Chapter 7. We're Having A Ball
A/N: Thank you for the reviews, follows and favourites and also all the silent readers! I was originally going to have them do a unison raid in the last chapter but I wanted a bit of fluff! Here is chapter 7! Expect some fluff and angst! Sorry about the mix up with chapters 5 & 6 being the same I must've updated 6 onto 5's chapter! But it is all sorted now! Enjoy!
The sun was starting to set as Juvia awoke giving the blue room a warm orange glow. Stretching, the weary watermage began to wake up properly as she thought about the previous night. When Gray and Juvia had returned in the early hours of the morning Stan was still up and after fussing over Juvias injuries (not so much Grays) he announced that he was holding a ball the following evening, and seeing as she had slept most of the day the ball was merely hours away. Sighing she rolled over onto her side clutching the soft fluffy duvet into her chest, ten more minutes wouldn't hurt, the watermage still couldn't shake that bad feeling she'd had ever since they had arrived at the village. Even though her and Gray-sama had defeated two of the four wizards they had met last night who was to say there weren't more at that skill level or higher? And who was their leader anyway.
Gray awoke grumbling, he had slept well for most of the day after he had walked off his restlessness earlier in the morning, but his dreams of a certain blunette had struck a nerve. He ran his hand through his hair. They're just dreams the icemage told himself as he walked into the little ensuite to take a shower before getting ready for the ridiculous ball. He had dreamt of kissing her soft plump lips and running his hands up her long legs, over her small waist and tangling his fingers in her soft blue waves before she had been pulled away from him screaming.
He stepped into the shower enjoying the feel of the powerful rays on his tired skin, he could feel them washing away all his worries clearing his head. He needed to think properly about how he felt about the watermage. She's more than a friend. Why can't I admit it? Even to myself. I know the reason why I feel protective of her. I know why my heart squeezes when she smiles. I know why I feel warm when we touch. Gray clenched his fist. So why am I so afraid of the words. The shower ran hot burning his skin.
"Crap!" The icemage shouted, cursing the shower as he got out wrapping a small white towel around his waist as he made his way back into the bedroom to wear yet another suit and bowtie. Stan had graciously given him another after he had discarded and torn the one he had had on last night.
Juvia was soaking in the large bath tub again mindlessly, she was unsure. Gray-sama had kissed her on her forehead and returned her embrace. But that was all. They hadn't spoken about it. They hadn't really had the chance though either. Maybe Juvia can approach the subject tonight. The watermage thought a smile creeping back onto her face growing wider and wider. Gray-sama had kissed Juvia! Not the other way around. Juvia instinctively touched the place on her forehead that Gray had kissed. Gray-sama didn't have to kiss Juvia! Or hug her back! Gray-sama must like Juvia! Juvia went off into a daydream about their wedding and children. They would have such perfect, beautiful and loved children. Juvias face was practically steaming when she snapped out of her fantasy. With renewed enthusiasm for her beloved the watermage got ready for ball, flittering and dancing around her room, she was ecstatic, she was like a cork about to burst out of a champagne bottle. Juvia fixed her hair and makeup, before going to her wardrobe wondering what skimpy dress Stan would have her in tonight. However when the watermage opened the doors to the wardrobe her heart skipped a beat. In front of her was the most beautiful dark purple dress she had ever seen. The watermage gasped as she ran her down the soft silky material. It's so beautiful. Juvia carefully took the dress out the wardrobe and slipped into it, admiring it in the full length mirror. It was stunning, the dark purple bringing out the blue colour in her hair. The dress' deep v neck showing off her abundant clevage but not too much and clinging to all her curves before making its way down to the floor elegantly. The watermage turned to the side to see a slit all the way up her left leg to the top of her thigh showing off the Fairy Tail mark. The straps of the gown criss-crossed over her back. It was elegant and beautiful. Juvia felt enchanted and a little overwhelmed by it. It didn't need any accessories but a small pair of silver diamond stud earrings really did set the whole thing off, twinkling in the lights. The watermage had decided to wear her hair up in a high ponytail but still had two locks of hair falling either side of her face, her fringe falling just above her eyes. Juvia glanced in the mirror once more, she was lucky she had remembered pack some of Porlyuscia potions which sped up her healing, her wounds were almost completely invisible. There was a tap at the bedroom door, and Juvias heart went into overdrive. Gray-sama?! She nervously made her way to the door.
"Juvia." It wasn't Gray. It was Stan.
"Stan, why are you outside Juvias room?" The watermage asked eyeing him in a silky dark blue suit.
"Why I came to escort you to the ball." He replied smiling, simply holding out his arm for her to take.
