Chapter 26

~~LoLu~~

Lucy slumped back in a pretty chair she'd created out of the ether that made up most of the spirit realm, and sighed blissfully – and yawned, as well. Getting her stuff from her grouchy old landlady hadn't been easy; the woman had blustered quite stubbornly about her right to keep it all after her rent being left unpaid for so long.

But Loke to the rescue – somehow, he'd managed to talk the cranky old lady down, and after the back rent was paid, she'd left them alone to do the packing. She was sure to make Lucy understand that nothing that had been in the room when she'd rented it was to be taken, but at that, the young spirit informed her that her new home was much, much more well appointed – and that she owned it. All she was taking was personal belongings, and things she'd purchased since leaving home.

She'd dared a slightly triumphant smile at the landlady's obvious disgruntlement when she saw the huge case of jewel the young woman had inherited finally, upon the sale of her old home. She'd only maintained control of the one part at the edge of the old estate that held the graves of her parents – everything else had a new owner, and Lucy was happy for that.

But now that the move was accomplished, and only a little more decorating was left, the others had gone to their own constellations to catch up on some rest, while she – sort of – did the same. But Lucy was a bit too unsettled in her new abode to be entirely ready to stop and go to bed... when she had tasks left undone, they nagged at the back of her mind until it drove her crazy. So she'd decided to take a sit down for a few, and then continue settling the rest where she wanted it.

Even Loke had gone home for the evening, letting her know that she needed a little time alone to straighten out not only her home, but everything that had happened to her in the last few months. Her entire life had changed, and he didn't want to crowd her while her world settled itself into its new configuration. Lucy had rolled her eyes – oh, yes, he did too want to crowd her, and she knew exactly how, too. She couldn't deny that she also desired it. But it could definitely wait for a much better time than when they were both still a little overwhelmed with recent happenings.

"Though... I do wonder how in the world Loke's being so patient. I didn't think he'd be able to keep himself in check for this long."

She didn't realize that she'd said that aloud until a soft voice responded, though not with an answer to her question.

Lucy turned her head and straightened up in her chair, staring with slight surprise at the woman who had appeared behind her; it didn't take her long to figure out that this must be Cassiopeia herself, and her heart instantly ached for the fear that lay at the back of the female spirit's eyes, and the haunted expression on her face.

"I'm so sorry for entering unannounced," Cepheus' wife finally managed to get out softly, her cheeks a bit red, and her eyes now downcast. "But I had to come and thank you for the mercy you've shown my husband." She sighed, still looking anywhere but at Lucy. "What he did, right or wrong, was for me, and if something had happened to him because of... well, I don't think I could have lived with the guilt. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. If you ever need anything, just let me know, and I'll be glad to help."

Lucy stopped her there. "Hey, I only did what was right. How could I hold a grudge because your husband loves you, and was willing to do anything to bring you justice... even if he went about it in the wrong way?" She shook her head rapidly after a moment, noting the other woman's uncertain and shamed demeanor. Oh, yes, Lucy was absolutely certain, watching her, that she had indeed been forced by her owner. She'd seen the look before on other victims of the same, and she herself... well, if Loke hadn't come along and stopped those two mages that had grabbed her that time just before she'd saved his life, she'd be feeling the same as Cassiopeia obviously was.

She felt absolutely terrible for the poor woman, and made a vow to herself to help her recover as much as she could.

"Oh, forgive my poor manners!" she cried suddenly, annoyed with herself when she realized she'd drifted off there for a few moments, leaving the other woman fidgeting and unable to hide her deepening uneasiness.

Honestly, Lucy, she chided herself. You've got to stop doing that. She'd been raised better than that, and her father would have scolded her for her inattention. As Lady Heartfilia, she'd been taught all the correct forms for dealing with any kind of social interaction, and so she ushered the surprised woman to another overstuffed, comfy chair, and sat her down.

"Would you like a little spirit wine? I have some – a housewarming gift from Loke," she smiled, then blushed a little at the slight, knowing smile that piece of information coaxed from the other spirit's lips.

"That would be nice, thank you," she replied softly, though she still seemed to find it difficult to meet her eyes.

Of course, that was no surprise, and Lucy didn't feel slighted in the least, understanding perfectly.

