I want to say thank you to everyone for being so supportive about the delay in the story. I have good news and bad new. The good news is more hires have happened so we're not so swamped now. The bad new is I also have a different second job starting Saturday. It going to take up more time but I'll be making much more money which will help with my bills. It's going to make updating hard, but I swear to write one page a day at least, hopefully more. This should put the updating back to about once a week. Not wonderful, but it's the best I can do and keep this story alive. Sorry. I promise I won't give it up though, not until it's finished with a great ending.

That all being said, please enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 11: In Which Confessions are Made

It was late at night when Bickslow finally let himself get to bed. He'd spent most of the day getting his things put back in order after his long trip, getting some of his bills paid and then working on his babies' bodies. None of them were in bad condition, but a few cracks and chipped paint had needed to be taken care of. Throughout the whole time, he spent most of it thinking about Lisanna. He wasn't sure how to handle the new development. He was sure Evergreen would keep her word and not say anything about it, as long as he didn't do anything too bad to piss her off. She could easily blurt it out during an argument or the like, since she was pretty emotional but she wouldn't go and tell everyone to be malicious. As long as he didn't goad her, it'd be alright.

Honestly, he couldn't be mad about it. He had been the one to get them caught, admitting fully to everything. If anything came from this it would be his own fault.

Still, as he hit the bed with a groan, he couldn't help but wonder how this was all going to go down. He cared a lot about Lisanna, not something he thought would have happened. He didn't want to be the cause of any drama for her. If people did find out, it wouldn't work out well for her. People seemed to think of him as a bit of a pervert anyway, but he blamed that on the fact so few men in the guild actually had the guts to go after girls they liked for some reason. A guy fully comfortable with fucking any girl he liked must have looked bad in comparison. What reputation did he have to worry about if their fling came to light? Oh yeah, it would mean a world of pain by getting the shit kicked out of him by just about everyone for 'tainting' little virginal Lisanna, but really it would be her that would be worse off.

Bickslow could see everyone feeling bad for her, trying to comfort her as if something bad had happened to her, or he'd gone and forced her into it. Everyone still saw her as a piece of glass, something that really bugged her and he found kind of bugged him too now. She was a grown up, perfectly capable of making her own choices and she'd chosen him.

Would anyone accept that though? Somehow he doubted it. He didn't think anyone she chose would have been good enough for everyone else to accept. Except maybe Natsu but only because they'd been somewhat of an item for so long and he was too stupid to know what to do with a woman anyway.

Had he always thought so poorly of that kid before? He couldn't help but think he'd gotten kind of venomous in his thoughts towards the kid lately, especially when it concerned his abilities concerning romance and sex. Not that the little punk could do anything. He'd probably just go and get something to eat and ignore Lisanna if she were to suggest sex to him. Even if he did have the brains to do it, he'd probably be awful. Bickslow knew how to please a woman, knew all the little places she liked to be touched already, how she shivered when he traced his fingers over her skin just the right way, how she moaned when he moved inside of her. She'd sung his praises for his tongue enough to know the brat couldn't ever hope to compare, could never hope to get as deep inside of her with such oral worship.

Yet Natsu was the one she was in love with. They'd spent their childhood's together. She adored him and his dorky, immature nature. Really, when he thought about it, he might have potentially ruined sex for them if they ever did hook up. Natsu had no idea what to do with a woman and Lisanna was starting to develop a very healthy appetite. She knew what she liked and what to expect from a partner. No way would the dragon be able to deliver without a whole lot of coaxing and practice. He was about five years too early for sex. He couldn't handle Lisanna the way she needed. If she were still a virgin, they would have been fine. They could have learned together. Now they'd never have that.

Then again, who knew? Maybe she'd enjoy teaching Natsu like he himself enjoyed teaching her. Maybe it would be for the best. If their relationship ever did get out, he'd probably have to put an end to it then. No way would it be able to continue afterward after all. No one would allow him to get even five seconds alone with her, even if she did insist she was old enough to do as she liked. It would be better in the long run for her to go to Natsu, to be with a guy the guild wouldn't mind.

Still, he knew deep down the dragon would never be able to compare. He wouldn't be as good, couldn't pleasure Lisanna the way he was able to. Right now, Bickslow was the only one who could make her moan in just the right way, could make her sweat and squirm in the sheets.

He could see it in his mind, the way her naked body shimmered in the faint light as he laid over her, her mouth forming a cute little o just as he entered her, how she'd reach out for him and cling to his body as they kissed. She was so fucking sexy, she deserved a man who cared enough about her to see to her needs. Really, it was only to be fair to her. As far as he knew Natsu couldn't even say he liked her back, but Bickslow could give her so much more. He'd pinned her to the wall and fucked her within an inch of her sanity and she'd still craved more. Just like on the dance floor, so sensual and hot, moving perfectly in tune with his body.

Bickslow groaned a bit at the thoughts, his member starting to get hot at the thought. Reaching over his boxers, he touched himself and imaged it was her dainty yet strong fingers playing with him through the thin material. He snapped the band against his skin and saw her grinning face as if she was teasing him before pulling them down just far enough to free his half hard cock.