The watermage chewed her cheek. She had wanted Gray-sama to escort her to the ball. But Stan was the client so she couldn't really say no. "Thank you Stan. That's very kind of you." She gave him a small smile and the two of them made their way down the many hallways to the ball room. "Juvia wants to say thank-you for the dress Stan. It is very beautiful."
Stan turned to her face her "Huh, I didn't buy you that dress. It is stunning but it isn't my taste in dresses no matter how gorgeous you look in it." Juvia looked at him wide eyed. If Stan didn't buy it for her then who did? "It was found in a box on a table in the dining hall with a note saying that it was for you and to put in your wardrobe for tonight."
"Do you still have the note?" Juvia wanted to read it for herself.
"No. I incinerated it." There was a jealous tone in his voice. "I wanted to incinerate the dress to, but it would've been a waste of such an exquisite gown. Even if I don't like it." He finished as they turned to the ball room.
As they entered the ballroom Juvia was staggered by the size of the room it was huge. To the right of the room was a bar and in the top right hand corner were musicians. At the centre of the room hung from the ceiling was a beautiful diamond chandelier glistening in the lights. The whole room was filled with a sea of people in various colours and styles of dresses and gowns from red to yellows, blues, greens and pinks. All the men wore a suit and Juvia couldn't help but wonder where her Gray-sama was. The watermage started to feel excited and nervous, what will Gray-sama think of Juvia in this dress? Juvia knew she looked good and she hoped the icemage would think so to. Juvia and Stan walked further into the sea of people, saying hello to a few of them before Stan stopped and faced her.
"I'm going to get us some drinks." He said as he turned and left her in the middle of the room. He hadn't even asked Juvia what Juvia wanted. The watermage thought to herself as the billionaire walked over to bar.
"There you are." Juvia felt her skin prick and her heart speed up as she turned around to see her Gray-sama standing there giving her that gorgeous half smile that melted her heart. When their eyes met Juvia felt like the whole of the room had emptied, that it was just the two of them, the music seemed to be drowned out by the sound of her rapid heart beat, even though they were about six feet apart to her it felt like they were only mere inches. Her skin felt hot and her cheeks flush.
Gray stood there in shock mesmerised by her beauty, he knew when he had first seen the dress that it would suit her but had no idea that it would have this kind of affect on him. He loved the way the dress clung to her curvaceous figure, the way it fell down to her toes, the way the deep dark purple set off the blue of her hair, the slit up the left side all the way up to the top of her thigh and the way it showed enough flesh but not too much. It was elegant and damn sexy. He had a nervous lump in his throat he had no idea what to say. His emotions were heightened, they always were around her that why he had tried to push her way before. He hadn't wanted to feel.
Juvia closed the distance between them reaching up, Gray was rooted to the spot as he inhaled sharply smelling the perfume she was wearing making him dizzy. He was shocked when her arms didn't reach for him but rather his bow tie.
"Gray-sama! Your bow ties all crooked!" The watermage scolded, giggling as she rearranged his bow tie.
"I… You… I mean…" He spluttered. Just spit it out dumbass he chastised himself. He grabbed her wrists as she looked up into his gray eyes. "You look beautiful Juvia." His heart was pounding, her heart felt like it had skipped about ten beats, his brain hadn't really registered the words he had just said, hers absorbed them. Gray-sama thinks Juvia is beautiful! The watermage blushed. "So…" he scratched the back of his head. "You uh like the dress." He asked casting his eyes away from hers embarrassed letting go of her wrists.
Gray-sama was the one who brought the dress?! "Gray-sama brought the dress for Juvia?" Her eyes grew wide. No-one had ever brought her anything. "Juvia loves it, it's beautiful. The most beautiful gown Juvia has ever seen." She kept her voice even swallowing her fangirling. "But why would Gray-sama buy Juvia such a beautiful dress?" She asked as she finished straightening his bow tie and took a small step backwards. Gray looked back to Juvia. There were so many different answers to that question. Because I know you'd hate what Stan would give you to wear? Because a beautiful woman deserves an equally beautiful dress? Because I have feeling for you? To say thank you for everything you've ever done for me?
"Well I couldn't sleep so I took a walk through the town and went past a shop window and that dress was on display." He met her eyes again. "When I saw it I remembered that the dress you had on last night was torn to shreds. I know you prefer longer dresses. I knew you wouldn't have anything to wear tonight so I thought I'd buy it." He was blushing now. "Here, it's missing something." Juvia stared at the icemage as he reached down his collar slipping off his necklace. Juvia had never seen Gray without his necklace. He never parted with it. Her blush grew deeper as the cool silver sword settled against her skin and nestled between her breasts. She looked up to Grays eyes as he did the clasp up. "Now it's perfect…" His voice trailed off as he stared into her blue eyes that were as deep and full as the ocean.
