A/N: Last time I said I'd update more… It's been two months… If I stop updating, come and PM me or review and yell at me ^^

Whoooooa this story hit 100+ followers! I'm seriously honored, considering how bad I am at updating. Thank you guys!

Everything was normal. Gajeel stayed silent at his desk, tapping away at his laptop. It drove Levy crazy. They weren't going to acknowledge what happened that night?

She snuck a glance at her boss. He was still calmly working away.

Levy felt her cheeks begin to swell up in a pout, but looked down at her paperwork with a sigh. This was going to drive her insane.

But hand holding isn't even remotely sexual or suggestive. And it's not like he was trying to kiss me or anything… but he is my boss, so it would be kind of inappropriate… What would Lucy do?! Levy felt her pout grow and take over her face. She'd probably go over there and make him talk. Probably hit him, too. She let her head drop onto her desk. There's no way I can do that.

"Lunch break." Gajeel said, shutting his laptop.

"Uh, right." Levy glanced at him carefully. Nothing seemed different. She looked away. "I'll just eat here. I packed my lunch." Gajeel looked at her for a moment, then exhaled slightly. She heard it from across the office.

"Fine. I'm going out." He put on his coat and headed to the elevator. Levy shrugged and returned her focus to her papers. He left without another word.

Levy sighed. What was it about him that drove her crazy?

It was probably the hair.

.:.:.:.

He couldn't get out of the building fast enough. She was obviously mad at him, but for what? Fishing for his keys, he got in his car but didn't start it.

An image of his Phantom Lord days flashed thorough his head. Then, her face. Suddenly he was suffocating, and everything felt wrong. He clawed at his tie and shirt buttons, snapping his hair band trying to undo his ponytail. His breathing increased, and he clenched his fists. Why did everything feel so…

He sat like that for a while, tense and unmoving. It was only after someone walked past his car that he realized an hour had passed.

It was happening more often, now. Gajeel found it was dangerous to let his mind wander too much, especially…

There was just so much happening, and he couldn't afford to let the past catch up to him. He sighed. His suit was already wrinkled and he could feel himself spiraling out of control.

But he grabbed hold of himself, straightened his appearance as best he could, and headed back up to the office. When he opened the door, she was there. It wasn't a surprise, she was always waiting for him. So why did he feel so content?

.:.:.:.

He disappeared for an hour and a half. Levy was worried, he was never gone this long. And judging from his work habits lately, there wasn't any reason he would want to get away. He was constantly working on something new, and always diligently. He hadn't bothered to close his computer, and Levy caught a glimpse of his screen. There were twelve different tabs open and multiple windows open, creating a digital work collage.

He must be going to meet someone. But he didn't take her… and he hated going to meetings alone. Maybe it was because he was mad at her…? Or maybe, Levy thought, he was going to meet a woman. Her stomach twisted. Honestly, it was completely unprofessional to meet with someone during the workday! Couldn't it wait for four more hours?

And then he stormed in and Levy's mind went blank. His hair was loose and wild, his tie knotted sloppily, and he walked stiffly. It was obvious he was a mess, and she stifled the urge to comfort him.

"Hey… have you eaten?" she spoke gently, like she would to a kid.

"I'm fine." he practically growled, turning away from her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." But even as he said it, his stomach rumbled. Levy sighed, more out of concern than anything else, and stood.

"I'll go buy you something." He was still standing near the office doors, and she tried to give him a comforting pat as she passed. He shuddered away.

It hurt her to see Gajeel like this, so vulnerable and unlike the man she knew. Or, she thought she knew until the night of the gala. He always kept a bit of him shut away, locked up so tight Levy knew she had only peeled away the most outer layers of his personality. How long ago was it that she started working at MetaTech? Weeks, months, years? It felt like she belonged here.

But she was also terrified. What if she got fired? Would she ever be able to find another job? How could she pay for anything? How would she be able to cope with losing this amazing job?

What would happen to Gajeel?

A/N: annnnd it's short today because I couldn't find a good place to end it… but hopefully I'll update soon with a longer chapter next time!

Thanks to shy anime girl, Empress of Everything, Giant Marshmallow, Rynna Wynne, and Chise Sakamoto for reviewing! You guys are really awesome.

Signing off,

MQW