Kaleb had always been a morning person, since the Immaculate light had chosen to fill his veins years ago during his induction into the knights he'd become even more so. Laying under the light of the rising sun was invigorating and relaxing at the same time and he did it so often there was a large circular lounge on the balcony facing the sea that took the light of the sunrise.
He'd shared it once already with Lucy the morning after the party, and now he had carried her sleepy form out to the lounge and laid her down, wrapped in warm blankets to do so again. It wasn't that Lucy got all that much out of it, it was that he didn't want their last morning together for Gods knew how long to see her wake up without him there.
It was at best a romantic notion, but he wasn't in the mood to over analyze these whims, desires that he was having now that he and Lucy were committed to pursuing a future together. It was early, he could have waited, he knew it, and maybe it would have been wiser to let the whole thing the day before blow over, she would have been distracted well by the mission to recover Aquarius.
Perhaps, separated from him for so long, she really would have become Vanders lover, and he knew his little brother, that wouldn't have been a terrible thing for Lucy. Maybe she would have met others, but she'd have been free to explore, with no relationship, no commitment holding her back. She might even have gotten over her growing affection for him, and he didn't want to admit it, but that had driven him. The idea that Lucy could easily find someone else if, like Vander had said, he didn't make some sort of move.
He hadn't known Vander would show up with the news he did, hadn't even hoped his brother would chase down the keys location so quickly, but then Vander had always been insanely resourceful and had never once failed to gather information asked of him. It was why he'd assigned Vander and Presca to this mission.
He wanted it to go well, for Lucy to find her friend and for one of her hurts to heal. He already was doing all he knew how to help her, checking when she went to sleep to make sure she was sleeping well, chasing away the worst of her nightmares when they came, gently giving a haze to the worst of her memories so they were easier to carry.
To him his magic had always been meant to heal first, his immense capacity for destruction, to lay waste to peoples minds, to dredge up their worst possible fears and nightmares and make them see them while wide awake, to overpower them, take over their will and use their own magic against them and their allies, to give physical form and power to thought so it could be used as a weapon with cutting, burning, freezing and explosive properties depending on how he manipulated it. All of that he wielded when he had to, but he got the greatest satisfaction when his magic could heal, could bring a troubled mind to peace, ease pain, calm chaos.
It was what had drawn him so much to Lucy at the start, then her resilience, her faith, hope, fighting spirit and determination to keep going, it all amazed him. More than anything, he was stunned no other man had yet been on his knees in front of her. It both thrilled and honestly terrified him that he could see himself getting there. His com hummed and he sighed, settling Lucy against his side he answered it, already knowing who it was.
"Good morning Dad." He said softly, keeping his voice low so Lucy could sleep. Armans brow went up at the almost whisper then he registered the view of his son sitting back against something with a head of golden blonde hair against his shoulder and he smiled.
"I don't wish to wake her, I knew you would likely be up taking in the sunrise." Arman said quietly.
Kaleb smiled, his father knew everything about his children, had raised them in a such a way not a one of them put much effort into hiding things from him, Kaleb was no exception. "I rarely miss them, thank you Dad, for the ship, it'll help alot." He said.
"I didn't do it for you, I did it for her, she's lovely, I enjoyed having her here. I won't lie, I was hoping one of my boys would prove enough to win her affection, I admit, I'm surprised it was you but I'm thrilled Kaleb, and Promised already...for you, it surprised me a lot, you usually take your time and think on things a great deal before you act." His father said.
Kaleb sighed and shook his head. "If I waited with her...I think I'd lose my chance with her." He admitted.
Arman grinned "Wisdom beyond your years, you've always had that Kaleb. You've been so blase about your relationships before, never shown interest in moving beyond being just a lover to a woman, even Yuril and she's such a bright thing." His father mentioning Kalebs last lover didn't surprise him. Yuril was a pilot, adventurous and ambitious. Arman had had high hopes she would be the one to finally challenge Kaleb enough he would stay with her.
"Yuril only ever wanted me as a tool toward her success father, she took pride in telling people I was her lover, when she stopped in White Sea it was always a few days of sex then she was gone again, all we ever really did when we were together was that, we never really talked because she never cared to, if you asked her I'd bet she couldn't even tell you my full name or something as simple as my favorite food or book." He said.
"You love honey and anything with it in it and you've read Valstrims Books on mage technology until they're all dog eared and the spines are beat, Your middle name is Suraday because Arman said Kinsura Day was your holiday…" Came a mumbled voice and Kaleb looked down into sleepy brown eyes that were focused on the com and a grinning Arman.
Kaleb kissed her temple chuckling, more than a little surprised.
She smiled up at him "I'm guessing about the honey, we haven't shared a lot of meals but every time I see you make coffee, tea, toast, honey is involved." She admitted and Arman laughed.
"It's been his favorite thing since he was a child." Arman said brightly.
Lucy smiled back at the Ambassador, snuggling in better against Kaleb, her hand beneath the blanket boldly sliding over a bare hip then down his thigh, an entire night in each others arms,with him indulging her every whim, anticipating everything she wanted and making it all happen, she knew his body far better now, and loved touching him, feeling his skin against hers.
