"let the rain wash

away, like the pain

from yesterday."

—

The river sparkled against the scorching sun, its calming flow ringing into the water mages ears. After Gray's request of setting himself alone, Juvia had wandered herself nearside the river— where she'd usually hang out whenever she had the chance. The bluenette had settled herself on the grass, tucking in her knees as her chin rested upon her kneecaps— occupied by the river and the sky.

The coarse grass did prick at her bum and her almost bare milky legs— though it didn't bother her. Juvia sat in silence, her facial expression almost blank and unreadable— though a crisis rummaged in her head. Why had her dear Gray-sama looked so infuriated? She asked herself, chewing on her bottom lip— lowering her head against her kneecaps with a glower.

Juvia paused, remembering the resentful glare Gray had intruded on Lyon. Her heart froze, her eyes slowly widening in realization. Could it be— that he was jealous?! The water mage slipped a squeal, her cheeks flaring red as she heavily breathed and steamed. As quick as it lasted, her mood tipped to the other end of the spectrum— the bluenette nudging on a miserable smile.

No, impossible. Even with her big imagination and questionable gestures, Juvia wasn't as oblivious. She was well aware the raven-haired she most adored only saw her as a comrade, and nonetheless. It wasn't like he hid his disliking of her anyways. But, even so— the water mage loved him. With every single fibre of her heart, even now. Juvia seethed a sigh, lifting her head to the sky— facing the blue heavens the ice mage had managed to show her. But then, why did he act that way when he had spotted both Juvia and Lyon?

She latched her eyes closed, inhaling in the warm breeze that tickled against her skin— filling in her lungs when a single droplet hassled her. Juvia's eyes shot open almost instantly, the droplets of water beginning to increase by the second. The once sultry and vibrant sky filled with sudden rain clouds, its sparse water drizzling down.

Juvia gulped, her lips trembling— her throat drying. Rain? She frowned, letting herself soak in the cold water— it had been long enough since the rain had poured on her. The rain had always been her friend, ever since the beginning. Was it her fault it was raining again? The bluenette thought, swallowing the lump caught in her throat.

Even so, the rain brought comfort to Juvia— along with bad memories. The rain had always followed the water mage— everywhere she went, wherever she was. That's why no one liked her, she was unwanted. She was too gloomy, she was nothing but a gloomy rain woman. The raindrops trickled onto Juvia's pale skin, some seeping into her eyes messing up her vision.

"But, why is the rain back? Juvia is happy." She croaked, her nose stinging and scrunching up— her waterline filling up with tears. Is the rain saying that Juvia isn't ha- oomph! A fist collided on top of the bluenette's head— swearing that it shook her brain. "Oi. Did you make it rain?" Asked a rough, demanding voice. Juvia puffed her cheeks, slapping the hand away— looking up to be greeted by her close friend, Gajeel.

"What're you doin' sitting here alone? Are you depressed or somethin'?" The dragon slayer questioned, swaying his head left and right— plopping down beside the water mage, legs crossed. Juvia huffed, biting the side of her cheek as she narrowed her eyes. "Where's Pantherlily?" She spoke back, not seeing the exceed in presence— the dragon slayer ignoring her as he sniffed the damp air.

"How did Gajeel-kun find Juvia? And why is Gajeel-kun here?"

"I'm bored, thas' it."

Juvia watched him, silently judging her acquaintance from the corners of her eyes. Gajeel-kun is so weird. "Mm. This ain't your rain." He grumbled, shooting his elbow onto his thigh— placing his palm against his cheek. The bluenette knotted her eyebrows, dumbfounded. "What do you mean this isn't Juvia's rain?" She queried, crossing her arms— bringing her hands up to fix her hat the dragon slayer inflated.

"Your rain's way more, aggressive and heavy. Besides, that peanut brain of yours don't know how to control the rain either way. Your brain's probably infested with that ice stripper boy." Gajeel stated, eyeing her a nasty, judgemental look. The water mage offensively gaped her mouth open, clenching her fists up. "J-Juvia does know how to! She just needs— euh, practice!" The bluenette protested, slamming her fists on Gajeel's arm— though he acted unbothered.

"Cut the crap, Ameonna." The dragon slayer spat out, catching Juvia off guard— her eyebrows slightly arched in confusion. Ah, it'd been quite awhile since she'd heard that nickname of hers— of course, only Gajeel knew anyways. "What's the real reason yer' out here alone, huh? You're usually swarmed up around that icicle." Gajeel probed at the woman, accusingly sneering his eyes at her. Juvia sighed, biting the side of her cheek with a huff. "Tell me was' wrong, otherwise i'm blowing up Fairy Hills."

Even if she had brushed Gajeel off, telling him nothing was wrong— he'd just end up bothering her to death. He'd probably throw a whole tantrum too. But Juvia didn't mind, he'd keep her company at times she didn't feel herself at most; especially at times like this. "Fine. But only if Gajeel-kun listens to Juvia and doesn't interrupt." The bluenette instructed, witnessing as the dragon slayer rolled his eyes— tilting his head. "Blah blah. Get started would you?"

—

a/n ;; i just haD to add in juvia + gajeel brotp. i love this duo with every single fibre of my body