The Iron Dragon's Mark

The Reward

That Evening, Still in Penelope:

He had gotten them two rooms at a local hotel. He had insisted on a local healer coming and looking over Levy, who patched her up and declared her fine, if not dirty. Levy had blushed at that and shooed the boys out so she could take a bath.

Feeling clean again, she pulled out a spare outfit from her bag and changed. Grimacing that she had forgotten a brush, she finger combed her hair and slipped on a headband, hoping to contain some of her wilder locks.

Finishing up, she heard a knock on her door. It was Lily.

"You're looking better," the exceed remarked, looking her up and down. "Feel like getting something to eat?"

"Sure. Um, where's Gajeel?" she asked, blushing lightly. She needed to stop blushing so much! She scolded herself.

"He got cleaned up and went to collect the reward. We'll meet him at the restaurant."

"Oh," was her only reply.

"So do you think this guild will continue to look for the lacrima?" she asked Lily as they walked to the restaurant. "If that's what they were doing in the first place," she finished.

Lily looked up at her and smiled. "I think they were. Thanks to your calculations and research, we were able to get this done much faster than if it had just been Gajeel and myself." He stumbled over something on the road, and Levy caught him before he fell.

Instinctively, she picked him up and hugged him. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Guess I was more tired than I thought," Lily said in an apologetic tone. "Thanks."

"No problem. You don't mind if I carry you the rest of the way? You've got to be exhausted!" She didn't want to hurt the exceed's pride, but she was always envious of the way Natsu and sometimes even Lucy would carry Happy about. It looked so cute and cuddly!

"If you don't mind, that would be nice," Lily smiled.

Gajeel saw them coming down the street, Levy's face looking down at Lily, who was being carried in her arms. They both looked pretty content. He couldn't help an envious feeling of wishing he was the one in her arms.

"Knock it off, idiot," he muttered to himself as they approached.

Levy looked up to see him and smiled. "Hey Gajeel!" she greeted him happily.

She had to admit, he looked good in his black boots, tan pants, and blue jacket.

Her scent swirled around him and he smiled back at her. "You look like you're feeling better."

She nodded. "You look good, too," she said, then blushed when she realized what she said.

Lily chuckled. "Let's eat," he suggested, nodding to the restaurant.

After the meal, they were walking back to the hotel when Levy suddenly stopped. "Oh! I forgot to tell you!" she said, turning to Gajeel. "There's a bonfire tonight as part of the harvest festival. I wondered if you, um, well, wanted to go? I mean," she stumbled on, looking down and blushing, "I know it's not really your thing and all, but it sounded fun and they'll have games and..."

"Shrimp, it's okay. I'll go with you," Gajeel interrupted.

"Oh," she replied, looking up at him, embarrassed.

He thought she looked really cute standing there, pink staining her cheeks.

"I think I'll pass," Lily announced, looking at the two. "You two go along and have fun!"

"You sure, Lily?" asked Levy, eyes widening when she realized it would just be her and Gajeel.

Lily nodded. Maybe some one on one time between the two would finally get them to admit their feelings about one another! He almost sighed aloud.