Freed plopped down onto the bench with his tray of food. He pushed the tray forward and with his elbows on the table burried his face in his hands. Lyon rolled his eyes at the teen across from him "Drama queen." Freed looked up face red, Lyon just smirked at him while he brought his fork to his mouth taking a bite of his food.

Gray elbowed his foster brother giving him a dirty look as he did so. "Freed honestly it's not that bad." The raven haired boy said trying to cheer the other up.

Freed's head sprung up and glared at Gray with eyes that read murder, "Not that bad? Really not that bad Gray? It's freaking green. My hair has been green for almost a week now and it's still not fading out." Gray glanced to Lyon and both boys suddenly became very interested in their meals looking down at their trays. "It is GREEN! My hair had never been chemically treated, dyed, or even had more than a trim and now because of some outdated, and oddly mixed paint my hair is green. AND AND the only option to strip the color is some harsh chemical treatment that will undoubtedly ruin my hair!" The green haired teen was fuming. Any trace of the timid boy they first met was gone for the moment.

Just then Natsu walked up and sat right next to Freed, "Would it make you feel better if I told you Laxus's favorite color is green?" The pink haired boy started shoveling the food into his mouth while he waited for the answer. Freed sat up straight and smoothed his shirt out before he turned to the boy next to him with a hopeful look in his eyes. He and Laxus had been spending time together, Freed would watch the large man sand a canoe or sometimes Freed would read to Laxus when they couldn't sleep. Freed felt like the larger man was worming his way into his heart,

"Is it really?"

With his mouth still full Natsu replied, "I don't know the man's kinda a mystery, but it could be."

Freed glared at the boy for a moment before turning and picking at his food.

Gray turned his attention to Lyon for a moment. He watched as the silver haired boy pulled out a small notebook and started writing. Gray wasn't sure what it was but he knew it had something to do with food or feelings about food maybe. The other boy had been routinely pulling the notebook out and writing in it at every meal. Gray was curious but he knew better than to push Lyon for answers. Besides it couldn't be that bad Lyon seemed to be eating a little better lately. He still wasn't eating as much as an average teen but he was eating more than he use too. Any improvement no matter how small it seemed was big for Lyon. Lyon put his notebook away and started talking to Leo about some girls they saw earlier.

Gray decided to turn his attention to the pink haired boy. It was kind of cute the childish way Natsu ate his food. The way Natsu would beg for the other kids cookies or brownie was adorable. Gray had been giving Natsu his dessert since the day the got in trouble for indecent exposure in the lake. Gramps face had turned a color of red Gray had never seen before, it had been hilarious. The old man couldn't even complete a full sentence to reprimand or punish the boy from the shock and embarrassment. In the end he had left the punishment up to Jellal and Jellal had told them surviving and angry Erza was punishment enough and sent them on their way with a promise to never try it again. The boys had a good laugh about basically getting off scot free. Honestly Gray had been pretty happy this last week. They had grown close and seemed to do almost everything together. When they couldn't sleep they'd talk for hours in the middle of the night. Then during the day they'd find somewhere to get in trouble or some activity they'd enjoy. Gray really liked Natsu and had thought maybe Natsu felt the same way until 2 days ago.

2 days ago the boys were running as fast as they could through the camp grounds. Gray dodged to miss a stunned looking Mira almost taking her out. He looked back to see if they were still being chased. Sure enough the blonde from the other cabin was hot on their trails. Gray faced forward again and pumped his arms trying to push a little harder. Natsu turned a sharp left behind a building and Gray followed. As Gray rounded the corner he felt 2 hands grab him and pull him. He started to fight back, he turned to clock whoever had him when he saw his capture have a familiar pink frock. Natsu yanked a door open and pulled Gray inside with him shutting the door behind him. Winded from the run both boys tried to catch their breath quietly while listening for the enemy. They crouched down and held their breath as they heard footsteps walk by. Both boys were focused so intently on the person outside the door they about jumped out of their skin when the girl crouching beside them spoke.

"Why are we hiding from Sting?"

"Shit!" Gray whirled around.

""Fucking jeepers!" Natsu fell back on his butt.

