A/N: From an AU prompt on Tumblr. "you caught some guy trying to drug my drink at the bar so u punched him and now we're at my place where i'm cleaning the blood off your face and endlessly thanking you" au

Altered just a little bit(because I can't see Levy taking a guy home the same night she meets him). Also, for anyone wondering, I am now collecting all my oneshots in one place. That's why this is posting twice :]

"Come on, just hang out for a lil. I don't bite." The glassy-eyed male slurred to her, leaning precariously on his stool.

The blunette wrinkled her nose at the stench of gin. "No, thank you, I was just leaving actually." She feigned a polite, stiff smile at the persistent drunk on the stool next to her and crossed her legs, angling her shoulder towards him.

The whole night she had been regretting being so uncharacteristic. But Lucy was ever the convincing one, and she had begged her over and over to come out with them to the local bar, because "reading is not what normal people do on a Friday night." She had finally conceded, but she was reminded again why she wasn't a fan of this kind of scene. It was loud, it smelled like sweat, and was crawling with people like the one that had settled next to her. Not to mention the dress code to these kinds of clubs was stifling and the white pumps she had borrowed from Lucy were anything but comfortable(how does she go a whole night, dancing like she does in these?). At least her dress was comfortable, however the attention it drew wasn't.

Levy had tried her best for Lucy, and to her credit, had stayed for an hour and a half, consoling herself with light beverages, and danced a little to the few songs that she knew. She certainly wasn't opposed to drinking, it was fun socially and Levy, if she said so herself, was a fantastic drunk. It was a privilege for anyone that got to see that side of her. But there was little point doing it in a place like this and the buzz only made her feel insecure. She far preferred dive bars, or doing it at someone's house. Usually Lucy's.

Speaking of, it had been at least two songs since her friend had checked in, and Levy was about to close out. She swiveled in her seat, looking back to the dance floor and completely ignoring the man next to her. Maybe he would get the hint?

Levy spotted the familiar pale blue skintight dress in the crowd and smiled a little. At least someone was having a blast. When she turned back around, the man was still there, though quietly looking at the bar rather than her. Levy reached for her rum and coke to finish it off, when everything seemed to happen at once. Suddenly she was wearing her drink, and her 'suitor' was flying over the bar.

"Hey, scumbag!"

Gajeel was mid sip when his mouth dropped open and the black straw fell from his lips. He might have dribbled a little whiskey on himself in the process. Red eyes widened on the dumbstruck, studded face of the large black-haired male. The conversation happening on the couch around him faded to the background the second that ray of sunshine entered the spot.

She. Was. Stunning.

Her wild cerulean hair caught his attention first, standing out starkly in the crowd and was accented with a small white, floral hairpin that held some of it from her face; her soft, adorable face with cheeks flushed in uncertainty. It was clear by her body language that this wasn't her scene, any guy could see that. But she still carried herself in that tantalizing yellow dress like she could easily hold her own. Every step in those heels, which did fantastic things for her cream-colored legs, ruffled the fabric against her petite form underneath, giving torturous hints at the curves it hid.

He was dumbstruck, and he was definitely not a stranger to this kind of scene, with its ample share of girls that tried very hard to be the one that stood out. Which generally did the opposite for Gajeel. But she…she could have walked in there in a t-shirt and jeans and he was pretty damn sure he would have been just as drawn to her. He was thankful for their choice of seating, as it gave him a clear view of almost the whole place, and thus a chance to keep his needy gaze on her for half the night.

His face burned with desire the few times she moved to the dancefloor with her friend, because oh god, every swing of those hips had him like a dog with a treat being waved over his head. But somehow, he was just as content to watch her when she moved back to the bar to order another drink and catch a breather, based on the adorable little sigh her tiny frame heaved out when she sat down.

Every time she took a seat, he told himself he was going to march over there and buy her a drink. And each time his stomach flared up with infuriating flutters that kept him glued to his seat. What the hell! Why am I being such a pussy? He scolded himself.

The final time she took a seat, which really looked like the final with the tired slump of her sweat-glazed shoulders, he steeled himself to get up and go over to her. But he had just barely shifted in his seat when someone else swept in and stole his place. That's what ya get for being so slow. He growled a little, unsure why he felt such a jealous pang in his chest, and settled back into his seat, taking a sharp, burning sip of his drink.

"Oi, earth to metalhead! Did you hear me or what?"

