Rhythm of the Horse
A GaLe one shot
For Gajevy week
My very very late posting for the Gajevy week that took place in February this year! This is my very very long one shot for the differences part of Gajevy week. This is horse riding Au and I hope you all like it. P.S go to Animeguitar96 page to check out her story and also our story that we are working on together!
It was a hot summer morning at the Magnolia equestrian center and the day's show activities were just getting underway. In one of the holding barns,Gajeel was tacking up Metalicana for his last run of the day before he got ridden by his younger sister, Wendy, in the evening. He gently placed a spotless black western saddle pad on his horse's steel black back. He placed an old, but polished black leather saddle that almost blended in with his horse, if one were to take a closer look they would see detailed patterns on the saddle. Taking off his silver cowboy hat he wiped the sweat that was beginning to accumulate on his forehead, that revealed, even with the fans going it was beyond hot and humid also. His spurs clicked on the padded floor echoing in the silent morning as he grabbed a comb and began to gently get the knots out of Metalicana's silver mane.
As he took off the halter to put on the black and silver bridle Lily came walking him with his horse, Edolas. Edolas had a chocolate coat with a blonde mane that flowed down to his shoulders, Lily would cut it but the moment he did it would just grow right back out. Instead he now braided it and did his best from keeping it out of his way when they competed.
"Morning Gajeel," Lily said as they entered the barn "You're not going to like this but the indoor arena got flooded so we are outside next to the jumpers today." Gajeel accidentally tightened the cinch on the saddle a little too tight when he heard that, earning a slap in the face by Metalicana's tail.
"What do you mean flooded!? We needed that arena, those snotty english horses get spooked every damn time they see a freaking cow!" He yelled not happy that he to deal with them. Every year it was the same damn story, some english horse freaking out cause they have never seen a cow before in their lives and the damn thing running all over the place cause it was a crazy hot head.
"Apparently the sprinkler system broke and they won't be able to drain and dry it before we have to compete," Gajeel muttered a few curses under his breath no matter what every year there was always something going wrong.
"Well we don't have a choice, they pushed the Dressage riders back, which they did not like to hear, to the afternoon so they could tear down their arena and put ours up." Gajeel growled the only thing he hated about this center was how all the shows took place at once.
"You might want to hurry up. Since we are going to be sharing the warm-up ring with the jumpers and I don't want to be near any of those crazy warm bloods." Letting out a growl Gajeel grabbed his rope, mounted Metalicana and followed Lily to the arenas. Thankfully at the warm up arena there were trees that provided shade for most of the morning heat. However, they weren't the first ones there. Two girls had already taken up the center of the arena and were going over the provided jumps. One was on a large chestnut with four even white socks that dwarfed Metalicana and the other was on a dapple grey that was even bigger than the chestnut.
"Oh crap there goes any chance for us to practice," Gajeel muttered under his breath. Lily rolled his eyes, he didn't mind them being there, there was plenty of room for everyone. He just didn't want to be around when they bring out the three year olds.
"Just keep to the outside and let them jump Gajeel, I'll go get our numbers from the office. Just get him warmed up and avoid them, it's not like they are going to kill us." Sighing Gajeel went to the fence and stayed on there asking Metalicana into a jog. As he got closer he noticed that the one riding the dapple grey was incredibly tiny, her blue hair could be seen peaking out from under the black satin helmet. She had her reins long and loose allowing the horse to stretch his long neck all the way to the ground. He watched her go a few rounds with the horse, the two moved like one and became mesmerizing to watch. Every stride, every leap and turn was flawless and graceful.
"Hey Levy another five more minutes and then we go to meet Trainer Makarov back at the barn!" Her friend on top of the chestnut said. That snapped Gajeel out of the trance that he was in, Metalicana had even stopped jogging and was waiting patiently for his idiotic rider to focus again.
"Sure thing Lucy! Me and Caillte are going to go over the snack bar and grab a few apples for everyone before the show starts!" She said, before gathering up her reins and broke into a canter. Gajeel didn't know what was happening to him, watching her ride was something he could do all day. His heart pounded in his chest and he was sweating like crazy and he didn't know if it was the heat or something else.
