A/N: AAAAAHHHH! I have a long chapter for you guys. If you haven't noticed, I am changing the rating to Teen to Mature. Well, because of this chapter. This is a lemon chapter (spoiler), so it's Not Safe For Work (NSFW). Oh don't worry, there will be plenty of that in future chapters. I'll try to update before Gajevy Love Fest, if not, don't expect an update until after 8/21. I'm also going to Pittsburgh and Nashville next week, so we will see. Thank you guys for your patience. You guys rock!

Oh I forgot to mention from the previous chapter. One reviewer told me how much the Memorial Day chapter meant to her since she has a love one serving the arm forces. I want to say to her/him that I am truly humbled and touched by your review. Your love one is a hero and I pray for their safe return home. Thank you for his/her service.

Note: The performance was inspired by the song Confessions by We are the Ocean. Look up the song on YouTube, if you want to hear what the Dragonslayers sound like.

Enjoy this extra-long chapter!

Chapter Eight: Confessions

Gajeel walked Levy back to his place.

It wasn't planned to be sure. He wasn't expecting to drink as much as they did back in Gnocchi, so a brisk walk back to his apartment was the next thing. Which wasn't far, though Levy had to break in her new shoes as the small heeled pumps were taking a toll on her feet. They stumbled down the sidewalk, walking four long blocks towards Gajeel's place where it was located in a row of red brick four story buildings. Each building had unique trimmings despite their alike appearance from the terracotta brick, and Gajeel's had evergreen trimming and door.

While Gajeel unlocked the door, Levy looked over to the intercom with the tenants name listed beside each worn ivory button. G. Redfox was the top of that list, where he lived at the fourth and top floor of the building. The inside didn't match the exterior. The foyer where mailboxes and a table with pink tulip centerpieces greeted them. Polished granite floors and freshly painted stairs looked pristine in the soft lighting from a lamp in one corner. Beside it, a row of bicycles of different colors and sizes lined themselves.

At Levy's place, she'd have to be quiet climbing the stairs, fearing of the neighbors complaining, however, Gajeel's heavy footsteps echoed and his voice boomed whenever he spoke to her, making it prominent that he was home. Levy indeed was afraid someone from the doors might bust open and erratic screaming from his neighbors would ensue, but that didn't happened. And from the way the stairs and doors were set up, only two apartment units were on each floor. She was curious now on how big his place was.

"I rarely stay at my place," Gajeel warned her when they finally reached the top floor and started to unlock the two deadbolts on the right door. "Mostly Rogue or my cousin Wendy crashes here…well, now Rogue. Wendy moved to Michigan."

"Right, med school." Levy repeated. "Is he home now?" He opened the door to see it dark.

"Nope," A sigh of relief came out of him, like he was hoping he wasn't going to be there. "He got that new job in upper east side. He's crashing with Sting. Occasionally he'd stay here when we have a gig out here." Levy followed him inside, still too dark to see anything. It smelled like warm cinnamon and sharp lingering scent of whiskey. It reminded Levy of the old tavern she use to spend her childhood while her mother worked. Only this time it wasn't repulsive or overbearingly smoky.

"Drink?" Gajeel flipped the light on where a simple light fixture above the kitchen table lit up the apartment.

"Yes, please." Levy nodded and she set her purse on the kitchen table with the pile of unread mail scattered along with magazines still in their plastic wrappings. Random tools like screwdrivers and pliers were piled to one side along with nuts and bolts. No sign of any use of those items anywhere. Her eyes drifted over to the living room which was surprisingly neat considering he was friends with Natsu. It would seem he was the organized one out of the two. Levy was expecting mismatch furniture that he squabbled from a garage sale or side of the road to be thrown out. Surprisingly enough the sofa chair, love seat and abnormally large couch were a matching set and made of distressed black leather. A matching cushioned ottoman was the center where remotes and series of wires graced the leather surface.

"You have a nice place." Levy commented, rubbing her fingers between the pleats of her dress, trying hard not to touch anything she wasn't supposed to. "I'm surprised it's neat…"

"Tch," Gajeel snarled. "Better than the mess in that room of yers."

"Hey," Levy scowled. "It's an organized mess. At least I know where everything is."

"Yeah, yeah," Gajeel shook his head. "Unlike Salamander."

"Right!" Levy chuckled. "He forgets things all the time, because he just throws his things wherever he pleases."

"Sounds like him." Gajeel pursed his lips. He continued in the kitchen and Levy studied the rest of the apartment, looking at the shockingly small flat screen that could pass as a computer monitor and an XBOX One.

