A/N: First, I wanna thank y'all for warning me about Lucy and the keys. I won't give Lucy the ten remaining keys. Had no one spoken up, she would've gotten all ten. I love how people are already jumping on the Lucy x Gray affair, like damn XD. Nevertheless, I present the next installment of this story.
"What would happen to Juvia and Jellal if Gray x Erza became canon?"
This is Juvia and Jellal's story.
The following two days were pretty mundane for Juvia. There was nothing worth mentioning. Juvia and the 'Gods' made little progress on locating Hades and Artemis. With Juvia's punishment pending, she was a sitting water duck. Without Gray, Natsu had no one was willing to fight him every five minutes, so he and Happy went off on another mission. Laxus and his crew made it clear that visitation hours for Kyushu was never on the table. Mirajane and Aphrodite kept Cobra and the girls busy with orders as the two 'new' best friends plot something. Juvia wasn't certain what they were planning, but she did notice the occasional, and suspicious glances in her direction. Juvia frowned; Mirajane was a handful by herself. With an accomplice, there was no telling what lengths Mirajane would go to get her ships sailing. Of course, Juvia isn't speaking from experience. Mirajane didn't attempt to get Gray and Juvia together. Did she know our ship wouldn't sail from the beginning?
Oh well, Juvia abandoned that ship, and she wasn't about to climb aboard another one anytime soon. Thus, the water wizard was manipulating the water in her glass to pass the time. Out of everything that has changed for Juvia, the free time was killing Juvia. Who would have guessed that stalking occupied so much time? Juvia only has herself to blame. Love, at first sight, doesn't exist. For Gray and Erza, their love was tenderly cared for over the years.
"That was an exceptional mission." The guild's door creaked open. The voice immediately resonated with Juvia. Speak of the devils, they were finally back. "The three of us should join forces more often."
"Yeah, that was a lot of fun." Juvia turned in her seat to see the girls entering with Jellal groggily trailing them. Lucy was counting her share of the reward. Juvia sweatdropped; nothing was destroyed Juvia assumes. "Now, I can cover month's rent no problem."
Hunched over and clearly exhausted, Jellal's complexion was considerably paler than when he left. Were Lucy and Erza ignoring that or were they blissfully ignorant? The blue haired man looked around the guild until he locked eyes with Juvia. Blazing past everyone in his way, Jellal grabbed Juvia by the arm and made a beeline for the nearest exit. What has gotten in Jellal? Where did this burst of energy come from? Jellal didn't stop running until the guild was miles away. Trying to caught his breath, Jellal slumped against the nearest park bench. Juvia took this moment to straighten her outfit and hat.
"Is Jellal alright? He seemed to be very desperate." Juvia crouched down to meet him eye to eye. Juvia had a faint idea of the personality Jellal had, and this was very much of the ballpark. He was usually cooler and more collected than...this.
"I...had to... get away... from... Erza." Jellal paused to regulate his breathing. Aw yes, Jellal seems to still have lingering feeling towards the scarlet warrior. That was understandable. Who could get over a long-standing crush in a week? Juvia patiently waited for the man to calm himself down to a reasonable level of sanity.
"Juvia takes the mission was difficult?" The rain woman led Jellal to a nearby restaurant. Asking for a booth in the far back, the two blue-haired adults took their seats. Juvia ordered two glasses of water for the moment. "Juvia is all ears."
"The mission wasn't the hard part. I could've handled that guy by myself." Jellal combed the hair out of his face. His complexion did improve somewhat, but it still was not at the level Juvia wished for it to be. "His speed was on par with Racer's, but he wasn't important. It's what Erza told me right before we got on the train. Do you know she said?"
Juvia slowly shook her head no. Jellal was clearly unraveling at the seams because of Erza. She couldn't ignore this cry for relief... not after Jellal saved Juvia from her own mind. Leading in to give Jellal her full attention, Juvia gestured for him to continue on.
