Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Fairy Tail
Chaper 5: Tears and Comfort
It had been a week since Juvia spoke to Lyon or Gray. Lyon had been calling her to apologize but Juvia wouldn't hear it. And she didn't know why. Juvia didn't know why she was so angry at Lyon. He did nothing wrong that day at the cafe. She knew that, and yet she was still mad at him. And then there was Gray. It felt tlike she hadn't seen him in forever when in actuality, it had only been a few weeks. Boy, was her life , now it was time to forget all the drama in her life and go to work. And she did just that. She got dressed and left for work, where she saw Merudy sitting by the front desk. Merudy waved but Juvia ignored her. Juvia was still angry at her for taking her to that club. That was the worst experience of her life. Scratch that, her fight with Gray was the worst experience of her life. Juvia sat in her office chair and started working. If she worked hard enough, than maybe she could forget about her problems. Even if it was for a little while.
''What's wrong with you?'' Merudy,who followed Juvia to her office, asked. Juvia started.
''Juvia is still upset with Merudy for taking her to that club. Merudy said that Juvia would have fun, but Juvia had a terrible time.''
''That happened last week! And besides, you didn't wake up with a killer hangover and have to go to work that morning.'' Merudy protested.
''Nobody told you to get drunk.'' Juvia replied. Merudy sighed.
''Look Juvia, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you would have a terrible time. I was only trying to help.'' Juvia sighed.
''Juvia understands that Merudy was trying to make Juvia feel better, but Merudy has to understand that Juvia and Merudy are very different people. Juvia and Merudy like different things. Merudy likes to go to clubbing and Juvia doesn't. Juvia likes to read and Merudy doesn't. Merudy knew that Juvia doesn't like clubs, and Merudy still took her to one. You can't blame Juvia for being upset.''
''I guess you're right. I just thought that you would have a good time and forget all about Gray. I didn't realize that you would end up having a bad time. I'm really sorry Juvia.''
''Juvia forgives you. And Juvia didn't have a bad time per-say. Juvia only wanted to leave when that man tried to get her to come home with him.''
''What? A guy wanted to take you home? Why didn't you tell me? That's great, Juvia! I knew that that dress would get some guy's attention.'' Juvia stared at Merudy, shocked.
''Merudy, that man touched Juvia's ass. How is that a good thing?'' Merudy wiggled her eyebrows.
''Come on Juvia. Guys like that are always at the club. You just have to hope that you look hot enough to get them to notice you. Which they did, thanks to me picking out that dress for you. You're welcome.'' Merudy said, a grin spreading across her face. Juvia shook her head.
''You're crazy.'' she said. Merudy shrugged.
But I'm still your friend. So you're friends with a crazy person. Anyways, I should get back to work.'' Merudy turned to leave but Juvia stopped her.
''Merudy wait.'' Merudy turned around.
''What is it?'' Juvia looked away.
''Juvia's ready.'' Merudy's face scrunched up in confusion.
''Ready? Ready for what?'' Juvia sighed.
''Juvia's ready to forgive Gray-sama.''
''Seriouly? You're ready to forgive Gray? But why?'' Merudy asked, sitting back down on the chair in Juvia office.
''Well, Juvia has spent the last two weeks thinking about this. And now she realizes that she misses Gray-sama. She misses being held in his arms . She misses his laugh. She wants to hug and kiss him. She wants to run her fingers through his hair. She wants to see his smile. Juvia has spent way to much time being upset. And for what? Yes, Juvia wanted to move in with Gray-sama and said no, which led to this whole thing. But Juvia is done torturing herself. This ''break'' has gone on long enough. Juvia can wait to move in with Gray-sama. She doesn't have to risk her relationship because of this. Juvia loves Gray-sama and she will do anything for him. Even if it means sacrificing what she wants. Because Juvia loves Gray-sama and she wants to be with him. So she's heading to his apartment today to tell him that she wants this ''break'' to end.'' Merudy smiled.
