Gajeel was gumbling as he was at the threshold of boredom. That damn visit was taking too long ! The building freshly finished was almost twice the size of the old one, Gajeel could have sworn. In addition, Levy pointed out all the diversity newly added like the pool and the playroom. She seemed really proud as she reckoned that the whole guild build it themselves. Suddenly, Gajeel feared for his life, looking suspiciously around him as it would collapse anytime by now.
"So that's it, concluded the midget, facing them. Any question ?
Juvia shook her head. Gajeel shrugged, his hands in his pockets.
Levy walked to the bar and went behind the counter. She came back with a swage with Fairy Tail's mark.
"So what colour do you want your mark ? And where do you want it ?
The water mage hiccupped, surprised.
"Isn't Juvia suppose to pass a test to prove her loyalty to Fairy Tail, first ? babbled the woman.
Levy chuckled, charmed by her sweet and innocent worry. Gajeel nearly facepalmed himself. She wasn't the one who people would be reluctant to accept as part of Fairy Tail. Everyone could see she was already in love with the place – and with a certain dumb ice mage, for some unknown reason. She wasn't a threat. He was.
"You valued yourself enough by helping Team Natsu, Levy said, to restore confidence to the water wizard.
Juvia wasn't really convinced but she didn't argue back. This pushed Levy to add:
"Maybe, at first, people won't accept you right away. Trust isn't something you receive freely. You most show you're worth it. Show them they have absolutely NO reason to fear you, at all.
She insisted on the last sentence, glazing towards him. He avoided the eye contact. "Don't put your midget's nose in my damn business", ruminated Gajeel. He didn't want her to 'take care' of him or to 'watch over him' like some kind of nuisance. He wouldn't bring trouble as long as they would remain as far away of him as this hall guild could permit it until he picked a mission and get the hell away from the madhouse – he guessed it would be if they were as crazy as Salamander. He got caught out of his thoughts as the Shrimp included another comment:
"Anyway, I had heard that you get along pretty well with people. Especially, with Gray if I'm not mistaken..., grinned Levy.
"Aaah...Gray-sama...
As Juvia was languishing, thinking about her 'soul mate', Levy laughed quietly finding it adorable the birth of this new love.
"Have you two finished dreaming about the Stripper ?! Just put the damn mark on my left arm under my shoulder ! I want it black !
He had enough of being around the source of his guilt. He wanted to get out. He wanted her to be mad at him. Anything. Anything RATIONAL.
The two women snapped out of their bubble. Juvia turned towards Levy, with a totally different expression than two seconds ago. Her aura was growing dark and her eyes were promising a painful death if ...
"Is Levy interested in Gray-sama ?...
Her tone suggested a clear warning of backing off, sending "Could Levy be a love rival". The girl shook her head fervently.
"No, no ! Haha, what a funny idea. I know him for such a long time and I never saw him more than just a friend. God, that guy is dense...Not as much as Natsu, but still...
Levy seemed to picture her with Gray and bursted out of laughter. Juvia was releaved meanwhile Gajeel was running out of patience.
"Okay, we get it Salamander and Stripper are both morons ! Now, Rainwoman, drop it, he's not even here. And you, Shorty, gimme the swage I'll do it myself !
Levy and Juvia were perplexed at his little speech. Than the said 'Shorty' indicated :
"Is it me or you really have a thing for lame nicknames ?
It was the first time she spoke to him since Juvia arrived and it really disturbed him to have notice that. And then, Juvia started to laugh out loud when she saw the very vexed Gajeel, looking like he was going to sulk in a corner of the hall. He growled at his former fellow, highly insulted.
"Oi ! What yer laugh at, woman ?! Want my fist in yer face ?! That gonna make yer chance with the Stripper hit the zero !
The fact that she might get disfigured and having less chances with her Gray-sama made her gaps. She started running away from Gajeel.
"No, Gajeel-kun ! Not the face, not the face !
She ran away from him, hiding under the bar counter, giggling despite his warning which seem to be taken lightly. He was still threatening her when he remembered they weren't alone. The Shrimp might reconsider the fact of him joining in. He saw the midget's face becoming softened as the ex-Phantom mates were fooling around. She let escape a sigh of relief, like she doubted about him but now that she saw him acting like an immature child, she was okay with him.
"Okay, guys. Let make your entry in the guild official. Ladies first.
