Hello to all the readers that find this story! Not my first fanfic, but my first for Fairy Tail and I am a large Gajevy fan!
I own nothing!
Over the years as a Fairy Tail wizard, Levy has witnessed the craziest of fights and drunken nights. Being the smallest person height wise, she didn't typically participate in either. Once she was confident in her magic, she made it a habit to establish a barrier around herself and her books to protect her from flying projectiles, people or stray attacks. The barrier is probably how she survived so long in the Guild.
There are certain days when the Guild hall is quiet from the absence of the more rambunctious members who are out on jobs. Those are the days when she debates whether it is worth her time to put up a barrier or not. They are also the days when she makes the most progress in her studies and whatever she chooses to read. Currently it was one of those special and rare days where the Guild had a simple and peaceful hum to it, and Levy will quickly regret not putting up her barrier.
She was currently in between her studying with a calming book as a reward for herself. She was in her own world and was happy with it just being her and her book. She does read all types of books, she is eager for Lucy to finish hers so Levy could finally read it, but fantasy sometimes bores her, it's overused just a tad. Levy does enjoys books that she can feel the emotions, that get her heart racing and can hear her own pulse in her ears. She was in the middle of one of those kinds of books and was nearing the climax. At which point the hair on the back of her neck decided to stand on end, the same kind of feeling when danger was near.
"Geeze, that is really graphic, Blue," Cana said from where she was reading over Levy's shoulder. The climax did have some blood and gore so obviously an outsider would see it as graphic. At this moment was when Levy regrets not putting up her barrier. She risks a side glance at Cana as the bustier woman plopped herself down right next to Levy. In that second, Cana snatched the book out of Levy's hand to examine it further. "All these years knowing you and it still seems out of character for you to be reading such dark books." Cana comments as she reads the synopsis of the book she had just stolen. Cana and Levy basically grew up together in the guild. Levy would read to the rest of her peers at the time, but back then they were happier books that Levy read aloud. Levy appreciated having a friend like Cana to have knowing they had each other's backs through thick and thin. But friends still irritated each other like siblings would, and most of the guild knew that stealing Levy's books irritated her to say it kindly.
"Give it back Cana, I would like to actually finish it some time today," Levy stated coldly to Cana while glaring at the minimally dressed woman, who seemed to be oblivious of both Levy's glare and her tone.
"But what doesn't surprise me is your taste of men considering your preference in books," Cana continued on waving the book in question while also being kind enough to keep a thumb on the page Levy had been on.
"Is there a point to this?" Levy continued in her cold and indifferent tone, while also getting a nervous feeling in her gut.
"Gajeel," Cana stated a bit more hushed than before with a raised eyebrow and a side glance to watch Levy's reaction. Her reaction was to glance discretely to check if he or anyone else was in hearing range. "You like scary, and he could be the very definition of scary." Cana stated at a normal volume.
"Is that the only reasoning to your ridiculous hypothesis?" Levy questioned while doing her best to keep her breathing even.
"One that matters," Cana shrugged, "I could easily call Mira over to list off witness statements concerning you and Gajeel."
"How about you give me back my book and mind your own business," Levy snapped a little, to which Cana smirked at.
"People around here tend to forget how evil you could actually be. Imagine what he would say if someone told him about that bit of you." Cana teased the idea, the brunette wondered if Gajeel would actually be turned on by that visual of sweet little Levy being dark and scary.
"Cana," Levy warned, why did Cana have to get involved in her love life, or lack thereof?
"Just think on it for a little bit, talk to me when you finally get the nerve to get his attention." Cana finally handed the book back and walked off with that last thought. Cana seemed proud of herself when she noticed that Levy hadn't gone straight back to reading and was actually thinking about it. Knowing Levy so long, it still amazed her to watch the gears grinding to find an answer in the little bluenette's head. And to top it off Levy didn't bother to save the page upon its return to her hands.
