Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
He still isn't the best with comfort…or words with positive connotations in general. His one moment of exceptional glory being the time she broke Freed's runes and he had managed to voice his opinion of her.
It stops his heart all together when she stares wide eyed over the charred remains of their campfire to meet his eye, Gajeel's gut twists with the thought that maybe she's having nightmares about crucifixions.
But whatever guilt he can muster up disperses as she scrambles from her sleeping bag and trips right into his lap.
The dragon slayer's left speechless as she fists her hands into his shirt and convulses with desperation. Lily clambers over Gajeel's leg and sets his paw on her side.
"A bad dream, Levy?"
Her tiny arms constrict around him and it jolts him into movement, he wraps one arm around her shoulders and tucks the other behind her knees to bring her closer. He still can't say anything and is immensely glad for the Exceed.
Lily hops onto his partner's shoulder and buries his nose into her hair. "We're here."
A rumble raises deep from Gajeel's torso and warms the clammy skin of her neck where he rests his nose. Her breathing shudders, but begins to calm. Levy raises her hand from his side to curl around his neck, stretching enough to scratch Lily's back in thanks.
"In my dream, you weren't."
Slowly, he moves his head to rest against her temple and whispers the only thing he can say with confidence. "Good to be wrong, huh, shorty?"
"Yes." Her laugh is breathy and a little broken, but he'll take anything as a victory against the petrified silence.
#10; levy waking up from a nightmare and gajeel comforting her afterwards
originally posted: 11-17-13