Chapter 25

AN: Ok so… I just want to say that I'm sorry for not posting this sooner. A lot has happened. Two weeks ago, a friend of mine had to put her horse down and I was really upset and couldn't write at all for just about the entire week. No matter how hard I tried. I even ended up deleting pretty much everything I had written so far… and it was a lot…. Not to mention, I kinda got stuck at the part where I was going to have smut so I chose not to put anything in there. So sorry bout that guys. :( then, last weekend, I was at a concert, and when I got home, I got sick… so these past two weeks haven't been too pleasant for me. I hope you guys still enjoy this chapter( didn't read over it caz honestly, I'm sick and just feel lazy so I'll read it over later and change whatever I need to change lol ), and hopefully I can get over this stupid cold and get another chapter posted soon.

bubblegum12899: lol its funny, because I did have those chapters done in the same day, but I posted chapter 24 the next morning, my time. Lol and yes, all of that really happened and it was great, for the most part. The part with bora, meh, that's not as good haha he's definitely in need of an ass kicking.

Depressica: yes, and I have MsKtk to thank for that conversation between Gray and Rain. She has been such a great help to me and coming up with such awesome ideas for my story, I owe a lot to her. caz shes incredible. And that's good you see Lily slightly less annoying. :) that's definitely a good thing.

BriniNicole268: you're most welcome. Im sorry this chapter was so late being updated… and good! I was trying to drop hints throughout some chapters that he was up to something caz it wouldn't have been as good to just be like out of the blue oh hey, bora is up to something!

Nyma: *does happy dance for Lily and gray* yes, well.. unfortunately, no smut in this chapter… :( I tried, but things weren't turning out like I wanted it to, so.. yeah… but other things happen! Yay!

Lovingdimple: hey! Thank you first off for giving this story a chance and reading/reviewing! It definitely was hard writing Gruvia fighting with each other caz I love them as a pairing, but keep reading! Im sure you will find some interesting things along with some other things near the end. (Don't want to give away what happens lol)

Serena held onto the side railing, shaking uncontrollably as she attempted to take another step on the ice. Finn laughed lightly as he skated up to her, his hands behind his back as he easily skated over the thick ice. "You want some help there?"

Serena smiled weakly. "No! No… I think I've got it this time…."

Finn smiled as Serena took a step forward, her ice skate slipping and causing her to almost lose her balance, her hands pulling her closer to the rail as she held herself up to avoid the fall that awaited her. "I can see that. You know for someone who is quite graceful on their feet while on dry land, it's pretty funny to see you having such a hard time right now on the ice."

Serena took another slippery step. "Well… it's true I've done a lot of ballet and I am pretty good when the footing below me isn't made of ice… but I've never ice skated before… this is my first time ever trying this."

Finns' eyes went wide slightly. "Really? You've never done this before?"

Serena shook her head in response. Finn half smiled as he watched her, skating slowly beside her. He watched her for a few minutes, trying to let her try on her own to let go and give ice skating a full attempt. A few minutes later, Finn moved in front of the girl, taking her hands into his. "Come on. I'll show you how to do it." He pulled her hands off the railing, pulling her along as he skated backwards. "Just keep your feet straight and flat. Let me lead for now."

"Ok…" Serena said worriedly, terrified of the lack of railing to help her stay up. But she trusted Finn and let him lead her around slowly, her feet gliding along the ice. Her blue eyes were glued on their feet as Finn watched her reactions. Her terrified face quickly turned into one of happiness as she realized she was skating on the ice.

"See? It's not that hard. Now you try moving your feet. One at a time, like this." Finn let go of one her hands to move to her side, showing her how to move her feet against the ice to move forward.

The blonde girl nodded and looked down at her feet once more, moving them in small quick movements. Finn laughed slightly. "Extend your movements, it'll feel smoother."

"I feel like such a child right now…" Serena said with a pout.

"You're doing great for your first time. And besides, you're off the railing with just one of my hands for support. I'd say you're getting this fairly quickly. Just have faith in your feet. Trust them to guide you on the ice. And it helps to not think about falling."

"Well that's helpful." Serena said with a laugh.

"I'm being completely serious! This is how my parents taught me when I was young."

