Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Axl decided to walk around the base having found an old camera. It fascinated him as it wasn't necessarily needed as his own body was capable of recording and storing data as memory.

“ Another day at the Headquarters while everything is as usual “

Axl spotted Zero at the end of the hallway seemingly reading a report.With his new found camera in hand Axl approached him

“Oh look it's grumpy cat elite maverick hunter Zero , so Zero what are your plans today?”

“ i'm not a cat! and Axl i'm kinda busy i hope thats not another one of your pranks “

“Aw come on, you can trust me. Look ! I found this during a previous mission: it records things. I think it's a good thing to preserve memories like this. It's like a time capsule!”

“Don’t we have processors for that? it's called memory quit messing around”

“Yes dad. “ Axl rolls his eyes with a smile and goes ahead and goes to X’s room.

“Hey X look what I got isn't it cool!”

X turns around from his desk and looks up at him.

“Hm? Ah, is that a camera?”

“Yeah! I found it during a previous mission. It’s going to be my time capsule for the future.That way we look back at it to our future selves. “

“ I think that's a great idea Axl.Actually it’s really sweet of you.”

“Hehe of course ! I want you and Zero to join in on the fun too.

“Oh? Well what did he think about it?

“As grouchy as always he didn't get it.”

“Try not to let it get to you, Axl “

“Of course I know deep deep down he’s super curious”

Axl turns on the camera again and points it at X.

“This is X one of the two greatest maverick hunters, he's working really hard for the future for everyone! “

“Say X got any words for your future self?”Axl moves his hand as if he's holding a microphone.

X pauses for a moment before opening his mouth.

“For everyone to be happy, and…no one having to suffer anymore. I hope that I was able to do it.A future beside everyone..”

“I’m sure you can do it with all of us!”

X looked at Axl and felt reassured in that moment. He thanked him and continued working as Axl left humming to himself still holding onto his camera.He waited till after he finished his assignments to once again make some memories.

__________________________________

“I decided to call this the Axl log ! a nice composite of memories to look at in the future when we aren't so busy. “

Axl looks down at the camera with a downcast expression.

“Still, I hope a world like this won't be so bad in the future.”

“No time to get so down though it’s exploration time!”

Axl decides to head to HQ lounge area talking into his camera waving at other androids. He noticed that Zero and X were sitting close to each other.

He turns the camera toward himself again and smirks, whispering.

“It's your local Maverick hunter Axl here! What you didn't know was that I double as a matchmaker agent.”

“ and of course our latest victims of the day are the most elite top ranked Maverick hunters X and Zero. You see these guys have known each other a LONG time and as much as they deny it these two are totally into each other.”

“They are best friends, the closest duo! Although sometimes I wonder if they will ever not be weird about it and just tell each other.”

Axl looks on from afar. X and Zero seem to be having a conversation and despite that they seem to be occasionally glancing at each other briefly. And when they make eye contact it doesn't leave for a while until Zero breaks it and smiles looking away touching the back of his head.And X is smiling almost trying to hide it resting his hand on his cheek. Whatever they seem to be talking about it's probably the duo complimenting each other's battle tactics again.

“ Soon I’ll be a top ranked hunter just like them” Axl thought as pumped up a fist in determination.

He heads over to the table and scoots in between the two.Putting the camera down briefly.

“So what were you two talking about?”

“None of your business Axl ,” Zero rests his head on his chin unamused.

“Aww come on ~ you two are supposed to teach me stuff, how else are we gonna become an all powerful trio for the future.”

“Fine, I think you're capable Axl ,but we were just talking about the usual”

“Ah, you still got that camera huh? It's pretty old. I'm surprised it survived this long.”

“It's impressive right? It's kinda like my time capsule now I call it the Axl log!”

“You know memories are one thing but being able to share it this way is an entirely different feeling.In the case of our memories being corrupted from unforeseen circumstances I think it's a good idea. A nice note to our future selves.

X smiles at Axl patting him on the head.

“X, come on don’t treat me like a kid!”

“Stop acting like one” zero chimed in.

“Says the grouchy old man himself”

“I don’t know Zero, I think he’s right you do treat him like he’s your son”

“If anything he takes after you.You are too soft on him X”

“Guess that makes me the both of you my parents”

X is silent for a moment as his cheeks burn red.Zero looks off in the other direction a pink tint across his face. Suddenly Zero and X aren't even looking at each other anymore lost in their own thoughts.oh my god they need help.Axl with a smug grin finally decides it's time for the two to have some actual fun.But knowing the two of them it's going to take come work for them not to default talks outside of work as hanging out.

