Well, well, well. Would you look at who posted earlier than expected?
I know I said I'd hope to get it done by next weekend since I'm pretty busy this week, but somehow I managed to pump this out within two days! You can kind of tell though, seeing as how this chapter is a bit short.
Anyways, you'll get to see Earthland gruvia in this chapter and see how far they've progressed their relationship at this point in time (in regards to my fic of course, not in canon).
Also, thank you to the reviews. They motivated me greatly! You're all cool.
Enjoy!
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Setting: Earthland - Magnolia
Juvia Lockser was bored out of her mind.
It was a hot summer day and the guildhall was surprisingly peaceful. She could only assume it was because it was too hot for anyone to start a rowdy fight. Everyone was slumped over and groaning at how hot it was. Juvia could swear that pieces of her were evaporating each second.
She was seated at the bar by herself, trying to finish her third cup of iced sweet tea. It did little to ease her discomfort.
"Juvia wants to do something fun…" She sighed to no one in particular. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand that wasn't stirring her iced drink. Her eyes surveyed the guildhall in search of someone to talk to.
Gajeel and Levy were situated in a dark corner of the guildhall chatting quietly and happily.
Natsu and Lucy were recalling some supposedly hilarious memory, laughing about jovially in the center of the guildhall.
Erza was chatting with Cana at the other end of the bar about some S-Class mission she just returned from.
As for her beloved, well, he was sitting by his lonesome at a table by the entrance reading a magazine while drinking a mug of beer.
Gray-sama looks just as bored as Juvia.
An idea popped into her head that sent her rushing over to the job board in search of something him and her could do.
They hadn't gone on a mission together in a long while, considering the war just ended about a month ago. She missed going on simple, yet fun jobs with him. She would never tell this to Gajeel (although he probably already knew), but she thought of Gray as the perfect mission partner, and it was not just because she loved him deeply. His fighting style and magic were so compatible to hers that it made the success rate of jobs higher and the duration of jobs shorter.
She saw a simple job post that requested for someone to come and investigate a mysterious lake a fisherman found in the woods near the outskirts of a coastal town named Shio. The reward was high, but the task seemed simple enough for two mages and Shio was a reasonable distance away. They'd probably have to spend one night there, but that wasn't too bad. Plus, Juvia had been there a few times on past jobs and found the town quite cute. The weather there was always nice and breezy, not too cold or hot. There were also a lot of touristy things to do there, seeing as it was home to one of the largest ports in Fiore, although not as large as Hargeon. It was perfect.
She skipped over to her beloved with the job post in hand and a sweet smile on her face.
"Gray-sama looks really bored today, so is Juvia!" She exclaimed, sliding into the seat beside him.
Gray set down his magazine and turned to face his new company. She wasn't wearing her usual reserved outfit. Instead, she was dressed in a white, billowy summer dress that suited the weather.
"Is that so? You look pretty comfortable though, new dress?" He inquired, genuinely curious. She rarely switched her style.
Juvia nodded excitedly, happy that he noticed. "Summer is here so Juvia must dress accordingly."
Gray smiled at her and asked how her day has been. She only spoke to him once today, and that was to greet him. Unlike how she was before the war, Juvia doesn't follow him around as much. He had yet to proclaim his answer to her and Juvia assumed that it was because he needed time and space to prepare himself. However, in his eyes, it seemed as though Juvia was just getting used to him and didn't feel the need to overreact anymore. Which was fine, he supposed.
Juvia was willing to do anything to give him the confidence he needed to settle on his answer, which included putting some distance between them for the time being. She knew it'd be worth it in the end, at least she hoped so.
But today, she wanted to divulge in her desires just this once by inviting him on a mission. A girl in love could only handle so much time apart!
"Juvia has just been thinking about taking a mission, actually! Maybe Gray-sama would like to join her?" She smiled, passing him the job post.
The job she selected seemed interesting to Gray, but the thought of taking an overnight job alone with Juvia made him queasy. He still hadn't come to terms with how he wanted them to progress. He wasn't sure if he wanted to put a label on them or not. All he knew was that she was way more than a friend to him, so much more. She was his go-to confidant, his go-to partner, and most importantly, his go-to topic of his daydreams. But what was it exactly that he wanted? That she needed?
