Hi guys.

I am so sorry for the delay on Brain and Brawn. I have had a lot going on, but I need to talk.

I (like the person I am) was simply going with the flow, regarding this story. However, I realized a story needs an ending point, so I had to sit down and think about what I wanted from this story.

I have an ending in mind now and I also have realized something.

I know that many of you love all the side relationships, however i feel like they dilute the main story. As a result, I am going to be focusing on Gajevy here. But I have also decided that once I'm done with Brain and Brawn, I will make mini stories of the other characters relationships in this universe. So don't worry!

Thanks and lots of love,

pookiepoodle

Tick tock. Tick tock.

The clock's ticking seemed too loud for the uncomfortably quiet therapist room. Levy and Gajeel sat next to each other on the couch but both seemed a little distant. Across from them, Dr. Meredy was filling in a few forms before she set her clipboard down, ready to begin their session.

"Right," she began, sizing up the situation," I'm noticing that something is a little off here."

"What do you mean?" Levy asked, looking up from her feet.

"The two of you clearly have had an argument," Dr. Meredy said," You're normally so close to each other and quite happy, but today you're the complete opposite. So what happened?"

There was an awkward pause before Levy sighed.

"Well," Levy began," I guess it started last week, when I asked Gajeel to come to my parents' place for dinner…"

…

"What?"

"Dinner. Saturday with my parents." Levy repeated, thinking he hadn't heard her. After all, the bar was getting louder with all the customers arriving.

"I heard ya," Gajeel grumbled, his hand tightening on his empty glass

Now Levy was confused.

"So?"

"I think I'm busy."

"You just said you didn't have any plans," Levy pointed out. Now Gajeel looked even more uncomfortable, avoiding her piercing gaze.

"Yeah, well…"

"I can't believe you," Levy snapped, causing him to look at her," Earlier this week, you said you wanted to meet my parents and now you're making up all these excuses."

"Oh, come on," Gajeel muttered.

"No, you said you wanted to meet them and now you're backing out on me?" Levy asked, her voice getting higher and louder, causing some of the patrons to turn," I already told my mum you were coming."

"Well, you better call back," Gajeel barked, standing up quickly," because I'm not going."

"Fine!" Levy yelled, grabbing her purse before she ran out of the bar, slamming the door behind her.

…

"So Gajeel doesn't want to meet your parents?" Meredy asked, after Levy had finished telling her story.

"Apparently," Levy grumbled, quickly glancing at Gajeel before looking away.

"Well, I can understand why you'd be upset, but hearing about Gajeel's past, I think I understand where he is coming from."

"Eh?"

"Think about it, Miss Levy. Gajeel has grown up in an environment in which family is something he has negative connotations with. In addition, you haven't been dating for very long. So when Gajeel said he'd like to meet your parents, I'm guessing he felt he'd have more time to get used to it and your relationship."

"Oh…" Now Levy felt embarrassed. These were all good, rational points that she'd ignored in her fit of rage. She hadn't even considered Gajeel's feelings.

"But," Meredy continued, looking at Gajeel," You need to work on communication. Because you were unable to tell Levy how you felt, she became upset."

Gajeel's face dropped but he nodded.

"Now I have just the thing to help you guys with…" Dr. Meredy smiled, going over to her cupboard. After a few moments, she emerged holding a small black leather notebook.

"This notebook," Meredy explained," is a way for the two of you to communicate with each other. Whenever one of you needs to talk to the other, but finds it difficult, you can write it down here and leave it somewhere for the other person. I'd recommend agreeing on a place that won't be discovered by others. You can tell each other if you've written in it. After reading what they've said, you can choose to talk to them or you can write in the book again."

"Now, our appointment is nearly over, so I'm going to ask you to use the notebook before our next appointment. I think Gajeel should start."

…

The couple left the therapist's office, still silent as they considered everything they had been told. The car ride back to the gym was quiet, the radio's twittering background noise to their inner turmoil. Soon, they arrived back at the gym. It was getting dark at this point and the street lamps made everything seem almost dreamlike.

Just as Gajeel got out the car, he turned back to her.

"Our lockers."

"Huh?"

"I'll give you a copy of my locker key. We can put the notebook in each other's lockers."

At first, Levy wanted to point out that the lockers were in the changing rooms, but she realised he was talking about the mini lockers for little things, like water bottles and such.

"Okay."

…

The following morning, Levy was working up a sweat in the gym. Her pole dancing class was unfortunately off that week since Cana had gotten sick from food poisoning. Who knew the shrimp cocktails Cana had gotten on sale would be the poor girl's demisea? In lieu of her teacher's absence, she'd been testing out the treadmill, her stamina being put to the test with every mile. She felt good.

She and Gajeel were going to work out their problems, she was wearing a cute new gym outfit and she'd gotten a free smoothie from Lisanna, thanks to her coupon.

She had her earbuds plugged in, listening to her playlist when suddenly her treadmill slowed to a stop. Confused, she turned to see that Gajeel holding the now undone plug.

"Really?" she smiled, pretending to be annoyed with him as she pulled out her earbuds. Normally, he'd give her some smart arse retort, but he seemed serious.

