Lucy stood in front of the mission board, studying the various flyers. The guild was slowly filling up with the usual suspects. It was getting close to rent day and she needed a good paying job that could be finished quickly.
"What's up Luce?" Natsu peered over her shoulder. "Didja find one with bandits for me to fight? How about something with monsters?"
The blonde celestial mage allowed a frown to cross her face. "I was thinking of going solo this time Natsu. My rent is due and you know the destruction you cause eats into the bottom line."
"Yeah, you know, I am hungry. Let's get breakfast and talk about our next mission." Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand and dragged her away from the board and towards the bar. "Hey, Mira! We'll have two breakfast specials!"
"Coming right up!" Mira chirped. She looked at Lucy's glowering expression. "What's going on with you Lucy?"
Lucy extracted her hand from Natsu's grasp. She sat down and crossed her arms. "Well, I was thinking of going solo on my next mission and this flame-brain can't get it through his skull. Damages always seem to pile up and it costs me lots of jewels, jewels I need to pay my rent."
Natsu had been looking at Lucy with his fang tipped grin. As she spoke the happy light filling his eyes dimmed. Man, I just want to help... He shifted uncomfortably on his bar stool. "Lucy, I promise no destruction this time. Dragon scout promise!"
Mira placed their servings in front of them. "A promise is a good start, but how about a bet?" She clapped her hands and slyly grinned. "You have to bet each other something important to keep you from breaking the promise."
"Why do I have to promise anything? I don't create havoc and wreck everything!" Lucy toyed with her food.
That's not strictly true Luce. You wreck my concentration ALL the time - right now your short skirt and long lacy socks are... Natsu looked into Lucy's deep brown eyes, "I think a bet is the way to go. I will prove to you that I can keep from destroying things. Matter of fact, I know what I want when I win. You will let me sleep in your bed anytime I want - and no complaining."
The barmaid giggled as Lucy flushed and clenched her fists. "You sleep with me all the time whether I want you to or not! You're always sneaking in late at night! Baka!"
"Oi! I don't think you kept listening! The important part is the no complaining!" The dragon slayer was very pleased with his portion of the bet. "Your bed is super soft. Kinda like you, squishy and smells good."
Mira hid a grin as Lucy began to grind her teeth and Natsu just sat there eating his food oblivious to her fuming. "Lucy, I think you need to accept this challenge and I know just what you should bet against him."
Lucy made eye contact with Mira. "I'm listening..."
Mira fiendishly grinned and said, "It's pretty simple. If he can't keep from destroying property, Natsu will be responsible for your rent! It's a win-win! Either which way, your rent will be paid for! I know the perfect job for you guys to take." She reached under the counter and slapped down a new mission. "It pays 200,000 jewels and should only take a few days. There's a small gang of bandits terrorizing a small village with a beautiful hot spring."
Mira and the blonde exchanged evil smiles. "It sounds super! A short mission, a stay at a hot spring and Natsu pays my rent! Oh, I love hot springs. I wonder if they have a spa, and room service..."
"Hey, why do you assume I'm gonna lose the bet?" Natsu was indignant.
Lucy and Mira exchanged incredulous looks and then burst out in giggles. "Oh, that's rich! I can prove you're destructive with one easy request." Mira rummaged behind the bar and mixed a cocktail. She settled it in front of Natsu and brandished a match. "Ok, light this for me."
Swoosh! Mira watched the fireball ignite the match and glass of booze simultaneously. The high octane drink blazed so high it threatened to combust the timbers of the ceiling. Lucy stumbled off her barstool, worried that the bar maid would be incinerated with the beverage. Natsu's cocky smile dropped and became sickly.
Calmly, Mira smothered the fiery drink. "This is how I know Lucy is going to win." She made shooing motions with her hands. "You need to go and pack. Those bandits aren't going to catch themselves!"
Levy walked up to the bar after Natsu and Lucy left the guild still bickering. "Why are you so pleased with them taking this mission?"
The white-haired woman allowed her small smile to widen. "Well, I may have forgotten to tell them it's a love hot-spring." She twittered and rubbed her hands like a B rated movie villain. "Their babies will be so cute! Hey, there's another new mission I haven't posted just yet...I think it's perfect for you and Gajeel's skills."
The petite blue haired girl's smile faltered as the considerable power of the match-making demon focused on Levy. "Um, ah, ah..." she stuttered. "I'm a go now! Bye!" Levy turned and dashed away. Flustered she ran with her head down and smacked into Gajeel and Lily.
"Oi, shrimp! What's got your panties in a twist?" The iron dragon slayer smirked.
She blushed and stammered, "Ah, n-n-n-nothing! Just in a hurry, so please excuse me."
Lily and the dragon slayer exchanged glances as Levy scurried off. "Gajeel, you let another perfect chance slip through your fingers. The next time she runs into you, you should 'fall' over and enjoy some full body contact."
A semi-evil smile grew on the metal festooned man's face. "You're right. Ghee hehehe! I'm glad you're my cat!"