"Gajeel," Lily called. "There's a package here for you!"

Gajeel grumbled, stomping his way from the back room of his cabin. His cabin was located on the outskirts of Magnolia. Close enough to reach the guildhall, but far enough that he didn't have any stray visitors. The cabin was big enough for just him and Lily. Each had their own bedroom and a large enough living space that even Lily didn't feel cramped while he was in his battle form.

"What is it?" Gajeel yelled; making his way up to the front door. Lily sorted through the mail. A few junk letters, one from the new Exceed Kingdom, and just this small brown package. There was no return address, just had Gajeels' name on it. Holding the paper together was a thin piece of twine. This package was rectangular in shape. And maybe only an inch tall. It wasn't heavy and didn't make any noise when shaken.

"Well, What the fuck is it?"

"I'm not sure. It's addressed to you."

Gajeels eyes glared at the package. "Who would even send me anything?"

Lily just shrugged and brought the rest of their mail in and placed it on the kitchen counter; leaving Gajeel and the mysterious package out on the front steps. Gajeel carefully lifted the package, feeling the brown paper crinkle in his fingers. It was lighter than expected. He brought it in and closed the front door.

He lifted the package to his nose, seeing if he could get some sort of scent off of it. He rolled his eyes at the boring scent of paper and ink. He plopped himself down on the couch and place the package on his lap. Using his nail, he cut off the twine and started unwrapping the paper. Lilly became interested and sat on the coffee table in front of him.

Gajeel tossed the brown paper aside and the contents puzzled him. Inside was a plain white box. He removed the lid to see a stack of envelopes. Each was in the same cream color. Who the fuck would send him a stack of envelopes? He flipped the first one over, seeing that it was sealed.

"Letters?" Lily asked.

Gajeel nodded. "Must be. They all look the same."

"There's nothing on the front?"

There wasn't any name on the front but in each right-hand corner, there was a date. Each one had a different one but there were placed in chronological order. The top one had July 7, x791.
But wait, that was during the Grand Magic Games. That was when all hell broke loose and the dragons came from the gate. He broke the seal on the back and flipped on the lip. Gently pulling the insides out, he now held parchment. But this looked like it had gone through hell and back.

It was no longer bright white. Instead, it was stained with dirt, and small parts of it were wrinkled like they had drops of water on them. He took a sniff of it. And all he got was the normal scents of paper and ink. But he could sense the slight smell of something different. It felt familiar, but he couldn't place it.

"Are you gonna read it?"

Gajeel glanced at Lily, and then back at the paper in his hands.

"I mean I guess. I've already opened it."

Gajeel opened the paper, smoothing out the creases. It seemed to have been folded for a long time. It seemed like a letter. But there was no name at the top to who it was addressed. Black ink wrote out the date again.

His eyes reached the first paragraph. The writing was dainty and smooth. He felt like he had seen this before. But where?

'Today is July 7th. Year x791. Just hours before this letter was written, the grand magic games took a turn for the worse. While our guild had won first place against Sabertooth, the princess opened what is known as the Eclipse Gate. While she was under misguidance, she believed what she was doing would save our world. There is no fault in that.

*That night, we all believed we'd win. And that last day had those amazing battles. Do you remember Lu-Chan? Then, on July 7 we…lost to that word...Fate.*

But what actually happened, was devastating. The Gate opened, allowing a portal from 400 years ago to exist. This portal allowed dragons to enter. We couldn't stop them, even with the Dragon Slayers at our disposal. They had utterly obliterated the palace. Earthland rumbled with every step they took. They leveled the entire capital with one swish of their tails.

We tried to evacuate as many people as possible, but we don't know how many casualties. But I do know the ratio is horrifying. We have no idea how to stop them. The Magic Counsel doesn't have any clue either.

The rest of the guild tried to regroup at the local inn we were all at for the games. But that too had turned to dust. I and a few others were able to locate a small abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. This is our makeshift hideout for now. Everyone is out fighting, protecting the injured as much as possible. I was able to locate Lucy. She looks more like a numb shell of her old self.

I haven't even been able to give myself any time to grieve. I seem to be all right for the most part. My right arm is pretty scratched up and I did take some rubble to the face, but I'll manage. I hope everyone comes back safely. I pray Mavis is watching over us.'

The letter ended there. But at the bottom of the page was the writer's signature. In a beautiful script, was the name 'Levy McGarden'.

"Well? What's in the letter?"

Gajeel was still shell-shocked. He passed the paper over without so much as a word. He looked down at the next envelope. The black ink had the 8th written on it, meaning it was the day after the dragons came through.

