"Family" dinner and warm rain. (Part One)

Gajeel was grumbling angrily as he typed on his computer. His entire mood was off for the entire day and he hadn't left the computer for anything. His fingers moved at lightning speed, pressing the keys.

Erza and Jellal waited at the entrance for Dolores, chatting with one another. The weather was nice, plus they could have alone time!

Erza laughed as they continued to chat, a long limousine pulling up. The two of them froze and faced forward, faces stone cold.

Erza walked to the car, the window unrolling. "State your name and the reason you are here."

A window in the back rolled down. Cold purple eyes met with brown ones.

"Dolores Redfox," Dolores scowled. "I'm here to see my son. Don't you know who I am? How dare you ask me such a thing!"

"It is part of my duties to ask everyone who attempts to enter—"

"Duties or not, I'm his mother!" Dolores yelled. Erza sighed.

"I'm going to go and tell Mr. Redfox that you've arrived." Jellal bowed, speed walking away. "S-Sir! She's here."

Levy's heart stopped as she looked at what she was wearing. Was this too casual?! It was an orange dress that went right above the knee, with white knee high socks and orange flats. She had on an orange headband with a pretty white flower. Did she look ugly? Should she put on makeup? Should she—

She scrambled to her feet as she realized. She's Gajeel's assistant. She had to rush to grab her binder and all of her working supplies, and hurried to stand beside Gajeel at his desk.

Gajeel didn't even bother to look up.

"Gajeel, is there anything you need help with?" Levy asked, business mode on. "Ah, right! The report on the partnership hasn't been filed properly! How do you work like this? I'm so behind on paperwork... aagh! How did I not notice this before?!"

Gajeel glanced over at Levy as she started to work. "Don't overwork yourself, Shrimp. I just decided to let you live a little instead of working all day,"

Levy smiled dismissively as a response, silence filling the room.

"Gajeel," Dolores faked a sweet, kind voice. "I'm here! Won't you come and greet your mother?"

"I'm working," Gajeel grumbled.

"Come here. Now," The act was dropped.

Gajeel sighed loudly, Levy bound to his side, binder hugged to her chest. Her reading glasses were propped up on her face, she took them off and put them in the case.

To say that Dolores was intimidating was an understatement. Her eyes practically bore into Levy's soul, but she did look exactly like Gajeel in a way. Levy gulped, bowing.

"It's an honor to be in your presence—"

"Oh hush." Dolores scowled. "And what are you wearing? What are you, a kid? With that body, you sure do look like one. Or would it be better to call you a creamsicle?!"

Levy's eyebrows furrowed as she watched Dolores strut to Gajeel. That was so uncalled for! Why was that necessary?! Gajeel's personality was starting to rub off on Levy's, so she muttered under her breath. She had been studying Portuguese lately. "... cadela." (... bitch.)

Gajeel held back a laugh, he knew that Levy had just said something in a different language. He knew that whenever his mom left, Levy would he fuming and pacing around ranting in different languages. That made him smile, his Shrimp was so smart.

"Why are you smiling?" Dolores sneered. "Wipe it off of your face." She grabbed the Manila folder, snapping and Gajeel followed her as they walked. "Look at these. That is you, is it not? Hmm?"

"That's me." They went and sat in his office.

"Didn't I raise you better? Since when have you liked girls like that!? Short, weak little things! She doesn't even have money, does she!?" Dolores yelled.

"I don't care if she has money or not! I love her. She doesn't need to do anything for herself because I'm here to provide for her!" Gajeel barked.

"That's my point! She's like a leech." Dolores growled.

"She has a name. It's Levy." Gajeel scowled, this was ticking him off, thus his speech became less and less grammatical. "And I ain't leavin' her for nothin."

"GAJEEL!" Dolores screeched. "Grammar, you idiot!"

Gajeel rolled his eyes, crossing his arms.

"Fine. Anyway, I'm going to talk to your... girlfriend. Look at these files while I'm out," Dolores scoffed, slamming a file down. Gajeel opened it, flinging it across the room.

It was a file full of rich, bratty girls with little to no personality who grew up with no hardship. One of the papers flew out, landing on the keyboard.

He glanced at it, eyes widening. Amelia Ainsworth, one of the richest Englishwomen ever. His mother wanted the two of them to be together when he was younger. They were great friends, but he just didn't see her that way. They hadn't talked for years.

Pantherlily meowed, strutting to Gajeel and curling into a ball on his lap. Gajeel smiled, petting his cat.

~

Dolores walked to see Levy sitting in her own special office. There were books lined on the shelves and it was very cozy. Levy's eyes flicked up, and slowly went back down once Dolores didn't say anything. She was scribbling down information and such in her work notebook.

"Hello." Dolores squinted, sitting in a chair.

"Good afternoon," Levy hummed, continuing to write.

"What is your position?" Dolores looked at Levy with a disgusted glance as Levy took off her glasses, closed the notebook, and sat upright.

"I am Gajeel's personal assistant." Levy stated, looking Dolores in the eye. She wouldn't lie, she was scared as heck, but wouldn't admit it to Dolores.

"So what makes you think that you have any right to force my son into a relationship with you!?" Dolores screeched.

"What?" Levy's face scrunched up. "That doesn't make sense!"

"Don't raise your tone at me!" Dolores snarled.

"Well then please do not make such claims! How would I force your son to date me? It just doesn't line up." Levy sighed.

"Threats! You threatened him!" Dolores rambled.

"If I threatened him I'd be out of a job." Levy rubbed her temples. She was in working mode, not debate mode!

"The point is, break up with my son!" Dolores crossed her arms.

