Reviews are Nice; The pairings are NOT decided yet. I get people like Vander/Lucy, I like them too, they're adorable when she's sassy and keeps up with him, but...I really don't know if they will get together or if it will be a friendship...or how far this darkness is going to go.

I don't own Fairy Tail. Mashima Does.

I don't own the Pradesh Clan. Desna does (and thank you for them).

I own the Storyline. That's it.

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The group was settled after dinner, Bickslow looking at Xally in confusion, just like he had been the entire evening.

"Bixy…" Xally looked at him over her mulled cider, "spit it out." She arched an eyebrow, "you're being weirder than normal."

Bickslow frowned, "well...I thought ya two were mates...you zeroed in on each other on the island…did he put his mate mark somewhere hidden?"

Xally and Laxus both started laughing, the woman putting her drink aside as she rolled off the couch and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Kaleb sat there and snorted in humor, shaking his head as Xally's laughter even reached her mind.

The group all watched, snickering as they sat there and waiting. It took a good ten minutes for Laxus to stop chuckling and another five for Xally to eventually stop bursting out into laughter after small fits of calm.

Xally slowly pulled herself up onto the couch next to Bickslow and patted his arm, "That's a good joke..."

"But..you two...at the island..." The Seith mage looked utterly and completely confused as he looked between a very relaxed, but highly amused looking Laxus and his sister.

"Bixy...we shared pleasure when he was here before...we would have known then," Xally smirked at him, "his dragon just recognized me as a receptive partner"

"Well, now I feel stupid about what I yelled," Bickslow scratched his cheek as he sat there.

Lucy let out a low laugh from where she was curled up between Vander and Zen. "it's fine, but I mean...tensions run high, especially after you guys thought you were dead and then boom!"

Zen snorted softly and kissed the top of her hair, "Don't tease."

Lucy grinned up at Zen, "aww, okay."

"Punishment, Hime?"

Bickslow let out a screech as he fell forward off the couch, half turning and looking at Virgo. That made the entire group dissolve into more laughter, especially when the Maid Spirit simply had the bags for the group that had retrieved them.

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Bickslow pursed his lips, "So...let me get this straight...Weirdo-"

"Hestor," Lucy scowled at Bickslow and crossed her arms on her chest.

Hestor looked faintly amused as he was settled in a bay window, reading a book as Lucy caught the Seith mage up on 'current' events.

"-is from a wacky Stellan Celestial Mage family that worked with Seith Mages…" He looked between them, "and judged criminals in Southern Stella in a city close to the Boscan border…"

Hestor let out a hum, "Correct and the reason I felt off was because I only had part of the set." He arched an eyebrow at Bickslow, "or do i still feel dark?"

The Seith mage frowned as he sat there, eyes flickering before he studied Hestor for a moment, "...nah...it's like...muted now...with green magic as well."

"The Brothers of Ma'at," Hestor smiled, "Their magic is in a more green magic realm."

Bickslow pursed his lips, "yeah...you're not as creepy now...still creepy and weird...because...sorry dude...I grew up around you during that weird phase…"

Hestor shrugged, "and I still see you as that buffoon that Lucy calls one of her better friends." He arched an eyebrow as he sat there, smirking a bit.

There was a knock at the door and all three looked over, Lucy smiling as she saw Kaleb, "hey."

Bickslow watched out of the corner off his eye as Hestor seemed to withdraw a bit and nodded to Kaleb before looking back to the book in his lap, "sup, bro?"

Hestor spoke, "Master Kaleb." he flipped a page in the book, finding it 'riveting' at that exact moment.

The Seith mage didn't miss his older brother flinching at the Celestial Mage's words, realizing something was going on. Hell, the tension in the air alone let him know that.

Lucy looked between the two and smiled, "c'mon Bixy, I've got to show you all the new Spirits I got." she stood and stretched, "we'll be back, Hes."

Hestor let out a low hum, hearing two sets of footsteps leave and let out a soft sigh, "can I assist you in any way, Master Kaleb?"

Kaleb carefully closed the door behind him and took a breath. He could feel the standoffishness in Hestor and knew he had to do this carefully. Or he should. The man stood there for a moment and then slowly walked over to Hestor. The mindbender carefully put a bookmark in the book, closing it and taking the sharp look from the other light haired male, "...I'm sorry. I...if I could turn back time...I'd take back those words that hurt you...I didn't mean them. I...my pride got in the way all these months..."

Hestor's features went from sharp to wary as he sat there, staring up at Kaleb as the man took the book and he folded his arms across his stomach, almost as if trying to protect himself. He was confused, hurt and not sure where Kaleb was going.

Kaleb looked at Hestor for a long moment, setting the book aside and then reaching out. He flinched at the slight recoil from the other man and then spoke softly, "I...was frustrated, and I lashed out." he took a moment, then gently sat down next to Hestor, "...as frustrating as you are, I missed talking to you." he gave the other a small smile as he sat there, gently running his fingers through Hestor's hair, playing with the silvery blond strands.

