Ok so sorry about not posting yesterday hope yall enjoy.
Varion released Ultear fully then, standing and stepping back, his eyes still hard but the immediate threat gone. For now. He glanced at Meredy, the pink-haired little girl still asleep beside Ultear, her small chest rising and falling steadily. He didn't trust Ultear enough to leave the child so close to her—not yet.
He bent down and gently scooped Meredy up, cradling her small, fragile body against his chest. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, her pink hair falling over her face like a curtain. Ultear watched him silently, her body still slumped against the fallen tree. Varion carried Meredy to his side of the fire pit, laying her down carefully on a soft patch of grass. He draped his cloak over her for warmth, the fabric woven from Veldanava's scales shimmering faintly in the firelight as it settled around her.
He sat down heavily on the ground, leaning against a large rock, his own fatigue crashing over him like a wave. His magic was low, his body aching from the nonstop fights. He closed his eyes for a moment, but he didn't sleep. They were still in a dangerous area—dark guild remnants could be lurking, monsters drawn by the scent of blood, and ultear was there as well. He wouldn't risk it.
Ultear, drained from the emotional breakdown and the day's horrors, finally succumbed to exhaustion—her eyelids drooping until she fell asleep where she sat, her breathing evening out into a fitful rest.
The camp fell quiet, the fire crackling softly as the night deepened around them.
We cut to the next morning, where Varion had risen early despite his weariness. He'd made a small breakfast over the rekindled fire—it was simple food he packed away warmed on sticks, some dried fruit, and water boiled for tea. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, casting a soft golden light through the trees, birdsong starting to fill the air.
Ultear was sitting there quietly, awake now but staring blankly into the dying flames, her face pale and drawn from the night's revelations. She hadn't spoken a word, lost in her thoughts, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Meredy sat up slowly, her pink hair a tangled mess, her small hands rubbing at her eyes as she looked around the unfamiliar camp. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows, and the two strangers—Varion and Ultear—sat nearby. Her lower lip started to tremble as confusion set in, her voice tiny and shaky. "Mommy? Daddy? Where are you?" She looked around wildly, her eyes filling with tears. "This isn't home… Mommy, come get me! It's scary here…"
Varion's heart twisted at the sight—the little girl, barely 5, questioning everything with that innocent desperation. He moved quickly but gently, kneeling down beside her and pulling her into a warm hug, his arms wrapping around her small frame protectively. "Hey, hey… it's okay," he murmured softly, his voice steady and soothing as he rocked her a bit. "You're safe now. No one's going to hurt you."
Meredy stiffened at first, her tiny fists clutching at his shirt as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "But… where's Mommy and Daddy? They said they'd protect me… it was a bad dream, right? Right?" Her voice cracked, the denial breaking as sobs shook her little body. "Please… tell me they're okay…"
Varion held her tighter, one hand gently stroking her back, his heart aching for her. He could feel her confusion, the desperate hope clinging to her words. Ultear watched silently from across the fire, her own expression pained but distant, still lost in her thoughts.
"You're hungry, aren't you?" Varion said gently, pulling back just enough to look at her face, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "You've been asleep for a long time. Let's get you something to eat and drink first, okay? It'll make you feel better."
Meredy sniffled, her big eyes still teary, but the mention of food seemed to distract her a bit—she nodded weakly, rubbing her stomach as if suddenly realizing how empty it was. "O-Okay… I'm thirsty…"
Varion smiled softly, guiding her to sit closer to the fire. He handed her some water first, helping her take small sips, then offered a portion of the warmed food and dried fruit. "Here—eat slowly. It's good, see?"
She took a tentative bite, her small teeth crunching on the fruit, and for a moment, the simple act of eating pulled her focus. Varion kept talking softly, distracting her with gentle questions—" whats your name","What's your favorite color?" —his voice calm and reassuring, drawing her out of the panic. Ultear watched quietly, accepting a small portion but eating mechanically, her gaze distant.
