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petrischronicles · 7 years ago

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Blonde at 10 ‘o’clock

It wasn’t very often that the two besties got to just hang out anymore and relax. Between work, school, and just life, conflicting schedules kept them apart save for text messages and social media. So finally, and lucky for them it was a perfect day for it, the beach sounded like a great idea. Get a tan… Catch up on gossip… Simply let the stresses melt away under the sun.

They settled in the center of the beach near the life guard shack and had been lounging for a couple hours by the time shift change had arrived. Levy was rambling about some new guy she just met. A lot taller than her, singer in a band, long spiky black hair, tattoos and piercings… “What is with you and those grungy guys Lev?”

The mousy young woman shrugs her shoulders, “I just like ‘um,” giggling, “It looks funny when we’re together, cause I only come up to his chest!”

She bites the corner of her lip, ‘Hot damn! That guy is fine!’ The young man walks with a certain air of confidence and smooth cadence in his stride; which walking in sand with slippers is no easy feat to pull off. He dons the typical lifeguard uniform of the red and yellow surf shorts and matching tank top, but wears it well; the muscles of his back flexing, solid biceps, and unflinching calf muscles; he was totally, a surfer boy dreamboat! Wild salmon colored hair… she sighs, wishing she could see his eyes that are hidden behind a pair of sunglasses.

He shakes the hand of the other dark-haired lifeguard, who she notices has the same symbol tattoo, maybe a frat mark or something? It’s clear that these two know each other well as a goofy grin takes over his face; she turns her head, so she can listen in better to their conversation. “Mellow wave action… first time on this beach… Toothache… Blue, 2 ‘o’clock. White, 4 ‘o’clock… Guarantee cavity… Blonde, 10 ‘o’clock… yeah, no root canal so far… hang out later…” Fist bumping, the darker males takes his leave and the heartthrob pulls himself up the ladder. ‘I wonder what they were talking about…’

“Lu?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry, you were saying?”

Levy giggles, “You have no idea what I was talking about do you?” She looks up at the tower and smirks. “Too busy checking out the hottie lifeguard?”

“I…” red blotches pop up on Lucy’s chest and face. “… thought I recognized him from somewhere.”

“Oh yeah…” Levy cocks her head, “I think I know where.”

“Where?” Expecting her friend to say high school or maybe college.

“In your dreams!”

“Oomph! You!” Lucy starts tickling he friend. “Take it back!”

“No… way!” Levy shrieks. “Better stop it Lu… you’re gonna attract his attention…”

She turns and looks and sure enough he is staring at them… well she thinks he is, at least in their direction but it’s kinda hard to tell with those damn sunglasses on! She stops tickling her friend. “You win this time Lev…” When she looks again, he’s grinning; she had caught his eye.

~~x~~

This is exactly why he and his friend had come up with a simple code back in high school, so it would be harder to figure out they were talking about girls. This system generally worked for them, and came in handy with the profession they had chosen. Think about it, checking out the lovely ladies helped to pass the time, and they encountered a lot of them on a beach.

It was a simple ranking really, toothache meant pretty, cavity was gorgeous girls, and root canals were rare but was reserved for supermodel status chicks. This girl was a cavity alright, and she looked awfully fine in the skimpy red bikini she was wearing…

Levy giggles and pokes her friend’s chest, “I bet he’s ogling your goodies Lu.”

“Shut up!” Lucy protests through a gritted smile, but if the darkening patches on her cheeks are any indication; she secretly hopes he is!

“Well, I’m gonna tan,” Levy lays on her back and throws a pair of shades on. “Wake me up if anything good happens.”

Lucy lies on her stomach, “Yeah sure…” and grabs a book out of her bag.

Picking up from where she had bookmarked earlier, she starts to read, hoping to get into the story and her mind off the handsome lifeguard…

“…Oh yeah, so you think this will work?” he models the outfit for her. The shirt is a white collared button down half sleeve that still shows off his muscular arms, a little tight in the chest area but with his body shape it was very sexy. Dark gray slacks and black dress shoes complete the look. He left the first couple of buttons open revealing a smooth chest underneath…

Images of a pink haired guy all dressed up and she the girl on his arm invade Lucy’s mind. She shakes her head trying to erase them like an etch-a-sketch as she reads on.

…Lying in bed she ponders over the day. ‘I can’t believe I let him stay here, what was I thinking? You’re attracted to him that’s why. Hush conscious! Okay so he is kinda dreamy, he’s just as goofy as…, kinda self-centered but still sweet, and a little brighter in the intellectual department which is nice. He sure knows how to sweet talk a girl too…. Okay that’s enough I need to get to sleep already!’

Sighing she turns over on her side, hugging her pillow till she falls asleep. A couple of hours later she wakes up feeling like someone’s in the bed with her. She realizes there’s an arm around her waist, so she turns her head and sees blonde hair.

“What are you doing in my bed!?” Realizing she can see his bare chest, “Oh my God and your naked!” she yells as she turns red. “I was lonely on the couch, so I came in here.” He murmurs. “You’re nice and warm baby…” he falls back asleep…

The sounds of giggling capture her attention and she looks up from her book, over to see two girls trying to flirt with the lifeguard. Not wanting to stare she watches out of her side view and tries to listen in…

~~x~~

The fact she was reading a book was a plus to him. He may not be a reader, but he’d rather date a girl with intelligence too. ‘Yup,’ the smirk grows, ‘definitely need to introduce myself later…’ When a couple of girls walk up trying to talk to him, he shuts them down nicely, “Nope, sorry… Not interested… Working here…” All the while keeping his eyes trained on the blonde…

~~x~~

After reading the same passage three times, Lucy gives up. Every time something remotely cute, romantic, or intimate comes up in the story her mind tried to substitute him into the story; in other words, blonde guy became guy with pink hair… She sighs. “Pst. Levy…” Lucy pokes at her friend trying her best to stay quiet, “Levy….”

“Hmm, what is it?”

“He keeps looking over here…”

Her friend yawns, “Why don’t you just go talk to him?”

Lucy motions with her eyes, “No way I’m gonna join the parade of girls…” Levy looks over and sees what her friend is pointing out. “That’s like the 6th or 7th so far, all in a row. It’s like when one or two gives up, the next one tries.”

“And he still keeps looking over here?”

“He hasn’t stopped looking.”

“I don’t know what to tell ya Lu, are you hoping he makes a move first?”

“Actually… I came up with an idea…” she whispers the details to Levy, who’s struggling not to giggle. “So, will you help me?”