Hestor's brow furrowed and he felt his chest ache, "Then...why did you say it? Why did you…" there were so many questions, from that day after the games to the New Year's party and the pain just took his breath away. He'd truly thought he'd gotten past it.

The mindbender looked into the steel gray eyes and spoke softly, "I don't know. I know better...I was...raised better than that. I grew up in a house with Lucy…" he let out a soft sigh, "I don't think Celestial Mages are weak."

"Then…." Hestor trailed off, arms tightening just a bit around his stomach as he looked away and out the window.

Kaleb watched the other man and then carefully drew his hand down, cupping his cheek and making the man look at him, "It was like I was speaking without thinking, compelled to...and it hurt me afterwards. Cris...couldn't find anything wrong...and for months, something made me feel justified that I had done no wrong."

"You wouldn't talk to Lucy that way," Hestor spoke softly, head tilting down a bit as he sat there, eyes lowering to his own knees.

Kaleb nodded, "I know...and it was very wrong of me to act that way….and...part of me aches, feeling you hurting like this." his voice was soft.

"The New Year's party?" Hestor spoke softly, feeling a bit broken as he sat there.

Kaleb quirked his lips a bit, "Which part?"

"You acting like a possessive asshole?" Hestor quirked an eyebrow, eyes flickering up to look at Kaleb.

The mindbender blushed a bit and shrugged, "I...don't know...exactly where that came from. Part of me was...so angry at the thought of you with someone else, even my own brother and I couldn't figure it out. It was like the same thing that was making me be...well…"

"A jackass?" Hestor smiled faintly when Kaleb chuckled and nodded slightly. He took a breath though and watched the mindbender, "...where do we go from here? I'm…"

Kaleb spoke softly, "you're hurting...and...I have a lot of ground to regain." He gave the other a small smile, "I'd like to work on it." he paused, "without outside interference."

Hestor arched an eyebrow as he looked at Kaleb, "what do you mean by that?"

Kaleb pursed his lips, as if trying to find the right words, "I know we have to start over because of what happened, I can see it in your eyes." he took a breath and slowly let it out, "so..please, let me try again to see...where...this…" he motioned with his free hand between them, "will go."

Hestor stared into Kaleb's eyes for a moment and nodded, "no more kisses to shut me up when I'm ranting."

Kaleb opened his mouth and then shut it, grinning sheepishly before nodding, "Alright."

"You start from the ground up...you need to re-earn my trust, Kaleb...I've hurt for almost a year."

"I know...and I'm sorry." Kaleb leaned forward, not quite letting their lips touch, "let me make this right."

Hestor let out a low sound, eyes falling shut a bit at the closeness and he smiled as he murmured, "deal." he leaned forward, pressing their lips together. He didn't fight the feeling of needing to melt into the man. He might be hurt still, but they would try and he hoped nothing went too wrong.

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Laxus stood out in the hallway of the medical wing, looking at a door with a furrowed brow. He heard voices inside.

"I feel a lot better, Cristoff."

"I know, Rowan," Cris' voice carried his smile, "I'm just checking on you. You were in a really bad way there since Lucy, Van and Zen mated."

Laxus made a face as he stood there. He took a breath and slowly opened the door, "hey, Cris, uh...Rowan...right?" The lightning slayer looked at the mage that was there and his inner dragon raised its head, purring out the word 'mate' in his head.

The Redheaded Green mage watched Laxus, eyes locking onto the other man and Cris looked between the two. The slayer could feel the magic rising and grinned, "...I'll leave you two...and put a do not disturb on the door."

The Lunar Slayer slowly stepped out, listening to what was going on for a moment.

"You're...my mate," Laxus' voice was soft and shuffling footsteps took him closer to the bed the other man was on.

Rowan made a curious sound, "we've barely talked."

Laxus snorted softly, "dragons want what they want."

"Cocky, aren't you?" Rowan sounded amused as he tilted his head, lips quirking in a smirk.

Laxus let out a low growl as he leaned over the other man, "yeah…" his eyes danced, "but well deserved."

Rowan let out a low chuckle, "oh, Thunder dragon, you don't know what you're getting into." his hands shot out and he grabbed the purple shirt the slayer was wearing, dragging him close and into a bruising kiss that tore moans from both of them. When they parted just a bit, he murmured, "give me two days. You've made me very ill...I'm going to have to punish you."

"Punish?" Laxus' brows shot up as he looked down at Rowan.

Rowan just let out a low growl as he grinned, "punish."

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Lucy stared at Arman and slowly blinked, "what?"

"I'm going with you all to Crocus this year," He watched Lucy carefully and then slid a folder across the table to her.

Lucy opened it and her features went slack as her breathing hitched and her body shook a bit. She shook her head as she felt terror start to rise.

Zen walked into the room, moving to draw her against him, Vander right there and looking at the folder with a soft cuss word. Arman couldn't actually bring himself to chastise the Shadowquip. This wasn't something he'd been expecting either.

