Gajevy/GaLe Week Prompt #2 - I Love You (Part 1 of 2)
Valentine's Day.
It had always been a fun day for her – who wouldn't have fun on Valentine's Day!? Levy knew that her two partners in crime, Jet and Droy, would make sure that she got a gift or two. She had their very own gifts tucked into her bag as she walked toward the guild hall. They were always her Valentine's!
Of course, there was a third gift in there too – for someone special, of course. Not those silly gifts that she got the other two every year. This one was special because he was special. To her.
Levy had just returned from her latest mission – a boring one, according to Gajeel. But he was wise enough not to complain a whole lot. The job had been a desperation post and Gajeel had gotten to beat someone up – he was happy, Levy was happy, and they had been nothing but grins the entire way back to Magnolia. Heck, they'd even chatted the entire way home! Levy smiled as she remembered the hesitation between them as they had parted ways at the guild hall days prior. But her smile turned into a curious frown as she started to wonder where Gajeel had gone off to. She hadn't seen him since.
"Good morning, Mira!"
Levy waved as she walked into the hall. She was all smiles as she looked at the décor within the building.
"You've really outdone yourself this year. It looks amazing!"
Mirajane had always been the best decorator out of the guild members. Levy wondered who all she had to convince to help her put this masterpiece together. Pink, red, and white colored the entire building. Hearts shimmied everywhere you looked. It honestly looked like Cupid had vomited up the entire holiday in the Fairytail guild hall.
Levy 'oooh'ed and 'awww'ed at the various additions to the normal scenery. A chocolate fountain (Levy's favorite!) was located on the far side of the large room. Treats of all kinds were placed on the tables. But there was one particular area that Levy was looking for – the Valentine booth. Every year, each member had a special place to receive valentine gifts – cubbies with their names adorned a makeshift wall specifically for this special day. It kept the anonymity alive, although everyone knew to expect to receive a few gifts from various individuals in the guild. Levy always gave everyone a special treat so no one would feel left out – even if it was just a simple Valentine's Day card letting them know how much they were appreciated. It appeared that other members within the guild had already started placing their Valentine's late last night.
"Who'd you bring Valentines for this year, Levy?"
Mira inquired, a bright smile plastered on her face as Levy walked over to the Valentine cubbies.
"Oh, you know, the usuals. Droy and Jet. I also have a little something for a few other people, but nothing too crazy this year."
Levy kept her back turned as she spoke, hopefully hiding the fact that she was lying to Mira. But Mira knew all – she could tell by the way Levy's voice fluctuated that she had thought about this year more than she was letting on. Mira didn't push, however. That wasn't her place.
"Levy, you're just the sweetest! I think everyone enjoys getting your cards every year. You never have a bad thing to say about anyone."
Levy chuckled as she sought out the names for her Valentines.
"Thanks, Mira. Don't let anyone else see, okay?"
The guild hall was surprisingly empty for Valentine's Day. But as Levy was depositing her Valentines gifts into the cubbies for each of the members in their guild, two high pitched voices squealed with delight.
"Lucy! Can you believe what I found on my doorstep this morning?!"
Lucy. Cana. Levy knew that she had to hurry. She finished depositing the cards and was just about to start on her three gifts when the girls saw her.
"Levy! You're here already!"
Levy shuffled nervously, pushing a gift into Jet's cubby.
"Yeah. Figured I would get this gift stuff out of the way before everyone started coming. You know, to keep it a 'secret.'"
Levy inched toward the earlier lettered names – hovering around the letter "G". If she just pushed the box into the cubby quickly, maybe they wouldn't see it…..
"Cana! Lucy! Can you come help me for a minute? Levy, you too!"
Levy heard the other girls sigh before moving toward Mira. Cries of 'Do we have to, Mira?' and 'Can I just have a drink first?' graced Levy's ears.
"I'll be right there, Mira!"
Levy danced nervously on her toes as she shoved a box into Droy's cubby. One more gift to go. One more, one more! With shaking hands and checking over her shoulders, she hovered over Gajeel's box, placing in the prettiest wrapped present she'd ever made inside. She hoped he liked it. Placing her hands on her hips and taking a deep sigh of relief, Levy smiled. Mission accomplished.
A giant wall of a chest smacked her in the face as she turned to walk toward the other women. She should have been paying better attention to her surroundings instead of gloating to herself about placing the gifts quickly.
"Owww!"
Levy cried out as she backed away, putting her hands out in front of her to steady herself. Her fingers connected with the chest that she had run into. Strong hands clasped on her shoulders and Levy wasn't teetering anymore.
"Watch where you're going, Shortstack. I almost took you out without doing anythin'."
"Ga…Ga…Gajeel?"
Holy shit. Gajeel. Did he see that she had given him a gift? Was her cover blown? What was she going to do!?
"Hello? Yes, it's me. At least, I think I'm me?"
"Gajeel. Stop acting like an imbecile."
A deep voice approached behind him – Patherlily.
"Now, Lily, is that anyway to talk to me around a lady?"
"Does it matter?"
Levy rubbed her nose as the pain subsided, watching as Gajeel and Lily got into a little bit of a squabble. It appeared that Lily was still a little hurt by Gajeel completing jobs without him lately. Levy might have been the one to blame for that. She'd only been trying to get Gajeel to integrate within Fairytail a little better, that's all!