"She said that I was the brother she never had. I thought my soul left my body when Erza said that!" Jellal slumped back in his side of the booth. Juvia... didn't know how to digest that statement. Yes, Juvia could understand why Jellal would react so badly. Juvia would've done the same if Gray had done same to her some time ago. Yet...Juvia wasn't entirely sure why Jellal was surprised. Erza was an intelligent woman who could outsmart even the most devious opponents. Juvia will give her that with no doubt in her mind. Erza was smart..., but not smart all-around. Erza can't take a hint when it comes to other's feelings, and yes, Juvia is talking about Erza's constant banging people's on her armor. "Did she always think of me as a brother? Did I ever have a chance with her?"
"Juvia doesn't know. Juvia believes that Gray just got to Erza first." She put on a brave face. Juvia really wanted to just slump in her seat as well, but Jellal needed a friend at the moment. And, Juvia knew Cobra wouldn't pick up the pieces. "Had Gray-"
"Wait wait wait..."Jellal leaned towards Juvia with a calculating expression. "Repeat what you just said about Gray but slower."
"Gray was the one who asked out Erza, or, at least, that's what Kyushu told Juvia." Juvia sighed. For dating to work, someone had to court the other. Juvia understood that much, but then, you have to realize that either Gray or Erza had to be the courter. If Erza courted Gray, then Erza never considered Jellal to be a potential partner; thus, she never loved him. It worked the same way with Gray and Juvia. The water mage could've lived her entire life without knowing the answer since neither Jellal or her would need to face the pain of unrequited love. Now Pandora's box was opened, and Juvia knew Gray never loved her. Erza chose Gray over Jellal.
"Kyushu absorbed Gray's powers while I was gone? I wonder why..." Jellal paused to think up a scenario where it would a logical choice. "Did something happen to Gray on the mission?"
Oooh...Oooh...Juvia paused for a moment. Juvia was now in a predicament without realizing. If she said no, Jellal would most likely push the subject. She couldn't lie to Jellal because they had an agreement. Meredy didn't react very well to the news of Juvia being surprise attacked, but she might be more protective than Jellal.
"Juvia... wouldn't say that. Gray remained completely safe on the mission." Juvia carefully phrased it. If she was lucky, Jellal would make an assumption and move on... Who is Juvia kidding? Luck is never on her side. "Kyushu as well."
"Then, why would Kyushu need to absorb to Gray's powers?" Jellal asked. Juvia avoided one event and replaced it with another. Great... Juvia is sorry, but what was the point of hiding this again? Either someone at the guild will tell him or he'll see Kyushu with Laxus's team. Besides, Jellal was a very understanding gentleman. Surely, he won't overreact.
"Cobra proked Gray into a fight. Juvia stopped the fight, but Gray wanted to keep whatever secret a, well, secret. He might have tried to kill Erik while Juvia trapped him. Kyushu absorbed his powers and then kicked him into a wall." Juvia blurted out. Surprisingly, her words were coherent. Juvia focused specifically on the shifts in emotion Jellal was experiencing. After much time had passed, too much for Juvia's liking, Jellal rubbed his temple rather aggressively.
"I can't leave Erik alone now. I see that now." Jellal sighed, but Juvia couldn't disagree. Erik was a loose cannon without Jellal around. Juvia was beginning to think Jellal was the superglue that kept the group together while Juvia was spare the school-goer bottle of glue that was workable until you could buy more superglue. Did Juvia's sentence even make sense? Who knows? Juvia just knew she was barely enough to keep Kyushu and Erik out of trouble. The blue haired man smiled softly. "Thanks for telling me Juvia."
"Does Jellal want to see Erik?" Juvia tilted her head to the left a bit. Jellal cringed. "Juvia will take that as a no."
"I really need a break from people, to be frank," Jellal admitted, and this confused Juvia. There was no doubt in Juvia's mind that she was a person, so this should apply to her. However, she had not done anything to irritate Jellal... as far as she knew. No, Jellal would've told Juvia. They made a promise, and Jellal wouldn't go back on his word.
"Juvia could give Jellal a moment if he needs one." Juvia scooted to the edge of the booth. Panic spread from one end of Jellal's face to the other. Almost like instinct, he grabbed Juvia's arm.
"No!" Realizing what he had done and how desperate he sounds, Jellal withdrew himself. "I mean no. I mean we still have the day to spend together."
Juvia's eyes widened. That's right! Jellal and Juvia kept the first of their deal, so the only part left was the reward.
