Chapter 41:

Gajeel felt ridiculously stupid.

He was hiding in the bathroom like a child who'd committed some trivial offense and was avoiding the wrath of their parents. How could he help it? Laxus was just so damn intimidating. That was wrong, it wasn't Laxus that was intimidating; it was his own ruinous complex, his fear of intimacy that was getting in the way.

They'd had such a good day. Laxus had faced his fear easily and gracefully. He'd conquered it, had literally and figuratively trampled it beneath his feet. When they'd gotten to the peak, the look on his face was priceless. Gajeel had been stirred to find some way to make him look as awe-filled again, although he wasn't sure that would be possible. The best part of the day was when he'd placed the ring in his hand. As hasty and nervous as the action had been, Gajeel hadn't been able to help catching the same elation that had made Laxus shine like some sort of human incarnation of Apollo on top of the mountain. Laxus was actually a sincere, passionate man beneath his cool demeanor and Gajeel was learning about it more and more as they spent time alone together.

He peered out from the bathroom and caught a glimpse of the blonde as he stalked out to their personal spring. He took in a breath as if it would somehow fortify him and stepped back into the suite, silently berating himself for acting so childish. Honestly, what was the worst that could happen? There wasn't any way for him to mess this up more than any other time he'd ruined a hot moment between the two of them. The only difference this time was the expense. And, as he talked himself down, he told himself there was always tomorrow. If this turned out to be too much for him to handle they still had one more day that they'd be spending in each other's company. Maybe it wasn't just a fear of intimacy that was breaking apart his usually assertive and excitable façade, maybe it was also a fear of not living up to expectations or not being able to get over this.

He stepped quietly to the doors and watched Laxus as he tiptoed around the pool. Gajeel pressed his tongue against his teeth as he stared. He was just so immaculate. His porcelain skin looked soft in the pale moonlight despite being pulled taught against the strength of his body. The only dark mark on his body was the inky black of his tattoo that spindled down his chest and claimed his back. His brilliant eyes glinted in the night like raw gold and his scar had him seeming proud and almost divine. He was a seraphic warrior, the picture of power and fair virility. Gajeel was sure that out of the thousands of definitions of perfection there were in the world one of them had Laxus Dreyar as its description. He swallowed. When did he start thinking this way towards him, admiring every step he took? The feelings he had for him were raw and adoring and he was so easily swept away. He'd never felt that way towards someone. It was strange and new and a little frightening. He didn't get so attached to people who could leave…

He clenched his jaw, scoffed at himself, and ran his fingers through his hair. He needed to stop this habit of getting lost in his own mind. It was going to start dominating his life.

He finally gathered the courage to first pull the shirt from his shoulders and then wrestle himself out of his pants. He didn't toss them into a heap out of the way like Laxus had and instead just left them in the middle of the floor. He treaded lightly out to the spring, allowing a shiver to work its way through his body as he adjusted to the change in temperature. Laxus didn't look at him as he, too, shed the last of his clothing and even kept his gaze upwards towards the night sky as he sank into the hot water. Gajeel sort of appreciated the thoughtfulness on his part. Quietly, he waded over to sit near his partner and spread out his arms around the lip of the stone basin. He was just far enough that if he stretched out his fingertips could brush the blonde's shoulder.

"So… you have a good day?" Gajeel prompted, leaning his cheek onto his knuckles as he gazed over at the blonde.

"I did," Laxus smirked, not moving his hand from where it was resting lightly against his lips. Gajeel eyed the steel ring he'd given him and ran his thumb against his own. Laxus probably had no idea that he'd actually made them. It was just a silly little trinket but he'd figured it wouldn't hurt to have some outer display of their commitment to each other. Even when they went back to the guild he was fairly certain they wouldn't do much as far as holding hands or hugging or touching… or any of the sort of things couples tended to do. They just weren't really that kind of people, or at least he wasn't. So why not? Let them wear matching rings. He'd bear through the questions if any were asked.

"So… uh… when are you planning on telling Makarov?" he tore his gaze to the smoky water and focused on the shuddering shape of his knees beneath the ripples, "Does he even know you're gay?"