Red eyes swung back to the pink-haired boy seated across from him at the table. A grimace spread on the large man's studded face. "Quiet down flamebrain I heard ya. I don't care what bar we go to next, you guys can pick. Lemme finish my drink first at least."

Natsu grinned and leaned forward a bit and tilted his head. "Are you sure? You seem to really be enjoying yourself here." He poked, laughing to himself, before looking to the crowded bar to the girl that, apparently, was tantalizing enough to have their companion so spaced. "Are you gonna go over there or what?"

Gajeel prickled and chucked a piece of ice at him, nailing him square in the cheek with a satisfying yelp. "Shut up!" He snapped with a growl to follow. The outburst only brought out a pulse of laughter from the group, with nudging elbows and more teases. "The shots are hitting me is all. Damn, can't a guy enjoy his buzz in peace?" He shot back, directing his gaze back to the fairy at the bar with a huff

A satisfied grin spread on his face as she turned a cold shoulder to the guy to, probably, look for her friend. Gihe, better luck next time chump. He thought, pleased.

Movement from the male, however, caught his attention. The guy's hand reached up, quickly, to the top of her drink and then retreated back to his side as he sat forward. Gajeel's eyes narrowed and he felt a sudden fire in his chest, a snarl building in his throat. His red eyes looked quickly to the oblivious bartender, and then to anyone else around her that didn't seem to notice. "Oh, that fucking bastard." His sudden outburst caught his group's attention, but he had already slammed down his drink and was beelining across the bar before he even realized what he was doing.

He watched her, in slow motion, turn to reach for her drink, and saw the sly,infuriating look the guy next to her shot her.

"Hey, scumbag!" He roared as the surprised man whirled to look at him. In one fluid motion, one hand toppled the drink in the girl's grip, and the other wound back, before landing a fist square in his face that sent him headfirst over the bar and onto the floor on the other side.

Gajeel shook his hand out at his side, the rush in his chest putting him sky high. But nowhere near as high as she sent him when she turned those big, surprised, honey-colored eyes onto him. Everyone immediately around them stopped for a moment in shock, giving the two a few seconds to catch up. Her hands were suspended uselessly at her sides, and he saw now that he had ruined her dress. Guilt started to rise in him, and he watched her expression go from surprise to fear, as Gajeel opened his mouth to blurt out, in his defense, "He fucking tried to drug you."

The blunette's eyes lit suddenly with understanding and a hand flew over her mouth.

"Stay out of our business!" A second person, likely a friend of the first man, spun Gajeel by the shoulder, sending his long black ponytail swirling around him. He heard her yelp–a sound that wrenched his gut–when the guy connected a fist to Gajeel's cheek, who only stumbled slightly. Head to the side, a grin and a chuckle spread on his face, as he touched the fresh cut on his cheek and looked at the blood on his fingertips.

Gajeel sidestepped ever so slightly and stood up straight, squaring himself protectively between the tiny woman and the man that had caught him by surprise. He flexed threateningly, muscles rippling beneath the struggling black button down. He was at least several inches taller, and he angled his chin upwards slightly to look down his nose at the offender. "Gihe…Nice shot." Gajeel rumbled, as the smaller man got a full look at who he had just hit, and realized that he had made a pretty catastrophic mistake. "Lemme show you mine." An apology had started to rise, Gajeel could see it, but he wasn't going to have it from trash like him. He wound again, and hit the poor idiot with an uppercut that sent him flying just like his buddy.

Only then did the bouncers finally catch up to what had happened so quickly, and Gajeel raised his arms in surrender as they roughly ushered him outside. A smile remained plastered on his face, especially when he heard Natsu shouting cheers from the other side of the bar.

He was shoved roughly onto the sidewalk and waved a dismissive hand at them, "Yeah yeah. Learn to do your actual job. I did ya a favor." Gajeel grumbled at them, dabbing his fingers at his sore cheek. Guess that's the end of my bar crawl. He plunged his hands into his pockets and started to make his way down the street back home to get cleaned up. Gajeel couldn't feel any regret for it, however. He'd do it again. Easily. That kind of shit wasn't going to fly, and hell if he was going to let anything happen to her.

"Wait!"

The sudden, very feminine voice behind him made him turn, and his face flared up again. There she was, stained dress and all, and half out of breath. Somehow, even in her ruined clothes, she looked absolutely perfect. How the hell, man. Who is she?

