A/N: Hey, Guys! It's update time! A really, really, REALLY, long chapter for you. I just want to let you guys know that the next update for Streetlights will be two week from now. I have to work on the other fics and some real life stuff.
I want to note that this is an information heavy chapter, and I did use Vikings and Norse Lore as inspiration for some of the contents in this fanfic. Any names or figures that are represented in this fic aren't exactly true and only bent to fit the world of fiction. In this case, Levy and Gajeel's world. Berserkers are not really werewolves.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter and I'll see you in two weeks for Chapter six.
P.S-OMG THE NEW MANGA CHAPTER! 487! GAJEVY IS CANON!
Chapter Five: The Freya and Blacksteel
Levy took a deep breath once the elevator arrived at her floor. She wasn't alone, though it wasn't as crowded as her first week at the firm. Only a few people were in the elevator with her and most of them got off at the earlier floors. She had time to collect her thoughts about facing Gajeel, knowing he was going to be at his cubicle. She hoped at the very least he was deep in his work with the same daily sports radio on, going about as if nothing happened between them. The thought of Gajeel not being there was another assumption and Levy's heart weighed heavily at the thought of her driving him away.
Her fingers clenched around her thermos and exhaled heavily as she turned the corner, passing the break room and strode to her row. It felt like weights were around her ankles and it would seem like they were getting heavier and heavier as she walked closer. Levy was too short, even with her heels, to see over the cubicles. Her heels dragged against the floor as she turned into her row and honey eyes turned to the cubicle right behind hers.
Empty.
Levy scanned the unoccupied space. It wasn't completely cleaned out as she feared. The computer was asleep as the CPU tower was still humming beneath the desk. A leather laptop bag sat next to the sturdy swivel chair. A pile of different color folders were next to the monitor and the coaster where a mug should have been. Gajeel was here, but where? Levy exhaled, comforted that he was still here and also not being here as she arrived.
"Y'know," Levy jumped and grabbed her chest. Her body turned around as fast as she could and saw Gajeel sitting in her tiny seat. She felt her heart pound heavily against her hand. Her mouth went dry and any profanities wanting to escape disappeared at the tip of her tongue. "Yer terrible lookin' at yer surroundings, Luv." He was wearing glasses this time, though he kept wearing the brown contacts to offset his vibrant ruby eyes.
"And you're terrible at hiding your eyes." Levy said with a teasing manner. "Glasses are drawing attention to your eyes and high cheekbones therefore others could see you wearing color contacts at a certain angle. And the angle in which I see the red isn't covered by the frames or lens." Levy swallowed her nerves and explained with no hesitation. She pointed at the side of her temple.
"You noticed before you found out?" Gajeel asked her. "Guess I was wrong about you." Levy walked into her cubicle and set her bag beside the leg of her desk.
"And what exactly did you find wrong with me?" Levy stepped closer to Gajeel. His eyes did a careful once over at her body and gulped hard, watching his Adam's apple move up and down his throat.
"Yer short." Gajeel answered with a slight bite to his words. "Yer find yerself always takin' the dangerous route even though there's a safer way home." Gajeel shook his head. "You—even helped a wild animal."
"I can take care of myself."
"No," Gajeel snorted. "You can't."
"Friday night surely proves you can't." Levy said, crossing her arms tightly against her chest. It was her chance to ask the questions that only he could answer. All of them started to spill over in her mind and she couldn't pick the right first question. Her lashes flickered against her cheek and pressed her lips tightly in a straight line. Where to start? "What are you?" Her mind pulled the roulette real and her tongue selects the first question.
"I can't answer," Gajeel's accent slipped away.
"Why not?" Levy confronted.
"Because," Gajeel clenched his jaw. "We have company." His eyes pointed over her shoulder and she turned around to see Lisanna and Juvia. Her blue hair twirled on her black blazer shoulders, entering Gajeel's cubicle only to see it empty. Lisanna was the one who turned into Levy's cubicle to find both of them.
"Oh," Lisanna gleamed. "Good morning, Gajeel and Levy." Juvia turned around and peeked over Lisanna's shoulder. "Crazy weekend we had?"
"Huh?" Gajeel looked at Levy with a glare that could kill.
"Ah," Levy smiled. "Clients wanted changes to the vectors."
"Yeah, and I need you to come with me." Lisanna said to Levy, grabbing her forearm. "We need to debrief before the actual meeting."
"Gajeel, we're needed as well for the Dreyer account." Juvia said to Gajeel.
"I'll meet you there." Gajeel's accent disappeared and Levy glanced at him to the side. He noticed. "I need to grab my things."
"Same," Levy said to Lisanna, where her bright blue eyes looked at Gajeel and back to Levy. Curiosity pooled in her eyes and she desperately fought her urge to grin like an idiot showed in her jaw.
"Okay," Lisanna nodded. "Debrief is in Mira Jane's office." Both of them left and Gajeel shook his head when Levy turned back at him.
"Mind yer business," Gajeel tsked. At first Levy thought it was towards her, but the way he was looking out made it look like he was listening to ladies talking to themselves. "They're never gonna shut up about this."
"Who?" Levy asked, knowing the answer already. Even in human form, Levy deduced Gajeel could hear as well as in his wolf state. She wondered if his sense of smell was heightening too.
"Lunch," Gajeel stood up and towered over her. "We'll talk then."
"But—ah!" Levy blinked and her back met the wall of her cubicle. Gajeel grabbed her arm and softly pushed her against it. Her eyes flickered, watching his harden face stare back at her. He leaned down to meet her gaze and Levy couldn't help but narrow her eyes towards his plump lips.
"Don't argue with me, Luv." Gajeel warned, exhaling his warm breath against her face. Her eyes looked at his left shoulder and his gaze followed it. Her curiosity got the best of him and she slipped her hand beneath the open collar of his shirt, tugging the next set of buttons free and exposed enough skin where his gunshot wound was. Levy's eyes scanned his tan skin to see nothing but smooth skin and no evidence of a scar or wound. Her breath hitched, frightened and surprised at the emptiness of where the bullet once was. The bandage she put on him was gone along with the wound. Gajeel grabbed her wrist and pinned it beside her head, awaking her from her startled haze. "We got work to do and I ain't gonna blow me cover because of yer damn curiosities." He gave her a long look and then pulled away before she could say anything. Levy pushed herself off the cubicle wall and stepped out of the small office where his swivel chair spun slowly and his laptop bag was gone.
As she regained her composure, Levy turned back to her desk and then looked at the wall where her back was. For a moment, Levy's stomach had a slight case of nostalgia, remembering the distinct scent of tobacco and whiskey. The feel of his grip around her wrists. It all flooded back to her in waves of fear and anticipation. A thrill that haunted her every being, and challenged her racing heart. With everything that happened, Levy had no doubt that Gajeel was there that Halloween night.
