Fairy Tail: Next Generation - Volume IV

Chapter 6: Zailo the Seer

Gajeel sat on his porch looking out at his yard and the town's lights that mellowed through the horizon in it's faint symphony. He nibbled on the end of a long wound up strip of iron twisted at its center.

He sighed as he scratched his hair and heard the front door creak open. He listened to the quiet footsteps Levy carried as she made her way to Gajeel's side.

She lowered herself, squatting down until she let herself fall onto the edge of the porch to hang her own legs off the edge of the porch.

"It's beautiful out." She rubbed her hands against the warm mug within her hand. "It's a shame summer will me ending soon."

"We've still got time." Gajeel shrugged, breaking off a piece of the iron with his teeth before crunching on it.

"That's good." She rested her head against the shoulder of her husband, who did little in response, except allowing himself a faint smile.

The smile faded as Levy quickly lifted her head, pointing her hand out to see Laurie walking up the hill to their home.

He was panting, as as he reached the top of the hill, standing several yards before the front porch of the yard. He dropped his hands onto his knees, arching his back forward as his chest heaved. Levy stood up, scurrying towards Laurie as she dropped her hands on his back.

"Laurie! What happened?"

He panted, holding up his finger as though he were saying "one moment please".

Gajeel watched the view patiently, continuing to eat while Levy tried to assist her son.

"Sylvie..." He muttered in a heavy breath.

"What? Is she okay?!" Levy gasped, jumping to conclusions.

"She's pregnant..."

The small group grows silent quickly. Levy, not sure how to respond, removes her hands from her son's back and awkwardly shakes them in the air.

"Yay..." she croaked, hoping Laurie would perhaps lift his head happily, rather than let it hang as though his wife had died. Which is where he kept it, down looking at the ground.

"Laurie's here?"

Gajeel turned his head to see Pantherlily step out onto the porch.

"He knocked Gray's kid up." Gajeel sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched his son faint on their lawn and Levy panic quickly.

Pantherlily looked in shock. "You're saying that Laurie will soon be a father!"

Gajeel shrugged.

"And you a grandfather?"

He turned his head to Gajeel, watching a tear run down his stoic face.

"Shut up..." he choked out.

"Hey looser."

"Sometimes I wonder if you even know my name..." Basil sighed on the other end.

Felicity crossed her arms, looking down at Zailo, who slept on her bare thigh.

"Never mind that, I was wondering if you made it to the archive?"

"Well, yeah. And they didn't really have anything to report missing."

"Really? Are you serious?" Felicity grumbled. She ran her fingers through her hair with a sigh, and turned looked down at Zailo.

"Who are you talking to?" Malcon asked, eating a snack Felicity had stowed away in her bag previously.

"This idiot from the council--"