Chapter 13: Getting to Know Each Other

Lucy Heartfilia closed her eyes as she lowered her naked body into the water. Yes, it was just the right temperature for her. It was what she needed right now—hot water in a tub with bath salts. She could feel herself relaxing and drifting into a whole new world where she couldn't think of anything dark or scary.

When they left the Blue Pegasus guildhall, the dragon slayer had draped his large coat around her and carried her all the way to his apartment. She could have summoned Virgo and asked her to give her some decent clothing and a pair of shoes from the celestial spirit world, but she felt so moony that she wanted Laxus to carry her.

At the moment, she thought about her feelings for him and whether or not they were already an official couple. Okay, they had told each other in Crocus that they should start going out, although their first date didn't exactly happen as planned because of some dark magic show.

Why did we decide to go out again? Lucy thought, dipping her head and into the water.

Oh, yeah. We kissed in the hotel—and my apartment. We had a lot of sexual tension when we're around each other. Ugh. But I wanted to have more conversations with him, get to know him, and other stuff!

She had read a lot of romance novels and learned many things about what couples do. They should communicate, get to know each other more, and tell their feelings for each other.

Okay, Laxus must have had girlfriends in the past. Should I ask him about their relationship?

Lucy pictured Laxus kissing a faceless woman, and she bobbed out of the water, gasping for air. She shook her head.

Ugh, crap. I'm hopeless when it comes to romance!

"Are you all right in there, Missy?" Lucy heard the dragon slayer called outside the bathroom.

"There's that Missy again," she hissed to herself. "I thought he's over that."

"What was that?"

She forgot he could easily hear her with his dragon slayer senses. "Nothing!" she bellowed. "I'm almost done. Just give me a minute."

She went on with her bath rituals, and then finally got out of the tub. Draping herself with a towel, she grabbed the celestial gate keys that she had placed on top of a vanity cabinet.

"Open, Gate of the Maiden. Virgo!"

"Do you need some clothes, Princess?" Virgo asked as she appeared before her mistress.

"Yes, Virgo, please. I didn't bring any clothes with me," Lucy replied.

"Are we going to talk about my punishment after?"

"I'm not punishing you, Virgo!"

"Okay, mistress. Another time, then," Virgo sighed, summoning a short white dress, some undergarments, and a pair of red sandals.

"Thanks, Virgo," Lucy said gratefully. She dressed up quickly, dried her hair with a blow-dryer near the sink, and glanced at the mirror. Her outfit looked great on her. She gave herself a wink.

"She loooves him," Virgo cooed.

Lucy turned to her celestial spirit and glared at her. "I do not!" she argued. "And why are you still here?"

"Are you going to punish me?"

"No!"

"Take care, Princess." With that, Virgo vanished.

Lucy consciously stepped out of the bathroom and looked around. She was now in Laxus' bedroom, and the owner was lying on his bed and reading a book.

"I didn't know you like reading books," she remarked, trying to arrange her hair.

"I don't," he replied, closing the book he was holding with a snap. "Gramps gave this book to me last year, and I'm still halfway through it." He placed the book on his side table and sat up, giving her a head-to-foot look.

"What's it about?" she curiously asked as she seated herself on a winged chair.

"Well, it's a romance novel," he said gruffly.

"What?" she gaped at him, and then she glanced at the book that was on his side table. "So, uh, do you—do you enjoy reading it?"

He gave her a crooked smile. "I only pay attention to some parts of it."

"Which parts?" She could feel a blush creeping up her face as she watched him stood up and walked over to her. Moments later, he knelt in front of her and held her hands.

"Do you want me to show you?" he growled, gazing intently at her.

Okay, here we go again. Focus!

Lucy immediately drew her hands back and looked away. "Laxus," she started to say, but Laxus got up and bent over to her, his large hands gripping the arms of the winged chair. Their faces were now inches apart.

"What is it, Lucy?"

She heard her name and swallowed. Spirits, he was good at this. Then, he started nibbling her ear, sending shocks all over her body. She felt his fingers caressing her neck.

"Laxus!" she cried indignantly, trying to get his attention.

Laxus immediately stopped what he was doing and drew back, his expression startled. Then, he looked like he was fumbling for words. "I'm sorry," he finally said and straightened up.

Blushing furiously, Lucy did his best to look at him. It was kind of hard for her since she felt guilty about snapping at him when she was enjoying their closeness.

Taking a deep breath, she said calmly, "I want to know more about you." Finally, she said it out loud.

His eyes widened in surprise. Lucy guessed that he hadn't expected that. "You want to—get to know me?"

"Yes. I want to know everything about you, and I want you to know everything about me."

She waited for him to respond, bracing herself. Please don't say no!

Then, she watched as the dragon slayer grinned at her and held up his hand.

"Yeah. Let's get to know each other over dinner. I know a place. What do you say?"

She beamed at him and took his hand. "I say let's do it!"