Levy glared at Gajeel. They'd been whispering in case the others were sleeping already. Gajeel had startled her when he bellowed, 'killing the mood!' She'd jumped again when he laughed, 'now I know Salamander is corrupting Bunny girl with his stupidity.' His responses to a conversation she couldn't hear were annoying.

The slayer smirked, unrepentant. Levy's smack against his chest was more of a love tap in light of how muscular Gajeel was. "Oi Kitten, is that all you've got?"

"Well, well, well Candy Buns." Levy put her hands on her hips and craned her neck up. "Oh, there's more." Her eyes narrowed and a predatory gleam appeared. "You sure you want to test me?"

"Test? Like an exam? Ghee hihi! What's on a Kitten test?" Gajeel joked, the shade of red Levy was turning was interesting.

"You'll find out. Right now, let's get some sleep."

Levy marched in front of Gajeel towards their room, leaving the door open behind her. Gajeel half expected a pillow and blanket hurled out and the door slammed in his face. That didn't happen. Levy grabbed up a set of pyjamas and went to the en suite bathroom to change. Gajeel shut the door and disrobed. He grabbed an old sleeping t-shirt then pulled on faded sleep pants.

Levy padded out of the bath and climbed into bed. She flicked on the bedside lamp. Hoisting a book she settled back and began reading.

"Giving me the silent treatment?" Gajeel asked. To his mild shame, his voice was uneven a bit. "You can't ignore me." Pouting, he headed to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Levy held her book higher and grinned. In the living room she'd only heard what Gajeel had said, but she wasn't stupid; not by a long shot. The sound proofing of the bedrooms was adequate against human ears, but not dragon slayers. Ergo, only Juvia and Gray would feel comfortable and private. Natsu and Gajeel could hear anything they wanted to. She and Lucy could be heard but not hear everything unless shouted.

The desire to one-up Gajeel for teasing her with 'Kitten' rose higher in Levy. She'd make him crazy, taunt his senses and force him to be loud. She went to turn the page and realized she hadn't taken in the contents of what she'd just read. Her smile grew. Reading was one of her favourite pastimes, but teasing Gajeel just might overtake that as her new passion.

Gray rummaged in the kitchen and poured two glasses of juice, bringing them outside on the balcony. He settled it in front of Juvia and sat next to her. "Let's just relax for a bit and watch the night sky."

"Juvia thought Gray wanted sleep."

"It's not that late, and the stars look great from here too." Sitting on the kitchen balcony had been an inspired last minute idea Gray had congratulated himself on heartily. Waiting, putting off sleeping with Juvia in the same bed had seemed a no-brainer. He hadn't taken into account her sitting so close to him and leaning against him. Juvia had asked if she could put her arm around his neck. Well aware she could just order him to allow it, he'd been touched by her shyness. It felt nice. Okay, more than nice.

If he wasn't mistaken, Juvia's soft breasts were unfettered by a bra. It was only smooth thin silk between his naked chest and hers. At least he hadn't stripped his pants off. Gray looked down, yup, still wearing pants. He saw his jacket and shirt folded up neat on the end of the table. "You don't have to pick up after me you know."

Juvia let out a small sigh, "Juvia knows that, she just wants to earn her keep. Juvia must make herself useful."

"Who said crap like that to you?" Gray frowned at that thought. "You only have to be yourself."

"It does not matter," Juvia snuggled closer to Gray. "Juvia will be herself with Gray."

The ice mage felt warmer than he had in years. Juvia's nearness soothed and excited him in equal portions. Now with a wide smile on his face, Gray slung his arm around his partner. They sat watching the stars and moon in silence until Gajeel's loud voice jolted them apart.

"Heh, guess we should grab some sleep now." Gray scratched the back of his neck. "We're gonna kick some ass in tomorrow's events, right?"

Juvia nodded, Gray saying 'ass' had derailed her thoughts. She grinned, he had told her to be herself - and that meant daydreams. Juvia stole a glance at Gray. Her smile widened. Earlier, he'd admitted to lascivious dreams of his own. He'd slipped into his own fantasy world when he'd accidently fondled the contents of her underwear drawer. He and she couldn't be that different.

