In Secret (Sequel to Behind the Scenes)

Laughter

Levy's P.O.V.

I whirled around before he could see my grin, and started stomping up the road towards my home again. He's teasing me! Who knew there was such a gentle side to Gajeel? I knew he wasn't as mean as he tries to act, but this is...unexpected. Well, two can play that game. I don't ever want to be completely evil, so I won't use tears as a weapon, but I'm not without my tricks. I've used the before to get my team to behave. They might work on Gajeel too.

I made an effort to keep ahead of Gajeel as I stormed up the road. Before he could catch me, I schooled my features into an angry mask. Making Jet or Droy think I was angry always unnerved them, so they'd straighten up. Mostly, I had to do it to them so they'd stop flirting with me. Honesty, why can't they understand that romance among teammates is a bad idea? Besides, I've known them so long they're like brothers to me! I shook that thought out of my head before I really WAS angry.

"Shrimp? Hey, wait a sec... Levy!" I stopped dead, surprise almost ruining my facade. Gajeel never calls me by name..."What?!" I snapped at him, whirling around. He was closer than I'd thought, but that's probably just because he walks so much faster than me. His red eyes were searching my face, and he actually looked concerned. "Why the hell are ya so angry?" He asked.

I sighed. "I don't like being laughed at! I truly felt bad for implying that you can't read, and you threw it back in my face!" I heard myself getting a little hysterical. Hmm, maybe I'm not faking as much as I thought? "I would never insult someone like that!" Gajeel kept looking at me, but I couldn't read his expression.

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Gajeel's P.O.V.

Levy looked like she was fighting back tears. But, she smelled like she was as surprised about that as I was. I finally dropped my eyes to the ground, "I'm sorry, Levy. I was just messin' with ya. I don't get to laugh like that often-- I just didn't think-- I'm real sor-" now it was my turn to be cut off by laughter. I snapped my head up to see the little woman covering her mouth with both hands, doubled over laughing. "Huh?!"

"Oh, Gajeel! You should see YOUR face!! Careful, you're going to eat a bug if you don't close your mouth!" She pointed at me as she collapsed in peals of laughter. It was so musical, all I could do was stand there. I've never heard her laugh before... The sound tickled my ears, and made me want to join her. "Gihi, yeah. Ya got me, Shrimp." I grinned down at the little woman, and then sat down on the ground next to her. I looked at the scenery around us to give her time to calm down. I grinned as her laughter subsided into giggles. I could get used to hearing that sound, I thought to myself. I hardened my resolution to never let her be hurt again, and added to it a goal to make her laugh as much as possible.

"Well, ya wanna get these books back to yer house anytime today, Tiny?" I finally asked her. I looked over to see her glaring at me again. "What'd I do now?!"

"Why do you always call me names? I know you know what my name is, you said it a minute ago." She crossed her arms over her chest, her books sitting on her lap. "Oh! That? Gihi, cuz yer so small, that's why." She huffed and snatched her books as she stood up. "You're so mean! I'm not THAT short!" She ran towards her home. By this time we were almost there anyway. I chuckled one more time as I stood up, then bent to pick up the rest of her books.

When I got to Fairy Hills, she was nowhere to be seen. I opened the door and saw a small table just inside. I placed her books on it and walked out, closing the door behind me. It wasn't until I was almost to my home that I realized she might be able to help me with m-the. THE orphans.