Juvia and Gajeel were together on a mission, a simple mission, more to keep her mind busy than for anything else.

For the two ex-S-Class mages it was very easy to trap the bandits and bring them to justice.

After finishing the job, the two walked a bit before returning to the guild.

"I need to tell you something," the Dragon Slayer said.

"What?"

"I told the girls about Bora, I explained your history a bit."

"Thank you, you did well," she responded smiling.

"You're not mad?"

"No, Gajeel-Kun, Juvia is grateful that you explained it, Juvia knows that they probably would have asked her for an explanation and you know that Juvia hates talking about these things, you have taken a weight off her chest."

"That doesn't upset you?"

"Juvia knows that they don't do it to gossip, rather because they are really worried."

"Yes, they are and they're also ready to kill that jerk."

"That isn't necessary, but Juvia is glad to hear it."

"There's one more thing."

"What?"

"It's about Bunny Girl."

Juvia's face grew more serious when she heard about Lucy.

"What happened?"

"Basically she explained how she met Bora, apparently that jerk tried to pass for Salamander and promised to take her to the guild, since she wanted to join, but instead he took her to his yacht, kidnapping her and his intentions were to sell her as a slave."

"Juvia doesn't know what to think, Gajeel-Kun, she's concerned, Bora was never a saint but, is he really a criminal?"

"Apparently yes, it doesn't surprise me, I always knew he wasn't a good guy."

"Juvia is profoundly disgusted."

"What are you going to do now?"

"What are you referring to?"

"With him, what will you do? You're not thinking about getting back together, right?"

"Of course not! Juvia will never return to him!"

"Good! I can calm down now."

"But Juvia admits that she was thinking about seeing him again."

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?"

"Don't yell!"

"How can I not?"

"Let Juvia explain."

"Explain," he said, ignoring the people who were looking at him.

"When Bora dumped her by saying all those things, she couldn't react, she stayed still and immobile and began to cry."

"Then?"

"Looking back, Juvia should have taught him a lesson, or at least given him a slap, but she didn't do it, she just made a fool of herself."

"Gihi, I like you like that."

"And also Juvia feels that she needs to clear a few things up, her heart is telling her that she needs to do it to be more at ease, close this chapter completely."

"So you want to confront him?"

"Yes, what do you think?"

"I agree! It'll do you well!"

"Juvia smiled and hung onto his arm giving him a kiss on the cheek."

"Thank you, Gajeel-Kun, for everything."

"Don't thank me, dumbass, rather, are you ok?"

"Juvia is fine."

"You know what I'm talking about."

"Yes, Juvia doesn't deny that Bora's return made Gray-Sama's rejection even harder and bitter, but she's fine, Juvia is fine."

"And have you had any nightmares?"

"Yes, Juvia is sleeping well, Gajeel-Kun."

"You know what I think? You should talk with the Stripper, he should know, after all it concerns him too."

"No! Juvia won't disturb Gray-Sama."

"You're keeping away from him, have you given up?"

"No, yes, ah, Juvia doesn't know."

"See? You need to talk with him."

"Juvia is confused, Gajeel-Kun, she really loves Gray-Sama, but sometimes it's so damn difficult and perhaps she should give up."

"What makes you feel better?"

"Gray-Sama, Juvia knows he's difficult, but love is too, besides perhaps he was still in a state of shock over what happened, Juvia will not give up, because surrendering hurts more than trying."

"You know I don't agree, but if that's how you feel, do it."

"Thank you, Gajeel-Kun."

He smiled at her and rustled her hair.

.-.

Gray and Natsu had also finished their mission and had brought the culprits to justice, and they were now seated at a bar eating.

"Hey! Ice cube?"

"What do you want, flame brain?"

"Take that frown off your face and quit emitting that cold aura, everyone is complaining because of you."

"This is my face! I can't avoid it!"

"Haven't you blown off enough steam?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I can tell that you're upset."

"I'm not upset!"

"You are."

"No I'm not."

"You are."

"I said I'm not."

"And I'm saying you are."

"What do you want? And why did you invite yourself? And why didn't you bring Happy?"