She invited Juvia to leave her hiding place and asked her about her tattoo. Juvia lifted the edges of her dress, so Levy could print a blue Fairy Tail's tattoo on her left thigh. The new Fairy beamed out of excitement as she expected her new tattoo.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Juvia, greeted Levy, happy to see her new nakama so excited.
Juvia thanked her. Levy turned her attention towards Gajeel. He jumped when she touched his left arm which made her startled. They both stared at each other with a puzzled look on their face. With a mysterious and almost imperceptible smile, she murmured as it was a inside joke:
"I don't bite...
That girl was really starting to piss him off. Fine, he won't be civil with her. Not that he started to try. How could he manage to find out stuff about her if he was always so discourteous..., he meant, rude ? Whatever, she was looking for trouble.
"I'd like to see you try, Gajeel rumbled, looking down on her.
She barely reached his shoulder and she found the guts to answer him back. Maybe, she wanted him to lose his temper, hit her and then, he would be blasted by a guild full of powerful and merciless mages when it came to attack their weird bonds of friendship and trust. No, she didn't seem the vengeful and sneaky type. In fact, that's what was bothering him. He didn't know what type of person she was.
"It's done !
He realized he didn't pay attention when she printed his tattoo. It could have been pink he wouldn't have notice her prank. Fortunately, his mark was black as he asked for. She was standing next to him as she was waiting for something to happen.
"Humm...you're welcome, maybe ?
She put her hands on her hips, disapproving his lack of politeness.
"Tch, whatever.
"It's his way of saying 'thank you', reassured Juvia.
He walked towards the exit, exhausted from his weeks of wandering. He didn't have time to waste by talking back. He heard them follow him and Levy locking the guild's massive oak doors. They left the place in silence. He was glad about that. Anyway, he needed to recapitulate what had just taken place before him. That Shorty just behind him had forgiven him -surprisingly. Just like that. He didn't do anything to deserve it. Though, she didn't trust him. He could perfectly understand that. But then why was she acting so freely around him even if Juvia was with them ?
He felt a headache coming. Nobody sane would have talked or even looked at him only weeks after the incident. That's it ! Maybe, she was insane. Or suicidal. Or, just a twist masochist. But what annoyed him the most was that freaking hint she dropped to his face : It wasn't like it was the worst beat-up of my life... What was that suppose to mean, huh ?! That he didn't knock hard enough ?! Was she looking for a fight ?! What the hell ?
Or maybe, she was a S-Class mage. No, impossible. He wouldn't have taken her down so easily unless it was on purpose which he doubted because no one is that nuts. Even though, he kind of attacked them by surprise which didn't let them the time to fight back. At the time, he didn't want to waste time, because he was hungry. What a fool he was back then... Cowardly attacking from behind, because of hunger.
One thing was sure, she was used to fight, if it wasn't the 'worst assault' she had. Maybe, she was involved once with dark guilds. He looked back unnoticeably at the blue-haired midget. He restrained a chortle. A little girl with big innocent brown eyes like her involve with criminals ? He was greatly sceptic about it.
Although, her eyes didn't look all that innocent. In fact, they looked full of secrets and mysteries. And if there were things that he hates as much as bothersome and useless emotions or dealing with fucked up psycho losers, it was secrets.
Being in the ignorance always drives him crazy, no matter the situation. He always need to know more about the other than the reverse so, he could use it if he was in disadvantage. And right now, he was pretty sure every Fairy knew about him and his shitty past. All his secrets exposed and none of theirs. But, it was only a matter of time before he would know everything about everyone; he hadn't been Jose's right hand man for nothing –for bad reasons, but still. And her secrets would be NO exception !
At the intersection, Shorty waved goodbye, taking the opposite direction Juvia and him were heading. It took him by surprise.
"Where do ya think yer going, Midget ?
"To my apartment...at Fairy Hills..., Levy indicated as being obvious (which was clear as a bell, where would she go so late at night...).
He snorted, piqued by her tone.
"Alone ?
"Well, yeah...Juvia hasn't finished to move out.
"Is Gajeel-kun concerned about Levy ? questioned Juvia.
"I ain't concerned !
Her fellow guild mate looked at him, hardly convinced. Levy was feeling uneasy being the center of attention all of the sudden. Mainly, because it was involving a certain Iron Dragon Slayer that she didn't want to be associate to, anymore, since it reminded her of a night she would like to stop thinking about.
"If anything happen to her, her freaking friends are blaming me for sure, Gajeel muttered.