Laxus muffled a laugh, "I'm bisexual… and no."

"Oh…" he floundered slightly, "So this will just be a blind surprise, then."

"You're not scared of Gramps," it wasn't a question, it was a statement, and he stared directly at Gajeel as he said it. His response was a half-shrug and a flip of his wrist as if to flick the words out of his headspace.

"I just don't know how well he'll like his only grandson choosing to fuck around with the guy who destroyed the guild,"

Laxus raised a brow at him, a dry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "You say that like I also didn't try to destroy the guild."

Gajeel laughed and a bit of sourness touched his tone, "Yeah well… he might take it a little easier on you… blood and all that."

"Nah, Gramps was always really hard on me. He didn't want me goin' around town wreckin' shit and sayin' I was the guldmaster's kid," he grinned as the words passed through his lips and gazed off into the night as if he were remembering something, "Believe it or not Gramps actually tried to teach me not to drink and cuss. As you can tell it worked so well."

"Yeah? What happened?" Gajeel eyed him as if waiting for some big reveal. Laxus snickered.

"Nothing really happened. I got pissed when Gramps kicked my dad out but I came around for the most part. I just got really obsessed with being strong."

"It shows," the words tumbled from his mouth before he could really think them through and he could barely hold Laxus's eyes without the feeling of heat creeping up his neck.

"Yeah? But still nowhere near Gramp's level," Laxus fidgeted with his ring quietly as he spoke. Gajeel was sort of aware that being in Makarov's shadow was a sore spot for the blonde and he opened his mouth to say something about it but Laxus had already quickly changed the subject, not willing to dwell on thoughts of his family at the moment, "So… d'ya wanna tell me what's in store for tomorrow? I'm sick of the secrets."

Gajeel smirked, "Geehee… can't. It'll ruin it."

Laxus rolled his eyes and suddenly a sly look worked its way across his face. He leaned closer to Gajeel and his heart responded eagerly. He tried to hold Laxus's keen gaze but his mouth suddenly felt dry being so close to him, "How am I supposed to know how easy to take it on you tonight if I don't know what we're doing tomorrow?"

Gajeel pushed down the anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach, "You think you can scare me with threats?"

Now it was Laxus's turn to feel his heart quicken to words he'd heard from Gajeel before but this time with a completely different meaning behind them. Laxus moved closer to him in the water, let his hand rest on the outside of Gajeel's tanned thigh. His eyes were glittering like voracious golden zircons.

"Scared yet?" he rumbled and Gajeel suddenly felt even hotter than the water around them.

"Tch, no." he scoffed playfully. Laxus moved even closer and this time his hand slipped up and towards his inner thigh. His face was so close he could feel his breath ghosting against his lips.

"Now?" Laxus voice was impossibly lower and hungry and it made something inside Gajeel shiver. He licked his lips.

"I… are you sure about this?" Gajeel's insecurity suddenly bubbled angrily past his false bravado, trying to squash what was beginning to simmer in between them.

"Yes," Laxus didn't even bat an eyelash and spoke with a confidence and finality that just solidified to Gajeel that he had absolutely no doubts about what he wanted from them. How could he be so self-assured? He was equal parts overwhelmed and envious of his steadfast attitude.

"You know I'm not… I don't… I'm not feminine… and I can't be. It's not… that's not how I am," he felt weak and Laxus's gaze quickly turned from hungry to annoyed.

"Gajeel Redfox," his name on Laxus's lips made him stiffen but it was apparent that Laxus's mood was changing. Maybe this was all it took to ruin things this time, "You're in a dangerous position to be pissing me off."

He blinked, frustration clawing its way through his body, "I just… I don't want you to expect that kind of thing from me."

