Gildarts POV

After dinner, we made love again. I held her in my arms as she sat in my lap, her tits pressed into my chest. I slowly slid my dick in and out of her, ghosting kisses over her lips as I did so. Her chocolate brown eyes were hooded with lust and she breathily whispered my name. We moved in perfect synchrony, moaning each other's names. It was sensual and delicate, and when we came together, she dropped her forehead to my shoulder, pulling me to her.

We fell asleep naked, my arms enveloping her as her warm breath caressed my throat. I deeply inhaled her vanilla scent and let the feel of her heartbeat against my chest lull me to sleep.

I woke before her the next morning. She was curled on her side, her blonde hair messily strewn across the pillow. A small contented smile played at her lips and I wondered what she was dreaming about. She looked so beautiful.

With a sudden pang, I remembered last evening. I knew it had been her knocking before I even opened the door. I remembered seeing her face, and momentarily, being blown away by her beauty. And then I remembered Laxus's arm around her and my heart dropped into my stomach. I once again wanted to go and beat the living crap out of him. Before I could control it, I let slip that idiotic question.

Why the fuck are you such a goddamn jackass? No wonder she's with Laxus. I bet he doesn't say stupid fucking shit like that.

I watched her face change from confusion to horror to despair. As she choked through her explanation, I saw tears well in her eyes and it felt like someone had taken a katana to my gut.

Looking at her now, asleep, I hadn't a clue why she had forgiven me. I was still beating myself up for it. I hated that I'd made her cry. She didn't deserve to be with someone who made her cry. My heart tore at the memory of her tears.

"Gildarts," I heard a muffled mumble. I brought myself out of that spiral of sadness, watching her eyes gently flutter open. "Why are you stressing so early in the morning?" she asked.

"What makes you say I'm stressing?" I chuckled nonchalantly.

"You're gripping the quilt hard enough to rip a hole through it," she pointed out. I hadn't realised I was doing that. I relaxed my hand, moving it to cup her face. I dipped my head to kiss her.

"What's wrong, babe?" she whispered, stroking her palm along my jaw.

"Nothing," I said with a shake of my head.

"Bullshit," she propped herself up on one elbow. "What happened?"

"I- I was remembering yesterday. Evening. When I was a fucking asshole." I paused for a moment, and just as she moved her mouth to speak, I continued. "You shouldn't be with me, Lucy," I confessed. "I made you cry, and I was a jealous, selfish bastard, and I hate the idea of you being with Laxus. I know we agreed we weren't exclusive, but when I saw him kiss you in front of everyone… God, Lucy, I wanted to punch him through a wall and wrap you in my arms. But I took it out on you. I was an asshole to you, and I made you cry. I'm so fucking sorry, baby. I'll understand if you want to end this," I finished in a whisper. I didn't avert my eyes from hers, searching them for a reaction.

She shut her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose between two fingers. "You're such an idiot," she laughed with a shake of her head. She locked eyes with me and held my face between her hands.

"You think I'd have kissed you, made love to you, slept in your arms if I wanted to end this? Gildarts, I want you. I wanted you yesterday, I want you today, and I'll want you tomorrow," she pressed a firm kiss to my lips.

I wasn't convinced. "Baby girl, maybe- what if he's better for you?" I didn't want her answer and asking that question made me feel like shit, but I couldn't deny that maybe he was. "He's closer to your age, he'll be around more, he can take care of you…" My chest was tight with hurt.

She sat back, putting some distance between us. Glaring at me accusingly, she smacked my arm.

"I don't want to ever hear that again, Gildarts." Her voice shook with restrained emotion. "Why do you doubt how much I care for you? What makes you think I give a damn that you're older than me? I fucking-" she threw her head back in frustration. "God, Gildarts, I am always thinking about you. I always want to be in your arms. You are so good to me and it breaks my heart when you push me away like this. I'm with you now because I want to be. And right now, in this room, nothing but the two of us matter," she declared, her voice wavering. She slipped her hand into mine.

"But I made you cry," I mumbled ashamedly.

"I thought I hurt you. I was sad because I thought I hurt you and so you hated me," she confessed quietly.

I looked at her in shock. "I could never hate you, Lucy. I do want to punch him, but I could never hate you." I pulled her into my arms, letting her curl into my side.

Lucy POV

I pressed my cheek to his chest, my heart still hammering. I wanted to cry at his confession, but he was worried enough. The last thing he needed was for me to break down again.

