A/N: Gonna pop these up here so I don't forget! Couple of reviews to reply to -
Daisy Shields - thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. The song will pop up again later on, so hopefully it'll explain some stuff for you.
BanRedfox - yeah, but try telling that to those two! At least it's somewhere Gajeel works too, so he can always be embarrassed about it XD
As usual, I don't own anything Fairy Tail (unless you include the blu-ray collection or the mountain of exceed plushies?) and there's lemons ahead, because it's me - of course there is!
7pm found Levy nervously smoothing the skirt of her maroon wrap dress again. Gajeel had said "dress nice, pick you up at 7" before leaving her at her front door earlier that day. She was entertaining the thought of changing - again - when a sharp knock at the door signaled his arrival.
Opening the door, Levy found herself suddenly short of words. Gajeel was wearing his usual black boots, tight black pants that highlighted his enviable musculature, and a deep maroon button down, the fabric stretched tight over his enormous arms and broad chest.
"Wow" Levy breathed. "Do we have to go out?"
Gajeel chuckled. "You look too good in that dress not to show you off. Ready?"
Pulling on her shoes, Levy took Gajeel's hand in her own smaller on as she shut and locked the front door. "So where are we going?"
"It's a surprise" he kissed the top of her head as she stopped to climb into his car. "You look beautiful" he whispered to her, cupping her cheek tenderly.
They rode in silence, with Levy's hand resting on his thigh as he drove, until he stopped in front of the restaurant.
"Gaj! This is way too nice!" She protested as he led her inside.
"Nonsense. My girl got her degree, that deserves celebrating" he chuckled as the server made his way over.
"Good evening, and welcome to Island. Do you have a reservation?"
"Redfox."
Checking the book, the waiter pulled two menus and gestured for the couple to follow. "Right this way, please."
Over dinner and wine, their conversation flowed easily. When dessert arrived, Levy fixed him with a look. "Gajeel."
He quirked an eyebrow at her, gesturing for her to continue.
"The last few months have been wonderful. I know we've had our moments, but we're getting better at being together. I love you, and I want you to be around all the time." Taking a deep breath, she slid a key across the table to him. "Move in with me?"
Gajeel rounded the table, kneeling on the floor in front of her and kissed her breathless. "I would love to." He lent in and kissed her again.
Suddenly aware of eyes on them, Levy giggled as she watched the realization of their position dawn on Gajeel's face, blushing as he quickly moved back to his seat. "I think the couple over there thinks you just proposed to me" she whispered, winking at him.
"How do you know I wasn't going to?" He smirked back.
Levy shook her head, trying to clear the sudden blush. "No, I don't think so. It's to soon and you like to make a scene." She teased. "Now, I know you've got the next few days off so tomorrow, you pack up your meager apartment, I'll clean up at home and you can move straight in, if you like. You can have the second room as your home studio, and..."
"Levy!" Gajeel interrupted. "Breathe, Shrimp. You're starting to ramble." When she took a deep breath, he reached across the table and squeezed her hands. "Move first, we'll sort the rest out later. Right now I think it's time to head home, yeah?"
Nodding, Levy stood on slightly wobbly legs. "Just let me visit the ladies room first."
Gajeel smiled as she left, flagging down a waiter to settle the bill.
Arm in arm, they climbed the stairs to Gajeel's apartment, Levy keen to get started on packing. As they climbed the last couple of steps, Levy took his keys and skipped ahead to let them into the flat. Shooing Happy away from the doorway, she scurried towards his bedroom to get started on packing.
"Hey, Natsu, you here?" Gajeel called.
"In here!"
Following the slightly muffled voice, Gajeel pushed open Natsu's bedroom door, leaning on the door frame. "Lucy here?"
Natsu turned in his chair. "Don't think so. Hey - you used my name! I was starting to think you didn't know it."
Glancing down the hallway, Gajeel heard Levy chattering away to Happy. Satisfied she was occupied, he quietly closed the door and sat on Natsu's bed, facing his flat mate and cousin. "Right, I'm moving in with the Shrimp so this place is all yours. And - keep quiet - I need you to look after this for me." He pulled out a small velvet box and handed it over. "Don't even tell Lucy."
Natsu opened the box, letting out a low whistle at the ring nestled inside. "Scouts honour." He crossed his heart, and then tucked it in a drawer in his desk, hiding it under a stack of loose papers. "Luce doesn't go in this one - scared she'll upset my genius or something ridiculous." He winked at the raven haired man on his bed. "Don't you have to go pack or something? Get outta my room!"
Two days later, the boys apartment was officially just Natsu's, and Gajeel and Levy were staring at a pile of boxes in their living room.
Over takeaway Thai they slowly sorted out what was staying, what was for donating and what was rubbish. By 1AM the house was back into some semblance or order, and Gajeel was sick of watching Levy yawn. Tossing her over his shoulder, he carried her to bed where they were both sound asleep before their heads hit the pillows.
Levy had discovered over the past few months that Gajeel had become a cuddler - the kind that curls around the other person and tangles limbs together. Usually, that was her favourite way to wake up, slowly and spending a few precious extra moments snuggled together, but this morning her alarm was very loudly reminding her that she had places to be, which meant getting up right now.
Slowly, Levy extricated herself from Gajeel's embrace and stretched, shutting off her alarm. Smirking, she watched Lily curl up against Gajeel's warm chest as she quickly dressed, using her fingers to pull her hair into a messy bun. Dropping a quick kiss into his hair, Levy grabbed her phone and keys, slipping on her shoes as she shut the front door behind her.
She hummed as she walked, sending a quick text to Gajeel. Levy smiled as she walked in to the diner to start her morning shift. Dropping her jacket and keys in the office, she waved brightly at Laxus, who was only scowling slightly for a change, then, securing her name tag and apron, she walked onto the floor, coming to stand between Mira and Cana.
"Ooh Blue, you look beat!" Cana slurred.
Sticking her tongue out at the brunette, Levy retorted "At least I'm not still drunk!"
Mira smiled as she passed a steaming cup of black coffee down the counter to Cana, before turning her attention on Levy. "Cana's right, sweetie, you look tired. Tired, but happy. What's the news?"
Levy just shrugged, picking up a stack of menu's to distribute to the first customers of the day. "Gajeel moved in." She turned her attention to her customers, ignoring the squeals and whistles from behind her.
Gajeel awoke with a start, realizing he wasn't cuddling his blue haired girlfriend. Lily cracked open an eye at the sudden movement, before promptly going back to sleep.
Scratching behind the fuzzy ears, Gajeel reached for his phone and read the message from Levy
"Working the open at the cafe. Be home about 10. Feed Lily please! xxx"
Checking the time, Gajeel groaned as he realized he'd only just missed her. Rubbing his face, he rolled out of the bed and set about putting the house back to rights.
A/N: I'm always flattered by the love you guys give this story, so THANK YOU!
I have these events planned for this story, but it's going to be a slog to actually get to them, so I hope you're all prepared for lots more chapters?!
PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING! I only have one more chapter already written, and your reviews are my motivation to keep going.