Laxus let out a tight sigh. He was getting too angry about this, after all Gajeel was going through a lot, had been througha lot. Everything aside, he'd always considered himself straight and had come from a place that didn't condone their kind of relationship. Gay men in his mind were flamboyant and womanly. He wasn't like Laxus who'd known for years that he was attracted to the same sex, hadn't had time to figure out how exactly it played into his identity. It was a large step. Laxus unset his jaw and tried to relax. It was difficult to be so wholly amazed by someone who couldn't love themselves. Laxus's words stopped in his throat for a minute. He didn't do sincerity well, he'd never had to before. He wanted to say something to abate his relentless worry, but what? What could he tell Gajeel about himself that would dissipate some of his unease?

He thought Gajeel was amazing. Very few people could go through the hell he'd had to bear and still be sane. He had the grit to do what no one else had to, didn't care to be made into a villain if he thought what he was doing was right. He was immensely loyal and had a golden heart despite his upbringing. He'd had the strength to shake off his past and realize that he could be better, a resolve few men possessed. He was a force of nature with the strength to cut down anyone whom he deemed a threat to those dearest to him. Laxus thought he could be an unstoppable man if he'd just leave what was weighing himself down instead of always carrying it with him.

He felt Gajeel was dark and tempestuous person. He was rugged and masculine with eyes that flashed and struck him with delectable lightning. He was a storm constantly raging that became more punishing with each sure-footed step Laxus took to his center. He was the type of force that toppled castles and jettisoned gentle rivers into rampant torrents. The plague of his self-loathing was foreign to Laxus who had always seen the predatory man beside him as self-assured and commanding. Who could have known this was who he was when he was stripped apart and left in the quiet of the eye of his hurricane? It was inconceivable and Laxus had to remind himself to be gentle, lest he cause the storm to rise again.

"Gajeel," he spoke flatly, never breaking his eyes from the raven's, "I don't think you really get it..."

His red eyes widened as Laxus slipped his other hand to his knee and stood, gripping Gajeel's flesh and pulling him towards his hips. Gajeel fumbled for the wall to keep from slipping under the hot water and the entire motion of his body came to a sudden halt as his inner thighs met Laxus's hips. Laxus had him by the crooks of his legs, not allowing him an avenue of escape. Gajeel's heart was pounding and he couldn't tell if it was in trepidation or excitement; maybe it was both.

"…the things that I like about you aren't feminine," he tipped his head forward and to the side, making it so that he had to look up at Gajeel to keep his gaze. He didn't mean to look so arrogant but he couldn't help it. He pushed his fingers into the skin of his legs and drew them roughly up, tantalizing and slow, leaning further into the tanned man below him as he did so. He was grinding against him under the water, dragging his hands up Gajeel's abs and relished watching the man arch his back at the feel of his contact. There was so much more waiting for him and Laxus couldn't wait to throw open the door.

"I just… I don't think I'm…" his breath was hitched and Laxus decided he didn't want to hear him talk down about this anymore. They were here to throw caution to the wind, after all, so maybe Laxus should just go ahead and push him headfirst into the depravity he'd kept pent up for so long. Did he have to be cruel? He pushed his hips harder into him, this time feeling the allure of pleasure when he brushed against Gajeel under the water. Gajeel must have felt it too because his words suddenly stayed in his throat. Laxus rolled his hips into him again and made a show of using his tongue to roll against his bottom lip hungrily. He didn't know what was better or worse, being blatant about his appetite or restrained. Gajeel just seemed to dodge to any chance for exit he saw and Laxus wanted him cornered.

"I don't care what you think you are," Laxus breathed, letting the words turn into a growl as they shivered out his throat. Red was starting to dot Gajeel's flesh on his chest and neck and his eyes widened, glittering like blood and full of muted disbelief.

"You look like you're gonna to kill me," Gajeel's voice broke through. It was quiet and oddly firm and Laxus blinked his way out of his thoughts. Rosy blush had traveled up to Gajeel's studded ears now, his awkwardness making him heat up.

Had he been staring at him? Had he looked irritated? Gajeel seemed edgy, his red eyes not meeting his own but instead resting at his neck. He leaned down and captured his gaze, got so close Gajeel didn't have a choice but to look at him.

