Lucy POV
We went to the carnival that evening, as Kuzon had recommended. It felt good to get a break and just have fun. We watched dancers, played the carnival games, and went on rides.
"Erza," Gray called. "Ring toss contest." He pointed to a booth lined with short wooden poles and stacks of plastic rings.
"Are you sure, Gray?" Erza asked with a self-assured smirk.
"Bring it, Red," the ice wizard hissed.
The booth owner very smartly moved aside, and the two armed themselves with plastic rings. Wendy and I watched as they flung the rings towards the poles with incredible speed, but of course, being Fairy Tail wizards, the wooden poles weren't enough of a target. They began flinging rings at everything in the stall, trying to one-up each other until the booth creaked, and came crashing down. Surprisingly, in the end, Gray had managed to land more rings than Erza. The booth owner nervously handed him a stuffed toy before scampering away. Erza tried calling after him, offering to pay for the damages, but the man was long gone. Gray handed the toy to Wendy and ruffled her hair before looking around.
"Where's Natsu?" he asked.
"He's by the roller-coaster," I scoffed.
We looked in that direction and saw our pink-haired friend waving us over.
"Luce, let's go," Natsu said excitedly, pointing at the roller-coaster.
"Natsu! You can't handle a regular train, what makes you think you'll be okay on a super fast one?" I smacked his head.
"I'll be fine, Lucy! Trust me! Let's go!" He grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the ride. We climbed in, and I reached for his hand, squeezing it.
"Natsu," I began comfortingly, "if you throw up on me, I will end you." My voice was sickly sweet.
The ride began creaking to life, and I saw Natsu's face change shades.
"Fuck, this was a bad idea, Luce," he groaned, tucking his face into my shoulder.
The roller-coaster climbed up a slope before rapidly dropping down, twisting and turning at high speed. The wind rushed past my face, blowing my hair everywhere. Poor Natsu had his arms around me in terror and was whimpering in my ear. Finally, when the ride stopped, Natsu flung himself out, running to the nearest trash can. I ran behind him, stroking his back as he threw up into it.
"Natsu, you're an idiot," Erza said flatly.
"Please kill me," Natsu moaned, his head still in the trash can.
After some food, we headed back to the inn. Natsu's face hadn't fully returned to its original colour. The next morning, we went by Mr. Kuzon's mansion to say bye.
"Please accept this gift, children," he said, handing me an envelope. I opened it and my eyes widened in shock. I passed it to Erza, who had the same reaction.
"Mr. Kuzon… We can't," she gasped.
"What is it?" Wendy asked, while Natsu and Gray craned their necks to get a look.
"It's an all-expenses paid weekend at Akane resort," I said in a hushed voice.
"Please, Lucy. It would mean a lot to me if you and your friends accepted this. I was very fond of your grandfather, and even more so of your mother. I didn't think I'd ever get to meet a Heartfilia again, so seeing you has brought me great joy. You have the same warmth and kindness that your mother did," he smiled at me. I rushed up and threw my arms around the small, old man, tears pricking my eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Kuzon," I whispered. He chuckled, returning the hug.
It didn't take much effort to convince Erza into delaying our return by another two days. After a sweet goodbye, we made our way to the resort. We spent our afternoon by the beach and our evening at the massage centre. After dinner, four of us went to the hot springs with a bottle of sake. Wendy and Carla wanted to watch the dancers at the lounge, and Happy wanted to watch Carla.
Gray poured us all a glass each as we settled into the warm water. And then, without beating around the bush, he looked right at me. "Lucy, what's going on? You say you overslept, but pass out on the train, Natsu and Erza keep looking at you like you're going to combust, and you were barely around before we left for this job. Does it have anything to do with Laxus? Because I will not hesitate to kick his ass," Gray said resolutely.
