A/N: Hello again! Here is my Valentine's gift to you, another chapter in one day, well sort of. Here is part one of two with Levy and Gajeel's first "date". The second half will come soon enough I simply couldn't type anymore and figured I stopped in a good place. Thank you for reading I hope you all like it!

Don't Own Characters***

Enjoy~

Chapter 4

Sunday had finally arrived as Levy bustled about her apartment wrapped in a towel. She halfway tidied her living space, not wanting to come off as the momentary slob she truly was. "I can't wait until seven pm," she exasperated to the emptiness of her apartment. Levy made her way into her bedroom and slapped some makeup on, enough to give her the "natural" look without it actually being anything but natural. "No one has a naturally flawless face," she said to the doppelganger in the mirror. Deciding against a headband she allowed her blue locks to flow freely around her face. The thought of good enough ran through her head as she abandoned the vanity and turned to her closet.

A few minutes of sifting through her wardrobe left Levy nervously biting at her bottom lip. Picking a deep turquoise long sleeve dress, the bluenette paired it with a pair of tan booties and dark tights. Once dressed Levy began to pace her room out of boredom, not entirely sure what she should do next. Completely beside herself, Levy threw her hands in the air. Grabbing her satchel and a leather jacket that matched her booties, Levy left her apartment.

With no destination in particular she found herself once again at the coffee shop.

Once inside Cana greeted her before bouncing between customers.

"You don't work today Levy!" Cana slightly shouted over the counter. It was only mid morning but the coffee shop was bustling with study groups, and cramming students that caused Levy to reminisce about her college days.

"I know Cana, is it okay if I play anyways? Free of charge of course," she added as she grabbed tea from the counter.

Cana was always on top of things when it came to the people she actually liked. "Sure. Play away."

Levy nodded and nonchalantly made her way towards the piano. Setting her cup on a stool nearby the bluenette stretched her digits. What to play? She asked herself remembering a particular string of notes that had been beaten into her on multiple occasions. Cursing, and thanking, her old Russian piano teacher her fingers began their dance.

The Chopin notes she had learned ran through the room with each stroke of the keys. Head lulling, and eyes focused she became lost in the sounds that met her ears.

Gajeel rummaged through some unpacked boxes in search for clean clothes. A quick sniff of his stench caused him to crinkle his studded nose. As he searched, he finally came to a box with relatively clean looking pants and a black long sleeve. Clothes in hand Gajeel made his way to the shower. A sarcastic smile crept over his lips as he was met with the familiar freezing cold water. "What is hot water in this house?" he questioned the showerhead.

After his quick shower, he dressed and collected his wallet and keys before heading out to the place he knew would have a newspaper he could look through. "I feel like I'm stuck in the 1980s," he mumbled to himself missing the ease of an internet connection. At least he could get free food and a coffee while there.

After a short drive Gajeel patted his car and thanked it for not shitting out on him. Money was tight and that was the last thing he needed. He could barely afford to take Levy out that night.

Letting out a light sigh he made his way into the coffee shop, grabbing the newspaper before slipping inside. Familiar sounds toyed with his ears. Too Sweet doesn't play today. But to his surprise he saw the blue hair falling and swaying over her face as she played. Something about her playing truly appealed to him, it was raw and extremely sexy. He continued over to Cana as he listened.

"What's Shrimp doing here?" he asked Cana who began whipping up his usual. Speaking over the machine her voice became louder, "Dunno. She came in looking all hot, and said she would play for free."

The brown haired woman set Gajeel's coffee down along with a sandwich. Gajeel grunted his response before taking a seat near Levy and opening the paper in attempts to find an apartment.

After only a few minutes the brute gave up, munching on his sandwich he waited until Levy stopped her fingers and stretched. A smile was spread fully over her lips.

As Levy turned, she felt Gajeel's crimson orbs staring at the back of her head. "What, are you stalking me?" she inquired with a small chuckle. Catching her sarcasm he gave her a small laugh himself.

"Just checking the ads. It's not stalking, I'm simply following you and watching your every move," he bantered back causing Levy to crack another smile. Gajeel watched as she turned her whole body to face him, he noticed her hair cascaded around her face. It was…sexy, the world fogged around her form.

"So practicing those hard learned lessons today?" he asked with a smirk. Levy met his red eyes and shrugged. "Honestly, I was just wasting time," she tried not to sound anxious.

Gajeel mulled her words over in his head as an idea surface. "Well shit, why don't we move the date up to now? That is if you don't have anything going on," he asked.

Levy refrained from seeming too excited, a hint of a smile crossed her lips and she nodded. Remembering she forgot to grab her wallet the bluenette stood from the bench seat. "Think we could stop at my apartment real quick? I forgot my wallet," she sighed sheepishly knowing how she would forget her head if it wasn't attached. Gajeel simply nodded trying to hold back a snicker, and cleared his table before following the bluenette.

Levy led the way to her apartment. Gajeel watched her backside as the dress swayed around her well-endowed hips. After a couple flights of stairs they reached door number 301. The apartment was fairly tidy as Gajeel followed Too Sweet inside.

