Chapter 13

"Sorry."

"..."

The two sat there on the bed for an hour. They looked away from each other. It was a short moment, but it escalated so much in such little time. Gajeel hadn't said anything since. He wasn't ever this quiet, not even around Laxus. He wanted to leave Gajeel be, but then again he didn't want to just leave Gajeel in the room alone. He didn't want to question him anymore.

Finally, Gajeel moved to the bathroom without a word. Laxus could hear the sound of the sink running, and then the shower. It was a long shower. Laxus rested back on the bed, wanting to just give it up. He was to exhausted to take a shower, and instead stood, undressed until he was in nothing but underwear, and rested back on the bed, pulling the blanket over himself.

Gajeel stepped out of the shower in pajama pants, turning off the bathroom light and scratching his head. He sat back down on the bed. Laxus turned his body around and faced the other. Gajeel's back was to him; he watched out the window.

Laxus understood what Gajeel was feeling-then again he didn't really know what Gajeel was feeling. Laxus just felt angry-outraged as a matter of fact-and a bit sad at the same time. He wanted to punch that woman in the face. He would pick fights with everyone there if he really could, but of course he knew better.

He wanted to reach out to him. He wanted to pull Gajeel under the blanket with him, and hold him as close as he could. He wanted him to just say something. He wanted to talk to Gajeel and make him feel better. This wasn't the first time he'd seen Gajeel like this, but it felt too new, especially considering the situation they were in. He knew Gajeel just needed some space but he just wanted to caress him and tell him that everything was okay. Gajeel was a roommate, and nothing more, but Laxus came to love him so, so much. He wanted to tell him he loved him. Laxus didn't want Gajeel to think bad of him after that incident; to think he didn't want him anymore; to think he were too embarrassed to be around him.

Gajeel slept on the couch.

The drive home was quiet. No conversation was held in the back of the van as most of them had fallen asleep. Laxus and Gajeel hadn't uttered a word since that Friday night. It was Saturday evening and their vacation had come to a somber end.

The only stops Laxus made was for gas and snacks. The sun was setting by the time they'd arrived to their homes. And it was dark once Laxus and Gajeel reached the door to their apartment. Laxus put the key in and then hesitated opening the door.

"Hey."

Gajeel looked up at Laxus in response to his call. Laxus spoke softly, so no one could hear them, even though no one was in the hallway. Laxus reached a hand to Gajeel's face, lightly touching it as he knelt down for a kiss. He did so lightly. Gajeel's lips were surprisingly soft but looked as if he'd bitten them. The kiss went no deeper before Laxus pulled away. Gajeel's face flushed with pink as he was pushed inside.

"Listen," Laxus said, grabbing Gajeel's shoulders, "I don't...I don't feel bad for doing this. You-you're not bad. You're not making me feel bad and you shouldn't feel bad. I want...I don't want you to be like this, and I don't want you to think I don't want to be with you, because I really, really do." By then, Gajeel's face grew redder and tears fell from his eyes. Laxus kissed his cheeks and hugged him, "Gajeel, nothin' anyone says is gonna make me feel bad for being with ya'."

The hug lasted a while before the two went straight to bed. Laxus still didn't have work until Monday. The rest of the night and tomorrow were to themselves. Alone.

Gajeel removed his shirt and sat on the bed beside Laxus, who pulled him up on his lap. They faced each other, looking deep into each other's eyes. Laxus gently kissed his lips and rested his back on the bed, pulling Gajeel with him. It was a rather sloppy, wet kiss. Laxus grabbed at Gajeel's pants and slowly pulled them down.

They broke the kiss, panting for air. Gajeel sat above him with nothing but underwear on, while the other was fully clothed. Laxus moved down to kiss Gajeel's neck and chest, making Gajeel shudder. He sucked on his chest, stomach and neck, leaving marks on him as if to claim Gajeel as his own. He licked and sucked at Gajeel's nipples until his quiet groans turned into soft, shaky yelps and he let go.

He kissed his lips again, holding him tighter and stroking his body. Laxus nodded Gajeel's direction, letting him pull down the zipper to his shorts, revealing Laxus' hardening member. Gajeel hesitated, then kissed it, stroking it slowly before finally, slowly, going down on it. He could hear Laxus' pleased moans, and went further and further down, eventually bobbing his head.

Laxus helt Gajeel's head, gently, as he pleasured him. He listened for Gajeel's soft gags, often pulling him up for a few seconds of air before he decided himself to keep going down. He stopped once or twice to play with Laxus' testicles, kissing and licking them as Laxus stroked his own cock until Gajeel came back for more. When Gajeel gasped for air then, there was a loud moan before he was pushed back down by Laxus.