Even though Loke saved me from that same end, it was still kind of hard at first to look him in the eye, too. I was so ashamed about what almost happened to me, that I know it would have been a thousand times worse if he hadn't stopped those two horrible men when he did.

Maybe... maybe I should tell her about that, let her know that I understand. It might help make her feel a little more comfortable.

Lucy pondered that as she puttered around, adopting a light, friendly manner in her desire to put the other woman at ease as much as possible.

Whatever it took, she was determined to make a friend of Cassiopeia, and so Lucy set about doing just that in her usual fashion –with that same caring, sweet compassion that always melted everyone's hearts – especially Loke's.

~LoLu~

A day later, a much better rested and happier Lucy decided to take a nice, hot soak under the stars in the outdoor bath she'd made. She shimmered for a few seconds and then reappeared, this time nude, and walked through her home fully unconcerned with being so. After the unannounced - though not necessarily unwelcome - visits the last few days, she'd made sure that she put up a sort of barrier around her house so that she would be notified of who was trying to get in. It gave her confidence in her privacy, because she would have to actively allow the person entrance.

With an eager smile, she stepped out her patio doors, and stopped to enjoy the view for a moment, which was stunning.

The area was softly lit with lights of nearly any color you could imagine from the stars and nebulae surrounding her personal space, and the ground was laid with marble flooring that went to the waters edge and then descended into it in a broad, shallow sweep of steps. The water was whatever temperature Lucy wanted it, and was enclosed by walls that were about three feet higher than the water level. At one end, there was a small waterfall, just high enough for a person to stand under it and rinse if they so wished. There were vining plants here and there around it, climbing artfully placed rocks, giving the area a natural ambiance that Lucy adored. It was gorgeous, and she was quite pleased with herself.

She'd done a beautiful job creating this place, if she did say so herself.

Smile widening, she stepped toward the suddenly steaming water, and began to descend slowly into it, her thoughts beginning to go other places as the hot water crept up her body. She paused and looked around again, her smile softening and going a little dreamy. Loke... he'll love this, she thought, not even a tiny bit uncertain. She had showed him around her home yesterday, yes, but for some reason, she hadn't brought him out here.

That's okay... it'll be a nice surprise...

A certain energy pinged against her shield for a moment, almost like knocking, and Lucy's smile once more changed. Well, think of the devil, and he shall appear, as they say.

It was her lion, and she let her barrier go passive, allowing him entrance before closing it again. This time, they wouldn't be interrupted by people just popping in. There were some things they needed to take care of... things that no one else needed to know about.

Loke homed in on her energy and shimmered into place behind her, but when he had fully materialized, Lucy heard a sharp inhale, and then a - rather garbled - expletive. Still standing just under knee deep on the steps into her bath, with steam curling around her and little twinkling star ornaments in her upswept hair, she turned her head and looked over her shoulder at the man she had loved for what seemed like forever. There was a slow, sultry, soft sort of heat about that gaze, and Leo, who abruptly came back to himself as she moved, suddenly whipped himself around to stare with wide eyes at anything other than what he'd just seen, words of apology and remorse stumbling from his lips in a dazed chatter.

That was, until he heard a small chuckle, and then her warm voice. That shut him up instantly.

"It's okay, Loke, you can turn around. If I hadn't wanted you to see, I just wouldn't have let you in. Why don't you take those clothes off and join me?" she asked, her voice husky, though a trifle shy, as well.

Loke hissed through his teeth at what that voice did to him; his blood thickened in his veins and a heated flush swept his entire body. It hurt, the arousal that hit him so fast, but he held himself in place and didn't turn around. Despite what had almost happened between them yesterday, he wanted to hear it straight from her now that he was approaching this situation with clearer eyes, because he didn't want to make Lucy feel as though she had to give him more than she was really ready for yet. There was no going back from this if they followed through on her invitation, and he never wanted her to regret anything about her first time. Their first time.

"Lucy," he began slowly, forcing himself to speak through a throat tight with denied want, "are you positive? I don't want you to regret this later. You don't have to do this. I'll wait until you're ready, no matter how long that is."

The blonde, still smiling though it was slightly pensive now, looked forward again as she considered his words. "You know, Natsu once made a comment about all the women you've been with, and asked if it bothered me. At the time, I said yes... but now, I find I've changed my mind. Do you want to know why?"

