In which Levy owns a book shop and Gajeel doesn't know how to look after cats.
The Inkwell was Levy McGarden's small slice of paradise in a mundane world.
Located off-the-beaten-track, down a side street from the main hustle and bustle of Magnolia City, this tiny bookshop thrived silently on its loyal customers and enthusiastic book lovers like herself.
The owner, Levy, was a twenty-five-year-old, five-foot-four woman of slender build and had a head of shocking blue hair; reminiscent of her wilder days that she was reluctant to let go of. Her hazel eyes were shielded by the red glasses resting delicately on her small nose. Today's choice of a green headband, a dark green dress that was actually just a giant sweater, a black long-sleeved shirt underneath and black tights on green flats stood out against the golden woodwork of the shelving that surrounded her.
The shop itself wasn't so much of a shop as it was a paying library. Books could be rented out on a trial of 1-3 days in which you paid to keep it for a few days; if you like that book you pay the remaining price for it, if you don't...well, you didn't pay the full price anyway.
There were also several tables and comfy chairs scattered here or there amongst the books, where a few regulars sat and had conversations with other patrons and Levy herself. She even served tea during the lunch hours of the day, and hot chocolates in the colder mornings of winter. Muted music played gently in the background.
Today was one such rainy morning, and whilst Levy sat bored out of her mind in a practically empty shop, the door crashed open with an unusual force, bringing in the harsh wind and rain from outside.
The man who entered was soaked to the bone, but seemed unaffected by it. He look fearsome enough in the black skinny jeans, chunky black boots and thick leather jacket; though oddly enough his long black hair made him look younger.
Well, it was in a ponytail.
Squeezing the access water out of his long mane, the man grumbled under his breath for several minutes whilst Levy observed him unabashedly, no longer frightened by his appearance. Judging by his bag's logo, he was a student at the local college.
"Hello!" She called out cheerfully, startling the - apparently younger - man. Red eyes met hers briefly before the grumbling student shook himself out like an untrained dog, splattering the nearby areas. Levy glared at him, "Oi! You have to buy any books you damage, yaknow?"
"Gotcha," the tall, mysterious person muttered with a sarcastic eyeroll. With that, he turned away from her and strolled down one of the aisles of books available.
He wasn't seen again for another hour. Once he'd finally returned into view, Levy was surprised at the amount of books he was carrying.
And they were all about cats. Looking after cats. Feeding cats. Toys cats like. The list goes on.
He dropped them unceremoniously onto the counter and growled out a quiet "Don't look at me like that."
Levy's jaw clicked shut as she fought to contain her laughter. This six-foot-something college delinquent was looking for books on cats this whole time?
"Are you buying or renting these out?" she asked carefully. At his confused look, she added: "You can rent these out for 25% of the total price, then buy the ones you want to keep and return the rest in three days. Or buy them at full price. If you don't return them from rent after three days you get sent a fine."
"Runnin' a hard deal here, eh?" He muttered with a smirk before fishing his wallet out of his back pocket. "I'll buy 'em."
Levy grinned cheekily back at him. "Go hard or go home, I say. Nine pounds forty-five, please."
He pulled a tenner out and handed it over, which was the exact moment Levy decided to ask.
"So, why all the cat books? Gonna be the first Crazy Cat Man?"
A snort of amusement followed, then a reply. "Of course. It's an original idea goin' viral." He collected the change from her hand, brushing fingertips with the blunette softly before pocketing the coins. "On a sidenote, I've recently acquired a kitten from a friend who can't find anyone to look after him. And I know fuck all about cats, so..." he shrugged. "Guess I gotta start somewhere."
"Fair play," Levy smiled up at him as she folded his receipt and placed it inside the carrier bag along with the dark-haired man's purchases. "Let me know how it goes sometime."
"For that, I'll have to know yer name at least." Gajeel smirked at her cheekily, and suddenly Levy realised she had been flirting with him, the whole time.
"L-Levy McGarden," stammering out her name with a blush, she met his eyes with hesitantly and asked, "and your name?"
"Gajeel Redfox, at yer service." Grinning, the taller person packed the books away in his bag and lifted his hand up in a farewell pose, turning to leave again. "See ya around sometime!"
Levy smiled.
Two weeks later, the door to the bookshop crashed open again, startling Levy out of the book she was reading. Looking up, her eyes widened at the sight.
Gajeel Redfox, this tall, well-muscled and frankly dangerous looking man, stood in front of her again; as desheveled as before, though this time he seemed to have something in his coat.
"Look!"
Grinning so boyishly Levy would have thought inpossible of him, he pulled out a tiny black kitten with a scar on its eye, holding it in front of the blunette proudly.
"Is this... your cat?" Levy asked carefully, setting down the book she was holding.
"Uhuh," nodding, Gajeel started cuddling the tiny thing to his cheek, to which the kitten complained but didn't move to scratch him.
Levy smiled at the view in front of her. "What's his name?"
"Pantherlily."
Levy's eyebrows raised, but didn't comment. Watching the suddenly boyish college student in front of her, she smiled gently at the thought of having a new regular to talk to.
She had a feeling she'd see him more often, anyway.
I'm happily accepting any prompts for this drabble series! This will be randomly updated between college and writing my other stories. Also, check out my poll? Thanks for reading - tell me what you think :D