Author's Note: Hello friends! Long time no see, in coincidentally exactly four months! Heh, whoops, I'm very sorry for the delay. As you may have read in the Oltremare author's note, life's been beautifully complicated. I can't guarantee I'm totally back to my regular writing mojo, but I am working on some things here and there. This was from a request on tumblr, about Juvia confronting Gray about nightmares over his father and Ur and subsequently comforting him. I hope you like it!

Also, should I discontinue this story if I reach 50 chapters? I still have more one-shots in my head, but would you rather I keep it all collected here or start something new after hitting 50? Do let me know! And as always, I hope you're all doing well, and I appreciate any feedback ;u; Take care!

title: night visions
rating: T
summary: For me, I'm your sorrow calling in your dreams.

The battlefield is cold, much like his opponent before him.

"Have I made you remember yet? The terror of Deliora!"

Freezing cuts of his father's ice, sharp rubble grating his skin.

"Hahaha! Demons surpass humans!"

Wild, malicious cackles and the bitter taste of blood in his mouth.

"I was waiting… to be killed… by you…"

Pools of blood spread on the floor.

"No father would hurt his child…"

The ice cuts through his body, emerging from his chest in a deep diagonal slash. The cold chills his veins and stills his breath along with it—his lungs won't expand, he can't breathe, sharp pain surges through his veins consuming him immobilizing him killing him—

His eyes snapped open as he took a sharp breath, immediately sitting upright. He felt his chest in a flurry, eyes glancing down to confirm—no deep gash across his torso, no blood on his hands… only cold beads of sweat coating his body.

He stared in the darkness before glancing beside him, finding Juvia sleeping on her side with her back to him. He cursed under his breath, clenching his fist. This was the fifth nightmare this month—if Juvia found out, she'd worry endlessly. She'd already done enough for him, fretting over nightmares wasn't her concern, he'd make sure of it.

Carefully, Gray laid back down, taking slow, even breaths. The sheets shuffled as Juvia shifted, turning around and curling against his side with a soft sigh. He glanced at her, moving to gently brush her hair from her cheek, and she nuzzled his shoulder in response, resting her hand lightly against his chest.

He focused on the features of her face, concentrating on the serenity and calmness her presence seemed to wash over him. The even pace of her breathing eradicated the memories of the nightmares that plagued him, and soon he fell into slumber once more.

The wind is icy and scraping his skin. He's small again—his hands and feet are tiny and he has such little power. A roar cuts through the air and freezes his body. Sheer terror runs through his veins.

Then she appears, short black hair whipping around her face in the harsh wind, a kind smile on her lips… until her expression turns to one of scorn and derision. Her eyebrows pull together and a stern frown crosses her lips.

"You weren't strong enough," she says. "You weren't strong enough, so I had to protect you."

He suddenly feels a powerful tremor shoot through him. His father's smiling face stares back at him.

"Grow up to be strong, son."

His face suddenly disfigures and morphs. His eyes grow gray and lifeless, blood drips from his hairline, his smile falls from his face. His skin is cold and pale and his father is lying as a mangled corpse while that same horrifying roar echoes around him.

"Grow up to be strong… because you weren't strong enough then. I had to protect you."

His father's laughter was distinct. Memorable when he lifted him up as a boy, unforgettable when he conjured icicles to slice through his body. More blood keeps spilling to the floor, but he's losing track—is it his or his father's? Dark crimson suddenly taints to black and he knows it's not his, but his father's—living blood doesn't turn to black. He killed him—he heard the rip of his father's chest when the cannonball blew through him, he heard the scream and splurge of blood from his mouth and echoing thud when his father's body crashed to the floor to lie dead once more but by his own son's stained unforgivable hands—

His body jerked as he gasped, snapping his eyes open once more. He expected to meet a rush of cool air, but instead, he felt a tender hand on his cheek and gentle warmth against him.

"Shh, shh," her soft voice whispered by his ear. His face was leaning against something soft, and the tickle of blue curls against his face eased the tension in his body.

He lowered his eyelids, feeling Juvia's embrace tighten as she stroked his hair and brought him closer to her chest.

"Juvia…" he murmured quietly, lifting himself away. "I'm fine. It's nothing."

She slowly leaned back and looked at him.

"Six," she replied quietly. "That was Gray-sama's sixth nightmare."

He averted his gaze, exhaling and passing a hand through his hair. "Don't know what you mean."

"Gray-sama—"

"It's late, I'm goin' back to bed."

"Gray-sama's heart is still pounding," she said softly, resting her palm against his chest.

He shifted his eyes towards her, casting a half-lidded glance. "Maybe 'cause you look like that."

A faint splash of color bloomed in her cheeks. "W-W-What—"

"You know what I mean," he murmured, leaning forward and taking a lock of hair between his fingers. "Your hair's messy, eyes glazed, flushed, with your nightgown slipping…" His voice dropped to a low rumble, his lips faintly brushing the skin of her cheek.

