Body Heat

-A Fairy Tail fanfiction

His presence is the only comfort he can offer at the moment…

A/N: Timeskip fic! Because yours truly still can't (and probably never will) get over the Gruvia reunion.

DISCLAIMER: Mashima-sensei wrote FT and the Gruvia reunion. I am nothing but a fangirl.

When Gray left Magnolia three months ago, he resolved to train like he never trained before. He wanted to hone his ice magic and improve the Devil Slaying magic he acquired. That's why he went up north, where his element was abundant— always thriving, always existing.

And where Gray was, Juvia was also there.

He never complained, never questioned her decision to come with him. In fact, he was thankful for her company, for her presence. And at the same time, he was relieved. If she was by his side, he can look out for her, protect her and keep her safe.

Because he knew and believed that he had failed to do so.

If not for his incompetence, Juvia would never have to undergo such pain.

If not for his cowardice, she would not have to carry his burden and feel such guilt.

If he did what his father asked, she would have greeted him with a smile and maybe a hug, not with tears streaming down her face.

He was broken out of his musings when the wind picked up speed and the snow fell harder, an indication that the snowstorm was becoming worse. He sighed and tried to stretch his arms over his head, but failed. Halfway through his stretching his hands met the cold ceiling of the cave they took shelter in once the weather turned for the worse. He grimaced and lowered his arms, instead he folded them at the back of his head and reclined, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in.

Just as he finally found the best position and was dozing off, he heard a whimper and clothes shuffling in a distance. His eyes snapped open before he sat up carefully and looked around, trying to locate where the sounds came from.

His eyes rested on the form of Juvia, who was hugging her knees close to her chest and visibly shaking. Upon closer inspection, Gray noticed that the blanket draped on her shoulders was doing little to keep her warm.

Gray cursed as he crawled to where Juvia was, mentally berating himself for forgetting that not everyone was as resistant as he was to the cold. He stopped in front of her and removed his own coat all the while observing her to see if she has awoken. But since her face was hidden in her arms he really couldn't tell.

Carefully, he adjusted her blanket and put his coat on top. He expected her trembling to stop and her breathing to even out, but instead she whimpered once more and hugged her legs tighter.

He frowned and leaned towards her, his hands ready to clutch his coat when he heard something that made him freeze.

"Gray-sama… Juvia is…sorry…"

She was crying in her sleep, her body was shaking and sobs were escaping her mouth. And all the while, she was muttering a string of apologies.

Gray stiffened, his fists clenched and his heart twisted painfully. Three months has come and gone and Juvia still can't forgive herself, despite him telling her that she did nothing wrong and he will be forever thankful to her.

She was still crying, her sobs blending in with the storm raging outside. Gray then decided he had enough.

He sat down next to her and without any hesitation, pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her protectively. He made shushing sounds and whispered words of comfort and reassurance, while rocking her back and forth. Tears were fighting to escape from his eyes but he held them back, instead focusing his attention to Juvia, who now clutched his shirt tightly and nuzzled her face on his chest.

After a few moments, she stopped crying and her body ceased its trembling. Her breathing evened out and she slept peacefully.

But instead of letting her go, Gray continued to hold her, trying to give her the same warmth she gave to him when he cried the day he visited his home town.

The snowstorm continued to rage outside, freezing the landscape in all its cold glory. But at that moment, the cave where Gray and Juvia were resting was left untouched by the snow's deathly chill. Instead, warmth emanated, rivaling the coldest of the winds.

-owari-

A/N: Whew! I succeeded in finishing this before chapter 418 comes out! Hooray!

Thank you for reading this and please do leave a review and tell me what you think.

(And yes, I know that ALL Gruvians firmly believe that Gray and Juvia were traveling and training together for a year. Just the two of them. ALONE. *squeals then collapses*)