“You know, we should do something fun for all three of us.”

“ aren't we having that now ?”

“ no way Zero this is what we always do”

“ hmm he's got a point I can't tell the last time we had a proper break”
X looks off pondering.

“ even though I practically have to drag you to take one” Zero tapped X’s shoulder.

“It’s not my fault I cant help it haha.”

“Ok what should we do then” X folded his arms and looked at Axl.

“Leave it all to the great Axl! “

“Somehow that makes me worried”

“Haha now you sound like X”

“Just leave it to me and I'll send you two everything. It will be more fun as a surprise!

Axl ran off leaving the two confused as to what the young hunter was thinking.

__________________

The original plan was to meet up together at a designated area in the city as Axl would find an excuse not to be around. But the mission turned for the worst as it became a sudden maverick attack and rescue mission. Resulting in Axl getting caught up in it. With Axl taking most of the injuries, the trio head back to the base.

“So much for a good time, I wanted you guys to have fun and you ended up saving me again .”

Zero holds Axl ’s arm while X takes Axl ’s other side for support.

“We are just glad you are safe Axl ”

“Right, we could always do something again another time. X nodded in reassurance .

“Still, I'm sorry for ruining the fun, I just wanted to make some memories for you two for the time capsule”

X and Zero briefly look at each other and then at X the two of them give a warm smile. X leans in toward Axl giving a hug. While Zero wraps his arm around the two of them and nudges his hand on Axl’s helmet.

“We had fun in our own way we already make precious memories with you axl”

“ and we wouldn't have it any other way “

“You guys…” Axl looks softly at the duo never wanting the day to end. But in his heart he knew that

“If that's the case let's make one last one for the day!.”
Axl takes out his trusty camera.

“This is Axl log with my bestest friends and parents X and Zero ! I hope in the future we have more moments like this!”

“ Axl !” X and Zero say in unison.

Chapter Text

Axl was laying down in X’s room kicking his legs over the couch. He was messing with his camera seeing if he could make some modifications. After all it meant alot to him as he waited for X to come back. If there was anyone that appreciated his craft with him it was X. He was out on a mission with Zero and it had been a while since they had come back. Which had made Axl worried admittedly. But this was the two strongest maverick hunters he was talking about.

Suddenly he heard voices and it sounded like Alia and a couple of other people. More importantly it was Zero having a few choice words.

“ Just take him to medbay ,I’ll be fine , “

“Zero wait, you also should be going !And what happened back there?”

“I dunno ask X he seems to be the one with bright ideas.”

Axl heard a faint sigh from Alia as it seemed that Zero had left.X and Zero were usually the type to have fights not last very long and instead trust each other. But something about this was different.

“I guess its time for the Axl log to do a thorough investigation”

Axl grabbed his camera and left X’s room discreetly. He met Alia alone in the hallway and looked around. The other members had dispersed already.

“Alia what happened?”

“ I wish I knew , we had dispatched X and Zero for a dangerous mission; they had both gone separate ways . Communication was cut short and then they came back a mess, Zero wouldn't go to Medbay and X was handed off already.”

“Maybe something serious happened ?”

“Well you are the closest to the two of them could you convince Zero to go at least and ask them to report later?”

“I'm on it. The axl log can be counted on!!”

Alia sighed with a smile and headed off.

“Great i'm glad I could count on you Axl”

Axl went off with the camera to confront Zero. Now was time to decide what level of upset he was at to surprise him. Usually when axl would confront Zero he would try to gauge what level of upset he was.Most times he would roll with it but now was a time it was really important.

Axl knocked on Zero’s door and called out to him.

“Zero, it's me axl!! Can we talk?!”

“ if it's something to do with the mission I don’t wanna talk about it”

Axl huffed. Seriously, what was with him? He was usually grumpy but not like that.

“Well actually I was given a task to send you to medbay”

“I’ll go later, I don't need it right now.”

“Okaaaaaay don't you think that your being a little unreasonable”

Silence. Well it must be something really serious then.

“Alright i’ll come back later i'm gonna go check on X”

Axl left and ventured to the Med bay. He was used to seeing other reploids getting repairs after getting caught in dangerous missions. It didn't make it easier when he also remembered fellow hunters becoming obsolete. He shook his head at the memory. He didn't want to think of losing anyone else in his life.

