A sigh escapes his lips as he violently pulls his hair. What can he do if she's not here? He can't remember what other places she could be except here, at their house…
Juvia will be waiting for you, so please, come back to her…
The image of her soft, loving smile when he left for another mission appears in Gray's mind. It was something he had ignored, thinking that she was just playing with words and messing around to show that she truly cared.
But the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes that it's not just a simple statement, it's her promise, her vow to always be there, waiting for him…
A smile creeps on his face as he slowly turns the doorknobs and walks inside the house, their house. Gray looks around, hoping to see her soft blue hair before a voice interrupts his thought. A very, very familiar voice…
"Gray-sama…"
A small figure walks out from the other room, a cute blush on her face, soft wavy hair cascades down her shoulder, big blue orbs filled with love and affection, and a heartwarming smile as she greets him.
"Welcome back, Gray-sama. She's been waiting for you…"
"J-Juvia…I-is that really you?"
"Would you like to see if she is real?"
With that, he pulls her into a tight hug. Even in the spirit form, he can still feel the warmth of her body against his and it feels amazing. She holds him close and she holds him dearly like he's her only reason to breathe, tears form in the corner of her eyes as she relaxes in his touch. Her hand brushes his damped hair, letting his head fall onto her shoulder as Gray cries out in happiness.
His angel…
His water mage…
His beloved Juvia is here…
"Juvia…"
"Gray-sama, you've finally found Juvia. She knows it, she has so much faith in you…"
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"
"Please, don't say that." she caresses his cheeks and looks at him "You have done nothing wrong Gray-sama…"
Wiping her tears away and cupping her face, Gray plants many kisses on her face, hoping that this is not a dream. Juvia closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his lips on her skin. She has been drowning with all the kisses and hugs that make her body feel weak and fluttery.
Oh how she misses his cold frame against hers…
His next action takes her by surprise when Gray carries her and swings around, laughing when she holds on to her dear life while blushing various shades of pink and red. Juvia is all flustered yet the butterflies in the stomach are not fading away anytime soon. When Gray stops, he looks up at her, midnight blue meets the ocean, eyes full of love, sincerity and…guilt…
"Gray-sama…"
She cups his face, a sweet loving smile appears on her face. She is comforting him, chasing away all his worries and guilt and all the other negative feelings that are starting to form in his heart. Her touch is soft yet he still can feel the overwhelming emotion she has for him, her man, her darling. The bluenette bends down, this time smothering him with kisses before she stops at the corner of his lips. She understands that this is too new for both of them and she respects his decision if he wants to take things slow, they just come back from the dead after all…
"Hey, let's go back."
"Of course…" she smiles when he lowers her down to the floor "Juvia will follow you wherever you go."
Her confession makes his heart swell, but this time, instead of chasing away all those fluttery thoughts or ignoring the water mage, Gray just smiles and intertwines their hands together. He kisses her knuckles and chuckles at the shy reaction he got from her.
"So do I, my dear…"
With a tight hold on her hand, Gray opens the door. A light envelops them as the couple look at each other with a heartwarming smile on their face…
Lyon with his ice magic is cooling down both bodies, fearing that the over-excessive heat radiating from the bodies can burn Juvia and Gray.
"What is the meaning of this?" Gajeel looks at Saturn who is also unable to explain what's going on.
"It's almost 3 hours…" Mirajane looks at the clock, eyes full of worries.
"Please tell us that there is at least something we can do for them!" Lucy asks the other three with pleading eyes "If this just keeps on going, they will…"
"You must have fate in them." Neptune responds as she slowly walks to the lifeless bodies on the ground "You must have fate in their feelings for one another."
She touches their foreheads with the tip of her fingers, instructing Lyon to keep on cooling their body while she casts a protective charm on them. It won't help the couple that much but it's the least they can do. Gray and Juvia must get through this obstacle on their own without the aid of their friends or family.
"Stay strong and pray for them." Uranus steps in "Sending them all your prayers, that's the only thing you can do to help."
With Uranus's advice, Meredy immediately holds onto Juvia's hand with all the Fairy Tail girls while the guys grab onto Gray's body. Sending prayers seems to be unrealistic but they want to try, if that's the only thing they can do then they will do it. No complaining, no protesting, the whole guild and everyone around them close their eyes, wishing, hoping, praying to whoever can hear the prayers to bring back the young couple.
"Come on Gray, you can't give up…" Lyon mutters under this breath.
"Juvia, come back to us. Please…" Meredy holds the bluenette's hand tightly "Please…"
"First Master Mavis…please hear my prayers…" master Makarov looks up to the sky "With your power and wisdom, please bring back my children…"
Gajeel sheds his tears when his hand touches Juvia's leg, letting himself become weak and vulnerable. It's hard for him to imagine a life without Juvia, his very own sister. The bluenette has such a huge impact on his life and the thought of losing her is unbearable. If it wasn't for Juvia, he would never have a chance to change his life, she was the one who insisted on him to join Fairy Tail with her after all. The bluenette was so persuasive back then that her softness and determination convinced him to do whatever she wanted.