Finally, Laxus came, but he wasn't completely finished off. Gajeel stood up on the bed above him, faced away from him, and slowly removed his underwear. Laxus grabbed at Gajeel's ass and kissed his cheeks, over and over before finally pulling him down to his lap. Laxus sat against the bed frame with Gajeel's head resting over his shoulder. He stroked Gajeel's member with his own before putting his in his entrance. Gajeel's face was a deep red and ridden with pleasure already. He was shaking and practically begging for more.

Laxus pulled him down, all the way in already. Gajeel yelped in surprise and satisfaction, holding on to Laxus' shoulders. He let Laxus move his body and take control, and soon enough Laxus had wrapped his arm around his head and body, holding him close and restraining him as he fucked him silly. Laxus' loud grunts were right in Gajeel's ears, as his loud moans were in Laxus'. He moved harder, and faster as Gajeel yelled louder.

Laxus finished, his own mess oozing out if Gajeel. Gajeel looked completely lost in his own pleasure, unable to even speak properly before his messy wet lips were kissed again. He was laid down on the bed as Laxus stood up to change his clothes in silence. He carried Gajeel to the bathroom and turned on the water in the tub; he'd bathe him.

As Gajeel was rested into the tub he already felt like going to sleep then and there. Laxus washed Gajeel off before just letting him soak in the warm water. He sat at the edge of the tub, watching Gajeel start to fall asleep and struggle to keep himself awake. Laxus chuckled, "You're falling asleep."

"What-you went...really fucking hard…"

Laughing, Laxus kissed Gajeel's forehead before standing up to brush his teeth.

The next morning Laxus awoke, and Gajeel wasn't there. The lights were all on and it was incredibly bright in his bedroom, however outside appeared dark. He assumed it was really early in the morning. Gajeel probably turned the lights on.

He sat up from the bed to look at the clock beside him. It flashed 11:59 am, meaning that the clock was wrong considering it was so dark outside. He looked at his watch that sat beside the clock. It also flashed 11:59 am and the hands pointed to 11:59. Totally confused, Laxus stood up and walked outside the bedroom.

All the lights were out. The light switch in the hallway between the bathroom and bedrooms wasn't working. Gajeel's bedroom door was wide open, but completely empty. No clothes scattered on the floor, not even a mattress. Laxus could feel his heart race. He paced towards the living room where the only light came from the TV, and reflected off of Gajeel's pale face. Laxus sighed in relief, but gasped as he focused on what he was looking at.

Gajeel stared at the TV with barely blinking eyes which looked puffy and red; as if he'd been crying. Yet he was so expressionless. He played with the laces on his sweatpants with shaky fingers. He was bleeding out of his nose. Laxus walked up to him.

"Hey."

"..."

"Is everything…okay?"

"..."

"Gajeel…" He reached a hand out to Gajeel, which caused him to twitch and shiver. Laxus could see his breath; the room was cold, probably, but he didn't feel it. He moved to touch Gajeel again.

"Laxus?"

"Huh, what?" Laxus blinked, wiping his eyes and turning to Gajeel. "What…?"

"You're...are you okay?"

"I-" He started, but then realised what was going on. Another weird dream about Gajeel. Laxus grabbed Gajeel's arms and pulled him into his lap, kissing his cheek and holding him against his chest. "I'm fine."

Sunday was uneventful. The two had stayed indoors the whole day. They'd ordered breakfast and later a pizza for dinner. Laxus woke up on the couch, remembering that he had just pigged out with Gajeel while watching a movie that Sunday night. "Hell-!" He said, shuffling for clean clothes and his shoes. Gajeel woke up to the sound of running around the room. His eyes had barely adjusted to the light and he closed them again until they did.

"Laxus?" He called, "What are you doing?"

Laxus sat beside him, pulling on his shoes, "Sorry," he apologized, "I gotta go."

Gajeel's eyes fluttered, finally adjusting to the light. That's right; Laxus had work that day. It was Monday. Laxus, quickly, hugged Gajeel while he was still on the couch and waved goodbye as he ran out the door. Soon enough, Gajeel fell back to sleep.

Luckily, he'd made it to work on time, but the sun beaming down on him didn't help, of course, it actually made his trip go much slower. out of breath, he entered the bar which had just opened, greeting the manager, Gildarts, who helped himself with a bottle of beer. Laxus stepped behind the counter towards him, "You sure you should be drinkin' that now?"

"Positive."

He sighed, putting his head down on the counter. He didn't expect a very busy day, of course. Then again Mondays can be tiresome for many people, including himself. He sat back up and wiped off the bar. Natsu and Gray walked in, arguing as usual, only to be stopped by Gildarts. Lucy came to visit Natsu during his shift, and Laxus let him serve her a drink. The two had gotten much closer. Natsu bragged about her to everyone once she left.

