Maybe He Wasn't Bright Like Lightning, But Maybe That Was A Good Thing

Surprises And Solutions

Levy POV-

Gajeel circled slowly and went into Steel Dragon Mode. The other Hunter started and fear crashed over his face. "You're one of them?!"

Gajeel smirked. "You bet I am. I am not only a Huntsman. I am the iron dragon-slayer, Black Steel. But now I'm on the Hunt. For you." He spoke in a low growl that sent shivers up Levy's spine.

He had magic too!? Why was he a Hunter?! She was so confused!

In a crash, the two Huntsman struck. Light flashed and temporarily blinded Levy. When she looked up, they were still fighting, each a match for the other.

Levy was desperate to watch and see who won. She didn't know who would kill her sooner, now, but she was pretty certain anything was better than this.

But as much as she wanted to see the outcome, black snuck in around the edges of her vision. And pain made everything fuzzy.

Her last image before she blacked out was of a dark wreathed person walking towards her. And she couldn't find anything but relief at the prospect, because that person wasn't like lighting.

She woke up to an arm around her, holding her secure, and the slight tightening of gentle hands bandaging her side.

The person holding her brushed his hand lightly over the wrap, then laid her gently down on a soft, slightly scratchy surface. A blanket.

She blinked open her eyes and turned her head the slightest bit. Her eyes met with Gajeel's.

"How are ya, Shrimp?" He asked softly.

She startled herself, but because of... just everything, she started crying. Immediately, Gajeel sat up and pulled her gently into his arms, brushing a finger softly over her cut cheek. He rubbed her back and let her cry.

After a minute or two, she pulled her head back. "Aren't you going to kill me?" She asked nervously.

To her surprise, he encompassed her in his strong arms and said vehemently, "Never."

She started to cry again, quietly, so he wouldn't notice. "No! Shrimp, don't cry. I'm not going to let anything hurt you." He said and brushed her tears away. When she couldn't stop, Gajeel leaned in, gently holding her, and kissed her lightly.

When he pulled back, he said, "Please don't cry. I love you, Levy, and I don't want you to be sad." He bent his head, making his black hair flop forward and cover his crimson red eyes. "I love you."

Her tears stopped falling as she processed, and realized that even though she knew he had been sent to kill her, Gajeel's arms were the only place she felt safe. And he'd comforted her fears. She realized that she loved him. He was tough as iron on the outside, but inside he had feelings and a heart. And he was kind.

She leaned into his chest, feeling his beating heart. "I love you, too."

He placed his head on hers and sighed with contentment. "So I'm not too unreachable and guarded for love." He confessed.

Levy wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as hard as she could. "No one is. But if anyone could do it, it's me."

"Yeah, sure, Shrimp, it's you."