The Dragon Slayer must have caught her scent as she approached because the small woman didn't even get a chance to knock before the door to his house swung open.

"Hey shorty." He gave a cocky grin as he leaned against the door frame. Gajeel was wearing an ordinary pair of dark jeans and a red t-shirt. Levy had never seen him in something so…plain. Still, he looked good.

"Levy!"

Lily came bounding around the corner and flew straight into the giggling girl's arms. The cat gave Gajeel a knowing glare as his face was practically shoved into Levy's chest.

"Welcome to our home!"

It wasn't what Levy had expected. For one, it was….clean. Most of the men in Fairy Tail had rooms or homes self-labeled as "organized chaos." She suspected that Lily had a hand in this.

The one-story house looked small from the outside but was actually quite spacious. The front door led directly into the living room, an oversized wrap-around couch was situated in front of a coffee table and a large lacrima screen. An open doorway revealed a modest but well stocked kitchen and dining room. The hallway next to the kitchen led to what Levy guessed was Gajeel's bedroom.

Levy crossed her arms over her chest.

"Huh."

"What?"

"It's not what I expected is all."

"Let me guess, you thought it'd be dark and full of metal?" Lily joked.

"Something like that."

"Hilarious, you two. I actually do try to keep stuff neat, well except –" He jerked his head for Levy to follow. He led them to a door on the other side of the kitchen and kicked it open. There were boxes, scrap metal, and other junk strewn about the room.

Levy facepalmed.

"So, just keeping up appearances?" Gajeel just shrugged.

"I made him clean up his mess when I moved in." Lily stated.

"Damn cat has a cleaning complex." He whispered close to her ear, causing a shiver to race down her spine.

'I knew it!'

"I can still hear you!"

"Whatever." Gajeel grumbled. "So, we doing this?"

Levy put on the bravest face she could, she was determined to go through with this!

"You bet!"

He steered her by the back of the head to the living room and sat her down on the couch.

"Be right back."

"Woah, this is comfy!" she said as she bounced up and down on the leather couch.

"Don't you break my damn furniture!" his muffled shout came from down the hall. Gajeel returned with a small metal box.

Her stomach lurched as he pulled out two rather large needles. Levy absolutely hated needles, and her face must have shown it.

"Calm down, Lev. You'll barely feel it. Now sit up straight."

She watched him carefully as he knelt in front of her, pushing back her hair to inspect her ears. He marked them with a pen and stood back to make sure they were even.

"Deep breath in."

Levy obeyed.

"And out."

She felt pressure and a small pinch before Gajeel's hands were off of her.

"Wait, that's it?" she asked while he slipped a plain silver stud through her ear as he drew the needle out.

"What'd I tell you? The other one may hurt a bit more now that you know what's gonna happen."

It did, but it was nothing Levy couldn't handle.

"All done. Lil'! Go get her a mirror."

The little blunette seemed absolutely entranced by her reflection.

"I love them!" Levy threw her hands around the man's neck, pulling him into a big hug. Gajeel nervously looked to Lily, but the cat only laughed. Luckily she pulled away before he could reciprocate.

"I can't wait to show everyone!"

Gajeel and Lily couldn't help but grin, Levy's smile and happiness were contagious. They waved her off.

"Go ahead, we'll meet you at the guild."

When they entered, Levy was sitting at her usual table chatting happily with Jet and Droy. Gajeel waved briefly at her and made his way to the bar.

"What can I get you?" Chirped Mirajane

"Whiskey, neat."

Gajeel turned around to find Juvia in his face.

"God fucking dammit, woman!" Even after all this time, Juvia could still get the slip on him.

"Juvia is sorry, but Gajeel's face is always priceless."

She hopped up onto a barstool.

"Levy-chan showed off her new earrings to Juvia, did Gajeel do them for her?"

"What if I did?"

Juvia rested her chin on her hand, swirling the straw in her own drink.

"No need to get defensive. Juvia has just noticed that Gajeel has been spending a lot of time with Levy recently."

"And?" He nodded in thanks at Mira as she slipped a drink into his hand, ignoring the barkeeps smug smile at the conversation.

"And, when is he planning on telling her how he feels?"

"I'm not." Juvia's eyes grew large.

"What!?" Gajeel felt the air grow heavy with moisture around the two mages.

"Calm your tits, woman. I said I ain't gonna tell her. No way she likes me back, she'll just laugh."

"Gajeel is afraid to get his heart broken again."

"I ain't ever got my hear—"

Juvia shoved a finger against his lips, a stern look focused on him.

"What if Levy-chan does like Gajeel? Would Gajeel not take her feelings into account?"

"I-"

"Shhh! Do not interrupt Juvia or she will place Gajeel in a water lock."

He certainly never wanted to do that again. His best friend took a deep breath before continuing.

"Juvia loves Gray-sama…everyone knows. But Gray-sama doesn't share those feelings. Still, Juvia loves him because he brought love into Juvia's heart and cleared her skies. Did Levy not do the same for Gajeel? Juvia thinks so. So Juvia thinks Gajeel shouldn't make assumptions and should not be held back by guilt."

She placed a peck on his cheek.

"Gajeel is Juvia's oldest friend; she hates to see him so sad. Please, think about what Juvia said." She reached around to grab his drink, slugging it back before going to chase after the ice bastard.

Damn that rain woman.

Juvia/Gajeel BrOTP forever, I don't care what anyone says.