''Good for you Juv. You should tell him how you feel. And not just for your sake but for mine as well. I am tired of seeing you like this. I want the old Juvia back. The cheerful, bubbly, funny, and confident Juvia. Not the depressed, grumpy, and no fun Juvia. And if making things right with Gray will get you to stop acting this way than I support you 100%.'' Merudy said. Juvia smiled.
''Thank you Merudy.'' Merudy waved her away.
''No need to thank me. It's my job as your friend to make you feel better. And for the record, when you two make up, I hope you fuck like bunnies.''
''Merudy!'' Juvia cried, looking at Merudy with an apalled expression. Merudy laughed.
''Look at your face!'' Merudy gasped out, her laughs echoing off the office walls.
''Get out!'' Juvia burst out, pointing to the door. Merudy turned and left, laughing all the way out. Juvia sighed and went back to her work, trying to suppress her growing smile.
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Gray was in his office, checking his sales. They were still dropping. Not only that, but it had been two weeks. Two weeks since he and Juvia went on this ''break''. And Gray missed her. He missed her smile, her laugh, her flowing blue hair. And he missed the way she looked at him. She looked at him with so much love and adoration. And if Gray was being honest with himself, he didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve the looks she gave him. What he said to her was unforgivable. And he deserved every emotion that he was feeling right now. The anger, regret, sadness, jealousy, he deserved it all. He wanted to make things right with Juvia, but he was afraid. He was afraid that if he tried to make things right, he would get rejected. He was afraid that she wouldn't take him back. He was afraid of losing her. There was a knock at the door.
''Come in.'' The door opened and Becca walked in. Gray sighed. She was the last person he wanted to see.
''Good morning Mr. Fullbuster. Here is my report.'' Becca said cheerfully. Gray nodded.
''Thank you Becca. You can leave the report on my desk.'' Becca did as she was told. Gray expected her to leave, but she didn't. Instead, she just stood there.
''Is there a problem, Becca?'' Gray asked.
''Yes, there is. I get the feeling that you are upset, Mr. Fullbuster. Do you wish to talk about it?'' Becca offered. Gray thought about it. He didn't want to bother Becca with his problems, but if he didn't talk about it then he might explode.
''Fine. Lets just say that I'm having relationship problems.''
''What kind of problem?'' Becca asked. Gray sighed.
''My girlfriend and I had a huge fight. She wanted to move in, but I told her no because I wasn't ready for that yet. It's been two weeks since our fight and I've barely had a chance to talk to her. And now I'm starting to think that our relationship is over. And it's all my fault.'' Gray admitted. And it was the truth. It was his fault that he was in this mess. And he was too much of a coward to fix it.
''I am very sorry to hear that, Mr. Fullbuster. But to be honest, I don't think that you're entirely to blame for this.''
''You don't?'' Gray questioned, looking into her eyes. Her eyes that looked so much like Juvia's. Becca smiled.
''No, I don't. You said that you weren't ready to have your girlfriend move in with you. Your girlfriend should have accepted this fact and left it alone. It's not like you said that she couldn't move in with you. I'm sure that she can move in with you at a later time, when you're ready. In my opinion, she also had a part to blame in this confict.'' Becca said. Gray was silent for a moment. Then a small smile framed his features.
''You're right. Maybe our fight wasn't entirely my fault.'' Becca grinned.
''Of course I'm right. I'm always right.'' she boasted.
''Thank you Becca. But there's still one problem. How do I fix it? I want to make things right but I don't know how.'' Gray said.
''Mr. Fullbuster, don't you think it's time that you move on?''
''What?'' Becca sighed.
''Come now, Mr. Fullbuster. Surely you must know that I am attracted to you. And I know that you are attracted to me as well. So what's stopping us?''
''I have a girlfriend Becca.'' Gray pointed out. Becca shrugged.
''So? You said that you haven't talked to your girlfriend in two weeks. She has probably moved on already.''
