~MY LOVES! Here is the next chappie and I hope y'all love it like I do. I didn't want to go into too much detail with the Nest just yet since it's not the big reveal but I feel like she needed to at least get out of the house XD

As far as chapter plans go, I'm thinking less than ten chapters until we meet the tiny twins sooo stick with me because I'm so stoked to write little baby dragons.

Give me probably another hour at most and I'll be posting the next chappie for Steps as well! Did I mention thank you for being amazing? No?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING AMAZING. I appreciate all the kind words and support and it really helps keep this story going.~

Chapter 37

Gajeel's gruff voice was teeming with annoyance as he faced the towering hulk of a blonde whose face was set in a firm, uncaring line, "Why the fuck do I gotta be there? It's not like ya can't keep everyone in line by yourself."

Both their bulging arms were crossed over their chest; the Lightning Slayer's out of sheer mass and her Iron Slayer's out of tense irritation, but neither one was willing to relent as Laxus' cold baritone filled the kitchen, "Because Gramps is sending the Saber dragons to the Nest to 'help' and there is no fucking way I am dealing with those idiots by myself." The Lightning Slayer took a break from staring down his fellow dragon to turn towards the little blonde humming and swaying to the music in her little pajamas as she mixed her dough for the chocolate chunk cookies she was making at eight in the morning, "Actually, why don't you finish up and we can all go. You've been making all these decisions and haven't gotten to see any of them live and in color."

Bouncing over to the island where Natsu and Plue were having a very in depth conversation about whether the little spirit could handle the pickled peppers he was munching on so she could have Plue test out her cookie dough, Lucy's voice was bright and cheery, "That sounds perfect, babe. Why don't you and Gaj head over now since it'll take me a little to get ready. I'll just wrap my dough and put it in the fridge for later," before offering the excited little spirit a small ball of dough.

She watched as his eyes sparkled from where he was standing on the marble in front of her grinning Fire Slayer, his paw outstretched as he chirped, "Pun puuun punpun."

Patting her Little Dog spirit's head affectionately, she answered his question, "I'm sorry, Plue. I can't give you any more but maybe if you ask Laxus nicely, he'll give you a lollipop from his super secret stash."

Her honeyed eyes grew warm as she watched her spirit walk over to the intimidating dragon without hesitation, giggling at their exchange before moving to lean over Natsu's back. Her arms wrapped around his middle in an easy hug and her smile went wide as she watched Plue climb up Laxus' offered arm to stand on his shoulder as her dragon reached up to pull out the jar full of rainbow swirled lollipops he bought especially for his fellow sweet-tooth.

Natsu's rich voice was just as warm as the hand that threaded through hers to bring the pink of her guild mark up to his lips in a lingering kiss, "You're going to actually bake the cookies this time right?"

Leaning her forehead between his shoulder blades, his heat emanating through the fabric of his vest before she breathed out sheepishly, "I'll bake the cookie dough this time, I promise."

His breathy laughter jostled her enough to pull her face away from his back. Leaning on her tiptoes to press a kiss where his strong jaw met his neck, she made her way back around to where the bowl of dough was sitting to wrap it tightly before putting it away in the fridge and grabbing the carton of chocolate milk to pour herself a glass.

When she turned around, Plue had a fist full of lollies and Laxus was plucking them from his paw one at a time, his voice stern, "Only one, Plue."

Her spirit's eyes narrowed before hugging the sweet treats to his chest, "Pun punpunpun! Puuuun pun pun..."

Her dragon's eyes narrowed to match, "Because I know you aren't going to save any of those for later, that's why."

Their staring match grew heated as silence fell over the kitchen.

Plue's voice came out small, still obviously not giving up but trying a new angle, "...puuuun pun puun...pun?"

Rolling his steely blue eyes, Laxus held his hand out, "Fine. I'll hold onto them and I'll give you another only when you've waited long enough to let your stomach settle."

With a pleased smile and a nod of his head, he handed the blonde all but one of the rainbow candy before taking a few licks of his remaining lollie, perfectly content to plop himself on Laxus' shoulder as he did.

