Day 5 - Family
A/N: I could kick myself. The other 5 prompts I had written the beginning of the month, and I put off these last two until a few days before they were due. And as a result of getting sick last night, I'm probably gonna be late with tomorrow's submission x( I'm sorry guys! Please enjoy this one! :D
Gajeel strolled through the street of Magnolia, his hands deep in his pockets. It was snowing in city again. He didn't care much for the weather, but he did admit it brought a new type of scenery to the place. Everything became blindingly white. But it was a good kind of white. Gajeel couldn't explain it. It made the town seem purer, almost.
Bakeries and cafes showcased their warm beverages and pastries in their windows, to tempt the cold shoppers. But Gajeel wasn't looking to buy food. He was just… walking through the town. It's not like he needed a reason to walk through the shopping section of Magnolia the day before Christmas. He was just bored, that's all. Having a look around the stores just seemed like a good way to kill time.
And if he happened to see a gift for Levy, then he might as well pick it up.
Gajeel never thought he'd see the day where he would be buying someone a Christmas present, but here he was. It really wasn't something he planned. He woke up this morning and the idea wouldn't leave his mind. It just seemed right. Maybe it had something to do with these last few days. They kept having these weird 'moments' together. And now Gajeel was having trouble getting her out of his head. It was the kind of thing that made Gajeel want to pick a fight with salamander to get his mind back on track. And if fact, that may be exactly what Gajeel would do later. But for now, wandering through Magnolia would do.
A glint in a nearby window caught Gajeel's eye and he paused in his stroll to peer into the display. It was a jewelry shop. A simple silver necklace sparkled from behind the glass.
Gajeel was bent over to examine the chain when he heard an exchange go on behind him.
"Daddy, can we go play in the snow?"
It sounded like a young boy.
"Sure, we can play in the snow." An older man said, his father most likely.
"Yay! Can we make a snowman?"
"Okay, I'll make you a snowman. He can be your snow-daddy and then I'll leave so he can take care of you from now on."
"No, I don't want a new snow-dad!" The boy giggled. "I want you to stay my daddy!"
"Alright alright, I guess I'll just keep being your dad."
A pang hit Gajeel in the chest as the two entered a shop. He stayed crouched in front of the window a moment longer, staring at his reflection. He abruptly straightened up, shoved his hands in his pockets and then turned away, walking back down the sidewalk. His interest in getting a gift had vanished.
About a half-hour later, Gajeel and Lily were walking through the gates of the guild. Gajeel was silent the whole trek over. He was sure Lily had noticed, but the cat didn't comment.
As soon as they swung open the doors of the guild, Gajeel made a bee-line for the request board. But he didn't get very far.
"Gajeel!" Levy appeared in Gajeel's path, stopping him. "You're just in time! Want to decorate cookies with us?"
"No thanks." Gajeel muttered, moving around her.
"Are you sure?" She asked, following behind him. "It'll be really fun."
"No." He repeated with gritted teeth.
"I even have a Pantherlily shaped one for you!"
Gajeel ignored her, hoping she would just give up.
A hand touched his arm. "Did something happen, Gajeel? You're acting strange…"
"What is with you?" Gajeel whirled around on her. "This whole month you've been bugging me nonstop! Why do you keep trying to involve me in stupid Christmas shit!?"
Levy reeled back as if struck. "I was just trying to – "
"Well stop trying!" He snapped. "All you're doing is pissing me off!"
With that he turned back and stormed to the board. Behind him he could hear Pantherlily apologizing to Levy. Gajeel quickly scanned the board and picked the first one with a decent reward. As he walked back towards the exit of the guild, the exceed caught up with him.
"That was unnecessary, Gajeel." Pantherlily said in a scolding tone.
"Whatever." Gajeel grumbled. "Let's just get outta here."
Pantherlily just sighed.
It was nighttime by the time they finished the mission. The guilt about yelling at Levy had started to set in the moment they completed the job. It was making Gajeel irritated. What did he need to apologize for? He had a point! Levy had been annoying him for weeks about these dumb holiday things. Not to mention vandalizing his house while he was gone. WHy should he be the one to say something?
But then he remembered the face she made when he snapped at her and the guilt bubbled up all over again.
"Gajeel…" Pantherlily said from atop his shoulder.
"I'm gonna apologize to her, alright!?" Gajeel interjected before he could finish.
