Sorry for the delay. I had the chapter ready to go, then got busy, traveled to Canada to tour with my band, came back home only to learn that my uncle died, and I've been dealing with estate issues ever since. As if all that wasn't stressful enough, my husband was laid off from his job WHILE ON BEREAVEMENT LEAVE. Who the fuck does that???

My mental/emotional state is all over the place right now.

Some positive vibes/prayers/wishes/whatever would be nice.

* * *

Gray woke to the gentle warmth of morning sun cutting across the bed, and the weight of Natsu draped half over him, a leg hooked over Gray's hips, his arm across his belly, and his face buried in Gray's neck.

For a moment, Gray just lay there, breathing in the scent of him, the warm skin, faint soap, and something that was purely Natsu.

Then Natsu stirred, nuzzling closer, and Gray realized exactly where that wandering hand was resting.

"Mmh," Natsu mumbled sleepily, his lips brushing Gray's throat. "Morning."

Gray chuckled low in his chest. "You're already causing trouble, and you're not even awake yet."

Natsu gave a slow, wicked grin against his skin. "Maybe I'm dreaming about you." His hand slid under the sheets and down to right where it had been resting earlier, cupping Gray's balls, toying with them, fingers teasing him into waking up in other ways.

Gray caught his wrist with a smirk. "Is that what you call it?"

Instead of answering, Natsu shifted against him deliberately, pressing his whole body flush with Gray's. Gray could feel that Natsu was very much awake.

"You almost wore me out last night," Gray said. He was already growing hard under that lazy, almost-innocent touch.

"Only almost? Guess I need to work harder," Natsu murmured, nipping lightly at Gray's jawline.

"You're insatiable," Gray growled playfully, rolling them over in one smooth motion, pinning Natsu to the mattress. He straddled him, letting Natsu feel exactly what he was doing to him.

"Of course I am," Natsu said with a breathless laugh, tugging him down into a kiss, slow and molten, like melted chocolate. "I didn't get enough of you last night."

Their mouths moved lazily at first, just soft, lingering kisses. Then more urgently as Natsu's hands wandered, finding every spot that made Gray shiver. Gray pressed a line of slow kisses down Natsu's neck, his chest, his stomach, watching him squirm under each teasing touch.

"Gray..." Natsu moaned.

"Listen to you," Gray said, his voice low and deep. "You're begging for it, and it's not even breakfast time."

Natsu arched up under him, practically offering himself. "So feed me."

Gray barked out a laugh. "I get to eat first," he said, and his mouth slowly enveloped Natsu, devouring his cock whole.

Natsu arched and moaned at the wet heat. "Selfish! Get up here."

Gray move around, presenting his cock down to the mouth that eager accepted it as they sucked on each other.

They moved together lazily, hands and mouths everywhere, rediscovering each other in the bright morning light. Every soft moan and breathless gasp for more air echoed off the high ceilings. It was slower this time, yet no less intense. They just needed to taste each other, to slowly savor it, like a rare wine.

Even as they climaxed and poured themselves out for one another, it was not to wild shouts of lust, but soft shivers of intense pleasure.

Afterward, when they were tangled up again, sweaty yet satisfied with their pre-breakfast dessert, Gray nuzzled into Natsu's neck and whispered, "Now that's what I call a wake-up call."

Natsu just hummed smugly, wrapping his arms tighter around Gray's waist, savoring the flavor on his tongue and down his throat.

Eventually, they managed to shower—although barely keeping their hands off each other—and rode the elevator down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Natsu was still a little sore but walking with a ridiculous amount of pride. After all, Gray wore one of his own button-down shirts and a pair of slacks, his black hair still slightly damp. Seeing Gray wearing the shirt made Natsu feel absurdly happy.

They sat at a private corner table on a patio overlooking the city, surrounded by little plates of croissants, pastries, and coffee strong enough to wake the dead.

Gray grinned at him over the rim of his coffee cup, eyes twinkling mischievously. "You're glowing," he said.

Natsu looked stunned by the words, then turned his face away bashfully.

"I'm serious," Gray said, setting his cup down. "Who knew losing your virginity would make you look so radiant!"

"Shut up," Natsu mumbled, his face red all the way up to his ears. "Better than you. You have this whole just ravished look."

"And I bet it's sexy," Gray shot back.

