A/N: Spoilers about the ending of Fairy Tail and the final arc. If you care about that kind of stuff. Finish the manga and come back! Enjoy!
"What would happen to Juvia and Jellal if Gray x Erza became canon?"
This is Juvia and Jellal's story.
Kyushu's welcoming party lasted throughout the night with no sign of slowing down. Everyone's energy was running off an endless sugar and alcohol. Everyone except Juvia's team that is. Rouge was excited for the first day. Juvia will give her that, but when the five of them left the infirmary the next morning and Kyushu saw them still partying, Kyushu had the face of someone who witnessed true horror.
No one mentioned the fact that Erza's engagement celebration was less than a week ago. While the rest of guild was running wild like the world was ending again, Erik and Kyushu were at the end of their wits. Rouge was for the obvious reason, but Erik had another reason. His enhanced hearing and his sound magic combined was a blessing and curse. Yes, it made Cobra into a magical deus ex machina in almost every situation because he can hear everything coming. However, when almost fifty alcoholic people on a sugar high start screaming and their souls become restless, Erik described the feeling as 'Kill me. I don't care how just kill me.'
"Fuck!" Erik groaned as he slumped over the table. Pain was written all over his face. Normally, Kinana would be the one comforting him, but Mira needed all the help she could get. "Will they ever fucking shut up?"
"You knew what you were signing up for when you joined," Jellal said without a sign of sympathy. Jellal may have found out about the um conversation with the chief through Kyushu. "You learned how Fairy Tail parties at the one for beating Zeref."
Ah, that party was one of the wildest in a long time. Every major guild and wizard attended.
"Who's Zeref?" Kyushu asked. Juvia and the boys exchanged glances. Erik's annoyed eyes said 'Fuck y'all, I have a headache. One of you two can do it.' Juvia's sweat dropped expression retorted with 'Juvia doesn't even know the whole story. Jellal?' The blue haired man let out a submissive sighed.
"Zeref is, well was, this immortal dark mage that wanted to die, so he created several hundred creatures and demons to kill him." Jellal paused to see if Kyushu was following. She had a blank stare. Juvia waved him to continue. "A year ago, Zeref declared that he and his army were on a mission to destroy humanity."
"Then, there was that fucking guy who claimed to be the king of the dragons." Erik rubbed his temples when he recalled the memory. Juvia wasn't entirely sure about whole situation involving Acnologia, but she knew small details. Like what he looked like in his dragon form, he's immune to every and all magics, and that he can destroy an entire island with a single breath. You know small stuff. "Where he came from, who the hell was he; why the fuck he wanted to massacre seven dragon slayers? I will never know."
"Juvia heard that Acnologia wanted to exterminate anyone that could kill him hence the whole dragonslayer thing. Therefore, no one could stop him from destroying the world." Juvia mentioned what little knowledge she had. Actually, Juvia overheard a lot of odd things. Erza's mother stabbed herself because she suddenly loved Erza. Juvia's friend, Gajeel, time traveled 400 years into the future along with all the naturally created dragonslayers.
"Then, he somehow ate time and fucking proceeded to claim he could control time itself." A tick formed on Cobra's forehead. Juvia agrees the ending to the war was a bit convoluted; however... there was no reasonable explanation for what occurred. Yes, Juvia has seen Natsu, Gajeel, and recently Sting wield dual elements, but could time be considered an element? "Ugh, all that shit gives me a headache."
"I have a question." Kyushu's blank stare towards the three of us was somewhat concerning. Perhaps Juvia, Jellal, and Erik overloaded her with information that in actuality didn't pertain to Rogue. "Why didn't Zeref and Acologa team up if they wanted the same thing?"
"It's Acnologia, and what are you talking about?" Erik said annoyed, his patience was wearing down.
"I mean they both wanted to ruin humanity, so why not team up until no one can stand against you. When it's just the two of them, they just fight to the death." Kyushu made a good and horrifying point. Had the two of them joined together, Juvia doubts anyone would be alive to this day.
"Truly a combination I fear we could not defeat," Master Makarov rolled over our booth with a sorrow expression. The mere thought of Zeref and Acnologia working together was depressing. Juvia doubts Fairy Tail could pull off a miracle and simultaneously beat both in the same exact moment. "How are you settling in Kyushu?"
"Pretty good, Juvia and the guys are treating me well." Kyushu smile faded when reality hit her. "I don't know how much only I can handle this party though."
