For the next hour, Lucy sat in Perceval's study in a haze. The room felt hot, and the chair she sat in engulfed her. She would catch Levy's eyes from time to time as they discussed the future for the VR headsets.

"It wasn't my intention for interaction," Perceval said.

"Yes, but if we find that each headset can link, we could open whole new doors for virtual reality," Levy said. The two had gone in circles with the subject of progression. The old man's appearance had always pegged his age; however, this was the first time Lucy could really see his fatigue. His giant glasses felt too heavy for his face. It was the first time she had noticed the dark circles below his eyes— hidden away by the bifocals.

"The intention was to discover the art of building."

"Of course, people would continue to use it for such. But, Perceval, I implore you to see beyond that. To see the potentials. You'd have to be blind not to see them." At the mention of the word, "blind" she could see him physically stiffen. He set his tea cup down on the little table in front of them.

"Gaming feels like a distraction from the real function of the headset."

"You can't limit people forever. I also feel the excitement of building. I assure you, your intentions are not lost on this project." The older man took a few moments but nodded in understanding.

"How would this game work?" As if Levy had completed the deconstruction of a massive brick wall with a toothpick, instead of a sledgehammer, her grin widened in triumph. Lucy tried to focus on Levy's interesting ideas, but she always seemed to turn back to their revelation. Her and Natsu may be sharing the virtual space. Everything they had done last night, that Natsu did, could have been the result of their shared consciousness. Her heart thundered in her chest when Perceval had mentioned Natsu's name. He had assured them over and over that Natsu didn't know she had a headset herself. She wasn't sure if she was deluding herself by thinking it may be possible. For one, the headset he had gifted him was broken. She wasn't even sure Natsu would have been able to fix it on his own. For another, they may not even be connected to each other. Levy's hands moved with her enthusiasm for their project. Her eyes twinkled in discovery. Part of Lucy would be disappointed for her if they weren't connected. There was also a possibility that Natsu didn't even like Lucy. There was a dull ache inside her. She didn't want to think about it. She hadn't realized how much it really bothered her until she finally decided to face Levy about her nights in VR. What would she tell her best friend? That she loved her partner? She picked at the soft pink nail polish on her fingernails. How pitiful she was. The thought of Natsu's disgusted face if he heard what she had been doing with an image of him in the headset. It would haunt her sleep. He was too kind to do so to her face. He would smile that beautiful wide smile and avoid her. His absence would be more devastating than anything he could say to her about her lustful imagination. Lucy wiggled in the massive chair she sat in. The leather beneath her stuck to the bottom of her legs. Her eyes looked to Levy. She silently pleaded to leave the tiny house where she felt too small. As if Levy could feel her, could read her mind in despair, she turned her head.

"I'll draw up the plans for you, Perceval. For now, Lucy and I should go. We have guild business to attend to," Levy said rising from her chair.

"Oh, of course," Perceval said. His smile was swamped by his white mustache. Lucy stood from the chair. She nearly missed the small hand he held out for her. "Please give Mr. Dragneel my regards. Let me know anything else you find in your use of the headset."

The two said their goodbyes and left the home. Lucy inhaled the salty air as if she had been drowning. The silence between her and Levy was deafening. She didn't know who would speak first, Levy from curiosity, or Lucy to avoid more silence. They walked in the direction of the guild. She would take the busy sounds of the guild as a gift away from her own pessimistic thoughts.

"Whatever happened in the headset, we should talk about it," Levy said. Lucy watched the men in the canal push past the shadow of a passing bridge.

"I know." She wanted to say more. She wanted to let it all out in the middle of the street if she had to.

"Come home with me after we hit the guild?" she asked. Lucy pushed the corners of her lips up.

"Of course," she said, "Can you do me a favor? If we see Natsu at the guild, don't ask him about the headset. I'll do it."

"I promise." Their talk died with that. The doors to the guild looked like giants. They towered over the two girls like body guards ready to question them.

"Whatever, can't say I didn't warn you!" Gray yelled over his shoulder walking out of the guild. The girls stopped in front of him when he turned. His eyes fell on Levy, and he laughed. "Good luck, Levy. This guy is a mess." He jabbed his thumb to the man behind him. He patted Lucy on the back and raced down the street. "I'm still up for a mission if you want to get away from the pyro, Lucy." She nodded to him with appreciation. He looked away only after she gave him a reassuring smile. Her dark confusion would be hard to hide from her friends. She could tell from the look in Gray's face, he would ask about it later.

