So, I rewatched a little Fairy Tail.

The GaLe moments, mostly. Can we say, "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"?

It's just so fluffy! And I was like 'ermagherd the feels' the entire time, I swear. Especially that part where they're dancing?!

FANGIRL SCREAM!

But enough about my crazy GaLe shenanigans. A new chapter of Gajeel's mistake-making self is up! Enjoy!

The school day passed fast. Soon, it was afternoon and time to go home. Gajeel walked through the empty Fairy Academy with his hands stuffed in his pockets, going over his first day at his new school.

He ran into that Salamander again.

That short blue haired chick ran away from him when he tried to apologize to her, and dropped her book. He had the novel in his possession now.

Those two guys who had tried to punch him in class had been staring daggers his way the entire day. But he didn't really care what they thought of him.

The rest of the school day had gone fairly normal. Fairies looked like they wanted to kill him, but they knew he was going to their school for a reason. Everyone knew- Makarov had invited him. Why else would he have enrolled? Dr. Makarov trusted him enough to let him transfer to Fairy Tail. But the other students still gave him angry stares when he walked past. Yet, as he strode down the brightly lit halls of the school, his long black hair swished behind him nonchalantly and his red eyes glared back. He didn't really give a shit.

He was just passing by Dr. Makarov's office when he heard voices coming from the door. Normally, he would have brushed it off as nothing and walked past. But he heard something rather intriguing.

"...His name is Gajeel."

Gajeel's ears perked up. He squinted at the door and saw two figures talking to each other behind it. Both figures were rather short- the shorter one was probably Dr. Makarov.

"I want you to show him around. Be his guide, he's new." Dr. Makarov rumbled to the figure beside him. "He's rough around the edges, but I know your kindness can let him open up to Fairy Tail."

Then, a soft voice spoke. It was the voice of a girl, who was the other figure in the office.

"I understand, Dr. Makarov... but I'm still a little uncomfortable around him... Maybe he'll think I'm annoying..." She said. The girl sounded a bit... broken. Gajeel walked up to the door and strained to hear the conversation.

"If you're not willing to do it, I won't force you." The principal continued. "But I think once he is accepted by you, he will be accepted by everyone. All of your classmates love you, the girl who will help you whenever you need it. The girl who can inspire, and teach, and possibly holds more imagination than all the books in the world." Gajeel could almost feel her smile radiating from inside. "Why not share it with a young man who could use a little... love?"

The pierced boy almost snorted. He didn't need LOVE! What, did the principal think he was some kind of pansy that needed to have attention every minute of the day? Gajeel was fine on his own! He PREFERRED solitude! Just as he was about to saunter away in indignation, the girl in Dr. Makarov's office replied.

"He scares me."

Gajeel stood stone-still, his studded ear pressed against the door. He was drinking in every word the two exchanged.

She was scared of him...?

For some reason, that made him feel a little cold on the inside. It was a feeling in the pit of his stomach, like it was sinking.

It was guilt.

After only a day at Fairy Tail, he had already experienced GUILT.

What kind of pansy would he be at the end of the year?

Maybe hearing his own name spoken fondly for once had melted the heart he thought was pure titanium. Maybe the Fairies were ALL putting spells on him. Maybe that hit on the back of the head last summer had taken away a part of his identity.

But in the end it didn't matter.

Gajeel was feeling guilty. Just a smidge, but enough to make his heart sink and look down at the ground.

Suddenly, something snapped the pierced boy out of his thoughts- the girl spoke again.

"I have to be honest with you, Dr. Makarov. You showed me a new world- Fairy Tail High, with a library chock full of books I could devour by the day. It was a utopia for a bookworm like me. Fairy Tail was like my bubble of security. Anytime I was having trouble at home, with family..."

The pierced boy listened intently. Perhaps there was some history here?

"If I came here, I'd be greeted with warm smiles from all the teachers and staff. Most of all, a kind pat on the back from the librarian. But now, I kind of feel like that bubble has been popped. I suddenly feel exposed with him around. Like he's in a place he shouldn't be. He's just so strong, so deadly, savage-looking, almost. I thought I could forget, over the summer, maybe, what he did to me... But the pain and shock..."

The girl trailed off. Now, Gajeel was quite aware of who was behind the door.

Levy McGarden.

"I understand, Levy." Dr. Makarov said.

