This chapter contains probably the most BrOTP moments so far in this story, and I'm really, really pleased on the responses of Gajeel being Juvia's step-brother and really caring for her wellbeing. As I said last time, the plot is going to start showing hints and things that will put into this AU, and I am also working on how many chapters are left until this is completed (working ahead helps me a lot).
So, please enjoy and please Review, Follow and Favorite, or nothing at all. Hearing from readers makes me happy and I want everyone to enjoy themselves. Stay happy and hopefully the next update will come soon!
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Ride 'em Hard
Chapter Eight
Gajeel Redfox woke up to the feeling of a pillow falling on his head.
Cracking his rusty-colored eyes open, the twenty-seven year old grabbed the pillow off of his face and sat up from his makeshift bed on the floor of his bedroom. Looking to his left side, Gajeel grumbled at the sight of his step sister still sleeping on the small bed; her blue hair wrapped in a messy bun and wearing a large t-shirt and soft shorts, the young woman pulled her blanket over her head and made a soft whine in her sleep.
Their bedroom was still dark for early morning and Gajeel didn't feel like checking his clock to see the exact time. In their tiny, tiny sized apartment, it was dark and cramped with the bed shoved in one corner and the dresser against the wall on the other side while Gajeel took the floor with extra blankets and sheets to make his own bed. Plain white walls and worn down furniture, it was the usual sight he and his sister woke up to every morning since he was fourteen and she was just seven.
It was thanks to his early growth spurt that he abandoned the single-sized bed to his tiny sibling and make use of the floor.
Seeing her roll towards the wall and make another noise, Gajeel rolled his eyes and nudged Juvia gently. "Hey, squirt. Move your head," he ordered quietly. It wasn't enough to wake her up, but Juvia blindly raised her head from the mattress, letting Gajeel slip the pillow back under to support her head. "Okay, all done, kid."
Juvia's head fell like a pile of lead, sighing sweetly and burrowing her face into the feathery content of her pillow. She made an odd noise that he took as thanks and lightly pat her head. Fixing the blanket to clear her nose and mouth for her to breathe, Gajeel stood up and quietly left the bedroom, closing the door quietly so he didn't wake Juvia up.
After using the bathroom and scrubbing his face to get rid of the sleep, Gajeel stumbled downstairs into the empty bar. Roaming into the kitchen behind the curtain, the muscular man went instantly to the pantry and fridge, opening drawers and the metal door to look for something to eat. After being able to get a couple hours of shut-eye after taking care of Jose and Hades' dirty work of delivering packages the other night and then instantly put to a one-on-one race with an unwanted goon trying to get into town, Gajeel and his sister haven't eaten, slept or took a break for the past forty-eight hours or more. He lost count.
Not wanting to bother Totomaru so early in the morning, Gajeel took the liberty of his pride to find ham and eggs in the fridge and a clean pan on the racks. He really didn't mind making food for himself and his sister, since he used to do it back in the day before joining Phantom Lord and his folks were out and about. Before Juvia's mother passed away when her daughter was three, Gajeel liked it when the only mother-figure in his life took the time to teach him little things that would help him in the future.
Cooking the two slices of ham before cracking the eggs, he faintly heard feet coming down the wooden stairs and approach the kitchen. The curtain being pushed aside, Gajeel was met with the sight of Juvia with half-lidded eyes and pouting lips with a familiar cell phone to her ear.
Gajeel made a soft growl and leaned away from the stove in irritation. However, Juvia gave him a tired smile before turning her attention back to the phone.
"No, Jose," Juvia said seriously, rubbing her eye with her free hand. Gajeel's stare hardened to a dark expression. "No, we have this covered… Yes, he is awake, too. Yes, Jose."
Jose must have cut from Juvia, since she removed the phone from her ear and shut the device off from the call. Sighing tiredly, Juvia leaned her head to the doorframe of the kitchen before looking to Gajeel. "Hades called again. His boss wants us to take out a client of his who was working behind his back with shipments and taking money."
"I should've brought my phone with me," Gajeel grunted sourly. "Sorry about waking you up like that, kid."
"Juvia doesn't mind it."
"What time is it?" Gajeel asked her, crossing his arms with the spatula in one hand.
Juvia peeked to the phone before holding up four fingers, making the taller man growl darkly and mutter curses under his breath. The blue haired racer offered him a small smile. "Nii-chan, it's not that big of a deal. Jose told Juvia that it's just a quick hit and run, and they have a tracker on the car he's trying to escape in. It's all going to be sent to your phone in a minute."
"Feel like the asshat boss of his is just keeping us on our feet all the damn time," Gajeel scowled at her looking at the 'better' of things. "When was the last time you've taken your medication, huh? Or slept longer than six hours? If you keep that up any longer, you're going to break down and probably have a grand mal."
"Juvia feels fine, Nii-chan," she assured him, standing up from her spot at the door and step further into the kitchen, a sleepy smile on her face. Reaching up, Juvia looped her arms with Gajeel's muscular bicep, snuggling her head against his arm. "Nii-chan can finish making food while Juvia gets the car ready, okay? Afterwards, we can come back and make pancakes for everyone."
"You and your pancakes," Gajeel huffed, checking the ham and eggs before adding pepper to them. "You're going to sleep when we get back. Sue will take your shift at bar tonight so you can rest up."
"Toto-sensei has a test for Sue-chan to take, and she still needs to study," Juvia reminded him before letting him go. "Juvia doesn't mind, Nii-chan. It's just for tonight, and Juvia will take longer breaks."
"Tch, it's not gonna do ya any good like that, squirt." Gajeel pulled out a plate and set the bread in the toaster. "I'm gonna talk to Jose and Sol 'bout giving you time off for a while. This is too much for you to take in without respecting your condition."
"They don't care for Juvia's condition. Nii-chan knows that," Juvia frowned and wacked her brother lightly with the back of her hand on his arm. "And remember that we need to impress Hades and his boss together. Nii-chan is not doing things without Juvia anymore, remember? You promised Juvia not to leave her behind."
