Chapter 3
After Levy had left Sabertooth that night, Rogue had tried to leave to his room to pack in peace, but Sting had followed. Rogue sat Frosh on the bed so he could hop down and move to his little dresser in a corner of the room and pack his own bag.
"So you wanna tell me what you're planning?" The blonde dragon slayer said as they entered the stone brick room that belonged to Rogue. Sting moved to lean against Rogue's neatly organized desk along the wall with the door and watch his brother move to his closet, which was on one side of his dresser and the door to the private bath on the other. Rogue's headboard to his bed was in the middle of wall across from the dresser, a small bedside table, and a bookshelf on the wall next to the balcony windows so his room made a U-shape in the free space. The shadow mage pulled out his mission duffel bag and threw it on his bed and shrugged to his brother.
"I'm planning on helping Levy with this mission." Rogue replied as he started to go through his clothes, pulling out things he would need as he heard Sting snort.
"Smartass. It's not everyday you agree to go on a mission with anyone. She somebody?" Sting crossed his arms over his chest. He loved that Rogue was most comfortable around him to talk about anything, but he hadn't said anything about making a new friend recently. The Light Dragon Slayer recognized the girl from the night before outside of Fairy Tail and from seeing her and Rogue talking briefly at the Grand Ball, but he hadn't been introduced to her until tonight.
Rogue paused packing for a moment before he placed a few folded shirts in his bag.
"No. We've barely talked," he started before he looked up at the guild master and gave him a slight smile, " but she asked for Sabertooth's help."
Sting returned the smiled and gave Rogue a nod as he moved to help Frosh put a few of the frog suits he laid out into his small backpack.
"There's something your not telling me."
There was a long moment of silence as Rogue zipped up his bag and placed it on his desk for in the morning.
"It's hard to tell you, when I don't even know myself." Rogue spoke in a voice he knew Sting would hear. There was something that he was missing, something about Levy that he just couldn't place his finger on. He felt it the night before and when she came up to him at the bookstore, something that he needed to know.
Rogue was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a hand clasp his shoulder, looking over he saw Sting with a wide grin.
"Just do your best to make Sabertooth proud. And try not to let her get hurt. I wanna see Natsu again, but we just rebuilt." Sting said before he started out the door and back down to the guild. Rogue nodded before he closed the door and got Frosh and himself ready for bed, what few hours he was going to sleep.
…...
The next morning came early for Levy, who from her excitement did not fall asleep as soon as she had planned. Her thoughts about what the mission could hold, the possible languages the writings could be in, and what they could be up against kept her awake for a couple of hours until she had decided that she wouldn't be able to actually know until her, Rogue, and Frosh had arrived. It didn't take long for her thoughts to move to the Sabertooth guild member after that.
Levy didn't really know Rogue well, and she had invited him on a mission that was important to her. It wasn't like she had many options, but at the same time she had approached him so easily after seeing him in the bookstore, especially after seeing him outside Fairy Tail the night before. That night it seemed pretty obvious that he barely remembered her, and hardly remembered their time together at the Grand Ball, but Levy soon decided that was alright with her. With that thought, Levy had finally fell asleep, only for her alarm to go off a short four hours later.
After finally dragging herself from the warm covers, Levy dressed in her orange dress that had two red stripes running down it, matching sleeves, black leggings with red ankle boots, and a yellow headband before grabbing her bags next to the door and happily leaving for the mission.
…...
Though she was short, it didn't take Rogue and Frosh long to spot the bluenette in bright orange standing next to two bags near the ticket center of Hargeon Train Station as they walked through the arched entryway towards her direction. Frosh, wearing a pale blue frog suit instead of his usual pink and a small gray backpack, excitedly ran ahead of Rogue towards Levy, who happily picked up the exceed and gave him a hug.
"Good morning! I'm glad y'all made it." She greeted as she looked up to Rogue's uncovered red eye. She reached into her pocket and pulled out three tickets. "The mayor we're meeting took care of the fares after Mira called him last night. So we should be okay to board, if you are ready."
"Did you carry those all the way from Fairy Hills?" Rogue asked, noticing a duffel that looked more square than round and assumed it must've been her book collection she was known for carrying and the other backpack that was half the duffel's size that must've been her clothes.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I don't have a cart like Erza, or as much stuff, but I just brought what I needed." Levy smiled. Her reply caused a rare (public) chuckle and small smile from Rogue who moved to grab both her bags and throw them over his free shoulder.
