A/N: You guys, this is my first fic to ever reach 10 chapters! I can't help but say that I'm pretty excited to be working on it again and finish it. I'm currently trying to work on it as much as I can. I hope you are enjoying the story, I'm going to grant chapter 10 some kind of smut, so if you don't want to read that, maybe skip down some, I'll try to remember to mark the end and any future smut.

Also I don't own FT (Hiro Mishima does) and I don't own the songs, I'll try to put the bands in parentheses for the ones I know in case y'all don't and just want to hear them.

Thank you for the read.

Rogue stood at the vanity, the bandages he brought in in the trash can next to it, gripping the counter and trying to get his bearings. The scent of arousal had started its slow linger in his bedroom as he massaged Levy's medicine into her body and caused his own to start and mix. It was a scent that made his head rush and his inner dragon awaken easily.

Stepping to the shower, he reached down and turned on the water before he stripped from his usual attire as it warmed to a better temperature. Once it was to his liking, he stepped into the in ground tub and pulled the curtain closed, letting the warm water run through his hair and over his body. Grabbing his shampoo, he began to wash his hair to hopefully also wash away the other scents he smelled. As he washed, with his eyes closed, his mind refused to let him see anything other than Levy's petite form almost completely bare in his bed.

His already hardened member twitched, causing him to slightly groan. He rinsed his hair and grabbed the conditioner next, closing his eyes again, the same image appeared and he remembered the quiet sounds she made as his hands ran over her tense, but oh so soft skin. His cock twitched, making him bite his lip as he fought the urges he had. Rinsing his hair again, he grabbed his body wash, adding some to a cloth before he began to wash his body.

The dragon slayer's body wash scent of cedarwood didn't really help his situation like he had hoped. Instead, it reminded him of helping her towel covered body out of this said tub when she bathed, and that thought led him to realize the fact that this in-ground tub/shower was big enough for the both of them to enjoy together.

Rogue's will broke as his inner dragon roared for some needed satisfaction. Dropping the wash cloth in the floor of the tub, the shadow mage kept his eyes closed as he wrapped his hand around his shaft, slowly starting to stroke himself as the water ran down his body. His face reddened slightly, he imagined what it would be like if Levy ever joined him. His hand moving faster, he let out a slight growl from the pleasure he was building up to.

"Ah~ Mmm"

Rogue's eyes snapped opened at the sound he barely registered as his hand slowed down. He knew he was still alone in the bathroom, as the door hadn't opened, but he thought he heard..

Levy had watched Rogue disappear behind the bathroom door and wasn't surprised when she heard the shower since he had said he was going to clean up. However, she couldn't help the fire his hands had ignited within her body, laying back against the mattress, the script mage tried to calm herself down to no avail.

Her mind kept thinking about if his hands had slid around her sides when he was massaging her back to cup her breast. How his hand was inches from her core, and how teasing the massage to her legs had been. The script mage bit her lip as she reached into her skirt and teased herself through her underwear, thinking about if had been Rogue.

Her underwear was already a little wet from Rogue's actions, and Levy didn't want to waste time, knowing the shadow mage would be out of the shower soon. She dipped her hand into her underwear and began to tease her folds.

"Ah~Mmm" Levy quickly tried to silence herself as she began to tease and play with herself. Her free hand went to her still exposed breast as she groped, closing her eyes, imagining calloused, but soft, hands doing the work on her body as this red gaze loomed over her.

"O-Oh." Levy breathed out as she focused on stimulating her clit, trying to rush her finish.

Rogue let out a groan as he realized he was right on what he thought he heard. His hand resuming it's faster speed, the mage let his mind wander in his imagination. Hearing the bluenette in the next room only aroused him more as he tried to picture what she was doing to herself in his bed. His breathing getting rapid, he could feel his release approaching as he sped up his hand on his member.

Levy was doing her best to be quiet, forgetting about dragon slayer's heightened senses, but little mewls and moans escaped her lips here and there as she drew herself closer to the edge, hearing a slight groan come from the bathroom where she could still hear the water running.

