"What would happen to Juvia and Jellal if Gray x Erza became canon?"
This is Juvia and Jellal's story.
"Juvia would like that. This is Jellal's home. Jellal should begin." Juvia took in a whiff of the coffee. There was a hint of French vanilla to it. Juvia had to admit Jellal did a pretty good job decorating his living room in the little free time he had. While it was the same size as Lucy's house, Jellal's house felt more spacious than Lucy's home.
"As you probably knew, I was captured by a cult at a young age." Jellal stirred the coffee in the cup with his metal spoon. Juvia held back her sigh as a way to be polite. She already knew about the cult, the brainwashing, and the whole scandal surrounding Jellal. That was all Erza could talk about for months around the Tower of Heaven incident. Juvia was more curious about Jellal's family and time before the tower. Surely, Jellal had a life before that. Nevertheless, Juvia listened intensely to Jellal's point of view on the matter. "I was captured from my home village, Mistary Village. They came into our village in the middle of the night to catch us off guard. The first wave of the cultist burned our houses to smoke us out. The second wave killed almost everyone."
Jellal's output of magic flickered for a moment as he thought back to the experience. Juvia bit the inside of her lip. How was she going to explain this one? Lying wasn't an option, but it wasn't as if Juvia didn't make the connection.
"My parents told me to hide in my closet while they tried to get those men away from our house, but... the smoke was becoming too much for me. Had I stayed any longer... I would've..."
"Take your time Jellal, Juvia has all night to listen to Jellal's story." No, there's no point in worrying. Juvia had to be the friend Jellal needed. Juvia rested her hand on his thigh, in a comforting way.
"Hehe, I'm okay. I promised to tell you about my childhood after all." Jellal smiled a little before he returned to his story. "I came out of hiding when everything was dying down... literally. I found my dad covering my mom with his body, but they weren't moving. I guess he died protecting her. I bawled my eyes out until I had nothing left. I didn't even hear the men coming into the house. They gagged me, tied me up, and tossed me into a van that was pitch black. The last thing I remember was the heavy rain pelting the van which really didn't help calm any of us down. I didn't get the chance to see if anyone else survived until I went back after all those years."
"And what did Jellal see?"
He sighed. "No one I grew up with. The Magic Council at the time cleaned up the massacre and relocated some people with minor charges or under witness protection to my village. It was their way of covering up the whole incident. They couldn't have a magic-related massacre. That would ruin their image."
"Did Jellal make a tombstone for his parents?" Juvia took a sip of her somewhat cooled coffee.
"Yes actually, I made in our backyard. I didn't have the time to make any detailed, but the memory of my family lives on..."
"That was sweet of Jellal." Juvia smiled softly. "Was there anything else Jellal wishes to share?"
"Everything between now and then is well known to most people. I don't want to waste any more time." Jellal rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"Oh, Jellal isn't wasting anyone's time. Juvia is happy to hear anything Jellal has to say." Juvia reassured the man. After all, that was the point of the two of them staying up tonight. Juvia wanted to know Jellal more as a person. There should be a level of trust between the two of them. Juvia was his partner... on missions. "So please... share whatever Jellal wishes to share."
"Hehe, all of the women in my life are stubborn," Jellal chuckled to himself. "Is it weird that I want to support Erza on her big day, but I also don't want her to go through with it? The whole marriage arrangement happened so suddenly. She's expected to marry in a matter of weeks..."
"Although Juvia doesn't entirely agree with the scheduling itself, Juvia believes this is Erza and Gray's choice in the end." Juvia sighed as she stirred the remains in her coffee. "The premarital sex was surprising to Juvia. Juvia means no disrespect towards Erza but isn't this a bit hypocritical of Erza? She's all about protecting maidens and their virtue."
"It's certainly strange. Erza would never propose such an idea, so either Aphrodite or Gray did." Jellal rubbed his thumb against his chin as he thought more on the subject. "The Love Goddess is busy planning a wedding and getting us together, so that leaves me with one question."
"Which is..."
"Does Aphrodite have the time to being persuading Erza to have sex?"
"Juvia wants to say no because Juvia watched Aphrodite return to wherever the Gods stay. It was after that when Juvia stumbled across Erza and Gray in the bathroom." Juvia recalled. "Aphrodite probably went back to clean herself up, so that leaves-"
"Gray." Jellal and Juvia said.
"So Gray asked Erza out... asked her to marry her... and to have sex with him?" Jellal asked for confirmation.
"Juvia doesn't know about who popped the question, but Jellal is correct for the most part." Juvia felt her stomach drop as more pieces surfaced. Gray was quite active as of late. He refused to accept Juvia's advances, yet Gray was quick to jump the gun with Erza. "So what does Erza have that Juvia doesn't..."
