Disclaimer: Still don't own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does. Warning (Spoiler) contains mild D/s and Gajeel swearing.
The iron dragon slayer strode into the guild, brimming with confidence. A flaming fist shot past his face, aimed for a counter-striking ice mage. Natsu connected with Gray, pausing to turn and sniff at his fellow dragon slayer. A smirk came over the fire dragon's face as he studied Gajeel, who seemed to be in his own world. That expression didn't last long as a chunk of ice hit Natsu in the back of the head. "That's it, stripper! I'm fired up now!"
Lucy and Erza watched their teammates with a look of disinterest. The fighting was an everyday occurrence for them, after all. The celestial spirit mage took notes on everyone's actions in a notebook. The red-headed requip mage sat hunched over a piece of strawberry cake, deflecting attacks that flew too close without batting an eye.
The iron dragon slayer ignored their antics, walking over to the bar before joining his Exceed partner. Pantherlily was already downing a glass of kiwi juice at their usual table in the darkest corner of the guild. Mirajane was wiping up a spill on the countertop. She paused when she sensed Gajeel coming, looking up. "The usual, Gajeel-san?"
"Yeah, and hurry it up already." He glanced around, trying to be careful not to be obvious in his movements.
The demon was plenty insightful, though. "Hrm, waiting on someone, Gajeel-san?" She teased in a low whisper. "Your little script mage isn't here yet."
A heavy blush crossed Gajeel's cheeks. "I don't know what the hell you're talkin' about?!" He growled. "Just pour my damned drink already..." He shook his head, grabbing the stein of ale before she finished pouring. "Damned demon bitch, can't mind her own business." He mumbled under his breath as he headed for the table with a very amused Lily.
"An' you stay out of it, Cat!"
"I was not going to say anything." Lily shrugged and sipped at his juice. The iron dragon sat, watching over in the direction of the fight near the entrance. Gray was now fully naked, casting his ice demon slayer magic against Natsu's fire. Reedus sat off to the side painting the battle scene in surprisingly good anatomical correctness and Juvia was already trying to negotiate a price. "Save that, Levy is here now," Lily quipped. He downed the last of his kiwi juice in one solid movement.
The black Exceed flew with the empty glass back to the bar and stood chatting to a smiling Levy. She hugged him to her as Mira brought out a drink for both her and refilled Patherlily's. Gajeel strained to hear what the two were saying to each other. However, the din of the bar brawl that now also included the Raijinshuu and Elfman prevented him from hearing much.
Lily led a blushing Shrimp back over to their table and as she sat, he was able to smell the contents of her glass. "Picking up a new habit, Shrimp?" Gajeel asked, trying to hide the confusion in his voice.
"Err, no." She shrugged and brought the glass to her lips, trying not choke and splutter on the strong alcohol. The scribe succeeded only as far as a look of distaste.
The iron dragon shook his head and sighed. "Anyways, Shorty... gonna tell me what yesterday was about?"
"I was just studying for something. For Shadow Gear... " Her voice quavered and the the iron dragon could detect the lie.
"Try again..." His voice dropped low, "you are going to tell me what you were up to. And I know it isn't for Shadow Gear. Those puppies aren't clinging all over you like usual. So where are they and what are you really doing?" Levy's eyes went round, her mouth dropping open slightly.
Lily emptied his glass, flying back to the counter. Gajeel watched him choke it down and guessed it was his way of politely excusing himself. Letting his eyes linger on his partner a moment, he hid his smirk behind his stein when the exceed flew over towards Charle and Happy, the two other exceed members of the guild.
"Jet and Droy went on a mission, by themselves for a month. They are trying to prove to me how strong they are." A hint of amusement colored her voice. She really isn't interested in them, Gajeel thought. "They are also trying to see who can come back first, as the most successful." She shrugged, "both Jet and Droy are capable, and they didn't exactly choose difficult missions this time."
"So you let the puppies go off on their own and are staying here at the guild, Shrimp?"
"No, I'm heading out tomorrow on a mission up in the mountains." Levy sipped at her drink, a pleasant buzz filling her mind. The script mage was feeling less nervous about sitting this close to Gajeel as warmth spread through every part of her being. Where did Lily go? She wondered vaguely.
"You didn't answer what you've been up to, Shrimp." An edge rose in his lowered voice as he leaned over towards her. "Care to explain the books about the dragons?" The iron dragon slayer was honestly interested in what she was up to.
"The mission I am going on. I didn't want you to know yet. It may be nothing, but there were rumors of a dragon up in the mountains." The script mage paused, "I didn't want you or Natsu or Wendy excited over something that may turn out to be just a rumor. B-but I was hoping to find something. So I was trying to learn all I could about dragons."
"And you never thought that kind of mission could be dangerous?"
Levy opened her mouth to object, wanting to point out she had been chosen for the S-class exams. Gajeel stood up and leaned forward, towering over her with his presence. She frowned, but assumed the closeness was to be able to hear over the crunching wood and yells of 'flame-brain' and 'stripper' perpetuating the background. It seemed nearly everyone was fully engaged in the brawl by this point, save the Exceeds, Lucy and Reedus.
"I'm going with you, Shrimp, and that's that." The iron dragon slayer paused, smirking. "Now then, there's just one little other thing."
Reaching forward with the hand closest the wall, the iron dragon slayer almost touched her on the neck. Softly, Gajeel brushed Levy's hair out of her face. The solid script mage blushed at the gesture, only to feel a cool ring around her neck. The scent of iron revealed the thin metal band for what it was, a collar of Gajeel's make. Looping a finger through it, the iron dragon slayer forcefully tilted her head back, making her face him. Leaning closer still, his breath caressed along her neck. Gajeel whispered into her ear, "want to tell me about that manuscript? You aren't getting the missing pages back til you do."
Halfway across the room, Lucy's jaw dropped. Her pen worked its way across her notebook furiously as she stared at her friend.
A/N: first week of classes went well so here's an update! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.