Juvia sat on the bed in between Gray and Gajeel, trying her best to keep her expression positive as the First Master scribbled on a notepad. She had been writing for a while; Juvia could not help but wonder what message all that scribbling could possibly contain. The feeling of two very different (yet both very familiar) hands wrapped around her delicate fingers. The cooler, smoother touch was Gray's, who squeezed her left hand slightly and looked deeply into her eyes when she turned towards him. He didn't seem to mind the way her thumb brushed over his skin, memorizing the feeling. The warmer, rougher touch was Gajeel's, who refused to look at her when she did the same with the hand holding his. Juvia could not be more thankful for their support. The silence was unnerving; there was no breathing accompanying the rise and fall of her chest, no scuffling as she shifted, no soft roar from the rain she knew was outside. The rain, she mused, is just as gloomy silent as it was before.
Mavis finished scribbling and finally handed Juvia the many pages of writing. As Juvia read, she saw Mavis' lips moving, no doubt telling Gajeel and Gray what she had written.
"Hello Juvia! Since I don't think we've officially met, I'm Mavis. I know you have many questions, and I'm here to answer as many as I can. When I was much younger, I used a spell that was far too powerful for me to save my friends. It worked, but when I came to, I realized I had stopped aging. You probably don't remember much, Juvia, but the magic you used was incredible. Unfortunately, the price you now have to pay for saving your friends is your sense of hearing. Porlyusica and Wendy cannot help, as they cannot help me with my condition. Even so, I know you don't regret your decision. I've been observing you, Juvia, and your belief in love and your guild mates is astounding. I could not be prouder to have someone like you in my guild.
"Your condition is unusual, as no mage has ever attempted what you did. Even so, you are not the first person to lose your hearing, magical or no. Back when I was on Tenrou Island, I read many, many books. One taught me a language in which you use your hands to make signs and communicate. While I know you can speak, it is impractical and, quite frankly, hard to understand." Juvia flushed upon reading the last sentence, realizing how messy her speech probably was earlier.
"I am willing to teach you everything I know about that language. We will have to communicate through notes for now, but I think you'll pick up sign language in no time. I would also be willing to translate for you once you understand the language, at least until one of those two strange boys understands the concept enough to do it in my stead." Juvia giggled at this, reading the next sentence carefully.
"Please nod at me if you're ready to start learning now. Shake your head if you need a day to rest. Either way, I respect your choice. Thank you, Juvia, for your sacrifice and love for this guild. I am astounded by what a remarkable young woman you are. I would say that I hope the boy on your left recognizes that as well, but judging by the way he looks at you when you turn away, I'd say he already does." Juvia flushed a deep red shade before looking up and nodding quickly. Mavis grinned at her, gesturing for the notepad.
Once Juvia received it again, she swiftly read Mavis' neat script. "Wonderful! Gajeel told me, and I quote, 'I ain't leaving until I find a way to tell her how stupid she was myself.' The other boy, Gray, agreed. So you'll be learning together! My magic is illusions, so don't be alarmed if you start seeing things. It's to help you learn." Juvia nodded, noting how beautiful the First Master's smile was when she did so. Mavis had an infectious joy about her that was both innocent and mature at once. Upon seeing Mavis mouth the question, "Ready?", Juvia nodded.
Mavis jumped straight into teaching Juvia the alphabet. Sparkling letters and symbols appeared in the air, corresponding with the sign Mavis displayed. Juvia stared in wonderment at the First Master's unique magic, absorbing all the information she could. Juvia's hands felt stiff and clumsy at first, her heart beating fast as she anxiously tried to memorize everything. This would be the only language she would be using from now on. The pressure Juvia felt upon knowing she would essentially be silenced until she learned it made her hands tremble and her throat tighten. Distracted by her racing thoughts, she only looked up once she felt small, soft hands on hers. Juvia's wide, dark orbs met with those of Mavis, and the blonde gave her a wide reassuring smile. Taking a deep breath, Juvia calmed herself down and continued to take in all this information.