Knowing that it was pointless to argue with her any more, Gajeel huffed once more and faced his cooking. "I remember."
"Juvia is going to get dressed and bring Nii-chan a shirt," she told him softly and he listened as she went back to the entrance of the kitchen. "The car will be ready in ten minutes, so bring breakfast on paper towels. Toto-sensei is getting suspicious why his good plates are disappearing."
"Who's the guy we're gettin', squirt?" Gajeel asked quickly before she left. Juvia stopped to think of what Jose told her on the phone.
"Uhm...Jose said that his name was Zancrow?" Juvia shrugged lightly. "Juvia's never heard of him before, so he must be someone from out of the city."
Juvia left the kitchen to go back upstairs, missing her brother's reaction of his back stiffening and his hands freezing midair from finishing breakfast. The toaster popped and the scent of burning ham made Gajeel quickly shut off the stove and remove the pan quickly to reduce the chance of fire as vivid memories flashed through his mind.
Once he figured heard Juvia's steps on the floor above him, the racer let out a strangled breath before shaking his head. He had heard of Jose's plan of an upcoming pack of races Jason was organizing with a private investor, wanting him and Juvia to take part, but with Sue, Boze and Totomaru to get involved in it, too…
"Can't be Acnologia," he growled under his breath. "Jose wouldn't work for Acnologia, even if he had him hanging by the neck. The fuck is Zancrow doin' here?"
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Mirajane woke up her fiance by gently shaking his shoulders and pressing little kisses on his blond head. The husband-to-be made some of his usual grumbling noises, somewhat a mix between a dog and a penguin, she guesses, and roll to his stomach. Mirajane giggled sweetly before climbing on his back, gently tickling his ribs and nuzzling her nose to his thick neck.
"Laxus-kun," she cooed when he made a deep whine against the pillows they had on their shared bed. "Laxus, wake up. Master Makarov wants to see us, honey."
"'Bout what?" he growled, heaving a large sigh that gently rose Mirajane's curvy body and back down when he exhaled. "I told him that the papers were on his desk. Can't he understand simple words?"
Wearing her favorite pink nightgown, Mirajane fixed the thin straps on her shoulders before plopping her upper body on his bare back. "Come on, Laxus. Everyone is waiting for us at the bar and we're the only ones left. He said it was important."
"Too early to deal with the kids, Mira."
"It's just Erza, Jellal and the Three Musketeers, honey," she told him softly, snuggling her face against his warm skin. She felt Laxus sigh and slowly move under her, and she got up and picked out some pants from the floor of their bedroom. Once she found him slowly rising from the bed in his sweatpants, she smiled and gave him a good morning kiss. "Come on, slowpoke. We're gonna be late for the party, if we don't hurry."
Mirajane strolled happily in her bunny slippers out of their apartment with her hubby in tow, going to the elevator and taking the ride down to the garage where everyone was already sitting and talking casually to each other. Once Mirajane locked her blue eyes with a familiar redheaded woman, she scurried over to hug Erza, who was sharing a mug of hot tea with Jellal, who still appeared to be half-awake, like Laxus was, his head tipping up and down from dozing.
"Morning, Erza-chan," Mirajane sang softly while Erza rolled her eyes at her friend's joyful rays of sunshine. "Did you and Jellal sleep well last night? You two went to bed awfully early, in my opinion."
When her friend's cheeks went as red as her hair, Mirajane knew she got her good. "Sh-shh!" Erza's brown eyes snapped to her smiling, yet naughty face. "That's none of your business, Mira…"
"I'm just teasing, Erza-chan," Mirajane cooed again before pressing her cheek to Erza's boiling one in a affectionate snuggle. "I don't want to make my Maid of Honor to get mad at me for teasing about your sex life, ne?"
"Mira, leave Erza alone," Laxus said with a yawn, making the platinum blonde giggle and let go of Erza. "Keep it up with her and she's going to bite you again, like last time."
"I think that was a love bite," Mirajane grinned, making Erza go limp in her arms and lean towards Jellal. Looking up to see Makarov enter with his laptop in his hands, Mirajane got everyone's attention. "Good morning, Master Makarov!"
Macao smacked Gildarts awake while Wakaba leaned back to give a welcoming nod to the old man. "What did ya need, Makarov? We were starting to wonder if you were just testing to see if we could actually get up."
"I had to get my computer," Makarov sighed before going around the counter and using the stepping stool to reach up to a wooden chair set behind the counter. "I'm sorry for making all of you guys wait like that, but this is rather important and I would like it if the kids didn't hear about this first."
"What's up, Gramps?" Laxus crossed his arms while everyone tuned in on the older man opening his laptop.
"The cops found a body today near the docks, right where the border of the city exits to the mountains," Makarov said as he pressed a few keys on the keyboard. "They called me this morning when they identified the body, and I wanted you guys to help me with it."
Setting the laptop on the counter, Makarov looked to Erza and Jellal with a concerned look in his eyes, making the married couple frown at his behavior. Sighing, Makarov looked back to the blue-lit screen with a stern expression. "Jellal, Erza...do you know of a man named Zancrow."
Jellal's eyes widened and Erza looked down to her lap. "Zancrow...yes, we know of him," Erza swallowed thickly, and Mirajane could see something in her best friend's brown eyes that didn't sit well with her. "He was Acnologia's client and one of his allies from years ago. Probably a distant relative, or something."
"He was one of the co-leaders to Acnologia, specifically to the part where Erza and I are from as children," Jellal added. "He disappeared with Acnologia, from what we remember, but only after trying to dispose of the children they had…"
"That was around the time you two got out, no?" Makarov asked.
Erza and Jellal nodded. "A few of us were able to get out, but not many survived because of Zancrow," Erza said. "One of our good friends, his name was Simon, was killed when he was caught trying to escape with us. He was one of the older kids who watched out for us, the smaller ones."
