Levy walked reluctantly to the entrance of the small brick home. She waited anxiously for Gajeel to open the front door. Her face was still flushed with embarrassment, not only from being caught in such a compromising situation but from her newfound knowledge of the dragon slayers feelings. Levy bit her lip trying to keep her thoughts at bay. The door on the front of Gajeel's home opened and Levy's eyes shot up from the ground. An awkward and uncharacteristically large smile adorned the large man's face as he let the solid script mage into his home. Levy took in her surroundings, a little shocked at how clean Gajeel's home was. The main area was very open, minimally decorated, and had beautiful dark wood floors running throughout. Located on the left side of the room was the sitting area; there was a large black leather sofa against the back wall, a matching black leather recliner next to it, and a steel coffee table placed in the middle. Across from the sofa was the enormous picture window Levy had been hiding under. Two smaller windows sat on the same wall as the picture window. A large steel bookshelf, filled with books on magic and combat techniques, took up the far wall of the living room. To the right of the room was the kitchen. A small peninsula with four stools divided the two rooms from one another. Across from the front door was a small archway that looked like it led to a hallway; Levy figured the bedrooms and bathroom were located on the back of the house, through the archway.

Levy slowly took off her shoes and followed Gajeel to the kitchen, not sure what she should say to him. Gajeel walked to one of the drawers, pulled out a black apron and tied it around his waist. With another smile he looked over at Levy who was standing stiffly by the entrance to the kitchen.

"So, breakfast?" Gajeel asked. "Eggs, bacon, and toast okay?"

"Uh… yeah! That sounds great." Levy said blushing. "You – um – do you need help with anything?"

"Nah, I got this kid. I saw you eyeing up my bookshelf though." Gajeel said with a small chuckle. "I'm sure you've probably read 'em all already, but feel free to make yourself comfy. Gihi!" With a small eye roll Levy turned to walk across the living room and check out the bookshelf. She saw Lily sitting on the sofa and gave him a shy smile. Gajeel was right, she had read all of these books before, but she thought she might as well pick one out and read it anyway. That way she might be able to diffuse some of the tension in the air. Levy picked out a book and plopped down on the end on the couch, next to Panther Lily.

"Good morning Levy." The small cat greeted, slightly amused at the present situation.

"Morning Lily." Levy blushed furiously.

"So what brings you here this early in the morning?" A sly smile formed over Lily's face.

"Oh! Uh – I –um – just needed to talk with Gajeel about something." Levy let out a nervous laugh and quickly opened the book to start reading, hoping it would help her avoid any more questions.

"Well," Panther Lily finished his kiwi, hopped off the sofa, and called to Gajeel. "I promised Erza we would train today, so I am going to head out." Gajeel froze and stared at the little cat who was heading for the door.

"That so?" Gajeel replied bitterly.

"Yup. See ya later." Panther Lily winked at the flustered dragon slayer and promptly left. Levy watched the exceed leave, trying not to panic. She slowly let her gaze make its way to the kitchen. Her eyes found the large man standing half naked in front of the stove; he was focusing very hard on cooking. Levy found herself staring longer than she meant to. Her eyes wandered up and down Gajeel's chiseled form. She took in each curve of his muscles, every scar that adorned his skin, and all of the studs that decorated him. She couldn't stop herself from counting them. Four on his right forearm, three in his right ear, three across his right eyebrow, two on the right side of his nose, and two on his chin. She wondered if he had studs anywhere else on his body. Maybe he has some down – Levy! What are you thinking? Well, it is entirely possible that he has them in other places. Yeah, but that isn't the point! I should not be thinking about that. Oh Mavis, help me. Just relax and read your book. You are here for a reason. To apologize and hopefully fix your stupid mistake.

"Hey Shrimp, foods ready." Gajeel called effectively tearing Levy from her thoughts.

"Oh, thanks!" Levy got up and walked over to the peninsula. She scooted one of the stools out and tried hopping up onto it but it was just a bit too tall for her. Noticing Levy was having a little trouble Gajeel picked her up without a second thought and plopped her on the chair. A small gasp escaped Levy's lips. A blush rushed across Levy's cheeks as she felt Gajeel's hands around her small waist. She relished the brief physical contact between them. Levy stared at Gajeel surprised by the sudden movement.

