Hi this chapter is completely written by Dub about 1 / 2 years ago while I was busy making the Phantom heist so enjoy. And all I can say is message those close friends even if your having a bad day or if they are having a bad day. Or if you haven't heard from them in a long long time. I know I have to plan something special for Dub as I've missed her bday and been really out of the loop since uni.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twelve

FRIENDSHIP IS KEY

Natsu POV

"WOOO HOOO!" I shouted as we enter the basketball caught.

"Chill out. All I want is a chill game of basketball after that mission" Gray drawled out with his arm around the newest member of our group. His girlfriend Juvia, she was for a better word energetic when show her love for Gray. She was still a bit hostile towards Luce as she dubbed her as a 'love rival'. Which is beyond me as Luce is mine… wait did I just think that… fuck.

"Fine. Just this is my turf. I'M THE KING OF BASKETBALL" I retorted back.

"We'll see about that." Gajeel said, who arrived with Levy.

We sat on the bench near the caught as we waited for Luce to arrive.

After 20 minutes of talking we all hear someone singing.

"I've met someone that makes me feel seasick

Oh, what a skill to have, oh, what a skill to have

So, many skills that make her distinctive

But they're not mine to have, no, they're not mine

Whenever she looks I read the nearest paper

No, I don't care about the soaps

No, I don't care about the soaps

Though I'm acting like I'm in an EastEnders episode

If this is a rom-com

Kill the director

If this is a rom-com

Kill the director, please"

All our heads snapped up to see Luce singing with her headphones on whilst rollerblading.

At that sight our jaws dropped open. Then she started to spin and do tricks…Like a beautiful butterfly dancing in the sky...wait when did I get so poetic.

By this point we were all gaping at her; she seemed to be in her own world. Typical Luce.

"Carrots help us see much better in the dark

Don't talk to girls, they'll break your heart

And this is my head and this is my spout

They work together, they can't figure anything out

So, with the angst of a teenage band

Here's another song about a gender I'll never understand

Here's another song about a gender I'll never understand

If this is a rom-com

Kill the director

If this is a rom-com

Kill the director

If this is a rom-com

Kill the director, please

This is no Bridget Jones

This is no Bridget, Bridget (x6)

This is no Bridget Jones

This is no Bridget, Bridget Jones"

Luce finished singing and snapped her head up to see us staring at her. She blushed and rollerbladed over to us.

"Hey, guys" She awkwardly said whilst scratching the end of her nose nervously.

"Juvia didn't know Lucy was so talented. Juvia is impressed." Juvia stated making the rest of us snap out of our stature forms.

"Wow Lu, I didn't know you could do that. We should tell Icarus and Titania that you can rollerblade we might be able to use it in a mission" Levy squealed and launched herself at Luce.

"Ummm… Thanks I guess. But let's start the match already"

As Luce took off her rollerblades we decided the teams. In the end it was me, Luce and Levy against Gray, Juvia and Gajeel. A 3v3 this should be good.

"My team's gonna win Popsicle" I told Gray to riffle him.

"Whatever help you sleeps at night Flame Brain" Gray shot back.

I pounced and clocked Gray in the face. He went flying into the fence of the caught. I smirked. Which lasted two seconds as the basketball smashed me in the back of the head.

"Oh, you're on dickwad" I snarled at Gray.

Gray and I started to fight each other. It felt as if we were in the video game 'Super Smash Bros'. After 20 minutes or so of fighting we got board for smashing each others brains out and was about to started the game.

"Let's make this interesting" Juvia said. It looked like she had just finished a conversion with Gajeel. "Gajeel and Juvia think that the losing team should have to get a piercing and a tattoo; but they can choose where to get them".

"I like the sound of that." Luce stated, "I'm down with forfeit; if you are sound." Luce then stuck her hand out to make the bet official.

"LET THE GAME BEGIN" We all shouted.

Levy's POV

From my analysis the team were fair. On our team which Natsu made us be called Team Natsu was comprised of Natsu, Lu and I. Natsu was the force of our team as he has the most experience and a good aim to boot. He also was quick and light on his feet. Lu has never played basketball prior to this as she wasn't allowed to when she was little; however, she is intelligent and a quick learning therefore she learnt the game quickly. Surprising she was very good. As someone who help plans out the missions she formulated a plan of action and Natsu and I followed. Since I'm a small statured assassin I'm quick on my feet and I'm able to duck under my opponents.