''You don't know that.'' Gray countered. Becca smirked.
''You're right, I don't know that. But then again, you can't be so sure yourself. While you are drowning in self-pity, she could be out having fun, meeting new guys. And if that's the case, don't you think that you deserve the same thing? It has been two weeks Mr. Fullbuster. If you guys haven't resolved your problem by now, than you never will. So, why not give us a chance? I'm sure that I can help you get over your girlfriend.'' Gray was silent for a while. Becca did have a point. Maybe Juvia did move on already. And if that was true, why couldn't he do the same? He already caught Juvia with someone else, so there was no point in waitning any longer. Two weeks past by. They probably weren't getting back together anyway. Gray smirked. He leaned over the desk and locked lips with Becca. He shoved his tongue down her throat, making her moan. Gray pulled away.
''You've got yourself a deal, Becca.''
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After work, Juvia drove as quickly as she could to Gray's apartment complex. She felt giddy. She couldn't wait to see him and make things right. She was tired of being alone. She wanted her man back. Juvia parked her car and rushed into the building. She quickly pulled out Gray's spare apartment key and rushed up the stairs. Juvia could just imagine how everything would work out. Gray would forgive her instantly and pull her into his arms, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. And then they would go to his bedroom, and well, you know the rest. So you can imagine her surprise when she opened the door and saw Gray half naked, making out with another women. Juvia's heart broke. Her eyes burned with unshed tears.
''W-What?'' she croaked out, finally getting their attention.
''J-Juvia! What are you doing here?'' Gray exclaimed, a look of absolute horror crossing his face. Juvia tried to speak but she couldn't. She turned and ran.
''Juvia!'' Gray yelled, chasing after her. But Juvia didn't stop. She just kept running.
''Juvia! Juvia wait!'' Gray called as he followed her down the stairs. He reached out and grabbed her. Juvia shoved him away.
''Don't touch me!'' she yelled, her voice ringing off the lobby walls.
''Juvia please, let me explain.'' Gray pleaded.
''Explain? Explain what?! Juvia knows what she saw. She saw you making out with that blonde bimbo! How can you possibly explain that?!''
''Juvia, you don't understand.''
''Then make her understand! Make Juvia understand why you would do this to her!''
''I thought we were over!'' Gray burst out.
''What?'' Gray sighed.
''It's been two weeks Juvia. I thought we were over. And then I saw you with Lyon and-''
''Lyon and Juvia are just friends! Why can't you understand that?! And because you thought we were over, you decided to have sex with another women!''
''We didn't have sex!'' Gray protested.
''But you were about to! So, our one year of being together didn't mean anything to you!''
''Of course it does! It means everything to me! I love you Juvia!''
''No, you don't! Juvia loves you! But what you just did? That's not love!'' Gray frowned.
''Don't tell me that I don't love you when I do! I have been with you for a year! A year! If I didn't love you than I would have dumped your ass a long time ago!'' Gray screamed.
''Than why didn't you?!'' Juvia countered.
''Why should that even matter? Why did you come to my apartment?''
''Juvia came to your apartment to apologize. She wanted to make things right with you! And to her surprise, she saw you making out with another women! What a great surprise that was!'' Juvia laughed sarcastically. She sneered at Gray.
''Why don't you go back to her anyway? I'm sure she misses you.'' Juvia turned to walk away but Gray grabbed her shoulders and forced her to face him.
''I won't go back to her. I won't leave until I make things right with you.''
''Why? Why bother?''
''Because you're my girlfriend Juvia! That's why I bother!'' Gray shouted. Juvia snickered.
''Well, Juvia isn't your girlfriend anymore. Since you already found another one.'' Juvia shrugged Gray's hand away and headed to the door.
''What did you expect me to do Juvia? Wait for you forever? Well, I can't do that.'' Juvia turned and glared at him.
''No. Juvia didn't expect Gray to wait forever. but she did expect him to wait longer than two weeks.''
