A/N: I happen to love the Twin Dragon Paradox, so I couldn't resist.
I can't believe this story has 27 favorites and 49 follows! Thanks, guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or Cinderella.
Mira snapped her fingers and Levy felt her raggedy old dress lengthen and turn into luxurious linens and silks. She felt her hair style itself; her shoes become heeled.
As soon as everything stopped moving, she let out a deep breath. Levy lifted a hand to her face. It was covered in a feathered mask. Her short hair was let down and curled, gold hairpins woven into her blue locks. Cream-colored, elbow length gloves enveloped her hands and two fairy wings grew from her shoulder blades. She reached back to touch them and found they were made of lightweight, gold wire with transparent chiffon stretched between them. And her dress. Oh, the dress. The gown was made of chiffon and silk and sunlight. She ran a hand over the golden-yellow skirts, awed. It was beautiful, yet light and breathable. Her shoes looked like they were made of gold and, again, were heeled.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Levy cried, tears shining in her eyes with joy.
"Anything for you, dear." Mira replied warmly.
"Now, off with you! You have a prince waiting!" Lucy said, eyes sparkling. "Go on!"
With a kiss on the cheek for all of the goddesses, Levy set off in a gleaming wood (or so it appeared) carriage to the palace.
-o-o-o-
"Prince Rouge? Might I have this dance?" a young lady in a milkmaid costume approached Gajeel. He glanced up, noting that no milkmaid would wear silk skirts and velvet shoes.
"I don't care for dancing." Gajeel said, keeping his voice as even as he could. He pulled the brim of his hat down further on his head, trying to avoid to stares of Ryos' followers. Thank Mavis for large hats and masks. He was dressed as a swordfighter, an iron-wielder. His long coat and hat fit his character perfectly, yet kept his identity hidden.
The milkmaid looked crestfallen, and walked back to her group of friends.
The prince in disguise kept looking towards the main entrance, waiting for his Shrimp.
Waitaminute. His Shrimp? Since when? He barely knew the girl!
Suddenly, she appeared at the entryway, a vision of yellow and blue. She was dressed as some sort of faerie, and his jaw dropped. She was beautiful.
Gajeel found himself being drawn to her. He desperately wanted to dance with her…
But Ryos walked up to her, and asked her to dance. He saw something flit across her facial features, but she accepted and they began to waltz.
Gajeel scowled.
-o-o-o-
As soon as Levy walked in, the room grew quiet.
She could hear the titters of the lords and ladies in the room.
"May I have this dance, Miss Faerie?" a tall figure in pitch-black robes and a golden crown approached her, holding out his hand.
"…Very well." she replied, "And who do I have the pleasure of dancing with?"
"I am the Shadow Prince." the man replied. "It's me, Gajeel." he whispered.
And they whirled away.
Halfway through the waltz, Levy whispered in the figure's ear. "You're not really Prince Gajeel, are you?"
He stiffened and Levy gave him a look. "I knew it. I bet that brooding figure in the corner is him, right?"
"H-how did you figure it out?" the Shadow Prince asked.
Levy counted off the reasons, all while dancing perfectly. "Well, Gajeel has a heavier frame and you are thin. Also, Gajeel would have called me Shrimp. You haven't talked to me once other than to ask to dance.
"Alright." the man nodded, understanding. She… actually saw through it…
"Not to pry, but who are you?" the girl asked.
"Prince Rouge. Gajeel's cousin." Rouge answered.
"Ah. I'm Levy. Oh, the dip is coming up." Levy said, and she outstretched her arm in time with others.
"Thanks." He had forgotten they were dancing. "You seem to know a lot about this."
"Even though I have no title, I learn. From books!" Levy said brightly.
Throughout the entire dance, she guided him and, in turn, he amused her with pleasant conversation.
They chatted through the waltz. Rouge was surprise to find that Levy seemed caring and sweet, almost like… a mother.
The music faded out, and Levy and Rouge bid each other good-bye.
-o-o-o-
Gajeel was mad. Shrimp, his Shrimp seemed to like Ryos. That would not do. At all. The waltz seemed to take longer than usual, and Gajeel became grumpier every time Rouge whispered in her ear or she laughed at something she said.
Pretty soon the dance was over, and they went their separate ways. Shrimp walked -no- floated over to the refreshments table, where he was sitting.
"Psst. Gajeel!" Levy hissed, looking at the scones on the table.
"Shrimp?" Gajeel said, stunned.
"Meet me on the balcony in five minutes." Levy murmured, sipping a drink. "And bring food! I'm hungry…"
"Hmmph." Gajeel grunted, and she floated out of the ballroom.
He immediately began loading a plate full of the delicacies from the table, casually munching on a few.
