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Leaving Hurts,
Hate Burns,
Love Heals

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I'm coming home, I'm coming home.
Tell the world I'm coming home. Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
- "Coming Home" by Skylar Grey
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Chapter 12: Home Sweet Home

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Magnolia

Juvia woke up to the bed moving. She opened her tired eyes, observing what was going on to see her son, Storm, jumping up and down continuously. "What-"

"Mommy! Your up!!!!" he squeals, suddenly stopping his jumps and plopping himself on his knees. "Can you make me some bwekfest?"

Yawning, Juvia sat up rubbing her eyes. "Sure."

-

Also in Magnolia

Lucy pulled her luggage bag while hopping excitingly in the air. "WE'RE BACK!"

"Wah-hooooo!!!!!!" Luna exclaimed, punching the air as she rode on her mothers back.

Erza, Natsu, and Gray all laughed at this. They had just gotten off of the train, at 10 in the morning, arriving back home after 3 long months of being away.

They felt the normal brisk air hit their faces as they walked, which was their normal air to walk in and adjust to.

They had talked about it on the train that they would go to the guild first, to Gray's dismay. They needed to report to Makarov that they were indeed alive and well before going home and unpacking. Gray decided not to argue since he knew he'd get out voted and it'd be better to have all of them report instead of just one.

"I can't wait to see Levy, the twins, Lisanna, and…..MIRAJANE! Oh my gosh! I totally forgot about her being pregnant! She's probably huge! In the nicest way possible, of course...." Lucy rambles on about things she's excited about while walking ahead of the rest.

"Is it just me…." Happy begins as he is flying in the air. "Or is she a little too excited?"

Natsu scoffed, walking with hands behind his head. "Yeah….she acted like this on our way to Porlyusica's when Luna was ready to be born."

Happy shaped his mouth like an 'o', turning away from looking at Natsu to instead stare at Lucy who was, still, babbling on.

Gray shook his head with a smile whilst looking down at his steps, his hands placed in his pockets.

"You know, Gray….when you go home and if Juvia doesn't accept your apology…..just blame me." Erza says alongside him, her face facing forward when Gray looked back up to her. She knew herself that when he got home it would be a mess….that Juvia wouldn't forgive him….but then, it was really up to fate. Erza knew Juvia, and the girl wouldn't do a thing to harm Gray. Maybe, just maybe, Makarov was lying about how Juvia was? Maybe it was just him trying to get Gray to finish the job faster so he could actually come back….it was a possibility…but again, fate knows what would happen and it was up to said fate to let it happen.

"That won't be necessary." Gray faces forward now too, his steps and Erza's steps matching up. "It isn't technically your fault…I could've easily told Juvia where I was going."

Erza nods at the corner of Gray's eyes. "I know, that's because I told you not to and I'm…..I'm…scary…that's why you obeyed…you're…" Gray turned to Erza at the right moment, possibly not, to see a tear roll down her cheek. He knew, any day, Erza wouldn't get emotional over such thing. This emotional state of Erza's was probably thanks to her hormones, her being pregnant and all. "Afraid of me…"

"D-don't cry…" Gray says, which gains the eyes of Natsu, Happy, Lucy, and Luna.

"Ohhhh, c'mon Gray! Can't you go one second without making a girl cry?" Natsu complains as he glares and shakes his head.

Lucy pushes her husband aside, going up to Erza. "Are you okay?" she put a supporting hand on the scarlet haired beauty's shoulder, looking at her in worry while Luna does the same without the touching of Erza's shoulder.

Erza nods her head, taking her hand and wiping her tears with a little laugh. "Its hormones." Lucy smiles encouragingly with a small nod in sympathy before turning back to lead the group back on their journey back home. Erza turns back to Gray while they continue walking. "I'm just saying, Gray. Don't be afraid to come to me for help. I hate seeing Natsu and Lucy fight, it goes the same for you and Juvia."

Gray nods his head, turning his eyes away from Erza's. "We'll see if I need the help. Who knows? Juvia still might be starstruck over me and forget all about the pain I caused her." he gives a shrug. "You never know with her."

Erza's smile lifts her spirits. "Yeah."

Just at that moment, Luna squealed gaining Erza and Gray to look to the girl, but there was no need in asking why said girl was squealing.

Right infront of them, literally 10 or so steps away, was the Fairy Tail guildhall.

"Go mommy, go!!" Luna tugs on poor Lucy's hair as if she were a horse. The little girl was just as excited as Gray to see someone. Luna missed her friends terribly, but managed not to cry while on the special job just to show she's strong. What could you say? The girl wanted to be just like her father, to Lucy's dismay.

"Alright, Alright." they continue walking in happy bounces towards the guildhall.

They all take in a deep breath as nervousness washes over them once their infront of the door. Instead of Lucy at the front, it was Erza just because Erza was a little more easy to spot. She looked behind her, making eye contact with everyone with a slight nod before turning back and pushing the door open.

Once open, Luna screams. "WE'RE BACK!"

All eyes are on them at that moment, and a burst of cheers explodes. Some run up to the group, giving hugs (such as Levy and Lucy, Luna and the twins.) While Gray and Natsu looked around; Natsu looking for someone to make fun of, and Gray looking for that someone.

Who knew? Juvia could be at the guild for all he knew. But, no. No matter where he looked, no sign of that blue hair he loved so much was spotted. But, he did lay his eyes on something. Someone staring back to him. No, not staring. Glaring.

The glare belonged to no one but a significant strong man who was best friends with Juvia... Gajeel. Gray could name a few reasons why Gajeel was glaring at just him, but decided on the latter. It was definetley one he deserved.

He gave a nod to him before turning back to his friends where now Mirajane was, her stomach containing a baby showing. Gray decided that she was the only one who wouldn't be mad at him. So, he wasted no time in pushing Natsu out of his way up to the pregnant barmaid who was currently getting her belly touched by Lucy.

"Mira." his voice called, and as soon as it did, her smile dropped.

"Gray." she says, Lucy immediately pulling her hands off knowing exactly what Gray was doing. The room seemed to get quiet, too quiet that is. Its as if everyone was awaiting him to ask the question, as if they knew, and they surely did....Gray didn't want this many people hearing what he had to ask, and just wished for them all to talk again…but seeing no use of it, he began talking.

"Do you…know where Juvia is?" everyone was irratibly quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Gray's eyes shown worry, his eyes wishing for an answer from Mirajane.

But, the woman just shook her head. "She hasn't been at the guild at all today…so I am guessing she's at home..?"

Gray nodded, making his way for the door again, but before he could leave, Mira's voice sounded.

"Be careful…she's..-"

"I know." Gray says before he opens the door.

When he steps out, all the noise came back to the room with congratulations to the returning members.

Erza was still looking at the door, worry in her eyes. 'Good luck, Gray.'

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Question:

     How do you think Juvia will react?

Authors Note: I am so sorry if there are any misspelled words, grammar mistakes, or anything that makes you mad. I have kind of rushed through writing this chapter so I could get to the next one which I have planned forever for.