I do not own anything. Credits to Hiro Mashima and Laramie Briscoe. There is also a scene here inspired by a video I've seen in Youtube, I won't spoil, so I'll reveal later. Credits to that as well. Enjoy!

Their Last Hope

10

Irene

"I had fun with him today, Mom."

I don't have to ask who Erza's talking about. She's done nothing but talk about Acno since we left the downtown carnival. He left an impression on her, and if I'm honest, he left one on me, too. Not many men are nice to other people's children, at least not in my experience, and he never once got irritated with her or lost his temper. And when I looked down and saw Erza with her hand in his, it took everything I had not to cry.

Her dad never did that. I can't even recall the last time he held either one of our hands, and Acno probably has no idea what he's done. He put a smile on her face I haven't seen in so long, I almost forgot what it looked like. Walking around with him today, I finally felt like I wasn't alone. To put that feeling into words isn't possible. He gave us something back today – whether he knows it or not.

"I did, too," I admit. It's hard because he's supposed to be there for her, not me, but his presence is helping us both. I can't deny I look forward to seeing him, I enjoy the conversations we have together. He's not just my daughter's friend, I see him as my friend now too.

"When do we get to see him again?" she asks as she plays in the bathtub, while I sit outside it, scrubbing her arm.

Bubble bath time had been one of our bonding times. Before, but now rarely, when I am not too tired, I take a bubble bath with her, teaching her how to take care and be confident about her body. Kids get old enough to notice and ask questions, and it makes all the embarrassing conversations easier for all involved. For me, taking a bath with your kids is educating them with sexuality. And for me, parents who don't teach them young, help perpetuate nudity and sexuality as a bad stigma that causes more problems than it is supposedly meant to solve or prevent. It is the hiding of the body that triggers an unnatural interest. Well, we all have our own parenting strategies.

"I'm not sure." I told her as I put some liquid on my palm, and scrub her hair. I notice it is already a few centimeters below her shoulders. I'm planning to keep them long, so they would look like mine.

I notice her frown. It's true though, we didn't make plans, and now I'm wondering if we should have. I have to go onto our account with the Companion Program and mark how many hours he and Erza spent together today.

In a strange turn of events, my hands shake as I mentally mark the hours off as spent together. I'm counting down from the nine hundred hours he was assigned. There's still plenty, but it already hurts my heart to think of him potentially not being in our lives.

"Are you going to send him a message?" Erza asks, her eyes inquisitive.

"Do you think I should?" I don't want to appear needy and I'm fully aware this should be about he and Erza.

She nods. "Do you think he'd want to go to my aikido lesson?"

Now that? It totally breaks my heart. Most of the kids who are instructed there have both their moms and dads at every lesson. It apparently hasn't escaped Erza that she only has a mother.

"I can ask him."

"Can you Mom? Please?"

Damn, I hope Acno says yes, because if he doesn't, I don't know how she'll take it. It may be worse than before.

3 years ago

It's Erza's self-defense recital today. And her father is nowhere to be seen.

He promised he'll be around, he should be, because he's the one who made her took this class. As a rich bastard as he is, he was trained in these elitist classes on martial arts, fencing, and the like. Honestly, I agreed to enroll Erza in this because this might give him some reason to be close with her. This might establish a common ground between them - which is ironic, because a father and daughter bond shouldn't be forced as this.

Erza's just three, and despite thinking she's too young for this, and suggested maybe wait a few years, her father just complained how I am such a drama queen. When I told Erza that her father likes martial arts, she seems to have taken an interest in it too.

"Where daddy?" She asks before the program starts.

"I think he's on his way, sweetie." I reassured her, though deep inside, we're putting ourselves again for another disappointment. "Why won't you go there at the bench already, I'll wait for Daddy here. I save him a seat." Her master is already waiting for her, she's the only one left who is not yet seated. She wraps her arms around my neck, clinging as if I'm a life source.

"I'm scared, Mommy." And my heart melted.

"You'll be great, baby. Mommy's already proud of you. I'll be just here, okay?"

"Mommy won't go away?"

"I won't. I'll be right here."

"P-promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay." She lets go, and hesitantly walks to the bench. I right away texted my asshole husband to get his ass here. To stop myself from exploding, I did a few inhales and exhales. This is another milestone for my daughter, I should be happy for this moment, and not worry about my dumbass husband – I calm myself.

It's already Erza's turn, and damn it, he's missing it. Erza walks to the platform, and she's so tiny, I restrain myself from getting up to help her climb the small steps, "there are things that she has to do on her own, Irene. Get yourself together." I scolded myself. She looks at me, and I wave at her, and she focuses her eyes on the empty seat beside me. She looks disappointed. I know because she purses her lips together when she does so.

