The Dragon's Mark

Don't You Ever Just Crave Privacy?

 "What's wrong, Lulu?" questioned Levy as Lucy stumbled into the Guild Hall and grabbed a seat next to her blue-haired friend. "You look exhausted!"

Lucy stretched out her arms and gave a loud groan. "I don't know how much longer I can take this. Every night, it's the same thing - either he's snoring or it's that damned exceed!"

Levy chuckled. "Problems with Natsu?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Lucy. "Not everything going well in the boyfriend department?"

Lucy blushed. "Levy! You know it's not like that!" She gave a quick look around to make sure no one overheard Levy's comment. Fortunately, the Guild Hall was as noisy as usual and everyone seemed to be paying attention to their own groups. "Ugh. Why me? Why is MY apartment the one with the open door policy. Oh, I'm sorry - the open WINDOW!" she grumbled, correcting herself.

A white-haired mage came into view and laid her hand on Lucy's back. "What's up, Luce? You look like you could use a drink!"

"Lisanna, how could you stand it? Don't you ever just crave privacy?"

Lisanna gave Lucy a puzzled look. "Stand what?"

Levy chuckled. "Troubles with Natsu."

Lisanna put her hand on her hip and gave a low whistle. "What did he do now?" she asked, trying to hide her grin when she met Levy's eyes.

"I haven't had a good night's sleep all week! Every night, if it's not Natsu, it's Happy. I mean, they have a place of their own, right?"

"Right," Lisanna slowly replied. "I know the jobs are slow this time of year," she said, glancing over at the job board. "Are you saying Natsu is staying at your place?"

Lucy frowned at Lisanna. "How did you get rid of him? I mean, I don't mind him visiting, but sleeping on the couch is getting real old."

Lisanna slowly repeated, "How did I get rid of him?" She gave Lucy a strange look. "You say he's SPENDING THE NIGHT at your place? And you're tired of the couch?"

Lucy's frown deepened. "Of course that's what I'm saying - haven't you been listening?!? What did you do when he overstayed his welcome at your place?"

"Um, Lucy," interrupted Levy. "As far as I know....you're the only one who's ever had that problem."

"Yeah," Lisanna agreed. "I mean, I remember how excited Natsu was when he and Happy found their little place and he moved out of the men's dorm. Good thing," she chuckled, "because I think they were ready to kick him out! Remember all the fires he started?" she asked Levy.

Levy nodded. "Lucy, I don't know what to tell you."

"What to tell who?" a deep voice interrupted. Gajeel slid in the booth next to Levy. "What are we talking about?" the dark-haired dragon slayer asked the three girls.

"Lucy can't get Natsu to leave her bed," Levy explained. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what she said and her face reddened almost as much as Lucy's. "I mean...not like that," she stumbled, as Gajeel gave a loud laugh. "He keeps sleeping over at her place and she has to sleep on the couch. THE COUCH," she emphasized, as Gajeel's laughter continued.

"NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YOU PERVERT!" Lucy shouted over Gajeel's laughter. "IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"

Suddenly she realized the whole Guild Hall was silent and everyone was looking in the direction of their booth. "Oh crap!" she moaned and hid her burning face in her hands, letting her head thump loudly on the table.

"Oi, Lucy, better be careful or you'll hurt yourself there!"

As the pink-haired dragon slayer approached the booth, the three other mages muttered excuses and quickly abandoned their friend. Lucy raised her head long enough to glare at each of them. Levy gave an apologetic smile and a thumbs up. "You can do this!" she mouthed to her blonde friend.

"What's up, Lucy?" cried a cheerful voice floating above her head. Happy, the blue exceed, fluttered down to sit on the right side of the table. "Why is your face so red?"

"Just leave me alone to die of embarrassment," muttered Lucy, her voice muffled by her hands and the table.

"Geeze, why the dramatics? "

"Yeah, and why did you leave the apartment so early? Natsu and I didn't even get to have you fix us breakfast!" Happy glanced down as his stomach rumbled.

"Is that all I'm good for, cat?" Lucy raised her head and glared at the two. "Room and board? Don't you have your own house to sleep and eat at?" She gave a huff and stood up, walking over to the job board. Maybe if she stared at it hard enough, the heat from her face would diffuse and her breathing would slow down.

"Why me," she muttered to herself. Lisanna was right. The job board was pretty bare, which was probably why so many mages were hanging out in the Guild Hall this morning.

Back at the table, Natsu watched the blonde celestial mage, a confused expression on his face. "What did I say?" he asked his best buddy, Happy.

Gajeel snorted as he overheard Natsu. Levy quickly stomped on his foot as he opened his mouth to speak.

"What was that for, Shrimp?" he asked her. She glared at him. "Let them work it out. And stop calling me Shrimp!"

"How long are they going to go on like this?" he grumbled to her. "Surely flame-brain and bunny girl aren't that dumb!"

Levy sighed, knowing Gajeel made a point. The whole Guild had a betting pool when the celestial mage and fire dragon would finally admit their feelings for each other. She feared Mira had another one going for when they would "do the deed."

"Just let them figure it out," she sighed again.

Gajeel grinned at her. "Only because your bet isn't until next month, right?"

Levy blushed and smacked Gajeel's arm.