Summary: Mavis Vermillion had always wanted to be a mother. She absolutely loved children and had dreamt of giving birth and taking care of her little one. Too bad she had been killed by the only man she will ever love. However, this bright, fiery little boy might give her that experience she always wanted.
Pairings: Motherly Mavis/Natsu, Mentions of Zeref/Mavis
Mavis Vermillion, the first master of Fairy Tail had been happily walking along in the forest.
She had just come back from checking out all the children in the guild, it really made her heart swell to see all those poor children finally get the family they deserve.
Though apart of her did feel sad. She always wanted to be mother.
She wanted to have a baby in her tummy, feel it grow, feel it kick and move around in her. Then to give birth and raise her little one with love and care.
Too bad now, that dream was impossible.
Aside from the fact that she had been a ghost for the past century, she only ever loved one man.
Ironic that the man she loved more than anything was the reason she had died.
She didn't blame him though, she never did. It was his stupid curse.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the sound of a stick cracking was heard behind her.
Turning around she saw a little boy who looked to be no older than 7 years old.
He was wearing a plain red t-shirt, a pair of brown pants and had a scarf wrapped around his neck.
His pink hair was spiked up in all directions and he had a huge grin on his face as he looked at her.
Mavis softened as she looked at the child, she remembered him, Natsu Dragneel.
The first time she heard his surname, she almost fell over. Mavis only knew one man with that surname and she was positive he didn't have any family left.
"I had a little brother once…." She heard his voice say.
It was frustrating that she couldn't get him to open up a bit more. She told him all about her family, yet he was tight lipped about his, only mentioning that 'little brother' whose name he never told her.
Zeref was always stingy!
She had assumed that it was merely a coincidence that they had the same last name. After all Natsu claimed that he was raised by a dragon and made no mention of a Zeref to anyone.
She smiled sweetly at him, "Hello there little one."
He beamed back at her, a bright radiant smile that took away all her doubts and worries, "Hey Mavis!"
He ran up to her and jumped into a hug surprising her. None of the other kids had really been physical with her, Natsu had been the first and it was something she was just getting used to.
She hugged him back, "What're doing out here Natsu? You're a long way from the guild."
He pulled away and pouted, "I'm booooorrrrreeeddd! Lisanna was supposed to play with me today, but she got sick. Then Gray was being stupid and started a fight which got us both in trouble with Erza!" He shivered at that, "Then Laxus was being mean to me and tried to shock me when all I said was 'Hi'."
She winced at that, it was understandable why Laxus was so angsty and irritable now. After the whole commotion with his father and the Lacrima, she couldn't blame the youngest Dreyar.
Unfortunately she couldn't tell Natsu any of that, aside from most likely not understanding a word she was saying, he would probably be traumatized.
"Laxus…..had a lot on his plate right now sweetie." She told him softly.
Natsu looked down, kicking some stones, "He's still a big meanie." The young boy pouted.
She giggled at that, before an idea formed in her head, "Okay, since you didn't have any fun at the guild…..why don't you spend the day with me."
He looked up at her with stars in his eyes, "Really?"
She nodded, "Yeah, we'll have a super fun day, that'll make everyone jealous for not wanting to hang out with you."
Natsu smile grew wider, "Alright! I'm all fired up!"
And so they did, Natsu and Mavis spent the day playing and having fun.
They played tag, hide and seek, ninjas and Mavis even played the part of a princess waiting to be rescued by the fierce and cool dragon.
This felt good, Natsu gave Mavis a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. Then his smile….it reminded her so much of Zeref, that for a split second she was convinced that the two must have been related.
But she quickly pushed those thoughts away.
Suddenly their playtime was interrupted by the grumble of Natsu's tummy.
"Looks like someone's hungry." She teased.
Natsu gained a pink hue to his cheeks, "But I still wanna play!"
She chuckled, "Easy, little dragon. You can't really play on an empty stomach. Don't worry I'll cook you something yummy."
Of course, that meant Mavis just went in the river and grabbed some fish.
She then roasted them over a small fire she had made.
After some time, the fish were ready to be eaten.
She took one of the sticks off, "Here you go." She said with a smile handing the fish to the young boy.
Natsu took and large bite and his smile was huge, "Mmmmmm! This tastes so good!"
She giggled at his puffed up cheeks, "Don't talk with your mouth full." She chided him lightly.
He continued to eat more and more, making a large mess and getting crumbs on his cheeks.
Mavis knelt down to his level (Which was a huge boost to her ego. Seriously, Natsu was the only child in the guild who was shorter than her!) and licked her thumb, "Hey now, you're making a mess." She then gently and carefully removed the crumbs from around his mouth and face.
Natsu then noticed something, "How come you're not eating?"
