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ifup Don't be crushed I swear it will turn around =)
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Here we go! If you read the manga or watch the show you might have a direction on where this is going but trust me I will add my twists and turns!
Gajeel awoke on the couch in his cabin late into the afternoon the next day. His head stung from the hangover he was surprised to have as he attempted to sit up but merely slumped over instead. Pantherlily, who was sitting in the armchair beside him, did not look up from his book as he addressed Gajeel with a disapproving tone. "How much exactly did you drink last night Gajeel?"
Gajeel placed his head in his half gloved hand and tried to solve the mystery behind Lily's question. It was rare for him to drink to the point of blacking out completely. He answered with a question of his own. "How did I get here?"
At this Lily carefully placed his bookmark to hold his page and set the large volume down beside him. When he looked at Gajeel finally it was difficult to hold back his laughter. Friends, after all, did not judge the drunken actions of one another. Most of the time. "You appeared on the front steps late into the night singing loud enough for all of Magnolia to hear a song about loving Levy who was Blue but also your shoo-bee-doo." Gajeel's face fell as he groaned and grabbed a pillow to hide his shame. Lily laughed but only for a moment for a soft knock appeared at the door.
Gajeel rolled back to lay down on the couch once more; deciding that whomever it was could go to hell. He was already done with today. Her voice changed his mind quickly. A small 'hello' reached his ear, barely above a whisper when Pantherlily moved towards the door to welcome their guest. Gajeel bounded off the couch and flew open the door to greet Levy in a breathless, disheveled manor. He opened his mouth to speak while simultaneously blocking Lily, who had increased in size, to see who had come to visit. "We need to talk." was all Levy said, cutting Gajeel off before walking past him and towards the kitchen. Gajeel could not breathe; he felt his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to make sense of why exactly Levy was in his home. As far as he could remember they were currently not speaking to one another. He watched as she and Lily exchanged pleasantries over the book he was currently reading; one she had lent him days prior. Lily said I had shown up singing about Levy and Blue last night. Could I have sung around town? Did she overhear something? Fuck!
When the front door slammed shut after Lily had shouted goodbye and that he was off to the Guildhall Gajeel was finally snapped out of his runaway train of thoughts. Lily was gone and Levy and him were alone for the first time in days. He quickly went on the defense out of fear. "Oi. What are you doing here?" Levy ignored his question and moved through the kitchen and out the backdoor without another word. He watched her hips sway and tried to clear his mind of the idea of removing her orange dress to bite her tenderly. He stood before the closed backdoor and studied Levy as she sat on the stone wall just outside. His mind raced for a possible explanation for her being there, especially after everything that he had said to her. Though he hoped it was not because of his singing a more logical reason came to mind and he sighed with disappointment that his own actions had brought on.
"You don't want me to be your partner for S Class anymore." His tone confused Levy as she turned to watch him walk out to join her. It was so matter of fact and lacking of any and all emotions as though he could care less about helping her anymore. For a moment she wondered if she had gotten it wrong after all; if Gajeel wasn't the kind Black that she had grown to know. Then she remembered all the facts and shook the thought out of her mind. He was Black. She knew it in her heart though how she felt about the matter was still up for debate.
"No. I don't care if you still help me or not."
"Then why are you here?"
"I'm here" Levy paused, she could be upfront and just announce that she knew who he truly was and let the fates decide what happened next. Her heart pounded uncontrollably in her chest at the mere thought. Despite the cold winter weather she felt overheated and uncomfortable. "I'm here because of what you said to me. Why did you bring that up?" She wasn't ready for Black and Gajeel to be one in real life yet. She needed more time.
Gajeel looked away from Levy and crossed his arms in annoyance. In his crimson eyes she could see his worry but did not know that he could sense her racing heart. "I ain't gonna apologize if that's what you came for."
Levy's blood felt as though Natsu was setting it to boil as she pulled herself off the wall, her black legging ripping in the process, and got in Gajeel's face. "Yeah that's right you don't apologize every time you are going to we end up screwing out our frustrations instead. Tell me Gajeel is that what you want to just have sex with me after hurting me?" At this point Levy was inches from Gajeel and jammed her finger into his chest with the next words she spoke. She could not control herself; all her fury for the things still yet to be spoken began to surface without control. "Come on Gajeel here I am so let's have some honesty!" In a blur Levy was lifted off her feet, turned, and pinned against the side of the cabin. Gajeel's face hovered above her own as she tried to free herself from his possessive grasp. He could see the pain he had caused her in her eyes but more that he could not fully recognize.
Without Levy's control tears began to slide down her cheeks as she struggled with violent determination that left her breathless and angrier than ever. Why? Why had they been so close all this time only to be just out of reach at the same time? It was a cruel twist of fate.
