It was around midday when Lucy awoke and realised she had fallen asleep while Laxus was lying down on her lap. Looking down at the still sleeping mage, Lucy studied the dragon slayer closely. He looked so peaceful and younger when sleeping, as if all his worries had drifted away. Bits of hair had fallen towards the middle of his forehead, giving him a slightly boyish look. His nose was straight while his lips were full, above his strong jawline. With gentle fingers, she traced his lightning shaped scar across his right eyebrow. It reminded Lucy sadly of the pain a younger Laxus must have felt, when Ivan forced the dragon lacrima in his eye.

Lifting her hand so she could run her fingers through his hair again, she stopped when she saw a pair of blue eyes studying her just as closely. She had frozen in surprise at the way Laxus was looking at her. He looked at her intently as if she was a puzzle that he needed to solve right away. Lucy swallowed, her mouth suddenly going dry. Her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips, nervously. Laxus' eyes followed the motion and darkened slightly. Seeing his look, Lucy's heart started to hammer in her chest. It was so loud, that even if Laxus had average hearing, Lucy was sure he would have still heard. She watched from above as Laxus lifted his head slightly towards her and waited. Mesmerised, Lucy moved her head down slowly. Their lips were only inches apart when the train gave a sudden big jolt, causing Laxus to fall off their seat, with a hard thump.

"Shit..." the blond dragon slayer swore and groaned in pain when his motion sickness came back with a vengeance.

Lucy hurriedly kneeled down next to Laxus to check if he was okay. "Oh my gosh! Are you alright?"

"Yeah...I just feel sick again." Laxus grumpily admitted, giving another groan. 'Fucking train. Was so close...'

"Here let me help you up and you can lie down again." Lucy pulled him up into a sitting position before half dragging and half carrying the big man back onto their seat. Internally her brain was a jumbled mess. 'Did we..? Kiss? No..Almost... I think... Argh..!'

"Thanks." Laxus muttered queasily. Lucy could see that he was already pale and sweating a little. Deciding that now was not the time, Lucy told her brain to shut up. She'd agonise about what almost happened later.

As soon as Lucy sat down next to him, he plonked his head down on her lap and she instantly started running her hand through his hair again. Laxus let out a pleased hum. "Thanks, Blondie. Feels nice."

His comment gave her a warm feeling inside her chest. 'It's a little scary how comfortable this is. Almost like we've been doing this for years.' she thought. She was happy that she could be of help to the usually aloof mage. Not many could say that they had seen Laxus during a weak moment.

A few silent minutes passed before a load rumble was heard coming from the petite blonde's stomach. Lucy flushed in embarrassment. 'Oh, how mortifying... I was so busy getting ready this morning that I forgot to eat breakfast!'

Hoping that Laxus had fallen asleep again, she peeked down to see him with one eye open, smirking crookedly at her. "Hungry, Blondie? Or was that thunder?"

She stuck out her tongue at him before sheepishly confessing, "Yeah, stupid me. I forgot to eat breakfast this morning."

"Grab my pack. I've got some snacks in there you can munch on." he ordered. 'Can't have my mate going hungry.'

"It's alright. There's usually someone that walks around, selling food. I can pop out for just a few minutes. I shouldn't be long." Lucy didn't want to inconvenience Laxus anymore. He had already paid for her train ticket and now he was insisting she take his food. Besides, she knew how much all dragon slayers ate. 'Natsu and Gajeel eat like it's their last meal. Wendy at least has manners while eating, even though she eats twice as much as I do.'

"You might take too long. Just grab what I have in my bag and eat that, Blondie." he brashly countered. Laxus was worried that if something happened to her, he wouldn't be able to help. Not in the state he was currently.

Getting a little annoyed, Lucy stared down at Laxus and said, "Don't think just cause you're stronger, you can boss me around, Sparky." Lucy may like him but that didn't mean she was going to just let him speak to her like that. "Fine, I'll eat your snacks but I will be replacing them when we get to town. I'm not a child. No point in me moving anyway, if you're just going to end up sick again. And FYI, you're blond too!" she huffily finished.

Grabbing his bag, she took out the closest food she could grab, which was a piece of jerky. Biting it, she chewed on the piece of meat petulantly. Even annoyed, she kept on running her other hand through his hair, knowing that it eased his motion sickness.

Laxus just kept quiet knowing that she was annoyed with him. Squinting, he watched until he was satisfied that she had enough to eat before drifting off to sleep again. His last thought was, 'I'll make it up to her later...'

When Lucy felt his breathing even out, she glanced down to make sure he was asleep. Her stomach now sated, she simply sighed in exasperation, "What the hell am I going to do with you?" The celestial mage got a little more comfortable before letting the train's rocking motion rock her back to sleep.

