Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's "Fairy Tail" but all original plot and characters are mine,

The Fairy Mini-Shots Summary

Join in as our members of Fairy Tail and their friends go through the love, joy, anger and despair of their daily lives!

One-Shot Summary

Erza smiled down at the children tucked in her arms, one with the blue hair of her father and the other with his eyes. She saw so much of him in them. She looked out the window to the stars and sighed. "I'll love them enough for the both of us."

The Fairy Mini-Shots

by

Magnafeana

Love of Fairies

It was one of those days when the guild action was slow. Natsu had decided to take Lucy out on a date for the evening—ignoring Lucy's protests of wanting to be with Nashi—and left Happy in the care of Wendy and eighteen-month-old Nashi in the care of Aunt Levy and Uncle Gajeel. Gray and Juvia had taken Gary home for the night. Evergreen and Elfman were still on their mission. Lisanna and Bixslow were at the bar, laughing at each other as they talked in hushed tones. Cana was already passed out from intoxication. Alzack and Bisca were eating a belated dinner while Asuka kept herself busy by chatting away with Laki. Nab had found himself a mission and was still not home. Max and Warren left the guild early with Macao and Wakaba for a game of poker at Max's apartment. Pantherlily and Charla were without the dragon partners, but remained in their humanoid forms at a booth, both talking to each other with soft smiles on their faces.

Mira remained tending the bar with Laxus quietly watching her as though something could go wrong. Kinana was helping clean up the guild already. Lance and Aine had found a table together, Aine starting to fall asleep and Lance watching her carefully. Mystogan was too absorbed in his book to notice his sister and his best friend. Erza watched her kids from the safety of her bar, drinking her herbal tea.

"They sure are cute, aren't they?"

Erza looked up from her mug to see Mira leaning on the counter to look at her son with an affectionate smile. "Aine is beautiful," she commented, nodding at the blunette. "Just like her mother."

Erza smiled as she put down her empty mug. "I suppose," she said. "Mystogan is getting handsomer everyday. Just like his f—" Erza stopped short of her words and a hard look replaced her softened one. She looked down into the empty mug in her hands rather than keeping her gaze on her children.

Mira looked at Erza in sisterly sympathy, but dared to say nothing. She had known the Requip Mage since they were children. She treated Erza as the twin sister she never had. She knew enough not to prod onto the subject further, not something like this. Instead, she left Erza to stew into her own thoughts, walking back over to the watchful Laxus.

Erza couldn't get his face out of her mind. She never would. As she looked at her children, she saw him in them. Mystogan had those eyes of his father as well as his genius while Aine could show the playful side her father had only shown to Erza a long time ago. The way Aine smiled, the way Mystogan's magical prowess grew—it only reminded her of him.

Erza cleared her throat. "I'm going to take the kids home," she announced to both Mira and Laxus, who had been watching her. She pushed her mug away as she got up from the bar stool. She offered Mira a small smile. "Good night. Thank you for the tea," she appreciated.

"It was my pleasure," Mira welcomed.

Erza nodded and walked over to Mystogan. "Mystogan," she softly called to her son. "Mystogan, it's time to go."

Mystogan looked up from his book to meet his mother's eyes. His face changed suddenly in her mind. She did not see a scarlet-haired boy. She saw a blue-haired man with that accursed tattoo on his face, looking at her with all the tenderness in the world. She saw him.

"Mom?" came a suspicious call.

Erza blinked, and looked back at Mystogan, who stared at her inquisitively. Erza smiled at him and patted his head. "Sorry about that. Guess I got a little distracted," she apologized. "But it's time to go home."

Mystogan nodded slowly and Erza knew he didn't full believe her. "All right. Want me to wake up Aine?" he asked.

Erza shook her head. "It's okay. I'll go get her. Say your good-byes and meet me at the front door." Erza walked away from her son without receiving an answer from him and made her way toward Lance and Aine's table. Her daughter was already fast asleep on Lance's shoulder, quietly sighing against him. Lance kept her there, holding onto her hand. Erza smiled softly. Those two were adorable together. Both Erza and Mira secretly hoped their child romance would blossom once the pair became older.

Erza quietly approached the table and Lanced looked up at her arrival. "Hi, Aunt Erza," he greeted quietly, not wanting to wake Aine.

"Hello, Lance," Erza said. " I'm sorry, but I have to take Aine home."

A flash of disappointment was in Lance's emerald eyes, but he loosened his hold on Aine's hand as Erza reached over to take her daughter. Aine began to murmur in protest as she left Lance, but Erza quickly grabbed Aine and put her in her arms, making her sigh in contentment. Erza lifted Aine up and into her arms, securing her, before smiling over at Lance and whispering a soft good-bye.

