A/N: Welcome baaaaaaack! I'd like to put in a small disclaimer again... I am not a medical expert, but I did what research I could on stomach cancer. So please be patient with me. I tired to make this story as accurate as possible, but I am not a doctor.

That being said, please enjoy this week's chapter! :)


CHAPTER TWO

He could hear the piano music, the gentle hum of the violins as the music built into something strong and powerful. She danced beautifully, so beautiful. Her toned legs carried her forward like silk in the wind, arms elegantly extended out beside her. Her head fell back, blue curls brushing her shoulders, as she extended one leg behind her. A light seemed to glow from within her, and she radiated pure warmth, like an angel sent from heaven.

He could smell her perfume—something warm like vanilla, floral, and spicy like cinnamon. She moved in a pirouette toward him and suddenly delicate hands were on him, caressing all his scars and weak spots with a feather-light touch. Where had her clothes gone? The leotard she was wearing seemingly vanished.

He couldn't bring himself to care.

"Gajeel," she whispered. She reached out to him, her lips brushing his neck. "Gajeel…"

Her lips moved up his neck to his face, and she flashed him the sweetest, most beautiful smile. Just when his heart seemed to fail him, his pulse speeding up so fast he was sure it would explode, her lips brushed his and her tiny hands entangled in his unruly hair. And suddenly his heart stopped entirely. He could think of nothing but her as her velvet-soft lips found his over and over and over again. He was drunk on her, intoxicated. Inhaling her skin.

"Gajeel."

His eyes rolled back when she moved down to his collarbone, biting him. Her hands moved down his tanned skin, feeling all his muscles, and when her fingers brushed the metal studs in his wrists, the shame slammed to the forefront of his mind and he gasped.

"Gajeel!"

Gajeel blinked and looked up at the professor. What the hell? He blinked and glanced around groggily to see a room full of other students watching him, amused. Natsu and Gray sat several rows in front of him, and they snickered when the professor rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, Redfox, you peaced out there for a bit," Macao said. "You get enough sleep last night?"

Gajeel bit back a groan when a stab of pain shot through his stomach. "No—" Cancer's a bitch. "Sorry, professor. Won't happen again."

Macao snorted and shook his head. "Alright, kids…let's get back to it, shall we?"

Gajeel rubbed a hand over his face. Wasn't the first time he'd fallen asleep in class and it wouldn't be the last. He was so tired… So tired. His eyelids felt like they were made of lead, and his muscles felt so weak. Porlyusica had told him this new medicine would be an adjustment. Apparently it would make him feel worse before he got better, but thankfully he was almost over the hump.

Macao went on with his lesson, covering the proper way to break down a car engine, as well as techniques for removing the engine from the car body. Gajeel already knew all this—he was already a mechanic. The degree was just a formality. His mind wandered back to the dream he'd been enjoying. Ever since meeting her on Monday he couldn't get that tiny, adorable, graceful, talented girl out of his head. She haunted his every thought. Now he was freaking dreaming about her…

Gajeel looked at his watch and sighed. He hated Thursdays. Worst day of the week. Usually that spot belonged to Monday, when his weekly appointment with his oncologist was, but he was fortunate enough to meet the blue-haired angel then. Didn't even know her name and she'd turned him into some sappy moron.

He couldn't get her out of his head.

Class droned on for another thirty minutes before Macao dismissed them. Gray and Natsu both came by and smirked at Gajeel. He received a "nice going, lead head" from Gray and some sort of overly-excited invitation to spar with Natsu. Gajeel wasn't sure how falling asleep in class warranted an invitation to spar, but it was Dragneel—he always had a reason. Gajeel just scowled and responded the best way he knew how. Told em' both to screw off and promised to kick Natsu's ass next time he was at the gym.

It's a good thing he didn't mind them deep down, or Gajeel would've been forced to kick both their asses right then and there. They may be idiots, but they were good guys.

"Redfox, can I see you for a moment?"

Gajeel sighed and waved over his shoulder to Natsu and Gray as he moved toward Macao, dodging the dozens of students piling out of the classroom. One guy with an abnormally large, guaranteed-to-be-filled-with-bricks backpack bumped into him, the unnecessarily massive bag whacking him right in the stomach. Gajeel stumbled, the air leaving his chest, and he took a deep breath to will the pain away.

He eyed the boy angrily. "Watch where you're going, you little—"

"There he is!" Macao declared loudly, clapping a hand on Gajeel's shoulder in an almost paternal gesture.