Serena took a deep breath and nodded her head. "Ok… then I'll try." The blonde girl let go of Finn's hand and did as she was told. Her legs wobbled slightly, causing her arms to spread out at her side, trying to keep her balance. Finn stretched out his hand to catch her and help, but the girl stopped him quickly. "No! I can do this."

Finn took his hand back, smiling at her confidence. Serena moved her feet once more, extending them as she was told to do. After a few minutes, her movements started to become more fluid. Finn smiled as he watched her skating on her own. The girl looked up to Finn, her smile wide. "Finn! I'm doing it! I'm actually doing it!"

"You're doing great!"

Serena smiled as she looked to Finn. "Too bad it isn't snowing right now. It would look so pretty while we skated."

Finn grinned as he put a hand out to stop the girl in her tracks. He leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly. "I actually wanted to show this to you. I'll be right back."

The ice mage skated away from the girl quickly, making his way to the center of the ice rink. He skid to a halt right in the center, looking to Serena who watched him with a confused expression over her face. He smiled as he quickly formed an ice bow and arrow in his hands. He pointed the arrow up into the evening sky, letting it loose quickly. He watched the arrow soar up high into the sky, watching it form into multiple arrows as it climbed higher. As they reached a certain height, the arrows began to turn upside down and head back for the two on the ground. Midway to the couple, the arrows exploded, forming snow as they fell. Finn looked to Serena whose eyes were wide. Her hands came up with an open palm to catch one of the falling snowflakes. She smiled as the ice mage made his way back to her, taking a hand into his own.

"Finn… that was so pretty… did you just learn that move?"

Finn smiled as he pulled Serena lightly, skating together slowly. "Yeah. I really wanted to get it right before our date tonight. That's why I kept blowing you off this week."

Serena smiled and wrapped her other hand around his arm, pulling herself in close to his body. "Well it is perfect. And so pretty. I'm so envious of you and your magic…"

"You envy me?"

"You have the power to create anything… anything you could think of. You can create anything into ice. Something so simple, yet, it has such a beauty and elegance to it. It takes a creative and smart mind to do what you do, Finn. I've seen a lot of the students who come through the academy, but your magic is the best. In my opinion that is. And I'm not just saying that because we've been dating for a while now. I truly mean it. Your magic is beautiful."

Finn blushed slightly. "Thanks Serena. No one has really said that about my magic before. Or my mind for that matter." He said with a laugh.

"You should get more praise. You deserve it." Serena said with a smile. She let Finn go and clenched her fists tight in confidence. "Ok! I'm going to try this on my own again. I think I've got it this time."

Finn laughed lightly. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Serena pushed off the ice with her back foot, moving her body forward past the ice mage. Finn smiled as he put his hands into his jacket pocket, watching her carefully. He waited a few minutes before he moved up behind the girl, his hands going straight for her waist. The girl in front of him jumped slightly as she giggled at his touch. "Finn! What are you doing?"

"Just trust me. Keep your feet straight, and put your arms out to the side." Serena did as she was told and waited for Finns' next move. He grinned as he gripped her waist tighter, pushing off from the ice himself to pick their speed up as they skated. Serena's' body went back slightly at the sudden pick up in speed. She laughed as she felt the cold wind blow across her face, her long platinum blonde hair flying behind her. Finn slowly moved one of his hands to her out stretched arm, gripping her wrist lightly as he moved up beside her, keeping his other hand on her waist. "Do you trust me?"

Serena turned her head towards Finn, a slightly blush on her cheeks. "Of course."

Finn smiled. "Good." The ice mage started to turn on the ice, pulling the girl along with him so that they were both skating backwards now. Finn held her in place, feeling her tense up slightly as they turned.

"I didn't know you were giving me turning lessons so quickly!"

"You think this is too quick, you obviously don't know what my dad put me through when I was young and learning to skate!" Finn said with a laugh.

Serena turned her head to Finn, her eyes matching solid blue. Her mouth opened to say something when one of her ice skates moved too close to the other, causing her to lose her balance. Finn attempted to catch the falling girl but managed to fall himself, taking the girl he held onto with him. The two landed on the ice, laughing lightly at each other. Serena propped herself up above Finn as she looked down at him. "I think that's enough of an ice skating lesson for tonight. How about we head back to my place and warm up a bit?"

