what's up Gruvia nation :3 being well-fed with the ep 8 of FT 100 Year Quest sure is nice! and loving to see more of Gajevy as well, tho they're in a bad predication ' (wish they had kept Gajeel's previous design but that's me being extra picky for my boy, he's still freaking awesome~

well, with chap 15, it's Gruvia's turn ;)

however, there are TW for this one : mention of underage drinking & description of panic attack

good read!

Chapter 15: Her Patience and His Answer

Gray had a bad feeling about this. Not about teaming up with Juvia, obviously; that was totally fine. It was rather the whole direction the mission had taken. Sure, the job's description had indicated that couples were the prime victims of a serial-abduction maniac. What the Ice Mage hadn't taken into consideration was that he'd have to play the part. As a bait. As Juvia had tried to convince him. Something that somehow Levy didn't mind nor Metalbrain. Was he really the only one finding the whole idea quite... unsettling, borderline ridiculous? They were all capable mages, though Criminal Face lacked on the intellect department. They could very well complete the mission without such foolish plans.

Well, at the same time, there were only two tunnels that went through the mountain in which the monster had most likely chosen as a lair. So, it made sense to split the team in duos. And he could see that Juvia wanted to team up with him and he had no objection to it; after all, there wasn't the same issue as with the tents and they did make a good team.

So, why was he so uneasy?

Maybe, it was because despite the comfortable silence, it bugged him that he didn't know what to say to Juvia. Hell, he didn't have to say anything. Juvia didn't even seem to mind. Still, he wanted to. But, why? They'd often walk solely enjoying each other's company and he was normally contented with it. Yet, now, Gray wished she would say something, since his brain seemed to catch on the sleep he was lacking.

As if she had heard his thoughts somehow, Juvia innocently broke the silence, "Does Gray-sama like romantic movies?"

Somehow, Gray was both baffled and unsurprised by her unusual icebreaker. After all, if there was a way to describe the Water Mage, it would be with an oxymoron, one being 'predictably unpredictable'.

Gray thought about it for a moment, making sure to look at her, so she wouldn't think he hadn't heard or that he was ignoring her and he finally settled for, "Not particularly, but I've seen a few." Then, he made a rookie mistake; he asked, "Why?"

The moment her face lighted up, Gray knew he had walked into something he could most likely not deny her.

"Juvia and Levy-chan talked about quite a few romantic movies and books and so, Juvia got curious on what Gray-sama thought of them."

Of course, it boiled down to what Gray now considered to be 'the infamous sleepover' the two girls had the previous night.

He simply hummed in understanding, not wanting to hear what things Levy might have overshared. He really ought to have a word with her despite what he told Juvia. Not in a mean manner, but to ask her not to compromise him...further.

"Is Gray-sama still displeased with Juvia?"

"What? No. I'm just... Not familiar with these things."

"Well, Juvia can tell Gray-sama about her favorite tropes. Like the first kiss. She always finds them incredibly wholesome and cute and romantic."

"I see."

"Speaking of which, has Gray-sama already had his first kiss? Juvia swears she won't be jealous! …Not too much, at least."

Somehow, Gray managed to choke on air. Surely, he had misheard. Looking at her expecting face, he understood that he hadn't. How could conversations go so out of hand so quickly?

"I'm not answering that."

"Why not? It is a perfectly reasonable question to ask. Juvia wants to know what to expect. She doesn't mind teaching."

Gray was losing his mind, because no, it was not, in fact, reasonable. And, how the hell was there something to teach that he wouldn't know already? Kissing wasn't rocket science. Though, a heaviness settled on his chest. It shouldn't bother him. He knew she had ex-boyfriends. He just didn't want to be reminded. Not because she had memories with others, but it was a reminder of guys who didn't treat her as they should have. It wasn't hard to appreciate Juvia's light and kindness. It was as easy as breathing. What was not easy was her undying curiosity. Usually for the weirdest things. Like his first kiss.

"This is a 'no' on so many levels. And what the hell did you talk about with Levy to have such questions?" He paused, pinching the bridge of his nose, his thumb and index rubbing his closed eyes, in disbelief. He knew better. "Actually, don't answer that." He had to protect whatever was left of his sanity.

"Well, wasn't Gray-sama who told Juvia to ask him next time?" Bullseye. He sighed and she beamed at that. She skipped a bit to be in front of him and her body half-tilted to the side, her loop-side smile, hands clasped behind her back, picturing perfectly the textbook definition of false innocence, she added, cheekily, "Hmmm...?"

