A/N: OKAY GUYS! MAJOR FLUFF ALERT! I KNOW YOU'RE ALL GOING TO LOVE THIS, SO GRAB THE CHOCOLATE AND READ, THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST ONES YET! :D

Evergreen's POV

I watched Freed speed out of the room after nearly scalding himself on the still hot soup. I knew what he was doing. I think we all did. Without even realising it, we'd accepted Lucy into our team and lives. She'd become part of the team, and I refused to even think about her not being with us.

I desperately tried to distract her from thinking of her spirits troubles by talking about all of her dresses and some perfume I'd found in another closet inside the huge dressing room she'd pretty much given to me.

Much like Freed probably felt, I wanted to repay her. I already knew she'd done it to repay us, but I couldn't help but feel like we hadn't done much to deserve it.

The memories of what we did to them during Fantasia were still fresh in our minds, despite it being a long time ago and having her forgiveness.

I could tell it bothered Bickslow and Laxus more than anyone, seeing as how Bix had been the one to fight her, albeit he lost, but he had hurt her. Laxus was drowning in his own feelings of guilt. He didn't show it much, but I noticed it in his eyes when he glanced at her.

We all knew she'd forgiven us, she was here because we were trying to stop her from forgiving her partners for something unforgivable, but she'd already seemed to have forgotten her rage towards them.

I knew she was still sad about the loss of her letters, but I could tell she missed her friends from the way she looked at me and Bix when we argued, almost wistfully, before she intervened and quieted the dispute.

She'd done so much for us, each of us. Bix wasn't as scared to take his mask off around her, Laxus was actually smiling and laughing again, and Freed had someone to talk about his books and theories with. I had a girl to talk to and laugh with, and show my true nature to.

When we all looked at each other after noticing her depression, we didn't need Warren's telepathy to know what each of us was thinking; save Lucy.

As soon as I finished, I excused myself under the guise of going back to the dressing room, but instead I joined Freed in the study, wordlessly picking up a book and pulling out my own pair of gale force glasses, which rarely got used, and began to read beside Freed.

Lucy's POV

I watched as Ever left the dining hall, waving cheerfully as she wandered off to look at more of my old clothes. I smiled at her retreating figure before turning to grin at the antic of all the children before me. Most of whom had finished their food and started yawning tiredly.

I'd sent Loke and Virgo back to the spirit world, leaving Plue out to join the kids while they ate.

I pushed away my half finished bowl of soup, ignoring Laxus's frown as I stood up and clapped loudly, gaining all the children's attention.

'Okay guys, time for bed!' I smiled as the expected monotony of groans and moans echoed in the hug room, but they were silenced as I held up a finger.

'If you guys don't give Miss Julia and us any problems getting ready, we'll have a big bedtime story, ok?' They all cheered, suddenly co-operative.

I was about to walk off when Bix grabbed my arm, pulling me around to face him. I could see his panic in his eyes, even though they were mostly covered by his stupid metal mask.

'What do you mean, "us"?' He asked, exchanging a nervous look with Laxus, who was contemplating the distance between him and the door. I pouted, sniffling, pretending to start crying.

'Do you expect me and Julia to handle over 50 kids on our own?' I whined, looking at Bix with watery eyes, and glancing at Laxus, who'd gone rigid, glaring at me with suspicion. I finally sold it to him by forcing a tear to escape my eyes. He groaned and slumped forwards as Bix shook his head.

'Fine blondie, we'll help.' I laughed, earning myself a glare from both men.

'Oh don't be like that. Their just kids. No trouble at all for a pair of big strong mages who took out a pack of vulcans and wyverns what, yesterday?' They looked at me, grimacing.

Suddenly, I grabbed Bix's mask and took it off, before pushing his hood back.

'What the fuck cosplayer?' He said, earning a slap for swearing in front of the children.

'I like your eyes. Besides, these kids have seen more terrifying things than a pair of red eyes, so chill. Also, you've got nice hair.' I told him, fingering the soft strands, before blushing and moving away with the mask in my hands.

'Okay kids, be nice to Bix-ni and Laxus-ni, okay?'I shouted as they had split into their groups and followed the two mages.

I laughed softly as they started out awkwardly, standing clueless in the middle of the group of kids, before the children took charge and pulled on their arms, leading them off.

I watched as they gained their confidence with the kids, laughing as Laxus lifted up three on each of his arms, their squealing laughter echoing down the corridor as they led them towards the huge bathroom I'd had installed, which had replace two guest bedrooms. At the sight of Laxus so at home with the children, I couldn't but feel the butterflies in my belly flutter, and something clench tightly onto my gut as my heart thudded erratically. I looked over to see how Bix was getting on, and saw him with one kid on his shoulders and another two dangling off each arm and leg, his tongue sticking out wildly as he laughed with them, his babies twirling and zooming in between the happy children. That feeling in my chest got bigger, and I thought my heart stopped for a moment, before I forced myself to move forward, blushing bright red at myself.

