Three very uneventful days had passed since their return, and Lucy had barely seen Gajeel. She was sitting at the Guild bar, and the memory of her last conversation with the Iron Dragon Slayer popped into her head.

It had been on the day after they got back from their mission. He had dropped by the guild with Lily, smiling briefly at Lucy before going to Mira. After a quiet conversation, Gajeel walked up to Lucy and dropped a hand on her shoulder.

"Lily and I are gonna go train for a day or so, but I'll see you when I'm back, gorgeous," he whispered covertly. Then, patting her on the shoulder, he left. To an onlooker, the interaction wouldn't have seemed suspicious in the slightest. The shoulder pat made their exchange seem cordial and friendly. But to Lucy, it was almost as awkward as the hug at the train station, though was beginning to realise that only she was sensing the awkwardness. Lucy quickly scanned the room, and, as expected, no one seemed to have noticed.

As Lucy sat, lost in her memory, she failed to notice a very excited Lisanna bounce up to her.

"Hi Lucy!" she said brightly, snapping Lucy back to reality.

"You're in a good mood," Lucy commented with a smile.

"Oh, well, just heard some exciting news!" she bubbled.

"What news?"

"No need to be coy, Luce! I think you two look good together! Though I did always picture you with another blond, I must say, the two of you make a hot couple," Lisanna winked.

"Oh, uh… Lis, it's not-" Lucy stammered.

"I need to run now, Luce. Big brother is waiting for me in the market. He needs help buying Ever some flowers. Isn't that so sweet? Love is in the air!" Lisanna gushed.

"Uh-" Lucy tried getting a word in edgewise.

"Anyway, I expect all the naughty details later! See ya, Luce!" And with a wave, Lisanna disappeared as abruptly as she'd appeared.

Fucking Natsu… Of course he told her.

Lucy snatched her milkshake off the counter and stalked towards her best friend.

"You told Lisanna?" she accused, smacking his head.

"Was I not supposed to? You never said it was a secret!" Natsu argued indignantly.

"Just… I Don't… Okay, no one else, alright? Not until I've figured this out."

"Okay, I swear. I won't tell another soul," Natsu promised. "But, Luce, why can't I? I mean, aren't you two together?"

"I should talk to him first. We never actually discussed this stuff."

"Well, you just let him know that if he messes with you, he's gonna have to deal with me," Natsu said proudly, sticking his chest out and jabbing his thumb into it.

With a laugh, Lucy ruffled his pink hair before sitting down across him as their conversation drifted towards the mundane.

Lucy simply couldn't sleep at night. A part of her burned with desire, having gotten used to falling asleep in a certain Dragon Slayer's arms. The other part of her was terribly confused. She didn't understand Gajeel's reaction to Natsu's questions, she didn't understand the weird shoulder pat, she didn't understand why he didn't kiss her at the station, and, at the core of it all, she didn't understand what they were to each other. She knew the simplest solution was to just ask him, but she didn't want to. Because she liked whatever they were now, and she feared putting a label on it would change it. She was confused, but she was happy.

I still should ask about the kiss, though… What even was that hug?

Lucy continued to mull over Gajeel, tossing and turning as sleep continued to evade her. She wasn't sure if she needed a cup of tea, a warm bath, or a solid fuck, but she knew she needed something. She even tried meditating, but her brain refused to quieten. Finally, with a loud, frustrated groan, Lucy pulled her covers over her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Just then, she heard her window creak open. Her heart stopped in her chest for a moment before she remembered the only person idiotic enough to break into her house in the middle of the night.

"Natsu, go away. It's the middle of the night," she called irritatedly.

He didn't respond. Lucy heard him walk towards the bed and slip in next to her.

"Natsu, please. Not tonight. Go sleep in your own bed," Lucy groaned, blindly throwing a pillow at him. Then she felt him slip an arm over her, fingers tracing a dangerous path from her hip to her breast. A rogue thumb quickly found Lucy's nipple and caressed it. Lucy threw her covers off with a gasp.

"Natsu, what the fuck?!" she yelled, smacking the man roundly across his head.

"Ow! Fuck, Bunny! Chill!" she heard a deep, gravelly, very un-Natsu voice respond. It took Lucy's brain a couple seconds to figure out what was happening.

Bunny…? Natsu doesn't...

