"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."
― Bruce Lee

A pre-morning breeze delicately ruffled the curtains of the open window. The slowly waking daylight turned the sky from black to purple to pink. Gray opened his eyes and blinked out blurriness. He was in his bedroom, yet it felt different. Warmer? Something was to his side. He glanced over, and his gaze rested upon the sleeping Dragon Slayer next to him. Gray had to smile at the thought. He was falling more and more in love with his stupid flame-brain every day, and now...

Images of last night, full of passion and wild love, flooded his mind and made his heart beat faster. None of his past affairs ever left him feeling so at peace and yet so ... what was this feeling? Was it simply the feeling of being in love? No one had ever affected him the way Natsu did.

Gray caressed the pink strands as he watched Natsu's gentle breathing. Those squinty eyes were relaxed and at peace. Natsu was almost childlike when asleep. It made Gray want to protect him, just as Natsu had so often rescued him.

Minutes passed in silence until a beam of rising sunlight streaked across Natsu's face. Gray tried to move his body to block the light so he could watch a little longer, but the brief flash was enough to rouse the Dragon Slayer. He grumbled something about Happy, stretched with a yawn, then stopped sharply and sniffed the air. His eyes fluttered open in a moment of confusion until he saw Gray. Those blue eyes gazed gently at him, and Natsu grinned in happiness.

Gray's image was incredible! His messy bed hair, that understated smile, his ice princess here with him in the morning, sleeping together in the same bed. Natsu couldn't ask for more!

"Morning, icicle-dick."

Gray snorted a laugh. What an adorable jerk! "Good morning, flame-brain. Your breath stinks."

Natsu flushed and closed his mouth. "W-well ... yours, too! And you have crust in the corner of your eye, and you snore, and ... and..."

Gray's hands slid down Natsu's body, instantly hushing him. "Yeah? Let me apologize."

Gray leaned in and kissed him. Natsu tried to protest, worried if his breath really did stink. However, Gray pushed his tongue inside and lapped around the fiery mouth. Natsu immediately felt coolness fill him. Gray tasted like mint and snow. Natsu moaned at the different blend of sensations in his mouth, warm and cool.

He suddenly grabbed Gray and flipped him around, slamming him to the pillows and straddling over his hips. They were naked, and Natsu had a morning woody that wanted attention. He rocked his hips against Gray, letting their cocks rub together, his stiff and Gray's flaccid.

"Natsu!" Gray said in shock through the domineering kisses.

"Not inside," Natsu muttered without releasing Gray's lips. "Just ... want you."

Gray grabbed Natsu's shoulders, and in a powerful thrust he threw the Dragon Slayer off of him, slamming him to the foot of the bed. Immediately, Gray leaped on top.

"If you do that, I'll get hard, too. Besides, doing it that way will get us both messy." He slid down Natsu's body and settled between his legs. "I'd rather have breakfast before I shower again."

Natsu half-sat up and looked down in shock. "Gray!"

"You licked my blood last night." Gray dragged his tongue up Natsu's cock. "I didn't get to taste you enough."

Wet heat sheathed him, and Natsu groaned as Gray got to work. Natsu loved Gray's mouth, how gentle he was, yet the power of his sucking made him arch up immediately. Now he could compare it, Gray's ass to Gray's mouth. Each was so good, one tight and bonding, the other wet and devouring. Gray could do tricks with his tongue, and Natsu felt him take it in deep, so tight and yet soft.

"G-Gray. So good."

Natsu's groggy voice ladened with lust sent tingles up Gray's skin.

"W-wait. Wait, I'm ... shhhhit!"

He came so quickly, he felt humiliated. By a grunt of surprise, Gray was obviously also shocked that his ministrations lasted so briefly. He pulled back with a swallow and saw the flush of shame on Natsu's face.

"That had to have been the quickest blow job in history."

"Shut up!" Natsu rolled off the bed and sat on the edge, hiding his face from Gray. "It's morning. It's always quick then."

"Always?" Gray asked with a sly smirk. He crawled up behind Natsu and wrapped his arms around the surly shoulders. "Do you give yourself a quick jerk every morning?"

"Shut up," he mumbled, feeling even more ashamed.

Gray leaned into his ear. "So do I," he confessed, making his breath chilled to give Natsu goosebumps. "A quick one in the shower ... while thinking about you."