Once Juvia, Gray, and Gajeel all understood the alphabet, they learned how to spell their names. Suddenly, Juvia began realizing how similar the motions felt to the way she controlled her water magic. Since Gray's magic was also based on delicate hand movements, he picked it up just as easily if not more so. The only person struggling, it seemed, was Gajeel. Juvia had never seen him so concentrated on something in the entirety of her friendship with him. There was something in his eyes she had never seen before, some sort of mix of guilt and determination. Mavis was just beginning to teach them how to introduce themselves when the door opened, revealing Porlyusica carrying a tray of food. Juvia hadn't realized how incredibly hungry she was until she saw it all, and she grabbed at her stomach impatiently. Shooing Gray, Gajeel, and Mavis off the bed, Porlyusica set the tray down in her lap. From behind Porlyusica, she saw Mavis sign what she remembered as, "Thank you!". Nodding, Juvia grinned at the healer and repeated the sign. Porlyusica's harsh eyes softened for a brief moment at the gentle gesture, but it only lasted a second before she harshly tapped the tray, silently telling Juvia to eat up. Juvia was about to dig in when she noticed everyone leaving the room. Making a noise of protest, all eyes turned back to her. Juvia stretched out a hand, her large glossy eyes pleading for them to stay. Juvia saw Porlyusica hold up one finger, signifying that she could only get one person to keep her company. Oh no, she thought. Gray-sama and Gajeel-kun aren't going to take that well.
Just as she predicted, Juvia watched as Gray and Gajeel argued and yelled at each other, even pushed each other around. Finally, Mavis stepped between them with a happy grin despite the two gigantic (at least, compared to her) forms an inch away from body slamming her tiny frame. Her lips moved, most likely offering a solution. Juvia watched Gajeel groan and Gray smirk slightly. From that, she already knew who was going to be keeping her company, and her body lit up with excitement. Alone...with Gray-sama...!
Gray slid in next to her in the bed, and once the others left, he pulled her head into his chest. If not for the constant dead silence, Juvia would have thought she was dreaming. Snuggling tiredly into him, she sighed in contentment. Gray pulled away much to fast for her liking, but when he did he kept her face close to his. Juvia's head was spinning; it was like all her fantasies and dreams were coming true this very minute; here was Gray, the man who never showed his true feelings, now staring at her with his soul laid bare in his eyes. Juvia saw the deep love within them, the genuine need that wasn't lustful yet not platonic either. She was drawn in by them, and once he tucked a lock of her cerulean hair behind her ear, she felt as if the universe had connected them like magnets. Juvia leaned forward without realizing, watching Gray do the same slowly. Her eyes flickered back and forth between his lowered lids and parted lips, each warm breath fanning her face pleasantly. Juvia closed her eyes completely at that point, knowing their lips would connect at any moment and—
Oh, no.
She could feel the (no doubt) deafening grumble of her neglected stomach, and immediately Gray's warm breath disappeared. Juvia opened her eyes, feeling her face burn up in embarrassment. Why now, of all times?! she cried internally.
Even so, Gray flashed her his rare, charming smile that almost made her swoon. He reached onto her plate, grabbing a handful of grapes, and beckoned for her to open her mouth. Juvia was sure her face was steaming at this point from her imagination's own wild fantasies. G-G-Gray-sama is g-going to...hand f-feed...Juvia?! she thought in shock. Gray quirked an eyebrow at her, but once he realized how worked up she was getting, he reached and tilted her chin up towards him. Juvia felt his thumb run pleasantly across her plump lips, involuntarily closing her eyes and parting her lips in response. Suddenly, she was aware of a smooth round object being pushed into her mouth. Eyes opening in confusion, she saw Gray holding up a cluster of grapes with his eyes twinkling in mirth.
Juvia grinned and chewed her food slowly, sighing in contempt as the delicious flavor burst in her mouth. When she swallowed the first grape, Gray held up a few more. Juvia blushed in embarrassment; she wasn't impaired and could feed herself. Even so, having Gray treat her like this, feeding her and caressing her hand with the tenderness of a lover...Juvia couldn't pass up this opportunity. Opening her mouth slowly, Gray placed more food inside. Juvia shuddered when Gray let his fingers softly trail off her lips, onto her chin, and down her neck. As her face burned with a red hue, Juvia had a rather bold thought. Two could play at this game.
