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[FT: O King of the Fairies] Chapter 37
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 06:59:38 +0000 UTCThe evening air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of Magnolia’s nightlife as Alma and I strolled down the cobbled streets. The town felt different at night—quieter, softer. Lanterns flickered overhead, casting a warm glow across the roads, their gentle swaying creating dancing shadows along the buildings.
Alma let out a low whistle, taking it all in. "Fancy. Didn’t take you for the ‘romantic evening stroll’ type."
I smirked. "And here I thought you knew me."
She shot me a dry look. "Knowing you is exactly why I assumed our ‘date’ would involve a bar fight or a high-speed chase."
I placed a hand over my heart, feigning offense. "Alma. You wound me."
"Don’t tempt me."
I chuckled, giving her hand a light squeeze. "Relax. No explosions tonight. Just us."
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t pull away. "Miracle of the century. Should I be worried? Is this the part where you confess you’re secretly dying?"
I snorted. "If I were dying, I’d at least go out with a bang."
"So I should still expect an explosion. Noted."
The restaurant was high-end but not obnoxious—candlelit tables, soft music, food that didn’t look like it was plotting your murder. Perfect.
As we sat down, Alma leaned back, eyes scanning the place with mild amusement. "So, do you just have VIP access everywhere?"
I grinned. "People like me."
She snorted. "No, they fear you. Big difference."
I waved a hand. "Semantics."
The waiter arrived, and after ordering, Alma leaned forward on her elbows, giving me an amused look. "So. What’s the occasion?"
I raised a brow. "Do I need one?"
She tilted her head. "Well, considering your usual idea of a good time involves dodging explosions and nearly dying, yes."
I smirked. "Maybe I just wanted to impress you."
Alma scoffed. "Aiden. You can summon an entire arsenal from thin air, wield divine weapons, and casually destroy mountains. A fancy dinner is not what’s going to impress me."
I leaned in slightly. "Then what would impress you?"
She hummed, pretending to think. "I don’t know. Maybe not causing property damage for a week?"
I groaned. "Okay, now you’re asking for the impossible."
She grinned. "Thought so."
The food arrived, and we fell into easy conversation—guild gossip, Fairy Tail’s latest antics, how Gildarts had nearly caused a second town-wide evacuation when he returned.
Then, somewhere between the meal and dessert, the conversation took a turn.
Alma tapped her fork against her plate. "So… what now?"
I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"
She gestured vaguely. "You’ve been through a war, fought crazy strong enemies, made a name for yourself. What’s next?"
I shrugged. "Haven’t decided."
She nodded, as if expecting that answer. Then she leaned back, watching me closely. "...And what about us?"
I met her gaze.
Ah. There it is.
I set my glass down. "I care about you, Alma. You know that."
She held my gaze, her expression unreadable. "I do."
The way she said it sent a shiver down my spine.
I exhaled, fingers tracing the rim of my glass. "I’m not the easiest person to be with. You deserve someone who—"
She cut me off with a flick to my forehead. "Shut up."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
Alma rolled her eyes. "Do you think I don’t know what I’m getting into? You’re an overpowered menace with a talent for destruction and an unfortunate habit of nearly dying, but you’re my overpowered menace. And I like you. Idiot."
A slow grin spread across my face. "You like me, huh?"
She groaned. "Regretting this already."
I leaned in, voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Admit it. You’re completely smitten."
She picked up a piece of bread and stuffed it into my mouth. "Eat."
I laughed around it, swallowing before winking at her. "See? You’re trying to take care of me already. How sweet."
"Oh, I will end you."
I smirked. "You’d miss me."
Alma sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, you’re right. I hate that."
I chuckled, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Then I guess you’re stuck with me."
She squeezed my fingers. "Guess so."
I took a deep breath, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Then let’s make it official. Alma, will you be my girlfriend?"
She blinked, clearly caught off guard. Then, a slow smirk curled her lips. "Took you long enough, lover boy."
Before I could respond, she tugged me forward by my collar and kissed me. The world around us faded, the restaurant, the soft music, everything—just warmth, the taste of wine on her lips, and the faintest hum of amusement as she pulled back.
I stared at her, dazed. "Well. That was unfair."
Alma chuckled. "Consider it an advance payment."
I grinned. "For what?"
She leaned in, voice a whisper against my lips. "For putting up with you."
I laughed, brushing my forehead against hers. "Yeah, you’re definitely stuck with me."
She smiled. "Guess so. Now pay for dinner, sugar daddy."
I choked. "Excuse me?"
Alma grinned, far too pleased with herself. "You did say you were treating me, right?"
"I regret everything."
She laughed. "Too late, lover boy."
I groaned, handing the waiter a small fortune in jewels. "I take back what I said. You’re not amazing."
Alma winked. "Yes, I am."