My father is one of the most observant men alive honey, I love your touch but be aware, he'll know… Kaleb warned her, knowing she'd be tremendously embarrassed if his father noticed and teased her about running her hands over Kaleb while they were talking. Something his father would do, just to keep Lucy mindful.
Her hand stopped rubbing the inside of his thigh brushing against his already responding member, she left her hand there though, the little minx, so he had no hope at all of calming himself down until either he moved her hand, which his father would notice for sure, or they hung up and he could jump her for teasing him.
He heard clearly her internal giggling about it too. How women were lucky it wasn't so obvious when they got excited and it was a good thing he had the lacrima angled so just their upper bodies showed for Arman because she was getting anice show and was struggling not to keep looking down, hell she was struggling not to move her hand and touch what she wanted to,she really wanted to watch Kalebs eyes darken, hear him moan like he had last night, those were things she needed burned into her memory.
She was both elated at her pending departure to recover Aquarius and unhappy about it at the sametime. Kaleb had said if they could manage a good pace it would take them three weeks to cross Pergrande and he doubted they could, there were too many dangers, the threats to her were real and extreme in that country where women had less value than a dog.
"The Saberfox will be conducting maneuvers along the Pergrandian borders, I sold getting you use of her on the premise we needed to put the stealth capabilities fully to test, so, if there's an emergency, you can call her over the border, we've notified Stella and Bellum that the ship would be cruising the area just in case. Lucy, i know Cristoff and Vander are joining your team for this mission, I hope you will put them to work well, I've already told Laxus they and the Saberfox are to listen. Laxus leads your team so, he leads this mission, but it is, ultimately, yours my dear, you know these magics, and this is your key being recovered so speak up, take charge where you need to….after all...you may one day step into a position of high authority in White Sea at Kalebs side." He winked at her and she blushed but grinned, not sure what exactly Arman meant but knowing it likely included she and Kalebs relationship progressing.
"If we follow through, stay together and did marry one day you would become Mistress of White Sea, holding the same authority I have over the guild, that's what he's not so subtly hinting at." Kaleb chuckled. Lucys eyes widened and she blushed more, Gods...he just said it...just talked about them possibly marrying some day...just like that…like it was natural and he was fine with the idea…
I am.. He responded in her head almost making her squeak in surprise.
"Well, subtleness has never worked well with any of my children, you included Kaleb, so why start now? Lucy, the Saberfox should arrive there a little after noon, plenty of time to drag my son out into White Sea and purchase promise rings, Kaleb, hers had better be fitting of the promised of the Guildmaster of White Sea, I'll expect pictures." Arman said narrowing his eyes on his son.
Kaleb rolled his eyes "Of course father." He replied and with that Arman bid them a good morning and had to leave for a meeting.
So, a couple of hours later (it would have only been one but Kaleb had some payback to get from Lucy and her teasing.) Lucy had no complaints, the Wizard Saints version of revenge was pretty close to heaven in her book.
They went out into the city and spent the morning ambling through the streets, Kaleb was very well known, and they were stopped often.
As they were heading into a cafe for breakfast while they waited for the jewelry store Kaleb thought they should try first they were almost bowled over by nearly a dozen children all laughing and shouting as they emerged from the shop with fresh pastries, one little boy stumbled and fell, his sweet roll falling in the dirt.
"Wow, Jessup, you just tripped over the Master of White Sea!" One of the other children said since they all stopped when they noticed their friend had fallen down.
"No harm done, and sweet rolls are easy enough to replace." Kaleb said, bending to offer the boy a hand up which he took, a little wide eyed. Pulled to his feet Kaleb kept his hand and Lucy followed them smiling into the cafe, followed by the entire pack of small children.
"Miss. Fuchards not gonna like us being late." One of them muttered.
"But we're with Kaleb! She won't mind." Another chirped brightly.
"I'll let your teach know I made you late, if she gets upset with anyone it'll be me." Kaleb said to the whispers of the children as he ordered the little boy a new pastry.
One boy laughed "Miss. Fuchard wouldn't ever get upset with you Master, she stares at your pictures every day and sighs. Just like Riley does!" He shoved a little brunette girl who was already blushing crimson and staring at Kaleb like she had met a God, the girl made a horrified sound and buried her face in her hands.
Kaleb arched a brow back at the boy but was occupied collecting a box from the counter worker so Lucy bent and placed a hand on the girls shoulder. "Do you go to the school at the guild?" She asked and the little girl nodded so that meant these were mage children. Lucy smiled, it was something Lucy adored about White Sea, they had a school for children with magic, guild members were teachers there and no child was left trying to learn how to handle their magic without guidance in White Sea, many families had moved from all around Bosco to the city named after the guild for that reason, so their children could get a good education and learn to handle their magic safely.
Lucy was already thinking about offering to help at the school, her life just hadn't reached a point where she knew what her schedule was going to be week by week yet.
"Kalebs pretty nice you know, you don't need to be shy around him, I was when I met him but now we're friends." She said brightly.
"She wants Kaleb to handle her induction is what it is, I told her he's too old but she totally dreams about it." The same boy said chuckling.
"I do not! I...I don't know who I want yet and that's not for a long time!" The girl protested swinging at the boy who readily dodged her but a large hand gripped his shoulder and he turned wide eyes up at the narrow eyed Guildmaster.
