Author's Note: Big shoutout to the review squad! Ushindeshi, Juviafullbuster1, and LordofAnimeCrap! Thank you guys so much for reviewing, it really means the world to me and inspires me to write. To everyone else out there please read and leave a review!

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains death. Please read with caution.

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima!

Erza

Erza was a working woman. That's how she was raised. Erza couldn't remember most of her childhood, but that's because it was taken away from her. Erza was kidnapped and taken as a slave for a cult called the R-system.

Erza, alongside other children, were often mistreated- Erza even almost lost her right eye. Erza managed to escape with the help of her current adoptive father, Rob.

Rob was a nice old man who cared deeply for the ones he loved. Rob didn't have much money, but he had a heart full of gold. Rob was the one who had taken Erza to fairy tail when she was little, where she had met her best friends, Gray and Natsu.

Rob was the one who raised Erza to be the strong, confident woman she was today. He taught her everything she needed to know about life, and how to handle her problems head-on. He taught Erza that life was far from easy, that she had to work hard for everything she wanted, and that she should be thankful for everything that she had, even if it wasn't much to write home about.

And Erza was thankful for everything she had. She was most thankful for Rob, for always being there for her when she needed the most. Without Rob, Erza didn't know how'd she survive. She was really fortunate to have someone as kind-hearted as Rob in her life.

Unfortunately, Rob was getting more frail as he aged. Erza saw him as her dad, but sometimes she saw herself as his caretaker. Erza didn't mind helping Rob out when he needed it, but she couldn't help but be scared for him. At first,

Sometimes when Erza would come home, she'd find Rob stuck on his bed or even on the floor. Every now and then, Erza worked late shifts at 8 island, so sometimes he'd be stuck for a long time before he got help.

They didn't have enough money to afford someone who could take care of him while Erza was away. Erza had even suggested that she drop out so she could help him. Rob refused her offer, telling her that she should get her degree first.

Erza always came home as soon as possible to make sure Rob was okay. Because of this, Erza never had time for dating. It's not like she was interested in it anyways at the moment. Sometimes, Erza hardly ever had time for herself. She didn't mind in the slightest, though.

Walking home, Erza held her hand out as she felt a cool breeze pass by her. She had a little time to stop by home to check on Rob before she had to go to 8 island. Erza could always ask Yajima, a close friend of her and Rob, to stay if she needed, and he most likely wouldn't mind. Yajima was an old man too, but compared to Rob he was in good shape.

Pulling her keys out of her bag, Erza unlocked the door to the apartment, stepping in. She didn't see or hear anyone. "Dad?" Erza called out.

No response. Erza frowned, opening the bathroom door. "Rob?" She asked again, looking around. He was nowhere in sight.

Erza's eyebrows furrowed; now she was really starting to worry. She walked down the hall that lead to their bedrooms, the silence slowly starting to get to her. Did Rob fall again? Did he hurt himself? Was he perhaps…

Erza violently shook her head, clearing her mind of those previous thoughts. Erza opened the door to his bedroom, sticking her head in. "Rob?" She asked, her voice quiet.

Erza's facial expression softened when she saw the old man sleeping on his bed, letting out a sigh of relief. She slowly walked up to her dad, her footsteps light against the floor. "Hey, dad," She talked to him, resting her hands lightly on the bed. "I'm back."

No response. Erza sighed. "I have to head out though," She told him. "My shift at 8 island starts soon." Erza smiled down Rob, watching as he slept.

After a few seconds, Erza's eyebrows furrowed, the smile disappearing from her face. "Huh," She hummed. "You're not snoring." She commented. Rob normally snored very loudly, but today he was rather quiet.

...Too quiet. "Dad," Erza spoke, putting her hand on his bony arm. It was ice cold and rather stiff. "Dad, wake up," She shook his arm, trying to get any movement out of him.

"Dad," Erza's voice grew louder as her movements became frantic and shaky. Holding his arm, she took her other hand and placed her fingers on his wrist, feeling around for a pulse.

Erza bit her lip, tears springing to her eyes as she moved her hand to his neck in an attempt to find his pulse. "Dad, wake up," She begged, unable to find his pulse. "Dad please," Erza's voice started to choke up as fresh tears sprung from her eyes.

