Battle Scars -A Gruvia Fanfic-

-14-

*Yay! Kind-of longer chapter! Apologies for such a late update, but this chapter should be a good one...at least I liked writing it. ~(^.^~)

People who are easily triggered by abuse...I'm warning you.*

"...What happened here? Juvia?" Tears stung at her eyes from both physical and emotional pain. She gritted her teeth and slowly stood, wincing at the glass grating inside her palms.

"Oh, dear, I am very sorry. My daughter ran into me and cut herself with the broken teacup. I'll pay for a replacement." Ms. Lockser held an air of dominance around her, making Gray hesitate. 

"It's fine, really...are you alright?" he asked, turning to the small girl. She simply nodded and ran off. Her mother sniffed as if she were a queen in the presence of commoners. It made him angry to see such disrespect, but he had offered his home to her, and kicking her out now would probably only upset Juvia more. The blue-haired girl had made it back, a broom and dustpan in her hands. She began sweeping up the shattered pieces with vigor, ignoring her sliced palms. It tugged at his heart. "Here, let me help." He knelt beside her.

"N-no! I can do it!" She had flinched and scrambled back, making Gray frown. Was she afraid of him? He tried to reach out to her, but she pulled away farther. "I'm fine! See?" Her stretched smile was almost convincing, but the terrified look in her eyes gave away her true emotions. Unfortunately, he knew that trying to help the poor girl would only make her retreat, so he sighed and stood up.

"Okay. If you say so." Her tiny shoulders slumped in relief, and she resumed her work. Ms. Lockser simply glared at the kneeling body, as if it were a creature that needed to be sedated. What was going on between the two?

If Gray knew anything, it was that he didn't want any part of it. 

******

Juvia should have known her mother would be like this.

Treating her as if she were trash, unworthy of even breathing the same air as the older lady. Days flew by with hushed screaming and a few slaps. Juvia's muffled crying in the bathroom was not a secret to her mother, though, which earned a few punches and kicks as well.

Gray was obviously worried about her odd limp and purple bruises, but every question he asked led to a fake, cheerful smile and something along the lines of, "I'm fine, really! No need to worry about me! I'm perfectly okay!"

This was one of the bad nights. The small girl had spilled some of her mother's tea on the floor, infuriating the woman. 

"You ungrateful child! You did this on purpose!" 

Slap.

I did not mean it, mother, please forgive me...

"You were given such hospitality, and this is how you treat this house?"

She was slammed against the wall, trying to block out her mother's whisper-screams. It'll be over soon...it always is...

"Do you know how much everybody has done for you?"

Yes! Yes, I do know! I do know! Please...

"You're such a disgrace!"

Juvia fell to the floor, earning hard hits to the side from the tip of her mother's shoes. She curled into a ball and wrapped her arms around her sides, but her mother only kicked harder.

"You should have never been born! You're just a mistake!"

I know, she sobbed. I know...just please stop hurting me...mommy...please...