"Is it ever ok to tease someone about their desires?" He demanded and the boy now blushed shaking his head.
Kaleb put the box in the boys hands "For your class, I have my aid notifying your teacher you'll be late, Kinith, I will speak to your parents about how harshly you tease your sister, Vaster won't be pleased, he was just bragging about how well you're doing in school the other day when he returned from his mission to Raizing." He said firmly and the children all got wide eyed.
"Mindbender stupid…" The boy who had tripped said to Kinith.
Kaleb shot him a look and he lowered his head.
"You are all children of White Sea, and if you want to become members of it one day you'll learn to support each other, not embarrass them. Riley is only 8 Kinith, you're 10, you should be protecting your little sister, not making her feel bad." He pointed out.
Kinith looked at the ground "I'm sorry Riley...Master...I know..I just…" He sighed and Kaleb stood back up to his full height.
"You were showing off trying to impress me and Lucy, you know now that sort of behavior isn't impressive. Now take the rolls to class, Miss Fuchard is waiting on all of you, and Riley…" He turned to the girl standing by Lucy.
"I will be honored to attend your school party with you but you have to ask my promised if it's ok first." He said nodding toward Lucy who grinned.
The little girls eyes flew wide and she looked at Lucy in a whole new light now. "You and the Master are promised?" She asked and Lucy nodded.
"Yup, but I was so shy around him when I first met him, you know how scary it is knowing the guy you like can read all your thoughts?!" She said and the girl looked horrified and glanced in fear toward Kaleb who pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. Her "wicked" thoughts reached the point of kissing him on the mouth like her mother kissed her father, she was simply too young to have the vivid ideas Lucy did, which was a good thing, he didn't like the idea of an 8 year old having graphic daydreams about him. Her teacher? Well, now he knew, were he not promised to Lucy he might even have sought her out to see what she was thinking while she was sighing over his pictures.
It was best the woman learn through her talkative class about him being promised, especially if he was going to be the "date" of one of her students at the school party that coming weekend.
"So you want to take MY promised to a party huh?" Lucy was saying to the girl who chewed her lower lip under Lucys warm brown eyes.
"I better not hear about anything more than holding hands…" She warned.
"I can't promise that, I'm a man who enjoys hugs." Kaleb said and the girl smiled blushing more.
"Ok...hugs...nothing else though Riley, Kaleb and I are promised, so if I say it's ok you have to make sure no other girls try to dance with him or anything like that ok?" She said firmly and Riley nodded.
"Then it's ok, you can take Kaleb to your party." Lucy agreed, grinning when the girl hugged her then spun and turned to Kaleb.
"I know you always wear white, so I'll wear a white dress ok?" She asked and he smiled
"I'll be in my full dress uniform, hopefully it will be good enough." He replied and she grinned shoving her brother who yelped.
"Move it Kinith, I wanna tell Miss Fuchard I get to take Master Kaleb to the party and she can't dance with him!" She winked at Lucy whose mouth fell open at the childs sudden change of demeanor from shy and embarrassed to herding her classmates ahead of her.
The children were gone in a moment and Kaleb took Lucys hand and led her to a table, she didn't miss all the wide eyes and whispering, when the waitress came she made it clear what everyone was buzzing about.
"You're really promised Master Kaleb?" She asked and Kaleb sighed but nodded, he'd known his notoriety might be an issue in the city but he'd hoped people would respect their privacy, the whole thing with the children hadn't been quiet though, children that age rarely did anything quietly, they'd run shouting down the street about the Master being promised to a pretty blonde.
"Yes, to this beautiful woman." He said smiling at Lucy, they placed their orders and in spite of all the looks and whispers, enjoyed their breakfast, retreating to the jewelry store across the street from the Cafe as soon as they were done.
Lucys eyes glazed over as she browsed through all of the traditional Boscan jewelry. The men in Bosco wore as much as the women during formal affairs and celebrations it seemed and the selection here was incredible. The woman behind the counter came out as soon as she saw Kaleb.
"Master! Vince didn't say you were planning to come by, did you need something repaired?" She asked warmly reaching up and cupping Kalebs face, pulling him in for a quick peck on the mouth that Lucy had to remind herself meant nothing more than this woman knew Kaleb pretty well.
"Sersha, no, thankfully, I haven't broken anything recently though I'll likely be needing you and Vince during the games this spring. Lucy, this is Sersha Budrosh, her and her husband Vince run this store and are the finest metal and jewel-make mages I have ever met, Sersha is a genius at designing jewelry." He introduced and Lucy smiled at the woman who grinned at her.
"How can I help you both?" She asked.
"Lucy agreed to Promise with me yesterday Sersha, we need rings." Kaleb told her bluntly and Sersha froze, gaping at the tall mage in disbelief for a moment then whooping and pulling Lucy into a fierce hug that squeezed the breath out of her.
"Finally! Oh Gods above Lucy, I don't know you but I adore you!" Sersha declared pulling back just enough to kiss Lucy on the mouth and leave her blinking and flustered for a moment.
Kaleb chuckled, pulling Sersha back only to be subjected to the same treatment but much more roughly.
