Domestic Blitz • Slaxl

I. Back Off, Bitch

Slash had yawned, wistfully reaching out for his red-haired lover in vain. His side of the bed had grown cold, but the comforting smell of a hot breakfast soon lured him into the kitchen.

Axl happily hummed softly over a pan of chocolate chip hotcakes, until a pair of arms embraced him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he sighed after a slight jump.

"I love you," Slash responded, sweetly.

"Yeah, well. I love you, too. Now, let me go. I've gotta get the kids ready for school."

As if on cue, their youngest child, Axl's 3-year-old daughter from a failed relationship, lingered into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.

"Hey, angel," he cooed, scooping the child into his arms. "Still tired?"

She nodded, resting her head against his chest as he held her.

"You wanna see Mommy?" he asked, playfully.

"No," she whimpered.

"Why not?"

"I don't wanna go," she whined.

The two couldn't blame her. Axl had the ex from Hell. She was an aggressive woman. Self-centered and bitter, thanks to the way they ended. She fought like hell so that he'd lose custody after their break-up. When that backfired, she'd take it out on their daughter - and that hurt the most.

Slash felt sorry for his lover and the little girl he'd come to love as his own, but he was grateful that his situation was different. His ex-wife was a sweet, hippie girl who'd given support throughout their marriage and encouraged him to follow his heart wherever it lead him. When confronting his feelings for the troubled singer, she listened without judgement. They remained close even after the divorce, and did their best to co-parent their two young sons.

"Hey, dad!" his oldest boy, called out to him.

"Morning, Cash," he greeted him with a smile, ruffling his hair.

"Eat up, guys," Axl called out. "I've gotta finish getting Layla ready for her mom. By then, it'll be time to drop you all off."

"Babe, I can take 'em to school if you're busy," Slash told him.

"Nah, I need something to keep me occupied. Cash, where's your brother?" Axl asked.

"In bed. I tried to wake him, but he wouldn't budge."

Axl let out a deep sigh. Slash, sensing his lover's frustration, wanted to help.

"Hey, relax. You take care of Layla. I'll make sure the boys are ready for school, alright?"

"Thanks," Axl replied with a soft smile, before going to pack his daughter's traveling case, while she decided on an outfit.

"Daddy, this one!" she yelped, proudly. Axl gave it an awkward glance. She'd chosen a teddy bear onesie.

"Babe, that's for sleeping," he tried to explain. "You're gonna be hanging out with Mom."

"But, I want it," she whined.

"Axl, telephone," Slash called.

He huffed and made his way back into the kitchen.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Malibu Bitch Barbie," Slash replied, under his breath.

"Hello?"

"Axl, I have an extended business meeting to attend, this afternoon. Layla's gonna have to stay with you, tonight."

"You know I'd have no problem with that, Jen. But since you like to twist things in court, I've gotta follow the judge's orders. I think you'd better cancel that meeting."

"Give me a break, Bill. No one's gonna hear about this and I couldn't cancel even if I wanted to. Come on, I need you to pick up the slack, for once."

"For once? Are you fucking..." Axl's voice trailed off, seeing the kids look over at him. He fought to contain himself. She knew just how to push his buttons and he hated it. But, something was off. He had an idea.

"Whatever, Jen. See you, tomorrow."

I.

Anger boiled within him at the sight of her convertible sitting in the driveway as he pulled in. He took his daughter into his arms with her Strawberry Shortcake backpack in tow and braced himself as he knocked on her door.

No answer.

He knocked a few more times, each time harder than the last, until finally, someone answered.

"Popcorn!" Layla yelped.

"Hey, kiddo," he smiled, nervously.

"Steven? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Uh, Jen. She's uh, got a broken water heater and, you know... she asked me to fix it, so I thought I'd help her out," he stammered.

"What? You don't know how to fix a water heater. Where the hell is Jennifer?"

"Jennifer's right here," she called out from the staircase, tying her robe.

"Bill, what are you doing here? I thought we agreed on tomorrow?" she said through clenched teeth.

"Yeah, and I thought you were supposed to be at a business meeting. I guess we've both got some explaining to do. What's Adler doing here?"

The two blondes look at each other, and then back at him.

"Axl... man, we were gonna tell you," Steven tried to explain.

"Tell me what?"

"Steven and I have been seeing each other," Jennifer blurted.

Axl glared at the two of them in disbelief, and shook his head.

"You're a real piece of work, Jen. I know why you're doing this, but I don't care. You can fuck who you want, but our daughter comes first! I can't believe you lied just to screw around with my idiot drummer."

"Hey!"

"Whatever, Rose. Since you're here, you may as well leave her."

He kissed his daughter's head and reluctantly put her down. She ran to Steven, who picked her up and held her, as they all dissappeared behind the closing door.

Axl had a rotten feeling in the pit of his stomach. He was sure this wouldn't end well.