Her lunch break was running late as the meeting with their clients followed their debrief with Mira Jane. Gajeel wasn't on this project yet until the blueprints were finalized. Levy hurried back to her cubicle, hoping to see Gajeel waiting for her as he promised earlier this morning. If she was late, Gajeel might've taken his lunch already and Levy wouldn't get her answers. Unless she could convince him to go out with her later after work. Levy reached her cubicle, though she didn't go in there. She went into Gajeel's office space and didn't find him there nor her desk either. Gajeel could be running late too. Either way, Levy felt like she was stood up. She promised Mira Jane that she'd take her hour break and go to her office to run through the next set of designs for their upcoming clients.
"I hope I didn't miss him." Levy muttered, feeling the buzzing in her skirt pocket. A text message from Natsu, asking if she was available for lunch since he was in the area. Her lips pursed, contemplating whether or not she should accept his invite and reschedule with Gajeel, or decline Natsu and continue waiting. There was no note on either desks from Gajeel or anyone else, though she didn't expect him to leave one anyway. Maybe she should take his offer.
"Are we still up for lunch? I'm here at my desk. -Levy." Levy emailed Gajeel, remembering his address from last night. It was the closest thing to texting him and hopefully she'd get a response.
"Yeah," Gajeel replied and a smile appeared across her face. She was going to get her answers.
"Sorry, Natsu. I have lunch plans already." Levy texted him and put away her phone, but then pulled it out again once it pulsed.
"Meet you down stairs. -G." Gajeel emailed her again and she headed towards the elevator with her messenger bag across her chest, gripping the strap with her shaking fingers. Her stomach ached nervously. She wasn't sure if she could eat with all these questions looming around her head. At the very least, they should go to a place where there was coffee. She'd need it after she gets her answers.
"Heading to lunch?" Lisanna caught her at the elevator and squeezed through the closing doors.
"Yeah," Levy smiled. "You?"
"My brother and sis are having lunch at the office, so I'm picking it up." Lisanna said, fixing her pixie cut in the reflection of the steel elevator. "Are you going alone?"
"Um," Levy bit her bottom lip, looking over her shoulder of a man mindlessly checking his phone.
"You're having lunch with Gajeel?" Lisanna asked, beaming a smile through the elevator.
"Yeah," Levy gulped. The elevator stopped at the main floor and they stepped out into the bustling lobby. "I'm not sure where we're—Natsu?" Levy saw her pink haired friend in his thick red plaid jacket, turning around and waved at her with that stupid smile of his. Gajeel was by the doors, hands in his pocket and watching Natsu walking up to her.
"Hey!" Natsu greeted them and then held his hand out to Lisanna. "I'm Levy's friend, Natsu."
"I'm Lisanna." She returned the handshake. "I work with Levy." She turned to Levy and smiled. "I better go pick up our food. I'll see you in an hour. Nice to meet you, Natsu." She walked towards the door, exchanging a smile with Gajeel as she left the building.
"You didn't get my text?" Levy asked Natsu. His eyes widen and reached into his coat for his phone. It had more cracks and scratches than jagged rocks. And Natsu had to slap the phone into his hand to wake it up.
"No," Natsu shrugged his shoulders. "I guess not." He slipped his phone back into his jacket. "You have plans?"
"Yeah, she does." Natsu turned around and Gajeel glared down with his arms crossed.
"Who the hell are you?" Natsu snarled at him, eying him from head to toe.
"Guys," Levy got in between them. "Not here. Natsu, this is my cubicle neighbor, Gajeel. And Gajeel, this is my friend, Natsu."
"Ah!" Natsu laughed. "The idiot with a dumb face." Levy punched his arm and Natsu flinched. "I mean—the idiot." Levy punched him again.
"He actually asked me to lunch." Levy smiled at them both. "We need to go through some accounts. For our clients? Work stuff."
"Yeah," Gajeel nodded. He still kept his cold composure.
"Okay," Natsu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I'll go see Lucy." They started walking through the door and Gajeel was the last one to follow. Natsu held the door open for Levy, but let it go as Gajeel crossed the threshold.
"Lucy?" Gajeel growled unintentionally. "Lucy who?"
"Um," Natsu glared at him. "Lucy none-of-your-business."
"Hey," Gajeel grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn around.
"Guys!" Levy stopped them, looking around at the curious eyes outside of their building. "This isn't the place. Natsu, I'll see you later." He stared at her for a long second before he exhaled heavily in his surrender.
"Fine—" Natsu said something else, but Levy couldn't hear from the roar of a motorcycle engine. "—Lucy?"
"Damn it," Gajeel cursed and Levy turned around to see the woman in the blue Ducati parked along the curb of a fire zone. The same woman who picked up Gajeel Saturday morning with her purple scarf wrapped around her hair to keep her it from the wind. She took off her glasses and flashed a dazzling white smile at the three of them.
"How are you?" Lucy asked Levy. "I'm sure you have lots of questions."
"I-I um—" Levy looked at Gajeel.
"What're ya doin' here." Gajeel snarled.
"I'm going to take Levy out to lunch." Lucy smiled. "If you don't mind. I think she should hear it from me." Gajeel gave her a warning glare, jaw tightening and the vein in his neck were showing beneath his tanned skin.
"Hear what?" Natsu asked. "What's going on? How do you know about this idiot?"
"Watch it," Gajeel snapped.
"Look," Lucy shook her head at Gajeel. "Whatever I can't answer, I'll have you do it. I'm sure Levy would like to hear it from you, but your way of storytelling is appalling." Lucy's brown eyes met hers and Levy gulped at how beautiful she was when she wasn't wearing her bookstore manager attire. Black high heeled boots with dark denim skinny jeans that fitted her long legs. A fitted brown distressed leather jacket to match her dazzling eyes. A lip shade reminding her of blood—and Gajeel's eyes. "It's entirely up to you, Levy."
"Go," Gajeel nudged her with his arm. "I have a lot of work to do."
"I still want to hear it from you." Levy said. "Tonight?" He stared at her, thinking very hard as he looked into her eyes.
"We'll see," Gajeel replied and looked at Lucy. "You take care of her, Princess." Levy's stomach did a flip when he heard the nickname slip from his tongue. Princess? Levy looked at Lucy and then Gajeel. Did they have a history? Or did they still have—? Levy would ask. She had to, but she was more nervous to ask Lucy about it.
"Don't worry, Blacksteel." Lucy laughed. "I'll have her home in time for work." She mocked him and held a hand out for Levy. "C'mon, we only have an hour." Levy glanced at her bare hand and then grabbed it, feeling how extraordinarily warm she was despite the weather. Her touch was so inviting and when she mounted the bike behind her, Lucy guided her arms around her hot waist. She felt her body heat through the leather and almost instantly sweating in her jacket. "Natsu, we'll talk later today. About everything. I promise."
