AN: Hello everyone!

Well, here it is. There's some stuff going on we have been waiting for *wink wink* but it's not what you think it is, and other things are a surprise!

About last part, Olivia1415 asked what the rubies mean and I think I didn't explain it well enough. According to the ACOTAR wiki: "A blood ruby is a gem that is often used in the Summer Court to declare their mortal enemies." It's a significant gesture and in the books that's what we know and that they can be rescinded. I assume assassins can be sent and used that in my story.

Don't look it up yet, but if you want to have a visual of Juvia's dress, Google image search: Designer Daddy - Hello,Feyre darling

Without further ado, please, enjoy the sin.

#

A Sky Full of Stars, I'm Gonna Give You My Heart – Part V

#

Breakfast was just as they expected, loads of side looks and snickering from their friends and even the High Lord. If Juvia were younger and less experienced with being teased, she would have blushed and stammered, but she was a full-grown female and had done nothing to be ashamed of.

Instead, she complimented the variety of fruits available and how tasty the bread was.

Of course, after the meal, she was pulled by her friends to Cana's room, leaving Natsu, Gray and the High Lord to talk while Juvia expected a full-on interrogation and she was not disappointed.

"What happened?" Lucy asked, excited.

"You two smell like sex. Did you do it?"

"Was it everything you thought it would be?"

"I don't think I want to know about Gray's anatomy more than I should. I mean, I have seen him naked – he likes to strip when he gets drunk, but he was never hard or anything of course, so stop me when I get to the right size when he is on full hard on." Cana had her hands parallel to each other and started to move them farther away.

Juvia laughed. "Slow down, it wasn't like that."

"Oh, was he not good?" Lucy asked concerned; she knew how much Juvia wanted to be close to Gray that way. "He seems like he would know what to do."

"You can always teach him what you like." Cana said. "Gray is easy enough to train in everything else, why not sex?"

"No, you misunderstood me." Juvia stopped them. "We... kind of woke up hugging each other. Maybe it grew colder during the night and we searched for warmth. One thing led to another and we... let it." Juvia smiled lightly. "Everything that happened was all with our clothes on, we didn't go all the way, but we found release. All I can say if that is how it feels with our clothes on, I don't think we can survive without them."

"I used to say the same!" Lucy giggled. "Trust me, you can survive, and you will be happy you did so you can do it aaaaall over again."

Cana only laughed. "He will lose his shit when he sees you in that dress tonight."

"That is the plan." Juvia winked.

#

The palace was busy with the preparations for the ball, but it didn't stop Juvia from asking the High Lord if there was any place she could have a quick practice session while the others explored the palace and its beauties.

"Wasn't yesterday a good enough work out? Taking down two assassins?"

"That is why Juvia trains." She smiled. "So, when she has assassins after her, they do not succeed."

Yuki laughed and told her she could use his private garden; it had a big enough patio she could use.

A servant showed her the way and Juvia was impressed to see the greenery of the garden, clearly a type of green house. She could see different types of flowers and even medicinal herbs. It was warm enough Juvia removed her coat and just had her leather pants and a simple shirt.

Breathing in hard, she held her sword and went through the movements she learned from Gajeel and some she added after seeing the at the battlefield. It was like breathing at that point, the way her blade would move and how quick she had to be on her feet to have some of them work. It was a small thing she repeated every day, but it was one of the very few moments her mind was blank.

She went through the routine three times and was about to put her sword away when she caught a sniff of her mate's scent, her own suddenly spreading more to match his and she turned to see him observing her from a hidden place behind a rose bush, probably why she didn't scent him straight away.

"Those are some interesting moves." He said.

"Juvia is a bit of a mongrel." She chuckled and Gray's frown told her he had misunderstood her meaning. "Not my family history, but my fighting style, don't worry. I was trained mostly by an Illyrian warrior from when I was ten and then soldiers from the Summer Court and I learned to fight with my water powers as well. Juvia also has an eye to learn techniques she sees in the battlefield, so I just mixed them all together."

"I still haven't fought you properly." Gray told her. "I just got a little taste of it when we met."

Juvia smirked and stepped closer to him, and Gray did the same, it felt as if they were magnets and were always drawing to each other. "It seems you like when Juvia gives you a little taste of something."

Gray's eyes darkened and his gaze went to her lips then back to her eyes. "Apparently you are a tease in every aspect."

"Why Gray-sama, if you want to practice with Juvia or have a sparring match, all you do is ask. I do it every day." Juvia tip toed and even though their lips didn't touch, their noses did.

"I was referring to this morning." He gave her a ghost of a kiss and Juvia felt her body heat up when he put his hands on her hips and turned her around gently.

"If Juvia remembers correctly, you were the one eager to go to breakfast." Juvia let Gray push her softly backwards until she had her back on a wall of leaves and he pressed his body on hers, making her gasp.

"What was it that you said?" He asked, voice rough. "Something like: 'When we do kiss, it won't be part of this silly little game we are playing. When we do, I will be the one to do it and we will not stop until both of us are absolutely wrecked and our bodies are begging for us to stop because we can't take it anymore'." He whispered, their lips almost touching. "I kissed you; I realise there's no coming back from that and we might as well just indulge ourselves but today is my uncle's ball, I am expected to attend. If we had done anything else this morning, I don't think we would make it. The things I plan to do to you... they will take time."

"Such a pity." Juvia moved and kissed his jaw in a few places, and he groaned. "I guess we need to wait for tonight."

"For the mysterious dress." Gray finally kissed her and Juvia let her sword fall on the ground and her hands went straight to his hair pulling it slightly just to hear the growl that came from his chest. She just wanted to enjoy his warmth, the way his body fit perfectly against hers, his delicious smell that only improved with the scent of his arousal. Juvia moaned when his hands went from her hips to cup her ass.

He lifted her easily and Juvia had her legs around his waist a moment later, kissing him with such hunger she thought she could do that for the rest of her life and she wouldn't mind, especially when she felt his hardness between her legs and her need for him intensified. She moved her hips the best she could to get some friction, but Gray stilled her movements.

"Fuck." He said, stopping kissing her and resting his forehead on her shoulder, both breathless. "You are not making come in my pants twice in one day." Juvia's laughter was like a melody, it had been such a long time she had been this happy with her life.

"We could get naked. It seems this is a very secluded place."

Gray looked at her with hunger in his eyes, but they were also filled with a type of sweet pain. "We can't. Cana and Lucy actually asked me to get you so you can start get ready for the ball. They are in Cana's room waiting for you."

"Ah, so Juvia distracted you from your mission?" Juvia tightened her legs around his waist, and he groaned and kissed her again.

"You always do." They shared a last kiss and Gray put her down on her feet. He took a few calming breaths and adjusted himself inside his pants while Juvia grabbed her sword and coat. "I will escort you to the room."

"I am not saying taking a stroll with you wouldn't be a delight, but Juvia is able to find it herself."

