The rest of the ball was beautiful, Vander told Arman what had happened, and Arman went to find Zen and gave his youngest son a firm look.

"Don't tell the others yet…go, try to enjoy yourself and let them enjoy the evening…I'll tell them all what happened when we get home." Arman said firmly and Vander nodded.

"I…told her to leave Dad." He said uncertainly, hoping he wasn't going to get lectured.

"I'll make sure there's a ticket waiting for her at the airport if she decides to…this is between she and Zen, Vander…respect that." He said firmly but cupped his son's cheek and leaned forward to kiss his cheek.
"Ever the protector of your siblings…you've done enough by confronting her and giving her that option. Go…I'll take care of everything and find your brother." Arman said and Vander nodded, relieved his father wasn't angry.

Arman was on the phone as he searched for Zen, booking Cana a flight back to Fiore and arranging for a cab to be waiting for her at the airport in Fiore if she took that flight. He was surprised when Rushay DeLacroix stopped him a minute later.

"Ambassador Pradesh…I want to tell you…I was involved in what happened tonight…between your son and Cana. I didn't know she was in a relationship, I asked, she never gave me a straight answer and was very…forward…about what she wanted." The young man said, looking uncomfortable and concerned and Arman pursed his lips. Of everyone involved…Rushay was probably going to give him the least biased version of the events.

"What exactly happened, Rushay?" He asked and stood, quiet, encouraging the young man to keep going when he hesitated as he related his side of everything. When he was done Arman let out a sigh.

"I understand, I'm confident you meant no harm Rushay, I'm going to find my son and make sure he's alright then see if Cana is still here." Arman said.

Rushay shook his head."She's not sir…I watched her leave, saw her run and get in a cab and leave."

Arman nodded "Alright, thank you." The Ambassador gave the young man a reassuring look and left him, he needed to find Zen and make sure his son was alright. The family was protective of Zen, even though, next to Vander, he was probably the most capable of defending himself that was on a physical level, emotionally…Zen had been through a lot more than the rest of Armans children.

Relief flooded him when he found him out on a side terrace, suit coat off, tie undone and he'd pushed a hand through his hair enough the shoulder length dark locks were free of the formal tie that had been holding them.

"Zen." He said softly as he came alongside the man, Zen was taller than him now…broader shoulders, but still…his baby as far as Arman was concerned.

"I messed up." Zen said quietly and Arman slid a hand to the man's shoulder. Zen's amethyst eyes went to his fathers.

"I thought I could…build something with Cana, that she was just so wild because nobody had ever given her a chance at something real. I…was wrong. She really just…that's who she is..and I thought she was like Vander…wild because it's how he enjoys life…but Vander wants to find love, he does, he's said so…that he'll settle down, wants to be a Dad someday. I…I wasn't picking out wallpaper or shit like that, I just wanted to be…Canas chance at a stable relationship…I wanted to love her…she's got so many ideas Dad, she wants to design clothes, own a boutique one day, she gets decent grades, there's more to her than just sex and booze…" he sighed and turned to his father, accepting the hug he got gratefully.

"She said I was smothering her…and maybe I was…I wasn't trying to, I only went to her dorm room when she invited me, we went out in groups with everyone mostly…" Zen shook his head.

Arman rubbed his back. "She is her own person, Zen, what she wants is what she wants. I don't think Cana knows who she wants to be or how she wants to be or what she really wants from life yet." he said

"I don't either…well, I know who I am, I know what I want going forward…" Zen frowned.

"You're more self aware than she is, more connected to your ambitions and dreams. Cana has to find her way, and until she does, I don't think anyone could have a good relationship with her." Arman said honestly. He looked seriously at Zen.

"This was probably for the best, before you two were together too long…" He said sadly and Zen heaved a sigh.

"It hurts…" He admitted "Some of what she said…that she just wanted me for sex, went through all that I did to try to make things good between us so she…could get me in bed with her."

"Pleasure is pleasure Zen, clearly you were more emotionally invested than she was. I think you should stay with me for tonight, we can get some plates, eat out here away from everyone, I saw you dance with Kurino, thank you for that, Farron truly wants to devote his time to Erik." Arman observed then gave his son a soft smile "If you want to go home I can arrange that as well."

