"Well," Gael said as he stared out the door Gajeel had just stormed out of, "That went south." He shrugged, then got to his feet, brushing himself off. He picked up a chair, flipping it upright and setting it down in its previous position. Then he grabbed a table, pulling it over and shoving it back into place with a grunt.

    "D-don't do that," Levy began, moving forward to help him.

     "My wound is fine," Gael shrugged, picking up a fallen picture frame, "However, I'm slightly concerned as to why you're still here." He strained to fix the dining room table, but winced as his wound throbbed.

     "Y-you've got to let that heal a bit before you can—"

     "Look around you," Gael waved his hand around as he turned to face her, "My house is trashed. Sure my injury hurts. Life hurts. It's that simple.

     " B-but—"

     "No buts. I have two choices. Either I can put it back together step by step despite the pain, or I can wait until my wound heals up. But that'll just make things worse, waiting. Things will get dusty, cluttered, and all that. I should fix things now, before it's too late."

     Levy stared at him, "We're not just talking about your house, are we?" she asked suspiciously.

     Gael just shrugged again, picking up a lamp and setting it on a table, "I'm talking about anything that needs to be fixed. But if you're still thinking about Gajeel, maybe you should go after him."

     "Did you not hear him? He said he doesn't need me."

     "He's never needed you in the many years you've been his succubi? You've never once helped him?" Gael said, picking up a broom and proceeding to sweep up the broken glass beside the shattered window.

     Levy hesitated, biting her lip uncertainly. "But I don't even want to go after him."

     "Are you really going to give up everything you've ever had in your life just because of some stupid argument? Are you going to sacrifice so much for such a feeble reason?" Gael smiled at her calmly.

    "You... may be right." Levy said slowly, "Gajeel is worth more to me than a stupid argument." She got to her feet, but paused, "Um... I'm really sorry about your house. Do you want help...?"

     "I'm fine," Gael assured her, "But go help Gajeel. If the prophecy's right, he's gonna need you." and he resumed sweeping, now ignoring her.

Time Skip: Five hours

     Gajeel ran through the forests as the sun rose high into the sky. Afternoon had come swiftly, and so had the heat. But he kept up his steady jogging lace as he weaved through the tree trunks. He finally stopped his run for a short break, his breath coming heavily. And his thoughts were still on the conversation he had held hours ago.

     Levy had lied to him. Sure, he was blowing it all out of proportion, but she was supposed to be his friend. His only friend. The only friend he had ever had had turned around and kept a secret from him. Why? For what reason? He wasn't sure. He wasn't even sure why he was so mad. But it hurt... and felt like a betrayal. This was... upsetting to him.

    But right now, he had to get to the castle, find Slick, defeat Julio, then he'd be good. Gajeel sighed wearily, rubbing his face. Although he'd never admit it, he missed Levy. A lot.

     Gajeel growled to himself, trying to force himself not to care. But he did, and it was driving him crazy.

    Levy was his succubi, and she had been right. She always was. But he was too arrogant to admit that either.

     It was another long hour before he reached the town, his eyes set on the distant castle. Okay, so a plan. Sneak in, find Julio, beat him up, save Slick, and get out. It was simple. As in simply void of details.

     Gajeel sighed, growling in frustration to himself. If Levy was here, she'd go scout. But she wasn't, not this time.

    "Gajeel!"

     He frowned. Was he seriously hearing her voice inside his head? Suddenly, something  slammed into him, knocking him flat on his back on the road's asphalt.

     "I'm sorry!" Levy herself exclaimed, pulling back so she sat on his chest, "I know I was a jerk, I should've told you everything from the beginning! I can't excuse myself, I'd feel the same way if I was in your place. I'm so sorry and I—"

     Gajeel sat up so she slid off into his lap, "Shrimp!"

     Levy blinked, "You're.... happy... to see me?"

    "Uh, no," he said quickly, glancing away, "What're you doin' here?"

      "I'm a jerk. I know that, and I just... wanted to apologize to you. You deserve more than what I've shown you," Levy sighed, dropping her gaze, "I'm... really sorry."

     Gajeel swallowed back his pride, "Yeah. But... you were right. I over reacted, and I...I'm, uh, sorry."

     Levy stared at him, "But... you didn't do anything wrong."

      "I did," he gave her a small grin, "I left you."

       Levy's cheeks turned pink as she helped him to his feet, "So... are we good?"

     "Yeah," Gajeel grinned. Sure, he'd been mad at her. But right now, he was just glad she was here. "Now what was that prophecy about?" he asked as they began to walk towards the castle again.

     "Julio trying to take over," Levy said, sounding downcast.

      "Then what was the thing about the Blood Beast?"

      "You were cursed, before you were born," Levy said softly, "With the curse of the Blood Beast. It basically might possibly most definitely turns you into a raging killing machine of death." she tapped the tips of her index fingers together sheepishly.

     "When?"

      "Um... tonight?"

     "Fair enough," he shrugged.

     "Um... what?"

      "There's no use gettin' worked up," Gajeel waved his hand dismissively, "You're smart. You'll fix me at the last second."

     "But I don't even know where to begin!"

     He shrugged, "You'll figure it out."

     "Gajeel, I admire the confidence, but what if I don't?" Levy asked, her gaze dropping to the ground.

     "That ain't the question. Now shut up and keep walking."

     Levy reluctantly closed her mouth, but found she was content just to be walking beside him again.

     Gajeel saw the small smile on her face as they walked, and his expression softened. He ruffled her hair with a smirk, "You happy down there?"

     Levy sighed, giving him a sad smile, "I'm glad you're not mad at me, but... I don't want to lose you."

     Gajeel continued to smirk. The worry in her pretty eyes was so cute. "Well, we ain't got time to worry. We've only got an hour or two until night falls, so we better hurry up."

     She brushed hair from her eyes, giving him a shy look that only increased the cuteness, "G-Gajeel... G-Gajeel, I'm s-so worried about you." she rubbed her eyes, "Y-you've been right beside me all my life, i-it's not right being without you."

     Gajeel crouched down in front of her, resting a hand on top of her head, "Hey. I'll make it through the night, you'll see. I swear it. I'll see you tomorrow, as normal as ever. Well, as normal as an Iron Dragon Slayer and a succubi can be." He slid a hand through her soft hair behind her head, pulling her closer as he stooped down, gently kissing her forehead.

      Levy's eyes widened, startled. Then she felt warm as a smile played across her lips, and he stepped back, turning away.

     "Whatever, we gotta go." Gajeel growled, "We shouldn't be wastin' time here." and he strode on ahead.

      Levy's stomach felt like it was full of butterflies. Gajeel had kissed her! She hasn't felt so happy and lightheaded in forever. This meant he liked her, not was just okay with her!

      And despite the dire upcoming situation, she could stop beaming.