''So, all this time, you didn't hook up with Lyon?'' Gray asked.
''No! Juvia and Lyon never hooked up. Does Gray want to know why?''
''Why? Why didn't you hook up with Lyon?''
''Juvia didn't hook up with Lyon because she couldn't put you through that much pain. She couldn't do that to you. Because Juvia loves you. Too bad she can't say the same for you.'' Juvia stormed out of the building. Gray watched her leave. Then he walked back to his apartment, where Becca was waiting for him.
''So that's your girlfriend? I don't understand why you are so hung up on her. She is nothing compared to me.'' Gray turned and glared daggers at Becca.
''GET OUT!'' he bellowed. Becca stared at him before collecting her things and leaving. Gray slammed the door behind her. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
Downstairs in her car, Juvia wept.
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Juvia didn't know how long she had been sitting in her car crying. She would assume that it had been over an hour but she wasn't sure. She felt empty inside. Like there was a giant hole inside her. A hole that couldn't be filled. Juvia looked at herselt in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy and her hair was in disarray. Juvia sighed. There was no point in staying here anymore. So she started her car and drove off. She didn't know where she was going. She didn't want to go home and she didn't know where else she could go. Then an idea came to her. She knew where to go now. The perfect place to drown her sorrows. A bar.
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''Bartender, another Dirty Russian please.'' Juvia asked, her words slurring over. The bartender looked at her skeptically before beginnig to prepare her drink.
Juvia didn't know how long she had been there. All she knew was that she had four tequilla shots, two Bloody Mary's, and this would be her second Dirty Russian. And she had no intention of stopping anytime soon. She wouldn't stop until she either passed out or the pain in her heart went away. Nothing happened yet, so she continued to drink. After she finished her Dirty Russian she asked for another one.
''Bartender, can Juvia have another Dirty Russian?'' The bartender shook his head.
''No, I think you've had enough to drink.''
''Please? Juvia really needs this drink.'' The bartender didn't budge.
''No, you don't. Now why don't I call you a cab?'' he suggested. Juvia shook her head.
''No. Juvia will call one of her friends. And Juvia will be sure to tell them about the terrible bar service here!'' Juvia got up and stumbled to the door. She stepped out of the bar and pulled out her phone. She randomly selected a contact and held the phone to her ear.
''Hello?'' Juvia's faced brightened.
''Lyon-san! How are you doing?''
''I'm fine, thank you. Juvia, are you drunk?'' Juvia giggled.
''Yes, she is. Anyways, can you come pick Juvia up?''
''Yeah. Just give me the address and I'll be right over.'' Juvia gave Lyon the address to the bar.
''Okay. Don't do anything stupid until I get there.''
''Juvia promises.''
''Okay. I'll be there in ten minutes.'' Lyon hung up. Juvia waited by the bar door for Lyon to show up. Juvia's face brightened when she saw Lyon's car pull up against the sidewalk. Juvia stumbled to the car and got in. She smiled at Lyon.
''Hi Lyon-san. Thank you for picking Juvia up. She's really sorry about what happened at the cafe. She didn't mean what she said.''
''It's alright. You're not hurt, are you?'' Lyon asked. Juvia shook her head.
''Nope.'' Lyon cringed.
''God, your breath stinks. I think it's time you went home.''
''No! Juvia doesn't want to go home. She doesn't want to be by herself.'' Lyon sighed.
''Fine, I'll take you to my house. Is that okay with you?'' Juvia nodded. Lyon turned on the radio and started the drive back to his house.
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Lyon pulled into the driveway to his house. He helped Juvia to the door and opened it. She stumbled inside. Lyon turned on the lights.
''Wow! Lyon-san's house is so nice.'' Juvia said.
''Thanks.'' Lyon mumbled. He put his keys down and turned to Juvia.
''You can have the bed. I'll sleep on the couch.''
''But, that's not fair. Juvia doesn't want Lyon-san to sleep on the couch.'' Juvia protested.
