Seven Days
Chapter 4- Monday
Is it even possible to rain nonstop for three days?
Gray paced along the seashore, feeling the steady downpour thoroughly soak his wrinkled t-shirt and jeans. He paused and flexed his toes, allowing them to sink into the wet sand, and looked around the deserted camp area. He knew that somewhere in his cabin, Lucy was probably reading a book while Natsu had his arms wrapped around her, asking her every fifteen minutes if she was almost done. He had no idea what Juvia's group was up to, but he hoped he would get to see her soon.
He needed to see her.
He looked over at the horizon, his mind wandering. He didn't hear the cabin door slam, or see her eyes light up at the sight of his husky silhouette.
"Gray!"
He veered around at the sound of her soft voice, and the corner of his lips curled up into a smile. She broke into a jog, her loose purple tank top and cutoff shorts not leaving much up to the imagination, and he unconsciously ran his fingers through his drenched hair. She slowed to a stop beside him, a bright smile plastered on her face.
"What are you doing out here, all by yourself?" She asked, unconsciously tilting her head ever so slightly.
He smirked. "Says the girl who is also out here, all by herself."
She rolled her eyes, a small hand resting on her hip. "I asked you first," she retaliated, grinning mischievously.
Giving in, he glanced over at his cabin. "It was too hot in there," he lied. To be honest, he didn't really know why he was at the seashore. He looked back at her, at her vivid indigo eyes and thick black eyelashes, at her shimmering cerulean hair as it tumbled down her bare shoulders, at her soft, pursed lips, her-
Gray.
"Alright, your turn. What are you doing out here?" He quickly asked, his eyes darting to the ground, the sea, the sky, anywhere but her.
"Felt like climbing some rocks," she answered nonchalantly, as if that was a normal response.
(As far as he knew, it wasn't.)
He allowed himself to look back at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "...In the rain? Isn't that unsafe?"
She laughed and started walking away, as if she knew he would follow.
"Well, I guess you'll have to catch me if I fall, right?" She exclaimed, tossing her head over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling playfully. With that said, she eagerly bounded to the jetty rocks, and he simply stood there, dumbfounded.
How can I catch someone I've already fallen for?
Well, it wasn't like he had a choice, right?
She pulled herself up on the rocks, and he protectively followed close behind, but she seemed to know what she was doing. She climbed slowly, carefully placing her bare feet in specific spots, as if she had already mastered these rocks.
(Which she probably had.)
Her arms were slightly raised for balance, and her eyes were sharp with concentration, but she still spoke to him. She talked to him about anything and everything, and he focused on her words as best as he could, never tiring of hearing her voice. The rain made the rocks extremely slippery, and there were times when Gray almost slid off, but he always managed to save himself at the last minute. After all, he needed to be there to help Juvia, right?
However, it didn't look like she needed much help. She hadn't slipped once, and Gray was reminded about what she had said about the rain, how it felt like home to her. And she certainly did look like she was at home- a content smile had infected her lips, her eyes, though stiff with concentration, were still gleaming with a warm light, and her body seemed to flow from one rock to the next, as if she belonged out here, with the crashing sea and the pouring rain.
He could watch her forever.
But, good moments never last.
It all happened in slow motion.
She was telling him about the village she and Gajeel used to live in when they were younger –some place called Phantom Lord- when it happened. She carefully placed her foot down on a steady-looking rock, but the slick rain plus the already-loose rock plus her body weight was too much. The rock skidded out from under her, and she tumbled down, her feet sliding all over the place.
Without thinking, Gray launched himself forward. Luckily, he landed on a steady surface, and he instinctively threw his arm out to her, his body stretched out and his strong hand latching onto her wrist. He pulled her up onto his rock, and she intuitively clung onto his arm as the rocks she had been previously standing on tumbled away.
"Caught ya," he murmured, gazing down at her, and she shyly met his gaze, her navy blue eyes unreadable. She slowly stepped away from his arm, but allowed their fingers to linger together for just a small moment.
"I think I've had enough rock climbing for one day," she responded, gingerly tucking a loose hair behind her ear, a smile tugging at her lips. Then she hiked away, her fingers slipping away from his, and hopped to the sandy seashore. He slid down beside her, wondering where this sudden burst of timidness came from.
Just as he thought that, she suddenly spun around, a familiar grin on her face.
"Tag!" She squealed, roughly shoving his arm before darting away, bright laughter tumbling from her lips.
He stared at her for long moment, and she finally veered around, standing at the other end of the campground.
"You gonna catch me, or what?" She teased, shouting across the campground.
"Playing in the rain? Isn't that a bit… childish?" He yelled in response.
She gave him a skeptical look, resting a hand on her hip. "So what? Are ya scared or something?"
Come on, Gray, what's the worse that could happen?
He smirked. "Well, you asked for it!" He bellowed, chasing after her, and she raced away, screeching excitedly.
And so they played in the rain, laughing and running and shrieking as the sun went down.