He saw X being fixed up and hunched over. His armor was completely shattered leaving cracks and crevices all over his abdomen. From his face there left a gash vertically between his eyes and nose. Seeing the inner circuits and wiring and electric currents chasing in between them filled Axl with unease.One of his eyes was fairly damaged and cracked alongside his face. It was worse than Axl thought.

“Well X you had a close call out there. What had happened ? you're not the type to go against orders like that.”

X was silent but alert his other eye scanning the area. He didn't notice Axl at first but blinked when he did. An expression on his face that Axl couldn't read as he looked at him. He was smiling yet it didn't feel like an actual smile.It was the smile that would retain him into a shoulder rest from Zero. But Zero wasn't here.

“Oh Axl , what are you doing here ?”

“ I came to check on you of course,but um…are you gonna be….ok?”

“Yeah, just a little fix up is all…I'm just glad there aren't any casualties.”

“Well we are looking at one “

“X for the sake of everyone please don’t rush into things it isn't like you.Are you sure you are feeling ok? Did something happen back there?”

“Yeah, never better, I just need some rest now is all I …am too tired right now.”

X shifts his body huddling his knees as he lets the operative mend to his fairly severe wounds. Now X was the one that didn't want to talk about it either. Just what went on ? Axl had only heard from X that at certain occasions that Zero would sometimes change. In a drastic fashion that would only be described as seeing a ghost in living flesh. It was Zero yet it wasn't. It was something that X had told him out of trust in case something like that would happen.As Zero would recall none of it.

Was it that ? it was possible as the wounds compared from Zero to X were..wait actually he hadn't seen Zero yet.If X’s wounds were that severe then what about Zero? And if he had fought Zero then surely it couldn't have gotten that bad could it have ?Even so it would have left Zero in an amnesiatic state. And he seems fully aware of the situation.

“Guess it's time for detective Axl to be on the case!” He rushed out of the room and went on his own. It was time to devise a plan.

________________________________________________________________________

Axl had started gathering information over the course of the next few days.Asking questions about the previous mission. X and Zero seemed to have not been talking to each other for a while. If the other was injured usually they would be the one to visit each other.But there was no such thing. When X had finally been released to roam free he had decided to sneak into his room like he always did. Which was by simply walking in disguised as someone he knew. X had been unusually fine after the incident and yet he seemed to be taking on more work than usual. And it was already a lot.He was given leave for a while after the mission had narrowly escaped disaster.

“Axl , I know it's you. What;s up?”
“You didn't even look this time ! agh caught again, do you have secret eyes behind your head or something ?”

“No, you just always do this. Plus I already got an earful from everyone else. “

X wasnt looking at Axl and just focused on his work.

“ That's…a lot of work huh?”

“Yeah…”

I guess he genuinely felt bad about the incident.

“Oh hey do you wanna see this cool modification on the camera ive been doing ?”

“Now Axl I'm busy.”

“Come on just a little break the longer you work the more you'll short circuit and run yourself to death.Pleaseeeeee”

X sighs, turning around and looks at Axl. His eye still had some scarring along with the rest of the areas of his body that were damaged.

“ Well see here I changed and modified the processor to run and collect even faster and larger data than before. I combined some parts here and there but also made it accessible to print out pictures.See?”

Axl prints out a picture of the three of them that was after a previous mission together. They were all smiling with Axl in the middle having his arms around the both of them. X hunched over and smiled looking at Zero. While Zero has a faint smile across his face, he's not exactly happy with Axl pulling in the picture but has a fond expression toward X. Axl hands the photo out to him.

“ It has all the modern modifications as well as displaying them similarly to current technology!.”

X was heavily focused on the picture in front of him.As if the color started to drain from his face he bit his lip and looked away from it. He looked practically spaced out.

“ X? Hey? You ok ?

X briefly shakes his head and looks down.

“You keep it Axl, it's a part of your precious memories isn't it ?”

Axl gets closer to x and leans forward moving the picture away.

“It's precious to all of us isn't it? After all, I still have this camera right?”

X looks up at him and gives him a faint smile but it quickly fades away as he sighs.

“Axl, do you mind if you come back later…I …will try to explain what happened ok?”

Axl feeling taken aback a bit looks at X briefly and smiles.

“Alright you got it !.”

Axl waves at X as he turns back around at his desk going back to focus on his work.

Axl turns his camera around and points it at himself.

