Sting approached the request board, ignoring the few, short, stares from other guild members. If it wasn't for Cana being held prisoner in the kitchen and the gossip surrounding that catastrophe, he would be the talk of the guild. Natsu too, considering it was his scarf.

Sting looked along the board not caring for some of the smaller jobs. He felt like going for one that'd be really exciting. 'If we're doing something fun...' he thought as he scanned the board, 'Then it'll need to be somewhere fun!'. When his eyes landed upon a, in some weird way, beautiful piece of paper, he smiled.

The job was listed to pay just under eight million jewels, which seemed fitting considering it had written in the bottom right corner, 'Recommended; four to five wizards!' In a dark red.

"Perfect!" He whispered under his breath. The job was both a fun type, and a fun location. 'How often do you even get a job like this! In a spa town and monster hunting!' He thought with excitement. He ripped it off the board quickly and walked back to Natsu and Lucy.

As Sting approached he noticed Natsu snap to attention, which he found odd for a moment before realizing he was carrying the job. He called out with a smile,"I picked a job!".

"Sweet!" Natsu smiled widely in anticipation as he sat himself back down with the job rolled up in hand. "What kind?" He asked once he was finally settled.

"It's a monster hunting mission!" Sting declared.

Lucy recoiled a little bit, explaining how she wouldn't be able to go on the job with them because four of her contracted spirits were going on vacation. Sting was a little bit disappointed with the fact, but figured it'd be for the best. It would be dangerous without her fighting spirits.

As Natsu was pummel- scolded for his intrusion of her privacy, Sting smiled with faint amusement. He then turned to the request and let out a quiet happy sigh. Oh how excited he was, it was practically a vacation! 'I wonder who's going to be coming along,' He thought as he went through the list of people who might come with.

After Natsu explained a bit, it turned out... no one! Not a single soul besides the two of them would be going, which gave Sting a bit of anxiety. Mostly about the fact that there was a red recommendation listed, but Natsu's reminder of their more... powerful... spells quelled some of his nerves.

Sting soon decided it would be best to actually take the job, "I'll go talk to Mira, that way she can check it out to us," he said while getting up. Natsu didn't bother with responding which he didn't care too much about. He looked around the guildhall for Mira, who he found was chatting with Wakaba and Macao.

"Mira!" Sting called out as he approached the takeover mage.

She whirled around to meet him, and the two men also looked up at him. "Oh, Sting. Is there something I can do for you?" She asked politely and professionally.

"Yeah, can I take this job?" He asked, promptly holding up the sheet with a grin.

"Of course! I can sign it off to you no problem. I'll also send the employer a message for you too," She kindly replied holding out her hand for the flier.

He placed, more like shoved, the flier into her open hands. "Thanks Mira,"

She nodded in acknowledgment and walked away quickly.

Before Sting could walk back to Natsu Wakaba spoke up, "Isn't that Natsu's scarf? I've never seen him without it...". He pointed to it as well.

It was more of a statement then a question, but Sting answered nonetheless. "Yeah, it is" He replied simply, hoping that might be enough to please them.

This time it was Macao who spoke, "So what're you wearin it for?".

Sting gulped nervously, "oh, um, training mishap. Can't let my neck be in the sun... and stuff," He attempted the same excuse he used earlier. But this time he felt more... nervous, and choked a little at the start.

Probably since it was these two perverted old men who probably had a fair share of similar occurrences in their youth. It ended up being far more unnerving then talking with Lucy who had no experiences of the type.

But, as in 'similar', the mark itself, not the situation around it. Those would probably be very different.

"Ah, That must suck," Another guild member replied from behind him.

"Yeah, it must be annoying to wear a scarf during the summer. Don't it Sting?" Another asked.

"Y-Yeah it does... really hot," Sting replied. A few more questions were flung and Sting did his best to answer them. Luckily after a few minutes Mira reappeared.

"Your all set," She emphasized the word 'all'. She then extended one of her hands with the flyer. "Don't lose this, it's so you can get your rooms at the hotel. I'm kinda jealous, it's a really fancy one!" She said while retracting it a bit before he could grab it.

