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Title: Love At First Sight
Secret Title: Pirate Love
Summary: Wendy is a princess forced to be married at the age of 18. It wouldn't be a problem for her if she had fallen in love with her fiance, but alas fate is not too kind. Determined to runaway to chose her own love, she runs into a nice man who rescues her from her guards. Thinking this man is her one true love, she decides to escape with him. She had no idea that her true love was a no good pirate.
Chapter Seventeen
Welcome Back
Juvia sighs as she watches the night sky. It will be daybreak in about another twenty minutes or so. They would always watch the sunrise together on the Vermillion and recall how they first met. It was instant attraction for her while Gray on the other hand played hard to get. It was only while they watched a sunrise did they truly realize how important the other one was. He didn't ask for her to come with him, he didn't have anything to offer her and didn't want to disappoint her with a life of piracy. She had nothing keeping her back though and told him he didn't have to when she saw the surprised look on his face as she walked onboard. It took a couple of weeks, maybe a month or so, but they became a perfect couple and soon after that... a perfect husband and wife.
They had the best of friends. It meant the world to her that so many of them wanted to chase after Gray like they had for Wendy. It was his own brother though and she had to hold fast that Lyon wouldn't kill his one and only brother. She felt regret for running down and calling out Gray's name to tell him the truth and she felt guilty that she was regretting that. If she hadn't warn Gray then Mest would have waged war and Lyon would have died. Gray wouldn't have even known that his brother was still alive... he deserved that... what did she deserve though?
She was never lonely. Her friends made sure she always had someone with her... only during these sunrises though. Juvia looks up at the stars and watches as the sun changes the sky, from blackness into such a bright light color that it reminds her of Gray. Changing her rainy days into one of pure sunshine. It's so unfair how the sky still seems to rise even though her sun is no longer with her. So unfair that the world doesn't stop when he's not here... so unfair.
"You know better than to dress like this when it's so cold out. You should have brought a jacket Juvia."
Juvia's breath hitches inside her throat. She doesn't dare move, thinking that his voice is only a dream she's been yearning for every night. She hears footsteps and sees him sit down next to her on the ground out the corner of her eyes.
"Wow, it looks just like how it did when we watched our first sunrise together. I don't think I'll ever forget that day, although I'm pretty sure it was raining before the sun came out. You look just as beautiful as that day Juvia."
Juvia feels tears falling out the corner of her eyes and she tilts her head, daring to look at him. Gray is smiling down at her and just staring, staring with his good looking self.
"I'm sorry I didn't get here first, I really tried to though. I'm sorry for how much pain and sorrow I caused you. I'll be sure to make it up to you whatever way you want me to." Gray apologizes.
It's real. His fingers are warm against her cold cheeks and Juvia can't hold it back anymore. She leans up and throws herself towards her husband, crushing him to her chest as she cries out loudly.
"Gray! Gray! Gray!"
"I know, I'm here, I'm sorry Juvia. I'm sorry."
They hold each other until the sun rises high into the sky, lighting up everything around them. Juvia finally catches her breath and just leans into his embrace, closing her eyes softly as she falls into him.
"What happened Gray?" She mumbles into his chest.
Gray sighs out and scratches the back of his head, "all this time while I thought he was dead, he thought I killed our mother and ran away from home. Lyon wouldn't listen to me at first, I remember being in the brig for days without any sunlight at all. Sherria, this girl from his crew, she kept me company and told me stories about Lyon. She was really nice."
Juvia bites Gray's shoulder hard.
"Ah-Juvia! It wasn't like that! Sherria is Wendy's best friend apparently, they got really close when she was prisoner there, and she promised Wendy that she'd watch out for me. Plus the girl is totally in love with my brother, so there's nothing to worry about."
Juvia huffs, but leans her head gently against his shoulder again.
"I'm sorry, I'll be more careful with my words next time. Where was I? Sherria kept me company until Lyon came to talk to me, except he didn't really talk. He only stood there and stared at me, so I did all the talking. I told him about you, and Natsu, Captain Mest, Fairy Tail, and the Vermillion. Basically everything about my life since I've seen him... he wasn't too happy with that and almost cut my arm off with his sword."
Juvia gasps, hugging him closer.
"Don't worry, Sherria was there to calm him down. Every time Lyon visited me he would only stand there and stare. I was waiting for him to finally talk to me about what happened that day... and he did. One night it was really late. He came towards the brig completely drunk out of his mind and was yelling at me, asking why I killed our mother and ran away... I knew he wouldn't remember anything, so I tried to tell him to go back to bed and help him. He was so mad Juvia, he opened my cell and threw a sword at my feet telling me to fight him. I didn't want to, but he pushed my hand and we fought. Let me tell you, drunk or not, Lyon was a worthy opponent. I have a scar from him to prove it... hmm, maybe he wasn't that drunk? Maybe he did had a few to gain his courage now that I think about it."