“Mission 1 done and completed ! now to bug Zero. The ultimate hard boss level of all time.”

Looking around for him was not an easy feat as he wasn't in his room and if he wasn't in his room it meant he was in the training area. And that also meant that he was in super focus mode. Meaning any interruption would mean serious business.

Luckily for Axl he was right. Zero was in the training simulation. He could already feel the amount of times he would confront him during training only for him to unleash his wrath afterwards, having X be his safeguard. But X wasn't with him this time.He had to be careful.

As he watched from the nearby window. He noticed that Zero’s body did in fact have small left over wounds but they truly were barely visible. Either his self repair really pulled through for him or he really went to Med bay at some point. Typical zero.

Watching zero was always something Axel admired; after all he was one of the strongest maverick hunters on base. His agility and precision with his Z-saber was always incredible to watch as if he was the weapon itself. The only part that he did lack in was control of power and precision when it came to his z-buster.That was usually where X would come in his wasn't as strong but head perfect precision and adaptability that Zero lacked. So when the situation called for it they needed each other.

Zero had completely missed the mark for the simulation. 72% probably one of his lowest scores yet. Seeing the visible frustration in his face as he would replay the simulation over and over until he was satisfied. He was probably at this for hours.

Axl decided to head down to the simulation door and confront Zero. Deep down hoping he wasn't in too bad of a mood. In that instant Zero turned around and stared at Axl.
“Axl I already went to Med bay. What is it? If they are already dispatching me on a mission tell them I'm ok with going alone.”

“Actually I wanted to talk to you.”

“Huh? If it's about the mission I already told you that-”

“Actually I wanted to show you my new modifications to my camera!”

“Later, im busy right now”

“Sheesh you are colder than ever does grandpa need to cool down?”

“What did you say?!”

It was at that moment that Axl really wished that X was with him. He knew Zero well enough to know some aspects of his emotions. But the rest were usually sealed together with X. X was the natural Zero reader and vice versa. Now Axl was on a mission to lure the beast into the trap. Even if it meant a less than desirable outcome.

“Come on Zero I call you this stuff all the time ~ you should be used to it by now!”

“No You usually call me dad ….or something “

Zero’s gaze looks away with a hand on his hip.

“Ohoho do you miss it that much? I can't wait to tell X!”

“Shut it axl…you don't need to tell him anything!”

His brief change in tone had surprised Axl and even Zero for a moment. Something about him was different, his face looked defeated, his hand clenched in his free hand and withdrawn saber in the other. He looked almost sad? Like a lost puppy. Axl had never seen Zero like this before, not ever. It was as if his eyes were searching for something familiar.

“You miss him right?”

“No ….I just …don't want to talk about him right now.”

“But zero-”

“Please …”

Zero looked at Axl with a serious expression.

“Alright…..fine I won't bring him up but what's gonna happen if you two go out on a mission together again.If this keeps up you both will be like sitting ducks out there then what?”

“ we won't …we worked fine before we met,and we will be fine now.”

Zero turned away. The words coming from his mouth obviously hurt him but he couldn't help but acknowledge Axl’s judgment. He was right in a way. Zero started off in the distance for a moment and closed his eyes. He opened them to look at Axl with his arms folded.

“Alright fine, how about this then, I’ll tell you everything later. “

“Hmm well alright glad we have an agreement ! you can count on me !”

Axl knew that he was going to be one busy reploid for the next few hours. But he knew it was all worth it for the sake of his best friends.

“Missions 2 has been a success”

___________________________________________________________________________

Later that evening somehow he was able to meet up with both x and zero separately.Luckily he had made up the perfect excuse of catching up on assignments. In which later on he would actually have to do. That's why It was more important to do this. He had first met up with X.He was alone in his room, the moonlight dimly lighting the room, he was sitting in the corner of the room at his desk in the dark looking outside. His various plants that meant the world to him at the very most were seemingly healthy but Axl worried a bit due to the soil already being so dry. X wasn't the type to leave them unattended; he must've been neglecting them due to the overwork load.

“Private investigator Axl at your service ! “

X turns around and tries to smile at Axl. It was a good attempt to make him laugh. His expression turned solemn as he spoke.

