The Dragon's Mark

How Could They Not Hook Up?

Later, On The Train:

Natsu quietly moaned and pressed his face to the cool window. Lucy began to feel sorry for him, as she always did when he was this way, and started rubbing his back, her hand unconsciously making small circles. This made Natsu give a quiet sigh as he closed his eyes. He shifted and soon had his head in her lap. "Don't stop," he whispered as her hand paused when he changed positions. She continued to rub his back, not looking at him as she listened to Erza's speculations of the mission ahead. Grey and Erza glanced at Natsu, then up at Lucy, whose face was slightly pink with the attention. However, this was not a new position for the celestial mage and fire dragon slayer, as there had been other times he had traveled and suffered motion sickness. Natsu began to quietly snore and his body relaxed.

"Ew! You don't think he's going to drool on you again, do you Lucy?" asked Happy from his seat on top of Natsu's hip. Lucy sighed and decided to ignore the cat's comment and focus her full attention on Erza. Although she liked to complain and do the "why me" when Natsu did this, she secretly enjoyed the fact that he felt so comfortable with her. After all the times they had worked together and he had saved the day in his own awkward, immature way, it was something so little she could do for him.

"As I was saying," Erza continued, giving Happy a glare for interrupting her, "I spent the time after packing seeing if I could find out more about this mission and our client." Grey and Lucy exchanged a small grin. Erza was known to overpack for every mission and for this one, she had traveled "light" - only 5 suitcases. No wonder she had extra time! Lucy secretly thought she kept her bags packed for any type of mission since no matter how much she brought, she was usually the first to meet the group.

"It seems," she continued, ignoring the exchange between Grey and Lucy which she had noticed, "that our client is a very wealthy businessman and farmer. He owns quite a spread and this creature is attacking his fields and only his fields. Every neighbor of his has not complained of any destruction. I'm thinking it might be a competitor or someone who simply does not like this man. We'll learn more once we question our client."

The train gave a sudden lurch as it stopped at their station. Natsu rolled off Lucy's lap and onto the floor with a loud thump. Grey burst out laughing while a sleepy Natsu looked around to see what had happened. "Nice job, flame brain," he snorted. Grey made sure to "accidentally" kick Natsu in the side as he stepped over him to get to the aisle of the train. Natsu gave a low growl but his reflexes were slow, so that the hand he used to grab Grey's leg instead grabbed Erza's. One death glare from Erza and Natsu squeaked, removing his hand quickly and muttering an apology.

Lucy sighed and gathered her things and held out her hand to help Natsu up. "Come on big boy. Time to get off the train."

He grasped her hand, grateful. "At least someone has some manners around here," he muttered to Grey and Erza's backs.

Happy fluttered around the group, preferring to fly rather then walk, as they made their way to the hotel Erza had booked. As they stood in front of the building, she looked at her group.

"I was only able to secure two rooms this time. Every hotel is booked thanks to a festival that is starting tonight. Grey and Natsu and Happy will share one room, Lucy and I the other."

"No way am I spending the night in a room with popsicle boy!" growled Natsu, giving Grey a slight shove.

"Hey!" Grey retorted, shoving Natsu back, "Who says I want to share a room with a hothead like you anyway?"

Erza sighed and rubbed her head. "Fine then. Each room has two beds, I was told. Grey, you can room with me and Natsu, Lucy, and Happy can share a room."

"What?" Lucy cried, blushing. "Why do I have to share a room with Natsu?"

"You're already used to sharing the same bedroom, so why is this any different?" Erza explained matter of factly. Lucy's blush deepened and Natsu even had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Come on, Luce, it won't be so bad," Natsu grinned. "We can play tricks on Happy when he goes to sleep."

"Hey!" Happy protested. "Erza, I'm rooming with you and Grey!'

Erza tried not to let her smile show. This was working out perfectly. Surely she would win the Guild bet about the two mages since her chosen day was coming up soon. The two of them, being alone in a room together, how could they not hook up?