I looked at Natsu and Erza and saw what Gray was saying. They were both looking at me like I was made of glass and they were getting ready to wrap themselves around me to protect me. I sighed. If they knew, it was only fair that I tell Gray as well. He was obviously concerned, and I didn't want to give him cause for worry.
"No, it doesn't involve Laxus. At least, he isn't at fault. The thing is… I've also been seeing Gildarts…" I trailed off, waiting for his reaction. All I got was a nod.
"So, yeah. It's actually not a big deal. They don't know about each other, of course, and Gildarts and I spoke about not being exclusive, and I will also have this conversation with Laxus, so I don't see why anyone is worried," I finished with a shrug.
"Because this whole thing might be the little spark that ignites a massive brawl between two of our strongest wizards?" Gray suggested sarcastically.
Before I could defend myself, Natsu cut in. "Hold up, sure that's an issue, but what's the worst that's gonna happen? They'll tear down the guild before Gramps is able to step in? We've had the guild torn down before. No, I'm more worried about you, Lucy," Natsu looked into my eyes. "I want to believe that you can do casual sex, I really do, Luce. But I know you. You feel everything so deeply, and you love so deeply. Remember how quickly you forgave that crazy redhead Flare? You're gonna get attached, and then, it won't matter if they fight, or when they fight, or who wins, because you may get hurt irrespective. That's what I'm worried about," Natsu leaned over and squeezed my hand.
I shakily took a sip of the sake, grateful for the burn as it coursed through me.
"Natsu has a point, Lucy," Erza said simply. "What happens when feelings get involved?"
"Th-they won't! I… I don't know." I hated this conversation. I just wanted to be with Laxus and be with Gildarts. I wanted to have them both, with no complications.
"Look, I know you're right, Natsu. But I'm not there yet. I don't want to think about going there because I don't want complications. So, for now, can we drop this, guys? It's making me sad," I said honestly. "I know you guys are worried, and are saying this out of concern, but for now, I'm having a good time, and I really don't want to think about anything that could go wrong," I pleaded.
The three of them hesitated, itching to say more, but they understood where I was coming from.
"Of course. Sorry if we pushed it, Luce," Gray said sincerely. Sitting across from me, he was too far away to lean in for a comforting hug, and instead, resorted to gently tapping his foot against my shin.
It was now the fourth time I was having that conversation, and it left me exhausted. I gulped down my sake, wanting nothing more than to curl up in a pair of strong arms. Conversation flowed around me, the three of them oblivious to my sudden silence. In my head I could almost feel muscular biceps pulling me into a toned chest, and maybe it was because Natsu had brought it up, but the hug I craved wasn't sexual. It was romantic. The only problem was, I couldn't place a face to the arms holding me in my mind. For a moment it was Laxus. Then, it was Gildarts. Then… I tuned back into the banter, holding my glass out to Gray for him to top me up.
Laxus POV
Maybe the problem with Fay or May had been that she was a brunette. Blondie was blonde. Maybe I had a thing for blondes. This was my last ditch attempt to refute Gajeel's theory. It was possible that brunettes just didn't do it for me anymore.
And so I went to a bar. A different one, this time. Hopefully one with fewer crazies. I downed multiple whiskeys and, as the buzz began to set it, I let my eyes wander.
There were still a few women who made a pass, but none of them were blonde, so I didn't even bother. I sat by the bar, slowly making my way through a beer, watching people dance. I truly hated the music at these places.
I tried drowning out the awful noise by imagining the music I'd have played instead. I was halfway through my dream playlist when I felt a shy tap on my arm. I looked down and saw this tiny, petite blonde with huge blue eyes. Her pouty lips were painted a cherry red and her black dress revealed enough of her ample cleavage. She had a small smile on her face. Her mouth moved but I didn't hear what she said.
"What?" I yelled above the music.
She leaned on my arm, bringing her lips close to my ear. "I asked if you could pass me a tissue. They're behind you." She pointed to the stack near my elbow. I pulled one off and handed it to her. As she turned to leave, I grabbed her wrist.
