If there was one thing Makarov was sure about, it was that he wasn't getting any younger. He was old, too old even to continue his work as the Master in their guild, Fairy Tail. And so, in a not so distant memory, he retired and gave the position to his grandson, Laxus Dreyar. Makarov believed that the boy is ready for this big responsibility his passing on to him. He too, was getting older and when someone gets older, the wiser they become.
The old master looked around his guild. Nothing was new; everyone still has their smiles painted on their faces. But this time around they look a bit more mature than before.
Everyone in his guild grew up into good men and women. He was proud that he was able raise them to become such good people, even though they can still be a pain in the arse. He never expected to see them turn into the people he wished them to be, for he believed that he won't live long enough to see everything. In fact, he was having a really long extension in his lifespan that he wasn't even expecting to see his own grandson's wedding.
Makarov smiled at the memory. He must say that he was surprised when he figured out that there is this special connection between his grandson and the guild's cover girl, Mirajane Strauss. He knew that the little brat called his grandson wasn't the romantic type. Mirajane was more of a matchmaker and never even bothered to match herself with another guy. He never knew how it worked out; he was only shocked when he heard Laxus's intentions of marrying the girl. He was shocked in a good way. The guild held its festivities once again. Perhaps, it may have been one of the best festivities they ever organized.
It was hard to believe, but he should open his eyes that all of that was a reality.
Makarov looked down when he heard a soft groan. He was now staring at a 2-year old baby boy who just woke up from his sleep. The boy looked back at the old man. His blue eyes seemed to scrutinize each detail on his face. Makarov must say the boy looks a lot like his father, but he has the share of his mother's soft features.
"So you're already awake. Was I that noisy?" Makarov smirked as he ran his hand over the boy's blonde hair. The boy smiled warmly at him and Makarov never felt any better. It reminded him of how he once held the boy's father when he was in the same age.
Makarov frowned when the baby pulled his mustache.
"Let go of my mustache, kid. You're grip is too strong for your age!" Makarov gritted his teeth as the baby let out a cute laughter while pulling his facial hair.
"Levin, that isn't nice. You're hurting your great grandfather" Makarov's eyes darted to a beautiful lady whose blue eyes looked at them, with her sweetest smile painted on her face. She's still in her usual look, except that her hair was now tied in a ponytail rather than leaving it flowing on her back.
"Mira, would you mind helping me here?" Makarov pleaded and Mirajane chuckled heartily. When Levin saw his mother, he forgot about Makarov's facial hair and reached his arms to her.
"Come here, little one" Mirajane took the baby in her arms. Levin smiled happily at her and began to babble words, as if he was trying talk to her. Mirajane placed a kiss on the boy's forehead and softly played with his hair.
"I thought you're going to the market?" Makarov asked the barmaid
"I will go there, former Master. I just want to check Levin out before I take my leave" Mirajane replied, as she wiped Levin's drool with a handkerchief.
"Don't worry, he's in good hands. How is Laxus doing in the office?" Makarov inquired and Mirajane thought for awhile.
"He's been very busy with the paperwork. He's dealing with loads of bills as well. Laxus is working very hard. But I think he'll be alright"
Makarov smirked at this. Oh how he enjoyed the joys of retirement. No bills, no paperwork and he don't have to worry much about dealing with the damages Natsu makes. And was it wrong to feel amused when he sees Laxus burying his face with a pile of papers? Well, he must've realized how troublesome it is right now.
"Anyway, I'll go now. If he's hungry, you can just take out the mashed bananas in the fridge. Levin likes it that way. And try to make silly faces while feeding him, he likes to laugh at you when you do it or else he won't eat anything until you do that. I won't take long" Mirajane said as she brought the boy in his grandfather's arms. The woman waved goodbye as she strode off to the doors.
"Then again, what would I do with you?" Makarov asked and then he felt someone walk beside him. He looked up and saw Freed. His eyes were sparkling in delight as he stared at Levin.
"Oh, it's just you Freed. What do you need?"
"Can I babysit the Master's baby?" he asked, more of like he was pleading rather than asking. Makarov knew that Freed was a good man, since he was part of the Raijinshuu and Laxus trusts him. He can't just let anyone in the guild babysit his great grandchild. It was kind of a relief for him that Erza wasn't around. She would feed the baby mounds of sugar, and Makarov knew that that isn't good for the baby. Erza was away for 2 years after her marriage with Jellal Fernandez. He remembered her saying that she would return soon, in two years time. And Makarov was expecting their arrival anytime this year.
