Cozy

Rain pelted the window panes in a staccato rhythm followed by the occasional rattle of the wind howling by. Curled up in the corner of a plush, red coach sat Levy as she watched the crackle and flare of the fireplace, content with the lull of the autumn evening.

It is one of her favorite seasons with the turning leaves, crisp morning air and snuggles with her dragon slayer boyfriend. But this season is extra special and she couldn't help but grin shyly as she pressed a hand knowingly against her flat stomach.

"Here," said a gruff voice as a mug of hot cocoa suddenly was thrust into her face. Levy hummed happily as she wrapped her hands around the large, warm porcelain. Wafts of chocolate filled her nose through the layers of whipped cream and cinnamon sugar sprinkles.

"Thank you, Gajeel. This should satisfy my craving for chocolate!"

Sighing heavily, the large slayer sat down beside his tiny girlfriend and curled a muscled arm around her shoulders to press her gently against his chest. In his other hand he held his own mug of hot cocoa with a dash of vanilla and chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream and butterscotch drizzle.

"Yeah for about five minutes, then I'll have to dig into our candy stash."

Burrowing further into his shoulder, Levy looked up at him with an impish smile, "Am I that bad?"

"Worse, Levy. I know you're all hormonal but," he murmured hesitantly as he watched her uncork one of their many bottles of hot sauce and shake it onto her cocoa, "This much liquid spice can't be good for you."

Levy took a slow sip from her mug, "We were told to just got with it or I start crying."

"You cry anyway."

Brown eyes narrowed dangerously over the red covered mountain of cream. The smell of liquid peppers and cream made Gajeel want to gag. "You wanna poke mama bear?"

"No! I'm just scared you'll make your stomach upset and I'm not sure our toilet recovered from the last event!"

Gajeel watched those large brown eyes turn shiny and gooey, signaling a Niagara sized cry about to start. He cursed, set down his cocoa and pulled Levy onto his lap. The smell of salt and hot sauce only grew stronger but Gajeel ignored them as he pressed his nose into the scalp of his girl's hair.

Tears started trickling down Levy's cheeks and the sobs followed after. "You care about t-the toilet more than m-me!"

"Not true," he grumbled as he kissed her temple, "I love you more than anything, Levy. I'm one of the most selfish beings on this planet and I put you before myself. You know what that means."

Sniffing and wiping away some dripping snot, Levy pulled away to blink at her slayer. "Y-yeah."

"Good, now drink up while I hold you."

"Kay. Don't forget the scarf."

A large black and silver plaid scarf is draped over the back of the coach near Gajeel's arm. The scarf is one of her favorites that she loves to snuggle in and wear during the cooler mornings. He pulls it close, winds the worn cotton fabric around his neck and then draping it loosely around Levy's shoulders. Their cocoon of chocolate and cozy warmth is now complete.

"Cookies?"his little blunette asks after finishing her cocoa. Dutifully he sets a bowl of chocolate creme tuxedos into her lap, followed by a bottle of barbecue sauce. Gajeel learned last month never to question the bottle of barbecue sauce that had the label of a goth dressed demon chick on it.

As she munched, Gajeel sipped his own cocoa while running his fingers lightly up and down her arms. The fire danced in the hearth, warming his sore feet. Levy has been pregnant for the last two months and honestly, Gajeel still feels lost and unsure of what to do and how to do it. Their lives are different now, he won't be able to carry on violent and rash jobs like he used to. He'll always be fretting over Levy, period. There's also money and supplies and food...

"You're calculating again." Levy chides teasingly as she dips another cookie into the smaller bowl of sauce.

"Can't help it. I'm not living for me anymore."

Setting her cookie down, Levy bit at her lip. "I know I keep asking-"

"And I'll keep telling you no, I don't regret this. You. Us. The kid. None of it," he replied tiredly, resting his head on the back of the coach and closing his aching eyes.

Levy stares at the man she loves, taking in his tired face and closed eyes with short lashes. She knows he puts up with so much for her sake, cutting his working hours in half to watch over her, paying for anything she craves and not getting put out when she starts crying. He cares deeply and sacrifices so much.

As Gajeel starts to snore, for the hundredth time Levy falls in love again. Her rowdy, chaotic dragon slayer. She wouldn't trade him, she wouldn't choose different. Ever.

Smiling to herself, the small script mage sets down her bowl of cookies and barbecue sauce onto the wooden coffee table, pulls her end of the scarf tighter around them and wiggles her way under Gajeel's arm. As if sensing her, the sleepy dragon slayer turns to her and pulls her closer.

That night Levy dreams of their future family as they are surrounded by the comforting scents of wood smoke, cocoa and spicy sauce. A future of chaotic babies, Fairy Tail and love.

Until next time!

My submission for the Gajevyfallfest2018 via Tumblr. Kinda post-manga of Levy dealing with her pregnancy.