The road back to the station stretched ahead, the setting sun painting Magnolia's distant horizon in copper.
Natsu (groaning, dragging his feet, scarf clamped over his mouth): "Ughhh... not the train again. Even thinking about trains makes the world spin... Let's just walk back to Magnolia! Who needs trains anyway?"
Lucy (exasperated): "Natsu, it would take days to walk back! Do you want to sleep in the dirt that whole time?"
Gray (smirking, hands in pockets, one sleeve half-off): "Go ahead and walk if you want. The rest of us'll be home while you're still whining halfway."
Natsu (snapping): "Shut it, ice-brain!"
Happy (cheerfully hovering): "Aye! Window seat! Fresh air fixes everything!"
Carla (flat): "It fixes nothing. This is psychosomatic."
At the front, Erza strode without breaking pace, pauldron shifting as she settled into commander mode.
Erza (firm): "We are taking the train. That is not a debate."
Natsu (collapsing theatrically): "Whyyyyy?!"
Beside him, Wendy stifled a laugh and stepped closer to Ryuji. He walked a pace behind, expression tight. Great. Pre-sick before I even see the platform. Cold pricked at his fingertips; he flexed them until the sting eased.
Wendy (gently, shaping a tiny current): "Deep breaths—this helps me."
A faint Sky breeze cooled the two motion-sick Dragon Slayers. Ryuji's shoulders eased a little.
For a while, the playful bickering faded. Boots scuffed gravel; the horizon went full copper. Far ahead, a whistle pealed, and the rails threw back the sun like a strip of molten glass. The air carried the iron-and-grease smell of the line.
Erza (voice calm, cutting, without turning): "Ryuji. Is there something you should tell us?"
The group slowed. Eyes turned. Ryuji froze mid-step, throat tightening.
Ryuji (stammering slightly): "...I..."
Carla fluttered closer, eyes narrowed, clinical.
Carla: "During the battle you hesitated when you saw those markings. And now you avoid our eyes. You know something."
Wendy (worried): "Carla..."
Lucy rolled a silver key between her fingers, the metal ticking softly.
Ryuji's fists closed, then loosened. He looked away. Say it. Don't say it. When he spoke, his voice was low.
Ryuji (soft deflection): "I've seen corruption like that before. I need proof before I say more."
Erza halted and finally faced him. Her gaze was steady, not unkind.
Erza (accepting, warning): "You have until we reach Magnolia. No secrets that endanger my family."
Ryuji held her eyes for a beat, then nodded once.
The whistle cried again somewhere ahead. Natsu cracked his neck and groaned. Gray rebuttoned his sleeve with a mutter. Happy zipped higher, chanting, "Window seat!" Carla sighed. Wendy offered Ryuji a small, encouraging smile—and the knot in his chest eased, if only slightly.
They started walking again, the track gleaming before them like a question they would have to answer soon.
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.