"Books. Check. Paper. Check. Dictionary. Check. Pencils. Check. Snack. Check," Levy mumbled to herself as she fussed over the table.

After leaving the gym, she'd rushed back home and changed into some more library appropriate clothes before heading off.

She sighed as she glanced at the clock. It was only seven and yet she felt exhausted.

"Good thing Jet and Droy were able to manage the patrons today," she thought to herself as the image of a scrawny ginger and the plump latino came to mind. Levy had met them in high school after she'd joined the library committee. Needless to say, the boys were completely smitten with her. They'd practically jumped at the chance to cover Levy's shifts today.

Bang. Bang.

Levy was shaken out of her thoughts by the banging of fists on glass and went to the door. There stood Gajeel in black shirt and jeans with a slight scowl on his face.

"You ready?" Levy smiled. Gajeel merely grunted and walked past her. The smile dropped off her face.

"We're back to this again?" Levy thought to herself as she followed the brute to the table she'd laid out.

Sitting down at the table, she handed him a copy of Winnie the Pooh. Reaching out to grab the book, his fingers brushed against hers. They were calloused, yet soft. Tough flesh with a gentle touch. It surprised Levy.

"Shrimp?" Gajeel asked, waving a hand in front of her face," You still in there?"

Levy's head snapped up from their hands and she turned red. Grabbing her copy of the book, she opened up to the first page.

"Here is Edward Bear, coming down the stairs now, bump bump bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin…"

…

"This is stupid," Gajeel growled as he slammed the book down. Levy sighed. Even her normally infinite patience was running thin. She'd tried to have Gajeel read the first page aloud, but he struggled. His eyes would squint at the pages as if he was deciphering the Da Vinci Code rather than reading a children's book. Levy placed her book down and turned to face Gajeel who was frustrated.

"Why don't you try telling me what the problem is?"

Gajeel's head snapped to look at her and she felt fear. His ruby eyes seemed more animal than human.

"You know what my freakin problem is!" Gajeel yelled," I can't fucking read!"

Levy steeled her nerves. It was like those documentaries on the tv she'd watch. When confronted by a bear or wolf, you shouldn't run. You need to stand your ground, make yourself bigger.

"You can read," Levy calmly replied, her tone hard," The problem is that you struggle to read. If you tell me more about the problem, I can help you."

Gajeel opened his mouth to scoff, but she quickly continued.

"But if you take that tone with me again, I will not help you. Understand Gajeel?"

There was a pause. Levy realised this could go two ways. He could tell her the problem or he could react badly to her scolding.

Thankfully, Gajeel chose option one.

"It's like the letters are flying all over the place," Gajeel replied after a moment," Some of them look the same, some are backwards and it's all fuzzy."

Levy's jaw dropped. She never expected this level of detail from Gajeel, especially after his outburst. But hearing the symptoms, she knew what the problem was. Levy started to get up.

"Hey, where are you going?" Gajeel asked sharply.

"I might have something that will help," Levy replied as she sped off into the storage room of the library. Flicking the light switch, shelves upon shelves of books were revealed. The library didn't have room to display all the books so they kept some back here. Levy scanned the shelves until she found what she was looking for.

Running back out, she handed the book to Gajeel with a proud expression on her face. Gajeel took it, saw the little bear on the cover and raised an eyebrow.

"It's the same book, Shrimp," Gajeel smirked.

"Not technically," Levy quickly replied," Open it up."

Gajeel opened the book and was surprised to see that the pages were a pale blue. They were also thicker and the font was bigger.

"I think you might have dyslexia," Levy quietly began," Normally, school can recognize this and provide assistance but since you didn't attend school regularly, it was probably overlooked. This edition is designed to help people like you."

Gajeel said nothing and simply stared at the page. Levy reached out and placed her delicate hand on Gajeel's arm, causing him to turn to stare at her.

"How about you try reading the first page to me?"

…

It had definitely helped Gajeel. He still stumbled , mispronounced the words and it became clear that the dictionary was essential. But he could now actually make out words. His face lighting up when he read out the first sentence without stumbling (after a few test runs) made her feel all warm inside. Soon, Levy yawned and glanced at the clock. Her eyes widened.

"It's 10 already?!" she gasped. Gajeel looked up as well.

"I think we should pack this up for now," Levy said as she began to grab her bag," Also you'll need to book an appointment to go and get diagnosed."

"Huh?" Gajeel exclaimed," But you just did that."

"You need an actual doctor's confirmation," Levy replied as she walked out the door," This means you can get more help."

Gajeel walked out and stared up at the moon.

"I don't like doctors," he replied.

"You don't like anything!" Levy shrieked.

"I like you," Gajeel thought to himself as he followed the ranting girl down the street.

…

The next day, Levy pulled up to the gym and ran in, waving to Mira as she zoomed to the staff break room. There sat Gajeel next to a pink haired boy and Lucy.

"You stupid idiot!" Lucy yelled, shaking the pink haired guy," You ate my sushi! I spent hours making that!"

"It was really good," the boy laughed.

"You dummy!" Lucy screeched," Lucy-Kick!"

The boy flew and hit the wall, causing Levy to squeal. Hearing the sound, Lucy and Gajeel turned to see her in the doorway.

"Hi Levy," Lucy grinned, her mood changing in a heartbeat," What can we do for you?"

"I-I need to talk to Gajeel," Levy mumbled nervously as she eyed the unconscious man who was twitching slightly on the floor," I-is he gonna be okay?"

"Oh, Natsu," Lucy replied," Yeah, he'll be fine."

"He's just an idiot," Gajeel chuckled. Natsu jumped up, almost as if on fire.

"No one calls me an idiot, Rusty!" Natsu roared," Fight me!"

"How come Bunny girl can?" Gajeel taunted.

"Because Lucy's special!" Natsu grinned. Lucy went red at this and pushed Gajeel towards Levy.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" she babbled, shoving the duo out the room before slamming the door.

Standing in the hall, there was awkward silence.

"Rusty?" Levy smirked.

"Shut up," Gajeel replied. But there was a small smile on his face," So why'd you need me?"

"I got you a doctor's appointment!" Levy exclaimed, holding up an appointment slip.

Gajeel groaned and leaned against the wall.

"Come on," Levy whined," She's not like other doctors. Please!"

"Fine," Gajeel mumbled, walking to the exit.

"I'll drive!" Levy cheered as she rushed past him to the car.

"Okay, Shrimp," Gajeel smiled, following the happy bluenette out into the sunlight.