A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter! feedback is appreciated!!!

Chapter 18

Keitaro fell asleep in Gajeel's arms on the way to the library. They had already missed the puppet show and book reading but Levy was determined to get a few book for the two of them. Her spine was stiff and her shoulders were tensed as she walked beside Gajeel, who had refused to let her carry her son, insisting that he be the one to do it. Gajeel basically glared at her the entire walk to the library. Once they made it, Gajeel sat on a bench outside waiting on Levy to realize.

Levy sighed when she noticed him sitting. She walked over and went to grab Keitaro but before she could, Gajeel grabbed her arm and forces her to sit beside him. His look softened as he look down at her. She sighed again. She just wanted to run away but her past wouldn't let her.

"Shrimp... Levy, what happened?"

"Look, Gajeel, we don't know each other that well. After what happened with... Well with your brother, I just find it so hard to trust men. And I believe it's harder to trust you because it was your brother who destroyed me in the first place. I'm fear you will hurt me or worse, Keitaro. I'm just simply afraid. I'm sorry, Gajeel. Truly I am, but you have to understand.." Levy looked down at her trembling hands. She hated this never ending fear. It not only affected her but her son as well.

The look on Gajeel's face was one of fury. He kept his voice low so he didn't wake the child in his arms but she could still hear the anger. "Listen to me, Levy. My brother is the one who hurt you. Not me. I would never allow anything to happen to you or Keitaro and I definitely will not be the one hurting the two of you. If you haven't noticed by now, I love Keitaro. He is my son in my mind and heart. And i .. Shit! This ain't easy ya know. I love you too."

Gajeel mumbled the last part but she still heard. His face was flushed as he looked away from her. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. 'Did he just say he loves me?!'

"I'm not my brother. I'm not going to hurt you. Just... Just give me a chance, will ya? Please." He muttered.

Levy sat there in silence for what felt like hours. She didn't know what to say or do. They haven't even known each other that long. Yeah they spent almost every day together since meeting except the last few days but was that really enough time to fall in love? She wasn't even sure what love felt like. She had never been in love. Never got the chance to fall in love after what happened. Could what she felt for Gajeel be love?

"Gajeel, I may have been wrong. It's wrong to judge you according to your brother's actions. You just have to understand. Being around men scares me. I just can't force myself to trust you completely. I'm sorry."

"Yeah. I understand, but give me a chance, Shorty."

Before Levy could reply, someone shouted. "Hey, Gajeel! Brought someone to meet your little girlfriend."