"Promised! Gods...Vince is going to flip, you know that right? We have been praying to every God that somebody was going to come along and finally our Master was going to fall in love instead of get bored, Gods you're a pain in the ass Kaleb." Sersha declared, shoving the big blonde and hurrying to grab Lucys hand and pull her to a case filled with gorgeous rings.
"Vince is at the guild, but I can size anything in this case to fit, pick something special Lucy and large, because Gods above it needs to be obvious to put the brakes on all the women who chase after the Master." Sersha declared.
Lucy grinned "Yeah I had to agree to let an 8 year old take him on a date this morning." She responded and Sersha laughed at Kalebs eye roll.
Scanning through the case her eyes stalled on a wide gold band with clear gems set into it, the metal swirled around them and they looked like the one at Kalebs throat in the choker he always wore.
"Are those lacrima?" She asked and Sersha followed her fingertip and smiled.
"They are, like the one he wears now just smaller." She said and Lucy looked at Kaleb.
You never did tell me about that lacrima… she said in her head and he smiled faintly, she'd been talking to him more mentally, getting comfortable with that and he loved it.
It's a long story, Sersha and Vince made this choker, I was struggling with the stress of taking over the guild and would sometimes lash out, nothing serious, but I left more than one guild member unable to remember a day or two because of nasty comments they would make or think during my take over. Grenlow tried to help the transition, and honestly it wasn't terrible, the guild already had a hefty respect for me by then, but I hadn't been named a Saint yet and I was young, a lot of members though Grenlow was retiring too early, that he was being selfish. Sersha saw me wipe the memory of a mage named Trentis, who is still a member, when he muttered about Grenlow being a lazy piece of shit leader handing the reins to an overpowered murderer...I had killed a lot of dark mages during a clan attack on a land based town… so Sersha made this for me, she and Vince worked hard on it, the lacrima catches flares of my magic, returns it to me and helps remind me to temper my reactions. Not an issue so much now, but then it was a huge help to me… He told her as Sersha was pulling the ring out.
"Do these lacrima work like the one he wears now?" She asked and Sersha smiled.
"They are a little different, I worked these so they collect a different flare in magic, specifically positive things, love...lust...I mean I made it to be a Promise ring." Sersha wagged her eyebrows and Lucy laughed, there was no doubt at all what she wanted now.
"You have one of the same design I can put on Lucy?" Kaleb asked sliding an arm around Lucy who happily leaned into his side.
"Yep, give me a sec here…" She went to the back and came out with another ring, not as wide but just as beautiful. Kaleb took it, turning it over so it caught the light and smiling, he took Lucys right hand and slid it onto her finger.
"My Promise to you, to hold myself only for you, to be open and always working for a future with you." He said and Lucy felt tears sting her eyes but grinned, taking the other ring from Sersha and pushing it onto Kalebs finger, reciting the same line before Sersha clapped her hands and rushed around the counter to hug them both.
It took only moments for her to size the rings to them and when Lucy asked about paying for Kalebs ring Sersha grinned "I'll send the bill to your guild account, and Kaleb I'll bill you too for all you asked for."
The walk back to the Guild wasn't near as fun as the walk out, mostly because Lucy knew they were walking toward her departure, and while she was eager to get to Aquarius...she rubbed her thumb over the ring, Kalebs hand tightening around the one he held. All too soon she would be leaving him for an unknown amount of time to recover Aquarius.
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Cobra leaned against the rail of the sleek ship, his finger sliding idly over the lacrima in bracelet Freed had given him that kept motion sickness from bothering him. It had never been as much of an issue for him as it was for the other slayers, but aboard the airship he was damn glad to have it anyway.
Freed was talking with Farron on his lacrima toward the back of the ship, not looking out over the Grass Sea, far more interested in staring into Farrons eyes and Cobra did his best to block out the overly lovey dovey happy soul of the Rune mage. He was happy for him, he really was, Farron was hot, successful, wealthy and treated Freed like he was the most precious thing in the word.
It was enough to make the Poison slayer gag.
He wanted a mate, he did, and he knew he'd probably be a sap for them too, fucking Dragon magic would turn him into one. With his luck his destined mate would be some shy blushing virgin that would "balance" his toxic tongued sarcasm and overall smart ass, bad ass self...Gods...to balance him his mate would probably be some saintly thing and the Dragon magic would calm him and make him nicer….the thought made him almost ill.
He was a little raunchy, almost always sarcastic, semi-toxic anti-social and his sexual tastes were, honestly, a little wild. He'd had a rough start in life, and when he'd finally decided to try sex, and found out how good it really could make him feel, he'd gotten into it. He hadn't been with a guy for a while, sticking to women until he'd met a seriously hot blonde man in Rosegarden on a mission once and holy hell had that been fun.
He preferred dark hair though, if Levy hadn't moved in on him he'd thought about flirting Gajeel up, Dragon Slayer males were always open to other males, he'd read all about it in a book Lahar had tossed to him while he'd been in prison.
"Educate yourself about your damn magic." Lahar had said and Cobra had read that book cover to cover more than a dozen times.
There were far fewer female dragons than males, so, male dragons took other males as mates, entire tatsus of mated males happened, they would seduce Dragon females and get them to lay clutches for them to raise, the females would leave as soon as the eggs were laid and the males were solely responsible for them.
