Kaleb stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders as he stood and headed for the stairs. He hadn't missed getting downstairs for a meal since Christmas, refusing to give Mira a reason to come upstairs where they would be alone in his office.
He was insanely grateful a brawl had broken out Christmas Eve, nothing major, just Beck and Elfman had started arm wrestling and broken a table spilling their beer on Bacchus who jumped on the chance to have a good fight with two big powerful mages. It had kept him busy, gotten him out of Miras arms where his self control had been slipping badly and instead of ending up in her bed that night he'd instead spent part of it in the infirmary with Rowan and Wendy, Rowans hand and arm broken during the fight. When he'd finally retired it had been in the infirmary, he'd slept there not far from Rowan, got up early and gone down to the gym to work out the kinks from an uncomfortable night then showered, changed into fresh clothes and already had eaten breakfast and gone up to his office before Mira had even gotten in.
It turned out to be a good thing, handling the fall out from Cristoff and Freed ending their romance had been just..heartbreaking...exhausting.
He'd have shouted at his younger brother but even across the many miles between them, when he'd spoken to Cristoff later that morning after it happened, it was too obvious the man was suffering, utterly miserable, and too plain to see this time, unlike any time before, Cristoff really had lost his heart to a lover.
Freed was just as bad, there were no "I told you sos" happening, if anyone had done it Kaleb was willing to lay jewel down Laxus would have electrocuted them to within an inch of their lives for it too, the big slayer was protective of his kin.
Almost as if working to balance the sorrow of that though, Zen and Erza had emerged mated, and Kaleb had happily apologized for his doubts and nagging where they were concerned. Erza and Lucy now were gleefully pouring through wedding magazines and books with Levy and several of the other women, Laxus had proposed to Lucy on Christmas eve and nobody had even noticed the large yellow diamond on her finger until later Christmas day because of everything else going on.
Erza chose a date in the spring, wanting to be married before Zen started school the following fall and Lucy chose a date in the late summer early enough Erza would be able to attend before she and Zen left for Minstrel.
Both women were just giddy and their joy kept the guild bright and happy and active, enough so that Freeds absence wasn't too obvious. Bickslow and Cobra took him on jobs with them, brought Vander along too because the trio were just...crazy to be around, so active and upbeat even Freed chuckled now and then at their antics.
He wasn't doing too well though and Kaleb saw it, prodding Bickslow to make sure his friend ate, and Evergreen took to going over to Freeds as much as Bickslow and Cobra did, working to make sure he was never alone too much, and making sure he ate something now and then, though he rarely wanted to.
Freed was miserable, felt like his heart had been torn out of his body, food tasted like sawdust and he didn't even enjoy reading, refused Bickslows offers to go to the Library with him, turned Levy away when she came to him announcing the bookstore both of them liked had gotten in a large shipment of new books.
He couldn't pretend this was a surprise, he'd known walking, no...running, into it this was inevitable. He'd harbored that small tiny hope Cristoffs dragon would claim him, but hadn't been at all surprised when it didn't. No, he had known, but the tall raven haired slayer had been so very worth it. He'd had lived his dreams for a while and really, he couldn't say he'd change anything if he could go back and do it all over, maybe he would have kept his damned mouth shut in the suite on Christmas morning, then he'd have still had the slayer in his arms for a while longer.
Knowing, accepting, still didn't make it easier though, it felt so unfair. He saw Erza, deliriously happy, Lucy too, Laxus looked content, more relaxed and just...at peace, than Freed had ever known him to be and he was certain it was because of adored the big slayer maybe more than even Freed ever had, lavished him with affection and teasing and stood right up to him fearlessly when his arrogance and more aggressive side came out.
Freed kept to himself as best he could, not wanting his misery to bring his friends down, they said it was fine and they just wanted him around but he knew, he drug them down and he couldn't help it.
When he was alone he alternated between sleeping and crying, curling up in his bed around the aching hole where his heart had been and wishing he would just get over it. He'd washed everything, Lucy had even come over and helped him do a "man purge" with Erza and Evergreen in tow and they had scrubbed his home spotless from top to bottom washed every linen and shred of clothing and discarded the few things Cristoff had forgotten, a t-shirt, a pair of weight gloves and...Lucy had taken away the books Cristoff had lent Freed on Dragon Slayers while he'd been studying to try and help Lucy.
