vampgirliegirl: Indeed, a sad Lucy... I am not aiming for hate towards Juvia though. Her feelings and choices are rash and I try to keep her as close to being in character and realistic. Thank you for your support as well; it means a whole bunch to me! :3
lizzysakura21: Let's find out! ;)
RebeccaCrystalVermillionLohr: Thank you! :) I try to update as quickly as I can.
DeathKitsune666: I am really happy you like the story! Graylu is on the way, not now... but soon. Sprinkles every here and there too!
Gracy-chan: Yes. :D I live for cliffhangers... sorry! :/ It is my thing I do sometimes, but I hear you, I'm not too fond of them either.
Raiza-chan: I love making stories/characters as realistic as possible, which leads to their choices and actions. So, Juvia's actions may not be handled in a rational manner, but then again, in the situation it is understandable. And I am sorry for making your heart hurt :c
XxX12KeysXxX: Your review brought me close to tears. Thank you so much for the support and your kind words. I am insecure about my work (it took me forever to gain the courage to post), but my fellow readers/authors give me the courage to keep going. :) Thank you again and I really try to make it appealing and realistic!
XOXODGE-J: Thank you. I am much better now, it is still a bit of a struggle, but manageable. I am a bad person for updating so willy-nilly... but my schedule is a little better now, so let's cross our fingers and I hope I can write lots again!
Nashi'sLittleBaby: Yes... yes, he is.
Guest: I write! I write! I write! For you! (I'm so very weird.)
Lolz2338: Selfishness! It brings jealousy and makes the world into a mess! But it is nice... sometimes... to just care for yourself! :) anywho... thank you!
Guest 2: I am continuing! And thanks! The Graylu is on thy way! :)
Jozanimelover: Thanks! I'm glad you think so and are enjoying the story! :)
vampiremina2003: Thank you!
OoooO
"They say this world is cruel.
They say that our hearts are tainted red.
They say these dreams will fade in time.
They say the words are nothing.
They speak from experience.
So, let's prove them wrong."
~ Maurilia. M.
It was the silence that she savored the most. The sweet feeling of the warmth that came from the hand being held. It was a simple touch, simply platonic. It was a nice feeling.
Her eyes closed for a moment, all her thoughts that twisted around in a massive glob of hate just started to dissipate. Even for a moment, it gave her time to keep some peace. Her chest falling as she breathed out a heavy sigh before letting herself speak.
"Lyon," she had started turning her head towards him and opening her eyes.
The silver haired male looked over at her, "Hmm?"
She smiled, "I'm better. Thank you." Her legs swung and her feet stamped hard on the ground to make herself stand. The lights in her eyes were bright and her face hinted no pain or feelings of sorrow.
Lyon grinned at her antics before he stood himself, "Well, shall we go to the store and get something to eat?"
The blonde shook her head quickly, "No, I actually have to get going. Gotta study for a major Chemistry test tomorrow!" She poked his chest with a stern look. Her features softened into a warm smile, "Rain check for later, kay?"
"Kay."
With her final act of a hug, she rushed out towards another way out of the garden. Lyon had laughed a bit seeing her almost fall (her coat got caught on a branch), then he turned to grab his bag when blue caught his eye. He looked there to see his brother and his best friend (aka the utter love of his life) there: her arm tangled in his brother's.
Oh, life was ever so cruel to him.
He gave a brief grin, his hand turned into a simple wave and he took a hold of his bag. "Hey there, Juvia." His eyes cast towards his brother, "Gray." He gave a nod before walking towards them. "Need something?"
"Just came to see Luce," Gray stated, eyes slightly narrowed.
Lyon raised a brow and soon brought his attention to Juvia who was now staring at Gray hard while squeezing his arm tightly. Her face shadow sadness and eyes growing duller by the second. He sighed, "She just left a bit a go... just missed her."
A hand ran through Gray's raven hair, "Darn, planned on taking her out for some food." His eyes narrowed more as they stared at Lyon. He glanced down at Juvia, "Lyon, wanna join us for something?"
"YES! Great idea, Gray-sama!" Juvia gave a delightful chirp. "Lyon, please?" She tilted her head and then let go of Gray to bounce over to Lyon. "Please?" her lashes started to bat at him.
Lyon's face grew hot as he glanced away from her, "I suppose, no harm to be done." He grinned with rosy cheeks and in return, Juvia smiled brightly and danced a bit.