The ageless man behind her blinked, a little taken aback at the seemingly non-sequitur question he'd just been asked, although he remembered that she'd mentioned something about those other girls yesterday. Then he winced, the reminder of his playboy past rather unwelcome at the current time. But he answered her anyway, unable to deny her anything.

"... Yes?"

"It's because the difference between how you behaved with them, and how you are with me, lets me know that you really do care about me, and don't want to hurt me."

Now a little confused, Loke half-turned and glanced at the woman still standing where she'd been when he'd first appeared, a certain tension in his shoulders.

"What?"

She turned her head again and looked at him, heat still visible in her eyes, sending a shiver down Loke's spine as he waited for her to explain. He kept his eyes pinned to hers, suddenly feeling rather vulnerable - in a way he'd never been before. Surprisingly (or maybe not), that didn't scare him, because he knew that Lucy would never use someone's feelings against them, or betray a trust.

"Before, you never hesitated to use whatever seductive tactic you needed to get what you wanted from a girl, even if she was somewhat hesitant, though I know you would never force the issue if she told you no. But here, with both of us standing beneath the stars in a beautiful place almost made for seduction, truthfully," she sighed, "though that wasn't my intention when I created it, you hold back. You want to make certain that I want this – because you care about my feelings and don't want me to do anything I'm not ready for. That's why."

It was silent for several long moments as Loke digested her words. In the end, what was there to say? She wasn't wrong. He'd never hesitated at any woman's invitation. Before. Though now he only wanted Lucy, he needed her to be completely, unquestionably certain about where they were about to go before he acted.

"You're right," he admitted. "So, let me ask again... are you sure you're ready for this? There's no going back. If we do this, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to recover if you later decide you don't want me."

Lucy went absolutely still at that. "What?" she questioned him, her voice wavering, and in her eyes he could see that he'd hurt her with his doubts.

His last few, desperate defenses fell then, allowing his most basic truth out. It was the first time he'd dared admit it aloud, even just to himself.

"No, that's not nearly honest enough," he said huskily, shoving his hands in his pockets as his gaze went far away for a moment, turning wistful and a little sad as he looked into the possibility of a future without her.

The very idea was anathema to him.

"I really wouldn't recover – even now, before we take that step. Your feelings - or lack of them - don't change mine, and they never will. I will always love you, Lucy," he reiterated what he'd told her yesterday, only now, he let all of his feelings out where she could finally and fully see them.

There was a small splashing sound of water as the young woman moved, and then she was there, reaching up a hand to tug him gently around to fully face her. She studied the vulnerable expression that lay on the lion's fair features for a few seconds with a solemn silence, and then she smiled softly, banishing the darkness of those particular thoughts with her next words.

"That's not going to happen, Loke. I'm more than sure – I've known for a long time what I wanted to have with you. I just never thought you would return those feelings, so I've kept them locked away. But you said you love me. And I... I believe you, because I trust you not to lie to me just to use me in such a manner. Am I nervous about this? Stars yes, but so is most every girl at some point or another in their lives. I am sure, though, that you're who I want to share this journey with, and no one else," she added when he still looked slightly uncertain.

She stood there quietly for several wordless seconds and let him search her gaze for the assurance that she really wasn't going to change her mind, and then a breathtaking smile crossed his face, and his hesitance vanished.

"Lucy..." he breathed, his eyes falling closed in sheer, relieved elation. "I love you, so very, very much. You have no idea, and there are no words-"

"Then why don't you just show me, Loke?"

Fumbling and almost made clumsy by his need and her invitation, along with the love he could see in her eyes now when she looked at him, he grasped at her with greedy fingers. He pulled her up against him and into a torrid kiss full of all the things he felt so deeply, yet couldn't find a way to truly articulate. Lucy met him easily, murmuring into the kiss words he couldn't quite hear, but still understood anyway.

The lion almost felt as though he had died and managed - despite all his sins - to sneak his way into heaven, as she allowed him to crush her entirely nude (and very distracting) person to his body for the first time, ever. He savored the feeling, wanting to fully enjoy these moments that would never come again, to inscribe them indelibly into his memory. They had forever now, yes, but this, their first time together, was more precious to him than anything else ever had been, and he never wanted to forget even a second of what was to come.

