Mister Mom

Summary: Gildarts just can't figure out why people are gawking so much- he's her father of course he's going to learn how to do her hair. It's not exactly rocket science.

Disclaimer: I don't own

AN: To be perfectly honest I hate the term 'Mister Mom' and from how I conceptualize Gildarts I think he would to. He's the kind of guy who doesn't give a single fuck about things that are traditionally masculine or feminine, if his daughter needs him to be something then he's going to be it.

"Alright- next thing you're going to do is twist the hair like this," The nice woman said, giving her daughter's half-finished braid a twist as a demonstration.

Gildarts carefully tried to copy the movement but accidentally pulled it a little too tightly, causing Cana let out a small yelp.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart!" He blurted out, frantically dropping the messy braid like it was on fire.

His little princess twisted around on the small stool and gave her father a look that practically screamed 'you wuss'. "Daddy it didn't hurt that bad."

But that was the fourth time he'd hurt her. He wasn't supposed to hurt her- he was supposed to shower her with kisses and love- not make her cry out!

If you had told him five years ago that he would be taking lessons on how to properly do his daughter's hair he would have laughed right in your face. If you had told him a year ago, he probably still would have laughed.

Yet here he was.

Two months ago his darling little girl had asked if she could take ballet class and like a good father he wanted to encourage her creative spirit (she was so cute in her tiny little leotard!) and he also couldn't say no to her even if he tried.

Unfortunately, he had quickly been kicked out of the building for clinging to the small window of the dance studio his baby was practicing in- apparently, he was 'distracting the children'. All he wanted to do was watch his little princess be adorable and learn something new- why was that a bad thing?!

So now he was only allowed for pickup and drop off, which is probably why it took him a little while to notice.

He would drop his baby off for her class with her tiny little curls either hanging freely or loosely tied back with one of the few hairbands Cana had brought with her when she'd come to Magnolia, and when he picked her up her hair would either be neatly braided back or in a tiny little bun on her head.

Apparently, she wasn't allowed to start class if her hair wasn't tied back properly, so one of the other mom's was nice enough to do it for her before class every week. The biggest problem he had with this was that no one had bothered to tell him about it.

And when he had asked, they had apparently believed that a single dad either wouldn't care or find it 'beneath him' to learn how to do something as trivial as his daughter's hair.

Quite frankly he found that offensive.

Not only because they had assumed the he couldn't be bothered to learn how to do it properly, but also because that belief was well-earned because there were a fuck ton of men who probably did think this sort of thing was beneath them.

She was his daughter and it was his job to do her hair- since he didn't know how, then he would just have to learn.

Thankfully the mom had been more than happy to teach him what to do and was being more patient with his fumbling than he probably deserved.

Cana was more than happy to go along with her Daddy pulling on her hair, mostly because she had been well bribed, but also because she liked the idea of not having to sit out of part of group warm ups because her hair wasn't done.

Ten more minutes of patient instruction and fumbling, and he was proudly staring at the completed braided bun. Sure, it didn't look as neat as the one the mother had done, but it was a start.

oOOOOo

"Cana hold still." Gildarts said around the bobby pins in his mouth, trying to get his wiggly six-year-old to cooperate as he did her hair.

"Yes Daddy." The tiny brunette said obediently, trying to keep as still as possible.

"Thank you, sweetie." The Ace said, putting in another pin to hold it in place when a loud laugh distracted both of them.

"Never pegged you for the Mister Mom type Gildarts," Macao said with a laugh, a teasing smirk on his face.

Gildarts rolled his eyes and refused to answer, finishing off his daughter's hair with one last pin. "Alright you're done."

The six-year-old let out a cheer and immediately grabbed the small pink bag next to her and began tugging her father towards the door," Lets go! Letsgoletsgo- "

The giant of a man immediately crouched down and put his hands on the child's shoulders," Deep breath in." He ordered, making the little girl cut herself off in order to puff her cheeks out like a chipmunk. "Okay, now let it out."

Cana loudly breathed out, blowing right in her father's face. Significantly calmer now the little girl once again tugged at her father's hand. "We've got to go Daddy!"

Gildarts smiled and scooped up his tiny daughter. Pressing a kiss to her head, he called out over his shoulder," I'll be back in about fifteen minutes guys!"

oOOOOo

"Seriously though- it was absolutely adorable the way you did her hair and all." Wakaba said with a laugh as he, Macao, and Gildarts shared a pint of beer.

The Ace raised an eyebrow," Not that I'm complaining, but why was it adorable?"

The smoker laugh and gestured to Gildarts' massive bulk compared to the room," You're you and Cana's this," here he held his hand about a foot's distance off the table," Its always funny watching the size difference between you is all."

The red-haired man laughed, he had to admit it probably did look weird to outsiders. To him, Cana was a delicate and fragile little thing that he carried because he was terrified of the wind carrying her away- he couldn't imagine how they must look from an outside perspective.

"Though I have to admit- I was really surprised about the hair thing." Macao said suddenly.

"Surprised how?"

The fire wizard took another gulp from his mug," Its just here you are- the ultimate man's man and you are doing your ballerina daughter's hair. I know a lot of guys who wouldn't have bothered learning and would've just let that mom handle it, got to admit I really respect you."

Gildarts shook his head," You shouldn't have to." At the confused looks he elaborated himself," I learned how to do her hair- a simple task any parent, male or female, of a little girl should do. I shouldn't be getting compliments for it because it should just be the norm."

"Well said."

All three men turned to face the proud face of Master Makarov, the old man looking like the cat who got the cream.

"Even if it should be the norm- you should still feel proud of yourself for making the effort when you easily could have passed the task off." The old man held up a hand to block the crash mage, who had been intended to say it was no big deal," If nothing else, I am so proud of you Gildarts, you've become a fine man and a fantastic father."

The Ace blushed lightly at the praise before catching a glimpse at the clock. "Is that the- see you later guys!" The man yelled as he bolted out the doors, not wanting to be late to pick his daughter up from her class.

He still didn't get what the big deal was- it was just hair, not rocket science!

And even if it was, he'd do anything for his daughter. It was his privilege as her father to be whatever she needed him to be.