''It's alright Juvia. I don't mind. Now come on, I'll help you to the bedroom.'' Juvia shook her head.
''Juvia doesn't want to go to bed yet.'' Lyon sighed.
''Look, Juvia, I'm tired. It's past twelve and I have to work in the morning. And so do you, so let me help you upstairs.'' Lyon said.
''No. Juvia can't go to bed yet. Can we just talk?''
''Fine. Maybe you could tell me why you were at a bar. I thought you didn't drink, Juvia.'' Lyon said.
''Juvia, Juvia broke up with Gray-sama.''
''What?''
''Juvia saw Gray-sama making out with another women. We fought, and now Juvia doesn't want anything to do with him.'' Juvia confessed. She started to laugh hysterically. Those laughs started to turn into sobs. Lyon led Juvia to the couch and listened to her crying.
''It's just that, Juvia loves him so much! She loves him and yet, he does this to her. Juvia is in so much pain right now. She thought that if she went to the bar, than maybe her problems would just magically disappear. She thought that the alcohol could fill the empty hole in her chest. She thought that the alcohol could make her forget. But she still remembers and it hurts. It hurts so much!'' Juvia sobbed into Lyon' s chest. Lyon rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.
''I'm so sorry Juvia. You don't deserve this.'' he whispered. Lyon continued to rub her back until Juvia calmed down. Lyon smiled at her.
''Do you feel better now?'' he asked. Juvia nodded.
''Yes, thank you.''
''No problem. I couldn't leave you to cry like that. That would be a terrible thing to do.''
''Lyon-san may be right, but Juvia still doesn't deserve your kindness. She yelled at you at the cafe and she only called you to come pick her up. Juvia probably disturbed your sleep and she made you listen to her problems. Also, Lyon-san has to work in the morning and here you are, sitting on the couch with Juvia. Juvia feels terrible for putting you through this. Lyon-san should be in bed sleeping, not listening to Juvia talk about her problems.'' Juvia muttered. Lyon shook his head.
''Don't apologize. As your friend, it is my job to help you when you are at your lowest. And besides, I still have plenty of time to sleep. After all, it's only 1:00 a.m.'' Lyon joked. Juvia smiled.
''Lyon-san is such a good person. Juvia is really sorry for how she reacted at the cafe. You did nothing wrong.'' Lyon sighed.
''Stop apologizing. I forgive you. In fact, I completely forgot about the incident at the cafe.''
''Speaking of which, how do you know Gray-sama?'' Juvia asked.
''Huh?''
''At the cafe, it looked like you two knew each other.''
''Oh. Well Gray and I go way back.
''Really?'' Lyon nodded.
''Yeah. But it's a really long story and you probably want to go to sleep, so-''
''Tell Juvia. Please.'' Juvia pleaded, giving Lyon the puppy dog eyes. Lyon huffed.
''Fine. But only because you're looking at me like that. Anyways, did Gray tell you that his birth parents died?'' Juvia nodded.
''Well, Gray's mother was best friends with this women named Ur.''
''Oh yeah. Gray-sama told Juvia about her. He said that she died in a car accident.'' Lyon nodded.
''Yeah, she did. Anyways, in his mother's will, she asked Ur to take care of Gray. Ur agreed and she took Gray in.''
''But, then how do you know Gray-sama?'' Juvia interrupted.
'' I was getting to that. My mother was also friends with Ur. She thought that Gray could use a playmate since his parents just died. She said that he must be pretty lonely since he didn't have any siblings. Ur agreed and the next day I was in her house, staring at a kid I was supposed to play with. Which I wasn't very happy about because Gray was younger than me and I wanted to play with my friends, not some kid. And because of that, I was in a sour mood. And because of my sour mood, Gray and I quickly got into an arguement. Ur and my mother had to separate us before things got physical.'' Juvia laughed.
''You and Gray-sama didn't get along?''