"Fuck… Lisanna, fuck..." he hissed, starting to move his hand up and down the length slowly. It wasn't her and it wasn't real, but if he closed his eyes tight enough, imagined hard enough, he could see her above him. "Yes, like that. Touch me like that..."

He heard a little tapping of glass, but he ignored it at first, too wrapped up in his fantasy. He didn't want anything to interrupt it. When it got a little louder, he groaned and glanced over at the window to see a bird in the moonlight, tapping at the pane of glass. He ignored it and continued before it began hitting the glass so hard it was impossible to think about what he was doing at all.

Oh, that bird was so dead.

He tucked himself back in and went over to open the window and shoo it away before he stopped and really looked at it. A tiny thing with almost greenish feathers that had a pink tint, he didn't think he'd ever seen a species with that coloring before, except for one exception. His suspicions were even stronger from the crop of white feathers on top that looked oddly like a pixie cut.

"Lisanna? Is that you?" he asked to which the bird quickly flapped its wings excitedly. He quickly opened the window and the bird flew in before a puff of smoke erupted in his face. He didn't find himself minding though because literally a second later a healthy shaped girl was in his arms, kissing him deeply on the mouth.

"I missed you," she groaned as she rubbed her hip into him, making him groan. Shit, she'd been watching him. Of course she knew he was hard. "I can see you missed me too."

"Fuck, you little minx. Why didn't you ever do that before?" he groaned, wasting no time to pull her into his bed.

"Didn't know if it was allowed," she explained. She was only in shorts and a t-shirt, floppy enough to see no bra on underneath. "I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd see if you were awake."

"And if I hadn't been?"

"I'd have gone home and touched myself in a huge fit of disappointment," she replied cheekily.

"Oh, now no need for that. Just wake me up," he informed her before he licked up her throat, making her sigh happily. "Shit, I needed you so badly. Really, you have no idea."

"You keep saying that," she giggled as she wrapped her legs around him.

"Well, it keeps being true," he stated as he rubbed against her. It still felt so good even with the thin layers of clothing between them, how hard his cock twitched as he nestled against her underwear and felt her hot core pressed against him. "Seriously, babe. I aint just flattering you."

"Mmmm. Bickslow," she mewled out. "You really know how to make a girl feel appreciated, flattery or not."

"I aim to please," he hissed right in her ear. "Just need to know how much pleasure you need from me."

"All of it," she begged. "Give me all of it."

He had to be gentle and slow, since it was late at night and everyone was asleep or at the very least in their rooms. They couldn't risk being heard. Still, even though it wasn't their harshest fucking ever, he still loved it. He took the excuse to keep her quite to kiss her most of the time, muffling her sound and tasting her yielding mouth at the same time. By the time he was done with her, she was a panting shivering mess naked in his bed and curled up next to him with a huge grin on her face.

"I know I should probably go back, but I'm way too tired now," she stated, nuzzling into his chest. "Think anyone would notice if I stayed the night and just said I came by really early to see you?"

He almost said she should, but paused suddenly before the words could come out. No, that was the kind of risk taking that had gotten them in trouble just this morning.

"You should head home," he said, rolling over to grab his underwear. "Take the window, will you?"

"Huh? What got into you?"

"Nothing," he said, but the word came out too sudden and harsh to sound genuine. Suddenly he was just irritated. He wanted her to stay, he really did, but they'd surely get caught if they got complacent or stupid about this. He'd much prefer her to be with him for the night and cuddle, maybe have breakfast together and enjoy another bout of sex before walking her home, giving her a kiss at the door and starting the day out right.

It wouldn't go that way though. Instead Elfman or Mirajane would bend him into a pretzel and warn him away from Lisanna forever.

"I… I guess I'd better go then. If you don't want me here," she said, her tone suddenly stiff. He turned around to explain but her back was to him and she suddenly didn't look to receptive. "You could have just said so from the beginning if I was bothering you."

"You weren't a bother," he muttered. It was the rest of the situation that was bothering him.

"Could have fooled me," she said, tugging her clothes on. "Course, I guess cuddling after fucking isn't the style for Mr. Sexpot. Got another girl waiting her turn in the hall you need to get rid of me for?"

He grabbed her so suddenly he wasn't even aware he'd moved until his hands were gripping her arms tight as he glared at her.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" he hissed.

Even in the dark, he could see she was giving him just as harsh a look. The expression she wore would have made lesser men crumble but he was suddenly too pissed off to even give it a second thought.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the whole thing with you clearly wanting to sleep with other girls while getting jealous like a jerk at the idea I'd been with someone else, and now you're kicking me out of your room. Here I'd thought you were touching yourself over me, but guess that was dumb. Prepping yourself for some other chick?" she snapped at him.

"Who the fuck would I have in my room besides you?" he asked in anger. "And even if I did, it's none of your business."

"Of course it's not. You just go and fuck whoever you want while pulling your double standards on me," she hissed. "At least I had the common decency to tell you such a thing bothered me. You're just an ass!"

