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Laura and Vanessa are best friends they have been since they met. Laura adopted her as a maternal figure. While Vanessa took one look at Laura and her fathers before deciding she couldn't let Laura be stuck with that much stupidity under one roof all the time.
They have weekly breakfast dates and gossip. Vanessa gets caught up on Wade and Logan's antics. She adored Wade and Logan she thought they were perfect for one another. While Laura loved hearing about Vanessa's normal day to day life because it was so foreign to her.
Dermot insisted he joined them one morning because he wanted to get to meet Laura. He only knew she was the daughter of Vanessa's ex-fiancé’s new partner. He didn’t know what he expected but it wasn’t what he got. Laura was so bizarre it was fascinating.
He joined them one morning and hadn’t been expecting Laura to flash too sharp teeth as she greeted him. He didn’t expect her to growl under her breath in a way distinctly unhuman when she was displeased or annoyed.
She would even purr in amusement or joy had in fact the moment Vanessa hugged her as they greeted one another. She would also sniff at the air occasionally and tilt her head like she was trying to listen to something.
It was distinctly animal-like.
Dermot hadn't asked he had been to afraid to. What would he even say? ‘Oh, hey we have never met before but why and how are you doing these things?’ When he and Vanessa had left, he had asked her because surely she knew. All Vanessa did was smirk and tell him he'd figure it out. This didn’t help him at all.
He came with them a few other times and while he got used to it, he still didn't understand. Laura appeared human for all intents and purposes and didn’t do anything else extremely out of place, at least that he’d seen.
After breakfast Vanessa said they were going to go shopping. Laura made a face at that, and Vanessa sighed. “I know you're not a fan of it, but I want to get you more stuff because neither of us trusts Wade to shop for anyone and I know you and Logan hate going.”
Laura conceded that point and reluctantly agreed.
Dermot hadn’t signed up for this, but he was here now watching as Vanessa fussed over Laura who didn’t seem to know what to do with the attention. The more confused Laura was with the attention the more sure Dermot was she had never experienced this kind of maternal doting which was honestly heartbreaking. It also raised more questions, but he refused to think of those implications.
Vanessa had to buy some stuff as well and by the end of their trip, he was shocked he wasn’t holding the bags like he usually was. Laura had been tasked with the chore and hadn’t even blinked at what had to have been quite a bit of weight. Dermot had offered to help her, but she had rolled her eyes and insisted she had it.
Laura had ended up buying some stuff and despite her protests that she could afford it Vanessa refused to let her buy it herself. Laura had scoffed at her, “Ness you know good and well I am more than capable of affording this.” Vanessa just raised an eyebrow back at her in challenge and she had deflated with a grumble.
This also doubled as Christmas shopping and that seemed to be the only thing Laura was excited about. According to her, “Papá and Pop are easy to buy for I know what they like.” Which was fair and Dermot couldn’t argue. Vanessa and she had shot ideas back and forth on where to go next.
Tobacco and Liquor store or a gun and blades store were the contenders. An antique shop was also brought up on account of having cool stuff and being a ‘perfect chance for a joke’. Dermot was lost but would go with them wherever.
They went to the Tobacco and Liquor store first because it was the closest. Laura had pointed out an expensive whisky and some good cigars, she also grabbed some rum that got her a weird look from Vanessa. Laura had explained it was ‘for Althea’ Vanessa had shrugged and bought it all. Laura promised she’d pay her back on account of being too young to buy it and Vanessa had just waved her off.
The next stop was the antique shop, and they spent a while there going back and forth on what to buy. Laura had been eyeing a carved antler necklace with interest and Vanessa a few blank sets of dog tags and an old-looking coin. They ended up buying their items, Vanessa hiding one of the sets of dog tags from Laura before they were on to their next stop.
The gun and blades store caused the most drama surprisingly. Laura had been indecisive because according to her, “None of these blades are as good as what Pop already has.” Vanessa seemed to agree as she looked them over. They decided guns were the way to go. They looked at a few promising ones but also decided it wasn’t what they were looking for. Laura’s eyes lit up suddenly.