Gajeel was nearly twice the man's size in terms of muscle, but Macao didn't seem to notice or care. He smiled at the student fumbling to get away from Gajeel in a mad dash to the door, only sighing in disappointment when the kid was gone.

"That was a little overboard." Macao stroked his mustache, backing away from Gajeel and leaning against his podium. "So what's up, kid?"

Gajeel shrugged. "I don't know what you're talkin' about."

"Really." Macao just stared at him. "Look, maybe it's none of my business, but I get the feeling something's been going on. This is the sixth time you've fallen asleep in the last two months."

"I said it won't happen again, old man," Gajeel growled.

Macao laughed. "You say that every time." When Gajeel looked away, Macao leaned over and pulled out a file from his bag, flipping through the papers. "Your grades have been pretty consistent the first two semesters here, according to this—"

"What the hell are you doing?"

"But," Macao continued, "a year ago you started slipping. Look, I'm not saying you were a bad student when you joined my class at the beginning of the year, but based off this file I can tell you're off track. You've always been a decent student, kid. You keep to yourself, turn in your assignments on time, make good grades. What's been going on?"

Gajeel swallowed and looked away. This conversation was getting old. He could have easily announced to all his teachers and friends that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was deemed terminal one year ago, but then he would have had to deal with the constant pity and walking on eggshells. He didn't want that—hell, no. So between having people constantly whispering as you walk by, sending you pitying looks while they tell you they're thinking about you, and letting everyone think you're just slacking off? Gajeel settled for the latter.

"Look, I'm just tired, alright?" Gajeel dragged a hand down his face, the metal studs scratching against his skin.

Macao didn't look convinced. "You look sick, kid." When Gajeel froze, his face hardening into a scowl, Macao sighed and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't mind me, I'm just old. Old people worry. Go get some sleep tonight. I expect you to be completely rested for my class next week."

Gajeel nodded, not bothering to acknowledge the professor as he left.

More than anything, he wanted to go to the gym, get set up with a punching bag and punch until the damn thing ripped from the ceiling. Either that or find Dragneel at the gym and take him up on that fight. Last time they fought it was pretty satisfying for his anger. Pretty much ended in a draw, both banged up, but Gajeel's temper had died down. And the swollen black eye Natsu walked around with for the next week was totally worth it.

Now his body had become too weak. He ignored it a lot, going to the gym anyway, but it was getting to the point that his muscles were too fatigued, and sleep deprivation was too great. Funny how he was usually in pain and couldn't sleep, but the medication he was forced to take made him sleepy. Exhaustion was a constant battle. Regardless, he was determined to squeeze in some time at the gym. At least he still looked fearsome, which made him feel a little better—maybe sleep deprivation actually helped make his scowl worse?

A pretty girl bumped into him, turning around to apologize. She squeaked instead when she saw the tower of terror staring back at her, running away like a frightened kitten. Gajeel smirked. Yeah, still got it.

Gajeel stepped out of the building, spring air hitting him in the face. He pulled his leather jacket off, slinging it over his shoulder, and walked down the sidewalk slowly. His shift at the shop wasn't until one o'clock, and it was only ten—one positive thing about Thursdays. While he would have loved to go punch out his frustrations at the gym, he remembered his homework assignment for Macao's class and groaned. Damn geezer wanted them to do reports on engine installation, which Gajeel already knew. Had they not been told to cite their sources, he could have just written it in ten minutes, but that little detail complicated things. Better take the off time to hit the library.

He sat on the bench at the bus stop, batting at the spring flower petals that seemed to insist on landing on him. But the wind only pushed more in his face, along with his hair. He sighed and pulled the hair from his face. It was long past time he cut it; the unruly black mane reached his lower back. Something about it just felt so nostalgic and comforting, and he just couldn't cut it— Great, now I sound like a damn chick.

The bus pulled up and he stepped in, taking the nearest available seat. He had plenty of time to kill until his shift started, so as far as he was concerned there was no need to rush things at the library, which was good because he had a pretty good feeling books on mechanics would be extremely difficult to come by.

The bus moved past the small studio that he'd met her at. For the life of him, he couldn't keep his eyes from sliding over to the building, frantically searching the windows for the blue-haired beauty. No such luck. Gajeel looked away—he didn't know whether he was grumpy because he was so hung up on her or because she wasn't there. This was getting ridiculous.

His phone starting buzzing and he pulled the device from his bag, thankful for the distraction.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, man. You got a minute?"