Her fiery dragon's voice piped up from his perch on the closest stool to the fridge, "Are you excited to see Frosch, little buddy?"

At the mention of Rogue's little green exceed, her spirit's eyes grew big as he chattered, "PUN?! Puun pun punpun pun. Punpun pun pun. Puuuuun pun pun punpun," before he tugged at Laxus' hair gently and pointing his lollipop towards the counter to direct him so he could clamber down.

Natsu and Laxus both let out a burst of laughter at the spirit's enthusiasm for seeing his favorite friend before Gajeel let out a teasing scoff, his voice light as he poked the her spirit's tummy affectionately, "Ya must like Hair Flip's cat a lot if you're willin' to give up one a' your suckers."

Nodding up at the Iron Dragon fervently, her little spirit did one of his wiggly dances before turning and running towards the pinkette to settle into his lap to finish his sugary treat, humming to himself.

A small contented sigh escaped her lips as she washed up the few dishes, unconsciously humming along with Plue as her dragons all let out purrs at the warmth she was sending through her bonds, which only made her smile bigger.

After finishing up the few dishes and herding the two older mage's from the house with a quick slap to each of their toned backsides and a wink, she turned towards the pinkette at the bar petting Plue absently, voice teasing and light, "How about I send Plue home to enjoy his lollipop and you and I go enjoy a very steamy shower?"

Granting the giggling blonde a toothy grin before looking down to the oblivious spirit in his lap, his voice playful, "What do you say, Plue? Then Luce can call you back out when we get to the Nest and you can play with Fro."

With a quick nod, her Little Dog spirit disappeared with a small poof before the pinkette got up to face his mate. Raising a brow as his grin turned sly, "Alone at last, Princess."

"Ah ah," wagging her finger back and forth as she crossed the room to take his hand in hers. Her eyes shining with mirth before she turned to lead him upstairs, "We have to meet the other dragons at the Nest."

Letting out a halfhearted groan as he threw his head back, "But Luuuuuce, how am I supposed to keep my hands to myself when we're in the shower together?"

As soon as they were in the bedroom, the minxy blonde let go of his hand, her voice low as she pulled his grey shirt over her head, "I don't recall saying you had to keep your hands to yourself," before pushing her silky shorts from her waist to pool at her feet, leaving the curves of her body completely bare for him.

His mouth quirked up at her words as he unwrapped his scarf from his neck, placing it on his dresser before stripping out of his vest. Before the material had a chance to hit the floor, her dainty hands were at his sides. Trailing down the lean muscle to push the loose white material of his pants from his hips as she pressed feathery kiss after kiss over the tanned skin of his chest, down the valleys of his defined abs, down the 'v' of his hips before helping him step out of the material to lead him into the bathroom. His eyes taking in the creamy expanse of her skin and the dimples at her lower back as she bent to set the water the way they both liked it; hotter than the flames of hell and steamy enough to fog the bathroom in a thick embracing blanket.

Lucy could feel the heat of the water hit her back as she pressed herself in Natsu's chest, just taking in his warmth as her arms wrapped low around his hips so her fingers could weave together at the small of his back as he attempted to wash his hair. Giving the grinning blonde below him a crooked smile, his voice was teasing as he slicked his dripping hair back out of his eyes, "You are making this very difficult, you know."

Moving her left hand up to cradle his jaw, she pulled him down into a slow-burning kiss. Her lips molded perfectly to his as his tongue ran along the seam of them in a lazy sweep, one of his hands wrapped around the back of her neck so his thumb could run over the raised flesh of their mark. The unhurried movements made her hum her approval before she opened her mouth to let his tongue dance with hers in an easy back and forth, a give and take that ended in a series of butterfly kisses leading from her lips, down the line of her jaw so her could whisper in her ear, "It's been awhile since we've bathed together, Luce."

Running her hand in slow strokes up his back, she leaned back, her bright golden eyes wide with excitement, "Can we do it tonight?"

He nuzzled into her neck as he answered his beautiful mate, "It's a date, Princess," before pulling away from her to get through the rest of their shower, her hands almost never leaving his body as he chuckled down at her.

Giving a little huff, she let him finish so she could grab her louffa and her body wash, working it into a thick lather as she scrubbed herself.

