Summary: "Who makes you moan? Who makes you scream in pleasure and joy? I. Fucking. Do. What's mine is mine and sharing isn't an option I'd even have the idiocy to consider."
After the Grand Magic Games, Juvia Lockser took time to reflect on her life – including Gray Fullbuster. Something she wouldn't have done on her own since she was always caught up in her fantasy. It hurt like a bitch to realize that a one-sided love would never be returned, it truly did. And moving on was even harder to do. But still, Juvia swore to do so. Somehow, there's a way for everything.
Genre: Drama/Friendship.
Disclaimer: To say that Fairy Tail belongs to me is pure fantasy. Hiro Mashima remains the creator and has all the rights.
/!\ Warning: This fan-fiction has tons of smut and I won't tell when and where you'll read them in those chapters. I'm unpredictable, huh! Minors have been warned and if you're caught off guard...remember that this fan-fiction is rated M. Read the summary carefully before launching yourself on this story.
… In which Gray Fullbuster is starting to wonder about Juvia Lockser's behaviour, different and stranger than usual, her 'relationship' with Laxus Dryer after hearing some rather disturbing things.
… In which Gray Fullbuster is also trying to reflect on his friendship with the Water Mage, intrigued about her absence near him for the last weeks, and receives Natsu's 'help' on the matter.
… And in which Sting Eucliffe and Juvia Lockser finally get to talk about the 'Dragon mating' thing. Without having sex?
[I still don't know why, but I've been listening to It's Not Over of Chris Daughtry while writing this chapter. Wanna check it out if this fits?]
Chapter Three: Misguided
That's strange. Usually he wouldn't care since it had almost become a tradition in the guild to have her stalking him around but right now, Gray Fullbuster finally admitted that something was amiss; somehow it felt a little cold not to have Juvia around. Although he'd mostly be a little annoyed by her presence at first, the Ice Mage had gotten quite used to it and even started to appreciate her spirit. She was like a breeze of fresh air, a caring and loving person trapped inside the dark and emotionless front he had battled during the feud between Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail. Now her smiles carried around genuine, free feelings she mustn't have known she's always had. It made Gray quite proud of having shown her what friendship especially meant in a guild that had always used it as a force to overpower and defeat their enemies. Juvia had told him, very shortly after the end of the Grand Magic Games, that she was forever grateful toward him for showing her the light in the endless darkness she had put herself in. Her attraction toward the Ice Mage may be overwhelming and unbearable sometimes but, if he were to be honest with himself, Gray Fullbuster would say it was heart-warming to have someone as loving and caring always making sure he was alright and had everything he needed. This was Juvia Lockser of Fairy Tail, powerful Water Mage whose loyalty, will and determination were made of hardened steel.
However, Gray had noticed the changes. It had been understated at first, but it had then quickly become radical and so sudden that he hadn't seen everything coming; days had gone by without the warm presence of the Water Mage by his side, talking or smiling to him. He still could see her somewhere in the guild, having a conversation with either Lisanna and Mirajane, Lucy – surprisingly, since they now seemed to have a good time together – and Cana. She would smile sweetly at them, become almost as bubbly as the Celestial Mage when she was in a good mood. This particular yet encouraging change had happened before she went on a mission with Gajeel and PantherLily and while Gray had found it quite suspicious at first, he couldn't help but admire how Juvia both appeared and sounded so sincere with the one she had considered as a 'Love-Rival' or whatever the hell she meant by that nickname. Had she finally acknowledged the friendship she could have had with Lucy from the beginning? It would seem so. That thought had, curiously, pleased him. But when he had thought she would have directly flown to his side Juvia had remained with the blonde, unperturbed and still laughing. She hadn't even glanced his way.
That's different. Gray couldn't say he knew everything about love between a man and a woman, he couldn't remember much about his childhood because Deliora had destroyed what he had once held dear to him – his parents, Ur. Now Ultear was also out of his life, finally at peace with herself and having become an old woman due to the consequences of using such a powerful spell. Her sacrifice had rendered him quite gloomy for some time before Juvia reminded him to smile – only Juvia had been able to see past his cold front when they were going back to their newly-built guild. How she was able to do this while still acting crazy was beyond Gray's imagination but, her obsessive and craziness aside, Juvia Lockser knew how to act as a real friend. As the weeks went by after Fairy Tail's victory at the Grand Magic Games, her absence near him had become even more noticeable and suffocating; shouldn't enamoured people always stick by their loved ones? Shouldn't Juvia be doing this instead of going MIA on him? Because that was what she has been doing for the past few weeks. And Gray Fullbuster wouldn't admit it out loud, but it kind of hurt. He didn't know what was that clenched sensation around his guts whenever he would wonder about Juvia's absence and constant ignorance, it was something akin to this sadness he would usually feel upon thinking about Ur and the possibilities that could have happened had she survived Deliora and not used Iced Shell to seal the mighty demon.
Some kind of void even he couldn't fully describe.
It was frustrating enough to remind himself that Erza had advised him to sort out his feelings for the resident Water Mage since hers were so obvious by her actions, but what was even more 'painful' was the fact Juvia seemed to be content with her current behaviour and had carried on after she and Gajeel came back on Saturday. Without as much as sparing him a glance or a smile – even a tiny 'Gray-sama' would have made him pleasantly grumpy. Essentially grumpy, but in a pleasant way because deep down, the Ice Mage had grown to like her greetings. He would see that loving look in her dark, blue eyes, that beaming and dreamy smile she would always send him. And Gray would also feel her cheerful mood that became now very infectious around Lucy, Erza, Cana and Mirajane. Somehow he felt very envious. Jealous? He wouldn't admit it, his pride wouldn't allow him to.
"I... don't understand," he heard himself muttering on this Saturday afternoon, his voice low enough for him to register his own words.
Confusion and frustration clouded his mind and expression and although he managed to hide all this behind a cool mask, Gray wasn't going to lie to himself that long – there was something fishy about the Water Mage and he had this nagging feeling that this was linked to the strange conversation he had overheard the other day; he'd been about to continue his path down toward his apartment when he had heard Cana's words. To say he'd been shaken would be the most pitiful understatement he would have ever heard in his life.
"Laxus. It's Laxus, Erza," she whispered-screamed excitingly. "He's been crashing at her place for quite some time now – I'm surprised you haven't noticed that at all, how did he get past you anyway?"
Maybe he should have just kept walking, maybe he should have snorted at the idiocy and stupidity of Cana's words (she was, after all, overly idiotic when intoxicated with too much alcohol running in her system. So her thinking that Laxus might be 'seeing' Juvia? Bullshit. Drunken, drunken bullshit.), maybe he shouldn't have given a damn about that, maybe he should have tried hard to erase those fucking words from his head but his mind had suddenly blanked out, forcing him to replay Cana's words all over again. He hadn't even been able to walk back home at once because this information had shaken the living daylights out of him to the core – Laxus Dryer spending time at Juvia's apartment? What the hell had possessed Cana to even think about that?
