~Levy~
I flew as fast as my wings would carry me, even as they began to strain and ache. The fly from India seemed so much longer, the panic in my heart seemed to hold me in a stand still. The forest around Lucy and Natsus house came into view and I only flew faster, praying to Mavis that nothing had beat us there. I had left Cana and Laxus behind, and Gajeel was trying to catch up to me but I was simply too quick. The house was in view now, and I sighed in relief when I saw Waylen and Karyn chasing Natsu, Lucy watching from her spot on the grass, a picnic was laid out for them.
I sighed in relief as I finally slowed down, landing close by. I heard the others land behind me as I made for Waylen. He stopped in his chase to smile up at me. "Hey mom! How'd it g-" I pulled him into a tight hug, cutting off his sentence. I felt Gajeels hand on my shoulder but I didn't let our son go. "is everything ok mom?" Waylen asked as he hugged me back lightly. "Fine sweetie..." I muttered as I calmed myself down. He's safe, and he'll stay that way.
"Why don't we go inside?" Lucy offered, standing with Natsus help. We all headed inside, and I reluctantly let go of Waylen so he and Karyn could run inside. "So what happened out there?" Lucy asked as she sat on the couch beside Natsu. I took one of the armchairs, finally feeling the soreness of my body from flying so fast. "The Agramon was some serious trouble," I started, giving Natsu and Lucy a look that I hoped they understood. I didn't want Waylen to know about the demons now out to get him. I blamed myself for getting caught, for allowing that beast into my mind and finding my biggest weakness. Thankfully they understood, Lucy smiling brightly. "Surely not more trouble than you used to be at our concerts." This prompted laughs from all around, Karyn perking up. "Oh! Can you tell us another story from those days? Uncle Gajeel can sing again!" She asked excitedly.
"I think it's about time we get home brat. I'm tired," Laxus said, ruffling his daughters hair. Karyn pouted but stood, giving Waylen a hug before Lucy and Natsu. "Come on kid, you too." Gajeel said, patting Waylen on the shoulder. He nodded, giving Natsu and Lucy hugs before we headed out the door. The flight home was easy and gentle, and it was late by the time we got home. "Alright kid, get ready for bed." Gajeel told him as we walked inside. Waylen complied with a smile, hurrying to his room and leaving Gajeel and I in the living room. I sighed a rubbed my face, leaning into Gajeel as he wrapped his arms around me. "Don't worry Lev, we'll protect him."
"I hope your right."
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I stood outside Waylens school, waiting for him and Karyn to get out for the day. It looked surprisingly like a normal human school. An old building with the paint chipping, and vines attached to the sides. It was a fairly new concept, educating demon children in the ways of the worlds. We had all been too old for such things, the idea only about a century old.
It had been a week since our encounter with the Agramon, and it had been quiet. Much, much too quiet. There hadn't been a single attack on any humans, no sightings, no word. It was almost as if they had all vanished. The school bell rang and the doors opened, releasing the little hellions. I giggled at my bad joke, watching for signs of my kids. I frowned slightly as I caught sight of Waylen, shuffling behind Karyn with his head down. "You alright sweetheart?" I asked, gently smoothing out his hair.
"'M fine," he muttered, pushing my hand away. I frowned as I glanced at Karyn, who only shrugged a bit sadly. I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair, "Alright, lets go home." I said, and the three of us took to the sky. Waylen was quiet the whole flight, while Karyn chatted animatedly about her day. We left chatty Cathy at her house, where Laxus took pity on us and sent her to do her homework. The flight home was silent, and I continuously glanced at Waylen.
When we landed, Waylen went straight inside, shutting himself away in his bedroom. I groaned as I plopped in one of the kitchen chairs, rubbing my forehead as it began to ache slightly. "You alright?" I jumped slightly at Gajeels question. I had been so side tracked I hadn't even noticed him cooking. "It's Waylen," I sighed. "He must have had a bad day but he wont talk to me or tell me what's wrong. I swear, if those brats did something to him," I growled as I clenched my hands into fists. The dishes in the cabinets began to rattle as I grew angrier, and Gajeel gently grippe my shoulders. "Honey, calm down. We can't keep replacing dishes." I took a deep breath to calm myself, and everything stopped rattling. "That's better. Now, we can't force him to talk to us unfortunately. All we can do is be there for him." He said gently, rubbing my shoulders as he spoke.
I sighed and leaned back into Gajeels hands, "I know... But I can't help but worry about him!" I groaned. Gajeel smiled and kissed my forehead, "Why don't you finish up dinner, I'll get the kid." I nodded and stood while Gajeel left. I put the finishing touches on dinner and laid it out just as the boys came in. Waylen seemed slightly better, but he still wasn't very talkative. Gajeel made sure to keep up a conversation through diner, but as soon as he was done, Waylen went straight back to his room. I laid on the couch, mumbling angrily to myself. "What now?" Gajeel sighed as he sat by my feet.
I sighed, "I'm sorry Gajeel... It's just with Waylen like this and the demons after him... I don't know what to do. I'v always had a plan, it was always just me I had to worry about. You can handle yourself, though I still worry every time you go out. But Waylen... Waylen can't fight against them. He's had hardly any training! He can't go through what I did," I covered my eyes, shuddering as I remembered the pain I had gone through in the sacrifice. I may have healed, but the scar was still there. "If I had just beat the Agramon sooner... If he hadn't gotten into my head, Waylen would be safe... I'v put him in so much danger," My voice cracked slightly as I spoke. "Hey," Gajeel said gently, leaning over and grabbing my hands.
"This isn't your fault. It's that damn Lucifers fault. We wont let him take our son, I swear it." Gajeel said it with such conviction, and I felt my eyes water. I sniffed and nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck. He chuckled and held my, carrying my to our room.
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I yawned as I shuffled out of the bedroom, leaving Gajeel asleep in bed. We always took turns making breakfast and taking Waylen to school when Gajeel wasn't demon hunting. Today was my turn for breakfast, so Gajeel would be up just in time to take him to school. I jumped slightly as I entered the kitchen, Waylen already dressed and waiting at the table. "Morning sweetie. Your up early," I said with a soft smile as I started making eggs. Waylen was quiet and I repressed a sigh as I cooked. Gajeel was right, he wont talk if we try to force him. It wasn't until we were almost done eating that he finally spoke up.
"Mom?" I perked up slightly. "Yes?" He paused for a moment, "Demons are out to get me... Right?" I froze, my heart seeming to stop in my chest.
"They're hunting me down, wanting to use me?" I swallowed thickly before nodding slightly. He was quiet again before he stood. "So I'm in danger... And it's all your fault?" I felt as if a knife had been shoved though my chest but all I could do was nod. I risked a glance up at him as the dishes in the cabinet began to rattle, "It's always your fault." He said, so quietly I almost didn't hear him. I frowned but he continued to talk.
"The teasing and the bullying... Mutant, bastard, child of an angels whore... And now I might die just walking out of the house. How could it get worse!" I flinched as he shouted, the dishes clattering together. Waylen turned, grabbing his bag a storming out of the kitchen. I heard Gajeel greet him by the door, and the tears began to fall as the door closed behind them.
