Gajeel cracked open an eye, watching the bluenette sitting in the same position she'd been in for the past two hours, her nose deep in the old book the forgetful store owner had given her the day before. He closed it again, letting himself go to the feeling of the unending flow of water as it poured over his head. He shifted his seat on the flat rock underneath, his hands poised neatly over his lap.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡznJ2zdQ8lI 維尼
Breathing deeply, he ignored the sounds of the forest around them, ignored the cold of the waterfall's stream, and listened only to the sound of his own breathing, before eventually tuning that out as well. The rush of water passed his ears, captivating his attention and setting him adrift in darkness, his skin going numb…8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5mfNwC0LS 維尼
"Hmm…no, this is being used past tense, unlike before…" Levy's quiet mutterings reached his ears, trumping any other sound he registered. "The author intermingles the word meanings from each variation…interesting…a lot of unnecessary work, too…"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuerNAkX5n 維尼
Having been yanked out of his tranquil thoughts, Gajeel sighed and opened his eyes again, looking towards the Levy in annoyance. "Could you keep it down, shrimp? I'm trying to concentrate."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnrpR7zEBz 維尼
Without looking up from the page, the script mage lifted a delicate brow, her red glasses shifting down a little on her nose. "So am I."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXm1Bamggp 維尼
"Then quit muttering…that shit's distracting." He griped, forcing his eyes closed again. Despite her response, the bluenette went silent for awhile, allowing the dragon slayer to concentrate on his breathing and relaxing his frame. Before long, Gajeel was too lost in his own mind to remember that she'd interrupted at all.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsxLxhhUqN 維尼
Levy looked up at Gajeel, pausing in her scribbling on the notepad that was now full of symbols and words. He'd been sitting under that waterfall for as long as she'd been translating, which was to say, a very long time. Eyes closed in a tranquil expression, Levy was reminded of their time in the Council, when he'd instructed her in a much similar exercise, minus the waterfall.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GUrBO8YB6 維尼
The stream travelled down his bare chest, as she watched the trails of water cut across his toned skin. The bluenette had to marvel at his endurance and determination. Perhaps that was why he was so much stronger than her, as well as a number of their guild mates.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY51Rk6b4W 維尼
Realizing she'd been distractedly staring at him for several minutes, she shook her head with a faint blush, tucking a stray hair behind her head and returning to the old book Mr. Russo had given her. Luckily for her, Gajeel was too focused on his training to notice. It wouldn't do to let him know that she'd been thinking rather unladylike things as she stared. No, that was something she could do without.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg2meXnALA 維尼
Levy tried getting comfortable again up against the trunk of the tree she sat beneath. They were located in a clearing Gajeel had found in the wooded area near Birchwood, sniffing out the fresh water with his heightened sense of smell. His one condition to tagging along with her was that they go somewhere that he could occupy himself while she translated, knowing it would otherwise be a long several hours of sitting around in the hotel room watching her work.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiOjT2dBRh 維尼
As they were, Levy sat with several reference books she'd procured from a magic shop, with comparative languages similar to Taiyō to tsuki, or so she claimed, with Gajeel wondering how much longer this translation could possibly take. He tried recalling how long she'd been gone on similar jobs before, but couldn't quite remember specifics.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7BJOGfOe3 維尼
Not that he didn't like watching her work, of course. In fact, it was one of his favorite things. She'd wrinkle up her nose when something didn't seem right, or she'd bite her lip at a particularly tricky part. Often times before, he'd found himself staring at her expressions, memorizing how they changed her face in an assortment of ways. But even he had his limits of what he could tolerate. Sitting around doing nothing for hours, was not one of them. Again, he didn't know how the shrimp could do it.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡktnDoucW6M 維尼
Realizing with a sigh that his thoughts had once again drifted to the bluenette sitting a few feet away, he unhooked his hands and uncrossed his legs, standing on top of the rock with a stretch. There wasn't much point in continuing this training if his thoughts were constantly going to be plagued by her. Levy didn't seem to notice that he'd moved for the first time in several hours, and she'd resorted to mumbling under her breath once more. He was willing to bet she didn't even realize it either.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxg99cUHH 維尼
"No, there's definitely a pattern to the interchanging variations…" She mused, drawing several lines through her notes, as if to section them off.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCNjGfMKUL 維尼
Gajeel picked up the towel he'd placed nearby, drying off his hair and body before throwing on his shirt. He stalked closer to the small mage, taking a seat beside her with his back to a tree. Once he was closer to her, he thought he saw her cheeks tinged a faint shade of pink, but he couldn't be too sure.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0vGQ0Rz79 維尼
