A/N: Leave a review if you would like me to make it an M ranting.

Of course Levy was early. She always was, in school or life; it didn't matter. She liked getting things in before they were due or getting to something a few minuets before hand, but this was a bit much. At 1:30 sharp she pushed open the single wooden door of Fairy's Coffee, a small shop that her and Lucy frequented. Mirajane, the woman who did just about everything, gave her a warm smile and waved her over. They talked for awhile and Levy ordered her first drink, but she still had a half an hour to suffer through. She wondered from table to table where she talked to the other regulars: Alzack and Bisca, Mirajane sister Lisanna and Reedus, who was painting a lovely picture of a river.

Solemnly, she sat back down on a stool at the bar. Mira made her way over, washing an empty cup.

"Something wrong, Levy?" she questioned.

"I'm early."

"Aren't you always?"

"Yeah, but today is different."

"Oh?" Levy knew her well, and she knew Mira was pinning for info.

"I'm meeting someone," she started, "I'm sure they'll be hear soon" Levy chose her words carefully.

Mira leaned over the table, "Does this person have a name?"

"He does" Mira rose an eye brow, "shit". Levy had fucked up.

"Ohhh, a date?"

Red faced, Levy scrambled for words; "No, no it's nothing like that. See I'm helping with school work and and and."

The stuttering bookworm was cut off but the creaking of the door and Mira gasp. In the door frame stood a somewhat discomforted Gajeel. He wore his wild main back with a red bandanna, a leather jacket with studs lining the shoulders, black jeans and heavy boots. Peering around the room his eyes landed on the blue hair shrimp. He walked over, head slightly down, and took a set next to her. After a long silents, Mira spook; "so this is your?"

"Student" Levy finished. Gajeel scoffed quietly and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, I'm Mirajane. I ruin this shop, you can call me Mira."

Levy elbowed Gajeel in the side to produce a single word; "Gajeel."

"It's to meet you."

"Like wise."

"Can I get you anything?" Mira ventured.

"Coffee, black," her answer and not shortly after it was fallowed with a punch to the arm, "please."

"And I'll take my normal, please" Levy added with a smile.

After bring them there food and drink, Mira got the hit to leave them be. So she went off to wash a table and leave the two alone. Still steaming, Gajeel sipped coffee and levy nibbled on her cream cheese cover bagel. For minuets they only sat, not speaking a word, then Levy remembered why they were there.

"So! You had more questions?"

"Uhm oh yeah, a few."

"Feel free to start when ever" Levy offered as he downed the last of his drink.

"Wanna go for a walk?" he said, surprisingly softly.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Got water in yer ears, Shrimp? I said: wanna go for a walk?"

"W-why?"

"Cuz I don't like people much, rather talk outside."

"I suppose, it's not to cold out yet," she stood, "let's go."

With a grunt, Gajeel got up and headed for the door, leaving money on the bar. Enough for both their bills, levy noticed. By the time she had gotten outside Gajeel had his hands in his pockets, with a scowl on his face. When he saw her he nodded his head towards the direction the town park, she fallowed a foot or so behind.

"He has nice shoulders," she thought to herself as her eyes wondered down, "even has a nice b-"

He stopped short, causing Levy to slam into his back; "Gajeel, what the hell are y-"

"Shut it, Shrimp," he interrupted, "just look."

He was pointing the large tree in the center of the park, it was wreathed in light for the sun setting behind it. The way the rays of light shot through the leaves and how they moved side to side made it look like the sky was dancing.

"Woa..."

"I walk a lot," he stared, "clears my head. One time I was walkin' 'bout a year ago and I saw this." He motioned to the tree, "I didn't think much of it then, thought you'd like it."

"I do" was all she could muster, she was breath taken. Yes because of the wonderful sight but the fact the he found it. Levy knew he could be a nice guy but this was alien, beautiful. Slowly, she looked up at him to see something she'd never seen; he was smiling. Not the mean grins he wore or the cocky smirk; this was a genuine smile. Levy held her hands close to her chest tightly and took a breath; "thank you, Gajeel."

