"Encounters"

. . .

"Laxus," the brunette huffed, making her way through the tall grass behind the hulking blonde. "When you said you wanted to see me again, this isn't exactly what I had in mind."

"Me either," Laxus admitted over his shoulder. "But something came up last minute. Don't worry, it won't take long."

Cana rolled her eyes. This was certainly the strangest date she'd ever been on—if this were even a date at all—she couldn't be sure. The two finally reached a clearing in the tall grass, and with the last of the setting sun's rays, they could see an oddly shaped object sitting in the center of the clearing.

Laxus approached it cautiously, while Cana followed behind him. It was some sort of long, black tube with an opening on one end and a hinge on the other. The man reached out to touch it tentatively but found it to be just an ordinary piece of metal. "Strange," he mumbled to himself.

"What's it aiming at?" Cana said, lifting her finger to point at the tree that was about one hundred feet away from their currently location. Laxus followed her gaze and was surprised to see a tree with a gaping hole right through its center.

"It must be some sort of weapon," Laxus surmised. "Come on," he said, grabbing Cana's hand and heading for the house's workshop. If what Bickslow said was true, the man left in a hurry and there was a good chance he left the place unlocked.

Laxus was pleased to see that the door was already swinging open when he approached. While he would have had no qualms about kicking it in, the place already being unlocked certainly made things easier. "Should we really be-?" Cana started but Laxus cut her off.

"It'll be fine. I just want to look around," he responded quickly, entering the place. He struck a match to light a candle at the center table before he began rifling through the pages that were strewn haphazardly across the surface. Cana leaned against the other end of the table watching the man work. This was the first time she had seen him so interested in something.

"What are you looking for exactly?" Cana inquired.

"Anything that looks like that thing outside," the blonde responded, throwing another page onto the floor.

Cana let her eyes sweep across the surface. She noticed a page that looked to be a design sketch right next to where she was sitting. "Like this?" she said, holding the page up to the light so Laxus could see.

The man tore the page out of her hand quickly to take a look at it, startling the brunette. But he quickly made amends when he smirked and rounded the table to where she was leaning against it, stuffing the page into his back pocket. He lifted her up so that she was sitting fully on the table and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.

Laxus gripped the back of her neck firmly before bringing her in for a searing kiss. "Smart and beautiful."

Cana blushed, grateful that there was so little light in the room. "Can we go now?" she asked, trying to recover.

"Yeah, I've just got one last thing to do and then we can do whatever you want," the large man responded. He moved to pull away from her but Cana used her legs to pull him back in.

"That's a dangerous game you're starting, Miss Alberona," Laxus said with a smirk. "You're more than likely to lose," he said, nipping at the base of her neck.

Cana hummed her approval before gathering the words to speak. "What do I get if I win?"

Laxus continued his tirade on her neck, moving to her shoulder. "You get fucked," he said, sucking a bit of skin into his mouth. Her entire body gave an involuntary shudder at his words.

"And what happens if I lose?" she managed to breathe out.

Laxus chuckled coyly against her skin, "You get fucked twice," he said in a heated whisper before biting harshly at the skin on her neck.

Cana gasped at the sensations that all seemed to be traveling straight down to her core. "Sounds like a game I'm interested in playing then," she said, pulling his hips into her further so she could rub against his increasing hardness.

Laxus quickly swiped his hand across the table, letting all the papers fall to the floor along with the candle, making the room go instantly dark. "Laxus!" Cana gasped, as she felt the man pressing her down onto the table. "We shouldn't!"

"Oh yes we should," he whispered against her skin, pressing her further into the unyielding surface. His hands came up, one snaking behind her neck while the other traveled up her body, removing her shirt on its assent. Cana lifted her arms, letting him pull the offending garment off her body and the man immediately started to bite and suck the tops of her breasts into his mouth.

"Oh! Laxus!" she moaned, as his tongue moved to lick in between her cleavage. Any concerns she had about their location moved to the wayside as the blonde worked his tongue over her body. The room was pitch black and she felt her senses heightening as a result.

She ran her hands along the man's bulging biceps, feeling them flex underneath her touch as he worked his way around her body. His other hand left her neck, trailing his fingers down her back until he finally unclasped her bra. The brunette felt her peaks stiffen at the sudden cold air they were exposed to but Laxus was on them immediately.

He sucked one peak into his mouth forcefully while he flicked its pair with his fingers. She could feel the wetness beginning to pool in her panties and she was nearly writhing on the table, begging him to put his fingers to her core to alleviate some of the tension.

