Anniversary

    Levy woke up with a start to the sound of a shrill voice yelling something that Levy was too tired to process. 

    She sleepily rubbed her eyes and looked around, trying to get her bearings while the voice kept shouting something over and over again. 

    She saw that she was slumped down on a cushioned bench and she was on...a train? 

    Her eyes widened with realization, that was right. She was heading back from her first solo job in months. I must've fallen asleep. 

    Then she realized that the voice was that of the conductor, shouting that they were at the Magnolia station and that they were about to depart again for the next stop.

    "Wait!" she called out and quickly hopped up, grabbing her purse and hurried off the train to the station and not a moment too soon. The minute she stepped off the train lurched forward and began moving again in the direction of the next town. . 

    She sighed, That was close. She was surprised she actually fell asleep on the train, she never had before. But the job had been a bit of a tough one, she had spent two days braving a giant forest in search of rare mushrooms that always seemed to grow in the most inconvenient places, testing Levy's creativity. 

    Levy looked around hopefully, searching the crowd for a certain familiar face...but of course he wasn't there. 

    She sighed and started walking towards the guild, of course he wasn't here. Why would he be? It wasn't like he had any reason wait on her. 

    But...it still would be nice. 

    The walk to the guild was short enough and she opened the doors with a smile on her face. 

    "I'm back everyone!" she chimed happily, several guild members looked up from their drinks and greeted her with whole hearted "Welcome backs" and a few "Yo"s. She spotted Lucy waving to her from the request board with Natsu by her side. 

    She enthusiastically waved back then scanned the guild...only to be disappointed when she didn't see him in his usual spot by the stage. 

    I guess he went on a job or something. she thought trying not to look disappointed. 

    She played awkwardly with a strand of her hair and strolled over to the bar to talk with Mirajane. I'm not gonna ask her about him or anything, she told herself but if it comes up I won't complain...

    "Hello, Levy," the barmaid greeted her warmly already preparing her a cup of coffee, "How was your job?"

    Levy sat down and laid her head down on the table with a groan, "Tedious." 

    "Oh dear, I thought you were excited about it," Mirajane half giggled and placed the drink next to her. 

    "I was," she mumbled. Two days ago she'd found the request on the board and she was nearly giddy with excitement. It was the perfect chance to spend some time with him. But he'd acted strange when she asked and turned her down saying he had stuff to do.

    "Ah...well look on the bright side." Mirajane continued, ignoring Levy's gloomy mood, "You got a decent reward didn't you?" 

    She shrugged, she hard received about 1,000 jewel from the village along with a rare copy of "A Scholar's Guide to Lost Languages". For the job it was pretty good haul but it still didn't make her feel much better. 

    Then out of nowhere she heard someone jogging up to the bar behind her, she sat up quickly in anticipation, hopeful.

    But instead she only saw Juvia. She smiled halfheartedly at the Rain Woman, "Oh, hi Juvia. Can I help you?" then she noticed that Juvia looked worried, she was chewing on her bottom lip a little and her brow was furrowed. 
    
    "Is Gray alright...?" Levy asked as she began to feel uneasy. Something just felt a little...wrong. 

    Juvia nodded then looked around the guild, as if she was checking on something, "Gray-sama is fine, he's asleep at his apartment."
    
    How does she know that-

    "Juvia was just wondering if you knew where Gajeel-kun is." Juvia continued quickly clasping her hands, "You two are close, right?" 

    "G-Gajeel?" she blurted out, feeling her stomach drop. Something felt very very wrong, "What happened? Is he alright?"

    Juvia shrugged, "Juvia doesn't know, no one does. No one has seem him since yesterday morning. Juvia thought he went with you but then Juvia saw you alone...Juvia's just worried about him. Gajeel-kun gets himself in trouble more than he should."

    Levy broke out in a cold sweat at her words, her mind going through several different scenarios of Gajeel being hurt somewhere or...

    Mirajane, who'd been standing behind them the entire time listening in, cut in, "Lisanna mentioned she saw him hanging around the Guild Tree this afternoon." 

    Levy looked at her and noticed that Mirajane looked sad for some reason. 

    Levy cleared her throat and slid off of her chair, "Well...I think I'm going to go check up on him." she said trying to sound nonchalant. 

