AN: Just a little idea I had that wouldn't stop bugging me one day, hope you like it is my first try at this. And of course I do not own Fairy Tail.

Levy had been in the same Guild with Natsu for many years and had always been astounded by his overwhelming concern for his nakama. He would go out of his way to protect any of them and even put his life on the line, although she was pretty sure he never felt as if he was doing so. When Lucy came along, however, it seemed as if his concern turned into an obsession, at least when it came to Lucy. He rarely let her out of his sight, even when she went home to sleep at night. Whenever anyone would ask about his relationship with Lucy, Natsu would simply reply with a short statement involving the word "partners". Levy, like everyone else at "Fairy Tail", was certain that they were 'meant to be' and that there was more to their relationship than just being partners. Natsu was always so clueless and immature and they ARE on the same team, so Levy tried to keep her internal fan-girling to a minimum. That was until Gajeel joined the Guild. Intrigued by his dragon slayer habits and personality, Levy strove to let their past mishap go and get to know him better. It took some time to get over her fear of him, but by the time they returned from Tenrou Island it could be said they were pretty close to being fast friends. Levy would admit, if only in her mind, that maybe his bad boy facade appealed to her good girl/bookworm nature and had started to develop some feelings for him. They began to spend more time together and he would tell her about his dragon father and how the slayers seemed to mimic dragon behaviors.

The question first came to mind one day after Lucy and Levy had talked about "their" dragon slayers while out book shopping. Lucy seemed reluctant to come out and say it but Levy got the gist of her feelings for her knucklehead team-mate. Levy, of course, had already known about Lucy's hidden feelings just by observing their interactions and was certain that the two of them were more than just friends. Spells don't lie, and when Natsu broke the love spell cast on Lucy the very first day they met, it was obvious to Levy and anyone who heard the story that he was her soul mate. Levy had tried many times to bring that up to Lucy, but she waved the idea off in disbelief. For someone as beautiful as Lucy inside and out, she really had some low self-esteem. "Levy, are you listening?" Lucy asked in a frustrated tone. "I'm sorry, Lu-chan", Levy said while focusing back on Lucy as she continued her latest "Destructive Natsu" story. Levy picked up on the word partner in her story and it sparked an idea that had her asking, "Lu-chan, Natsu always refers to you as his partner. Did you ever wonder why he seemed to latch on to you so quickly and put you, himself and Happy into a team?" "I guess it's because he brought me to the guild. It makes me think that he sees me as a fun toy or a collectible he found, he sure seems to like to annoy me with his games," Lucy said while holding her pointer finger to her chin. "That could be true," Levy said, "he is a dragon slayer and if what I have picked up on from talking to Gajeel is true, then slayers tend to horde things just like dragons do." "I'll probably never know for sure, he is such a kid in that mind of his" she continued as she turned to keep browsing the bookshelves. Levy could tell by the sad tone to her voice that she wished it was something more.

Later that afternoon they ended up back at the Guild hall to relax and read their newly purchased books. Lucy went to the bar to sit and order her strawberry milkshake while Levy went to her normal "out of the way" table to read in quiet. It didn't seem like too long after that she was interrupted by Gajeel's gruff voice asking, "What's up, Shrimp?" Levy gave him the evil eye for using that nickname, but it really didn't bother her as much as it used to. Besides she couldn't get him to stop anyways. "Oh, Gajeel, I'm glad you're here. I have a question for you" Levy said when her prior conversation had come to mind suddenly. Gajeel looked as if he was torn between curiosity and wanting to bolt, causing Levy to giggle as she asked him to sit. "What is it, Shrimp?" he asked trying to sound bored and uninterested. "I just was wondering about dragon hording" He raised an eyebrow. "Ok, well more specifically about the things they would horde. I think everyone has heard about the jewels and gold in story books, but I would assume there is more than that."Levy looked him straight in the eye as she said it to try and catch any change in his body language. "Well, as far as I can remember from Metalicana, it would have to do more with their magic and memories they wanted to cherish. Metalicana would keep things around that reminded him of good memories and of course lots of tasty metals to snack on" Gajeel said quietly. "Why the sudden interest, Shrimp?" "It was just something Lu-chan and I were discussing about Natsu. She feels he sees her as an object to horde. I wondered if it could be as simple as that. It is Natsu after all. He does always seem so obsessed with Lu-chan and he is always calling them 'partners', maybe I just hoped it would mean more." Levy stated forlornly. Gajeel had started to snicker before she even finished speaking. "What did I say that was funny?" she snapped. "Well Shrimp" he started in a low voice still seeping with humor, "Salamander may well horde his precious 'nakama here at the Guild but it has nothing to do with how he treats Bunny-girl." Levy tilted her head slightly and waited for him to continue. Thankfully a fight had since broken out between Gray and Natsu so the noise covered our conversation from even Dragon Slayer's prying ears. "Let's just say that a dragon will usually know a lot about anyone just from their smell. Most of us slayers aren't quite as attentive to it and successfully ignore it, but Salamander is a little more animalistic than the majority of us because his dragon left him before he really learned much about proper human behavior and language. I think there are quite a few concepts that are 'lost in translation' when it comes to that Flame-head." Natsu must have heard the name Gajeel called him because in the next instant Levy heard, "You wanna go Metal-Brains?", as Natsu yelled across the hall while still fighting Gray. Too "animalistic" himself, Gajeel launched into the fight with his characteristic "Gi, Hi, Hi, Hi" laugh, leaving Levy to ponder what he had been really trying to tell her. Gajeel never did seem to want to give straight answers when it came to the inner workings of the dragon slayer minds and hearts. I think I need to do some research.

