Author's note: I'll admit this chapter was a challenge for me, but I like working under pressure. A big thanks to all the reviewers, your support helps a lot! Enjoy!
Levy took the stairs two at a time and made her way down the hallway in to her room, excited for the night's coming events. She threw her bag down on her desk, grabbing her new vanilla-scented body wash as she turned on the shower. She bathed quickly knowing that picking out an outfit was already half the work. Levy raced to her closet and surveyed her wardrobe.
I will not play it safe tonight, she thought, I have to be more spontaneous! Guys like that, right?
After searching, for about a half an hour, she still couldn't find anything to wear. Ugh, I thought I had more dresses than this. All she could find were shorts and tank tops. Levy made a mental note to herself to go shopping with Lucy soon. She groaned in frustration, nearly giving up until she spotted a green bag stuffed away in the corner. She grabbed it and pulled out a cream-colored dress with a black lace collar that wove intricate flowers and vines. It reached down to the middle of her thighs and had a cinched waist, making the material flow like water against her skin. It's perfect!
She had forgotten about this dress, buying it on a shopping trip with Cana and Lucy a couple weeks back. Levy hummed with content as she changed out of her day clothes and into her new outfit, already picturing her hair and makeup. It took her a couple tries, but she managed to apply a nice light shimmer to her eyelids, outlining the top of her eyelids with light eyeliner. She brushed on her mascara and added just a hint of pink blush to her cheeks. Levy combed out her blue hair, styling it up into a cute, high ponytail, leaving two strands that framed each side of her face, curling the ends. She checked herself out in her full length mirror, liking the way the dress showed off her legs. Looking at the clock she realized that she only had 30 minutes left to meet Gajeel.
Crap, I'm going to be late if I don't hurry, she thought. She grabbed a small black purse from her coat rack, put on a pair of strappy black sandals and raced down the stairs. Adrenaline pumped through her body, excited to be out on a cool summer's night. The sun started to set when she finally reached the guild. The place was unusually quiet, only a few members engaging in small talk and nursing their drinks. Levy walked up to the bar table, catching Mirajane cleaning beer mugs.
"Hi Levy, you sure look nice today, going out?" Mirajane smiled.
Levy suddenly felt embarrassed about was she was going to ask. News would spread like wildfire if Levy asked Mirajane where Gajeel lived, but maybe this once she would keep it a secret? Not likely, she thought.
"Hi Mira! Um, Gajeel and I are going to check out this new bar, I think it's called Plasma? I'm meeting him at his place but I don't know where he lives. I figured you would know?"
Mirajane let out a wicked grin. "So you and Gajeel are going on a date then, huh? I knew it would only be a matter of time."
"Well, I wouldn't really call it a date, we're just hanging out that's all," said Levy, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.
Mirajane raised an eyebrow at this. "Riiight, because everyone likes to get all dressed up when they're just 'hanging out.' Believe whatever you want Levy, I know what's really…" Mirajane's sentence was left hanging in the air, her gaze focusing on what was behind Levy. Levy turned around, seeing her two friends, Jet and Droy walk in the guild. She made a move to wave when she felt her hand being pulled by Mirajane. She dragged Levy behind the bar into the back storage room and locked the door behind her, peeking through the small door window.
"Mira, why did you do that? I was going to tell Jet and Droy that I got home safe." Mirajane made no acknowledgment toward her, mumbling wildly under her breath.
"Of all times to show up, they choose now!? Well they're not going to ruin this for me!" Levy couldn't help but give her friend an odd look. Mirajane continued her crazed rant, almost forgetting that Levy was in the same room. "Not this time, not when I'm so close…" Giving one last look, the white-headed girl pushed Levy out the back door. "Gajeel lives on the north side Magnolia. Take Orange Street all the way down till you hit the outskirts, you'll see a white house with a tiled roof you can't miss it."
"But Mira, Jet and Droy have to know that I got home safe or they'll freak out and I'll never hear the end of it."
"Oh don't worry about those two, leave them to me. I'll tell them Erza walked you home. Now get going or you're going to be late!" Mirajane slammed the back door behind her. Levy stared at the door for a few moments before heading toward Gajeel's house.
As she walked up the road, she suddenly started to feel self-conscious about her dress attire. She had already gotten a couple stares on the way, was she trying too hard? She finally spotted the white house that Mirajane was talking about, slowly making her way to the door. Levy knocked three times, no answer. Did she get the wrong house? Mirajane did say it had a tiled roof, right? Levy knocked again, harder this time. A voice came from inside the house.
"I heard ya the first time! Geez…" Footsteps pounded from inside, the door swinging open to a half- dressed Gajeel, barely pulling his shirt over his head. Levy snuck a quick peek at his chest before he was finally clothed, saving the memory for later. Gajeel's eyebrows flew up in surprise as he closed the door behind him.
"Oh it's you, I thought you were Lily" He gave her a quick once-over, his eyes lingering the length of her dress and let out a low wolf-whistle, exaggerating each note.
