Chapter 6
The fight was as quick as it was intense. With the game-changing tip from Gajeel, Makarov led his brats into the middle of the Phantom Lord compound and his boisterous group of children laid waste to the rival mages. Natsu and the other Dragon Slayer disappeared early into the fight, no doubt testing their skills against each other. Makarov handled Jose quite nicely, if he did say so himself, and left Erza in charge of cleaning up the aftermath, leaving his schedule wide open for the important task in front of him.
His steps slowed the closer he came to the junkyard. He knew it would be tricky, adding another to the guild. Juvia integrated herself just fine, but she didn't have a reputation hanging over her head already or bad blood boiling between guild mates. Makarov knew accepting Gajeel into the group was the right thing to do, yet he still found himself hesitating.
A loud crunching filled the air and Makarov stopped at the edge of the junkyard. Hidden in the shadows, he could just make out a silhouette sitting on top of the tallest heap. Makarov sighed and thrust his hands into his coat pocket before heading forward. The crunching stopped and the silhouette turned.
"Yo!" Makarov raised a hand and smiled, laughing to himself when the shadow grunted.
"What do you need, old man?" Gajeel mumbled, turning back to his pile of iron.
Makarov rocked on his heels. "Nothing too bad, just seeing what you've been up to since the fight."
"Just livin' my best life, as you can tell."
"Yes, I can see that," Makarov sighed. "But you know…Juvia joined the guild just the other day."
"Good for her."
Makarov hesitated for just a moment before continuing. "There's still one more spot open."
"Great!" Gajeel tossed a piece of iron down the pile. "I'm sure some great mage will be just so happy to accept."
Makarov crossed his arms. He raised an eyebrow, finally understanding Levy's concerns.
It was subtle, so faint that one could miss it if he weren't careful enough. Luckily, Levy already gave him all the information he needed, so Makarov could easily hear the brokenness in the Iron Dragon's voice.
She was definitely spot on.
"I was thinking you might be the one accepting," he answered softly.
Gajeel snorted and stared down at him. "Are ya old enough that yer already forgetting what I did to yer home? Ya don't want me."
"Eh," Makarov waved off the words, "buildings can be repaired. You didn't hurt any of my children…well, not really." Natsu recovered just fine and frankly, it wasn't the worst fight the boy had ever been in.
"But I was plannin' on hurting them. Did ya know that?" Gajeel jumped down the heap and stalked over to him. "I was planning on takin' those three and staking them up to a tree. It was gonna be great, a devastating blow to you Fairies. I was gonna–"
"But you didn't." Makarov whispered, blood boiling despite his best efforts. "I can forgive you for destroying our home, but I would never have forgiven you for hurting my family. But good thing I don't have to worry about that last part, huh?"
Gajeel stood ramrod straight, staring down at him. "Maybe I just like bein' alone, ever thought of that?"
Makarov nodded. "There are those in this world who enjoy being alone, but no one can truly bare solitude. You just need to find the right place to call home."
"That's what I've been saying!"
A streak of blue darted past Makarov and he smiled at the way Gajeel's eyes turned wide.
"See? I told you my guild master would accept you into our home!" Levy grabbed hold of Gajeel's arm and dragged him from the trash heap. "Come on! We need to get you all settled in. And a change of clothes. I'm not sure if we have anymore room at the dorms, but I'm sure–"
"Hold up! I never said I was gonna come!"
Strong words for someone letting a tiny mage drag him along.
Makarov placed his hands back in his pockets and followed after. Levy chattered the entire way, with Gajeel's grumbling after each sentence.
"I'm Levy, by the way."
"I don't remember askin'."
Makarov laughed aloud and watched carefully as Gajeel reached out and plucked a leaf from Levy's hair. He nodded, humming while he walked.
Their new family member would do just fine, just fine indeed.
Thank you so much for reading! I know this story was super short, but I promise I have more coming...eventually lol! I'm in the middle of at least three stories, so hopefully I will find the time to keep writing. Until then...God Bless and have a great week!
