Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

  Humans, X has found, are frustrating.

  Granted, he's known this from the beginning. He's wrangled with too many politicians trying to talk in circles in order to avoid discussing reploid rights to think otherwise. But this? Brook? Was so much more personal. She's not all bad, of course. Unlike the politicians, none of her frustrating parts are born out of malice for what he is. 

  Just who he is. 

  Because she never wanted to come home with him. (And he gets it. He really does.) But she couldn't stay there. X was not going to let her risk being dragged into the Guild; to continue fighting in a war she was far too young for. Heck, he doesn't want her in the war at all. Which is why he pushes so many other hobbies and career paths at her.

  Too bad it doesn't work.

  Brook refuses all of it.

  She won't even try most times. Just say she doesn't have any interest in it, or say she isn't smart enough for it, or something else of that nature. It's often the source of their arguments. X will suggest something, Brook will vehemently deny it, ask why she can't just go shooting with Axl, and... 

  It escalates. 

  Every time.

  He wonders if he's doing something wrong.

  Add in her horrendous mood swings, and that's even worse. X used to think human males were exaggerating just how bad females were during... menstruation. But he has long since learned that they are, in fact, not. Brook is a terror during hers. Not that... he can blame her, exactly. She's had to deal with things a child her age never should have to. 

  The loss of her parents.

  Abuse.

  Abandonment.

  Starvation.

  Not to mention the fact that she ran away to be a mercenary for five months.

  It's taken a massive toll on her body. Which in turn, makes her mood swings worse. So X does his best to weather her storms. She assumes he's going to be exactly like what every other foster parent has been.

  He is determined not to be. 

  Besides, it isn't all bad. Brook has her good moments. And they by far outshine the frustrating parts. X has never once regretted taking her in for Tern. Even with all the arguments. 

  Which... brings him to today...

  "And why the hell not?" Brook exclaimed. X does his best to hold back a sigh. It's the same argument they always have. "Because, Brook, you don't need to be around any more weapons," he explained. "You've been around too many as it is. I'm glad you and Axl get along so well, but you're not going shooting with him." Brook glowers at him. "Okay, but why not?" she seethed. "Have you ever considered that maybe I enjoy it?"

  "I'm aware that you do," X assured her. "But it still isn't not good for you. Not right now." The ruddy haired girl sneers at him. "You're just hoping I get too rusty," Brook accused. "That way I can't join the Guild when I turn eighteen! That's not your choice, X!" The blue clad reploid can't help but wince. She's... kind of right on the money. He wants her to try other things. Anything other than shooting. Joining the Guild would just... end in her death. One way or another. 

  Humans are resilient and scrappy.

  But they're still so fragile compared to reploids. Douglas made that breakthrough in buster technology so that humans could defend themselves. Not join the war. Although, nobody was all that surprised. He knows a lot of the grievances between the races was due to the forced reliance on reploids. It chaffed on a good amount of humans. Especially those in the Western hemisphere, who were so much more independent. With the introduction of free roam busters, as they were called, many of those grievances were put to rest; and the two races were getting closer. It... still wasn't where X would love to see it, but... 

  It's closer.

  "Brook, there is so much more to life than the Guild," said X. "I just want you to try all other avenues before you're eighteen, okay?" The teen scoffs and glares at him. "You think I don't know that?"

  "Well you certainly act as if you don't," he snapped.

  Only to immediately internally wince. He shouldn't have said that. Not... not like that. She's just... so stubborn! And acts like she's not good enough for anything but the Guild! He's trying so hard to change that for her. X knows he's being pushy about it, but... can you blame him? Brook has so much potential. She shouldn't be wasting it in a war.

  But Brook looks outraged by that. "What do you want me to act like, then?" she demands. 

  "I don't want you to act like anything," X tiredly amends. "I just want you to try. Something. Anything. Please." But the ruddy haired teen is already too worked up. He knows better than this. Knows better than to point out her inadequacies. That's... all her former foster parents often did. Not out of malice, but... Brook often overheard them when she was being returned to the orphanage she was staying at. 

  
  Why does he keep messing up?

  Fatherhood was a lot more difficult than he thought.

  X watches after Brook as she stomps off to her room. He's not going to try to fix it. Not right now. Let her cool off, and then he'll speak with her. But for now, there's some work that needs to be done. All the dishes and such are done. X has thankfully found that he doesn't need to get onto her about that, given that she is usually pretty conscientious about the messes she makes. Brook had been out in the wilderness for five months, after all. Kept a very tidy and thoughtful camp. 

  No, it's his own work for Neo Arcadia that needs to be done.

  So he sits down and gets on it.

  That is until a notification pops up.

  Curious, X opens it and is immediately displeased by what he finds. It's the cellular service that he set up for Brook, and they're informing him that she has just made a long distance call. She knows she's supposed to ask for that. That was one of the first things he layed down when he got the holophone for her. Not because he's nosy, but so that he can warn them. It's cheaper that way. Not that he necessarily has to watch his spending habits, it's just good practice. Brook is usually pretty good about it, but...

  Maybe she's just using it as revenge.

  That would need to be nipped in the bud.

  So X sighs as he saves the documents on his computer and gets up from his desk. It's one thing to have an argument. Another thing entirely to act out like this. He wracks his brain for a suitable punishment as he makes his way to her room.

  Only to pause as he gets closer. 

