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REVEAL

"You sure you're fine?"

Fidgeting, Juvia turned to look at her long-time friend and comrade. Gajeel had been sending her odd glances, and it was making Juvia more and more uncomfortable. She was already feeling awkward in the first place.

"It's the fifth time you've asked. Juvia is fine, Gajeel-kun," she ensured him. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a raven-haired man enter the Fairy Tail headquarters. It took all her willpower to not turn and stare.

Instead of his usual seat by the bar counter, Gray made his way towards one of the empty tables. It was right beside where Gajeel, Wendy, and Levy sat. Of course, Juvia was there too.

"Are you sure? It don't seem like it. What's wrong, Juv?" Gajeel, who has no idea he's starting to get on the water mage's nerves, asked again. Juvia had been acting so strange the past few weeks. No more outlandish love declarations and ice-man-stalking mode. More so, her complete change of work outfit.

"What's up with that?" Gajeel raised a brow, tugging lightly on the baggy woolen coat Juvia was wearing. She was all covered in layers of warm clothing; it's making Gajeel feel a heat wave emanating from her skin.

Juvia kept her eyes focused on her fingers. She knew that eventually someone will notice why she's piling on more clothing than necessary. When she didn't answer Gajeel, the iron dragon slayer repeatedly inquired about her outfit. Snapping, Juvia answered in annoyance, "I just don't like the cold!" After uttering those words, she realized she said it quite loudly. And with Gray just sitting at the next table, he clearly heard her declaration. "I just don't like feeling cold," Juvia muttered under her breath.

"Cold? Then, why are you sweating like crazy? Just take off that damn jacket!"

"Leave her alone, Gajeel," Wendy finally spoke up, sending Juvia a sweet smile. The latter mouthed a 'thank you'. "I wonder why Natsu and Lucy called us all here..." she proceeded to change the subject.

Gajeel scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest. "Those two! Ever since they got together, they've been so in-your-face about their relationship."

Everyone at the table agreed. The boisterous Natsu was simply proud and loud about Lucy being his girlfriend. Lucy, on the other hand, isn't one to back down. She was equally eager to show off. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

And speaking of the devils... Lucy and Natsu made their way towards the front. "I'm not sure if everyone's here," Lucy started, looking around. An obvious sparkle was visible in her eyes.

"Well, either way, everyone will know soon," Natsu interrupted. He took Lucy's hand and enclosed it with his. Lucy gave him a shy look. Everyone in the building groaned loudly, some in jest, while others like Gajeel snorted in annoyance.

"We're having a baby!" they announced in unison.

When the hall was engulfed in silence, the two also took advantage of it. "We're also getting married," Lucy declared, raising her left hand in the air. A sparkling gem rested on her fourth finger.

Within minutes the guild members erupted in cheers. Congratulations were given to the happy couple, who were both simply eager to give details of just about anything. As Juvia waited for her turn to greet them, a pang of envy enveloped her. She felt some hot liquid forming in her eyes. Just as tears started streaming down her cheeks, she came face to face with Lucy.

"Oh, Juvia!" Lucy embraced her tightly, who also started to tear up.

"Juvia is truly happy for you. Juvia knows how much Lucy-chan cares for Natsu-san."

"Thank you, Juvia-chan. I also hope you'll also succeed like I did," Lucy winked at her, nudging her head towards a certain ice-mage's direction. Juvia could only smile at her. As she wiped her tears, she bid Lucy goodbye.

Stealthily, Juvia managed to leave the building without anyone noticing. After all, everyone was busily surrounding the newly engaged and soon-to-be parents. Juvia still couldn't control her tears. She kept wiping and wiping it, but they refused to stop leaking.

Juvia was sincere when she congratulated Lucy. But at the same time, she felt bitter and envious. She's in the same position, and yet she's hiding the existence of her child. She's in the same position, and yet no one shares the good news. She's in the same position, and yet she's crying.

Drip, drip, pitter-patter... The rain began to hide the tears falling from her eyes. Juvia didn't even bother wiping them anymore.

A loud knock roused her from sleep. In her state of drowsiness and weakness, Juvia forgot to grab something—anything—to hide her growing belly. When she opened the door, a wet and dripping Gray appeared.