Zen shook his head "No…Cana left…I saw her go and I don't…want to see her right now, I need to think you know? Come to terms with this."

Arman nodded, hugging his son again. "I'm going inside, I'll get us some food and bring it out here." he offered and Zen sighed, nodding.

"Thanks Dad…some wine too…please?" He asked hopefully. He knew drinking didn't help things, it sure didn't help Cana any…but the soft warmth of a couple glasses of wine would help him.

"I'll bring a bottle out for us to share." Arman smiled and turned, heading back inside while Zen found a bench to sit on, looking up at the sky and heaving another frustrated sigh. He had messed this up, he wasn't sure how he'd made Cana feel suffocated, but he had…her feelings were valid, so this was his fault. Her being with another man didn't bother him as much as the rest of it…that she'd told someone she wasn't with anyone…that..she hadn't wanted a relationship…she'd only wanted to get him in bed again…he'd totally misread her and it made him doubt just…everything.

-

"She…she left?" Lucy was staring at Arman. It had been a fantastic night, the party had been fun, beautiful, music and great food and dancing and she'd been with Kaleb the whole night and had wondered where Cana and Zen were…now Arman was filling them all in as they stood waiting for the limousines to reach their group, hundreds of people were all in the process of leaving and they had found a spot under a tree with a few benches and were waiting when Arman had told them what had happened.

"Yes, I have confirmation from the airline that she picked up the ticket there and was on the flight back to Fiore, she should be landing soon actually." Arman said and all of them were staring at him in disbelief. Levy, ever the true friend looked at Zen and narrowed her eyes.

"What did you say to her? She doesn't run from things, you had to have said something…" She demanded.

Zen was shaking his head when Vander waved a hand.

"I told her to pack her shit and leave…after Zen left, he had nothing to do with it…he told her she could stay and he'd leave her alone..I'm the one who told her to leave." Vander said

"She's got to be so upset…" Levy said and then blushed and looked apologetically at Cris who was frowning at her, she squeezed Cristoffs hand and looked at Zen.

"I'm not saying you're not…or that she's right, I don't think she is…she cheated on you…and that's horrible and she shouldn't have done it but…if she left? She knows she did the wrong thing and has to feel bad about it or…she wouldn't have left…I've known her since we were kids, if she didn't feel wrong, she'd stay and face it all, work it out." Levy said, trying to explain her reasoning.

"Maybe you and I should head back to Fiore…so she's not alone." Cris offered and Levy stared at him…he was willing to give up his vacation…to go help someone who had just wronged his brother…if she hadn't been falling for the guy before…she was now…

"Would you? I….I'm not happy with her, I'm not…I don't want to see her until I have a little time to think, but…I'd feel better knowing she wasn't alone." Zen said haltingly. Levy looked at him…he had every reason to be against the idea of any help for the woman who had just cheated on him and demeaned him…calling him a "good lay" Gods Levy planned to give the woman a real piece of her mind…but first she had to make sure Cana was alright…

She stepped over to Zen and hugged him. "I'm sorry she hurt you, I'm going to tell her…give her a real piece of my mind over this…but I think…she's just self destructive…her mom is a real piece of work and her dad took off and she doesn't even remember what he looked like she was so little when he left them. I really hoped you were going to sort of save her…but…Cana is Cana…" Levy said softly and Zen nodded.

"Yeah…she is, thanks…I'll be ok, I just, need some distance from her for a bit so I can sort this shit out in my head." Zen said simply and Levy nodded.

Cristoff stood, looking at the Limousines that were finally making it toward them in the line of cars picking people up. "Dad?" He looked to Arman who was already on the phone making reservations.

Lucy chewed her lip and looked at Levy "Do you want me to come too? I…don't know Cana as well as you do but she's my friend too and I feel like…I should try to help with all of this."

"Then Kagura and I need to go back." Laxus said firmly and Levy waved a hand. "No…no I've known her since we were little, and Cris will be there to help me…so, no, you stay, enjoy the rest of the vacation and we'll see you in a couple of days." Levy said.

