Happy Friday! Who's looking forward to the weekend?

So, this is the infamous 413 scene (and where the title of this fic comes from). I wanted to keep as much of the dub dialogue as possible to emphasize the impact created by Mazeverse-timeline events (which is minimal at this stage). As much as I make Mazeverse sound like it's about pairing everybody with everybody else, it's also a study in the ripple effect of small decisions. Like if we tweaking a character's motivations, he may take the same action, but end up with different consequences because he did it for a different reason.

darling spider: I'm with you there! That really bugged me. But now that we've complained about Erza, where do you suppose she is? ;)

guest: Sorry, I'm really not trying to mess with y'all. :) The ability to write longer chapters is a skill that I'm actively trying to improve upon. Can I take it as a positive that you want to see more? XD

- K. Chandler

"Now where?" she asked herself. If Gray really was just out for a walk, she might run into him if she wandered around. But if he had gone home, then there was no sense in staying out here.

Juvia decided to head to Gray's apartment. If he wasn't there, she could wander back through Magnolia and hopefully catch him while he was out.

It wasn't long until Juvia ran into a familiar face.

"Oh, hello, Lyon!" she smiled brightly. "Fancy running into you here!" He had said he had business in town, so she shouldn't have been surprised to see him, but pleasantly surprised she was.

"Juvia! Were you on your way to Gray's house?"

"Yes, that's right. Were you just there?" she asked.

Lyon looked away. "Kind of. I was… popping in for a quick visit. But he isn't there."

"He… isn't?" The knot of worry grew.

"You needed to see him?" He eyed the gift bag in her hand with a look of apprehension. "Today?"

"Yes. Today is special, just because," Juvia smiled again. "You taught Juvia that. So Juvia did the math. Today is Gray and Juvia's 413 day anniversary."

"Anniversary?" echoed Lyon, an odd expression crossing his features. He shook his head. "Juvia…"

"But if he's not home, Juvia will just have to look around. Thanks for letting Juvia know. See you later."

"Yes. But, Juvia!" Lyon called after her.

Juvia didn't stop, her worry for Gray consuming her. What if something had happened? What if he was in some kind of trouble? What if he was sick? What if he was hurt? What if he needed her? The possibilities made her dizzy.

Frantically, she tore through the streets. Where could he be?

Her prayers were answered as she rounded the corner next to the bakery. There he was. Gray. Juvia's knees were weak with relief.

"Gray, darling! Juvia was looking everywhere," she breathed, running up to him. "Nobody's seen you. Where have you been all day?"

"Eh. Just felt like taking a long walk," he muttered. He moved to step past her.

"Wait!" Juvia stepped in front of him again. She wanted to throw her arms around him.

For surely, then he would hug her back, pulling her into a passionate embrace. At long last. And then he would say –

"What d'ya want?" Gray's hands were jammed in his pockets.

Juvia cringed.

The Gray that stood before her was certainly not hugging her. If anything, he looked almost apprehensive. Juvia came back to reality, remembering why she had gone looking for him in the first place.

"Juvia—that is, I," Juvia corrected herself quickly. "I got this for you. I hope you like it."

Gray sighed, barely glancing at the bag in her hand. "You should get home before it starts storming."

Juvia took a step backwards, remembering Lyon's warnings about smothering Gray.

"You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. But I'd like for you to keep it," she said hopefully.

Gray's eyes met hers, his expression unreadable. A cold feeling settled in Juvia's chest as he shook his head.

Gray swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I can't do this with you right now."

He shouldered past her without a backwards glance.

"So, you found him."

Juvia whirled around to see Lyon. Had he seen the whole thing?

"Yes." Juvia wrapped her arms around herself. "Juvia doesn't know what she did wrong..."

"It's not you," Lyon said softly. "This just isn't a good time for Gray. Years ago, on this day, Gray's master gave her life to save him."

"She died today…?" Juvia whispered. Her heart felt like lead.

Lyon nodded grimly.

"So that's why you asked me to wait a couple days." Of course, like a fool, she hadn't listened.

"For tonight, at least, just let him be."

"Juvia had no idea…"

Gray had never told her about his master, about his past, about any of it. His lack of trust in her made Juvia a little bit sad. But it was understandable. Gray was a private person who kept his feelings to himself.

But she should have known. She should have known something was wrong when he saw him, his expression listless. She should have known something was wrong when Natsu evaded her questions at the guild. She should have known, but she was so wrapped up in her own feelings that hadn't been paying any attention…

A memory dredged itself from the depths of Juvia's subconscious.

"But Lyon… wasn't she your master too?"

Lyon looked up, startled. Juvia could see the veiled pain in his eyes.

"Oh, Lyon," she whispered.

"Juvia, don't…" He shook his head. Lyon forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine."

"How can Juvia not?" Juvia remembered the weary set to his features when she saw him yesterday. That wasn't simple exhaustion. He was hurting too. "You said you had business in Magnolia. You were coming to see Gray, weren't you?"

Lyon gave a wry smile. "It seems Gray doesn't want to see anyone, as you are now well aware. Although, I suppose he wasn't expecting me." Lyon sighed. "It's probably sentimental of me, but I had hoped to remember her, like she deserves. Share stories, memories. I had hoped that, this year, neither of us would have to do it alone."

"Juvia doesn't share any memories with Lyon," she said slowly. She was surprised to find she had latched onto Lyon's elbow. "But she'd love to hear about yours."

Lyon shook his head. "I couldn't trouble you like that."

"It's no trouble," Juvia said. "Juvia wants to. If you'd let her, that is."

Juvia's friendship with Lyon has made her a touch more self-aware. At this point, it's enough to change the tone of the scene, but it wasn't enough for her to avoid this disappointing encounter with Gray.

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Anniversary: Special, Just Because, we see into Gray's world: It was grey. It was gloomy. It was appropriate for a day like today.

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.