Her cheek turned red as she thought about the man in the next room, how they were so close, but still so far, and she was masurbating from his touch when he was less than thirty feet away. However, that thought somehow turned her on more as she thought about the groan she heard. It wasn't one of pain, maybe more of self restraint, and made her question if he was doing the same thing she was. The image her mind imagined of him fully naked and stroking himself, sent her over the edge; grabbing his pillow, she muffled her moan and inhaled his scent as she came down from her high.

(*Ending smut here?*)

Rogue rinsed the product of his actions off and down the drain before turning the water off and climbing out. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off and wrapped it around his hips before he realized he had forgotten to bring clean clothes into the bathroom with him. He sighed and cursed himself for his stupidity before going to the door, cracking it open.

Levy had just enough time to rub the medicine into the front of her legs and stomach and put on her shirt when she heard the door start to open, but Rogue didn't come out.

"Levy," Rogue paused, obviously it was embarrassing, standing behind the door. "I forgot my clothes. Will you hand me some?"

After telling her which drawer his pants and shirts were in, Levy nodded and carefully moved to stand, making sure she had her balance before she carefully took little steps to his dresser and getting what he asked.

"What about underwear?" Levy asked since he hadn't mentioned it, a blush on her face.

The heat spread to Rogue's cheeks as well before he gave her a response.

"Those...aren't needed."

Levy blushed as she heard Rogue and then made her way to the door, handing him his clothes. She then leaned against the edge of the bed, waiting for Rogue to exit a couple minutes later.

Rogue's head swam as he walked back into the room, Levy's arousal still lingering much heavier in the air now than when he had originally exited. Grabbing his cloak, he threw it over his shoulders and shook his hair out so it would still be in its regular place as it dried on its own time. After that, he helped Levy rebandage the deep wounds on her arms and legs that she was still insecure about.

Once he was finished, Levy gathered her bag, getting a couple of the books she borrowed from Sabertooth's library and sneaking the one from the backpack Lucy had brought her into it, before Rogue gently lifted her from her feet and took her to the guild hall. They had agreed that it was probably a good time for dinner and Rogue offered to go get them something from the ramen place they had wanted before. Levy agreed, mainly thinking about the opportunity to finish that book. He had placed her in his usual booth before getting her a glass of water from the bar and making his way out the guild doors.

Rogue had only been gone five minutes and Levy was nose deep into her book, her eyes scrolling along the page as the scenes played in her mind. Though her adventure was short as Fawna approached the booth, smiling at the bluenette. Her green hair was pulled back into a ponytail with her bangs partially covering her right eye. She wore a simple purple tank top, black capris, with sneakers, and her black half server apron so she could be comfortable as she served her fellow guild members.

"Levy, it's good to see you come down in the evening to hang out with us. Do you need anything before they get started up?" The wood mage asked. Levy looked up and returned her smile.

"Hey Fawna, I'm good right now. Rogue just went to get us something to eat. What do you mean started up?" Looking around the guild, it was the currently the same with everyone buzzed and talking about whatever with each other.

"It's karaoke night!" Fawna beamed. "It starts in about ten minutes, but everyone usually gets pretty into it for the most part. Of course you don't have to sing, but everyone usually has a good time, no matter how bad the voice may be." There was a laugh in her voice towards the end as she made a silent, joking jesture to Orga. Levy returned the laugh.

"Well don't tell Gajeel, he'll be here every time." She joked back with her friend.

"Speaking of," Fawna said, her voice tone slightly changing to one that mimicked Mirajane's when she played matchmaker, "you and the iron dragon slayer definitely have some history, but y'all seem to have built up a better relationship."

Levy looked at the mage in front of her, knowing that she was referring to how different he was around her than others in their guild, heck even most of the visit earlier had been between her and Gajeel talking.

