Author's note: The present thing happened to me, but after we were already together. I was saving money for an MP4 player and we went together to find one good enough for my budget. He didn't say he was planning to buy it himself, and spend a couple of hundred bucks on it, too. It was the first time when we actually argued, I insisted it was too expensive, but he wouldn't hear it. Eventually I gave in, let him buy me the MP4 player he chose (I still have it, by the way, after 8 years. Works like a charm). Held my ground till we got home, but, when he closed the door, I just snapped. I just couldn't stop crying or hugging him. He freaked out, thinking I didn't like it. I told him to give me a minute and the rest you can read lower. (As an explanation for the whole thing, I grew up in a poor family, my mom raising me and my brother all alone. She had to get three jobs to keep some food on the table and I grew up knowing you have to work for something and not take it for granted. So I wasn't used to kindness or presents, especially expensive ones.

Mechanical-Rose-Sama , thank you for all the wonderful reviews! As for the hubby part, I'm trully lucky to have found him. About Mission to Dreamland, there were some chapter that made me tear up when I wrote them. Partly because of the dream that inspired that fan fic.

LumiSusi , he has the cute side in the manga, too (rubbing his face in Panterlily's fur... in front of everyone...) Points for you, missy, for noticing the subtle hint. Also, thank you for the compliment, it means a lot. I intended to make it a bit personal, and I hope I'm not dissapointing my readers with a boring/not so good story. Finnish, huh? This makes us continental neighbors XD

Sketcher1994 , me and hubby were so blind... plus he was worked up about the age difference. He denied his feelings a long time before he actually came clean :))

BlackLothus , 8 years and a baby boy later... (hopefully a second child soon) *whistles*

DeAmonQuEen , hehehehe gotta love Mashima for giving us the parallel world version of our lovely Gajeel. Plus, the lovely clean up he did for the party after they saved Crocus from Future Rogue and the dragons.

EmmyHippo , I'll reveal more about Gajeel's ex-wife in the next chapters, stay tuned!

Lexie and the anime , he can't. just like hubby couldn't keep it professional XD

AGAIN, THANKYOUFORYOURINFINITEPATIENCE!

All in all, thank you for all the patience and love and reviews and reading my fics... And everything! By the way, I'd love to see a review/comment in your native language! (Of course, please consider the writer, as well, since I only know 4 languages: Romanian, English, Spanish and Japanese, so add a translation, as well, if you guys happen to not be a speaker of those 4 languages)

CHAPTER 11: Birthday surprise

Levy's Korean friend knocked on the girls' changing room, startling the bluenette.

"Yes?"

"Sorry to bother you, Lev, there's this… guy looking for you. Says it's important."

"Uhm… Hold on, let me put some clothes on first." She quickly disposed of her work pants and got dressed, creeping the door open after she made sure she was decent. Her mouth dropped when she saw who was standing behind her friend, a wide, proud grin plastered on his face.

"What the heck are you doing here?"

"Hello to you, too…" Gajeel's smile dropped, seeing her reaction. "I mean, I was sure I wasn't such a bad company, right?" Levy opened the door to stare at the raven haired man, her friend making himself scarce. "Blondie asked me to come and get ya, you know, makin' sure you're not bailing on her."

"Oh… Right, let me get my stuff…" Levy went back into the room and grabbed her things, waved everyone from work goodbye and out she went, followed closely by a silent Gajeel.

"Could we… go somewhere before I drag your ass to my crazy future sister-in-law?" He blurted when he saw the car, squeezing the bag he was holding unconsciously. Levy snapped her eyes to him, blushing slightly.

"Uhm… Sure…?"

"This way." He grabbed her arm and pulled Levy between the tall apartment buildings. The bluenette was hyperventilating when she noticed the streets were rather dark, compared to the main streets. After a few minutes, she was panicking.

"Where are we going?" Gajeel could hear the panic in her voice, turning to look at her.

