By Mavis, he had forgotten how fun this was.
Makarov sat at the table with his arms crossed and did his best to fix his sternest, most intimidating scowl on his face. Levy squirmed in her seat and kept sneaking looks at the man taking up most of the space at the table.
When Makarov first heard the roar of a motorcycle engine in the front of the house, and saw Levy sitting behind a complete stranger, holding him tightly around the waist, he had almost flipped a gasket. It had taken Levy nearly a half hour to calm him down...and to convince the young man to stop hiding behind her. Once Makarov was told the stranger's identity, he had instantly taken a liking to the polite yet brash boy.
But he would never let the children know that. He was getting on in years and it would most likely be his last chance to throw his weight around. If Gajeel truly wanted to date his little Levy, the boy would have to man up and show him what he was made of.
Makarov tightened his arms and deepened his frown, mentally nodding in satisfaction when he saw Gajeel swallow thickly, but straighten in his chair.
"So...Gajeel. I've heard a bit of it from Levy but I want to hear it from you. Just what exactly do you do for a living?"
"Grampa…" came a hushed hiss from the side of the table.
"I'm a mechanic, sir. Graduated at the top of my class and specialize in antique cars and motorcycles."
"And do you currently have a job?"
"Yessir, back in Clover Town where I've lived since I started trade school."
"And what are your intentions?"
"My...my what? S-sir?"
Makarov pursed his lips. The trail of red creeping up Gajeel's neck and face made it extremely difficult not to smirk. "Your intentions towards my Levy. I'm assuming this is not just a casual visit. Are you asking for my blessing to marry her?"
Both children jumped in their chairs, their faces turning the same shade of red. Makarov coughed and took a swig of water to help control his laughter.
"Grampa!" Levy groaned and flopped her head onto the table.
Gajeel's mouth opened and closed like a fish. A bead of sweat dripped down his temple and his arms tightened at his sides. "I-I think it might...might be a bit early to be talkin' about that. I mean, we-we just meet and, well, I know we've talked a lot over the years, but I don't know...if we're ready for that yet, um…" He glared at Levy, who still looked as if she was dying on the table.
Gajeel's body moved slightly and Levy jerked upright, glaring at the man next to her. Gajeel flicked his eyes over to his spot and Makarov pretended to ignore the silent exchange. They were just too adorable together.
"Grampa, stop asking so many questions. It's my birthday! Can't you try to get along with Gajeel?"
Makarov took another drink to hide his grin. At the sound of his name coming from Levy, Gajeel's face broke into a wide smile that he tried in vain to hide.
Well, the boy did come all the way to Magnolia just to surprise Levy, so perhaps it was time to cut them some slack.
"Very well, he can stay in the guest house for a few days. But I'm still going to be watching you closely, understand?" When the boy nodded rapidly, Makarov turned to his granddaughter. "I'm assuming your dinner plans have changed, Levy-girl?"
"Yes! I invited everyone over here so the girls could meet Gajeel."
Gajeel was staring at Levy with hearts in his eyes, and the girl was faring no better. Makarov smirked and hopped off his chair. "Alrighty then, you should probably get started on dinner. There should be enough stuff in the fridge to put something together."
He walked around the table, feeling two pairs of eyes boring into his back.
"You're not helping, Grampa?"
Makarovk faked a groan and placed a hand on his lower back. "Nah, I'm getting too old to be standing in the kitchen for hours." Levy raised an eyebrow, her small nose scrunched in confusion. "Why don't you ask Gajeel and see if he wants to help you? I'll just be in here watching my show."
He wiggled his fingers in farewell and left the kitchen. He paused for a moment, hearing the sounds of chairs scraping on the floor.
"So what time are yer friends coming? I can probably whip something up real fast."
"You know how to cook?"
"Well yeah, can't live in a house full of guys and not know how ta feed yerself! We'd have starved long ago if we hadn't figured it out."
Holding back his chuckle, Makarov walked to the kitchen and lounged on the sofa. He kept the TV volume just loud enough to prove he was watching, but kept a careful ear trained on the kitchen. Pots and pans clattered and he heard a giggle when something rolled onto the floor.
"Do you really know how to cook?"
"Hush! Yer kitchen is weird, that's all."
"You're holding the box upside down."
"...no-no I ain't!"
A chime from his phone alerted Lily to Gajeel's message. He took his eyes off the wrestling match on the floor in front of him and fished his phone from his pocket. Ignoring the usual grunts of pain from both Natsu and Grey, Lily unlocked his phone and smiled at the picture.
Read it and weep, Lil! I told ya she was stinkin' cute! Don't show the guys...wanna surprise them when she visits!
The picture showed Gajeel standing next to a mere slip of a girl. His arm was resting on her head and she looked as if she had been trying to push him away. Both wore beaming smiles and held out their palms. Lily recognized Gajeel's handwriting with the words 'found you.'
His phone chimed again, this time with a picture of Levy blushing and Gajeel being surrounded by a hoard of librarians. Lily brought the phone closer to his face. Were all the ladies crying?
One of Levy's friends told the entire staff what was goin' on. Guess they watched the whole thing and were balling their eyes out.
So how'd you do, Stalker?
I kinda forgot to read the letter you helped me with…
Lily leaned back on the sofa with a groan and rasped his hand down his face. Really, the man could fix a bike with his eyes closed, but sometimes he was absolutely helpless.
"What's so funny over there?" Natsu asked, picking himself off the floor.
Lily closed his phone and tucked it back into his pocket. "Nothing. Gajeel just found Levy is all."
"What!? So the big guy finally did it, huh?" Grey crossed his arms and smiled.
Natsu snorted. "Bet she's not as cute as mine."
"I'll take that bet!"
"You're on, Ice Brain!"
Lily rolled his eyes as another wrestling match started. He hoped for Natsu's sake that his soulmate was pretty, because Gajeel was right; Miss Levy would be a hard one to beat.