A/N: More angsttttt

Gajeel's mood plummeted when he saw the text. An unknown number had been spamming his phone. He knew it was Jose. This one read, Do you really think the world would forget?

Over the past few days he had been stirring up old memories, and Gajeel hated it.

Levy stood across from him. It really wasn't fair to her. His temper was short lately and he had been snapping at her more than usual.

"Gajeel!" she waved a hand in front of his face. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, "give me a minute to get my things."

Levy frowned, so he frowned. "Gajeel, we're not going out. I was asking if you wanted to skip your afternoon appointments. You look tired."

He glanced at himself in the office window. He did look a little under the weather. "Uhm…"

She pressed a hand to his forehead and his face heated up. "You feel a little warm. Let me drive you home."

"…okay." He complied after a moment's hesitation. He was exhausted. Sleep… when was the last time he had decent sleep? His eyelids were drooping on the way to his apartment, and he almost fell asleep in his seat. He barely noticed her transfer him to his bed, and soon he fell into darkness.

.:.:.:.

Levy collapsed on Gajeel's couch, practically as exhausted as him. What was up with him? There was something obviously wrong and he needed to tell her what.

She rubbed a hand over her face. She was incredibly worried about him. He would disappear for hours, then come back sapped of strength. He wasn't eating, he obviously wasn't sleeping, and he seemed like he was off on another planet. Where was Mr. Redfox, fierce and strong? Now he looked like a shell of a man.

Levy couldn't help herself as she poked her head into his room. His face was relaxed, and she exhaled a breath she didn't know was held. It was good he was resting, she thought, he looks so calm. Even with the numerous piercings in his ears, nose and lip, he looked almost… peaceful.

It wasn't until she plopped on the couch again that she found herself stuck. What was she supposed to do?

She couldn't just leave him here, she should at least wait until he woke up. Until then… Unfortunately, she left her laptop at the office in her haste to get Gajeel to bed so she couldn't work. She stared at the wall absentmindedly, thinking. The apartment hadn't changed at all since she was last here. Well, it was a little dustier. She plucked long, dark strands of hair from the armrest, obviously belonging to her boss.

I'm not going to clean my boss's apartment like Snow White, she thought, besides, I don't even like cleaning my own house.

"Ah!" she said aloud, then clapped her hands over her mouth.

"Gajeel is still sleeping." She reprimanded herself. "Levy, shush."

I can make him something to eat!

So she worked away in the kitchen. The final product was porridge with sugar and (possibly overripe) fruit, plus some coffee. Although she could cook fairly well, all she could find in his cupboards was instant noodles and oatmeal, not to mention the fridge that was totally empty. She guessed it was because he was barely home. With all his disappearing acts just during the day and the state of his apartment, it was easy to assume he wasn't resting in his bed most nights. Levy was seriously worried for him.

She supposed some of the things she was worried about could be attributed to the bachelor life: barely anything to eat in the house, the mountain of takeout containers in the trash, the dusty apartment. But something else was at play. No bachelor life would make him collapse in the middle of the work day.

Just as the oatmeal was getting cold, he walked in.

"Gajeel! Perfect timing. Come, eat." Levy beckoned to the food.

"Did you make this?"

"Yup, I did. Now eat it before it gets cold."

The man rubbed a hand over his face and sat heavily. Without a word, he inhaled the porridge and started on the coffee.

"Thanks." He stared into his cup.

"You're welcome." Levy blushed. He barely thanked her for anything. "Oh! Did you want sugar with your coffee? That's black, I didn't know how you like it-"

"'S fine."

"Eh? Okay." Levy looked down at the table, unsure of what to do. "Um, do you want me to go back to the office? I can finish up the day and file that paperwork you wanted."

"No, you can take the day off. It's my fault you left, anyways." Gajeel looked almost… shy. He closed his eyes.

Levy gulped, gathering her courage. He was here, so she had to take action. She took a breath and spoke.

"Gajeel." His eyes opened slowly, peering at her with lazy interest. "Can you please tell me what's going on?"

A/N: The chapters are getting shorter ;-; Sorry, guys.

I've been trying to write more butttt…. Idk

I've already started on the next one, so be ready!

Thanks to AyaEisen, AngieKawaii, Grimnack, and Littlestme for reviewing!

Signing off, MQW.