"It's a place I found a while back. You'll like it." A few turns later and they reached their destination. A small park between two abandoned and crumbling buildings. Nature was starting to reclaim most of the land, the swing sets being the only area that looked like it was used from time to time.

"Oh, I didn't know something like this would survive in this urban jungle!" Levy said with a wide smile, running to one of the swings and sitting down. A few seconds later, she started moving herself with her feet, holding onto the chains and hanging her head down as she swung giggling like a child. "It's been years since I did this! Never knew how much I missed it, thank you!" Gajeel came quietly and sat on the free swing next to her, looking down. He waited for her to stop before opening his mouth to speak.

"Happy birthday." Levy snapped her eyes to him, blushing visibly. When she didn't say anything, he continued. "Natsu told me. And… here." He extended the plastic bag to the shocked bluenette, not looking at her.

"Uhm… Thank you…"

"Sorry I didn't have time to wrap it, I only found out yesterday."

"No problem…" She said thoughtfully, pulling the thin cardboard box from the bag and bulging her eyes. "What's this?" She couldn't believe her eyes.

"Your birthday prese…"

"Take it back." She shoved the whole thing in Gajeel's hands, looking away.

"What? Why? It's for you…"

"I can't accept it."

"Why not?" Gajeel couldn't understand her reaction. After all, Lucy told him it was something she was saving money for, so she must have wanted it badly.

"Because…" She kept looking away, Gajeel trying to catch her eye.

"It's non-refundable, sorry, so…"

"Gajeel, this isn't funny!" Levy finally snapped her eyes to him, and she looked angry. "Please, take it back."

"I don't understand. Blondie told me you're saving big bucks for this, so why…"

"Lucy told you? Damn it!"

"Yeah, she did. And she showed me your sketches, too, which are great, by the way. You're really talented and you deserve…"

"No I don't! So, please!" She looked away, a knot strangling her words. "Take it back…" Her voice cracked, Gajeel noticing she started crying.

"Did I do something wrong…? Please, talk to me." She shook her head, keeping her back to him.

"I don't deserve it." She turned to leave, but Gajeel grabbed her arm when she passed him, Levy snapping her puffy, red eyes to him. "Please, let go." She looked away, escaping a few hot tears.

"No." He looked at her pained, watching Levy swallow heavily as more tears left lines on her cheeks. "What don't you deserve?" He asked softly, pulling her closer to look her in the eye. She shook her head, refusing to open her mouth. "Come on, please?" He tried again, Levy letting her tears run free.

"Anything! I don't deserve your kindness, your friendship, your attention, your g… gifts! So why? Why do you k… keep…" A lump choked the air in her lungs. Gajeel merely stared, not believing his ears.

"Because you're... someone whom I care about. You're my friend and I say you deserve it. You're kind beyond your years, and talented, so talented. I'm amazed how you can actually save money from the little you get and help people in need, and send some back to your family! You're amazing!" Gajeel's heart drummed hard in his chest, making him huff heavily like after a spring once he finished his speech.

"I'm not…"

"YES YOU ARE! You are someone who deserves such gifts from time to time…"

"IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE!" Levy pulled her arm from his grip, looking very angry. "Okay? It's too expensive! So take it back! I can't receive such a…"

"Too expensive?" He echoed her words, watching Levy cross her arms and look away, the tears not stopping. "I don't know who you've hung out with and made you believe such crap." Gajeel looked with kind eyes at her as he tried to wiggle the straps of the bag between Levy's clenched fingers. "I'm not taking it back. This is what I wanna give you for your birthday. If you don't like it, you can leave it here, or sell it, or whatever. It's yours." Levy burst into tears, hiding her face in her palms for a moment before jumping on Gajeel's neck, surprising him. She sobbed heavily in his shirt, Gajeel wrapping his arms around her waist and letting her calm down.

"These are… happy tears, sorry… It's just… No one's ever been… so kind to me before… I love it! Thank you! So much!" She managed to slip between the heavy sobs, Gajeel smiling warmly.