"Understandable, do you need a moment to breathe fresh air?" Master offered. He was more than happy to escort her anywhere.
"No, it's just that I haven't really done anything the past couple of days." She rubbed her neck. "I need to stretch out and do something."
"A mission?" Jellal suggested. Juvia could tag along. She wasn't in dire need of money, but time away from Erza and Gray was always welcomed.
"No, she's too weak. Not weak actually, Rogue has amnesia, so she doesn't know how to handle herself in a fight. Rogue would be a liability on a mission if we went on one right now." Erik bluntly stated, eyeing Rogue the whole time. He definitely needed to know what the meaning of a tact was. "I suggest someone teaches her how to fight."
"Like who?" Juvia asked rather flatly. Jellal and Juvia weren't the most experienced with fighting close up. Our magic was fitted for long distance. Erik was the poison dragon slayer, so he might poison the girl he tried.
"Me." Cobra grinned. Oh dear lord... "What do you say?"
"Sure!" Kyushu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I borrow someone's magic?"
She jumped up from the booth. Jellal tried to return Rogue to her seat, but Erik reassured him that a grand show was about to go down. Master and the three of us watched the new girl calmly, too calmly for Juvia's liking, up to Natsu. Assuming the conversation Team Natsu had with Kyushu, magic was probably mentioned, so shouldn't he know her magic?
She offered her hand, note how the bracelet is MIA, for a sincere handshake. Natsu being the, um, person he accepted the handshake with his infamous toothy grin. He was down for the count in a matter of seconds. Our jaws dropped to the floor. Acting as if nothing possibly deadly just occurred, Kyushu grinned a rather toothy grin and walked back over to us.
"Hold on, Kyushu can copy people's magics and abilities. What about personality traits?" Jellal raised a good point. Could this be an extension of her powers?
"Didn't she absorb Jellal's personality," Juvia recalled yesterday's events.
"Jellal has the personality of a sad clown. He tried to paint a smile on his face and be all joyful and happy, but Jellal's really harboring a shit ton of depressing emotions." Erik stated while staring out the window.
That's deep Erik.
Master thankfully coughed to rid the awkward air Cobra created. What could Juvia or anyone for that matter say to help Jellal recover from an insult like that? Juvia couldn't, so she sat in awe and appalled by Cobra's actions.
"Very well, this sparring match will be a learning experience for all of us." Master Makarov wisely stated. He ushered the six of us, including Wendy and Charles for medical reasons, to the beach. The area was nice.
Juvia will give Fairy Tail that, but Juvia still felt a pang of guilt whenever she stepped foot onto the beach. To think, Juvia actually joined an attack against this guild. Phamton Lord... Master Jose was still trying to persuade the Elemental Four, and Gajeel, to return for the rebirth of Phantom Lord. But to be honest, Juvia never wants to return to that dark moment in her life no matter how much she goes through. Juvia did not want to become 'The Rain Woman who muttered 'drip drip drop' everywhere she went and was generally depressing to be around. Perhaps, that's the reason Juvia was so attracted to Gray. He was the skillful Ice Make wizard that stopped Juvia's rain and stole her heart in one fell swoop. Almost like, that fairy tale princess who was forced to sleep forever until Prince Charming kisses her and lifts the curse. Must like Prince Charming, Gray broke Juvia's raining curse... but only Juvia didn't end up with the prince.
Anyways, the fight was underway. Jellal and Juvia stood farther away from the fight than Master aka the ref and Wendy aka the inevitable healer because Cobra would eventually try to poison the poor woman. Now, Juvia doesn't mean Erik isn't trustworthy enough not to infect Rogue with a virus or poison. Juvia means Erik might accidentally blast a newbie with a breath attack, and Rogue could come down with something deadly. With waves crashing in the background, Master Makarov signaled for them to begin.
"Juvia," Jellal called my names as we watched Cobra catch Kyushu's fire covered leg in midair. "Do you think it was a mistake letting Erik of all people train Kyushu?"
"Um," Juvia wanted to reassure Jellal and comfort him that there was no need to worry. However, that's hard to do when Cobra is holding Kyushu by the hair and repeatedly punching her in the stomach with no mercy. Upholding the promise between the two, Juvia sighed. "Erik might not be the best person for the job, but Cobra is a better choice than everyone else. Erza doesn't know the meaning of holding back. Natsu may burn her. Juvia could continue with the list if you like."