Lucy nodded, her hand in Kalebs squeezing his fingers, grateful when his arm came around her and she could tuck in against his side. She didn't understand…at all…why Cana had done what she had, acted like she had, she didn't know her like Levy did…and seeing Zen looking hurt and confused and miserable didn't exactly make her feel like she should "help" Cana, more slap some sense into her…so she probably wasn't the right person to go anyway.

They climbed into the cars and went back to the Estate, Levy and Cris hurrying to change clothes and pack, Lucy following Levy to help her. As they folded things and organized all Levy had brought into an extra bag she had brought just because she'd known she'd be shopping while in Bosco Lucy looked at the bluenette shaking her head.

"I don't understand...if she really didn't want a relationship why didn't she just say no?" She asked quietly and Levy frowned, shaking her head.

"I don't think that's it…I really dont. I think she did want a relationship with Zen but then when she started seeing what that really meant, she freaked out…and maybe it's not what she wants, maybe she's not ready for that…whatever her reason though? She owes Zen a damned apology because what she did…how she went about figuring things out? She can't be like that, she's better than that." Levy said as she got things into her bags with Lucys help.

"It's nice Cristoff is going with you." Lucy smiled slightly and Levy blushed.

"He really surprised me with that, Zen is his brother..he should be angry at Cana for hurting him…" Levy said quietly.

"I'm not going for Cana…I'm going for you, this is probably going to be tough, and you might need someone to talk to who knows everything that happened…and who can give good hugs." Cris said from the door, his own suitcase at his feet and Levy blushed again but smiled at him.
"I might need hugs…" she admitted

"And someone there on your side." Cristoff said, coming into the room to collect Levy's suitcases, easily getting them and his own "I'll be downstairs waiting for the cab." He said.

Levy finished packing her carry on and hugged Lucy, looking at her "Have fun Luce…Don't let this ruin your time with Kaleb ok?" she smiled and Lucy blushed this time.

"I don't know what's going to happen…" Lucy admitted and Levy smiled at her.

"You're falling in love with the guy, figure it out…don't be like Cana." The bluenette said and Lucy sighed but then shoved Levy's shoulder.

"You either, Cris is really nice." Lucy said, eyeing her friend.

"He is…my parents are just overjoyed I'm dating a med student…the fact he's a famous male model…my mom wants pictures of us together, says nobody believes her when she tells them I'm dating Cristoff." She smiled "But all night tonight he never looked at another girl…he was…amazing, all night, even when I stepped on his feet while we were dancing."

Lucy laughed, "Don't worry about it, I bet I wrecked Kalebs shiny shoes."

The girls laughed again, hugged, and then Levy hurried down to meet Cris, Lucy standing at the window, watching the couple get into the cab and drive away. She put her hand on the cool glass, she couldn't understand why Cana had done what she'd done…it made no sense to her, she'd seemed so happy with Zen, she hadn't taken the grumbling about not having sex for weeks seriously…she'd thought it was sweet…sort of romantic. But what if what Cana had said was true and she'd stuck it out just because she wanted to have sex with Zen. She didn't want to believe that was true…

"You ok?" She turned and Laxus was standing there, she narrowed her eyes.

"Come to make sure I was in the right bedroom?" She snapped.

Laxus frowned, pushing a hand through his hair and looking awkward.
"I meant about this whole Cana thing…"

"I can't understand why she did it, I hope she's ok but at the same time I'm really mad at her for hurting Zen." Lucy sighed.

"Yeah…Kagura says Cana needs a good few slaps to the face." Laxus said and Lucy snorted

"That's what I was thinking." She admitted and they both chuckled, Lucy turning to Laxus and hugging him for the first time since he had made Kaleb meet him for a "talk" what felt like ages ago.

"You have to let me grow up Laxus…you have to, I want so much from life and I need you, I need you to be my big brother and support me…not hold me back." She said quietly and Laxus' arms came around her, grateful she'd finally touched him…was finally close…they used to lay side by side and watch cartoons, play…listen to music and talk…they were almost more like friends than siblings at times and he'd missed that so much.

"Kaleb…is a good guy, I just…if you grow up, you're gonna be gone living your life and…I miss you already and it hasn't even fucking happened." He admitted. Lucy looked up at him in amazement.

