Not who you use to be.

By: LemonSherbert

Chapter 11: Best for you.

I do not own Fairy tail or any of these characters, they are the work of Hiro Mashima anyway, enjoy and don't forget to review.


Gajeel peered over the bottle of beer he was drinking, sat on the couch in a grey shirt and black sweat pants, he was watching some shit movie about war, though he wasn't paying attention. What he was paying attention to was the fact that Lily should have been home over an hour ago, it was nine and he said he was only going out for an hour, that was three hours ago. The day's events played through his head, it was a damn good run, he'd never felt happier than when he had snapped a man's femur in half. Well he had but he didn't want to think about that, just push it to the dark corners of his mind like he did everything, were no light can shine on them. His knuckles were bruised and one had been cut open, not to mention he had a bruised jaw but hey compared to how the other guys fared, he was just peachy. He heard the door, open, not bothering to look over his shoulder to know that Lily had come in and there was a rustling of bags.

"I'm back and I brought you something, she was trying to find you at the bar..." Lily told him and he grunted, he really didn't want to deal with another hooker and Lily new it.

"Tell her to fuck off, I'm not in the mood!" Gajeel growled as he glared at the screen, letting the gun fire and explosions light up his eyes like a firework show.

"I don't think that's possible and I don't think she's a hooker... are you?" He asked and Gajeel heard the small patter of flat shoes on the wood as whoever it was walked in behind Lily.

"Not on your nelly!" The woman scoffed and his eyes went wide. No!, it couldn't have been, he wanted to turn but he was too scared to do so, he looked a mess and felt a mess. No, his mind was playing tricks on him, it wasn't her, how could she have been there.

"Do you want to go sit down, I'll bring dinner through... don't worry he doesn't bite... much!" Lily said with a grin in his voice and the woman hummed, her steps getting closer and he glugged down his bear, closing his eyes tightly as the bitter, liquid travelled down his throat. The couch cushion next to him dipped ever so slightly, like a baby sat on it and he heard her cough. Slowly, he opened his eyes, putting the bottle down on the surface of the coffee table and his heart stopped in his chest.

"Hello, Gajeel..." she simply said, smiling up at him with the look of triumph and he felt every ounce of himself shake in happiness, confusion, worry... every emotion he could think of was swirling around him. She looked even more beautiful than before, a little unkempt, her messy bun had fallen down, her cheeks were red, she looked tired and even more so, angry and hurt.

"S-shrimp..." he stuttered, what was he supposed to say? What could he say? He had no idea she would come looking for him, yet she had and quickly too, she was smart, what was he saying? Of course she would have found him quickly but still. "How did you find me?" He asked, still curious about her methods.

"Asked around the other places before I went to the bar you apparently go to... that's where I met Lily... the question is, why did I have to, you shouldn't have left!" She said and there was a snap in her voice, she was pissed at him for leaving, why? He was only doing what was best for her.

"You went around town, do you know how dangerous that was!?" He exclaimed, finally catching on to how she'd come to find him, even he wasn't stupid enough to go around in the dark, alone, in the bad part, sure he could handle himself but it was fucking stupid.

"Yep... but I wouldn't have had to if you didn't run off like a child just because I couldn't come to terms with the fact that I love you quick enough for you!" She snapped back and he glared at her, angry that she'd put herself at risk, angry that she snapped at him. It wasn't his fault.

"I was only doing what was best for you, do you really think you need a man like me... look at me, I'm a fucking asshole, do you see these!?" He growled, pointing at his battered knuckled. "Do you know what I did... five of them, I put in hospital... why, because I wanted to!" He exclaimed and she shook her head with an annoyed sigh as if to say 'typical'.

"Best for you... you were doing what was best for you, how do you know what's in my best interest, did I ask you to leave, did I tell you that I hated your existence and that I wanted a knight in shining armour!?" She shouted, standing up and glaring at him as she stomped in front of him, blocking his view of the TV, not that he was watching. Fuck she looked so adorable when she was angry. Focus Gajeel, not the time. The voice in his head stated.

"You fucking deserve one and I am not one okay, I am sorry I was doing what I thought was best at the time, I didn't expect you to track me down, you weren't fucking supposed to, you were meant to stay in your little town and find a good guy, not come looking for me like an idiot!" He yelled back and her eyes searched his as they both glared at each other.