"He wanted to stay with Charle and besides, I wanted to talk with you in private."

"Why?"

"To stop you from getting in trouble."

"Look, between you and me, you're the one who always gets in trouble."

"But it's different this time!"

Gray sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"A lot has happened."

"Eclipse was a tough battle."

"Yeah."

Gray remembered his death and Ultear's sacrifice, thinking about all the consequences that it had brought.

"Either way, did you know that I thought that you and Juvia were a couple?"

"What? Why?"

"Well, you're always stuck together."

"She's the one that sticks to me."

"She picks up your clothes and makes you lunch."

"I don't ask her to, she does it by herself."

"When Lucy told me you weren't a couple, I was surprised."

"You and Lucy are always close too, but that doesn't mean that you're together."

"It's different."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, but I've always had this feeling."

"Forget about it."

"Either way, it surprised me to learn that she was with Bora."

And with that the bar grew cold again.

"It's her business, I don't care."

"Are you sure?"

"Goddammit! Did Erza or Mira send you on purpose?"

"No."

"Then stop."

"I just want to talk."

"I don't want to talk about Juvia and her stupid ex."

"He's a cunning guy, I thought that he was still in prison, but instead he got out."

"Unfortunately."

"I really need to ask her how she ended up with him, I'm curious."

"You should mind your own business."

"But I want to know."

"Do whatever you want."

"I will."

Gray was very upset, but he was more upset because he was upset.

To sum it up, he didn't understand anything!

Why did it upset him knowing that Juvia had an ex? That is to say, it wasn't a crime, and he had no right to be upset.

"And what if she wants to get back with him? And if he accepts?" he asked himself.

"No, she's in love with me, at least that's what she says, she won't get back with her ex."

"But you rejected her, remember?"

"Ahhhh, I need a beer."

.-.

The next day, both mages returned from their respective missions.

"How are you doing Juvia? Are you doing well?" Mira asked her, smiling.

"Yes, Juvia is doing well, Mira-San, thank you," she responded, smiling as well.

"That makes me glad."

"Juvia."

"Lisanna-San."

"I was thinking about something."

"About what?"

"Would you like to do something with all the girls together?"

"Juvia would like that a lot."

"A only girl's day."

"Yes."

"I'm with you little sister, let's organize it, I'll tell the others."

"Yeah, Mira-nee."

"Thank you very much, Mira-San."

"It's my pleasure."

"Are you going home now?"

"Actually, Juvia would like to ask your opinion on something."

"Here, drink and talk," Cana said as she approached.

"Thank you, Cana-San, but Juvia thinks it's better if she doesn't drink."

"OK."

"What is it?" Evergreen asked, joining as well.

"Erza-San isn't here?"

"No! But she should be here soon," Mira said.

"Oh, look, there she is," Lisanna said.

The requip mage entered through the door with three strawberry cakes in hand.

"Hello ladies," she said as she sat down and commenced eating her beloved cake.

"Erza, Juvia was waiting for you."

"How was the mission? Are you ok?"

"Yes, the mission was very easy."

"Then, what do you want to talk to us about?"

"Gajeel-Kun told Juvia that he told you the truth."

"Juvia, we didn't want to pry, we just…" Mira said.

"No, Mira-San, Juvia understands, she's not mad, on the contrary she is grateful because she wouldn't have been able to explain it."

Lisanna hugged her.

"And what do you want to tell us?" Evergreen asked.

"Remember how Bora asked Juvia to see him again?"

"You're not thinking about doing it are you?" Erza asked.

"Juvia wanted your opinion on it."

"About getting back with your ex?" Cana asked.

"Juvia doesn't want to get back with him."

They all let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, for a moment I thought…"

"No, Juvia would never do that, besides her heart is taken."

Erza smiled, remembering that she needed to talk with Gray.

"And so?" Cana asked.

"Despite this, Juvia has something to tell him, she feels like she has to do it to close this chapter."

"I understand, sometimes it's necessary to do so," Mira said.

"Do you want to confront him and teach him a lesson? Sounds good!" Evergreen said.

"No, not teach him a lesson, Juvia doesn't want vengeance, she just wants to tell him what she couldn't tell him in that park all those years ago."

