Hello, boys and girls. I'd like to tell a story.

So this is the end of Gruvia week. And of course, we will have to end it on the last Gruvia scene in the manga. If you want my opinion, I found it a bit underwhelming. You would think that after Acknologia's death a year ago, they would be closer. I can't imagine that their relationship could be low-key considering it's Juvia. However, it was kinda funny to see Gray acting jealous, not wanting anyone but him to see Juvia's near naked body.

This is what Fanfiction is about, fleshing out moments that the original author didn't add. Hopefully you will have enjoyed this last entry.

You're Mine

"Your body is something I care about because you're mine."

Those were the words her beloved Gray-sama said. It reverberated in her brain and shook her very soul. It felt like it was the culmination of everything she ever wished for as a child. How far she had come, from that unloved, unwanted child to a woman finally receiving the reciprocal feelings of the man she loved.

"I used to be afraid." Gray admitted, staring at the scar on Juvia's beautiful body. "The people I cared about, the people I loved, they died. Mom and dad died protecting me. I didn't know it then but I started putting up walls around me."

Juvia's eyelids lowered in pain. She too knew the suffering of losing someone dear.

"Then Ur came. She was a tough woman but she taught me everything I knew. Whether it was about magic or life, she was my whole world. Before I knew it, the walls I had tried to set up had fallen down again, replaced with Ur." Gray balled up his fist and bit the knuckle of his thumb. Juvia could hear sniffling coming from her beloved. "But I had to go and fight Deliora. And because of my stupid mistake, Ur…Ur sacrificed her life for me."

"Gray-sama." Juvia whispered.

"So I put up my walls again." Gray continued, rubbing his eyes with the inside of his arm. "I joined Fairy Tail and even though I made friends with the people there, I refused to open up. I didn't want to let them get too close just in case one of them died. Failed there as well because they became my best friends, people I would put my life on the line for.

Gray snorted. Then he looked Juvia in the eyes. It was a powerful look, one that felt like he was looking into her very soul.

"And then you came along. You kept pushing and pushing, wanting me to return your feelings." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He was never the mushy type but now that the words started, he couldn't get himself to stop. That was fine though. She deserved to know everything inside his heart. "I didn't want to let you get too close. I didn't want to love you because everyone I've ever loved has died in front of me. So I kept you at a distance. And yet, you kept coming."

Juvia couldn't find her voice. To see her Gray-sama open himself in front of her was more than she could have ever hoped.

Resolve crossed his face. "Seeing you come so close to death that day frightened me. I've lost so many people. Losing you too would have broken me beyond repair."

"Juvia would never leave Gray-sama, not of her own accord." She piped in.

"I know." He smiled. It was a small smile but it was there nonetheless. "And you know what? When you came back to me, I knew that I couldn't be scared to love anymore. I couldn't shut myself in. Otherwise, I would be afraid to live."

His eyes roved back to her scar. "Looking at that scar reminds me of the time I nearly lost you. But now that I think about it, it also tells me that you are the one who came back to me."

Gray took a kneeling position next to Juvia and took her hand in his. "I'm done being scared. I'm not going to live in fear of the unknown anymore."

Juvia's words were caught in her throat at seeing the intense stare in her beloved's eyes. Tears of joy streamed down her face.

"I don't know if this is going to work out." The ice mage told her. "I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. I can't promise you riches. I'm not even sure that I can make you happy. But, I will give you all of me, without holding back. I will do my best to love you the way you deserve to be loved."

Gray leaned in and placed a kiss under her eyes to stem her tears. "You belong to me now just as I belong to you. I hope you can handle that."

The water mage couldn't take it anymore. She leaped at her Gray-sama and wrapped her arms around him. Finally, after all of this time, her dream came true.

And that's the end of that chapter.

Like I've said in previous stories, I believe that the crux of understanding why Gray was so hesitant to return Juvia's feelings was that he was scared. Unconsciously, he kept his distance so that even if he was hurt, he would be able to endure the pain of loss. Too bad for him Juvia, more so than any other woman in this media, was the persistent type. After Invel nearly stole her future, he would make sure she had a happy one with him in it. By this point, he was done running away and wondering what if she dies. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a long and silly life together.

Anyways, liked it? Hated it? Have no opinion one way or the other? Leave me a review. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me.

A. Angel