"What is he talking about?" Levy asked Gajeel. She had her hands on her hips. His mouth opened and closed without reply. The boisterous laugh came from Natsu across from him. The sound was sweet and teasing. Not unlike how he always sounded. The familiarity made her shoulders tense. She sat down beside Levy at the table. They both put distance from the boys. This clearly confused the two.

"What's the big deal?" Gajeel asked. He pointed to the large space Levy left between them. She lifted her chin.

"I'm still deciding if I forgive you," she said.

"I never side with Gray," Natsu said, "but he's right."

"About what?" Levy asked. Natsu opened his mouth to reply. Gajeel slapped his palm against his lips. At first Natsu looked amused by the reaction, but quickly tore the hand away.

"You say nothing, Salamander. You owe me anyway."

"For what?" Natsu asked. His brows knitted with the excitement of a fight. Lucy knew the expression well.

"For stealing my damn mission, the other day!"

"You couldn't even do it!"

"What mission?" Levy asked.

"Some old guy wanted help with a dragon egg," Natsu said.

"It only went south because it was you," Gajeel said. Lucy's ears perked up. "I bet the egg is real, and you just messed it up."

"Only heat hatches an egg," Natsu said, "What good would you have done?"

"Not if it's a steel dragon!" Gajeel was half standing, his voice rose, and his palms were pressed against the wooden table. Natsu followed suit. He grinned at Gajeel. Levy looked to Lucy and back to the scene. Lucy could tell she wanted to ask about his mission. But, like the best friend she was, she didn't ask any questions.

"Always fighting," Levy said changing the subject. Gajeel's face softened turned toward her. He sat down without hesitation. Lucy and Natsu lifted their brows at the sight.

"Are sick?" Natsu asked.

"What?!" Gajeel said. For once in probably his life, Gajeel was being caring. He sat down to appease Levy. When Natsu continued to provoke him to fight, a seed of anger grew in Lucy's stomach.

"Leave him alone, Natsu," she said. Her own voice startled her. It came out much pricklier than she intended. Natsu's astonishment only seemed to grow.

"Is everyone very stoned?" he said.

"Unlike you, he decided that violence wasn't the right solution to a problem." Everyone's faces reflected Natsu's. Gajeel's eyes flickered between her and Levy. She guessed he was deciding if this is what Levy also believed.

"You okay, Lucy?" Natsu asked. He sank down to his seat. He folded his arms against the table. His fight with Gajeel long forgotten. Levy stood up and pulled Lucy toward the bar by her elbow.

"I hate to ask, Lucy, especially since you are bound to tell me why, but are you okay?" she said. Lucy didn't know. She knew she was taking her confusion out on him. She wasn't even sure if it really was him in VR. She glanced around the room to avoid Levy's eyes. Mira was oddly missing from her usual place at the bar.

"I will be." She looked over her shoulder. Natsu's dark green eyes bore into her. She turned back to Levy and waved her off. She was being crazy. "I will be fine, Levy." Her friend looked skeptical. "As you said, I'll tell you anyway, right?"

"If you want, we can leave. I just wanted to ask Mira for good listings, but she's not even here."

"No, it's okay," Lucy said, "We can go back."

"You sure?" Levy asked. Lucy thought she might be imagining it, but Levy seemed excited. She decided she would ask her about it later and assured her that she would be okay. Lucy would watch Natsu instead. If she was acting different because of what they had done, Natsu was bound to slip up and do the same. The two girls sat back at the table. This time they moved closer to the dragon slayers. Gajeel seemed to lean closer, while Natsu moved away. His eyes grew wide.

"I'm not going to bite you!" Lucy said. She frowned at him. Her reaction eased him. His shoulders untensed, and his grin returned.

"I can't be sure since you bit my head off."

"I'm sorry about that." He didn't press further.

"Gajeel, have you ever been poisoned before?" Levy blurted. Everyone turned. Gajeel visibly scooted away.

"Uh, once?"

"When were you poisoned?" Natsu asked.

"A long time ago nosey!" Gajeel said.

"Did you get sick?" Levy asked. It was clear that this information was extremely important to her.

"Planning on poisoning someone?" Natsu asked raising a brow. Levy fidgeted under the table.

"No, but maybe."

"But maybe?" Lucy said, "Do we have to talk about this again? Testing on people is kinda frowned upon, Levy."

"No, no nothing crazy I promise. Just a small experiment," Levy said.