"So you want to blow off some steam, take off that weight from your heart," Erza said.

"Yes."

"Then do it."

"Still, Juvia doesn't know, she is not completely convinced, is it ok to reopen this chapter?"

"If it was never closed properly, I say yes."

"What do you feel inside of you?" Mira asked.

"What do you feel for him?" Cana asked.

"Juvia is calm with herself, but she feels that she needs to tell him the things that remained inside of her."

"Then, get going girl, do it, show that loser what he lost and will never get back," Cana said.

"Yes."

"And after you've let it all out and have put an end to that chapter, we'll all go shopping and have a Lady's day," Lisanna said.

"Without any stupid guys who don't understand anything," Evergreen said.

"A day for us to relax," Mira said.

"With alcohol," Cana said.

"And strawberry cake," Erza added.

"Juvia is very happy to have met you and to be part of this group."

"And we're happy to have you here," Mira said, hugging her.

.-.

It was late at night and Juvia was seated near a lake relaxing.

There was a time where she hated her powers and everything related to her element.

But now, with time, she had learned to love and appreciate them, the same with herself.

It really is true that to love everyone else, you first have to love yourself.

The girl sighed happily, asking herself if it would be a good idea to take a dip in the lake, after all there was no one around.

But just when she was thinking about doing it or not, her thoughts were interrupted by someone who sat down not too far away from her and she turned to see how had interrupted her silence.

"G-Gray-Sama! What are you doing here?"

The boy stayed silent for a bit while she looked at him and then he responded.

"I was looking for you."

And he felt a bit disappointed when she didn't go crazy, like she would have done before if she had found out that he was looking for her.

"Gray-Sama was looking for Juvia? Why?"

"Well…"

Even he didn't know why to tell the truth, he just knew that he needed to see her, but he wasn't going to tell her that.

"How did Gray-Sama know that he could find Juvia here?"

This was her secret place, no one knew about it, well, Gajeel-Kun knew…

"I know that you like to sit near the sea at night, or walk along the river, or be near the lake."

It's not that he was spying on her! He wasn't the stalker, she was.

But, in the end, he had found it by chance.

"Juvia had no idea that Gray-Sama knew those things."

"Don't get me wrong! One night I saw you sitting near the sea."

And once again he was disappointed at her lack of exaggerated reaction.

"Juvia understands."

"I was thinking that we haven't talked in some time…"

It's not that he missed her, it's just that she always clung to him, so much so that it had been weird not having her close by.

"Juvia has been a bit busy."

And since when had she been too busy for him? Gray thought that she was always available for him, she had said so many times.

Then he remembered all that had happened between them lately: his death during the battle against the dragons, his rejection at the banquet, the return of her damn ex, and his sudden desire to have her back…

"I see, you've been very busy."

"More or less."

There was something very different, he didn't see that sparkle in her blue eyes that she always had and she was way too quiet, normally she was bright and crazy, especially in his presence.

It was difficult to hold a conversation with her, very difficult, that and he wasn't good at conversations as is….

"So, are you ok?" the ice mage asked.

"Yes, Juvia is fine. Is Gray-Sama doing well?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

It was a bit embarrassing, this silence between the two of them and she who couldn't even look at him.

"Juvia is glad."

"You're distant."

"What do you mean, Gray-Sama?"

"Don't get me wrong, it's just that you're usually with me all the time and now you've been acting a bit weird the past few days, almost frigid."

And between the two of them, the cold one had always been him.

"Juvia thought that Gray-Sama wanted space."

"What made you think that I wanted you to disappear?"

True she was sometimes annoying, but he had gotten used to her presence.

"Gray-sama said that he didn't like Juvia's presence and that she was creepy," she responded, looking him in the eyes with seriousness.

And then Gray remembered the party in the palace, the banquet, she told him about her new version and he responded that she was disturbing and that he would say come right out and say if he doesn't like something.

"I-I didn't want to say that."

Erza and Natsu were right, he had messed up talking like that.

"Gray-Sama made it clear that he would say no to things he didn't like and Juvia is one of those things."

