Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
So... you guys are mad I assume but I updated finally. It took a while to hatch but I have a new idea and it should last me three or four chapters unless... well I won't give it away. But here you are and I hope it doesn't disappoint.
The moonlight poured into Gajeel's room and gently coloured it a soft silver as Gajeel slid out of bed to open the french doors.
"What the fuck do you want?" He exclaimed exasperatedly, stepping out onto the chilled terrace. A rock sailed upwards then and grazed his cheek lightly. Craning his head downwards his eyes locked onto a cloaked figure with a handful of rocks.
"Do you want to die?" He growled, preparing to launch himself off the terrace.
"Sorry to wake you." The figure called softly. "Master would like to see you." For a second Gajeel froze and thought about Master Ivan and how Levy was lying peacefully in the other room, completely vulnerable to any attacks.
"Show me your face." He demanded, picking up the stray rock and aiming it at the head of the figure.
"It's me Gajeel." The voice said in exasperation as a pale hand swiftly pulled back the hood.
"Mira?" Gajeel choked, dropping the rock. "Why now? What is it?"
"I'm not sure... although at this point I don't believe he'd call you unless it was something urgent dealing with his son. We have to go now." Mira chirped worriedly, wringing her hands together. Gajeel sighed and ran a hand through his messy locks.
"I'm not leaving Short Stuff alone." Gajeel finally replied. Mira stared up at him with an unreadable expression.
"I'll be back. Be ready to go when I arrive." Gajeel didn't bother to reply as Mira ran towards the center of town and was fully clothed in a minute flat.
"Shorty... wake up." Gajeel whispered gruffly, shaking Levy's small frame. Levy groaned and rolled away from him, swatting unconsciously at his outstretched hand. Huffing in annoyance Gajeel pulled the pillow from beneath her head swiftly. Levy's eyes shot open as her head hit the mattress and she shot a hand over to where Gajeel should be.
"Gajeel?" She whispered in fear.
"Right here." He answered, sitting on the bed beside her. Levy shifted slightly and leaned into him, sighing softly. Kissing the top of her head gently Gajeel pulled the blanket around her and tugged her onto his lap.
"What is it?" She murmured sleepily, just noticing he was dressed.
"I have to go talk to the master. I'll be back soon." He muttered, hugging her to him tightly.
"If that's all then why do you seem so nervous?" She questioned, staring up at him. Gajeel shut his eyes and exhaled slowly.
"I... I'm a double agent." He admitted, opening his eyes to watch her expression change from shock to disbelief to terror to nothing.
"Levy?" He called in worry when she sat there silently.
"Does Master know?" She asked expressionlessly.
"Y-yes... he started it. This is my way of paying him back for destroying the guild." Levy nodded and smiled slightly up at him.
"You were forgiven long ago... there's no need to continue with this." She told him. Gajeel shook his head.
"You might have forgiven me but I haven't forgiven myself." He whispered quietly. Levy twisted in his arms and slipped her head into the crook of his neck.
"You should..." She mumbled against his throat. Gajeel didn't respond but he did wrap his arms tightly around her waist and kiss her softly.
"I mean it." She tried again, pulling a hand out of the blanket to absently rub his chest.
"... I know." He sighed, leaning against the headboard.
The two sat on the bed in contented silence while the wind blew gently outside and the night wore on. Minutes later there was a scuffle outside and Gajeel sat up, cradling Levy in his arms as he walked over to the doors. Peering out cautiously Gajeel confirmed that it was Mira with two other cloaked figures whose scents were somehow masked.
"I'll be right there." He called, turning on his heel and walking back to the bed.
"I'll be back soon." He promised, gently placing Levy on the bed. Levy clutched the blanket tightly around herself and stretched upwards needfully. Gajeel complied and pulled her to him, kissing her roughly. Then there was a thump on the terrace so Gajeel pulled away and kissed her nose gently before leaving her and exiting through the french doors.
Huddling into the pillows Levy watched as two cloaked figures stepped into the room and gently closed the doors behind them. Her heartbeat quickened as they pulled their hoods back.
"Lu-Chan! Natsu! Don't scare me like that!" She scolded as her two friends revealed themselves, tucking the blanket tightly around her naked form. Lucy made her way over to Levy and hugged her gently.
"We're just here to hang out with you until Gajeel gets back." Lucy whispered softly. Levy smiled gratefully at her best friend.
"Can I go back to sleep now?" Natsu whined, plopping himself dramatically into the desk chair. Lucy rolled her eyes as Levy laughed happily.