Natsu had to admit, it absolutely was, and it made him wish they could stay all day in the hotel room. "Was I that good?" he asked smugly. "Did I blow your mind this morning as well as something else?"

Gray kicked him lightly under the table. "You're one to talk. You can't even sit still. Did I hurt your ass that much last night?"

Natsu wiggled his hips dramatically in his chair, making Gray choke on his coffee.

"Stop!" Gray hissed, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Natsu just smirked and leaned across the table, dropping his voice low. "We could always cancel our meeting with Freed and Laxus, order room service ... stay in bed."

Gray leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "If we eat in that room, you'll just try to eat me again."

Natsu gave an unapologetic shrug, stealing a croissant from Gray's plate. "No promises."

Gray laughed and reached across the table to steal it right back ... and clutched Natsu's hand too, holding it tightly.

Their fingers laced together over the white tablecloth. With the Eiffel Tower gleaming in the distance, Gray thought that maybe—just maybe—he could get used to mornings like this. Mornings where the world was just the two of them, with kisses and fancy coffee, and Natsu looked at him like he was the only thing worth waking up for.

A taxi dropped them off at the glass pyramid entrance of the Louvre. Sunlight glinted dazzlingly off its sharp edges. Gray spotted Freed and Laxus waiting by a reflective pool. Freed practically vibrated with excitement, while Laxus already looked bored.

"Finally!" Freed called, waving them over. "I was worried you might miss our time slot for the guided tour."

Inside, the museum's cool air and muted lighting felt like stepping into a sanctuary. Although they had purchased tickets for a personal tour guide, Freed knew so much, he kept interrupting to add in more information, from the famous Renaissance masters to obscure artists Gray had never heard of before. He told them stories about the paintings and sculptures with such passion that even the tour guide got swept up in it. At one point, the two broke into a long discussion comparing Titian and Perugino.

Natsu, however, looked like he was wilting. Laxus had a similar glazed-over look, nodding politely whenever Freed directed a comment to him, while clearly counting the minutes until they could leave.

The only time Laxus really paid attention was the painting Gabrielle d'Estrées and One of Her Sisters.

(Gabrielle d'Estrées and One of Her Sisters)

"Why's she pinching her tit?" he asked crudely.

Meanwhile, Natsu blushed at the painting of two bathing women, one pinching the breast of the other, and could not handle looking at their intense stares and nude bodies.

Freed gave a soft, reproving laugh and shook his head. "It's a symbol of fertility, an announcement that Gabrielle, the mistress of King Henry IV, was pregnant with the king's illegitimate child. Her sister, the Duchess of Villars—"

"But why pinch her tit?" he cut in. "If they're announcing she's preggers, why are they naked, and why give her a titty twister? Are they really sisters, or is this, like, medieval code for two lesbians? Like the whole they were really good friends bullshit?"

Freed sighed heavy. "I could spend half an hour explaining the symbolism in this one painting, or we can just move on."

They continued, but Laxus and Natsu got bored again, making crude comments about some of the paintings, often drifting off from the others. The two perked up when they stumbled upon an exhibit of medieval armor and weapons tucked away in the Richelieu Wing. Here, Natsu's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Look at this! They've got a sword bigger than me!" he exclaimed, tapping on the glass case.

Laxus finally cracked a grin as he eyed a massive shield decorated with a dragon crest. "At least some of this shit is cool."

Gray left them gawking at the armor and slid up beside Freed, who was admiring a statue.

"So," Gray said under his breath. "Have you popped the question yet?"

Freed gasped, looked around sharply until he saw where Laxus was, and tried to act casual as his cheeks turned a faint pink. "Not yet," he admitted. "I thought about it yesterday at Notre-Dame, but, Laxus seemed uncomfortable being there. It didn't feel right."

Gray nodded. "And here?" he asked, sweeping a hand around the Louvre.

Freed sighed. "He's not an art guy. He's only here because he knows it makes me happy. I'm not sure where I can ask him. Most of these areas don't interest him. The Eiffel Tower is too cliché."

Gray thought for a second. "Maybe somewhere more natural, but not too public. Laxus doesn't seem like he'd love a big audience."

Freed's eyes widened. "Oh! Parc Monceau! The Roman colonnade ruins!" He suddenly gasped. "At sunset!" He clapped his hands once, startling a nearby tourist. "That's perfect. Gray, you're a genius at romance."

