Gajeel stepped through the glass door; out of the biting wind and into the warm interior of the coffee shop. The dark haired man reached up with gloved hands to lower the dark colored scarf from his face. He rubbed his hands together for warmth as he stepped closer to the counter, looking up at the large menu posted up above the counter. He frowned, almost everything seemed too sweet, it made his teeth hurt just thinking about it. As his eyes roamed the board, scanning the items in thought, a voice interrupted his thinking. He brought his gaze down to meet the small woman's gaze.

"Are you ready to order?" The blue haired woman looked up at him with large brown eyes. The large visor bearing the emblem of the coffee shop made her face look even smaller than it already was. Her hair was only contained by the bright orange elastic that stood out in bright contrast to the royal blue of her hair. Gajeel looked at her, he cleared his throat and quickly mumbled out his order.

Levy took in his appearance, he was nearly over a foot taller than her, and his face held many piercings that made him seem almost scary. His red eyes were intense and it sent chills down her spine. Did they run in his family? Or maybe it was just a genetic mutation? She didn't linger on these thoughts and punched in his order, "Anything else for you today, sir?"

"No, that's it." His voice matched his looks, the rough tenor gave Levy more chills. She babbled out his total, rubbing her forearms to alleviate the goosebumps. She watched as he unzipped his jacket to reach for his wallet, and she noticed the ID badge that hung from his neck.

"Detective Redfox..." She read aloud, unconsciously leaning forward to read the identification card. "Magnolia Police Department, homicide unit..."

Gajeel cleared his throat as the small woman leaned a bit too close to him, he slid the ID back in his jacket with one hand and handed her the money with the other. "Here." He said gruffly, smirking as she squeaked and put the money in the drawer. He took the chance to observe her. Her hair was really shiny and her face was quite cute as well...

"Your order will be ready in just a moment!" she told him cheerfully. She moved over to the coffee machines and prepared his drink. She snuck looks at him, while he did something on his phone. He was really quite attractive...

Levy took his bagel from Jet and headed out to the lobby, a silly smile on her face. "...Detective Redfox?" She called out to him softly. Her smile grew brighter, "Your order is ready."

Gajeel blinked as she came up to him with his food and drink. Her smile also caught him off guard. "Thank you." he muttered. He nodded to her and turned to leave but he felt her tug on his sleeve. He raised his eyebrows in question, a confused look crossing his features.

"I was wondering, do you work with Detective Dragneel?" Levy asked, removing her hand from his jacket.

"I do." Gajeel turned back to face the small woman. "Why?"

"He is helping my friend with something and I was wondering what kind of person he is..." She explained, her loyalty for her friend shining through her words.

"Look..." Gajeel started to say, but the look in her eyes stopped him. He nearly groaned out loud, this was so not like him. Maybe he was getting sick or something... "I don't know Dragneel too well but I can tell you what I do know. Can you meet me tonight? I have a shorter shift tonight, miss..." He offered, feeling incredibly awkward he looked at his watch.

"That works for me! Please call me Levy! I won't get off here till tonight anyway. Where should I meet you? I don't want to keep you." Levy grinned at the man, completely unaware of how pink his cheeks had gotten.

"Uh, I can meet you here. See you." He exited the coffee shop quickly, not wanting to linger with his flaming face.

...

Without even realizing it, the coffee shop became a habit for him. He failed to notice how he would look for her everyday. She would always have his order hot and ready for him as he walked through the door. Some nights he would wait for her to get off from her shift to escort her home in the dark, cold winter nights that were too dangerous for her to walk home by herself in his opinion.

Soon the days and weeks passed and it was Christmas Eve; by some Christmas miracle they both had gotten off for the night. He suggested they go grab a bite together, in the spirit of friendship, he told himself.

He notice how Levy wasn't acting like her usual self. The questions and facts came few and in between and it made him worry slightly. She was so little and they had walked a long way in the cold...

As they reached her house Levy's behavior became increasingly weird. Gajeel had enough and asked her bluntly, "Are you sick, Shrimp?"

"Stop calling me Shrimp!" She snapped, her face flushing.

"Well then why are you acting all weird?" Gajeel grumbled, she didn't have to yell, sheesh.

Levy's lips thinned into a line and she reached into her bag and pulled out a brightly wrapped present. "Merry Christmas, Detective Redfox..." Her face was entirely pink now, and she couldn't look him in the eye. As soon as he took the present she pounced on her door, swiftly unlocking it.

He grabbed her arm before she could run away. "I didn't get you anything..." he said, feeling guilty.

"You don't have to! I made it for you because I wanted to!" She said, trying to give him a reassuring smile.

"You made it for me?" Gajeel asked, his heart speeding up.

"Yes..." Levy pulled her arm out from his grip, "I think I'll head in now." She turned to head inside, but before she went completely in she turned and jumped into his arms, placing a sweet kiss against his lips.

He caught her as she flew at him, but he froze as he felt her lips against his. While he was still in shock, she pulled away and went inside before he could even say a word.

...

It had been a few days since Gajeel had seen Levy, and it was starting to get on his nerves. He knew she was avoiding him, she wouldn't answer his call or the door when he went to her house.

He asked around at the coffee house and found out she worked the late shift on New Year's. He waited for her to get off, making sure he caught her before she could run off again.

Levy didn't expect to see Gajeel as she walked out the door of the coffee house. She tried to go back inside but he held the door shut. Her heart was beating fast and hard, her face was sure red as well.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" Gajeel asked, his face was close to hers, his body completely overshadowing hers. "Is it cause you kissed me?"

Levy felt like her heart was about to burst, "You didn't kiss me back!"

In the background they could hear the people in the coffee shop start counting down to the new year.

"If you had waited for a minute or answered my calls..." Gajeel said and drew closer.

"5!"

"You would know..."

"4!"

"That I..."

"3!"

"Feel the same."

"2!"

"Gajeel?"

"1!"

"Yes?

"Happy new years!"

"Kiss me."

"Planned on it."

...

A/N: Happy new years everyone! Sorry this was a little late but I hope you enjoyed!

AND WOW WE MADE IT TO 60 FOLLOWERS?! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Here's to all you guys! Let's have a great year together!

TTFN~ Ta ta for now~

Xoxo

Marina Rose