Pantherlily didn't respond for a moment.
"I was going to say that you stepped in something." The exceed said.
Gajeel dropped his gaze down and saw that a flyer had stuck to the bottom of his foot. He shook off the paper while hopping on one foot, cursing.
Lily chuckled. "Feeling guilty about earlier?"
"Sorta." Gajeel admitted.
"Levy will forgive you." Lily told him. "She is kind like that."
It was true. Levy was a kind person. Sometimes too kind. Even to those who don't deserve it.
"Here we are." Pantherlily said, as they approached the familiar gates.
The guild was still quite filled for this time of day. All the candles were lit and the lights above were dimmed, giving everything a orangish glow.
Gajeel looked through the mages for a short blue haired mage and spotted her a little ways away talking to another member. Gajeel started making his way through to her as Pantherlily flew off his shoulder. As he got closer, Levy noticed him heading towards her and she nodded a goodbye to the guild member. Then she also started walking towards Gajeel. They met halfway.
"Listen Levy," Gajeel started, his gaze floating to the ceiling. "About what I said earlier… I was in an off mood. I didn't mean it. Sorry."
Levy shook her head. "No, I'm sorry Gajeel. I shouldn't have been forcing Christmas traditions on you. It wasn't right of me."
"It's not a big deal, shrimp. I didn't really care."
"But it is," Levy insisted, looking up at him with sad eyes. "I was trying to make you enjoy the holiday by participating in silly activities when that's not really the point of the holiday."
She continued, looking guilt-ridden. "The real meaning of Christmas is spending time with your family and to share in happiness together. I was wrong in thinking that traditions would make you appreciate Christmas."
Levy paused for a moment, as if waiting for Gajeel to respond, but he could think of nothing to say. She continued.
"I realized that Christmas may bring back sad memories for you, and make it difficult for you to enjoy it. But I want you to know that even if you think you lost your only family," She smiled at this part. "You gained a new one when you joined this guild. And we will always remain your family, as long as you let us."
Gajeel could only stare down at the mage, completely dumbfounded. Levy waited a few more moments before clapping her hands together.
"So, you don't have to join in," Levy started, "But we're going to be doing candle and story here soon. You're welcome to stay or go. I won't force you to do either."
With that, she walked off towards a gathered group of guild members.
Gajeel watched as she went to join the bunch. The members were seated on the floor in a crude circle. Levy walked over and plopped down at an empty spot. Erza sat at the head with a book in her lap. She made a gesture towards someone and soon the last of the lights shut off, with the only remaining lights being the illuminated candles. Erza growled at the mages to shut up before cracking open the book and clearing her throat.
"One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies…"
As if his feet had a mind of their own, Gajeel started moving towards the group in slow steps. Soon enough he was making his way to Levy. She lit up at the sight of him and scooted over to make some room. Gajeel took the spot and planted himself next to her. Levy smiled brightly at him before turning her attention back to Erza.
"There was clearly nothing left to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it,"
Gajeel glanced around at the other guildmates. It was a rare sight to see them all sit quietly and calmly. Juvia was clinging on to Gray, who wasn't pushing her away for once. Natsu was on his side, supporting his head with his hand while watching Erza. Lucy was kneeled down, listening attentively. Wendy and Romeo seemed very interested, sitting directly besides Erza as she read. Asuka sat in her father's lap while her parents held her, smiling softly at the scene. The Strauss siblings sat together as well, listening quietly.
Sometimes he forgot just how similar they all grew up. A majority of them were orphans, like he was, abandoned and alone. All of them went on a similar journey as he did. A search for a home and acceptance. Except, these members were fortunate to find Fairy Tail right away, while he had to go through some trial and error first.
It was hard for him to remember what he used to be like back when he was in Phantom Lord. He never felt like he was being himself when he was in that guild. Like the real him was shrouded away behind layers of hardened walls. The version of him that he buried after Metalicana left. He wondered what he would have been like today had he never joined this guild.
Probably not sitting in a circle with mages with a bunch of candles while someone read a Christmas story. And in actuality, it was something he appreciated. Having a family to belong to.
Somewhere during the story, Levy began to lean on Gajeel. Her tiny frame rested against his larger arm. Her hairs tickled against his skin but he didn't push her off. If anything he found himself drifting towards her, returning some of the weight. They remained in that position for the duration of the story, neither wanting the moment to end.