Life

An hour or so later, Levy found herself sitting in the courtyard of a local restaurant with Gajeel, Wendy and Romeo.
They were enjoying the last rays of sunshine as they ate slowly, preferring to spend their time talking and catching up with each other. Gajeel had just finished telling another tour story where Wendy once again had to rescue Natsu from an awkward situation.
"So, what are you going to do now that you're grounded for a while, Squirt?" Levy asked the younger bluenette.
Wendy stuck her tongue out at the use of the old nickname, causing everyone to laugh. "I'm not sure. It's been so long since we've been in the one place for more than a week. I'm just looking forward to being a normal human again! I want to catch up with everyone, and spend some time with Romeo and his family." Shooting Levy a wink, she waited until Gajeel had taken a mouthful of his drink before continuing. "Oh, and lots of sex"
Gajeel choked on his water, spluttering as his face flushed crimson
"Jesus, kid, I did not need ta know that!"
The entire table dissolved into laughter at his reaction, before settling back into easier topics of conversation - content to enjoy each others company as the sun set into darkness.

"Wendy seems happy." Levy stated, taking a seat next to Gajeel on the couch, gathering Lily onto her lap and scratching his ears.
"She's a good kid." Gajeel stated, pulling Levy's leg into his lap and gently running his hands over her denim-clad shins.
"Hardly a kid anymore, Gaj. She grew up. Hell, we all did."
"She's always gonna be my kid cousin. Romeo's alright though, treats her good."
Lily stood, his meowing disturbing the quiet conversation. Gajeel lent over, plucking him from Levy's legs and deposited the black cat onto his own shoulders, where Lily happily pawed at the long black hair.
As Levy watched her two boys interact, she was struck with the thought that, even if the past few days had actually been amazing, they really were going to have to talk about, well, everything at some point.
Sighing, she rescued Gajeel's hair from Lily's paws and placed the unhappy feline on the floor.
"Gajeel, we need to talk."
"Yeah, I know" he sighed. Rubbing his hands down his face, he mentally prepared himself for what was bound to be a difficult conversation. The silence stretched between them, Lily flicking his eyes silently between them from his refuge opposite. Taking a deep breath - now or never, she thought to herself - Levy raised her eyes to watch Gajeel's face.
"What are we doing?" She whispered.
"Hell if I know." He winced at the quiver in his voice. Swallowing, Gajeel forced himself to continue. "But I don't want ta stop. Levy, I - I missed ya, a lot. I hated not knowin' where ya were, wha' ya were doin', if ya were happy. I don't want ta feel like that again. Bein' with yer, it's - it feels right. Not just 'cause it's familiar. I's different too - we're different now. An' I want ta know the person ya are now, an' I want yer in my life, hopefully for a real long time". Oops, Gajeel thought to himself as the silence grew heavy between them, Probably shouldn't have blurted that out all at once. "Sorry, I, uh - I just wanted ya to know. But ya could say somethin' any time now, kinda freakin' out a bit here Shrimp."
Lifting her chin so her eyes met his, Gajeel was stunned by the tears shining in the amber depths. He was worried, until he registered the smile on her soft lips.
"I don't think I've ever heard you say so much at once" Levy giggled quietly, reaching out to intertwine their fingers. "I said I love you, and I meant it. I don't ever want you to not be here again. I know it'll be hard sometimes, but we can work it out together. We've got a whole year to figure things out, and when you have to leave, well, we'll figure that out too."
Gajeel lent over, kissing her softly. "I love ya, Lev. Be my girl again?"
"Silly Gajeel, I was always your girl."
Relieved, Gajeel felt a genuine grin spread across his face. "So, what's next Shrimp? Tell me yer plans for tha year."
Levy lent forwards, tucking herself against her boyfriends chest, enjoying the warmth blossoming from her heart at the thought of Gajeel as her boyfriend again. "Work at the cafe until classes start again, then I'll be back at MU taking classes and grading papers, at least until I get my PhD results."
"Wait, yer actually teach people?"
Giggling, Levy rubbed circles on the back of his hand with her thumb. "Kind of. The lecturers and professors run the program, write the course and take the lectures and stuff. The tutors, like me, run the tutorial classes. They're smaller, like 15 people or so, and we help them with their assignments, answer their questions and help with exam prep."
"And the gradin'?"
"Oh! Most of the PhD candidates work as assistants to their professors, and we do things like prep materials, run practical labs, and help grade assignments."
Gajeel let out a low whistle. "Damn Shrimp, ya really are incredible."
Levy blushed at the compliment. "Thanks. I worked really hard to get to this point. But Maky's great to work with, and the program's pretty small, so I'll still have plenty of time to spend with you."
"Wait. D'you mean Maky as in..."
"Professor Makarov Drayer. Yup, Laxus Dreyar's grandfather. He heads up the linguistics department, plus Laxus is back in town so he's extra chill these days. I'm surprised Mira didn't mention it to you, actually, although she has been extra flaky since he showed up at the bar one night randomly."
"Prob'ly 'cause they're together, Shrimp. Didn't ya notice th' not-quite-covered love bite?"
Levy shook her head, trying to remember anything that would indicate a relationship between the hulking blonde man and her platinum haired friend.
"It's definitely Laxus. Extra sharp canines - and seeing as it definitely wasn't me or Wendy, and Natsu wouldn't even know what a love bite is, that leaves just one cousin."
"Oh my God!" Levy squealed. "I can't wait to ask her. I've finally got payback for all her years of teasing me!"
The couple spent the next few hours swapping stories and reminiscing on the old days, when the gang was all together, until Levy yawned suddenly.
Looking at the time, Gajeel stood and gathered her into his arms. "Come on Shrimp, time fer bed."
They silently stripped off, climbing into the bed and tangling limbs together, quickly letting sleep claim them.


