He was sick. He was tired. He should really be at home in his warm bed, not stomping twenty miles to the nearest train station only to endure another train ride to Oak Town. His last mission was a killer that had him and his partner trudging through the cold, damp swamps in search of an elusive artifact. Since Lily or he were unfamiliar with the territory, they were under prepared and didn't even bother bringing a tent. As hardy as they were, being exposed to the elements for two weeks straight without any form of shelter had left the two with the flu.

Gajeel was still recovering and the cold still lingered. To add insult to injury, Gajeel really loathed Oak Town. His former guild, Phantom Lord was the least of those reasons. For once, Gajeel was glad that he had a stuffy nose because Oak Town's main thoroughfare always reeked of drying fish and excrement. But, for the next few months, this is where his heart resides. At the moment, she was sitting in a small café near the water's edge.

Not even his head cold and Oak Town's rancid smell could diminish her scent of aged leather and white flowers. He loved that scent because it belonged to his mate. Not that he would tell her that she was his chosen mate because Gajeel had made it explicitly clear that he needed her to get stronger so she that she can stand by his side. The only thing that overwhelmed her scent was the male she sat talking to.

Gajeel wasn't sure if the stranger was a potential lover. The guy was definitely a friend, but the way he was openly flirting with his oblivious bookworm was really making his blood boil. Thinking quickly, he extended his arm into an iron pole and knocked the guy into the canal while Levy was distractedly digging around in her purse. She looked back up to find her companion missing. Immediately, she suspected the dragon slayer was nearby.

"GAJEEL!"

There was no fooling his genius of a mate, so he employed diversion tactic #243. "Oi, Shrimp! I think your boyfriend is drowning!" The man in question was not drowning. He was getting out of the canal and he looked livid.

"Gajeel!" Levy she said through gritted teeth. "That man is my boss!"

'OOPS!'

Her boss, drenched from head to toe, promptly fired her on the spot and Gajeel found himself running after his Shrimp.

"Shrimp! Slow down! Yer too small. I'm havin' trouble stayin' next to ya."

She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at Gajeel straight in the eyes. "Gajeel, I needed that job to pay for my rent. Do you how hard it is to find a job? Jobs in Oak Town are really scarce right now," she was sniffling and Gajeel knew she was trying so hard not to cry. Her big, beautiful hazel eyes were melting into his and he knew he had to do something. Anything! Even if it meant showing some semblance of affection than he was more than comfortable with.

"I'm sorry, Levy." He murmured as he uncharacteristically pulled her close to him. "I'm glad to see you." She was still looking away from him and her lips were still pursed into a pout, then Gajeel knew it was time to bring out the big guns. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

Her eyes darted back to his face. "What?!" Levy couldn't believe her ears, unsure if he had really apologized.

"Please don't make me repeat myself." A light dusting of pink dusted his cheeks. The great Kurogane was blushing and he was beyond adorable. Whatever he said worked because she softened at his words. "You can be such an IDIOT!" she huffed.

"I know shrimp," completed exasperated. "But I'm your idiot, GIHI!" Gajeel grabbed her hand to pull her along. "Forget it. Now come on, shrimp. Let's go get dinner."

They strode towards a row of restaurants. His fingers still laced around her delicate hands. After a while, she asked him about Lily's whereabouts.

"Lily's at the Exceed Village."

Levy didn't respond back because she knew the implications in his simple statement. Every month, Gajeel would time these visits to when Lily went to the Exceed village. It didn't matter what town she happened to be in, Gajeel would always insists on paying her a visit and she could never say no. So on the the third week of every month, Gajeel would visit and he would usually stay for two weeks at a time. It always looked forward to it. Not that either of them would admit it.

Four hours after dinner, he had her pressed up against the wall in yet another shoddy apartment. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. His kisses left her face and down to the column of her white throat.

She pulled away and a long, strand of saliva dangled from their lips connecting them. "Gajeel?" Her eyes were half-lidded in lust.

"Mmmm," he groaned. From pleasure or as a response – Levy couldn't tell.

"Bedroom now!" her voice rasped with such passion and desire. Nobody had to tell him twice. He wanted this woman for far too long especially since that first night together. He carried her into her bedroom, shutting the door with his foot. There was love to be made and he wasn't going to waste a second of it.