-'-'- hope everyone had a good x-mas-'-'- here a little more Drama for ya ;)...a littel more of mind battle... still dont own Fairytail...

Like a hot iron had been shoved into his lungs Bixlow felt pain wreck through him. His arms fell to his side limply. He couldn't from any words or thoughts. The devastated seith mages didn't even feel Evergreen lay a supportive hand on his shoulder.

She was supposed to be his perfect match, his soul mate, what the hell was he supposed to do now?

Be her friend? Be there but never cross that line? How the hell was he supposed to do that?

Mira sniffed quietly, it was too sad. Freed pulled the takeover mage closer and wrapped his arms around the takeover mage. At the moment he didn't care if people saw them, he felt pain for his team member and for Sphinx. Bixlow had talked about her none stop and it was obvious Sphinx had feeling for him too. This was a heartbreaking tragedy to see and Freed felt just as lost as the rest of them.

Was there anything anyone could do? Was faith really this cruel?

To put such restrictions in two people who cherished each other, who shared a unique bond.

Gajeel felt her tense up then relax and repeat. This was affecting Sphinx just as much as it did the suffering seith mage. It really was a gut wrenching to see her hurt people she cared about yet not be able to control herself. Sure the iron mage wanted Sphinx to himself but he never wanted Bixlow to suffer or even Laxus. He didnt even want to think of himself in Bixlows position. The whole guild seemed sad for them.

He knew Sphinx was hurt, he could almsot feel her pain and it was driving him mad. But there was nothing he could really do for her expect hold her. He wanted to help but didnt know how, it seemed faith had other plans for the female. Her habit of bringin wierdness and mystery in to theri lives was not a good thing today.

The iron slayer looked through the crowed at Laxus who otherwise seemed often egoistic and confident but even he was frowning. The man probably disliked the situation just as much as Gajeel did. Maybe even more, Bixlow was after all a very close friend of the lightning mage.

-Wait! Lucy yelled before rushing forth and slamming one hand on the table gaining everyone attention.

-You said you two were compatible, like you two clicked in your own way; the blond Celestial mage stared intensely at the defeated Bixlow.

-At the dinner that time, you did something, Sphinx told me afterwards, some energy soul or energy thing, Lucy said seriously but waved her hands in front of her like it would help him remember,

Bixlow looked up at the blond in wonder; he knew what she was talking about,

-Yeah, I made an energy sharing to her soul, my soul energy met hers, it's kind of a personal link, a deep connection,

He said slowly not in the mood to explain but a part of him was curious why Lucy was bring this up now,

-You said that your energies work well right, like she responded well to your magic just like she responds well with Dragon slayers,

Levi piped up before pushing through the crowed looking just as determent as the blond beside her.

Slowly Bixlow nodded before straighten up and glanced at Sphinx who was clearly listening as well.

-So, why not try that connection? Try connecting to her soul rather than just physical being,

The blond waved her hand again like it was the most obvious thing. The hope in Levi's and Lucy's expressions had the seith mage look towards his longtime friend and team mate. Freed was one of the smartest people Bixlow knew and in time of need he would search for the green haired mages opinion.

-I believe it could work, Freed answer as he calculated the situation.

-But is it safe Bix? Evergeen asked, they knew a lot more was involved in such a link

- You shouldn't rush into risks, that link connects to her she is able to also do harm, Freed pointed out,

Bixlow sighed; they were right but if there was a change that it might work he wanted to try,

- If I get an anchor it might help,

-What's an anchored? Gajeel asked,

-I need someone with a soul that totally opposite to hers, Bixlow said while looking at people,

-Lucy, it's Lucy, Sphinx said, now looking at the blond celestial mage.

-She has an aura of an angel,

They turned to look at the blond who didn't need a second to think of her answer; immediately she pulled a chair next to Bixlow, Natsu instantly stepped next to her not really sure on what to expect ,

-What do I need to do?

Bixlow lifted her hand and held it to his chest, there was a flash of blush on Lucy's cheek's but the blond female shook her head. This was serious. She felt a warm pulse go through her hand, almost like a heartbeat but still very different.

-Feel that, that my soul magic, I need you to push a little of you magic towards it, okay? Bixlow said

Lucy tested it out finding it weirdly easy, she looked up and nodded.

-Good, just keep you hand there and don't do anything until I ask; I'm not exactly sure how Sphinx is going to react.

