Chapter 24: Answers

Zoro went downstairs and headed straight to the kitchen to get some booze. Seeing his pirate crew be rowdy as ever was enough for him. He was never the one to celebrate too much. And the fact that Levy's not feeling really right at the moment makes him unwell too.

Ugh.. What is happening to me? Why am I finding something hard to figure out when it's actually so simple? It's just sending Zoro and his crew back to their world and if I really love him. What's so hard about that? Ugh. I'm so confused.. I'm overwhelmed by the fact that Zoro and i are going out.. But does that mean i love him? And am I really afraid of something... I think... I think I am... I'm scared of not being told that he loves me as well.. But the fact that he has to leave this world at some point... Is that it? I'm afraid of getting hurt... But... If I know that i'm going to get hurt when he leaves.. That only means that I l-

"Oi. What are you doing out here alone, squirt?" Her thoughts were paused as she heard someone approach her. It was Gajeel. Her heart raised seeing Gajeel.

"U-umm. What?" She didn't know what to say.

"I said, why are you here? When the others are enjoying themselves in the inn?" He sat down on a chair near her but not exactly with her.

"Nothing... I'm just not feeling well..." She sipped on her coffee.

"Ohh."

"So, umm. Gajeel, you're okay now?" She asked.

"Do I look like i'm not? Of course I am! You think that Zoro could beat me so hard eh? That bastard just got lucky..." He grunted. After that, Levy had nothing to say. She just finished up her coffee because she couldn't find the right words to say to him.

"i should probably go back to our inn. I just passed by and saw you here so i stopped by." He stood up.

"Wait." Levy stood up as well.

"Heh?" He turned.

"What's with your bet with Zoro?" She asked.

"It wasn't my idea. It was that Pirate's idea to make that bet. And when i agreed with his bet, I knew that he had something for you. He just wanted me to stay away from you. That's why he was so determined to beat me. And he didn't want me to have you either." He explained.

"Have me?"

"The truth is, Levy... Tch, I mean, there's no need to hide it from you anyway. I can't get close to you anyway. Because I keep my word. And... Yeah, The truth is, I like you Levy. This may be the first and last time i'm going to tell you this. Just so you know." He told Levy the truth. Hearing Gajeel's words shocked Levy. All her memories with Gajeel, all the times they were together, all came back to her. It made her heart sink. What Gajeel said brought back her feelings for him. But those feelings were nothing but confusion.

Back before Zoro came to Fairy Tail, they were the ones who were always together. She didn't realize this until now. But right now, she thought, maybe what she was feeling for Zoro at the moment, it was the same feeling she had for Gajeel back then. But that was back then. What made it different was that zoro had the guts to tell it to her straight. That simple confession of Zoro made things so much different. It led them to intimacy which was kissing. It attached her to him. It erased everything she had for Gajeel. What she used to feel for Gajeel was unclear. She never really considered it 'liking him' but she cared for him. Well, she used to. But now, she realized the difference between him and zoro..

"Oi." Her heart raised hearing Zoro's voice. She immediately turned and suddenly broke down to tears. She didn't know why

"I thought we had a deal?" Zoro continued.

"Yeah. I'll be leaving.." Gajeel grunted.

"But I told you to stay away from her. Why are you here?" Zoro's voice was becoming more serious which made Levy nervous.

"I know. Don't get all fired up you marimo." He answered back. He was about to walk away but he continued,

"You don't belong here pirate. And she doesn't belong to you either..." He said.

"She doesn't belong to you either. Do we have to settle this again?" Zoro held his swords.

"Stop! Just stop! Both of you! Why do you have to put me between you guys? Why did you have to bet on me? Why do you need to fight over me? This isn't right! Please... Just stop..." She cried and fell onto her knees. Zoro looked at Gajeel wanting him to go away. Gajeel, seeing Levy like that, grunted and just left for her sake. Levy continued to sob as she sat down on the floor.

"Levy..." Zoro went and got her up. She didn't answer. Levy continued to cry. Only harder. She wasn't just crying because of Zoro and Gajeel. She was crying because of everything she was facing. She didn't know what to do anymore. So she just cried. She cried her heart out. She cried on Zoro's chest as he hugged her. She couldn't stop. She felt stupid and weak for crying over things that were unclear to her. She didn't understand herself. She was really confused about everything.

"Levy.. Stop crying." zoro said.

"I-I can't... I d-don't even kn-know why i'm cry-ing." She said as she continued to cry.

"Don't worry.. I'm here. Now, let's get back to the inn and get you some rest." He held her by her shoulders.

"No..."

"what?" He asked.

"I don't want to go back to the inn right now. I just want peacefulness right now.." She explained.

"So.. What do you want to do? Where are we going to stay?" He asked calmly.

"Let's stay at another inn for the night. Just tonight. Then tomorrow let's go back with the others. Okay?" she calmed down.

"Alright. Let's go." He said.

They went out of the coffee shop and walked together around town until they found a place to stay. The sun was already down at the moment. It was almost 7 pm at the time. The inn was peaceful and quiet. It was perfect for levy. She just wanted to relax for a little while. They went inside their room and took a rest for a little while. Zoro was sitting at the couch while Levy was sitting on the bed. They weren't doing anything but they were both thinking. Moments later. levy figured she was already fine and she wanted to go out to eat dinner.

"Umm.. Zoro?" She approached him.

"Mmm?" He turned his head.

"Want to go out and eat dinner?" She sat down beside him.

"Are you okay now?" He asked first.

"Yeah.. I'm fine.. I'm sorry for breaking down awhile ago.."

"Okay, forget that. Let's eat," he stood up and grabbed Levy's hand. They went out to eat dinner together. They had a quiet and peaceful meal. They didn't talk much but it was fine. Levy was happy with it. As soon as they were done, they headed back to the inn and lied down on the bed together.

"Are you sure you're fine now?" Zoro asked as they were lying on the bed together looking straight at the ceiling.

"Yeahh. I am. Thankyou." She said.

"Why weren't you fine in the first place?" He asked.

"Well, I was thinking about what Sanji asked me.. Then..." She thought about Zoro's pirate crew but she chose to deal with that sooner.

"Then, umm, what Gajeel told me in the coffee shop." She continued.

"What did he tell you?"

"He told me the truth... But forget about what he said. What's important is.. He made me realize something.. And that made me feel a lot better now." She said.

"What is it?"

"I finally have an answer to Sanji's question, Zoro. I realized That I do love you.." She sweetly answered him. Zoro remained silent but Levy continued.

"And yes, I was afraid. You were right. I was afraid of getting hurt so I couldn't admit it. But now I feel so much better.." She turned to Zoro and smiled at him. He turned his head as well and smiled back.

"I love you Zoro.."

"I love you too... Levy."

A/N: Yay omg finally got to update. Such a bummer because my documents were erased so I had to think of something again. Sorry it took so long. Please bear with me! Not so long chapter tho.