So there was no lingering scent or item to remind him of the tall dark sexy Dragon Slayer who still very much owned his heart. Just the pain of his absence, the terrible vacuum of the distance between them and Freed could swear he felt every mile. He went back to his careful mask, his emotionless face and after a couple weeks, nobody but those close to him knew he was still suffering.
Vander sat by Bickslow, toying with a dagger he'd just conjured, occasionally shattering the ice Gray was manipulating into various shapes by bleeding a shadow into it. The Ice make mage cast him a disgusted look and would just remake it...giving Vander a fresh target for his idle boredom.
It was a slow time of year, January. Were it not for Sorcerers weekly Finally releasing their sexiest Guildmaster edition followed by "The Boys from Bosco, White Sea crashes into Fairy Tail" they would be lacking in entertainment completely.
The senior mages who made the best money backed off during these times letting the less well paid mages take what few jobs would trickle in, until after "The Boys from Bosco" edition anyway. After that requests had about drowned the guild.
Kaleb made the choice to split them all up, none of the Boscans would go together on any mission, instead they would take teams on requests for the Boscan men and Laxus came into Kalebs office smirking, slapping a flier down in front of him.
"YOU have been requested, Master Kaleb, along with up to 8 other and I quote "Hot sexy men who can makes clothes look so good you want to rip them off." Laxus snickered. Kaleb read through the flier, turning defiantly cool eyes on the smirking Dragon Slayer
"A simple modeling job, for a prominent male fashion designer participating in Fashion week in Crocus. I fail to see why you're so smug, what...you shy? This sort of thing bother you? You Fiorans, so worried about your modesty." Kalebs smile was wicked.
"Thought this would bother me maybe because you're worried about your own body not measuring up? I understand Zen topped 920lbs with the bench press a little while ago and you haven't caught back up yet..." Kaleb smiled and Laxus narrowed his eyes bristling, outside the office Bickslow and Cobra stopped, hearing the exchange and giving each other wide eyed smirks.
"I am NOT fucking shy and I'm sure as fuck not worried about my body damn it, I'd be just fine with something like this, he didn't request me though and somebody has to watch the guild." Laxus pointed out.
"I have Thane...he's completely capable of running things while I'm away, it's part of being a good Guild Master, having a support team that keeps things running smoothly whether I am present or not, delegation of duties and authority. Fairy Tail has one branch, White Sea has 7, and I still take jobs and work away from the guild when I'm at home, so...Laxus, I'm naming you as one of the men going with me." Kaleb smirked, then calmly, after he'd been satisfied seeing Laxus pale a little, lifted the guild roster and scanned over it.
"Lets see, Bickslow, Zen, Vander is insanely good with crowds, Farron of course and….hmmm...so many shy retreating violets who wouldn't do well under the lights or getting stripped naked by strangers between runway walks…" He smirked catching Laxus' eyes widening again "Gray, he'd handle it fine, he strips all on his own all the time everywhere so it should be easy for him. We leave tonight, overnight train, you can pack light, you'll be naked or in your underwear most of the time anyway." Kaleb waved a hand airily "Oh, let's bring Freed, Lucy, Erza and Cobra of course, can't separate mates, Freed can act as our liaison with the designer, he needs to get out of the fucking guild." Kaleb said, standing and hitting the page button on his com, moments later Thane came in "Master?"
Laxus blinked….unsure of just how him making Kaleb go to do an uncomfortable nightmarish modeling job had suddenly backfired so badly.
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Crocus was exploding with activity. Fashion week was one of the biggest events of the year. Elluris was there, their top four designers generally seen as the best in the business and it was Dominic Elluris who had sent the request to Fairy Tail, he was from Bosco, familiar with the Pradesh family, had designed suits for Farron and his father so having Farron Pradesh, his brothers and Laxus Dreyar and Gray Fullbuster modeling for him and Elluris?
DREAM. COME. TRUE.
He'd have paid ten times what he'd offered and he'd offered a hefty sum per model. The somewhat sad eyed, slightly thin and pale man in the fine clothes that would work as his go between for the Fairy Tail models could have been put to work too if he weren't so thin….looked like he might be sick or had been for a while or something. Still, the Green haired man was all business, getting a run down of all his guildmates would be doing, how many days they would be there and the kinds of clothes they would be modeling. Once that was done he got schedules set up for the Elluris designers to go over each model and lay out exactly what they would be wearing which days etc.