"Gajeel?!" she asked, shocked. She leaned over to turn on her bedside light before shifting her gaze to the now softly illuminated Dragon Slayer lying on her bed. His hair was open and falling over his shoulder in a satiny curtain as he propped himself up on an elbow.

"I feel like I should be worried that you weren't worried when "Natsu" climbed into bed with you," he said with a smirk.

"He does it all. The. Time." Lucy stressed, rolling her eyes.

"I should beat the shit out of him," Gajeel growled, a faint hint of jealousy colouring his tone.

"Please don't give him another reason to get into a fight. The man is permanently itching for an opportunity to kick ass or get his ass kicked," she snorted.

"He shouldn't just get into bed with you," Gajeel frowned deeply.

"Eh, it doesn't bother me anymore, really. Especially in the winters. It really doesn't bother me then. He's always so warm," Lucy's eyes twinkled. She knew she was egging him on, stoking that ember of jealousy that was burning deep within Gajeel.

A deep growl emanated from Gajeel's chest. He rolled on top of Lucy, trapping her between his arms. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, holding him in place. His hair fell around them, enveloping the pair in a dark, cinnamon-y curtain. He brought his face to Lucy's as she held her breath, watching his wine-coloured eyes darken with lust. His lips grazed Lucy's and when she moved to kiss him, he caught her bottom lip between his teeth and bit down. She yelped loudly which very quickly became a moan as Gajeel sucked on the wounded flesh.

"I'm warmer," he gritted, smoothly flexing his hips and pushing his crotch into Lucy's centre.

"Mm, so you're a Fire Dragon Slayer now?" she continued to tease.

"No. But I can make you sweat more than he can," Gajeel whispered huskily into Lucy's ear.

Before Lucy could think it through, words tumbled from her lips. "Make me sweat by hugging me awkwardly at the train station?" Instantly butterflies erupted in her stomach and she wasn't sure if she should have said that.

Gajeel pushed away and sat back on his heels between Lucy's legs. "What do you mean?" he asked, looking at her intently.

"At the train station that day. I went in for a kiss and you hugged me instead. It was…" she trailed off.

"It was what?"

"It was weird, Gaj. I don't know…"

"What are you unclear about?"

"You're one way when we're alone, and you're completely different when we're in public."

"Do you want us to stop doing this?" Gajeel asked with a sigh.

"No! That's not what I meant! I don't want us to stop, Gajeel," Lucy sat up, fisting the front of his shirt.

Tenderly, Gajeel tucked her hair behind her ear. He left his hand there, cupping her cheek. "Bunny girl, I like this. I like us. But I don't like people knowing." Gajeel dropped his hand, his tone becoming more serious. "Lucy, can you name even one of my exes?" he asked.

Lucy wracked her brain for several seconds. She knew Gajeel had been with other people; she'd seen hickeys on his throat before. There had been enough days where he'd walked into the guild with his hair mussed and his shirt partially unbuttoned, wearing the satisfied smile of a man who'd just had sex. There had been women before Lucy, but for the life of her she couldn't name a single one. She couldn't even place a face. Finally, she gave up and shook her head.

"Exactly. I can name your last three ex-boyfriends. And, side note, I didn't like any of them. But I saw everyone gossip and squeal and discuss your love life, both in front of you and behind your back. I've heard people discussing the sex lives of their friends, their exes, and even virtual strangers. And it's not just our guild. It's like this entire town doesn't know how to keep their mouths shut. That doesn't work for me, Bunny. So yes, I may not throw myself at you when we're around other people. But when we're alone? Bunny, I swear I'll make you feel like the most important girl in the world. When it's just the two of us, you're all that matters. We're all that matters. I just don't want to be involving the entire world into what should be just us. Is that something that you're okay with?" Gajeel asked with complete sincerity and concern.

Lucy momentarily balked. She was no closer to understanding what this made her and Gajeel, and she certainly hadn't ever hid a relationship before.

"So… you don't want anyone to know you're sleeping with me?" Lucy asked, voice wavering. It almost sounded like he was embarrassed.

