The rest of the day passed quickly, fading into the kind of quiet that only came when the chaos of Fairy Tail had finally settled. Aelius leaned against the railing of the second floor, arms crossed, gaze sweeping over the hall below. It wasn't nearly as full as it had been earlier. Most of the guild had filtered out, heading home for the night or passing out after one too many drinks.
And yet, even as the noise faded, the guild never truly emptied. There were always a few who lingered. A few who, for one reason or another, found themselves unwilling to leave just yet.
Levy was one of them.
She sat at one of the long tables, a book open in front of her, though it was obvious she wasn't really reading it. She turned pages too quickly, barely looking at the words before moving on. And every so often, her gaze would flicker up toward him—quick, almost hesitant, like she didn't want to be caught staring but couldn't help herself.
Aelius had noticed from the moment Jet and Droy had offered to walk her home, only for her to decline. That alone was unusual. The two of them were rarely far from her side, yet tonight, she had chosen to stay behind. It wasn't difficult to figure out why.
She was watching him.
Not openly, not in an obvious way, but enough that he could feel it. And for once, he didn't mind.
Of all the people in the guild, Levy had never been one to grate on his nerves. If anything, her presence was… tolerable. More than tolerable, actually. She had always been someone who carried an ease about her, a presence that didn't demand attention but was still quietly steady.
He let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping idly against the railing. He wasn't blind to the way she was trying to figure him out. She had never been the type to accept half-truths, especially when something didn't add up. And he had given plenty of half-truths today.
Aelius had told them he was leaving, and yet the way it had all played out—the timing of it, the circumstances—left too many unanswered questions. He knew that. And after what had happened in the forest, after the trail of death he had left behind, it was only natural for the guild to wonder.
Levy, though, wasn't wondering in the same way the others were. She wasn't demanding answers, wasn't throwing accusations or jumping to conclusions. She was just… there. Watching. Thinking.
For once, he didn't feel like a specimen under a microscope.
Aelius sighed, shifting slightly. He could leave if he wanted to. Could slip away into the night, avoid any further conversation. But the thought didn't appeal to him as much as it usually did.
So instead, he stayed where he was, waiting. If Levy had something to say, she'd say it. And when she did, he would decide then if he was willing to answer.
The quiet between them stretched, unspoken but not uncomfortable. The low hum of the guild hall, distant conversation, and the occasional clatter of a chair being pushed back were the only sounds that filled the space.
Aelius remained where he was, arms crossed, gaze distant as he continued to watch the guild wind down for the night.
Then, movement.
He didn't have to look to know it was Levy. He could hear the soft shuffle of her boots against the wooden floor, and the slight rustle of fabric as she moved. He didn't acknowledge her, nor did he turn when she hesitated for the briefest of moments before settling beside him.
She didn't say anything.
Neither did he.
For a while, they just sat there, side by side, silent.
And that was fine.
There was nothing forced about it, nothing awkward. No demand for him to explain himself, no pressure to fill the quiet with empty words. Just an understanding that whatever needed to be said could wait.
Levy had always been good at that. At knowing when words were necessary and when they weren't.
Aelius exhaled, his gaze dropping slightly. He didn't move away. Didn't tell her to leave.
Instead, he broke the silence.
His voice was quieter than usual, not out of hesitation, but out of something else. Something heavier.
"If you had the chance to bring someone back from the dead," he said, his words deliberate, measured, "would you take it? Even if it meant using black magic?"
Levy didn't respond immediately. He could see her shift slightly from the corner of his vision, her fingers twitching as they rested on her lap. She wasn't expecting that. Not from him.
Aelius didn't look at her. His gaze remained locked on the floor below, watching the last of the guild members filter out, their laughter and idle chatter growing distant. The warmth of the guild, the life that filled its walls, had always been something separate from him—something he had never fully let himself sink into.
But this question wasn't about the guild.
It wasn't even really about black magic.
Levy turned her head slightly, her blue eyes searching his masked face for something—an answer to a question she hadn't even asked yet. "Why are you asking me that?"