"Fair enough..." Juvia slowly slid back in her original spot. She couldn't find the same level of comfort as before, but this was enough to get through the rest of their... outting? Juvia knew they were hanging out, but what was the official term? She certainly was not about call this a date. No, sir. No, ma'am. Thus, she decided on 'outting' as being sufficient enough. "Did Jellal have a place in mind?"
"Actually...no, but this is a nice restaurant now that I look around. How about I treat you to lunch? It's late enough to eat a light lunch." Jella offered without realized how nice his smile was. Oh? He was smiling again. Did Juvia manage to bring Jellal out of his funk? No, Jellal must've done it himself. Juvia couldn't do something that amazing. Pushing the negative thoughts away, Juvia smiled back.
"Juvia could go for some lunch," Juvia answered as Jellal called over the orange haired waitress. Handing over two menus to us, Jellal and Juvia glanced over the dishes. Juvia did a double take. Was she reading this right? Perhaps missing breakfast was not the smartest move on Juvia's part. The lack of nutrients must be making Juvia delusional. There was no way an establishment as cozy and low down as this sell only coffee and curry. "Jellal... what is this place serving?"
"Coffee and curry, why do you ask?" The man wizard answered without up from the menu.
"Nothing... Juvia wanted to be certain she was reading it right. Do not mind Juvia." She awkwardly laughed. The waitress reappeared moments later for their orders. It wasn't hard to guess what Juvia ordered. "So, what does Jellal want to talk about now?"
"This might be an exhausted topic, but Juvia what did you mean by Gray having a secret?" He raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of water.
"Juvia doesn't know what exactly the secret is." She admitted rather quickly. Jellal was about to question her some more, but Juvia jumped the gun. "Juvia just knows it pertains to Juvia, and why Gray picked Erza over Juvia."
"I'm scared to ask if you have any theories." Jellal shot a very judgment face at Juvia.
"Wellllll, Juvia has one theory." Juvia scratched her cheek. Even with three days to solidify the theory, Juvia still had not found all connecting pieces. Why would Lucy agree to such devilish affair? Whatever happened to her and Natsu getting together? Juvia had an entire list of question. "Gray might be having an affair with Lucy..."
Just let that settle in Jellal...
"I...Juvia..." Jellal paused and restarted his sentence for around five minutes as he tried desperately to understand Juvia's theory. In the meanwhile, the waitress came back around with their food. Juvia, happily, dug in as Jellal stumbled over his words. "Juvia, you're delusional. I'm sorry, but it's true."
"But, it explains so much. Gray doesn't want anyone to know about the affair."
"Okay..." Jellal slowly strung out his word. Juvia was getting the sense that Jellal didn't believe Juvia. "Then, why marry Erza and not Lucy? He could have avoided the potential blackmail."
"Because Erza has a longer history with Gray than Lucy, thus, there will be a better chance the guild will believe the sudden marriage announcement." Juvia reasoned. It had to be this. Why else would Gray go as far as murder? There's no doubt the girls in the guild would do something devastating to Gray. What would happen to Lucy is another story...
"Okay... So where is your role in all of this?" Jellal held his hand to his mouth. Juvia blinked twice. What did Jellal mean Juvia's role? The water mage was blindsided by the question. "An affair would make sense if Gray didn't love Erza. I agree with that much, but I have one question. Why not marry you and cheat with Lucy? If his goal is Lucy, then you would work. Gray and you have a long history together, so Juvia, you, fit the criteria."
"Gray didn't-" Juvia wanted to say 'Gray didn't want to hurt Juvia!', but she couldn't get the lie out. The cold shoulder... The attempted murder of Erik... The sudden marriage... Juvia would be lying if she thought none of this hurt her in one way or another. Who was she kidding? Gray didn't care what Juvia went through anymore. Frowning, Juvia glanced down at her cup of coffee. "Juvia does not know..."
Sliding into Juvia's side of the booth, Jellal wrapped his, rather muscular, arm around Juvia to pull her close to his chest. Juvia blushed slightly by Jellal's sudden actions. Oh, dear Mavis, Juvia could hear his heartbeat. The beat is so rhythmic. Focus Juvia! Jellal is simply your friend. This is nothing more than two friends hanging out.