Something beside the small flat screen television stood caught her eye. Yes, the beautiful guitars of different shapes and colors lined itself along the wall in their own stands, but the polished cherry wood upright piano stood on its own. Before Levy realized, she drifted towards it and her fingers settled on the dustless wood, gliding the tips of her fingers along the top of where the keys would be.

"Do you play?" Levy jumped when Gajeel joined her, handing the drink he made for her. Another gimlet, just limes.

"Nah," Levy shook her head and took a sip, slightly cringing at first, but perfectly made nonetheless. "I wish I did…do you play?" His lips pressed into a hard line, contemplating on his answer.

"Not really," He finally answered. "Wendy plays. I only know chords…nothing else."

"Better than nothing." Levy nudged her arm at him. "Can you play for me?"

"Hm," Gajeel sipped his whiskey neat. "I don't know." Her eyes dropped to her drink.

"Can you play that song for me?" She pleaded with her eyes, cheeks flushed from all the drinking. Now she was sobering up, however the new drink in her hands would change that. "It's been awhile."

"Yeah," Gajeel turned on his heel and grabbed a pale brown colored acoustic. Another Taylor, which would seem like his favorite acoustic brand. He threw back the rest of his drink with one shot and set the glass in front of the television and sat down on the ottoman, placing the guitar across his lap. Levy didn't know if she should join him on the ottoman, or sit in the sofa chair adjacent to him.

"How do you want me?" Suddenly slipped out of her mouth, realizing the words she had said, and as much as she wanted to rectify her question, Gajeel pointed to the sofa chair. She gingerly settled herself in the chair, pressing down the skirt of her dress, with the drink nestled in her hands. Gajeel did a quarter turn on the ottoman and faced her, knees touching hers, and begun to strum chords to see if it was in the right tune. She'd never get enough of seeing him—hearing him play.

Especially when it was this song.

Spring Break 2015 in Akane.

Thursday night, and it was their last concert day. The Dragonslayers already performed their acoustic session earlier that week and now they are ending their short spring tour. Levy and Lucy were side stage to where the band was playing, enjoying the view from behind as they played their first set of songs. At the moment the stage was dark except Sting and Cobra's soundboard at the back, and the noise of the crowd died down while the members of the band took a quick break.

"Be sure to stand in the press box at the foot of the stage. Security already knows you and Lucy have clearance." Natsu said to them, sipping his water. "We got a new one for you. Wrote it a few days ago."

"Natsu…" Lucy shook her head. "You should stop forcing them to play new songs. You need to practice more. What did the others say about this?"

"Actually," Natsu smirked at them. "Gajeel's the one who wants to play it." He winked at Levy and left for the stage. "You gonna like it." As soon as he said that, one lone guitar begun to play and the crowd begun to roar. The stage remained dark as the familiar melody pulsated out of the speakers and amps. A voice followed, sounding strange at first, but it was Gajeel talking to the crowd.

"C'mon," Levy grabbed Lucy's hand and they made their way down the side ramp and one of the bouncers guarding the stage from crowd surfers nodded at them to enter the press box at the very foot of the stage. Two other photographers were there and they weren't happy with the lack of lighting for this performance.

"…wrote this song a couple of weeks ago." Gajeel muttered, still playing nonchalantly. Levy squinted her eyes, trying to see him in the dark. "Recently finished it with a little help from someone." The rhythmic strumming, clean plucking of the strings, it was the same haunting melody from a few days ago. The incomplete song he needed to work on first before sharing it.

He finished it? Levy thought, squeezing Lucy's hand.

"What is it?" Lucy leaned in and spoke in her ear.

"I-I don't know…" Levy replied.

"Still a work in progress, but I'd like to preview this song here tonight." Gajeel finally said, "—for Levy."

Her name booming from the speakers brought a chilling ache down her spine to the very pit of her stomach. It wasn't that the song was dedicated to her alarmed her, it was the fact he said her real name for the first time startled her the most.

"I'm writin'—these confessions—to you—" Gajeel sung and played the melody over and over again on his electric guitar. One lone light cascaded down on Gajeel, showcasing a different guitar with a metallic orange body and inlay of pearl lines along the frets. "—I'm writin'—these confessions—to you—oh won't you hold my hand—and take me to the other side—well, I want to see you, I want to see with my own eyes—"

What she said to him. What she told him about songs being confessions of the soul—of the heart came pouring back to her. The way Gajeel worded her words into his melody brought a surge of happiness and sadness coursing through her. The lyrics fit so well, and yet…consumed the melody in a testimony of despair. Gajeel drew the crowd in, bringing them into his own hell that they wouldn't understand.