"Just like you were able to take a nap in the middle of the day, in a palace full of guards and still had assassins attack you?" He raised an eyebrow.

She had to give it to him; it was a solid point. "Escort away, Gray-sama." She intertwined their arms, and they left the garden.

#

After a bit of light teasing from Cana and Lucy, they started to get ready for the ball and it took them a while but by the end of it, the three of them looked stunning.

Cana chose a black two-piece outfit, the top was sleeveless, it showed her toned stomach, and the skirt was flowy, reaching the floor and she had her hair loose, falling in waves on her back.

Lucy had chosen a silver sparkly dress with a low-cut cleavage, enhancing her breasts. The dress was tight until it got to her hips, where it also turned flowy, and she had a slit on her left thigh. Her blonde hair was up in a very stylish way. She worn some diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet.

Juvia looked herself in the mirror and she couldn't believe she was about to step in a ball wearing that dress. She did look beautiful, she had to say, but it was the opposite of what she would usually wear to a ball.

It was black with silver sparkles, like the night sky, the fabric covering her breasts were in a plunging V, going almost to her bellybutton, it had a concealed latch on the back of her neck, making it completely backless but secure for her large breasts. The fabric covered her ass and her front, almost hitting the floor, but the two slits on her sides had wide black nets that left little to the imagination on how her legs looked; given the right angle someone could see if she was or not wearing any undergarments. A silver belt with the shapes of the moon and stars completed her look. Her Bargain tattoos showing all over her skin adding to the beauty of it.

A little of her hair was up, being held by silver a hair pin, she had small silver earrings, her trusted silver bracelet and her favourite pair of shoes were black, tied around her ankle and just tall enough her posture changed and her assets were more pronounced.

"I have to say." Cana told the other two when they were looking at themselves in a mirror. "We are fucking gorgeous." The three of them laughed. "Now come on, let's eat, drink and dazzle some lords and ladies."

By the sounds coming from the big hall, guests had already arrived, and Lucy reassured them they didn't want to be the first ones there anyways.

Natsu was talking to one of the guards at the end of the stairway – he had knocked on their door twenty minutes before and was informed they would be right out, so he waited for his mate. He saw them go down the stairs and his eyes went straight to Lucy. He was wearing a black suit with a red shirt and looked very handsome himself.

"You three look great but I must say my mate takes the prize tonight." He offered her his hand and Lucy giggled, taking it. "You look like one of the stars we look up to in Velaris."

"Urgh, stop with the romantic-mate shit." Cana rolled her eyes and Juvia tried to hold back her laughter, Lucy putting her arm on the crook of Natsu's arm. "We all look beautiful and hot, Lucy is a star, you are the luckiest male alive, yadda yadda. Let's get something to drink." She put her arm on Natsu's other one. "Count yourself lucky to have me on your other side." Cana looked over her shoulder, at Juvia and winked. "I am sure Juvia will find someone to escort her soon enough."

Natsu grinned and looked at Juvia, finally analysing her looks and he whistled. "Gray is inside with his uncle doing his duties, but I am pretty sure he will ditch the old man when he sees you, though." Juvia nodded and smiled. "Now let's get this party started."

#

Soft music and conversation filled the ballroom, Juvia recognised some faces from when she was still a member of the Summer Court. Everyone was wearing their best attire and there were some couples dancing already. It was full enough she couldn't see Gray.

Cana let go of Natsu as soon as they stepped in to find something to drink and Juvia excused herself to walk around the room – the couple needed their privacy and Juvia wanted to find Gray.

Slowly, she walked around, receiving looks from many and she even scented a few of them have a hint of arousal, others looked at her in confusion, probably trying to remember if they knew her or not, it wasn't as if Juvia was the centre of the attention when she accompanied her uncle.

Finally, she saw the High Lord greeting some people, Gray at his side, wearing a black suit with some sort of silver details on the lapels. He looked absolutely handsome and delectable, and Juvia couldn't stop staring at him. The people talking to him and his uncle left with a bow and as the two of them talked, Juvia thought it would be fun to see how long it took him to realise she was hunting him.

She started to circle the ballroom, eyes on him with intent, always on the corner of his eyes but never straight in his line of vision just yet, hiding behind others and after a couple of minutes, she saw him stiffen slightly and frown. He was still talking to his uncle but now he was looking for something in the crowd.

For someone.

Juvia stopped walking just for long enough he could find her and after a couple of seconds, he did.

She saw his body go still; his eyes widen as he took her figure in. He was clearly not listening to his uncle anymore, his focus solely on her and Yuki realised it a few seconds in and, frowning, he looked at the direction Gray was staring at, and he found her straightaway. He offered her an appreciative smile and a small nod before putting a hand on Gray's shoulder to get his attention and he finally looked back at his uncle, startled for a second, being so focused on Juvia.

Juvia could only assume the High Lord had given him permission to leave for a while because she saw Gray nod at his uncle and started to walk in her direction.

Instead of going towards him to meet her mate, Juvia turned around and started to walk the opposite way. She looked over her shoulder and saw Gray had stopped and was looking at her, confused.

She winked at him, gave one step, and moved her head in a 'let's go' way, hoping he would get it; they were playing, and it was his turn: he needed to catch her. Juvia saw understanding pass his expression and suddenly he was smirking and Juvia felt her heart race as he started to prowl her way as she walked away from him.

Excitement rushed through her when she looked over her shoulder again and couldn't see him anymore, but she could feel his gaze on her. She was the one being hunted now and she was more than happy to be caught.

Absentmindedly she saw Natsu and Lucy dancing together, Cana was talking to a group of people, but... no Gray.

She was sure she looked everywhere but she couldn't see him, so she stopped for a second to formulate a plan when she felt an arm wrap itself around her waist and the sweet voice of her mate say close to her ear: "Got you."

They were lucky they were close to the outskirts of the ballroom and very few people cared to witness what they were doing.

"Juvia hoped you would." She smiled and turned around in his arms. "How is your night going?"

"Getting better by the second." He stepped back just enough he could appreciate her dress. "What the fuck are you wearing?"

"Do you like it?" Juvia spun around slowly so he could see it all and by the time she was facing him again, his eyes held even more fire.

"Like it?" He whispered but she could hear the fiery tone. "I don't know if I should fuck you with you in it or without it."

"Or both?" She asked, hopefully, feeling heat pool between her legs.

"I'm afraid if I decide to do it without, I might tear it apart to get you naked faster." He put his other hand on her cheek, stoking it gently. "You were right, this dress was worth waiting for but it barely covers you."

"It covers the essentials." She looked down and the dress covered her breasts quite well.

"Debatable." Gray muttered and Juvia giggled in glee.

"I wanted to try something different. Juvia has gone to balls like this, and she had such... boring dresses, practical and serious. I wanted something fun."

"This is fun, alright." Gray said, looking down at her body again in appreciation. "If we play our cards right, we could leave early."

