Note:
Flashbacks and thoughts in italics
I do not condone or encourage any behaviors in this story. It is simply a fictional story.
"Butterfly Effect"
CHAPTER 11
Rather Be
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The chik-chik-pok-pok of wheels bumping over the tracks accompanied her to her destination. She tugged a lock of hair behind an ear, her fingertips made cold by the evening air as they met the glass where rain drops danced. She used to hate rain. But right now, the rain feels different. Rain feels like life. The rails squealed as the train came to a halt.
Her low heels clicked-clacked, and stepping out of the train, she bloomed her umbrella open with a twirl. Her face shone as drizzle drops carried by the howling gales wet her cheeks. Her eyes found the man she was supposed to meet, donned in a trench coat with the badge and a peculiar insignia clipped to the right shoulder, like the village chief had mentioned.
"Hello. You must be Mr Suzaku?" His long crimson hair was tied into a half bun behind his head, and the loose fringes cascaded over his seemingly broad shoulders.
The man's voice was deep, and his face was dour. "Water mage, Juvia Locker." He acknowledged her with a single nod.
"Let me help you with the luggage." Suzaku took her trolley bag and, giving her no time to protest, snatched the travel duffel out of her hands. Juvia blinked, suddenly feeling her hands empty. Throwing her a sidelong glance, he inquired. "Don't you know Totomaru?"
Juvia's mouth opened and closed, processing his words. Her eyebrows furrowed, bemused. Did he really ask that? He knows Totomaru? How long has it been? How's he doing? "Yes. How do you know him?"
"The brat stopped being stubborn and returned home. He's my cousin. He's good."
Oh really. Totomaru had a home. She didn't feel jealous but instead delighted for him, knowing that he had finally found somewhere to belong. "Wow. I'm glad."
"He will accompany you. He doesn't know that it's you." Juvia wished she had glanced away when his lips twitched for a slow, sensual smile. Because despite how annoying he was when it came to using his height to his advantage to keep her bag out of her reach, he was a tanned beefcake of a man. Caught red-handed making eyes at him without intending to, she had trouble catching her breath. Apparently, with such beautiful muscles, he must be used to getting such a reaction, for his immediate wink is subtle, not less hot.
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The kitchen is the most colourful place in the entire household. Totomaru's mother mumbled something about why she didn't like using mustard but couldn't avoid it in the food before she resumed what she was doing. Juvia helped her by chopping up the onions and slicing the tomatoes, while the other took care of the mixture in the grinder.
"So who taught you to cook, your mother?" Catori asked cheerfully.
"I learned it myself; I don't have one." The knife now immobile in her hand, Juvia slightly sagged against the mint-painted walls.
"Ah." Catori's salt and pepper hair had been separated into four braids, two of which slipped down with her slumping shoulders. She stood straighter, biting her lips. "You did seem like a brave kid. And you are. But if you want to talk about anything, I'm here to listen."
"It's alright." There isn't much to talk about, anyway. With a vacant stare, Juvia smiled. "Thank you."
"Okay." And Catori merely nodded, her gaze unblinking as they focused on Juvia's.
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During the afternoons when the winds are still, the treehouse is a quiet place. There are no susurrus or children's squeals. It is where Totomaru would sit with his screaming thoughts when, in Susaku's words, "shit hits the fan." It is where Totomaru used to cry himself to sleep on cold, lonely nights. Now that his father is gone, the son is back home. Totomaru hated his father. He can never understand how a kind woman like his mother would fall in love with an abusive piece of trash like him. But that's okay. Everything's over now.
Why should he feel sad for someone who had hurt him physically and emotionally and, moreover, never acknowledged him as his own son? No, he must not dwell in the blues for him, for a psychopath who cannot understand pain or the meaning of tears doesn't have emotions. Maru's no saint; he will not forgive someone like that just because he couldn't. His mother doesn't understand simple things like that. Even so, that's fine. He's glad he's home. As long as he's here in the presence of his family and friends, everything is fine.
He listened to the dull thump of footsteps behind him, knowing full well who that was. More than amused, Totomaru was disbelieving when he heard about Juvia or saw the small changes on her person. She looked dainty—dearly gorgeous—not that she wasn't before. It had always felt like Juvia possessed some allure, but this was not it. This Juvia looked more, what should he say? Sane? Sage? Healthy? There was something about her that glowed, or maybe a mesh of many things.
"Maru-san?"
He turned toward her with an extended hand. "How have you been?" She gazes at him with sparkly eyes, lashes moist with nostalgia, and takes his hand in both of hers.
"Better. I'll tell you more about it." Tugging at her earlobes, she looks down at her toes. "What about you?" "Are you happy here?" He gives her hand a cushy squeeze and feels the fond heat from her palms blending into him. It's familiar and intimate.
Happiness. She looked happier. She has never looked like that. So, that was the difference. She looked... Happy! And yeah, he was too. The happiest he's ever been was in his birthplace, at home, on the lap of his mother. Totomaru thrust his chin up and gave her a dimpled smile. "I am."
There was not a tinge of uncertainty when he pulled her into a hug. She felt warm, like she had never been before. "It's been so long, Juvia. Gotta make up for lost time." Now that they're both better.
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Pine floorboards grated when Natsu stepped on them. He didn't slam the door like he normally would. "Hey! It's me."
Gray opened the door, a towel on his shoulders, his hair wet. Surprisingly, his living room is so clean, like glistening clean, that Natsu is gaping. "When did you start cleaning?"
"I've got to entertain myself when I'm bored." After throwing a blank stare his way, Gray focused on his fingernails. There was a workbench on the side of the room, right next to the window with open blinds, but not directly beneath the rays of the sun casting a sunny spot on the floor.
"Or had to occupy your mind to not let something else occupy it?" Natsu sat across from him on the sofa, crossing his arms. The brunette pressed his lips together and scratched his head. He pulled the wide drawer of the coffee table and grabbed a firearm that was in it, twisting it in his palm.
"Why do you have a rifle?" Natsu asked, rapidly blinking.
"Just a hobby."
"You can't shoo me away with that." "You may have to use your magic." Natsu's chest puffed up, with a grin most mocking.
"It's not for that, dumbass. Let's hunt wild deer for dinner." The other chuckled and shoved him with his shoulder. "I have an extra pistol."
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Author's Note:
Clean bandit's Rather Be, one of my favourites.
