Fate's Intervention

Forever and almost always

No, it ain't right to just love me when you can baby

Ain't gonna wait patiently

I won't wake up everyday just hoping that you'll still care…

~Kate Voegele: Forever and Almost Always

By Divinecriticizer

It was both a huge amount of dismay and a relief that Juvia will soon be heading back to Fairy Tail. It was a relief for her to be free from the uneasiness of her palpitations, electric currents and numerous hyperventilations. It was dismay for her because the feeling was pathetically great. As much as she hated to admit, Juvia hated this mission to end. It was blissful for her staying with Gray's arms, inhaling his scent before she slept, and after she woke up. And the hardest part would be cutting it off just when she started to be used to it, just like that.

The question was left unanswered. She didn't have to courage to be honest and to lie. The thought of her taking the said options made her stomach churn. The quietness between the two created uneasiness; Gray did not press his question any more but promised to himself to ask it somehow… when things finally become normal. But what was not normal in the first place?

He also thought that maybe, just maybe he was thinking too much. But soon followed after, in the back of his mind said that something was not in its place. It felt like Juvia was getting far, far away from him. It made him scowl inward and outward. He didn't understand himself anymore. The thought of her away from him was agonizing—yet he did not understand why.

It took them a few hours of combined walking and running to reach the guild. Still no attempt of talking to each other, they went straight to their familiar nook and stayed there, like no mission happened. Gray unconsciously stripped off his shirt and cozily seated on one of the tables. Juvia on the other hand just sit on the counter and stretched her arms, clutching the table counter. Mirajane, excited to hear their little adventure greeted her with a smile.

"Welcome back. How was the mission?" she asked, putting a class of lemonade beside the water mage though she didn't really order anything. "Fine." Juvia mumbled, not really in the mood of talking. She was too preoccupied with the rampant things running through her head. His scent, his warmth, his feel still lingered in her. It burned, yet not agonizing. But what truly bothered her was the statement Gray said during the mission.

"You stopped being annoying and it's bothering me…"

Why did it bother him? He was suppose to not care at all like he did and she was to be left forgotten together with the feeling she has. She was supposed to get hurt but why did she felt so… happy? Did that mean he cares about her? Did it mean she has a chance to fulfill all her fantasies, decent fantasies that she was having?

Or maybe she was just over thinking everything? Juvia hopes not. She thought, gaining back her composed self, sitting erect, sipping her lemonade in the process. Mirajane pressed her questions no more and just satisfied herself looking at the water mage's face, getting the hint that something huge happened. The Take Over mage glanced at Gray— he seemed to be disturbed. He looked so irritated, so threatened and yet, curious. His face said it all. Juvia was trying to stay away from him, and it alarmed him. He felt chagrinned, lost. It amused the barmaid to see them like that. Not because she was an insatiable sadist who wanted to see them in that state but because she knew that they were aware of what was happening between them. "Mira-san, Juvia will go home today." She said weakly, carrying her stuff, ready to go home. "Sure, be safe." Mirajane replied, beaming as she gathered the empty glass that was carrying lemonade before. Juvia did not bother to glance at Gray's direction. But Gray was looking at her, as if reading her mind. Mirajane observed what was happening as smiled at her self. She was happy,

This two will have a chance. She thought followed with a back-flip in her mind.

Lucy Heartifilia was busily reading a book, drinking the last of whatever she was drinking and sensed the uneasiness Gray was holding. She looked to where the ice mage was looking and was surprised it was Juvia he was looking at! She went back in studying Gray, and accidentally taking a glimpse of Mirajane's jovial face, looking at Juvia and Gray alternately. Until she noticed the summoner was looking at her, her smile widened. It was understood that the barmaid was calling out for her. She stood and went to the counter.

"I think you are aware?" it was a question, but that was unnecessary, Mirajane knew she knew what she meant, and nodded. "We can help." Lucy said, finally got herself something worthy to do. "I got something that sounds like a plan." The stellar mage proposed. It was a fortunate thing Gray went outside; probably go somewhere to hang around. He left the guild without saying a word, not even listening, or he might not hear Natsu's and Erza's complains and questions. It was a good thing indeed, a very, very good thing to plan something.

