United
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The second we stepped through the gates, I heard someone scream.
"Oh no."
"That's him—Gildarts!"
It was like watching a wave ripple through the town.
At first, just a few heads turned. Then-
A merchant across the street dropped a box of carrots. A florist dove behind her stand. One old man grabbed his grandson by the collar and bolted like he was avoiding a natural disaster.
Someone shouted, "THE GILDARTS SHIFT ISN'T IN PLACE—EVERYONE MOVE!"
Storefronts slammed shut. Magic lights flickered off. One unlucky mailman just curled into a ball and rolled into a barrel.
It wasn't comedy. It was awe.
"RUN FOR YOUR BUILDINGS!"
"Protect the walls!"
I blinked. "...You serious?"
Gildarts scratched his head sheepishly as a man tripped over a crate trying to flee. "They tend to overreact."
"Tend to?" I raised a brow.
"They're just being careful," he said, like the mayor hasn't implemented a literal city-wide detour because of him. "I haven't broken a road in months."
I stared at him. Then at the boarded-up windows. Then back at him.
"Right," I muttered. "You're insane."
"And you're my son," he added with a grin.
I kept walking, hiding my smirk.
But yeah—I was starting to understand.
That he was Gildarts. A walking calamity. His presence wasn't just loud. It shifted everything. Literally. The town, the guild, people's attitudes. It wasn't fear exactly... more like the respectful terror people had of lightning storms or volcanoes. Big, chaotic, and hard to contain.
And yet, the guy next to me was humming like we were out for a picnic.
"Wow. The guild sure is same as ever." Gildarts called out. The guild had become visible.
"Yeah. I heard you were gone for like three years."
Gildarts nodded.
We passed under the sign.
FAIRY TAIL.
The doors were already swinging from someone else's entrance, so we didn't even have to push.
Noise. Laughter. Crashes. The usual.
And then silence.
"...Gildarts?"
The room froze. Every mug paused mid-sip. Every punch in a brawl stopped mid-air. Even the cards Cana was tossing with a group of kids fluttered to the floor.
And then—like thunder snapping after a moment of stillness—
"GILDARTS!!"
"HE'S BACK!"
"CLEAR THE TABLES—SOMEONE GET THE GOOD BARRELS!"
A chorus of cheers exploded. Tables flipped, confetti somehow appeared, someone summoned fireworks indoors. Makarov's poor desk in the back office shook under the sheer volume.
The man beside me just grinned, rubbing the back of his head like this was the most normal thing in the world.
"...Told you they're a bit much."
I didn't answer. Because I saw her.
Cana.
She was standing frozen near the bar, juice cup still in hand, eyes wide.
And she saw him too.
Her eyes darted between Gildarts and me. Her hands started to shake.
I nodded once, silently.
That's him.
She bit her lip, blinking hard—and then suddenly turned, bolting.
Straight toward me.
I crouched instinctively, catching her in a hug as she crashed into me.
"She's... so small," Gildarts said softly.
Cana didn't speak. Just buried her face in my shoulder, clutching tight.
I gently ran a hand over her back. "You okay?"
"I don't know," she mumbled. "I feel weird. Happy. Scared. He's real."
"Yeah," I said. "He's real."
Gildarts didn't come closer. Not yet. He just watched, silent. Letting her have the moment.
Then finally, he stepped forward—slow, careful. For once, the guild was quiet again. Even the brawlers were watching.
"Cana," he said, voice low.
She peeked out from behind me.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there," Gildarts said. "But I'm here now. And I'd like to be here for you—if you'll let me."
Cana stared. Then wiped her face with her sleeve. She walked over, slowly. Then stopped a foot in front of him.
And hugged him.
Not a run. Not a jump. Just a quiet step forward, arms around his waist, head resting against him.
Gildarts looked stunned.
Then he dropped to his knees and hugged her back.
"I missed so much," he whispered.
She nodded into his coat. "I missed you anyway."
Someone sniffled.
Then the party resumed tenfold.
Barrels popped open. Streamers flew. Reedus was sketching the scene furiously while trying not to cry. Macao was already half-drunk. Wakaba was trying to toast and smoke at the same time. Makarov peeked out of his office and just sighed, shaking his head before smiling faintly.
Gildarts didn't move for a long while.
Just stayed there, holding his daughter.
And I stood near them, arms crossed, trying to hide my grin.
Family, huh?
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Authors Note: Double release so don't complain about short chapter please.
Authors Note: For advance chapter, faster updates and extra chapters.
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