I would like to thank those that read, reviewed, followed, put this story on their list of favorites and for subscribing and putting me on list of favorite authors (even if I'm not a great author). Angel-chan wa minna o daisuki~!

Again, English is my second language and I'm not that good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar…thank you.

This chapter is not proofread.

Genre: Drama, Family, Friendship, Romance, some Humor, Hurt/Comfort.

Main Pairing: GrayXLucy

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its Characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima!

BEWARE~! Just beware. DO NOT SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LAST WORDS OF THIS CHAPTER OR ELSE YOU'LL SPOIL YOUR FUN. Just sayin'.


Chapter 32: Saviour


Where am I?

All I see is darkness. A place I don't want to be ever since. A place I'm most scared of, where all I look at reflects sadness, where you'll realize that being alone will cause this much melancholy. This is a place I didn't want to go back to.

I can't see a thing. But even so, I could still see myself. It's frightening.

Quiet. I don't like this quietness. It only reminded me that I'm alone. Alone in this dark and silent place with not as much as the wind's breeze.

But it's cold. Or is it because of the fact I'm alone that I feel so cold?

Where is everyone?

Father?

Ms. Supetto?

Erza? Levy? Lisanna?

Anyone?

I felt like crying. I don't want to be here. Please, anyone, save me.

"Gray…"

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A blinding light freezes her on the spot. The blonde raised both her hands to cover her eyes, afraid that it'll burn her if she didn't. But then she felt warm, ridding of the coldness she felt a while ago. The kind of warmness that emanated from a person's body. Like someone's been hugging her.

Who?

And then a voice called out. Concern and apprehension is so clear. The young maiden couldn't quite grasp what it's saying. But she's sure it's desperate. Desperate to call on something, or rather someone. Is it calling for me? She mentally asked herself.

Lucy!

Her eyes opened gently. She didn't even know that they're closed. How come I saw light earlier? And who is it?

As she looked up, she saw dark locks of hair, beyond was the never-ending night sky that is briskly getting covered with much darker clouds. But even though it's dark she's not afraid anymore because he's here. Saving her yet again. Her eyes began to water.

"Lucy!" now she can hear him clearly, and was never this grateful in her whole life, except the time where he saved her from her friendless life, giving her a new resolution and making her move forward to where she is now.

"Gray?"

"Thank God…" he sighed. His dark orbs reflecting alleviation.

She blinked to get a better view. Lucy could see the relief spreading over his face. What exactly happened? Where are we? And why is he so worried? She remembered that she's in a dark place, but before that, what?

Her mind wandered back and recollected the earlier events: she's in haste because it's almost dawn. And by the looks of it now, she summarized that she's been out for too long for night to finally catch up to her when all she's doing was to avoid that, since she's still traumatized by Natsu's prank.

"What happened?" The blonde finally find the voice to ask Gray and tried to sit up but halted as she felt something from her hand. Looking at it, Lucy came to a brief realization: she fell and lost consciousness. How, she couldn't remember. All she could recall was that she saw Charles ribbon on―

Lucy's eyes widen and immediately looked at Gray.

"Where's Charles?!" Lucy started, brows scrunching up in concern and Gray's relief expression changes— surprise, apprehension, exhaustion and anger played along his face. "Is she found? Is she okay—"

"WILL YOU, FOR ONCE, BE SELFLESS AND WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT OTHERS?!"

Lucy was shocked, being cut off like that. She knew she shouldn't because this is Gray she's talking to, and getting yelled at is no surprise, but she still did. Because this is the first time Gray used this tone on her. They oftentimes quarrel, always even, but never did Gray use this tone on anyone, just this instance.

She opened her mouth to just close it again. Should she apologize? For what? She can't understand him.

Gray's brows twitched, in annoyance to something Lucy couldn't quite fathom, before he grabbed both her shoulders and tried knocking some senses to her naïvety.

"You looked ahead of everyone, without anyone with you. You never came back even if you couldn't find the cat. You fell, lost consciousness, and might be hurt somewhere, but you!" he paused, eyes hardening by the second, showing his irritation. "You're asking if the cat's okay even if you know, or at least even if I know that you're not!"