July 8, x791

* Everyone died. Master died. Ezra died. Gray and Juvia. And even my beloved. I don't have the words anymore Lu-Chan! I can't stand this! Someone, please help!*

Dragons have seemed to stop coming through the Gate. Most of them have abandoned Crocus. It seems they no longer have anything to destroy here and have made their way to other parts of the continent.

The sun seems to no longer shine here. The amount of smoke from the ongoing fires has turned the sky black across the city. I keep coughing from the amount I've inhaled. Lucy has tried to search for Natsu. None of the other dragon slayers have returned. I can't help but assume the worse.

I haven't slept in 24 hours. I need to be on alert in case they come for us again. Every time I try to close my eyes, I get paranoid and open them again. Tomorrow, when it seems to have cleared, I'll go help look for any survivors. Today, I try not to break down.

July 9, x791

The clouds are still grey. Even with the smoke dissipating. It's like they can tell the mood. I wish Juvia were here to make it rain. I could really use a shower. I helped Lucy again this morning. I convinced her to get some shut-eye when she returned empty-handed. She only slept for a few hours.

We roamed the rubble. Calling out for anyone. Luckily my shoes were still holding. The last thing I needed was a cut on my foot. It took us a few hours but we started finding people. Civilians and a few mages that participated in the competition. It took all I had to not throw up. I already had nothing in my stomach.

Long story short, we found him. He wasn't breathing. Happy was only a few feet away. He would never abandon him. Lucy became hysterical. She yelled at him to stop playing games and wake up. That she would buy him lunch if he woke up. She tried to threaten him with a Lucy Kick. Even that didn't work.

In the end, she cradled his head in her chest and cried. Heart-wrenching cries. Even when she had no tears left, she rocked him.

I wish this was a dream.

We couldn't bury him. There was too much debris. I asked if Lucy wanted to keep his scarf. She declined, saying that 'it was his favorite thing in the world.' She would never take it from him.

A few tears of my own leaked out.

We needed to get going. We needed to find somewhere safer. And we needed to see if anything could be done to stop this. She didn't want to leave. All emotions left her eyes.

It was her idea to go through the portal. It wasn't a bad thought. I mean if they came from the past, they could go back again, right?

We had no idea how we could execute it. Nor how it would affect us, both the timeline and our physical bodies. But she convinced me. What else were we supposed to do? There wasn't much left for us besides laying down and dying.

She could make the gate open with her keys, but she only has enough magic for her. I would have to stay behind. I tried to put on a brave face, but deep down I was scared. What would happen to me if she didn't fix it in time? And if she did fix it, what else would happen to me?

Gajeel started working through the letters at a rapid speed. This is what awaited them if they didn't make it in time. Everyone he grew to know and care for as his own family, perished in the blink of an eye.

Lily sat on his shoulder, trying to catch up with his reading.

"These are all from Future Levy?"

Gajeel nodded absentmindedly. His eyes couldn't leave the parchment in his hands.

"How many more are left," Lily asked.

Gajeel looked through the pile. "4 more. That makes seven. One for each day I'm guessing."

He placed down the previous parchment and pick up the next envelope. Opening it and pulling out the contents.

July 10, x791

We made a plan. We found a notebook in okay condition and started planning. We wrote down everything that happened and how. Who we needed to stop and when for this to go smoothly. We held each other as we slept that night before. She would be my last human contact, as far as I knew. My best friend. The only one closest to me. Who I shared guy talk with and took baths together. I will miss her terribly.

The day of, I hugged her longer than usual. Trying to remember her face and the shape of her body. Her smile and the last traces of her perfume. It sounded like I was in love with her, but all I ever knew disappeared, including her.

I watched from a distance and the gate glowed. Almost blinding me in the process. A brilliant golden light shot from the top of the gate into the heavens above. The ground shook and then stopped and the light vanished.

While the world was quiet before, it felt like time had come to a stop. I was completely alone.

July 11, x791

I couldn't force myself to leave the ruins. I wanted to wait. In case the gate opened or if Lucy came back. I'm probably being foolish but how could I leave? Where could I go? Everything as far as I know has been destroyed. I didn't have any more tears left to shed.

All I could do now is record as much of this as I could. In case, Lucy doesn't make it and history repeats itself. In case I am the only human left. But then, who would find this? It's a sad joke, isn't it?

I think of you. Everyday. You're the first thing to cross my mind when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I go to sleep. If I said this to you, you'd probably scoff and tell me how dumb that is.

