Gajeel watched as they left the city and entered the countryside.
"You sure we're going the right way, Shrimp?" he asked the blunette who was concentrating on the road.
"Yeah, I'm sure," she said before suddenly turning to him," And it's Levy, not Shrimp!"
"Whatever," he smirked.
"So what's this quack like?" he asked after a few minutes of silence. Levy paused before answering.
"Well, she's kinda gruff," Levy confessed," And blunt. And aggressive."
"Sounds great," Gajeel said, rolling his eyes. Levy glared at the road ahead as they turned a corner.
"But she's a good doctor. No funny business. She can cure and diagnose anything that comes through her door."
Soon they pulled up to a small clinic near a forest. It was deserted except for two cars outside of it.
Parking her own vehicle close to the door, Levy examined the building. It was the same as last time, with paint chips everywhere and dusty windows. To a passerby, it would seem abandoned. But this was the trusty clinic of Dr. Porlyusica.
They got out the car and walked up to the door, only to have a man run out screaming.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" the man screeched as he dashed to his car, fumbling with his keys before jumping in and speeding off.
Gajeel and Levy's jaws were slacked as they slowly turned back to the door.
"Some doc, huh?"
"Let's just go in," Levy scowled.
...
Walking up to the front desk, there didn't appear to be anyone there. There was a small bell with a note next to it saying "Please Ring to Alert Receptionist."
Ding. Ding.
"I'm here you know!" a small voice piped up.
Levy and Gajeel shared a confused look and began to look around the room. After a moment, there was a small cough. Levy turned to see that it came from behind the desk.
"Let me just…" the small voice said. The sound of something scraping across the floor could be heard and then suddenly a small head popped up. It appeared to be a young girl with dark blue hair hanging down her back.
"There we go," the girl said to herself," Now how may I help you?"
Before Levy could open her mouth, Gajeel began to do what he did best.
Irritate people.
"Yeah, can you go get an adult, kid?" he asked impatiently. The young girl's sweet grin melted off her face and was replaced by a frown.
"I am an adult," the girl replied, her voice more harsh than before. Gajeel laughed in response.
"Gajeel…" Levy growled, the warning clear in her tone. But he took no notice of her and continued to torment the young receptionist.
"Yeah, right," he scoffed," How old are you?"
"I am 16," the girl replied. Levy's eyes widened in surprise. She looked like she was twelve.
"Yeah and I'm a fairy," Gajeel grinned.
"I really am 16," the girl sighed," and as much fun as this is, I don't have time to argue with you. So let's cut to the chase. Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, it's under Gajeel Redfox," Levy replied.
The girl peered at her computer in front of her for a moment.
"Here we go," she smiled, clicking something," And may I ask who you are? The girlfriend?"
"Ehh!" Levy squealed, her face coloring. Gajeel seemed to go pale and his eyes widened.
"No, I'm just a friend!" Levy babbled.
"Oh, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions!" the girl apologised, her eyes widening," You look really cute together though!"
Before Levy could pass out, a door opened revealing an old woman.
"That's enough, Wendy," the woman snapped," I didn't hire you to interrogate clients."
"I'm sorry Doctor Porlyusica," Wendy squeaked, bowing her head," Please forgive me!"
Gajeel stared at the old cranky woman. She had pink hair tied up in a bun with some strands framing her wrinkled, scowling face. She wore a white lab coat.
"Let's just get this over with," the woman grumbled, grabbing a chart before heading off into the examining room. Gajeel and Levy stood, unsure of whether or not to follow her.
"Get in here!"
Now knowing the answer to their question, Gajeel and Levy went into the room. There was two chairs, a computer, a few cupboards and an examining bed.
"Get on the table, Mr. Redfox," Dr. Porlyusica snapped. To Levy's surprise, Gajeel did as he was told and sat on the bed. He looked nervous for some reason.
"I need to fill in this form, so let's not waste anytime," the old woman said, putting on her glasses," Name?"
"Gajeel Redfox."
"Age?"
"24."
"Occupation?"
"Gym Trainer."
"Any allergies?"
"No."
"Medication?"
"None."
"Previous doctor?"
Silence.
Levy looked up to see Dr. Porlyusica tapping the clipboard with a pen whilst Gajeel sat in silence, a stony look on his face.
"Well?" Dr. Porlyusica asked before turning to Levy," Cat got his tongue?"
"Gajeel's never been to a doctor," Levy answered quietly, now understanding the reason for Gajeel's abnormal behaviour. He wasn't comfortable sharing his past with the old doctor.
"Huh?" Dr. Porlyusica exclaimed, her eyebrows raised high before turning to Gajeel," Explain to me why you have never been to doctor before."
