Note:

Flashbacks and thoughts in italics.

I do not condone or encourage any behaviors in this story. It is simply a fictional story.

CHAPTER 6

[Third Person POV]

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The moonlight sparkles on her polished shoes as she steps outside Jellal's car. The house comes into view between the naked trunks of white pines. Snow hangs on the branches and splatters on the soil and roofs. A road can be seen extending to the patio through the gaps in the gates. Her straight locks shiver in the wind. Her cap had gone flying into the darkness, and she couldn't care less.

The doors opened for her, and a man was waiting inside the hall. She takes in his solemn face. "So, what do you plan to do now?" Leafing through the book in his hands, he asks while she takes the seat near him.

"Why don't you tell me yours first! Lyon, I still can't believe you ghosted me." Yattering, Juvia sets her bag on the nearby table and rubs her hands together to ease the pins and needles in her palm. Juvia should thank Lyon for her many connections and their well-aged friendship. A smile graces her face when he expresses his shock.

His eyes widen, and his lips screw up in a frown. Lyon slides closer to her on the couch. "I swear to god it wasn't me you were texting. My phone went missing. I told you."

"You told me?" Juvia narrows her eyes in suspicion.

The man in the room shakes his head at her antics, wondering. "Probably while you were weeping about your imaginary ex in a pub." He sighs to briefly add, "I'm so glad you decided to move on. Finally."

Lyon puts a hand on her shoulder, biting his lips. "Did my assholish brother report you missing yet?" Lyon Vastia, the cat, as Gray used to mock when they were kids, had his schedule jammed, yet he wanted to find time for her. He was her family friend. Also, Gray's stepbrother.

"He hasn't texted me in forever." Despite how much it would hurt her, Lyon hoped it stayed that way for Juvia's sake. He wants her to have some time for herself. Once Gray decides to make his moves on her, all of a sudden, like the entitled brat he is, he wants her to be strong enough to deny and resist his advances. "I don't think he noticed."

Without him uttering it, she answers his concerns. "It's okay. I don't care."

He closes the book, tugging her into one of his warmest hugs. "I'm planning to settle in Crocus."

He pauses to process what she said before replying with excitement. "Wow. That means we'll get to meet quite often. That's great!"

Growing up, the blond had a crush on her, and Juvia still felt bad for rejecting him when she was a little girl. So when she told him that, he laughed his heart out, saying he was not chicken-hearted like Gray and was still ready to date her if she gave him the word.

Unfortunately for him, things were moving fast, and he may never get the chance he more than deserves. But Lyon was a handsome bloke, a renowned heartthrob in all of Fiore, an idol. He'll find a sweet girl who'll cherish him and make him happier in every way Juvia couldn't. She only has high hopes for him. Lyon had a big heart to match his body and deserved the best world could offer. "I got married, Lyon." She breaks the news with less enthusiasm than him, her feet shuffling at what's to come.

"Married?" Silence drip-dropped between them. "You got married and didn't think of inviting me!" He rested his chin on his knuckles with a disappointed sigh.

"I didn't invite anyone." She doesn't know how to act, yet pulled off looking normal instead of rushed. "I don't know what to tell Gajeel. He doesn't know. He's going to be so angry and... and—"

"Calm down. Why did you not tell anyone? Is this even serious?"

"I know it is rushed, but we had to do it like this. Yes, this is the right choice."

"It's not about whether it is right or not." Are you happy with this person? He loves you, right? Do you love him? Lyon deliberately omits those questions. It was too soon to ask, and why would she be with someone she doesn't?

Juvia looks down at her toes before gazing up at his face. "I'll be happy."

Lyon wasn't satisfied with her answer, and now she cannot know why she settled on saying such a wrong thing. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm happy by his side." It's too soon to decide that, but there is no way she'll tell Lyon about that. Juvia made this decision because she would be happy wherever she was. A relationship of love is out of her bucket list anyways, so it's not a problem.

"This is big news. How come I did not know this was going on?" He waited, his eyes drawn to her folded arms and furrowed brows, hoping she shared the reason for her questionable demeanour. Juvia wasn't sure if the blonde was entirely over her or not. So she'll keep her distance, give him space, and let him do what he wants.

That's right, Lyon doesn't need to know about the details. Juvia isn't allowed to, and neither does she intend to. These are things happening behind closed doors, and both had decided that these mustn't be discussed with anyone else. For god's sake, who knows what would happen if the man near her got a hint of what's actually happening. "Who's the guy?" She delays answering that question. And it caught Lyon's attention.

"It's been some time. I'll talk to you about the details later." She hasn't made up any realistic, sane stories that would get him to shut up.

"Who's the guy?" Lyon repeats, unbothered by her nervousness.

"His name is Jellal." She mumbles, clearing her throat.

Lyon is ready with another question. "What does he do?"

Realizing that she'll have to tell him one way or the other, she gives in, tucking a shy fringe of hair behind her neck. "You heard about the Fernandezes?"

"Hold on, Fernandez. As in Jellal Fernandes?" He crossed his legs, expelling a warm puff of air. "I heard the rumours. I thought they were fake, and do you know why I didn't ask? I knew you'd be irritated with the pestering from the media already. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. But oh my god, Juvia, you're a dude magnet." Just as she feared, Lyon could be getting all the wrong ideas. What else can she do aside from sitting here helpless, listening to him ramble, cooking up stories about them (even when it's intending to tease her)? He does point out Juvia being uncompromising about not giving him juicy tidbits. It's not rude coming from him, perhaps because she had known him for years.

He roamed to the side of the winding living room and opened a window. Talking to Juvia felt like drinking tea on a rainy morning. It warmed him up and seeped further and further inside him, the crisp taste of tea powder melting into his heart. He welcomed it with open arms, wanting to hold it there forever. The icicles hung on his roofs, the walls so cold he couldn't bear it. His sweater soothed him from the biting wind, and he turned to her, extending his hand.

She waits for him to finish his sentence before squeaking, "It's getting late." However, it's not the first time Juvia has stayed in Lyon's house, so he flashes her a questioning look. She moved towards him and took his hand. Her hand was small and soft in his. "I have to go now." He gave it a squeeze and let it go. Her mind raced. "Jellal is waiting outside in the car for me."

"Really? Why doesn't he come in?" The housemaid moved about the kitchen, wiping off the last dust devil from the counter. "Can't you guys stay for the night?" She was about to leave the mansion, taking days off to care for her pregnant daughter in a house a little up north. He nodded at her before she left.

"I can't. We're on our way to his place." This was a serious matter, one that required a delicate touch. And yet, awaiting his response, she couldn't help chewing her lips. "It's our first night together."

Time stands still. Even the loud grandfather clock sounds like it's trying to be quiet. Then, Lyon slaps his thighs in disbelief. "When did you get married!"

"Today."

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