I don't wanna be alone anymore.

July 12, x791

Nothing happened today. That's usually good. Isn't it? The magic council hasn't even appeared. They're probably all dead. I don't think anyone has the strength to take on dragons. Except maybe Acnologia. I think he wants to be the only one left.

I try to think of what would be happening if this never came to be. We would've been back in Magnolia. Celebrating and drinking. How we were the top guild. We would start getting the tougher jobs. Bringing in more money and fame. Maybe then he would actually start to see me.

I wonder if Lucy has made it. If she has started the process to revert this fate. I hope she at least saw Natsu again. He could always make her smile.

July 13, x791

It had been 3 days since you left Lu-chan. I didn't have any other options. No one was coming to save us. I don't even know if you made it through or not. I hope that you did. I hope you saved our past selves or our future selves. What will happen if you do?

Will I cease to exist? I hope I evaporate like stardust and join you. I hope it's warm and bright. I wonder if he's there. Would he be waiting for me? Probably not. That was never his style. I don't even know who I'm writing these for. There's no one left who can read them. I hope you make it Lu-chan. Even if I no longer cease to exist, I hope you can find hope.

I'm running out of ink. Funny. The solid script mage who knows a dozen languages and can read over 50 books in one week ran out of ink. Fate has a funny way of twisting things. I'm gonna try to send these letters. I'll use the last of my magic to open the gate, even for a split second to get these through. To who? I'm not sure. I have no idea where they will end up. They could go farther into the past or into the future. If someone gets these, please keep our story going. Fairytail never goes down without a fight.

The letters lay against the table. The house was silent as they each took in every word. This is what happened. If they never stopped the dragons, this was their future. A bleak landscape with a shitty ending.

"That's it. Nothing left."

Lily hopped onto the table and looked into the box. It was empty. Only enough letters for a week of pain. Gajeel folded them neatly and placed them back inside. Lilly picked up the cover to resituate it. When he flipped it over, another envelope sat inside.

"Gajeel," he whispered. "There's one more glued inside."

Gajeel took the lid and slid his finger underneath the envelope. He worked carefully, trying to not rip the fragile paper. The envelope had no writing on it. But with how the others were, he could guess it was about another day of destruction.

Repeating his movement, he slid the paper out of the envelope and unfolded it. There was no date on this one. But the writing looked exactly the same. But lighter. Meaning she wrote this with whatever ink she had left.

"Well?" Lily asked while retaking his spot on his shoulder.

Gajeels eyes scanned the first words. His throat dried and his eyes widen as he read over his name. This was addressed directly to him.

"I-it's for me," he stuttered.

Gajeel,

I found you. When the Dragons first entered our world, you were my first thought. I had to find you. Even though you always went on about protecting me, I needed to be by your side. There was chaos everywhere. While droves of people ran in the opposite direction, I used the strength I had to push through.

You have always been the strongest person I know. Nothing ever kept you down. If something was smarter, you would just push harder. You never quit, even when you knew you should've.

You stupid iron-headed jerk.

I wish you would've turned and run. But, that's not your personality.

I watched as the dragon roared. And you couldn't escape it. The radius was just too big and you were already in pain. Once he had you on the ground, his claw flung you off to the side as if you were a toy they didn't want anymore. Your body fell through the roof of a building. You didn't even shield yourself.

I followed the path and there you were. Laying as if you were sleeping. You were bloodied and your arm was broken. I couldn't move you. I cradled your head in my lap. Your face looked so peaceful. My tears dropped on your face as I begged you to get up. Your non-broken arm reached up, pushing the fallen strands of my hair out of the way.

You looked at me and gave me the most heartbreaking smile. I kept eye contact with you until the spark in your eyes left and your arm fell to the ground. I leaned my head down to your chest. I couldn't stop the tears. I held you until your breathing slowed and your heartbeat finally stopped.

This was unfair. How could life be so cruel? You left before I even got to have a life with you. I never got to tell you how I felt.

All of my dreams of being together, getting married, and having a family; went right out the window. I had to leave you there. I was gutted. Everything felt hollow.

I took your headband. Even though it suited you much better than me.

I miss you Gajeel. Everyday.

If we somehow meet in another life, I won't hesitate to tell you. I love you.

His eyes watered. He heard Lily sniff. He died? He could understand Natsu since he was so hard-headed and idiotic. But him? No way. That couldn't be possible. And of course, she went for him. That stupid idiot. Surprised she didn't die sooner.

He reread the letter again. And then a third time. His eyes always caught on to the last words.

