Lucy POV

As we walked back, a group of drunk men began whistling at me. I was used to this and just looked at Laxus to roll my eyes.

"What's under that dress, cutie?" one man hollered. I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"Hey, we're talking to you! Blondie! Ditch that bastard and get your tight ass on this cock, baby," another called.

"I'd love to see those tits bounce," a third one whistled.

I turned and glared at them. "Fuck off, assholes," I yelled.

They all cheered. "Sexy has a mouth on her," they whooped.

I looked at Laxus, expecting to see burning rage, but instead, he looked bored. He huffed gently, and a streak of lightning shot down from the sky, throwing the men to the ground.

"Laxus!" I shrieked.

"Relax, Blondie, they aren't dead. I've just knocked them out. They'll wake up with a headache, that's all.

"I had it under control, you know," I pointed out.

"I know you did. I knocked them out because their voices were grating on my nerves," he said.

I smiled, looping my arm through his. I knew he zapped them because they were being lecherous assholes, but he didn't want me to feel like I couldn't take care of myself. It never failed to amaze me just how sweet Laxus could be.

We made it back to our hotel without further incident, and Laxus quickly shrugged off his blazer before unbuttoning his shirt. I moved to pull down my zipper when he stopped me.

"Let me," he said hoarsely, his eyes roving my body. He knelt down, and slipped my shoes off. Then, starting at my ankle, he began kissing a trail up my leg. His hand skimmed my body as he went around to kiss my ass, kissing up my spine, until coming back to the front to kiss my breasts. His fingers found the zipper and he pulled it down, before ever so slowly, peeling my dress off my body. He unclasped the belt that held my keys and laid them on a table, before pushing his palms down my body, sliding my dress off as he did so. When my dress was at my feet, he held my hand as I stepped out of it. He immediately sank back to the ground, his fingers going to the belt that held my whip around my thigh. He undid it leisurely, kissing my inner thigh as he pulled it off. He dragged my panties down my legs, lifting my feet to pull them off, before he stood up and carefully removed the hair tie holding my hair up. My hair tumbled down my back, and he massaged his fingers over my scalp, easing my hair back into its gentle waves.

He did all this wordlessly, and my throat was tight at how gentle and loving he was being.

When I was entirely undressed, he stood back to admire his handiwork.

"What was all that?" I asked throatily.

"I've been wanting to undress you from the moment you put that thing on," he smirked. "And now, Princess, it's time for that repeat performance."

I felt a shock of anticipation hum in my pussy.

Laxus rid himself of his pants and boxers, his cock already incredibly hard. He picked me up and all but flung me onto the bed, gentleness forgotten.

I quickly scampered back against the pillows as he stalked up to me on his knees. He pulled my legs open, settling himself between them as he leaned down to capture my lips in a bruising kiss. His hands had found my tits and he was kneading them, pinching my pink nipples between his fingers.

I tilted my head back, breaking this kiss, to allow a scream of pleasure escape from my lips as he forcefully tugged at my nipples. He growled, dipping his mouth to my breast where he bit down and sucked the soft flesh into his mouth. My fingers latched onto his shoulders, and I dug my nails in, keeping his mouth in place.

He hissed as my nails broke skin, but it only spurred him on. He shifted his attention to the other breast, his teeth clamping down on my erect bud. I could feel my arousal trickle out of me as my pussy wept with desire.

"Laxus," I panted, "please… my cunt…" moaned, arching my back into him.

He leaned back to smirk and then drove three fingers into me. I lurched forward, gasping.

"Your cunt is so fucking wet for me, Blondie," he gritted, powering his fingers in and out of me. My body convulsed as an orgasm ripped through me. He pulled his fingers out, watching my arousal drip off of them. While distracted I lunged forward, wrapping my legs around him and sinking down on his cock.

His hand slapped against my ass before crushing my hips. I rode him hard and fast, clinging onto his neck as I bounced on his dick. When I felt his dick twitch, I jumped off, encasing his throbbing member between my tits.