Gray roughly shook his head, scowling. Laxus and Juvia? Unthinkable.
But the more he observed her with his eyes, the more he was thinking that Cana might not be as idiotic and delusional as he thought. Because there was proof of a born friendship between the two of them and Gray hadn't been paying attention to notice this a little earlier; there had been the closeness and the gestures, the laughter and the smiles – something that good friends were used to because they got along so well. Gray had witnessed the blonde Lightning Mage sporting a brand new set of headphones, different from his previous ones before they were destroyed but with a better style that suited him perfectly, and Laxus had flashed Juvia a smile (a gesture that had shocked Mirajane, who had been watching them from afar, because this was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen on Laxus Dryer's face for a very long time.) to thank her. Something very primal had awoken inside Gray's chest, burning and accelerating his heartbeat in an incomprehensible way he couldn't describe, and the Ice Mage couldn't even pinpoint exactly the cause of this disturbing feeling.
Laxus had never interracted with Juvia before the Grand Magic Games, where they'd been put in the same team to compete. Gray had thought that since Makarov's grandson had done quite a number on all of them seven years ago during the Battle of Fairy Tail, the Water Mage would have been very wary of him; she'd been hit by lightning, had endangered her own life to spare Cana from being hurt and could have hated him. She truly could have. But it turned out that Juvia Lockser had a bigger heart than he thought: even though he hadn't heard of the discussion they must have had before this friendship was born, Gray knew that she must have struck something in Laxus' heart and soul to be at ease and this sincere around him. After all, the beautiful bluenette had that kind of power within herself to do that to a formerly 'evil' guildmate. Juvia had grasped the meaning of friendship quite quickly and must have indulged it in the blonde's head, since he was always smirking gently in her way. But the two of them together? As in 'hooking up'? It was really hard to picture them together but, if he were to think about it for a minute or so, Laxus and Juvia could work pretty well; she was known as the Rain woman – or the 'Stormbringer' now, according to the mayhem she had unleashed onto the pirates in Pearl City along with Gajeel. Sorcerer's Weekly was damn fast on recording facts. Something must have greatly pissed her off to bring up such a storm in Aqua Bay – and the Mage who could bring more than just rain when she decided to fight for what she held dear, while Laxus was immensely feared for his excellent mastery of lightning (and the fact that he was a Dragon Slayer also added to the power he exulted.). Water and lightning. Mix these two kinds of magic together and you could obtain a lot more than just a powerful storm. Juvia Lockser and Laxus Dryer could be a pair – that is, if there was something much deeper than just friendship between them as Cana had so eloquently suggested...
"Is there something going on between you and Juvia?" Gray had suddenly blurted out to the older blonde before he could stop himself, standing firm in front of him.
Maybe he should have kept his damn mouth shut, maybe he should have just minded his own business because listening to Laxus' exploits with a woman was plain boring and gross, maybe he should have tried to ignore the burning jab of annoyance in his chest when he passed by the lightning Mage's table, maybe he should have tuned out his conversation with Bixlow when Laxus had pronounced Juvia's name more than four times, maybe he should have just kept walking toward the exit and get his job done but somehow, Gray hadn't listened to his reason and had faced Laxus head on, demanding – or asking, according to the Ice Mage's words of explanations to Jet and Droy. The blonde had looked unimpressed or unperturbed, arms crossed over his powerful chest, but the glint in his bored eyes had told Gray that he was as curious as suspicious. Bickslow had chosen to remain quiet, interested in the show before him. It had been a long time since anyone had picked on his blonde friend.
"And what if there is?" Laxus had replied nonchalantly. "It's not like you ever gave her an indication that you might like her, isn't that right?"
It was. Laxus had a point right here, Gray had always brushed Juvia off and told her to give him some space. She could be as sweet as a loving mother when she wanted to but, all this clinging and gifts, this was a bit too much from her. So why did that bother him that Juvia was this close to Laxus?
The Ice Mage had narrowed his eyes at him. "Stop fucking with me and answer this damn, simple question, Laxus: is there something going on between you and Juvia?"
The Lightning Mage had still remained composed and infuriatingly placid, to Gray's annoyance."This isn't your damn business, Frost," he had answered. "Why should I even give you an answer? So you could be reassured that I'm not toying with Juvia? Please, tell me you're joking: since when did you actually start caring about her well-being?" He had leaned closer to Gray, scowling in annoyance. "It's been weeks since she left your side, Gray. Weeks! Yes, Frost. I've noticed that as well and I'm sure as hell I'm not the only one here who has seen the changes in the sexy Water Mage's behaviour," Laxus had sneered mockingly at Gray's surprised expression.
The blonde had snorted, disdainful, and leaned back in his chair.
"As I said, this isn't your damn business and I'm not enclined to respond just because you demand an answer. You want to know? Grow some fucking balls, go talk to her and stop wasting my time." Then he snarled at Gray, scowling harshly. "Scram, Frost."
Gray grounded his teeth. That hadn't been satisfying; Laxus had practically toyed with his emotions without actually giving him an answer – a game that he had always been good at. He wasn't even close to know what kind of relationship the Lightning Mage and Juvia shared, the latter frustrating him because she kept ignoring his glances and stares at the guild. And if he tried approaching her whether she was alone or not, Gajeel would suddenly pop up by her side before Gray could get close enough, succeeding in irritating the Ice Mage for ruining his chances to talk to Juvia. But what ticked him off was the glare the Iron Dragon Slayer would always send him; it was as infuriating as curious. He had no intention of hurting the bluenette or lash out at her, he just wanted to talk, so why the hell was Gajeel giving him the evil eye? As if he wanted him to stay away from his best friend?
"Tch!" Now he was in a foul mood. He scowled, standing up and getting ready to leave. "I'm going back home and rest a little," he declared coldly, not even bothering to search for his coat (he wouldn't know where that damn coat went, anyway. Like always.). Lucy and Erza looked up at him, questions in their eyes. Natsu was, surprisingly, gazing at him with a serious expression.
"You alright?" the blonde Celestial Mage asked, a worried frown setting on her pretty face.
Was he alright? What a damn, stupid question to ask since he had been looking sour for a few days now; Gray had been hammering his head with all thoughts concerning Juvia or Laxus, their so-called 'secret relationship' or whatever the devil that really was and the mysteries behind the Rain woman's different behaviour toward him. It was like she had completely forgotten about her infatuation to focus her mind on... on what? Something else – someone else? It took the Ice Mage all his self-control not to sound too cold toward Lucy as he answered.
