Levy sighed, groaning as she pulled the last of the ragged clothing off her body, massaging her sore neck as she stepped towards the shower. She couldn't remember the last time she had a shower, let alone a good soak, and was looking forward to feeling the hot water stream over her sore body, washing away the sweat and dirt caked on. But things had been busy since they returned to the guild, or what was left of it. She still wasn't to sure of what had happened so far, or who had done what. All she knew was that she was alive, her friends were alive and well, and he was alive.

She was grateful that Blue Pegasus was loaning out their showers, and anything else the beleaguered guilds needed while they rebuilt and recovered. Currently, there was a good amount of people sleeping, and though she wanted to join them, she couldn't seem to relax. A shower sounded like a wonderful idea, followed by maybe a quick snack before finding Gajeel and a bed. Preferably, him in said bed.

She hugged herself as she slipped towards the showers, peeking around corners to double check that the coast was clear before bolting down the final hall. She had forgotten her towel, a testament to how exhausted she really was. It was too late to turn back to look for one, anyways. She slipped past the doors, hoping that there was a decent stock of towels in the linen closet.

She wasn't expecting steam to billow in her face, nor was she expecting to hear the shower already in use. She sighed, shrugging her shoulders in light disappointment as she headed towards the closet. She'd have to wait just a little while longer for that shower, but at least she'd have her towel.

"Shoobidoobidooo..."

She froze mid step, almost bursting out into laughter as she recognized his voice warbling through the room. So here he was, she thought gleefully as she turned to sneak further into the room. Hopefully he wasn't too far done, otherwise she'd have to rush when all she wanted to do was soak. But she had a hunch that he'd be willing to stay put while she washed. Perhaps he'd even help, he had in the past, leading to quite the steamy romp in the council dorm's showers.

His back was turned towards her as she pushed open the stall, open to attack if she so chose it. He'd let her; he already knew that she was right there. A giggle escaped her as the thought crossed her mind, and she jumped at him before he could turn, wrapping her arms around his waist. As expected, he didn't flinch, instead whirled her around into the hot water. She buried her face into his back, warm from the prolonged exposure to the heat. The soap he'd been using wasn't anything either of them liked, but it seemed to suit him right then. She squeezed her arms a little tighter as she felt his hands cover hers, stroking them lightly with his thumbs.

"Gihee, thought you were looking for food," he rumbled, and she squeezed him just a little tighter before letting him go. He turned to face her, grinning as he leaned over her and braced his hands on the green tiles. She pouted as he moved her out of the steaming water, and reached up to tug on his sopping and clean locks.

"I was," she said. "But I wanted to clean up a bit first. Didn't expect to find you here, though." Her eyes lifted to meet his, and she smiled shyly as his sparkled. He leaned closer to brush his lips over her forehead.

"Wanted the same, actually," he said, kissing her gently. "And to think a bit about what happened." His voice dropped a bit, and her heart thudded painfully as the scene flashed before her eyes. She shook her head suddenly, startling him. She reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight embrace, biting her lip as his own circled around her body. They stayed that way for a while, clinging to each other as they battled the sudden wave of emotion they hadn't allowed themselves to feel since their reunion. They pulled apart finally, and Levy pressed her forehead against his, cupping his cheeks in both hands, hiccuping slightly as she kissed his nose.

"Do you... do you remember anything?" She asked, her voice slightly cracking. He paused, sighed and shook his head slowly, pulling her closer.

"Nah, nothin but blackness," he said, nuzzling his face into her neck. "And noise. I think I remember hearin ya scream, though." He tightened his grip around her, gulping heavily.

"It was helluva trip when I got pulled back though, thought I really was gone."

She couldn't speak, almost choking over the lump that was developing in her throat as he sighed, rocking them side to side. He pulled back a bit to kiss her cheek gently, moving to nibble on her ear. She hugged him tightly, her breath hitching as he sighed and nuzzled her again. "I'm sorry," he whispered, and she pushed herself away, her hands gripping his shoulders as she whipped her head up to glare at him.

"You should be, Gajeel Redfox," she said, her voice cracking as tears began pooling in her eyes. "You scared the ever living... shit, out of me, trying to be a daredevil like that?" She bit her lip, forcing herself not to sob. "And then... and then... you said all those thing about happiness..." She shook her head, unable to continue her rant as she leaned against him, collapsing in his arms. "I... want that too," she breathed, her body shaking as quiet sobs overtook her. "I want you to be happy, Gajeel."

