Chapter Text
The auburn-haired reploid had always wanted to be able to ride all the cool cars and ride chasers the Maverick Hunters would use.
Teleporting was easier of course, but still.
Axl wanted to be able to use them. Legally this time.
Only to do that, he needed a license.
Which he did not have.
Axl had begged X to let him take the test for months.
But X just couldn’t find anyone who would test him.
It seemed like reploids didn’t do those kinds of tests anymore due to teleportation becoming a more efficient way to travel.
Axl kind of just wanted to ride around the city for the most part.
The auburn-haired reploid had almost completely given up on it until X had instructed him to go outside.
It was a surprise, since X would stay at the hunter base most of the time. He worked ALL of the time.
Axl met eyes with X, who was wearing a lanyard with the most disgusting shade of neon orange he had ever seen.
“Uh…X? Why are we out here..?” X just stared at him before walking over to him.
“You” he pauses, “are taking your driving test.
“But I thought no one could test me!” Axl exclaims in disbelief.
“I thought no one could until I looked over the good ol’ rulebook! It said that a veteran Maverick hunter could do driver’s tests and give licenses with a permit. And guess what? Signas gave me one!” X explains, a proud smile on his face.
“X. I love your enthusiasm but please don’t say things like, ‘good ol’ rulebook’, it makes you sound weird…” X’s smile fades slightly.
“You’re right, sorry! Got a little excited there. It’s been a while since I’ve been outside so that’s partially the reason. But I also know that you can do this! Let’s get in the car.” The azure hero gestures to the car and Axl nods.
Axl has no problem getting into the car, although he does move the seat a bit frontwards.
“Okay, Axl. We’re just gonna go through the basics real quick. I assume you read through a few manuals and know the basics of a car, right?” The auburn-haired reploid nods.
“Okay. Good. I assume you’ve at least started a car before?” Axl nods.
“Yup! Back at Red Alert, I always wanted to start the car! Or bike, or anything. They wouldn’t let me too much, though. I also know how cars work cuz I’ve hot-wired a bunch of ‘em!” X’s eyes widen.
Axl grins sheepishly as he looks at X nervously.
“Concerning…at least you know how a car works. But do you know how to drive one? Let’s see. Start the car and start going through the training course. Slowly…” Axl didn’t manage to hear that last part.
“Alright! Let’s DO this!” Axl exclaims, hands tightening around the wheel.
“Ah! Wait!”
“What?”
“Seatbelts. Almost forgot.”
Axl gives X a look that screams ‘seriously?’ and X gives Axl one that says ‘do it or we stop’.
The auburn-haired reploid fastens his seatbelt with a sigh.
“Alright, MOM. Can I go now?” X nods.
The auburn-haired reploid excitedly presses the gas and speeds through the first part of the course.
X had yelped when he did, holding onto the side handle as he did.
“Axl” X said in a warning voice.
This had made said reploid kind of nervous.
“Yeah…?” He said, nervousness present in his voice.
“I said SLOWLY” X utters as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I still did it though…”
“Not how I told you to. If we were on a road with people crossing, you probably would’ve run them over. It’s a safety hazard, kid”.
Axl sighs and pouts slightly.
“Can I PLEASE try again? I promise I’ll be careful this time! Then we can go on one of the main roads” X hesitates then nods.
The second time Axl had done the course he actually did pretty well.
Axl swears he saw X smile when he was writing something down.
“Alright. I think you’re ready to go on the main road. Let’s go” X says.
Axl nods and drives the car towards the main road nervously.
“Don’t be scared. You did great the second time. You’re pretty good at picking things up so this shouldn’t be hard. You can do this” X said as he gave Axl a thumbs up, making the younger smile.
“Okay”.
Axl didn’t even notice how much time passed when he was driving.
Apparently, it had been ten minutes already.
Everything was going fine until they got a ping from Pallette to open the voice channel.
The pair did and they were met by Pallette screaming in their ears.
“Chill!” Axl said as his grip tightened around the wheel.
“What’s wrong?” X asks.
“There’s Mavericks close to your area! I need you two to take them on!” Axl smirks.
“Don’t worry, Pallette! We’ve got this!” Axl revs up the engine.
Realization hits X like a truck.
“Oh hell no! You are not-” before he could finish his sentence, Axl was already on the road, speeding.
“Axl! Axl! Axl!” X exclaims as he holds on to the handle for dear life.
Axl doesn’t listen, he just keeps on driving and arrives at the destination.
“That was awesome!” X sighs in relief.
“No! It wasn’t! That was completely illegal! You don’t even have a permit! Do you know how much trouble you’re in?!” X yells as he gets out of the car, Axl doing the same.
“But I got us here in less than two minutes!” X groans in frustration.
“I know. You did. It’s amazing. But you broke the law. You don’t even have a permit.” X says, making Axl frown “it’s good that you know how to drive as well as you do, but you have to pay attention to your surroundings”.
Axl pulls his pistols out.
“You could’ve run people over. You have to analyze the situation. You went way over the speed limit. If someone would’ve jumped in the road, they would’ve died, Axl” the auburn-haired reploids sighs.
“Alright, alright. I’m sorry. But you gotta admit” Axl smirks “that was pretty awesome”.
X rolls his eyes and turns his arm into his X-buster.
“Let’s just get this fight over with.”