It was Sting, his boss. Well—more like co-worker. They were about the same age, but by all technicalities, he was his boss. Though, Gajeel would never give him the satisfaction of calling him that. Sting came to own the repair shop at eighteen, when his father died. Gajeel had to admit the kid knew what he was doing when it came to running a business.

"What's up?"

He could hear Sting sigh on the other line. "Yukino is sick, so I'm going to leave a bit early for the weekend and go check on her. Can you close up tonight? You can close early at seven if you want."

Gajeel bit back a groan. "Yeah, it's no problem. I'm taking ya up on closing early, though."

Sting laughed. "Thanks, man! I owe you one. Check on Rogue for me, too. He gets so wrapped up sometimes he forgets to breathe." The line went static-y for a moment as Sting fell silent. Normally that would have ended their conversation, but Gajeel could tell he had more to say. "Are you feeling better? You had us worried."

He knew it was coming. Gajeel's day off on Monday turned into three days off. It happened upon occasion—one of the perks of cancer. Though, he probably would've been back at work by Tuesday had Sting not insisted he stay home. Gajeel scratched at one of the studs in his wrist and nodded.

"I'm fine."

A long, drawn out sigh echoed over the line. "Take care of yourself, man. You can't keep pushing yourself this hard. Take a break every now and then." Sting hesitated. "Look, maybe you should just consider getting chemo? At this point—"

"Look," Gajeel bit out. "I said I'm alright. Don't worry 'bout the shop, I'll close up. Go take care of your girl."

Another sigh. "Alright, alright. I get it. See ya."

Gajeel grunted out a response and hit the end call button. Rogue and Sting were the only two that knew he had cancer. He'd been working with Sting at the shop since freshman year—crazy bastard was the only one willing to hire him. He wasn't scared of Gajeel's history or criminal record at all; in fact, when he interviewed him and Gajeel told him he had a criminal record but was working to clean up, the crazy bastard actually smiled and said 'glad to hear it'. Sting and Rogue were the closest he had to family. When he was diagnosed, he tried to hide it, but they knew something was up. Ever since he told them, they'd been by his side giving him the support he needed. Through thick and thin and all that shit.

Gajeel always acted tough, put up a front like it didn't scare him. But it did. And they'd never know how much he appreciated them. They never questioned Gajeel, never pressured him into medications, and never made it uncomfortable. From day one, they didn't give him the pity face, they just told him they'd be there for him—no matter what. But lately, Sting had started to push chemotherapy every now and then. Even Rogue, as quiet as he was, brought it up upon occasion. Gajeel knew why. He'd been getting sicker and sicker, and it was starting to get real that he didn't have much longer, and in some sense, they were scared too.

The library rolled into view and he climbed out of the bus—Gajeel was the only one using this stop, apparently. Magnolia University had three libraries. The biggest and central library was just off the park in the campus center. Gajeel could have just used that one because it was so close to his class, but it was also by far the busiest. Columns lined the front of the grand building framed in brick, and dozens of steps carried you from the sidewalk to the entrance. Another reason—more honest than his other excuses—that Gajeel didn't want to use that one was the stairs. When battling energy loss and extreme fatigue, they were a nightmare. He tried it once a couple of months back and he thought he'd never recover.

This library was much better, in his opinion. He'd only been here once freshman year, but his memory proved to him that the experience was preferable. The building was, of course, brick, but it was smaller, almost set up like a book shop. There was even a fireplace with comfortable couches for studying, and rows of shelves filled the room. Even better was that the week before finals and midterms, this library opened longer to allow study parties. Gajeel didn't care for study groups, but the environment was nice when you needed to focus. Pantherlily always made focusing impossible.

Gajeel took a quick stop by the coffee cart outside the front of the library, ordering a coffee with light creamer, and tied his wild mane into a ponytail before going inside. The tall trees surrounding the building were budding in the fresh spring sun, white and pink flowers dotting their limbs. Gajeel always felt this area of the campus was peaceful. Less people, too. He opened the door, a gust of wind brushing several tiny flower petals inside alongside him.

A man—at least he thought it was a man—with black hair was asleep behind the front desk. He quietly set out to find the book he needed. With any luck, he'd find more than one; having multiple sources would look better than just one. The first two shelves didn't have anything. The first row favored fantasy and fiction, then the second was non-fiction. Nothing there. Gajeel rounded the end of the shelf, focused too much on the books in front of his face, when he ran straight into a tiny, cerulean-haired woman.