"That's the million jewels question," Jellal finished his drink. "But, I wouldn't worry about comparing yourself to Erza. If anything, you would make a better wife than her."
What?
"What does Jellal mean..." Juvia raised an eyebrow. She carefully sounded out her words in a clear and concise manner, so there was no confusion between the two of them.
"Well, I'll admit that I would have to be the stay-at-home parent if I were to marry Erza. I'm not saying Erza can't handle a child, but I think the child would be safer with me because I'm more level-headed than her." Jellal somewhat made sense. Juvia knew Erza had one of worse tempers among the girls. But wouldn't motherly instincts kick in? "Juvia, you're a caring person. That's just your nature. Love radiates off of you, so I think you make a better wife and mother."
"Thanks? Juvia didn't think Jellal thought highly of Juvia." Juvia blushed at the thought of his comment. He wasn't entirely wrong. Juvia would do her very best to make sure her child didn't go through the hell she went through at a young age.
"And why is that? You're a better person than you think." Jellal offered.
"Juvia doesn't know. It's a reflex of Juvia." She shrugged.
"Then, I guess it's your turn." Jellal mused.
"Juvia's turn for what?" The water mage blinked twice in confusion.
"You never got around to talking about your past. I know you were known as the Rain Woman in Phantom Lord, but that's as far as I can recall." Jellal shrugged.
"Well... Juvia will have to admit something first. She is also from Mistary Village, and, before Jellal cuts in, I can explain why Juvia never met Jellal until the Tower of Heaven."
"I'm listening." He folded his arms.
"Juvia wasn't the most social child. Juvia couldn't control her powers as a kid, so whenever Juvia cried, it would instantly start to rain. And, Juvia cried a lot. Juvia's classmates caught on, and they started to call Juvia gloomy and depressing. That only made Juvia cry, even more, so Juvia picked up on making rain dolls to cheer herself up."
"So what you're saying is that spent most of your time in your house?" Jellal deadpanned.
"For Jellal's information, Juvia did, and she is proud of that fact. It is for that reason Juvia wasn't kidnapped that night. When the cultist broke into Juvia's home, Juvia was taken to one of their vans, and she cried. When the van tipped, Juvia snuck away to her Uncle's home. Until Juvia was about 15 or 16, she lived with her uncle." Juvia summed up the rest of her childhood.
"And you joined Phantom Lord at the age?" Jellal asked the obvious question, yet Juvia still hesitated. She didn't actually try to join a guild. It sorta just happened.
"Juvia's uncle didn't exactly like Juvia's boyfriend at the time. Juvia was foolish and sided with her boyfriend. As a result, Juvia was kicked out his house. Juvia became rather depressed, so the rain rarely stopped. It didn't take long for Juvia's boyfriend at the time to dump her." Juvia sighed. Bora wasn't the most supportive boyfriend even before that. Juvia must've been going through some shit to date a man-child like Bora. "It was around that time Master Jose asked Juvia to join Phantom Lord."
"I see. You've been through your own emotional turmoil." Jellal scratched the back of his head. "Do you regret any of it?"
"No...Juvia is quite content with her life." Juvia smiled as she thought about all of the fond memories she made after leaving Phantom Lord... until Master Jose popped back into her mind. "Actually, Juvia regrets joining Phantom Lord. Juvia should've joined Fairy Tail right away."
"Really? Why?"
"Because Juvia's former guild master keeps sending her letters. He wants Juvia to return, so the Elemental Four can rise back to their former glory." Juvia groaned as she rolled her eyes. "Juvia hasn't told anyone about this. Thankfully, no one is curious enough to run through Juvia's mailbox back in the dorms."
"Why not telling him no?"
"Juvia has on multiple occasions, but Master Jose doesn't know the meaning of the word." Juvia sighed. While Fairy Tail does it drawbacks, and Juvia joked about leaving to herself, Juvia wasn't serious. She wasn't about to give up her team for anything. Well...Juvia would do anything for Jellal and Kyushu's sake. Erik could suck a dick.
"Do you want me to handle him?" Jellal narrowed his eyes.
"Oh no, Juvia knows Jose is harmless. If Jose makes a move, Jellal will be the first to know." Juvia reassured the man in hopes that his magic would stop flickering.
"Alright, Jose and I might have to go to war then." Jellal suddenly decided. War? That's right. Quickly, Juvia pulled out his key.
"Jellal, can you hold onto this key for Juvia?" The Rain Woman placed the key into the palm of his hand. "She will admit. Juvia doesn't entirely trust Aphro and him together, nor does Juvia want to see want happens if he and Heps are left together."
"That was... unexpected." Jellal moved the key through the gaps of his fingers. "But, I understand where you're coming from. I'll sign the contract later on when I have a moment."