His body had stilled during her confession, then relaxed a bit as he continued to rock her, comforting her as he murmured in her ear. As her tears slowed, he leaned back again to kiss her, this time firmly on her lips. She sighed as his mouth moved over hers, sucking on her lips gently before he broke the kiss to brush his nose against hers. She pouted, prompting him to huff out a quiet laugh.

"I'm gonna make it up to ya, Lev," he muttered, pecking her nose. "Ain't gonna waste anymore chances with ya, I'll make ya the happiest woman ever." He kissed her again, and she finally quirked her lips up in a smile.

"I'll hold you to that, Gajeel," she said, jerking her chin up. A conspiratorial look flashed in her eyes, and she released him and turned, reaching for the soap bottle nearby. "And you can start that by washing my back, since you're nearly done with your own shower." He chuckled lightly, taking the bottle when she held it up for him to grab.

He did more than just wash her back, however. He started with her hair, scrubbing her scalp gently as his fingers threaded through her tangled locks soothingly. She leaned against him, sighing with content as he worked his way down, pushing her into the water to rinse the soap away and start anew, this time rubbing the soap into her skin. She hummed as his hands skimmed over her back, massaging her shoulders with each pass.

It was more comforting than erotic in how he washed her, gently scrubbing her arms as he leaned over to nibble on her neck. It was a reassurance that they had survived the nightmare, that they were together and would always be so. He pulled her closer, murmuring against her ear as he embraced her, spreading the suds over her collarbone and down her chest.

She giggled, turning her head enough to peck his lips, lingering as he dragged his fingers over her breasts, squeezing them gently before cupping them. Her breath hitched as his thumbs flicked over her nipples, stirring up a pool of heat that coiled in her loins. Her back arched against him as his forefingers closed the gap between them and his thumbs, pinching and rolling the hardened buds. She couldn't hold back her moans, writhing against his teasing.

His breath had quickened, gusting over her cheek as he kissed a path from her mouth to her jawline, raking his teeth gently over her sensitive skin before lowering to her neck. She sighed as his lips latched on, sucking gently as his tongue flicked through his teeth, lavishing the bruising flesh.

"It's been awhile since you touched me like this," she murmured, ignoring his rumble of displeasure when she pulled away and turned to face him, nuzzling his chin. He huffed as her hair tickled his nose, and tugged her close till they were pressed flush against each other. The pool of heat in her gut intensified as his cock nudged her, caught in between them. She grasped his arms, letting her breath out slowly as she felt it begin to slide up and down her belly as his hips rocked against her.

"Ah, and I mean to change that," he grunted, his voice taking on an edge. She shivered with anticipation as he leaned her against the cool tile wall, kissing her lips passionately.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him as his hands roamed over her body, pinching and tweaking sensitive parts. There was almost a desperation in the way he toyed with her, sparking a need of her own. She couldn't hold back the cries of pleasure when his fingers slipped over her nether area, parting her lips to slide over her clit.

Her chest heaved when his finger thrust into her core, swirling around in a frenzied fashion before pulling out and plunging back in again, joined by a second finger.

She buried her face into his neck, overcome by waves of pleasure as his thumb pushed on her button, stirring her insides till she could feel the heat begin to coil up tightly, threatening to release.

"Gajeeel," she breathed, nearly whimpering. He shuddered, pausing his teasing as she thrashed against him. She could feel him tensing as she grasped his arms, hesitating before lifting her up and pinning her against the wall, her legs encircling his waist. "Oh gods yes," she whispered as he pushed into her, deliberately slow. His lips found her throat as she grasped his shoulders, mewling when he pulled out, rolling her hips to follow his cock. She couldn't help the surprised gasp as his hips jolted forward, thrusting his full length into her, twitching as he held her while nearly panting.

"Lev," he grunted, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "I don't think I'm gonna be able to keep from..." His body was trembling, and she nearly swooned when he looked at her, his ruby eyes glowing in growing excitement.

"S-shh," she crooned, kissing his cheek and brushing her nose against hid. "It's alright, I need this too."

He groaned as he leaned against her, needing no further encouragement as he kissed her, rocking his hips in a fervor. Levy moaned as he picked up speed, just able to hold on as he raced ahead of her, his cock throbbing as he reached his climax first. He moaned, panting as he filled her and murmuring as he let her down, slipping out of her.

"I'm a selfish bastard tonight, Lev," he grumbled, nuzzling her. She merely chuckled, shaking her head at him.

"And I said it's alright," she said, gasping as he slid his hand down to her sensitive folds. He was nibbling her neck again, almost purring as she whimpered against his ministration.

"Still, I wanna make you feel good too," he whispered, and she sighed, wilting as the coil he was winding up began tightening.

It look like it was going to be one hell of a shower, and she wouldn't hurry it up for the world.