I'm sorry, I can't do it... - chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Gajeel shot up when the Infirmary doors burst open. He held his breath, along with his fellow guild members, as Makarov got out of the Medical room with a grave face.

“M… Master…” Gajeel rasped, losing his voice.

“How are they?”

“How did this happen?”

“Who did this? And why?”

The whole guild attacked Makarov with questions, the short man raising a hand to silence them.

“Phantom Lord.” The guild Master said in a low voice. That silenced the whole guild as all eyes turned to Gajeel. The Iron Dragon swore under his breath as the stillness pressed on him.

“Gajeel’s old guild…”

“Are they trying to get back to him or something?”

“Master, what’s the meaning of this?” Elfman inquired, stepping closer to him. Makarov glanced at Gajeel, who looked away in shame. The whole guild caught the silent exchange between the two, dread filling them.

“No…”

“It can’t be…”

“Gajeel’s our nakama!”

“How could you! You bastard!” Natsu lunged for the Dragon Slayer, pinning him on the wall. “You fucking lying piece of shit!” The Fire Dragon shoved his flaming fist in Gajeel’s stomach, the raven haired man tumbling on the floor, coughing. “I trusted you!” Natsu kicked him back, lunging for Gajeel again. “I trusted you with my life! I trusted you to take care of our nakama!” Another punch hit Gajeel hard as he struggled to get up. “And you let her get hurt!” Natsu punched him again.

“Natsu! That’s enough.” Makarov bellowed before Natsu could throw another punch. Salamander grinded his teeth and let Gajeel fall on the floor, coughing blood. “I’ll explain everything in due time. For now, Gajeel may be our only chance to beat the Phantoms.”

“This piece of shit can’t do a damn thing! I can take the whole guild by myself!” Natsu felt invincible at the moment. “Erza and Mira will surely help, so wh…”

“Shut your mouth for once, boy, and listen!” Makarov slapped Natsu hard on the head, shocking the whole guild. “Gajeel is not to blame here! Sure, he did his share of dark stuff, many of you might not understand why, but ever since he came to our guild, Gajeel protected every one of you, sorry asses! Even you, Flame Brain! How many times did Gajeel save you, Natsu? How many times did he save Gray, or Erza, or Mira, or Levy? How many times did you fight back to back?” Everyone looked away in shame.

“Now! We have a war coming our way. They asked for it, and we’ll gladly deliver. Take your heads out of your asses and see the real enemy! Phantom Lord has some pretty strong mages and the only way to beat them is to stand united! All of you!” He stared at Natsu. “Gajeel’s insight will come in handy in this battle, so I suggest you wipe any trace of doubt from your hearts and follow my lead, since I was the one who brought Gajeel in this family!” Makarov watched every Fairy, then continued.

“This will be a critical night, both for Shadow Gear, and for ourselves. Let us pray Levy, Jet and Droy survive the night. And, if they won’t… Then Mavis have mercy on them, because I won’t.” Makarov passed through them and headed for his office, letting the two young men settle their own scores.

As soon as Natsu heard the door close, he turned back to Gajeel, who was wiping his bloody lip, then spit some red liquid on the ground. Natsu lunged at him again, only this time, Gajeel caught his fist and blocked the Fire Dragon before he could hit him again. Then he punched him hard in the jaw, tumbling Natsu on the floor.

“You dare call me a traitor, you fucking asshole? YOU KNOW SHIT ABOUT ME!” Natsu back flipped and ran to him again, Gajeel bracing himself, parrying every firey blow the Dragon Slayer sent his way.

“I know enough to see you don’t give two fucks about this guild! Or about her!” This made Gajeel snap. He covered his body with iron scaled and head-butted him, blood instantly blowing through Natsu’s nose. He staggered back as Gajeel slashed toward him with a roar, Natsu barely dodging his sharp nails. Gajeel slashed again and again, roaring like an animal. Natsu merely pulled back, not getting a chance to take on an offensive stance. A slash nearly cut his balls off, Gajeel’s claws imbedding in the wood at Natsu’s feet, splintering the floor.

“You! Know! NOTHING!” The raven haired man hollered a moment before he tackled Natsu on the floor and started raining iron punches with bestiality. “YOU! <Punch> KNOW! <Punch> NOTHING!!! AAAARGH!!!” He sent another punch half an inch next to Natsu’s closed eyes, leaving a hole in the wood. Utter silence filled the guild, no one daring to breathe as dust settled. Plop. Plop. Plop. Natsu crept his eyes open as something wet dropped on his cheek. Then he stared at what he never thought would see in his life.

“I love her…” Gajeel whispered, his fists feebly wrapped around Natsu’s scarf, tears streaming down his face.

“Gajeel…” Salamander stared, Gajeel’s tears leaving marks on his dusty face as another flashback brought him down memory lane.

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Gajeel’s stomach knotted uncomfortably, Jose’s words echoing in his head. Kill Levy Mc’Garden. He didn’t even watch where he was going, walking aimlessly for a while, then heading for his place deep in thought. He knew he couldn’t do it, even though he told Jose he would deliver.

So, with his insides squirming miserably, he opened the door to his home and nearly tripped on the doorframe.

“Hey, you!” Gajeel eyes bulged, his throat going dry and his hand slipping from the knob. Why the fuck is she smiling like that? “I got worried when you didn’t show up at the guild, so I cam…” Gajeel lunged to her, grabbing a very surprise bluenette in his arms, hugging her tightly. Levy’s face burst instantly, opening her mouth to ask him what was he doing, but Gajeel cut her.

“I’m sorry…” He whispered painfully in her neck, clenching his fists in her orange dress. “I’m so sorry…” He brushed his lips on her neck, Levy gasping as the trail fired her skin, Gajeel kissing his way to her jaw, then her cheek, pausing to whisper another apology. A second later, he captured her lips with a scorching ferocity, Levy’s head spinning from the lack of oxygen. She tangled her hands in his black mane, kissing back with the same hunger. Gajeel propped her on the wall next to her, lifting her frail form to wrap her legs around his waist. Then, his hands started feeling her back, lowering to cup Levy’s plump behind. She moaned on his mouth, releasing his lips to open her neck for him to kiss, Gajeel nipping the sensitive skin under her ear.

In a haze, Levy tugged at his t-shirt, Gajeel propping her with his hips so he could take it off. Soon, his t-shirt was gone and he was heading with her in his arms to his bedroom, all the way fumbling with a silly zipper. He growled when he couldn’t get it open, so he merely ripped it off, all the while glued to her mouth.

The only sounds that could be heard for the next hour were skin slapping against skin, moans and grunt of pleasure. Gajee’ls heart felt like bursting through his chest as he found Levy’s bliss and joined her soon after, falling over her petite form. Levy wrapped her arms around his torso, huffing in his ear. A moment later, she felt Gajeel wrap his arms around her shoulders and felt herself pulled over a very well-toned chest, her cheeks reddening.

“So… Are you gonna tell me what brought this along?” She smiled sweetly, playing with Gajeel’s nipple. He calmed his breath and looked at her, letting his usual scowl to relax. He gave her a tender smile, then kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer.

“Not yet… I wanna enjoy this moment.” Levy placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling very happy as Gajeel held her in his arms. They fell asleep a moment later.

TBC