Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima. Although I do own my (now arrested for life) OC Troy.
Here you go my lovelies! I updated for you~! I hope it's up to standards and you enjoy it!
Snapping her eyes open Levy shot up in bed, blinking rapidly. Every time she went to sleep the horrible final moments of Gajeel's life would play over in her mind, immediately waking her up. Her life had been a living hell for the past three weeks and this one didn't seem much more promising than the last.
Moving in with Pantherlily had been a big step for her, even though she had already told Gajeel she'd stay. Now, however, she wasn't sure if it was the best choice. Every night she would go to bed alone and wake up equally alone in the mornings. Going on small missions with her team and doing little, normal things was the only way she stayed grounded. Everyone had tried cheering her up but it just wasn't working. Eventually, after two weeks of her nakamas constant attempts she faked happiness and normality for them. She only broke down when she was alone. Or with him. Her mind prodded gently but she chose to ignore it and slip out of bed instead.
"Day one of week four." She mumbled to herself, making the bed in an almost robotic fashion.
Everyday her schedule has been the same, wake up, make the bed, eat something, go to the guild, eat something, go home, read something, eat something, sleep, repeat. At this point she was just going through the motions. She saw no real need to survive but at the same time couldn't bring herself to just die.
"Levy-Chan? Are you awake?" She heard Pantherlily call from the hallway.
"Yes. I'll be down in a moment." She called back, quickly shuffling into the closet to change.
Five minutes later Levy walked downstairs, clad in white shorts and a blue sweater with white sandals and a white headband.
"Well... you look like an angel." Lily smiled as she entered the kitchen.
"Hn, thanks." Lily nodded and passed her a plate with freshly made, warm blueberry pancakes.
"Would you like to join me on my walk to the guild today?" He asked gently, placing a glass of milk on the table in front of where Levy had sat.
"Sure. That would be lovely." Levy mumbled around the glass of milk. Lily smiled at her through the glass and sat down on her head, curling up and brushing his tail along her nose as she ate.
"Lily, stop that or I will sneeze pancake all over you." Levy joked halfheartedly, swallowing her last bite of pancake.
"Good luck with that, I see not a single crumb of pancake left." Pantherlily teased, grabbing her empty dishes and tossing them in the sink-he'd deal with them later anyways-before flying back over and allowing himself to be cuddled in her arms.
"Yeah, yeah." She mumbled, stroking his fur absent-mindedly and beginning their short walk to the guild.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Levy-Chan!" Lucy called out as the duo entered the guild. Everyone else had behaved normally although, even if they hadn't all fancied the Dragon Slayer, they were quite subdued these days. Even Natsu and Gray hadn't found many excuses to fight recently.
"Morning Lu-Chan!" Levy responded with forced enthusiasm, nodding in greeting to the other Fairy Tail members. Slowly plodding over to where Lucy sat Levy offered a small smile and gave her a quick hug before walking over to the bar.
"Morning Mira-San." Levy mumbled, running an anxious hand through her already messy locks.
"Good morning Levy!" Mirajane exclaimed, extending a hand to try to fix Levy's hair. Letting out a little chuckle Levy backed up and, after assuring Mira she was okay, moved herself over to the darkened part of the guild where Gajeel used to sit with Lily and her. Pantherlily was already sitting down and he patted the spot next to him, curling up on her lap when she sat down.
"Levy... I know how hard it is but you should try to hang out with the others more. I love your company but everyone is noticing how withdrawn you've become and it's scaring them. We don't want you to slip away." Pantherlily murmured, rubbing his head against her stomach. Levy, who had been petting Lily, paused mid-stroke.
"I... I know." She mumbled, running a now stressed and shaking hand through her hair and messing up Mira's attempt at fixing the untamed mass. "It's... It's just... It's not the same." Levy choked out, her voice thick with raw emotion and hot tears running down her pale cheeks. Pantherlily nodded in understanding and patted her hand gently while wiping the tears off of her face.
"I know... it's okay. Here... I brought this from the house this morning." Levy looked down at Pantherlily and let out a faint gasp of shock.
"Lily... where did you find this?" She questioned, her hands shaking with barely suppressed emotion.
"On a shelf in the bedroom." Lily answered, concern and worry clear in his voice. "What is that book?"
"C-Char-Charlotte's W-Web... It's... It's the book I was reading when Gajeel asked me to go on the mission in place of you almost a month ago..." Her voice trailed off when a sob racked her body.
"If you'll excuse me." She suddenly blurted, shooting up in her seat and almost knocking Pantherlily off her lap in her haste to leave.