Erza felt her knees buckle from underneath of her, falling to the ground and letting out a loud wail. She buried her face into the mattress next to her dad, slamming her fist onto the bed as her sobs shook her body.

Erza reached into her back pocket, pulling out her phone and raising her head from the mattress. With shaky hands, she dialed emergency services, holding the phone up to her ear as she silently wept.

"Hello, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"M-my dad," Erza choked out, trying hard to regain her breath. "I found him on his bed unmoving. I-i checked for his pulse and tried to wake him up, but he's n-not responding." She told the receptionists in hysterics. "He feels cold and he's stiff a-and-"

"Hey, Honey," The reception cooed. "It's okay. I want you to take deep breaths and calm down, okay sweetie?" She asked, her voice like honey.

"O-okay," Erza nodded, blinking away her tears as she attempted to steady her breathing.

"How old is your dad?" The receptionist asked.

"He just turned 80 a few months ago." Erza answered.

"And how old are you?" The receptionist questioned, keeping her voice slow and quiet.

"23." Erza hiccuped. "He's my adoptive dad, but he-he still means the w-world to me." She told the receptionist.

"Hey, honey, it's okay to cry. I'd be devastated if my dad were to pass- and believe me when I say I'm far behind my glory days." The receptionist told Erza. "Where do you live?" She asked.

Erza hiccuped, telling the receptionist her address as more hot tears streamed down her face.

"Okay, there are people on their way right now," The receptionist assured her. "Do you want me to stay on the line with you?" She asked.

"I-I think I'll be okay," Erza sniffed. "Th-thank you," She thanked the receptionist before hanging up. Erza turned herself so her back was against the mattress. She curled up into a ball, hugging her knees and sobbing onto her skin. Just like that, Rob was gone. She was old enough to know that he wasn't going to wake up anymore- it was his time.

A knocking on the doorframe caused Erza to look up. Standing at the door was a blonde woman who was older than she was, but younger than Rob was. A silent gasp escaped her lips as she saw the scene in front of her.

She said nothing, simply going up to Erza and sitting next to her. Erza had never seen this woman in her life before, but all she knew was that she was grateful for her company. Erza broke down onto the woman's shoulders, who in turn hugged Erza lightly. The two of them sat in silence until the paramedics came.

Erza hadn't sleep in a day. She hadn't moved in a day, she hadn't eaten in a day. All she did was sit on the chair next to Rob's bed, watching his limp body like a hawk as she looked for any signs of movement.

The doctors had wanted to see if there was any chance of saving him, and they also wanted to find out what had happened to him.

Everything had happened so quickly that Erza was still unable to process what exactly had happened. All she could do was just sit and stare.

Erza heard the door open, followed by footsteps approaching her, but she didn't listen. "Hey," The voice said. Erza looked up, her expression blank. It was the same woman that had found her and her dad from the other day.

She pulled a chair next to Erza and sat down. "How are you doing?"

Erza was silent, turning her gaze onto Rob's pale body.

The woman sighed. "Figures. I'm Belno." She introduced herself.

"Erza." Was all the scarlet-haired woman had said, her voice hoarse.

"I brought you some water." Belno told her, holding out the cup to Erza.

"I'm not thirsty," Erza replied, not taking her eyes off of her dad.

Belno set the water down on the little table. "Look, Erza" Belno started. "I don't know how to tell you this, but-"

"I know." Erza interrupted her. She knew what Belno had to say.

"I understand what you're going through, Erza." Belno told Erza.

"No, you don't." Erza blankly commented.

"I came home to find my son dead on the floor with blood spilling out of his head, trust me when I tell you that I understand what you're feeling." Belno commented. No response. "I'm sorry, Erza." Belno continued, from which she still got no response. "Erza?" She asked.

Erza looked up at Belno, her brown eyes devoid of life. "Why are you here?" She asked, her voice stoic.

"Because no one should be alone," Belno answered, making eye contact with Erza.

Erza was silent for a moment, before a hint of emotion shone in her eyes. "Thank you," She mumbled, the corners of her lips ever so slightly curving up into a smile.

Belno shook her head. "No need to thank me," She told Erza. "Though there is a concern I have to express to you," She admitted.

Erza frowned, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Go ahead," She started.

