Notes

This is all of the story I have written till now. It's taken me three years to get this far. And I will be buying a house and moving. I have been in college. So I'll try to keep this active. Comments and stuff will help push me through. Nonetheless I have ideas about where I want to go with this.

When Levy awoke, she quickly changed into her work clothes. Levy for the life of her felt as if the previous night was a dream. Or at least most of it. When she opened her bedroom door, to find the guest bedroom door closed and the stain on her carpet she knew it was all real. She gently knocked on the bedroom door, before peeking her head in. "Excuse me," she spoke softly, expecting a large body on the twin mattress. But instead seeing an untouched looking bed, and an empty room. Her heart sank. She left the door cracked, dazed and headed towards the coffee maker.

With leftover coffee in the pot, she poured some and drank it at room temperature. It felt weird standing in an empty condo, when she knew there was a man here last night. With a sigh she walked around in search of any more signs of his presence. There were two bowls, two forks. There was the stain, the previously closed door.

Placing her cup in the sink, with what seemed like now a pile of dirty dishes, one day she'll do them. She grabbed lunch from the fridge and placed them in her purse. And left her condo, locking the door on her way out. And began her walk. It was seven fifteen and she liked to be in the office around seven thirty so she was on time with some time to spare.

The office was crazy with all the interns, and she had a couple meetings. So the day flew by, she ate her food while working. There were no breaks. Soon enough it was five, and she said goodbye to her fellow coworkers. It was another day that she left a little late from work. The sky was orange, and yellow. The sun was departing but there was still some time before the sunset. Usually she would be heading to the bar today, but she texted Lucy and Gray in their group chat that work just had her exhausted. Which was partially true.

The other part of this was she was expecting, or maybe hoping Gajeel would come home. Well, to her home. It wasn't theirs. Maybe she should buy him a cell phone. There were old ones for sale like iphone 5 Cs for not too much. And she could pay for his phone plan. But that would mean he would have some sort of an obligation to keep in touch, and she would not want to trap him into anything.

It had been seven years. How could their relationship hold after they had lived such different lives. He had served time in prison, and was in a gang. That was completely different from the life she had lived. Becoming a homeowner, sustaining a career. Surrounding herself with good people. The best of people. Maybe she should be more prepared for Gajeel to have changed for the worse. Prison can change people. She had reached her condo, climbing the stairs. When should she be expecting him?

She locked the door behind her, turning the lights on and kicking her shoes off. Was he already here? She didn't yell out because if he wasn't there she would just feel crazy. So she went to her fridge grabbing the wine and pouring herself another cup. Truly dependent. She took a solid gulp, before walking through the condo in search of the large man. She turned her hallway light on, nervous in anticipation to scare herself by his appearance.

She checked the office to find it the same as when she left it, and she checked her room to find no tall man looming in the darkness. So he wasn't home, she sighed in relief, but felt her stomach turn. Would she see him again? She returned to the kitchen after changing her clothes into yesterday's pjs. She emptied her dishwasher and put all the clean dishes away. Placing the past couple days of dishes in the dishwasher, and washing her collected amount of wine glasses by hand, she sighed.

She wasn't hungry. Maybe it was the anticipation of waiting for the knock on the door. Maybe it was the fear of Gajeel not to return. Or maybe it was just the long day she had. Walking down the hall she stopped in the bathroom to find cleaning rags and carpet cleaner. She was going to attempt to remove the red wine.

On her hands and knees she could feel her sweat starting to form on her temples. She scrubbed with a wet rag, her hands felt gross with the slippery feeling of the carpet soap in her skin. She noticed a difference apparent by the three rags covered in the blood stain. But now the carpet was a muddier red, spread across a wider area, but the stain was much more faint than before. It was a job for another time. She stood carrying the rags and throwing them on her bathroom floor. She quickly washed her hands.

Walking back into her kitchen she drank a couple more sips of wine before settling down on her couch. Wrapping herself up into a blanket, pulling out another novel. She sat in silence.