When they were both nice and clean and Lucy's fingers had wrinkled from the amount of time they were in the glass enclosure, they managed to get dressed for the walk to the Nest; Natsu wearing a pair of dark brown jeans and his pink 'Sharing is Caring' shirt Virgo had made him, his scarf wrapped around his neck while Lucy had pulled a new pair of thick grey leggings and an ugly Christmas sweater with cats in Santa hats on the front.

As the two turned to face each other, they both burst into tears at their respective choices of attire before the Celestial Mage gathered herself enough to walk around the Fire Dragon to check him out in a blatant display, her finger tapping her chin as she let out a low whistle when she saw just how good he looked in jeans. This particular pair was snug in all the right places as she gave his butt a testing squeeze, her voice breezy and light, "You should wear real clothes more often, Fiery Prince of mine."

With an easy roll of his golden flecked eyes, he cocked his hip as she came back to his front, appreciative smile spread across her bow lips, "Here I thought I always wore real clothes."

An airy sigh left her lips as she patted his chest, "Yeah but you never wear stuff like this," gesturing down his body before snaking her arm around his back and pressing a kiss to his chin. "I think this is first time I've seen you wear pants like this of your own free will."

Shaking his head before leaning his forehead against hers as his hands combed through her damp hair, drying it as he went, "If I would have worn tighter pants, would you have made a move on me sooner, Luce?"

A few breathy laughs escaped her before she answered earnestly, "I had kind of given up on ever having a relationship with you until that day in my kitchen and even then, I was trying to convince myself you were just being weird because I thought you didn't like me...like that."

Taken aback by her words, his brows furrowed before asking, genuinely confused, "You thought I didn't like you?"

"Well, not like that. I just mean I never thought you thought of me as anything more than your partner, a teammate."

"Are you serious?"

"Uh, yeah."

After a few seconds of Natsu staring into her owlish eyes, his voice was back to his usual rich timbre, "Whose sleeping bag did I always sleep in?"

The little blonde answered him cautiously, "...mine..."

"And who did I want for my partner as soon as you got to the guild?"

"...me but-"

"Whose bed did I always sneak into?"

Letting out a sigh, her words were laced with the beginnings of her irritation, "Mine, but you-"

"And who did I uproot an entire tree for?"

That one earned a little smile from the blonde before she conceded, "That would've been me as well."

Smiling as if he'd just won a prize of some sort, her threw his arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head before leading them down the steps, his voice cheery, "Exactly. I didn't do that with anyone but you. You've always been special, Princess."

Buzzing with contentment, she pulled on her winter boots, jacket and fluffy pink scarf as Natsu pulled on a pair of boots Laxus insisted he wear when he came to the 'worksite' because his sandals were a 'hazard', before they headed out, Lucy tucked away under his arm as she linked her fingers with his.

The walk to the nest went by faster than Lucy thought it would between Natsu's endless topics of conversation ranging from the Nest itself to potential names for the little lizards, and Plue's constant chattering about all the fun he and Frosch were going to have playing in the snow. However, the instant the little blonde pulled through the trees and the Nest actually came into view, she stopped dead and stared in wonder at the beautiful log mansion in front of her. Her golden eyes immediately turned misty as she took in the deep green metal roof that covered the whole thing, the huge windows that seemed to cover more of the house than the logs did as they came to a steep peak on the left side. The right side had even more windows than the left, before curving around into a large stone tower topped in a room that looked like it was completely made of glass and she couldn't help the tears that fell as she took in the most perfect home she had ever seen in her life. There were warm lights on either side of the stone pathways leading to the double front doors made of heavy wood with intricate ironwork all up the front to match the custom iron hardware. Taking a closer look at the house as she moved closer, completely oblivious to the bodies moving all around her, she saw the iron was consistent throughout the whole design and it gave the massive house a more country lodge-like feel instead of a newly built modern house, which she loved.