“Do you know what he would love?” She asked and Vanessa shook her head and gestured for Laura to continue, “Dragon’s breath.” Laura answered with a smile. Dermot was officially lost but Vanessa’s eyes lit up.
“Holy shit you’re so right but that’s illegal here.” Vanessa answered before pausing and locking eyes with Laura once more. Without another word, Vanessa grabbed Dermot’s arm, and they were out the door as Laura followed with a too-sharp smile. He suddenly felt like he was about to see and experience something he really didn’t want to.
“Sister Margrets?” Vanessa asked and Laura nodded as she started walking and soon enough, they were being led through a bad part of the city. Dermot didn’t like this at all, and he hated it even more when Laura stopped at a graffitied door. She turned to him and told him, “Don’t talk to anyone or stare.” Vanessa grabbed his hand and gave him a meaningful look.
They stepped inside and the smell of alcohol and stale blood permeated the air. Inside men and women were sharpening knives and cleaning guns all while drinking and chatting loudly. They all turned as They entered but only had eyes for Laura.
Many watched her warily, others sneered at her some even backed up and went to a further corner. Laura didn’t even glance at them as she made her way to the bar. Behind it was a squirrely looking man with glasses. He looked up and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Laura didn’t expect to see you today.” Then he looked past her to him and Vanessa, “Vanessa long time no see.” He greeted her. Vanessa smiled at him, “Hi Weasel it has been a while huh?” Dermot adamantly didn’t want to be here.
“Do you have Dragon’s breath?” Laura asked him and he looked back to her. “Why do you want some? You and your father aren’t keen on guns…also you don’t need them.” He paused for a moment, “Oh shit you want to get Wade some.” He said as he realized, and his eyes lit up.
Dermot looked above the bar and saw ‘SISTER MARGRET’S DEAD POOL’ at the top of the bored was Deadpool and suddenly he was desperate to be anywhere else. Weasel disappeared behind a door behind him and came out moments later with an armful of boxes.
“For the sheer chaos and pandemonium this will cause I’ll give you a discount.” Weasel told her and she just smiled and paid before trying to herd them back out the door. They were stopped however by a man stepping forward and pointing a knife at Laura. Dermot went to step in front of her, but Vanessa held him back and hissed at him, “Don’t she’s more than fine.”
“You need to stop causing issues here girl you keep taking the good jobs.” He growled at her. Laura just raised an eyebrow at him, “Sorry you suck but that’s not my issue, now if you’ll excuse me.” She tried to scoot past him, but he put the knife to her neck. Laura rolled her eyes.
“Are you stupid?” She asked him genuinely and he just scowled at her. Suddenly there was a snikt and the man froze. “Fuck off or you lose them.” She growled voice warbling. The man jumped away face ghostly pale and Dermot looked down and saw claws extending from her knuckles.
“Weasel change my bet to this shithead and put another 4k on it.” She requested and Weasel just chuckled and said he would. With that another snikt sounded and the claws disappeared before she was back to pushing them out the door.
Dermot was speechless and didn’t know what to do, to say, or to even think as they made their way back to where they had stashed the bags from shopping at Vanessa and his apartment. “I’m sorry about that.” Laura apologized and Vanessa waved her off, “I’m used to it do you know how many people there put a knife to my neck to get to Wade? Honey, I made thousands.”
Dermot was learning new things today he hadn’t expected and hadn’t wanted to know. Laura thanked them for taking her out today and promised to see them on Christmas before leaving. He just continued to stare blankly before looking back to Vanessa, “Are you going to explain any of that to me?” He asked warily and Vanessa just shrugged.
Dermot saw the dog tags again when she got them engraved, Logan Howlett Willson’, Laura Kinny Howlett Willson’, and ‘Wade Wilson Howlett’. She put each in small presents with the old coin at the bottom of the one for Logan. He felt like he should know these names because they rang a distant bell, but for his life, he couldn’t place them. It didn’t matter because as hesitant as he was today would be the day he met the infamous couple.
They walked to another sketchy part of the city that he was hesitant about, but Vanessa hadn’t even blinked as she turned to head into an apartment complex. After that, it didn’t take any time for them to be knocking on a door. It was opened by Laura who smiled widely and hugged Vanessa and waved them in. Inside there was an older woman sitting at a chair and another man in the doorway to what must have been the kitchen.