Laxus was straining against his trousers and she could feel his ever-increasing size as he ground against her. She moaned with each thrust of his body, arching her back into his touch. Cana reached back with both hands, grabbing the opposite edge of the table as Laxus moved down her body, removing her pants as he worked his way down. "Fuck," the man breathed, taking in the full sight of the woman in front of him.

"What?" Cana managed to breath, lifting her head to catch his eye.

"I just love seeing you like this," he responded.

She let out a small laugh. "Like what?"

Laxus raised his eyebrow, moving over her naked form so he could whisper in her ear. "Your gorgeous body on display, spread out and dripping wet for me."

The brunette shuddered first at his words and then again as he moved his tongue down the center of her body, finally kneeling down in front of her core and draping her legs over his shoulders. Her hands ghosted up her own sides to hold her heavy breasts in each hand as Laxus began to work her from below. Slowly at first, he licked his way around her folds, being careful not to touch the sensitive skin. He wanted her absolutely begging for him before he'd finally relent.

Cana was moaning, trying to pull his head in closer to her with her legs but Laxus used his hands to keep her from moving. "Laxus," she moaned his name. He slowed his movements, wanting to hear her beg. "Please!" the words finally escaped her lips and he gave in to her demands.

He used his tongue to wet her folds, licking her up and down her already moist slit before sucking her pearl into his mouth. The woman gasped, moaning out his name before letting one hand trail fingers through his hair. On each swipe he got closer and closer to her entrance before he finally let his tongue slide all the way into her. The woman was in a frenzy and he could feel she was close to her edge. Moving back up, he began to flick her clit with a steady rhythm.

Laxus could feel her body tense around him. She was so close and he knew it. The muscles in his tongue were getting tired but he didn't care. He wanted to see her crest over the top and he'd hold out as long as it took to get her there. Slowly, he entered her with two fingers, just working her slick entrance and that's all it took. The woman screamed his name, her muscles clenching tight before she moaned out her release.

Laxus stood to his full height, towering over her and relishing the sight of her breathing out the last waves of her pleasure. When she finally opened her eyes, she smiled at him before sitting up. Reaching forward she pulled him between her legs and started unbuckling the belt to his pants. She grinned when he kicked his pants off to the side and reached up to undo the buttons of his purple silk shirt.

She pushed his shirt open, opting to still leave it on. She loved the look of the material hanging loosely around his bulging arms. Cana worked her way down the front of his chest, palming his equipment as she trailed her tongue down to the elastic of his boxers. The woman didn't hesitate. She linked both thumbs and pulled his briefs down, exposing him fully so she could take him into her mouth.

Laxus sighed, rolling his eyes back while Cana closed her lips around his incredibly erect manhood. No one could suck quite like the brunette and he absolutely loved the view of her working him from up above. His hands fisted into her hair, pulling it back so he could fully see her lips wrapped around his cock. She was bobbing her head up and down on his length and when she took him in fully to the back of her throat, she would press her tongue to the underside of his shaft, which had him feeling like he was about to crest himself.

He pulled back gently on her hair and Cana followed, making a popping noise when his rod left her lips. He reached down, directing her to stand before he picked her up and placed her on the edge of the table. She laid down, spreading herself for him and in one smooth stroke, he entered her, both of them moaning at the feeling.

Cana was already drifting the smooth current after her release so Laxus pounded into her with abandon, seeking his own. The velvety skin of his shaft moved against her tight walls, pushing him closer and closer to that edge. He grabbed the crease of her hips, pulling her down to meet his thrusts, loving the view of her tits bouncing from his effort. A few more forceful movements was all he needed before he was pulling out to spill his seed on her body.

Cana moaned at the feeling of his hot essence landing on her. Laxus collapsed next to her and the two shared a satisfied look, both of them breathing heavy from their efforts.

A few minutes later had the pair looking around the dark workshop trying to find their clothes. Cana managed to clean herself up mostly with her panties. Laxus gave her a knowing smirk when she'd done it and she'd merely stuck her tongue out at him.

"You know you love it," was all he'd said.

Cana sighed. "I do." Laxus chuckled to himself. "There's no one quite like Cana when it comes to sex," he thought to himself.

Checking to make sure he had the blueprints he'd originally come to the workshop for, he led the brunette out the door and into the cold night air. "You hungry?" Laxus asked, turning towards the woman.

Cana nodded. "Yeah, but I think I need a shower first," she laughed.