A thought he should've had earlier went across Sting's mind suddenly, "Oh, I probably shoulda told you but we'll only need two rooms... it's just gonna be me and Natsu" He explained nervously. 'She probably booked us six or something...' He thought regretfully. If his math was right... that'd be seven too many.

To his surprise, Mira giggled, "I know. And don't worry I got the perfect amount of rooms,".

Sting sighed in relief, "Oh, that's good!". He grabbed the flier and rolled it back up.

She nodded before exchanging a few more pleasantries about the weather and such before she had to leave. "Well, I need to go take care of some customers, goodluck on your job," She said with a smile.

"K'ay, thanks!" Sting grinned before turning away and walking back to Natsu hastily. Who, to his surprise, was frowning as he faced the counter.

'That's weird... what's bothering him?' Sting wondered. He continued walking until he was right behind him. Still no reaction from Natsu to acknowledge his presence. Hesitantly he tapped his shoulder and Natsu jumped up in his seat.

"Eek!" Natsu yelped in surprise. Sting chuckled at his reaction, "O-oh... done with Mira?" He asked, embarrassed from the noise that had escaped his throat.

Personally, he kinda liked the sound. "Yeah, we're all set on that end," Sting responded happily as he sat back down in his seat.

Natsu exchanged his thinking frown to an excited smile. "So, what do you wanna do first? I don't think we'll have to work as soon as we get there," Natsu asked.

Sting put his elbow on the counter on his chin and sighed, 'Probably sleep... but that's boring...'. He looked over to Natsu after another moment of consideration and smiled.

"I heard there was this really fun spa house with waterfalls..." Sting said quietly, a little embarrassed by the idea. "I-It has private rooms you can check out and stuff so we don't need to worry about other people..." He added after a moment.

Unlike Sting, who was thinking of private rooms, as in one for each of them, Natsu brightly blushed at the idea of them sharing one. He simply nodded at the idea, afraid if he tried to speak he might coo or choke on his words.

"Okay then..." Sting responded. 'What else is there,' He asked himself. He knew there were restaurants, shops, and even a water park, which 0thankfully as it was water and not a vehicle they could enjoy the rides just fine. But what would truly be fun and enjoyable for Natsu.

"Waterpark?" He asked, surrendering to his previous idea. He didn't exactly want to ask since that would be two water themed, mostly naked, attractions.

Natsu grimaced, "We're not gonna like that, we'll probably get motion sickness on the slides..." he suggested to the blond.

Sting laughed half heartedly, feeling bad that Natsu seemed to have never tried one. Well he assumed from the wording and use of 'probably'. But then got a little excited at the idea of Natsu's first water themed fun being with him. "Have you ever tried going on a slide?" He asked with a smirk.

Natsu shook his head 'no'. "I never wanted to get sick," He turned his head. "Wait, are you telling me..." He grabbed his shoulders and shook him gently, "we dON'T GET SICK!?".

Sting chuckled at his enthusiasm...? 'I think it's enthusiasm' A shy voice said gently from within his head.

He smacked his hands off his shoulders, "Yeah, you'll be completely fine...". A question popped into his head which he said without consideration, "What gave you the idea you would?"

Natsu who was rubbing his wrists opened his mouth to speak but clenched his jaw and growled instead. He whirled around and roared, "Gray!".

Sting watched Natsu run away and start a, in FairyTail at least, small brawl with Gray and a few other members. 'He's always so explosive' He commented mentally. He put his hand under his chin and watched with slight admiration the fight before him. Eyes mostly focused on the pink haired fire dragon.

'Hmph, I wonder how Rogues doing with Cana...' He wondered in the back of his head.

Yeah, about that. Within the building's kitchen, the guild's resident drunk, Cana, was tied up, being held against a beam by rope. Rogue and Erza watching over her intently.

Cana was already getting sick of this, at first it was funny but now it was annoying.

"Oh come on you guys, how about you let me go! I would never do something like that," She pleaded. What is that 'something' she's talking about, you might ask? Well, fill up the guilds pool with alcohol of course!