Bixlow turned and leaned his upper body towards Sphinx and Gajeel. For a while Sphinx seemed to pounder on the subject but finally she seemed to nod. Gajeel did the same thing again and shifted them closer while this time also trapping her other hand under his arm.

-Take off your helmet, Lucy pointed out.

Sphinx felt another pang of longing go through as she saw the familiar tattoo and his warm eyes. Nervously she bite her lip before sighing.

-Gajeel don't look at my eyes alright, I don't need to peek into that metal soul, Bixlow said before putting his hand on the table once again.

It was visible in both of their faces, they need this to work. Bixlow suddenly got a flash back of every time she had flirted, smiled and laughed with him. The times they had gotten carreid away in her cave, her lips the way she looked at him. He would never find someone like her again,

Please God let it work,

-Tell me when to quit okay, its different with you, the way his voice was filled with calmness had Sphinx relax a little,

Sphinx closed her eyes and sucked in a breath and realized it slowly. To be honest she had no idea what would happen. Sure the first time he had let out some energy she had responded well. But lately nothing had really gone as expected so of course she was on the edge.

Letting out her aura scanners Sphinx swiped over the room before focusing the seith magic. For a while she searched it, trying to get herself to remember it, get familiar with it but the dark haired female actually shocked to find how much of a stranger he felt to her. Like someone who she didn't know or didn't want to know.

What is this? Was this all me, am I already putting up shields without even thinking about it?

Sure, she could feel him but why did she feel like she didn't even want to or wasn't supposed to mingle with him or his aura?

This was fucked up,

I'm all fucked up.

-Come on beautiful, Bixlow whispered urging her to explore,

He could feel her aura but somehow she felt cold almost harsh towards him, it wasn't very encouraging but he wasn't going to give up, not yet,

Sphinx opened her eyes in determination and looked at Bixlow with seriousness seldom seen in the flirtatious female. This time Sphinx held her hand up, her palm facing him. The gesture gave him hope; it was like she was ready to fight for it. Ready to fight herself for him, for them.

Bixlow copied her and held his hand up yet still not touching. They looked at each other for a moment gathering their thoughts and hardening their mind. This time it wasn't heat and lust like usually that swirled in her vivde eyes but pure willpower. Bixlow nodded at her giving her a heads-up.

Sphinx looked as his eyes started to glow in that unique way. Instantly she felt a weird pull inside her, the soul magic, it quickly turned into an intruding feeling, it made her have the urge to bearing her teeth at the man. The magic suddenly rushed at her, pulsing and almost slaming against her aura, trying to get in. And even without her doing anything a dark wall was starting to resist the pull, her inner selfdefence. The female slayer instantly tried to hold it back, tried to control her own aura and mind.

Fuck, this is Bixlow, I know him, I KNOW HIM

Sphinx slammed her hand against his intertwining her fingers around his hand almost painfully tight. Bixlow didn't move a muscle but kept his hand there, he knew if he shows any pain it would defiantly make her back down. Sphinx could feel her muscles tense and even if this was mosly a battel of will rather than physical she could feel the strain it took.

She kept her eyes on those glowing green once and fought to let his energy in. Bixlow could feel the resistance and he could definitely feel her overwhelming defense. But persistence payed off and finally found a crack that got him threw but Bixlow knew it wasn't time to joys because the worst was yet to come.

When he said that she was different the seith mage was talking about her primitive side and the darkness lurking in her. If anything it would be precisely that side of her that keep her dominance, self-defenses up. Just like he had seen her get wild in Laxus office, this energy was raw, unyielding and powerful. Her demons were a lot more percent than most people even knew.

-Come on, come on, he muttered under his breath,

Getting threw her first layer was hard but it was nothing compared to have her almost roaring in his soul. Demonic energy she harbored was starting to increase the pressure making it almost feel like someone was pressing against his lungs but to his shock it wasn't pushing against him. No, it had suddenly started pulling; her soul was pulling him in.

The hell? Was this the devil slayer side of her?

In mere seconds claws had taken a hold and he was no longer able to command his magic just like that. He felt like he was sinking into a swamp, a black, harsh and bottomless. Bixlow felt sweat run down the side of his head, she was twisting him, playing with him,

God she was a monster inside, Shit, shit

-Lucy, Bixlow said in a staggering voice.

This darkness was starting to wrap around him with dangerous intensity suffocating him from inside. He could feel the pressure get an unbearable as she forced her way through his defense. This is exactly why Freed was worried abut the link, it might give him a better access to her soul but like a door it also had him vulnerable.