"You're okay?" Juvia interrupts his train of thought.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Sherria healed all my wounds, I'm at 100% for you Juvia."
"Good, please continue Gray. Juvia's listening."
"Well, we fought, and somehow we both ended with our backs on the ground. I think we passed out, there was a bit of blood everywhere. The next thing I know I wake up in the infirmary with Lyon next to me, the both of us tied to our beds. Sherria's there with the key in her hand glaring at us both and demands for us to talk things through or else we'd be stuck there for a very, very long time."
"So were you able to tell Lyon the truth?"
"Yeah, we finally talked. I told him how I thought he was dead because of the avalanche that destroyed our home; I had no idea that he had chased after me and Ul... I didn't kill her, but it was still my fault. If I hadn't gone after the bandits that killed my parents then Ul wouldn't have gotten herself killed chasing after me. Lyon came into town days behind me while I headed home to find him. He heard about what happened, but from the stories it had sounded like I killed Ul for trying to take me back. It was all just a big misunderstanding and he didn't believe it at first. It was so hard to convince him Juvia, I think I started crying when I told him how I returned home to not only lose a mother a few days earlier, but a brother as well... I don't know how long we talked after that, but Lyon... he forgave me. We forgave each other and well... here I am. Lyon's here too, he wants to meet you, and he also wants to apologize for taking Wendy. He's changed, we both have now that we know we still have each other."
Juvia smiles and nods her head, "Mest and Wendy will appreciate that greatly. She feels guilty you know; Juvia sees it in her eyes every time she talks to her. She blames herself for you getting taken away from Juvia, so make sure to let her know that all is forgiven."
"Geez, I wonder why she would think such a thing. It was my decision."
"Juvia knows, but she's too... Juvia doesn't know the word. Wendy likes to take everything in and give everything back. She's a good girl. So Gray... do you have plans on joining Lyon's crew now that you have your brother back? Because you don't need to ask, you already know the answer. Juvia will follow you anywhere as long as we're together."
Gray stares into her eyes and smiles brightly, "of course I know that; I would have to be an idiot if I didn't. No Juvia, I won't take us away from our family. There will be visits though and meet ups. I'm hoping Mest will allow us to be allies so we can go to each other's aid whenever one of us is in trouble."
"That sounds like a good plan. Gray... Juvia's so happy you're back. She doesn't want this moment to end. Do the others have to know you're back? Can't you stay Juvia's a little while longer?"
Gray gently kisses her lips before pulling away, "I don't think anyone else is up right now, so we can stay for a while longer."
When the sun is at a more appropriate position in the sky Juvia and Gray finally get up and head back into town, hand in hand. They walk into the local tavern where everyone is having breakfast and clear their voices. All eyes turn to them and jaws drop to the ground. Gray smiles brightly and raises a hand in the air.
"Hey guys, did you miss me?"
"Now Captain, please remember what you told me before." Gray says holding onto Mest's arm.
"I will... try to be courteous and listen to the apology from the man who stole the love of my life away while she was nearly dying, hurt three of our crew members who were protecting her, and led us on a wild chase across the seas only to end up taking you." Mest spits out, growing angrier and angrier as he remembers all Lamia Scale has done.
"Who is also my brother," Gray nods at him.
Mest takes a big relaxing breath, "who is also your brother."
"Thanks, they should be arriving any second now. I told them to wait a couple hours after breakfast so I could have the time to talk to all of you. I know we thought of them as enemies once, but please think of them as sort of allies now? I swear Lyon feels bad, he really does." Gray tells his crew.
Some of them look iffy, a few of them like Mest who wants nothing to do with these pirates, but they will try for Gray. He would never lie to them and he is brothers with the captain. Gray trusts this guy now, for who knows what reason. Fairy Tail will try to act as civilized as pirates can... which is hardly at all.
"Will it just be Lyon? Or..." Wendy trails off.
Gray gives her a knowing smile and shrugs, "I'm not too sure; Lyon spoke as if he was the only one coming. Guess he didn't want to risk his crew just in case something happens."
"Oh," Wendy frowns a little.
She wants to see Sherria and tell her everything that's been going on since the moment she's left. She supposes she'll have to wait though until Lyon and Mest come to an agreement or something. Wendy looks up at her captain and notices him staring down at her.
"I don't want you here-"
"What? That's ridiculous Mest, of course I'm going to be here-"
"Last time they kidnapped you-"
"And you think they're going to do the same thing again? Gray said-"
"I don't care, you never know and I won't risk it-"
"So you don't believe in Gray?"
"I won't lose you again Wendy, not again." Mest gazes down at her.
