Hello forgot I only own story, characters Hiro Mashima. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 4: Bonding
Cana:
Beep Beep Beep
Groaning, I hit the dam alarm clock. That little annoyance brought me out of a somewhat pleasant dream. I wasn't really doing much just laying down.
Someone gently stoking my hair, leaving soft kisses along my neck. His arm wrapped securely around me, nothing hot, just comfort and belonging. His scent of mint, and pine filled my nose. "Cana…" his voice husky with contentment and sleep "I l-…."
And that is when I was rudely awakened. Yawning I stretched, still feeling phantom actions. Like anyone would love someone like me. I thought bitterly.
Wincing a little and rubbing my arms I went to my bathroom to put on some concealer. Bacchus really did a number huh?
Flashback
He followed me yesterday after my shift and pulled me into the alley his grip aggravating old bruises.
"Cana, why haven't you called me back?" Bacchus slurred in his drunken voice, "You're my girlfriend you know."
"Bacchus, I'm not your girl, and I haven't called you because I've been busy. I told you if you want a relationship, you need to be sober. I'm not going to have you drunk around Hana." I spoke patiently while slowly trying to get out of his grasp. I tensed as his grip tightened and you could hear the slap ring out.
"Bitch, you're my girl, and you've been with other men. I'll come over whenever I want, with or without that brat of yours. Now you come over to my place and we'll have dinner." Bacchus tried to gently touch my face after his rant but I flinched away.
"No Bacchus, I'm done with you. I thought you were a nice guy at first, but you're harmful. Both to me and my daughter. Stop finding me and don't come near my house or workplace, or so Mavis help me, I will get a restraining order against you." I shot back, and at this point I flipped his hands off and when he went to lunge at me I kicked him in his jewels.
I called Erza to help me with my grocery shopping and to explain my situation. She was a martial artist teacher as well as a self-defense coach to teach me those moves. Stopping by the bar every now and then for a drink and chat.
"Why don't you ask Fairy Tail for help? He's going to retaliate. If you want I could teach him a lesson or two." Erza said casually, but her tone and eyes told me she wanted to beat the shit out of him.
"No, I told him I was going to call the cops on his ass, if he tried to come near anywhere Hana or I go. I really don't want my friend arrested for murder." I sighed. Knowing Erza she doesn't hold back, including her strength she'd probably kill the man.
"At least find someone to walk home with you and Hana, consider her safety please." Erza replied stubbornly.
"Fine, fine mom. I will, no boys though, I'll see if Mira would be willing to. Thanks for shopping with me, think you could drop my stuff off at my apartment while I pick up Hana?" Knowing all night we would argue until I conceded.
"Yes, but you might want some concealer on your cheek if you don't want to scare your daughter." Erza nodded.
I checked my hand mirror and noticed the red turning a little blue-ish purple near my eye. Thanking her I touched up my face concealing the new bruise and walked to Levy's.
End Flashback
Putting more concealer to hide the hand shaped bruise I pulled my softball style Fairy Tail bar shirt, in bright orange with the insignia on the front, and the riddle of the fairies on the back. And paired it with white skinny jeans and flats.
Nudging Hana awake I helped her dress in my old orange dress and white cardigan. She grabbed Mimi again and we set off to the bar.
…
Laxus
Softness I what I felt, soft hair and skin next to mine. Running my hand slowly contently, she was mine and I …
Blackness, where was I where was she, spinning and turning trying to find her. Where did she go? I'm trying to find her!
"I don't even know your name…" I could hear her voice speaking softly, music to my ears.
"Where are you? Who are you please! I need you!" crying desperately, that softness, it was what I was searching for, to be at ease, to wrap someone in my arms and they be the only thing that matters and have a sense of... of love.
"My name is…"
"Oi lightning prick get up!"
Startled I jerked awake, into a darkness I didn't recognize. Trying to get that dream out of the way. I scoffed. Me I didn't need anyone like that. I'm lookin for something.
But what are you looking for then?
Focusing on figuring out where I am until..
"Laxus, asshole did ya hear me?" Gajeel roared as he charged in.