"You're my brother Laxus, it doesn't matter where we go or what we do, I want you in my life because I love you." Lucy said incredulously, shaking her head at him "You won't ever loose me." she hugged him again and Laxus let out a breath, nose in his sisters golden hair. He knew this was coming, he couldn't keep her hidden from the world…Bickslow was his best friend and had been for years and He'd known Kaleb just as long and honestly couldn't ask for better but he was just worried this was Lucys first love in college…how long would this last? Kaleb would start graduate school, he wasn't going to leave soon…but how badly would Lucys heart break if something happened?

The "what ifs" weighed on him so much and he couldn't do a damn thing about them because he knew he was being a hypocrite…he and Kagura were having sex, he was really enjoying having such a silent but powerfully opinionated girlfriend...and having one in his bed instead of going girl to girl like he had up to this point really did have its merits… Him insisting Lucy stay a virgin was…wrong, and he knew it, but once she got that deep into the relationship with Kaleb there was no way it could end well if it ended and he didn't want her to break that way…

He held her tight, all of this running through his head and knew…he couldn't stop any of it, as badly as he wanted to, Lucy was a woman and needed her freedom and he had to let her have it or she'd resent and hate him and then he really would loose her…He'd almost decked Bickslow for saying exactly that as they had all been getting ready for the party.

"I know…just…slow down a little." He managed and Lucy punched him in the stomach so hard he doubled over in shock as she stepped away from him.

"If I slow down anymore men like Kaleb are going to be gone Laxus…other women without big brothers like you are going to snap them up and I'll be stuck dating boys like Natsu…" she said and couldn't stop the smug satisfaction she felt at her brothers horrified look.

"You….you seriously wouldn't think about dating that asshole?!" He asked rubbing where she'd hit him, impressed she actually had landed that as hard as she had.

"What choice will I have when all the men like Kaleb and Farron, Cris…Gray…Gajeel…all get snapped up?" Lucy asked him.

"Gray and Gajeel are Gay." Laxus protested them being on her list of eligibles. Hell he'd seen Gajeel behind Barnabys making out with Invel the meteorology major who had a thing for cold climates.

"But they're decent guys Laxus…seriously, stop being such a drag on me…Gods we just watched a nice guy get…wrecked…by someone we know, things are always uncertain, nothings a guarantee except…I'm your sister, I always will be, I love you and want you in my life as long as you let me LIVE IT." She said emphatically.

Laxus let out a breath and nodded slowly. "Ok…I'll try to back off more." he said sincerely and Lucy smiled at him cupping his face in her hands.

"You really are…the best brother any girl could hope for." She said quietly and Laxus rolled his eyes.

"Gonna make me blush." He chuckled and Lucy groaned, rolling her own eyes and shoving him toward the door.

"Go to bed, it's almost 4am, I'm exhausted and I want some sleep so I don't sleep through one of our last days here." she said firmly.

Laxus chuckled "Alright alright…guess we'll hear from Levy and Cris later about how Cana is…love you sis." he said and Lucy shoved him into the hall and closed the door behind him
"I love you too you overgrown brat." she said before the door shut and she was turning to peel herself out of her gown finally, too exhausted to even think about a shower, she was soon under the covers in the bed, sound asleep.

-

Cobra stood on the beach, enjoying the feel of the sun on his skin, the breeze off the water through his thick dark red hair…he could feel as much as hear the waves rolling over the peach sand, his hearing aides turned down low didn't even matter because the sounds were so vibrant.

He'd gotten up pretty early even though they hadn't gotten in until after 3am. The party had been….an experience. Once he was still trying to sort out in his head. Farron had stayed with him, barely leaving him for more than a few minutes at a time and he'd again been somewhat grateful of the mans fluent sign language. The ball had been noisy, and his hearing aides had needed to be turned down or he'd have suffered a miserable headache early in the evening. The kiss on the terrace…had stayed with him, much more tender, sweet…than the heated one they had shared on the fire escape at school.

A few venomous looks at women who approached him asking to dance seemed to have made his evening go pretty well and Farron was very graceful at deflecting advances himself, though the whole thing with the princess had been…awkward at best. He'd seen how she looked at Farron…like he was a dream come true…fucking hearts in her eyes…even when Farron flat told her, apparently not for the first time, that he didn't want to dance with her because he didn't want her having any sort of romantic notions toward him.

