There is an oppressive weight on top of me, opening my eyes slowly, there is only darkness, and a blind panic threatens to consume me as I feel my entire body being fixed into place. The weight shifts, it feels like breathing and I open my other senses to try and work out what exactly is pinning me down.
I can hear a heartbeat thudding close to my own, Gajeel's enticing scent fills my nose and my panic starts to recede slowly, my fingertips are the only part of me that can move, and they feel strong muscles flexing under them. "Gajeel?" I attempt to whisper, the words don't leave my mouth, but I can hear it clearly in my head.
"Yes, and no my little Levy," Gajeel murmurs back, his voice is not entirely his own, his rumbling baritone sounds even deeper than normal, and it is laced with an unusual spiky quality. Gajeel's face appears in the darkness, his crimson eyes are blazing with flickering black flames, they are so hypnotising, and I cannot drag my gaze from them.
"This is only a dream Levy, I have used some of my own magic to be able to talk to you, Gajeel will only know of this if you choose to tell him," the Dragon explains, I can feel his warm breath on my neck, and although it is the image of Gajeel above me, this feels wrong. The Dragon chuckles at my thoughts, "we are one and the same, you are not being unfaithful, but I will do nothing further than talk to you as I do not wish you any discomfort."
I relax at his words, despite the little I know of this 'Dragon', I already instinctually believe that he is telling the truth. "What did you want to talk about, uh...what should I call you?" I speak into my mind, thinking over possible names as I await his reply.
"I do not identify as a fully separate being, you may call me Gajeel, or if that feels wrong to you, you may simply call me Dragon," I can feel him shrug his shoulders and I mentally opt for Dragon, at least for now, maybe we can come up with a cute little nickname later. A growl sounds, "I am not cute Levy."
My eyes roll at his attempt at intimidation, I can't stop my tongue from poking out as I ponder over nicknames to use, "maybe Fang Boy, ooh or how about Billows?", the Dragon lets forth an almighty laugh that sounds a little ominous, but I know he is actually deeply amused.
"You are incorrigible, my mate," he purrs, a hand grazes my cheek lightly before withdrawing again, "we don't have much longer, I can sense Gajeel is close to waking, so let's get down to business." His tone shifts, and my heart rate picks up as I await what is to come.
"I want you to know how proud I am of you, your willingness to strengthen your body and your powers is admirable. I see everything Gajeel does, and I was impressed with the speed in which your training has started. He may not always be the most verbal, but Gajeel is also deeply proud of your progress, do not forget that." My chest expands as I listen to the heartfelt praise, a tear pricks at my eye and I wish I could wipe it away.
The Dragon continues, apparently ignoring or oblivious to my tear, "but Levy, Gajeel must mark you. I will not be fully satisfied until that act is completed; this is the only way I can fully ensure your safety. He worries that this marking will hurt you, and I cannot deny that there will be some pain, but it will last but a moment. You must convince him to do this, my instincts are kicking in, and it won't be long before I am forced to take him over and do the job myself."
My eyes widen at the implied threat, "I would not hurt you Levy; this is not meant as a threat. You have already made it clear that my involvement makes you feel unfaithful, therefore I would prefer not to have to intervene." I blow out the breath I had been holding, "but, I will if he does not do it soon."
My mind whirs into action, wondering how long we have, my thoughts are interrupted, "I cannot say for certain how long I can hold on to my restraint, I solemnly promise that I will give you as much warning as possible, but you must be prepared."
"How is Gajeel to mark me?" I ask timidly, fearing the answer.
Sighing the Dragon speaks in a hushed tone, as if he shouldn't be divulging this information to me, "Many of my brethren refuse to speak of the ritual, they favour the method of 'find out for yourself or fear my wrath', but I am much kinder than most.
Gajeel must make love to you, and whilst he releases, he must pierce any part of you with his fangs and allow some of my Dragon Essence to enter your body." I shudder listening to the instructions, as if it were some simple medical procedure.
"In doing this, it will bond our life forces together, this act will empower Gajeel greatly and both his and your life spans will lengthen considerably. You will not be able to live without the other, but it will also be near impossible for either of you to be killed."
I have so many questions that are bubbling around my mind, I don't even know where to start, but before I can choose, the Dragon stiffens and I can feel his presence receding from me, "remember all that I have said, I must go. Bye for now my little Levy," and with that I am sucked into a spiralling black whirlpool.
~.~
A bright ray of sunlight is hitting my face, I can feel my skin warming under it, my hand moves to cover my cheek as I peer up at the ceiling, "did that dream really happen?" I think to myself, as a pair of soft lips trail across my shoulder and I look down to find a smiling Gajeel staring back at me.
A part of me already feels like I am betraying him, Gajeel's smile falters as his eyes search my face, "what's up kitten?" he asks simply. He rests his chin on his hand as he continues to watch me intently, I need to decide whether or not to divulge the contents of my dream now.
I choose to test the waters first, "what would you say if your Dragon appeared to me in a dream?" I attempt to ask as casually as possible, as I mention Dragon, Gajeel visibly stiffens and sits up in the bed.
"What did that spiky bastard do to you?" the words are low and menacing, his face is set in hard lines, sighing, I know this is not going to be a fun conversation. My hands push against the mattress as I bring myself into a seated position, my legs cross under me as I consider where to start. "Levy answer me!" he growls, his hand shooting out to grip my wrist, and I gasp at the sudden and unexpected movement, it didn't hurt, I simply wasn't expecting it.