"I don't think the High Lord will appreciate it." Juvia pointed out, getting closer to him and playing with his suit.

"The High Lord is lucky I am not leaving now. He is lucky I am holding myself not to kiss you and make a scene." He growled. "And I just want to let you know, even if we hadn't crossed the line this morning, I am very sure we would tonight. There was no way I would see you wearing this and just walk away."

"That was the plan." She smiled, her lower stomach boiling with desire. "Go find your uncle, play the heir part and we can leave as soon as possible. Remember to save a dance for me."

"All of them if I can help it." His eyes softened and with a sigh that summoned all his frustration and he returned to the midst of the other guests.

Juvia accepted a glass of wine from one of the servers and some food that was offered to her, and she just walked around for a while. It was hilarious when someone recognised her and started to whisper and gossip.

She couldn't care less about their opinion, she was happy with her new life, with her friends, her job, the mate she would do absolutely debauched things to later that night.

"Well, well, well. What do we have it here?" Juvia heard from behind her, and her body went still. She knew that voice too well. "I know I called you a half-breed whore a few times but there's no excuse for dressing as one."

Juvia turned around and had the unfortunate view of her older cousin, Juan, Jose's youngest son. He had short dark straight hair like his father, a pointy nose and chin and high cheekbones.

"Juan." Juvia said in greeting, her hold on her wine glass suddenly tighter. She recognised his new guards a few steps behind, she had known them when she was still in Summer: Totomaru and Aria. Both looked at her in surprise and distaste. "I am surprised to see you here."

"Father didn't want to come to the festivities but now I think he will be upset he missed it and losing the opportunity to drag you back. I am surprised to see you dared to show your face in such public place." Juan snarled the last part in a whisper so just the two of them could hear. "Leaving without saying a word? Deserting your Court, your family-?"

"Just because uncle took me in, it doesn't mean we were family. He was going to throw me on the streets had Juvia not shown her powers." She told him.

"I wasn't there that day; I can't know if this is true." Juan dismissed her and Juvia wanted to hit him so badly but her bargain prevented from doing him any harm. "Father was furious when you and Gajeel left. At least Gajeel left a note saying you two were leaving by your own free will." He looked her up and down and Juvia felt the need to cover herself but she would not do it, especially not because of him. "Night Court, huh? How did you manage to make them accept you? Who did you have to fuck to be accepted?"

"I just had to be the opposite of you and not be a raging cunt." Juvia hissed and Juan actually laughed.

"Hey, it's true enough, I can be a bit of a cunt." He stepped closer. "No, but really. We barely know anything about the Night Court and now you manage to be a part of it? Even coming to balls representing them, I assume?"

"If you are so ready to accept Juvia is now a member of the Night Court, why would uncle send the blood rubies? It's been almost eight months." Juan actually flinched a little.

"Look, we were never friends, you and Gajeel had your own thing going on that no one else could get in and understand but that is fine. Joseph and I were actually against father sending the blood rubies. If you wanted to leave, fucking go. We don't want people who do not want to be in our Court." Juan told her. "You know father, though. His pride was hurt."

"Please talk to him about the rubies. I already had two assassins try their luck."

"Since you are here..." Juan raised an eyebrow.

"They are dead." She lied – she didn't know what Yuki had done with them; they could very well be dead for all she knew.

"Of course they are." Juan snorted. "We told father you and Gajeel were too damn good at surviving; sending the rubies would be a waste."

"Your concern touches me, cousin." Juvia said sarcastically.

Juan sighed. "I know we don't see eye to eye in most things, but I couldn't give a fuck where you went after you left Summer. It's your and Gajeel's lives, I rather have loyal people around. You were loyal for two hundred years and are not anymore. Good riddance."

Hope sparkled in Juvia's chest and she asked again. "Would you talk to uncle about rescinding the rubies?"

"Let's see how the night goes, I might or not be inclined to do so." He shrugged and Juvia gritted her teeth. Asshole.

"Oh, there you are my lady." Juvia heard Yuki come closer from their right, his focus only on her, ignoring Juan completely. He was wearing pure white suit that made him look even more ethereal and beautiful. "I have been looking for you; apologies, it seems we have a full house tonight, but may I say you look absolutely radiant." He took her hand and kissed it. "We are lucky to have you as a personal guest in my Court."

"Thank you, my lord." Juvia lowered her head, happy to have someone else around. "This is a beautiful ball."

Yuki just smiled at her and then turned his attention to Juan, his warm smile disappearing. "Juan. A pleasure."

"My father sends his regards, my lord." Juan lowered his head. "Unfortunately, he and my brother were tied up with Court issues and couldn't come but they ask me to convey their warmest feelings and represent our court."

"Thank you." The High Lord replied politely. "I would like you to send a message to your father for me: tell him it would please the Winter Court if the blood rubies were rescinded. Lady Juvia is a friend of this court and so is your other cousin and it would be greatly appreciated if we didn't have to strain our relationship because of a... family squabble." He smiled coldly but the implication was there: you do not want to make an enemy of the Winter Court. "I do believe the Night Court feels the same way. Two Courts are vouching for them while all she did was leave? Makes one wonder if the issue is the Court itself."

Absolutely confused on how Juvia and the High Lord of Winter were in such good terms for him to go to such lengths, Juan's eyes widened, and he bowed. "I will convey the message, my lord."

"See that you do. Now if you'll excuse me." He turned to Juvia and put her hand on his arm. "My lady, I have some people I would love to introduce you to."

"Of course, my lord." Juvia smiled at him and then looked at Juan. "Cousin."

Once they were out of ear range, Juvia let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Yuki kept smiling to people around him and he said in a quiet voice. "Head up high, my dear, and a smile on your lips. You never let them know they got you in public."

Juvia immediately smiled and held her chin up. "Thank you for the save, my lord."

"I recognised your cousin and saw you were uncomfortable." He told her. "Also, I couldn't let Gray be the one to catch that, I think we would have an inter-Court incident; I know my nephew and he would have plummeted that wimp into a wall after a two-minute conversation."

Juvia snorted. "I was almost doing that." She looked around and found her mate talking to some people with pink hair and she thought they were from Autumn. He was trying his best to pay attention to what they were saying but it was painfully obvious he wanted to get out of it. "Maybe it's time to save Gray-sama."

The High Lord looked to where his nephew was and snorted. "He needs to get used to the attention. He is my Heir after all, he needs to learn politics, doesn't matter how much he hates it and is he spends most of his time at the Night Court. Plus, I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to introduce you to some people."

"Oh?" Juvia was surprised.

"They grew up with Gray, they are the children of a dear friend of mine who helped raise Gray after his mother passed and his father was fighting during the war." He was leading her to the opposite side of the ballroom of where her cousin had been.

"I see." Juvia nodded and she saw a group of three fae, talking between themselves: a male and two females, all three dressed in fine clothes and they all turned when they felt the presence of the High Lord.