So, Cobra, liking Gajeels long black hair for some reason, had sort of angled toward the Iron Slayer, but found him all lost to Levy, the guy was built like a truck and wanted the tiniest woman Cobra had ever met, there was Dragon magic seeking balance in newer and more ridiculous ways.
He was open to a male mate, female mate, he was just praying if there was a mate out there for him, they weren't too sweet and goey gushy because he'd hate himself for all time if his dragon magic made him act like that.
Cristoff was a fucking beast, sexy as hell, with his well muscled body and long jet black hair, those dark blue eyes were a serious draw too but...he was too nice...seriously. He'd hit on Bix but Bix was into women from what he'd seen. He'd never met a woman with his dark sense of humor, or even one that appreciated it beyond Lucy and Lucy was way the hell too nice to be his mate.
Besides that, he'd kissed Lucy and nothing, not a blip, his dragon almost yawned. No, he claimed her as kin because in spite of having gravity defying tits, an ass he'd love to bite and legs that would probably be wonderful wrapped around him, she was too sweet for his salty sour ass. Kin yes, mate? Gods the first time he busted out the handcuffs and asked her to bend over she'd probably cry as messed up as she'd been since the asshole librarian happened.
He smirked, as the ship approached White Sea, he had so very much enjoyed torturing that man and leaving him to die. A gift Tinkerbell would never know he'd given her, he'd flirted up Gregory at a bar and sure enough, the horney son of a bitch had taken right to him, been all over him, so Cobra had gone home with the guy, fucked him every which way until the guy was begging for mercy then left his ass, thoroughly filled with enough poison to kill 50 people.
Tink was too sweet to take out trash like that, but Cobra had no such problems, far as he was concerned, the bastard had raped his Tinkerbell, he liked Boscos laws on that so he'd judge and juried the asshole. Problem solved.
Now he was turning the celestial spirit key in his pocket over in his hand, could barely wait to see his Tink and watch her eyes light up when he gave it to her because he knew what it could do and now, as part of the mission meant to get them close to Aquarius, the key his was bringing Lucy would seal the deal and his Tink would be shining her light brighter than ever.
As the ship was docking he spotted her and stilled. She was in the arms of a big man, tall, silvery blonde hair, dressed in white leather...the emblem of White Sea bold on the long white cloak he wore, a quick push and he heard him...he was completely engrossed in Tink….
I've got to stay calm, supportive, see her off and be clear I'll miss the hell out of her and be waiting for her...Fuck I'm going to miss her...Gods I wish I could get away from the guild for that long but there's no way...the ship is here, I can hear Cris and...who….Cobra...hello Erik… It was the first time he'd ever had someone sense him and acknowledge him worldlessly.
Hell the ship wasn't even docked yet and the man was still bent, Lucys arms around his neck, Tink kissing him for all she was worth practically torn in half happy to be going to get Aquarius but miserable she was leaving her...boyfriend...promised...holy shit Tink was promised to him…
We are, and I'm Kaleb, your Guildmaster...welcome to White Sea Poison Dragon Slayer… He was answered and Cobra cringed, ok...he'd never been on the receiving end of this shit before…
The ship docked and Kaleb pulled back, nodding toward where Cobra had come to stand at the top of the walkway. Lucy turned from him beaming and hurried up it, breaking into a run when she saw the familiar maroon spikes and met the indigo eye.
"ERIK!" She called happily,snatched up off her feet into a hug she knew well only two other people in the world had ever felt. Kinana and Sorano were the only ones who ever saw this mans soft side, well, along with her.
Since his release and the charges against him and Crime Sorciere being dropped the Poison Slayer had made a point of coming to apologize to her and had been stunned when she'd accepted it, and then insisted he stay for dinner and made him the best eggplant lasagna he'd ever had.
It had sparked a friendship, and Cobra took his very few friendships seriously. It was why he had moved Heaven and Earthland to find her once he'd stumbled on the item in his pocket and why, upon his arrival a week ago, he had gladly accepted the guildmark that now graced his left shoulder and had taken him from a wandering former criminal, into being a mage of the largest guild in Bosco.
Cristoff he had met when Freed had greeted him as he'd come off the ship, the big slayer had impressed him immediately. Brawny, handsome, and he had a soul that carried music as soothing as any he'd ever heard. That he kept himself shielded partly at all times added to how Cobra liked him, Cristoff didn't intrude on him like som many others did, not his mate though, damn that would have been hot though if he had been...
He'd been brought up to speed about the plans for recovering the key Lucy had sacrificed and hadn't hesitated in volunteering to help with the mission. Happily showing the slayer what he'd brought for Lucy and earning a rumbling growl of approval from the larger slayer that had made even his bitchy inner dragon purr.
"She's going to be thrilled." Cristoff had said and Cobra smirked
"Yep, I fully expect to be crushed into those massive things she calls tits for this." Cobra had chuckled, earning a fanged grin from the big slayer.
Now he was hugging Tink, glad he'd hunted her down, grateful doing so had not just brought his friend back to him, but, he was in a legal guild now, a big and powerful one, and he actually had felt real pride when that guild seal had been set into his skin.
