Levy's cheeks never had been so red. She was regretting her decision of reading in the forest. But the day was so beautiful outside she couldn't resist the opportunity of laying against a tree with a good novel. After all, who would have guess a wolf pack would be around. And even more surprising, who would have guess Gajeel would be there at that exact moment. Even though she still hated him, well a little less now, she never was as glad to see someone in her whole life. And now, she ended up on the back of the very person she vowed to avoid.

She had despised the way he had stared at her, showing indirectly he could easily have the better end against her without any effort. Yes, she was physically weak, she simply hated when someone reminded her. Without him, she couldn't even imagine what could've happen to her... But as unpleasant as he had been until now, he was now bothering to carry her while he was himself injured. She could notice he was helping her to keep her balance on his back with his arms, and that, even though the action was without any doubt painful on his right side. Decidedly, she didn't understand that man.

While laying her head on his shoulder, she could notice how much his hair, despite its untamed appearance, was soft. As for his hands, they felt like burning hot on her tights... What was she thinking about! And there she was, blushing again like an idiot to which she responded by hiding her face in his neck.

"Hey! Hope you're not passing out on me shrimp!" Growled Gajeel feeling a new pressure in his neck.

"Levy!" She exclaimed in answer to the nickname he was constantly using, much to her displeasure.

"That answers my question" he said realising she still had all her spunk.

"And you? Still that unpleasant?

As an answer, he pretended to let her fall, triggering a small cry from the young woman, tightening more than ever her grip on Gajeel.

"Gihi! You'll have to hold on better than that shrimp!"

"Why the hell did you do that for?"

"Don't worry, I wont let you down" he laughed again. "You could easily break if I did so".

"What the hell is my problem?" thought Levy, feeling her cheeks blushing, once again, even more.

***

"It really is beautiful!" Exclaimed Juvia once Gray was finished with the fairy statue he had started the day before.

"It isn't the first time I get compliments" he laughed "but they were never as sincere as yours".

"But Juvia really thinks Gray's work is amazing!"

She wasn't lying. Since she left after her discussion with Gajeel, she had spent most off the day watching him work. Okay... the artist himself was a piece of art to her mind, but the young women admired what he did as well. After a moment of looking at him from a distance, the young man had finally lifted his eyes on her. So Juvia had came closer, sitting on a bench near him while he completed the statue. Once the artwork finished, he took out a smaller piece of stone and placed it in front of her.

"Wanna try?" he offered her.

Juvia jumped on her feet, shaking her hands in front of her in sign of negation.

"Juvia has no idea how to do art!" She exclaimed.

"I could show you. It's your choice" he said starting to put away the block he just took out.

"Gray really wants to show Juvia how to sculpt?" she asked with shyness, playing with her fingers.

"I'm offering it to you. So? Are we starting or not?"

The young woman finally nodded to confirm she was ready to try. Following the instructions, she selected, with hesitation, one of the instruments proposed by Gray and started to work on the stone. It was harder than she taught and, rather than tracing with ease the silhouette of her sculpture, her efforts resulted in crumbling pieces that should have, normally, stayed in place.

"You really are bad at it!" Said the young man above her shoulder, provoking a pout on the young woman's face combined with a bright blush.

"Juvia knew she shouldn't try a beautiful art like Gray's! She doesn't deserve to ruin something so amazing".

"You really are intense, don't you?" he concluded.

Juvia felt her heart tightening. Gajeel was right, she had scared him. Or maybe was there another girl? Maybe it was that blond girl, the one that was obviously in love with her Gray? She was about to jump on her feet, but before she could do so, she was startled by arms on each side of her.

"You're doing it the wrong way" he said, only centimeters from her ear while bending in her and the statue's direction.

Then she shuddered a little more when he placed his hands on hers to help her carve the stone. By some kind of miracle, the instrument was engraving the shape they wanted.

"See? It isn't that hard when you know how it works".