Erza sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Then explain ordering fifty more barrels of alcohol then usual...".

Canas expression flickered, but she quickly put her facade back up. "I would never," She insisted. After around three minutes of silence she sighed, in defeat and annoyance.

"Fine, maybe I would. Maybe!" She threw her legs up and huffed.

Rogue chuckled while Erza nodded. "I'm glad you admitted it," Erza said from her seat at one of the counters, a half eaten strawberry cake before her. And no, not just a slice.

After a few more seconds Cana huffed again. "Are you gonna let me go now? Or..." She left the second half of her question open for the other two to finish.

Which Rogue did happily, "Or... keep you here till the alcohol expires?".

Erza immediately shot up, faster then one can blink, and smacked him, "The alcohol she bought doesn't expire, you idiot!". The 'smack' sent him flying into the floor and leaving a large bruise on his head.

Rogue grumbled an 'Ow' while Cana snickered.

"You're staying here until we can safely release you," Erza stated as she looked down upon Rogues body.

"Aye...!" Was all Rogue could manage to show his agreement.

Cana pouted, "So unfa-".

Before she could even finish her sentence Erza had summoned a sword and pointed it down upon her since Rogue was only a few feet away. "What was that?" Erza asked, her voice dripping with the threat of impending violence.

Cana gulped, "Nothing!". Thankfully Erza didn't push further and unsummoned her sword, and instead brought out a ball gag. "W-what are you doing with that!?" She stared at the plastic orb in panic.

Erza said nothing as she approached. "Just to keep you quiet," She explained simply only once she held it Infront of her face. Cana began to squirm but quickly stopped when Erza grabbed her hair roughly. "Stop." She ordered simply. Cana nodded quickly and didn't resist for the rest of the time she spent putting it on.

Erza smiled at her work, "Perfect, nice and quiet,". She returned to eating her cake at the counter as the two others were both silent from fear... and a gag.

Wait... why does she have a gag...

"Natsu, stop fighting already..." Sting grumbled silently to himself. The brawl had been going strong for a good eight minutes and he was getting bored waiting before continuing to plan. They'd be going for a couple of days, maybe three, and they had a possible two events planned. And those were possibilities!

Natsu somehow heard the quiet plea and decided, slowly, to withdraw himself from the skirmish. He was knocked into the air by Elfmen and landed hands first on the counter in front of Sting. "Heyo!" He grinned happily upside down.

Unfortunately, before Sting could respond Natsu lost his, already lousy, balance. Both yelped as they came crashing down, mangled somehow, onto the ground. No one bothered to watch, except Mira who was behind the counter and possibly Lucy and Wendy. But those two probably only heard it as they were ducking for cover.

"Owww" Sting groaned, his eyes closed. He wasn't actually in much pain but it was just the usual way to respond to having someone fall on top of you. His hands were sprawled out above his head and his legs spread apart below. It looked as if he was shoved into the ground harder then he really was. He opened them after he registered something warm on his muscled torso, and looked down to see the smiling face of the idiot pinket laying on his stomach... as in on Stings stomach.

Natsu nervously chuckled after he realized he was being stared at, "Sorry, lost my balance,". He pushed himself a few inches off of Stings chest and glanced around quickly to see if anyone was laughing at the show. 'Nope, no one saw me do that,' He concluded.

Natsu looked back down at Sting who was still sprawled out awkwardly beneath him. Their eyes met and it felt like time stopped.

Natsu's hands were on either side of Sting's head, just above his shoulders holding him up. By a rough estimate their faces were only a foot apart. They once again, like earlier that morning when they woke up, searched each other's eyes. Simply admiring the beauty of the shining jewels that reflected the early afternoon light.

Mira, who was behind the counter watching the two, was holding in squeals. She also nearly broke the glass she was wiping with some extra excessive force.

The two smiled without thinking, still completely locked onto each other's optics. It was almost funny when the two both realized, at the same time, what exactly was going on. Natsu shot back, falling backwards slightly but managing to keep himself in a hanuching position just above Sting's pelvis.