There was a part of truth in what he said. Even though, he wouldn't admit it would bothered him if something turned wrong on her way home. Like a cloud, she would become unreachable, her and her mysteries. Furthermore, he would never be able to fully repay his debts.
Oh yeah, another thing that he hated was to be owning anyone. It was an unbearable grip on his freedom and it was his only precious possession, the only thing worth his fighting. He understood it now that he almost ended up in jail.
So, it was out of the question that she would die or be hurt in any way before he had cleared his name and his honour. He newly realized he needed to watch over her. In his own way. He wasn't going to turn soft for the sake of that girl. It was only for his own purposes. Two birds for one stone. Along with that spy mission on Raven Tail the old man gave him, he would finish clean and square pretty fast. 'No attachments' was his motto.
"Okay, then. Thanks for your concern. And...
"I ain't concerned ! repeated Gajeel harshly.
Both girls rolled their eyes, which highly irritated the Dragon Slayer, like they were thinking 'Really...Boys and their pride'.
"So, like I was saying, continued Levy, don't forget to earn trust. First impressions aren't everything. Just show that you like being there, try to socialize or impress them with some hidden talent, I don't know. Anyway, I'll be there for you, so there's no need to worry so much about tomorrow, okay ? Bye, goodnight !
Juvia nodded, hopeful, watching Levy leaving towards Fairy Hills. If everything went as well as with Levy, she would make a lot of friends as fast as it take the rain to ruin dates. Gajeel walked along with her who was lost in her imaginary world.
"Tch, stop daydreaming or you'll trip on yer own feet.
But Juvia was too delighted by everything that was happening that she didn't care about his dry tone. Suddenly, he remembered why he was at first approached by the old man. He told him Juvia had already join –or has he saw was planning to join the guild.
"Why did you talk about me to the old geezer ?
"Master Makarov ? wondered Juvia, oblivious about all the nicknames he was giving to everyone.
"Yeah.
She started to consider his question, chewing her lips.
"Well...Juvia was worried about Gajeel-kun.
"Why ? Gajeel asked truly curious about her answer.
They weren't that close to call each other friends. They were partners. That was about it. Or so, he thought.
"Gajeel-kun is Juvia's longest friend. She couldn't just let him down. She had to share her chance with Gajeel-kun, so she could pay back for his acceptance of her rain.
He didn't know what to say to that. He wasn't speechless; he just didn't have an answer fitting his I-don't-care attitude. So he shrugged. He didn't hang out with her, by kindness of heart, she was just the person he hate the least in his former guild, because that was what he was, a hater. He didn't quite remember if it was because everybody hated him that he became so hateful or if it was the other way around.
At least, it wasn't everyone who hated his guts and he regretted he hadn't been friendlier – more civilize, he meant- with her. She did deserve better treatment than what she received in Phantom Lord. Yeah, she had recognition and money. But, he wanted her to be happy, because she had done for him more than he did for her. The acceptance of his iron heart and his jerk side were far more challenging than accepting the refreshing feeling of the rain and her gloominess. He had been secretly glad for her to have found somewhere she could one day called home.
And since she helped him, he would do her a favor. He would stay the hell away from her in order to not scare potential friends – or the nakama thing, whatever- friends that would bring joy in her life. He was the least he could do.
Seeing that he wouldn't say any further thing on the matter of her concern as he was lost in his own thoughts, she finally interrogated him about something that bothered her.
"Juvia was wondering what Gajeel-kun was meaning by "they would blame me for sure" if something would happen to Levy ? Why would it be Gajeel's fault ?
He ticked at her name. He should have known that the rain woman would sense something unusual in his attitude. They still have been partners for two years so they knew each other despite of everything. She would discover it sooner or later, so why not be the one to inform her, huh ?
"Remember, what I did to piss them off ?
She nodded with caution, waiting for what was coming next. Although, he didn't add anything so, she guessed she was able to make a conjecture, which would mean...
" It was Levy ?! she gasped, incredulous.
He just looked away, not wanting to see the disappointment in his friend's eyes. But, she only sounded surprise.
"If Gajeel-kun haven't told me, Juvia would never have guess... How come she talked so casually? If Juvia was in her place, she would still be scare or at least wanting to take revenge... But, she said she forgave us...Gajeel...
