So, if you have checked my profile you know this already but this story is coming to an end… this is the last official chapter but there should be an epilogue coming after this. But I'm not going to promise anything.

Anyway, hope you enjoy and leave a review unlike last chapter! *glares*

Also, this story almost has 5,000 views!

Chapter 19

"Do you really think we'll find him here, shrimp?" Gajeel asked swallowing nervously as he stared at the wooden door.

She shared his fear about what they were about to do; it could kill them or make them heros. But to her, if they didn't get him now when he was still recovering from his wounds that Gajeel had inflicted on him, they probably would never be able to pin him down again. "I don't know but this our best chance, so Gajeel try your hardest to beat him."

He nodded, acknowledging her statement before saying confidently, "Let's go kick some ass!" She couldn't stop the small smile from growing at what he said because it was so… Gajeel-like.

He kicked the door near the handle putting pressure on the lock that creaked before collapsing allowing the door to open. A slight breeze caused it to slam against the wall while the broken handle drooped. Levy winced at the sound, they had hoped to have the element of surprise on their side but then again, Gajeel had just kicked the door open.

"Lady's first," he stated and followed in after her with his hand ready to unsheathe his sword at a moment's notice.

"You know that I could have picked the lock right?" She pointed out casually.

He scowled, "if we are going to break and enter somewhere, we are going to do it on my rules, not some thief's."

"I'm not just 'some thief', I'll have you know." Levy huffed in annoyance.

"Oh, then what are you?"

"Don't use that tone with me, Gajeel Redfox."

"Who gave you the permission to call me by my full name, thief? Also you still haven't answered my question."

"As much as I'd like to tell you, I'm going to have to wait." She whispered, pointing towards the shadow that had started to move, separating itself from the rest. And it, unsurprisingly, looked like Zeref.

Gajeel took out his sword slowly, his gaze staying focused on on his opponent not wanting to miss a single detail. He shifted his grip on the handle till he was comfortable and satisfied with his stance.

"You ready to get pummeled to the ground!" He baited, wanting Zeref to make the first move and expend more energy.

"Did you think I would fall for such an amateur's trick?" Zeref scoffed, "Sorry to disappoint."

Well, there went that plan but he had others so all wasn't lost, yet.

Gajeel attacked at full force not holding back anything because if he was going to win he was going to have to use everything in his arsonal. He swung and was blocked but saw Zeref's arm trembling under the pressure, it seemed he hadn't fully recovered like Levy had thought.

Zeref realized his weakness too and quickly went on the offensive giving Gajeel a hard time but thanks to the training with Natsu, he was prepared for it. He changed stance bending his knees more that way the force under the blows would be slightly less effective in making him lose ground. He stayed in the stance for a couple minutes frustrating Zeref, who knew he had to end it fast or else he wouldn't win.

Gajeel's opponent went wide trying to create more momentum and force to make Gajeel lose his balance but instead found himself wincing in pain; one of his wounds had opened again. Gajeel went to finish him but Zeref gritted his teeth and blocked, ignoring the pain that was shooting up his back.

"Damn it, why can't you just die already!" Gajeel yelled before striking again but his swollen ankle collapsed so he ended up on the wooden floors and hitting his chin. Zeref raised his sword while Gajeel prepared himself for the hopefully quick death. The blade loomed over him coming closer and closer til he couldn't stand it and squeezed his eyes shut.

Nothing came though and so he opened his eyes. "Shrimp!" He gasped, she was standing over him with what seemed like a small dagger that had somehow blocked the death blow.

"Get up and hurry! Natsu didn't teach me much!" She rushed gritting her teeth as her limbs shook from being held in such a strenuous position. Zeref pushed harder and she groaned before letting out a scream and she pushed him back making Gajeel look in awe before rushing to cover her when she collapsed.

"That better not happen again because I won't be able to save you a second time." She grunted before eternally thanking herslef for bringing the dagger with her. It had just saved her life because Gajeel was her protection and without her protection she might as well be chopped liver.