“ so….about the last mission. It all started when they were dispatched to prevent a couple of maverick gangs from terrorizing the city. Their original plan was to wreck as much havoc as possible having no regard for even each other as long as they had achieved their goal. Originally we had thought they were infected with the virus but…it didn't seem that way it's hard to tell anymore. “
Axl watched as X further explained the situation. That much was true. Ever since the maverick virus had been spreading the amount of mavericks had doubled rapidly. It couldn't be easily distinguished, and because of that the decision to retire or keep them under surveillance was becoming life and death.

“I had known that this wasn’t like any other mission. We, Zero and I, had decided to split up and focus on rerouting them. It was an area that was between an amusement park and a power plant. I was in charge of guiding the humans out while Zero was in charge of distracting them. I was just about done on my end guiding everyone out when Zero notified me one of the mavericks had a hostage. It wasn't good. It was a human child. Little did we know that they had also planted a variety of bombs within range of the entire area. Meaning where I stood I had merely a few minutes to find and disable them and Zero had to take on the others. “

X quickly goes quiet as he tries to remember the events.His hands were trembling as he looked down. Axl placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. He knew things would always get rough like this and X and Zero were usually the ones to comfort him. Now it was him returning the favor. X continued.

“ Zero told me that the mavericks were getting really rough. Each one had their own mechanic of fighting style.He was used to taking on multiple enemies at once but these guys had fast repair systems. The group had said they had placed it on the child too. He wanted me to forget the bombs and focus on escaping with the kid instead. As all this was going on we merely had seconds as I had heard some already go off. There really was no time”

“Zero told me to trust him. And I did…I really wanted to. Alia had already signaled me to get out of there. But instead I knew that I couldn't. I couldn't just leave him there.I heard the mavericks talking about holding him hostage too.He sounded like he was in trouble.I told him I'd be there but we started arguing. And I couldn't just let him and the child die. That's where I was wrong…because It turned out to be a trap. And by the time I got there and tried to save both of them. “

“I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it. The last thing I remember was a bang and when I woke up I heard Zero’s voice fading in and out.”

X looked away again out the window rested his head on his arms with knees huddled.

“I just …didn't want anyone hurt.. If I kept adding to the list of those faces I couldn't save, and if zero was one of them… “

“I get it …so ….in other words you wanted to protect everyone. But in place of that you nearly got yourself killed. And when it came down to protecting Zero you couldn't help yourself?”

“Yeah basically, I just didn't want to not do anything when …I want Zero to rely on me too. “
Axl folded his arms in a similar fashion to how Zero usually would.

“Well I can't say you did the right thing but…you both can be rash, but sometimes when you two act on your own miracles tend to happen. Zero has always been the one to save you right ? so I think you should tell him how you feel.”

“Axl not this again I already told you, that its-”

“nope ,sorry X you need to confront this with him of course after you guys talk this out. It’s going to start affecting your missions…well more so its already doing it. “

X hesitated but nodded his head. He knew he let his emotions take over the mission. It was something that was a bad habit of his but this time it was different.

“Your right axl ... .but…he’s not going to want to see me.”

“Nah if anything he misses you desperately he just doesn't want to admit it.”

“Could you tell him that I am willing to talk to him ? “

“Huh ? yeah sure of course !”

Unfortunately for Axl this was the start of things becoming difficult for him.He was already used to purposefully being the wingman for pushing the two together. But this? This was just ridiculous. Yet he was willing to risk it for the two people he cared about. Or so he thought.

Afterwards he went to visit Zero who was resting against his charge pod. His room was fairly the same other than for the fact the electric guitar that was gifted to him by X seemed to have been in use lately on the ground.The stereo that was also had looked like it had Wires scattered everywhere , weapons displayed in the corner, and the one picture of X after he had passed his advanced rank ceremony was turned around.

“Alright let's get straight to the point”

“You’re not “

Axl giggled at his own joke as Zero just shot daggers at him with his eyes.

“Axl be serious “

“Don't worry I am I am! So what happened ?”

Zero sighed and looked at Axl. He looked quite tired.As much a Zero didn't like to admit it his nightmares were frequent and exhaustive. As if by his very instinct the person that would make him feel recharged would be X.

“ Well, we're closing in on a maverick gang.. I cornered them while X took care of the civilians. Things were seemingly ok but…”

Zero’s face twisted with anger.

“ Those mavericks were no joke and held a human kid hostage and placed bombs all around the area. It was a tough fight with so many at once but then X said he would come and help. I told him not to and that it would mess things up.We started arguing.He wouldnt take that I told him to stay on course of the mission. He came and one of the mavericks snuck up behind him and he was knocked out. The rest grabbed me,and held me back. It turned out that the child wasn't a child and was a part of the plan to place an explosive on him and I had to disarm it. l unfortunately I didn't get there in time. I was going to overload my systems but knowing what would happen I was out of options but to watch as the group laughed and sneered. Those pieces of shit I wish I killed every single last one of them…”

“ and then …?.”

