A/N: First, thank you for reading. Second, thank you for being patient for those of you still even reading this story. I officially graduated from college so now I can get on with the writing. This story is turning out longer than I had intended but oh well.

**Don't own characters obviously

Enjoy~

Children continued to buzz about with enthusiasm while sorely tired parents seemed to cling to their coffee cups, nursing from them constantly. Levy sat in the plush chair Mira had originally provided for the reading, still taking in the fact of the matter. She was an author. The thought resonated within her, and Levy smiled a soft and content smile.

Gajeel stood next to her, freed from the torment of having to sit on the ground with the rest of the little quirts. He discreetly gazed at the bluenette sitting next to him, the question of the little girl named Alice still running through his head. Heat swelled in his cheeks causing him to swipe a hand over his face that ultimately broke Levy's trance.

She swiveled to face him in her chair, hazel eyes burned like wildfire with curiosity and determination. "Soooo? What did you tell that oh so inquisitive little girl?" Her voice was devious and ran through Gajeel's ears like fine silk.

Gajeel swallowed hard, attempting to avoid the inevitable trap of a question. He steeled his composure and leaned back, his chest puffed out, as he spoke, "Wouldn't you like to know." He crossed in arms in protest, silently hoping that Levy would give it up.

Levy could've screamed with frustration at Gajeel's half assed answer. Her emotions bubbled up and displayed on her face turning from sly curiosity, to simple annoyance. She too crossed her arms in defiance and let out a soft huff.

"I hate to interrupt this lover's quarrel, but Levy I simply wanted to congratulate you on how well the children responded to the reading." Mira's voice rang out like a soft bell. "Also," she added shifting her gaze from Levy to Gajeel and then back to Levy, "Mr. Deyar would like to speak with you after everyone has cleared out."

Levy blanched to an ashen color, her inner thoughts ran with turmoil wondering if she was in trouble with her boss. Had she said something wrong? Should she have brought Gajeel along? Maybe one of the parents said something or complained?

"Shrimp?" Gajeel's voice broke through her thoughts returning her from the depths of her own imagination to the bookstore where they stood.

Levy put on her practiced smile and nodded, "Of course."

Mira nodded in return and squeezed the author's shoulders gently, her face beamed with pride at her star pupil. The moment stopped short as her phone buzzed frantically with yet another call. Without saying another word Mira vanished back amidst the crowd leaving Levy and Gajeel to sit alone once more.

"You okay Shrimp?"

Levy blinked, then blinked again. A bead of sweat formed over her brow and Levy quickly, almost instinctively, wiped it away before anyone noticed. But the man standing next to noticed. A mixture of worry and concern washed over his face as he tried to piece together why the bold blue haired woman was falling apart at the seams over a few words with her publisher. He brought a hand to her shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze.

"For the record, I told the little girl that we're the dragon and princess from the story, and that eventually they fell in love," he offered hoping Levy wasn't listening.

Levy's eyes widened, afraid her career was all over, "Wait what did you just say?"

Gajeel's shoulders relaxed at Levy's reply, seeing her finally begin to come back. "I said that I told the little munchkin that you're actually a princess and I'm your body guard." He paused, shifting from one foot to the other. "And that I was sworn to protect you as royalty."

Levy's face scrunched at Gajeel's answer. She let out a huff then smacked the brute playfully on the side. But her smile slowly faded away as the reality of the situation came haunting back to her. Laxus's words echoed in her head, I would advise a wholesome partner.

In an instant Levy was sitting back in the sterile and looming office of Laxus Dreyar, his slimy grin playing dangerously over his lips. She clenched the chair his eyes glimmered like a snake narrowing its sights on a mouse. The room swam and tilted on its side, a cold dizziness encompassed her once again.

She gulped down the lump in her throat, "Gajeel, could you wait in the coffee shop while I talk to Mr. Dreyar? It shouldn't take long." She forced her smile.

Gajeel didn't buy one letter of her words, but decided to oblige regardless. He nodded and forced his own strained smile. "Sure thing Shrimp," was all he said before walking away.

Levy was left alone to wait, her palms had begun to sweat and the lump in her throat wouldn't seem to leave making her mouth feel like she had been chewing on cotton.

After ten minutes or so, the kids had slowly started to fade away or moved on to the other activities that the bookstore had provided for them. Laxus finally arrived and Levy could smell his expensive cologne before he even approached her. He wore an even gaudier suit than the one he had worn when they had first met, Levy wanted to laugh at how out of place he looked dressed to the nines in a simple book store filled with people similar to herself.

He extended his hand to Levy and grinned a wide toothy smile. Levy internally cringed but kept the small smile beaming on her face. "Laxus, what a pleasure to see you again."

Money signs practically swirled in his eyes. "Mira told me that the signing went swimmingly. I trust that you will have the next story on her desk within the next week." He stated adjusting his maroon suit jacket. His eyes locked on Levy's frame.