Was it trying to swallow him, as in eliminating the threat?

His mind was panicking, was this why they had been so well matched, the fact that a part of her was capable of maybe using his energy? It was a freighting thought,

Finally he felt the pressure ease and warmth enter his soul, his back up, Lucy. The celestial mage was perfect for this, her magic was warm and exactly opposite. But still he was unable to get free from her claws, Lucy's energy was only enough to sustain his own powers yet he felt like Sphinx was tearing into him. He needed to reach her faster,

The female slayer saw a flicker of darkness in the glowy green eyes and reconized it, her darkness and it hit her like a brick wall. Sphinx felt herself almost break at the thought, her demons would eat him alive. Once again she was hurting him,

Fuck, no,

She would not let Bixlow suffer from her demons,

A demonic growl came from her as she focused on opening her own gate for him, no, not opening she was about to tear them wide off their hinges. Gajeel could feel her power up and did his best to keep her still. Anger fueled the female and she was hell bent to fight this,

Cana told people to step back as they felt the shift in the air. The guild seemed a lot darker like the light couldn't get reach them, the atmosphere got heavier and soon they could all feel the magic that was starting to swirl around the table. Sphinx was shaking and jolting in his lap but it was nothing compared to the feeling she was emitting, it was almost savage yet as he almost expected her to lash at him, she never did, he was never hurt.

- Sphinx, Bixlow called sounding exhausted and he was gritting his teeth,

- Just a little more Bix, stay with me, the female slayer pleaded.

Almost there, almost,

Her mind felt like it was burning as she went again her own instincts. They could see her snarl, but only Bixlow could see her inner struggle. She was fighting it; she was fighting for him and for them. Slowly but surely she was letting go of his energy and turning those claws on herself. Sphinx was making a path for him.

- Shit, she cursed and almost feeling the time run out Bixlow let out a big pulse,

Bixlow felt his head spin, but the pressure disappeared. Everything suddenly felt weightless as he gazed into a pair of light blue eyes. He didn't hear anything almost as if he had gone deaf. Sphinx was looking at him while she panting just like he was. And then he realized something,

He could finally feel her again. Like a sunny day after a horrendous storm, he felt her familiar flirtatious energy and her predatory aura but there was no pressure no hostility.

Their Link was complete,

Her cloak had fallen and those feline ears perked up as she squeezed his hand lightly.

It was odd to see her with such unreal eyes but Bixlow understood that this was a part of her, it was still Sphinx. It was still his rebellious Devil's Slayer. She looked exhausted yet relieved.

He glanced at their hand and this time with no hesitation or fear he closed his large hand over her. Slowly those eyes turned darker and those blue eyes he so much had missed came back. Just like everything else around them. The Seith mage kept his eyes on her a part of him afraid that this wouldn't last.

But it did.

As he slowly deactivated his magic, he felt tired but it was soon forgotten as he saw that familiar smile. Sphinx was grinning like mad; even her eyes were filled with true happiness that had his heart take an extra beat. Quickly he glanced at their hands and true enough they were still intervened.

Gajeel unwrapped his arms around her slowly and leaned back. Cana watched Sphinx pull her hand away and all but leap over the table.

Somehow the blue black haired mage knew she would do that and caught her while standing up at the same time. A lot of the people around them had jumped back at her sudden movement but Bixlow wrapped his arms around her form tightly.

Sphinx's legs went around his waist and her arms around his neck, hugging him just as tightly as he was holding her. They didn't hear the other cheer around them, Bixlow closed his eyes and breathed in that familiar scent she had. Nobody hug had ever felt as good,

-I'm never fucking letting you go again, he whisper to her,

Sphinx chuckled but somehow the idea didn't sound too bad. His aura surrounded her, that playful and calm aura that she had missed so much. He felt warm and familiar once again and Sphinx growled contently under her breath.

Gajeel crossed his arms and watched as they clutched on to one another. Even he felt lighter, Sphinx was once again herself and Bixlow didn't look devastated. It didn't bother him that the seith mage held his woman. Sure parts of them were so-called rivals but they were also guild and in guild they shared each other's pain and joy. So he was happy things worked out.

Sphinx leaned a little back looking at his features and just plainly enjoyed his grinning face. She could feel his breath on her face as she leaned her forehead on his, their noses bairly touching. Some of the women fawned and some gushed at their intimate position.

