Waiting For You ▪ [Gruvia Fanfiction] BOOK 1 ✔️

▪ Prologue ▪

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The city of Magnolia has once again found peace after Zeref has been defeated. Acnologia also hasn't been a threat ever since the Dragon Slayers took him out. The people living there have been thankful for their protecters, the guild Fairy Tail.

After the events with Alvarez, the people of Magnolia have thrown a celebration, to show the mages their appreciation.

The party was a huge success obviously. The guildmembers, known for their fights and drinking, were enjoying themselves very much. Some maybe even too much.

"Juvieeee, come on you haven't even touched your glass yet!" said Cana drunkily to the girl next to her.

The brown hair framing her face, shook as she laughed. The mentioned girl sat next to her, staring into her still full glass.

"Juvia is sorry, Juvias thoughts are not very fitting for the occasion", meant the blue haired girl. Her face showed a little bit of worry and maybe disappointment. Cana noticed it and again, this time with more gentleness said: "Maybe with alcohol it'll be easier to forget what is worrying your pretty head."

"Maybe you're right", Juvia sighed and raised her cup to her lips. She felt the alcohol burning her throat but still decided to drink on.

"So... " Cana started. This time her excitement showing again. "What is on your mind?"

Juvia looked up to meet the face of her friend. Even though she felt gloomy, she knew that if she kept her sad persona she would only worry her friends. Juvia smiled shyly "It's Gray-sama" "Oh, of course" the brunette laughed. "It's not what you think", the other girl blushed. "Gray-sama has said that, uhm... that Juvias body is his but... he doesn't show it"

"I see, so you're sad because Gray won't spice it up", Cana winked at Juvia. The Water mage turned red and dropped her head so her hair would cover up the pink cheeks. "T-that is not what I meant", she stuttered but Cana was already laughing, pleased at herself for teasing her.

At the opposite of the huge room where the party was taking place, sat another mage. Gray Fullbuster. Next to him sat Natsu and Lucy, his best friends. It was obvious the others were enjoying themselves. Lucy was chatting happily with Levy, who sat at the opposite of her and Natsu, who had maybe one drink too much was rather loudly exchanging his opinion with the mage sitting next to Levy, her boyfriend Gajeel. In all, it seemed like the atmosphere was livid and fun, but if you looked closer you could feel a cold aura around Gray.

His thoughts were no longer with his friends and he had no clue what the loud argument was even about. Maybe it was because he didn't care or maybe because he was too busy searching the room for a perticular girl. He spotted her blue hair and left out a silent sigh, which he knew no one would notice.

"She looks sad", he thought to himself. His gut was telling him to take initiative and go speak to her but he realised he couldn't. "One more drink and I'll go talk to her", he lied to himself.

Gray knew he wouldn't go. His embarressment wouldn't let him. He remembered what he had told the Water Mage. His hand curled up in a fist "Why did I have to mention her body being mine?" he spat in his mind.

Deep down in Grays heart, have been burried feelings of affection for Juvia . But something else was covering it up. Fear. He has so often almost lost Juvia. He was terrified of his own feelings for her as he remembered the rage he felt, when he thought this precious girl was dead. He couldn't muster the courage of being with her.

Gray believed that some kind of curse must have been cast upon him, where people he holds near his heart, get hurt. That's why he knew that he couldn't let those feelings grow stronger. Remembering what kind of job they had, he doubted the possibility of them living happily, not to mention growing old together.

Of course he had thought about starting a family with Juvia, having kids and raising them. But those kind of thoughts only made him furious. He felt like a coward. "You almost lost her and you still won't try", Gray thought, angry at himself.

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"J-juvia will g-go", the drunk girl exclaimed. "I will tell him h-ow Juvia feels", she hiccuped. "That won't be any news to him", sighed the redhead who also joined the table, where Cana and Juvia sat. "Erza, don't say that. You'll change her mind and this could be entertaining", Cana laughed loudly.

Juvia stood up. Gray has obviously noticed the slightly drunk girl walking towards him. Panic rose in him but he quickly ignored it and also stood up.

Gray could notice Juvia being drunk, he wanted to avoid a scene in the middle of the party as he knew that Juvia had a tendency of overreacting when she was under the influence of alcohol. He started walking towards the girl and just as Juvia opened her mouth to confess her love, he took her by her wrist and led outside.

"Gray-samaa, why are you going outside, it is cold!" Juvia complained.

"I'll warm you up", he let it slip his mouth without realising how it sounded. "Gray-sama, you pervert", Juvia blushed and started giggling.

Gray smiled to himself knowing she wouldn't notice. She was so sad just a moment back and his little slip has brought her something to be excited about. He took off his jacket and gently dropped it on Juvias shoulders. This startled the Water Mage and she looked up to his darling. The Ice Mage stared off into the distance, not wanting to get lost in Juvias beauty. As it would only make his heart beat faster for her.

When he glanced her way again, he cought the girl smiling to herself. He had no idea that in that moment, Juvia felt truly happy that evening. Her darling showed her he cared about her, showed that he wouldn't just let her freeze next to him. Juvias hand slowly moved to Grays hand and to her surprise he actually embraced it.

"Juvia is happy", she smiled and he smiled too. He knew he wasn't ready to give her what she wanted but he knew, that she'd wait for him.

If only fate was this patient.

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Hello dear readers. This is my shot at a Gruvia fanfic, let me know what i  could change or keep in mind the next time I'm writing. I'm open for constructive criticism. :)

Ps. The timeline of this story is not the same as in the manga/anime. The prologue takes place like a week after Acnologia has been defeated and if you read the Manga you'll remember that Gray told Juvia that her body is his after Lucys award ceremony( a year later). Well in this story let's pretend it happened right after oki? :P