"Do you want me to?" the strange look in his ruby eyes was enough response to prompt Laxus to keep going. He could be harsh or mean or exciting, anything really. He didn't mind playing around. Hadn't Gajeel said once that he liked being rough? Laxus pushed down his worry. He sparked, sending a flicker of shuttering electricity into the air around them. Gajeel's eyes widened and he moved as if to push Laxus away but he gripped his wrist and held him still.

"Laxus…" he hissed it as a caution but Laxus wasn't worried. This was his specialty, he knew he wasn't going to hurt either of them. Electricity danced in the air around them, flirting just above the water and licking the humid air. Gajeel was uneasy but Laxus wasn't going to let it overtake him. He pressed his hand to his chest, let it travel easily up to his neck and hold him still to look at him.

"I told you I wasn't going to hurt you," he let his voice hover just above a whisper, "Just trust me already."

He let go of his wrist and to his surprise, Gajeel didn't retract his hand but instead tentatively slipped his hands around his neck. His blush had finally consumed his cheeks but he didn't break Laxus's gaze.

"Sorry," he muttered and clenched his jaw. His eyes were fiery and caught a yellow flash every time Laxus's lightning got too close. He forced an unconfident smirk onto his features and his teeth glistened white up at him, "I'm… I'm in your hands."

Laxus hadn't meant to, but a flash of lightning cracked in the clouds above them. Gajeel clutched him tightly as brontide shuddered over the countryside and Laxus's hungry lips at Gajeel's throat had an edgy chuckle escaping his lips.

"Damn… that got you fired up," he breathed hoarsely into Laxus's ear.

"What do you expect saying shit like that?" Laxus murmured into his skin, running his tongue against his neck. Laxus's hands were slipping around Gajeel's ribs to dig nails into his back and hold him close. He heard Gajeel's breath shudder and moved to his lips. Their rough caress was consuming to him. Gajeel's taste was like a gentle spice in his mouth and his tongue begged to capture more of his flavor. They were chest to chest but Laxus wanted to be closer. In the water, they were restricted to what they could do and it was already starting to annoy him. He pressed his hips into Gajeel's and loved the hushed breath he sucked in from it. He just wanted to devour him and it was driving him mad. He was so tired of being patient. When he pulled back he was breathless and Gajeel's eyes were filled with longing. It took all of his self-control to keep from driving back down into him.

Laxus wanted to demand it of Gajeel but he didn't think the man would take it well. For a moment, he had to grapple with his pride and lust to keep himself muted, "I want you… on the bed."

Gajeel licked his lips and Laxus leaned closer, wanting to intercept his mischievous muscle but unable to reach him before it was retracted back behind rough lips, "Yeah… I'll… uh, yeah."

They rose from the hot spring. Gajeel immediately felt as if all of the heat had been sapped from him as he left the water. Laxus's sparks still danced around him and it made him nervous but the blonde was right behind him, ensuring that neither of them would be bitten by this manifestation of his avidity. He hastily grabbed a towel and could feel Laxus's closeness as he reached at the same time. Static made his hair stand on end and a small shock from Laxus's hand brushing past his made his skin prickle. Laxus moved powerfully, the physical incarnation of thunder and passion almost herding Gajeel in the direction he wanted. Neither of them closed the door and so chilled air and humidity spilled in to the comfortable warmth, but they were hasty and didn't really care. Gajeel didn't even have the time to hesitate or grapple with his insecurities with Laxus's shadow looming above him, immediately stripping him of his towel and pushing him still wet onto the sheets.

The springs groaned as Gajeel lowered himself down, stomach rolling dangerously as iron spiked in his system from his unease. Laxus didn't join him on the bed but instead gazed down at him as if Gajeel were some deist and Laxus was solely there to prove that in fact god was real and he was about to make the heathen man below him his most devout votary with just the reality of his physical body. Gajeel tried to convince himself to be ready for this impassioned purification he was about to be put through at the Thunder God's hands but even still his mind suffered damningly when Laxus's hands were gripping his knees, pulling him harshly to the edge of the bed and into a position he was very familiar with, although never with another man.

