A request by the lovely Rboz: Gajevy. First mission together, lots of tension. ... I can only hope I delivered (ノ≧ ω≦ \)

Setting is after Fantasia, before Edolas.

Gajevy: First Mission

Cocking her head uncertainly, Levy surveyed the job board and tapped a finger against her lip thoughtfully. She needed a job to do, and, since Jet and Droy had both caught a cold, she needed to find one that she could do alone.

Eyes lingered over a pet retrieval, then slipped to a bandit subjugation, before moving on to a babysitting one with a grimace. There just wasn't anything that was jumping out at her, but she had to pay rent soon, so she had to find something.

Sighing, Levy called out, "Mira-chan, don't you have a translation request or something interesting I could do?"

Mirajane frowned thoughtfully as she paused in polishing the glass she had in hand. "There is one…" she said slowly, and Levy's eyes instantly lit up. Translation missions weren't particularly common, but the pay was usually good. "But," Mira continued, an uncertain knot to her eyebrows, "It's through hostile territory, and with Jet and Droy ill… I just don't think you should go alone."

"So, don't send her alone," a voice grunted, and Levy flinched at the sudden interjection.

She hadn't realised Gajeel was nearby, and though his presence didn't unsettle her as much after the Fantasia festival – She no longer felt the overwhelming need to hide the second he walked into the guild, after all – the sight of him still made her heart pound uncomfortably in her chest, and it bothered her that she couldn't figure out why. She didn't think she was afraid anymore, but if it wasn't fear … Then, why?

Obviously sensing Levy's discomfort, Mirajane frowned at Gajeel as he stood there, arms crossed over his chest and looking just as severe as ever.

"I'm … Not sure that's a good idea," the ex S-class mage said slowly, and Gajeel's lip curled at the words.

"Well, good thing what you think doesn't exactly matter," the Iron Dragon slayer snarled, and pulled the job sheet from Mirajane's hands. "Psh, that's what you call hostile territory?" he added before whirling around and making his way out of the guild, apparently oblivious to the cautious glares people shot him as he went.

Levy remained where she was, shoulders hunched in and biting her lip as she looked down at the floorboards of the guild uncertainly – A mission with Gajeel? Droy and Jet would panic as soon as they found out, of that she was sure. But… It was a translation mission. It'd be interesting.

And then she looked up with surprise as a shout echoed through the guild hall, "Oi shrimp, you coming or what?"

Gajeel stood in the door way, a hand on his hip and an irritated scowl on his face. As Levy turned to face him though, the piercings of his eyebrows rose expectantly, and Levy's heart thudded unexpectedly at the expression. Then, before she'd even realised where her feet were taking her, Levy was making her way to the door too.

"Who are you calling shrimp?" she muttered as she drew closer, her mouth pulling into a displeased pout as she made a point to ignore the wary glances people gave her, and the cautious whispers that followed her.

Gajeel simply smirked at her, chuckled his trademark "Gihii," as Levy allowed the guild door to swing shut behind her.