Bit of a choppy one, my apologies. I hope it reads okay! As always, there's bad language and smut. Do I even need to warn you anymore?
As winter slowly gave up it's hold on the sleepy town of Magnolia, spring brought welcome days of sunshine, blossom trees beginning to bloom along the roads. In their little house, Levy and Gajeel were trying to pack their entire lives into just one suitcase each.
"I can't do it!" The bluenette wailed, throwing her hands in the air in frustration.
"Now what's the problem Shrimp?" Gajeel called from the hallway, having already suffered through two meltdowns just that morning.
"I need a bigger suitcase! How am I meant to pack an entire tours worth of clothing, let alone shoes and everything else, in this one bag?"
"Just do what I do, wear the same three shirts on rotation. Problem solved" he laughed, scratching behind Lily's ears as he purred on his lap in the sun.
"Gajeel Redfox, how dare you suggest such a thing!" She hissed, leaning on the door frame to stare at her boys as they relaxed on the couch, Gajeel's trusty notebook open next to him. "Working on something new?"
"Trust me Lev', they ain't gonna pay attention to your clothes. And yeah, been bouncin' somethin' around for a while, tryin' to see if it'll turn into anythin' decent."
She smiled as she moved to stand behind him, draping herself over the back of the couch so she could wrap her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek tenderly. "I'm sure it'll be amazing. Also, I hate how right you are about the clothes. Think I could just steal some of our merch to wear?"
"Fuck, I think that's about the sexiest thought I've had all day" he growled, turning his face to capture her lips in a searing kiss, calloused hand reaching up and resting against her jaw.
"Well the days not half over yet" she whispered against his lips, dragging her nails along his collar bone as she retreated into the bedroom.
Gajeel didn't take much convincing, smoothly sliding Lily onto the cushions and practically leaping over the back of the couch in his haste to get to his girl. As he rounded the corner into their room, pulling his shirt over his head, he lost the capability of forming rational thought at the sight of Levy standing naked and proud at the end of their bed, the midday sun filtering through the blinds dancing off the tiny pieces of metal scattered around her body.
Before he even finished the thought of 'gotta strip, gotta get to her' Gajeel was already naked and gathering her into his arms as he laid them backwards onto the bed, covers still mussed and unmade.
"'Jeel" Levy keened, nails raking down his back at the feel of his studded member sliding home within her walls.
"Fuck, ya feel so good, Lev'." His admission was punctuated by his thrusts, becoming more forceful with each word, and she moaned at the sound of her name on his lips.
"Say it again."
"Levy. Fuck, kitten, I ain't gonna last" he gasped, hand snaking between them to rub clumsily between her legs. It was all she needed though, and her breath faltered and caught in her throat when he tugged just so on the tiny metal ring at the apex of her thighs.
"Gajeel!" She cried out, voice high and breathy as her orgasm caught her by surprise, moaning at the sensation of his own release shooting inside her.
As they laid together catching their breath, Levy's fingers combing through the surprisingly soft raven hair, Gajeel's brain was spinning in overdrive and he sat upright in a rush.
"Gaj?"
"Sorry kitten, I love ya, but I gotta get this down 'fore I forget it" he kissed her quickly, dashing from the room so fast his hair blew behind him, and Levy was left giggling at the sight of his naked backside jiggling slightly as he ran.
"Oh, Lu! Thank you so much for watching Lily for us!" Levy cried, grabbing her friend in a tight hug.
"It's no problem Lev! Between you and me, he's far better behaved than the other creatures I'm minding" Lucy whispered conspiratorially, winking at the small bluenette, who giggled at her actions.
"I'm going to miss you!"
"I'm gonna miss you too girl! Make sure you call me and tell me everything, send me lots of pictures! Oh Lev, I'm so proud of you! Oh stars, go already, before I start crying!" Lucy laughed, swiping at her eyes before pulling Levy in for one last hug, holding her tight before pushing her gently out the door.
"Bye Lil', be good for Aunt Lucy! I love you both!" she cried, blowing kisses as she walked away, not turning around until she heard Lucy's door click shut. Trying not to sob, she made her way back to the car where Gajeel was waiting, an understanding smile on his face as he picked up her hand and held it tightly while he drove them home.
Levy took a deep breath, trying to chase away the sadness she felt at leaving behind her home, her entire life practically, and gently shut the door, sighing as she heard the lock click into place. Hoisting her bag higher on her shoulder, she skipped down the few steps and took her suitcase from where it sat on the driveway, smiling thinly up at Gajeel.
