Hey guys! :D Chapter 13! I was unsure when I started this chapter, but I kinda dig the way things are going. Hope you all enjoy! Please comment if you get the time! I would like to thank all of those that do comment/follow/favorite. I'm glad you like it so far ^^ If you have any thoughts or even cool suggetions, lemme know. I might roll with it. Im so antsy. My problem is I just want to write lemons and lemons and more lemons XP.

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And to those that have unfollowed/unfavorited. I'm sorry things didn't turn out the way you wanted. But I appreciate you giving my story a shot :D

Never Ending Nightmare

Chapter 13: Control

The woman's violet strands danced in the wind as she sat atop the rooftop, overlooking the home of Fairy Tail's very own Erza "Titania" Scarlet. Her eyes narrowed as a onyx haired man left the requip mage's home. A slow smile formed on her lips. She quickly brought her wrist to her lips, "Phase One is complete, Sire."

"Excellent." A deep voice purred through the com lacrima.

"Shall I intercept?" Her cold eyes followed the man's movements.

"Yes."

"Okay, I'm back," Erza called out as she came down the stairs, wearing a tank top and shorts, "What did you want in your coffee?"

"Two sugars, please," Mystogen requested, as he seated himself at the small oak table.

"Have you ever had a secret you couldn't tell?" Erza muttered, dropping two cubes of sugar into the steaming mug of coffee.

She carefully handed the piping-hot mug to him, hating the way her heart skipped as his hands brushed against hers.

She uncomfortably cleared her throat, turning away from him to continue making her own cup.

"Yes," he murmured.

The requip mage gently poured milk into her cup, stirring lightly before turning to him. "Was it hard to keep it?"

His golden orbs bore into hers as she sat across from him. He pulled down the fabric covering his mouth below his chin.

Her gaze faltered, glancing at his full lips before she was able to stop herself. She cleared her throat again before shifting her attention to her coffee.

"Sometimes," he slowly brought the mug to his mouth, sipping lightly, "But sometimes the consequences are not worth the risk."

"Even if it means losing something or someone forever?" She gently stirred her coffee, her eyes fixed on the ripple it was creating.

"You could lose them either way. Sometimes secrets are better left as just thoughts in your head. Once it has been said, it can never be unsaid. Speaking it makes it real, almost tangible." His voice was bold and swift, as if the thought had been on his tongue already.

Scarlet's hand stilled. Her gaze moved to his golden orbs, "Have you ever told a secret and it backfire?"

The blunette's eyes turned to his mug, "Yes, but it wasn't exactly like that. There was...a woman. I loved her for as long as I could remember. I was unwell for a period of time, and knew I was only going to get worse. I made her leave, to try and keep her from getting sick. She was confused...hurt...but I didn't know how else to make sure she would be safe."

Erza's head slightly tilted to the side as she listened quietly. She had never heard of Mystogen being with anyone. "What happened?" She whispered.

He roughly cleared his throat, "I wasn't really myself when I had summoned her again. Many years later. I was just a mere shell of who I had used to be. The illness had changed me. I hurt her. Betrayed her. And for that I can never forgive myself."

"Hurt her?"

"She is fine now." He nodded as he continued to eye his coffee, "I will not let her down again."

A curious smile grew on Erza's face, "Do you still love her?"

Golden orbs found hers, making her heart stammer.

"I believe you never truly stop loving someone," a sad smile formed, "but I am sure you already know that."

"Life can be so cold."

Gray came to a sudden stop. His body stiffened, his hands clenched into fists in his pockets.

He didn't bother to turn around, "I should have figured you'd be around now that Jellal is out."

Ultear gracefully moved in front of him. Her violet strands danced in the wind as she leaned on a building.

"Not even a hello?" a sly smile grew on her face.

"Don't you have somewhere you should be? Jellal's bed perhaps?" His gaze bore into her lifeless orbs.

Her grin shifted into a snarl, "How dare you speak that way to me?!"

A small chuckle echoed from his throat, "Ah. I see. He doesn't return your affections."

"I guess you would know all about that, wouldn't you?," she retorted.

The ice mage's jaw twitched. Ultear's eyes narrowed.

"I did not come here to fight you, Gray." She sighed heavily, pushing herself off the building.

She moved in front of him and gently placed her palms on his chest.

He flinched back as if he had been burned, "Don't touch me."

The violet haired woman tilted her head to the side, "Gray. We may have more in common than you think."

A low growl rumbled in his throat, "We are nothing alike."

"We both love someone," her eyes closed as she took a step towards him, "who will never love us back."

When he didn't step away, she gently placed her palms on his chest once more.

"I think I know of a way that would greatly benefit both of us."

His muscles flexed but he didn't retreat.

Erza sat next to Mystogen in her living room. Her legs folded underneath her. The crackling of the fireplace was but a faint noise in the background.

"Then out of no where, this naked man runs out the bar screaming 'My bum is on fire!'," she shouted.

The two burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.

"Wow," the blunette chuckled.

She giggled, "I know, right?"

The echoes of laughter slowly faded and they found themselves staring into the flames. This was nice. It was hard to explain how Mystogen made her feel. She felt like she could be herself. She could say anything or do anything and he would still be there for her. He had always been so shy and aloof. She never would have thought that they would get closer like this.

Even as he kept a respectable distance, she could sense his entire body. He was sitting about a foot away from here but she could feel heat emanating from his body. His arm lay along the back of the couch, his forearm resting a few inches away from her shoulders. The way his eyes would settle on her's made her skin prickle.

