Chapter 15: Q A

The sun and the last of its rays finally disappeared from the horizon, and Laxus Dreyar could hear his lover beside him sigh softly. They were standing on a concrete balcony outside the hotel room that he was staying in Akane. It was a perfect spot to hang out because it overlooked the white sand and the sea.

Coincidentally, Laxus' hotel room was right next to Lucy Heartfilia's, which had surprised them both. The lightning mage then had taken the opportunity to invite her over for some hot chocolate after they had showered and changed clothes in their respective rooms.

Right now, Lucy was wearing a loose red sweater on top of her white cotton shorts. Her blonde hair looked like they had been blow-dried, and they smelled like lavender.

What's she thinking about? She's been quiet since we came up here.

Lucy leaned her head against his shoulder as she took a sip from her mug of hot chocolate, her eyes still lingering toward the dark horizon.

"Say," she suddenly uttered, catching him by surprise. "Did you know where I was staying before you booked this room?" She glanced up at him with a curious expression on her face.

"No, I didn't," replied Laxus with shrug. "This was the only available room left when I made the reservation."

"I see," she said, nodding her head slowly. Then, she went back to sipping her hot chocolate. "Even in Akane, we're next-door neighbors. Weird, huh?"

"Yeah. Tell me about it."

Silence fell between them again. Well, not quite, since she started humming softly to herself, sounding rather happy. Laxus shifted his weight from one foot to the other. As he looked down at her face, which was now glowing under the moonlight, there was something in her expression and that sweet drink of hers that he found rather—sensual.

"Got another question there that you'd like to throw at me, neighbor?" he asked her lightly. He lifted his hand and started caressing her back.

He heard her purr at his touch, and he suddenly felt all excited. He began pressing his fingers on her back, replacing his caresses with a gentle massage.

"Another question? Hmm, let's see…" She looked like she was thinking for a moment because she closed her eyes. Then, "Did you know that I'm not wearing any underwear at the moment?" she asked softly.

His fingers abruptly stopped massaging her back. It took all of Laxus' self-control not to feel up her bottom. Damn.

Clearing his throat, he responded, "Still a no." And she snickered at him. Sly.

It was like when they were in their apartment back in Magnolia—she would try to mess around with his head by making playful remarks. But knowing her, she would get all flustered whenever he would retaliate.

"I see," she said, poking him in the ribs with her elbow.

He chuckled and dropped his hand altogether. "Now, how about you ask me something where I can't say no?"

"Okay, just give me a moment," she told him. A small smile played on her lips before she took another sip of her drink.

Moments later, she set down her mug on a round wooden table next to her and rubbed her hands together. Then, she looked at him in the eye and tilted her head to the side. "Did you ever have fantasies about me?"

Laxus laughed heartily, running a hand through his hair. "What kind of a question is that?"

"One where you're required to answer," she said smugly, folding her arms.

"Okay. Then—yeah." A lot.

Lucy smiled at him. "Fine. It's now your turn to ask me questions, neighbor."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "My turn, huh? Okay. So, did you ever have fantasies about me?"

In truth, he had always wondered about that. He felt convinced that she couldn't possibly be throwing suggestive remarks at him if she hadn't fantasized about him at least once. Still, he was eager to hear her answer.

She sighed, throwing up her hands. "You can't ask the same question."

"Ah? Says who?"

"Says me. It's against the rules."

He scowled. "What rules? Hey, you can't just make up rules—"

"Fine, fine." She sighed again, waving her hand dismissively.

"So?" he prompted, folding his arms over his chest. "Answer my question."

"Well—it's not a no," she replied timidly, tucking a lose wisp of hair behind her ear.

He nodded, satisfied with her answer, although it aroused him. He moved in front of her, and then he tilted her chin up to him. "Do you enjoy kisses with tongue?" It's my turn now, sweetheart.

She was silent for a moment, her face turning into a brilliant shade of red. "Still not a no," she finally whispered to him.

Her breath smelled like chocolate that it was intoxicating. Tempted, Laxus bent over and pressed his lips against hers. Wanting to taste the sweet chocolate and her, he slowly slipped his tongue into her mouth. Just when he could sense her warming up to his kiss, he drew back, licking his lips and gazing into her eyes.

"I realize that don't like this question and answer game," she said breathlessly. Then, she avoided his gaze by leaning her forehead against his chest. "Can't we just drop it?"

"Ah, but there's one more question left to ask, neighbor," he told her. "I mean—just to be fair."

He felt her shake her head on his chest. "Whatever. Let's get this over with."

He laughed, patting her on the head. "Okay. So, uh, do you want to—?"

"It's not a no," she answered immediately, interrupting him.

He snorted. "Ah? But I haven't even finished the question yet."

"There's no need," she told him, glancing up at him, her eyes dazed. "I kind of know what you're going to ask."

His eyebrows shot up. "You do now?"

"Yeah, and… my answer is still not a no."

Laxus smiled slightly and wrapped his arms around her. Then, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Shall we go inside then?" he suggested gently.

"Yeah."

A/N: Too cheesy? Fro thinks so, too.