"Sure," Natsu shrugged his shoulders again, like he was cool with it. Levy knew the shiftiness in his eyes told her otherwise. He was confused and desperately needs answers. Maybe Gajeel would tell him in the bluntest way possible.
"We'll be back." Lucy winked at Gajeel. "Hold on tight."
If it wasn't for Lucy's abnormal body heat, Levy would've froze to death in their short bike ride to a small coffee shop a few blocks away. She didn't want to let Lucy go, fearing that she'd turn into an icicle if she did, but Lucy got a parking spot right in front of the cafe. They received strange looks from pedestrians like they were insane for riding a sports bike in the middle of January. If they only knew who Lucy was, it might have been different. Levy didn't even know if she was just like Gajeel.
"Find a seat and I'll get us some food." Lucy told her, pointing towards the back corner where they'd have some privacy and a view of her bike. Levy nodded and walked towards the corner. It was mid-afternoon and the lunch was dying down. Only a few tables were taken and a most of them were almost ready to leave. She could hear from the ordering counter Lucy's voice speaking in a different language. It was Polish, no doubt, and her accent was spot on as if she was from Poland. As she sat down in the booth, she wondered if Lucy and Gajeel came from the same place. She also wondered if there was some sort of history between them.
"Okay!" Lucy slid into the seat across from her. She looked around for anybody nearby and unwrapped the scarf keeping her hair neat. She shook her golden silk strands and combed them out with her fingers, matting down any fly-aways and tangles. "They have the best Danishes in the city. Oh and I got you some coffee."
"Thanks," Levy smiled. "You didn't have to."
"Oh no, I have to." Lucy laughed. "I must know the woman who has Gajeel wrapped around her finger."
"I-I don't have him—" Levy cringed, not knowing how or why she believed so.
"Oh I know him!" Lucy said to her slowly as the waiter came by with their steaming mugs of coffee. "Thank you" Lucy replied in Polish and Levy did the same, astonishing Lucy with her talents. "Impressive."
"Anyway," Levy hugged the mug, comforted by the warmth. "How well do you know him?" Was her first question. Lucy stared at her for a while, confused by her tone, however, the light bulb in her head lit once she understood what she meant.
"Oh no!" Lucy laughed, blushing slightly at her concern. "Gajeel and I aren't like that. Never were and never will be." Lucy reassured her. "Our relationship is like a love-hate brother-sister kind of relationship. Nothing to worry about. Completely platonic."
"Who said I was worried about that?" Levy blushed. "I wanted to know the extent of your relationship. That's all."
"You don't have to hide it from me." Lucy paused as the waiter returned with a tray of fresh grapes and raspberries surrounding a mound of apple Danishes and tarts. The cinnamon sugar pastries made her mouth water instantly with her stomach churning. She waited for him to leave before continuing. "I'm glad to see Gajeel actually care about someone else beside himself."
"I-I d-don't know what you mean by that?" Levy coughed. "I don't think—"
"Whatever happened that night," Lucy popped a grape in her mouth. "Gajeel does. He could have gone home instead of your place, but he went to your apartment after he was shot. And I know you care for him. You wouldn't have patch up his wound if you didn't."
"Anyone would've done the same." Levy said. "I'm sure you would."
"Well, I'd be worried, but we heal pretty quickly." Lucy laughed. "Makes us dizzy and heat up like the sun, but it's better than being dead." Levy dropped her gaze to her sandwich. Her fingers playing with the red grape on her plate, watching the juices leave a trail beside the Danish. "I know you have questions and not that much time. So, instead of telling you everything. I'll answer what you want to know."
"I want to know everything," Levy looked at her phone, displaying the time in analog fashion. "And I believe you can give me the answers." She huffed her chest and exhaled hard, trying to calm herself down. "What are you exactly? A werewolf? Shapeshifters? Lycans?" The nerves came from her anticipation. All the stories were coming to light and everything she imagined as a child was coming true. The never ending stories her mother and grandfather would tell her as a child. And the stories she would read on her own.
"Werewolves came later." Lucy explained. Her gaze dropped, but Levy could see that Lucy wasn't really their as nostalgia filmed over her irises. Levy could see the bronze ring surrounding her pupils and irises. She never saw them with Gajeel, though she could assume it was a trait. Lucy was extraordinarily gorgeous under the cafe lighting. It was as if Lucy was from a royal family. A princess from one of her books. Then she wondered with all of this coming to light if Lucy was a princess. "We never started as werewolves or lycans. We were more than scary creatures mothers would tell their children so they'd behave." She was lost again in her memories. If only Levy could see what she saw. "My mother would tell me stories of how much wolves were respected, feared, and worshiped."
"Loki and Fenrir." Levy added. "The subtopic you suggested on Saturday." Her eyes returned to the present and stared back at her with a wary smile.
"Yes," Lucy continued. "It was before I knew the truth about who I really am. We are shape-shifters, but more importantly Berserkers. Warriors during the age of the Vikings. Proud and stubborn with a purpose to seek a glorious death and reach the halls of Valhalla and eat the food of Odin's table." She puffed her chest and patted her fist over her heart, mocking the brutes Levy would see in movies. Lucy laughed jokingly. "Berserkers are Vikings, worshiped all the gods like any other, but specifically honor Loki than most. The shape shifting god had a son, and that son killed Odin during the battle of Ragnarok. Later on, he died by Odin's son.
"Berserkers look to Fenrir as their teacher in the art of combat, and harnessed the power of the wolf. The tribes of Berserkers are ruthless and wild where chaos and order are perfectly balanced on the battlefield. They use anger as their power, and control as their strength to defeat their enemies without discriminating anyone or anything. Almost defying mortality with the gifts they are given.
"However, as Berserkers seek the guidance of the great wolf. Fenrir, even though slain, was brought to Odin as a prisoner. A prisoner to serve and protect the families of Odin's circle. That reflects back unto the tribes where Berserkers were born to serve a Chieftain and their families until the rest of their days. It might sound like enslavement, but it is a prideful sentence that would grant them their freedom with their death and automatically have a place in Valhalla. If not—" Lucy paused and shook her head. "—they'd be trapped in the world of the living. A suicidal death will not grant you admittance to Odin's side." Lucy paused again. Her eyes glazed over again and she stared out the window. Her face softens where she appeared older than she looked. "The only exception to that is for love."
"Love?" Levy gulped. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's okay, I'll get to that in a minute." Lucy smiled. "Berserkers gave the rites." She paused again. "Um—the rites are a ritual where we are given the gifts of Fenrir. We drink the blood of the Alpha, or Chieftain, and we awaken our dormant powers. Purebloods are born with the gift, it just needs an active Berserker to initiate the transformation. Depending on the family, they are ranked. Alphas are the leader, Betas are the second, sentinels—so on and so forth."