For the opposing team which was called Team Gray as if Natsu had a team named after him then so would Gray… boys are so stupid had Gray, Juvia and Gajeel. Gray has similar qualities to Natsu although he didn't play as much as Natsu. Gray was super fast and had a unique eloquents whilst playing basketball it was like he was figure skating. Juvia when not concentrating on Gray was a force to be reckoned with. Her movement on the cortt was like flowing water; if you watched her and Gray together it was if they were dancing a dance only they knew. Their teamwork was impeccable; you could feel the love between them. Gajeel was the muscle of the team and had a pinpoint shot.

It was weird to see everyone relax and let their guard down. We all laughed together and had a great time. It made me smile like I was a child again. I've always wish for great friends to have a laugh with and now I have.

The sun started to set meaning that we had been playing for about 2 hours. Around half way through the game everyone forgot about the score as we all kinda wanted to get piercing and a tattoo of our choosing. But from what I remember we were pretty even.

After the match I saw Gray phone Titania to let her know we were going out for dinner and getting piercing and tattoos.

Gray POV

We all entered the dinner that was down from the basketball caught. We chatted about all sort; it was like we had known each other forever.

I felt Juvia slip her hand into mind whilst we order our food. I squeezed her hand as I knew how nervous she was about the gang not liking her which was bollocks since the gang is awesome and who wouldn't like Juvia. Flame brain order the hottest burger and wings on the menu along with a coke. Lucy order a chicken salad and a diet coke. She was only order because that idiot sitting next to her kept calling her heavy which she wasn't; seeing her order it made me want to punch Natsu more than usual. But then Lucy looked at me and her eyes told me that wasn't the reason how did she know what I was thinking… OH MY MAVIS SHE'S USING HER CREEPY STALKER POWERS AGAIN. I let go of Juvia's hand to make my funky hand movement at Lucy who scowled. I snickered and grabbed Juvia's hand again. Gajeel order a triple stacked burger with each cheese and bacon. He got a drink of 'Mountain Dew'. Levy ordered chili fries with a mango and passion fruit smoothy. Juvia got and chicken burger with tap water. Lasty I order a barbeque double cheese burger and a vanilla milkshake.

The food we had was amazing and we promised the waitress that we would be back. Us boys paid the bill for ourselves and lady companion.

We left the dinner and headed towards the tattoo parlour. On the walk there I had a chat with Lucy to clear the air and tell her how sorry I was.

There was also something that I had to give her back.

"Hey Lucy; can we talk about what happened the other day. I owe you an apology." I started to which she nodded her head.

"I'm so so so sorry I shouted at you I was a total dick towards you. I should have let you explain what happened and I shouldn't have judge you for being born into the Heartfilia family. It's not your fault and I shouldn't have assumed you had a great up bringing."

I saw a tear escape her eye and I felt like an idiot for bringing it up. I smacked myself on the forehead and gave her a quick hug.

"Please Lucy don't cry, I'm such a knob."

Lucy giggled and shook her head.

"It's not your fault Gray; I would have had the same reaction. I mean why would the Heartfilia princess need to go into the criminal business she already has a perfect life and loads of money." She countered with a small smile.

"Well to me you're a badass not some stuck up princess. And it was still wrong of me to think like that. Whilst you were telling your story I realised that you were never going to be given a choice of what your future holds. It's your future you should live it how you want and with who you want."

I saw her smile brighten when I said that.

"Lucy you're like a little sister to me and one of my best friends even though I've only known you for a short time."

"I've always wanted a older brother. And I think you're my dream older brother Gray. We have flaws but I still love you for it. Thanks for being a great big brother and best friend to me Gray."

We both then heard Juvia whispered love rival but when we looked we saw her smiling at our exchange. Thank Mavis she's realise that Lucy and I aren't in love; I love Juvia and I don't want to deal with Flame Brain. Juvia's smile also showed us that she would not tell the others of this conversation which we were grateful for.

"Ummm… Lucy." Here comes the hard bit. I hope she still sees me as an older brother and best friend after this.

"Yes, Gray." She looked at me with those big brown eyes. No no no she making this harder to admit and do. Well here goes nothing.

"There's something else I need to tell. Just don't hate me afterwards. Okay?"

"Okay?" She answered back nervously.

I stopped us walking and let the others go further ahead. I need to be standing still to admit this to her.

"Okay, about eleven, twelve years ago I broke into the Heartfilia mansion."

