TRISTFUL. GRUVIA

XIII. BECAUSE I CARE

j.l — 

It was tranquil and quiet as I walked through the streets of Magnolia with Lyon Vastia. The wind was softly blowing in the midst, the stream's warm flow drifting along its narrow path, the apartment buildings lined up neatly in rows. I could hear the birds chirping in the distance, the voices of the residents in the area dispersing into their own conversations.

We had decided to space out from the party being held at the guild for a bit. With the rowdiness and upbeat excitement, communicating had become very difficult for the two of us. Both of us preferred to be in a less crowded environment, it being easier to get to know each other a little more unaccompanied by the several distractions we've both already encountered.

As we crossed one of the many bridges, I took a short stop as I gazed into the depths of my reflection shooting at me from the meandering waters.

There lied a girl with wavy blue hair, ocean eyes, small lips, an empty expression on her face. A girl who had lost so much hope within herself, a girl who was lost in a world where she couldn't even tell who she truly was as a person. The ripples ruffled the image, representing the unknown paths a river had, a river within herself, appearing to not be certain of her very own footsteps in life, just going wherever fate would take her.

The utter depiction of myself planted so close to me, a girl so close to revealing her true colors, yet so far. Master Makarov had once told me that I was practically made out of water, I guess I could see what he meant. The river was who I truly was, on the inside and on the out.

The familiar outline of a silver haired boy had now joined mine. I smiled as I stared at the reflection, picturing the two of us together. Lyon seemed different than all of the others. I felt like he could actually understand me as an individual who's memory had just strayed from her. I felt as if I could trust him to not judge me for who I was, I felt like I could believe in him. He was a genuine soul, one that could be able to save me from my darkness.

The mage took a hold of my hand, grasping it tightly, starting to convey, "Juvia, I am well-aware that we barely know each other, you with your loss of memory, us barely meeting hours ago.. But despite all of this, I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me on Sunday in a couple of weeks."

"Lyon.." I said, shocked that he would have the courage to ask such a thing this early.

"It's okay if you aren't re-"

I shushed him, then gave him a broad smile, "Of course I'd accept."

He returned the grin, his caring eyes resting on mine, his face so pure, so handsome. I swore I was going to melt if I stared at him any longer. "That's great," He remarked as he glanced at his phone, "well..I have to go. I'll see you around."

"Yeah, I'll see you around, Lyon," I replied as he began to wander away from me.

He had just given me this peculiar, bubbly feeling inside. It was an odd type of emotion, one that made me feel as if I had experienced not so long ago. Maybe in my past.. Perhaps, what could this mean?

☽

My footsteps had tread along the streets, heading towards the direction of the guild. I had figured that people were going to wonder where I had went, and that it would be rude for me to abandon an event as such, especially since the party was dedicated for me.

I immediately stopped my tracks at the sight of a quite disturbing form of suffering being displayed before me. Silver Milkovich was situated not even five feet away from me, unconscious, his body covered with icicles.

I lifted him as best as I could and ushered even faster towards Fairy Tail, afraid of what was exactly happening to my new friend. I could feel his raging, chilly, temperature, pressing against me as I carried him, the sharp frigid points digging into my skin.

Thoughts of worry began to run through my mind, unsure of if he was even still alive. I wasn't prepared to witness his death so early, I wasn't prepared to say goodbye to him. I refused to allow him to leave me so quickly. I needed him to live, he had to be saved.

As I arrived at the entrance, I banged the doors, pleading for someone to open them.

I was met by a short, old man. "Master Makarov," I pleaded, "Silver needs help!"

He looked at me strangely at the mention of the raven haired boy's name, but didn't comment about it. The guild master then looked at me sympathetically, "We'll take care of things from here. I suggest that you should go home and relax, this isn't such a pretty sight, my child. No need to worry for him, we'll take care of him. He'll be fine, I know it. He's a strong man."

"But I-"

Master Makarov gave me stern eyes, ones that made me feel helpless, ones I knew that I shouldn't have dared to defy.

"Juvia, please.."

I sighed, reluctantly nodding my head, beginning to head home. I sure hoped Master would keep his promise.

Silver better be okay.. He had to be. Because I care about him.