Hello there!

I'm back for another chapter!

I honestly forgot. I'm sorry xD. Hm, Today is very gray, I have no mood to work, and I miss my bed. Also, I have no idea what I'm going to cook tonight. *BUT* I know I want something tasty :D For those who care, we're at like... almost the middle of this story, so I hope you have been enjoying the ride so far. You have a few more chapters before it gets bumpy xD

Giggly, thank you! I do enjoy the ship between them, but I think if we remove the romance factor, they would be the best "mayhem? sure!" friendship!

Dommie, don't call me that. To you, it's either Lonee, or 'my love'. Not even my real name anymore, or I'll think you're mad at me

Note: This was supposed to be 2 chapters, but because they were both too short, I decided to mesh the two together.

I hope you like it :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fairy Tail. I do, however, own the rights to this story and OC characters that might appear in the future.

Chapter XVI: Pulsing Hearts x2

X—X

"Good morning, everyone!" Ivy exclaimed, walking to the bar.

She heard an echo of replies and noticed how it wasn't Yukino behind the bar, but Minerva. The redhead smiled and moved behind the bar, reaching to make herself some breakfast. She shared her milkshake with Minerva, who took it with a smile, and it wasn't long before the smell of toast was wafting through the air.

Soon, the bar was crowded with guildmates asking for the same, and Ivy giggled as she served them. They all ate around, and Minerva excused herself as she went on with her business. The Sound Mage was quick to fall into conversation with Rufus, commenting on the subject as she served everyone.

"Hey, is everything okay with Dobengal?" she asked as she reached up to grab a glass from the cabinet.

"Hm, yeah I suppose. He said he was feeling a little under the weather today." Rufus frowned.

"What's with the face?" she raised an eyebrow.

"It's just that... he seemed great last night when I left him." the mage shrugged. "Didn't even open his door, just... said that."

"That's odd, indeed." she frowned.

"Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm fine, why?"

"...are you sure? You're hurt."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your stomach. You have a bruise."

Ivy looked down. Rufus was right, she did have a round-shaped reddish bruise over her stomach, that revealed itself when she reached up. But instead of answering Rufus, she turned red, looking away. Because she knew exactly how she had gotten that specific bruise.

"I-I... it's nothing! Maybe... ran into a corner?" she stammered.

"That hard?"

"Hum-!"

"Morning." they both turned to see Sting walk to the bar. "Hey, beautiful. Sorry, you had to go through the morning rush alone."

"It's okay." she smiled. "Want breakfast?"

"Whatever you have is perfect." Sting sat next to Rufus.

"Hey, Sting." Rufus greeted as Ivy busied herself making the food.

"Rufus. How was your last mission?"

"It was good." He smiled, "Nothing too rough, although the client could have been a bit more gentle."

"That's always nice to hear." Sting thanked Ivy when she put down the food in front of him.

"Hey, Sting."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know if everything is okay with Ivy?"

"Should be, why?"

"She has a bruise on her stomach. A rather noticeable one at that."

Sting choked on his milkshake. Rufus patted his back as he coughed the drink out. The Dragon Slayer took a deep breath and straightened up.

"You okay there?"

"Hm, yeah, yeah." he cleared his throat. "I am. What... what were you saying about Ivy?"

"She has a bruise on her stomach. She said she walked into a corner, but it must have been a pretty hard hit, because..." And Rufus finally looked at Sting. "Oh. Never mind."

"What are you talking about?"

"That's not a bruise, is it?"

Sting gulped. "W-well, if you say it is, then-!"

"Sting..." Rufus smirked. "You have a matching one below your ear."

The Dragon Slayer turned red.

"Wow. You and Ivy?"

Sting grumbled. "...as if that's a novelty to anyone."

"I did see that you two were dancing around each other, but..." Rufus raised an eyebrow. "Already claiming each other for the word to see?"

"...we got carried away."

"Oh, I should hope so."

"Zip it."

"I'm not going to say anything... but I'm not doing to deny either."

"Look, just..." Sting ran a hand through his hair. "Let me settle everything between us before telling everyone."

"What's there to settle? You like her, she likes you."

"It's complicated." he sighed. "She needs to know exactly what she means to me before making her decision."

"Sting..." Rufus placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think she already has. Even without knowing what you have to say."

The blond gulped. "...you think so?"

"I heard her when she was talking to Dobengal a few days ago. She practically declared her love for you in his face, man."

"Where is he, anyway?"

"In his room. Under the weather, according to him."

Sting hummed and took a sip of his drink. "Good to know. Ivy?"

"Yeah?" she perked up when she heard his voice.

"Want to go to Fairy Tail when Yukino comes back?" he smirked.

"Do you... have official business?"

"No. But I'm sure you miss Lucy and Levy."

"I'd love to, Sting." she smiled brightly. "Thank you."

—X—

It was late at night, and Ivy was just finishing wiping the counters when the hairs on the back of her head stood in alarm. Her heartbeat picked up, and she tried to clear a suddenly very dry throat. She shivered when she acknowledged someone in the room with her. She had been through a lot of scary situations before, but she had never felt prey.

She sensed a pair of hands on her hips and stuttered out a breath. Ivy immediately recognized his heat and let her shoulders drop. Long fingers squeezed the clothed skin, and goosebumps appeared on her arms as she noticed a breath against her ear.

