Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail and all that noise. Only thing that's mine is the plot or whatever.

Interlude: Babysitting Duty

"Thanks for doing this for me, Gajeel."

The iron dragon rolled his eyes as Natsu put a hand on his shoulder. The 'thanks' wasn't needed and it honestly just made him uncomfortable. Clicking his tongue, Gajeel responded. "I ain't doin' this for you, Salamander. Get outta here."

Natsu just laughed, waving the boy off as he and Erza exited the guildhall to visit Porlyusica's. Supposedly, today was the day the girl got her bandages removed and finally got to use that fancy new eye of hers. He didn't know. He was just waiting to be able to fight her and it was taking far too long.

Either way, he was getting stuck with the kids.

Sighing, Gajeel spun on his heel, popping his hands up on his hips as he stared impassively over the trouble trio. "What d'y'all wanna do?"

Wendy, the cute little ball of blue hair she was, merely shrugged in response, offering a quiet 'play nest?' that was overshadowed by Sting's enthusiastic 'fight!' Rogue was really just happy doing whatever Gajeel wanted, so he said nothing.

Naturally (because why not make his life harder), Wendy was too meek to voice her opinion louder. So, instead of telling Sting that she didn't like fighting her friends, she merely plastered on a fake smile and lowered the hand she'd innocently raised into the air.

Gajeel was having none of that.

"As the oldest, Wendy gets first choice."

Sting gawked. "She's the youngest!"

"A pity." Gajeel elected to ignore that fact. "Now, Wendy?"

The bluenette perked up, nodding quickly with wide eyes. "Y- Yes?"

"How do we play?"

"You mean it? You really want to play nest with me?"

Truthfully, no. He'd much prefer she picked a different game, but it certainly beat out her being sad.

"Course I do. Those two want to too, don'tcha brats?"

Sting and Rogue quickly agreed, not wanting to face the older slayer's wrath. A wise move. Gajeel gave the worst noogies.

The smile Wendy gave in response was enough to settle any of the boys' grievances. "Yay! Okay! Since Gajee is the oldest, he can be the papa dragon, and that means.." Wendy trailed off, tapping her chin in thought as she looked around the guildhall. After a few moments, she found exactly what she needed. "Ah! Gajee can be the papa and Levy can be the mama!"

Sting and Rogue both nodded their heads. It only made sense.

Gajeel on the other hand..

"Wha- what!? The heck are you talkin' about, Wendy? I don't need no mate! I can handle you three all on my own."

She tilted her head to the side cutely, a single finger pressed into her chin. Truly, the picture of innocence. "Wha'ssa matter, Gajee?"

Opening his mouth to no doubt let out some hot-blooded retort, the iron dragon ended up sighing in defeat. His head was cast down, the muttered 'nothing' that escaped his lips traveling straight down into the floor boards.

So, this was the feeling of total defeat.

He didn't like it.

"Yay! I'll go ask Levy now!"

The sky dragon's arms stuck out to the side, flapping up and down like any good dragon would when taking off.

In classic Wendy fashion, she made it about five steps before tripping over her own foot and tumbling to the ground in a heap.

Great.

Just great.

Hurrying over, Gajeel made shushing noises and waved his arms up and down as he tried his best to get the child to just not cry.

It didn't work.

"H- Hey.. don't cry on me now. You're.. strong, right? Big girls don't need those silly little tears."

Damn. Where was Salamander when you needed him? Was it too early to throw in the towel and have him handle all of this? He was not the right person to handle comforting a child!

Wendy sniffled, sucking in a breath, and holding it as she bit her lip, trying her best not to cry. All she really ended up doing was prolong the inevitable, so when she finally had to suck in another breath it came out as a far louder, gasping sob.

She cradled her knee between her hands, rocking back and forth slowly as the shallow cuts turned red.

Of course, as the guild's newest sweetheart, the members were quite protective of little Wendy.

"Come on, Gajeel, help the poor girl!"

"Seriously, kid, don't just tell her to stop crying!"

Gajeel grit his teeth, but stayed quiet, putting all of his focus on comforting the poor child rather than the guildmates egging him on.

What would Natsu do at a time like this?

"Uhm.. "

Think quicker, damnit!

Finding himself short of several great ideas, Gajeel did the first thing that felt natural.

He gathered the girl up in his arms and gave her the best hug he could offer. It was awkward and uncomfortable (both physically and emotionally), but he could live with that so long as Wendy just didn't cry.