Gray chuckled, glad he could help but feeling like the compliment did not fit him at all. "I just wish I knew what to do for Natsu. He's been planning everything so far. I'd like to help out too. I wish I could surprise him."

Freed beamed. "Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Laxus and I went yesterday. It's like a hidden adventure: waterfalls, a suspension bridge, caves. It's romantic, but rugged. Very Natsu. I'll text you the info. I'll even set up a taxi for you after the Louvre."

"Thanks," Gray said sincerely.

Freed leaned in with a mischievous look. "So ... did you two enjoy yourselves last night?"

Gray's face burned. He snorted and muttered, "Let me guess. You're the one who bought the black bag."

"Not me, but I set it up after reminding him that he would need a few things," Freed said, looking suspiciously innocent. He glanced back at Natsu and Laxus before adding softly, "I've never seen him so happy. He's practically glowing."

Gray glanced over at Natsu, who was now trying to lift a replica sword, laughing when Laxus scolded him.

"Yeah..." Gray murmured, his heart warm and tingling. "He really is."

"If you ever hurt him," Freed said casually, "I will hunt you down and make you suffer until you beg for death."

Gray laughed, but there was a chill in it too. He believed Freed really would.

After a few more stops (and another obligatory Mona Lisa selfie) the group went back outside. Freed waved them toward where two taxis were waiting.

"This one is for you two," Freed said.

Gray grasped Natsu's hand. "Surprise! We're going somewhere new."

Natsu looked stunned that Gray had done the planning this time, but also elated to venture out into the unknown.

The ride took them northeast through the 19th arrondissement, far from the usual tourist hubs. As the taxi climbed narrow streets lined with colorful townhouses, Gray looked out with interest, while Natsu's face turned green.

As soon as they arrived at the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Natsu leapt from the car and leaned over at the waist, looking like he was ready to hurl. He gasped for breath, but then he smelled something.

Flowers, trees, nature.

The taxi had dropped them off at an unassuming entrance, a simple wrought-iron gate flanked by ivy-covered walls. Beyond it, a winding dirt path disappeared into dense greenery.

"Where are we?" he asked, grinning widely in excitement.

"You'll see," Gray said, grabbing his hand.

They walked through the gate, and Natsu looked around in confusion.

"I've never been here," he muttered.

"Good," Gray said with a grin of relief. "Enough stuffy etiquette. It's time we go on an adventure."

"Adventure?" Immediately, Natsu bounded forward like a golden retriever off its leash. "Come on!" he shouted over his shoulder.

Gray followed at a slower pace, hands in his pockets, watching fondly as Natsu charged up a sloping path lined with cherry trees. Birds chirped loudly enough to drown out the distant hum of traffic, until soon they were lost amid nature.

They followed winding paths shaded by leafy chestnut trees. They passed joggers, couples lounging on the grass, children flying kites, and old men playing chess at picnic tables. Above them, a steep cliff and a Roman temple looked down on them all.

It felt like a little slice of nature that time had forgotten, like at any moment a woman with a parasol would come walking by arm-in-arm with a man wearing a top hat.

Then Natsu skidded to a halt, eyes wide. Before them yawned the entrance to a cave, a gaping black mouth carved into the side of a cliff. From within, the sound of rushing water echoed faintly.

"So cool," Natsu whispered. Without hesitation, he darted inside.

The cave was chilly and damp, its walls slick with moss. Gray trailed after Natsu, entering the shadowy area with spiky stalagmites hanging above his head. The dim light gradually brightened as they reached the center of the cavern, where a hidden waterfall cascaded from a hole in the ceiling into a crystal pool below.

Natsu stood at the edge, staring up as water misted his face.

"This is awesome," he said, his voice reverent. "How does a place like this even exist here?"

Gray leaned against the stone wall with a gentle smile. "Not all of Paris is cathedrals and cafés."

Natsu turned to him, grinning so brightly it was like the sun had found its way into this cave. "You found this? You? Mr. Stays-On-His-Laptop-All-Day. You found a secret cave in the middle of Paris?"

Gray shrugged, feeling his ears burn. "I had some help," he admitted.

Natsu nodded in understanding. "Ah, Freed." Leave it to him to give both of them some of the best ideas.

"I wanted to surprise you. Glad it wasn't some place you'd been to a thousand..."