Finn grinned. "I'm cool with that."

Serena stood up slowly, not wanting to have a repeat of what just happened. "Perhaps you should lead me off the ice."

The ice mage took the girls hand into his and guided her once more to the railing. "You didn't do that bad for your first time. You actually did a lot better than me when I was younger."

"That, I find hard to believe." She said with a smirk.

"Don't believe me? Ask my sister."

"Well I would, if I ever got to meet her."

Finn rubbed the back of his head as he watched Serena walk out of the ice rink. "Ah crap… I was supposed to set up a time and day with her so we could get together… I completely forgot."

Serena sat down on the bench just outside the rink, taking off her ice skates. "Why don't you give her a call when we get to my place? I don't live that far from here."

Finn sat down next to Serena and lifted a foot onto his other leg, breaking away the ice skate he had made over his shoe, repeating the process with his other foot. "I think she's got a night class tonight. Thus why I was supposed to call earlier."

The blonde haired girl changed out her skates for her shoes quickly, trying to avoid as much as the cold as she could. "I'm sure she won't be mad if you just leave her a message, Finn."

"Yeah… I know. I just like to talk to her since I haven't had the chance to get over there and see her lately. I mean, last time I went to my mom's house, it was probably a few weeks ago, and she just seemed a bit off again. I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I swear she's not telling me something."

Serena nudged Finn lightly in his side. "Maybe she's seeing someone and is afraid to tell her older brother about it."

Finn grinned as he stood up. "Yeah right… this is Rain we're talking about. She'll never go out with anyone."

Serena stood and rewrapped her scarf around her neck. "You shouldn't say that Finn. Every girl deep down wants to meet the right guy one day. It just takes time to find the right one. Like I said, maybe she's too scared to tell you about it."

Finn wrapped an arm around Serena's' shoulders, pulling her in close. "Yeah caz you know what I'd do to the guy who stole my sisters' heart!" The two laughed as they walked to Serena's apartment.

Finn followed Serena into her studio apartment, his eyes widening as he glanced around. "Wow… so this is what a studio apartment looks like… how are you able to afford this place?! It's huge!"

Serena shut the door behind the ice mage and took off her jacket, placing it on a hanger in the closet near the door. "It's actually pretty cheap. I mean, cheaper than most places around here. I know it's a bit big, but it gives me room to practice for a performance."

Finn nodded as he walked around. "That's for sure."

Serena came up to him and placed her hands on his jacket. "Here, let me hang this up to dry."

"Oh, thanks." The ice mage slipped out from his light jacket and walked around some more, eyeing every inch of her place. He saw her violin she played with at the party when he first laid eyes on her, alongside a small desk with papers scattered over it. His eyes shifted to the other side of the room where her open kitchen was. It was small and just perfect for a couple to cook in. She had a small love seat and a couple of chairs in the living area and a small circle dining table with two chairs at either side. Solid blue eyes fell onto a curtain in the distance, its white drapes hiding something on the other side. He motioned to the area as he spoke. "So what's behind there? Your bathroom?"

Serena giggled as she walked back over to Finn, taking his hand into hers. "Do you want to see what's behind there?"

Finn raised a brow as he smiled, following the pull from the girl as she walked backwards. "Something tells me that isn't the bathroom…"

Serena broke their kiss to remove her shirt, her hands moving back to the ice mages cheeks as she brought her lips back to his. Finn wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body in closer to his. He wasn't entirely sure what he should be doing as she made all the first moves. He let the girl reach down and begin to pull his shirt up. He lifted his arms up as he felt the fabric slide up his body quickly. The blonde haired girls' hands went straight for his chest, tracing over his muscles he had developed through his training at the academy. The ice mage leaned up, his cool lips searching for the girls'. In his mind, they were moving at a decent pace, but at the same time, who was he to say how fast or slow they were going? He had never done this with anyone. In between their wild kisses, Finn was questioning every move he would make, wondering if he was doing the right thing at the right time. This whole thing beginning to frustrate him.