Please don't cry. Please don't cry. Please don't cry.

There was a sniffle from where Wendy's face was shoved into his ribs, but that wasn't a sob, so he thinks that it's a good sign.

There was a tickling pressure against his skin as Wendy started moving her mouth, but what came out didn't make any sense at all.

".. kman-mhu.. mith.. ih?"

Gajeel pulled the child's head away, holding her by the shoulders as he stared into her watery, brown eyes. "Can you repeat that?"

She nodded. "Can you kiss it?"

"Uhm.. no." Yeah, sorry Wendy, not happening.

She gave him the look.

Gajeel hated the look.

With her hands clasped in front of her chest in a beseeching pose, Wendy pulled her bottom lip out, and somehow managed to make her eyes impossibly big and her pupils impossibly bigger.

It wasn't fair.

Simply far too much power for one person to have. He didn't like it. Nobody deserves that much power.

Well, nobody but Wendy, because.. well— you get it. It's Wendy.

Gajeel sighed, already thinking up all of the creative ways he can insult Natsu later. This was all Salamander's fault and he was going to make damn well sure the jerk understood it.

Bending down low, the iron dragon slayer laid a gentle kiss upon Wendy's knee.

"Better?"

Wendy nodded with a wide smile. "Mm!"

"Great."

Yeah. Salamander was going to get it later.

Gajeel heaved as he pushed himself back up onto his feet, not even pausing before he plucked Wendy up by her armpits and placed her down at his side. "So.. Levy?"

The things he does for the little ones.

Once again, Wendy nodded and smiled. "Yeah! Come on, slowpokes!"

The clumsy girl made to sprint off once again and yeah, no. Not happening.

"!"

Gajeel turned his gaze to the ceiling as his cheeks burned bright red, but he didn't let his own embarrassment stop him now. That would be tantamount to admitting defeat. And the son of Metalicana didn't lose.

Even if that meant holding hands with a small girl in the middle of the guildhall when everybody was looking at him.

(And he means everybody.)

Not a single person missed the little display. The men were chuckling quietly to themselves while the woman cooed and aww'd.

It was humiliating.

Gajeel dragged his feet as Wendy tugged him along. Obviously, it was so she didn't run and hurt herself again. Not because he was embarrassed. He wasn't.

"Levy!" Wendy waved her free hand high above her head as she marched up to her fellow blue-haired girl. "Play with us!"

"What are you playing?" The girl in question looked up from her book with a tilt of the head. "Something fun?"

"F'course! We're playing 'nest,' have you ever played?"

"Nest?" A shake of the head.

"S'fun! Mama used to play with me!"

Closing her book, Levy nodded. "Sure! I'll play." A pause. "Uhmm.. how do I play?"

"You'll be the mama dragon, and Gajee—"

Levy's eyes met the iron dragon slayer's as she mouthed a confused 'Gajee?' his way. The glare she received in response was very clear.

Not a word.

"—will be our papa dragon!" Pausing once to suck in a breath, Wendy continued on. It wasn't so much she lost her breath quickly; she was just really excited. She never got to play her choice of games; the boys always outnumbered her vote. This was going to be so much fun! "Rogue, Sting, and I will be your hatchlings! The point of the game is to be a happy brood!"

Nodding once, the little bluenette was obviously proud of her explanation. (She did a good job.) So now all there was left to do was play!

"So.. it's like house?"

Or answer questions!

"I dunno what that is!"

Questions successfully answered. Booyah.

(She couldn't wait to tell Natsu how good she did. He was going to be so proud of her.)

Wendy turned away from the unsatisfied Levy, choosing to check on her 'brothers' than entertain any more people who didn't know a game as good as 'nest.'

"Sting? Rogue? Where'd ya go?"

There was a thud followed by a shout before the entire guildhall exploded into motion. Chairs went soaring, mugs went sailing, and fists when flying.

"Found 'em!"

Gajeel could only sigh as he transformed his free arm into iron and caught the body sent flying their way, protecting both Wendy and Levy behind him.

".. those imps.. "

He liked brawls as much as the next guy, but they were supposed to be playing house, damnit!

Sitting on the edge of the stage, swinging their feet back and forth as they grinned at the sight of the chaos they caused, the twin dragons high-fived.

It was going to be a long day for Gajeel.

"You want to what?"

