Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.

Chapter 1: Only a spark

"Thank you, Romeo"

It's almost Wendy's birthday. She'll be 13 years old, the same age as Romeo. Now, this wouldn't be a case of premature love. Romeo is the weakest member in Fairy Tail. Natsu taught him that only the strong can achieve anything. He wasn't strong so what can he achieve…

Romeo was sitting in a table across the bar. He was reading one of the books from Totomaru's class on the origins of magic. Natsu and Gray have their casual brawl as Lucy, Wendy, Levy and Mirajane talk at the bar. He could see over the brim of his book Lucy blushing as Mirajane and Levy tease her. Wendy's back was to him so he couldn't see what she was doing. Her hair was tied up to a pony tail and she had a white summer dress on. He couldn't help to look up from his book and stare. He felt a sense of shame like he was a perverted geezer gawking at a girl. They're both 13 now maybe it'll be different if he tells her this time.

"Thank you, Romeo"

He frowned and buried his face deep into the book. He didn't know at that time how those simple words could hurt so much. Before the Tenrou Island incident he finally confessed to Wendy. He might have been young and naive but, he had genuine feelings toward her. After he confessed she never talked to him again. Partly due to her being gone for seven years but, even when she did come back she said nothing. Maybe she doesn't like him or sees him as a nuisance. He was six at the time so why would she be upset. When Asuka told him she loved him, he kneeled gave her a kiss on the forehead and told her he loved her too. She said something about marrying him when she grows up and he played along. That might have been strange way to deal with it but, it sure was better than saying 'thank you' and walking away. Romeo tried talking to his dad about Wendy but, he would just tease him telling him to go ask her out on a date. Natsu would be his second choice but, he's to dense; Lucy and Lisanna are chasing after him and he's completely oblivious. Even Wendy had a crush on him when she first came to the guild. Loke would be his next choice but, he might only give purvey advice like the master. The girls are out of the question; they're all conspiring with each other to make the perfect parings. He didn't want Wendy to date him by getting pressured in to it. Her birthday is coming up; it's a good excuse to go talk to her. He even doesn't what would she like for a present. His mind was a mess now debating whether or not to go talk to her. A slight tug of his scarf snaps Romeo out of his thoughts. Asuka peered up at him, staring with a concerned look. "Romeo-nii are you sad".

"Asuka-chan…" his mind still in a blur he quickly smiles and shakes his head "no, it's nothing". She smiles and shoves a doll to his face.

"Do you wanna play?"

"Sorry, I have to study fo-"

"Pleeease" she pouted.

He sighed "Okay, sure". Asuka grabs his hand leading the way or to prevent escape based on how hard she was grabbing. It was better for him to clear his head anyway; he had never smiled in seven years straight its best not to dwell on the past. They were walking away when Asuka suddenly stops and swerves around to hide behind him.

"Asuka-chan, what's wrong" as he spoke, he saw Gajeel was walking towards them holding plates of bent metal. Asuka clutched Romeo's vest as he approached. Gajeel gives an annoyed grunt as he passed. "It's okay he's not going to hurt you." Gajeel can be scary; He was when Gajeel first joined. Knowing that Natsu had already beaten him made him feel safer though. He doesn't really know Gajeel in fact they haven't spoken before. He may have bumped into him a few times but, they never had a conversation. He's seen him go on missions with Wendy; he might know what she likes. He's almost as dense as Natsu so it wouldn't help; besides he's a stranger to him. He's a stranger but, maybe a stranger is the right person to talk to. Levy is his girlfriend so he may know something about girls. Even if he tells him he likes her it won't matter; it's not like he cares what he thinks about him.

Asuka continues to tug at his vest. "Come on Nii-san. let's go." Romeo glances over to where Gajeel is sitting and back to her.

"Sorry but, I have to go talk for someone for a minute. Can you play with your mom?"

She looks at him for a while then nods "Okay, you're not gonna be sad right?"

"Of course not!" he puts on Natsu's signature grin then made his way towards Gajeel. He was sitting alone munching on metal plates. He probably wouldn't want to be disturbed but, he tried anyway.

"Hey uh… Gajeel-san" Gajeel looked up with a menacing look on his face. He didn't say nothing just continued eating staring him down but, he continued. "Can I talk to you?" Gajeel grunted then nodded towards the chair. So far Romeo's conversations with Gajeel consisted of grunts. Romeo sat down as Gajeel finished the plate he was eating.

"Look, I don't like to be bothered when I'm eating. I didn't mean scare the kid, all kids get scared of me… it pisses me off!"

"No no I wanted to talk about something else." Gajeel blinked at him.

"Oh" he scratched the top of his head. "What is it then."

"W-what does …" He can't ask something direct. It's still embarrassing in saying it. Maybe in a roundabout way he can. "What do dragons like. I mean what do they like to see in another dragon?"

