=xxx=
.
.
.
Ride 'em Hard
Chapter Twelve
To say Porlyusica was a scary old woman didn't even begin to define how many of the Fairy Tail members looked at her as. Many of them questioned why Mirajane would ever want to take her on for mentoring and private teachings for her medical degree, when the station said they would have paid her through medical school. It never made sense, really.
But, then again, Mirajane was always a questionable woman.
Currently, with the old doctor staring intensely to Juvia, who was sitting on the counter with Levy on the stool next to her, it caused a nervous tension with the small crowd watching. As if she was under interrogation, Juvia sat mutely and returned the woman's stare just as venomously while Mirajane came humming and smiling from behind with Porlyusica's to-go medical bag. Many passerby scurried quickly at the thick cloud of bitterness between the two, all while Levy looked between them as Makarov sipped his tea and Lucy watched with her small team of Natsu, Gray and Erza.
Probably not the best place to do a check up with a doctor, out in the open of the garage, even with the large doors closed from the outside world and many of the remaining gang members went up to their living quarters to sleep or hide from Porlyusica specifically.
"So," the old woman croaked with a judgemental narrow of her eyes, "this is the brat who gave me a migraine looking for her file?"
"Yes, this is Juvia," Makaro introduced politely with a smile to the Phantom Lord woman, who just glanced his way before looking back up to the doctor crossing her arms. "She's cousins with Levy here, isn't that right?"
"Ah...yeah," Levy answered warily.
"And she's the one who broke the little snot's nose when we came in?" Porlyusica barked, making Levy, Lucy and the two boys flinch. Juvia, Mirajane, Erza and Makarov, however, didn't move a muscle at the sudden change of tone. "Ya going to try any of that shit on me?"
However, Juvia was nearly as stubborn and fearless when it came to Porlyusica. It was like she didn't notice her threatening behavior set on her, and she was the doctor's target.
"Touch Juvia without permission, then yes," Juvia answered flatly. "Grab my breast like that kid did, and Juvia won't hesitate to respond."
"Wait, Jet touched your boob?" Levy straightened. Lucy noticed Gray stiffening next to her, but she didn't bother to look his way. Juvia's cousin went red in the face, her fist tightening. "What the hell!"
"He seemed to believe Juvia was Levy-chan, and that Levy-chan had something in bed with her while she was sleeping when it was really Juvia and only Juvia," Juvia shrugged with one shoulder, seeming bored about the topic. "Juvia didn't know who they were at the time, and thought they were part of the people who got Juvia this way."
"Little shits," Gray mumbled under his breath, prompting Erza to flick his temple to keep him quiet.
"You know it was a pain in the ass to find anything on you, kid?" Porlyusica huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "Looked up about five different names you could have been under and wasted three hours to get a hit."
"Juvia apologizes," the woman tipped her head to her respectfully, yet her voice was still hard. "Juvia is grateful that you've taken the time to come out here as well and sought after to assist me when I am not with Fairy Tail."
The woman sniffed before looking to Makarov. "You put her up to this? Treating me like I'm some kind of grandma?" she accused the elderly man, who just smiled and shook his head. "Honestly, I question some of you street people and how you can go from being slang-talking slobs to little prince and princesses."
"Actually, if Juvia's brother was here, it would be the opposite," Mirajane sang with amusement as she held out a thick file to her mentor. When Porlyusica took the file and flipped it open, Mirajane giggled. "Juvia is actually an overall respectful and polite girl. She's very responsible and honest."
"Then it will be easy to ask you some questions for your file, before I take proper examination on you," the doctor glanced to Juvia with a raised brow. "Been over a decade since your last check-up, so I wanna get some notes on you before we further."
Juvia's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, leaning away for the old woman to sigh in annoyance and search for a pen in her lab jacket. "It's not going into the hospital's system. Patients who are in Fairy Tail's care remain in my personal file - not even the FBI can get to it unless they yank it out of my cold, dead hands."
"So you work for the FBI?" Juvia asked in a harsh bite, making Levy look down and Lucy to stiffen.
Apparently Makarov told Juvia very little of the truth of Fairy Tail's origin and operations, making the Phantom Lord racer think to it as a lie until Levy came back and confirmed it to her dearest cousin, along with a thousand apologies from keeping it hidden. After that, Juvia became fairly bitter and mean to the rest of the gang. Lucy thought it was because Juvia trusted everyone here, and suddenly finding out that they worked for the people who try to arrest her and label her as a criminal and dangerous person… However, she didn't seem to treat Levy or Lucy any differently. She was particularly hard with Gray when he tried to carry her out to the bar, being quick to push him away when he remained close and asked if she needed anything.
Lucy figured Gray would be irritated by it, but he seemed to understand where she was coming from.
"Psh, those idiots don't deserve a minute of my attention," the doctor rolled her eyes before jerking her thumb to the gang boss. "No, I'm an old acquaintance of this sorry sap here. Whenever he needs something done, whether it be surgery or stitching up someone in his care, he comes crying to me. Mira is also my student, so someday I don't need to get a voicemail of Makarov begging for help.