"It's about time someone rewarded you for your hard work, right?" He patted her head, unconsciously lowering his head to place his head closer to her neck and inhale deeply. A second later, Levy surprised him when she pressed her wet lips to his cheek, leaving him stare at her dumbstruck.

"Thank you!"

"…My pleasure…" Gajeel couldn't look away from her eyes. They were red and glossy, but he could still see the beautiful chocolate brown of her eyes. His insides double flipped and his throat got dry as he drowned in her eyes. Who am I kidding…? He quickly looked away, clearing his throat. "We should… You know, Blondie and the rest are waiting…"

"Oh, right…" Levy quickly followed Gajeel as he led the way back the way they came from and out on the main street. He held the door open for her, Levy noticing his sullen expression. The ride to Natsu's was unusually quiet, but Levy didn't say anything. She was too happy to let Gajeel's mood get to her.

The rest of the day went like a normal birthday party, Lucy glomping her friend when she came through the door. Levy thanked the gods the party wasn't something fancy. Beer, crackers, cake and presents. And lots of laughter. With Lucy around her, Levy was unable to feel anything but happy, and she was grateful.

She was also grateful it was Friday, since Romeo, Wendy's boyfriend, unwillingly challenged her to a drinking game.

"Pffft, please. No one can get me drunk as long as I have milk by my side." Romeo turned his attention to her, clearly interested.

"Challenge accepted. Natsu, bring the birthday girl some milk. I'll go get the tequila from the bar."

"Go crazy, man. Just so you know, you're not driving my sister anywhere tonight, you two are spending the night here, clear?" Romeo waved in agreement, grabbing the tequila bottle and returning to the table.

"Ready to eat your words, missy?" He shoved an empty whiskey glass under Levy's nose, pouring some alcohol in it. Natsu came back momentarily with the milk, letting Levy take a couple of gulps before downing her glass with a grin.

"Prepare to be put to shame. Hit me again." They kept at it until the bottle was empty, Romeo wobbling back to the bar to get the bottle of whiskey. Levy grinned again, feeling her cheeks burn, but nothing else.

"Yer cheatin'!" Romeo stumbled on his words, glaring at an innocent looking Levy after almost emptying the bottle of whiskey.

"I'm not cheating. I told you, if I have milk by my side, no one can get me drunk." Levy smiled proudly after everybody cheered. "Are you…OK?" The bluenette watched Romeo intently, the color draining from his face a second later before he lunged for the bathroom with Natsu on his tail. "Told ya… I hope he's OK…" She turned her apologetical eyes to Wendy, who shrugged it off.

"He'll be fine in the morning. That's what he deserves for being proud and stubborn." The ocean haired girl giggled.

"An aspirin will do the trick." Levy shoved a spoonful of cake in her mouth, watching the rest dancing in Natsu's living. She noticed Gajeel in a far corner, looking on the window with a sullen expression and sipping some juice. She got up and went to him, rubbing his back in comfort. "What's wrong?" He glanced her way briefly.

"Nothing…" He sipped again, looking at his sister.

"Aren't you having fun?"

"It's not that… It's just… Nah, forget it. It's stupid of me…"

"I asked because I'm interested, but if you don't wanna talk about it, I won't push. She's all grown up now, isn't she?" Levy followed Gajeel's eyes, looking at Wendy with fond eyes.

"She's talking about marriage… Romeo proposed and she came to ask us to give her blessing. That flame brain told her yes, of course, jumping up and down like an idiot! She's not ready for something like this!" Gajeel squeezed his glass.

"I get it… The big brother doesn't wanna accept the fact that his little girl grew up." Levy giggled.

"What? No! That's not…!"

"Uh huh, says the guy in the corner who glares at his sister's boyfriend." The bluenette laughed, earning a death glare.

"I don't glare! I like Romeo, he's a nice kid. Considering how well he's treating my baby sister, I totally approve of… them. But marriage… They're not ready for such a huge responsibility. I wasn't and I didn't listen. Got my ass fried and it hurt like hell."