"Lady Juvia Lockser, may I introduce you to Ultear and Meredy Milkovich and Lyon Vastia?" Yuki said with a smile. "Ultear is Ur's daughter, the female who raised Gray." She was stunning. Long black hair and eyes, the white dress she was wearing seemed to be made to show off every curve of her perfect body. She nodded at Juvia, and she returned the gesture. "This is Meredy, her daughter." She was just as pretty as her mother, but Juvia couldn't find any similarities in their appearances as Meredy had long wavy pink hair and green eyes and she was almost as tall as her mother. She was wearing a flowy silver dress that Juvia imagined matched her personality after receiving a bright smile from the other female and Juvia was happy to return it. "And this is Lyon Vastia, he grew up with Gray."

He was a very handsome male, eyes as white as Yuki's, but short. His eyes were dark and narrow. He was wearing a white suit with dark blue details.

"Where have you been all of my life?" He asked, stepping closer to Juvia and taking her hand, he bowed down to kiss it and Juvia blushed. "Maybe this is what people call it love at first sight?" He winked.

"Um..." Juvia was surprised with his forwardness. Was that what she sounded like with Gray? She was still flattered but her heart was taken. "You flatter Juvia." She managed to say.

When he didn't let go of her, Yuki cleared his throat. "Lyon."

The younger male let go of her hand but didn't step away from Juvia.

"Are you the one Gray told us about?" Meredy asked. "The one who warded off Acnologia's invasion forces a few months ago?" Juvia was surprised. Gray had told his family about her back then? "That was incredible." Juvia was correct in her assumption of Meredy being a bubble of happiness as she buzzed in excitement.

"It was a group effort." Juvia said, humbly. "My cousin and the villagers were there too, and I am only here because of all of our efforts that day."

"You sank four warships by yourself, that's hardly something to breeze by." Meredy pointed out.

Lyon frowned. "Sorry, I wasn't here when Gray was telling that story. What happened exactly?"

Meredy started to tell the tale and Juvia had to correct her on a few details, but the recounting was pretty accurate. By the end of it, Lyon was looking at her with admiration and she could detect a little bit of lust in his gaze. "-then Uncle Gray arrived with reinforcements and finished them off!"

Even the High Lord was looking at Juvia with admiration, Ultear seemed to be sizing her up in a friendly manner, trying to figure out if the blue haired female would be able to actually pull off the story.

"I knew you were formidable since when you... took care of the trash yesterday" Yuki said, referring to the assassins, as he was trying to keep it as quiet as possible "but that is a tale for the history books."

"We were just trying to help the villagers." Juvia was suddenly shy. She was never praised growing up, only for her brute strength, but she was never... celebrated that way. "We couldn't let him invade."

"We must send extra protection to our shores." Yuki seemed to think. "Makarov did write about the incident a few months back, and we did add more soldiers for a while, but since nothing happened, we pulled some back."

"He will try again." Juvia said with certainty. "That was just a test, and he will keep testing until he can breach Prythian."

Yuki lowed his head in agreement. "I will take care of it in the morning, my lady." He seemed to have caught someone at the corner of his eye and told the small group. "As riveting the tale was, I do need to talk to others. Apologies, I will see you all later." And he left, very gracefully.

"He talks so funny in events like these." Meredy giggled. "When he comes to visit, he is just silly Uncle Yuki and he seems to really like you."

"He does." Ultear was studying Juvia. "He is easy to trust sometimes but he is no fool. You must be something."

Juvia's eyes widened. "Uh... Juvia is a great fighter."

"How about a great dancer?" Lyon asked and offered his hand. "A new song is about to start and it would be my honour to escort the most beautiful female in this room to dance."

Juvia hesitated, looking at her glass but Meredy was quick to take it off her hands. "Go enjoy."

"Thank you." Juvia smiled to the younger female then she turned to Lyon and took his hand. "Lead the way."

He had a beautiful radiant smile when he took her to the middle of the dance floor, and she couldn't help but to smile back. Lyon was, from what Juvia gathered, the closest thing to a brother growing up and she wanted his family to like her.

Juvia recognised the song and was relieved it wasn't too complicated or had too many steps; mostly bodies close together and a few twirls. She could do that.

He must have sensed her hesitation. "Don't worry, Lady Juvia, I can lead quite well." The song started and he pulled her to him, chests barely touching, his hand on her lower back and the other holding hers while she had her own hand on his shoulder. "I got you."

"I am no Lady. The High Lord was just being kind. Juvia is enough." She told him as they danced. "Juvia knows a little of the steps, she has been going to balls her whole life."

"Oh? I thought you were a fighter, a soldier?" Lyon asked.

"That too." She giggled when he twirled her – she might have had a little bit too much wine. "But what is a fight but a dance of weapons? If you pay enough attention and have enough training, dancing is all about the footwork and Juvia is very good at it."

"So it seems." Lyon laughed. "I never saw anyone compare dancing to fighting. I am not that much fan of dancing, but I do like a good fight."

"Maybe you haven't found the right partner." Juvia shrugged and she saw his eyes darken looking at her. "A good partner should match you in both."

"I think you are correct." Lyon smiled. "Would you be a candidate?"

Juvia blinked in surprise; he was as straightforward as she was. "Juvia is afraid her heart is taken, Lyon-sama."

His expression fell a little, but his smile stayed. "Should I go and fight for your hand? I would." It was time for a twirl again, but the opposite way and Juvia completed the steps.

"Please, don't." Juvia chuckled. "The last thing Juvia needs right now is any sort of fighting happening over her." Suddenly she felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise up and she was instantly alert. She kept dancing and Lyon was talking to her, but Juvia's attention was covertly to the crowd.

Hunted.

She almost stumbled down her own feet when she saw what caused her instincts to override.

Gray was looking at her dance with Lyon with such fire in his eyes Juvia could feel it in their mating bond. Natsu was next to him, Lucy behind them, holding his arm and saying something but Gray took a step towards the floor and suddenly the High Lord was there, on his other side, holding his other arm and saying something on his ear.

Juvia couldn't make it what he was saying, but Gray was replying to his uncle, still looking at where Lyon's hand was placed on Juvia's lower back, touching the skin there.

Oh no. She knew Gray got possessive of her just as she was of him, but she never seen him react that strongly, especially when she was dancing with someone he considered a brother. The whole tension they were building up was about to explode.

Just a while longer and the song would be finished. "Lyon-sama?"

"Yes?"

"Once the song is over, I need you to go back to Ultear-san and Meredy-san." She told him, serious, and he frowned.

"Did I step over any lines?" He asked, concerned. "I am sorry, I just-"

"No, no." Juvia shook her head. "You were nothing Juvia couldn't handle and very charming, but remember Juvia told you her heart was taken?" He nodded. "Well, I might not have his heart but there's something brewing between Gray-sama and I and he is not happy to see us dancing."