The meal worked— Meredy's hunger and thirst, after being unconscious for so long, overrode her fear for the duration. She munched quietly, answering Varion's questions with soft, hesitant words— "my name's meredy","Pink… like my hair…" — her tears drying as she focused on the food and his kind tone.
But as the last bite was finished, the distraction faded. Meredy's eyes clouded again, her small hands twisting in her lap. "Mister… where's Mommy and Daddy? Really? Please tell me…"
Varion's expression softened further, the ache in his chest deepening. He pulled her gently into his lap, hugging her close as he spoke the truth as kindly as he could. "I'm sorry, Meredy… your town… it was attacked. Your mommy and daddy… they're gone. They tried to protect you, but… they didn't make it."
Her eyes widened, the words sinking in slowly. "Gone? Like… not coming back?" Tears started falling again, her little body shaking as she clutched at his shirt. "No… no, that's not true… Mommy said she'd always be there…"
Varion held her tighter, rocking her gently as she cried, his hand stroking her hair. "I know it's hard… but you're safe now. And you're not alone. I'm going to take care of you. We'll find a new home, okay? I'm sure your parents would want you to live on and try to be happy."
Meredy sobbed into his chest, her small fists pounding weakly against him at first in denial, then clinging as the grief hit full force. Varion just held her, whispering soothing words, his own eyes misting as he comforted her through the storm of emotions.
-3 days later-
Varion trudged through the darkened streets of Magnolia, the moon high overhead casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Three days had blurred into an exhausting haze since leaving the ruined clearing—comforting Meredy through her nightmares, traveling non-stop to put distance between them and any lingering dark guild threats, and keeping a vigilant eye on Ultear every moment. He hadn't slept in five days, his body pushing limits that would have broken a normal human, but even he had his limits. Deep dark circles shadowed his eyes, his steps heavy with noticeable tiredness, his shoulders slumped under the weight of it all.
Meredy slept in his arms, her pink hair splayed across his chest, her small body finally relaxed after days of tearful grief. Ultear followed a few steps behind, her head down, silent and subdued, her black hair hiding her face as she walked.
The guild hall loomed ahead, its lights dimmed for the night. Varion pushed the door open with his shoulder, the creak echoing in the mostly empty space. A few members remained—Macao and Wakaba wiping down tables, a few others hanging around finishing up their drinks, Master Makarov sat at the bar watching, finishing paperwork by lantern light, his small form hunched over a with a glass of beer.
Heads turned as Varion entered, eyes widening at his state and the two unfamiliar girls with him.
"Varion?" Makarov said, setting down his quill and standing. "You look like hell, boy. What's going on?"
Varion shifted Meredy gently in his arms. "Master… can we talk? In private?"
Makarov nodded immediately, his jovial expression turning serious as he gestured to his office. "Of course. Come on."
-Later-
Varion, Makarov, and Ultear sat in the dimly lit office upstairs, the guild's late-night murmurs filtering through the floorboards below. Meredy slept soundly in the infirmary down stairs, her small form tucked under a blanket, while the unconscious pink-haired girl rested nearby. Varion had just finished explaining everything—the burned village, the confrontation with the 7 Kin of Purgatory, Ultear's breakdown, and the decision to bring her and Meredy back for Makarov's judgment. The master listened intently, his small frame leaning forward in his chair, the lantern light casting long shadows across his wrinkled face.
Makarov let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temples as he processed the tale. "Well, this has been far more eventful than we bargained for," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "The loss of innocent lives… an entire village gone. It's a tragedy that weighs on the soul."
He turned his intense gaze toward Ultear, who sat hunched in a chair, her black hair falling like a curtain over her tear-streaked face. She met his eyes briefly, then looked away, her hands clenched in her lap. "You," Makarov said firmly, "are going to stay in the guild infirmary tonight. In the morning, you and I are going to have a very, very long talk. After that, I'll see what I'm going to do with you. Don't try anything foolish—Fairy Tail doesn't take kindly to betrayal."
Ultear nodded weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I understand."