"How goes the translating, shorty?" He leaned closer, trying to make sense of what seemed to him to be random shapes and drawings, lines and boxes highlighting random things. She glanced up, finishing up her sentence, or series of symbols to the dragon slayer, and frowned.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kh40tUZip 維尼
"I'm having a harder time than I thought I would. The author took great pains to make sure that the book was difficult to read, for some reason. All I can make out of it are strange scriptures of some kind."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGuBHZJ63q 維尼
"Scriptures? So it's a religious book?" He guessed, cocking an eyebrow. She shrugged, turning the page to see the next set of symbols for her to tackle.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡReQEBPEaEp 維尼
"Perhaps. From what I can gather, it talks a lot about death." Her frown returned, her brown eyes traveling over the length of her scribbled notes. "In fact, death seems to be the subject of the whole book. Loss of a body and the process of the soul leaving the physical world."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC1ORTUM0q 維尼
"Eh? Well, what does some of it say?" Gajeel leaned back, getting comfortable. He had a feeling that she'd be translating for a while longer and figured that he'd fall asleep soon enough. The sun's gentle warmth was already making him a bit drowsy.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0VzvebgJt 維尼
"Well, this part, for example," She started, flipping a few pages back and tracing her finger over a specific line, "reads, 'and at the time of separation, may the earth quake and cry out in fear, for the soul has found it's rightful place.' The author refers to death quite often as 'separation.'" She explained, returning to her place in the book. "I've still got a ways to go, though."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5tANGT8S5 維尼
"Well, just wake me up when it's lunch time." He said, letting out a tired yawn. She nodded with a hum, and soon the dragon slayer was breathing evenly beside her, the sun drying off his damp hair and pants.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDCGt0Qp7m 維尼
Lily rested the tip of his sword in the dirt, panting from exertion. Sweat dripped down his forehead and to the ground, a testament to his hard training. His battle form heaved in an effort to replenish the oxygen he'd used up while fighting. Erza, in much similar fashion, eased up on her tight grip of her sword, lowering the point until she rested it to the ground below.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cQQafWNgT 維尼
"As usual, your skills match even those of my own, Lily." Erza grinned, pleased with the strength of her comrade. Panther Lily nodded, transforming back into his small cat form, his sword shrinking down to fit at his back. He sheathed the weapon and watched as Erza requipped out of her normal training outfit, the red and yellow pants and bandaged top. She returned to her usual Heart Kreuz armor and returned her sword to wherever she kept her things.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C7kgT7rP3 維尼
"And as usual, I could not break through your defense even once." The cat stated with a matching grin. Erza conceded this fact, inclining her head.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCI1vB1uKy 維尼
"Had I not requipped to a weapon of better leverage earlier, you surely would have landed a fairly sizable hit against me. That sword does a great deal of damage when wielded with expert precision." Lily didn't miss the compliment to his swordsmanship and once more found a deep respect for the scarlet-haired woman before him. Not only strong, but humble as well.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y2mSJIWj1 維尼
"So, we shall consider this yet another draw?" The exceed chuckled, and Erza grinned. They began to walk back into the guild from the training field, stepping inside of the loud and boisterous guild hall where Natsu and Lucy had just returned from their latest job.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGYI1bKAkA 維尼
"Natsu! Get down from there!" The blonde shouted up at the ceiling, where the Fire Dragon Slayer swung back and forth on the chandelier with the back of his legs. Upside down, he crossed his arms and pouted.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDwmCHOtSt 維尼
"Luucccyyy! Come join us!" Happy flew up beside his companion and adopted the same position, his short little legs holding him to the edge of the ceiling.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMEgbzKkQf 維尼
"Aye! Come join us, Lucy!" The blue cat agreed, waving to her.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt9NK2L8A6 維尼
"How would I even get up there? How did you even get up there?" She yelled, shaking her fist at her partner. Lily and Erza sidestepped their little display and walked up to the bar, where Mirajane watched the hall with a delighted smile.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs64g6qPoz 維尼
"It's great to have everyone back home, isn't it?" She asked softly. She seemed to be ignoring the sound of shattering glass as mugs were thrown across the room or smashed over the head of misbehaving guild members. Something smelled like it was burning, no doubt Natsu had caught something on fire, and there was always the constant background noise of people yelling. Her sweet smile never wavered, however, and she pressed on.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0dpTSscET 維尼
"How was your training?"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzOnZVcYmh 維尼
"Enlightening." Lily replied, sprouting his wings to jump up to the counter. "I would be happy to spar with you any time, Erza." The redhead sat in the seat beside him with a small smile.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7ynLEeskD 維尼