Finn broke the kiss abruptly, his solid blue eyes looking into Serena's', a red blush over his cheeks. He pushed the girl off of him softly, his head hanging down. Serena looked at him, a concerned look over her face. "What's wrong?"

"I uh… I just…" Finn turned his head away slightly. "I've never done this before…"

Serena giggled as she raised her brows. "Are you serious?"

Finn groaned as he ran his hands over his red face. "I knew you were going to make fun of me…."

The blonde haired girl sat up and put a hand on Finns' chest. "No, no… I'm not making fun of you." She watched him for a minute, her expression becoming serious. "You really haven't done this before…"

Finn moved his hands away from his face as he looked up at the girl. "Well what about you?! How many guys have you been with before me?"

Serena half smiled as she looked away. "Just one. I dated a guy for a few years and it was pretty serious. But… unfortunately, my profession got in the way of our relationship. I was constantly busy with work and whenever I was free, he was busy with his work. So we decided to end it and just stay friends. I haven't dated anyone in a while until I agreed to go out with you."

"Oh…" The ice mage slapped himself in the face. "Now I just sound like an ass… asking you how many guys you've been with… god I'm so awkward right now…"

The girl giggled, causing Finn to look back at her. "It's ok, Finn. It's important for couples to know how many partners they've been with before doing something this… intimate. It's also kind of funny to know that this will be your first time with a girl."

"Yeah well… you don't need to rub it in…" Finn said with a blush as he turned his head away from the girl.

"Tell you what…" Finns' head snapped back at the girl who had climbed up on top of the ice mage, straddling his hips with her legs. "I'll show you a few things since you taught me how to ice skate."

"This… this doesn't seem right… maybe we could just—" Finns' sentence was cut off by the blonde girls' finger silencing him. She leaned in close to his face, her blonde hair falling to one side as she spoke.

"Do you trust me?"

Finn smiled and nodded his head. "Yes."

"Good. Then I'll lead for now." The blonde haired girl took Finn's lips with her own. The ice mage moved his hands to Serena's' naked sides, his cool hands feeling the smooth, light skin slowly. The girl broke their kiss, her blue eyes staring into solid blue, a smile coming over her face. "You ready?"

He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was about to happen. He was finally going to be with a girl, fully, for the first time in his life. The ice mage nodded his head with a smile across his lips. "Yes."

Levy sighed as she placed a few fingers to her forehead. "Gajeel, are you still are against Gray coming to this party?"

Gajeel growled as he paced the living room. "Yeah, caz he's a pathetic loser who probably is still drunk off his ass! The last time I saw him, he didn't look like he was about to change his ways for nothing. I don't want him here, I don't want him in my house, and I don't want to see him period!"

Levy's hand fell down to her side as she spoke. "I've heard that he quit drinking months ago. How do you know he went back to how he was when Juvia left? Maybe he really has gotten better. I think it would be good to see him. And for everyone else to see him for that matter. Why can't you set aside your stubborn pride and let him come to this party?"

"Why so he could just get liquored up here instead of back home?! I don't think so." Gajeel sat down in his chair with a huff. "Listen, Shrimp. That man made a choice a long time ago. He ain't never gonna change the way he was. The kids don't need to see him like that."

Lily walked into the room slowly, her arms at her side as she placed her hands in her pocket. "You know, I saw him a while back when I was singing at the bar one night. He actually came up to me to apologize. He wanted me to tell you that he was sorry and that you were right about him. He said it was time for him to own up to all of his mistakes. The whole time he was there, I never saw him pick up one drink. I even asked Macao and he said Gray didn't drink a drop."

Gajeel scoffed as he looked away from his daughter, his chin moving to his open palm as he pouted to himself, not wanting to believe his daughter. Lily continued, ignoring her fathers' pout. "I think it would be good for him to come to moms' party. So like mom said, put away your stubborn pride and let him come by." The dark haired girl turned around, stopping as her mother smiled kindly at her daughter as she placed a hand on her shoulder. Levy squeezed it lightly as Lily smiled back at her mother before returning to her room upstairs.

