~Levy~

Well, that's the end of day two, I thought to myself as I turned off my light and made my way to my bedroom to go to bed. It had been two days since I had broken my bond with Gajeel. And two days since I've seen him.

I wasn't surprised that he was avoiding me, considering all of the awful things I had said to him in the forest. I wanted to cry every time I thought about it, but I wouldn't let myself. I don't deserve to cry. I did that to protect him, because I put him in danger. I have to kill Astaroth, then I can apologize to him. I doubted he would ever accept my apology, but I would give him one anyways. If I survive long enough to give him one.

I had to face it, I'd probably die when I went up against Astaroth. He was known as the Prince of Hell for a reason—he was strong. Really strong. And I'm not. Master was right. If I couldn't even defeat Gajeel, how could I ever hope to defeat Astaroth? Especially when he controlled demons as strong as Gajeel.

I sighed. "How is it that everything goes back to Gajeel?" I knew the answer, but I continued pushing that thought to the back of my mind. I refused to think about it until I could. I can't let myself love anyone until Astaroth is dead. But I did. I had loved Gajeel since that night in the woods when he had saved me. Maybe even before that.

"Fate really is cruel," I murmured, crawling into bed. I looked up with a frown when someone knocked on my door. It's nearly three in the morning. Who would still be awake at this hour?

I grabbed my gun and slowly went to the door. I cracked it just enough to see into the hallway. "Gajeel?!" I gasped. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into my room. "Boys aren't supposed to be in here! How did you even get in?" I asked.

"Planning on shootin' me?" He smirked, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at the gun in my hands.

"No," I snapped, feeling my face grow hot, "well, yeah, if you had been an intruder."

"Get many of those in the girls' dorm, do ya?" He chuckled, causing the blush to deepen.

"No, but who the hell visits someone at three in the morning?" I returned my gun to my bedroom, willing my cheeks to return to a normal color as I made my way back to the living room. I was thankful my apartment was so dark, otherwise I'm sure he would have seen how red I was.

"Is that what time it is?" He frowned.

"Yes. Why did you come here? I figured you'd still be mad at me."

"That's actually why I came. We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," I said.

He grabbed my hand when I tried to open the door, pulling me close to him. "Yes, there is, because I think you lied to me."

"About what?" I asked, uncomfortably aware of how close our faces were.

"Hating me. For a second, right after I said I have feelings for you, your little act faltered. I could tell that you felt the same way."

"You're wrong—"

"Stop lying!" He snapped, placing his free hand on my shoulder. "You said those things to make me not want to be bonded to you anymore, right? That, and that bullet you shot me with, were how to get our bond to break."

"I told you, I only had to shoot you with that bullet. I said those things because I meant them."

"You're doing this to protect me from Astaroth," he sighed, sounding frustrated, "but you're not accomplishing anything. If he has been in Magnolia all this time, he already knows about us."

"What 'us'?" I asked, trying to be angry. The way he was looking at me, though, I couldn't bring myself to get mad. He looked so genuine and caring as he stared into my hazel eyes with his red ones that I couldn't help but want to tell him the truth. Levy, get it together. You can't be doing this right now!

"You love me," he said, never looking away.

"No, I—"

"I love you, too," he grinned.

I couldn't respond. Hell, I was having trouble even breathing, let alone trying to speak. Gajeel just said that he loves me. When he began leaning in closer, I finally got my mind to clear. "No!" I shouted, pushing him away and backing up. "I appreciate your feelings, but I think you should go."

"Why are being like this?" Gajeel frowned, taking a step towards me.

"I don't share your feelings," I said. When I took a step back and hit the wall, a small panic crept into my chest, and my heart fluttered nervously.

"I think you do," he said, closing the distance between us. Gently, he cupped my face with both of his hands and met my eyes. "You're afraid of anyone getting hurt, so you're pushing everyone away, but I'm not going to let you. I'm going to stay right beside you, and help you take down that bastard. So don't you dare try to push me away again."

As hard as I fought them, I felt tears sting my eyes. God, I loved Gajeel so much. I wanted him to stay beside me, and I wanted to believe that we could be happy together. But we can't. The thought rang through my mind, and sent a blade straight through my heart. Gajeel and I couldn't be together.

"You should go," I finally whispered. I looked away from him, hating the hurt that crossed his face.

"I'm not goin' anywhere, Shrimp," he chuckled, sadly. "I couldn't even if I wanted to."

I looked back at Gajeel just in time for his lips to meet mine. He kissed me gently, as if he were waiting for me to pull away. I should have—I wanted to—but I didn't. I couldn't make myself push him away. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Again and again my mind shouted for me to stop, but I didn't listen. I was tired of fighting all of these feelings I had. I knew deep down that was why I had gone to Gajeel that night for comfort. I loved him, and I couldn't ignore it anymore.

