A/N: huzzah, another update! Hope everyone enjoys ~ more shenanigans coming up in further chapters.
Lucy was thankful the four hour train ride was over. She was sure the conductor, other travellers and the rest of the squad were appreciative as well. Natsu had been a terrible passenger. Not only was his green complexion, gagging and incessant complaining off-putting; but he'd incorporated glaring at every man, woman and child that dared glance at her into his routine.
Levy had somewhat enjoyed the ride. Gajeel had sat next to her without prompting and slouched over to land his head in her lap. Levy had tuned out his low level moans and groans. She'd cosseted and petted his hair without a single complaint from the slayer. Levy decided the dents from his metal studded face against four hours of closeness were a bargain.
Gray had made a bee-line for the farthest corner from where Natsu and Lucy had settled. Juvia had thought to sit next to Levy, but Gray signalled her over. She had been wreathed in smiles until he made a snide comment about his desire to beat the other two couples into the pavement. She'd sat next to Gray in silence for the majority of the ride until pangs of hunger stirred.
Juvia moved to the other side of Levy after sharing her food. They kept up a quiet conversation as they watched Natsu rub his face into Lucy's lap and rumble from deep in his throat at the occasional passer-by. Lucy didn't seem to notice the proprietary way he clutched her skirt. The two blue-haired girls observed this and gossiped over every move made by the slayer.
Their destination was announced and they got ready to step off the train. Lucy first, her still groaning partner leaning on the blonde. Juvia, Levy who assisted Gajeel, then Gray and Happy brought up the rear. Happy shot into the air as soon as he could, flying circles around everyone. More people spilled out of the train, but were careful to leave a wide swath around the mages.
The platform rapidly emptied. Happy flew higher, scouting the lay of the land. He yelled loud and dove towards Natsu. "The resort is over there!" He settled on his customary perch and gave directions.
The resort town was bustling. Tourists abounded everywhere a person could look. There were people with families, childless couples, groups of young adults. They were all looking for the good time to be had at Happy Fun-time Land. The resort by the sea offered an amazing water park, child friendly rides, adult night clubs and an astounding spread of food.
Feeling recovered from the train, Natsu linked hands with Lucy and set off at a brisk pace. "You want me to take your bag too?"
Natsu's solicitous tone made Lucy smile. "If you want to, sure."
He accepted the piece of baggage and slung it over a shoulder, still holding onto her hand. "There's a lot of stuff I want to do."
Did he just wink? The blonde stopped walking and gaped at Natsu. His voice had sounded kind of suggestive. Had the hours on the train where she'd relived her latest dream smut addled her brain? Did she imagine him licking his lips just now? He kept going and tugged on her hand to get her moving again. "C'mon, I'm hungry!"
The shoulder angel and devil let out identical 'oohs' of disappointment. Whispering to each other, they sat and watched Natsu, waiting. They had high hopes for shenanigans. If Natsu didn't instigate any, they'd assist Lucy with loosening her inhibitions.
The whole group made good progress towards the resort. The auras being projected by the males kept everyone from their path.
Gray walked behind everyone else. He was feeling a bit weird just watching Juvia chatting with Levy and Gajeel. The water mage was smiling, sharing anecdotes. It felt like she had more of a connection with her other friends than with him. Some of the ice over Gray's heart shifted. He rubbed his chest vowing he'd try harder to share of himself with the woman he could finally admit was becoming all too important.
Gray called, "wait a minute Juvia!"
Juvia stood still and watched the two couples enter the resort. She turned around to meet Gray's eyes. She watched his expression change from sombre to sheepish.
"Juvia, can we talk?" He swallowed nervously.
"Yes?" She tilted her head a little bit to the side and her slight smile gave Gray the courage he needed.
"After we get settled with our rooms, let's meet up. I need to," he stumbled over his words, "uh, get some stuff off my chest," his composure ran from him and he mumbled the rest. "I just need to tell you something."
"Juvia will talk with Gray whenever he likes," she said smiling. "The resort is grand and imposing." The water mage looked at the ornate facade of the building and trailed a hand over the decorated wall. "The architecture is elegant."
Gray nodded, unsure of what to answer. Why was she so interested in an inanimate pile of bricks and mortar? Juvia and Gray continued into the hotel proper. They watched their group converse with the concierge.
Lucy explained they were there for the magazine shoot. The well dressed hotel worker nodded and smiled. "I have copies of your schedule. You'll be sharing one of our deluxe suites." He flipped open a folder and withdrew some papers. "I'll need some signatures and then I can hand out some key-cards."