The Crown Princess of Bosco…and Farron had turned her down flat…leading his ass onto the dancefloor. He'd seen other same sex couples enjoying the evening, nobody batted an eye, no rude comments like would have happened in Fiore…shit he'd stuck to Gay bars since her was 16 and had made his first fake ID, not that he'd needed it, getting lecherous men to buy him drinks was easy… some tight pants, a shirt unbuttoned low enough his caramel colored skin and defined chest showed…and he could have about anyone…but to avoid drama, he stuck with older men, they had shit to loose, he didn't get the trouble he got when he fucked around with people closer to his own age.

Until now…

His eyes moved over the islands out on the sea, toes curled a bit in the sand. He'd had a good time last night…and he was almost pissed off about it. Dancing, delicious food, good company with someone who listened to him, took interest in what he said, respected when he didn't want to say much…

The dancing had surprised him, he was plenty used to nightclubs, the bumping and grinding on a dancefloor to get a guy turned on, to get himself turned on…to enjoy the feel of strong drinks dulling his mind so he could relax and enjoy really simple basic…animalistic pleasures.

Instead, Farron had lead, and easily guided him through dances, holding him and making sure he kept his balance, understood the steps…and the slower ones…pressed against each other, Farron just a bit taller than him, enough he could tuck in and almost hide in the blondes arms. Not that he was hiding…fuck that…more retreating from the noise and bullshit, finding an oasis against a dark suit and a hard warm body that smelled faintly of cinnamon and the sea. That was it, the scent Farron had…just a hint of the sea where he'd grown up, Cobra knew it now after being here. Fuck him for being like he was too, as bad as Cobra got Farron didn't get angry…he'd stand up for himself, didn't let Cobra just railroad him…and was smart enough Cobra couldn't just dance circles around him and retreat behind his barbs and insults. No…Farron understood him, or seemed to…and that unnerved him.

Looking down the beach he stilled, watching Kaleb and Farron jogging along the waterline, both in shorts, Farron with a loose fitting tank top, Kaleb in a snug sleeveless compression shirt. Both barefoot…he shook his head after a few moments watching them and turned toward the house.

"Fucking unreal…the whole family." He grumbled. He knew Mr. Elan was making breakfast, and it smelled amazing…if he stayed there watching the two blondes go through their morning work outs…he was gonna get a damned boner and his shorts wouldn't hide it so fuck staying where he was…

Farron was too confident as it was…he couldn't let the blonde know just how right he was…just how much Cobra…wanted him. No, he had his pride, and the idea of anything with Farron scared him…and if anyone said he was currently on a date on this vacation with the man and his family, he'd call them a liar to their face. It wasn't dating…they were friends…

Friends that kissed…

On the fire escape…and on the terrace…a couple of brief but still way too enjoyable kisses at the party. They didn't mean anything, Cobra repeated that in his head as he sat down, thanked Mr. Elan for the food put before him and brutally attacked some bacon…those kisses didn't mean anything damn it, just quick moments where his judgment had faded…the last one…during the last dance they'd had, with the music playing and three glasses of wine in his system and Farrons body against his…he'd deny until he died that his hand had slid into soft blonde hair and tugged those soft lips against his.

That was the wine. Not him. Sober Cobra didn't kiss people. Especially not his study partner who he needed in order to pass his damned social sciences class. "Oh good, Farron and Kaleb are back." Mr. Elan said as he set a carafe of fresh coffee down on the table that was now set to handle the large number of people who would be down soon.

Zen came in, pushing a hand through his hair, fresh from a shower but it was clear he hadn't slept Cobra looked at him and shook his head. Zen didn't miss it.

"What?" He asked a bit defensively as he poured himself some badly needed coffee. Cobra leveled a hard stare on the man.

"You shouldn't have tried to change her. People have issues, you can't fix other people through the force of your will…shit Zen, she got you drunk that first night at Barnabys and fucked you, that should have been a clue about the kind of person she is and you go after her like she's some sort of angel you need to save yourself." Cobra said, almost kicking himself as his mouth ran, he knew better than this..knew not to get involved in shit like this. Love was a fucking mess no matter who got near it and he was no good at all at making people feel better.

Zen narrowed his eyes.

"She didn't get me drunk, I did that on my own." He snapped.

