Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. It belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Ice Plus Rain Equals?
Chapter Four: Locked
"Are you okay?"
Juvia stumbled on a rock, and her foot nearly slipped. The rope tugged as well, and if she hadn't caught herself in time, both she and Gray would've been sent sprawling on the rocky ground.
She sighed in relief, yet her spine tingled, She could feel his worried gaze looking at her back, and that didn't make her feel delighted or happy in any way. She didn't feel a warm feeling purr in her chest either. Instead, a weird tingly sensation rumbled in her stomach, and Juvia couldn't handle the strange new feelings and think over what happened at the same time.
Basically, she was inwardly in a mess.
"Yeah, Juvia's fine," she replied, feeling a little silly. There was absolutely nothing to worry about. But she could not deny what she felt, or not notice the awkward tension pulling both of them away.
Back to square one?
She was happy that Gray rescued her, really, and she felt elated when he held her wrist to tie the rope around her hand, but everything went downhill from there.
For some reason, she continuously wandered about without noticing she got sidetracked, and he had to steer her back in the right direction. Her mind just wasn't there, and he always asked from time to time, "Are you okay?" and it takes a few, painfully long moments before she responds with a "Juvia's fine."
And the most frustrating part was that she didn't even know why she was being like this. Juvia wasn't bipolar, so why?
Perhaps, the weather shared her mixed feelings as well, because when night fell, the sky was briefed with slight groans.
"Drip, drip, drop," she recited, and lifted the palms of her hand to feel the rain attacking her skin.
"Damn," Gray muttered, wiping the rain out of his forehead. "It's a good thing we didn't step out into the mountains yet. Come on, let's see if anyone in town's got some free lodgings," he turned, and, since they were bound together by the rope, Juvia was being dragged on with Gray having no idea what she was feeling. Heck, he just wanted shelter.
They crossed the sidewalk, the drizzle beginning to pelt them as if they were snowballs, and it was empty. Everyone had retreated in their warm comfortable homes, and Gray scratched his head and tilted it to one side, wondering how he could find them shelter for the night, or at least when the rain would cease. It would be bad if both of them were to get sick, and the client was expecting them in a few days from now.
"The rope's going to be in bad shape," Juvia pointed out.
"Huh? Right," Gray was so focused on how he should handle the situation, he barely even heard the Water Mage. As he untied the rope around his waist, he was still thinking about shelter.
Juvia stood as still as a statue when Gray untied the rope around her wrist, and Gray slipped it into the back pocket of his jeans. "Let's try someplace else,"
And just as they passed a corner, it hit him.
No, literally.
He collided his head full on against a big, wooden sign. Juvia gasped, alarmed.
"Are you okay, Gray-sama?" As troubled as she was inside, Juvia felt concern and worry for the Creation Magic user. She knelt down on the pavement, supporting him with her arms.
Gray let out a number of strong, various kinds of curses as he let the rain wash down on the throbbing pain near his temple.
"Gray-sama, look!"
Seeing Juvia pointing to the sign that could've given him a concussion, he realized it was attached to a long, post, and carved by a knife in an elegant manner and wavy letters were: 'Rossie Inn: A Place As Near As Home'
Then he recalled the woman who had thanked him earlier that afternoon and had invited him to stay at her inn free of charge as thanks.
Gray smiled triumphantly, his pain reducing. He led Juvia to the entrance of the inn, which was a big, grand doorway with two panels and a bronze doorknob each side. He twisted one of them and it revealed the inside.
The inn was welcoming enough for two people who were dripping wet, with sweet scented flowers, all placed in an orderly fashion on vases with elegant designs on them, some hand woven mats on tables with pastel-like colors, some chandeliers decorated with a silver-like tint, and most of all, a fireplace.
And standing at the lobby was the owner, olive green eyes and ginger locks lighting up and bouncing as she saw them approach.
She ran up to them. "I'm so glad you came! This weather is awful, ain't it?" she twitched her eyebrows a little bit and looked at he pair kindly.
"No kidding," Gray said, with Juvia still looking at the decorations and simply standing beside him.
"I guess that's not the only thing," the innkeeper said, catching Juvia's eye as she looked at her with interest. She winked.
"Do you have two rooms available?" Gray asked hopefully.
The owner smiled apologetically. "My customers increase at this time of the year, and it's raining too, so I've only one left."
Gray scanned the surroundings in suspicion.
"They're all upstairs," answered the innkeeper with a flick of annoyance as if she was taking it as an offense that he suspected she were lying to them. "Like to get cozy, you know. Them couples are tourists who travel to Seven to go see the night sky a little bit farther from the port town." She furrowed her brows. "But with a weather like this, no way," she sniffed disdainfully before continuing. "Legend says that a couple who sees the starry sky and can spot the planets from afar Earthland are able to remain in love for an eternity." she said, her eyes narrowed at the entrance Juvia and Gray. "I guess that's what brings you two here?"
"No!" Gray answered at once, he felt every strand of his hair bristling. "Well, no. I mean, we never even heard of the starry sky legend," he said flatly, calmed down and regaining posture.
The ginger-haired woman pouted a bit, before bursting out into a caterwaul of laughter. "I know! I'm just messing with you kids!"
Juvia turned very red, still wondering whether or not the legend was true, her romantic side moved by the idea, but Gray was dumbfounded. "Aren't we the same age?"
The owner's giggles subsided moments after. She wiped a tear out of her eye. "I'm kidding. I figured you two were wizards, judging by how droopy eyes here sent an icy atmosphere in the middle of spring!" she slapped him on the shoulder. "Any who, are you two okay with sharing?" she asked, regaining control of herself.
Gray had to wonder about this with deliberation.