"Hm." Then he walked away, eventually leaving the guild.
He wasn't alright, he didn't need to say it aloud. But Gray certainly didn't want to talk about it with Lucy – and especially not Erza, since she was the one who had told him to sort out his feelings toward Juvia. He was already confused, greatly and frustratingly confused by all this mess jumbled in his head after imagining all kinds of freaking scenarios in his mind thanks to Cana; was there something going on between Laxus and Juvia since he seemed to be, besides Gajeel since he was her best friend and the one who truly knew her, the only male who had ever penetrated in her apartment? This was the sole and most frustrating thing that kept bothering him – and why this was bothering him, he didn't know. Probably wouldn't, since Gray Fullbuster had no idea how to interpret and describe his friendship with Juvia Lockser. He thought of her as any friend and guildmate of his, no more and no less. But then again, there was that suffocating feeling that had been gnawing at him for a few days since he overheard Lucy, Erza, Cana and Mirajane getting all excited about discovering Juvia's and Laxus' secret. And if Gray were to be honest with himself, he would say that it had been a long time since he last felt that sense of emptiness in him.
When was the last time he had felt that lonely? And 'gloomy'? He truly couldn't say since he was around his team most of the time, either brawling with Natsu or losing his clothes due to him stripping without noticing the damn thing. Gray growled under his breath and kicked a rock out of his way, taking the path back home. Fucking problems! He truly was at a loss in here: usually, he wouldn't give a damn about girls hooking up with guys within the guild – that was Mirajane's expertise field and one of her main hobbies. Gray himself had been involved with someone, careful enough not to hook up with anyone he knew at Fairy Tail (because there was a possibility that it would end up in a messy, bloody feud between friends and although he used to make use of his popularity among pretty girls to have some fun, he wasn't doing sex-friends anymore. Friendship always came first at Fairy Tail, Gray certainly didn't want to ruin anything in the second family he had found years ago after Ur's death.) and quickly ending things before they could get started, but he had never really felt so lonely. Sure, there were his cherished friends from the guild who would always have his back no matter what – such truly amazing, strong friends he had – and Gray would do anything to protect them. That was a sworn vow he had taken upon receiving the guild stamp. And then there was Juvia. Sweet, caring Juvia Lockser who would always remain by his side no matter what.
Where was she now?
He scowled slowly. Hell if he knew.
Gray had been staring at his ceiling for quite a while now, the silence in his apartment somewhat comforting. It had always helped him to think things through to stare at the ceiling in the peacefulness of his environment, where he would sometimes find solutions to problems on his own and sometimes with the help of his trusted friends. Stark naked and finally at ease because he was in his quarters and safe from idiots screaming at him for shamelessly showing his birthday suit, he found himself lying in his bed and racking his brains to describe and understand his feelings toward the Water Mage. Gray was friends with Juvia, he was certain of it; there had been enough proof of their bond over the years they had worked and fought together, of the times they had watched each other's back when fighting for their life. He had protected her like any friend would do against an enemy and he was aware she had done the same during her battle with Meredy back at Tenrou Island seven years ago – the Ice Mage had admired and praised her courage to hurt herself in order to break Meredy's spell, because that was something he would done as well. Now Gray wasn't sure how exactly Juvia had defeated the pink-haired girl back then, but one could guess that her heart and soul had worked their magic once again. She had a knack for it (Fairy Tail had uncovered Juvia Lockser's brightest side from the darkness and, though he wouldn't admit it, Gray was proud to have been the one to show the Rain woman her very first sight of the sun. She was always grateful for that and would always be.).
Friendship. Protecting. Caring. Those were the words you'd always hear from a Fairy Tail Mage, because that was how they managed to defeat their opponents. Each member of the guild was a dear friend that had to protected and avenged once someone had hurt one of their own – many of their enemies had paid for this, Phantom Lord being one of them. Then Sabertooth for torturing Lucy during the Naval Battle just to prove that they were the strongest guild in Fiore and that weaklings didn't deserve a place among them. Gray angrily scowled. That black-haired bitch had specifically targeted the Celestial Mage because she had quickly understood that Lucy would be powerless without her keys, thus she had disposed of Juvia when the Water Mage had been distracted. Juvia had had a pretty good chance of winning the Naval Battle since water was her element – the fact that she could rival Aquarius's power with her own was amazing, even the Spirit had been shocked. She was a terrible threat when she wanted to be one. – and the way she had disposed of everyone else had been great. Minerva Orland had understood that Juvia had been the real and most difficult threat between her and Lucy, so that had just been strategy; once you've eliminated the danger, there's only the weakling left to be taken care of. What Gray hadn't understood was the fact that the black-haired bitch could have used the magic she used on Juvia to teleport everyone out of the giant bubble of water, thus winning this Naval Battle without breaking a sweat and under one minute. Minerva Orland had wanted some fun with the fairies – she got her fun. And had suffered under Erza's care on the fifth and last day. But that didn't erase the fact that she was a very powerful, strategic Mage.
But Juvia... she must have felt terrible for not winning the Naval Battle and leaving Lucy with that psychopath. It was crystal clear that her magical abilities surpassed the Celestial Mage's since the latter only relied on the strength of her spirits to win her battles; a distracted Juvia would only result in failure even though she was strong enough to keep up with terrible enemies. Gray remembered the somber, conflicted look in her eyes upon seeing Lucy's bruised body at the infirmery and though he had wanted to comfort the Water Mage, he hadn't budged. He had been later told that Laxus had done this in his stead. That must have been the birth of their 'friendship', he grudgingly thought.
How the hell had this 'friendship' evolved into something like... being sex-friends? If Gray recollected his memories before the events of the Grand Magic Games, he had never seen Juvia near Laxus – except this time when the Lightning Mage had flashed her a smile to thank her for his new set of headphones. This couldn't have evolved into this kind of an affair that wicked in such a short amount of time, something must have happened between the two of them. And even though Gray was 100% sure that Juvia wouldn't agree to such relationship with another man than himself, there was still the fact that she no longer acted like lovesick fan-girl around him and didn't offer him treats and gifts anymore – damn. It stung even more than he had originally thought not to be the center of her attention and care any longer. He roughly shook his head, firm in his belief. No. No. She couldn't have agreed to such thing – especially with one big pervert such as Laxus Dryer, he'd do more than just break her heart.
"Please, tell me you're joking: since when did you actually start caring about her well-being?"
