Author's note:
Recently in Fairy Tail Magazine's Gajeel issue, it said that Gajeel would need some more time before he becomes aware of Levy as a woman, so I wanted to do a series of drabbles exploring how he slowly becomes aware of her and how their slow burning relationship evolves from friendship to love. Also, this takes place a couple of years after the current arc in the manga. I'm not the best writer but I hope you all enjoy!
All characters belong to the supreme leader Hiro Mashima. I just enjoy using them for my own personal use.
Countdown...5.
Gajeel wasn't sure why he felt the sudden twinge that he did when he saw the little solid script mage that day, but he definitely felt it.
It was a normal day for the guild. Mirajane and Kinana were keeping the bar while Natsu, Gray, Erza and a good portion of the guild fought for some imagined supremacy. Cana laughed her drunken ass off at the violent sight while Lucy hid below her on the other side of the bar. Juvia watched her beloved Gray-sama brawl with that same girlish look of love that only she could wear on an everyday basis. Lily sipped a savory kiwi drink as Happy attempted to win some type of affection from Carla, failing miserably in the process. Lastly, Levy had her nose deep in a thick tome that Gajeel was impressed that she could even carry it at all.
Yeah, everything was as it should be.
But it wasn't.
Gajeel felt a twinge when he took the seat across from the bluenette. He sniffed the air and noticed something was different. Normally, when he sat with Levy, the familiar scent of old books and the clean linen smell of her clothes would fill his sensitive nostrils. Today, there was a new scent. While she still smelled of old books and fresh linen, Levy smelled of something fruity yet floral. It was sweet yet calming. He liked it. It suited her. He inhaled once more before interrupting his friend's reading,
"You smell different Shrimp."
Startled out of her thoughts, Levy looked up to see the object of her affection staring at her as if waiting for an answer to an implied question,
"It's jasmine."
Gajeel smirked,
"Last time I checked, your name was Levy."
The little mage rolled her eyes. She could always tell when he was trying to get a rise out of her,
"Hardy har har, Gajeel. But the scent you noticed…it's jasmine. I've read the jasmine oil helps with stress."
Quickly, Gajeel's smirking face morphed into a face of concern at that last part,
"You're stressed? What's got you so worked up?"
Levy sighed and took off her trademark headband and ran her fingers through her hair. The motion made the scent of Jasmine even more powerful and the dragon slayer felt his chest twinge once more. He thought nothing of it and continued to watch his friend compose herself.
"It's Jet."
Before he could stop himself, Gajeel let out a small 'gihihi' to which Levy tried her best to glare at him in a threatening manner,
"It's not funny. Jet confessed to me…..a real heart felt confession not the usual fawning that he and Droy do. He wants to be with me. He wants more than our friendship. It was real."
Gajeel sobered himself a little at that. Sure, he knew that the only male members of Shadow Gear were infatuated with Levy. Hell, everyone did. But he didn't think one of them would have the actual gall to pursue her. He respected Jet a little more now. However, he didn't understand why she was twisted in knots about it. Jet was a good guy and she's a good woman, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they got together? Yet the thought of Jet and Levy being the new Alzack and Bisca didn't exactly sit comfortably with him either. He couldn't explain why though for the life of him. So he gave Levy the only advice he could,
"If you like him, go out with him. If you don't, then tell him fast…"
Levy sighed then put her face into her small hands carrying that delicious scent to Gajeel's nose triggering yet another twinge.
"I just don't want to hurt him or ruin the friendship that we have. Ughhh." She groaned into her hands.
Gajeel scratched his head trying to think of something useful to say, but nothing was forthcoming as the thought of Levy with Jet became increasingly uncomfortable. Seeing that there was no more that he could do for the little Shrimp, Gajeel stood up to go visit the request board, but before he left he patted her head and said,
"Listen shorty, I'm no good with this love stuff so I'll tell you to go talk to Bunny girl or the Rain woman about it if it's botherin' you that much… Also don't worry about it too much though, Shrimp. As much as I like this new scent you're sportin', I don't like that you're wearin' it because you're stressed. Good luck."
He inhaled that jasmine scent and felt that inexplicable pang once more before heading to the board while never noticing the fierce blush that claimed the Solid Script mage's face as she mumbled to herself,
"Baka Gajeel."
To be continued…depending on inspiration striking for another drabble. Thanks for reading!