Tir na nOg

The Guild

Gajeel

I survived the train or three days, the gods only know how. I didn't even get sick much, only one time, luckily Shrimp was sleeping so I didn't have to worry about her too, as I puked my guts out. The truth is, I always worry about her. Over these last three days, I've come to admit it to myself. I love Levy. At first, I thought it was a stupid crush, that I just felt sorry that I crucified her to that damn tree. 

The truth is, I'm near 29, and I have never been in love. Never even a crush. I was beginning to think something was wrong with me. I thought for a bit maybe I just liked guys, but I would never get turned on by them either. And after I met Shrimp, I knew it was not that, I just never had someone show me any consideration. I was always hurting people. That's the only life I knew; it was the only way I'd get praise. By hurting others after I joined that last goddamned guild. It had been so long since I had Metallica, which I had forgotten there was any other way. I just wanted to be loved, and if hurting people was the only way to get some from of love then I would do it.

Last stop Magnolia station. Please deboard the train.  The conductor says through the lacrima system as I feel the train slow to a stop. 

I look over at Shrimp; she has been sleeping most of the train ride. Only getting up to use the bathroom or throw up. Which was just as well, Gods above she looked so beautiful sleeping; I held her several hours at a time when she slept, just to feel her skin against mine. Always putting her down when I felt she might wake up. I know she could never love me. I was a bastard for even hoping that she might possibly one day feel something for me. And I know I was also a fuckin pussy for not telling her how I felt. For holding her while she wasn't aware of it. 

But I knew that this woman this amazingly bold and stunning nerd of a bookworm, who was only 4 feet 9 inches high and probably about only 98 pounds had the power to break my soul in two, to cripple me more than any battle did if given a chance. I looked over at her hating to wake her up. She stirred a bit, so I nudged her the rest of the way awake. 

I smiled at her. "Hey Shrimp trains pulling into Magnolia, we better get moving."

She looked a bit like a skeleton. Her eyes were sunken in; I tried to get her to eat, but she kept refusing. She kept saying she wasn't hungry. I wish there were something I could do.

Shrimp slowly pulled the blanket off her form rubbing her eyes as she did so. "thanks, Gajeel." I heard her mutter. She started to get up to gather her things. Her feet barely touched the floor before she collapsed. I quickly stood up and rushed over to her. Before I got a chance to get near enough to her, she slammed both fists on the floor and yelled at nothing "GOD DAMMIT!!!!!! WHY AM I SO FUCKING WEAK. ARHHHHHHH."

I knelt beside her form. "hey shrimp, look at me." I turn her eyes up to mine as I say this. "Let me help you."

"No Gajeel, I can do it myself she responds stubbornly." I smile a bit trying to hold in a laugh. She's so damn stubborn.

She tries to get up by herself several times falling in the process. Her weak body is shaking from the effort, yet she doesn't want to get up. I finally have had enough. She doesn't to kill herself trying to prove a point. Finally, after she falls three times, I shake my head and put out my arms holding with one arm under her knee and the other supporting her back. 

"Let me go Gajeel; I can do it myself." Shrimp says once again hitting my chest for good measure. I'll never tell her this, but all she did was make my chest tickle a bit. 

"You may be able to Levy," I tell her, "But I don't want you killing yourself in the process, plus the train is about to leave the station, so we don't have time." I look down at her and frown. "Sorry Shrimp."

I heard Shrimp huff, but she didn't fight me, so I knew I had won this battle. I had already grabbed my stuff, so I put my foot up on the lower bunk so my knee could support Levy's body weight then I leaned down to pick up her pack slinging it over one shoulder. We left the train just as it started pulling away from the station and I carried Shrimp and our stuff all the way to the guild. Shrimp snoring slightly most of the way.

*The Guild*

The guild was rowdy as ever; I swung open the door with a loud bang, frankly not caring who I pissed off, my first thought was to get Levy to the infirmary. When the door hit the wall everyone stopped mid-fight, Lucy had her key mid reach opening the door to the spirit realm. Cana drinking as usual about to pound build arts over the head with her fist. Guildarts who in turn had Lilys tail, as the exceed was in mid shift. Natsu had Gray (who was completely naked showing all his parts) in a choke hold. Mira was in her She Devil form and Elfman was yelling about how it wasn't manly not to wear clothes. Jet and Droy were in mid-air apparently ready to fight one another fist primed. It was just another day at the guild until the door slammed against the wall. All of the sudden they were all statues, no one dared to move or breathe.

Lucy broke the silence first, but yelling Levy's name and running up to us. Then all hell broke loose once again, this time though all accusing eyes were on me. Everyone words jumbled together. Some were accusing me of hurting my shrimp. Some asked what happened, some crying. Some standing back not sure what to do. 

I glared at them all finally having enough, Levy was still asleep, and I'd be damned if she wasn't going to stay asleep through all this. I put all my anger from the last four days in my eyes and barely above a whisper growled: "shut your god damned mouths would ya, she's sleeping."

Wide-eyed, they all stopped talking it was so quiet in the hall you could hear a pin drop if you wanted to. I looked at Natsu and Gray. "You idols, get her to the infirmary, then come back out here, bring gramps, we need to have a guild meeting." Ice Pixie and Flame Brain just stared at me. "Now." they finally figured out it was serious, and the jumped into action carrying Levy up the stairs to the second floor where the infirmary was. 

I turned to the small dragon slayer. "Go up there and see if you can keep her pain in control." Wendy just nodded. Poor girl didn't need to hear what was going to be said. I may be cruel, but I was no monster. Not anymore. About 5 minutes later the two idiots came back down with gramps in tow. 

"Everyone here" I grumble, I didn't want to tell the story over again. Varies nods and murmurs of yes could be heard about the room. "Mira, can I have a beer, please. I'm gonna need it if I have to tell ya this story."

Mira nodded silently and walked behind the counter to the tap. She came back and sat next to me. Everyone waited with bated breath for me to continue. I did know how to start, so  I just told them "She's dying." I looked down at my glass hoping to drown in it. I didn't want them to see the tears forming in my eyes. 

"Who's dying?" Mira was the first to break the silence.

"WHO DO YA THINK YA WHITE HAIRED BIMBO!" I yelled not able to contain my anger anymore. "I JUST CARRIED HER SLEEPING BODY IN HERE!!!! WHY DO YA THINK SHES BEEN SO GODDAMNED TIRED ALL THE TIME!!!!"

I hear several people gasp. Lucy fell to the floor tears streaming down her face, Natsu knelt down to hold her. He's eyes going to me. "I knew something was off with Levy, but this?" he asked me.

"Yeah. This. She's been sick for almost seven months now." I grunted.

"Wh- Why would- wouldn't she- tell us? Lucy said through her tears.

"Don't know Blondie, but I'm going to fix this. I'll figure something out; I don't care what it takes. "Just as I got up to leave the guild and pack for my journey Wendy comes running down from upstairs. 

Everyone looked at her expectantly. She just shook her head. "I don't understand" The bluenette cried out. "Even my powers of healing won't work, I've tried everything." Suddenly a blue blur slams into me and hugs me. I look down to see Wendy she looks up at me and whispers so only I can hear. "I'm sorry Gajeel if my magic can't fix her I don't know what could."

I kneel down at Wendy's side and pat her on the head. "Don't worry," I said to her trying to convince myself. "I'll figure something out." And with that, I left the guild but thought for a second. I turned to the bar where we kept the spare lacrimas; I grabbed one. I look at all my guild mates pointedly. "Call me if anything changes. And I mean anything if even a single hair on her head so much as moves I want to know about it. Understood?" They all nodded.

And with that. I went to save my shrimp.