Natsu glanced back at him, feeling a little less embarrassed to hear that Gray did the same thing. "Thinking about me, huh?"

"Lately, yeah."

He leaned in and gave Natsu such a soft kiss, the Dragon Slayer hummed with bliss. When Gray pulled back, he looked deep into those eyes, to how the morning light caught the green and the way Natsu's pupils were so large when he was happy like this.

"We don't have anything today, right?"

Natsu shook his head, gazing at Gray's lips and wanting to feel them again.

"Good. I want to spend the day with you, just like this." He caressed Natsu's cheek and watched him sigh while leaning into the gentle hand. "Damn, you're beautiful."

Natsu pulled back with a scowl. "Don't call me beautiful, asshole."

"Can't help it," Gray smiled weakly. "It's not just that you're sexy. I don't need sex to show you that I love you. You know that, right?"

Natsu's eyelids raised a bit, and the brightness in his eyes danced. "I know. I still wanted you as my mate. I just ... wanted you. No one else. I don't want anyone but you."

Gray barked out a wry laugh. "You're not going to tell me some bullshit about Dragon Slayer's mate for life, are you?"

Natsu shook his head. "I wish that was the case. I know from stories from Gajeel and Laxus, it's not." He stroked through Gray's hair. "At least, not for them."

Gray felt fire in his heart. Did Natsu mean he wanted Gray ... for life?

Natsu's searing fingers grazed over Gray's cheek and traced the pale lips with his thumb, watching how they parted, the little hint of a red tongue inside. Suddenly, Natsu surged forward and kissed Gray. His kisses were strong, needy, and fierce, yet when he pulled back, it was slowly, reluctant to break away. Before their lips fully separated, Natsu opened his eyes to see Gray's relaxed face. As he pulled back, he waited until Gray looked up at him. Then Natsu smiled with happiness.

"About last night," he whispered, running his fingers along Gray's jaw. "Thank you."

Gray chuckled and blushed awkwardly. Thank you? Then again, Natsu had been a virgin. He was thanking Gray for being his first and for putting up with any clumsiness. Not sure what to say, Gray just nodded and smiled back. That seemed to be enough to make Natsu's grin widen.

"I'll make you breakfast," Gray offered, and he got off of the bed.

"You, cooking?" Natsu teased, stretching his arms above his head. "Poison after sex, eh?"

Gray wrapped a housecoat around him, found a bathrobe, and tossed that for Natsu to wear. "I happen to cook quite well, thank you very much."

"Shouldn't I be making you breakfast?"

"I'd rather my kitchen not catch on fire."

"Screw you."

Gray laughed and began to walk forward, but he stopped sharply, hissing in a sudden pain. Natsu bolted forward.

"Gray?" he cried out.

He struggled to smile, wanting to tell Natsu he was fine, but the ache would not go away.

Natsu eyed him and chewed his lower lip worriedly. "Your body ... was I too rough?"

"I'm fine," he said, but it came out airily and strained.

Natsu sighed and shook his head. "Sit on the couch. I'll make something. Cereal, so there's no cooking involved. That should be okay, right? You should take it easy this morning."

Gray glared over at him, but Natsu looked like he just wanted to help. He also looked slightly guilty, realizing he was the reason Gray ached now. Reluctantly, Gray nodded, and Natsu held onto him as they walked into the main room and settled onto the couch.

"Do you need pillows for your butt?"

"Shut up," grumbled Gray. "Just get me some coffee and food."

They slurped up cereal on the couch while watching comedy shows on the lacrima television. After the bowls were finished and set to the side, Natsu leaned against Gray's shoulder.

"You're really clingy today," Gray teased lightly.

"I just like being close," Natsu muttered, not pulling away. "It's surprising for a snowman like you, but ... you're warm."

Gray smiled, feeling so comfortably happy like this. Having Natsu sleep over, eating breakfast together in robes while watching television, cuddling on the couch: such simple things! It was not awkward infatuation or wild love. This was more ... domestic.

"Are you ready for lunch?"

"I can make it." Gray began to rise and stretched.

"Are you sure? If you hurt—"

Gray grabbed Natsu's chin to shut him up. "I feel much better now." He picked up the cereal bowls and walked toward the kitchen. "It not like you're big enough to really hurt me."

"Fuck you!" laughed Natsu. "You should have seen yourself. I thought you were going to pass out from the pain in your ass."