The girl laughed, "Fucking jeepers? Who actually says jeepers? It's totally adorable!" The girl smiled and Natsu couldn't help but smile back. Her honey brown eyes had a sparkle in them as she held out her hand. "Im Lucy!"

Natsu took her hand in his for the handshake. Her hand was soft and the electric blue nail polish was the perfect choice with her cream colored skin. He suddenly wondered when did started noticing things like soft skin and a girls nail polish. Of the billions of things he notices throughout the day those have never came to mind. As their hands shook a charm bracelet she wore jingled. The charms were all zodiac signs.

The pink haired teen rose from the floor, "I'm Natsu I like your bracelet. I'm not allowed to wear anything that jingles or makes noise it's a distraction. Stings just pissed because we caught him making out with his boyfriend the Ninja kid."

Lucy laughed, "Do you mean Rogue? Sting can be arrogant sometimes but Rogue is a sweet heart once you get to know him." Lucy looked down at their hands. The introductory handshake had been over for a few moments now but Natsu hadn't let go of her hand.

"Well maybe I can get to know him. He seems shy always hiding in a shadow in the corner or something. So you do the whole zodiac horoscope star thingy? You got the signs on the bracelet." The teen boy wanted to know more about this girl.

"Astrology is a hobby of mine. I like the idea that something so powerful is helping move me along. I like the idea that I can learn more about myself from study something so beautiful and heavenly. My parents think it's silly." She shrugged and looked at the pink hair on top of the boy. He was different then they boys she usually hung around. They were stuffy arrogant parent approved assholes from financially gifted families. The kind of boys that laughed at her love of astrology and humored the silly girl. Natsu still hadn't let go of her hand but she didn't really mind.

Someone else notice the joined hands and he found he very much did mind. Gray stood watching the interaction between the two. It bothered him the way Natsu was suddenly hung on every word she spoke and how it's like he didn't even exist in the room. Gray's heart sunk in his chest when he realized that this moment he was witnessing was most definitely the start of something. The raven haired boy shoved both hands in his pockets and chewed the inside of his cheek.

Natsu cocked his head to the side, "Well I don't think it's silly. You make it sound interesting! If it's something you are really passionate about then you can't let anyone stop you."

"Really? Well thank you Natsu." The girl had a pinker tint to her cheeks.

Gray had finally had enough, "Well not that the present company cares but I'm Gray and at some point Natsu you will have to release Lucy's hand. I think I'm going to take off and find something interesting to do. If I had wanted to watch some people flirt badly or make googly eyes I coulda hung out with Freed and Laxus."

Now it was Natsu's cheeks that flushed with color as he quickly pulled his hand from Lucy's. "Um I'm really sorry, I don't know, I just didn't realize I still had you hand."

Lucy smiled warmly, "It wasn't bothering me." That revelation put a smile back on the pink haired boys face. "I'm so sorry Gray we were very rude to you. I know how it can sting when you are treated like you are invisible. That's my parent go to when they don't want to hear my silly thoughts anymore. Is it possible for us to start over? I really want to make a better impression on you."

Gray sighed, he wanted to hate this girl but she made that very difficult on him. He ran his hand through his black hair before he stuck his arm out. "Gray Fullbuster."

Lucy grinned widely and returned the gesture, "I'm Lucy Heartfillia and it is an honor to meet you Gray." Now Gray even had a hint of color on his normally pale face. Natsu was grinning like an idiot.

"Yeah yeah yeah. Now that we are all cool I'm really getting out of here. This mop closet smell like mold and mildew." Gray moved for the door when a sudden thought stopped him. He turned back to the new friend. "Wait Natsu and I ran in here to hide from , what were you doing in here Lucy?"

The blonde bit her lip before casting her eyes down at her shoes. She nervously played with the charms on her bracelet. "I let this girl named Cana do a card reading on me….apparently a new person is going to come into my life soon. A person that would be very important to me."

The boys shared an uninformed glance before Natsu spoke, "Ok that could be good but what does it have to do with hiding in a mop closet?"