"Lucy, listen to me," Gajeel gripped her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. "I am not ashamed of you. I am not trying to hide you away. I love what we're doing. This is entirely about me not being comfortable with people knowing about my personal life. If you want to look at it as me keeping us secret because I don't want people to know about you, then sure, I can't stop you. But that's not true. It's not true at all. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed or any of that other shit. I just don't understand why you have no problems with everyone prying into what you do in the bedroom and who you do it with. Last I checked, that's your business alone. And if we're together, it's our business, but no one else's. But Lucy, you need to tell me now if this doesn't work for you, because it's non-negotiable for me."

When he put it like that, Lucy couldn't help but see his point of view. It didn't matter how much they begged their friends to stay out of their relationship, it would be to no avail. Lucy knew they'd constantly be bombarded by people trying to dissect what they had going on.

Hell, telling Gray and Natsu is proof enough that the questions will be endless. And that's just two idiots. Then there's Lisanna, who's already going to hound me for "naughty details". Someone like Mira or Cana would never let it go. Lucy shuddered at the thought of enduring an interrogation at the hands of the She-Devil.

"Yeah, I get it. It makes sense… Alright, I'm okay with not telling people," Lucy nodded. But there was still a question gnawing at her. "Gaj… Are we..."

"'Are we' what?"

"Are we…" Fuck this sounds stupid. Lucy, you're happy. He's happy. The sex is mindblowing. You like spending time with him. What does a label do? Nothing. "Never mind," Lucy said with a firm, reassuring shake of her head.

Gajeel looked at her curiously. "You sure?"

Lucy nodded. "Yep, I'm sure. I'm happy with this and I'm happy with us."

"Okay, good," Gajeel smiled. Then, with a groan, he got out of bed. "Well, I just came to clear that up, so I guess I'll let you go back to sleep," he said with a wicked grin.

Quick as lightning, Lucy's hand shot out and wrapped around his wrist. "No! Stay!" she demanded.

Chuckling, Gajeel sat back down. "As if I'd leave, you clown."

"You need to decide if I'm Bunny or clown, Gajeel," Lucy rolled her eyes, scooting to the side to make room for him.

"Mm, for now, you're mine," Gajeel growled before launching himself at Lucy and wrapping her in his arms as she squealed with delight.

"Oh my fucking god! Ohh- oh fuck, Gajeel, fuck fuck fuck!"

"Damn it, Bunny, you're gonna wake the whole neighbourhood," Gajeel hissed, pressing into her. Lucy's chest was flush against the wall, cheek and tits pressed into the cold stone. Gajeel's hands were on her hips, holding her as he slammed his cock into her. Her soft ass bounced against his pelvic bone while her fingers clawed at the wall, searching for some purchase.

Lucy turned her face into her arm, but it did little to muffle the moans tearing from her throat. Sweat slicked their bodies and they were panting heavily. Lucy felt deliciously full as Gajeel's dick hit every inch of her tight, wet walls. Strands of blonde hair clung to Lucy's damp face, with dark black strands weaving through as Gajeel nuzzled her neck. Her toes curled and knees buckled from the sheer pleasure humming through her, and if it hadn't been for Gajeel keeping her propped against the wall, she'd have surely fallen to the ground.

Keeping his hands on her hips, Gajeel walked backwards away from the wall towards the bed, where he sat down on the edge of the mattress, having kept his dick inside Lucy the entire time. He sat Lucy down on his lap, hooking his arms under her knees and pulling her thighs up to her chest. She dropped her head back onto his shoulder, nibbling at his ear lobe as he held her tight and pistoned his cock in and out of her.

Lucy loved letting Gajeel take charge. She loved when he flipped her over and pushed her face into the bed, kneeling behind her and slapping her ass before slipping his dick back into her warmth. She loved feeling his hand wind into her hair, gripping it in a pony tail as he yanked her back against his chest. She loved when his mouth found hers and he kissed her so gently, so passionately. Lucy reached back, tangling her fingers into his hair as their lips moved together perfectly. Gajeel's hands were tight on her tits, fondling them as he fucked her. Every cell in Lucy's body tingled and she felt her muscles tighten.

"Fuck fuck fuck, Gaj, I'm going to cum!" Lucy cried, falling forward to allow Gajeel to push into her as deeply as possible. Her hands clutched the bedspread as she mewled into the mattress. Her thighs had begun to shake under the force of her impending climax and she desperately began pushing her hips back, meeting his every thrust. She heard Gajeel's breath hitch and strangled moans left his lips. He leaned down, bracing his body against Lucy's as he pounded her. His thrusts were messy, erratic, and rough. Lucy was desperately close to her orgasm, and she could almost feel the relief that would soon wash over her. Craving that release, Lucy rubbed her clit furiously.