As far as she was aware, she did have his attention. She remember before the S-class test when Juvia said that Gajeel had feelings for her, which she denied on the spot. Juvia was able to recognise the look in his eyes when he would watch her way back then. She did recall that he kept his distance but sometimes she might catch him watching her. By the time she was chosen for the S-class test she had forgiven him for his actions while in Phantom Lord, but it did not stop him from aggravating her to her wits end. The fact that he came after her and rescued her from the mages from Grimoire Heart spoke volumes to her. She did her best during that time to keep to her promise to stay by his side. Once they returned to Fairy Tail he made it a habit to sit with her in the guild hall, it was a unspoken but mutual agreement of sorts. She didn't mind it either, he remained quiet while she read but did participate in the usual fights.
Then there was the whole Infinity clock with Lucy where Gajeel had teamed up with her and Shadowgear, doing nothing but driving her mad. After that she would like to think they could have said that the she and Gajeel were friends, despite Droy and Jet's continued dislike of the Iron Dragon Slayer. Of course she tried to support him during the Grand Magic Games, though he was so focused and excited about the fights the only time he really paid attention was during the final battle with the dragons when he told her to help with evacuation of the civilians.
Then she had the embarrassing memories from dealing with the Rogue Celestial Spirits. Because that was when she had to finally admit her attraction to Gajeel, she doesn't remember when it started, but it was just there. As far as she knew no one knew about what happened except in their individual fights unless they cared to share, which she wasn't willing to voice. Then there was the whole battle against the corrupt being, and it turning her into a constellation when she pushed Gajeel out of the way of its attack. He may have called her an idiot but he never did ask her straight as to why she risked herself to save him.
Ever since Tenrou island when he mocked her for being too weak to be a match for him, she had a desire to become stronger to be able to be by his side and not cowering behind him. With her second origin awakened before the Grand Magic Games started she tried harder spells and did her best to become stronger.
Ever since Cana walked away from her conversation with Levy, which had to been at least a five minute time span, Levy had yet to move from her inner thoughts. Cana had been watching her the entire time, wondering how long before Little Blue responded and acted. Mira approached and watched Levy with curiosity.
"What did you do to her?" Mira asked concerned, usually they had little to worry for if Levy's nose was in a book, but the book in hand was closed, and Levy was still as stone.
"Just talked to her for a little bit, do you think I broke her? 'Cause I'm getting worried." Cana replied, if she told Mira the details of the conversation Mira would not leave Levy or Gajeel alone until they were together. At that moment they watched Levy take in a big breath and rise from her seat and take her pile of books with her. "You alright Blue?" Cana called out as she passed by. She stopped and gave the two a curious look before beaming a big smile at them.
"I'm fine, was gonna drop these books back at Fairy Hills before going out for a little bit." Levy replied in her usual cheerful attitude, very different from the cold tone she had used with Cana minutes before.
"Be careful, Levy." Mira said and with that Levy left the Guild hall without another word. Mira looked at Cana once Levy was gone from their sight, "Did you see the same look in her eyes as I did?"
"Yup," Cana chuckled, "looks like she got some fire in her lately. I thinks she's been training more as well."
"How do you figure?" Mira asked, she had noticed Levy had been a bit different in her routines once they returned from the games in Crocus.
"She is out of the apartments early and back late, the boys don't know where she runs off to either when they expect to pick her up in the mornings.
"You're right, they weren't bothering her today either. Should we be worried?" Mira had a few theories as to the change in Levy's behavior, but the fact she was taking action was a bit surprising.
"How long do you expect Gajeel to be gone on his mission with Lily?" Cana asked, not so discreetly giving a clue as to the reason for Levy's attitude change. Cana likes to think Gajeel was the kick in the butt that Levy needed to be the strong wizard she could be.
"A week, two tops. What are you planning?"
"I know you're the matchmaker but I wanna help my little bluebird get her dragon, I've seen it in the cards."
"Why were you doing that?"
"I got bored and wanted to know her chances since they seem to be orbiting each other." Cana explained, it was pretty obvious since those two would sit at the same table recently, and before that it was always Gajeel that was keeping Levy safe. "Plus you know I have a few bets on them," Mira gave a little sigh at Cana using her magic to make a few extra jewels from the guild betting pool.
