A/N: ANNOUNCEMENT... This chapter is shorter, but I'll make it up to you! From now on, I'll be uploading TWO chapters a week. One on Monday and one on Friday :)
CHAPTER THREE
It had been two months since Gajeel had first met Levy, and in that time he learned several things.
First, she practiced a lot. She had ballet practice every day except Sunday, her only off day. Apparently she was training for some massive performance that would be at the end of the year. A ton of scouts from professional dance companies would be attending, and as Levy put it, it would be her 'make or break performance.'
Second, she worked at the library on campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which also happened to be the days he conveniently needed to check out a book. Gajeel had never used his library card so much. That was another thing! He'd never once had a library card. But when Levy saw him coming in as often as he did, she eagerly asked if he wanted a card. That was the same day she wore that short skirt, hugging her butt in the most delicious way… Gajeel didn't even remember her asking about wanting a library card, but somehow he signed up for one.
Third, Levy did yoga in the mornings before class. He hadn't been fortunate enough to see her doing this, but he saw her one morning while he was getting coffee. They bumped into each other in the coffee shop (for the first time, a complete accident on Gajeel's part). She was ordering some iced coffee before going to her yoga class. The incredibly tight yoga leggings and off-shoulder sweater she was wearing were more than intriguing. It was around this time that Gajeel realized he just about knew her whole schedule.
The final thing Gajeel learned was that he was hopelessly, completely, madly, stupidly in love with Levy. He was addicted to her. From the way she twisted her hair and bit her lip when she was nervous to how she chattered on excitedly about the latest book she read—which was all the time. The girl always had a book in her hand. He loved how she walked, the sweetness of her voice, the way her soft, cerulean curls would brush her neck when she moved. He loved watching her dance when he passed by the practice studio, only occasionally going in to watch. He just loved her. In the two months he'd come to know her, they became fast friends. And like some sappy wuss, any chance he got to see her, he jumped on it.
They would study together on Monday night at the coffee shop, but it usually ended in them talking and laughing. Gajeel loved how open she was. She was the most intelligent person he'd ever met, and she genuinely cared about what he had to say. She listened to him with keen interest, no matter the topic. Gajeel also loved how she didn't judge him. Levy wasn't scared of him like most people, and she didn't secretly stare at his scars and metal studs in disgust. It was like she didn't even notice.
But he was also aware that she was so far out of his league it was ridiculous.
When Gajeel first learned of his feelings for her, he accepted the fact that she was strictly untouchable. She didn't feel the same way, and she never would. Not for a monster like him. Besides, he was dying. What did it even matter? Just her friendship was more than enough for him.
As Monday night dictated, they were currently at the coffee shop. By the time Gajeel had arrived, Levy was already seated at their usual spot—a velvet couch in the corner by the window. There was a small table in front of them that her books were laid out on, and two mugs sat on the table. She knew Gajeel's order by heart now, as he knew hers. From the window outside, he watched as she took a sip of her coffee, and he smiled. As beautiful as ever.
He stepped inside, thankful for the air conditioner. The early summer air was stifling outside. His black t-shirt seemed to cling to his skin, and even with a ponytail, his wild hair stuck to his neck uncomfortably. He grumbled, scowling as he tugged at his shirt. Scarlet eyes shifted to Levy, and he paused to take a minute to drink her in.
A lace headband, accompanied by a small white flower, kept her curls away from her face. Red reading glasses perched on her nose as she absently took another sip of coffee while writing something down in her notebook. Her light pink shirt and denim shorts seemed to fit her like a glove. Gajeel swallowed. Yeah, studying isn't going to happen today. He'd be lucky just to even open a textbook with her looking like that.
"Hey, shrimp."
Levy looked up and beamed at him. "Gajeel!"
She moved her backpack and he sat down beside her, taking the coffee cup she offered him. "Thanks."
"How was work?"
He took a long sip, reveling in the caffeine boost he'd have soon and the taste of bitter coffee. "Like any other day."
She laughed and crossed her legs, turning on the couch to face him. "Well, you never know! Something amazing and weird could've happened."
He snorted. "At a car shop?"
"Sure." Levy smiled and picked up her notebook again.
Gajeel watched as she scribbled something down on the paper, his eyes trailing from her hands down her leg to her foot, where a bandage wrapped around her heel. His eyes hardened and he brushed his thumb over the gauze gently.
"Another one, huh, shrimp?"
She blinked, looking down. Then she smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I've been practicing a lot lately. But blisters are just a constant part of ballet."
Gajeel's frown deepened. "Ya need to take it easy, shrimp. Rest a bit."
She sighed. "I know, I know…" Sparkling honey eyes met his ruby ones, and she gave him a gentle smile. "I'm fine, I promise."
