Chapter 7

An Overdue Apology

It's just a dream..it's just a dream…it's just a dream.

The perfect opportunity was staring him in the face, yet all Gajeel could do was walk down the forested path next to colorful trees and the sickeningly sweet air. No one would know what he said or did, no one but him would even care. It was the perfect place to practice, to test out those two simple words to see if there was even a chance in Fiore that Levy and the rest of the guild could, or would, look at him as anything more than their former enemy.

Sure, old man Makarov allowed him to join the guild, but he wasn't really one of them. Not yet. And all he had to do to fix it was to say some pretty words, practicing with the fake Levy before trying with the real one. Then he would finally be one step closer to seeing what an actual family looked like.

Gajeel huffed and shoved his hands into his new coat pockets. The red fabric irritated him and he kicked a stone across the pathway, earning himself a look from Levy. She scurried ahead, making Gajeel growl to himself.

Why is this so blasted hard!?

He drew back his shoulders and glared into the forest, reminding himself that he was the Iron Dragon Slayer, former S-Class Mage of the dreaded Phantom Lord. His foes trembled before him and whispered his name behind him. He feared nothing and no one, not even an adorable, blue haired mage or a silly little apology that refused to leave his lips.

Who am I kiddin'...I ain't good at this talkin' stuff!

The little pipsqueak's voice echoed in his head. Gajeel knew her innocent words would nag him until he finally maged-up and did something about the tension between him and Levy. Gajeel sighed, wishing the usually talkative mage would start the conversation, but he had to be the one to bite the metal.

"So," he cleared his throat, his expert conversational skills in full force, "Who were those people? I caught their names a bit…"

He trailed off, neck heating when Levy slowed to walk beside him.

"They're members of our guild, but I don't think you've met them yet. Well, you have seen Cana, she's usually at the bar when she's not at the dorms, but Bisca and Alzack were on a mission just until recently. I think they should be back in time for Christmas tomorrow. Or tonight." She glanced up at the trees, frowning at the blue sky blinking through the leaves.

Gajeel cleared away the tightness in his throat. "What about that girl?"

Her feet slowed and Gajeel struggled to keep pace. "I'm not sure. But she seemed familiar for some reason." She skipped to a tree and bent to sniff the bark.

Gajeel kicked a stone on the ground.

Just say it…just say it!

"So, um…I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Levy looked up from the tree, staring at him as if he grew metal on his forehead.

Gajeel scratched the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. For all the…" he waved his free hand in the air, "stuff Phantom Lord…I mean…I did to you and yer guild."

"You're…apologizing?" If her eyes got any wider, he would drown in them.

"Yeah, I am. That little girl and I were talkin' and she said something about if I was really sorry then I needed ta say it. And it made me realize that I never actually said anything and I'm sick and tired of ya looking at me all scared all the time. Not that I don't deserve it…" he was rambling, but he couldn't stop the wave of words spewing from his mouth. "But I'd like to eventually be…become friends. Maybe. Someday."

He took a deep breath and watched the tiny mage. Her fingers twirled a strand of hair. She bit her bottom lip, her teeth making a harsh white line in her skin. Gajeel stepped forward, drawing her attention before she drew blood.

"Listen," he yanked the hair tie from his head, allowing his hair to fall freely down his back, "I ain't a nice guy. I've done my fair share of stuff and I'll probably keep doin' it too. But what I don't do is betray my guild. Ya saw that before, so ya know I'm right. And as much as it confuses the both of us, I'm a part of Fairy Tail now. And I ain't gonna turn my back on my guild, no matter who they are."

She watched him in silence, breathing, blinking…listening.

"So ya might not agree with the master. Ya don't even have ta like me! Mages, I don't even like myself most of the time!" His arms rose and fell heavily back to his sides, "But I promise…you never hafta be scared of me again, 'kay? I'm a Fairy now, so I got yer back no matter what."

His voice echoed on the breeze, making him realize his voice turned to nearly shouting. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in his chest. The wind rustled through the trees, bringing with it the sharp tang of oranges. Rushing water gurgled in the distance. Colorful birds perched on the equally colorful trees, their bright, happy chirps filling the air with song.

Levy stood silently, staring at her feet, at him, at the forest around them. She crossed and uncrossed her arms. Her mouth opened for a moment before closing again. Gajeel simply waited, allowing her to make the next move. She could hit him, curse at him, refuse to accept his apology. He deserved anything she dished out and he would take it like the mage he was.

Finally she whispered, her words piercing him in the heart. "I'm tired of being scared all the time."

Gajeel grimaced, hating himself more with each passing second. "I'm sorry–"

"I want a do-over."
"What?" His head jerked up, mouth dropping open.

He startled when Levy reached up and slapped her cheeks. Twin red marks marred her pale cheeks.

"We're gonna start over, make a nice, fresh, clean start."

"'Ey, Shrimp, what're ya talking about–"

Levy spun in a circle, putting her back to him. Her arms waved widely in the air and she bounced on her toes. Gajeel took a step backward, glancing around him. The sugar in the air was finally getting to the mage. In a matter of seconds Levy spun back around. Gajeel bit back a yelp, instinctively turning his arm into an iron club.

"Oh! Hi, you must be the new Fairy Tail member I've heard so much about!" Her smile was bright…too bright. She gestured to his metal arm. "Is that your Dragon Slayer magic? Juvia told us all about it! Oh, but where are my manners! I'm Levy, Levy McGarden. Solid Script mage. Nice to meet you!"

She reached out a trembling hand. Gajeel released his magic and slowly stepped forward to carefully clasp her tiny hand in his.

"Nice ta meet you too? Name's Gajeel Redfox."

"You know," Levy murmured, still holding his hand. "Natsu will want to spar with you all the time. So just a head's up."

She winked, as if she didn't remember when he and the Salamander completely trashed each other during the Guild War.

"Eh, I think I can take him," Gajeel smirked, trying to hide the tremble in his own fingers.

"Don't let him hear you say that," she giggled, finally letting go of his hand. He instantly missed the warmth.

He watched her roll her shoulders and take a deep breath. "Well then, onward and upward I suppose! And just so you know, I tend to talk a lot with my friends. I hope that's ok?"

Gajeel swallowed thickly. "Can't remember the last friend I had, so fine by me."

Was it just him, or did her eyes turn misty?

"Better get used to it, Mr. Dragon Slayer. Because soon you're going to have more friends than you'll know what to do with."