Author's Note: This is based off of the latest Fairy Tail chapter, chapter 424, and upon some requests I whipped these up real quick before health issues attacked x( The good news is I'm feeling better, it seems, but as I head into spring break writing time may be sparse *A* But thank you everyone for reading! c: I hope you like this chapter :) Take care!

title: skinny love
rating: M
summary: I try to picture me without you but I can't.

Was it fair? No. None of it was.

He let her in. Not completely—he couldn't do that, not yet—but she had her place in his mind, his home, his life, his bed.

The room was frosted down to an icy temperature, a habit he fell into without realizing, but together they created enough heat between them to endure it. Her cheeks were flushed beyond the cold, her lips parted and releasing chilled breaths between her pants and moans. She had a tight grip on the pillow behind her, the other gripping his wrist while his hands held the small of her back. His movements were rough yet gentle, focused yet open. The expression on his face was clear to her—tender, fond, warm.

God, so incredibly warm.

Juvia shut her eyes and arched her back, reaching behind her to grasp a pole in the bedframe. Her body was tensing up and Gray groaned in response, sinking his knees into the mattress and rocking his hips faster. She cried out at the friction, the pleasure coursing through her veins. Her eyes slightly opened, offering a heavy-lidded view of her love-laced gaze.

So, so, so in love.

Pressing his palms into her lower back, he lifted her up, settling her into his lap. She moaned at the sudden change, grasping his shoulders and digging her nails into his skin. He grunted in her ear and she whimpered and buried her face in his neck. His grip on her sides didn't waver, only tightened when she began rolling her hips and sinking down on his thrusts.

He felt her bite into his neck, something she did when she was forcing herself to keep quiet. They learned long ago that she had to control herself—one too many noise complaints left a permanent blush on her cheeks. But no matter how hard she bit, it was never enough to hurt him—even lost in the throws of ecstasy, she still had some self-restraint.

He almost envied her for it.

Her skin was incredibly smooth, rubbing against his. Her breasts pressed up against his chest, bouncing to every thrust; her luscious legs wrapped tight around his hips, riding up his waist; her soft hair brushing his skin, spilling over his hands as she tilted her head back and moaned so sweetly. He kissed her exposed neck and she gasped breathlessly, slipping a hand in his hair and biting her lip while his tongue ravished her skin. His hand fisted in her hair, hers tugged on his; he moved his hips faster, she bucked and squirmed against him. Just as he dragged his tongue up the curve of her neck, she pushed on his shoulders, and he found his back pressing into the mattress.

She crawled over him like a lustful vixen, her eyes dark but innocently mischievous with her lips curving in a sensual smile. Those lips melded against his just as her hips swerved, taking him in deep and eliciting a husky groan against her mouth. She pulled on his lower lip while she drew back, running her hand down his chest and grinding her hips against his. All he could do was watch her, panting ragged breaths and grabbing her sinful hips.

She leaned forward, planting an arm on either side of his face, breathing softly while her hair fell like curtains around them. He didn't understand how she could do that—look so heavenly on top of him, so ethereal with her dazed eyes and heavy lashes. His hand suddenly rested against her cheek, and she smiled so beautifully, leaning into his palm and regarding him with the warmest gaze.

So, so, so in love.

Just as her lips formed his name, he rolled her over and stole the gasp from her lips. He hitched her legs high against his waist and she desperately clung to his shoulders, returning his kiss with heated fervor and moaning into his mouth. His movements were erratic with renewed vigor, and the clawed nails down his back showed him how much she loved every second of it.

Her moans became obviously loud, but he couldn't find himself to give a damn. He wanted her to scream, wanted her to cry out and remind everyone she was his and his alone. Only he could be with her like this, only he could make her feel this way, only he would sport the scratch marks down his back and bite marks on his neck. In turn, only he could see her come undone, see her completely unravel in his arms and be the only one to receive her loving gaze and tender smile while she whispered the three words that ruined him over and over and over again: I love you.

In the aftermath of tangled limbs and sweaty bodies, he watched her sleeping face, resting so contently against him. He brought her closer, brushing his nose against her hair and memorizing the feel of her body against his. It would be a long time until they could do this again.

It wasn't fair. But it had to be done.

He kissed her temple, pressed his lips to the back of her ear and whispered words only meant for her to hear. She stirred against him and smiled, sweeping her hand over his arm and lacing her fingers through his. Behind her closed eyes, she didn't see the weariness of his own, the regret evident on his face.

It was for the best, anyway.

The next morning, he felt her slip from his arms. She was running the shower, where she'd hop in for a quick morning rinse before tiptoeing to the kitchen to not wake him. In another hour, he'd wake up to the smell of freshly prepared food on the table, then her smiling face as she woke him up and told him breakfast was ready.

That would be the routine, if he were staying to experience it.

There was a lead on a dark guild forming nearby. It was now or never. He couldn't ask her to join—he couldn't ask anything more from her. She'd already done too much, and he wouldn't let her fight his battles. Not again.

She was humming in the shower. It was a familiar tune she sang every now and then, reminiscent to a song Gajeel used to sing whenever he performed at the guild.

The slouch to his shoulders slumped lower.

He quickly dressed himself, forcing himself not to linger in the bed with her scent and warmth dwelling in it. The shower faucets were squeaking—she was turning them off.

Now or never.