"Your apartment." Belno told her. "It was being paid for with his retirement money and the money you bring in from jobs. But now, it might be hard to pay for with just one source of income. The apartment market is tight, so it's going to be even harder to find a cheap single bedroom apartment. Assuming you're still in university, the dorms are already full."

Erza's eyebrows furrowed. She was so focused on her dad that she didn't think about her living quarters. "You're right…" She mumbled, her voice trailing off.

"You can live with a friend of mine, if you'd like." Belno offered.

Erza raised one of her eyebrows. "I mean no offense when I say this," She started. "But, why should I trust you?"

Belno smiled. "Does seem kind of sketchy, doesn't it?" She asked. "I apologize if I disturbed you. I'm not sure if this will give me any credibility, but I brought my two kids with me. They're only a year or two younger than you."

As if on cue, a boy and a girl walked into the room. They looked only slightly younger than Erza, the tall man with black messy hair and piercings that were scattered across his body held a card in his hands, and the pale girl with beautiful cerulean waves that complemented her navy eyes holding flowers in her hand. "These are for you," The girl told Erza, handing her the flowers. Her brother also handed her the card.

"Thank yo-" Erza smiled, only for her sentence to be cut off by a hug from the girl.

"I'm sorry," She whispered.

Erza's eyes softened, and she wrapped her arms around the girl. "Thank you," She repeated.

The girl pulled away. "I'm Juvia, and this is Gajeel." She introduced, gesturing to her brother.

"Oh hey," Erza commented. "I know you." She said, looking at Gajeel.

"Hm?" Gajeel hummed, raising an eyebrow.

"I was your waitress when you went on a date with that girl." Erza explained. "How did it go?"

"Gajeel you went on a date and you didn't tell me?!" Juvia exclaimed. "Who did you go with?!" She asked, sending her brother a death glare.

"Relax, it was just Levy." Gajeel reassured her.

"Ooh, you went on a date with Levy~" Juvia cooed.

"It wasn't a date!" Gajeel exclaimed, a tick mark appearing on his head. "We just talked, that's all…" He told the two, his voice trailing off. "Though… Afterward, I did ask her out."

"Did she say yes?" Erza and Juvia exclaimed at the same time, their eyes wide with excitement.

"Yeah," Gajeel smirked. "She did."

"Yay!" Juvia cheered. "About time,"

"Congratulations." Erza smiled.

"Thanks," Gajeel crossed his arms. "Anyways, would you like to hear our part of the story?" He asked, referring to earlier.

"Yes, please." Erza nodded.

Gajeel huffed, clearing his throat. "We live in the same apartment complex as you. Same floor, too. Belno was doing something for work, I was playing with my cat, and Juvia was texting that guy or whatever,"

"His name is Gray," Juvia interjected.

"Wait," Erza interrupted, looking at Juvia. "I apologize for interrupting, but is his last name Fullbuster by any chance?" She asked.

Juvia nodded, blinking. "Yeah," She told Erza. "How did you know?" She asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.

Erza let out a little chuckle. "I know him," She told Juvia. "We've been friends since we were little. Are you his girlfriend?" She asked.

"No." Gajeel interjected, an annoyed expression on his face.

Erza let out another chuckle at Gajeel's reaction to her question. She turned to Juvia, raising her eyebrow. "Well?" She asked.

"Well, no," Juvia mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Erza frowned. "Oh, that's too bad." She told Juvia, whose face flushed red. "You two would be so cute together."

"Anyways," Gajeel interjected, clearing his throat loudly as he changed the subject. "Back to my story. The three of us heard your scream and we raced over to see what was happening. Belno told us to wait by the door, though, so we did." He explained to her, short and sweet.

"Belno had filled us in on what had happened, and we felt really bad." Juvia continued. "We came here to send our condolences."

Erza's heart was touched at the kindness that these three total strangers had shown her. From the gifts that they gave her to making her laugh a little, she was really thankful that she met the two. "Thank you," She told the two sincerely, starting to tear up.

Juvia frowned. "Please don't cry," She told Erza. "We all want you to be happy. Sure, it might be hard to do that, but we just want the best for you." She admitted.

Erza smiled at the three's intent. From the sincerity in Juvia's voice, the genuine look in Gajeel's eyes, and even the slight smile on Belno's face, she could tell that they mean good. Erza turned to Belno, giving her a nod. "Alright." She told Belno. "I'll live with your friend."