She awoke to a hand brushing hair out of her face. Jolting awake her eyes found the black tank top clinging to the abs of a large man. His hand had pulled away, as he leaned his head down. Voice low like a growl, "It's okay, it's just me." She rolled a hand over her face, it was too bright for her. The kitchen light was still on, and she still had her reading lamp on. Her consciousness slowly approached.

"What time is it?" She mumbled sitting up, her knuckles pushing her eye boogies out the corner of her eyes. Gajeel took a seat on the couch below her feet.

Gajeel cleared his throat, "it's late," another not straight answer.

Patting around for her phone she checked the time, one twenty three am. Sighing this would be a conversation for another time. "I thought I said knock." Her eyes now in focus meeting the scarlet eyes returning the gaze.

"I did," he spoke soft. "Didn't want to punch a whole through the door." He gives a toothy grin. As if he was justified to pick the lock.

With her walls down, still half asleep, "another thing to get you, a key. On top of a phone." She stood unconscious of her embarrassing comment. Finding her wine glass she finished the warm cup. She walked down the hall, Gajeel on her heels. Like a loyal dog. Turning in the doorway of her room, all the lights off other than the light coming from the room they were departing. "The front door is locked?"

Gajeel smiled in response, but it went unnoticed due to the light on his back creating dark shadows on his face. "Yeah shrimp."

"Do you work tomorrow?" another quick question from the very tired small woman.

"No," he took some steps from the guest door to Levys. His hand brushed hers. Instead of pulling away her fingers intertwined with his.

"Fine, you can sleep in my bed." She did not wait for his response as she twisted on her heels. And lead the pair into her room. Levy Quick to tuck herself into her warm bed. It took the same amount of time for Gajeel to join her. The bed leaned underneath the weight of the man, which was a new feeling. This bed had never been occupied other than herself. This was also the first time they had ever shared a bed together.

Levy's blush grew as Gajeels large calloused hand found their way to her belly. Gajeel pulled her close, his warm firm body felt like a perfect match. Her skin felt on fire any place their skin met. Like his lips on her shoulder, and their arms. "Good night my love." romantic and sweet, it was so opposite of him.

When she awoke the sun was peeking through the curtains. The warmth was unbearable. She rolled to tear the blanket off her, when she found a heavy arm draped around her petite waist. She looked over at the long midnight hair, sprawled everywhere in between them and over his shoulders. He was a lot less intimidating while he was sleeping. She took in his eyebrow, ear, and nose piercings. His broad shoulders filled with muscle and a black set of feathers on his left shoulder. She wondered why he got them. Like gorgeous raven feathers. Did it hurt? She wondered as her eyes took in more. His tank top gave little to imagine. She closed any gaps in between them, and closed her eyes once more.

Taking in his breathing, the calmness, his strong muscles wrapping around her. It was hard to want to leave. Until she heard her phone alarm going off in the other room. It was faint in sound but annoying. Levy sighed that all good things must come to an end. She peeled herself from underneath his arm and walked towards the kitchen. Stopping her alarm, finding her phone on the couch and book on the floor. Shutting the lights that were left on, off she walked back to her room.

Collecting her clothes, she glanced at the sleeping giant. Still sleeping. What was she thinking to allow him to sleep in her bed? She walked out of the room and to the bathroom.

After her shower, she got a text from Lucy saying she'd love to meet at the bar today. Which did not sound half bad. So before replying she wanted to talk to Gajeel about their plans. Well his plans, because Levy had no intentions having Lucy and Gajeel meet that day. So walking to the kitchen it was still early. 8 am or so, made some coffee and started on breakfast.

Making way too cheesy of eggs, and too burned of toast, Levy sighed before plating the food. She can never make anything right. She placed the food on her table, and approached the hall. She peaked at the now made bed, to find Gajeel taking his shirt off. An immediate blush filled her face, as he turned making eye contact. "What you never seen a mans chest?" followed by a gihi. He had a bag on the floor, and seemed to be changing from his tank top and shorts to more stylish clothes. He was wearing some black joggers, and pulled on a beige brown v neck. The outfit looked really good on him.

