There was a buzz in the guild hall. It was an energy that had been missing for almost three months, but with today's reality, the happy, playful wizards of Fairy Tail could barely contain themselves. Silver and blue decorations adorned the large supports across the vast space, every table was set with white table cloths and decorated with hydrangeas, and a long blue walk-way was laid out leading up to the front bar. The women of Fairy Tail moved hurriedly to arrange flowers and lay place cards, and the men stood around laughing and being merry as they lined the walls with strands of light lacrimas.
Mirajane had been in the kitchen all day busily preparing enough food for the whole guild, and Wendy had been doing her best to assist her in any way she could. Cana was doling out fancy champagne into glass flutes and pouring beer into mugs. Alzack and Bisca were shooting ribbons across the ceiling while Asuka danced between their feet. Erza was helping to put the finishing touches on a large cake set in the corner. Natsu was lighting candles with his flames and Makarov was overseeing final preparations with Levy. Gajeel was busy tuning an acoustic guitar. Lucy had summoned Cancer, who was taking turns doing hair for the girls in the guild. Everyone was dressed to the nines; women in soft dresses and men in blazers and ties. Fairy Tail cleaned up well when they had to, and Erza had assured them all with pointed stares and mild threats that the fancy dress code was not up for negotiation.
It was a wedding, after all.
Once the very final preparations were settled, wizards from other guilds began filtering into the hall, people from Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, even Sting and Rogue showed up to be a part of this wonderful day. Meredy and Jellal had even managed to be there, although Jellal spent most of his time hiding his face behind Mystogan's mask. The excitement in the room was palpable. It was the first time in a long time Fairy Tail could be this lively.
Natsu, Lyon, and Gajeel had quietly slipped away from the buzz, as had Lucy, Meredy, and Levy. The three men disappeared into a back room of the guild, while the three women in matching blue dresses left to a room off to the side at the front of the hall.
Natsu, Lyon, and Gajeel tumbled unceremoniously into the back room. A disgruntled dark-haired and slightly irritated ice mage rolled his eyes and gave them all a steely gaze in the mirror, his back facing their entrance.
"Can you guys have some tact, please?" Gray's voice was frustrated as he fumbled with the blue tie around his neck, trying desperately to make the knot lay flat under the collar of his white button up. He scowled at himself in the mirror as he threw his hands up in defeat, turning to face them. "And will one of you help me with this damn tie?"
Lyon came forward, snickering. "As funny as it would be to let you walk out there and look like a fool, I'll take pity on you," he assured his longtime friend and rival. Gray scowled again, but didn't protest as Lyon took the fabric in his hands and began fixing the mess Gray had made for himself. Gray crossed his arms.
"Too many layers," he mumbled indignantly.
Lyon chuckled quietly, being unusually calm. "Just don't strip at the altar, okay?"
Natsu groaned behind him as Lyon finished with Gray's tie, causing both men to turn and face him. "This is a lot of fuss for two people who are already married," Natsu said, intentionally trying to rile Gray up. The ice mage only rolled his eyes, buttoning his blazer.
"Can it, flame-licker," Gray spoke, an edge to his voice. "This is about Juvia."
Gajeel, who had been leaning against the wall until now, looked up and gave a small smirk. "I am curious," he said. "Why are we throwing this huge ceremony? You guys have already been married for almost two months."
Gray let out a long sigh, shoving his hands in his pockets and fighting the urge to discard his clothes. The last few months came flooding back to him, and he grimaced.
Ever since Juvia had come back, she'd been a little different. Most days she was still the loving, bubbly girl Gray had fallen so madly in love with, but some days he could hardly recognize her. She'd gone on so few missions and spent very little time in the guild hall, even after most of her body was healed. Juvia did her best most days to stay home, and each time Gray came back from missions, she clung to him and trembled for hours on end. He tried to take smaller jobs with the minimum amount of time away from home, and Team Natsu did their best to stay with Juvia while he was gone. She hated being alone.
