"Rogue, I'm thinking we should pay a visit to the fairies!"

Yukino excitedly clapped her hands in front of her. "That's a wonderful idea! Juvia, when do you leave for Magnolia? We should all go together."

Juvia looked at Rogue. He was quietly leaning on the bar next to Sting.

"Um, tomorrow morning, I guess."

She saw Rogue look away, the ghost of smile on his lips.

He wasn't particularly excited about having to ride a train just to visit the fairies but... another day with Juvia, he found himself looking forward to it.

"Great!" Yukino celebrated. "I'll ask around, see who else wants to come."

With that she bounced away to different groups. Sting followed her enthusiastically. Rogue took the newly opened seat next to Juvia and waved the bartender over.

"What are you in the mood for?"

If that had been Gray she would be all over him, pampering him with sweets and un-returned kisses. However, she didn't feel the need to do that with Rogue. She thought about earlier. Gray would've called her a weirdo if it had been his cape. Rogue just... accepted it. It confused her. He confused her.

She gave him a timid smile. "Anything will do. Juvia isn't- I mean, I'm not a picky eater."

Embarrassed to have messed up again she looked down at her hands. He held two fingers up and nodded at the girl behind the bar.

"You don't have to do that, you know." His eyes examined her curiously.

"What?"

"Correcting yourself, I mean."

She looked up at him, meeting his eyes.

"I don't want to be more of an embarrassment to my friends than I already am."

His eyes softened slightly.

"Why would you think you're an embarrassment to them?"

She looked back at her hands and shrugged.

An honest voice pulled her attention back to his eyes. "If you were my friend, I'd want you to be happy being yourself."

She smiled brightly and he couldn't help but give her a smile back.


Yukino tapped the back of her hand to Sting's chest.

"What is it?" he asked her, slightly bothered that she interrupted him. She motioned her head at Rogue and Sting followed her chin to him. He looked back at Yukino and they shared a wicked smile. This will be a fun trip, Sting thought.

Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones to notice the change in the shadow dragon. Amy slithered her way to Minerva's side.

"I'd love to join you guys on your trip tomorrow," a fake smile plastered on her face. Minerva eyed her questioningly.

"Is that so? How come?"

"I've just heard soooo many stories about the wonderful Fairy Tail. It'd be a pleasure to meet them!"

Minerva had a bad feeling about it, but Amy was her guild mate. She had no reason to deny her the trip.

"Very well, then. We're leaving by train tomorrow."

"Perfect!"

Amy turned to leave, her expression souring now that no one could see it. Rogue. Is. Mine.


"Thank you for the food, Rogue."

"Any time. I'm sorry about my guild mates... they lose control easily."

Juvia smiled. Sting had gotten drunk and started a fight with Rufus over something silly before she had even finished her rice. That started a guild-wide fight, with everyone breaking tables, opening holes in the walls and food flying everywhere.

"It's okay. Fairy Tail is not exactly the poster-guild for manners and etiquette. "

She chuckled at her own comment and he gave her a half-smile.

She stood there for a second later before turning to open her door. Rogue understood her hesitation. He didn't want to say goodnight either.

"So, uh, goodnight, Rogue."

"Goodnight, Juvia."

Rogue arched an eyebrow at her when she didn't step in and close the door.

"So...?"

She blushed. Unsure of herself she took a small step towards him. He followed her with his eyes as she raised herself on her toes and her face neared his. His heart was pounding hard in his chest but he felt as if the world had slowed down. He noticed her long lashes were actually the darkest blue instead of black. Her head tilted slightly to the left and those lashes came to rest on her cheekbones.

He finally let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding when her soft lips passed his own and met with his cheek. She stayed there another second enjoying how he didn't pull away as Gray had done so many times.

When she finally retreated she searched his eyes. He swallowed thickly.

"Will you come tomorrow?"

Her voice was soft with a hint of fear. Why would she be afraid of me now but not before? Rogue asked himself.

"Definitely."

She bit the side of her bottom lip when she nodded, a blush appearing on her cheeks. She stepped back and started closing the door. He turned to leave and she caught his last words for the night before the door fully closed.

"I hope my cape smells of you when I get it back tomorrow."


The group that ended up meeting at the train station consisted of Rogue, Sting, Yukino, Minerva, Amy, Rufus and Orga. The twin dragon slayers had gloomy expressions.

"I wish Lector was here," whined Sting.

"I wish Frosch was here," echoed Rogue.

The two furry companions had caught the exceed equivalent of a cold the night before and had to stay home resting, much to the dragon slayers' despair.

Yukino rubbed circles on Sting's back. "Aw, it's okay. You can lean on me if the train makes you sick again."

Sting brightened up some and gave his girlfriend a hug.

Rogue looked at his feet. Amy approached him. This is my chance. She saw him lift his head and look in her direction. She smiled at him and his frown disappeared.

"Hey, guys. I got a little lost, sorry!"

Amy looked behind her to see a blue-haired running at them. Not her again!

Rogue had been feeling pretty crappy about the upcoming train ride until he looked up and saw Juvia coming... wearing his cape around her shoulders.

"It's okay. I'm glad you made it. Oh-watch out," he caught her right before she hit the floor.

Amy rolled her eyes. Alright, so tripping her into his arms wasn't the best idea.

Rogue held Juvia in his arms. The magic was broken by a loud cough and they looked at where it came from.

"We should start boarding now before the good seats are taken," Amy said annoyingly.

The pair straightened out.

"Thank you for catching me."

"Always."

He reached for her bags and she let him take them. Always, she replayed his voice in her head.

"Nice outfit, by the way." He gave her a playful smile.

"Why, thank you," she replied with a knowing smile.

Against Amy's best efforts, Juvia and Rogue ended up sitting together. Damn Orga and his need to be by the emergency exit.

The second the train started moving any sign of happiness was wiped off Rogue's face.

"Motion sickness?"

He managed a weak nod at her question. Burying his face in his hands, he let out a sad grunt. I'm so pathetic.

Juvia felt bad for him. She understood how inconvenient traveling was for dragon slayers. She had gone on missions with team Natsu since joining Fairy Tail, and also traveled many times with her best and oldest friend Gajeel. Motion sickness was a dragon slayer's only, permanent, weakness.

Her hand gently rested on his shoulder. She whispered so only he could hear.

"Would you feel better if you lied down? Juvia wouldn't mind being your pillow..."

His body carefully shifted. His long legs bent over the seat and he scooted towards the window so his torso would fit on the seat. She helped him ease back and cradled his head on her lap. Giving him a soft smile her hand caressed his hair. His breathing evened out, his head unconsciously leaned into her palm. After a couple minutes he felt well enough to open his eyes.

When he spoke his voice was frail. "Thank you."

"Feeling better?"

"Yes." The corner of his mouth began turning up when the train passed over a bump. His eyes squeezed shot and his body curled in itself.

"Shhh," she soothed as she ran her fingers through his soft dark locks.

When he had relaxed again she reached for his clenched fists. He let her fingers trail over his knuckles, her touch warm and soft. He opened his fist to interlock his fingers with hers.

She placed a kiss on his forehead.

This is worth it.