As always, the usual warnings apply! Bonus trigger warning for morbid things
Babs, if you're reading, this one's for you xxx
Seemed to stop my breath
My head on your chest waiting to cave in
From the bottom of my
Hear your voice again
Could we dim the sun and wonder where we've been
Gajeel was at rehab, physically, but much to the chagrin of everyone around him, his heart just wasn't in it. Still too broken up over being left practically at the alter, and with no one to blame but himself, Gajeel spent his days refusing to participate, instead sulking in his room and smoking in the gardens. No amount of stern lectures from his father, or pleading from his aunt had any effect on him, and as his mandatory stay was growing to a close, everyone who knew and loved Gajeel grew more and more concerned about his potential release back into an environment he was woefully unprepared for.
Never caught my breath
Every second I'm without you, I'm a mess
Ever know each other
Trust these words are stones
Why cuts aren't healing
Learning how to love
"No, Lu. I already told you, I don't want to come out tonight. Or tomorrow, or any other night! Can't you just leave me home to be miserable and single? Go bang your fiancé or something and leave me alone, please." Levy knew she was pleading down the phone, as useless as it was. Once Lucy made her mind up about something, there was no stopping her.
"Come for dinner, at least. Then you can go home and wear that disgusting old jumper until it falls apart, but for the love of all things holy, please put on some actual clothes?"
"Fine. Dinner and proper clothes. Then you get to leave me alone for another month, deal?"
"Pick you up in an hour Blue!"
True to her word, exactly an hour later there was a knock on the door, followed by a head of shiny blonde hair letting herself in.
"Levy! Let's go, you know how Natsu gets when there's food involved" she laughed, poking her head into the bedroom and shaking her head at her friend wobbling precariously on one leg.
"Are these 'actual clothes' enough for you?" Levy laughed, shrugging on her favourite leather jacket and twirling slowly for her friends approval.
"Yes, and for Mavis sake woman, would you please eat something? You look like you'll blow away in a stiff breeze girl!" Lucy wrapped her arm around her friends bony shoulders, squeezing warmly. "I know you miss him, Levs, but you deserve better. And you need to take care of yourself, okay? It's not just about you anymore".
In your eyes, I lost my place
Could stay a while, and I'm melting
In your eyes, like my first time
That I caught fire
Just stay with me, lay with me
Three towns away, a man with bright aqua hair was creeping through the shadows, surprisingly stealthy for a man of his size and appearance. No one heard him cut the alarm, or sneak into the town house unseen by the cameras, and his unsuspecting victim had no idea of the danger lurking in her bedroom, carefully arranging the gift he bought her.
"Who's there?" She was tall, and he supposed you could call her beautiful, with her raven hair and striking features, but he knew the soul that laid beneath the porcelain exterior, and that alone was enough to disgust him, let alone the things she had done, the way she had taken advantage of his favourite nephew.
"You don't have to worry, love. I'm not here to hurt you." He kept his voice smooth, low, the way he knew put everyone instantly at ease. He might be an old man, by some standards, but Acnologia knew he didn't look his age, knew how to talk and carry himself to charm every girl he met. "Open it, it's for you after all" he gestured to the small gift box on her bedside table, smiling softly from his dark corner when she opened the lid and withdrew the syringe. "Little present, from me to you. To make you feel good" he eased his way to the bed, kneeling in front of the wide dark eyes, and caressing her arms softly. "I can make you feel good, Minnie."
"I don't even know your name".
"My name doesn't matter. Only the bliss matters." He waited until her eyes were wide with anticipation, laying her back onto the pillows as he eased the needle into her arm. "Relax, love. You're going to feel incredible."
"Oh God" she moaned, reaching up to kiss her mystery man, but was stopped with gentle fingers. "This is incredible, please." She begged, already riding the waves of euphoria that came with a good high.
"This is for Gajeel" he whispered into her ear, as he pushed the remaining liquid into her veins.
Outside, he carefully disposed of the almost invisible gloves into a fast food dumpster three blocks away and made a call, walking a different, very visible path home.
"Yes?"
"You know, the trouble with women is that they always want more than they actually need."
"I understand. Thanks, brother."
You can stay and watch me fall
And of course I'll ask for help
To stay with me now
We could take our heads off
Stay in bed and just make love that's all
Just stay with me now
"Minerva's dead, Gajeel."
"What?"
"Dude, everyone with eyes could see what was happening. We all know how crazy she was over you, fucked if I know why though. Hey! Don't throw shit at me!" Natsu ducked in time to avoid the cushion hurled at his face. It was his first time seeing his cousin in weeks, since he'd dropped off the face of the earth and Natsu had strung together as assumption that was completely wrong, as usual. It took a serious conversation from his father, his uncles and Levy before he finally understood what had been going on, surprising everyone by providing a few astute observations and filling in the blanks. "Anyway, like I was saying. Your side piece OD'ed so like, get your shit together? We all miss you, and your dad is going super grey."
"Pop's been grey for years, dummy. How's Levy?" Gajeel didn't miss the way his cousin began fidgeting at the mention of his ex-fiancé. "Natsu, yer a shitty liar. How. Is. Levy?"
"Look, man, it's not my place. And Lucy made me promise I wouldn't tell you!" Natsu rushed out, bracing for another pillow attack.
"Made ya promise not ta tell me what?"
In your eyes
Let's sleep 'til the sun burns out
I'm melting in your eyes (I'm melting)
In your eyes
Let's sleep 'til the sun burns out
I'm melting in your eyes
"How are ya, little one?" Metalicana swept the small bluenette up into a tight hug, pushing the door shut behind her. "It's good ta see ya, Levy."
"It's good to see you too, Metalicana. I hope it's not weird that I'm here?"
"Listen, tha' brat o' mine is a colossal idiot, an' yer welcome here anytime, alrigh'?"
"Thanks, Pops. I've missed you." Levy reached in for another hug, welcoming the warmth that seemed to ease her aching bones.
"Missed ya too, little Levy. Yer lost weight? Course ya have, still can't cook can yer? Come on, I'll fix ya somethin' an' we can chat." The look on his face let Levy know she had absolutely no say in what was about to happen, resigning herself to her stool at the bench as she watched the man who was meant to be her father in law bustle around, looking more at home than Levy ever had in a kitchen. It seemed like no time at all before he was sliding a plate in front of her.
"French toast and fruit, only thing Em could stomach. Does he know?"
Uhhh so that happened? Yeah, I don't know. In case you hadn't figured it out by now, I am absolutely not in control of this story anymore. Blame those two crazy kids, always up to something!
Dragonfly2311 - neither can I! I'm sure he'll have some grand gesture he's working on, but who knows if Levy even wants to hear from him?
Rao - it's nice to be back! You have excellent recall, I'm impressed! I wonder what else you'll pick up on.
Guests - thank you! It's weird to be back working after so long, but it definitely makes me more determined to get a writing routine going.
Babs - I hope you enjoyed this one! Your review today was the boost of motivation I needed to sit and write this afternoon, so today's chapter is dedicated you!
As always, I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and finds a minute or two to drop a review - those things are what inspire me to keep going!
Love to you all xxx
