Day 2- shopping/presents

A/N: I'm so glad I wrote these at the beginning of the month. Let me tell ya. Please enjoy!


"Okay, so that's Natsu, Happy, Erza, Gray and Wendy," Lucy said, counting bags in her arms. "I just need a few more and I'm done!"

"I didn't notice my name in there," Levy said with a teasing tone. The two of them walked down the streets of Magnolia, both carrying bags in their arms.

"That's because I made sure to get your gift before I invited you to Christmas shop with me." Lucy replied, sticking her tongue out. "Who else do you need to shop for?"

"I got Jet and Droy's," Levy said, holding up one of her bags. "and I got one for Mira and Lisanna. But I'm still looking for Gajeel's…"

"Gajeel, huh?" Lucy said, lifting up a suggestive eyebrow.

"Oh stop Lucy," Lev grumbled, pushing at her shoulder. "It's not like that."

It was true that Gajeel and Levy were just friends. And although Levy's feelings ran a little deeper than that, she held no delusion that she would ever be anything more. After all, what would someone as strong and bold as Gajeel see in a small and fragile girl like her?

Of course, there was a moment yesterday where she thought she saw something. While she was enjoying the snowfall yesterday, Gajeel had snuck up on her and started an impromptu snowball fight. The fight ultimately ended after she tripped and landed on top of him. And for a few seconds, she could have sworn she saw a hint of an emotion in his face that she couldn't quite discern. But it was over in an instant. She couldn't be sure if she saw anything at all, honestly. But that didn't stop the scene from playing in her head over and over again. Sometimes she imagined herself closing the distance between them…

"Not yet!" Lucy sing-songed.

Levy just sighed, as they walked into a giftshop. "Just help me think of a gift for him."

"Hey!" Lucy said, bending over a table of metal necklaces. "You could get him one of these!"

"He would just eat these." Levy said, picking up one of the medallions to inspect it.

"Well, he would use it at least."

"I want to get him something more meaningful," Levy said, putting it down again. "Something he'll like."

They both turned down an aisle and inspected the various ornaments and other trinkets that lined the shelves of the shop.

"Something Gajeel likes…" Lucy mused. "He doesn't seem to like many things, does he?"

"I know," Levy groaned. "That's why this is so hard."

"You could get him something music related. But then you would just encourage him." Lucy said, with a wince.

"I don't think anyone would want that." Levy agreed, shuddering.

They passed by a plushy aisle, filled with colorful stuffed animals

Lucy mused. "He likes Pantherlily."

"Yeah," Levy said, with a huff. "Maybe I'll just ask Pantherlily if I can wrap him in a box and give him to Gajeel."

"Don't worry Levy," Lucy said. "We'll think of something. You're one of his closest friends, afterall."

"Right," Levy murmured. "Friends…"

After an afternoon of disappointment, Levy came back to the guild with Lucy, feeling dejected. She couldn't find a single thing for Gajeel. Nothing! She was a failure. A complete and utter letdown.

The guild was filled with its usual cheer, unaware of her dilemma. It was decorated very nicely for the season. Garlands and ribbons hung from the ceilings in waves. A multitude of Christmas trees were set up in the guild, each with its own set of ornaments. Each table was adjourned with candles and wreaths hung from the walls.

Levy sunk into a bench, letting her chin sink down to the table.

A hand landed on her shoulder. "Don't worry Levy," Lucy said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "You still have some time to get him a gift." She then walked off, leaving Levy alone.

Another sigh escaped out of her lips as she absently watched her guild mates chatter and laugh amongst themselves.

She wasn't even sure why this was so important to her, getting him the perfect gift. It's not like he was going to get her anything. Maybe this was a desperate attempt to get him to notice her. How pathetic was that?

They didn't need to be anything more. She liked their relationship. It was the kind of friendship where they could have spontaneous snowball fights, mess around with each other, have lunch together, fight enemies together, and protect each other. They were familiar with each other and respected one another. There was no reason why she couldn't be happy with what they had.

Levy thumped her head against the table. Oh, who was she trying to fool?

She perked up suddenly, when she saw a familiar figure at the bar. It was Gajeel, ordering some food from Mira.

Wait, Levy realized. This is perfect. She could just talk to him and get him to tell her what he wanted for Christmas! She stood up and quickly made her way towards him.

Gajeel had one elbow leaning on the bar, as he waited for his food. Levy popped up next to him.

"Hi, Gajeel!" She greeted.

"Hey Shrimp." Gajeel said, tilting his head down to look at her.

"The guild's really looking really festive, huh?" Levy asked.

"I s'pose." Gajeel said, turning his gaze back to the bar.

"Christmas is getting closer!" Levy said, cheerfully. She hoped she was being subtle in how she was steering the conversation.

He curled his lips. "Ugh. Don't remind me."

Levy blinked. What was with that reaction? "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Gajeel grunted. "Forget it."

"Wait," Levy said slowly. "Do you… not like Christmas?"

Gajeel side glanced at her, as if debating whether to tell her anything, before shrugging. "Not really. I've got no interest in it at all."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What!? How can you not like Christmas? What about the gift giving, and caroling and," Levy struggled to think more holiday traditions, "the egg nog!?"

"Didn't do it for the last eight years of my life. I was fine without it."

Levy was floored. "But why don't you like Christmas!?"

A waitress appeared from behind the bar and slid a tray of food to Gajeel. "I dunno," Gajeel said, taking his plate. "Just don't."

She watched him walk away, completely aghast. Then, she set her jaw with a new found determination.

It was decided. Levy knew what she had to give Gajeel this year.

And it was the gift of Christmas cheer.