Levy's eyes swept over him, finally able to get a clear look at him, and a very noticeable blush spread on her features that was massively satisfying to Gajeel. Oh no. He's really handsome! She thought, alarmed that her savior was not only a very good person, clearly, but that he was mind-blowingly attractive. Which surprised her, given his unorthodox appearance. But somehow the piercings only seemed to accent his chiseled features, and the way his shirt protested against the muscles underneath was criminal. The intense red eyes were captivating in their own right, and that long black mane, pulled pack into a thick ponytail, only added to the sudden attraction.

When she saw his face, however, her eyes widened in surprise. "You're bleeding! A lot!"

"Yeah, it ain't a big deal." He replied nonchalantly. After a moment, he looked her over again, in a different manner. "You okay?" He asked, the gentleness in his tone betraying his appearance.

She smiled a warm, perfect smile, and nodded. "You're not though." She insisted, holding up a wad of napkins she must have stolen from the bar. Gajeel arched a brow and looked from her hand to her.

"I told ya, I'm–"

"Sit down will you?" She asked, "You're too tall." She added, an air of adorable embarrassment her tone. Fuck, with a voice like that he couldn't do anything but oblige, and he plopped down on the curb.

The girl walked over and rested a small hand on his shoulder–an action that sent fire throughout his body–to steady herself as she lowered down and sat next to him with her legs spread straight out in front of her to maintain her modesty. He couldn't take his eyes of her, especially when she reached up with one of the napkins and started to dab at his face. "Thank you." She said sincerely, his eyes torturously focused on her mouth.

"It was nothin. The guy was garbage." Gajeel mumbled.

"Seriously though, thank you." Levy said again. "I was stupid to look away, I know better. If you hadn't intervened, I'd be in trouble." She shuddered a little in a way that struck Gajeel with the sudden urge to wrap her in his arms and never let go again. To keep that tiny, beautiful woman safe.

"Glad to help, shorty." He replied, and the blunette suddenly pulled her hand from his face. He raised his brows, and couldn't help but laugh at the precious look of annoyance on her face and the angry flush on her cheeks.

"I am not that short!" She shot back.

"Gi he he! Yeah ya are. Even in those heels you don't even come close to eye level." Gajeel teased, savoring the reactions from her.

"I have a name y'know." She grumbled, resuming her care of his face. "I'm Levy."

"Gajeel." He responded. Her name was just as cute as the rest of her, and how that was possible was beyond him. "Sorry about the dress."

Levy smiled again, and the flutter in his stomach returned along with the burning blush on his face. "It's okay, I'll get another." She shrugged. I'll buy you one. He thought suddenly. "Funny way to meet someone, but nice to meet you, Gajeel." She replied with that bright smile of hers.

Gajeel stared at her for a moment, trying his best to quell the desire raging in him and the things her touch on his face was doing for him. It, however, was in vain. She had him entirely awestruck and she wasn't even trying. His eyes drifted down to her alluring, pink lips, and his mouth went dry as his mind went hazy.

The man reached out, and placed his hand–the same had that had ruined two grown men–incredibly gently on her cheek. Levy's cheeks lit up, but she did not protest as he leaned forward and swiftly, confidently closed the distance between them. His kiss was gentle, tentative, and it sent electricity through them both. It was a chance, and he didn't know if she would reject him. But her sharp intake of breath, the pressure she exerted back against him, and the hand that found a resting place against his chest and gripped at his shirt was the approval he sought.

The two broke apart, out of breath and hazy-eyed when cat calls and cheers erupted behind them. "That's the man!"

Gajeel looked past his–his?–company at Natsu, Grey and the others, along with the blonde girl that had come with his–his?–blunette. He groaned and rolled his eyes, but Levy merely giggled. "I wondered how long that would take them." He looked down her flushed, but very very happy face.

"You uh, wanna go out sometime?" He asked carefully, feeling nerves twist in his stomach. "I'd ask you to now but I'm sure ya wanna change."

Levy beamed and had him slain, for the umpteenth time, on the spot. "I'd like that. Without the entourage?" She jerked her head back at the group that had gathered.

"Definitely without any of them. Or guys I have to punch." He responded with a pleased smirk as he hauled himself to his feet first, then turned and extended a hand to her. Levy continued to beam, on cloud nine from the very unexpected conclusion to her night, and placed her tiny hand in his.