"Not bad, not bad at all" said Gajeel. Levy couldn't help but bite the corner of her lip, loving the attention.
"You clean up pretty nicely yourself," said Levy, giving him a coy smile. He wore a black v-neck patterned with a red Japanese dragon on the side, accentuating the definition of his muscles. He matched his shirt with a pair of black jeans and black boots. He tied his hair back in a loose ponytail, the angles of his face more prominent than usual. "Ready to head out?" she asked.
"Lead the way Shrimp," said Gajeel. Levy stuck out her tongue at him, giggling as they walked toward the downtown area of Magnolia. When they turned the corner onto Olive St, Levy gasped in surprise at the way the streets lit up at night. Shoppes, restaurants and bars lined up side by side, rowdy voices and boisterous laughter emitting from their doors. Brightly lit paper lanterns hung from wires across the streets, swaying gently in the summer breeze. Levy finally spotted the bar, the sign Plasma painted in simple white letters. The couple walked through the blue-gated doors, taking in the ambiance of the room.
The bar's décor reminded Levy of a surreal, enchanted forest filled with pink circus-tent booths that lined the right side of the wall. The crowded bar counter lay opposite, advertising the different types of colorful alcohols on display. An old tree furnished in golden lights illuminated the bar's entire ceiling, giving the place a more magical look. More bar tables sat in the back, with a DJ booth, a dance floor and flashing wall panels of yellow, blue and pink. A mixture of house and electro music blasted throughout the surrounding speakers, causing the walls to vibrate.
Levy bounced on her heels in excitement. "Let's grab a table real quick." Without giving it a second thought, she quickly grabbed Gajeel's hand and headed toward an abandoned corner table. Levy weaved through the crowd, liking the feel of his calloused hands against her soft skin. Once they took their seats, Levy grabbed the drink menu, eyeing all of the exotic cocktails.
"Mmmm these all look so good! What are you going to get?" said Levy. Gajeel turned in his seat to face the bar, eyeing all the beers on tap.
"I dunno maybe a Red Planet?" said Gajeel. Levy handed the menu to Gajeel, tapping on the name that read Aquarium.
"Order this for me, yeah? I have to use the ladies room." Levy excused herself from the table, walking toward the restrooms. After she finished her business, Levy checked herself out in the mirror, fixing the fly-aways in her hair. You can do this, she told herself, just don't act too desperate.
Even though you totally are…a little voice whispered in her head. Levy shook her head, taking deep breaths before exiting the bathroom. When she arrived at her table she saw Gajeel holding up two small shot glasses filled with brown liquid.
"What are those?" she asked. Gajeel raised an eyebrow, grinning at her suspicious face.
"They're called E-tickets, a mixture of different alcohols that I don't know about and don't care too." He handed her one of the glasses and raised his own.
"Bottoms up, Shrimp" Gajeel downed his shot in one go with Levy following his lead. Surprisingly, it tasted really sweet.
"Wow, I can't even taste the alcohol. But I thought you were going to get beer?" said Levy.
"As a wise mage once said: Liquor before beer, you're in the clear" cackled Gajeel. A waitress with red hair came up to them balancing two drinks on her tray.
"We have a pint of Red Moon for the gentlemen and an Aquarium for the lady. Ya'll have fun now." She gave Levy an obvious wink, nodding her head toward Gajeel before walking away. Dear God, even the wait staff knew what was up! Levy tried not to feel embarrassed, instead sipping on her blue cocktail that was filled with cherries and limes.
"This is delicious! Gajeel, try some!" Levy pushed her drink toward him. Gajeel scoffed at her offer.
"Tch, there is no way I'm trying a girly drink like that. I'll stick to my own poison." He raised his glance and chugged half of his beer, beer pouring down the sides of his chin. Levy rolled her eyes and continued to sip through her straw, feeling the liquid courage move through her body. As the DJ finished a slow song, he picked up the pace with a new beat, this one much faster. Levy watched in a dreamy haze as more people stepped onto the dance floor, waving their hands in the air. Eager to join the fray, Levy finished the rest of her Aquarium and hopped off the barstool.
"This song is one of my favorites! Come dance with me!" Levy held out her hand toward Gajeel. He looked at it as though it were infected.
"I don't dance" he said. Normally, Levy would have felt a sting of rejection, but the Aquarium and E-ticket shot made her feel like nothing could bring her down.
"You're such a lamer!" she joked, purposely swaying her hips as she walked away. Once she joined the throng of dancers, she let the alcohol take over, letting it move her body sensually. Levy threw her hands up in the air as she rocked from side to side, heated bodies surrounding her from every angle. She felt a tap on her shoulder, a slow smile spreading across her face. I knew he couldn't resist, she thought and turned around expecting to see Gajeel. Instead, she met a guy with blonde hair and emerald green eyes, wearing a maroon t-shirt with faded blue jeans. Wow he's super cute! He smiled at her, showing off his very white and even teeth.
