Chapter 8: Letting Go

"Um.." She didn't know what to say. But there is another thing on her mind.

"Juvia has to go, Zumi-chan. Tell Gray that Juvia left okay? Sorry." Zumi wasn't able to answer because she already left. But Zumi didn't have to tell Gray. He saw her leave the room with her sruff. He followed her outside then stopped her, holding her wrist.

"Juvia, Why are you leaving?" He was looking down because he couldn't show his face to her after what he did.

"Gray?" She turned.

"Juvia.. I'm so sorry. I didn't know.. I didn't mean to steal your first kiss. I'm sorry. I really am.." He said.

"Gray, Juvia has to-" She tried tugging her arm away. Gray suddenly pulled her and hugged her tight.

"Don't leave me.. I... I love you.." Juvia's eyes narrowed. Soon, she felt tears drop on her shoulder. Gray was.. Gray was crying.. She didn't say anything. She felt glad to hear him tell her that. She knows that it was her dream. It was all she ever wanted. To hear those three words from him.

"Juvia.. Didn't you hear me? I lo-"

"I did. I heard you Gray.. And Juvia is glad to hear those words from Gray.." She got loose from Gray's hug.

"But.. Juvia has to go.. Bye Gray." She stepped back and ran away as soon as she said good bye.

Gray fell to his knees, feeling so much pain in his heart. He just knelt there as he watched Juvia slowly lose his sight. That was the end.. Juvia didn't like him anymore. Even a bit. She rejected his love. He was nothing more but a friend. Or is he even a friend? He raised his hand, trying to reach out for Juvia, but there was nothing he can do..

He went back to the inn, finding Zumi knocking on his door. He wiped his face and approached her. He was lookeing down and had his hair covering his eyes so she won't notice.

"What?" He said.

"Juvia wanted me to tell you that she l-"

"Yeah.. I know that." He cut her sentence.

"Well, okay.." She mumbled then left. After a few seconds, he realized that she might know something. He called her out then opened his door wide.

"Come in.." He mumbled. Zumi smiled then walked in the room. She sat down on the couch and waited for Gray to speak.

"Do you know where she went?" he asked plainly.

"She said something about going for Lyon.." She said. Gray's heart broke to pieces. Juvia. Was Going. For Lyon. Lyon... He clenched his fists.

"Um, she said something about Crocus.." She added.

"C-crocus?" He looked up.

"Yes.. But, if you plan on following her, take me back to Balsam first. Otherwise, you won't get your reward." She said.

"Ugh. Right. get out. Be early tomorrow." He opened the door. Zumi was a bit irritated because of his way of speaking but she understood that he was in a bad mood.

Meanwhile with Juvia...

She ran as fast as she could. It was late at night, but she didn't care. She just wanted to reach Crocus as soon as possible. She waited at the train station for a few minutes then a train arrived. Crocus was a bit far from Hargeon so it was going to be a long ride. There were only few passengers because it was late. It was already 11 pm that time. She sat down and leaned on the window. Even though she was tired, she couldn't sleep. There were words repeating in her mind over and over again.

"I'm coming for you, Lyon.. Wait for me.." She thought. It kept on going in her mind. 4 hours passed, she wasn't sleeping yet. Although, they wee already near Crocus. After another 2 hours, She finally reached her destination. When she got off the train, she smiled as she looked around.

"I'm here.." She mumbled. She ran immediately to the park. She ran as fast as she could, not caring about how tired and sleepy she was, about what she looks like and what the people think about what she's doing.

She stopped when she reached the park. Her smile fell in to a frown. She fell on her knees then cried. She was facing down, with her hands on the ground as she cried. Lyon wasn't there.. After a few minutes, she decided to sit on the bench and wait for him to arrive. Many reasons went in Juvia's mind. She thought maybe he just rested for a while. Maybe he just went to grab something. Until she thought negatively. Maybe he got tired. Maybe he gave up on waiting.. Maybe... Maybe..

She drifted to sleep while thinking of reasons why Lyon wasn't there. She fell asleep on a cold hard metal bench. She rested for an hour. So it was already 6 am. Her eyes were still closed. Her eyebrows twitched when she felt herself leaning on a soft and cool 'thing'. She fluttered her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked to her right and saw nothing but the grass. She looked to her left..

"Lyon?" Her eyes were tearing up. Lyon was smiling at her. they stared into each other's eyes for a moment.

"Lyon!" She smiled and cried at the same time. She hugged Lyon as tight as she could.

"Juvia.. You came so early." He joked as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"J-juvia thought Lyon g-gave up on her.. Juvia was s-scared.." She was crying hard.

"It's all right.. I'm here.. There's nothing to be afraid of. I just went to grab coffee then when I came back, I found you here.." He said.