-o-o-o-
Levy stood on the balcony, looking out into the night with her hands on her flushed cheeks.
"Two princes in one night!" as Milliana would say. Levy shook her head. Prince Rouge was nice, but he seemed almost like a little brother. Gajeel was… well…
Hearing someone clearing his throat, Levy turned. The man himself had appeared at the door.
"I gotcha' something." he offered her something from behind his back.
He was dressed as some sort of swordsman, and was holding a plate loaded with goodies, which contrasted with his dramatic costume. Levy giggled.
"That's so funny, Shrimp?" Gajeel grunted, setting the plate down on a small table.
"It's good to see you too, Gajeel. Thanks!" Levy immediately dove into the cakes and pastries, scarfing them down with gusto.
Gajeel scoffed, but swiped a few for his self. He smiled.
-o-o-o-
Gajeel looked at his Shrimp from behind. The dress she was wearing was beautiful, almost as if the faeries themselves had made it. When did he become such a pansy?
He cleared his throat and she spun around, skirts twirling.
"I-I gotcha' something." he offered her the sweets, and set them down on the tiny table that was in front of him. She giggled.
"What's so funny, Shrimp?" his ears turned red.
"It's good to see you too, Gajeel. Thanks!" she began shoveling down the treats, eating with relish. How does that answer my question? He smiled anyway. She was cute when- whoa! Waitaminute, what?
"Hey, Shrimp?"
"Yeah, Gajeel?" she asked, mouth full.
"Do ya wanna ditch this place and go somewhere else?" he asked, ears burning.
"Sure! …Right after I finish my food." Shrimp said sheepishly.
"C'mon!" he tugged her hand and they ran into the ballroom, getting caught up in a dance. They were pulled along and were forced to go along with it until the dance ended. Shrimp laughed at his pout. Her laugh made something leap in his chest.
When they finally escaped, he showed her around the palace, pointing out hiding spots and telling her stories. She giggled and they ran 'round the palace until her feet ached and both of their faces hurt from laughing too hard.
"Mmm… Shrimp." he nudged her. They were leaning against each other, sitting on a decorative bench in one of the many long hallways. "One last place."
" M'kay." she picked herself up and they staggered to the back entrance of the palace.
He led her to a small hole between the shrubberies in the Royal Gardens. They walked through a small grove of trees to a clearing, big enough for the both of them to lie down. They stared at the sky, and talked.
"Why here?" she asked.
"Um, I come here to get away. The life of a crown prince is fuckin' hard."
"Gajeel! Language!" she shrieked, swatting at his arm.
"Gihi. I'll say whatever the hell I want." he grinned. The moonlight made his sharp, white teeth glow.
"You should be more literate. Girls like that in a man." she said, playing with a golden hairpin.
"What, and headbands get you beaus?" she blushed fiercely and he tugged at the yellow silk ribbon holding back her wild blue locks. "Princes don't sweep maidens off their feet and take them to their castle to live happily ever after. Men aren't always like in those pansy-ass books you read, y'know?"
She played with the hem of her dress. "Yeah, but it can't hurt." Shrimp paused, and turned to him. "How did you know I love books?"
"Uh- well…" Gajeel looked away, ears on fire. "I kinda… heard you talking with Ryos…"
"You heard that from all the way over there in your dark corner?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Well… my hearing is really good?" he shrugged. He honestly didn't know how he heard it. Heightened senses? He pushed aside the thought. Only dragon slayers had those kinds of powers.
"Hey, Gajeel." Shrimp said, prodding him with her elbow. "Do you have the time?"
"Yeah, it's…" he fumbled with the pocket watch that Lily always made him carry. "…almost eleven o'clock."
Shrimp gasped. "Oh, I have to go!" She dashed out, with Gajeel hard on her heels.
"Wait! Shrimp!" he stumbled, almost crashing into her when she stopped and turned.
"Yes?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Will you be at the last ball?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course!" she motioned for him to lower his head a bit. He bent down slightly and she pecked a kiss on his cheek.
"Good-bye, Gajeel!" she cried, waving as she ran away.
"…Bye." He lifted a hand to his cheek, ears burning. The sensation of her lips against his skin embedded in his memory.
A/N: So I'm going with the idea that Gajeel doesn't blush. His ears turn red, but he doesn't blush. This chapter was more fluff and them getting to know each other more. ^3^ Yay, fluff!
Shout out to suumelo-onigiri48, Lexie and the anime, irondragonslayer61, MakeItHayle, ItscalledLove, Guest and FairyTailLover for reviewing multiple times. All of you who reviewed, virtual hugs! You guys made (and still make) my day.
Questions? Comments? Editing advice? Leave a review!
I hope you enjoyed Chapter 5!
Signing off,
Miss Quiet Writer