Chapter Text
“Who’s going to let you?!”
“Who’s going to stop me?!”
X shouted, harshly ex-venting as he did, trying not to acknowledge the hurt in Zero’s eyes. It wasn’t Zero’s fault, not really, but his reasoning on trying to stop X was ridiculous.
The world was a cruel and dangerous place, X knew that, and constant wars had made everyone bitter and angry. They lashed out at Reploids and humans alike, turning against one another as crisis after crisis ravaged the planet.
X’s best friend, whom he thought had died in the bottom of the Eurasia crash site, was home. He couldn’t have been happier, or so he thought. He felt angry that fate had played with him again, grief over all the tears he had cried, begging for his partner to come home, relief that his prayers had somehow been answered and guilt, so much guilt. Why hadn’t he been able to bring Zero home? Why hadn’t he been able to save Zero when he needed him?
The conflicting feelings he had on Zero’s return only magnified the guilt he felt that it had happened at all. Now, with a virus Gate had created targeting Reploids and turning them Maverick, in the form of Zero, what was left of the world's governments had called for X to save them again.
X had a condition this time though, and he was ready to approach Signas with it. After this war, after this fight was over, he would retire from the front lines. No more would he stain his hands with the blood of fellow reploids, no more would he be responsible for his friend’s deaths.
He understood now what Doctor Cain had been talking about when he said he was tired. X felt worn down, beaten, and exhausted. There wasn’t much fight left in him, let alone the mental strength to deal with another war.
But the world needs you, X. We all need you, ever since you were found, we’ve needed you. You can’t give up now, not after so long. Zero’s words echoed in his head, placing even more weight on his back until he couldn’t bear it anymore.
He slid down the wall next to him, letting his hands cup his head. Zero stood on and said nothing, not moving to comfort his partner. X couldn’t blame him though.
So they sat there in X’s room in silence, X’s quiet tears dripping on the floor while Zero stood by, watching his best friend crumble.
X didn't move when he heard Zero slide down next to him to sit on the floor. He said nothing as Zero scooted closer so he was right against X’s side.
Without anything passing between them, Zero reached over and pulled X against his side, his arm hugging the smaller android into his warm body, close enough that X could hear his core thrum underneath his metal armor.
X gasped, hearing his partner, his lover's body so closely like this. Zero was really home, he was really here. He sobbed, unable to hold back all these feelings anymore. X pressed his face into Zero’s chest, his little sniffles and quiet sobs filling the space as Zero pet his hand through X’s black hair.
After a few minutes, X finally quieted down enough to just lean his head against Zero’s chest, listening to his “heartbeat”. Zero finally spoke again.
“You really need to retire?” His voice was soft, as if speaking too loudly would disturb the room itself. X said nothing and nodded.
“Then I support you, X. If this is what you really need, then do it. Signals can’t really stop you, and you’ll always be able to come back if you need to.” Zero threaded his fingers through X’s hair, calming the smaller android as they both shifted a little to get more comfortable.
“I’m old Zero, so are you. We’ve seen so much war and death, so much loss. I can’t...be responsible for it anymore. I can’t be the World’s Keeper anymore.” X’s voice was barely above a whisper, his body pressed firmly into Zero’s side, as if moving would make the Red Ripper disappear.
“Then you won’t be, just be X for a while. I’ll always be here for you.” Zero mumbled, his lips pressing softly into X’s hair.
The two androids sat there like that, pressed into each other as the world fell down around their ears, their only tether to reality being each other's bodies.