"It took time on both ends. I was definitely scared of him for a while, and he surely didn't want to forgive himself after. But people do change, whether some from good to bad, some from dark to light, it's truly up to them and what they want in their heart if they change. I thought he could if he only had someone to show him the other side." Levy smiled as she thought about that day in the park right after Gajeel had joined her guild. Her, Jet, Droy, Gajeel, and eventually Laxus standing by the tree where her team had been displayed. "He surprised me by showing that there was already good in him, he just needed someone to encourage the good. He's been one of my best friends since." Levy said honestly, receiving a nod from Fawna.

"That makes sense, but do you ever feel like there's more?" The green haired female questioned.

"We may flirt, and he picks on me, and I get flustered with him, but that's just part of how the friendship built itself over time between us. So I can't say I do."

There was a few moments of silence between the two before Fawna spoke again.

"What about Rogue?" This caused Levy's cheeks to redden slightly.

"Ehh- w-what do you mean 'what about Rogue?'" Levy said.

"With Rogue! Do you think there could be something more?" The wood mage said, a little louder than the bluenette wished she had.

"Shhh!" Levy said, she could feel the heat in her face as she looked around to make sure no one had really been paying attention to them. She was quiet for a minute, thinking before she answered. "I'm not sure. I think the answer to that would be more on Rogue's end."

Fawna just smiled at Levy and nodded.

"Okay then! That's all I was wondering."

"Hey Fawna…" Levy started before the woman walked away. She paused, knowing she probably shouldn't, but after that conversation, "can you make a long island?"

Rogue was walking up to the doors of the guild. He already heard the music for karaoke night and one of his guild members singing the Piña Colada Song. He shook his head at his guild mates' fun before entering and making his way to Levy, noticing she had ordered herself a drink. As soon as she saw him, she moved her book and stuffed it in her bag.

Rogue sat their bag of food on the table and separated it for them, going to the bar, he got some silverware and a drink for himself before going back and sitting with Levy.

Most of their dinner was enjoyed quietly before Rogue broke the silence.

"What made you decide on a drink?" He questioned, having noticed that Levy didn't ask for one before tonight. His answer was mostly a slight blush from the script mage and a shrug.

"I thought it would help me unwind a little, maybe enjoy karaoke night more." It wasn't a complete lie. "I hope it doesn't bother you."

"Not at all." He said, lifting his own glass to his lips and taking a sip. "I was just curious. I don't mind a drink, but you won't find me having much."

"Why's that?" Levy continued their conversation, pushing the rest of her meal to the end of the table.

"Sting says I turn into a pretty messy drunk, I'm sure he has stories, to which I mostly remember being blacked out."

His comment made Levy laugh before she nodded in understanding, watching the stage as another guild member got up to sing, the music starting to Can't Fight the Music as the beautiful blonde got ready to sing.

"I understand that. I get pretty messy if I have too many too. Natsu and Gajeel will tell you that Lu-chan and I can be quite the handfuls when we let ourselves go." She took a sip of her long island ice tea that Fawna has so skillfully made for her, swaying slightly to the music.

"I doubt you are really that bad." Rogue commented, a slight smile that had become a frequent on Rogue's face since the two mages met, making another appearance as he turned to sit with his legs in the booth, getting a better view of the stage.

"Oh it's pretty bad." Levy giggled.

"I guess one day I'll have to be the judge of that." That comment got a little shock out of the bluenette, but it didn't phase her.

"Now why would you want to take care of a drunken mess?" She replied. Rogue brought his drink to his lips again, finishing his first glass as he tilted it back before he answered.

"Maybe I have just taken a liking to caring for you, and being there when you need help." He shrugged, glancing at the script mage, before he looked around to motion to Fawna to bring him another.

Levy, however, gaped at the shadow mage for a minute, letting his words sink in.

"What are you saying, Rogue?"

Rogue kept his gaze away for a moment, trying to figure out the right words to express himself before he looked back at her, soft sincerity and a slight look of fright expressed in his uncovered eye.