Laxus raised his eyebrow. "You want some help with that?"

"You're insatiable, you know that!" the woman said with fake exasperation.

"Yeah, but you love it," Laxus repeated.

Cana gave him a wink before saying, "Yeah, I do." She sighed, looking out at the night sky. "Guess I should head home. Thanks for the good, if weird, time," she said at the man before she started walking towards the road.

Laxus was taken aback. He didn't want her to leave and before he could process exactly what was going on in his damn head, he lunged forward, grabbing her hand before saying, "Come home with me."

Cana turned, "huh?" she said with surprise. She knew that Laxus had let her stay the night the last time they'd been together but, if she were honest, she knew that she had a part to play in that. Him inviting her over to his house, after they'd already had sex, well it just wasn't like the man. "Why?" was all she could manage to ask in the midst of her muddled thoughts.

Laxus shook his head, trying to shoo the weird feelings he was having towards this woman. "I've got a shower," he said with his classic smirk. "You're welcome to use it," he paused before adding, "for a fee."

Cana sauntered closer to the man, pulling herself tight to his body. "Oh, it's like that, is it?" Laxus nodded his head, bending down to swipe his tongue against her lips. "How's this then," Cana began, "you let me use your shower and I'll make us dinner. Sound like a deal?"

Laxus furrowed his brow in slight surprise. "You know how to cook?" he asked.

Cana slapped him playfully on the chest. "Of course I do," she said mirthfully. "Although, I do cook with a lot of red wine. Hope you've got some on hand."

"Always," Laxus replied, pulling her in to bite her lower lip before the two headed towards his house.

A fifteen-minute walk found the pair crossing the threshold to his home. Cana kicked her shoes off before walking towards the kitchen to open a bottle of wine. "Want a glass?" she shouted from the other room.

"Yeah," Laxus replied. "Just give me a minute and I'll join you." He stopped at the kitchen's entrance before saying, "and go get that shower warmed up." The woman threw him a saucy grin before he headed towards his office. Picking up the phone he quickly made a call. "Hey Bix, yeah it's me. Hey can you arrange to have that item we talked about picked up and brought to my house sometime tomorrow," he paused, "discreetly." The man nodded his head as his friend agreed. "Thanks man, I owe you one."

Cana poked her head into the office door before heading up the stairs. "I'm gonna be a little late into the office tomorrow morning," she heard the blonde say. He chuckled, adding "none of your damn business," before placing the phone on the receiver. The brunette hurried up the stairs, wine and glasses in hand, heading towards Laxus' master suite.

She grinned as she walked past the bed, remembering the last time they were in it together and getting slightly aroused at the memory. Entering the bathroom, she placed the wine glasses down on the vanity before turning the knobs to fill up the tub. Laxus entered the room in a few minutes, his silk shirt already unbuttoned and open, revealing his chiseled form. "No shower?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Cana tilted her head towards the tub. "Always wanted to use this since the first time I saw it," she admitted. She hoped he wouldn't be pissed.

"That's not part of the deal," he said, walking past her to grab a glass of wine. Cana looked up at him but she could see the mirth in his eyes.

"Hmm," she hummed. "I wonder what I could do to make it up to you?"

Laxus downed the entire glass in one gulp, feeling the heat move through his body. He moved towards her, picking her up and placing her on the vanity. She gasped at the cold stone underneath her backside. "I've got some ideas," he chuckled before smashing his lips against hers.

. . .

"Wait! Levy! Where are you going?" Natsu shouted after her.

Levy grabbed a cloak from the rack near the door without stopping. "Promise or no promise," she said, fastening the material around her, "I can't stay here another minute."

"Oh no, wait! Please wait!" the teapot shouted after her, but Levy was already out the door, bracing herself against the cold wind that whipped through her flimsy dress. She willed herself not to look back at the crestfallen faces of those she left behind.

Levy ran into the stables, quickly pulling the bridle over Felipe's head and launching herself onto him bareback. Squeezing her legs against his sides she said, "Come on, Felipe! Let's get out of here!" Felipe responded instantly, taking himself through the stable doors and out into the roaring blizzard.

Snow whipped her hair around her face and her breath froze instantly in front of her. Both her and her horse felt completely at a loss on which way to go to get back home. The snow was piling up high and Felipe was having trouble moving through it with any sort of speed.

Her companion found what looked to be a trail and she steered him down the path. As Felipe tried his best to trot through the snow, a Vulcan approached them from in front. His stance was low and Levy saw a crazed look in his eyes. Others appeared on each side, looking equally as hungry.