If anything, I don't deserve him… I wrapped my arms around him tightly, turning my face to press a kiss to his pectoral. I stretched up and kissed his lips, softly, desperately.

"I want you, Gildarts," I reiterated in a whisper, lying down on my back as I pulled him over me. I looked into his dark green eyes, and still saw concern and shame.

"Please, Gildarts. You did nothing wrong. You said something dumb and you apologised for it. I've forgiven you. I've forgiven you many times over. I just want to be with you now. Please, make love to me," I whispered, caressing his cheek. I lifted my head to kiss him deeply.

He nodded as he kissed me, before pulling back and quickly coating two of his fingers in saliva. He reached down and slicked those fingers along my entrance. As if I needed to be more wet when I had this gorgeous man hovering above me. He positioned himself along my wetness before slowly pushing in. Like last night, he didn't fuck me. He gently made love to me. We kissed as he thrust in and out of me. He breathed my name and I responded with his. Even his cool, metal fingers felt warm and delicate against my skin. I felt his muscles ripple against me, my breasts brushing his chest with every thrust. Our kisses were gentle and deliberate. Soft lips moving against soft lips. His fingers trailed over my face and down my neck before carefully cupping my breast, squeezing it lovingly. I wound my arms under his, gripping onto his shoulders, pulling him as deep into me as I could.

I felt my orgasm cascade over me in gentle waves. I moaned into his skin as my body trembled. He came inside me, holding me to his chest as we rode out of climaxes together.

He led me to the bathroom and we stood under the warm spray of the shower. His fingers massaged shampoo through my hair as I lathered soap across his chest. Standing naked as he soaped my legs felt like the most intimate thing in the world.

When we were done, he gently dried my hair. Towels wrapped around us, we walked to the kitchen where I poured us a mug of coffee each. I sat perched on the counter and he leaned against it, his towel dangerously close to slipping off his hips.

As we talked, I flitted my gaze to the clock on the wall.

"Shit," I gulped down a large sip before putting the mug down, "I'm supposed to meet everyone in twenty minutes." I jumped off the counter, rushing to his room.

Your top is in shreds and you don't have time to go home and change, so you're gonna have to wear his shirt for the rest of the day.

Gildarts had walked in behind me, going to his closet and pulling out a white button-down.

"Will this match your skirt?" he asked adorably.

"Yes, it will," I nodded with a giggle.

He dressed me, carefully buttoning the shirt. Then, on second thought, he undid the top two buttons.

"It's a crime to cover your gorgeous tits," he mumbled, fiddling with the collar. He then pulled out his clothes, dropping his towel to the floor.

After ogling him for all of 5 seconds, I pulled on my skirt, tucking the shirt in. I adjusted it a little, before looking in the mirror.

Shit, I look good. I probably look better than he does in this shirt. Should I keep it?

I swear that man could read my mind.

"I know that look, Lucy, and no, you cannot keep the shirt. Though you do look wonderful in it," he whispered in my ear as he fastened his cloak.

"Please let me keep it?" I begged, batting my lashes.

"Sweetheart, I have exactly three decent shirts. I cannot afford for that number to drop. I will be collecting that shirt at some point, but for now, I like seeing it on you," he swatted my ass before pressing a kiss to my lips.

I looped my arm through his as we walked out of his house. When we got close to the guild, we unlinked our arms, moving a reasonable distance away from one another. I did not need another show. Right before we entered, I heard Gildarts whisper, "I'll see you soon, baby girl." He winked quickly as we walked in. Without further interaction, he walked to the bar and said something to Mira before heading up the stairs.

I quickly located Natsu and Erza, sliding in next to them. Gray and Wendy made themselves known soon as well. Happy flew over with a stack of fliers and we began sifting through them, trying to identify our next mission.

"Do we have to even do a mission, guys?" Gray groaned after Natsu vetoed his fifth suggestion. "We're all still flush from the Kuzon gig. Don't you guys want to just hang out for a while?"

Erza raised her hand to slap him, but with lightning quick reflexes, he caught her wrist.

"You're improving, Gray. Impressive," she complimented. "But it's not about the money. We should take jobs to help people."

"Erza, I hate to say this, but I agree with Ice Boy on this," Natsu shockingly declared. "It felt good to take a break when we were at Akane, and I'd like to continue to just chill for a bit. I could maybe help Romeo train, and Lucy could help Mira, and Gray could make sweet, sweet love to Juvi- Ow!" Gray had deftly kicked Natsu.