Before Wendy can voice her opinion, the doors to the tavern open and all heads turn. Lyon walks in looking a little sheepish, scratching the back of his head as he scans the crowd for his brother. Sherria peeks out behinds him and narrows her eyes, a gasp escaping her lips as she spots her best friend.
"Wendy!" Sherria waves.
"Sherria!" Wendy cheers back.
She starts running, Mest's hand missing her by seconds, leaving the protection of his side. He takes a step forward, but Gray slams his hand on his shoulder and holds him there.
"I missed you Sherria!" Wendy cries wrapping her arms around her shoulders.
"As have I Wendy, I didn't expect to see you so soon! But I'm happy! So very happy!" Sherria cries back wrapping her arms around her.
The two girls look at each other and giggle at their silliness. Lyon ignores all of this and strolls up to Mest and Gray.
"Gray, I take it things went well?" Lyon asks, an eyebrow raising as he glances over at Mest.
Who is glaring fiercely, but it's not directed at him. Oh no, it's directed behind him at Wendy and Sherria who are holding hands and talking. Why doesn't that girl ever listen to him when all he wants to do is protect her? This is going to have to change when they get married; she needs to understand exactly what she puts him through and know that as his wife she needs to stay by his side.
"Captain Gryder?" Lyon calls out.
Gray elbows Mest and he glares at him, "what?"
He motions towards Lyon and Mest turns his glare to him, "what?!"
Lyon breathes out of nose, "I apologize for chasing after you for so long and... taking your doctor prisoner... and then taking Gray. I... I'm sorry."
Gray laughs and walks over, patting his back, "well don't give yourself a migraine thinking so hard on it."
"Shut up Gray," Lyon rolls his eyes, but there's a smile on his lips.
Mest takes a breath and balls his hand into a fist. He raises it and throws, connecting against Lyon's cheek and watching him fall straight down. The bar turns into an uproar at that moment, Gray yelling as he goes to his side, Sherria gasping as she runs to Lyon's, Wendy's mouth opening up wide to gape. Immediately she thinks the blame falls to her, that if she would have only stayed by his side she could have calmed him down and prevented all of this.
"That is for kidnapping my wife... we're good now. Someone get this man a drink, we have reasons to celebrate Gray reuniting with his long lost dead brother." Mest calls out shaking his hand a little.
Lyon pats Sherria away as she examines his busted lip and gives a glance at Mest, "fair enough Captain."
Mest holds out at hand and Lyon grabs it, helping himself up. Gray laughs as he walks over and pulls Lyon into a hug, ruffling up his hair.
"Have to say Lyon it is an improvement. Not a big one, but your face is looking much handsomer," Gray laughs.
Lyon scoffs and pushes him away, a smile of his own appearing on his lips, "where's this lovely wife of yours idiot? She must be brain dead to want to marry you willingly. Sherria? Invite the crew to land; if we're celebrating they're not going to want to miss the party." Lyon calls back to her.
"But your lip! I should at least-"
"Thanks Sherria, stop worrying so much. I'm fine," Lyon grins at her before following after his brother.
Sherria pouts and crosses her arms over her chest. Wendy touches her shoulder gently and gives her a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll come with you to keep you company, and when we come back I'll have Gray hold him down so you can patch him up." Wendy whispers the last part at the end.
Sherria giggles and nods her head, "thanks Wendy."
Mest comes walking over and stands in front of the two girls, both his eyebrows raising up as he stares them down.
"And where do you think you're going Wendy?" He asks matter of factly.
"With Sherria to get the rest of her crew of course Mest. I don't want her to go alone," Wendy replies trying to sound as confidently as him.
"And why would you think that I would allow you to go to the crew that kidnapped you?"
"Because you don't own me," Wendy challenges, raising an eyebrow.
"Yet. You have to see how dangerous-"
"They were my friends Mest. They were nice to me and didn't hurt me one bit, I already told you this. Besides, didn't you just make up with Lyon? Why can't I go?"
"Little princess, are you not listening? I already explained why, because they kidnapped you once before and it doesn't matter on how friendly terms I am with their captain, I would have to be an idiot if I would sent my wife to enemy lines again."
"Ally lines, not enemies."
"Um, Wendy?" Sherria mumbles, not liking being caught up in the middle of these two calm argument.
Wendy and Mest both look at her and scowl. Sherria flinches back and lowers her head, regretting interrupting now. Wendy narrows her eyes at Mest again before she sighs out and walks over to him. She presses her forehead against his chest and waits for his arms to wrap around her. She stays in his embrace for a few seconds, remembering that she loves this man and doesn't hate and want to kick him down to pieces, before she pulls away and grabs his hand.
"Sherria, this is Mest, my captain and husband. Mest, this is Sherria. She kept me safe from Lamia Scale BEFORE WE ALL GOT ALONG. She's a very close friend." Wendy smiles at her.
"It's nice to meet you Captain Mest. Wendy told me a lot about you while we were together. I'm happy to know you take care of her." Sherria gives him a little curtsy.
