Fandom: Fairy Tail
Characters: Levy, Gajeel (with Pantherlily and Lucy)
Prompt: burden
For Kia, ♥
After returning to the guild, Levy was practically exhausted from catching up on the past seven years. She sat with Jet and Droy, a smile on her face, but their words not really reaching her. As happy as she was to be home and surrounded by her friends and people considered family, she couldn't help but feel unbalanced.
So many things had happened on the island and many other things had occurred in her absence from the guild. It was almost enough to make her dizzy. And that was even before she let herself think about where she stood with Gajeel. She could barely understand her own feelings let alone his.
Sneaking a glance in his direction, she smiled as she caught sight of him holding Pantherlily close while also arguing with Natsu. Soon the guild was enveloped in a brawl and Levy found herself relaxing. It was beginning to feel like the home she knew.
--
As the days passed, Levy found herself regaining her footing. Though she had missed seven years worth of events, she was able to take comfort in the things that had remained the same.
One thing that had never changed was her love of languages. She found herself immersed in studying more often than not and the familiar routine never failed to cheer her up. The only down side was that she often got lost in her own world and became practically oblivious to most things around her.
An iron studded hand waved in front of her face and Levy practically fell from the bench in surprise. Turning to her right, she saw Gajeel staring at her in concern while Pantherlily gave her an amused look. Blinking in confusion, she offered a hesitant smile in their direction.
--
Levy returned to her room in Fairy Hills and sighed. Gajeel was planning on going out and training. While she was happy that he had thought to check up on her and keep her informed, a part of her was disappointed that she wasn't going with him. She wondered if the the events of the island had anything to do with that decision. Growling in frustration, Levy dropped her books on the floor and slumped against her bed. She hated feeling like she was being left behind.
--
The next time that she saw Lucy, Levy found herself confiding in the older girl (though leaving out a few key details). Lucy had grabbed her hands in excitement, suggesting a trip of their own to train their magic. Levy could only jump at the chance, relieved to finally get a chance to strength her magic.