"Okay, so let me get this straight." Levy sipped her coffee. "Both you and Gajeel are Berserkers."
"Sort of."
"What do you mean by that?" Levy shook her head. "You're telling me this for a reason right?"
"You asked what we are."
"I can hear the history lesson later and I am interested. Really am! It's just—" Levy looked down to the clock on her phone. "Can I ask you something else?"
"Right," Lucy sighed. "Time. I could tell you this story another time. What's your question?'
"From what you have said already," Levy pondered, pursing her lips and looking at her reflection in her dark coffee. "You are Vikings."
"Sort of?" Lucy shrugged her shoulders. "I can tell you I am from a line of Berserkers, but I didn't know until—I was forced to take the rites." The tone in her voice dropped, though it remained calm and smooth without any notion of hesitation. The word forced made Levy shiver. Who would force anyone to do anything, especially becoming a beast?
"You don't have to answer this," Levy took her pondering state into a count. "What happened to you? To Gajeel? And why does it feel like you're hiding from something? From someone?" Lucy was surprised by her last question. She probably assumed that Gajeel told her about it. "Gajeel didn't say anything to me. I just feel like he's hiding from someone. Not just hiding his secret. You know?"
"-I ain't gonna blow me cover because of yer damn curiosities."
"You're lying," Lucy smiled mischievously. "Gajeel said something, but I know you're smart enough to know what it means. Which is fine. You haven't told anyone about this secret of ours. Not even Natsu. The least I can do is tell you our story. I owe you that much."
"Owe me?" Levy raised a brow. "You don't owe me anything?"
"You saved Gajeel." Lucy replied. "Natsu rescued me from the clutches of a sleazy man at the coffee shop. And I—we—owe you an apology. A very late apology if I might add."
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Levy shook her head in confusion.
"The night your mother died." Lucy's lips pressed into a hard line. The color drained from Levy's face and she seeks warmth in her coffee. "We were too late. Gajeel was the first at the scene and only found you alive." Levy's fingers grasp her mother's necklace, rubbing the pendant nervously. Flashes of red and the screaming appeared with every blink. It would always happen, but she learned how to push it away when she had to. This was different. For the first time, Levy met someone who knew her biggest secret. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Levy chuckled. "It happened long ago. Besides, they were going to kill me and you saved me. It seems like I owe you." She let go of her necklace and watched Lucy's eyes stare at the small gleaming jewel. "Were you the white wolf at the end of the alley?"
"Yes," Lucy nodded. "And I'm sorry." Normally, Levy would say some reason why Lucy and Gajeel weren't at fault for her mother's death. It really wasn't their fault, but the way Lucy looked at her gave her the idea of how much guilt she had for the incident.
"If you want me to accept it, then I forgive you." Levy leaned in and grabbed her warm hand. The smell of her perfume and leather overwhelmed her senses. "And I want to thank you for saving my life that night. I truly am grateful."
"But, your mother…" Lucy turned her wrist and wrapped her fingers around Levy's hand. "I know what it is like to grow up without a mother. To have a mother die in front of you." Levy's grip tightens around her, rubbing her thumb gently over her smooth skin. Her eyes had a nice coat of sheen over them and as Levy continued staring she could see her colored contacts melt into her glowing bronze eyes. "I'm sorry." She fought her tears and noticed her contacts melting away. "Oh no."
"No," Levy squeezed her hand. "I think their beautiful." Lucy grinned softly and reached for her pocket and pulled out a contact box. "Leave it. You're with me. It shouldn't matter right?"
"You're right." Lucy smiled gleamed and put her contacts away. Just like Gajeel's ruby jeweled eyes, Lucy had a very smoky topaz with the same bronze ring around her irises. Her eyes almost appeared golden at certain angles, however the same brown was hidden away like a gold casted pendant.
"You lost your mom?" Levy continued where they left off. "By Berserkers?"
"No," Lucy shook her head. "She was sick and died in her death bed when I was seven. I held her hand as she told me one last story."
"I'm sorry," Levy's eyes were starting to feel heavy at the tears building up.
"Like you I've managed." Lucy chuckled. "Well, since we're talking about me. I might as well start. I'll try to make a long story short. I was twenty-one years old in 1899—"
-Freya-
I was the only daughter of Jude and Layla Heartfillia. Owners of the renowned Heartfillia Estate in Devon, England. The debutante with dreams of running my own house with a high respecting husband and a family to continue on our legacy. That was what I was told as a child, clouded by the silks, satin, jewelry and the radiance of the life. Though I have to admit, it wasn't me. Since my mother passed, I admired the heroes and heroines in adventure stories I would read in between private lessons. My father for a while taught me about business, capitalism and politics as part of my learning regimen. At first, I thought it was for him to spend time with his only child, but later found out it was for my future husband's benefit to have a wife who can inspire and support.
As I got older, I thought my curiosities of adventure had faded, but I only grew more curious of the world. I broke my father's wishes when I turned eighteen and traveled the country to see the world with my own eyes. Not alone. I had my friends who served our name accompany me. It wasn't Paris or the Americas, but it was more than I could have dreamed. For three years, I have read as many books in different libraries and seen plays and drank wine and ale all across England. I learned so much in those three years than my high paid education. I was living the dream of freedom that my mother once had before she married my father.
Freedom, though, came at a price.
I was visiting an old friend at Baskerville Boarding School for girls at the Baskerville Estate. It was on my way home to see my father. Which I received a letter a week before indicating he wasn't well. At this point, I knew I needed to put away these childish dreams and take up my role as mistress of the house, but when I was at Baskerville, I was taken prisoner by a group of men and woman, wanting my family's fortune in return.
The leader of the group, Jose, and his retainers kept me in a locked room and soon a locked cage in the cellar of the school. For each day my father didn't pay the ransom, they would kill one person from either the students or staff right in front of me until all one-hundred and seven of them were gone. They'd torment me with their words. They'd even told me what they'd do to me once they get their pay. But, there was one person who didn't let anyone touch me.
Summer, like me, was an adventurer. A well-traveled man that made my days as a prisoner bearable by telling me of his adventures in the east. Where he met people in China and Persia and all the cultures they had to offer. He returned to his tribe, to his pack, where he took back his role as a Sentinel warrior. It was him who told me about their origins of Berserkers and their grand tales of old. How he was born to serve his cousin and future Chieftain of their tribe as his retainer even though he was born human and not a Berserker.
I don't know exactly how long I was captive, but one day Summer told me the truth of why they captured me. It wasn't for my family's fortune, but for my lineage. He told me, along with Jose's second, that I was the last of the Berserker pure blooded line. A Scandinavian Princess that was born to be alpha and Queen of the wolves. It was Jose's first intention to revive the Berserker line and gain authority over the scattered packs across northern Europe. He wanted to reinforce our men and women with my blood.
