The sun had barely begun to rise as Grey made his way through the darkened streets. Despite the chill he did not wear anything overly insulating besides that of his normal shirt and coat. He had long ago been taught that as an ice mage, he had to endure the cold and in that he succeeded. Slowly Grey walked turned and headed towards a block over apartments.
The building wasn't the most modern one in Magnolia but it was far from ancient. Exhaling lightly, the cold turning his breath instantly to vapour on the wind, Grey placed his hand the door and made his way inside. Almost instantly the central heating hit Grey, warming it up. Personally he welcomed it. Just because he was able to endure the cold didnt mean he necessarily liked it. It just meant that he learnt how to deal with it and complain less while doing so.
Glancing at the scrap of paper in his hand, Grey looked at the address. Third floor. Sighing in frustration, he made his way up the flights of stairs until he came to a white door. Trying the knob, Grey found that it was locked. He had half expected it to be but it always paid to be on the safe side. Rapping his knuckles against the wood, Grey knocked on the door, the hard sound echoing throughout the corridor. For a while he heard nothing. Deciding to try his luck again, Grey knocked again but slightly harder and louder. From inside he heard a groggy groaning, accompanied by the shuffling of feet as whoever was on the other side made their way to the door.
"Juvia doesnt have to pay rent today," she groaned as she opened the door, rubbing her eyes, "Juvia's rent isnt due until tomorrow. "
" Good morning Juvia."
Upon hearing Grey's voice, Juvia's eyes quickly widened in surprise and looked up at him. Her left hand shot to her mouth as she made a rapid intake of breath. She rubbed her eyes as though not quite sure if this was real or if she was fantasising again.
" Grey Sama.." She paused as she was interupted by a loud yawn, " Why...why are you here?"
" I need to talk to you about something, " he replied calmly, "Something I can only ask you. May I come in?"
For a moment Juvia didnt respond, instead just staring at Grey with a dreamy look in her eyes although if it was on account of her fatigue or for some other reason, Grey couldn't say. Shaking her head, Juvia nodded and stepped aside, allowing Grey to enter.
As Grey crossed the threshold, he noted the state of the apartment. Everything seemed to be clean and in its place (not to the standard of Lucy perhaps but still far better than his own apartment). Photo frames adorned the mantlepiece and the couch seemed undisturbed from the night before. Juvia however seemed in stark contrast to her surroundings. Her long, blue hair was messy and tangled compared to how he was used to seeing it at the guild. Her sapphire eyes were still blinking away sleep and instead of a great coat or pretty dress, Juvia was wearing a coffee stained shirt and shorts. Seeming to be painfully aware of this, Juvia embarrassedly grabbed a brush and started working it through her hair.
" Juvia is sorry that Grey Sama has to she her like this," she blushed, rapidly brushing, "I didnt expect to see you so early."
Grey nodded in understanding. " Dont worry Juvia, its my fault for not calling ahead. I probably should have so you could have a chance to prepare yourself." As the words left his mouth, Grey began to wonder just how long Juvia actually spent on her appearance in the morning. It had to be a while at the very least.
While he waited for her to finish, Grey cast his eyes over the pictures on the mantlepiece. He had expected photos of Juvia and some of her friends from the guild but instead was greeted by a multitude of portraits of him. Taking pride of place in the centre was a photo of him and Juvia taken shortly after she had joined Fairy Tail. In it, Juvia was leaning up against him, waving and smiling widely at the camera while Grey rested his arm around her shoulder, The gilded frame had inscribed on it "precious memories." Grey had been aware that Juvia liked him but he honestly had no idea that she treasured their time together this much. In a way, it was kind of flattering.
Once she felt that she looked acceptable, Juvia put down the brush and turned to face Grey once more, her head tilted to one side slightly. " So what is it that you want to talk to Juvia about?"
Grey bit his lip slightly as he searched for the words. "If I'm honest, I'm worried you might refuse me. I would understand if you did but it would make me feel a little upset."
Juvia's eyes sparkled and she clasped her hands over he chest. "Juvia would never refuse you Grey. " From her tone of voice, it sounded to Grey as though she knew what he might say and subsequently what her answer would be.
" You see Juvia, I wanted to ask you to come on a job with me." he said. For the briefest of moments, the happiness faded im Juvia's face but was replaced by a look of determination.
" What kind of job?"
Grey pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, the same one from the day before. He laid out on the coffee table, allowing Juvia to see it. " I'm going after a rogue wizard. The contract doesnt give a lot of details other than that he is experimenting on something incredibly volatile and dangerous and that he may be hiding out in the wilderness north of Magnolia. "
Juvia nodded slowly as she studied the sheet intently. " Why are you asking Juvia though?"
Grey thought about his answer for a moment. " Honestly I need some time away from Natsu. Don't get me wrong, he is a good friend but there is only so much of his brash behaviour that I can take. Erza is a good friend also but I dont think Incould spend two weeks alone with her without...setting her off."
"Two weeks?" Juvia said breathig a little faster.
" Yes that is how long the trip should last (give or take)," Grey replied, " Lucy I knew is more at home with Natsu than with me and Wendy is too young. As for Gajeel, he is powerful I will give him that but I couldn't stand him for that long."
"So...so you chose me?" Blood rushed to Juvia's cheek.
" Why not? " Grey nodded, smiling a bit, "You are a capable mage and you are a good enough friend that I feel that I wouldn't mind spending time with and risking my neck for. So what do you say Juvia?"
"Two weeks? Alone? With you Grey Sama?" She stuttered as she blushed a deep, deep crimson.
" Uh yes," Grey replied slowly, not entirely sure Juvia recognised the severity of the trip, "But remember this isnt a holiday. It will be difficult to do anything, particularly with the Winter storms drawing near."
"Juvia doesn't care," she replied strongly, " Juvia will go through anything for Grey."
" So you'll come?" He was honestly shocked at how easily he had won her over, he had at least expected to have to persuade her a little. Juvia responded by nodding fanatically.
" Then I'll meet you at Fairy Tail later to head out," he smiled, somewhat reassured by her enthusiasm. Standing slowly up, Grey stretched and slowly headed towards the door. " Unless there is anything else that you want to discuss? "
Juvia shook her head, effectively giving Grey permission to leave. As he headed down the stairs, Grey removed his t-shirt to expose his bare chest. Maybe it was just the central heating, but Grey felt very warm.