"Good behavior?!" Vander hissed in anger, "That's bullshit!"

Arman took a deep breath, "That's how Fiore works...he can't touch the Railways, any holdings." He reached over and gently took Lucy's hand, "but I'm going with you...in case."

Lucy let out a soft sound as she just curled into Zen. this was something she'd been hoping she'd never have to face and she took deep breaths, trying to calm down as memories, long buried came back to the front of her mind.

Vander and Zen exchanged a look before Vander looked at Arman, "Thanks, Dad...we're glad you're coming...and Thanks...for the head's up."

Arman watched the young woman, "I couldn't let any of you go blind into this. You've already got enough to do."

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Lucy let out a yelp as she sparred with Laxus and rolled back as vines came out of the ground. She made a rude noise towards Rowan as she twisted and let her mind relax. She'd gotten better at things with Zen and Vander and trusted them now. Zen was there, blocking Laxus' lightning attack even as she continued to dodge and weave through attacks from the redheaded male.

Vander watched from the side, snorting in humor as he did so. He said he'd sit out as long as he could and he was getting just a bit antsy, if he had to be honest. He looked around, arching an eyebrow as he saw Kaleb standing against a tree and Hestor sitting there, looking up as the two talked. He debated on being nosey, but Farron had, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that everyone was to leave the two alone while they were working things out.

It wasn't often the Shadowquip was wary of his oldest brother, but the look in those baby blues promised pain if anyone decided to get cheeky and set the two back again. He'd watched Farron the first few weeks and had seen a light longing in the baby blues, but now? Farron was happy and content as he watched Kaleb obviously do his damnedest to make the eight months up to the male Celestial Mage.

When Kaleb nodded his head to an open sparring ring, Vander arched an eyebrow. That was different. Not unexpected, but Hestor didn't do much sparring other than with a select few, and Kaleb was never on that list. If he was honest, he and Zen had come into the circle of sparring partners and Hestor had been put on his ass quite a few times, but he was learning which was what he wanted. It wasn't that Hestor was bad with the sword he used, but he didn't have the extensive training and most of his sparring was against Lucy, who favored speed over heavy hits.

He watched as the two sparred and smirked to himself, amusement bleeding to Lucy and Zen as he watched Kaleb half flirt while sparring with their fists. He knew his brother could flirt, but to see it in something like this? It was both hilarious and then made him grin as Hestor was working to deal with the heavier hits to block and shifting out and away from Kaleb, obviously trying to get his own space from the mindbender.

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Hestor let out a hiss as he sunk into the water, head resting back against the bath edge and he let out a groan as his eyes closed.

Lucy giggled as she slid into the water next to him and poked his side, eyes dancing as he let out a hiss, "oh, that's a nasty bruise…"

"Kaleb is a monster sparring," Hestor sighed as he kept his eyes closed, not wanting to move too much.

Lucy hummed softly, "You get used to it, I've been sparring with him for years...and Zen, and Van...I don't spar with Emi and Cris...because...I don't have a deathwish." She snorted, "i'm good at dodging...but one missed dodge...owie."

She watched as Kaleb came out of the changing room and then kissed Hestor's cheek, "I see Van, you going to be alright?"

Hestor waved a hand weakly, "shoo, off with you, barnacle. Let me soak."

Lucy let out a soft laugh before she was moving away. She smiled as she saw Zen and Vander, sliding in between them and letting out a content sound. She was drawing comfort from them, and finally having been able to tamp down her need to prove herself had helped.

Zen gently nuzzled the blonde hair, murmuring, "feeling alright?"

"Mm, yeah...Rowan's a good sparring partner...he uses some good tactics," she smiled up at Zen and then let out a sound as Vander slowly let his hands run along her sides, "and what had you so amuse earlier?"

Zen snorted, "most likely watching Kaleb and Hestor. That seems to be his newest hobby when he's not sparring."

"That is completely untrue. It's my newest hobby in the sparring yards when I'm not sparring," Vander grinned, "we all know my other hobbies."

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Hestor sighed, listening to the idle chatter of the baths and let out a breath when he felt a set of calloused hands on his shoulder. He slowly opened his eyes and looked up, arching an eyebrow, "what are you doing?"

Kaleb shrugged as he moved to sit, settling the man's shoulders against his legs, "working out the knots I caused?"

Hestor rolled his eyes, "you mean the ones from you putting me on my ass?"

Kaleb snorted, he could hear the thoughts of the celestial mage and knew there was no heat. Hestor truly wanted to get better and that made a bit of pride well in his chest. He often saw Lucy and Hestor sparring and even years later, they still had close numbers on wins and losses. They had changed tactics over the years, developed themselves, so it was never much of an easy win. "I was also wondering if you'd like dinner tonight, so we can talk."

Hestor let out a low hum, going over things in his head, "I'm free tonight, I can."

"Seven?"

The soaking man nodded as he let out a sigh, "sounds good."