Sorry for the super late update! I am so sorry! Seriously, I did not intend to take this long with it.
Lovely Buddy: I'm glad you are excited, that motivates me to keep going. Thank you!
SkyBlue24: You shall find out now...
LnknInsanity: Wait no longer...thanks!
leoslady4ever: Thank you, I am really happy that you enjoyed the description.
Kyto Touche: I am so sorry for the late delay. I know it has been a long time. I am trying to update as soon as possible, but it is pretty hard. Thank you, I enjoyed writing their argument. You shall see who...
lizzysakura21: Thank you! :)
88XeqtionerAngel88: Awww, really? Thank you. :)
Guest: The couples are not official yet, but I am glad you are enjoying this story.
PottsboroGirlie: Sorry, but it is not him.
MikageHime: I'm sorry that it was too short. I will try and make them longer...
Pandasalltheway: You shall find out soon enough. Thank you!
Yummit365: Thank you. I am happy that you think that, it truly means a lot. Thank you again.
Guest 2: The couples are not official yet, I apologize.
XoxoSilentSecretsXoxo: I'm sorry. Don't, please don't. Thank you.
casey10rok: And it loves you. I'm glad you are enjoying my story.
panicatthediscofreak7: Ah, yes...The rivalries. I'm glad you think so.
TheStoryTeller28: Thank you; you are one of the firsts to like it.
Shar2242: You shall find out soon.
Guest 3: Thank you! ~
Lady Lyset: I always found Lyon as a complex character and that his emotions should have been shown more so. Yet, I understand why he isn't completely used, I still feel as if he deserves a better showing of his emotions and a better understanding of himself.
Cupcakeyummy: I'm so glad you liked the autumn comparison/metaphor. Thank you, it means a lot. I'm really happy you enjoyed it.
Zaahara: I understand you, but I was actually leading up to Juvia's thoughts. I understand exactly how Juvia is and that she isn't just an obsessive stalker. I was saving up to put Juvia in. It was already set in stone of how the characters will be going and their sets in the story itself. But thank you for the concern and tips.
Eveyt1234 (Guest): Sorry again.
erzascarlet108: Thank you! And I apologize for this late update.
celestial-star (Guest): Thank you so much!
renoa-hime: Thank you so much! I am glad you think that and are enjoying the story! :)
ShatteredGreen: Thank you so much, it makes me smile so much to read that. Thanks!
Psyka: Well, wait no longer, you shall see who very soon.
anamangirl223: Well, here it is!
GrayLuForever (Guest): Now you shall know…
OoooO
Juvia had plunged herself into the pool, the water splashed out as her hands spread. She came up for some air, and then quickly went back to her swimming. Each stroke more powerful than the last, her mind clouded by words and things that replayed. Her first swim meet was in a few months; she wanted, no, needed to win.
"Juvia must beat last year's time..." the bluenette muttered as her feet kicked faster and more vigorously. Her arms continuing to move through the water quickly and powerfully.
Finally, she finished her last lap. She reached up to the edge and gripped tightly onto the stop watch. A scream of distaste escaped her throat. She lifted herself from the water and cringed. "Juvia...Juvia is not fast enough...three seconds behind..."
Juvia glanced down at the water, her reflection showing. She sighed in her own pity and turned back to find her towel. Once the blue and white striped fuzzy clothe was wrapped around her body, she slipped her white sandals on. Another pitiful sigh left her lips. She gently then moved the towel to her hair and dried it before she glanced up at the sky.
"Juvia misses Lyon…" The bluenette whispered to herself. Her blue eyes gazed at the fluffy clouds pass by and she sat herself on the benches as she sighed inwardly. "Love Rival… she took Gray and then takes Lyon…" Her eyes now flashing with sorrow and even self pity.
She wouldn't admit it to Lucy, but she did miss Lyon. A lot, in fact. She missed her long talks with him and his jokes. She missed talking to him in her room or his. She missed his smile and his laugh. She missed his cute blush at times and how he would stutter around her at a few moments. She missed his silver hair and his coal colored orbs. Overall, she missed him as a whole. She missed her best friend.
