The next morning, Gray arrived early at the guild. His usual routine was set aside as he settled himself beside the mission board.
The guild doors opened, revealing the water mage. He was right because her first destination is to go at where he is. She spotted him and a smile graced her lips.
He greeted her first before pushing himself off the wall.
"You're early today, Gray-sama." she said, running her fingers smoothly on the board, reading the contents carefully. Her index finger stopped at particular post before it moved again.
His black eyes were on hers before he looked away, remembering what he planned for today. He cleared his throat and looked across the board as well.
"You notice, huh?"
She glanced at him, "You always comes in the afternoon." She said simply, her eyes returning on the board. "Are you here to get a job?" she smiled.
He nodded, furrowing his brows forward, showing her that he's been contemplating about getting a mission today. "How about you?" he asked and he knew how stupid his question was.
She bobbed her head, her blue curls bouncing.
Silence came to them as Juvia busied herself from choosing, Gray was unsure what else to talk about. He thought for a moment before facing her, clearing his throat. "Do you mind if I tag along?"
She blinked before turning her head on him. "You want to go on a job with Juvia?"
"Well if that's okay to you?"
She jumped on her spot, clinging to him. He was intrigued on how she looked different from the other day. Juvia was clearly down and not in the mood, but now he thinks that she finally recovered from her short-time depression.
But he knew deep inside that there's something made her like that and he plans to ask her later, after they choose a job.
"How about this one?" she suggested, pointing at a poster. "The amount of jewel is fair enough, we can split it and-"
"Nah," he shrugged. "You can have it all." One of the possible reasons he could think on why she's acting differently is because she has some problem concerning money. Maybe without actually trying anything, he could already help her.
A blush appeared on her cheeks, she bit her lip, thinking quietly.
The water mage really needs money. She received a serious letter the other day, it concerns her past life and she knew that she needs to travel right away. She needs to confirm something and she has no money to support her right now.
"B-but that's not fair."
Oh, maybe Gray hit something.
"It's okay, don't worry."
"But it's Gray-sama's idea. S-she has no right to accept all the money, technically, it should be split."
She's pretty stubborn if she really wants to. Gray thought, he crossed his arms in front of him, looking down on her. "I can do whatever I want with my money, and I choose to give it to you, what's wrong with that?"
She puffed her cheeks, her eyes pointing. "That's not how it should be!" she said, her voice higher than usual. Gray was surprised and took a step back. The water mage realized what she had done and slumped her shoulders in dejection.
She's been having some emotional roller coaster, she can't control everything that passes on her mind, it was all jumbled inside and she was clearly affected by the news that reached her a few days ago.
Her temper changed and her mood swings only worsened.
"I-im sorry." She lowered her gaze on his chest. This is not how it should end up, Gray was only being kind, he didn't mean any harm. "Maybe it's better if we don't go together this time."
Gray fought the urge to shake her.
"…"
She took a step back and snatched a paper on the board, without looking at it or at him, she turned on her heel, her eyes still down cast.
He was frozen to his spot, knowing that what he wanted to happen today didn't go according to him and to his 27-year old self's plan.
Maybe he would get an earful later when he gets home?
"I screwed up." Gray raised his palms in the air when he entered his home. He sensed that he wasn't clearly alone, knowing that his other self has paid him another visit.
A figure moved on his couch.
"Congrats, idiot." A deeper voice said, Gray didn't turned to look at him, removing his boots and coat.
"What are you doing here?"
"Im here because I knew that you would mess things up. Do you know what really happened during this time?"
Gray sighed, rolling his eyes as he flopped himself on the couch. Both of them were seated oppositely at the farthest corner of the couch.
"I can still remember it; she's the one who invited me but I rejected it. I told her that I am already committed on going with my team by the next morning."
"Really?" asked Gray boringly, looking at his ceiling. He relaxed his shoulders, trying his best to listen to this older Gray.
"But the truth is I lied. We are not really going on a mission the next day." Old Gray shrugged, relaxing on his seat as well.
Gray blinked. "Why did you lie to her?"
Without any hesitations, the man from the future said, "Simply because I didn't consider her. I didn't know that she had a problem that time, that she's only being like that because she seeks comfort from me. She really wanted to tell me something but she never had the chance because I rejected her." He paused, breathing in. "I was an idiot and I wish that you won't end up like me this time. I don't want you to suffer the same tragedy as me."
"…"
"You love Juvia, you just don't know it yet." Smiled the man.
Gray's cheeks pinked but he remained silent, still staring upwards.
"Her mind is in chaos," started the man again. "Gajeel was on a month-long mission and she doesn't have anyone to talk to. She still hesitates if she could really open up to you, Juvia is a very selfless girl, she doesn't want to burden anyone, especially… us."
Gray exhaled, letting his older self's word sink inside his mind.
"She'll have a mission at Genuina town tomorrow, be at the station before eight. She values time and I know that she's going to be happy if she sees you there. Just tell her that you want to come, nothing really matters right now but her safety."
"What will happen tomorrow?" asked the ice mage quietly.
"I can't spoil you anymore," smirked the man, he removed his cloak off his head, leaning the back of his head on the couch. "From now on, you must figure things with yourself, I'll show up if you need a guide, just remember that Juvia is our main priority, do understand what Im saying?"
Gray only closed his eyes.
Like what the man from the future said, Gray arrived earlier on the said train station. His things were packed neatly on a large backpack. He glances at the huge clock hanging at the entrance before looking ahead, searching for a certain girl.
Exactly ten minutes before eight, he finally saw Juvia's blue hair among the crowd. He couldn't resist but to smile when he knew that she already saw him. She was looking at him as she made her way towards his direction, confusion covering her beautiful face.