"Juvia missed Lyon! I missed you so much.." She continued crying. Lyon felt something when he heard her say that she missed him. He had a feeling that she was hurt.

"Juvia, what happened?" He said. She stopped hugging him and sat properly.

"Gray s..." She was hesitating to tell him or not. Hearing the name 'Gray', Lyon knew immediately that he did something again..

"What did Gray do?!" He was angry.

"He stole.. Juvia's first kiss.." His eyes narrowed. He groaned and stood up, but Juvia held his wrist.

"Don't mind it, Lyon. What's important is Lyon's with Juvia.." She mumbled. He sat down and put his arms around her.

"Let's get some rest, Juvia.." He smiled faintly and stood up again. he reached out his hand and helped her stand up. When she did, she almost fell down.

"Juvia's just tired.." She scratched her head. He immediately cupped her in his arms and carried her. She put her arms around his neck.

"I'll carry you.." He smiled.

They went to an inn and checked in. Juvia was surprised. By what she saw, it only meant that Lyon never left the bench. He stayed there and you could almost say that he lived there. It sent Juvia to tears. When they arrived at their room, Lyon carried her to the bed. They were going to share rooms but she didn't mind. She wanted to anyways. Before she knew it, she fell asleep. Lyon took a shower first and followed to the bed too. He put his arms around Juvia and fell asleep. They woke up by lunch time. Juvia found herself facing Lyon and her legs around his waist. She felt a little embarrassed because she slept like a child hugging her teddy bear. She sat up and fixed her hair with her fingers. Lyon was still asleep. She went to take a shower and prepare lunch for Lyon. She made chicken noodle soup and prepared jam sandwiches. After preparing their food, she went to the bedroom to wake up Lyon. She sat beside him then put her hands on his cheek. She smiled then kissed his cheek. Right when she kissed him, he slowly opened his eyes. he looked surprised.

"J-juvia?" He sat right up. Juvia was still smiling. She was beautiful.

"Ohayo, Lyon." She said. He was very happy at that very moment.

"Ohayo.." He smiled and scratched his head.

"Juvia prepared lunch. It's just simple, but, it's fine.." She stood up then went out.

Lyon followed her out, seeing the food that Juvia prepared. He smiled then washed his face. He sat in front of her and started eating. Even they were just eating, they were having a lot of fun. Juvia was very happy. Happier that she'd ever been with Gray. After eating, Lyon went to take a bath. After dressing up, he followed to the couch beside Juvia and put his arms around her.

"Juvia, I don't want to spoil the day, but, could you tell me what really happened?" He asked. She nodded as response. she told him everything. from Gray's confession to her and until the time she left.

"Juvia wanted.. Lyon to be her first kiss.." She mumbled her last sentence.

"It doesn't matter right? Whoever is your first kiss. What matters is who you consider as your first kiss." He smiled. Juvia didn't understand what he said. She just stared into his eyes then suddenly, she felt his lips touch hers. Lyon planted a light kiss on her lips.

"Now, do you still think he's your first kiss?" He smiled. Juvia smiled then pinched his cheeks.

"I love you Juvia." He said.

" Juvia l-"

*knock knock

They looked at the door. They both laughed because they were suddenly disturbed. Lyon went to open it. He slowly opened it and found Gray. His eyes narrowed by the sight of Gray. He clenched his fist. He wanted to punch him. He wanted to beat him up so bad.

"Lyon? Who is-" She gasped as she saw Gray by the door.

"G-gray?!" She said.

"What are you doing here Gray?!" Lyon said.

"I'm here for Juvia!" He said.

"She doesn't like you anymore!" Lyon answered.

"I don't care! I love her!"

"I love her more than you do, you jerk!" He said.

"Stop it! Juvia.. Juvia loves Lyon!" She shouted. It made the two Ice mages fall silent.

"Juvia loves Lyon.. Very much.." She repeated. Gray's eyes narrowed. His clench loosened as he heard Juvia tell her true feelings. He was speechless. He felt stupid. What was he thinking? She didn't like him. More like, She doesn't love him. She loves Lyon.. Not him.. while he was there, feeling pain and humiliation, Lyon was feeling the exact opposite. He was proud and happy. He felt like the happiest man alive. Juvia finally said the words he longed for. She loves him..

"Gray.. If you really love Juvia.. let Juvia be happy.." She said. Without thinking, he hugged Juvia tight.

"Juvia... I'm sorry.. I'm sorry I'm such a jerk. I don't even know why I came here.. When I obviously know that.. You love.. Lyon.." He mumbled. Lyon let him hug her because he knew that Juvia doesn't have feelings for him.

"He's right.. You deserve.. Someone like him.. not some jerk like me.." it hurt Gray to say those words but it was the right thing to do.. He should let her go..

Gray should let her go..