    "Juvia will come-" the rain woman started behind her but then cut off. Levy looked over her shoulder and saw Mirajane shaking her head. 

    I'll ask them about it later...Levy waved a little at them, "Well I'm off...bye!" 

    She exited the guild and half ran in the direction of the guild tree trying to figure out what was going on. She looked up and saw that the sun was setting. It'd be getting dark soon. 

    For some reason this made her anxious and she broke out in a sprint. While she was running down a largely unused road that led to the guild tree she felt a wave of deja vu. She slowed briefly but kept going. Something told her not to think too hard about it. She got turned around a few times on the way there, it'd been ages since she visited the tree so the way there was a bit fuzzy. 

    Finally she arrived in the small little grassy area where the guild tree was, slowing down to a stop right in front of it. Panting she glanced around, she couldn't see him anywhere. She felt her lip tremble, feeling frustrated and very worried. With a deep shaky sigh and she turned around and leaned against the tree. "What do I do?" she whispered while trying to rationalize. Gajeel was a  bit of a loner, maybe he just wanted to have some time to himself.

    "What are you doing here?" 

    Levy jumped an whipped her head around but the park was empty. "Gajeel?" she hesitantly called out. 

    Then she heard a soft grunt that sounded close...she slowly walked around to the other side of the tree and saw him leaning against the trunk looking up at the sky. 

    She felt relieved and smiled at him, "Gajeel! There you are." 

    Gajeel scowled and kept his gaze straight ahead, not looking directly at her. 

    Levy blinked, feeling a slight sting at his response. "What's wrong?" she asked as she tried to read his blank face. 

    "Like you need to ask." he snapped and she saw anger flash in his dull eyes. 

    She felt her vision blur a little but she pushed away her hurt feelings and crossed her arms.

    "Gajeel.." she said, her voice wavering slightly, "What's wrong?" 

    Silence. 

    "Please tell me." 

    The only noise she heard was the ever so slight sound of him breathing as the sun finally set. 

    "Gaje-" Levy pleaded. 

    "JUST GO AWAY!" he finally turned and looked at her, rage etched into his face as he roared at her. 

    Levy staggered back, she tried to open her mouth but instead she let out a small sob. Gajeel's mouth snapped shut and he jerked his head away again. She covered her mouth to muffle the sound and slowly turned away as she felt the tears beginning to spill over. 

    "Fine...baka Gajeel," she managed to quietly sniffle and started walking away not quite sure where she was heading. 

    She only made it a few steps before she heard an exasperated growl from in then the sound of heavy footsteps trailing after her. 

    Levy trudged on, faltering only a little when she heard him call out to her, "Shrimp, wait up!" 

    She kept going even though she knew he could catch up to her easily. Levy heard him running towards her and felt him firmly grab her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. She turned around to face him and saw a mixture of fear, anger, and sorrow flash across his face quickly before it went blank again. 

    "Levy...I.." he started then jerked his head away from her again as if he couldn't even look at her. "Nevermind." he muttered then dropped her wrist and stalked back to the tree. 

    Levy stood there, watching him as he stopped at the base and just stood there. Silent. With a yell he punched the tree, making a sharp cracking noise. She saw blood running down from his hand..

    "Gajeel...stop!" she called out to him and hurried back over to him. He was on his knees now, his raven hair obscuring his face. Levy knelt next to him and hovered her hands over him...trying to figure out what to do.

    "Just go..." he whispered, his voice devoid of all emotion. 

    Levy stared at him in confusion and worry...then saw his shoulders shake a little. 

    "Gajeel...?" Levy started but he turned away from her. 

    "I thought I told you to....to go. I don't...want...you...here." his voice shook as he forcefully spat out those last words. Then she saw him shudder and grab a fistful of grass, tearing it from the earth. 

    Without even thinking Levy wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his back trying to comfort him. He gasped and stiffened. She ignored it and closed her eyes then whispered into his shirt, "I don't know what's going on...but...I'm here for you Gajeel." She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her over his shoulder, she smiled softly, "So don't be sad." 

    "Idiot," he muttered but then turned around to face her. She let go of him and moved back a little to give him some space, not once breaking eye contact. 

    He looked at her and she heard him whisper something so quietly she couldn't hear it before she could ask he spoke up "I'm sorry I made you cry...Levy."

    She felt chills from hearing him say her name, "It's okay. I'm okay." she soothed. 

