I wasn't really sure what to expect when the lights dimmed and Stoorworm stepped out onto the stage. Whatever image of their performance I had created in my mind had been nothing close to this.

"Kilts."

"They wore them for their first show as well," Mira chuckled, and I realized I had spoken aloud. "They certainly do pull the look off well, though."

I nodded, looking at the stunning group on stage. All of them sported a different colored kilt, and not a single one of them had a shirt on. Just kilts and boots.

That was it.

That definitely explained the unusual amount of women in the bar as well. The place was typically pretty split in attendance, but tonight the place was practically overflowing with girls. All of which began screaming as soon as Stoorworm had stepped onto the stage and the music began.

Even over the fangirls, I could still clearly hear them from my spot at the back of the bar where I stood behind the counter to serve drinks to those few still interested in drinking with the band playing. The music thrummed within me with every beat of the drums or strum of the guitars. They looked funny, standing up on that tiny stage playing their music and wearing their kilts. But it was oddly…suiting. Almost like it would be strange to see them anywhere else, wearing anything other than those ridiculous kilts with no shirts.

After about three songs, in the middle of the fourth, my phone began ringing. The ominous ringtone I used for only one person told me exactly who it was before I even pulled it out of my pocket. I glanced hesitantly at the screen, hoping it was a fluke and it was actually anyone else calling me. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

"Mira, sorry, but I have to take this. Mind watching the bar for a few?" I called to her, showing her my ringing cellphone.

The silver-haired bar owner smiled and me, waving for me to go. "Take the call, Levy. I can handle things here just fine for a while."

"Thanks." I rushed outside, waiting until the door closed behind me and the music couldn't be heard before answering the phone.

I took a deep breath, released it slowly, and then lifted the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

~Gajeel~

As soon as we stepped onto the stage, I knew Levy was both amused and impressed with our chosen performance outfits. I remembered that she hadn't been to the first show, just the preview, so she didn't know about the kilts we wore to perform. They had all been a gift from Sting's mom to the band, and we had been wearing the kilts and boots and no shirts combo ever since—about three years now.

Even while working, I couldn't help but noticing her watching us. Though I'd never admit it, I liked that she was. It was different, being on stage and performing our songs, than it was just talking to her. I never knew what to say when I was around her for some reason. And I had never had trouble talking to people. Sure, I was a little blunt sometimes, but I could still talk.

Everything about her left me…at a loss.

I had been a bit surprised when I had first learned she had a daughter, one nearly eight years old. And even more surprised when I found out that Levy herself was only twenty-three. I was also curious as hell about Kaia's father, but I didn't dare mention it, knowing it wasn't my place to stick my nose into her business. Especially since I'd just met her a couple of weeks ago.

Still…I watched her as we went through the set list. She was always smiling when talking with someone at the bar or taking orders. And it was a genuine smile, one that lit up her entire face.

That expression turned to a frown suddenly, though, and I watched her take out her phone. Looking almost frightened, she spoke to Mira briefly and practically ran from the bar to take the call.

When we made it through the remaining four songs and she had yet to return, I was getting a bit worried. What if something happened to Kaia? I had grown incredibly fond of the lass in our time at the inn, so I hoped everything was alright.

I followed the others to the room behind the stage once our set was finished, thanking everyone before we went. Once back there, we all rushed into our regular clothes, wanting to return to the bar and get a cool drink.

"Mira, where'd Levy go?" Natsu asked, looking around as he sat at the bar.

"She had to take a call," she replied. "Although, she should have been back by now," she frowned, looking worriedly towards the door Levy had gone through.

"Want me ta check on her?" I offered, trying not to sound like I cared one way or another.

"That would actually be great," she smiled. "I can't abandon the bar, but I am worried about her."

"No' a problem," I nodded. I made my way outside, ignoring girls who were trying to get my number as I pushed through the crowd. Thankfully, no one followed me outside, and the cool night air was still and quiet.

Except for a small sniffle I heard coming from the side of the building.

I followed the sound, coming upon Levy. She was sitting on the ground, her knees pulled to her chest and her head laying on them, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs.

"Levy?" I asked, quietly. I wasn't sure if I should be interrupting or not, but I couldn't just leave her like that.

She let out a small gasp and sat up, looking at me. Her large hazel eyes were bloodshot and glistening with tears, her cheeks already soaked with them. "G-Gajeel!" She said, rushing to her feet and wiping at her face. "What are you doing out here? What about your show?"

"Ended," I said, shoving my hands in my pockets and looking down at my feet. I knew looking at her would just make her more uncomfortable, so I tried to pretend like I hadn't seen her crying. Even though I was failing miserably at it.

"Oh. I guess I've been out here longer than I thought," she murmured, shoving her phone back into her pocket and wiping at her face again. "Mira's probably wondering where I am."

"She's the one who sent me out here after ya," I said. "Everything alright? Nothin' wrong with the lass, is there?"

She smiled, looking up at me. "No, Kaia's fine," she told me. "She's probably tucked snuggly into bed right about now."

"Tha's good," I nodded. Once again, I wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to ask what the call had been about, but I didn't know if I should. Hell, why would she even tell me what it had been about if I did ask?

"I should get back to work," she said, quietly.

I caught her arm as she walked by me, chancing a look at her face, meeting her eyes. "Are you alright?"

Fresh tears filled her eyes at my question, giving me the answer. Still, she nodded and attempted a smile, offering up a nice lie. "I'm fine, just a little stressed. Thanks, though." Not wanting to pry, I let her go, watching as she returned to the bar.

"Now what?" I sighed. She would undoubtedly be at the bar where everyone else was, so it would be awkward as hell if I went back immediately. But if I stayed away too long it might be just as awkward.

