5Author's Notes: I think the cold got to me or something. I figured I'd try a Larxel one shot and see what happens from there. I am tossing in Marluxia as well, but you'll see why. Aside from the fact I can't leave him out of any of my fics.
Disclaimer: Same as always. Don't own Kingdom Hearts, never will. If I did, there would be a heck of a lot more 411. I also don't own the song that I got the title from, which is © Kelly Clarkson.
Warnings: Nothing major really. Only fluff between Axel, Larxene and baby. Second chapter will contain more stuff, but I'll mention it there. And there is also mentioned mpreg.
Started: 12/8/10
Finished: 4/1/11
Because of You
© Buka2000
Axel headed down the long white hall, making sure he didn't wake any of the other members while he held a tiny bundle in his arms. He was pacing back and forth, trying to lull the newest member to sleep. He didn't even really want to bother Larxene, who had more than earned a well deserved rest. Even if it was for a few hours, he knew she needed the sleep more than he did at this time. And he really had no one to consult in these matters, except the one person he never really thought about.
"Alright munchkin." Axel sighed, turning back around before heading toward the stairs that led down to the kitchen and Grey Area. He turned the corner, soon heading down the staircase and taking each step one at a time. "Let's see who is awake at this hour huh?"
As soon as he got to the bottom of the staircase, the redhead headed left toward the kitchen first to see if anyone was up. Then again it was after 3am and even Xaldin never started breakfast this early, but it was a long shot. Perhaps Demyx was up for an early morning snack, giving him a friend to talk to and to keep him company while trying to get his newborn baby to sleep.
"You have to be up at the oddest hours don't you?" Axel spoke quietly, carefully rocking the infant in his arms to try and lull her to sleep. He figured the warmth from his body would be comforting, or he was too hot for a new baby and that would cause her to not sleep. But he was not going to give in until she finally did go to sleep, hopefully permitting him to catch a few hours until they were called for the daily meeting.
The newborn looked up at her father, only seeing a fuzzy figure with bright red fuzz coming from the top of his head. She moved her tiny fingers, making a few soft sounds here and there. She was too young to actually start cooing, but the sounds got the point across. Even at only three weeks old, she knew what got the attention of her parents and her many uncles.
"I don't even know what you're telling me." He frowned, moving to sit down at the apparently empty table. He heard her start to whine, causing him to lower his head in defeat. He thought he heard footsteps and instantly feared that it was Larxene, even though he had wanted her to sleep in today.
"I think she's hungry." Marluxia smiled, walking up to Axel once the younger sat down at the table. He looked over his shoulder, the smile not leaving his face as he saw the three week old infant looking up at him. "I swear it's like Larxene staring at me, only in baby form."
"Scary isn't it?" Axel chuckled softly before looking up at Marluxia. "Did you want to hold her while I get the bottle out of the refrigerator? Larxene told me that's where she kept it anyway." He smiled, carefully handing the newborn over to the rosette.
"A little. But she looks a lot like you too." Marluxia smiled, carefully supporting the newborn's head with his arm as he held her. He heard a soft whine come from the newborn, causing the smile to grow a little wider. "I know baby, you'll get food soon. You'll be alright."
Axel smiled, pulling the bottle out of the refrigerator before he walked back to Marluxia and his daughter. He just had to try and make sure he didn't get the bottle too hot, especially since he was naturally warm due to his element. "I hope I didn't get it too hot for her again. The first time I fed her I didn't control the temperature enough and it got a little too warm."
"You'll figure it out. She's three weeks old now, so you have learned for sure." Marluxia smiled, watching her move her tiny hands. He saw her looking up at him again, but he didn't mind. "I know little one, I should probably give you back to daddy. Or he'll put hot milk on my wrist."
"I wouldn't do that again. It was only one time Mar." Axel chuckled, putting the bottle on the table for a moment. He knew he had to ask Marluxia something else before he went back to Larxene. "Oh, there was something else I wanted to ask you. Aside from you holding her for me."
"If it's to find a name for her, I'm sorry. Larxene told me she'd kill me if I named her after a flower." Marluxia smiled, carefully handing the newborn back to her father. He watched her for a moment before sitting down again; figuring Axel needed some company while the others were apparently still asleep.
"Yeah. She said you wanted to name her Dahlia because you didn't get a girl." Axel smiled, looking down at his daughter. "That and Larxene didn't want her named after your scythe. No, actually it is two questions. One, why are you up this early?"
