Levy woke up to someone playing bongos on her head and she groaned into the couch. She hadn't planned on sleeping out here, but once she'd gotten on the couch she just couldn't be bothered to move.
"I should've had Natsu drop me on my bed," she muttered, pushing herself off the couch. The world spun for a minute and the bongos became an entire marching band. She groaned again and dropped her head into her hands, taking a few deep breaths as the nausea passed.
It took her longer than she would've liked to get to her feet and shuffle towards the kitchen, and longer still to start up the coffee machine. Once the coffee was finally dripping into the pot she grabbed a glass and pulled the orange juice out of her fridge.
Wakaba had always told her the best way to fight a hangover was to stay hydrated. So, one big glass of orange juice later she shuffled towards the bathroom. She didn't work for two hours, but she was still in the clothes from last night and she just felt gross. She only made it halfway down the hall when she heard the knock.
Who would be visiting this early?
With a groan she turned and headed towards the door, but it wasn't until she had her hand on the doorknob that she remembered the message from last night. She paused, staring at the dark wood, as if she could see the man standing on the other side.
Another knock rang out and she bit her lip. She could always step back, go to the bathroom and pretend like she'd just missed him. She knew he wouldn't wait for long, he had to get to work after all. But …
With a sigh she twisted the door open, forcing her face into some semblance of a smile.
"Hello, Mark."
Mark blinked when he saw her, clearly surprised – that she actually answered the door? – and a slow smile curled his lips. It reminded her of why she fell for him in the first place.
"Would you like to come in?"
She stepped back and held the door open so he could step inside. Already he was in work mode, his suit crisp and his briefcase at his side. His dark hair was slicked out of his face, and each step he took was full of confidence. He was the opposite of her.
She knew her hair was a tangled mess, it always was in the morning and sleeping on the couch didn't help. Her clothes were wrinkled and smelled like sweat and smoke, and she knew her breath probably stank.
They couldn't be more different.
With a sigh she followed him to the couch, but he didn't sit and neither did she.
"Levy," he said, dipping his head. "You look …"
"Terrible, I know," she finished for him, mouth twisting in a rueful grin. She lifted a shoulder in a half shrug, twisting her fingers together. Her eyes flicked to Mark and she took a deep breath. Seeing him now, after so much time, had her heart aching.
They'd been together for almost two years. She'd thought this would be it, that he would be the one, but a few months ago … trouble had happened.
"I'm sorry I've been so hard to reach," she said, turning away to straighten one of her stacks of books. She couldn't look at him. "It's been really busy at work ever since that interview."
"I saw it."
She licked her lips, lifting her head to stare out the window. She could see him in the reflection, nothing more than a blurry figure, and words crawled up her throat only to die on her tongue.
I can't do this.
"Levy," he said again, stepping closer. She shook her head and he stopped. She released her breath on a sigh and turned to face him, a sad smile tugging at her lips.
"Do you remember when we first met?" she asked. There was a tremor to her voice and she could feel the tears burning her eyes. "It was at the library of all places, reaching for the same book." Her fingers curled around the book in her hand. "You let me check it out first and I slipped my number in the pages." She laughed, her eyes flicking towards the ceiling. "I never thought you'd actually call."
"I wasn't even sure it was your number," he said. "My palms were so sweaty I could barely grip the phone, but then you answered …" He trailed off and she smiled, biting her bottom lip. "I'd never met anyone so beautiful before." And when he looked at her, his eyes were shining with the truth of those words. She couldn't stop the sob from crawling up her throat, and he took three quick steps to her side, wrapping his arms around her.
His warmth was familiar. She used to fall asleep in his arms every night. The book slid from between her fingers and she wrapped her arms around him, hands fisting in the back of his suit.
Don't cry.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'm so sorry."
She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, the tears threatening to spill over.
Don't cry.
"It's been over for a long time," she said. Her voice was quiet, she didn't want to speak these words. "We've just been putting off the inevitable." She drew back so she could see his face, reaching up to brush her hand over his cheek. "Or I guess … I've been putting it off." She smiled, fingers curling into a fist as her hand fell back to her side.
"I love you," was all he said, and she squeezed his arm.
"I know." She breathed a sigh and rose on her toes, brushing her mouth across his cheek. "I'll always love you."
For a moment they just stayed there, finding comfort in each other's warmth. Saying goodbye without words.
Then she released him and stepped back, dipping her head in a small nod.
"Have a good one, Mark."
She couldn't watch him leave, knowing that would break her. So instead she bent to pick up the book, listening to his footsteps as he moved back to the door. He paused there, but still she didn't look up.
"I'll see you around, Levy," he said. Then the door clicked shut and he was gone.
She curled around the book, her chest aching and her eyes stinging.
"No, you won't."
x
"You look cute today," Lucy said. "Hot date?"
"Unlikely," Levy said, falling onto the couch. "Seeing as Mark and I are no more." Just thinking about it caused a stinging pain in her heart, but she wasn't going to pretend like it hadn't happened.
Lucy came to sit by her, fingers teasing her hair. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I know things have been rough lately."