"Can I buy you a drink?" I shouted.
She nodded with a smile. "A beer would be great, thanks," she said, sitting on the stool next to mine.
It wasn't long after that we were both naked and in my bed. I kissed her roughly, squeezing her tits. She moaned into my mouth, wrapping her legs around my waist. When I had her on all fours, with me slamming into her from the back and her blonde hair fisted in my hand, she moaned my name, and for half a second, she sounded like Blondie. But then her pussy clenched my dick and it didn't feel as good as Lucy's. I fucked her hard and fast and after making sure she'd cum, I came unimpressively on her tits. She managed to blow some life back into my dick, but my orgasm in round 2 was so boring I almost fell asleep mid-ejaculation.
I was really regretting having brought her back to my place, because I sure as hell didn't want to cuddle with her, but there was also no nice way to kick her out late at night. I resignedly let her fall asleep on my bed, curled into my side. I had never been more irritated with my dick in my entire life. An amazingly beautiful woman was asleep next to me after good sex, and my dick didn't even twitch. I was surprised the bastard had even gotten hard for the first two rounds. I did eventually fall asleep, after slowly pushing her sleeping frame away from me.
Oh fuck, yes. More. Suck my dick. Fuck.
I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or not, but as my body began waking up, I was almost certain that a pair of lips were wrapped around my cock, sliding it into a wonderfully warm mouth. I was getting harder by the second. I was still half-asleep, but damn if this wasn't the best way to wake up.
"God, Lucy," I rasped, my eyes still closed as I pictured Blondie between my legs.
Suddenly, the mouth around my dick vanished. "Um, it's Lila," came a soft voice. My eyes flew open. Blondie was between my legs, alright. Just not the Blondie I'd pictured.
"Shit, sorry, my brain's still half-asleep. Sorry, Lila," I apologised, ridiculously embarrassed.
"It's okay, baby," she purred, taking my dick back into her mouth. The traitorous asshole was hard again.
Lila climbed up onto me, straddling my hips. She sank down on my dick, her palms pressed against my chest and she began riding me. It felt good, but it didn't excite me. Having her fuck me felt no different than me jerking off. A good release, but otherwise not particularly memorable. We both came together, and she pressed her lips to mine. I made out with her for a few minutes before sliding out from under her and heading to the shower. I locked my bathroom door, lest she sneak in and join me.
I came out to find her still naked and in bed, looking at me seductively. I mechanically pulled on my clothes, and she started taking the hint.
"Are you heading out?" she asked.
"Yep. Gotta get to work."
She frowned. "I was hoping we'd get breakfast," she said expectantly.
"I'm sorry, Lila, I wish I could. There are some eggs in the fridge and bread on the counter if you want to make yourself something. I'll have someone drop by to lockup after you're done," I offered. This was the price I had to pay for bringing her back to my house.
She tried protesting a little, but I didn't let myself be coerced.
I teleported to the guild and immediately sought out Freed.
"What's up, Laxus?" he asked, noting the way I purposefully strode up to him.
"There's a woman in my house making herself breakfast. Please go there, make sure she finishes quickly and leaves. Then just lock up behind her. And, I don't know, is there some enchantment you can write so that she won't be able to find her way back later?" I pleaded.
The last thing I needed was for this lady to show up at my house again. She didn't seem like the stalker type, but after a few incidents, I no longer took the chance.
Freed nodded. "I will do as you ask, Laxus," he said solemnly.
I clapped him on his shoulder as he walked out of the guild.
Fuck Gajeel's dumb theory. I hated it. And when the fuck was my Blondie going to come back?
A/N: To be entirely honest, this is fully a filler chapter. There's like one paragraph of plot-relevant stuff. I feel bad about that, and to make up for it, I'm uploading another short chapter right away. So yay! Also, smut is riiiiiiight around the corner, so we're back on track with this being a smutfic.