A/N: Will wonders never cease? An update again so soon? Many thanks for all reviews, especially to my repeat reviewers, all favs and follows.


Natsu gulped. Lucy took her own deep breath. The way his Adam's apple bobbled made Lucy's fingers and lips itch to stroke and kiss his neck. The urge to lunge up and molest her boyfriend soared, but she remained sitting.

"Lucy, just so you know, there's no rush. I know you're my match, but we should probably take it slow."

Lucy gave the tiniest of nods. Natsu looked so cute with his hands jammed into his armpits. An unwelcome thought occurred to her. "Are you nervous?" She bounded out of her chair, knocking her book on the floor. Tugging one of his hands free, she held it between her own. "They're like ice!" Lucy blew on them, concern driving her words. "How long has this been going on? Are you sick?"

Natsu blushed and shook his head as he pulled his hand free. "Not sick, but maybe a bit nervous." He shoved his hands into his pants pockets, responding to Lucy's anxious look with a weak smile. "I don't wanna mess up what we have, I know I'm not the smartest guy out there - you could do so much better than me. I think you're pretty happy with me, but what if I do somethin' dumb? Or if -"

Lucy reached out to cover his mouth. "Shh. Don't you know me better than that? I worry about scaring you with everything I want sometimes. We're both going to do and say things the other might not appreciate so much at first." She grinned. "If I can forgive Happy for the stuff he says on purpose, don't worry about anything you say on accident." Lucy giggled. "Let's snuggle."

"I can do that." Natsu felt warmer already. He stepped closer to Lucy and drew her into a hug. "As long as I get to kiss you too."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Lucy set her cheek against Natsu's chest. "Do you mind if we move this to the bed?"


"Where would you like to go?" Gray squeezed Juvia's hand in his. After finishing the staged personal photos with George, they'd walked out of the spa in a bit of a daze. George had posed them with skill and professionalism in a series of intimate pictures. He'd drawn forth every latent emotional bit from them. The promise of copies made them so giddy they hurried and left without a concrete idea of where they would go.

"Juvia isn't sure. Where does Gray want to go?" She turned to look at him, biting the corner of her lip.

"How about a place with little to no people, and something comfy to lay on," said Gray and then wanted to punch himself. "I'm not trying to take advantage of you, I just want to be alone with you, Juvia."

Dark lashes shuttered her deep blue eyes. Still looking down, Juvia responded. "Juvia can be alone with Gray, Juvia cherishes every moment in his company. Juvia just wanted more time before -" She cut off her words as her voice broke.

Immediately concerned Gray stopped walking, tugging Juvia closer. Looking directly at her face, he let his concern show. His brows wrinkled and he let his lips become a straight line. "Before you amazed and delighted me?" His delivery was deadpan and dry. "Before I was so addicted to your wonderfulness?" Eyes twinkling, he smiled wide. "Too late, Juvia. I won't ever give you up."

Juvia opened her mouth to complain or refute his statement. Gray didn't give her a chance to say anything before his mouth swooped in for a kiss. Expecting her to struggle or pull away at the least, he was more forceful than he'd ever been. Gray probed the seam of her lips with his tongue and dipped it inside as she gasped.

For a woman with complete mastery of water, Juvia felt like she was drowning under a giant wave. She was afraid of disappointing him but years of sexual yearning had her riled up. The pressure of what she wanted and how much she feared turning Gray from her made her stand motionless.

Gray realized Juvia hadn't responded other than with that first gasp. It was like making out with a mannequin. A wooden, unhappy mannequin. He broke off the kiss, stricken with remorse. "I'm sorry. Juvia, can you forgive me?"

"Juvia isn't sure, Juvia needs time to think." Her eyes were bright and glassy, tears rolling down her cheeks without her notice. "Juvia wants, but Juvia knows her limits."

"You don't know if you can forgive me?" Gray's pale face whitened further. The pit of his stomach threatened to toss his last meal, he stepped back from the girl. "I didn't mean to force myself on you." He wanted to express more contrition, but he was afraid of scaring Juvia further. His trembling hands began rubbing his stomach.

"No." Juvia shook her head. Empathy for how Gray felt flooded her body. "Gray hasn't forced Juvia. Juvia is not sure what Juvia wants right now." She tenderly brushed a finger on his cheek. "Juvia … I want rather a lot, but Juvia … I'm wanting more than I can handle. Does that make sense to you?"

Gray let out a sigh. "Yeah, you're making perfect sense." His crooked grin disarmed Juvia's heart the rest of the way. "Want to talk over a coffee or something?"

"Juvia would love to." Juvia gave Gray a smile of such pureness his heart lifted and his feet wanted to dance.

