Gruvia Week 2020
Day 7: Euphoria
Fairy Tail World
Pairing: Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser
Series: Fairy Tail
Day 7: NOTHING CAN COMPARE
"Can't believe we are having a hard time finishing these morons." fussed Gray as he froze the ground beneath around five to six thugs.
"Well, there are a number of them." reasoned Lucy who just Lucy-roundkick-house a pervert hanging on her leg. It was a new trick she mastered. Well, an upgrade on her 'Lucy-kick'.
Behind the two young mages, a certain Fire-Dragon Slayer just jumped into the air and roared a giant fire that eliminated around fifteen faceless hooligans that were approaching, including a number of merchant stalls and private houses.
And behind the destructive Fire Dragon Slayer was the catastrophe made from hell – Titania, the Queen of the Fairies.
It wasn't looking good for Team Natsu. They managed to finish the job but not without a big chunk of deduction from the reward; all thanks to the destructive duo. Gray helped too. Some things just didn't change.
Lucy hanged her head low as she profusely apologized to the Mayor of the City of Denish. He waved her concern but still insisted on the deduction to reimburse the destroyed church bell, a few angry merchants and angrier Denish citizens.
The mayor had one of those non-threatening smiles and a bubbly personality. His belly was round and protruding, as if he'd been left in the kitchen for far too long. His eyes were so small like just two dots put on a very large face canvass. Gray couldn't place where he's seen the man before until he remembered talking to him when he and Juvia went to Denish for one of their dat-er, missions. Gray visibly changed his expression as he tried to correct himself – one of their missions.
"Here," the likeable leader placed a tray of beverage on the coffee table before Team Natsu. "Why don't you help yourselves with this city's finest tea?"
Gray almost smacked his own head at his teammate's, he wasn't going to name names – Natsu's – lack of manners when the Fire Dragon Slayer grabbed the cup and downed the tea in one audible gulp. Then, asked for more.
What an embarrassing fellow.
Gray stared at his cup for a moment, crossing his legs, like he was some kind of an English noble man participating in a tea party. But the ice-mage was feeling a little bit strange about the hot beverage. His eyes squinted at the few green particles floated around the light brown water.
"What's in this?" asked he.
The mayor quickly responded, "Denish's best export product."
If it was an exported product then Gray assumed it was safe for consumption. He pushed away his apprehensions and, along with his other teammates, Erza, Lucy, Natsu, Happy and little Wendy, the six of them took a sip of Denish's best tea.
"This is quite tasty." commented Lucy and asked for another pour. Her high society was showing since Lucy actually came from a rich family.
The two boys, staying true to their nature, turned the entire tea-drinking into some kind of competition. They wanted to know who could finish the entire strawberry shortcake first but Erza Scarlet was guarding it – guarding it with her life.
They enjoyed the hospitality so much – too much to notice sinister smile that crept up on the Mayor's lips. Now, things would get really interesting.
Juvia was slumped on the table, pouting next to Gajeel, who was apparently reading a book about parenting.
"When is Gray-sama coming back?" asked Juvia, not actually looking for an answer to her question.
"Never." But Gajeel still answered her, not taking away his focused eyes on the page.
Juvia bolted up to scold the Iron Dragon Slayer; her hands were balled into fists at either side, smoke coming out of her ears.
"That's not true, Gajeel-kun!" Juvia turned red denying it. "Gray-sama told Juvia to wait for him patiently."
Gajeel knew he needed to take back what he said. Otherwise, Rain Woman would be wailing at him the whole day. Which would be really annoying. But getting a rise from her was helluvan entertainment. Rain Woman was so concentrated at flailing her hands at him that she didn't notice the playful grin behind 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'.
And if he told her she should wait for him patiently then what the hell was she complaining about every day?
"Juvia-sama~"
The door to the guild building busted open, spitting out the man of Juvia's dreams. But what did he just say? Or sing for that matter?