The room definitely fit Levy form what little he knew about her. As his eyes wandered the living room he noticed a rather large bookshelf, and walked towards it. Amazement crossed his face as his eyes ran over the titles of classical authors. Names like Emily Dickenson, Sir Thomas Malroy, and Shakespeare floated in his thoughts. The only one he registered was Shakespeare, the book was massive and had fancy gold pages. "Entire Complete Works of William Shakespeare huh?" he asked himself aloud, taking the book out and flipping through the pages. His eyes landed on a poem "A Summer's Day". As Gajeel read the poem in a failed attempted of a British accent Levy finally came out from the hallway, wallet in hand.

"Hey put that back," she commanded startling Gajeel, causing him to slam the heavy book shut and return it to the shelf. A wickedly sly smile floated on his face.

"Didn't know you were such a brain Short Stuff," he said crossing the space between them, then leaning on the back of the small couch. Levy gave a puff of her cheeks and crossed her arms. "Am not," she sputtered.

She's so cute when she's mad. "Well if you're not a brain then I must be a complete idiot and not know a thing," he bantered to her response. Levy sighed making her way to the door, Gajeel followed.

"I just like to read and write on occasion," she stated closing and locking her apartment door.

On their way through the building Gajeel considered if he was going to ask her anything or stay in the silence he created, until they had finally reached the crisp air outside. Deciding to just get on with it, he began to speak before being cut off by Levy. "So what's on the agenda for our date?" she queried emphasizing the word date.

Gajeel peered down at her though the corner of his eyes. "you like art?" he decided on the simple question, an idea coming full circle in his mind. Levy's eyes seemed to light up as she shrugged, a "yeah" rolling form her lips.

Secretly Levy was dancing foolishly on the inside. Creativity was an amazing trait to have but she was seriously lacking in the art department. She couldn't even draw a decent cartoon figure. Gajeel interrupted her thoughts as they walked along the sidewalk and made their way into what was known as the art district.

"Cool. There's this artist that does pretty sweet metal sculptures," he spoke tilting his head down to get a better look at the bluenette who nodded in response.

She had heard about the artist and was immensely inspired by whoever they were. An idea popped into her head, taking a notepad out from her purse, she grabbed the small pen that rested in the spiral binding and clicked. After another moment she began scrolling the pen against the paper, letting the idea flow naturally. It came to life on the paper as Levy wrote. With her I's dotted and t's crossed, she returned the pen to the binding and tucked the notepad securely in her purse. Unaware of what had become second nature, Levy returned to the world of reality and was met with a peculiar look form the dark haired man to her left.

"What was that about?" he eyed the bluenette as she returned his quizzical look. "What was what about?" she asked.

"The thing you just did. You wrote something down on a notepad and returned it to your bad," Gajeel slightly stammered now contemplating if his eyes had deceived him. As they approached the first sculpture Levy let out a bashful giggle. Bringing a hand to her mouth, letting her fingers come over her lips to hide a smile.

"Oh, that… I tend to write things down as ideas come to me. That way I don't forget or can review them later. Guess I don't even realize when I do it anymore…" she gave a shrug and returned her hand to her side, fidgeting with her dress as she did so.

Gajeel let a genuine grin come over his features, his eyes squinting as he showed a toothy smile. Bringing his arm up and behind his head, scratching his tousled black mane. "Hey Shrimp that's pretty cool," he stated just before Levy laid her gaze upon an intricately molded iron sculpture.

Before her pupils stood a black wolf, pieced together with jagged scraps, cut and bent to fit the form. Within the metal was an occasional gear, or cog. It seemed almost predatory as the sun caught its teeth, reflecting the light in a most abstract way. Levy couldn't believe how incredible the figure was. As she studied the form further, she saw a small "G.R." initialed on the platform the wolf was set on.

"I wonder who G.R is?" she thought aloud wanting to touch the metal creature that was almost as big as she stood tall. Gajeel chuckled from the petite woman's comment.

"C'mon Shorty this is only the beginning of the art work," he said taking her hand in his as they walked to every sculpture and painting. Their fingers intertwined further they continued the journey. Levy awed at a few of the paintings.

One in particular caught her as they strolled down the cobblestone. It was among many others surrounding the artist as she worked. Acrylic filled Levy's nose as they approached closer, mesmerized at what the woman was creating. The busty woman danced around a white piece of paper as she bobbed her head to her earphones. Half of her face obstructed by what looked like the bottom part of a gas mask. As she danced the woman began with black, coating the paper with the spray paint, one hand constantly held and shook a can. Using pans and cups she worked to form unfamiliar planets. Eventually she worked in a skyline and buildings, cutting through the wet paint with a putty knife. Hues of pink and blue coating the sky while black peaked through in all the right places. As the woman slowed her dance she peered at Levy and Gajeel before speckling a few white flecks to the sky. With a scratch of her nail to autograph, the woman was finished.