Natsu frowned, "that's not gonna cut it. Lucy eats a lot, we're gonna need separate sweets just for her."
"S-u-i-t-e, it means a group of rooms. We'll each have our own bedrooms but a common living area so we can hang out." Lucy gave Natsu a displeased look, "and I do not eat that many sweets!"
Happy chortled, "yes you do! Almost as much as greasy food!"
Lucy took a step towards the flying cat with the intent to pull his whiskers. He giggled more and zoomed higher.
The concierge gave a professional smile and tapped his name tag. "My name is Xavier and I'll be available for any questions you may have." He circled the location of the suite and drew a path from the lobby to the rooms on a disposable map. "All our deluxe rooms are on the top floor. Please enjoy your stay."
Gajeel rolled his eyes and scrawled his name on the indicated form then took a set of key cards. He leered at Levy. "Let's go and claim the nicest room."
Levy giggled and took a copy of the schedule, the iron dragon slayer hurrying behind her as they hustled to the elevator. Gajeel's distinctive 'Gi he he' echoed in the lobby.
Juvia gave an uncertain smile to Gray, "Juvia did not think about sharing a room." She toyed with the paper Xavier pushed over to her and watched Gray sign his name with a flourish and accept the key cards.
"It's not a big deal. This is publicity for couples, of course they'd expect us to sleep together."
"..." Juvia blushed a deep shade of red, unable to reply.
Natsu grinned and nodded, "yeah, I bet the beds here are almost as nice as Lucy's! I can't wait to try it out!"
Gray amended his words, "I mean they'd expect us to share a room."
Lucy put a comforting hand on Juvia's shoulder. "No one is going to force you to share with Gray."
"Juvia is not going to let Love Rival share with Gray." The bluenette seemed to have glazed eyes. "Juvia is delighted to share with Gray." She snatched a copy of the hotel map and dragged the Ice Mage to the bank of elevators.
Lucy gave a sickly smile to the just as painfully smiling concierge. She scrawled her name on the proffered paper and accepted the map and room cards. Happy and Natsu followed her without comment.
The tenth floor of the hotel was even more impressive than the lobby. The carpet was thick and in pristine condition, the hallways all had crown moulding and the light fixtures were expensive. Natsu grinned and strode past Lucy. "Fighting over the rooms is stupid. Who cares what they look like? First thing I'm gonna do is test out our bed."
The blonde nearly dropped her satchel. Had Natsu said 'the bed' or 'our bed'? Why did that matter to her and did his voice get deeper just then?
The slayer held out his hand.
Lucy stared blankly at him.
"I need the key card to get into the suite Lucy."
Happy decided to hover a bit higher and giggled, "Lucy is fantasizing about sweets!"
"I wasn't thinking about sweets, you flying flea bag." Lucy gave the card to Natsu who opened the door.
"Then what were you fantasizing about?" Happy flew inside first. "Wow! This is so much nicer than your apartment Lucy!" Awed by the giant lacrimavision set, the exceed abandoned his teasing of Lucy to covetously stroke the remote for it.
The deluxe suite was indeed deluxe. There were three loveseats arranged in front of the entertainment unit. A desk was against the far right wall, a corner sectional on the left with a matching coffee table. To the left of the big screen was a closed door, which presumably held a bedroom. Lucy could see two other matching doors on the left and right walls. Over and up to the right was an arched entryway.
Entranced by the beautiful decor, the blonde dropped her possessions. She walked out and discovered the galley style kitchen. It had a breakfast bar slung against a marble counter with a sink, so people sitting could watch the cook. Lucy noticed the ultra modern fridge and stove, but was drawn to the patio door and went outside. The balcony went as far as the right wall of the kitchen, and continued around the building to the left.
There was a large patio table with six chairs and a sheltering umbrella. She discovered another patio door; this one curtained in deep green. A pair of comfy looking chairs and a small matching table faced outwards. An experimental tug proved the door locked. Lucy shrugged and went around the corner.
Another pairing of chairs padded in dark red with a red lacquered table were set to the side of another patio door. Lucy touched the handle; but before she gripped it fully, it suddenly slid open.
She jumped and clutched her chest. "You scared the ever loving spirits out of me!"
Natsu grinned, "You gotta try the bed! It's freaking amazing!" He pulled Lucy into the bedroom. Her breathing hitched as she imagined how she might try the bed. Flustered, she tried to tug her hand out of her partner's grasp.