Erza navigated back to the front door where Mystogan waited patiently for his mother. He opened the front door for the both of them, allowing them to see Magnolia as she was weary of her work and began shutting down for the night. After stepping outside in the mildly warm air, the small family made their trek home. Storeowners were locking up for the night. A few lovers were perhaps taking a stroll. A stray cat wandered the streets, looking for its next shelter for the night. Half of Erza expected to see Natsu and Lucy running down the streets in their mirth, but she was reminded that Natsu took Lucy to another town for their special first date away from their beautiful baby girl.

Nashi was certainly loved by all of Fairy Tail and other guilds. Her mere existence made those who knew of both Natsu and Lucy's heritage baffled, but with her light pink hair and deep chocolate eyes, all those who eyes befell onto her adored her. Erza noticed Aine had taken it upon herself to watch over Nashi whenever she could, loving Nashi as the younger sister she never had. Even Mystogan would put down his books to play with Nashi. And to see him put his book down was a rare sight indeed.

I remember all those times it would take me hours to get Jel—

Erza stopped in her thinking as a hard look swept across her face. No. Not again.

The walk to the Fernandes residence was a little far, but worth it. Erza had to move out of Fairy Tail Hills when she was pregnant and ended up getting a house near the northern side of Magnolia. It was close by Mira and Laxus' own house, so it bothered her none. It was a small one-floor house with three bedrooms, a living room, a study, a kitchen, and a dining room, but came with a lovely basement both kids seemed to claim as their own personal clubhouse. Back when Erza first moved into the house, she was afraid her armor would not make the journey, but he was able to build her a magical storage unit just for her suits of armor that only she had access to. Nostalgia flitted through her eyes at the memories as she walked onto the porch, shifting Aine, while Mystogan got the house key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. She remembered everything about the renovations of the house. She remembered him.

Mystogan opened the door to let his mother through first. Another thing he got from his father: his chivalry. Erza walked into the house and unable to Requip out of her boots, she kicked them off and left them by the door. "I'm going to put your sister to bed," she called over her shoulder to Mystogan as she walked down the hall. "How about you go get your pajamas on? I'll be in in a moment."

"Do you mind if I stay up to finish my book?" Mystogan asked her, padding after her.

Erza sighed. "Mystogan…"

"Please, Mom? I promise if it gets too late and I haven't finished, I'll stop and go to bed," Mystogan vowed.

Erza stopped at Aine's bedroom entrance and turned to look at her son. "Fine," she relented. "Only until midnight. After that, I want you in bed, mister, book finished or not."

Mystogan smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mom," he agreed as he entered his bedroom directly across the hall from Aine's and shut the door. Erza saw the lights up on in his room and fought the urge to roll her eyes. He was just like his Aunt Lucy and Levy when it came to books.

Erza walked into Aine's room and over to her bed. Gently, she set Aine down on her bed, watching for any indicators that she would wake up. When Aine was confirmed to be fast asleep, Erza let go of her daughter and kissed her forehead, brushing back her hair. "Goodnight, sweetheart," she said tenderly before exiting the room and closing the door.

Erza walked back down the hallway to go fetch an evening snack when she froze. She always froze when she got to this part of the house. She was at the entrance of the study—the entrance to his study. She dared to look inside, but did not set one foot in the study. No, all she ever did was look. The bookcases were crammed with ancient texts and maps were on the floor, untouched and collecting dust. The desk had a few artifacts on it as well. A half-opened book was still on the desk chair. A few trinkets were on the floor as well, never picked up. But Erza cared not for any of it. Her eyes were drawn to the framed photograph on the desk. It was a photograph of him and her together, smiling at the camera like love-struck fools.

And fools were they.

Not feeling hungry anymore, Erza crept back down the hall, walking past the children's bedrooms to get to her own. She stilled stayed in the master bedroom. Perhaps to cling to the memory of him, to remember all those times they had made love on the bed, to remember all those times they would talk of the randomest things, all the times they would cuddle in each other's arms. Whatever the reason, she refused to say it allowed or accept it. She claimed the bed as her own and no one else's, but she in truth knew it was not just hers.

Erza easily Reequipped into her pajamas. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail for her. She slid into the covers and made her way onto the right side of the bed, the side closest to the windows. She always did love the view of the stars and they were out and shining brightly for her tonight. The moon lurked in the background like an overprotective father, but dared not interfere with the business of the stars. Erza leaned more on her pillow and sighed.

I wonder if you're watching the stars like me. I wonder if you ever watch the stars still.

She could remember all the times she had with him underneath the stars. She remembered after the Dragon King Festival and the great battle. She remembered seeing him again after the battle and crying ceaselessly in his arms, crying because he was still there, he was still with her. She remembered his need to be with her that night. She remembered their passionate night in the grass with the stars as their witnesses. That night was the most beautiful night she could remember. It was when he and she became an us.

An us that was now and she and he.

