"I'm sorry, Rogue. King's orders. There's nothing I can do."

Rogue threw his arms up in frustration. His body slumped on Sting's office chair.

"Maybe it's for the best...," Sting mused.

Rogue shot his best friend an angry look.

"Fine. But don't expect me to... socialize."

Sting nodded back at him.


It was a warm, sunny day in Fiore. The princess could not have asked for more perfect weather for her beach birthday party.

Rogue felt he was being punished.

The day was too hot and way too bright for his taste. What was worse, the best magic guilds were invited to attend. More like forced, Rogue thought bitterly.

He chose the furthest spot he could get away with and stuck a big umbrella into the sand.

"Gwogue!"

He rolled his eyes at the bundle of joy that haunted his existence.

"Hello to you as well, Lady Starlight," Rogue replied as the platinum blonde baby girl attacked him with giggles and smiles. The girl stretched her tiny fists towards Rogue and cried at her mother until she gave in.

"Alright, alright. I still don't understand why she likes you so much," complained Yukino as she placed the girl next to the shadow dragon. Truth be told, he was little Star's favorite person and it made Yukino kind of jealous.

"I promise I have tried everything to reverse that," Rogue said with a sigh. Reluctantly he let the girl crawl around him and play with his hair.

Sting winked at his wife mischievously.

"Well, I'm sure Star will be safe with her godfather. What do you say we go for a swim?"

Yukino giggled and gave Sting her hand before turning back.

"Rogue, would you mind-"

"Just go."

Baby Starlight inherited as much light and joy as her parents, which at her age translated to boundless energy with which to bother Rogue. But he consoled himself with the fact that she didn't speak much yet.


Juvia watched him set up as far away from the party as possible. She had almost forgotten how intensely dark his black hair was. In that moment, the sunlight gave it a deep purple shine that brought so many memories back.

"Hello? Juvia, did you hear any of that?"

"Huh?"

Lucy gave her an odd look but repeated herself.

"The princess wants us to set up next to her tent. And she wants us in her volleyball team. You do know how to play, don't you?"

Juvia stared at Lucy for a second as she processed the words. She scolded herself for letting her mind wander towards him.

"Y-Yes. I know how to play. Sorry, it's a bit too hot," she lied.

"Oh," Lucy replied,"here. Drink some."

"Thanks."

She glanced sideways as she tilted the water bottle to drink from it. Her eyes met with Gray's narrowed ones.


Rogue was starting to relax under the shade provided by the umbrella when he heard something approaching. He managed to catch the volleyball mere inches before it hit baby Star. In an instant she was within his protective embrace. Shadows unconsciously took over a five feet radius.

"Who the fuck threw that?"

Levy slowed down when she saw where the ball had gone. She flinched a bit the part of the beach that had been engulfed by shadows. Oops.

"Uh, Rogue?"

Rogue narrowed his eyes at the little blue haired mage hesitantly coming towards him.

"Sorry! Erza gets a little competitive..." she glanced back to where Fairy Tail and Mermaid Heel were playing volleyball.

Rogue got a hold of himself when he saw the look on Levy's face. The shadows disappeared with a sheepish look.

"Oh, Miss Levy. Forgive my language. The ball almost hit Starlight."

At the sound of her name the baby girl yelled Gwogue and waved her hands up at him. Levy eyes it up at the baby girl in Rogue's arms.

"Aww. That must be Yukino and Sting's? She is just adorable!"

Rogue rolled his eyes. Most women said that until they got close and...

"Ow! What was that for?" Levy puffed at her attacker.

Baby Starlight had landed a solid one right on Levy's nose. She looked at the blue haired mage with a pout and leaned her head on Rogue's chest.

"Muah Gwogue."

Rogue sighed in response, as usual.

"She gets a bit... territorial... around others."

"You don't say," Levy said as she rubbed her nose.

"Here. Try and let it not happen again, please."

Levy took the ball back. She looked at the game then back at Rogue.

"Yeah, no problem. We could use another player, actually..."

"No, thanks. I have to watch Lady Star."

Levy held his gaze for a second before nodding and turning back.

"Well, if you ever get out of babysitting duty..." she said as she walked away.

Now that Levy was no longer a threat, Star went back to her usual giddy self.

With a deep sigh, Rogue sat back down and placed baby Star next to him. He glanced back to the group playing volleyball. He told himself he wasn't looking for her; that he was just keeping an eye on the party.

He recognized the blue-locks easily as her head turned away from him. Immediately, he looked away as well.

"I'm better off here with you, anyways. Right, Star?"

Starlight giggled and clapped her hands at him. Rogue gave her a sad smile.


"Everything's okay! We almost hit a baby though, so let's dial it down some," Levy gave Erza a pointed look.

"A baby?" she heard Juvia ask quietly. Juvia had been trying her hardest not to look in that direction. The last time she did, she thought he almost caught her staring.

Levy turned and eyed her honorary-sister-in-law.

"Yes."

"Oh..."

