Hey everyone! I know I have a lot more pairing request to fulfill, but I'm in a very Gajevy-like mood today! Please enjoy!


The room was dark, save for the sliver of light coming from the door Gajeel had pushed ajar. He slipped inside and closed the door, wincing at the small 'click' of the latch. His eyes adjusted quickly to the gloom, and the outline of a crib took form. Moving slowly so as not to make noise, the dragon slayer made his way over to the crib, peering over the edge at the sleeping form inside.

A small child lay in the crib, her tiny arms clutching a blanket to her chest. A mess of hair, dark as the night around her, splayed out on the pillow. Gajeel smiled to himself, watching her soft breaths stir a wisp of hair that had fallen in front of her nose. His chest filled with a warm sense of pride. He glanced around the room, finding an ottoman and carrying it over to the crib. Settling down, he leaned against the crib. The wood creaked, and he caught his breath, watching the little girl nervously.

A faint, sleepy coo escaped from the child, her eyes fluttering open and searching through the darkness. Gajeel stood and reached into the crib, caressing the little one's cheek. "Shh, shh," he whispered, hoping she'd fall back asleep. The girl yawned and snuggled her blanket against her chin, her eyes drooping shut once more. The dragon slayer let out a relieved sigh and sat down again, leaning this time against the wall rather than the crib and closing his own eyes. He could hear soft footsteps in the hallway, and he opened one eye slightly to see Levy peek into the room. Seeing him, she crept into the room, coming to stand beside him.

"Gajeel? Something wrong?" she whispered, placing a hand tentatively on his shoulder. He sighed, reaching up and placing his hand on hers. Levy smiled to herself- he could be surprisingly gentle when he wanted to be.

"Just couldn't sleep," he replied, turning to watch the sleeping girl beside him again. He squeezed Levy's hand. "Hard to believe she's turning two already... It seems like just yesterday she was hardly bigger than my hand..." Levy stifled a giggle.

"And like it was just yesterday that you were telling Natsu that if his son ever hurt your precious treasure you'd skin him alive." The dragon slayer let out a soft grunt.

"I still would; that little runt is nothing but trouble. He's not coming anywhere near my daughter."

Levy rolled her eyes, smiling as she kissed Gajeel's cheek. "Honestly, little Igneel reminds me a bit of you, and if you think our daughter takes after me, then... Well, look how we turned out." she teased. Gajeel's features darkened.

"No way is my little girl going to end up with any kid of Salamander's." He crossed his arms across his chest, glaring up at his wife. Levy shook her head, smiling.

"Whatever you say, Gajeel. Just remember in the end it won't be your decision," she said with a wink. Gajeel opened his mouth to reply, but she pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "I'm going to bed. Join me soon, okay?" She left quietly, leaving the dragon slayer alone with his daughter. He looked over at her, his expression turning from one of defiance to one of pleading.

"Really though, Kaida, don't end up with someone like your papa. We dragon slayers are a load of trouble, and you've got too much of your mother's charm to have to settle for the likes of us," he whispered to the sleeping girl. Kaida sighed in her sleep, bringing a soft smile to her father's face. He stood and leaned over the railing of the crib, careful not to make the wood creak again.

"But if you do... show him some of your old papa's fighting spirit, eh?" He leaned down and kissed the girl's cheek gently, making her face screw up, though she slept on. He laughed and crossed over to the door, making sure not to open it too wide and wake his daughter with the light from the hallway. He had nearly closed the door when he paused and stuck his head back in the room.

"Good night, my little one. And happy birthday."


Hopefully I didn't depart from character too much on this one! I just thought the idea of Gajeel as a father is just too cute, and I have a feeling that a little girl would have the iron dragon slayer wrapped around her finger in no time. In case you wondered, "Kaida" is a Japanese name meaning "little dragon". I really hope you enjoyed the story! Please leave reviews; I love to read them and use them to better my writing! Until next time, happy reading!