Eventually, it was noon. More customers came in, thankfully it wasn't much of a crowd. A group of ladies came in and began flirting with Laxus while he was working, and Gildarts wasn't much help, making fun of him and telling the girls stories about him.

It was 6:30. A woman entered the bar and Laxus greeted her, soon recognizing who she was, "Oh, it's you."

"Not happy to see me?" She said as she sat down on one of the bar seats, "Came to check up on ya'."

"That so? You want the usual?"

"Please."

He handed the woman booze. Gildarts walked out of his office to the sound of the woman at the bar. "Cana!" He called her. She waved, still downing her booze. Cana Alberona. She was Gildarts' daughter, and got a lot of free drinks from the bar-she offers to pay but Gildarts won't let Laxus accept the money. She talked about how she hung out with another woman named Juvia for most of the day, and how she had a crush on one of their own workers. Of course, he knows; it's a rather loud secret. She boasted about about beating a man from another bar, the owner of this bar in fact, in a drinking game. They called themselves "Quatro Cerberus" and she laughed as she compared them to puppies. Cana managed to get herself wildly drunk before she prepared to leave with her father.

It was really dark out by then. Laxus wiped off the counters again while Gray and Natsu cleaned up the place. Gildarts left, ensuring that Laxus would close up shop. Natsu and Gray left arguing about who makes the better drinks. Laxus fixed his messy hair before locking the doors. Not such a long day, but fairly annoying.

Laxus opened the door to his apartment to see Gajeel still sleeping on the couch. He walked up to him and kneeled down to meet his face, "You okay?"

"I...uhnn…"

Laxus sat the other upright and held his head up to stop it from lulling to the side, "What's up?"

"I don't…" He fell ill. Laxus pulled him off the couch and into the bedroom.

"Did you take medicine?"

"Yes."

"...Did you take your medicine?"

"Yes."

He must've been legitimately sick, then, Gajeel clutched his stomach as he was sat on Laxus' bed. Laxus sat beside him, feeling his head; warm. The last thing Gajeel ate was a sandwich for lunch, meaning the lunch meat was probably bad. Gajeel flopped onto the bed, groaning as Laxus fixed his position until he was properly rested under the blankets. "I'm gonna sleep on the couch."

"Why?" Gajeel was displeased to hear this. Laxus sighed.

"Dude, you're sick, you look like you're gonna throw up."

"...And what if I do?"

"Then we'll all suffer," Laxus answered sarcastically, "I'm assuming you don't want anything to eat right now?"

"Yeah, nah."

"Mhmm," Laxus kneeled down to kiss Gajeel's forehead, only to receive a rather annoyed groan in return. He grinned, punching him softly before leaving. Gajeel was annoyed at his sudden illness. He didn't remember doing anything or even eating anything. Actually, he didn't remember what happened at all. He felt his stomach growling and a sudden pain in his side made him flinch. "Fuck," He muttered as he grasped his side.

A while later Gajeel ended up staring at the ceiling. He still felt pain, but he was thinking a lot. That night with Laxus, and those days during the vacation. Everything Laxus had done for him up to this point; from Laxus helping him put away clothes like a child, to him being sick and Laxus surrendering his own bed to him. As much as Laxus denied him, he owed him, and he owed him a lot. Gajeel felt in debt to him, and yet Laxus was so nice about it. He knew what was going on with him-not necessarily everything about him, but he knew enough-and he worked so hard to handle Gajeel, ever since he showed up.

Like. A. Child.

He felt the pain in his side increased and he rolled onto his stomach, almost off the bed, Gajeel sighed, blowing strands of hair from his face. He was probably more stressed than he was sick. Maybe his own stress and drowsiness had driven him to illness. Likely, but not something Gajeel would believe. He sat up and rolled back into position under the blanket.

Okay. He'd get a job. Where would someone like Gajeel Redfox find a job? He couldn't get one in his old neighborhood, and he didn't think finding one here would be that easy. Gajeel pushed the blankets off him, almost too hot to even want to keep his clothes on. He curled up, groaning loudly, so hopefully Laxus could hear, but he stopped for the same reason. Gajeel wasn't needy and he didn't want to be, and yet that's all he's been ever since the two had met. Still, Laxus walked in.

"What's up? Are you okay?"

"...yeah."

"You sure?" Laxus walked towards him.

"No, it's o-...I'm fine," Gajeel interrupted him, holding his hands up to stop Laxus from coming any closer. Laxus shrugged pulling the blanket back on the bed and beside Gajeel, figuring he was hot. He left once Gajeel assured he was okay again.