Laxus sought for his lips and ignited fire in the pit of the Iron Mage's stomach. He placed his palms to either side of his hips and worked his way down his neck. Gajeel let his head roll back and allow him a better angle, trying to be docile and just let himself feel the electrical current Laxus was turning his circulatory system into. His heart shuddered and his pulse was fast. The feel of Laxus's teeth on his throat made his blood strike with lightning. He felt he needed to do something but didn't know what so he just let his body feel and relax under Laxus's imposing concupiscence. His tongue was hot against his jugular and his teeth cool and sharp as they bit into his clavicle. He sucked a hiss in through his teeth at the voracious gooseflesh Laxus's mouth incited while he inched his way slowly, teasingly, cruelly, down his chest, his stomach, naval, until he was at level with his engorged member.

Gajeel stayed leaned back on his palms and stared down at Laxus, face cold but eyes ablaze with anticipation. Laxus didn't give him the satisfactory feeling he was awaiting, though. He liked dragging this out and so he bit into the soft flesh of Gajeel's inner thigh and savored the dissolute moan that ripped itself from Gajeel's lips. Laxus gazed up at him, a licentious look that made Gajeel's lip curled in a sexually charged snarl as he found it harder to contain himself. Laxus flattened his tongue and ran it up his length, keeping his hands on his thighs so he couldn't have a chance to take control. Another agonizingly slow stroke had a growl shivering from Gajeel's mouth and when Laxus looked up at him again he had his knuckles pressed to his lips as if trying to keep in the sinful noise. Laxus finally pushed his head to his mouth, dragged his teeth against the sensitive skin threateningly as inch by inch he captured him. He could hear Gajeel's breath shuddering as he made his way down his length and then drew salacious slowness back again.

Gajeel tried to buck his hips to the motion but Laxus held him down, made him take the applications he was giving him instead draw his own satisfaction. Gajeel was being driven insane. The wet friction was torturously slow and he desperately needed more, faster, harder. Agitation was building in his chest and in a restive act to get what he wanted he balled a fist into Laxus's hair and pushed him down. He gritted his teeth against a sigh of relief when he pulled the blonde back again but immediately regretted the act when Laxus dug his nails into his flesh angrily. He grunted, not disliking the feeling and forcing him back down again. Again, he drew Laxus back but the Thunder God's eyes flashed dangerously this time and when he pushed him back down he was too harsh, hitting his throat and causing him to stop a gag. Gajeel released him as soon as he realized and Laxus came up with a frenzied gasp, eyes wild at Gajeel's sudden outburst.

"What the fuck…" he raged, gripping Gajeel legs again to pull his hips against his own, "…made you think-"

Gajeel's heart was pounding, a feeling like adrenaline suddenly flushing through his veins, "That's what you get for being a fucking tease."

Laxus narrowed his eyes and was over top of him in an instant, his mouth colliding with his like a meteor to a mountainside, hot and fitful and tearing him apart. Gajeel wrapped his hands around his neck, dug his nails into his nape and pulled at his hair. He was slightly aware that Laxus was reaching wildly, digging into his bag that was sitting on the nightstand and agitatedly fishing out a small bottle before toppling the rest of its contents to the floor. Gajeel took the opportunity to assault him for once and slipped his hand down to grip his shaft. Laxus clenched his jaw and Gajeel noticed his movements were much more confused now that half of his focus was on the pleasure rushing up his loins. Laxus pushed himself up to rest on his heels, using his free hand to dig fiery stripes down Gajeel's chest. He shuttered and sighed, rolling his hips against Laxus's ass at the feeling. He ran his thumb against Laxus's head and the blonde put a hand to his own, staying him with just a lustful look.

He slid himself off the bed again, this time letting his knees rest against the edge. Gajeel propped himself up on his elbows, his ravenous desire suddenly quieting as Laxus ripped angrily the vile open and poured some of the shimmery liquid onto his hand. Golden eyes noticed his apprehensive look and in a vindictive action to Gajeel's earlier truculence he poured the cold fluid onto his sensitive flesh, making him flinch and shiver. He dropped the rest of the bottle to the ground, not much caring for niceties at the moment, and took hold of the crook of Gajeel's knee.

