Band Life

At 10:15, Levy let herself into their house. 'Our home', she thought to herself, 'I like that'. Kicking her shoes off as she closed the front door, she bent down to scoop Lily into her arms, and buried her face in his soft fur.
"There's my best boy. What have you guys been up to…" she trailed off, stunned at the state of the living room. "Uh, Gajeel?"
The man in question popped his head out the bathroom door. "Hey Shrimp, how was work?"
"Breakfast at Fairy's? Same as always. What happened here?"
"Hmm? Oh, we unpacked an' cleaned. Put tha' cat down an' git in here."
Depositing Lily onto the arm of the couch, Levy followed the retreating back of her boyfriend into the bathroom, mouth agape at the state of it. In the few hours she had been away, Gajeel had cleaned and the room practically sparkled. Not to mention, he'd run her a hot bath with what smelt like her favourite orange bath oil. Wordlessly, he opened his arms and Levy went to him, melting against his strong chest and wrapping her arms around him.
"If I wasn't already in love with you, I definitely would be now." Sitting together in the steaming tub, her small body caged in between his legs, Levy was practically purred as his strong hands worked away all the tension of the past few days. "Mmm, I could get used to this." She sighed, "why do I feel like you're about to ask me something, and this is your way of trying to butter me up?"
"Ya know me so well" his deep voice rumbled behind her. "Salamander secretly recorded tha' song th' other day, an' the label wants ya ta sing on the album." His voice lowered to almost a whisper. "I do too."
"Gajeel" she breathed, stunned. "I'm honoured, really, I am. But I have so much happening right not, how could I? What about when you're back on tour? I can't exactly go with you".
"Backing track?" Gajeel laughed, but his heart wasn't in it.
"Let me think about it?"
"O'course". He pressed a kiss into her damn, curling hair, smiling as she spun around to face him. "Now, I remember somethin' about celebratin'?"
"Mmm, we can celebrate right here" she whispered huskily, leaning in and peppering kisses along his collar bones.
"As much I would like that, Lucy is gonna be here soon. You might want to hurry though, you know how much she hates waiting on you." Gajeel pulled the plug, and reluctantly stood, pulling Levy up with him. Helping her climb out of the tub, he playfully spanked her pert backside and, passing her towel, he shooed her towards the door to dress hurriedly.
"Levy!" Lucy squealed as she let herself into the flat. "Let's go!" The woman in question nodded, letting herself be pulled along towards the exit. "Wait! Gajeel, aren't you coming?"
"Nope!" He smiled, shaking his head. "See yer later!" And with a chaste kiss, he pushed her out the door.


Levy was in her own personal hell. She'd been dragged all around the shopping centre, none to graciously humouring Lucy's bizarre desire to 'dress her up'. She absolutely put her foot down at the nail salon though.
"Nah-uh, Luce. No way!"
"But Lev!" the blonde had playfully whined. "They're so pretty!"
"Yeah, pretty impractical" she snorted. "Seriously, how am I meant to work, or type, or play?"
Throwing her hands in the air, Lucy had to admit her friend had a point, so she changed tact to bargaining. "Okay, I see your point. Can you at least just get a manicure and some polish then?"
Levy groaned at her friends puppy dog eyes. "Fine! But no pink!". Lucy had beamed, turning to the wall of polishes to choose colours, at the exact moment Levy's phone chirped. Excusing herself, the bluenette stepped outside to answer.
"Natsu? What's up?"
"Hey Lev, you having fun?"
"Oh, drop it. You know I hate this, and I know you only call me when you want something. Out with it."
"You know me so well" he chuckled nervously, and Levy could picture him rubbing the back of his neck, looking sheepish as he spoke. "I know it's your night, and we're celebrating you, so I wanted to check – would you mind if I proposed to Luce tonight? You can totally say no – it's your night and all…"
"Natsu!" Levy cut off his ramblings. "Please do. In fact, if you don't I will be personally offended." She giggled before hanging up. Still laughing to herself, she walked back into the salon, purposely ignoring Lucy's questioning look.


