Author's note: I was floating in the void between the dreamscape and reality when this idea came into focus. I hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and anything you recognize does not belong to me. If it did, I wouldn't be writing fan…. Actually, I still would.

Chapter 1

Routine

(Lucy pov)

"Lucas! Titan! Get back here right now!"

'Those boys have really done it now! They know better than to run away from me! Especially on a mission that I described as dangerous. Emphasis on danger!'

I sighed and continued hunting for the Vulcans that had made a home beside a rather popular road and have been kidnapped three women so far. The number of the beasts was unknown and I didn't trust missions that had so little detail on such an important factor. I would have taken anything else off that board, but the pay for this mission is quite high. I needed all the money I could get when I was on my own. Now I'm out on a mission at least once a week just to keep my growing boys fed, clothed, and housed.

I heard that singles mothers had it rough, but their kids had nothing on my boys. Lucas and Titan, previously known as Xavier and Balthazar, were not actually my children. The two boys were handed to the orphanage system at birth. I was walking along a road due to missing my train and overheard two boys yelling out curses that would make a sailor blush. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the voices coming from two, tiny wisps of children that looked a little malnourished and neglected. The matron of the orphanage was handing them over to a representative of the Magic Council. From my understanding, the young men were magically inclined and their power was very destructive. All the couples that adopted either one sent them back within a month's time. Seeing those poor boys sparked something in me I had never felt before. Both were homeless and rejected due to their magic. While my father didn't kick me out, he certainly expressed his distaste of my magic and was in the process of making a marriage contract between me and Lord what's-his-face. He made it very clear that I would not need my mother's Keys to be a good wife.

It took some persuading and a bit of my heiress training to become the new mother of Xavier Anston and Balthazar Brook. The deal-maker was the fact that I, too, am a Mage. All other the couples that had adopted the boys weren't Mages and couldn't handle their destructive nature. Even the Council representative suggested a Mage might have a better understanding of how to handle two younger Mages.

The trek to town was quiet. Too quiet being in the presence of a eight and seven year old boys. As soon as I got a hotel room in the beautiful town of Shirotsume, I sat the boys down and asked them for their stories. I told them that I wanted to learn everything about them so I'd have a better understanding of how to raise them.

When both remained silent, I decided to tell them about myself.

"My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I am a Celestial Spirit Mage and I was once the heiress to the Heartfilia Konzern. The Konzern still stands and my father owns it, but I rejected my claim as his heir. I once had a loving mother that taught me my magic before she passed away. My father became cold after her death and focused on his business. A few months ago, I overheard him talking about a marriage contract to a young Lord that I detested completely. After confronting him, he said that I was going to marry Lord Viran and lock away my Keys forever. I have been alone for many years. I had no friends my own age and the servants wouldn't befriend me. The only friends I had were my mother's three Spirits. Though I may not be as strong as other Mages because of my Magic, I wouldn't trade my friends for anything in the world."

I told the boys that all their secrets would be safe with me. A Celestial Mage is bound by their word and should they ask, I wouldn't tell a single soul about their pasts.

Whatever I had said seemed to do the trick. Both had relaxed into the bed. The youngest opened up first.

Balthazar Brook. A seven year old black-haired, maroon-eyed boy that used Iron Magic. From what the matron told him, his mother had died in childbirth and the hospital delivered him to her custody. He didn't know much about his magic, only what his 'inner beast' told him.

Xavier Anston. A blond, gray/blue-eyed eight year old with Lightning Magic. He was crude and direct about how his birth mother didn't want him. His mother gave him away as soon as she could walk to the orphanage. He was in the same boat as Balthazar. He said he had an 'inner beast' that told him things. Xavier said that he and Balthazar became friends as soon as they smelled each other. Both had similar magic and they figured they could help each other out.

The 'inner beast' thing worried me a bit, but I suppose it came with the magic. What kind of magic, I had no idea, but even they were still figuring it out.

"You know what? I don't like your names. They remind me of pompous nobles. Why don't you two start fresh with new names?" Both boys agreed quickly. My joy was short lived as they started spewing out the most ridiculous names I had ever heard. After calming them down, I told them that parents picked a child's name. I silenced them when they started complaining and replied that they would get to approve of their names. No child got that choice. "Hm… I'm going to call you Lukas, Luke for short. And you will be Titan. How do those names sound?"

The blond jumped off the bed. "How come he gets a cool name like Titan and I'm stuck with Luke?!"

"I call him Titan because it's a shortened version of titanium, a very strong metal. What's wrong with Lukas? Don't you want a name similar to mine?"

Lukas blushed and grudgingly agreed to the name. We spent and entire night sharing stories, and somewhere in that short span of time between sun down and dawn, we became a family.

A loud roar to my left had me ducking to avoid thick and hairy arms. I rolled away from the nine foot tall Vulcan and summoned my newest friend. "Open, Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!"

A pink haired woman dressed as a maid appeared in a flurry of sparkly dust. "Punishment, Princess?"

