Remember Me
Chapter 4
He could hear them before he even came into the house, fumbling slightly with his key in his over excitement…err, not that he was excited to see the baby or anything. 'cause he wasn't. Just excited to screw Mira again. It'd been two months, after all.
When he finally got the door open, he found them there, in the living room. Haven was sitting up all on her own and playing with some blocks as Mirajane and Lisanna sat on the couch, talking. When the door opened though, it only took Mira a moment to pounce on him.
"Laxus!"
He lifted her up with one arm as he dropped his duffle bag by the door, more or less to give his neck some relief as she couldn't choke him at that angle. "Hey, Mira."
"Oh, we got word from that tribe you helped a few days ago," she was saying as she ran a hand through his hair. It was greasy and no doubt filthy, but she didn't care. "Then you didn't show up and-"
"You know it took some time for me to get back." He carried her over to the couch, where he sat her down once more. Nodding as Lisanna, he said, "There was a fucking avalanche for one thing on that damn mountain Gramps sent me to. And then the train I was going to take-"
"You don't have to explain right now," Mira told him. "Just relax. I baked a cake when I first heard you were coming back, but…well…when you didn't show up I got worried and kinda stressed…and…I saved you a piece at least."
He only leaned down to press a kiss to her head as Lisanna giggled. "Thank you."
Grinning, Mirajane said, "I already have to the stuff, too, to make you dinner tonight. I-"
"Ain't one of you supposed to be up at the bar?" he asked as he went over to the baby finally. He knew, he just did, that those few days that they had spent together were too long ago then for her to remember him, but that was fine. It just meant he'd have to remind her.
"Kinana is there," Mira told her. "I was just about to head out though, when Lisanna got here and we started talking. I-"
"But I can go back and do the next two shifts," Lisanna said with a giggle as she stood. "Laxus did just get home, after all."
"Yes, Lisanna, but that wouldn't be-"
"Don't worry about it, Mira." She grinned at her sister. "You work for me more than enough. I'm just glad you're home okay, Laxus."
Grunt. He was still staring down at his baby who didn't even look up at him. "Something's wrong with the kid. It won't look at me."
"Oh, Laxus," Mirajane groaned as she got to her feet while Lisanna only giggled. Coming over to him, Mirajane waved goodbye to her leaving sister before speaking to the baby. "Haven. Are you having fun, baby?"
She looked up then, though it was at her mother before laughing and holding her hands up. Laxus, mistaking this as her wanting him, lifted her into his arms. It wasn't immediate, but she did quickly realize that she didn't know him and began crying.
"Is this gonna fucking happen every time I come back?"
"Laxus, she just doesn't remember." Mira took the baby who only snuggled to her, still whining slightly. Mira only kissed her head though. "Now, are you hungry or do you wanna shower first?"
He wanted to play with his baby, but apparently that wasn't an option. Frowning, he headed off towards the bathroom. "Shower."
"Good. I'll make you a snack for when you finish and then get started on dinner."
Grunt.
In the bathroom, Laxus took some time cleaning himself. If Mira was off the whole day, he had no doubt that they would be reacquainted at some point during it and didn't want her to think he was disgusting or to turn her off.
When he got back to the kitchen, a plate of sandwiches and chips was waiting for him at the table. Also at the table was the baby.
Mira had her in this stupid looking highchair that only made him frown before going to release her from it.
That started the waterworks.
"Laxus," Mira sighed as she glanced over from the fridge which she was pulling the stuff for dinner out of. "You're going to have to get her accustomed to you again."
"How do I do that?" he asked as he put her back in her highchair. The baby was still whining some and, after setting the stuff down, Mirajane came over to check on her. "Mira?"
"Well, don't pick her up again," she sighed as she stroked the baby's yellow curls. "Here, sit down and eat. Then, after you're done, we'll see, huh?"
Laxus had never eaten so quickly in his life. Mirajane only frowned when, after three minutes, he had downed four sandwiches and a plate of chips.
"You're a little eager, Daddy," she commented with a frown as she lifted their baby out of her highchair. "Well, come on then."
Laxus followed her to the living room, where Mirajane sat the baby back down in front of her toys. Nodding at Laxus, she said, "Sit down with her."
