Laxus sat at a table at a local tavern watching Juvia across the room. It had been three weeks since the day he went to her dorm, and they had managed to meet up at least three times a week since then. Now they sat on opposite sides of the room at Gray's birthday party, and he wanted nothing more than to steal her away from the festivities.

It had been two days since the last time they were together, and yet it felt like much longer. The only person who knew what was going on was Gajeel, but Laxus had been tempted to tell his team after a few close calls. They liked to stop by unannounced at his place, and the number of times they had been sent away because Juvia was growing by the day. Things were settling into a comfortable rhythm, but he felt the urge to do something more. Hiding it had been part of the deal, but that was quickly becoming a problem for him, he wanted to stop sneaking around and wasting so much time keeping things under the radar.

Laxus swigged his drink and admired the way her legs looked under the short steely blue dress she wore, her tall strappy shoes looked impossible to walk in, yet she glided in them with no trouble. He could have done without Lyon fawning over her most of the night, but she seemed to do a good job keeping his advances at bay. A voluptuous blonde sauntered over placing her hand on his bicep, "Hi, I'm April," she cooed, pressing her fingertips firmly into his muscle.

"Not interested," Laxus stated bluntly. She was sexy but he had no use for her, he had something better waiting for him across the room.

The pout on her face was over the top as she shimmied closer and gripped his arm tighter, "You've been sitting here alone most of the evening, wouldn't you like to get out of here and do something more fun?" she asked in a breathy voice.

"Nope," he said firmly, downing his drink in one massive gulp. This was getting old real quick.

She pressed her breasts into him and whined, "aw don't be like that," Laxus glanced over to see many of the party goers watching the situation play out, but the one thing that he noticed was Juvia's eyes drilling into April. Was she jealous? Laxus suppressed a chuckle as he smirked, "Listen April, it ain't happening, I'm seeing someone."

She dropped her arm from his and stormed off toward her friends leaving Laxus free to go back to watching Juvia, who was now looking shocked with a blush spreading across her cheeks.

Cana laughed loudly, "Did you just say you are seeing someone? I need details!" What had he just started? He probably should have talked with Juvia before saying anything like that, but the damage was done.

Juvia's eyes grew wide and Laxus shook his head, "no details. Sorry, not sorry."

"Aw c'mon," Mira joined in, "who's the lucky lady?"

Laxus stood, draping his coat over his shoulders, "Why would I tell you so you can bug her with all of your questions? You two are relentless."

"So we know her?" Cana asked with a wide grin, "Interesting."

"I didn't say that," he defended, " Just know she's sexy and perfect, and way better than any bar fly looking for a good time." he shot a look in Juvia's direction before heading toward the door, "It's been a fun night and all, but I'm out."

He could only imagine what Juvia's reaction would be when they were finally alone again. Outing himself wasn't necessarily exposing her, he liked to that loophole iron clad. Surely that wouldn't be the end of Mira and Cana's prodding but for now he was glad to be out of their grasp. He only made it a block before he got a call, "What?" he asked as he answered.

"Can I come too?" Juvia's voice asked across the line.

"Where are you? Did you leave too?"

"Gajeel covered for me," she said, "I'm heading your way if you want to wait for me."

He leaned against the building at the corner, "Hurry up, Blue. It's cold out here." He hung up and watched Juvia make her way toward him. How she made it down the uneven sidewalks in those tall heels was a mystery to him. Her hair blew back in the wind as she rushed to his side, he nearly grabbed her to hold her, but remembered they were in public despite the streets being nearly empty. "Let's go."

"About what you said back there," her voice was quiet, "did you mean that?"

"I don't know what to consider our situation, but I don't want to mess around with anyone else, so yea, I meant it." That was the short answer, but if he was honest with himself, he wanted to press her for more. Exclusivity was not discussed before, but he felt like it had become an issue that needed to be addressed. He didn't like the idea of anyone else touching her the way he did, and Vastia made his best effort to move in on his territory tonight, all of it left a feeling of unease in his gut.

There was a long silence between them as they walked through the empty streets, Laxus pulled his jacket off and dropped it on her shoulders, she had to be cold in that dress.

"Why didn't you tell them about me?" she asked quietly.

"You're the one that said to keep it quiet, I just took myself off the market without outing you. I wanted to tell them, honestly I want this to be more than a dirty little secret." he admitted. "But I suppose that isn't up to me."

They stopped at his door and Laxus looked down at her meeting her clear blue eyes, "I think it's time we decide what this is. If you come in then this will be real, and if you leave now, we don't ever have to talk about it again." Juvia watched as he opened the door, his eyes never leaving hers in the process. "So will you be staying?"

The seconds ticked by incredibly slowly, he felt a lump rise in his throat as she finally shrugged his coat from her shoulders, taking it in her hands. His stomach lurched, this was it, she was going to leave. He had put himself out there just to be shot down, had he been stupid to think this had meant something to her? Why had he let himself get attached?

Juvia handed him the heavy coat, their hands brushing lightly sending a flare of heat though his body. "I guess this is it," she said turning her head toward the door, "There's no going back now." Complete shock hit him as she stepped into his doorway, disappearing into the darkened room. She stayed. Relief washed over him, He followed her inside, turning the lights on as he shut the door behind them. "Juvia," he began as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a sensual kiss to his lips.

"Can I stay tonight?" she ran her fingers through his hair.

"You can stay here anytime you want," he said between kisses down her neck.

"and tomorrow," she whispered, "no more secrets."