“It’s a bit extreme, but if you wanna do it, I’ll help you…”

~~~

Maybe she’s waiting for a better opportunity? Or maybe, she doesn’t want to be lumped in with these others. He watches intently as the two girls get off their towels and head towards the surf; the waves might be mellow, but anything can happen in the blink of an eye…

They wade out until the water is up to their chests. “So now what Lu?”

“Patience…” she watches the man out of the corner of her eye, “we need to wait until he’s distracted.”

“Why?”

“Duh, cause, if he is still watching us, he’ll know if I wasn’t under water for very long.” As they wait for the right opportunity to present itself, the two friends splash around and have a little fun.

~~x~~

His mouth hangs open the longer he stares… the sun glistening on her wet skin… even from where he sits, he can see her big smile as she laughs and splashes her friend… And the bounce of her, magnificent bosoms… ‘Fuck!’

“Natsu?”

“Huh?” he looks down and sees a face he hasn’t seen in a while. “Lis?”

“Yeah,” the girl smiles, “my brother said you were a lifeguard here.”

“Oh, uh-huh…” he looks back at the water to check on 10 ‘o’clock and sees her pop out of the water again. She’s slicking back her wet hair… ‘Fuck, she looks good soaking wet!’ To him it’s all moving in slow motion… and the voice of this girl that’s talking to him drones out as images of he and the blonde, say in a shower… tickle his mind…

“So, I’m gonna be in town visiting for the week, would you like to hang out… like old times sakes?”

“Wait what?” Old times sakes, all they were before was FTF’s. He looks down at the girl in front of him. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

She nods, with a glimmer in her eye, “Why not…”

“Well…” He whips his head to the sound of panicked screams and sees 10 ‘o’clocks friend turning her over in the water. ‘Oh no!’ Chastising himself for not paying attention he grabs his buoy and leaps from the tower. “Sorry, Lis but the answer is no,” and rushes into the waves.

Luckily the girls weren’t out too far, but the blue-haired friend is terrified. By the time Natsu reaches them she has the blonde face up and barely keeping the girls head afloat. “Please help her!”

Natsu grabs the blonde from behind, with one arm snaked around her chest and the other helping him to cut through the surf. “What happened?” he asks the rattled friend, doing his best to keep calm himself. They may train for this scenario, but he’s let this become personal.

“W-we were trying to see who could hold their breath the longest and… I don’t know maybe she passed out under the water. Oh my God please, don’t let her die!”

Natsu’s instincts and training kick in, he straddles her hips and leans down to see if he can hear water in her lungs; doesn’t seem like it. Her heart is still beating, but she doesn’t seem to be taking in any air, so he begins mouth to mouth resuscitation. Once, twice; the girls body is still limp, third time; fluttering under her eye lids, a fourth time…

Without warning, arms wrap around his back, pulling him down and the CPR has turned into… a kiss! Natsu’s eyes widen when he notices the chocolate orbs looking back up at him. She smiles and runs her tongue along his lips to test his reaction… That’s when he smiles too and reciprocates, parting his lips and allowing her tongue to venture in…

Levy stands back smirking the whole time as a few flashes go off around her; it’s a guarantee these pictures are gonna end up on Instagram or something; lifeguard saves girl, girl thanks him with a lip-lock… ‘Hopefully he doesn’t get in trouble…’ Behind her, another girl turns and walks away with her shoulders slumped…

~~~

After a couple minutes Natsu slowly pulls away, the biggest grin plastered on his face. “That’s the best thanks I ever had for saving someone…” he leans next to her ear whispering, “But I know you were faking it.”

She grins back, “Just thought you could use a break from the other groupies.”

“So, what’s your name Princess?” He stands and holds out his hand.

With his help she gets to her feet, “Lucy, and yours?”

“Natsu,” he does an exaggerated bow, “at your service.”

“Hmm…” she runs her hand along his chest, “does that include night games?”

“Damn girl you are a fiery one! That’s so freaking awesome!”

She laughs and softens her gaze suggestively, “Am I sweet enough to give you a cavity?” His jaw drops; busted!

He pulls her back into his embrace, “Nah, I might need a root canal instead…”

#nalu fanfiction #petri808 #Blonde at 10'oclock

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petri808 · 7 years ago

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Blonde at 10 o’clock

Also found on AO3

Lucy and Levy take a trip to the beach, when the handsome lifeguard becomes a complete distraction...

The mousy young woman shrugs her shoulders, “I just like ‘um,” giggling, “It looks funny when we’re together, cause I only come up to his chest!”

Lucy’s friend moves on to the first time she saw Gajeel performing… She listens, for the most part until her attention falls on some new eye candy walking towards the lifeguard tower. As her eyes follow the man, her friends voice drones out and is replaced by the sound of her heart beat fluttering. She bites the corner of her lip, ‘Hot damn! That guy is fine!’ The young man walks with a certain air of confidence and smooth cadence in his stride; which walking in sand with slippers is no easy feat to pull off. He dons the typical lifeguard uniform of the red and yellow surf shorts and matching tank top, but wears it well; the muscles of his back flexing, solid biceps, and unflinching calf muscles; he was totally, a surfer boy dreamboat! Wild salmon colored hair… she sighs, wishing she could see his eyes that are hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. He shakes the hand of the other dark-haired lifeguard, who she notices has the same symbol tattoo, maybe a frat mark or something? It’s clear that these two know each other well as a goofy grin takes over his face; she turns her head, so she can listen in better to their conversation. “Mellow wave action… first time on this beach… Toothache… Blue, 2 ‘o’clock. White, 4 ‘o’clock… Guarantee cavity… Blonde, 10 ‘o’clock… yeah, no root canal so far… hang out later…” Fist bumping, the darker males takes his leave and the heartthrob pulls himself up the ladder. ‘I wonder what they were talking about…’

“Lu?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry, you were saying?”

Levy giggles, “You have no idea what I was talking about do you?” She looks up at the tower and smirks. “Too busy checking out the hottie lifeguard?”

“I…” red blotches pop up on Lucy’s chest and face. “… thought I recognized him from somewhere.”

“Oh yeah…” Levy cocks her head, “I think I know where.”

“Where?” Expecting her friend to say high school or maybe college.

“In your dreams!”

“Oomph! You!” Lucy starts tickling he friend. “Take it back!”

“No… way!” Levy shrieks. “Better stop it Lu… you’re gonna attract his attention…”

‘Mellow day, huh? If that’s the case I’m gonna…’ Just as he’s closing his eyes he hears a shriek and looks over at 10 ‘o’clock. ‘Damn Gray was right…’ The blonde was tickling her friend… something… ‘take it back’… ‘attract his attention’… he grins a little, ‘I bet they’re talking about me…’ This is exactly why he and his friend had come up with a simple code back in high school, so it would be harder to figure out they were talking about girls. This system generally worked for them, and came in handy with the profession they had chosen. Think about it, checking out the lovely ladies helped to pass the time, and they encountered a lot of them on a beach. It was a simple ranking really, toothache meant pretty, cavity was gorgeous girls, and root canals were rare but was reserved for supermodel status chicks. This girl was a cavity alright, and she looked awfully fine in the skimpy red bikini she was wearing…

Levy giggles and pokes her friend’s chest, “I bet he’s ogling your goodies Lu.”

“Shut up!” Lucy protests through a gritted smile, but if the darkening patches on her cheeks are any indication; she secretly hopes he is!

“Well, I’m gonna tan,” Levy lays on her back and throws a pair of shades on. “Wake me up if anything good happens.”

Lucy lies on her stomach, “Yeah sure…” and grabs a book out of her bag. Picking up from where she had bookmarked earlier, she starts to read, hoping to get into the story and her mind off the handsome lifeguard… “…Oh yeah, so you think this will work?” he models the outfit for her. The shirt is a white collared button down half sleeve that still shows off his muscular arms, a little tight in the chest area but with his body shape it was very sexy. Dark gray slacks and black dress shoes complete the look. He left the first couple of buttons open revealing a smooth chest underneath… Images of a pink haired guy all dressed up and she the girl on his arm invade Lucy’s mind. She shakes her head trying to erase them like an etch-a-sketch as she reads on. …Lying in bed she ponders over the day. ‘I can’t believe I let him stay here, what was I thinking? You’re attracted to him that’s why. Hush conscious! Okay so he is kinda dreamy, he’s just as goofy as…, kinda self-centered but still sweet, and a little brighter in the intellectual department which is nice. He sure knows how to sweet talk a girl too…. Okay that’s enough I need to get to sleep already!’ Sighing she turns over on her side, hugging her pillow till she falls asleep. A couple of hours later she wakes up feeling like someone’s in the bed with her. She realizes there’s an arm around her waist, so she turns her head and sees blonde hair. “What are you doing in my bed!?” Realizing she can see his bare chest, “Oh my God and your naked!” she yells as she turns red. “I was lonely on the couch, so I came in here.” He murmurs. “You’re nice and warm baby…” he falls back asleep… The sounds of giggling capture her attention and she looks up from her book, over to see two girls trying to flirt with the lifeguard. Not wanting to stare she watches out of her side view and tries to listen in…

Once 10 ‘o’clock settles down with a book, Natsu leans back in his chair admiring the view. The curves on the creamy blonde just screamed for attention, ‘maybe I could offer to put lotion on her…’ he smirks to himself. Never mind those skinny models, no give him a girl with an hourglass and this one was a perfect 10 in his eyes; boobs, hips and ass with a slim waist and long toned legs. The fact she was reading a book was a plus to him. He may not be a reader, but he’d rather date a girl with intelligence too. ‘Yup,’ the smirk grows, ‘definitely need to introduce myself later…’ When a couple of girls walk up trying to talk to him, he shuts them down nicely, “Nope, sorry… Not interested… Working here…” All the while keeping his eyes trained on the blonde…

“Hmm, what is it?”