She sighed once more before standing a readying herself to go to the lockers. She went passing by and around the pool when she heard something.
"Juvia!"
She spun around as her name was called, her eyes curious at the familiar voice. Immediately after seeing who had called her, she rushed over to the fence.
"Lyon!" Her eyes lit up and a smile had crawled upon her face. "Lyon, what is happening? Juvia is happy to see you."
Lyon blushed slightly at her comment; he chuckled lightly as his hand slowly scratched the back of his neck. His coal orbs found their way down to the ground as he spoke, "Nothing new really… still adjusting to normal school life again. Oh, there is one thing though!"
Juvia smiled softly as he features softened completely, Juvia has missed your chuckle, Lyon. Your blush is so cute; Juvia has missed the sound of your voice as well. Juvia giggled at his composure and stretched a little before speaking. "What is the one thing that Lyon wants to tell Juvia?"
Lyon stared intently at the blue haired beauty. He wanted so badly to touch her and dare steal a kiss. A wish he has wanted for so long now. He smiled lightly, "You probably already know it though."
Juvia tilted her to the side, "Still tell Juvia." Her smile grew just a bit more.
Lyon had found some courage and nodded, "Well, there is this girl, Lucy is her name-"
Juvia's heart dropped as he mentioned her Love Rival. Juvia felt herself sinking a bit, no longer was she listening to her dear best friend, but now thinking of multiple scenarios.
What if Lyon says Love Rival is now Lyon's best friend? Or worse, he has fallen in love with Love Rival?! How dare Love Rival! Stealing Juvia's love and Juvia's best friend! Why must Love Rival do this!? Juvia doesn't have much… She only has Gray-sama and Lyon… Why? Juvia never… it doesn't make sense to Juvia…!
Lyon soon noticed that the bluenette was not listening to him. He saw how she looked down in a worrisome way and how her aura shifted completely. He sighed to himself, as cute as she may have looked, he wished she'd listen.
If it were Gray, she would have been paying attention… The silver haired male thought as he glanced away. Lyon, get a grip! Gain her attention!
Lyon then shook the fence in hopes it would awake the bluenette from her thoughts. Luckily, it had done so. Juvia's head popped up, "Yes, Lyon?"
He sighed once more, this time in his own pity. "Juvia, do you want to get something to eat?"
The bluenette nodded, "Let Juvia get cleaned and changed first!" Then the bluenette rushed off into the locker rooms.
Lyon chuckled to himself at her excitement, it made him smile. He slowly walked towards the gate opening of the pool and leaned against it. A soft smile still remained upon his features as he closed his eyes.
"Autumn is where the change is planted, then when winter comes along, it is safe beneath the ground and in its shelter. It is kept from harm, that way no one tries to alter the change you want. Finally spring walks in and your seed blossoms fully into the change you wanted. Everything comes together, but it wouldn't have started without the fall."
Lyon's smile grew as his eyes opened. "Lucy, your philosophy is ridiculous… but at the same time, it makes perfect sense." Lyon gently looked at his hands and sighed, "I finally have the courage to say something and try." He looked up at the sky as it changed slowly to an orange, red color, similar to the leaves that Lucy adored. His smiled remained, "Thank you, Lucy."
XxxxX
6:03 pm
Lucy hurried as fast as she could down the street. Her hands gripping tightly to grocery bags she had just bought. She had a huge grin on her face as she ran faster. Her eyes shone with so much happiness and joy that was seeping from her aura as well.
I'm coming home…
She jumped slightly with her grin shining brighter. You are coming home! I cannot wait to tell you everything! I have been waiting for so long to talk to you again. One on one… Lucy turned the corner sharply and giggled to herself. I'm making one of your favorite meals; I hope you will be satisfied!
Finally approaching her mansion gates, she carefully opened the gate and slid herself in. She walked through the front yard, smiling at every plant, statue, fountain, and everything in between. She giggled as she opened her front door and carefully snuck through her home. Upon making it to the kitchen, she prepared herself to make the meal she had gotten everything for.