Aelius let out a quiet, humorless chuckle, shaking his head just slightly. "Just answer the question."
Levy frowned, clearly unsure of where this was coming from, but she didn't brush it off. She took it seriously. She always did.
"I…" she hesitated, thoughtful. "I don't know."
Aelius finally turned his head slightly toward her, just enough that she knew he was listening.
"I mean, if it was someone I really loved—someone I'd do anything to see again…" she exhaled, running a hand through her bangs. "I want to say no, that I wouldn't mess with something like that. That it'd be wrong."
She swallowed.
"But I can't say for sure that I wouldn't be tempted."
Aelius hummed, low and unreadable. "Even if the person who came back wasn't the same?"
Levy flinched.
She didn't like that question.
But she understood it.
"…No," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "That wouldn't be them, would it?"
Aelius leaned back slightly, letting her words settle. It wasn't a clear answer. It wasn't a solid yes or no.
But that was the truth of it, wasn't it?
It was never that simple.
He shifted his gaze back down to the emptying guild hall, his hands resting loosely over his crossed arms.
"They always say they'd never do it," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "Until they're standing in front of a grave."
Levy's hands curled slightly in her lap, but she didn't argue.
Aelius let the silence stretch once more.
"I Had to Make That Choice."
The silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken. The air in the near-empty guild hall felt almost still, like even the walls themselves were waiting for the next words to be spoken.
Levy's fingers tightened slightly in her lap. She had known Aelius long enough to pick up on the meaning behind his words, the weight he carried in them, the things he never outright said but left lingering for others to piece together.
Her voice was quiet, careful. "Which one did you make?"
Aelius didn't answer right away. His masked face remained turned toward the guild below, the dim light catching on the edges of his cloak. His magic had long since stopped leaking into the world around him, but there was still something in the air that felt thick. Tense.
Finally, he turned his head slightly toward her, just enough that she could feel the intensity of his gaze, even with the mask obscuring it.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
Levy inhaled sharply.
That was his answer.
He had chosen not to bring them back.
She studied him for a long moment, watching the way his shoulders were set, the way his posture was relaxed but guarded, as if ready for someone to push just a little too hard. But she didn't push.
"…That must have been a hard choice."
Aelius let out a quiet exhale that might have been a laugh if there was even a shred of humor in it. "That's one way to put it."
Levy lowered her gaze, processing what he had just said—what it meant, what it implied. There was grief in his voice, but not the kind that was fresh. It was old, settled deep into him, the kind of grief that had long since become part of who someone was.
She wasn't sure what was worse.
Aelius shifted slightly as if shaking off the weight of the conversation. "That's enough of that."
Levy looked at him again, but she didn't press further. She just nodded.
But now, she understood something she hadn't before.
Whatever had happened out there—whatever had made him walk through that forest and leave devastation in his wake—this was at the heart of it.
And it had hurt him.
More than he'd ever say.
Aelius let the conversation settle for a moment before finally speaking again, his voice lower this time, more even.
"…Why didn't you go with them?"
Levy blinked, looking up at him. "Huh?"
"Jet and Droy," Aelius clarified, shifting his weight slightly against the railing. "They offered to walk you home."
Levy hesitated, but only for a second. "Yeah. They did."
Aelius tilted his head slightly, waiting for an actual answer.
Levy let out a small sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I just… I wanted to stay."
Aelius didn't say anything, but the way he looked at her—even behind the mask—made it clear he was waiting for more.
Levy fidgeted slightly before crossing her arms and looking away. "I don't know, okay? I just felt like I should."
Aelius exhaled softly. "You felt like you should?"
Levy turned back to him, this time meeting his masked gaze directly. "Yeah. I did."
She wasn't saying everything. He could tell. Levy had always been honest, but honesty didn't mean saying everything. Sometimes, it meant choosing which parts to hold back.
Aelius didn't press, but he also didn't look away.
Levy sighed again, softer this time. "Look, I just… you disappeared with someone we didn't know, then came back like it was nothing. Then this morning, I hear about what happened in the forest. The way people described it, Aelius, it sounded bad."