2 hours, and a forced clothing change later, Levy found herself in a karaoke bar, surrounded by her friends as they toasted in her honour. with the drinks flowing freely.
"Enough!" Levy put an end to their bickering, trying to contain her laughter. "It's my celebration and I say Gajeel goes first. None of us are drunk enough to listen to your screeching yet, Natsu."
Smirking at his victory, Gajeel took a step up to their private stage. Keying in his choice, he launched into an overly enthusiastic rendition of "What's my age again?" The group were cheering and clapping as the song ended.
"How's anyone meant to follow that?" Lucy wailed.
Wendy leant over, whispering first in Levy's, then Lucy's, ears. Laughing, the three girls stood, making their way to the stage. Levy turned, winking over her shoulder at Gajeel, which caused him to choke on his drink as the song began to play. In perfect synch, the three girls danced and harmonised their way through the same song Levy and Lucy had performed together, all the way back in high school. The song finished to cheers and wolf whistles. Her cheeks burning slightly, Levy returned to her place next to Gajeel and burrowed against his side when he wrapped his arms around her shoulder, and lowered his head to hers.
"We could go home righ' now" he suggested, his voice low and gravelly in her ear. The thought sent a delightful shiver through Levy's body, but she shook her head with a smile.
"Trust me, you'll want to stay".
The hours flew by, everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves – some performances earning cheers, others leading to good natured groans and laughter. After a weirdly good rendition of 'A Whole New World', Levy and Gajeel pushed Natsu up onto the stage.
"Yer turn, Ash Breath" Gajeel joked, missing the look that his small girlfriend shared with the pinkette. As Natsu entered his song choice, Levy set a chair in front of the stage and pushed a Lucy down into it, just as 'Marry You' began to play.
"Is he?" Gajeel whispered into Levy's ear as she came to stand next to him. Levy just giggled and nodded, keeping her eyes focused on the couple at the front of the room. She squeezed Gajeel's hands as Natsu stepped down to kneel in front of the very confused blonde.
"Luce, you know I'm no good with words. I love you, so goddamn much. I hate being away from you, you look after me, and you make my life a million times brighter. So, please, marry me?" The whole room seemed to hold their breath as Natsu opened the ring box.
Lucy practically screamed "Yes!" as she launched herself into his arms and kissed him senseless, as their friends broke into cheers.


Time was passing quickly for Levy and Gajeel, the lingering autumn sun slowly giving way to the short daylight hours of a Magnolia winter. The first snow of the season found the couple sat together on their sofa, Levy proofreading a student's thesis, Gajeel beside her scribbling in the small notebook he used for jotting down his song ideas.
"Hey, 'Jeel?" Levy turned to him, setting her papers on the table.
"Hmm? What's up Shrimp?"
"I've been thinking".
"Better yer than me."
"Ha ha, you're hilarious. I'm serious, I've been thinking about what you said. I think I probably need to stop playing it so safe. I mean, academia is always going to be there, right? I want to be part of your world for a while at least. So, what I'm really trying to say is that yes, I'll sing on the album with you. And I'll join you on the road, if you want that too."
"Levy" he breathed, a little shocked at her semi-rambling statement. "I fuckin' love yer, ya know that?" Gajeel lent across, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.
"Mmm, I think I'm getting the hint" she smirked at him. "Maybe you should show me some more?"
"Oh, I'll show ya alright" he said, lunging towards her.
Levy laughed, dancing out of his reach. "Gotta be quicker than that!" she squealed at his growl, making a run for it.
Gajeel stalked her into their bedroom, his laugh low and gravelly. "Come out, kitten. Ya can't hide from me."
"Silly Gajeel, who said I was hiding?" came the breathy reply from behind him. He barely had time to register her words, let alone turn to face her, before a hand between his shoulder blades had pushed him hard enough that he stumbled, shins connecting with the bedframe, tripping him so he landed somewhere in the middle of the bed. Rolling over, he shuffled up until his back was against the headboard. Raising his gaze to meet hers, the sight before him damn near took his breath away.
Levy was stood at the end of the bed, her gaze almost predatory as her eyes rolled over his body, leaving a shiver in their wake. Gajeel swallowed hard, his mouth dry.
"Look at me." Her tone was demanding, leaving no room for argument – not that he would have denied her anything she asked. When his eyes were locked onto hers, Levy smiled. "Good. Now, strip."
"Shrimp?" he questioned.
"Ah uh, Kurogane" she practically purred. "I didn't say you could speak. Last warning, Now, strip."
Gajeel felt like his brain had suddenly short circuited, all the blood in his body rushing south. Without any conscious thought, he was moving, hurriedly divesting himself of his clothing.
"Good, so good." Levy breathed - her eyes ablaze with desire. "I want you to touch yourself, 'Jeel. Can you do that for me?"
Nodding silently, he slid his hand down to wrap his fingers around his member, softly stroking the length of it, hissing as a callous rubbed against the sensitive skin around a piercing.
"That's it, let me hear you." Levy's voice was husky with arousal, and she began to strip – one item of clothing for every moan he let loose.
It felt like no time at all before she was standing at the end of the bed, as equally as bare as he was, and the raw hunger she saw shining in Gajeel's eyes was enough to make her blush.
"Fuck it" she muttered to herself, practically diving at the man spread out before her. "I wanted to – mmm – tease you" she managed to get out between kisses. "But you're too much to resist."
"Likewise, kitten." Gajeel growled as he sheathed himself inside her with one smooth thrust, the ease of the movement born from months of practice. "Fuck ya feel so good" he hissed.
"Shut up and kiss me".
Always happy to oblige, Gajeel leant up and captured her soft lips in a bruising kiss.
They'd both been too worked up to last, and before long Levy was sighing his name in bliss, as his hips stuttered against hers and he groaned through his release.
Collapsing together, Levy wormed her way under an arm to snuggle in against Gajeel's chest, who pressed a sweet kiss into her tousled blue locks.
"Love ya, Lev."
"Love you too, Gaj." She sighed contentedly as she stretched. "What were you working on earlier?"
"Jus' tryin' ta get some stuff down. Why'd ya ask?"
"You were concentrating so hard, your forehead was getting all wrinkled. It was pretty cute, actually."
"Oi, take that back – I ain't cute!"
Levy just shook her head, smiling at his outburst. "Well, whatever it was, I hope you let someone hear it one day."
"If ya let me git dressed, I'll play it fer ya now."
"You don't have to…" she trailed off.
"Nah, wanted to run it by yer 'fore I let anyone else hear it. Kinda personal, y'know?"
"What are you waiting for?" Levy practically leapt from the bed, throwing clothes at her boyfriend. "Get dressed, you big lump!"

