I'm a recent Fairy Tail convert, and I'm seriously into the relationship between Levy and Gajeel. As soon as I watched episode 199 I knew I had to write something about it. As I write this, I'm partway through the Tartaros arc, so I'm aware there's probably much that will happen that overrides any events that I write about - so I guess you should think of this as an AU from the Grand Magic Games onwards. Please be aware that this chapter contains sexual content, those of a sensitive nature or under 18 should skip by.

I had some great reviews within less than 24 hours of uploading! Thanks guys. I am making a small tweak to this chapter, then I will be uploading the next one or so.

Obvious disclaimer that I do not own Fairy Tail. Credit goes to Hiro Mashima.

"What the hell're you crying for?"

Oh, I just couldn't help it. My heart has been in my throat almost constantly all night, my whole body flooded with fear at the prospect of losing my friends. I've never been as afraid as I was when the dragons attacked. All I could do was watch, helpless. But they're okay…he's okay.

He stands in front of me, hands in his pockets, appearing a little surprised at the tears running down my cheeks. He looks strange, wearing a fancy suit with his hair, usually so long and wild, tied back. Behind him, the festivities roar on. I didn't really want to be in there,not right now, I'm not ready.

"I don't exactly know why…I'm sorry." I dab at my cheeks with a smile. In truth, I'm just so happy to have him back, whole and unharmed.

"Come on, you don't have to apologise." Gajeel shakes his head, bemused. "It's been a rough couple of days, huh? Guess I can't blame you for being upset."

It's not often he's so soft with me. Well, only when we're alone. He probably gets a bit embarrassed if the rest of the guild are around. I'm a little proud that I'm the only one, besides Lily I suppose, to see this side of him. I can't help but smile wider at him. He raises an eyebrow. "What's up?" he asks.

"Nothing…just…" I stand from my chair, brushing down my skirt. I bought it in town when we found out about the banquet. It's lovely, my favourite shade of orange. Princess Hisui had offered me the pick of her wardrobe, but I'm just not well-endowed enough to fill out her dresses. "Hey, Gajeel…you wanna blow this joint? I don't fancy the party at all really. What say we explore the palace a little?"

He chuckled at my suggestion. "You really are a rebel, shrimp. Hell, why not. I got nothing better to do."

"Brilliant! Let's go then."

He smirks as I take his arm. "You know, shrimp, people will talk if they see us like this."

"Let them," I scoff. I honestly couldn't care less. You'd think after what he put me and my teammates through during the Phantom Lord attack that I'd hate him, but no. I guess to him it was just business, something he had to do. He's shown me more than enough times now that he'd do anything to take his actions back. His promise to me that he would never hurt me again rings true in all his actions. I love him for it, and right now, I have him all to myself. Seriously, the sexual tension is thick in here. I'm sure he's aware of it too as we walk along the palace halls. I've seen the way he looks at me sometimes (and I bet he's caught me staring a few times too!). Just little things…how he talks with me, the easy-going smiles only I ever see, all the times he's let me give him a friendly hug or kiss his cheek. Oh, how he blushed the first time I did that! It was adorable. I know he wants me, I've just been too nervous to make it known to him.

But I'm going to tell him tonight. Now. As soon as I pluck up the courage. I pull myself a little closer to him as we walk; he looks down at me with a curious expression for a moment but says nothing. There are very few guards around, maybe they're enjoying the fun too. We're pretty much free to wander to our hearts' content.

Gajeel gives a few sniffs as we approach a door. "We're near the palace gardens. Probably gonna be empty this time of night."

"Ooh, a bit of privacy," I giggle.

He looks down at me again, grinning. "What are you plotting, shrimp?"

"Nothing!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." He pushes open the door. His nose is rarely wrong! The gardens stretch out before us, lit softly by moonlight. It's a beautiful sight. I rest my head on Gajeel's shoulder, sighing happily. "I'm glad this place didn't get damaged by the dragon attack."

