Brain and Brawn

Chapter Eight: Old Man Viktor

"Lily I need that burn ointment now!" Levy yelled and she gently removed what remained of Gajeel's shirt. She lifted the rag she had put over his gash and flinched when blood sprayed on her face. "And something to stitch this cut with!"
    
She held out her hand as the black Exceed placed the items she needed in it and slowly backed away, giving her space. She felt bad about snapping at him. She was normally a very calm person but right now she was worried about her iron dragon. She applied the magic burn ointment first since his burns needed immediate attention and sighed in relief as the magic worked on it quickly, getting rid of the blisters. After a few minutes he looked like he just had a bad sunburn. She quickly threaded the stitching needle and went to work on his cut, thankful that she always carried a first aid kit with her. When the stitching was done she covered it with a bandage, adding a little healing ointment to quicken the process. She rummaged through her first aid kit until she found a roll of bandages and wrapped him up where his burns were to keep his still sensitive bare skin from rubbing against the stone ground he was still laying on.
    
Once done she sat back on her legs and wiped her arm across her face, smearing the blood that was on it. "I'm sorry I snapped at you Lily," she whispered.
    
He shook his head at her. "Don't apologize Levy. You're worried about him, we both are," he stared at his partner for a moment. "He'll be okay right?"
    
Levy nodded. "The ointment is magical so he should wake up any time now."
    
As if on cue Gajeel groaned and tried to sit up only to have Levy gently push him back down. "What's going on Shrimp?" He asked and flashed his cocky smile at her. He heard sniffling and was startled to see tears in his bookworms eyes. "Hey! What 'cha crying for?"
    
Levy let out a small sob and draped herself over the dragon slayer, completely ignoring his was injured. "Oh I was so worried!" She blubbered. "You're burns looked so bad and you were covered in blood," she squeezed him and he winced but didn't say anything to her, it was nice to have her this close. "Lily found the man you fought when he checked outside," she glanced to her left and that's when Gajeel noticed that they brought his attacker inside as well.
    
Gajeel growled at the unconscious man and hugged Levy tighter to him. She was safe, he hadn't failed her. Suddenly he remembered something. "We need to go see that old archaeologist," he said as he tried to stand and winced. "Damn I forgot about by ankle."
    
Lily stepped up and checked his partners ankle and tsked. "You dislocated it," he said. "I'm shocked you were able to walk on it."
    
"Walk on it hell I fought on it!" Gajeel smiled at his Exceed best friend.

Lily grabbed his foot. "Wait what are you doing?"
    
"We have to pop it back into place if you want to walk on it again," Lily explained. "You were only able to walk and fight on it most likely because of an adrenaline rush."
    
After a moment to brace himself Gajeel nodded and grabbed Levy in a hug again. "Sorry Shrimp but I need something to distract me that I can't break." Levy was glad her face was buried in his shoulder to hide her red cheeks. "Go for it buddy!"
    
"Alright on three," Lily said. "One," Gajeel closed his eyes and squeezed Levy a little tighter. "Two," Lily kept his voice calm as he yanked Gajeel's ankle back into place just as he said, "Three."

Gajeel growled and buried his face in Levy's hair. When he no longer felt like his ankle was on fire he let go of his bookworm. "Sorry about that Shrimp," he sighed as she helped him up. He ruffled her hair and laughed as she scowled at him. "Let's go find this old man I have some questions for him." Gajeel tested his ankle before letting go of Levy for support and while he still limped he found he could walk just fine. He picked up his attacker and slung him over his shoulder. "You're coming with us buddy we're gonna drop him off at the jail on our way through town."

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"This is wear he lives?" Levy raised an eyebrow at the tiny wooden shack the old archeologist lived in.