"Fuck my tits," I demanded. Laxus raised himself on his knees, his one hand fisted in my hair. I pushed my breasts together around his cock as he began thrusting his hips. I let spit dribble out of my mouth to coat his dick, lubricating it as it moved between my mounds.

With a grunt, Laxus came, spraying my chest in his seed.

"Fuck, baby," he growled. He pulled me off the bed and slammed against the wall. One hand pinned my wrists above my head while the other roughly rubbed my clit. His mouth was back on my breasts, biting down. It wasn't long before he was hard again. He turned me to face the wall as he hammered into me. My knees buckled from the pleasure and I sank to the ground, with Laxus still thrusting into my pussy. He pushed my head down so that my cheek could rest on the floor, and he pulled my ass up in the air, slamming into me at a brutal pace.

"Oh, god… Yes, fuck, yes, give it to me… pound my fucking pussy," I moaned, urging him to sink deeper into me. Laxus roared, pulling me up so my back was flush with his chest. He reached around me and furiously circled my clit.

"Fuck, baby, yes, harder!" I cried.

A small spark of lightning left his finger and zapped my clit. I instantly came, falling forwards as an intense orgasm exploded through me.

Laxus pulled out and perched himself on the edge on the bed, his torso on the mattress and his feet on the floor.

"Ride my fucking dick," he growled.

I clambered onto him, straddling his hips before impaling myself on his cock. He hissed in satisfaction. I dug my nails into his chest for purchase as I fucked him. Laxus reached up to squeeze my breasts, eliciting a cry from me.

With a grunt, he grabbed my hips, forcing me to still. He then began pistoning his cock up, ramming the engorged member into me. I sagged onto his chest, whimpering uncontrollably in his ear as he fucked me. He slapped my ass repeatedly, and in response, I bit down on his neck, his skin muffling my moans.

I felt my orgasm build, and in another instant, it came crashing over me. I cried, clinging to Laxus as my body shook with the climax. Laxus followed right after, groaning as he spurted himself into me.

I rolled off him, exhausted.

"No way, Blondie. We aren't done yet," he threatened. He picked me up and strode into the bathroom. Continuing to hold me in his arms, he turned the knobs on the tub, allowing it to quickly fill with water. As we waited, we kissed. He refused to put me down, hugging me to his body as our tongues intertwined.

When the tub was filled with deliciously warm water, Laxus gently slid me in before climbing in next to me. I moved to sit on his lap, letting his hardening member slip into my folds. He wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply as his dick hardened, and when I felt like it was at full mast, I began rocking my hips. The water ebbed and crested around us as I bounced on his cock.

"God… Fuck yes, beautiful," Laxus groaned with his head tipped back. His hands reached for my tits, fondling them as we fucked.

Rivulets of water trickled down his chest, flowing over his defined muscles. I dipped my head, allowing my tongue to trace the path left by the water drops. With his cock firmly ensconced in my warmth, I jerked my hips while my mouth roved over his chest.

Laxus growled, and in one clean movement, flipped us. Water splashed out of the tub as he had me on my back, leaning over the edge. He dropped his lips to mine, kissing me roughly before slamming his dick into me. Drops of warm water hit my face with his every thrust. My moans echoed through the bathroom as he drove into me ruthlessly. His hand fisted in my hair and I clawed at his biceps as our mutual releases drew nearer.

"Cum for me," I moaned desperately as my pussy quivered around his cock. His final erratic thrusts sent me over the edge, and he soon followed.

We slumped into the warm water, gasping to draw breath. Laxus recovered first, getting out of the tub. He glanced at me, telling me to stay put, as he walked out of the bathroom. I heard the clink of glasses and a pop of a bottle, and rightly enough, Laxus walked back in with two glasses of sparkling wine. He stepped back into the tub and handed me my glass. I slid closer to him so he could wrap an arm around me. Nestled into his side, I happily sipped my wine as the warm water swirled around us. I could feel him looking at me, so I lifted my gaze to meet his.

"I love you," he said softly. My heart felt like it was going to explode.

"I love you, too," I whispered.

He brought his lips to mine for a kiss that was so gut-wrenchingly beautiful, I nearly cried.