Wendy pouted up at him, Cana's brush cradled between her hand as if it were a precious artifact. "I want to do your hair!"

Gajeel narrowed his eyes at her and then at the brush.

No. Not happening.

He could stomach playing 'nest' and being mates with Levy. Hell, he didn't even argue when Wendy wanted to sit on his lap during 'tea time.' Which— don't even get him started on tea time. Dragons do not drink tea. It's just not possible.

He drew the line at messing with his hair. Sure, it was kinda long, but that didn't make it an invitation to mess with! He'd been growing it out ever since Metalicana had left, but it wasn't any longer than Levy's or Wendy's. Why couldn't they just do their own hair?

Wendy's grip tightened, the fingers that held the brush twisting around its smooth handle. "Pwease?"

Nope. Never.

Under no circumstance would he ever, ever let that happen. He'd sooner give up fighting than let two bluenette girls mess around with his hair.

"You look beautiful!" Wendy gasped, her hands coming up to cover her mouth as she took her step back. There were stars alight in her eyes and boy did Gajeel hate those stars. They were going to haunt his dreams. Every night when he closed his eyes he was going to see those damn eyes and remember the forty minutes spent beneath Wendy's thumb as she tried, failed, and tried again to braid his hair. There was so much tugging, more than a few clumps of hair lost, and enough tears to drown the desert, but she'd gotten.

Off to the side, Sting and Rogue were snickering into their palms. They took far too much enjoyment in all of this.

The iron dragon slayer turned when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. A smug-looking Cana appeared, a smirk tugging at her lips as she tucked her arms behind her back. "I see you put my stuff to good use, Wends. Nicely done."

Wendy, the traitor, giggled some more.

Gajeel, on the other hand, scowled. He had a few creative words for the girl who suggested this whole thing, but the audience of toddlers was really putting a damper on his vocabulary. He couldn't even call somebody a 'butthead' with Wendy around, lest he wish to make her cry for being 'so mean!'

"Oh, don't make fun, Cana." Again, Gajeel turned, this time looking upon Levy's smiling face. "I think he looks quite handsome."

Gajeel, despite his best attempt to stop it, flushed. He hoped, prayed, and wished upon every star in the night sky that nobody would catch see it.

All of them went unanswered.

"Aww!" Cana cooed. "Look at him! He's blushing!"

"I am not!"

"You are too! That's so cute! Levy, I think he likes you!"

"No, I don't! It's just embarrassing! Leave me alone, stupid!"

Wendy, as expected, gasped. And honestly? The disappointed 'Gajee, how could you?' she let out breathlessly stung more than anything else ever could.

He couldn't wait for Natsu to get back.

Gods, when was Natsu getting back?

Please let it be soon. Please, gods, let it be soon.

".. well.. now what?"

There was a collective shrug as everybody slumped into their seats. They weren't allowed the guildhall because apparently, Gajeel does not count as 'adult supervision.' Which, dumb. If he could go on missions, he could watch the two imps and one clumsy pipsqueak. Unfortunately, the guildhall had a little something called 'ground rules' which roughly translated (and forgive Gajeel if this isn't correct, he was still learning to write) 'no having fun allowed.'

So, they were all very, very bored.

The twins were off somewhere, Gajeel couldn't be bothered to keep track of them anymore. They could be collapsed from a sugar high after raiding the kitchen pantry for all he cares. Out of sight, out of mind.

Wendy was napping atop the table. She'd healed her knee earlier and promptly passed out. It made for an easy job babysitting, but it also made it incredibly boring.

Of course, it was when one is at their lowest when inspiration strikes.

Well, either then or when a certain, black-haired, blue-eyed, ice magic-using, clothes-hating boy passes by.

Yes. This will do just fine.

"Gihee!"

Gray wasn't going to know what hit him.

Gajeel was not pleased. Repeat: Gajeel was not pleased.

The doors of the guild opened to reveal stars overhead and a city lit only by the lamps that lined the roads. Two figures stood in the dim light, blinking at the influx of light within the guildhall.

"Do you have any idea how late it is?"

The iron dragon slayer's arms were crossed in front of his chest, and he was seated atop a table he'd dragged to the center of the room with his legs crossed.

Natsu was the first to speak, which was good, because he was the one he was mad at it. Erza could march right back and join the triplets in the infirmary for bedtime, that was fine, but Natsu? Natsu was in trouble.