"Excuse me." A posh voice interrupted them causing the two mages to pull away from each other. It was Stan. "I have a drink for you at the bar. But I rather like this piece of music. May I?" He held out his hand to Juvia who just stared at it dumbfounded, still in a daze from Gray-samas words and actions. She looked up to the blonde haired man in front of her. He had been so gracious and welcoming towards her.
"Of course. But Juvia really isn't that good at dancing!" She chimed smiling. Gray folded his arms over his chest.
"That's okay, I can show you." He smiled at her, she really was a masterpiece and so polite. Juvia took his hand as Gray watched the two of them disappear into the sea of people. He needed a drink. So he made his way to the bar.
Stan danced with the watermage, amazed at how well she danced, like the rolling ocean. "You dance very well for someone who 'isn't that good' Juvia." He said keeping his hands on her shoulders. "That dress is growing on me." He smiled at her.
"Thank you Stan. That's very nice of you to say so." Juvia blushed slightly he was a very honest and respectable man. A few more pieces of music came and went and Stan grew closer to Juvia hands now on her waist.
"Juvia." He asked seriously. Looking into her eyes.
"Yes?" Why did she feel so nervous all of a sudden?
"I want to ask you." He seemed to be trying to find the right words. "Will you marry me?" Juvia stopped dancing, infact she felt faint. Had he really just asked her that question? They barely knew each other.
"Stan. I can't-" She began backing off slightly.
"Please. I know it's sudden. I know we don't know each other all that well. But I want to get to know you better. You're very beautiful, very polite and I think I can make you happy. You'd make me happy Juvia." Juvia stared at him. "Please consider it." He turned at walked off giving her some space. Juvia wanted to run from the room again but at the same time she wanted to run after him and tell him how impossible it was. She loved Gray-sama. She was completely overwhelmed. She felt as though she was dissolving into the floor and as the watermage looked down she realised she had started to shift into her waterbody, well atleast her feet had.
"Hey. You alright Juvia?" Gray was in front of her and she hadn't even realised. "Anyone home?" He waved a hand in front of her face but all she did was stare. "Hey Juvia you're starting to freak me out here." He grabbed her shoulders and looked to her feet and saw that she was shifting to her waterbody. Crap. She must be really freaked. The icemage took a step closer. "Hey Juvia." He stared into her blue eyes which seemed lost and hazy. "Care to dance?" He ran his hand down her arm to her delicate one lacing his fingers through hers. The watermages eyes grew wide as she seemed to be coming back to him.
"Gray-sama…." She finally blinked. "Wants to DANCE with Juvia?" She squeaked as a smile grew on her face.
"Uh. Yeah." Crap. He hated dancing. Juvia pulled Gray ecstatically further into the sea of people and placed her hands on his shoulders as he placed his hands on her waist gently. He looked into her eyes as they started to sway to the music. Dancing actually wasn't too hard. It helped that Juvia was good at it. Her movements were as fluid as water. The icemage kept glancing down at his feet to make sure he wasn't going to step on her toes. "You know we'll have to go by at least midnight right? We still have a job to do."
"Juvia knows." She smiled at him as he twirled her away and then back to him, wrapping his arms around her waist to her stomach as he caught her. Their eyes locking, faces inches apart, lips parting. Stan words reverberated in Juvias mind, feeling guilty she pulled away back to their normal dancing position. Did Juvia just pull away? Gray felt confused. Why did she do that. A slow dance started to play and Gray moved closer to Juvia, wrapping his arms around her waist to the small of her back feeling her soft bare skin under his hands, he stared into her eyes, something's up. First that spacing out and then pulling away? He pursed his lips as Juvia reluctantly wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her cheek against his chest, sending Grays heart aflutter. He rested his chin on the top of her head as they moved to the music. He breathed in her smell. She was intoxicating. Anyone would be lucky to have someone like her at their side. But all he really did was push her away.
"Juvia." He whispered tickling her ear with his breath, making her heart squeeze. "What's wrong? You've not been yourself since Stan danced with you." He felt her tense and try to pull away from him but he kept a firm hold on her.
Realising he wasn't going to just let her go the watermage took a deep breath the scent of Grays cologne filling her senses making her feel even more guilty and a bit dizzy. She buried her face further into him. She couldn't tell him. Not until she had told Stan a firm no.
"Gray-sama." Her voice came out small and shaky. He pulled back and looked into her watery blue eyes. She caved at the sincerity in his depths. "Stan, he, he asked Juvia to marry him." Gray felt like time had stopped there and then, that everything had fell silent. He had let go of Juvia shocked. He felt angry. He felt sad. He felt jealous. He had no idea what to say, what to do. Juvia was clearly in distress, but Gray was too angry to notice.
"What was your answer." His voice was as cold as ice, it pierced Juvia. His eyes were distant like he was just an empty shell. It was his own fault if he lost her.