"Juvia-sama?!"
Gajeel's face was pulled into a confused and appalled expression, but mostly appalled – extremely horrified. Did Earthland decide to screw itself up and turn upside down? Because Gajeel didn't get the memo. Juvia, on the other hand, wasn't as bothered as he was. Little did he know, it wasn't the first time Gray called her that.
"Ah, there she is." said Gray, who stopped near a dumbfounded group of Fairy Tail mages, to point at his 'Juvia-sama'.
He looked like he was in a daze, so over the moon, that nothing could ruin his mood. A fool's grin plastered across his stupid-looking face.
"There's my Juvia-sama."
He made his way to the water-mage, who was feeling happy but at the same time a bit concerned with the way the ice-mage was walking up to her. He was swaying and stumbling every now and then. Gray lost his coat, shirt and eventually, his pants in the process; which was nothing new to Juvia.
Before Gray could hurt herself trying and failing at walking, Juvia ran up to the ice-mage make to throw the widest and warmest embrace, until he beat her to it.
"Juvin!" a cute little yelp escaped Juvia's lips as she was enclosed in Gray's embrace. But Gray went for it, his face buried and nestled between her generous breasts.
"Juvia-sama's so soft."
She gasped when the unabashed devil slayer snuggled comfortably against her chest.
"You warm me up all over."
Juvia wanted to melt, literally, at Gray's display of affection. But most of all she was a little bit confused. What did he mean by 'warming him up all over'? Juvia didn't care. Even if every pair of eyes were glued to them. Even if every jaw in that hall needed some picking up.
But there was one common notion running inside every one's head: finally, Gray came around.
It was Erza who explained Gray's unusual behavior. Apparently, she only finished one cup of the mysterious tea, allowing her to Erza quickly overcome the effect of the Euphoria concoction. She didn't even want to remember what she did under that hypnotic state. Lucy and Wendy were next to get around Euphoria's effects. She wasn't sure about Natsu though and the Gray Fullbuster clinging on Juvia like a cuddly koala.
"They're under the feeling of extreme bliss."
"Extreme bliss?"
"Yes. It's the effect of Euphoria."
"Euphoria?"
At that point, everyone was just repeating what the Requip Mage said, causing her patience to thin a little bit.
"Yes. It's some kind of substance extracted from a plant grown in Denish." lectured Erza. "It can be consumed directly or added as an ingredient in food or drink." Erza continued retelling the crowd what happened. "The Mayor must have added them in our drinks. That's why they are acting like that." pointed Erza out, embarrassed at what her two comrades were doing.
"Juvia-chan." purred Gray. "Juvia-chaaaaaan." He stretched out the suffix thinking it was cute.
"Yes, Gray-sama?"
For Juvia, it was. For Erza? Meh.
It was obvious how happy Juvia was about Gray showing so much affection towards her. As a matter of fact, the man currently bear-hugging her from behind, never left her side since this morning. She never thought that, in the actual world, Gray had that side of him.
There was a tug in her heart knowing it wasn't going to last. Good things often didn't. Once the effects of Euphoria wore off, Gray's going to return to his normal self. She didn't hate that but she would surely miss affectionate Gray-sama who wasn't shy to show it off – to show her off.
Gray snuggled up to her, burying her nose in that area where the neck and shoulders met.
"Juvia-chan smells so good." whispered Gray, full of love.
Erza, feeling a little bit exhausted with Gray's out-of-character cuteness, and honestly, a little bit jealous, hit the doting Gray at the back of his head, scolding him to let go of Juvia for a moment.
The Requip Mage wasn't met with a complaint or a violent reaction. She preferred either of the two, instead of what she was receiving from the lovesick fool.
"Does Erza-san want some hug too?" asked Gray but he didn't let her respond. "Come here."