"Oh!" she yelped.

She toppled to the side, catching herself on the bookshelf. But the cart full of books beside her wasn't as lucky, and it shook, a waterfall of books cascading to the floor. The rational side of Gajeel's mind screamed at him. Help her, you moron! What the hell are you doing?

But then there was the part of his brain that couldn't stop reeling at the sight of her. The same girl from the studio, the same girl he'd seen dancing so beautifully on Monday. The same girl that had haunted his every thought, and now apparently dreams, since he met her. And if he thought she was beautiful then, it was nothing compared to now. He hadn't even seen her face completely and he was still certain. This girl could make a goddess look like a toad.

She didn't even look at him, instead mumbling out a dozen apologies and steadying the cart.

Gajeel's face lit up in flames as she bent to pick up the books—those skinny jeans were doing way too many good things for her figure. He moved to help her, picking up several of the books and putting them back on the cart she'd been standing beside when he bumped into her like some idiot.

"Thank you so much! I'm so sorry, I didn't even hear you come in," she said. She straightened back up and adjusted her shirt, turning around. "I appreciate— Oh! Well hello, again! How weird that we'd actually see each other again!"

If it were possible, Gajeel was blushing more. He didn't notice when he saw her on Monday, too awestruck probably, that she had the faintest dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her lips were full and pink, her skin rosy and fair. Would he ever be able to look at her and not short-circuit like a moron?

Gajeel scowled and cleared his throat. Attempting to keep his cool wasn't working. "Sorry, I didn't mean to knock ya over."

She smiled.

Holy… That smile would be the death of him. It lit up the entire room, beating out the sunshine streaming in through the windows. She was just as beautiful today, in normal clothing, as she was in the studio dancing. Her hair was loose, framed by another headband—this one yellow—with a white flower that seemed to be plucked from one of the trees outside tucked behind her ear. Her yellow shirt was loose and the sleeves draped off her shoulders, held up by two tiny straps tied over her shoulders. Gajeel could have looked at her all day, just stood in her glory, her warmth, forever.

"That's okay! Accidents happen. I was standing in the middle of the aisle and I wasn't even paying attention to my surroundings, so it's my fault." She giggled and moved to put more books on the shelf in front of her. "We just got a shipment in so I've been busy all morning putting them away. Thank you for helping on Monday, by the way! I'm not sure if I said it then."

Gajeel deadpanned, not even hearing her gratitude. "You work here?"

The tiny woman looked up at him and nodded with a laugh. "Yup."

"And you do ballet."

Another nod, followed by a giggle.

"And you take classes."

"Yup!" She slid the book into its placed and turned to him. "Majoring in dance, but I have one minor in linguistics with a focus on ancient languages, and another minor in history. I love history."

Gajeel just stared at her for a moment, attempting to grasp everything she'd just said. This woman was amazing… "How the hell do you have time for all that?"

She giggled. "I don't really know, but people ask me that a lot. It's definitely hard, but it keeps me going! What about you? What are you in for?"

He smirked when she laughed at her own words. Adorable.

"Mechanical engineering." Then when he realized how lame that sounded in comparison. "And minoring in mechanics," he added.

She seemed to glow at this, which he didn't understand. By comparison to her own academic career, his was completely lackluster. He'd always considered mechanics a low-end job, but it was something he'd always been good at, and he after everything he'd been through, he just wanted to go to college and make something of himself for a change. But the way her eyes lit up, sparkling like golden honey in the sunset, the finest feeling of pride welled in his chest.

"That sounds so impressive!"

Gajeel snorted. "If ya say so."

The small woman seemed to realize something, and she turned to him with an almost mortified expression. "I haven't even introduced myself! I can't believe I forgot something like that… And here we've been talking for five minutes and this is my second time meeting you!" Her hand extended in his direction. "I'm Levy."

Gajeel hesitated for a moment before taking her hand. He loved how small she was in comparison to himself, and her soft hand fit so perfectly in his, like it was made for him to hold. "Gajeel."

Levy beamed. "It's nice to meet you, Gajeel." She grabbed another book. "I've never met someone like you."

Gajeel's face fell, and he mentally prepared himself for what was coming. You look scary, you look like a criminal, blah blah blah. He'd heard it all before, but he wasn't prepared to hear it from her, too. Anything but that…

"You just look so cool. You have this vibe, like you're so confident about things."

