Phoenix

Compromise

"Happy birthday!"

Laxus didn't answer, so she walked closer to him and repeated her cheer. There was still no answer. Emi rolled her eyes and jumped on the bed, trying to wake him up.

He groaned and hissed, "What the fuck are you doing?"

"It's your birthday! I made you cinnamon pancakes because I know they're your favorite."

"Do they have ho--"

"Don't you worry. I hid the hot sauce somewhere I can't find it."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"No seriously. I forgot where I put it and now I can't find it."

The dragon slayer laughed loudly and rolled off his bed. They sat and ate in silence and when they finished, Laxus went into the living room.

"So you went to bed awful early last night," Emi stated slyly. "Were you even sleeping?"

"No," Laxus responded as he pointed to the front article of the paper, "I was busy."

"That's no fun."

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"Why are we out here?"

"I figured we could go exploring. Plus, I heard there's this new ice cream stand that was moved by the flower gardens that we can check out."

"We are not going to the gardens today."

"I know," Emi laughed, "but we can still get ice cream."

They made their way to the ice cream stand and quickly ordered. Emi yelled that it was a contender for the best ice cream that she had ever had while Laxus quietly ate his.

"You must like it too," Emi teased, "because you aren't making any comments on my screaming."

Laxus chose to ignore her and continued to eat his ice cream in peace.

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They were both sitting in the living room, Emi on the rocking chair and Laxus on the couch. Emi was reading when she suddenly spoke up.

"Where did your scar come from?"

"I have a lacrima placed in my eye. When it healed, the scar formed."

"That lacrima makes you a dragon slayer, right?"

He nodded and looked off to the side before revealing that his father had planted it in him so that he could later take it out once he was stronger and older.

"Wouldn't you die if that happens?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry if this offends you, but your father sounds like--"

"A deadbeat? An asshole? A dick? A pathetic excuse of a--"

"So you guys are really close then?" Emi sarcastically asked.

"My dad left a long time ago. My grandfather took care of me."

"Why did your dad leave?"

"He was banished. I guess that runs in the family."

Emi frowned before getting up from her seat and standing in front of him.

"I promise you," she stated as she held his head in her hands, "you are nothing like your father."

Laxus scoffed, "What would you know about that?"