Lucy was at loss for words. She couldn't bring herself to speak as if her tongue was pulled back down her throat, she can't even lift a finger. Is she scared? Scared of Gray? Perhaps, because all she did was look at him and hold her breath.

"No," she heard, willing herself not to cry. "Let me repeat myself: How can you be so selfless and selfish at the same time?!"

Lucy blinked at the question. "W-what?"

Gray's brow twitched more, having a silent grousing for his uncanny comment. Hands tightened before loosening its grip on her shoulders as he tried so very hard not to burst out his next words.

"You worry about others without caring of what's going to happen to you in the process. Can you, please, take care of yourself? And please," he sighed and ran one of his hands through his hair clearly in exasperation while stressing some words to prove his frustration, "Please, don't be selfish! Whenever you try doing something stupid, always consider that you're not the only one fretting, there are people worrying about you, too."

Gray opened his mouth, seeming to say something more but closes it in contemplation. And Lucy gazes at him, stunned, and opens her own to place her comments about it but never got to start as warm arms enveloped her into a shocking, but surprisingly calming embrace. Gray was breathing heavily and Lucy could only remain silent as she listened to him, feeling his heart beating on his chest under her fingertips.

"I was so scared," he said, rendering the girl breathless, making her heart race at a pace she didn't know she's capable of, "So scared and worried, I thought I'd never see you again."

Lucy found a way to breathe again but when she did, she also noticed how Gray's hand is shaking uncontrollably around her.

I was so scared. It repeated several times in her head, as if it's the only thing that runs through it.

The blonde's eyes shone in guilt, biting her bottom lip to prevent it from trembling. She's the reason Gray is like this. She thought she's scared of what this man would do to her but it seems that she's more scared of seeing him like this. It hurts her but also pleases her at the same time, she feels guilty; he's worried.

"When I heard from Wendy that you're still out here, I found myself running frantically, looking everywhere for you, hoping that you're just lost but then I remembered something from my past."

Lucy knitted her brows, something from his past? She thought and listened carefully to his unusually quivering voice.

"And then I ran, figuring where you might be. I prayed you weren't here, but then I saw you," he dwelled for some moment and tightened his hold on her before continuing, "My heart stopped."

As Gray said these three words, Lucy's own heart somersaulted. How could this man do this to her?

"I literally jumped down just to get to you faster. I kept shaking you, kept calling your name, but you just wouldn't move!"

Lucy jerked her ears slightly away from the way Gray's voice raises. "How can you scare me like that?! I never thought that I'd ever feel that again ever since," he paused and heaved a shaky breath, "ever since my parent's died. Never scare me like that again, Lucy."

Yes, how could she forget? Gray's greatest fear is losing someone dear to him.

Wait― Lucy's eyes widen and heart beats even faster, if it was even possible.

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"I don't want to lose you, too."

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Gray's eyes were closed the whole time, memories of the past and the scene earlier swirling in mind as he spoke of those words. The truth revealing itself without him noticing. His feelings being unleashed as he kept the blonde in his tight and warm hold.

Lucy's tears fell one at a time, her limbs shook, and even biting her lips couldn't stop her sobs. She felt guilty. She felt sad. But she felt happy, even if she didn't have to. All these emotions bottled up inside her just couldn't be held in anymore, it burst and all she could do is cry. How could she feel them all at the same time? Lucy doesn't even know why she's crying. She thought she's stronger. But she guessed looking strong is just her façade, because inside she's fragile; cry-baby, easily tricked, clumsy, and most importantly, Gray knows all of these. So she can easily break down in front of him.

She didn't realize how her arms lifted and circled around Gray's torso. She didn't know how many times she apologized to him, how many tears she shed. But she really didn't care at the moment.

The important thing to her now is to relieve herself of her worries, and Gray's forgiveness.

How come someone like her be as important to him as his family, as his parents? Surely, she doesn't deserve this. Because all she did is to cause him trouble. Ever since the two of them met in that hallway, all she did was slap him, argue with him, insisting him on doing he doesn't want to, show her weakness to him, meet his family, save her, and constantly annoy him in everything she do. Now tell her, how and when did she become an important person to him? Since the thunderstorm incident? Since they became friends? No. He avoided her so much since the start of camp. She remembered how he changes from being kind to be someone who avoided her before strangely going back to being kind. It confuses her greatly, but she couldn't deny that she was glad.