"Err.. " The elder slayer took a step back outside and turned his face up to the sky. "I'd say around eight?"

He was lucky Gajeel didn't know how to read a clock because it was actually eight-thirty.

That's thirty whole minutes after the kiddos bedtime, and three whole hours after he said he would be back.

"I had to put the kids to bed. They cried because you weren't there."

They didn't.

(But Natsu didn't need to know that.)

The pinkette's eyes widened in horror. Good.

Gajeel didn't even give him the chance to speak, simply powering through before he could get a word in edgewise.

"Where were you? Hm? You said you'd be home for dinner. They went to sleep hungry because you weren't here."

Again, they didn't. The triplets were properly fed and cared for.

"I— "

Gajeel kept on going.

"I don't think I want you seein' them anymore. You're clearly not a very good influence."

"Look, Gajeel, I just— "

"And you come back here lookin' like that?" He gestured vaguely toward the duo's clothes. "You're covered in dirt. You're sweaty and— "

"Papa?"

The two froze, turning slowly, much like a brown cog, to face the newest arrival.

Wendy was there, standing in her pajamas at the entrance of the hallway in the back. One of her wrists rubbed idly at her tired eyes. She was obviously trying her hardest to keep them open, but she wasn't doing a very good job.

"Hey, sweetheart." Natsu walked over and kneeled in front of her. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner, I heard you had a rough time with it."

Wendy shook her head. "No.. big brother Gajee was'nice. He left n' caught us some fishies and convinced Levy to read to us som'ore and only said one mean thing the whole night."

Natsu smirked, gently pulling the girl into his chest and hugging her. "He did, did he? What else did your big brother do?"

The little blue-haired girl hummed contentedly, snuggling deeper into Natsu's chest. Fire dragon slayers just had the coziest bodies of all dragon slayers, or that's at least what Wendy thinks, they're all so warm.

"He played nest with me."

"Oho?" He smiled and stroked the girl's hair. "Is that so? Tell me more."

"He was the papa drag'n, Levy was.. Levy w's mama."

"Gajeel was the papa and Levy was the mama? Were they very good dragons?"

Wendy nodded. "Mm. The best. But not as good as mama or papa."

It's been a long time since Natsu felt a warmness brewing inside of him, Igneel's magic saw to that. (Fire dragon slayers couldn't really feel heat.) But the warmth that flooded out from his heart and crept out the farthest reaches of his body, all the way to the tips of his fingers and toes, at Wendy's words saw fit to let him feel it once more.

Natsu hummed, his smile twitching and threatening with spreading into something far broader. "Tell me more."

"Levy— " Wendy yawned. "Levy taught me t'braid."

"Oh, really?" He had no idea what 'braiding' was, but he'd be sure to thank the girl the next time he saw her. "And how was that?"

"Mm.. s'good. We did Gajee's."

Natsu turned to see Gajeel playing with his hair, his cheeks bright red as he turned away from Erza's knowing smile.

Interesting.

He'd have to figure out what all that meant later.

"So.. I take it you had a good day?"

".. mhmm.. "

"You tired?"

".. mhmm, mhmm.. stay'd up.. "

"You stayed up? Why's that?"

".. waitin'.. "

"You were waiting?" Natsu hummed. "Who were you waiting for?"

He knew the answer, but he just wanted to hear it, just one more time.

".. f'r papa.. "

A smile.

"Well, I'm here now, so there's no need to wait up for me anymore, go to sleep."

Natsu stood, cradling the five-year-old against his hip and turning back to a sour-looking iron-dragon slayer.

"You almost had me."

Gajeel clicked his tongue, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his pants. "Yeah, yeah. Can't blame me for tryin'. Just don't take so long next time."

"Of course. And Gajeel?"

The boy turned back and Natsu smiled.

"Thank you. You did a good job today. I think Metalicana would be proud of the man you're becoming."

With another click of the tongue and an embarrassed nod, Gajeel disappeared down a dark corridor. Most likely to find some remote corner of the guild to brood, just to get his reputation back in line. He can't have people thinking he's soft, after all.

Natsu, on the other hand, had two more kids to greet and send to bed with a kiss on the forehead.

Starting with Wendy.

".. sweet dreams, little dragon."

Erza quickly reached his side, a small smile on her face as she matched his stride and followed along to the infirmary.

Oopsie. Double upload. I wrote this instead of studying for exams. My professors love me, I'm sure.