He set the little blonde back on her feet and she grinned up at him as he'd lifted a brow and nodded past her. Turning she saw Kaleb had come aboard the ship, he had to talk with the captain and was planning on letting her have her reunion with her friend while he did so.
Now she turned and pulled him over, stopping him from heading to the captain of the ship.
"Kaleb, this is Erik, my friend, he's a dragon slayer like Cris." She said and Kaleb nodded, smiling at him, pale Lavender eyes gauging him and suddenly Cobra detected nothing, couldn't hear so much as a whisper from the taller man, the way that wall slammed down amazed him, and he pushed, trying to see how solid it was, but nothing, it was as if Kaleb wasn't standing right in front of him.
"It's good to meet you, Cristoff told me he inducted you into White Sea upon your arrival, welcome to the guild. You already know who I am, I'm pleased to have you ..and...anyone who makes Lucy happy...is someone I value I'll have my aid bring some winter gear for you, you'll be crossing Iceburg and will need it with your sensitivity to cold, can't have my new Dragon Slayer freezing. " Kaleb said calmly.
Cobra watched Lucy hug the mans arm, and the way those pale lavender eyes softened and warmed on her before he bent and kissed her temple then went to find the captain.
He smirked at Lucy "So Tink...whats' going on there?" He asked already knowing, Lucys soul had always been open. He was still more than a little surprised at the sudden memories that filled her soul, not just of Kaleb putting a Promise ring on her finger that morning, but also...well...it seemed the big Boscan had gotten her past her hangup with sex...
She smiled, eyes dreamily following the big Guildmaster.
"We're...promised." She said softly and Cobra smiled, getting what that meant right out of Lucys happy soul and blinking in surprise, suddenly his opinion of the Guildmaster went up, the man hadn't just made Lucy happy, he'd given her something she'd been wanting as long as he'd known her, a commitment that meant something and...someone to love who would love her back. While it seemed neither one had gotten to confessions that big yet, both were obviously headed that way in his opinion and he was happy for his friend. Still...he was still Cobra...he had a reputation to keep up.
"That means your fucking each others brains out huh? Glad you enjoyed getting eaten out so much Tink, didn't think you'd be one to be all daydreaming about shit like that in public…" He said and Lucys mouth fell open, he heard the incoming kick and dodged it narrowly jumping back and barreling into someone.
As soon as contact happened a jolt flew through him that set his teeth on edge, his dragon roaring up inside of him in a surge stronger than he'd ever felt before.
"It's the one!" It screamed and he staggered, blinking and turning to face whoever it was. The one what?! He tried to demand back but his dragon rarely answered him.
His eye focused in on a chest left partially bare by the deep cut of a tight black leather jerkin that looked almost painted on, like the black leather pants that hugged flawlessly muscled legs, Black tattoos peeked out from the edges of the jerkin and a winged serpent wound around a well developed bicep.
There was a sexy chuckle "Eyes are up here handsome."
Cobra blushed, actually fucking blushed, him...and met the hottest wine colored eyes he'd ever seen, framed by thick black lashes, shining wavy black hair tumbled around broad shoulders streaked with the same color as his eyes framing a handsome face he was...stunning.
"MATE! Our Mate!" His dragon raged wildly in his head, spinning and thrashing around inside him so happy and excited it almost made him stagger again.
The wicked smirk that tilted the mans full lips made Cobra suddenly aware his own pants were pretty damn tight red leather.
Lucy frowned, she'd never seen Cobra look so flustered, nor had she ever seen the man blush. But he was almost trembling staring at Vander with his lips slightly parted.
"Vander? This is my friend Cobra, he's the Poison Dragon Slayer, Cobra? This is Bickslows little brother, Vander." Lucy introduced the pair and Vander, not in possession of a single shy bone in his body and far too good at seeing attraction when it was displayed so plainly by a handsome face, stepped up to the Poison Slayer boldly.
The man was hot, sexy on an upper level with his maroon hair and vivid indigo eye, those ears...he had pointed ears and wore a sexy gold hoop in one Vander wouldn't mind at all running his tongue over. He knew attraction when he saw it, he was very familiar and comfortable with it and this man, wanted him the moment that gorgeous eye had locked on his body after he'd run into him dodging a kick from Lucy that looked like it might have hurt if she'd landed it..
He'd had no fun today at all, work from the sunrise on and now they were getting ready to depart the day after his brother had Promised himself to the pretty little Celestial mage, neither had been at all unhappy about waiting a day for the ship their father was sending, Kaleb had swept Lucy up to his bedroom and they hadn't come out until the ship had arrived, Lucy a little wobbly legged and Kaleb smiling looking happier than Vander had seen him a long time. He was happy for his brother but still, he'd had plans for Lucy on this trip, he'd been pressuring Arris about letting him stand in for her lessons but the Sudehpah had held firm and now he knew why, fucking Kaleb had moved in on the blonde and, made a real move, put a damn ring on her and everything and damn if he didn't respect that.
It left him with nobody on the ship though, the crew maybe but he'd already run the ship before approaching Lucy and company and while there were a couple of interesting possibilities, nothing held a candle to Lucy, until this sexy thing had showed up...
He'd known Freed and Bickslow were bringing a dragon slayer with them, Cristoff had even teleported to Pelerno to be there when the man arrived a week ago and had told Vander they would get along well.
