Hey everyone!
Well, I am still alive. Not writing much though since inspiration is low. Ironic giving that I'm studying Creative Writing.
Then again, between uni, work and planning next year it's not like I've had all the time in the world. I'm sure you've been busy too.
In any case, I didn't want to finish 2021 without posting something. Since I didn't manage to come up with the one-shots I wanted, I decided it might be worth taking another look at my notes for this one.
Thus I bring you the second chapter of my Soulmates AU. There will be answers to some questions you (and Gray) have asked and I think most of you will be able to figure out where this is going.
Firstly, to your reviews:
ice-rain499: I'm glad you're intrigued. If there's one thing I'm good at it's coming up with something no one's thought of before. Usually that's because I just think of the craziest plot twists. Let me know what you think of this one.
Guest: Thanks. Hope you enjoy part 2. Part 3 is when the story should really pick up.
FbFlame94: Your review is the reason I managed to post this, honestly. Your excitement for this story helped me finish this chapter, so many thanks! I hope you will enjoy reading about Gruvia's blossoming romance and more about the life they've forgotten.
rao hyuga 18: I'm glad you like the idea! Sometimes I like to picture how things might have been different if they had met as children. Here you get to see how their relationship develops with that foundation.
QueerEpileptic: Sorry for the long delay, but here is more.
ice-rain499: One reason why I love this idea is precisely because of all the directions it can take. I have big plans for these two and I will explore their friendship further but we'll have to skip some time or else this will be a thousand chapters long.
light is in the dark: It's funny you said welcome back and I thought I was really back. Then life hit me and inspiration dried so I left again. Anyways... that sound is perfection! It fits so well with these flashbacks it's ironic that you listed to it at the same time. I suppose this is an unique idea since I've never seen it before. Thank you for your patience and your wishes. Everything is alright with me, just not getting to write as much as I want to. It's ironic actually that studying Creative Writing is not encouraging me to write. Anyways, hopefully the next installment won't take this long.
I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year! May 2022 bring you joy, hope and inspiration.
The next memory seemed to take place years after the previous ones. Gray was walking through a long corridor; dressed in a dark robe. Passing through students and teachers, he politely greeted them but didn't stop to chat.
Soon he came across large wooden doors which were easily pushed open. On the other side there was a huge library; with shelves that seemed to reach into the sky containing all types of books, tables were spread across and there were even a few couches.
He looked around briefly before spotting the familiar water mage sitting on a red sofa.
Gray approached her slowly; quietly. Once he reached the couch, he dropped down with a loud thud.
"I was wondering if you'd ever join me." Juvia lowered the book she'd been reading.
"Sorry I'm late." Gray offered.
"It's okay." She smiled softly. "I'm just glad you're here."
"So, did you find anything interesting?" He asked, glancing curiously at the book she was holding.
"Yes." The water mage showed it to him. It was open on a page that had an illustration of a blonde man lying in the grass, appearing unconscious, his white shirt covered in blood. Beside him, a silver haired woman was holding his hand while hers seemed to be glowing blue.
"How to control blood?" The ice mage raised a brow at the title.
"Apparently, water mages should be capable of doing that." Juvia explained.
"That's scary." He shuddered.
"True." Juvia said before adding. "But it could be useful for our next mission."
"I don't think it would work against the dragons." Gray pointed out.
"I wouldn't use it against them." She shook her head. "I'd use it to heal the villagers we'll be rescuing."
"How so?" The ice mage asked; glancing at the book again.
"There is a spell here: Water Make-Blood." Juvia turned the page over. "If I can learn it, I'll be able to manipulate blood."
His eyes widened. "Juvia, that's amazing!"
"I know." She smiled. "I could use this magic to turn anything into blood; even poison."
"I guess this means I don't have to worry about being poisoned anymore." He said, playful.
Juvia smirked, placing the book on the small table in front of them. "And who said I will use this magic to help you?"
"Please." Gray rolled his eyes, playfully. "I'm sure you'll try to use it even if I just catch a cold."
"True." She shrugged before her expression softened. "I couldn't let my best friend suffer."
He offered a genuine smile. "I appreciate that."
They resumed chatting about her newfound powers for a while before Juvia yawned then rested her head on his shoulder.
"Now I just wanna take a nap before our celestial magic exam." Gray chuckled, casually wrapping an arm around her to bring her closer.
"I'll wake you 10 minutes before." She murmured her thanks; eyes closed as she cuddled deeper against him.
Dragons? Water-Make? He gave up on trying to understand what this was all about.
His head hurt, his body was numb and all Gray wanted was for whatever this was to be over. However, another part of him-the one who wasn't so unwilling to admit his growing feelings for Juvia-wanted to see more.
It seemed like a summer day. The sun was shining, sky the same blue as her hair and clouds unseen. He was walking outside the academy, following a rocky path that led into the forest.
He walked for a while until reaching a clearing where there was a lake. His attention was quickly diverted to the two people who stood before the lake.
One was Juvia, dressed in a dark robe, her expression determined. Beside her there was a familiar man. He watched her concentrate with a pleased smile. His eyes were dark and they seemed kind. Gray knew better than to believe that.
Suddenly he realised exactly who this man was. Zeref. The dark wizard. Though unconscious, Gray felt his blood run cold.
It seemed his counterpart disliked the image as much as he did. He watched the unexpected pair with suspicion, tensing when Zeref came closer to Juvia and whispered something in her ear.
Then the dark wizard stepped away and told her firmly. "Now."
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath as her magic power increased. The lake's water was suddenly removed, forming a circle before swirling like a hurricane.
Suddenly, blue turned to red and Gray's eyes widened.