"Thank you for staying, Mystogen," she shifted her gaze to his golden eyes.

He nodded, a smirk slowly forming on his face, "Thank you for not beating the crap out of me for earlier."

"I couldn't do that do you," she smiled, sadly, "I don't think I could bring myself to hurt that face."

Her heart stammer in her chest as he suddenly leaned towards her. His face halting a few inches away from her own. His eyes narrowed, never leaving hers.

"Do not say that. You are Erza Scarlet," his expression turned hard, "You are the Titania."

Heat began to pool in her cheeks. His beautiful eyes were the only thing in her sight. Molten gold she found herself drowning in. Hours prior they had been in a lover's embrace. His arms pulling her tight against his hard frame. His lips claiming hers. Heat welling in her body as if she were aflame.

The last twenty-four hours had her on an emotional roller coaster. Feelings she was still getting used too. Erza's heart broke when Gray had walked away. There was a sinking, hollow lonely feeling where her heart used to be. She was determined to save him. She wasn't going to let anyone else fall because of her.

And then there was Mystogen. She had bombarded him with her problems and yet he was still there. Was she starting to care for the blunette, or was she mistaking her feelings for Mystogen for those of Jellal?

"Do you ever feel lonely?" Her voice was so faint, she wasn't sure had said it out loud.

At first he seemed startled by the sudden question, but his features softened, something flashing behind his eyes, "Every day."

Erza's lower lip protruded in a small pout as she tried to hold back tears, "Does it ever get easier?"

He closed his eyes, letting out a loud exhale. He gently lay his forehead against hers.

"No," he murmured. "It gets harder every day."

She could hear the heartache in his words. As if in every single moment, he felt the loss of the woman he loved.

"Every day you want to see them. You want to touch them. Let them know you care." he leaned back enough for his eyes to gaze into hers, "Let them know you would do anything to set things right."

Erza's palms moved on their own accord and gently cupped his face.

Mystogen's eyes widened. His mouth opened as if to speak, but was silent.

"You deserve a second chance," she murmured, "You are a good man."

His lips brushed against her's so faintly, she was unsure if she had imagined it. Her cheeks began to burn at the realization of his proximity.

"Mysto-"

"You should head to bed, it's getting late," his jaw clenched as he moved away from her.

She nodded. Suddenly embarrassed, she abruptly stood, "Right. Um, thank you for staying."

"Erza, mind if a stay a little longer? The fire is kind of nice." he asked as he stood, making his way towards the fire place.

"Of course not." She smiled, "Goodnight."

He didn't turn towards her as she left, but listened to every footstep. He could only imagine what she was doing right now. Probably requipping in to that thin lacy nightgown he had seen her in last. He bit his lower lip at the thought.

He had almost lost control again for the second time tonight. He cursed himself under his breath. He didn't expect her to react the way she did. The way she kissed him. The way her body melted against his. The way her loved overflowed for him.

He had expected something completely different. He expected anger. Resentment. But what he got was so much worse. Why did she have to love him? It made all of this a million times harder. This wasn't supposed to be happening.

The blunette's hand tightened around the poker as he stoke the fire. His skin was already craving her touch. His hands itched to feel her skin beneath his fingertips.

His jaw clenched as he set down the poker. He rose and turned towards the stairs. He would see her just one more time and then leave. That's it.

He silently made his way up the stairs. He pushed open the door, and instantly regretted it.

Moonlight was pouring through the windows into the room. Erza lay curled around a body pillow under a thin white sheet. Her crimson hair sprayed across her pillows. His breath caught in his lungs as his eyes hungrily roamed her body outline. He knew he should leave. She could wake up at any moment.

He carefully stepped towards her. Every movement precise and calculated. He knelt at the edge of her bed. Her face peaceful in the moonlight. He gently moved a wild strand behind her ear. His heart skipped as a faint smile crossed her lips.

"Sleep well, Scarlet. You won't have nightmares tonight," his lips gently caressed her forehead. "I love you."

He ran his knuckles softly down her cheek. His eyes followed his hand as it continued along her slender neck and traced the outline of her collarbone. His pulse raced in his veins. His gaze shifted to the swell of her breasts. He pulled his hand back, growling to himself. He needed to learn self control. If he were to stay close to her, he couldn't let his inner hunger overwhelm her. Not yet.

He stood and soundlessly made his way out of her room, leaving the door the way he had found it. He swiftly made his way down the stairs before coming to a halt.

"Someone should really do something about this door." Ultear leaned against the front door frame.

His eyes narrowed, his features hardened. He made no comment.

The woman's gaze shifted towards the ground, "The ice mage is under control, Sire."

"Good." He moved in front of her, his folded his arms across his chest, "Why are you here?"

"I came to check on your safety, Jellal."

Jellal's lips turned into a snarl. "You aren't as good of a liar as you think." His hand harshly grabbed her throat, pinning her back against the door frame.

Ultear's eyes widened but she made no struggle against his tightening grip, "I apologize, Sire. You're best interest is my only priority."

"You think I will lose sight of the end game," his eyes narrowed.

"She is a beautiful woman, and you are but a man," her words gargled as her throat closed.

He paused before releasing her from his grasp.

Ultear dropped to the ground, coughing uncontrollably.

"Keep down the noise. Erza is sleeping." he muttered as he stepped over her and out the door.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you guys enjoyed it! Please let me know how yah feel :D

Your Humble Servant,

Crimson Ivory

-Crimson Ivory