The man was unmistakably Laura’s father they looked nearly identical. Dermot watched as he sniffed at the air before his eyes lit up and he turned. “Vanessa.” He greeted happily his voice warbling the same way Laura’s did. Saying her name seemed to cause chaos because suddenly everyone was trying to greet her. The older woman in the chair had smiled and called to her, “Finally someone with some sense in here.”
Laura smirked before another head poked around the doorway to the kitchen. It was a man who was just…scar tissue? It was gnarly and Dermot controlled his reaction but Jesus. “NESSA!” He cried and Vanessa smiled widely and met him in a hug and damn was he big. The guy was at least 6’3” and built like a damn tank. “Hey, Wade.” She greeted him and oh...this was Wade.
Once Vanessa was freed from him Logan gave her a side hug, “How has it been going?” he asked before stepping away and eyeing up Dermot. “Work’s been hell but what can you do?” She lamented and Logan nodded along sympathetically. Wade makes a noise and Vanessa glares at him, “Wade I won’t let you pay for my living.” Dermot looks over to Wade who is pouting, “But Ness it wouldn’t be difficult you know I could.”
Vanessa just crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. Wade shrunk in on himself and looked properly chastised. If there was one thing Dermot had learned in the short time he had known her, it was that she was a force of nature. Suddenly there was frantic knocking and Laura perked up and hurried to the door grinning. In stormed a man with a long brown coat and brown hair. He ignored everyone and b-lined to the kitchen. Laura was just grinning as she trailed after him, Wade squawked and tried to follow, “Remy no I was doing fine on my own I was!” He protested.
Wade had a wooden spoon smack him in the head as a warning as the man threatened him, “This isn’t cooking this is a disgrace to cooking!” He had a thick Cajun accent and Dermot had to fight back his smile. Suddenly there was another man walking through the still open door. He wore all black and had tattoos crawling up his neck. Logan smiled at him, “Blade.” He greeted. the other man nodded at him as he walked in and closed the door.
“The fledgling giving you issues?” Logan asked sympathetically and Blade just sighed, “I think you know the answer to that.” Blade grumbled and Logan snorted. Logan finally turned to him and offered out a hand, “Sorry to ignore you but as you see this is the usual chaos. Name’s Logan and I’m that maniac’s fiancé.” Logan gestured to Wade who was being run out of the kitchen. Dermot just nodded and shook his hand. “It’s fine I get it. I’m Dermot Vanessa’s new boyfriend.”
Wade popped up next to Logan and smiled widely, “It’s nice to finally meet you.” He chirped as he took Dermot’s hand next and shook it vigorously. Blade nodded at him and the woman in the chair just grumbled. Wade was undeterred as he continued, “Names Wade and that’s Blind Al.” He gestured to the woman. Logan sighed and amended, “Althea.” Dermot just nodded along.
“Remy is the BASTARD that kicked me out of the kitchen!” Wade directed his insult to the man in question who just cursed back at him in…was that French? “And tall dark and pointy over there is Blade.” He finished pointing at the man in all black who was chatting with Vanessa. Logan continued, “There are a lot more people on the way, so I’d get a seat before you get stuck standing Vanessa came this early for a reason, she’s a smart woman.”
Dermot took the advice to heart and grabbed a seat for him and Vanessa.
True to Logan’s words, it didn’t take long before the place was packed. There were so many people who didn’t seem to fit together but surprisingly they all seemed to act like a family. It was when a man who was part cyborg entered that Dermot realized that Laura wasn’t the only one who was different. Remy had red eyes that he had missed the first time and seemed to defend his kitchen with glowing purple playing cards that made the other scurry away. Blade had sharper fangs than even Laura and Logan and had hissed at Wade when he had got on his nerves.
Electra had sharp eyes and a threatening demeanor that raised his hackles. Domino seemed to always get her way despite what others did and things just seemed to go a touch too well for her. Small things like that, but there were others, Peter and Dopinder, who seemed to be as normal as they came. Then there were Elie and Yukio who had come in with a FUCKING X-man. Colossus who seemed to be treated no differently than the others.
