Just a quick little two shot on Levy and Gajeel! Thought of it on a spur of the moment kinda thing, hope you enjoy!

Past Mistakes, Future Promises

Chapter 1

He knew who she was. The moment he had seen her, he knew that he wouldn't be able to fully complete his mission. His mission to kill the first Fairies that crossed his path, but that was gone the moment he caught her scent. A scent of parchment, ink, and sweet meadows. The scent that belonged to his mate. His blue haired, petite mate who was walking with her teammates. He could only watch her for a moment, taking in the sound of her voice, her scent, and the image of beauty that she was. Her voice was cheerful, full of kindness that he figured would never be directed at him. It pained him to think of his mission at the moment, the fact that he had been ordered to kill the only woman he knew would compliment him. Would make him complete.

Although he knew he wouldn't kill her, he wouldn't be able to. It was impossible for a Dragon Slayer to kill his or her mate. It would basically be death to themselves. Even still, the moment he received his sign, he attacked. It was his mission after all, to rile Fairy Tail up and have them start a war. Still, he never thought she would fight like she had, even though they all knew she was weak. He saw first hand though, when he gave her to opportunity to run-to protect herself so he wouldn't have to hurt her-that what she lacked in strength, she made up for in determination. She so boldly knelt in front of her fallen team, glaring at him with eyes that showed she would never run, that she would never abandon those she cared for, that she would fight until she wasn't able to move again...That thought frightened him, but he still had his mission. He recalled asking her why she didn't run, but only received that glare as an answer. He had sighed, and then gave the faintest of apologize, knowing that she didn't hear, before knocking her out cold just like the other two.

"Your mission was to kill them. Are you going soft, Gajeel?" The voice caused him to grit his teeth, but ignore the man that was suppose to help him destroy these Fairies.

"No. But why kill, when I can attack their pride more with these three." He stated, watching as his so called partner raised an eyebrow. Gajeel quickly thought on his feet and grabbed a paint can near the alley way, grabbed the three unconscious Fairies, and headed for the park. Once there, he quickly pinned the two males to the tree using some of his Iron, and then turned his attention to the small female. Kneeling down, he ripped open her shirt, exposing pale bruised flesh beneath, grabbed the paint brush and stuck into the black paint. Working quickly, he painted the Phantom Lord symbol on her stomach, and then pinned her to the tree as well.

"There. That should put them in a fighting spirit." He stated, watching from the corner of his eye as his partner smirked and looked at him.

"You are something Gajeel." He stated, and both studied the handiwork a little longer, before Gajeel finally turned away. Guilt eating him from the inside at what he had done to the woman who could be his mate.

Never did he think that Phantom Lord would succumb to Fairy Tail's wrath as it had. Nor did he ever think that the master of the guild would have offered him a hand when he needed it most. How he came to be a Fairy himself, he couldn't particularly recall. What he could recall, the fear that he sensed from the small bluenette he had attacked, and the anger that her two teammates aimed at him.

He wanted nothing more than put his past behind him, to try and start over with the three of them. If only his pride would allow it though. He didn't have the right to just walk up to them and ask for their forgiveness, he didn't have the right to say that he was a fool, and claim the small woman as his mate. He had no right to any of that, but he knew how he could make amends. He saw it the moment the two males approached him, demanding that he meet team Shadow Gear by the park tree.

He knew what was coming, and knew that he deserved it, so he raised no defenses. He knew the moment Levy realized he wasn't going to fight back, and became so relieved when he sensed some of her fear of him leave. Then that bastard had to step in. Still, he took the lightening, he deserved it, even though they started to say otherwise. The next moments surprised him, he knew the lightening freak had some issues, but he never thought a Fairy would attack one of their own.

The lightening went straight between the two males, heading straight for Levy. Straight for his mate! He was moving before he even thought about it, changing his arm to attract the lightening even before the plan was fully thought out. The only thought he did have, was that he wasn't about to let the Shrimp experience any more pain because of him. He's already hurt her enough, she didn't need any more. It was then and there where he had sworn he would never let anything harm her again, so long as he could help it.

Gajeel sighed as he turned in his bed, his night plagued by memories of his past. He had made loads of mistakes, and was hoping that tomorrow wasn't going to be another. At least, he knew it wasn't going to be for him because he loved the Shrimp. She was his perfect mate, and he wanted nothing more than to make sure that she was always provided for. Always taken care of. Always protected and loved. He hoped that he was the man for her, but he just couldn't shake all the wrongs that he had done.

Deep down, he knew he didn't deserve the happiness that he was about to receive. Hell, he didn't deserve any of it right from the start. How could he, a man who carried so many mistakes, so many regrets, make a kind, pure woman like Levy happy? It just wasn't possible! He squeezed his eyes shut, and tensed when an image of Levy popped into his head. Her blue hair framing her face, she was dressed in one of her usual sun dresses, and had a book in her hand.

He pictured her laughing, her smiling, her having the time of her life surrounded by the others. Then, her image faced him, a smile still on her face as she beamed up at him. It almost hurt him to see her so happy, but knew her words to him were going to be anything but happy.

"I love you Gajeel, and I always wanna stay by your side." His eyes snapped open, and he realized that his images had turned into a dream at some point. He swallowed hard as he watched the morning sun rays start to move closer to his bed. Today was the day! Today was the day he truly found out if he was about to make a mistake that would cost Levy everything, or if it meant a new future for him.