"Bullshit, you ordered a few beers, I saw her put drinks in your hand you hadn't ordered, hard as fuck mixed drinks that would have put most people on their ass, she got you drunk and took advantage of you, how the fuck does that make her girlfriend material?" Cobra countered.

"You an expert on that? Because I don't see you handling relationships much...word on campus is you go home with old guys you pick up at the gay bars in Hargeon, the guys on your floor at the dorms say old guys even come to the dorm looking for you sometimes, leave you presents…one tried to get you to go on a trip but Farron had already asked you here." Zen snapped back…he knew better, Zen never listened to rumors, and didn't believe at all Cobra was the person some of the homophobes on campus talked about in the gym during weights classes and the other physical fitness courses Zen was in.

Cobra narrowed his eyes "The muscle heads like to run their mouths huh? Believe what you want, and who I go home with, who I fuck and who I take gifts from is my fucking business." he growled.

"So is who I choose to have a relationship with." Zen returned.

"Yet Levy and Cris cut their vacation short to make sure the mess that is Cana Alberona was alright after she screwed you over because…big shock…the woman with the list of guys she's fucked longer than the railroad from Hargeon to Autumn City screwed you over so she could get her fill of your dick." Cobra hissed.

"That's enough." The tone was firm, so much so Cobra blinked and sat up straighter and so did Zen, eyes going to Arman as he came in, freshly showered, a towel around his neck, still in his robe after his morning ride.

"Sorry." they both muttered as Arman got some coffee and made himself a plate.

"Mr. Elan, I'm going to eat out on the beach, it's lovely out today." He called to the kitchen before walking past the two men and going out.

"Don't talk about her like that." Zen growled in a low voice.

"Oh get over it, you got wrapped up with a bad girl, it happens, thing is you should have known better. Now you do. Hopefully you don't get duped again." Cobra responded fearlessly.

Zen was 6'5", a weight lifter, Cobra knew from being around him he was in mixed martial arts, kick boxing, rugby, football…the man could break him in half. Not that Cobra wasn't fit, he was, he jogged, swam and used Tai Chi as a way to keep himself from killing people who really deserved it…but he was 6' in his shoes and Zen probably had more than 50lbs of muscle more than he did…it didn't stop his mouth or attitude though…fuck no, he hadn't survived this long through all he'd been through by being quiet.

Zen leaned forward "Lay off." he growled

"Or what?" Cobra couldn't stop, even while his logical brain was staring incredulously at his damn mouth because it was probably about to get him killed.

"Nothing…you should eat something Zen, you're in school to become a personal trainer…coffee isn't breakfast. Both of you stop and just eat." Mr. Elan said as he set a basket of fresh muffins on the table.

Zen huffed and grabbed a muffin, aggressively tearing it open and slathering it with butter as if it were Cobras face.

Farron came in with Kaleb, the two laughing. "I told you he was a crazy professor…you'll like the second semester of the class though, he goes into the effects of economic pressures on governments and has some really interesting takes on it." Kaleb was saying.

The two smelled like the sea and Mr. Elan barred their access to the table and pointed to the stairs.
"Showers…then you eat. No beach sand and sweat at my table." The man said firmly and both Farron and Kaleb looked longingly at the food on the table…but sighed and headed up the stairs. Farron lingering a moment to bend by Cobra.

"Want to go see one of the islands today?" He offered and Cobra blinked in surprise and turned, breath catching when he found his nose touching Farrons, the blonde smiled.

"Two of them are in close right now, we can get tickets easy and go see one, I figured last day here we should do something you can only do in Bosco." he said and before Cobra could do a thing, soft lips brushed his and his eyes fluttered shut…he hated himself…it was a good thing he was sitting or his foot might have popped up like in a fucking romance movie.

"Think about it, I'll be right back." He said and when Mr. Elan turned he snatched a muffin and ran for it, taking the stairs two at a time.

Cobra's eyes blinked back open and he licked his lips, praying the heat on his face and ears did not mean he was blushing in front of Zen after giving the man shit about being a sap.

Zen was ignoring him though, focusing on eating and Cobra let out a relieved breath and focused on his own meal. Fuck romance, fuck sappy bullshit…fuck all of it.