A/N: Another chapter…

AND THERE'S FLUFF BECAUSE THE LAST TWOISH CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

She stood outside in the rain. It was only drizzling, but Levy flinched every time a drop landed on her face. She was cold, cold to the bone.

It had been an exhausting day at work. Tensions with Gajeel were running high, and he was acting aggressive all day. Whatever happened at lunch wasn't good. She had tried to comfort him, get him to open up, but he stayed tucked in his shell.

Tomorrow was a new day. She would try to make things better tomorrow.

The next day, Levy cradled a little pot in her arms. Gajeel wasn't at his desk yet, so she set it on hers, waiting patiently. When he arrived, she held it out.

"What the hell is this?"

"A plant."

"Why are you giving me a plant?"

"Because this office is bleak. It's boring, for lack of a better word. And it could use a little sprucing up." she raised one of her eyebrows, shaking the pot a little.

"Don't cactuses only grow in the desert?" her boss looked doubtfully at the plant.

"It's a figure of speech, Gajeel. Besides, it won't shed."

"Fine, fine, do whatever you want." He sighed.

Levy beamed.

.:.:.:.

When she smiled at him, Gajeel's heart stopped. Then it jump-started, at twice the speed. His palms felt slick, and he took off his jacket. What was he doing again?

She seemed different today, in a way he couldn't explain. He studied her back, and realized she was more dressed up than him. Every day she would come to work like she worked for the president… which, he realized, she did in a way.

"You know, you don't need to dress up so much." he muttered.

"Eh? But Lucy said this is what I should wear." she cocked her head, her petite features scrunching.

"Well, I'm your boss and I'm saying you should dress down."

"Whatever you say, boss."

He caught her hand. "Just… Gajeel."

"Uhm," Levy froze, and he saw her face heat up. "I-"

The elevator dinged. The two jerked apart, Levy almost tripping over her feet in an attempt to disentangle her hand from Gajeel's. Lily stepped out of the elevator. Gajeel relaxed slightly.

"Hello, Gajeel, Miss Levy." The older man nodded.

"Lily, I said it's just Levy." The bluenette smiled, "No need to be so formal."

"It's a hard habit to break, I'm afraid." Lily shot her a catlike grin and Gajeel frowned. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"You weren't, we were just talking about the dress code." He said, sitting casually on his desk and feigning nonchalance that he definitely did not feel. "What's up?"

"The department heads want you to lead the general meeting. Did you forget?" Lily said, glancing at Levy.

"Oh, sorry. We haven't gone over the agenda for today yet." She fidgeted slightly, looking away.

"That's alright. Gajeel, come with me." So Gajeel stood and took the elevator down, leaving Levy behind and him alone with his thoughts.

She had a strange effect on him and it irritated him to no end. He couldn't figure out how she did it. She entranced him, yet he didn't feel like pushing her away. She was his drug and he didn't know if it was healthy or not. If it was anyone else, he would just fire them. But just thinking about pushing her away made every fiber in his body rebel. He just couldn't.

.:.:.:.

The elevator doors closed and Levy exhaled. She was on edge. Again. Actually, it was more like she felt hyper aware. Her vision was sharper and the room felt warmer. She was full of energy yet she was also breathless.

Also, what was with him and hand grabbing? She rubbed her hand absently, it felt tingly. She couldn't discern whether it was from her nerves freaking out or something else. Maybe both. There was just something about him that drew Levy to him.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to dump the thoughts from her mind. He was her boss, she reminded herself. It was seriously inappropriate, she reminded herself. He's also been driving her crazy, she reminded herself.

She just couldn't wrap her head around him. He didn't open, he was completely closed off and emotionless. Well, he didn't open up to her. And that was what she was bothered by. In certain moments, she could see the vulnerability behind his eyes. It was always so fast and she barely dared to breathe when she was around him, but it was there. To be completely honest, it wasn't the only reason she became breathless around him. Ever since the gala, ever since the yellow roses and the drunken after-party, something changed between them. He didn't come out from behind his shield, he hid behind it more. Before, she could catch glimpses of his smirk or hear a bit of softness in his voice. She truly looked forward to it because it made him more like Gajeel, not Mr. Redfox. Now, he seemed harder and more closed off. He wouldn't look at her when he spoke, wouldn't even give her a gruff smirk. It broke her heart. Maybe it was her that shut him up, but she couldn't figure out why. Whatever it was, he wasn't telling her something.

A/N: Okay, that's it for chapter 12! Well, it only took a month, right? Ha…

I've been trying to write a bit every night but it's been hard because I'm an easily distracted person…

ANYWAYS thanks to 24Phoenix24, crownbutt123 and Guest (I see you Cousin Millz :P) for reviewing!

Signing off,

MQW