"Well- er Juvia." she shifted on the spot. "Juvia couldn't give Stan an exact answer-" Grays fisted clenched at his side.
"I need a drink. A strong one." He stormed off cursing. It was all his fault. He was too late. Everyone had always told him something like this would happen but he always dismissed it. He made his way to the bar and ordered a double on the rocks and then another, downing them feeling the cool liquor run down his throat numbing his emotional pain.
Juvia was distraught. Why hadn't Gray-sama heard Juvia out? She needed some air. The watermage made her way out to a deserted balcony, she took a few deep breaths feeling the cool late autumn air hit her lungs hard, it was hot in the ballroom and her emotions were running high. The watermage decided to distract herself so she looked out into the beautiful gardens. A pathway wound through the flowerbeds and trees lit up by small white and blue lamps at the side of the paved path, couples were walking around talking and laughing. She wanted that for her and Gray-sama.
"Ah Juvia, there you are." Stan handed the watermage a glass of something alcoholic. Juvia normally would've declined but given the circumstances she accepted, sipping the cool liquid, it was strong whatever it was. "Beautiful night isn't it?" He stared out of the gardens. "All this could be ours." She needed to tell him. Now.
"Juvia appreciates and is honoured that you think so highly of her." She pursed her lips "But Juvias heart belongs to Gray-samas." The billionaire looked at her as she took another long sip.
"I had feeling it might be. But I thought that I might not be too late to change your mind." He eyed her for any sign that he could be right but her eyes told him everything. She loved Gray. "I see." He felt disappointed.
"Juvia knows Stan will find someone amazing!" She smiled at him as he turned to walk back into the ballroom.
"I already did." He whispered as he disappeared. Juvia stared off the balcony once more lost in her thoughts as she drank the rest of her drink enjoying the almost silence for a few minutes.
"Hey sexy." A gruff voice floated towards Juvia from behind. Dazed from the alcohol Juvia was slow to turn around. She recognised the green haired man as one of the wizards from the night before, but she didn't recognise his accomplice. "You're coming with us. Boss's orders."
Juvia snapped to attention. "I don't think so! Waterlo-" she was cut off partly by fear, partly by pain.
"Lightning strike!" The other mage was a thunder wizard, the lightning struck her hard and she screamed in pain.
"The boss said don't hurt her too much remember! We just need to knock her unconscious!" The green haired mage spoke.
"Water slicer!" Juvia screamed as her water slicer was dodged hitting a nearby statue cutting it cleanly in half. The balcony was small and she had nowhere to run. "Water nebula!" She shouted in desperation as another round of lightning was cast on her. She managed to hit the fire user. But the thunder wizard was fast. Before she knew what was happening she had been hit on the head hard, barely managing to stay conscious she struggled against the hands that held her arms behind her back she flailed her feet, she felt like she was being lifted.
"Nighty night sweetheart." A triumphant voice spoke as she received another blow rendering her unconscious.
Gray had calmed down a bit now as he sat at the bar. He had overreacted. He should've heard her out. He needed to apologize. He needed- Stan appeared next to him looking frazzled. He wanted to punch Stan. And he did. Gray punched Stan in the face, he had wanted to do so for so long now it felt good to finally do it. "You bastard. Why'd you pull a stunt like that! Asking her to marry you!"
Stan rubbed his face. "It wasn't a stunt. I meant it." His green eyes met Grays. He supposed he had that punch coming. He had after all seen that Gray had feelings for the watermage through his jealous actions and coldness towards him "But it doesn't matter." He turned back to the bar and ordered a drink.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter! She DOES matter!" Gray roared picturing Stan all over Juvia, marrying Juvia, kissing Juvia, sleeping with Juvia. It made his blood boil.
"She said no. She turned me down. She wants you." Gray was shocked. She wanted him. It shouldn't have been a shock. He had known, how could he not know. But it wasn't that. It was the fact that wanted her now to. He needed to find her.
"Master Musketty!" A frantic voice called out. "There was a fight out on the balcony! It was awful! That poor watermage-" Gray didn't hear the rest as he made a beeline for the balcony the ballroom seemed to be bigger and wider than before as he raced across it. How could I leave her alone like that? He gritted his teeth. That wizard yesterday told me they were after her. I should never have left her! When he reached the balcony it started to rain, no pour. Gray felt her and her emotions. It was Juvias rain. She was in trouble. She needed him. He was overwhelmed with emotions as he picked up a shoe that was sitting in the rain. It belonged to Juvia. She had been kidnapped.
A/N: Another cliffhanger! I am so evil! :-D hope you like it! What will become of poor Juvia? P.S check out my other Gruvia fics (well one-shots) if you haven't already!
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CrookedMoonlight