Hide and Seek.

By:LemonSherbert

Chapter 5: I love you

I do not own fairy Tail, as it is the work of Hiro Mashima, anyway, enjoy and don't forget to review.

Levy stared up at the sky, unable to believe what had just happened until she felt someone fall on top of her and she let out a small umph. Her golden eyes travelled down to see Gajeel laying his head on her stomach, not saying a word as Lily headed towards the town to make reservations in a hotel for them.

"Imforry" he mumbled and Levy blinked, unable to make out what the large man was saying and she sat up making him sit up with her and he looked directly at the floor.

"What... I didn't hear you properly...?" Levy said and watched him as he took a deep breath, he seemed genuinely upset and worried and she smiled at him, even though he wasn't looking at her.

"I said... I'm... I'm sorry!" He exclaimed as he looked up, his ruby eyes searching hers as if he wanted her to be mad or upset and she let out a small giggle. "Don't laugh, I'm being serious... it's my fault you go hurt, I was too slow and... and he hurt you for it, it was my fault and I'm really, really sorry..." he said and she stopped giggling, leaning over to take one of his large, rough hands in her dainty ones.

"I told you... it's not your fault, you didn't ask him to hurt me nor did you want him to, his game was unfair and I highly doubt you would have won any rounds, each test would have made you have to find me, what was left was smell, taste and touch, the only way he could have hidden me fairly is if he kept us in the same room but I highly doubt he would have... you have nothing to be sorry for, you tried... really hard!" Levy explained as she ran a small thumb over his palm and he looked away.

"God damn shrimp, you make it so hard to hate myself!" He exclaimed and she was about to laugh before he pulled her tiny frame into his strong arms, he was wet and cold from the rain but somehow he still seemed to make her feel warm inside. "About what happened... with the kiss... I thought... you know... so I kind of went for it... if you don't feel that way... then I understand..." he said awkwardly and she craned her neck to look at him, he was staring away from her but she could see the pink in his cheeks.

"Gajeel..." Levy said softly, getting his attention, he looked down curiously just as her lips came up to his, softly pressing against his mouth and he made a muffled, surprised noise. She closed her eyes, sitting up properly to wrap her arms around his shoulders and she felt him slowly, almost cautiously Put his own arms around her. They stayed there for a few moments in each others embrace, their lips locked in the pouring rain, sat in the mud like long lost lovers. Levy felt like it was a dream, she had liked him for so long, she could barely think, it all seemed to have happened so fast. She slowly pulled back, opening her eyes to see him with a shy smile and they both let out an awkward laugh. "Does that tell you how I feel?" Levy asked and he nodded.

"Though I think I might need a second, I'm not sure I got the message..." Gajeel teased and Levy shook her head with a giggle as she stood up, her dress was completely bathed in mud and she was drenched from head to toe.

"Come on you idiot, we should go meet Lily and get some clean clothes..." she said and he nodded, standing up and stretching, she tried to not stare at his muscles but in his vest top they were so obvious. Levy blushed when she saw him grinning like a Cheshire cat and she turned on her heels just wanting to get away from that place. She could still feel the agony in her veins and that old mans grip on her shoulder like a ghost on her skin. Everything about that place unsettled her and she was glad to just be out in the fresh air, even if it was pouring with rain and they were covered in mud.

"Wait up shorty!" Gajeel called after her and he put his wet arm around her small shoulder as he leaned against her. "So I couldn't help but noticing you notice me... did you see something you like?" He teased and she elbowed him in the ribs making him wince and laugh at her. They walked about half way to town when they met Lily who had come back to get them since he booked a hotel. When they got there, the people where very understanding and gentle towards them, giving them extra clothes since their bags had been soaked from the rain and they even gave them a free room. Though Levy couldn't have been happier to get in a nice, warm bubble bath, she stayed in there for about forty minutes before she let Gajeel have it and she climbed into the large, soft, double bed after getting into some nice, comfy pyjamas. Lily was already curled asleep in the covers, he had a bandage on him where his back had been bruised and she cuddled up to him as she sighed. The warmth and steady breath of the little kitty slowly lulling her to sleep as she ran her fingers through his soft fur...

Gajeel came out of the bathroom, his body covered in steam with a towel wrapped around his hips and drying his hair with another. He looked over to the bed seeing Lily and Levy both curled up in bed, sound asleep and he let out a small chuckle. While they were asleep he finished drying his hair and got dressed in some pyjama pants before crawling into the bed. He easily scooped Levy up, pulling her tightly against his chest and she let out a small murmur as she snuggled against the covers. Gajeel gently pressed a kiss against her soft, blue waves as he closed his eyes. "I love you Levy..." he whispered in her ear before slowly falling to sleep, forgetting their otherwise unexpected day...