Summer didn't want that. The times had change and their time was gone. He knew that and couple of others helped in the coup to over throw the Alpha. Gajeel, Jose's second, had mix feelings about his loyalty, but in the end his aide was what made my escape possible. Summer and Gajeel got me out, however, the rest of the pack went after us. We were injured, especially me, but Summer went back to buy us some time. Gajeel didn't want to take me away. He did this for him and if someone needed to be left behind, Gajeel would be glad to end his life for Summer. However, Summer couldn't get me to safety even if he wanted. Gajeel could out run them and protect me if anyone followed us. And Gajeel was the only one who could save me from my injuries.
Summer died protecting both us. It wasn't long before I started to slowly die from my injuries, though that didn't bode well for Gajeel. He didn't want his friend and retainer's sacrifice be all for nothing. It was his duty now to fulfill Summer's wishes. With a small cup of his blood, Gajeel gave me the rites and activated my transformation. For almost a century and a half, We—I—roamed this earth on both two feet and all fours. I saw the places Summer would tell me and did the things he had done. Ate the food he would vibrantly describe.
Though, it wasn't a life that I wanted. The friends I would befriend would notice I wasn't aging, and they would eventually die and I outlive them. To be perfectly honest, I felt lonely and yet I only started to live. I had Gajeel, but when we moved to a new location, he'd go on his own, leaving me to my own devices. He wasn't far though. We had to move around frequently to avoid Jose and his pack. I'd go to college every two years, transferring to and from with multiple degrees. I could speak and read many languages. One brilliant thing about immortality it granted me time to do what I wanted to do without risk. I could major in art history or biology or linguistics. I could do it all.
It wasn't enough. Never enough.
Where ever I go, I'd always meet someone who resembled Summer in a small way. His vivid personality, love of travel and trying new foods, passionate with life and no regrets in his decisions. Gajeel would tell me I was going crazy and deny their resemblance. How would he know anyway? He had never been in love before. Then again, he knew Summer the longest. They have trained, grew up and fought together. It was only natural for Gajeel to be picky.
Until now.
You saw it, didn't you? The way he looked at Natsu today when I picked you up. I didn't know he was going to be there, but there he was and Gajeel gawking at him with wide eyes. The appearance of Summer and Natsu are so close together, you'd think they were the same person. The way he said my name—his physique and his little mannerisms like rubbing his hair when he was nervous, and how he likes to put his hands in his pockets while he walked. The way he smiled at me—it was like seeing a ghost.
Summer's last words to me…
"May we meet again," Her lashes flickered over her cheeks and her lips curved into a reminiscing smile. "So!" She cleared her throat and looked at Levy. "Now we're here. Sorry for the longest short story."
"Don't be," Levy shook her head. She didn't know what to say after that. What happened to her father? Why was Gajeel the only one who could give her the blood rites? "Did you know Natsu in Japanese means—"
"Summer." Lucy nodded. "When he told me his name I—I almost cried." She laughed. "Well, I did after both of you left the bookstore that night." Levy remained silent, staring at her half eaten apple Danish in front of her. "One-hundred and seventeen years…I've dreamed of seeing him again. I'm sure you have questions and I know you want to hear about Gajeel."
"Why Gajeel?" Levy finally asked. "Why was he the only one who can save you and not Summer?" Her heart wanted to understand the predicament of their situation, but the child in her wanted a happy ending in Lucy's story. She wanted Summer and Lucy to live happily ever after. If Gajeel stayed behind, he would have the strength to rejoin Summer. Levy had to believe it was so. To have hope in the most hopeless of scenarios. "I'm sorry. It's not my place to criticize."
"Because of who he was," Lucy answered firmly. "Summer lived, I would have died from my injuries. Summer would have died too." Levy gave her a questioning look. "I am the last of my line. Though without an alpha, I wouldn't be able to receive the blood rites."
"Gajeel's an alpha? I thought he was Jose's right hand." Levy pointed it out.
"Yes," Lucy nodded. "It's complicated with Gajeel. It's always complicated with Blacksteel." She chuckled, scratching her forehead. "Gajeel was supposed to be the next Chief of the tribe and he is the son of an alliance that would have changed the world of Vikings and Berserkers. It only took Jose's deception to ruin our history, though his intentions at the time were somewhat honorable."
"He's the son of a Viking and a Berserker." Levy put the pieces together and Lucy nodded in approval. "By birth, he would have been alpha."
"But, Jose challenged his father." Lucy continued. "Jose was loyal to Gajeel's mother. She was the Berserker's alpha, but she died protecting a raid against their village while the Chief and the others were away. Naturally, Gajeel took charge of Berserkers for a while, but Jose and the others didn't believe a human should command them."
"He didn't take the rites?"
"No," Lucy grimaced. "It wasn't his father's wish to have his son become one." Her fingers went to her lips, tracing it with her nail. "We have time. I'll tell you as much as I can about Gajeel and you can ask him later. Mind you, he's not the most expressive man."
"I've noticed." Levy smiled.
"Well, at least you'll know you'd be quite disappointed." Lucy laughed.
He could smell her honeysuckle perfume once she stepped out of the elevator.
Gajeel stood up from his seat and looked over the cubicles to see Levy walking pass the break room with a paper cup in her hand. He recognized that amber colored cup and knew Lucy had taken her to the Polish cafe three blocks away where the apple Danishes were her favorite. It was one of the main reasons why Lucy begged him to return to Crocus. Levy disappeared behind cubicle walls and Gajeel turned around to see her reappear in front of his office. She looked up at him with sensible and wary eyes. Her plump lips left agape with no words escaping them. He could see her jaw tighten, wanting to say something to him, but couldn't find the words to say.
What did Lucy tell her?
"Levy!" Mira Jane approached her and Gajeel immediately turned around and brought his phone to his ear. His other hand rummaged through the files on his desk, giving the illusion that he was occupied. He spoke about contractors and other engineer non-sense, however, he kept his ears on Levy. "I'm glad I caught you. We have a new minor client that wants to contract us on a house design. He specifically requested a Green Architect and fantastic ideas on energy saving and environmentally friendly designs."
"Oh, that's great!" Levy smiled. "I'll be happy to assist…"
"No need," Mira Jane handed her the papers. "The design is all yours. A small project and you can ask Lisanna for any assistance with our major projects. There's no rush, but our client is expecting your call."
"T-Thank you! Thank you so much!" Levy shook her hand. "This means so much."
"What you did for the Mashima project was spectacular. And your studies in Green Architecture have given you this opportunity." Mira Jane patted her shoulder. "Now, get to work and knock'em dead."
"Thank you again," Levy said and Gajeel heard Mira Jane's heels walk away and turned into her office. Levy exhaled heavily and clung the folder against her chest. She was exhausted and he could tell by the change in her scent. He turned around, setting his phone on his desk and leaned against the threshold. Her golden eyes stared up at him with a million questions behind them. She knew it wasn't the place to ask and with so much work to do, it wouldn't be right for her neglect her new job and this new opportunity.