"Thank you," Juvia let out a sigh of relief. That was one issue Juvia didn't need to worry about at the moment. Now if all her problems were that simple...
"So what do you want to do now?" Jellal asked he took the cups back into the kitchen.
"Juvia...does not know. It is well into the night." Juvia noted as she looked out of the window. The street lamps were the only source of light seeing how the moon wasn't out tonight.
"I can always walk you back to your dorms," Jellal suggested. "This isn't the time for anyone sane to be walking alone."
"Juvia can handle herself." Juvia leaned against the kitchen wall as Jellal cleaned the little dishes they used.
"I know, but I'm still allowed to worry." Jellal gave Juvia a pointed look.
"Yes, but if Jellal walks Juvia's home, then Juvia will have to question if Jellal made it back here," Juvia admitted. She couldn't sleep knowing something might've happened to Jellal. This was one of her teammates she actually cared about! "What if Juvia stayed the night, so no one has to worry?"
"Fair enough," He chuckled to himself. "I wasn't expecting anyone sleeping over, so I only have the one bed. I'll sleep on the couch tonight."
"...Alright," Juvia nodded along as she followed him out to the kitchen. The Heavenly Body wizard led the water mage to his room in the back of the house. His room smelled like... well Jellal, but it was stronger than normal. Is this what dragonslayer smell on a daily basis? "Juvia will remember to repay Jellal for his kindness."
"It's nothing really." Jellal chuckled as he backed out of the room. He grabbed a pair of black sweatpants from his dresser. Closing the door, Juvia was left standing in the middle of the room. There's nothing left to do but to sleep. Juvia slipped out of her boots and coat before she wrapped herself in Jellal's covers. His scent was oddly soothing to Juvia. It didn't Juvia long to fall asleep.
The next morning...
"It's time to wake up Juvia." The water mage felt someone's hand rock Juvia's body.
"Nyeh...Give Juvia five more minutes." Juvia stubbornly rolled onto her other side, facing away from, probably, Jellal.
"It's well past noon," Jellal grunted. "We slept in really late today,"
"Juvia doesn't mind skipping the guild if she gets the chance to sleep in," She submitted to her selfish desires. It's not every day you get the chance to rest in a soft bed like this. Jellal's bed made Juvia's bed feel like bricks. "Jellal's bed is too soft to leave."
"Well...um...thank you," Jellal stuttered lowly. "But, we-"
Bang!
Juvia's instincts kicked in as the bedroom door swung open. She jumped out of the bed and was ready to take on... Erik? What the hell is he doing here?!
"Erik, I told you that I would get her." Jellal rubbed his temples in annoyance. "You can't wander around my house and bust through whatever you want."
"Geez, pull out whatever is in your ass," Erik was still immature as ever. Was it still too late for Juvia go back to sleep? "Sorry woman, but you're coming with me."
"Juvia refuses," She answered flatly. "Juvia has no reason go anywhere with you Cobra."
"Shit, and you call me a bad teammate," Erik rubbed the back of his neck. "Do me a favor and help me with some crap."
Is Erik serious? No, he had to be plotting something.
"Juvia will take a pass on this one." Juvia shook her head and folded her arms. "Besides, Erik didn't have Juvia's back when the Gods introduced themselves."
"Okay, we're doing this the hard way," Erik sighed before glared at Juvia. "Either you come with me, or I tell Aphrodite and Mira that you spent the night in Jellal's bed."
He wouldn't.
"Bet bitch," There was Erik's signature evil grin. With that threat lingering in the air, Cobra made his exit. "If you're not down in five minutes, I'm calling Mira. I got the guild's number on speed dial."
"Well, I guess I know what you're doing today," Jellal smirked.
"This is not funny. Juvia just wanted to sleep in." The Rain Woman groaned as she slipped into her jacket. She didn't even get the chance to change clothes or take a shower. Juvia laced up her boots as quickly as she could and rushed to the living room.
"Aye Meredy put the she-devil on the phone. I gotta tell her something."
Someone give Juvia something to throw at Cobra, preferably a brick.
"Erik, it hasn't been five minutes, and you know it!" Juvia growled as she leaped towards the poison dragonslayer.
"Chill, it ain't even on." Cobra took a step to the side and looked down to Juvia will the biggest shit-eating grin imaginable. "Brush yourself off and follow me."
With much regret, Juvia blindly followed Cobra to wherever he wished to take Juvia. Is it wrong that Juvia assumed the worst? Juvia knew Erik wouldn't sell Juvia off as a sex slave, but there was still some much he could do. He could be leading Juvia to Ichyia's place. No... Juvia doubts Ichyia could get a word out before Erik punched him. Who knows what goes through that man's head. Actually... did anyone tell him about Erza's wedding? Juvia almost forgot that the short man was infatuated with the scarlet warrior.
