Author's Note: Hello! So this came from a spontaneous message from the lovely muffindragon227, sharing the headcanon regarding Silver asking Juvia to walk her down the aisle. It was too cute, and it made inspiration strike, and I wrote this down super quick! Oh, and there are some allusions to chapter 29 of this one-shot anthology, about Gray and Juvia meeting Gray's parents, so keep an eye out! ;)

It's midterm season right now, so updates will still be sparse, but I hope this makes you smile :) Take care!

title: father and daughter
rating: K+
summary: Silver pops an important question.

"Juvia! We need three cups of flour!"

"Yes!"

"One teaspoon of salt! One and a half tablespoons of sugar!"

"Yes, Father-sama!"

"Some dry yeast, three-quarters of a cup of water, half a cup of milk…"

"And one tablespoon of vegetable shortening," Juvia finished, smiling gently as she laid out the ingredients on the kitchen counter.

Popping the recipe book closed, Silver stroked his goatee, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely right! Now, this is all the ingredients we need to bake bread?"

"Yes," Juvia chimed, washing her hands under the sink before drying them with a nearby towel. "Gray-sama loves Juvia's Gray and Juvi-bread!"

"I see," Silver muttered. "And if Gray loved it, and he got his taste from his mother, then…"

"The perfect anniversary treat!" Juvia swooned, wiggling her hips and clapping her hands beside her head.

"Exactly!" Silver exclaimed, slinging an arm around Juvia's shoulder and drawing her to his side. "My son couldn't have picked a more perfect fiancée! As expected of a Fullbuster."

The girl blushed, bashfully pressing the tips of her fingers together as she ducked her head. "Father-sama is very kind…"

Silver barked a laugh, tossing his head back. "Beautiful and modest! Not to mention you know your way around the kitchen as well as I do. Gray sure hit the jackpot!" He grinned a wide, toothy grin. "Mika and I couldn't leave him in better hands."

Juvia blushed darker, a small smile curving her lips. "Juvia is very fortunate to have Gray-sama, too…"

"Of course! We raised our son to become a fine man," Silver proclaimed, holding a proud fist to his chest. "Now! What do we first, daughter-chan?"

Juvia stared, her eyes growing a little misty before she suddenly whisked her head away. "Ah, sorry," she mumbled, hastily rubbing her eyes. "Juvia is just… um…"

Silver placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I apologize. I forget you're still growing accustomed to all this, and Mika tells me I can be a little too forward sometimes—"

"No!" Juvia quickly countered before holding a hand to her mouth, lowering her voice and averting her gaze. "Juvia apologizes. She doesn't mind, really. She just… always wanted a family, and now, Gray-sama's family…"

"Gray and Juvia's family," Silver corrected, beaming a cheeky grin. "In only a few short weeks, you'll officially be my daughter-in-law. But as if we need a piece of paper to love you! Mika and I can't tell you how excited we are—we'd always wanted a daughter, and to have one as lovely as you! My dear girl!"

The man engulfed her in a crushing hug, making Juvia gasp for air as her hands pressed against his chest.

"F-Father-sama—"

"You shan't shed another tear on the subject, my dear! You'll never be without a father from this moment forward! Any time you need me—if my son is acting out, if you'd like a secret Fullbuster recipe, if you want to go antique shopping—well, maybe that you can call my wife instead, but anything else you need—!"

"Juvia—can't breathe—"

"It's an atrocity, to think of all the times you needed a father in your life, but you'll never have to worry again! Silver-sama is here for his dear daughter-chan! We'll have Christmas together and New Year's and Thanksgiving—and you make sure you drag my son to those, because he always finds a convenient reason not to show—"

He paused when Juvia wheezed for air, glancing down to find the girl turning as blue as her hair. He laughed before promptly releasing her, bending an arm behind his head and grinning apologetically.

"Sorry about that! Gray makes the same face too after my hugs, guess I do get a little carried away—"

Juvia laughed breathlessly, shaking her head while catching her breath. "No, Juvia is very appreciative of Father-sama's enthusiasm…"

Silver fell silent, his expression growing serious as the color returned to her rosy cheeks.

"That reminds me, actually…"

Juvia blinked, tilting her head at the gravity in his dark eyes. "Father-sama…?"

He broke out of his solemn countenance, flashing a lighthearted grin. "No, don't be nervous, Juvia! It's just, you see, with your wedding coming up a few weeks…"

"…Yes…?"

"Well… this old man was wondering… if… you had anyone to walk you down the aisle."

Juvia gasped softly, her eyes widening as her hands rose to her lips. Silver closed his eyes in a grin, scratching the back of his hair.

"Y'see, Mika and I always wanted a second kid, but it just wasn't in the cards. And sure you and Gray will churn out some daughters—remember, twenty-seven grandchildren, as agreed—but odds are, these old bones might not be able to walk by the time they're fully grown and gettin' married. So, it got me thinkin', with my daughter-chan's wedding coming up…" He took a step closer, placing a hand atop her head and smiling softly. "Can your old man walk you down the aisle?"

Juvia stilled, staring mutely into the older man's gaze. Her body began to tremble before tears welled in the corner of her eyes, rolling silently down her cheeks.

"Yes…" she said softly, barely above a whisper. Her lips slowly curved in a sincere smile as she returned his widening grin. "J-Juvia would love… Father-sama to…" She threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his fur collar and sobbing in joy. "Juvia wouldn't want anyone else!"

Silver chortled, wrapping his arms around her waist and swinging her around. "So it's settled!" he exclaimed as Juvia laughed merrily, nodding in agreement. "Mika will be so happy! She might start crying—but not if I do first…!"

Upon placing her down, Juvia giggled, closing her eyes with a sweet smile on her face. "Juvia loves her Father-sama."

Silver sniffled, holding an arm under his nose. "Damn it, now you really are going to make this old man cry…"

Juvia flinched, hastily waving her arms while glancing around her. "Ah, wait a moment! Juvia will find you some tissues—!"

"No need!" he exclaimed, whipping out a box of tissues and wiping his tears. "Mika made me these for this very occasion. She knew it would tug right at the heartstrings!" He blew his nose loudly before tossing the tissue over his shoulder, landing gracefully into the trashcan. "Now!" he said, making Juvia jump as he slammed his hand down against the counter. "We have some delicious bread to bake! Right?"

"Yes!" Juvia exclaimed, taking her place beside him with a wooden dough roller in her hand.

"Daughter-chan!"

"Father-sama!"

"DAUGHTER-CHAN!"

"FATHER-SAMA!"

"What's going on in here?"

"Gray-sama~!"

"Son! Put on an apron and come join your old man and future wife!"

"What?! Wait a second—"

"Ahh, Gray-sama in an apron! And nothing else…"

"Juvia… why are you looking at me like—mmph!"

"Atta girl, Juvia! Twenty-seven grandchildren here we come!"