Always and Forever (Sequel to 'If Only You Knew')

Chapter Two - What Now?

Erza and Gray sat at the riverbank, staring at each other and smiling like children at an amusement park. Time meant nothing. The whole world stood still, and it was just the two of them, then and there, and nothing and no one else existed. They stayed there for the better part of an hour, before Gray reluctantly broke their silence.

"So, what now?" he asked.

"Whatever happens next," Erza replied, "I know that we'll be alright, because we have each other. I'm not afraid to rely on you anymore, because I know now that you'll never let me down.

Gray kissed her and said, "Damn right I won't."

They talked and talked about what this meant, for them and for the guild. They wondered if this was bigger than they realized. Before they knew it, they fell asleep, and they stayed there, all night, together at the riverbank, where it had all started, and ended, and started again. They weren't wrapped in each others arms like in every happy ending movie and book they had every watched or read, but they were both there, side by side, and for the two of them, that was enough.

They woke up in the morning, and at first, they both thought it had been a dream -- too good to be true, but then they recalled the events of the previous night, and it all came flooding back.

"I love you so much," they said at the same time.

They both laughed.

"Uh-oh. At this rate, we're gonna end up like one of those annoying identical twins who always say everything at the same time," Gray joked.

Erza giggled and replied, "If that happened, Makarov would probably kick us out of the guild."

"Well, at least we'd still be together," Gray said.

"Yeah."

They walked back to the guild holding hands, and all of Fairy Tail applauded and cheered when they walked in. They blushed, but didn't break contact. Everyone noticed. Everyone. Juvia burst into tears, and ran out of the guild, screaming about having lost her will to live. Everyone panicked.

"Everyone, stay calm," Gray commanded. "I'll go talk to her."

He gave Erza an apologetic smile.

"It'll be alright, love."

She watched him go. Poor Juvia, Erza thought. She must be so heartbroken. I hope Gray makes it in time...what am I thinking? Of course he will! He always pulls through... and her thoughts continued on.

Gray caught up to Juvia, and pulled her into a hug, letting her cry on his shoulder.

"Gray..." she sobbed. "I just don't understand! I mean...is it because she's prettier...or...or...is it because she's stronger...or, AAAAAAAAH! I JUST DON'T KNOW! Waaaaaaaaaaah..."

"Juvia," Gray said sternly. "Don't ever think that you're not good enough. You are beautiful, and strong, and kind, and I love you, just not in the same way I love Erza. It's not because you've done anything wrong, or because I find you lacking in some way, it's simply because I'm in love with Erza. And I know it's hard for you, but I need you to understand that Erza makes me happy, and that somewhere out there is a man you'll love even more than you could ever love me."

Juvia smiled.

"O-ok Gray. I understand now. But will you still spend time with me, and be my friend?"

"Of course, Juvia. I would never leave you. I would never leave anyone in Fairy Tail."

They walked back to the guild, Gray feeling triumphant, and Juvia feeling a little disappointed, but still happy that Gray was with her, even if just for the short walk back to the guild. She understood now that he would never be hers, and she accepted it, but it would take a while for her to move on. She wasn't quite ready to let go of her Gray dolls...

They walked back into the guild, and all was right and well. The whole guild accepted Gray and Erza's relationship, and the two had never been happier. But, as is the way of life, all good things must come to an end, and so must all extraordinary ones. The greatest obstacle their love would ever face was yet to come.