Just as he turned, he noticed glimmering silver from the corner of his eye. His necklace. He'd forgot to put it on in his haste to get dressed. Instinctively, he reached for it—but then he hesitated. Maybe… it was better he didn't take it. He could leave it behind, show her he'd be back. He'd come back for what was his.

The bathroom door creaked open. Now or never. He quickly slipped out of the room, shuffling through the kitchen and out the front door.

Juvia exited the bathroom moments later, toweling her hair and humming contently to herself. Slowly opening her eyes, her gaze flickered towards Gray as it habitually did, only to widen at the absence of his place on the bed. Dropping the towel from her hands, she glanced around herself, feeling her heart skip in worry.

"Gray-sama?"

She was shivering. Her body was cold—but then it was hot—but then it was throbbing and aching and it became so, so warm again. Juvia shut her eyes tighter, feeling beads of sweat gather on her forehead.

Hot… so hot… where was Gray? He would cool her down, just as he'd done before—place a gentle hand on her forehead, look away with his trademark pout (even though he insisted he was scowling), and flow ice magic through his palm while lightly scolding her for getting sick in the first place.

Yes… that is what he would do, what he would be doing if he were there, with her. But he wasn't.

And it broke her heart all over again.

Why did he leave? Why did he leave without telling her? Without taking her with him?

He was hiding something, but he didn't tell her. She still wasn't worthy enough for his trust. But didn't the time they spent together mean anything? Didn't it make him happy, as much as it made her?

The tears began filling her eyes once more.

He was happy. She knew he was. They ate dinner together, he complimented her cooking and always asked for seconds; they trained together, he lent her his clothes and seemed to have a hard time looking at her when she wore them; he brought her on missions, no matter the danger because he knew together, they could handle it.

Yes, together, they could handle everything, anything… so why did he leave her all alone?

"Gray-sama…" she sobbed, her voice broken, desperately clutching the pillow against her cheek.

She remembered when she had slipped between these very sheets, snuggling against his back and exhaling a content sigh.

"Juvia."

"Yes, Gray-sama~?"

"No."

"Ahh, Gray-sama's sleepy voice is so dreamy!"

She had shuffled back to her own bed with a fond smile and busy mind spinning wild fantasies.

He may have frequently rejected her sleeping in his bed, but he never stopped her climbing into it in the first place.

A pained smile curved her lips, and her fingers curled around the pillow sheet.

Gray-sama…

"Juvia-san?"

Gray-sama…

"Are you all right?"

Gray-sama…!

"Does it hurt? Juvia-san?"

A tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, then another.

"Y-Yes…" she choked out. "It hurts… so much…"

"Where, Juvia-san?" Wendy's soft voice asked. Juvia could feel the warmth of her healing magic radiate behind her. "If I can help—"

She sniffled and whimpered, shutting her eyes and turning her face into the pillow. Sobs wracked her body, making her whole form tremble. Her voice was breaking, but Wendy caught a few discernible words—"Gray-sama", "why", "please", and—

"I miss you."

He wound his arm around, stretching the muscles and hearing the bones crack. Entering his room, he stripped off his jacket, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

"Gray-sama! You're leaving your clothes all over the place again…"

He narrowed his eyes, looking away from the littered clothing with a disdainful sneer.

Turning towards the mirror, he eyed the devil slaying mark spreading across his body. It almost covered his hand and half his chest. Tch. It was getting worse.

"What's… what's wrong with your body…"

He growled to himself, shaking his head. Looking back to his reflection, he tossed the stray lock of hair out of his eye.

"Ahh, Gray-sama! Your hair! You look so handsome!"

His eyes closed with a quiet exhale from his nose. He could practically see her—clasping her hands together beside her head, popping her foot in the air and swooning. She'd rush over to him, fawn over him and comb her fingers through his hair. He'd let her, just like he'd let her before—he'd never admit it aloud, but it felt damn nice when she ran her fingers through his hair.

After a few brushes, she'd giggle with a luminescent blush on her cheeks and squeal, "So cool, Gray-sama! But Gray-sama makes everything look cool…"

"Gray-sama."

He opened his eyes, glancing back from the corner of his eye. It was the girl with short hair and a black bow adorned on her head.

His lip almost curled in distaste, but he masked his expression carefully.Gray-sama. It sounded so strange coming from anyone else but her.

"What," he finally replied.

The girl merely smiled at him. "Priest Arlock requests your presence, Gray-sama."

He closed his eyes. There was no masking the clear disdain behind them.

Grunting an affirmative, he turned to pick up his tossed jacket.

The girl simply nodded, continuing to wear the coy smile on her lips. "All in the name of Zeref."

Gray silently shrugged the jacket over his shoulders, buttoning the cuffs on his sleeves.

"Don't forget to fix the collar, Gray-sama! Here, let Juvia do it, Gray-sama always forgets…"

Her musical laughter rang in his ears as he adjusted the collar.

"Are you ready?" the girl asked.

Gray cast a final glance towards the mirror. Juvia's smiling, radiant face reflected back at him. A faint blush adorned her cheeks as she closed her eyes and waved before meeting his gaze and smiling kindly, resting her hands together before her.

"Juvia loves you, Gray-sama! No matter what!"

He closed his eyes once more, inhaling slowly and swallowing his regret. He didn't expect her to forgive him, but he hoped she would.

"Yeah," he replied curtly, turning around and walking out the door. "All in the name of Zeref."