Heaving a rough sigh, Makarov turned the computer screen for everyone to see and both Erza and Jellal visibly froze at the sight on the laptop. A police photo of a dead man lying on the pavement with his skull bashed to pieces, the blond hair the man had was stained with red while the rest of his body was covered in ashes, having been set on fire. The man's eyes were wide open in agonizing pain as his body was sprawled in a weird position, showing that he had suffered and scrambled around before his death. Gildarts whispered a 'damn' under his breath while Macao whistled lowly.
Mirajane looked to Erza, who looked away from the screen and covered her mouth with her hands. Jellal nodded slowly to Makarov, confirming that it was indeed Zancrow's body on the photo. "They found his car at the docks, too, with residue of drugs and money in the backseat. The whole front of his ride was smashed, and they guessed he hit his head on the windshield on impact with no airbag. Someone yanked him out and poured gasoline on him and set him on fire to kill him. There are no prints on him or his car."
"So it was really Zancrow in the city, and not Acnologia?" Wakaba raised a brow, playing with the folded pack of his cigarettes. "Done deal, right? The races are off and case goes cold."
"Apparently not," Makarov shook his head. "Jason sent out a message about prize money doubling to racers who win the races being set up. It doesn't look like Zancrow had anything to do with funding, but was rather trying to make a run for it."
"And someone caught him before he could make it out of here," Laxus finished with a sneer. Looking to Jellal wrapping an arm around his wife, who remained mute and unresponsive, the blond man was hesitant of his question. "Does...the attack look familiar at all to you guys? Do you think you can tell who did it to him?"
"Zancrows form of torture was setting people on fire with gasoline," Jellal said lowly, guiding Erza's head to rest on his shoulder. "Whoever was able to do this to him knew of his habit and turned it against him. Did they get any traces on the wreck, Master Makarov?"
The elderly man shook his head, making Macao huff. "You think the guy knew what he was doing when he took Zancrow out. How long has it been since anyone could touch a hair on that man? Someone definitely had it against him, that's for sure."
"Too bad it wasn't us," Gildarts growled.
"That's not what we're gathered here for," Makarov snapped, closing his laptop. "This is a sign of rebellion and war starting here in the city, so that means shit is about to hit the fan. Everyone is going to be on edge about this with Acnologia's men being targeted and it's likely other gangs are going to go at each other's throats, and we are no exception outside the garage."
"So what are we going to do?" Laxus asked.
"I want change of plans," Makarov sniffed bitterly. "The big shots aren't taking this action seriously as they should, so we're gonna do things a bit differently: I want all of you to keep eyes and ears open all day and everyday. Whatever is said at the races, on the streets, or within these walls, I want you to report to me. Things like this hasn't happened anywhere for nearly twenty years, and there's a reason why it's starting again."
"You think it has something to do with the old S-Class, Makarov?" Wakaba raised a brow, knowing that was what was on everyone's mind, including Mirajane's. "You think it could be the Igneel or someone trying to -?"
"It's too early to tell, but it is a possibility," the elderly man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But, until we know for sure what the hell is going on, I don't want the kids to know about this. This is all between us, see?"
Everyone nodded, and Mirajane looked back to her best friend while her boss continued. "Keep an eye on the kids and keep them safe whenever we step out of the garage. Natsu is already thinking that his father is somewhere out there and is itching to go hunting' for Acnologia. With the Phantom Lord, too, since Jose has a new client and he has a few kids in his care. Knowing him, he's gonna do something stupid.
"I already talked to Blue Pegasus, and they're pulling out of the races with the excuse of a break into their garage and their rides were damaged," he went on. "They think whatever is causing all this mayhem is going to put the cops on the streets more often, so they don't want to risk getting caught in the crossfire. I suggest everyone stay armed inside and outside the car, just incase. Conceal and carry what you can and try to get the kids to do the same."
"Isn't this a bit too much for something we barely know?" Gildarts' face scrunched with displeasure.
"I'd rather be ready ahead of time than be caught without, Gildarts," Makarov's eyes narrowed before looking to Mirajane, who remained standing tall and collected. "Mira, I know this may be a lot to ask, but I would like you to ride with Laxus and join the crowd at the races. See if you can pick anything up."
"Of course," Mirajane nodded seriously.
"Whoa, I said I didn't want shit, Gramps!" Laxus snapped. "I thought we agreed to leave me out of races until after the wedding. And don't put Mira out in the public when they haven't seen her in so long! That's sketchy enough as it is!"
"But Acnologia doesn't know that. And I want all my best racers out there keeping an eye out." Looking around the counter for a good minute, Makarov took in every face present carefully. "You guys are more than criminals, homeless and trouble makers to me; I consider everyone here and those still asleep in their beds upstairs family, and I will not take things likely. If Acnologia is indeed back, I'm not going to take chances in putting my family's lives in danger, got it? Blood is thicker than water."
"Blood is thicker than sweat," Macao added in, crossing his arms in defeat, but determination in his eyes.
"Thicker than booze," Gildarts nodded.
Wakaba tilt his head back with closed eyes. "And much more thicker than any of the liquids pulsing in our rides."
"You all are better than what the law puts you to be, and that's why you're here working between the the law and the road," Makarov said strongly, and Mirajane could feel her heart swell with pride of how far she and her siblings have come, along with her friends and comrades. "You have proved all who has done you wrong that you're better than the bad guys on the TV or the papers. Remember that you are part of Fairy Tail, and your lives matter."
After the meeting at seven in the morning, Makarov dismissed the members and returned to his office. Gildarts left to go back to bed before Cana woke up, and Macao and Wakaba left to tend to their rides on the other side of the garage while the slightly younger adults remained at the bar. Laxus sighed before wrapping his muscular arms around Mirajane, making her smile at his affectionate gesture. Looking up, Mirajane was awarded to a light kiss on her forehead by her fiance.
"I'm heading back to bed," he mumbled against her exposed forehead, making her giggle. "Wake me up if I sleep in too late, 'kay?"