“He keeps looking over here…”

Her friend yawns, “Why don’t you just go talk to him?”

“And he still keeps looking over here?”

“He hasn’t stopped looking.”

“I don’t know what to tell ya Lu, are you hoping he makes a move first?”

“Actually… I came up with an idea…” she whispers the details to Levy, who’s struggling not to giggle. “So, will you help me?”

“It’s a bit extreme, but if you wanna do it, I’ll help you…”

He sees 10 ‘o’clock and her friend whispering to themselves. Something tells him, this chick ain’t gonna try to talk to him like all these others that keep coming. But it has nothing to do with being shy, no, she strikes him as having plenty of confidence if she needs it. Maybe she’s waiting for a better opportunity? Or maybe, she doesn’t want to be lumped in with these others. He watches intently as the two girls get off their towels and head towards the surf; the waves might be mellow, but anything can happen in the blink of an eye…

They wade out until the water is up to their chests. “So now what Lu?”

“Patience…” she watches the man out of the corner of her eye, “we need to wait until he’s distracted.”

“Why?”

‘Man, I wish I was out there with them!’ Natsu must admit he’s a bit jealous; just because he’s a lifeguard doesn’t mean he gets to swim often and who wouldn’t want to go play with a pretty girl? That’s just bonus! His mouth hangs open the longer he stares… the sun glistening on her wet skin… even from where he sits, he can see her big smile as she laughs and splashes her friend… And the bounce of her, magnificent bosoms… ‘Fuck!’

“Natsu?”

“Huh?” he looks down and sees a face he hasn’t seen in a while. “Lis?”

“Yeah,” the girl smiles, “my brother said you were a lifeguard here.”

“So, I’m gonna be in town visiting for the week, would you like to hang out… like old times sakes?”

“Wait what?” Old times sakes, all they were before was FTF’s. He looks down at the girl in front of him. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

She nods, with a glimmer in her eye, “Why not…”

“W-we were trying to see who could hold their breath the longest and… I don’t know maybe she passed out under the water. Oh my God please, don’t let her die!”

“Just stay calm…” by this point he’s got the blonde to the sand and is placing her on her back. “Just stay back okay, give me room to work.” Levy nods as a small crowd has begun to gather around them, including Lis. Natsu’s instincts and training kick in, he straddles her hips and leans down to see if he can hear water in her lungs; doesn’t seem like it. Her heart is still beating, but she doesn’t seem to be taking in any air, so he begins mouth to mouth resuscitation. Once, twice; the girls body is still limp, third time; fluttering under her eye lids, a fourth time…

She grins back, “Just thought you could use a break from the other groupies.”

“So, what’s your name Princess?” He stands and holds out his hand.

With his help she gets to her feet, “Lucy, and yours?”

“Natsu,” he does an exaggerated bow, “at your service.”

“Hmm…” she runs her hand along his chest, “does that include night games?”

“Damn girl you are a fiery one! That’s so freaking awesome!”

She laughs and softens her gaze suggestively, “Am I sweet enough to give you a cavity?” His jaw drops; busted!

He pulls her back into his embrace, “Nah, I might need a root canal instead…”

#nalu #natsu x lucy #nalu fanfiction #fairytail #au story #beach

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theolddarkmachine · 8 years ago

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SUPER LATE GAJEVY LOVE WEEK 2017: DAY 3- LONGING

HELP THIS ONE TURNED INTO A FUCKING MONSTER. Alright, so I may have mentioned I used to write fics but went on hiatus? Anyway, I decided to take a fic idea I had been trying to work on and use it for the longing prompt. The problem is, the original idea was a five part fic complete with playlist, music quotes at the beginning and meaningful part titles. It was a whole thing. Which is how this entry for this prompt ended up being like 7k words. Oops. Please note that this kind of encompasses all kinds of different forms of longing. Longing for someone, longing for forgiveness, longing to move forward. It's a whole thing. Also, apparently Jet doesn't have a last name? At least, not that I'm aware of. So yes, I realize I used his nickname and real name as his full name. You kinda can't have a wedding invite without a full name. I also wanted to apologize if the kinda mid-ish/end seem rushed. Ya girl ain't got the focus to write 7k words in like 24ish hours and make them ALL good.

“Lev?” Gajeel asked as he ran his fingers through the blue strands of her hair. She was leaning her back against his legs, elbow deep in her current book. He’d be surprised if she answered him, short of an enemy attack, nothing could get her nose out of a book once it was in far enough. He started to braid the cornflower colored hair in front of him.

“Mmm?” She hummed, pushing herself back into the touch without breaking her concentration on the book. He fought back a little smile at how engrossed Levy was in her book as he tempted her to break her concentration by tugging slightly on the section in his hand. His heart swelled at the soft keen it elicited. Gajeel had been trying to work up the courage to tell his best friend that he thought he loved her for some time now. Not just loved her, but was in love with her. In fact, he’d tried it many times before and each time the words had become lodged in his throat, choking him until he found a lame excuse to tell instead. And though he had been certain he’d worked up the courage now, he could feel his throat start to close up, effectively gagging him with his own confession. “Gajeel?” Levy pressed, still ignoring the hand in her hair.

“I-” can’t do this, he thought to himself. He didn’t want to ruin what they had, whatever it was exactly. It wasn’t exactly a relationship, but it was a lot of making out and casual sex and maybe that was just what people did. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to fall in love. Maybe he was just supposed to go with the flow. God, he just didn’t want to mess anything up. Coughing back the words, he continued lamely, “I think we should go get lunch soon.” He felt as the hazel eyed girl cocked her head slightly, probably confused by his obvious change in voice, but shrugged it off as she turned the page. Maybe he’d tell her eventually that the idea of not having Levy in his life was unbearable and that all Gajeel ever wanted to do when he woke up was see her face and all he wanted to do when he fell asleep was have her snuggled in his arms. Maybe one day he’d be able to do that, but until then, he could settle for their lazy reading days on their off days from missions and the odd psuedo-relationship they’d seemed to fall into.

***

The dream fell away as sunlight poured through his window and onto his face, effectively shattering one of the most perfect memories he had of him and Levy. He let out a low groan as he was assaulted with the onslaught of guilt that he felt every morning upon fully waking. If only he’d worked up the nerve to tell Levy how he had really felt, none of this would have happened. They wouldn’t have grown apart, the team wouldn’t have cracked under the weight of the elephant that was always in the room and he wouldn’t find himself two years later regretting that moment every day since. Back then it had always seemed so easy. If you loved someone and they loved you, you loved each other and that was the end of it. But that hadn’t been how it was for them. Gajeel knew now that Levy loved him, but they just never were able to get the timing right, and he couldn’t help but blame himself for that.