"Lyon and Gray-sama and Juvia!" she giggled while tangling her arms in theirs as she led the way out.
XxxxX
The week had left us… it passed by fast.
Juvia subdued her aches and temper, Gray-sama and Lyon weren't caught in Love Rival's web.
Lyon kept in contact with his two closest friends, keeping them around and avoiding his sister's wrath… quietly mouthing his love.
Gray's bubbling jealousy grew as his best friend started to grow more comfortable around his twin.
Lucy dug up holes and placed poles to start to build her lovely cage once again.
"The things we know won't last…
For some reason, it keeps me hanging on."
My eyes opened slowly, I felt some breeze upon me, the sounds of rustles and crunches. Very slowly, I sat up, my hand rubbing my eye as I yawned quietly. Simple arm stretches as another yawn left my lungs.
"Did you actually fall asleep?!"
My head turned to face him, "Yes, I did."
"How?!" His onyx eyes wen wide as he glanced at the stone bench.
"I haven't been sleeping well, that's all." I yawned, my eyes still noticed his uneasy, stiff form. "Lyon, seriously, chill out."
He scrunched his nose up and sat beside me. His hand gently touched my hair before rolling his eyes, "I'm afraid that I'm just concerned about your back. Stone isn't exactly suitable for you to sleep on."
Rolling my eyes, my tongue poked out, "Whatever."
"Lucy," he started giving me his stern-mother look.
"Did I say whatever? Because I meant: whatever!" my hand clamped on his mouth. His eyes narrowed into a scowl before he poked his tongue out, licking my hand. "Gross!" my hand basically ran from his mouth.
He smirked and I really wanted to slap it off him. It's be easy, he wouldn't see it coming, so very easy. But then a voice called out, one we both knew, "Luce!" His attention snapped upward towards the voice, my head turned quickly to my nickname.
"Gray!" I jumped out of my seat and embraced him fully, "Gray, where have you been the past few days?" His hair all ruffled now from impact and his eyes holding contentment, his hand soon messed with my hair.
"Been here and there, you?" his reply was cool, much like his atmosphere. He smirked whilst my hands shooed his arm from my head.
I huffed air, "Busy." My eyes narrowed the slightest bit before he flicked my forehead.
"You have plans for Christmas?" he asked me while looking at Lyon. "Did you ask yet?"
"I was about to…" Lyon grumbled lowly. Soon, his presence was beside my own which allowed me to lean against him with a smile.
"Not really," I replied, eyes searching the changing sky. November went by, things happened and some of which I want to forget, yet, I could help but smile at the two important friends I had right now. My hands grabbed Gray's, "Why? You inviting me over?" My eyes went big as my head tilted.
A rumble against my back as Lyon made a short sound, "Actually, yes." I leaned my head back all the way to look at Lyon who in return stared down at me. He grinned while Gray smirked (I knew he was, he always did), I smiled happily and nodded.
"I'll join you guys, sounds like a blast!" I swirled away to pick up my things and then did a small salute, "Two weeks until break, which should give me time to get a gift for everyone!" I counted on my fingers a moment, "Yup! It'll be a blast!"
"We'll tell everyone you said yes." Gray commented. Lyon just snickered at me. These two guys made me happy and I wanted that to stay. The loneliness didn't tag along, it just starts to fade and keeping it would be nice. These walls I have built are not to be torn down for my protection, but I want more than anything is for them to be breached, whether by me or by someone else.
XxxxX
"Hello?"
"Juvia, question!"
"Yes, Lyon?"
"Wondering if you'd like to drop by for Christmas dinner on Christmas of course."
"Juvia would love to! Juvia loves being with Lyon and Gray-sama's family!"
"Great, well I'll talk to you later, mom's calling."
"Juvia will wait for Lyon's call."
"Bye, Juvs."
"Bye-bye, Lyon!"
Juvia smiled brightly, happy that Lyon thought of her to invite for Christmas. Juvia knew it was a bonus really, being with Lyon again and even Gray-sama. But Juvia really didn't care for Gray so much, more so her friendship with Lyon, her best friend. It bothered her a great deal, the relationship she built with him and seeing it crumble over somebody else was foolish.
Deep breathing and closing her eyes made her feel better, but somewhere in that fragile heart of hers, she was ready to burst.
Like a ticking time bomb, the explosion is nearing and inevitable…
OoooO
Done! Haha! Well... I'm in a mood, so, guess what?!
You get another chapter soon! ;)