"Gajeel what did I tell you!?" Yelled a blue haired woman. Levy
"What squeak isn't here?" Gajeel complained.
"I don't care, she's going to be here again today, now hurry up we need to go pick her up at the bar." And Levy quickly walked out the door.
"You comin? Or gonna give sometime for theold man to digest?" Gajeel questioned.
"I'll go tomorrow, wanna sleep off this jet lag. Plus I don't wanna get yelled at first time I see him." I yawned plopping back in bed.
"K then, you need to get up and dressed in an hour or so. That's when we're comin back with the pipsqueak." Gajeel said gruffly and shut the door.
I sighed, might as well set my alarm and put it down for 8 a.m. , but no matter how much I tossed and turned. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I grabbed my toiletry bag, some jeans, and a red shirt and showered.
What am I looking for? Obviously I didn't find it in Europe, much less before I left, so why did I come back? I asked myself this as the warm water washed over me.
Gramps, he was probably worried sick ,I mean I left with no explanation and there's gonna be hell to pay for sure. Shuddering and praying to Mavis, no punishment game.
Shutting off the water and toweling down I mulled over what I was going to do once I saw him.
C'mon, I mean he's just Family. Pretty much all I've got. A pang went through me. Is that what I was looking for?
I shook myself, nah that kind of thing isn't for me.
By then I pulled on my clothing for the day and went to the kitchen for some food. I was making some instant oatmeal when Gajeel and Levy came in with that Cana woman's kid.
"Aunty what are we gonna do today? Can Uncle Gazeel and I go to the park? Or play dragons? Or…" The bouncing kid asking questions almost a mile a minute. Her smile and the way she lit up, brought a smile to my face. She's kinda like me when I was a kid, bugging gramps to do stuff. For some reason that filled me up with some pride.
"Aw, squeak, Uncle Gazeel is tired and just wants to nap." Gajeel groaned.
"Gajeel, that's no way to talk to your niece! She wants to play." Levy exclaimed.
"Well, oh hey, Hana I think Laxus might wanna play with you." Gajeel grinned mischievously. Hana looked up brightly with a smile.
"Really ?" She asked looking up to me.
"What Gajeel! I don't really know much about kids, plus I don't really work well…" I trailed off as I looked at Hana, her eyes were starting to well with tears.
"You-you don't like me Mr. Laxus?" Hana was starting to let her tears fall and sniffle.
"Oh, man did you screw up!" Gajeel started to laugh, Levy then took him by the ear and dragged him off to who knows where for laughing at a crying kid.
Panicking I immediately went down and pulled her in. Trying to soothe her.
"No, no, no. I-I mean kids usually don't like cause there scared of me." I rubbed her back and she held on tighter. "I don't really know what kids like to do, could you show me?" Trying desperately to get her to stop.
Quivering she looked up at me. "Really?" she hiccupped.
"Yeah, now please stop crying and we'll do whatever you want today. Sound good?" I asked, anything to stop her.
She rubbed away the last of her tears and smiled. "Okay, but we'll have to stay here, momma doesn't like me leaving here. And I don't think you're scary you hug like a teddy bear." Hana giggled.
Stunned I looked at her. "All right well then we'll be here what do you want to do?"
"Oh, we watch a movie and then make lunch and then I gotta take a nap otherwise mommy says I'll be cranky and then we could play dragons!" She exclaimed, and Gajeel and Levy walked in.
"What's going on?" Levy asked concerned.
"Um, well I guess Hana and I are going to spend the day together. I told her she could show me what kids like to do so we'll be here and doing …stuff." I finished lamely.
"Well see ya me and Levy are sleepin then." Gajeel roughly slammed the door to their bedroom and immediately you could hear the protests. And then followed by snores. Huh, guess they really did want to sleep I mused.
Hana then proceeded and picked out Dreamworks The Croods. Together they watched and Hana sighed.
"I wish I had a daddy." She murmured quietly.
"Do you know what happened?" I asked.
"Mommy says she doesn't know him and that he left but says that he loves me. She said one day he'll be back. But mommy looks so sad." Hana spoke quietly.
Stunned and pissed off at the father for leaving behind such a precious kid.
"Well you know what?" I asked.