As he finally brought himself to roll out of bed, he stumbled out to the dining room to see the mail from yesterday sitting on the dining room table. He couldn’t remember checking the mail when he got home, though to be honest, that wasn’t entirely shocking given the state he’d been in upon coming home. It was actually more shocking that he’d even checked the mail, most drunkards didn’t do that. His tongue was dry and his throat was scratchy as he tried to think back to the night before, shuddering it off when he remember just how much tequila he’d consumed. Some things were best left forgotten, which is exactly why he’d hit the alcohol so hard in the first place. Grabbing the pile as he walked by towards the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, he started shuffling through the stack. Bills, bills, bills- he stopped, staring down at the elegant envelope in his hand. It was ivory and thick and addressed from Levy McGarden and Jet Sarusuke. He felt the base of his throat start to tickle as his looked at the envelope, dread slowly filling his gut. He’d seen envelopes like this before, but he didn’t think he’d ever receive one from Levy. Not his Levy.

Slowly turning it over, he slipped his finger under the edge of the top, pulling it up and revealing a thick invitation that was plain aside from the elegant script that adorned it.

Levy McGarden and Jet Sarusuke request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their union.

The tickling in his throat turned into a burn as he felt effects of last night’s alcohol starting to take effect.

Saturday, the Fifteenth of August Seven Hundred and Ninety-Five.

That was in two weeks. The burn became a throbbing pain as he threw the invite down on the counter and ran towards the bathroom, getting there just in time as his stomach rid itself of any and all its contents.

***

Gajeel sat at his dining room table an hour later with a cup of coffee, washed and dressed with the taste of vomit brushed ruthlessly out of his mouth. His crimson eyes glared at the offending card stock that had sent him over the edge. Well, not particularly over the edge. He hadn’t been anywhere near an edge for years. If anything, it’d pulled him up from the vast pool of despair he’d been drowning himself in since. Pulling the still steaming mug up to his lips, he took a drag, not even wincing as the hot liquid burned the top layer of his taste buds, enjoying the pain that resonated from somewhere other than his chest. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d spoken to the girl whom he still considered his best friend. In fact he was almost certain the last time they’d spoken was at Natsu and Lucy’s wedding last year. And even then they had just exchanged pleasantries that didn’t extend past compliments on the reception. Another burning sip pulled his mind back to the current wedding bells he could hear chiming in his head. Honestly, he shouldn’t be shocked. Levy and Jet had been together for years now, ever since… well, ever since Gajeel had broken both their hearts. Jet had been the one to put the woman back together and he was grateful for that, but he couldn’t help but think that it should be his name on that invitation. He often had to remind himself that Jet was a better fit for Levy than he was, though the lie tasted fowl in his mouth. So much so in fact that the only thing that could erase the feel of the lies on his tongue was the alcohol that helped him sleep. The memory of the dream flashed across his mind’s eye. Obviously it wasn’t working so well anymore.

As he continued to gaze at the invitation, letting the words imprint themselves in his memory, he let his mind wander back to when things seemed okay. All the sleepless nights, the shared smiles and the soft touches. All of the inside jokes, play fights and proud moments raced through his thoughts, tearing a small sob from his throat. Not only had he lost his soul mate, but he’d lost his best friend. It was like salt in the wound, really. Was it not good enough for fate to take away his heart, it had to take his soul too? Taking yet another long sip of his coffee, he reached out for the card. It was amazing how something so insignificant as words on a piece of thick paper could dredge up such feelings. Feelings that he’d worked quite hard to keep at bay.

He had fucked up. He knew that. He should have told Levy all the things he’d ever wanted to say when he had the chance, but he hadn’t and now he would just have to deal with that. But how was he supposed to deal when he knew that she was always supposed to end up with him. It was never supposed to be the speed mage, but him. He was supposed to be the one that fell asleep with her in his arms and he was the one that was supposed to beg the blue haired woman to make breakfast and dammit, he was the one who was supposed to make her happy for ever and ever amen. He tossed the card across the table, almost as if it had shocked him, and slid further into his chair. He stared into his cup, feeling the waning steam tickle his face as it floated up, as he tried to pull the answers to all his problems from the dark colored liquid.

***

One week. There was one week until the wedding. One week until his life as he knew it ended. Gajeel’s hands formed tight fists, draining his knuckles of their tan as the thought settled in. He’d spent the past week trying to figure out how to right his wrongs, even if every idea seemed to end with Levy saying “It’s too little, too late.” He couldn’t blame her if she felt that way, but he just needed to know. It was with that mentality he found himself concocting a plan. A crazy plan that hinged on Levy remembering all the good times they had and having faith that they could have good times again, but a plan nonetheless. It’d come to him as he’d laid in bed for yet another sleepless night as his blood fizzled with alcohol. Staring up at the popcorned ceiling, he’d started tracing designs into it, much like the constellations. Following the hidden map of the images, it hit him. The one thing he and Levy had always wanted to do, and never gotten the chance to. It’d be perfect.

***

So far, so good. He had been certain when he’d knocked on the door that his heart was going to give out and he was going to drop dead right there before the door was answered. It felt as if he’d been standing there for hours when he suddenly felt the urge to bolt, but before he could actually turn on his heel, he heard voices on the other side of the door mumbling lowly before it swung open and there she had been. Her cheeks were a bit rounder in the way cheeks often became with age, and her hair was longer, but it was her. His shrimp. Her mouth shaped a small “o” as she stared up at him, her face losing all color as if she’d just seen a ghost. He noticed she was just wearing an oversized sweater and from the smell of it, it was Jet’s. His stomach tightened at the sight, trying to remember to breathe in and out slowly. It wasn’t like it was weird for her to be wearing her fiance’s sweater, after all, especially since he was sure they’d just woken up and made breakfast.

“Who is it?” He heard Jet call from inside the house after a few moments of silence. Still, she stood there staring at him. Gajeel shuffled nervously, hearing steps approaching them. “Levy?” The speed mage stopped abruptly after rounding the corner into the hallway that led to the front doorway and joined his fiancee in staring. So far no one had hit him with any kind of magic, so Gajeel was definitely going to chock that one up to a win in his column. Jet seemed to compose himself first, his eyes getting steely as his jaw squared. “Gajeel.” It was low, and they way he said it, it almost sounded like a curse.

As for Levy, she herself to be having a hard time breathing. She was certain someone was sucking the air from the room because there was no other reason as to why no matter how deeply she breathed, it didn’t seem like she had enough air in her lungs. It couldn’t possibly be because Gajeel was now just an arm’s length away from her. He was close enough to touch. Close enough to-

No. He wasn’t allowed to just show back up like this, completely unannounced when Levy was happy. It had taken her so long to believe it, but she deserved to be happy, dammit. No matter how much it hurt sometimes.

“So what do we owe the pleasure?” Jet’s voice cut to the chase, not even pretending in the slightest that it really was a pleasure. It wasn’t that Jet hated the guy in the doorway, per se, it’s just that as he stood there all he could think about was the broken state he’d found Levy in all those years ago. He understood what had been their downfall, really, he did, but he could never forgive Gajeel for what he did to the woman that he cared for so deeply, even if he too was a victim of being in the right place at the wrong time. It had just taken so long for Levy to really smile again, and once he’d finally been able to prompt a smile from her, he’d vowed to never see her frown again.

“Well, I-” Gajeel’s voice faltered as he eyed Levy, who refused to make eye contact with him again. It wasn’t like he shouldn’t have been prepared to face Jet. He couldn’t possibly expect the speed mage to welcome him with open arms, but standing there, feeling the obvious tension rolling off of him in waves, well, he almost wished he’d just left well enough alone. Especially as his eyes flitted over Levy again, whose eyes were now cast towards the ground. “I needed to talk to Levy, is all,” he finished, the sentence tapering off at the end as he shuffled awkwardly, scratching behind his head almost as if it were a nervous twitch.