Gajeel raises an eyebrow "You shittin me? What is this part of history class or sumthin". Natsu's brawl escalated now involving Elfman in the fray. Gajeel glares from annoyance. Romeo feels a little bit more relaxed due to the fight would drown out there conversation.

"I just really want to know that's all."

"What, do you wanna be more like Salamander" Gajeel lays back on his chair "tch, I know you're his fanboy but, it's getting kind of creepy."

Romeo never thought himself as a 'fanboy'. Natsu's an idol to him and a complete badass; how dare he say that. He must be jealous. "I'm not asking you about Natsu-nii." Romeo smirked. "You're just mad that he wiped the floor you."

"Bullshit! I had him down but, bunny girl over there helped him out. I'll beat your idol's ass anytime of the week."

"What are you talking about, he just ate some fire; you ate metal too so it's fair". They both glared at each other. He can see why Natsu hated him so much.

Veins pop from Gajeel's head from holding back his anger. "I really want to kick ass right now fanboy, so tell me what you want before I do." It's unusual for Gajeel to back down from a fight but, it was probably do to Levy. Since they've been dating she had a tight leach around his neck, she doesn't let get into brawls and when he does she scolds him in front of everybody. Maybe if does get a girlfriend he'll end up like him. The thought gave him a shiver.

"What would a dragon want for a present"

"I don't know, just give him some fire or sumthin."

"I'm not talking about Natsu-nii" Romeo muttered. Gajeel isn't the best choice to ask what would be a good present. He is a dragon slayer and their hormones are different. He blushed "Look I just want to know…. T-the things a dragon wants to see from a mate."

"Oh,oh" Gajeel stumbles back. He looked shocked with visible sweat running down his check. Romeo had no clue what would bring that reaction. "Whoa I didn't know… I mean, shit….you and Salamander".

"NO! IT'S NOT NATSU, IT'S WENDY!" he blurted out. The noise from the fight completely stopped at that moment. It was completely silent. Everybody in the guild looked at them. Elfman was literally frozen in mid-air (from Gray's Ice of course). No way Wendy didn't hear that. Romeo hid in his scarf embarrassed. Levy was the first to react.

"Gajeel, what's going on" Gajeel visibly flinched. "You're starting trouble again."

"Yo, Gajeel you picking on Romeo." Natsu started followed by Gray.

"Weelll" He knows that tone. Levy's usual tone when lecturing but, Gajeel wasn't the one that shouted. Romeo couldn't say anything still embarrassed.

"Wha- No! He was the one who started it!"

"What exactly were you two talking about?"

"H-he uh….." Romeo was sure that Gajeel was going to tell her. Romeo knew it was a bad idea from the start. He didn't dare look over to Wendy. He just looked at his feet waiting for inevitable. Gajeel looked over at him for a second and sighed. "We were… playing a game!"

"A game?"

"Ya, you know like….. I spy." Levy looked at him suspiciously "Right, fanboy". Romeo darted up.

"Ya, that's right! Gajeel couldn't find out who I was talking about, so I got frustrated. Sorry" Levy stared at both at them.

"Alright but, Romeo you really shouldn't playing with Gajeel. He's not really bright." Gajeel twitched.

"Hey, Gajeel fight me!" Natsu started but, Levy quickly turned around and gave him a disapproving look "N-never mind". The guild returned to their normal routine. Gray gave Natsu a sucker punch and continued the fight. Gajeel sighed and walked towards the guild's entrance signaling Romeo to come over.

….

"Why the hell did you had ask me!"

"I don't know! I just thought you might know; what Wendy likes in a guy" Romeo blushed a little hiding his face in his scarf.

"pfff, I'm not an expert in girls, how am I suppose to know" Gajeel muttered. Romeo lowered his head. Gajeel cursed something under his breath then looked at him. "Look I don't know much about girls but dragonslayers are different."

"Like hormones, right?"

He nodded "Male dragons fight over Female dragons all the time. Female dragons only want the strongest in the bunch and claim them as there's." he sighed. "I'm saying they only want the strong."

"But, aren't you dating Levy. She isn't particularly strong but…"

"That's different. There are fewer female dragons, so male dragons fight over whatever dragon they saw fit." He blurted. Romeo knew dragonslayer's hormones were different but, he didn't know strength was a part of it. He can see why she had a crush on Natsu now. He's the strongest of the strong. Natsu's stronger than Wendy and he can't even compare himself to her. Her fight with Shelia was incredible; he couldn't believe it was the same person. Romeo isn't even in their league. He was weaker than members of twilight ogre.

"Thanks Gajeel-nii, you're not such a bad guy after" he smiled.

"Ya whatever, just don't be bothering me 'bout this crap." Gajeel lumbered off.

"Right" he nodded. The only way to get close to Wendy is to get stronger; Stronger than her or even stronger then Natsu. He had to do something to even get close to their power. He had to do something drastic.

Sorry, long chapter. I'll try to shorten them. This is my first fan fic so I will appreciate it if you all can review.

Next Chapter: Prometheus