She prepped the oven and started to prepare the meat. As she continued to look for a bowl big enough to marinate, she had heard a voice call her loudly. Well, more as one of the names that she was called.
"Princess!"
Lucy's head poked up as her eyes rolled softly at the male before her. She slowly stood as she gripped a bowl, "What is it now, Loke?" A small smile lingered in her voice as she turned away to cut a few carrots.
The suit wearing male grinned before walking towards the blonde. "I was surprised to see you in here. Why are you cooking?" He snaked his arms around hers and gripped onto the knife she held, "Allow your prince to take over from here."
Lucy puffed her cheeks out and turned around quickly, "Loke, go help Virgo or someone else! I am doing something important here!" She pointed her knife at him while her other hand landed on her hip as she continued to scold him. "I want to do this on my own!"
Loke chuckled at the blonde and ruffled her hair, "I will listen to you my princess, but let me help at least a little." He held his hand out to take her knife.
Lucy gave a skeptical look before reluctantly handing him the knife, "Just because I don't have as much time as I wish I did."
"There, there my sweet, allow your knight to take care of this for his fair maiden!" he said as he removed the knife from her grasp. He then attended to chopping more carrots and other vegetables for the meal Lucy was preparing.
Lucy rolled her eyes with a light chuckle before tending to the pork tenderloins she had bought earlier. She quickly took a glance at her phone to type a quick text message.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
XxxxX
Lyon smiled at his blue haired friend as she spoke about her grades and her determination to beat her time from last year by at least 30 seconds. He listened carefully and to every word, he always made sure to listen to every detail, afraid of even missing the smallest one. He could never get tired of her voice, even when she talked about Gray, he listened to everything. He stared at her as she moved her hands and made expressions which only his Juvia could make. He looked back at the sky; his ears open to her every word and his lips tugging into a soft smile of sheer bliss. His hands were casually in his white jacket pockets, while a sigh of content left his lips.
Juvia glanced over at her best friend for a moment to see his reaction, but for some reason, it was as if her blue eyes could not leave his facial features at the moment. The way the sun had been setting and the peaceful look upon his face gave her slight butterflies. Make those butterflies that rivaled hers that grew within the pit of her gut when she was with or around Gray. The light glistened through his silver tresses, his onyx eyes shone with a lovely gleam, his soft smile was so simple, yet it gave her heart a slight twist, his cheeks dusted with a very light, barely noticeable shade of pink, he looked absolutely handsome. Juvia's lips parted a little as she stared in awe at her best friend.
Lyon glanced over at the bluenette and raised his left eyebrow, "Something wrong Juvia?"
Juvia quickly looked away while her pale cheeks were set ablaze with red, "N-no! N-nothing is w-wrong with Ju-Juvia!" Her hands slapped onto her face as she closed her eyes and shook her head. What just happened?! J-Juvia has n-never been like this around Ly-Lyon…
Lyon chuckled a little before turning her head to look at her. He then pulled her closer and touched his forehead to hers, "Juvia, you must be really tired. Let's grab some food and then I'll walk you home, okay?"
Juvia stared at Lyon's calm face, his eyes shut while a serene smile lingered on his lips. Juvia's face grew a deeper shade of red, "Juvia… Juvia thinks that is a good idea…"
Lyon's smile grew as his eyes remain closed, "Very well, where does my beautiful Juvia wish to eat?"
"Be-beautiful?!" Her cheeks were now turning a scarlet red.
Lyon quickly stepped away while turning around; he took his wallet out and practically shouted, "Of course my sweet Juvia! It will be my treat!" He peeked over his shoulder to look at her and grinned.
Juvia looked down at her feet and mumbled softly, "Maybe… maybe some noodles…"
Lyon took her hand and smiled, "I had a feeling you'd either say that or maybe some fast food place." He then winked at her.
Juvia smiled brightly at her dear friend and then spun away. "Lyon knows Juvia so well!"
Lyon nodded, "Of course, I am your best friend!" I know everything about you… I love you….