Gray had nothing to oppose what she asked. He did indeed say that, not even an hour ago. I made my bed, so might as well lay on it, he thought to himself, half-heartedly scolding himself. However, seeing her so eager and curious made him feel even more embarrassed. It felt like his blood was boiling and he absent-mindedly discarded his coat and shirt.

His silence might have been too long, as she said, with a sly smile, "Oooor Juvia can ask Levy-chan if he prefers."

"No!" He quickly said, before lowering his voice, wincing slightly as the echo carried in the long, dark tunnel. Last thing he would want was to attract the monster because of his embarrassment. Calmer, he said, "No, I... you're right."

Juvia grinned, pleased. Gray noticed she was holding the clothes he was no longer wearing. She somehow managed to catch them as fast as he was to take them off. They were now neatly folded in her arms in a way they wouldn't wrinkle, as she had once said in a previous such occurrence. Since knowing her, Gray had lost way less clothing, he realized.

He dug into his memories and dusted the one she asked for, one he had tried to leave in the back of his mind by how stupid and embarrassing it was. At least, Juvia wasn't one that would mock him for it. It was a small consolation, he guessed.

"It was dumb," Gray warned her. Her brightened face made him sigh as the preamble seemed to only make her more excited by his story. "I think it was like, erm, I'd say five or six years ago. Macao and Wakaba forgot to lock the cupboard behind the bar and Cana thought it would be a great idea to have us try the alcohol. And Natsu was being annoying and saying he'd beat us all. So, of course, we all drank a lot to prove that idiot wrong. And so, well, we drank way too much."

He relived his first hangover ever and remembering how awful it felt, he shuttered slightly. He took a deep breath and continued, "And…I was losing and Cana thought it'd be funny to tell me that her lips could cure drunkenness. And so, yeah… And then, as retaliation, I froze her butt on her seat and she caught a cold. I got myself one week of chores... As if I was the one at fault," he concluded in a grumble.

Realizing he had expected her to comment through his story, as she usually would do, Gray turned to her, alerted. Was she angry, after all? Had it been just a bad idea to share that silly anecdote even if she asked? All his nervousness left his body, now tensing with annoyance when he spotted Juvia, looking away, her shoulders shaking by her barely contained laughter. She glanced towards him, now that he was silent, and whatever face he was making made her laugh, unrestrained. Normally, that reaction would have pissed off Gray but her sunny laugh cleared all moodiness he could feel.

However, for good measures, he rolled his eyes and sighed, "Give me a break, I was 13."

He extended his hand to take back the clothes she had been carrying, realizing that he really ought to be more mindful of not letting her carry his stuff that long. She first gave him his shirt, waiting for him to put it on before handing over his coat.

"Doesn't make the story less endearing," Juvia smiled, with a voice that seemed far in reverie, as he was putting back on his coat. He gave her a nod, silently thanking her. "Gray-sama must have been a very cute teenage boy."

"Cute?" He scoffed, reajusting his collar. That was never an adjective that could qualify him. "Cool, sure. Not cute, though."

But before he could get horrified by the fact he had voiced his thoughts so freely, Juvia's outburst took his mind of it in a speed record.

"OH MY GOD, SURELY GRAY-SAMA HAS PICTURES?" she cheered, clapping her hands in happy excitement. And then, pensive, she mused, "Juvia would kill..." she interrupted herself, reconsidering. "Okay, no, not kill, but she would pay a lot to see some pictures of teenage Gray-sama. And of baby Gray-sama," she cooed, once more far in her daydreams, ones that Gray was scared to ask about.

The Ice Mage could accept to share awkward stories with her, but there was a limit to what he was 'comfortable' to share. Pictures were too far off that mark.

"No way." She batted her eyelashes, giving him her best pleading eyes, an air that made him give in far too often to his liking. However, this time he would hold on, because no, absolutely not. He came up with a semi-lie. "I don't have any. I've always avoided pictures." Gray had tried his best all his childhood and teenage years in Fairy Tail to escape the flashes of lacrima cameras from his friends and from Makarov, but, of course, more than a few shots had been taken from him. Mostly group pictures, but still, he didn't own them and he didn't care to know where some were. It saved him more embarrassment.

That didn't deter Juvia in the slightest. Of course not. She was the most optimistic and determined person he knew. She always managed to find a way to turn a situation to her advantage. Too often with a single sentence.

"Juvia is sure that Levy-chan has a few..." she smiled, mischievously.

Why was it that she always found the loophole? And more so, why didn't it bother him as much as it should?

"…You're impossible," Gray sighed, conceding his surrender on the matter.

"Impossibly in love~"

Gray felt himself overheating. It was time to throw a diversion.

"It is cold, isn't it?" he asked, although feeling quite the opposite.

