37. Shoulders.

Lucy stumbled a little and paused to redistribute Natsu's weight across her shoulders, eliciting a groan from the poor boy. Luckily, they were neither chasing a dark guild nor running in a building full of steps as they had been the first time Natsu was obliged to use Lucy-transport. Why a single-rail train station needed so many steps Lucy still hadn't figured out (and she knew a thing or two about trains).

But this time the fight was over and while there was no immediate danger to them it was prudent to get as far away from the scene as possible.

Jobs with Natsu tended to end that way. It wasn't usually so bad that even Happy was too fatigued to carry him. It wasn't usually so bad that he couldn't manage himself for that matter, but Lucy soldiered on.

That is to say, Lucy muttered and complained under her breath every step of the way. Until she realised that Happy had dropped off (on top of her head no less) and that Natsu was moaning in the most pitiful way she'd ever heard when a thought occurred and she broke from her grumblings for (an attempt at) conversation.

"Hey, Natsu, I'm a comrade right?" Natsu managed an affirmative grunt "and Happy's a comrade?" another grunt "then why are you okay with him carrying you and not me?"

"S'dif'ret" He slurred in response and Lucy tilted her head to invite elaboration "know 'ow 'e wi-rks."

"How he works?" She asked, making sure she'd translated right and felt Natsu change his grip a little as he nodded cautiously.

"'ix years. E'ry day, hatched… him, fed, 'aught" Natsu paused for a deep breath before continuing "I know… Happy, 'tter 'n' he does."

Lucy considered this and admitted it made sense. If you'd spent every day in one person's company for six years and more you'd know them pretty well. Particularly when that person had initially been completely dependant on you.

She thought about the small cat currently on top of her head and all of the times he'd stuck out a paw to stop her from interfering with whatever Natsu was doing or just to explain the Dragon Slayer's overboard behaviour. Happy knew Natsu just as well: their trust in each other was so complete they probably didn't even need to talk out strategy between themselves anymore. She was the odd factor, never quite able to grasp Natsu's plans (and on a battlefield he has thousands) or Happy's instinct for exactly when to unfurl his wings (and he was always ready to catch his partner).

"I hope you trust me like that someday" She didn't realise she had spoken aloud until she felt Natsu's grip tighten around her

"'rust you Lu'"

"Aye" a quiet voice seconded Natsu's and she realised Happy wasn't as asleep as she'd thought.

"Not the same way."

"We like you though" Happy said, even though Lucy could hear him falling back to sleep with every syllable "got time to… learn" she felt Happy's head collapse against her own again as he dropped back off and Natsu give her a brief squeeze (the closest he could manage to a hug at that moment) to show his agreement.

She smiled and continued on; time to learn. Happy was right, their adventures together were only just beginning.