Gray used the bathroom first. He made sure he was wearing a sleep shirt and pants before brushing his teeth and checked for nudity after. Juvia slipped past him setting down her night attire on the vanity as soon as he opened the door. Either forgetting or lost in a daydream, the water mage had taken hold of the skirt of her dress and been about to pull it off over her head. Gray had to force himself to move out of the bathroom and shut the door behind himself.

Pulling the lightest sheet up to his chest, Gray laid on his chosen side of the bed. He closed his eyes and prayed for sleep to claim him. On the verge of drifting off, he heard Juvia rustle the bed covers but didn't feel a dip in the bed.

"Whaddaya doin'?"

"Juvia should maybe sleep on the chair."

"We already napped together, get in bed." Gray winced as he heard the snap in his voice.

Juvia didn't reply, only got under the covers and moved as close to the edge as she could get without falling off.

Sighing, Gray turned on his bedside lamp. He looked over at his partner clinging to the side of the bed. "Move closer, I'm not gonna bite."

"Juvia is fine with that, but not sure if she can keep her hands to herself." Her voice was small and timid.

It oddly made Gray feel a bit better about his own worries. "Then let's do something about that."

"Does Gray want to tie up Juvia?"

The hope in her voice should have made Gray cringe, but he only chuckled. "Roll over to me and gimme a hug. We'll hold on to each other, so don't worry about touching."

The water mage gave a beaming smile to Gray before inching closer. "Juvia is very happy to be Gray's partner." She cuddled into his side and hugged his waist.

"Yeah huh," Gray stretched to turn off the light. In the sudden dark of the room, he felt Juvia begin to release his torso. "Hey, stop that." He rolled onto his side and moved his arm overtop Juvia's. "I could use more practice touching you too, ya know."

Glad the dark hid his blush; Gray relaxed into sleep, a smile on his lips. Juvia followed soon after, feeling safe and more valued than ever.

"Turn off that light, we need some shut-eye Shrimp!" Gajeel swaggered over to the bed. "Didja want circles under your eyes?"

Levy slowly closed her book smiling sweetly. "I'm too young and resilient for that to happen. Is that what you go through all the time?"

Gajeel laughed and lifted up the covers in preparation to join Levy. "You're the one makin' me old before my time."

Switching off the lamp, Levy scooted over to her slayer as he made himself comfortable. She whispered, "Gajeel?"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing." Levy smirked and cuddled close. "Just checking if your old ears could hear me."

"Oi!" Gajeel huffed, "I'm not that much older."

"Sorry!" Falsely sweet, Levy apologized. "We're gonna do great tomorrow." She slipped her hand over Gajeel's chest and patted him. "Even if Natsu and Lucy do work better as a couple."

"What?"

Levy smirked, Gajeel was definitely getting louder the more agitated he got. "And Gray and Juvia are getting so close!"

"I'll rip him limb from limb if he hurts Rain Woman." His voice was an angry rumble, "I'll fold him until he's all sharp corners and shove him up his own ass!"

"No one wants to hear you talk about ass play!" Natsu shouted.

Levy clapped her hands over her mouth and tried to keep her giggles down. It was a lost cause when she heard Lucy's sleepy voice loudly demand that Natsu settle down or she would hand him his arse on a platter.

An authoritative knock woke the inhabitants of the suite in the morning. That, and a confusing babble of voices arguing whether or not to simply use the card Happy had been given by Natsu.

Lily had voted to call the room to allow Gajeel time to ... and that's where his thought processes had given out. Not able to complete out loud what he was thinking, the black exceed looked at his feet and kept quiet. Wendy agreed with 'Erza', seeing no reason why they shouldn't just burst in and make themselves at home. Guild was family, and Fairy Tail had never hesitated about such things before. Mira, disguised as Erza was set for maximum mischief. She wanted to tease and torment the boys and subtly encourage the girls.

A compromise was reached; Happy used his card key, 'Erza' started banging on the door.

"Good morning!" Wendy chirped and 'Erza' echoed in a more ominous tone.

Charle padded into the suite and sat on the middle couch. Happy followed and asked, "can I get you a fish?"

Before she answered Lily dragged Happy over to the kitchen and spoke low, "she don't like fish. How can you not know this?"

"But fish is delicious!" Happy looked horrified. "Next thing you'll tell me you don't like fish!"

His little jaw dropped as Lily nodded. "I like kiwis the best."

Wendy joined them in the kitchen and set a kettle to boiling. "Let's make tea, coffee and juice for everyone!"

