Picture

There were many things that Gajeel was looking forward to once he and Levy had started their family. One of which, were pictures. He and Levy would laugh as they'd discuss what pictures they'd have once their little girl was born; her first birthday, their first family outing, her first day at school, everything. They were going to have so many happy memories. They should've had so many happy memories.

He looked longingly at the one family photo in his hand. It was the day Levy gave birth to their daughter. He smiled fondly at the memory.

Sweat plastered cerulean locks to her forehead, and her breaths came out deep and heaving, but as she gently cradled the new life in her arms, Gajeel swore that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The little girl -their little girl- had ceased her crying once her mother whispered into her little ear. "She's..." Levy breathed, her face alight with adoration and pride. Slowly, Gajeel wrapped his arms around his two girls and gave one of his rare, soft, caring smiles. "Yeah," He replied, knowing that no one word could describe the emotions that coursed through him and his wife, "She is." It was at that moment that bunny girl had snapped the picture. Everyone was convinced that perfect moment was going to be one of many.

Suddenly, Gajeel couldn't bear to look at the picture any longer. He pulled open the nearest drawer and shoved the picture in it. He wouldn't cry, he wouldn't. He was going to be strong for her.


Almost a whole year had passed before found that picture again. He had been looking for candles with his daughter at the time. He had pulled open a drawer and there it was. This time, however, he didn't feel sad that there wouldn't be any memories with his shorty. Instead he smiled at the irony. He had searched long and hard for the picture, but it was only when he wasn't looking for t that he found it. Although he could've sworn he checked the drawer in front of him, he was happy he had ever found it before, he would've probably destroyed it in a fit of rage and sadness.

A small whine shifted his attention to the child sitting in his arm. Gajeel swung the tiny thing off of his shoulder and kissed her forehead before cradling her in one arm. Gently -as if the picture was a link to his wife- he placed the picture on the wall. Memorized by the beautiful woman in the picture, the Redfox child barley registered her father as he whispered; "That's your mother," into her small ear.

Two familiar and annoying voices called out. With a sigh Gajeel snatched up the packet of candles that had been underneath the picture and made his way to the owners of the voices. "And she's the reason tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum are yer uncles."