Gray and Juvia had become comfortable.

They'd gone on a few dates—casual ones. Walks along the river. Training sessions that ended in laughter. Late-night talks where he told her things he never had before.

He was sweet. He was trying. And part of her loved him still.

But every time he smiled, she saw lightning behind her eyelids.

Every time he held her hand, she remembered rougher hands, steadier hands—ones that made her heart beat differently.

She was happy.

Wasn't she?

So why did it feel like something was missing?

That night, Juvia waved goodbye to Gray and Team Natsu as they headed out for their next mission. She forced a smile as they disappeared down the road.

But the moment they were gone, her chest grew heavy.

And her feet carried her to the guild.

It was past midnight when she stepped into the empty hall.

Except it wasn't empty.

There he was.

Laxus.

Slouched at the bar, empty bottles around him, another drink in hand. Shirt loose. Hair messy. Eyes tired. Very drunk.

"Laxus," she said gently.

He didn't turn to her.

"Laxus, it's late. Come on, let Juvia walk you home."

"No thanks," he muttered. "Don't need you to hold my hand like you do withhim."

Juvia flinched. "Laxus—"

"You shouldn't be here," he said darkly. "You should be with Gray. That's what you wanted, right?"

"Juviawas just worried about you."

"Why?" he scoffed. "Feeling guilty?"

"Don't be ridiculous—"

He finally turned to her, eyes sharp despite the haze of alcohol. "You led me on, Juvia."

Her breath caught.

"You made me think…" He shook his head, laughing bitterly. "You made me think I had achance. That maybe, just maybe, I wasn't the guy stuck in someone else's shadow."

"Inevermeant to hurt you."

"But you did," he said, voice rising. "You let me fall. Then you turned around and ran back to him the second he snapped his fingers."

"That's not fair—"

"No? He had you foryears. Took you for granted. Treated your feelings like they were optional."

Juvia's voice cracked. "And you pushed me away too! You told me to go back to him!"

"Because I didn't think I wasallowedto want you!" he shouted. "Because you were still in love with him!"

Silence.

The air was heavy—grief and longing and regret tangled together.

Juvia's eyes burned. "You think this has been easy forJuvia? Juvia didn't plan any of this. Juvia didn't choose to feel this way."

"Then whydidyou choose him?"

Juvia's voice trembled. "Because Juvia thought it would fix everything."

Laxus scoffed, bitter. "Yeah? How's that working out for you?"

That hurt. More than it should've.

She turned her face away, shame washing over her like cold rain.

Laxus sighed, quieter now, voice rough. "Go home, Juvia."

She didn't move.

"Please," he said, softer this time. "I can't look at you right now."

Her heart cracked.

But she nodded.

And without another word, she turned and walked out.

Behind her, thunder rumbled faintly.

Author's note: thank you so much for the real review, criesintokyo. Your review has motivated me to keep going with this story. Same here, I'm a big fan of Gruvia, but also have a soft spot for Lavia. Thank you for everyone else who follow/like this story