A sly look on his face, Happy volunteered Lily to act as Wendy's assistant. Unrepentant, he scampered back to Charle. He re-started his eternal campaign to win her heart. He stood on the coffee table and smiled. Then he was distracted by the howls of dismay as 'Erza' dragged the boys out of their bedrooms.

"Have you despoiled these maidens?" Mira as 'Erza' demanded. Quelling Gray with just the squint of her eyes, she tightened her grasp on the shirts of Natsu and Gajeel. She swivelled her head back and forth between them, glaring. "I have sharp swords for all of your favoured bits. Do I need to hone them further or will you take responsibility?"

Natsu grinned. "What does 'despoil' mean?" He craned his neck to see Lucy slinking out of their room. "But I'll fight you anytime, anywhere!"

Gajeel snorted, "bah, Salamander needs educatin' on the mature themes."

"Erza," Lucy said. "We need the boys undamaged to participate in today's events."

Levy with an evil grin added, "you can beat the snot out of them later."

"Juvia reluctantly agrees."

"I will pick up this discussion later." 'Erza' released the two slayers, smiling with the same passion she'd exhibited negatively at the boys two seconds ago. "Let's sit outside and wait for breakfast, shall we?"

Natsu, Gray and Gajeel stared at one another in the kitchen. Everyone else had trooped outside with the beverages Wendy had made. One last admonishment from 'Erza' to work together had them agreeing to a truce. With minimal grumbling they made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast then carried it with more beverages to the balcony.

Plates of food passed around and the hungry friends ate. Conversation revived again as dishes emptied.

"So, Erza." Levy said, "what will you be doing while we're busy with photos and activities?"

"I shall chaperone of course."

The boys and even the girls (who knew it was Mira transformed into Erza) let their jaws drop. Juvia recovered first. "Does not Erza wish to shop the Heart-Kreuz boutique, or the famous patisserie?"

Lucy nodded. "They have exclusive leisure wear clothes only offered here to this resort."

The red haired woman's fist smacked the table. "I must sample those delights!" She got to her feet, "Wendy, I leave you as my second in command." 'Erza' looked at each nervous male. "Remember what I said about taking responsibility." She jumped out of her chair. "Ladies, do not accept less than their best efforts."

"Bye!" Wendy waved. "You guys must need to get ready for the beach." She pointed to the exceeds, "we'll clean up."

"Thanks squirt," Gajeel rumbled.

"Juvia thinks Wendy is very thoughtful."

Levy smiled her thanks and Lucy gave Wendy a hug. Gray nodded with a brief smirk. Natsu grinned and offered advice, "watch Happy or he'll slack off!"

Happy pouted. "I would never!"

Lucy snorted with derision, "liar." The blonde hurried after Natsu to their room and shut the door.

Wendy and the exceeds finished cleaning as all three couples exited their rooms. Lily flew over to where Gajeel was tugging Levy's sarong closed. The slayer exchanged grins with his exceed.

"I forgot my beach book in the bedroom, fetch it for me?" Levy waited until Gajeel went back for her item and then pointed at Lily. She mouthed 'let's talk later' and gave him a wink.

Lily nodded, smirking.

"Natsu, for the last time, I don't need a cover-up for the beach." Lucy said as she rummaged in her tote bag. She pulled out the matching sunglasses and offered the pouting male his pair. "The whole point is to look good for the camera."

Natsu accepted them and held out a flowered man's shirt. "You don't wanna get burnt by the sun, do ya?"

"Please. If I can withstand your flames, the sun does not worry me at all." Lucy patted her partner's cheek. "But I'll put that in my bag if I need one." She smiled sweetly just for him. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Natsu grinned. "I can do lots of lookin' at ya."

Juvia couldn't keep her eyes off Gray. The black swim trunks, tank top and open button-up shirt was sexy. She held tight to the ice-copy of Gray's necklace then released it with a small sigh. She'd opted to wear the daisy print suit, deciding it would be even cuter next to Gray's monochromatic outfit. Her parasol she carried under her arm closed, not wishing to chance bad luck by opening it inside.

"Did you want this?" Gray asked, a floppy brimmed hat in his hands. "You left it on the bed."

"Ah, yes. Juvia got distracted." She gave Gray a timid smile, "thank you. Juvia loves the sun, but it does not love her."

