As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.
A/N - Thank you all for the awesome comments and reviews! Since we are nearing the holidays I might get a little more sporadic with updates. But I'm not done with this story by a long shot.
The three mages settled into a comfortable schedule over the next week and Lucas was improving every day. He no longer needed to wear his bracelet while he slept and the nightmares seemed to have stopped. He and Vander had physical training first thing every day and after they returned and had breakfast he would meditate with Lucy and Capricorn. The afternoons were spent with lessons since the boy had never received proper schooling. Vander was continuously impressed with the breadth of knowledge Lucy had. She explained that not only was she raised to be a proper wife but also learned the business side of things including finances and contract laws. She was thankful to her father for that at least since it made it easy for her to keep her contracts with her spirits in order.
Vander and Lucas returned from their training one morning to see Lucy squealing in delight as she danced and spun all around their campsite. Her eyes sparkled and she ran over and hugged both of them in turn. Vander didn't release her when he embraced her in return. "And what has you so excited this morning?"
She just squeezed him tighter and giggled. "I just spoke with Mira. Operations blue-haired babies was a success!" He let her go as she started bouncing.
"You are a frightening woman." He watched her dance around some more and leaned down to the confused youth next to him. "If she or a white-haired bartender ever look at you with hearts in their eyes. Run. Don't think, don't ask. Just run." Lucas just nodded, unsure how else to respond.
The blonde mage stopped dancing as she recalled another part of her conversation with her cohort in matchmaking. "Ummm. There was something else that might be a little bit of a problem. Natsu and Gray returned from their mission and they are on their way here now. Mira tried to stop them but Natsu wouldn't hear of it. I'm not concerned so much about Gray, but Natsu…"
"It will be fine. He's ready." Vander responded quickly. Lucas looked up at him with pride shining in his eyes. "And if anything goes awry, I can handle your dragon slayer."
"A dragon slayer?" Lucy could feel the nervousness starting to roll off of Lucas but then he took a deep breath and the sensation stopped. She smiled, so proud of the progress he had made. She supposed it was about time to test him with other people anyhow, she would just rather it wasn't a wildcard like Natsu.
"Yup. He's one of my best friends and how I ended up joining Fairy Tail. Let's eat and I will you tell you all about my team."
Lucas listened as she told him not only about her team but Levy, Gajeel, Laxus and the Raijinshuu and others as well. Once she started talking about her friends she couldn't stop. After hearing about so many dragon slayers he looked to Vander. "You can stop a dragon slayer?"
The Shadowquip mage ruffled the kids hair, "My big brother and big sister are both slayers so I'm not worried." Lucas nodded and relaxed.
Later that night, Lucy couldn't sleep so she went out and just sat and watched the stars. Lost in her thoughts she scanned through the sky finding as many of her spirits as she could. She found Aquarius's constellation and her breath hitched a little as she tensed.
"Please don't stop."
Eyes opening wide, she realized that not only was Vander's head in her lap but she had been running her hand through his hair. She pulled back her hand and was about to apologize when his hand shot up and grabbed her wrist. "Please don't stop."
Smiling slightly she resumed her previously unconscious actions. She supposed it was harmless and something she had done for other friends. "I used to do this for Natsu when he was suffering from motion sickness on the trains. He said it helped." She returned her eyes to the sky.
Vander closed his eyes and snuggled into her lap a little more. "I can see why this is very relaxing." He felt her hand stroke through his hair slowly. He could easily fall asleep like this. "You are nervous about tomorrow."
Lucy nodded. "A bit yes. I'm so proud of Lucas, and I love Natsu dearly but… well he isn't very emotionally stable on his own. I am sure it will be fine though, other than keeping Natsu from trying to fight you." Her hand paused as she looked down at the relaxed face below her. He looked so innocent like that. She resumed her motions. "Your hair is so soft."
Vander smiled. "It's a trade secret. I could tell you how to get your hair this soft but I would have to kill you. It would be a shame to lose such wonderful hands."
Lucy laughed. "Well at least I'm useful for something. How exactly is soft hair a requirement for being a spy?"
Vander opened his eyes half way and looked up at her with a devilish smile that made her heart beat just a little bit faster. "Spy work is very tricky and can lead you into some very compromising situations. Sometimes you have to get creative to distract and manipulate. I was also trained to be a Sudepah. Textures and tactile sensations are very very important."
Lucy's eyes widened as she blushed and looked back up at the stars. "Yes, yes. I suppose it would be." The two fell silent again for a bit. "He really will try to fight you. I'm hoping not to start a forest fire. Wouldn't be the first time.."
He laughed and reluctantly climbed out of her lap to kneel in front of her. "I told you to let me handle him. I've got it covered." Suddenly he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Have a little faith mia stella." He disappeared in a swirl of darkness as Lucy's blush darkened and her heart raced.
"How the hell am I supposed to get to sleep now?" She grumbled out loud.