What Gajeel assumed were tears of pain from his words during their training was more than he could accept to see. Carefully he pulled her off the wall, down onto her feet once more, and slowly to not startle her into his large pierced arms. He wrapped them around her in a protective cocoon; wishing to pull all the pieces that he had shattered her into back together once more. Gajeel allowed for her to cry out her pain and she did. Levy hurt more than she knew going into this fight. She hurt from all the things Gajeel had done to her and yet all the sweetness Black had shown her. She ached from the missed opportunities that had passed them by and confusion she had felt for the man before her; holding her together. Most of all, she cried for her weakness for she didn't have the heart to tell him she knew yet. When Levy pulled away finally she felt more pain than she had in years and torn beyond measure. She could not look Gajeel in the eyes for fear he would recognize the look. The look that spoke volumes and screamed 'I know, see me!' the same look he had been giving her for over a month now that she had been utterly blind to.
Mentally Gajeel held on to the feeling of Levy in his arms and prayed to the heavens that it was not for the last time. When she pulled away he did not stop her. When she walked towards the door to leave through the house once more he did not make a move. He wanted to open his mouth and scream out his confession in that fleeting moment before it was gone, she was gone, forever. However, fear rooted him to the ground and took a hold of his heart. At that instant, as Levy walked away from him Gajeel closed his eyes and accepted madness and death instead of the possibility of her rejection. When Levy spoke he felt as though breath was returning to his lungs after drowning in a sea of endless blackness. "Everyone is leaving for the trials tomorrow at noon in the port town of Hargeon. I hope to see you there." Her voice was light guiding him back to reality and filling him with hope and courage. Levy still wanted his help with the trials; she still considered him a friend. His crimson eyes met her caramel pools of emotions he still could not understand nor accept to see. Gajeel nodded as Levy left through the backdoor. He did not move from where he stood till Pantherlily returned home an hour later; still remembering the feel of Levy in his arms and hoping it would not be the last. On the floor at his feet lay a small piece of Levy's ripped legging. Gingerly he picked up the scrap of fabric and smiled.
With warm favorable winds the Fairy Tail ship set sail with all eight teams aboard; including Gajeel and Levy who despite their moment the previous day were avoiding one another on the small vessel. Both moved awkwardly around each other and tried their best to act normal with their friends so close by. The tension in the air was thick as Levy sat next to Cana and Wendy and tried to strike a casual conversation about the trails to come.
"It's so hot!" Lucy complained while stretching out on a nearby chair and stripping down to her bikini. "What's the deal it's suppose to be winter, I feel like I'm going to melt?!"
Levy who had also stripped down to her bikini top like Lucy and Cana wiped the beads of sweat from her face in a pointless effort. "You look like a slob like that Lu."
"Apparently the currents around the island cause this kind of weather to last all year." Cana said as she fanned herself. It was odd for Levy to see her friend not drunk off her ass. She looks stressed. Exactly how much have I been missing since Black or well Gajeel and I began writing?
Across the ship Gajeel sat at another table, ignoring the food and drink before him, and chimed in absentmindedly as everyone began to complain about the weather. He didn't notice that no one cared what he had to say. "Oi. This heat ain't nothing. Stop bitching so much." Everyone ignored him which he expected. From their lack of attention though he let his eyes wander over to Levy. He watched the sweat fall down her exposed shoulders. Wish I was the one making her sweat instead of this heat. He closed his eyes and sighed in an attempt to calm himself. When Gajeel reopened them he regretted it instantly when his gaze fell to Gray who had abandoned all his clothing in an attempt to beat the heat. Can't unsee that ice pick he calls a dick. With a loud thud Gajeel let his head fall to the table already done with the rest of the voyage.
Hours past as Levy made small talk in attempts to hide her racing mind. From time to time she dared to glance across the ship in Gajeel's direction but he seemed to only care for sleeping. When Wendy and Cana left the table to talk to other guild members Levy took the opportunity. "I know." She whispered to Lucy who was resting next to her while still complaining about the heat.
Her head cocked slightly to the side when Levy spoke but she looked more confused than curious. Levy took out her quill and notepad from her red satchel, wrote her message, and passed it to Lucy. She did not fully trust Gajeel to be truly asleep and had been right to do so. When Lucy opened the note she let slip a small gasp so suddenly that Gajeel had awoken from the sound alone. Had Natsu not been so loudly sick he might have questioned Lucy for her sudden Adeline spike as well. On the folded paper were three words only. Black is Gajeel.
Lucy glanced back at Gajeel once more who seemed to still be asleep thankfully. She opened her mouth to speak but Levy stopped her by writing another message on the paper once more. He might be listening. She was right. Lucy nodded and took the quill from Levy's fingers. She didn't know what to write. Should she admit knowing the truth and not telling her friend? No. She didn't want to risk the small woman's wrath. Carefully she slide the paper across with the quill and the two began to communicate silently to Gajeel's growing frustration as he continued to fake sleep now only to hide his confusion. Why was Levy and Lucy's heart racing? Why the hell are the writing notes? What the fuck is going on?
