Laxus and Lucy walked together hand in hand along the river and Lucy was still practically floating from kiss a few minutes ago. We continued talking, only this time it was more idle conversation, not a deep discussion. Over the few miles they walked, they learned so much about each other. From the favorite food, music, and color, to past relationships, their biggest mistakes, and their most important experiences.

It was easy for them to console one another since they shared common upbringings. Both from birth had standards they were expected to meet. Neither getting a say in their future. Everyone always cared about what they were, not who they were. Laxus was brought up to believe power was everything, though that fought with what his grandfather told him of love and camaraderie. He had to work his way out of his grandfather's shadow, only being recognized as Makarov's grandson, and not Laxus Dreyar. Lucy was the only heir to the Heartfilia line. Her future was always willed by her father, going as far as arranged marriage and social deprivation. If she talked, it was to the servants or her doll. She couldn't live sheltered through someone else. She had to live her own life and decide her own future. She only wished her father would have realized that sooner. By the time she had her old father back, she couldn't spend time with him, since he died while she was frozen for seven years. She missed him every day. She never got to tell him how much she loved him.

Seeing the tears forming at her lashes, Laxus comforted her with the story of his own father. "At least your father cared. I spent my teen years and early twenties hating my grandfather and the guild that meant the world to me as a child, just because he was power-hungry. I broke my body time and time again to be stronger, just to appease that coward of a man. In the end, it got me nothing but hatred... It wasn't always that way... We used to be... happy? I'm not even sure you could call it that. But I like to look ahead, rather than behind me. Look to the future. Don't dwell on 'what if's. But don't regret your past; embrace it. Without it, you wouldn't be who you are today... and I wouldn't have you any other way." As she looked at him, she saw a small smirk on his face, completely lacking in arrogance. Her face flushed a red deep enough to rival Titania's hair.

"Y-y-you've been spending too much time around the master," noting his speech, though internally thanking him for the pep talk.

They finally reached her apartment. "Thanks for walking me home, Laxus. And... you know... everything else."

"Any time."

He noticed that she was intentionally fumbling with her keys, and took that a sign. He took her by the wrist, pulled her up against his chest, tilting her chin up, and giving a kiss just as passionate as the one earlier that evening. After about a minute they broke apart, and Lucy asking, "Do you want to stay a while?" A single nod on his part told him all she needed to know, inviting him in.

They sat and talked more, but as Laxus looked at the time, he noted he should be leaving soon.

"You don't have to go..."

"Why not?"

"Because I want you here."

"Then tell me to stay."

She hesitated a moment, trying to find the words to say, "Don't go... Please... Stay..."

With that, he climbed on top of her, capturing her lips and pulling her body into his embrace. He leaned up, "Unbutton my shirt." She nodded breathlessly and fumbled with his buttons, while his hand went behind her neck to undo the knot keeping her dress on. As it came undone and he saw her topless form, he could have sworn that his heart stopped for a second.

"Laxus, wait."

He went stiff, thinking this isn't what she wanted. She saw the shock in his eyes and quickly continued.

"It's just... I've never done this before. I've never even had a boyfriend before. It's not like I don't want to. I just want to take this slow. Okay?" Her eyes pleading.

"I understand."

"Thank you. For understanding."

After a gentle kiss full of care, not passion, she got up and went into the bathroom to change. He simply waited on the couch for her to exit. Stepping out, she saw his eyes wandering around her apartment until they finally fell on her. Trying to keep from staring at her gorgeous figure in the transparent aqua blue nighty was one of the hardest things he's ever done. Looking away was even harder, and had it not been for her clearing her throat, he would have lost any form of composure he possessed.

"Are you coming to bed?"

"I don't think your bed is big enough for two."

"I'm sure we can make it work." Since when had she been so daring. Never before had a woman had the upper hand with Laxus, but this one was basically his puppeteer, though he'd never admit it due to his pride.

He was about to climb into the pink comforter when she asked, "Are you going to sleep in that?" Gesturing to his unbuttoned shirt and dress pants. Taking a deep breath, he removed all of his clothing except his tight boxer-briefs which left little to the imagination. Had Lucy not known the man, she would have mistaken him for a deity. His muscles rippling with every motion just screamed power and the idea of giving complete control to that walking masterpiece was oh so tempting.

"O-okay, you lay down first," she instructed, trying not to let her voice falter.

Laxus got on the bed as she followed suit, putting most of her upper body on his torso and crossing her right leg in between his. Feeling something stiffen against her thigh, she slid down a little, trying to distance herself from the pinnacle of masculinity that was his member. After a few minutes of him stroking her hair and her intake of his ambrosial scent and she fell into a deep slumber. Never before had she slept so peacefully, feeling safe, secure, and loved in the arms of the dragon.