Gajeel wondered how long it would take her to realize that bumping into each other wasn't a coincidence. He'd had this nagging feeling about her in the pit of his stomach ever since Tenroujima. Or was it before? She had been the first, other than Master, to show him kindness.
He sat in the guild infirmary after Laxus's attempted coup. The nurses had patched up his major wounds, but left him alone to take care of the others.
So here he was with one arm in a sling, spewing forth a string of curses as he attempted to wrap his other arm.
A small voice interrupted his concentration.
"You know, you can ask for help."
It was Levy.
He stared at her dumbfounded as the little blunette took the wrap from his hand. The girl he beat the ever-living shit out of was helping him.
"I guess stubbornness is a Dragon Slayer prerequisite." she glanced up at him and flashed a kind smile. She quickly accomplished what took him minutes to do.
"There, all better." she chirped
"You didn't have to."
"It's no problem." She gave him another smile and turned to walk away.
Her voice caught Gajeel's attention again.
" I never thanked you before, for saving me from Laxus. He probably would have killed me if you hadn't protected me. So thank you."
And just like that she was gone.
Yeah, that was probably when it started. But Tenroujima cemented that uneasy feeling into his body.
After the excitement of winning the Grand Magic Games had passed, everyone had begun to settle into their new lives. It was more difficult to adjust to their lost 7 years than he thought. At least Gajeel hadn't left anyone behind. Juvia, Lily, and Levy were the only ones he was remotely close to, and they were all there on the island.
With the exception of the three months of training for the Games, the Shrimp had been hanging around with him on a regular basis. At first she would just sit near him and read or whatever other nerdy stuff she did. Then she would chatter at him about books or jobs or something stupid her lapdogs did. Most of the time he wouldn't pay much attention and only mumble a reply, but eventually he began talking about his own things with her. The Shorty had a way of making people talk and for once in his life, he didn't mind talking to someone so much. They even began doing small, mundane jobs together.
And so, he began to watch her more closely. And, on occasion, he would follow her. He began noticing little, annoyingly cute things she did. Like the little wiggle she would do during a suspenseful part in her book and how she would put her lower lip into a pout during a sad part. Or how she bounced and rocked on the balls of her feet when she was excited. And he couldn't forget the big grin she gives him every time she greets him.
Oh no, there was no denying it.
He had it bad for Levy McGarden.