"I don't really know myself, but I know I think you're one of the most interesting people I've ever met. You're smart and very powerful in your own way. You have such a kind heart and loving soul. I just want to be someone you can count on. Someone you can call for whatever, or when you need help, with anything. I know I failed to protect you on this first mission, but I know I'm willing to stand by your side and fight any battle you may face with all my magic." He finished speaking, his empty drink hand now resting on the table, and dropped his gaze to the seat of the booth, seeing Fawna out of his peripherals making her way to drop off his requested drink and remove their trash for them before walking away to tend to others.

Levy could only stare at the man across from her. She didn't know what to say or what to think at first. Soon after Fawna walked off, a smile spread across the script mage's face as she reached a hand over the table to rest hers on his, making him look over at her.

"You're already one of those people to me, Rogue." She began, feeling the blush starting to her cheeks. "If you weren't, I wouldn't have agreed to go on the mission with you in the first place. You didn't fail to protect me, you saved me from what was intended to happen. If you didn't care about me, you wouldn't have even offered to help me heal. Even more so, you wouldn't have been doing such a wonderful job of it." She smiled shyly at him before continuing. "You have been so careful, and caring to me, and I couldn't be more grateful, but we don't have to rush figuring things out."

Rogue nodded, not moving his hand from Levy's and instead turning it over so that he could hold hers lightly in return. He knew now he feared losing her, and feared her rejection. He gave her hand a very small squeeze before letting it go and picking up his fresh drink, taking a sip as he looked away.

Levy had felt the awkwardness that draped over them in that last moment, grabbing her drink and taking a sip herself she thought of a quick topic change.

"What's going on with the karaoke?" Noticing the music had stopped and people were gathered around the booth next to the stage.

"Challenges." He said quietly, like his thoughts were somewhere else.

"What's that?" Levy said, tipping back the rest of her drink, downing the last third of it, raising her hand for Fawna to bring another long island.

"One person can challege another to see who sings better. Its still just for fun, but can cause some to get pretty rowdy." He said, now looking around the guild for someone.

"Are you going to participate?" She giggled, looking around as she tried to figure out who he was looking for.

"Not specifically." He said before he finally caught sight the bright blonde spiked hair that bobbed through the crowd heading towards the stage. He groaned as he realized what was about to happen.

"What?" Levy asked, picking up on his moment of displeasure.

"There's only one reason Sting goes up there." He said with a roll of his eyes, taking another swig of his drink. "He's going to sing something pretty bold, and then call me out."

"Why do I get the feeling you have stage fright?" Levy smirked, attempting to get a reaction out of the shadow mage.

"I can promise you, I don't."

"Then maybe you're just as off-key as Gajeel." That one got him to look at her,

"I do not."

"Prove me wrong then." She said, gesturing to the stage with her drink hand before taking a sip. Rogue glanced at the stage, seeing Sting step up. It was only a matter of seconds before it was announce Sting challeged Rogue, of course, before the light dragon slayer began to sing 'Fat Bottom Girls' (Queen).

Levy smirked at the shadow mage, watching as he stood and made his way over to the booth next to the stage where one of the guild members were attending to the music and keeping track of turns. He whispered his choice to the guild member in charge of running it and went back to sit with Levy til his brother was finished.

Rogue stood again and made his way to the stage as Sting came down and made his way to sit with Levy.

"Heya Levy!" He said as he sat down. "I hope you don't mind I called out Rogue."

"Not at all, I think it'll be interesting.

The music started as Rogue stepped up to the stage, and Levy noticed Sting's happy expression go to one of slight shock.

"Something wrong?" She asked the guild master.

"The song, its not one he would usually be so bold to sing. It's one he usually listens to privately on his music lacrima." Sting told her honestly. Levy looked back to the shadow mage, wondering what would make him choose a personal song.

Someone dimmed the lights, most likely taking in account the dragon slayer's eyes, as he walked up to the mic starting to sing at the perfect time.

"Hold it together,

Birds of a feather,

Nothing but lies and crooked wings."