"I'm sure it's fine, I don't need to try it right now."
"Well, maybe I think you should!" Without further ado, Natsu caromed onto the bed and pulled Lucy with him. He laughed and tickled her.
Lucy arched and writhed. She clamped her arms down, giggling fit to burst. "Hah, ha - stop it Natsu!"
"Maybe I don't wanna." He redoubled his efforts.
Lucy squirmed more as her best friend's hands wandered from her waist to her armpits. "S-s-stop! Hah ha!"
"What'll you give me if I do?" Natsu kept tickling Lucy.
"I c-c-can't think like this," Lucy gasped, "I'm getting dizzy!"
Natsu stilled his hands. He was crouching overtop of Lucy, his face and hands width away from hers. He repeated his question.
She was breathing a little easier, "um, what do you want?" As soon as she said those words, Lucy felt her pulse speed back up. She blushed harder as she saw a bit of pink rise in Natsu's cheeks. "You're supposed to give me honest communication."
Natsu dropped his gaze to Lucy's mouth. The blonde was certain of this, for his eyes were tracking her tongue as she wet her lips.
His Adam's apple bobbled. "I - I want -"
"Natsu! I want fish!" Happy shouted from the living room. "I saw the most giant fish on the lacrimavision - let's go for lunch!"
"In a minute!" Natsu felt conflicted. He wanted to tell, no - he wanted to show Lucy what he wanted. He'd been so close and now the moment had passed.
The shoulder Angel and Devil grimaced and shook their tiny fists. Thwarted yet again.
In a softer tone, Natsu addressed Lucy. "I want to continue this later."
In the only bedroom without a balcony, Gray and Juvia were unpacking. Juvia was spending an inordinate amount of time watching Gray. This room was painted a blue so pale it was almost white. It held a king-size bed like the other two sleeping chambers, as well as two over-padded chairs that matched the hue of the bedclothes. Juvia took her personal necessities over to the en-suite bathroom, laying them out neatly.
Gray had his own collection of hair grooming products he needed to organize. When he ducked out of the bathroom, he saw Juvia curled up in one of the chairs examining the interview schedule.
"Got a minute?" Gray couldn't help but laugh as his quiet words made Juvia jump and flinch. "Sorry, but did you forget I was here?"
"Juvia could never forget Gray, but she was lost in thought."
Her large blue eyes sparkled. Gray wanted to forget all about having a talk. It would be much more fun to do things that didn't require speaking, but did involve mouths. He would start by kissing her cheek and then move to the pale column of her neck. He'd have to remove Juvia's jacket, but that would be just fine. He'd make it even by getting rid of his shirt - it was already unbuttoned. That would be way more comfortable.
Thinking of comfort, the bed looked soft. They could lounge on the bed. Gray could imagine it clearer than ever. He'd pin Juvia down, his knees on either side of her delicious hips - and he'd taste every inch of her mouth like he'd been doing in his dreams for the longest time.
Juvia's eyes widened and sharpened. She knew that expression on Gray's face. She ought to, she'd worn it around him for a very long time. Gray-sama is having a daydream fantasy right now! "Did Gray want to see the schedule?"
"In a bit," his voice was husky. "Why don't you come over here?" Gray sat on the edge of the bed.
"Juvia is comfortable right here."
"Well, you could be more comfortable next to me."
"Is Gray feeling okay?" Juvia set the paper down on a nearby table. "Is Gray going to give Juvia more training?"
Gray patted the mattress, "er...sure, consider it more training."
Juvia hugged her arms as she stood in front of Gray.
He reached out and grasped her left hand. "Sit down and let's talk."
Unsure of Gray's intentions, Juvia gingerly sat down. He kept hold of her hand, fingers interlocking with hers. Nervousness spawned a flurry of words, "even though the art is the obligatory mass produced hotel art - Juvia finds the quality of furnishings really brings up the tone of the resort. What does Gray think?"
"Eh, why are you so stuck on the design of the hotel?" Gray was confused. "No, never mind that - that's not important." He leaned a little closer to Juvia and tightened his grip. "I want, no I need -"
Happy's shout to Natsu of his need for fish made both mages jerk away from each other. Juvia removed herself from the bed, "sounds like it's time for lunch."
Levy was proving a point to Gajeel. She had him pinned to the bed, holding his wrists over his head with one hand while gripping his chin in her other hand. "Whatcha gonna do now?"
