His lips were petals against my own, soft, delicate and as any flower I'd ever picked, all mine. We were joined together, pressed almost tight to the other, holding gently and simply letting ourselves meet in intimacy without any proper expectations. The fabric of my shirt on his body was pressing on my chest as his hand cupped to my bicep, one of his legs lain inelegantly not quite behind him but far from what seemed comfortable, the other was wrapped around mine- and it was nothing I could protest about. I was entrapping his waist with the same arm his fingers were digging into, he was not truly able to move far. Laying in bed with the mattress just another means of comfort, relaxed, when he had carefully pressed a timid kiss on my lips which could have been mistaken for the fabric of the pillowcase it was so quaint. The blush he crested with the action, admittedly, had made my entire body feel light and I did swoon at his reaction before grabbing at his plush cheeks and kissing him in turn, far less tentative then he had. Still, even with his nerves having taken him just seconds previous, he did respond in kind and quickly pressed himself against me pushing more into the kiss nye eagerly. It had been a long while since then, and we were still in bed giving quick pecks and long passionate presses to each other's lips, ignoring the sun pushing past the thin curtain.

He was releasing small, quiet, high-pitched moans, and I really couldn't tell what I was doing in response. The entire experience being simply perfect without the need for a deep investigation into either of our actions. Instead of roaring waters, my mind had settled into a tepid stream, calming and free from a plaguing strain blockading the natural flow of the river that was my thoughts. Whence he pulled tentatively away, I felt myself far more at ease then I had in the night, coughing up blood and heaving in pain. His expression was a blush when we managed to see each other, nervous smile, with flickering eyes, and pink over his cheekbones- it matched his hair and by some margin, that made it more satisfying. I had to haul myself up, ired at the prospect of getting up and sore from my body's fits, but it was still manageable without falling over flat onto the floor. As ritual I pulled my bottle of medicane out of my bag a grunt already frothing within, even after so many years; I still managed to hate the liquid- life saving or not. He was still on the bed, sprawled, in true measure looking over to me with curiosity while managing to appear as if he would never get up.

"What's that?" It weren't as if there was much of a secret to hide in terms of my 'illness' albeit- what it was in exact detail. Still, I couldnt help but sigh under the vision of his observing gaze, knowing that I would be required to give a type of answer, if only vague; because the pinket would make certain I do. The want to glare at the question was muted by both my own comprehension of this fact, and in knowing that it would serve me nothing to hide.

"My medicine." With those words Natsu smiled wide, lids closed and cheeks rosey, though my gaze drifted automatically to his sore and slightly bruised red lips curving upwards. The vision, in knowing that I had made them that way, in knowing that he was happy to let me do so- a man, a powerful man so uncaring of his own subservience, one who took his ability serious, his strength, allowed me to be with him as a romance, in equality. Such knowledge made my chest stutter, the beating rhythm of my heart banging loud in my ears, the drumming sound was too intense. I was still staring down at him when his eyes opened once more, but then they flew wide, and I flinched for the sudden change in his posturing as he turned rigid.

"I think we missed the meeting time! The sun's up really high!" He jumped, sheets flying around in a sweeping of inelegance as he fell on the ground with the tangle of beige around his legs. He is a gorgeous man, yet he ever remains a high-maintance idiot, never to win a fight by grace or premade strategy. That said, I know his ability in the battle just as any not blinded by ego, I knew he saved his genius until whence he was actually sweat soaked and bruised- with a skill for observation and sudden tactics that far suppased my own. That is, if he can properly form the coherent manner in which to unbind his legs from the sheets; as he is struggling to do. My eye roll was both exasperation and amusement for the sight he made, I would not be delayed by his lack of elegance, so I focus on dressing myself.

When done, he is still on the ground, having resorted to kicking himself away from the mess he's made. The very same wizard who stopped the jupiter canon from firing, basically beat Jallal and Black Steal- was having trouble grappling with the insanity of untangling his bedsheets. As obscure as the sight is, and in pure dispute of my wanting to simply leave him with the grand puzzle he had found himself threatened by; I lean down, that is I attempt to as a wild foot swings upwards and hits me directly where it should not- the painful battering lurches me, covering the area as fast as possible -briefly considering that it may be some type of godly punishment for my expade in the bar. That does nothing to stop my glare upon him being fierce, wherein he looks thoroughly abashed, a nervous smile on his face hesitant and looking away from me. Snarling, and damn sore downwards, I still rip away the intangling fabric- and as his face turns to relief and delight, haul him up from the arm and watch as he scrambles for balance after having it suddenly yanked away briefly. I hear him slam into the wall for stabilization as I grab my coat, the sound he lets loose being good enough reason to snort, smirk firmly in place- though gone when I turn to look at him, and therein the steam rising from his head as he ardently pouts with a -fake- glare. The stare is not effective, my boots already on, I do know its searing through my coat as I begin my exit; soon leaving as the sounds of scrambling become prominent, before he rushes to stand beside me- just before I close the door.

