Chapter 2

Wow, one week in and I'm already late posting this chapter. Anyways, remember when I said in my story summary this is not a slow burn? Well here it is. This one is dedicated to everyone whose ever said "make them kiss already!"

Levy let out a heavy sig, slumping in her chair. It had been a very long morning. Both Jet and Droy had profusely apologized and Levy had forgiven them, but ever since they had been going out of their way to make it up to her. They wouldn't let her do anything. They insisted on carrying her bad and opened every single door for her. At first it was sweet, but it quickly became very annoying and embarrassing. Especially when the fought over who should pull Levy's chair out for her so she could sit.

"Hey Levy, you ready for lunch?" Levy looked up at Jet and Droy who were both looking at her expectantly.

"Sorry boys," Levy said standing up. "I promised Lucy I'd eat lunch with her."

"Oh, they're welcomed to join us," Lucy said absentmindedly as she typed away at her phone.
"Natsu just went to grab some friends to join us too. We're going to be meeting them by the hill."

By the time Levy had made it to the spot where everyone was meeting, she had convinced Jet and Droy to knock it off an that she was very capable of doing things herself.

Sitting at the meeting spot already was Natsu, a dark haired boy Levy recognized from class named Gray, Juvia who she knew to be a quiet girl, and the tall boy who had helped her that morning. Remember that he most likely saw her panties earlier, Levy quickly sat herself between Juvia and Lucy. This way he couldn't stare at her without making it very obvious.

Gajeel wasn't surprised to see the small girl joining them for lunch. He figured if Bunny Girl was coming she'd probably bring her along. He smirked as she clearly was embarrassed when she recognized him, and hat she obviously chose a spot where she wouldn't have to look at him.

After introductions were made, Levy learned that Gray and Natsu were best friends (though they animatedly denied it), that the guy who had helped her that morning was Gajeel (and Natu's cousin) and that he and Juvia had been best friends since elementary school. Gajeel learned that Bunny Girl and the Shrimp (as he decided to call Levy) had been best friends since middle school. He was surprised to learn that neither Jet nor Droy were dating the Shrimp but were firmly placed in the "best friends" category. However it was painfully obvious both boys were crushing hard on her while she did not return their feelings.

"Oh Natsu!" Levy spoke up suddenly. "You never did explain how you recognized me."

"Oh yeah," Natsu said through a mouthful of food. "Those two were always showing off photos of you and singing your praises non-stop. At this point, I could easily point you out in a crowd."

"Only if you had a good vantage point to find the shorty," Gajeel chuckled softly, earning a well placed jab from Juvia's elbow.

Gajeel casually leaned back to see if Levy had heard him and was slightly annoyed that not only did she not hear him, but her entire focus was on her two childhood friends. Granted she was shooting daggers at them, but he was a but miffed she was ignoring him.

"Woah now," Gray (whose shirt had become more unbuttoned as the lunch went on despite no one seeing him touch it once) said as he held up his hands and coming to the defense of his classmates. "They never said anything embarrassing. It's just that they…have a lot of respect for you."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Levy said forcing a smile. As the conversations continued on around her, Levy found herself withdrawing more. She needed to get away and take a moment before all her frustrations came out.

"Sorry guys," Levy said standing up with a soft smile. "I forgot that they needed me to stop by the library before the end of the day. They want to explain some things to all the work study students. I'll see you back in class." Before anyone could respond, or offer to go with her, Levy ran off.

While she actually wasn't needed at the library until her first shift the next day, Levy was glad she left since it took her a moment to find the library in the new building. As soon as she entered, Levy felt herself relax. She loved Jet and Droy like family (a fact she had made abundantly clear more than once), but sometimes they could be a bit of her wished they could go back to a simpler time. A time before hormones kicked in and they realized that Levy was a girl.

Gajeel wasn't sure why he got annoyed that Levy ignored him. Or why it bothered him that she didn't seem okay. He wasn't going to deny that he always thought she was pretty cute each time those idiots showed off a new photo of her. And he was always curious what she was actually like because she couldn't be the rose colored glasses verison they always claimed her to be.

After waiting as long as he could, Gajeel stood up and grunted "bathroom" when Juvia gave him a quizzical look. He wouldn't say he hurried to the library, but he sure as hell didn't take his damn time either.

Once he entered the library, Gajeel moved more cautiously. He didn't want to scare her. Hell, he didn't even know what he'd say to explain why he was there. Browsing the stacks Gajeel was impressed with what he saw. Sturdy bookshelves went from floor to ceiling and were wide enough for someone to lean against comfortably while reading.

Quickly enough he found her on a footstool, standing on the tip toes trying to grab a book just out of reach. As amused as he was at watching her try in vain to reach the book, Gajeel decided to help her. He would be lying if he said he didn't like the idea of helping her out twice in one day. As he approached, Gajeel saw a flash of a familiar cherry printed material.