"Huh?"
"On the ground. Sit in front of her." She glanced at him. "Quickly, so I can go back to the kitchen."
Slowly, he moved to sit down in front of the baby. She looked at him before up at her mother who only leaned down to stroke her head.
"Laxus is going to play with you, huh?" She kissed Haven's head then. "Would you like that? Here, Laxus, pick up one of the blocks."
Doing so, it took some prompting from Mira before he waved it in front of the baby. When she reached for it, he easily handed it over, much to her amusement.
"This is playing?" He frowned. "Never mind. I'mma go take a n-"
"Behave." Mira hit him in the head as she turned to walk away. When the baby started to whine though, she sighed and stopped in her tracks. "Laxus, you're going to have to pay attention to her or else she's not going to want me to leave."
"Yeah, yeah." Knowing better than to snatch the toy back from her, he reached our to pick up another, that time being a little stuffed animal. "Here, kid. Look at this."
It took awhile, but eventually the baby forgot about Mira leaving and put most of her attention on Laxus. The second he was sure Mira couldn't see him, he zapped a shot of lightning through his finger, making the baby giggle.
"You're gonna giggle as much as Mirajane, kid? 'cause I ain't down with that."
Eventually he shifted to lay on his stomach, feeling more comfortable that way, his arms folded under his chest as he stared at his baby. She just went about, picking toys up, shaking them, and then setting them down. It seemed a worthless attempt at fun, but she was enjoying herself and he was enjoying watching her.
"You having fun?" He grinned at her, that real big one that no one ever got to see. He wouldn't admit it, but he was truly happy. Those weeks, those months, they had drug on to the point where, if it wasn't for the fact that the jewels he'd get upon completion would make it to where he could take at least five months off, he would have given up. But it was worth it, if he really could stay home for a few months. Maybe even make it to the baby's first birthday. Then she'd remember him for sure.
Reaching forwards, he was close enough that the baby was able to press her hand against one of his eyes, right over the jagged scar he had. Shutting the eye, he grinned slightly. Then, turning his head, he kissed her hand making the baby squeal.
"You're about halfway to a year now, little one." He let his head fall with a slight laugh of his own. "Ain't you happy?"
He was still playing with the baby about thirty minutes later when the front door opened and close. Laxus frowned at this.
"I'm real tired of people just coming in unannounced," he grumbled as the man walked through the door. "So you had better have something important to talk about, Gramps."
Makarov only said, "You should lock the door if you don't want me just letting myself in."
"You-"
"What are you doing on the floor then, boy?" he asked, coming over to greet his great-granddaughter. She was happy to see him and Makarov did spare a smile for her. He was dressed in his guild attire, his stupid stocking cap even perched on his head. Laxus wanted to burn it. When Makarov leaned down to pat the baby on her head though, he was so short that the ears of the hat fell down and into the grasp of Haven.
"You like my cap, eh?" Makarov laughed as the baby held onto it. Moving to take it off, he gave it to her. "You can hold onto it for me then, eh? While I speak with your father over here."
Pushing up, Laxus said, "I already finished your damn mission and I ain't going out on another one. I'm staying home for at least another month. I-"
"I don't wanna force you anywhere, Laxus. I just wanna talk to you, is all. About your job. I hear it went very well."
He reached down to rub the baby's head, making her look up at him, before going to sit on the couch. "I completed it to the fullest before the avalanche. Then I got stuck up in the mountain for a week. You know, I still don't get why I had to go alone."
"Don't you get it?"
"Get what?"
"I knew that you could complete it all alone," Makarov told him with a nod of the head. "And another person would only get in your way. Not to mention, it would make you split up your commission. You have a kid to worry about now. You need as many jewels as possible."
Now that was an ideal that he supported. He and his grandfather spent some time then, going over the job in full detail. Mira came into the room eventually, bringing some tea and cookies for Makarov who only thanked her and complimented her on how well she kept house all while dealing with the bar and a baby. That of course overjoyed Mirajane, who thrived off such things, but Laxus only rolled his eyes. Fine, Mira worked hard, but she didn't have to. They actually could probably live off the money he made.