"Er...Jellal, what are you doing?"
"Oh, um, sorry. I thought it was a good idea." Jellal turned his face away from Juvia. He quickly removed his arm from Juvia. The coffee shop became a bit too awkward for Juvia's liking. Was Jellal coming onto Juvia?
"Hmm, I guess my coffee worked a little bit too well." The elderly restaurant owner chuckled to himself. Juvia and Jellal glanced at the skinny man, nonverbally asking for an explanation. "I specialize in coffee beans. There's a variety of coffee beans. Some, when brewed, can be as soothing as tea. Others can stimulate certain emotions. The two of you came in rather distressed, so I made your cups accordingly."
"...So you laced our coffees...?" Jellal slowly asked. The coffee makers shook his head no, smiled, and left the dining area. See there? That right there is the definition of 'suspicious behavior'. Juvia has half a mind to go back and demand an answer, but Juvia will admit she hadn't noticed anything out the ordinary with her body. Putting a little faith in humanity, Juvia and Jellal paid for their meal and trailed back to Fairy Tail.
"So Jellal... What was your mission like? Jellal said it was easy." Juvia revamped the conversation. The guild was quite a walk, so this would be a good way to occupy the time. Besides, Juvia was genuinely interested.
"The spirit was an interesting one. During all my time fighting dark guilds, I never came across a fellow who referred to himself in such a condescending way." Jellal folded his arms. Juvia resisted the urge to make a comment about Apollo and his arrogance. This was no time being up a god. This was Jellal's time.
"Hmm? Really? What did he call himself?" Juvia politely asked.
"A God. He insisted that he wasn't a celestial spirit and more of an ancient god. He wasn't much a fighter; I would classify him more as a trickster." Jellal put some thought into his words. Juvia's eye visibly twitched. The fifth god had appeared, and Lucy probably has the key. Apollo and Persephone probably will never forgive Juvia if Lucy claimed Artemis or Hades.
"Maybe Juvia ask what his name was?" Please don't say Hades. Please don't say Hades. Please don't say Hades. Please don't say Hades. For everything good and holy Jellal please don't say Hades!
"Huh? Oh, Hermes... why do you ask?" Jellal raised his eyebrow in confusion. He had every right. Normally, Juvia shouldn't care what the villain's name was. However, this was a god.
"Juvia was just curious. Did anything else happen?" Juvia quickly answered. For the record, that was not a lie. Juvia was curious about whether or not Jellal and the girls stumbled across Hades' key.
"He managed to escape us killing him for the past couple days, but we managed to put him down. The only strange thing he did was change into this." Jellal pulled a platinum key out of pants pocket. The key had a pair of winged sandals as a print. Juvia locked eyes on the key. Experimenting, Jellal motioned the key to left. Juvia's eyes went left. Jellal motioned the key to the right. Juvia's eyes turned to the right. Sighing, Jellal pocketed the key. "Juvia, why are you fixated on this key?"
"Juvia would like to have the key." Juvia sighed, readily admitting to her desires. At this point, it wouldn't make much sense to hide the Gods. Jellal was an intelligent man. It wouldn't take him long to figure out Juvia's secret. "Before Jellal asks, please allow Juvia to explain. Juvia's mission also was about fighting gods, but Juvia might have agreed to help with their quest. In doing so, Juvia needs to collect as many of those keys as possible."
"Mind if I help you?"
"Eh?"
"I want to help you, Juvia," Jellal repeated. Juvia paused for a moment. This was a good offer. Jellal was a capable wizard, strong enough to be once called one of the Ten Wizard Saints. Not only that, but Juvia could use a partner. If the Gods are coming in pairs, then Juvia could even the odds with the Heavenly Body mage's help.
"Thank you Jellal." Juvia offered her hand. Her new mission partner shook her hand without any hesitation. "...Juvia should probably introduce Jellal to the other Gods."
"How many do you have...?"
"Technically, Juvia will have four with Hermes." Juvia paused once again. That's right. Heps was originally supposed to be for Lucy, but Juvia honestly wanted to keep his key. He was still putting the final touch on his radar. Juvia couldn't hand him over. Jellal offered the fourth key. Juvia absentmindedly pocketed without opening Hermes gate. She could do that later. With some mild chatting, Juvia and Jellal found their way back to the guild.
