Author's Notes: Like always, please read, rate and review.
CHAPTER 25: Lost and Found
"So, Salamander finally made his move."' The iron dragon grinned, patting the blonde on the head. 'Good for him."
"You're talking about me like I'm not even here." Lucy grumbled, face blazing. Gajeel cocked an eyebrow, smirking.
"Or maybe…'" He chuckled. 'You put the moves on him." He grinned, watching the colour drain from the celestial spirit mage's face.
"That didn't happen!" Lucy protested, mouth hanging open in shock.
"Let me guess,'" Gajeel continued, placing his hands on his hips. 'Flames-for-brains stayed over last night?"
"Well…'" Lucy looked away, inwardly cursing herself for her lack of composure. You're an adult, Lucy. Get it together. So what if you and Natsu slept together? Lucy smiled, taking a steadying breath. 'Yeah. He did." Gajeel's studded eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I'm impressed.'" He said, voice flat. There was no hint of sarcasm or deceit. 'I mean it. Good for you, Blondie." He winked at the girl, placing a rough hand on her shoulder as he stepped past the blonde.
"Th-thanks." She breathed, not knowing how to respond.
"If he does anything stupid, let me know.'" He laughed. 'Not that I'd need an excuse to beat the snot of of him or anything…"
"Sure.'" Lucy smiled, watching the iron dragon walk away. Is he actually trying to protect me? She smiled at his back as he neared the end of the aisle, her eyes falling to the floor where his feet passed over a crumpled object on the ground. The iron mage hesitated, eyes grazing the mysterious thing, before walking forward. Lucy followed the man, curiosity getting the better of her. Wait. 'Ewww!"
"…" Gajeel froze, hearing the stellar spirit mage stop behind him.
"Awww, gross.'" The girl whined, nose crinkling. 'What kind of degenerate just leaves their panties laying around? In a library no less!" The iron-dragon slayer flinched, chancing a glance over his shoulder at the other mage.
"…" He turned, following her eyes to the ground where the incriminating material lay exposed over the hardwood flooring of the library.
"Like seriously, these are just-'" Lucy stopped short, her brown eyes widening, eyebrows raised; a horrified expression marring her paling face. 'Wait." These can't be.
"Tch." Gajeel gritted his fanged teeth, watching the blonde's expression change. Her narrowing eyes moved from the floor to his face, meeting his gaze. Shit.
"I know these panties.'" Lucy spoke lowly, her mouth a thin line; accusation thick in her voice. I've seen these worn before. Her mind raced, searching through her memories, trying to locate the face that belonged to the small, blue delicates discarded at her feet. Holy shit! Lucy gasped, pointing at the undergarments dramatically. 'Levy!?"
"Lu-chan?" Both mages whipped around, hearing the familiar, gentle voice of Fairy Tail's solid script mage.