“Now you want to talk?” Jet asked incredulously, letting Gajeel hear the disdain bleed into his voice. However, the reply that he’d expected from the dragon slayer actually came from the bluenette.

“Jet,” her voice sounded distant as she breathed his name while turning her hazel eyes towards him. His anger faltered as he saw the look in them.

“Yes, love?” He asked, vaguely noting her shoulders tense at the term of endearment. Levy nibbled on her lip, sneaking a glance over at the man who still stood at the door. How many times had she imagined the moment that Gajeel would show up at her door? And how many times had she imagined exactly what she would do? She was finally getting the chance to say her final piece and close that chapter in her life for good, and she was going to take it, even if it felt like her very lungs were being torn from her chest.

“Just give us a moment, yeah?” She said slowly. There was a moment of hesitation as Jet’s eyes flicked from Levy to Gajeel and back, before nodding slowly. He didn’t trust Gajeel, especially not with the way his gaze was on Levy as if he were a man who’d been locked up and was seeing the sun for the first time in years, but he trusted her. Stepping forward, he pressed a gentle kiss to that blue hair he loved so much.

“I’ll be here,” he breathed before casting another warning glance in Gajeel’s direction. Locking eyes, Gajeel set his jaw, trying to fight down the bitter tasting jealousy that was rising in his throat. For a moment he was certain he was going to be sick in the middle of their foyer, but really, he had no one to blame but himself after all. Choking back the vile taste, he held the gaze. Finally, Jet walked away and Levy stayed turned away from the brunette in the doorway.

“Let me go throw on some pants and shoes and we’ll go for a walk,” she muttered, still not wanting to look him in the eye, knowing that the moment she did, she would shatter into a million little pieces. “Give me a moment?” She asked.

“Take all the time you need,” Gajeel replied, voice timid. He’d wait as long as Levy needed him to. He owed her that much.

***

Levy came out a few minutes later, a pair of black jeans slung low on her hips and a pair of worn sneakers on her feet. As she’d searched her closet, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding twisting deep in her gut. Maybe she should have just let Jet handle it. She almost hoped Gajeel wouldn’t be there when she opened the door, after all, running away was what he did best. But there he was, still on the doorstep, cheeks pink with cold and eyes sparkling hopefully. God, he was still the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

“I was a little worried you’d leave me out here,” he chuckled humorlessly, hiding behind his sense of humor as he’d always done. But Levy could see behind it. She always had been able to.

“I considered,” she replied, pulling the door shut behind her and kicking herself for saying it when she heard Gajeel bite back a pained sound. “Let’s take a walk?” Walking was what they did. Often times, when they were still in the guild, the two of them would disappear to explore the area they were in for a job. It wasn’t exactly the smartest thing they’d done as it usually ended with them being yelled at by Lily for the umpteenth time for disappearing to God knows where to do God knows what. But to be honest, they just enjoyed being able to walk side by side down the street, seeing new places and just soaking in each other’s presence. It was a calming thing more than anything, and Levy had missed it. Missed him. Missed them. There had been plenty of times over the years that she really could have done with a walk around town in silence just enjoying the fact that they didn’t need to speak to share what they were thinking. Those moments became more sparse as the years passed, but she still had them nonetheless.

As they started to walk down the sidewalk, side by side with arms occasionally brushing and sending a sharp shock of electricity down her arm, hse could almost pretend that nothing had changed. That they were still Levy McGarden and Gajeel Redfox of Fairy Tail and that they still talked every day about anything and everything and sometimes nothing at all. She could almost pretend that Gajeel hadn’t broken her heart and left her alone to stick the pieces back together again. It had taken a long time and sometimes she even thought that there were still a few pieces missing, but that was only sometimes, and no one really needed to know about that. They walked in silence, the only sound was coming from their shoes on the pavement as their breaths came out in small puffs of opaque steam, dancing in the air and enjoying the few moments of life they had before evaporating into nothingness. She almost envied those wisps of air, dragging a finger through one of the tiny clouds before it disappeared forever.

Gajeel waited for Levy to speak, watching as she toyed idly with clouds her breath made. After all this time, he was still enchanted by her. He’d been stupid to think that maybe one day he wouldn’t be. There were a million things he knew he needed to say, if there was anything he knew, it was when Levy needed silence the most, and this was one of those moments. He could wait, he’d waited this long anyway, and besides all he really needed was this vision of his pink cheeked girl playing with the small puffs of steam before her. Seeing her this way almost allowed Gajeel to believe that maybe he hadn’t hurt her as much as he’d heard he had. But as he watched on, he saw the corner of her mouth turn down, almost as if she were having an internal debate with herself. Averting his eyes back towards the ground, Gajeel allowed himself to be led further down the street by the blue haired girl, still having complete trust that she wouldn’t lead him astray, even if he’d let her down. The minutes passed and the air around them started to grow thick.

“Why?” Her tinkling voice finally broke through the tension that had been building between the two. Startled, he looked up, eyes wide as he cocked his head questioningly. He had been prepared to hear a lot of things, but not that one word, the single most terrifying word when used by itself. Why. Hell, most of the time he didn’t even know why.

“Why what?” Gajeel whispered, feeling his legs continue to trudge down the sidewalk.

“Why are you here?” Levy asked, eyes trained on her feet. One step at a time, she thought to herself. The aching hole in her chest that had reared its ugly head back at her home had started to grow as she concentrated on each step, and as it grew, so did her anger. How dare he make her feel like this again.

Gajeel, in his own right, grew more worried, floundering as he searched for the answer for the one question he hadn’t anticipated. Of course he knew why he was there, he just hadn’t thought he’d have to answer why so quickly. This wasn’t how it was supposed to have happened. Maybe he wasn’t exactly sure how it was supposed to have happened, but this wasn’t it.

“I-”

“It’s been years, Gajeel. Years. And now you want to talk?” She cut him off. “Why? You can’t possibly care now.” The words started to slip from her lips as the anger started to boil in her veins. Gajeel’s eyes grew wide as those five words cut deep into his skin. “You left me,. You left me when I needed you most and you didn’t even say goodbye. I woke up and you were gone. And it wasn’t just about me, Gajeel. You had the others to think about too, but you didn’t, did you?” Hot tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she continued on her tirade, finally coming to a stop at the edge of a deserted playground, but keeping her gaze on anything that wasn’t him. “You didn’t just let me down, you let the guild down and you never even told anyone why. You could have told me you didn’t love me anymore, you know. I would have handled it. But you didn’t. So why, Gajeel. Why now?” Her angry hazel gaze finally landed on his face, ignoring the fact that tears threatened to spill over at any moment. She knew he had seen her at her worst anyway, so why try to hide that now?

Gajeel’s breath hitched as every word felt like another cut deep in his skin, cutting to the bone and leaving him bleeding. He had been wrong, and he had been selfish, but he had never done any of it to intentionally hurt anyone, least of all Levy. Biting on his lip, he wished he’d just stayed home and cradled the bottle of Jack that he knew was waiting for him.

“I didn’t… Levy… I…” he stumbled on his words, unsure of what he could say. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

“No, you don’t understand. I’m happy now,” she said forcefully, putting her whole body behind her words. This was it. She was going to end this part of her life. The pain in her chest grew almost unbearable as she opened her mouth to keep speaking. I loved you, and I probably always will, but we just never got the timing right, and will never get it right. She’d practiced it in her head, she just had to say it.

Gajeel felt his stomach clench as Levy’s eyes deadened, looking set on saying whatever it was she was about to say and he knew that if he didn’t say what he needed to now, he never would be able to. This was it.