Minutes later, and partially dressed, Levy sat cross legged on the mattress in the spare room, which had been turned into something resembling a home studio once Gajeel had moved in. They'd needed somewhere to store his various guitars, and Levy's piano which had been pulled out of storage – and it wasn't like they got a lot of house guests.
She was surprised when, instead of picking up one of his usual guitars, Gajeel sat himself at her piano, large hands resting delicately on the keys.
"Gaj?" she began to question, but was silenced by a shake of his head, the mane of black hair hanging loosely down his back swaying softly as he began to play, his voice wavering slightly.
"The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting. Could it be that we have been this way before?"
As his hands continued to dance across the keyboard, his voice still wavering, Levy was surprised to feel something wet on her cheeks.
"Because a girl like you is impossible to find. You're impossible to find."
His voice trailed off as Levy realised she had been crying the whole time. Without thinking, she moved to stand behind him, her arms snaking around his neck and her chest pressed against his soft hair. "Oh, Gajeel" she whispered.
"Started it when they told me yer were gonna be there that night. The rest kinda came ta me the day, when ya dropped me back at Natsu's"
"It's beautiful, Gajeel. Thank you".
"See why I wanted ta git yer okay first? I get it if ya want to keep it just fer us" he squeezed her arms where they wrapped in front of his throat.
"I think you need to be okay to share it, more than I do. I know you don't like to be that open, that vulnerable, around just anyone – and you're talking about putting it out there, in the public. But I love it, and I love you, and you have my support with whatever you want to do with it."
Smiling, Gajeel turned to face her, thumb wiping the last tear from her cheek as he leant in to kiss her. "Love ya, Levs." He whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Levy smiled in return, taking his hand and leading him back to bed, where they tenderly made love while holding each other close, reaching their mutual climax with quiet sighs and whispered professions on love.


Through the long winter, Gajeel holed himself up in either his home studio, when he wanted to write in peace, or the rented one with his band family, where they wrote, polished, perfected and recorded. Levy joined them more frequently than not, having extra free time during the university break. She was studiously learning Gray's parts, and of course bringing the group with an almost endless supply of coffee and baked treats after her every waitressing shift at the café. As a group, the decision had been made that Levy was to join them on their rapidly approaching tour, coinciding with the release of the new album they were currently working on, and also the impending birth of Gray and Juvia's son. Individually, Gajeel was looking forward to having his girl on his arm the entire time – hoping she would act as something of a groupie deterrent, as well as the extra time together. Levy was excited to fully experience the touring lifestyle this time, completely immersed in it as opposed to her first experience with it, flitting in and out when she could whilst trying to hold together a failing relationship. Juvia was relieved to have her beloved Gray at home more, and Gray himself was no longer short with everyone – relaxed now he knew he wasn't going to miss anything. And Wendy? Well, she was just thrilled to have another female to share everything with.