The next few months passed quickly, the warm summer giving way to the cooler autumn nights.
The couple spent their time together, falling easily into a routine - when Levy worked at the cafe, so to did Gajeel. When Levy was at the university, Gajeel spent his days in the studio reserved for the band, writing and working on the new album.
On this particular day, Levy had left early to take a 7 am study session. Unable to go back to sleep after she had bounced out of the house - far too cheery for so early, in Gajeel's opinion - he had shrugged on a warm jacket, grabbed a coffee from Mira, and headed to the studio.
Finding the door unlocked, he stuck his head inside to find Wendy and Natsu on the couch, both with similarly steaming cups in hand.
"What're ya lot doin' here so early?"
"Good morning Gajeel!" Wendy called brightly. What is it with bluenette's and mornings? Gajeel thought to himself.
Natsu just shrugged. "Luce left early, so we thought we might do some work."
Wendy looked up from her phone then. "Gray's coming about 11."
Draining the rest of his coffee, Gajeel tossed the empty cup into the bin and dropped his jacket on a chair. "Right, le's get crackin' then."

The next few hours passed quickly, the trio sorting through everyone's scribbled notes and penning proper copies of lyrics and chord progressions onto blank manuscript, rather than the napkins and other scrap paper in front of them.
"Gajeel! This one's really good!" Wendy squealed as she passed his notebook over to Natsu. "How were you hearing it?"
Gajeel took the book back, quickly skimming the page before closing his eyes and starting to hum softly.
Scrambling to his feet, Natsu grabbed his guitar, strumming out chords and occasionally noting things down.
By 10:30 they'd fleshed out the song and were on their second full play through when the door sprung open and Levy bounced in, arms full of bags and trays from Mira.
Abandoning their work, the trio surrounded the small bluenette, happily accepting hot coffee and fresh muffins.
"I think I love you" Natsu garbled around a mouthful of raspberry muffin. Levy just laughed as Gajeel wrapped his arms around her, glaring at his pink-haired band mate.
"Mine." He growled, kissing the top of Levy's hair. "What ya doin' here, though? Thought ya weren't gonna finish 'til later?"
"We finished early. My kids are smart" she shrugged. "Besides, I wanted to show you something." She pulled an envelope from her jacket pocket and handed to her boyfriend. As he was reading, she slipped from his hold and deposited her jacket on the couch. Turning around, she was greeted with a pair of wide crimson eyes.
"Lev, does this say wha' I think it does?"
Giggling, Levy nodded. She hadn't even finished the action before she was being picked up in strong arms and spun around, oblivious to the curious stares of their audience.
"$10 she's knocked up." Natsu whispered to Wendy, who giggled.
"You're on!" She agreed, having already seen the official MU letterhead.
Still ignoring the pair watching them, Gajeel kissed the girl in his arms deeply. "So proud of yer kitten." He whispered against her lips.
"Uhh, guys?" Gray cleared his throat from the entry. "What's going on?"
Gently lowering Levy to the ground, Gajeel turned to face his friend. "Shrimp's officially a doctor!"
Natsu smiled, passing $10 over to a squealing Wendy, and gave a thumbs up. "Awesome, Levy!"
"I knew you'd do it Lev! That's so awesome!" Wendy wrapped her friend in a tight hug.
The group chatted excitedly as they finished their impromptu morning tea, peppering Levy with questions about her graduation and what she was going to do next. When she'd answered the same, frankly silly, question from Natsu for a fifth time Levy stood, clapping her hands together.
"Right, back to work you lot!"
All she got in response was a chorus of groans.
"Oh, come on! It was sounding good. Tell you what, if you finish that song today, I promise we can go out this weekend and I won't complain."
That did it, and the band quickly sprung back to their spots from earlier, talking Gray through what they'd been doing and what they had in mind, as Levy cleared the small mess, sitting down onto the couch to start grading papers as the band began to work.
After listening to them play through the same section 17 times, Levy stood and stretched, walking over to her now cranky boyfriend.
"I think I know what the problem is."
Sighing, he squeezed her fingers. "Hope so, 'cause I'm startin' ta think i's just a dud."