"I wouldn't name her Graceful Dahlia, only Dahlia after the flower." Marluxia replied, looking up at Axel while he fed his still nameless daughter. "As for why I'm up early, I have no idea. Kirin woke up; I changed him and put him back to bed. Then I guess I couldn't go back to sleep."
"Probably. I didn't see him with you so I figured he's sleeping." Axel spoke, smiling for a moment. He tried to make sure that the baby was getting enough milk and not get air bubbles in the process. "The other is if you could give Larxene and I some advice? Probably when everyone is awake and we can talk in the Grey Area. Saix is being lenient on missions for another week, so we better take advantage of that."
"What advice is that? I don't know that much." Marluxia asked, watching as Axel put the newborn over his shoulder carefully so he could burp her. "You're doing a good job as it is, and it will come naturally to Larxene. Do you know how long it took me with Kirin? Granted Vexen does help, but he said I had to figure some of it out on my own as well."
Axel nodded, putting one hand on Marluxia's shoulder. He did remember how long it took, but he knew that the rose haired male had experience and he didn't. His nameless infant daughter was still very tiny and very new, and there were so many things that he still had to learn about babies. He just thought it would be a good idea to ask someone that had a clue about babies this young and what they do.
"I know. But look on the bright side, two months isn't really that long to get the hang of it." Axel smiled, carefully holding his daughter. "I'm scared to death, and Larxene is scared also. There are a lot of things we aren't ready for."
"It will get easier, maybe not right away but she will sleep more as time goes by. I can tell you're tired." He smiled, looking up at the clock for a moment. "I should get back… but if you need help I'm here. For advice, just take it one day at a time."
"We'll see you tomorrow Mar, maybe introduce her to Kirin." Axel smiled, watching the other head out of the kitchen. "And you and Larxene can exchange stories, but I know you had it harder than she did."
Marluxia chuckled softly, heading out into the hallway before looking back over his shoulder. "I think we will. I just left her alone for the last three weeks since I know it's hard with a newborn, and I know she was exhausted the day after having her." He smiled before finally portaling off to his and Vexen's room.
Axel finally arrived in his and Larxene's room after walking the halls to try and get their daughter to sleep. After finally succeeding he walked into the room, placing the infant down in her crib before pulling the covers over her tiny body. Part of him felt bad for calling her baby girl for the last three weeks, but he also knew what Larxene said about certain names. Maybe he could let Marluxia talk Larxene into naming her after a flower, even if it was a name that wasn't used that often.
"I doubt it…" He sighed to himself, carefully lying down next to Larxene once he had placed the infant down for hopefully the remainder of the night. Many thoughts ran through his mind, but he knew that if he or Larxene didn't name their baby it would be up to Xemnas to do it. And he really didn't want to know what sort of X name their leader would come up with.
"Doubt what?" Larxene asked, opening her eyes halfway as she felt Axel lie down next to her. She knew he had to have been trying to get their daughter to sleep, but it seemed to have taken longer than normal. "Who were you talking to at this hour anyway?"
"You should be asleep." Axel grinned, turning over to face Larxene. "But if you must know, I was talking to Marluxia while I was getting a bottle for our daughter. Then we got to talking about Kirin and how it would be nice for the two to meet."
Larxene nodded, yawning lightly as she put her head back down on the pillow. "I'll introduce her to him tomorrow. But what else did you two talk about? If Marly is trying to name our daughter after a flower, my answer is no. I don't want a baby named Dahlia or something like that."
"Dahlia is exotic though. He wasn't going to name her after his scythe, only the flower." Axel started, pulling the covers over himself before he tried to go back to sleep. "Tomorrow you two can compare birth stories along with introducing the babies to each other; you haven't really talked much about it since she was born. You have been avoiding Mar for some reason."
"I haven't been avoiding him. I've been tired, and I just don't end up downstairs when he's there." Larxene protested, nuzzling into the pillow. "Let me sleep alright? I'll talk to him tomorrow. It's silly that he thought I was upset with him."
"Not so much that, but he was upset that he can't use a flower name for her." Axel smiled a little, moving his arms around Larxene's waist gently before kissing along her neck. "Remember that he kept hoping for a girl? But we know he adores Kirin."
Larxene nodded, mumbling something along the lines of 'I know' as she snuggled closer to Axel. She was glad the red head was able to take care of their daughter so she could get some much needed catch up sleep. She also tried to make a note of trying to talk with Marluxia with Axel present as well so both babies can meet each other, even if Kirin was a few months older.