"Leo was coming, maybe you know him?" The boys nodded, "Anyway he's got a good heart I think but he doesn't take any girl or himself seriously. He always seems to spit me out though. He's trying to be some kind of lady's man and it's exhausting and after the card reading I decided to steer clear of him. Maybe the cards just meant friendship but I wasn't taking a chance on them meaning much more with Leo. I saw him coming and hid in here not long after that you guys showed up."

"Leo's not a bad guy he's just mixed up like the rest of us. Ill tell you what If he keeps bugging you let me know and I'll pretend like i like LIKE you and he will back off. He's pretty respectful in that respect."

"Really Natsu that would be amazing!" Lucy gushed.

Gray rolled his eyes, "Ok I'm seriously getting out of here now." He grabbed the knob.

"Us too Gray. We can all go hang out!" Natsu offered and Lucy nodded in acceptance.

"Great." Gray had wanted it to sound sarcastic but he couldn't bring himself to intentionally hurt the girl. So off they went to find some new venture to occupy their time.

That all happened 2 days ago and Lucy had been a constant figure ever since. When they weren't separated at night by the gender concise camp set up she could be found tagging along with the 2 boys. Gray found he actually didn't mind her company she was fun. He just didn't like the way Natsu hung in her every word or would get caught staring at her like he was trying to memorize her every feature. Natsu didn't have to pretend to like the girl to keep Leo at bay, it was no act. Natsu just didn't realize it yet but to Gray and almost everyone else it was obvious. Even more so just now as the blonde girl joined their table and Natsu offered his cookie to her. Gray laughed when he heard Natsu sigh with relief when she declined.

Laxus grinned and pulled himself off the wall he'd been leaning on when he say the little blue haired girl walking in his direction. She wore an orange top with a matching headband and jean shorts. A yellow canvas beach bag hung on one shoulder. He had been anxious that she wasn't going to come through for him.

She came to a stop and had to crane her neck to look up at the face of the tower of a man in front of her. "Laxus," her greeting short and to the point.

"So did you get it?" He questioned.

She squinted at him, "Yes I got it." She patted the side of her canvas bag. "I told you I could, it wasn't even a challenge."

"Well hand it over then, I wanna check the quality."

"Seriously it is spot on, trust me this is kinda my area of expertise. What are you wanting something like this for? It's never really been your thing. Im telling you if you get into this now you will be hooked."

Laxus rolled his eyes, "Just give me the package, it's not even for me it's for a friend kinda a surprise."

"Just make sure your friend doesn't find out who you got this from. I don't need anyone else showing up and making requests like this." She dug around her canvas bag for a moment finally pulling out a brown paper wrapped package. She handed it to Laxus.

He test the weight in his hand, "It actually feels kinda heavy." He raised a questioning eyebrow to the blue haired girl as he in peeled the brown paper.

"That's because it's hard bound dummy. You said it had to be nice."

The brown paper pulled away to expose a beautifully bound leather hard cover book. Laxus ran his hands over the front where the title and author's name had been presses in with a golden cursive script. He opened the cover and on the 1st page was a inked signature.

She smiled as she watched him appreciate the book. "It's a special print very few made with the leather signed by the author herself."

Laxus smiled, "You really came through Levy. This is beyond what I was expecting. It perfect."

"I'm glad. You just make sure when the invoice for that book comes in it disappears. Gramps wouldn't like me buying personal books on the library's dime."

"Actually I told him about it. Didn't feel right stealing from the library of a bunch of messed up kids."

Levy gave a huge sigh of relief, "You went and grew a conscious? That is great because I wasn't sure I could handle the pressure. I wasn't meant for a life of crime. "

Laxus laughed, "Speaking of, what favor did you need from me? It's gotta be big if you were willing to risk your library privileges for it."

Levy clasped her hands nervously behind her back and watched the toe of her shoe make lines in the dirt as she moved her foot back and forth in front of her.

Laxus waited and when the girl finally looked up she was as red as a tomato from the top of her head down past her neck. She cleared her throat anxiously before she finally spoke, "There's this boy that's been coming in the library studying the AA material and borrowing some books on nutrition. Last week he came in and dropped this notebook." She reached in the bag and pulled out a very well used composition notebook. "I only opened it to find his name so I could find him and return it, but once I opened it I could stop myself from reading it, well what was legible anyway. I think it's meant to be song lyrics but Laxus he wrote the most captivating poetry." The girl sighed and put the notebook back in her bag.