Okey, maybe it bothered him a little, but nothing Gajeel couldn't reason himself over,

They had just reunited this was expected. He wasn't jealous or anything. Gajeel kept his face straight but unknowingly he had started to tap his finger on his arm.

- Hey beautiful, Bixlow repeated his word

-Hello handsome, Sphinx said back while smiling happily at him,

- Just kiss her already! Bisca yelled from the crowd and the suggestion got a few encouraging hollers from the others.

Sphinx turned towards the others laughing at their attics, for a moment she had forgotten they had an audience and flushed at all the eyes. Still she was so relived to try and get away from the situation. Bixlow however took Biscas word seriously and as Sphinx turned her head back towards him Bixlow crashed his lips on hers.

The room erupted in cheers. Bixlow just needed to kiss her, he needed to vanquish the thought of not be able to touch her. Sphinx answered his eagerness and once again her lips made the rest of the his world disappear.

-Let's celebrate,

Cana yelled loudly and the guild yelled in agreement, Mira sighed in relief and walked towards the bar as people scattered around singing, yelling and dancing. Bixlow and Sphinx were clueless of the loud party starting around them.

Okey, maybe he was starting to feel a little jealous. Gajeel suppressed the slight growl he felt rumbling within him. It didn't sit quit right to him. He instinct were getting restless and frustrated as he watched the two make out,

Bixlow was really enjoying that kiss isn't he?

Well fair enough, who wouldn't enjoy kissing someone like Sphinx? It was like heaven on earth, both smooth a summer rain yet passionate and hot like a hurricane.

Wow, that sounded sappy, but how long are they going to keep kissing?

When Bixlow suddenly deepen the kiss and bring one of his hands to her neck, Gajeel could hear the small moan come from Sphinx. The iron slayer felt his muscles tightening and without even noticing he had stood up. He really was starting to feel bothered.

Do they even realize they are in the guild and everyone is watching?

- Oi soul freak let her breath already, Gajeel said with a scowl,

Almost coming back to the present Bixlow finally ended the kiss giving small peak on her lips, still savoring her taste. Another jolt when threw him as he saw those blue eyes look up at him with tinted lust,

God he loved the way she looked at him

- Don't scare me like that, Bixlow whispered against her lips.

His hand ran down her jawline and Sphinx let out a humm. She had been scare to lose him as well, but Sphinx was never good at putting the words out instead she ran her nose and lips over his tattoo while purring.

That's it!

-Alright you two need to cool the fuck down already, Gajeel said before snatching a hold of Sphinx waist and somehow managed to pull her away from Bixlow.

Sphinx let a whiny noise before looking over her shoulder at the red eyed slayer. Gajeel cocked one pierced eyebrow at her daring her to sass about anything. She could feel his aura and it had jealousy written on it, she felt a littel guilty for getting so carried away with Bixlow,

Oh Gajeel… yeah, right, let's focus here,

Sphinx thought as she felt herself flush once more and awkwardly rubber her neck while her ears flattened against her black hair. Somehow the iron dragon slayer always had that affection her, he always managed to pierce her care free surface and make her feel a little guilty for doing something with someone else.

Bossy dragon,

She looked back at Bixlow and grinned smugly before winking at the man, instantly the blue black haired man grinned at her attics as Gajeel rolled his eyes with a growl. It didn't take much to see the dragon behavior in Gajeel, Bixlow really wanted to hold onto Sphinx but he knew it wasn't wise to go against Gajeel at the moment.

I'll steal her later on, the seith mage thought as looked at the protective man. Gajeel walked towards the table and sat down with Sphinx once again tucked on his lap, first he held her unnecessarily tight but loosened when he felt her growl at him. Bixlow ignored his glare and sat next to them feeling a littel fatigue from theri earlier stunts.

-So that was completely dramatic, Cana said while pushing a mug towards Bixlow who accepted it with his trademark tough hanging out grin.

-Yeah, seriously woman you have more surprise up yourself than anyone I know, Gray said from the other side of the table,

Sphinx only shrugged she couldn't really deny that either. She shifted in Gajeels lap taking in a comfortable position. His aura enveloping her in that secure presents and like a few time before Gajeel dipped face to the top of her head taking in her scent. It always had the hair in her neck rise in a tingle go down her spine. She was tired and at the moment really enjoyed the iron slayers presense and habit of holding onto her.