Gajeel doesn't reply immediately, but gives me a little shove forwards. "Go on then, get exploring," he says when I throw a questioning glance at him. Laughing, I run off into the maze of hedges. He'll sniff me out for sure, but I don't mind. I just want to play.

I'm lost within a minute with no idea where I came in or which turn I made last. I can't hear Gajeel anywhere nearby. The minutes tick by and I start to become nervous. Where did he go? Finally I locate the exit and glance around. No sign of him. I bet he's hiding from me somewhere nearby, but I don't have a Dragon Slayer's nose, so there's no chance in hell I'll be able to find him. Ooh, I hope I haven't scared him off by being too forward with my hints. "Gajeel?" I call out. No response. Aw, man.

"Gotcha."

I scream, jumping in shock. His hands grab my shoulders and he laughs, a real laugh full of mirth. He'd appeared behind me with no noise whatsoever, and now he's laughing into my hair. "You ass!" I scowl, turning and pushing him. "You frightened me!"

"Hey, not my fault you got lost in there." He cocks his head towards the maze. "You wanna go again?"

"Promise you won't jump out at me again?"

"I make no promises," he grins. "Off you go."

Rolling my eyes, I head into the maze again. I'm not mad at him though, it's hard to stay mad at him. The tension between us is thicker than it was inside the palace, I don't think I can resist him much longer. Everything about him is just so gorgeous…stop Levy, stop. Oh man, he works me up something rotten.

Oh hey, a statue. I guess I'm in the centre of the maze now. I reach out and touch it, feeling the smooth marble. It's a dragon, tall and towering, wings spread wide. I didn't know this was here. "It's so pretty," I can't help murmuring to myself. A rustle nearby alerts me to Gajeel's presence, and he steps out, smirking.

"As are you."

I stare at him, shocked. "What…did you just say?"

"You heard me." Suddenly, his arms are round my waist and I'm gazing up into his deep red eyes. My heart is hammering and I can feel a blush heating my cheeks. His face is impassive, but his eyes are roving constantly, across my own face and downwards to my chest before flicking up to meet my eyes again. I swallow nervously, waiting for him to speak again. He does so with a small chuckle. "Come now, Levy, you didn't think I wouldn't realise what you were up to?"

All I can utter is a squeak. I'm rumbled. He's being serious, he must be, he never uses my name, ever. Holy crap, he's backing me up, he's backing me up…I feel cool marble pressing against my back and Gajeel's breath hot and heavy against my neck. Oh god, is this really happening?

"You have no idea," he sighs, "how long I've wanted to do this to you..." I bite my lip and arch my neck, allowing him better access as he kisses and nips the sensitive skin. Words can't express how good it feels. Heat is pooling rapidly in my belly, my body trembling with need. When he lifts his head, I pull his face towards mine, our lips meeting in a kiss brimming with burning passion. His tongue quickly invades my mouth and I moan against his lips. God, I need him, I need him now…

I can feel Gajeel's hands drifting downwards, pulling my long skirts up my legs, exposing them to the night air. I instinctively lift a leg up to wrap round his waist, tugging him closer. His wandering hands stop mid-thigh and he utters a pleased groan against my lips. "What do we have here?" he asks quietly.

Oh boy. I'd forgotten about the stockings. Erza had given them to me to wear under the dress so I'd feel sexier, not that I particularly needed or wanted to, but I appreciated her gesture all the same and put them on. They're a sheer nude colour with lacy tops held up by a rubbery substance on the inside. They were a little uncomfortable at first but now I like them, and I think Gajeel definitely does. "Levy, you little vixen," he breathes as he strokes the bare skin above them. I love the feel of his calloused fingers wandering my flesh.

His lips return to mine and my hands start to unbutton his shirt, exposing his powerfully muscled chest and toned stomach. He growls when I run my palms over the expanse of skin, enjoying my touch. He gasps when my hands move lower, skimming over the bulge in his trousers. "Damn, Levy…you carry on like this and I'm going to end up fucking you right here in this maze," he groans, pulling away from my lips and resting our brows together, panting, but I don't relent, continuing to tease him. He feels huge underneath the fabric restraints…I wonder he would feel inside me. Every fibre of my being is hoping I'll find out.