"Well, you are a pain in the ass."

"Go screw yourself!"

Gray swirled around and grabbed Natsu by the hips, yanking him in. In a low and sensual voice, he said, "I don't plan on screwing myself later."

Natsu's mouth dropped, silenced and shocked. Gray sputtered out a laugh and walked away.

"Damn, you are so easy to rile up."

"Like I can help it! Especially when you talk like that."

"Oh?" he smirked. "You want it?"

Natsu pouted and folded his arms petulantly. "Of course I do."

Gray chuckled and decided that was enough teasing. "I'll see how I feel after lunch."

Natsu just nodded. He wanted to give Gray time to recover. After all, despite trying to be considerate and easing into things, he had been a bit rough last night, especially considering it had been Gray's first time being penetrated.

They made a light lunch and returned to the couch to eat there as they watched another show. Natsu actually felt more like scarfing down his food and running off to do some training. Just sitting was not easy for him. Yet when Gray wrapped an arm around him, he could hardly help but snuggle in as they watched a comedy show together.

As the show ended and their plates were emptied, Natsu looked up at Gray. The intensity in those sage-green eyes drew in Gray's attention. He looked down, and he feltlike he was under a spell. Natsu's lips were calling to him. He leaned in, and Natsu's head raised. They had made out on this couch many times before, but this was different. Back then, there was a wall, an invisible barrier. They kissed and touched, but there were limits. Now, all boundaries were gone.

Gray dipped Natsu over, making sure his head rested on pillows. Their legs adjusted, and Gray leaned over him, running his hand up under Natsu's robe. His own housecoat fell to the side, exposing his bare skin. Natsu's burning fingers caressed over muscles as Gray gently kissed him and rocked their bodies together.

Gray felt himself growing stiffer, and Natsu with him. Then he leaned up, breathing heavily. They were all but naked, and Natsu's heated gaze showed him where this was going.

"Bed," whispered Gray.

They both scrambled up and raced to the bedroom before the sensual spell could break. Natsu threw aside the robe and collapsed onto the mattress. Gray dropped the housecoat off his shoulders and pounced on top, crawling over Natsu and kissing every bit of his skin, up his chest, neck, jaw, and to his lips. They paused all other movements, just kissing, tongues intertwining, tasting and savoring the gentle simplicity of a kiss.

Gray raised up. He slid his hand through Natsu's messy hair and down to his flushed cheek. His eyes locked with that blazing stare. Slowly, he leaned in to give those swollen lips the tenderest, most endearing kiss he could muster. He wanted all the feelings he could not articulate with words to shine through with this kiss. When he pulled back, Natsu's eyes were lined with tears.

"Gray," he whispered, overwhelmed by how much passion the ice wizard could express in such a simple act.

Gray leaned in again, kissing sensually this time. He slid his hand down to Natsu's chest, resting over his heart.

"This heart," he began. "It almost gave out once."

Natsu caught his breath. He still had not told Gray why his heart was so weak, the sacrifice he accepted so that Gray could walk again. He had meant to tell him in the morning, but it completely slipped his mind.

"I want to strengthen your heart, Natsu," he said sadly. "I wish I knew how. Knowing that you almost died ... it scares the hell out of me. I know now how you felt ... with me ... that day." It still tormented him, thinking about that horrible battle that left him as good as dead. "But things have changed. This heart is mine now. You gave it to me," he said with happy tears in his eyes. "And I give my heart to you."

Natsu watched in awe as Gray leaned over and kissed right over his heart. Then he leaned back up and stared down with hard, glacial eyes.

"Don't let this heart fail."

He needed to tell him! "Gray, back then..."

"Shhh." He shook his head with a mischievous smile. "Talk later."

"But—"

Gray pressed a finger to his lips. "Later." His hand slipped between their bodies and down to Natsu's erection, stroking him gently. "I want you ... now."

Protests fluttered away as Natsu bit his lip to hold back a moan. Gray distracted him with kisses as he felt the tension already building in that warm, muscular body. He did not want another reprise of that morning's brief encounter, so he slid his hands up Natsu's body, slowly coaxing his arms above his head.

Gray broke the kiss as he looked down at his hands locking Natsu's arms securely above the pillows. "I have you now, my dragon."

Natsu's eyes widened. His dragon! He could hardly breathe after hearing Gray say that.