Feeling him lightly pinch her rear, Mirajane rolled her eyes and nodded. "Alright, sweetie," she said softly. Stealing a glance to Jellal and Erza still in their seats, the platinum blonde's eyes softened when she noticed how the man ran his fingers through Erza's long red hair. "I'll see you in a while, Laxus-kun."
Understanding her tone of voice, Laxus nodded before giving one more kiss to her head and leaving, letting Mirajane clasp her hands in front of her before approaching the married couple in quiet steps. Reaching with both hands, Mirajane slipped her palms onto Erza's stiff shoulders and leaned down to press her upper body and head against her in a cuddling manner.
Closing her blue eyes as she snuggled her head against her best friends', Mirajane hugged Erza close to her after hearing a quiet sob. "Are you okay, Erza-chan?" she asked quietly when Jellal sat up, but holding his wife's hands tightly. "What's wrong sweetie pie?"
Despite their old competition the two women had on the roads, Mirajane and Erza had a close relationship, like sisters, and have considered each other their support for years. Ever since Erza and Jellal joined Fairy Tail, the two women have been best of friends and it was Mirajane who confided her troubled past with Erza and vice versa. Mirajane knows about the two's dark past of being of Acnologia's gang as children, and she always knew when Erza is struggling with her thoughts about her past…
"It's okay, Erza-chan. You know that," Mirajane cooed softly when Erza finally looked at her with unshed tears. She wasn't crying at all, and Mirajane took it as a good sign. Cradling the S-Class woman's head to her chest, Mirajane rocked her gently in her hold. "It's good that Zancrow is gone, right? He was the one that gave you those nightmares, now he can't hurt you anymore."
Erza nodded, her voice a bit scratchy from containing her cries. She tried her best to smile, yet Mirajane just soothed her to relax, whispering that it was okay. "It's just that...you know, last time I saw someone get burned alive like that…" Erza shook her head slowly, hands squeezing Jellal's tightly.
The blue haired man looked up to Mirajane with a tired look in his eyes. "Simon, our friend who passed away when we escaped as kids, was killed that way," he explained quietly, rubbing his thumbs across his wife's knuckles. "Zancrow shot him in the leg and set him on fire while we hid in the vents. We wanted to stop him, but he had guns and we didn't."
"He's gone now," Mirajane told both of them, offering a small smile. "He's gone and he's not going to hurt anyone ever again."
"I just wish...it was me," Erza whispered against Mirajane, causing both her friend and husband to look her way. Her face was sad, Mirajane could tell, but her eyes read anger; a distant memory that haunted her best friend's mind for years and shared the pain with her beloved. Brown eyes didn't shed tears for the recently deceased, no, because the man who was murdered brutally from slipping out of the city was not worth tears of mourning. Mirajane could see the rage inside the redhead, the rage that was only reserved to the ones who caused hell to the innocent. For Jellal, Mirajane knew he felt the same, but he was so much more reserved with his demons - his only wish to support and love Erza with everything he has.
"I wish it was me who took that fucking piece of shit out with my bare hands," Erza growled under her breath. " I wish I killed that man slowly, just like he did to Simon..!"
"He died in pain and slowly, babe," Jellal whispered, bringing her hands up to kiss her fingers. "Whoever did it without us did a good favor of not letting him get away."
Erza nodded, letting Mirajane snuggle her once more with the kind of affection that was reserved for her family. "How about I get you some cheesecake, Erza-chan," she suggested sweetly, fixing Erza's bangs from hiding her left eye. "I got some of the strawberry cream you like the other day. That can be your breakfast. I got muffin mix I can make for Jellal, too, if that sounds good."
Jellal gave a half smile when he saw his wife quietly nod against her friend's breasts. "That sounds great, Mira. Thanks."
"Anytime," Mirajane giggled, knowing that Erza was now looking up to her with the impatience for cake.
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Natsu tumbled out of the bedroom, engulfed in the fluffy comforter, to find Lucy writing in a notebook on the couch. Still drunk of sleep and waking up to the uncomfortable chill without his usual snuggle-buddy with him, the racer walked into the doorframe twice in search for the blonde.
And here she was, still clad in pajamas and writing with a notebook he recognized from her backpack.
Tilting his head to the side, Natsu let out a childish whine before scurrying over to the couch and letting himself fall to the cushions, his face planting itself on Lucy's soft thigh. He ignored Lucy's startled squeak as he fixed himself to lay on his back, eyes tightly shut.
"Natsu!" Lucy whispered harshly, but her hand was gentle when it lightly pat his forehead. "What are you doing?"
"I woke up," he gurgled, sniffling, "and I was starting to feel gross, and you weren't there…"
"Honestly," Lucy sighed before tangling her fingers in his pinkish hair. Natsu really liked the feeling whenever Lucy did that to his head, making feel like he was in heaven by her gentle touch. She didn't sound too upset about his sudden entrance, so Natsu felt a little swell of pride in his chest at how Lucy is really sweet with him.
"Whadd'ya doin', Luce?" he breathed tiredly, cracking his eye open to look at the notebook in Lucy's other hand. It was worn down and kinda messed up from years of use, with little notes and doodles all over the back and front cover.
Lucy's brown eyes darted to look at his line of sight before smiling a little. Fixing Natsu's head on her lap to make her legs more comfortable and letting some of the blanket cover her feet; Natsu noticed her movement and held her legs in somewhat of a teddy bear-hold, resting his cheek against her leg.
"I'm just writing some stuff," Lucy shrugged after finishing. "I woke up early after our job and I just felt like writing. It's been a while since I've last done it."
"You like writin' stuff?"
"Mmhm. I was going for journalism while I was still in school," Lucy said softly, bringing the notebook down to rest on her other thigh to continue on writing with her pen. Natsu watched her face continue to concentrate on her writing, but a form of nostalgia in her smile. "I wrote ever since I was little with my mom. She kinda inspired me to take it into a career."
