This is my first FT fic. I've been doing Bleach most of the time and have been MIA entirely from Fanfiction for months already. But it definitely felt good writing once again! I was set on writing NaLu at first, but ahh, writer's block is a bitch. Fortunately I came up with this after reading some really worthwhile GaLe yesterday.

Hope you enjoy the first chapter of Off the Ground.

CHAPTER 1: LOOK AT ME LOOKING AT YOU

It was always the same. She would be in her usual seat, a book or two and a strictly non-alcoholic drink within reach as she read up the team's chosen request sheet under the shadows of her chattering team members. She would spare a glance or two to the people bustling around her, perking up only when Lu-chan dropped by to say hi or when Mirajane generously updated her about the guild's latest gossip.

And Levy learned from a couple of years' experience that around 11 in the morning was the time she would always cross paths with him. She would be sitting there, already well-informed on the mission she would be taking with Jet and Droy, and the guild doors would swing open ungraciously, welcoming the thudding of heavy boots into the lounge area. She would be done tucking her request sheet in between her books before looking up to see Gajeel Redfox who would half-heartedly wave at Mirajane to signal that he wanted his usual drink. He would scan the crowd and spot his window seat, sometimes doing this while talking to Pantherlily. Then, he would nonchalantly walk pass a total of three tables, of which the second is hers.

So on a day that was destined to be again, the same, she sighed and prepared for what she secretly named The 11am Awkward Eye Contact.

Here it comes. The awkward moment! She listened attentively to the sound of black boots hitting wooden flooring, while smiling at Jet and Droy—who both believed that she had been listening to them—while slinging her now packed and ready bag onto her shoulder.

When Gajeel Redfox was within arm's reach next to her as he made his way to his table, he turned his head ever slightly to look at her. As predicted, Levy mentally noted. And she was of course, in the middle of standing up to leave, thus meeting his gaze easily. It was always, always the same.

Neither says a word, though Gajeel, when in an exceptionally good mood sometimes offer some sort of grunt in greeting. She always smiled kindly at him regardless, and his eyes would stay on her face for perhaps a second longer before he moved pass her.

It didn't seem like he felt that it was awkward. She was probably the only one anticipating this brief encounter every day and heck, no matter how sharpened a dragon's senses were supposed to be, she really doubted that Gajeel ever tried listening to her footsteps. Levy, you're pathetic.

Pathetic indeed, but Levy was never a fool in love. She was inexperience, yes, a tad bit too innocent, yes, but she realised quickly long ago that she had romantic longings for the Iron Dragon Slayer. She's read enough to know the signs the moment they surfaced. And she spent nights worrying if he had noticed just as fast.

She blushed on occasions he touched her. She had even been carried bridal style once he had to rescue her team which at that time consisted of Levy the paralysed damsel in distress. She decided that it was that other time right before the S-class exams when he lifted her off the ground by her collar when her feelings for him ignited.

Her one-sided love was nothing grand, nevertheless. She was never compelled to make him like her or return the slightest bit of her feelings. She was not sure if she would risk her life for his. She gave up the idea of saying sweet things or giving any form of confession.

When their eyes meet, Gajeel, though most of the time wordless and disinterested, always appeared sincere. His eyes were unafraid, red irises full of spirit as he looked at her. That one look was enough for her. She only wanted him to always remember her. She did not need to know what went on in his head whenever he saw her looking back at him. He was part of her routine and she was glad of that. But in her silent greeting were words she chose to believe that were conveyed:

Gajeel, here's Levy today. I'm going off now, but I promise to see you again tomorrow, here, 11am!

Little did she know that on this day, however, something was not going to be the same. She was at the guild doors with Jet and Droy closely behind, when it happened.

A loud crash—broken glass, she deduced—was heard. The trio swiftly turned around to look, finding Mirajane apologising for the accident. Ah, it was a plate.

Momentarily distracted from her intent of leaving, Levy let her eyes wander as a few girls offered to help Mira clean up the mess, until she found her vision zero in on Gajeel, who was, well, staring right back at her.

This day then became even more obviously different when said Dragon Slayer stood from his seat, rudely ignoring Lily whom he was conversing with till seconds ago, and walked towards her.

"You," he simply addressed when he was finally standing in front of her and looked her squarely in the eye.

"Gajeel?" She hoped she wasn't blushing.

"Don't move." And with that he placed a gentle hand atop her head. She froze but distinctly felt that he was trying to find something in her hair.

"Just a shard," he offered an explanation.

"Huh?" That was her most intelligent response. Jet and Droy were throwing loads of questions at Gajeel but she couldn't register anything other than Gajeel himself.

"…turned around any faster you would have your face bloodied from this," he elaborated and removed his hand from her, then showing the trio a piece of broken glass he held between his thumb and index finger.

"Wait, that's from the plate just now?" Droy asked.

And she understood. "Oh, erm, thank you, Ga-"

"It's nothing," he interrupted.

She was sure she was blushing madly.

An hour after Shadow Gear officially departs for their job, a realisation dawned on her. He was watching me leave! Why else would he be able to notice a piece of glass flying towards her and narrowly missed hitting her face?

Levy, he's a Dragon Slayer, you know. Heightened senses and all, duh. Focus on the job, darn it!

She sighed for the second time of the day, and with forcibly refreshed enthusiasm, wrote 'AVALANCHE' in Solid Script as she faced the enemies before her team.

On this quite different day, Shadow Gear defeated two dozen of bandits and collected 200,000 Jewels. Said bandits were arrested and later treated for frostbite.

TO BE CONTINUED.

REVIEWS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! FEEL FREE TO DROP SUGGESTIONS AND AS OF NOW I CAN PROMISE THIS: I WILL KEEP OOC-NESS TO THE MINIMUM AND IN UPCOMING CHAPTERS GAJEEL AND LEVY WILL PROGRESS FOR THE BETTER!