"Levy! Over here!"
Levy startled from her daze, looking up to see Lucy Heartfilia waving enthusiastically from the guild's bar. Realizing she had been standing aimlessly in the entrance of Fairy Tail, the Solid Script Mage shook herself from her zombie-like state and plastered a big, over-bright smile on her face.
"I'm coming Lucy!" Levy waved and began to make her way toward her friend. Levy grimaced, hoping she looked better than she felt. The nightmare of last night had taken it's toll. Her blonde friend and fellow book lover could prove very perceptive at times and Levy prayed Lucy would not notice just how tired she really was. If she did, Levy would be forced to dodge questions as to why she had not been able to sleep, and that was a particular conversation she was not eager to have with anyone. Not even Lucy.
"Oi! Watch out!"
For the second time in a matter of minutes, Levy jerked from her sleep deprived, foggy thoughts. This time, however, instead of Lucy's friendly feminine call, she was treated to a gravely bark of dark masculinity. She looked up.
…Over the years, Levy had grown quite adept at detecting and avoiding the sudden and many bar fights of which Fairy Tail was famous. She had long ago learned that a person of her size and stature was no match for the whirlwind of fists and magic that threatened to engulf any innocent passerby who failed to pay attention. Levy loved her Nakama dearly, however they tended to lose all sense when in the heat of battle, and it was not unheard of for a wayward punch or blast of magic to miss it's intended target and hit another by accident. It was an unwritten rule in the guild, that any who entered, did so at their own risk. As such, Levy was an expert at reading the scene and making her exit, or finding the proverbial high ground before the first punch ever flew. Unfortunately, this time, sleep deprivation and her own inner reflections kept the little mage from noticing the dangerous vibes wafting from one Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster. Not even halfway across the guildhall, Levy found herself facing a mini tornado of ice barbs, fireballs, and the swinging fists. It was too late to use her Solid Script to throw up a GUARD. Levy could only look on in horror as she was about to be overtaken. Once again, Levy cursed her lack of physicality. If only she was the size of Elfman, or had the armor of Erza, or the hidden power of Mirajane! Unfortunately, she was devoid off all of those traits, and no matter how smart and well read she was, she could not defend against what was currently barreling her way like a deranged freight train. She was small and comparatively weak in magic as well as defense. One wayward hit from the Ice Mage or Dragonslayer pretty much guaranteed Levy would be spending the next couple of days in the infirmary. She raised her arms to shield her face and wait for the inevitable.
"Watch it ya damn blockheads!" A steely arm knocked the breath from Levy's body with a whoosh, swinging her away from the distracted cyclone of Natsu and Gray just before they leveled her. The poor fire and ice mage suddenly found themselves blasted through the roof of the Guild hall by a long cylinder of forged iron. She almost felt sorry for them. Levy watched in fascination as Gajeel Redfox absorbed the iron back into his arm. "Damn stripper and flame brain don't know when to quit!"
Levy blushed furiously, realizing she was plastered against Gajeel's massive chest and held firmly in place by his other arm. Gajeel looked down at his squirming prize, squinting in concern. "You ok shrimp?" His arm tightened around her, making Levy squeak in surprise.
She made the mistake of meeting the Dragonslayer's crimson eyes, and suddenly found herself unable to look away. "…yes, f…fine. Thankyou."
A faint hint of a smile started to quirk the corner of Gajeel's mouth, "No pr…"
"Oooooo! They're in Looooovvvvvveeeee!" A certain blue exceed started to flap around Gajeel and Levy's heads, singing about love and baby carriages. Levy's blush went from pale pink to fire engine red and Gajeel's small smile dropped from his face. Seeming to realize just how they looked to Happy, Gajeel snatched his arms away from Levy's body and stepped back so suddenly that her arms began frantically pin wheeling for balance. She would have face planted into the floor if not for Lucy, who grabbed the back of Levy's dress to pull her upright.
"Are you ok Levy?" Lucy steadied her friend and glared up at the two new skylights shaped like a certain fire and ice mage. "That was a close one; those two just get so carried away sometimes. Good thing Gajeel was there!"
Levy nodded, "I'm fine. It's not their fault. I know better. I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings!"
