this idea was originally suggested by @ ramayni das from Instagram :-)
childhood AU , fluff .
note: if you find disability a sensitive subject then I advice you not to read it . however it's slightly mentioned here. it's your choice :-)
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He never thought he would meet her again, and become his first love.
It was all because of that beautiful garden, or was it she who got attracted to her?
Gray and his family were going on a vacation that would last for a month, they had a cottage in the middle of trees and nature, and gray was super excited as 10 years old kid, it was his first time to view the beautiful place. As his father described it.
When they arrived gray's black orbs were shining as he took a look around the environment, his cottage was simple, made with wood.
What faces the house is a gorgeous lake that is shining from the sun. gray made a note to go over there as soon as they finish with the unpacking .
But what catches his eyes the most was what's behind the cottage; there was a way that leads to a forest, and he felt drowned to it; he was a curios child.
Calling to his parents for permission and they agreed, only if he doesn't go too far.
Well gray tried .... But he is lost, how did he get here? He doesn't know he just walked.
"Ah ... I can't believe I'm lost ... dad is going to kill me" he murmured to himself while looking around him, finding a familiar way so it can take him back home.
The place was indeed beautiful, it wasn't scary but he had to go back so his parents wouldn't worry. When he turned around again to find a way back, he heard a something behind the trees.
Gray froze and starts sweating, now this place is becoming scary, he didn't turn around to the source of the noise .he sensed it nearing to him, when small hand touched his shoulder he shrieked:
"Don't eat me! I swear I'm not sweet I'm rather very cold! I swear!" he started shouting and pleading to whoever monster he imagined, while covering his head.
A soft giggle was heard, and gray's eyes opened, and god how pretty the view was in front of him.
There stood a beautiful girl, blue wavy hair and blue eyes, she was wearing a deep blue raincoat, with a small Russian hat, and in her hand what it seems a white doll. I think it's a taru taru bazu doll.
"Don't worry, juvia is pretty sure she doesn't eat human's flesh" she reassured him with a smile, and he blushed.
Who is juvia?
"Oh, I'm sorry I shouted like that, I didn't realize you were a human" gray apologized and avoided her gaze; he still yet didn't get rid of his blush.
"It's okay, juvia should also apologize if my wheelchair's sound scared you a little" she said while looking over the wheels of her chair.
He finally noticed that she can't walk, she is disabled.
"Oh... No no that's fine, I'm just paranoid since I couldn't find my home yet" he informed her while looking over the depth of the trees.
"Oh! You are lost! Then come with juvia she will show you the way" she offered and turned around her wheelchair with a little bit of difficulty .gray was about to decline but she was already leading the way , and he doesn't want to part ways from her yet , so he took the chance to help her . She gave him a grateful smile that sent weird feelings in his stomach.
Am I having a fever?
"Um... i don't want to seem nosy about your life but... who is juvia?" he asked. They were walking silently in the road covered by beautiful trees and sounds of birds. They were comfortable with each other you may say.
She laughed and answered "that's me" she pointed to herself "juvia talks in a 3rd person" she informed him. And he smiled at that; cute.
She told him that she lived in a mansion not too far from the forest, she didn't have parents but she had servants, she also told him that she knew her way around the place because she is used to stroll around.
"How come you are wearing a raincoat on summer?" he asked.
"juvia will fall ill if she wears t-shirts or shorts , probably flu or a fever" she said , while looking ahead of her. "juvia's body is a little bit weak"
Gray frowned with that thought; he silently wished her the best in her life and to be healthy again.
"Oh! That's my house!" gray exclaimed excitedly, and juvia smiled at him warmly. "juvia told you she would lead you"
From afar he saw his cottage, and he noticed that his parents are still busy with the unpacking, looks like they didn't know that he was lost.
"You are new here?" now it was juvia's turn to ask. "Yeah, we bought this cottage for vacations only, I'll stay here for a month" he answered; he saw from the corner of his eye that she was smiling, she looked relieved.