"Did you want to stay for dinner, Master?" Mirajane asked him eventually. By that point, he was over by the baby, attempting to get his hat back. When he found it soaked through with slobber, he only shook his head.
"No, my dear. I think I had best head back to the guild. With me and you both being gone, there's no telling what's taking place." He patted the baby on the head then as he gave her the cap back. "I'll, uh, let her keep this, I think."
Laxus snorted while Mirajane only frowned.
"I'll wash it, Master, and have it ready by tomorrow," she assured him as he headed to the door. Rushing to open it for him, she continued, "I'm sorry that she-"
"There's no rush, Mira," Makarov sighed, glancing back at his great-granddaughter. "She can keep it even. I think it's time for me to get a new one anyhow."
"I'll knit you one," she offered, still concerned that her daughter had ruined one of the main parts of his attire. Makarov only bid her and his grandson adieu before leaving.
"Old man ruined my afternoon," Laxus grumbled as he got to his feet and went back over to his baby. She was still drooling and he frowned, using Makarov's hat to wipe her face.
"Laxus," Mira complained, coming over to snatch it from him. "You should be kinder. Master is-"
"He's your family now. Stop calling him your master. It's creepy." Laxus bent down and stared into his baby's eyes. "At least she's got the right idea about that geezer."
"She loves him."
Grunt. Reaching out, Laxus tentatively moved to gather the baby into his arms. She whined at first, but after a few kisses, he got her to giggle. Happy with himself, he almost walked off to the kitchen. Then he remembered Mira was one the room and had probably seen him snuggling the child.
She hadn't. She was still just staring down at the jester cap.
"Mira, seriously, he doesn't care." Bouncing the baby in his arms, Laxus went to go pat his wife on the shoulder. When she looked up at him, he winked. "You're his granddaughter now. You have been for two years. Trust me; given the things I do to him constantly, he still loves you best."
She kissed his cheek then before moving to take the baby. "In any event, Laxus, it's time to feed Haven. Come on. She eats a little bit of baby food."
"You don't breastfeed her anymore?"
"I do," Mira assured. "She still needs that too. You introduce them to solids slowly."
"Solids, huh? Like what? Lunchmeat or something?"
Mira blinked. Then, glancing back at him, she said, "Maybe you should just watch me feed her for the day, huh? Because if I see you give her a sandwich, I might hit you."
No need for that.
The baby ended up back in the high chair, which she didn't seem to like. She wanted to be held, but Mira only went to get some of that mushy, nasty looking gunk that people feed their kids. Ugh.
Feeding the baby was not much fun. It was actually rather messy. Mirajane took care of it though and Laxus was more than fine with that. And after that, it was time for the baby's bath. Laxus could do that. It hadn't changed a bit. So as Mira finished getting their dinner ready, he went to wash up the baby. She seemed resistant to him at first, whining when Mira stayed behind in the kitchen, but the bath calmed her down some.
"You gonna be this blonde forever?" Laxus asked the baby at one point as he gently rubbed some soap on the top of her hair. It was getting longer, less fuzzy. Then, pouring a little water over her head, he made sure not to get any soap in her eyes. "I always thought our kid would have that silvery hair, like Mirajane, but I think this is nice too. Huh?"
By the time he finished with her bath and getting her all dressed in a fresh set of clothing, Mira was back and told him it was time to put the baby to bed. The crib was still in their bedroom. Sigh. He saw Mirajane cringe when they got to it.
"I know, I know," she sighed as he laid the baby down in it. "It needs to be moved. I just have a hard time thinking about-"
"Shhh." He only stared down at his baby. He had always known it would be his job to get the baby where she belonged, in her own room. And now that he would be home for so long, he'd get it taken care of rather quickly. "Is that all there is to putting her to bed?"
"Mmmhmm. She's normally so sleepy from her busy day, but today I don't even think she got to leave the house." Leaning down, Mirajane pressed a kiss to the baby's cheek. "Now come on. It's time to eat."
"We can leave her in here alone? You sure?"
"Laxus, you can hear her cry from a block away, I'm sure. And nothing would dare try to get her with us here." She laid a hand on his arm before turning to walk out of the room. He made sure she was gone down the hall before leaning down to press his own kiss against the baby's cheek. Giggling, Haven reached up to pull on some of his hair.