Both having no idea what to say next just sat in an awkward silence. Well, Natsu sat. Sting laid underneath him.

'I wonder if I should get them one bedroom instead of two...' Mira teased, mostly herself, internally. She sighed and put one hand against her face, she almost pitied how awkward the two were acting so she decided to give them a hand. "You two okay? That looked like an awful fall," She asked with faked surprise and concern.

The two stammered awkwardly, "F-f-fine!" Natsu finally managed to say.

"Ye-yeah! N-not a s-scratch" Sting reassured. Natsu pivoted on the balls of his feet awkwardly before standing up.

Natsu extended a hand down to Sting, and put the other behind his head and ruffled his hair slightly. "Here," He shoved it further into his face hoping he'd get the idea.

"Oh! Thanks," Sting grabbed the hand and pulled himself up. The two exchanged awkward glances before sitting back down at the bar.

Mira turned around and began to walk to the sink. "So shouldn't you two get ready to leave? It's around two hours by train so... six on foot," Mira put down a mug and faced the two over her shoulder.

"I think we'll just take the train... sadly" Sting mumbled.

Natsu wanted to argue but realized he was right, if they wanted to do anything fun or even arrive before nightfall they'd need to take the shorter mode of transportation. "Guess so..." He grunted in dissatisfaction.

Mira smiled, "Be safe then, don't miss your stop. I remember when we got news that Natsu had circled the entirety of Firore because he was too sick to get off the train... and no one noticed he missed his stop!" Mira giggled quietly, recalling that hilarious lacrima call.

Natsu huffed, "That was forever ago Mira,". His voice was a whine, but the cute whine Sting always liked to hear once and awhile. He didn't think twice about thinking of it as 'cute', as he had begun to realize that he kept thinking like that ever since Natsu first took care of him... probably even a little bit before.

"That was only a year ago Natsu," She placed another dried glass on the counter and moved onto the next one.

"Eight years ago, Mira," Natsu corrected.

Mirajain tilted her head in confusion before giggling again, realizing that in technicality it was now eight thanks to the extra seven years. "Good point Natsu, you're getting smarter," She mocked gently.

Natsu beamed happily and turned to Sting, "Hear that, I'm getting smarter!". He pointed to his head with a smile.

Sting chuckled and smirked, "She's calling you stupid, Natsu," He pointed out.

Natsu inhaled in surprise, "Really!?". Sting nodded and Natsu whirled away quickly before he could say anything else and faced where the barmaid had been. "Mira-!" He called out but it was already too late as she had vanished.

"Looks like she's gone already Natsu," Sting said, pointing out the obvious.

Natsu huffed and crossed his arms, and to Stings surprise, leaned against him lazily. His head under Stings chin and his back pressed into his chest. "She's so mean...!" He whined.

Sting shrugged awkwardly, "Sure, Natsu". He, for the most part, silently enjoyed the radiating warmth coming from Natsu's body and gently purred, luckily the fire dragon didn't notice.

Natsu enjoyed it too, it was also a surprise to him as he didn't expect himself to do it. 'Awkward...' Was all he was able to think. He did enjoy the feel of Sting's muscled chest against his back, though.

They sat there for a good solid minute before Natsu huffed and pulled himself out into a normal sitting position, fearing Sting might dislike it. He then let out a long sigh, "Well... there's really no reason to stay here, we should get going if we want to get there in time,".

Sting nodded silently, he cleared his throat and then spoke quietly and a little, just a little, breathlessly but also awe fully, "Yeah...". He shook his head to reorient himself, "Yeah, we should,". This time his voice was normal.

Natsu smiled and got up, "Let's go then! I want to go to the waterpark!".

Sting smiled back, "Yeah!". They both walked, more like sprinted, for the door.

Mira sighed and called out after them, "Remember to actually do your job!".

"We will!" Sting called back.

"Probably!" Natsu teased, making Mirajane chuckle nervously.

The two ran home quickly, and packed their bags just as hastily. Just some clothes and such, a bit of sunscreen too. Even though they really wouldn't need it, sadly nothing to do in the sun.