"I'm sorry to let you down, Dr. Makarov." Levy said, swallowing. If she had sounded broken before, now she sounded completely wrecked.

"It's alright. It's okay." The old principal patted her arm like an old grandfather would to his crying granddaughter.

Silence followed.

Finally, the blue haired girl spoke.

"No." Levy said, her voice hardening. "I'm weak and I barely reach five feet tall. But that doesn't stop me from being strong on the inside. Maybe Gajeel does need some love, after all. And I'll give it to him."

She inhaled deeply, as if hardening herself and preparing for something big.

"Kindness is like a good story. You have to pass it on or it'll disappear completely."

Dr. Makarov chuckled. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. If you trust him, I will too. That's what family's all about, isn't it? Trust."

''That's correct." The old principal cleared his throat and continued. "I'm proud of you, Levy. It was a mature decision. And who knows? He might be a very interesting character under that hard shell he wears all the time. If he's a nut, you're the nutcracker." Levy giggled.

"I can see it." Dr. Makarov said. Gajeel could see only the shadows of the two, but could tell that the man was smiling warmly. "There's good in everyone."

"Yes." Levy replied.

Gajeel just leaned there, his pierced ear pressed up against the door listening. He was thinking.

Good in everyone...

He was swimming in a thunderstorm of his own thoughts, oblivious to whatever sounded around him.

"You're free to go, Levy. See you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Dr. Makarov. I promise, I'll find a way to make him warm up."

He didn't hear that.

Gajeel was still thinking about his life when the door suddenly opened and whacked him in the face.

"OW!"

Quickly, he stumbled away from the door and rubbed his forehead. Ow. Looking up, he saw Levy gasp.

The two just stared at each other for a moment, her hazel eyes flickering with fear and his red ones with embarrassment. He had been caught eavesdropping.

"...Sup?"

Levy inhaled sharply, and began to slowly back away. She put her right foot behind her left foot, preparing to break into a full run, when Gajeel caught her wrist and held her.

"Oi, don't run away... I, um, got somethin' of yours-"

"L-let me go!" She stuttered quickly, jerking on her hand. His grip remained strong. "Just wait, dammit!" He growled. With his fingers still wrapped around Levy's wrist, Gajeel shrugged his backpack off and dug through it. He had to return her book.

"Here."

He pulled the book out and held it out to her. Looking uncertain and afraid, the blue haired girl took the book.

"Now, I got somethin' to tell ya-"

But before he could even finish his sentence, Levy bolted away. Her curly, electric-blue hair flew out behind her as she ran, and her already small figure faded into the distance. The girl was gone.

"Goddammit." Gajeel growled under his breath, shaking his head. She had fled from him AGAIN. He just wanted to give her the book, and she took it and ran away.

He sighed.

"Gajeel." Someone rumbled from behind him. Whipping around, he found it was none other than Dr. Makarov himself. Gajeel said nothing- he just stared at his old, grandfatherly principal.

"Whaddya want?" He finally grumbled.

"Gajeel, let me give you some advice."

"I don't need advi-"

"In this world, there are those who prefer solitude. But nobody can withstand it."

Silence.

"What I say is true." Dr. Makarov said, closing his eyes. Gajeel didn't respond at all. The old principal nodded to him, and went back into his office.

Nobody can withstand it...

Absent-mindedly, Gajeel turned and began to go as Gajeel walked away from Fairy Tail Academy, he did not notice the tip of a plum purple hat sticking out of the bushes nearby.

Late at night, Gajeel laid in bed, awake.

Thinking.

Did I like my first day at Fairy Tail?

Not really.

He remembered the glares and the whispering as he walked past all the Fairy Tail students. Sure, he looked like he couldn't care less what they thought, but maybe he did.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have felt that tiny bit of guilt when Levy had said she was scared of him.

"There are those in this world who prefer solitude. But nobody can withstand it."

Being alone was something he thought he wanted. At Phantom Lord, he was always alone. Even with Aria, Juvia, Sol, and Totomaru, he still felt like they were miles away and he was by himself. Because they weren't his friends, they were lifeless chunks of stone that he stood by to make himself look stronger. So they didn't even count as company, and he really WAS alone. And while alone, was he happy?

Sometimes... but not really.

Maybe I should give Fairy Tail a try.

I ain't got anywhere else to go.

Once the Fairies accepted him, he could be happy. He could have real friends, who could hang around him and actually like his company. And talk. And fight.

I don't need that shit.