"Fine. Just, don't let Natsu get near him" Makarov said, put an emphasis on Natsu's name. Freed seemed to understand, but he felt like he was flying in joy when he held Levin in his arms.
Makarov watched as the Strauss siblings and the Raijinshuu gather around Freed.
"Seems like the boy already had his own guardians now" Makarov smiled, noticing that Lucy was approaching the group as well.
"Aww... he's too cute!" Lucy squealed as she leaned down on Levin. Levin tilted his head to the side, as if he was studying her.
"Of course he's cute! He's Laxus's son! It's only natural that he will inherit his-" Freed was cut off by Bixlow.
"I'm aware of that. No need to sparkle, Freed. You're being gay again"
"I'm not gay!"
"Yes you are!"
"I'm not!"
Their argument was carefully watched by Levin. The two was ignoring the retorts given by Evergreen and the others. As they argued, Levin seemed to enjoy the horrified look on Freed's face as he kept on denying that he's gay. Levin let out a cute laugh when Lisanna took him in her arms. Freed tried to protest but he can't do anything since Lisanna already held the boy in her arms.
"Nice work, Lisanna! He shouldn't listen to any of those two, it would be bad for his mental health!" Evergreen stated, ignoring the protests of Bixlow and Freed. And then, they got into an argument. Elfman had no idea how on earth Evergreen has brought him into their heated "discussion". Lisanna chuckled and faced Lucy.
"He sure looks a lot like the Master" Lucy said as she watched the boy reaching his arms to her. Lucy felt like someone just pulled her heartstrings when she saw the cute smile he was giving her.
"Here, hold him. He's really light" Lisanna placed the boy in Lucy's arms. Lucy felt like she was holding something very fragile in her arms, and that she should be very careful with it.
"You know, I could get used to this stuff" Lucy said without thinking and Lisanna gave her a knowing look. Lucy realized what she had just said and a blush crept to her cheeks.
"Why don't you go ask Natsu already, Luce? I'm sure he won't reject you" Lisanna winked and that made Lucy even more flustered.
"H-hey! Before asking for a kid, can we go through a wedding first?!"
"Hihi... Thought so" Lisanna laughed and grinned, "Speak of the devil"
Lucy jumped when he felt Natsu's hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Luce! Hey Lisanna! And hey, is that Laxus's boy?" Natsu stared at Levin, who also stared back at him. This time, Makarov was alarmed. Natsu was there. What could go wrong when Natsu is there? Everything gets wrong when the Salamander's around. Makarov waited for another movement. Well, he shouldn't be worried about anything. Lucy's there to take care of it anyway.
"Yes! Isn't he adorable?" Lisanna said, as she gestured to leave. Lucy stared at Lisanna, her face is getting redder.
"Where are you going?!"
"I'll check on the others. I'll leave little Laxus in your care. I know you'll do fine, Lucy" Lisanna smirked, leaving Lucy alone with Natsu and Levin.
"Natsu, I guess it would be best if-" Then she felt Levin carried away from her grasp. Lucy looked for Natsu. He was the only one who could ever do that.
Natsu carried Levin in his arms and ran to the table where Gajeel, Gray, Levy and Juvia are sitting.
"Hey! I got the little Dreyar in my arms!" Natsu grinned earning a surprised look from Gray.
"The little squirt looks like his dad. Hopefully he won't grow up to be a bad egg, considering the fact that his parents are Laxus and Mirajane" Gajeel mumbled and Levy landed a smack on his head.
"That isn't really nice to say, Gajeel"
"You were allowed to babysit the Master's son?" Gray asked, not believing what he's seeing.
"Oh hell I am! Isn't that right, Dreyar?" Natsu lifted Levin at the level of his eyes.
"I have a feeling that this isn't right" Levy sweat dropped and watched as Lucy dashed to their table and took Levin from Natsu's hold.
"Juvia, can you hold Levin for a moment while I talk to this guy here?" Lucy said, as Juvia reluctantly took Levin in her arms.
Levin stared at the water mage and Juvia looked back, not fazed by the noise Natsu and Lucy are making in their argument.