"What?" she looked at me.
"I'll be your uncle."
"But I have a lot of uncles I want a daddy." Hana said starting to tear up.
"Hey, hey. I can't be your daddy, but I can try and be something like that okay?" Panicking again not wanting to see her cry again.
"You pr-promise?" Her voice wavering.
"I promise, I even give you bear hugs, and try to dad things for you all right?" What the hell am I getting into?
"Thank you Mr. Laxus!" she cried wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.
"You don't have to call me Mr., Hana. You can call me Laxus."
"Can I, can I call you daddy?" she asked shyly. I didn't know what came over me but I really liked the sound. The hell?
"Sure, now let's finish this movie." I grabbed her close and let her lay on my chest in a cuddle. By the end of the movie I was surprised that I had some tears. And even through Hana was crying, I wasn't freaking out this time. I kinda knew what to do. Then we went to her plan by making lunch grilled cheese and tomato soup with goldfish. Turned out to be her favorite meal, even if the sandwiches were a little burnt.
Now naptime, which I was assumed to be the couch. Pulling out her blanket and her dragon I brought it over to her.
"Daddy, would you cuddle with me for my nap?" she mumbled sleepily. And she did so anyway before I could respond. Sitting there just watching her breathe softly, I was filled with a warmth when I first met her last night.
"Wow, you're a natural Laxus." Startled I turned to the voice and saw Levy smiling gently. "Usually she's so shy with new people, she doesn't even talk to them unless Cana, Gajeel or I ask her to. But it seems that you got a father's touch. You kinda look the same."
"I didn't do much just asked her to show me what kids did." I mumbled.
"Well thanks, Gajeel and I were looking forward to our break tomorrow but now we can sleep a bit more. Two things try and wake in another hour or so and you nudge her, she'll sleep through anything unless you poke or something." Levy said and went back to her room, where Gajeel's heavy snoring could be heard.
I turned back to Hana, she had her thumb in her mouth and clutching her ferocious dragon Mimi. I touched her hair stroking gently and her face had a small smile to it. I smiled.
Maybe I'm looking for acceptance, to belong somewhere.
…
Cana
It was around 12 o'clock when the doors of the bar opened and walked in a ginger haired man. Beard scruff, and a long travel cloak pulled across his wide shoulders.
"Cana, sweetie, Daddy's missed you!" The tough looking man cried out joyfully as he tried to embrace his daughter. He was received with a punch.
"What the hell old man! You leave for over a year not saying anything and expect me to hug you?" Cana cried.
"Oh please baby just give papa a hug, where's my grand kid too? I wanna give her smooches." Gildarts being goofy trying to look for his biological granddaughter.
"She's not here, now if you stuck around for three days you'll see her again when I come in for work. Gramps, I got to get goin need to be at Sky Maiden in twenty. I'll see you in a few days bye!" And I grabbed my keys and my blue long sleeve for my second job. I can't wait the next few days are sleeping and Mommy daughter time since 2 weeks ago.
….
Makarov
"Were you able to track him down?" I asked Gildarts.
"Yeah, had some trouble though. Lost him couple months back in Amsterdam, and actually caught up with him last week." He replied while nursing a beer.
"Where is he?" I asked. I've been worrying about him for so long.
"Here actually. Came in yesterday and must be somewhere in Magnolia." Gildarts said and he took a few swallows.
"Why that dam boy! He better come here soon or he's going to be in one hell of a punishment game! Five years, no word and now he shows! What in the world has been going on with him?" I wondered.
"Gramps, from what I saw, the kid's lost. He doesn't know what to do." He said.
"Well he is definitely going to be punished and I know how." I grinned but saddened. Oh my boy. I really hope you can fix what you did. Otherwise you're going to have two broken hearts and a lot of people wanting to hurt you. You may not realize yet, but it is my job to show you a way. I won't punish you so hard, because pretty soon you are gonna go through hell. You're lucky I haven't even told Gildarts.
…
Laxus
"Welcome back sleeping beauty." I said and Hana slowly awoken.
"Daddy! Can we watch another movie? And play dragons with uncle Gazeel?" Hana asked already full of energy.