He studied her for a moment but relented. She would brush it off no matter what he said. He wished he could get her to rest and not push herself so hard, but he also knew how important the performance was to her.
Gajeel had never understood dance until he met her. But when he watched her…it was like life had a whole new meaning. There were days when he'd be walking home from an evening class, or from work, and he'd pass by the practice studio and just watch her dance. He could never tear his eyes away. She'd be alone, dancing to soft music. Her flexibility and skill always impressed him. Sometimes he would go in to remind her to go home and rest, other times he'd stand outside, watching from the shadows. Rarely did he go in and just watch her, but when he did it left him breathless.
Suddenly Levy sighed and leaned back against the cushion. "I feel like if I just moved tomorrow people would only remember me for ballet."
Gajeel froze. Blinked. Blinked again. Then scowled. "What the hell? Where did that come from, Lev?"
She huffed. "I mean, I don't do anything interesting. I just do ballet."
"And that isn't interesting?" Gajeel chuckled when she pouted. "Lev, you're smart, funny, you're a genius with languages." You're beautiful, you have hips that make my mouth water and an ass that just— Gajeel cleared his throat. "Trust me, you're one of the most incredible, most interesting people I've ever met. People will always remember ya, Lev. If anyone'll be forgotten, that's me."
He'd meant it as a joke, but clearly Levy didn't see it that way. She frowned and quirked a brow. "I think you're crazy. You're really memorable."
And there it was: a branding he could never get rid of. Of course that's what she saw. The metal studs piercing his face were the first thing anyone ever saw—he could see their eyes scanning his face every time someone looked at him. But with her, it was almost like she couldn't even see them. He thought she was different… Maybe he was wrong.
When he looked at her he saw an angel. Beauty, grace, and overflowing kindness. An exotic beauty with short cerulean waves, nearly as unruly as his own hair but infinitely adorable. Eyes the color of honey that sparkled with happiness. She was the image of perfection, an angel in every sense. And he'd thought she was one of the few people who would ever look past all his scarred ugliness and see him.
But maybe what she really saw was all the scars. Maybe she saw his metal studs, red eyes, empty and tired, and a scowl nearly permanent from years of hardship and pain. Maybe he was so corrupted she could only see the bad things. He was only darkness—basking in her radiance was a bigger sin than any.
"I see," he said, a bit colder than he meant to. "It's my face."
To his surprise, the beautiful angel in front of him looked heartbroken. Her face fell and she shook her head, soft cerulean locks bouncing.
"What are you talking about?"
Gajeel quirked a brow. "The studs. People are usually terrified of me."
Levy frowned. "That's horrible… I'm sorry people have judged you over something so petty."
He watched her take another sip of her coffee, her delicate fingers setting the mug down and reaching for another textbook that was nearly as big as she was.
Levy looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "I barely noticed, to be honest. And it doesn't matter, it's what's inside that counts! Besides," she reached up and brushed the studs on his chin, making his breath hitch, "I think it makes you look really cool."
Gajeel scoffed. "Cool?"
Levy froze. Her face flushed upon realizing what she'd said. "I-I mean— Well…"
"Relax, shorty." Gajeel patted her on the head, chuckling. "I ain't gonna bite."
Levy huffed. "I'm not that short…"
"So what makes me memorable?" He pushed past his discomfort and dug through his school bag for his notebook. "If it ain't the studs."
Levy tapped her chin. "I'm not sure. I think it's just you. There's just something about you." He looked at her curiously, and she softened. "I'd never forget you, anyway."
Both of them were blushing now, and Levy cleared her throat discretely and opened her textbook, frantically flipping through the pages to some unknown chapter.
"So," she said abruptly, "what are you studying for today?"
Gajeel sighed. So like her—right down to business. "Calculus final. What about you, shrimp?"
"Latin!"
As summer was beginning, and the semester was coming to a close, finals were in full swing. Students were constantly filing into the coffee shop for double shot cappuccinos and straight black coffee, a necessary caffeine boost for those who were lacking in sleep from studying. That would be Gajeel and Levy—both exhausted and brain-fried. A bad combo for Gajeel. All the new medication he'd started taking had zapped his energy, and the stress of finals was taking its toll. He hadn't been to the gym in a week, and as much as he wanted to go, he could think of nothing more than sleeping. For the thousandth time, his brain seemed to grind in irritation. Damn cancer.
Gajeel was more than ready to be done with finals, but moving into summer classes would suck. As it turned out, both he and Levy were taking summer classes. While he was just trying to cram in as much school as possible so he could get a degree and make something of himself, Levy had two minors to study for, and she needed all the extra class time she could get.