"Your file was in the 'missing person' folder, so no one at the hospital is going to notice it gone while it's in my hands. If you're worried about being found or whatever, don't fuss about it," she went on, pulling out a pen. "Now, can we just get to the questions so I can treat you?"
Juvia glanced to Levy for a moment before nodding to the doctor. Mirajane smiled brightly and clapped her hands for Juvia's determination for following her mentor's orders.
"Do you smoke?" Porlyusica asked.
"No."
"Do any drugs, such as smoking blunts, snorting or injecting with needles?"
"No."
Porlyusica raised a brow and looked to Juvia with a surprising look in her eye. "That's interesting. That clean, aren't you?" she sniffed before looking back down to her file, writing out the notes. "Heavy drinker at all?"
"Not often. Mostly around holidays, even then it's not much," Juvia seemed to be thinking hard for giving information to the doctor. It looked to be useful for Porlyusica, who nodded with a soft hum and wrote it down.
"Virgin? Sexually active recently? Contracted anything from intercourse or transmitted diseases? Not sure if you would know, since you haven't been to the doctor in so long," Porlyusica asked next, making Gray slam a fist down on the counter.
"Aren't you suppose to just check her injuries?" Gray snapped before he was hit again by Erza to silence him. Juvia, however, ignored his interruption while Levy whispered for him to shut up.
"Not a virgin, but only did it once. Juvia required protection and a medical examination before it could have been done. That was three or four years ago, but she used a pharmacy-bought kit to check for anything, just incase," she confessed boredly. "The file said he was clean, but Juvia wanted to make sure for safety purposes."
Lucy turned her head and saw how Gray's jaw tightened and his eyes widened in a hard shock. Frowning, Lucy resisted in talking to him and looked back, seeing how Juvia stole a glance to Lucy's way before looking back to look down to Levy's paled expression.
"When did that happen? How?" Levy gasped harshly, her hand tightening over Juvia's good one. "Why did you never tell me about this?"
"Nii-chan and Totomaru were taken hostage from an enemy of Jose a few years back, and Master Jose couldn't come up with the ransom money," Juvia shrugged. "Juvia purposed a trade with the leader for her virginity for their lives. Only Master Jose and Juvia knew about it."
"Who was -?" Gray was about to demand to the blue haired racer before she stopped him.
"The man is dead now - shot by his brother about a month after it happened. It was a one time thing and he prefered virgins in the first place," Juvia snapped back, making Gray lean back by her hard voice with wide eyes. Turning her head back to the doctor, Juvia refused to look back to the small group, her hands gripping Levy's a bit tighter.
"I'll ask for a blood sample, just incase. I doubt there is anything, though, with how you are now," Porlyusica said coolly, looking to see Juvia nod firmly. There was no judgement in the doctor's voice, making Lucy feel that she wasn't all that mean of a person when it came down to personal details like that. After seeing Juvia react so harsh and stiff about the subject, Porlyusica seemed to have a soft spot. "When was your last seizure, Juvia?"
"About a week ago, due to lack of sleep," Juvia answered, her voice bitter. "Juvia didn't sleep more than six hours in the span of three days."
"Yeah, that'll do it. How often do you get them?" the doctor asked next.
"Rarely, a couple of thrice a year, if not less - it depends if Juvia doesn't sleep or gets seriously injured," Juvia answered with a shrug. "Juvia will get dizzy at times, but nothing that seems to make her think it will turn into a seizure. Juvia's body gets warnings beforehand."
"Alright, so you appear to have grown out of the numbers you used to get as a child," Porlyusica nodded. "That's a good sign. You may not need large doses of medication after all." Clicking her pen, Porlyusica closed the file and dropped it on the free stool as she approached Juvia. "I'll check your vitals next. Let me know if it hurts when I touch you - your bruises seem fairly tender."
The outcome of Porlyusica's check up on Juvia was that she did not have a concussion, which was a prime worry for her and the medical student when she first saw the bruises and examined her body. No broken bones were found by physical examination, but Porlyusica suggested that she may have pulled a muscle in her arm from straining too hard and falling into shock. The stitches on her thigh were already healing decently and there was no fear for internal bleeding or the wound to reopen as long as Juvia stayed off her feet for a couple of days.
She prescribed Juvia to sleep, drink lots of water and to eat protein and meat to replenish her blood and energy into her bones. Mirajane was already cooking eggs and ham slices for the guest of Fairy Tail as Makarov asked Gray to take Juvia to her new quarters to rest up.
"She's not staying in my room?" Levy asked as Gray approached Juvia's stiff body. She could practically feel the tension between the two as he lifted Juvia and cradled her carefully before going to the elevator.