His head tilt against her skin, blinking. "How come you didn't finish, Luce?" he asked, but then regret his question when she stopped her writing hand and bit her lip. "You don't need to tell me, if you don't wanna. I was just -!"
"My dad forced me to quit school," Lucy explained with a little shrug. "I was in the second semester of my first year, and he said I couldn't go anymore. He already got my classes dropped and credits terminated, so I could stay home and take on the family business one day and I didn't want to."
"Why would he do that?" Natsu frowned darkly. Lucy looked to see him getting irritated, and it made her smile and brush her fingers through his hair again to silently tell him to calm down. "I mean, you were already an adult by then and you already decided what you wanted to do with your life - It's not fair for you that he did that."
"My dad...he changed a lot after my mom passed away when I was in high school," Lucy said quietly, her hand still gently touching his hair and cheek unconsciously. Looking to the scribbled words on her lined paper, the blonde woman's eyes went to a hooded stare, as if she was lost in her thoughts. "He used to be super awesome at being a dad, but I guess my mom's death did something to him to make him think that I would die, too. It was weird, but I hated being sheltered like that to the point I couldn't go anywhere."
"Sounds like those princesses trapped in towers, or somethin'," Natsu grumbled before crossing his arms underneath the blanket. Lucy giggled at his idea and agreed with his childish pout.
"It got to the point of him telling me what would be best in my favor and whatnot that made me leave with my backpack and sneakers," Lucy went on. "I got sick of having someone telling me what was right or wrong in their opinion; I wanted to go to school and go to parties, and even check out races and car shows, like my dad used to take me and my mom to when I was little…"
"I've always wanted to go to college, but I never knew what I wanted to do with my life," Natsu hummed suddenly, making Lucy look down to his gentle face. "I grew up in Fairy Tail with my dad, so all I knew was cars, races and working for the good guys. My dad would make sure I made it to school during the day - like kindergarten, junior and high school, you know? - and pick me up on time and bring me back to the garage to do homework. And, when I finished my homework correctly, he would take me to the races to watch him.
"I used to fall asleep in the crowds, even with the music practically killing my hearing," he snorted with a grin, making Lucy smile a little. "Macao would watch me until Dad finished, then he'd drive me home… That's how I would get sick, by the way; I would eat tons of junk food before passing out, and then I'd wake up screaming to tell my old man to pull over."
"Ew, Natsu!" Lucy giggled and pat his forehead again, making the racer snicker.
Grabbing the hand on his face, Natsu pulled Lucy's palm up to look at the creases and marks on her hand with great interest. "After high school, I wanted to think about my options for college, but nothing ever came up. All I could really think of what to do with my day is working in the garage and racing at night."
"I think it's okay to do that," Lucy offered, letting him fiddle with her fingers. "Not everyone needs to go to college, Natsu."
"Yeah, but I think it's great that you tried," Natsu shrugged, looking up to her. "And who knows? Maybe you can go back to college again? The station and big shots are pretty nice in helping with tuition and all that, since Mirajane is going for a medical degree and Levy is going for another language and biology."
Smiling bigger, Lucy held Natsu's hand. "Maybe someday," she nodded in agreement. "But, for right now, I'm pretty content with where I am now. I'm enjoying what I'm doing here in Fairy Tail and being your partner and doing races. It's kinda like what I missed when I was locked up at my old home."
"What, like parties?" Natsu blinked with confusion.
Shaking her head, Lucy laid back on the couch and closed her notebook on one hand. "No, having friends and making good memories...even if it means throwing a bomb out the window and trying to take down drug dealers in heels."
"So you're gonna finally throw bombs during races, Luce?" he perked hopefully.
"I'm still sleepy, Natsu. I promised Lisanna that I'd help make breakfast around nine, so lemme nap!"
"Aww, Luuuce! C'mon, I know you wanna try it. It can be a little one, if you want.""
Lucy grinned at the noise Natsu made of a whine. "Hey, Natsu," she peeped and waited until he grunted again. She didn't need to look to see him still pouting like a child. "If I ever do go back to college, wanna come with me? I'm sure we can sneak you into some of my classes so you can check it out. It's just long lectures and tons of quiet time."
Natsu made a noise that was like an interested 'ohh', but also like a whiney cat. Raising her head to look back down to see him actually thinking about it; a little sparkle in his hazel-colored eyes looking to the ceiling before looking to her. "If I can't be in the classroom, I can wait outside in my cool car and wait until class is over. Kinda like what my dad did with me, but my car is so much cooler and everyone is gonna be jealous that you got an awesome car, Luce!"
Lucy didn't hesitate to agree with him, but she wasn't expecting him to push himself up with his arms and meet her nose-to-nose, exciting her heartbeat and blush to rise from her cheeks. He grinned so wickedly before dropping his weight against her, making Lucy squeak and tumble down on the cushion, their faces smushed together by the cheeks while the blonde laid against the couch. Natsu brought the big, white, fluffy blanket around his shoulders and wrapped himself and Lucy like a burrito on the couch.
"N-Natsu! What are you -?" Lucy stuttered in a whine.
"I'm gonna be blasting music and roll the windows down when classes get let out," Natsu laughed loudly, snuggling his roommate. "I'll sneak into your classes like a ninja. Nin-nin!"
"Stop it, Natsu!" Lucy tried not to laugh when Natsu snickered against her.
"Nin-nin, Lucy! You gotta say nin-nin!"
Gray woke up to his cellphone going off on his nightstand. Cracking his tired eyes open underneath his dark blanket, Gray stared darkly to his cellphone vibrating against the wooden surface next to the lamp; reaching over to just check the Caller ID, Gray shut off his phone and rolled to his back.
A distant noise of a 'thump!' and an easily recognizable cry of Natsu could be heard over the layers of walls and floors between his apartment and his friends'. Gray quickly assumed that both Natsu and Lucy were awake by now, yet it could just be his new blonde friend wacking his childhood buddy again. He was glad that Natsu found another snuggle buddy and actually left him alone to get a good night's sleep for once.
