Chapter 17: Those Small Golden Moments

3rd POV

The smell was purely heavenly, wafting throughout the entire living compartment. And like honey, it stuck to the furniture and anybody who made their way through the dwelling, making their stomachs flip with hunger. That single amazing smell belonged to one thing; the cupcakes Lucy was making.

It had been a while since she had gotten to cook someone something, and it all stopped when Team Natsu had stopped making their daily trips over to her house, eating all of her food (which she stopped minding after a while), and she remembered every morning she would cook them either pancakes or waffles. But then, they stopped, and so she only cooked for herself, stopping herself from making the mouth watering treats she used to make for team, Erza in particular who couldn't seem to every stay away from the pound of sugar.

Currently, Gajeel had left his apartment, saying he needed to get something and would be back later; though she wasn't idiotic, she knew he was going to Fairy Tail to see if Panther Lily was finally back so that they could leave, but as nice as it was that he didn't mention it around Lucy, she felt sort of angry not wanting him to think she was weak. But he doesn't think that, her thoughts had echoed and she no longer dwelled on it, knowing they were right. So the blonde beauty decided to use the time he was out to make cupcakes infused with iron, sort of like a filing. She had originally planned on doing this a while ago, around the time they first become friends; he had been angry, raging about how he could find any food anywhere which tasted like iron, and when he did he claimed it tasted nothing like it. So this got Lucy thinking, and she only hoped it was satisfactory.

Smiling brightly, the celestial mage focused on her task at hand, feeling slightly giddy. For a time now the celestial mage could already feel herself getting more and more better from her deep dark depression, and she was so close to being back to her happy go lucky self. In truth it was all thanks to a certain iron dragon slayer. Gajeel could tell every time she lied about not being fine, especially whenever her random depression moments popped up and she lied in order to reassure him. And every time the black haired man saw through her, and made her sit down and tell him what was bothering her. It no longer shocked Lucy to see his sweet side; she already knew he had one, just didn't really flaunt it around like most people. It was great to have someone around, someone who cared.

Grabbing the cupcakes out from the oven, she breathed in its incredible aroma, giggling happily. She couldn't wait for him to try the treats and tell her what he thought, her idea had been splendid. "Punishment Hime-sama," Virgo said, popping out of nowhere and causing the poor blonde to shriek in fear. She hadn't sensed Virgo making her appearance, her mind was filled and she hadn't been paying attention.

Sighing heavily while touching her heart, Lucy turn to the pink haired girl, smiling wryily. "No punishment Virgo," she answered, slightly out of breath.

"Punishment for scaring you Hime-sama," she then asked, cocking her head to the side innocently. It still appalled Gajeel at how such a harm-wanting spirit could be so innocent at the same time, which had always made the blonde smile; that was Virgo for you.

"No punishment Virgo, did you get what I asked you for," Lucy then asked, smiling pleasantly; she wasn't angry at Virgo, especially since she knew the pink haired spirit had done it on purpose in hopes of getting punished.

"Yes I did Hime-sama, and might I add it's a great idea. I'm sure Gajeel-san will love it too," Virgo complimented, her voice emotionless as always. The spirit handed her a contained, which held the frosting she was going to use on the cupcakes.

"Thank you Virgo, you may go now," Lucy answered, giving her her signature smile. And as her friend disappeared away in a cloud of pink dust, the blonde raised the container, grinning happily.

However, as Lucy started to ice her finished goodies, while humming an unknown tune, she didn't hear the door open and close as figure walked in, who instantly was ambushed with delicious smells that tingled his nostrils; just like that he lost control and sighed, licking his lips as he grinned, following the smell to the kitchen.

The sight which was presented to Gajeel made him all the hungrier, his inner dragon practically panting like a dog.

His ruby red eyes raked her form, taking in the back of her as well as her nice rounded bum, her large hips, her long legs, and the peak of her neck that Gajeel was tempted with kissing. She was humming this soft and sweet sounding tune, making his stomach churn in a good way; he could already feel himself turning on, and it didn't help that she was also wearing an apron, while cooking, and it became all to tempting. Pulling himself away from the gutter, just grinned, knowing that this amazing girl in front of his is all his.

Gajeel ended up just standing there for a while, taking in the view before he decided to make his appearance; grabbing Lucy from behind. He wrapped his muscular arms around her waist, squeezing her against his chest.

"Gajeel!" the celestial mage instantly squealed, grabbing onto his large forearms. In response he just simply chuckled, pressing chaste kisses against her neck, which incidentally caused involuntary shivers to run up her spine.

"Whatcha up to Bunny," he asked, a smirking crossing his lips, discreetly taking a deep inhale of her strawberry scent which was now mixed in with the cupcakes. His inner dragon started purring with content, enjoying every second of her the sense of her scent, especially since Gajeel had rubbed his own all over her, marking her as his own to any other dragon slayer.