Without missing a beat, Juvia cheekily answered with a question of her own. "Is Gray-sama offering his coat?"

Gray cleared his throat. "Erm…do you need it?"

"More than Juvia's life," she answered, looking at him with stars in her eyes. He took back the clothes she had been holding, putting his shirt back on, unnecessarily dusting his coat. That was when he noticed her hugging herself now that she wasn't holding his clothes, in hope to feel warmer than the damp tunnels could. He didn't stop himself when he naturally put his coat on her shoulders. The Ice Mage felt her slightly jump when his hands on her shoulders, he adjusted his long coat. It made him notice something that always managed to surprise him; despite how similar in height they were, whenever he was close, enough to brush or touch her, she felt delicate, someone to protect regardless of all her strength.

The train of thought made him hyperaware that his hands had lingered a bit too long, feeling her intense gaze on him. Averting his eyes, feeling once again bothered by the suffocating air of the tunnel, he thought of something to say to take their minds off his misstep.

"Be careful not to trip, it's a bit long."

Juvia slid her arms in the sleeves of his coat, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, sporting a cheery smile. Glad, Gray was relieved to see that any further awkwardness on his part had been avoided. However, that hope went crashing down quite quickly.

"It would only be fair if Juvia also answers her question."

Her tone let him guess it would still stay in the realm of strange topics, but if he didn't ask, he knew that he'd be thrown blind in a conversation, so he'd better be prepared.

"What do you mean?" he carefully asked, his eyes naturally fixed forward to where they were going.

"About Juvia's first kiss!" she said, as if it was the most natural thing to discuss, still.

Even with his attention fully onward, Gray had surely missed an uneven part of the ground as he felt his foot hit something, making him catch himself rather uncoolly.

"What?" he asked, more rhetorically than anything else. He regained his composure and said soberly, "No, it's okay."

"Isn't Gray-sama curious?"

He shushed the tiny voice that whispered 'yes' because no. It was none of his business. Gray didn't want her to relive bad memories in the name of 'fairness'. He could share that embarrassing story with her, because it didn't mean anything but teenage silliness. Her story...it was different. It was hope that came crashing down. Disappointments that scarred her but somehow didn't manage to chip away her radiance. He could say 'luckily' but he knew it wasn't thanks to something so abstract. It was thanks to Juvia's own strength and kindness that she prevailed over all that tried to make her think less because of her rain. Rain brought life and so did Juvia.

He decided to voice his reasoning as best as he could. "You don't have to tell me about your past. Focus on your present and future."

"Which Gray-sama is part of?" the Water mage asked, batting her eyelashes, expectantly. Her cutesy smile, one that looked like a happy kitten's, always managed to make him forget what he was about to say.

"… I'm not planning to die…" he pointlessly said.

That somehow made her seem ready to challenge the world head on.

"No force in this universe is strong enough to steal Gray-sama from Juvia, so no worries," she said, nodding to herself. Her eyes however darkened slightly when she added, "Not even death."

It was both reassuring and terrifying. He settled for the first impression. Juvia was indeed very strong. Not that he couldn't handle himself.

As if feeling challenged by Juvia's statement, the ground started shaking, the quake growing in intensity. The deafening sound of stone breaking and falling made them realize that cracks were forming and widening. Alerted, Gray looked at Juvia, ready to pull or push her out of danger. From somewhere out of their line of sight, a maniac laugh made itself heard despite the noise, resonating against the shaking walls.

"No force is strong enough to separate you from your love, is that right?" a booming voice with a somewhat far-fetched aristocratic tone to it. "Well, time to prove it."

From the shadows, a silhouette stepped into the faint light, revealing what could only be qualified as an overly theatrically dressed narcissist. His outfit was a questionable mix of time-bygone aristocrat and newbie artist who tripped in their paint pots. Striking a pose at every step, the guy was, for sure, the prime example of a weirdo. He, of course, tripped on an uneven part of the ground, sending a collection of featherlike pens tumbling on the ground. Quickly, he picked it up in a vain hope to not appear as pathetic as he was, only confirmed when his tricorn hat fell too, followed by a leatherbound notebook that was seemingly hidden in it.

"What the hell kind of nonsense is this?" Gray groaned, feeling already fed-up. And that was coming from a guy who grew up in Fairy Tail which meant daily occurrences of craziness.

Juvia however didn't seem to be having the same impression from the newcomer. She stood her ground and fiercely said, "Juvia can prove herself and her love for Gray-sama anytime, anywhere. Even in her sleep."

"Juvia... Please, don't encourage that clown," Gray whispered to her.