He knew Laxus was more than grateful to have his bed back with his fiancee again, too.
Sitting up in his bed, Gray boredly let his chilly bedroom hit his exposed chest and back like a morning shower. Still tired from sleep, Gray blinked slowly while looking around his boring bedroom with both clean and dirty clothes all over his floor, hanging from a lamp post and the plushed chair in the corner.
Gray Fullbuster was a relatively clean and organized man living alone in his apartment. Since he moved in at the age of fifteen as an official racer for Fairy Tail, Gray always made sure that he kept his things in order in the livingroom and kitchen of his quarters. His bedroom, however, was more like a hell for any clothes he owned to his name. It was always a habit of Gray to wear lack of clothes (saved for his favorite white leather jacket he got for Christmas that would sometimes run away from him), so it was a normal sight Gray to wake up to a collaboration of clothes in his bedroom.
Pulling himself out of bed and ignoring his phone going off again on the nightstand and looked for a pair of jeans to yank on. Once obtaining that miracle of the day, the young man made his way out of the bedroom in time to hear his door being knocked on delicately. Groaning, Gray slouched his way over and opened the door a crack to see the petite mechanic dressed in skirt and a frilly tank, her makeup light and lips glossy.
One of those rare moments when Levy McGarden wasn't covered in oil or smelled like gasoline.
"Wha'ya want, Levy?" Gray sighed, bonking his head on the doorframe tiredly. He didn't even check the time yet, but Gray knew that his body would not fully awaken for another few hours. Gray was never the morning person, unlike his mother who would yank him out of bed during school with a sunshine smile on her face.
"Mornin', Gray!" Levy chirped loudly, making his ears ring a little bit and hit his head on the doorframe again. "Wow, you seem like you're hungover. Did you drink last night?"
"No," Gray frowned. "What do you want, nerd?"
The small woman smiled. "Makarov approved me and Lulu-chan going to the Phantom Lord for today to see Juju-chan with Erza," she explained sweetly. "It's just us girls, but I wanted to ask if you wanted to come and see Juju-chan too!"
Gray pinched the creases of his eyes before blinking them open by force. Swallowing thickly, Gray tried to his best to hide his pink cheeks with his large hand. "No. Can't today," he muttered. "Gonna help Jellal with his engine and work out today with Elfman…"
"What, did you get in trouble at the bar again with Gajeel-kun?" Levy smiled a bit brighter, but more teasing. "He's not gonna hit ya when Juju-chan is working, or if I'm around. I'll be your bodyguard today!"
"No," Gray said again, but he refused to meet Levy's brown eyes.
Levy pouted then, standing her ground in her cute sandals that she got as a birthday present last year and hands on her hips. "That's not like you. You normally jump at the invitation," she said in a huff. Noticing his tired eyes, she narrowed hers and raised her brows. "Did something happen, Gray? You look like you had a hard night, like you had a bad dream."
"Not bad dreams, nerd," Gray yawned. "Can you just go so I can go back to bed?"
"You're worried, too, aren't you?"
Silence took over between the two friends, Gray looking more offended while Levy looked calm and sincere to him. The small woman's eyes softened as a tiny smile started on her lips, her shoulders relaxing from her previous up-and-chipper behavior she previously had when she knocked on his door. Gray looked away from her to a much more interesting spot on the wall behind her (which he recalls being made when he and Natsu went at it in the hallway one night), and did his best to ignore Levy's sigh.
"It's okay to be worried about Juvia, Gray. No one is going to get upset that you have feelings for her and you want to make sure she's okay," she said quietly, trying not to allure any one else to open their apartment doors and ask for quietness. When the dark haired man was about to snap back at her, she raised her hand and gave him a hard stare. "No, don't try to pull that crap on me, Fullbuster. I know you like my cousin - hell, you probably feel something more than like at this point, now that I think about it - and you can't tell me otherwise. I'm not saying that to tease you at all, because I see nothing wrong with that."
"You make it sound like it's simple and easy," Gray sniffed bitterly, crossing his arms and leaning against the wooden door.
Levy shook her head. "No, it's not easy," she said, looking down to her shoes. "I understand you though, Gray: what it's like to really, really care for someone romantically, but you can't do much about it because of gangs and stuff. Especially when you're in Fairy Tail, right?"
"You and Gajeel get along just fine with each other," Gray rolled his eyes. "Now that I think of it, besides Juvia, he probably listens to you better than anyone else."
Levy peeped and clapped her hands to her cheeks to hide her blush, her eyes full of fury as she pouted at Gray, who didn't bother to hide his own smirk. "You little shit!"
Gray shrugged it off before going serious. "Makarov has told me to keep my visits to a minimum to the bar, especially when I go to check on your cousin," he explained, thinking back to the old man reminding him the other night when Gray was thinking about heading to his bike and taking off to get a drink. "Jose and that Sol guy know me well enough to keep a sharp eye on me, 'specially with all this shit goin' around with Acnologia and whatever. You, however, and Erza and pretty much anyone else isn't looked at as a threat when they walk into the place."
"You do spend a lot of time there," Levy said pointedly, making Gray flinch. "Even when Gajeel isn't kicking your ass left and right, I remember how you spent nearly every day in the summer trying to keep an eye of Juju-chan."
"Your point?"
"I feel bad that you can't see Juju-chan as often anymore, with what's going on," Levy huffed somewhat sadly, but smiling up to him again. "How's Natsu taking all of it? He doesn't seem as jittery as he usually is."
"I haven't really spoken to him about it," Gray confessed. "I think Gramps told him what is what and made him leave it as that, but I'm not too sure. He seems to be okay around Lucy though, so I assume he's taking it seriously for once."
"I see," she hummed. "That's good though. Him and Lulu-chan are pretty cute together."
Gray raised a brow. "Seriously?"
"You don't see it?" Levy grinned naughtily, clapping her hands together. "Haven't you noticed how Natsu isn't as loud and rowdy as he used to be? Whenever Lulu-chan says something, Natsu actually pays attention; he's always next to her and making sure she's alright, Lisanna and I are trying to figure out how long it will take until Natsu comes running to us about how to properly ask a girl out!"