Natsu barreled toward him and grabbed around his ribs, squeezing off the last few words. He lifted Gray off the ground in a bear hug.

"You're amazing!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cave.

Gray laughed as Natsu set him down. "Don't give me too much credit. I didn't build the place."

"Yeah, but this..." Natsu spread his arms wide to take it all in. "This is, like, actually cool. I mean, art and towers and churches are great, don't get me wrong, but this ... this is living. It's nature." His face drew up in a pained expression. "I wish my dad could've seen this."

Those words ached Gray's heart. He hugged Natsu from behind. "If he comes back, you can show him. Prove to him that you've been exploring, just as much as he used to."

Natsu wiped his eyes and nodded. "Yeah. When he comes back."

They wandered out the other side of the cave and followed another winding trail. They went through tunnels, saw more waterfalls, and slowly went upward, higher and higher, until they crossed a suspension bridge spanning a ravine.

Gray hesitated at the entrance. Heights were not his favorite.

Natsu bounded onto the bridge, bouncing it just to mess with him. "Come on, scaredy-cat!"

"You're a menace," Gray muttered, gripping the railing and inching across.

On the far side, they climbed steep, rocky steps etched into the hill. Both of them were panting slightly by the time they reached the Temple de la Sibylle, a Roman-style pavilion perched on a cliff. From the summit, the view opened up to all of Paris, a bustling ancient city, a gleaming river, and the endless halcyon sky.

Rooftops glowed gold in the late afternoon sun. The Eiffel Tower was a thin spear in the distance. The Sacré-Cœur gleaming like a pearl on its own hill.

Natsu turned in a slow circle, drinking it all in.

"This is amazing," he whispered breathlessly.

Gray watched him, his heart heavy with love. "Worth the climb?" he asked, bumping Natsu's shoulder lightly.

His smile could have rivaled the summer sun.

They rested and simply stood there, breathing it in. Then Natsu wrapped an arm around Gray's waist and resting his head on his shoulder.

"I don't wanna go back home," he murmured.

Gray pulled Natsu in closer, like he could hold him by his side. "Me neither."

They stood there a long time, swaying slightly in the breeze, holding onto each other like the world might end if they let go.

This week had felt like their own little universe, a bubble they created just for them. Gray realized, with a pang so sharp it almost stole his breath, that he did not know how he was going to survive bursting that bubble and returning to normal corporate life.

Natsu pressed a kiss to Gray's cheek. "Thanks for taking me here," he whispered. "I'll never forget this."

Gray swallowed hard, willing his voice to stay steady. "Neither will I. Thanks for taking me with you."

"Of course. Anytime." Natsu hesitated, and softly added, "Every time. From now on. If I go on a trip, you go with me."

They stood there as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in warm tones of orange and rose. They wanted to pretend, just for a little longer, that this could last forever.

Later, back in the heart of the city, they wandered aimlessly through winding streets. They passed the Canal Saint-Martin, stopped for crepes at a tiny street cart, and then drifted south toward Le Marais, where old stone buildings jutted into crooked alleys full of shops and hidden gardens.

As dusk softened the sky, they made their way to the evening's restaurant: Les Climats, tucked away in the 7th arrondissement. Freed and Laxus were waiting outside the restaurant, and this time Gray noticed the gleaming new rings on their hands instantly.

"Congratulations," he said warmly.

Natsu blinked. "Huh? What?" He looked over then, trying to figure out what was different, and then saw the rings. He gasped. "WHAT!?" He crushed them both in a bear hug.

Laxus grunted. "Easy, dumbass. You're gonna snap my ribs."

"Omigawd, omigawd, omigawd. You two are..." Natsu let out a squealing shout.

Laxus put a finger in his ear. "Shit, so noisy."

Inside, dinner was full of laughter and good wine. It was a stylish place, with intricate woodwork, soft lighting, a hidden garden courtyard, but still relaxed enough that Gray did not feel totally out of place. Despite the joy, Gray noticed a strange, almost sad tension growing between himself and Natsu.

The reality of their situation hung heavy over them. They were only pretending to be a married couple, and now here they were, sitting in front of two men who had truly made that leap.

When dessert menus came out, Natsu waved his away. "Nah. We're good."

Freed looked shocked. "You never skip dessert. You practically live for it."

"Yeah, but you two should have some time alone," he said brightly. "You deserve it."