From the look in the Dragon Slayers eye...they might get along really well and Vander was thrilled, he'd seen Cristoffs capacity for sex, Dragon Slayer strength and stamina translated into a lust that was awe inspiring in a sexual setting. He'd always wanted to try it, sex with a Dragon Slayer and this one looked willing. Poison too...holy shit did that sound delicious, he had a strong immunity to poisons, Havati venom laced through his own blood, the serpents adorned his body in his clan tattoos and he admired them so much he'd had others added like the one around his right bicep.
This man had a very nice serpentine feel to him too…
"Poison Slayer hmm? Well, Cobra...do you carry a good sized snake?" He asked, narrowing his eyes with a wicked smile.
Cobra found his voice, though it came out low and husky.
"Well, King Cobras are the largest of the venomous snakes…" He said, eye almost closing as this mans scent flowed around him, cherries and cloves...Gods help him...his dragon was losing it's mind inside of him too wanting him to grab Vander, bend him over whatever was close and claim him right there.
Vander had no idea what he was playing with, all he knew was this man wanted him and damn if he wasn't all for it, he hadn't had a good romp with a sexy man in a while, having lots of women lovers recently, he didn't care one way or the other, pleasure was pleasure and it was what he wanted. His long fingered hand slid up the shorter mans chest and he smiled more feeling the mans muscles quiver under his touch, hearing his breath catch.
Oh he needed to get this sexy thing to someplace private because holy hell would it be good, the slayer was all muscle,lithe, a lean powerful body well masked by the clothes he wore, though that nice red leather hugged muscular thighs and from the way his coat hung he'd bet on a nicely rounded ass.
"So are you really the King variety or just prone to embellishment?" He asked leaning in closer, his breath fanning over Cobras ear, wine colored eyes locking on that hoop of gold, licking his lips wanting to suck it into his mouth. Gods he felt it so thick, the attraction between them, he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so eager for sex, he was always willing but Gods above did he want this man...It had to be because he was a dragon slayer.
Vander, back off… Kalebs low warning came hard into his head and he closed his eyes, frowning, his lips a bare whisper from claiming that golden hoop, the heat from the Dragon Slayers body warming his own.
Fuck you Kaleb, I backed off Starshine and respected your feelings, this man wants me and holy fuck do I want him...we have at least a week aboard this ship, I plan to fuck this sexy beast all the way to Austiq! Vander returned, leaning in and capturing that golden hoop, humming as the warm skin of the mans ear came between his lips and gliding his tongue over that and the golden hoop, thrilling at the low growling moan he got.
Vander, he's a Dragon Slayer… Kaleb began.
So is Cristoff, so is Emi and Laxus! They fuck like rabbits with all sorts of people all the time so don't you dare spoil this for me damn it! Vander interrupted, feeling strong hands slide around him and willingly stepping into Cobras body, letting the slayer wrap his arms around him and shivering at the feel of Cobra nuzzling against him, the scent of exotic flowers coming to him.
Gods what was this? His blood was racing through his veins, he had never felt this excited in someones arms before, never, it was intoxicating….
Vander, you're his MATE! He's trying not to claim you right here on the fucking deck and you're not helping! Vander gasped, letting go of cobras ear and trying to step back but Cobras grip on his tightened, the slayers lips closing on his neck just above his collarbone while he breathed in Vanders scent hungrily, a hand sliding up into his thick wavy black hair and fisting in it, holding the shadowquip still while he suddenly slid out his tongue and licked up Vanders skin, tasting him.
" fuck…" Vander breathed, eyes rolling up as his hands grabbed the back of Cobras coat.
"You bet that hot ass we will…" Cobra purred against his neck and Vander groaned, he needed to get the hell out of the Slayers arms Kaleb had to be wrong, it was just strong attraction...the strongest he'd ever felt sure but that was all...he just needed distance...a quick pop through the icy voids would cool his burning blood and clear his head.
He just needed to find the will to do it...Cobras lips and tongue playing on his throat were not giving him any desire to separate from him.
VANDER! Kaleb roared in his head and Vanders eyes snapped open and in a rush of shadows and black smoke the shadowquip vanished, Cobra staggered forward and fell to his knees. He stared at the empty space in his arms where his mate had just been and whipped his head around glaring at the tall platinum blonde mage a few yards away, he'd caught the interaction Kaleb had with his mate, the big blonde was why his mate wasn;t still shivering in his arms. He jumped to his feet and started toward Kaleb with a snarl but had a firm hand grab his ear and yank him sideways.
With a yelp he turned a wide eye toward the attacker his dragon wouldn't let him take a swing at even though it was furious right now and met Lucys narrowed brown eyes.
"What the fuck was that Erik and why are you looking like your thinking about killing my boyfriend?" She demanded. Cobra blinked at her, face contorted at the pain of having his ear twisted, anyone else would already have their intestines laying on the ground from a swipe of his clawed hand, but Lucy he just gently pushed at.
"Tink, leggo, that fucking hurts!" He whined.
"Good! Now what are you playing at?!" She demanded and turned a little as hands closed on her hips pulling her back against a wonderfully familiar tall warm body.
"Not his fault, Vander is his mate and the shit toying with him was driving him crazy...I got Vander to stop and I'm sure he didn't want to stop…" Kaleb said softly.
