Children's Play
The guild seemed especially busy that day. Whether it was the fact that almost everyone was in the guild that day or the fact that the guild was flooded with new members. However while the adults talked and laughed, the children laid hidden under the stairs playing as they always did, daily.
"Anyway Samuel, in order for you to join our team, you have to be able to use magic." Sieg announced. " Since your dad is Gray Fullbuster, it's no doubt that you can use magic."
"B- But I don't even know if I can…" Samuel stuttered. " My mom isn't a mage either, I mean what if I'm like her…"
"Nonsense!" Layla exclaimed, making Samuel cower. "Gramps said that anyone can do magic! It's all in the heart!"
"Gramps?" The raven haired boy questioned.
"He's the previous master of the guild, his real name is Markov." Simon explained. "Right now Laxus is the current master but since Gramps is Laxus grandfather, he's still in training."
"Can he do magic too?" The boy said, eyes brimming in curiosity.
"Yup, he's one of the 10 Wizard Saints. My mom and dad almost became one of them last year!" Sieg boasted in pride. "Not like Layla's parents though. They're obviously not strong enough."
"What was that Sieg!? Last time I checked my dad was the one that beat, yours years ago." Layla retorted.
"So what my dad wasn't ready for it. He probably could beat yours now." Sieg fumed.
"What was that?" Layla growled getting closer the blunette's face.
Simon patted Samuel's shoulder as he motioned him to follow him. "C'mon. When they get this way, they can yell for hours." Simon laughed before they left toward the guild hall, unnoticed by the two arguing children.
"Anyway like I said. My name is Simon. I'm the older brother. Let me show you around."
Samuel nodded as they walked through the many crowded tables filled with people. "Let's see. I'm sure you met Layla's parents, and my mom. My dad is Jellal Fernandez, despite what you hear about him, he really isn't as bad as people say." The red head motioned towards the bar. "The girl with the white long hair. She's Mira. Probably the nicest lady you'll ever meet. She also has two younger siblings, that are on a mission at the moment. Next to her is Laxus Dreyer, the master we were talking about. He's pretty scary too, but he mellowed out a lot."
Samuel watched as Natsu challenged him only to be annoyingly punched all the way across the room, leaving a hole in the wall. If this was how mellow he was now, he couldn't imagine how he was before. Simon continued to show the boy around, as Samuel began to see what his father talked about before. The guild certainly was a great place to be.
"Anyway, that's about it. Oh and don't worry about not being able to use magic yet, my sister is the only one who actually showed magic potential, but don't mention it to Layla and Sieg. They would bite your head off."
"Y-yeah.." Samuel nodded. "Thanks Simon."
"No problem." The boy smiled. " Anyway I should be checking on the two idiots. You're always welcome to hang out with us."
Samuel tried to respond but Simon had already left.
"Oi Samuel' Ready to go home?" Gray called out. " It's getting late."
The timid boy nodded as he ran towards his dad waiting by the entrance.
"How was it? Did you have fun with the other kids." Gray asked with a soft smile on his face; the boy trailing behind him.
Samuel nodded quietly, a small smile spread across his pink cheeks. He made his first friend that day. Despite all awkwardness, the children at Fairy Tail seemed nice. It was better than being home alone all day.
"Hey Dad?..." The boy asked softly.
Gray quickly turned around. His son never called him "Dad" except when he needed him. Plus hearing the term used towards him, it felt so surreal.
"C-Can I do magic? Is there any way I can?"
The ice mage looked at him in surprise. "That's sudden. Why do you want to learn?"
Samuel quickly shook his head and continued walking ahead, his cheeks red in embarrassment.
Gray smiled and started walking, his son strangely walking ahead of him. His son. He liked the ring to it. Samuel Fullbuster. His son. Gray looked ahead to see the boy walking quickly in the distance as the sun set.
(Line here)
Moments later the sky grew darker and the street lamps began to light up. It took a shorter amount of time to get home. Samuel only took one break on the way instead of constantly stopping.
"Hey dad?" Samuel questioned, kicking off his shoes. " What kind of magic can that Rosie girl do.?"
"You mean Rosemary? I think Erza was talking about Jellal teaching her heavenly body magic."