Late into the next afternoon you could still find Levy looking through the library for any information she could find about the dragons. Most of them had the same basic fantasy concepts as a child's bedtime story, but the one she was currently reading seemed as if it had been written by a dragon slayer. The author explained the hording concept very thoroughly and she now understood Gajeel's reference to the Guild and nakama. In Natsu's mind the Guild was a safe place he stored something precious and that being all of them. It was actually rather sweet when you thought about it. The next section is what had really caught her attention. It discussed mating and Levy was now certain she had found the information she needed to confront Gajeel and get some straight answers. Levy took the book and headed straight back to the Guild to find him. When she got to his table he looked up and asked, "So did you figure it out yet, Shortie?" Levy just rolled her eyes at the nickname and dropped the book in front of him saying, "I'm pretty sure I got how the Guild and nakama are connected. I just wanted you to clarify because if Natsu is doing just what a dragon would do, then I have to give Lu-chan a heads up. Things could go horribly wrong between the two of them if she doesn't get some kind of warning!" "I agree, Shrimp. That's why I decided to tell ya when you asked earlier" Gajeel agreed. Levy opened the book to the page and let him read it. Even though he blushed lightly, he looked up and nodded his head to her. Levy now knew that her suspicions were confirmed and had to tell Lucy as soon as possible, but one more thing was nagging her. "But what about him always calling her his 'partner'?" she asked doing the air quotations. Gajeel looked her straight in the eye and said, "That's why I said he was getting something 'lost in translation'. Forget the fact that they are on a team together. What if I started calling you my 'partner' to everyone?" Levy's mind raced making multiple connections and then squealed. "Thanks Gajeel" Levy yelled as she ran to find Lucy. After searching through the Guild, Levy eventually found Lucy alone at her apartment trying to work on her novel. When Levy burst in all bubbly, telling Lucy she had good news, Lucy just sat at on her desk chair shocked. Levy placed the book on Lucy's lap and opened it to the section she had just had Gajeel confirm. Levy knew Lucy well and if she didn't read it herself she wouldn't believe it. "Levy-chan what 's the matter…"she started. "Shh, I've been talking to Gajeel and researching. Just read this section carefully!" Levy cut in. Lucy looked down and started to read:

Mating

A male dragon that comes of age will know a potential mate by her scent, and when in close proximity to her his magic will draw him to her. Like all lizards they will try to herd and protect said female from all other outside influences, ie other males or threats to her safety. All dragons love to fight and he will more than likely incite her wrath upon himself by picking at her and annoying her, causing her to fight with him. It is all part of the courtship process and can take years to develop into a true love of each other. This is where dragons, being the highly intelligent creatures that they are, differ from their reptilian cousins. A dragon will only choose one mate, for as long as it lives. Their lifespan has never been properly verified and could be hundreds to thousands of years. So this is not just a physical mate, but a mental and spiritual one as well; a true soul mate.

Lu-chan looked up at me from her reading slightly teary eyed and said, "That is so sad. But why did I need to know all of this, Levy?" "Earlier today I had asked Gajeel about the conversation we had this morning…" "You told him about that!" Lucy cut in with a very high pitched voice and a very red face. Levy held up her hand to stop Lucy's ranting. "I did because I wanted to know for sure what everyone else has suspected for a long time now," Levy said calmly. "And that is?" Lucy asked, looking on the verge of an emotional overload. "That you are more than just a shiny play thing to Natsu and have been since he brought you back with him from Hargeon that first day! Gajeel stated that Natsu is more animalistic than the other dragon slayers from the way he was raised out in the woods like a wild thing when he was young. He also told me that due to that upbringing, Natsu was not translating something over to human language properly." Lucy just sat there looking confused and silent so Levy gave her another clue, "What is it he always calls you two?" "Partners?" she asked meekly. "Exactly!" Levy exclaimed as she walked to Lucy's desk and grabbed her Thesaurus to show her. "And what does that also mean," Levy asked as she shoved the book turned to the correct page under Lucy's nose and held her finger under the word she needed Lucy to see. Lucy looked at it and turned white as a sheet then started to turn red. Her voice quivered as she read aloud, "Mate." She slowly looked up and Levy could see tears starting in her happy eyes. "Now does this and the passage in the dragon book explain enough to get you to believe us when we try to tell you that he cares for you as more than a friend?" Levy asked her. She nodded slightly, but before she could speak, Levy directed her back to the dragon book still on her lap. "There is still more you Need to know" Levy said, pointing to the next paragraph.