Aelius huffed lightly. "It wasn't exactly pleasant."
Levy rolled her eyes. "That's not the point."
Aelius tilted his head slightly. "Then what is the point?"
Levy's hands tightened around her arms. "You came back."
Aelius blinked.
Levy continued before he could say anything. "I know you said you'd only be gone a few days, but part of me… I don't know. Part of me wondered if you'd actually come back."
Aelius's fingers twitched slightly against the railing.
She thought he wouldn't come back.
And the worst part?
She wasn't wrong for thinking that.
Because a part of him had considered it.
A part of him had wanted to not come back.
Aelius turned his gaze back toward the emptying guild below. "And yet, here I am."
Levy watched him for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. Here you are."
Another silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It just was.
Aelius finally let out a breath and shook his head. "You should go home, Levy."
Levy gave him a sideways glance. "You don't actually want me to leave."
Aelius didn't respond.
Levy smiled slightly. "I'll stay a little longer."
Aelius didn't argue.
Aelius let the quiet linger before he spoke again, his voice calm but carrying that same weight it always did when he was thinking too much.
"You seem close to them."
Levy turned toward him, a little caught off guard by the shift in conversation. "Jet and Droy?"
Aelius nodded, eyes still watching the guild below. "You know they like you, right?"
Levy didn't look surprised by the question. She let out a small breath, leaning back against the railing. "Yeah. I know."
Aelius glanced at her, waiting for more.
Levy gave a small, tired shrug. "They're my friends. That's what they've always been. Since we were kids."
Something about the way she said it stirred an old memory in Aelius, something distant yet oddly clear.
He remembered them as kids.
Back when he still lingered around Fairy Tail more than he liked to admit. Back before everything had changed.
Jet, Droy, and Levy had always been together—three kids who seemed inseparable, running through the guild, getting into trouble, dreaming about becoming great wizards.
It was strange, thinking about them like that again.
Aelius let out a quiet exhale. "I remember."
Levy tilted her head slightly. "You do?"
Aelius nodded once. "The three of you were always together. Jet wouldn't shut up about how fast he was, Droy was always stuffing his face, and you… you were always reading something."
Levy chuckled, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "That sounds about right."
Aelius hummed, shaking his head slightly. "Didn't think I'd remember that."
Levy nudged his arm lightly. "Guess you're not as detached as you like to pretend."
Aelius didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let his gaze drift toward the windows, where the dim evening light was beginning to settle over Magnolia.
"…Maybe not."
Levy tilted her head slightly, the curiosity evident in her voice. "Do you remember anything else? From when we were kids?"
Aelius exhaled, his fingers tapping idly against the railing. For a moment, he wasn't sure if he wanted to entertain the question. But then, a memory surfaced—one so specific and vivid that he couldn't ignore it.
He glanced at her. "Yeah… I remember you getting into a fight with a cat."
Levy blinked. "A cat?"
Aelius nodded. "Mean little thing. All ragged fur and claws. Bit your hand when you tried to pet it."
Levy's eyes widened slightly before realization dawned. "Oh no…" She covered her face with her hands, already laughing in embarrassment.
Aelius smirked slightly beneath his mask. "You wouldn't stop crying."
"I was a kid!" Levy groaned, shaking her head. "That hurt!"
Aelius leaned back against the railing, arms crossing over his chest. "Jet and Droy ran off trying to chase it down. Thought they were gonna get revenge for you."
Levy peeked through her fingers. "Did they?"
Aelius chuckled lowly. "No. That cat was smarter than both of them combined. Took off before they got close."
Levy let out a small huff, shaking her head again. "Sounds about right."
Aelius tilted his head slightly as if observing her reaction. "You probably don't remember, but I was the one who patched you up."
Levy paused.
She turned to look at him fully now, her eyes searching his masked face as if trying to place the memory in her own mind.
"…You did?"
Aelius nodded once. "Yeah. You were crying too much to sit still, though. I think I had to bribe you with candy or something to get you to let me wrap your hand."