Gray cringed, clenching his hands into tight fists. As much as he wanted not to take note of Laxus' words concerning Juvia, he still replayed them in his mind. They had this strong sense of truth, which struck him hard in the guts when he thought about them. He hadn't expected Laxus to be this observant – but again, Juvia was hard to miss when she was always hanging around him and gushing about his 'greatness' or whatever the hell she was spouting. This was a bit frustrating to know that someone else than Erza or Lucy had witnessed him treating the Water Mage quite coldly – Gajeel was another story and since the Iron Dragon Slayer would always be ready to beat him to a pulp should he make her cry, Gray was careful with his words and actions. But if there was something going on between Laxus and Juvia, why didn't he seem the least concerned or furious about it? Was there even an affair to begin with? The Ice Mage felt like he was missing something here – something really big if Gajeel Redfox looked proudly and laughed amusedly at a blushing Juvia Lockser when the two of them were together. What had also surprised Gray was the friendly pat Natsu had given the bluenette, smiling widely at her while she had looked a little bit mortified (what in the world was that for anyway?). Maybe he should go ask the Water Mage himself, maybe he should 'grow some fucking balls' and talk to her, maybe he should –
Maybe he should do what Erza had told him to do.
However, Gray was still as confused as clueless about his feelings toward Juvia. He didn't know whether he considered her as just one close friend whose loyalty and personality were very precious or a woman he could grow to love one day. Friend or more than just that? She wasn't close to being a crush but Gray knew he somewhat admired Juvia's qualities; not only she was the third strongest female in the guild, but her selfless and kind nature made her a woman of a kind – Lyon could see it, Gajeel had known it way before all Fairy Tail Mages, hell, everyone now knew that Juvia Lockser was one of the most selfless women around. Her friendship was precious to Gray. Very precious. Would it endanger anything if he were to sort out his feelings? Would it change anything even though something had already changed before he could realize it? All this bullshit was so, so complex he couldn't really think straight for a second.
"Damn it!" Gray cursed loudly, banging a fist on the wall behind him.
Really, he didn't know why the hell he cared so much about Juvia's activities when she obviously made sure to avoid him at all cost. He didn't know why the hell the fact that he thought she was somehow 'seeing' Laxus Dryer rendered him so worked up and upset. He didn't know why the hell the fact that she was avoiding him and giving him the space he had wanted so badly ever since she started clinging to him pretty much pissed him off now. He didn't know why the hell he felt so empty when Juvia wasn't by his side anymore and because of all this bullcrap, Gray had never felt so lost and worked up since –
"Yo. Whatcha up to, Frozen Brains?"
"Huh?" the Ice Mage whipped his head around, startled. He was even more stunned to see salmon hair before him and a speck of blue on the intruder's shoulder, wide eyes looking at him in wonder. Gray blinked, at a loss. "What the –" How the hell did they break in? When the hell did they break in? What the hell are they doing here?
The blue Exceed beamed at him, lifting his tiny paw to greet him. "Hey, Gray! How are you? You seemed kind of upset earlier, so we came to cheer you up."
Gray blinked twice. Natsu and Happy? Here? While he was having quite the mental predicament? He couldn't believe it. They broke in his apartment without him noticing or hearing a damn thing – which was rather unusual and annoying – and now that they were here, there was nothing he could say to make them leave. Especially not with Natsu sporting such a serious expression on his face. The Ice Mage felt instantly annoyed and frowned at him. No. He wasn't going to have a conversation with him right now.
"Get out, you Firebringer," Gray hissed silently, knowing that Natsu would hear it. "I'm not in the mood to talk to you."
"I know," Natsu replied calmly. "I just don't care, you're going to listen to me anyway. But put some damn clothes on, I don't need to see that!" he snarled in disgust as he shielded his eyes from the offensive sight of the Ice Mage's naked crotch glaring at him.
Gray was about to throw a snarky remark when he noticed the determined, serene look on the Dragon Slayer's face. He just stared at him instead, any retort falling back into his throat. When was the last time he'd seen Natsu Dragneel looking this serious? Especially when it wasn't about avenging their friends with a good beating? He didn't know whether he should just try to brush him off or let him speak whatever nonsense the Fire Mage was about to say, because if Natsu Dragneel had made all the way from the guild to his apartment, had even taken the time to break in without alerting his sense to talk about serious matters, it just couldn't be good. Somehow Gray felt his body brace itself for the words that will come out of this brash mouth before him, as if he could sense that whatever he was going to listen to would just give him a damn headache. So he just grabbed his briefs, put them on while grumbling in unhappiness.
Happy flew from the Dragon Slayer's shoulder to find a spot on the couch, already taking out raw fish to eat his snack. Gray was in the process of putting his pants on when Natsu's words made him freeze in surprise.
"Why are you so concerned about Juvia's private life all of a sudden?" he asked calmly, arms crossed over his chest.
A sharp intake of breath from the expert stripper ripped him from the intention to speak sarcastically. Talk about being lectured. And surprised. Who would have thought that Natsu Dragneel, of all people, had also noticed the changes between Gray and Juvia? This certainly was more than a surprise since that question managed to throw the Ice Mage off; he whipped back to stare at the incredibly composed face of his pink-haired friend and guildmate with wide eyes, stunned to hear such words coming out of his mouth. From Erza or Lucy, this would have been expected and Gray wouldn't hear the end of it if they were the ones to give him a pep talk, but from Natsu? He couldn't believe his ears.
The salmon-haired man seemed to guess his friend's question and he sighed. "I heard you lashing out at Laxus the other day, demanding to know if he was having an affair with Juvia. That was... kind of rude from you to barge into someone's business as if you had any right to do that. Now I may not always be on Laxus' side since he's been a major jerk for a long time before reforming himself but...why do you care if Juvia is moving on with someone else? Even if it's Laxus?" His eyes bore into Gray, inquiring and so imperious.
The dark-haired man twitched, feeling suddenly irritated. "That's some big words coming from you, Natsu," he bit back harshly. "Aren't you meddling in my business yourself right now? Really, you could be dense sometimes."
Natsu didn't seem fazed. He didn't even bristle at the words and cold tone, which also managed to surprise Gray even more. What was going on? Who was that person in front of him? "Again, why do you care if don't like the idea of Juvia getting with Laxus? After all, you never gave her any indication that you were interested. Bloody hell, Gray, you don't even reciprocate her feelings and you don't have the balls to tell her that she's not your type. Again, why do you care if she's decided not to be hurt anymore because she's finally grown tired to be lead on and hoping for nothing? She made the best choice for her – moving on and trying to live again without the love she's had for you since the day she'd joined Fairy Tail." His eyes narrowed at a Gray Fullbuster rapidly becoming angry, judging by the slowly bulging vein on his left temple. "Again, why do you care if she's letting go of you?"
"Shut. Up," Gray grounded out through painfully clenched teeth.