"On me?!" Gajeel's voice faltered.

"No, I was wondering about dragons."

"Not that I'm arguing with you, and please don't poison me too, but there are no dragons to really test poison on," Natsu said.

"Well a dragon slayer is the next best thing," Lucy reasoned.

"Well do you get sick or not?" Levy said. She was only interested in what Gajeel had to say.

"Um, no? I did pass out though," Gajeel answered.

"I don't know if it will help you, but I've been poisoned before," Natsu said, "Though, I'm sure different from Gajeel."

"Natsu, that definitely wasn't the same." Lucy's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?" Levy asked.

"We got food poisoning on a mission," Lucy said. Gajeel laughed loudly.

"It's still poisoning!" Natsu said.

"Not on purpose!"

"I saw that chef make side glances! And we got sick. Lucy was running to the bathroom every minute trying not to crap herself as much as I was," he said nodding as if to prove his point. Lucy shaded her face with a hand, embarrassed. "What?" he asked the group in their silence.

"So, you think injected poisons don't affect dragon slayers?" Levy asked everyone. Lucy didn't miss the emphasis on the word, "injected." The conversation shifted to diverse ways to poison someone, and soon to mission history. It wasn't until Erza walked into the guild that Lucy remembered why they were even there. She tapped Levy on the shoulder and pointed toward Erza. Levy nodded in understanding and moved to get her attention.

"Have you seen Mira around?" Levy asked.

"She went on a mission today," Erza said, "I'm in charge for now. Need my help?" She led Levy over to the bar to look through some jobs that would suit her abilities. As if this reminded him, Gajeel lowered his voice to Natsu.

"You owe me some of the money you got from that mission you stole," he said. Natsu sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I didn't get any money," he admitted. He gave a side glance to Lucy before continuing. "Just got a broken mask." Lucy watched closely at his reaction, but it seemed like it really wasn't a big deal to him. Just calling it a "mask" lead Lucy to believe he didn't even know what it did. She just wasn't sure.

"Got it! We can go now, Lucy," Levy said. She tapped Lucy's shoulder. A flier clutched in her hand. Lucy got up to follow Levy out. Gajeel watched Levy's back as they left. It was a short, brisk walk to Levy's. Lucy felt a surprising swell of relief at Natsu's reactions. She had observed him the entire conversation. Even when he talked about the job that he "stole" from Gajeel, he was nonchalant.

Levy's room hadn't changed since the last time Lucy visited. Some piles of books grew, some were smaller, and the smell of tea and books pervaded the room. She sat in one of the two chairs Levy had cleared off.

"Now," Levy said, her eyes fixed on the shelves as she put books away, "What happened in that headset?" Lucy didn't know where to start. She sat silently across her friend. She watched her climb up a moving ladder, which she locked in place. Her lips silently read the worn labels. Lucy couldn't hide it forever.

"The first time I met Natsu in VR, I was thinking of a memory from a long time ago." Levy didn't turn from her task, but she had paused for a moment.

"What memory?" she asked.

"One from the Hanami Festival." She hadn't told Levy about the time Natsu dug up a tree for her. At the time, it didn't seem important to tell her. Little did she know, the memory would be one of her most cherished. "Levy, the image was perfect. Down to the water in the canal outside my window. Then, Natsu walked up and started talking to me about it." Levy looked over her shoulder at her friend. Her unwavering eyes on Lucy's wringing hands. She said nothing but climbed down from her ladder. "He wasn't like any image of a person we ever created. I almost thought it was him, except…" Levy put down some books in her arms. She pulled up another chair and sat across from her. "Except he kissed me. He would never do that." Her friend's eyes grew wide— a smile across her face.

"If it really is Natsu, it would explain why the image was so clear. You were both thinking about the same memory giving it vivid shape," Levy reasoned looking impressed, "And, why wouldn't Natsu kiss you?"

"He doesn't feel that way about me. He even sounded different, softer. He never sounds like that."

"Doesn't mean he doesn't feel anything for you. He could just be really good at hiding it."

"There is no way it was him. He doesn't even know what the headset does. He acted no differently toward me than any other time."

"Neither did you."

"Other than getting angry with him over something stupid, why would I act differently toward him?"

"Exactly. He probably felt the same," Levy said, "If it is actually him in this headset, how would he know that the Lucy he's seeing is really you?" Lucy hadn't thought of that. Of course, she hadn't. "Was that the only time you saw him in VR?" She could feel her cheeks on fire. She wasn't sure how much she could reveal.