Before she could push through the door, Wendy's chipper voice cut through her awe-inspired stupor, "Lucy-nee! I didn't know you were coming to the Nest today!" Bouncing her way over to the teary blonde, she wrapped her arms around her before pulling back to stand next to her, her arm laced through Lucy's as she bubbled, "Isn't it just perfect? The only day Natsu was allowed here, he made sure to let everyone know that this was supposed to be your home and it was supposed to be the embodiment of warmth. It was supposed to represent you." With a pause to look up at her sister, she squeezed her arm just a little tighter, "Of course, Laxus and Gajeel did an amazing job with making as much of it themselves instead of just flat out buying it. You should see the fireplace. They spent the last week laying the stone by hand and the thing is just immense. Most everyone from the guild is inside helping with the flooring and the walls, so let's get in there," calling over her shoulder to Natsu, who was being scolded by Plue for melting half of his snowman, "Get over here and be welcomed to your new home, and don't forget to grab Plue!"

Scooping the little grumbling spirit up with a carefree laugh, the pinkette jogged over to the little blunette. Noticing his mate had yet to say anything, he set the cross-armed spirit on his shoulder, making sure he had a good grip on his scarf before leaning over Wendy's head to press a warm kiss to his mate's cheek, his rich voice low as he pulled back, the little she-dragon's giggles filling the space between, "So you like it, Luce?"

Tearing her eyes away from the light shining from behind the glass, she looked to the Fire Dragon, her voice dripping with emotion, "This is perfect. I've...I couldn't have done a better job myself."

Wiping her tear-stained cheek with the palm of his hand as his thumb traced over her cheekbone, his smile genuine and toothy, "It's all for us to build our family, and you're the center of it, Lucy. We wouldn't have the opportunity to even have one if wasn't for you."

Wendy turned to the pinkette, not unkindly but her voice was edging on stern at her sister's sniffles, "Enough of that, she's already emotional and she doesn't need your smooth lines, Natsu," quickly changing demeanor as she beamed up at the now giggling blonde, "Plus, there is something you are really going to want to see when you get inside."

Chuckling at the youngest dragons antics, he pulled the door open for them and took a playful bow, "After you, ladies," before following the pair into the expansive great room.

"Oh my stars," Lucy breathed out in reverie at the woodwork of the interior of the cavernous space. The thick columns that held up a loft-like walkway around the whole perimeter were made of rough tree trunks, shellacked in a clear polyurethane so she could see the knots of the wood through the beautiful red chestnut stain that matched the logs of the exterior, that matched all the woodwork that she could see. Turning to take in the right side first, her eyes turned owlish as she blinked at the massive fireplace that took up most of the wall, the hand stacked stonework made the unfinished room look like they were going under renovations instead of being a shiny new house. Two hallways flanked either side of the three story fireplace that matched the two openings on the second floor balcony before she walked over to sit on the solid slab of slate that made the hearthstone which was already warm due to the fire roaring behind the screen cut to match the night skies. The other side of the room that she was now facing consisted of an unimpeded view of the kitchen and what she assumed was going to be the dining room, aside from the massive columns to serve as support, this first area had a completely open floor plan which is just what she wanted. She always hated the segregation of the Heartflilia Manor, how every room had a purpose and one purpose only, held behind closed doors with locks to keep anyone from entering or leaving but this? Her mates had built her a dream home and she was in love.

Her Iron Slayer's rough voice cut through her emotional moment before she could burst into tears, "Absolutely fuckin' not, brat."

She could hear Sting's taunting drawl respond but she couldn't place where they were at yet, "How about I just ask Lucy? I'm sure she would want a say in the matter."

His low rumbling growl echoed through the space as he ground out, "Ya only want ta ask Bunny 'cause ya know she'll say yes."

"Pretty much," before pausing, adding as an afterthought, "and here I thought you were just the muscle of the brood."

Lucy cringed as she heard a sharp snap before the heavy stomping of his boots down stairs she had yet to find, before his grumbling frame appeared through the doorway to her right, "He's fuckin' lucky he said that inside the house or I'd punch that smug grin from his stupid face."

Suppressing her giggles, she made he way over to him before she pulled the grumpy dragon into a quick kiss, taking the two pieces of the hammer he broke from his clenched hands at the same time. On impulse, the moment his hands were free, they tangled into her hair on either side of her face before pulling back and tucking her head beneath his chin. His voice still had the edge of annoyance from moments ago, but it had significantly cooled with his mate in his arms, "He wants to stay at the house 'til the party."

