Last time Lyon saw Juvia was almost a year ago. He was passing by Fairy Tail during his mission and he decided to stop by. He was in a hurry, so he didn't have much time to talk, but he didn't miss the chance to try and vow Juvia with his sweet words. Of course, she was immune to his charms and kept her eyes on her beloved Gray-sama, but the older Ice-Make mage noticed something felt off about her. However, he wasn't in a hurry to settle down and didn't have a good reason to come back, so he left it as that. Over the year, he hasn't thought about Juvia much, but her smiling face still came to his mind from time to time.

Somehow, Lyon ended up in Magnolia. He caught himself thinking about Juvia more often than usual. What would her reaction be when she finds out about his condition? Will she cry or will she just shrug it off like it doesn't matter? Of course, it won't be the latter, she's too pure and gentle to not care.

With whom would he spend his last moment? Somehow, the last thing he wants to see is her smiling face, but he knows that's impossible. She wouldn't smile at a dying person. He wants to spend as much time as possible with her, so he can see her in his thoughts when the time comes.

It didn't take him too long to find her. He watches her sitting by the lake, reading a book, looking beautiful. And all he had to do was ask.

"Juvia..."

She flinched at the voice. It sounded familiar, yet strange. She didn't expect anyone to be there. This was her usual place and she spends most of her time here, because there's no one to bother her. She closed her book and looked up.

There stood Lyon. She hasn't seen him in a year. Some weird feeling was tickling her heart, but she brushed it off. She stood up and looked at him. He looked the same, but something about him felt different. She noticed that his face was a bit paler than usual and he looked tired. Must be from the road. It's a long way from Lamia Scale to Fairy Tail.

She looked around and didn't see anyone else. He was alone.

"Looking for someone?"

He asked her. His face was blank. There was no emotion in his voice. She found it odd. Even though it's been a year she could still hear him calling her 'Juvia-chan' and saying that they should be together. But he seems like he's changed. He was already a few years older than her, but he seemed more mature now. It somehow scared her. This person in front of her is not the Lyon she knows. But she's not completely the same either.

"No, Juvia was just...What are you doing here Lyon-san?" She asked and she thought she saw his eyes widen when she spoke up. He hasn't heard her sweet voice in a while, he sure missed it.

"Me? I came here to talk to you."

He looked offended. It's not that she doesn't want him to be there, she's just very confused.

"Want to grab some coffee?"

'Is that it? He wants to take Juvia on a date?'

She thought his unusual behaviour was just a plan to get her to go out with him. She thought about his offer. It was a bit cold outside and she could use a hot drink. As if on cue, the cold wind blew and Lyon put his hands in his pockets. She noticed it. If it were someone else she wouldn't say anything but it was Lyon. Lyon and Gray almost never feel cold.

"Is everything okay, Lyon?"

She asked worried. He looked away from her and muttered "I'm fine." Juvia was usually silly, so others never took her for serious, but she understood well when some things were important. And it looked like he had to discuss something very important.

She picked up her book and took her jacket. She put it on. It was cold.

"Let's go!"

And the usual, cheerful Juvia was back. She gave him her best smile and took his hand. He noticed how her small hand perfectly fit in his. Her skin felt warm and soft, compared to his icy fingers. As she dragged him to the coffee shop, he forgot about his illness. For a moment, he wasn't scared of tomorrow. He was cold, but he felt warmth spread through his body the moment Juvia touched him. This is what he wanted. This is what he wants to feel for the rest of his days.

"Two coffees, please." Juvia said and went back to her seat. It was a small, cozy place. Juvia liked to go there when it was too cold to sit by the lake. And they had the best coffee.

Lyon thought it was odd of her to accept his offer so easily. It doesn't mean she'll accept what he came to ask her.

He watched her as she tried to warm her hands on the hot cup. He examined her face carefully. She hasn't changed, except that her hair style was a bit different now. Her pretty locks were still there, her eyes were the same blue color, her lips were still pinkish pale. She was still beautiful just like the first time he saw her. But is she still the same Juvia on the inside? Does she still like Gray? They could be dating for all he knows, but he hoped that Gray didn't realize his feelings for Juvia. That would only mean that Juvia spent another year trying to get his attention, doing the same boring things every day. That, or she gave up, which would be the best. Either way, he didn't care about Gray. He did, but he didn't want him to be with Juvia. She deserves someone way better than him. 'She doesn't deserve a dying person either' a voice in his mind told him. But he was selfish. He wants her for himself.

"You're staring, Lyon-san." She giggled and sipped her coffee.

"Sorry."

"So, what did you want to say to Juvia?"

She asked curiously. He wasn't ready to answer her yet. He doesn't really have the time to chit-chat, he doesn't have time for anything, but he had to make sure that no one is standing in his way.

"So, how are things with you and Gray?"

Juvia looks at him, confused. He looked nervous, like he's afraid of the answer.

"Is that really what you came to ask Juvia?"

She smiles at him. She's really changed. Usually, at the mention of Gray, she gets lost in her own fantasy world, but this time she was there. She was looking at Lyon, smiling at him.

'Could this be because they are together now?'

It might sound cruel, but he never wants her dreams to come true.

"No, but answer my question."

"Nothing."

"What?"

"It's all the same. Gray-sama doesn't like Juvia."

'It's not the same. And he loves you.' But Lyon would never tell her that.

"That's good I guess." Lyon was satisfied with the answer. He leaned against the chair and smirked. There was a glint of arrogance in his eyes and she didn't like that look at all. She was almost mad at him. He seemed very happy that Gray doesn't like her.

"Why?" She narrowed her eyebrows at him.

"Because-" He stopped and looked at her. She was angry. And impatient. Lyon didn't like that look on her pretty face. He sighed. "I might as well just say it."

