Levy's hands rested on Gajeel's shoulders and she pressed her forehead against his.
"I thought you were going to die," she breathed, running her hands down his back and around to rest over his heart. She could feel it beating his chest, a steady thrumming under his ribs. She needed to feel it, needed the proof that he was okay.
He snorted, one of his big hands coming up to wrap around her waist, the other was in a cast. "You have so little faith."
She drew back so she could see his face. He was smirking – of course – but his eyes said what he refused to.
"So do you," she murmured.
He snorted again and she sighed, sliding her hands up his chest to cup his face. She brushed her fingers over his cheeks and the piercings that littered his face. They hovered over his mouth, which was slightly parted, letting her feel each breath.
During her exploration his eyes had slid shut and he'd turned into her hand. It made her smile and she leaned forward, brushing her lips over his. His eyes opened then and they just stared at each other, their breaths mingling, their eyes saying everything they couldn't.
"Next time," he murmured. "Don't leave my side."
Her lips quirked with a smile and she lowered her head to his chest.
"Never again."