Laxus was looking into his drink intensely. Mirajane was talking beside him but he wasn't really paying attention. He'd just gotten back to Magnolia just that morning and he was tired. He was just starting to think about paying his tab and leaving early when the heavy doors to the hall opened. In strode Gajeel, his hands fiddling with something as he walked, his ruby eyes trained on his work. Laxus tried to make out what it was but couldn't quite. He thought it might be a chain of some sort…?

"Why are you so insistent on ignoring me?" Lily was fussing angrily behind him.

"Why are you so insistent on annoying the hell out of me?" Gajeel growled, finally lifting his eyes from his craft to look back at the tiny Exceed, "I told ya, I'll be back in about a week. I'll fix it then."

"What do you need fixed?" Mira piped up, gaining the attention from the two squabbling men, "It sounds important if Lily is so upset."

"It's a side table," Lily scolded, "And it doesn't have to be fixed absolutely now but he's the one who broke it this morning and he's leaving me with the mess! Can't postpone his stupid trip for another day…"

"What are you, my fucking wife? Shut the hell up already!" Gajeel snapped, turning on Lily and snarling at him. Both Lily and Mira looked at him wide-eyed. Laxus's brow furrowed.

"What the hell is your problem?" Laxus growled, standing. He didn't usually get involved in stupid fights but something about how aggressive Gajeel was being made him want to snap him the hell out of it. Gajeel's bloody eyes swept over to him, reflecting bellicosity in his glare. A low growl reverberated in his chest as he stared up at the blonde and he clenched his hands so tightly the chain in his fist snapped and fell to the ground.

The sound drew Gajeel's attention to where it fell. His movement was slow and mechanical as he reached down to pick it up, when he straightened Laxus noticed him take a deep breath and purposefully let it out again. The strange behavior made all of them exchange a look as tight red eyes reopened and he started fishing money from his pocket.

"I'll fix it when I'm back in a week. If it bothers you that much, buy a new one," his voice sounded only barely restrained as he gave a handful of Jewels to Mira and then a separate handful to Lily. Lily opened his mouth to protest but a swift look told him to just accept the money and so he flew quietly away.

Laxus crossed his arms and glared at the Dragon Slayer as Mira went to the back to retrieve something. Gajeel was back to work with whatever was in his hands, masterfully fixing the warped metal and then continuing its length. Laxus started to notice an aroma in the air around the Iron Mage, one that was terribly familiar and made mixed feelings suddenly race through his chest. His golden eyes squinted at him as he tried to process what it was.

Why was it so familiar…?

"Here you go," Mira laid down a large pack of iron pieces in front of Gajeel who in turn scooped it up and threw it over his shoulder. He mumbled a quick thank you before turning on his heel and heading for the door.

Laxus suddenly reacted, grabbing his arm to stop his retreat. The two stayed frozen like that for a moment, Laxus wondering why he'd just stopped the other Slayer and trying to figure out something to say, and Gajeel refusing to turn around. Mira marveled at the strange exchange, equally as confused with what was going on. Gajeel finally turned his head back to look at Laxus and did something that only fanned Laxus's confusion.

His eyes started from the bottoms of Laxus's boots and slowly dredged themselves up his legs, his hips, to his chest, and then finally rested on Laxus's face. Two very conflicting things reflected in his critical stare and a slow, wicked smile worked its way across his features.

"I'd recommend you not follow me…" his voice was so low that Laxus was sure only he could hear it, but all the same it sent a tremor down his spine and a quick flash of heat to his core, "…if you know what's good for you."

With a strange grace and deliberateness, he took hold of Laxus's wrist and lifted it from his arm. He flipped his arm over so that his palm was facing the sky and pushed his thumb against the vein there, stifling his pulse until it was almost painful. All the while, rubicund irises bore into him intensely, not allowing him to move his gaze. His smile widened to the point that glistening white teeth started to show. Laxus suddenly noticed Gajeel's canines gleaming at him threateningly, and his smile only grew even more at Laxus's reaction.

"Your heart is beating pretty fast… do I make you nervous?" Laxus's eyes widened as Gajeel leaned closer to him, red eyes flashing roguishly. His voice dropped to a mere whisper, "In what way, I wonder?"

Laxus snatched his hand back, "The hell is wrong with you?"

His demeanor shifted into more annoyance than the wickedness from before. He dropped his eyes back to the chain in his hand. It was small and delicate looking, like something that would hold a gem for a necklace. Gajeel immediately started working on it again, his brows furrowing as he concentrated.

"Sorry," he mumbled, green magic beginning to swirl from his fingers, "I'm not feeling myself."

He turned and began to walk away, "If you're not feeling well, should you be going out alone?"

Laxus didn't know why, but he felt a little concerned.

Gajeel once again peeked over his shoulder, his wicked gleam returning to his eyes, "If you're that worried, Sparky, you could always check on me."

Before Laxus could say anything he flipped his black locks over his shoulder dismissively and quickly strode away, letting the doors slam hard behind him. Laxus looked back over at Mira who shook her head. He walked back to the bar and she poured him another drink as he settled back in.

"What did he say to you?" she prodded, her eyes filled to the brim with curiosity, "Even with my Demon hearing I couldn't understand what he was saying."

Laxus took a sip of his beer, deciding not to tell her everything he'd said. Mira usually had good intentions but she was also a gossip. He wasn't sure if Gajeel would want everyone knowing what he said, especially if he'd lowered his voice purposely so only Laxus could hear. But why…?

"He said he wasn't feeling himself," he finally spoke, his intrigue growing the more the thought about the exchange. Did Gajeel want him to follow? But every time they'd been alone together things that neither of them wanted seemed to occur. Unless Gajeel did actually want to…

"Laxus! Are you listening to me at all?" Mira's frustrated voice brought him back. He blinked at her blankly and she gave an exasperated sigh, "I said he gets this way every once in a while. You shouldn't worry too much."

"Did he say where he was going?" Laxus blurted out the words before he could think of the consequences. Mira eyed him for a moment before finally speaking.

"He didn't. Not to me anyway. Why don't you ask Juvia or Lily? They'll probably know," she eyed him suspiciously, "Since when did you care so much about Gajeel?"

"You mean the fact he was acting so strange didn't put you off?" Laxus grumbled, packing up his things.

Mira squinted at him slyly, "Laxus… is there something you're not telling me?"

"To be fair, Mira, there's a lot I don't tell you," Laxus grinned just as wickedly at her before heading out the doors.