Chapter Three

He didn't like the look that guy was giving him. He was angry. Tired with baggy eyes and drool dried down his chin. He looked like he woke up with a stiff neck, which he did indeed. Of course, the man he was looking at was himself so he had no problem with any of this.

Now to drown my leg.

To Gajeel twenty minutes twice a day was a literal bore. Still he did agree that it would be worth it in the end. His leg stunk, and as of now, so did he. Gajeel didn't enjoy swimming in the stench of his own dirt, but he's not just going to wash the one part of his body twice and then shower later. Two baths would do. He washed his body and smothered his healing leg with soap, scrubbing roughly. He finally exited the tub wrapped up—body and hair—in towels and began his search for clothes.

He tossed a pair of boxers and jeans on his bed and got dressed. Lily must be out again; he's nowhere to be found. He probably went shopping again. Annoyed, Gajeel threw himself on the bed. I haven't been to the guild in a month, have I? Just over a month…nope. There's no way they'd miss me yet. Fuck it, no one fucking misses me. Sad…I wonder if Natsu would try to fight me again. That asshole.

I think I'm the one that misses them.

With that, Gajeel stood up and left the apartment. It was warm out. There was a nice, soft breeze slapping him with cooler air. He sighed, and began walking. I have to go anywhere but the guild…but why? When will Lily tell me!? Fuck it…Some kid just ran between my legs. He's running to that park they opened up. It's grossly colorful, as well as crowded. The crowd is huge. I can only cringe at how disgusting the whole thing looks, including the actual park. Do they not understand what colors go together? Purple monkey bars with brown swing sets; honestly the color scheme choice just looks like throw up…I feel like throwing up. I should go home, but I won't.

Walking through the empty part of town relaxed him. No one really goes here, mostly because of the eerie feeling, or that it looked like someone would "jump out and murder them". How the hell is someone gonna kill you in an empty town?

"Yo, Redfox!"

The yell stopped him in his tracks. Who the hell could possibly be here? He turned around slowly to see. He honestly couldn't believe it.

"L-Laxus!?" He stuttered, "What are you…?"

"What are YOU doing here?" He asked, grinning, "Aren't you supposed to be at home?"

Gajeel glared at him. He's no different. "I'm FINE now, Laxus…I can go out on my own, asshole."

"Well now such inappropriate words, Redfox," he laughed, "I don't think you're ready for the outside world yet. It's a literal miracle we even let Natsu out of his cage. But you?" He walked over, grabbing his shoulder and standing closer to his face "You're one real fuck up."

With that, Laxus left Gajeel standing there shocked an alone. A…a fuck up?

This could be another hint. But what could he have possibly done to both be a hero and a fuck up at the same time? I have to go home.

"You ran into Laxus?" Lily almost choked on his fruit, "What could he have been doing there anyway!?"

"He looked like he was looking for me, but ANYWAY, what's with this whole "fuck up" shit!? I thought I was the "hero"! What the fuck is wrong with you guys, why can't you tell me what's going on!?"

"Gajeel…!" He stopped to look at his irritated friend, "I just can't okay? You'll find out in time, okay? Just don't worry about it!"

"I woke up with injuries I can't remember getting! How am I NOT supposed to worry!?"

"I don't know!" Lily sighed, sitting down on Gajeel's bed, clearly almost as stressed as Gajeel. He wished he could tell him, but as of now, he could not. Frankly, thinking about telling him hurt a lot; he could only imagine how he felt if he heard what went down at the guild.

"Gajeel."

"…what?" he responded.

Lily sighed once more, before standing up and exiting the bedroom, "You're not a fuck up."

I feel like I'm in some moist room. No, the room is wet. I'm wet. Why am I wet?

I'm looking down to see myself bound by a shadow. That's not rope—it can't be rope, but I can't make out what it's supposed to be. I'm looking at a large…mouth? It had more fangs than I could even count. Its fangs looked eternal. Its tongue stretched out and slowly touched me. THAT'S why I'm coated in slime. This shitbag's try'na' eat me!

I am not going out this way. Unfortunately struggling is not an option. I'm getting really uncomfortably close to this things throat, and my vision…it's fading…I can't open my eyes…where am I?

"Please, stop!"

What the fuck was that?

"Please put him down, I'm begging you!"

I can see outside of the mouth…I see blue hair. I also see red. Is that…?

"Please! Don't do this! Gajeel!"

"Gajeel!"

"SHIT!" He sat up quick, pushing his exceed friend off the bed. He bent down to make sure he was okay. "L-Lily?"

"You were having night terrors again." Lily said, sitting up and brushing himself off, "You started screaming."

"…Screaming?" Am I scared? I'm fuckin' scared aren't I. This is just fan-fucking-tastic. I can't do this today. "I'm going back to bed."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Lily," Gajeel barked, annoyed, "As much as I don't want to have another fucking "night terror" again, it is three in the morning. I'm not gonna stay up the rest of the night, I'm fine!"

Lily stayed there, watching him, waiting for the end of his complaining.

"…Just stay in the room with me this time, okay?" He finally said, without looking at him. Lily couldn't help but smile and nod, resting under the blanket beside him. Oh how he would love to tell him about the incident right now. But to save his life, he couldn't.