Task 8: turning the page (Part 1)

Her pillow was moving slightly – up and down, up and down – methodically smooth movements, like a calming parental lulling, they refused to let her wake up. She snuggled and her blanket responded wrapping her up more closely. Warm. Comfy. Nice. Levy definitely liked this bed, it was attentive and cozy, and smelled just as she adored. She had wanted to change her position a little, and bed reacted instantly, shifting under her. Script Mage hummed contently, snuggled again, fully intend to dip again into her pleasant dreams, but felt as something warm tenderly touched her forehead. This intrigued her and she half opened one eye to see sharp chin, the middle of which was decorated with 2 round metal studs, wide chest on which she was laying and big scarred arm occupied right now with caressing her blue traces. She closed her eye again, happy to the brim. And, yes, she definitely liked this "bed", it was the best in the world.

Something banged loudly, she didn't move an inch, feeling perfectly safe and content, but Natsu's voice behind her back tore her out of this pleasant atmosphere.

"Hey, what's up, Metal Ass? Why are you here all cozy-chvozy in bed, when Lucy and I slept on the floor?"

"Natsu, leave them alone! I said it's fine, I slept well and feel great. And you can sleep anywhere, even on the rocks and actually did it hundreds of times! We both are good, everything is fine! Don't bother them!" Lucy's reprimand came.

Natsu's indignant snort was an eloquent declaration what he thought about his teammate reasoning.

"No, Luce, it's not! He purposely deceived us! It's unfriendly and mean, he needs a lesson to learn and I gl…. eepffff..."

Last exclamation was a result of an unexpected flight, which Natsu was forced to begin after collision with Gajeel's metal bar.

"Get lost, Salamander!" The later barked, then added in a softer voice "Sorry, Bunny Girl, I'll make it up for you somehow, I promise".

"No problem!" Lucy cheerfully cooed, closing bedroom's door again. "Just take care of Levy!"

Her voice tailed off and Levy tried to get up, a little embarrassed by the position in which her blond friend and Fire Dragon Slayer saw her. But her 'pillow and blanket' apparently had other plans, sowing no intentions to release her from their embrace.

"Gajeel..."

"Shhh, Loudmouth is gone. Sleep!"

Levy smiled into his chest, then deviated a little to be able to see his face. "I had a good sleep, Gajeel. We probably should get up. Although," she added shyly "I don't mind to stay like this for a while".

"For a while, huh?" Iron Slayer lightly bit the tip of her nose, then rearranged his arms to snug her even more into his body. "Sorry, Short Stuff, no 'a while' for you. You are stuck. I don't plan to let you out from here ever".

Levy giggled, trying to wiggle out of his arms playfully and laughed happily when her Dragon growled and tightened his arms more.

"Gageel!" she cooed through her giggles.

"Nope! Dragon hoard. End of discussion".

She wanted to stay like this as long as possible. They didn't speak just laid contentedly in each other arms. But at the same time she wanted to tell him all she found out about Metalicana, to settle peace in his soul he was depraved for so long. And first wish willingly retreated on demand of the more pressing matter. She once again tried to free herself from his embrace.

"There is something I want to tell and show you. Please, Gajeel, it's important. I didn't want to talk about it yesterday, because I wanted you to know first".

"Ok," Gajeel straightened up in bed, releasing her from his hold. Thought that her news mean something bad for him hadn't time to form in his head because Levy took his hand and quietly inquired "Remember, I mentioned the man yesterday, who helped me?"

He took her hand more firmly, just in case, and answered warily 'cause all guys should be wary when their girls unite words 'important' and 'other man' in one sentence, right?' "Yeah, you said he did some shit, though I didn't get how, you said he was as good as dead all the fucking time and needed help himself".

"Yes, it's true, he was badly injured, in fever, but he managed to regain consciousness in the middle of the fight and cast enchantment over me, when I needed help the most. I am sure he used his last bits of strength doing this. So kind selfless gesture! And he appeared to be a great man, very powerful and strong. I like him very much."

"Yeah," Gajeel agreed almost inaudibly. Jealousy seized him, but he tried to push it aside and concentrate on less unpleasant things.

"Enchantment? Which one?"

"This one," Levy freed her hand, quietly pronounced "Iron Skin" and Gajeel's normally narrow eyes transformed into 2 plates. Iron Dragon Slayer rarely found himself in need to catch his fallen jaw, but this surely was one of these occasions. For several long moments, he just looked at the girl, dumbstruck, then muttered "what the fuck", stretched his arm and carefully touched her now silver forearm. A rainbow gleam had ran over a metallic surface and his own scales summoned immediately, same glint on them. His whole body reached for her, the urge so strong, that he barely was able to maintain control. Iron Slayer clung to the edge of the bed with a dead grip, crushing metal frame. Thank God, the lower part of his body was still covered with blanket!