"It's best to keep her somewhere it will be quieter for Juvia to rest and relax," Makarov said calmly to the mechanic as he got off his spot on the stool and Levy followed his example. "She'll be staying on the floor where we can keep an eye on her properly. Cana, Lisanna and the other girls offered to take watch over her while she sleeps and make sure she eats her food. It's already evident that Juvia is going to be a bit stubborn after everything we told her today, and it will take a while for her to trust us, I bet."
Levy held her hands to her chest, looking down to the ground. "I think she feels betrayed that we're actually an undercover gang," she confessed. "She's treating Gray different and everyone else. I feel so bad, Master Makarov."
"It will be fine, child," Makarov said. "She let Porlyusica examine her and let the girls clean her up, no? Not all of her trust in us disappeared from finding out."
"No, but still, I bet she's thinking about Gajeel…"
Makarov nodded in understanding. "I understand too, Levy, but it's best to not think of the negative outcomes that might not happen to begin with."
Levy gave a soft hum of agreement, looking up to the elevator doors closing, concealing her cousin and Gray from view as she sighed tiredly.
Inside the small mobile car going up, Juvia remained still and silent in the arms of Gray, who began tapping his foot. The blue haired woman didn't say anything, nor did she cling to Gray as she had her hands on her lap, not clinging to him as she did when she woke up and cried for her step-brother.
She wasn't mad at Gray, nor did she hate Gray. Juvia didn't hate anyone in Fairy Tail, really, but it did come as a shock to her on what they really are. She felt lied to, if she was honest, but she wasn't the one to hold grudges against her close companions and her own flesh and blood for being an undercover operation for so many years. It hurt a little, but Juvia just needed time to figure out how it all worked for them and if she could really trust those she considered her friends now.
Especially when the guy who she has feelings for works for them as well.
"How old were you?" Gray's voice caught her attention, not realizing she was spacing out in the moment.
Juvia didn't need to ask what he meant, keeping her eyes down to her lap as she kept her voice calm and collected. "Sixteen or seventeen. It was a few years ago, so Juvia doesn't remember exactly," she said. "It wasn't something that haunted Juvia, or anything."
He grunted, a low and irritated sound that Juvia knew in her mind that he was not happy with her answer. "She did it for her brother and friend, Gray-sama," she reminded him. "Toto-sensei raised Juvia and Nii-chan, and Nii-chan is Juvia's family."
"Doesn't change the fact that you traded with a criminal to save their lives," Gray bit out through clenched teeth.
"Gray-sama never had to be in Juvia's situation at the time. Not having ransom money or to give up in trade, Juvia did what she had to bring them home."
"Hn."
Juvia closed her eyes, keeping her anger down at his stubborn attitude. "Is it because Gray-sama is pissed because Juvia gave herself up to a stranger? Or is it because Gray-sama sees Juvia as someone who would lie down for a man to save those she cares about?"
"Neither."
Juvia looked up to his hard face looking ahead at the closed elevator doors with daggers. She swallowed thickly and tightened her grip on the borrowed clothes she was wearing at the slightest change of his hold on her, as if bringing her closer to him as the tapping of his foot stopped.
"What pisses me off is that you didn't have your first time in a better situation, like with someone who cares for you and you're happy with. The fact that the man looked to you as a piece of meat and used your body for his own pleasure is what angers me, Juvia. This has nothing to do with you," he said firmly.
"Of course it does," Juvia said. The elevator stopped with a ding and slowly opened its doors, having Gray expertly carry her out as an easy pace. "It has everything to do with Juvia, because Gray-sama is referring to Juvia in the first place."
He didn't say anything, but she could see the difference in his eyes. Her face softened as her fingers untangled from each other and carefully grasped his shirt, her bruised cheek resting against his shoulder.
"Juvia didn't consider it her first time," she told him quietly, her eyes closing. "Juvia considered it a trade, but it had nothing to do with Juvia's well being or how she felt giving up her virginity. Virginity doesn't mean anything to Juvia, so long as her real first time is with someone she loves deeply, and he loves her back. Consider it that Juvia is still waiting."
Gray stopped walking and looked down to her, but that was when Cana decided to come out of an apartment to see the two in the hallway. Perking up at the sight of seeing Juvia with more color in her skin, the brunette hurried over and stopped whatever conversation the two were having.
"Juvia, are you talking now?" she asked brightly and carefully pulled Juvia's head away from Gray's shoulder, pressing a kiss to her clear cheek lightly in a friendly greeting. "I hope so, 'cause I found a bunch of my old clothes I don't wear anymore that you can wear. You look so cute in my pajamas, I couldn't resist finding more stuff for you to look adorable in."
Looking to the racer, who was giving Cana a hard stare, she grinned sweetly to him and pinched his cheek. "Well? What are you waiting for, loser? Bring her right into bed and I'll take things from here."
Juvia smiled just the tiniest bit at Cana's enthusiasm as Gray stiffly followed her to the appointed apartment for Juvia's stay, adjusting her in his hold before walking through the small living room and into the cleaned bedroom with a large bed in the middle of it with a chair in the opposite corner of the nightstand. Cana pulled back the comforter for Gray to gently placed Juvia on the mattress.