"You look too good to be alone in the dark." A deep, satin voice whispered.

She gasped. "Join me, then."

His hands were rough when they pushed her against the counter. His mouth was anything but when it began splaying kisses on her neck. Ivy's hand rose to entwine her fingers in his hair. His kisses were slow and languid, much unlike his grip on her. So she decided to tease him the same way he teased her.

She moved her hips back against his, delighted with the power behind her. Feeling his breath stutter, she grinned, but her victory was short-lived. His hands force her hips against his, taking advantage of her grind to nest himself between her cheeks. She froze, feeling a bump against her, and gasped when one of his hands splayed on her torso, right below her breasts.

"You're a fucking tease." He growled in her ear.

"And you love it." She declared, just as breathless.

She felt his nod against her neck and smiled. "Take me to your room."

He nodded shakily, and Ivy knew she had won. He grabbed her like he meant to pick her up, or throw her over his shoulder – either or was fine with her – but he suddenly froze and pulled away completely. Ivy frowned and turned around, noticing the respectful difference he kept between them. She was about to speak up when the doors of the guild opened.

"Ivy!"

"Yukino! Rogue!" She exclaimed; wide eyes still locked with Sting's. "Welcome back!"

"Thanks. Hey, Sting."

"Yukino. Rogue." He nodded as Ivy turned around to smile at them.

"Yuki. I'm gonna give Sting our mission report." He leaned down as she sat at the counter, and Ivy noticed his arm was wrapped around her waist.

"Okay. See you soon." She nodded.

He smiled and motioned to Sting. The blond stepped out from behind the counter and Rogue flickered his own nose. The Light Dragon Slayer punched him on the shoulder and the two disappeared. Yukino turned to her with a raised eyebrow and smirked.

"You look like you just got sexed." Ivy groaned and buried her face in her hands.

"Was about to, yes." She blushed. "How did it go? And what was up with the hand?"

"Let's just say Rogue and I are on a learning curve."

"How so?"

"I teach him how to be in a relationship, he teaches me how to kiss like sin."

"Really?! How was it?!"

"Oh, lemme tell you-!"

-Flashback-

They entered their room, and Rogue was quick to shed his cape, falling back on his bed. Yukino moved to the minibar, pulling out a mini bottle of water. She leaned against it and watched Rogue. He laid splayed out on the bed, arms spread open. She bit his lip as she watched him, all sharp angles and power, and gulped.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay, what the fuck is going on?" she growled, and he sat up.

"What are you talking about?"

"Ever since we left for the job you've been uncomfortable. And yeah, I can understand the train, motion sickness and all, but that doesn't excuse the fact that you've been acting like you have a stick up your ass during the entire mission!" she exclaimed. "Sorry, Frosch."

The Exceed simply muttered in his sleep.

"You don't know what you're saying." He simply replied.

"I don't-?! Look, Rogue, I don't know what I did to get this treatment, but if I'm that uncomfortable to be around, just say it!" she crossed her arms "Trust me, you'll be saving us both the heartache."

"Yukino." Rogue sighed and sat up. "It's not like that."

"Then what is it like?! Fuck, ever since we left the guild you've been trying to pull away! Just say it! It will be a lot easier for the both of us." She looked away, trying to stop the tears from falling. "Please."

"…whiskey."

"What?" she whispered.

"Minibar. Whiskey." He reached out a hand and she scoffed, shaking her head.

"Unbelievable." She grabbed the mini-bottle and threw it at him. "What the fuck do you want this for?!"

He downed it like a shot and gulped. "Liquid courage."

"What?"

But she didn't get a chance to say anything, because Rogue stood up and, in three steps, crossed the room to get to her.

"Liquid courage." He whispered.

"For what?" she swallowed hard, taking in the distance – or lack of – between them.

"This."

He cupped the back of her head and pulled her in, crashing his mouth against hers. Yukino gasped as she fell into his embrace. His mouth moved gently against hers despite the clutch of his hands, and the young woman found herself closing her eyes and kissing back. Her arms wrapped around his neck to pull him down, given their height differences.

But Rogue found an easier way. He leaned down, grabbed her by the back of her thighs, and lifted her up, sitting her down on the minibar. He stepped between her legs when they parted and wrapped around his waist, and Yukino whimpered when his hands grabbed her waist and pulled her closer.

"Rogue…" she whispered.

"Fuck, I don't care if the fates say we might not be meant to be… I still want you." He gulped. "Yukino…"

She cupped his cheeks. "I don't care. You're mine, Rogue. I don't care about anything else."

The Dragon Slayer growled and picked her up, holding her up by her thighs, and walked to her bed, putting her down. She smirked and he bit his lip, and they let themselves fall into their love.

-Flashback-

"Oh, my..." Ivy gasped. "And did you?"

Yukino smiled brightly and nodded.

"And is he...?"

Yukino nodded faster.

"And did you...?"

Yukino nodded vigorously.

Both girls shrieked.

A/N: Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah, but I have plans. I see further into the future.

Guess you just have to wait and see!

Let me know your thoughts on this new story!

Lots of love from this weirdo,

LoneeWolf :)