Apparently, not hushed enough, as the said clown spoke up to him, "Young man, you shall eat those words, for I am Cupid, the Monarch of Ships, looking for his Romance Muse."

That couldn't be the culprit they were after. There was simply no way.

Gray, feeling more and more exasperated, couldn't catch himself before the words left his mouth. "More like Stupid, the Monarch of wrecks."

However, his comment was luckily overshadowed by the Water Mage's voice, "And Juvia is Juvia, Lover of Gray-sama."

"Oh, oh! Finally, someone who matches my energy," the fool happily said, striking another weird pose, as if he wasn't already incredibly ridiculous. "Very well, we shall have lots of fun!"

Gray had rarely wanted to leave a place as much as right here and right now. He highly doubted that any of it would be fun and the mission was becoming more daunting by the minute. The Ice Mage rolled his shoulders, ready to pounce the clown and call it a day. His partner however beat him to it.

"Juvia would love to, but they are busy right now. Maybe, after our mission?"

Gray covered up his snort with a cough. How could Juvia see so much normalcy in something so weird? Although he could get why she would not see that joke as the responsible for the abductions as that guy looked positively harmless. Still, as much as he felt like he understood her, well, to some extent, the Ice Mage often wondered about the workings of her mind.

He took a side step towards her and told her in hushed tone, near her ears, "Juvia, he's the guy we're after."

Gray realized that he was far too close and leaned back, waiting for the subsequent squeal that would come after him forgetting himself. However, Juvia surprised him for the umpteenth time since meeting her in Shirotsume Town. She simply turned towards him and rose her eyebrow, looking slightly perplexed.

"He doesn't seem very villain-y though," she commented, looking at the guy, head tilted as to see if another perspective would change the image of him. She shook her head. "Juvia has seen butterflies more terrifying than this guy."

"For I am not a villain, but merely a misunderstood artist." He took a deep inspiration and looked to the horizon, clenching his shirt over his heart, as if he was emotionally suffering.

Gray could feel the monologue from miles away. Consciously or not, he tuned it out. He truly didn't care for what was the reason behind kidnapping couples, apparently being for some weird-ass illusion that it would give him inspiration for his romance novels. The Ice Mage had taken a step forward to make a stop to the nonsense, but Juvia's tiny gasp made him stop. Looking over her, Gray was perplexed to see her seemingly interested in what that clown was saying. He clenched his jaw. It was true that judging by the place they were in, they still didn't have a clue where the kidnapped couples were.

Walking in stride, the guy moved his arms in theatrics to put 'emphasis' in his difficulties. Stating that he was still looking for the gem he longed for, he somehow tried to justify why he had continued to kidnap couples.

"Where are the couples, now?" Gray unceremoniously interrupted him.

The guy made a face but still answered with a humph, "They are now frozen in stone, ethereally and eternally beautiful in surface as they were in life. All artifice and no substance. Nothing worth a truly beautiful love story."

Gray had had enough with talks about romance. It made him feel uneasy and he could really do without it. That feeling... It was oddly close to what he had been feeling since the Ice Statue Museum. As if something had shifted between Juvia and him and the thought was unsettling because he couldn't put the finger on whether it was a good thing or not. His head was full of thoughts that assaulted him and it felt like every one was leaving a mark, a new doubt. Gray let out a sharp exhale, hoping it would chase his ugly thoughts. The only thing he needed to focus on right now was the mission. That guy is crazy and completely delusional and it was better deal with him fast.

"Oooh, what type of romance? Have you published any yet? Juvia just started a TBR with a dear friend!"

Again, about Levy, Gray thought. It surprised him how annoyed he had internally sound at his friend's name. Why was he so out of it? Almost as if he was displeased by her...? His mind was such a mess. He had to get a grip or else Juvia would notice something was off, if she hadn't already.

Trying to not let transpire in his voice, he evenly said, "Juvia? Now is not the best time for that..."

A condescending scoff echoed on the stone walls. Gray looked up and saw that the clown had thrown him a disdain look before focusing on Juvia. "Girl, is that really the best you can do? A guy who is disinterested by everything and everyone and always wants to spoil your fun?"

The temperature instantly grew hotter and the air felt heavier, humidity almost crushing in the confines of the cave. Juvia was solely focused on Cupid, her face wearing the cold mask of anger he sometimes saw her wear when someone touched a nerve.

Usually, Gray would not get involved. Not because he was disinterested, as that guy said, but rather because he preferred Juvia to live her emotions. For far too long, she had been constricted to her rain. Gray would never be someone to try to contain her or her emotions. However, this time, he felt his body tensed, growing colder despite the boiling heat that Juvia's anger hung in the air. It was one thing to think he wasn't a good match for her, him and his faults, but it was another matter to hear some asshole be condescending to Juvia about who she liked. He would not let it slide.

