Bookworm And The Dragon {GaLe}

Chapter Six: The Curse

She gawked at him. "You...You What?"

Gajeel risked glancing up at her to find her gaping, mouth open slightly. He wanted to groan, but a sigh came out instead. "Yeah... The Rain Woman came over and started talkin' about the freakin' book and that the dumb spell was in our language now so anyone could read it so-" He paused, wondering if he was sweating under his scales before swallowing to continue. "As a joke, I mighta read it out loud..?" Before she could blow up on him, he tried to save himself, hands--well, claws--up in a defensive position. "I didn't think it would work!"

He groaned although it came out more of a growl, sliding back in his chair as he put his hands over his face. "And now look at us! I have no idea where we are and yer hurt because I'm an idiot who couldn't even get to you in time! If I can't even freakin' protect you then why am I here?!"

He hated it. He hated that he got them locked up in this stupid book, that she was hurt because of it, and that he hadn't even been able to prevent it.

Levy stared at him for a moment, attempting not to cry any more than she already had. She wanted to be angry, but she could tell by his tone of voice that he felt terrible. Her hand rested on the bandaged wound on her arm as she glanced down at it. He thinks he hadn't protected her...but he was wrong.

"Gajeel. Look at me." He almost flinched at the softness in her voice. Slowly, he sat up and removed his hands. His eyes made contact with hers and he could see the assurance in them that matched her knowing smile. Part of him really didn't like that smile, because he was afraid it saw right through him.

She battled with herself before taking the risk and placing her hand on his arm. She felt him tense underneath but didn't break contact. "You did save me, you know." Her smile faltered and she looked away, a bit ashamed. "And I didn't say thank you so..." She looked back up with a bright smile. All of the times Gajeel had been kind to her, opened up to her, grinned at her, and saved her from harm flashed through that smile. "Thank you."

Gajeel chewed his bottom lip, telling himself that Lily would only make fun of him later if he cried. He didn't dare move away as if the soft hand on his arm was what was holding him together. After a moment, the dragon slayer swallowed and replied in a small mumble. "You're welcome."

Levy beamed up at him brightly before the moment of silence that followed helped her realize that sometime during the conversation she had scooted up a bit closer to him and her hand was still on his arm. She blushed, quickly removing her hand and placing it in her lap, changing the subject. "S-So, ah, we're in the book now so we might as well follow along?"

He raised a metal brow at her. "What do ya mean?" He was not fond of the idea after what happened to Gray and Juvia.

She raised a brow back at him. "You know...Follow the story?"

His expression turned blank with a bit of reluctance. "Why do I have a feelin' this is gonna get real mushy, real fast."

She rolled her eyes and managed to hold back a giggle. "Have you ever heard of the story Beauty and the Beast?"

His expression stayed. "Do ya really want me to an-"

"Nevermind." She quickly cut off his sarcastic remark. "I'll just explain, but I need to ask our...friends if they can take us to it."

He was growing more confused but that turned into worry, which he quickly covered with irritation, as she turned and started to climb out of bed. "Oi! Yer still healing!"

She stuck her tongue out at him and purposely used her bandaged arm to pull her under eyelid down, which caused his eye to twitch. She was happy to know he was worried about her, but she didn't want him to worry and decided to be stubborn about it. "I'm fine. See?" She started flailing her arm, ignoring the sharp pain that it did cause.