Gray was also surprised that Natsu was being so thoughtful. Following his lead, the two of them got up and left, slipping out into the blushing dusk.

As the afterglow of day faded, the Seine glittered with reflected city lights as they wandered along the river. Notre-Dame rose before them: solemn, scarred from the recent fire, but still magnificent. Tourists drifted by, taking pictures, but there was a hush around the place, as if even the city's noise softened out of respect.

Gray and Natsu wandered through the plaza and drifted inside. They caught their breaths as they saw the stained glass windows. The light pouring through them painted colors across the ancient floor—sapphire, ruby, emerald—like a shattered rainbow captured in stone.

Natsu tilted his head, staring at the brilliant display. "Man," he whispered. "I always thought, if I got married, I'd want it somewhere huge like this."

Gray's heart twisted. He did not say anything at first, just stared at the shifting colors across Natsu's face, like they were trying to crown him with light.

"You know," Gray said finally, his voice low, "places like this ... they wouldn't let us."

Natsu blinked, confused. "What, have a wedding here? Why not? Because it's historical? Tourists?"

"No." Gray hesitated. "Many churches, they ... they don't really approve of people like us."

"Like us?" Natsu said, still not getting it. Slowly, he frowned, a dark, wounded sort of confusion passing over his face. "You mean ... but ... but we're in love. Love is a good thing."

"I know," Gray muttered. "But some people don't see it that way."

Natsu stepped closer to the doorway, his hands stuffed deep into his jacket pockets, shoulders tense.
The light caught in his pink hair, streaking it in colors.

"That's stupid," he grumbled. "Love's supposed to be pure. Isn't that the whole point? God is love, right? Therefore, love is divine. Love is supposed to make you stronger, not ... not get you punished." Again, there was a shadow, maybe some moment in the past that troubled Natsu's mind. "I can't help who I love, can't change that. I wouldn't want to! I shouldn't be forced into only picking who other people think I should love."

Gray could not bring himself to say anything. He just stepped closer, brushing against Natsu's shoulder, close, but not so close that a man in priestly robes might demand they leave.

"It's okay," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

Natsu turned toward him, stubborn light in his eyes. "Screw 'em. If they don't want us here, I'll build my own cathedral. Bigger. Cooler. The Church of Tolerance."

He said it half-joking, but there was a crack in his voice that gave him away.

"No rules," he went on, "except you have to accept people as they are, including who they love. Love above all, because God is love. Don't like it, you can take it up with the Big Guy."

Gray laughed, pulling him closer. "I'd join."

"Yeah? Would you be my first disciple?"

"I'd be your fuckin' high priest," Gray teased. "Praying at the altar of love."

Natsu smirked playfully and whispered slyly, "I sure do like seeing you down on your knees."

Heat flushed in Gray's cheeks. For a moment, they just stood there, wrapped up in the dying light, the whole city turning gold and violet around them.

A buzz interrupted them. Natsu pulled out his phone and saw Freed's text.

Time to head to the airport.

Natsu sighed heavily, like the weight of reality settled onto him all at once. He typed back a quick reply.

We're at Notre-Dame. See you soon.

They did not leave right away. Instead, they walked over to face the river, watching the waters of the Seine catch the colors of the sunset, rippling them into liquid fire.

Gray sighed, wishing time would freeze.

He didn't want to leave!

He didn't want to go back to his empty loft above an ice cream shop, waking up alone, working nine-to-five, struggling with that damn computer virus threatening their program and the future of the whole company.

He didn't want to lose this.

After a week of living like Natsu's husband—pretend or not—returning to reality felt like losing something.

Gray squeezed Natsu's hand tighter, desperate, not ready to let go.

It felt like if he did...

... he might lose everything.

A taxi pulled up, headlights flashing as it weaved through the late evening traffic. Gray and Natsu slid into the backseat, the door thumping shut behind them.

For a moment, neither said anything. The driver navigated them through the golden-lit streets, past cafés spilling out onto sidewalks, past lovers strolling hand-in-hand along the riverbanks.

Then Natsu leaned over, resting his head heavily against Gray's shoulder. Gray smiled a little and shifted to get more comfortable, letting his arm curl around Natsu's back, supporting him through his sickness. He could feel the steady thrum of Natsu's breathing, the heat of him, the weight that felt like it belonged there.

He didn't care who saw them. Not tonight.