He felt as though joining her on this job would make her anticipate his answer even more, and despite telling her he'd give her one after the war, he was nowhere near ready. He had so much to consider, especially all that they had gone through together in their encounter with Invel.
Plus, if Gray allowed himself that much alone time with her in such a pretty place, he doesn't think he'd be able to hold himself back. A part of him wished he could be as bold with his feelings as she was, worried that if he made her wait too long, she'd get sick of him. That's the last thing he wants.
He looked up at her, prepared to disappoint her, but her hopeful gaze made it so hard.
"I… I don't think I can." He forced himself to say, watching as her face fell. He wanted to punch himself in the face for being the reason for her expression. Gray tried to make her feel better. "It's not that I don't want to… It's just…."
Juvia watched him curiously as his eyes roamed over the guildhall while he tried to find the words to say. Was he just making up excuses to not hang out with her? She frowned at the thought.
Gray's eyes landed on Erza and he suddenly remembered that him and his team were going on a week-long mission within a few days. He couldn't join Juvia, even if he wanted to.
"I'm going on a week-long mission with my team in a few days. I need to rest up." He replied, not lying necessarily. This didn't change the fact that he still felt guilty though.
He knew Juvia just wanted some quality time with him, especially since they hadn't gotten virtually any since the war ended. This was the first time in awhile that they have gotten to take a moment to actually converse with each other. Gray wanted to tell her that he'd like to spend some time together soon, but the words were stuck on his tongue, weighed down by his nerves and insecurities. He cursed himself silently for being so cowardly.
A look of disappointment flashed across Juvia's lovely face but was gone before Gray could call her out for it.
"Juvia understands. She'll miss Gray-sama while he's gone." She admitted truthfully, but surprising no one. Her smile was small, but sad. "Juvia will just go alone." It wouldn't be as fun without her beloved accompanying her, but at least she'll get to kill some of her boredom.
"Be safe, okay?" The words fell immediately passed his lips as if it were second nature.
The abruptness of his request took Juvia by surprise, but it made her happy that he cared for her nonetheless. She nodded as she stood, giving him a smile as sweet as honey. She didn't miss the light blush on his face as he averted his eyes. How could he be so cute?
"Only if Gray-sama promises to be safe on his!" She teased, silently telling herself that she'd be safe anyways.
Gray smiled back. It was nice that after all they had gone through, they were able to joke around with each other like this. His heart swelled. He got up out of his seat and faced the water mage with a playful look in his eyes as he uncharacteristically held out his hand to her.
Juvia was about to question him when he said, "Deal."
Understanding his action, she laughed and shook his hand. "Deal! Juvia will come back to Gray-sama in one piece!"
Gray grinned down at her, not failing to revel in the softness of her hand. It was warm, a complete contrast to how cold she felt cradled in his arms after the incident with Invel. He wondered if he'd ever get over that horrific experience.
Realizing he was still clutching her hand, he quickly pulled back with an awkward laugh, thankful that no one was watching them.
"You should probably get going soon before it gets dark." Gray commented, trying his best to suppress the heat in his cheeks.
Juvia was just as flushed but managed to reply. "Juvia will take Gray-sama's advice and leave soon." She debated on hugging him goodbye or not but eventually settled on the latter. She didn't want to embarrass him any further, he'd probably end up with a face redder than Erza's hair if she did!
Gray on the other hand, expected her to lurch at him and embrace him in a deathly grip. Surprised, and quite frankly disappointed, he just offered her an awkward pat on the head and a casual 'good luck'.
She gave him one last gentle smile before turning around and letting Mira know about the job she was taking.
Gray watched the back of her head as she walked away, praying to whatever deity that was listening that Juvia came back to him safe and sound. He also prayed that he'd figure out his answer for her soon. She has already waited for him longer than he felt he deserved.
/
So Juvia is giving him space for him to formulate his answer and come to terms with his feelings….
And Gray is having inner conflict with what he wants versus what he thinks Juvia deserves…..
Whew.
I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing? I feel like it was. I'm too lazy to read it over again o-o.
Juvia will arrive in Shio and start her investigation of the mysterious lake in the next chapter!
I'm sure you guys can predict what'll happen lol
I will get the next chapter out within a week hopefully!
As always, reviews are always appreciated and read!
Have a great day guys!