Waiting For You ▪ [Gruvia Fanfiction] BOOK 1 ✔️

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It has been two days since Juvia had woken up and ever since, Gray seemed to avoid her. Juvia had no idea what it could be about. She understood that the times were stressful and that everyone was worrying because of a potential attack, but it still pained her to have been pushed aside by Gray. The Water mage wasn't able to put together any kind of explenation for his behavior, which had the young girl very confused.

Juvia sat at a bench infront of the Guildhall, watching the sun set behind the horizon. Ever since she had seen the sun on the Phantom Lord rooftop, she loved watching the sunsets. It reminded her of how she met her darling. She smiled to herself as the butterflies dancing in her stomach assured her, that Grays colder days didn't change the way she felt about him. Nor the way he felt about her.

Juvia felt like she understood Gray in that moment. She knew that most of the things he does, which from the outside make him seem heartless, ironically show how much he cares. He wanted to protect her and maybe he just didn't want to put her into anymore danger after what happened.

The mentioned mage was actually closer to Juvia than she thought. Leaning against the Guildhouses wall, he watched her from a distance, making sure she is safe and well.

The events from few days ago have changed Gray somehow. He was scared for Juvia more than usually. He realised that the weird behavior was the result of the necklace, so he was keeping an eye on her incase she decided to trail off somewhere again.

What also didn't help his mind relax, was that guy he had saved Juvia from. That mage had been clearly after the necklace, which he hadn't got, so that was another reason to watch Juvia.

That man could come back to her with more people, to try to take the treasure and who knows, maybe if they'd realise she doesn't have it, they'd do the same to her, as it had been done to the poor civilians. Gray didn't want Juvia to end up as a message.

Then there was the most important thing. The thing that hadn't let the Ice mage sleep peacefully for the last few days.

He had given that necklace to Juvia.

His attempt at getting closer to her has backfired in a way he couldn't have had imagined.

The guilt was eating away at his heart, screaming to never open up to anyone again. Not to her.

Gray slammed his fists into the wall, causing the stone to create a crack. "Dammit", he whispered.

Everytime he felt like he could be with Juvia, fate had to remind him that he didn't deserve happiness. For him it seemed like he only brought her bad luck. He felt like his love for her was some curse, which he had no idea how to get rid of. Grays heart stung as he remembered Juvias unconsious face, when he was carrying her to the guild. He remembered the pain he had felt as he waited for hours for her to wake up.

Gray kept asking himself what would've happened if he hadn't arrived on time. What if he hadn't found her? Or found her too late? She could have been kidnapped, tortured, she could have...

Hot tears burned the corners of Grays eyes. He felt so weak. He didn't want to finish that thought, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if she had died because of him.

"Gray-sama"

Startled, Gray looked up. His face met Juvias, who was smiling up to him. He quickly dried his tears with his arm and looked away. "What is it?" He asked coldly.

"Juvia was wondering if Gray-sama would want to watch the sunset with her", she flushed, playing with her hands and staring down at them.

"Huh.." Gray was surprised. He was ignoring her for two days without giving her any reason and she still wanted to do something as unsignificant as watching the sun together. She didn't even demand an explanation.

Juvia had obviously noticed Gray-samas tears, but she knew asking was not the right choice. She knew he had his reasons but all she could do at that moment, was try to take his mind off of it. Gray wasn't one to open up and tell her what upset him.

Gray watched her smiling face for a long time before replying: "I guess."

They sat at the bench and stared at the sky slowly changing its colours. The pink and orange tones illuminated Juvias face so beautifully, Gray felt like he would kill the person who would dare to force him to take his eyes off her.

"Darling, your hand!" Juvia gasped suddenly, reaching out for Gray, but he quickly pulled his hand away. "It's nothing." He flushed embarrassed, knowing he cut his knuckles open back when he had punched the wall.

"Please, let me", she said softly. Gray sighed and put his hand into Juvias, as she was reaching them out to him. Juvia used her one hand to hold his and the other one to move over the bloody knuckles, creating water to wash off the dirt.

"There, now there shouldn't be an infection", Juvia smiled proudly. "Thank you", Gray said looking into her eyes.

A long moment passed like this.

"Gray-sama, you're staring", she blushed and laughed teasingly. He looked away embarrassed but soon enough, was facing her again.

"Juvia, I wanted to apologise for what you had to go through, because of me... uh..." Gray stopped. Juvia had narrowed her eyebrows, not hiding the lack of awareness on her face. It didn't seem like she knew what he was talking about.

His confusion was suddenly replaced with relief. In that moment he understood. He understood that the only person that was blaming him for what happened, was himself.

She loved him so much, it hadn't even accured to her to give him the fault. Instead of hating him for what he had done to her, all she cared about... was his hand not getting infected. He felt like laughing at himself for being this clueless.

"Darling", Juvia put her hand on his shoulder. "What did you want to apologise for?" Gray snapped back to reality. He moved his hand to Juvias and rose it to his face, resting his cheek in her palm. He closed his eyes and enjoyed her warmth, ensuring himself that she was actually here.

When he opened them again he saw Juvias red face, clearly confused by the situation.

"I'm sorry for not being with you. From now on, I'll always be a step away."

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