"Oh, um yes of course. I have had quite a bit of inspiration the past few weeks." She paused to glance towards the café where Gajeel sat gnawing on a piece of bread.

"Well whatever it is, keep it up," he touched her shoulder.

Levy's skin crawled and itched where his large fingers were placed heavily on her frame. She bit her lip wanting to excuse herself to scrub away at the spot, but stayed still despite herself.

"There is a Gala of sorts tomorrow. It would be a waste and ill in your interest to not attend." Laxus's tone was commanding, leaving Levy with little room to object.

He is my source of income after all… She nodded her head, "I'll be there."

"Great, Mira will give you the details" he paused then winked before making a turn to leave, "I'll be looking forward to seeing you again." He smirked.

Levy stood still with a smile plastered on her face as she watched the gaudy maroon suit slowly disappear into the crowd and out of her sights. As soon as it vanished altogether she let out a heave of a sigh, and wiped her sweaty palms over her jeans. Her phone vibrated before she could gather her thoughts. Mira's name flashed on her screen, the information about the Gala was mixed in amongst details about what to wear.

I'll just be over later with some dresses. See you soon.

Levy shook her head at the last text that Mira finally sent knowing she was in for a real doozy when she got back to her apartment. She paused, the thought hitting her like a truck. What about Gajeel? Can he come? Would he want to come? He is my muse… The thoughts ping-ponged back and forth in her mind.

"Who was that guy?"

Levy spun around to face Gajeel, she noted the way his eyes were dark, almost the color of blood in a vile-almost black but still had a reddish tint. Her heart skipped. "The guy who writes my checks," she brought a finger to her chin, "well probably not, Mira probably writes those. Or maybe they have an accountant to do such a task? His name is on the checks that are written out to me," she concluded.

Gajeel cracked a smile at her short-lived rambling. He shifted from one foot to the other and crossed his arms, then uncrossed them and ran a hand through his tousled mane. "So can we leave yet?"

Levy glanced around the store; only a few families were still huddled in the café. The parents looked worn out and grateful to be sitting down. "Yeah, we can go," she linked her arm casually with Gajeel's as they walked out and made their way back to her apartment.

Gajeel watched from behind as they trekked their way up the two flights of stairs to Levy's apartment. In the past week he had gotten used to the short journey as well as the way Levy grumbled about not having an elevator each time. Gajeel waited with baited breath for Levy to make her complaint about the stairs, but as they entered the hallway of her floor he realized she was unusually quiet. Neither had made a sound until they had crossed the threshold and entered her apartment.

Gajeel furrowed his brows. "What's eatin' ya Shrimp?"

Levy tilted her head and dropped her bag on the kitchen counter, then continued on into her room. Gajeel followed with caution.

"Did ya hear me Shrimp?"

Again, nothing. Gajeel paused at the doorway, deciding to lean against the frame. When he looked into the room he snorted and folded his arms. Levy lay facedown on top of the bed, completely still aside from the small rise and fall of her chest.

He crossed the space between her bed and door in a few strides and took a seat on the side of the bed. It dipped under his weight and Levy grumbled.

"Short Stuff?"

"Huh do ya fill a but tiss?" she asked, her voice muffled by the pillows and down comforter.

Gajeel deadpanned and leaned closer to the small bluenette. "What the hell did you say? Somethin about takin a piss?"

Levy giggled into the sheets reminding Gajeel of the high notes when she played piano.

She raised her head up a fraction before speaking again, "I said how do you feel about ties?"

Gajeel shrugged. "Not much for wearin them, but I suppose if I have to then I can try," he paused and squinted curiously at Levy, "Why?"

Levy reluctantly rolled over so she was facing the ceiling avoiding eye contact with Gajeel's inquisitive gaze. "I uh was just curious?" her voice raised an octave giving her statement the inflection of a question.

Gajeel shook his head and laid onto the bed, bringing his feet up and letting them fall with a thump. "Uh huh and the sky is yellow." He turned and poked Levy in the side making her flinch. "Come on Shrimp, out with it. Why?"

"I really was curious." She defended.

Gajeel rolled onto his side, a devious smirk twitching at the corners of his lips. He then moved in one swift motion so he was looming directly over Levy.

She looked up and met his gaze, his eyes void of the darkness that swam in them at the bookstore. She managed to snake an arm up and run her hand through his dark locks until her hand rested on his cheek. Her eyes searched his until she realized their faces were nearly an inch apart.

"I don't look that bad in a tie."

Levy breathed the cinnamon hints on Gajeel's breath as he spoke, her body arched up in reflex, reacting to a deep need to taste more of those cinnamon notes.

Gajeel's hands hovered as they traveled along Levy's arms just barely ghosting over her skin until his hands finally intertwined with hers. He moved ever so slightly as he brought them up above her head then pinned them there with one hand. Levy peered at him wearily, her eyes betraying her mind as they filled with lust and darkened as he tightened his grip subtly. His nose was beginning its descent onto Levy's collarbone when a sharp buzz elicited from her phone.