How? Lucy wrote as she moved closer to Levy at the table.
All the small and intricate details that had lead Levy to this conclusion were too much to write so she decided to keep it simple and hope that Lucy accepted her answer. It fits.
How do you feel about it? The two women's eyes met. Levy shrugged and lifted her quill to write once more when shouting began on the ship.
"There it is!"
"So we're here?!"
"Is that Tenrou Island?"
"What the hell kinda shape is that? Talk about crazy looking!" Gajeel chimed in.
"An island on top of another island?"
"Wow." Levy said with amazement. "Evem from here I can sense magic power in the air around the island!"
Finally the chaos that had erupted fell silent once more as the Master emerged from the captain's quarters to address everyone. "It has been said that fairies used to live on this island. Fairy Tails first Master, Mavis Vermilion, sleeps here and—"
"What the hell is with that outfit?" Ice Prick has no room to talk with being naked. Gajeel thought with a snicker as he moved across the ship towards Levy not only to be closer to his partner but to get a look at the note she had been passing prior to the Master's arrival that was still in open view on the table.
"I will now reveal the details of the first round of the trials." He paused then fan himself as talk erupted. "See the smoke coming from the island's beach? First you will head there and then you will find eight paths. Each route can only be taken by one team only." With a wicked smile he continued now with everyone's undivided attention. "Here's what waits for you behind each path." Magically a map appeared next to the Master which Levy began to memorize. Just past the beach entrance were eight possible routes with different obstacles through them. "Only the teams that get through this will clear the first exam!" the Master finished with another mischievous smile. "In the 'battle' routes, two teams will fight with only the winning team proceeding to the next level of the trials. The 'hard' battles are against S-Ranking mages and finally the 'quiet place' or area of Serenity will allow for you to proceed without having the fight anyone." Levy continued to study the map focusing only on the path deemed safe; the quiet place without any conflicting battles between friends and fellow guild mates. This was the path that Levy needed to take. No matter what. She decided; not wanting to battle anyone she cared about as long as she could. "Your goals in the first exam are power and luck."
The last statement the Master made caused yet another eruption of chaotic chatter.
"If it's luck we might be able to actually do this!"
"Well, we only have a one out of eight chance of hitting that Serenity zone Lu." Cana said looking worried.
"Logically, only a maximum of six teams can clear this part of the exam."
Levy turned towards Gajeel. She tried to keep her expression normal as she carefully slipped the paper she had been writing on with Lucy into her back pocket. "Well, worst case scenario only three teams will pass."
As she looked up at Gajeel his arm was midair in a half bent and awkward manor. He had been attempting to pick the paper from her pocket without being caught and failed miserably. Quickly to avoid her questions he thrust his pierced arm down upon her head where it lay emphasizing their difference in height. "Gihi. I like this! Hope we get to go against Erza or Gildarts. I can't wait to give everyone a serious beat down!"
Levy was livid but did not move. Slowly she closed her eyes and sighed. He's going to be sorely disappointed when we get the safest route and walk quietly to the next round.
"Now let the exam begin!" The Master shouted with a wide grin as more confusion exploded.
"The hell we are still in the middle of the ocean!?" As the members began to discuss all eyes fell to Natsu and Happy who seemed to be one step mentally before all others. Seemed to be. Levy's eyes fell to Fried who she noticed right away casting.
Levy smirked and whispered to Gajeel knowing that he would be able to hear her perfectly fine. "Come on, move quickly, and follow my lead." Gajeel turned towards Levy just as Natsu and Happy struck an unseen ruin wall that had appeared from thin air; just like the traps Levy had made with Gajeel day's prior. As everyone began to argue about Fried's trap as his team left Levy had moved away with Gajeel and ruins began to float around her as she started to rewrite his magic. Gajeel couldn't help but smile; impressed with her magical abilities.
"Yeah. I can rewrite it!" Levy smiled as she took Gajeel's hand to his surprise and bounded off the side of the ship. "But only for me and Gajeel!"
"Gihi!" Gajeel laughed as the water hit him and he opened his eyes to see Levy swimming quickly before him. He emerged above the waves just behind Levy he took a deep breath and continued to swim on. Levy looked back at him and smiled. When the trials were over he knew he would have to reveal himself and let the chips fall where they may. Gajeel couldn't help but grin back. He knew the risks of going insane and death but in that instant with Levy before him he could care less about his own life.