"I know exactly where we should go now." Gray smiled back at the girl. "Stay right here, and I'll be back in five minutes. Okay?"

"Yes."

The trust and love in her eyes swelled Gray's heart. Juvia was his just as much as he was hers.


The pounding on George's door had worked itself into the dream he was having. Getting so loud he started awake, almost falling out of bed. He rubbed the sleep grit out of his eyes and stumbled to the door. "What the hell?!" He groused, irate at his interrupted sleep, "This better be important!"

George stumbled back as Tim pushed himself into his room. The photographer frowned and shut the door, turning to scowl at his partner's words.

"Everything I do is important." Tim strutted past like he owned the place, turning with a sniff and crossing his arms over his chest. "Why haven't you given me photos from the spa yet?" He was now glaring and tapping his foot. "I have to figure out which couple will let me take raunchier pics for the special spread."

George pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Just go with whichever ones float your boat like usual."

"Oh how crass." Tim sneered at George. "More like a mighty ship if you know what I mean." He settled his hands on his hips and gave a brief thrust. "But seriously, I need to see the pictures so I can get the hottest couple for the center spread."

"Warn me when you're gonna be gross like that," George said. "I haven't even looked through them myself yet."

Tim snatched up the charging camera and flicked on the screen. He began scrolling backwards through the images. "It's like you read my wish list, how'd you know about my foot fetish?" He chortled at George's look of disgust. "It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. I'd pay big bucks to let her walk on me like that." He turned around, holding tight to the camera as George held out his hand to take it from him.

"Ooh, I never asked for engagement style poses." Humming his appreciation, Tim zoomed in on one with Gray utterly focused on Juvia. "Tch. Maybe she's kinda hot in a sad way, but it's still a shame to see all that sexy wasted on her."

Enraged, George demanded his camera. Tim ignored him, continuing to scroll back further and further. "Holy shit, how'd you manage to get a shot of that?"

Confused and quite angry now, George grabbed the camera and held it cradled to his chest. "Do you fucking mind? This is my property - keep your hands off!"

"Well, well, well. Did your testicles finally drop?" Tim shrugged, not one bit afraid of the glower on the other man's face. "I don't care how you did it, but I see a giant juicy bonus in our future!"

"I haven't done anything." George stepped back, still hugging his equipment.

"Look for yourself and tell me if that isn't just the most sinful 'upskirt' shot you've ever seen."

"I would never -" George gulped and fell silent. The proof was in front of his eyes. Somehow his camera had taken a picture of Natsu and Lucy in a most provocative pose. "There's no way I can let you use this."

"Don't shake your head at me like that." Tim rolled his eyes. "This is a business to make money and the editor will pay big bucks for a picture so erotic."

"It's wrong."

"I don't fucking care!"

George looked at the screen on his camera and zoned out for a second. Even as much as he despised Tim's lecherousness, the picture was making him breathe heavier. He blushed and fumbled, switching it off as Tim cat-called.

"Looks like you do like it!" Tim smirked. "See what I mean? It's foolish not to share spank bank material like that."

"Ugh. Why must you say things like that?" George curled his lip. "Get out of my room."

"Not until you print the best of the best. That includes Natsu's hands under Lucy's robe grabbing her naked hip." Tim let out an exasperated sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. "That plump, pert ass. Too bad the angle didn't show it off better."

"I am at a loss for words to convey how despicable and loathsome you are Tim."

"Ooh, la-de-da! Despicable? Loathsome? I'm not sure I can afford to listen to these fancy words." Tim scrambled further onto the bed, sitting cross-legged. "I'm not going anywhere without my copies."

"Fine." With zero interest in arguing, George marched over to his printer and jacked his camera in. "I will make copies of everything I deem acceptable, except the up-skirt picture." He thrust and waved his finger at Tim. "If, and that's a big if, you get Natsu and Lucy's permission, then I'll make a copy of that one." He turned his back to the reporter. "I'll be asking them too, so don't even think about lying."

"How hurtful."

"Go to hell."

"Only if I get to take you with me."


"Ready?" Gray approached Juvia with a picnic basket in one hand and offered his other to her. "I took the liberty of choosing a few snacks to go with the coffee."

Juvia smiled and ducked her head, but let Gray take her hand. She looked about as he led her from the hotel and into the gardens, but forbore to speak. She was happy that Gray was taking her anywhere, pleased to let him decide and lead.

"Not curious?" After ten minutes of walking, Gray wanted to know how Juvia was feeling. "C'mon, whatcha thinking?"

"Juvia will like wherever we go. Juvia trusts Gray."