"I made breakfast," she squeaked, quick to go back to the table. She grabbed her coffee and a newspaper that had been delivered this morning. And started reading the morning news. Although it felt like nothing new.

Gajeel seemed to follow, he wore the same boots as the last time she saw him. Taking a seat across from her. "I made some mistakes, sorry if it's not that good," her words were soft, embarrassed by her own foolishness. She's twenty four almost twenty five and she just can't get it right.

Gajeel ate the food, not complaining whatsoever. "It's better than prison food shrimp, I got no complaints." He quickly ate, Levy noting maybe he did not eat last night. Before Levy could ask if he wanted more, he broke their silence. "I was thinking, you could come meet Juvia, and my friends today?"

Levy's heart stopped, she had not forgotten about her. But she still did not feel like a real person. And if she did go, what would that mean between them? Is this some sort of treaty of forgiveness?

"She's been doing a lot better, since she's been in the care of my friends who you will also meet. They are kind of an odd bunch." He tried bracing her, for her to be not surprised, for him to be honest and forthcoming.

"Sure, but Lucy and I are hoping to meet at the bar for girls night around five if that's okay?" She tried sounding more confident about her decision to go, but her voice was filled with uncertainty.

Gajeel stood, "We can go now if you want Shrimp." He grabbed the dishes, and brought them to the sink. As if he lived there.

"How far is it?" She inquired, as she started gathering her things. She found her small wallet from her messy purse. With just some cash and a couple cards. And fished her keys out from the bag. Grabbing some water because it was supposed to be a warm day.

"It won't be too long cause I brought my motorcycle." Coughing the water she had just taken a sip of. Choking on it, and leaned over trying to calm her wind pipes. She was not expecting him to have a vehicle. Let alone for her to have to go on one.

Gajeel just looked at her confused wondering what she could be thinking to have gotten so worked up. "You have a motorcycle?" she cleared her throat, and found a paper towel for her mess she had created.

"Yeah?" What was this shock about? Some things he would just never understand.

"Let me go put some shoes on," She walked down to her bedroom, to her closet where she had some hiking boots. She did not want to ruin her good walking shoes next to the front door. She threw them on and returned to the kitchen island, and found Gajeel wandering from the bathroom to the bedroom. He collected his backpack, and returned to the living room. Finding at the very back of her living room, next to the back steps to the carport and storage/ laundry room two helmets.

Was he expecting her to come with him? Did he run home after work to collect a night bag, and another helmet? Gajeel opened the backdoor, and waited for Levy to follow. She locked the door behind her, and peered down the stairs to find in fact his black motorcycle had been parked in her carport, underneath her condo. She slowly walked down the stairs, her heart beating. She had never been on a motorcycle. And she already had a dislike for most transportation.

Reaching the bottom of the steps Gajeel stoler her keys, wallet, phone, and water bottle to safely store them in his bag. He lifted the smaller helmet and placed it on her head. Giving it a good tap once it was on. He placed his helmet on, and slowly slipped each of Levy's arms through the loops of the backpack. He started his motorcycle, it howled loudly. Levy tightened the back pack to her back, and stared at Gajeel. How was she supposed to get on this bike?

Thankful for the helmet blocking her probably stupid looking face gawking at her ex boyfriends fine body on the motor bike. He leaned his hand out, and tugged on hers to pull her closer to him. "You are going to have to hold on tight, got that Shrimp?" His eyes met hers before closing the sunshield on her helmet. Gajeel turned his body, which looked painful, to help Levy climb onto the back of the bike. Soon enough he was moving through the parking lot of her home. She closed her eyes, scared her heart beating quickly.

At some point through their ride, Levy is still holding on tight but comfortable enough to not be terrified. She had some time to think about this bike. The exact bike. Had she not seen it before? In between her staring out at the scenery she was passing and trying not to think about how close she and Gajeel really were she couldn't help but think about where she had seen this motorcycle. It's not like she knew any one with one, and it's not like she really paid any attention to them.