"You're a little grabber, ain't you?" He pressed a few more kisses around her face. "That's okay." Nuzzling her gently then, he gave her on last kiss before slowly grabbing her hands and making her let go. "Now go to sleep. I gotta go eat dinner now. I'll be back."
He waited though until she settled down some before heading off to see Mirajane. She didn't ask what took him so long, only pulled out his chair for him, his plate already setting on the table.
"I heard you talking about the job to Master," she told him as she made her own plate. "So if you don't wanna tell me about it-"
"What'd you do while I was gone?"
"Oh, I worked mostly. And you know Haven takes up most of my time at home." Then she giggled. "I remember before we had Haven, I was so sad when you were gone. Especially when was pregnant. Now though, I miss you of course, but-"
"Elfman and Lisanna still come over a lot?"
"Oh, of course." Mira giggled as she took her seat. "Haven just loves spending time with them. And she likes Ever too, though I don't think she's too fond of her."
"What do you mean?"
"Evergreen's still rather fearful of spit up and drool."
"Figures."
Mirajane just giggled some more before grinning at him. Suspicious, he glanced down at his food before at her.
"What?" he asked as she just laughed some more.
"Nothing, Laxus. Honest. I'm just…happy you're home"
"I plan to be for awhile this time," he assured her as he went back to eating. "A few months, I hope. We have enough to live off for twice as long, I'd think, so-"
"The longest you've ever gone since we've been married without leaving is two months," she told him with a shake of her head. "So we'll see."
Making a face, he only said, "Yeah, Mira. We will see."
"So this is just like all that she does all day, everyday?" Laxus laid on his back on the living room floor, Haven next to his head as she played with her toys. "Because I could see how this could get boring after awhile."
"You can read to her, Laxus. Take her for a walk, if you want. But at least interact with her a little." Mira was walking through the living room then, headed to the bathroom to go finish getting ready for work. She stopped though to stare at him. "Please. I told Elfman and Lisanna both to stay away today because it's your first full day back home and you wanna be with her. But if you're just going to-"
"The kid's fine with me. We'll play." He shut his eyes then. "I mean, sheesh, you don't think I'mma throw her in the crib and leave her there all day, do you?"
When he got no response, he frowned.
"I'm not, Mira. So just go finish getting ready."
After she was finally gone, he rolled over onto his side so that he could stare at the baby. She only looked at him when he picked up one of her blocks.
"You like playing with me, huh?" He shook it in her face until she giggled and dropped what she was holding to reach out to take it from him. Giving it to her, he also pressed a kiss to her cheek making the baby giggle. Then he nuzzled the top of his head against her cheek. "We'll be fine. Don't need stupid Lisanna or Elfman. Huh?"
He found out ten minutes later as Mirajane walked out the front door that he might not need those two specifically, but he certainly needed someone.
Mira had given the baby a kiss and snuggle before leaving, but apparently it wasn't sufficient. Not a moment after she was gone did the baby start screaming.
"What?" Laxus, who had been relaxing on the ground, shot up. "What is it?"
He knew Mira had to hear the baby crying, but she didn't come back. Then he remembered how it had reacted when Mira just left them alone in the living room that night before when she went into the kitchen and figured out was wrong.
"She'll be back," he complained as he moved to stand, pulling the baby into his arms while he was at it. She was wiggling and screaming though. "I promise. Stop. I'm not that bad of a guy."
But it did no good. He tried everything. He even, in a moment of weakness and utter desperation, tried singing to the baby. Nothing. She cried for a good thirty minutes straight. And kept whining after that until he finally got her settled down on the bed, figuring an early naptime wouldn't hurt anyone.
"This isn't going to happen every day, Haven," he grumbled as he laid down on the bed with her. The baby was tired after all those tears and yawned. "I don't do crying. At all. Especially not over something so silly."
He was tentative then as he moved to stroke the baby's face, seeing if she was still upset with him. She didn't start crying though so, taking that as a good sign, he leaned down to kiss her head.
"Mira has to work, silly," he whispered to the baby. "Or at least she wants to. Besides, you'd rather be left with me than her, huh?"