They fell into their usual routine, both studying in a peaceful silence. Well, one studying, the other attempting to. When Gajeel wasn't sneaking glances at Levy, he was thinking about her. Thinking about how great it would be to pull her into his arms and kiss her—her lips just looked so kissable. Thinking about staying up with her until the early hours of the morning, talking about anything and everything. Thinking about her dancing. Thinking about what it would be like to be with her. Thinking of all the ways he could— Stop. Gajeel suppressed a groan. Ain't gonna happen, moron.
Levy had turned him into some cheesy, lovesick idiot.
After a few minutes, Levy collapsed, her head landing on her notebook in her lap with a soft thud. "Ah… I'm so tired… I need to text Lucy and see if she can grab some more water bottles and drop them off at my apartment," she mumbled, pulling her phone out of her ballet bag and tapping on the screen.
Gajeel knew she meant Lucy Heartfilia, the pretty, albeit air-headed, blonde girl dating Natsu. He'd been shocked to learn that Levy knew her, apparently had since childhood. They were best friends. Levy even knew practically everyone that lived on his floor of his complex, shockingly enough. Small world.
"I hope she doesn't mind…"
Gajeel downed the remainder of his coffee and dragged a hand over his face tiredly. "Nah, I'm sure she won't. Do you live far from her?"
Levy shook her head, returning the phone to its place in the bag. "Nope. She lives on my floor, just a few doors down."
Gajeel blinked. "You live in Lucy's complex?"
Levy tilted her head cutely. "Yeah, the one next to Natsu's building. Why?"
He almost couldn't believe his luck. "I live in Natsu's complex."
Levy's eyes widened excitedly and she smiled. "Seriously? How exciting! I can't believe I haven't seen you! I've been there tons of times!"
"I usually keep to myself."
Levy shot him a smirk. "No, you? Antisocial? Never."
Gajeel shook his head. "I'm hurt, shorty."
She giggled when he clutched at his heart, playfully hitting his shoulder. He chuckled in return—Levy loved his laugh. She reached for her cup again, smiling. "How cool is that? You live so close! You could come hang out whenever you…"
She stopped herself immediately when her words caught up to her brain, eyes wide and cheeks tinted pink. Levy stopped talking, and Gajeel was so stunned he didn't know what to say to rectify her embarrassment.
While he didn't want to get his hopes up, the impossibility of it all was starting to crumble before his eyes. Her reaction… It couldn't be possible— There was no way. It just wasn't possible that this angel, this stunning, amazing, sweet, beautiful girl he'd fallen so madly in love with could have feelings for him, too. Nope, no way. This girl that he'd met by fate, the same girl that had become his best friend… There was just no way she felt something for him.
But the small spark of hope flared in his soul when he looked at her. Her freckles were dusted in pink, and she bit her lip nervously as she determinedly stared at her notebook. Why would she have that reaction if she didn't feel something?
To hell with it.
Gajeel took the chance, deciding now was a better time than any. He knew it was wrong—he shouldn't love her. He would only die soon, and he was too scarred, too torn apart by darkness. And she was so perfect, and pure and kind. Her light spirit was overwhelming. She was an angel in every sense. Loving someone like her was a sin.
But, he was just a selfish bastard. And no matter what, he couldn't stop loving her.
Gajeel cleared his throat, his own cheeks taking the faintest hint of color. "Shorty."
Her eyes slid up to meet his timidly.
"What are you doing Saturday night?"
She blinked, that pretty blush darkening. "G-Gajeel?"
"I've liked you since the day I met you, Levy. If you don't feel the same, I'll understand," he said softly. He took her delicate hand in his, squeezing gently. "But if you do, let me take you to dinner."
Levy had no idea—she'd liked him for two months now, but didn't even hope to think he'd return her feelings. If her heart beat any faster it would explode. Gajeel was so easy to talk to and genuine, and under his gruff exterior, he had a huge heart. She felt like she'd known him her whole life.
She beamed up at him, and Gajeel sagged in equal amounts of relief and shock. "I'd love that! Pick me up at six?"
Gajeel smirked and laced his fingers with hers. "You got it, shrimp."
When he got home that night, Gajeel received a deep scratch on the arm from slinging Pantherlily around with happiness as he excitedly told the highly unamused cat about his date with Levy. And then the pyro freak next door starting banging on the wall, screaming that he was disrupting him and Lucy—Gajeel didn't want to know what he was disrupting.
Gajeel had turned back to look at the cat, giving a short 'gihihi' and ruffling the fur on his head. Pantherlily was incredibly unimpressed, and Natsu was nearly at the point of busting a hole through the wall. But Gajeel didn't even care. He just scored a date with an angel.
A/N: And now the fun begins :) Thanks so much to everyone who left a review. You've all been so sweet! Please leave a review if you'd like, I love to hear from you. Chapter four coming on Friday! Enjoy your week, everyone!