Levy's face turned a little pink. "That does sound like something that would've worked on me back then…"
Aelius hummed in amusement, shaking his head. "I remember thinking how ridiculous the whole thing was. Jet and Droy running off, you crying over a scratch, the guild being loud as usual. Feels like a lifetime ago."
Levy was quiet for a moment before she smiled softly. "It kind of was."
Aelius didn't say anything to that. He just looked back out over the guild, letting the nostalgia settle between them.
Levy shifted slightly beside him, her fingers idly twisting together in her lap. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking again, her voice softer this time.
"Do you ever wish things had been different?"
Aelius answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Levy blinked, caught off guard by the sheer certainty in his voice.
"If I could go back to the day I left, I wouldn't have gone." His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of something sharp beneath it, something unspoken that weighed on every syllable.
Levy studied him for a moment before speaking again, her voice careful. "Even if it meant the people you met after you left suffered more?"
That made him pause.
For the first time since this conversation started, Aelius hesitated.
Alaric.
His thoughts went to the one person who had made that entire experience bearable. The one person he could have called a friend. The one person who had—
He exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening slightly where they rested on the railing.
Levy noticed. She saw the shift in his posture, the way his usual unshakable certainty faltered just enough to be noticeable. She didn't press, didn't demand an answer, but her silence was expectant.
Aelius finally spoke, quieter this time.
"I don't know."
And that was the truth.
Levy watched him carefully, her expression unreadable. She seemed to be searching for something in his words, in his posture, in the way his magic—normally a quiet storm lurking beneath the surface—felt… restrained. Tired, maybe.
She let the quiet stretch between them again before she spoke.
"That's okay."
Aelius glanced at her, eyes unreadable beneath his mask.
Levy offered a small, knowing smile. "Not knowing, I mean." She leaned back slightly, resting her weight on her hands. "I think people like to pretend they have all the answers. But sometimes… sometimes we just don't."
Aelius huffed a quiet breath. It wasn't quite amusement, but it also wasn't the cold detachment he usually wrapped himself in.
Levy shifted, her fingers idly tapping against the wood. "You know, I never really thought I'd see you again."
Aelius exhaled, long and slow. "Most people didn't."
Levy hesitated, then asked, "Why did you come back?"
This time, he didn't answer right away.
He thought about it—about all the choices that had led him back to this place, about Makarov's persistence, about the weight of ghosts he hadn't been able to outrun.
"I already told you the day I came back, just before… well, just before I died," Aelius said quietly.
Levy flinched at the words, but Aelius didn't seem to notice. His tone remained calm, almost too calm, as if the past didn't still haunt him.
"You deserved to know what happened to me," he continued, his eyes flicking to her. "But as to why I stuck around after… This guild is like a parasite. The more I try to pull it off, the harder it fights to stay."
Levy's lips twitched at his words, and before she could catch herself, a soft giggle escaped her. "A parasite? You're really calling us that?"
Aelius glanced over at her, his expression unreadable beneath the mask. "It's true." His voice was low, but there was a hint of something—perhaps the smallest trace of humor hiding beneath his usual stoicism. "Once it gets in you, there's no getting rid of it."
Levy shook her head, still chuckling quietly. "Well, I guess I'll take that as a compliment, then." She met his gaze, her eyes bright with amusement. "We're hard to get rid of, huh?"
Aelius stared at her for a long moment, and just as she began to wonder if he was about to respond, he muttered softly, "More like impossible."
The weight of his words lingered in the air, but the tension between them seemed to ease, if only slightly. For a moment, Aelius allowed himself a brief, fleeting sense of calm. The guild, the people in it, their chaotic energy—it was annoying, maddening even, but for some reason, it was also something he couldn't quite bring himself to completely escape.
Levy, still smiling, leaned back against the wall. "Maybe it's not such a bad thing to stick around after all."
Aelius didn't respond immediately, but the quiet seemed less oppressive than before. The idea of staying, even if just for a little while longer, wasn't so unbearable.
He exhaled, his gaze dropping slightly. "Maybe."
They sat in silence for a while after that, but the comfortable kind—like the quiet before a storm that wasn't threatening, but rather just lingering in the air, waiting to pass.