"You have a point." Jellal agreed. He knew how destructive a fairy could be. Juvia would admit she could be excessive at times. The two of them watched as Cobra roundhouse kick Rouge in the face. "And no one knows where she came from too. Does she really have amnesia?"
"Jellal, do you not trust her?" Juvia was indeed shocked by his accusation. From a man who spent years repenting for his sins, Juvia didn't expect him to be skeptical towards anyone. Still, no one decided to stop the match when Rogue's eye was swollen shut. Were they too heartless?
"No, it's not that." Jellal immediately stated, tensing his body, before relaxing and proceeding with his explanation. "I...don't know. Maybe the whole thing with Erza is making me suspect women."
"Do you suspect Juvia of having an ulterior motive?" Juvia innocently tilted her head ever so slightly to the left.
"I definitely trust you." Jellal's lip curved upward without him noticing. Juvia softly smiled at the thought of an actual male friend who trusted her. Yes, Cobra was technically her friend and teammate, but no one truly knows what happens inside his mind. Juvia would never know if he trusts her.
"Thank you Jellal," Juvia rested her head on Jellal's shoulder as the two of them watched the rest of the match in silence. Juvia was comfortable with this type of silence. Neither of them had to speak just to fill the air with words. Jellal's presence was enough for Juvia. There was warmth to it. Juvia couldn't exactly explain how or why his presence could be enough, and to be honest, Juvia didn't want to spoil it.
Juvia was content with her current place in life. No love interest, no love rival, and no exaggerated plots for affection. A chance to breathe and live for herself, that's what Juvia needed.
With a firm resolve, Juvia watched the match to the end. When Juvia says end, the truth is that Master Makarov realized that Erik was just smacking Kyushu around. But, the girl didn't submit, showing off Natsu's stubbornness. Whenever Erik bested her and knocked her to the ground, you could bet that Kyushu would get back up a second later. However, stubbornness only got Kyushu so far. Yes, she could withstand attacks, but the newbie didn't land an attack. With Erik, the living deus ex machina, as an opponent, Juvia didn't expect her to.
Saying some words of encouragement that Juvia couldn't hear, Master quickly left Wendy and Charles to their healing duties. Juvia will congratulate Erik on not poisoning the poor woman. Mavis knows he could've done some serious damage.
"Give me some credit," Erik wiped the sand off his pants as he appeared in front of us. "I'm not gonna poison my teammate for the hell of it in the first sparring match."
Note how he said the first. Maybe we should give someone else a chance...
"Oh fuck you," Erik rolled his eye. "I can control myself. I don't see you two doing much but hugging up on each other."
Hugging up? Juvia looked around at Jellal, and he was telling the truth. Juvia was resting her head on Jellal's shoulder, and Jellal had his arm around Juvia's shoulder. When did this happen? Juvia remembers her head being there, but Jellal's arm was a whole another story.
Glancing at each other, they simultaneously pull away from each other, giving the other strange looks.
"Oh you two are a hot mess," Cobra's laugh boomed. Why was he laughing? This is no laughing matter. Juvia didn't want another romance so soon. There were still fragments of Gray in her mind! She couldn't throw herself into another one. "I vented long enough. I'll be talking to my girl if ya need me."
Shoving that fact in our 'single status' faces, Erik made his exit. Master, Wendy, and Charles escorted Kyushu to the infirmary for, what Juvia assumes, was some better treatment which meant Jellal and Juvia were alone.
Great.
Juvia didn't mind his company. Actually, she grew used to it. Juvia was just bothered by the fact that romance may be in the air. By no means did Juvia want to restart her love life. No, that subject needed to take a break. Should Juvia make that clear to the Heavenly Body mage? What if Jellal only see her as a friend and thinks Juvia is the one creating the romantic air? No, that's not- Stop it Juvia, you will drive yourself insane with that train of thought.
"Er Juvia," Once again the famous blonde of Team Natsu was standing in front of Juvia, except this time Juvia had wasn't alone. Jellal hadn't moved from his spot. "Can I speak to you right quick? It won't take more than a minute."
Lucy pulled out her 'no one can say no' puppy eyes card rather fast. My teammate gave me to go ahead, so Juvia followed Lucy to the end of the beach. Juvia felt like one of those gossiping girls with how secretive Lucy wanted to be. What could she say to Juvia, but not in front of Jellal? He is a very understanding person after all, probably more than Juvia.