“Run away with me,” he blurted. Well, there it was.

She deflated almost instantly. Run away? With Gajeel? Though her heart had stopped momentarily, it kicked back up in hyper drive. She couldn’t do that. No, she couldn’t.

“Not run away, but, let’s go on a trip,” He remedied, seeing the panic in her eyes. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. “Remember, we had always planned on going on a trip. Just the two of us to that beach your parents had taken you to when you were a kid. I always promised you I would, and I know now is an awful time, but Lev,” he didn’t miss the shudder the nickname invoked, “I owe you this. I promise you, no funny business. Just, let me give you this much. Before you get married and don’t have the time anymore. Just two friends, catching up and fulfilling a promise.” He watched Levy closely, gaining momentum as he saw her considering. At least, he thought she was considering. “And if you never want to see me again after that,” his heart ached painfully, “than I’ll never come back around. But please, don’t let me break this promise.”

There was another heavy silence as Levy took in everything Gajeel had just said. She knew the answer, there really shouldn’t be any hesitation at all. She knew what she should do. She knew she should just march back up to her house, close the door on Gajeel Refox for good and cuddle up with Jet on their couch as they read, just like they did every Saturday. She knew exactly what she should do.

As Gajeel waited for the answer, the world around him shuddering to a stop, he felt as if the silence were suffocating him. All he needed was an answer.

Einstein said that time moves at different speeds, that it was relative. He believed that time was an illusion. Sometimes, hours could feel like minutes, and sometimes seconds could feel like they were a lifetime. As he stood there, Gajeel was certain that time had stopped altogether until Levy’s gaze flickered back up to hold his and her mouth finally opened to give him an answer.

“Okay. I’ll go.”

****

They were sitting across from each other in comfortable silence on the train. He honestly hadn't expected Jet to be as okay with the trip as he had been. At least, Levy made it seem that way. When he'd taken her back to her home, she'd asked when she should meet him at the train station and that was the last thing she'd said to him before showing up the next morning to meet him. She was wearing a yellow halter dress and had a white scarf tied around her head to keep her waist length blue locks from getting in her face. She took his breath away almost as if it were the first time all over again. Gajeel had tried to make small talk as they were boarding, but it died out as the train had started rolling.

"Do you not get motion sick anymore?" Levy asked, breaking him out of his thoughts. He chuckled lowly. Of all the things to wonder.

"I do, I've just learned ways to manage it," he replied lightly. "I can make it through a train ride without throwing up all over everyone now, but you definitely won't catch me eating anything until we're back on land." She clicked her tongue and shook her head before giving him a devilish smile.

"That's a shame, I was kind of looking forward to your pain and suffering," she said without any malice. It felt more like an invitation and he gladly accepted it. Grabbing his heart, he dramatically threw his head black.

"Straight through the heart, Shrimp," he laughed. "I mean, if you really want me to I can hurl but it will definitely be more unpleasant for you and most likely your shoes than it will be for me." Her laugh was like the sound of tinkling bells, and he tried to commit it to memory. At some point along the way, he'd forgotten that sound and he didn't want to forget it again.

"Stupid Gajeel," she said, her cheeks growing red as she let the words slip. She'd always said it in an endearing way and it had been too easy to just let it out. Their laughter died out and was replaced with an awkward tension. Crap, that wasn't what he had wanted. He definitely should say something. Literally anything to get her talking again.

"So Jet was pretty cool about this, huh?" Well, maybe not literally anything. Mentally facepalming, Gajeel had no other choice than to ride this topic out now. The bluenette took a moment to choose her words.

"I wouldn't say he was cool more than I didn't really give him a choice," she said with a shrug as she stared out the window. "He doesn't trust you at all, but he trusts me, so there was really no reason for him to say I couldn't. I mean, if he'd really been against it, I wouldn't have but-" she cut herself off to steal a glance at him. "He just didn't really have a reason to say no." It was a lame ending, and he could tell there was more that she'd left unsaid but he wasn't going to push it. He was just happy she'd agreed to come along and hadn't just hit him with some of her script magic.

“Well I’m glad that whatever the reason, you’re here,” he replied earnestly. They slipped back into silence, Levy training her eyes on the countryside outside the window again. This time it was more comfortable as she propped her feet up on the seat across from her and next to Gajeel. He let his eyes memorize the curve of her cheekbones as the sun glinted of them.

“Gajeel?” She asked, not taking her eyes off the scenery. He grunted in reply, prompting her to continue. “Do you remember why we’d even decided to go to Greenity Beach?” It wasn’t a question he’d expected at all, but was one he instantly knew the answer to. Of course he remembered. It had been the first time he’d invited Levy to his home. It had originally supposed to have been a short visit so he can lend her some books on dragon slayers, and had turned into her staying the night. They’d gotten to talk about nothing and everything all at once and soon turned to the topic of family. He had noticed she seemed to keep the topic trained on Metalicana and curiosity finally got the better of him, so he’d asked her about her parents. He had almost regretted it the second he’d asked because her eyes had instantly turned sad. She didn’t remember too much about them, she’d said. They’d died when she was very young while on an S-class mission. From stories she’d been told and pictures she’d been shown, she had her father’s looks and her mother’s brains, but as for the people themselves, she didn’t quite recall much. She did, however, remember a trip they’d taken to a beach with the most brilliantly clear water, and greenery. That beach, was Greenity beach, and her parents had been laid to rest there. It was a very small beach that not many people knew about, and while she had been there when Makarov had set their ashes free into the ocean, she’d admitted that night that she’d never managed to find the courage to go back, terrified of what feelings may be unleashed if she did. He remembered the way her eyes had shone when she’d told him, and he had remembered it so vividly because that was the moment he knew he loved her. He had reached out to touch her cheek softly, urging her to look up at him as the tears had spilled over. “Don’t worry, Shrimp,” he’d whispered. “I’ll be your courage.”

The nod she received from the dragon slayer was all she needed.

“Will you still be my courage?” A lump rose in his throat. He would always be whatever she needed him to be, but he supposed after what he’d done to her, he couldn’t be blame her for not trusting that he would.

“Of course, Lev,” he said, resting a hand lightly on her ankle next to him. She just nodded in response before falling back into a silence that lasted until they reached their destination.

****

When they had arrived, there wasn’t much time to do much else besides check into the hotel-- both in separate rooms, of course-- and head to dinner. Gajeel had insisted they catch up, and after they both had had a couple of glasses of wine, things had almost felt normal again. Levy had forgotten how easy it was to fall back into their rhythm. They’d always been great at playing off of each other and their banter had always been such a great time. At one point they had even had the waiter in stitches as they poked fun at each other. A small voice in the back of her mind warned her to keep her guard up, and it was that voice that helped her pick up on the fact that Gajeel seemed to steer all conversation away from what he’d been up to since he’d disappeared those few years back. She had let sleeping dogs lie though, just enjoying that whatever it was that they were doing, it had made her feel completely herself again. Not that she didn’t love her life now, it’s just that with Gajeel it was like it had been before.

That had been last night though, and they’d both woken with a pit of dread in their stomachs. Today, they were supposed to actually go out to the water, and while Levy should have really thought of it as her parents’ grave, it was hard to knowing that’s where they’d chosen as their final resting place. Gajeel was worried he’d made a terrible mistake bringing Levy here. At the time it had seemed like the perfect gift to give her, but now, he wasn’t too sure. He knocked on her hotel door, hating that he was again found on the opposite side of a door from her, uncertain of what he’d be met with when it opened. The door swung open almost immediately to reveal Levy on the other side, looking smaller than usual as she stood there in a lilac top and white shorts. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and worry exuded from her every pore. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms, but he knew that that wouldn’t help anything. For now, he had to be her strength.