"Okay. Let's go." He said and started towards their boarding station as she began to protest, but stopped when she realized it was pointless to argue with any dragonslayer when they have made up their mind.
They boarded the train without any issues, getting their own cart towards the back of the train since they were wizards on a mission, and placed their luggage away. Levy sat Frosh down on one of the seats before she sat next to him, leaving the seat across open for Rogue. She pulled out one of her novels as he sat down, crossing his arms and looking out the window.
…...
Levy hadn't realized that the train had been moving for almost two hours now. The conductor had just made an announcement over the intercom lacrama that the train was delayed for a couple hours right before she opened her novel. Frosh had decided to bring a coloring book and stayed occupied with that for a while, and Rogue had took the opportunity to go get something from the dining cart for them. Her muffin still sat untouched beside her but her water was now empty, making her look up from her book to notice the early afternoon light, a napping Frosh, and a very uncomfortable silent Rogue. She took in his gruff posture, slouching into the cushions, his hair covering both of his eyes and half of his face. His arms were still crossed and he was leaning against the window. Then, it dawn on her.
Levy quickly shifted through her purse next to her before she took out her light pen. She scribbled in the air, causing a curious Rogue to try to move to look at her (a failed attempt) before a rush breeze of magic hit his face, blowing his hair out of his eye before he started to regain himself.
After a moment, Rogue managed to sit up and look at Levy. She was holding her pen and watching him curiously.
"Thank you." He said quietly, receiving a smile and a sigh of relief. "What was that?"
"Its a temporary cure. Wendy and I were able to work together to find a motion sickness cure that would work for Dragon Slayers without her magic. After figuring out how her powers were able to help Natsu the few times it worked, we wanted to be able to help Gajeel and Laxus with their sickness. So far, I guess it's safe to say Wendy is the only one motion sickness doesn't effect." Levy stated as she put her pen away. "It'll last a few hours, and we haven't perfected it so that I can do it every time, but eventually we want it to be a simple process that anyone can learn that bit of script magic just by having a light pen."
"That is truly brilliant." Rogue said in awe. He hadn't felt this good on a moving object in so long that he always opted out of any transportation unless it was absolutely necessary. "Again, thank you. Due to the delay, we won't be getting to town til after dark anyway. I'm glad the conductor sent word ahead for us, but I was not too thrilled about having to take the longer route." Rogue stood and stretched slightly before he moved to the bag storage by the door and rummaged through his bag.
"I'm going to the dining car to get another drink. Want to come?" Levy asked as she stood and stretched as well, grabbing her book and putting a pillow next to Frosh.
"Sure." Rogue accepted her offer as he pulled a book out of his own, one that had she had seen him get the day before at the book store. They left their room and headed down the hall to the dining car.
"So what reading material peaks the interest of the Shadow Dragon Slayer?" Levy asked, wanting to get to know Rogue more.
"I had to pick up a copy of Eastern Romanian Language. I'm hoping that after I've managed to learn Eastern Romanian, I'll finally be able to translate and understand the final chapter of Historian Runes." Rogue's reply made Levy smile, not expecting an answer like that.
"That would make sense, but you need Atlantean Translations not Romanian." Levy stated, walking slightly ahead of Rogue as she already knew what he was talking about. "I can let you borrow my copy and help if you'd like. Why does a Dragon Slayer want to learn about runes?"
"Why does anyone want to learn anything? Knowledge is a magical power on its own." Rogue smirked to himself as he saw Levy's confidence grow when she talked about a subject she loved, and he gave her a honest to himself answer.
Levy smiled even brighter at hearing Rogue's words. His answer was so similar to her own whenever someone asked her why she chose script magic and she was glad to be carrying on a conversation with him that gave her the opportunity to know who Rogue of Sabertooth was.
The two mages had a feeling that after this mission, they would both be leaving with a new friend.
…...
By the time the train arrived at Shirotsume, night had fallen and the cobblestone streets were lit outside lamps. Rogue, carrying the bags, and Levy, carrying Frosh, walked down the streets, passing several store fronts, cafes, and diners – those of which had closed their doors due to the threats around their town. Levy stopped along the edge of an alley and peered down the dimly lit space.
Rogue stopped a few feet ahead of her and turned back, not sensing anything in the alley and not hearing anything around them aside the few towns people that chose to be in town during this time. Levy didn't stop long before she rejoined Rogue and motioned for him to continue on their path.
