Ice-Cold (Gruvia Fairy Tail Fanfic)

Chapter 30: Familiar Faces

"Why did you save me?"

"Just 'cause. Now get some rest."

He saved my life.

"You good? Startin' to cool down a bit?"

I couldn't bring myself to answer. And I didn't get a chance to when an unfamiliar sensation of warmth hit my eye. A sun ray.

"Hey, look! The sun's startin' to come out."

"The blue sky...I've never...seen it before."

"Seriously? Hm...well, there ya go. It's pretty, don't you think?"

"Yes...it's truly...beautiful."

I felt a warm tear roll down my cheek from the utter joy I felt. He was the one that had shed light into my dark and gloomy world. The one that made me feel that I was worth it. After that day, I never wasted the life that he had saved and given me a second chance with. And I never gave up on trying to make him happy, just as a small repayment for all he'd done for her, whether he meant it or not.

Juvia slowly opened her eyes. She looked around her. But she saw nothing. Just darkness. She tried to feel for something. Anything. But there was nothing to touch. Nothing tangible. She tried to listen for voices to reassure her that she wasn't alone. Nothing met with her eardrums. 

Juvia had never heard silence so loud.

She felt completely senseless, as if she was floating in an abyss of empty space. Where was she?

Juvia hugged her knees to her chest. She felt so lonely. Just a moment ago, she was enjoying the bliss of her first memory with the man she loved. All she wanted was to simply return to that calm peace of conscience. Not like the strange terror she was feeling right now from complete confusion and lonesomeness. 

She bit her lip and called out the one name that brought relief to her heart.

"Gray-sama!!"

No response. This only worried and saddened Juvia further.

"Gray-sama, where are you?!"

Why? Why were they always separated? All Juvia wanted was to be by his side, to be in his presence, that comforted her so. She wanted to hear his deep, soothing voice that was like music to her ears. She wanted to be with him. Simply just be with him. Was that really too much to ask?!

Juvia's lips trembled. She didn't know where she was, and she didn't know where Gray was. All she knew was that she wanted, needed him right now.

"Gray-sama! Please, come back to Juvia! Juvia needs you!" she cried out in desperation and fear.

She covered her face with her hands, trying to stop her tears. She felt so helpless and lost. The only way to describe what she was feeling right now was an unborn fetus in a womb. She was balled up and confined in an unknown space, only faintly aware of her surroundings. And she hated it. She hated the unfamiliarity of it all. She just wanted to someone to be with her. To hear a single familiar voice.

"Gray made fire!"

Juvia uncovered her face in shock. Was that...Happy?

"Oh, the irony..."  Juvia's lips curled up into a smile. Love rival.

"How's that make you feel, you pyro?"

And that was all she wrote. Juvia now closed her eyes in peace. That was all she needed. To hear his voice. But there was still this issue to address.