Lucy was about beside herself, she had always, always wanted to attend fashion week. It was held in a different city in Earthland every year and this year was Crocus, getting into one of the shows was next to impossible, like winning the lottery, but she was getting into all four of the Elluris shows AND Dominic got her and Erza tickets to Pensadine Delmoras bridal show...Pensadine being the top Bridal designer in Earthland.
Her excitement helped Laxus...a little…"Gods I get to see you in Elluris suits and clothes? Fuck yes...sexy enough I want to rip the clothes off of you...that's kind of a sure thing." She'd winked at him and Laxus had grinned, he hated the spotlight, hated being messed with, but for Lucy? Knowing this was making her happy? Even his dragon was ok with it.
He was also glad to see Freed throw himself into the work to the point that when Bickslow handed him a sandwich as he'd been going over their schedules he'd actually eaten it without comment, all of it too. The man had lost weight and gotten too pale since Cristoff had left.
They arrived at the building Elluris owned in the fashion district and Dominic looked up grinning. "Master Kaleb, Ambassador Pradesh, I'm so happy you could come...uh…" His eyes scanned over the group of men, they were all exceptional, and he was thrilled, but there was no big brawny raven haired Dragon Slayer.
"Is the big black haired Dragon Slayer um…" He held up the "Boys of Bosco" edition to Cristoffs page, the Dragon Slayer leaning against a Dragon Statue, arms over his head, hands on the Dragons snout, dark blue eyes teasing the camera, faint smirk in place, white shirt hanging open exposing that broad well muscled chest and showing off his Clan tattoos, white slacks wet down clinging to his powerfully muscled thighs and the substantial package beneath the open, unzipped front. Freeds whole being twisted in painful longing.
"Is your brother Cristoff not coming? I was hoping for all of you, I'll pay more...it would really be good for us…" He said hopefully and Kaleb frowned, seeing Freed take a small step back then the Rune mage lifted his head.
"Cristoff returned to Bosco over the holiday Mr. Elluris, he won't be joining us. I am sorry but we did bring Laxus and Gray who are both well known mages across Fiore." He said evenly and Dominic nodded but still sighed. "Well, I would love to have him closing day of the show if it can be arranged, I would pay your guild up to a million jewel, I'm Boscan myself you see, and this family...well. I know Farron " He nodded to the man who smiled back at him " and Arman and I made Cristoff his first suit when he was 7. I would love to have them all here." He said firmly and Kaleb drew a breath to refuse.
"I am sure Masters Kaleb and Laxus can contact him tonight and possibly make arrangements then, now, we need to get to the fittings because you still have 7 men here." Freed said calmly. Laxus and the others all looked at him in surprise, but nobody argued and soon they were all too busy to think about it.
Design teams swarmed the men, stripping them down and getting right to measuring, Lucy sitting watching her mate get stripped down to his boxer briefs was smiling right alongside Erza and Cobra who were enjoying watching their own mates.
Their eyes though all kept up with Freed, who was sitting quietly on the other side of Cobra. He was getting Kalebs pay for this job, didn't know that of course, but Kaleb had talked it over with Laxus beforehand, Freed hadn't been feeling up to working much since Christmas and Kaleb was still getting paid by the guild and had healthy bank accounts anyway, that and...he felt his brother was still as responsible for the mans condition as Freed swore he wasn't.
They still watched him, included him as they talked quietly while the measuring and initial fittings were done.
When they were finished Lucy and Erza collected their mates and took off into the city to shop while everyone else retired to the hotel and Kaleb, alone in his room, called Cristoff.
His father answered Cristoffs com and Kaleb frowned. "Dad?" He knew Cristoff still wasn't himself, hadn't returned to work but his fathers expression had him worried. "Cristoff is asleep, Xally and Emzadi are with him...Kaleb...how is Freed?" He asked and Kaleb sighed "The same...miserable, he tries to hide it, but he's not been eating well, has lost some weight and we're on a job, an important one for Fairy Tail, Dominic Elluris hired us for fashion week, is Cristoff well enough to come for the final day of it? He's offered a million jewel if he can and well...with as much trouble as the whole thing has stirred up in Fairy Tail? It would be good if he was seen leaving a little more...gracefully...with a big job completed." He said.
