Gray stared bleary-eyed at his prison door. He strained against his restraints once more, the now familiar feeling of magic draining out of his system instantly kicking in with the slightest of movements. With an exhausted sigh, he let his head fall back against the damp wall of his dungeon.
His heart ached.
He had been betrayed by a person he had considered a friend. He had no idea what had become of his cousin, although he prayed his wily minister had been shrewd enough to escape. But most of all…
He desperately wished to find Juvia.
With a groan he closed his eyes, a few tears escaping him as his thoughts once again locked on the memory of the loving, exuberant, beautiful mermaid. The idea that she would soon be gone from this world wrenched his soul and steeped his entire being in agony.
He had to save her. No matter what. Surely he could… if only he could escape from this damn prison…
A quiet click of the door's lock reverberated in the dingy enclosed space of his dungeon cell. He grit his teeth as he leaned forward, prepared to put up as much resistance as he could towards his jailors, and perhaps escape in the process.
He never got the chance to carry out his reckless plan. For instead of the burly guards he had been expecting, a man and a woman stealthily slipped into his prison. Gray blinked in dumbstruck surprise at his unexpected guests.
"C-cana? L-lyon?"
"Shhh!" His cousin admonished, hurrying to his Prince's side immediately. "The guards cannot be alerted to our presence! We had more than enough headaches sneaking in - we do not need to add more on our way out!"
Gray just blinked, the fatigue and strain of the past day catching up to him.
"W-what are you d-doing here? I-I thought you would be on your way back to Icegard by now…"
Lyon threw him a disbelieving look as he reached for the manacles binding his cousin to the wall.
"I may think you a bratty, spoiled child, dear cousin, but surely you don't think I would abandon my Prince for such petty reasons as tha… OWW!"
Lyon fell back from the chains with a yelp. Cana, who had been watching their exchange and Lyon's attempt with amusement, snorted at the minister's unmanly squeak.
"Those be magic-canceling chains. Ya can't jus take em off like tha. Here, lemme show ya tha trick."
With a complicated swirl of gestures and pokes, the chains binding Gray finally clattered to the stone floor of his cell. Cana swore softly under her breath as she took a closer look at the instruments that had held Gray captive for the past few hours.
"She coated em with magic drain? Damn, she means business…"
Lyon had stepped forward the moment Gray was free, trying to heave his cousin off the cold floor and back onto his feet. As much as Gray tried to assist in that crucial endeavor, the extreme emotional turmoil combined with the physical strain he had undergone over the past day had left him more weak-limbed and light-headed than he cared to admit. He couldn't stand without assistance for more than a few minutes, falling to the ground with a colorful string of swears and curses as soon as his legs gave way.
Lyon threw a helpless look at Cana. "He's disoriented. We can't get out fast enough with him in this state."
"Don blame 'im" Cana muttered, rummaging in a pouch attached to her curvy waist. "He's been drained of his magic fer hours. It's a miracle he's still conscious."
She extracted a vial of a lime green mixture, promptly handing the concoction to the groaning raven-haired man.
"Here ya go sweetie. Drink up."
Gray barely spared the vial a glance before he downed its contents in one gulp. He sputtered and cursed for a solid minute, after the foul liquid hit his throat.
"What the fuck was that, Cana?"
But before he could voice more vehement protests, Gray felt an instantaneous relief, as his magic returned to his veins in a heady rush.
"Yer salvation." Cana retorted curtly, making her way back to the prison's entrance. "Now get yer lazy ass off tha floor - we don have much time."
Both men hastened to follow the brown-haired beauty as she expertly led them out of the labyrinth-like dungeons. At last they reached the end of their journey, opening a small, rickety wooden door to enter the edge of a dark wooded area. Cana took a deep breath, leaning against a tree for support as the men plopped onto the grass for a brief rest. Gray endeavored to catch his breath, cursing the poison still lingering in his veins for weakening him far more than he was used too.
"Cana?"
Cana acknowledged Gray with a curious glance.
"Thanks for saving me."
Cana just rolled her eyes, hiding her pleased smirk.
"Yer jus lucky Loke contacted me in time. I found yer crazy cousin here tryin ta charge tha castle all by himself."
