"NO, GAJEEL! I WON'T LET YOU GO! GET OFF ME LILY!"

The ear-splitting sound of screaming surrounds me as I try in vain to break free of Lily's powerful grip on me. I can only see Gajeel's head and chest, the rest of him having been swallowed by the inky black portal.

"You will be joining me on my journey to Hell Gajeel, say goodbye to your friends," laughs a sinister disembodied voice.

I watch through tear filled eyes as Gajeel meets my gaze, his lips move but I don't hear the words, there is only the sound of screaming in my head. Gajeel bows his head to Lily as he disappears from sight.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO."

Jolting awake from my recurring nightmare, it takes me a few moments of calming breaths before I can remember where I am. A warm arm tightens on my body and I am pulled backwards against a very hard and familiar body.

"Levy, you ok?" Gajeel mumbles, still clearly half asleep.

"Sssh, I'm fine. Go back to sleep." I whisper, wiggling my bum against his crotch which earns me a happy groan as Gajeel allows himself to fall back into, what I hope is a happy dream. I don't want to worry him; he is already far too aware of when my panic is threatening to overwhelm me, and I know it upsets him.

It's nearing dawn, I lay in Gajeel's warm embrace and marvel at the peace, it is still a novelty not being able to hear chatter, arguments and full-on fist fights breaking out at all hours of the day and night. Moving out of Fairy Hills had been a mixed experience, I was sad to be leaving my girlfriends from Fairy Tail but after the time Erza caught Gajeel in my room, I knew I couldn't stay there any longer. Although it is funny how Gajeel still winces every time Erza enters the room now, his poor ear was red for days!

The truth is, if I can't sense Gajeel's presence, I crumble.

Thinking of the last time Gajeel had been apart from me, he had only gone to the market to buy some food with Lily and had returned to me sobbing on the floor by the door, my mind a riot of panic and terror, fear that I would never see him again overwhelming me. I shudder and feel my face heat at the embarrassment of my situation, I have never felt so dependent on anyone before, and this newfound dependency just does not sit right with me.

His display of concern had overwhelmed me, the freshly bought food lay forgotten on the floor as he scooped me into his arms and checked me from head to toe for injuries. Once my mind had returned to me, I brushed it off as an accident, claiming I had bashed my knees on the table, and he had just walked in at the wrong time. I don't think he fully bought it; Lily was clearly not convinced either as he frowned from the doorway before leaving me in Gajeel's care. Gajeel spent the next few hours tending to me and treating me like a fragile doll, that was until I had had enough and decided it was time, he took care of some of my other needs.

What would my friends say if they ever found out that I could not bear to be parted from him, for fear of him never returning to me? I am a strong wizard, and I have overcome many challenges in the past, I must beat this feeling, I just wish I knew how or at least, where to start.

I stroke Gajeel's arm, gently tracing patterns on his tanned skin, it is such a contrast to my own creamy complexion, and I love the way we look together. Memories from a time that Gajeel had stripped us both naked and displayed our bodies in front of our bedroom mirror assail me, he had caressed every of inch of me whilst watching our reflections. My eyes were transfixed on the mirror, it was so intense to watch his tanned hand move over my pale flesh, warming it with his touch.

"We look good together," I had whispered, grinding my backside against his erection. Gajeel had been stroking the flat of my stomach when suddenly he stilled, and it was like some mental shutter had come down on him. It had taken me seconds to realise what had happened, Gajeel had been tracing the spot where he had left Phantom Lord's guild mark on me all those years ago. I placed my hand atop his, "look at me Gajeel."

As his eyes locked with mine in the mirror, I smiled; "you are not the man you once were, I know you regret what happened on that day. It wasn't the best of meetings, but it was still the day you entered my life and for that, I would not change a thing."

Gajeel did not reply straightaway, but he did spend the next few hours displaying his feelings, worshipping my body, and driving those dark thoughts away with his soft and gentle actions. He may be a hard head sometimes, but he is a big softie really and I am honoured that I am one of the few people he lets see his softer side.

Frowning I realise that this isn't the only time that there has been a shift in Gajeel's mood or actions, often when we are intimate there are moments when things seem to change suddenly. Almost like there is an unseen force attempting to direct him. "Is he holding something back from me?" I muse, chewing my lip in worry.

Almost as if he knew I was thinking of him, Gajeel rolls me under his body.

"Mmmm morning gorgeous," he grumbles sleepily, pressing hot kisses to my throat. His erection rubs against my stomach as I ease my legs open to cradle his body to me. And just like that, my worries melt away and it is me and him in our happy bubble.

A blissful hour passes before I can convince Gajeel to let me leave the bed, "we have to get ready stupid Gajeel, everyone will notice we are missing! Remember the grief Mira gave us last time we showed up late to the guildhall?"

