The demon inside.
By: LemonSherbert
Chapter 21: I love you.
I do not own any of the characters in this story, they are owned by the creator of Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima, do enjoy and don't forget to review.
Gajeel stared around the dinner hall, everyone was eating without a care in the world, chatting, laughing, completely unaware of the danger heading their way in the next twenty four hours. He could feel his gut twisting as he stared at her, she was sat across from him, talking to Lucy about something, he wasn't sure but he thought it was a book of some sort. Her golden eyes were full of wonder but the shadows of fear were clearly hiding in the corners of those hazel orbs, Lucy was no better, she was talking about nothing but he could see the worry on her face. Everyone on the table knew just what was going to happen tomorrow, well everyone except Gray and Juvia who were loving every minute of each other's company, unaware that if they failed, they would most likely never see each other again. That's why they couldn't fail, they weren't just fighting for themselves, they were fighting for everyone in the town, no matter what, he couldn't lose... they couldn't lose.
"Hey Gajeel... you okay, you look a little sick?" A male voice asked and he looked up, seeing Natsus charcoal eyes on him and he shrugged. He wasn't sick, he was afraid... afraid they'd fail... afraid they'd die, afraid something would happen to her, he was afraid to lose them.
"Yeah... I'm fine, I just... need some fresh air..." he answered, he could feel their eyes on him as he stood up, picking up his tray for the first time and walking towards the double doors. With a sigh, he slid the trash into the bin and placed his tray on the pile, for the first time in... A while, he was scared to fight, after everything, all the training, he was scared he wouldn't be strong enough. He pushed the doors open, slipping out of them and keeping them open for some others to go inside, they eyed him suspiciously as they walked in because he wasn't really known for being polite. What was he going to do? He kind of wanted to run, be a coward and leave them but he couldn't... wouldn't do that, they were his family, his friends, neighbours, people he had rarely known but came to care about and he hadn't noticed how much he feared for their safety until now. He turned the corner to the stairs, climbing the flights slowly, every step felt like it was weighing him down until he got to the very top where a metal door stood in his way. His hands pressed against the metal handle and pushed it open, leading him out onto the rooftop where he closed it behind him and walked towards the mesh fence. He could see the whole town when he walked around the edge, his hands sliding against the metal wire as he huffed.
"Gajeel..." came a light voice and he looked over his shoulder, a fond smile growing on his lips as he saw her fluffy, blue hair waving gently in the wind, even under the dark clouds it was like she was drowning in sunshine. Her golden eyes stared at him in worry and he turned to her, he didn't want her to see him afraid, if he was afraid then she would be and he wanted her to be strong.
"You stalking me now shrimp?" He teased, the only thing he knew that would lighten the mood and she puffed out her pink cheeks, her plump lips pouting as he grinned. She looked so fucking adorable when she did that and he turned to face her properly.
"You're such a jerk, I came here because I was worried about you!" She grumbled as she crossed her arms over her petite chest and he chuckled as he stepped towards her.
"Worried about me... why, I'm a picture of health...?" He smirked and her pout fell a little as she shook her head, stepping towards him until she was having to crane her neck to look up at him. She was so short, he could keep her in his pocket if he wanted... well that was a little bit of a lie but you get the meaning.
"Gajeel... you know what I mean, you barely touched your food and you actually took your tray away, what's wrong?" She asked, gently putting her hands over the fabric of his shirt, just above his heart and he gulped. Her touch always managed to send his heart into a beating frenzy and he felt his cheeks burn up.
"Nothing's wrong shrimp I just... needed some air..." he lied but she sighed and nodded, pulling away from him as she looked over the mesh fence towards the town.
"Everything always looks so peaceful from up here" she said as she put her hands on the wire, stepping on the small ledge to make herself a couple of inches taller. "It's strange that we might not see this again after tomorrow..." her voice whispered in a low and content tone. He walked up behind her, putting his arms just above hers, effectively trapping her there and he felt her tense against his chest.
"You will see this again... no one is going to die, not if I can help it, so don't go all sentimental on me shrimp!" He growled as he put his chin on her head and felt her shoulders slump as she turned, making him remove his head with a disgruntled face since he was comfortable.
"How come you have so much hope that we'll win this?" Levy questioned and he stared down at her, he didn't but he couldn't tell her that.
"I just do okay... I have faith in the patrol and the resistance... and I have faith in you" he told her, which was true but that didn't mean he had faith in himself. His statement seemed to put a little brightness back in her beautiful eyes and she smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and pulling him down to envelope him in a hug even if he was almost kissing the fence.
"Then I have faith in you, we can do this, if you believe in me then I won't let you down and I know you won't let me down either... so tell me what's wrong or I'll bite you" she whispered in his ear and he shivered lightly as her breath fanned over his skin.
"Is that a promise because if so then I might just not tell you..." he purred and she pushed him away with a scoff, making him chuckle as she crossed her arms.
"Even now you're still a pervert!" She huffed and he nodded, a smirk tickling his lips as he dragged his eyes up and down her curves. He wasn't going to admit that he was undressing her with his eyes but anyone could tell just by the look on his face.
"I wouldn't be me if I wasn't, anyway, you look hungry, come here..." he said and her cheeks were instantly splashed with a pink tint as she blinked up at him. The way she bit her lip made him groan as he stepped towards her and pulled her away from the fence so no one would see as her tail uncurled from her skirt. It flicked in excitement, making him grin as her large, kitten like, black eyes looked up at him and her dainty fangs gently pressed against her lips. "Why don't you feed by yourself this time..." he suggested as he pulled his shirt sleeve down, rolling it to his elbow and he walked backwards until he touched the wall of the small building that held the door. "Come on, I don't bite... unless you want me too!" He teased and she rolled her eyes as she walked up to him, she placed herself between his legs and he turned her so her back was against his chest. "Now bite..." he told her, placing his wrist against her lips and he felt the shiver that ran along her spine. His hand laid by her hip as she gently held his arm, her lips parting against his skin and he hissed as her fangs pushed through his flesh. There was a small pop as his skin was opened and he watched as dark red blood slid down his arm, she growled lightly as she dug in harder and he tensed a little. Her tongue ran along his skin, catching the droplet of blood that was racing down his thick arm and his skin tingled as the wound began to heal. She saw this as a sign feeding time was over clearly and turned to look at him, her lips gently coated in his blood and he grinned. "You're such a messy eater..." he breathed as his lips caressed hers, taking in the metallic liquid as he swirled his tongue around hers in a deep kiss. Levy moaned as she placed her hands against his chest and began fighting his tongue for dominance but he was winning... obviously. Every time he kissed her it was like a breath of fresh air after a sand storm, her lips melted away all of his worries and he pulled her closer until he could feel her heart beating against his chest. They parted after a moment, both panting and blushing and he chuckled, placing a soft kiss on her lips as he tucked a strand of soft, blue hair behind her ears.
"Gajeel... I love you, I wanted you to know, even if we don't make it out tomorrow... I want you to know that I love you" she breathed and he blinked, staring into her golden eyes and it felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. She loved him, the guy that not too long ago hated her, she had literally just said that she loved him!
"I... I love you too, Levy" he whispered as he gently placed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "And I promise you'll make it out... I won't let him take you or hurt you..." Gajeel uttered, even if it cost him his own life, he was going to keep her safe.