She hesitantly bows at her Mr. Dreyar, before starting their creed. She was tasked to lead the student creed as she's the one who tops the class. I was so overwhelmed when Mr. Makarov told me so. They both face each other and bow again. She repeats what Mr. Dreyar says, and though she still stumbles in her words, I know she'll pull this off.

"I will dewelop myself… in a positive manner… and awoid anything" they crossed their arms to form a letter X… Oh my goodness, my baby's so cute.

"...that may weduce my mental" she pauses, anticipating to pronounce the next word… gworth," I giggled, 'oops, it's okay, you tried honey.' I thought to myself.

She continued. "…or my physical healph…" They have this cute actions and stances to emphasize particular words, and she's really adorable. I look at the other parents, and they're fawning over my daughter. I proudly smile to myself.

"I will dewelop… self diwepline… in order… to help bring out the best… in myself... and others." She distractedly mumbles the last word. She attempts to stare at me, and Mr. Dreyar commands "Set!" That grabs her attention again, and she repeated "Set!" "At ease." Mr. Dreyar commands.

She did the 'at ease' stance, and stares at me again, or rather, the empty seat beside me. She returns her gaze to Mr. Dreyar, and continues though her voice lost the enthusiasm, "I will… use comwon sense… before swelf defense.. and never… be abusive… or offensive." "Set!" Mr. Dreyar commands again, "Set!" She repeated.

She purses her lips together again, forming a pout, oh no, that is what she does, when she's about to cry. I grip my handbag, ready to take her, comfort, hug, and protect her from the cruelties of life. I don't want to see her cry because of another disappointment from her asshole father. I stopped when she continued, "This is…" she sniffs… "a bwack belt school…" I'm holding my tears too, I am so proud of her courage. "…We are dedicated… We are motivated. We are…" she sniffs again holding back a sob " on a qwuest…" "to be the best... asaaah!"

She bows again, and turns about face, as Mr. Dreyar changes her yellow belt to orange. She raises her high, still holding back her tears. "You're the best, Erza." Mr. Dreyar commends her as he finishes tying up the orange belt. They both bow again, and Erza calmly exits the platform.

I hurriedly moved to meet her at the exit. She immediately clings to me, burying her face in my shoulders. She's sobbing now, and I give Mr. Dreyar a nod, before going out. And when we were outside, she cries a river. My heart is shattering to pieces, I am holding back my tears as well, she's really brave today, and I have to be brave for her too. I continually rub her back, and kiss her head to comfort her, "Sssh...It's okay, Mommy's here." "Mommy is so proud…You're so brave, my cheesecake."

Between muffled cries, she still breathes out, "Dad…d-daddy." I close my eyes, panicking what to say. I am so conflicted to give an excuse… again. No, not this time. She hugs me tighter, and I hold her tighter on reflex.

"Sush, baby…" I pause thinking what to say, "Daddy is… proud too." Fuck, I did it again.

I damned us to false hopes again, but I can't bear seeing her like this, so even temporarily, I keep giving her reassurances about her father. Reassurances with no assurance. I am so weak compared to my daughter. In fact, she's the source of my strength. I pray that someday I will be brave enough like her to face these lies I feed myself. Everyone has limits, and my husband is testing my limits. No one should, because I don't know what I am capable of if I lose my self-control.. yet I still waited for a text message from him, nothing came… He never came.

Acnologia

I'm tired as hell. Erza and Irene wore me out today. It's a good kind of worn out though, one I haven't felt in a long time. It's different than the kind of tired I get after a long day's work - when I come into my lonely apartment and just want to fall into bed because I'm exhausted and there's no one here to share my day with.

Tonight, I'm tired because my day was so full. I don't have to drop in bed wondering what life with other people is like. Today, I experienced it. Irene invited me into a day in their life and included me. She didn't make me feel like I didn't belong, she made me a part of what they were doing, for all intents and purposes, a part of their family for the day. I don't know if I've ever felt that before in my life.

My cell phone chimes on the table beside my bed. Normally there'd be an internal battle. Who's texting me? Do I really want to mess with them? Is it someone asking for a favor?

This time though, I grab that shit up and check it quickly. A part of me knows it's Irene. When I see her picture on the little chat bubble from Facebook, I smile this dumbass smile I haven't had since I was a teenager.

I: I hope I'm not bothering you.

A: No, I'm just hanging out. Relaxing a little before I go grab dinner.

I: Erza wants to know if you'd be interested in going to her aikido lesson on Tuesday, and before you say yes, let me explain. Usually there's a bunch of moms and dads there. I think she realizes she's the only one without a dad there. So I completely understand if you say no and I'll make excuses for you. Don't feel like you have to say yes.

I take a deep breath. This shit is deep, deeper than I was prepared to get involved in when they gave me these hours. What if I fuck up and I'm not the person these ladies think I am?

