Thanks, Juvia!

"Gajeel-kun should confess."

Gajeel choked on the beer he was consuming, spluttered it, started to cough, lost his balance and nearly fell off a bench he was currently sitting at.

"What the hell are you talking about, woman?"

He glared at his companion, eyeing her with mildly irritated look. They set together at the table, his table, as he claimed it, which stood a little aside from the rest, in one of the dimmed corners of the guilhall, away from noise and never stopping insane antics of this insane guild.

"Gajeel-kun should confess that he likes the guild. Juvia can tell. Juvia noticed."

Beautiful young woman with a blue wavy locks, pale face and sad eyes who shared table with a large frowning man, smiled brightly at him, disregarding his intimidating glare completely. She had long ago learned to look behind his brooding facade, pulling out things, which he successfully hid from the rest of the world. And, despite his grumblings, he let her.

Gajeel providently put his mug aside, leaned closer to her and hissed after quickly inspecting the hall for curious eyes and big ears.

"What kind of shit EXACTLY are you trying to feed me now?"

"Gajeel-kun likes Fairy Tail." Juvia also possesed a filter sifting his rough words. She never felt offended by his harsh speeches and rude attitude. It was defensive shell which he grew around himself over the years, much like her endless rain.

"Gajeel-kun spends here all his days."

"Tsk. Have nothing better to do."

"He bought new fancy suit."

"Needed one."

"His hair now is always clean."

"Easier kept this way."

"He watches Natsu."

"Want a rematch with moron. Needed knowledge."

"He also watches others."

"Same. Needed knowledge about their powers, weaknesses and stuff."

"Gajeel-kun's mouth smiles when he watches others."

"What?"

"Juvia saw. Just now Gajeel-kun smiled when he was looking at Wendy and Levy."

Man's eyes widened and turned toward his weird-speaking friend, than drifted back to previous object and, oh horror, he distinctly felt how his lips stretched a little, attempting to smile. But, dammit, it wasn't his fault. It is just the sight was too… too… unusual, yeah unusual, that's why it caught his attention and made him to wear this sappy smile. He doesn't smile; he frowns, looks indifferent and grins. 3 face expressions, no more, no less. Period. Yeah, no fucking goofy smiles.

"Gajeel-kun is smiling again."

'Dammit!'

He looked around the hall, trying to find a distraction from two captivating bluenettes, who giggled and talked in low voices several tables ahead, but his eyes were pulling back, enchanted, and to his immense irritation he once again lost control over his face muscles. But then smaller of the blue haired duo raised her head, which was previously inclined over the table, where she and Levy were fishing for something among colorful sea of pictures, and nodded to him. And Gajeel felt himself nod in response. What the hell? Since when he participates in friendly gesture's exchange with someone?

"Gajeel-kun wishes to join them." Juvia's voice seeped into his ear like gentle flow of water. "Gajeel-kun can do that, they won't mind."

"Woman, I don't…"

"Wendy-chan sees the older brother in Gajeel-kun. And Levy-chan likes him too, albeit in other way."

"WHAT?"

"Levy-chan thinks that Gajeel-kun is attractive. Juvia knows."

Iron Slayer felt sudden fit of dizziness and grabbed the table to prevent himself from falling. After the fog deserted his head he turned to Juvia only to find that she wasn't here anymore. Where did she go, dammit? Oh, hell, he should have guessed. Of course she plotted something, going to the others two bluenettes and three of them are now in the middle of some excited discussion.

He saw how Wendy clasped her hands in delight, eagerly nodding her head and Levy glanced at him with her big shining eyes, blushing slightly. Than three girls exchanged a couple of more words and Juvia left, slowly heading back to Gajeel's table.

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, scrutinizing her approaching calm face, than lost his cool and barked "What?", uncomfortable with a dreamy expressions that has been dancing in her eyes.

"Levy and Wendy are sorting pictures to decorate the hall. Juvia informed them that Gajeel-kun is willing to help with frames."

"Wiiilling to hhhhelp? FFrrames?…" He stuttered. He stuttered, god dammit! He never stutters and… what the hell is this heat on his cheeks? Is this a blush?

"Gajeel-kun's magic is capable to make beautiful things. It will be nice to see our guildhall adorned in Gajeel-kun's tough iron frames."

Although flattered with suggestion, he growled nevertheless and was about to protest indignantly but caught Levy's eyes, which were now directing at his face, looking timid and inviting. And instantly his ass proceeded to get up, fully intending to drag him to girl's table by its own decision.

The third blue haired girl gave him encouraging nod, stating matter-of-factly despite his pointedly displeased appearance "Gajeel-kun wants to be closer to his guildmates. Juvia helps."

"Whatever!" Was his only not very grateful response.

The man gulped remains in his mug, snorted loudly and headed off to the table where two excited girls were now waiting. As he passed her he spared his loyal Phantom's comrade a quick appreciating glance. He didn't say anything, but between them it wasn't needed.

'Thank you.'

'You are welcome, my friend.'