Natsu bites his lips, never before had he felt such hotness coming out from Gray's body. He's an ice mage, his body is supposed to be as cold as ice, not a ball of heat like him. He thinks of all the memories they had shared with each other ever since they were just children, the fight, the laugh, the tears and the determination to become the better version of themselves. Seeing the raven head like this bothers Natsu, he wishes Gray would wake up and yell out how hot it is and get into a fight with him for no reason, it's their daily activities after all…
"Look!" Wendy exclaims in joy "Juvia-san's wound is closing…"
"Gray's too…"
Their wounds are slowly closing and healing. They aren't fully healed yet, leaving scars on their body, but nobody seems to mind that. The scars symbolize the feelings, the affection, the love Gray and Juvia have for each other, something that will follow the couple for the rest of their life.
Moments later, a miracle happened…
A grunt startles everyone as they rush to Gray's side. The ice mage slowly opens his eyes, annoyed by the sunlight as well as a bunch of people gather around him. Erza is quick to pull him in a tight hug, congrats him on his return from a deep slumber. Gray smiles, amused to see all the happy and crying faces as well as Lyon's tears of joy. It's a great feeling, but…
"Juvia…"
His midnight blue eyes snap as he turns to his side, spotting Juvia's body is still there, lifeless…
What happened? He found her before the time limit, he brought her back, he made sure to hold her hand as tight as possible, but why…?
Moving to her side, Gray gathers the bluenette's body in his arm and is very shocked at the heat from her body. It's too much, too hot that it feels like her body is slowly burning itself away. What's going on?
"Juvia…Juvia…" the man shakes her, trying to wake her up "Juvia, wake up!"
No response…She's still a lifeless doll in his arm…
No, it can't be…he has done everything…why…?
"No…"
Did he fail? Did he fail to bring Juvia back?
Pluto closes her eyes and looks away, sadness and sorrow fill her heart at the realization that Juvia has failed to come back. The bluenette has failed to change her own destiny…Saturn bites her lips, unable to control the tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she witnesses such a melancholic picture in front of her. Everyone is crying, screaming, begging for Juvia to return. Gray is holding her tightly in his arm as he cries for failing his water mage again. She should have known that Juvia could never change her fate…that is until her violet eyes landed on Juvia's clock.
The light envelops the clock, turning the once-ruined clock into a brand-new one. It's a platinum clock instead of the regular golden one, with the decoration of ice and water on the cover of the watch. She pokes Pluto, pointing at the clock that is still levitating in the air. The green-haired woman is surprised as she holds the clock in her hand, afraid that if she uses too much force she'll break it. They open the clock, tears of joy fall down as they witness another miracle happen.
Her clock is working…The clock hands are starting to move, running slowly to number 1…
Gray holds her dearly in his arms, still in a state of grief before something catches his attention.
"…"
He looks down at the girl who's still peacefully 'asleep' in his arm. Is he just imagining things?
"…-sama…"
No, it's her voice. He can hear it…
"Juvia…?"
Everyone around gives him a sympathetic look, not understanding what just happened…
"Juvia, you sure want to act like a princess waiting for her prince charming, don't ya?"
They look at him, puzzling with questions. What is he talking about?
Their intense gazes no longer bother him as Gray's sending her kisses, smothering her with love and affection. He nuzzles her forehead, a smile forming on his lips as he thinks about his next action. Of course, being a romantic and idealistic girl, Juvia loves all kinds of prince charming stories where he will kiss his princess to wake her up from her deep slumber, Gray isn't that stupid to realize her desire to find a prince who loves her dearly.
"It's time to wake up now, Juvia." he gently kisses her on the lips before returning to her ears "Your friends are waiting, your family is waiting, your prince charming is waiting for you to return, my beloved Juvia."
Lucy wants to comfort his friend, he's too heartbroken to realize that he's being delusional. Gray has been through so many sorrows in his life that losing Juvia is the last straw for the unfortunate man and now, Lucy is scared to think that he'll never be recovered from this incident. However, a small giggle interrupts her thought, a very familiar giggle. The blonde mage looks up, thinking that she's also being delusional but no…
A hand reaches his cheek, beautiful ocean-blue eyes slowly open, a loving smile forms on the once lifeless body…Juvia…
"Gray-sama…that's the most romantic thing you've ever said to Juvia…"
There are screaming, shouting, and loud cheering noises around the bluenette, celebrating her amazing return. Juvia is startled, leaning close to her darling as she looks at everyone. Tears form in her eyes as she sees all her friends and family, right here, right beside her. Are they all waiting for her?
Neptune let out a relieved smile before patting her head, telling her that she's been a very bad girl for worrying everyone like that.
"Everyone…is waiting…for her…?"
"Of course you damn Sprinkler!" Gajeel shouts "You think we would abandon our comrade like that?"
"Oh shut up, Iron Face. You were crying so much earlier!" said Natsu as he laughs out loud, welcoming his friend from her sleep.
"Shut up Salamander, I wasn't talking to you."