"Levy! We need you."
Mira called from the back storage room.
"Yes, Levy. WE NEED YOU NOW."
Lucy yelled, obviously displeased that Levy was getting out of being harassed by Mira and she wasn't. Their voices were the only thing that kept Levy from panicking. Her cheeks were flushed a bright red and her thoughts raced with how nice Gajeel had felt pressed against her for that brief second.
"Short stack! Earth to Shrimp! Helloooo Shorty?"
Gajeel's hand waved in front of her, jolting her into action. Geez, she was a space cadet today.
"Um, um. Bye."
Levy quickly hurried away, diving behind the door to the store room before Gajeel could say anything else to her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she leaned against the door, only to open them widely at the laughter from the three women in front of her.
"Leeeevvy!"
"Oh my god, she likes him!"
"Cana, Lucy, leave her alone!"
"No way, Mira! She teases me all the time about Natsu!"
"Yeah, and she gives me crap about drinking so much too!"
Together, in a sing song voice, Lucy and Cana began to harmonize.
"Levy and Gajeel, sittin' in a tree – K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
Giggles exploded. Levy's cheeks blazed a hot red. And minutes later, the episode was all but forgotten as more giggles from all parties in the storage room escaped them.
"AH, Mira! I think everyone will love it!"
"Yeah, this was such a great idea!"
"I'm so excited, Mira!"
The party tonight was definitely going to be a fun one.
All Valentine's had to be distributed by the start of the party and Levy was humming with excitement. She couldn't wait to see everyone get their gifts when the festivities began. Who would pair up after today? She hoped there were some unexpected surprises!
Levy made it a tradition every year to not open any of her gifts or cards until the end of the night. She wanted to open them alone. Part of her romanticized the entire event, and if she did happen to get something sweet from someone, she'd rather not be oogled and harassed about it. There were others, like Lucy, one of her best friends, who didn't have a problem with opening her valentines in public. And that was exactly how the excitement started.
"OOOH LEVY! It's awesome!"
Arms engulfed her in a hug and Levy thought her breath was going to be squeezed out of her. Of course, she'd given Lucy a little something extra with her card. A silver key dangled from her friend's grasp.
"I found it when Gajeel and I were finishing up our last job. The guy who owned the building said he had no use for it and told me I could have it. I immediately wanted to give it to you, but I thought it would be more special to wait until today."
Levy beamed at Lucy. She was really an amazing person and Levy was so glad she could make her friend so happy.
"But Lucy, will you open up that box? I don't really know what it could be and it looks like a little kid wrapped it."
Of course, it was from Natsu and Happy. More squeals of joy escaped the busty blonde and this time, her arms went around the salamander and the blue cat.
Levy sighed with joy, taking a sip of the wine glass in front of her. The night was in full swing and everyone was having a good time! Mira had picked out the perfect surprise for the guild – a team retreat for everyone, courtesy of Master M. Erza was already starting to pack her suitcases and Wendy was excited for making sandcastles on the beach. On the new couple front, it appeared the Evergreen and Elfman were snogging in the corner, much to the chagrin of a few of the men and women in attendance. Levy thought they were cute and was excited for them. Juvia was attached to Gray, but what else was new? At least he didn't seem too annoyed by it and actually looked as if he was enjoying the attention. Natsu and Lucy continuously tiptoed around their feelings all night. Cana had her alcohol and was too busy competing with the Master to really give love a second thought. There was plenty of laugher. Plenty of love. Plenty of fun.
With a yawn, she bid farewell to her friends. It was time for her to retire for the night and open her own valentines.
By the time she had showered and settled into her bed, Levy had half a mind to wait until tomorrow to open them. Another yawn took her by surprise and so, she shoved the gifts onto her nightstand and turned off her light. Her eyes closed and sleep took her quickly.
She only awoke when her doorbell rang.
"Huh?"
Levy bolted awake, sitting straight up in her bed and rubbing her eyes. The doorbell rang again.
"Who's there? I'm coming!"
She grabbed her glasses, just in case, and made her way down the hall to her front door. The doorbell rang for a third time as she reached the handle and pulled it open.
No one was there. A little box waited for her instead.
Decorated with the prettiest black and red colored paper she'd ever seen, Levy was immediately curious as to what was in the box. She let it sit in the palm of her hand as she backed inside her home. She wanted to open it immediately – but she was also too scared to do so. It felt important – this silly little box.
Curiosity got the best of her though. With a deep breath, she untied the pretty ribbon and slid the top off the box. A necklace waited for her inside.
Decorated with the prettiest medal work that she'd ever seen, a bright orange jewel (her favorite color!) was surrounded by an iron frame. On the back, an inscription had been made.
To Levy:
Will you be my valentine?
It appeared there was more underneath, but she wasn't sure what it said. Assuming it was just the way the medal was, she rushed to the door and threw it open. Shouting into the night, Levy gave her reply.
"Thank you for my gift!"
Silence greeted her. She received no response.
"I don't know who you are, but….of course! I will be your Valentine!"
She smiled into the darkness, grasping the necklace and holding it to her chest. She wondered who could have given her something so beautiful. She'd wear it forever.
Author's Note:
Okay, here's the first part of prompt #2! I hope you guys enjoy it! 3
Next Prompt: I Love You - Part #2.