“ I ... .had to find X, I felt awful. I was wounded as well but not as serious as he was. He was blown about 150 feet back and I heard the other explosions go off. I won't lie and say that I didn't think he was gone. I didn't want to think about it. No…no amount of processing would ever make me believe it. I didn't believe it so I went searching the rubble for him. Fortunately I found him. He was in bad shape like….really bad..”

“Yeah I saw him it was a good thing you brought him back when you did.”

Zero looked off and closed his eyes as he relaxed laying against his chargepod . Good at least he talked about it.

“So you argued because?”

“I dunno, we just started disagreeing and we had no time. What pissed me off the most was the fact that he of all people didn't want to listen to orders. There is a time and place for everything and he should've trusted me enough to handle my half. “

“ Hmm, have you considered that maybe you are being a bit selfish ?”

“Huh? What do you mean? “

“I mean like…you guys have been on many missions before. What's so different about him veering off course this time?”

Zero was quiet for a moment and rested his arms behind his head.

“Look, It’s not that I don't believe in X I just..want….”

“I just want him to be safe, that's all.”

“Wow you sure are overprotective. “

“It's not a bad thing…I'm supposed to watch his back”

“Oh? So you don't deny it ? Come on Zero you and I both know that's not why.”

Zero could only muster a sound similar to clearing his throat as he looked away.

“ alright fine he's precious to me…ok?”

“ awww that's sweet now go tell him all that.”

“He probably doesn't want to see me”

“Yeah yeah, same story, same excuse, X told me he wanted to talk to you.”

Zero had sat up to face axl surprised.

“Are you sure you're not bluffing ?”

Axl pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“I swear you two are already like a married couple, I never lie on the oath of love !~”

Zero grumbles but tries to think over what Axl had just said.

“Oh alright but ….”

“Great ! I can't wait for you two to kiss and make up ! it's been a while since you two hung out after all you guys still are like my parents.

“Axl!”

“Ok goodnight!~”

Axl left a dumbfounded Zero in his room as he went to his own. It seemed the two were at least somewhat fondly thinking of each other. But now all they had to do was talk to each other. Surely the task is simple enough. They were capable of that. Right?

_______________________________________________________________________

Axl was fed up. It had been nearly a week. Every minute or so or every interaction X and Zero had with each other was worse than when they couldn't keep their eyes off each other. It was painful.Having to sit between the two and pass on messages when they were right next to each other. They would hardly look at each other, would pretend the other isn't there. and every now and then tried to fight over who Axl favored more.This was a nightmare and Axl was sick of it.As much as he liked sometimes being the center of their attention.

“Alright alright! Can the two of you stop being weirder than usual for 10 minutes! I already have to catch up on missed assignments because of you two!”

“ Sorry ..” the duo said in unison.

“ I'm going to leave you two here in the conference room to converse. And if I come back, I won't go on missions with you guys anymore!ugh i'm sick of being your navigator…is this how alia feels..?”

Axl left the room after pushing X and Zero inside.There they stood adjacent from each other not saying a word. X was playing with his hands staring at them and Zero was arms folded looking away. X had decided to break the silence.

“ he's right we shouldnt be acting like this …it's childish”

“And we are grown men.Still, even we have our own fights outside of missions i guess...”

The duo was silent at first and decided to face each other for the first time in a while. They both looked at each other for a while as if exploring the pieces of each other they had missed.X ‘s eyes went to Zero’s as he saw the faint dark circles. Zero’s eyes went to X’s face and realized that he was stressed lately in a way he could only notice whenever he had overworked himself.

“Look I, i'm sorry about the last mission I didn't think it would get like that…” Zero scratches the back of his head shyly.

“Its alright but… I just was getting ahead of myself too.. These injuries were basically expected from my failure.”

“Huh? X…what are you talking about ? if anyone failed its me …i couldn't protect you…i'm to blame too..”

“But that's the thing Zero I just wanted you to trust me for once….”

“ When have I not trusted you?”

“ all the time, I can't go long without you taking charge…”

“Yeah because we are supposed to be partners..if anything I was hoping you would trust me.”