I start to undo his belt, but he shakes his head. "Not yet," he murmurs, grabbing my wrists and pinning them above my head with one hand, the other hiking my dress up again. He strokes me almost curiously through my underwear, and I can't help but moan, I've never been touched there before but I'm so turned on right now, my nerves seem to be ten times more sensitive. Gajeel moves the flimsy fabric to the side and pushes two fingers in straight away; a scream tears from my throat and I throw my head back in pleasure, crying out his name. The hand pinning mine above me lets go to bring my other leg round his waist, and I cling to his shoulders, panting and gasping as he thrusts the fingers in and out steadily. I can't believe we're actually doing this, out in the open where anyone could see us, but I don't care. I'm so lost in the overload of sensations washing over me that honestly, the whole of Fairy Tail could show up right now and I don't think we would stop.

The heat in my belly starts to knot itself up and I rock my hips desperately against his movements, knowing I'm close to release. Gajeel pushes in a third finger and changes his angle so his hand rubs my clitoris at the same time. That does it for me, and I hurtle over the edge with a loud cry, hands moving to and gripping his hair tightly. He swallows my cry with a bruising kiss as he slides his fingers out. Our positions shift and he turns me round to lie down on the grass. I can feel my chest heaving as I try to steady my breaths, and he gazes down at me with pure lust in his eyes. "God, you drive me crazy," he whispers. "You're so fucking sexy I can hardly stand it."

I shake my head. "Me? Sexy?"

"Did I fucking stutter? Yes, you." He positions himself on top of me and begins to kiss my neck again, hands moving to caress my breasts. I moan as he teases my nipples through the dress and buck my hips up to grind against him. "You're not like any of the others," he growls, littering small bites over the junction between my neck and shoulder. "I don't want them or their ridiculously sized assets. I want yours, I want you. And I am going to have you, right here, right now."

Oh lord, I think I nearly came again from his words alone. This time he lets me undo his belt, pushing his trousers and boxers down together till his length springs free.

Holy hell.

He's huge.

He feels so smooth under my touch. A shuddering gasp escapes him when I trace my fingers down it, feeling the spot of wetness at the head. I was right, he's huge. How that's going to fit inside me, I don't know, but I guess we're going to find out. His eyes find mine again and for the first time, a flicker of hesitation crosses his face. I smile up at him and pull him down for a soft kiss. "It's okay," I tell him reassuringly. "I'm ready."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." Gajeel takes himself in hand and moves my underwear aside again before he presses the head of his shaft into the apex of my thighs. I gasp, quivering with anticipation. "This might hurt for a minute," he murmurs, "but it'll pass, I promise."

I nod. "I know. Have you done this before?"

He shakes his head, which surprises me, but I'm too far gone to care. My legs lock around his waist to urge him onwards. He takes a deep breath and I feel him slip inside, inch by thick, throbbing inch. He grits his teeth, breathing heavily. "Damn it, Levy, you're so tight..."

Oh, it's so wonderful…feeling him on top of me, hearing his soft pants…then he pauses and I know he's waiting to see how I'm adjusting. My legs tighten, urging him inwards; one quick snap of the hips and he's buried to the hilt, moaning into my neck. It wasn't all that comfortable, I won't lie, like a sharp sting, but it's fine, it's fading away, and now he's moving against me, in and out...oh god, I can't even form my thoughts properly, it feels so good…

My hands slide over his chest and round to his back, raking my nails down, and he hisses with pleasure as he crushes our mouths together. His pace picks up and his thrusts become harder, I call out his name in a lusty groan and he responds in turn Hearing my name tumble from his lips has never sounded sexier.

I still need more, I want the upper hand, so I swing my hips to the side and flip our positions so Gajeel is the one lying in the grass and I'm straddling him. His eyes widen at his predicament, an expression of surprise that quickly melts into one of pure bliss as I give an experimental rock of the hips. The new angle is wonderful, an entirely different sensation. "Do that again," Gajeel gasps, his hands stroking my thighs, and I comply, rolling my hips over his and bringing forth the most amazing noises from the Dragon Slayer beneath me. My eyes are closed, head back, crying out in sheer ecstasy. Why did we wait so long to do this?

