Chapter 7

Thursday

Levy cracked the lab door open and took a cautious peek inside. Empty tables and chairs stared at her in the rarely used room. With a smile, she turned on the lights and snuck inside before anyone in the hallway could see her. She sat at a table in the middle of the room and sighed heavily.

He'll never find me here.

She smiled and opened her notebook, making sure she didn't think of anything that would give away her hiding spot. She had no doubt in her mind that Gajeel was hunting for her. From the moment she woke up that morning, her thoughts had been bombarded by calculations, plans, and vague threats about what would happen if she didn't tell him where she was hiding.

It was hilarious, hearing the big, burly Fairy Ball player grumble constantly. He had a temper a mile high and was certainly rough around the edges, but Levy didn't let that bother her. She could hear his excitement as he plotted how to find her and she could tell between all of his huffing and puffing that he really did care about his teammates, even if he cursed at them all hours of the day.

Levy sighed and rested her chin in her hand. What would it be like to have that sort of person care about her? She had plenty of friends and she loved each one of them with her whole heart. But there was something…gratifying about the idea of her Soulmate being willing to punch a fellow in the face for just looking at her wrong.

Levy shook her head, face heating. "What am I thinking about? Just focus."

Which was easier said than done, with the constant growling in her head. The more frustrated Gajeel became, the harder it was to hold back her laughter. Eventually the grunts and grumbles became simple background noise and she was able to focus on her studying. She didn't realize the danger she was in until the double doors burst open, making her jump in her seat.

She gaped at the open doorway and the hulking body blocking it. A crowd gathered behind him, whispering to one another. Levy's mind became a jumbled mess as she caught into the red eyes staring back at her.

How did he find me so quickly? Wait, why is he getting closer!? What do I do!?

Levy held her notebook close, an apology on the tip of her tongue, when a bouquet of daisies filled her vision. The petals tickled her nose and she grabbed the stems out of reflex.

"I'm sick and tired of hearin' ya in my head all the time, so I'm takin' ya out with me!"

The noise in the hallway stopped as Levy stared at the man in front of her. Her notebook fell to the ground. As the silence lengthened, she watched in fascination as a trail of red crept up Gajeel's neck and into his ears.

Oops, that…that wasn't how I practiced.

He really was adorable. Levy bit her lip and held the flowers close.

How did he know daisies were my favorite?

Gajeel scratched his hand and placed his other hand on his hip. "I mean…you always said how nice they looked in that store window. But anyways, I told ya I would find you, didn't I? It just took me a bit longer than I thought, that's all." He gave her a glare, huffing and puffing like usual. "Did ya hide out here on purpose or somethin'?"

Levy lost the battle on her smile. "Yep!"

Gajeel blinked at her, "That's…it's really the same voice I've been hearing…"

He gave her a smirk and Levy felt her own face heating.

"So, um…" he started, looking around the lab, "Did…did you wanna go out for dinner or something'? If yer not too busy with yer research."

He picked up her notebook from the floor and stretched it out to her. Levy adjusted the flowers so they wouldn't be crushed and took her book, trying not to blush as their fingers touched.

"S-sure, I was just reading anyway."

Gajeel nodded and stepped to the side, waving awkwardly at the surprisingly empty hallway. She hopped off her seat and walked to the door, feeling tiny next to Gajeel's bulky frame.

They walked in silence down the hallway. They turned a corner and starry-eyed students ducked out of the way. Levy peeked at Gajeel from the corner of her eye and saw that his neck turned red. He caught her gaze and she jerked forward, ears heating once again.

"Um, do you need me ta hold somethin' for ya?"

He reached out and she waved a hand. "Oh no, I've got–"

Their fingers touched midair. Gajeel sucked in a breath and Levy jerked her hand back down. They faced forward, Gajeel's arms stiff at his sides. Levy saw his hand clench and unclench, and before she could change her mind, she rested her fingers against his. His arm twitched.

"Could we…go to that one steakhouse you like? I've had a craving for it because of somebody."

"Gihee, sounds good to me, Shorty." Gajeel's fingers curled ever so slightly around hers.

"My name is Levy," she whispered.

Gajeel gazed down at her, his eyes impossibly warm. "Nice ta finally have a name for the voice. Yer always on my mind lately."

Levy giggled, shoulders relaxing. "I've been thinking about you too, Gajeel."

He cleared his throat and sniffed before interlacing their touching fingers. Levy held on tightly and they walked hand in hand the rest of the way down the hall.

Thanks again for reading! If you liked this story, please check out the rest of my account...I have much longer stories on there, I promise! Well, now that the writer's block is gone, I'm off to finish a different story...so stay tuned! Have a great weekend and God Bless :)