"Anytime, Shorty."

He turned then, hands burred once again, and began walking back into town.

"Where to know?" Levy inquired. The mass of silents only shrugged his shoulders.

"Anywhere, didn't have any thing more to ask."

"So you lied?"

"Yup."

"Bastard," she mumbled under her breath, "never going out with you again."

"Yeah right" Gajeel scoffed.

They walked in silents for along while, taking streets at random. No reason or rime. Slowly, Levy stared to ask questions of her own; "where are you from?" or "how are you doing in other classes", stuff like that. He only answered with one or two words, some times he just nodded or shrugged. Levy, slightly lagging behind, didn't mind, she knew that he would open up if she kept going.

After about a half an hour they sat down on a bench out front of a convenience store. Gajeel asked a few things here and there, but when Levy brought up cats his eyes widened.

"Do you have one?" she asked.

"Uhm well I mean I didn't want the littl' shit, but yeah I do" he pushed out.

"Whats it's name?" Levy giggled.

"...Pantherlily."

"That's so cute!" she swooned.

"Yeah yer say that till he craws yer legs up!"

The little ball of blue shock with laughter, even Gajeel chucked lowly. Checking her breath, Levy put an hand on her chest and sighed.

"I'll be right back," Gajeel huffed as he stood, "want anyin'?"

"No, I'm okay. Thanks."

The long glare he gave her told her that was the wrong answer.

"I'll have a tea? Their cheap here and its getting cold."

With a nod Gajeel wrenched open the door and entered.

Quickly, Levy produced her phone from her pocket and sent a text to Lucy, who she had informed about today; "it's going great!" It really was going better then she'd hope. She didn't even mind he had lied about the work, this was much better.

As she sat there, looking up at the darkening sky, Levy didn't notice the group of figures approaching.

"Hey, girly" spoke the first.

"Nice day an't it?" one with his hood pulled up cackled.

"It is" she replied bluntly. The small woman had dealt with these kinds of guys before; druggies, thugs and dropouts. She was not a fan.

"Something I can do for you?" she asked.

"Ya can make room on the bench for me and my friends" one in the back called. Altogether there had to be five.

"That set is taken by..."

"What? Your boyfriend? I'm sure we're a much better time" the "leader" interrupter. He lend in close, to close. Levy got a good whiff of smoke and beer that made her gag. He inched closer and closer giggling the hole way, but froze when the door of the store slammed wide.

"The hell ya think yer doin'?"

"Gajeel help!" Levy struggled but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"Gajeel mother fuckin' Redfox! It's been forever!" yelled the man holding her down.

"They knew Gajeel? How?" Levy asked herself.

"Not long enough," he scoffed, "if you ask me."

"Always so mean!"

"Hands off. Now" he ordered.

"Oh she's with you? Well ya know what they say: sharing is caring!" he started to lend in again but was stopped dead with a single club to the head.

"Like hell." Gajeel moved so fast it was hard for Levy to fallow. She saw him it the first one, kick the next ones leg out, elbow the third and that was it. In the end: fore thugs laid whimpering the ground, one hanging from his fist. The anger in his eyes would have scared Levy, and it did a little, but after dropping the last one he made his way over to her.

"Levy, you all right?" she nodded.

"Did he just use my name?"

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah of course."

"Good, let's go. Now."

The two hurried along with the street light guiding them. Levy had no idea where he was bringing her, not home for sure. After some amount of time he stopped. Levy realized then he had been clutching her hand their hole run.

As her face flushed red he spoke; "Listen, I an't no gentlemen or nothin', but ya told me you lived on yer own. I'm not goin' let ya do that tonight. Mine or yours?"

"What?"

"House! Mine or yours?"

"I-I don't know... who were they?"

"Shrimp listen; I'll fill you in later. Right now we gotta get some where safe."

Levy took a deep breath and squeezed tight on his rough hand; "yours."

With a grunt they were off again, running into the night.