Aelius glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. It had grown late, and the guild hall was nearly empty now. The occasional sound of footsteps from the remaining few patrons echoed through the large space. He stood, pushing off from the railing, and looked at Levy, who was still sitting nearby.
"It's getting late," he said, his voice more neutral than usual. "I could walk you home if you'd like."
Levy, who had been quietly observing him, blinked in surprise before smiling softly. "You'd really do that?"
Aelius gave a slight nod, his mask hiding the faintest trace of a smirk. "It's the least I can do."
Levy stood up, brushing a hand through her hair as she adjusted her scarf. "Well, I'm not going to turn down an offer like that," she said, a lighthearted tone in her voice.
As they walked toward the door, the quiet chatter from the remaining guild members faded behind them. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside, the stars scattered across the sky like diamonds. The streets of Magnolia were dim, but the quiet hum of the town's nocturnal life was calming.
The walk through Magnolia was quiet, but not in the heavy way it had been before. The streets were calm, and the air was cool and crisp, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Aelius glanced at the sky as they walked, noting the stars twinkling above. His gaze softened, and his usual rigid posture seemed to relax a little with each step.
Levy was walking beside him, occasionally glancing over at him with that curious look she always wore. It was clear she wasn't looking for anything serious tonight. Just the casual comfort of good company.
"So, how's your writing going?" Aelius asked after a while, breaking the silence.
Levy blinked, clearly surprised. "Oh! Well, you know, I've been working on a new novel, actually! It's been slow going lately, but I've been trying to find time between guild stuff."
He raised an eyebrow, giving her a smirk. "Trying to balance guild work and writing? That sounds like an adventure in itself."
Levy chuckled, her hands tucked into her scarf. "You'd be surprised how difficult it is. Every time I sit down to write, something happens, and then I lose track of what I was doing. Last time, Natsu almost burned one of my drafts... on accident, of course."
Aelius's lips twitched upward. "I'm assuming 'of course' means 'definitely not of course'?"
Levy laughed at that, shaking her head. "Yeah, it definitely wasn't on purpose. He was trying to cook, but his fire just got a little too close. At least it wasn't a big part of the story. Still, I wasn't thrilled."
"Right, of course," Aelius said dryly. "So, what's your next book about? Anything that can't be ruined by fire-breathing dragons?"
Levy smiled at the tease. "Well, I'm trying to write a fantasy novel. It's about a young woman who becomes a mage in a world without magic. Kind of like a mix of adventure and mystery. You'd probably like it."
"Sounds interesting," Aelius replied, his voice genuinely interested. "You'll have to let me know when it's finished."
"I will," Levy said, her eyes brightening. "I promise!"
Levy tilted her head slightly as they walked, her expression thoughtful. "By the way, where have you been staying since you got back? You never really mentioned."
Aelius glanced ahead, watching the cobblestone path stretch before them. He took a moment before answering, his voice as steady as ever. "Various inns around town."
Levy frowned slightly. "Why not just get a place?"
Aelius scoffed quietly. "Didn't see the point." His hands tucked into his pockets, his pace slow and measured. "Truthfully, I wasn't sure I wanted to stay at all."
Levy's expression shifted, concern flickering across her face, but she didn't immediately press the issue. Instead, she hummed thoughtfully before speaking. "So, are you still not sure?"
Aelius exhaled through his nose, his putrid green eyes flicking toward her. "It's complicated."
Levy chuckled softly. "Everything with you is complicated."
He gave her a sideways glance. "That supposed to be a compliment?"
She smirked. "I don't know, is it?"
Aelius rolled his eyes, shaking his head but not refuting her words. "I never planned to stay long. Didn't think I'd last more than a few days before I'd want to leave again."
Levy crossed her arms, walking in step with him. "And yet, here you are."
"Here I am," Aelius echoed as if testing the words.
Levy shifted slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as they stopped in front of her apartment. The warm glow of the street lanterns cast a soft light over her features, and for the first time that night, she looked just a little bit… hesitant.
"It's pretty late," she noted, glancing toward the quiet streets. "Most of the inns might not have open rooms at this hour."