"Fine." They agreed, grinning in amusement as Natsu smiled up at them and promptly fell asleep.
Lucy turned back to Levy and crawled onto the bed next to her.
"Want to get some more sleep too?" She questioned sleepily, trying her best not to yawn.
"Sure." Levy yawned shamelessly, snuggling into Gajeel's pillow. Lucy smiled over at her and rolled over, pressing her back to Levy's and falling asleep almost faster than Natsu. Levy hugged the pillow close to her chest and was quickly lulled to sleep by Lucy's deep breathing and Gajeel's comforting scent.
(^.^) (^.^)
Gajeel walked silently behind Mira on their way to the guild. Seeing as how it was the middle of the night and pitch black aside from the silver tinted objects that the moon touched nobody was out and it was deathly silent which made the setting eerie and yet seemingly perfect for the upcoming talk.
"He's in his office." Mira announced as they arrived at the guild, pushing open the doors for him to go in. Gajeel nodded gruffly and trudged up the stairs, knocking twice at the large oak door that led to Makarov's office.
"Come in." Makarov's gravelly voice called. Gajeel pushed the door open and stood in front of Makarov's desk, ignoring the two chairs behind him. Makarov shrugged slightly and offered Gajeel a cup of coffee, which he accepted, before getting down to business.
"Ivan has started looking for new recruits. Dragon Slayers, to be precise. He sent a note today and Mira found it wedged in a crack at your usual table. We are unsure how it got there but it was addressed to you. Mira brought it to me and I read it but I have not shared the information with anyone. Here's the note." Master Makarov told him quickly as if he was afraid someone might be listening. Gajeel placed his coffee on the desk and reached out a shaky hand to grab the small slip of paper.
Kurogane,
The time for your final task to prove yourself has come.
Convince the other three dragon slayers to join us.
Reward- Full acceptance and your little one doesn't get hurt.
Failure to complete this task will result in total elimination.
~I
Gajeel, while briefly surprised so much information had gone into a letter that could be found by virtually anyone, gripped the paper tightly and shook with suppressed rage.
"We don't know why he said "Little one" or if he means Lily or Levy though..." Makarov muttered and Gajeel brightened somewhat. Not that he wanted to lose his cat but if there was a chance Ivan didn't know about Levy yet then that would fix a lot of could-be problems.
"I want you to make the choice. Leave Ivan's guild or comply with his wishes and take him down from the inside." Makarov finally spoke, startling Gajeel.
"I... when does this decision have to be made?" Gajeel finally asked, stuffing the note into his pocket.
"The note doesn't say when your due date is but I assume you must make progress for Ivan to be happy. Do what you can and hurry... that's all I can say." Makarov answered with a frown. "I'm sorry." Gajeel shrugged off his apology.
"Whatever... I'll figure it out. Maybe I'll go and talk to Ivan... I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon at the latest." Makarov nodded and rested his head on his cane. Without waiting for any possible further comments Gajeel quickly strode from the office and down the stairs, his coffee completely forgotten.
"I'll be back tomorrow." He muttered as he passed Mira. She only nodded at his back before walking up the stairs to deliver another coffee to Makarov.
(^.^) (^.^)
Kicking at random stones and taking all the dark alleys he found Gajeel finally realized he couldn't stand being alone with his mind and headed directly for his house.
"Better tell Levy and get it over with." He muttered, glaring at the overly cheery moon. As he was nearing the house he noticed a figure on the balcony and swiftly jumped up, stopping when he noticed that it was just Natsu.
"Hey." Natsu greeted, flicking his gaze to the guild where a light could be seen in the uppermost rooms. "What did Gramps want?"
"I have to go on a mission." Natsu nodded slowly at the information and offered a friendly smile.
"Want me and Luce to watch her?" Gajeel blinked at the question but nodded despite his qualms against the Fire Dragon Slayer.
"Thanks." He muttered, adjusting his jacket briefly. Natsu nodded and briefly stepped back inside, emerging a moment later with a sleeping Lucy in his arms. Smirking happily Natsu jerked his head towards the door and sat down to wait. Lucy curled up in his lap with her head lolled off to the side. Gajeel snorted but nodded at Natsu and walked inside, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Upon approaching the bed Gajeel sat down and just watched silently as Levy snuggled up to his pillow.
"Hey... Shorty?" He whispered, rubbing her cheek slowly. Levy's eyes fluttered open and she rolled onto her back, staring up at him for a few minutes until realizing it was him.
