Got a welcome idea from Bird person that there is a lack of juice in this story, so I'm going to try and do Gray's kind of point of view. The reason I've been kind of set on a kind of Juvia's POV is because it's her story and all but I agree, it would be nice to see other point of views. I say kind of POV's since I don't really do POV's. I do no one's POV but kind of base it on one person. So I'll do that with Gray instead of Juvia. This chapter is perfect for a Gray's kind of POV so that's what I'm doing, so thank Bird person.
Enjoy kids.
Gray growled furiously yet feebly as he angrily wiped the tears from his face. He didn't want to cry, he wanted to talk. The surprise on Juvia's face would have made him laugh had it been any other situation. She made a small, heartbroken sound before making her way forward to embrace Gray around his neck, burying her face there. And that is all it took for Gray to break.
He released an almost inaudible sob as he unconsciously wrapped his arms around her slim waist, burying his face in her slender neck. Juvia shushed him quietly as she stroked his hair in comfort, fighting tears of her own, outraged that is was her who caused her beloved to shed so many tears.
Gray calmed down quickly, but didn't pull away. He was angry, upset and confused. Of course, if any of his nakama were going to die he would be absolutely devastated. But when Juvia admitted her approaching demise it was like his family, Deliora, and Ur all over again. He felt like a hole was punching into his chest. And Gray is a calm guy, he can keep his cool no matter what the situation, but with Juvia… Why does he care this much? So much that he has completely broken down into a pitiful heap in her arms?
She's Juvia. His nakama, his stalker. She calls him 'Sama' even though he is not worth the title. He endured her when she was obsessed with him. He didn't like how she used to flaunt around him. But she changed with age. She calmed down, and at first, Gray found he missed her old self but he grew to be rather fond of the person she grew to be.
And now he was going to lose her.
Gray shook his head into her neck, pulling away from her and taking a few steps back until his back hit the door. His bangs covered his eyes so his expression was a mystery, putting Juvia more on edge.
"Gray-sama?" she asked quietly, taking a small step forward, Gray shook his head slowly again, causing her to stop.
"You – I should take you back to the guild," he said quietly, stifling a growl when his voice cracked. Juvia shook her head.
"No… The guild, and Gray-sama, needs time to come to terms to what's going to happen and so does Juvia. It's best that they get a little space right now."
Gray frowned under his bangs, his mouth curling up into a scowl. We need to come to terms with what's happening? Could this woman be any more stupidly selfless?
"Juvia, this isn't about the guild," he told her sternly. "This is about you. Stop worrying about them and worry for yourself for once, will ya! Now, tell me why you're absolutely certain that this – these illnesses will kill you."
Juvia sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as she closed her eyes. "The only way Juvia would survive would be to get rid of all the water in her body." She told him. "The reason she is dying is because there is too much water. It's as if her body has forgot how to tolerate the large amount of water that is Juvia and so she feels the effects as any normal person would." She let her hands drop to her sides as she looked back up t Gray.
"But Juvia cannot be rid of the water!" she almost shouted. "Gray-sama, water is what Juvia is. It cannot be took from her for it is her! Nothing can be done!"
Gray frowned as she became more hysterical. She's been trying to remain strong for the guild, it's as if she'd only just realising that she's going to die for herself. She hasn't been able to accept it yet since she's been too damn occupied worrying about every once else! Gray swallowed thickly before marching forwards to wrap his arms around her once more. This time, he was the one doing the comforting. She was the one sobbing into his neck as he stroked her long, ocean blue her and muttered comforting nonsense in her ear.
"Juv… I – I don't want to die!" she sobbed, shaking her head furiously, spraying tears. Gray's eyes inevitably widened as she spoke in first person but she went on. "I – I'm not ready to leave. I don't want to leave! There's so much I have to do yet! I will miss you all too much!"
Gray swallowed the large lump in his throat and pressed a hand over his eyes as he hugged the girl before him. He didn't want her to go either. Every devastated word she said just about broke Gray's heart.
Juvia didn't calm down as quick as Gray did but when she did, they both curled up on Gray's worm couch and tried their hardest to speak of something else. They shared stories about missions, funny stories about inside the guild hall and laughed together, almost like there was nothing in the world to be sad about. Their tears dried and they tried their hardest to keep it that way, though their attention was compromised when they heard a knock on the door.
"Was only a matter of time," Gray muttered as he stood, Juvia following suit. Gray pulled open the door to look down on Master Makarov, who stood there with a grave face and smiled lightly to Juvia.
"Juvia," he began. "The guild told me you might be here. How you feeling?"
