Comfy-vember Day 1: "Breaking Bad Habits"
Lil Laura AU info here <-
Laura knows her parents hate it when she chews her nails. It is a nervous habit the girl had picked up between dimensions, during her time in the S.H.I.E.L.D. holding facility. Stuck in her cell with nothing to distract her, the six-year-old took matters into her own hands quite literally. Now, whenever she is anxious, she can’t help but fall prey to the tendency, her healing factor causing the nails to regrow almost instantly in a constant allowance. They’ve tried everything they could think of to get her to stop, including breathing exercises to curb her anxiety, and even applying lemon juice in hopes that the sour taste would have an extra effect due to her heightened senses; so far, nothing has worked.
This time, it is homework that sets her off. Staring at the page of math problems, Laura begins to bite at her nails, brow furrowing as she taps her pencil quietly against the kitchen table. She hates math! All she knows is that this page of arithmetic is what stands between her and her ability to train with her Papa in the woods for the evening, and she doesn’t like it. The idea of having to get every question right in order to earn this is overwhelming, the daunting task a daily struggle for the young girl. Looking over his reading glasses at her, Logan adjusts his grip on the evening paper and carefully pulls Laura’s hand away from her mouth with his other hand.
“Kid, we’ve talked about this,” his voice is low, but gentle as he corrects his daughter, “...ya can’t keep chewin’ yer nails like this. I know yer upset about not being able to go outside with Papa right now, but ya have homework ta finish. Do ya need some help?”
Laura pulls away from Logan, averting her gaze as she puts her pencil on the table. Crossing her arms, she presses herself against the back of the kitchen chair, tears threatening as she looks out the back window. At this rate, it would be too dark to get any training in at all…
“Dad, can’t I just go out with Papa for a little bit?”
Logan sighs, setting the paper aside as he stands up. Coming around to Laura’s side of the table, he picks up the discarded pencil and holds it out to her, “No, Laura. I’m sorry, but if this doesn’t get done, then ya can’t train today. Maybe if we work together, we can get this done?”
Laura finally looks up at Logan, hand subconsciously raising to her mouth. Rubbing the back of his neck, Logan pulls a chair up beside Laura, raising his eyebrow as he points at her hand. Laura stops chewing her fingernails for a moment as she realizes what she is doing.
“I’m sorry, Dad…it just happens! I-I can’t help it.”
Tearing up, Laura sniffs, fat tears beginning to roll down her cheeks in frustration. Logan gathers her in his arms, hugging her as she cries. At the sound of tears, Kurt appears at the doorway to the kitchen. Coming over to Logan and Laura, he sighs and gently wraps them both in a hug.
“It is ok, Haschen. Do not cry…”
Logan and Kurt discuss in hushed tones, looking at one another with concern. They know they have to do something, the question being “what”?
“I vill go get Papa. Maybe ve can think of some things together, ja?”
Laura nods at her Vati, looking up from Logan’s tear-stained flannel shirt.
Homework abandoned for the moment, the four of them meet in the living room, sitting in a business-like circle on the floor.
“What about a deal?” Victor leans back on his hands, an easy smile on his face, “Cub doesn’t chew her nails for a week, and we raise her allowance?”
Logan chuckles, shaking his head, “Vic, she doesn’t get an allowance yet. She’s six…”
Vic huffs, raising his eyebrow, “Well, maybe we could fix that!”
Kurt waves his hand, looking at Laura, “Nein, nein… let’s start by asking Laura. Haschen, vhat do you think vould help you?”
Laura perks up slightly, “No math!”
Logan chuckles, looking at Kurt, “Walked right into that one, Elf.”
Kurt sighs, smiling a little, “Nein, Haschen. You still have to do your school vork! I meant, vhat do you think ve could do to help you? Remember, like vhen ve tried ze lemon juice.”
Laura sighs, shrugging. Rubbing her hands on her knees, she looks up at Logan, “...what’s that stuff called?”
Logan raises a questioning brow, “What stuff, Kiddo?”
“It’s like… paint?”
Kurt and Victor look at each other at the same time, eyebrows raised, “Nail polish!”
Logan nods, smiling, “Good idea, Kid. I think we have some floating around here somewhere…”
As Logan applies the final coat of black polish to Laura’s nails, he motions to Victor as he holds his hands out.
“See? Now hold them out like Papa is. It’ll keep the polish from getting smudged.”
Victor and Kurt both hold their hands out, nails painted to match Laura’s. Laura laughs, beaming as Logan puts the lid on the polish, leaning against the coffee table as he reaches to get the homework.
“I’ll write since your nails are wet, but we gotta try this. Ok… what’s 4+24?”
Laura looks thoughtful, leaning against Victor and Kurt as she continues to hold her hands out.
“...28?”
They all smile encouragingly, Victor letting out a small cheer.
Logan nods, scribbling down her answer, “Yep! Ok, this one’s harder. 66 minus 20?”
Laura looks determined, still keeping her hands in front of her, “...46?”
Logan nods again, continuing to ask her questions. As they progress through the entire math sheet, Laura feels at-ease. By the time they’re done the entire thing, Logan chuckles.
“I think yer nails are dry now, Kiddo… and guess what?”
“Hm?” Laura looks up at him, seeming unsure.
“You did it… no more math or chewed fingernails, and you can still go train with Papa.”
Laura blinks, looking at her hands. Sure enough, no chewed nails! Pushing herself to her feet, Laura crosses the room towards Logan.
“Thanks, Dad!” Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugs him and beams.
“Proud of you, Kiddo.” Logan hugs her, patting her on the back, “Now, go train with Papa like you wanted… Vati and I will make supper.”
Laura lets Logan go, racing to hug Kurt and Victor as well.
“I’ll meet you outside, Papa!”