"And the problem with that is...?"

"He's an idiot."

Letting out a few breathy giggles, she continued her calm inquiry, "And that is reason enough to bar him from the house?"

"Reason enough for me."

Sucking in a breath through her teeth as she pulled back from the Iron Slayer, she bounced her head back and forth before speaking, her voice teeming with sarcasm, "Yeah, I don't think that's a good enough reason to let our friends sleep in some random inn when we have plenty of room."

Rolling his gold-splotched deep ruby eyes, he made his way out the french door leading to the ridiculously large back porch, mumbling under his breath, "Your friends, Bunny, not mine."

"Lulu! I'm glad I decided to come with Wendy to get a tour of the house," the younger Celestial Mage quickly made her way from where she was hanging over the railing of the balcony down the the first floor to her side to wrap her arms around the beaming blonde, "I have so much to tell you, Lu-chan."

Returning the her hug, the blonde tried her best to keep the splintered edges of Gajeel's broken hammer from stabbing either of them as she laughed out, "I think you've seen more of my home than I have actually." Releasing the short-haired mage to step back, the glint on her left hand caught her attention. Letting out a deep gasp as the pieces of the tool she was holding clattered to the floor, she took in the beautiful canary diamond engagement ring, her voice a high-pitched squeal, "OH MY GODS! YOU'RE ENGAGED YUKI?!" Practically hyperventilating as she dragged her fellow Celestial Mage to the hearth to sit before she gushed, "I didn't even know you were dating anyone. Who is the lucky guy? Wait, do I know him? WAIT, don't tell me."

Yukino giggled as Lucy's brows furrowed in deep thought, shedding her scarf and unbuttoning her wool jacket as the Sabertooth mage bubbled, "I don't think you are going to guess, Lu. It honestly took me by surprise, too."

Narrowing her eyes at her beautiful friend as a grin curled the corners of her lips up, she pulled her left hand up so she could inspect the ring closer, her voice full of careful concentration, "Well, I'm going to say it's not one of the Dragon's because they don't really need to do the whole engagement thing. I would also have to say it's a Sabertooth member because you literally spend all your time at your guild." Pulling back with a knowing smirk, she patted Yukino's hand before she nodded, "Orga. It's gotta be the Lightning God."

She watched as her friend's jaw dropped and her brown eyes blinking repeatedly at the quick and seemingly accurate assessment. After a few moments of blank staring, the Saber coughed before finding her voice again, "How...how did you know?"

She tapped the ring sitting prettily on her dainty finger before answering with a shrug, "It's all in the ring, Yuki dear. While I was tossing the idea of Rufus maybe being the lucky guy, I realized that this ring is perfect for you as far as cut and style, simple round cut in a halo setting in gold, but it wouldn't be something a man like Lore would use. He would have family heirlooms to choose from and this style is more modern. That and I'm not as blind as you are. Orga always had one eye on you whenever I'd visit."

"He did?," the shock of her voice made the older mage burst into a fit of belly laughter before the man of the hour came from the opposite hallway, deep in conversation with her own Lightning mage.

Leaving Yukino to her stuttering, Lucy quickly made her way in front of the hulking men to halt their walking and their talking all in one go. Her hands were behind her back as she rocked from the balls of her feet to her heel, her voice bright as she gave the green-haired mage a sly grin, "I'd like to offer my personal congratulations on your engagement."

The two men stared at her, Orga with blatant surprise at her words and Laxus completely entranced by the ridiculous sweater she was wearing, before they started at the same time in their respective deep baritones, "How did you know about that?"

"What the fuck are you wearing?"

Ignoring her dragon's remark, she flicked her hair behind her shoulder before stating matter-of-factly, "My eyes work just fine and I am capable of putting strings of information together to draw sensible conclusions. You have had it bad for the Celestial Mage since my first visit to Sabertooth after the Grand Magic Games and her ring isn't exactly subtle."

Adding to his mate's assessment as his arms crossed over his tight thermal covered chest, "And you smell just like her."