"No! You're not a thing! Dammit," he found himself suddenly yelling and standing up.

"Gray-Sama was clear."

"But you didn't understand anything, as usual!"

"Then explain it to Juvia, because honestly Juvia sometimes doesn't understand it, she tries but no…" she got to her feet as well, raising her voice too.

Then, tears rolled down her cheeks, surprising the ice mage.

"I'm… sorry, I didn't want to hurt you."

"It's not Gray-Sama's fault."

"And it's not yours either, I just…"

"Maybe it is."

"No, it's not like that."

"Juvia knows that she acts a bit excessive at times, and perhaps that's why Gray-Sama misinterprets things."

"Yeah, you do have some excessive behavior sometimes and that's what I don't like, your excessive behavior, not you, there…"

"Juvia has been busy thinking about so many things and she realized that, Juvia is sorry if she disturbed Gray-Sama."

"Your presence doesn't bug me, I just wish that you would act differently sometimes."

"Juvia has realized that, she'll act more tranquil and mature, she'll try."

"I don't want you to change because of me, I don't want you to become Juvia 2.1 or anything like that, I just want you to be you."

"Perhaps Juvia still needs to find out who she is."

She had that strange habit of turning into a new version of herself to discover who she really was, because she still didn't understand.

"You're a Fairy Tail mage and it's fine that you're crazy, because we all are, but you also need to understand when you need to stop and calm down."

"Juvia is working on that."

"I'm glad to hear that."

And for the first time in days she smiled at him and he smiled with her.

The two of them sat back down together at the lake, now more tranquil.

"Juvia comes here to calm down and think, or simply to look at the water."

"I'm sorry if I interrupted."

"No, it's fine Gray-Sama, Juvia was honestly thinking about taking a swim in the lake, but then she thought that it wasn't a good idea."

"Ah."

Then he thankfully arrived on time, because the situation would have become much more complicated had he arrived while she was swimming in the lake.

"Juvia is very happy that Gray-Sama decided to sit down and talk with her."

"Yeah, we hardly ever talk seriously, so…"

"Juvia will now commit herself to that."

"And what were you thinking about before I interrupted you?"

"A lot of things."

"Any in particular?"

She hid in silence for a bit before speaking."

"Juvia was thinking about the past."

"About your ex?" he spat out, upset.

"Yes," she admitted.

Why was she thinking about that jerk? Did she want to get back with him? Was she really thinking about that?

"I see, well I suppose that he reminded you of the good times and how much you loved him."

Juvia laughed and he didn't understand why.

Why was she laughing?

"Juvia was thinking about Bora, yes, about our relationship, but she wasn't thinking about the good times or in the love that she felt for him, because that never existed. "

"I don't understand."

"Juvia didn't love Bora, like how he never loved her."

"Then why were you together?"

"That's a good question! Juvia asked herself many times and reached the conclusion that it was because she didn't want to be alone and he was the only guy willing to have a sentimental relationship with her."

"So you were with him out of loneliness?"

"Juvia knows that it's absurd, but she wanted love, she wanted someone to love her and thought that only a boyfriend could give her that."

But with time she had realized that love was something else and it was extremely complicated.

"And why him?"

"No one would approach Juvia, they all found her too dark and gloomy, so Juvia had hoped to find someone but she was also convinced that she would be alone forever, then she met Bora and he approached her, he wooed her, he told her everything that she had ever wanted to hear and she accepted him, because she was convinced that he was her only chance."

"But there were no feelings."

"Juvia told herself that with time we'd both learn to love each other, but she was lying to herself, looking back that situation was good at that moment."

Gray had never thought about Juvia's past, he had almost forgotten how she was when they met on the roof of Phantom Lord during the war between the two guilds.

"And you accepted that?"

"Yes, Juvia thought that he was the only one that she could get, that she deserved."

Gray then remembered the conversation he had with Erza that afternoon and what she had revealed to him about Gajeel's explanation.

"You deserve something much better."

Better than Bora, better than any other stupid guy who just wanted to play with her feelings, better than him who didn't know what he wanted.

"Juvia listens to her heart now, it's sincere, but she also takes into consideration what her mind says which is more rational."