Felipe startled, turning quickly to run in the opposite direction. Levy held on as best she could as her horse fought to get them away from the danger that was closing in. The Vulcans were fast, using their front arms to launch themselves up at her while they tried to get away. Felipe did his best to avoid them, causing two creatures to lose their footing and go tumbling into a tree in the snow.

Just when she thought they might get away safely, three of the largest Vulcans she'd ever seen cut them off from ahead. Felipe backed away cautiously but as one lunged towards him, her friend reared unexpectedly and Levy fell into the snow. She watched in fear as the Vulcans started lunging at her horse, but his reins had gotten caught in the tree branch next to them and it was all the animal could do to kick at the creatures, hoping to land a blow.

Levy picked up a large branch next to her. She wasn't going to just leave her friend to such a fate. She moved back to his side, hoping she could climb on but as soon as she did, the ape-like creatures started circling around her and Felipe. A few of them took test lunges at them, seeing what she would do. She swung her branch with all her might, hitting one in the snout, but another moved in too quickly, catching the branch with its hands and tossing it to the side.

She moved back against Felipe, fearing the worst, when suddenly and angry growl sounded around her. This time, the Vulcans froze in fear as a massive dragon descended on the scene. With one swipe of his tail, he easily took out three of the largest creatures, bashing them into the nearby trees with an ear-deafening crunch.

Levy turned towards Felipe's reins, working them away from the tree branch so she could set her friend free. A bloodcurdling roar made her turn around and she saw one of the creatures climbing onto Gajeel's back, using its fingers to rip metal scales from his body. The metal giant finally was able to turn enough to get his talons into the creature ripping him from his back.

As he wrenched the creature around, he planted it right below him into the snow. Levy winced at the brutality of the whole scene and again when she saw what must have been Vulcan blood spilling from beneath the creature. The other onlookers thought twice about messing with Gajeel when he stood up to his full height, glaring at them as if in challenge. They all turned hide and bolted into the darkness of the storm.

Levy looked up at the metal beast. He held her gaze briefly and for the smallest moment, she thought she recognized his red gaze. But her mind was quickly distracted when he suddenly collapsed into the snow.

The bluenette turned around towards her horse, still thinking she might return home. But as she thought about lifting herself onto Felipe, she realized that doing that might mean that the dragon behind her would die. "I can't leave him here like this," she sighed. "Not after he came after me and risked his life for my safety."

She turned back to Gajeel, approaching him cautiously. She gasped as she noticed a silver liquid oozing out of where his scales had been torn from his body. She unclasped her cloak and did her best to secure it over his wounds. "Gajeel," she said softly, afraid she might startle him awake. The iron giant cracked an eye open at her and groaned in pain. "Can you stand?" she asked him tentatively. "I can't lift you on my own."

The dragon let out a pained moan as he tried to stand up. Levy led Felipe over to him and the horse cautiously approached him before allowing Gajeel to use him for support. They walked back to the castle in silence. Thankfully, the storm had slowed and the sound of their footsteps in the softly falling snow was the only thing that broke the quiet.

END CHAPTER 10

. . .

Hello my lovely readers!

So I'm hoping you are liking this story so far. I think we are finally getting to the good parts where the Gajevy relationship is going to begin to develop. I know it's taken a while for us to get here but I really didn't want to just copy B&TB. I kind of wanted to develop the side characters so that their motivations for their actions actually makes sense.

Like Gaston's character in the movie just seems so one dimensional. I love the movie (it's seriously like my favorite movie of all time) but it doesn't really make sense for him to get the way he got about Belle, you know? So I just wanted to explore that character a bit more.

But fear not! We are really getting into the good parts now of Gajeel and Levy's relationship and I'm pretty excited. So for those of you who have stuck with me so far, thank you! And for those of you leaving comments, you are awesome. Please know that it really does make a difference to us writers! There are definitely days where you just assume everyone that read the story but didn't comment hated the chapter lol!

I also recognize that we really can't get to the Gajevy smut until the end (I mean unless you're into girl on dragon and quite frankly I don't even know how that would work and is definitely out of my wheelhouse LOL) but we're definitely gonna start to get some heavy fluff between those two. In the meantime you'll just have to enjoy some Laxana. Don't deny yourself, Laxus is a delicious character, and you know it :p

Okay this A/N is way long. Time for me to shut up.

Love you guys!

Musicera