Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Chapter 7: Test
The instructions had been simple; gain Ivan Dreyar's trust and report back to Makarov. It had always been the plan, his main goal, his challenge. He had been so eager to please so prepared to make things right between Makarov and himself that Gajeel didn't think twice when he'd been offered this mission but still...
"Their progress is still slow, which I expected! And there have been no changes?"
"No, not since Mirajane Strauss unlocked her Satan Soul again."
"Indeed, that was upsetting. And by extension, it was your fault, my son. But," added Ivan, his eye gleaming at Laxus' still form. "It was not truly your fault. Your foolish posse was at fault for that."
Gajeel glanced at the thunder dragon slayer and was his impressed by how well he'd schooled his expression to make it appear as though he did not care. He could hear the other man's pulse quicken slightly but Ivan hadn't noticed anything and that was mattered most. Laxus still had ties with the Thunder Legion, and he was careful not to give them away to the man he had once looked up to.
"They fucked up. It happens."
"Indeed. Which is why we've instated Gajeel to keep an eye on them, isn't that right?"
"I gotta do something interesting. They destroyed my guild, after all."
"Yes, the loss of Jose's guild was tragic but Fairy Tail is sure to pay for that. I would have suggested another crucifixion, but the effect wouldn't quite be the same, would it, Gajeel?"
The memory of that night sent shame and guilt rushing through his veins, but he knew better than to express any of that in front of the man who could kill him in an instant. Ivan was ruthless when he mocked Fairy Tail, and Gajeel was no stranger to such words. The man would do anything to elicit a reaction from his double agents; anything that would throw them off would be gold to Laxus' bastard of a father.
"Nah. They've seen it before. I gotta work on gaining the Shrimp's trust first."
"Indeed." Gajeel watched Ivan stand before his, his little demon scurrying around his shoulders to settle about his ear as if to whisper something. He wished to leave by knowing that Ivan hadn't dismissed them forbade any movement from happening. Laxus looked bored with his father already, his eyes fixed on the windows outside of Ivan's office. His traveling cloak was worn, and dusty; Gajeel expected a beach to appear the moment Laxus decided to shake out the fabric. Neither dragon slayer moved, however, and they waited on Ivan's slow breaths for any word. He allowed his eyes a peek at the sky, and realized that dawn was just around the corner, the rays of light sneaking into the dark that had reigned just before the rest of the guild woke up. He hoped Lily wouldn't worry too much either; the cat was more cautious than a woman despite his outward display of relaxation. No doubt Laxus wanted to pass a latter to Gajeel for his old friends; anything to let them know that he was alive and relatively well considering Ivan's hovering. He could smell the ink and parchment in the thunder dragon slayer's pack, just between the folds of blankets that were rolled up tightly. However giving it to Gajeel would have to be done away from Ivan's seemingly perfect vision.
"You know," started Ivan, drawing red and blue to him instantly, "I do believe that it is near morning and neither of you have had any sleep Perhaps you'd both like to stay a while longer."
"I got a mission lined up for today," lied Gajeel, "so as much as I'd love to just campy here, I got a few thousand jewels ta earn."
"Fair enough. And you, my son?"
"I have more traveling to do; more places to see before I join you."
"If you insist, gentlemen. Off you go." Ivan turned away from them and both slayers tried not to look too eager to leave. "Oh, and Gajeel? Be sure to deliver Laxus' letters properly. We wouldn't want them falling into the wrong hands."
They exchanged a glances behind his back and left without another word until they were out of the dark guild's sights.
"I fucking hate it when he does that," grumbled Laxus, practically throwing the letters at Gajeel. The other man snatched them out of the air and didn't blink when they crinkled and crunched into his pocket with a sound of agreement. "How's the old man?"
"Still alive and annoying as ever."
"Good. Could you-"
"Always do," promised Gajeel before setting off for the train that was impossibly far away. He never thought twice about sending messages to Makarov from his grandson.
If he had the chance to contact Metalicanna, he would have taken it; there wasn't a doubt in his mind.
Please R&R