Levy was having a hard time keeping her cool as she rode Caillte over the jumps. The man on the black horse hadn't stopped watching her since his friend left. She couldn't see his face as it was hidden under a hat but every once in awhile she saw something shiny reflect off his face. She broke down to a trot and went to one of the trees and pulled down her water bottle she had stuck up there since it was difficult getting on her very, very tall horse
"So, are gonna talk to the cowboy over there Levy?" Lucy asked as she trotted up next to Levy, that earned a squeak from the tiny women as she drank her water.
"N-no! W-why would I do that!?" She said turning red.
"Why not he's been checking you out for the entire warm-up and besides who wouldn't want a hunk of a cowboy to hold them?" she teased as Levy's faced turned tomato red, "Besides you haven't had a decent man since Jet got drunk and cheated on you! I know what he hurt you badly Levy but you've got find someone that will truly love you. I'll meet you back up at the barn and don't forget those apples!" Lucy said as she dismounted and made her way to the barn. Levy rode to the other side of the arena in hopes of not running into strange man on the other side. Taking off her helmet releasing her blue hair from it's cage, it felt nice to feel the wind in her hair again. Little did she see was Gajeel's face turning a shade of burgundy.
Lily had been watching the whole ordeal by the gate and chuckled softly, he was an idiot in love and she was quietly in love. With the numbers in his hands he walked over to Gajeel passing Levy in the process. She was beyond tiny compared to the horse, he was a monster, built for speed and for power, muscles bulge out of him as he lumbered passed him. He noticed that the saddle, and reins were custom made just to fit the giant and for the tiny rider. To top it off Lily noticed that he could not see over the back of the giant, making him wonder how the hell she even got up on the thing.
He approached Gajeel who was working on turns and trying to keep his mind off the blue hair girl.
"So you are going to ask her out?" Gajeel nearly fell off his horse, he was spooked by both Lily and the sudden question.
"No like hell I'd ask out a snot nose english rider!" He lied, he didn't want to give Lily the satisfaction.
"Your loss," Lily said as he pinned the number to Gajeel saddle pad.
"We are third up at noon, which is in an two hours. We'll warm-up, take off the polo wraps and change then come back here and wait for our turn." Also Gajeel, try to rope the cow this time before your horse falls." He said smirking as Gajeel let out a sigh of annoyance, it wasn't his fault that last year that he didn't rope the cow thanks to Metalicana tripping. Lily began to drill Gajeel and Metalicana in a hard warm-up taking his mind of the blue hair maden. By the time they were done, both were soaking wet with sweat and in need of a cold drink.
Gajeel offered to go get them both water from the cafe, as he walked over there he spotted the blue haired girl from this morning. He was now able to see her up close and was once again lost in a train of thought. Her tan breeches hugged her long legs and the tight white shirt showed off her tiny but beautiful body. Her arms were full of apples, water and other sorts of snack food. In her mouth she had a bag of chips and was reaching for the last bag on the top shelf.
"Need some help there shrimp?" She squeaked, leaped into the air and accidentally dropped most of the food in her hands. He couldn't help but laugh as she turned around and puffed out her cheeks, still with the bag in her mouth. She quickly took the bag out of her mouth
"Don't scare me like that! And I'm not a shrimp I'm Levy Mcgarden" She snapped, as she bent down and began to pick up the food. Gajeel also knelt down and helped her pick up the food.
"The name is Gajeel. Just wanted to ask if you need some help, seeing how you've got a mountain of food in your arms that's bigger than you. " He laughed taking her in. He couldn't help himself it was a part of him he never knew he had. Sure he had other women in his life, but there was something about her that made him want to make her his.
"Thanks but no thanks, I don't need some cowboy to help me." she said, trying to hide her red face.