'So the ice mage hasn't done anything stupid in a while, huh?' Gajeel thought to himself. Levy made her way to her husband, sitting down on one of his large legs and wrapping an arm around his neck.

"Come on Gajeel. Would it really kill you to let Gray come by for a bit?"

Gajeel spoke out of the corner of his mouth in response. "It might."

Levy rolled her eyes as she shook the iron dragon slayer. "Seriously Gajeel?"

A low growl escaped the dragon slayers mouth. "Fine… he can come…. But so help me if he touches one drop of beer, I'm kicking his ass out of here."

Levy smiled as she wrapped her other arm around Gajeel's' neck, squeezing him tightly. "Everything will be fine. I think you worry too much."

As Levy left Gajeel's' lap, the dragons slayer snapped his head towards her. "With good reason, Shrimp!"

Gray sat upright on the couch, taking in a long drag from his lit cigarette. His dark eyes glued to the divorce papers on the small table in front of him. They were stained all over from beer bottles and coffee mug rings. The paper itself was so beat up, it was a wonder they were still in one piece. The ice mage ran his free hand through his dark hair, stopping midway. He let out a sigh along with the cigarette smoke, his eyes closing softly. 'I can't sign these now… they're the only thing I have left connecting me with Juvia. I feel like I don't have any control. I don't want to ruin things between Juvia and her new boyfriend… but I believe what Rain is saying about this guy. I just don't know what to do. I know I have to do something to help them out… but what can I do right now? That weirdo is putting Finn through school right now… but… from what Rain has been telling me, things have been getting worse for them both.' Gray gripped his hair tightly. 'How could I let my daughter be caught in this situation?! I can't do anything while that maniac is putting Finn through school… but I have to do something soon. I'm… I'm afraid of something bad happening to my family. I need to think of something… and fast. I don't think it'll be safe for either of them much longer….'

Gray put out the cigarette in his hand and pulled another from the pack, bringing it to his lips slowly. His hand brought up the lighter to the end of the cigarette when his phone began to ring. His cool eyes glanced over at the caller ID. His eyebrow raised as he set down the lighter and cigarette onto the table, slowly bringing his phone to his ear as he answered. "Hello?"

"Hey! Gray, it's Levy. It's been a while."

"Yeah… I know. What's up?"

"Well, I was going to throw a little party at our place tonight, and well… I figured it would be nice for you to get out of the house and see everyone. I'm sure everyone would love to see you since it's been so long. I heard you were doing better so I figured I'd give you a call."

Gray hung his head down, guilt forming in his head. He knew it had been a very long time since he had seen anyone. The last time he remembered seeing everyone together was the summer they all went to the gathering at the house he had helped build with Gajeel and Loke so long ago. He wasn't in the greatest of shapes then, but he was slightly better right now. 'Perhaps it's time for me to face them all again… I need to get out of here anyway. Get my mind off of other things.'

"Gray? You still there?" Levy asked after minutes of silence.

"Yeah, I'll be there. What time does it start?"

"Really?! You'll come by?! Oh, that's great! I'm so happy to hear that! The party starts at five. And, sorry for the late notice. Gajeel was throwing a fit earlier… I had to convince him that you were doing better. He wouldn't believe me. But Lily told him you were doing better. I think he's starting to trust her a little bit more, but anyways, we're looking forward to seeing you. I'm glad you are able to make it."

"Yeah…. I'll be there." The ice mage hung up his phone and smiled. 'So she finally told her old man what I said… I'm glad.'

Gray stood outside on the back deck of the Redfox house, his eyes peering up to the night sky. His mind still fought with him internally as he thought of what he could possibly do next. The sliding door behind him got his attention. He glanced over his shoulder to see the iron dragon slayer staring back at him. His red eyes focused on the ice mage intently. Gray turned his head back around and looked up, the cool December wind blowing through his hair lightly.

Gajeel walked up to Grays' side, putting his arms on the railing as he let out a long sigh. Minutes went by before the dragon slayer opened his mouth to speak. "Hey."

Gray responded quickly, keeping his eyes up on the night sky. "Hey. Come out here to give me another black eye?"

Gajeel smirked. "Only if you ask for it." Gajeel waited a minute before speaking. "So I hear you've quit drinkin'. This true?"