Oh, who the hell am I kiddin'. I ain't the tin man, I got a heart. And it's okay to want friends, isn't it? Because I'm human.

Gajeel let out an agitated sigh. He really DID want to have some good buddies. They could screw around together, and brawl for fun. Maybe they could holler at hot chicks four years older than them and get rejected all at the same time. Anything was fun when you did it with friends.

And at Fairy Tail, EVERYONE was friends with each other. How would it feel to be in a school where everyone loved you, and had your back?

Phantom didn't have that.

How would it feel to actually be liked?

Gajeel knew someone that probably experienced that feeling every day.

Levy McGarden.

I want some friends after all, he thought to himself.

I guess that starts with making friends with Levy.

The next day, Gajeel walked into school with his rose-red eyes shining. Today was the day he would really become part of Fairy Tail. He knew he wanted to- then he could be happy. Have friends. Have fun. Not feel like he was sitting by himself in the middle of a deserted parking lot every day. His iron pipe knocked against the walls of his backpack as he strolled through the gates of the academy, bouncing along with his steps. The sun beamed down in the courtyard of the school, warming the area and illuminating it in soft golden light.

"OOIII! GAJEEL!" Someone howled. Suddenly, something hit him in the shoulder, knocking him sideways a little.

"What the fu- SALAMANDER!"

Indeed, it was the hot-headed, pink haired, sauce guzzling Salamander Natsu who had punched him. HIs white scarf blew out from behind him, and his lips were split into a cheeky grin.

''Hehe! Let's go, Gajeel! You and me!" Natsu yelled, kicking straight at Gajeel's face. Hastily, the pierced boy dodged it and sent his own flying punch back.

"You wanna fight, Salamander?" Gajeel said, baring a fanged smile. Natsu laughed back and charged. The two collided and began wrestling on the floor, pummeling each other and laughing violently.

''You fight like a girl!"

"Really? I'd hate to hear what YOU fight like!"

"Idiot!"

"Dumbass!"

"Hehe!"

"Gihi!"

They both flew apart, grinning and panting heavily. Gajeel let out a bark of laughter, strong and loud. It was his first real laugh in a long time. Not condescending or mocking.

Real. Full of joy and happiness.

Just like he wanted.

Natsu looked happy too, and his wide smile shone brightly at Gajeel. Getting up, he chuckled.

"Hey Gajeel."

"What?" The pierced boy tried to wipe his smile off his face so Natsu wouldn't see. He looked away, pretending to be irritated.

"I wanna introduce you to some other guys, come on."

OH, who am I kidding?

I can't do it.

Levy was hiding behind a pillar in Fairy Academy's courtyard, watching two boys brawl on the ground together. They were howling with mirth and it looked like they were having an awful amount of fun.

One of those boys was Gajeel.

Yesterday, Levy said that she could be Gajeel's guide and friend. But how could she do that if she couldn't even approach him? She could only watch him from the shadows like some weird stalker.

But she couldn't really help it. He was so tall, and huge, and powerful. Overwhelming.

Scary.

No, Levy, you have to. You promised Dr. Makarov, remember? It's for him. I'm not doing this for that guy who beat me and tied me to a tree, I'm doing it for my principal.

Yeah.

Dr. Makarov's counting on me. I can't let him down. He wanted Gajeel here, and wants to make him part of our family. And I have to remember all that Dr. Makarov's done for me... So, what Dr. Makarov wants is what I want!

I'm going in!

Levy needed to keep her eyes on the ground. If her eyes met Gajeel's piercing red ones full of bad memories and terror, it would be GAME OVER. She'd run away like she had the past two times.

He had heard her conversation with Dr. Makarov, and she said she was scared of him. He knew everything! He heard everything! And even after hearing all of that, Gajeel was still kind enough to return one of her books to her. How did she thank him? By running away!

The blue haired girl almost slapped herself in the face for that one. It made her want to cringe every time she thought about it.

No, it's okay. I'll just apologize to him and things will be fine. Everything will be fine.

Gulping, she looked to the courtyard.

GAJEEL WAS NOT THERE ANYMORE.

"OOOIIIIIII! GRAY, YOU BASTARD!" Natsu roared. "C'MERE!"

"What is it, you hotheaded idiot?!" Someone shouted back.

"Get your frozen ass over here!"