"I am not an idiot, I care about you... no I love you and you took off in a tantrum because I wasn't sure how I felt, honestly, you are twenty-three, grow up and stop acting like everyone owes you favours because you had a hard life, news flash, people have shitty times, they have shitty moments and sometimes things don't work out but going through life with a chip on your shoulder is not going to get you anywhere, Gajeel Redfox!" She screamed at him, the whole time Lily had the kitchen door closed, giving them their privacy as they vented their feelings to each other. With that Gajeel stood up, angry and over the moon at her words. She said she Loved him but she was so infuriating, hitting every nail on the head like the genius she was.

"How would you know what it's like to have shitty days, your life is perfect in your perfect town with your perfect friends and your perfect fucking face, I bet you had everything handed to you on a silver platter while I had to drag myself through the mud just to see you again and you act like I'm the worst thing in the world!" He snapped at her and her face grew red with anger as she lashed out, kicking him in the shin and he grunted, she had one hell of a kick, as he went down to cradle his leg she reached up, her fist clenched and he managed to catch it. She was breathing heavy and slow as she glared at him, tears welling in her eyes.

"You have no idea what my life is like, yeah I didn't have to fight to live and I don't have to whore myself out but guess what, it wasn't perfect, do you have any idea how much I've missed waiting for you, do you know how shit it feels watching your friends leave town for the summer and not going with them because I didn't want you coming back and seeing I wasn't there, I gave up so much because I didn't want to leave you behind then when you come back you send me so many mixed signals, one minute you deserve my love, the next you don't, then you leave as quick as you came, how do you think I feel!?" She yelled at him as he held her wrists taking in her words, even when she swore it was beautiful and he stood, unable to do anything but stare down at her as she glared up at him, biting back tears.

Levy stared up at him, he was still glaring, holding her wrists delicately but enough to stop her from hitting him, he was searching her eyes and she swallowed the lump in her throat, refusing to cry, she was stronger than that. There was a cough that brought them both out of their argument and they looked over to the kitchen to where Lily was standing.

"I forgot some ingredients, I'll be back soon" he said and Gajeel nodded as the large man quickly left the apartment, leaving them alone and Gajeel sighed, letting go of her wrists as he slumped down in the chair. Levy stared at him, not uttering a word as he rubbed his temples and groaned, looking like he was in a lot of pain as he scowled at the floor.

"I'm sorry... I'm a fucker... I don't think about other people... I didn't think how you'd feel if I up and left... I guess I was scared that you'd reject me" he answered and looked up at her, his crimson eyes full of anger but not at her and she stepped forwards, between his parted legs and wrapped her arms around his head, resting it against her slight chest as she ran her hand through his obsidian locks.

"I know you were... I shouldn't have kept you at a distance... I'm sorry too" she said and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. He was warm and his strong arms made her feel so secure, so safe and loved as she kissed the top of his head. "But you were stupid and you shouldn't have left..." she whispered in his hair and he nodded with a muffled agreement. This was nice, it was good and she didn't mind standing in his embrace for the rest of the night as long as he didn't leave.

"I love you, Levy" he whispered against her chest, his breath warming her skin from over her shirt and she smiled down at him, though he wasn't looking.

"I love you too, Gajeel" She replied and he looked up, seeing her smile and he grinned up at her, brighter than she had ever seen him ever smile, making her cheeks light up with a colour that resembled his eyes.

"You still blush...!" He chuckled and she opened her mouth to protest before he pulled her into his lap, kissing her for all his worth and she squeaked as his lips crashed into hers. Her hazel eyes went wide as her hands lightly pushed against his shoulders but he was having none of it and held her tighter. Not that she didn't want to kiss him, it just caught her off guards. His lips were unusually soft and gentle against her own and she closed her eyes, drowning herself in the kiss. A fire began to grow inside her stomach, spreading around her like a wild fire as she wrapped her arms around his neck an let out a content moan. His hands slid up and down her back before gently sliding under her top, his rough hands caressing her side and warming her skin. She could definitely get use to this. Gajeel let their lips part for a moment to trail his kisses down to her neck and she bit her lip, keeping her eyes closed as the action caused her back to arch when he touched a sweet spot that she never knew she had. "I have a bed with your name written all over it...!" he purred in her ear and she shivered as his voice rolled over her like waves of honey, thick and sweet but she was apprehensive, having not done anything like this before.