Laxus sat in the stone brick window frame of Kardia Cathedral's south-western tower. The single paned, beveled glass window was open and a cold winter breeze blew in. The freezing air cut through his thin wool sweater, chilling his skin, his skin prickling with goosebumps. He welcomed the numbing sensation.

He sighed, his breath a cloud a hot air bellowing out before him, fogging the glass of the window. His reflection stared back at him, his eyes dead and half lidded. His chest ached. He turned away from the window and looked around the tower's interior.

Evergreen had truly outdone herself.

Dozens of lighted candles covered the small room. A short pine tree stood in the far corner, the tree decorated with twinkling lights and shiny glass ornaments. Brightly colored gifts with coordinating ribbons and tags sat beneath the tree. Scented pine cones filled the room. The overpowering smell gave the Dragon Slayer a headache.

He reached into his pants' pocket and pulled out a silk scarf. He bundled the soft fabric in his fist and brought the scarf to his nose. He inhaled the sweet scent of the scarf and his pain eased slightly. The tension in his shoulders disappeared as he breathed.

The scarf smelled of strawberries and honey.

He closed his eyes, the image of Lucy's smiling face flashing behind his eyelids. His heart ached, his chest squeezing.

This is your chance with Cosplayer! Bickslow's voice echoed in Laxus' mind. She likes ya.

He opened his eyes. He shoved Lucy's scarf back into his pocket and he faced the open window.

There's no way, he thought. He clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening. He leaned his head against the window frame and closed his eyes.

There's no fucking way.

A door opened below. Soft clicks from a pair of heels and rustling fabric of a synthetic blend echoed throughout the tower. Elevated breathing, labored breaths as they climbed the spiraling staircase. Someone was coming. Laxus exhaled, exasperated, his eyes still closed.

Here comes Ever, he thought.

His nostrils flared to catch her scent but all he could smell were the scented pine cones. He cursed.

His head ached and his throat was dry. His eyes flashed to the unopened bottle of cinnamon whiskey beside him. His fingers ached for the bottle but Bickslow's voice nagged in his head. Stay sober.

He turned away and leaned his head back against the window frame. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest. Lucy's bright smile flashed in his mind.

Will I see you at the Guild tonight? She had asked him earlier.

He sighed. I'm a fucking coward.

The door knob to the room turned and the wooden door creaked as it opened.

"You're early," Laxus said, his eyes still closed.

"Were you expecting me?"

His eyes shot open and he quickly sat up from his lounged position. His jaw dropped as his eyes landed on the woman standing in the doorway. She giggled.

"Did I startle you?" she asked playfully. "That's a first!"

Laxus relaxed back against the window frame, his hands behind his head. "All I can smell are these fucking pine cones," he grumbled.

Lucy smiled. "Ah," she said. "Then I guess you haven't smelled the food."

Laxus raised one eyebrow, his stomach growling. "Food?"

He noticed then that she carried three brown takeout boxes. She walked over to him, her red heels clicking against the wooden floor. His eyes traveled up her slender legs and he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. She wore gray wool stockings and that short red bubble dress from earlier.

Fuck.

"I brought you leftovers from the Guild's Christmas Party," Lucy said offering him the takeout boxes in her hands.

"There's never leftovers," he said accepting the boxes. His fingers brushed against hers. She flushed.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He brought the warm boxes to his lap. He watched her as her eyes searched the room before they landed on a folded furry blanket beside the Christmas tree. She walked over to the blanket.

"May I?" she asked.

He nodded his head.

She bent over to pick up the blanket. Laxus groaned as her dress lifted up and he could see her round ass and lacy underwear. His groin twitched.

Fuck.

She turned around with the blanket in her arms, a warm smile on her face, oblivious. She spread the white furry blanket on the wooden floor. She sat down on the blanket and adjusted her dress. The soft tops of her breasts jiggled as she settled into a comfortable position. He couldn't pry his eyes away. He licked his lips.

Lucy patted the blanket beside her.

Fuck.

He complied, leaving the window and sitting down on the blanket in front of her. His stomach growled and Lucy giggled. His heart soared at the sweet sound.

"Go ahead and eat, silly," she said. She covered her mouth to stifle her giggles.

He dug into the food, eating quickly. Lucy fiddled with the strap of her heels. Her face grimaced.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his mouth full of food.

"Ah, these heels are new," she said rubbing just below her ankle. "They kinda hurt my feet when I was running over here."

He swallowed. "You ran?"