"Yes, Lo-Lucy? Sorry, Juvia is still fixing her terminology." Juvia awkwardly apologized. "What was it you want to talk about?"
"Actually, I wanted to check up on you, Juvia," Lucy stated. Juvia prayed that Lucy didn't see Juvia's eye twitch. Juvia's smile became very strained at the moment. She might actually become a criminal because of Lucy. Juvia was more than okay. She came to terms that Gray wasn't for Juvia, and she was going to take a break from love. "Erza said that you spent the whole night in the infirmary when you saw us with Kyushu. Is everything okay? It's fine if it's not."
"Oh, Juvia was just checking on Jellal." Juvia technically wasn't lying to Lucy. The water mage did examine Jellal for a moment before conversing with him. After that, well, the whole team fell apart from just picking a name. We still need to do that, but what would fit us? "When the others came in, Juvia admits we all lost track of time. Why isn't Lucy enjoying Kyushu's welcoming party?"
"You know me, Juvia." Lucy was now the one nervously chuckling. "I can't party like the others. I called it quits when Cana snuck alcohol in Erza's cake."
"...Lucy, you left an unconscious Nastu with a drunk Erza." Juvia began fearing for Natsu's safety. Juvia heard the stories of how dangerous scarlet headed warrior became more dangerous when under the influence. The boy could barely survive her wrath alive. He might not walk up at this rate.
"Er... I will be right back." Lucy's sweating increased dramatically as she rushed back to the guild. When Juvia was certain Lucy was far away from her, she collapsed onto her knees. The water mage still had no clue or reason why Lucy always wanted to check up on Juvia. She has been nothing more than a menace to the blonde. She was certain that she shaved a couple of years off of Lucy with all the stress she put on the woman.
A shadow was cast over Juvia's body. When she looked up, Jellal was wordlessly offering his hand. With a smile, Juvia accepted his help.
"Thank you Jellal," Juvia sighed. The water mage never knew how draining a conversation could be. Was Lucy going to do this everytime Juvia did something out of line? Would it be easier to explain everything to her? Perhaps..., but Lucy is very close to the engaged couple. A rumor might travel through the guild if Lucy slips up. "Jellal, is Juvia making nothing out something?"
"What do you mean?" Of course, Jellal didn't know what Juvia was going through. Actually, Juvia hasn't seen anyone question the Heavenly Body wizard. Surely, someone in the guild knew of Jellal's feelings for Erza. It would be bizarre if no one knew. The frequent lacrima calls for the red head must've hinted towards something. With Mira leading the shipping pairs, Jellal and Erza being together should be in someone's mind.
"Juvia doesn't know why Lucy insists on looking into how Juvia is doing. Is Lucy being a good person, or does she have an ulterior motive?" Juvia clutched the side of her head as it throbbed. This was too much thinking even for Juvia. "Or is Juvia becoming paranoid?"
"I don't think you're paranoid." He immediately answered, but Jellal did take a minute think about the other half of his statement. "It's more like... You're becoming suspicious of a good person. Lucy's a good person. Is she perfect? No, she probably messed up somewhere in the past, but I think Lucy's just looking out for you, to be completely honest. From what I know about her, Lucy doesn't steer people wrong even when they wronged her. Could she have one? Maybe, but I think it's unlikely."
"Jellal thinks so?"
"There's no doubt in my mind about it. What do you want to do now?" Jellal changed the subject. "The guild is still partying. We could go back in there, but I heard what Lucy said."
We both shuddered.
"How about the two of us relax here on the beach? Juvia feels like she's at peace when Juvia is near the ocean." Juvia fixed her dress as the two of them sat on the sand again. Juvia looked on towards the sunset, thinking about the memories she had here. The first time the rain stopped for her. The first time she smiled. The first time...she met Gray.
"Oh really?" Jellal's voice snapped Juvia out of the downward spiral she was about to go down. "Is this place special to you?"
"Huh? Oh, this is where Fairy Tail and Phamton Lord had their final guild battle. Juvia and Gajeel were still in Phamton Lord, and our guild was hired by Lucy's father to capture his daughter. The Elemental Four, Gajeel, and Jose were the only people standing in between Fairy Tail getting Lucy back."