Erza froze in her place as Gray was approaching her, arms wide open, eyes round and shining like a cat's. She wanted to either punch him or kick him in the balls but she couldn't move a muscle. The more he was inching towards her, the more Erza felt paralyzed.
"G-g-gray-sama could just keep holding Juvia."
Blue filled Erza's vision. She wasn't staring at the approaching Gray but of Juvia getting enfolded in Gray's embrace. Erza visibly sighed in relief, regaining her motor skills. She repentantly realized that adorable Gray was paralyzing, just like the cute exceed Frosch.
"Oi, Lucy. Lucyyyy." sang the Fire Dragon Slayer, just behind Erza, snatching her full attention.
Lucy and Juvia were treating the problem differently; one was enjoying it, seizing the day, while the other was, well…
"When will this end?" complained the Celestial mage as she tried to fend off Natsu's unwelcomed hugs. In the end she gave up and just let him be.
"Well," Erza cleared her throat after composing herself. "we already surrendered the Mayor to the Magic Council." She threw the ice-make mage a nervous glance, more aptly prepared and on-guard for when Gray attacks with his cuteness and free hugs again. "Since, they're not a threat," she began, pointing at the two bold mages who kept flirting with their women. Erza could feel blood rising and she was starting to doubt her own decision. "I guess we just need to wait for the effects to wear out."
"Oi, flame breath! Stop staring at my honey!" The ice-make mage barked at the culprit. "She's mine!" exclaimed he as Gray pulled Juvia in a possessive embrace. "All mine!"
"I'm not staring at her, droopy eyes!" denied Natsu. "I have my own. See?" The Dragon-Slayer tightened his embrace around Lucy too, short of a choke. So, rather than being romantic, Lucy begged for her life.
"Erza, help me!"
"Erm… Gray-sama should stop following Juvia."
"But Gray-sama's going to miss Juvia-chan." complained Gray as he followed her around like a teddy bear with a goofy smile plastered over his goofy face.
Juvia twitched. Since when did Gray-sama referred to himself in third person?
"But Juvia-chan, erm, Juvia is just going to the bathroom."
Gray stopped in his tracks as an idea hit him. Whether it was good or bad, that remained debatable.
"Then, Gray-sama will wait outside the door."
Exasperation hang Juvia's head low. "Gray-sama should just stop calling himself Gray-sama." That would be weird if that would stick with Gray even if Euphoria wore out.
"Whatever Juvia-chan would say, Gray-sama will follow."
"But Juvia-chan, ah no! Juvia. Juvia just told him not to call himself Gray-sama." complained Juvia to herself.
But this little incident did the couple some good too.
Even after how many years that she knew Gray, Juvia was surprised to discover new things about the ice-make mage: just like how Gray loved it when Juvia gently scratch or pat his head or play with his stubborn hair. How he liked to hug Juvia from behind and brush his lips against her shoulders. How he would always say how much he loved her smell and bury his nose in that area where the neck and shoulders met. Those are things she would never hear him say or see him do in a million years. Juvia treasured those moments.
That afternoon, when Gray walked Juvia to her dormitory, the water mage could sense that the effects of Euphoria was waning. Gray's goofy smile became a memory and the reservation in his eyes returned. Time was up. A voice was telling Juvia, before Juvia lost this opportunity, before this day ended, Juvia should kiss Gray.
She stopped in her tracks without saying a word, pulling Gray, who was holding her hand tightly, to a halt.
"A-a-ano." Juvia hesitantly released Gray's hand to spin around and face him. "J-j-juvia… Juvia wanted to do something."
She peeked through her lashes to see Gray's reaction. The goofy smile he worn since this morning was reduced into a small curve. Her stomach took a tumble and her nerves were making her rethink what she was about to do. But the voice kept growing louder. Kiss him, now. His no non-sense demeanor made her hesitate but if she wouldn't do it now, just like what the voice said, who knew when she would be able to kiss Gray? If it would even happen. So, Juvia mustered all her courage, shut her eyes close and puckered her lips to prepare for the kiss. She rose to her balls and leaned into Gray.