Levy shrugged and stared up at the ceiling. "It was long overdue." She breathed a sigh and glanced towards Lucy. "I guess I was just hoping it would magically work out and we could go back to how things were before … but, that just wasn't the case."
"It rarely is. Besides … he was no good for you anyways."
"Lucy."
"What? It's true. Any man that doesn't respect the ink isn't worth your time."
Levy chuckled and glanced up at her friend. "He had no problem with my tattoos."
"Then why, dear, did he make you cover them up every time you went to hang out with his work buddies?"
"Because his work buddies are judgmental pricks who consider tattoos and piercings unprofessional."
"My point exactly. On some level Mark was also one of those judgmental pricks, you just don't want to accept it."
Levy rolled her eyes and sat up so she could stare at Lucy. "You're trying awfully hard to paint him as a villain."
Lucy shrugged, her lips quirking with a smile. "That's what friends do."
Levy laughed, already feeling the weight from the morning begin to melt away. She knew she wouldn't get over this right away, she had spent two years of her life in the relationship, but that's what friends were for. Lucy would keep her from mourning for too long.
The bell above the door jingled and Lucy hopped to her feet. "I'll get it." Then she disappeared into the front room and Levy drooped against the couch.
There was a lingering headache behind her eyes and she felt drained after everything. Right then she just wanted to curl up and sleep for a few hours …
"I see someone's keeping busy."
Her eyes popped open and she blinked in surprise, her confused expression melting into a smile when she recognized the person.
"Lisanna!" she crowed, jumping to her feet so she could throw her arms around the other girl. "You're back."
Lisanna laughed and patted Levy's back.
"How have you been?"
"Oh you know," Levy said, stepping back so she could look at her friend. Lisanna had been traveling abroad for the past year and it was good to see her again. "I've been better."
Lisanna winced and squeezed her shoulder. "Want to talk?"
"Nah. I don't wanna bum you out with my boring life." Levy moved back to the couch and Lisanna followed. She turned so she was facing her friend and smiled. "Tell me about your trip."
They chatted for the next hour, finally stopping when Mirajane popped her head in to inform Levy that her 12 o'clock appointment was in.
"I'll let you get to work," Lisanna said, rising to her feet. Levy did the same and they shared a hug before heading towards the front room. "You're free tomorrow right?"
"Free as a bird."
"We should do something."
"Definitely."
"See you guys," Lisanna called as she slipped out the door. Levy gave her a final wave and turned towards the man on the couch.
"So, you ready?"
x
Two hours later Levy was sending him out the door with his aftercare list and a new tattoo. The tattooing had taken longer than she'd expected, but she didn't mind. Quality took time, plus it had given her something to focus on. Of course now it was over and her thoughts were drifting back to that morning.
"I'm going to go get some lunch," Lucy said. "Need anything?"
"No."
"One veggie burger coming right up." Lucy grabbed her purse from the backroom and skipped towards the door. "I'll be back." Then she was gone and Levy sank into one of the chairs.
While she worked she had pushed her sweater sleeves up and now she studied the tattoos that crawled up her arms, her mind drifting back to what Lucy had said. It was true, every time she'd hung out with Mark and his work friends she'd had to wear long sleeves or cover the tattoos with makeup. She traced the left one with her finger, an open book on her wrist with scenes from all her favorite fairy tales stretching above it, connected by swirls of light. It had taken time and a lot of money to get. She'd started it on her 18th birthday, and every year after she'd added another scene until now, five years later, she'd run out of room.
She smiled and stretched out on the chair, tipping her head back to look at the ceiling. She could never imagine being ashamed of her tattoos, they were a part of her, part of her skin. Her smile slipped and she sighed. Lucy was right, anyone who couldn't respect them wasn't worth her time.
Her eyes drifted shut and she stretched her arms over her head. She didn't have any more appointments scheduled for the day and only had 2 more hours left in her shift. She wasn't sure what she'd do to kill the time since she doubted anyone would be coming in for a tattoo at 2 o'clock on a Thursday.
She hummed under her breath as she twirled in the chair, wishing Lucy would hurry up with the food. She wasn't even that hungry, but it would at least give her something to do.
A sound made her pause and she cocked her head to the side, blinking her eyes open and turning towards the front. What she saw made her want to turn right back around.
Two faces were pressed to the glass, two sets of eyes staring right at her. When they saw her they nearly fell over each other in their haste to get in the door, and she braced herself as they stumbled to her side and threw their arms around her, sinking to their knees.
"Levy!" Droy wailed. "Why weren't you returning our calls?"
"We thought something must've happened to you," Jet said, his face buried in Levy's stomach.
"Hey Jet, Droy," she said, casting her eyes towards the ceiling. "Sorry. I've been busy."
And when they just squeezed her tighter she sighed, patting their heads.
At least she wouldn't have to search for something to do now.
Notes: I feel like the first two chapters are really boring, and I don't think the third will be much better. But, Gajeel will definitely be appearing soon so maybe stuff will start happening.
Also, thanks for all the reviews and favs/follows, I was not expecting this fic to get so much love. I hope you guys continue to enjoy it.