"G-Gray-sama," the girl stuttered, placing timid hands on his shoulders, "Gray-sama needs to talk about—"

"I don't want to talk right now," he replied, pressing wet kisses to her neck.

"Mm—" Juvia whimpered, shutting her eyes when he tugged her hair and tilted her head back. "N-No, Gray-sama needs to talk about this right now—"

"Juvia," he said sternly, and the cool brush of his breath against her heated skin sent a delicious shiver down her spine. He brushed his tongue against her throat, eliciting a soft mewl from the girl. "Stop talking."

She shook her head, sucking in a breath and leaning away from his lips. "No, J-Juvia knows what Gray-sama is doing—and—" He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her into his lap while she squirmed. He grunted from her movements, low and husky by her ear, and her fingers tensed around his shoulders.

"Gray-sama…" she whined breathlessly.

He glanced at her, only to find her lips against his and her hand in his hair.

He felt himself pushed down, lying against his back while she tilted her head above him. She moaned softly against his mouth and his hands rose up her back—only to suddenly feel them magically pulled back, locked above his head to the bedpost.

He felt the release of her lips then, and her eyes met his. "Juvia is sorry, Gray-sama," she said, "but Gray-sama cannot continue to avoid this."

He glanced to his wrists, finding them secured by her water lock. Tch, she used his own tactic against him, kissing him like that to distract him—

"Release me," he commanded, furrowing his brows together.

"I'm sorry," she answered, locking him in place with her legs, "but Gray-sama must talk about his nightmares—"

"There's nothing to talk about," he shot back, casting an icy glare.

"Juvia disagrees," she replied, resting her arms on either side of his face. "Juvia knows Gray-sama doesn't like to talk about things—"

"Then let me go—"

"—but Gray-sama's issue is deeper than this! Juvia cannot stand to hear Gray-sama in pain!"

"It's not your concern," he growled in aggravation, shuffling beneath her weight.

"Juvia believes in Gray-sama, but Gray-sama is struggling to conquer his nightmares, but if Gray-sama tells Juvia—"

"Talking doesn't solve anything!" he shouted, making her flinch. "It's not gonna do shit! I ain't suddenly gonna feel better!"

She frowned, placing a calming hand over his thumping heart. "Juvia knows," she said softly, "but if Gray-sama tells Juvia, she can share his burden—"

"No way," he countered. "You've done enough for me."

"Not enough if Gray-sama is still being tormented—"

"I don't need you!" he yelled, thrashing beneath her. "It's not your damn business!"

Ice enveloped the water lock, crawling along the restraint until they cracked and shattered. Juvia gasped before finding herself flipped on her back, her wrists pinned tightly by her head. She looked up to the man above her, his eyes dark and blazing with anger.

"It's my issue!" he snarled, "It's my dad, my master, my fault—!"

"Why do you keep pushing Juvia away?" she whispered.

He stilled, staring down at her. His body was trembling while hers was completely still, her eyes pained but locked with his. Tears brimmed the corners before she lowered her lashes, looking away.

"Your hands are cold…"

Gradually, he loosened his grip on her wrists, planting his palms against the mattress. His eyelids lowered in a hooded gaze.

"I'm sorry."

She glanced at him, her eyes softening in sorrow. "Gray-sama is angry with himself," she spoke, her voice a gentle whisper, "and Gray-sama is lashing out at Juvia. Juvia can take it, but this will not help Gray-sama. Juvia knows… Gray-sama is so tired…" She lifted her hand, resting it tenderly against his cheek. "Gray-sama is tired because he is carrying this weight alone. Juvia wants to help—"

"Why," he said quietly, placing his hand over hers. He leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as she brushed his cheek with her thumb. "Why do you do so much for me."

She placed her other hand against his cheek, gently caressing his skin. "Juvia knows Gray-sama would do the same for her."

He slowly opened his eyes, regarding her under a half-lidded gaze. "Juvia…"

Her thumbs swept over his cheeks, her fingers traced the angle of his jaw. A small smile curved her lips, and it lit up her face.

"Juvia loves Gray-sama," she whispered. "And she will do whatever she can to make him happy."

His shoulders slouched and his eyes grew weary. He found his body giving in, gently lowering upon her, resting his face against the crook of her neck. Her arms immediately circled him, her hand gently stroking his hair, the other running soothingly against his back.

She smelled like rain on a warm summer day.

"Juvia," he murmured, his eyes gradually drawing to a close. "Let me stay… like this for a while…"

He felt her smile against him, then the gentle press of her lips in his hair. Before long, he found himself sound asleep, with the scent of petrichor and the peaceful pitter-patter of rain trickling out the window.