"One other time, last night."

"Did you kiss again?" There was a little too much excitement in her voice. Lucy was sure the blush she felt was spreading. Levy's excitement reminded her of something else.

"Are you really going to poison Gajeel?" she asked. Levy frowned.

"No changing the subject."

"I already told you some of what is going on. You have something you're hiding from me too."

"But, your stuff is so much more interesting than mine."

"If you tell me about what you're doing, I'll tell you about what me and Natsu did last night." Levy's eyebrows shot up at "did," as if she knew there was more juicy details.

"Fine. I'm looking into a curse." Levy pulled a book from the bottom of the pile behind her. The rest of the books toppled over. This didn't seem to bother her. With all the heavy reading and researching she did, it wasn't surprising. "It's called the Curse of Connection." She flipped the pages and turned the book around for Lucy to see. "It's a little difficult to make. Some of the ingredients are hard to find." The concoction on the page had a list of ingredients that filled an entire thing. The instructions took up many pages, and some of the steps read, "needs testing."

"Levy, this is extremely complicated. Some of the incantation alone is in Gaelic." She had seen nothing like it. Her friend's face fell.

"I know." Lucy was startled by the answer. She was unaccustomed to Levy giving up on any project. If she really was giving up, Lucy wasn't sure.

"What does it do?"

"When I first found this book, I thought it sounded like the perfect plan," she said. She held another small book in her hands. This one was older. Some of the papers poked out from the binding. Some sticky notes stuck out from the top. She had done a lot of research on this. "It would bring me and Gajeel closer together." Her frown intensified. "But, I found out it was a poison injected into the blood stream. Curses usually take only words and magic to back them. Anything injected would have to be extremely powerful." Lucy took the book from Levy's hands and opened to one of the sticky notes.

"What other ingredients do you need?"

"Just this one," Levy said. She pulled a flier from her pocket. It was the job she got from Erza. The job was far. It would take at least a week to get there. Underneath the job description, which was a translation job for some big company, was the reward. A rare flower when bloomed would produce a fruit. The same fruit she needed for the curse.

"What in the world does this curse even do?" Lucy asked. To go through so much for something so complicated had to mean a lot to her.

"The two injected with the curse would experience dreams together. They can see each other's memories and feel their emotions."

"That sounds dangerous. It's a curse, right? Aren't there side effects?" Levy nodded at her question.

"I'm not sure I know all of them. This book only says it causes drowsiness, and possible pain if the cursed are too far from each other."

"Levy! Just talk to the guy!" Her words came out much more forceful than she intended, but it had the right effect. Levy stilled.

"I've been going back and forth about even completing the curse. I would go on this mission anyway. That fruit can be used for a lot of really great healing potions," Levy said pointing to the flier. Lucy sighed.

"Can you promise to at least try talking to him before you do this curse?" Levy shrugged. "You're that afraid to talk to him?" Levy took a moment before she replied.

"He's so dense. Every time I think we're making progress, he says something that makes me rethink everything."

"Or overthink everything," Lucy said, "If you like him enough to do this, then I think it's worth giving you both a try. No magic."

"What about you?" Levy asked, "These nights with Natsu, real or not, mean something." She couldn't disagree. If anything, this confirmed her own feelings. "What happened last night?" She had been so distracted with Levy's crazy curse, she almost forgot. It took a lot of coaxing, but Lucy confessed. Levy blushed with her.

"Chains?" Levy said. It was the only thing the shocked friend could say.

"What do I do?" Lucy covered her face with her hands.

"Why don't you tell him? Take your own advice?"

"What? That I've been seeing him in VR? Doing more than just seeing him?" Lucy was already shaking her head. It was easy to tell Levy that she should communicate with the person she cared about, but when it was her own problems.

"No, tell him in the headset. See his reaction. If it's the real Natsu, he'll confess. If he says he's nothing more than your imagination, then you know the truth. You could even judge his reaction if you're not sure," she said, "You two are very close. If he's lying, you'll know." Lucy didn't know anymore. She knew her friend was right. Maybe, she should take her own advice.

"If I do this, will you talk to Gajeel?"

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

"A terrible one."

"Look, you could even make a game out of it," Levy said. With the talk of Levy's curse, and the grin she was currently wearing, Lucy wondered if her friend wasn't better suited for an evil guild.

"A game?"

"Sure, he teased you. If it's the real Natsu, you might as well give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Like what?"

