Sacred Song, Mirror Water [Fairy Tail Fanfic]

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Serana, Juvia and Gray were strolling back towards the guild hall, tired after their security job. They had been hired to guard some incredibly rare and expensive artworks on display in a town about two hours away from the Royal City museum. Being on guard in the museum from 9am until 6pm each day was tiring, as they had to be sharp-eyed the entire time. The exhibition had been on for a week, and they had just finished their last day today. By the time they had gotten out after collecting their pay from the museum curator and picking up their bags from their accommodation, they had missed the last carriage to take them home. So instead of getting the train, they had agreed to pay to hire a private horse and carriage that had dropped them off just outside the city.

It was almost 10pm when they arrived home, but it was worth the effort so they could be back in their beds in the guild hall, where they would all feel more comfortable. They made small talk until they reached the entrance and headed inside, finding the main hall reasonably empty, except for Elfman and Mira.

The siblings greeted them, welcoming them home, and Mira got them all some water and made them all a sandwich to eat while they dropped their packs in the dorms. Serana returned to the bar first, then Juvia and Gray appeared a minute later, and they all took a seat.

Talking about their job as they ate, Juvia finished first and said goodnight, intending to bathe and go to bed. Gray did the same, a bit saddened that Juvia had left him. Serana chuckled at the two of them before thanking Mira for the meal and gave Elfman a friendly pat on the shoulder, saying goodnight as she headed towards the bathroom. Juvia was soaking happily and groaned loudly, making Serana flinch in surprise as she undressed.

"What is it?" Serana asked in alarm, poking her head out from the partition to see what was wrong.

"That man drives me nuts," Juvia responded with a clipped tone and gestured with an arm towards the direction of the men's dormitory, making the water splash and land on the tiled floor.

"Who? Gray? What about him?" Serana played dumb as she hopped in the bath next to Juvia, ready to hear her tirade that was becoming familiar after spending a week with them.

"His infatuation with me is just ridiculous." Juvia groaned again and let her head loll backwards, and she stared at the ceiling.

"Isn't it nice to be so loved and appreciated, though?" Serana replied, knowing she was riling her friend up, but enjoying it nonetheless.

"Ugh, he's so obvious, though! Could he be more annoying?!"

"So, how long have you been dating each other for now?" Serana kept her tone purposely casual and calm.

"It's been about 6 months now...." Juvia answered before she realised what she had said, then when Serana heard a loud splash and looked over at Juvia to find her jaw dropped and her eyes wide. "How did you know?"

"You guys are not hiding it as well as you think," Serana said with a hearty laugh but smiled a minute later. "I also just spent a week with you guys too." Juvia nodded in understanding. "It's really nice. You both look happy."

Not able to hide it anymore, Juvia smiled contentedly. "Yeah, it's actually pretty good." Her tone was all Serana needed to know that she was happy with Gray. "What about you? Got a crush on anyone?" Juvia quickly changed the subject.

"Uhh, it's a bit of an awkward situation." Serana figured that Juvia had been honest with her, so she should do the same, but she wasn't sure where to begin.

Her interest well and truly piqued, Juvia hung her arms over the side of the bath and waited silently for Serana to speak. Serana did the same, mirroring Juvia's position and spoke.