"I wrote in it."

"Oh," Levy paused, before stepping off the treadmill. The notebook. Gajeel looked… embarrassed? He probably had never shared his feelings like this before, so Levy reminded herself not to tease him about it.

After Gajeel left, she went to her mini locker and sure enough, the little black book was there. Well, not a little black book. They needed to decorate it. Opening it up, she immediately recognised Gajeel's chicken scratch handwriting. However, there was a lot of people passing by and she decided to go somewhere more private. She went to the bathroom, locking the door to the stall before taking a seat. She reopened the book and began to read

This is wierd.

Levy couldn't help but smile.

When that ferapist said we should do this I fought it was dumb

But I realze its somefing we need to do.

When you told me about the dinner i got scared becaus i dont want your parents to hate me

Levy's heart felt like it was melting as she read that. Gajeel didn't not want to meet them. Gajeel, her ex-criminal, kick-boxing, badass boyfriend, was scared. It touched her and she read on.

I fought id meet them a long time later ya know?

But i realze that even if it was later, id not change. Im me.

So theres only 1 fing left to ask.

What do i where?

A droplet fell onto creamy page and when Levy touched her cheek, she was surprised to feel tears. A smile began to appear on her face as she realised that Gajeel wanted to go to the dinner.

After grabbing a pen from her handbag, she wrote back before placing the notebook into his locker.

…

Later that evening, after his last class had finally left, Gajeel went to grab his water bottle from his locker. The gym was dark and quiet, but Gajeel found this time to be the best. After opening his locker, he was happy (and a little surprised) to see the black notebook lying there.

Flicking through the pages, he leaned against the cool metal lockers as his brain began to unscramble the words. Levy's handwriting was pretty, with little twirls and stuff, but it took Gajeel a little longer to read it.

To Gajeel,

Wear whatever makes you feel comfy. After all, it's like you said. You are you. I want them to get to know the big, strong, slightly intimidating, yet incredibly sweet man I've fallen in love with.

Love,

Levy

P.S. so many spelling errors! We need to work on that next time.

Gajeel felt himself sigh with relief as he placed the book back into his locker. Now he just needed to give Mira a heads up for his classes on Saturday. Laxus could easily take the classes, though he'd owe the guy a favour. It was worth it though. After all, he was meeting the parents.

…

That Saturday, Levy got a taxi to the gym. Gajeel had insisted on driving to her parents house and she wasn't going to pick a fight about it. After all, Gajeel was already going outside of his comfort zone, so Levy was determined to make him feel as relaxed and happy as possible. It was the least she could do.

After pulling up to the Fairy Tail Gym, she quickly paid the driver and went inside to wait for him. Plenty of eyes turned when the girl walked in. The eldest Strauss sibling looked up from her computer and squealed.

"You look so cute!" Mira beamed, hopping over the counter to hug Levy.

She'd decided to wear a 50's style tea dress, in a pretty pale buttercup color. The tiny tan heels only made her slightly taller and the matching headband pulled back her blue hair to reveal her smooth, pretty face. She was carrying a paper bag containing raspberry brownies. Levy wasn't known for being able to do much in the kitchen, but her brownies were incredible.

"Thanks, Mira," Levy smiled, before looking around," Have you seen Gajeel?"

"Yes," she giggled, before lowering her voice to a whisper," He came running in here this morning, saying his shower was broken."

Levy's face reddened, imagining Gajeel in the shower. The water droplets running down his body…

"Your face is so red!" Mira giggled, bringing Levy out of her daydream," Are you having naughty thoughts?"

"No!" Levy squealed, her high pitched voice echoing.

"Is that Levy?"

Levy turned to see Gajeel walked over and she wanted to die from happiness. And possibly from his hotness. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt and jeans. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he was clean shaven, revealing his sharp jawline. Whilst the outfit was simple, it was clean and wrinkle-free. He looked good.

Gajeel had to stop himself from blushing when he was Levy. She looked so sweet, so good.

"Ready?" he asked, holding out his hand slightly. Levy noticed and placed her small hand into his. Mira began to coo at the sight but quickly stopped when she was Gajeel's glare. She knew that Gajeel would be no match in a fight against her, but today was special. She didn't think Levy would appreciate having to introduce a beaten up boyfriend to her parents.

"Yeah!" Levy laughed as they walked out to his white pick up truck. She could tell he was really trying to make a good impression, since the normally dirt splattered pickup was sparkling in the morning light.

The drive was around an hour, giving Gajeel plenty of time to worry. Luckily, Levy knew he'd be doing this and constantly chatted with him, making him laugh at her ridiculous family stories. Between the anecdotes, she'd give him directions.

Soon, they pulled up to a white colonial house. A few very nice cars were parked outside. Levy turned to face Gajeel, whose face was slightly pale, his jaw clenched. Leaning over, she placed a kiss on his lips, before pulling away.

"Don't worry, Gajeel," Levy said sweetly, as she began to open her door," They're going to love you."

Despite not being totally convinced, Gajeel nodded and followed her up to the oak door. Levy rang the doorbell and stood back. She took his hand into hers and gave him a little squeeze of reassurance.

Whatever happened, they would face it together.