Natsu joined in as another spotlight appeared with him harmonizing with Gajeel. He plucked away while Gajeel continued to strum and soon Sting appeared in the back, taking a sip of water before grabbing his drumsticks. Surprisingly enough Cobra came out from the back with Rogue's bass guitar and joined Natsu's side. Drums and bass followed Gajeel as he continue to sing the same four lines over and over.

Soon Rogue came out from the side with no instrument, just walked over to the center microphone where Natsu usually takes his place and adjusted the stand. The song picked up and Rogue later joined in, screaming into the microphone, repeating the same four lines in his own way, causing the crowd to rampage crazily with the band.

"—Take me to the other side!" Gajeel joined Rogue as he continued to roar into the microphone. "—Want to see with my own eyes—"

Gajeel and Rogue stopped singing, and let the rest of the melody do its work.

The band went incredibly wild soon after with lights flickering with the rhythm of the drums, Natsu hopping around playing his part, Cobra headbanging to his own bassist beat while Rogue jumped around with them. And Gajeel—stepping forward in front of Levy and Lucy, showing them his skilled fingers tearing through a guitar solo with precision and tact. This was new to Levy. She only heard the first part of the song on that balcony a few days ago. The complete set with the solo, lights and his team coming together to showcase a song she was familiar with, and yet sounded as if she never heard of it.

"I'm writin' these confessions to you," Gajeel and Rogue sang together now. "Oh won't you hold my hand—and take me to the other side—well, I want to see you, want to see with—"

Everything paused.

Everything went dark.

"—eyes—" Gajeel appeared again with a single spotlight on him. He strummed by himself. No Natsu, no Rogue—just Gajeel and his guitar like the beginning of the song. "—want to see with my own—eyes."

Looking down from the stage, Levy caught his gaze and small smirk appeared on his face, singing the last notes of the song in his hazy mellow voice.

Present

After their trip, Levy wanted to forget about their time together, despite how much fun she had with Gajeel. She went to Juvia's work to return some of his things only to find out he too worked there as a nurse. No matter how much Levy wanted to move on to her normal life, she always ended up back in his spell. Fixated on the man who she knew little about but her curiosity wanted to break those walls down, wanting to chisel through his cold demeanor and let her in. Let her in on Gajeel's side.

And at that moment, she already was.

But little did she know, Levy only scratched the surface.

For now—it was good enough.

"I'm writing—" Levy sang, wanting to sing with Gajeel, but his voice was caught in his throat, stunned by her voice. "—these confessions to you." Her honey eyes stared at him, playing as she continued to sing. "—Oh won't you take my hand and take me to the other side—" Levy scooted closer, and Gajeel stopped playing, "well, I want to see you, want to see with my—" He set the guitar down, and set his hand over hers, where they sat cold upon her bare knee. Levy found solace when his warm hand grabbed them, ceasing the trembling. And just like the last word of the song, Levy was drawn to his handsome ruby eyes to the point where she didn't realize how close he was to her. Somehow Gajeel's rough fingertips gently graze her chin, and glided along her jaw to the back of her neck. She waited for the kiss, but Gajeel waited, breathing her in as he studied her face.

Levy gulped, "—eyes," and sung the final two notes before Gajeel claimed her lips as it should be, tasting the bitterness of the lime and vodka, cool against his tongue. He knelt down at her feet, wrapping his arms around her waist, leaning in to get more of her sweet lips. How long had he dreamed of her lips, to hold her like this again? It had been weeks since they were lost in each other's arms.

Levy was afraid though. Not because of where this might lead, but for Gajeel to force them to stop from this blissful dream. She wasn't going to lie, what almost happened last time was all in part her fault. Getting thrown in the heat of the moment and pushing aside her usual rationale and logical mind to be not herself with someone who she barely knew. She was not that kind of girl, and it would seem that Gajeel wasn't that kind of guy.

That week in Akane, Levy didn't want to look for a commitment. She didn't want what Lucy and her other friends wanted her to do during her vacation. Though, Levy found someone she grew fond of; the mysteries Gajeel and his music. More so now since she knew the truth. Pediatric Nurse, an army veteran…it was more than just his titles or profession; Gajeel Redfox, not just the former Sergeant or the Charge Nurse singing Taylor Swift songs, but just Gajeel himself. The more she learned about him, the more Levy loved him.