"But...Freed is with you...I don't think they should see each other Kaleb...that's asking too much of both of them." Arman said quietly.
"I'll do it." A voice said huskily and Arman turned, Cristoff standing in her study doorway, clearly having heard the conversation. Arman frowned at his son, Cristoff hadn't been eating well either, and while his naturally tanned skin hid it well, he was paler, had circles under his eyes from a combination of little sleep and still struggling with moments of grief so strong he couldn't contain it.
"It's fine Dad, I'll go for the day, they can keep Freed well clear of me so I can do the job and I'll step right back onto an airship that night and get back home." He said firmly. Gods help him even saying Freeds name out loud caused him pain. With the crowds and activity, he could do this, he was still a White Sea mage, still a Dragon Slayer, a Pradesh, he could handle this.
"Fine, I'll talk with Laxus...thank you Cristoff." Kaleb said quietly and Cristoff nodded, turning on his heel before his father could start trying to talk him out of going.
He was getting better, he told himself that every day, he told himself he was missing the Rune mage less and was getting better. He'd even had the bath attendants at the consulate bath house during the full moon, he'd been rough, fierce, fucked them all through the night, 5 of them, trying to drown himself in his magic, the lust it triggered, the euphoria didn't come though, the deep satisfaction eluded him no matter how many people he had sex with that night and only the moon and the lust it stirred seemed to keep him going too, his usual flare for it, his usual laughing snickering giddiness was even diminished.
Once the three days of the cycle passed he lost interest too, and holed up at his fathers house, not returning to White Sea yet, he didn't feel ready. He poured through his books, getting the same answers he always got regarding mating, mates. He had never, not once in his life been anything but proud of what he was, but for the first time ever...he resented what his magic was costing him.
Was it worth it? He had to say yes, to deny it was to deny who and what he was, his magic was such a huge part of that yet here he was just...why...why would it even let him fall in love in the first place? If he wasn't to be with anyone but his destined mate, why would his own heart fall so hard? It made no sense to him, seemed terribly unfair. He knew too the stories of slayers dying because they took mates not meant for them then their real mate came along and all three died? He knew those stories were true, they were in too many resources, too many books, and Nurem had told him she had personally seen it happen.
"Perhaps it's simple for us as Dragons, we don't fall in love until we're mated, we need that deep bond to override our own instincts to fight and dominate others of our kind, it's why Tatsus formed, so that sense of family could soothe the fiery spirits we all carry, a bond could keep us from just killing each other and wiping ourselves out." Nuram had said chuckling.
The thought was ridiculous at the time and Cristoff had vowed back then as a boy he would never consider taking any mate but his true mate, he would hold his heart safe, not let himself love, and he'd been able to do that, he'd shed a tear here and there along the way, many of his former lovers were good people after all,it would have been good to have had any of them as a mate, but this time...it had been weeks and he still hurt as sharply as he had when Freed had walked out of that suite.
He'd caused this, his full moon, his irresponsible pursuit of someone he never should have pursued, after that night it had been him who had sought Freed the next day, wanting to know if he felt like trying again what they had started to do in the infirmary, but this time...finish it, really have each other completely, spend a night going at each other like wild, and they had, and it had been...heaven.
He wanted to see those cheeks blush, wanted to hear the shocked surprised gasp when he boldly touched the Rune Mage, wanted to taste him, feel him, hear his ragged wanton moans and gasps, his pleading for more…
He shook his head, striding from the house and crossing the backyard to the families private beach, stripping off his clothes as he went and finally wading out into the warm embrace of the Grass Sea, diving into it, pushing through the plants until they were too thickly knit anymore to allow him passage them he leaned on the soft, slowly undulating carpet of plants as the sun dipped low and the bioluminescence of the Grass Sea intensified around him, the rich scent of life, the feel of the heart of Bosco holding him.
He had sought refuge in the arms of the Sea his entire life, he'd been born on one of its many wandering isles, had loved it as long as he'd lived, and now a few tears slid down his face to join the life rich waters, his eyes on the moon above, he prayed for comfort, prayed that his heart would numb, and more than that, prayed to his mother moon she would soothe Freed, wherever he was, soothe him and help him forget about the Lunar Slayer who had fucked things up so badly, hurt someone who didn't deserve it.