But in the end, Juvia just couldn't do it. She couldn't take advantage of Gray-sama's condition. It wasn't right. It didn't feel right.
"Ah," Juvia opened her eyes to meet Gray's confused gaze. She lowered her head, heart sinking in sadness. "Juvia couldn't do it, after all."
She raised her gaze to bravely face Gray. "Gray-sama isn't in his right mind and it would be wrong for Juv-mmm."
Gray stepped forward and cut Juvia's words with a firm kiss.
The contact initially stunned Juvia. She wondered if it was really happening. If her mind was just playing games with her. Until, she couldn't think anymore. In the end, she chose to relish in the moment. She closed her eyes and indulged herself in the warm and soft press of Gray's lips.
Gray was repulsed. His stomach took an ugly turn. As he listened to every tale of his drug-induced Euphoria, Gray shrunk in embarrassment.
"At one point, you even called Juvia honey!"
"H-h-honey?!" Gray turned to Juvia for confirmation and the water-mage nodded in response.
At that moment, Gray felt a lot of things: he felt like living under a rock, bury himself six-feet under the ground or just hit the Fire Dragon Slayer who was taking so much pleasure from Gray getting tangled in that hot mess.
"Don't act so high and mighty." It was Carla, Wendy's Exceed, who reprimanded Natsu. "You were clinging on Lucy too."
"Huh? But I do that everyday."
"As much as I'd like to deny it, I can't." The Celestial Mage was resigned to her fate.
It was true. There was nothing new about Natsu invading Lucy's space – personal or otherwise. Carla gave up in the end and continued hovering over the group of eight. Team Natsu hit the road to their next mission, which required the participation of one water-mage.
Gray fell behind, still processing the fact that yesterday he acted cute and, dared he say it, lovey-dovey. How could he face Juvia now with all the skinship he forced on her?
"Gray-sama even kissed Juvia." murmured Juvia. She didn't even intend for anyone to hear.
Gray let his teammates get a head start and logged behind with Juvia. She was looking down on the pavement, smiling at what seemed to be a memory. But the memory was bittersweet. Juvia was smiling but her eyes were telling another story. Gray knew why. Yesterday may have been a dream come true for Juvia. But just like dreams, she had to wake up from it. A part of Gray hated himself, for always holding back, for always finding excuses not to dive in, fall down head first.
"I remember."
Juvia stopped dead in her tracks, frozen in place. Gray must have noticed that Juvia wasn't by his side anymore. He stopped and turned to check on her. Juvia slowly raised her gaze from the pavement and tentatively met Gray's eyes.
"W-what did Gray-sama say?"
He might not be able to let himself dive in, but it was time for Gray to be brave enough to at least stand at the edge.
"I said, I remember."
And maybe test the waters.
Gray spun around and began walking, leaving a dumbfounded Juvia still rooted in her place. She called after him, asking if what she heard was true, that he remembered the kiss – the one she started but Gray finished.
Gray didn't heed her calls and continued on his path, a foolish smile playing on his lips. Of course, he remembered. That was one moment he couldn't forget from that drug-induced euphoric state. Maybe, it was the only moment he could remember crystal clear. He could still feel the ghost of Juvia's lips pressed against his - soft, warm and right. The kiss felt right. And if he was being honest, no other euphoria could compare the moment he claimed that kiss.
Writer's Corner: Can you believe we're on Day 7? The last day! And we made it until the last day. Woot woot. It's been a fun ride participating in this year's Gruvia Week and I am very, very much happy that even so Fairy Tail has ended a long time ago, we are still here, trying to keep the fandom alive. Kudos to all of you! I love you all!
I'm known to be so verbose so will keep it at that. Enjoy! #GruviaForever
Drop some love! And now back to our regular programming... She's In Your Court Chapter 14 will be posted soon.