"You didn't have to toss me like that you jerk!" The familiarity of his interaction almost has me ignore him on pure automatic impulse, but in with knowing him, not replying would simply keep him agitated.

"Oh yeah? Well, you didn't have to kick me in the dick." He somewhat slouches to that, and his shoulders curve in eversoslightly. Yet, even as the posture changes into a rather depressive stance, his face lights up as he scratches at the back of his neck.

"Oh, well I couldn't see you!" The pain down south stings ever further at his reply, and I clench myself from lashing out stupidly; that does not stop my voice from tinting with the flare of annoyance.

"I was right in front of you!"

"My eyes were closed!" They hadn't been, but his foot had swung wild regardless. I could have punched his adorable face with the lie, it would be more then easy; however, hitting my boyfriend -new at that- out of anger would only dig a trench into my conscious for weeks, not to mention it would be wrong. So I fold my arms and let the simmering irritation boil without action. In glance, he is doing much the same except he is looking at the ground instead of up ahead, and its not quite a scowl or indignant pout on his face- a frown would describe it best, even if it isn't entirely one. Fleeing from me with a happy little wave and a blown kiss- my anger just ups and leaves, because even if not said, he does look guilty. My sigh blows any clinging aggravation out, but saying anything is interrupted by the door to the stadium looming ahead.

Automatically, I open the door for him, and then; as if nothing had occurred, he grins up at me before skipping inside. "Thank you my gentleman!" He doesn't shout it loud enough for anyone to hear, though that doesn't stop me from glancing around. Natsu can be extensively oblivious when not actually fighting an opponent. Though, it wasn't an inherently suspicious thing to say, not necessarily, just odd. Instead of panic however, my nerves twinge as he jumps up, pink hair a gorgeous blaze above him for a fractional moment, seemingly leaving behind a trail of the bubblegum colour. He turns to me with a grin so large it makes me shiver within the warmth of the day- flutters underneath my skin. His irises, ever scintillating with the reflection of heaven's stars aglow within, he is decorated so sweet with just a speckle of pink on his cheeks. My words dry fast, too fast for me to recall whatever notion I had been foolishly about to spout; his lips are still ever slightly flushed a deeper shade from our morning. I grip his chin, I had already glanced around us as it was, the grip of his petal soft lips against my own feels necessary, even if my posture achs from the bend. When I pull back, that very same expression that had been on his face in bed, blushing and minorly dazed as stars stare into my eyes.

"What was that for?..." His whisper is so quiet, it gently tingles against my lips. Pride grips fierce at my gut, turning the organs into a clasp. Still, it is such an automatic sensation, while I know it has grasped me therein; I still smirk at him, because it feels natural to do so.

"Luck." It was not a lie in truth, but it was less a blessing of good fortune unto him, then it was my hope of keeping his radiance for myself.

.o0o.

A flurry of fathers, darkly decending and ominous enough to irritate at my subconscious, there was hardly another it could be, and although my goal of not seeing the man when out of the bar was not realized; the blatant display of his pompous idiocy was nye worth it for the heaving laugh I, by maricle, managed to retain. Then it was my team's turn to make our entrance, and in desperation to make a heavy point, and in mild mockery, rather then all the other previous competitors, following my bastard father's example came as a brilliant concept. Naturally, I used my lightning to form the guild's quest, it was garish, and perfect as the surge of magic cursed through my body I already felt satisfaction. Watching the masked plaethian at the forefront, knowing he stared at me had me glaring upon him- his mask was no grand disguise- yet, there was a mystery remaining as to why Ivan was even involving himself in such a tournament, and even in ire; it warranted investigation.

Thats when my vision drifted, unintentionally, to the fuzz of pink captivating my perephrial; Natsu, as common snarling at someone in challenge- but instinct flickered sharp with proper gaze, as that person was indeed Gajeel. My ears attuned and ice poured into my veins and my head turned incredibly hot. A sensation forgein, yet I knew it remained stagnant at the back of my brain, anticipating its awakening, now frothing, so strong that my limbs shook not with the ice burning underneath. My ire directed onto man had yet to properly flee, churning desperately in a pit of embers within my gut. Repeats of what had been said still a fragmented echo into my ears. Unfair as it were to expect Natsu to not have past partners -as I myself have,- the thought brings more bile to my throat then my 'illness' as ever impeeded upon my esophagus. Hypocritical in every damning way, illogical and entirely arrogant of me to think; but the understanding that Natsu had once sucked the metal idiot's dick, it had the want to throw lightning down unto the iron slayer just to watch him resonate with the pain of electricity- he was practically a lightning rod after all, there would be no difficulty. However, with that same want came my throat's clenching hesitation, as discomfort springs forth because of the heat pooling downwards; the wish that I could experience the same, it has an unwitting arousal forming- I have no understanding in the nuances of gay sex, and yet, the thought has me yarning to try. Watching him shout at our counterpart; just the sight of his energy and flaming passion has my mind whispering in interest -would he hold that same fire when underneath me? Would he growl in challenge? A coy smile form on his lips in teasing?- My teeth clench as my body begins to take further action in response to my thoughts. Vibrations in my throat as I snarl at my own discomfort, shifting in a stupid attempt to better hide the small rise forming in my boxers.