"Why should I?" Gajeel grunted, turning his head away. Levy wanted to facepalm herself. Great. Now he was back to his usual, rude self.
"Because I asked you to." Doctor Porlyusica replied.
Nothing.
The old woman sighed and took off her glasses, examining the frames.
"Let me guess what the story is. I'm thinking troubled past."
At the words, "troubled past", Gajeel had spun background, his ruby eyes focused on the woman.
"Possibly an abusive father. Drugs maybe as well. And judging from that piercing," Doctor Porlyusica continued, pointing to his left ear lobe," You were part of a gang. Am I correct?"
"Wait, what do you mean by his pierced-" Levy interjected.
"Quiet!" Doctor Porlyusica snapped before turning back to Gajeel," Now answer me. Am I correct?"
There was a pause before Gajeel nodded.
"Can someone please explain what is going on?" Levy exclaimed," How the hell did you know he was in a gang?"
"I don't like that tone, Levy," Dr. Porlyusica replied, her tone sharp," I will allow Mr. Redfox to answer that question, if he so wishes."
Levy turned around to look at Gajeel who was staring at the ground, a hand covering his left ear.
"Gajeel?" Levy whispered as she got closer to him," What's going on?"
"Not now." Gajeel replied, his voice hardened. To Levy, it sounded almost hollow, like he was in the mindset of his former self.
Levy's heart sank. She'd thought he'd trusted her, but she was clearly mistaken. She went to go back to her seat when a rough hand grabbed her wrist.
"I saw that look Levy," Gajeel softly replied," I mean not here. Maybe later."
As if given wings, Levy's heart began to flutter.
"Look, you're wasting my time here," the old woman jumped in," So let's quit the lovey dovey crap and get your friend sorted out."
Levy and Gajeel jumped back from each other, his hand letting go of her slim wrist. Levy felt the tips of her ears burn, whilst Gajeel looked away from her.
"Now, then," Doctor Porlyusica continued," Let's get you sorted out."
…
After a few hours, Gajeel walked out of the clinic with an official diagnosis, an official letter and a sore arm.
The multiple tests concluded that he did have severe dyslexia. He was told to continue working with Levy to improve his reading skills. He was also given some vaccines and a letter for a local counselor.
"What for?" Gajeel snapped when Dr. Porlyusica gave him the name and number of a counsellor she knew.
"Well, from what I know about you, it appears you've suffered a great deal and I feel you'd benefit from some therapy," Dr. Porlyusica answered. Gajeel grunted and looked away. Levy took the paper containing the information from Dr Porlyusica and slipped it into her purse. The duo left the clinic in silence.
"So are you gonna go?" Levy finally asked as they got into the car.
"Huh?"
"The counselor, Gajeel," Levy groaned," Remember?"
"Hng," Gajeel grunted, looking out the window.
"Look," Levy sighed," I know you're not comfortable talking about your past. But I think this would help you. You don't have to go right now. You can take as much time as you need. But please," Levy looked over at him," Please, give it a chance, okay?"
Gajeel felt his face burn slightly at the beautiful woman pleas. Her eyes were soft and warm and he felt himself melt slightly.
"Fine," Gajeel grumbled," But I get to decide when I'm going."
"Yay!" Levy cheered," Now let's head back to the gym. You've still got work, right?"
"Nah," Gajeel replied," We're shutting up early tonight since it's a Friday. Hitting the bar."
"Sounds like fun," Levy chirped, eyes on the road.
Gajeel frowned. Despite the cheerful tone, he could sense something. Disappointment. Jealousy. Wistfulness. He'd been told earlier that day by Mira and Cana that he had to invite Levy to the bar, but he was worried. What if she didn't want to? But hearing her voice, he made up his mind.
"How about you join us?"
"Eh?" Levy exclaimed, accidently swerving on the road. Luckily there were no other cars and she quickly straightened up.
"Jesus!" Gajeel yelled," Watch out, would ya!"
"Did you invite me for drinks?" Levy replied, ignoring his outburst. Gajeel paused.
"Yeah," he replied, scratching the back of his head," Cana and Mira asked me to invite you."
"Oh," Levy replied," That makes sense, I guess."
"Why the hell does she sound disappointed again?" Gajeel thought to himself.
"He's being forced to ask me," Levy thought to herself," I wish he actually wanted to ask me. Wait? Why do I want him to ask me?! Control yourself, Levy!"
They pulled up to the gym and Gajeel got out the car.
"So… I'll see you at seven?" he asked. Levy nodded in reply.
"Fine, see ya then Shrimp!"
Watching Gajeel walk into the gym, Levy breathed a sigh of relief. This guy was driving her crazy. But secretly, she loved it.