The blue haired woman flinch as she lifted her injured leg and forced it to a better position, freaking Cana and Gray out at her twisted expression and sharp breath. However, she seemed to take care of herself and not push the limit as she pulled the blanket up to her lap and exhaled a tired sigh.
Cana grinned before shoving her elbow into Gray's ribs, making him grunt a swear word under his breath. "Gray, you're done here! Go wait for the food for her, will you? I'm gonna have babe here try on the different tops I've picked out for her."
"She needs her rest, you drunktard," Gray snapped as Cana continued to smack him towards the exit of the bedroom, all while Juvia watched with a raised brow. "Cana, you better let her sleep when she says so, you hear me? I'm not gonna hesitate to kick your ass if you -!"
"Bye, Stripper!" Cana sang loudly as she slammed the door in his face, locking the bolt before spinning around and posing herself against the small space of the entrance with her knee against the wall while she leaned her other side on the opposite. A attracting look in her eyes, Cana winked at the blue haired woman who simply blinked.
"Alright, cuteness," Cana purred as she grinned to Juvia, "do you feel up to trying on clothes?"
Juvia blinked once more before looking down to her lap, her cheeks a bit flushed as she fiddled with her thumbs and the blanket covering her lower body. Cana noticed this and softened in her behavior, sliding down the wall somewhat comedically before walking on her knees to the box on the chair beside the bed.
"That's okay," Cana said with much enthusiasm. "You can just look at them and tell me a 'yes' or a 'no'. Shake or nod your head even!"
"It's...too much," Juvia said quietly. Cana stopped to glance to her, tilting her head. "Juvia is not used to...you know, getting clothes from other girls. Juvia feels a little bit bad."
Cana smiled as she turned to the bed and rest her arms on the edge, placing her cheek on her propped hand. "It's okay. You'll be needing some clothes to wear while you're hanging out with us, you know?" she pointed out, trying to meet other woman's eyes. "Until you heal up and get back to being the kickass racer you are, you can borrow my old clothes that don't fit me anymore. I know they'll fit because Levy sometimes borrows my pants, and I can tell you two have the same ass - you'll probably fit into some of my tops."
Juvia's face reddened as she looked to Cana's cheeky face with wide eyes. "Sweetie, I'm a pro when it comes to checking out bodies and figuring out if you can fit in things or not. You and Levy have the same hips and butt, but not the same chest size obviously. That's okay with me though."
"You seem very enthusiastic…" Juvia mumbled shyly, her hands coming up to hold her own face. "Even though Juvia knows what Fairy Tail really is now?"
"Doesn't mean jack shit to me, babe," Cana shrugged. Coming up to sit on the edge of the bed, completely calm and gentle to the Phantom Lord woman. "We all come from situations that lead us into something that would make us unable to comprehend our trust in others, but Fairy Tail isn't going to be a place that's going to give you up so easily.
"Makarov said he has known you since you were little, apparently, when he would meet Jose at Phantom Lord for their get-togethers," Cana told her. "He's seen you and your brother grow up and discovered Levy being your cousin, and all that. Old man has been keeping tabs on you two because he cares for both of you."
Juvia swallowed thickly, not saying much as Cana flipped her hair over her shoulder with a smile on her face. "It's okay if you feel like you can't trust us, but believe me when I say that we're here for you and Gajeel. Especially Gray, and us 'kids'. We like you, Juvia."
"Juvia is sorry," she answered quietly.
Cana smiled bigger. "No need to be sorry. We're all sassy chicas who like to show how tough we are when we discover that our friends work for the FBI and all that shit," she waved her hand dismissively. "If it was me in your shoes, I'd probably try to set something on fire."
Juvia gave a short laugh, suddenly stiffening to hold her bruised cheek and excusing herself for startling the brunette. Cana gave a soft smile when Juvia told her it was all okay. "You just rest up. Gray should be getting your breakfast soon, and I want you to eat everything Mira made for you; Porlyusica would have our heads if she discovers you're not eating, then it'll be a real mess!"
=xxx=
"I want to assign two-men teams for each cars from here on out for the races," Makarov said seriously from his spot on top of Mira's counter, where she stood with Erza and Jellal behind with straight backs. "There is no need to use those partners in races if Jason prohibits them, but I want extra safety incase people are to question of Gajeel and Juvia's whereabouts. Whoever attacked them may look for them later on in the races.
"Now, I don't expect everyone to be at the tips of their toes whenever we go outside of the garage here, but if people are attempting to target gangs when they least suspect it, I don't want the station or cops to get involved and risk our reputation," the old man went on when the younger members of the crowd looked to each other with raised brows. "With that said, I want as many people out during the night. Even if you're going out for fun, bring at least two other people with you for safety precautions."
Lucy glanced up to Natsu who watched the gang leader with crossed arms and a serious look in his eyes. He seemed to take in every piece of information in and wrote it out in his mind to remember it thoroughly; he didn't shout his opinion or try to reason against Makarov, which Lucy guessed some of the Fairy Tail members would see Natsu do but it seemed that he was behaving differently.