The room became quiet except for the brushing of teeth, and within 15 minutes, all of the fifty or so children were clean and dressed in their pyjamas.

I lead the large group into another big room that had pillows and beanbags tossed everywhere around a hug window seat that allowed them to see the night stars.

I grabbed a story book and waited for them all to sit down, Laxus and Bix standing at the back. I turned on a small lamp beside me as Julia turned out the overhead lights, and the ceiling of the room lit up with the constellations I'd stuck there with glow in the dark stars.

I smiled up at the ceiling before I started to read the story that had been designated for this night, smiling even more as the children cuddled up to me as much as possible.

Laxus's POV

I looked on with Bix as she read them some kids book, and couldn't help but smile at her happy face as the children seemed to gravitate towards her. Hell, everyone gravitates towards her; she had that kind of vibe that said "Hey, pick me! You won't regret it, because I'll love you more than you damn well think you deserve and you'll love every minute of it too!"

'She's incredible, isn't she?' I heard a soft feminine voice whisper to us. We both looked down to see Julia smiling warmly at blondie. I grunted my agreement and continued to watch.

'You're the first ones she's bought here since she started the orphanage. She quite often turns up by herself, carrying another abandoned child in her arms, their clothes in tatters and ridden with lice and illness. She takes in everyone she finds. When I told her there wasn't enough room for more, she contracted some builders and had them make all these changes so we could have more.' She sighed sadly as me and Bix looked at her, listening intently.

'She refuses to allow me to help pay for anything. She still pays the bills somehow, all by herself. God knows how she does it. I heard she was amongst the mages that disappeared, and we mourned for her. All of us did. But the payments still kept coming. She must have set something up in case something happened to her.' She looked up at both of us sternly, frowning slightly.

'I hope you both sort whatever this is out. I can see you both love her, don't deny it; and whichever one of you gets her, know this. You have an Angel on your hands. Don't ever allow her to be hurt, because she carries more than one heart within her. All of these children owe her their lives, as well as me.' We watched as she walked out of the room to who knows where.

'So. You like blondie huh?' I whispered, feeling my heart cracking for some damn reason.

'Maybe. You like cosplayer too though, right Laxus?' He asked, his voice deadpan as he stared straight at the golden haired woman, who laughed that damn tinkley laugh as one of the kids spoke to her.

'Maybe Bix. I dunno anymore. She frustrates me more than anything, and pisses me the hell off every time she opens her damn mouth.' I muttered, but I couldn't muster any anger behind my words.

'What are we gonna do Laxus?' He whispered, crossing his arms, still staring at blondie. I shrugged, listening intently to what she was saying.

'Who knows Bix? Damn blondie has us all wrapped around her little finger, huh?' I chuckled softly, knowing there was no point in hiding my affection for her.

'Can't deny it. Won't either. She's... incredible.' He breathed out, shaking his head.

'Jeez, look at us. A couple of the strongest mages in Fairy Tail pining for the same girl.' He grunted, refusing to let his gaze shift from her. I turned to look at her, noticing how the lamp light from behind her made her hair shine, taking my breath away.

'I wish I didn't like her like this Bix. I know you love her already. She'd be good for you, but you know what? I can't give her up. I thought I could, but I... just can't.' I felt his eyes drilling into my skull and turned to stare straight into them, seeing them flash a luminous green, before he shut them tightly and looked away, breathing deeply to control his figure eyes.

'Same here Laxus. God I keep telling myself she's too fucking good for me, and that you need her, but I just can't give up like this. It fucking hurts every time I see her getting closer to you, and whenever she talks to me I just can't breathe suddenly.' He laughed harshly at himself, running a hand through his black-blue streaked hair, turning to face me.

'Pathetic, I know.' I shook my head, punching him lightly.

'I know the feeling man; but damn, when she flashes you just enough skin to tempt you and then backs off right away, blushing all cute like?' We groaned quietly simultaneously and grinned.

'Better make sure Mira doesn't here about this Laxus, she'll go crazier than when she found out Bisca and Alzack got married without her, then had a kid!' I groaned at Bix's words, thankful his babies were hovering protectively around Lucy, sometimes repeating what she said and making all the kids giggle quietly.

'I'm not going to fight you for her Bix. I don't want her to see me like that, or for you to get hurt. You know I get more intense about this kind of stuff because of the dragons damn instincts. But we're just going to have to back off and let her decide.' He nodded in agreement, his eyes once again locked on the beautiful blonde in front of us.

'Laxus. Whoever does get her, swear to me, our friendship won't change, and neither of us will make a move on her while she's dating whoever she chose, right?' I nodded, and we shook hands on it, knowing that from here on out, it was all down to blondie.