"Why do I feel like Juvia is starting to have a staring contest with Levin?" Gray thought and raised his brow when his girlfriend broke a wide smile on her face.
"Juvia finds you adorable! And Juvia wants to take care of you forever!" She cried as she cuddled the baby closer to her. Gray felt odd. Why is Juvia hugging a baby? Why isn't she hugging him?
"Oi Gray, don't tell me you're jealous with a baby" Levy gave Gray an indifferent look and Gray stared incredulously at Levy.
"W-what?! What makes you think that way?! It's just a baby! It's not like she hugging someone else, like Lyon!" Gray said defensively with a flustered look on his face. Gajeel was amused.
"What a tsundere"
"What did you call me?!"
"Easy now, we don't want any trouble other than Lucy and Natsu's argument right now" Levy said trying to calm the two mages down.
"Gray-sama!" Juvia called to Gray in which he turned to look at her, "Juvia wants her own baby! Let's make one!" This statement made the people in their table pause and look at Gray with amused looks.
Gray felt like all of his blood was drain from his body. Why would Juvia ask something like that?
"Someone's gonna get laid tonight" Lucy broke a grin and Natsu raised a brow at Gray.
"What?! Don't you think that's too fast, Juvia?" Gray asked then he looked at Juvia who wasn't paying attention to him.
" Sorry Gray-sama. Juvia was busy with Levin here. Juvia thinks he's hungry" Gray was flabbergasted, realizing that the only thing that could stow her attention to him was children.
"Yeah, it seems like it" Gray said and all of them looked at Levin who lost his wide smile before.
"You're right Juvia. He looks hungry" Makarov approached the table.
"So, what are we going to feed him?" Natsu asked and Happy appeared a fish in his hand.
"Will he like fish?" Happy asked, but deep inside he was hoping that the baby would not like to have anything to do with his precious fish.
"He's too young to eat fish, stupid cat!" Gajeel retorted, and Happy grinned as he happily ate his fish.
"How about some fire then?!" Natsu formed fire on his palm and he received a hard slap at the back of his head.
"Are you stupid?! He's not a fire-eating numbskull like you are, Natsu! You should learn how to teach children good things like eating something healthy, some stuff like that." Gray said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, are you trying to teach Laxus's kid how to strip?!" Natsu pointed at a naked Gray. To which the ice mage quickly wore his clothes in record time.
"Enough, all of you!" Makarov cleared his throat, "Mirajane said that there are mashed bananas in the fridge and you must feed it to the boy"
Natsu dashed to the fridge and returned to Makarov with a bowl of mashed bananas and a small spoon. Makarov must say that Natsu was looking forward to this.
"Let me try feeding him!" Natsu said as he scooped some with his spoon.
"I don't think that's a good idea. I'll do it!" Lucy said
"No! Juvia will do this in preparation for baby Fullbuster!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
Makarov had enough. He knew that he should've taken this job to himself. When he was about to say something, all of them were playing rock paper scissors to decide who gets to feed the baby.
"What immature brats" Makarov thought
"What the fuck?! I fucking won?!" Gajeel raised his hand and Makarov glared at Gajeel. He fears that if Levin heard the words Gajeel spits out, Levin's first word would be a curse. And MIrajane wouldn't like that.
"Don't speak that way, Gajeel. You might poison his mind" Makarov said, "Now feed the kid"
Gajeel reluctantly took the spoon and scooped up some mashed bananas. He found himself in a staring contest with Levin.
"Hey squirt, eat up" he tried pushing the spoon in the baby's mouth he doesn't seem to open it.
"The hell?!" Gajeel cursed
"You have to make funny faces or else he won't eat it" Makarov said. Or the boy may not just like you.
"Why the hell should I do that?!"
"You should, or else I'll tell Mira that you starved her son to death" Gray mumbled and Gajeel didn't like that idea. And what would Levy think if he would make a kid cry?
"You can do it Gajeel!" Levy cheered, making Gajeel a bit pressured.
And so he began to make vey humiliating faces, only to make Natsu and Gray crack up behind him. Levy smiled, and Lucy stifled a laugh. Makarov just had to look away. He can't believe how hideous Gajeel's face could be.
Levin's cute laugh was heard and Gajeel swore that he will detest this kid for eternity for humiliating him like this. Gajeel was about to put the spoon in the boy's mouth when he paused and noticed that the boy began to glow.