"How long will that take?" The boy pushed on, sparks of curiosity in his eyes.
Gray pondered over his own childhood. "I think training with Ur and actually learning magic took me a year, but to get stronger took a long time. "
"H-How long will it take me to….. you know…...learn magic?" The boy said nervously.
Gray chuckled. "Why so eager?"
"N-No reason!" Samuel said, face bright red. "Nothing at all."
" Is it a girl?"
"Of course not!" The dark haired boy said before running to his room.
"Dinner's ready in 10 mins." He called out before resting on the couch. It was weird being called " dad ". Not so long ago, he was on a mission, and coming home alone. Gray peeked down the hall to see the boy, playing with his toys. Just the thought of it made him smile. In a way, Mira had been right about the resemblance. Seeing Samuel reminded him so much more of himself, like looking in a mirror. Although at the same time he was so different. Unlike himself though, Samuel was more cautious and quiet in nature.
The man walked into the kitchen as he prepared leftovers from last night. Cooking dinner for someone other than himself felt so awkward. Normally, a bowl of ramen was all he would bother making for himself, but now he was expected to meet the "nutritional requirements of a growing boy". As Mira had constantly scolded again and again. The ice mage surprised himself, as the table was piled with a large plate of fried rice. This was probably the best meal he ever made for anyone. During dinner, Gray watched as the boy picked at his food. The mage tried to blow it off. He was just a child after all, it was all a phase. But Gray couldn't help but become irritated. He remembered Lucy talking about how picky Layla got when she was younger. What did she say to do again?
"Do you not like it?" Gray finally spoke up as Samuel was startled.
"N-No… It's okay…" The boy shook off. "I mean.. It's a little bitter.."
Gray frowned as he took a bite. "It doesn't taste bitter at all."
"I don't want it.." Samuel pouted as he pushed the plate away.
"Well we don't have anything else right now. Just make do." Gray sighed.
"Don't want it."
Gray ran his fingers through his hair in defeat. "We have plain white rice."
Samuel nodded his head. "..Want Rice."
Gray shook his head as he stood up to make a bowl. Samuel watched as the bowl was placed in front of him.
"It's not going to taste good." Gray remarked before finishing his meal.
Samuel took his spoon and ate it without complaint. Gray's eyes twitched as he felt irritated. Honestly, he cooked just so his son could eat plain white rice.
After dinner was cleaned up Samuel showered and was dressed for bed. The boy looked around his new room. as he layed on his bed. The walls had pictures of planes, and some of pictures of missions his dad had talked about. He had toys next to a chest filled with different books and unpacked clothes. The boy's thoughts were interrupted as there was a knock on the door.
"Ready for bed?" Gray said quietly, as the boy crawled under his covers. Gray scratched the back of his head, not knowing what else to say.
"I-I know this place seems a little empty, but we can go shopping for some things later on."
Samuel just nodded his head. "Okay."
"Do you need anything else before you go to bed.?"
The raven haired boy just shook his bed, as he held one of his toys close to him. "Good night."
Gray nodded. "Yah, good night." The mage smiled as he turned of the light.
"W-wait D-dad…" The boy cried out.
Gray stopped abruptly. "Yah, what's up?"
"M-mom never left the door open. C-can you leave it open for me?" He said meekly, scared for what the answer might be. Surprisingly, Samuel watched the man smile as he opened the door wider than he wanted to ask for.
"I'll leave the hallway light on too okay?" Gray reassured before walking out the room.
The boy wriggled a bit under the covers as he smiled. His first real smile since coming to move with his dad. Maybe he could ask to learn magic tomorrow, or even visit the guild again. Samuel closed his eyes, as unknowingly to him. Gray peeked in. A content smile on his face.
A/N: Hey guys, so haven't updated this in literally 5 months. Probably much more than that. Anyway I do apologize but you know with all the SATs and things going on the time passes in a flash of an eye. I would like to thank you guys for following and favoring my story and all the others I have unfortunately neglected. The scene with Gray and Samuel at dinner was inspired by Clannad's Ushio and Tomoyo. For those who might get the reference. Thanks for your support guys!