"Have you counted the years since Juvia tried to show you how she felt about you? How much she loved you?" Natsu just kept talking, his voice getting a little louder. "It's not just her being a lovesick fan-girl or even an obsessing stalker. It's about trying to be a loyal friend at first, then hoping to become someone much more to you because she cared a lot about your own happiness before hers. From what Gajeel told me, she wanted to know everything about you so she could understand the man called Gray Fullbuster – the man she had started to love because he had been the one to show her something she had craved to see since her childhood." His finger suddenly dug deep in the Ice Mage's naked chest, making him gasp slightly. When had he closed the distance between them? "You. You, Gray Fullbuster! Aren't you being the fucking coward right now?" he snarled.
"Shut. The hell up!" the dark-haired man sneered, seriously about to snap. "You don't have the slightest idea of what you're fucking talking about, you absolute numbskull!"
"Oh, do I?" Natsu burst out laughing, making Happy flinch and frown in worry. That laugh sounded so mocking, so sarcastic – so unlike Natsu. "That's rich, coming from you. That's really, really rich. At least I'm not the one going off on people after overhearing Cana suggesting that Juvia might be screwing Laxus just because you suddenly thought it weird that she left your side. Yes, Gray, I know that too," he replied mockingly at the shocked look plastered on his friend's face. "It must have been immensely great to have her off of you, musn't it? Oh, I can imagine your relief very well. You could finally have a 'well-deserved' break from the lovesick girl but also probably the only one who cared enough to let you go despite knowing the fact that it would break her. No more delicious food prepared with tender, real love and attention, no more gifts wrapped with care – no more of her attention at all because you were tired of it but didn't have the balls to shut her down!" The salmon-haired stared coldly at Gray, the heat coming from his body grazing the Ice Mage's cool skin. His stare was hard, unyielding and merciless – like his words that held a truth just as merciless as painful. He clenched his dragon-like teeth, his fury ablaze visible in those eyes. "And despite your cold treatment toward her Juvia had never lost hope, still had the determination and will to be worthy of your attention. Damn, the gods know she tried so much and so hard. And despite being brushed off so many times, she just kept smiling. And hoping, and fucking hoping that you'd finally open to her about your feelings toward her, whether she'd be rejected or accepted..."
All those words. All those words that held such painful truth.
"... And you know what, Gray? Juvia had realized that maybe, maybe you just weren't worth it. Maybe you just weren't the one who could love her back and accept her wholly despite her 'craziness' like you must have thought so many times over the years, maybe she finally had had enough of you being so vague and freaking fickle toward her when you were so honest toward everyone else." Natsu was unstoppable. "Seriously, what kind of bastard would toy with a woman's heart and lead her on without being clear to her? Are you the kind of jerk who will never grow fucking balls and man up, Gray? I'll bet Juvia had realized this as well, just like Laxus. At least he's got some balls to be honest and who knows, maybe he's exactly what she needs; someone who isn't acting cowardly and intrigued because the woman who has been paying him attention for years has suddenly turned away from him..."
They never seemed to stop. Never seemed to have an end. And Gray could feel his own words drowning back down his throat, betraying him.
"... Your sudden jealousy toward Laxus is almost hilarious, Gray. Almost as hilarious as the sense of possession that seems to awaken when Lyon is flirting with Juvia." Natsu certainly didn't miss the flinch in Gray's position and the way his eyes twitched at the mention of his foster brother. He snorted disdainfully, narrowing his eyes. "She could have chosen Lyon instead of you, she could have discovered what it meant to be loved by someone who would have wholly accepted her – both her qualities and her defaults. You have sensed her loyalty, haven't you? That strong, hardened loyalty that had been yours since the day you defeated Juvia Lockser of Phantom Lord? It could have been Lyon's. And maybe it should have been Lyon's since he had the balls to be sincere and bold. Why did you always react that way when he was around? Why did you always react and sound possessive when your foster brother was near her? Do you have an answer for that, Gray? No?" He gave a short, bitter laugh as he shook his head. "Not that I was expecting one. A sincere one, that is..."
Couldn't Natsu shut up? Couldn't he just stop screaming those horribly, painfully true words?
"... It hurts like a bitch, doesn't it? I'm sure Juvia's heart had felt that way when she's decided to move on with her life, because in the end, loving you and being in complete denial would have ruined her spirit one day. You would have unconsciously ruined Juvia – a friend. Our friend. And who would have stopped Gajeel from beating you to a pulp for pretty much reviving the old Juvia Lockser of Phantom Lord, a woman with no emotions whatsoever? Maybe Erza and Levy would have. But that would have been difficult – an angry Dragon Slayer is not to be severely underestimated when his friends' well-being is on the line, Gray."
Natsu finally paused, taking long gulps of air, because saying to finally snapping and shouting to his friend had spent him. But he needed to do this; a friend had been hurting for a long time in the shadows, burying her sadness and sorrow behind smiles that had finally lost their cheerfulness one day when she had come to terms that her love would always be one-sided. Juvia had been hurting and the Fire Dragon Slayer had seen through the act to connect the dots; the bluenette distancing herself from the Ice Mage had been the first thing he had noticed, then the gifts and food, to finally end by the ignorance. It had taken her a few weeks. At first Natsu had been genuinely concerned for her, because Juvia wasn't the kind of woman to just give up on something she absolutely wanted – he had learned that from Lucy, who had been her 'Love-Rival' for nothing. So he had investigated for himself. And he had discovered the reason.
The ice prick wouldn't be able to compare or even be better than this. He really wouldn't be able to man up and compare to what he had found out about Juvia.
Gray had backed away from Natsu, having bumped into the wall behind him. He stared into space, his eyes wide and his throat constricted. Natsu's word were weighing on him like some kind of unbelievably heavy anvil that had been thrown on his back, merciless and as if it was mesuring the importance of his ego; had he really been this oblivious and scornful toward this woman? Had he really been all what Natsu had just told him? All of this? It was more than just disregard – it was total disrespect. And just when he was telling himself that he secretly admired Juvia, Natsu had to come to him and destroy whatever little ego he thought he had. It was incredible that the Dragon Slayer had noticed all that just by observing the Water Mage and her expressions, because he, Gray Fullbuster, had remained painfully ignorant and willingly blind to her misery. Because he had wanted to (he was at least going to admit this.).
Yes. It hurt like a bitch. It truly did.
Friendship. Protecting. Caring. Gray swallowed with painful difficulty as the realization of his ignorance toward the bluenette dawned on him and he let himself slide down the wall, his legs giving up. The guilt he was feeling right now was just too great, too overwhelming. Friendship. Protecting. Caring. The Ice Mage had ignored this last word in its full glory because he'd been to busy fully enjoying his peace and space for what had seemed a very long time. He hadn't really cared because it had been as if he still could feel her presence somewhere, always watching him. He hadn't really cared because he had thought, in annoyance, that she must have been preparing some kind of cakes just for him. He hadn't really cared because he had thought, at that time, that she would have come back to his side like she always did.