    Then she saw his chest expand in the darkness as he let out a long drawn out sigh, "You really don't remember what today is do you?" 

    "No...what is today?" Levy asked cautiously feeling a pit form in her stomach.

    Gajeel let out a bitter laugh, "It's our anniversary Levy." she frowned in confusion, "Today's the day when I first met you." 

    Realization slammed into her and she tensed up. Repressed memories flooded into her head and she let out a small involuntary whimper. She suddenly felt like the tree was looming menacingly over her. She remembered why she stopped coming here. 

    "I thought so..." Gajeel said, sounding distant and started to stand up while Levy just sat there feeling numb. 

    She didn't say anything. She didn't have any words to say. 

    Gajeel stood up, now towering above her and paused, "You need to go...you shouldn't be here with me. I'm sorry I said anything." 

    Levy snapped back to reality when she saw something wet fall onto the grass in front of her, she looked up and saw Gajeel was crying. 

    When he noticed her looking up at him, he wiped away his tears and then turned around.

    "I'd better go home. Pantherlilly's probably wondering where I am. See ya around." he said quickly but before he could leave Levy finally snapped, "Will you just stop!?" she shouted at his retreating figure. 

    He froze then slowly turned around to face her. Levy got to her feet, feeling anger flowing through her. She stormed up to him and looked him straight in the eyes. 

    "St-stop what?" he stammered, not expecting this kind of reaction. 

    "Stop trying to push me away!" Levy yelled at him balling her hands into fists. 

    "But...I...hurt you." his jaw clenched , " You should hate me. And I...I shouldn't be around you. I'll just hurt you again." his face contorted as if he was in agony, "And I don't want...that..." 

    "Stop!" she cried and punched him in the chest finally losing it, he looked a little bewildered but didn't even flinch. For some reason this got under her skin and she hit him again and again fueled by a stream of built up anger she didn't even knew she had.  

    "Stop what?" he asked sounding surprised and caught off guard while she rhythmically beat her fists against his chest. 

    She let out a frustrated noise before finally letting it all out, "Just stop being such a big jerk and feeling sorry for yourself. I know it happened but that doesn't mean you should let it control you!" She felt angry tears streaming down her face, "You're a different person and you'd never do that now. I...I don't care anymore and you shouldn't either. Stop acting like you're a monster and pushing everyone away. Because I...I need you." she slowly started cooling down and her punches slowed down until she eventually gave up and slumped against him, "..and you need me too....I don't want you to be alone...I want you...to stay with me....and..." Finally burnt out she trailed off waiting for a response; but Gajeel was silent...Levy thought about saying something but then closed her eyes. She was tired. They stood like that for what felt like hours until she heard him exhale and pushed her away. 

    Levy's eyes snapped open and started to protest but instead of leaving, Gajeel reached up and wiped the remnants of her tears from her cheeks. 

    "You want me to stay by your side, eh?" She looked up and saw a ghost of a smile on his face. 

    Her face felt hot and she looked at his chest as what she did sunk in. Did I just hit him?! And where did all that come from? 

    "I think...I'll listen to you." he said slowly, dropping his hand from her face, breaking the silence again. Then he shot her a teasing look, "Just this once." 

    She looked at him, then breathed a deep sigh of relief. And she thought she heard him sigh too. 

    Then Gajeel of course snickered, "Gihi...you're kinda cute when you're all riled up."

    Levy puffed her cheeks and looked up back at him, "Hey!" 

    But at the same time she felt happiness bubbling up inside her as she saw the familiar mischievous smirk and his crimson eyes were bright again.  

    "So..."he drawled, "You need me eh?" 

    "Sh-shut up!" 





    Levy woke up groggily the next morning tucked under a mound of blankets, in her bed at Fairy Hills. She struggled to worm out of the small mountain of fabric. Where did all these blankets come from? She thought confused, only remembering collapsing in bed the previous night not even bothering to get under the covers. 

    Weird. 

    She finally freed herself and sat up as she slowly remembering Gajeel walking her home, teasing her the entire way and then telling her Goodnight before heading back in the direction of his place.

    Levy let out a happy little sigh then looked at the small clock next to her bed. It was almost the middle of the day. She frantically jumped off of bed as she remembered a few other key points of last night and opened her closet and pulled out the first thing her hands touched wanting to get to the guild as soon as possible. 