"Damn it," I growled, making my way slowly back into the bar. "Why the hell does she get me so worked up? I should'na give a shit if it's awkward or not."

"Ordered you a triple shot of whiskey," Natsu grinned, tapping the full drink glass as I sat down in front of it at the bar. "Though' ya might want it."

"Cheers," I nodded, downing the entire glass.

"Two more rounds," Natsu called to Levy, winking at her.

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too wasted, you two. I'm not big enough to carry you both back to the inn."

I snorted. "You're no' big enough ta even carry one of us back."

She let out a small huff in annoyance, but smiled. "I suppose not."

When she was called to the other end of the bar to take more orders, Natsu turned to me with a shitty grin.

"What?" I growled, downing the second glass before grabbing his and drinking it, too.

"Hey!" He complained.

"Don' stare at people like an idiot, then," I frowned.

He smirked, leaning towards me. "Uh-huh."

"What?" I snapped.

"I saw that."

"Saw what?"

"That look."

I sighed. "What look?"

"That look you gave Levy while she was talking. The way you smiled at her, and how your eyes stared at her lips the entire time she was talking." He grinned that shitty grin again. "An' the flirting. You never flirt."

"Shut your damn mouth," I retorted. "There's nothing to get excited abo'. I was being friendly, tha's all."

"Friendly and looking at her ass," he snorted under his breath.

I was about to curse at him when Levy approached our side of the bar again. "Refills?"

"Please," Natsu smiled, holding up his empty glass.

"Aye," I agreed, sliding mine towards her. She filled them both up, chuckling.

"Levy!" Sting cheered, sitting down on my other side at the bar. He was already well on his way to being intoxicated, and he smiled stupidly at her as he leaned on his elbows against the bar. "What did ya think?"

"The show was great," she told him.

"Abo' the outfits," he said, attempting to drunkenly wiggle his eyebrows at her, only succeeding in earning a laugh out of her.

"They were great too. I was a little surprised at first, but the kilts with no shirts look suits you all," she teased, winking at him.

"What's even better is what's under the kilts," he smirked.

"Let me guess," she grinned, leaning across the bar, "absolutely nothing?"

Rogue, who had taken a seat next to Sting, proceeded to spit his drink all over himself at Levy's comment, laughing harder when Sting complained about the two of them being assholes.

"Alright, Levy dear, your shift is over," Mira smiled, taking Levy's place behind the bar. "You're free to head home if you'd like."

"I think I will, thanks," Levy told her.

"Make sure to get some rest," Mira said, to which Levy nodded.

"I'm gonna head out, too. See ya next week, Mira." I followed Levy outside, not realizing how much I'd had to drink until the crisp night air hit me in the face and I stumbled a little.

"You okay there, Gajeel?" She chuckled, steadying me.

"S'fine," I nodded, urging my damn legs to just carry me in a straight line. Thankfully, I was able to manage just about that, and I kept pace with Levy as she walked.

"Sorry about earlier," she said, almost too quietly for me to hear her. "I didn't think anyone would be outside looking for me."

"Do'na worry abo' it," I said, wondering if my words sounded as slurred to her as they did to me. "I would like to know what had ya all upset, though."

"I got an unwanted phone call," she offered, vaguely.

"From?"

She sighed, putting her hands in her pants pockets. "Let's just say that Kaia's father's side doesn't really like me all that much. Actually, they hate me—quite openly. When I first had Kaia, as you know, I was barely sixteen, so her grandmother tried to get custody of her, claiming I was too young to be a parent. That I was too irresponsible. After I won the appeal, she has hated my guts since.

"So, from time to time, under the pretenses of checking on Kaia, she calls me to remind me what a terrible mother I am, and that Kaia belongs with her. Honestly, every time I let her visit them on holidays, I'm afraid they aren't going to give her back to me. I know it's an irrational fear, but—" She broke off when her voice cracked, and I saw her wipe at a falling tear. "But anyways, that was just a routine call from her to let me know I'm a shitty mother to Kaia."

"Why no' just ignore the call?" I suggested.

"I tried that," she sighed. "She flipped out and called me about thirty-seven times. The worst part is, she knows I work at Mira's bar late, so she purposefully calls me then, just to see if by some chance she can catch me being irresponsible. It pisses her off even more when she can't."

I was a bit startled that she was telling me so much about herself. Sure, it wasn't anything too private, but I was practically a stranger, and this stuff was personal. Like child custody personal. Even as drunk as I was, I felt happy that she trusted me enough to tell me all of that.

"An' what abo' Kaia's father?" I asked, suddenly very angry at the bastard. If he had let his own mother do that to the mother of his child, I couldn't imagine what type of man he was. Hell, it didn't seem to me like the asshole even made an effort to be in Kaia's life at all. We had been staying at the inn for two weeks, and I hadn't seen him or heard Kaia talk about him even once. In fact, no one at all talked about it. It was like he hadn't been around at all, or at least not for a very long time.

"He's not in the picture," she said, her tone sad, confirming my suspicions. I hated the way her entire face fell at the mention of him, and I couldn't imagine what he could have done to get that kind of reaction out of her at just the mention of him.

"How so?" I pried. I knew I shouldn't, but the alcohol hindered any decent filter I would have normally tried to have. "Did the bastard leave the two of ya?" The thought of him leaving Levy and Kaia made me want to find him and beat the hell out of him. Kaia was such a great kid, and I couldn't imagine anyone choosing not to be in her life just because they didn't want to help raise her.

Levy shook her head, smiling up at me sadly. "Kaia's father…" She paused, letting out a long breath. "Freed died a month after Kaia was born."

Before the "but Freed is gay" comments pour in, let me speak:

don't.