"Yes Virgo! Punish this Vulcan for nearly grabbing me!"

Said Vulcan had large hearts in his eyes. "Pretty women!"

Virgo's eyes sparked with a sadistic light as she faced the towering beast. "With pleasure, Princess." She flew at the monster and had him down in no time while I defeated another that had come to investigate the noises. Both of ours were unconscious within a matter of minutes. I turned to ask Virgo to help me find my kids when a large arm came down and cut through her. Virgo apologized as she faded away.

The Vulcan that sent Virgo back was bigger than any other I had seen. It reached a height of eleven feet and was much more muscular. "My woman!"

I cracked my whip and prepared to summon Cancer when lightning struck the Vulcan in his chest. A long metal club sped towards the stunned Vulcan and sent it crashing into a tree. Two small bodies stood protectively in front of me, one was encased in flickering lightning and the other was wielding an arm-turned-sword. "Don't touch our mother!"

Both boys sped towards the fallen creature, beating it with their magic-laced fists. It took both me and Taurus to pry them away. The boys clung to me as we walked out of the forest and refused to budge even after we settled into our hotel room. All three of us laid on my bed, simply holding each other.

"I told you two not to leave my side."

Both flinched. "Sorry, mom."

"We wanted to get rid of the Vulcans really fast so we could celebrate with your chocolate pie like you promised."

That's right. I promised to make them my mother's secret chocolate pie, a to-die-for recipe that could send even the those who hate chocolate into a food-induced orgasm. "That's not the point. I told you boys to stay beside me for a reason. What would have happened if you both got lost? What if both of you broke a leg?"

Lukas chuckled, "Like a stupid Vulcan could get the drop on us! We'd hear him coming from a mile away! And don't get me started on their stench!"

Titan merely nodded before nuzzling back into my side.

Both my boys were sweethearts, but rather reckless when it came to brawling. Lukas was a wordy kid, often running his mouth about how great he is and what a great Team they made. The young blond was direct and blunt, something I liked about him. He didn't sugarcoat and he never apologized for being himself. Lukas is confident, if a bit narcissistic, young man that was comfortable in his own skin. Not many men could say that. Hell, not many people could say that. I am very proud of my son, but I shudder to think of his behavior when he grows up. Even now, Lukas was a ladies man and a terrible flirt. I predict that it will only get worse.

Titan was more reserved. He prefered observing from the shadows while Lukas took the spotlight. He didn't speak often, and never in front of those he didn't trust. The only time he did was when he was threatening them. He cares deeply for those who have earned his devotion though he pretends otherwise. Titan didn't like showing his emotions. I believe it has something to do with the fact that so many have abandoned him after promising him they would take care of him. It took months for me to fully gain his trust, but now he had no problem opening up to me.

I remember crying the first time he called me mom.

I sighed and rubbed their backs. Both boys vibrated from the purrs coming from their chests. "I know how much you guys love my chocolate pie, but that is no reason to go diving headfirst into danger. What do I keep telling you two?"

"Think first." They grumbled simultaneously.

"I don't talk because I like the sound of my own voice. You can't always rely on your strength. Somes battles cannot be won with brawn alone." The two remained quiet, most likely feeling guilty for the worry they've caused me. "Let's all get some sleep and go through the forest tomorrow and make sure we didn't miss anything. Then we'll get our reward and I'll buy the things I'll need for chocolate pie."

"Okay!"

I giggled at the boys excited reaction. "I'll make some raman then we'll get ready for bed. Who's turn is it to pick a book?"

Titan raised his hand and followed his brother to the sink small kitchenette. I got up and began preparing the evening meal, handing off jobs to my little helpers. Lukas helped with the cutting of the veggies and meats while Titan started the seasoning. The young Iron Mage was quite the chef. Even though he was merely seven years old, he was on-par with me when it came to cuisine. He enjoyed trying new foods and concocting new recipes. His best creation so far, in my opinion, was his chicken and dumpling stew. Unlike all the others I've tasted, he used a combination of seasonings that made my taste buds dance and was still subtle enough to give to an upset stomach.

Lukas didn't really care what he ate as long as it was edible. He loved spicy foods and has shown a fondness for whiskey. I know this because he downed the entire bottle after letting them try a bit to celebrate the completion of a particularly difficult monster request. Titan liked it just as much and yelled at his older brother for being a hog. We both enjoyed laughing at Lukas the next morning as he experienced his first hangover.

I sat the table with disposable dinnerware and doled out the food. My plate had significantly less than my two boys. Both had quite the appetite and I spent a good chunk of money keeping them fed. I thanked the stars again that Virgo supplied me pure iron and condensed lightning to feed them. Along with other groceries.

After watching them scarf down their meal, I had them wash up and prepare for bed. To save money, and just because it was more comfortable, shared a bed.

I read to them until their soft snoring filled the dark room. I fell asleep cradling my sons close to my chest and thinking about our upcoming trip to Haregon. I hoped I could find more work there. Maybe even some Keys.

So… What do you think? Is it a keeper?

-SPN :3