"O-Of course." Lily agreed, flapping over to the bar where he could watch her carefully and have Mira on hand should something go wrong. Levy took heaving breaths and carefully placed the book back on the table before rushing into the peace and quiet of the infirmary.
"I thought I told you all to-Oh... it's you." Porlyusica mumbled tiredly from her spot by the door.
"Hello Edo-Grandine-Chan." Levy greeted, giggling slightly when Porlyusica rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"I thought I told you to stop calling me that." She grumbled, crossing her arms and staring at an immobile figure on a bed a few feet away.
"Any changes?" Levy questioned, her mirth now subdued as her gaze followed Porlyusica's. Porlyusica shook her head and slowly stood up.
"I'll leave you alone for a little while and try to keep everyone away." Porlyusica murmured as she slipped out the door. Levy let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding and slowly walked up to the bed, crawling on beside the occupant once she arrived.
"G-Gajeel?" She whispered sadly, stroking his cheek lightly. He had gone into a coma thanks to the paralysis and had stayed that way the entire three weeks since the battle. Nobody really believed Gajeel was still alive at this point but they all held hope for their fellow nakama and believed in his stubbornness. As usual there was no response and Levy felt a single tear slip down her cheek.
"Sorry... I shouldn't be crying." She mumbled aloud. It didn't matter to Levy that he couldn't hear her, she felt the need to talk to him anyways. Kinda like talking to a plant. Her mind teased and she smiled stupidly to herself. Yes... quite like talking to a plant. With a shake of her head Levy laid down beside Gajeel and curled into his side, closing her eyes and lulling herself to sleep by the quiet, steady beeps of Gajeel's heart monitor.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Should I bring her something to eat? She's been in there for a while... I wonder if she's okay. Do you think she's hungry? I think I should bring her something to eat. Don't you? I mean it's not as though I'm worried. She is a grown woman now and can do what she wants but I think I should bring her something to eat. She's been in there for a while... did I say that already?" Mira babbled worriedly, wringing her hands together and staring at the infirmary door. Everyday Levy would stay in there for most of the time she spent at the guild and would leave at sunset. The first week and a half she just stayed there though, nobody could move her and nobody wanted to. She barely ate those days, it was heartbreaking.
"Mira? Are you still there?" Pantherlily's concerned voice broke through her reverie like a blast of cold water wakes up a sleeping person.
"Hai..."
"Leave her be. I made pancakes this morning." He reassured her, patting her hand consolingly. "And yes, she ate some." He added when Mira eyed him suspiciously.
"But-"
"No buts."
"Well what if-"
"No what ifs."
"Lily!"
"Don't you Lily me! She needs some time alone with him. Remember how you were when Lisanna 'died'?" Pantherlily cringed as soon as the words left his mouth. Mira looked as though someone had just slapped her and her eyes watered. "Uhm... Mira... what I meant was-"
"It's fine... I know what she's going through... it's just..." With that the tears brimmed over and she collapsed in defeat, shaking with her cries on the wooden floor behind the bar.
"Mira!" Cana exclaimed, jumping over the counter to comfort the barmaid. For the first time in a long time she was sober and fully functioning. Gray seemed to be the only other one to notice and he quickly ran over to them as well. Seeing Mira in a crumpled heap on the floor with Cana stroking her back comfortingly Gray decided he had to cheer her up somehow.
"Hey, Mira?" When she looked up at him Gray took it as his cue to continue. "At least it wasn't me that made you cry this time, ne?" When Mira's eyes watered even more Gray blanched.
"Gomensai Mira! I didn't mean... well I... Mira I really-" But his hasty apologies swiftly became drowned out by Mira's laughter.
"Hai Gray... hai." She mumbled, pulling herself and Cana off the floor and enveloping Gray in a hug. Wrapping his arms around her in return, Gray smiled quizzically.
"What was that about?" Shaking her head briskly Mira just shook off his question and stepped back, releasing her hold on him.
"Just... me learning a lesson..." Upon hearing those words Pantherlily cracked a small smile and purred contentedly, rubbing his head against Mira's outstretched hand. Mira smiled in return, passing Cana a glass of lemonade. Cana smirked slightly and took the glass, swirling the liquid around and just staring into it.
"Oi, aren't you going to drink that?" Gray teased halfheartedly upon walking back over to where his team sat.
"Shut it Fullbuster!" Cana shouted, smirking playfully at him. Gray just grinned and turned away, plopping down beside Erza on a bench and proceeding to ignore the world. Rolling her eyes in amazement at how stupidity amused her Cana picked up her third non-alcoholic drink of the day and joined Macao and Wakaba at a table close to the bar.