Gray grinned as he brought his head down, his eyes fixed on his jacket sleeve. "Yeah… I almost went back to it, but I have your daughter to thank for pulling me back on track."

Gajeel laughed slightly. Hearing someone say that Lily had helped them came as a little surprise to the dragon slayer. "Yeah well… I came out here to say that… I'm sorry for everything I did to you a while back. And… you were right about my daughter… I mean, not all of it… but—"

Gray put a hand up between them. He brought it back down and turned his body to Gajeel. "How bout we just forget about what was said and just move forward as friends like we used to be."

Gajeel grinned. "Alright. If that's what you want."

"Well I definitely don't want another black eye that's for sure."

"Hey, speaking of kids, where's your son at? I haven't seen him in a while either. I figured he be here too."

Gray turned his head as he looked out to the snow covered ground. "I guess I never told anyone… but he ended up going to the Rune Knights Academy after he got back from that music convention. He wanted change and wanted to do something more with his life so I told him to go. Plus he wanted to get away from me and I'm sure he wanted to forget about his feelings for Lily."

Gajeel's' brows crossed in confusion. "Wait, what? You mean to tell me that your kid has a thing for my kid?"

Gray looked to Gajeel, a slight smirk over his face. "You mean to tell me you could never tell he was in love with her?"

Gajeel grew flustered. "Well— I— No! I could never tell! Besides, she's older than him!"

Gray shrugged his shoulders. "By two years. Times have changed, big guy. Age doesn't really matter when it comes to loving another. I guess I'm kinda not surprised you didn't ever figure it out like everyone else. I can definitely see where Lily gets it."

Gajeel raised a finger towards the ice mage. "Hey! I'm not the only one who doesn't know that Finn likes Lily!"

"Really? Caz I think everyone does. Your daughter being the exception with you, that is."

"So you're telling me that my wife knows about this?! No… Levy doesn't know… she would have told me."

"I think she was one of the first ones to figure it out actually."

The dragon slayer brought his hands up to his wild, dark mane. "That can't be true! Levy tells me everything! She doesn't keep secrets from me!"

Gray grinned as he rubbed the back of his head. "It really wasn't a secret…" Gray waited for Gajeel to calm down slightly before his head hung down slightly. "Say… not to get off subject, but… have you heard from Juvia lately?"

Gajeel looked at Gray with a serious expression. "Rain woman? Nah. Not since she found a new guy to go out with. Why?"

Gray shook his head. "Just wondering… has Levy, Lucy, or Loke heard from her?"

"Now that you mention it… no. last I think any one of them have heard from Rain woman, was like I said, when she found a new guy to go out with."

"I see…" Gray glanced away. 'Maybe I should act now… seeing how no one has heard from her in so long….'

Loke came up from behind the two standing outside on the deck and wrapped his arms around their shoulders. "Hey! Look at you two! Finally getting along?"

Gajeel growled as he pushed Loke's arm off from his shoulder. Gray smiled as Loke turned his attention the ice mage. "Yeah, big guy just came out here to say that he was sorry."

"Oooh! Taking your wife's advice huh? How's that stubborn pride of yours? Still there?" Loke said as he nudged Gajeel's' side. The iron dragon slayer clenched his fists as he spoke through a fake smile.

"Keep it up carrot top, and I'll show you what pain looks like again! And I won't let ice boy over here stop me from beating the living crap out of you."

Loke laughed as he slapped Gajeel's back. "Oh come on Gajeel! Still can't take a joke? And after all these years of us three being friends?"

"It's definitely been a crazy roller coaster for us… hasn't it?" Gray said with a smile.

"That's an understatement to say the least." Gajeel said as he grinned.

"I don't know what you two are talking about, but I'm doing just fine right now." Loke said as he put his hands on his hips. "In fact, Lucy and I were talking about—"

"Look, everyone knows you have the perfect life now with your wife, quit rubbing it in carrot top."

"Yeah, seriously man. Go live your perfect life away from us."

Loke smiled and wrapped his arms around his friends. "And leave you two to have your own drama filled adventures alone? I don't think so. Had you let me finish, I was gonna say that Lucy and I were thinking about throwing a party sometime in the future and we were thinking about inviting Juvia. See if we could rekindle that love life with you. Seeing how you were working on cleaning up and all."