He would go to Crocus, do whatever Fairy Tail asked because he owed it to them for so harming one of their nakama. It was a way, a small way, he could give something back to Freed. He'd have every penny of the reward given to Freed too, he didn't need it, didn't want it, what he wanted he couldn't have.
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The first day of the fashion shows cured Laxus of ever wanting to try and pin Kaleb in a corner ever again. He was no stranger to regret, and now, he was living it, wallowing in it, and it came in expensive designer suits and sportswear, wrapped him in silk and cotton, wool, leather and spandex.
Lucy giggled, watched with bright amused eyes that frequently flared with nothing short of lust as her mate was fitted, striped, dressed and then stripped again, over and over in mostly gorgeous clothes that were adjusted to fit him flawlessly. When the time for the show to start approached she kissed him "You're going to do great, make me proud, make me want to tear those clothes of that gorgeous body." She purred and he'd growled at her, catching a last kiss before she was pulled away by Erza to go get their seats for the show.
When the music started and the announcer called out "Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Fashion Week here in Crocus! Yes you have heard right, we have the Boys of Bosco and the sexiest Guildmasters of Fiore here tonight modeling for Elluris tonight are you ready to see some of the finest men in Earthland wearing the finest clothes?!" The crowd went insane and Laxus groaned as his team tugged and pushed adjusting the suit he was in. Never again, never try to pick a job to make a Boscan uncomfortable, never.
"Bringing sexy back" blared and Laxus wished the eclipse gate would open and spit a dozen dragons at them.
He watched the Boscans, even Gray as their dressing teams stripped them and dressed them and he struggled to be as carefree, as nonchalant. He didn't even try to emulate Vander, who was openly flirting with blushing grinning people on his team, dancing lightly as they adjusted his first outfit on him, then reached over and kissed Dominic Elluris brazenly, winked at the man and strode out onto the runway before the applauding excited throngs of people who had paid hundreds of thousands of jewel to be in that massive audience.
"Vander, ladies and gentleman, yes, one of our Boscan boys modeling a creation by Thaminay for business, the Thaminay line at Elluris…" The announcer paused, watching Vander strut fluid and graceful, bend and sweep his hand over outstretched fingers reaching for him from behind the fenceline keeping people back from the runway so photographers could get the best angles possible. Vander removed the suit jacket and undid the tie, dragging it down his chest and unbuttoning a few buttons before slinging the jacket over his shoulder, tucking the tie in his pocket and smoothly spinning at the end of the runway, smirking at the flashing cameras and starting his walk back, blowing kisses to the now screaming women in the audience.
"Vander! Oh Gods I want to have your babies!" Some woman screamed and he grinned 'licking a finger and pointing it in the direction the voice had come from to more screams "Thaminay, because Business is a pleasure!" The announcer managed.
Kaleb walked next and the Guild master had the same response Vander did, though he didn't clown around or play to it much, a picture of cool regal power the big mage strode down the runway to feminine screams in a perfectly fitted near black purple suit with a white button up mock turtle neck. "Kaleb, co guildmaster of Fairy Tail, Guildmaster of White Sea in Bosco! Wearing a suit by Helispell, this mageweave silk is guaranteed to hold up even on a Wizard Saint like Kaleb, designed to move with a wizard of style and refined tastes that may not just work the mage field but may also run regular business as well. Helispell is designed for the most discriminating wizards across Earthland, That is Helispell of Elluris on Kaleb of Fairy Tail." The announcer said.
Laxus about tripped as he was led to the opening of the runway, Kaleb breezed past him and was swarmed by his team and that was it, Laxus was shoved forward. Emulating Kalebs confident walk Laxus concentrated on not tripping, falling off the stage, fainting or throwing up, narrowing his vivid blue eyes at the cameras and almost sneering at them defiantly in his deep blue suit and white shirt. "Helispell stormweave is being modeled by none other than Laxus Dreyar, winner for the last 4 years running of the Sexiest mage alive, Fiores most eligible bachelor and won Sexiest Guildmaster with Kaleb this year. Stormweave has been designed to not conduct magic or inhibit it, can we see a demonstration Master Laxus?" The announcer called and as briefly rehearsed that morning, Laxus sparked up his magic, electricity coursing up and down his tall body as he walked.