"I mean, I wouldn't know that but sure," looking from Laxus' bulky frame to Orga's with a shrug.

Sabertooth's Celestial Mage must have gotten herself back together as she quickly filled the space next to her fiance, her voice a little dreamy but mostly back to normal when she looked up at the behemoth of a man, "She knew as soon as she looked at the ring," as if second-nature, her left hand wrapped around his bulky forearm.

Her oldest dragon stepped forward to lift up the sweatshirt she was wearing to get a better look at it. Raising a brow with a judgmental frown, "Are those cats...singing?"

Looking down at the fluffy cats across her chest before looking up at the blonde, her smile beaming as she answered cheerily, "Yep. They are caroling cats in Santa hats. Isn't it great?"

Nodding his head as his voice dripped with sarcasm, "Yeah, really great, Blondie. Have you seen the angry dragon of our set?"

Motioning over to the back doors, her voice was easy as she answered, "He's out there somewhere but I should warn you, he's throwing a tantrum because we're hosting the members of Sabertooth until after the party."

"We are?"

Narrowing her honeyed-chocolate eyes at the confused man, her voice slow and deliberate, "Yes. We are."

Ducking to kiss her forehead, a hand firm on her hip before his deep baritone fell from his lips, sending a wave of affection through her body, "You're the boss, Blondie." Suddenly the hand on her hip wrapped around to the small of her back as he pulled her flush to his body, his voice husky and quiet so only she could hear, "But you'll have to control your impulses in a house full of dragons."

Turning her head so her lips teased the shell of his ear, her voice matching his, "Are you sure it's my impulses you're worried about?," as her hand ghosted over the hardening bulge forming in his pants.

With a cocky smirk, he pulled back, "Tease."

Patting his cheek lightly, her voice was full of playful heat, "I prefer to think of myself as a woman who likes to live life on the edge."

"Remind me why I put up with you again," as he tucked her fringe behind her ear, exposing her flame-engulfed crimson dragon.

Taking his hand in her smaller ones, she answered easily before pressing a kiss into the palm of his hand, "Because for some crazy reason, you love me."

His smirk melded into the dimpled smile that turned her insides to mush, "Right. I knew it was something," and with a quick wink, he went to go retrieve their missing dragon.

When she turned back around to face the fireplace, she heard the familiar adorable voice of Rogue's exceed coming from above her and her face lit up. With a quick 'I'll be right back' to the adorable couple admiring the tiered iron chandelier, she made her way through the back hall to find a wide set of wooden spiral stairs to her right, but her breath caught at the room lined with empty bookshelves just waiting to be filled with hundreds of books and random knick-knacks. As she put a hand on the thick banister, she raised her brow at the bookshelf caught at an odd angle out into the middle of the room but before she could back down the step to check it out, Natsu's head of salmon hair poked out over the top of the steps, Plue hanging on for dear life as the Dragon Slayer called down to her, "Luce, you have to get up here and see this place. There are so many rooms but apparently, we aren't allowed in the Master bedroom yet." His head disappeared as she made her way around the stairs before it popped back over banister, "Come all the way to the top though." All the way to the top? How many floors does this place have?

When she finally made it to the top, which was floor number three, she was ready to explore until Frosch made his way directly in front of her, his eyes big as he spoke excitedly, hands gesturing in a very familiar grabby kind of way, "Lucy! Fro has been waiting for you to get here so Fro could play with Plue outside. Fro wants to build a snowman."

Picking the little exceed up, his pink frog suit accompanied by a matching pink scarf, to settle in her arms as she gave him eskimo kisses, pulling little airy giggles from him before she answered, "Plue has been waiting to see you all day, sweetie. Why don't we go down and find Laxus so he can give you a surprise?"

Totally prepared to make the trip back down the stairs, she was halted by the Shadow Slayer's smooth voice, "I was just heading down to find your missing mates."

Giving the sweet slayer a smile, resisting the urge to tuck the bangs that fell loose from his ponytail back behind his ear so she could look into his ruby eyes as she spoke to him, "Are you sure you don't mind watching them?"

