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Levy’s dorm room in Fairy Hills was beginning to get more cluttered than usual. She always maintained a mini library of sorts, but now piles upon piles of baby books obscured the shelves. There were baskets and bags of toys on the floor and she swore there were more baby clothes in her closet than her own.
After failing to find something different to wear, Levy gave up and collapsed on her bed. As she stared blankly at the ceiling, she knew the inevitable had to be said. Sooner or later, everyone would know eventually. And with the current state of her room, she’d rather it’d be sooner.
Almost as if on cue, a loud knocking sounded on her door.
“Hey Shorty! We’re comin in!”
Using the key Levy gave him months ago, Gajeel let himself in with Lily following close behind. And, to her dismay, she heard the sound of a shopping bag getting dropped by her bed.
“Gajeel, don’t tell me…!” She sat up and groaned. “You bought more stuff.”
“Whaaat? Our baby will need it!” He pulled out a toddler-sized white suit, an exact match to the one he wears when he plays the guitar. “Imagine the two of us performing together! It’ll be great!”
“The set was on sale.” Lily put the matching hat on his head and smiled. “I made sure of that much, at least.”
“Oh, you two…” Levy wanted to sound angry but she couldn’t help herself. His blatant excitement made it hard to be mad at. And the suit was cute.
“So,” Gajeel sat next to Levy and wrapped an arm around her. “Whaddya still doing in bed? Are ya feeling alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just I’ve been thinking, well…,” she paused, taking in his confused expression. “Don’t you think it’s getting a bit cramped in here?”
“Nahhh Shorty!” You’re too tiny to feel cramped anywhere!”
“Gajeel, I’m serious!” She shook him off, annoyed at his teasing. “Look! Lily can’t even fit the clothes you bought in my closet.” Caught, the exceed turned around and looked at her sheepishly. “There’s not enough space around here anymore!”
“Well, I ain’t returning the suit.”
“That’s not what I’m asking!” Running out of patience, she blurted it out instead of choosing her words carefully. “What I’m trying to say is that I want to get a place with you, you big oaf!”
“...!” For once, Gajeel was stunned speechless. Even Lily stopped his efforts of squeezing the closet door shut.
Their silence started to make her lose her nerve, and she figured she spoke too soon. “Actually never mind, I’ll just-”
Surprising her, Gajeel pulled her into a tight hug. “I’ve been waiting forever for you to say that,” he murmured. “Just us, Lily and our little pipsqueak.”
Levy beamed, relieved and happy. Lily grinned in kind.
“I can’t wait.” She laid her hands over her stomach, her gaze warm. “Right, lil baby?”
Gajeel placed his hand over hers, although the joy he felt was shadowed. “To think pretty much in this same spot...I hurt you and put the Phantom Lord Sigil on you.”
“Gajeel!” Levy gasped. “That was a long time ago! You’ve changed so much since then.”
“...I wasn’t there when it happened, but I heard a lot about your history with Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord.” Lily gave up on the closet and joined them. “You did pretty terrible things to good people, but is that any different than how I was in Edolas?”
“It’s completely different!” He spat but Lily held up a paw.
“I disagree. I almost turned your guild - our guild - into a magic supply for the rich and powerful. How deplorable is that?”
The two sat uncomfortably quiet, their eyes downcast. “At least you didn’t take pleasure in it…” Gajeel muttered.
“No, but we share the same remorse.” He patted his arm reassuringly. “Yet now we’d fight til our last breath for Fairy Tail. And I know you’d risk your life protecting Levy, you made that clear in the fight against Bloodman.”
“Although I’d rather you never do something like that again,” Levy remarked, not enjoying the memory. “You have to live for us too, y’know.”
“Mmh, yeah I know.” Gajeel lifted his head. “Moping around isn’t like me, I’m sorry.” He looked at his girl and his cat and cracked a smile. “But I appreciate you two always being there to knock some sense back into me.”
“Anytime,” Lily answered, getting a chuckle out of them.
“You big dummy.” Levy leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she murmured. “I forgave you for that long ago; you think I dont notice how you keep trying to prove yourself? Please Gajeel, it's time you forgive yourself too." Her fingers gingerly brushed up and down the scars on his arm as she nuzzled closer. "Let our past stay in the past.”
‘It's not that easy, shorty’ he thought, but she was right. He had to stop torturing himself over it otherwise he’d miss moments like these. So he would do his best to push those dark thoughts away to enjoy being with his family.
He held her gently, feeling like a fool. Leaning over, he gave the lightest of kisses on her stomach. “Levy…?”
“Yeah?”
Sitting back up, he took in her kind, concerned gaze and smiled faintly. “Thanks for sticking by someone like me.”
She smiled bittersweetly. “You big idiot.” She kissed him and hugged tighter. “Just try to get rid of me.”
“Heh.” He smirked, feeling his mind slightly more at ease by her simple banter. “I’d never dream of it.”