~No Prince in Shining Armor~

Chapter 2

Levy stolen another glance at her silent companion as she paid the woman behind the counter. "Thank you! Come again!" The mage waved and nodded, happy that she found some new blankets. The heating in her apartment building was broken and she decided that she might as well pick up some new, thicker blankets instead of complaining about it like some of her older neighbors were doing. All hers were getting too thin and some were even starting to literally fall apart at the steams.

"Ok, so, I have some sewing supplies, more tea and coffee, the reference books I have been looking for, and some new blankets. Do you need to buy anything, Gajeel?" She craned her head back to look up at the iron dragon slayer, who was carrying all her purchases, which were neatly packed in a wooden carton, on one of his shoulders. For the most part of the trip, the man has been quiet with the occasional grunt as she added something to the box. From the corner of her eye, she has taken note of his constant staring. It was an intense, quiet type of stare. The kind of stare that reminded her of a predator that was keeping watch over something that belonged to him and was content with the watching.

"Nope. Me and Pantherlily went out earlier and restocked everything." Levy made a little 'o' with her mouth as a stray thought passed through her mind.

"Where is Pantherlily? I haven't seen him all day."

"He's visiting Shagotte."

Levy giggled. "He must really like her. Didn't he visit her twice last week?" Gajeel snorted as he grabbed her arm to pull her out of the way of a pair of laughing men that weren't paying attention and almost ran into her as they walked up her flight of stairs. They were at her apartment door now, just standing outside.

"Considering he's married to her and got her pregnant with Charlie, it isn't a surprise that he loves her." Hazel eyes widen as Levy's mouth dropped opened. Just as she was about to say something, a large hand that wasn't Gajeel's grabbed her shoulder.

"Excuse me, are you Levy McGarden?"

She looked behind her to find a young, plain looking man standing behind her. His eyes were a dull brown, the same color as his hair. She vaguely remembered him at the last meeting the apartment building owner had- he must be the new tenant for the apartment two stories above her. His eyes lit up when he caught sight of her face. "Yes, I'm Levy. And who are you?"

A smile threatened to spilt his face in half as he grabbed her hand and shook it. "I'm Nicholas. I'm a fan of you." A shaky smile appeared on Levy's face in attempt to appear friendly even though she was starting to feel uncomfortable under his gaze. "Hey, how about we go grab lunch?"

"No thank you, I already ate." Her and Gajeel ate a little café that Gajeel took her too because "they made the best damn sandwiches. Ever."

"Oh, how about dinner then? I know this great place that I'm sure you would love."

Levy slipped her hand out of the loosened grip and took a small step back. Not even Droy and Jet were this eager for a date, and they backed off after the first refusal. "No, thank you."

"Aw come on, why not?" He made a move to grab her hand again, and she took a bigger step back, bumping into Gajeel's chest. She felt a deep rumble and she looked up at the male to find him darkly glaring at the stubborn fan.

"Hey, asshole. Back the hell off." Nick looked at Gajeel, startled, like he was just noticing the iron dragon slayer's existence. His eyes widen before narrowing, his hands going to his sides in tight fists. Levy was surprised by Nick's courage to face an angry Gajeel- no one but the other dragon slayers and Pantherlily messes with Gajeel when he's mad. No one had that kind of guts. So this man must have those guts or was really stupid.

"And who the hell are you?"

"I'm her boyfriend, dipshit."

Wait, what?