''No. Gray was an annoying brat with an attitude and I simply didn't want to be there. And even after our arguement, my mother still forced me to play with him, much to my displeasure. She sent me over to Ur's house everyday to play with him. But instead of playing nicely like she hoped, we competed with each other. Every game we played became a competition. Which I won most of the time, by the way. Over the years, our competitive drive only got worse. We were more like rivals than friends. Ur thought it was cute that we were so competitive. Things between Gray and I stayed the same until-'' Lyon stopped.
''Until Ur died.'' Juvia finished. Lyon nodded.
''Yeah. Her car was hit by a drunk driver. The car flipped and she died on impact. Gray was devastated, we both were. Ur was a good person, she didn't deserve that. Not only that but she had a daughter. Ultear was about 10 at the time, so she didn't fully understand what was going on.''
''That's terrible.'' Juvia said.
''Yeah, I know. Ultear moved in with her father and Gray had his own apartment at the time.''
''And what about you?''
''I just started medical school. Gray had just finished getting his degree in business. We were so busy that we barely saw each other. Eventually, we just stopped talking all together. At the cafe, that was the first time that was the first time that Gray and I spoken in three years. And you saw how that conversation turned out.''
''Juvia had no idea that you two had so much history. Gray-sama never mentioned you or Ultear.'' Lyon snorted.
''Of course he didn't. I can understand why though. After Ur died, Gray just shut everyone out. He wouldn't talk to anyone. He was so focused on getting his ice sculpting business started. I only saw him a few times after Ur's funeral.'' Lyon said. Juvia looked at him. They were so close that she could she his eyelashes.
'Juvia knows that Lyon-san is handsome, but she didn't expect him to be this handsome. He looks so different up close.' Juvia thought. Lyon looked at her.
''Why are you staring me like that?'' he asked. Juvia blushed.
''No reason. Anyways, Juvia thinks that we should go to bed now. It's really late.''
''You're right. I'll show you to the bedroom. '' Lyon said, standing up. He showed Juvia the bedroom and was just about to leave when Juvia stopped him.
''Lyon-san?''
''Hmm?''
''Thank you for letting Juvia stay here tonight. She really didn't want to be all by herself at home.'' Lyon smiled.
''That's what friends are for. Good night Juvia.''
''Good night Lyon-san''
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Juvia woke up that same morning with a giant headache. She got up several times during the night to throw up. This is what she gets for getting drunk. Juvia got out bed and headed downstairs. Lyon was already dressed for work. He looked at her and smiled.
''How bad is it?'' he asked.
''Terrible. Juvia's head is ringing.'' Juvia replied. She sat down at the kitchen table and saw a slice of bread and coffee. She looked at Lyon.
''I heard that black coffee helps with a hangover. And a cold shower.'' Juvia smiled.
''Thank you.'' she whispered and brought the coffee to her lips. She tried really hard not to gag. The coffee tasted incredibly bitter. She couldn't possibly understand how Gray could actually like this stuff.
''You should take a shower. I'll bring you to the bar so that you can pick up your car. Do you have the keys with you?'' Juvia nodded.
''It's in Juvia's purse.'' Juvia quickly finished off her coffee and toast before taking a shower. After she finished, she and Lyon headed back to the bar. The drive didn't take as long as Juvia thought it would. Juvia was about to step out of Lyon's car but stopped. Lyon looked at her.
''Is something wrong?''
''No.''
''Then why aren't you getting out?'' Juvia looked at Lyon.
''Juvia wants to take Lyon out. As a thank you for helping her. And Juvia is not taking no for an answer.'' Lyon chuckled.
''Fine. I'll let you take me out.'' Juvia smiled.
''Good. Is Saturday okay with you?''
''Saturday works just fine.''
''Good. Juvia will call you with the details. Good bye Lyon-san.'' Juvia got out of the car and waved. Lyon waved back before driving off. Juvia smiled.
Now it was time to go to work.
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Done!
I apologize if this chapter was too long.
Please read and review.