"Don't you dare look down on Juvia."

In a stance, readying his attack, he got startled by a clap on his left, where Juvia should be standing. Turning to the source, all he saw was Juvia with both hands on her cheeks and the biggest smile, though an unintelligible squealing sound escaping her. For some reason, she looked like she was turning to water and about to dissolve into a puddle. It reassured him that she was feeling better than a few seconds ago. Gray decided to take care of the villain, first, letting time for Juvia to regain composure.

Gray sent an arc of ice swords raining towards Cupid. In the explosion of ice shards, the Fairy Tail mage wasn't sure if he hadn't done an overkill with that attack. However, his moment of doubt was short-lived as the clown had cartwheels out of the way, just in time, but somehow losing sheets of paper and pens, leaving a trail behind himself. When he landed on his feet, he spread his arms, as if finishing a performance. Gray rolled his eyes.

Cupid gave himself a spin and brandished something that looked like a pen. Gray tilted his head, trying to confirm. Damn, maybe, he needed to check if his eyesight had diminished.

The brief distraction cost him as Cupid had taken up these few seconds of inattention to write a series of runes. Eyes widened, Gray realized his mistake. Having worked with Levy and even Freed, he knew the attack or trap was ready to get launched. With an annoyed sigh, the Ice Mage reminded himself that he simply had to evade, which was far from being hard.

Unfortunately, Cupid had another strategy. With a knowing smirk, he swung his pen to release the runic attack but not towards Gray. Towards Juvia. Without a second of hesitation, not wanting to risk passing through her water form in pushing her out of the way, the Ice Mage simply jumped in front of it and took the hit.

"Gray-sama!"

He got up, only slightly rattled by the shock of hitting the invisible extremity of the runic prison. For good measure, he tried to punch it, only revibrating in concentric circles of lights. Gray sighed, annoyed. He ought to ask Levy to teach him how to undo simple runes because these were getting exceedingly bothersome.

Juvia came to him and rested her hands on the runic prison, looking pleadingly at him. Before he could tell her to keep her focus on the fool in case of attack, Cupid spoke up.

"Heh," they scoffed. "So predictable. Now, I shall enjoy seeing jealousy being your downfall."

Before Gray could tell him where to shove it, his eyes caught a glimmering. A sole sentence, a question, was written. Suddenly, he felt all his blood leaving his face and his heart, consequentially, growing way heavier than it should be. Gray could take on any enemy but there was something that he still preferred to avoid if he could. And right now, there was no way to escape it.

Answer the following : Who was your first love?

Juvia, oblivious to the turmoil in which he was caught, yelled back to Cupid, "Joke's on Cupid-san. Juvia has been working on that. Right, Gray-sa-"

Her eyes had surely caught sight of the question, judging how she interrupted herself mid-sentence. She quickly averted her eyes, but Gray still saw the sad, accepting smile she tried to hide. He took a step towards her, but his face hit the runes, the invisible wall still barring his path. Angry at himself, at his forgetfulness, at his powerlessness, he punched vainly the runes, which again simply revibrated the force of the shock, but not freeing him.

Without looking at him, the Water Mage spoke up, her voice soft and yet with an edge that was controlled. "Juvia loves Gray-sama, with his past, his boundaries and all. And Cupid-san would be well-advised to not test her love if he wants to see another sunset."

At that, Juvia propelled herself, sending with her momentum a rain of sharp, compressed water blades the fool's way. Cupid must have expected the attack with Juvia's preamble, as he managed to evade, leaving a trace of ink in his wake.

Gray tried to break through his prison, casting a giant ice pillar that, upon impact, shattered, sending sharp ice shards everywhere, one cutting his cheekbone. He hissed, cursing his predication and the fact that his ice was useless to aid him. Gray didn't risk another attack, not wanting to tempt destiny to stab him like a skewer. That would take the whole cake if he were to be killed by his own element. He could almost hear Natsu's snickers and it pissed him off. No, he had to find a way out without magic.

Frenetically looking around, while still making sure that Juvia was okay, Gray looked for another idea. The question shone brighter, as if to nag him. He stared at it. His breath felt more labored, as if air was thicker. Gray shook his head. No, now was not the time. However, his body was already on autopilot. His heart felt higher, as if climbing his throat, and yet also heavier, beating as if it tried to break through his ribs in its climb. Gripping his shirt, he tried to regulate his breathing, shakingly failing at it. His head was swimming in a fog, trying to grab one single idea to get out of this nightmare of his own making.