"Ok so you got a crush on a boy who write pretty words, where do I come in?"

"I've never actually spoke to him. He has came back in a few times since and every time I try to talk to him I freeze up. He even asked about the notebook and I just shrugged because I couldn't speak. It would be very awkward now if I just went up and started chatting after basically seeming like I was ignoring him. I need you to help me find a situation where I could talk to him. I want to know more about him."

"I don't get tangled up in other people's love lives Levy. I don't set stuff up and I sure as hell don't play cupid. I got enough of that mess in my own life I don't understand. I'm giving a book to a guy to cheer him up because his hair is green. Levy this is the kinda guy I woulda wallet jacked had I ran into him on the street. I'm all kinds of messed up and confused I don't need a second helping from you." Laxus looked down at the tiny girl. A small pout had formed on her lips and when she looked up her hazel eyes started to water.

"It's ok Laxus I understand. I wasn't trying to cause any trouble." Laxus groaned knowing the quiver in her voice had demolished his realize.

He raked his hand over his face. "Fuck whatever Levy, you're already freaking adorable because you are so tiny and sweet looking. Those big eyes and how you dyed your hair you look like one of those cute little anime girls. How am I supposed to tell you no when you are damn near crying. Do you even know his name I need some Intel if I'm going to try to set a situation up."

The tiny girl squeaked with excitement as she wiped her eyes. Smiling she spoke, "I still don't know his name but he's in the same cabin as you. I heard him talking to a white haired boy once about a large blonde jerk with a stick up his ass that they room with." Laxus took note to remember to personally thanks the boys who described him in such a light. "I figured that had to be you! He's very distinctive looking. He is not as tall and he has black hair."

He watched Levy get and at off look in her eye. He figured she must be talking about Gray.

"He has such pretty eyes and I think all his piercings just make him look so mysterious."

Laxus choked on his own spit, "You mean metal head? Little library Levy has a crush on that punk." She frowned at the large man.

She put her hands on her hips, "Don't make fun of me! I've seen the boy with green hair and he's not exactly your type either." That shut him up. "Or you going to help me or not?"

He reached out and ruffled her hair much to her annoyance, "Yeah give me some time to think of something alright. I'll get back with you in a day or two. Catch ya later."

She smiled and nodded as he walked away. Then called out to him, "Hey Laxus, what's his name?"

He didn't turn around but hollered back, "It Gajeel Reddog or Rest of maybe Redpanda, Hell I don't know but the first name is Gajeel."

Levy smiled to herself as she walked off with his name on her mind.

Laxus held the book protectively to his side as he walked to the place he was calling home for the summer. He was taking the long way around, walking around all the buildings instead of going through the middle of the camp grounds. As bold as Laxus was he couldn't stop the nervous feeling in his stomach. It flustered him even more that the person turning him into a bundle of nerves was a ridged, timid, scary cat. All these feelings twisted Laxus up. He didn't know what to make of them or how to act on them properly. He'd always just shoved them down inside because feelings made you weak. They gave the enemy an opening. Feelings were a waste of time and only got in the way. That was what his dad drilled into him.

Gramps lived by an entirely different philosophy. Laxus had thought the old man a silly fool. Gramps however refused to give up on him. Gramps never disappeared or took off. Gramps never told him he was weak and not good enough. Laxus had spent his life trying to keep up with his dad, make the man proud but it never seemed to get him anywhere but in trouble and feeling guilty. Maybe he ought to try Gramps way, just for a while. The old man was already rubbing off on him and he wouldn't mind really exploring what he might feel about Freed. He'd just admitted to himself not long ago that he felt something for the guy. That itself had been a self revelation out of nowhere that shocked him like a punch to the gut.