"We'll talk more in the morning." Axel spoke softly, soon falling asleep after Larxene. He couldn't wait until then, so potential new friends would get to meet each other for the first time. And perhaps they could finally settle on a name for their newborn daughter.
Larxene was the first to enter the dining area, surprised at how vacant it was. Then she started to worry slightly about what the time was and if it was actually closer to lunch time than breakfast, and if she had overslept because of the baby. She knew Axel would sleep in a little longer since he had been up because of her. She really had no idea it was this hard with a baby, even if there was one already in the castle.
"Good morning, XII." Xaldin spoke, looking over his shoulder before he went to clean up the plates from those that had eaten their breakfasts. He was a little surprised to see Larxene up, but it was better than having to send Axel to wake her up for lunch later that day.
"What time is it? I must have missed breakfast." Larxene asked, looking around for the others. She would have thought that Marluxia would have been behind at least with Kirin, or he was in the lab with Vexen again. "Or it's early and I'm just hallucinating that you're cleaning the dishes."
"It's after 10am; we will have lunch at noon sharp. You missed breakfast by two hours." Xaldin replied, turning to face Larxene. He looked in her arms and realized the reason she was late, but he didn't crack a smile. "But I will forgive you since you have a newborn; I was lenient with XI as well. Although Kirin isn't as young as your baby."
"I know, but thank you." Larxene spoke, feeling odd for actually using a polite term. But she had to also try to show a slight hint of respect toward Xaldin, or he wouldn't be as lenient the next time she missed breakfast. "Do you know where Marluxia is?"
"More than likely in the lab with IV. But feel free to check the Grey Area." Xaldin answered before turning back to the dishes, knowing they wouldn't finish themselves in time for lunch. He would be thankful for someone else to take over dish washing and cooking duty every once in awhile.
Larxene nodded, heading out of the kitchen before heading to the Grey Area first. She held her daughter carefully, listening for any tell tale signs of cooing or baby talk from Kirin's parents. Or even the others saying how cute Kirin has gotten, and then how cute her infant daughter has become over the last three weeks. "We'll find them."
"Kirin, come on baby. We know you can do it." Marluxia smiled, sitting on the carpeted floor while watching Kirin lie on his belly with a look of 'I don't think so' on his little face. He thought he saw him try to scoot up on his little knees earlier. "You did it earlier."
Larxene chuckled softly, taking the chair behind Marluxia while watching Kirin look up at her. "Hey cutie, what are you doing? I brought your new friend to meet you." She smiled, watching him give a little gummy smile toward her.
Marluxia turned back, seeing Larxene and her daughter. "Maybe she'll give him incentive to actually try to crawl. But I have a feeling Vexen was pulling my leg, Kirin is giving me the 'Don't be silly' look."
"He'll crawl, give him time. And Kirin is only four months old Mar, unless he's a genius like his daddy I doubt he'll start crawling now " Larxene smiled, watching Kirin smile happily while still on his belly. "Besides, the doctor told me that tummy time is good for babies."
"I know." Marluxia smiled, stretching slightly as he watched Kirin. He smiled as he watched him move his little arms out in front before he pushed himself up a little bit. "There we go little man. That's very good."
Larxene smiled, soon hearing a soft chuckling noise behind her. She turned to see Axel standing behind her chair with a smile on his face and his arms crossed lightly in front of his chest. "I was hoping you'd sleep in since you were up at 3am with our daughter. But knowing you, I bet you'd be fine on three hours of sleep."
"I didn't get any sleep when our daughter was born remember?" Axel smiled, standing beside Larxene as they watched Marluxia with Kirin. He remembered everything, even how dicey it got toward the end. "But you didn't tell Mar how bad it was near the end did you?"
"We didn't get to the sharing part yet, I just got here. And he was trying to coax his four month old son into crawling." She chuckled softly, seeing Marluxia turn toward her and Axel for a moment. "What? You were Mar."
"I know. I just want Vexen to like him for more than one reason." Marluxia replied, moving to pick Kirin up before he stood up carefully so he could face Axel and Larxene properly. "But this is about your baby girl, not a baby who already has a name. And who I'm trying to turn into super baby…"
"Oh you know he loves Kirin. Not because he's a genius' baby or because he has some of his features." Larxene started, touching Kirin's nose gently after she handed her daughter to Axel. "Kirin is adorable, and he is part of both you and Vexen. He is his son, and for that alone he loves him."
"And this turned into you giving me advice instead of the other way around." Marluxia smiled weakly, shifting Kirin in his arms so he was situated by his shoulder. "Sorry, I was here for advice on your daughter. We'll talk about Kirin another day, as well as the stories."