There was a cue and Lyon quickly found her mate in the crowd, being held by the High Lord himself and Natsu. Understanding washed over his expression. "Makes sense; who wouldn't fall for you, Juvia-chan?" He smiled charmingly at her and then, looking at Gray, winked at him just before picking Juvia up from the floor by the waist to twirl with her in his arms, her hands on his shoulders. It was part of the choreography, but it seemed to amuse Lyon to no end to put her down slowly, their bodies rubbing together a little. "I will do as you say, but I want you to know that from now on I will hit on you at every opportunity I have."

"What?" She was surprised and Lyon laughed.

"He never gets riled up like that. I need to tease him. It's a brothers' thing." He chuckled. "It won't be too hard as you are beautiful, strong and kind, but I just wanted to let you know."

Twirling her one last time, the couples separated and bowed at each other as the music stopped. He picked her hand and placed one last kiss. "It was a pleasure."

"Likewise." And it had been; he was an amazing dancer and were she... untangled in her heart's and mating bond's needs, he would be one hell of a ride. But at that moment in time, she was Gray's alone.

Still with her hand being held, in a way it wasn't so obvious, Juvia let Lyon escort her off the dance floor and a moment later she was walking quickly to leave the room, she was sure Gray could see the way she was going.

Her heart started to beat faster inside her chest and she knew she only had a couple of minutes before Gray caught up with her. Juvia would have done the same if he had seen someone touch Gray that intimately even if it was just one dance.

Maybe she took their little games a little too hard. Maybe she should have downplayed some of it.

She found the small library just a few doors down being guarded and the guards might have recognised her because they didn't even flinch when Juvia strode in to check if it was empty and sighed in relief when she saw it was.

"Gray-sama will be coming this way in a few minutes." She told the guards. "Um... maybe after he gets inside you could... maybe take guard across the hall? You would still have full view of the door, but I think it's... going to be loud." The guards looked at each other and understanding washed over them – it's not like either of them denied anything about their entanglement that morning and Juvia was correct, one of the guards was in the dining room that morning and heard all the teasing. He was the one who nodded. "Thank you."

Juvia got inside the library and waited.

Predator became prey...

... and she couldn't wait.

#

Juvia was checking the books on the shelves as casually as possible when she heard the door open. Gray's scent hit her faster than she thought it was possible, then she heard the familiar click of a door being locked and she felt heat rise in her body.

"Your uncle has quite a collection of books." Juvia tried to keep her voice as normal as possible. "Juvia had wanted to read a couple of these for a while."

When he didn't reply, Juvia looked over her shoulders and saw he had walked to the big wooden desk and was leaning on it, arms by his side, holding on to it. His heated gaze on her, his expression, unlike a few minutes before when she was dancing with Lyon, was neutral. He was just looking at her, calculating.

That was dangerous. Yes, please. Juvia shivered in anticipation.

He tilted his head to the side and asked in a low, dangerous tone. "Care to tell me what the fuck was that?"

"What was what?" Juvia asked, innocently.

"You and Lyon."

"We were just dancing." She told him.

He flared his nostrils, controlling his breathing. "It sure looked a lot more than that from the sidelines. His hands were all over you and you were laughing and giggling."

"We were following the dance steps." Juvia started to walk his way slowly, not wanting to startle him and ruin the mood – he already seemed on the edge. "Nothing more."

"I saw the way he looked at you." Gray snarled. "Like he wanted you."

"He did." Juvia was close enough she could feel the heat coming out of his body and Gray looked her at her in surprise – he probably thought she would deny it. "He asked if Juvia was available." The sound that started inside his chest was her only warning as he grabbed her by the waist, spun her around and placed her sitting on the table. She opened her legs to accommodate him instinctively and he leaned in on her, their upper bodies touching fully. "Juvia told him she was taken." Their noses were touching, lips hovering, almost kissing but not quite yet. "Juvia wanted your family to like her, she didn't think a dance would get you so... worked up." She whispered.

"I don't know what the fuck you do to me." Gray told her, their breaths mingling. "I am fine with our friends around you, but I saw the way Lyon was looking at you; like he wanted you... And he had his hands on you." He finally kissed her and they both groaned in pleasure. It was a quick kiss, that left her aching for more. "I know we haven't really done anything we can undo; we could still walk away; you are a grown female with your own life and choices, but I couldn't bear the thought of how he was looking and touching you." Gray told her. "You are not mine to-"

Juvia put a hand on his cheek and their gazes met. "I have been yours for months." She kissed him sweetly as his body stilled. "There's no turning back for Juvia and she doesn't want it to be. I am yours and only yours."

Gray stared at her for a moment, and it seemed like her words unleashed something in him, he was kissing her hungrily and she tied to match him, but it seemed he was trying to brand her with him, and she was more than willing to let him. He was kissing her so deeply, Juvia barely registered she was lying on the desk, his body covering hers, but she was hyper aware of the way his hand gripped her thigh, how his scent of arousal mixed with hers and the way her hands roamed under the coat of his suit – she wanted to rip it off him, wanted him naked o top of her, underneath her, behind her... in any way.

He started to kiss her cheek, down to her neck and shoulders and Juvia whimpered at the loss of his lips on hers but the shudder from her body as he kissed her collarbone, down to the valley between her breasts and left her breathless.

Gray looked up to her and Juvia saw a small grin on his face, a little predatory.

His nose was trailing the skin her dress showed slowly and he would have his lips on her skin at random times so Juvia was just left waiting.

"I think I need to make sure everyone know you are taken, then." He said and he put one hand on her breast, kneading it lightly, pinching her pebbled nipple occasionally, and she gasped while his other hand let go of her thigh and she felt him raise her dress and he groaned. "Cauldron boil me, how do you call these underpants? They barely cover you." He grunted and pressed a finger down her core, over the fabric, and slowly brought his finger up to where her aching bundle of nerves was, and Juvia was too lost in the feeling to say anything. He repeated the motion a couple of times and Juvia was moaning quietly.

"When I saw you dancing with Lyon, it was like something snapped inside me. I wanted to pull you away, beat the shit out of him and then rip that dress from your body and just take you in the middle of the dance floor so no one else could even dare to touch you again." Gray said, still touching Juvia, teasing her. "Natsu noticed it and stopped me, then my uncle. They realised what I wanted to do and they seized me just as I was about to step between both of you."

He let go of her breast and started to take off her underpants slowly, Juvia didn't even realise she rose her hips to help him. "Juvia." He called and their eyes locked and all either of them could see in the other was desire. "I am going to put my mouth on you now and you will tell me over and over again, very loudly, how you are mine." He finally removed the garment, and she vaguely sees him put it in one of his pockets. "We have little time before I am missed so we will use that time very wisely."

It took all her training and preparation to not turn herself into a puddle of water right there.

"Juvia?" He asked and her eyes focused on him again. "Do you understand me?"

All it was left for her to do was to nod and whimper. "Please."

