Gray and Juvia walked together in silence. They were surprised when they found out that Phantom Lord was re-established as a dark guild and the remaining Element 4 were the ones who re-established it, Aria as the headmaster.
Gray was surpised that Juvia was initiating the talk, and annoyed at the same time because she only referred to him as 'Gray', lacking the 'sama' at the end of it. He knew she was just talking to him to be civil and to be professional.
He also hated to admit that the cards were right. Their magic element are the best combination in the entire guild and could rival the Twin Dragon's Unison Raid. So he cooperated and dismissed all the emotions for the moment. He decided to confront her after the mission.
"...I will handle Totomaru, you handle Sol. We have to team up to defeat Aria. He was stronger than Juv- me before. We can't underestimate him. Gajeel-kun was the only one who can rival him. I'm not sure now though, but its best to be prepared," he heard her finish.
"Okay," he said.
"We ambush them at night," he heard her say, "we prepare first."
He was getting frustrated with the situation. The way she was talking to him... Its too transactional, like 'just-to-get-this-over-with' interaction and he was jealous with his guildmates because she smiles and she was comfortable with them. Hell, she even takes mission with Laxus and one time with Gildarts, perhaps to enhance her newly acquired power, but still the mighty Laxus have a soft spot for her and she bakes cookies for him for crying out loud! Those were the affections that were solely dedicated to him in the past and his selfishness destroyed it all. He was so frustrated that he didn't notice that he said the word, "Damn!" loudly, rather than just thinking.
He only realized when his partner looked at him in disbelief and she stood up, with obvious hurt in her eyes, "I know you don't want me as your partner, but we just have to bear with it. I know you don't like me, but can you at least tolerate this once? I am trying to move on, Gray and I don't want to be near you because you are making it too difficult! You don't have to rub your disgust in my face because you said it very clear when we faced you in Avatar," she finished.
She was about to leave when he caught her wrist, "Wait, Juvia..."
"No Gray, I understand enough, okay?" She said frustratedly, "Let. Go."
"No. Wait. I didn't mean it," He apologized, "I mean, I... Fuck. Look Juvia, I'm sorry okay?"
"I knew you didn't mean to say that out loud Gray," she sighed, "This situation is frustrating enough so let's just finish this mission and go home."
He really didn't know what to say anymore and even it pained him, he let her wrists go and for the second time, he let her walk away from him.