By the time he help up a few more grapes for her to eat, Juvia was ready. Instead of timidly adverting her gaze, Juvia locked her eyes with his, almost challenging him. Gray quirked an eyebrow in amusement, reaching forward to coax her mouth open when she didn't open it immediately. As soon as Gray's fingers got close enough, she trapped them in her mouth, licking and sucking on them seductively until his entire face lit up red. He retracted his hand as if he had been burned, mouth opening in what Juvia assumed was probably a protest. She smiled, swelling with pride at flustering him in what seemed to be a good way. The silence, though disorienting, was also somehow emboldening. Her hearing was gone, but herly other senses were much more awake. Juvia licked her lips as her throat bobbed and she swallowed the grapes. Gray, never one to go down without a fight, challenged her by fighting his blush away and raising the hand that had been in her mouth to his own, licking his fingers as if finishing a meal. Juvia found no shame in easily admitting defeat at that. It was basically an indirect kiss! Her face flared up red and she was sure she squealed a bit, hiding her face in her hands. Upon Gray's soft touch (it almost felt like he thought she was going to break if he was too rough), she parted her fingers to peek through at him. Juvia wanted to melt into a puddle at the sexy, confident smirk plastered on his visage. To keep herself from jumping his bones, she hastily snatched the sandwich off the tray and bit into it. Suddenly, she wasn't focused on Gray at all.
The silence really did enhance her other senses. She could feel the slight roughness of the bread crust glide against her tongue in contrast with the soft center. She could taste the slight wateriness leaking from the lettuce as she bit into it, the crunch between her teeth satisfying. She could smell the tomato bursting forth with sweet flavors even as she chewed it, the soft texture melting into the harsh one of the lettuce. She could see the slight pink shade peeking through the sandwich, attributing it to the sweet, slick taste of ham that was rolling around in her mouth. It was the most intense blend of sensations, and Juvia was pretty sure she moaned a little (scratch that; after catching Gray's expression she knew she did) in bliss at the taste of real food that was full of sustenance for her empty tummy. As she finished her sandwich, she realized that Gray had been staring at her intensely the entire time (more specifically, her lips). Juvia blushed a pretty pink shade; she'd always been a bit self-conscious about the fullness of her lips and how the upper lip was slightly more full than the bottom. Gray, however, looked like a starving man seeing food for the first time in days. She had trouble placing the strong emotions she was seeing in his eyes, but Juvia's breath was nearly knocked out of her lungs when she realized it was pure, undiluted want. Pure, undiluted want for her.
So, I actually wrote another 2,000 words for this chapter, but crashed as I was saving it annnd I lost it all. Please forgive me for the shortness of the chapter; the next will be EXTRA long. I'm just a bit too upset to redo it all right now.
Mavis' role is starting to set in a bit, yay! The rest will be out soon, no worries guys. This one only took so long because of finals. Side note: for all those up to date with the manga, am I the only one squirming anxiously for the Gruvia reunion?
Thank you so very much for your positive reviews, they really help me to get off my butt and write! I would really appreciate it if you'd take a moment to do so again. I smile every single time I see an email notification about a review no matter where I am!
See you all in the next chapter,
Juvi (Maria)
Review Responses:
Angelina08: Thank you very much! *slides you a box of tissues inconspicuously* There, there.
Releina Artemis Rockefeller: Wow, thank you so much! I hope the length wasn't too much of a disappointment *sweatdrop* Always nice to see another BROTP supporter!
inukekarynatsusu: (wow, what a username!) I am so glad you liked it, haha! Trust me, there will be much more BROTP, just a little fluff first *wink*
: NEVER FEAR, I SHALL NEVER FORSAKE THE NAME OF THIS BEAUTIFUL BROTP.
Scarf-san: Thank you very much, I hope this one will tie you over until the next full-length chapter!
Guest (1): Aww, that title reference made me smile! I am so happy to have support. Thank you!
Guest (2): *gasp* YOU KNOW TOO MUCH! Honestly, I couldn't leave Lyon out if I tried, haha. He's such a cutie! Yep, you bet Gray is gonna help her through this! In fact, he might do a little more than that *eyebrow wiggle*
Tsubaki Yuzuki: Thank you! I hope you'll stick around despite the pathetic length of this update, heh. Always a pleasure to get such positive feedback!