Laxus's Pov

I don't know why the hell I agreed. Baths are awkward.

I remember that whenever I'd go with Freed and Bickslow that we'd end up in some compromising position, blow something up, or it would just get so damn quiet that it was torture. I grunted in annoyance as we walked through town. It really was quite beautiful, I can see why Lucy would want to go here. Speaking of the devil, she was skipping happily in front of me. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing her happy. But this was different. Lucy came to a halt in front of me as we walked. I looked at/scowled at her for a second as she turned around. She put her hand on her hip and leaned to the side.

"Well aren't you just a bundle of sunshine," She said as she stuck her tongue out. I smirked at her playfulness.

"Yea, I'm just elated," I said as I frowned in a jokingly over-produced way. She smiled at me and wrapped her smaller arm in mine as she pulled me along. I blushed slightly as I went along with it. She can be so adorable sometimes. God, when did I become such a softie? I thought to myself.

When we arrived there, we went through the main area quickly and got a private bath area.

As we walked, I noticed Lucy skipping around.

"Are you that happy about being clean?" I asked while letting out a laugh.

She continued skipping and hummed out a yes. I smiled at her actions, they were so cute.

After we changed, we both donned large towels and walked out into the bath. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and noticed that Lucy was blushing ten shades of red. I chuckled at her and stepped in. I waved her in and she snapped out of her nervous haze. She quickly, and rather adorably, shuffled into the hot water and found a place to sit, as far away from me as possible. She was sitting with her back turned behind a small rock. I smiled at this.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? You nervous to see the great Laxus-sama up close?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I could see her shiver under my gaze.

"N-no way! I'm-m just sitting wh-where I want! That's a-" I cut her off by sneaking up behind her and grabbing her shoulders. She spun around with a satisfying shriek. I wrapped an arm around her shoulder playfully and blew on her ear.

"L-LAXUS!" She said while shivering nervously like her spirit. . . aries, was it?

I removed my arm from around her and held both up in a 'I didn't do anything, innocent as hell' pose. She glared at me and spun around, staying in her seat to my great pleasure.

I swam over to get soap n' other stuff and swam back. I handed her her body soap and grabbed mine and washed myself down. I looked over to Lucy's back and noticed she took off her towel. My cheeks flushed at this. I saw that she was having trouble reaching her back.

"U-ummm if you need help. . . . I'll . . help you," I said slowly, waiting for a punch or a 'OH GOD NO SPARKY' When she didn't give either, I took it as a sign of acceptance. I reached a hand over her shoulder so she'd hand me her soap. She did so and I put some in my hand, I smelled the sweet vanilla scent and smiled slightly at her. Thank god she didn't see it. I tentatively reached my hands out and placed them on her back, swirling them around to coat the soap onto her smooth skin. I then rubbed it around so it'll actually get clean, that's when I noticed something. She had no scars.

"Lucy?" I asked slowly.

"Hmm?" she replied.

"May I ask you something. . . personal?"

She hesitated for a second, then nodded.

"You had scars before. Where'd you get them? I noticed them sometimes." I asked her. I noticed her stiffen, then begin to shake.

"N-Na-" I shushed her, she didn't need to relive it. I wrapped my arms around her neck and pulled her upper body back towards mine. I hugged her gently as I brought my head down. I said in a hushed tone, "They're gone now. You don't need to be reminded of it." Org's formula takes care of semi-recent scars as well. I knew how it felt, to be branded for life. I didn't get the chance to heal, too sensitive an area. I dug my head into the bend of her neck and hugged her tighter for a second. Then I pulled back and kissed her head once before resuming my earlier position. I noticed her relax.

I had to strain my ears to hear it, "Thank you again, Laxus" She whispered lovingly to herself.

She had fallen asleep on our way home. I don't know how, but she did. So I picked her up in a princess hold and carried her home. When I got to the apartment I set her on my bed and sat beside her. Her face was illuminated by the moonlight, beautiful. I couldn't help myself. I slowly leaned down to her, making sure not to make any major move so that I wouldn't wake her.

I brought my lips to hers and kissed her. I don't know what brought me to do this, but I was in bliss. After a few seconds I pulled away and lied down next to her. I brought one of my arms over her and fell asleep, smiling.