As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.

A/N - Ugh, I just realized that when I copied and pasted the last chapter in, the formatting didn't copy so the mental speaking between Vander and Kaleb wasn't italicized. Hopefully that didn't cause any confusion. I don't think I can fix it without deleting and reposting that chapter.

"Wake up kid. Time to work." Vander nudged the sleeping youth with his boot but kept his voice low, trying not to wake up Lucy whose bedroll was in the same tent. Had had to admit, her spirits put up some damn nice outdoorsy accommodations. They had put up a smaller tent and bedroll for him at some point as well. He had never slept so well while camping. Lucas grumbled about it being so early, the sun was just beginning to rise but Vander ignored it.

"Take off your bracelet too," Lucas looked at him in surprise. "I need to be able to feel your magic as you train. I can handle it, and now that I have a better understanding of how it works it should be easier to manage." It was similar with charm spells and other mental manipulations, the effect lessened the more you understand what was happening to you. Vander was certain that as long as the kid didn't have any supremely strong emotions it should be easy for him to withstand the effects.

Lucas pulled on his boots and followed the mage outside of the tent. "We gonna meditate now?"

Vander grinned. "Meditate? Oh no. First we train your body, then we train your mind. If you can't control your body then the rest falls apart the second you are scared. Magic or no, adrenaline is some pretty potent shit. Follow me." And with that Vander took off a mild pace running through the woods. He had already been up for a few hours and mapped a path that led to a small lake. He didn't know if Lucas could swim, but he would be able to soon if he couldn't already.

Lucy was startled when Lucas was already gone before she got up. She was a fairly early riser so the sun couldn't have been up long. She noted Vander was also gone so she relaxed and called out Virgo to start preparing for a large breakfast. The Shadowquip had warned her he would be taking him out for physical training in the morning. She expected the two would be hungry. Virgo brought her supplies and took the washing with her. She peeked into Vander's tent to see if he had anything to wash, but there was nothing. That made her wonder a bit as she realized he was always in the same clothes.

She held in her laughter as she watched Lucas enter the clearing looking completely downtrodden, practically dragging himself towards the fire. His hair was damp and he looked completely exhausted. "He is insane." He grumbled as he ever so slowly moved past her. A small giggle escaped and she turned to look at Vander who sauntered in looking like he just had a Sunday stroll. His hair was also damp she noted.

"Looks like we can skip your bathing today Lucas. Good timing, breakfast is ready." Her jaw dropped as she watched him eat everything he could shove into his face ravenously. Meanwhile Vander snuck up behind her and whispered into her ear, "I wouldn't mind you giving me a bath. I have a few places that might still be dirty."

She laughed as she shoved him away, "I can't wash your brain Vander and that's probably the dirtiest place in all of Earthland." Not ready to stop playing he let himself fall into sitting on the log behind him but pulled her with and turned her to sit on his lap.

"I'm not sure even I can live up to such a reputation mia stella."

She laughed again and put her hands on his chest to push away from him and stand when she remembered her question from earlier. Her curiosity got the better of her and she started running her fingers along his jerkin. "This leather, it is so soft. Where did you get it?"

"Made it myself actually." He answered, adding a little lazy drawl into his voice.

She continued to rub her hands along his chest, "I never see you in anything else. How does it stay clean?" Without meaning to, she leaned forward and inhaled. He smelt of dark cherry wood and musk. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feel and the smell. "Can you make me some?"

"I could but I don't think you would appreciate me having control over your wardrobe." He chuckled a little as he imagined what opportunities that would afford him.

"Hmmm?" She asked, opening her eyes as her hands still roamed. Was she this close to his face before? Her eyes instinctively moved towards his smiling lips.

Vander was in an unusual quandary. He knew how this situation would normally play out for him, but this was Lucy. He decided right then and there that he couldn't be the one to take the next step. Not only did he really want to help out the kid, he genuinely liked Lucy and wouldn't use her. She was the relationship sort and he wasn't. He also didn't want to bring about the wrath of both the Celestial Realm and Fairy Tail. But he was who he was as well, and wouldn't pretend to be anything else. He wouldn't push her, but he certainly wouldn't stop her either. He just had to make sure she always knew what was being offered was just what it was and nothing more.

Smirking he let his jerkin fade away and suddenly her roaming hands were stroking his skin instead. Her breath hitched and her fingers stalled, "How did you?"

"My clothes are made from my shadows, I can craft them in any way I want. So, yes mia stellare. I can make your clothes but then I would have complete control over them." He let his pants fade away into short boxer type briefs instead. She wriggled a little when she noticed her legs were touching bare skin and he had to take in a deep breath. His hands tightened on her hips. "I wouldn't do that unless you want me to remove even more."

Lucy felt the large bulge under her as she shifted and squealed as she jumped up, completely red-faced. She ran to get her own breakfast as he straightened himself out and returned his clothes to normal. "You like her?" Lucas walked over to the mage he wanted to dislike but was having a hard time doing so with.

"Yeah, what's not to like?" Vander told the kid as he watched the blonde do her best to pretend she wasn't just fondling him. He smiled. "But she and I are from different worlds. I'm Boscan and she was raised a Fioran heiress."

"What does being Boscan mean?" Vander got up and slung an arm around the kid's shoulder. "Let me get some of that food and I'll try to explain. I was never the best at cultural studies but I can tell you the basics. I'm sure Lucy can help fill in the gaps from her tutoring."

"Oh certainly!" She beamed a smile at both of them, happy to have a distraction from the thoughts racing through her head. She quickly made a plate for Vander as she chattered on about this country and that as she pushed thoughts of how his bare muscular chest had felt under her fingers.