Was this love? Had there been a time she ever felt like this?

Levy felt her chest tighten at the thought, butterflies fluttered wildly in her belly, and her fingers were ignited by lust, reaching wantonly for his hands at her waist. She peeled them away, earning a surprising sound from Gajeel's throat when she guided them to her knees and pushed them up her thigh, bunching her skirt to her hips.

"Yer sure?" Gajeel's lips released her, slowly pulling away from her grip, but her fingers dug into his hands. His eyes were pleading, burning with the same intent as hers, though there was some reluctance within them.

"I am." Levy smiled and returned his lips to hers. "I want you." She rasped in between kisses, slowly feeling the tension in his shoulder loosen.

It was all he needed.

Gajeel's finger curled around her hips and pulled her ass closer to the edge of the sofa chair. Levy let out a squeak and a soft moan when Gajeel grounded his hips against the apex of her thighs, feeling him restrained and hard in his pants. Her hands moved to his bicep, touching the tightened muscle within his shirt. She wanted to feel his bare skin, feel it burn against hers. As if he was reading her mind, Gajeel unbutton enough buttons to hastily drag the shirt over his head. Black tendrils cascaded over his back and shoulders, tickling her burning skin.

Levy ran her fingers through his taut muscle, hungrily feeling every ridge on his abdomen, every tighten muscle on his smooth back. Her burning touch branded him possessively and he did the same intently with his lips at the crook of her neck, licking her soft skin as she moan against his ear. A tingling ache coursed through her veins, electrifying her skin for more of his touch, more of his skin. She rolled her hips instinctively, drawing another gasp from him.

A hand rose from her hips to her breast, squeezing through the silky fabric that still covered her. Thumb teased the skin above the edge, dying to hold her completely. She arched her back hoping that he'd unzip her dress—or rip it. Instead, his other hand had other plans as his fingers curled around her lush bottom, feeling her through lacy cloth, but his perusing had his finger slipped under the hem.

"Gajeel," Levy mewled, heat flooded her when he curled his fingers over her bare skin. "Dress…" She said in a whisper, grabbing a fistful of his hair. And hoping that he would take off her dress, Gajeel instead picked her up, guiding her legs around his waist, and stride down the hall. Levy let out a small squeak, but Gajeel claimed her lips again.

Levy was lost in his taste, in his touch, and before she could relish in his hold on her, she was unceremoniously plopped on to his large bed. The ribbon in her hair came undone and her dress was loose around her hips, exposing a pink strapless bra. She didn't know that Gajeel already unzipped her on their trek. Levy looked up to see Gajeel straddling her hips and stared down at her, ruby eyes drifting down to her breasts and back up to her gaze. An audible gulp left Gajeel and he leaned in to kiss her, though this time it was much more gentle, more tender—as if some sensibility had dawned on them.

But, that didn't stop them.

If anything, his tenderness had done her in—and as much as she wanted him to take her then and there, Gajeel was savoring it and so did Levy, though she had to take matters into her own hands. She was far more clothed than he. And with her eyes never leaving his gaze, Levy shimmied out of her dress, tossing it to the side, and slowly removing her bra, watching Gajeel's eyes widen.

Strangely enough, Levy was thankful for the room to be dark enough that Gajeel wouldn't see how small she was, though she still crossed her arms over them as if she was ashamed of them. However, Gajeel grabbed her wrists and pinned them at her sides.

"What're doin'?" Gajeel hissed, leaning in for a kiss but he pulled back to get a good look at her. "You show'em only to hide'em." He smirked. "I didn't know yer could be so cruel." Her face burned at the sight of his irresistible smile. The smile that would make her insides do cartwheels.

"They're—um—they're sm—" Levy bashfully stuttered, but Gajeel grabbed her chin with his fingers and kissed her hard, tongue piercing her lips. She moaned as Gajeel's hand cupped her mounds, brushing his thumb softly against her upright peaks.

"Yer not." Gajeel rasped, biting back a desirable moan from his throat. "Jesus Christ—yer not." Gajeel kissed her cheek, her jaw and her neck, nibbling at her skin. "You taste so fuckin' good." He was now losing himself in her taste, drawing out something criminal in her veins.

"Gajeel—" She gasped, digging her nails into his skin, writhed against him as he ravished her delectable mounds with his mouth. It was too much, but not enough. Levy panted and moaned at the ache building between her thighs. She wanted him there, planting and rubbing hungrily at her sensitive flesh. She raked her nails from his shoulder blades down his back, awarding her with a satisfying moan at the back of his throat, and Levy felt his rigid abs before she made way to her target.