"I'm just baking," she answered, a coy smile reaching her lips, making the pierced man suspicious. Something about her gaze told him he was going to have a surprise thrown his way. This thought caused excitement to leap into his heart. Giving her another squeeze, he let her go; moving to the side to stare at the cupcakes, wondering what she might've done to them.

"You didn't poison them did you," he asked with a chuckle, already taking in the cupcakes peculiar scent. There was something off about them; they didn't smell like the ones he commonly smelled whenever he crossed a bakery, there was something more delicious about them.

"Yes Gajeel, I poisoned my boyfriend because he was being all secretive this morning," Lucy said sarcastically, slightly rolling her eyes humorously which caused another chuckle to erupt from his chest. In all truth, he loved when she was sarcastic and witty, whenever she teased him; it was quite intriguing to him. Although he couldn't help but notice how she mentioned about this morning. She obviously knew he was stretching the truth; that didn't surprise him. He already knew the blonde next to him was very smart and perceptive; he wouldn't put it past her to see right through him.

"So Bunny, what the fuck did you inject these cupcakes with? They smell… unusual," Gajeel then asked, raising a pierced eyebrow at her in questioning. Lucy then whacked his hand with her own, seeing his reach out to try one.

"No yet; not until I'm done frosting them all," she scolded, moving the rack piled with the goodies away from the grabby slayer, smiling cheekily when she saw his sort-of pout with annoyance peaking out in his red orbs.

He huffed. "Fine." The black haired man moved to leave the kitchen until he got an idea, a smirk curving at his lips. Turning around, he spun his girl to face him and grabbed her face, kissing her hard and passionately.

Smiling into the kiss, he released her just as fast as he grabbed her, smugly grinning at her dazed and flustered expression, and with that, he left the kitchen, licking his own lips to savor the flavors of Lucy.

He just couldn't get enough of her.

Mystery POV

Plastering a fake smile on my face, I strutted down the street, faking the softness in my eyes. Even though the dress was rather itchy and extremely uncomfortable, the makeup heavy on my face and the shoes painfully shocking my legs I knew it was all worth it, yet I couldn't understand how women wore these things daily.

After watching her walk home that one day from the grocery store I knew I had to actually talk to her, it was killing me to keep my distance. She being so close yet so far. And I knew that in order to see her I would have to be under disguise and well do you really expect a man disguised as a woman?

Adjusting the purple wig which concealed my hair I headed towards the apartment door, trying to hide the annoyance that threatened to creep up on my face. I was still furious she was staying with that iron dragon; he's pathetic, and terrible, especially from what he did to her in the Phantom Battle. He didn't deserve; nobody did, except for me that is. But unlike him I could actually wait for her, and I was planning on having her soon, it was all a matter of time and at the right time.

Plastering the same fake cheery smile on my face, I knocked on the door, trying to act as girly as possible. In my hands I was holding a couple flyers; my excuse as to why I was here.

"Hello," a familiar voice asked, the door opening to her. Lucy Heartfillia. Her brown orbs gazed at mine for a split second before she smiled her usual smile, showing all of her pearly whites. "Hi! Can I help you," she asked kindly, making my heart leap. She's so kind, and hotter when she actually sees me… What am I saying? Get my mind out of the gutter and focus on the plan, I scolded myself, acting as if nothing was wrong.

"Oh well my name is Xia and I was just wondering if you would accept this flyer? It's about a new restaurant that has opened up called "Garden of Food." Are you interested," I asked.

"Sure! Thank you, I'll be sure to check it out," my blonde answered, giving me a sincere smile. "Thank you for stopping by, goodbye." And just like that the door was closed and she was gone from sight, making me clench my fists in anger. We had only talked for what like a couple seconds, a minute at the most? I couldn't handle this, my anger just keeps rising the more I stay away from her. I have to speed up my plans; she must be mine as soon as possible.

To be continued…

A/N: Thank you all for everything! I'm sorry for another late update! Special thanks to SuperPsychoNutcase for pointing out my OOC moment, I hate when things like that happen so I appreciate it whenever someone informs me of one!

To PantherLilyxKiwi: Thank you! Yeah I was hoping he would, it would be weird if you didn't; especially with his obsession with her.

To AiMila: Eh, he may, or he may not, you'll just have to read to find out:3

To SuperPsychoNutcase: Thank you once more for pointing that out, sorry for the OOC moment.

To mariawalker112: Well if you've read my story before the rewrite you would have kind of an idea of who it would be but I will tell you if won't be Sting, or someone like that; I actually kind of like Sting and it would be hard for me to do that, just so you know. Thank you by the way!

To reina-angelique: Thank you very much! I am glad people like it especially since GaLu isn't a very well liked pairing with everyone liking GaLe… But thank you.

To FandomFanaticFic: Thank you I hope you enjoy this chappie!