Juvia was overjoyed at the simple idea of doing something that resembled her love's everyday routine. She continued her work until it looked like the dolphin she had imagined. Of course, it was largely due to Gray's numerous interventions. When she was finished, she jumped on her feet, throwing herself at Gray, arms wide open.

"Thank you! Juvia is so happy!"

In contrary of what she was expecting, it was the beam supporting the workshop rather than Gray's arms that were waiting for her. When she opened her eyes back, she realised he had stepped aside, picking up the sculpting tools they had used.

"It's stating to get dark" he said as she hadn't move. "I'll walk you home".

Despite the fact she was disappointed she couldn't hug him, she happily accepted his offer.

***

Levy took out her keys from her pocket, handing them to Gajeel so he could open the door of her little home. Then he put her on the couch, grabbing once again with his now free hand his wounded arm, before walking to the door without a word.

"Wait!" Exclaimed the young woman.

"What now" he growled, obviously looking forward to be on his own.

"Let me tend to your arm" she said her fists tightened as if she was struggling against herself.

Gajeel didn't answer but didn't left either. She took advantage of his hesitation to rise up, painfully helping herself with the wall to walk to the bathroom.

"You don't have to push yourself on my account small fry" he sighed.

Levy sighed, trying not to focus on that new nickname. "You at least ow him that much" she told herself while limping, her first aid kit now in hand. However, the effort she had asked from her leg was too much too soon and she stumbled. A large hand, stained with blood, caught her.

Levy looked dumbfounded at the young man who was the only reason she was still standing. "How could he reach her thas fast?"

"Don't stare at me like that! I told you I would not let you down" he grumbled to her daze.

Red tinted her cheeks. Hating him was getting more and more difficult. She shook her head, trying to clear her head, then let herself be guided once again to the couch.

"Just give me your arm, she asked stretching her hands in front of her.

"Don't believe you can boss me around!" he complained, however doing as she said.

Once more, the young woman had to hold back her annoyance to avoid yelling at him. Soon enough, however, she was so concentrated on her task, bandaging the wound with such delicacy Gajeel didn't feel any pain, at least, no more pain he was already feeling.

"I'm afraid it'll leave some scars on your arm" said Levy with regret once she was done.

The young man shrugged his shoulders, seeming not to care at all about what she just said. Then he looked at the bandage she just completed.

"Not bad for a shrimp!" He said with satisfaction.

"Are you capable of complimenting me without any insult?" She sulked, her arms crossed.

"Gihi!"

"Your getting on my nerves!" She exclaimed, throwing a cushion at him.

Gajeel stopped it without effort with one hand, then came closer, sliding his hand under her thigh.

"W...what are you doing?" she stuttered, caught off guard, placing her own hands on her thigh to cover herself.

"What does it looks like?" He said annoyed, "Last time I checked you also had a wound to tend to".

For the umpteenth time that day, she blushed. How could she be such an idiot? "Stupid imagination" she thought.

"What's your problem now?"

"Nothing!" she lied.

"Pffff. Tell that to your face" said Gajeel before bandaging himself her injuries.

His hands seemed even hotter than on their way back. As for his eyes, red as the blood staining one of his hand, they weren't as terrifying as before. She sighed. Decidedly, for a girl that had planed avoiding as much as possible that unpleasant man, Levy had failed. The young woman however had to admit his presence was more and more bearable the more they were knowing each other.

That's it! :) Little calm chapter today while our characters got to spend time together! But is the calm before the storm?

Also, I just wanted to inform you I wont be updating the story next week because I'm leaving tonight at 2 am for a one-week trip! (Yeah! I'm writing while I should be sleeping XD ). So don't worry if the next update isn't before the 10th, it isn't because of a lack of motivation ;)

So I hope you liked that chapter and that you'll have a wonderful week! Please leave a little comment so I can know your impressions on the chapter :)

Lily xx