Ice-Cold (Gruvia Fairy Tail Fanfic)

Chapter 12: Smile, Gray! Smile!

Hey everyone!! I'm am so so so sorry about this extremely late update!! I know you won't forgive me for this but please let me explain before you execute me!!! You see, I'm kinda forbidden from the laptop for certain reasons and it's limiting everything I do. That means I'm not even allowed to be here according to my mom. But I'm in the middle of convincing her to let me at least update my book. So thank you for bearing with me and please be patient as I get this solved.

This is Chapter 12 of Ice-Cold.

I do not own Fairy Tail, as that rightfully belongs to Hiro Mashima.

The world sped past her in a blur. In reality, she was running against it. She felt the wind blow fiercely against her face and past her shimmering blonde locks. She was surrounded by the wonders of nature, and yet, she acknowledged none of it, for all she could pay attention to was the sound of her racing heart and the man she was clinging to.

"We're almost there, Lucy. Hang in there!"

Lucy hummed as she closed her eyes.

"This is the last place to check. If she's not there, I don't..." she trailed off.

She felt him stiffen up ever so slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

His salmon hair swayed in the wind, his bangs down over his sharp dragon-like eyes, as his fists gripped the reigns of the animal tightly. He wore a serious expression on his face. All in all, to Lucy, he looked incredibly and undeniably handsome.

She wrapped her arms around his waist tighter. She couldn't stop a tear from cascading down her soft cheek. Natsu could smell the salt of the tear, and feel it fall on his back.

He grit his teeth. He hated it when she cried. It made him feel so weak and powerless that he couldn't stop her from feeling pain. It hurt him so much to see her in sorrow.

"Oh, Natsu..." she sobbed. "W-we have to find her! We just h-have to!"

Lucy was cut mid-sob as the animal they were riding came to an abrupt halt. She slowly and cautiously lifted her head to meet with the back of her partner's pink head. Natsu turned slightly, so that Lucy could see the side of his face and the compassion he held in his mesmerizing black orbs.

"Lucy, Juvia is our nakama. That means we won't ever give up until she's back where she belongs. With us!"

Lucy gulped. "I know, but...what if she doesn't want to return?"

"Why would she not want to return?! We're her family!" he shouted in response, now fully facing the girl.

More tears spilled. "Gray meant everything to her. But those things he said to her aren't going to be so easily redeemed."

Natsu closed his eyes in agreement. "I know that Ice Princess screwed up big time. He's definitely going to have to pay for this."

"If Gray hadn't been so insensitive, we wouldn't be in this mess right now!!!" Lucy screamed in anguish.

"I'm well aware of that, Lucy, but you need to calm down. Think about-

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CALM DOWN WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS IS OUT THERE ALL ALONE AND IN PAIN???!!!" Lucy grabbed at her hair desperately and in frustration.

Lucy felt her hands being firmly grabbed by larger, rough ones. They gently pulled her hands away from her head and held them in their own.

Natsu looked down at her small hands and caressed them lovingly. "Gray is suffering, too.." he said. "You can see it on his face, he holds nothing but guilt and regret."