By the time they reached the private airstrip, night had fully fallen, Paris sparkling like a spilled jewelry box behind them. The sleek blue jet stood ready, engines humming low. Freed and Laxus were already boarding, carrying the easy glow of two people newly engaged. They were practically attached at the hip, exchanging a quick kiss as they climbed the stairs.

Gray and Natsu followed at a slower pace, looking back at the city that had freed them from corporate realities. The next time they landed, they would have to behave themselves. No one at work could know about them. They would be returning to a world where Natsu was his boss and Gray was merely a temp worker.

Inside, the jet was luxurious but cozy.

Freed shot them a sly smile. "We're going to stretch out up front for a while. Maybe you two would like to stay back here."

Gray snorted, knowing what Freed must have in mind. Laxus obviously didn't object. He followed where Freed led him, drifting forward into the private cabin, leaving the main lounge empty.

Natsu grabbed Gray's hand and tugged him to the very back, past the sitting area to where a small, private bedroom was tucked away behind a door. The bed was not as huge as the hotel, but it was big enough for two to curl up together.

Gray toed off his shoes and fell onto the bed with a quiet sigh, feeling exhaustion and sadness weigh down on him at once. Natsu flopped down beside him.

Without thinking, Gray pulled him closer. Natsu came willingly, burrowing into Gray's side, throwing an arm around his waist, and tangling their legs together like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Gray stroked his fingers through Natsu's hair. Outside the small window, the Paris skyline slipped away, and the stars began to wheel overhead.

"I don't wanna go back yet," Natsu finally mumbled against his chest.

"Me neither," Gray whispered.

For a while, they just lay there, the hum of the engines all around them, a soft background to the warm cocoon of the little bedroom.

Gray closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of Natsu's shampoo, citrus and something wild. For the first time in a long, long while, he let himself imagine the future, a life where this did not have to end.

Gray tilted his head up and found Natsu watching him, green eyes dark and shimmering in the low cabin lights. Neither of them spoke. Words felt clumsy now, too small for what was swelling between them.

Natsu leaned down, brushing his lips softly over Gray's. It was a gentle kiss at first, but Gray's hand rose instinctively to the back of Natsu's neck, threading through pink hair, holding him there. The kiss deepened, slow and aching.

The sadness hovering around them thinned, pushed back by the pull of something stronger: the need to be as close as possible, to prove that this wasn't ending.

Natsu shifted, climbing half on top of him, their bodies pressed together. He kissed firmer, then pulled back just enough to whisper breathlessly, "I love you."

Gray's chest ached with how fiercely he felt it back. It sounded like he wanted to make sure Gray knew, these feelings would go on, far past Paris, even after Gray no longer worked at the company. His feelings would not sizzle out.

He kissed Natsu's forehead, his cheeks, his mouth again, desperate and tender all at once.

"I love you too," Gray murmured against his skin. "Love you so much."

Gray melted under him, hands roaming, anchoring. His hand slid up under Natsu's shirt, feeling the hot, steady thrum of his heart. Natsu sighed against his mouth and nudged Gray's hips with his own, a silent plea. Gray tugged Natsu closer, fitting their bodies together like puzzle pieces, needing to feel every line of him.

When Gray's hand drifted lower, Natsu gasped softly into his mouth, not in shock, but in agreement. His hips flexed toward Gray's hand.

"I need you," Natsu muttered, lips fluttering against his mouth. "So much."

Before Gray could reply, a muffled sound came through the thin cabin wall.

"Ah, fuck, Freed!" came Laxus' low, strained voice.

There was the sound of a playful slap, and Freed's wicked little laugh answered him.

Natsu snorted into Gray's chest, trying—and failing—to smother his laughter at the sounds coming from the next cabin. Gray felt laughter bubble up, half-mortified, half-relieved, and they both clutched each other, laughing silently.

"If they can't keep their hands off each other," Natsu whispered, nuzzling into Gray's neck, "then why the hell should we?" He leaned up, his green eyes flickering with playfulness and seduction.

Gray tugged Natsu closer until their noses bumped, and he captured his lips. "Exactly. Maybe give them some encouragement."

"Nah." Natsu leaned into Gray's ear and whispered, "I don't want them to hear you. Try to be quiet. I dare you."

"You're the loud one," Gray shot back.