Much grumbling followed, and soon, a boy showed up. He was of average height, and wore only a pair of navy shorts. A chain necklace dangled from his neck, and he had a head full of shaggy blue-black hair.

"Eh? It's you, that metal-faced guy who hurt one of our friends!" The boy growled, a vein popping up in his forehead.

"Easy, Gray, Makarov invited him. Don't know why, though- look at this guy, PFFT!" Natsu laughed, slapping Gajeel on the back. "Seriously, Natsu?!" The dark-haired boy asked incredulously. His obsidian eyes flicked to Gajeel. He got a cold red stare in return.

"A'iight. I ain't here to argue. But if you lay a finger on any of us again, I'll make sure you get full Fairy wrath. Comprende?" Gajeel grunted and shrugged.

The three boys smirked at each other, already adopting Gajeel into their circle of friends. And although the rough, tough, pierced boy would never admit it, it felt good.

Friendship.

"YOU, THE UNMANLY ONE!" A deep voice barked from behind him. Gajeel swiveled around to face the noise.

He stood looking up at an immensely tall boy with tan skin and spiky white hair. An impressive scar extended from the bottom of his right eye to his ear. The dude had a dark look on his face, and his lips were split into a threatening scowl. Gajeel already knew what was going to come next.

"DO YOU KNOW THAT IT IS NOT MANLY TO BEAT THOSE WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING TO YOU?!" He boomed. "YOU, WHO HAS DAMAGED LEVY MCGARDEN'S BODY AND SOUL!"

''I ain't here to cause a fight. Makarov invited me, even." Gajeel said, holding his hands up. He looked to his newfound buddies.

"Elfman, it's cool," Natsu said, "He's with us."

Gajeel felt like his heart was going to explode with happiness.

He'd never show it, of course.

The large boy backed off, and stared uncertainly at Gajeel. "You have yet to prove yourself as a man, but if you do anything unmanly to us-"

"Then you'll have my ass. I get it." The pierced boy said, smirking. A matching smirk formed on the large boy's face, and he nodded.

"That is correct." He said. Holding out a huge, rough hand, the boy introduced himself. "The name's Elfman. I am a MAN!"

"Sure hope so." Said Gajeel, slapping it.

Gajeel took a closer look at Elfman. He was carrying something quite large on his back.

"Dude, what's that?"

"Oh, this?" Elfman took it off. "It's my sister's guitar. I'm carrying it for her because I AM A MAN!" He yelled, doing a fist pump.

A little spark popped up in Gajeel's eyes. He knew how to play the guitar, and he goddamn LOVED IT.

"Can I play it?"

"I'm sure Nee-san wouldn't mind. She's kind to everyone. SHE IS A MAN!"

Gajeel sweatdropped a little. It wasn't possible to call a man 'sister' but Elman probably had some obsession with referring to people as men. "Sweet." he said, holding his hand out. Elfman handed the guitar case to him, and he opened it carefully.

"WOW..." Natsu and Gray leaned over Gajeel's shoulder, admiring the guitar. It was pure white, with gleaming silver strings. The guitar was electric.

Natsu chuckled. "Didn't know you could play, man. I sing a little myself."

"You sound like a cat dying in a fire." Gray replied.

"Oh yeah?! Well your drum playing sounds like... Sounds like a cat being frozen to death!"

"Idiot, that's not even possible!"

"Yeah it is, you ice-eating bastard!"

"Hot-sauce guzzling dumbass!"

Gajeel rolled his red eyes as the two continued to bicker. He turned to Elfman. "Do they always do this shit?"

"Yes, they constantly argue manly arguments. But they're really the best of friends." The large boy put a finger on his chin. "They're almost like manly brothers."

Shrugging, Gajeel turned back to the guitar. It was beautiful, almost as beautiful as his dreaded iron pipe. The instrument shone in the early morning sun, and the pierced boy handled it with the utmost care. Taking it out of the case, he slung the strap around his torso.

And then, he started to play.

"In this world, where ya look like a dumbass for doin' what's right..." He strummed a dramatic chord. "...You always looked like a dumbass, ya know?"

The boy cleared his throat, preparing to go into full rock band guitarist mode. Natsu, Gray, and Elfman watched him closely, waiting for the big moment.

''COLORFUL, COLORFUL... SHOOBY DO BOP!" Gajeel screeched, throwing a rock hand in the air. "TREMBLE WITH LOVE, STEEL GRAY METALLIC!"