Lucy's eyes widened in shock but also realisation. Fuck. I gulped but I had to continue no turning back now.

"I stole a necklace. I thought it wasn't an important one since you had loads and wouldn't miss just one. I also really needed the money as my parents had died and I wanted to pay my mentor for looking after me and teaching me loads of cool things about ice."

Lucy looked at me and I could see the tears were back.

"Mama's special and favourite necklace."

I looked away in anger and regret.

"Yeah, I know I'm sorry for taking it." I hung my head in shame.

"With all the things I've stolen I've never felt bad about it. I always thought they won't miss it they've got others. Usually that was right, I always got some expensive piece that didn't meaning anything to the owner. But when I went to the black market to sell your mum's necklace." My throat clogged and I swallowed the lump that formed. "I couldn't sell it. So I brought a box to put it and bury it with me. I couldn't sell it and I couldn't give it to anyone. Just looking at it gave me the feeling that it was wrong to and that it meant a lot."

She went rigid when I said that and gave me a hopeful look. Even if I told her she would never believe how grateful I was for that.

"After you told us about your story and who you were I dug it out and thought it was time to give it back to the rightful owner."

I pulled the necklace box out of my pocket and gave it to her. She opened the box and gasped. I quickly brought her to my chest to stabilize her and show her how sorry I am.

"I'm sorry Lucy, I understand if you never forgive me."

"I forgive you Gray." She said in a small voice.

"Even though my mama loved that necklace she told me that who ever stole it probably really needed the money they would get from it and that she's not mad at the person who did it. She also told me to forgive the person who did it. So I forgive Gray, not just because my mother told me to but because you are a wonderful person Gray and you have a good heart."

I squeezed her to my chest and kiss the top of her head. We looked at the necklace together; it wasn't anything fancy it had a small gold key on it with a Hemimorphite crystal embedded at the top of the key. It was very pretty and quaint; it suited Lucy. I took the necklace out of the book and made Lucy turn round so I could clip it around her neck.

"Thank you Gray" Lucy said as she whipped her tears.

"I don't deserve your thank you Lucy. Still friends?"

"Best friends and you're still my big brother"

With another quick hug she grabbed my hand and we ran and laughed all the way to the tattoo parlour.

Gajeel's POV

Bimbo and Gray arrived shortly after we did laughing about something. I looked over to Juvia to see her glaring at Bimbo. Then Gray caught eyes with her and they were having a conversation with their eyes. Eventually Juvia stopped glaring at bimbo and we got on with what we're here for.

I went first since I have the most experience. I got a piercing at the top of my left ear to add to my collection. I went to the book to choose what tat I was going to get. As I was choosing Levy went and got her second set of piercings on hear ears. After she joined me and looked through another book. I chose to a tribal tattoo on my shoulder; I knew it would take more than one session but it was the coolest one so don't care. I looked a Levy and she chose a small tattoo of a fairy holding a book. She's such a nerd. Bimbo went nexts and got a simple nose piercing and she already had a tattoo chosen. She had a fairy ring to go round her biceps but what I notice it had a little red dragon involved in the pattern. I wonder why she added that. Natsu had to go next. Got to be after bimbo of course. He got one piercing on his left ear. He decided on get a dragon that covers his entire arm.

"You know that will take a couple of weeks to be completed, right?" I questioned him.

"Yeah, Luce will come me." He answered coolly.

"What wait." Was bimbo response but it went on deaf ears.

By now me and Levy where getting our tats. Natsu and bimbo were having a conversation about her going to all of Natsu's sessions. I felt someone grab my hand. I looked up to meet Levy's face twisted in pain. I gave her hand a squeeze to let her now I'm here for her.

Gray got both his ears pierced and got a water droplet to symbolize Juvia. Juvia got her nose pierced to and she decided to get a heart that looked like ice to show her love for Gray.

After all the tattoos were done and Natsu and I booked our next sessions we headed back to the house.

I'll never admit out loud but this was one of the best days of my life.

Hey Guys, its me again slowly and surely getting back into writing. It's probably not any good story anymore but this chapter means a lot to me so I hope people see the passion in this story at least. Any constructive criticism is welcome. If anyone wants to check out my other two stories:

Does Love Burn out as Quick as Fire ( 2 Chapters - update happening by end of the week)

and

Sins vs Virtues (Chapter 1- update incoming tonight or tomoz)

I'm glad people are still faving and following it means a hell of a lot