Gray had expected Juvia to be broken when she came home. He had expected her bad days; she'd been through a lot. He was finding out very quickly that even though he knew the days were coming, it was still so hard to watch her suffer and withdraw from her family in the guild.
Sometimes, Juvia would be in the kitchen cooking dinner, in the bathroom getting ready to shower, or even dressing herself, and she'd begin screaming. Gray would panic and throw himself away from whatever he was doing and find her on the floor, curled into a ball in tears and pressing her hands over her ears, eyes shut tight to keep all the world out. Gray had learned ways to combat these mental breaks, mostly by pressing her head into his neck and holding her as close as she could possibly come. The two or three times Wendy was there during these attacks, she did her best to help by laying her hands on her back and using magic to soothe her. Gray knew it took an immense amount of energy to help Juvia like that, but never once did Wendy complain, and Gray's brotherly instincts towards the young dragon slayer grew as she helped care for the love of his life.
Juvia's nightmares were hard too, so she would often times rise in the middle of the night and wander their place. Gray didn't follow her; he knew she needed the time to herself. When she came back to bed, he'd always do the same thing; he'd kiss every single scar across her body, even the ones from before she was taken, and assure her with murmurs and silent touches that he would always be there to protect her, that she was loved and safe in his embrace.
"Gray?"
Gajeel's voice drew him back to the present, and Gray pulled at his collar as he watched the concerned faces in the room stare at him. He cleared his throat. "Sorry," he said. "The reason the wedding is so important is because since Juvia's been home, it's really the only thing she's been truly excited about," he elaborated. "Watching her plan it all out with Master and Levy and all the girls has made her very happy, and has honestly helped keep her stable. I wanted more than anything to give her the wedding she had stolen from her.."
The three men were quiet, remembering the dark time during her disappearance. Lyon placed his hand on Gray's shoulder, and Gajeel's eyes became downcast, feeling slightly guilty for asking the question in the first place.
"Besides," Gray said, trying to diffuse the tension. "There's only really fifteen people who know we're already married. As far as the rest of Fairy Tail and all the other guilds know, this is what they've been waiting for."
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. "Gray?" Wendy's voice was almost too quiet to hear through the door. "Are you ready?"
Gray straightened, looking back at the mirror one more time. "Yeah," he said. "I'm ready."
The four boys filed out of the room, and Wendy disappeared again. Gray, Lyon, and Natsu all moved to the front of the guild hall, with Gray taking his place on the immediate left of Makarov, who was stood on the bar to be at level height. Gajeel moved to take his place in a stool on the far side of the bar, poised with his guitar to play Juvia down the isle. As dusk approached, everyone began taking their seats. A whispering quiet overcame the wizards of Fiore, and from the back room, Juvia was taking long, deep breaths, a light flush across her cheeks as her grip tightened on her bouquet of blue hydrangeas and blue lilies.
When all was quiet, Gray nodded at Gajeel, and he began his soft, slow strumming on the guitar. Everyone rose from their seats, and Gray took a deep breath. First came Levy, her blue hair pinned back from her face as she walked to the rhythm of the music. Then came Meredy, with her hair loose and falling around her shoulders. The last of the bridesmaids was Lucy, with her hair pulled back in an elegant bun. Each bridesmaid was dressed in floor length, pale blue gown, a small bouquet of white lilies in their hands. They took their place to the right of Master, and Asuka came down the isle leaving petals in her wake, before sitting next to Bisca in the crowd. Natsu reached out and put a hand on Gray's back over his shoulder blade; he didn't completely understand why, until Juvia came into view.