Gajeel heard Levy but didn't respond, he was too busy trying to not get himself killed. Unlike last time they had fought, it was clear who had the advantage: Gajeel. While he may have slipped, Zeref was injured and was lacking the energy and strength to beat him.

Zeref stumbled backwards and Gajeel seizing the opportunity tried to swing at him a second time but the momentum of the first swing was still carrying and he was forced to let one had go to punch Zeref in the face.

Crunch.

Zeref let out a grunt of pain before falling on the the floor, knocked out cold.

"Ha! Take that!" Gajeel shouted triumphantly before leaning on his sword panting heavily.

Levy frowned concerned, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just give me a sec."

She nodded trying to dismiss the unease that was fluttering like butterflies in her stomach. To occupy herself while waiting for Gajeel to catch his breath, she took the rope out of the small bag she had brought and used it to tie up the unconscious man. Once she was done, she gave it one last look to make sure it was fine before moving to where Gajeel was leaning scanning his body to look for injuries.

Gajeel noticed, "I told you, I'm fine!"

"Your ankle," she raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Besides that."

"Let me see it." She commanded while rummaging through her bag searching for the bandages she had brought. Gajeel sighed but still held it up for her. She put on her glass and grabbed his foot being careful to be gentle.

It was even more swollen than it had been earlier which made her frown slightly but she brushed it off as because of the fight. It was an assortment of colors, blue, yellow, purple, even a greenish color appeared. She started prodding places wanting to know if it was broken.

"Ow." He winced, there went his pride, "could you be gentler, shrimp?"

"I'm being as gentle as I can. And how many times do I need to tell you that my name is not shrimp!"

"Yeah, yeah, short stuff."

"Or that!"

"Well, it's either that or shrimp." He stated before wincing again, she had poked him a little too hard for his comfort.

"Sorry." She muttered before, "I'd rather shrimp because some people wouldn't think it's for my size… I think."

"Alright, shrimp!"

She groaned, before she looked up in shock. "Evangeline! She might still be here!"

Gajeel got up but stopped when he sway a bit too much, "dammit!"

"Here hold on to me." She whispered as he wrapped his arm around her neck for balance. They hobbled out the door beginning the scavenger hunt for Evangeline.

They found her clutching a knife to her chest staring at them before charging making Levy shriek in surprise. Levy dodged the strike before dropping Gajeel as softly as she could but he still grunted.

"I've got this." Levy declared taking out her handy-dandy dagger.

Unlike Gajeel's fight, her's was short and only succeeded in making her heartbeat faster. Evangeline was clearly inexperienced, she didn't even know how to hold the knife in her hand right. Levy won by disarming her and then hitting her with the back of her dagger.

The guard was surprised to at the least, he didn't know that she could fight and she had been so graceful while she was at it. Something told him that the elegance he had just seen helped the thief with more than just fighting.

"How was that?" She asked.

He swallowed, she looked so pretty. The sweat glistened making her face shine unearthly, her cheeks were flushed from the exercise, and her eyes seemed to dance. His breath got caught in his throat when she crouched down to look at his ankle again and looked at him still waiting for his answer.

He licked his lips trying to form a sentence but ended up leaning towards her until their lips crashed together.

To his surprise, she kissed him back and it was just like he had imagined. Her lips tasted sweet like honey and he pushed harder, caught up in the moment. Finally, they separated when they both needed to get air.

Gajeel soon regretted it when the atmosphere turned awkward and they both struggled for words.

"Um.."

"I, uh."

"You go first!" They blurted out before blushing some more.

Levy leaned forward again and whispered something, "I liked it."

He stared at her in shock before smirking. She smiled back.

This time they both rushed forward and met at the middle.

So there should be an epilogue after this and if you have anything you want to happen in there, don't be shy, tell me!

And I've decided that if I do end up re-writing this, it's going to be in a while.

P.S. I just came out with another Gajevy story, Ink decorates Iron. You should go check it out.

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