If it were humanly possible, Natsu, Gray, and Elfman would have turned to stone right there.

His singing was EAR SHATTERINGLY HORRIBLE. It was more like screaming. But, judging by Gajeel's appearance, he probably listened to heavy metal screeching all the time. His guitar playing wasn't bad, though- it was fast and obviously skilled.

"That's shit!" Gray yelled. "Your singing sucks worse than Natsu's!"

"What'd ya say, ya shirtless asshole?!" Gajeel roared, not bothering to stop playing the guitar. "Ya think ya can do better?"

"Anything's better than that!" Natsu sputtered in laughter. Elfman chuckled as well, a beastly grin forming on his lips.

"You wanna go?!"

"Let's go!"

"A manly battle!"

"You guys are idiots!"

Gajeel took off the guitar and put it back in its case. He shut the lid gently, and turned to his three new "friends".

"HERE I FUCKIN' COME, BITCHES!"

Smirking, the four boys jumped at each other.

Gajeel was sitting in class, scowling like he had yesterday. Yet, on the inside, he was happy.

Very happy.

Brawling with Natsu, Gray, and Elfman had been fun. And it wasn't rotten, mischief-y fun, it was pure fun that you got from hanging out with friends.

He liked that kind of fun.

Gajeel wanted more than ever to be a part of Fairy Tail.

And Gajeel knew, that after many terrible decisions in his life, this one was not a mistake.

Levy shut her locker. It was time to go home. Hefting her backpack, she began to go over the events of the day.

She had been too scared to approach Gajeel, and never got the chance to talk to him/ show him other parts of the school like she had promised Makarov.

Jet and Droy, her best friends, seemed seething mad over Gajeel. STILL. It was touching to see how much they cared, yet a little annoying. It wasn't like she was completely defenseless...

Okay, maybe she was.

But that didn't matter. The two didn't need to worry about her so much.

Sighing, Levy walked down the clean white hallways of the academy towards the door. Maybe she'd go check out a new book or something. Or visit Lucy at her own locker.

"Hey, Levy." Someone said from behind her. She stopped walking and turned around.

Behind her was Laxus, the school's most popular boy. He was the grandson of Dr. Makarov, and a role model to a lot of underclassmen at the academy. Levy and Laxus had partnered up for a big project last year, and the two made a kick-ass presentation that had gotten them a solid A+. They worked surprisingly well together, with Levy as the inspiration and Laxus as the dream-chaser. Both were top students, and they became friends.

"Oh, hi, Laxus.'' Levy replied. She smiled at him, and he grinned down at her.

"Off to the library, huh?"

"Probably."

"That's what I thought." He chuckled. "Mind if I go with you? I'm bored."

"Sure, let's go."

Laxus's loud steps echoed over Levy's petite ones as the two walked together. They talked happily, enjoying each other's company.

Then, a figure with long black hair and piercings shut his locker, about ten feet away from Levy and Laxus.

Gajeel.

Levy froze.

This is my chance! I should go up and talk to him!

She tried lifting a foot to walk, but it wouldn't move. She really WAS frozen.

N-no... I'm too scared, aren't I? But I have to! I promised Dr. Makarov I would! That was stupid...

Laxus raised a blonde brow at Levy's fearful expression. He turned to see what she was looking at.

It was a tall boy, his height easily over six feet. But he wasn't taller than Laxus. The boy was built like an ox, and wild black hair ran down his back.

Suddenly, he knew who it was. He knew why Levy was staring at him like he was about to eat her. He knew everything.

He was Gajeel, the guy who had hurt Levy and tied her to a tree.

Laxus hadn't been at the war between the Fairies at the Phantoms, so he had never seen this so-called 'Gajeel'. But it didn't matter what he looked like- if he had hurt Levy, he'd have to pay. The blonde haired boy growled as he saw Gajeel leave.

Turning back to Levy with concern-filled eyes, he saw that she was... quivering. Oh so slightly, but enough for Laxus to see. She was afraid and he knew it. He looked back at Gajeel's fading form.

An eye for an eye.

ALLLLLLRIGHT!

This chapter took quite a while to get out, since I'm still struggling with getting Gajeel to realize he likes Fairy Tail, and not make him seem OOC... It's difficult, but I know I'll get there!

Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'...

I love Ellen Degeneres's voice. It's funny.

AHEM! Anyway, thank you for reading. Leave some feedback, favorite, follow, the good stuff. See you next time!