Pushing everything else from my mind, I kissed Gajeel with everything I had. It was different from when we had been bonded, but I could still feel that same electricity running throughout my entire body. I felt my body suddenly fall onto something soft, and realized we had made our way into my bedroom, but I didn't care.

To hell with Astaroth or the council. I loved Gajeel, and I wanted to be with him. If I was going to die soon anyways, I shouldn't allow myself to get caught up in the future. So, I focused on the here and now. With Gajeel. With the man I loved.

I fell asleep that night in Gajeel's arms, to the sound of his quiet snoring. I felt happier than I ever had in my entire life. I was complete, and happy, and never wanted the moment to end.

Unfortunately, all things must come to an end, though. And the fates weren't yet through with their tormenting.

When I awoke the next morning, I was still in Gajeel's arms. As quietly as I could, I crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. My body was still all tingly from the night before, and there was a permanent smile plastered to my face. I quickly washed my body and hair before wrapping a towel around myself and returning to my bedroom.

I smiled, watching Gajeel as he slept. There was a small smile on his lips, and I couldn't help but giggle. Finally taking my eyes away from him, I went to my dresser and grabbed a dress to put on.

As I tied my bangs back with a yellow ribbon, I heard Gajeel stirring. I turned as he put on his boxers.

"Good morning," I said, brightly.

"Morning," he yawned, putting on his pants and shirt.

I suddenly realized that I never had actually confessed to him, and began to feel extremely awkward.

"What's with that face?" He asked, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms around me.

"Nothing," I smiled, "it's just that, I didn't get to tell you I love you yet."

He captured my mouth in a quick kiss, then pulled away to smirk at me. "So easily fooled."

"Wha—" The gunshot rang throughout my apartment with a deafening BANG!. I was too shocked at first to feel any pain, even as Gajeel let go of me and I crumpled to the floor. "Why?" I whispered, staring at him with wide eyes as I clutched at my side.

He threw my gun to the other side of the room, the smirk never leaving his face. "Astaroth sends his regards," was the only thing he said, before disappearing.

I was in too much pain to grasp the meaning of his words. The bullet had gone all the way through my left side, and I was bleeding heavily. Shot by my own gun, I thought as I fell to my back, the world around me going black, pathetic.

~Gajeel~

My head was throbbing when I opened my eyes. "Damn it," I cursed, sitting up to look around. "Where the hell am I?" I placed a hand to my temple, trying to will away the pain so I could think.

"You'll get used to the headaches."

My head snapped around, at the voice, and I snarled when I saw Astaroth. I lunged at him, knowing he had something to do with why I couldn't remember anything.

"So eager," he chuckled, flicking his hand as if he were warding off a fly. At the movement, my body came to a halt, and wouldn't move.

"How are you doing that?" I growled.

His red eyes were glowing as they met mine, "I am your master, Gajeel, so I control you."

"To hell you do," I spat.

He folded his scaled wings against his back as he stepped towards me, a smirk spreading across his face. "Kneel," he commanded.

"Fuck off." Although I said that, I felt myself going down on one knee. It was like I had no control over my body.

"You see?" He asked, looking smug as I glared at him. "When you promised to follow me, it didn't just mean you were loyal to me. It meant you were mine. To do with as I please."

My mind suddenly began to clear, and I remembered what he was talking about.

"Astaroth," I breathed. I looked behind me, worriedly, at the place Levy had disappeared, and prayed she didn't turn around and come back.

His red eyes were glowing so that, even in the dark, I could see them clearly. He folded a set of dragon-like wings against his back. Long claws extended from each of his fingertips, and a red snake wrapped around his arm like a decoration. I watched, frozen, as he came forward.

When he was within reach, my mind cleared enough to remember how much I loathed this creature. I swung my fist at him, knowing I couldn't miss in what little space there was between us.

With a smirk, he caught my fist, throwing me to the side with enough force that I crashed through a few trees. "Don't you want to hear what I have to say, Gajeel Redfox?"

"No, I don't," I said, getting to my feet. "Iron Dragon Roar!" He cut through my attack with a lazy stroke of his arm.

"I came to make a deal with you. Regarding the life of Levy McGarden."

I stopped in my tracks, the new roar catching in my throat. "What do you mean?"

"Join me," he smiled.

"I'd rather die," I snarled.

"Then who will protect Levy McGarden?" I didn't reply, admitting—angrily—that he had a point. "If you join me, I will leave this place. I will also spare the life of your Shrimp and that hunters' organization she cares so much for."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have to," he chuckled. "You just have to realize that this is your only hope of saving that girl's life, and take the risk."

"I'll just take you out before you can get to her, then," I snapped, charging at him. I turned my arm into a sword and swung at him. He dodged it easily, appearing behind me and kicking me to the ground. I fell with a curse, not having enough time to get to my feet before he kicked me a second time. Again, I was sent flying.

"Shit," I breathed, struggling to my feet.

