Standard disclaimer applies.
POETRY NIGHT
Happiness swelled in her heart.
Watching her son playing happily with his father — her boyfriend, just to let all the love rivals know— Juvia was contented. Steel's his tiny hands gripped the plush sword toy that Effie gave him. His boisterous laughter echoed inside the building of the Fairy Tail guild. The young boy pretended to stab his father; Gray acted the part of the wounded villain in such an over exaggerated manner. Sitting on the bench, little Effie watched her playmate intently, giggling nonstop. Natsu coaxed the mini-Gray (as he fondly called his rival's son) to keep stabbing his supersized version.
Basically, it was a tableau of happiness that Juvia's memory took a snapshot of.
"You look very happy, Ju-chan," commented Levy who sat beside the young mother. Juvia's head turned to face her friend, nodding in agreement. "You deserve this happiness." Juvia gave the petite bluenette a tender hug as a response.
It was an ordinary evening inside the Fairy Tail guild. Well, until Mirajane ascended the platform, tapped the microphone loudly, produced a deafening echo, and then announced, "Everyone, are we ready for poetry night?"
By this time, Juvia was already seated beside the Fullbuster father-and-son combo. Gray lazily slumped on the seat's back rest, his left hand unconsciously playing with Juvia's hair. The latter had her eyes fixed on her son, her fingers clasped together while rested on her lap. One would think that when these two officially became a couple, Juvia would be the one initiating affectionate displays. Yet, she had been quite reserved, while Gray maintained his cool, except when his subconscious would take over and start caressing Juvia.
When Mirajane demanded for everyone's attention, Juvia took Steel and placed him on her lap. She sent Gray a questioning look, unsure what this 'poetry night' was about. The ice mage shrugged, clueless as well.
The guild building was soon enveloped in silence, with everyone's eyes on the beautiful white-haired woman on the stage. She opened her soft lips, and her beautiful voice let out a romantic prose:
Each day you give me a reason to smile
Each minute spent with you is forever carved in my mind
Mirajane descended the platform, and the now-grown up Wendy came up instead, and spoke the next heart-melting lines:
You're the air that fills my lung
The breeze the soothes the tiredness away
"Gray-sama?" Juvia whispered to her lover. "Are we supposed to prepare a poem?"
Gray brought a finger to his lips. "Not sure Juvia. Let's just watch."
Juvia gasped when the blonde-haired Laxus followed after Wendy. The water mage would never associate the dragon slayer to poetry. And yet, there he was in all seriousness and none of his guild members cracking a joke about it. His thunderous voice filled the hall:
Your eyes send lightning intensity to my heart
You're the energy that gives me strength in every battle I face
Soon, members of Fairy Tail followed after another.
(Freed)
The road to your heart was long and difficult
But every sign pointed me directly to your arms
(Cana)
Let me drink in your beauty…
Your affection is the elixir I need in my bloodstream
(Erza)
Take heed that my arms are your armour
My embrace will always be your protection
By this time, Juvia was mentally preparing her own two-line prose. Obviously, it would be about Gray and Steel, but no proper words came to mind, as she wanted to listen to her comrades. Elfman's booming voice then filled the air.
(Elfman)
I am a man of few words but I speak the truth when it comes to you
My devotion is sincere and earnest
(Evergreen)
Even if it takes forever to show you
I commit myself to you completely
(Lisanna)
Words are never enough to describe your sublimity
Your smile only adds to the grandeur of your charms
(Natsu)
I crave to hear your sweet, melodious voice
Your laughter is enough to satiate my hunger
(Levy)
Your hair like the cerulean ocean waves adds to your serenity
Your movements flow like the sparkling river water
Suddenly, there was thumping inside Juvia's heart as Levy's gaze focused on her. The petite bluenette gave her a big smile. When she left the platform, Gajeel followed. He also looked directly at Juvia.
(Gajeel)
When it rains, I smell your sweet, intoxicating fragrance
When the sun shines, I envision your loveliness and cheerful visage
I will protect you from all the gloomy weather
I will shelter you from every treacherous storm that comes your way
His words hit Juvia, and the water mage couldn't help but glance at Gray. The ice mage was already sitting upright. He took Steel from Juvia's lap and placed the boy on his own. His expression still didn't betray anything.
Lucy, with her swelling belly, climbed up the platform assisted by her husband. A big smile was plastered on her face. She cleared her throat, directed her gaze at the water mage, and spoke her phrases with clarity.
With you in my life, it gives me the will to live
My future is in your hands
I can no longer imagine a day without you
I will be forever yours
Will you be forever mine?
Gray stood up, securing his son in his arms, and then whispered to Steel, "Our turn buddy." Juvia followed the two with questioning eyes. Gray helped Lucy go down, and the latter patted him on the back. Once the father and son reached the platform, Gray gently put Steel down. He shaped the kid's right hand into a clenched fist and placed it on top of Steel's small left palm. "Like we practiced, okay?" The little boy bobbed his head excitedly. Gray also did a similar pose. "Just follow after me, Steel," he instructed his little boy.
"Ice," Gray spoke out loud, his intense gaze reaching Juvia's.
"Ayts," Steel echoed.
"Make," the father continued with his son echoing 'mate'. "Propose!"
Steel looked up at his dad, with his high-pitched voice, shouted as well, "Porpots!"
Immediately, blocks of ice appeared in front of Juvia. They were frozen figures shaped into letters. Juvia blinked nonstop, trying to make sure she read the letters carefully.
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
The whole guild waited in bated breath. Juvia was unable to utter a word, not sure if she ventured into her imaginary world yet again.
"Go on, Steel, give this to Mommy," Gray nudged his boy after fishing out a tiny velvet box from his pocket. The boy scampered down the platform, helped by Gajeel, and he made his way to his mother.
"From Daddy," Steel handed the box as soon as he reached the water mage.
With shaking fingers, Juvia accepted it. Tears started streaming down her face. She started to wipe them with the back of her hands, forgetting to even open the box her son gave her. Gray walked slowly towards her. The iced letters continued to be suspended in the air. Everyone else watched in awed silence.
Gray wiped her tears, took the box from Juvia, and knelt on one knee in front of her. "I'm not good with words, so I asked everyone to help me out," he confessed. "All I can say is that, life is just not worth it if you're not with me. Juvia Lockser, you have all of me, even if I can just have a part of you. Please, please, marry me."
He opened the box that contained a white gold band encrusted with a glass-like precious gem. The sparkle it produced was like the colour of the azure sky.
"I'm all yours, Gray-sama," was her breathy answer. She bent down and planted her soft lips with his.
The kiss was momentary, but it spoke volumes. The promise was set in stone — an oath that might not be spoken out loud, but understood by their hearts. Once Gray straightened up from genuflecting, he encased Juvia in a tight embrace. His next words were for her alone, exclusive to her ears. His voice was soft and tender, but for Juvia, it was the loudest declaration her heart heard.
"I love you."
A/N: It's a little short, but I decided to create an epilogue instead of putting everything in this chapter. Thank you for those who took the time to review/read the last chapter. I didn't get a lot of feedback, so I'm now second guessing if I did the right thing last chapter. Anyway, to the readers/followers of this story, please look forward to the epilogue, as I'm excited to write it.