Levy glanced at her timepiece and snapped her book closed.

"I gotta go meet up with the boys at the guild. Thank you for playing for me. It was really nice and you're really good, you know."

Gajeel's face flushed and he lowered his eyes, muttering a thank you.

"Gajeel?"

"Never had anyone compliment me like that. Phantom wasn't one for sincere praise."

"Oh…it's been so long I almost forgot." Levy mused.

'How the hell could she forget that? But this is Shorty, she has the biggest damn heart in the guild.'

He chuckled like there was a joke she had missed, causing his companion to look at him questioningly.

"This guild's full of things I never really had."

He ruffled her hair, letting his hand slide down against her cheek. He could have sworn she leaned into it.

"Thanks Lev, I mean it…didn't mean to sound ungrateful."

Lily cleared his throat and gave him a nudge, breaking their moment.

"Oh, um…do you wanna come over for dinner tomorrow? Lil's gonna be cooking."

"Sure, I'd love to!" she chirped, pulling the dragon slayer into another face-burning hug. He shyly wrapped an arm around her tiny waist, trying again to ignore the smug smile on the gruff Exceed's face.

"Now was that so hard?" Lily asked when Levy was out of earshot.

Levy woke up the next morning in the best mood she'd been in all week. Dinner with Gajeel! Sure, Lily was going to be there too but it had to count for something.

She rifled through her wardrobe to find something cute to wear. It was another cool day, so she settled for a pair of jeans and an orange long-sleeved tunic that exposed her shoulders.

As usual, Jet and Droy were gushing over her as soon as she entered the guild. While the two sometimes got on her nerves, it was really nice to be spending some more time with them. After a while the two went off on their own daily activities, leaving Levy alone at the table. She opened the new book she checked out from the library and hummed to herself softly as she read.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" Lucy's voice seemed to come out of nowhere, causing the script mage to start.

"Oh, Lu-chan, you scared me! It's nothing really."

Levy glanced to the side to see Lily and Gajeel enter the guild. She grinned and waved to the pair.

"I saw that look Levy! Something's going on with you two, isn't there?" Lucy nearly shouted.

She threw her hand over Lucy's mouth.

"Lu-chan! It's nothing really. Gajeel just invited me over to have dinner with him and Lily." Lucy's eyes practically sparkled.

"Ahh! How romantic!"

"Lu-channnn…" she whined, throwing her head onto the table.

"I know, I know…it's not a date. But you are gonna tell him how you feel, aren't you?"

"I dunno, we'll see how tonight goes."

"You have to tell me everything, you hear? Pinky promise!"

Levy giggled, taking the blonde's pinky with her own.

"Ok, pinky promise."

Levy was so enthralled in her new book that evening had rolled around faster than she realized. It had been a long time since she had found a book so interesting. She marked the thick volume, now almost finished, and made her way out of the guild. She wound her way through people leaving the city markets that were closing for the evening. It was more crowded than usual and someone shoulder checked her hard.

"Hey, watch where you're going please!"

She turned to face a grinning Gajeel. He was carrying a small bag of groceries.

"Ass. I was just heading over to your place; I didn't expect to see you out." she said as the two walked down the street.

"I had to pick up some minute things for Lily. He's really particular with his ingredients. Damn cat."

"Well it's nice of him to make dinner. What's the occasion?"

"Eh..nothing really, he just likes to make special stuff from time to time." he lied. Lily had been harping on him for days to invite her over. Apparently the cat was tired of him moping about over the girl. Whether or not he'd try to make a move tonight was another thing.

They began to pass by a clearing when Levy's eyes lit up. She grabbed Gajeel's hand and dragged him behind her.

"H-hey! What are ya doing?"

"I almost forgot! The festival should start in a few days!"

Sure enough, there were the beginnings of tents and booths strewn around the area.

"I love the festivals here! There's lots of food and games, and we all get dressed up in kimono to have fun!"

"I've never been to one." Gajeel said.

"Whaaat? You have to come along then! Please?" How could he say no to that?

"Sure, shrimp. I'll go one night if it'll make you happy."

The little blunette beamed up to him. He suddenly became aware that he was still holding her hand, as did she; but neither made a move to let go. Instead he just pulled her along.

"Let's go, Lily's probably wondering where his stuff is."