" I must go. "

Please. She knew she should have proposed to come with him, to support him in grief : be a light like she had always been. He cared for her even when he was struggling with his own ghosts. She could have helped him during his mourning.

" I might come with you "

She hoped she had succeeded to conceal her reluctance. Fortunately for her, sorrow seemed make him more oblivious and withdrawn.

" Thanks "

But no. She got it. She offered him a pathetic apologetic smile and he sketched the shadow of a smile. He was putting his jacket back on: he hadn't noticed that he had taken it off. Old habits.

She looked at him without breaking the silence that had filled the room. He hid it well but she knew him, he was in low spirit. It was everywhere, in the lethargy of his gestures, in his fleeting gaze, in the joyless darkness of his eyes : sadness, like an embracing shadow.

" So as a perfect housewife I will wait for you to come back. Mavis, I can't believe I'm saying such a thing. "

He smirked and she knew the pain was away for a time.

" Thank you sweetheart. I hope you will have prepared the dinner when I would be back "

She found him insufferable when he was so openly self-satisfied, so he took pleasure in smirking. He loved teasing her because he loved the way her eyes sparkled playfully when he did it, because he loved her amazed smile when he managed to get the last word, the one she tried to suppress but that always ended up stretching her lips in a side smile. She loved it when he managed to shut her up as much as she hated it and he loved being able to continue flirting under the pretext of arguing.

" Arghh don't start. "

He grinned. She was definitely much funnier when she was pissed and he really loved tease her.

" Or what ? "

He was obviously provoking her and flashed a cheeky smile.

" Or that ! "

She threw him one of the cushions on the nearest couch, he easily avoided it and while she went around him to grab another cushion, he had reached the couch and was grabbing a soft cushion too. Luckily for them, they hadn't broken anything even though a porcelain vase had threatened to fall but had miraculously stayed in place. Between two pillows the bursts of laughter filled the room. He hadn't laughed so much in years and she realized that she hadn't either. She felt deeply happy.

She was so beautiful.

He had left minutes after. She imagined him walking in the snow, his prints disappearing behind him swept by the wind. She didn't know where his parents were buried or how much time he would need. So she waited.

So far, the guilt hadn't hit her yet, she came because he needed her support during one of the worst days of the year for him. She had no reason to feel guilty. Then she saw Jubia's face in her mind, her smile announcing her she had a surprise for her beloved. That was cruel. She should have been the one with him, here. Jubia had always supported him and if she had knew the meaning of this day she would have wanted to be there.

She looked at the time. It was only 3:30 PM, getting here had taken them six hours. If they left before 5 PM they would be back by midnight. It was late but if she warned Juvia maybe she could report her dinner into a lunch for tomorrow. Or she could have asked Gray to drop her off at the guild tonight and could still leave discreetly and leave them together. On the other hand she doubted that Gray would appreciate the surprise after a day on the road and full of emotions.

She didn't know. Maybe he would be back soon and they could be back at the guild before midnight. Oh Mavis, she was going to become crazy if she stayed there waiting without doing anything. He hadn't eat anything all day and when she had looked for something to nibble on to pass the time she had found nothing except pasta and some canned goods. He hadn't lied he really must have only come here very rarely.

The village was at less than two miles. It was really nice, most of the houses were traditional constructions made of wood and stone. The rural setting seemed ready to host a movie. There was a town hall and a church in the center. A small fountain in front of the school and alleys to lose count, most of them wide and ending in steps in a provencial style. The village seemed built on several levels.

She found a delicatessen but continue her way until reaching a shop selling local and artisanal products. When she came back the chalet was still empty. She brought in the groceries and decided to go take a shower to warm up.

" I'm home "

She was still in the bathroom and didn't heard him. The water had stopped and she was observing herself in the mirror. The room was filled with steam and heat. She felt cold as she stepped out and didn't expect to run into him. She had lost track of time as she lounged under the water.

" Oh wow. Sorry I didn't know you were here "

She tightened the towel around her with one hand as she detangled her hair.

" Well. Hum never mind. Could I borrow you a T-shirt ? "

Sure, she could have invoked clothes but she had to say something before the atmosphere became too awkward and that was the first thought to cross her mind. He nodded still without looking at her. He had immediately looked away, more out of respect than modesty and she appreciated the effort.

She followed him through the hallway they passed several doors before he opened one for her. His room. He walked straight to the closet from which he pulled out a black t-shirt.

" That's a lot of clothes for someone who can't keep them on all day."

" Very funny miss Scarlet. "

She smiled while he narrowed his eyes. She wasn't sorry at all, he was always teasing her, she could well annoy him a little.

" I know "

She said it proudly and he smirked.

" Could you go I have to change "

" In two seconds "

He grabbed some clothes and went to the bathroom. She waited to hear the door closing before she put his t-shirt on and left his bedroom to look for the laundry room. She found it after several tries. This place was really too spacious.

She left her towel and went to explore a little then she returned to the living room she turned on her phone placed on the coffee table and settled into the sofa. Six thirty. Blast ! She sighed and closed her eyes letting herself fall into the couch. Two hands came to rest on her shoulders, she hadn't heard him arrive but kept her eyes closed.

" What's wrong ? "

She slowly open her eyes. He took his hands away and came to sit next to her.

" Juvia prepared a surprise for you and I was supposed to make sure you were at the guild tonight. "

" Give me your phone "

She looked at him a bit puzzled but she gave it to him.

" she will take it better if it comes from me "

True. And just like that he disappeared. She decided to cook, she was hungry. She hadn't bought much, just what she needed to cook pasta. She washed the tomatoes before dicing them and putting them in a bowl and then sliced a red onion into rings. She washed her hands and searched for a minute where he kept the pans then she found the olive oil and sautéed the onions while she started cooking the pasta on another plate.

" What are you doing ? "

" Skiing obviously "

He smirked then approached her and placed a chast kiss on the side of her head.

" How can I help you ? "

" You can't "

She was focused and he decided to set the table since he was being underfoot.

" take that "

He handed her a colander. She thanked him and he did the dishes while she served the plates.

" We eat in front of a film ? "

" Seriously ? "

" I have exhausted all my powers as a smooth talker for tonight "

She cracked a smile, an understood one. He hid his feelings a way too well sometimes, she had almost forgotten why there were here.

" Okay but you choose "

They settled on the couch, the movie wasn't bad but not good either. He barely looked at it, lost in thought most of the time. She rested her head on his shoulder and he relaxed, coming out of his thoughts for a second, she could have sworn she saw him smile.

" You will fall asleep "

His voice was husky but his tone patronizing.

" No "

He smiled, her voice was already dozy and he could feel her doze against him. Nevertheless she straightened up slightly, and took a shallow breath.

" So ? How are you ? "

Her voice was weak but carried so much sincerity. She was deeply concerned by both his answer and not crossing the line ; it was like walking on eggshells. They had this in common, an aversion to talking about what they felt, especially if it put them in a weak position.

" Not really want to talk about it "

" You should. You never do. "

" It's hypocritical. "

" Indeed, but that doesn't mean it's false. "

" Do as I say, not as I do "

" That suits us pretty well "

He looked at her. He loved when she said us.

" I am sad and nostalgic in a way that seems strange since I have almost no memories of them, my parents. I miss something I am not even sure I knew and that is confusing. I will say nothing more "

" That's enough "

He looked at her, she was watching this horrible movie but he felt blithe. It was good having her. He wrap his arm around her and she nestled against him. She would definitely fall asleep.