"Mira...?" Pantherlily called quietly, swiftly gaining the daydreaming Strauss' attention. "I really am sorry..." He mumbled worriedly, kicking at a knot in the polished bar beneath him. Mira smiled kindly and sat down on the bar in front of him.
"I know... it's just that I had people and she does too but she doesn't seem to enjoy their company... I just want her to know she's loved and safe with us."
"She knows... she just... needs some time. I know it's hard to leave her be but we can't help her right now... it's up to her. We'll always be here for her to fall back on but I think she wants to handle this one on her own..." Mira nodded solemnly at Pantherlily's words and slipped off the counter, grabbing a cloth so she could wipe down the counter where she had just sat. Pantherlily returned to his seat and once again fixed his sights in the door on the opposite side of the guild.
(^.^) (^.^)
Blinking her eyes sleepily Levy yawned and rolled over so that she faced Gajeel's side. A quick glance at the window confirmed that it was getting dark out and most people had probably left. Propping her elbow up underneath her Levy flicked her eyes to the door. She could've sworn she saw something there in her peripheral vision as she checked the window. Clearing her throat nervously Levy scolded herself for panicking and closed her eyes, gripping Gajeel's shirt in fright.
"Kyah!" Levy screeched as she flung herself out of the bed and-she hoped-onto where she had heard the noise and, therefore, her assailant. It had been faint, as if they were trying to make sure they didn't wake her up, but she had heard it somehow through her labored pants of fear.
"Levy-Chan! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! I honestly thought you were asleep... Mira sent me to check on you. Everyone else has left. It's just us three, Mira and Lily left. Well and Natsu I suppose... he's waiting for me. Lily passed out awhile ago on the bar and Mira's cleaning up. Would you like something to eat? To stay the night?" A voice squeaked from below her.
"Lu-Chan? Oh my... I'm so sorry!" Immediately scrambling up Levy extended a hand to Lucy, pulling her up in one fluid movement.
"It's alright... so do you want anything?" Lucy asked. Levy shook her head and went back to her place beside Gajeel.
"I'm okay... I'll just stay the night though if that's okay." Lucy nodded and gave Levy a quick hug before exiting the infirmary and leaving Levy with her thoughts.
"C'mon Natsu! You can stay at my place tonight if you hurry!" Lucy shouted earning an excited squeal from Natsu. Levy smiled ruefully at her friends antics. At least they still had each other. Tears slowly began to form in her eyes and they fell out one by one, landing on Gajeel's chest and soaking through his shirt.
"Gajeel... please wake up. I want... I need you. Gajeel... I-I-I l-love y-you..." Levy sobbed burying her head in Gajeel's tear soaked chest. Wrapping her arms around his neck she clung to him as if she was the one who was dying and soon passed out from exhaustion.
(^.^) (^.^)
*Beep* *Beep, Beep* *Beep* *Beep, Beep*
"Wha...?" Levy mumbled tiredly, rubbing her eyes. Her eyes quickly latched onto Gajeel's heart monitor and she examined it closely. One beep, two beeps, repeat. It was louder than before and seemed to be going faster too. "I should get Porlyusica... she'll know what to do." With that she swung her legs over the side of the bed but froze as something tightened around her waist.
"Miss me Shorty?" A raspy voice asked, eliciting a gasp from her.
"Gajeel?" She whispered, turning herself around slowly.
"The one and only."
"Gajeel!" She sobbed and flung herself on top of him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
"Hey, it's okay... I'm here." Gajeel murmured, stroking her hair comfortingly.
"You... I was... and everyone... Gajeel!" Levy cried, fisting her tiny hands into his still damp shirt.
"I know. It's okay." Pressing light kisses on Levy's head Gajeel mumbled something about a wet shirt. Smiling softly Levy pulled back so that she was sitting on his chest and blushed.
"I might have cried on it." She mumbled in embarrassment, wiping away her tears and trying to stop the shaking in her hands. Gajeel smirked at her and pulled the shirt over his head, tossing it somewhere on the ground near the bed.
"C'mere Shorty." He beckoned gruffly, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. Lowering herself so that she was just centimetres above Gajeel's face Levy carefully laid herself out beside him and threaded her fingers through his mussed up mane.
"Closer." He whispered beside her ear. Levy smiled and happily obliged, quickly planting a kiss on his partly open mouth. Gajeel groaned and slid his hands down to her hips, pulling her flat against him.
"Like that?" She questioned huskily, entwining her legs with his.
"Nah... more like this." Biting her lower lip playfully Gajeel slowly licked her lips.
"Mhnn... G-Ga-Gajeel! S-Stop! What if we're caught?" Levy gasped, pulling away from Gajeel.
"If you're worried lock the door." Gajeel groaned, releasing his hold on her.