Levy shook her head, moving to stand next to Gray's keyboard. "Not a dud. May I?" She asked. Gray just held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, 2 bars and then you" she pointed at Wendy and Natsu "both come in. I'll signal you." Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on the keys and began to play.
When they finished, Levy turned to face a group of very stunned people. "What?"
"Jesus, Levs. Yer fuckin' perfect." Gajeel beamed at her.
"Gajeel's right, that was perfect." Gray agreed. "What did you do?"
"Simple, you had the right notes but in the wrong order." Levy shrugged, making the adjustments on a fresh piece of manuscript. "There, now you guys can polish it." She turned to go back to her papers, but was stopped by Natsu's warm hand on her arm.
"Uhmm, Levy, would you, uh, maybe, sing with us?" He stammered. "It's just, you've got such a good voice, and it always sounds really good when you & Gajeel harmonize. I mean, you don't have to..." He trailed off.
"But it's exactly what I was hearin' when I wrote it." Gajeel finished.
Looking between their pleading faces, Levy threw her hands in the air in defeat. "Fine! But just this once!"


Grey, Natsu and Wendy all filed out of the studio, with promises to organise a celebration.
"Finally." Gajeel rasped , sliding down next to Levy on the couch and plucking the papers from her hands.
"Gajeel! I'm not finished!" She pouted.
"Sure ya are. 'Sides, I got more important things for ya to do right now." He smirked, then quickly kissed her, silencing any potential protests. Sliding his hand up into her hair, Gajeel guided her to lay back, nestling himself between her thighs.
"Gajeel" Levy whispered breathlessly when they broke apart for air, her hands scrabbling against his shirt. Gajeel quickly divested them of their tops and set about sucking a path along her neck and shoulder, making Levy whimper in pleasure.
"Ugh, gross!" Came a yell from the doorway. Levy squeaked in surprise, attempting to hide her bare torso underneath Gajeel's broad chest.
"Seriously? Thought yer already left, flame brain." Gajeel fumed, annoyed at being interrupted. He shifted to cover Levy as much as possible, all the while glaring daggers at the pinkette.
Natsu remained as unaffected as usual, smirking knowingly. "Forgot my keys" he offered in explanation, picking up and jingling the offending items. "I'll let you guys get back to whatever it is you were doing." Stopping at the open door, he turned and winked at the couple. "Remember - sound proof room!" And with that he was gone, his laughter heard through the slowly closing door.
Gajeel dropped his head onto Levy's shoulder when the door clicked shut, kissing her skin softly. "Well, that'll kill a mood".
Tugging on the thick raven hair, Levy raised his eyes to meet her own that were sparkling with mischief, the amber darkened almost to chocolate with lust. "Oh, I don't know" she whispered. "Some people might find it exciting." She lent up to crash her lips against his, reveling in the moan he let loose. Already, she could feel his arousal returning, twitching against her fabric covered core. She experimentally swirled her hips, and was rewarded with a groan. "Gaj, please. Need you."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she found herself being divested of her clothes by a somehow already naked Gajeel. It still made her head spin to know he desired her so much, that he could have them naked and joined almost instantly.
When he reached towards her now-bare core, Levy intercepted his hand with her own, tugging him up towards her. "Don't. Need you in me, now."
Chuckling, Gajeel lined himself up and slowly entered her, moaning at the sensation.
"Oh, fuck!" Levy swore at the feeling of being filled and stretched ever so slowly. Opening her eyes to meet his ruby gaze, she gently flexed her walls around him.
"Do that 'gain, kitten." His tone was demanding, and it had Levy's excitement spiking further.
Tightening rhythmically around him, Levy knew he was hurtling towards his end as his thrusts started coming harder and faster.
Reaching a hand between then, Gajeel rubbed calloused fingers against the tiny bundle of nerves as he groaned. "Come with me. Now" he ordered.
Levy tightened even further, head flying back and spine arching as she screamed out her release.
Satisfied that he had pleased her, Gajeel's hips stuttered twice as he swore through his release.