Rushing around the room I pull clothes from drawers, holding them in front me as I check my outfit choice in the mirror. I blush remembering what I had been thinking about before Gajeel had awoken.

"Why're you blushing shrimp?" Gajeel asks, his brow quirking as he stares at me curiously from the bed. He looks so irresistible right now, his thick black hair is a mess, and you know it's that 'just had sex' kind of mess. The bedsheet is draped over the lower half of his body, I openly admire his tanned and very muscular arms, chest, and stomach. I could spend an age gazing at this man, my man.

"Oh no reason." I stammer, quickly sprinting for the bathroom before he can stop me and drag me back into his arms. That was a close one.

I shower quickly, wishing I could have run a deep bath to ease some of my aching muscles but knowing I don't have the time due to Gajeel's devious ploys. Once I am feeling fresh and ready for the day, I step back into the bedroom to find Gajeel isn't there.

My stomach plummets immediately, I can feel my pulse quicken and a ringing in my ears starts to build, but then I hear his familiar deep voice rumbling from the next room. "He's here, it's ok, he is ok, calm down." I repeat to myself.

Gajeel is chatting with Lily, still half naked but at least he has some pants on now.

"Good morning Lily, how's my favourite kitty?" I coo in my sweetest voice; I know this annoys the Exseed, but it's so cute whenever I catch his tail beginning to swish excitedly. Watching closely, I can see Lily start to pull himself up straighter in annoyance, but as predicted, his tail swishes twice before he can regain control.

"Morning Levy, you're in a good mood today," he mumbles, frowning at me.

As I move further into the room, I note that Gajeel looks like he been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he is avoiding my gaze as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. Eyeing him suspiciously I wonder what I have walked in on.

Feeling suddenly awkward, I rush to busy myself in the kitchen. I prepare a flask of coffee and sprinkle some iron shavings into it for Gajeel. It's hard to focus as I can hear strained whispering from the two men across the room, my curiosity is peaking and as my resolve finally slips, I spin around to confront them and find Gajeel has snuck up on me and we are now nose to nose, or we would be if I was a bit taller, it's more like nose to chest.

His crimson eyes devour me hungrily, he leans down to speak in my ear, "You look gorgeous today, not that you don't everyday might I add." Gajeel's arms snake around my back, one hand sliding into the back pocket of my shorts, he gives a gentle squeeze as he begins to pull me into his body.

I shiver at his words that go start to my core, bracing my hands on the kitchen counter either side of me to keep my legs from shaking, at least he doesn't look guilty anymore.

Gajeel tenderly kisses my cheek and at that moment Lily clears his throat loudly, I swear Gajeel growls at the interruption, but it was so low it's hard to tell for sure.

Blushing furiously at being watched by Lily, I push Gajeel back from me and step around him to create some much needed distance. Gajeel visibly shakes himself and turns his attention to both me and Lily.

"Lily is going to walk you to the guildhall this morning, I have a quick job that needs taking care of before I can join you. I hope that's ok?" Gajeel rushes the words out of his mouth and looks away from me as I process what he has said.

"Umm, ok, I guess." I stammer softly, my pulse is beginning to race again. "Where is he going? Will he be ok? How long will he be gone? Is the job dangerous? Why hasn't he mentioned it before now?" my mind is racing with question after question fogging me. My palms are clammy, and I try to wipe them surreptitiously on my shorts.

I feel like I am being watched, looking up I find Gajeel and Lily staring at me like I am a caged animal that is going to try and make a run for it. "Do they know? Can they hear my heartbeat?" I smile at them and busy myself with wiping down the kitchen as I force myself to calm down.

"I won't be gone long, I promise. Lily will look after you until I get to Fairy Tail, ok?" Gajeel sounds so unlike himself, his eyes seem to plead with me to be ok.

"I don't need a babysitter you know; I am quite capable of walking the 15 minutes to Fairy Tail by myself!" I huff angrily, my anger is rising which seems to work in settling my panic as fire pours through my veins.

"I know that Levy, but could you just humour me? Just this once, please?" Gajeel sighs softly and I know I am going to concede.

Nodding my assent, Gajeel smiles and turns to Lily, "I'll see you both at the guildhall shortly, take care of her cat."

Gajeel rushes to the bedroom and reappears fully dressed in his trademark black vest and pants and his hair tied back in a loose ponytail, he kisses me swiftly on the lips and is out the door before I can blink. Lily chuckles and presses off the wall he had been leaning against.

"Shall we go milady?" he asks, giving me a courtly bow in the process.

I roll my eyes at Lily's exaggeration, but I am anxious to get to Fairy Tail quickly, hoping against hope that Gajeel keeps his promise and returns to me quickly.

Grabbing my purse, I stride out the door, with Lily hot on my heels we make our way to Fairy Tail.

"You can do this Levy, lets show them you aren't a weak little girl!"