There was just no way that he was having a crisis for that. A stupid question. Though if it had been just that, a stupid question, he would have answered it, and it would have been the end of it. And yet, he couldn't. He should be able to. Why were emotions so hard for him when everyone seemed to somewhat fare well? Why was he such a loser? And now, he was having a panic attack in the middle of a fight he could do nothing to help. It hadn't happened in so long. He had always made sure that his weaknesses would stay in check, never be seen in public. And yet, he came undone by five words. Who was your first love? Yet, no answer could pass his lips. Not out of pride nor out of fear. Not even out of genuine ignorance. He could try to convince his mind all he wanted that he didn't know, but his heart knew better. And so would the runes.

Juvia was still fighting with all the strength and elegance of the ocean, looking focused and unbothered by the whimsy attempts of attacks from Cupid. Most often, he simply remained on the defensive, evading Juvia's meticulous attacks.

Gray had never seen Juvia lose patience. Until now. Her gaze darkened and an uncharacteristic click of tongue underlined her annoyance that she could now barely rein in. A faint cloud of fog etched a silhouette around her, as she now walked calmly but menacingly towards Cupid.

Suddenly, Gray realized that there was an earthquake that was growing stronger by the second. He frenetically looked around, wondering why now of all time there was a seism, and hoping that the structure was strong enough as to not collapse onto Juvia. His eyes landed back on her and even just from seeing her back, he could tell she was still totally unfazed. Even as the ground started fracturing, breaches widening alarmingly fast, steam and hot water bubbling up, she looked... in control. Realization finally damned on Gray. It was all Juvia's doing. Of course, it was. A surprised, fond chuckle escaped him despite his still tight throat and ragged breath. She would never cease to amaze him.

An admirative whistle somehow got heard over the temblor. Cupid, nodding admiringly, looked at Juvia in a way that irked Gray. The audacity probably rubbed her the wrong way because soon enough the water was not simply bubbling, it was being blasted, shaking surely the whole mountain, full geysers erupting from the earth, quickly flooding the chamber. It wasn't until the water reached him, slowly swallowing his shoes that he became aware that he was on the line of crossfire. Gray wondered how the water could accumulate so fast and turned to see that a stone door had materialized at one point, surely to trap them here with that maniac.

The water was now to his mid-thigh. Gray had to think fast. His brain still foggish, still high-wired with anxiety, was trying to nab him to do the logical thing, to answer the question and be set free to help Juvia. He wasn't scared of getting drowned. Juvia would obviously create that air bubble she could do for people who couldn't turn into water. She wasn't even going to harm the fool. She knew fear was often enough to break an opponent's flimsy facade. Like the fear he was feeling right now, not being able to say the stupid words because his soul was still too raw.

"Juvia...!" Gray said, almost pleading, leaving the sentence unfinished, the runic prison remaining stubbornly up. Why were words escaping him when it mattered most?

Juvia turned to him and blinked her dark aura away, simply looking at him with her doe-like eyes. The geysers weakened, the flood subsiding slightly.

"Pathetic," Cupid scoffed, having at some point climbed on top of a step-shape exuberance in the cave, now looking down on both Fairy Tail mages. "To think you would go for a man who can't even own up his past."

Gray received the blow, jaw clenched, bracing for the impact, the accuracy of their claim crushing the exasperation he had felt until then. As much as he had lost his cool with Gajeel when his guildmate had said something too similar, now the Ice Mage couldn't find it in himself to object, to get angry. They were right. They said exactly what his mind too often whispered whenever he would find himself relishing in joy, forgetting the sins that should continue to weight on his shoulders. A weight that he was meant to carry alone, one that no one could understand, and much less share the load with.

"No, Cupid-san is wrong," Juvia yelled, tears in her eyes, looking exactly how he felt within. "Gray-sama doesn't have to answer if he's not ready to open up!"

With the sound of her voice, something happened within him. Something snapped while another started to heal. Without his notice, he took a deep breath, the first one in what seemed like an eternity and shouted, "Stop that, you deserve to know!"

At that, the runic walls seemed to lose some brightness on its writing, as if it had weakened in the momentum of what he had just shared.

Gray took another deep breath, that one felt once again more laboured, anxiety oozing once more. Still, he steeled himself. He should answer the question. The answer was obvious and she probably already knew. He could say it. They were just words. No. It encompassed so much more than just words. Everything he had denied himself to feel. That he had no right to. Because she deserved so much more than what he could ever give. But he was trapped. Not just emotional, but physically. What a stupid joke. The universe really did hate him. He couldn't admit anything and yet he would rather die than see her leave. What kind of selfish asshole could he be to remain in the in-between so long and somehow wish for her to love him still?