As for Gray, he, too, didn't exactly know how or when, but he was sure about one thing: he didn't want her gone. He didn't want her hurt. He didn't want her sad. He could act as if he didn't care but when it comes to her, when it comes to Lucy, it's as if his body has a mind of its own, as if it knows what to do and where to go. How and when, he didn't know. It happened so suddenly. But now that Lucy's here, now that he knows she's safe, he felt as if a heavy load got off his chest.

"Never do that again." He repeated.

"I'm sorry," Lucy sobbed, "I-I just want to help."

And then it all came out. Everything she kept to herself released themselves out of her mouth. And Gray just listened.

"I just felt useless. I joined the council to prove myself to everyone. That I can do something. That I'm not a bratty heiress. That I'm not bad. So that they won't hate me again. So they won't stay away from me like I have a very contagious disease. So I could keep making friends." Lucy sniffled and whispered the last words, "So I won't suffer that again."

Gray remembered Ms. Supetto's words from before. He knew what Lucy experienced as a child and that's when he recalled his promise.

Even if you'll hate me, even if you're not the girl I know, even if you pushes me away, even if everyone turned away from you, and even if you're not going to consider me as your friend anymore, I promise you that I'll be always here for you. You'll never suffer again…

"Stop proving yourself." He said, making Lucy stop her cries and look up at him.

"You've already proven yourself worthy to be called kind and not some bratty princess who craved for attention and power over everything. You've done enough for everyone to look up to you. You might not know this but everyone likes you for who you are."

Gray smiled. "Just think about it. If it weren't for you we wouldn't be spending our week here at this camp."

"But it was you who―"

"If you're not Lucy then I might not come with you that time."

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Both Gray and Lucy were shocked at this revelation. The raven haired lad whisked his eyes away. Silence enveloped them both, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Gray unwrapped Lucy from his embrace, groaning noiselessly, while Lucy deliberately wiped her tears from her face, her hiccups lingering in the air. She feebly brought her hands on her thighs, missing the warmth of Gray's body.

Gray coughed purposefully, chucking out the discomfort the both of them are feeling. "W-we should get going before it―" and as if on cue, large raindrops splatted one at a time and was getting heavier every second, "―rains."

"Shit." Gray cuss under his breath while looking at the sky. He then looked at Lucy and asked if she could walk. The blonde nodded and was about to go up the slope when her vision spin. Thankfully for her, Gray was by her side.

"Are you okay?" he asked snaking his arm around her waist to keep her on balance, that wasn't left unnoticed by the blonde as she flushed, beet red. Well, why wouldn't she? Did anyone think she'll recover that fast with the earlier happenings? But, she guessed this is better than being all awkward again.

"Y-yea, just a little dizzy."

Gray touched Lucy's head and jerked it away immediately when he heard her hiss. "You probably bump your head somewhere," he touching the lump Lucy gained, possibly, when she fell, "that's nasty."

Lucy winced again and slapped Gray's hand away. "It hurts." She muttered when she noticed Gray's questioning gaze.

"Come on." He said, leading her away from the slope which, of course, confuses the blonde.

"I thought we're going back?" she asked, now shielding her head with her hands, as if it'll help her from getting wet.

Gray looked at her incredulously. "In this rain? I don't think so."

Somewhere near was a rock formation that is enough to armour two people from the rain. They need to crouch down to be able to fit inside and Gray's eyes wander around, seemingly reminiscing.

"This is smaller than I remembered," he mumbled, looking at Lucy who tried to rub some friction on her arms, bringing heat to her wet and cold body. The brown eyed maiden pulled her knees up to her chest before looking back at Gray, baffled. "You've been here before?" she asked, her chin beginning to quiver.

Gray sighed and removed his jacket. He placed it over Lucy's shoulder making the girl flushed red. "Yea. I fell on that slope, too. That's why I figured out you might be here."