"Likewise." She turned to Mirajane and tapped the counter. "Is there any more strawberry cake?"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34IxwvMFRX 維尼
"Of course!" The white-haired mage replied, turning to Lily for his request. Though, she already knew what he wanted.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7EGZzsT60 維尼
"A kiwi juice, if you have it."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡbogbhloWzk 維尼
"I'll be right back." She said, heading into the kitchen to fetch their requests.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuPgIiWasI 維尼
The sound of the guild door opening again, made Erza and Lily turn, observing as Gray and Juvia returned from their job as well. For once, the black-haired ice mage actually had his clothes on too, which was a plus.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOdJRRprOm 維尼
"Gray-sama looked so manly slaying that beast! Oh, and saving all of those villagers!" The water mage cried, clasping her hands together in front of her as they walked inside. The hearts in her eyes were very much evident as she gazed upon her companion. "Juvia was most impressed!"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU5579RcSI 維尼
For the most part, Gray ignored her nonsensical ramblings about his own manliness and power, instead searching the guild for something or someone in particular. "Oi! Where's Natsu?" He shouted out, his fists turning into ice as the anger presented itself on his face.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfRruB5Tgp 維尼
"Gray! Come up here and fight me!" The pink-haired mage grinned, holding his fists up in a fighting position. Happy copied his posture as well. Gray pointed up at him in fury and irritation.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡOthEzR3KBr 維尼
"Pay me back the jewels you owe us!" He scowled, and Natsu cocked his head. Lucy tried waving her hands in front of her, sweating nervously.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD1vH30n7B 維尼
"It was an accident, we swear!"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡEip7cai657 維尼
"Eh? What jewels?" Natsu questioned, looking more than just a little confused.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3lqjxu7I3 維尼
"Don't play stupid, baka! You set that whole village on fire! Juvia and I had to spend the rest of our time putting out your mess! Thanks to that, the mayor decided to take the damages out of our reward." Gray's fingers slowly began to ice up, until his arms were covered in the pale covering of his magic. "Come down here so I can kick your ass!"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRrJ9zJnIi 維尼
"Like hell you'll kick my ass! Alright, if a fight's what you want!" Natsu grinned, unhooking his legs from the chandelier and dropping to the floor besides Lucy. She tried grabbing onto his arm to stop him but he simply grinned and stood facing Gray. During some point in the conversation, Gray had lost his clothes, and Lucy demanded he put them back on. Juvia, of course, was not pleased with Lucy's intrusion, remarking that her 'love rival' should stop gawking at her beloved Gray-sama.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAqvmV3oVB 維尼
Lily glanced at Erza as she sighed with a darkening look. Standing, she made her way over to the two feuding mages, clearly intending to stop whatever massive damage they were about to cause.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIrLJG8WMR 維尼
Further down the way, Lily saw the Master sitting in his usual spot on the counter, observing his children with fondness. Of course, he was unconcerned with the fight that broke out in the middle of the hall. Such things were commonplace, after all.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTiJNoQiec 維尼
While Erza was dealing with those two, Mirajane returned with their requests, placing the box of kiwi juice in front of the exceed and the cake on the counter where Erza had sat. Seeing the spectacle of Natsu and Gray about ready to kill each other made her smile. "Ah, it looks like everyone has returned from their jobs. Oh, except Levy and Gajeel."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KbRnfZCG6 維尼
Lily perked up at the new topic of discussion. Obviously, she hadn't mentioned them on accident. Seeing that spark of interest behind Mira's sweet smile made him grin. It seemed he'd been right when he'd seen her as a potential ally for his personal objective.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK1GTcxb80 維尼
"Yes, it would seem so." He replied, taking a few sips of his drink. "I wonder how they're getting on."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZXquBCk9d 維尼
"I would think quite well, considering all the time they spent together working for the Council." Mirajane said, leaning closer over the counter. "They've become quite a close team since Fairy Tail disbanded."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa2S02ruea 維尼
Lily chuckled, not missing her subtle pry for more information. After all, if there was anyone in Fairy Tail who knew the most about Levy and Gajeel's relationship, or lack thereof, it was him. And seeing as neither party was much for talking about their personal feelings to others, no one really knew where they stood with each other.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5umbPkGDHR 維尼
"I'd have to agree. Though, not as close as I suspect they'd both like to be." He implied, and she cocked a brow, processing that small tidbit of information.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhZ3cDIZvM 維尼
"Hmm, that's too bad. Perhaps they simply need a little push in the right direction. Say…some more quality time together?"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ZNJwuCR0 維尼