Seeming to notice her eyes on him, Natsu peeked from the corner of his eye to her before offering her a dorky smile and a wink of his eye, prompting her to go pink in the cheeks and roll her eyes amusingly before going back to pay attention to Makarov's speech. Gray was standing by the elevator doors while Cana joined her father's side during the talk, since Lisanna switched off with the brunette racer to watch over Juvia while she fell asleep.
Juvia was still refusing to talk about the attack that left her body that way, becoming very uncomfortable when Makarov visited her to see how she was doing with Mirajane and Gray. Mirajane briefly mentioned to her leader that some epileptic episodes and aftermath of being in shock can make the victim's memory fuzzy and can't remember all the details without getting a headache or worked up. The Phantom Lord woman kindly apologized to Makarov, knowing that he was only trying to help, but the old man shook his head with a friendly smile and telling her that it was perfectly okay.
"If anyone is to see the Phantom Lord gang at the race tonight, I want you all to either pretend you don't know anything or keep to yourselves," Makarov added in. "And, if you were to see Gajeel Redfox anywhere in the crowds or racing, give the small message that his sister is well and report back to me of his own health."
Levy let a quiet sigh slip through her lips and Lucy leaned her head on the mechanic's shoulder while sitting on the stool. Lucy could tell that her friend was very worried for her lover and cousin, but her choice in not going to the race would have been the best choice she came to; Levy knew herself well enough that she most likely wouldn't be able to handle looking for Gajeel or anyone in the gang and begin asking questions, and also being near Juvia gave her some comfort knowing that someone was safe.
Levy has been there when Juvia eventually came to feeling the soreness begin to spread throughout her body, making it difficult to fall asleep for a while until Lisanna came in with natural sleeping medication. It took only about fifteen minutes before Juvia fell asleep cuddled up to Levy's legs on the edge of the bed, all relaxed and calm in bed. She was a bit harder to deal with when Gray came up with food for her and it took Levy fake crying to get her to eat - even when she said she was 'full', Levy worked to bring on tears to finish the whole plate (apparently Juvia is also not used to eating so much food and Mirajane adored making large portions).
Bringing a hand to lightly pat Lucy's head on her shoulder, Levy gently stroked the soft, blonde hair with a small smile on her face. "I'm okay, Lulu-chan," she whispered softly, feeling Lucy nod her head before rising it up.
"S-Class team will consist of Erza and Jellal, Natsu and Lucy and Laxus and Mirajane," Makarov listed off. Erza and Natsu will take lead while Laxus remains in back for backup with the rest of the team of Macao, Wakaba and Gildarts. Take careful observations of your surroundings and don't take any of the other gangs on. Pose no threat but don't steer clear from everyone."
The huddled group agreed with nods or murmured 'yes' under their breaths, leaving Makarov to nod approvingly and give a thumbs up. "Alright, then," he grinned. "Prepare for going out in the next few hours, you hear? Those staying back please inform me in my office."
Lucy felt Natsu's large, warm hand lightly grasp her smaller one and tug lightly on her fingers. Looking to him, Lucy tilt her head to the side. "I'm gonna check the engine and ready the car, just incase. I'll be by the car if you need me, okay?"
"Okay," Lucy nodded with a small smile, waving to him as he strolled off with Gildarts and the other older men chatting away. Evergreen, Elfman's girlfriend and also a racer, whacked him with her fan when he snuck up behind her and made a barking noise, making Lucy hide her giggle as she turned around to face Levy.
"You do your best tonight, Lulu-chan," Levy smiled to her friend with a perk of her shoulders. "Make sure you and Natsu win another race and kick some ass."
"You sure you'll be fine staying here?" Lucy asked softly, taking the stool next her and propping her chin on her palm.
"Lisanna will be here and so will Gray. Although, we're probably going to hang around Ju-chan incase she wakes up and needs something," Levy shrugged. "Probably watch a movie or two with some snacks."
"That sounds nice, though," Lucy hummed with a nod. "Although it sounds kinda weird having Gray stay behind, you know? He and Natsu always want to go against each other with their cars and they argue before even leaving."
"Yeah, well he has been a butt ever since Porlyusica's check-up and he brought her upstairs. Apparently Cana and Lisanna are keeping him out of the room while Juvia tries to sleep," Levy snickered under her breath. "He was definitely in a pissed off mood before I got down here and was hanging out with Juju-chan, since she had trouble falling asleep."
"I thought she was giving him an attitude earlier…"
"I think they're alright now. Cana is already gossiping how cute Juvia-chan reacts when Gray knocks on the door and demands Cana to unlock it," Levy smirked devilishly. Lucy strained at her friend's enjoyment of whatever was happening between the racer and her cousin, waving her hand infront of Levy's distant stare. "Moron can't hide things from me that easily!"
"L-Levy-chan?"