Aelius remained silent, watching her carefully.
She hesitated, then cleared her throat softly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "If you want… you could stay here for the night."
Aelius blinked. "Here?"
Levy nodded, her fingers fidgeting slightly with the hem of her sleeve. A light blush dusted her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, trying to keep her tone casual. "I mean, it's not like it'd be the first time we've been under the same roof. Back when we were kids, we all stayed at the guild sometimes, right?"
Aelius raised a brow beneath his mask. He could tell she was trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal, but the slight waver in her voice betrayed her.
Still, he didn't call her out on it.
He glanced toward the dimly lit street, considering her words. Truth be told, he hadn't thought that far ahead. He'd just assumed he'd find a place to stay like usual, but… she wasn't wrong. It was late, and he'd probably waste time looking for a vacancy.
His gaze flicked back to her. "You sure?"
Levy met his eyes briefly before glancing away again, her blush deepening just slightly. "Yeah. I mean… if you want to."
Aelius tilted his head slightly, his mask concealing any flicker of emotion. "I'm practically a stranger to you, you know that, right?" His voice was quiet, unreadable, but there was something just beneath the surface—something wary.
Levy didn't hesitate. "No, you're not."
That made him pause.
She looked up at him then, a small, gentle smile on her lips. "I know you're different now. I know you've changed. But there's still a part of you that's the same." She crossed her arms, almost as if bracing herself, before continuing. "The same part that patched me up when that cat bit me. The same part that used to sit on the guild roof just to watch the stars." She tilted her head. "You act like you're some unknowable force, but I remember who you were. And I trust you."
That word.
Trust.
Aelius hated it.
The last time someone had said they trusted him, they died.
His fingers curled slightly at his sides, the fabric of his cloak twisting under his grip. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that trust was a fragile thing, that it shattered too easily. That it was better not to give it in the first place.
But the way she looked at him—with quiet certainty, with a faith he didn't feel he deserved—made it difficult to argue.
Aelius exhaled, slow and measured. "…Fine."
Levy's smile softened, and without another word, she turned and unlocked the door, stepping inside and leaving it open for him to follow.
Aelius lingered for a second longer, staring at the open doorway, before stepping through.
The door clicked shut behind him.
He told himself it was just for the night.
Nothing more.
As Levy set her keys down on a small table near the door, Aelius crossed his arms, his voice low but firm. "Never mention this."
She blinked, turning to face him. "Huh?"
"This," he gestured vaguely around the apartment, then at her. "Me. Here. If the guild finds out—if they find out—" he emphasized, clearly referring to Jet and Droy, "I will never get a moment's peace."
Levy's lips pressed together, but it was impossible to miss the amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ohhh, I don't know. I think it'd be funny to see them lose their minds."
Aelius groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Levy."
She giggled, holding her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! I won't say a word. Promise."
He eyed her suspiciously, but after a moment, he sighed. "Good."
Levy hummed as she walked past him toward a small linen closet. "You are aware they're probably going to assume something anyway, right?"
Aelius shot her a flat look. "If they want to live, they won't."
Levy only laughed, tossing him a pillow before grabbing a spare blanket. "Sure, Aelius. Whatever you say."
Aelius caught the pillow effortlessly, his gaze flicking toward the door as he leaned against the nearest wall. "You ever think about what your neighbors must think?" His voice carried an unmistakable note of dry amusement.
Levy blinked. "Huh?"
He gestured vaguely to himself—the imposing figure in a cloak and mask, standing in her home at night. "Some girl invites a mysterious masked man into her house this late? Scandalous."
Levy sputtered before letting out a groan, chucking the blanket at him. "Oh, shut up!"
Aelius caught that too, laughing lightly as he unfolded it. "I'm just saying, don't be surprised if people start talking."
Levy crossed her arms, huffing. "Right, because you are the picture of approachability. Maybe they'll think you're just some long-lost brother or—"
Aelius tilted his head, cutting her off smoothly. "That would make it even worse, Levy."