"Juvia doesn't need to hear it. Just being in Gray-sama's life is enough."

It was meant to be understanding, and it was, but Gray could only see it as another proof of failure on his part. He knew that too many of his regrets came from things that were left unsaid, but the fear, the insidious, persistent kind, that took root within him forbad him to express what his heart yearned for. Not superstitious in the slightest, Gray still couldn't help but feel that until he had become the man he wanted to be, any wish he would say out loud would be taken away from him. Like all the ones before. Despite his clawing anxiety, Gray wanted her to know.

Forgetting the setting in which they were, the Ice Mage fought within to find the words that could get his heart across, more plainly that he would normally allow himself, he said "I...don't deserve everything you give me. You...you've been denied what you should have for so long and I hate that I can't change that...Not now."

Gray had talked looking away, and so he was surprised to realize that Juvia had walked up to him and was now standing a few steps away from him. Her eyes shone with tears, but her smile, just as promptly, soothed his worries away.

"Juvia never expected even half of what she has received. From you. From Fairy Tail. We met in a war on opposite sides and yet you showed Juvia so much compassion and understanding. From the very start. Despite Juvia's shortcomings."

There was so much more that Gray wanted to say but couldn't find the words for. Juvia should never sell herself short like that but all he managed to say was, "I don't want you to waste your time on...well, me. I'm just..."

Nothing and a lot, all at once, he caught himself before saying it. It was beyond him that Juvia could like a guy with nothing to offer like him but all the unprocessed trauma he still carried. No redeeming qualities and just handfuls of issues. He always hated whenever Juvia would berate herself and he wouldn't be one to have her defend him from himself.

"Juvia wouldn't spend her time any other way; she can wait. Gray-sama is worth it."

Gray scoffed through his smile. She always was two steps ahead, curing without any trouble any headache he would get from all his second-guessing. He envied her. He wished he could see through her eyes, see the world as she did, full of joy and colours. When with her, Gray almost could. A core belief merged with a source of hope he'd been coveting for some time now.

"I want to become the guy you see in me," Gray said, with more conviction about himself that he felt in...well, ever. With a nod, he added, " I will be."

"Gray-sama already is. He simply has to open his eyes and his heart to see it," she said, laying her hand on the runic wall.

Gray, without a second thought, reached out and laid his over where hers stood. "I'll trust you on this. On everything."

They simply looked at each other and Gray could almost believe everything would be okay. Until, of course, someone came to ruin it.

"I, Cupid, apologized for my previous judgement. Never have I heard such heart-wrenching words been shared by a couple before. I-I am in awe before the deep love you share. I must ask you to allow me to take my inspiration from you. I shall write the most epic love story in your honor and people shall pray for a romance such as yours."

And there it was, the reminder of their crazy situation they were stuck in. Gray sighed.

"Cupid-san...! Absolutely! As long as you release Gray-sama, Juvia gives you her blessing."

"But, of course! Please forgive my methods, diamonds are built under pressure, are they not?" Cupid tried to justify himself.

Gray got released and immediately casted rock-solid, iced handcuffs to neutralize that joke of a criminal.

"You'll have plenty of time to write your nonsense in jail," Gray muttered although loud enough for him to hear. To say that his reaction was not at all what he expected would be an understatement.

"Fabulous!" Cupid cheered, clapping his hands, gleefully, making Gray almost doubt that the guy heard him correctly. That hypothesis was quickly debunked when he enumerated pros to his newly found predication, "Rent-free and plenty of time, couldn't have asked for better conditions."

Gray wasn't petty by nature (or so he hoped), but not seeing him getting humbled by the fact he was getting sent to jail irked him. He couldn't help himself but to tell that guy off, "Hope they don't give you any paper."

Juvia, however, didn't seem to be on the same train of thought, as she looked more like her usual cheerful self since his release. It showed that she hadn't viewed the whole thing as a serious mission, much like him, but it still felt weird that she would humor him with his nonsense.

"Juvia can't wait to read your novel, Cupid-san!" she said, smiling. Although almost imperceptibly, her smile grew colder, her eyes piercing the fool with all the underlying strength that could promise a painful demise. "But next time, if you ever pull a stunt like that which unsettles Gray-sama, Juvia might have to break those hands. Among other things."

Cupid audibly gulped, fear oozing from him. He hurriedly nodded, lifting his ice-bound hands in surrender and understanding.