Gray stooped to release the basket and caught Juvia in a warm hug. She let out the cutest 'eep' as he squeezed, letting his cheek rub up on hers. He needed a moment to calm his breathing and then spoke. "I trust you too."

Submitting to the embrace; Juvia could feel tears gathering and sniffed, so much joy needed an outlet.

"Are you upset?" Gray held onto Juvia's shoulders. Her cheeks were rosy, eyes bright … and tearing up. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing Gray-sama."

"I thought we were long past that." Gray used his thumb to gently wipe away Juvia's tears. "But I guess that just slips out when you're under stress." A nerve twitched in his cheek. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No! Juvia is happy! Juvia loves Gray very much!" More tears escaped her control and she knuckled them away. "Juvia is so happy that she cries."

"Yeah?" Gray smiled as Juvia nodded emphatically. "Tears of joy?" Gray released Juvia and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "C'mon then, we're almost there and we're gonna have the best coffee date ever."

Her answering smile made Gray feel like a giant, capable of anything.

Juvia pointed to a big bed of pale blue flowers. "My uncle had these planted in his gardens!"

"You should tell me more about your childhood Juvia." Gray pointed to a gazebo in the far corner of the hotel's garden. "We can have a bit of privacy and talk." He smiled as Juvia wrapped her hands around his arm. If he was lucky, Juvia would share more of herself. He'd get to understand enough to help her take the final steps into his loving embrace.


"You did a great job painting my nails." Levy wiggled her toes, kicking her feet. "Any time you want more practice, let me know." She giggled, laughing harder as Gajeel made a sour face.

"I will, now why don't you reward me?" Gajeel captured both of her feet and pulled Levy closer. "I have a few ideas on what's appropriate." He grinned, thumbs caressing her ankles. "And I have even more ideas that are just fun."

"I have my own fun ideas." Levy pounced on Gajeel's body. "We're all alone here right now, so let's get naked."

"And this is why you're the best." Gajeel smiled wider and returned Levy's embrace. "I'm a bit tired from painting yer nails earlier. I think you should do most of the work."

"Glad you think so, I was planning on it." Levy gave Gajeel a heated look. "I want you to lay back and submit." She pushed on his shoulders. Forced him to make contact with a thump to the massage table and made a creditable imitation of his laugh. Heated kisses and moans were exchanged. The couple fumbled out of their clothing and together climbed the heights of ecstasy.


Lucy was a panting mess, giving her all in return to Natsu's hot demanding kisses. He'd been hesitant at first. Knowing that she wasn't aware of everything he wanted to tell her made him temper his responses. Once she grabbed his ass and wrapped her legs around him, he'd gotten a lot bolder.

Natsu felt like howling or screaming; some sort of loud piercing roar that proclaimed his joy. At first, Lucy had tucked her body beside his and wriggled. Wanting to treat her with respect; he quashed his first, second and third impulses to let his touch wander over her lush flesh.

Lucy picked up his hand and moved it overtop her breast. She kissed him and pressed firmly, letting go once Natsu began teasing her nipple with his thumb. Her gasp was like permission for further exploration. His tongue danced into her mouth and his other hand swept over her hip and clutched the full swell of her ass.

The pit of flames in his stomach grew to full intensity. Desires he'd kept chained taunted him and compelled him to arch his hips against Lucy's.

Eagerly she skimmed her hands down his torso, brushing her thumbs over his flat nipples. In a distant corner of his mind, he wondered exactly when he'd shed his shirt. It was a moot point, as interesting things were happening with Lucy's wandering hands. She wrenched open the fastening of his pants. She broke their kiss, eyes bright and shining with desire. "Let me?"

Natsu nodded. At this point, he was afraid he was dreaming and would wake up with another ungodly mess to clean from his boxers. If it was a dream, then he should enjoy. If this was not his imagination, then Lucy asking permission meant she wanted this.

Not sure exactly what she was going to do, Lucy slowly pushed Natsu's pants down his legs and off. She restrained a nervous giggle as he kicked them free, they flew off and landed on the dresser. It had to the be the work of her imagination to hear two tiny cheers.

Natsu's gasp as she brushed her fingers over the tent pitched inside his boxers was firmly rooted in reality. Testing how responsive he was, Lucy applied more pressure. Assured he was liking her exploration, she wrapped her fingers over his cloth covered rigid length.

Lucy never knew Natsu could make such a sound. A cross between a purr and a groan - highly erotic nonetheless. Squeezing again, Lucy looked at Natsu's face. His eyes were screwed shut, mouth open and panting.

"You can touch me too," said Lucy, "I would like that very much."

Natsu's eyes snapped open, the dark glitter in them excited Lucy. This was it! Was he going to take what she freely offered?

He licked his lips and nodded. "I have to ask you something first."