Task 7: learn to forgive and be happy (Part 2)

Levy's eyes were locked on the sky but she didn't see beautifully starred darkness. She was mentally far away, in other dimension, where it was possible to meet a huge scary beast in the street only to discover few minutes later that it wasn't the beast at all but intelligent kind creature with whom you can converse freely and even became good acquaintance and friends. Of course, not all of these gigantic creatures were friendly toward humans, and that's how a war eventually began, but still once it was possible to live side by side with dragons, watch them, learn from them… it was a gift to the humankind, the gift people irrevocably lost.

Dragons were gone, well, maybe, several remained, lurking somewhere, plotting dark schemes like Acnologia did… The girl shuddered involuntary, she didn't want to meet this one ever again, but at the same time she can't suppress sadness and the perception of big loss when she thought how things could turn if dragons still lived among them.

If that happened, if dragons still were around Gajeel, Natsu and Wendy would have their parents, never experiencing abandonment and loneliness, which plagued them even in their family-kind Guild, people could obtain more wisdom, wizards reach higher levels of magic – dragons were wise, extremely powerful and didn't refuse to share their precious knowledge and skills…

And Gajeel… if Metalicana was still around Gajeel wouldn't have to go through all hardships he had endured before joining Fairy Tail. Levy pulled out photo from her book and tenderly caressed with her fingertips a small happily laughing face already marked with few studs. She never saw him laughing this way with such a carefree content expression, openly enjoying his time, it was difficult even to believe that he was like this one day. She smiled and put the picture back, returning the book to the bag. It was late, she probably should rest, but she yearned for home and him so much that a long heavy sigh escaped her lips and was caught by the man, who she assumed was deeply asleep.

"Something bothering you, something significant, I can feel it" he softly said, getting up from the armchair he was resting in and coming to her.

They moved outside in the middle of their conversation both for bliss of fresh spring air and not wanting to disturb Stian and his son, who both gone to bed, because it already was past midnight.

"Tell me, Levy, perhaps I can help".

Script mage glanced at him gratefully, she has grown to like him excessively in these few hours she talked with him. He was attentive, sympathetic and very kind. In such form of kindness which feels from the heart, not imposing, but calm, backstage, constantly present, offering support whichever you need one. The same form of kindness Gajeel possess. Of course Iron Slayer was much more reticent, liked to pretend emotionless and cold, but she now knew what he meant by stating that he'll make her big. And near him, even before they became close like several last days, she always can feel it.

"I am ok, Iwon, I really am. It is just… I miss home. I shouldn't be here today, it was some sort of accident" Script Mage told no one what happened to her, she wanted to hide the truth, it still was too painful and delicate matter to share even with truly sympathetic person.

"There is something more than that" the man stated gently "It isn't just home. You miss him".

It wasn't a question and Levy didn't need to say yes. She missed him, much, was anxious and a little scared of the reception she finds at home. But what troubled her most was that he might have thought she had abandoned him just like Metallicana did and such conclusion inevitably gave him pain. She can't bear even to think about it!

"We had to meet today" she quietly admitted. "And I couldn't come. He probably thinks that I didn't want to see him, that I…"

Large warm palm petted her check, wiping away tears she didn't feel she shed.

"He'll understand. After all you told me about him today I am positive he will. Don't worry about it. But the point is to get you home as soon as possible, right?"

"Yes, there is a train station in the next town, Stian promised to help me to get there in the morning".

"Maybe I can do it faster." Iwon admitted and Levy immediately looked at him with hopeful eyes. "And without train. How do you react to swift movement with constant rotation? It usually pretty rough too and you have a wounded arm". He looked at her with concern.

Levy felt her whole soul was illuminated with hope. Does she really have a chance to return home tonight?

"I'll handle it, I am sure I'll do. Oh, Iwon, I don't know how to thank you. It's just… I so glad that I met you and I only wish you can come with me".

"I'll certainly come to see you both one day. I have a good reason to do that." Iwon smiled, winking at her. "Now, let's go, we have to move a little from house, I need a clear space. Listen, Levy, it will be fast, but you'll still feel it fully, I am afraid. Brace herself, stay collected the whole time because landing is the hardest part of all and it isn't possible to calculate when it takes place. You sure you want it?"

The girl nodded determinedly, firmly gripping her bag and pressing it to her chest. No matter how hard it will be, she won't drop it!

"Don't worry, I'll tell Stian that I sent you back and help to prepare for your return. You ready?"

"Yes!"

"Then goodbye for now. Take care of yourself and look after him. I ask this on behalf of my old friend." He looked at her for several long moments, silver eyes shining softly. "I will look forward to see you again, Levy".

Levy saw he took a steady stance, opened his mouth and began to consume air. Then his chest widened and he let out enormously powerful exhale. The air caught her, lifted up and carried away, whirling violently all the way. She wanted to wave to him, to deliver her thanks again, but couldn't open either her mouth or her eyes. Some time later, she can't tell how long it was, she flopped down harshly on the hard surface. When the nausea and dizziness subsided a little she managed to open her eyes and they instantly filled with tears. It worked, she was in Magnolia, in its eastern outskirt, the part Gajeel lived.

"I was fucking piece of shit almost all my life. I lived like shit, I behaved like shit, shit was my life! Most of the crap I did were orders from Jose, some my own decision. Yeah, I enjoyed it that time, it was my version of enjoyment, cause I fucking didn't know that other ones even existed. I never thought that things could be otherwise, that I can be different, can have a different life, befriend someone, be nice... until she came. Not Makarov, this crazy Guild or even Lily, it was she, who broke through my darkness and showed me the light. She… she's speck of light… so incredible and bright. And I… every time I see my hands I relive that fucking night. Did I forget? You haven't fucking idea!"

Gajeel's heated words were still thundering through the apartment, the Slayer himself standing agitated in the middle of the room. The atmosphere was heavy and gloom, overfilled with tension and depressed mood of the gathered mages. They all were so absorbed in their dismayed thoughts that no one saw short blue haired girl in the dirty torn dress, without shoes, with a bandaged shoulder, standing in the doorway. Despite her exhausted and not very appealing state, her pale face was smiling and covered in what looked like happy tears. How long she was standing here, listening to Gajeel's words? If her smile was saying the truth she heard enough.

Still undetected by company in the room she crossed the threshold and with strained sob launched herself on still tied black haired man, who stared absentmindedly into his private hell, oblivious to the real world, and embraced him tightly with her weak scratched arms, burying herself in his chest as far as was physically possible. Then Lucy's shriek rang out and Celestial Wizard run to them, embracing both Levy's and Gajeel's bodies, Lily on her tracks. And, of course, Natsu had to join in, successfully sending all of them to the floor. Only after hitting his worn carpet, Gajeel was able to grasp that four bodies now were prostrated over him and one of them had this wonderful most welcome scent in the earth. Doubting his own sanity, he carefully lowered his head and was greeted by mop of wavy azure hair.

"L-Levy?"

The mop stirred and he saw two bottomless brown ponds of eyes, shining with the light only his Shorty had.

"Levy!"