Mavis was a bit taken aback by that, but still answered him, "Well as you know, I'm a ghost." She explained, "Ghosts, don't really need to eat."
In truth she could eat, but as she said with being a ghost there was really no point as she wouldn't die from starvation.
Natsu frowned, "Well, I think you should eat!" He took the last stick of fish from the fire and gave it to her.
"Here!"
Mavis looked shocked, "No, it's fine I-"
"I said take it." He said with a commanding tone, she didn't believe a sweet child like that could have.
Mavis still smiled at that and her heart swelled at his kindness, she took the stick and began eating.
Eventually though Natsu headed back to the guild, but not before giving her a hug and telling her how much fun he had. She did give him a kiss on the forehead before he left as well.
The strange feeling in her heart didn't disappear and that was strange. It was love yes, she knew that. But it wasn't the soul mate or 'I want to be with him' type of love that she had with Zeref.
It was almost…..maternal.
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That wasn't the only time Natsu would come and spend the day with Mavis.
He'd come around often and they'd play games and he'd tell her about all the things he'd get up to with his friends.
And Mavis found herself listening in on every word, feeling content just listening to him tell stories about his day.
Even the not so good times, she found to be happy.
Natsu was currently bawling in her dress, a large and comical bump on his forehead.
"Mira…*Sniff*…..is so….*Sniff* mean to meeeee!" He cried clutching her dress.
She couldn't help but chuckle, "Honey, telling me Mira's mean isn't going to help. Here let me see it."
Natsu raised his head from her dress and she gently wiped away his tears with her thumbs. Then she pressed a gentle kiss on the bump and within seconds it went away.
"All better?" She asked him.
He smiled back at her, nodding happily, "All better!"
They then shared a hug and when they parted, she found herself wanting to hold him more.
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As Mavis waited in the spot for Natsu to come, she noticed that he was running a little late.
Worry gripped her chest.
Was he hurt?
Was he sick?
Did he get into a fight?
Her thoughts were taken away when she heard his voice, "MAVIS!" He called out to her.
She looked and smiled in relief seeing him again, though she noticed that the young dragon slayer was holding a card.
He ran up to her grinning wildly, "Happy Mothers' Day!"
Her eyes widened and she looked down at the card he extended out.
She gently took it and looked it over, the cover was untidy and he definitely spelt mother wrong, but she didn't care.
Inside the card was a doodle of him and her playing in the river. The doodles weren't detailed and really the only way she could tell the difference was because he made sure to use pink and yellow to colour their hair.
Then underneath the doodle was the words, 'To the bestest mom in the whole world!'
Those words made her heart swell with joy and she found herself shedding tears of joy and happiness.
Natsu looked panicked at that, "Oh no! Do you not like it?"
She laughed, wiping away her tears, "No, no….I love it." But then she frowned, "Natsu, you know I'm not your mother right?" She told him gently though for some reason the words sounded wrong on her tongue.
Natsu looked confused at that, "Yes you are."
Mavis was shocked, he said that in a tone that said he was positive about what he was saying.
"Sweetie, I'm glad you really think of me like that, but I really am no-"
"Yes you are!" He said loudly in a tone that left no room for arguments.
"You are my mom! Lisanna said a mom is someone who plays with you, feeds you, takes care of you and comforts you when you're hurt or sad! You do all of that with me!" Natsu exclaimed really loudly.
Mavis was stunned, he seemed convinced at that and his logic while still innocent was sound. She had been doing all those things for him.
She didn't get to continue her train of thought as Natsu looked down, his lips wobbling, "Do you….Do you not want to be my mom?"
Her heart clenched at seeing him so sad, she knew he still had abandonment issues with Igneel having just randomly left him. He probably couldn't deal with another parental figure leaving him again.
She pulled him into a tight hug, running her fingers through his hair, "Of course I would like to be your mom honey." She whispered into his air.
"You're the sweetest little boy I've ever met and I would be honoured to be your mother."
Natsu smiled brightly at that, "Then it's settled," He said, pulling away from her still having that bright smile, "you're my mom!"
Mavis giggled, "I guess I am."
He grabbed her hand, "Come on mama! I can't wait to tell everyone!"
Natsu pulled her hand and Mavis found herself running with him to the guild.
For the longest time, Mavis thought that being a mother would simply be one of her many unattainable dreams….
But thanks to this bright and pure child, she can finally make that a reality.
She would make sure she was the best mother ever for him.
Omake:
Mavis was currently in the guild hall, holding Natsu close while the boy just smiled brightly.
"I've only had Natsu for a few months," She began, "but if anything were to happen to him, I'd kill everyone in this room and then myself."
Macao looked on confused, "Wait? Aren't you a gho-"
He didn't get to finish that thought as she punted him into the wall.
Natsu was being all giddy, "My mom's so cool!"