The mechanic grinned to the blonde cheekily, waving a pointer finger at her. "Now, now. Go help Natsu with his car so you guys can get a good spot in the race, okay? Then, come back and tell me all about it."
Lucy sighed and slowly nodded. "Sometimes I wonder what goes on up inside your head all day, Levy-chan…"
"Mostly engineering equations, Russian chatter my mom and I have over the phone and wrestling on TV," Levy shrugged with a wink before getting up from her spot. Fluffing her baggy shirt with a giant heart in the middle, the blue haired woman stretched her arms high above her head as she walked towards the elevator. "You remember which room Ju-chan is staying in?"
"Yeah," Lucy nodded, spinning in her chair as she walked Levy stroll away with grace.
"Then come on in when the race is over," Levy chirped brightly. "We'll save some snacks for you. If Natsu wants to come over, make sure he shares with you - he's quite a glutton when it comes to food, incase you haven't noticed yet."
Levy used her foot to press the elevator button to have the doors open for her. Walking inside the small mobile cubicle, she caught the last glimpse of everyone readying their cars and tools into trunks or back seats. Cana carrying a six-pack to share with her dad, Macao yelling at Wakaba about smoking in the car after he just had it cleaned; Mirajane watching dutifully as Laxus cursed loudly whine under the hood of his ride, Evergreen ordering Elfman to stop worrying about the materials in her glove box and eventually Lucy jumping on the back of Natsu, who just laughed in response and held her still while he went back digging in his engine (treating Lucy like she was light as a feather).
Closing her eyes and dropping her smile, Levy leaned her back against the cold wall and released a pent up sigh of sadness. Clicking her toes together, the young woman rolled her neck before rubbing her face carefully to lessen the chance of reddening her eyes and look to be nearly on the verge of tears.
God, how much she wish she could go and look for Gajeel!
Thinking back to the last time she saw him, bleeding from his arm and holding Juvia's wrapped body as protective as he normally was, it made Levy's heart twist painfully. She knew for a fact that Gajeel would be fine, but it never left her mind on the negative possibilities of him being caught by the monsters who attacked Juvia and Gajeel; bleeding out from lack of medical assistance or just hiding somewhere cold and unhealthy when he could be in a warm bed with her nestled in his strong arms…
It just makes her crave to the last time they were together like that for her birthday.
Levy enjoyed feeding Gajeel a chunk of chocolate cherries when she hummed a song and tapped the treat to his pierced chin, watching as his mouth automatically opened for her to slip in inside. He didn't move a single muscle with his eyes closed, chewing on the treat before she watched his throat bob in his swallow.
Giggling, Levy affectionately nuzzled her nose under his jaw, pressing a light kiss to his skin before resting her cheek on his bare chest. His with hands behind his head and her on top of him with nothing but the thin sheets keeping them from the cold, Levy sighed in pure bliss with pink cheeks.
"Okay, Shrimp," Gajeel's voice rumbled against her upper body, "how would you rate your birthday present from me?"
Whenever Gajeel tells Phantom Lord he was going out for a weekend out (something he did whenever he got sick of being trapped in the city or Jose's rambles about his arrest fines), he would pick up Levy on her own excuse of going to her mother's place somewhere in the city and head to a different one town. The weekends together would usually be them napping in his car, checking out movies or plays going on - and yes, Levy gets Gajeel to dress up - or spend a night at a hotel…
For her birthday, however, Gajeel got one of Levy's favorite hotel's most expensive, luxurious rooms, let her order whatever room service she wanted and even reserved a session for her in the spa to get pampered like a queen. Friday was all about spoiling Levy with the employees of the hotel, until night came and the two enjoyed each other many times until they passed out.
Saturday, Levy's exact birthday, was just them laying spent in bed together. Cuddling, kissing, sleeping or even another round.
Smiling at the activity they did a long while ago, Levy raised her head and gave him the most adoring gaze in her eyes. "I'd say this is probably one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten in a long time," she said, watching him smirk and exhale his signature chuckle. Reaching up with both hands, Levy let her fingertips adjust the loose strands of his bangs out of his eyes. "I feel like royalty! How did you even save up for all of this, Gajeel?"
"Squirt helped a little bit," he shrugged. "She knew what I was doing so she shared some of her winnings with me to save up in time for your birthday. Mostly work cash, but whatever."
"Or you scared the crap out of the owner of the hotel to get this room," Levy grinned, seeing his eyes crack open to look at her with a sparkle in his eyes. She loved teasing him about his appearance, and he most definitely took it as a compliment.
"Juvia didn't want me to tell ya," he also admitted, reaching his own hand to stroke up and down her naked back. "But she wanted me to tell you 'happy birthday'. She's going to make you a treat next time you visit."
Levy hummed at the thought of her cousin's dessert talent, closing her eyes and purring at the feeling of his calloused, warm hand on her bare skin. Resting her cheek back on him, she exhaled and closed her eyes once more, letting her feel every touch of him on her.