He looked her in the eyes and took her small hand in his. She didn't complain, instead she blushed. She wanted to know whatever he had to tell her, but she was sure she realized what it is. She let her imagination run wild and thought he was proposing to her. But before she could lose touch with reality and drift off to her fantasy world he squeezed her hand. "Look at me Juvia."

And she did. He wanted her to listen to him. She's never seen him this serious, or anyone else. It scared her. The determination in his look was too much and she stopped breathing. She felt numb. His gray eyes bore into her soul and she couldn't look away or think about anything else but him and his words.

"I want you to spend three weeks with me. Pretend to love me. Be mine."

After saying that he let go of her hand and she could finally breathe again. Her first instinct was to laugh at how silly he is, but when she looked for a sign that he was joking, there was none. She replayed his words in her mind over and over again, confused. Each time, his voice seemed more distant, like he said it a year ago. But when she looked at him again, he was still there, with the same look in his eyes.

On his way to Magnolia, Lyon practised what he'd say to Juvia. He made up the moment and then thought of a different reaction he could get from her and how would he reply to it. But here was the problem - there was no reaction. She just blankly stared at him. Usually, Juvia was like an open book, you could always easily tell what's going on in her mind. But this time, he had no idea.

He sighed and took a sip of his coffee. "And I promise you, you'll never see me again."

And Juvia snapped back to reality. He seemed troubled by something and she didn't like that look in his eyes. She felt like she had to say something, anything.

"Juvia is confused."

"I know. I'd be confused too." He smiled at her. It was a sad smile and Juvia felt like she was the one causing it. She wanted to go to him and hug him, let him cry on her shoulder, but that didn't seem right.

"What is it? You've found someone else?" He asked. He never thought about it, but there was a possibility that she moved on and found someone else. After all, she was beautiful, kind...Who wouldn't want her?

Since the day he saw her, Lyon thought they'd be perfect together. He thought he deserves her. But she had to love someone else and it had to be Gray. His friend, his rival. He loves Gray, and yet hates him. Lyon thought his love for Juvia continued to develop out of rivalty with Gray. Gray loves her too, and if Lyon got her first, he'd win. But looking back on it now, the more he thought of her, the more perfect she seemed. And the girl sitting in front of him is more than perfect. It angered him, the thought of her seeing someone. It was selfish of him, but he couldn't do anything about it.

"That's not it..." Relief.

"Then what's keeping you down? Is it Gray?"

"No...Juvia doesn't think Gray-sama cares."

'Of course he does.' He thought. Now that he knows that she's not dating anyone, he could try again.

"Then what? I'm not that bad." He leaned back in his chair and nonchalantly gestured at himself.

She started waving her hands around, as if trying to clear a misunderstanding. "Juvia doesn't think you're bad, she just doesn't understand."

"You don't have to."

Juvia was always up for a good challenge, but she would always know why she's doing it. She never liked being left out of something. "Juvia wants to know why."

"I can't tell you. Just think about it. Why not?" He said matter of factly. Really, why not?

By now she was sure this isn't a joke and that he's serious about it. She thought she should give him an answer, but she wasn't sure what is it.

"Lyon-sama, why should Juvia do this? If Juvia spends her time with you, she won't have time for..." She wanted to say 'Gray-sama', but stopped before his name could escape her throat. There were times she had to drop the Gray-sama and this was certainly one of those moments. "She won't have time for herself or jobs. Juvia has an important interview with the Sorcerer Magazine tomorrow and she won't be able to take any jobs, which she needs, since living in Fairy Hills isn't so cheap. She'd be giving it all up just to spend her time with you. Why does Juvia have to do this? She doesn't see what's so important now."

Juvia always wanted to help, but she preferred to know why she was helping. It's not that she needed a reason to help someone, but asking her to pretend to love him for three weeks was something different.

Lyon cringed whenever she said time. He started hating that word. He doesn't have time. When we miss something, we either find a way to get it back or we learn to hate it. He hated the fact that his time is slipping away and he can't do anything to stop it. And he really thought she could give him three weeks.

"You don't have to, but I..." There was a long, unbearably painful pause for Lyon. Juvia remained straight-faced, but somewhere, deep within her heart, she was bothered by the look in his eyes and the weight his words seemed to carry.

"Please." He finally said, his pleading eyes not once leaving her. Her eyes were the first to give in. Usually warm and cheerful orbs now had a mixture of confusion, worry and pity. That's what he expected, but seeing it hurt. Pity. He didn't want her to feel sympathy. He didn't want her to be sorry about his misfortune. He needed her to make the pain easier and to do it for him, not because he was dying.

But he could never tell her that. She'd surely do it if he told her, but it'd be out of pity and Lyon doesn't need that.

"Juvia might do it, if you tell her why." She said, her voice still cold. Lyon wasn't used to seeing her this way, but he had no time to think about her strange behaviour. Time is running out for him. His life is trapped in an hourglass and he feels the sand filling the bottom and there's no way to turn it back around. He decided he had to be selfish or else he won't get what he wants.

He thought about it before. What would he do if he knew that his life would end in a week? But he has a month.

"Juvia might do it, if you tell her why."

"I can't."

"Then Juvia believes we are done."

She stood up from her chair. She didn't want to leave him.

"Wait." He called. He can't let her go now.

"What is it?"

"It's dark outside. Let me follow you home." He said, his face blank, his voice with no emotion in it, but she was more than happy to hear it. When she turned around to leave, she realized that she actually missed him and she'd like to spend some more time with him.

"Let's go!" She smiled cheerfully and Lyon thought that there's still some hope for them. At least for a while.

A/N Hope you liked this chapter :)