That was what he didn't understand at all and started to be pissed off. There was no logical explanation for this. ARRH, it was still driving him insane, now that he was thinking about it again. He didn't like the fact he hadn't any control on his emotions anymore. It had to get that under control. He clenched his sharp teeth out of frustration which didn't come unnoticed by his now confident.
"Juvia thinks it bothers Gajeel-kun, because he did nothing to truly deserve it.
Strike ! Straight in his guts. Truth really does hurt like a bitch. Since when had he become so easily readable ?
"Maybe, Gajeel should follow Levy's advices and do something about tomorrow to earn trust.
"Like hell, he growled.
Juvia was really giving him a hard time, trying to be less unpleasant towards her, if she was keeping throwing him stones like that. That seemed only to encourage her, because she then said in a tone of challenge:
"Is Gajeel-kun scared ?
She smirked. SMIRKED ? What ? She never did that. Damn, he didn't expect Fairy Tail to have such a quick effect on her, the gloomy and slightly depressive Juvia Lockser. She was looking him for quarrel or what ? He wasn't going to enter in that little game of hers. They won't change who he was.
"Never said that. I don't see the interest. That's all.
"Juvia doesn't mind Gajeel-kun's weakness. It's not his fault if he fears the powerful mages of Fairy Tail. It's not like he could do anything to blow their mind by trying to be worth their trust since he's scared...
Now, she was pushing him too hard. And then, he reacted the exact way she expected him to. Like the spoiled and immature brat he was deep down.
"WHAT ?! ME, scared ?! I AIN'T SOME PANSY.
She contained a victorious smile. He had one foot in the trap. One last detail and she was sure to pull her trick perfectly. After all, with that kind of childish provocation, he was SO predictable. Just a hint about some form of weakness and he would be in a hurry to prove them wrong by any cost. Even his pride.
"Still. Juvia bets 50 000 Jewels that Gajeel-kun won't try to integrate the guild, because he's too scared.
If it would be anyone else who would have dare say that to him, they would have earned one free ticket to the hospital. He was trying to get a new start so, he need to have a grip on his drives. Anyway, he knew her strength and it would be a pain in the ass to fight her, because it would only prove her point.
"Tch. Wasting so freely your money around. You'll regret it.
"Fine. Prove it, she annoyed him.
A challenging bet and money to make out of this was a winning pair for any fervent and prideful guy. Gajeel was no exception. Backing off now would ruin his reputation as the toughest guy of Fiore –according to him.
"M'kay. Deal, he accepted, entail in her tricky web.
They sealed the deal by shaking hands. Juvia was obviously too proud of herself which got on Gajeel's nerves.
"Juvia will double it if he can make Levy laugh within the two following weeks.
"Oi ! That wasn't part of the agreement, he yelled as she was leaving to her hotel.
"It's only a bonus. Well, if Gajeel-kun can surprise Juvia, she said, waving him goodbye, derisive.
Since when did she become a insufferable manipulator ?! ARRRH ! Every damn woman in this damn planet was making his blood boiled ! Especially Juvia. Oh, and Shorty, too ! Out of rage, he punched the pole next to him. A loud crack was heard.
Deep breaths. Calming down. Good. He won't back off of a bet. Inspire. He won't kill Juvia. Expire. He will win the bonus. Inspire. He will discover everyone secret. Expire. He's the boss. Inspire. He manage every obstacle that crossed his path, he would handle that one.
We slowly walked to his new low-cost apartment in a shabby area of Magnolia. What way could he make himself look trustful ? Remove his piercings was out of the question. Smiling either. Start a conversation ? With who ? No, he wasn't the talkative type. Then, what ?
Suddenly, a really suspiciously cocky smirk appeared in his face. He found it. Winning 100 000 Jewels has never been that smooth. He needed only two things. One he had and one he would have to buy. He rushed to the closing store, frightening the owner who, after reflection, didn't mind some extra hours of work. Proud as a peacock, he paid his new possession. A white suit with a matching Borsalino –a kind of gangster hat. Grinning, he was going to test the sound of one of his few belongings, his awesome guitar. The next day was looking more promising than what he first thought.
"Just watch it...
To who was he speaking to for recognition ? Well, who knows ?
I still don't own Fairy Tail nor his characters.
This is still in his flash back, if you were wondering. ^^
Hope you enjoy ! Let me know what you thought about it. Speculation, critics or just simply reviews are more than welcome, so I can improve my writing style.
I'll update soon. See you around.
Inku Eko.