"Oh, there they are," Aphrodite called out from the bar area. Juvia inwardly sighed. Lucy, Mira, and Erza were all staring at the blue-haired duo. Resisting the urge to walk out, the two of them made their way to the bar.
"Yes? What can Juvia do for Aphrodite?" Juvia politely asked, but she most likely knew where this was going.
"Do you mind giving Lucy the key?" Erza asked with her arms folded. This would be the moment Juvia would hand over the key with a bit of indifference. However, Juvia and Heps were in the mind of a rather important transaction. Therefore, if she handed over Heps key, Juvia would lose her only chance at finding Hades and Artemis keys. 'Why doesn't Juvia just tell them?' Because Juvia is 98% certain that Erza will 'convince' Juvia hand over all of her keys to Lucy. Who was Juvia kidding? When Erza makes a suggestion, people take it as an order. Thus, Juvia was not giving up Apollo and Persephone.
"Er, Juvia and Hephaestus get along so well, and Juvia might've made a contract with him by accident." Juvia twiddled with her thumbs. Juvia had to lie. No one in this guild would approve Juvia keeping a key when Lucy, the celestial wizard, and wielder of ten zodiac keys, could have the key. Juvia was more than willing to let Lucy have Aphrodite. Juvia was suspecting that goddess wasn't going to do much work.
"Is it possible to break the contract?" Erza asked. Juvia will translate, don't fret. 'Find a way to break the contract and give the key to Lucy.'
"Erza, you can't just break a contract!" Lucy shouted in anger, startling a good number of guild members. "A contract is a bond between the key holder and the spirit. That contract is a connection in which no outsider has the right break."
"...Very well," Erza apologetically bowed to Juvia. "Sorry for my inconsiderate behavior."
"N-No, Erza is perfectly fine. Juvia shouldn't have made the contract without Lucy's permission." Juvia sweatdropped. She was thanking her lucky stars that Erik wasn't present to call Juvia out on her, excuse Juvia's french, bullshit. Accepting Juvia's lie, Erza the guild in search of Gray.
"So Aphrodite, why did you want to make a contract with me?" Lucy asked as the four of them found a booth.
"Hmmmmmmmm" Aphrodite hummed as she carefully thought about her words and indirectly creating suspense. "I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention during the meeting. Zeus just said that we might need to make a contract with a human."
"Who's Zeus?" Jellal asked. That was a good question. Apollo and the others only referenced Zeus, but they never gave a description. No, wait, that's a lie. Apollo had a colorful vocabulary when it came to Zeus.
"I wanna say father, but the some of the gods and goddesses say I was born from the genital of my grandfather being thrown in the ocean." Aphrodite absentmindedly admitted. Juvia could only give Aphrodite her notorious side eye because there were no words to describe how weird that sentence was. "I go with Zeus being my father since only two gods can make a god. Then again, Zeus did try to make a move on me that one time..."
Wait...Zeus, her father, made a move on his own daughter. Aphrodite was a beautiful goddess, but her own father tried... Ew... what was wrong with the gods? Juvia was about to pity the goddess, but she remembered Aphrodite wasn't the most morally right goddess among the twelve.
"Er...Aphrodite, what do you specialize in? Heps told Juvia he works mostly with fire and machinery." Juvia asked to derail the conversation from that mess.
"Oh! Silly me, I forgot to properly introduce myself." The goddess gushed at her own mistake. "I, Aphrodite, am the Goddess of beauty and love. Sometimes I'm even referred to as the Goddess of desire."
...
...
...
...Juvia is done. Juvia is completely done. The Goddess who has constantly cheated on her husband is considered the Goddess of Love. Juvia's sorry, but Juvia is done. Juvia wordlessly excused herself from the booth and walked directly to her room. Needless to say, Juvia did not go back to the guild for the rest of the day.
Juvia's Gods: Apollo (obtained), Persephone (obtained), Hephaestus (pending), Hermes (pending)
Lucy's Gods: Aphrodite (pending)