“You ready?” He asked, hoping she knew that she could take all the time she needed to decide.

“Yeah,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

****

They stood there next to each other, both looking out into the ocean as the waves lapped against their ankles. He wasn’t sure how long they’d stood there, and the longr they did, the more he began to worry he’d fucked up and made things worse. Even with about a foot of space between them, he could feel the tension rolling off of her. He knew he needed to do something to help her. He needed to reassure her that everything was okay. He needed to be her courage. He knew exactly what he needed to do. Gajeel reached his hand across the space, and grabbed her hand. She didn’t return the squeeze her gave her hand, but she didn’t pull her hand away either. He cleared his throat.

“Hey there, Mr. and Mrs. McGarden,” he said out into the nothingness ahead of them. Gajeel wasn’t much for religion and the ideas of afterlives, but having spoken with spirits in the past he knew that sometimes there was still someone listening. “You don’t know me, but I just wanted to say your girl here is amazing.” He felt her small fingers twitch around his. “I’m not really one to believe in too much spirit mumbo jumbo, but if you’re around, it’d be great if you could show us some sort of sign.” Suddenly, there was a gust of wind as a larger wave came towards them, crashing higher against their legs before everything died down. A sob burst from the bluenette next to him. “Thanks,” he said out towards the ocean. “It probably doesn’t make any sense as to why I’m here, but I mad a promise to Lev here to be her courage so she could come talk to you. I made a right dick of myself, and I almost broke that promise, but we’re here now. I don’t really have the right to tell you why, but this was the best gift I could give for this occasion, alright Mr. and Mrs. McGarden?” He felt silly for talking to the nothingness, but the stillness of the air around him weighed on him and he pressed on. “So I’m going to give you guys some space, but before I do I just wanted to say that you guys don’t have to worry about Levy at all.” He turned to face the bluenette, who still managed to look beautiful even with tears running down her face. “She’s grown into the most incredible woman.”

He’d been sitting on the beach behind Levy for about half an hour now and while he could have listened to what she was saying out to her parents, he chose to focus his hearing on the wooded area surrounding the beach. He must have lost track of time because he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand lightly touch his shoulder.

“Gajeel?” Levy said, a small look of concern on her face.

“Yeah, Short Stack, I’m sorry. Just spaced out for a minute is all,” he said. “Everything good?” He knew once he’d taken in the brightness of her eyes and the smile that broke across her face that he’d made the right choice in making good on his promise. No girl should get married without letting her parents know. She nodded, her smile widening.

“I really can’t thank you enough, Gajeel,” she said as she offered him a hand to help him up. “Do you want to go get dinner now?” From the look of the sun, they’d been out much longer than he’d originally thought, and he felt the heavy pit in his stomach again.

“Actually, Lev, I was wondering if you’d watch the sunset with me.” It sounded so lame when he said it, but there was still one last thing he needed to do this trip. She didn’t seem to pick up on any weirdness as she continued to smile up at him.

“I would love to.”

****

The color of the sky was indescribable. It didn't seem possible for one sky to be so many different hues at once to create an entirely different color altogether. Levy sat next to him on the bench at the ocean overlook with her head on his shoulder. The walk up to the bench had been a pleasant one as she buzzed with energy from finally visiting her parents’ final resting place and speaking to them. Now that they had made it and sat for a bit of time watching the colors of the sky change as the sun sank lower and lower into the horizon, she seemed to be deflating. He couldn’t blame her, he knew the feeling. They were headed home in the morning and he still needed to say what he’d come out here to say and he knew if he was going to, it was now or it was never. Speak now or forever hold your peace, he scoffed to himself.

"Lev?" He said, aware his voice was more gruff than usual.

"Mmm?" She hummed, her head still slotted perfectly in the space between his neck and shoulder. He couldn't help but feel a slight hint of deja vu in the exchange. It was now, or it was never.

"I love you, you know," he said in a rush, feeling her tense up before continuing. "I suspect I always will. And I say that without any hope of reciprocation." She loosened, but stayed silent feeling he had more still to say. "I love you in the best way anyone can love another person. Unconditionally. I want nothing for you but happiness. I never said it when I had the chance, and you deserve someone who does. You got someone who did. Don't get me wrong, I did consider coming here with the sole intent of begging for your forgiveness and to pick me. But truth be told, Lev, if I didn't think I deserved you then I sure as hell don't deserve you now." He stopped to swallow the lump in his throat, doing his best to ignore the damp spot starting to form on the shoulder of his shirt. "But while I was thinking about the different ways to try and get you back, I realized I was becoming me again. Somehow, you had saved me again. As unintentionally as I'm sure it was, your wedding invitation brought me back from the dead. And that's when I realized I needed to find a way to thank you, and that's when it had hit me." His own tears were flowing now, but he'd be damned if he disturbed her position to wipe them away. "The best gift I could give you, Lev, is to let you go. When I had walked away, from you, the guild, everything, I was as selfish as any one person could be because I took your closure with me. I love you, Levy," he said again, "but you are free of any obligations towards me. You owe me nothing. Just please, love with your whole heart, and be happy."

As he ended his speech, a blanket of silence settled over the bench. The sun was almost completely set now. All but a sliver of light peaking over the horizon was left, and he couldn't help but feel as if there was some kind of symbolism to be found there. They continued to sit in silence when he felt her small hand find his as she intertwined their fingers. She squeezed lightly.

"Stupid Gajeel," Levy's voice was thick with tears. She still hadn't moved her head from his shoulder. Time didn't seem to exist as they sat there overlooking the now inky black ocean as stars dotted the sky. In a perfect world, they could have frozen that moment. This wasn't a perfect world, though, and they both settled for committing the moment to memory. It felt like hours later when Levy broke the silence again. Her voice was so low that if he wasn't a dragon slayer, he most likely would have missed it altogether. They were low, but they were two words that filled his lungs with air for what felt like the first time in years.

"Thank you."

****

The trip home seemed so much shorter than the trip out to the beach. It was almost as if he’d blinked and now they were there. They stood outside her house, both aware that once she let go of his hand and headed into the home, that would be the last time they saw each other. At least for now. He’d meant what he had said at the ocean, and he wanted nothing but her happiness. It would take some time for his heart to catch up with his mind’s decision, but he’d get there and if she’d have him, he’d be there for her. She turned to him, a bittersweet light in her hazel eyes as she hugged him close to her.

“Thank you, Gajeel, for everything,” she breathed into his ear before pushing away. She’d emphasized everything in hopes he’d know she meant everything. Even with all the hurt he had caused her, she wouldn’t have traded anything for his chapter in the story of her life. A single tear spilled over and rolled down her cheek as she turned to walk up the walkway to the front door. He watched as she grabbed the knob and turned back one final time, giving him that special smile he knew was only for him before she pushed the door open and disappeared inside.

“Be free,” he whispered before throwing his hands into his pockets, and finally walking forward.

#gajevy week #gajeel redfox #levy mcgarden #gajeel x levy #gajevy #one shot #sadness and longing #do you know how long i just had to scroll to get down to the tags #i feel like i aged 7 years while scrolling #i apologize if this bummed you out #if it's any consolation y'all aren't due for another sad one until the end of this challenge #i'll try to make it up to ya with the next three <3

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lil-blue-one · 8 years ago

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Gajevy Week 2017 - First Date

Posting from my phone is almost enough to make me rage quit, I'm telling you now. UGH. However, I've got the chapter finished on time so I HAVE to post it! Still following along the thread of the other prompts! Hope you like, much loves!! Side note :things bracketed like this are "text messages" being sent.: They're supposed to be in italics, I'll fix formatting again tonight when I'm home. 💙

Update: I’ve fixed the things.