She walked over to take it from him and was surprised when he put it on her himself. "I find that hard to believe." Gray smiled and looked ready to give her a quick kiss, but remembered he had an audience.

"T-thank you!" Juvia blushed; adjusting her hat, a smile flooding her face. "Gray is too kind."

"Gray is a big idiot." Gajeel stated. He glared at the ice mage then gave Levy her requested book. "We gotta get a move on or we'll be late."

"Hey; Wendy, Lily, Charle and even you Happy," said Lucy. "Thanks again for cleaning up. Why don't you get changed for the beach and meet us there?"

Happy nodded with enthusiasm. "I can show Charle ... and you guys the way there!"

Natsu asked, "don't you wanna go with us Happy?"

Lucy hid her smile behind a hand. "He liiiiiiiiiiiikes her!"

Charle stood still and appeared deep in thought. Her paws were balled into tiny fists on her hips. She sniffed, "be that as it may, Happy can go down to the beach with us."

George was setting up a tripod when the three couples found him on the beach. A small portable table full of various camera lenses was under an umbrella emblazoned with 'Happy Fun Time Land'. Two large and one small cardboard boxes were stacked next to the equipment.

"Yo!" Natsu greeted the photographer. "Where's that bastard Tim?"

The water mage twirled her parasol and gave Natsu a bright smile that didn't match her dark tone. "Juvia does not like him either."

Levy and Lucy exchanged scandalized looks and then shrugged giggling.

George chuckled. "He is a bastard. He'll show up soon enough - he wouldn't want to miss the volleyball or water balloon fight." He gave a cursory glance to each couple. "Where's Happy?"

Gajeel crossed his arms and sneered. "Happy? Never mind him, when you meet my Lily - you'll be amazed."

Levy imitated Gajeel's stance and raised one eyebrow. She spoke to Lucy in a stage-whisper, "he's bragging as if Panther Lily was his girlfriend."

Only Gajeel didn't laugh at Levy's jest. George kept his laughter polite and trailed off immediately. Natsu and Gray kept guffawing long after the girls stopped.

Gajeel turned to face the petite girl. "That's cold Shrimp."

"Relax, it's just a joke. It's not as if you have little nicknames about my lack of height that you use all the time. Now is it?" Levy playfully smacked his shoulder. "No boyfriend worth his salt would act that that."

"Juvia would not mind being teased by Gray." She bit her lip, "a nickname would mean the world to Juvia."

"As long as it isn't Candy Buns," Levy smirked. "That one belongs to Gajeel."

Lucy clutched her stomach. "Oh, that is beyond precious!"

"Oi! Put the claws away Kitten!" Gajeel snarled. Having such a moniker bandied about was sure to give people the wrong idea. Letting Levy's nick name become public knowledge was only a small part of revenge. He pouted, unrepentant.

"I want one too Luce!" Natsu chortled. "Too bad Candy Buns is taken, wanna call me Cap'n Awesome?"

"Uh, no." Lucy shook her head. "You don't like Salamander?"

He whined, "that's what Gajeel calls me. You're Luce and Bunny Girl. I want something awesome!"

Realizing they had an audience Lucy went pink-cheeked. "Gimme time to think about it. I'll give you one later."

Natsu whooped and threw his arms up in the air. "Yosh!"

Gray glared at Natsu then Gajeel who were not-so-successfully hiding their amusement. "Let's go off and talk about our strategy." He held out his hand and after a moment of hesitation Juvia took hold.

They escaped down the beach. Gray decided to walk further to avoid the sharp ears of the dragon slayers. Down past a big collection of sand dunes, he spotted a weathered patio set. "Let's sit down over there."

Juvia nodded.

Gray sat down and looked up at Juvia. She was twirling her parasol and gazing back at him with a solemn expression. He sighed and waggled his fingers. "Sit down so we can talk."

"Juvia can talk from over here." She seemed to be holding her breath.

"Maybe you can, but I don't want to."

"Juvia respectfully declines. She won the card game and this is one of her demands."

"All right then." Gray looked further down the beach into the crashing waves. "I get that you want intimacy and I want that too," he let his head hang down. "I'm not very good at letting my emotions out." He inhaled the tang of the salt air and sighed. The warmth of the sun and cries of sea birds were faint impressions on his mind.

"Gray must only be himself."