"Chains, my friend, chains. Find that confidence that I know you have always had."

Their conversation had shifted to other topics, and Lucy stuck around with Levy. They reorganized her shelves and discussed everyone else's love lives. Before she left, the conversation had somehow come back to how lucky Levy thought Lucy was to get that far with Natsu. She had to remind her that the Natsu she was seeing might not even be real. Lucy was out the front doors and moving down the path when Levy stuck her head out her own window and shouted.

"Good luck! I won't do anything until you do!" Lucy found comfort in that fact. She was serious about Levy's curse. The whole thing sounded wrong. Levy didn't need magic to figure Gajeel out. She nodded her head. She didn't need it either. If Natsu was real, she couldn't let this go on forever. She thought about their conversation on her way to her apartment. Her mind wandered to memories of Natsu's dark eyes looking up at her, his fingers between her legs. She blushed profusely.

She didn't hesitate when she made it through her front door. She got ready for the night in her usual attire and laid on her bed. She pulled the headset over her eyes and waited for the familiar click of the lacrima. Infinite white again surrounded her. She stood in her night wear completely alone. She frowned. How dumb was she to think he'd be here as soon as she got in?

"Yo." Lucy whirled around to find Natsu waiting. If he was real, he must have been just as anxious to meet her here again as she was. A grin spread across his face. A flame lit inside her. Oh, how she wanted to whip that look right off him. This was it. She would take her revenge. Her own expression softened. Her eyes obviously skimming over his body. Her gaze stilled over his boxers. The idea of all of him exposed to her made her grin. His brows raised at her actions. "Not what I expected," he said.

"Isn't this what you want?" she said. She allowed her voice to lower to set her intentions. His gaze grew serious. Her hips swayed a little more when she walked to him. Her hand spanned across his chest. She roamed her fingers along his muscles. "What will it be tonight?" she asked. Lucy wanted to keep him guessing. If this was really Natsu, she guessed he would have no clue if she was real. If she played her cards right, she could sound fake enough that when she told him she was real he would be bound to show his true emotions. She pushed his body back. Over his broad shoulders she could see the wall forming— breaking and moving in pieces. She watched his eyes widen when his back pressed against it.

"I can play this game," Natsu said. The excitement leaked out of his voice. She held her hand up to him and pulled the metal that had formed in her palm. The cuff around his neck clanked loudly against the chain. She grinned up at him. She was again reminded of their obvious height difference. It was oddly sexy, and she nearly bounced on her feet with her own exhilaration at what she would do. She pulled the chain leaning close as he had done. Her elbow rested beside his shoulder. She put her hand on her hip in triumph— the feeling showing on her face. Lucy was smug. She didn't hesitate this time to press her lips against his. Natsu met them eagerly. She coaxed his lips open to dip into his mouth. She would never get over how hot his body was, how scorching the inside of his mouth felt. She heard the clank of the chains when he found his hands bound to his sides and shackled to the wall. Natsu chuckled against her lips. She wondered how much he would be laughing in a moment. She pulled away and looked in his eyes. A raging fire burned in their depths. She let the metal links fall from her hand and bounce against his bare skin. She had taken away his black tank top and boxers without his notice. Lucy was rewarded with a view of his erection, slick and ready for her. She stepped back to take in the sight of him. He groaned at the absence of her skin. The dragon slayer was chained before her— helpless to do anything against her wishes. Not like he would complain. She got on her knees and took his sex in her hands.

