Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. All rights go to Hiro Mashima respectively.

For the first time in her life, Juvia wished she was dreaming. She wished she was having a nightmare. She wished with all her might that what she saw in front of her was not reality.

But there was no mistaking the knife in her hand. Or the blood on the trees; not one leaf in the near surroundings missing a splatter of red. The air was suffocating, heavy with death. Juvia's vision sharpened for an instant, each detail clearly outlined for her. Then the scene was blurred out, mercifully, by the water in her eyes as she realized what she'd done.

The knife, slick with blood, slipped from her hands and tumbled onto the body of the man in front of her. Her throat swelled, preventing any sound from escaping her lips. Panic bubbled up inside of her as dread swirled through her mind. Juvia was finally in control of her body, but she couldn't move.

She'd killed him.

Hysteria and horror swam in her head, flooding her mind and drowning her reason. Shapes, images, shadows danced at the corners of her eyes. Voices taunted her as the colour of blood consumed her view. Juvia screamed—or laughed, she couldn't remember. She thought someone had eventually come to help, but by then, Juvia was stunned to the point of unconsciousness. But not even her sleep let Juvia forget what she'd done.

When Juvia awoke, she wished she hadn't. Her body throbbed with the slightest movements and her throat was so dry that she could hardly swallow. Her lungs smarted, each breath a laboured wheeze. She couldn't even think properly as her thoughts resonated painfully in her head. A groan escaped, her raw throat rasping out the sound.

"Juvia-chan!" someone's outcry inflamed her headache, making her eyes burn. "You're awake, finally. Oh, thank you…" There was some muttering, but fortunately in a much lower volume. When she cautiously opened her eyes, Juvia found herself squinting up at Lyon. Her lips parted in surprise just as he gently pushed a glass of water towards her mouth.

"It's okay, you're safe," he assured. Juvia didn't say anything. She couldn't—undoubtedly because it hurt too much, but mostly because Lyon was one of the last persons she was expecting to see since Juvia suddenly remembered what she had done. The memories cut into her mind, overwhelming her like alcohol in an open wound. Remorse and dread squeezed the knot in her stomach tighter, insistently reminding Juvia who was at fault.

"I've already contacted Fairy Tail," Lyon continued, glancing at Juvia while he spoke. "I guess they were really worried, because a few members are on their way now." Juvia hung her head in shame, the weight of her guilt increasing with every word. Did she have the right to face them, the blood of an innocent man covering her hands?

"Oh, right," Lyon turned her attention back to him. "I forgot to tell you. The man you were with is alive." He said and was about to say more but Juvia didn't let him.

"Really?" she croaked, her first word agonizingly scraping against her throat. But Juvia didn't even feel it; she felt like she was floating. Juvia was almost crying from relief. She hadn't killed him. "Is he really okay?"

There was a long pause as Lyon tried to find a way to respond. Juvia felt happiness slipping from her grasp.

"I… I wouldn't say he's okay," Lyon said finally, "Juvia, he didn't die, but he is still very badly injured. He… I-I don't think…"

Lyon stopped talking, but Juvia understood. Her smile disappeared so quickly as if it was never there. She should've known. It was her fault in the first place for not getting help. Her previous intentions were good, hoping to keep all those she cared for away from her growing problems. Lyon was no exception. It wasn't a matter of pride. It had never been about that.

But now she'd almost killed a man—who was in undoubtedly far worse shape than Juvia—and fear was gnawing at her. She could hardly even think about—

"What happened?"

Juvia lay still, unable to answer Lyon's question. She wanted nothing more than for someone to help stop the nightmares from taking over her life. But how was she supposed to tell him? Lyon, who she cared so much for. Shadows crept from the corners of the room, staining the white-washed walls. The air grew colder, the room more cramped.

What if she did it again? What if she couldn't stop herself? How many lives was she willing to put in jeopardy?

None, Juvia answered herself. But fear kept her from speaking. If everyone found out, they would leave her. She couldn't be alone. Not again. The gloom enough made Juvia more than reluctant to go back to her past. But now with her nightmares haunting her every step, watching her every movement, overcoming her every thought—

"Juvia."

Gently, as if she would break, Lyon wiped away the tears she didn't know she'd shed.

"Juvia."

His voice was soft, soothing. A new kind of sincerity, one Juvia had never seen directed at her, was expressed in his eyes. Gingerly, Lyon cupped her cheek, making her look right at him.

"Juvia, whatever happened, I'm here now. I'm not going to leave." He held her by the shoulders, willing her to let go of what was hurting her. "You don't have to be alone."

Those were the precise words she needed to hear. Unintentionally, Lyon had done exactly what Juvia had been longing for. Hiding her tears in his shoulder, she finally—in what felt like years—felt peace settle itself over her. She embraced Lyon, letting herself relax as she cried.

"You'll be alright," he whispered, a new resolve strengthening his words. "I won't let anyone hurt you." It hurt him to see her cry. Juvia felt so incredibly fragile in his arms; she was bound to break. Holding her tightly, Lyon swore he would never let that happen to her. "You're not going to lose me, Juvia."

Juvia had never expected someone to care for her this much. For once, the more she cried, the safer she felt. All her strength was gone, sapped from keeping her going all this time, but she didn't feel weak.

You don't have to be alone.

Lyon had taken the darkness away.

Note: Just a quick thank you to those that reviewed. This chapter has taken a while, but I appreciate everyone's comments.

Thank you to ThePugGurl, XxlighterxX, IbtiWiptyWoo, AsDarknessSpreads, kimberlouxxx, spiritecho, Darkwarrior1010, NudgeThePyro, and Guest.