"Gajeel," Levy muttered, stepping forward and Gajeel stepped back into his office. She was now leaning against the threshold. Honeysuckle, vanilla and V-twin engine exhaust overwhelmed his senses.
"Tonight," Gajeel said firmly and quietly. He grabbed her hand and held it tight. "You can ask me then." Her brows knitted and narrowed at their hands. Her thumb escaped his hold and gently she drew soft circles on top of his hand. He fought a gasp and swallowed it as he looked at her lips. His skin tingled from her light touch and Gajeel knew Levy found out the truth and yet she was still here. All that she wanted to convey was expressed by a simple gesture, and her compassion was shown by the soft look he gave him. His heart clenched and he honestly didn't know what to make of this feeling. Gajeel wanted it to stop, but at the same time didn't want to.
"Tonight then," Levy hushed, leaning in to plant a kiss, but pulled away before her breath even reached his skin and retreated to her desk. Gajeel's eyes flickered at his hovering hand, growing cold from her lack of touch. His gaze shifted to Levy, already resuming her work.
Beep! Beep!
Gajeel returned to his desk and looked at his phone. It was from Lucy.
It has been done. Everything else is up to you.
Gajeel stared until the screen turned off and his reflection stared back. He was still at work and he needed to act like everything was normal. If anyone found out about him and Levy, attention would draw to them, and the last thing he wanted was more people involved. Levy was involved before she even knew since that bloody night in the alley, and now it would seem like her friend, Natsu, was involved as well. Like Levy, he was involved in this long before he even knew.
-Blacksteel-
The cool salty breeze from the ocean overwhelmed his face as he took out his stifling iron helmet. They journeyed from the midlands to the ocean side to see an old friend of his fathers. A friend who also turned out to be Salamander's older brother, Zeref.
"Gajeel the Iron Dragon," Zeref walked out of his cliff side stone house and held out his hand to the Viking. "You honor me. Salamander didn't tell me you were accompanying him." His dark eyes shifted to his little brother rubbing his middle length pink hair, pulling out the leather tie that held it in a ponytail.
"Sorry, Brother." Salamander chuckled with guilt. "It was a last minute decision."
"Come!" Zeref held his hand out towards his house. "I've got some ale for ya." Gajeel held his helmet under his arm and rested his other hand on the hilt of his great sword. He followed Salamander and ducked down to enter the small house. His head hit a bundle of dried meat hanging off a string and net. "What brings you out of the midland? I hope your father didn't send you for a surprised inspection."
"No," Salamander sighed. "He wanted out."
"Salamander." Gajeel hissed.
"Oh!" Zeref smiled. "Does the Chief's son don't like his new role?" The brothers looked at him, waiting for the truth to come out. For twenty-five years, they've known each other and yet they don't know him that well. They should have known, at least, that he keeps everything to himself.
"No, he doesn't," Salamander gulped his beer and some have dribbled from the corners of his mouth. "He keeps runnin' away from the wolves."
"Like damn pups." Gajeel murmured. "They won't leave me alone."
"Yer the new leader, Blacksteel!" Salamander slapped his back. "They have to follow you."
"Either way," Zeref said, smiling at him just like her brother. "When you become Chieftain, you'd need to take charge of both factions. The alliance your parents upheld has to continue with you." The flames in the fireplace played shadows on his features.
"Maybe you should take the blood rites?" Salamander suggested, earning menacing glares from both parties. "Or not! I don't see the problem of becomin' a wolf."
"Acnologia doesn't wish for his son to become a berserk." Zeref explained. "If he does, he cannot be a chieftain."
"Berserks can't be Chief?" Salamander snorted. "That's stupid." Salamander leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "All this mumble jumble about Gajeel bein' the future of our tribes, it sure seem like we're stuck in the old ways."
"Maybe you'd like to lead them." Gajeel snarled, but Salamander laughed through his seriousness.
"As great as that sounds," Salamander continued to laugh. "I'd rather be on the battlefield than being part of your council."
"Even if you could," Zeref added. "Gajeel would need to marry a Berserk in the Sentinel ranks or higher. Any lower would pollute the bloodline."
"What happened to just going to war and coming back with tales of victories?" Salamander yawned. "These damn politics are borin'." Zeref pushed his little brother and he fell backwards and onto the wooden floor. Gajeel fought the urge to laugh and kept his stoic composure.
"You're not a child anymore!" He lectured his brother. "Act like Gajeel's retainer." Salamander stood up and patted down his furs and leather armor and bared his teeth at his brother. He was the embodiment of a Viking. Fierce, loyal and a fantastic fighter. He wore his heart on his wrist and his axe where he would strike his enemies with great force. If he wasn't human, he would have been a great berserker.
"You know my father's council than anyone else." Gajeel addressed to Zeref. "If I would give the berserker reigns to someone else."
"There isn't anyone else."
"What about Jose?"
"No," Zeref shook his head. "You cannot give it to him. He was against your mother marrying Acnologia. He'd find a way to—"
"I like to see him try." Gajeel laughed. "He answers to my old man."
"He answers to Anna." Zeref corrected. "Anna the Bold was the best leader—alpha—in Berserker history. To have her gone is a blow to the alliance. Gajeel! If you want to keep your mother's wishes intact, you have to remind them you are their new leader. You may be a Viking, but you have the Berserker blood in ya. Grow up and stand up to the ranks."
They saw the flames from the horizon.
Straw and mud houses burned along the families that harbor them. Their childhood home was completely engulfed. The places they use to play and trained were turning to ash. Salamander and Gajeel rushed in with their horses and swords not caring for their own well-being. They went into a burning hut and searched for anyone trapped. Voices wailed and explosions deafened their hearing. There was no luck in saving anyone and by the time they reached the Hall at the center of the village, they were in the mud faced down as their men knocked them out unconscious.
Gajeel stirred from his headache inducing slumber. His skin was slick and cold as all his armor and tunic were gone and left with his leather trousers. Wrists were rubbing raw and bloody against manacles desperately holding his weight up. His jet black hair clung to his cold muscles. He was chained up between two pillars in the cellar of the hall where they kept all the Verwerfen during their transformation. Dark brown eyes looked around him, still hazy from the smoke and the beating. The whip marks on his back were numb until tendrils of his hair fell from his shoulders to his back. He winced in pain, waking himself from this horrid nightmare.
For only it was a nightmare.
His eyes looked to his right where Salamander was chained up like he was and gashes strewn his body like a wooden training dummy. Gajeel's left had his other family. A half-sister from his father's mistress was chained up in worse shape than the both of them combined. Gajeel flared his nose, angry at whoever did this to his sweet sister. She was only a young teen, training to be the village healer.