I rolled my eyes, but as I watched her smile, I knew—this was worth every jewel in the world.
—-
The streets were quieter now, the warm glow of lanterns flickering against the cobbled roads as we walked side by side.
Alma stretched her arms above her head, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Not bad, lover boy. You might actually have a romantic bone in your body.”
I smirked. “Only one?”
She shot me a sideways glance. “I stand corrected. You’re absolutely hopeless.”
“Hopelessly charming,” I corrected.
She scoffed. “You keep telling yourself that.”
I nudged her lightly with my shoulder. “Admit it. You had fun.”
Alma hummed, pretending to think. “Well, the food was good. And you managed to avoid causing mass destruction, which is a nice change of pace.”
“See? Progress.” I flashed a grin. “At this rate, I might even reach ‘decent boyfriend material’ in a few years.”
She let out a dramatic sigh. “A few decades, maybe.”
I placed a hand over my heart. “Alma. You wound me.”
She grinned. “Don’t tempt me.”
We reached her doorstep all too soon, the night air carrying a quiet stillness between us. Alma turned to face me, crossing her arms. “Well, this is the part where you awkwardly shuffle around and try to figure out if you should kiss me.”
I arched a brow. “You make it sound like I hesitate.”
She smirked. “Prove it, then.”
I didn’t need to be told twice.
Closing the distance, I cupped her cheek, tilting her face up as I leaned in. She met me halfway, her breath warm against mine before our lips met in a slow, lingering kiss. Unlike the first one—a teasing, playful thing—this was deeper, unhurried, something that felt more like a promise.
Her fingers curled into my collar, pulling me impossibly closer, and for a moment, nothing else existed. Just us.
When we finally pulled away, Alma’s lips were slightly swollen, her breath a little uneven. She blinked up at me, a slow smirk curling her lips. “Okay, that was unfair.”
I grinned. “Consider it an advance payment.”
“For what?” she murmured, fingers still gripping my shirt.
I leaned in, my voice a whisper against her lips. “For putting up with me.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re lucky I like you.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, brushing my nose against hers. “I really am.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. “Goodnight, Aiden.”
I smirked. “Sweet dreams, Alma.”
She snorted. “With you around? Not likely.”
I winked. “Then I’ll just have to make them sweeter.”
She shoved me playfully toward the street. “Go home before I regret this.”
Laughing, I stepped back, giving her one last lingering look before turning away. As I walked off, I could still feel the ghost of her lips against mine, and for the first time in a long time, All I kept thinking about is her.
Just her.
—-
The next day
The guild was lively as always—people laughing, drinking, and throwing chairs like it was just another Tuesday. I was sitting at the bar, sipping my drink when I spotted Gildarts plopping down next to Cana. He was trying to talk to her, all casual-like, but even from here, I could tell he was that kind of dad. The annoying, over-the-top kind.
And, honestly? It was hilarious.
“Hey, Cana! Want me to teach you some cool magic tricks? I know this one where I can make a whole mountain disappear.” Gildarts grinned, puffing out his chest like he was the greatest showman alive.
Cana gave him a blank stare. “...You just punch things really hard.”
Gildarts gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “Ouch. Right in my delicate feelings.”
I stifled a laugh. Poor guy was trying so hard.
But did that stop him? Nope. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if sharing some top-secret information. “Listen, kid, I know all the best hiding spots in the guild. All of them. You ever wanna get away from work or dodge Makarov’s lectures? I got you.”
Cana raised an eyebrow. “Like where?”
Gildarts grinned. “Well, there’s the space behind the bookshelf in Makarov’s office. He never checks there.”
I nearly choked on my drink. “You’re literally teaching her how to be a delinquent.”
Gildarts waved me off. “Nah, I’m teaching her survival skills.”
Cana finally cracked a tiny smile. It wasn’t much, but for her, it was progress.
Across the room, Laxus was sitting at the bar, pretending to be an adult with a glass of orange juice. His posture was stiff, his expression serious—like he was contemplating the meaning of life.
Naturally, I decided to ruin his moment.
I nudged Alma, who was sitting beside me, and nodded toward Laxus. “Hey, doesn’t he look like a mini version of his grandpa?”
Alma smirked. “I was just thinking that. All he needs is a tiny mustache.”
NIMO, who was hovering nearby, beeped. “One moment.”
A second later, a holographic image appeared above Laxus’ head—an exaggerated version of him with Makarov’s mustache and wrinkles. It even had a voice effect: “Back in my day, we didn’t need magic! We just punched each other until someone cried!”
Laxus froze mid-sip, his eye twitching.
Alma burst out laughing. “Oh no, it’s Mini Makarov.”
I leaned in, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. “You think he’s gonna go bald early, too?”
Laxus slammed his glass down. “You guys are the worst.”