"You're mine, Natsu," he smirked, leaning in with a smug gleam in his hazy eyes. He breathed into Natsu's ear, "All mine."

Natsu tried to free his hands, but Gray held them down with that same arrogant smile. The Dragon Slayer knew he could have easily freed himself, but he loved the thrill of Gray taking control. He had waited so long for Gray to gain this much assertion. If he wanted to do this rough, or wild, or with bondage, any way that made Gray happy, he would let him.

Gray felt immense pleasure in holding him down, like training his dragon to be under his control. He had experimented with bondage with a few girls who liked things a bit wilder, but he was not sure how much Natsu might like. He did not feel like ruining this moment by going too far. So he grabbed the white scarf, still draped across the headboard, and tied Natsu's wrists with that. Natsu could easily slip out this way, but at least for now, Gray liked feeling like he had conquered the Dragon Slayer.

He caressed over Natsu's chest, watching the rapid rise and fall as Natsu stared, wild-eyed but tamed for now. His cold hands traced around Natsu's pectorals, and suddenly his fingers plucked at the stiffened buds. The faintest touch made Natsu moan.

Damn, so sexy!

"Natsu."

Gray's voice ... that deep voice whispering his name ... it was something Natsu wanted to wake up to everyday. Natsu realized, bound up like this, that he had been a prisoner of Gray's for over a year. Long before Gray knew of his feelings, Natsu had been tamed by him. Now, he wanted to give up all self-control. He wanted Gray to do anything at all to him. He wanted to see what sorts of things Gray fantasized about. Although he could have slipped out of the loose knot in the scarf, Natsu left his arms above his head, obediently staying there as Gray's captive. Instead, his legs did the caressing, wrapping around Gray's body, toes stroking along thighs and calves.

Then Gray's mouth went down, licked along the scar on Natsu's neck, and gave a firm yet amatory suck right in the spot where he knew the Dragon Slayer was weakest. Natsu's moans made Gray's heart race. As he raised back up, he caught his breath. Those lips so red and swollen, green eyes heavily lidded and filled with passion, muscular arms trapped above his head, a tamed yet seductive dragon!

He wanted him, wanted to see more and hear more. He wanted to feel himself fill Natsu. Claim him! Mark him as his. His!

"How ... um ... how do you want me to do this?"

Natsu looked up in confusion. Do ... this? He gasped softly as he realized what Gray meant. He really did want to top!

"Your fingers need to be wet. Then, um ... then touch me inside. You'll need to loosen me up."

"I know that!" Gray snapped. "What position? Should I untie you? Do you want it from behind?"

"Facing each other, like this. Exactly like this." Natsu wanted to look up at Gray as they made love. When Gray glanced down with a slight pinch in his brow, Natsu worried if maybe it sounded too gross, touching another man's ass. "I ... I can prep myself if you don't want—"

"I'm not afraid of touching your ass, idiot. I'm afraid of hurting you."

Haughtily, Natsu declared, "You've never once managed to really hurt me in a fight. I doubt you'd be able to now."

That pissed off Gray. He took two fingers into his mouths and vigorously sucked them. Natsu's eyes widened and his face turned red. As Gray brought out his dripping fingers and reached between their bodies, Natsu's breath hitched. Gray rubbed over Natsu's ass, sensing the eagerness, the way it clenched and then relaxed, quivering with anticipation. His cock throbbed as he imagined how tight this would feel around him.

Gray kissed up Natsu's neck and sent goosebumps all over his body. Natsu was so sensitive there, and Gray loved the way he reacted. Slowly, Gray pushed a finger in. Natsu let out a throaty moan and spread his legs more, loosening himself up, wanting this part to happen quickly so he could feel Gray inside of him.

Gray had to stop and regain control. Just knowing his cock would soon follow made him shudder with desire. He had to have him ... now! He slowly slipped in the second finger and heard Natsu groan.

"Lube?" he asked, wanting this to feel just as good as Natsu had made it last night.

Natsu yanked his hands out of the binding scarf and recklessly flailed toward the nightstand in eagerness, only to smack the bottle and knock it to the floor. He cursed, but Gray chuckled. What a clumsy boyfriend! Gray pulled his fingers back out, making Natsu whine. He shifted to the edge of the bed and picked the bottle back up.

"You make a mess of everything," Gray chided as he drizzled the thick fluid on. "Try not to make too much of a mess until I'm ready for you."