"You fuckers!" Gajeel bellowed low and fiercely like a lion. His dark hair swirled around him, trying to muster up any strength to break his chains. The sight of Wendy's blood on her porcelain skin sent him reeling and any pain he felt turned into pure rage. "I'm gonna kill ya with me bare hands!"
"He's awake." He heard one of them say to the other. "Get the Chief." There was no way his father would do this to him—to Salamander—to Wendy.
"Wendy!" Gajeel cried out. "Salamander!" None of them stirred. "What the fuck is goin' on?" The torches whirled around them as the outside air leaked in from the cellar door. Footsteps from a large group approached them and Jose grinned at him.
"Blacksteel." Jose wrinkled his long beak nose and curved his clownish grin. He wore the chieftain cloak his father wore and the chief seal of the Berserkers on his shiny new chest plate. "You've finally awoken."
"What the fuck did you do?" Gajeel squirmed in his chains, straining the metal with his unnatural strength. "Where's my old man?" He roared and someone wearing a mask with one thin slit revealing dark eye came up to him and sliced a deep gash on his right arm. His whole body tensed and shivered at the pain raking through his every being. His eyes narrowed at the serrated knife cutting through his skin and muscle.
"Gajeel!"
"Blacksteel." Natsu and Wendy finally awoke with the help of his malicious screams. "Stop it you assholes!" It was Natsu's turn to flail and try to break his own chains.
"Please stop!" Wendy cried. "Please!"
"Looks like everyone is awake." Jose snickered. "Too bad your father isn't here to see his daughter, son and nephew become Verwerfen." The discarded. It was the ultimate punishment and curse for any human with no berserker blood in their veins. If a human had given them the rites, they'd die from the transformation where every cell of their body would burn from the extreme elevated body temperature. If they survive the rites, they serve whomever blood they consumed for the rest of their days.
"You bastard—Ah!" Gajeel roared when the warrior slashed another gash from his arm. Then another soldier came up with a silver chalice and collected the blood pouring out of his wounds. "No! I ain't gonna drink any of yer blood!"
"Who says you're going to drink it?" Jose snickered. "Bring the chalice to me." Gajeel watched as the warrior held the cup to him and Jose pulled out a dagger from beneath his cloak where he slit his wrist and watch the bright red liquid joined his blood. "First the girl."
"No!" Salamander yelled. "Me! Do me!"
"Stab me, torture me!" Gajeel fought his chains again. "Don't give it to her!" Jose snatched the chalice and walked towards Wendy, who was kicking her feet towards him. "You can be chief! You can be alpha! I'll give it all to you if you leave her alone!"
"I have all these things already, Gajeel." He shrugged his shoulders. "Y'know how long I wanted to do this? How long I wanted to challenge Anna and your father and take everything they have? The damn years I had to serve your dirty blood." He grabbed Wendy's face and squeezed her jaw open. Tears fell from her eyes and rolled over Jose's bloody hands. "Now, you get to see everyone you care about die in front of you. All because your parents were fools."
"You'll regret this." Gajeel growled, watching as the warm blood poured over Wendy's mouth. Her body was starting to convulse and throat groaned in pain. "Wendy! I'm sorry—ah!" Gajeel screamed when another gash formed on his forearm. Another chalice was brought to the wound and then the process repeated itself. This time the chalice was brought to Salamander and several Berserks held him down as Jose cut his pectoral muscle and poured the blood over the wound. It only takes one drop of alpha and berserker blood to initiate the virus.
"Now you'll join them." Jose returned his blood to Gajeel's gashes in his arm and the burns on his back. "And if you survive…" He snickered. "You'll serve me as long as I am alive." He leaned in and Gajeel fought his touch against his sensitive skin. "If you escape me…I will hunt you down and slice you up over and over until your body can't heal you no more." He brought the dagger to his thick hair and started to cut tendril upon tendrils until it was a shambled mess and Gajeel fought against the chains, warriors and his own body.
Gajeel witnessed the death of his sister. Wendy's body shook uncontrollably like a fish out of water. The blood on her wrists poured down her arm like wax on a lit candle. He watched as the cries turned silent and body grew limp. With his painful transformation, he could hear her racing heart try to keep up with the berserker blood taking over, but it wasn't strong enough to hold on. His heart raged when he no longer heard her precious heart beat anymore.
Hours turned into days, and on the seventh day Gajeel awoke once again. No longer on two feet, but on four monstrous paws. Memories of his human life started to blur when Jose approached him in his silver gray form. He was the alpha now and along with Salamander he had to obey. For three hundred years he served Jose until Salamander fell in love with Lucy.
"'hat are you on about?" Gajeel phased back into his human form. Heavy muscle covered in his packs blood—and Lucy's blood. Salamander held a wounded Lucy in his arms and she struggled to breath in whilst the blood gurgled from her throat. "Salamander?" He noticed that he wasn't healing. The large gash above his hip bone bled over and over and yet no sign of it clotting.
"I'm fine," He winced, forcing a wary smile. Sweat and blood formed over his body. His body heat was burning up, trying to keep up with his injuries the best he could. "You need to take Lucy somewhere safe." Gajeel's eyes went to the pale girl with her golden locks drenched in thick hot blood.
"N-No." She shuddered. "Not without you." Gajeel wanted to protest with her, but the way Salamander's gaze dropped to the small human, Gajeel was no longer in the room.
"I don't think I can make it." He lied to her. They both knew the only reason he wanted to take her. Gajeel and Salamander very well knew Gajeel could fight them all long enough for their escape. "Gajeel is the only one 'ho could save you." His dark eyes looked up at Gajeel. The same warrior eyes burning with the copper rings the wolf blood had given him. A ring of fire that reflected his Viking heart and Berserker soul. Everything Gajeel needed to be and yet he wasn't. "I can't carry you in this form nor the other."
Gajeel's ears perked up and he growled as he turned to the door of the shed. His red eyes peeked out of a crack in the door and saw the pack making their way through the Baskerville Gardens. He carefully listened to the howls and yelps from the incoming group and not focused on the couple saying their goodbyes. He didn't like this one bit. He didn't want to defy his Master's orders, but his birthright beckoned him to do so. This wasn't the time to fight back, and his deception was going to cost Salamander's life.
"Fuck!" Gajeel roared, punching the shed walls until his fists bled. "You are a flamin' tit, y'know that Salamander?" He bared his teeth at his oldest friend. "'hat 'ould your brother say? Huh? Sacrificin' your life for 'hat? A fuckin' rich girl with no recollection of who she is?"
"Zeref ain't 'ere." Salamander's eyes dropped, he grabbed the small silver necklaced wrapped around his neck. The symbol of their tribe, their gods—the triquetra knot. A token of his brother. "Though, I might see 'im again." Gajeel's eyes widen. A glorious death that would bring him to Valhalla where his brother would be. "Blacksteel. Y'know I don't ask for much."