"Did I do it?" Panting, Juvia opened her eyes and glanced at the lake.
"Congratulations." Zeref offered.
She smiled, breathing heavily once the water slowly turned blue again before returning to the lake with a splash. He closed the distance between them, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Do you see it now? You are capable of much more than you could ever imagine."
Gray hated how close they seemed, it was just wrong. His counterpart clearly felt the same, for he revealed himself and faced the two with irritation. "So is this the mysterious teacher you've been telling me about?"
Juvia nearly jumped, clearly surprised by his presence. Quickly stepping away from the dark wizard, she turned to the ice mage with a tense smile.
"Gray! I didn't expect you to come here."
"That much is clear." He pointed out.
"So you are the infamous Gray Fullbuster?" Zeref asked, interest clear in his dark eyes.
"Infamous?" The ice mage raised a brow.
"Juvia always talks about you." The water mage smiled.
"Of course!" She took a step in his direction. "Because you're my best friend."
The words seemed to irritate Gray's counterpart even more. "I'd better get back."
"Wait, Gray…." Ignoring her call, he turned around and walked away.
Zeref…. The dark wizard…He had been teaching Juvia magic? Had been close to her like that?
Gray really didn't like this. Everything he was seeing felt just so real. Like it had actually happened, but how? When?
As the next memory began, he found his counterpart sitting against a tree, eyes closed, when there were footsteps. "You've been avoiding me."
Juvia stood before him; arms crossed. Her demeanor might indicate she was angry, but her expression showed only hurt.
"Shouldn't you be with Zeref now?" Gray asked with barely concealed jealousy.
"Why? We have no lessons today." Juvia frowned in confusion. Uncrossing her arms, she moved to sit down beside him; resting her back against the large oak tree.
"So you're saying that you don't see him outside of lessons?" He asked; raising a brow.
"What if I did?" She asked, eying him expectantly.
Gray sighed and looked away. "It's none of my business anyways."
"Gray…." She placed a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"
He shrugged. "It's nothing."
"I know you better than that." Juvia said, dropping her hand in order to hold his. "Come on, talk to me."
Gray sighed. "I can't talk to you about this."
"Why not?" He glanced at her her, searching her expression.
There was only concern in those blue eyes. "Do you like him?"
Juvia was clearly caught off guard. "What?"
"Zeref. Do you…have feelings for him?" Gray prayed her answer would be negative. He was sure his counterpart did too. To their relief, she vigorously shook her head.
"No, of course not!" A pause. "I mean….I won't deny that he's handsome but…"
"But?" He leaned in closer; eyes drawn to her lips.
"My heart already belongs to someone else." Juvia whispered softly.
Gray knew that look in her eyes. He had seen it in his own mother's eyes when she looked at his father. This could only mean one thing.
His counterpart seemed to realise it too for his eyes brightened and he smiled briefly before leaning in and capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
Though clearly taken by surprise, Juvia replied shortly, bringing her free hand to his cheek as she stroked it gently.
Forced to pull apart much too soon, he kept his forehead against hers while they caught their breaths.
"I wasn't expecting that." Juvia whispered, smiling softly.
Gray grinned, glad that he'd finally gotten the courage to kiss her. "Me neither."
If Gray hadn't been unconscious, he would be blushing. Watching them kiss like he had fantasised about-not that he'd ever admit it to himself or her-felt liberating. Now it was like his brain was just playing out his inner desires although with some twists.
The next memory seemed to take place during autumn. The trees around the lake were no longer green, but a mix of different tones of orange and yellow. There were leaves everywhere, scattering thanks to the harsh wind. Gray and Juvia fought against it as they tried to reach the lake.
They were holding hands and chatting happily about classes and exam results. She held in her hand a book similar to the one from the library while he held on his shoulder a heavy looking bag. Upon reaching the lake, they sat down against the same oak tree and Juvia took out two large books from the bag, in green and silver.
"Shall we begin with Earth magic or Celestial magic?" Juvia asked, holding the books.
Gray moved closer to her. "Neither."
She frowned. "Then what do you want to learn?"
He put the books down and took her hands, helping her stand. "I think it's time we improve our battle skills."
Juvia's expression turned playful. "Yes, I think you have much to learn."
"You think I do?" Gray raised a brow.
She didn't reply. Instead, she quickly created a water cyclone but he seemed to read her mind and easily avoided it.
"Nice one." He praised.
"How did you see that coming?" Juvia stared at him in surprise.
Gray smirked. "I always know when you're about to attack." He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You think you know me so well." She pointed out, raising a brow.
"I'm your best friend, aren't I?" He searched her expression.
Juvia's eyes softened and she brought a hand to stroke his cheek. "You are so much more than that."
They leaned in for an eager kiss, but were soon interrupted by the sound of hushed voices. Pulling apart, both looking annoyed, they searched for the source. On the other side of the lake, Zeref was talking to the woman Gray recognised from previous flashbacks as Miss. Heartfilia.
"I wonder what that's all about." His counterpart whispered, holding onto Juvia.
"Zeref never mentioned he was close to Miss. Heartfilia." She seemed curious by this interaction.
"Jealous?" Gray asked playfully but concern was written on his expression.
"No. Just curious." She said, watching Zeref hug their teacher as their discussion seemed to come to a close.
The memory ended with this image that somehow disturbed Gray deeply. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about what the next flashback would reveal. Somehow, this conversation he didn't even hear felt crucial and although he didn't know the truth yet, he could tell that things were about to take a turn for the worst.
So, thoughts? Is this where you thought this would be going? Any ideas on what will happen next?
Thank you all for reading this. I hope you enjoyed this piece and I look forward to posting the next installment hopefully before 2023.
Until next time, please stay safe.