Chapter 67

Levy timidly looked between the two newest members of the family, who were both giving her harsh looks. They clearly hadn't wanted to join Fairy Tail. Nobody put in their position really wanted to join... they just didn't want to die. And these two didn't want to die for a reason. They couldn't let Lisanna go down with them... and they couldn't leave her to go through life without them so suddenly. The Strauss siblings were as close as siblings could be.

It was admirable to Levy, who had never had siblings she could have bonded with. The closest had been Jet and Droy, after all. Levy didn't have such a deep familial bond with anyone. She admired it, really. She just wished they'd stop giving her death glares.

Oh, why was she in this predicament?! She should be enjoying her day off, not sitting in a room with the new recruits. But her plans with Lucy and Juvia fell through, which left Levy at the mansion all day. Once Gajeel saw that she was bored, he decided to put her to work. He gave her an 'easy job'... teaching the new recruits about what they could and could not do as part of the family.

They had been pleasant enough when she walked into the room with Lily in tow. However, as soon as she said she was Levy Redfox, the glaring started. She was related to him. The Don. Worse than being related to him... she was his wife. She willingly chose to be associated with someone like him. Someone who would force their little sister into a criminal organization. Someone who - and they saw it in his eyes - would actually have killed Lisanna if she'd asked him to... and she really would have asked him to, if they'd not agreed to join.

The silent glaring persisted for too long. Levy had no idea how to handle this. She wanted them to like her. She'd been so worried about them, after all, because they were Lisanna's family. But... the way they were acting... it was starting to piss Levy off. Yes, she wanted them to like her... but they also needed to understand her position in the family. She was the Don's wife and, dammit, she ought to be treated like it.

Just as Levy opened her mouth to spew out the little speech she'd just thought of... a knock on the door silenced her. They all turned to look as Lisanna let herself in, carrying a tray with tea and cookies on it. She gave everyone a bashful smile.

"I, uh... thought you might like a snack while you talk. I... I hope you don't mind, Mrs. Redfox." She turned pleading eyes to Levy before looking back at the tray. Levy noticed a fifth cup, and she bit back a smile. Lisanna was trying to weasel her way into the meeting. She didn't have to, she was quite welcome to join.

"Of course not. Please, join us." Levy offered sweetly, gesturing to the chair next to her. Lisanna smiled and quickly set the tray on the table. She passed out the cups of tea, taking one to Lily as he stood at attention by the door. He gave a nod of appreciation and she went to sit by Levy. Only then did she notice how tense the room was.

"Um... are you guys okay?" she asked quietly, looking to her siblings. She noticed they were giving Levy harsh looks, and she frowned. "Mira, Elfman, what's the big idea? Why are you looking at her like she killed your puppy?" Lily snickered quietly at the comment, unable to help it. It was so random but it worked so well.

"She's his wife." Was all Mira said. Elfman stayed silent. Lisanna took a moment to understand what her sister just said, and the implications of her words... and when she did, she was pissed.

"And she's the one that didn't want you to die." Lisanna told them firmly, surprising her siblings. "She... she was really worried when she found out about you guys... and she even got into an argument with the boss over it. She hasn't done a single bad thing to you, and you guys are treating her horribly! This isn't how mother raised us!" Her words made both siblings flinch and look ashamed, while Levy just stared at her in awe. But Lisanna continued.

"Mrs. Redfox is such a sweet, kind, gentle soul. She doesn't deserve to be treated like this." And now Lisanna's words had Levy blushing at all the praise. She... she really made such an impact on Lisanna? They barely ever saw each other... but she thought so highly of Levy from their few interactions. It... it made Levy feel... validated, appreciated... accepted by the family.

"And another thing," Lisanna continued with an annoyed huff, "you shouldn't hate Mr. Redfox so much, either. Sure, he's a criminal and he does bad things. But he's just trying to protect the family. Besides, he's the reason I'm even alive right now! He's the one who saved me, and offered me a place in the family."

"Join or die is not an offer, Lisanna." Mira spoke up, her voice bitter.

"It's a better one than most mafia families would give." Lisanna returned, silencing her sister. It's true. Any other mafia family would have simply eliminated the threat she potentially posed and silenced her. But Fairy Tail gave her the chance to live and she took it. She let her siblings think that over for a minute before she spoke. "Look. I know you want to protect me, and I know you don't want to be here... but this... it's not nearly as bad as it seems. Fairy Tail is not nearly as bad as they seem. Even the boss... he's really good guy, deep down. I may not play a big part. I'm only a cook, after all. But I care about this family and I don't want you to hate it here. Please... just give it a chance. And apologize to Mrs. Redfox. Please." she pleaded with her siblings, who shared a look before turning back to their little sister. Levy noticed their eyes were considerably softer now.

Mira and Elfman suddenly bowed their heads in Levy's direction. "I'm sorry for my behavior." they said in unison, surprising Levy. She'd expected that they might stop with the glaring, but she hadn't actually expected an apology for them.

"We... we shouldn't have been so rude when you've done nothing wrong." Mira continued, raising her head to look at Levy. She seemed far more kind when she wasn't glaring daggers at her.

"It's not manly to be rude." Elfman supplied, looking rather ashamed at himself.

"I, uh... it's okay." Levy said with a nervous laugh. "R-really. I'd be upset in your shoes, too."

"I... if it's alright. Can we start over?" Mira asked cautiously, surprising Levy further. She looked between the two siblings with a shocked expression, but it softened into a gentle smile. Levy held her hand out to Mira.

"My name is Levy Redfox. I'm here to teach you how things work in the family. Nice to meet you."