Omg I've been so productive with writing lately, but only because it's Grayza week and Grayza week makes my heart SOAR *v* If you're not caught up with GW I strongly suggest you 1. do 2. look up 'grayza week' on tumblr and check out everyone's stuff! Anyway, here's 16!

"Okay, we're here!" Cana smiled, parking her car. She turned around excitedly. "Take off the blindfold!"

Erza, in the backseat, nodded as she unwound the blindfold around Levy's eyes. "You can open your eyes." she smiled.

The blue haired girl readjusted her headband, rubbing her temples. "I still don't understand why you had to blindfold me from my doorstep to here." she muttered, eyes still slightly closed.

"Uh, because you're the birthday girl, duh!" Cana scoffed, and clapped her hands. "So, what do you think?"

Levy blinked her eyes into focus, looking around them. Her face broke into a smile as she recognized her surroundings. "Oh my…" She turned to her friends. "Guys, you shouldn't have!" She smiled brightly. "Blue Pegasus is my favorite restaurant!"

"A second 'duh.' We know you can't resist their fondue." Lucy laughed, hugging her friend.

"And tonight's live music night, and we know how much you love the bands that come in!" Mira added, smiling from the passenger seat.

Levy looked at them, tears forming in her eyes. "Aw, guys! I don't know what to- " She was suddenly interrupted when a dull thud sounded on the window. The girls all jumped, seeing Natsu's face pressed against the glass.

"Get your grimy hands off!" Cana shouted, smacking her window in response.

"Hurry up then, I'm hungry!" Natsu complained, muffled against the glass.

"Well, present time will have to wait till later." Erza sighed, and opened the door. "Shall we?" They all nodded, filing out of Cana's car.

"Happy birthday Levy!" the boys greeted, standing outside Gray's black car.

"Thanks, guys." Levy smiled as they all walked into the restaurant.

Gajeel followed everyone inside, when he felt a hand on his shoulder, holding him back. He spun around, alarmed, only to see that Natsu was behind him. He frowned at his friend. "What are you doing."

The pink haired boy looked at him with wide eyes. "So you and Levy, huh?"

Hearing her name Gajeel froze, feeling himself stand taller. "Uh...what about her?" he asked.

"You've been hanging out a lot?"

Where was he going with this? "...I guess. A few times. Well, more than a few. I guess."

"Ah, yeah. She seems pretty happy about it."

Gajeel shrugged. "Yeah, sure, it's whatever."

Natsu scoffed. "Wow, 'whatever?' Nevermind, she was right."

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "Okay, where the fuck are you going with this- "

"You guys may hang out a lot now, but she's not actually happy about it."

He frowned. "She's...she's not?!"

"Well, sorta. She's happy, sure. But she said she feels like you're still indifferent about her."

Gajeel snorted. "Sounds exactly like her."

"Well, maybe we can change it. Did you get her a present?"

"Uh, yeah."

"So? What is it?!"

Gajeel raised his brow in suspicion. He had gotten Levy a present, but why was Natsu, of all people, asking him about it? "Well, you know. It's an inside joke. Thing. Idea. It's whatever." he repeated, nervously cracking his knuckles under his chin. The image of the black leatherbound notebook he had bought Levy flashed in his mind.

"Wow, another 'whatever.' Hopefully it'll be alright."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"You guys have had a weird thing for the past few years, y'know? You gotta show some commitment."

He crossed his arms. "Are you, of all people, trying to give me advice- "

"Hey, I'm just saying: do something she won't expect. Surprise her. Step outside your box." He gave Gajeel a pat on the shoulder, before going inside.

Gajeel held a hand to his face, annoyed. "Natsu, what- " But Natsu had already left. Gajeel stared after him, too shocked over their conversation to smack his friend on the head. Outside my box? He shook his head. He didn't show emotions, didn't get in his feelings- that was simply who he was. But Levy... He groaned in annoyance. If she wasn't happy, then what was any of it for?

"Hibiki!" Cana waved from their table to her boyfriend, who was walking through the restaurant while holding a tray of various drinks.

The honey haired boy looked over, eyes lighting up immediately. "Hey hey, who's this fine woman?" he laughed as he walked up to them, Cana planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Aww, that's so sweet!" Mira gushed, joyfully clapping her hands together. "To think you were screaming at each other last week."

"Yeah, well, you know I needed some character development." Hibiki winked, and nodded at them. "Nice table, huh?" he smiled proudly.

"Second one from the stage? I feel like I'm VIP." Levy laughed.

Cana patted Hibiki's arm. "Yeah, I guess you do a good job."

"Hey, do you know who's playing tonight?" Lyon asked.

Hibiki pursed his lips. "Actually, that's the problem. The lead singer that was supposed to sing is really sick, so they cancelled."

"No way! Do you have a backup?" Lucy asked.

Hibiki nodded. "They should be here late, but better late than never. We know there's a birthday in the house." He smiled at Levy, and turned to the rest of them. "Your food should be done by now. I'll be right back!" he spoke, walking away.

