Just Add Water

Chapter 27

Upon arriving home Juvia went straight into her room, threw herself on to her bed, and started crying. Ur had gone out to look for her earlier and after talking with Mr. Neekis, she was relieved when he confirmed that Juvia was telling the truth about helping a sick dolphin but worried when he explained what happened when Gray arrived. By the time she came back to the house she found Gray sitting on the porch, drenched and hanging his head in shame.

"Gray." She said giving him a look of disapproval.

"Oh I did it again Ur. I acted hastily." He said.

"Mmm-hmm and whenever you act in haste disaster is just around the corner. Is Jellal's father threatening to press charges?"

"No. Jellal accepted my apology after he punched me in the jaw."

"Serves you right. How's Juvia?"

"She hates me now."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Yes it is. She said that she never wanted to speak to me again. She hates me."

"No Gray. She couldn't hate you even if she wanted to. Believe me I know."

"I didn't mean to embarrass her. I just...I just didn't want Jellal to hurt her."

"Still her bodyguard I see."

"What?"

"When you two were children you always talked about how much she annoyed you and yet you would never let her out of your sight and you would always chase away the other kids who bullied her. You called yourself her bodyguard. Said it was your job to protect her."

"I really said that."

"Yes and some nights she would sneak into your room and crawl into bed with you."

"That I remember but it got on my nerves."

"Then why didn't you ever complain to me? If I had known earlier I would have stopped it sooner."

"Well...She...She...Whenever she came into my room at night she said she was scared. Scared of a storm or a bad dream she had. I guess I just didn't have the heart to tell her to go away. You know it stopped once we hit puberty."

"I know but you know she still goes to you whenever she's scared."

"I know. But she probably won't go to me for anything anymore. I messed up real bad this time."

"Yes you did. But not so bad that she would never forgive you."

"How do you know?"

"Let's just say that I've been in a similar situation. When I was younger I knew someone who cared a great deal about me and some would say he cared too much. One day he did something really stupid, something that really embarrassed me, and I was so angry that I told him I would hate him for the rest of my life."

"Did you?"

"No. No matter hard I tried and believe me I tried, but I just couldn't hate him and eventually I forgave him. She'll forgive you, she just needs to understand that despite how stupid and idiotic your actions were, your heart was in the right place. Now why don't you go upstairs and take a bath? You smell like sardines."

Gray did as he was told while Ur went into the kitchen for a few minutes. After that she went upstairs and gave a gentle knock on the door to Juvia's bedroom.

"Go away Gray!" Juvia cried. "I said I never wanted to speak to you again!"

"It's me." Ur said walking in. "I made you something to eat."