Friendship. Protecting. Caring. Gray Fullbuster had fucked up. He had really, really, really fucked up.
"Gray, do you remember the storm that hit and ravaged Magnolia a few weeks ago?" Natsu suddenly spoke up, his voice a little hoarse from all this talking. When the Ice Mage nodded numbly, still speechless and stunned, he sighed. "That was Juvia's sorrow finally screaming her broken heart out to the world." Gray snapped his head up to look at the Fire Mage, surprised. It had been her doing? "It was also the night she's chosen to let you go, to live again before she truly ruins herself for a man who doesn't fully acknowledge her. The storm was wild because moving on is just harder than everyone thought – Juvia got that. And she's had it really hard. She's more reasonable than you think, since she's understood that it was pointless to get your attention." He sighed tiredly, closing his eyes. "What do you think about all this, Gray?"
There was a long, tense moment during which both mages stayed silent and staring at each other. One had finally spent the fury and indignation he's been feeling for a long while after witnessing Gray's fidgeting around the still hurting Water Mage, and the other had been given the most ferocious 'pep talk' through harsh, painful words that hurt more than the punches they usually threw at each other when brawling at the guild. The dark-haired young man was breathing heavily, his face having gone pale from the shock and guilt he was experiencing from being 'mentally beaten to a pulp'.
What do I think about all this? Gray numbly thought as he tried to process the words in his mind. There was only one word to describe his attitude from the past few weeks toward the sole woman that had always loved him to the point she was ready to give up on him. She has given up on me, he realized as the words sunk in. Juvia Lockser had had enough and her patience had finally reached its breaking point; waiting had made her lose her last nerve. She has given up on me, his mind echoed again as he fought hard to regain control of his senses. He looked at his hands – his fingers curled into tight fists. When he unclenched them, they were trembling. His hands didn't seem to remain still even though he commanded them to do so.
"...asshole," he croaked, picking the first word to sum up everythin Natsu has just said.
The salmon-haired mage sighed once again. "You have no idea," he said. "But we can't change the past, Juvia's made up her mind and doesn't seem to regret it one bit. Unrequited love is good to ruin people's lives. You had cleared her skies for her eyes to see the sun, which had triggered her softer side to come out, and you had darkened them once more."
"I...," Gray tried to talk, but the words wouldn't come out. They were choking him.
"Things are never going to be the same between you, Gray. Even if you did consider Juvia as a friend, you should have at least shut her down once and for all if you couldn't see her as a possible lover one day. Couldn't you have done that?"
He could have. "...Natsu." Gray's voice was dull. "Juvia a-and... Laxus – his name came out in a venomous hiss also laced with disgust – … do you think they...?"
"Possible," the Fire Dragon Slayer simply shrugged. "But I may be misguided. Just like you must be; remember, it's all Cana's drunken schemes and you can't say for sure that Laxus is seeing her. Why do you care right now, anyway? It's not like you have every right to meddle in her private life at this point."
Enough with this shit already, Natsu had already made his point across. Gray simply hummed, ignoring the question. He slowly picked himself up, his eyes sullen and downcast. "I really fucked up this time, heh...?"
Natsu didn't need to answer that question, his silence was more than enough.
Sunday came with natural, dark clouds that shielded the sun from illuminating Magnolia. They looked ominous and threatening, which made Gray sigh as he gazed through his window with sleepy eyes. It was going to rain – but a storm was also to expect since he could hear a rather loud rambling. Was someone upset? Was Juvia upset right now? The Ice Mage closed his eyes in anguish, feeling miserable.
He had a hard time pushing back the guilt and as he made his way toward to the bathroom to get ready, Gray thought about going to see Juvia and... and what? That would depend on her mood and how he would approach the Water Mage without being cut off by Gajeel: that Dragon Slayer had been seen almost all the time by her side, only leaving whenever she wanted to go home, and glaring whenever the Ice Mage got too close. Sometimes many questioned Juvia's friendship with Gajeel, because the two of them were so close that one would wonder why they weren't in a relationship instead of going after other people. Gray wouldn't admit it, but their closeness had annoyed him. So far, he couldn't know why. Everything was still confused.
Was it because he somehow secretly cared for Juvia Lockser more than he had originally thought? Natsu's words had beaten some sense into him and he was feeling more than determined to fix whatever he had with her, even if he had to brave a near-death experience from Gajeel, for being the subject of her ignorance was even more hurtful than trying to shun the one who had been by his side for so long. The problem?
Gray Fullbuster had no idea how to make her talk to him. For more than one minute. And he also didn't know how to distract the iron-eating brute – there was Levy McGarden, of course, but Gray remembered that Gajeel could just send his Exceed to talk to the short blue-haired bookworm if he needed to. Distractions be damned, there were too many possibilities to reconsider; Lucy and Erza were out of the equation, for the latter would hound him with unsufferable questions and the former would just scream her head off to tell him how unfair and cold he'd been to Juvia. And he shouldn't forget the fact that the two of them were allied with Cana and Mirajane to discover the Water Mage's 'secret relationship' with Laxus or whatever the hell it really was. Gray couldn't help but growl at the possibility of Juvia being with the Lightning Mage as he got out of his apartment, slamming the door in the process and still frustrated about the whole ordeal.
Fine. Fine. He needed answers. He'll clear things with Juvia and... get her back. Somewhat. Somehow.
"She's not here?" Gray repeated dejectedly, his dark eyes now holding a disappointed look.
Mirajane shook her head, confirming one more time.
"Nope, you heard me right. Juvia has decided to spend some time alone and relax today," the white-haired beauty revealed, setting a clean glass down to take another. "The last reward she and Gajeel got was pretty good, so she's off the hook for a little while. Can't blame her, they had literally brought hell to a whole bunch of pirates!" she laughed, amused. "Being called the 'Stormbringer' really has its perks, huh?" Mirajane winked at Gray, smiling widely.
For some reason, the Ice Mage got annoyed at the mention of Juvia's best friend. "Yeah, I guess," he grunted. He wanted to scream in frustration. She wasn't there when he was now determined to talk to her, ready to brave an irate Iron Dragon Slayer and a near-death experience? Damn, that was both disappointing and unnerving. He grunted again, his eyes now gazing at the darkened sky. "Mira, can I have the usual?"
"Right away!" came the cheerful answer.
Just as he was about to ask the older woman something concerning her whereabouts, the rumbling outside roared and roared again. Until the first lightning split the sky in its terrifying glory.