Levy stood up quickly. "What? Excuse me, point fingers at me all you want, but I am not leaving Gajeel."

"You're only after his money!" Dolores smirked, a pissed look in her eyes. "I know what poor maidens like you do! You wrap them around your finger and make them love you! You're no exception!"

"I swear to you, I'd never do such a thing!" Levy gasped. "I love Gajeel because he's himself! I wouldn't like him any other way!"

"Your 'love' is so pathetic." Dolores shook her head. "Sooner or later, you two will fight and break it up. Then it'll be the end of a story. Quite a bothersome one, at that."

"I really need to resume my work—"

"You know what? I'm hungry. Assistant, go find a good place to eat." Dolores smirked. "I'm thinking... someplace fancy. Go on, now."

Levy held back the urge to roll her eyes. She put back on her reading glasses and typed on the computer. She scrolled through lists and such, finding a 4.9 star restaurant. "How is this one?"

"No way you found one that fast!" Dolores' mouth dropped. "How in the world can you read that fast!?"

"Eh." Levy shrugged. "Are you ready to go? Should I go get Gajeel and the others?"

"Yes. Hurry up," Dolores snarled, sitting on the couch. Levy went into Erza and Jellal's room, they were playing cards.

"We're gonna go eat." Levy stated, Erza ripping off her nightgown to reveal... A BANQUET DRESS!?

"I still don't understand," Jellal sweat. "How do you dress so quickly..? You didn't have a dress on under that, it's not possible... what...?"

Erza laughed. "Go get dressed. Anyways, we're going somewhere fancy because Dolores is here, so dress appropriately."

Jellal mumbled with an emotionless look on his face as he walked into the wardrobe, sitting down in it and shutting the door. "I just don't know how she does it..."

Erza giggled. "You should go get Mr. Redfox."

"Okay," Levy nodded. She knocked on Gajeel's door softly.

"Come in,"

"We're going to go eat," Levy hummed. "You should start getting ready."

"Sure thing, Shrimp. Can you lay out some clothes for me? I'm gonna take a shower," Gajeel's voice was soft, as if he had a lot to think about.

"Are you okay?" Levy asked quickly. He's usually loud and brash, not quiet!

Gajeel nodded, though that wasn't true. He didn't want to make Levy worry, though. Levy's eyebrows furrowed as she walked, that wasn't the truth, was it?

Gajeel would never lie to her, so why didn't she believe him? Has he lied? She gripped her binder tightly, glancing at the pattern on the walls. She wanted to know what was wrong. She wanted to help him. But sometimes, it's just best to leave the person be and let them recover on their own.

"What are you thinking about, Shrimp?" Gajeel chuckled as the water started to run and Levy was placing his clothes down on the bed. Levy felt the bed dip beside her.

"It's nothing," Levy smiles.

"You're so pretty," Gajeel's voice was barely above a whisper as his finger twirled in her soft blue hair. "I love you so fucking much." Levy smiled at him, their eyes meeting.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Levy joked. "Your voice is soft today."

"Of course." Gajeel smirked. "Anyways, I'm gonna go get in the tub now."

"Okay." Levy watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door before leaving the room.

Gajeel stripped down to nothing, sitting in the tub with a sad look in his eyes. His mother was really going to try to break them up..? One part of him knew she wouldn't dare, but the other knew that she would do anything to get her way.

Whilst Levy was getting Erza and Jellal, she went into his office with a stupid smile on her face once she saw Amelia's file.

"Ah, I see you're looking at them? You two are going to marry soon, I've been talking to Mr. Ainsworth." Dolores smirked.

"I'm not marrying her." Gajeel scowled.

"You are, And I'll make sure of that." Dolores started to walk away. "Even if I must force you two apart or hurt your little assistant, you're marrying Amelia no matter what."

His mother would go as far as to hurt his shrimp? It would be his fault if she got hurt, right? He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. Levy was so perfect, but she'd be tainted once Dolores finished her. Even a tainted Levy would still be beautiful to Gajeel, though.

But Levy being hurt to force them to break up... was that really a good price to pay? Should he end it with her to assure her safety?

Before he knew it, the tears were streaming down his face. He's been happier than ever with the shrimp around. He didn't want to say goodbye...

"Why the hell am I crying?" Gajeel chuckled. "She won't leave me for nothin'."

Around an hour and a half passed. Dolores was pacing the floor. "What is taking him so long?" She stomped up the stairs, seeing Gajeel fixing his tux. His eyes met hers, face hardening.

"God, I hate those stupid piercings! Why must you have them lining your face?!" Dolores groaned. "And tie your hair up, I honestly think you should cut it!"

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "It's not your choice to decide what I look like anymore. It's my body."

He left the room, smirking at Levy. Jellal came down the stairs too.

"Erza, I want you to teach me your ways." Jellal smiled.

"I can't," Erza shrugged. "I'm magical. A human like you won't be able to contain my powers."

"No way! Really!?" Jellal's eyes twinkled.

Erza face palmed. "No, Jellal. I was kidding. I'll try to teach you sometime this week."

"Oh. Meanie," Jellal pouted, crossing his arms.

"Ready to go?" Gajeel asked, everyone getting into the car. Lily stood in the garage with a sad look in his eyes, a disappointed meow coming from his mouth.

"Meow..."

"Hey, don't be sad." Gajeel scooped up his cat. "I'll be back before you know it!"

Pantherlily was placed down with a gentle pat on his head. He walked away slowly, taking one last glance at Gajeel before going inside using his kitty door.

The car ride was tense. The only noise was a pretty catchy song on the radio that was playing. As they rode, light clouds started to form.

They pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, paying for valet.