Levy almost had the book she needed. It was the next one in a series she was reading, and of course it was just out of reach. She know if she just stretched a bit more she could grab it. With one final stretch, standing on the very tips of her toes, Levy was able to grab it. "Yes!"

"You know," a gruff voice said, "you should really consider wearing shorts under your skirt."

Levy gave out a yelp of surprise, startled by the voice, and lost her balance and began to fall backwards. 'Today really sucks,' she thought.

"Oi! Careful!" Gajeel let out as he caught Levy in his arms.

In the movies and books, this would be the part when the hero would say something witty and cool and make the heroine fall in love with him. What Gajeel said was a string of curses as the book Levy was reaching for fell hard on his head.

"What are you doing here?! And why are you looking up my skirt?!"

"What the fuck are you reading? A freaking encyclopedia?!"

Levy became acutely aware that this was the second time that day that Gajeel was holding her in his arms, and she realized she didn't quite mind it. Feeling her face flush for the umpteenth time since she woke up, Levy again asked "What are you doing here?"

Noticing her blush and assuming it was because she was embarrassed that he had seen her panties twice in one day, Gajeel turned his head away slightly and flushed slightly before answering. "You seemed upset and for some reason that bothered me. And for the record I wasn't trying to look up your skirt Shrimp. When you reached up you just sort of exposed more."

Before Levy could reprimand him for calling her "Shrimp," she heard the voices of Jet and Droy looking for her. 'For fucks sake,' Levy thought. 'I just need some space!'

Gajeel hearing the two boys voices, and seeing the flash of irritation on Levy's face, quickly began to move.

"Wait! My book!" Levy hissed out as loud as she dared. Cursing under his breath, Gajeel pivoted and scooped up the hard cover monstrosity that was on the floor and moved himself and Levy behind a bookcase in a more secluded corner. Ironically by the encyclopedias.

As soon as Gajeel had begun moving, Levy instinctively wrapped her arms around Gajeel's neck to secure herself and leaned closer into him as they hid.

After she was sure the voices were gone, Levy couldn't help but laugh at the situation. There she was hiding from two of her best friends while being held by a guy she barely knew. "What are we doing?" she managed to get out between giggles.

"Gihihihi," Gajeel chuckled along with her. "I dunno, but I ain't complaining," he said his face close to hers.

There was a brief moment of tension before Levy thought 'Fuck it. Why not?' and closed the distance between them.

Gajeel was surprised, but he wasn't going to complain. In fact, he reasoned, it would be rude if her didn't reciprocate with the same energy.

Gajeel slowly slid down the bookcase until he was sitting on the floor with Levy sitting sideways on his lap, both of her legs thrown over one of his own. His right arm wrapped around her, supporting her upright, with his hand resting on her thigh. His left arm wrapped around her with his fingers entangling in her hair and allowing him to angle her head up towards him.

Their kisses were feverishly with each one causing them to pull the other closer. At one point Levy pulled away to catch her breath and Gajeel took the opportunity to deepen their kiss. Both tongs fought for dominance in Levy's mouth before they pulled away from each other panting slightly. Thought that didn't last long as Gajeel peppered kissed along Levy's jawline to her ear, nibbling at her earlobe. Gajeel was pleased to hear this action elicit a soft gasp from the tiny girl.

Wanting to take control, Levy shifter herself to her knees and straddled Gajeel until she was towering over him. She grabbed both sides of his face and tilted it upwards as she kissed him. It was Levy's turn to be pleased as she heard Gajeel gasp softly as she gently bit his bottom lip.

Gajeel's hands tightened on Levy's waist as the smaller girl deepened the kiss and began to explore his mouth with her tongue. Pulling away Gajeel began to kiss his way down Levy's neck, licking and nipping lightly drawing moans from her. Levy let out a contented sigh as she exposed more of her neck to him…just as the bell rang signaling the ned of lunch and causing them both to jump.

"Oh shit!" Levy said springing up. She had momentarily forgotten where they were. "We've got class!"

"You go first," Gajeel said still lounging on the floor. "Don't wait for me."

Levy hesitated for a second. "Um, okay. I'll, uh, see you later." Turning beat red, Levy rushed off, trying to fix her mussed hair as she went. She desperately hoped it was believable that her disheveled state and shortness of breath was because she was rushing to make it to class on time.

Gajeel leaned his head back and let out a frustrated sigh. He wasn't sure if she noticed, but he hoped that Levy would think that his insistence that she go first was because he was a gentleman and not to hide the fact that he had a raging boner. 'C'mon, think about non-sexy things. Math homework…Lily playing with kiwis…encyclopedias…nope nope nope. That one's bringing him back to life. Guess I have a fucking kink for reference books now.' Gajeel groaned. How was he going to get rid of his boner now?

A voice nearby cause Gajeel to jump, scaring the crap out of him. "Juvia saw." Peering out from a bookshelf to his right, Gajeel saw the profile of his childhood friend. 'How long has she been there?' he wondered.

"Juvia knows," his friend whispered, the words hanging in the air.

'Yep,' thought Gajeel. 'Boner officially killed.'