Cobra growled at him and Lucy held up a warning finger, but her eyes were wide and there was a smile on her face.
"Your mate?! Oh...oh my Gods...Erik! Did you know?" She asked.
"Soon as I...touched him...fuck...I...I should get off this ship…" He started toward the walkway and Lucy grabbed him.
"No! Erik! You can't run from your mate...he can't run from you either...that's right isn't it?" She looked at Kaleb who nodded silently, eyes narrowed on the Poison Slayer.
"You can't run Erik, distance from Vander now that your dragon has identified him and you've already had your..ah...mouth on him...it would cause you both physical pain and would sharply weaken you both, no...you'll stay. Whether or not you chose to mate on the ship is up to you both, but you will, your dragon has found your mate, there's no stopping it now…" Kaleb said firmly and Erik glared at his new "Master".
"It's your fault he left in the first fucking place, have any idea how that fucking felt?! For a second there it was like my gut got ripped out then slammed back into me." He snarled.
"You too huh? Holy shit that sucked." He jerked his head and there he was again… "MATE!" His dragon screamed all happy dancing giant lizard in his head.
Gods he was fucking gorgeous...all black leather hugging a sinfully well defined tall body shoulder length black hair he knew felt amazing in his hand. He was never like this, never, not with any lover he'd taken had he wanted one so bad, he never looked at anyone no matter how stunning and started...imagining...how they...tasted...gods that skin was just perfect, the rich black and red ink of the serpent wrapped around that bulging bicep, he wanted to lick over it, seal his mouth on those full juicy looking lips and lose himself, Gods that ass...so biteable...oh yes, there would be so much licking and biting...lots and lots of biting…
"You felt it too…" He observed and Vander nodded, narrowing those gorgeous deep red eyes on him.
"Yeah...you know...monogamy isn't really my style…" He said. Cobra grinned, fangs showing and he thrilled when Vanders breath caught at the sight of those long white teeth.
"Mine either...but I aint sharing you for a little while...after I make this lust happy...maybe we can talk about things...but right now…" He was stalking the now smirking man, and Vander pushed off the rail he was leaning against, countering Cobras movements.
Kaleb wrapped his arms around Lucy, bending his head and kissing her neck. "Your circus and your monkeys now Goddess, you have Cris here, he can guide you in handling this, I know it takes about a week for the first bite to set so Cobra can lock in the mating with the second, so...if they mate tonight...well, they'll both be holed up fucking each other senseless for the majority of the flight and things should be pretty peaceful." He whispered to her and Lucy turned in his arms,frowning, not as worried about the Dragon stalking the shadow mage all over the deck of the ship scaring the crew with his deep growls while Vander teased him with little flirty comments as she was Kaleb...saying goodbye.
Lucy was more upset about the prospect of leaving Kaleb behind while she went on this mission, everything with Kaleb was still so new and felt so...fragile.
He smiled at her "Not fragile honey, listen carefully, I do not mince words, I do not make light promises, I am a vessel of immaculate light, a knight, a wizard saint and the Master of White Sea, I keep my promises and...I am promised to you. I won't lie, I'm going to miss the hell out of you, I've never gone more than a couple of weeks without sex since I was 12, but...I will wait for you...we are promised...when you come back just expect to spend a week in bed…" He smirked at her and she melted, pulling that smirking mouth to hers and hungrily kissing him breathless.
"Hey you can't climb that!" Somebody yelled and they looked to see Vander on one of the masts, Cobra climbing it with a devilish grin on his face digging his claws into the metal with ease.
"Well you handle rigid masts pretty well snakecharmer…" Vander called.
"I'll handle yours soon enough." Cobra returned.
"Oh baby...now you're teasing…" Vander purred, vanishing and reappearing on the deck, Cobra jerked his head around and shoved off the mast, landing on top of the Shadowquip who didn't try to dodge him, letting the slayer tackle him to the deck.
"I'll deliver…" Cobra growled, gripping the taller mans Jerkin and lunging into pressing his nose into that silky black hair so he could drown himself in that smoky cherries and cloves scent.
"Oh Gods you better...I'm so fucking hard right now…" Vander growled back and they both vanished. Lucy blinked and then looked back at Kaleb who heaved a sigh. Cupping her cheek in his hand.
"I'll miss you." He said softly and Lucy whimpered, jumping to kiss him again and he kissed her back, their tongues twining until the ships departure siren blew.
She had to let him go then, but not before Laxus emerged onto the deck and slid an arm around her, she let her hands fall from gripping Kalebs white leather tunic then and watched him turn on his heel, white cloak flowing out behind him as he strode swiftly down the ramp from the ship, joining Thane and accepting a tablet from his aid, flipping over something on it before turning to smile up at her.
Tears fell down her face, she was going to recover Aquarius, one of her friends had just found his mate and it was Vander, who she thought was one of the most fun and exciting people ever, Gods help Cobra, he had no idea what kind of mate he was taking. She felt like a huge part of herself was there on the skyport deck, white cloak billowing around him as the ship lifted away from the dock, his platinum hair flying back...Gods...she missed him intensely already, and when he was finally out of sight she turned into Laxus' chest and cried.