"Are you sure you don’t mind, Lu? I know they’re a handful.” Levy had worry etched across her face as she inched closer to the door of her house, tugged along by her husband. Lucy laughed quietly, waving her hands at her friends. “Levy-chan, they’re sleeping. I’ve been here at least once a week every week of the last five months. I know their routine, they know me, it’ll be fine!” Gajeel grunted in amusement, aware of just how much knowing the twins’ schedule meant. Which was to say, absolutely nothing.

But, it had been five months since the Redfox parents had been able to have a minute alone that wasn’t completely consumed by sleeping or inhaling food so fast they couldn’t taste it. Levy had finally told him she was ready to get out for an evening, and he’d leapt at the opportunity. He told his wife to plan anything at all, even if she just wanted to go to the bookstore, he didn’t fucking care. So she had planned. Set up a meal at a restaurant they loved, looked up events across town that they might like, and realistically declared that they would probably just eat and come home.

Then she had found a sitter. Juvia had her hands full with her own two children, and had been acting very tired lately. Gajeel was pretty sure she was knocked up again, but he could be wrong. Erza was away on a mission, and Mira was of course working at the guildhall with Lisanna. Lucy was a great option as she did, in fact, spend a great deal of time with the babies already. Plus, if all else failed, she could summon Aries or Virgo for a second set of hands in an emergency.

With a final groan Levy turned to her husband, dragging him out of their home before she could change her mind. “Come on, love. We’re going to be late if you let me keep stalling.” The tall man just chuckled, draping an arm over his tiny wife’s shoulders and forcing her to walk slower. “If we miss our reservation, we miss it, Shrimp. Ain’t no skin off my nose.” She sighed, losing some of the tension she had felt before they left, and leaned against her dragon. “Isn’t any…”

Gajeel snorted, looking down at her with a wide grin on his face. “Remember the first time ya corrected me?” Levy stifled a giggle, sliding her arm around his waist. “Honestly, I can’t remember what I ate for breakfast this morning. Wasn’t it something about ‘wouldn’t tell nobody’ something?” He squeezed her shoulder lightly, knowing well how the sleep deprivation they were both suffering from stole the ability to think sometimes. “Somethin’ like that, yeah.”

They walked in silence another block, enjoying each other’s company and the peacefulness of the city at night. Gajeel looked down, noticing the tiny Script Mage’s steps slowing. After being together for so long, he no longer had to think about slowing down his own pace to enable her to stay even with him, but she was dragging even more than usual. “Shrimp, ya alrigh’?” He stopped completely, turning to study her face. He was concerned the walking was straining her energy levels too much. For herself, Levy was staring at her feet, almost as if she was embarrassed. “Lev, what is it?”

“I… I know we haven’t been gone very long… fifteen minutes to be exact, but what if something’s wrong?” She looked up at her mate with pleading eyes, anxiety tearing at her. His ruby eyes met hers, a smile dancing in their depths. “All yer careful thought an’ plannin’ an’ ya forgot to grab the notebook, didn’t ya?” She nodded, looking down again. The Dragon Slayer chuckled and reached his free hand around to his back pocket, pulling out the enchanted notebook that Levy had created so long ago to be able to communicate with her friends. He tapped her lightly on top of her head with it, causing her to squeal and snatch it from his hand when she saw what it was.

Levy hurried over to sit on a bench nearby, flipping the book to the page she had that was connected to Lucy’s own copy. Hey Lu-chan, how’s everything going? Picking up her pen, Levy chewed on the end for a moment, waiting anxiously for Lucy’s reply. After only a moment, she started bouncing a leg, looking from the notebook to Gajeel. “Shrimp, give it a bloody minute, would ya?” As he finished speaking Levy saw words appearing on the page. Lol, Levy-chan you JUST left. The babies are still sleeping, I’m reading that book you left out for me. Enjoy your date!

She huffed out a sigh, blushing as she started to feel silly, and handed the pen and notebook back to her husband. “I’m sorry, Gajeel.” He just shook his head with a grin on his face and held out his arm for her to tuck herself against his side again. He would never tell Levy, but Juvia had actually warned him that this might happen.

“Don’t be surprised if your night out is cut short, Gajeel-kun. Levy-chan won’t be able to help herself. Juvia only lasted for an hour the first time she left Mizu at home with Levy-chan. And it took Gray-sama six months to convince Juvia to leave both Mizu and Kawa alone with someone.” Gajeel had nodded, remembering the popsicle complaining about the lack of time alone with his wife after their daughter had been born. And so, he’d kept that thought in the back of his mind as Levy planned everything out for their first date since… he didn’t even know how long it had been. Some few weeks before the twins had arrived, he mused.

Finally, they arrived at the cafe Levy had set their reservation at. She tugged the notebook out of his pocket, ignoring the murmured joke about wandering hands from her husband as she stepped aside and opened it to write to Lucy again. I’m sure you’re going to be checking in again sometime soon so I’ll let you know that Yaje woke up, but he wasn’t even fussy. He’s been changed and I fed him a little and now we’re playing with that rattle Gajeel made for him. I wish I could send you a picture, it’s adorable. He’s curled his feet up and is holding the rattle with them, just kind of smacking it with those chubby little hands. And there’s Shutora, she just woke up giggling. Enjoy your dinner! Levy quickly dashed the tears off her cheeks as she handed the book back to Gajeel so he could see what their children were up to as well.

Thanks, Blondie. He wrote before tucking the book away, grinning down at the bluenette standing next to him. “We have some damn amazin’ kids, Lev.” She smiled back up at him, laying her head on his arm as they followed the waiter to their table. Gajeel pulled her chair around to the same side as his own. “Jus’ like our very first date, yeah?”

“I shouldn’t be surprised that you remember!” Levy responded with a sheepish grin. Their waiter came around and Gajeel ordered for both of them, Levy giggling and leaning into his side. “I know ya don’t wanna be out too long, Shrimp. I figgered ya wouldn’t mind me orderin’ our usual stuff t’save time.” The tiny Script Mage tugged his shirt, the big man grinning as he leaned he head closer to her so she could kiss him. “Thank you, Gajeel. For being so understanding about all of this.”

“Ya may not believe it, woman, but I miss ‘em too. My princess likes to hide her face in m’hair. An’ m’little man is so strong. Ya know he pulled Lil’s tail so hard the other day Lil actually slid backwards?” The couple devolved into laughter, sharing stories of their children’s antics as they ate. Neither of them seemed to mind that their time away from the babies was spent talking about them. “In the short time they been here, those mini Shrimps have made themselves our whole world, haven’t they, Lev?” She nodded, glancing furtively at the notebook on the table. Gajeel huffed, pretending to be upset, and slid the book to her, opening the cover to the right page.

Hope dinner was great! Babies are asleep again, so if you want to stay out longer it’s no problem! “Lu-chan really IS a spectacular friend.” Levy laughed as she closed the book. “Do you want to get a drink at the pub or something on the way home?” She looked up at her husband, smiling gently. Her babies were fine. They were safe. There was no need to rush home. Gajeel smiled back, leaning to kiss her on her forehead. “Nah, Shrimp. How about we hit the bookstore before it closes and get that book you were talkin’ to Bunny girl about ‘fore we left.”

There was a squeal that erupted from the tiny woman as she hugged him before jumping up from the table. “I promise I won’t stay there all night!” Gajeel paid for their food, laughing as he tucked the notebook and pen into his pocket and stood to follow the bouncing woman. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll believe that when I see it, Shrimp.” He offered her his arm again, and they headed for the bookstore. It may not have been Gajeel’s favorite place to go, but it made his wife happy, and that in itself made him happy. “Take as long as ya need, Lev.”

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