Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

8 - Christmas Gifts

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[X772, Wakaba's home]

— Wakaba Mine —

It was Christmas morning, he and the kid were in the house he owned on the outskirts of Magnolia to spend a little bit of time together before they head to the guild. They were both sitting by the porch, with him smoking a cigarette and Dannis drinking tea whilst reading a book.

And honestly, Wakaba Mine never expected this.

When he entered the doors to the guild two years ago, he didn't expect to come out of that same door as a father. Of course, little Dannis had never actually called him that, and he doubts that he ever will, but the fact that he would be the guardian to an 8 year old orphan who had lost way too much way too young was something he did not see coming.

When Makarov asked if anyone could help house Dannis until better arrangements could be made, Wakaba was the first to volunteer. He didn't know what it was, perhaps to make up for the sins of his past, but Wakaba felt like he needed to help this child who seemed lost to regain his grip in life.

And not a day goes by that he doesn't regret that decision.

Sure there were hard times, when Dannis would wake up in the middle of times screaming 'Get away from me!' with his lungs out. Times when Dannis would go the entire day without uttering a single word. Times when his eyes become so haunted with his past.

A look that shouldn't belong to a child.

Everyday he tried his best. Always reminding the boy that he was there if he wanted to talk. That whatever the kid needed, he was there to provide.

It took a while, and slowly but surely, it worked. Dannis started to speak up more both at home, and at the guild. His friendship with Laxus had certainly helped with that.

They went on trips to the marketplace to get him some clothes. And for some reason, Wakaba wasn't surprised when most of the clothes he bought for the kid were all black in color.

He also made the effort to put some bookcases Dannis's room when the he realized his likeness to read. Two cases as tall as the ceiling were quickly shoved into his room. It was still relatively empty now, but Wakaba was sure that with the kid's penchant for reading, they would fill up pretty quickly.

Wakaba even helped out Dannis pick the power for his lacrima eye. He could still remember those sleepless nights where they brainstormed and debated long and hard about what power he should get.

He looked back with a fond smile as he remembered intentionally arguing about every single one of Dannis's pick since it was the first topic he'd found that the boy was passionate about. The way he smiled and laughed and excitedly pointed out different benefits of different powers. It was also pretty mind boggling to see just the amount of powers one could get from implanting a lacrima within you. If only the price to get those powers weren't so high.

He was also among those who stood by waiting outside the room with Makarov when Dannis had the surgery to implant the eye. It was also the most tense and nervous he's been his entire life. Not knowing what would happen and considering the dangers of anything going wrong.