Ugh, this chapter is so dialogue heavy. A lot of my 'filler' chapters are like this. It was almost painful to write.
I'd probably be better if I knew how to eloquently write dialogue, because the whole "he, she, they, etc...said" thing annoys me.
I'm sorry if this is a tedious chapter, like I said - it's kind of a 'filler' chapter. I knew what I wanted to do with it, just not how to execute it properly.
The next one will be better, I promise!
Gajeel entered the guild in the early evening after returing from a tiny job with Lily. The two strode (and flied) across the guild to find Levy and Lucy giggling at the bar. The blonde noticed his approach and jabbed her friend in the ribs with her elbow.
'Real smooth, bunny girl.'
He could already see part of Levy's face turn pink.
"Hey Gajeel! Levy was telling me that you're going to the matsuri with us!" Lucy said happily
He grunted an affirmation as he motioned for Mira to get him a drink.
"Never been to one, the Shrimp talked me into it."
"Yes, she said that too."
Gajeel grinned and looked the bluenette in the eyes.
"What else have you told her, shorty?" He teased
Levy's face flushed deeper.
"Luceeeee!" came Natsu's convienient call.
"Ugh, what does he want now? See ya later, you two!" she gave Levy a pat on the back
'Perfect timing, well not like I didn't think seeing him again wouldn't be awkward.' Levy thought.
She looked up at the dragon slayer, who still had that shit-eating grin on his face.
"So you told her everything?"
"Not...everything, but yes. Sorry." The script mage stared at her lap, wringing her hands together.
"Yer a bunch of gossiping women, didn't expect otherwise."
"You...are just doing this to make me blush." Levy realized
"Yep."
"Jerk!" she puffed out her cheeks in a pout
"Gihi. Just trying to lighten the mood, ya seem a little...stiff."
She started to chuckle.
"I'm sorry, it's just a little embarrassing. It's almost like nothing happened last night right now." she confessed
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm not one for public displays of affection of any sort, shrimp. You know that."
"I know, that's fine. I just thought it would be different somehow now."
"You disappointed?" he asked
"No, it's nice, ya know. Doesn't seem like a big deal. I was afraid something would change or..." she drifted off.
"Or?"
"No, it's silly."
"I've always been afraid that whoever I was with wouldn't want me to do certain things. Like, maybe you wouldn't want me to be on a team with Jet and Droy."
"They're your team, Shorty. I ain't fixin' to change that."
"Really? Usually you're the first to complain about how incompetent they are."
"They are. But they're your friends. What's this really about, Levy?"
There was her name, he only really said it when he was serious.
"I had a boyfriend when I was around 16. He was a non-mage and didn't really understand all of this." She waved her hand toward the rest of the guild.
"He thought I shouldn't hang out with them or even really be in a guild. He didn't think they were strong enough to protect me."
"And he was? Sounds like a dumbass to me."
"Jet and Droy may not be powerful but they mean well. And they're my best friends!"
"Calm down, I know that."
"I guess I was just worried you'd be jealous and overprotective, and not want me around them."
Gajeel snorted, nearly losing his drink
"Me, jealous of your lapdogs?"
"Gajeel, they're not lapdogs!"
He rolled his eyes, but she looked so stern.
"Ok, ok...I'm not jealous. But it does worry me sometimes."
"What does?"
"You gotta make me say it?"
"Yes." Levy grinned
He groaned and could feel his face heat up.
"I worry about you sometimes. Ya happy?" The little mage continued to glare at him, obviously amused.
"I've seen the way you look sometimes after missions. Half the time you're the one that saves them. What if you get into a situation any of you can't get out of?"
She smiled sweetly up at him.
"Well...you'll come and resuce me then, right?"
She had to be so fuckin' adorable.
"Only you, yer la- friends will have to fend for themselves."
"Aw, come on Gajeel." she teased
"But Levy..." he was suddenly serious again
"I feel better with you with those two. Some of the missions we go on. I can't afford to be distracted."
Levy knew what he meant, but couldn't help but be disappointed.
"I-"
"H-hey! I ain't saying your useless or anything...or that I'll have to save you. But this... us, does change some things."
She took a deep breath.
"I understand. Getting involved with a teammate isn't the best idea, I know."
"Good."
"Can..we still go on jobs together though?" she asked quietly.
Gajeel sighed.
"Of course, I wasn't saying we couldn't."
He took her hand under the bar and tried to look preoccupied with his drink.
"Speaking of those two, I still gotta tell them."
"Probably should."
Levy let out a big yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"Maybe tomorrow though." She slipped her hand out from under his and hopped off her barstool, "I'm pretty tired, got up early this morning for research."
The dragon slayer nodded.
"Goodnight, Gajeel."
"Hey, you doing anything else tomorrow?"
"No, why?"
"Just wondering. Go get some sleep."