This particular day, Levy had just joined the group following her breakfast shift at Fairy's. After setting down her armful of goodies, and shaking her head at Natsu's usual muffled comment of "I think I love you" (seriously, was he ever going to stop talking with his mouth full?) she went to Gajeel, allowing him to gather her possessively against his chest.
"How many times do I gotta tell ya, ash fer brains? She's mine".
"No offence, Natsu, but I know Luce isn't exactly the sharing kind." Levy joked, winking up at Gajeel.
"Not like metalface there is either."
"You never know" she shrugged. "He'd probably do just about anything if I asked nicely".
Wendy and Levy dissolved into hysterics at the sight of the matching agape expressions both Natsu and Gajeel wore.
"So, what's the plan today?" Levy asked once she had her laughter under control, completely innocent as if she hadn't just made such a provocative suggestion.
"Re-writes." Wendy whined. "I hate this part!"
"C'mon kid" Gajeel comforted, ruffling his young cousins hair. "Not so bad. Ya just git ta bang away over there". His choice of words sending the pair of bluenette's back into fits of giggles. Shrugging at their antics, Natsu brushed himself clean of crumbs and resigned himself to actually doing some work.
"When you two are done" he pointed at the still laughing girls. "We have to narrow down album options."
"Okay, okay. We're calm. We are!" Wendy emphasised at the pointed looks she was getting. "We have 'Not Your Fault' as a definite. I think 'Summer Fling' is a good one to put on there too."
Gajeel nodded, shuffling papers around. "Jus' leaves 8 ta go" he groaned, running his hands down his face. "Think we need a ballad or two, round things out. Suggestions?"
"That song you wrote me." Levy stated, matter-of-factly.
"Got something new, bolt brains?" Natsu good naturedly jostled the larger man with his elbow. "Let's hear it!"
Gajeel sighed, moving to sit at the keyboard. Closing his eyes, he began to play from memory.
The trio sat enraptured as he played. For Levy, it was just as moving as the first time she had heard it, and she found herself once again on the verge of tears.
As the last notes dissipated, Natsu let out a long, low whistle. "Damn."
Wendy was swiping at her face as she moved to hug her cousin, who was still sat at the keyboard. "That was beautiful, Gajeel."
"Tch, if ya say so Squirt" he smiled back at Levy, who was still trying to suppress her tears, managing to shoot a radiant smile back at him.
"Dude, we gotta put add it! Also, since when did you have feelings?" Natsu joked, lifting the mood in the room.

By late afternoon, they had 6 definite options for the album. They also had been having the same argument on repeat for an hour, and Levy was getting a headache.
"Enough!" She raised her voice above the squabbling, fingers rubbing at her temples. "I have a notebook of ideas you can have if you'll all just stop arguing!" Exasperated, she pulled her bag from beside her seat, rummaging until she found the dog earned journal she was searching for. "Here" she handed it to Natsu, who was sitting directly opposite her.
"Sometimes I forget you're a genius at like, everything." He laughed, passing the book to Wendy.
"Hell yes Lev, these are great!" Wendy exclaimed, leaning to show one specific page to Gajeel. "This one seems like a duet to me, be pretty cool to have one of those."
"Bloody hell Shrimp, ya after me job or somethin'?" His crimson eyes glowed with admiration as he gazed down at her, causing Levy to blush slightly.
"There. Now there's just one to go. Surely one of you highly talented individuals has something to contribute?" Levy teased, good mood returning now the bickering had stopped and her headache was slowly dissipating.
"Actually" Gajeel thought aloud, rubbing his chin. "We could remaster somethin' that didn't make the cut first time 'round?"
"Yeah!" Natsu jumped up. "I vote for 'Situations'"
"You only like it because you wrote it, dummy" Wendy teased. "I like 'Static' better though" she offered with a shrug.
"Perfect, write 'em on the board – we'll work on it tamorrow. And Natsu, it's yer turn ta clean up!" Gajeel stated, standing and offering his hand to Levy. "Gonna take ma girl home, see ya both back here in th' mornin'."


Songs -

"What's my age again?" - Blink 182

"Hands to myself" - Selena Gomez

"A Whole New World" - Aladdin soundtrack

"Marry You" - Bruno Mars

"Fall For You" - Secondhand Serenade (acoustic version)

"Not Your Fault" - New Found Glory

"Summer Fling" - New Found Glory