The baby napped for about two hours while Laxus mostly just listened to music and tried to relax after the panic that had set in when Haven started screaming like that. Even knowing that she was just upset about Mira not being around had him on high alert. If Mirajane thought he couldn't watch the baby because she wasn't used to him, then she'd have Elfman or Lisanna come over. That would suck. He didn't want someone to think that he could tend to his own kid.
…Though part of him still didn't want anyone to know that he could either. It just went against his whole persona and he wasn't so ready to give that up yet. Not that Haven seemed to care. She was perfectly fine with him sneaking kisses and cuddles in when one was around.
Eventually though it was lunchtime and Laxus had to figure out if he remembered how to make formula.
The baby watched him from her high chair as he went around the kitchen, looking for the powder that went in the mixture. She giggle and babbled the whole time which he was slowly learning to associate less with her being annoying and more with her being safe. If he heard her doing that as opposed to that screaming fit she had before, then he knew she was okay and didn't need anything.
Eventually he got Haven her bottle which he was pleased to find she could more or less hold up all on her own. Mira had mentioned something about some baby food or something, but he couldn't remember what and figured a bottle would be enough for lunch. When Lisanna came by for dinner, she could figure that yucky baby food shit out.
"You're so smart," Laxus complimented the baby as he reached out to pat her on her fuzzy head as she sucked away on her bottle. "Better than that stupid Locke kid, bet you."
Turning his back then, he went to work starting his own lunch. Mira had set him aside a plate in the fridge of leftovers that he just had to heat up, which was nice of her. She was always looking out for him. Sometimes, though, he thought it was less her being nice and more her thinking he was a complete idiot.
After lunch, the baby wanted to play some more, which was fine with Laxus. He just sat her down on her blanket and let her get right back to it. It would keep her distracted while he worked out, anyhow.
It was while he was in the middle of his pushups though that there was a knock at the door. The baby heard it too and looked up at the sound while he only pushed up to his feet and went to answer it. At least someone had some freaking manners. Everyone else seemed to think it was cool just to walk into his house uninvited.
Mostly Strauss siblings, but whatever.
"What?" he grumbled when he opened the door to find Levy standing there. In her arms was her stupid little spawn. She seemed shocked to see him, but then just smiled.
"Hi, Laxus. I didn't know you were back."
Grunt.
Dealing with Gajeel, she knew just how to decipher those and only continued
"I thought Lisanna would be here," she said slowly. "Is she not?"
Grunt.
"Oh. Well, today, Locke was going to come over and play with Haven, but-"
"You want me to watch two kids?" He blinked in surprise.
"N-No. Lisanna and I usually just sit around and talk while they play." Levy shifted the toddler in her arms. Laxus narrowed his eyes before taking a step back.
"I ain't Lisanna, but you can come in if you wanna."
"Well…" Levy seemed hesitant, but then quickly moved to walk into the home. "Maybe just for a minute. Locke really likes to play with Haven."
Walking over to the baby, she sat her own son down next to the girl. Haven seemed indifferent, but the boy was a little over a year older than her. Patting her on the head, Locke toddled over to some of her discarded toys and went right to playing.
Laxus closed the front door, frowning over at Levy who only looked around.
"So Mira isn't here either?" she asked slowly. "They just left you alone?"
"It's my kid too," he grumbled as he took his headphones off, still just glaring at her. Then he remembered that Levy would no doubt relay everything that happened there to Mirajane, no doubt in an already slanted manner. He was going to have to act in a somewhat polite way. Not to mention Gajeel would be briefed on the meeting too, he was certain.
"I-I know," Levy said slowly, reaching up to stroke the back of her neck. "I just didn't think that you, you know, would want to watch her. I figured you'd want to relax your first days back in town. I heard you took care of a really tough enemy."
"The baby ain't much to deal with," Laxus grumbled as he glanced over at his baby. He wasn't so sure about how safe it would be to have an older child around her, but they both seemed to be ignoring one another. "She just sits there."
Levy smiled then, almost in an amused way. "That's what Gajeel used to say about Locke."
He thought about explaining to her how he'd already decided that Haven was better than Locke and would become a better mage than him, but figured there would be time for that later. Besides, he probably wouldn't even have to tell her, if things worked out right. It would just be an obvious fact.