    She yanked off a large grey shirt she'd thrown on last night for pajamas and pulled on the change of clothes. She didn't even bother doing anything with her hair as she ran out the door. 

    Levy was halfway down the hall before she realized she'd forgotten to grab her shoes but she didn't go back for them. She was on a mission. 

    She made to the guild in record time, taking several shortcuts and only passed few girls out shopping, who gave her weird looks. Before long the guild came into view and then burst through the doors. Every head turned towards her, and several people looked at her in pure shock. 

    She froze, her mind going blank "Um...hi everyone" she said awkwardly feeling her face turn bright pink. No response, she sheepishly made her way to the bar then sat down glancing around at the table near the stage. Nothing. 

    "Levy..." Mirajane greeted her slowly and looked her cautiously, "How are you?" 

    "I'm alright." she replied trying to smooth down her bed hair feeling like an idiot for running all the way here for no reason. 

    "That's...some outfit you got there..." Mirajane commented flicking her eyes down at the outfit Levy had grabbed. 

    "Huh?" Levy said looking down then saw that she was wearing a little glittery black dress Erza had given her for her birthday a while back. It was cute so she used to wear it a lot...but that was several years ago and she'd grown since then. It used to come down to her knees and the sweetheart neckline was always a few inches higher than it needed to be. Then dress' length was alright, coming just a little short of mid thigh but the neckline showed off a little more of her chest than she would've liked. 

    "Um...I was in a hurry." Levy stammered, mortified thanking whatever deity was looking out for her she hadn't run into too many people on the streets. 

    Then her blood ran cold when she heard the door open and someone walk over to the bar.  

    Please don't be him...please don't be him...please don't be him...she crossed her fingers. 

    Then Mirajane smiled and greeted the newcomer behind her, "Oh hi Gajeel, how are you today?" 

    She was pretty sure she died a little on the inside. 

    "Fine," Gajeel's voice grumbled behind her then much to her horror...he addressed her, "Hey Shrimp." 

    She squeaked out a "hi" then shot Mirajane a desperate "help me" look. Mirajane only whistled tunelessly and said, "We-ell...I have dishes to clean. You two have fun." Then turned her back on her. 

    Mira...you will pay for this...

    "Something wrong Shrimp?" Gajeel asked with a hint of worry in his voice and she heard him fidgeting. 

    Levy took a deep breath and slowly turned around. Gajeel looked relieved at first then she saw his eyes widen and his gaze trailed up and down her. 

    She knew she must've looked like a total mess with her messy bed hair, no shoes, and the tiny dress. 

    "I was in a hurry this morning and I didn't have time to pick out a nice outfit!" she blurted out her excuse feeling like she was going to die of embarrassment. Then she remembered she didn't take a bath last night either. 

    Crap. 

    She saw Gajeel's jaw slacken a little as he stared at her then finally met looked back to her face which was red by now, "I dunno...I think this is pretty nice." he gave her an evil look, "Gihi, so you decided to dress up for me, eh?" 

    Levy was speechless, her mouth opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. 

    Gajeel's smirk had evolved into a full blown grin, "Anyways Shrimp there's something I wanted to tell you last night." 

    Levy finally managed to get a single word out, "Wh-wh-what?" 

    Gajeel's grin seemed to widen even more as he leaned forward. Her face went hot and her pounded dangerously fast, "G-G-Ga-" 

    He placed his arms on either side of her, leaning forward even more. 

    "-jeel." she finally finished right as he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers. 

    She felt like she'd just exploded on the inside and warmth rushed through every fiber of her being. 

    He kissed her slowly at first but then quickly got rougher leaning forward and deepening the kiss. Levy's eyes fluttered and then she her spine arch when she his tongue quickly trail across her bottom lip followed by slight pain as he bit it. 

    Then, all to soon, he pulled away. Levy gasped feeling her heart pounding and like she was on fire. 

    She stared at Gajeel, who's ears and cheekbones were a bright pink. When he noticed her staring at him he reached up and tousled her hair, "Gihi, what is it Levy?" he teased. 

    "Wh-Wh-what were you going to tell me?" She managed to get out while mentally going through everything that just happened. 

    He moved his hand down from her hair to cup the side of her face and smirked, "Guess."