Levy stopped kissing him once she found the bulge in his pants, fighting the confines of the denim. She stroked him, where Gajeel sank into the bed beside her, still holding her, and gasped into the crook of her neck. Levy's fingers ached, wanting to feel him in her hands, so she made quick work at his belt buckle, button and zipper. She slipped into the band of his boxer briefs, grazing the patch of hair and took him firmly into her hand.

"Levy," The name was foreign and yet hearing her name tumble from his panting lips, between kisses along her shoulder was something she could never get enough of. "Fuck, Levy…" His hands pulled her closer, hands roaming her body as she rubbed his hot shaft with little space she had. The books she'd read only gave her so much, though she wondered if she was doing it right. From his reaction, Levy would take that as a yes.

"Oh," Levy gasped, feeling Gajeel's fingers playfully danced along her thighs, begging for her to open them up for him. With Levy rhythmically stroking him, Gajeel rubbed the sensitive skin along the edge of her panties. She arched into his touch, pressing his palm against the apex. She nearly stopped her peruse and Gajeel pulled her in for a deep kiss. His fingers curled around the band and dragged her panties over her knees and discarded them with the rest of their clothes. "Gajeel—ah!" She pulled from their kiss and buried her face into his shoulder as he rubbed the edges of her nether lips with torturous abandon. A finger grazed the sensitive nub, bringing pulses of pleasure running through her veins.

"Y'like that?" Gajeel wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

"Oh my god, yes." Levy cried. "Please—Gajeel…" She looked up to meet his hungry gaze burning into hers. Gajeel wanted her as much as she did. And without looking away, Gajeel slipped a finger inside her. Her mouth left a gape and a gasp almost sounding like a pant left her throat. He slipped another finger inside her. "Oh Gajeel—" His name came tumbling from her lips over and over, like a mantra. She was so close—oh so close to the edge as he continued to rub her walls and Levy writhed in a torment bliss and desire as heat speared through her, sinking its claws into her stomach, and lower…everything coming together in an explosion of stars behind her eyelids.

"Fuck me," Levy pleaded, almost sounding like a demand.

"That's my line, shorty." Gajeel grabbed her chin with slick fingers and kissed her hungrily, possessively stroking her tongue greedily. He pulled away for a brief moment to take off the rest of his clothes. She watched him in the dim lighting of the room, muscles contort and contract with every movement, beige battle scars graced his body, long been healed, though still told a story of his past. The clothing he wore hid most of that, and here she was exposed to them. Another iron wall came crashing down.

His body hovered over her, hips snug between her legs, and throbbing cock at her entrance. Levy looked up, watching his gaze when he made the final push inside of her. She briefly shut her eyes, feeling him fill her completely. Her eyelids fluttered open and then shut again once he begun to move. A new sound came out of her throat, feeling the wave of ecstasy overcome her with every thrust. Levy rolled her hips to her own volition, making his pace quicken to keep up with her.

Levy arched her back, and Gajeel wrapped his arm around her, pulling her up with him as she straddled him, delving him deeper into her. She grabbed on to his shoulders, steadying herself against him. He was hitting a different spot, an angle brutally deep, it sent her head reeling. But, Levy eased into the newfound bliss. She jerked her hips, rubbing him against her slick and aching walls. It wasn't long before she erupted around him, milking his throbbing member. Her body jolted, quivering in her quake and Gajeel held her tight, rocking his hips to help her ride out orgasm.

Gajeel set her back down on the bed, blue threads spilled over on the gray pillow beneath her head, glistening hooded brown eyes stared at him, and her fingers curled around his bicep. Her cheeks flushed and slick with sweat and lips swollen from their relentless tango. The sight of her claimed a precious pain deep in his chest. She was unbelievable beautiful.

She was tight and slick. The friction they created was powerfully drawing him closer to his own end, and her soft and eager touches were luring him in. White hot pleasure washed over him and he emptied himself into her with one last thrust.

They didn't know how long they stayed like that. His head rested against her chest as Levy ran her fingers along his hair, brushing back his long strands from his face. He could hear her heart beat, pounding hard against her chest. His eyes watched her breathe with the rise of her breast. Years ago, Gajeel wouldn't have dreamed of this. Everything was about survival. And even dodging death during war was his own way of feeling alive, it was nothing compare to her as Levy was his own proof that there was much more to live for.

Someone to love.

And to love him back.