Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Fifty-Three: Welcome Home!

The sunlight trickling into the window began to rouse Levy from her deep sleep. She yawned and stretched, pulling back when she felt Gajeel's arm against her hand. She smiled sleepily, content to just lay there for another hour. She rarely got time to just lay in bed anymore, so she would take whatever little bit she could get.

"Morning, shrimp." Gajeel's morning voice scratched his throat, low and rough and bringing color to Levy's cheeks. "How'd you sleep?"

Levy hummed, leaning into his side. He slipped his arm under her shoulders, his bare chest pressed against the side of her arm. Her eyes fell shut again, silently bemoaning the fact that she still had two more months before she could sleep curled against her husband's chest again. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and wrapped his other arm around her chest, linking his two hands together and holding her tight. "I actually feel wonderful. I haven't slept that well in months." Gajeel made a noise of agreement. "You know, it was really great to see everyone last night." She fell quiet for a few moments, enjoying the warmth of her husband and her bed. "Do you think Natsu and Lucy are dating?"

"What?" Gajeel looked down on her, a small frown creasing his forehead. Levy looked up as well, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Natsu and Lucy. They were super close last night."

"They've always been super close," Gajeel rebuffed, closing his eyes and resting his chin against the top of her head. He felt no need to tell her about the position the Dragon Slayer and the Celestial Wizard had fallen asleep in last night; it made him grin to think about what his wife's reaction would be to catch the couple in the act.

Levy sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I know, but it just seemed different this time. I guess I can ask Lu today. Oh, it will be so great to have them all back at the guild again! And it will be good to see Gray."

"I still need to beat that punk up for what he did to Juvia."

"Oh give it a rest. He didn't mean to. Besides, I know Cana and Lisanna will probably give him a hard enough time."

"Because he deserves it."

"I never expected anyone to beat you up for what you did to me."

"Levy, there's no forgiving what I did to ya."

"I forgave you the day you saved my life."

"Which time?"

Levy snorted, snuggling further into Gajeel's arms. His thoughts had turned back to darker thoughts, the thoughts that had plagued him for weeks as he battled with his feelings for Levy. He had felt guilty and undeserving; even now he would have bursts of guilt when he saw Levy smiling at him or laughing at little Gale. He knew he had redeemed himself in her eyes, and he knew that no one in the guild still blamed him for what he had done while in Phantom Lord. But he believed that he could never forgive himself, for that would mean moving on and forgetting. And if he forgot the horror and pain he put her through, then what kind of man would he be?

"Come back to me, Gajeel," she murmured, cupping his face as she looked up with loving eyes. "Stop wasting your energy on the past." He smiled at her, pulling her into a slow and gentle kiss. She smiled into their kiss, enjoying the feeling of waking up slowly. "You know, there is one thing you could do that would make me forgive everything."

Gajeel pulled away and looked down with a crooked grin. "Oh yeah? And what would that be?"

"Making pancakes for breakfast."

He snorted, rolling out of bed with a groan. "Oh, if you insist." Levy laughed, turning slightly to grab the clock and peer at the time.

Gajeel was in the middle of tightening the drawstring of his pants when he whirled around at Levy's sudden gasp. "What's the matter? Is something wrong?"