So this is...new. Like I've mentioned in Behind Closed Doors, I am a beginner when it comes to writing Fairy Tail fics. I can only hope that these drabbles are worthy of people read and reviewed! I'm releasing this now as a Christmas present, but also because another oneshot compilation of mine will be ending soon and i figured "why not make another one!"

I hope you enjoy what I've tried to put together

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 1: Lily

"You're really cute when you play with Lily, you know that?"

When those words had left Levy's lips, he had become more than perplexed with her statement. Him? Cute?

"I don't play with my cat."

"Sure, you don't," she said, completely unconvinced and fixing him with her brown eyes as they surveyed him from above her current novel. "You don't tease each other back and forth, you don't go out of your way to make him comfortable, and you definitely don't pat him just to hear him purr late at night." He sat there, stunned into his current position. Could his dragon slayer ears have truly betrayed him? Had she said- "Lily talks to me too, you know!"

So that was why. It had been his damnable cat spreading rumours. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Shorty."

"But it came from the source," she said, a teasing smile on her lips, "so it must be true." The cat in question was sitting at the bar with Mira, Happy and Charle nearby. Lily was being the ever patient listener, as Gajeel could hear only Mira speaking. He seemed to be enjoying the topic of conversation and Gajeel resigned himself to likely have the tale retold to him on his way home. All the same, he seemed completely oblivious to being the subject of their conversation, his dark tail slowly flicking side to side without a care in the world. He and Pantherlily did not play with one another. They would spar, perhaps tease each other, but Gajeel Redfox did not play with his Exceed.

"I think you're imaginin' things," he got out gruffly, standing up rather dramatically.

"I don't think I am," Levy chirped cheerily, laughing as he tried to silence her with a glare. "It's not so bad, Gajeel. It's good to be attached to someone like Lily. It's healthy and," she paused to search for a word before deciding on, "adorable."

"Adorable?"

"Sure. I mean, as adorable as a dragon slayer like you can get."

He tsked, ruffled her blue hair by means of a goodbye, and made for the door without another word. Gajeel did not tell Lily that he was leaving. Why should he even attempt it? The cat was clearly comfortable where he sat, and the dragon slayer knew that his Exceed would make his way home eventually. However, he wasn't even half way down the cobbled street that the guild sat on when he heard Lily flying towards him. Gajeel didn't bother turning his head, nor even acknowledging the Exceed when he landed on his broad shoulder.

"You know, you could have told me you wanted to leave," he said curtly.

"And cut short your talk with the demon? I don't think so, Lil."

"It is so nice of you to care, Gajeel, it brings me to tears," Lily's sarcasm was palpable, "but I really wouldn't have minded. Besides, you and Levy looked so comfortable." He growled a warning but the cat just chuckled, getting more comfortable on his shoulder. "You can't hide it from me, my friend, I can basically read your mind."

"Sure you can." Gajeel made the appropriate turns, a hand digging for his key as they neared their flat. "What am I thinkin' about right now?"

Lily was silent with thought, a paw on his mouth, before answering. "About getting a mission that'll involve iron." Gajeel clicked his tongue at the accuracy and Lily laughed outright at his companion. "I knew I was right."

"Shut up."

"You can't hide from me," he said again, voice filled with amusement. "I live with you, in case you have forgotten." Gajeel smirked, something he had been doing more often than before, his serious countenance marred by the playful quirk of his mouth. "You aren't as mysterious as you make yourself out to be."

"Whatever you say," he snapped back, except there was no harshness in it, all of it lost on the black cat who merely swung his legs down Gajeel's broad shoulder. They continued on together in companionable silence, and he knew that the aura surrounding his furry partner was one of content.

The back and forth happened rather often with them, and Gajeel was secretly glad that he was someone he hadn't scared away yet. Lily was a good friend to have, the best really, and often Gajeel wondered if duty was the only thing keeping his dark companion with him. However, he was often quick to perish the thought. It was well known between the pair of them that Lily was just as adept at reading people as Gajeel was the best in scent related tasks. In those senses, they were both skilled, and Gajeel had almost gotten a lecture for having negative thoughts when Lily caught him brooding just a week ago. The cat knew his expressions and mind far too well, and, in retrospect, it probably was a good thing.

If he wasn't going to let anyone in, at least his cat could be somewhere in his hard, iron heart.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Please R&R and Happy Holidays!