"One second." Levy slipped off the bed and ran over to the other side of the room, swiftly latching the door.
"You're making me wait too long." Gajeel rumbled huskily behind her, picking her up and flipping her around so she faced him. Slamming his lips harshly down on hers Gajeel propped Levy up against the wall with his knee.
"Mhnn... ha... ha... ah!" Levy moaned, immediately clamping her mouth shut after. Gajeel chuckled and placed his hands on her hips, pulling her flush against him.
"Shorty..." He groaned, digging his nose into her hair. "I... I can't... ho... hold... ba... ck..." Levy's eyes widened and she placed her hands against his chest.
"Not here. We can go home tomorrow, okay?" She questioned anxiously. Gajeel exhaled deeply and nodded slowly.
"Okay..." Levy smiled softly and grabbed his hand dragging him back to the bed. Flopping down heavily Gajeel groaned in annoyance.
"Oh Gajeel." Levy murmured, kissing him lightly. "You're acting like a little kid." Gajeel grinned cheekily up at her.
"Am I now?" He asked, pulling her on top of him.
"Very much so." She whispered back, wrapping her arms around his neck and cuddling close. "I love you Gajeel." Gajeel's eyes widened at her confession and he tightened his grip on her, rolling over so that he could wrap protectively around her. Pulling the blanket up to their waists Gajeel kissed her brow gently.
"Back atcha." Levy smiled and kissed his chest lightly.
"Good night Gajeel."
"G'night Shorty."
(^.^) (^.^)
"Should we go wake her up? It's almost ten am..." Mira mumbled anxiously, staring at the infirmary door. Erza eyed the door suspiciously for a moment before nodding her head.
"I'll go." She declared, marching up to the door. Everyone at the guild watch curiously as she knocked three times and waited.
"Levy? Are you awake?" When she got no answer she tried the door but found it locked. "Well then... I guess I'll just have to break it down." Master Makarov immediately started bawling at those words and Mirajane patted his shoulder comfortingly.
"Hiya!" Erza cried, kicking the door so hard that it broke into hundreds of splinters. "I called you once Levy. It's time to-Levy?" Erza choked, her face going a shade so red it could rival her hair. Mumbling incoherently Erza grabbed a table and flipped it so that it could fill the door frame and act as a door.
"Erza? Are you okay? What's wrong?" Mirajane called out worriedly, quickly making her way to Erza's side.
"Gajeel's all better." She mumbled before passing out with a nosebleed.
"Erza!" Mirajane shrieked, barely managing to catch the redhead before she hit the floor. Everyone in the guild reacted instantly to Mira's outcry and rushed over to her side.
"What happened?" Lily asked, flapping around their heads.
"I... I don't know. One moment." Mira answered, tipping the table and peering through the crack she made. "Gajeel is all better." Mira mumbled dazedly, passing out of a nosebleed just like Erza.
"Mira!" Cana cried, lunging forwards and grabbing the unconscious barmaid.
"Let me look." Pantherlily suggested, looking through a slim crack and smirking at what he saw. Gajeel was on his side with Levy curled up against him with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck while his were wrapped tightly around her waist and, surprise surprise, Gajeel was wearing no shirt. There legs were also tangled in the blanket that covered Gajeel's lower body and Levy's whole body which left a lot up to the imagination and sadly Erza and Mira had imagined some very dirty things.
"Don't worry. Those two perverts assume too much. Although I suppose I wouldn't be surprised if it were true." Lily laughed heartily, adjusting the table and making sure nobody could see in.
"So Gajeel's okay?" Jet questioned curiously. Lily nodded.
"Yup... and healthy as a horse if you know what I mean." Lily winked, making the older mages grin and the younger ones blush profusely.
"Well in that case... I suppose this calls for a celebration. And you know the saying, 'Let sleeping dogs lie' or something like that..." Master Makarov announced, clapping his hands for Kinana to grab some ale. Cana cheered appreciatively and partook in her first beer in almost a month. While everyone outside of the infirmary partied and shook the guild with their enjoyment it was a wonder that the two in the infirmary didn't wake up. But then again they were probably saving up energy for, ehm, later.
A/N:
Soooo... there you go. The end? Do you want the next night? I haven't written M before but I might possibly know how. (Mother pushing romance novels to me as soon as I turned twelve but whatever...) Anyways I will leave that up to you guys to decide, otherwise this is-sadly-the end I suppose. I have nothing else I can think to add... so yeah. Too OOC? Love it? Hate it? No opinion either way? No matter your thoughts, review please! It really means the world to me! I love you all for your continued support and, in the mean time, I bid you adieu. ~Fluff Kitty