"Gajeel!" She exclaimed happily, crawling into his lap and curling up.
"You know you're still naked, right?" Gajeel questioned, quickly averting his eyes as the blanket fell off her shoulders. Levy blinked twice before letting out a squeak and turning bright red, tumbling out of bed and jerking on her undergarments.
"There." She declared triumphantly, grabbing a spare shirt of his and slipping it over her head. Gajeel immediately broke into laughter and promptly fell off the bed.
"Gajeel!" Levy gasped, scrambling hastily over the bed to get to Gajeel's sprawled form.
"C'mere." He gasped, pulling himself upright. Levy quickly slid off the bed and crouched at his side.
"Are you okay?" She questioned anxiously, examining him for any possible cuts.
"Course. I'm a Dragon Slayer after all. The only thing that fall could hurt would be my pride." He proclaimed, puffing out his chest to emphasize his point.
"Does your pride need a kiss to get better?" She laughed heartily.
"That'd be nice. But first things first..." He answered, tearing at least seven inches off the bottom of the shirt so it now hung down to just below her hips. Levy gasped and tugged the shirt downwards.
"Don't flatter yourself." He chuckled, tossing her underwear to her. Levy glared at him and slipped them on before padding slowly over to him.
"Why did you have to go?" She breathed faintly, almost too soft for Gajeel to hear.
"I... Gramps... I have to go on a mission." He told her haltingly. "Alone." Levy stared up at him with a blank face and wide eyes.
"Why?" She questioned, resting her head on his broad chest.
"I... I can't tell you yet." Gajeel responded, wrapping his arms around Levy's slender form. Levy stiffened inhaled sharply.
"Are you in danger Gajeel?" She breathed anxiously, tilting her head to stare up at his chiseled jaw. She watched silently as a muscle twitched by Gajeel's mouth as his brain worked to come up with a suitable answer.
"So you are..." She sighed sadly wrapping her arms around his waist. Gajeel slowly released a breath he didn't know he was holding and nodded.
"Maybe." He admitted, pressing his lips to her temple. Levy smiled sorrowfully.
"How long will you be gone?" She finally asked.
"I aim to be back tomorrow." He replied in a somber tone.
"Are you at least bringing Lily?" She questioned, biting at her lip in worry.
"No." Levy sighed heavily and sagged into Gajeel. Gajeel bent down slightly and scooped her small form into his muscled arms.
"You know I'll come back. Even if I don't bring Lily." He told her gently, sitting down in the desk chair.
"I... I know." She whispered, pressing her lips against his corded neck. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to worry."
"Just don't worry." He said simply, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's not that easy." She muttered, closing her eyes and imagining the possible outcomes. Bad decision, her mind prodded as image after image of Gajeel's dead body floated through her mind. Snapping her eyes open suddenly she prayed Gajeel wouldn't notice her increasing heart rate. Gajeel glared down at her.
"I said don't worry!" He exclaimed. Levy nodded quickly and Gajeel sighed as Levy offered no verbal response. Tilting her chin upwards slightly with his thumb Gajeel kissed her roughly.
"That was my promise." He told her when he pulled away. "I will come back alive." Levy smiled up at him and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Go now before I force you to stay." She mumbled, slipping out of his arms and moving to stand by the door.
"You and what army?" He teased, attempting to lighten the mood but getting up and walking to the door as well. With one hand placed on the doorknob Gajeel turned and slipped his hand through Levy's bright locks and ruffled them slightly, offering her a smirk as he swiftly opened the door and left. Levy's face immediately crumpled and she dashed to the bed, gathering herself up in a tight ball and crying herself to sleep.
Natsu entered shortly after Levy fell asleep and placed Lucy in the desk chair before silently tip toeing over to Levy's side. He stared sadly down at her tear-stained cheeks and gently brushed the stray locks of hair back into her headband.
"He'll be back Levy." He murmured softly before moving to the end of the bed and settling down for an uncomfortable night's sleep.
A/N: And... There you are. Too OOC? Love it? Hate it? No actual opinion either way? Review anyways! I'm sorry it took so long... I kind of knew what I wanted to add but couldn't really get it out right but this was the final product... I hope it was worth the wait and now that I have a plot I should be updating weekly for the next month or so. I'll try to figure out what else to add in the mean time but with High School everyday and homework every night I can't promise everything but I can promise I'll try. Again, please review and thanks for reading everyone~!