I need to apologize.

Gray looked up, startled at the thought that crept through his head as he cooked himself dinner. Normally, rejecting the blue-haired mage did not require an apology from him, because he knew that by the time he had mustered the courage to, she had already forgiven him.

But this time was different. He had been overly harsh with her. Just after they had become closer friends, too. She had been less stalkerish and was turning into one of his closest friends, though her feelings for him still overflowed often.

That girl just always speaks what's on her mind. He rolled his eyes fondly. And I always keep my feelings locked in…

His face grew dark again, his emotions once again getting the better of him. I can't love her as much as she loves me. She will just get hurt. I have to protect her.

He sighed and looked down at his dinner. He was, once again, eating alone. Gray had avoided the guild all day, not quite sure how to face Juvia. He was starting to get restless; though he tried to give off a 'chill' demeanor, he needed to blow off steam almost as much as Natsu. Avoiding the guild all day had left him feeling trapped.

After scarfing down his food and throwing the dirty dishes in the sink, he pulled on the shirt he had stripped off while making dinner, and then left his house for the woods nearby to train for a while.

An hour later he was covered in sweat and still feeling pent-up energy. No amount of push-ups were helping.

He sighed. He knew that training with his magic would make him feel better, but after the dreams and the encounter with Juvia, he was hesitant to.

Gray took a deep breath in. There was no one around for miles. Juvia would be safe.

He let out a bit of magical energy from his palm, creating ice patterns on a tree.

Let it go

Soon, an ice-make bird was flying through the air.

Let it go

A smirk danced on his face as his hands unconsciously stripped off his shirt

Can't hold it back anymore

Let it go, Let it go

He ice-made a rose, concentrating on the tiny details.

Turn away and slam the door

A cherry blossom tree followed, each ice petal glistening.

It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small, and the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all.

Gray took a deep breath in and let go of all the worries he was holding. He was far away, he couldn't hurt the girl. There was no danger and all would be okay.

He could do this. He would let his feelings for her go, he could still be her friend, but he would never grow close because he would hurt her.

Let it go.

He was in the middle of putting out as much ice magic as he could when he heard a familiar rustle in the bushes.

SHIT.

He froze, his magic falling around him.

It was worth a shot.

"Juvia, are you there?" his gruff voice broke through the silence.

He watched as her curvaceous figure rose from the bush where she had been spying on him. His breath hitched, as he was not emotionally unprepared to see her yet. One flash from her shy blue eyes, as she glanced at him and then at her feet, had his heart skipping a beat, reminding him that he did, indeed feel something for this girl.

But I still can't love her enough.

"Juvia is sorry, Gray-sama. Juvia just wanted to know if Gray-sama was alright. Something is wrong."

Gray snorted. Ain't that the damn truth. But he still needed to apologize.

"I'm fine, Juvia. And I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday." He struggled to keep his voice steady, struggled to suppress his emotions and the magic that bubbled within him.

"No, no, Juvia understands. All is forgiven."

He tried to keep his eyes from wandering, but he couldn't help it. He took her in, wanting so much to claim her. Almost unknowingly, he took a step toward her and reached out as though to touch her, but then his brain kicked in, and he turned, facing his back toward her, his arms cradling each other, the familiar dream haunting him. He would hurt her.

"You need to leave, Juvia." Conceal, don't feel.

But she was damn persistent, "Gray-sama, please tell Juvia what is wrong." He could hear her feet rustling the grass as she drew toward him.

"No Juvia, you need to stay away." He could feel his emotions in turmoil, his heart and head conflicting. He would hurt her. She needed to leave. Conceal, don't feel.

"Gray-sama . . ." her hand was brushing his shoulder. It sent a shudder through his body. He was losing control.

Conceal, don't…

"Leave!" he bellowed, turning and flinging his arm out.

And his magic.

It was too late.

A shot of ice flew out of his outstretched fingers, not needing the familiar release of magic words to be sent. He watched in horror as it struck her in the heart, the force of the push throwing her backwards, a small scream escaping her lips.

"Juvia . . ." he breathed out. Then he spurred into motion, rushing forward and gathering her in his arms.

Just as his dream, the ice latched onto her water-made body, freezing her in a pretty frost pattern. This time, it was from her heart, not her head.

He couldn't do this. He just couldn't deal with this.

His body began to shake with emotion. This was his fault, just as it was for all those before her.

The flutter of fingers on his cheek pulled him out of his emotional turmoil. He didn't realize he was crying until the tender fingers caught one of his tears.

"Juvia, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, I can't control… I couldn't control it… I'm..." His breath hitched.

"Gray-sama..."

The frost was kissing her chin, and he could feel the cold of her frozen body, feel the cold as it seeped through her freezing fingers.

He never felt the cold before.

Her deep blue eyes arrested his, and he leaned his forehead on hers. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to her.

Then he remembered the rest of the dream

Love can thaw a frozen heart.

He had to try. He got her in this mess, and he would get her out, even if it meant that she never wanted to see him again.

So he let his fears go. He had already hurt her, he couldn't hurt her more than killing her, as the frost was doing.

And she had truly stolen his heart.

He sighed in realization. He let the barrier in his heart come crashing down and was shocked at the feelings that came crushing through.

I've got to try. I can't live without her.

Her dying breath tickled his, the frost crossing her face. Yet, her eyes showed nothing but love and adoration. Even in his act, she still cared for him.

And that meant everything to him.

He allowed her gravity to pull him toward her, their lips brushing. "I love you, stay with me," he murmured. Closing the rest of the distance, his mouth crashed over hers frantically, pouring all his emotion into it. At the same time, he pressed a free hand over her heart, trying to draw the ice back into himself.

For a moment, she was still. Then her fingers faintly traveled from his cheek to the back of his head, growing in strength. They tangled in his hair, and her mouth began to move against his, passionately kissing him back.

He could feel the ice drawing out of her body, encasing his full arm in the frost.

As he could feel the last of the magic, he shoved his palm away from them, into the air, as the magic burst, shooting into the night sky.

Gray pulled back, their lips disconnecting.

The smile that graced her face and the absence of the poisonous frost made his heart flutter.

"Gray-sama…"

His lips crashed over hers again in relief.

She was okay…

He pulled back, leaning his forehead on hers, a grin splitting his face. His eyes met hers, and the normal love and adoration was still there. But this time, they reflected in his eyes.

Then her eyes flickered to the sky, causing her to gasp. "Gray-sama, look!"

He leaned up, seeing the snowflakes that kissed his face.

Then he smiled back down at the girl in his arms, watching as she was completely taken with the beauty of the snowflakes.

He had been mistaken. Letting go of his emotions meant to allow them to pour out, rather than keeping them pent up inside.

Just like Juvia always had.

A brush of his fingers on her cheek brought her gaze back to his. He would never hide his emotions from her again.

"I love you, Juvia."

The smile that split her face was worth every moment of his life until now. "I love you too, Gray."

Sorry it's been so long! I hope you enjoyed the end of the Frozen series. Next up, Beauty and the Beast!

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