"What'cha thinkin' about?" Gajeel asked after a little while of laying in blissful silence.
"How amazing my boyfriend is?" Levy smiled. Feeling his hand tap the top of her head, Levy opened her eyes and glanced to see him raising a brow to her, making her swallow a bit before facing him. "Really, this is an amazing birthday gift, Gajeel. I love it...but…"
"But?" Gajeel blinked, not seeming cautious about her voice. Levy took that as a good sign.
"Sometimes...you know, I wish we could do this more often," she said softly, seeing his face scrunch in confusion. "Not like getting a room and ordering expensive food, no! But like, you know, spend more time together and not having to worry about anything."
Gajeel processed her words carefully before nodding slowly, his other hand coming from behind his head to join the other in gently stroking her bare back. "Yeah, I get that."
"You do?"
Gajeel shrugged, not looking into her wide eyes as he situated himself better against the headboard. "If I had all the money in the world, or even just a stable job that pays really good money, I would be able to take care of the squirt and have a house. Then, you could come and stay with me all ya want and we don't have to worry about shit like racing and running for our lives."
"Gajeel," Levy half-smiled, "you love racing. You'd never be able to give that up."
"No, but with where I am now it will only be a matter of time before some I'd get caught and can't be saved," he told her seriously, noticing any trace of happiness drained from her whole body. He looked to her with narrowed eyes and pinched both of her cheeks. "Oi, don't get so glum 'bout that, got it? I didn't mean it like that."
Levy made a small grumbling noise, having him nod to her. "I meant like that without being in Phantom Lord or chased by the cops all the time. Like, I have a normal job and a normal upbringing that I could be a proper man you deserve and a better role model to Juvia and everyone else."
"I think you're a good role model," Levy confessed truthfully.
"Sure. Smuggling drugs, taking jobs that build up my criminal record and fighting all the time makes me a good role model. Hell, I should get a award and the key to the city for being a civilized person," Gajeel snorted.
Levy smiled warmly and poked his nose affectionately. "You're more than just that, idiot," she told him in a sing-song voice. "You're a strong, protective man who cares so much for those you're close to. You basically raised Ju-chan as best as you could and still care for her to this day - not to mention you're the best boyfriend in the whole world!"
"Ya takin' it too far," Gajeel rolled his eyes but didn't hide his snarky grin when Levy crawled up a ways on him and let her head over his face. Letting their noses touch before snickering, Gajeel wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Thanks for trying, though. Still, it'd be better if we could just have it easy for once."
"I know," Levy smiled, kissing his nose. "But still -" another one on his nose " - you're a pretty awesome man in my eyes!" Reaching up to kiss his forehead, Levy peppered kisses up and down her lover's face and spoke in a sweet voice. "You make me happy. I'm probably the luckiest girl in the whole world."
Gajeel groaned in annoyance, reaching for the nearest pillow beside them and lightly bat Levy with it, making her squeal into a fit of laughter as she hid her face into his neck. With her trying to steer clear of the attacking pillow, Gajeel snickered evilly and rolled them over so that he was on top of her, pinning her hands above her head and grinning. Levy peeped cutely and looked up to him with bright eyes.
"Ya know," Gajeel spoke softly, "having you makes me feel pretty lucky too."
Levy blinked in confusion, waiting for him to speak more to explain himself. "Like, you see me more than just this tough-guy from the streets and no chick has ever treated me any differently from a chump except you. Ya make me feel like I'm normal."
"You are normal, Gajeel," Levy frowned a bit, sneaking a hand from his grasp to carefully touch his cheek.
He leaned into her palm affectionately, grunting at her response. "You know I can't do this mushy-gushy shit like on TV and all that, but I know I really want to give you everything you deserve, Levy. You just deserve a lot better than this, if that makes sense. I do promise that I'll get there someday...for the both of us."
It did make sense to her, and she knew where he was going in this. Smiling, Levy sat up and nuzzled his head with closed eyes. Her arms wrapping around his neck, Levy held Gajeel close to her while he relaxed in her hug, supporting his weight on one arm while the other tangled in her hair; their breathing in sync in their hotel room, away from those active night life of cars and chasing.
"I'm always willing to wait when it comes to you, Gajeel-kun," Levy whispered into his ear. "Just make sure you stay alive long enough for you to keep your promise."
Gajeel woke up with a start at the sound of distant noises of car honks, his head slamming the brick wall behind him made him more focused and more sore. Groaning, the muscular man forced himself to stand up, leaning on the wall for support as he checked out his damaged arm.
Using paper towels he got from a bustling dance club somewhere deep in the city, Gajeel had cleaned his arm with simple soap and water until it stopped bleeding. He then took as much paper towels and shoved them into his pockets to use whenever the bleeding started again and left through the back door; remaining unnoticed by the partygoers as he scaled fences and garbage cans to get away from the pursuers.