Lucy creased her forehead in a frown, forgetting briefly the gentlemanly gesture that her companion made. "Though, not by clumsiness like you." Gray added, seeing Lucy's expression. The latter didn't retorted back like what Gray expected but stayed in silent thought.

What Gray said somewhat brought her a few hours back. It is a given that someone would suspect that she fell out of her clumsiness, but from what she remembered, she was pushed after getting Charles' ribbon. But it could also be that she slipped?

"Hey!"

Lucy's thought was cut off by Gray who's been waving a hand in front of her. "Wh-what?"

Gray sighed. "Are you sure you're okay? You started spacing out."

Should I tell him? Lucy looked at him again and saw concern. She considered it, but she guessed Gray would only worry further and she doesn't want that. If she was really pushed, she needs to be extra careful because starting now, not only would she mind her clumsiness but from someone who was out there trying to harm her. But who was it? Should she tell someone about it? Or should she keep it to herself?

A green-eyed, black haired girl flashed through Lucy's mind that made her eyes widen. Could it be… Amanda? She thought, could it be that she's back and trying to harm me because I'm not keeping my promise of getting out of Gray's life?

But, how would she know?

"God! I didn't think I would say this but, I missed Lucy so much." Gray grunted that once again snapped Lucy from her train of thought.

"E-eh?" was all she managed to utter, face heating up after realizing what Gray said.

"I wonder where that girl is? That girl with the ability to persuade anyone about anything, who looked so tough on the outside but really, she's clumsy and a cry-baby, and a scaredy-cat who turns out to be someone my mother knew? That girl who's afraid of thunderstorms and would gladly argue under the rain than to take cover? That girl with a very contradicting personality and could be selfless and selfish at the same time? That girl who thinks it's so cool to act by herself." Gray muttered aloud, deliberately trying to irk the girl beside him. "Man, where could that aggressive man-hater girl be? OUCH~!"

Lucy punched him on the arm, glaring at him for the insults she got.

"Oh!" Gray said in fake recognition, "There you are! Where have you been?"

Lucy snorted but later on her lips stretched upwards, forming a smile before giggling. It was what Gray longing to see since he found her sprawled at the foot of the slope, unmoving.

"Baka~!"

"I thought you'd never come back. Well, I prefer you going all tomboyish around me than to mope around all day." Gray smirked, propping his head smugly on his hand with his elbow resting on one of his folded leg.

"I'm not acting boyish around you!" she snapped, then pouted. "Am I?"

Gray couldn't hold his laughter anymore. Really, how can she make him lose his cool like that?

Lucy could only look and think about the past, on the rooftop where the two of them met. Is he still waiting for me? She can't help but wonder. How would Gray react if ever she told him about her true identity, that she's the girl he met before?

"There you go again. Tell me, what's been bugging you to keep on spacing out like that?"

And for the third time, Gray had snapped her out of her stupor with his exasperated sigh. Lucy eyed him, still curious. Should she tell him?

"Hey, Gray?"

Gray flinched, "What's with the sudden seriousness?"

"I just wanna ask," she started, "Are you still waiting for her?"

A sudden surge of chill ran up his spine as all hair in his body stood. "H-how did you know that?"

Lucy cringed and gulped, biting the insides of her mouth. Why didn't she think ahead? "U-uhm, someone…told me?" she said, more like a question, and tilted her head to the side.

Gray face palmed, "Natsu or Loke?"

She was glad that Gray somewhat gave her options. "N-natsu." It's hard for her to lie, really, but she needed answers.

"A-anyways," fidgeting, Lucy continued, "what would you do if she suddenly returns?"

It was a moment later when Gray heaved a sigh, but no answer was heard. And Lucy cursed herself for asking, thinking she touched a very sensitive subject.

"J-just forget about it," she said, "I just wanna know how you would react if ever you found out that the girl you're waiting for is actually someone you've been with all this time." Lucy stated mindlessly and flinched as she felt Gray's gaze on her. What did she say again?

Her eyes widen in apprehension when she saw how surprised Gray was. Shit.

"W-well, I just wanted to know i-if you'll feel the same thing. You know, l-like what I felt w-when I figure out Laxus was the friend I lost long ago? He he he." She said, stuttering, while scratching her nape uncomfortably.