His hand falls away instantly, a mixture of emotions are warring in his eyes and I hate the sight of his anger that is building inside him. "You need to control yourself; he did nothing to me, I swear. He wanted to talk to me about you marking me, he -", my words are cut off as Gajeel storms off the bed and begins pacing back and forth.
"No! I've told him it's not happening. I will not risk harming you, he had no right to talk to you directly without my consent," he rages at no one in particular. I have had enough of this tantrum.
"Let's get one thing straight Gajeel, you do not tell me who I can and cannot talk to, and do not dare interrupt me right now or I will toss your ass out of this room and you will be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future!" I hiss at the man before me, his mouth opens and closes as he realises this is no empty threat.
He moves to the wall opposite the bed and leans back on it heavily, his arms are crossed angrily over his chest and he stares daggers at the floor. I can feel his smouldering rage lap at me from across the room, and it's hard not to get swept up in it. I give myself a little shake, before continuing, "the Dragon made your feelings on the matter very clear, he did not attempt to deceive me in any way. He did also warn that it is a part of his nature, he will never be satisfied until this 'marking' is done, and that he will be forced to take you over and complete the process himself if you do not." This was the part I feared revealing the most, and I was right to as Gajeel explodes from his position.
The magical power in the room detonates like a bomb, dark tendrils of shadows begin to leak from Gajeel's body as he snarls and contorts, his anger wrapping around his form like a cocoon. "He threatens you; he makes these unreasonable demands...I HATE THIS!" he yells, each word appears to struggle from his raw throat.
"Actually, I think he is being pretty reasonable," I murmur, not daring to meet his eyes fully as he stares at me slack jawed in shock. "He even told me how the process works, apparently that is not something that his kind usually do. He described himself as kinder than his brethren…" I trail off as Gajeel strides towards me, he stops before the bed and looks down on me with a strange look on his face that I can't quite place.
My thighs scream from yesterday's training, it seems like a lifetime ago right now, as I stand on the bed, I realise I am fully naked, but I could care less. Gajeel and I are at the same height from this position, and I stare down the man I love, who is so wrapped in his own fury, but I refuse to back down. His shadows reach out to me, his power strokes at my skin leaving goosebumps in its wake, and a pleasant shiver courses through me.
"Enough!" I yell, my body leaps towards Gajeel, I pray he catches me as I wrap myself tightly around him. His hands catch my hips, fingers digging in enough to bruise and I groan out as my core connects with his already rigid shaft. Gajeel growls at me, his head dips to my throat and his teeth clamp down making me gasp, there is a hint of pain, but my stomach squirms at seeing this side of him.
There is none of our usual build up, he releases my hips and I slide my feet to the floor. I am immediately spun around and pressed against the wall, Gajeel drags my hips backwards towards him as I brace my forearms in front of me.
Movement from behind has me straining to see, Gajeel kicks out of his boxers and with one powerful thrust he enters me roughly. A shriek rips from my throat at the sudden intrusion, I can't say I wasn't already turned on from the feel of his power, but still, I wasn't expecting this.
Gajeel's loud grunts fill the room, his pace is immediately hard and fast as he slams repeatedly into my needy core. He leans over my body, his mouth nears my ear, and he growls, "You. Are. Fucking. Perfect," each word is punctuated with a powerful thrust, and I am quickly coming apart at the seams.
"Oh god! Gajeel!" I scream, my release spirals through me, thighs quaking as Gajeel continues to pound into me relentlessly, riding me through my orgasm. Bursts of white light spark in my vision, there is a loud buzzing in my ears, and the knot in my stomach is miraculously building again.
Gajeel's thrusts are starting to become unstable, his hands snake up the front of my body, fingers pinch at my nipples as he hisses, "Another one. Come on kitten. Come for me," he demands, my walls clench around him as I free-fall into another mind-numbing orgasm, he shudders and roars as I milk his cock of all he has to give.
As my legs finally give out, a strong arm wraps around my midsection and keeps me on my feet until Gajeel finally pulls out and I can't stop the whimper that slips out. We slowly slide to the floor; he cradles my panting body to him and kisses rain down on my head.
"This argument is not over," I pant, stretching my legs out to a more comfortable position, Gajeel chuckles darkly and flops backwards with me on to the carpet.
Sighing, he rolls my body so I am straddling his hips, the fury from earlier has dissipated and my shoulders relax knowing this, his crimson eyes pierce me as he whispers, "I will think about it, I just don't want to cause you any pain."
"Have you thought of the pain you would cause if something were to happen to you? Knowing that this bonding could prevent it? He told me this would give us a much greater protection from harm!" I shout through the tears that are forming in my eyes, my emotions are far too raw to be calm.
A calloused hand lifts to wipe the tears from my eyes, I throw myself down on Gajeel's chest and let the tears flow freely, he gently rubs my back and shushes me quietly, "ok Levy, if it is what you want, we'll do it, but let's wait a few days. I want to train with you once more before we head down this path."
~.~
As I continue to soothe Levy, I shout into the depths of my mind, "Oi lizard! I will do this on my own fucking terms, you will not interfere! There is something I want to do first, so mind your fucking business!"
A snort of amusement ripples through my skull in response, "make sure you get the perfect ring for our mate," I want to claw this bastard up for knowing my plans, but I settle for throwing up a strong metal barrier as I plan my next move.
"Time to seek out the damn bunny girl."