She loved him.

Did she still? Or was this a different Levy? No. It had to be one and the same. But why hasn't she told him? This clearly states that she would tell him. Unless she meant when she died and met in the next world.

Lily's voice was soft but firm. "Well? Are you going to her?"

He placed the paper down gently. Still caressing the thin parchment.

"I mean. She hasn't told me yet. But this was from her future self."

"Whether it is in this lifetime or the next, I think she meant it. I don't know if you believe in soulmates but I think you two would always find a way to each other."

Gajeel rubbed his eyes. Hoping the stinging would dissipate.

"I'm not that sappy Lil."

"Listen, just because you are the iron dragon slayer doesn't mean you can't have a soft heart inside. Especially for the woman, you love," Lily scolded gently.

He rubbed his hand down his face. This really changes things. After a few moments, he stood abruptly. Lilly wobbled at the movement and jumped down to the floor.

Gajeel folded and placed the letters back in the box before covering it and racing to the door.

"Where are you going?" Lily called.

He swung open the front door and stepped over the threshold. "I'm going to get my women," he called over his shoulder.

Gajeel quickened his pace to the guild. He knew she would be there. She always sat at the corner table, with a book in hand. Her eyes lit up every time he walked in the door. She always gave him a small smile. Even if no words were spoken she always acknowledged his presence.

Why hadn't he seen it before? Battle of Fairytail, Tenrou, everything she did with him in mind. Jobs that Mira 'magically' found for him, the iron she gave him. She always put him at the forefront of her mind. And him, the stupid idiot. He couldn't see the signs until a stupid letter that magically appeared was all it took for him to realize it. That she was everything he'd been waiting for.

Lily was right. No matter what lifetime, they would have each other. Well, he was done wasting time. He didn't care if anyone knew or made fun of him. She loved him. And he was gonna make sure she knew that he felt the same way. Every single day. For the rest of their lives and into the next.

The large wooden door appeared in his vision. Her scent floated through the air as he approached. Paper and ink and dust from the library. Along with something light and floral. He knew that scent like the back of his hand. He was always captivated by it. He could get drunk off of it. He knew he wanted to wake up to that scent. He couldn't wait until it mixed with his.

He stormed in. He already knew where she was without having to look. The other guild members paid no mind to him as they went on with their day. There she sat. In all her glory. Talking with Bunny girl. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he made his way over to her. Bunny girl caught his gaze first. Her dark eyes flickered to him then to Levy and back to him. Levy stopped talking as she turned to where her friend was looking. Her face graced the same smile when he normally came in.

"Hi, Gajeel. Did you need something?" Her voice was light and airy.

He didn't say anything as he stood next to her and grabbed her upper arm. She didn't have any time to react as he pulled her up, her weight being next to nothing, and threaded his other hand through the blue locks at the back of her head. Her eyes widened as he pressed his lips against her. Gently, with no force behind it.

Mavis, her lips were soft. Pink and supple and tasted slightly of cherry. Levy couldn't believe what was happening. The man she has been in love with for years is now kissing her in the middle of the guildhall. And she hadn't even done anything to instigate this. She could barely hear Lucy's gasp and the quiet lull of her other guildmates.

His eyelashes brushed against her cheek. And he moved back a hair before kissing her again. This time with more pressure. Her free hand reached up to grasp his shoulder as she closed her eyes and gave into him. He pulled back, looking into her chocolate eyes. She breathed heavily. Her face turned red and she felt overheated.

"Gajeel," she whispered.

"I love you," he said before pressing his lips against her for the third time.

His words pounded in her head.

I love you. I love you.

He loves me?

He pulled back before adjusting her and tossing her over his shoulder. He ignored everyone as he walked out of the guild. Levy was speechless. She looked back at everyone who watched this performance. Lucy gave her a wink and a bright smile.

Levy's mind was going a mile a minute before she realized where she was going and the position she was in. She hit Gajeels back, trying to get him to wait.

"Gajeel. Wait. Put me down! Where are we going?"

He stopped and adjusted her from his shoulder to his arms. She was so light. He looked at her. A blush formed across her face as she struggled to get words to form.

"W-What is happening?"

A soft smile pulled at his lips.

"I love you, Levy. I don't want to wait to tell you anymore."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"You mean it?" she whispered.

He nodded. "Sorry, it took me so long to realize."

She blinked and tears spilled over her rosy cheeks. He leaned his head forward, pressing his forehead against hers. Her eyes closed and a large smile appeared on her face.

"Thats okay. You idiot."