Late into the morning the group came together to share their catch. After finishing their meal Atlas struck up conversation and the group, minus Gajeel who pretended to be asleep, talked well into the afternoon.
"So is there any lucky female that has caught your eye?" Atlas inquired politely.
Droy broke out laughing and Jet blushed madly.
"I spent most of the time eating and sleeping! I haven't paid much attention to the girls! Not that it bothers me, I came mostly as support for my friends~" Droy said unashamed of his sloth.
"Hahahaha!" Everyone laughed at Droy's honesty.
"Well how about you Jet, I've noticed that there is a particular female that I keep seeing you with since we got here." Levy said with a knowing smile.
"Err! Uuhh… W-w-well you see…"
"Come on, tell us about her. There's no shame in falling for someone." Atlas said as he thought about his own situation and glanced at a doe eyed Levy who was blushing slightly.
"Alright! Alright, you broke me down…" Jet smiled as he got a far away look in his eyes.
"Her name's Ayame, she has the most beautiful lavender colored fur and entrancing amber eyes… I feel so at peace when I'm near her. She's absolutely amazing~" Jet said with a smitten sigh.
"It's about time Jet! I'm happy for you." Droy said excitedly.
"Me too Jet, I wish you two the best." Levy said sincerely.
"Heh, heh. I still have to ask her to be my mate, but I feel better after talking to you guys, so thanks!"
The conversation lulled after a while and the silence was broken by Levy yawning, gaining the attention of Gajeel and Atlas as they both saw an opportunity to dote on the young female.
"Levy, would you like me to find somewhere safe for you rest?" Atlas offered as he smiled innocently.
"…Mhhhmm?... That's very kind of you Atlas but I think we all could use a quick rest so we should all better head back for the day…" Levy said tiredly.
"Levy's right," Jet said while yawning loudly, "We were up late and early this morning saying goodbye to our friends."
"Yeah, We should take a nap in our territory to be on the safe side." Droy seconded with a sleepy expression.
"…. That would be for the best… I'll be heading back to my friends as well… I'll see you around, Goodbye for now Levy." Atlas said with a longing tone and affectionate eyes before disappearing into the forest.
Gajeel stared after his retreating form until he couldn't see him anymore and finally turned to Levy and the others.
"Come on Shorty, let's go." Gajeel said with a soft but protective tone as he gently nudged her awake to go to their spot.
On the walk back Droy nudged Jet before going next to Levy to tell her something interesting.
"Say Levy?"
"…Hmm?"
"That Atlas seems like quite the cat doesn't he?"
"…. I guess so, he's very nice." Levy said a little flustered.
"Do you want to know something?" Droy said with a scheming smile.
"W-what?"
"He told us that he likes you~ heh heh." Droy left her side with a wink and a soft chuckle and returned to Jet with an impish grin.
"What are you up too?" Jet whispered lowly as he stared bewildered by his friend.
"Just trying to get a certain someone to stop dragging his paws and confess to Levy. I'll tell you later." Droy responded, barely audible so not to give away his intentions to the others.
Gajeel was already annoyed after having to spend the entire morning with that brown twerp and was on the verge of snapping after hearing Droy talk to Levy.
They finally got to their spot, Jet and Droy settled near one another and Gajeel grumpily slumped down shut his eyes. He was surprised when he suddenly felt a warm pressure on his side and looked over to see that Levy had chosen to sleep next to him despite his mood.
"Hmph, probably was too tired to realize how sour I was acting today, lucky me." Gajeel thought as he felt himself lose all his tension and anger as he curled around the petite cerulean female. Burying his head into her wavy fur as he drifted into his nap.
"You might have had her attention this morning, but I am the one who gets to experience her warmth as she sleeps." Gajeel thought triumphantly as he finally fell asleep with a smug smile tugging at his muzzle.
Droy woke up first in the evening and nudged Jet awake.
"Huuh…?" Jet said groggily at the unexpected wake up call. " What's up buddy?"
"Shh. Come on I got to talk to you."
The two left quietly as they went to discuss Droy's intentions.