Elsewhere Levy stood in a clearing preparing for her training, she needed to write out the words out faster and have her attacks be harder. She knew her team would have been happy to help her but she was always depending on someone it was driving her crazy. She had convinced them to have a training day for themselves while she sat and studied in the guild hall. But Cana's conversation reminded her why she wanted to get stronger, to finally have a chance for his attention. She knew she was the smallest and that tend to make her feel weak. Her mind was an asset, but if she couldn't help in battle then she wasn't reaching her full potential. With this new access to more power she needed to use it so whenever she did these training sessions, she would put up a barrier to increase her magic stamina. Everyone else was always getting stronger and she did not want to be left behind.
"Solid Script: Sticky Mode: Push!" She called out as she directed the attack at a boulder she had made earlier. She watched the word attach itself to the rock and move away from her. "It worked," she said happy with herself, she did that same spell several times before it actually worked.
She continued in that fashion until her breathing was getting slightly labored and sweat was drying on her skin. By that time she saw it was near dinner time, so she put an halt on her training so she could shower before going to get something to eat at the guild.
Upon her arrival, Jet and Droy were happy to see her and were about to drag her off when Cana beat them to the punch and had plopped Levy next to her at the near empty bar where only Mira was working. Cana and Mira shared a look before Mira gave Levy her dinner. Levy had that uneasy feeling in her stomach again but waited to hear them out before deciding whether to make a run for it or not.
"So where did you end up going after you left this morning?" Cana asked of Levy.
"I went for a walk, need to get some exercise in my day."
"Really? Because you look a little low on magic power, at least less than when you left." Mira noted after a moment.
"I may have got some training in on my walk," Levy stated as she finished her meal.
"I remember your idea of training used to be exercising your brain, Levy. When did you choose to go physical?"
"Recent events made me revise that kind of thinking."
"Or people?" Mira asked.
"Going up against our enemies did prove I was not physically capable of any fighting. So I want to try and fix that," Levy had realized Cana spilled about their earlier conversation, most likely teaming up against her now.
"You know your poker face isn't as good as you think, your face is so easy to read that it's almost sad." Cana stated, "It's more obvious than you think," both women nodding in agreement, Levy dropped her head into her arms on the bar with a groan.
"We can help you if you want, I don't think he's that thick headedly oblivious," Mira offered,
"Yeah, this isn't Natsu, Gajeel is more aware of things, so there is hope." Cana added, Levy chuckled at knowing those two would go at it if they heard a comment like that.
"He may know too, I just don't know what to do. I'm so weak in comparison." Levy muttered into her arms, but they understood her well enough.
"What you need is more confidence, little blue!"
"Nicknames like that aren't helping my confidence, Cana." Levy stated clearly as she turned her head to give Cana a stink eye.
"Force of habit, but I got a few ideas to help him see you."
"He does see Levy," Juvia showed up behind them all of a sudden, making Levy and Cana nearly jump out of their skins.
"When the hell did you show up?!" Cana called out to the water mage.
"Right about when Levy was saying she was weak in comparison," Juvia answered, "Juvia is to assume we are speaking of Gajeel, correct?"
"He just doesn't see me as someone worth his time," Levy continued the train of thought, "He said I had to get stronger to get his attention, 'at least strong enough to be a challenge' then I hit him with my bag for being a jerk."
"When did that happen? I would have loved to see that," Cana questioned, disappointed she missed a sight like that.
"Tenrou island, right before I was cornered by Grimoire Heart. But I got it stuck in my head and I just want to be able to pull my weight, am I crazy for thinking like that?"
"Juvia doesn't think Levy is crazy, Juvia thinks Levy can be very strong, especially if you can put up with Gajeel for as long as you have."
"You are probably the smartest wizard we have, a damn good strategist too." Cana added, "We just need to make that Iron Idiot see what he is missing out on."
"How do you suggest we do that?" Levy asked cautiously, knowing Cana had some crazy ideas over the years.
"It involves a bit of shopping, among a few optional things we can discuss. We can start on that tomorrow, would Juvia like to join since you know Gajeel well?" Cana asked and Juvia accepted happily. Levy was a little nervous, but was willing to listen. "First we'll examine what your closet looks like when we go back to Fairy Hills. Then we make a plan of attack."
"What did I get myself into?" Levy asked Mira who merely giggled at the question. 'I really regret not putting up a barrier today,' she thought, but eventually if it worked she may be thankful that she didn't.
Please review and tell me how you all thought, I love feedback!
-Greekgeekspywannabe
5/22/16