The Book of Gajevy

2. Christmas to Remember

It was Christmas eve at Fairy Tail, and the guild was bizarrely empty. Most members had traveled across the country to visit family and friends. For those left behind there was a small party planned, far quieter than most guild parties. " You sure you'll be ok Levy-chan?" Lucy asked for the tenth time, causing Levy to roll her eyes. She would be the only girl left in Fairy Hills besides Kinana, and Lucy was off to visit her parents graves, Team Natsu in tow. " Positive Lu. Now go before you miss the train!" Levy shoved her friend towards her waiting party, and waited till the train was gone before heading for the guild.

At the guild she helped finish with decorations, using her words to make fake snow that vanished before it could hit the ground. Once the small group was gathered,  food was brought out and a music lacrima played Christmas music. Levy looked around her to all of those gathered. Wakaba was playing cards with Macao, Romeo and Wendy. The Elfman was dancing with his two sisters on the dance floor, making them laugh. Kinana was talking to Markarov and Gildarts, making odd hand gestures that made the men laugh. Cana had already blacked out beside her father, clutching her barrel in her sleep.

Then, there was Gajeel.

He was on the second floor, leaning over the railing as he watched everyone. More specifically,  her. Before he could be caught, he averted his eyes to watch the Strauss siblings. Levy felt a bit sad that he was trying to be separated from everyone on such a wonderful Holiday. She had no room to talk though, as she had been nose deep in a book most of the party. She decided she would make him participate, or at least give him company. She had something to give him anyway.

As Gajeel watched the small party, he was trying hard to ignore the exceed on the railing beside him. " I'm getting tired of watching you mope gear head. You really need to just tell her how you feel." Lily said as he popped out his wings. " Where on earth are you going?" He grumbled. " I'm not gonna be a stick in the mud, I'm going downstairs." Lily said before hovering over to the card game.

Gajeel huffed, turning his attention back to the bookworm. Well, where she was supposed to be. "Hey Gajeel." The voice said, and it took every fiber of his being not to jump out of his skin. He turned to look at her disinterested. It was hard, seeing as how beautiful she looked. She had her new headband in her hair, she had actually been wearing it all week since he bought it. She wore a matching red tunic style dress with black legging. Her white boots hugged to her knees and a green scarf hung loose around her neck. " Kinda lonely up here isn't it?" She asked, snapping him out of his staring as she stood next to him.

"It's alright." He grumbled. Levy blushed lightly as she fiddled with something behind her back. He raised a studded brow as he watched her. She took a deep breath before shoving a small package into his hands, so quickly that he almost didn't catch it. He frowned slightly at the perfect wrapping, simple gray and white stripes with a white bow. He glanced up at the girl, now tomato faced as she motioned for him to open it. He did as he was told, tearing the wrapping and opening the box.

There were a few things in the little box. First was a simple mug with a black dragon on it, roaring into the sky, beside it was the word iron with a heart in the o. Inside the mug was chocolate mix, as well as iron sprinkled marshmallows. He glanced up at her as she hid her face in her scarf. " It's a special chocolate mix with iron in it... I know it's not much, but I wanted to get you something for Christmas." She said quietly. Again, he frowned.

" Why?"

Her face rivaled her dress in vibrancy as she took another shakey breath. " Because... That's what you do when you care about someone... You make sure that they arnt alone, and don't feel cast aside... You do little things for them."  He stared at her wide eyed as she mumbled on, trying to comprehend what she was saying. She cares about me? His thoughts were running a million miles an hour, yet they didn't move at all. He glance back down at the iron and noticed something inscribed around the heart in the center. Love, Levy.

He set the package on the railing gently before turning back to her. She made a small squeek in surprise as he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "G-Gajeel? Wha-" "Just shut up for a second." Her mouth snapped at the command. " Im... Not good with words, so give me a sec." He continued quietly, and she nodded slightly.

"Shrimp, I... Damn why is this so hard. Look I... I care about you too Shrimp... Levy. More than Nakama. I get nervous when you go with your lap dogs on a job. You light up a room where ever you go. " Levy looked up at him with wide eyes, his own crimson held a softness she had never seen before. " I'm trying to say... Damn it. I love ya Levy." If her eyes could go any wider they would have popped clear out of her head. Am I dreaming? If she had her hands free she would have slapped herself, but seeing as they were trapped between herself and Gajeel, she didn't see that happening.

" I'm not asking ya to love me back, but I was tired of trying to hide it... I don't deserve you, not after what I did." He said sadly, and it snapped her out of her shock. " Damn it Gajeel, I forgave you a long time ago!" She nearly shouted, startling the slayer. " But-" "No!" She jabbed her finger into his chest. " No Gajeel, I forgave you. End of story, discussion over. Since forgiving you," she smiled brightly. "Since forgiving you, Iv learned to love you." It was now Gajeels turn to have his eyes bugging out of his skull. She loves me? Her bright grin was still plastered on her face as he returned it with his own.

His large hand gently caressed her face, pushing back some stray hair as he did. He leaned down till their forheads touched, chuckling softly at her bright face. " Can I kiss you?" He asked in a tender voice that sent her heart rate racing. She quirked a smile. " Well, we are standing under mistletoe." He looked up, and sure enough, there was the green leaved menace. He grinned down at her as he leaned in again. " I didn't hear a no." She giggled and stretched up on her tip toes, closing the distance and pressing her lips to his.

{My green leaves of doom are back!}