The Iron Dragon's Mark

Guys Aren't Supposed To Be Here!

Levy's eyes widened as Mira burst out laughing, clapping her hands enthusiastically. "I knew it! You two are so perfect together!"

Levy turned to Mira. "Perfect? We're nothing like each other!"

Cana took another long pull from her drink. "Well, yeah, haven't you ever heard opposites attract? Honey, Gajeel is perfect for you! You think Natsu gets possessive around Lucy? That's going to be nothing compared to how Gajeel will act around you!"

Levy squirmed uncomfortably. "I would think there would be a level of trust..."

Mira laughed. "Oh dear, you don't know much about these dragons, do you? They are very territorial! It's not a matter of trust but of possession. No one, and I mean no one better mess with you while Gajeel's around. As fierce as he and Lily are, I'd almost feel sorry for anyone who gets in between you two!"

"Yep!" Cana slurred, "I think Team Shadow Gear will be defunct. Ain't no way iron boy is going to let you go out with them anymore!"

Levy frowned. She didn't want her whole life dictated by Gajeel! Granted, they'd been taking it slow. In fact, not much had changed between the two except they were more physical. He often held her hand when he walked her back to her place. Several times he had pulled her onto his lap while hanging out at the Guild Hall, much to her embarrassment. They had also kissed several times. Levy blushed thinking about those kisses. Gajeel was an amazing kisser! Granted, she hadn't been kissed a lot in her life, but anyone who can make her feel that way down to her toes and out to her fingertips - that defined them as a great kisser!

"I don't think that will happen," she said slowly.

"Oh honey, once he marks you, that'll be it!" Mira said, patting her arm. She got up and headed back over to the bar where some of the members in the hall had wandered over to.

"Cana," asked Levy, frowning again. "Is that what the cards really say? Is there a way to change things?"

"What's up? You and Gajeel are sooo cute together!" She booped Levy on the nose and laughed.

"I just don't want my life dictated to me. Surely Gajeel will understand that if I explain it to him."

Cana shrugged. "Nothing's ever certain. You and Gajeel are mates, no doubt about it. However, he can be a reasonable guy. Some advice? Just be forthright with him. Tell him how you feel about things, don't talk around it. He likes things straight forward, ya know?"

Levy nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks Cana."

"Not a problem!" she said, getting up and giving her a wave as she walked away. "Any time!"

Later that night, Levy heard a tap outside her window. Frowning, she wrapped her robe around her pajamas and opened the curtains.

"Gajeel!" she hissed, opening up the window. "Guys aren't supposed to be here!"

He worked his way past her and into her room. "Well, by the time I got back to the hall, you were gone."

She sighed. "It's close to midnight - of course I'm not there! Most people are sleeping at this time!"

He grinned. "Not my shrimp! Bet you were reading in bed," he chuckled.

Of course, he was right. Still, she stood there, arms crossed, trying to look stern. "I was about to go to sleep!" She faked a big yawn.

"Not buying it, short stuff." He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her and burying his head in her hair. "I needed to see you," he said, his voice muffled.

Okay, yeah, that was the right thing to say, she thought, feeling her insides melt. Gajeel could be so sweet at times!

"Levy," he breathed out. His arms tightened around her. "I know I'm not supposed to be here," he admitted, "but I just wanted some time with you."

"Okay, fine," she said, pretending it was a struggle. He grinned, grabbed her hand, and led her to her bed.

"Gajeel!" she yelped, as he pulled her down on top of him.

"Oi! Shrimp! Calm down - nothing's going to happen that you don't want it to. Trust me."

"I do trust you," she said as she snuggled next to him. She thought about Cana's and Mira's words from earlier today. "You trust me, right?"

"Do you need to ask?" he growled out, turning to face her.

"Well, it was just something that Mira and Cana said earlier," she said, deciding to be straight forward like Cana had advised. "About....dating a dragon slayer."

"What's that?" he growled again, his eyes narrowing.

"Um, just that slayers tend to be a little, um, possessive and not trusting others with you," she breathed out quickly.

Gajeel actually looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, considering I haven't really done this dating things before, yeah, I guess that's how they might see it." His eyes narrowed again. "They weren't comparing me to Salamander, were they?"

"N-no!" Levy said. At least not in that way, she thought to herself. "Just...how would you feel if Team Shadow Gear took on a job."

"Those dolts can do whatever they want. What does that have to do with us?"

"Gajeel," she sighed, frustrated. "I am part of Shadow Gear, too."

He frowned, thinking. "Well, as long as it was a small job that didn't take you away for too long. Otherwise," he grinned, "I'd have to go with you."

Levy laughed. "Okay, okay. I get it. Just...don't forget space is sometimes good in a relationship."

"And sometimes it's not," he chuckled, pulling her to him.  

The kiss this time was a little more aggressive than usual, Levy thought, but she wasn't complaining. In fact, once he broke it off, she had to admit she was a little disappointed.

"Gajeel," she sighed, resting her head and one of her hands on his chest.

He kissed the top of her head and chuckled. 'So, if I were to stay here for the night, how much trouble would you get into?"

Levy lightly smacked his chest with her hand. "You can't stay!" she told him.

"Hmm, maybe Erza would fight me in the morning?"

"No!"

"Then maybe you need to spend the night at my house," he told her. Watching her blush, he chuckled. "Maybe not for that just yet. However, I wouldn't mind waking up with you in the morning."

Levy snuggled in closer, if that was possible. "Well, maybe if you leave first thing in the morning, before anyone is up..." she suggested slyly.