"Yeah… maybe…" Gray said wearily.

Loke shrugged his shoulders. "Look, it was just an idea Lucy and I were throwing around. We all could talk about it again some other time."

Gajeel began to walk back to the sliding door. "Good thing, caz I can see Levy sending me a glare through this door. I know she wants to exchange gifts soon. Come on, let's get out of this cold. Fucking freezing out here."

Gray smiled as he walked behind Loke, whispering into his ear. "The cold doesn't bother me, he must just be a big freeze baby caz I don't see Levy anywhere in that doorway."

Loke snickered at Gray's remark as he walked inside, the ice mage following right behind him.

Lily's hazel eye watched her younger sister run around the house. She knew Leviana always loved this time of year, and was overly excited to see everyone there. She hung all over Leo most of the time, but her mother would yell at her to let the poor boy go. Lily laughed lightly as Leo would sigh in relief and the next second, her sister would be right at his side with her arms wrapped around his. Lily turned her head as she heard her brother walking by, his face in a book. "Oi, Gaje. Where you goin'?"

Gaje lifted his head and looked over to his sister. "To my room. These parties aren't really my style. Besides, I wasn't able to get anyone anything. I've been too busy with school and my books."

"Well… I think you should still stick around for a bit. Mom likes it when we're all together." Lily said as she brought her chin to her closed fist, a smile on her face as she ran a hand across Pantherlily's' back. He purred in response to her touch. Gaje raised a brow at his older sister.

"But… not everyone is actually here."

"I know that… but that's why it's so important to stay down here. For moms' sake. Trust me, I'd love nothing more than to run up to my own room and work on my school work and read to my heart's content. But I think mom will appreciate us staying down here for a while longer."

Gaje looked at his sister for a long time. He closed his book and sighed as he sat down in the chair next to her. Crimson eyes looked around the room at everyone else. "People watching is quite boring." He said with a straight face.

Lily giggled as she looked over to her brother. "Depends on who you watch. It's sometimes pretty funny. I mean, look at Leviana and Leo. She won't leave him alone and he's actually trying to get away from her. That's pretty funny. What's even better is the fact that the parents are ignoring his pleas for help and are letting it all happen."

Gaje turned his attention to their younger sister as she had both arms wrapped around Leos' waist tightly, causing him to cry out in pain. She nuzzled her face into his back and kept saying what she was going to do for him once they were married. Gaje cracked a smiled. "Ok. That is pretty funny."

"See? Seeing Leo in pain is quite funny." Lily said with a smirk.

Gaje shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I mean, it's funny how Leviana thinks Leo is going to marry her one day. Considering he loves another. Perhaps she is more attached to him now because Finn is no longer here."

The dark haired girl flinched slightly. Her head hung down slightly. "Yeah… maybe. And as for that lion loving another, I think you mean multiple loves. That boy has had more tail that anyone I've ever known."

Gaje shrugged his shoulders as he opened his book back up and began to read it once more. Lily shook her head. 'Well that was nice while it lasted… even if it was just for a couple of minutes of you not having your face in a book. Although I have no room to talk… I wish I could be doing that too.'

Leo placed a hand on back of Lily's chair, his breath heavy and panting. Lily turned her head to the blonde haired boy, a smirk on her face. "Leo. Having fun are we?"

"Please! Please get her off of me! I need a break!"

Lily smiled as she turned her head up, her eyes closing halfway as she ran a hand over Pantherlily. "Hmm… I don't know… this is quite humorous seeing my sister all over you like that." Lily looked down as she thought. A minute later her mouth opened once more. "But then again, I don't want to have you as a brother-in-law…" Lily scooped up Pantherlily as she stood from her seat. She walked behind Leo and knelt down some to her sister. She smiled as she held up the exceed to the younger girl. "Leviana, can you do me a favor and watch Pantherlily for a minute? I need to speak to Leo about some school work he needs to get done over break."

Leviana stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. "No! You just want my sweet prince to yourself! Don't you get enough time with him when you go over to his house and tutor him?!"