They shook off the sound together and Gajeel continued on further along Levy's collarbone, nibbling as he went.

The phone buzzed again, this time vibrating more than once. Levy wanted to whimper and cry as the heat had began to build and send tendrils of electricity up and down her spine.

The phone wouldn't cease, buzzing incessantly begging for Levy's attention.

Gajeel however had taken it upon himself to continue his assault on Levy's chest, nibbling and licking here and there. She let out a soft groan, exasperated, and picked the phone up off the dresser. Her thumb flicked across the screen opening it up to the call.

"Levy! I was worried you never made it home!" Mira's voice echoed in Levy's ear. "I've been waiting here for the past five minutes. Could you let me in?"

Levy could hear Gajeel's small grumble in protest as Levy pushed on his head forcing the brute off from the bed. "I'll be right there," she half said to the phone and half called out from her bedroom.

Not bothering with a formal hanging up, Levy pressed end and threw the phone on the coffee table as she padded out to the door. She quickly let Mira in along with the dresses the petite woman had slung over her arms.

"You should truly think about requesting for them to put in an elevator," Mira sang, hanging each dress from makeshift places.

Levy dared to drag her eyes across the garments that had been neatly wrapped in plastic sheaths. Some were longer than she was tall. The bluenette grabbed one of the dresses, holding it out to better inspect it; she froze when Gajeel strode out with his shirt off wearing a pair of joggers.

Mira gave them a lingering glance before proceeding to hang the rest of the dresses. There were six in total, each as extravagant and sophisticated as the last. She hummed once the last one was placed then put a triumphant hand on her hip.

"I'll have you try each one on, I hope you have a stepping stool or box to stand on so we can admire the full length without you having to balance in heels."

Levy gulped, "O-Of course, but how tall of heels am I going to be walking in?"

Mira laughed and side glanced towards the giant in the room, then bit her lip and switched her gaze back to Levy's short stature. "Well that depends, how tall is your date going to be? We wouldn't want you looking like a child next to this guy," she caught herself, "That is if he is indeed your date?"

Gajeel stopped mid munch on his jerky, "Mph?"

Levy held her head in her hand with one arm still crossed. "I… I um haven't quite worked out the semantics of all that yet."

Both Mira and Levy watched as the gears began to turn in Gajeel's head as he pieced together what was happening and why Levy had brought up ties. He finished chewing the jerky then leaned against the countertop, a smirk was plastered on his face.

"So that's what that thing was all about," his voice lilted.

"What thing?"

"Nothing." Levy glared at Gajeel.

Mira stood in the middle of the open room. "Whatever, you are going with each other. It only makes sense since you were at the signing. Pictures were probably already taken of the both of you."

Levy moved to object but put her hand back down as Mira's fiery glare dared Levy to speak, when she remained silent Mira's smile returned with a complete 180.

"It's settled then, " she chirped then turned to Gajeel, "Do you have a tux?"

Gajeel gulped as he realized that he too was spiraling into his own personal hell courtesy of a blue haired Shrimp.

The next hour consisted of Levy trying on each dress, feeling equally uncomfortable in all three that she had tried on. Mira made slight nods or sounds that Levy still couldn't quite make out as to whether they were good or bad.

Gajeel took a seat on the couch where he could still have a decent view of Levy, but kept his distance from the crazy silver haired lady that was beginning to look more like a demon than a well-put together angel. He took in each face that Levy made in protest, nitpicking on some aspect of the dress or another as she tried them on. Yet she seemed to radiate from his point of view, the way the green dress hugged her curves, or the red one that made his palms sweat.

Finally Levy stepped out of the bathroom, and if Gajeel had looked up at any other moment he would've missed the way her lips curved up in the tiniest of smiles.

Mira cooed over the dress and pulled Levy up onto the stool to take in her masterpiece.

"This one is certainly the one. Levy?"

The bluenette nodded her head and continued to gaze at her reflection in the mirror that rested opposite of where she stood in the middle of the living area. The gown flowed down Levy like black water. The little fabric used to cover her top half was cut from leather and overlapped to look like scales; they flowed down diagonally from the top of her left collarbone to her right hip-bone then met with the midnight black chiffon skirt. Her stomach and left hip were exposed yet Levy emanated strength and a sense of regality in the floor length gown.

Gajeel's mouth gaped like a dead fish.

"It was hard to get into at first, but it will do."

Mira's eyes gleamed wickedly and a devious and satisfied smile swept over her face. "Great, I'll see you both at the Gala tomorrow night."

A/N: Make sure to leave a review if you'd like. I do read and respond to them. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter even if it was a bit slow. But things are about to happen I promise. Also seriously if anyone is still reading this story thank you because I struggle with giving up on this story so much it's sad. PM me if you have any questions/comments/concerns. Kay bye ^-^