"I know, Shrimp. It's not forever, we'll be home 'fore ya know it." He gave her shoulder a squeeze, setting off down the road to meet the rest of the band at the studio, the label having booked transport for them all from there to the airport.
"I know, I'm just going to miss it all. Our house, Lily, the café, even that stupid couch in the studio I can't look at without blushing!"
"Yer gonna be alright. 'Sides, this is gonna be my favourite tour ever, I can already tell."
"How so?"
"'Cause you're gonna be with me the whole time, obviously." He wiggled his eyebrow - or at least, the studs that made up his brow - suggestively, eyes roving up and down her body appreciatively.
"Silly Gajeel" she laughed, swatting at his chest playfully as the studio came into view, Natsu already waiting, sitting on his luggage as Wendy waved excitedly when she saw them
"Oh my gosh guys! Day one of the tour! I feel like it's been coming for such a long time, and now it's finally here! It's just so exciting!" She squealed, holding Levy's hands and shaking them in excitement.
"Easy squirt, don't wanna burn yerself out before we even start" Gajeel teased, large hand coming down on the top of her head and ruffling her hair affectionately, completely ignoring the way she stuck her tongue out at him as the bus pulled up and Cobra, their tour manager stepped out.
"Nice to see you're all on time, for once. Let's go, load it up." He pointed at the boys, smiling briefly at Wendy before he turned and fixed his single eye on Levy. "McGarden. You gonna give me any trouble?"
"Uhhhh, no? At least, I wasn't planning on it?"
"Good." He nodded, face softening considerably. "My name is Erik. If you need anything, you come to me. Unless it's illegal, in which case my name is Cobra." he winked (blinked?) and gestured for them all to get on board.
Levy felt as if they'd been travelling for days, the fluorescent lighting of airports, planes and buses wreaking havoc with her internal clock. Groaning, she dropped her bags just inside the door of their hotel room and proceeded to face plant into the mountain of pillows on the bed.
"Ya okay there Kitten?" Gajeel had to supress his laugh at her muffled response. "Didn't catch a word of that."
"I said, how do you do this constantly? I'm exhausted already!" she rolled onto her back, limbs spread like a starfish as she stared blankly at the ceiling. "I wonder how many people have stared at this exact spot on the roof before?"
"I think ya should have a nap, you've gone loopy" he laughed, moving to kiss her forehead. "Get some rest, I'm gonna chase down Erik about those shirts for ya."
Levy was asleep before the door clicked shut behind him.
Two doors down, Gajeel none to politely banged on the door.
"Yes, Redfox?"
"Lev wants to wear the merch shirts when we perform. Can ya chase down some for her?"
Erik smiled, an idea forming. "What style, which colour, what size? I'm going to need more information."
"She only wears dark colours, sometimes yellow. Extra small mens, or an 8 in ladies. Singlets, low necks, big arm holes." He smirked, fully thinking he'd caught their manager off guard. Erik, for his part, was fully expecting the usually grumpy man to have all the details, and then some - Gajeel's prickly persona didn't last long when there was anything to do with his girlfriend.
"I'll have some ready for her at soundcheck tomorrow. Goodnight, Mr Redfox."
Gajeel, having suddenly found himself staring at a closed door, turned on his heel and made his way to his next victim, once again banging loudly on the door.
Natsu appeared in the ooen doorway in his underwear, towelling his still wet hair.
"You're not room service"
"No shit. Put some damn clothes on. Anyone'd think ya been taking lessons from Gray."
"Rude. What do you want, rusty?"
"Did ya bring it like I asked?"
"Yeah man, 's in my bag. Rolled it up in a pair of socks. Why? You want it?"
"Nah, not yet. Plannin' somethin' for later on. Just checkin' ya remembered. Meet after dinner to go through the set list?"
"Sure!" Natsu paused, hearing knock on his door. "My food! Goodbye Gajeel, go away now" he ushered him out of his room, greedily grabbing the covered cloché of food and slamming the door in his cousins face.
Gajeel just shook his head, and after a quick stop to check in on Wendy and let her know their plan, he found his way back to his own room, deciding that curling up with his girl sounded like a pretty good way to spend a few hours.
Alright, logistics are just about over and the next update brings us to opening night!
Special thanks to BanRedfox for some awesome song suggestions (and reminding me about Skillet!)
Thank you to everyone who is reading, following, favourite-ing and reviewing - please keep it up, your reviews are what keeps me writing!
No songs for this chapter, for once!