Utterly spent, he dropped down onto Levy's chest, heaving as she tried to recover her breath, which caused her to squirm and laugh.
"Gaj! Get off, I can't breathe!"
Groaning, Gajeel pulled away from her warmth and set about finding their clothes, the pair of them redressing hastily. "C'mon Shrimp, le's get yer home." Take her small hand in his, he kissed her fingers gently. "Workin' tanight?"
Levy shook her head in response, blue curls swishing softly against her shoulders.
"Good, I'm taking you out to celebrate." Helping her gather her materials, Gajeel swung his arm around his girls shoulders as the left the studio.


7pm found Levy nervously smoothing the skirt of her maroon wrap dress again. Gajeel had said 'dress nice, pick you up at 7' before leaving her at her front door earlier that day. She was entertaining the thought of changing - again - when a sharp knock at the door signaled his arrival.
Opening the door, Levy found herself suddenly short of words. Gajeel was wearing his usual black boots, tight black pants that highlighted his enviable musculature, and a deep maroon button down, the fabric stretched tight over his enormous arms and broad chest.
"Wow" Levy breathed. "Do we have to go out?"
Gajeel chuckled. "Ya look ta good in that dress not ta show you off. Ready?"
Pulling on her shoes, Levy took Gajeel's hand in her own smaller on as she shut and locked the front door. "So where are we going?"
"Surprise" he kissed the top of her head as she stopped to climb into his car. "Yer look beautiful" he whispered to her, cupping her cheek tenderly.
They rode in silence, with Levy's hand resting on his thigh as he drove, until he stopped in front of the restaurant.
"Gaj! This is way too nice!" She protested as he led her inside.
"Nonsense. My girl got her degree, that deserves celebratin'" he chuckled as the server made his way over.
"Good evening, and welcome to Island. Do you have a reservation?"
"Redfox."
Checking the book, the waiter pulled two menus and gestured for the couple to follow. "Right this way, please."
Over dinner and wine, their conversation flowed easily. When dessert arrived, Levy fixed him with a look. "Gajeel."
He quirked an eyebrow at her, gesturing for her to continue.
"The last few months have been wonderful. I know we've had our moments, but we're getting better at being together. I love you, and I want you to be around all the time." Taking a deep breath, she slid a key across the table to him. "Move in with me?"
Gajeel rounded the table, kneeling on the floor in front of her and kissed her breathless. "I would love ta." He lent in and kissed her again.
Suddenly aware of eyes on them, Levy giggled as she watched the realization of their position dawn on Gajeel's face, blushing as he quickly moved back to his seat. "I think the couple over there thinks you just proposed to me" she whispered, winking at him.
"How'd ya know I wasn't goin' ta?" He smirked back.
Levy shook her head, trying to clear the sudden blush. "No, I don't think so. I know you - you're going make a huge scene." She teased. "Now, I know you've got the next few days off so tomorrow, you pack up your meager apartment, I'll clean up at home and you can move straight in, if you like. You can have the second room as your home studio, and..."
"Levy!" Gajeel interrupted. "Breathe, Shrimp. Yer startin' ta ramble." When she took a deep breath, he reached across the table and squeezed her hands. "Move first, sort tha rest out later. Right now I think i's time ta head home, yeah?"
Nodding, Levy stood on slightly wobbly legs. "Just let me visit the ladies room first."
Gajeel smiled as she left, flagging down a waiter to settle the bill.