Levy was stunned as Rogue's voice filled the guild that had suddenly gotten much quieter once he had reached the stage.

"I have the answer,

Spreading the cancer,

You are the faith inside me.

No~!

Don't~!

Leave me to die here,

Help me survive here.

Alone~!

Don't~ Remember,

Remember"

Rogue kept his eyes closed as he sang. It wasn't often, but he knew that his voice wasn't bad, especially with songs he felt relavant to him. He hesitantly opened his eyes before the chorus, looking at Levy.

"Put me to sleep, Evil Angel~,

Open your wings, Evil Angel~."

Levy couldn't believe Rogue's voice as it surrounded her, giving her goosebumps from the emotion she could hear in it as she felt his gaze on her. She realized then that that was how Rogue felt everyday. Doing his best to make it through life and not fall into darkness that surrounded his magic. She gave him a smile from her seat, letting him know that she was really glad she was getting this opportunity, and that she had her focus on him alone.

"I'm a believer,

Nothing could be worse,

All these imaginary friends.

Hiding betrayal,

Driving the nail,

Hoping to find a savior.

No~!

Don't~!

Leave me to die here,

Help me survive here,

Alone~!

Don't~ surrender!

Surrender~!

Put me to sleep, Evil Angel~.

Open your wings, Evil Angel~.

Fly over me, Evil Angel~~

Why can't I breathe, Evil Angel~~"

The song broke into an instrumental part as Rogue got a chance to catch a breath. His eyes had closed after seeing Levy's smile. He kept them closed as he enjoyed the music, hearing the chords of the guitar building back up to the chorus.

"Put me to sleep, Evil Angel~,

Open your wings, Evil Angel~,

Oooh~

Fly over me, Evil Angel~

Why can't I breathe, Evil Angel~~~." (Evil Angel, Breaking Benjamin)

He held his note til the end of the song, turning and walking off the edge of the stage before his guild members cheered him on, as they had with the other participants, and made his way back to Levy. Sliding into the booth next to Levy and across from Sting.

"That was awesome. Your range is amazing, and you really knew that song well." Levy beamed at him as she took another sip, her glass now almost empty again as a rosy pink tinted her pale cheeks. Rogue grabbed his half of a glass and downed it before replying.

"Thank you. I'm glad that you enjoyed it." He considered getting one more, but decided against it and motioned to her glass, seeing if she wanted more. She shook her head, leaning against his shoulder and turned theri conversation to the kind of music he listened to. Yukino had joined the small group, sitting next to Sting as the blonde wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Levy, why don't you have a go? Surely, someone would take your challenge or even duet with you." the white haired celestial mage said.

"Oh no, I don't sing. I can't stand the sound of my own voice when I try." She giggled, the alcohol starting to hit her good, but not to where she was worried about acting out.

After about another hour in the guild hall, Rogue noticed Levy getting tired and moved to take her to the dorm. He couldn't help but notice as she leaned more into his chest and resting her head on his shoulder. Unable to stop the smile that tugged at his lips, Rogue bid goodnight to his brother and Yukino before carrying Levy up to the dorm.

He gently placed her and her bag on the bed before going to the bathroom to change into his sleepwear. When he returned, she was already in a t-shirt and shorts, her bag tossed by the dresser as she started to settle into the covers.

Rogue grabbed his side's blanket and slid in to bed, turning off the light as he laid next to the script mage. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the scent of her earlier arousal still on his sheets. He felt Levy roll onto her side so that her back was to him, before he felt a tiny hand reach for his and pull it so that it was resting on her side, making the dragon slayer's heart pick up speed. Rogue's eyes snapped opened as he looked at the back of the bluenette's head in front of him. She seemed content, just enjoying the weight of his hand on her side as her breaths caused it to rise and fall. He could tell that she was already asleep, that quick with the help of the alcohol. His hand rested on her side, just a few inches above her hip, as he tried to calm his racing heart, closing his eyes as he let the alcohol will him to sleep.