Gray's legs buckled slightly, and he was suddenly grateful for Natsu's support. Juvia stole every bit of breath in his body. Her long sleeved lacy wedding dress hugged her body all around her curves before shifting into soft waves around her hips, and her long blue hair fell delicately around her shoulders in loose curls. Behind her Wendy was holding up a long train, a smile evident on the dragon slayer face. Love swelled into Gray's chest, watching Juvia's downcast and nervous eyes. She was an ocean, he decided. Juvia was the waves and the sky and the strength of the wind, crashing into the shore and kissing the sand with the tenacity of someone who decided long ago that she would be a force to be reckoned with. Juvia could move the very earth around her if she so desired, and Gray just knew he was going to cry in front of all these people, and for once in his life he didn't give a fucking shit. He wanted to show her that she made his insides stir, made butterflies rip through his stomach in an attempt to reach her and be even a small fraction of the beautiful she was. No, Gray thought. Beautiful wasn't enough of a word to describe his Juvia. She was the thunder and the rain and the cool wind just after a summer storm that made even his skin feel chilled. Juvia was the ebb and flow of all things wonderful, and Gray would have fallen to his knees if not for Natsu's hand that moved to grip his shoulder.
Juvia looked at him, and gave the tiniest, most shy smile, a soft flush across her pale cheeks. He outstretched his hand for her to take as she handed her bouquet to Lucy, and her fingers slid into his so naturally, so completely. His mind was racing; he wanted to say something, anything to get across his love for her.
"H-Hey, Juves," Gray managed to sputter out a quiet greeting. Juvia giggled, and Natsu snickered behind him. 'Real smooth, Gray,' he thought to himself. All his calm collected nature seemed gone. The woman of his dreams was standing in front of him and all he could come up with was 'Hey, Juves.' She left him at a loss for words.
"Hey, Gray-sama," she whispered back. He pulled her in front of him, and everyone took their seats as Gajeel returned to the groom's side. Makarov looked like a proud dad as the couple joined hands, looking out across the guild at all the friends and family who came out to support his kids.
"Good evening, everyone," the master's voice was calm and even, but Gray barely heard it. He was too entranced in the weight of Juvia's gaze. "As you all know, Gray Fullbuster and Juvia Lockster have been through a lot in the past few months," Makarov's voice was solemn, but strong. "But tonight, none of that matters. Tonight they are one. Tonight, they are perfect."
There was a soft murmur of happiness that rippled through the crowd, and the master waited for it to die down before he continued. "Juvia and Gray have prepared small vows. They will say them now," he paused, turning to the ice mage. "Gray, you're up."
Gray squeezed Juvia's hand. He felt like his body was going to melt in a puddle, and his voice felt shaky, but his love smiled, and he found the ability to make himself speak. "Juvia," he began. "I don't think I have to stand here and tell you how much you've changed me."
There was a small laugh from their friends and family, and Gray smiled. "When you met me, I didn't know who I was; but you saw the version of me I always wanted to be, right through my cold and frigid nature. You knew the person I was always meant to be. I'm only able to be that person because of you." he told her, watching a blush unfold across the bridge of her nose. "I'm ashamed it took me so long to be the man you needed. Im ashamed it took me so long to learn how to love for you. I'm ashamed it took me so long to give you the love you deserve. But I promise you, Juvia, that I will spend every day of the rest of my life making up for it."
Gray watched as a light sparked within Juvia, one he hadn't seen since she'd come home. He reached out and under her veil to sweep a single falling tear away from her cheek. "I love you," he whispered in a voice meant only for her ears. Juvia smiled.
Master seemed at peace. "Juvia?" he beckoned.
Juvia nodded, returning her eyes to Gray. "Juvia spent a very long time looking for Gray-sama," she said, squeezing his fingers. "Juvia spent all of her life looking for someone with the ability to make the sun shine again. Juvia spent so long in the rain and under the clouds that she thought maybe that person didn't exist, would never exist, and Juvia was doomed to walk in the downpour for the rest of her days."
Juvia let out a watery laugh, her happiness bubbling and contagious. "And then Gray-sama came and parted the clouds," her tears of joy made Gray's knees nearly give out again, but her eyes held him steady. In those moments, her words were for him, the rest of the world silent. "He parted the clouds and kept the darkness away. Juvia knew she never wanted to go back to the way she was before. The moment Juvia saw the clear blue sky, she knew she would never love anyone else."
Gray didn't realize he was crying until it was already happening. Juvia's shy and timid nature was all but gone as they stood together. She smiled, leaning up and wiping his tears, just as he'd done for her. "Juvia loves Gray-sama," she whispered. "More and more every day."