"I'm the ass? I'm the one busting my butt off trying to keep us from getting caught and you're getting jealous of some woman that doesn't even exist! Fuck Lisanna, you're the only person I slept with since this started because you're all I can think about, damn it!"

The surprise was clear on her face at his words, and he wondered if he'd gone too far. He really hadn't meant to admit so much, but it was out in the open now.

"I… uh… that is..." he said softly, feeling his neck and cheeks get a bit hot.

"I… I think we should back up a bit here," she said, just as pink as he was sure he was. "Why don't we… uh, focus on the getting caught thing first. Did something happen?"

"Yes," he admitted, kind of glad she'd gone for that first. Easier to explain and it would give him some time to think his way out of the second statement he'd made. "Ever saw us when we were having dinner. It's why she drug me back to her place, to explain what was going on."

"Wait, you told her?"

"She sort of tricked it out of me," he explained. "Sorry."

"Oh," she replied softly. "Is that why you didn't want me over here? Do you want to end it now that she knows?"

"I don't want to end this," he quickly said.

"You're acting like you do. I know I jumped you. If I'd-"

"Lisanna, I want you to stay," he insisted. "It's just if you do that's going to raise questions and I just think we should be more careful because we can't risk anyone else finding out. I swear, I don't like it anymore than you do. We've just got to be careful."

"So then… she really knows about us?" she asked softly.

"Yeah. Sad to say she does."

"Is she going to tell anyone?"

"She said she won't. I trust her, but I won't expect you to if you don't wanna," he assured her.

Lisanna paused for a second, chewing on her bottom lip and looking apprehensive.

"I guess I can trust her. I hope she doesn't say anything, at least for your sake," she sighed. "Sorry I suddenly got so mad."

"Nah. I was the one getting all pissy instead of telling you," he said. He was acting like a kid who couldn't have his favorite toy and it was hardly fair to her. "If you want to stay, then stay. I'll set the alarm for early so you can just fly home then, maybe a bit before sunrise. How's that?"

"No, that's okay. I don't want to make you take risks just for me," she sighed before glancing away. "I'm acting spoiled here. I just wanted to..."

"You were feeling horny. I get it."

"I was going to say I wanted to see you," she corrected.

Her words caught him a bit off guard and he wasn't sure how to react. Something seemed to be laying under those words, something a bit deeper but what? He almost wanted to ask but wasn't sure exactly how to.

"I think I'd better go," she whispered but he didn't remove his hands from her. "Bickslow… I have to go."

"Don't," he found himself whispering before leaning in to kiss her softly, over and over. "Don't leave."

"But Bickslow..."

"Stay. Please stay," he said, working his hands up and down her shoulders as he continued to press his lips over hers. "Lisanna, I don't want you to leave. I need you."

"You… you keep saying that..." she repeated breathlessly. "Why do you keep telling me that?"

"Because I do."

"I… god, Bickslow. I need you too," Lisanna mewled as she hugged him close. "I know this is just sex, but you make me feel so good, so comfortable in my own skin again. I've been nothing but awkward since I came back. You're the only one I can be myself around. I don't want to go."

"Then don't," he breathed. "I don't want anyone else to be with you, just me, and I don't want to be with anyone but you."

"So that open relationship thing?" she asked him.

"Fucking forget it," he groaned before pushing her back to the bed with him. She didn't fight it, instead giggling happily as she pressed up against him. He didn't even sleep with her again, just cuddling against her body and holding her close.

Was it stupid? Yes. Should he have been strong and sent her back? Yes. Would he no doubt have to sneak her out and cause them both a bunch of anxiety in the morning if anyone discovered she'd spent the night in his room? Yes.

Did that mean he'd send her away? No way in hell.

He'd just have to accept it. He was addicted to her, and it was an addiction he didn't want to quit. If staying away from her was the way to be safe, fuck it. He wasn't changing this. He'd fake lessons, pull her away any second he could, kiss her breathless while no one was looking and fulfill every moment he could with her.

After all, Bickslow knew without a doubt he'd have to let her go eventually. Someday she'd move on and have Natsu or someone else. Someone to love and he'd fade away to some good memory and fellow guild mate. Until then though, he wanted every possible moment he could have with her.

"When you need me to, I'll let go," he promised softly into her hair as she slept. "I won't make you stay… I won't make that mistake in my life again."

Lisanna only purred a bit in her sleep and didn't hear his promise, but he felt it was good enough for now.

End of Chapter 11

A bit short. Hope that's okay. I didn't mean for that to happen but there wasn't much to cover in this chapter. I thought about dragging their fight out a bit, but I'm trying to write these two as pretty honest with one another and level headed. Even if they're not being completely open about all their feelings like the jealousy, they're still saying enough that mostly they understand one another pretty well. I felt it was enough to show the stress of the secret and whole, "Let's sleep with other people even though we're clearly not okay with that" bit without going overboard and making them really go at it.

Also, now they don't have to even worry over that! Woohoo! Progress in their relationship!