AN: Happy Valentines!

==[o0o]==

Blanket

The wild howled as the rain pelted against the windowpanes. Flashes of light illuminated the small bedroom as a tiny girl shivered under her duvet. Holding her hands to her ears she hugged herself tightly in fear of the next crack of thunder that would rip through the sky enabling more of a torrential downpour. She couldn't help but let out loud whimpers, nearing on the verge of screams at times.. She prayed for the next earth shattering sound to be the last, she prayed for anything to make the fear stop.

Sitting on a small bed a young boy had his face glued to the window, his eyes blinking profusely as the sky lit up, the clouds irradiating powerful electrical currents, sending them surging through their black body into the ground beneath them, following the rains current into the earth.

Forking across the land the boy couldn't get enough of the tremendous noise that felt as if it shook his very being. The tearing crash of thunder that roared over the small town he lived in, all he could do is grin as the fascination over took him with each flash of light, with each deafening clap of thunder.

The morning was bright as the previous clouds had parted leaving the morning cool and inviting. The ground unable to retain its waters had allowed water to from on the surface, creating puddles inviting enough to splash around in for anyone who would wish to create such enjoyable ruckus.

Several young children made their way into a large hall dedicated to housing orphaned children, inside they religiously followed the same mundane rules as always, girls sat on the left and boys sat on the right, always sectioned off from one another. The girls lined up first for their meals and the boys were allowed their meals once all girls had been seated.

Whilst there were many rules in the orphanage, it was not an unhappy place. The rules were set in place to maintain order and help them grow and develop into functioning young adults. Each child was enrolled into free education and follow whichever career path they chose. The idea was that they would willingly learn and be able to enter the world of adulthood with more ease. They were allowed to venture into the town unaided when they reached 14 however they had to bring an elder along for guidance. Usually at least 16 who would show them locations aside from school and the market.

This particular morning a young girl with hair as blue as they sky, and with eyes as bright as the sun and the forest looked out into the world before her, today was the day she had turned 14 and she was allowed to visit outside. Yet no-one would take her. No-one would show her the world she was desperate to see. She wanted to expand her world and yet, none of her friends were of age to help her.

Finishing her breakfast she cleared away her meal and headed over towards the table that sat the homes carers. They were substitute parents to many. Fluffing down her skirt the bluenette looked hopeful as she had readily rehearsed her question over and over, ready for this very day.

"Good morning Gildart's." Her soft voice spoke timidly as she looked up at the large figure hunched over the long wooden table, his rugged figure made him look less professional than the rest but his heart was more golden than the brightest star in the sky.

"Levy, Good morning. Happy Birthday." He nodded with a small smile on his lips.

"Ah~ Thank you! I'm 14 today!" she blushed slightly, taken aback by the notion that he knew it was her birthday, she quickly wracked her brains before realising that of course he knew it was her birthday! She hadn't stopped talking about it with her friends for some time, eager to get out into the world and discover something new in the town. Each visit she volunteered for, which unfortunately was only to visit the market she had high hopes of finding something new, which she wasn't disappointed with.

"And I suppose you want to head into town today?" He caught a quick glimpse of the bluenette whose face dropped, had he really seen through her?

Her face began filling with blood as she stared, dumbstruck at the man before her, sipping away at his morning coffee that was well known to contain something other than coffee.

"Yes please!" her hands clapped together in front of her tiny frame, her dress fluttered slightly, and her eyes glittering brightly.

"Do you have someone to accompany with you? You haven't forgotten that I nor any of us adults can take you, have you Levy…? You know as a rule it must be one of you to help you develop more social skills."

"Ah..." Levy's finger that had moved from the clasps hands began to drop as her jaw and eye twitched from shock.

"Levy unless you can find someone to take you, I can't help you."

"I'll take her." A young gruff voice spoke up as he placed a hand on her shoulder, spooking her.

Turning her head slowly she met eyes with two terrifying lizard like red eyes. All she could do was nod and creak her head back up to look at Gildart's with an astonished look on his face. Saying nothing the man nodded and allowed the pair to leave the hall in silence.

Kicking small stones along the ground the young boy huffed as he waited for Levy to turn up. He kept scuffing his black boots along the ground in annoyance at having to wait for the tiny girl.

Why did he volunteer? He hated company. He could go out whenever he wanted so why did he choose to take her?

Small shoes ran across the wooden floor covered by a large thin rug on the lobby floor and heaved open the large mahogany front door to the orphanage.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Levy called out before tripping down the two stone steps and landing on her knees, burrowing small stones into her bare knees.

The boy whirled around watching the girl face planted onto the gravel. Rolling his eyes, he waited for the crying to begin, but nothing happened. No tears or anything graced her face. Brushing herself down Levy beamed up at the boy. Tilting her head she grinned, her face causing him to look away quickly and scoff loudly.

"Hurry up Shrimp."

Levy twitched at the name and hurried off after the boy.

Levy's eyes were wide with excitement as she tore around the town after the boy. She had no idea of his name, and knew very little about him. He was new to the orphanage and did little to integrate, what confused her most was the willingness of showing her around the town.