Get your rest Gray, Juvia. You will need it. Lucy thought mischievously, accompanying her teammates as she launched the plan that formed in her head.

Fairy Hills was quiet and peaceful as usual. Juvia lay down, thinking of the same things that rumbled her head. She hated to admit it herself, she was happy, and at the back of her head, she was anxious. Juvia was getting her hopes up and it was not right. If she again, hoped some miracle would happen and Gray will fall in love with her— again, it's not right because it's definitely not happening. She thought. She was too dazed in her thoughts that she almost missed her telephone ringing. The water mage picked it up.

"Hello?" she greeted.

"Oh, Juvia!" A familiar voice was on the other line. She almost choked; it was Lucy. But why was she calling her? Her suspicion rose.

"Yes, Lucy-san?" She replied, as politely as she could.

"Hey, listen. We decided to have a sleep over at my crib. I wonder if you could come?" It sounded like a question but she deciphered it was a command.

"Um… may Juvia ask who will be at the sleep over?" she asked, her suspicion grew.

"Well, Erza, Natsu, of course count me in. Gray said he thinks couldn't come." She replied, a tint of regret in her tone.

"Juvia will go then." She said, half relieved, half gloomed.

"In my crib, right now." She said, hanging the receiver to its place.

Lucy Heartilifia's: 6:45 PM

"Oi, Natsu! Try not to burn the chicken!" Lucy was chopping onions and mixing cream for her potato salad recipe. She was starving, and she wanted to eat something edible other than her beloved potato salad. Meanwhile, Erza was chopping with her inhuman pace, the boiled chicken breast, needed for Lucy's mighty potato salad. Her kitchen was in chaos; the counter was filled with unnecessary things, potato peeling, water splashes, onion peelings, cream, salt and mixtures that were proven to be debris hence, not needed any longer. Her oven was nearly burned and terribly whacked since it was already Natsu's fire roasting the chicken.

His patience was thinner than usual. Though he and Happy were cooking in their own comforts these past few days, (they were having money shortage) he cannot cope with the 'cook and eat' system Lucy was having. Meanwhile, Gray and happy were preparing the sleeping bags, pillows and other night stuff they brought together. It was not long since the doorbell rang.

"Gray, can you get it?" Erza plead, now doing the dishes in an inhuman speed. "Happy, go get it." he passed the plea to the busy Exceed. "Erza, Gray doesn't—" the ice mage froze the cat's lips, sealing it to avoid his mouth from saying unnecessary information that might provoke the Reequipping mage. Weakening his grasp to the Exceed's hanging green bag in his neck, Gray marched to the door, right hand on his pockets, he strolled his fingers to the knob, grabbed its full size while twisting it— and he cannot believe what he was seeing.

The group in the kitchen was watching the fruits of their plan, obviously happy over the triumph they were experiencing. They glanced at each other, discreet about their smiles that wanted to turn into an audible cackle. The ice was melted upon Happy's mouth, probably because of Gray's sudden rise of temperature or the lack of concentration in his part when he saw someone he never expected to show up.

"Juvia."

"G-Gray-san?"

And the winner in the staring contest was no one.

"Gray, is that Juvia?" Lucy asked, already knew the answer but wanted to cover up the reality that she knew what was happening.

The bottom line?

Make them confess.

FIN.

Author's Notes: There you have it, chappie four part one. I'm really busy right now but don't worry I'll updat. I won't chicken out to that promise. I'LL UPDATE!

Anywaysssss, THANK YOU FOR THOSE FOR REVIEWED, THANK YOU SO MUCH, I'LL DEDICATE THE NEXT CHAPTER TO YOU GUYS, I PROMISE. YEP, I P.R.O.M.I.S.E.!

reading and reviewing makes my whole day a lot better. :*

~divinecriticizer.