Mest nods his head, "likewise; thanks for taking care of her while she was kidnap-... away. All she's done is talk about you since her return. You've made her a better doctor, you have my gratitude for that."
Wendy smiles as the two most important people in her life get along. She squeezes Mest's hand tightly and he looks down at her. She can't believe she's going to do this, she's never had to because she's free to do whatever the hell she wants despite what Mest thinks. He's acting like how her parents did back in Fiore though and just because she's no longer there doesn't mean she doesn't remember how to act to get what she wants. So she smiles gently at Mest and looks up at him through her eyelashes, giving him an innocent expression as she squeezes his hand again.
"Mest, can I please go along with Sherria? I really don't want her going by herself. It'll only take a couple of minutes, ten at tops, and if I'm not back by then you can send whoever you want to come and get me. Even the whole crew. Please?" She pouts, tilting her head to the side and letting her hair fall over her shoulder.
Mest gulps thickly. He hasn't seen this expression on her face since she first boarded, begging to share a room with him. She's gotten used to glaring and demanding what she wants, which is perfectly fine by Mest because he can deal with her when she's angry, but when she's all sweet like this... she's going to realize exactly what this look does to him. He's never going to win another argument against her again. He has to make a stand, but if he refuses... then she's going to get all depressed and he doesn't want to see that sad expression on her face.
"Ten minutes," he tries to sound confident and not sigh at his defeat.
Wendy raises the hand she's holding and presses it against her cheek, leaning her head against it as she smiles brightly at him.
"Thanks Mest."
Mest is caught under her loving gaze and spell; blinking when all of a sudden she pulls away, grabs Sherria's hand, and makes a run for it. He groans and sighs, running his hands down his face as he turns and grabs the seat nearest to the clock on the wall. He watches the seconds ticket by. Wendy and Sherria run hand and hand down the streets and towards the port where Sherria's ship is docked. They laugh all the way there and Wendy points out places they pass.
"This place right here has some really pretty clothes; Mest and I went there a few days ago and bought some new things for me. This jewelry store is where Mest and I went ring shopping for him, I wanted to pick out something special for his wedding ring since I never really got him one. They had a lot of pretty jewels, nice and sparkly. And this place right here makes their own furniture! It was so cool designing some, Mest and I went because... he kind of destroyed our room."
Sherria laughs, "what do you mean destroyed?"
"I don't know, he didn't really tell me too much about it. Just when I got back everything was broken. I think he was angry and took it out on the poor furniture, and Natsu, he's our carpenter, he couldn't really fix everything, so Mest said we should just get some new ones. He even let me help pick them out! They're the cutest things Sherria. I hope I can show you around my ship so you can see my room, and my infirmary! I bought the books you recommended, this place has a really big bookstore I think you'll love, and the plants too! It's already making the ship smell better, hahahaha." Wendy laughs.
"I'm happy, you remember how to take care of them right?"
"Of course, I wrote down everything you told me Sherria. Oh! And this place right here has the best pastries around! Mest bought me all of them to try and although most of them were good, only three happen to be my favorites. He buys me them nearly everyday, I think I'm gaining a few pounds because of it." Wendy pouts poking at her stomach.
"I'm glad you sound so happy when you talk about him now Wendy. I can tell you truly love your husband." Sherria smiles at her.
Wendy stops walking and looks at her. She blinks before slowly nodding her head up and down.
"I do, I really do... anyway, what is next? Ah! This place right here!"
Sherria squeezes her hand as she listens to her friend. Her ship comes up way too quickly and she can only hope that Lyon will allow them to stay here for a few days. One night isn't enough time to be with her best friend. Wendy looks up at the crew and smiles lightly; even if they hold her hostage, even if she didn't speak with everyone of them, they weren't cruel, so she shouldn't return the favor.
"Hey guys! Come down to party; Captain's orders!" Sherria cheers out loudly.
"Really? What about the Fairy Tail Pirates?" Yuka calls out.
"We're all friends now! I would hurry if you want some booze, I've never seen people drink as much as my crew." Wendy yells waving her hands at them.
"Oooh, that sounds like a challenge. Saddle up men, we got some fairies to drink under the table." Jura grins.
Sherria giggles as her crew yells out ayes and start heading for the bridge. Wendy smiles and squeezes her hand, calling her attention.
"How long do you think we have left?" She asks.
Sherria hums and places a finger against her lips, "well it feels like that only to took about four minutes, so we probably have six, maybe seven minutes if he isn't counting the seconds."
Wendy snorts, "I know he is, but I still think we'll have enough time to hit just one itsy witsy store."
Sherria's eyes sparkly, "what do you have in mind?"
Wendy gives her a toothy grin, "I think you know."
"Perfect. I love eating sweets while I drink."