A little while later Levy stirred as she began to wake up. She attempted to stand but was weighed down by Gajeel's heavy paw slung over her back.
"Gajeel?..." No response.
"Gajeel." Levy nudged his face with her head but only got him to stir a little.
Levy reached over to his ear and inhaled deeply before screaming out, "GAJEEL!"
Causing him to wake up with a jolt and mild irritation at the ringing in is ears.
"Short stuff you better have a good reason for doing that." Gajeel said glaring at Levy halfheartedly.
"Pft. Well I wouldn't have to do that if you would get your arm off me. You're heavy!" Levy said glaring back playfully.
"Gihi~ Not my fault you make a good arm rest~" Gajeel laughed as he got up, allowing Levy too finally be able to do the same.
Levy looked around and noticed that Jet and Droy were missing.
"Hmm, wonder where they went off to?"
They sat in silence as they wondered what they should do, their minds wandering to serious matters concerning one another.
"What if she leaves with that blue eyed jerk…"
"What should I do about Atlas? I don't know how to respond to his feelings…"
Both sighed dejectedly and by doing so catching the others attention. Red eyes met hazel and they both were quiet as they held their eye contact.
Gajeel audibly gulped and leaned in a bit closer, Levy tensed at the unusual behavior and waited for his next move.
"L-Levy I-"
"WE'RE BAAACK~" Jet announced as the two returned suddenly.
"Eep!"
"SHIT."
Gajeel and Levy jumped back from each other, flustered and annoyed at the interruption.
"What's wrong you two?" Droy asked innocently.
"N-n-n-nothing! Nothing at all! Heh heh heh." Levy nervously chuckled.
"Tch. Exactly. Nothing." Gajeel grumbled before getting up and starting to walk away.
"I'm going to go find us food. I suddenly have some energy to burn. Come on Spots you're coming too!" Gajeel stalked off with a confused Jet following close behind.
Droy plopped down near Levy with a serious expression.
"Since they'll be gone a while this gives me the chance to tell you something."
"What is it Droy?"
"…I've decided to go home tomorrow morning."
"What?! Why?"
"I think it'd be best if I go. I have no interest in finding a mate this season so I have no reason to stay."
"But what about us?"
"I'm also doing this for you three as well… you wont be free to fully experience the Selection if you have to keep me company. Especially Jet, I think I'm holding him back from fully courting his chosen mate."
"Bu-"
"I've made up my mind Levy and it's sweet of you to think of my well being. That's just what makes you so amazing… but I think it's about time for you to be selfish, if only this once."
"What do you mean…"
"I want you to be happy Levy without thinking about what will make others happy… I want you to choose the path that will lead you to your chosen mate."
"…" Levy sniffed as she fought back tears.
"Come on now Levy. Cheer up, we can't have you sad when Gajeel returns or else I'll never hear the end of it! Hahaha~" Droy laughed jovially, cheering Levy up just enough to stave of the tears.
Levy and Droy talked until Gajeel and Jet returned form their hunt. After finishing their meal they discussed Droy's departure and finally settled down to sleep for the night.
Levy shyly lay down next to Gajeel but avoided direct eye contact.
Gajeel did the same, trying to get his emotions in check as the young female curled herself into his fur. Trust evident in her actions that made him feels guilty over his rising possessive behavior.
"Get a hold of yourself dumbass! She's not yours…" Gajeel scolded himself internally.
A sad sigh coming from Levy made him gaze down.
"What's wrong?" Gajeel said gently.
"It's nothing."
"Shorty." Gajeel said in a no nonsense tone as he lowered his head closer to her.
"…It's just… first Lucy and Natsu… now Droy… and it's only a matter of time before Jet goes off with Ayame…"
"And?"
"…I just don't want to be left alone…"
"Tch. Stupid. You've got me. Now go to sleep."
Levy looked up shocked at his words but couldn't question him since he already laid himself down and had his eyes close in preparation of sleep.
"…" Levy could only stare at his still form before smiling softly and laying her head down near his heart so that the steady beat could lull her to sleep.