But there's another part of me that wants to be the person they're possibly seeing me as. They don't know the old me. The fuck up, the one who would spit in the face of authority because I was told not to.

Looking back, I realize what a fuckface I was, and there's so many things I wish I had done differently. But if I had done them differently, I wouldn't be in this situation now.

It dawns on me, this is my chance to change, my chance to make a difference. I've never been able to do it before, and with these ladies, I'm being given the opportunity to right my wrongs.

A: I'd have to come after work, so I might not be as well put together as the rest of them.

I: Doesn't matter. However you want to show up is up to you. I'll explain to Erza what she sees is what she gets with you. She's capable of taking anyone at face value.

A: Are you?

I ask the question before I lose my nerve. Hanging out with her today, I noticed the ease of her smile, the way she cares for her daughter, and the capacity she has to care for other people - maybe even me.

I: I've grown up a lot in the past few years, and I've learned what some perceive as the best things in life aren't truly the best. Money means nothing if you don't have love, companionship, and trust. Security really isn't secure if you're being lied to. I value honesty - even if the truth isn't pretty.

I read between the lines. She's had the pretty, maybe she wants the ugliness of life now, at least she knows it's real.

A: I guarantee you my life isn't pretty and it's not easy, but it's mine.

I wait for what feels like forever for her answer.

I: That's probably the most honest thing anyone's ever said to me.

A: I'll never lie to you. That's one thing you can take to the bank with me.

I: Good. Let's always be honest with one another - even if it's not the easiest thing to do.

I type quickly.

A: I don't do promises, as I told Erza, but I can assure you, you won't have to wonder if what I say is true or not. I don't make it a point of lying to make things easier on other people.

I: Then we can agree on it.

I don't hear from her for the next minutes. I wonder if the conversation is done, but we left it awkwardly. Maybe I should initiate the conversation this time.

A: Are you as tired as I am?

I set the phone down and go around my kitchen, picking up the things I'll need to make dinner as I wait on her answer. When I hear the answering tone of the messenger, I make a conscious effort not to run over to it. Instead, I finish the task of putting my hamburger in the skillet to fry before I walk over and grab my phone.

It's a picture, and she's captioned it.

I: Can't you see the circles under my eyes? I'm exhausted.

A: You look gorgeous to me.

I type the words without realizing what I'm doing. I shouldn't be flirting with her, but she is probably the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen, wearing, or not wearing a lick of makeup.

I: You don't have to suck up to me

A: I'm not. You really are a very attractive woman. I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. The words came out before I could censor them.

Immediately, I realize the irony of this situation. I was worried about getting a child whose mother would hit on me, and I'm the one hitting on the mother.

I: If we're going to be honest, I would tell you those are the first nice words a man has said to me in years. And after the day I spent with you, I kind of wanted you to say them.

Now that those words are out in the open, they can't be taken back. Well, fuck. She might assume we're going somewhere more than friends. I don't want to cross the line. I know she deserves better, not some fuckface like me. My hands shakingly types.

A: Maybe now's the time I should say goodbye, and tell you I'll see you on Tuesday at Erza's lesson.

I: Sounds good. See you then.

And I do my best not to feel the loneliness the rest of the night and the next day when I don't hear from her. It's better this way, I reassure myself. Though with this pang of loneliness, I am not as assured.

Author's Notes

An update as promised! I didn't know if the Guest who reviewed is new reader or not. So I just assumed, that it was a yes.

The Taekwondo Student Creed scene was inspired from "3 year old taekwondo white belt reciting student creed" video from Youtube. She's too adorable. You can check it if you want.

Anyways, have you seen the latest update FT? I am kinda disappointed that all Erza just said were"Stop","Stop desecrating the corpse." She's the type who heads on attacks the enemy if her friends are being trampled on. Duh, that earned her, "She's Erza." I understand that she doesn't feel a connection with Irene, after everything she's been through, but sht, her mother's body might already be pulverized after she reacted. And even after Acnologia commented that Irene and Erza smells alike, she just remained silent. I know it's not something that "she's my mother, duh" needs to be a broadcasted gossip, but I was expecting better than a silent "..." (Hooray for the Jerza moment though.)

But still, Mashima didn't give justice to Irene's character at all. If you've read Mashima's foreword in Volume 60, I was expecting he might give Irene some respect or redemption, he quite admitted that there are parts of the FT plot that are recent made-ups. It's true that there are no already finished final plot of a story since its inception. But he should've been more careful, he even admitted that 'I should've been more careful in that one.' Going back to FT 528, my hunch to the mystery woman is Anna Heartfilia, and this fic is doomed. I know Acnorene is a crack ship, but if Annalogia is possible, I might lose interest continuing this story, because it's too awkward. I really ship Acnorene so hard, and it just breaks my shipper heart.

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