Gray looked at her a little longer before his eyes drop in an unfathomable reason. "Oh," he said dejectedly, "well, I don't really know."

And that's the end for that topic, with Lucy mentally slapping herself for breaking their comfortable moment.

The sky grew darker and darker as the rain fall. Lucy was so grateful that no lightning or thunders accompanies it. She gave a side-long glance at her companion and saw how he rubbed his arms and felt bad wearing his jacket when the owner feels cold, too.

Gray was silent. His mind drifted to his talk with Loke, Alzack and Natsu. And now with Lucy.

Are you still waiting for her ever since Lucy came?

Waiting, huh?

Just do what you must — or at least, do what you think is right.

What is the right thing?

This isn't the time to act dense, Gray. Why not do what your mind tells you?

I don't even know what I want.

What would you do if she suddenly returns?

Gray placed his hand on his forehead and rubbed his temples using his thumb and forefinger. What would he do when he sees her again? He didn't know. It was easier when Lucy's still out of the picture. It was easier to answer. But, why can't he answer now? Because he doesn't know how to? It irritated him greatly. How come some girl he just met be messing up with his head? What is she to him?

Gray craned his head sideways when he felt some kind of material touching his arms and back and noticed that Lucy was placing his jacket around him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, puzzled.

"Giving your jacket back?" she answered, unsure.

"Aren't you cold?"

"Huh? Well,"

Gray didn't let her finish. He removed his jacket and placed it back on Lucy's shoulder, making her pout. She was about to strip it off again but Gray prevented her from doing so. "I don't need it." he said.

"But you're cold, too!"

"I can handle a little cold…unlike you."

Lucy pouted and stubbornly placed the jacket in between them before crossing her arms. "Then I won't wear it, too. It's either none of us will wear it or—" she stopped, thinking.

"Or what miss smarty-pants?" Gray challenged.

Then it hit her. She grinned widely and took the jacket in her arms. She turned it so it was facing them and took the left sleeve to Gray.
"Here, put your right arm inside." She instructed, doing the same on the other sleeve, putting her left arm on the right sleeve of the jacket. When she noticed that Gray wasn't moving she looked at him and raised her brows at his stunned expression.

"What? Didn't think I could come up with a solution to our little problem?" she said, putting Gray's arm inside the sleeve herself. "See? Now both of us can use the jacket at once." Lucy grinned.

Both of them are now tucked under the jacket, warming up their cold upper frames, while Gray remained stunned on his spot. He kept his gaze on Lucy's happy face.

Have you fallen for her?

And then he felt it, the wild thumping of his heart. Before, he couldn't understand the unexplainable bliss he's feeling when Lucy's arm brushed against his, how he loved it when he whiffed some of the vanilla scent emanating from her, how his insides are back flipping in a good way after hearing her laugh. But now, he knows why.

A moment later, Gray felt something heavy leaning against his shoulder. He smiled, knowing this would happen. Lucy fell asleep. But he couldn't blame her. She must be tired and the sun was long gone.

All he did was to admire her while she slept peacefully beside him. How can he be so stupid? Getting blind by someone he met long ago and not caring about the person who's been by his side since he met her.

"Darn it, Lucy,"

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"I love you."

..ooOoo..


Did you guys expect something like this? No? haha, me too! Kidding.

*eyebrows wiggling teasingly*

Did you like the chapter?

What more fluff?

Mwahahahaha~!

Anyway, here are the replies~

WolfieANNE: haha, you should've reminded me~ XD well, not really. Just some scratches, is all…and a lump on her head. You know, I love your ideas. Why didn't think of that? hmmm. Whatever. Hope you enjoyed~ ^^

Princesx Mystery: Thank you~ hope you like this one better~ ^^

graylu4ever: thanks a lot~ OMG~ I hope you like this one, too~ let me squeal for you *kyaaaaaa* ^^

fairytaillover416: you'll find out on later chapters. Is it Amanda? Or Alice? Hihihi, why try and harm Lucy though? You'll have to wait and see. I don't want to spoil your fun~ ^^ thank you so much~ and thank YOU for reviewing and reading and *cries* for supporting me~ ^^

oishi-.-ME: thanks a lot~ well, I hope this helped your excitement? Hihih d'awwwww… thank you so very much~ you don't know how much that means to me~ ^^