"I 'ave list." Gajeel snorted. "A list of your demands and wishes from me."
"And this is my final and only request." He said hard and resolute. "Please?" Gajeel's attention went to the outside noise getting louder and closer. He didn't have much time and if they stayed here, they'd all die. His short black hair was slick with sweat and blood, dripping on his shoulder. He asked the chief in him what would the right thing to do. Lucy was the last of his mother's people. The Freyja—if she dies—
"Let's go." Gajeel knelt in front of them and Salamander showed his sharp white teeth.
"Thank you, Brother." Salamander flared his nose and looked down at Lucy.
"No," She fought her tears and shook her head. "No—please—" And before she could say anything else, he kissed her. Gajeel shifted his gaze away at witnessing such intimacy.
"May we meet again." He said to her, cooing her as he transferred her to Gajeel's muscular arms.
"See you in Valhalla." Gajeel said to him one last time. A saying they grew use to during their many battles together, and now this time it actually held weight.
"For you, Blacksteel." He patted his shoulder. "Not anytime soon I'm afraid."
With Lucy crying in his arms and legs striding away, Gajeel ran as fast as he could, and with every memory of Salamander flashed before him. Three hundred years together had ended right there. The pain in his heart burned and from that he knew Salamander was no longer in this world.
Levy held her necklace between her fingers.
Levy stared at an image of Fenrir and Loki standing over Odin's body, and the Norse symbol peppered the image like some sort of warning. The book she bought at the bookstore wasn't doing anything for her knowledge she inquired from Lucy earlier today. The stories she told about herself and Gajeel reeled over and over again, trying to process it the best she could. Levy normally would process it as stories—another tale to add to her mind library. However, this time the fantasy she thought of was actually Lucy and Gajeel's reality. Levy looked to her side where a pile of books laid in a box next to the couch. The Grimm Tales beckoned for her to refresh her memory of her most beloved tale.
"How do you kill a werewolf?" She asked herself, grabbing the book and skimmed to the only bookmarked page. The wolf was gutted and filled with stones and another alternative ending to the tale was the wolf fell into a trough filled with water and sweet sausages thrown by Riding Hood and drowned. "That's funny." Levy chuckled, witnessing them heal first hand. A slight chill crept into the living room and Levy curled up tighter against the corner of the couch. She wished she could find her long pajama pants in all the boxes labeled clothes. Or at least a blanket.
"What's so funny?" A voice startled her and she shot, closing the book in her hand and turned to see no one there.
"W-What—?" Levy's eyes shifted and she turned back around to see Gajeel kneeling in front of her. "Jesus Christ! You scared me!" Levy pressed the book against her chest. "Why do you keep doing that?"
"Jeez," Gajeel clicked his tongue. "Yer not scared of a man turnin' into a giant wolf, but you fear me surprisin' ya?" Her heart settled down and she looked at Gajeel. He sat back against his heels to give her space. It was at that moment she notice Gajeel wasn't wearing a shirt only a pair of dark red loose sweat pants. His hair was no longer in a ponytail and it cascaded appealingly over his shoulders and down his back. Among his taut tanned skin and ravenous hair, his bright blood eyes stood out like a crowned jewel buried in sand.
"I thought you wouldn't show up." Levy said, setting the book down beside her. "Aren't you cold?" Her face heated up, drinking in how handsome he was. Levy pictured him covered in Viking furs and leather, wielding a weapon fit for a chieftain. "Right, your abnormal body temperature."
"Princess told you everythin' didn't she?" Gajeel had to ask. Levy could see how curious he was at how much she knew.
"Enough," Levy flashed a smile. "We only had an hour, so…" Her gaze lingered to his right arm where the scars Lucy mention blended with his skin, though still lighter in color than the rest of him. Each scar filled a goblet and each of those goblets turned his family and friends into Verwerfen. He lost his sister and two of his men, leaving Natsu—or the man that looked like Natsu to serve Jose.
"Levy," Gajeel cleared his throat and Levy noticed she was tracing each scar with her delicate finger. "She told you about 'hat?" He gulped and a small gasp left his lips. She didn't stop her touch and he watched him as the memory returned to him through blank eyes. His fingers twitched and she held them.
"Sorry," Levy swallowed hard, pulling her hand away, but Gajeel grabbed them. His eyes begged her to not turn away. "It wasn't your fault." His eyes widen. "What Jose did was unforgivable. It wasn't your fault. And what you did for Lucy—for Summer—I mean Salamander…" She paused and tried to read any change in his expression. "That was honorable. To be perfectly honest…" She avert her eyes to his hands. The thought of Gajeel staying behind and letting his friends go to save themselves made her stomach churn. What if it happened that way? What if Gajeel was the one who didn't make it? Her heart clenched and felt tears forming behind her eyes.
"Levy," Gajeel grabbed her chin with his finger and thumb and forced her to look up at him. "What?" His eyes narrowed on her.
"…I'm glad you didn't stay behind." Levy continued. "If you did I might've been dead with my mother." Gajeel straighten and sighed. His grip around her wrist tightened and stared at her hard. "And I wouldn't have known you."
"But, it ain't like that, Luv." Gajeel said, kneeling back down in front of her. Her knees separated and he set a hand on one of them. "Nothin' you can do about rewrittin' the past. What I did then and what I could have are two different things." He switched his speech from his old and to the modern. Either way, Levy liked how he spoke. "Time has made up for it. In its own little way."
"How so?" Levy asked, but then a devilish smirk curled on his statuesque face. "Huh?" Gajeel leaned forward and Levy giggled as he swooped her up and laid her flat along the couch. He straddled her and Levy looked up at him. His long hair narrowing her vision on his handsome face.
"It took ya long enough to show up." Gajeel leaned down and brushed his nose against hers. Her hand reached for his face where he settled his cheek against her cool hand. He was blazing hot and her entire body heated up almost instantly at the closeness. "Yer not afraid?"
Levy gave him a long look. She always played it safe. Always did what was right without jeopardizing her life and others. Though she wished for something more and always dreamed of fairy tales coming to life. That was when she was younger, and now someone who she cared about was someone out of this world. She wasn't afraid of the thrill this would bring to her future. For all she knew, she didn't want to leave this new revelation and Gajeel's side.
"No," Levy shook her head and smiled. She hooked her arm around his neck and drew him in for a long overdue kiss.
Outside her apartment, a figure watched as the living room light turned off and Gajeel carried Levy into the other room. He drew his cigarette long and hard until it reached the orange butt, and discarded it on the sidewalk. His gloved hands pulled out his phone and dialed a few buttons. His dark emerald eyes looked around for anyone and he brought the phone to his ear.
"I found Freyja and Blacksteel in Crocus." He spoke into the phone. "I'll find out who they hang out with." He put his phone away and withdrew another cigarette. "You ain't running from us this time."