"Wow, Cana, you really lucked out. He's so nice." Levy smiled at the brunette.

Cana waved her off. "I lucked out? Please, he was the one that lucked out with me." she smirked, their table laughing in response.

Erza turned to Gray, who was sitting next to her. "Hey, are you okay?" she spoke softly.

The navy haired boy shook himself out of his thoughts, sitting up in his seat. "Yeah, what's up?" he asked.

She arched an eyebrow at him. "You seem out of it."

Gray tried not to falter under her gaze. Truthfully, he was- it had been a week, and he still hadn't had the courage to confront Erza about Jellal. He had tried talking to Ultear, and she told him it was nothing, but he felt like he had to do something himself. And he shouldn't be that bothered by it, but… He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She smiled. "Well, good. I'm glad. Because I've been meaning to ask- "

"-Hey, have either of you seen Gajeel?" Levy interrupted, looking suspicious.

The two exchanged confused expressions. "Uh, I haven't, actually." Gray remarked, looking around.

"Yeah, and where's Natsu?" Lucy piped up. "I haven't seen either- "

"Ooh, we're sitting already? Great, I'm starving!" Natsu greeted, sitting next to Lucy.

"What? Where did you come from?!"

"Probably eating everyone's food." Gray remarked.

"I was not!" Natsu defended. "I was...going to the bathroom." He turned to Lucy, cupping a hand to her ear. "I got it covered."

Lucy frowned at him, confused. "Got what covered?"

"Gajeel and Levy?" He winked. "There's nothing to worry about, it's in the bag. You know, it was weird for me to talk to him like that, but I think he bought it."

He smiled at her but she only stared at him, still confused. "Riiiight….I'm going." Lucy replied, standing up.

"Ooh! To talk to you know who, right?!" Natsu asked eagerly. "I'll come too!"

She chuckled slightly. "No. I'm going to the bathroom."

"Oh. Okay. Gotcha." Natsu winked again.

She rolled her eyes. "Natsu, I'm not...whatever. I'll be back." She walked to back of the restaurant, shaking her head. Why does he do these things...

She reached the bathroom doors, about to go in, when she felt a hand clamp her shoulder. She jumped in surprise, spinning around. "Jeez, Gajeel, you scared me. What's up?" The black haired boy was staring at her intensely. So intensely that he almost looked...nervous. She frowned. "Are you alright?"

"I need your help." he spoke, eyes unblinking.

She looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but honesty. She nodded.

"Holy wow. That was…amazing." Levy breathed, leaning away from her now-empty plate.

Natsu nodded. "I'm sayin. I haven't had fifths of any meal since Mira's chocolate chip pie, and that's saying something."

"You nailed the restaurant choice, Cana." Gray complimented. Cana nodded, snapping her fingers in response.

"Good birthday, Levy?" Lyon smiled.

The blue haired girl nodded. "Perfect! And I'm really glad all you are here for it." Levy smiled at all of them.

"Did someone say birthday?" Hibiki announced, holding a small cake in his hands as he approached their table. Cheers erupted as he placed the dessert in front of Levy, who was smiling brightly.

Levy held her face joyfully. "Aww, guys!" she sighed. She smiled at all of them as they began singing an offkey 'Happy Birthday,' when the lights suddenly darkened. A hush fell over the restaurant. "Ooh, is this part of the birthday treatment?" Levy joked, turning to Hibiki.

Hibiki frowned, looking around. "Uh, not to my knowledge. But who knows, maybe- " The lights dimmed completely, the only stagelights on.

"Hey, the band's here?" Gray asked, cheering.

"Uh, I- I guess…"

The lights changed so that there was only a spotlight, shining on a man sitting in a chair. He was facing away from them, his large figure dominating the stage.

"Woo! Let's go!" Natsu cheered.

He held out his hand, another figure, a girl, joining him onstage. She was wearing a tights and leotard ensemble, complete with a set of bunny ears. She handed him a guitar, before running back offstage.

"Oh god." Erza widened her eyes.

Lyon shook his head. "This is either going to be really good or really bad."

The singer spun around, dressed in sunglasses and a white tux, complete with a red tie and white hat. "Shoobie do ba!" he scatted, before gruffly singing a blues tune.

"Oh my god." Levy breathed, not believing the sight in front of her.

"Holy shit." Gray added. "Is that- "

In front of them, onstage, was Gajeel. Everyone stared at the stage in shock. Cana turned around to her boyfriend. "This was the backup band?" She smiled, squeezing his arm. "That's so cute! Especially for Levy's birthday!" She heard Gajeel suddenly sing louder, flinching as he did so. "...Maybe not as cute."

Hibiki shook his head. "Yeah, no...that's definitely not the backup band."

Gajeel, however, was completely unaware of the comments from his audience. "The birthday girl, yeah, she's small, like a small sea creature. A shrimp! Sha la la!" He pulled out his harmonica, continuing his song.