"Fuck! Yes, Gajeel!" Lucy cried, as her vision went stark white. Her climax hit her like a train and Lucy's body shook. Losing control of her muscles, she rolled, just in time for Gajeel to slip out of her and explode all over stomach and chest. Lucy continued to spasm, her muscles twitching as she breathed soft cries of pleasure. Her eyes were squeezed shut, lips parted in a pretty O. Gajeel watched her ride her orgasmic aftershocks, and though it shouldn't have been possible after the load he blew, he felt his dick twitch. Something primal in him roared happily as he watched the beautiful blonde crumble apart, with his cum decorating her gorgeous body.

Her eyes slowly opened, long lashes gently fluttering as she focused her gaze on the Dragon Slayer watching her hungrily.

"Holy shit," she croaked. And with that, the two suddenly burst out laughing. Gajeel flopped down next to her and softly brushed his thumb across her cheek.

"You're good, Bunny. You're really fucking incredible."

"We're incredible. I can't take all the credit," she said, kissing his thumb.

Gajeel gathered her in his arms, pulling her head up onto his chest. They lay together in silence, breathing deeply as Gajeel peppered her face with kisses. Lucy happened to glance out of her window when something caught her eye.

"Gaj," she called, "is it morning?"

Gajeel looked up from kissing her, turning his gaze to the window. "Fuck, that's definitely the sun," he said, spotting orange rays at the horizon, slowly lightening the inky purple sky.

"How many rounds did we go?" Lucy asked, looking at him in shock.

"I lost track," Gajeel confessed. From how tired he felt, despite his phenomenal stamina, it was more than a few.

"We fucked through the night," Lucy said in soft wonder.

"Fuck yeah, we did. Damn, Bunny, you're right. We're fucking incredible," Gajeel grinned.

Lucy giggled, patting him on his chest. "Time for a shower, then we'll hit the guild."

Gajeel nodded. "Sure. Or, we can bathe, get some breakfast, I'll make us some coffee, and then we can get right back to what we're doing, and continue fucking through the day."

"How are you not exhausted?" Lucy questioned.

"Oh, baby, I am. But you're so fucking hot, it doesn't matter. Put some food in me and I'll be ready to go another twenty rounds. So what do you say? Let's take the day off. Stay in bed. Or the bathroom. Or the kitchen. Hell, we can have sex in the corridor if you want, just as long as I get your sexy fucking body under me."

Lucy knew the right thing to do was go to work, but her body was betraying her. She teetered on the edge of indecision, but when Gajeel ran his tongue along the shell of her ear, she knew she was sunk. She craved him, it was as simple as that.

"Okay," she whispered breathily.

"Okay? Stay home and fuck all day?"

"Yes, but after a shower, breakfast, and a nap," Lucy stipulated with a yawn. She couldn't feel her limbs anymore and all the happy, post-orgasms endorphins coursing through her made her feel relaxed and sleepy.

Gajeel chuckled. "Okay, Bunny, let's go have a bath," he said, patting her hip before stepping out of bed.

With a pout, Lucy lifted her arms and looked at Gajeel, batting her lashes. Gajeel rolled his eyes as he scooped Lucy into his arms. Holding her against his chest, he walked to the bathroom as the happy, sleepy woman snuggled into him, smiling contentedly.

A/N: Okay, I am anticipating the reviews saying "Damn sounds toxic af" and you know, you wouldn't be wrong. These situations can be quite toxic, but I do want to caveat the whole thing by saying I don't intend for it to be the toxic kind of secrecy. Some people just like keeping things hush hush and not talking about their lives, which was the intent. I hope that came through in the story itself, but in case it didn't I just wanted to let you guys in on my intention behind it. Also, sorry for the extended breaks between uploads! I know you lovely people have told me time and again that it doesn't matter, but I don't like leaving you hanging! Work is crazy at the moment, but holiday szn is upon us and hopefully everything stops being this hectic.

Please leave me all your lovely thoughts, because I read and reread each one! Also my DMs are open if you wanna message, or get my email address and chat about things etc etc!