Makarov leaned back, his thoughts turning inward. *This child of mine did so well on his first S-class mission,* he reflected, glancing at Varion with paternal pride. *He stopped the dark guilds in the area, defeated an elite squad from Grimoire Heart, and managed to bring back someone who could be saved from their own darkness, while protecting that child. He's got a good heart… and the strength to back it up.*
He turned to Varion, his expression softening. "I'm proud of you, lad. You did extremely well on your first mission—handled things with strength and compassion. Go get some rest, and don't worry about coming in tomorrow. Sleep in and recover—that's an order from me."
Varion, his exhaustion etched in the dark circles under his eyes and the slight slump of his shoulders, nodded tiredly. "Yes, sir. I'm honestly dead on my feet," he said, managing a tiny, weary grin.
Makarov chuckled softly. "Then get going. We'll handle things here."
Varion made his way to the guild infirmary, the dim hallway lit by faint magic lanterns. Makarov had already headed back to his office, dismissing him with a wave after their talk. Ultear trailed silently behind, her steps hesitant and eyes downcast. He shut the door to the infirmary behind them, the click echoing in the quiet room. Meredy was already tucked into a bed, her small form under a blanket, breathing steadily in sleep.
"Stay here," Varion said to Ultear, his voice low but firm. "Makarov will talk to you in the morning."
Ultear nodded weakly, sinking onto a chair without a word.
Varion gently picked up Meredy, cradling her small body in his arms and prepared to head home. He draped his cloak over her for to keep her warm, then he headed out, shutting the door softly behind him. The guild was empty now, the only sound his footsteps on the wooden floor.
He stepped outside into the cool night air, expecting the house to be dark and everyone asleep. The walk home was quiet, his exhaustion weighing on him like lead—dark circles etched under his eyes, his body screaming for rest after five days without sleep. But as he approached the house, a faint light glowed from the living room window.
Pushing the door open quietly, he was surprised to find Brandish awake on the couch, lounging with a book in her lap, her green hair tied back loosely. She looked up, her lazy eyes widening at the sight of him—blood and ash streaked across his face and clothes, his posture slumped with fatigue. Even more surprising was the sleeping little girl in his arms.
"Varion?" she said, setting the book aside and standing quickly. "What happened to you? You look like hell."
He nodded tiredly, mumbling, "Yeah… long story."
Brandish moved to help immediately, her usual laziness giving way to concern. She knelt and gently slipped off his shoes while he stood there, still holding Meredy securely. "You okay?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a amount of care that surprised even her.
He nodded again, his voice a mumble. "Yea… just tired."
She stood, guiding him toward the guest room with a hand on his back. He laid Meredy down carefully on the bed, tucking a blanket around her. Brandish then put her arm around his as she led him to his own room. The touch was steady, practical, but there was a gentleness to it that made Varion's heart skip slightly, even in his exhausted state.
Once inside, she helped him undress—blushing slightly as she averted her eyes but pushing through, folding his dirty clothes neatly. Her fingers brushed his skin a few times, sending small sparks of awareness through both of them. "You need a shower," she said, wrinkling her nose. "You smell like smoke and death. Blood and ash all over you."
He nodded numbly, stumbling toward the bathroom. The hot water was a blur—half-asleep under the stream, scrubbing off the grime mechanically. When he emerged, drying off and pulling on pants, Brandish was waiting just outside the door.
She walked back in, her cheeks still lightly pink, and helped him to the bed with her arm around his waist. He collapsed onto the mattress, and she pulled the covers over him, making sure he was comfortable—fluffing the pillow behind his head, tucking the blanket just right. The closeness felt intimate, her hands lingering a second longer than necessary as she adjusted the sheets, her lazy demeanor hiding a caring tenderness that built a quiet tension between them.
"Good night," she said softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on his cheek, her lips warm and soft against his skin. She pulled back with a small, shy smile, then slipped out, closing the door quietly behind her.
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Hey hope yall enjoyed and also that im not rushing brandish and varion evolving relationship im trying to make it feel right.
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Also I have released a new mha fanfic with the mc having a version of Brandish's magic being a quirck and some small changes