Gray lowered himself to kneel on the floor and mercifully the desk was the perfect height. He put one leg over his shoulder and touched her sex and she gasped with the feeling; it was the first time he did it with no barriers between them. "Look at you: already so wet." He kissed the inside of her thigh and Juvia knew she would combust before his mouth was ever on her. He kept his touches on her light, using two fingers to keep her lips open and exposed and teasing her entrance then going back to work around her clit and Juvia could only try to buck her hips up, looking for more friction and she could feel herself getting wetter by the second. "Tell me who this is for?" His voice sounded like honey to her ears.

"You. All for you, Gray-sama, just please..."

He leaned in and she could feel his warm breath on her exposed sex but instead of doing anything, Gray took a deep breath. "This is the scent that has been driving me crazy all these past months, the reason I would dream about you and wake up hard as a rock, I would have to jerk off and think of you, you know?" Gray blew on her sex and Juvia's hips buckled up. He was torturing her, she was sure of it. "I went to pleasure houses, in different Courts too when I was traveling. But no one had the right shade of blue on their hair, or the scent that was driving me crazy. So, I endured. I thought it would go away." He finally licked her from her entrance to her clit and Juvia cried out when he sucked on the bundle of nerves. "Fuck me, you taste like I dreamed you would."

"Gray-sama, please." Juvia thrashed her head and tried to touch herself but Gray snarled at her.

"Hands to yourself." He growled, possessively and Juvia whimpered but complied. "This is for me."

She put her hands on his hair, eyes watering in frustration. "Please, Gray-sama." Juvia was so turned on at that point she would Bargain him anything if he just stopped torturing her. Then, she remembered something that might help her. "I'm yours, so make me yours. Make me come with your tongue, your fingers, anything."

It seemed it was the right thing to say because Gray's eyes darkened and a second later, he was licking and sucking her sex like he never wanted to stop and oh by the Mother, Juvia wanted to come but at the same time she never wanted that moment to stop.

She moaned loudly when he inserted one finger inside her, then called his name when he added a second one, stretching her slowly. His were much longer and thicker than her own, it was the fuller she had been in years.

Gray experimented with a couple of movements while his fingers went in and out of her, until he curled them inside her just on the right spot and Juvia's whole body arched up and she made a sound she was certain she never made before. He stopped for a moment, then did it again while sucking her clit and Juvia had been close to coming. Unfortunately, he wanted to torture her.

He found a rhythm that made her mewl and call his name when he curled his fingers. Her lower stomach was on fire, she needed release or she might explode.

"Gray-sama, please" She begged.

"Say it." He told her between licks and Juvia didn't hesitate.

"I'm yours. I'm yours." She pleaded. "Only yours, forever yours, please let me come, please."

"Good girl." Gray said and he started to work on her harder and faster and all Juvia could do was to hold his hair as tight as she could and moan. Her release was so close she could taste it. She just needed-

He curled his fingers inside her just the right way and Juvia shattered all around his fingers and tongue. Her body went taut, she saw white and pleasure went through her veins like liquid fire. She was coming down from her high and realised Gray hadn't stopped his ministrations and his intention was quite clear.

"I can't." Juvia said quietly but moaned as her body reacted to him again, picking up on his intentions. "I've never... it's too soon."

"You will for me." Gray told her. Juvia shuddered and against everything she believed it was possible; she started to feel the build-up in her lower abdomen grow and she knew she would. She knew he had just learned how to make her body work just for him.

Needing to be closer to him, Juvia pleaded. "Please come up here." She moaned. "Please kiss me, be close to me."

In a swift motion, Gray pulled her from the table, and she found herself sitting on his lap as he sat on the big chair behind the desk.

Juvia was quick to find his lips and they kissed hungrily, the taste of her arousal still on his lips and Juvia moaned. Gray was quick to return his fingers between her legs and Juvia started to move her hips at her own accord, every time Gray would flick her clit she would cry out in his mouth.

She let go of his lips and his own found her throat and lower, to the side of her breasts he could reach without having to remove her dress. Juvia was panting, feeling her second orgasm getting closer, but she was not going to let him have the last word. She would tease him like he teased her.

Juvia leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Just imagine- ah- tonight your cock will be where your fingers are." He grunted. "I will be riding you exactly like this." She was surprised her voice was as clear as it was with how close she was. "And you will be filling me even more, harder, deeper, until I can only scream your name."

"Fuck, Juvia." Gray groaned and he kissed her again – to shut her up or because of lust, she didn't know, all she knew was that she was going to come. He stopped kissing her after biting her lower lip and Juvia was breathing quickly, she could feel it approaching. "Look at me." She opened her teal eyes and met with his. "Come for me. Again."

And once again, Juvia felt herself see white and pleasure go through her body. All she could do was to fall in his direction, and he heard him whisper how good she was and that he would never be tired to see her fall apart.

Her body felt like she was boneless and weightless and for that moment, everything was perfect.

#

"We should come back to the ball." Juvia said between slow kisses. They had finally caught their breaths and Gray hadn't wanted her to move so she just kissed him for as long as possible – she would never get tired of it – also she wasn't sure her legs would work. Gray's hands kept going from her legs to her ass in a gentle way.

"I guess we have to." He groaned and let his head fall back on the chair. "Just another couple of hours." He told her and with a last kiss, Juvia got off him and she could only imagine her state. Thankfully redoing her hair wasn't much of an issue and it was quick enough. Good thing her dress didn't have much fabric so the crinkles on it would not be noticeable.

Her smell and the stickiness between her legs, though, that would be an issue. She looked around but being in a library it would be difficult to find something to clean herself with.

Gray cleared his throat and he was offering a black cloth she realised it was his pocket square he had on his suit. She took it, grateful, and kissed him lightly. It felt so good to just be able to freely kiss him like that.

Juvia saw a vase with flowers by the door and she used her powers to have some water come her way and wet the cloth just enough she could clean her thighs. It wasn't ideal, but she had to work with what he had. Gray had done a pretty good job to lick her clean the first time, but he used his fingers the second and that was much messier.

She could feel his eyes on her when she bent over a little as she cleaned herself. Once she was satisfied it was the best she could do for her thighs at the moment, she used her power to wet the square again and turned to Gray.

She kneeled in front of him and she could see his eyes still burning – he hadn't let her return the favour – and she cleaned his pants, the few bits she could see she had made a little mess. Did she accidently brush on his semi-hardness by complete mistake and with innocence? Just a few times.

"It should be enough." Juvia told him. "We will get rid of this at a bin somewhere."

"That is mine, thank you very much." Gray took the pocket square from her hand and she looked at him in surprise and she saw him put the fabric in his pants' pocket.

"You also have Juvia's undergarments." She said, eyebrows raised. "Any intention of returning them?"

"Not really." He grinned and held his hand to her to help her up and he got up alongside her. "Let's just say it will help me if there's any other incident like with Lyon. A physical reminder of what we just did." He put a hand on the back of her neck, and she looked up to him adoringly. "Tell me again."

