Gajevy Week 2016
February 14th prompt: Blanket
Disclaimer: The series and all its characters belong to Hiro Mashima. I'm just borrowing them.
This story can also be found on my tumblr: yalenewrites. tumblr. com
Please note that I'm German. Although I'd like to keep the illusion that my understanding of the English language is fairly well, reality keeps reminding me that my grammar is far from perfect.
"Blanket"
When Gajeel stepped over the threshold of his home he had to pause for a second. His normally orderly residence – thanks to a certain ex-soldier with fundamental and non-negotiable rules about housekeeping - was in quite a disarray. His partner, although battle hardened and seldom at a loss for snarky remarks, floated beside him, mouth open in disbelief.
The living room was the embodiment of a fortress made of books. They were stacked up towers, spread out open and closed in almost recognizable patterns, some discarded in the far corner for being unfit to help the matter at hand – and in this book lovers heaven resided the lady of the house, Levy McGarden. When she heard the unmistakable thump of two bags hitting the floor she looked up. But instead of the normal welcoming smile, she narrowed her eyebrows, her face deep in thought. "Hi there. Why are you back already? Didn't you say the mission was for two days?"
Her question snapped Gajeel out of his stupor. He stepped forward, careful not to trample any books. He didn't want to deal with bloodshed in his home if he happened to accidentally bury one of his shrimps treasures – which were all books really – under his heavy boots. Gajeels gaze wandered over the mountain of books, wondering how his girlfriend managed to bring them all here in the short time he and Lily were gone. "We were gone for two days, shrimp. The job is done already." He gazed at her then and recognized her befuddled expression. Didn't she notice the time passing by? What in the world was she doing?
From past experiences, the iron dragon slayer knew Levy could be completely immersed in a project up to the point where she forgot to sleep, eat, drink and acknowledge other people's existence. But right now wasn't the best time for her to do so. What was it that had her this enthralled? He picked up one of the books nearby and instead of reference material to a language he had no hope of understanding he found a manual for... knitting?
An eyebrow raised in question he stared at the bluenette, whose complexion took on a slight red hue. "I wanted to make a blanket.", she murmured almost pouting. Gajeel couldn't help himself. He snorted, giggled even.
His eyes wandered over the books nearby and now he saw that all of them were all kinds of instruction manuals or pattern books for knitting various things specialized for beginners. Gajeel heaved a sigh, put the book he was holding back down and extended a hand to the little woman lounging on their couch. She took it and he helped her up, maneuvering her to the nearby kitchen. "Now shrimp, you know you are a kick-ass mage and one of the smartest people in Fiore, possibly Ishgar. But one thing you are not known of is your skill in handiwork." Sitting at the kitchen table Levy felt her ire rise at his words, but she knew of course that he was absolutely right. The mind was her field of expertise, not knitting, cooking or other work that required eye-hand coordination not executed with a pen. So she did the only thing she felt entitled to answer him with – she put on a full-blown pout.
Lily joined them in that moment. His mind had already constructed a tactic to clean the house to its former glory, the shock from the book fortress' first sighting lessening. While Gajeel worked on some tea and possibly a few snacks he gazed at the pouting mage. "How did you manage to bring all the books here in the first place? We weren't gone that long."
Levy shrugged and her blush widened. "Lucy accompanied me to the library and summoned Virgo to help us carry them back here." Lily nodded in acknowledgment. "And you thought you could learn it in such a short time? It does take time to knit a whole blanket, even if you do learn how to do it properly." Levy crossed her arms defensively and narrowed her eyes. "If it is in a book I can learn it. And I would have managed to somehow make it in time." Gajeel wisely kept his mouth shut. The years with his shrimp had taught him that sometimes he better not say anything at all if he wanted to keep his bed for the night. And he really didn't want to sleep on the couch tonight. He put the tea and snacks on the table.
While they enjoyed a few moments of silence and felt the tense air evaporating Lily decided a new approach might be in order.
He turned to the little mage enjoying her sweet banana caramel concoction with salt sprinkles on top. "How about you think of another gift? Something that is more up your alley? I'm sure a word game or a puzzle would be equally welcomed."
Levy hummed in thought, her mind obviously already invested on the idea. Gajeel grinned thankfully at his cat. He took Levy's hand and squeezed it gaining her attention. "How about I take a quick shower and help you get the books back to the library. Maybe you even find a tome or two to help you out with a new gift." At this Levy beamed at him and Gajeel felt his heart skip a beat. The effect this woman had on him was almost unfair.
On the way to the library, Gajeel locked gazes with his trusted cat partner and grinned, thanking him again wordlessly for his quick thinking. Lily grinned back and nodded conspiratorially.
After all, Gajeel couldn't tell Levy that Juvia already made a baby blanket for their soon to be born child.
It was supposed to be a surprise.