A round of applause filled the air as the crowd was dazzled by her performance. Slipping a ten to the lady, Gajeel shook her painted hand as they exchanged the money and painting. Gajeel handed the finished product to a bewildered levy.

"What's this for?" she asked, studying the art, a wide smile spread over her lips. Gajeel gave her a shrug.

"For you Shrimp. You obviously loved it, and I know the woman behind the mask. She's an old friend of mine and extremely talented," he explained as they continued their journey to his original destination. "Well thank you," Levy beamed, carefully holding the artwork.

Gajeel nodded, giving a squeeze to the petite hand within his. A sweet aroma filled their noses as they closed the distance to their final destination. Levy subconsciously licked her lips as her stomach slightly rumbled, sensing the food that awaited her.

Before them sat a rustic looking café, busy with tourists and natives enjoying the treats and drinks it had to offer. What sat in the center of the large café was what caught Levy's attention the most. A beautiful metal dragon over six feet tall sat atop a mountain of coffee beans enclosed in a metal frame and clear glass. Its wing stretched out and into the ceiling barely touching the walls. Like the wolf, it had gears and cogs resting within its body. What caught Levy's attention next was what was in the dragon's outstretched claw. The image caused Levy to slightly giggle. Happily settled in the opened claw was a small maybe quarter foot tall crystalline pixie, sipping what seemed to be a coffee cup.

"That's incredible!" she proclaimed, fast walking closer to sculpture and soaking in every detail. Amidst her amazement Gajeel stole the time to order some treats and coffees.

Returning to her side, he grinned as Levy examined the artwork. Her eyes floated over the "G.R" inscribed at the base of the dragon.

"Whoever this GR person is, they are an incredible artist," she said not noticing the brute beside her.

"Thanks Shrimp," he said slightly startling her.

"What are you thanking me for?" she inquired completely puzzled at his words. Gajeel chuckled at her confusion. "Shrimp, my name is Gajeel Redfox. I'm flattered you think I'm an incredible artist. Geehee."

Levy's jaw almost dropped to the floor. Gajeel tuned and began to make his way towards a table near the windows, sitting down after placing their drinks and pastries on the table. Levy followed, keeping a fast pace trying to keep up with his long strides. Sitting down, she made an attempt to recover from Gajeel's words.

"Wait, you did that?" her features twisted into a look of bewilderment. Gajeel popped a macaroon in his mouth and nodded while he chewed.

"Then you also made the wolf?" she asked piecing the information together.

"Yeah Shrimp. There's more to me than just sub par music and a gruff disposition," he sipped his coffee as Levy sipped on hers still amazed. She really didn't know what to say to his new realized talent. She couldn't even articulate words to form sentences. Levy let out a huff.

"I don't think your music is sub par," she finally spoke causing Gajeel to scratch the back of his head, not used to the onslaught of compliments. Levy fell silent as she broke her cookie into pieces on her napkin, taking only a small piece and popping it into her mouth.

Her eyes wandered outside the window, feeling content inside the café. Gajeel studied her features, the way her eyes were green and gold at the same time, how she had worn her hair down allowing it to cascade around her shoulder framing her face. He realized the slight curl to her blue locks, wondering if it did that naturally. Her features were small in contrast to her large eyes, she was definitely a work of art.

"So what brought you to the city short stuff?" he questioned bringing Levy's attention from the window to his crimson eyes. She hummed deciding what to say, before finally choosing the right words.

"Well after I graduated early I didn't really want to join any corporations or be some hot shot lawyer like my friends. I don't know. I feel like we should all do something we love and being a CEO didn't sound very appealing," she laughed as she spoke the words. "So I moved here to see what opportunities would arise. I majored in English in college and my old friend set me up with an agent at a major publishing firm. The coffee shop was a great environment for my ideas to flow and to be honest after I met you, your eyes sparked something. So I left and wrote a children's story then sent it to my publisher. Now I'm an almost published writer," she explained.

Gajeel was entranced as she spoke, nodding when she finished. Her words made him feel like he was conversing with an old friend. "So if you're a published writer, why are you playing at the coffee shop?" he asked staring deep into her soul. Levy scratched her head.

"Well I guess I just like to play and…well…it gave me a reason to see you," she admitted nervously, bringing her gaze to her hands placed in her lap.

Gajeel chuckled at her words and her honesty.

The two sat in their comfortable silence as people came and went through he café, Gajeel watched as people commented and praised his artwork he unbeknownst to them had created. Levy observed the outside world. Over the duration of their stay she had watched the sun move and lower in the sky as night approached them.

"You still up for dinner Shorty?" he asked the bluenette sitting in front of him. Her solemn expression turned bright at his mentioning of food.

"Yeah sounds cool," she didn't want to come off too eager. As they made their way back to the coffee shop Gajeel kept his arms at his sides waiting for the moment to arise to nonchalantly interlock his fingers with Levy's. The bluenette surprised him when her hand at first brushed his own, only to stay and slipped her hand into his. His rough palm engulfed her small, soft digits.

A/N: Thank for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! More to come soon! Make sure to review! Kay bye! ^_^