Gray threw a grateful glance at his cousin who waved him off with a put upon air of annoyance. Cana glanced in amusement between the pair, her gaze growing somber as she took in the aura of darkness still weighing heavy on her old friend.
"Gray - what's botherin ya?"
Gray grimaced, standing up and stretching his limbs before deigning to answer her.
"What's bothering me? Apart from the fact that one of our good friends has turned into a ruthless tyrant who threw me into a dungeon without a second thought?"
Cana smothered a smile.
"Ta be fair, ya shouldn have been caught in tha first place, yer the fuckin famous Absolute Zero ain't ya?"
"GRR… Why do people think that makes me some manner of invincible super hero?!" The raven-haired mage cried out, exasperated.
Cana laughed heartlessly. "Okay, keep yer breeches on, ya perv. I was jus pullin yer leg. There's somethin botherin ya far more than what Lucy jus did ta ya - now spit it out."
Gray took a deep breath, unable to hold back his worry and grief any longer.
"Before Lucy imprisoned me, she said something about… about Juvia… dying? She was lying, right?"
The grave, sorrowful look Cana offered him said it all.
Gray's world stopped.
"Where is she?! I need to see her… she can't… how?"
Cana sighed, closing her eyes for a long moment.
"Are ya sure ya wanna see her?"
"Yes." Gray answered without hesitation. "I must. I need her…"
Cana nodded in the eastern direction of the woods they stood on the edge of.
"Well then. Ya go thru tha clump o bushes ova there. Straight thru and you'll find her." Cana paused, her gaze hard as she fixed it on Gray's. "But ya betta prepare yerself - cause what yer gonna see ain't gonna be pretty…"
Gray paled, his entire form trembling with worry and sorrow. Cana sighed once more, taking a few hesitant steps in the opposite direction.
"Yer cousin an I'll wait in my cabin yonder. We'll give you two a moment alone. Ta… say yer goodbyes…"
With those solemn words, Cana steered an equally sober Lyon away towards her humble abode. Gray watched them for a long moment, steeling himself for what was to come. He turned on his heel, stepping through the underbrush purposefully…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The moment he stepped through the bushes, his gaze landed upon her.
Gray's heart experienced the strangest paradox of emotions in that one, fated instant.
On one hand, the immense joy of seeing her again after so many long, lonely years radiated through him - but it was a bitter contrast to the agonizing despair he felt as he took in her form.
Her once thick, luscious blue locks hung limp on her frail shoulders. Her figure was nothing more than skin and bones - her delicate legs tapering into a tattered and half-deformed mermaid's tail, a mockery of the shimmering, glowing appendage he had seen on her so many years before. She sat on the riverbank, leaning against a willow tree, her dull, aqua-hued eyes arrested by the cool, serene waters of the pond beside her. The wildlife of the forest remained ominously quiet, a certain sixth sense allowing them to understand the sobering true nature of the mermaid's state.
She was on death's door.
"Juvia…"
His voice came out as a strangled whisper as he forced his limbs to function despite the crushing fear and grief that overwhelmed him. He took one laborious step forward - terrified that if he moved to fast she may disappear from his sight altogether.
The mermaid slowly shifted her head, her dull eyes at last meeting his. A spark of recognition flared in her aqua orbs, and for a brief second a shadow of her exuberance, joy and love of old flashed across her face… But the very next instant it faded, a look of defeated timidity left in its wake.
"Gray-darling?"
The endearment struck him forcefully - whatever pain she was in, she had not forgotten him or the profound feelings she held for him. His heart beat a broken thud as he quickly crossed the remaining distance between them, coming to a crouch beside her as he placed a timid hand on her shoulder, terrified to touch her anymore least she crumble beneath his fingertips.
"What happened to you?"
Juvia struggled to offer him the radiant smile she used to, his grip unconsciously tightening when he witnessed the trembling smile she could muster.
"Nothing that Gray darling has to worry about."
Gray took a deep breath, willing down the rage that arose as a thought occurred to him.
"D-did she do this to you?"
"W-what? W-what does Gray darling mean?"
Gray's eyes blazed with fury.
"Did that damn Princess do this to you Juvia? I'll kill her…"
Juvia blinked, an expression of understanding finally making its way on her face as the pieces clicked. She smiled at her beloved, raising a frail, delicate hand to trace the contours of his handsome face.