Pulling up to a big looking house, in a good looking neighborhood, Levy was kinda shocked. When Gajeel opened the two door garage and let Levy depart in the garage. She glanced around. The garage had three more motorcycles and a mustang. Who were these? And these motorcycles, were they not the ones that passed her when she was walking to Lucys the other night? Gajeel closed the garage door, and gave Levy her phone. He removed the helmet and her bag from her back, and finally spoke. "This is my friend's house, his name is Laxus. That's his bike he's been letting me borrow."

They walked into the larger feeling house on the inside then the outside. The house looked like a complete bachelor's pad. With purple walls, and black floors. He had white and yellow accents all over the place. It was very bold. Hearing voices in the kitchen, as the approach, three bodies popped around from the corner. A very large man, larger than Gajeel. Making Gajeel look like a regular human being. He had yellow hair, and a face tattoo. The next person Levy looked at was a young gentle looking man with long green hair. Quickly to the next, her eyes widened. Was that?

"Levy?" Mira Jane spoke, a her blue eyes looking at Levy with as much shock as she stared at her with.

"Mira?" Is all Levy could fumble with.

"Great they know each other," Gajeel mumbled as he smirked at the blonde. Who gave a loud hearty laugh at the man. "Levy, this is Laxus, I've told you about him." Gajeels land landed on his shoulder. "This is Freed, Laxus and him go way back." Freed gave a quick smile before walking away back into the large kitchen. "Finally, Mira has honestly been one of the biggest life savers for Juvia and her health."

Levy had barely peeled her eyes away from Mira, who stood awfully close to Laxus. She had never heard of Laxus, although they seem to be close. And she had never seen him although Mira and Levy have been good friends for some time. The more you know. Still shocked, Gajeel stepped towards Levy, wrapping an arm over her shoulder and pulling her close. Almost posessively, "And this is Levy. We're here to see Juvia."

"Well let me lead the way!" Mira smiled wide, clasping her hands together. She quickly guided the couple up the stairs, where greeted by a loft, there were doors on all sides of the room. She could only assume Gajeels bedroom was up here too. Mira lead them to a door, with a quick soft knock, her white hair poked into the door. "Hey Juvia, you have guests!"

"Guests?" Mira opened the door, the room was small but bright. The blue haired women sat perched looking out the window, which seemed to be looking at the back yard. She had a sad expression like gloom on her face. She held a doll close to her chest. Her eyes stared into the crowd of people taking in her brother Gajeel, her friend and caregiver Mira, and the stranger.

"Juvia, this is Levy." They made their way into the room, the walls were a normal light gray almost white color. And the carpet is a typical sand color. The bed sheets were ocean blue.

Shy, and unsure what to even say. She was indeed a real person. Gajeel leaned up against the wall, and Mira seemed to disappear. She somehow felt alone with Juvia. Levy walked forward to a chair close to the window, "is it okay if I sit here?"

"Yeah, Juvia thinks this would be okay." Did she hear her wrong? Did she just speak in third person? Levy took a seat, and smiled at Juvia.

"Who's this?" She pointed at the white rag doll in her arms.

"Juvia made him, it's supposed to ward off the rain and clouds. Juvia calls it teru teru bozu." Her small frail hands quickly outstretched the doll towards Levy's gaze.

"Well it's obviously working, it's a very sunny day." Levy gestured towards the weather outside. "It's also very cute." Juvia gave a soft smile. It seemed genuine, although some of her behaviors were odd. Gajeel and Juvia seemed to be exact opposites of each other. "You know I often eat and drink at the bar Mira Jane owns. But I have never met Laxus. It's such a small world huh?"

Juvia looked back out the window retreating her arms back to her chest. "Juvia has never been to Mira Janes bar." With Juvia looking away Levy quickly glanced at Gajeel. His eyes closed and still leaning.

Sighing with the lack of support by Gajeel, could she expect anything different. "I've heard your health is getting better. Maybe one day soon we'll go together." Levy gave a firm up beat smile, trying to be supportive.

"Juvia would like that." yawning "But Juvia is tired now."

