly stopped, going from a heavy downpour to a mere drizzle, and then nothing.
Gray looked at the sky again, and let himself think about what the rain meant, now that he didn't have to worry about Juvia crying. "Was that you?" he asked her.
Juvia flushed. "It isn't my fault," she said. "I can't control it. It just happens. I'm so sorry."
Gray laughed. "Don't be sorry, Juves. It just means you're strong. I bet you could beat Fire Freak at any fight he challenges you to." He gave her another appraising look and shot her a cheeky grin. "Just make sure you invite me to come along and watch."
Juvia giggled. "I promise."
At this point, Eve had seen enough flirting to last him a lifetime, not that he wasn't happy for his brother, of course. So he cleared his throat and interrupted their moment. "You guys coming to the stables?" he called.
Gray and Juvia looked back at him, clearly having forgotten about the poor boy. "Of course," said Gray. "Come on, Juvia. Let's go, and I will introduce you to the pegasi of camp."
In the stables there were rows of the colorful creatures. Gray stopped at the stall of a blue pegasus and turned to face her.
"This is Happy," he said. "He is technically that Fire Bastard's pegasus, but we all like to ride him because he is so easygoing and friendly. The only thing you have to remember about Happy, is that he likes fish. He will do anything for a fish." Gray shook his head. "Weirdass animal," he finished under his breath.
Happy snorted at him. Weirdass stripping human, more like.
Juvia jumped when she heard the voice in her mind. "What was that?" she gasped.
Gray and Eve just looked at her strangely.
"What was what?" Eve asked her.
Juvia looked around, and didn't notice anyone else with them, so assumed she was imagining it. "Nothing," she said.
Gray continued to show her how to clean out the stables and where to find the food for the pegasi. Juvia didn't hear the voice again until they went back to where Happy was standing with Eve brushing him. When Happy saw her clearly for the first time, he bowed.
My lady, he said. It is an honor to meet you.
"It was you talking?" Juvia gasped.
Of course, my lady. You are a daughter of Poseidon. Of course you can understand me.
"That is so bizarre," she replied.
Anything you need from me, I will provide, said Happy.
"Well, thank you," Juvia responded, blushing. "Likewise."
Happy whinnied and gave her what almost looked like a smile.
Gray and Eve were looking at her strangely again.
"Juvia," Eve started, "what are you talking about?"
Juvia grinned at them. "I can understand Happy!" she exclaimed. "My dad invented horses so I can understand the pegasi!"
Eve grinned. "That makes sense! That is so cool."
Stripping fuck, Happy said when Gray subconsciously took his shirt off.
Juvia snorted, then doubled over laughing. She gasped in pain and teared up a little at the movement.
"Juvia!" Gray grabbed her and eased her back into a standing position. "What was that? Are you okay? Quick, let's get you to the infirmary." Without waiting for her to reply, he picked her up in a bridal position and started walking out the stable door.
"Gray, I am okay," she gasped. "I was just laughing at Happy. Wasn't expecting it to hurt that bad is all."
He shook his head. "Too bad. You are going anyway." He turned to look at his brother. "Eve, stick with the schedule until I come back. I'm just gonna get her some ambrosia."
"If you come back," Eve muttered with a grin as Gray shut the door.