*Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail*


Gajeel paced the length of the room. Back and forth, back and forth. The walls felt too close, like a cage. Over on the bed lay Levy. Her focus was solely on her work, her brow wrinkled, those cute little red classes perched on her nose. A lock of her blue hair fell into her field of vision. She brushed it away, her eyes never leaving the book.

His fingers itched. He needed to get away, needed something to do. He fell to the ground and began doing pushups, nearly punishing his body. 1, 2, 3…10, 11, 12…24, 25, 26. He worked even as his arms began to burn. 65, 66, 67…78, 79, 80. He didn't stop until he'd reached one-hundred, then flipped over and began crunches. Anything to distract him.

His body screamed in exhaustion, but for two hours he worked out. He had to, it was his only choice. If he stopped…

"Gajeel."

Her voice broke through the haze. He looked up at her.

"I'm going out for food. Do you want anything?"

"Nah, shrimp. Just make me some iron. You go ahead, and take Lily with ya, okay?"

She stared at him a while, concern etched into her features. He kept his face neutral. She then nodded and left.

"I'm worried, Lily."

Levy walked through the streets towards the market, the exceed at her side.

"He doesn't like being cooped up, in close quarters with others."

She frowned, "There's definitely something wrong. I want to finish this job and get back to Magnolia."

"I agree. I'm not comfortable out in the open like this. Oh, look. Kiwi!"

Levy smiled. The exceed was definitely a relief to have around. They hurried to finish their shopping. She as reluctant to leave Gajeel for too long. And before returning to the hotel, she stopped to see Cana again.

"I don't have any news for you," the brunette said as Levy entered the bar.

"I don't need any," she lowered her voice, "I have him."

"You what?"

"He just showed up. He's running from an angry rich man."

"Tell me everything."

Lily returned to the hotel room as Levy chatted with Cana.

"Where is she?" Gajeel demanded the moment he closed the door.

"Nice to see you too."

"Don't test me. You were supposed to stay with her."

"She's fine. She's with Cana. Besides, Levy's a tough girl. She can hold her own well enough."

He scowled.

"And I needed to talk to you alone."

"Well I don't feel like talkin'."

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I got some crazy guy chasin' my ass. I think I'm allowed to be a little grumpy."

"That's not what I mean," Lily's expression softened, "You should talk to her."

"No."

"She'll listen to you, she wants to help."

"I said no, damn you!" he roared. Then lowered his voice, "She doesn't deserve that kind of baggage. She doesn't want it."

"How you know? Have you asked her?"

"Dammit, Lily. Can't you just leave it be?"

The exceed glowered at his friend, then headed for the door, "You can't hold on to this forever Gajeel. Sooner or later, you'll have to tell her. You'll have to face your problems."


When Levy returned to the room, Lily was gone. Gajeel was stretched out on the bed, hands stacked under his head.

"Hey shrimp," he grumbled.

"Hello Gajeel. Where's Lily?"

"He went out."

"Out? But we just…"

"We fought."

"Oh."

She looked down at her feet, trying to think of something to say to fill the awkward silence.

"I'm going to take a shower," she said.

"Good for you."

She frowned, "Are you all right?"

"Just peachy. Go take your damn shower, shrimp."

She cast one last lingering look at him before slipping into the bathroom.


Gajeel knew he should have been nicer to Levy. After all, she was letting him stay with her. But his irritability had been steadily rising.

It started only a few months before the guild officially disbanded. Spring. And with spring came mating season for dragon slayers. He'd always been able to control himself with very little issue. Just a few extra hours at the gym and a little more shower time to retain normalcy.

But that year was different. He remembered running into Levy outside the guild hall. She'd been securing her blue wavy hair in a ponytail. She smiled at him as she passed. All he could think about was running his hands through her hair. He'd been so shaken up that he stayed indoors the rest of the day. When he dared to venture out the next morning, he saw her again, walking away from him.

Why hadn't he realized that the shrimp had such a fine ass?

He clenched his hands into fists. Dammit. Her scent was so intoxicating. He wanted to fill his lungs with it, yet there was never seemed to be enough. He was always hungry for more.

The sound of her shower starting pulled him from his thoughts. He'd desperately wanted the stink of the other man off her, but wasn't prepare for the consequences.

He couldn't stop imagining her in there, naked.

He groaned and dropped to the floor, again beginning another brutal round of pushups.

He wanted her, desperately. Not just for sex. He wanted Levy to belong to him, and he to her. Wanted her wrapped up in his scent, by his side, forever. But he couldn't have her. He wasn't deserving of her. She was too good for him, he didn't think he could ever make up for the sins of his past, the stain on his soul.

But he'd be damned if he didn't try.