Gajeel finally moved, walking towards the two blue haired women. He grabbed Juvias hand and gave a firm squeeze. "Sleep well."

Levy stood, smiling at Juvia who made her way to her bed. "Thank you for having me Juvia, I hope to see you soon."

The door closed, and Gajeel made his way to the stairs. "Excuse me Gajeel? Why is Juvia sick?"

Gajeel came to a stop, almost making Levy bump into his back. "She has something wrong with her thyroid. But it went undiagnosed for years." He turned to face her, his eyes filled with sorrow. As if he was to blame. " Now she's on medicine, but recovering. It affected her memory, and her brain development. It affected her weight, and they think she's having heart problems which is making her weak."

Levy's hand found Gajeels, he really had tried so hard to care for her. His eyes stared down at her, filled with pain. The symptoms were clear, with her describing herself in third person, looking so thin, and frail. There was a firm squeeze, and Gajeel leaned down to kiss Levy.

Before their lips had touched, the craziest person she had ever seen interrupted them. "Ah man get a room!" He screamed walking by, before heading to one of the many doors. Before closing the door, screaming, "aint that right babies."

Levy pulled away, embarrassed but more curious of who that crazy man was. "His name is Bickslow, and he's the craziest of the bunch." Gajeel had pulled Levy in for a hug, a firm squeeze. An embrace he needed. He felt vulnerable sharing so much of him all at once.

Levy gave a firm squeeze, before pulling away. Now hearing even more voices down the stairs. Gajeel took the hint, and guided her down the stairs, holding her hand. The party had grown. Two more faces had shown. In the middle landing of the stairs she recognized another face. Elf Man, plopped on a couch, with a very beautiful woman sitting on his lap. Had she not seen her before?

They made their way to Mira and Laxus standing in the all white kitchen. "Thanks for watching her Mira," Gajeel sounded truly humble.

"I've told you this before, she's family." Mira smiled, wiping her hands off with a paper towel. "When people realize how lonely it is being on their own, like you and Juvia. They'll become so kind." Laxus smirked, with no response, watching her move around the kitchen. "Are you guys hungry?" [a direct quote added some context to.]

Gajeel glanced at Levy, who seemed to be content being there and content if they left. "No, I'm sorry we ate before we left, but thank you for offering." Levy felt a flush, "But do you work tonight? Lucy and I were thinking about going."

"I actually do! That's going to be so much fun seeing you two!" The white hair woman radiates warmth. "Elf Man works too, isn't that right, Brother?"

Elf Man, and a Tinker Bell cosplayer joined the group in the kitchen. "I am the only man who could properly care for the bar." boasting his manliness on and off the clock.

"My name is EverGreen," she held a green glove out, "Do not call me Ever."

Why is everyone here so strange? They oddly felt like family, like Gajeels family, like the Strauss family, and she felt she could trust them. She smiled, giving a small giggle at EverGreens odd behavior. Gajeel grabbed Levy's hand and waved goodbye. Heading back to the garage. Opening the door.

Once the door closed, both of them sighed. No more public appearances, they could be themselves. Somehow both of them felt tired. The garage door creaked open, while Gajeel turned the motorcycle on. So the four motorcyclists were Bickslow, Laxus, Freed, and Gajeel? She pondered the other day. When he drove by did he notice her? Or did he purposely drive by her.

In the driveway, a Red ford truck and a Grey Toyota forerunner sat. How wealthy was this family? Who even lived here other than Laxus, and the two more permanent guests Juvia and Gajeel? Although the questions were getting answered, only more questions seemed to be arising. Mira had seen her cry for Gajeel, but did she know where he was this entire time?

This was not the time, Gajeel had begun to move the motorcycle to the side of the road. He quickly got on, and threw Levy's helmet on. "You ready to go?" he mumbled, as he gently placed the backpack on her shoulders. Again bending oddly to assist her on. Her hands found themselves wondering about his chest. "Having fun shrimp?" Her face flushed and she pushed her helmet closer into his back.