"I guess, Hana, let me go see if Uncle Gazeel is up to it." I walked down the hallway and knocked before I open the door. "Hey Gajeel Hana was wondering if… Oh God what the hell! I thought you guys were just sleepin!"I covered my eyes.
"Aaargh, lightning boy Levy and I were relaxin before you came in!" Gajeel pulled up the sheet to cover both him and his wife.
"Well if you're done relaxin, Hana was wanting to play Dragons with you." I replied.
"What time is it?" Gajeel groaned.
"Almost four why?" I asked.
"Okay then Cana'll get here round 6:30 tonight. Pop in another movie and by then I'll play with her K? Now get outta here so my wife an I can dressed." Gajeel grunted.
Apparently I didn't need to because Hana was watching Sleeping Beauty.
"Daddy! You're gonna be the damsel, I'm gonna be the dragon, and Uncle Gazeel is gonna be the prince!" She said excitedly.
"W-what?" I spluttered.
"Don't worry daddy you've never played it before, usually aunty is the prince and uncle is the damsel. But you're here so you get to be the damsel." What she said made zero sense.
"Ok, squeak I'm here." Grumbled Gajeel and he came out wearing a blanket toga.
"No, no Uncle Gazeel, Daddy's the damsel!" Hana cried out.
"Wha? Daddy? Since when is Sparky Daddy?" Gajeel started to guffaw.
"Shut up Gajeel. So Hana I'm the damsel?" I asked still confused.
"Uh huh, and Gazeel is the prince." Hana confirmed.
"Oi, squeak ya mean I'm not the stikin damsel!" Gajeel seemed to be very happy at this aspect.
"Yeah now uncle Gazeel you gotta guard Daddy." Hana pointed at me. As we played I realized the tables were flipped. Instead of prince charming it was the dragon to save the damsel and the damsel was to declare the love to the dragon and the ending being tickles and hugs to the "dragon" as a thank you.
I actually had a lot of fun doing it and didn't even notice her mom walking in until Hana called out to her mother.
"Mommy, today was so much fun, I saw movies and ate grilled cheese an took my nap and daddy played dragons with me and Gazeel!" her mother seemed to freeze.
"Daddy sweetheart?" Cana asked hesitantly.
"Um, sorry I said she could call me that, cause we were watching The Croods." I replied nervously. My stomach dropped and the prospect of Hana not being able to call me daddy. I saw Cana breathe out.
"I guess it's okay, but Hana, Laxus was it…?" I nodded "Laxus isn't your real daddy okay?" Cana tried to explain to her.
Hana nodded. "Okay, I know but he promised me that he'd do daddy like things. Like he made lunch an watched movies, helped me go to sleep and played with me, that's what a daddy does right?" Hana asked.
"Yeah that's what a daddy does my precious flower." Cana said and I watched her pick Hana up and they rubbed noses together.
"Oh Cana you're here! Hey we got some stir-fry goin you two wanna stay and maybe I could use some help?" Levy asked. Gotta give her perks cause I really didn't want Hana to leave yet.
"Sure Levy, thanks at least you won't have to worry about us the next two days. It's Mommy and Hana time right?" Cana replied.
"Really Mommy, we haven't had time in soooo long." Hana's smile was brought up even more at the news. My stomach dropped then, did that mean that they won't be here for a while. But I enjoyed today a lot. I had fun, hanging around a kid. Oh C'mon! kid's not even mine. Why am I feelin this way?
Again I watched the woman across from me, she was beautiful. Her looked so soft that I wanted to run my hand through it, and what she wore an orange softball shirt that had a familiar design kinda like….
Oh shit, she worked at Fairy Tail. And what the hell I wanna touch her hair. Puh-please, she's just another chick, mmm. She must be good in bed, with those legs, and breasts that she has. Man, maybe I'll try…
I stopped, she has a fucking kid! I need to stop, if I try and put any moves on Hana's mom I probably won't see her again if I just left her mom hurt like that. And I still want to see her.
Dinner was over much too soon. Cana helped with the dishes so I still spent some more time talking to Hana.
"So what do you and your mom do?" I asked as casually as I could.