"It's freezing outside and I didn't want the food to get cold," she explained. She winced, touching her heel.

He finished the last bite of food and set the boxes off to the side of the blanket.

"Here," he said. He stretched out his hand for her foot.

She blinked, her eyes widening. She swung her legs around to the front of her body. Laxus tried not to look as her dress hitched up a little, exposing her bare upper thighs. She bit her lower lip and raised her foot.

He took her foot in his hand. His fingers fumbled with her heel strap before sliding off her shoe. She winced, her foot flexing. His massaged her sore foot through her socking, rubbing his thumbs in small circles. Her cheeks flushed and her breathing slowed.

"Thank you for the meal," he said. He moved his hands to her ankle. She bit her lower lip.

"Everyone missed you at the party," she said softly.

His hands stopped mid calf and he swore he heard Lucy whimper as he put her leg down. He grabbed her other foot, removing that heel as well.

"I missed you at the party," she said even quieter. She winced as his thumbs rubbed over a tender spot on her foot.

"Yeah, well, didn't feel right going this year," he said, continuing to massage her foot and ankle. He thought about removing her stockings and feeling her soft, bare skin. He imagined running his hands down her smooth legs and up her dress. Blood surged down to his groin at the thought and he shifted his hips uncomfortably.

"I miss him, too," Lucy said. His blood thinned and his excitement faded. He frowned.

"I don't want to talk about the old man right now," he said his hands stopping mid massage. He released her leg.

"I know," Lucy said. "I just- I'm here for you. If you want to talk or not. I'm just, here." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She stretched out her legs. "I know he'd want you to be happy."

"Blondie," Laxus warned.

"No, let me just say something. You don't have to talk, just listen," she said. She scooted closer, putting a hand on his knee. "You should be happy. You should be sober. You should be our next Guild Master."

He blinked at her. "That's a lot of shoulds," he said dryly.

"Laxus," Lucy said, her eyes pink and glistening. Fuck, is she going to cry?

"Fuck this," he said and he reached for the unopened bottle of whiskey. She crawled over his lap and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

His breath hitched in his throat. She leaned over him, her breasts pouring out of her dress. Her brown eyes looked up at him and their eyes met.

"Why did you kiss me last Christmas?" she asked softly and his eyes widened.

"Uh, what?" he stuttered at her sudden change of subject.

"Last Christmas," she said pausing to bite her lower lip. "You kissed me on the balcony after pretending I was standing underneath mistletoe."

Fuck.

He scoffed nervously. "It was a joke." He lied.

"No. It was too-" Lucy flushed, her cheeks warming. Laxus held his breath. "Too much to be a joke," she finished.

Laxus shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a great kisser." He chuckled, his heart beating fast. "Don't tell me you've been thinking about that kiss for the past year?"

Lucy flinched. She sat up. Her face was red and her eyes were narrowed.

"Yes, yes I have!" she blurted her voice sharp. "You don't have to be such a jerk." She sighed and Laxus' heart was in his throat. "I should have known it meant nothing." Her voice cracked.

She stood and smoothed out her dress. She sniffed, turning her head away.

"I'll just go," she said and Laxus grabbed her arm.

"I lied," he said quickly. "I kissed you because I wanted to."

Tears spilled down her cheeks and his chest clenched.

Fuck.

"Why are you crying?" he asked his voice low.

"I don't know," Lucy said. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know you don't date. I know kissing doesn't mean anything to you, that it's no big deal." She paused and Laxus couldn't breathe. "I like you and yes, I spent the last year pining after you like some idiot." Her words were rushed and he could hear her heart beating in rhythm to his own pounding pulse.

He froze and she tugged her arm free of his grasp.

"Just let me leave," she pleaded. "I'm embarrassed and I just want to-"

He stood up. He grabbed her arm once more and pulled her to him, closing the gap between them. He cupped her face in his hands and her eyes widened. He licked his lower lip before lowering his face to hers. His lips hovered over hers and she held her breath. He touched his forehead to hers.

"I'm shit with words," he said his voice low. He wiped her tears with his thumb. "I-," he paused. Fuck, why is this so fucking hard?

Lucy's eyes softened. She smiled, her hand coming to his chest. She rested her palm over his heart. His heart raced at her touch. "You like me too," she whispered.

His eyes widened as her arms wrapped around his neck and her lips met his.


A/N Thank you for your patience! Hope this chapter was worth the wait ;P It's not over yet, but almost! Thank you for reading and for your favs and follows! Please leave a review with your thoughts and feelings. See you soon!