She knew instantly what he needed to hear. "I'm yours." The words were so easy to say – mating bond or no mating bond, she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Juvia smiled. "Dance with me when we go back?"

Gray kissed her one last time. "I thought you would never ask."

#

Thankfully most of the guests were drunk of halfway there so slipping back into the ballroom was swift and no one noticed the couple.

"Will you be hosting balls like your uncle if you ever become High Lord?" Juvia asked, teasing.

Gray groaned. "Please, don't even joke about this. The last thing I want is to be High Lord."

"You would be great."

"Let's not find out." He offered her his hand. "Dancefloor?"

"Yes, please." Juvia beamed as she recognised the song. This time there were no fancy steps to follow, it was just a slow song that gave them the perfect excuse to be pressed together for a while.

She shouldn't be impressed that Gray pulled her into his arms, a hand on her lower back dangerously close to her ass, the other holding hers and he started to lead straight away, but of course he did. He was the Heir Apparent of the Winter Court, of course he was well versed in dancing.

Before he could even ask, Gray explained. "Yes, my uncle had all of us have dance classes, etiquette classes, hand on hand combat, swords training. That's why Lyon" he all but spat the name "knew all the steps earlier as well when you two danced."

"Oh." Juvia said. "It makes sense. I think I would have liked to have learned how to dance with a teacher."

Gray frowned. "How did you learn?"

"Watching." She shrugged. "Juvia has been to a lot of balls and after a hundred years of playing escort to my uncle and cousins, it was hard not to see the patterns." Gray snorted. "Speaking of it, before you see any... unsavoury interactions, my cousin is here."

"What? Which one?" His body tensed. "We should ask him about the rubies."

"Don't worry." Juvia said, soothingly. The hand that was on his shoulder, going to the back of his neck and she played with the hair there. "Your uncle saw us talk earlier and he told Juan it would make the Winter Court pleased to have them rescinded. I think he scared him enough he will actually try to ask my uncle to do it."

Gray relaxed a little. "How was it? Meeting him after such a long time?"

Juvia thought it over for a moment. "Confirmation I chose the right path." She told him. "He didn't seem to care we left, he said he preferred to have loyal people with them. He threw a few insults in between, but at least it seems he is not looking to kill me. At least not tonight."

"What insults?" Gray started to look at the crowd. "Which one is he?"

"Gray-sama." Juvia said and he looked back at her. "It doesn't matter what he said, all it matters is that we are having a great time tonight." It took him a few seconds to nod, but he did so. "Thank you. Trust me, if it were too bad and my damn Bargain allowed me to hurt him, I would have used one of my daggers on him."

He raised an eyebrow and looked down to her. "I have touched all of your body; you don't have any daggers on you."

Juvia gasped in offence. "Don't you ever say that to me again! Juvia is never unarmed! The nerve!"

Gray made her twirl and gave her a glance over before pulling her to his chest again. "There's no way you are armed."

She grinned. "Juvia has five- no six daggers on her, right now."

He scoffed. "No way. Again: I have touched you all over and you cannot be hiding them."

"Oh?" Juvia caressed the back of his head. "Care for a bet?" Gray looked at her with narrowed eyes, thinking it over again where she could possibly have weapons while wearing such dress and then nodded. "If Juvia can name and later show you all of them, she wants a proper date when we go back to Velaris. You are going to plan a very romantic evening, just you, me, fancy clothing, restaurant, none of our friends around."

"I take you to one of the best balls of the year and it's apparently not enough." He rolled his eyes, joking. "Fine, I agree. There's no way; not with this dress."

Juvia smiled triumphally. "You see but you don't observe. I shall name where and how they are hidden" Juvia said and he agreed. "Well, if you look at Juvia's wrist." Gray looked to the hand he was holding and noticed a bracelet. "That bracelet can turn into a dagger in less than five seconds." Gray's eyes widened. "Juvia's hairpin? There's a little dagger within a sheath. Never underestimate that one, it has saved my life a couple of times. Then if you look at my shoes, the straps around Juvia's ankles can be turned into daggers and so can the heels." Juvia chuckled at his surprised expression. "That's six and Juvia is getting a date."

Gray looked at her in wonder. "You are so fucking dangerous." He said in a low voice, and she could smell his arousal. "How is it that it turns me on that you can stab me at any second?"

"You like to live dangerously?" She offered. "You don't want to be bored? Juvia looks hot when she is dangerous?"

"All good reasons why I got involved with you." He chuckled. "Where did you get them?"

"Juvia used to go to Dawn a lot. They love to invent new things." She explained. "I have a contact there and commissioned them."

"I see. Do you have more?"

"Yes."

"Don't tell me what they are. I want to guess when I see it. Can I test them?" He said, excited and Juvia giggled, boys and their toys.

"Of course."

The song was getting to an end and they stopped, everyone on the dancefloor and around them clapping to everyone who was dancing and Gray offered Juvia his arm and she accepted it with a smile.

Finding Natsu and Lucy was not too difficult, they had been dancing at the other side of the room and they joined Gray and Juvia as soon as possible.

Natsu grinned. "Cooled off a little bit, Gray?"

"Shut it." Gray said between gritted teeth, heat raising to his cheeks – he clearly did not like that his friend saw lose control the way he did.

"Everything is well, Natsu-san." Juvia said, trying to settle the situation. "We got it sorted."

"You smell like you got yourself sorted." He muttered and Lucy jabbed her elbow into her mate's stomach. "Ow!"

"Shut the fuck up." Lucy said with a grin, her lips barely moving then looked at Juvia. "You dance beautifully, Juvia."

"Thank you." Juvia accepted and with that the couples started to chat until Cana finally showed up to meet with them and they were eating and drinking for a while when the doors of the hall busted open in a loud bang, making most of the guests to turn and see a guard go straight to the High Lord.

Gray frowned and told the group. "Stay here. I will go find out what is happening." They nodded and watched as Gray approached his uncle and started to listen to whatever was going on. Juvia's body went cold when Gray's eyes widened and he looked their way and he met her eyes.

"Prepare yourselves." Juvia whispered, holding on Cana's hand. "Something is very wrong."

"We don't know that." Lucy said, but she held Natsu's arm a bit tighter.

The soldier left and after a quick discussion, Gray walked back to his friends, expression thunderous. "We are being attacked. Acnologia." Juvia gasped lightly and grabbed Gray's hand and he held it a bit tighter for a moment.

The music stopped and Yuri stepped in the middle of the dancefloor. "My lords, my ladies. We will have to cut the celebrations short. I just had word Acnologia's armies are attacking Winter's coast." Everyone started to talk at the same time in a panic, so the High Lord had to speak louder. "If you wish to winnow back home, please do so as soon as possible. No hard feelings. If you wish to stay, come to me and we will find where you can fight. Good luck."

The room as buzzing as people were talking and started to try to leave.

Juvia could hear her group talking but she needed to go as fast as she could. She looked at her friends and said: "I'm sorry, I need to go."

