The Fire Empress [Paused But A Cute Few Chapters You Won't Regret Reading ]

The Hungry Thief

Gray's POV

"Gray-sama, will you sit next to Juvia?" Juvia asked shyly, with hearts in her eyes.

"Sure" I simply said and sat next to her in the carriage. Nico entered after me and sat opposite to us.

We had completed the job and collected the reward and were now going back to the guild. Nico and I haven't said a word to each other since what happened in the forest.

Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh. I could see tears forming in her eyes as I yelled at her. I didn't want to but what she did was so reckless. What if she had been hit and got hurt? Or worse...

We met just a few days ago but I've started to care about her a lot. I don't know what it is but I want to always protect her and keep her near me. Even when everyone offered for her to stay at their places, I hated the thought of her not staying with me.

I need to get a hold of myself. She's still a stranger even if it doesn't feel that way. I don't want to drive her away by being too protective either. I have to start pretending to not care as much as I do.

I shouldn't have even brought her with us to this job. Its too dangerous for her. What was I even thinking?

"Gray-sama, can Juvia rest her head on your shoulder and sleep?" Juvia asked.

What is with this woman, she needs to learn to get a hint... "Hai hai" I said with no emotion in my voice.

Don't get me wrong. Juvia is amazing. She's so strong and.. and beautiful. There's nothing that she lacks but all I think of her is as a close friend.

We spent the next two hours in silence. Both Juvia and Nico were asleep when we arrived back at the guild. It was around 9pm when the carriage finally stopped. Juvia woke up and yawned.

"Did we arrive at the guild Gray-sama?" she asked softly.

"Hai, you go on ahead I'll pay for the carriage and come too" I said to her and she slowly got out of the carriage and walked to the guild.

I payed for the carriage like I said I would and then shaked Nico's shoulder a little to wake her up.

"Hey, Nico, wake up." I said softly so as to not startle her. Her head was resting against the window.

Why do I always feel so warm when I'm with her. God, Gray, get it together man.

"5 more minutes please.." she mumbled in her sleep and faced the other way. A chuckle escaped my lips. She's adorable.

I decided not to wake her up. I picked her up and exited the carriage. She wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled into my chest. 

I decided to just carry her home. She can sleep through the night and I'm not hungry anyway.

Walking the streets of Magnolia, I remembered how I carried her home that night. She was in such a bad shape. I wish I knew who did that to her so I could pay them back for it. Why would someone want to hurt her?

I can't imagine how terrifying everyday is for her without memories of her past or her family. But she's holding herself together so well, she's strong in that sense. I do notice her being uncomfortable around people, but I guess that's natural since we're all still strangers to her.

We were a few blocks away when she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around for a few seconds, probably trying to figure out where she was. And then she looked up at me. Her eyes met mine and she smiled ever so slightly.

Her eyes suddenly widened for a few seconds and then she flinched and brought her hand upto her head like it hurt.

"You okay, Nico?" I questioned, concerned.