Disclaimer: If I owned Fairy Tail, there'd be a lot more canon couples. Just sayin'.

Gajeel didn't want to be there.

Surrounded by people who were so carefree, so devoted to each other and to doing good, it was enough to make him sick. Even worse, those same pansies had practically destroyed his old guild.

He still wasn't sure how the hell he ended up at Fairy Tail, of all places.

It was Juvia's fault, really. She had sent the tiny master after him, insisting he offer Gajeel a place in the guild she wanted to join. The old geezer had offered him a chance to redeem himself (not that he was looking for the chance or feeling guilty) and the chance to look out for Juvia (not that he cared if she was happy or being bullied, though if he was there more of the anger would be directed at him than at her). So he joined up, much to the dismay of the fairies.

Gajeel sat at the far corner of the bar in the newly rebuilt guild. He only dared to move there from his table in the shadows on days when most people were gone for some reason or other.

A plate of iron scraps slid to a loud stop next to him. He looked around suspiciously, but no one was paying any attention to him. The barmaid, Mirajane he heard someone call her, was wiping down a mug and chatting with a guild member who had come for a refill.

Gajeel eyed the plate. It was good quality iron, better than he had been eating recently. He pushed it away.

He didn't want anyone's pity.

Day after day for three weeks, that damned plate slid over the counter or tabletop whenever he was in the guild. The barmaid never spoke and he always pushed the iron to one side.

Then Juvia insisted he try to make friends.

"You're lonely," she had said. "This guild is friendly. You just have to reach out."

He had rolled his eyes.

"Gajeel," she had said in a steely voice which brooked no argument, "I want you to try to make friends."

"I don't have friends and I sure as hell don't want any."

"What about me?"

"You aren't a friend, you're a pest." Gajeel had allowed a small amount of affection to leak into his voice and Juvia had smiled.

"Well while this pest is gone today, she expects you to talk to one person. And Master Makarov doesn't count. If you don't, I'll soak you in your sleep." Soon after, Juvia had left for a job.

Gajeel snorted into his mug. Like he was going to listen to her and talk to anyone.

Then again, if he didn't, she'd never leave him alone. Not to mention she'd gladly follow through on her threat. She'd done it before. At first he'd spluttered awake as cold water drenched him. But after the first few times, Juvia had somehow perfected the art of soaking him without waking him up. He'd open his eyes the next morning and find his bed and sheets starting to mold and his piercings starting to rust.

Damn blue-haired devil.

Groaning, Gajeel examined the guild hall, trying to pinpoint someone he could stomach a conversation with. The hall was practically empty. The few people who were there looked away and shifted uneasily when he made eye contact with them.

"Shit," he mumbled into his mug.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed. Everyone turned to the stage, where a spotlight shone. The curtains parted and the small crowd cheered as Mirajane walked on, guitar in hand. She gave some cutesy speech and finally started playing. She played four songs and Gajeel was surprised to find himself nodding along to the beat. He was impressed with the girl, though he'd never say so out loud.

Twenty minutes later, Mira walked by his table. He tensed, expecting the usual, and ignored, peace offering of iron scraps. But for the first time in 3 weeks, none came. Gajeel watched her pass, insulted at the lack of attention. He spoke up before she was gone.

"Ya know, you're actually pretty decent."

"You mean my singing and playing?"

Gajeel grunted.

"Well thank you! It's more of a hobby than anything, but no one's complained, so I guess I'm not awful."

"Even if they did complain, don't let it stop you. Like I said, you aren't half bad," Gajeel said gruffly.

Mira beamed at him. "Thank you Gajeel. Do you sing?"

She was shocked to see him brighten up and actually smile at her.

"Yeah, I sing and play guitar. Write my own songs too."

"Oh, we'll have to sign you up for a time slot so you can sing for us all."

Gajeel grinned, sharp teeth bared. "That'd be fine." As Mira turned to head back to the bar, he called after her.

"Got any iron?"

Oh Gajeel. He's such a teddy bear at heart.

Anyway, I'm sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. As always, special thanks go to star-eye for beta-reading and just being generally awesome.

Gajeel's next friend? Natsu.

Catch ya later, lovelies!

-FD