Chapter 8.5

Levy sighed as she met up with Gajeel in the training yard.

Her birthday had been pretty hectic, and she still couldn't believe Gajeel had made her something so precious when he didn't even really know her.

"Hey, thought you were bailing on me." He grinned as he stood by the fence.

She shook her head.

She had to admit, while there were moments he still scared her, he had yet to hurt her.

Not to say he would never hurt her, but she just had to remember that he was a Dragon and if he'd wanted to hurt her consciously, he'd have done it.

"No."

"Good." He nodded. "Because we're not doing the usual today." He picked up his backpack at his feet and motioned for her to follow him.

"We aren't?" She frowned, he didn't see her, but he must have sensed it.

"Nope, secret." He said.

"Where is Lily?" She looked around as she let the gate close behind her.

Gajeel headed down the pathway towards the river Fairy Tail sat on.

It wasn't so much a river as the delta a river fed. When the water was in high tide, like it still was, it looked like it was straight out of the ocean.

"He's off elsewhere."

"So...it's just us?" Levy asked nervously.

"Worried Levy?"

"I...I don't mean it badly..." She started.

She tripped and before she could even start to fall forward, her face hit his back.

He'd moved so fast to be in her way. Levy pushed back and got her footing.

"No, get on." He said. "I forgot the rain last night and this slope starts getting worse from here." He reached to pull his long hair over his shoulder.

Levy nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.

He reached back and she blushed as his arm braced under her. He'd let the backpack fall to his elbow to give her his entire back.

"You know you have nothing to fear from me Levy, I'm not that good at subterfuge. I'm lucky I know what it is." Gajeel laughed.

"I'm sorry..." She said.

"No, don't be. I am the one who is moving too fast for you." He shook his head. "Look, we are training today, that I'm serious about. I won't ever see you in that position again. I started this project of you and I'll finish it."

"You don't have to stay at the Hall for me." Levy said.

"Trust me, I don't. I take missions I know others can't finish in a day and I do that instead. Believe me, I do a lot at night too. Money isn't a problem for me, so missions right now aren't my focus."

"But training me is?"

"Exactly." Gajeel said as he came out onto a metal platform at the bottom of the path. "I'll have to let Master and Laki know the slope is getting bad." He said as he let her slide to her feet.

He motioned towards what looked like a cave.

Levy was leery of going in. Not because of Gajeel, but just because dark places scared her.

"Come on, you'll like it." He said.

"Are you sure it's safe?" She frowned.

"You don't trust that I'll keep you safe?" He raised a brow at her.

She hesitated.

He held out his hand to her.

"I have my Dragon instincts, but you don't, and I want to change the field." He said.

She tilted her head. "Just trust you?" She reached out her hand.

"For starters." He grinned.

He pulled a flashlight out of his pocket as he slung his backpack back over his shoulder.

xx

Gajeel knew she was scared as he led her into the cave.

But she let him lead and he made sure she was safe. He watched the surprise on her face as the light came around the corner of the tunnel.

She had no idea where they were.

He'd found the cave last year and Gildarts had told him that the cave had been there for a long time now.

It was a secret lagoon that only Fairy Tail had access to.

Gajeel had chipped in his efforts in keeping up the location by creating the pathway inside the tunnel and platform at the opening. As well as all the support to ensure the place never collapsed or caved in.

"This is..." She started as she looked at the lagoon.

"Fairy Tail's private hideaway, yeah." Gajeel said as he let go of her hand to take hold of his backpack with both hands.

He pulled it open and pulled out a large blanket and laid it on the sand Max had provided as his contribution to the beautiful location.

Juvia kept the water clear, Evergreen had done the stonework of the patio, and Laki had done most of the furniture on it.

Those who hadn't done something with their magic usually just helped provide things they could afford. The blankets and towels and various toys for the water came from a handful of the members.

Gajeel laid his blanket out on the sand and kicked his boots off before stepping onto it.

He didn't much care for sand usually, but Max's sand was a bit thicker than most, so he didn't sink as easily.

He motioned for Levy to join him.

"It's beautiful here."

"It's open to all Fairy Tail members, so if you ever want to come here, you can." He said.

"You brought me here for a reason..." She sighed.

"Yeah. I told you I liked you. I know I do from our training sessions. I get to know people through fighting. But you're not like that and Lily pointed that out to me. I just didn't want you to feel pressured by me, so I figured I'd help you do what you do best."

She tilted her head in confusion.

"You learn." He laughed. "Seriously, do you get that mixed up around me?"

She blushed and he thought it was adorable. "You never make sense." She retorted.

"Or maybe it's just that you spend too much time staring at my body." He teased.

"Gajeel!" She pushed at him.

He fell to his back, which let his open shirt fall to reveal most of his front.

She blushed as her hands spread on his chest.

"I know you like me physically. I can tell that by scent. But you are less comfortable with me on a personal level. So here is me opening up to you. Ask me anything." He crossed his hands behind his head and his ankles.

"You mean..." She frowned as she sat back.

"Ask away. If I can't answer, I'll tell you. My Dragon instincts will always pull me to you, but you need more than just that. So get to know me. And I'll ask you things too."

"Is this...a date?" She looked at him.

"If you want it to be." He shrugged.