"I guess Jellal wasn't the only one, huh?" Erik said out of the blue. That's right. There's no such thing as privacy when Erik is around. "Damn straight."
"How does Erik do it? Constantly reading people's minds." Juvia gripped the side of her head. "Does it not get tiring?"
"Gotta make heaven from hell,"
"What?" Juvia stopped in her tracks.
"You never gave it any thought did you?" Cobra rolled his good eye. "I'm constantly taking in everyone's inner, most personal thought without a break. Even when I'm sleeping, I'm still taking in people's thought. They invade my fucking dreams every night. I can't even dream when I stay in place as big as this."
"When would Erik stay in Magnolia? Cobra and Kinana are more than welcome to live in the depths of a forest somewhere." Juvia countered.
"Are you sure you're not a blondie because that's the stupidest thing I heard from ya yet." Erik ran his hand through his hair. "I can't take Kinana from all of this. I might hate almost everyone there, but Kinana loves the damn place too much to leave. I love her too much to leave her."
"Then, Juvia has a plan that Erik might like," Juvia sweetly. "Let's pay Polyusica a visit! Perhaps she can-"
"Imma stop you right there and decline that offer." Erik folded his arms. "It ain't something a magic potion can fix. Kinana's worth enduring the pain."
"Awww, that's the sweetest thing Juvia ever heard coming from Erik." Juvia wiped a single tear from her eye.
"That's the only sweet shit that's gonna come from me," He dismissed Juvia's comment, but Erik couldn't hide the blush on his cheeks. "Fuck off!"
"Come on Erik, admit it. You're in love." Juvia poked his cheek. "Juvia thinks Erik should count his blessings."
"Yeah, I got one blessing for this crappy life." He scratched the back of his head. It didn't take Juvia to be a mindreader to figure who he was referring to. "You could have love to if ya did a couple of things."
"What would that be Erik?" Juvia mused.
"Stay the fuck away from Gray. He's still fucking plotting." Erik growled. "Word of advice, that boy is gonna drag you down to the depth of hell if you keep trying to figure out his secret."
"Where is this coming from Erik?" Juvia gasped. "Gray can't even look in Juvia's general direction."
"The son of a bitch is feeling guilty for what he is do-" A new voice silenced Erik.
"Ah, there you are Juvia!" Erza called out as Wendy and Lucy followed behind her.
"Erza, was everyone looking for Juvia?" Juvia asked.
"You didn't come back to the dorms last night. Erza was worried about you." Wendy looked up at Juvia with her big innocent eyes.
"Oh, there was no need to worry about Juvia." The Rain Woman smiled softly. "Juvia was fine last night."
"Let's go to the guild, then." Lucy offered. "Have you eaten today?"
"Actually, Erik was taking Juvia somewhere." Juvia shook her head.
"Nah, it's cool." Erik shoved his hands into pockets and began to walk away. "Besides, if ya pass out on me, I ain't carrying you."
"Juvia will take her chances, then." Juvia flashed Erik a smile as she forced one of his hands out his pockets. "Come on Erik!"
"Tch, you're fucking trouble you know that," Erik smirked as he shook his head. "Why did you do that?"
"Because Juvia knows what it's like to be an outcast. It's not a fun part to play."
"That heart of your's will get you in trouble," Erik muttered.
"Then, Juvia will get in trouble. We outcasts have to watch each other's backs."
"Is that what we're calling ourselves now?" The poison dragonslayer asked. "The Outcasts?"
"Well, that's what we are. A stalker, a snake, a murderer, and a troublemaker." Juvia admitted. "To everyone, the four of us would be considered outcast normally."
"Fair fucking point," Erik finally sided with Juvia on something. "Alright, I'm fine with that."
"Now that is settled. Where was Erik planning to take Juvia?" She dared to ask her teammate.
"Huh? Oh, I wasn't gonna take ya anywhere. I felt like you and depress-boy were spending too much time together." He shrugged. "It ain't good for two people to be joined by the hips."
"That's the magic pot calling the kettle black." Juvia scoffed.
Juvia and Erik were not productive that day...
Juvia's Gods: Apollo (obtained). Persephone (obtained), Hephaestus (obtained), Hermes (obtained), Athena (obtained), Hades (obtained), Artemis (obtained)
Lucy's Gods: Aphrodite (obtained)
Jellal's Gods: Aries (obtained)
Poseidon (? ? ?)
A/N: Have you ever had one of those late night moments when the greatest possible idea suddenly pops into your head? Yeah, that was me with the team name. It has been haunting me ever since I made this story, and I finally did it! woohoo!