"I'm Levy." The bluenette was currently holding onto a red and green snow cone in her hands, biting into it and savouring the flavours.

Nothing but a grunt was her response to the boy standing with a surly look on his face, he had long since finished his snow cone and had begun picking at his teeth with a toothpick he had found.

"Mmm… Thank you for taking me out today! But it's getting late… Shouldn't we head back?" The uneasiness in her voice set something rumbling in his brain.

"Ain't that late."

Fidgeting with the remains of the snow cone, Levy put her rubbish in the bin and stood beside the boy looking at his long black hair. His once terrifying eyes seemed to hide something else behind them.

"Yah not scared of staying out late are you?"

"No! It's just… There is supposedly another storm this evening…"

"So?"

"So… I don't know your name…"

"Tsk. C'mon short stack."

Several weeks began to rush by as the two young adolescents had begun to make a trip into town more frequent. One saying barely a sentence and the other doing all of the exploring and talking.

Levy had given up on knowing the boy's name, she had asked around the whole orphanage and none knew it. She was too frightened to ask the carers and took it upon herself to earn his trust and have him tell her, it would be far more rewarding she had decided.

Every outing the boy was more intrigued by the small girl's inability to be frightened. He had tried numerous ways to frighten her and each attempt was met with failure and laughter that sound of which resonated deeply within his head. The sound of wondrous bells and love. How could such a girl exude these emotions in a simple laughter?

He finally had a plan he believed would work, one that would scare the girl enough to leave him alone and finally be on his own. He had accepted each outing with Levy as an ability to hone his skills at scaring. Yet nothing worked. He originally chose to show her around because no-one else wanted to help her and the last thing he wanted was to listen to her whinging. Perhaps today was the day that it could be all over.

"So what have you planned to scare me with today?" Levy giggled as she skipped beside the crimson eyed boy. His scowl never leaving his face, avoiding all eye contact as he stalked the cobble stoned street.

"Nothin'." He muttered through gritted teeth.

That'll put her off he thought. Making her believe he's given up altogether and luring her into a false sense of security.

"Oh… Oh well! I was enjoying seeing how creative you could be!" She tittered and hugged onto the full bag in her arms.

She had begged and pleaded to be allowed a picnic instead of returning for lunch and was granted permission on the basis that she was returned before evening meal which she hastily agreed to.

"C'mon if yah want your stupid picnic we gotta get a move on shorty."

"It's not stupid…" the bluenette pouted, drawing the bag closer to her tiny body.

The black haired boy grinned as she ignored his insult.

"Whatever yah say Shrimp."

Walking past the park Levy grabbed hold of his dark green shirt, lightly brushing her fingers against his warm skin, "Oh... Um… The park is right there, we've missed it…"

Her slender fingers pointing towards the sunny green field with several lone tree's as multiple couples and families spread themselves amongst the lush grass.

Ignoring her, he continued down the path, heading into a tunnel of tree's lining either side of the path.

Looking up around her Levy couldn't help but feel how beautiful the nature was, the tree leaves gently rustling in the warm summers breeze as the birds busied themselves with nesting and chirping loudly. Creating their own melodies.

Several creatures began to run into the protective bushes that sprung up in amongst the tree's their scurrying and scattering of branches adding to the birds chorus.

Slowing down the boy pulled back a branch that led into a secluded area, in the middle of the small forest lay a small pond with fish gathering up at the surface, eager for food. The sun shone down into the water creating beautiful lights to glimmer on the surface, reflecting into the bluenette's hazel eyes. Blinded by the beauty of the area she felt her face begin to burn. Why had he brought her here? Was he really planning on scaring her? Perhaps leaving her alone and making her find her way home alone?

The crimson eyed boy slowly walked past the pond, his eyes making contact with the fishes that skimmed on the water's surface, each one's gaping mouth begging for food. A small smile crept over his face before digging his hand into a deep jean pocket and pulling out a handful of bread crumbs. Chucking it into the pond and watching the fish wrestle with each other to grab the food. The sound of water sloshing and splashing filling the already loud area.

Levy never missed the smile that quickly disappeared on his face, she came to the conclusion that he must visit this area a lot judging by the speed at which he reached the location, the fact he brought food and the smile that wanted to stay on his face.

Without saying a word Levy pulled out a large blanket, it was simply decorated with white background and small ornate black patterns that looked similar to spades and clubs.

She realised she had brought the wrong one she had brought her personal bed blanket, the one that protected her, had she subconsciously believed she'd need it? Would the boy make fun of her? Perhaps he would. He seemed to enjoy teasing her and so any chance to find out what scared her, would certainly be his ticket to victory.

Hesitating she thanked the goddess Mavis for not being caught out on her wrong choice in picnic blankets as he had paid no attention what so ever to her since arriving and had continued looking into the water. She quickly laid out the picnic she had scrounged together for the two of them, proud of what little she had regardless.

Levy sat on her knees with her legs underneath her small frame as she began to pick at the small selection she had brought. A few selections of fruit along with bread and some pieces of cheese. Delicately selecting several grapes Levy realised that she had no idea if the boy would want to eat the food, would he want it?

