The only thing Lemongrab could think about was how sick he felt from nerves and how much his tummy flipped and turned inside him. He had been away from his earldom for 13 months at a type of rehabilitation unit, trying to become a better rule, which he had defiantly achieved. He learnt how to care for citizens and friends, to be brave, selfless and honourable and most importantly he had trained to become a better protected. His physical change was astounding as well. His once flabby, obese body had turned in to a toned, muscular figure. Every muscle on his body was toned and well-shaped, his biceps stretched his shirt and hidden underneath, he had noticeable abs and pecks. The humorous chins under his neck had vanished and his pointy cheekbones could be seen once more. Not only that, but his voice had completely changed, from being high pitched and loud, to deep and soothing. For 3 and a half weeks he didn't make a sound and took medication to help fix his voice box; the root of the problem with his voice. The new Lemongrab was unrecognisable and nothing like his past self. His journey to be a good rule had come to an end and he was finally able to go home, but he didn't feel right. Why?
He was in better shape, a better understanding of others and had shown a lot of progress; however something was holding him back.

It was late in the morning when he at last left his temporary home and school, to start to travel back to the earldom and candy Kingdom. For the journey, he wore a grey, chequered shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a pair of black jeans with a black leather belt and wrapped around his hips was his sword holder. He had to get rid of his sound sword as it no longer worked because his voice had changed. However he was fine with this as he saw it as a cowardly weapon. Sat with him on the journey was his tutor, councillor and trainer who he saw as a close friend. She had medium length, darkish brown hair that had been straightened. Her top was white and hung over one side, exposing her left shoulder. For trousers, she had tight, blue jeans and wore black, ankle high boots. As well as that, hermake up was done expertly. Her eyes had a line of black eye liner and blended eye shadow. To top it off she had pink natural lipstick and a necklace she always wore. Her name was Esme.

The butterflies in his belly started to move more and more the closer they got to the kingdoms. Staring down at the floor, he tried to calm down. Slowly he started to close his eyes and think. The first thing that crept in to his mind was Lemonfriend: how has he coping with the kingdom? Did princess bubblegum help him like she said she would? What did he look like, now that PB had fixed him? This confused Lemongrab. Lemonfriend was the only person on his mind, maybe it was because of their past together. The good and the bad times. A whirlwind of emotions came over Lemongrab, a mixture of guilt, terror, realisation and panic as to weather Lemonfriend would ever forgive him. His trail of thought was interrupted by Esme who was concerned for him.

"Are you ok Lemongrab? You have gone really pale and quiet" Lemongrab lifted his head to meet her eyes. She could see the sadness behind his eyes "What's wrong" she asked with a concerned tone in her voice. He let out a quiet sigh and tried to answer her question to the best of his ability, but with little success.

"It's my co-ruler, Lemonfriend I call him" he explained. "I've been thinking, what if he never forgives me? I know the things I was doing were totally out of order and I have felt guilty about it for ages now, but I don't want to loose him"

"Hmm" Esme let out a confused sigh. She to was wondering why only Lemonfriend was concerning him, when he had a whole species to think about and even others in other kingdoms.

"You have been talking quite a lot about him in the past few months. Do you...?" Her word stopped and she looked at Lemongrab to end her sentence. But he was confused as to what she meant.

"Do I what?" He asked.

"Do you... have a crush on him? Esme stared at Lemongrab to answer. He was quick to give it.

"What! No! I mean... I don't think so... Well... I don't know, I have never felt like this before." Lemongrab started to question himself. He would know if hehad a crush or was in love. Right?

"Well" said Esme. "Describe to me how you feel when you think or talk about him"
He thought and thought, but didn't know how to word his feelings.

"I don't know." He replied. "My tummy sometimes feels weird and my head becomes lighter. I can't think straight, when he is on my mind. Is he making me ill?!" Esme couldn't help but laugh at the innocent lemonhead sat next to her, his worried face and eyes made her want to hug him tightly.

"You're so oblivious!" She chuckled

"What do you mean?

"The reason you feel like that is not because he's making you feel ill, but he is stealing your heart." She chuckled once more. Lemongrab was still confused as to what she was saying. His face made that apparent. Esme sighed and told him straight. "Lemongrab it's obvious, you are in love with him!" Esme exclaimed.
Lemongrab face turned from confusion to shock.

"Are you crazy? I don't love him." But then again he was the only person who made him feel weak at the knees, maybe it was true.

"I'm telling you, those are all the symptoms of love. You're so cute Lemongrab." He snapped his head round.

"Cute?! How am I cute?" He questioned

"Just how oblivious and innocent you are... and the fact that you two would make a great couple." she explained while giving him a friendly nudge.
Lemongrab gave a small giggle.

"Shut up."

His focus suddenly changed when he saw the kingdom come into view. The butterflies returned. He turned to his friend. "I don't think I can do this, I'm not ready for people to see me."
Esme gave him a comforting look and hug.

"You are Lemongrab; there is no need to worry. The people will be amazed at how much you have changed. Everything is going to be fine." The gargantuan gates to the candy Kingdom gradually opened and Lemongrab started to panic. He took a long, deep breathe. There was no turning back now.