"Lucy, you don't have to," he began. His voice cut off into a moan when she slipped her hand over his velvet skin and slid her tongue against the head of his erection. Her free hand held his thick thigh. Lucy felt every muscle tense beneath her fingers. She took the tip of him in her mouth. She knew this would be fun for her in some ways, but she didn't know the rush of power she would feel. A defenseless dragon slayer, one she knew could do things like tear down entire buildings and send bad guys flying, spread out before her in complete surrender to her mouth. He bit out a curse when she slowly plunged the rest of his length into her. She groaned at the rush. Natsu threw his head back. His breaths came out shallow. She wanted this to be the best thing he ever experienced. She sucked him in as far as she could go. She wrapped her hand at the base of his penis and squeezed. He mumbled something she couldn't hear and thrust his hips against her. She pressed her tongue against the underside of his shaft as she pulled him out. He groaned her name when she pushed him back inside. Her free hand found its way to her underwear. Instead of removing them as she had done to Natsu's clothes, she dipped inside them for him to see. She moaned his name against his skin rubbing her clit. "God Lucy, keep going," he said. Lucy couldn't deny him. She slid her middle finger between her soaking folds. His voice pulled her deeper into their heat. As if the room reflected their inner turmoil, the ground around them lit up in fire. She sucked him faster. Their voices rose to meet the sound of roaring flame. Lucy could feel herself coming undone. "You first," he said. He sounded almost desperate to see her lose herself in the pleasure. With his shaft deep inside her mouth, she met his eyes. He fought against his restraints imploring her to finish before he took control. His words sending her over. Her slick fingers worked her sensitive clit until she cried out against his cock. The flames around them leapt up in an inferno with her moans. She was falling apart all over him. She felt his shaft tense before he yelled his own undoing. His essence was hot and salty in her mouth as she swallowed. She freed him from her mouth and leaned her head against his thigh. She feared her legs would give out beneath her as they shook. There was nothing like this. The flames slowly died and disappeared just as soon as they came. She leaned back and found the little strength she had to stand.

"Let me out of these," he said, "It's my turn." There was a flicker of renewed excitement in his eyes. She knew if she let him out now, she would never get to tell him. Her revenge was sweet, but now it was time to confess. She pressed her hand against his chest. The clothes he once wore appeared undisturbed around his form. There was no evidence here of what they had just done. If she wished it, she could leave now and never come back. The curiosity was too great. She had to know. His face fell at her softened expression.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked. The sound of his voice twisted inside her heart.

"Natsu, are you real?" Whatever it was he thought she was going to say, this was not it. His eyes widened. His mouth opened, but no words came. Her gaze was unwavering. She stood still, her fingers balled in the fabric of her tank top.

"Are you?" he asked. She wanted to rip the headset off her face. She wanted to run.

"Yes," she said, "I'm real." He looked her over, as if she grew three arms and was waving them around.

"Lucy, let me out of these," he said. The chains clanked against the wall. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears. Her skin felt cold where she stood. Lucy imagined the wall and chains were gone, and the room didn't hesitate to oblige.

"Let me explain," she began. Natsu didn't reply. He didn't even stay. He was gone. He never did answer her, but she knew he was real. The pure shock on his face told her everything. She wanted to sink to the floor and cry. He ran away. She wasn't used to Natsu running from anything. The shock of the situation was enough. Lucy stood in the white room alone. Before, she wanted to rip the headset off and escape into the real world. Now, the real world was where Natsu was, and she wasn't sure she wanted to be in it right now. Lucy let a hand run along her face. What was she going to do? She thoroughly thought of every situation where this turned out okay for her, and the truth was she was shit out of luck. There was no way for her to repair what she had just broken. At first, she was excited by his reaction. If he was doing these things with her in a headset, he must feel the same way about her. Then why would he run? She groaned in frustration. She would just have to get some sleep and talk to him about it later.

She pulled the headset from her eyes. The white walled world fell away. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. She sat up slowly to put the headset away when she saw Natsu at the window. He pulled the window up as he always did when he invaded her apartment. They stared at each other in silence. Their mouths open with all the words they wanted to say. He looked from her to her headset. Her possession of it reminding them that this was the real world. His hair was everywhere, his sleeping clothes exactly like before. Lucy didn't know what to say. She could feel her hands shaking around the invention in her hands. But, she didn't have to say anything. Natsu sank into the bed next to her and cupped his hands around her face. Her expression burned in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed her. The intensity of it melted every question she had lingering in her head. With Natsu's lips, his real lips, Lucy was lost. Everything with Natsu was skin and heat. She balled her hands in the fabric of his tank and pulled him closer. She was so accustomed to instantly removing the garment that she found herself groaning in frustration— this time into his mouth. He pulled her top over her head between kisses and teased the sensitive skin of her breasts. He trailed kisses to her neck. She felt him shiver when she dipped beneath his tank to the toned skin beneath.

"I didn't know what to say," Natsu said into her neck.

"I see that. I thought you hated me." He pulled away. The pain was obvious in his expression. He was hurt by what she said.

"I could never hate you, Lucy," he said as if it were a simple fact. She ran her hands along his sides and leaned forward to place a kiss on his chest. She felt his muscles relax.