Having abandoned his own car somewhere on the other side of the city, taking his gun with him, Gajeel still had yet to properly lose the jerks chasing him. When he figured he had hidden well enough in the back alley of a usually-busy shopping district of the city, he decided to rest for a few minutes before looking to see if the coast was clear. He didn't have his phone with him, since it was practically ruined in trying to get Juvia out of harm's way.
Sighing, Gajeel checked his arm, knowing fully well that he would need much better medical treatment and help if he were to make it in the next few hours; he was tired as hell and really couldn't take on any more running and fighting if it came to it.
He definitely couldn't go back to Phantom Lord. It could either risk Totomaru and the two younger ones getting caught with the trouble - if it already hasn't happened! - or possibly get caught by Jose…
In all honesty, Gajeel really doubted Jose would have been the one to bring this to happen to him and Juvia. Jose was an asshole for the most part, but he definitely wasn't the kind to try and murder his own gang members, so it didn't add up with the surprise attack of familiar faces the other night in the designated meeting spot.
Juvia was right as always to say that Jose was too stupid to notice anything weird.
Just remembering what had happened made Gajeel's blood boil, promising to slowly torture each and every one of those faces he has known (much less get away with so much) for way too long for his liking. It got personal really quick when they tried drowning his step-sister and caused her to bleed more than he did.
His own scratches? Yeah, he can handle them for a certain amount of time. But his partner in crime, on the other hand…
If he had his damn cellphone, he would instantly call Levy and ask how Juvia was doing. If she has woken up or needed more than a first aid kit for her injuries, if anyone came to their garage in search for them and if she was alright as well.
It was more important for him to think that the two most important people in his life were safe, and that's all that mattered.
Walking sluggishly from the narrow pathway into the mostly-vacant street, Gajeel looked around to see any familiar cars or headlights that would make him break for it like a frightened cat. Going down the dimly-lit street, he looked around for anything he could use while cradling his sore arm in a tight grip.
"Does anyone use a fuckin' payphone anymore?" he growled in annoyance, looking to a closed coffee shop and the shoe store next to it. "What has happened to the world, goddammit…"
Judging by his internal clock, he guessed that a race would be happening soon, which was probably a good thing. The people chasing him wouldn't risk missing a race if he and Juvia weren't going to be there to beat them, for sure, being those greedy rats that they always were. In the back of his head, he also hoped that maybe some Fairy Tail can kick their ass and make them lose their chance for money (not like he would voice that outloud anytime soon).
A sudden sting from one of the deeper cuts on his arm made him flinch and swear under his breath as he looked to see his fingers gripping his injured arm had blood on the tips. Digging into his pocket, Gajeel tugged out a couple paper towels and pressed it against the bleeding area before continuing on in the lonely street.
Slowly, something caught Gajeel's attention that he took a few steps backwards and turned his head to read the elegant letting of a jewelry store with pictures of diamond rings framing it. Blinking, Gajeel tilt his head as he took a step closer to the window and barely made out the organized rows of rings, necklaces and watched on display and sparkling with all of the money they're worth in payment.
Looking back to his arm, Gajeel thought over the idea at careful as he could. Using the ideas of 'What would Juvia say about this? Will Totomaru have my ass handed to me on a tray?' or even the idea of how much the fine would cost in addition to his already expensive debt to Jose…
Well, that's if Jose finds out about it, right?
Smirking, Gajeel sauntered to the door of the store and peeked inside to notice the red light blinking in the distance of the camera. Looking down on the edge of the doorway, he could see the little green line of light stretching across for security systems and that made it all the more better for him.
Taking a step back to create a good distance, Gajeel snickered with pure amusement. "Well, couldn't hurt to look around and see what could fit Levy, huh?" he grinned as he brought back his leg while balancing himself on the other before swinging it to the glass door of the shop.
Shattering the glass, a faint noise of the alarm going off inside as he reached through the opening and unlocked the door so he could open it rather than cut himself more by going through. Helping himself inside with a whistling tune from his lips, he winked to the security camera mockingly before going to a display case filled with numerous designs of engagement rings and wedding bands arranged neatly.
Scratching his chin, Gajeel snorted with a shake of his head before helping himself to a seat nearby. Looking to the clock hanging on the decorated wall, he counted that it would most likely take five to ten minutes before his new ride arrived.
Too bad he wouldn't be driving it.
Tilting the chair back to rest back against it, Gajeel decided that it would probably be best for his arm and mental stability to patiently wait for the blaring sirens and flashing red and blue lights to come to him. Since this was in the shopping district and a rather small jewelry store, Gajeel knew that this wouldn't make it into the news or cause an uprising panic anywhere it mattered. If anything, he was going to get a place to sleep, a shower maybe and medical attention.
The best part of getting arrested was that none of the attackers would dare to break into a police station to get to him. He would be safe.
.
.
.
=xxx=
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTE - A page shorter than usual, but I'm hoping to get more stuff in the next chapter that I felt didn't work for this one. A bit of Gajevy fluff fluff never hurt anyone.
Don't forget to Review, Follow, Favorite or do none. Reviews keep me motivated and happy!