"Helispell Stormweave by Elluris modeled by Laxus Dreyar ladies and gentleman!" The announcer called.
Laxus made it back behind stage and grinned, he'd survived his first fucking walk and the applause and screams were proof he'd done it well as Bickslow strutted out for his walk and Laxus' team swarmed him, stripping off the blue suit and he made a face, seeing Vander kissing one of his dressers lustily while the others were trying to get him into his next outfit.
Zen walked past him and clapped his shoulder "You lived...it's all easy after the first time, you know, virginity gone and all, very freeing." The big mage smirked and Laxus rolled his eyes "Fuck off Zen." He snapped as the big mage went to wait for his turn, striding past Bickslow who danced backstage to thunderous applause grinning like a madman. His brother managing to slide past him to renewed applaus and screams that didn't seem to phase the Archangel in the least.
Gray went by next, cool, detached, pure Gray Fullbuster, the dressers kept tugging his hands out of his pockets and slapping them away from unbuttoning his jacket. That he returned topless with just a tie on and the jacket slung over his shoulder had a wide eyed dresser racing from the backstage area. The applause made it clear the audience had loved it.
Farron was last to walk and the announcer just loved him, he bore the Boscan colors on both arms of his suit. "Ambassador Farron Pradesh of Bosco ladies and gentlemen, here because of his brothers and he has worn Elluris most of his life, wearing the special multi enchantment capable Spellweave designed by Elluris for his father, he's one of the top most accomplished diplomats of our time and doesn't he look incredible in black silk?!" The crowd went insane and Farron smirked, pale blue eyes locked on the cameras, he was having fun, he didn't get to do things like this often, he was damn well going to enjoy it, Vander be damned he'd get someone to fucking faint, leveling his sky colored eyes on a woman reaching hard for him he stopped and indid the blue tie that matched his eyes and earned in close until she could touch his face and placed the tie in her hand, winking at her before pulling back, letting her drag it off of him until he stood and resumed his walk while she fell backwards with her eyes rolling back in her head.
When he walked back to the dressing area Vander was glaring and he smirked "One faint for me, clearly you are NOT the most desired mage here." He said smoothly, holding his arms down and out so his team could strip him.
"We'll just fucking see who can get the most people to faint...It's so fucking ON." Vander growled, snatching a hat from the rack and snapping it on at a rakish angle before sliding out onto the runway again in his next outfit.
Dominic Elluris had to ease the stress of his frantic dressers from that point on, as the Pradesh brothers started a game of one upping each others walks seeking the biggest audience reactions and leaving more and more of the clothes they were modeling behind on their walks. "It's OK! Gods they're selling the hell out of the clothes and making our show the one everyone in Fiore will want to be at!" He said with a grin.
The week fairly flew by, so busy none of them could do a whole lot more than work, eat and sleep. By the night before the final day of the show Erza was walking alongside Zen smiling at him, he was tired, but had still agreed to go with her to see some decorations she was considering and when they got back to the hotel everyone else was already asleep...except apparently Laxus and Lucy.
The moans and cries carried out into the hallway. "Yes!...Oh Gods...Laxus!" Lucy cried and both Zen and Erza snickered, walking past the room to their own and once inside Zen pulled her up against him "Bet I can get you louder…" He purred and Erzas eyes narrowed but she smirked "I already screamed myself hoarse over you walking that runway in swimwear today." She replied but squealed, laughing and dodging when he lunged for her and they played a rough game then of cat and mouse, only Erza was hardly a mouse...swinging back, tripping Zen and flipping him past her almost sending her big fiance to the floor a couple of times before they landed on the bed and wrestled there for supremacy, something snapped in Zen then and for the first time since Lucy had bitten him his dragon stirred.
"MINE!...Mate!" It roared inside him and Zen snarled, Erzas eyes widening as Golden scales suddenly came to the surface of Zens skin and his eyes glowed gold as he shoved her to her back and pinned her to the bed, holding both of her hands in one of his and using long gold glaws to rip the clothes from her body.
She writhed, completely turned on, could feel through their bond his hunger, shared it with him, raw and primal and fierce and when he thrust into her, slamming himself all the way in until their hips met she screamed out in pleasure and his bone jarring thrusts after that had her mewling, gasping, crying out wildly as he took her swiftly and intensely right up to her climax in a matter of minutes.