Gajeel watched her, stunned. He didn't know what to say back, so he just chuckled. First time for everything, he supposed. For the next few minutes, they fell into a comfortable silence. Gajeel pretended to be looking for a book, but really he was sneaking glances at the adorable girl bouncing to put books high up on the shelf. She still had several books to go, and she was so short that putting the books on the higher shelves was proving to be impossible. When she crouched down and sprung up like a frog to reach the shelf, still failing, Gajeel laughed.

"Wha—"

He took the book from her hands, sliding it into the slot. "How old are ya, shorty?"

Levy's face scrunched up in the most adorable pout he'd ever seen. "I'm nineteen!"

He snorted. "Coulda fooled me."

She huffed and crossed her arms. "Well how old are you? Twelve?"

Gajeel snorted. "Shrimp, I don't think I looked twelve even when I was twelve. I'm twenty-one."

When she stuck her tongue out at him, and then giggled, he was forced to turn away to keep her from seeing him blush. Levy was by far one of the most interesting women he'd ever known. Hell, most girls nearly shit themselves when they bumped into him. It was a trait he'd been thankful for at one point in his life, but now that he was trying to change and make something of himself, it was a curse. But Levy saw past all that, somehow. She treated him like a normal human being.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I completely forgot… Did you need me to help you find something?"

Suddenly Gajeel seemed to remember that he'd come to the library with a purpose, not just to gawk at her. In a vain attempt to be around her for as long as possible, he had her lead him to a section of instructional books on mechanics. They talked for a few more minutes as he picked out two books that had good enough material for sources. Levy just continued surprising him—she seemed to enjoy talking to him as much as he enjoyed talking to her. As the minutes passed by, the tiny woman amazed him with her intelligence and her sense of humor, and she was without a doubt the most adorable creature alive. She would tilt her head to the side when she asked him a question, short cerulean locks brushing her shoulder, or she'd smile at something he said that was apparently funny, and her whole face would light up. She was breathtaking, and he couldn't get enough of her. Then Gajeel came to a dangerous conclusion: he had feelings for her. Someone he'd just met and barely knew anything about. Someone who was way out of his league in every way fathomable. Gajeel didn't know how it had happened, but he'd started falling for an angel. And it disgusted him that he even considered letting himself feel something for someone so amazing.

"I hope this helps you! I should probably get back to work," she said, huffing. "Midnight will kick my butt if he sees me talking like this…"

Gajeel looked to the front desk at the man he assumed was Midnight. "Yeah… Am I supposed to just wake him up?" he asked, gesturing to the book in his hand.

Levy looked as if she was about to say yes, but then nearly paled and shook her head as she decided against it. "You know what? I'll help you check these out." She laughed nervously and gently took the books from his hands, blushing when her fingers brushed his. "Midnight's not the nicest person when he wakes up. Best to let him sleep."

Gajeel laughed and followed her to the front desk.


The smell of motor oil and gasoline follow Gajeel as he walked down the sidewalk. Work had been hell… With Sting's absence, he and Rogue had twice the amount of work. Not to mention the bitchy little man that came in to have his oil changed… The brat kept trying to tell him how to do his job (incorrectly, at that). By the time their shift ended, he and Rogue both were exhausted and dirty.

Gajeel could think of nothing better than a hot shower. And a lot of sleep. The scent of gasoline in his clothes was giving him a headache, which was making him queasy. Okay, medicine, then shower. Then maybe some Chinese food. Then sleep. Thankfully, tomorrow was Friday. He had the morning off until lunch, then a calculus class. The knowledge that he could sleep in made him so happy he could cry. He was so, so tired. Maybe he'd even see if Erza could get a copy of the calculus notes tomorrow and he would just skip class…

The studio he met Levy at came into view, and his eyes shifted to the windows. She was there, practicing again. Just like the first time he saw her, his pulse quickened and his palms got all sweaty. The way she moved was unearthly… His pace slowed as he fixated on her, awestruck as she did some amazing mid-air split thing—Gajeel was sure there was a name for it, but he had no idea what the hell it was.

Then Levy stopped to adjust her sleeve and saw him through the window. Their eyes met, both blushing, and then she beamed at him and waved.

Gajeel waved back, swallowing hard against the rapid heartbeat in his throat, then forced his legs to keep moving. This woman would be the death of him.


A/N: Thanks for reading, and thank you to those who left reviews last week! I love hearing your feedback, so please leave a review if you feel so inclined! Chapter three is coming on Monday :) I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! See you next week! :)