Gray slipped a finger in again, much smoother now. He was amazed at how the lube eased things. Adding a second finger was simple now. Natsu relaxed his muscles and relished the feeling of having Gray's fingers in him. Soon, very soon, it would be more.

Gray leaned over, encircling the shell of Natsu's ear with his tongue before sucking on his earlobe while his fingers thrust in, careful but needy. He whispered Natsu's name just before sliding his lips down along his neck, nibbling along the taut tendon, sending chills over the Dragon Slayer's feverish skin.

"I want you now, Natsu. I want to have you. I want to..." He breathed into his ear. "...claim you."

Natsu's eyes widened and his voice hitched. "Gray!"

Gray pushed his fingers in as deep as he could go, searching for that same place Natsu had touched that felt so amazing. Natsu could barely hold still, panting, his forehead glistening with sweat as hot breaths steamed out of his mouth. He grabbed Gray at the back of his head, burying his hand in his raven locks as the other went down to grope Gray's erection.

Gray needfully thrust into Natsu's hand. He needed that friction so desperately. He attacked Natsu's mouth, far rougher than he had meant, biting his lip and tasting blood. Natsu did not cry out. Instead, he sneered like an animal.

Last night, he bit Gray. Now, Gray had bit him. Marking each other in such a bestial way made his body heat up even more.

Then Natsu jolted with a cry of surprise and lust. Gray's fingers had finally found their target. The pleasure was too much, and Natsu's grip on Gray's cock tightened.

"Ow! Dammit, too hard!" he snapped.

He let go and grabbed at Gray's back instead, digging his nails in and clawing hard. Gray groaned at the unexpected and erotic pain.

Natsu's voice trembled as he tried to speak. "Now, Gray. D-do it. Claim me already!"

"Always demanding," Gray chuckled, not hurrying up yet.

"I can't help it." He squirmed on the sheets. "I need you. Fill me until my ass burns. Bite me, mark me, make me scream, just God, do it soon! I need it so badly, Gray."

Natsu did not notice how dirty he was talking and how those words affected Gray, making his cock twitch. Gray had to grab himself tight to choke off the need to release, and he panted as he fought to control himself. Those words, and seeing Natsu lying under him in a complete mess, all because of him, overwhelmed him.

"Please ... dammit, please, now!"

Gray smirked to hear him begging. He pulled his fingers out and reached over to the nightstand, pulling out a condom. Gray ripped open the condom packet and rolled it on. Then he grabbed himself, more than ready to thrust in.

"W-wait! The lube." Natsu nodded to the bottle resting on the rumpled blankets. "It ... it helps. Even with a condom, it helps."

Gray pulled back and chuckled. "Getting sex lessons from a guy who was a virgin just yesterday. Shit."

"Well, you've never done it up an ass, right?"

Gray's brow flinched, and he stayed quiet as he picked up the lube and flicked open the cap.

Natsu cringed slightly. "Oh," he whispered. Gray had! Probably with one of the women in the past. Then this was not new to him.

Gray saw the frown and shook his head. They could not do this if Natsu was feeling disappointed. He set the lube bottle aside, cupped both of Natsu's cheeks, and made him look up.

"I've never made love to a man before," he said softly. "If I'm doing anything wrong, tell me. This once, you can order me around. But only this time! Because I've never done this with a man, and you need to tell me how to do it in a way you like best."

Natsu realized what Gray was not saying, though. He had tried anal sex before. However, that was then, and with a woman. This was now, and it was the two of them. It was different this time. It was a first: the first time Gray would make love to a man as the one on top.

Gray reached for the lube again and slicked the condom-covered cock. Natsu rested his head on the pillow, with his knees in the air, waiting in anticipation as he watched Gray being so diligent. Too diligent! As Gray used his fingers to spread the lube onto himself, Natsu made an impatient whine.

Gray glanced up at the noise and smirked. "I want to be ready for you."

"And I want you in my ass already!" Natsu snapped.

"Why so desperate?" Gray capped the lube, set it aside, and then crawled on top of Natsu, caging him in. "Are you afraid that I'll run away at this point? You're an idiot, but you're not that stupid."

"I am afraid," grumbled Natsu. "Now about you, but about me, if I'll be good enough, so while I'm good and prepped I wanna do this."

"You'll be fine," Gray assured him, and he kissed Natsu tenderly. "Let me take my time. Please," he whispered.