"I'm thinking quite the same." Lily nodded, observing as Erza smacked the heads of Gray and Natsu together, making them fall to the floor limply. She scolded them for almost causing more damage to the guild, prompting Lucy to hide behind other guild members so she wouldn't face her wrath as well.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWVUWJbj5L 維尼
"You know, I think Gajeel mentioned wanting to go on a job somewhere cold." Lily continued. "Somewhere cold with no trees around."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDe6Wqzy9V 維尼
Mirajane peered into his face, trying to contemplate the meaning behind his statement, before smiling widely. Satisfied she'd picked up the hint, Lily continued to drink his kiwi juice, feeling quite content.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwaC1FCkjg 維尼
She chuckled, reaching under the counter for some of the job postings that she saved for specific people. "You know, I think I may have the perfect job for him once he gets back."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXWnI9FdVc 維尼
"How coincidental." The exceed remarked, finishing up his drink. He glanced at Erza's cake to make sure it was still intact. He didn't want to be caught in the crossfire should anything happen to it while she wasn't looking.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoVe2Lwd4X 維尼
Mira smiled and was about to turn away, but he raised a paw. "One more thing, Mira."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNammh8fov 維尼
"Yes?"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡImQeoQlN5r 維尼
"Change my wager from the end of the year to the end of next month." He dug around in his pouch for a handful of jewels, handing them to the bartender. She sent him an amused look.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOUtOXfgFj 維尼
"You seem rather confident for nothing having happened yet. The soonest other wagers are for Halloween." Regardless, she placed the coins under the counter and made a few adjustments to the betting board she had concealed from the eyes of the rest of the guild.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMDk6xwdZT 維尼
In reply, Lily shrugged with a grin. "I've always been able to trust in those two."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc879G825C 維尼
Gajeel stirred from his rest, feeling the sensation of a hand on his arm, shaking him gently from sleep. It was small and warm, and he knew who it was before even catching her sweet scent or opening his eyes.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bql2XTCPR 維尼
"-jeel. Gajeel, wake up." Levy said, and he groaned.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqNrjWPyxL 維尼
"You finished already?" He muttered, slowly opening his eyes against the sun still present in the sky. The bluenette was knelt beside him, all of her reference books and such tucked under her arm or in her bag.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ynaHREkG 維尼
"Not quite, there's still much more to do. But it's a little after noon. Let's go get lunch and we can head back to the hotel if you want."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKke9lFy9G 維尼
"Sure." He said, standing and following after the script mage. He hadn't fully woken up yet, but as they returned to the town, the physical activity began shaking the drowsiness away.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs5es3SWet 維尼
"How much do you think you've got done?" Gajeel questioned, tucking his hands in his pockets. Levy looked rather pleased, but she only shrugged.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vETcy0zQZ 維尼
"I'm about a quarter of the way through. I've gotta say, though," She muttered, glancing at the leather-bound tome in her arms, "this thing is getting stranger and stranger the further I get."8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OOK2w7JSC 維尼
"Hmm? How's that?" He raised a brow, staring at her quizzically. She met his gaze evenly.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lmoogrrb2 維尼
"Like I said before, it's filled with rambling about death, and nothing else. I thought that the author would write about something else soon enough, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I've never seen something written in such a way." She placed a hand on her chin, her brow furrowing in thought. "Well, that's not quite true…"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9rN4XFlMD 維尼
"Eh? You ain't making sense." Gajeel cocked his head, sparing a glance at the book in question. The dark leather gave no indication that it was special or rare in any way. It just looked like a plain old book. Levy was quiet a moment, trying to recall where she'd read something similar.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu2z33jkNc 維尼
"I feel like I've encountered this type of writing before, but I can't for the life of me remember where or when…" She murmured, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It feels so familiar…"8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡfryEjhXm2P 維尼
She fell silent after that, trying to recall the memory that refused to present itself. The dragon slayer yawned, stretching his hands above his head to pop the joints back into place. Sleeping against the tree hadn't been the best idea after all, he thought with a wince.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQXvtr76ol 維尼
"Well, I'm sure you'll think of it eventually, shorty." Gajeel replied confidently, having complete faith that whatever was hidden in the bluenette's mind would come to light at some point. She was smart like that. At least, he believed so. And his instincts had yet to be proven false.8964 copyright protection452ＰＥＮＡＮＡg98tDfJaxX 維尼
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