█▐ ❆ ࿐ᐤ THE RISING, golden sun crested the snow-capped eastern mountains, its first daybreak pouring like molten lemon through their shabby window to cast his sheets in golden rays. Gray blinked sleepily into the morning’s dimness before he realized where he was: in the house that he & Juvia had RAISED — the cottage of their stowaway. The late sunlight has already slanted in through the daffodil curtains by the time he woke, embracing the day with its warmth.
Balled fists bruised into the stubborn lids of his eyes, Gray persisted to squint through the veil of summer highlights at a spot where Juvia should have been. Blearily, he protruded out an appendage, feeling the vacant contours of the mattress ADJACENT to his. It was still warm from where the water-mage body had worn an all-night groove, but she was nowhere to be found.
❝ Ugh, ❞ Gray groaned as willed himself from the heavy fatigue, traversing his legs over the side of his bed in a gesticulation akin to defeat. The shaft of the sun fell across his bare thighs in a distinct, wide bar, and the floor wasn’t cold.
His t-shirt was still dangling off the lamp where he had inadvertently thrown it, but the Ice-Mage did not exert himself with ADORNING the garment before dispatching from the tranquility of his bedroom. An attentive padding of bare feet resonated throughout their n a r r o w hallway as he navigated deftly through its dimly-lit corridor, pursuing a path that leads towards the kitchen — to whatever PROMISES the morning will have.
Gray had barely set foot through the maw of the room before he’d discerned it: the long, familiar timbre of Juvia humming to herself under her soft breath —— some INDISTINCT but charming tune. He paused at the kitchen threshold, being greeted with the fleeting aroma of vanilla and Juvia’s smile that was still soft with sleep.
❝ Mornin’. ❞ he rasped with a yawn, taking the opportunity to stretch the taunted muscles in his shoulders and back. His tousled locks were sticking out at haphazard angles & it was only after now that Gray noticed he was clad in ONLY his boxers.
… He swore half-heartedly.
It had been around 4 months since they have been INHABITING a house together. Initially, he was a little put off by having her residing with him but warmed up to the aspect soon enough. Together, they have seen the sun rising. && Together, they wished each other good nights. Each day was a delicate D A N C E for them, freely weaving about each other but always leaving beats for the fundamental steps.
Gray’s appetite stirred at the mere mention of his FAVORITE breakfast. He peered imploringly over her thin shoulder, allowing his glacial hues to lingered in an abundant fascination upon the sight of his palatable meal – a dish so carefully concocted by the grace of a water fairy. ❝ You always cook… good. ❞ he heard himself said, before ambling over to the pantry and sought out a spare fork – ready to stave the chill off his bones.
( Some homes are FOUND, and some homes are made. )
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