"Hi, I'm Darren, what's your name?" He had to yell in her ear due to the loud music.
"I'm Levy! It's nice to meet you!" she yelled back, shaking his hand.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked. Levy gave a quick look in Gajeel's direction. He was holding his beer, narrowing his eyes menacingly at them. Your loss, she thought wickedly. Levy turned back toward Darren, giving him one of her dazzling smiles.
"Sounds like fun!" With her approval, Darren grabbed her hand and spun her around in circles. They rolled with the rapid music, his hand wrapping around her waist like a snake, pulling them closer together. Darren bowed his head against hers, his hand going further down her back. Right when he was about to brush her hair away from her face, Darren was suddenly pulled away from Levy's grasp. Gajeel stood behind them, giving Darren one of the evilest looks he could muster.
"Scat" said Gajeel. With the flick of his wrist he sent Darren flying into the crowd of dancers, knocking several of them down to the floor. He turned toward Levy and grabbed her wrist, leading her out of the bar and into the cold night air. Levy tried pulling her hand away, but he wouldn't let go, his grip tightening with every step.
"Gajeel, what the hell was that!? We were just dancing, why did you go ballistic on him!?" Gajeel paid no attention to Levy, leading them out of downtown and into a nearby park. The place was nearly deserted except for a group of loud drunk teens, smoking cigarettes near a water fountain a ways away from them. The grip that Gajeel had on Levy was so tight that she could already feel the bruise starting to circle around her wrist.
"Ouch! Gajeel you're hurting me!" Gajeel instantly let go of her wrist, not realizing how much anger he was holding.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, I just….like what the fuck was that!? You invite me to go to a bar just so you can dance with some asshole? What. The. FUCK!?" he yelled.
Levy glared at him, her anger making her body start to shake. "I asked if you wanted to dance and you said no! What am I supposed to do, just stand there like an idiot and watch you drink your beer? The whole point of tonight was so I could spend time with you and no one else!"
Gajeel stared at her for awhile, half a grin spreading across his face. "Just me and no one else, huh?"
Levy grew irritated at the smirk on his face. "Yes! But then you started acting like a total jerk, so forget it! I'm going home!" She spun around on her heel, purposely crushing every leaf in her path. She could hear Gajeel's footsteps trying to catch up to her, making her walk more briskly.
"Go away, leave me alone!" she yelled. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted up from the ground and onto Gajeel's shoulder.
"You idiot! Put me down this instant!" Levy kicked her legs and pounded her fists against his back, her efforts becoming more pointless with each hit.
"I ain't putting you down till you relax and stop yelling. You're making a scene" he chuckled at his last statement.
"I'M making a scene!? You're the one who decided to act like a total Neanderthal!" Gajeel clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"You're not getting down if you're gonna act like that. Besides, my peripheral vision is getting one hell of a show; I ain't letting you go just yet." Levy flushed a deep red as she realized that her underwear was probably showing. Levy gave him a few kicks in the gut before she gave out a frustrated groan, breathing heavily.
"Look, I'm calm ok? Please put me down?" she added softly. Gajeel hoisted her off his shoulder, setting her feet firmly on the ground.
"See, that wasn't so hard. By the way, do you normally wear laced panties or is it just around me?" Gajeel laughed as Levy swatted him on his shoulder. "Just kidding, Shrimp. It's late, I'll walk ya home."
"Whatever, I'm still mad at you" said Levy, purposely walking a couple steps ahead of him. As she walked her way back home, she could still hear Gajeel's thundering footsteps following close behind. Once they arrived back at Fairy Hills, Levy didn't even bother turning around to say goodbye.
"Alright I'm home. See you tomorrow" said Levy. Before she could take another step, Gajeel made his way around her, blocking her path. Levy stared up angrily at him, his arm scratching the back of his head nervously.
"Look, Shrimp…I know I went crazy back there…the way that douche bag looked at you just pissed me off…" he trailed off, struggling to find the right words. Levy couldn't help but sigh at his pitiful attempt. At least he's trying, she thought. She doubted that he ever had to apologize to anyone in his life before today. Her anger slowly started to disappear, her shoulders becoming less tense.
Levy put up her hand to silence him. "Yes you did act like a complete lunatic, but I know it's your way of looking out for me." Levy smiled, encouragingly brushing the side of his arm. With that she placed a light kiss on his cheek, giving him one last smile for the night.
When Levy turned to go back to her room, she felt a hard slap on her backside, followed by a firm grasp. Levy gasped and turned around to see Gajeel laughing.
"Gihihihi! I always get the last word Shrimp, don't you forget it! Nice ass by the way." Gajeel winked at her and swaggered his way home. Levy stared off at him with mixed emotions of annoyance and elation. She shook her head to herself as she entered Fairy Hills and took the stairs up to her room.
He's such an ass…but a lovable one at that.