Dragons Hope

After the meeting had adjourned Gajeel, pull the Flame Brain aside to discuss his plans for the rest of the gifts. He knew of the Strength and Security half but those were the easier ones to establish. An Award for Strength and an interlocking Bracelet for Security but for Binding, Connection and Link he needed a bit more then material things to give her. Natsu showed him the Rings his mother had given him from when Igneel courted her. He said that these were the Binding gift. He planned to get them for her as the Bond spell still worked. For the rest he was still looking. Satisfied with the young Dragon Slayer's resolve, he went to collect his Shrimp. Catching sight of her with Bunny girl and the others, he waited 'til they noticed him before walking over. As he got closer, he saw the Script magic floating above them. Sound bubble. Shrimp was withholding something, he knew a bit from the others but this was definitely a circumvention of him and his hearing. Anyone else he wouldn't care but this was his Shrimp and she should never hold a secret from him. He waited 'til the others left before grabbing her and depositing her over his shoulder, her complaining not really bothering him, knowing she liked looking at his ass. She might think her didn't notice but her hands strayed a little too far sometimes sliding down from his back to his ass and staying there a second or two longer then needed. He liked it but this was not the time for it.

Walking to his favorite hideaway, he had placed her upon the rocks lining the entrance to a mineral cave that lead to a hidden knoll. This cave kept most from reaching the other end but since it suited his needs, he wasn't really worried. The cave also seemed the perfect cover for his secrets, with its scary entrance and winding tunnels. If one wasn't careful which path you took then the cave led to a drop-off or other such perils. Gajeel loved his little secret enough to keep even Shrimp from finding it, but maybe it was time to share. Especially if he wanted her as his mate. Giving her a start he tossed her in the air before catching her against his front in a princess carry. He began to let her down, but she clung to him so tight he feared she would hurt them both. Instead, he got down so he could sit her on his knee then turned her so she was leaning against him.

"Hey Shrimp you need let go. I can't show you this if you're glued to me."

Levy only held on tighter, enjoying his larger frame as she curled against his chest. She knew that he would eventually set her down but she felt so safe within his arms. A sigh left him as he stood and carried her in. They made it to the hidden cavern after he showed her the marks he left so that only if you knew where to look you could find the Dragon's Lair as he named it. Setting her down he placed her in front and steered her through the tunnel until the came to the edge of the glowing rocks. Here he took her hand and pulled her in to the lit chamber and let her look around enjoying her gasps of delight at the runes and stories of his heritage. Smirking when she ran to the shelves he had carved and designed for her, he had been adding old, old, very old Dragon Scrolls, often scouring the towns his missions took him to till he found what he wanted. Each shelf was unique in the way they each preserved the scrolls and texts upon their shelves. However, by far the best was yet to come; he gently took her right hand and placed a bracelet on it before guiding her fingers to a small feather rune on the wall next the shelf housing the Dragon Scrolls. A dim light emitted from the seams before a door's out line appears to the right, gliding her hand over he leads her in to his hidden Reading room. Upon entering, she saw a nest made in the far corner up on the slight ledge of a half shelf deep in the wall. All walls had corner-to-corner bookshelves with small additions that made it a perfect alcove for any bookworm. The fireplace set in the center of two earthen desks and their respective chairs made it seem like Gajeel was asking something of her. There was even a worktable set in a corner with all sorts of metals and drawings of jewelry, obviously his work. The shelves empty, desks bare, and only one framed item on the desk with intricate designs and runes, getting closer she saw the Script Magic pen she "lost" when he attacked as well as many other things she lost or broke on missions from as far back as she could remember. All in pristine and nearly new condition. As if they had been here the whole time. The large display case held bits and pieces of who she was. In the middle was a simple locket, words and runes engraved inside. Setting her purse to the side she looked closer at the runes translating them and the dragon tongue, her mind slipping in to scholar mode in an insant. "My Dragon of Hope for now and always?" and "The Heart of Mine"?

"Gajeel? Why is this with everything else?" she asked as she turned around to find him on one knee holding a ring that matched the Locket. " You are my hope and in your hands you hold my heart. If I could I would have never hurt you again. I will stay by your side if you'll let me." He said with a serious face. He had given her many of the gifts so far and now wished to Link her to him forever. For Love, a personalized headband matching his own. Strength, a Dragon scale bracelet. Security he had said his sacred oath to her and only her. For Binding, he had allowed her to bind her mind with his. Connection was a bit trickier. He took her to a place they both enjoyed and spent weeks just connecting with her and his "family". Now he was giving her the chance to link their lifespans and souls together. " Levy MN McGarden will you spend the rest of our time with me? Will you marry me and make this Dragon's Hope bloom with love?"