He continued to watch the decaying vegetation, not noticing the rain woman's approach. This was something out of character to the dark Mage. It wasn't until her soft yet stuttering voice left her lips did he look up at her.
Zeref wouldn't admit it, but she'd certainly startled him.
"You really shouldn't get too close..." He warned, the tone of his voice as soft as the woman's.
"I don't want to hurt you... You don't need to fear me, though. I wouldn't intentionally send harm your way.
Juvia flinched at his warning and glanced down, before shuffling back slightly, hoping it would settle her nerves and put him at ease. Her eyes grazed over the dark mage, boring into his loose clothes and pale skin before meeting his gaze. Her stomach clenched as she recognised the pain settled there, before pulling on her best smile, despite how anxious she appeared to be.
“I-It’s alright. Juvia...That is...She doesn’t think she fears you...at least...not as much as before...” The water mage explained, fiddling with the material of her dress, until she decided to sit down where she was - levelling herself with the so-called enemy.
“Um...do you often come here? To the river that is...”



