They were restless, they didn't want to spend the night attacked by a sickness from the rain, they were both young, they weren't even... they were nakama.
"I know you both aren't in that level yet, deary, and surely, this man wouldn't dare invade a woman's space; you aren't even... you know, married, but all's fair in love and war," the innkeeper took Juvia's hands and looked at her with deep emotion that tears were swimming in her eyes.
Juvia nodded vigorously.
"Oh, to be young!" the woman exclaimed dramatically.
"Like I said,aren't we the same age?" Gray was once more ignored.
The innkeeper smiled gently, and retreated a few feet back. "While you both think about it, I'll get you some warm towels to dry yourselves," and she disappeared into the hallway, footsteps clacking.
That made the previous atmosphere invoke them once more, with Gray feeling lightheaded at the thought of staying with a woman for one night in the same room, and Juvia blushing furiously, with deep concentration as she crouched on the floor, unsure.
He was used to barging in on Lucy, but that was like a brotherly way, and it was jokingly just to annoy her. This situation was different. Juvia was a woman. A friend. But the fact that still remains that she is indeed a woman, therefore the opposite gender, that he possibly couldn't think about spending one night together. It wasn't in that kind of way either, so this left Gray with no proper solution.
"You fine with it?" he asked Juvia, who stopped crouching and was staring at her feet.
Juvia almost jumped, caught off guard. "W-well," she fumbled with her fingers a little bit. "t-the idea is bizarre to Juvia, but, if Gray-sama is fine with it, then Juvia will do as he wishes."
The thing was, he didn't know whether or not he was fine with it, and he sighed exasperatedly. They were getting nowhere.
"So what does Gray-sama think?" Juvia raised an eyebrow up.
Crud. Now it was his turn to share his personal thoughts.
"I'm not really sure," he put a finger up to his chin. "I guess it would be okay." then proceeded to freaking out a little bit. "You won't have to worry, so don't think about it!" Gray blurted out, thankful that his partner was confused and that she didn't have the ability to take a look at the sick, sick imaginations swirling through his head.
The owner's footsteps were becoming audibly clear, and sure enough, in her hands were light blue towels.
"You're a lifesaver, thanks Rossie," Gray said, grabbing one, but remembered his manners and handed it to Juvia before taking the last one and draping it over hs head.
She looked at him funny like he said something weird, then she brightened, understanding what he meant. "Sorry, but that's not my name. It's Briar, actually."
"Then-"
"It's my great grandaddy's name!" she stated proudly, beaming. "He passed it to my grandaddy, and so forth."
"O-oh," was all he replied, discreetly thinking about the bizarre name for a guy. Either that, or he was being sexist.
After they were dried up had they handed the towels back to Briar did she ask, "So, do you want to stay in one room, or spend it with a downpour?"
They both looked at each other. "We'll take it."
Briar led them to the second floor, which was similar to the first one except that the pathway was more narrow and that the wallpapers were rose pink, the one downstairs having no paint at all, but polished redwood.
They came to a stop on the very last door on the third hallway to the left side. Just like the other doors, it had a smooth surface and pretty carvings, with a bronze plate saying 'Room 15', and Briar handed Gray the key.
"It's got an hearth, don't worry, I lighted it when I got your towels, since no one can resist staying out in this terrible weather, and a bathroom connected to the bedroom. I'll be preparing your dinner, sine you two seem so underfed, this one's on the house," she winked at Juvia and Gray once again. "Straighten things out, 'kay?" and just like that, she left.
"Right," Gray said, rolling his eyes. He inserted the key on the keyhole.
It creaked open, and Juvia felt for a light switch.
The room was pretty and spacious. A few pot plants decorated on the corners of the room, and a wallpaper just like the one outside. The floor was carpeted, and it seemed so light and fluffy just by looking at it. The wide windows were curtained and embroidered with a green floral pattern, and in the center of the room was an hearth, fire spewing and warming them, with a table and two chairs filled in. A sofa with frilly cushions sat next to the door which Gray guessed was the bathroom, and right next to the drawer was a four poster bed, stacked with several pillows and a thick-layered blanket.
Wait. Bed?
The Ice Maker shook his head, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on his vision. But when he opened them again, there lay a single bed only.
He looked at her, and she looked at him. They both understood the situation perfectly. This was not good.
Gray made way to the door, with the intention of asking Briar why she left out that they had to share a bed as well, but he couldn't turn it. It was still like a stone. He twisted, turning with moderate force, but it still didn't budge. He even tried the key, but it didn't even seem to fit the keyhole, which was strange. His patience with the locked door was beginning to thin. He just ended up kicking it in frustration.
"It is locked," Juvia said, staring at the door.
"I don't recall ordering a single bed and a locked room," Gray mumbled, scowling.
"Briar-san said that she would send us food in a little while, so perhaps she can fix it. Until then, what does Gray-sama suppose that we do?" she asked, sitting on the chair with her elbows propped up on her lap.
"I don't know," Gray answered truthfully, sliding on the floor. "I mean, it's not really a problem. Maybe the knob's just a little wonky, and, it's not something to worry about, really."
But judging from their tense movements and their far distance from each other, it clearly was.
A/N: Okay, guys, seriously, I just finished writing this in my notebook yesterday because I was so distracted the other days, looking at ContestShipping fanfics. And I had a headache the other day as well. But, the good thing is, when I woke up today, it was gone, so I wanted to update. Chapter five is currently under progress in the notebook, and I have one-shots to finish too.
Who knows what kind of things shall happen in the next chapter? I've got things planned, but let this be a warning. This fanfic is Rated T for a reason, so watch out. *insert evil smile here*
Anyways, review, give feedback, and all that! Good day to all of you!