Many groaned in annoyance and exasperation, others wondered if their resident Water Mage was upset – just like Gray at this instant.
"Hey, Laxus!" he heard Jet shout. "Calm down, will ya? It was supposed to be a good day with a friggin' sun!"
Makarov's grandson just scoffed, a scowl set on his face.
"That's not me, moron," he replied. "That's a natural thunderstorm. And I won't take offense if you fail to make the difference between a magical thunderstorm and a natural one, that just means you're an idiot."
"Whatcha say?!" Jet was irate now.
Gray tuned them out, wondering. So she's not upset?
Either way, he still had to think of a way to approach her. And he was still at square one.
Juvia hummed as she leaned closer to the window of her mini workshop, a sharpened pencil in one hand and a pack of large white sheets in the other. So it really was going to rain today; the gathering of those dark clouds in the sky had been quite suspicious and so, in order to get back home dry and warm, she had run at top speed to the bookstore, where the owner had told her they had received her command, and had gone back straight to the dorm while wearing a big, excited smile. The minute Juvia had stepped into the comfortable warmth of her apartment, the droplets were falling like hammers on Magnolia.
The blue-haired beauty sighed, smiling all along. "Lucky me, I guess," she giggled as she went to work.
Turned out that Juvia Lockser had, secretly, always been a fan of oceans and islands (only Gajeel knew about this. Maybe Totomaru as well, since the former Fire Mage of Phantom Lord had always been great at knowing his friends' hobbies.) and she loved to map them on sheets of papers she would preciously keep. Her workshop was full of it; her maps were very accurately drawn, the details so finely added to make it so realistic – at least, as realistic as it could be. Juvia carefully settled her tools onto her desk, grabbed a hold of her cerulean hair to make a messy bun before plopping into her chair to get to work.
Now, Aqua Bay. The job request about the pirates had almost made her miss the strange beauty of the dreamy place; there was a mysterious magnificence tied to Aqua Bay when she bent the water to her will and connected her spirit and powers to unleash mayhem onto her preys. The dark clouds hadn't worked in her favour but when she had finally calmed down (because there was a certain blonde Dragon Slayer who was so going to get it once they got together again), Juvia had been able to admire one of the things that built Pearl City's pride and glory. She had asked her partner if they could linger here for a little, because she had wanted to wander around the bay, her doe eyes gleaming and a face splitting grin. Gajeel couldn't say no to her, since she had raised hell onto their targets and got them the reward for this successful mission. Besides, he had had a feeling that she would have wanted to memorize Aqua Bay in order to map it once they got back.
Her pencil danced onto the sheet, following the line of her memory. The dark curves were rapidly growing into something familiar as she concentrated on her work. If Lucy liked writing – her library of books gave her away when the Water Mage had last visited her – then the bluenette definitely preferred recording everything she found too beautiful to let go to waste. Like a certain Sting Eucliffe. Sting Eucliffe and his Exceed Lector.
She felt her cheeks go ablaze just thinking about the blonde and, unsurprisingly, her heartbeat fastened considerably. This was disconcerting because after all the stuff Gajeel had told her about mating, she now didn't know how she would react in front of him. Will she jump on him, her lips already hungry for a scorching and searing kiss? Will they talk about Dragon mating before they could get all excited and horny? They should at least talk about the changes that will certainly happen in their lives; Gajeel was already aware of her bonding with Sting and had said 'Better him than the stripper bastard!' to make her understand that the blonde had his approval, the Fire Dragon Slayer had also patted her back with his signature grin, claiming that he was happy she had found someone else. Nobody else in the guild knew about her relationship with the master of Sabertooth. How would they all react to this predicament? The Water Mage, who was previously known as Gray Fullbuster's number one 'love interest', now mated to Sting Eucliffe, their greatest rival's guild master – that would definitely blow everyone's mind off. And she would be lying to herself if she swore that she didn't want to see their stunned faces for a change, because she definitely wanted to.
Juvia took a sip of her hot chocolate, tucking her long, bare and toned legs under her as she contemplated everything that happened those past few weeks. The ball at the Royal Palace had decided that she, Juvia Lockser, wasn't meant to be with Gray Fullbuster; she'd been practicing her magic near the buffet, swiftly switching drinks from distracted people who had been chattering nearby, when Sting had approached her with Lector. He hadn't really given her attention at first because the delicious food in front of him was mouth-watering and the smell was just pure heaven. He was plucking all kinds of dish with gleaming eyes when his attention was distracted by some wine and apple juice swirling together in front of him, as if it were a performance dance.
"Huh?" he said, blinking repeatedly at the bubbles of wine and apple juice swirling around.
Lector was confused as well, but being a cat who loved good performances with magic perfectly controlled, he just grinned widely. "Oh, some sort of show just for us!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "Who's controlling the water?"
A soft giggle sounded on the White Dragon Slayer's left. "Oh, that would be me," a lovely voice responded. "I shouldn't play with beverages but I'm suddenly feeling quite mischevious. Did I startle you?"
Sting blinked one more time before he collected his thoughts, chiding himself for being distracted that easily. He began to turn his head toward the feminine voice with a small smile. "No, just surpri –"
Blue. Sting Eucliffe had always liked blue, because that was the colour of the sky and his eyes. And the sea. It was meant for people who loved quietness and meditation – something that he liked from times to times. This colour was the epitome of magnificence to the young man and, somehow, Fate had just brought him the very person who would make him feel burning sensations like the ones that were overwhelming his body and mind. Dark, blue eyes turned and stared at his lighter ones.
It seemed the world has just stopped around them. There was just this woman all in blue and him. The beautiful, glowing fairy and the fierce, powerful tiger.
Sting could have dropped the dishes, because the astonishment and awe he was expressing right now were more important than food. Was she a nymph? Because she truly looked like one, with her cerulean eyes and hair; her dress was coquettish without being this extravagant or trashy, showed a good view of her ample and certainly luscious bosoms and flattered the curves of her waist. Slender, curvaceous and beautiful. She was glowing in front of him and he was enthralled. And his first word to her?
"Mischevious, huh?"
The smirk wasn't in place. There was a broad grin on his handsome face. And his beating heart was telling him things – passionate things. Sting Eucliffe was all the more willing to listen.
Juvia giggled, blushing bashfully. He had been quite the charmer, even though she had found him a bit daring and cocky at first. Sting Eucliffe was this handsome young man who, according to Sorcerer's Weekly, had managed to steal Hibiki from Blue Pegasus his title as the hottest male mage around. Hibiki! But again, Blue Pegasus was known to have mages who only seemed to share two traits together – being a beautiful model and a wonderful boyfriend. However, what Juvia had seen at the end of the Grand Magic Games had melted the first opinion she had made about her mate; witnessing his tears of joy and relief upon seeing his Exceed Lector alive in the cat lady's arms had made her think again. Gone were the cocky expression and confident smirk, there on his beautiful face was a broad grin that showed much more happiness when he embraced Lector tightly against his chest.