Lily continued her smile as she spoke. "You know I would never take Leo from you. I really just need to go over something with him for just a minute. So please? Let him go and watch Lily for me?"

Leviana looked into her sisters' hazel eyes, then down to the black exceed in her hands. The young dragon slayer let go of Leo and slowly took Pantherlily into her arms. "Ok... but just for one minute! I'll be watching the clock!"

"Thanks Leviana." Lily said kindly as she walked away with Leo into the other room. She could hear him let out a sigh of relief as they entered the other room.

"Thanks, I owe you one."

Lily grinned as she turned around, her arms crossing over her chest. "Yeah well… don't get me wrong, it was pretty funny to see you struggle with her."

Leo glared at the girl, his hands moving to his pockets. "I didn't think it was that funny."

"Well… this also gave me a good chance to escape to my room without being seen. So I guess we are even." Lily said as she began to walk past the blonde haired boy.

"Lily… wait…"

The dark haired girl stopped and turned slightly. "Leo, we're cool. You can go do what you want now. Just know that I won't be able to help you if she gets her arms around you again."

"No, it's not that… I just…"

Lily raised a brow as she looked Leo over. He was acting weird, more than usual, she thought. Leo took a hand out of his pocket, pulling out a small wrapped box and holding it out to the girl. A slight blush was over his cheeks as he looked away from her. "Here… I… I wanted to get you something…. As a thanks for… well… everything…"

Lily's eyes widened slightly. She didn't move a muscle. "You're joking, right?"

Leo turned his head to Lily, his olive-green eyes staring straight into hazel. "No. I'm being completely serious. I know we've had our differences in the past…" Leo turned his head and rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "But… you've been… a good friend… to me… and friends get friends gifts to show them that they care… gah, this was such a dumb idea. I shouldn't have—"

Leos' eyes widened as he felt Lily's' arms wrap around him tightly. She held him there in place for a long minute before letting him go. He held out the small gift as he spoke. "Look, it's nothing, really… I just… wanted to thank you is all."

Lily looked to Leo, a small tear in her eye. "I'm sorry… its… it's just nice to hear that I have friend." She smiled as she took the gift from the blonde haired boy. Leos' cheeks flushed as he turned around, putting his arms behind his head.

"Yeah, well. Don't get used to me calling you that! I mean, a lion and a dragon can't really be friends. They're just too different. And you're still annoying to me."

Lily could tell the boy was lying. He secretly liked having her around while his best friend was gone. It felt good to them both knowing they had someone else to talk to. Someone else to call friend. Lily laughed slightly as she wrapped her arms around Leo once more. "I know you don't mean that, you stubborn lion. I just feel bad now, I don't have anything in return for you."

Leo shrugged his shoulders as he pulled her arms off from him, turning around to face her. "Like I said, think of it as a thank you for all the tutoring you've done for me. No need to get me anything."

Lily glanced down at the box, then back up to Leo. "Mind if I open it?"

"Do what you want, it's your gift."

The dark haired girl smiled as she tore off the wrapping paper, opening the small box slowly. She looked up to Leo. "Earrings?"

"Yeah well… the stores selection was limited and I know you're not into anything girly, so I just happened to see those studs and thought, hey, she might like those. Course I wasn't sure if you had any more room on your ears for more earrings."

Lily reached up to her ear, feeling all of her piercings she had so far. The last ones she had done was from the ones Finn had bought for her, bringing her up to five piercings. She smiled as she felt room for another. "No, its fine. I can get more piercings on my ear. I just, wasn't expecting you to be so thoughtful."

"Yeah, well… my mom also kinda gave me the hint to get those for you…"

Lily giggled as she closed the box. "Thank you, Leo. This means a lot to me."

Leo pulled down his blue-tinted sunglasses and smirked. "Yeah well, don't get used to it. Once I pass this class, I won't need you to help me anymore, and you'll be free from me forever."

Lily smiled as she watched Leo leave the room they were in. 'It's pretty hard to forget someone like you Leo. No matter how hard they try.'

AN: Don't forget to review! You guys are amazing and I love all of your comments and thoughts! I'm hoping to get another chapter posted soon!