"And I could never hate you." Lucy lifted his tank top over his head and was reminded how beautiful his body was. Natsu leaned into her taking her lips again and pushing her down onto the bed. She groaned with the touch of his heated chest against her breasts. Her arms wrapped around his neck. His hands savored every inch of her skin memorizing it as though she would fade away. She opened her legs for his hips to fit snuggly against her. His erection pressed against her sex in invitation. Her revenge in VR already had her wet. She lifted her hips to grind against his shaft. She was rewarded with a low groan. He released her and moved down her body. Natsu's dark eyes watched her squirm as he pealed her panties off her hips. Her mouth hung opened when he dipped into her sex with his mouth. His tongue flicked out to lick her tight clit. Lucy cried out at the sensation. His eyes rolled back when he plunged into her. One of his hands came up to take hers and place it over her pert nipple. She knew what he wanted and kneaded the stiff peaks. Natsu groaned into her mound at the sight of her. She rolled her hips up to meet his mouth. With his tongue, he slipped a finger into her tight walls. She was losing control. Her head lulled to the side. Her hips moving on their own. He picked up the pace sucking her clit into his mouth. She could feel the waves of pleasure rolling over her. Her voice rose with each thrust of his digits.

"Natsu, I'm…" Her cheeks flamed with all the words she wanted to say.
"Tell me," he said into her heat. She cried out when he reached in deep hitting just the right place.

"I'm close." He watched her face with a serious expression. His entire concentration on her pleasure. She couldn't hold out any longer. "Natsu!" she cried. She allowed the waves of her orgasm to roll over her. The feeling engulfed her until there was no one else but him. He growled with his possession of her most intimate moment. With the last of her climax, he pulled his boxers down freeing his length. He licked his lips enthusiastically savoring the taste of her. In her haze she reached for him. He took her outstretched hand and kissed her fingertips. Natsu lowered himself over her and took her mouth. She could taste herself on his tongue as he rubbed the head of his penis against her clit. The inferno inside her was lit again, and she rolled her hips up.

"Can I?" Natsu asked. He hesitated over her entrance waiting for her reply.

"Of course." Lucy's voice a breathless whisper. She wanted him more than she thought possible. He sucked in her tongue as he buried his tip into her folds. She moaned into his mouth. Her hands raked his firm back. He was slow waiting for her reaction every inch he drove into her. She could feel the strain in his back. Whatever effort it took not to thrust into her must have been overwhelming. She felt her heart swell at his concern for her body. She nearly lost it when he filled her to the brim. Her walls sucked him in until he was a perfect fit. He stilled. "Please," she moaned, "move." Lucy was already trying to thrust him deeper. His breath hitched when he pulled back from her. He moaned her name when he thrusted inside.

"So tight," he groaned. Lucy pressed her hands against his buttocks as he rocked into her. She couldn't think. The pace they set was fast and hard. She wrapped her legs around his waist desperate for his depth. She was getting close to her peak again. She could tell Natsu was too. Their skin slick with sweat. Their breaths coming out in moans. He nuzzled into her neck and bit lightly at her skin. The feeling was so unexpected, the pleasure so great, she cried out with her orgasm. This one was longer than the last. She could feel his shaft tense, and then he was moaning her name into her neck. His essence jetted deep inside her until his movements became languid. They rocked into each other until the exhaustion took over. Natsu stayed there kissing her neck softly. She let her fingertips skim the skin of his back was they caught their breath. He rolled away and pulled her against his hard chest. When Natsu kissed the back of her neck, she hummed with contentment. She wanted to say more. She wanted to roll over and kiss him for the rest of the night, but exhaustion took hold and they both drifted to sleep.

Lucy was awoken by a banging at the door. She sat up and looked around the room. She heard a groan next to her as Natsu's arm slid away from her waist. All the memories of the night before rushed back. She couldn't help but smile down at his form. The sun from the window flooded into the room. Shadows from the nearby trees danced across her floor. She grabbed her slim robe that hung on her bed and wrapped it around her. She rushed to the door and cracked it open.

"Morning!" Levy said, "Can I come in?" Lucy's eyes grew wide and she stammered over her words.

"Uh, no, but I can meet you somewhere later." Levy furrowed her brow and pushed at the door.

"Oh, come on, I gotta get the details on your night. Let me in." Before Lucy could stop her, Levy had thrust the door open and was halfway inside. Her brown eyes were the size of saucers when she got an eye full of Natsu sleeping soundly in her bed. The covers had dipped and hung loosely over his hip. His arm was up over his head leaving little of his physique to their imagination. Levy grabbed Lucy's arm and pulled her out the front door closing it behind them. Lucy flushed pulling her robe tighter around her body. "So, your night went well. I assume you're naked under there."

