Battle Scars -A Gruvia Fanfic-

-13-

"What did you want to talk about?"

Gray and Juvia sat across from each other in the dining room. There was a heavy silence between them, making the nervous girl hesitate.

"Well, my mother-"

"Is in the hospital with nowhere to go. You want to find her a place to stay." It was amazing how the dark-haired boy could put the exact words Juvia needed directly into her mouth.

"Uh- well, I mean- yeah," she replied awkwardly. "Do you know anywhere...?"

"I'll take her." 

Juvia looked up in surprise. "What? What do you mean?"

Gray shrugged and turned his face away. "There is a spare room across from yours...only if you want...you don't have to..."

The tearful girl threw her arms around his neck, shocking them both. "Thank you, oh God, thank you." She wiped her eyes and smiled shyly. Gray saw her delighted face and blushed lightly. "I don't know how I could ever repay you..."

"You keep me alive. You give me peace, something I've desperately needed for years. This is my way of thanking you."

******

"...I know it's not much, ma'am...my parents are quite strict and most likely disapprove of this, but I would love to help you and your daughter in any way possible..."

Ms. Lockser looked up, her eyes boring into Gray's. She let out a small huff, almost rolling her eyes. Juvia looked at her worriedly. Would she turn down the offer? Would she tell on him? Did she not like Gray?

"It will have to do," she said sternly. "Thank you for your hospitality." Her bitterness made Juvia frown. Why was her mother being so sour? Gray was helping them; she should at least be a little bit grateful! Well, she was just released and very tired, so the blue-haired girl decided to let it go.

"Come on, Mom, let's get settled in." Ms. Lockser had a few belongings, including a couple of books and spare clothes. 

"Mm," was all the older lady said. She began to slowly walk into the room, pulling Juvia with her. 

****** 

Gray sighed and leaned back onto the couch in his room. He silently observed Lyon, his dark eyes watching the little boy on screen swing around some key-sword. He never really played those Disney games anyway.

"Hey, what's up?" the dark-haired boy only grumbled in reply.

Lyon paused the game and looked up. "Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay," he whined. After staring at his cousins stony face, he threw the controller on the ground and walked over. "It's about that girl, isn't it? It's about Juvia." At the sound of her name, Gray's head snapped up, eyes wide. The taller boy sat down. "If you don't want to talk, fine. But I think she's really happy here."

Gray rubbed a hand over his face. "No, that's not it. It's actually her mother that's really getting to me." He sighed again. "The way Juvia described her was so full of adoration and care, but now...now that I've actually met the woman, I'm having second thoughts towards hosting her in my house for a few weeks."

"You gotta relax, bro. What's the worst that could happen? Your parents find out? Tell them it'll look good on you college application. Her mother hates you? That's her own fault. She should know not to bite the hand that feeds her." 

Gray nodded slowly. "That's true, I guess. Thanks."

"No problem."

"...say, Lyon?"

"What?"

"I think I'm in lo-" Before the shorter boy could finish his statement, a blood curdling scream resonated throughout the house, startling the cousins. Both had huge eyes and tight jaws. They immediately ran into the basement, only to find Juvia and her mother on the floor, blood dripping off the daughter's hands.

"...what happened here?"

OMG! Sorry for such a late update; I've been catching up on my reading because my library is starting to overwhelm me. We also just read Of Mice and Men in class...it made me super sad. I've also started kendo class and my arms hurt  -_-

As for the late update, next one WILL be up soon! I've started on it...I just needed a good way to finish this one so it took a bit longer :')

I know this is short, but next chapter is much, much longer...probably twice as many words! XD

Okay, I will stop rambling now. See you next chapter!

P.S. Any Hamilton fans out there??