Lyon looked at Juvia as she hurried away, he sighed to himself before rushing after her. He ran at her yelling at her, "JUVIA! WAIT FOR ME!"
…Juvia…
XxxxX
8:15 pm
Lucy sat at her huge dining table waiting patiently. A sigh escaped her lips. She looked at her phone again, she had not gotten a reply from the last message she had sent.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
She rubbed her eyes and stared at the food she had prepared. Lucy began to text someone she hadn't in a long while. The moment the text had been sent, a memory of today flashed through her mind.
Lucy was slightly shocked at Juvia's coldness, but it made her anger rise a bit. "Juvia, Lyon is your best friend, but you rarely spend time with him." Lucy glared at the bluenette.
Juvia shot a glare back, "Juvia has tried, but Lyon is always with Love Rival." Her blue eyes flaring with unknown rage, venom spewing out of her words.
Lucy scoffed, "A really friend would try harder." Lucy was not in the mood for trying to restrain Juvia, nor did she want to try and convince Juvia otherwise like she always did.
Juvia scrunched her nose up as a low snarl emitted from her throat. "What about you, Love Rival? How hard do you try when it comes to Gray-sama?" She adjusted her hat while buttoning her blue flannel.
Lucy closed her eyes and gripped onto the fabric of her dress tightly, several tears dared to escape her brown orbs. She bit her bottom lip as her thoughts created a black hole within her heart. Gray probably hates you now… all you do is hang out with Lyon now, he probably thinks that you must like hanging out with Lyon more than hanging out with him. He is your best friend… and you threw him to the curb…
Lucy rubbed her eyes, a memory flashed in her mind.
A small portion of her blonde locks were tied in a tiny side pony on the side of her head. She sighed lightly as she held her soda in her hands. She looked up at her friend as he stared at the sky. She gently looked down at her feet before taking a deep breath, finally, she spoke.
"Gray…"
The raven haired male turned slightly to look at her and gave a light grin, "Yo!" His hand rose and his navy eyes lit with excitement.
Lucy shifted a bit and then muttered, "Do you like me?"
Gray's face grew hot and flushed at her question.
Lucy quickly waved her hands as her eyes widened, "No! Not like that! I mean, do you like me for who I am?" Sadly though, her soda had spilled and Gray's white shirt was stained red.
Lucy screamed and started to press her napkin on the red spot. "I'm so sorry!"
Gray chuckled and then removed his shirt, "It's fine, no problem Luce." Gray then held her face by cupping it and stared into her eyes, "Of course I like you. You are like, no, you are my best friend."
Lucy's cheeks were now stained red, "R-really?" She smiled lightly and pulled herself away, "You really think that much of me…?"
The sun had been setting. The sky painted with vivid reds, purples, oranges, and blues; the breeze gentle, innocent, like her question. The pavement beneath them had cracks; it was cool now, no longer under the blazing sun, but waiting for the starry night.
Gray chuckled to himself, "You are always so insecure about everything. You don't even consider yourself smart." His face then became serious, "Of course, Lucy, you are seriously my best friend. Nobody else gets me like you do."
Lucy glanced up at her dear friend, her eyes glimmered with hope, "But… you don't even know about me… you'll just end up like everyone else." She shut her eyes as bitter thoughts consumed her, she shook her head in fury as those ugly memories resurfaced. "You will just end up getting what you want and then leave me like everyone always has."
She only said these things because she really cared about Gray; he was her best friend.
Gray stared coldly at her and then rough gripped her wrists. The soda long forgotten as it fell; her eyes went wide as she stared at him. Gray then harshly spoke, "You think that little of me!?" His eyes swirled with anger and pain, his hands tightened around her wrists as he pinned her against the back wall of the gym. "I've known you since the beginning of the year! I haven't left you! I have been here for you since and I am still here! I have told you everything about me… everything… I have helped you through your heartbreak with Natsu! I am still here, fucking damnit Lucy! I am not going to leave you!"
Lucy shook to escape his grip, "Gray! You don't even know who I am?! You will end up using me because I'm-"
"WHAT?! Because you're what?! Nothing is ever going to change that I am here to stay! I don't give a rat's ass that you are a Heartfilia!"