Juvia smiled lightly as stepped forward to stand beside Gray. "Juvia's fine," she told him. "She almost lost consciousness after you left, but Gray-sama caught her before she fell down."
Makarov frowned. "I thought those symptoms were not to come on yet."
Juvia shook her head. "Actually, Juvia doesn't think that it had anything to do with her condition." She admitted. "More stress and lack of sleep. But Juvia has got it under control now."
Makarov nodded sharply and looked to Gray before back at her. "So, you told the guild, huh?" he observed.
"Yes," Juvia swallowed audibly. "It was hard, but Master was right, they deserved to know."
"Wait," Gray interrupted, turning to Juvia with narrowed eyes. "You weren't going to tell us!?"
"Not the time, Gray," Makarov interrupted as Juvia's eyes grew wide. "Juvia, I need you to come with me. Porlyusica is now aware of your condition and wishes to see you right away. I've already told her all she needs to know."
Juvia's eyes widened more so. "Master, I truly am grateful bu-"
"Not another word, Juvia." He said sharply, turning his back as he made his way away, obviously expecting her to follow. "I told you I will do everything in my power to try and help you. Gray can come also if you wish, but you should start getting used to regular visits to Porlyusica."
Juvia was at loss for words, but she looked over to Gray with a question in her eyes. Gray didn't look at her, he just took her hand and led her in the direction Master Makarov went without another word.
"So," Porlyusica began as she sat Juvia on the bed, eyeing her through narrowed eyes. "This is the pesky little human. Makarov told me of your condition. Why are you so certain you cannot survive?"
Juvia lowed her eyes from the woman harsh gaze as she replied. "Juvia had heard stories from other Rain Woman she met on her travels of the illness. They warned Juvia," she fiddled with her hands before looking out the window.
"They told Juvia that not one Rain Woman had survived and never lasted over two and a half months. It because the only way to cure these illnesses is the rid the excess water. But… Juvia's body cannot do that. Juvia is wa-"
"Is water, yes I know." Porlyusica rolled her eyes. "I'll fix you, human." Porlyusica turned to a large self on the other side of the room and fiddled with the bottles on it, her back to Juvia.
Juvia ignored the spark of hope at the confidence in the woman's voice but focused on her lack of belief for Juvia's story. "If the Rain Woman were wrong how can you explain that every Rain Woman with the condition never survived?" she asked hotly, her brow furrowed.
Porlyusica paused her ministrations for a short moment before muttering:
"Because they never had me," She went back to fumbling around the shelf, though her reply earned a smirk from both Gray and Master Makarov.
"So how do you think you can help her?" Gray asked as he folded his arms over his chest. Porlyusica hummed and placed some medicines on a table, not lifting her gaze.
"I am not going to focus on getting rid of the water in her system, since that would only hurt her more." She told him. "The reason these illnesses have took hold of her body is because her water body forgot how to tolerate the large amount of water that she herself is."
Porlyusica looked up and eyed Makarov and Gray before looking back down. "So I am going to teach her body how to act as it was before, that will cure both illnesses and she can go back to how she was before. The only problem is I'm on a time limit. I need to make the correct medicine before she falls into that coma."
Gray and Makarov nodded, along with Juvia who seemed dazed by these turn of events.
"But you're confident you can do it?" Gray pressed, earning an annoyed sigh from the woman.
"Yes, but not with you three breathing down my neck!" She turned to Juvia, her eyes still narrowed. "Girl. I'm going to have you drink many medicines during this time and I need you to be prepared for that. Are you?" Juvia nodded firmly. "Good." Porlyusica turned to Makarov.
"Bring her back here in two days, I'll have the first medicine ready then. Starting now, I want you to bring her every other day until I mix the correct medicine. Understood?"
Makarov nodded. "Yes, thank you again Porlyusica. Truly."
"Whatever, now all of you, out! I'll see you in two days."
They all headed out of the house in lighter spirits, though Juvia could barely grasp that even with this dreadful condition she may not die after all.
"Feel better now child?" Makarov asked and Juvia nodded firmly, laughing lightly.
"Y-yes, Juvia still cannot believe it." Gray chuckled. Makarov grinned before muttering his goodbyes before near enough disappearing, leaving Gray and Juvia alone.
Gray turned to eye the blue haired beauty, still a bit dazed from the events of their day.
"So, you fe-"
He was cut off as Juvia near enough pounced, wrapping her arms around him tightly and muttering her excitement. Gray, who would usually push her away, just laughed gruffly and returned the embrace. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of him, he smirked as she buried his face in her hair, putting all his faith in Porlyusica to keep her alive.