Hail Town - 2:04pm

Lucy had been awake for over twenty minutes now when she felt their train start to slow down. She had been watching the scenery outside their window. The landscape was covered in frost and snow, and the air more crisp as they travelled further and further into Iceberg. Hail Town was located about 40 miles past the border of Bosco and it was the closest town anyone could access within the unforgiving country.

The female mage noticed that little houses were coming into view, here and there, before they went under a tunnel. The train reduced it's speed even more until it came to a slow jolting halt in front of a solitary platform with a sign displaying Hail Town. At least that's what Lucy assumed it said. The H looked to have fallen just recently and was dangling on the bottom, creating the sign ail Town.

Lucy gently shook the big dragon slayer awake. "Laxus...Wake up. We're here."

"Mhmmm... What time is it?" Laxus asked as he stood up so he could stretch his stiff muscles. Letting out a big yawn, he stretched his arms up, his shirt riding up to reveal an inch of of his skin around his abs and hips.

Distracted by the display, Lucy didn't answer Laxus, only being able to give a non-committal hmm. She was snapped out of her ogling when he clicked his fingers in front of her face. Startled, Lucy looked up at the smirking man.

"My eyes are up here, Blondie." Laxus teased, mirth dancing in his eyes. It took Laxus some self-control to not start preening in front of his mate. 'At least I know she finds me attractive.'

"Oh! I knew that." the petite blonde defended awkwardly. "And I think it's around 2 o'clock. Wanna grab a bite to eat first? You skipped out on lunch." she reminded him. Lucy figured that he got cranky with her earlier because he hadn't eaten yet. 'Best to feed the beast now rather than later.'

"Good idea. I'm starving." Laxus agreed wholeheartedly, now that his motion sickness was all gone.

They grabbed their bags and hopped out of the train. Knowing that it was at least -4°C (24.8 °F) outside, Lucy already had on her purple winter coat. Being more resilient to the colder temperature, Laxus just had on his usual fur lined coat. Looking around the platform, they noticed that they were the only ones who had travelled to Hail Town. The other passengers seemed to have gotten off at earlier stops on the way. Walking out of the train station, they headed towards the town centre to look for a place to eat.

Hail Town was definitely a quieter town compared to Magnolia. Only a few people could be seen walking around, running their errands for the day or working. There was only one tavern called The White Horseand one restaurant named, Tropical Ice. Both deciding on The White Horse, for a bite to eat, the two mages entered the establishment. The few patrons that were keeping themselves warm inside, quieted down a little, when they saw Lucy and Laxus.

Without sparing them a glance, Laxus headed straight for the bar with Lucy following behind. After seating themselves, the bartender, a man with dark hair and eyes in his forties, walked over to them.

"Afternoon. Name's Joe and I own this tavern. Haven't seen you two before. What can I get you?" he asked politely.

Laxus merely nodded at the man and turned towards Lucy, wanting her to order first.

Seeing the look, Lucy rolled her eyes at the bossy mage and replied, "Hi. Could I please have some pumpkin soup and a couple of bread rolls? And also a hot apple cider?" 'What is up with him and me eating? Is he like this with his team too?' Lucy puzzled.

Joe nodded and asked Laxus, "And you, sir?"

"I'll have the same soup, two of your specials and a big steak. Medium rare. And a coffee." the blond man answered, satisfied that his mate was going to eat.

"Coming right up." the bartender said as he walked away to fill their order.

Ignoring the curious stares they were getting from the patrons, Lucy and Laxus sat next to each other in silence. Lucy was happy to be out of the cold for a little while before they had to go and speak with the client. It wasn't long before Joe came back with their drinks and food. Lucy thanked the man and gladly wrapped her cold hands around the hot cup and took a careful sip of the sweet drink. Laxus meanwhile started scarfing down his food after taking one big gulp of his coffee.

From the corner of her eye, Lucy watched the big man eat so much and so quickly. She was right in her assumption that all dragon slayers have big appetites. 'I wonder who would win in an eating competition between him and Natsu..?' she smiled to herself jokingly.

Finishing and paying for their late lunch, Lucy asked Joe where the nearest hotel was.

Giving the girl a blank look, Joe replied, "Sorry, miss, but this town isn't big and because we don't have many visitors either, we saw no need to have a hotel. If you and your boyfriend there, need a place to stay, I still have one room vacant here."

"Oh...?" Lucy asked stupidly. 'Oh dear, Mavis...Share a room with Laxus?!'

I have decided, I have finished this book already and Im thinking about just putting up a new chapter everyday. Anyways BYE!!