This, Juvia had memorized.
Forty-five minutes later she was beaming, satisfied with her work. "Finished!" she exclaimed proudly, gazing at her representation of Aqua Bay with sparkling eyes. "Now I can have a nice shower before going to bed!" Then she sauntered out of her workshop, going straight toward her bathroom.
Somehow Juvia could feel a hot, searing sensation pooling in her body as if it were lit on fire and she couldn't put her finger on it. It felt so familiar and... warm. She felt like she was embraced in strong, protective arms that would never let go of her body – Juvia definitely knew that feeling. She was just wondering why it was so powerful that she looked like she was about to burst from joy. And as she finished washing herself, the blue-haired woman frowned in quiet musing, wrapped a towel around her body and grabbed another one to dry her hair. Really, it was as if –
As if the man she had been thinking about was here. In her apartment. With her.
Juvia shook her head, puzzled. Impossible. Sting was at Sabertooth, certainly busying himself with stuff a guild master had to learn and do – how in the world Master Makarov managed to do this for years was beyond her. So her mate had to master this position, its conditions and consequences before giving himself to the pleasure of rushing to her side. She sighed loudly, making her way toward the dressing.
But she wasn't alone in the bedroom.
There was a soft gasp as the bluenette was immediately and swiftly picked up by her thighs, embraced against a very well-built torso she was wonderfully familiar with since she had spent scores of nights caressing, biting and licking it. The pull, she realized as she suddenly remembered Gajeel's words about the bond between a Dragon Slayer and his mate. This burning sensation inside her chest, her heartbeat accelerating madly and this craving for his arms around her frame – she recognized it all.
Juvia mewled happily when his lips crashed onto hers for a rough kiss and she kissed back with equal violence, cupping his soaked face with both hands. She felt him smirk in their heated battle, his tongue laced with hers and fangs out to nip and bite her flesh sensuously – just the way she wanted him to. His hands, callous and strong, grabbed her bare legs tightly as she wrapped them securely around his waist to feel him even more. The blonde grunted his pleasure, thrusting forward albeit being clothed, and bit her lip. She moaned his name, her flesh ablaze and her thoughts going wild. It was good, so good to have him in her arms once again. At this instant she almost forgot that she was still clad in a towel, that she wanted to sleep, that she wanted to drown herself in dreamland –
That she was pissed he hadn't told her about Dragon mating. Now she remembered why she was angry.
It took all her willpower to disentangle herself from him, flushed and her lips bruised from harsh kissing. "Wait a minute, Sting," she breathed, her eyes regaining their focus.
"Later," he commanded, already claiming her lips once more because he had followed her movement. "Mate now." This came out as a hungry growl against her lips.
Breath-taking. Mind-shattering. Too good. Juvia groaned and nearly melted when his hands groped her ass. Hard. The bluenette reciprocated by digging her nails into his broad, bare and muscled shoulders (when had he taken his shirt and short hoodie off?), making the blonde purr as he grinded his growing arousal against her pelvis in slow, yet sensuous pace. The rascal was seriously intent on doing her right here, right now!
Juvia then commanded her body to turn into her water form and, as slippery as the element itself, escaped her horny mate's strong embrace. She heard him growl in annoyance and scoffed, sliding behind him in her water form before going back to her human body – minus the towel, of course. She quickly snatched some blue shirt at random and put it on, trying to get away from Sting's swift hands and arms. "We need to talk, mate," she said forcefully as she turned back toward him, her arms crossed under her aching breasts because they demanded attention and a frown set in place. But she was still flushed and hot. And she wasn't wearing any panties!
The half-glare he was sending her for cockblocking him on the spot vanished as it was quickly replaced by a slightly sheepish expression. "Shit, Gajeel must have filled you in about Dragon mating before I could, right?" he muttered, brushing a hand in his golden hair. Sting was soaked to the bone; droplets of water were falling down from his muscled torso, the rippling abs enticing Juvia to just go with the flow and let him work his magic on both of them. But she held herself in composure, planting her feet firmly on the ground to prevent herself from launching her body at him. He sighed as he looked at her. "Alright, I kind of... forgotten to tell you that before we mated. The truth is, I was so excited to have found you that the only thing I wanted to do with you was mate – it's instinctive," he quickly explained, his blue eyes trailing down her body with a slight feral smirk.
Juvia gulped, her heart beating a little too fast. "That's... animalistic," she said, using the word she thought would fit the most.
He chuckled, approaching her with slow strides. The sound, music to her ears, made her breath hitch for a second. "That's just how it is. Besides, you loved it as much as I did, babe," Sting huskily murmured, now standing before her. The Dragon Slayer easily towered the Water Mage but she didn't mind it as she craned her neck to stare at him with doe eyes, awed. He stared back at her, grinning. "Why so furious? I would have told you anyway, Juvia. What's more important is the fact that I missed you and you missed me as well. You may be a fairy but you're an alluring tigress I love to make scream my name in joy and pleasure in bed. Wild, passionate, teasing." His forehead came to rest on hers, their gazes still locked on each other. Her ample, bra-less mounds pushed against his hard torso. "Beautiful. Enchanting. And mine."
Sting took her superior lip between his teeth, pulled a little, watching her reaction go from awed to glazed, and he subtly nibbled on it. Her moan triggered another growl from his throat and he wrapped his arms around her, crushing his woman against him. Having a fight with your mate may be as annoying as arousing but, if you were in Sting Eucliffe's shoes, you'd rather think of a way to bypass the problem and make her scream all night. Juvia Lockser and Sting Eucliffe needed sex right the hell now and he was so not going to let it pass this time.
"No cockblocking?" he teased, lifting her by her ass. She wrapped her amazing thighs around his hips, pulling him closer, and caressed his back.
Juvia mewled against his neck, biting and licking to make sure she'll leave a good mark on him. Territorial as well. "Make me scream, mate," she moaned, breathing heavily. "I did miss you."
It was his release. A hungry, lustful growl rumbled down his throat and he dropped her unceremoniously on her bed. The blonde clawed at the shirt and ripped it apart with both hands and teeth, his patience wearing thin. Juvia wasn't going to complain – she was as hungry as he was.
Author's Note 1: Turns out that I like writing long chapters like these. They are more...intense. Anyway, guys, thank you once again for your feedback (don't stop that, please! That's fuel!), favorites and follows. It means a lot to me!
Author's Note 2: Who wants another omake? There's a poll on my profile, vote for the characters you want me to cast in and I shall do that.
Next Chapter: The Apartment.