"Ya shouldn't be doing stuff like that, Levy. This isn't high school, you know. You're acting like a gossiping sixteen year-old looking at the prom king and queen."
"Well, Natsu is certainly doing a lot more progress than you are with Juju-chan, so I'm setting my bets for Natsu. You've been at it with chances since we were teenagers, so you're getting pretty dry with the polls," Levy sighed and shrugged. Turning her heels, the blue-haired mechanic made her way down the hall. "Sorry for bothering you so early, Gray! I'll tell Juju-chan that you were too busy, but can get a to-go bag or something."
"Wait...wait! What did you just say?" Gray practically screeched in shock as he leaned out of the apartment and stared daggers at the retreating woman, who was skipping joyously to the elevator. "Levy! Get your tiny ass back here and tell me -!"
"Gray, shut your mouth, for God's sake!" Gray's neighbor, Elfman Strauss, the middle child of the Strauss siblings in Fairy Tail, groaned in annoyance beyond the wall. "It'd be the most manly thing to remain quiet while it's still early for some of us!" For all Gray knew, Elfman went out with his partner and not-so-secret-girlfriend, Evergreen, last night for a long job given by Makarov. Evergreen drives while Elfman served as a mechanic and muscle.
Gray purposely smacked his forehead to the door before letting out a lame apology, ignoring Levy's faint laugh as she disappeared and he remained alone in the hallway. Gray mentally cursed before closing his door and deciding to return to bed for another few good hours, at least before Jellal came searching for him for their plans on working on his engine.
Then, Gray remembered that his cell phone was still in his room. 'I'm...just going to hide it between the couch cushions.'
=xxx=
"You mean you know how to make lava cake with ice cream?" Lucy practically cried in pure bliss at the sight of the little plate Juvia placed in front of the blonde. It was a small square with chocolate drizzle, still steaming from being taken out of the oven, with a scoop of ice cream and sprinkles on top. Lucy's brown eyes watered with joy as she looked up to the waitress in her uniform with flushed cheeks and tears slipping. "Juvia-chan, you're a godsend! You know how to make lava cake!"
The racer blinked before serving the other plate to her cousin and then the margarita glass to Erza, who was mature and mute about it while Levy snickered joyously beside her friend. Juvia's cheeks went a little pink in embarrassment before offering a tiny smile to the three female costumers.
"Juvia had lots of spare time years back, and she found Toto-sensei's recipe books," she shrugged gently. "Juvia had a lot of practice."
"The taste is so much better than it actually looks, Lulu-chan!" Levy pointed out as she took a fork from her cousin's offered hand, licking her lips before taking a piece of it with the cold cream with it. "It's like a five-star dessert you can't get anywhere else! Try it, Lulu-chan!"
Lucy obeyed and carefully took a piece of the lava cake and ice cream, tasting it slowly before her blush deepening and her eyes widening with sparkles and hearts. A small squeal could be heard from her closed mouth, and Juvia, Levy and Erza chuckled at the sight while Lucy practically fangirled over the small treat given to her.
"Juvia sees that Lucy-chan seems to like the lava cake," the blue haired racer smiled with joy as she hugged the tray to her busty chest. "If Lucy-chan is okay with telling Juvia, she will make a special lava cake for her birthday. Levy-chan's birthday treat is an apple strudle and Erza's is Juvia's popular strawberry cheesecake with chocolate drizzle."
"Juvia, please don't tempt me today," the redhead pouted adorably. "Mira already gave me a big chunk for breakfast today and I don't want my butt expanding."
"Erza is too beautiful and perfect for any imperfections," Juvia responded with a grin, making Erza instantly blush and look away to sip her drink.
"Juvia-sama!" Sue's familiar voice came from the propped curtain of the kitchen. The younger girl came in with a large, worn-out textbook and a irritated look on her face, ignoring Totomaru's glance towards her while he was washing dishes inside the kitchen. "Juvia-sama, I need help with this stupid chapter on the ecosystem in the ocean and Gajeel-sama doesn't know shit!"
"I heard that!" Gajeel shouted and a small 'clang!' of a wrench falling to the pavement could he heard, but Sue chose to sniff and hobble over to the bench, slamming the textbook on the top.
Juvia sighed but held a finger to Sue to give her a moment, which the dark-skinned girl nodded and propped her elbows on the counter. Turning back to the three women, Juvia set her dark eyes to Levy, who was looking to the entrance of the kitchen that also led to the back of the bar, where Gajeel was. Poking Levy's temple with her pinky, Juvia startled her cousin with bright red cheeks.
"Nii-chan could use some good company while he works on his car," she winked to her small-sized cousin. "He would prefer Juvia's help, but Toto-sensei asked her to remain up front today while Sue and Boze study."
Levy blinked, but nonetheless got up and made her way over to the counter. Offering a small greeting to the teen who waved patiently. Levy gave a small hello to Totomaru, who smiled knowingly and let her pass through the hot and somewhat small kitchen (Mirajane's kitchen was probably three times larger, and there was no such thing as a cramped space in hers like it is inside Phantom Lord's one, but Levy would never say that outloud). She soon found herself outside the back, where tarps hung overhead and tools scattered everywhere; the Dodge Challenger Hellcat was uncovered from the sheets, unlike Juvia, Boze and Totomaru's car were in the corner of the wooden and metal lock-in area, and two legs stuck out from underneath on the opposite side from her.
Walking over to the opened hood of the car, Levy peeked inside to take a look. "I see that you got a new power-up tank. Did you buy it off from a garage, or from the black market?"
"Where'd you think?" Gajeel grumbled, but Levy knew that he didn't mean to sound rude. Small squeaking of the board he was laying on stinged her ear, and she was startled to see Gajeel's rusty eyes and messy black hair in her sight. "Decided to lose the uniform today?"