"I'm not sleeping with her," he hissed. "Shut your damn mouth or she'll hear you." He quickly glanced around to make sure she wasn't anywhere in sight.

Natsu was about to pick a fight when something drew his attention. Erza, who was sitting next to him, glanced up as well. Before I could turn to see what they were looking at, Laxus bent down, pecking my cheek.

"Interesting shirt, Blondie," he commented before walking away.

"What was that?" Natsu asked.

"Fuck yeah, what was that?" Cana chimed in, having seen the exchange from a table over.

I looked at her pointedly. "My house. Tomorrow night. Tell Levy." I looked at Erza. "You too, honey." I then shot an apologetic glance at Wendy. I felt bad not inviting her when she was at the table. "Would you like to come as well? It'll just be us getting drunk and talking about guys and sex," I shrugged.

Her face became a bright red. "Uh, no, that's okay. Thank you, Lucy," she held her hands up and shook her head.

"Can we come?" Gray and Natsu asked simultaneously.

"No!" Cana, Erza, and I yelled together.

"Jeez, fine…" Natsu grumbled while Gray pouted in silence.

Cana got up to find Levy and inform her of our plans.

"Getting back to the point," Erza picked up smoothly, "let's take a week off. We'll figure out a mission in seven days, okay?" She commanded.

Natsu leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You're a gem, Erza," he said happily.

"Kiss me again and I'll cut your ear off," Erza said darkly.

Natsu's eyes glinted mischievously. He pressed another kiss to her cheek before jumping out of his seat and running. Erza leapt up and began chasing him. Gray, not wanting to miss the fight, followed her.

I dropped my head to the table with a groan. "Can they go one day without fighting?" I cried.

"It's fun to watch," Wendy said, slowly moving out of her seat.

"Go, watch Erza beat him up," I waved at her, knowing she was hanging back to keep me company. She didn't need further persuasion.

I leaned back, convinced my friends were lunatics.

Laxus POV

When I saw Blondie wearing that shirt, it took the entirety of my self control to not rip it off and burn it.

It's probably Natsu's. Relax.

But it was too big to be Natsu's. And it didn't smell like him. It was that same smell again. The one that had clung to her a couple times before. It was most probably because of that fucker, whoever he was, that Blondie and I were having to do this non-exclusivity crap. I shook my head, pushing the thought out of my mind.

The worst part was, she looked fucking amazing in that shirt. I just wished it had been mine instead of some random bastard's.

I got through my work half heartedly, still bristling a little from seeing my Blondie in some other dude's shirt. When I left my office, she was nowhere to be found. I suspected she'd gone home to get dressed for our dinner. I quickly teleported home and changed, before making sure everything was ready. Ever had offered to help me set it all up, and knowing her eye for detail, I was positive that everything was how I intended.

When we were getting everything ready, she had asked me, "How come you're going through all this for her?" There had been no malice in her voice, just genuine curiosity.

"I don't know, Ever… There's just something about her. She's unlike anyone I've met." It was the truth. I didn't want to mention the pseudo mating, but Blondie was pretty fucking special even if that hadn't happened.

Ever simply nodded. I couldn't tell if she was satisfied with my response, but she didn't push it.

I didn't know how to tell Ever exactly how much that blonde woman meant to me. I wasn't even sure if I entirely understood how much she meant to me.

But the conclusion that I had come to, after unsuccessfully trying to get my brain to shut up several times, was that Blondie was it for me. She had me wrapped around her finger like a damn marionette.

I pulled myself out of my memory and looked around, giving everything a once over. Picking up the silk handkerchief lying on the table, I stepped out to teleport to her apartment.

A/N: Am I adding emotional complications just to draw out the impending fight? Yes, very much so. Because you know the fight is coming, and it wouldn't be fun to just give it to you. Also because I'm nervous to write it because I've built it up in my head too much.

I want to quickly add how proud I am of myself. I started this with no plot in mind, and fully intended for it to be a 6-7 chap smut fic with the loosest plot woven through to hold it together. It was gonna be a hit-it-and-quit-it kinda fic. Well, in the immortal words of Sir Drake, "Started from the bottom, now we're here". But yeah, I actually have something resembling an actual story going on and I'm thrilled! A lot of that should actually be credited to all the wonderful people who review so thoughtfully, and have really inspired me to keep this fic going! So thank you v v much!

(FYI, now that I have a story that I'm building, I've been writing like crazy and I already have like the next 4 chapters written out, but I'll continue to upload only one a day. Think of it as foreplay.)