Chapter 27

Metallicana stared long and hard at his son, who stared right back. To any outsider, it would look like the most intense staring contest in the world, as both men had naturally mean looks in their eyes. It was silent, as the two men just stared each other down. And then Metallicana inhaled a drag of his cigar and blew it out through his nose, breaking the staring contest as the smoke rose up between the two. The silence was broken as the don opened a drawer in his desk and tossed a small pouch at Gajeel, who caught it easily.

"I approve, boy. When's the wedding?"

Gajeel grinned like a maniac. He knew, of course, that his father would approve of him marrying Levy. But that didn't mean it wasn't a bit nerve wracking to go ask for his blessing... and to ask for his mother's ring. He opened the pouch in his hand and his grin softened as he remembered seeing the beautiful diamond ring on his mother's finger when he was growing up.

"Don't know. But soon." Gajeel said as he looked at the ring. Levy's fingers were so dainty, he knew he'd have to get the ring resized. But still, he hoped she liked it.

"Boy." his old man got his attention again. Gajeel looked up, and he didn't like the dark expression on his face. "Bring her with you tonight." Gajeel instantly glared at his father.

"Old man..." he growled in warning. "I don't want her to see something like that."

"She's marrying into this family. She needs to know about these things, needs to see them." Metallicana said firmly, glaring right back at his son. "She's a smart girl, boy; she knows who you are and what you do. If she agreed to marry you despite that, yet can't handle seeing it for herself, then she doesn't deserve a place in our family." His words were cold and firm, and Gajeel knew they were absolute. If Levy couldn't accept everything that came with being a part of the family... the don would renounce his blessing on their marriage...

... and silence Levy.

Levy looked up from her book as Gajeel walked into their bedroom. She saw the scowl on his face and knew something was wrong. Standing up from the bed, she walked over to him as he just stood by the door, looking at her.

"What's wrong, Gajeel?" she asked softly. He sighed heavily and pulled her into his arms.

"Levy," he didn't call her shrimp so she knew he was serious right now. "I'm... damn, I don't know how to say it." he huffed. "Levy, you told me you accepted me and what I have to do for... work. You still feel that way... right?"

"Of course I do, Gajeel." Levy nodded. "I love you. I won't ever be afraid of you, because I know you'll never hurt me."

"You're right. I will never hurt you, Levy. Hell, I'm going to try my best to keep you from seeing things that will scare you..." he sighed, then stepped back and looked her in the eye. "But I can't do that this time. Levy, you need to come with me. What you're going to see will be scary, but I need you to remember your promise to me, and I need you to rememver that I will never, ever hurt you..." Levy swallowed thickly at this. What... what was he talking about? What was he going to show her? "Do you promise to remember?" Gajeel asked her, his voice firm but his touch light as he gently caressed her face.

"I... promise. But what-"

"I can't tell you, Levy. You have to see it without any knowledge beforehand." Gajeel frowned. If it was up to him, he would just tell her what she would see, let her mentally prepare herself for it. But his old man put his foot down. She needed to be prepared to see anything. If she couldn't handle it... she wasn't "worthy" of the family.

Levy could only nod to this, feeling extremely nervous. But she loved Gajeel... and she knew the kind of life he lived. If she was going to marry him... she needed to be ready to see anything. Gajeel smiled at the determination in her eyes. It put him at ease to know that she was already preparing herself for anything and everything. Maybe he shouldn't be so worried... but when her life was on the line how could he not be?

"C'mon. My old man's waiting on us." Gajeel kissed her forehead then took her hand, leading her out of the room.

Five minutes later found them downstairs in the same holding cells they'd once held Lily in. Metallicana was waiting on them, with a handful of council members and elders of the family. Makarov was standing in the corner, looking like he was trying his hardest not to cry.

Levy held Gajeel's hand tightly as he led her to stand by his father, facing a certain cell with a certain prisoner. Metallicana gave a small smile to Levy, before facing the prisoner.

"Laxus Dreyar," the Don spoke, his voice full of authority, "you stand before the family today, charged with sharing family secrets, conspiring with Phantom Lord, and targeting my son and future daughter-in-law. What do you have to say?" Levy looked to the prisoner inside the cell. He was a tall man with wild blond hair and a scar over his eye. He was grinning like a madman, and she couldn't help but notice his eyes were glued to her.

"Do you know how much money I was going to make by selling you to Phantom Lord, little Mcgarden girl?" Laxus grinned cruelly at her. "You're one valuable prize, especially to Phantom Lord. They're not gonna stop until they have you, now that they know you're still alive." he cackled. "I may have failed! Sure! But at least I get the satisfaction of knowing you will be targetted time and time again! Eventually your luck's gonna run dry!" he dissolved into a fit of laughter as Levy stared at him with wide eyes. This man... was the rat. He was the one who had been after her since day one, like Gajeel said. He was the one who told Phantom Lord she was still alive...

"Council, judge this vermin now." Metallicana spoke.

"Guilty." they said in unison, even Makarov and Gajeel spoke up.

"Who shall recieve the honors?" Metallicana questioned.

"He is Makarov's grandson." one member spoke up.

"But he was targeting Gajeel and his woman." another added. They held a quick vote, and it was decided that Gajeel would have the honor. Levy wondered what kind of honor it was, but she had a feeling she knew. She watched nervously as Gajeel approached the cell. He glanced back at her as he pulled out his gun.

"Levy. Don't look away." he told her firmly. She swallowed thickly, watching with wide eyes as he cocked his gun and aimed it at Laxus' head. Laxus just grinned like a maniac, his eyes never leaving Levy. He got some sick satisfaction with her watching his death. It was his last big "fuck you" to the world. His eyes locked with hers, right as Gajeel pulled the trigger.

Levy's eyes went wide as she watched blood fill the air. Laxus' body seemed to fall in slow motion, before landing on the ground in a heap. Blood began to pool around his body instantly. Gajeel turned to face her again and she saw that some blood had splattered on his clothes and face.

It was morbidly, eerily, beautiful for a moment. Levy found that she, surprisingly, wasn't afraid. Perhaps it was because she'd already seen Gajeel kill someone in front of her.

"Girl, this is the life you are marrying into." Metallicana's voice got her attention. "Can you handle this? Can you handle knowing that this is not the first, nor will it be the last, life your husband has taken and will take?"

"I... I love Gajeel. This... I can handle this." Levy nodded, turning her eyes to Gajeel, who was giving her a soft smile. She wasn't afraid of him, even after this. She still loved him, still wanted to marry him.

"Well, then," Metallicana spoke with a grin. "Welcome to the family, Levy McGarden."

"Welcome to the family, shrimp." Gajeel grinned at her. There was a round of "Welcomes" from everyone in the room. They may have lost one family member, but they gained a new one. Levy was now officially part of the family.

Hello my pretties! I'm sorry it's been a while since I updated. School and such got in the way but now I'm on summer break yay!

Review please! I'm sad I don't get a bunch anymore!

Thanks for reading!

-Everythingnerd12