Arm in arm, they climbed the stairs to Gajeel's apartment, Levy keen to get started on packing. As they climbed the last couple of steps, Levy took his keys and skipped ahead to let them into the flat. Shooing Happy away from the doorway, she scurried towards his bedroom to get started on packing.
"Natsu, ya here?" Gajeel called.
"In here!"
Following the slightly muffled voice, Gajeel pushed open Natsu's bedroom door, leaning on the door frame. "Lucy here?"
Natsu turned in his chair. "Don't think so. Hey - you used my name! I was starting to think you didn't know it."
Glancing down the hallway, Gajeel heard Levy chattering away to Happy. Satisfied she was occupied, he quietly closed the door and sat on Natsu's bed, facing his flat mate and cousin. "Right, I'm movin' in with the Shrimp so this place is all yers. An' - keep quiet - I need ya ta look after this fer me." He pulled out a small velvet box and handed it over. "Don't yer even tell Lucy."
Natsu opened the box, letting out a low whistle at the ring nestled inside. "Scouts honour." He crossed his heart, and then tucked it in a drawer in his desk, hiding it under a stack of loose papers. "Luce doesn't go in this one - scared she'll upset my genius or something ridiculous." He winked at the raven haired man on his bed. "Don't you have to go pack or something? Get outta my room!"


Two days later, the boys apartment was officially just Natsu's, and Gajeel and Levy were staring at a pile of boxes in their living room.
Over takeaway Thai they slowly sorted out what was staying, what was for donating and what was rubbish. By 1AM the house was back into some semblance or order, and Gajeel was sick of watching Levy yawn. Tossing her over his shoulder, he carried her to bed where they were both sound asleep before their heads hit the pillows.
Levy had discovered over the past few months that Gajeel had become a cuddler - the kind that curls around the other person and tangles limbs together. Usually, that was her favourite way to wake up, slowly and spending a few precious extra moments snuggled together, but this morning her alarm was very loudly reminding her that she had places to be, which meant getting up right now.
Slowly, Levy extricated herself from Gajeel's embrace and stretched, shutting off her alarm. Smirking, she watched Lily curl up against Gajeel's warm chest as she quickly dressed, using her fingers to pull her hair into a messy bun. Dropping a quick kiss into his hair, Levy grabbed her phone and keys, slipping on her shoes as she shut the front door behind her.
She hummed as she walked, sending a quick text to Gajeel. Levy smiled as she walked in to the diner to start her morning shift. Dropping her jacket and keys in the office, she waved brightly at Laxus, who was only scowling slightly for a change, then, securing her name tag and apron, she walked onto the floor, coming to stand between Mira and Cana.
"Ooh Blue, you look beat!" Cana slurred.
Sticking her tongue out at the brunette, Levy retorted "At least I'm not still drunk!"
Mira smiled as she passed a steaming cup of black coffee down the counter to Cana, before turning her attention on Levy. "Cana's right, sweetie, you look tired. Tired, but happy. What's the news?"
Levy just shrugged, picking up a stack of menus to distribute to the first customers of the day. "Gajeel moved in." She turned her attention to her customers, ignoring the squeals and whistles from behind her.


Gajeel awoke with a start, realizing he wasn't cuddling his blue haired girlfriend. Lily cracked open an eye at the sudden movement, before promptly going back to sleep.
Scratching behind the fuzzy ears, Gajeel reached for his phone and read the message from Levy
"Working the open at the cafe. Be home about 10. Feed Lily please! xxx"
Checking the time, Gajeel groaned as he realized he'd only just missed her. Rubbing his face, he rolled out of the bed and set about putting the house back to rights.