I feel him move, thrusting upwards in sync with me, and he grips my waist with one hand, the other rubbing teasing circles over my clitoris. It sends spasms of pleasure through me and I feel my thighs tighten in response as I shudder. "Don't stop," I manage to choke out.

"I won't," he grins.

I'm writhing above him now, close, so close...

"Come for me, Levy," he whispers. The starry sky seems to shatter before my eyes as the climax hits me, tipping me over the edge and lighting my senses on fire. Gajeel flips us so I'm on my back again, throwing my legs over his shoulders and slamming into me with such force I swear we shift backwards a few inches. The waves of pleasure from my orgasm continue to hit me as he thrusts, and just when I think I can't take anymore, a feral growl rumbles deep in his chest and his grip on my legs tightens to a bruising grasp. "Oh, fuck," he moans as I feel him spill his release inside me, a hot spurt that makes me shiver.

Slowly, his hands release my legs and I slide them down his sides to settle at his waist again, arms winding round his neck to pull him down gently. He presses his lips against mine with a contented sigh.

Wow. My head must be in heaven. I just had sex with Gajeel. Outside. In the palace gardens. And I couldn't be happier.

"You okay, shrimp?" Gajeel asks me, drawing back to look at me. A gentle smile graces his face. He's happy too.

"I'm fine," I tell him, kissing him again. I can't help but giggle. "I can't believe we just did that, Gajeel!"

"I can," he replies with a smirk. "Much more fun than a stiff old party, eh?"

They're all probably wondering where we are. Gajeel pulls out of me with a little shudder, then stands and sets about tidying himself up as I do the same. Oh man, there's no way I can go back in like this, there are grass stains up my back and my underwear is soaked through. Thank heavens my skirt is long enough to hide the semen running down my thighs. Ugh! I didn't think sex was this messy. "I can't go back in there, Gajeel!" I wail. "I need to go to the hotel and change clothes."

He chuckles at me, probably extremely amused at the state I'm in. "Alright, shrimp. I'll walk you back." He takes his suit jacket off and drapes it over my shoulders, which hides the worst of the grass stains. "Best start coming up with excuses fast," he says as we set off, "because you know if we come across anyone, it's going to be pretty damn obvious what happened."

"They're probably all drunk anyway, I doubt they'll remember anything in the morning," I reply with a giggle. "Are you going to go back to the party?"

He shakes his head. "Nah. I'll see you back to the hotel and then I'll turn in for the night. You?"

"I guess I'll turn in as well. I've had my fun for the night!" I wink at Gajeel, and he laughs softly. Oh...I could listen to that laugh all day.

Thankfully, we don't run into anyone as they're all still in the banquet hall, and reach the hotel where we've all been staying. It's silent, since everyone is partying away up at the palace. "Here's my room," I tell Gajeel when we reach the door. "Thanks for walking me back."

"Don't sweat it, shrimp," he replies. A slightly awkward silence falls over us. I mean, how are we supposed to act with each other now, after we just did all that? What will we be? I probably should have stopped to consider this before my loins took over my brain. Then he leans in and captures my lips with a soft kiss. "We can talk when we get back to the guild in a few days," he murmurs. "I'm sure we've both got some thinking to do."

"Mm," I agree with a nod. He flashes me his usual smirk and ruffles my hair, as if nothing is amiss, then sets off down the hallway for his own room. Suddenly I realise I still have his suit jacket on. "Gajeel!" I call after him. "You forgot-"

"It's fine, hang onto it," he calls back, waving a hand nonchalantly without looking back. I giggle and pull it tighter around myself as I watch him go.

Well, that certainly was a memorable evening. Now, I need a bath, stat!

Please tell me what you think. I've written a lot of this story on the Word app for Android so it doesn't quite look right to me the whole time I'm doing it. If anything needs to be improved I would much appreciate your feedback!

Tia