"I need a job," Gajeel muttered before rolling onto his stomach, his entire face buried in the pillows.

Gajeel was still very ill that morning-in fact, he was worse-and Laxus constantly checked on him before he left for work. Laxus told Gajeel that he could take the day off to take care of him and that it was fine, but Gajeel begged him to go to work, saying that he could take care of himself.

"You don't look very positive about that," Laxus said, putting on his shirt

Once Laxus finally left, Gajeel slumped on the couch, completely regretting makinging Laxus leave him there. He felt awful; nauseous, headache, and his legs felt totally stiff. He struggled to walk back to Laxus' bedroom.

No, he'll sleep in his own bed.

This virus was bugging him, he thought as he climbed into bed, covering himself completely with the blanket. Soon he ended up throwing it off of himself as it had gotten too hot. Soon again, he put it back on. Gajeel groaned in both pain and annoyance. He wanted to call Laxus back but he refused to make Laxus do any more.

Then again, from this point he couldn't bring himself to move from the bed.

"So, how sick are ya?" Bixlow asked, sitting beside Gajeel in the bed.

"This ain't a doctor's office…" Gajeel mumbled, "I can't move."

"Can't move eh? Anything else, kid?"

"I'm a grown man...my stomach hurts."

"Uh huh."

"I'm nauseous."

"Yup."

"I have a headache."

"Okie dokie," Bixlow said as he pretended to take notes, "Don't worry dear Gajeel, we'll figure out the diagnosis and see what we can do with ya'."

"Quit teasing me," Gajeel said before grabbing the blankets again. Bixlow laughed and left the room. This was either a last resort or a bad idea to Gajeel, but Bixlow was the only other person he could talk to. Then again, why was he so worried? Everyone else would probably have said no, considering that they aren't as close. He realized how lonely he actually was in this town. Two people. Better than nothing, but still pretty lonesome.

Bixlow walked back into the room with a bottle of water and handed it to Gajeel, "Don't get too thirsty."

"Thanks."

He stretched his arms, "Laxus went to work?" Bixlow asked, "I'm surprised he didn't take off…"

"I told him to."

"...And why would you do that?"

"I…I'm-I dunno."

Bixlow sat down on the floor, looking at Gajeel as he hid his head under the blanket. "Did you wanna eat?"

"Not really."

Gajeel was more bummed out than sick, that was clear. Bixlow assumed Gajeel had felt something about Laxus; maybe he didn't want him to get sick as well? That probably wasn't it. He saw that Gajeel had taken his medication as the bottle of pills had been knocked over. He also noticed another pill bottle on the floor. It was an empty orange one. Bixlow picked it up and read the tag on the bottle. The tag had Gajeel's name. These were prescribed.

"You ran out of medicine?" Bixlow asked, holding the pill bottle up to Gajeel for him to see as he pulled his head out of the blanket.

"Wha-" He stopped, his eyes totally wide, "I...holy shit…" Gajeel spoke under his breath, raising Bixlow's concern.

"..S'methin' wrong?" Bixlow asked him, eyebrows raised. Quickly, Gajeel nodded no and announced that he wanted to be alone for now. Silently, Bixlow left for the living room, closing the door behind him. Gajeel could hear the TV showing the news.

He felt out of breath, Gajeel realized what really made him sick. He peeked from under the blanket, slowly and cautiously, and looked over the edge of his mattress. There it was, the empty pill bottle. It was much more full the other day, but it was clear now what had happened.

Gajeel yanked at his own hair, biting the blanket and panting. He did it again, and he couldn't believe it. He'd gotten himself so drunk and ended up doing something so stupid. Gajeel sighed, thinking Laxus wouldn't know if he'd just tossed out the pill bottle, or hid it somewhere-then again, he was the one buying his prescriptions. He bought all sorts of stuff for him, and yet Gajeel still did shit like this.

How would Laxus react? Would he be mad at him? Of course not, Laxus is never really mad at him. Yet Bixlow did say he had a short fuse. He heard himself say "fucking shit" over and over once Bixlow knocked on his bedroom door, asking if he was alright. "I'm fine," he'd say in response. Gajeel rolled to his back and covered his eyes with his arm. His hair went everywhere and his skin felt oily. He hadn't taken a shower.

Gajeel stumbled out of his room to take a shower, when he noticed Bixlow in the living room, sitting on the couch. He had something in his hands, he also has some sort of...blade?

"What the hell're ya' doing…?" Gajeel asked, startling Bixlow. He immediately hid the objects behind his back, playfully sticking out his tongue.

"Nothin'."

...Shrugging it off, Gajeel hurriedly jumped into the shower. He felt as if he would never live this one down.