Author's Note:

Hello everyone! Once again I apologize for the wait. The good news is that I found a super cute place to live here in D.C. and I landed a really cool job. My stress levels have gone back down which means more story for you! Your guys reviews really also make a huge difference to me so thank you so much!

Also my boyfriend started watching Fairy Tail with me and we just reached the Grand Magic Games (my favorite arc)! It's been really nice to go back and get to know the characters better again. Hopefully this will keep me on track with their personalities. Well, let's get to the chapter!

Chapter 9

"What do you think about these?" I asked as I held up a pair of velvet rose-colored pumps. Levy's nose wrinkled up as she shook her head no and I quickly put them back on the display.

We met in a quaint shoe boutique in the middle of town after Levy had ate breakfast with Jet and Droy. I had been dying to talk to her all last night about what had happened in the maze but ultimately our room had ended up packed with many of our guild members so we didn't have the chance to speak alone. I had noticed that she had been fidgety all night and guessed that she had something to tell me as well. We had briefly made our plans to sneak away the following morning.

"So, what were you all antsy about last night?" She inquired.

"What makes you say that," I ask, though I know she's not wrong. Images of Natsu kissing me hadn't left my mind for one minute. I couldn't decide if the maze had all been a mistake and I should just forger about it or if I should find him and drag him away to a dark corner to continue where we left off.

"You didn't join in the conversation hardly at all, not even when Lisanna was gushing about her date" she replied and then deviously smirked as she leaned forward and pinched my cheeks. "Also, when you're distracted by your thoughts you get this really goofy look on your face!"

I pouted and swatted away her hands. "At least mine isn't as silly as yours," I teased as I clasped my hands together in front of my chest as I looked up to the ceiling with a dreamy look and sighed.

"I don't do that!"

"You might as well," I said as I winked at her.

"Only when I'm thinking of you, Lu Lu."

"Fair enough," I laughed. Turning around I spotted a pair of strappy silver heels. "What about these?"

"Silver's too cool of a color for your dress, but," she said as she plucked them from my hands, "perfect for mine." She sat down on a close bench and began to try them on. "Now spill; what happened?"

I hesitated, as I peaked around the boutique to make sure no one would overhear. "Natsu kissed me," I hissed under my breath.

Levy stopped fastening her heel and peered up at me. "Finally! It's been a long time coming."

"What?" I looked incredulously at her.

"Everyone's been waiting for it to happen. I mean, come on. You guys are constantly together. He even sleeps in you bed all the time!"

"Well, it sure as hell is confusing me," I say frowning, as I plop down on the bench across from her with my hands on my knees. I glance up at her, "those are really cute, by the way. They really accentuate your legs."

"Then I must get them," she smiles as she prances around the room. "Tell me more about the kiss."

"Well first of all we got stuck in this crazy maze..."

"Oh my god! You too?"

"Ha! I knew you were acting funny last night too! Did you go in with Gajeel?"

Levy's face turned a dark shade of pink but she smiled sinfully. "Yes!" She squealed and clutched her arms to her chest as she rocked side to side excitedly.

"Wow, I can't even imagine Gajeel answering some of those questions. He's so closed off..." I trailed off in thought. Ah. I get it. "You knew didn't you? That it was a couples maze."

"Me? No," she said with fake innocence.

"Levy! You wicked little thing," I said between fits of laughter.

She grinned widely. "I'm just helping things progress. Though I have to say that the whole hold hands with your partner aspect was extremely terrifying. Gajeel's gaze makes me tingle all over."

"It was intense for us too. Hey, speaking of the maze, what was your guys last challenge? Natsu kissed me before I got to see what it said and then he wouldn't tell me."

"The last question?" Levy looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "All it said was 'kiss your partner'".

"Oh, I see."

Disappointment seeped through my chest. So he had been forced to kiss me. It figured. What else could it be? So much for my dark corner fantasies. I didn't have time to wallow in a pity-party though. Levy was obviously holding back her excitement."Wait! So Gajeel kissed you?"

"Not exactly," Levy said, looking bashful. "You know how stubborn he is. He was standing there crossed armed, huffing all Gajeel-like, so I had a stroke of madness and went for it! I grabbed the back on his neck and pressed in to him for a kiss."

"Wow Levy! You go girl!"

Her eyes squinted shut as she laughed. "Unfortunately I shocked him so much that we pushed back to the rune and once the magic lifted I toppled on top of him. It was all rather embarrassing."

"That sound amazingly adorable- and I never thought I would use that word in any sort of context with Gajeel."

Levy giggled and turned around to walk over to the display. "Ah ha! Here Lu, try these on," she said while handing me a pair of sparkling soft gold heels.

"Those are gorgeous," I say as I start undoing the latches.

"But anyways, more about this kiss with Natsu. What was it like? I'm sure you've imagined it before. Did it live up to expectations?"

"More so," I look down to hide my blush. "It was... incredible."

Levy squealed with delight.

"Not to mention surprisingly sexy."

She gasped and grabbed my hand. "I'm so happy for you!"

I chuckled. "It's not like we're dating or anything. And besides, he had to kiss me. That put everything in a different perspective."

"You're over-thinking it, Lu. I'm sure he's wanted to do that for a long time. He was probably just waiting for the right moment to present itself."

Her words took my back to what Natsu had said in the maze. Could he have been talking about kissing me?

Naw, no way.

"Whatever you say." I stood up and gazed at the shoes in the mirror. "These will go nicely with my dress. I'm going to get them."

Time to finally face this ball; along with Natsu and Gray

Author's Note:

Sorry this chapter is so short. I had hoped to get more done but I got a little distracted. Regardless, I promised someone I would have a chapter up tonight (even if it is after twelve here!) so I had to deliver. I got positive feedback about Levy and Lucy's friendship so I wanted to add more to the story. But the next few chapter's will be very focused on the dynamics of Lucy, Gray, and Natsu's relationship, so I promise fluff and jealousy!