When they reached to his location, where the garden was, they bid a farewell even though he wanted to stay for a little longer.
"Well I guess this is a goodbye?" he said, his eyes held a little bit of sadness, and juvia noticed.
"What are you saying?" she laughed, and gray raised an eyebrow "I will come back here for sure, of course if your parents wants too" she said. And gray smiled brightly.
"Really?"
"Yes, plus juvia is pretty sure that you want to know more about the magical forest" she said.
"Magical?" he asked with confusion.
"That's a secret" she whispered and winked. His head became red as a tomato.
Then he realized that he still didn't know his name. "Ah! My name is gray, I just realized I didn't tell you about my name" he rubbed his hair.
She giggled, and nodded:
"Well nice to meet you gray-sama" she said, he blushed again at his new name. "y-you don't need to be f-formal with me!" he waved his hand nervously.
"juvia will address anyone formally if they interest juvia ,and gray-sama is an interesting person " she said , while blushing slightly.
She is too honest and that's too cute! He thought; while steam was rising up from his ears.
"gray! Where you? It's time for lunch!" he heard his mother calling for him so he had to go, "then I'll meet you tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes, we will meet tomorrow" she said kindly. And then they went back to their respective houses.
That's when a beautiful love had started.
.
.
.
So far that's how gray's vacation went with his little blue hair friend; they would always go outside for a small adventure around the forest, or sitting next to a long river.
Gray and juvia had their best times with each other they wouldn't trade it for anything.
Unfortunately, the month passed so fast even gray couldn't imagine that it's already been weeks since his arrival. He still has 4 days till he comes back to his city.
When he informed juvia about it, she felt very sad, she didn't want him to go but it has to be done.
"will juvia get to see you again?" she asked timidly , almost afraid about his respond, they were chilling next to a river , putting their legs inside of it's refreshing water.
Gray avoided her gaze and sighed.
"I don't know about that juvia, mom and dad may have a lot of work in the next couple of years, it's a small chance that I get to see you again" he replied, with disappointment. And juvia nodded understanding that it wasn't his fault or his family's.
"when you come back... you will see me walking " juvia announced ; gray looked at her and he saw her eyes full of determination , and gray knew that she was making a promise , a purpose so he could come back again.
"juvia will do her best to walk , and I promise you that gray-sama" she said. And gray blushed slightly at how serious she looked.
That still looked cute to me.
Gray smiled and nodded "I believe in you" and juvia smiled back.
The time has passed and gray's departure was tomorrow, he was looking over the stars that lingered around the dark sky while lying next to juvia in a pile of flowers.
"I will come back ... maybe not now but soon" gray suddenly broke the silence.
He looked at her blue eyes, and began falling again for her; she smiled slightly and nodded "juvia will wait, in this garden"
8 years later:
Footsteps were heading towards a beautiful garden full of colourful roses.
And the said man looked like he was searching for something or someone very vulnerable, while looking around him, He heard something behind him, and he slowly turned around.
His eyes widened, there she is, standing in her two feet while smelling the sunflower in her hand.
His first love.
She didn't seem to notice him yet.
"juvia" gray called , his voice held love and warmth . juvia looked up and her blue eyes shined with tears.
"gray-sama..." she whispered, not believing that he was in front of him.
The wind brushed against their flawless skin.
"So ... when are you going to hug me?" gray asked while blushing and she chuckled while tears were falling slowly down her red cheeks.
She rushed over him and tackled him in a warm hug, in which gray appreciated it.
The wind became stronger, around them the trees looked like they were dancing, almost as if they were happy about the couple's reunion.
Maybe the forest that lead him to her, maybe because she felt how lonely juvia was in her castle.
Or maybe because it was their fate.
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thank you very much ramayni for your beautiful idea , I was also inspired by a movie "secret garden" and I liked it ( I still think that the book version is better)
I'm sorry if it disappointed you , or you didn't find it the way you imagined it .
but I hope you liked it at least.
Adiós~ :-)