'Well little lady, I'm going to cause that's the cowboy way." he said but mentally kicked himself for saying something that stupidly corny. Levy let out a laugh and tucked a blue hair strand behind her ear. As she placed her hand on the last apple, Gajeel's hand landed on top of hers. Both froze as piercing red eyes met liquidambar and pulled away blushing furiously. Levy, felt her face couldn't get any more redder. His fingers were calloused and roughed, evident of the kind of riding he did. While Gajeel embedded the feeling her soft skin that she had, compared to his.
"Umm here," he said quickly picking up the apple and handing it to her.
"Thanks." She said quietly. Trying hard to hid her squeaking voice.
"Come on Redfox this your chance to ask her out," He thought to himself, he was sweating bullets but he knew what he had to do. But he let his iron heart get the best of him.
"Here I'll pay for it." he said as she walked towards the cash register.
"No you don't-." Before she could finished he had already pulled out his wallet and paid the cashier for the mountain of food she had and for the waters that he needed.
"Thank you," She said quietly, the cashier gave her two bags for the food and went into the back to restock his shelves. As they walked out in silence, Gajeel was once again sweating bullets. Before he could open his mouth something caught her attention. Gajeel looked at the direction she was looking and saw a tall man with orange hair tied up in a pony tail walking towards her. She stood there frozen in fear, before making up her mind on what to do.
"Oh no I have to go!" She whispered, before he could stop her she took off. The man in the pony tail quickly began to go after her, until Gajeel threw out his arm and stopped him. The man bounced off his arm and landed hard in the dirt. He had the wind knocked out of him and looked up to see what had caused it.
'What the hell man! Why did you that?" He groaned as he picked himself off the ground. He look as if though he was read to fight but Gajeel can tell he was afraid of him.
"Well ain't it obvious that she didn't want yeah!" he said, the man backed off intimidated by Gajeel.
"Well maybe she was running away from a monster like you!" He snapped, Gajeel knew that his appearance could scare most people but it never bothered him. Gajeel smirked, if she was afraid of him then why the hell didn't she run away when she first saw him.
"Ghihi, just leave her alone or else you'll be dealing with a monster,"Gajeel warned leaving him scared out of his wits.
It wasn't long until Gajeel once again found himself back in the warm up area however, this time it was show time. By eleven the arena was clearly divided the ropers took over the right side while the jumpers took over the left. Gajeel and Lily were in the last remaining shade spot waiting for their number to be called. Things weren't going as fast as he wished, with jumpers demanding that no else compete while they were on, they had to make it go back and forth between the two sides.
Then he saw her, she was once again on her monster of a horse and was now in full show gear. A white sheepskin saddle pad was under her dark brown polished english saddle, her bridle was also polished. She was cantering around the edge of the arena and warming up her horse. At the fence line he could see that orange hair idiot was cheering for her and her face was filled with annoyance.
"Something bothering you Gajeel?" Lily asked.
"I don't like how that idiot is following her around," he growled, watching the scene continue. It wasn't long until Levy slowed down and stood by the gate.
"Up next we have Levy Mcgarden on Caillte," The announcer said, Lily chuckled and grabbed the reins to Metalicana.
"Go watch her cowboy I'll hold Metal," Gajeel leaped off and tore off to the side of the arena to watch her. He went up to the white gate and watched as she made a small circle in the middle of the arena and began to pick up speed.
In the arena Levy began to focus her mind on the jumps around her. The course was the hardest one she had ever seen in awhile a total of fifteen jumps each ranging from five to six feet tall. When the bell rang she and Caillte charged at the fences. Her heart soaring with each jump and each turn getting more and more daring. It wasn't until she reached the last two jumps that things went wrong, Caillte tripped on the turn and Levy lost her stirrups.
On the sidelines Gajeel saw what happened and felt his heart leap out of his chest. Instead of freaking out Levy grabbed a fist full of Caillte mane and hung on for dear life. The crowd along with Gajeel gasped as she flew over the jump and landed safely and then again over the last jump. The crowd went nuts, cheering for her bravery and realizing that she had secured the first place. She gave Caillte a well earned rubbed and feed him his favorite cookie as they walked out.