Makarov noticed this too, as well as the other guild members. As Levin continued to laugh, Gajeel swore he saw lightning coursing through the baby. And that wasn't a good sign.
"Oi wait! You have-" before he could even finish, he felt himself getting electrocuted, along with those at close proximity with the boy. Even Makarov felt the shock of the boy's lightning. By the time the flash of light was gone, their area was a complete disaster. Natsu and the others had their share of minor burns, but Gajeel was just unfortunate.
The other guild members gathered around, dumbfounded.
"Oh dear, you have to take care of that kid, gramps" Cana said between hiccups.
Laxus opened the door from his office to see where the loud rumbling of lightning came from. His eyes widened when he saw a certain area in their guild was in shambles. And that Natsu was electrocuted along with the others. At least they didn't get serious burns, except for Gajeel that is.
"What hell happened here?!" Laxus asked and Makarov turned to Laxus, his mouth hung open. It seems like he lost some of his hair. Natsu and Gray tried to hide themselves from Laxus, but they were stopped when they earned a glare from the said mage.
"Annou... we were just trying to feed a baby, Master" Gray tried to explain but ended up eating his words, while Natsu remained speechless.
Laxus looked down to his grandfather and son covered in mashed bananas. Levin was happily eating of the food in his fingers. Makarov gestured Laxus to pick the boy up.
"There have been some surprises, Laxus" Makarov said as he wiped off some bananas on his shirt.
"Are you telling me that-" Laxus lifted his son who was eating his fingers at the level of his eyes. Levin seemed to notice his father's stare and smiled at him. Laxus looked back and forth from his son to the wreck in front of him.
"Yes, he caused it. He was too happy seeing Gajeel." Makarov said bluntly. Laxus can't stop a grin forming on his face. Everyone knew what was running in Laxus's mind right now. He must be one proud dad.
At the same time, the guild doors opened and Mirajane came in with a bag of groceries in her hand. She was surprised to see that a particular area of the guild is wrecked and that everyone was there. She saw Natsu and Gray arguing again, but wondered why they had minor burns. Levy scratched her head as she looked down on Gajeel who seemed to be the one who had the most serious injury. And why is Makarov and Levin covered in mashed bananas?
"Care to tell me what happened? Laxus?" said Mirajane with an amused look on her face. She leaned on the door frame.
She can tell he's very thrilled. And hopefully he didn't caused this damage
"Now that's what I'm talking about! He's after me!" was Laxus's response as he played with Levin's hair.
"What do you mean by that, dear?" Mirajane raised her brow.
"Levin caused this wreckage, Mira! Imagine that!" Mirajane found it odd that her husband, a man with very little facial expressions, actually grinned widely. He must be so proud. But how can Levin do that? And why did he do that to begin with? Mira guessed that it doesn't matter to Laxus right now. He was too distracted.
"I can totally see it. I'm happy for you, dear" Mirajane smiled as she took Levin from Laxus, "Come on, Levin. Let's clean you up while your uncles and aunts are busy fixing the area and while your dad is busy with settling a new set of bills for the damage and paperwork you have caused" Mira kissed Levin on the cheek,
"You've been a very bad boy! So... who is my little devil?" Mirajane said as she nuzzled her son,
"Oh right, this could only mean new bills..." Laxus smile turned into a frown as his wife left with Levin in her hand while wearing a smile on her face. And then he turned to Natsu, Gray and Gajeel, who have just woken up.
"You brats, clean this up and go to a job to get enough money to fix this damage. I need this to be done within the week" Laxus said sternly as he turned to leave. Natsu and Gray quickly ran to find any available jobs on the board.
"How's your paperwork?" Makarov said as he followed Laxus.
"Don't even get there, gramps. I feel like I'm not getting anything done, because everyday more paperwork is added. This shit's getting tiring"
"Well, that's part of being a Master of Fairy Tail, Laxus."
"I know" Laxus smiled as he turned the knob of the door to his office. Just then heard Mira from the bathroom,
"Oh dear, you look a lot cuter with your bat wings!" Laxus and Makarov looked at each other, not believing what they have just heard.
"She's not serious isn't she? Tell me she's kidding" Laxus said and Makarov can't help but scratch the back of his head.