I throw my eyes back to staring at my father, a pitiful hope of an actual distraction to avoid my brain and the embarrassment quickly forthing, in an acknowledgement that I am thinking about a blow-job in the middle of a battle arena. An arousal formed because of jealousy no less.

In all misfortune- although perhaps not; my sight being turned away from the foolish spat ongoing does not stop my hearing from catching onto what is being said as the conversation turns to whispers. "-make a deal Salamander, we get more points, and I get your mouth back where it works best." Said so quiet, spoken in rasp, seductive and laced with a tone of arousal just highlighting future excpectation. Roughened naturally by his particular tone. There is a ring in my ears, much like the scrape of metal- an accompaniment to the emotions too suddenly pouring through my head- ironic considering whom spoke. A pierced face to closed to an inflamed heart-shaped one, smirk prominent as the man leant down into the salamander's space, eyes lidded with an unhidden lust. I can feel my face morph with a more hefty snarl as my glare fixates on the man, the urge to surge a thousand volts through his chest mounting as the seconds continue with his leer and Natsu's challenging glare -even though his cheeks are stained scarlet from the words.

I stand with meagerly held restraint as I watch, my muscles are twitching and every sensation is amplified to my senses. I can feel the subtle twitch of my own brow, the bottom of my boots upon my feet, the weight of my coat hanging over my shoulders and the familiar brushing of the fur trim against my forearms. My breathing less regular and could be counted more as snorts of air through my nose as a hound might during the hunt. No one else is paying attention to the tension in me, nor that hanging over Natsu and Gajeel, despite the fact that both of them are silent -an obscure concept, everyone is engaged in their own small conversations, be that with those from other guilds or comrades.

By common rule, there is a 'no fighting' policy for all the guilds attending, stating that no opposing guild could fight each other outside of the tournament until the competition is finished. Reasonable, but mind has me wondering in depth if that small law applies to those who share the same guild but not the same team.

Quietly spoken, but fierce in intensity, Natsu finally replies. "Not a chance, this mouth is for one cock only, and it sure as hell isn't yours." There was a boomingly loud laugh from the statement as Gajeel throws his head back, his chest heaving from the force of his laughter. Yet, it only rang in my ears with the knowledge that it was carried in the air, as my head kept repeating, as if broken, the pinket's words. Blunt, crass, as he was, yet it still drummed in my consciousness that he would state such a thing with so much conviction, yes it had my smirk curving large- and just as minutes previous, heat came fast downward, but this time, I cannot feel a shred of my former held reluctance towards having gay sex.

"Damn, you have a boyfriend Salamander? Now thats impressive! Still, I don't think I've lost my chance yet." Again, hypcrosity came into my mind in comprehension that it was his arrogance setting my blood to boil.

"Chance? What you want to be my boyfriend Steel?" Smug and amusement lingered in Natsu's tone, but it was quickly dissipated-

"-when I said you're a prize, I meant it. I didn't just mean for carnal pleasure despite what you think." Before any reply could be made, which included my repressed fist finally slamming into the other man's face- a loud bell, on automatic, I flinch at it, -I hate bells- sounded from above signaling the proper beginning of the games, and I forced myself to walk away from their conversation, the giant carved stone in the center of the arena hardly holding any of my interest. That is however, until I felt a small force slam itself into my side, and already brimmed with ire from my short eavesdropping session the urge to punch whatever runt had bumped into me was high. The pink lump of hair in my vision did stop me from a rather vicious reaction, as midnight glazed eyes stared up at me lightened by a small smile curved into plush cheeks. As always, anger fled with the sight of his star reflective irises. He was beside me, but his place was with his team, as mine was to be near my own- yet I made no move to go in the direction of team B, nor did he shift away to his own proper position.

An extremely odd pumpkin man made an explanation as to the rules; all quite simple in rationality. Though judging by the muffled groans and grunts beside me, I doubt Natsu understood them at all, a glace at his befuddled face backing that assumption, and I barely held the full blown laughter I wished to unleash at how ridiculous he appeared, coughing loud into my fist instead- question marks were all but floating around his head as he tilted it to try and read the stone better, but I don't think it helped much. In all honesty, the expression is fucking adorable, made better as it is in complete opposition to his regular intensity. Idiotically, I glance around us to see if anyone is looking our way, a slight paranoid of suspicion, however, my mind is caught upon the possibility that anyone other then myself was seeing Natsu at the moment; placated in seeing no curious eyes, I stare at Black Steel's back, turned away and oblivious. Good, the iron bitch doesn't have the right to see shit.