The ice slayer snapped his gaze back to Juvia. "Is that good enough?"

"Better than anything Juvia has ever encountered."

She bestowed upon Gray a tremulous smile that built into a blazing crescendo of joy. Without consciously deciding, she threw herself at him. Gray caught her and held her close, his arms squeezing her tight.

"Juvia would call Gray, Sunshine."

"Mmm," Gray stroked down Juvia's back. "Sunshine is what you are."

The slayers noticed first Gray and Juvia getting closer to where they were prepared to create sand castles. Gajeel frowned. Watching them holding hands made him sour. He forbore from saying anything that would give Levy cause to snipe at him or make Juvia despondent. Natsu merely curled his lip to see Gray so besotted, not bothered by Juvia's cheer at all.

"Let's get started, shall we?" George opened the bigger of the boxes and hauled out small pails and shovels. "Here's the equipment for the first event. Ladies," he smiled and held out a blue set to Juvia, "remember to have fun!" To Lucy he held out a red set and gave Levy black ones.

"This is great!" Natsu crowed, "Lucy, this is gonna be the most fun I've ever had with you," he dropped his voice and smirked, "on the beach."

She blushed but volleyed back, "cool it Fire Boy!" Lucy surveyed the two foot by two foot square marked off for their castle. "We should totally make a moat, but at the end -" She smiled with enthusiasm, "we fill it with fire!" Together they roughed out a building footprint and began playing.

"Do you want to build a -" Juvia felt a little weird. She'd wanted to complete her thought and say 'snowman', but they were on a beach and it was hot. Snowmen were not beach vacation appropriate. "structure that is more like an ice castle?"

"Great idea!" Gray reached out on a whim and touched Juvia on her cheek. He could only see her impassioned gaze. Smiling, he leaned forward and kissed the corner of her mouth. Neither noticed George capture this tender moment. If they had, they might have bolted away, but they hadn't and so continued to lean in close to one another and make plans for their ice castle.

"For the last time," Levy smirked, "Candy Buns. I think a bunker style fortress is not anything like a sand castle." Her hands settled over her hips and her fingers tapped out a discordant rhythm. "It's like you only hear what you want to hear."

"You serious?" Gajeel grunted. "I hear much more than I wanna sometimes. I'm about to puke how lovey-dovey Salamander and Bunny Girl are." He paused and then let out a loud 'heh'. "Don't get me started on Rain Woman and Ice Freak."

"Being nice to one another is not being lovey-dovey." Levy tossed her spade down on the last bucket of sand Gajeel upended. "Being lovey-dovey is maybe something you're not equipped to understand."

"Not able to understand?" Gajeel stopped digging a trench to look at his partner. "You think I don't understand the difference between being nice and exercising romantic interest?" His wine dark eyes seemed to glow. "I have," he grabbed Levy's empty hands, "so much interest in everything you do." He spoke the word 'everything' in a dark tone. "I could give two shits about this castle. I could walk away from the special spread and never think about it again." He sank onto his haunches and forced his fingers into the sand. "What I can't do is walk away from you."

All Levy could do was stare silent as her partner glowered at her. What did Gajeel want? What did she want? Fuck.

"Let's start over." Levy offered, "but not from the beginning." She let out a huff of air. "I guess I've been a little jealous or something."

"Heh." Gajeel nodded. "I can get behind that." He offered Levy the plastic bucket. "What sort of sand castle you wanna build?"

Levy took the offered bucket and then leaned forward to hug her slayer. "An awesome iron fortress!"

George found himself humming as the three couples found common ground to create their sand castles. He took photo after photo. George smiled at Wendy and her exceed friends when they arrived. He asked permission then took pictures of the youngest dragon slayer amidst her companions.

The morning light warmed, other guests of the resort began making their way towards the beach. A young man who limped followed a buxom woman with cat ears. The dropped their beach accessories down on the sand near Wendy and her guild mates. She clutched her companion's arm tight, jumping up and down.

"Neko, neko, neko!'

"Easy Millianna!" He gave the woman a brief kiss on her lips which seemed to settle her down. "We don't want a repeat of last time, do we?"

"You're right Kai." Millianna blushed and clasped her hands behind her back. "Thanks for reminding me!"

Happy Valentine's Day ~ hope this chapter met with approval. Thanks for all the lovely reviews. :D