Meanwhile, the big Dragonslayer managed to school his features into an angry scowl, and was swiping at the blue exceed with a clenched fist. Happy continued to circle, just out of his reach and taunt about how in looooove they were.
"Shut it, ya flying fish monger! We ain't nothin' of the sort!" Levy winced at his vehement declaration, clenching her small fists. Happy finally gave up tormenting the two of them only when Gajeel threatened to cut off his tail and use it as bait on a deep sea fishing trip. Lucy piped in, scolding the exceed to show a little decorum. The exceed flew off pouting, followed close behind by a lecturing Lucy.
Obviously still disgruntled,Gajeel swung back to Levy, crimson eyes blazing. "What the hell did you think you were doing Shorty?! Daydreamin' like that? You got a death wish?!"
Levy flinched at Gajeel's hard tone, but then rallied and met the Slayer's glare with one of her own. "I'm sorry ok! And don't call me Shorty, you…you overgrown bean pole!" She stamped her foot for emphasis.
….
"Yeah! Her name is Levy, Metal head!" Jet and Droy leapt to Levy's defense like well trained puppies. Ah look, Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum. Gajeel had been wondering when those two imbeciles would show up. At least the rest of the guild member's had sense enough to eavesdrop on his and Levy's heated conversation from a distance. Dumb and Dumber clearly had no sense at all.
"Shut it, I'm tryin' ta have a conversation here!" Gajeel sent his two newest headaches careening the same way of Natsu and Gray, boosting the collateral damage now, to 4 gaping holes in the roof. Gajeel snickered, pleased with himself.
"Gajeel! How could you?!"
Gajeel gazed down at the small, ferocious bundle of angry female standing toe to toe with him. As close as they were, the difference in their heights was made all the more prominent. Levy had to crank her head back to maintain eye contact. Fuck. It was hard to stay mad at her when she looked so damn cute with her red little face and clenched fists. She'd even had the audacity to stomp her foot like an enraged two year old and call him a bean pole. Gajeel lost control of his angry, schooled features, and grinned. Never in his life, had he been called such an absurd name…particularly considering he was far too built for any sane person to ever liken him to a pole. The Shrimp was just too damned sweet to come up with a decent insult. Not that he minded. She got an A for effort, if nothing else.
"You wipe that condescending grin off your face this instant Gajeel Redfox! Are you listening to a word I'm saying?!" Levy continued to spout on about being perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and then started waxing poetic about the audacity of egotistical males.
Gajeel scowled again, finally deciding to take affront by her lack of gratitude. He'd just saved her pretty little butt and this was the thanks he got? He opened his mouth to tell her as much but got distracted. In his hurry to get her out of the way of Salamadar and Ice hole's newest brawl, Levy's headband had been set askew. A wayward strand of hair flopped into her eyes. Gajeel's fingers itched to tuck it back in place. He was about to give in to the urge when a flash of blue fur reminded him where they were and who was watching. Instead, he clenched his fist and shoved it into the pocket of his pants. "Ya know Shrimp, a bit of gratitude wouldn't kill ya!"
Levy crossed her arms, "Fine! I already said it once, but Thank you! Ok?!" She sure didn't sound too grateful the way she shouted it at his face.
Gajeel frowned and shouted back, "Your welcome!"
The two turned on their heels and made to stalk away from each other. They had only made it a couple of steps before…
"Stop right there you two!"
Levy and Gajeel froze, turning in reluctant unison to face the irate face of their guild master. Makarov Dreyer had a terrible glint in his eye…damn it all, but everyone knew how much the old coot liked to dish out punishments.
Gajeel and Levy found themselves unconsciously inching closer to each other in shared trepidation. Levy found her voice first.
"Y….yes Master?"
The entire guild was openly gaping now, watching the newest Fairy Tail Drama unfold with glee. Mira and Cana leaned over the bar with twin expressions of morbid fascination. Elfman elbowed Lisanna and mumbled something about skylight's being manly, while Wendy watched with wide-eyed pity next to an annoyed looking Carle. Pantherlily and Macow smirked from a nearby table. Happy, still affronted at Gajeel's threat, started shouting out punishments the Master should enact on the Dragonslayer. Lucy toggled between shooting Gajeel glares, Levy pitying looks, and also scowling at the roof where she'd caught the sight of two heads, one pink and one black, before they jerked back out of sight. Cowards. Gajeel supposed he should be grateful most everybody else was out on missions and their audience was relatively small…this was embarrassing enough as it was. At least the Red headed armor freak wasn't around to enact her own punishments.