"There you are." He jogged to meet her half-way. He learned that it would lighten up their mood if he carried some of her belongings and he did. He reached down to get her purple tote bag, smiling in the process. The blue-haired girl let him, her face still twisted in confusion. She didn't talk until they reached the platform, waiting for the train.
"What are you doing here, Gray-sama?" she frowned.
He shrugged, adjusting the straps of his bag so he could make some space for her bag over his shoulders. "I hope you don't mind if I come too."
"That is very unlikely of you, Gray-sama." She lifted an eyebrow at him, still staring.
"I can be unpredictable too, If I want."
She bit her lower lip, hard enough to make it red. "B-but Mira-san already signed the job form, it was only Juvia who's going in this job, Gray-sama might get in trouble…"
"Nah," he smiled at her sideways, "I can explain it to her after, I know that she wouldn't mind too."
"B-but-!"
"Are you really against this? I even woke up early today." He tried to make her guilty for that moment. "Don't worry, I promise not to meddle. Just let me have an eye to you."
"But why?" she said breathlessly. The train finally arrived, sending a violent air around them.
He also thought for a moment.
"Why did Gray-sama suddenly cares so much? It confuses Juvia."
The train doors slid apart, some of the passengers boarding the train.
"Please don't get Juvia wrong, she's in fact happy but it really confuses her, why?"
"Then what's wrong with it? We're comrades and it's our job to look after each other." He looked away, a blush forming on his cheeks.
"Oh," she blinked and carefully peeled her eyes off him. "G-gray-sama's right." She smiled sadly. She thought that maybe he already realized something about her, but she was wrong after all.
.
The ride was quite for most of the time. Gray felt an undeniable feeling that he must keep their atmosphere lively, he doesn't want to feel awkward around this girl. It was very unrealistic for him to consider patching the air around them in good condition, but he was a responsible man so he would do it even though he wasn't used to it.
"Juvia, what do you think of-"
A light weight was pressed on his arm. He looked down and saw her leaning to him, from his perspective, he could see her eyes were firmly closed and judging by how she looks, she's seemed to be deep in sleep.
His face became warm as he noticed her body being incredibly pressed on him, he placed his elbow on the window sill and cupped his cheek as he stared on the moving scene outside the train.
He swallowed when he felt her head being swayed, and it was dangerously sliding forward. She might end up with a red nose if he didn't steady her. With his free hand, he gripped her shoulder, gentle as if he's holding a cradle, his nose scrunched in concentration, eyes narrowing. He succeeded by leaning her head on the soft couch head behind them, but her head stubbornly swayed forward and he cringed, imaging her neck snapping because of the force. He placed the side of her head back on his shoulder and sighed.
When he looked forward, he was shocked to see 27 year-old Gray grinning at him. He was seated across them, his arms in front of his chest.
"That's a very lewd move."
Gary clicked his tongue. "It wasn't!" he hushed, Juvia budged, pressing her cheeks firmly on his.
The ice mage stiffened.
"Relax." Chuckled the old man.
Gray scowled deeply. "You're not helping."
His older version flashed him a hurtful look. "I exist in this dimension because I am helping you." He answered wisely before his eyes traveled down to look at the beauty beside Gray.
A sad smile appeared on his face, he stood up, the movement of the train didn't even made him lose his balance. He lifted a hand forward and touched Juvia's cheeks faintly, it went through like he was a ghost.
Gray was staring at him quietly, watching his movements. His older version was careful and gentle, if he were to compare things, it looks like he was carefully plucking a flower, careful not to damage it beside from pulling it off its roots.
He retracted his hand and placed it on his hips instead, sighing. "Tell me, how are you feeling?" he asked his younger version.
Gray contemplated for a minute, glancing at the blue-haired girl from the corner of his eyes. "It feels weird."
"What kind of weird?"
He blinks, there's no reason for him to lie, right?
"Like I don't want to see her sad anymore," he shook his head. "It's really weird."
The older man smiled. "I'll be back, I don't know when but please," he paused, his eyes softening. "please, don't do anything stupid. Just take your time acknowledging those new found feelings and don't make my Juvia upset."
"Tsk, who wants to see their nakama upset?"
"Still nakama, eh?"
He shrugged and Juvia's head moved again. He carefully placed his palm on her forehead, steadying her. "If you're going then go already, I don't need your counseling."
The man grinned. "I need to hurry, Erza might be looking for me."
Gray closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened it again, his 27-year old self has disappeared.
Juvia seemed to be in a good mood when they arrived at their location. Gray offered to carry her things and she gladly accepted it.
"Were here!" she smiled, sniffing the fresh air. The town of Genuina seemed to be a very peaceful place. From what Gray could see, it was covered with rice plantations, the abundant resource of food what incredibly amazing.
"What is your job all about by the way?"
Juvia smiled. She pulled a paper from her pocket and unfolded it. She walked closer to him, their arms touching as she showed him the paper.
"Juvia is going to help an elderly to harvest some rice, the job requires a young individual who can work double time for the upcoming festival. J-juvia even brought her own yukata." She laughed, silly because she really wanted to attend the festival after the job.
Gray frowned. He thought that the job was dangerous and he wanted to slap himself because whatever reason he has, he should've check the information more.
"Let's go now. Juvia must meet oba-chan and start the job already, Juvia can't waste time."
He followed her along the way, unknown to the water mage, Gray never removed his gaze away from her. The ice mage was still oblivious to the fact that his heart had been pounding the whole time.
AN: An update! Thank you for waiting patiently, I love you all!