"Remmmove, Llevy, remmmmove it" He groaned through clenched teeth.

Levy complied instantly and watched, afflicted and worried, how his own armor slowly disappeared from his skin, breathing calmed and tight muscles relaxed. Gajeel cautiously let go off bed's frame, leaving there two dents with deep cracks. He raised his head slowly, ashamed, confused, wanting an explanation, but not knowing how to explain his part. After several silent minutes Levy gathered courage to say:

"I am sorry. I didn't think you would dislike it so much. I should have asked. Sorry".

"No!" Gajeel at once forgot all his confusing emotions, picked her up and placed on his lap, blanket still on, although problem disappeared for now. "No, you did nothing wrong. This thing, whatever it fucking was, looked great on you. It's me. My magic… it sensed something when I had touched you and reacted to it. I think... somehow my dragon's part recognized it… you... as… my... mate and tried to… to…shit… to use my body to…fff... to fulfill mating".

"Oh..." Levy didn't know what to say. And more disturbingly, disappointment certainly was here, among dozens of different emotions she felt right now. And the cause of this disappointment made her ashamed of herself.

"L...Levy, don't be scared, I won't force you to anything. I didn't expect, it was so sudden. It was… but I… I don't want you to be afraid of me..."

Gajeel's worried voice interrupted her thoughts. Script Mage smiled brightly, wiping away her tears, and embraced him, burying her face in his neck.

"I am not afraid, Gajeel. How can I, you are the person near whom I felt most secure. Yes, you are." She giggled, once again seeing his round eyes. "It's just… I never think it can affect you somehow or other. Iwon didn't say anything, most likely he didn't know too. But still probably, I should tell you first, warn you. I am sorry."

"Iwon?"

"It's man's name. After he regain consciousness, he said that he had gifted me this skill permanently. He himself got it from a friend. And the name of this friend was..." She took his hands again "Metalicana".

"What?"

"Iwon knew you as a kid. In fact, he was the one who brought you to Metalicana. They were friends for a long time, close ones and when several dragons decided to adopt human children to rise and teach, Iwon proposed to find a child for Metalicana. He didn't tell me how or where he met you, but maybe he'll tell you himself. He promised to visit Fairy Tail one day to talk to you".

She made a pause, supportingly squeezing Slayer's hands then produced a picture and gently placed it at his palms.

"He gave me this".

Dragon Slayer looked at picture and felt how tears began to gather treacherously in his eyes. The photo showed big gracious dragon, whose body was covered in large metal plates, laying, relaxed, on a grass and black haired boy, as tall as a dragon's head, which he was embracing fearlessly, laughing happily in a process. Dragon was smiling too and his only one visible narrow red eye was fixed at boy's face with a unmistakable tenderness in it.

"Iwon said Metalicana's, Igneel's and other dragons disappearance was a matter of necessity not a choice. If he hadn't been forced, he would never have left you".

"Yeah," Slayer quietly admitted, his gaze glued to the picture. "I remember these times; it was our second year together. He was so damn huge or maybe I was too fucking small. I used to sleep at one of his folded wings and there still was plenty of space..."

"You have his eyes".

"Yeah..."

"They are beautiful".

Red orbs looked at her "Most people thought them ugly. And scary as hell".

"They are beautiful, Gajeel. So bright, intense and unique. I like them. And you".

"I like you too." He again almost consumed her small form by his much larger one. "And I don't think I can ever repay your for everything you did for me. Maybe, maybe you want or need something I can do? I didn't know much about books and other stuff you like but physically I am capable to do a lot of things. Just tell!"

Levy wanted to reject, but one thought stopped her.

"Actually I have one wish," She picked up picture he laid aside. "One day I wish to see you smile like this, to be this happy". She kissed his cheek, then a slightly mischievous look appeared on her face and she continued "Although occasional help with carrying, storing and rearranging books will be good too. You know I owned tons of them and with your help I can get couple of tons more".

She tried to keep her face features serious but seeing that same mischievous expression invaded his face, failed completely.

"Oh, yeah?" Iron Dragon Slayer cooed with his deep rough voice.

"Yeah! You are so strong. It won't be difficult for you". She was beaming so hard that the air seemed brighter.

"Naturally, it won't." This cocky smile, which she loved so much. "But you see, Shorty, the thing is you won't need any books, cause, as we already established, you'll spend the rest of your life here and be busy. Very busy".

Levy's laughter was muffled by a kiss and she soon forgot herself and everything else in the arms of her all-consuming Dragon Slayer.