"How flexible are you?" he smirked and red tinged the tops of Gajeel's ears. He had one hand resting at his throat and the other smoothing across his forehead. His eyes were muted and worrisome with what their next step was.

"I'm not," his voice was guttural as if he had to force it through the back of his throat.

"I bet you're not as bad as you think," Laxus grinned with a touch of cheekiness as he directed the raven's hips how he wanted them, bringing his tanned leg up to rest over his shoulder. Gajeel thought his dark, rough skin looked exotic in comparison to Laxus's soft white and it made his stomach twist to be in this position; completely bare, pliant and subservient. He didn't mean for the disgusted noise at the back of his throat to actually escape when he felt Laxus's hand slip to his opening. Laxus's eyes snapped up to his as he pushed inside with his finger causing Gajeel to grit his teeth.

"Am I hurting you?" Laxus breathed, much more considerate to his partner than just moments earlier.

"No," Gajeel muttered, feeling cold chills rocketing up his spine as Laxus eased his digit in and twisted it so his palm was facing the ceiling. He arched his back at the strange feeling of his fingers pressing something inside of him that lit sparks in his body and he shut his eyes to stifle a tremor that fought to go through his body, "It's weird…"

"In a bad way?" Laxus rumbled as he pressed his middle finger against him, getting lubricated enough to slip it in as well and only stopping when he heard a growl fighting through Gajeel's chest, "Need me to stop?"

"T's fine…" Gajeel's breathing was becoming more erratic. This was a feeling he wasn't used to and he didn't know yet if he liked it or not but every time Laxus pushed into his heat he brushed something that made his entire body start to shiver. He dug his nails into his own throat and covered his eyes with his arm, not wanting to watch as Laxus did this to him. He could feel himself being stretched and it was uncomfortable but whenever Laxus hit that spot he could feel himself being pushed higher. He licked his lips, not sure how to feel but knowing that he didn't want him to stop. Laxus almost completely withdrew his fingers and then pushed in harshly, sending a flash of pleasure through his body. He swore and Laxus did it again, forcing his legs to shake and his hips quiver.

"Did I hurt you?" Gajeel was suddenly aware Laxus's voice was a lot closer to his face this time.

"No…" his voice refused to come out so it was more of a breathy sigh and he felt Laxus completely retract from him. Laxus shifted on the bed and Gajeel felt the tightness in his thighs as he leaned down and tore his arm from where it shielded his eyes. Gajeel blinked up at him, feeling like a mess beneath Thunder God. Laxus looked hungry upon meeting his gaze and Gajeel felt his hard dick pressing against him, sliding up and down his slick flesh.

"Don't cover yer eyes," Laxus commanded but still he held his wrist down on the bed.

"Tch…" Gajeel clicked his teeth as Laxus pressed against him. He seemed so much larger now that he was about to enter him and Gajeel's hesitation was showing in his ruby irises, "Can't imagine you'd want to see them that badly,"

Laxus used his hand to angle himself how he wanted, "Of course I do… I love your eyes,"

His sincerity caught them both a little off guard. Gajeel felt like his heart was melting a little bit, "No one loves my eyes."

Laxus got a soft look in his eyes, something Gajeel didn't think he'd seen there before, "Then I'll be the exception."

He penetrated him, pushed through his opening and inching his way deeper while trying to gauge whether or not Gajeel was uncomfortable. The raven only managed to keep one of his eyes open as he winced, although it wasn't pain that was driving him to shudder the way he did. Laxus didn't stop until he was completely sheathed in his heat and he didn't have the strength to restrain his moan and sharp intake of breath.

"You seem to be the exception to a lot of things… for me, anyway." Gajeel sighed shamelessly as he arched his back and grinded his ass against Laxus for a bit of friction. He felt so full, so warm, and the ecstasy he felt from Laxus's member hitting his sensitive spot made him breathless. Laxus didn't move but his arms were shaking on either side of Gajeel.