He couldn't stop it, couldn't hold any of it back even though he felt he probably should, it was like a dam had broken and his Dragon had flooded in and it was crashing over Erza, fucking her senseless until she came with a pleasure soaked screech of his name. His fangs had even lengthened in his mouth and he lunged down to sink them into her neck greedily, pushing his magic into her and swallowing the blood that flowed over his tongue.
The couple collapsed then raggedly panting, chests heaving and it was a few minutes before even Zen could speak "Ok...Dragon...mated now…" He breathed out and Erza chuckled weakly "Yeah...noticed...oh my Gods…"
The next day Erza grinned while Zen healed her bruises, gritting her teeth against the pleasure his magic caused her because they were already at the Fashion house, Zen wearing nothing but the robe they kept him in between shows.
He had pulled Draco out once he and Erza had recovered from mating, unhappily learning he was likely going to be remarkably short tempered until he'd set two more bites into her however, since they were already fully bonded through his other magic, Draco was hopeful that would make it easier.
"You were attacked, fought with and were dominated by a young inexperienced trainwreck of a Dragon Queen Zen, she threw magic into you no normal female ever would because she had zero control over it. Now she's fully mated and she and her mate are stable, her magic has stabilized and the last of it all has faded, it makes sense, she pushed your dragon back with all that bullshit, probably did the same to Cristoff." Draco had said and really, nothing about that had clicked as more than mildly interesting until he saw Freed a few minutes ago. So Zen grabbed Kaleb through the family link and insisted vehemently Kaleb keep Freed in the area.
"I...I should probably go...you do not need me here and...and I don't think I can handle it…"Freed admitted quietly to Kaleb who, fortunately, did not miss Zen shaking his head no. "No Freed, I'm sorry, but I insist you stay, just stay on the opposite side of the dressing area, that's where Cristoff will be so...keep your distance." He said awkwardly and Freed winced but nodded, eyes dull and locked on the floor he moved off to go where biden.
Kaleb glared at Zen "What, you like seeing them suffer? Dad says Cris has lost almost 20lbs, and all he does is sleep, swim in the sea and push weights until he's tired enough to sleep again, seeing Freed won't help that and fuck, you've seen Freed." He growled but Zen shook his head.
"I won't tell Laxus or Lucy but...I mated last night with Erza, my Dragon came roaring to life suddenly and I...well I damn near attacked her, my dragon was just...after all this time without so much as a blip...it's back...seriously. Draco says it's probably because Lucy pushed magic into me while dominating me, drove my dragon back, he said it probably happened to Cristoff too so...maybe he SHOULD be around Freed a little, see if...if his dragon perks up...understand?" He suggested and Kaleb frowned but nodded "We'll need to be very careful...I can't ask you to help Erza since you just mated with Zen…" He sighed.
"But you can ask me...don't like seeing all the people practically throwing themselves at Bickslow when the showboating shit gets going on that runway, so...I can keep watch...in more ways than one." Cobra said, coming around a clothing rack.
Kaleb smiled "Excellent, well...here's hoping this day doesn't turn into a mess, TRY to keep that from happening ok Cobra?" Kaleb pleaded and the poison slayer grinned. "I got it." He assured him and Kaleb nodded as he was ushered to his dressing area, a little stricken when he saw a huge rush of activity, a large group of Elluris employees, including Dominic rushing around in a cluster and in the middle of it was Cristoff.
He had lost weight, though he was so built up from years of taking good care of himself it wasn't noticeable if you didn't know him. The dressers were covering the shadows under his eyes, and his midnight gaze lacked the bold spark it usually had but even lacking his usual semi-smile Kaleb knew he'd make it work. Gods, his misery fucking showed though.
Freed felt like he'd been kicked in the gut when he saw him, he'd lost weight...looked blankly at the ground, carefully avoiding looking around no doubt to avoid seeing Freed. Run down though he was by grief, which did not make Freed feel better at all seeing his lover hurting as much as he was, Cristoff still looked incredible as the dressers stripped him down and started getting him into his first outfit. His heart just ached for him, he hid carefully in a spot where he could see from a distance and resigned himself to the misery it would cause, but even just this was better than nothing, he couldn't help it, he was still so painfully in love with the Dragon Slayer even if watching hurt to the bone, he couldn't stop himself.