"Mommy and I usually sleep in cause we always get up early and then we make a big breakfast in our pjs. Next we watch movies that we like usually two, and then we relax by cuddling and reading books about faraway places. If mommy is off more than one day, usually the next day we go to the park, then the ice cream parlor and we go shopping if I need anything." Hana finished in a rush.
"Well you've got quite the time with your mom. Have fun squirt I'll see you in a few days right?" I asked, I really wanted to see her again.
"Uh huh, bye daddy!" What was unexpected she threw her arms around me since I was stooped and kissed my cheek.
"Hana go get your stuff together we're gonna leave in a few." Cana came out from the kitchen. She smiled at me, and I could feel electricity running throughout my entire body. "Thank you."
"Huh?" I asked.
"Thank you Laxus for taking care of her today. Levy was telling me what you did with Hana today. Usually I go to Levy and Gajeel but they're burnt and they deserve to relax. I didn't know that you were so good with kids." Cana complimented me.
"To be honest I didn't either, I felt helpless with the waterworks at first, but I realized what I needed to do after the first movie." I admitted getting a laugh out of her.
"If you want maybe, you can watch her more, but you two stay at my place or Levy's understand? I don't trust you enough to take her by yourself, for all I know you could be a rapist." Her told was light at first, but became extremely deadly near the end.
"Y-yeah, I'd like to do that. Can I have your address?" I asked, maybe I could walk the two of them home.
"No, thank you for the offer Laxus, but Hana and I are just fine." Cana replied as she started to pull on her leather coat.
"Mommy I'm ready!" Hana popped out of the hallway way with her backpack and Mimi the golden dragon.
"Okay you said goodnight to everyone?"
"Nope not yet." Hana ran up to me and hugged my knees. "Goodnight daddy, I'll see you in a few days."
"Bye Hana can't wait to see you again." I waved and turned to Cana.
"Thank you for allowing me to watch you daughter, I'll treat her like a princess." I promised to the brunette beauty. She chuckled.
"She likes dragon for some reason. Any way goodnight Laxus, I heard that you're looking for something. I hope you find it." She touched my cheek and I could feel her press a kiss to it. God I've lost count to how many times I've been stunned today. As I got ready for bed I thought to myself.
I think I might of found it. Thinking of those two, what they have, a bond. Love being able to have fun and comfort. I-I want that, if there's no father maybe I could try and be a part of their family. I guess I should see Gramps tomorrow, Gildarts was tailing me the last few months, so he must know I'm here. Might as well get it over with.
I closed my eyes thinking of mother and daughter, soft, soft and my acceptance.
My home.
….
Cana
We both got ready for bed, and I kissed Hana and turned on her nightlight. Lying in my bed, I thought about Laxus. He seemed like a father already to Hana.
Strange, she's usually shy around new people.
I shrugged it off, I mean, it's not like he's her actual father.
Although he does look familiar, maybe I've seen him somewhere before?
Relaxing into dreamland happy that I could finally sleep in and spend time with my little girl. I dreamed of a hazy face that's been for so long. With gray eyes and pale blond hair and strong arms around me.
It's a coincidence, Laxus is kind I could see that with how he interacted with Hana. But I don't know much about him. I really hope that I am not wrong, I don't want us to get hurt.
Hi okay i need some help,and your opinion matters.
A. Cana realizes first about Laxus and tries to not have Hana around him, Hana finds out gets upset and heads are gonna get cracked.
B Laxus finds out how much he fucked up, and tries to talk things out with Cana without everyone beatin on his ass.
C makarov has to tell Laxus the first piece and laxus puts together the apartment and Hana, grovels and tries to win Cana's heart and Hana's love.
D wait a little longer and have Bacchus be a stalker to Cana and Laxus bes a hero with the choices of A-C afterwards.
E. Laxus playboys a little, ignoring his feelings, after talking to makarov, cause he tells him a piece to get a clue about Cana, then realizes in a similar situation, stops and curse the last 5 years of his life.
You guys have until the 9th to decide,that's my birthday and i will write what you guys vote for so please. There's different ways i can take this, but i want your help and i'd like to know how i'm doing so far.