"Shit… you're burning me up," his eyes were sparkling in the dim light and Gajeel thought that maybe he understood what Laxus meant by loving someone's eyes. Laxus pulled out of him with a tantalizing slowness and it made Gajeel's entire body shiver when he thrusted back into him. The blonde's eyes were swimming with hunger and he was quickly losing his ability to be gentle. Gajeel didn't mind, in fact he wouldn't have minded if he'd been a little rougher.

"…Laxus…"

Hearing his name forced from Gajeel's lips ignited a ravenous need in his core and he balled his fists into the sheets to try to contain himself. Gajeel's eyes were like molten lava gazing up at him and he could tell without the words what he wanted. He stopped holding back and drove into the raven with wonton abandon, gripping his hard shaft to add to the Iron Dragon's carnal bliss. Gajeel dug his nails into Laxus's back and dragged them down his spine, enjoying the way he clenched his teeth and glowered down at him. He ran his tongue against his canines as warmth started to build in his body. Each thrust was making him get higher and he felt foreign pressure building in his heat, threatening to take a hold of him.

"Shit… hah… Gajeel…" Laxus was panting his name and it was driving him mad. He wanted everything building in him to finally topple over. He wanted Laxus to cum hard inside of him. He wanted…

"Laxus…" Gajeel pulled him down to kiss him. It was hot and completely unrestrained. Laxus didn't think he could have been any more a part of Gajeel and Gajeel to him. It was cheesy and stupid but he laced his fingers in with the raven's as the first tremors of his limit reached him. He was tasting Gajeel's tongue when he came and Gajeel shuddered and arched his back at the feeling and was suddenly digging his nails into Laxus's back ferociously. Laxus licked his lips as Gajeel's eyes became lost in his own ecstatic ravishment. He didn't immediately want Laxus out of him after he came but instead pulled him down to his lips again, the kiss he gave him so deep and impassioned that Laxus felt his heart racing from it. Gajeel's tongue laid waste to his mouth and pulled another agonizing moan from his lips before he finally released him.

Both of them were breathless and sweaty and covered in their lovemaking. Laxus still didn't pull from Gajeel but he did roll back on his heels and let his hands rest at the Iron Dragon's hips. Gajeel was still shivering from his high, something so intense he'd never experienced before. He was honestly surprised, he didn't think he'd enjoy being at Laxus's mercy so much. Of course, he'd never admit that out loud. He just gazed up at Laxus's godly figure still leaning over him and secretly wondered when he'd just vanish in a flash of light and leave him there in the cold.

"Well, Sparky, you're not such a bad fuck after all," he breathed a smile touching his eyes as he spoke.

Laxus smoothed his hands against his hips as he pulled out of him, the sensation making Gajeel shiver again, still sensitive from his high, "And you didn't freak out."

Gajeel bit down his pride and forced the words on the tip of his tongue out. After all, this man had just seen every part of him. What did those kinds of reservations matter at this point?

"Thank you for taking care of me," he purred, canines glinting dangerously up at Laxus as he spoke. Laxus felt like a shot of whiskey had just been poured straight into his blood. His eyes widened as he gazed down at Gajeel, piercings glittering in the dim light and lungs still fighting to keep up after their love making. He thought for sure his heart had suddenly stopped because his veins suddenly iced over.

He loved him. The realization was like being in a room teeming with people only to notice they'd all gone quiet. It as a slow, simple shock to his heart and he suddenly felt like he was higher than the mountain they'd climbed that day. He wouldn't bring Gajeel's attention to it, he didn't want to scare him. So instead, he just wrapped his arms around his torso and hugged him tightly, burying his face into his chest despite his protests.

"Oi…! Laxus…! I'm c-covered with…!"

"Shaddup, I know," he murmured, "We can clean off in the spring. I just… I need a minute… like this… with you."

Gajeel settled and, though hesitantly at first, ran his fingers through Laxus's blonde locks. His eyes fluttered shut and he just basked in the raven's presence. He didn't think he'd ever felt so happy before or so complete. He loved the man beneath him and he was honestly so elated. They still had one more day in paradise together before they had to go back home. Mavis's sakes, he just didn't want this weekend to end.