"The rain hasn't stopped since two days ago," was Gray's greeting. His eyes focused on the middle portion of her body. Her baby-doll nightgown only accentuated the bump.

"It's the rainy season, Gray-sama. It's not me," she slightly closed the door, not really wanting Gray to come in.

"Let me in, Juvia."

Gray's tone was hard and demanding that Juvia cowered a bit, but she was resolute. She shook her head. "Juvia isn't feeling well. Please go away."

She made no move to close the door, but Gray took hold of it either way. He didn't push it back for fear of hurting Juvia. Rather, he gave her another stern look. "Juvia, just let me in. We need to talk. You don't want a scene here, do you?"

"Don't threaten Juvia," she muttered but opened the door nonetheless. She walked away swiftly to grab a blanket. She wrapped it around herself and hoped that Gray wouldn't mention about her "fat stomach".

"Please Gray-sama, just tell Juvia what you need to say. Juvia really isn't feeling well. In fact, Juvia feels so sss-!"

Juvia couldn't even continue her sentence. She ran to the bathroom. Gray could hear her throwing up. The ice mage couldn't decide whether to follow or just wait.

"Fuck!" he cursed under his breath and immediately went to the bathroom. He'd deal with Juvia getting angry at him later. For now, she was his priority. He found Juvia sitting on the floor, grasping the toilet seat, looking weak and lifeless.

"Please go," she whispered hoarsely. She had no strength to argue when Gray helped her up.

"Not until I bring you to the doctor," Gray insisted.

Juvia firmly shook her head. The last thing she wanted was Gray to be near her. She was barely holding it in, trying hard not to wrap her arms around him and wail like a baby. "Juvia can take care of herself," she insisted once again. She proceeded to wash her face and brushed her teeth. Juvia wanted to show that she was fine now. However, she nearly lost her balance when she started to walk away from him.

Without waiting for consent, Gray scooped her up in his arms and carried her outside. A deep blush covered her cheeks, and all Juvia could do was to look away. He gently placed her on top of her bed. Gray looked at her intently.

"We will go to the doctor, and that's final!" he stated, as if he had sovereign over her.

There was a pause between them, with Gray just looking at her and Juvia looking down at her fidgety hands.

"Juvia already went to the doctor. Juvia knows what ails her."

"Really? I'm not convinced."

Juvia unwrapped the blanket from her body. She placed a hand on top of her growing belly. "Nearing three months," was all she said.

Gray is not stupid. Since the moment Juvia opened the door, there was a nagging thought about her condition. Yet, Gray didn't want to voice it out. When Gray made no reaction, Juvia proceeded to explain.

"Lucy-chan told Elsa-san that she's in her fourth month of pregnancy. Juvia's two months and three weeks."

A big, fat pause filled the air between the two mages. Juvia imagined that the moment she tells Gray about her condition, she'd be bawling in tears. She visualized Gray getting angry, even hurling hurtful words.

Unplanned revelations can sometimes have subdued reactions.

Gray calmly stared at the slender hand of Juvia as it rested on her stomach. Juvia could only look at the floor, unmoving. Perhaps her body was too weak to even shed a single tear. The rain outside poured stronger. It was just midday, but it was dark and gloomy. It was even dimmer in Juvia's dorm room.

The ice mage pulled a chair and placed it in front of Juvia's bed. He sat and faced her. "Is there anything I can get you to make you feel better?"

Finally, Juvia looked at him. "Don't worry about Juvia, Gray-sama. You can leave. Juvia is already used to this kind of morning sickness. It attacks even at night time." With all her might, she stood up from the bed, just wanting to get away from him. Gray took hold of her hand, stopping her.

Why is it... when she wanted to be near him all the time, he repelled her. Now that she's slowly pulling herself away from him, he's the one who's constantly closing the gap?

"I'll take responsibility of you and our baby, Juvia."

A/N: Thank you to the lovely readers who left a review. More feedback would be highly appreciated. This is what's great about fan fiction. Reviews/feedback actually help when the author's stuck in a rut. Once again, thank you everyone.