Pairing: Gray Fullbuster x Juvia Lockser

Rating: T for Teen

Words: 626

Juvia and his relationship had no title to it. He had simply given her a spare key one morning, and she asked no questions, though her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she realized what she was holding. They would sit on his couch together, read books and chat together. She would cuddle close and he wouldn't argue. He would lay little kisses on the top of her head, some times her cheeks, but he avoided her lips.

Once he kissed her lips, he was sold forever. He couldn't admit it, but that was exactly what he wanted. He had half hoped the woman would conjure up her own initiative and kiss him herself, but she seemed happy with his little pecks from time to time.

She always left before night fell. Sometimes he walked her home, sometimes he didn't. Again, there were no questions asked. Juvia seemed to take what she could get. Holding him close when she had the chance, and letting go before she became too attached.

Gray had become so used to it, that he was sure things would never change.

It was a cold night in December, when the scent of coffee awoke Gray. He glanced at his clock to see that it was only half past midnight, awfully late for a cup of coffee. However, he slid out of bed anyway, and began to slink towards the kitchen. Juvia must have had a surprise waiting for him. He smiled at the thought, but as he neared the kitchen, he saw the lights were off, and there was no sound of a kitchen appliance brewing the coffee. His footsteps slowed as he neared his kitchen, and reality began to set in.

His mind rewound to two months prior…a rainy battlefield, a ruthless enemy, and blood—so much blood. And Juvia was crumpled up in his arms, holding back her tears, whispering to him. He begged her not to speak, to just hold on.

"Just please tell Juvia once, Gray…" Her breath was so unsteady. Gray's heart felt like it would shatter at any moment. "Even it's a lie, please say it. It is Juvia's… final wish."

"It's not the end, Juvia! Just hang on! Wendy will make it soon!" He cried out, though Wendy had no idea where they were. Lucy and Natsu were doing all they could just to hold the enemy back at the moment.

"Please, Gray…" Juvia pleaded, and gripped his hand. Or at least tried—she was so weak.

"It's not a lie. I promise it's not a lie." Tears streamed from his eyes. Then he felt Juvia's grip weaken, before her hand slipped on the ground.

"Juvia?" He whispered, "Juvia! Juvia, wake up!" He shouted as loud as he could. "I didn't even say it yet, goddammit Juvia!"

And he held her tight against him, cursing himself more than anything.

Gray shook, standing right outside of his kitchen, afraid to take another step.

"That's right…" He said to himself with a shaky voice. "Juvia is dead."

Fresh tears began to roll down his cheeks. "Then why does it still smell like you, Juvia? Why does it feel like you're still here? Are you stalking me like you used to?" Gray collapsed to his knees and his slammed the floor with his fist. "How could you do this to me Juvia?!" He began to shout, "How could you die without letting me tell you that I loved you?! Isn't that what you always wanted?! How could you, Juvia?!"

Gray's head hung low as his tears hit the floor.

"If you love me so much, why did you leave me?"