"Oh, fuck." Natsu realized, finally piecing it all together. Levy's gonna kill me! And then Gajeel will too! He cupped his hands around his mouth. "THAT'S NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND!" he shouted to the black haired boy. "ABORT, ABORT!"

As if on cue, the restaurant lights had come on. Gajeel was immediately ushered off the stage by a crowd of employees. One took the microphone, looking apologetically out over the crowd. "Sorry about that, folks. That was the...opening number." He closed his eyes, shaking his head. "Regardless, please welcome tonight's featured band!" The audience cheered politely as a jazz band took the stage.

Their table was still staring in shock while blues music played around them. "Holy crap." Lyon breathed, looking at the rest of them. "I can't believe we witnessed that."

"Did that even…?" Erza stammered.

Mira looked at Levy, seeing nothing but pure shock on her face. Oh no. Panicked, she reached over, hugging her friend tightly. "H...appy brithday Levy!" she cheered weakly. Dear god, let's save this night...somehow.

"Are you sure you can hold all that?" Cana asked, calling out her front door. The group had returned from their dinner to Cana's house to finish opening Levy's gifts.

Levy nodded, shifting the gifts in her arms. "Yeah, I think I got it just right. Besides, I'll dump em on Lucy as soon as I get in the car." she responded, flicking her head to Lucy's car at the end of the driveway, the blonde already inside.

"Yeah, that sounds good." Cana laughed, and hugged the smaller girl. "Happy birthday, again! I'm glad you liked it."

"It was great. Thank you for doing all this, Cana!" Levy thanked her. After the two exchanged goodbyes Cana went back inside, and Levy began making her way down to Lucy's car.

"Yo, Shrimp."

Levy turned around, widening her eyes as she saw Gajeel walking towards her. She nervously shifted the presents in her arms. It had been a couple hours, but she was still so in shock from his earlier performance that she hadn't even mentioned it. "Oh, Gajeel. Hello." she greeted.

He put a hand to the back of his head. "I didn't really say happy birthday earlier." he spoke gruffly. "So, uh, happy birthday." he muttered.

"Th-thank you, Gajeel. That's…very nice." she responded as awkwardly. She could barely meet his eyes, the image of him singing in the tux flashing in her brain. She gulped. Oh god...

"Um, yeah. You're welcome. Yeah." he nodded. "Oh, I got you somethin." He pulled a wrapped gift from behind him, handing out to her. "I, uh, didn't want the others seeing. They get too loud, ya know?"

"Wow, that's so kind of you!" she smiled brightly. "I love the…" She looked at the present, seeing the brown wrapping paper and hot pink bow. "...presentation." she finished, holding in her laughter.

He rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "Oh, yeah, I used what I had, and I figured girls like pink, so uh…" He gave her the gift, adding to the tower of presents in her arms. He took a step back. "Well, okay. Uh, see ya later, I guess."

"Yeah, see you later." Levy responded, watching as he walked back to the front door. She walked slowly to Lucy's car, before turning around. "Gajeel!" she called. The black haired boy turned around. "Thank you." she smiled.

Gray brought his car to a stop, stopping outside a house that was beginning to be familiar to him. "Okay." he spoke, unlocking the door for Erza, who was next to him.

Erza smiled, turning to Gray. "Thank you, again, for the ride."

Gray waved her off. "It's fine. We live close enough anyway, it was logical."

She stared at him, feeling his strange behavior from earlier. "Gray, are you sure you're alright? You've been acting strange all night." Although she had tried talking about it earlier, Gray had been spacey around her for the remainder of the night.

He sighed internally- of course she had her suspicions. He had been relatively quiet throughout dinner, and even the car ride was mostly Erza talking. Of course, it was because of the whole Jellal thing and how Erza hadn't mentioned it at all...It's just weird.

He looked at her, nervously trying to phrase his question. "So hypothetically, if you heard something weird about someone and it worries you, and instead of going to that someone you go to everyone else first, and they all say it's fine, but you're still worried, would you confront that person, or would you be considered paranoid?" He held out his hands. "Hypothetically speaking."

"Um, what?" Erza gave him a worried look. "If anything's going on, you can tell me."

He shook his head. "You know what? It's nothing, just a stupid thing. I'm okay. I just..." He stared at her, serious expression on his face. "You're one of my closest friends. And I...uh, care about you."

She raised her brows. "Oh. Of course. I, um, care about you. As well. You're a very good friend too."

His face broke into a smile. It was probably the most forward they had been...ever. "Hey, you wanna hang out next weekend?"

"Sure. Um, just us?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

Erza smiled, nodding eagerly. "Yes. I would like that."

"Okay. See you at school, then." Gray smiled, as Erza began walking to her door. He waited until she was inside, before punching a fist into the air. What a dumb thing to be worried about. he thought, his worries over her and Jellal disappearing completely. He drove away, smiling to himself. We'll be just fine.

Next chap will hopefully be up late tonight! I'm trying to post them asap, and with Grayza week I think that'll be good. Leave a review if you enjoyed!

-Pinky