Juvia smiles at the scene, she sees Lucy trying to hold back Natsu while Levy does the same thing with Gajeel. She sees Erza standing between them, ready to give both dragon slayers another lesson of friendship and family. She sees Meredy cry as she holds onto her hand tightly. She sees Lyon give her a small smile while patting Gray's shoulder. She sees Wendy and the Strauss sisters gather around her, asking if she's feeling okay. She sees Uranus and her other mentors give her a heartwarming smile, welcoming her back to the real world. She sees Master Makarov nodding his head, sighing in relief with Laxus right beside him. She sees many, many more of her friends' cheerings that warm her heart.
And finally, she sees her beloved Gray's holding her in a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head, enjoying the warmth of her body. Her darling is here…
"Juvia?"
"Yes, Gray-sama?" she smiles when their hands intertwine.
"Welcome back, my darling…"
It's been weeks since everything happened to Fairy Tail. The guild is still the same, loudly and lively as ever. Natsu keeps on picking fights with Gajeel and Gray, forcing their 'babysitters' to step in to break the fight. Erza will come in, glaring at the brawl and expecting them the stop before she sends them to hell. Mirajane laughs at the scene while Cana keeps on getting herself drunk with many barrels of wine. Juvia will sit at the bar, smiling lovingly at her beloved Gray and his naked body before declaring her love for the ice mage.
"Gray-sama, Juvia loves you!"
"?! J-Juvia…"
Well, there are small changes in the guild, of course, namely Juvia and Gray's relationship.
Since that fateful day, everyone in the guild notices how the ice mage reacts to her love declaration. No longer with the "Will you cut it?" or "Stop embarrassing me.", Gray has slowly and steadily returned her affection with small acts. He would scratch his head, mumbling how he knows it already or he would just nod his head, acknowledge her feelings and affection.
This kind of action sends Juvia into her la la land, giggling with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning. The whole guild laughs, some suggest Gray make the first move, others just wish their love life could be like the Ice-Water couple, but in the end, they all know that it's only a matter of time before Gray announces to everyone that Juvia is 'his woman'.
She smiles at him, they're now outside the guild, hoping to get some personal space. Gray is not a man of words but he sure knows how to make her heart melt every time they're alone. No noisy guildmates, no drunken pervert men, no gigglings from the girls, just the two of them. In times like this, the ice mage will hold her close while talking about whatever is happening in the guild or in their lives. He lets her do whatever she wants, showering the man with hugs and kisses as he enjoys her warmth against his cold frame.
He's used to it already, having Juvia smothering him with affection, she's never been afraid to show the whole world how much she loves him. However, there are things about her that he finds very amusing. She'd sometimes ramble whenever she felt uneasy, easily get flustered whenever he's the one who makes the first move, or just sit still like a statue when they engage in more…intimate touches…and no, it's not sex…
Her shy reaction is as cute as always and he's growing addicted to it even more as time goes by…
"Juvia…"
"Yes, Gray-sama?"
"You remember our promise before the battle?"
Of course, she remembers, it's been in her mind ever since but after everything they've been through, Juvia believes she already knows the answer.
"I think that it's time for you to know my answer…"
"Ah…Uhm..Juvia is…she…" she starts to ramble again, talking about how she understands his feelings and he doesn't have to say anything else and so on.
Gray chuckles, lowers his head, and captures her lips with his cold one. This, again, catches Juvia off guard as he moves his hand to her lower lips, asking for permission. The bluenette is blushing, kissing is one thing but making out? It's too much for her own imagination…
She follows his lead, opening her lips as Gray sinks in deeper, hotter and much more sensual, tasting every bit of sweetness she has to offer. Juvia welcomes it, wrapping her hands around his neck as he grabs onto her waist gently yet firmly. She can feel it, his tongue slides inside her mouth, full of demand as she returns the offer by grabbing onto his raven locks. The pain stimulates Gray as he kisses her deeply. It's not a gentle or sweet or soft kiss that they give each other. This one is raw, passionate, full of emotion that has been hidden for so long yet it's so tender and loving.
They don't want to stop, not yet, not now. But they have to stop, suffocating someone while kissing is not exactly a great way to show how much they care for each other. By the time they separate, Juvia's lips are red with the biting, moist with the saliva and her eyes tear up a little bit, overwhelmed with the sensation he has given her.
"Hey, I love you too…" he said "Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for accepting a man like me. And thank you for never stop loving me, my sweet Juvia."
She looks at him, smiling, blue orbs shine with love and affection. She knows, she already knows the answer but she still can't stop the tears from escaping. After all this time, she already knows the answer, the silent affection, the love and care in his eyes whenever she looks at him. Juvia is very appreciative of him for being willing to say it, despite his tendency to be a tsundere…
It's a cute confession, one that she will forever keep in her heart. The bluenette cups his face before giving him a peck on the lips and looks at him lovingly.
"Juvia loves you too, Gray-sama." she whispers "She will always love you, from now to the rest of her life. No matter what happens, she'll always be there for you and she'll never stop loving you, her darling, her beloved Gray-sama."