"What? Juvia-" Gray sounded confused, but Juvia was already walking away, following a familiar scent and it was good the Summer Court group was not in a rush to leave.

Juvia spotted her cousin and before either of his escorts could stop her, he grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him away. Totomaru tried to stop her but Juvia looked at him like she used to; to show him she could take him down. "Back the fuck away. I am going to talk to my cousin. I can take both of you on but that's only going to piss me off more."

Juan must have nodded because Totomaru and Aria backed off. "What the fuck is going on, Juvia?" He asked.

"You need to go back to Summer. Now." She told him. "Aria can winnow and you should be back in a few minutes."

"We were talking of staying, help Winter. It seems the High Lord thinks we are scumbags because of you." Juan crossed his arms over his chest. "I am no wimp."

"Juan, I don't care if you think people wonder if you are brave or not. I cannot fight freely if you are here." Juvia explained to him and Juan frowned, confused. "The Bargain, Juan. Gajeel and I have a Bargain about protecting you, Joseph and Uncle with everything we got if we are with you." She showed him a small tattoo on the inside of her arm. She heard steps behind her and smelled Gray, Juan's eyes went from him back to Juvia. "If I am protecting you, I can't fight freely. I need to fight freely. I need to protect my new family, Juan.

"I know you hate me, that you think I am awful. I never asked anything of you, not even to treat me better or to stop calling me a half-breed my whole life but right now I am begging you to leave so I can protect the ones I love. Please." Juvia's eyes stung. If he didn't leave... "What do you want, what can I do? Do you want to keep the rubies? Fine, it's-"

"Juvia." Juan said to stop his cousin. "I forgot about that Bargain, it was so long ago." He passed a hand over his face. "Shit, father will kill me for this, so you better make sure the High Lords of Winter and Night Courts know I did it." He cleared his throat. "I don't know if it's going to work, but father and Joseph said I am representing the Court, so here we go. Juvia Lockser, I consider your Bargain to keep me, my father and brother safe, fulfilled. You came to me even after leaving our Court to make sure I was safe. Oh, Gajeel Redfox has also his fulfilled." Juan stopped for a second. "I don't know if either will work, especially Gajeel since he is not here."

Juvia looked down to her arm and she looked in amazement as the tattoo that had been there for almost two hundred years, disappear.

"Juan..." Juvia looked at him in surprise.

"Father never truly knew you." He told her. "I can't claim to know you fully but I know you would never hurt your family, even a shitty one like ours." Juvia was surprised, she never saw Juan be anything other than a replica of his father and brother. "You are lucky you got away and I think I was jealous earlier. You look... so different." He chuckled. "You left the Summer Court for the Night Court and somehow you start to be radiant after you left? That's not how things are supposed to happen. It proves how fucked up things are back home. I watched you tonight, dancing, laughing with your friends, sharing looks with your lover." Neither her nor Gray had time to correct him. "And for the first time in almost two hundred years, I saw you happy without Gajeel being by your side. He was your family and he lucked out too; he got out."

"I always thought you didn't want us in the family." Juvia whispered.

"I don't. They are rotten, Juvia. Trust me, the best thing that happened to you was staying away and leaving." Juan told her. "I can't leave, I have my life in Summer and I try to control the damage father does, but I can only do so much."

"Doing a little is better than doing nothing at all." Juvia told him, gently.

"Yeah, that's what I tell myself." Juan sighed. "Look, since I am fucked anyways, I agree that all Bargains regarding the Summer Court were fulfilled by Juvia Lockser and Gajeel Redfox." Juvia looked down to her arms and saw tattoos just disappearing and she looked up in surprise. "You are too good to betray us. Fuck, you were always too good, too nice. It didn't matter what we did, you always had this niceness in you." Juan looked at her in the eyes. "I will make father rescind the rubies. Go live your life, Juvia. Be happy, for both of us."

For the first time in two hundred years, Juvia pulled his cousin to a hug. At first, he was stiff and awkward – clearly not used to being hugged or shown affection – but after a few seconds, he hesitantly put his arms around her.

"Next time we see each other, let's start over." Juvia told him and let him go. "I know you didn't ask or if you want it, but I forgive you Juan." She put a hand gently on his cheek. "And I am sorry I didn't see the real you behind the mask as you saw me. I would've been there with you and I will always regret I wasn't."

Juan gulped. "Thank you for that. And I am sorry I called you a whore earlier-" He didn't even finish the sentence and Gray's fist connected to his face; his nose started to bleed slightly. Aria and Totomaru stepped in their direction, but Juan raised his hand so they stopped.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia exclaimed, looking exasperated at her mate, who now had his arms crossed over his chest.

He offered her a one shoulder shrugged, not one drop of regret. "He deserved it after calling you a whore."

"I did." Juan agreed.

"Well, I called him a cunt, are you going to punch me too?" Juvia asked.

Gray kept looking at Juan. "He seems like he was a cunt to you; good intentions or not. Also, I don't care about his feelings being hurt."

Juan actually laughed. "You chose well, Juvia. The Heir Apparent of the Winter Court?" He whistled. "I asked around after I saw you two dancing together. No wonder the High Lord was so intent on the rubies. It doesn't matter, though. I freed you from your Bargains and I have seen you fight and let me tell you, father, Joseph and I were always jealous on how you and Gajeel were just amazing in the battlefield. Go protect your new family, you protected your old one very well for too long."

"Thank you." Juvia muttered. "Please, tell uncle he is the closest to Acnologia's island, he needs to be even more vigilant than anyone else, if he sends for aid, I will answer even if no one else does. For the people and for this country. Double the watches, the boats."

"I will handle it. I will make him see the danger." Juan nodded. "Now go. I decide I will go home; Summer might be being invaded as well. Acnologia might be testing more than one Court tonight."

Juvia nodded. "See you again soon, cousin."

"You too. Send Gajeel my regards and that he still owes me thirty gold pieces." Juan nodded at Gray and left, back to his escorts.

Gray put his hands on Juvia's hips and turned her around to him gently. "I am very happy you worked out things with your cousin and I am very sorry to rush you bur we need to decide who is staying and who is going back to the Night Court."

"Juvia is staying." She told him. "I know you are too. I told you earlier, Gray-sama: I am yours. I will stay by your side." He pulled her to a quick kiss, the first kiss they shared in public, but it still left her breathless. "Well, I might get used to this."

"Come on, let's talk to the others and my uncle. We don't have long until they are here."

#

AN: Please don't be mad at me, I just gave you Possessive!Gray, Fluff, smut and some redemption to Juan!

It's funny because I was actually writing the next part and then I realised how long it already was. So... next chapter is going to be... interesting to say the least.

Stay tunned!

Thanks to: panda2360, xxxemzixxx, ClaudeSimbou, NessaliaaRossa and choupi975 who reviewed You guys are awesome!

08/01/2025 ~ BonneyQ