Mirajane S. and Erza S.: uhmmmm, you'll have to find it out on later chapters. Don't want to be spoiling your fun. ^^ hahah, thanks for the review! ^^

Lucyfairytaillover171: YAY~ I updated again before the month ends. \(^O^)/ hihi, sorry about that. I was kinda busy with summer classes. Hope you like this update~ ^^ and thanks for reviewing~

1fairytaillover: hehe, it's Lucy. Hope you like the update, though, ^^

Rockin' angels: hehe, like what I told everyone, you'll have to figure it out on later chaps, I don't want to be a spoiler. Haha, thanks for reviewing~ ^^

vampirempress: hihi, me too! I will…whenever I got time. I just love this chapter and wanted to share it to everyone faster so…yea. Hihi thanks for reviewing~ ^^

kirito24: it's okay~ but I'm glad that after creating an account, you still remember this story of mine~! Thanks a lot~ ^^ I hope you like this update, too~ waaaah~ you're making me cry with your touching words. I can't thank you enough~ T-T

Le' CarolinnaXannej421: hihihi, I hope you like this. Kukuku~ thanks for the review~ ^^

MademoiselleRED: Yes, someone did. But I'm not telling who. Hihihi, I just noticed that after reading your review. Seriously, I didn't know it was 6 whole freakin' months since I the last time? Haha, I hope not. You guys can remind me, if ever that happens again. ^^ thanks for the review~

Bee (guest 5/1/13): I'm glad~ hope you like this update~ and thanks for reviewing~ ^^

Guest (5/1/13): hehe, sorry for that. *scratches head awkwardly* I'm the master of cliffies, you see. I can't help it. ^^" hope you like this update though~ ^^

AsDarknessSpreads: hohoho~ you'll have to see what role will Loke be taking part in this story. I'm not ending it there, no, not yet. Haha, I'd like to use that~ XD Percy~ thanks for reviewing~ ^^

pikaqueen: YAY~ I know what you mean. -.- gosh, you're making me cry~ I love you~ T-T and I just want you to know, that even if I'm not reviewing much lately, I'm still reading your fics. OH~ I have news! Someone asked us some good multi-chaptered graylu fics from our page in facebook and I told her "Fluffed up memories" and she was like, "Fluffed up memories? I love that story" or something along those lines. Hihihi, I can advertise your stories, right? You're not mad? Anyways, thanks for reviewing~ ^^

CelestialDays: hihii, I sure hope you'll like this update of mine~ ^^ you'll have to wait for it. (wait, did I just spoil it? no? good! ^^) I KNOW RIGHT! I love LoLu too~ ^^

iMary7: hihihi, well, thank to you I remembered the story~ I hope you'll like this chap~ hehe, sorry about the cliffy, thanks for reviewing~ ^^

Guest (5/4/13): hahah, actually, Lucy's too afraid from the bullying she got from when she was child, so the trauma she got from that experience left her crumbling with just the mention of Amanda's name. So I'm afraid that she couldn't do that to Amanda, unless….(hehe don't want to spoil it~ ^^) thanks for reviewing~ ^^

Reallyfanofstories: I'm so glad to hear that~ ^^ I hope you liked this chapter too~ ^^ thanks for reviewing~

GrayLu (Guest 5/13/13): hihi, I don't like either of them, but I need them for the story. Oh~ yes. I'm a very proud Pinay. Hahaha, natawa ko dun. Though, I wish magaling akong mag Japanese. I just want to use some of their words, cute lang. hehe, Hello din~ hihihi, I don't really want to spoil your fun, so I won't say anything. Sabihin na lang natin na dadating tayo kay Amanda at sa mga plans nya AFTER ng camp. ^^ thanks for reviewing kababayan~ ^^

thesorceress1934 (Guest 5/21/13): waaah~ gomen for the cliffy~ XD there you go, hope you like the chapter~ ^^ thanks for reviewing~

Good? Bad? Review~! Thanks~ *wink wink*

So there you go! Thanks for reading! *waves*

Ja'ne