“Zero, i do trust you “

“Then why didn't you listen to me?”

“Because each time it involves you saving me over and over.Zero i wanted you to trust me so i could do something for you for once.”

“Really? That's it? You could at least have it be something where it doesn't nearly get you killed!”

“ Well I could say the same about you ! How is trusting you letting yourself nearly die for my sake! Don't I get a say in anything?!”

“It's my life I get to choose what I do with it X if anyone had taught me that it was you !”

“But that's the thing , if you can do that why can't it be for you ?!”

“If I want to do the same for you, what is the problem?! Have you ever even thought about what it feels like to NOT have you around!”

Zero’s eyes widened for a moment.

“I just ... .want to not feel useless. I thought that you didn't trust me .. I want to be able to protect you too…”

X held his head and looked off to the side, trying to hide the filling of tears in his eyes.

“If you have a problem with me then get a new partner..”

“I can't do that !”

“X.. I can't do that because you're precious to me. I don't want it to be anyone else but you.You’re the one that knows me best…and I …can't do this without you.”

“Zero…I feel the same way.That’s why losing you is so scary to me.. Your the only one i feel like I can do my best with.But also can't live without.”

Zero had suddenly placed his hands over X’s. Gently holding and stroking his hand with his fingers trying to soothe his weary heart.

“ I….i’m sorry I was stupid I… should have considered more about how you felt.You aren't useless to me, that's why I am able to fight so hard.X you give me the strength I need to move forward.”
X shakes his head and looks at Zero he takes in the sensations instantly calming him down.

“ No, I'm sorry too. I did act selfishly, and it was a rash decision. I … wasn't thinking about how you felt either or the consequences.it's because I care about you so much…”

X smiled and returned the gesture. Their hands interlaced now, their worries lessening and all that remained was the urge to rest next to each other. Zero let go of one hand and gently brushed against X’s face. X nudged his hand into it allowing himself to be engulfed by his soft touches.

“Back then you scared me half to death, I've never felt more worried in my life, just be careful next time ok?”

“Zero, I will, but can I say something first?”

“Yeah go ahead”

“You said that we are partners,,,that much is true and because of that I wanted to see if we could make a new promise this time so we don't fight like this again.I wanted to face my feelings head on and this may not be the best moment. But I need you to hear this first.

X takes a deep breath and smiles softly at Zero.

“ Zero, I have feelings for you. I can't help but do crazy things because of you. There isn't a moment I don't think about you. I can't promise anything bad won't happen to me but I want to be able to fight by your side as your lover too.I trust you with my life zero. It's yours.”

Zero’s smile extends across his face the first time in a while. A light pink on his cheeks evaporated as a light sigh escaped his lips. As if the weight he was carrying had melted away in that instant.

“X, I have feelings for you too. My will is to stay by your side as long as you need me to. I’ll be a part of your power.I want you by my side. I can't say also if anything bad will happen for myself but I trust that you'll protect me when the time calls for it. I want to be your lover too. “
X and Zero looked lovingly into each other's eyes and started to laugh.

“Haha,,,and to think we ended up confessing in a situation like this.”

“No kidding, but its alright we have each other now. Although things will be uh….different now i guess.”

“Well no not much it doesnt have to be we can just keep being us.”

“We seem to be doing something right if Axl keeps teasing us about it.”

“Ah shoot that's right ... .axl…we really should apologize to him too”

Suddenly the door opened and it was Axl with a big grin on his face, his arms folded.

“ oh man did i miss the proposal!?”

“Oh shut it, “ Zero let go of x and looked away.

“By the way Axl, we are really sorry for putting you through all this.. “

“Yeah it wasn't pretty, and you sacrificed alot for us.”

Axl frowned and tapped his foot.

“Well it's definitely gonna take more than that to cheer me up, you both put me through alot .”

“Considering we are together now I guess I can also pitch in on the deal.”

“Huh?? Were you thinking of just letting X deal with it ? bad zero!”

“That's not what i - ugh never mind”

“Well lucky for you I have the perfect idea “

Axl takes out his camera and stands between the trio and poses.

“To commemorate a new beginning, congrats to my parents !”

“Oh and this means you guys will be helping me do all the paperwork ive been slacking on right?”

“Axl no!”

“Come on Zero he helped us.”

“Ugh fine..”

“Yeah!! Cheers to the best parents and friends I could ever ask for !”

Axl snapped a picture of the three of them.And just like that another memory was added to the Axl log.