He continued to kiss Natsu without touching, even when the Dragon Slayer reached up and yanked on Gray's hips, he kept his body up.

"Gray, fuck me!" he cried out in frustration. "Fuck me as hard as you want. Fuck me until I forget who I am."

"No."

"What!" he cried out.

Gray glared down at him. "I won't fuck you."

Natsu's mouth dropped in a squawk of protest, but Gray playfully bopped him on the nose.

"I'm going to make love to you. Slowly, not fast. And not until you forget anything. Nope, I'm going to make you remember. Remember it all, Natsu. Everything that led to this moment."

Natsu looked up, stunned and melting at the romantic words. It all flashed through his mind again, the pain, the loneliness, the frustration, feeling rejected, feeling desperate, determined, forsaken, and finally accepted, elation, relief, love!

He dropped his face to hide his blush. Damn this iceman for making him feel this way!

Gray smiled at the bashfulness and kissed Natsu's pink cheek. He was remembering it all, too. Over a year of pain, misery, depression so bad that he nearly gave up on life. He had been saved by Natsu, over and over again. He wanted to thank him, yet words ... there were none, not for all Natsu did for him. He leaned over, kissed him, and finally pressed his cock up against the entrance. Then he whispered against those fiery lips.

"Remember this moment, right now, and don't you ever forget it."

Their eyes locked, green and blue. Gray reached down to grip himself steady, and Natsu braced himself, neither looking away. Gray held his breath as he guided himself inside.

"Ah! Ahhh!" Natsu gripped the sheets as he squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip. However, he forced his eyes open again, watching Gray, forcing himself to watch and remember everything about this moment.

Gray felt his cock squeeze into the tightness, the hole clenching and relaxing to take more of him in. He groaned as the tight walls slowly swallowed him, but he forced himself to keep looking at Natsu. Both of their eyes were tight from pain and pleasure, but they did not look away, as if they had both silently challenged one another in a staring contest.

"God, Natsu! You're so hot ... and tight."

Natsu panted as he focused on relaxing his muscles. Gray was filling him up, claiming him! He wanted all of him inside!

Gray finally had to break the steady gaze and drop his head. He was not sure what he had imagined it would feel like. Maybe he had done this once before, but it had been awkward, just some random woman, no deep emotion to it. This time, though ... this was Natsu. It was almost painfully hot inside his body, yet surprisingly comforting. Natsu managed to relax as if it was second nature. Maybe he had practiced to get to this point. Gray did not know, nor did he care anymore. If Natsu had trained under a professional so sex would be good, then Gray would honor that dedication now by making his first time being penetrated as perfect and memorable as he possibly could.

Gray opened his eyes and looked down at his cock disappearing into Natsu's ass.

He had claimed his dragon!

A drop of sweat slid down his forehead. His cock twitched inside that hot tightness. He tried to calm his racing heart, wanting Natsu to get used to the feeling. His thoughts got disrupted when he felt Natsu's hips pushing up and tightening his ass around him.

"I'm good. Please, Gray ... please!"

Gray slowly pulled back. Natsu whined, already wanting to be filled again. Gray slid out until the head of his cock was barely inside, then he plunged back in, all in one motion, pushing Natsu slightly back up the mattress.

"Gah! Gray!"

The cock slid in and out of the tightness, pushing deeper and deeper in a slow, steady motion. The room filled with sensual sounds, Natsu's moans of pleasure, Gray's exerted panting, and the slick sound of their bodies conjoining. There were no words, nothing to sully the moment. It was just them, making love, pleasuring each other in one of the most intimate ways possible.

Natsu wanted more, to have Gray fuck him senseless, yet he also enjoyed Gray's way of making love. Slow, steady.

Making love to him.

With every thrust, Gray felt his heart swelling with love. They were tangled in each other's bodies in a perfect union, with Natsu's legs higher, holding Gray's sides.

Suddenly, Natsu reached down, grasped Gray's ass until his fingertips dug in, and he yanked Gray to force him to go faster. Gray groaned at being thrown off his rhythm. In a little revenge, he slammed in hard and held it there. Natsu screamed in pleasure. Gray raised his body a little higher, and when he did, Natsu arched up as his fingers dug in deep bruises to Gray's ass.

"Yes! There, do it there! Oh God!"