She opened her mouth, closed it, then promptly buried her face in her hands. "Okay, maybe I didn't think that one through."
Aelius chuckled softly, shaking his head as he adjusted the blanket. "Mm-hm. Too late now. You're already the talk of the block, I'm sure."
Levy peeked at him between her fingers, pouting. "You're insufferable."
A flash of light surrounded Aelius as he spoke, his tone laced with light amusement. "And yet, you invited me in. willingly, Might I add."
In an instant, his cloak and mask vanished, replaced by a simple black t-shirt and dark pants. The shift was almost jarring—without the ever-present layers of fabric obscuring him, he felt strangely exposed. Not that he minded. But Levy's expression made it clear that she did.
She stared at him, wide-eyed, her lips parting slightly in shock. It wasn't just the fact that he had taken off the cloak and mask—it was that he showed himself, willingly.
Aelius noticed her reaction immediately, tilting his head slightly, dark emerald eyes glinting with faint amusement. "Did you think I slept with them on?"
Levy snapped out of it, quickly crossing her arms as if that would somehow steady her. "I mean, kind of!" she admitted, still processing what she was seeing. "You never take them off!"
Aelius exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly before settling into the couch, his tall frame adjusting to the new posture.
Now fully visible, he was an imposing figure in a way that was entirely different from how he was before. Without the cloak draped over him, it was easy to see just how tall he was—6'7" at the very least, his presence effortlessly commanding even when he was at rest.
His hair, a deep, wild green, was slightly unkempt but undeniably vibrant, strands falling naturally over his forehead and brushing just past his shoulders. The layered, uneven cut made it look as if it had been trimmed without much care for precision. His eyes—now unobscured—were dark emerald, sharp and intense, like they saw everything and dismissed most of it just as quickly.
His features were angular, chiseled—sharp cheekbones, and a strong jawline, His skin, naturally pale, was unnaturally smooth, a side effect of his rebirth.
Then there was his build—lean, powerful, with defined muscle lining his arms and torso. Not bulky like Elfman or Natsu, but strong in a way that spoke of precision and control, every movement efficient, every shift in posture revealing the kind of strength that didn't need to be flaunted. His t-shirt did little to hide the way his body moved, the fabric settling over the contours of his frame without excess.
Levy's gaze inevitably landed on his right forearm, where his guild mark rested—halfway up his arm, its color a light green, the same shade as his magic when it wasn't eating through something. The sight of it was oddly grounding. Proof that despite everything, despite all that had happened, he was still Fairy Tail. Even if he didn't always act like it.
Levy blinked, suddenly realizing she had been staring.
Aelius arched a brow at her, clearly noticing. "You're doing it again."
Levy huffed, quickly looking away. "I am not."
"You are," he said simply, settling into the couch. "Admit it. You expected something else."
Levy pursed her lips, still avoiding eye contact. "I mean… I knew you had a face under there."
Aelius smirked. "Groundbreaking."
Levy groaned, rubbing her temples. "I hate you."
"No, you don't," he replied smoothly, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head. "Now go to bed before the neighbors assume something is happening."
Levy shot him a glare before turning toward her room. "I regret this. I regret this so much."
Levy paused just before reaching her door, her shoulders rising and falling with a quiet sigh. She glanced back at him, the glare she had worn moments ago melting away into something softer.
"…I am glad you stuck around," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Even if it's only temporary."
Aelius didn't respond immediately. His emerald eyes flickered toward her, unreadable in the dim light of the apartment. He had heard those words before—from others, from people who had once meant something to him. And yet, coming from Levy, it didn't feel like an obligation. It didn't feel like an expectation or a desperate plea.
It just felt… simple.
He exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly. "Get some sleep, Levy."
She rolled her eyes but smiled slightly, turning away. "Yeah, yeah."
As her door clicked shut, Aelius let his gaze linger for a moment longer before leaning back against the couch.
"Even if it's only temporary, huh?" he muttered to himself. His hand drifted to his forearm, fingers brushing over the light green Fairy Tail mark burned into his skin.
He closed his eyes.
He wasn't sure if he wanted her to be right.