Soon, they reached City Hall and the receptionist, a small, dark skinned, lady with a short auburn bob cut, named Mrs. Clover led them to the meeting office. There they met with Mayor Eskridge, who was known for stepping down from her position as a council commander to help better this town. She had succeeded for many years and that's why now it tore her apart to see her town closing their doors and hiding in fear once again.
After telling them everything that she could, which wasn't much more than she had told Mira about, Mayor Eskridge gave them directions to the hotel where they would be staying and wished them an easy night's rest before letting them go.
…...
Levy sighed as they finally reached the doors to the hotel, Frosh sitting on her shoulders. It had been a great day talking to Frosh and Rogue during the rest of the train ride and now they had the start of their mission officially beginning in the morning, but for now she was exhausted and ready for bed.
Rogue had went to check them in and led her up the stairs to the floor where their room was. He moved to unlock the door and pushed it open before moving to let her enter first. Levy nodded and walked in, setting Frosh down on a sofa near the door before disappearing through the first door that Rogue assumed was the bathroom.
He walked in and placed their bags on the sofa next to Frosh before flipping on a light and looking around the room. The sofa was next to the door with the bathroom on the other side. A nice side dresser was on the wall to his left, a concrete balcony across from him, and, in the middle of the room, one king size bed.
It was true that he hadn't thought twice when the receptionist only handed him one key, him and Sting usually shared a room on missions anyway, but he thought there would be two beds. Before Levy had come out of the bathroom, he was already down the hallway and halfway down the stairs, going to talk to the receptionist. When he returned, Rogue had a defeated look and a slight blush on his face.
"Sorry for leaving without saying anything. I went to go sort out the room situation." He said as he entered, seeing Frosh already out of his frog suit and her two bags put away.
"It's okay, I figured you didn't want to share a room with me anyway." Levy's voice came from the bathroom where the door was ajar. Rogue could hear the sink running, her words making his face feel warm.
"Th-That's not what I meant. I went to go see about a room with two beds!" He said quickly as he started to put his clothes in the half of the dresser Levy had left empty and open for him, grabbing some clothes to sleep in as well.
"Oh! So its that you don't want to share my bed." Levy said quickly, giggles coming from the bathroom filling Rogue's ears. His face darkened more than he had control over at that moment.
"No! I mean- Thats not what I meant! I'll take the couch." Rogue could barely speak he was flustered so bad as even more giggles came from the bathroom before the water shut off.
"I know, Rogue. Relax, I was just joking. Besides, we're both consenting adults." Levy started as she opened the bathroom door, revealing she was ready for bed in her matching yellow tanktop and shorts. "We can sleep in the same bed and it not mean anything. If it makes you any more comfortable, Frosh will sleep in the middle and I won't even take up one-fourth of the bed." She smiled before walking past him so he could have access to the bathroom.
Rogue was trying hard not to be embarrassed before he reluctantly agreed. However, he had not been expecting his best friend to get so excited about his hesitant acceptance.
"Yay! Sleeping together! Rogue-kun, Levy-San sleeping together!" Frosh cheered, a little too loudly as he jumped from the sofa to the bed, making Levy burst into a fit a laughter and Rogue rush into the bathroom, closing the door quickly and groaning to himself at the embarrassment that was just caused to him. After a second, he released a sigh before he, too, chuckled at the scene that had just happened.
It didn't take long for Rogue to change into his sleep pants. He couldn't stand to sleep in many clothes as most dragon slayers had naturally high body temperatures. He exited the bathroom and put his dirty clothes away before looking at Levy, who was sitting on the side of the bed beside the windows and balcony, reading her novel as Frosh laid beside her, already asleep. Rogue move to the other side of the bed, nearest the sofa, and moved to sit under the covers as Levy placed her book on the nightstand beside her.
"Are you sure you're okay with this, Levy?" Rogue asked as she turned out the light.
"Hm? Yeah," Levy said as she moved to lay down on her side, facing the windows. "It's not like it's the first time. Goodnight, Rogue."
"Goodnight, Levy." Rogue watched her in the dark with his heightened sense as she laid down for the night before he copied her. Her words repeated in his head as he laid awake, hearing her breathing quickly drop to the quiet, steady sound of sleep. He eventually figured she meant that this wasn't the first time she's had to share the bed during a mission before he rolled to his side and finally managed to fall asleep.
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