"Not at all, Lucy," before Natsu slung an arm around raven-haired slayer's shoulder, his toothy smile affixed on his face as Plue balanced his way across the pinkette's arm to climb on Rogue's head, much like he did with Gajeel.

Looking down into the Shadow Slayer's eyes, her little spirit cooed, "Puuun pun pun punpun? Punpun pun."

Granting the little spirit a small smile, the Slayer answered easily, "Yeah, I think Frosch would really like that but you'll have to wait to play in the snow if you want to eat your treats."

Lucy watched as the exceed's eyes brightened at the mention of a treat. It always made the Celestial Mage giggle when she thought of how much the two little beings liked each other so much even though one of them had no idea what the other was saying, but they made it work somehow. Giving Frosch another quick hug before handing him over to Rogue, a small toothless smile spread across her lips as she looked between Plue and the exceed crawling up Rogue's chest to sit on his shoulder. Waiting until he got settled, her smile widened as she watched Frosch take her spirit's hand in his own, her voice light, "If you need anything, you can ask any of the dragons, okay Plue?"

With a quick nod, her spirit shooed Natsu away in adorable little waves of his free paw and the three made their way back down the stairs, Frosch's bright voice chattering away to his 'very best friend' the whole way down.

"I don't know whether to be offended he was so eager to get away from me or proud the little guy is making friends and doesn't need one of us around," the Fire Slayer shot the blonde a playful grin as he draped his arm over her shoulders to lead her around the stairs to start their exploring.

Wrapping her arms around his middle in a loose hug, she leaned her head on his shoulder before poking the end of his nose, "Don't worry, you're still his favorite dragon."

Pushing into the first of the three bedrooms, his voice easy as he drawled, "Of course I am. We're buddies."

They walked through the top three rooms with ease since they were all pretty much blank canvases still having no flooring but the drywall was at least up and finished before the pair made their way down to the second story hand in hand. Before she could open the door, Wendy's voice was echoing from the great room and she did not sound happy, "Where are you going to put them then? Up in the tower? On the third floor?"

Her Lightning Slayer's even tone answered the tiny dragon's tirade, "No, we've already figured it out."

The disbelief in her little sister's voice was weighing it down heavily, "Oh, you've figured it out have you?"

Natsu and Lucy shared a look of mutual concern before rushing down the stairs to see the tiny blunette's hands on her hips as she glared up at the seemingly unperturbed Lightning Dragon who towered over her frame, his arms uncrossing from his chest to duck down and talk to the littlest dragon without the Celestial Mage hearing.

When he finally stood back up, her little sister was beaming, obviously very happy with whatever Laxus had told her to soothe the Sky Dragon as she skipped away towards the front door and disappearing with a surprisingly quiet 'click' despite the door's massive weight.

"What was that about?," her golden eyes still stuck where the blunette had just run off to as she filled the spot next to the Lightning Slayer, her head cocked to the side.

Ruffling her hair with one of his heavy hands, he answered with a shrug, "Nothing you need to worry about, Little One."

She rolled her eyes to meet his gaze, her voice full of barely contained sarcasm, "Right because that makes me soooo much better."

With a throaty chuckle, he asked teasingly, "Don't you have cookies to bake or something?"

Checking her non-existent watch on her wrist, she answered with a sugary sweet smile, "Nope, not yet. I still have plenty of time to harass you and tall, dark and broody." Turning her head to look around for her still missing dragon, her voice got a questioning air to it, "Speaking of which, where is Gaj?"

Gesturing is head back towards the back door, "He's out there with the Shadow Mage and the little ones."

With an quick nod, she moved on, satisfied with her oldest dragon's answer before continuing, "How many lollipops does Plue have left?"

"You'd have to ask Gajeel, but when I gave-"

"You gave Gajeel the lollipops?"

Laxus looked down at his scowling mate, cautiously speaking, "Yes? Was I...not supposed to do that?"

The moment her palm connected to her forehead, he knew for a fact that he was not supposed to do that. She was mumbling under her breath as she buttoned her jacket and wrapped her scarf back around her neck with a ferocity that bordered on hilarious as she stomped her way out the back door to find the Iron Dragon.