Her kid was speaking then, calling out for her or something. Laxus just narrowed his eyes at the child as Levy went over to tend to him. Crossing his arms, he focused on Haven, who eventually looked over at him and waved her arms. She got so excited though that she kinda fell down.
"Uh-oh," Levy giggled as she turned then from Locke to the little girl. She was still giggling. "Are you okay, Haven? Huh? Did you fall down?"
Talking to the baby sounded so much less cool when someone else did it. When he did it, it actually sounded like a normal thing. Mira or Levy though? It sounded stupid and just down right foolish. Still, he went over to pick the baby up.
"Least you ain't crying again," he grumbled as she put her fingers in her mouth, staring up at him. "Stop that."
Levy grinned. "You know-"
The front door opened then, suddenly, and Lisanna walked in. Narrowing his eyes, Laxus mumbled something about how rude that was, though Lisanna just ignored him and spoke to Levy instead.
"I didn't think you'd really have stayed," Lisanna said as she closed the door behind her. Great. She planned on sticking around. Sighing, Laxus checked his baby out to make sure she was truly okay before laying her on the ground once more, that time on her stomach, so she didn't fall over again. "I thought when you saw that I wasn't here, you'd leave. I took off at the bar as soon as I remembered that you were going to come by though."
"That's okay," Levy assured her. "Locke was so excited to see Haven that I figured I could stay a minute and talk to…Laxus."
He gave them both a snarky look. "Well, don't feel the need next time. Either of you."
"You're so cute," Lisanna told him which only got her another glare. Then she went over to check on Haven, no doubt having not trusted him to do the job in her absence. "Well, since we're both here, Levy, you wanna-"
"No. No way." Laxus crossed his arms then. "You guys can go talk or whatever somewhere else. The Dreyar household ain't some sort of wayward place for losers like you guys. So just-"
"You want some tea?" Lisanna was heading to the kitchen then. "Laxus can watch the kids. We're just in the next room anyhow."
"Alright," Levy said slowly before going to pat her son on the head. Laxus thought about just kicking them out, but figured that wouldn't bode well for him later when Mira got home. Shaking his head then, he went to get back to his workout, putting his music back on.
Stupid women.
Still though, Haven didn't seem to completely hate Gajeel's kid. The dark headed little boy spent most of his time stacking blocks on top of each other, but occasionally, he would reach over and pat Haven on the head or hand her a toy. She clearly didn't have the skills to do much with him, but he didn't seem to mind. There was one annoying thing about him though.
"Does your kid ever shut up?" Laxus growled as he went to stand in the entrance way connecting the kitchen to the living room. "He keeps singing the same damn-"
"Laxus, honestly?" Lisanna frowned over at him from the table as he just stood there, glaring in at them. "He's just singing. Turn your music up louder."
"It annoys me to know that he's-"
"Maybe I should just go, huh?" Levy glanced between them before getting to her feet. "Thanks for the tea, Lisanna. And see you around, Laxus."
After she and her spawn were gone, Laxus thought that that would be the end of it. Instead, Lisanna stood there in the kitchen, arms crossed, giving him an evil stare.
"What?" he grumbled as he turned to go back into the living room and check on Haven.
"You couldn't possibly have been more rude, Laxus."
"Trust me, I could have been," he said. "In fact, call her back in here and I'll show you."
"Laxus-"
"This is my house, Lisanna. And I'm tired of everyone thinking otherwise. So just get out, alright? 'cause guess what? I'm home now. I'm staying home now. You, your brother, Gramps, Levy, all of you are no longer needed. So screw off."
It wasn't until Lisanna was gone that Laxus realized what kind of mistake he had just made. Lisanna would no doubt go back to the guild and tell Mirajane. And even though he had a thousand defenses thought up in his head (it's his place, it's rude of them to barge in, he doesn't like visitors to name a few), he also knew that there's no way Mirajane would ever see it his way.
Ever.
"Well, say goodbye to me, kid," Laxus sighed as he slowly went to lay back down on the floor next to Haven. She was on her stomach too and giggled, reaching out for him. Grabbing one of her little hands, he kissed the palm. "'cause when Mira gets home, I'm dead."