Laxus was distracted from his thoughts by a buzzing in his jeans pocket. He pulled the very ancient old school flip phone from his jeans. Gramps had gave it to him in case an urgent maintenance matter should ever arise that couldn't wait. He gazed at the number on the tiny screen. It wasn't one he recognized from the camp landlines. Maybe the old man finally caved and got himself a call phone. He pressed the green phone to answer the call and put the phone to his ear.

"If the girls clogged the showers with their insane amount of hair again they can wait. I've warned them twice now." Laxus's brow creased when he heard the dark chuckle on the other side.

"Laxy it sounds like that senile old man has you running around like some lap dog or something."

Laxus's grip on the phone tightened. "What do you want Ivan?"

"That's no way to talk to your father. I swear I beat some manners into you at some point. Besides I'm simply returning a call. You did ask me to call you back didn't you."

"That was over 3 months ago. How did you get this number? How did you know I was here?"

"Yes well I had things going on and you know I have my ways. It wasn't hard to figure out that the old man would swoop in and try to save you."

"Well he kept me out of jail. You couldn't even return a call."

"I told you I had things going on. Of course he kept you out of jail, and now you're here at his bleeding heart camp working for pennies to pay off your debt like an indentured servant. All the while he's getting high off of controlling you and looking like a hero as he does it. And you my boy are getting sucked in and falling for it hook, line, and sinker. You think he's doing you a favor while you are plunging toilets when you could be out living and enjoying your life. I grew up in his games Laxus, I've seen them all."

"What do you want Ivan?"

"I want to help you, get you out of that hell hole with enough money to pay off all your fines and still have some fun."

"So just send a check to the county clerk and i'll tell gramps their taken care of."

"Well my boy it's not so simple. I dont have the money yet but the plan is in the works. I'm just missing a few small components."

"That's what I figured. You need me for something don't you? I'm not playing your hostage again while you rob some bank. You fucking ditched me in that bank as soon as you had the money."

"You were a child Laxus you would of been in the way. You've grown I don't think you'd let me ditch you so easily now. But you are right I do need you. You are actually a very important part."

"I don't think I want to play your games. Besides if I take off gramps call the judge and i'll end up back in the jail. "

"Actually my plan entails you staying right where you are for the moment. Once we do make our move laxus we will be set. You won't have to worry about gramps trying to keep his puppet. I'm not planning some little bank job the end result of this will start us up a lifestyle and give us the opportunity to do what we need to keep it going. Its our time son. Time for us to finally do together what we do best."

"I'm not sure I want to risk what I got going on here."

"I knew you were going soft but I didn't think my son was a scared pussy."

"I'm not scared."

"Then what you don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Don't tell me you actually care about his little reject camp because that would truly be pathetic. Laxus it's time to prove to your father that he raised a man not some little bitch. You think any of those people really care about you? You haven't forgot who you need to look out for? Who's the only person you can truly trust Laxus?"

The line went quiet Ivan had thought maybe the brat had hung up.

"Me. I'm the only person I can trust and I'm the only one who's going to take care of me in the end."

"That's my boy."

"What do I need to do?"

"Well for now I just need to to befriend and gain the trust of a couple of the old man's brats."

"What?"

"Listen Laxus, some of those kids ride in big black cars and wear 3000 dollar jackets. If their idiotic parents would spend that much on them imagine how much they'd pay to get them back."

Laxus gripped the book in his other hand tightly, "You are talking about kidnapping. Are you out of your mind? What if something goes wrong? What if they call the police?"

"Nothings going to go wrong. The kids will never be in any real danger, they'll probably enjoy the excitement. As far as the camp will know they are lost in the woods. We let the parents know that there are dangerous and violent repercussions for not following our strict orders. It's just a threat but it will be enough to insure their cooperation. After we get the money the kids go back to camp and before anyone even figures it all out we are already long gone. Laxus these people make millions then let their kids go to some crap camp to keep it out of the public eye. Mayne they deserve a little wake up."

Laxus couldn't deny it seemed like a well thought out plan. Him being here seemed to make it work perfectly.

"Ok who do I need to get close to?"

"A girl named Lucy Heartfilia and one boy his name is Freed Justine."

Laxus suddenly felt his throat go dry and his heart race. All he managed was a hardly audible ok before he hung up the phone.