"Why should I do anything?" Gajeel let his gaze roam over Levy's form. "I'm comfortable where I am and the view is tasty. Gi hehe he!"
Rather than scrambling off his body in a panic as he expected her to, Levy gave Gajeel an enigmatic smile. "There's many a reason why you should do something, but what path will you choose?"
He furrowed his brow, "why would I decide all on my own when your wants have to be considered as well?" Gajeel broke Levy's hold on his wrists, rolled onto his side and trapped the petite girl in his arms. "Don't think you're going to do all the deciding either, Shrimp."
Hell fire doesn't shine as bright as Levy's eyes when she's pissed, Gajeel thought. My woman can take what she dishes out.
"Someone has to take charge!" Levy wasn't sure exactly what her game plan was anymore, but surely this part was something she could bullshit. "I've already proven my superior battle tactics and -"
Gajeel silenced Levy with a kiss. He pressed softly on her lips and then drew away, his wine dark eyes watching.
"What was that for?" Levy was two parts irritated and one part turned on. "Don't think you will distract me..." She felt two large hands settle on her buttocks. "...you...c-can't..." Gajeel squeezed. "..."
He smirked and Levy retaliated. Levy slithered her hand over Gajeel's rump and grabbed hold. He's not flustered, I'm going to have to escalate. She squeezed and released and sent her hand over his hip. His breathing sped up a bit and Levy gained courage. Before her brain could deter her, Levy wormed her hand under his pants and boxers to grip his glorious bare ass cheek.
His reaction was all she could have hoped for. His face turned bright red, his eyes went glassy with shock and his damn smirk melted away. Levy released her pent up breaths with a whoosh - and then giggled.
The exceed's loud voice penetrated the walls. "Natsu! I want fish!" Happy shouted from the living room. "I saw the most giant fish on the lacrimavision - let's go for lunch!"
Levy extracted her hand and laughed harder. She looked at the betrayed expression on Gajeel's face and hooted even louder. He scowled, but Levy was way past being intimidated by this.
"Fine," the slayer growled, "we'll go grab lunch." The bed shifted and the springs bounced as Gajeel stood. "I should've brought Lily to keep Happy quiet - I mean, company."
Levy sat cross-legged, now giggling softly. "We can continue this later."
Gajeel didn't bother to turn around to address Levy, but shrugged and grunted a reply. "Yeah, whatever."
Damn right, both semi-frustrated mages thought.
Happy sat and twirled the remote to the giant lacrimavision set. "I'm hungry," he complained out loud.
As if by magic, all three doors to the bedrooms opened at once.
"We know." Lucy answered flatly. She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed.
Natsu walked into her, settled his hands on her hips and hid his broad smile by burying his face into her hair - taking this chance to inhale her fragrance. "Only a weirdo would stop moving in a doorway!" His hands slid down a little bit and pushed her gently forward.
Lucy couldn't help the yelp that escaped her lips.
"Juvia has read the schedule, at lunch we will meet up with the reporter!" Juvia still had remnants of her blush colouring her cheeks and her voice was a bit higher than usual. Gray congratulated himself, assured that he was the reason behind these changes.
"Let's go then." Gajeel sneered at all his companions except Levy. "Me'n'Shrimp are going to wipe the floor with you guys."
Levy shook her head and addressed her friends, "Don't listen to him, we can compete peaceably I'm sure."
Natsu slung his arm around Lucy's neck and shoulder, drawing her in for a hug. "Me'n'Lucy are great at coupling." The blonde remained silent, a bit overwhelmed with the public show of affection. It would have meant more if he was not challenging the other boys. Natsu squeezed and snaked his other arm around and settled his hand on her left hip.
"Hell, is that the first time you've touched Lucy?" Gray scoffed, "You're over-selling it Flame Brain." The ice mage offered his hand to Juvia, "Let's show them how the game is played." Juvia gave Gray a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and accepted his hand.
Natsu curled his lip at Gray who returned the slight by flipping him off and Gajeel rolled his eyes at both males. The girls shared the same exasperated look. Levy pinched Gajeel's bicep. Lucy threatened Natsu with a Lucy-kick. Juvia tugged on Gray's arm and reminded him the reporter was surely waiting. Happy led them out of their set of rooms towards the elevator and lunch.
A/N: I have a list of events/photo opportunities planned, but I welcome more input from any and all reviewers. Don't be shy!