Phoenix

Compromise

"Well for starters it doesn't seem like your father cared about anyone in his family."

"He doesn't."

"Well then you're already so different. You've been protecting Fairy Tail since I met you."

He stayed silent, but she could tell that he was listening intently. She giggled lightly and grabbed his hand.

"Believe me, I would let you know if you were like that."

Laxus leaned back on the back of the couch and closed his eyes. Emi stayed in front of him, causing him to open one of his eyes and ask her what she was doing.

"Does your eye ever hurt?"

"All the time."

"So that's why you have a high pain tolerance."

Laxus hummed and sat up again when he saw a strange look on her face.

"You good?"

She leaned down and softly kissed his scar, making Laxus shift in shock.

"What're you--"

"I kissed it better, duh," she giggled.

"Uh huh. Sure you did."

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"Absolutely fucking not."

"It'll be fun!"

Laxus looked at the box that Emi was holding and shut his eyes in frustration. He glared at the white haired woman, but she just smiled brightly at him.

"Nobody will even see it."

"I am not wearing that."

"But then we'll match! Isn't that cool?"

Laxus took the box and placed it on top of the tallest shelf in the living room.

"Laxus," Emi whined, "I just wanted us to match for a day."

"Why?"

"Because it sounds like fun. I saw these little kids--"

Laxus stared at her unimpressed before walking upstairs. Emi tried climbing up the shelves, but she could barely reach the box. She stacked chairs and used a broom, cheering when she finally got the box down. A grey sweater sat in the box. She smiled at the lightning bolt in the middle and decided to give it one last try, climbing the stairs and knocking on his door.

"No," Laxus spoke before she could even say what she wanted.

"You're no fun."

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"Do you ever want to go back?"

"We've been over this already."

"I know, I know. But do you want to?"

Laxus thought before he revealed that yes, he does want to go back.

"How come you never visit to see your grandfather? Don't you want to check--"

"I'm banished, which means I can't go to Fairy Tail."

"Yeah but you could always ask him to get coffee or something."

"We didn't really leave off on the right foot."

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"It's settled. We're painting the room gray."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Laxus asked annoyed. "That was my first suggestion, but you insisted on looking at all the choices for two hours."

"I just wanted to make the right decision. I mean, this is our home. Wouldn't you want it to feel as much like a home as possible?"

Laxus rolled his eyes before getting the paint rollers and tray out.

"We do this my way, or else there's gonna be an issue."

Emi just giggled and opened the paint can before filcking some paint at Laxus. His eyes twitched and he went to yell at her when he saw the innocent smile on her face.

"Oh please," Laxus scoffed, "you fully well know that you're not innocent."

She smirked mischievously and flicked more paint at him. He got an idea and started walking towards her.

"What are you doing?" Emi laughed.

Her demeanor quickly changed when she realized what he was doing.

"Don't you dare."

He just smirked and hugged her tight, covering her in the paint that was on his shirt.

"Laxus Dreyar, stop this instant!"

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"Uh oh. You're punching trees again. That can't be good."

Laxus scoffed and sat down cross-legged, pouting like a little kid. Emi giggled and walked over to him, handing him a glass of water.

"Thanks," he grunted.

"So," Emi joked, "what did that tree ever do to you?"

He grumbled before he looked straight up at her and said, "I need to talk to you."

Emi immediately dropped down to the ground and mirrored his sitting. She smiled and motioned for him to speak.

"Listen, I just want to make something clear...for me."

"You're not gonna lock yourself in your room again, are you?"

"Well yeah. I am."

Emi rolled her eyes and leaned back on her hands.

"Anyway, so what exactly did you wanna 'make clear?'"

"How do you feel about me?"

Emi looked taken back by his question and raised an eyebrow at him.

"I mean, you're great and all, but I just don't think that--"

"Oh thank god," he breathed before leaning back himself.

"Wow Dreyar. That's harsh."

"I just don't want my stupid hormones to dictate anything," he defended. "I didn't wanna lead you on or anything."

Emi started laughing again before she leaned all the way back and laid on the ground.

"Believe me. You're not. We kissed a couple times, but I understand."

She gave a wide grin and jumped up before walking over to Laxus, leaning down and kissing the top of his head.

"What are you--"

"You hit your head earlier, yes?"

It was his turn to lay on his back and groan. She just smiled and laid down beside him. 

"Well at least you know that it stopped, right Sting?"

The dragon slayer stayed quiet and then mumbled a quick "yeah I guess" before Lector flew on his head.

"I knew Lady Emiko never liked him! I knew it right away, yes."

Emi and Sting couldn't help but laugh at the exceed. Emi picked Lector off Sting's head and hugged him tight.

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A/N: Hey y'all, so the memories are coming to an end in the next chapter. Up next: the unknow because I haven't written it yet. Enjoy!