Erza felt someone approaching the bed. Not someone; two somethings. The bed dipped down as her two children climbed into the master bed, Aine climbing over Erza to be on her other side. Erza spread her arms out and gathered her children close, never once leaving the sight of the stars.

Aine broke the silence first. "Mommy, why do we have a different last name than you?" she wondered sleepily. It may have seemed random, but Erza knew better. Somehow, it seemed every time Erza thought of the father, both her kids sensed it and wanted to pry for information.

Erza smiled. "Because I want to remind you of your father," she said.

"But why?" Mystogan asked, sounding confused, yet tired.

"Because your father was a brave and strong man," Erza claimed. "I want you to remember that."

"Did he…love us?" Aine yawned.

Erza nodded, sadness glinting in her eyes. "More than you know," she whispered, trying not to make her voice waver.

"Good," Aine approved. "I want Daddy to be proud of us."

"He always will be, sweetheart," Erza told her. "Why don't you two get some sleep, okay? We have a long day tomorrow."

After a mumblings of "okay"s, Erza listened to her children's breathing even out. It was only a matter of moments before the two were out like a light, Mystogan snoring softly while Aine merely curled against her mother, seeking warmth. Erza smiled lightly. Her children. She had raised them well. She had kept them healthy and strong and well loved, something any mother wanted to do for their children. She was proud of both of them. She would always be proud of both of them. Erza felt her eyes slightly burn before a single tear streaked her cheek. She could not help it. It was bound to happen.

She looked to the stars as more tears leaked from her eyes. She kept her smile. It was not broken, nor forced. The smile was genuine and loving. Her eyes glistened in pain and despair, but adoration and wistfulness kept her from breaking down into sobs and waking her children. "I wish you could see them," she whispered quietly to nobody in particular. "They've grown so much. Mystogan looks so much like you before your tattoo. And Aine is getting prettier by the day." More tears came out of her eyes at the mention of her daughter's name. "I wish I could've been braver," she trembled. "I should've told you before you left. I should've told you…that you'd be having a daughter."

He didn't know, at least not before Aine was born. Erza knew Meredy would have told Jellal about his newfound daughter after Natsu and Lucy's wedding. But still, he never knew before he left her. She was only four weeks along and not even showing when she wanted to tell him that night. That night she wanted to burst with pride they would be parents to another child. But that night was the night she realized she had to let him go. His guild needed him, their leader. And she was so selfishly stealing him from them for her own desires.

"Erza, I can't leave you."

"Jellal, you have to go. They need you more than I do. We both know that."

"But what about you? What about Mystogan?"

"Don't worry about us. He'll come to understand the reason you left and he'll be proud of you. But you have to do this, Jellal."

"I know, but I just—… I hate that I have to leave you… Erza, I love you…"

"I love you too, Jellal."

And she never told him. What a coward as she!

"Do you regret your choice?" Erza wondered aloud. "When Meredy told you, did you regret leaving us? Did you regret never getting the chance to meet your daughter? Or were you angry at me for keeping the knowledge hidden?"

The silence that answered Erza's questions made her tears come at a faster rate. She promised herself she would never cry in front of her children. She had to show them her strength. She needed to be their emotional support as a mother should be. But that did not make her pain go away. All it did was make it fester inside her until she was unable to withstand it.

"I'm so sorry I never told you," Erza apologized through sniffs. "You deserved to know. But I couldn't let you stay with me when your team needed you. I hope you understand what my intentions were…Jellal…" She quietly hiccupped and sniffed in an un-ladylike manner. "I still love you. Even after all this time, I do. I can't—… I can't let go of you. Not with them around."

Erza suddenly snorted in a burst of humor. "Oh look at me, all tearing up. I'm supposed to be the 'strong, fearless Titania'. I shouldn't be a crying mess like this," she joked.

"Look at me! Everyone has the right to cry. So it's okay if you want to cry in front of me. I won't think any less of you."

Erza smiled at the voice in her head. "You're right. You never thought less of me when I cried in front of you. You still loved me… And I hope you love your kids too," she prayed.

The stars answered her prayer by giving her a wave of a burst of light. Even the moon glowed more prominently for a few seconds before dying back down. Was that a sign? Did that mean Jellal love her and their children after all this time? Was that the sole reasoning behind the phenomenon?

Erza shook her head. "You know what? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you care about us or love us or not." She smiled down at the children tucked in her arms, one with the blue hair of her father and the other with his eyes. She saw so much of him in them. She looked out the window to the stars and sighed. "Because I'll love them enough for the both of us."

With that, Erza closed her eyes, a serene look on her face as she gave into sleep. The stars flashed again, whether in response to her declaration or it was an unexplainable anomaly was a mystery. But Erza could care less. She had the two people in her life she cared most about in her arms. They were her little fairies of the queen of the fairies and she would love them unconditionally to the end of time. In the back of her mind, she hoped, one day, the king would return to love them with her.

But for now, she was content of loving them enough for the two of them.