There was no time to collect themselves once they reached the beaches edge. Gajeel followed Levy as she pulled her orange dress over her wet bikini and tied back her damn blue locks with a copper headband. Silently they walked to the rocks just off the beach where the pathways lay. Without a word Levy began to journey into one of the caves; already decided what way they needed to go. I hope we are in for a good battle so I can show off to Levy. Levy turned to make sure that Gajeel was following her just in time to see him grinning like a fool.
"Everything alright?" Gajeel stopped in his tracks and put his arms behind his head rolling his eyes.
"Oi. When are we going to fight someone?" Levy turned and kept walking. She had decided not to tell Gajeel that she had deduced that the route they had taken was the safest one. Bored, Gajeel let out a loud sigh of disappointment. He wanted to show off. He wanted to give Levy a reason to look at him and to feel the same excitement for him that she felt for Black in writing. After half an hour of walking sunlight finally began to appear through the caves exit. They had taken the quiet route. "Fuck."
Levy let a small laugh escape her lips as Cana and Lucy came into view in the open forest. "Hey Gajeel. We sure got lucky on the quiet route didn't we?"
"How the hell is that lucky!? I wasn't able to punch anyone!" Levy laughed louder now seeing the look of frustration and rage on Gajeel's face. His first plan of impressing her through his battle skills had failed. Without another word he moved to sit on a nearby cliff to think up his next plan of attack. He barely listened as the Master began to explain the next part of the trails. Only when he heard his name and the 'luck' they had been blessed with did he chime in on the conversation once more. "You think 'that's fucking lucky!?" Levy held her sides from laughing. It was then he realized what Levy had done. "You?"
"Took ya long enough." She said between her laughter. It was then that everyone's attention fell to Lisanna and Juvia who had lost their battle badly to Erza. Gajeel looked to his former Phantom Lord Guild Mate who was still unconscious. They both had previously been considered S-Class mages already within Phantom Lord and yet their abilities and expertise in their old guild meant nothing within Fairy Tail.
"Damn."
"What did you say?"
Gajeel turned his head to the sky to avoid Levy's curious gaze. "We would have won that fight."
"Poor things though." Gajeel nodded to her surprise and returned his attention to the Master who was beginning to explain the second round of the trails. Have I seriously misjudged Gajeel all this time? It still seems too odd to think about him as Black, writing to me all that time. Why hasn't Gajeel ever been like this in person before?
"The second part of the S-Class trials is as follows: you must find the grave of the first guild master Mavis and there I will be waiting for you." Accepting looks passed around the remaining participates of the trial. "You will have six hours but do not expect this to be easy. The island is full of obstacles."
Excited chatter erupted as everyone turned to set out on their own course through the mysterious island. "I won't lose." Levy had spoken to herself as she began to move with Gajeel following behind.
"Gihi. We are gonna take down all these scumbags." He looked to Levy for a response but none was given to his disappointment. Without another word he continued to follow her into the thick of the forest where she didn't seem to have an exact direction in mind though he did not question her methods. Soon a somewhat familiar sound reached his ears; large and approaching fast. Could there be a dragon here? "Levy." She did not turn. "Oi. Levy!" She continued walking away to his growing frustrations. A shadow began to descend over their current area which had finally caused Levy to stop and look around. Before they were spotted he grabbed Levy by the back of her dress and pulled her behind a large bolder adjacent to another cliffside; hiding them from the large monstrous creature that had appeared. It had been attracted to their scent and looking for an easy meal.
Levy had been distracted by her thoughts; they had run away from her completely. She had become so consumed that when the beast had appeared she had taken no notice at all. "The hell is wrong with you!? You got a death wish or something?!"
Levy turned to look at Gajeel who seemed angrier than she had ever seen him before. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "I-I'm sorry. If not for you I might have died."
It was odd for Levy to not put up a fight against Gajeel. He nodded "Yeah well this island is crazy. Come on let's move." Once the monster had left he began to climb the cliff with Levy following behind. Where the hell is her head right now?
Where the hell is my head right now? Levy took Gajeel's outstretched hand and accepted his help onto the top of the cliff. From their new vantage point they could successful see miles of the island including multiple other creatures both roaming the lands and flying above the trees. The Master had been right; this was not going to be easy.
"What the hell are you thinking?"
Levy looked at Gajeel and with a blank expression said "I know." Gajeel took a small step back.
"What?"
"I know." Levy turned to Gajeel wondering if she should finish her thought. She took notice of the look of panic on his face and shook her head thinking against the idea. "I know that after the trials are over things are going to be different. Know what I mean?"
Gajeel watched as Levy turned to look out across the island again. With a small grin spreading across his face he placed his arm on top of Levy's head having decided that this was something he now enjoyed doing immensely. "Oi. I could not agree more Shorty."
Together they turned to continue searching for the grave of the first Master; excited for what lay ahead.
Hey hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you think! I am researching now for the next chapter!