"Shrimp!" Gajeel called out, she turned her head and saw him jogging up to her. "Were you trying to die out there!?" He snapped never in his life had he ever been worried about some this much before.
"It wasn't my fault Caillte here accidentally lost his footing and tripped, and why do you care?" she asked that turned his face red but ignored the question before he can say another word. A hand tapped him on the shoulder.
"If I were you I would get away from her!" He turned to find the orange hair guy from earlier standing behind him.
"Jet! Go away! I already told you that we are through!" Gavel clenched his fists but kept his anger down.
"Ghihi I thought I told yeah to leave her alone." Gajeel said darkly causing Jet to take a step back.
"Levy why are you with this monster? He's obviously a not a good person to be around. Come one give me another chance! I haven't had one drink since we've broken yup I promise
that I will never drink again." Levy calmly jumped off Caillte, not wanting to spook her horse.
"Can you hold him please?" Levy asked as she handed Gajeel the reins, taken back by her calm attitude he knew something was about to go down.
Levy took a deep breath before turning towards Jet, who looked dead terrified of the tiny blue hair woman.
"I'm with cause unlike you he's actually treated me like a lady! That's why! Unlike you, you come home drunk, hardly send any time and even choose to go out to drink with your friends over me! So the answer is no! I won't give you another chance you lost it when you got drunk and had to have sex with a bimbo!" She snapped at him, poor Jet was now bawling his eyes out begging for forgiveness but it fell deaf to her ears. She turned around back to Gajeel and took the reins from him.
"Thank you, I'm sorry at the trouble he's caused you. How about after the show we go get milkshakes at the Blue Pegasus diner?" She said, Gajeel felt his heart leap, and sink at the same time. He wanted to be the one to ask her out first but he didn't care he had gotten himself a date with her!
"Sure why not." He said with a crooked smile "I'll meet up with yeah after I'm done competing." He tipped his hat to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Wait when do you go on?" She asked as he walked away.
"I'm up in two?" he said, Levy went over to Lucy who was taking a wad of money from both Natsu and Grey. She didn't bother to ask what it was about since she figured out what it was.
"Hey Lucy do you mind holding Caillte? I want to go watch one of the ropers." Gosh fucking damn it Natsu I told yeah we should have betted on something else!" Grey cursed under his breath as both men once again pulled out their wallets.
"Sure thing Levy! Also Levy?"
"Yes Lucy?"
"You better make me your maid of honor when he asks you to marry him." Lucy said happily as Levy's face turned brick red.
"LUCY!" She whined, but the blonde hair girl laughed and began to collect the money from both Natsu and Grey. Levy went over to the roper's arena and began to feel out of place by all the cowboy hats and boots. However, those thoughts were soon put out of her mind when she spotted Gajeel and his friend enter the arena. Both horses were calm and collected with their head down and focused. The two went over to the chute and stood on both sides of. In one hand Gajeel had Metalicana's reins and in the other held the rope. If he could he would drop his reins and let Metalicana do what he does but of corse that was against the rules. Levy held her breath as the tension in the air became palpable. The chute sprang open releasing the calf, both men charged after it. Lily had managed to get the head and was doing his best to slow it down. Gajeel began to focus everything he had in him and managed to snag to back leg of the calf. The crowd cheered as the times were announced, they managed to get second but it also a qualification into the semi finals. As Gajeel rode out of the arena he spotted Levy on the fence watching him. He rode up to her and smiled, before she could step off Gajeel grabbed her and placed her sideways in front of him.
"So what time should we meet up cowboy?" she asked, he didn't say a single word and slowly pulled her into a soft kiss.
"How about three?" he asked, when he pulled away.
"Sounds good to me." She smiled and returned the kiss.
A/N: Ok this was a very, very long story and in all honesty it took me about three weeks to crank this out for Gajevy week. I want to thank AnimeGuitar96 for her help and catching my mistakes. Also this may or may not be continued I have no idea yet but stay turned incase I do!