"Does Gray darling mean Lucy? No. She did not do anything to Juvia, she has been nothing but kind to her…"
Gray grimaced, unable to believe her soft words.
"Are you sure? From what she put me through just now I can't believe her capable of 'kindness' anymore…"
Juvia smiled, the gesture lighting up her otherwise withered appearance.
"Juvia knows Lucy's actions may sometimes be… dramatic. But Lucy means well…"
Gray snorted, as Juvia indulged in a light laugh, soon curtailed by the strain it put on her extremely weakened form. Gray gazed upon her with heartbroken concern, his other hand seeking hers out to grip it tightly.
"Then how?..."
"Can Juvia confess something?"
Gray held her gaze, the intensity of his look causing the frail mermaid's form to shiver in anticipation… a fact that confused her.
"Anything." He said, his voice a low rasp.
Juvia took a shuddering breath before whispering the words she had hoped she would have the chance to say to her beloved Gray before she passed on.
"Juvia is so happy she got to see you this one last time. She is not long for this world… and I wanted you to know that I love you so much - and although I know you never have, and never will return my feelings the same way, I'm so happy you were my friend. A-are my friend. Your friendship is so precious to Juvia…"
Gray did not miss the way she had spoken about her love for him in the first person. It was proof of the depth of her affection for him. Affection he felt that he did not deserve - not after the way he had ignored his own true feelings towards her for so damn long. Had he just been more honest with himself, they could have had so much time… time they could have been enjoying together.
But he was finally done being a coward.
"Juvia. I love you."
The words he spoke were low and soft, but firm and filled with passion - the depth of the bond he felt for the angelic creature before him evident in his intense look and his loving tone. Juvia gasped, unable or unwilling to comprehend the momentous words he had just uttered.
"W-what did Gray darling say?"
"That I love you, Juvia. I always have… I've just been far too frightened to accept it, and far too much of a coward to act on it."
Juvia's face fell for a moment, a haunted look in her eyes.
"Gray darling is afraid of his love for Juvia? Or is he afraid of Juvia?"
Gray sighed, cradling her face firmly in his hands, stroking her soft cheeks with his thumbs as he gently coaxed her to look into his eyes.
"Neither, dear one. I was afraid of... not deserving you... I was afraid I would never be enough. But I now realize how foolish I was - for is it not a blessing that one so perfect as yourself loves me as I am? I wasted precious time pushing you away - time in which I should have held you close, and confessed how much I love you. What I should have done - and what I swear to do from this day forth - is to strive to be worthy of you, Juvia. But I need your help. I need you. Please, please don't die…"
Tears filled Gray's orbs as his entire form began to tremble with his suppressed grief. He broke down, burying his face in her lap, sobbing uncontrollably as the stunned mermaid he lay upon struggled to collect herself.
"Kiss me, Gray darling…"
The words escaped unbidden from her lips, her own shocked expression proof of how stunned she was by her own boldness. Gray looked up from her lap, his own face displaying his surprise. The moment his eyes met her shy, embarrassed ones, he nodded eagerly. He clambered to his knees and slipped a hand gently behind her head, cradling the back of her head in his wide hand. He tilted her head back, pressed his lips to hers, and did as she asked, pouring all his love and devotion into the gesture. After a moment's hesitation, Juvia began to respond to his kiss enthusiastically.
So absorbed in tasting and feeling each other were the mermaid and man, that they did not even notice the gentle glow when it began.
In a matter of moments Juvia's entire body was ablaze - the colors surrounding her representing all shades of a rainbow. Juvia broke the kiss with a gasp as unimaginable power flowed through her veins, the heady rush making her go limp in her beloved's arms. Gray held her tightly, watching the swirling, colorful sparks surrounding her with a mixture of panic and awe. At last the fireworks subsided, leaving Juvia trembling and breathing hard in Gray's arms.
And entirely healthy again.
Gray let out a shout of joy as he squeezed her in a desperate, tight embrace, tears of relief cascading down his cheeks unchecked.
"Juvia… You're back to normal…"
"Nay, Gray darling."
Gray froze, drawing back in a panic, his eyes flitting up and down her form as he frantically scanned her.