"What is the meaning of …of…that?!" Makarov gestured wildly toward the four newly made skylights gracing the ceiling
Gajeel bristeled at the old man's accusatory tone. "It wasn't our fault! It was that damn Salamander and Stipper who started it! I just…"
Makarov frowned, "Do you mean to tell me that Natsu and Gray launched themselves through the roof? And what about the other two holes?!"
Levy stepped forward, head down in shame. Gajeel's eyes widened. "I…it was my fault master. I wasn't paying attention and I…"
Oh hell no. No way in Magnolia was Gajeel gonna let the Shrimp take fall for this. Gajeel stepped in front of Levy, arms crossed, "Nah, it was my fault, I tossed the two imbeciles out when they nearly ran the Bookworm over, and then Plant-man and Speedracer butted their noses where they didn't belong so I tossed them out too."
Levy shouldered back around Gajeel, "No! He was just trying to help me…well, the first time…not so much with Jet and Droy, but…"
Gajeel whirled Levy around to face him. "I said it was my fault, now shut your trap!"
Levy stomped her foot again, "Stupid Gajeel, don't say such mean things! It was my fault and that's that!"
"No! it was mine!"
"It was mine!"
"Enough!" Makarov boomed. Levy and Gajeel stilled, nose to nose, Gajeel nearly bent double at the waste to bring himself down to the script mages height. Starting guiltily, the two turned to face their Master once again.
Makarov wagged his finger at the two of them, " Gajeel, I can't say I am surprised with you…but Levy," he tsked, "I expected better of you young lady." Levy hung her head in shame, making Gajeel bristle and step forward to protest. Makarov waved him back with a scowl. "No matter now. What's done is done. As both of you have admitted guilt in damaging the roof, it is time for punishment!" The master paused for dramatic effect, fighting back a grin. The entirety of the guild leaned forward in collective anticipation. After all, Makarov was famous for his punishments.
Stroking his chin, the Master rocked back on his heels. "As I have no intention of paying for repairs this time around, I believe I will leave it up to the two of you to foot the bill…"
Gajeel started to relax in relief, as the equivalent to an S-class mage he had money to spare. The missions he took on paid well and he wasn't one to indulge in frivolity which meant he was basically loaded. Glancing at the bookworm, Levy looked a bit more worried. No matter, he could pick up the whole tab easy and…
"…You will pay for the repairs by going on a series of S-class jobs… together! One quest for each hole in my roof! I will choose two of the jobs, and you will choose the remaining two.
Gajeel and Levy looked at each other in shock. 4 jobs? Together? Partnering up on Tenrou Island had been one thing. As it was, they hadn't exactly embodied the definition of a flawless team before Grimoire Heart showed up. How in the world would they manage to successfully complete 4 jobs together?
Levy shuddered, the types of missions that Gajeel took on were a far cry from what Levy gravitated to with Team Shadowgear. Gajeel was in a whole different league than she was. How would she ever keep up?
Gajeel frowned, did he really want the Shrimp along for S class missions? What if…"
Makarov shushed the two before they could voice any protests. "I have had my say, report to me tomorrow morning for your first mission! Now go home and get packed! The Master left no room for argument. Levy and Gajeel left the guild in stunned silence, each unsure what exactly they felt about Makarov's "Punishment." Lucy ran after Levy, offering to walk her home. Gajeel took off in the opposite direction, followed close behind by a grinning Panther Lily.
The master looked up to the ceiling at the sound of muffled snickers, "Natsu! Gray! I know you're up there! Get down here. Don't think I don't know you had a hand in this roof fiasco as well!"
As Natsu and Gray slunk back into Fairy Tail, the guild resumed its normal activity. Watching the Master lecture the Dragonslayer and Ice Mage was nothing out of the ordinary…those two were always getting into trouble. A little while later, Makarov made his way to the bar. Mira smiled a devil's smile at the old man. "And here I thought matchmaking was my specialty."
Makarov cast the Take-Over Mage a furtive glance, "I don't know what you're talking about my dear."
Mira grinned, "Ah hah. Might I suggest a mission?"
