Work Text:
Axl heaved as he let out some oil discharge.
He retched as he coughed out the remaining oil.
The auburn-haired reploid had his hands on either side of the toilet.
Why was there a bathroom in a place where only reploids worked?
Axl had no idea. He was going to ask X that later.
The reploid was tired of this. It’s only been a few hours since he felt this way, but it still sucks.
“Axl?” He heard a voice call out from outside of the room.
All he could do was groan in response.
He heard the door open, but didn’t bother to turn.
With the little strength that he could muster, he looked up and saw a worried blue reploid.
Wide, green eyes scanning the auburn-haired reploid.
“X…” Axl muttered as the other rushed to his side.
X made a disgusted noise once he saw the oil discharge and flushed it down.
X cursed and muttered something about polluting the ocean.
“Is this what you were doing all morning? You could’ve told me.” Axl grunted as X helped him up.
“I know, but I didn’t know how you would react. You’re so into work and all.” X couldn’t help but laugh.
“You say that as if all I do is work”
“Cuz that is all you do”
“Correction: it’s all you see me do.”
Axl’s eyebrows furrowed but didn’t press on the matter.
“I…don’t know. You’re my superior and I…dunno, guess I didn’t want you to be mad or think I’m weak cuz of a small case of roboenza…” X sighed.
“Where’d you get the impression that I’d do any of those things? I wouldn’t be mad, you’ve never missed a day at work. Sure, you’re late sometimes, but still.” X pauses and stares at Axl for a second.
“Being sick doesn’t make you weak. Just take a break. Also, excuse me, small case of roboenza? How much oil did you even discharge?” Axl shrugs.
There was silence for a few seconds.
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” Axl bit his lip.
He felt X’s gaze on him.
“Or Zero. Whoever you feel better talking to. I get that you probably don’t like me or care about me as much as Zero-“ Axl opened his mouth to protest.
“-let me finish” the auburn-haired reploid nods.
“But it’s only fair since it was pretty clear I didn’t like you at first” Axl frowns.
“I had my reasons but, you’re still a kid,”
“Just like I was” X doesn’t say.
“Point is, I want you to talk to someone. Whether it be Zero, Alia, anybody. You can’t hide stuff like this” Axl’s frown deepens.
“I’m sorry” X’s eyes widen.
“No, no, that’s not- you don’t need to apologize. I’m not getting you in trouble, I’m just telling you what to do. You don’t need to say sorry. I’m telling you this because…”
“I care”
X expected a reaction from Axl, but not one like this.
Axl had hugged him.
X hesitantly hugged back, eyes wide.
“Thank you. For caring.”
“It’s nothing, kid”
After a few seconds they parted.
“Was not expecting that” X says with a chuckle.
“X…is it okay if you’re the one I talk to? You’re good at emotions and are very understanding” X smiled.
“Of course. Anytime. Now let’s go to the med bay” Axl nods.
As they left Axl asked:
“Why is there a bathroom in an all reploid HQ?”
“Good question. No idea.”
“Let’s go” X says as he gestures outside the bathroom.
“Okay, MOM”
“Come on, CHILD”