In preparation for his inevitable demise, Laxus made himself some dinner and picked up around the place. Not to mention fed the baby and bathed her. He even put her to bed in her crib, making sure she was comfortable, before going to get in bed all by himself. He figured if he was asleep and the baby was asleep when Mirajane got home, she wouldn't be able to yell at him.
That was not the case.
He heard her come in around the normal time she got off and, even though sleep had eluded him up to that point, prayed for it to befall him then. It did not. So he just laid there, trying to breathe evenly while keeping his eyes just shut enough to seem as if he was asleep, but not tight enough to make it obvious he was forcing them to be that way. It was a fine balance, after all.
She went to check on the baby first, who had stayed asleep since he first put her down. She even left the room for awhile, to go to the kitchen for a snack, he was pretty sure. When she returned to him, however, it was clear that it didn't matter if he was faking or truly asleep.
She was going to wake him up.
It was a swift blow to the shoulder blades that made him shoot up in bed. He didn't yell though, thankfully, as that would have woken the child. When he turned to glare at her though, Mira just gave him a dark gaze before whispering,
"Living room. Now."
He really did want to argue, as she had just freaking assaulted him, but resisted as he slowly got out of bed to follow. After all, he didn't want to awaken their child. Still, he did glance over at the baby as he walked out of the room, willing her to maybe make a noise and distract Mirajane; she did not.
"Sit," Mira ordered once they were in the living room. He was about ready to begin his defense then, but one look from her shut that down.
He sat down without complaint.
"I know that it's hard for you to understand sometimes, Laxus," she began as she stood in front of him, glaring down at him in the dark. She hadn't even turned a single light on in the house. "But there is a very big part of my life that goes on when you're gone. And in that life, other people are involved."
"Mirajane-"
"No. Don't speak. You-"
"It's not fair! They just-"
"You're gone, Laxus, for over fifty percent of the year. So yes, Lisanna practically lives with me. This is her house too, I'm sure, she thinks. She-"
"But it's fucking not," Laxus growled, clinching his fists then. "It's mine. I-"
"You're not here, Laxus, when-"
"Well I am now!" He shot up then, throwing any attempt to keep the baby calm out the window. He was tired of them acting like because he was following the freaking agreement that they set up beforehand he was a bad guy. He wasn't. "And it's my fucking house. So if you wanna fucking live with your damn sister, Mirajane and her stupid ass friends, go!"
The baby didn't like screaming apparently. Hitting Laxus in the chest, Mira turned to head off and go tend to Haven when she started crying. Snorting, Laxus went instead to the kitchen to find something to drink. His head hurt.
He had just downed a glass of something hard when Mira came into the room, the baby still fussing in her arms.
"What?" he grumbled as she came to hand her to him.
"I can't get her to stop. You did this, Laxus, screaming. You calm her down."
"You can't calm her? Then what the hell do you think I will be able to do?" He took her still though before going to sit down at the table. Mira frowned at the cup and liquor bottle he'd left out on the counter, but didn't speak on them.
When she turned her back for something though, Laxus leaned down and nuzzled the top of Haven's head. She kept whining, but did look up at him.
"What's wrong?" he mumbled before waving the finger that wasn't helping hold her to him in her face. "Huh?"
He couldn't help it then as a smile started to spread across his face when the baby reached out to grab one finger before sticking it in her mouth to suck on. Mira, seeing the look on his face, frowned.
"What?" she questioned softly, keeping her voice down then as, at least with his finger in her mouth, the baby was quiet. "Or are you just glad she's quiet?"
He only leaned down to kiss the baby's head, not caring if she saw or not. He had never ever seen the baby suck on anyone else's fingers. Hold them, maybe, but his were the only ones she put in her mouth as far as he knew.
"You do remember," he whispered against her hair as he kissed her head against.
"Have you washed your hands recently?" Mira began, frowning at him. "Laxus-"
"Shut up, Mira." He didn't even look up at her or take the time to put any fight in his voice. "Just give me this, alright?"
She watched him for a minute before shaking her head and walking off. He knew in the morning that they'd have to finish their fight and he'd have to concede that he was wrong, but it didn't matter. Mira wasn't top dog anymore and she was just going to have to get used to it.