NIMO beeped again. “Correction: We are the best.”
I clapped my hands together. “Glad we all agree.”
Laxus let out a frustrated groan and turned back to his drink, mumbling under his breath. He’d get over it. Eventually.
Probably.
Just when I thought the chaos was over, Gildarts made his way over, plopping himself right between Alma and me.
“So, Aiden,” he said, throwing an arm around my shoulder like we were old pals. “You and Alma, huh?”
Alma nearly choked on her drink. “Wh—what?”
Gildarts grinned. “Oh, come on! You two have been glued together since I got back. You’re not even trying to hide it.”
I smirked. “Why would I? She’s gorgeous.”
Alma turned bright red. “Shut up.”
Gildarts let out a hearty laugh. “Ah, young love. Brings a tear to my eye.” Then, he turned to Alma, suddenly serious. “So? What do you think? Aiden’s a decent guy, right? Kinda reckless, but he’s got a good heart. He’d make a great—”
Alma cut him off. “Finish that sentence and die.”
Gildarts put his hands up in surrender, grinning. “Alright, alright! No need for violence.” Then, he leaned in closer to whisper, but not really whispering at all. “But if you guys ever decide to settle down, I wanna be the first to know.”
I shot him a look. “What, so you can give me a fatherly speech?”
“Nah,” Gildarts grinned. “So I can tell Makarov and watch him freak out.”
NIMO let out a robotic laugh. “This plan is acceptable.”
Alma groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I hate all of you.”
I leaned back, stretching my arms. “Love you too.”
Gildarts slapped my back. “Good man! Keep that confidence. You’re gonna need it.”
I had no idea what that meant, but I didn’t like the sound of it.
After things calmed down, I found myself sitting on the rooftop with Alma, staring up at the stars.
“You know,” she muttered, “for all the teasing, I actually think Gildarts is a good dad.”
I chuckled. “Annoying, though.”
“No argument there.”
We sat in silence for a while, just enjoying the cool night air.
Then, Alma spoke again, her voice softer this time. “You’d be a good dad too.”
I turned my head toward her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh? Planning something?”
She smacked my arm. “I knew you were gonna say that.”
I laughed. “I mean, can you blame me? You walked right into it.”
Alma shook her head, but I could see the tiny smile on her lips.
NIMO, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. “Aiden, based on your reaction speed, I estimate you have a 70% chance of being smacked again.”
I looked at Alma. She was already raising her hand.
I sighed. “NIMO, lower that to 100%.”
Then, the smack came.
Totally worth it.
—--
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows of Makarov’s office as I sat across from him, arms crossed, waiting for him to get to the point. The old man was unusually serious today, his brows furrowed in thought.
"You called me up here, gramps?" I asked, propping my feet up on his desk.
Makarov shot me a look. "Feet. Off."
I sighed dramatically but obliged, lowering them to the floor. "Alright, alright. So, what’s the deal?"
Makarov folded his hands together, his gaze heavy. "I have a mission for you."
I quirked an eyebrow. "That serious, huh?"
He nodded. "It’s personal. One of my oldest friends… Rob… has gone missing."
At that, I stilled.
Ah. So, we’re finally here.
Makarov continued, unaware of my thoughts. "Rob was a Fairy Tail mage long before you or even Gildarts joined. He was a kind man… someone who truly embodied what this guild stands for." His voice softened, his eyes distant. "But he disappeared years ago. At first, I thought he had retired quietly, but I recently received information that suggests otherwise."
I hummed. "And you want me to track him down?"
Makarov nodded. "I trust you with this, Aiden. You’re resourceful, strong, and—"
"Devastatingly handsome?" I offered.
Makarov sighed. "—and skilled enough to handle yourself if things take a dangerous turn."
I smirked but leaned back, considering his words. Rob, huh…?
I already knew what had happened to him. He was taken—enslaved along with countless others. Right now, he was somewhere inside a nightmare built of stone, suffering under the weight of chains in a place that should never have existed.
The Tower of Heaven.
That knowledge sat heavy in my mind, but I kept my face carefully neutral. No point in saying anything now.
Instead, I raised a brow. "You sure I’m the right guy for this? I mean, I tend to leave a bit of… collateral damage in my wake."
Makarov exhaled sharply. "Yes, I’ve noticed."
I shrugged. "I accept payment in the form of food, by the way."
"You already have a salary!"
"Yeah, but emotional labor costs extra."
Makarov pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just find him, Aiden."
I saluted lazily. "Aye, sir."
As I stood up, I hesitated for just a second.
I turned to Makarov and said. "I’ll get it done."
As I walked out of the office, I exhaled.
Time to go see a nightmare up close.
Comments
Joshy Vindicta
He has that special compass, right? Could be used to explain why he knows where to go.