A light went out in Juvia's eyes.

"...Yukino and Sting's baby. Starlight. Rogue was watching her," Levy said carefully, studying Juvia's reaction. She thought she saw the water mage perk back up a bit at the explanation.

"Oh, I see. I'm glad she is okay."

Juvia turned away from the group to drink some water, but Levy caught the look in her eyes.


"Babysitting? Oh, I never thought I'd see this!"

Rogue looked up at the man laughing at him.

"Says the married one," Rogue snapped back.

"Oi, being married ain't nothing to be ashamed of!"

Rogue laughed at Gajeel's reddening face.

"Maybe not. Being as whipped as you are is, though."

"Shut up!"

"What brings you here, Gajeel?"

"Levy sent me," he said while scratching the back of his head. "She wants me to convince you to join the party. There will be a bonfire later."

Rogue looked at the sea ahead.

"I'll pass."

"Yeah... the invitation was a formality. She's telling Yukino about it as we speak. There is no hope for you," Gajeel smirked.

Rogue cursed under his breath. Gajeel laughed at him before taking on a more serious tone.

"Will you be okay?"

"It's been three years, Gajeel. I'm over it."

"Rogue... she made the wrong choice. We know that. She knows that..."

Rogue's jaw clenched and he stood up, taking baby Star into his arms as he did so.

"Like I said. I'm over it."

Gajeel watched Rogue tensely walk to where Yukino brightly waved at him from.

"Sure, you are," Gajeel sighed.


Avoiding her was nearly impossible. Even though there were hundreds of mages at the beach, the princess' bonefire was more of a private affair. It was only a few dozen of the best wizards in all of Fiore that sat in a big circle roasting marshmallows.

Finding a seat had felt like a crucible. It wasn't the lack of seats, of course. The problem was location. Finding a spot where she wouldn't be within sight or within 10 feet of him was quite difficult. Eventually, he ended up between Orga and Laxus, who blocked most of his peripheral vision, and, in consequence, Juvia and Gray.

"Thank you all so very much for coming to my birthday party. It has been so amazing to be away from the castle enjoying simple pleasures, like the beach and s'mores, with friends... even if the royal guards are still here."

The princess blushed and a laugh roamed throughout the circle. With that, the princess sat. Natsu, enthusiastic as always, started cheers and the birthday song.

Eventually Starlight bullied her mom into letting her sit on Rogue's lap. Laxus and Orga weren't too excited by the idea, but as soon as baby Star landed a mean right hook on Laxus, the thunder dragon was smitten.

"What do ya say the Thunder Legion starts training a second generation?" Laxus asked Freed next to him. Freed gave the giggling child a horrified look that turned more tender the more he watched her. Perhaps a baby wouldn't be such a bad idea. Freed's cheeks colored and he gave Laxus a small nod.


She's heard rumors here and there; a couple short relationships; even a few one-night-stand stories had made their way to her from heartbroken girls. As much as she tried to forget he existed, one of Fiore's top three eligible bachelors would always pop up in conversations and lacrimas.

She was glad Laxus covered most of her view of him. Gray had been watching her every move for the last few hours, yet she couldn't help but steal glances every once in a while. Right now she was limited to his long, strong legs. She could also make out tiny limbs hanging and swinging around.

The thought of Rogue bouncing a toddler on his lap was warmly amusing. She caught the smile forming on her lips before it developed further. Stop this. She turned to Gray. She smiled at him and received an insincere smile in return. Inwardly she winced at the look in his eyes. Keeping the smile plastered on her face she grabbed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Having a good time?"

"Of course," she said,"are you?"

He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand, perhaps a little too hard.

"Of course," he mimicked.


"So glad we bought this place. I can't imagine having to look for a hotel right now."

Yukino let her body fall on the sofa. It was close to 2 a.m. Some people were still at the beach celebrating, but after the baby her stamina for that type of thing had greatly been affected. The fact that Sting fell next to her, looking every bit as drained as her made her feel better.

Rogue came in behind them carrying a sleeping Starlight. He paused for a second when he saw the couple on the couch. Sting and Yukino had passed out where they sat. He smiled at their joined hands. They always found each other somehow.

He made his way to one of the rooms.

"I can't do this anymore! The soap makes me gag and this bed is too soft!"

Yukino was 6 months pregnant when Sabertooth bought houses throughout Fiore. Although it was mainly for Yukino's comfort, the investment was appreciated by the entire guild. Most major cities had a place for Sabertooth mages to rest comfortably and for free when on missions. It improved morale and expanded their range, as wizards were more willing to go on far away missions now.

Rogue took Starlight to one of the rooms. Before tucking her in he wiped the marshmallow and chocolate stickiness covering most of her face, hands and... feet. He didn't even want to guess at how or why that got there. After some struggle, Star let him go and instead hugged the pillow close. Before leaving the room he checked the lock on the window. They were on the second floor but just in case. He stepped out and left the door slightly ajar so she could be heard if she cried.