When the female finally accepts the male's heart, mating will be inevitable. During this process the dragons will mark one another and a bond will be made between their magic making them able to use the others and in turn doubling both of their strengths. It will also give them an empathic and a slightly psychic connection until one of them dies. At such a time the remaining partner may either lose itself to anger and heartache, going on a rampage until its own life is taken or disappear to pine for its lost mate in seclusion, also hoping to die and be with its mate once more.

Lucy's hands had gone to her mouth to stifle a cry as a tear ran down her cheek. "Levy, I don't know if I could do that to him!" she whined. "Oh, Lu-chan, he may have their traits but Natsu is a human after all. It can't be THAT bad for the slayers. And not knowing anything about how the slayers pick mates for certain you can't jump to conclusions. Either way, I don't think you have a choice! Natsu has already chosen you, Lu-chan, and that won't change. If I were you, I'd be more worried about the mating thing…" That last part had Levy laughing and Lucy looked at her wits end. Wringing her hands together she asked, "What should I do now? You know I love him but I can't face him knowing all this!" Levy caught movement at Lucy's bedroom window and looked over to see Natsu standing there with wide eyes and his bright, toothy smile on his face. His smile then morphed into something devious and he crouched down to stalk up behind Lucy. Levy leaned down and grabbed the book from Lucy's lap and quickly turned to leave, waving behind her and saying, "A little too late for that! See you later Lu-chan…Natsu." With that Levy shut the door behind her and heard Lucy shriek as she realized Natsu was in the room , had heard everything she had just said, and had probably grabbed her from behind holding to her chair. Levy stood at Lucy's door for a minute just to make sure things would be ok. All she could hear was Natsu's voice saying, "So I should've been using the word 'Mate' and not 'Partners'? I guess now I can make you finally understand what I've been saying all this time. And Luce, I love you too." Levy heard a "Mhph" and then the chair Lucy had been sitting on thump to the floor, followed by the sound of bed-springs…Levy walked away quickly, smiling, but not wanting to hear Any more than that!

Levy exited Lucy's building and turned to walk back to the library to return the book. She looked up at Lucy's window and decided to hurry back to the Guild, besides she could still hear far too much from out here! 'Poor Lu-chan is sure to hear a mouthful from her landlady,' Levy thought to herself. Mira and the rest of the NaLu shippers at the Guild could find out when those two came in together all marked and flustered sometime later. It wasn't Levy's job to spread their relationship status around and she had already been involved enough. As Levy finally got out of earshot, she came upon Gajeel leaning against a building. The look on his face was priceless and I giggled behind my hand as he said, "Damn Bunny-girl has some lungs!" He dug a finger in his ear to attempt to clear the sounds. He pushed off the wall to walk with Levy as she went to return the book at the library. "So I can assume by the racket at her place, you filled Bunny-girl in on everything?" he asked. "Yes, as your poor slayer hearing can probably still detect," Levy said, grinning evilly. "Not funny, Shrimp! And when did you get so dirty, you goodie little bookworm?" Gajeel inquired gruffly. "I don't know what you mean…"Levy stated, feigning innocence. "You know just what I mean, you minx. You told Salamander to follow you both to her house before you even got to Bunny-girl." Levy smirked and looked at him out of the corner of her eye as she said, "If you paid any attention to what I was reading most of the time, you wouldn't think I was such a 'goodie bookworm'." That stopped Gajeel in his tracks and Levy turned to see him gaping like a fish out of water. Levy just stood there looking at him and slowly that shocked reaction changed to his very sexy bad boy grin as he said, "I never would have thought you had it in you." Levy just smiled coyly and turned to continue walking to the Library. They walked slowly making small talk about anything and everything to keep our minds off of Natsu and Lucy. Levy went inside to return the book and when she returned outside, she and Gajeel continued their journey toward the Guild. "Gajeel,' she asked,"Have you smelled your mate yet?" Once again Gajeel had stopped in his tracks and feeling a little anxious to know the answer, Levy slowly started to turn around to face him. She barely made out a quiet, "Yes" as she finished turning. Gajeel once again had that look in his eyes like he was intrigued but wanted to run. "Is she in Magnolia?" Levy asked quietly. Gajeel had his gaze to the sidewalk and his hair covering the emotion in his eyes as he again said, "Yes". "Ha..have you told her?"Levy asked with a trembling voice. Gajeel gave Levy an odd look and before she could inquire why or even blink he was bent over next to her ear. His breath made shivers go down her spine and an electric shock go to other places as he huskily said, "What do you think about being my 'partner'?" Elated, Levy turned her mouth toward his ear watching him shiver just as she had and said, "Let's not get lost in translation…mate." They never made it to the Guild that day.