The drive back was quiet. She had no intentions on doing much for the day but she had planned on meeting Lucy. But what would Gajeel be doing. She still questioned his intentions, although they seemed to be well meant. She doubted the longevity of it all. There was more issues, like Mira knowing/ seeing her with Gajeel. Lucy and her meeting at the bar. Although Gray had not worked that evening he was bound to see Mira as well. Meaning if she didn't tell them, then Mira would. Which was indeed a big issue. How should she handle this, when she was still unsure about her own relationship with the man she would have to disclose some definition and title to her friend. Or friends. And maybe Nastu would be the only one to defend her. But who knows.

Eventually arriving, glad to touch the ground. She really had nothing to say. Wrapped up in her own thoughts, which would one day be her demise. She prepped some chicken in the fridge with some frozen green beans, and baked some potatoes. She was a simple lady. She did dishes, and worked on cleaning the carpet. Following that laundry. But Gajeel sat at the kitchen table, mostly staring out the window. He too seemed to be consumed in thought. It was an odd silence because he felt the over thinker just losing herself. He felt he was to blame. He felt the turmoil. If he interrupted her he would just get in the way. So he waited.

Levy is quick to work on everything, with minimum breaks. She just had to keep herself busy. The time was quickly approaching and she had to think of a way to tell them. Would they be disappointed? Would they forgive her? Walking down the stairs she moved the wash to the dryer, and took a long glance at the motorcycle. He really was watching her go to Lucy's house. How strange. Back up the stairs, she walked to her room. She poked around her clothes. Eventually settling on a sleeveless black top, that zipped on the side, and an orange pencil skirt. Something she had never put together. She found a cute thong and some sandals. She would be walking alone to the bar.

She made her way to the bathroom, to take a quick shower. She did not need to wash her hair but after all the chores she felt gross. Once out she settled with some soft makeup. A rosy lip gloss, mascara, she placed a headband on, and put her night out clothes on. She loved out the shirt tucked seamlessly into the skirt. How it was all so tight but so loose enough to move freely. Her pencil skirt stopped right about the knee. She gave a twirl. It was cute. She threw her dirty clothes in her hamper, and went to the kitchen to find her phone. Almost forgetting she still had company.

His eyes pierced hers, then proceeded to check her out. He grinned, the clothes were indeed cute on her. She tried to be confident and find her phone without a blush on her cheeks or paying any attention to his wandering eyes. She checked the time it was time to go. He stood, and headed in her direction. With the stride in his step she was unsure of what he was about to do. Flinching at his touch on her hip, which made him stop in his tracks. His hand did not move from the location, but it didn't wander. She glanced up at his now firm face, the smile had dissipated.

Her eyes searched for him. He knew better, she still needed time. But she looked so damn hot, and although pants were cute and all, it had been a long time since he had seen her in something so cute. He regretted making her flinch, he regretted the march he had made to her side. He regretted how he's been handling their physical relationship. It's something he's been having a hard time working on. The time thing, it didn't bother him, but all he wanted to do was to hold her. To touch her, to give her physical affirmations and affections. Like a couple would.

But they were not. The harsh reality that seemed to have sunk into him right then. That Levy this whole time, although he knew she lacked the trust, knew she lacked clarity, knew she lacked all the time he had been gone. He thought she loved him. He thought she waited all this time for him so they could start where they left off. But it was made apparent right then it was not the case.

That Levy still feared.

Levy still feared far more than Gajeel could comprehend. The big guy staring lost in her big brown eyes. She knew she feared his love. She feared his loss, she feared his lies, she feared his return. She was scared he would leave once more. It was an inevitable occurrence. There was so much more. Like telling her friends. Their thoughts. What about her birthday?

"I have to get going," she broke his gaze, and looked down. This was much worse than before. But Levy made her way to her purse, grabbing a water bottle, and checking to find everything she needs. She took a glance back, find Gajeel still staring at the floor. Like as if she had yet to move. She didn't know what to do. So she opened her front door, "I hope you will be home when I get back. I might be a little late." Shutting the door behind her. She ran down the stairs, and quickly made her way to the bar.