Her face blushed at the thought of embarrassing herself. Her stomach twisted, why is she so obsessed with the young man. Sure his adolescent face and body, along with his mysterious facial piercings were fascinating, but that was all right? He was just a normal boy abandoned by his parents… It wasn't as if she wanted to make him smile. It wasn't as if she wanted to be the one to uncover the mysteries of the unnamed individual…

Turning around and looking at Levy he tilted his head, utterly confused as to why she was staring at nothing with a grape waiting to enter her open mouth. She hadn't blinked in a few moments so she must be thinking of something important… Or something completely irrelevant, she was a girl after all. A girl he couldn't stop thinking about. The over whelming desire to protect despite never seeing her frightened or upset. Perhaps due to her tiny stature. That's right. She was tiny, that's why he wanted to stay near by her. Definitely not because he liked listening to her talk about the world. She was unbelievably intelligent for such a young girl.

Shaking his head and hoping his hair wouldn't flick himself in the face, he bend over and carefully looked at the food on the blanket. Grabbing a piece of bread he rolled it between this thumb and forefinger till it was a solid ball and flicked it into Levy's open mouth as a large grin spread over his face.

Levy's eyes went wide as she begun choking on the bread, managing to swallow the piece with a large glug of water her eyes locked onto the youths red eyes.

"What on Earthland was that for!?" she wiped away the water that spilled over her small plump lips, dabbing it onto the soft green grass beside her.

"Gihi! Sorry but yah were wide open! Literally! Gi hahaha!"

"That's not funny! I could have seriously choked on it!" she puffed out her cheeks hugging her thin chest, eyeballing the same crimson orbs laughing back at her.

"Yeah yeah whatever Shrimp… Just shut up and eat will yah?" She looks kinda cute when she's mad… No… What are you saying?! She's just a brat…

"Hmph! Well I'm eating all the grapes without you!" She beamed, as she grabbed the small bunch and held in the palm of her white hands.

"Oh no! Yah took the fruit! It's not like a care yah know Short stack, Gi hi, go ahead, eat all yah want, I'll just eat the bread." Grabbing the small loaf he picked at it, taking bites for himself and casually tossing pieces into the water, watching the fish frantically swim around the surface, fighting each other for the chance for more food. Levy looked unimpressed by his sarcasm but shrugged it off with a giggle.

The time seemed to fly by as the young pair finished the meal and were left with simple wrappings and the blanket. Levy had managed to get the boy to speak more to her, but still knew just as little as before, yet she felt unusually closer to him. However he was still extremely cold at times and uninterested in expressing any personal opinion on anything at all.

As Levy begun to pack up she froze. She felt the air tingle as the static charge had begun to build. The young boy was talking to her, telling her to hurry up so they could get back in time for their evening meal, but the look on her face sent a knot in his stomach. She looked terrified. But what was it?

Suddenly a crack of thunder tore across the land, causing Levy to hold her hands to her ears and scream in terror.

"Levy?! Oi! What's going on? Hey!" He rushed over to her side, shaking her on the spot as she sat stiff her body unwilling to move from its locked position as the rain suddenly began to fall.

"Levy! We gotta go before the rain gets any heavier! Hey?! Are you listening?! Tsk!" He looked around and realised he couldn't carry her and all the luggage even if he wanted to, it was just too much to juggle on such a long walk.

Remembering the small fishing shack on the side of the pond he grabbed the blanket and dropped it over Levy's still whimpering frame in the torrential downpour. The flash of lightning lighting up the now dark afternoon. Walking briskly over towards the shack he had picked up Levy holding her unceremoniously over his shoulder and pushed open the door, dropping her onto the floor and running back out into the rain and grabbing the rest of their belongings and throwing them in the corner of the shack.

Levy shivered under the blanket, utterly frozen. The young boy stood looking at the shaking blanket. What should he do? He has no idea how to comfort a crying girl… Let alone by himself.

"Oi… Levy… Are yah alright?" No response came from the blanket until another roar of thunder split across the black clouds. She let out a blood curdling scream as tears poured down her reddened cheeks, her mouth agape with fear as she couldn't stop panicking. Her body running on overdrive from adrenaline, would she be safe here? She kept running the possibilities of every worst case scenario in her head.

Fidgeting in the same spot the black haired boy bent down and cautiously lifted up a corner of the blanket, looking at the bluenette. His heart leapt into his throat, seeing how vulnerable she looked. Something stirred within him as he joined her underneath, sitting beside her with his knees hugging his chest.

"Gajeel." He muttered. Hoping that she'd hear.

"Huh…?" she managed to say. Had he just told her his name? Was he trying to comfort her? What is going on?"

"My name is Gajeel Redfox. It's nice to meet you Levy McGarden."

Levy felt her stomach drop, all her fears of the storm suddenly vanished at the realisation that he had told her his name. Tears still falling down her face Levy moistened her mouth and suddenly grabbed hold of Gajeel, burrowing her face into his neck. Hugging him tightly under the blanket. The fear of the thunder storm slowly ebbing away as he let a small blush cover his face.

==[o0o]==

AN: Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, each chapters are unconnected, so please let me know what you think, it means a great deal to me.