3Chapter 2: The Beginning of Day 1
Eventually, Gajeel caught his breath. He lifted the iron and tucked it under his arm, signaling to Lily that they were getting the hell out of there before Levy came at them with more power. He couldn't risk getting scathed prior to the games. Besides, it was close to midnight and the rules had specifically stated that he needed to be with the others in their room before the clock began to ring.
"I wonder what got into her…" Lily muttered, rubbing his head as they made their way down the hall. Levy had really given them the boot, and he'd been almost certain prior to her entrance, that she would have been thrilled to see them.
"Eh, does it really matter?" It did though. He could feel her embarrassment the instant she dropped her bags. It wasn't as if he had intended on making her feel that way….it just kind of happened. Gajeel chuckled as his hand absentmindedly went to his pocket. The soft fabric caressed his fingers and it made his heart skip a beat. He wondered if Levy would ever notice that they were missing.
"I guess not. But still – I don't like it when Levy is angry with us, Gajeel. She helps us out and buys me kiwis sometimes." The Exceed's face dropped at that statement. It would be a real shame if Lily didn't get his treat from Levy every week. He'd come to like the Script Mage over time – especially since Gajeel had taken a liking to her as well. Levy was a good girl. Lily appreciated that about her very much. She kept Gajeel out of trouble and she was a real friend to him. Lily knew that when he wasn't around, Levy had Gajeel's back when he needed it. It was awfully reassuring to the Exceed.
The dragon slayer didn't say much else as they walked to their room. He had to prepare for the tasks at hand. Besides, he would see Levy again later on this week. There had to be a way to make it up to her somehow.
"Stupid Gajeel!" Levy screamed into her pillow as she flopped onto her bed. "Why must he insist on embarrassing me all the time?" Levy let out a deep sigh as she rolled onto her back. The universe must hate her – always placing her into awkward situations like this or putting her at a disadvantage because of her height. Her face had turned a bright red when she realized that her clothes were out – Levy hadn't wanted Gajeel to see her intimates like this! Besides, shouldn't he have been back into his room anyway? Letting out a few more huffs, she gradually settled down on her bed. There was no sense in fretting. What was done was already done.
Tucking herself on her bed, she opened a book and began to invest herself with the words on the pages. But a hard knock on her door alerted her to a new visitor and after hearing the voice from the other side, she jumped to her feet and dashed to open it.
"Levy! Open up! We've got an emergency!"
It was Lisanna and Happy, an odd pairing if you'd ask Levy. But in this instance, it was obvious that something wasn't right. Levy was all ears as Lisanna began to explain the nature of her unexpected visit. "Wendy and Carla are missing and we need help."
Those words were all she needed to jump into action. Immediately, Levy was rushing to grab her glasses, tucking them into her bag, and following Lisanna and Happy out of the building. "What's the plan? Where were they last seen?" Levy questioned the other two guild members, deciding that she needed as much information as possible in order to help.
"No idea. We've all split up into teams. Levy, will you go check out the shopping district?" Lisanna asked as they raced through the streets, trying to find Wendy and Carla as quickly as possible. All of them had a real bad feeling about this. "Happy and I will go searching by the gardens."
"Right." Levy threw them a wave as she made a left at the next road, following her instincts and doing her best to help with the searching. Where were they? What if they were hurt? Another question was brought to mind as she paused for a moment to catch her breath. All team members had to be back to their rooms by midnight or else…..
Or else what?
Levy didn't have an answer to that. But it didn't look good.
Midnight was upon them before anyone knew it. Levy watched as the pre-qualification round began above her. She said a million silent prayers as she wandered the shopping district, tugging up covers to tables and searching behind booths. They still hadn't found Wendy or Carla. It looked like their adventures in Croccus were already starting. Her hazel eyes stared at the large maze for only a moment. She knew she might cry in fear if she were to watch it any longer.
Please keep him safe. Please let me see him again.
