As ever I don't own Fairy Tail. I pay for my Cruncyroll subscription and I buy the Fairy Tail Manga collections, but thats not the same thing.
Tiny GaLe one shot that I wrote in about an hour so there may be some spelling mistakes for which I apologise. This is based on a real piece of advice I was once given by a Self-Defence Instructor, it just seemed appropriate.
The Rune Knights were in position. Soon they would make their move against the fanatical cult of Zeref worshippers known as Avatar. All around the camp preparations were underway, nobody was expecting what was to come to be easy.
In a tent in the centre of the camp a meeting was wrapping up. The Council's spy, Levy McGarden, had returned from her infiltration mission and had been briefing those assembled on what she had learned, the identities of key players, locations, guard patterns, anything and everything that was relevant. Now she was sat down with a faraway look on her face. This worried Gajeel Redfox, the Captain of the Custody Enforcement Unit, more that he was willing to let anyone know. He waited until the other officers had filed out to approach the girl.
"Spill it" He said
"Huh?"
"You've always got too much goin' on in that head of yours. Going into a fight distracted is gonna get you killed. So spit it out" The Iron Dragon slayer told the bluenette.
For a moment she considered saying nothing, or making something else up entirely. But there was no point to that. There was one thing and one thing only that could be weighing on her mind at this moment in time. With a sigh she faced him.
"I know that Gray and I were never particularly close, but I've known him for most of my life. I… I just can't think of him as an enemy" Levy admitted as she looked away, not wanting to see any judgement or condescending looks in those red eyes.
Gajeel grunted and took a seat. For a moment a companionable silence fell between the two.
"Metallicana told me something once. A golden rule if you like" Gajeel's voice in the silence surprised Levy, and red eyes met hazel ones and held their gaze as the man spoke again
"It doesn't matter who they are. If someone is going out of their way tryin' to cause you pain then they are your enemy. And you owe them nothing" There was a finality in those last four words that said there would be no arguments over this. "Say it back to me"
"Gajeel…"
"Say it back"
"It's not that simple" she said in a small voice
"Why not?"
The silence fell over them again. Levy found herself staring at her hands to avoid the dark haired man's gaze. He spoke again
"Someone smarter than me once said 'who you were back then doesn't matter, it's who you are now that counts'. Sound familiar, Shrimp?"
She nodded. Somehow, the bookworm had never even considered the thought that it could work both ways. She looked up, once more meeting Gajeel's gaze.
"Now say it back to me"
"Anyone who is deliberately trying to hurt me is an enemy…" She was reluctant, but she said it
"And?"
"…and I owe them nothing"
The Dragon Slayer's face remained firm, but there was warmth in his eyes. Levy felt a small, reluctant smile find it's way to her lips
"When did you get so wise?" She asked him. That put a smirk on his face. He reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Wasn't my choice. If it was up to me I'd still be some dumb lazy punk. But someone's got to make sure those losers out there get home"
Levy smiled at that. A real smile this time. Sometimes she found it so hard to believe where this man had started his journey. She was proud of him. As he stood up and turned to leave the tent he turned back to her. That smirk was still there
"Take five and get your head together. We make our move soon and this won't be easy"
"Yes sir" She replied as he walked out into the sun, ready to face whatever the day would bring