Genuinely confused about the little blonde's ire, Laxus looked at Natsu's still grinning face, "Is she mad at me?"

Giving the older dragon a brotherly pat on the back before turning and waving to the still frozen Lightning mage to follow him as he spoke, his voice an easy drawl, "Naw, but I think things are about to get interesting for Metal Breath."

With a grunt of a response, the two dragons made their way through to stand on the porch as they watched their pregnant mate smack the other dragon repeatedly, her voice shrill as she berated the hunched over man, "YOU KNOW HE CAN'T HAVE THAT MUCH CANDY AT ONCE, YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD! LOOK AT HIM! LOOK WHAT YOU DID!"

A wave of sympathy passed through the oldest and the youngest dragons as they looked over to see Plue groaning as he held his distended stomach. Their sympathy grew to cringes as the little spirit rolled over and hurled before calling for Lucy to rub his stomach.

Gajeel's voice was heavy with apology as he attempted to soothe the irate woman who abandoned her efforts to knock some sense into him to retrieve her Little Dog spirit, "I'm sorry, Bunny. He just kept askin' me for them and ya know how big he can make his eyes get. He said he was sharin' them with the frog."

Narrowing her deep honeyed eyes at the man to silence him, she scooped Plue up carefully before walking back in front of the Iron Slayer who was rubbing the side of his head where she managed to land a pretty good blow, her voice gentle for the sake of her sick spirit, "Guess whose going to learn how to take care of Plue when he eats too much candy?" Not waiting for the words to fall from his already opened mouth, she continued, "That's right, Gajeel. You are."

Staring between the groaning spirit and the unrelenting look on his mate's face, he tried to plead with her, "Come on, love-"

"Don't you try to sweet talk me, mister. Now cradle him in one arm like I am," she spoke easily as she handed him Plue carefully. When he was cradling him just like she had been only moments ago, she started rubbing his little tummy with a gentle soothing strokes of her fingers, cooing to the tiny spirit as she went.

Natsu leaned over towards the Lightning Slayer, his voice low through his snickering, "Look at his face. He looks terrified."

Letting out a few chuckles of his own, Laxus turned towards the pinkette, "I wonder if it's because of Plue or Lucy."

After a few minutes of tentative silence from the Iron Slayer as he watched his mate effortlessly placate her ailing spirit, his voice came out rough but quiet, "Is he gonna be okay?"

With a halfhearted glare, she answered in a whisper so she didn't wake Plue, "He'll be fine after he sleeps for a little. Go give him to Natsu, his heat helps Plue sleep."

The raven-haired Slayer carefully made his way over to the grinning Fire Dragon who already had his arms out ready to take the sleeping spirit. Gajeel's movements were slow and cautious as Natsu pulled him from his arms so Plue's head was resting on his shoulder, one paw draped around his arm while his other disappeared into the folds of his scarf. Without a second thought, his hand was rubbing little circles over the spirit's back, pulling a soft sigh from Plue as he cuddled further into the white-scaled scarf.

The golden ruby gaze of the Iron Dragon was interrupted when he felt Lucy lift his heavy, scarred arm to wrap around her shoulders as she tucked herself into the space at his side, her voice light as she smiled, her eyes sparking with unshed tears as she looked at Plue's sleeping figure, "I can't wait to meet our sons."

"You and me both, Little One," Laxus' deep baritone drawled before pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "Why don't you and Pinkie head back home to get the extra rooms ready and take care of Plue. Iron Rod and I can gather the Saber's when we finish up here."

"Sounds like a plan to me, I'm starving and I want to get dinner started so it'll be ready when you all get back," shooting the blonde a bright toothy smile before turning to give the hair hanging down from beneath his head wrap a playful tug to get his attention. When his golden splotches met her bright amber out of the corner of his eye, she pulled his face down so she could press her chilled lips to his cheek, her voice back to it's usual melodic lilt, "Love you, Big guy."

Turning his face to take her lips with his before she could move, he backed away with a smug smirk, "Love ya, Bunny Rabbit."

With a round of 'see you later's to the mages of Sabertooth, Natsu and Lucy made their way back home to prepare for their house guests.