The guild was unusually quiet. It was a stuffy hot day in magnolia and nearly every mage had left town, to go to the beach. However a few remained. Natsu was there, sat in the corner, he was asleep his head in Lucy's lap. Lucy has wanted to go to the beach, but Natsu hadn't been himself lately, she thought he was ill so she'd stayed to look after him, and he wasn't complaining. Gray was also there, it was far too hot for him, so of course so was Juvia. Levy sat at one table by an open window, a book in front of her, panther-lily was sat on the table next to her also reading. Lily had found a love for literature since he had come to earthland.

"What're reading, Shrimp?" Large hands set themselves on the table as Gajeel lowered himself into a chair opposite Levy.

Levy looked up and smiled at the large dragon-slayer. "A book, Gajeel, I'm reading a book."

"Very smart shrimp," he growled softly, "I meant what book, or what kind of book, its different every day with you. They go from cutesy and soppy to downright scary."

"That's because I like all kinds of books Gajeel." Levy smiled, "Today I'm reading one of those cutesy books." She told him, "It's called midnight flowers." Levy lifted the book so Gajeel could see thee cover, a field covered by darkness, a full moon hanging high in the sky and a small patch off silver flowers glowing in the darkness.

"I've never seen those flowers before… do they exist?" Gajeel asked.

"Yeah they do." Levy nodded, "But they only appear during the midnight hour on a full moon." She said. "This is one of my favourite books, it's a great love story, but it doesn't compare to seeing the real things."

"A love story huh?" Gajeel asked "Speaking of love, you have someone special?"

Levy immediately blushed and pulled her book up to cover her face. Beside them Lily looked up from his book and shook his head. "N…no." Levy replied. Gajeel blushed; gosh she was cute when she was flustered. "Have you Gajeel?" she asked.

"Ah… Actually I do, but she doesn't see me the same way." He admitted, he knew, as did Lily that the girl in question was the blue haired mage before them but she didn't.

"How do you know?" Levy asked, "In every book I've read where the guy thinks that, he's wrong, it's a typical romance novel plot."

"Life isn't like the stories Levy." Gajeel said.

"I know," she sighed, "A girl can dream right?" she wished the world was like the romance novels she loved so much, then maybe Gajeel would have the same feelings for her as she had for him… but that was just wishful thinking.

"Levy, we should go soon." Lily said, bring Levy's attention back to the table.

"Of course." Levy said closing her book and standing.

"Where are you two going eh Shrimp?" Gajeel asked,

"The library," Levy smiled.

"Well have fun; I'm going to bully Salamander about his crush on bunny girl… once he wakes up from his nap on her lap." Gajeel grinned, yet somewhere deep inside he was jealous Natsu could sleep on his girl's lap.

"Natsu likes Lu-chan?" Levy asked.

"Of course." Gajeel replied.

"Well by Gajeel." Levy turned and waved over her shoulder, her book hooked under her arm as Gajeel's exceed floated next to her. "Oh yeah," Levy spun back around, making Gajeel jump, "Did you want to come and see the midnight flowers with me next full moon?"

Gajeel's heart beat faster, "Yea sure shrimp." He replied as casually as he could.

"Ok, it's next Saturday; I'll come by your place at about half past eleven ok?"

"Sure," Gajeel nodded.

"Ok, bye." And with that Levy swept out of the guild.

The following Saturday Levy moved though the cool night to Gajeel's home where she knocked lightly on his door. A very groggy looking dragon slayer came to the door, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What is it shrimp?" he asked with a yawn.

"Did you forget?" Levy asked.

Focus came to his eyes and he shook his head, "Sorry, I must have fallen asleep on the sofa, the flowers right?"

"Of course," Levy laughed lightly, the sound like twinkling bells to Gajeel's ears. "Come on, or we'll miss it." Gajeel stepped out of his home and closed and locked the door before following Levy away.

They reached Magnolia Park in twenty minutes and Gajeel watched in amazement as Levy produced at blanket and laid it out on the ground before flopping down onto it. "Sit down Gajeel." She said patting the tartan material.

Gajeel sat down, "So how long do we have to wait Shrimp?" he asked.

"Five minutes." Levy said sounding excited. "Oh Gajeel it's the most beautiful thing you'll ever see."

"I don't know about that." Gajeel said softly, knowing in his mind and heart, Levy was the most beautiful thing he'd ever see.

"Oh you're being stubborn again," Levy huffed crossing her arms, then she squealed and leant forwards, "Look I misjudged it's starting, look, look." She tugged on Gajeel's arm and pointed across the grass.

Growing from the ground where long silver vines, that grew wide silver leaves that settled in the windless night. Then came the buds that quickly opened into large beautiful flowers, standing tall a proud in the moon light, unseen to anyone but levy and Gajeel.

"See, aren't they the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?" Levy asked, awe-struck.

"No," Gajeel replied.

"What!" Levy spun on him, but her anger disappeared when she saw his face. It was soft and calm and could she be mistaking it but… loving.

"You're far more beautiful." He said, softly cupping her face in his hand. She leant against his hand and smiled softly, the flowers forgotten. "I love you Levy."

"I love you too Gajeel." She replied. She moved her head and pulled herself up onto her knees. Then she leant forward and gently brushed her lips against his.

She pulled away and smiled. Gajeel growled, "You think you can get away with just that?" he asked. she laughed before Gajeel pulled her in for a fair deeper and passionate kiss.

So there in the moonlight the new couple kissed, and without them realising the mid-night hour passed and the midnight flowers vanished into the night along with any feelings of doubt about love.