"No," Levy blushed, looking back to inside the car.
The man snickered, and Levy knew that it meant trouble. "I see you're wearing the black lace underwear, huh?" he did his signature laugh before Levy's sandaled foot shoved against his cheek, making him grunt suddenly. "Not like I'm complaining!"
"You look tired," she said suddenly, noticing the dark shadows under his bored-looking eyes. He also seemed a bit paler than usual and dry on the lips. "Both you and Juju-chan look really tired. Have you two been staying up all night?"
"Workin'," was all he said and Levy knew that she had no other choice but to accept that excuse.
Crouching down to his lying form on the wood, Levy fixed her skirt to conceal her undergarments as she rest her elbows on her knees. Tilting her head to him, she offered him a small smile. "I'm sorry if I was bothering you two today. I was just happy that Jose let Makarov allow us to come here today, and all."
"Squirt was pretty excited about you guys comin' too," Gajeel shrugged, refusing to look her in the eyes and it made her smile sweetly. "She was practically jabbering like a bird when she was making the cake, or whatever."
"Yeah, I miss Juju-chan so much," Levy hummed. She noticed that Gajeel was now looking her way, as if expecting more and she didn't bother to hide her bright smile as she reached and tapped his beige bandana. "And I missed you too, Gajeel-kun. Don't think I'd forget about you...although, I missed Juju-chan more since she's my cousin."
"Oi," Gajeel said flatly, grasping the edge of his car with tight fingers.
"I'm kidding, Gajeel-kun," Levy cooed before dropping to her knees on the dirty ground. She didn't mind it though, since she was too busy bending her head down, letting the long strands of her bangs drape down to Gajeel's studded face with oil smudges. She really didn't mind that he had that triumphant snicker before closing their eyes so their lips could touch gently.
Although their relationship was secret to most people, Levy and Gajeel knew that they were safe within the walls of the bar. While Jose and his main guy, Sol, don't hang around as often as their employees, there were no limits to what can really happen between a Phantom Lord and a Fairy Tail member. No such thing as security cameras were in the bar, so all it really took was the presence of anyone who was out of the know (which included a good portion of Fairy Tail itself).
Levy and Gajeel didn't date like normal couples, nor did they usually show affection publicly at the races whenever Levy had the chance to go, but the mechanic couldn't bring herself to really care for the normal lovey-dovey stuff. She knew that Gajeel was pretty touch in his image and position in the race and gang world, but she also knew his heart was much bigger than his ego…
"So, those laced panties ya got there," she heard him whisper once she pulled back.
Levy flicked her finger on his lip, stinging the part of body she really, really loved to kiss. The freaky man stiffened and tried to ignore the pain on his mouth as he glared at her. "Never ask a lady about her undergarments, Gajeel-kun. You should know better than that, especially when you live with Juju-chan."
"She's my sister ever since she was a few months old," he retorted, pulling himself out fully from under the car and sitting up on his board. "I've changed her diapers, seen her underwear change throughout the years and her lingerie wishlist. I got enough of her underwear. I wanna see yours now."
"Gajeel-kun!"
The man snickered and patted the top of Levy's head. "I'm just teasin'. I like that pair, though, so wear it again sometime soon, okay?"
Before she could tell him to screw off and hit him again, a clattering noise startled her. Both Levy and Gajeel looked off back into the bar with raised brows, wondering what the noise was.
"Juvia?" Erza's voice was raised with alarm.
"Juvia-sama!" Sue's voice squealed in distress and Levy saw Totomaru drop the bowl he was washing and dash through the curtain hurriedly.
Levy was amazed at how fast Gajeel got to his feet and already making his way through the kitchen before she came to follow, meeting Sue behind the bar as both women looked over the counter to see Juvia laying on the carpet, shivering and limbs twitching rapidly as she made a wheezing noise on her side. There was a tray by her with fallen glasses and silverware. The expression on her face was blank, her eyes dim and staring off to nowhere in particular; her fingers twitching to grasp into a tight fist and letting go quickly, her chest heaving for breath and looking to be struggling to swallow.
"Oh god, Juju!" Levy gasped as she tried to look for the quickest way around to be at her cousin's aid. Gajeel himself jumped over while Totomaru went around and kneeled to the waitress's side, gently resting a hand on her quivering shoulder. Lucy and Erza were on their feet at the booth they were at with their treats.
"What happened?" Totomaru asked calmly to the two, startling Lucy who was trying not to cry at the sight.
"Juvia was carrying the tray before she fell to her knees," Erza spoke coolly, wrapping an arm around the blonde who was shaking. "She seemed fine only a moment ago. She did look a bit pale."
Levy watched as Gajeel stepped over her cousin's body to her back and slid his muscular arms underneath her head to put it in a better position as Juvia struggled to swallow or speak; her eyes were open, but murky-looking and lost with a droopy lids. Her fingers curled and uncurled constantly as she tried to speak, but slurring and heaving her breaths.
"It's alright, kid," Gajeel said quietly, but Levy could hear him over the messy conversations of Totomaru and Erza, along with Lucy's cracked sobs and Sue whining behind her fingers in worry. She could see how Juvia was trying to respond, but was currently unable. Slowly, her shoulders seem to lax and go completely limp, letting Gajeel reach under her twitching legs. "I'm just gonna pull you up, okay? Let me know if you feel like you need me to put you back down."
Juvia's limp hand looked to push against the carpet, letting Gajeel know that it was okay for him to pick her up. Levy tried to keep her emotions hidden at the sight of her cousin, who was usually so strong and capable of taking anything head on, become defenseless and weak in a manner of a second.
Gajeel looked up to see Levy staring at the two. "It's alright, kid. You're going to be alright."
Levy couldn't tell if he was talking to both of them.
.
.
.
=xxx=
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTE - Two extra pagesss. That's not that bad at I originally thought, but I'm not complaining this time!
Please Review, Follow, Favorite or whichever makes you happy, but Reviews always make me feel good. Stay happy and I'll see you guys soon.
