Laxus sighed in relief as he stepped off the train, his stomach settling as his feet touched land once more. Sometimes it sucked being a Dragon Slayer.

But his annoyance at such an inconvenience was quickly replaced by happiness as he began his walk home.

It was his and Lucy's one year anniversary and he was excited. But that excitement came crashing down to the ground as he made it to their shared home, freezing at the sight of Magnolia's fire department and the smell of smoke.

Racing inside he burst through the door and into the kitchen, catching the last of the conversation.

"Try not to leave your stove on, especial so close to flammable objects ma'am." A fire fighter said as he help up an exposed can of something. "You were lucky to have water magic at hand and such concerned neighbors."

Lucy have a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck and giving the man a strained smile. "I understand. It won't happen again, promise." She said.

The man seemed satisfied with her response, showing himself out of their home and leaving with his men.

"What the hell happened? How'd you set the kitchen on fire?" Laxus asked as he took in the burned stove and wall.

Lucy looked down at her feet, refusing to meet his gaze, and remained silent.

"Lucy." Laxus said crossing his arms. "What happened?"

Swaying back and forth on her feet, arms moving to clasp behind her back, she gave him the guiltiest look ever.

"I'll tell you, but don't get mad." She began.

"Because that's a wonderful way to start this conversation." He snarked before motioning her to continue.

"Okay, so I was talking to our neighbor when the stove caught fire. She panicked and called the fire department when she noticed the smoke even after I told her it wasn't necessary. You know, with Aquarius' magic and what not."

"That still doesn't explain how you, the most organized and careful woman in the kitchen ever- besides the demon, managed to set the kitchen on fire."

"Yeeaah, about that~" she moved over to the sink, opening up the bottom cabinets and stepping aside to let him see what was inside.

Laxus couldn't help himself, his hand came up to slap at his face and slowly drag down in exasperation. You have got to be kidding him.

"Seriously Lucy? Again?"

"I couldn't help it!" She huffed stomping her foot. "I wasn't just going to leave the poor thing alone and hurt! It needed my help!" She argued.

Laxus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, staring at the small fire komodo- who's species not surprisingly spat out fire, sitting innocently under the sink, vaguely noticing its wounded tail and foot.

"First it was the chimp who wouldn't let you go for shit. Then it was the snake that you hid from me, which I only found out about because it crawled into bed with us. After that it was that wild boar that I swear to Mavis was out to destroy me. And just last month you brought that baby earth Wyvern home who decided to destroy our living room and backyard, and we had one pissed off mom to boot! Now you've brought home a fire breathing Komodo who's set the kitchen on fire?!"

"Well, when you put it that way..."

He should have been mad that she had brought home another stay animal to destroy their home, but he found that he couldn't stay mad at that face. Not when she was pouting like that and giving him such an apologetic look.

"Fine, he can stay-"

"Eeeee!" She squealed jumping him, hugging him tight and planting kisses on his face. "Thank you!"

Laxus stole a quick kiss of the lips before gently pushing her away, one hand grasping at her shoulder and the other point at her, hunching over so his face was close to hers.

"But only until it's healed up. After that you need to release him back into the wild."

Lucy gave a wild nod of the head, glad that he was allowing her to keep the little guy until he was all healed up.

"Now," Laxus said as he motioned towards their damaged stove. "I guess we have to eat out for dinner tonight? Or have delivery?"

"I'm so sorry, Laxus! I wanted to cook you a special dinner tonight but now I can't." Her large doe eyes watered at realizing her special dinner for Laxus would no longer be possible.

He waved it off. "Don't worry about it. At least this way we can say we had a very unique anniversary. Who else can say that their wife brought home a stray that nearly burn down their house?"

Glare softly at him she couldn't help but to smile at his sarcasm. "I guess you're right. Let's order in." She said bouncing back over to him to hug him. Standing on the tips of her toes she rose to kiss his cheek, whispering as she pulled away, "and I promise I'll make it up to your tonight."

Smirking down at the sly little blonde he nodded, moving to grab a lacrima comm and order some food for them.

"Sin restaurant by Susan's Cafe sound good?"

"Yup!"

Nodding he dialed the number and waited for someone to answer. Gazing back at the Komodo he shook his head, turning back to Lucy.

"Hey, Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"No more strays, please?"

"..."

"...I take it that's a 'not happening Laxus'?"

"Yup~"

Two month later

"Lucy Dreyar... please tell me that is not a Platypus in our bathtub."

"I dunno, maybe?"

"How in the world did you even come across a Platypus?!"