Arms crossed, Gray couldn't help smirking, feeling oddly proud of Juvia. He felt the need to add, "She's not kidding." Seeing her humbly but straight-forwardly show her determination and power always made him feel a type of way. Maybe, her embracing her magic and all that made her, well, herself somehow reassured Gray about the hidden scars she'd dismiss behind her ever-joyful attitude.

"...Noted," Cupid said with a strangled voice.

With a swift movement, Juvia casted a wave to bring Cupid closer. His eyes widened in fear, but her reassuring smile falsely calmed them down. Gray asked him once more where the couples were and Cupid being far too close to them both quickly answered without any fanfare, telling that the kidnapped couples were just the room over where he would write surrounded by them.

After having the last piece of information they needed, Juvia brought her hand to the back of their neck, her fingers moving flutter-y and elegant, but with decisiveness. She had hit a mysterious place that made Cupid go rigid and fall out of consciousness. Juvia, head tilted, expected the criminal and turned to give Gray a contented smile. Gray snorted. How a woman so cheerful have such unexpectedly dark skills would always render him speechless.

Now that the culprit was bagged and the statues located, Gray could see the light at the end of the tunnel. This nonsensical mission was almost over. They simply had to bring Cupid to the authorities and let them deal with the found victims. Examining his surrounding, he was glad they would leave this godforsaken place, although they had to find the others first. Probably exiting the mountain and taking their passageway would be the way to go to reunite with their friends.

Juvia was humming a tune as they were securing the guy on a makeshift sledge. Looking up after having finishing tying them up, Gray met Juvia's eyes. He felt more than ever the need for her to know how grateful he was for...her. Her being her patient self.

"Thanks for waiting for me."

Her eyes widened in delight. "JUVIA LOVES GRAY-SAMA, TOO!" she squealed.

Gray felt his face burning. "That's not what I...!" He fumbled his words. He always did with her. Somehow, she always read right through him. "I...erm...Let's go," he settled for.

Juvia came close and he felt warmth brushing the side of his hand. He looked down and saw her hand flushed to his, as if testing the waters. Almost instinctively, he bumped his back to hers. It seemed to be the signal she was waiting for as she slid her hands in his, squeezing it lightly. Not letting the time to his brain to marvel at the softness of her skin, Gray slightly moved his hand and hearing Juvia's breath hitched, he quickly took a better hold, not wanting her to misinterpret him, interlocking their fingers.

A soft gasp made him look further away, feeling the burn going all the way to his ears. Brushing the back of his hand with her thumb, she moved to stand closer to him, momentarily resting her head on his shoulder. Before he could register that contact, she had moved away. Finally looking towards her, he saw her beamed, happiness visible on every inch of her face. Her smile was definitely a sight he would never get tired of seeing. Gray smiled back, hoping his face wasn't as red as he feared. Still, she was the only one he didn't feel the need to hide parts of himself.

He was about to suggest that they moved to find the others and deliver the kidnapper to the authorities. Quick footsteps echoing in the tunnel close to them stopped him. Emerging from there appeared Levy and Gajeel. About to speak up, Gray once again was left speechless when he noticed Levy's eyes seemingly sparkling looking their way.

Puzzled, he turned to Juvia who was looking to Levy, equally ecstatic. His eyes travelled back to his guildmates and caught Gajeel had slung his arm around Levy's shoulders in a soft yet possessive manner, smirking at Juvia. Levy seemed however more focused on Juvia, though a blush was colouring her cheeks, pointing out that she was quite aware of her predication too. Gray grew more confused when Levy pointed out Juvia, letting out a squeal as if they hadn't seen each other for months and not a mere hour ago. Gray felt in a madhouse when Juvia mirrored Levy's demeanor, also pointing her out and squealing. Levy's finger travelling from Juvia to their interlocked fingers finally made him understand the reason behind their strange interaction. Facepalming, Gray turned his head away but didn't take back his hand. They had been seen and now he would be subjected to gossip. Just his luck.

Juvia tucked his arm, her attention now back on him, offering him her brightest smile still. Gray signed through a small smile.

Yeah, he was lucky.

almost done now! it took a while, but it was a fun ride and I thank every reader that came along the way:)) special shoutout for the ones that have been here since the beginning, I truly appreciate seeing you around and read your comments 3

cathelerein and i will print this story when i'll be done writing it and she'll have beta-read it and we will bookbind it! cathelerein is the true bookbinding master, having made more than 7 :D i'll probably post a picture of the end result in the last chapter when we will be done, as she is doing one that will be Gruvia-themed for the cover and mine will be Gajevy-themed! i've already bookbind a thick Gajevy fanfic and quite happy with the result! to have a physical copy of a fanfic hits different, that's for sure!