"I said I'd meet you later," Lucy said.

"No way. Tell me what happened."

"In the hallway?" Lucy glanced to the other closed doors. Levy waved them away.

"Just whisper if you have to. It's not like we can go inside." Lucy could feel the burn of her cheeks again. She explained what had happened in a hushed voice. Her friend's eyebrows rose at the best parts.

"But now, we have to actually talk about what happened," Lucy said.

"Looks like talking isn't his thing," Levy said. She ended with a wink.

"Levy, I'm serious."

"So am I! Now I have to actually talk to Gajeel."

"You don't seem worried about my situation at all." She waved away Lucy's words.

"Look, it's obvious that your feelings are mutual, and you'll be fine," she said, "I'm confident that that guy in there is crazy about you. In fact, he always has been." Lucy's ears perked up.

"You knew?"

"How could I not? It's super obvious." Her eyes went wide, and she looked up at the ceiling. "Great. I owe Mira ten bucks."

"You BET on us?"

"I didn't think he'd be in bed with you today!"

"You bet we would have sex?!" The door next to them opened, and a small older woman appeared. Both girls blushed and waved when she greeted them. They waited until they heard the door to the apartment building close to speak. "See, this is why I didn't want to speak here."

"We bet when you two would finally admit your feelings for each other."

"WE haven't even talked about it yet." Levy laughed at this.

"Looks like you did more than talk." She turned to follow the old woman's path out the door. "Come find me after you both talk and wish me luck."

"Gajeel loves you." Lucy rolled her eyes giving Levy her own medicine. Levy turned on her heels— her hand hovered over the door knob.

"What are you talking about?"

"Probably just as obvious Natsu was to you, Gajeel has been quite easy to read." Levy thought about this for a moment and shrugged.

"See you later, Lucy."

"Be sure not to poison him!" Lucy waved and called after her.

In her room Natsu was just waking up. "Where did you go?" he asked. His voice was soft with sleep.

"Levy came over." Lucy sat at the end of the bed and rubbed her temples.

"Has she poisoned anyone?"

"Not yet," Lucy said. She felt his weight shift on the bed. He dangled his legs on either side of her and pulled her close so her back was flush against him. He kissed her neck and dipped his hand into her robe. She groaned when he took her breast in his palm. "Can we talk?"

"Sure," he said. He didn't stop what he was doing but seemed attentive.

"You're being distracting."

"I hope so." His hands pushed her robe from her shoulders, so the cooler air of the room sent a shiver down her back.

"I have questions for you," she said. Her head lulled to the side as he nipped at the skin there.

"Ask away."

"Do you have feelings for me?" He answered without hesitation.

"Yes, next question."

"What do you mean next question? That's a big question."

"Not really, I care about you, Lucy. Next question." He emphasized his thoughts with a harder bite. She couldn't help the whimper that slipped out. She could feel him growing harder against her back and the heat pool between her thighs.

"How did you fix the headset?"

"Happy did it."

"Happy?"

"It was an accident. He took it from me and dropped it. Somehow, it fixed it." Lucy laughed at this story.

"Did you know I was the real Lucy in VR?"

"What's VR?" Lucy was silent for a moment as he pinched her nipples lightly into peaks in his hands.

"You seriously don't know? I thought Perceval would explain that to you."

"If he did, I didn't hear him." He pulled her closer grinding softly against her rear.

"Well, did you know it was really me?"

"No, you acted differently, and I can't scent anything inside that thing, so I couldn't be sure." It made sense to her. It was the same reasoning she had.

"Was the egg really a fake?" One hand spread her legs and dipped to lazily rub her clit.

"Can we talk later?" he asked, "Can't think straight when you make noises like that, Lucy." She could feel her eyes growing heavy. Her whole body was leaning into him. One of her arms came up to lace her fingers in his hair. She was sure a mark would form against her skin where he had been biting.

"One more thing, Natsu," she said. She tried with effort to keep from making more noises. "Any questions for me?" He groaned when her other hand skimmed along his thigh.

"We'll always be together, right?" Natsu asked.

"Always," Lucy said.

Thanks for following this story! Let me know what you thought. I'm dying to write some angst next and will be posting some drabbles onto my writing Tumblr. I'll be working on finishing "Drained" after that. I have another long romance/adventure I want to work on after. Lots of projects! Thanks again for reading.