Dermot was at a loss and Vanessa had just smiled at him and it hit him that this was normal for her that she was at ground zero for all of this. Before him she had been with Wade, Wade, who had built this little ragtag group as he came to learn. Wade who had taken in strays and despite his…oddities had such a charm to him that these people couldn’t escape him. Wade, who had grown apart from Vanessa in a romantic way but never in a familiar one and always kept her close like a best friend.
Hell, Dermot would argue they were soul mates with the way they bounced off each other perfectly. He had expected to feel jealous, but he hadn’t, couldn’t even because they just seemed so happy with one another nearby. He looked at Logan who was just smiling as well as he watched the two. He just shook his head fondly as they bickered back and forth before trying to rally others to their side.
This Dermot thought was what family was supposed to be.
When someone asked how the jobs were going now that he had Logan Wade had just sighed, “Better than ever the pay is higher because you get two of us, but no one seems to mind. Alone I’m good, hell great even.” Logan made a noise of protest but was ignored, “But together? Were unstoppable.” Wade grinned widely as he threw an arm around the other man.
“Do you know how much upset this caused in the underground? No, you don’t because it’s not something you can explain you can only witness it.” Cable said with a roll of his eyes. Domino beside him nodded along, “Half the underground threw their hands up and just quit and went home.” She explained and Wade just beamed while Logan smirked happily.
Weasel spoke up from where he was, he had snuck in earlier and had been hanging out with Dopinder. “Well, what do you expect when a rural legend pops up alive again and the boogieman shows back up after a hiatus with said legend? You two are both infamous and when word got out you were working together? People don’t want to fuck with that.” He pointed out.
Wade had just rolled his eyes. “I didn’t think they were all going to pussy out like that. Shit went dead still for three days it was so bad the above-ground knew something had happened. It was honestly hysterical but the fucks who left were the smart ones. Those who stayed when they shouldn’t have?” Wade chuckled darkly. “Deadpool came back with a bang that’s for sure. I don’t fuck with those types, and they got far too comfortable in my absence.”
Dermot should be much more alarmed by this revelation than he is. He, however, had begun expecting something similar to all he had seen today and when he and Vanessa had been with Laura a few days ago. He was sure he would freak out later but for now, he would just go with whatever this was.
Gifts were exchanged after an amazing meal that Wade was insisting he could have made while Remy got all the compliments. Laura’s gifts were received with wide smiles and hugs as she all but preened. Logan had seemed touched by the necklace in particular.
However, when Wade opened his all hell broke loose. “NO FUCKING WAY?!” He shouted his eyes all but sparkling. He held one pack out to stare at it lovingly before he started giggling maniacally. Most of the others shared wide horrified looks as they saw exactly what he got.
“Laura.” Wade said to her seriously, “You are my favorite person in the world.” Laura just grinned.
When Vanessa gave them their three small gifts and told them to open them together, they had seemed hesitant but did as they were told. Wade had just stared at his rendered speechless for the first time that night as he looked at Vanessa with teary eyes. Laura had a similar reaction; she held the tags in her hand and shook slightly. She grinned widely and blinked away tears.
Logan, however, seemed the most touched as he blinked surprised at them before looking at Vanessa with big eyes. “Nessa this is...” He trailed off as he blinked hard. Vanessa just smiled and shrugged. “You guys needed some updated ones.” She said flippantly before she suddenly had an arm full of Laura which was quickly followed by the other two. Vanessa just smiled at them and Dermot felt like he might have missed something.
“Hold on Logan there is still something else in there for you.” She scolded him and he blinked before picking out the old coin with a furrowed brow. “What?” he asked confused. Vanessa just smirked before answering, “Found something nearly as old as you.” She said with a shrug. Logan blinked into the distance and just sighed deeply while everyone else just laughed.
Later that night there was pandemonium being reported on the news as ‘Deadpool was spotted with incendiary rounds in an abandoned warehouse’. Vanessa had just laughed, and Dermot wondered if they had awoken a monster.