In a burst of passion, they crashed together, mouths devouring, hands groping. Natsu immediately reached down, groping at Gray's crotch, fondling him, urgently trying to rouse him. Gray squeezed Natsu's ass before also reaching around, yanking off his belt, and working on the zipper.

They sat up, pulled their shirts over their heads, while jeans and underwear got messily pushed down past their ankles and kicked to the floor. They tumbled back down onto the bed, tangled together. Natsu straddled Gray's hips, leaning down to brush their mouths together. He pinned Gray's hands above his head, fingers threaded together, and pressed him down into the mattress. He began to grind slowly against him, again and again, their bodies burning hot even in the cool cabin air.

Gray arched into him, groaning low, not wanting the others to hear.

He paused to just look at Gray, trapped like that, all his! He bit his lip, loving the idea, but gradually he released Gray's wrists. Capturing someone was nice, but he wanted Gray to pick him.

Gray also took a moment to look up, seeing Natsu's pupils were blown wide, cheeks flushed, a wild and reckless tenderness shining through his smile. He reached up, cupping the back of Natsu's neck, thumb stroking along the hairline.

"You're too good for me," he murmured, voice ragged with emotion he could not hide.

Natsu flushed deeper, but he shook his head. "I'm what you deserve for all your hard work." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Gray's lips. "And you're my gift for years of waiting for the right guy to arrive. You're here now, and I'm not letting you go."

He shifted down, kissing along Gray's chest, his stomach, nuzzling every inch of skin with a look of pure reverence.

Gray's breath hitched, head tipping back, as Natsu nuzzled his chest, over the hard lines of his stomach. His hands curled into the sheets.

Natsu kissed lower and lower, and finally he kissing the tip of his cockhead. It sprang slightly, and Natsu bit his lip to hold back a laugh at how anxious Gray was to press into something. He kissed along the shaft, down to the balls, and placed a kiss on each one. They he looked up at Gray.

"Can I?" Natsu whispered, waiting for permission.

Gray just nodded, helpless, already losing the battle against the knot building low in his gut.

Natsu wrapped his hand around him first, stroking slowly, carefully, as if rediscovering every inch. Gray's hips jerked instinctively, but Natsu just chuckled under his breath. He kissed the tip again and gave it tender licks, teasing and affectionate.

"Natsu, please," Gray hissed, unable to handle it.

When he finally took Gray into his mouth, it was with a sweet, deliberate slowness, gliding all the way down before settling into a deep pull up that had Gray cursing under his breath.

Gray buried one hand in Natsu's hair, not pushing, just anchoring himself. He bit his lip to stay quiet, his whole body shivering from the sheer intimacy of it. His heart pounded against his ribs, not from lust alone, but from the staggering sight of Natsu there, kneeling between his legs, giving himself over so completely, so joyfully.

Natsu set into a rhythm, up and down, slurping slight. He hummed, a low rumble in his throat, like he was barely taming back a beast. Then he pulled up, caught his breath, and stroked Gray for a moment while kissing all around his hips.

Gray felt worshiped.

More than that. Loved. Cherished. Wanted.

That fiery mouth went back down, all the way, slamming Gray into the back of his throat.

"Natsu," he gasped, tightening the hand in his hair as Natsu bobbed even faster. "Shit ... Ah!"

Natsu hummed something, maybe "You good?" or "Is this okay?" Gray groaned in response. He wanted to tell him everything he felt, every bone-deep tremor of love and need and fear and gratitude, but the words tangled on his tongue.

Instead, in a hoarse and desperate whisper, Gray chanted, "Love you. Love you so much. Damn, love you..."

Natsu looked up at him while he moved, and Gray nearly came apart at the devotion in those shining, green eyes.

Their gaze locked: Gray watching him, feeling every slow, aching pull of Natsu's mouth, while Natsu gave everything he had, like it was a gift, not a favor.

Natsu pulled off again, still stroking him, and whispered back, hot against his flushed skin, "I love you too. Always. My temp-husband!" Then he dived back down, pressing Gray all the way in, even further than before. Gray felt a tight throat take him in, squeezing around him.

"Oh fuck!" he hissed.

That did it! The heat and tenderness and lust crashed together until Gray could not hold back. His breathing hitched, his hips began to move faster, and Natsu realized what was happening. He kept Gray in his mouth and stroked the lower half of his cock with his hand.