She leaned in the side of his chest as his one hand supported her back and held her close. However Sphinx's tail wonders off on its own and soon poked her target. Bixlow looked down at the familiar looking black tail. Instantly his hand ran over it. A smile came to his face as it twisted and almost vibrated in his hand before coming back for more.

Oh damn,

Sphinx cursed in her mind, the sweet pleasure of Bixlows caressing had first startled her then she felt her body relax completely. Tension seemed to just roll away giving room for calm euphoria.

Sweet mavis

She wasn't sure why it felt this good but she wasn't complaining. Maybe it was because it's Bixlow doing it and did that man know how to give her sensitive tail some attention.

Gajeel looked at the female who had done a small jolted in his lap. He looked down at her in wonder but didn't feel anything threating, her lid dropped and she relaxed once again. He loved that their closer bond had finaly made her trust him more, her primitive side reconized him and dared to lower her selfawareness when he was around. The first time it had happened he had stayed up to just watch this happen.

God, she looked good in his arms.

Her breathing became steady and somehow she just kept oozing of that exotic calm excitement. It was weird yet again suited her so naturally. It did feel good to hold her when she got like this. Sphinx doesn't lower her shields much, even with Cana she didn't do it compleatly but lately she has been letting him in a little more.

Eat that lighting rod

Gajeel almost felt like giving Laxus a knowing grin but somehow he just couldn't look away. She wasn't doing anything yet this was rare somehow and didn't want to miss a thing.

Hmm, Sphinx's mind was going blank and all she could concentrate on was the way those sinful hand stroke her tail with slow sensual movement while she was surrounded by secure strong body that worked as her personal heater.

Could get used to this,

It didn't take long for her to started emit that low sexy purr and Gajeel had to restrain from answering her. It was impossible to concentrate on the conversation when she was like this. Red eyes watched her sink into him more and suddenly he felt hungry, so, so hungry. Yet he couldn't or wouldn't do anything when she was just like that, in his arms.

- Sphinx you okay? Lucy asked,

They were watching the almost sleepy look of Sphinx face as she snuggled more into the iron slayer, her head leaning contently against his chest. What made it odder was the way Gajeel was looking at her, like nothing else existed around them only the female slayer. He seemed serine, there was no frown or scowl not evens an intense grin or an egoistic smirk on his face. It was like they had done this a million times and nothing could bother them, not even that they were in the middle of the celebrating guild.

Lucy's eyebrows rose in both amazement and humor as she realized it was the same way he had looked at her at the Bacchus incident a long time ago. A smile spread to her lips,

Yeah Sphinx was okay, she seemed very comfortably.

Beside her Levi elbowed her and Lucy looked to her other side where Natsu was looking at the two from under his brows while breathing was surprisingly calm. His full attention was on the two black haired mages on the other side of the table.

What, Natsu too?

- I swear I'll never understand slayers,

The women held their giggles as they looked from Natus to Gajeel and Sphinx. They all had such similar behaviors. It was both extremely weird to see Natsu with a normal and calm expression while actually sitting still.

He looks so mature like this, that's almost hot,

Lucy thought before turning towards Levi, they smiled at each other but it wasn't until Cana pointed behind them did they turn around and looked towards the bar were Laxus sat.

- Even Laxus? His all the way over there, how can he be affected? The blond celestial mage asked out loud,

- It like their tuned in on each other, it actually really amazing, Levi exclaimed excitedly but kept her voice down,

-She really is dragon bait, Lucy whispered while holding in her laughter.

- We should totally have her dance, Levi chuckled,

-Sabertooth would totally loose it,

-Yeah you try to get her away from those arms; Cana said she wasn't lowering her voice or anything she didn't care, yet it didn't seem to bother the slayers.

-They really look like are in some sort a zone, like oozing of some raw sexual desire, Bisca said excitedly,

-I could just imagine them suddenly start kissing, and ripping each other clothes of and and -

- Wow there Bisca, you're getting awfully turned on by this, everything alright with Azlack? Cana laughed and the green haired sharpshooter gave her a glare,

- Shut it drunk, but they do look pretty good like that don't they? the woman sighed,

The Ice mage rolled his eyes before clearing his throat.

- So, is anyone going to bring up the elephant in the room? Gray said gaining their attention.

The ice mage didn't say anything but pointed behind him towards the bar. It didn't take much to understand what he meant.

Could Laxus touch her?

- what do you think? will he?
oh happy new year everyone...