It was all she asked. Levy was concerned for her guild mates, but especially the one she had forcefully kicked out of her room earlier that night. Of course he could handle himself. At least, she hoped he could handle himself. With the disappearance of Wendy, Levy knew that this competition would be one that they would never forget.
She was on pins and needles until she received word that Wendy and Carla had been found. Lisanna and Happy had been successful in their search, but the two missing were not in good shape. Someone had attacked them and it would be a while before either of them were well enough to provide the guild with information. In the meantime, Elfman had stepped in to assist Natsu and the others, which caused Levy's heart to drop without her realizing it. Perhaps she had been holding onto hope that she would get to compete.
Thoughts of all the heaviness in her heart got pushed back into the darkness. She had more important things to worry about – like ensuring her friends and their safety back at the hotel. Levy could only hope that everyone, including Gajeel, would stay safe throughout the night.
"You got this, Lu!" Levy shouted from the stands, excited that her team mates had made it to the final rounds of the games. Levy had been so thrilled when Lucy had told her that they qualified and they'd embraced and squealed together for a few moments while it all sunk in. This was it – they were going to prove once and for all that Fairytail was the greatest guild Fiore had ever seen!
"Thanks, Levy! You know, I'm so excited, but…."
"What's wrong, Lu?"
"Well, I'm just worried about the others."
Levy understood what Lucy was talking about. No one had gotten much sleep, and word from Gajeel and his team had not reached anyone. Of course, it was still underwraps that they were competing, so most were just concerned with their wellbeing….but Levy knew otherwise.
"IF ONLY THAT METAL HEAD WERE HERE TO SEE US!" Natsu announced as he walked passed Lucy and Levy. He'd been pacing for the better part of an hour, anxiously awaiting the beginning of the games. He had been less than pleased when Levy delivered their outfits – purple was apparently not his color- but Lucy had been excited about them. The others were indifferent for the most part – at least, they were once Elfman got a proper fitting outfit. The look on his face as he held up the dress that Wendy would have worn had been priceless.
The crowd started to rumble and Levy took that as the right time to leave her friends. "Keep your chins up and do me proud, Lu!" She grinned at the team and gave them all a quick thumbs up before darting out to sit in the stands.
But on her way out, she came face to face with the man she had prayed for throughout the night.
"Oi, Shrimp!"
Levy turned to look at him, knowing exactly who it was that yelled at her. Gajeel's face was turned into a grin as he walked toward her and Levy couldn't help the hard gulp she gave in response. When Gajeel smiled at her like that, she knew he was up to no good.
"So what – did you guys make it?" She asked as her hands went to her hips. It seemed she always had that stance around him – very argumentative and closed. It was as if she was trying to protect herself from whatever it was he tried to toss at her.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see."
Levy raised her eyebrow in response to his statement before she gave him a small smile. "Uh huh. Glad you made it, Gajeel. I hadn't heard anything about your team and was concerned."
"You? Concerned? About me?"
Was that really all he had picked out that statement? "About your team. Get it straight, Gajeel."
He let out one of his signature laughs, patting her on the shoulder roughly. "Aw, Shrimp – I was just messin' with ya." He paused and looked straight at her. "I expect you to be in the stands. Keep Lily from beatin' up on everyone, eh?"
Levy nodded. Lily was going to have to keep her from beating up on everyone, not the other way around. "I can do that."
"Good."
He started to walk to the area she had just evacuated. They were announcing the final 8 teams for the games.
"Hey, Gajeel?" Levy hollered back to him, turning to stare at his back. "Be careful, okay?"
He raised his hand in acknowledgement and then he was gone.
Author's Note:
Chapter #2!
Yes, I do like to draw out my stories. I'm sorry I'm not sorry!
To those of you looking for a story with more chapters to read about Gajeel and Levy, check out my other piece called "Nothin' On My Mind." It's a little different than this one will be, but still - it's Gajevy at it's finest. To those that are already fans of NOMM, I'll be posting a new chapter for that one soon!
R&R appreciated! Thanks for the support, y'all!