Larxene smiled, putting her hand on Marluxia's shoulder gently while looking at Kirin. "Feel free to talk about him. You know what you're doing; you've been through the newborn part. We haven't even been here until three weeks ago."
"But this is about you. I got carried away again." Marluxia started, looking up at her while supporting Kirin's back with his hand. "I'm supposed to be helping you, not reminiscing about when my own baby was brand new."
Axel chuckled softly, gently moving his hand over Kirin's head earning a surprised noise before getting a gummy smile. "I'll ask you a few questions then so you can stop repeating yourself Mar. We know it's about Larxene and our baby, but we're here to talk to you."
"I know." Marluxia smiled. "What questions do you have for me? I know you said you had a couple early this morning."
"We already know about the feeding part." Larxene smiled, watching her friend. "But how do you know what the different cries mean? Like hungry, need a new diaper, or just a love me cry? Or even if the baby is tired."
"That part is fun too. I freak Xigbar out every time I feed Kirin, trust me it's funny." Marluxia smiled, carefully turning Kirin to sit on his lap as he sat down. "As for what cries are which, you'll figure that out soon. If they start sucking on something, like your cloak or their fingers they are hungry. If the baby rubs his or her eyes, they're tired and they get fussy on top of the eye rubbing."
Larxene nodded, listening to Marluxia while watching Kirin play with her friend's cloak tassels. She couldn't help but smile while watching the four month old, she remembered the day he was born like it was yesterday. And now he was playing with tassels and being as cute as a four month old could be. But the birth of her own daughter was very fresh in her mind, but she figured that she could wait a little bit to tell her story to Marluxia, especially since he wasn't there at the time due to her being at a hospital instead of the castle.
"We have that pretty much figured out then." Larxene replied, soon seeing Axel sit next to her. She smiled a little, looking down at her still nameless daughter before refocusing her attention on Marluxia and Kirin. "There are a few things I do feel bad about Mar, and I wanted to apologize."
"That isn't like you at all." Marluxia smiled, looking over at Larxene. "You never apologize for anything, so why start now? I don't remember you doing anything to me. Now tell me what other questions you have, and we'll worry about the apologies when we get to birth story sharing."
"There are a lot of questions." Axel smiled, chuckling softly as he watched Larxene take Kirin from Marluxia's arms. But then he ended up laughing as he watched Kirin lightly tap her cheek before nuzzling up against her shoulder. "Now that is too cute. But my questions don't really involve why I'm jealous over a four month old baby."
Larxene laughed, rubbing Kirin's back before kissing his forehead. "Oh he's just a cuddle baby. I guess the other question is more of a personal one. Like… how soon can one be intimate after a baby is born?"
"Already thinking about that?" Marluxia smiled, watching Larxene with Kirin. "I expected that from Axel, or Xigbar. I'll answer that one, and then we'll break for lunch and get to story time. It all depends on the person, but I'll tell you what Vexen told me."
"Which was probably something long and scientific." Axel grinned, rubbing his friends shoulder gently. "As for depending on the person, I'm sure you know I want to get right back to it. Nine months is a long time."
"True, but just listen." Marluxia smiled, looking up at Axel for a moment. "Vexen told me six weeks because of the need to heal from the birth, but that is a minimum. If it's any indication we still haven't done anything."
"Wow, so a whole year of no sex? Then again Vexen has those clones…" Axel shuddered, really not wanting to think about what Vexen could possibly be doing with them. He walked to the dining area with Larxene, Marluxia, Kirin and his still unnamed baby girl so they could join the others for lunch.
"You'll be fine. I think he's just scared because of what happened with Kirin." Marluxia spoke softly, walking along with his friends and his own baby. He knew that was part of the reason, but there had to be something else. However this was about his friends, not himself right now. "But we'll get to birth stories after lunch."
Larxene nodded in agreement, smiling as they all went into the dining area. She looked at everyone that was there; glad to be around the rest of the Organization after spending most of her time with Axel and their newborn daughter. She felt bad for calling her baby girl for the last three weeks, but no name seemed to fit right now. Perhaps something would come to her over lunch, or the upcoming discussion with her friend. For now she would just enjoy the company of everyone around her and worry about the name later on.
And a one shot turned into a two shot, but I got carried away with what I wanted to do. It started innocently enough with Axel asking Mar for advice and yeah… we see where I went with that. But I will get the second part up hopefully soon. The second chapter will warrant a warning for good reason.