Makarov wiped his own eyes, composing himself and straightening before speaking again. "Gray Fullbuster," he spoke, turning to the dark haired man. "Do you promise to be Juvia's parter until all the ice melts? Do you promise to always love her, and protect her with all your life?"
The ice mage smiled, letting go of one of Juvia's hands and holding his palm up, a cold burst of energy flaring between them. "I do."
Master turned to Juvia. "Juvia Lockster, do you promise to be Gray's parter until all the water runs out? Do you promise to always love him, and protect him with all your life?"
Juvia nodded, taking her now-free hand and conjuring a small amount of water, holding it just out of reach of Gray's frigid clutch. "I do."
With that, they let their magic join, and both of them felt an energy jolt up their arms, flowing easily into their bodies through their veins and into their very bones. Snowflakes appeared out of thin air and began to fall around them, bouts of laughter and joy floating between them and their guests as their friends cried and held two fingers up, thumb extended, in the greatest sign of respect, love, and support Fairy Tail could show.
Makarov smiled, putting his hands in the air. "Gray, you may kiss your—"
The ice mage couldn't wait. He lifted Juvia's veil and held her face in his hands, bringing their lips together and feeling a calm energy explode within him. Juvia placed her hands on his waist and giggled into his mouth, causing Gray to laugh and both of them to fall apart in a mixture of love and happiness and snow. They were alive and they were together. The trauma of months past and the trauma of anything in the future didn't matter as long as this one perfect moment existed between them.
"May I present, Mr. and Mrs. Gray Fullbuster!"
The guild hall became alight with love and happiness, tears being shed from wall to wall as everyone rose from their seats. Juvia laughed as Gray scooped her into his arms, a light dusting of show gathering on the floor of the vast room as they pressed their foreheads together, a cold kind of warmth radiating between them; they were an enigma like that.
Gray realized something that night. Through the madness, the drinking, the wild partying, he realized it when he watched Juvia throw her bouquet back over her head into a swarm of waiting women; this was the only outcome. No matter how hard Gray ran, no matter how hard he fought to keep her away, he would always find his way back to her. Juvia knew that, maybe before anyone, and that's why she was never afraid, why she was so shameless in showing her love. She knew that one day everything would fall together in perfect little pieces.
Juvia's eyes found his as Levy caught the bouquet, causing Gajeel to blush hard enough for Gray to see it across the room. Gray let out a laugh. Through all the torture Juvia endured, with all the scars branded across her mind and body, she still found her way back to him. They were, at their core, the same element; they were always meant to connect. Gray felt stupid for not seeing it sooner. She made him everything he was, just as water is frozen to make solid ice.
Juvia moved toward him, laughing and slightly tipsy. "Gray-sama!" her words were bubbly, practically falling off her tongue when she reached him. Her expression was too cute for Gray not to smile.
"Yes, my love?" Gray held her arms to steady her as she wobbled. Juvia's eyes were mischievous and sexy, giggling as she leaned up to whisper in his ear.
"Let's ditch," she said. Gray raised his eyebrow.
"The party's in full swing," he mentioned, looking around at all the guilds mingling and having fun; he hadn't seen so many of them together since the Grand Magic Games. "Why do you want to ditch?"
Juvia's eyes stirred something within Gray, something very primal and very forceful. Her fingers walked their way up his chest, and he felt a sudden desire to discard his blazer and tie. "Juvia doesn't want to share Gray-sama anymore. We'll be back before they miss us," her voice was low as her hand settled on his collar. "Juvia wants Gray-sama all to herself for a while."
Gray's eyes widened as she pulled hard on his shirt, pulling him down to kiss her in what was probably the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. He felt breathless and light headed, the combination of her dress and her curves and her confidence causing chills of desire to run through him. Juvia giggled, tugging on his hand and silently pulling him out one of the back doors of the guild. They snuck away under the cover of a clear, dark night, with Gray letting Juvia lead him all the way home.
He didn't think she'd ever stop surprising him.
... x
thanks y'all.