We sat in bed in our fluffy bathrobes, continuing to sip wine and talk. I was telling him about my night with the girls, and how Gajeel had mated with Levy. Laxus suddenly went stiff.

"Hey, what happened?" I asked, nudging him.

He drew in a shaky breath and turned to face me. "Lucy, I need to tell you something. But I don't know how to explain it well, so bear with me. And know that this is just a theory that Gajeel had, but, for what it's worth, I think it has merit," he said slowly.

I couldn't understand why he was acting so strange. I nodded my head, signaling for him to continue.

"I think you're my mate," he blurted out.

"No, I'm not, Laxus. I know enough about mating from Natsu to know I'm not your mate. You've slept with other people after sleeping with me," I rationalised.

Laxus's face scrunched in discomfort. "I know, I know. You aren't my mate mate, because I'm a second gen slayer. We don't get to have mates. But my dragon feels drawn to you. My dragon wants to claim you as its own. And while I did sleep with other people, none of them came close to you. No one comes close to you. You are perfect to me, in every respect. It's not mating, I know, but it's the closest I can come to the real thing." He looked almost ashamed.

I was so incredibly confused. "Laxus, I'm not sure I understand…" I said hesitantly.

Laxus sighed. "I don't either, Princess. But it is what it is. I can't explain it, but there's a part of me which knows that you are exactly right for me. You are the closest I will get to a mate, Lucy. And I don't want that to make you feel guilty, and I don't want it to freak you out, because the traditional rules of mating don't apply to us. I don't want you feeling like you're stuck with me, or that you have to commit to me, because you don't. Don't worry, okay?" he reassured. He dropped his gaze to his lap.

I realised he hadn't touched me once since he began talking, and I wondered if it was because he didn't want me to feel like he was claiming me. I hoisted myself onto his lap and wound my arms around his neck.

"I don't really understand, but that doesn't matter. Mate or not, I love you, and I absolutely do not feel like I'm stuck with you. Please don't look so ashamed, baby," I said softly, brushing the hair away from his forehead. He looked at me, guilt still shadowing his beautiful grey-blue eyes. I leaned down to kiss him and he responded tentatively.

"What's wrong, Laxus?" I whispered.

"I don't want you to feel pressured to be with me just because of that theory," he mumbled.

"Laxus, I'm with you because I want to be. Not because I'm feeling any pressure. And your theory doesn't change that. I swear," I assured him before firmly pressing my lips to his. He kissed me back passionately, his tongue slipping between my lips. We lay tangled in bed, letting our lips move together slowly, sensuously, deliciously.

At the back of my mind, I prayed to every being I could think of that Gildarts never find out about this conversation. I didn't want him knowing Laxus's theory, because I knew that it would only hurt him. Laxus's confession had confused me more than anything, but if what he said was true, and it wasn't a proper mating, I felt tentatively confident that it wouldn't change my relationship with him, nor would it change my relationship with Gildarts.

It was very late when we finally went to bed. Laxus slept with his head nestled against my breasts. I drew calming circles on his back as he fell asleep. Right before sleep took him, he mumbled, "I love you." Tears sprang to my eyes at how easily he said it.

"I love you too, Laxus," I whispered, but he was already asleep.

I love you, Gildarts. I'm sorry I'm hurting you. I briefly allowed my thoughts to drift to the man in Magnolia. Then, returning my attention to Laxus, I let my eyes fall shut as I relaxed into the embrace of my dragon slayer.

A/N: I want to give a quick shout out to the lovely graystripemkc who reminded me in a review a couple days ago that Lucy still didn't know about the mating thing. I am writing this story as I go, with little real trajectory, (especially when I introduced the whole mating thing), and so my plot is kinda developing very naturally, and the mating thing fell away a little. I guess I just didn't know where to run with it after a point and other plot points took precedence, hence that little slip! But thank you so much for pointing it out! I can't guarantee that mating will come up again, but I feel like that end has been somewhat tied up.

Hope you enjoyed this chap! Please let me know in the reviews!