"The food looks amazing! Thank you." Levy diverted her gaze to the plate in front of her. She didn't realize Gajeel would have such skill in the kitchen. I wonder if that is the only place he has skill. Damn it Levy! This is not the time.

"Heh. Thanks." Gajeel smiled at the small woman whose face had just turned another shade darker. The two ate in silence, neither one quite sure as to what they should say. Levy finished the food one her plate and hastily hopped off her stool to bring her empty plate to the sink. Not wanting to be rude Levy turned the water on and started washing the pile of dishes that was packed into the sink.

"What are ya doin' Shrimp? Ya' don't have to wash those."

"Yes I do. What kind of guest would I be if I just sat back and let you do all the cooking and cleaning. It is the least I can do after you made me that meal." She smiled brightly back at Gajeel. She's determined I'll give her that. Plus, I hate doing the dishes. Lily normal does 'em.

"Gihi" Gajeel laughed as the thought crossed his mind.

"Hm?" Levy questioned as she heard him laugh.

"Nothin'. Just thinking."

"Okay."

"Shrimp" Gajeel was working up the courage to finally ask the small bluenette about the elephant in the room. Levy looked up quizzically as she put the last of the dishes in the rack. "What are ya' doin' here? After last night… I didn't think I'd be seein' ya' so soon."

"Well…" Levy took a moment to gather her thoughts. Okay. Just apologize. It isn't hard. Levy opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She swallowed hard; she could feel her nerves stuck in her throat refusing to move and the butterflies in her stomach were beginning to flutter around. Now you are being weird. Just say something. Anything. Literally anything you say will be better than standing her with your mouth open. Gajeel waited for her to speak; a concerned look splayed across his studded features.

"You okay kid?" Gajeel prodded a bit anxious to hear what she could be thinking. She looks like she just swallowed some rusty iron.

"Sorry." Levy finally whispered.

"Ya' don't need to apologize Shrimp. Just freaked me out for a minute. So you gonna tell me why ya' came all the way here?" Gajeel asked again.

"No Gajeel. That is why I came here. To apologize – for last night. I was… rude. And I overreacted and I shouldn't have let my emotions get so out of control. I shouldn't have yelled at you like I did." Gajeel was taken back. He wasn't expecting her to apologize like that. He figured he would have to be the one to apologize in the end. The large dragon slayer blinked a few times thinking about how he should respond.

"Uh… It's fine." Gajeel dropped his gaze from the petite woman. "I'm sorry too – I guess. I shouldn't have been so forward." He could feel his frustration bubbling under his skin. He was starting to backtrack with Levy and it made him want to yell. He couldn't think of anything he could do to show her his feelings that wouldn't result in another episode like the one from the previous night. Kiss her! No idiot, remember last time? I screwed that up royally and I never want to make her cry again. Yeah, but ya' like her. And she likes you. Just tell her you like her. Ask her out or something! What? Play it slow. No. She deserves better than me. I should just leave it how it is and hope things go back to normal. Yeah okay. You do that. I hope you have fun watching her forget about you and find someone else. Shit. The room was quiet. Levy was staring at Gajeel, trying to work out the expression on his face. He looked like a battle was raging in the depths of his mind.

"Gajeel…?" Levy questioned in a hushed tone. "I liked it." Gajeel snapped his head up. Surprise flooded his face.

"What?" He hoped desperately he heard her correctly.

"I said, I liked it." Levy replied trying to sound more composed than she was. She thought back to earlier when she heard Gajeel admit his feelings to Panther Lily. I have to tell him. I have to be the one to show him that I love him; he won't let himself get close to me otherwise. With a small push of courage she explained further. "I like you Gajeel. And I want – I – I want you." Levy turned to walk around the counter to stand face to face with the dragon slayer.

"I want you too…" Gajeel admitted sheepishly, lowering his head, trying not to look at the solid script mage. "A lot." A large smile adorned Levy's face and she stepped closer, craning her neck to peek under the fountain of black hair that fell around Gajeel's face. Levy pushed up onto her tippy toes and planted a kiss right on the iron dragon slayer lips.

"So, you gonna show me the rest of your house?" Levy probed, a sly grin appearing on her lips.