"Your ex wasn't meant to be. Look at Natsu and Lucy."

"They're different."

"And Wendy isn't? Not all of your siblings have to go through what you did. Maybe she's lucky and found the one man who'll spend the rest of her life with."

"I truly wish that were the case, but what if…"

"Gajeel, she's older than me. She's a very bright young woman and she knows what she wants from her life. Why do you think about the 'what if's? It's bad luck for her, you know."

"I know, I just can't help it. I don't want her to go through what I…" Gajeel looked hurt at the bluenette, realizing he said too much. "Never mind." He looked away, trying to avoid Levy's eyes.

"You still love her…" Levy placed her hand suddenly on his chest, closing her eyes in concentration. Gajeel snapped his shocked eyes to her concentrated form, his heart beat increasing from the sudden closure. "It's not fair for such a wonderful guy like you to go through what you did…" Levy felt his pain choking her. "Even though you still long for the other one, I see your heart get lighter. Someone is healing your heart…" Gajeel placed his hand over Levy's taking it away from his chest when she snapped her eyes open and looked questioningly at his burning eyes. "You found someone." She realized with a slight pain inside her. Gajeel kept quiet, looking in her eyes. "If this new person makes your pain go away, why don't you go for it?" She echoed Natsu's words without knowing.

"Because it's forbidden." He said suddenly, boring his red eyes into hers like trying to make her understand how he felt about her.

"Forbidden…? I don't und…"

"Stop. Please, stop…" He turned away from the bluenette.

"I'm sorry… If I said too much…"

"No, no… You saw too much." He smiled bitterly, gulping his juice down. Gajeel then got up and headed for the table to fill his glass again, Levy watching him with pained eyes as he disappeared into the kitchen.

"He's such a stubborn idiot…" Natsu came behind Levy, startling her.

"Why do you say that?"

"Can't tell ya. But I can confirm what you just said. He found someone, but he's too stubborn to admit it." He smiled knowingly, Levy feeling her heart break. "And, from my point of view, the one he found is the one. But we're talking about Gajeel here, I don't call him Metal Head just for his piercings, ya know." Natsu laughed lightly, sipping his whiskey.

"I see…" Levy said with disappointment. "Well, I hope he'll pull his head from his ass and go for it. Maybe he'll be happy for once."

"Cheers to that!" Natsu said cheerily, going back to his fiancé.

"Yeah… cheers to that…" Levy glanced at the clock, noticing the very late hour. She grabbed her things and presents, went to hug Lucy and Wendy and headed for the door to take her leave.

"Hey, Metal Head! Drive the birthday girl home, will ya?"

"Why?" Gajeel popped his head from the kitchen.

"Because you're the only one sober here, duuuuh!" Natsu rolled his eyes, waving him away.

"… Fine." Gajeel grabbed his keys and headed for the door, opening it for Levy without a second glance. She thanked him in a small voice, following him to his car.

Levy could feel Gajeel's mood, and it was pressing on her lungs. She glances a few times his way, wanting to say something to comfort him, but words failed her. The ride home was a very quiet one, Gajeel looking at the road and ignoring Levy completely. He parked in front of her apartment building, Levy breaking the silence.

"Thank you again. For everything. It means a lot."

"Yeah, don't mention it." The raven haired man kept his eyes ahead, not daring to glance Levy's way.

"We're still on for next Tuesday?"

"Of course, I don't wanna cut the treatment now." Gajeel grinned at her briefly.

"Okay, have a good night." She pursed her lips, wanting to comfort Gajeel, but not finding any words, so she placed her hand on the knob and opened the door.

"You too, shrimp…" Levy got out of the car, hurrying to her home as Gajeel watched her intently until she got inside the apartment building. He then drove off with a sullen look.

TBC

How about it? Did you liked it? Loved it? Hated it? Please review, your opinion matters to me as a writer.