Gray gasped, but that was all. He barely managed to muffle the rest as he spilled into Natsu's mouth, bursting apart. Natsu swallowed it all, humming softly as Gray's body spasmed under him.

Gray slumped back against the pillow, dazed and trembling, feeling like every atom in his body now belonged to Natsu.

But Natsu wasn't finished.

He crawled back up Gray's body and kissed him, deep, messy, sharing the taste of him between their mouths. Gray kissed him, not caring about the taste of bitter saltiness, not when Natsu's lips were so sweet.

"My turn," Gray rasped against his ear, rolling them carefully so Natsu was on his back.

Natsu grinned up at him, utterly relaxed, utterly his. Gray kissed down Natsu's chest, trailing worshipful touches, hands and mouth mapping every scar, every twitching muscle.

When he finally took the stiff cock into his mouth, Natsu cried out before slapping a hand over his mouth. Gray smirked. Surely Freed and Laxus heard that!

Natsu might not want Freed and Laxus to hear Gray, but Gray loved the idea of those two hearing what he could do to Natsu. Maybe it was his kink for doing things in public, or maybe he just wanted others to know he was talented in more than just cybersecurity.

Natsu wrapped his legs around Gray's shoulders, pinning him there. The tiny whimpers thrilled Gray so much, he was glad Natsu had seen to him first, or he might have turned this gentle moment into something more rough and desperate.

They stayed locked together through it all, Natsu's hand gripping Gray's hair, Gray feeling every twitch and tremble and shudder.

Then Natsu's whole body arched off the mattress with a broken, gasped, "Gray! I'm ... I'm ... Oh God!"

Gray kept his hands on Natsu's hips, anchoring him down so he could feel everything filling his mouth. Once Natsu went limp, Gray leaned up so he could swallow it. He gazed at Natsu, flushed, skin blotched, his pink hair a tussled mess. Gray kissed his hipbones, his thighs, everywhere he could reach, soothing him back down.

Natsu reached out to him silently, beckoning him. Gray crawled up, and they collapsed together. They clung one another, sweaty and breathless. Natsu curled into him, and Gray hugged him, lazily stroking his skin.

Their kisses slowed, turning sleepy and tender again. Small murmured things passed between them: "Love you." "Need you." "Thank you."

Gray closed his eyes and tried to impress this moment into memory. Even if he had to leave this dream behind in the morning, he would carry the memories of this trip and the heat in his chest for the rest of his life.

Outside, the steady thrum of the engines carried them home, but neither cared. They had each other now. For now, they were allowed to forget the rest of the world even existed.

Just them.

Just love.

Note from Rhov:

I actually began to start "The Church of Tolerance"

a few years ago. It would've been a place for people who need a safe place from the archaic beliefs of their own religion. They can feel proud of whatever deity they pray to—or none at all—while still having a community that accepts all aspects of them, not just the parts that aren't deemed "sinful."

There would be no "love the sinner hate the sin" bigotry in my church!

Love is not sinful, because GOD IS LOVE. Or Shiva, or Hahgwehdiyu, or Viracocha, or Odin, or Rangi, or Unkulunkulu, or whatever deity you wish to follow. Or you could believe in no gods, or perhaps you are agnostic, unsure about divine deities (like me) and simply want to adhere to the idea that tolerance and acceptance of all people is part of what makes us decent human beings, although that in itself is a belief system.

I didn't move forward with my idea. I had everything set up: website, email, all except for the legal forms and fees, but I'd need some spare money to make my church official. And a congregation!

It'd also be a little weird to be an agnostic but start up my own "church."

As so often happens, life got in the way, then Covid hit. Then things seemed to be getting better. Civil liberties were improving.

But then, the world shifted hard to the right. Who know! Maybe this is needed.

With bigoted people insisting "it's against my religion to treat gay people as equals" and religious hospital turning away trans people in critical condition because their concept of mercy and morals does not apply to non-cis people, then maybe the Church of Tolerance is needed again.

If the requirement to be in my church is to either 1) be LGBTAQ+, or 2) be supportive of them, then these people legally can't discriminate anymore, because being non-straight and/or non-cis is A RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENT and refusing them service now becomes a religious hate crime!

Maybe with how the world is going, I should look into making the Church of Tolerance actually happen, raise funds, get through the legal process, and "proselytize" the Good News about Tolerance!

Would you be interested?

https://thechurchoftolerance.wordpress.com/