Lucy stood stunned at him.
"I've known it since the first week we met. To be honest," He chuckled lightly, "I thought you'd be a snob… but you turned out to be amazing. I trust you Lucy, please don't doubt me anymore. Like I said before, you are my best friend. And those idiots who used you were just pricks. Fucking idiots, don't you dare compare me to them, because I'm not leaving you." Gray stared deep into her eyes.
Lucy nodded slowly as tears leaked from her eyes. She trembled and started to drag down to the floor. Gray let her go to pick her up, but was tackled in a warm embrace. He hugged back and smiled, "Go ahead and let it out, I don't mind."
Lucy finally managed to choke out, "I'm not leaving you either… you are my best friend too." She pulled away to look at him, "I promise I won't." her pinkie then extended out.
Gray held his pinkie out and let out a snicker, "I promise you too."
Lucy stared at her phone for the longest before muttering to herself, "I wouldn't blame you if you didn't respond." Her eyes filled to the brim with liquid, but she quickly rubbed them away. She took in a deep breath and set her phone down on the table as she stared at the candle flickering away.
9:30 pm
Lucy stared at dress. It's the one he got me last year… Her eyes gazed over at the clock and then back at the food. It's freezing by now… he might have hit traffic… Lucy stared at the candle that had been set since 7:55 exactly. It had melted more than half way now.
She stared at her lap again and sighed again. She heard her phone buzz. Instinctively, she grabbed a hold of the smart phone and looked to see who texted her. Her heart dropped slightly, it was not who she wished it was. But, still she was happy someone else replied.
Yo!
Lucy quickly responded.
What's up?
Lucy then heard a loud slam. Her eyes went wide as she set her phone down and composed herself as fast as she could. She scooted her seat in and nodded to herself preparing her greeting. As the footsteps approached, she readied herself for this moment. The footsteps ceased. Her head looked up and with a smile she spoke calmly, "Welcome home, father. I have missed you."
Her smile soon faded and her eyes went dull.
"Capricorn, why is he not here yet? Traffic?" There was hope in that question.
"Miss, I apologize. Your father is unable to come after all. He had another business meeting come up; he will not be coming back for another week or so." He spoke with sorrow.
Lucy looked down at her lap and stared at the fabric of the gown she wore. She trembled, "It's fine, it isn't your fault."
Capricorn slowly approached his Miss with care, "Miss, I know that you are hurt about it, but it will be okay. It shall get better."
Lucy stood abruptly, her hand swiftly gripped onto her phone and she rushed off without speaking a word. She ran up the stairs, kicking her heels off. She rushed through the halls, ripping pieces of her dress and scattering them upon the floor of the hallways. Tears went streaming down her face, her nails dug into her skin almost making her bleed. Then her door swung open and slammed shut echoing throughout the whole house.
Lucy screamed in her bed as she cried away. "I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!" She punched her pillow over and over again. Her screams and howls continued. "I have held it in for as long as I could! I can't take it anymore!" She slipped down from her bed onto her wooden floorboards. She banged her head back against her bed multiple times, "I'm sorry for what I've done! I'm sorry for being a disappointment of a daughter… I'm sorry… do I really deserve to be ignored…?"
She stared at her phone, "Not even a text message."
That's when she looked at the message that came in.
Not much, what are you up to?
Lucy bit her bottom lip and slid the screen. She placed the phone to her ear and mumbled softly, "Please pick up… please, Gray… I really need you."
XxxxX
And as one soul dies and breaks from within, one takes flight and prepares to soar forever. Another is damaged and living with a growing hole of loneliness, as the other dances in a joyful bliss. Four have already taken a step to the impaling doom that awaits their utter foolishness of the blindness they all put up. But those walls are slowly being taken apart until they are no longer stable enough and crumble to the ground.
OoooO
Lyon has not ever really expressed his feelings for Juvia, just so you know. Dark themes will be coming around and mature themes as well. I hope you enjoyed this chappie, even though it was a bit rushed and not all too great.