Gray groaned and whispered, "I swear, Natsu, you're too damn hot." He grabbed Natsu's butt cheeks and thrust strongly at the same angle, getting out louder cries and feeling Natsu clawing up his back.

Suddenly, Gray pulled out and raised up, gritting his teeth to hold back.

"Hey!" Natsu cried out, stunned that they stopped.

"Not yet," Gray seethed, gulping down his body's demands. He kissed Natsu and licked down his neck to his chest. "Not yet," he repeated, and he suckled one of the tensed teats.

"Dammit, Gray!" Natsu roared, frustrated that they stopped just as he was ready.

"I'm not done." Gray crawled lower and licked up some drips of pre-cum from Natsu's belly. Then his tongue dragged around the erection, licking up the clear, musky drips. "Seriously, you're so messy," he teased.

"Gray," Natsu whimpered. "Dammit, don't ... don't make me beg."

"You've been begging all along," he chuckled. "You don't need to. I'll get to you." He licked excruciatingly slow up Natsu's cock. "Eventually!"

"Graaaay," he whined.

He ignored the desperation and began a languid suck, knowing full well that he was denying Natsu the speed he needed. He wanted to cool them both off, make it last, and enjoy it.

Gray glanced up while sucking and almost laughed. A year ago, he never would have imagined he could fall for a man. A month ago, even just a week ago, the thought of having sex with a man left him with doubts. Now here he was, falling deeper and deeper into this fiery pit with such a seductive little demon in his bed.

"I love you."

The declaration came so unexpectedly and so brimming with ardor, Natsu gasped. Such intensity in Gray's eyes, such ice-hard fervency, left the Dragon Slayer unsure what to say in return. He could always say I love you back to him, but his throat choked up. Words alone were not enough.

Instead, Natsu grabbed Gray's cheeks and pulled him up closer, sitting halfway up to meet him in a kiss. Gray nipped his lips softly, then eased his tongue out. Natsu cringed at the taste of his own pre-cum, but Gray kissed harder, pushing Natsu back down onto the pillows. They grappled. Natsu grabbed into the black hair, pulled Gray down with him, kissing him with all the fiery passion he could. He grabbed Gray's shoulders, rolled them, and straddled on top. Finally, he broke off the kiss, panting, but his heart felt ready to say it.

"I love you, too."

It was almost a growl, almost a purr, animalistic and yet as gentle as a trained pet.

His dragon!

Natsu lifted his hips and slid down onto Gray, piercing himself with a throaty moan. As he met Gray's eyes again, it was not the gaze of submission. Far from it! It was a demanding glare, and Gray merely nodded in agreement. He could ride on top if he wanted.

Natsu braced his hands on Gray's chest as he swiveled his hips, thrust in much deeper than he could reach the other way. He shuddered as this new position gave him the chance to rub inside exactly where he needed it.

"N-Natsu ... slow down."

Natsu barely heard him. His blood was rushing, heart pounding, his head felt light and all he wanted was to slam his ass down onto Gray's cock.

"Natsu!"

He jolted at the shout. Gray was cringing, struggling to hold back.

"Goddammit, at least pay attention. That's it, you don't get to ride on top until you learn how to pace yourself. Get off me."

Natsu frowned as he pulled off and climbed off of Gray. "I'm not a turtle like you."

"No, you're a flame-brain, and you're going to burn out too quickly." He sighed, not meaning to chide him. "Come here." He pulled Natsu down into his chest and cuddled side by side. "I'm glad you like it, but I'd like to really enjoy this. If we finish off too soon, it'll take a while to get a second wind."

Natsu knew he was right and pouted at being scolded. "I just ... really like it. You feel good inside. It hurts to hold back."

"Then I still need to train my dragon." Gray smiled as he caressed the inflamed cheeks. "You ... really do like it?"

"Yeah!" Natsu exclaimed. "Your cock's amazing!"

Gray burst out a laugh. Seriously, this idiot boyfriend! "If you like it that much, let me use it how I want to."

Natsu nodded, rolled onto his back, and raised his knees in offering. Gray moved back into position, kissed Natsu, and thrust back in.

Natsu no longer complained that Gray was taking this slow. It was simply his way of making love, and rather than complain, Natsu observed it.

This was Gray's lovemaking!

Slow, gentle, touching everywhere, stroking circles across his chest, his sensual cool touch, but thrusting so languidly. It left Natsu on edge, craving more and starving...