"That's right. Phamton Lord and Fairy Tail were rivals ever since they were founded. I remember reading about that when I was a council member. Phamton Lord attacked first right?"
"...Yes, Jose sent Gajeel to destory the building, but Gajeel went the extra mile and attacked some guild members." Juvia flinched at the memory. Although Juvia wasn't directly involved, she could've stopped Gajeel. The water mage was the closest person to the iron dragon slayer. Juvia could have convinced Gajeel to draw the line. However, Juvia was also in a dark period in her life. No, that's no excuse. Juvia should've done something.
"I definitely recall that part. Gajeel attacked Team Shadow Gear the night before the final guild battle. Where did you come in all this?"
"Oh, Juvia fought Gray, and she conceded in the first minute of the fight." Juvia blushed. That was one of fondest memories Juvia has in her life. Does that say a lot about Juvia? "Juvia will admit that she gave in his looks when Juvia first saw him. When Juvia thinks about it, Juvia's actions were... based on jealousy."
"Jealous? Oh who?" Juvia gave him a bored look until it clicked in his mind. Juvia will admit that she didn't understand Gray and Lucy's friendship at the time. Gray was only mentioning her as a guildmate and a friend. Gray had the chance to re-word what he meant, but then again Juvia didn't give him a chance. "You do know that Lucy and Gray had no chemistry?"
"Love at first sight, Juvia saw how handsome Gray was." There was no way Juvia could sugar coat this. This seemed to fairy tale-ish when Juvia thought it through. Juvia sighed with a hint of depression. "It didn't help that Gray saved Juvia from falling into the ocean."
"Stopped the rain and saved your life?" Jella raised his eyebrow. He was slowly understanding the madness known as Juvia's mind. "I bet someone can beat that and steal your heart."
"Steal my heart?" Juvia giggled. "Juvia doesn't think anyone would anyone stealing her heart."
"Why not? You're a good friend. Who knows? Someone like Sting or Eve or Lyon could sweep you off your feet." Jellal couldn't even stop himself from laughing. We both know how much of player Sting and Eve are. If they saw an attractive woman walking by, they will chase them. There's no doubt. Lyon... he was just plain creepy. Even Juvia wasn't on his level of creepiness, that says a lot about Lyon.
"If Juvia lets any of them sweep her feet, Jellal please knock Juvia or them out." Juvia gripped the side of her head. "Juvia is the very definition of 'B-Team'. People settle with Juvia. She's never the first pick."
"I wouldn't call you the B-Team." Jellal looked off into the sunset. Wait, how long have they been here? Oh well, it doesn't really matter. Juvia was more interested in where Jellal was going with this. "Erik would never admit to this, and you have to promise you'll never tell him that I told you this."
"Juvia promises." She slowly nodded.
"He wanted me to play along with the whole making a team. I knew about it before you came over." Jellal sighed. "When he brought up the idea, we both agreed that you would be on the team. It's true that could've picked Meredy since the three of us knew how well the others worked, but Erik suggested you before Meredy was even mentioned."
"He what?" Juvia didn't understand this. Meredy was one of the founding members of their guild. Crime Sorciere were tightly bound from what Juvia knew. So, why put Juvia before Meredy?
"I'm not lying. I just wanted you to know that you're not the B-Team in our minds. I'm sure Kyushu doesn't think of you as the B-Team either. You were hand picked."
"Thank you, Juvia needed to hear that." Juvia let a tear run down her cheek as a smile formed on her face. " Juvia won't speak a word of this to Erik or Rouge. However, Juvia doesn't know if her soul can do the same."
Jellal's expression said more than any words or sentence on this planet can describe. He knew he was very well fucked the moment Juvia stepped into the guild. After all, Juvia was on cloud nine right now, but she didn't have the guts to cause that amount of dread for Jellal. The two of us opt'ed on staying on the beach for the rest of the day. The conversation bounced from topic to topic. Both of us took jabs at each other that only friends can make the whole night.
Juvia doesn't remember who fell asleep first. She didn't care. Juvia had fun today, more fun than she had in a while. Maybe she isn't doomed to a life of sadness and regret after all?
A/N: Good lord, this took a while to make. Not content wise. Rather, I'm trying to find a balance between classes and this story. I still have plenty that I want to explore. However, I did promise to write a one-shot for a fan well two I had another to write. So expect a slight delay in this story.