"I will force her to watch as everyone she loves dies, making her wish she could join them," Astaroth said, grabbing me by the front of the shirt and slamming me into a tree, "and then—after she has begged me on her hands and knees—will I grant her wish of death. Perhaps I will end it quickly. Or maybe," he chuckled and leaned in closer when I struggled against his grasp, "maybe I'll kill her slowly, watching the agony that consumes her right before she finally dies."

Fear took root in my chest before I could fight against it. Just the idea of the Shrimp in pain sent fury racing through me, but it also made me afraid...because I knew he meant every word.

"Now, if you agree to follow me, I'll spare her." He released me, waiting quietly for my answer.

There's no way I can beat him. He can deflect my attacks without even having to try, so I have no hope of defeating him alone. With someone else, the task might have been possible, but not alone. Not when his attention was focused so acutely on me. "Fine," I found myself agreeing. If it means saving the Shrimp, I have to do it.

The snake on his arm shot forward, sinking two fangs painfully into my neck. "Smart boy," he said, petting the snake when it returned to his arm.

"What the hell'd that thing do to me?" I asked, feeling strange.

"This little demon I picked up about three centuries ago," Astaroth said, continuing to pet the snake's head. "He has this amazing gift of taking control of anyone he bites. Since I am his master, those he bites are under my control. You, Black Steel Gajeel, are now under my control."

After that damned snake had bit me, I must have passed out, because I couldn't remember what happened after Astaroth explained.

"You must be wondering what you've been up to the last two days," Astaroth grinned, taking a seat in one of the chairs I just noticed was in the room. He moved his hand again, and I went to one and took a seat, cursing to myself as I did so.

"Wait a minute," I looked up at him, "two days? I've been knocked out that long?"

"You haven't been knocked out," he chuckled. "I have been controlling you. A little side effect of my control can be a case of amnesia from time to time. Since it was the first time, I can't say I'm surprised."

"What did you make me do?" I asked, almost afraid to know the answer.

"Until last night, I sent you on a trip to prepare one of my houses for my return. Once I finish my business here, you and I will go there while I decide where we will travel to next."

"I thought your business was already finished with here," I frowned. "You told me you were going to leave Magnolia—and Levy—alone."

"I lied, of course," he laughed. "I knew the only way to get you to follow me would be to lie, so I made you believe I'd let the girl live. Oh, no. I have great plans for Levy McGarden. I just needed to get rid of the only real threat to my plan. You."

"Damn you," I snarled, trying to get out of my chair.

"Aren't you interested to know what you were doing last night?" Astaroth asked, unfazed by my fury.

"I—"

"Look down at your shirt," he smiled, something dark flickering in his eyes, "and take a good, deep breath."

My eyes widened when I looked down and saw the red staining my shirt. My arms were also covered, so I lifted one to my nose and sniffed. I thought I was going to be sick as the smell of sunshine and ink filled my nose.

Astaroth laughed loudly, obviously amused by the look of total terror on my face. "Let me help you remember," he said.

Suddenly, images began playing in my mind like a film in fast-forward. I saw myself grabbing the gun off of the Shrimp's dresser as I kissed her, and I saw myself shoot her in the side with it. The look of disbelief and pain in her wide hazel eyes as she had stared up at me from the ground, I knew, would give me nightmares for the rest of my pathetic life. At that moment, I hoped it wasn't a long one.

When I snapped out of it, Astaroth was laughing again. "I sent you there and then turned you loose for a few hours, erasing your memory of me. Imagine how delighted I was to find the two of you sleeping soundly in each others' arms. I knew at that moment that this was going to be much more entertaining than I had hoped. The shooting was an improvisation on my part, but I think it was a brilliant one. Now your beloved Levy McGarden knows I have you, so she is sure to come after me soon. That is, if she lives."

I was out of my chair before he could stop me, and I punched him in the face. Once his surprise had worn off, his eyes narrowed in anger. He wrapped his hand around my throat and slammed me into the wall. "If you don't behave, I'll make her suffer even more before I kill her." He smirked evilly at me, "you had so much fun with her that maybe I'll try it, too."

"Don't you dare touch her!"

"Maybe I'll mark her, and keep her as a pet," he taunted. "If you're a good little servant, I might even let you play with her."

Curses left me in a flurry as I tried to hit him again. My body would no longer listen to me, however, so the most I could do was scream insults at him. He just laughed, taking delight in my hatred.

"I take it you don't like that idea," he said, letting go of me. "Maybe you'd rather have her all to yourself."

"Fuck you."

"Come now, don't be so vulgar." He left me alone in the room, laughing, as I threw more insults at him. When he was finally gone, I was able to move my body again.

Unable to do anything else, I sat against the wall and put my head in my hands. I hated myself for thinking it, but some part of me hoped Levy died from the gunshot wound I had given her. That would be better than anything this bastard has planned for her. The mere idea of him marking her set my body ablaze with hatred. I would kill her myself before I let that happen.

"Levy," I whispered, the image of her shocked face after I had shot her playing across my mind over and over again, "please, forgive me."