Already seeing stars exploding behind her eyelids, Lucy melted into the man holding her so closely, helplessly undone before the quiet reverence now apparent in his kiss. She had never been so happy in her entire life, and she was almost a little afraid that something would reach out and tear him away from her because of that. There hadn't been anything else she'd ever wanted nearly this much...

"Lucy," he whispered, pulling back a little and then kissing her again, and again, tasting her lips repeatedly and thoroughly before forcing himself to call a temporary halt. He needed to calm down, because he wanted her to also remember this day forever, to hold it sacred in her memories for the rest of time.

He let go his grip on her, breathing in deeply, determined to do things the right way with her. This was forever, after all.

She certainly wasn't making it easy, though.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking at him with innocent, yet still wanting eyes – making him that much more desperate for her. He let his own eyes fall closed, and continued just breathing in deeply for a few seconds, fighting himself harder than he'd ever had to before.

"I'm sorry," she offered softly, and with a touch of hurt in her voice, not sure what she'd done to make him leave her arms like that.

His eyes sprang open again as soon as he heard her. "For what?" he managed to ask relatively evenly, his voice thick with desire.

"I don't know what I'm doing, h-how to please you. I've never, well, you know, and-"

He cut her stammered explanation off right there.

"I know. Believe me, that isn't the problem. I just... want you too much. Don't ever look at me with doubt like that, Lucy," he added after a short pause. "I'm trying to control myself right now, and it's harder than it's ever been before." He met her gaze, seeing the question still there, and shook his head, sighing. He couldn't help but wonder why she would even doubt herself in this situation at all. Who, seeing her, especially in this state, would not be turned into a lustful animal?

She was perfect... so he told her so.

"You're the most perfect thing I've ever seen. But this is our first time, and I want it to be as perfect as you are. So, why don't you step back into the water, and I'll join you there? We have as much time as we need, more than enough to take this slowly." His eyes, already serious, gained in intensity as he willed her to understand everything he couldn't quite find the words for at the moment. Apparently, he was successful, because she exhaled shakily and nodded, doing as he'd asked without argument.

As she turned away, Loke swallowed hard and slapped a leash on his body, determined to do this the way he wanted, and not be driven by his base desires. Fast and greedy is for later, stupid, he chastised himself inwardly as he allowed his clothes to disappear so that he could follow her into the bath, now is for slow and sultry and sweet.

After one last deep inhale, then exhale, Loke looked up, only to find her sitting in the water, but with her knees drawn up and her arms around them. She still looked a trifle hesitant, even after his words, almost seeming to be afraid to meet his eyes, and his own softened on her with deep affection. Such a mass of contradictions, bold one moment, and shy the next. Oh, Lucy, I really do adore you.

He glanced down at himself ruefully, at that part of him that was quite enthusiastically proclaiming said affection – and desire – and almost chuckled.

Well, maybe this will convince her.

"Lucy, look at me," he commanded in a soft, indolent tone.

When she obeyed, eyes widening a great deal when she took in his 'condition', he continued.

"A lot of things can be faked under these sorts of circumstances, love, but this," he indicated his bold arousal with a tilt of his head, "isn't one of them. Don't you know by now how very much I want you, all the time?"

Eyes still wide and with a blush darkening her cheeks, the young woman dazedly shook her head. "Umm..."

"Then I guess I'll just have to convince you," Loke shrugged, not letting her finish whatever she'd been about to say. "No skin off my nose, really," he sent her a lopsided smile. "I'm going to enjoy this very, very much."

The smile suddenly shifted into a mischievous grin.

"And I aim to make sure you do, too – whatever that takes."

~LoLu~

A/N: So, yeah... cliffie. Lemon-scented, even. But this was going to be far too long if I finished everything in this chapter – and I guess that means you can just consider this an extra chapter, one I hadn't planned on in the beginning. Besides, I needed to post something, considering I about had a heart attack when I saw the date of my last post on this. I hadn't realized it had been that long – it still doesn't seem that way to me. I thought it had been a month and a half, tops. And all that means that next chapter is pretty much nothing but lemon. :(( (I still hate writing them.)

Anyway, that's enough talkin', I'm out. Got to get to work on the rest of this thing, because I have a very long and detailed story in the works, and I'd like to get at least one of my currently open projects put to bed before I really start on that.

Peace out-

Amber