Like a winter wolf!

This was the hunger of winter, the hushed fall of snow piling up, building gradually, slowly, yet constantly increasing.

He was summer, hot and wild and adventurous. Gray was winter, a gelid solemnity where the world slowed down, leaving you shivering.

Natsu was trembling now. Gray's slow pace tortured him. His fists tore at the bedsheets. He tried to hold back, tried to simply enjoy it, but his body said otherwise. It had enough, and there was nothing he could do to stop the inevitable.

"Gray!" he screamed.

It was time! Gray sped up, slamming in hard. He was no longer the gentle fall of flurries, but a raging blizzard. Natsu's whole body arched, and he reached down, stroking himself, not caring if Gray told him not to. He needed it. Now!

Gray let him, though. He was more focused on himself, plunging into that heat, the way Natsu tightened on him, more and more, clenching as he drew near. So hot! Too much! Natsu was melting him, the summer melting winter into the gushing of spring floods, or maybe the winter cooling off blazing summer into the rains of autumn.

It didn't matter which way. Both collisions resulted in the same. Wetness!

He slammed in with a soft growl, an airy grunt, and pleasure ... gushing relief at last. That slow build was worth it, edging himself until the finale was more intense. Gray could hardly hear or think of anything beside how amazing it felt to finally get the release his body craved, and to find it in the man he loved.

When he looked down, Natsu's hand had already flopped to the side, white splattered on his belly, his face flushed but relaxed, so sleepily pleased. Gray memorized that face, such debauched beauty, with sweat darkening his pink hair, the moistness of happy tears clumping his eyelashes, a flush to his whole body, and clear white dripping between abdominal muscles like a milky river between valleys.

"You're so amazing," he sighed, then laughed and added, "...damn fire bastard."

Natsu opened his eyes and saw the glow to Gray's cheek, like spring sakura, or maybe the redness of autumn maple leaves. Summer and winter always collided into either spring or autumn.

"That was incredible," he replied softly, and also added, "...shitty snowman stripper."

Gray chuckled, amazed that he could feel this happy with Natsu. He caressed through damp pink hair, admiring him and feeling overwhelmed with joy. He slipped out and collapsed onto the mattress beside Natsu. Instantly, hot arms were around him, and Natsu cuddled into his chest.

"I love you, Gray." He felt tears in his eyes again. "Dammit! I love you."

Gray just smiled at the aggressive gentleness. What a complex boyfriend he had!

Natsu raised up onto an elbow. "You're not falling asleep on me, are you?"

"No," he sighed. "Just ... resting."

Natsu smirked haughtily. "Did I wear out my ice princess?"

"Shut up," Gray chuckled, weakly socking his shoulder. "You're the one out of breath, flame-brain. Am I too good for you to handle?"

Natsu laughed that they could still have this easy bantering after everything that happened in the past few hours. "You're panting too, you know."

Gray hummed, knowing his lungs were desperate for air. "That's because this was the best sex I've ever had."

"I bet you always say that."

"No," Gray replied, looking at Natsu with seriousness. "It really was ... because I've never fallen in love before. This was my first time making love."

Natsu's mouth dropped. He had never thought about it that way. Gray might have had a busy past, but that had been just sex, carnal releases, nothing more. Realizing he was Gray's first love, and what that must mean when it came to intimacy, made this whole thing so much more special, beyond what Natsu already had thought about it.

It was not just Natsu's first time being penetrated. It was Gray's first time making love to someone he deeply care for.

Gray saw the way Natsu's face turned red, and he found himself blushing as well. What a thing to say! But it was true. He had felt that way from the moment he realized their make-out on the couch was leading to sex. He knew this was not just another romp on the bed. He would be making love for the first time in his life.

"Natsu..." He leaned in to give him a sensual kiss and whispered hotly as their lips gently caressed together. "I love you, Natsu. My dragon."

Natsu felt his chest tighten as he tried to hold back tears of happiness. "I love you, too. Always. I need you." He reached out and held Gray's cheek. "Damn, I need you!"

Gray smiled and smugly replied, "Can't live without me, huh?"

Natsu playfully slapped Gray's ass. "Shut up."

They both chuckled as they leaned in again for a kiss.

Natsu felt more happy than any other time in his life. He was a bonded mate now, and his mate was none other than Gray Fullbuster, the one who claimed him as his dragon!