"Juvia! Does it hurt somewhere? Where? Is there anything I can get you to make it feel better? Anything I can do? Or perhaps I should…"
He was silenced by a slender finger pressed to his lips and a light, giddy giggle that sounded as angelic and beautiful as the chiming of fairy bells to the distraught ice mage.
"Calm down, Gray darling! Juvia is fine - more than fine, actually." She beamed at him, the radiance of her look almost blinding. "My power has not only been restored - it has been enhanced. Just as legends of the curse have foretold…"
"Legends? Curse? What is all that about, Juvia?"
The mermaid sighed, saved from responding by a loud grumble from her stomach. She blushed as Gray chuckled, his expression fond as he coaxed her embarrassed gaze back to his.
"Nevermind for now, we must first get you somewhere safe for a hearty repast. I think we'll have plenty of time later to talk about all that and more, wouldn't you agree Juvia darling?"
Juvia gazed into his eyes, a mixture of shyness, awe and ardor in her look. She pulled him down slowly, a natural shyness overtaking her at the heated look he transfixed her with. She pressed her lips to his hesitantly, the action spurring him to take over the embrace, pulling her close and kissing her passionately.
"About damn time."
Gray froze, a low growl arising unbidden from his lips. He slowly released Juvia, pulling her behind him protectively as he turned around to face the speaker.
There she stood. The Princess of Pergrande. But in stark contrast to her earlier regal attire and haughty, aloof manner, she was now attired in a peasants breeches and coat, her expression gentle and joyful. A warm smile adorned her face and she had a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Gray returned her amused look with a vicious glare, half of his form taking on the traits of his demon slayer heritage as he prepared to defeat her.
"Stand down ya idiot. Lucy ain't gonna do anythin more ta ya - ain't that right Princess..."
Lucy grinned sheepishly as she pointedly ignored the admonishing glare the buxom, brown-haired beauty leveled at her whilst Cana stepped through the bushes to stand by Lucy's right.
"I told you that plan was overdoing it, Lucy. We could have accomplished all this with far less drama and heartache had we gone with the plan I suggested…"
Levy emerged from the bushes on Lucy's left side, her arms folded across her chest and an adorable pout on her face.
"Can't exactly agree with ya there, shrimp. That damn icicle put Juvia through enough - a little bit of revenge was definitely in order."
Gajeel grumbled, entering on the heels of the petite, incensed fairy.
"My point exactly!" Lucy chirped.
"NO. Your quarrel with him does not give you the right to coat his chains in magic drain, Lucy!"
"But Levy dear…"
"You all must be joking…"
Another voice added to the chaos in the grotto, as Lyon stepped through the underbrush, an amused Loke close on his heels.
"That is Juvia?! Oh gods of ice and snow! Why would a goddess such as her choose my idiotic cousin?! There is no justice in this universe!"
"That, Sir Lyon, is a sentiment I entirely sympathize with. Far too many times has a maiden fair and sweet refused to be mine simply because some uncouth plebeian beat me to the punch…"
"Or she just didn't feel like being forced to punch you in the kisser when you inevitably ran off again after another 'fair and sweet' maiden…"
"My harsh yet bewitching Princess! You know my heart belongs to you, and only to you, dear one!"
Cana chortled as Lucy let out a long suffering sigh. Juvia giggled, Gajeel and Levy executed identical eye rolls, and Lyon merely looked confused.
None were as confused as Gray, however.
"WOULD SOMEONE KINDLY EXPLAIN WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Gray bellowed at the top of his lungs, utterly lost and very annoyed by the fact that all his old friends seemed to be enjoying this joke at his expense.
A soft comforting touch on his arm had him relaxing involuntarily, as he turned back to look into his beloved's eyes.
"Juvia understands Gray darling's confusion. She will explain all back in the palace. And Princess Lucy will explain the plan she did not tell Juvia of… right, your majesty?"
Juvia directed an annoyed, pointed look at the golden-haired monarch, who nodded vigorously in return, eager to return to the good graces of the ice-water duo.
The remaining occupants of the grotto slowly dispersed, Cana and Loke heading to her cottage to exchange gossip over a drink, whilst Gajeel and Levy bid farewell to finish a mission for the Protectors. Lucy led the remaining beings back to her castle.
Their adventure had just begun.