"That's good."

"Juvia is very sorry that Gray-Sama had to learn about this part of Juvia's past this way."

"Imagine that! There was no way you could have known that he was near and that he would have approached to talk with you."

"Juvia doesn't know where he found the courage."

"Or the nerve."

"Yeah."

"I listened for a bit, I heard some discussions and…"

"It's fine, Gray-Sama, Juvia knows that Gajeel-Kun told all the girls and that the girls were talking about it amongst themselves."

"That doesn't upset you?"

"No, Juvia knows that they have good intentions, that they're just genuinely concerned."

"Mh."

"Maybe if Juvia had had friends in those days, she could have avoided Bora."

"You were in Phantom, no?"

"Yes, Juvia had been there for more or less three years, and in the Element Four for one, but she still hadn't managed to make it to S-Class."

"And Gajeel?"

"Juvia and Gajeel-Kun trained together, he was teaching her to defend herself without magic."

"That's good."

"Yes, but they weren't friends like now."

"I get it, I heard that you're going to see him again."

"Juvia has a few things to resolve with him."

"And you're sure?"

"Yes, Juvia needs to."

"OK."

"Gray-Sama?"

"Mh?"

"Juvia loves Gray-Sama, really, it's not just an infatuation or a game, she feels it in her heart every time that we're near and it beats rapidly."

He blushed, he wasn't expecting another confession at this time.

But she was Juvia afterall, she always said what she felt for him and honestly he was starting to like hearing it and he was starting to worry about that.

"I don't want you to think that I'm belittling your feelings or that I'm just playing around."

"Juvia doesn't think that! She knows that Gray-Sama would never do that, he's a good guy, Juvia knows this, now that Juvia knows that Gray-Sama doesn't feel for Juvia what Juvia feels for him."

"Look."

"It's fine, Gray-Sama, Juvia knows, Juvia understands, can Juvia just aske Gray-Sama something?"

"What?"

"Can Juvia keep trying?"

Was she asking him permission to keep trying to conquer him, so that he would fall in love with her?

What was he supposed to say, since he didn't even know what he felt for her?

She was important, very important to him, but was there really a future for them as a couple?

Was it fine to keep her this way?

"I don't know, I'm confused, you know?"

"This is Juvia's decision, Gray-Sama, these feelings don't just disappear like night and day, she will keep loving you, she just asks if you want her to do it in silence, on her own."

"Do what you feel is right, I'll try to do the same."

It was the only thing he could say and do.

"Juvia will! Without being excessive, calmly."

"Yeah."

"Ah, Gray-Sama, it's so lovely being here alone, although Juvia should say that she would have preferred us to be close to the sea and laying in each other's arms and watching the stars," she said with hearts in her eyes.

He laughed thinking that she had finally returned to normal.

In the end he liked her just the way she was!

.

.

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Author's corner!

Hello!

Here's another new chapter.

Perhaps Gray was a bit OOC.

But I thought since this is set after the Grand Magic Games and before Tartaros and that during Tartaros, I personally noticed that they were closer and she was calmer, that something must have happened so in my mind something did.

A sweet Gruvia moment, I love them both.

I honestly believe that in Tenrou Gray realized Juvia's feelings, but that he wanted it to just be a crush until the end of the Grand Magic Games.

Then, after the battle with the dragons, he realized that her feelings were true, and I think he also realized that he was falling in love after the end of Tartaros and that he fell in love, but didn't want to accept it, while they were living together and during Avatar.

And it's very clear during Avatar that he loves her, in fact if it hadn't been for Invel traumatizing him again, they'd be a full-fledged couple and he wouldn't be trying to make himself stronger for her, because he's terrified that what happened with Invel might repeat.

That said, thank you very much to those who read and comment.

In the next chapter there will be a crash encounter between the two exes.

Get ready for a hard Juvia, which is what I like and I think that Mashima should show us more, but oh well.

Thank you very much to those who read and comment.

I hope you like it; we'll see each other next time!

Thank you to BotanG for translating it.

Thank you everyone, even for just reading and until next time.

GruviaSilver.