  He can hear Brook sobbing. And not the way she normally does. This is... gut wrenching. X slows his pace as he makes his way closer. Yeah, that's... whatever happened on the phone, it wasn't good. The blue clad reploid quietly opens the door, and what he sees just breaks his core.

  Brook is curled up on the floor in a ball, her holophone laying on the bed. "Brook...?" X gently calls, only to get a louder sob in response. 

  Rust.

  X carefully makes his way closer to her, watching every bit of her body language. If she tells him to stop, he has to. He wants to gain her full trust, so he has to. He's already steamrolled over so many of her wishes just by taking her in and out of America. But she doesn't. As he gets closer, she just curls tighter into a ball and cries. So, he sits down next to her, making himself as small as possible. He needs to figure out exactly what happened before he goes any further. 

  "Brook, who did you call?" X asked gently. "And why?" He's not mad that she made an international call, per se. Just... mad that she didn't warn him at least. Of course she'd have people she'd want to call in America. That's... where she was born. Raised. Even if she disappeared off the face of the Earth for five months, she'd still have friends she'd want to talk to. 

  But... the way that she's crying, he doesn't think she called a friend.

  Brook shakes her head, burying her face further into her arms. X inwardly sighs; nothing about this girl is easy. Why would it be? "I'm not mad," X assures her. "Just... worried. Something upset you. A lot. I just want to know who and why." 

  "Why do you care?" comes the muffled reply from the sixteen year old girl. 

  "I care because you're very obviously upset," X tells her. "And I'd like to help. You know that." Brook doesn't answer him for a minute, seemingly debating on if she even wants to tell him or not. That's fine. X knows they're still in a... rocky patch. He's struggling to figure out how to deal with her mood swings. Brook is struggling with boundaries after so long of not having any. He can wait. But finally, after an especially loud sniffle, Brook lifts her head from her arms and studies him. X feels his core break at her expression. He's not... used to such a heartbroken look on the ruddy haired girl's face. "What happened?" X softly coaxes. And that...

  Brook's face screws up as more tears fall from her eyes. "I- I called my aunt," she admits, causing X to blink in surprise. Her... aunt? But... "Brook, why did you call her?" he asks. That... didn't make any sense. Brook's aunt treated her horribly. And the teen had stated loudly in the past that she wanted nothing to do with the woman. So why...?

  "...She sounds like Mom," Brook sobs.

  ...Ah.

  That... made sense. In the worst way possible. Brook's dealing with homesickness. A lot of change. And two years was barely any time at all. Especially considering that Brook has barely had any time to actually grieve. 

  Of course she'd want her mother.

  And it occurs to X that Brook really doesn't have anything to remind her of her parents. It was all lost when her aunt gave up custody. Frustratingly so. Why the state decided that, just because Brook is a minor, X doesn't understand. But, he also supposes that storage takes money. Money a minor wouldn't have. 

  No wonder she would turn to her last remaining family member. Even if the woman was... that.

  Pushing the thoughts from his mind, X slowly wraps an arm around Brook. He's not sure if she will accept his comfort or not, but... he has to try. When the ruddy haired teen doesn't push him away or yell, X gently pulls her closer to him. And is promptly surprised when Brook throws her arms around him, crying into his chest. 

  X doesn't let the surprise last long; instead wrapping his arms firmly around her, and pulling the teen close. He whispers reassurances to the top of her head as she bawls against him. The reploid doesn't know what Brook's aunt said to her, but he does know it likely wasn't pleasant. Not with the way the poor girl's reacting. He'd love nothing more than to have the woman in front of him; so he can give her a peace of his mind.

  ...But that was neither here, nor there.

  And he's far more worried about making sure Brook is okay.

  Humans were frustrating, X has found. But they have their reasons to be.

Chapter Text

Humans, Axl has found, are hilarious.

  Granted, he hasn't had a whole lot of exposure to the average human. Even when he worked for Red Alert, what few he met were usually either dying, screaming at them to get out, or just... really traumatized. Not exactly great circumstances to be telling jokes. But teenagers? They are a riot. He can't remember the last time he laughed so hard. 

  Heck, the first time Brook met Signas? That about killed him.

  Signas, of course, was being his usual no-nonsense self when X introduced her officially. 

  Only for Brook to just decide 'no', and insist that her name was 'Steve.' X was mortified by her behavior. The only thing that made it better was the fact that Signas played along. Axl just about corrupted his voice box from laughing so hard. 

  Who let Signas be funny?

  And then it just became a bit for them.

  Every single day, Brook would come up with a new name. 

  And every single day, Signas would just play along. Why did Axl never get this treatment? So far, Axl's favorites were Lucille, Bob, and Lames Pond. But today? When Axl decides to bring her along to play Hunter Hold 'Em with Signas and a few other coworkers? (X needs to be out of town for a few days, leaving Axl to babysit, mua-haha.) He thinks this one is his favorite.

  "So," Signas drawled. "What's your name?"

  "Prince Hubert Fitzgerald the Third," Brook deadpanned. "You will address me by my full title, or not at all." Signas simply nodded. "Very well, your highness," he answered amicably. Marino let out a snort. "Oh this is gonna be interesting," she murmured. The fifth member of their group, Shifting Tanu, looked dubious.

  "You sure a kid should be here?" he asked. Axl just shrugged. "Ju-uust this one time, we won't use real zenni," he said. "So don't worry. But hey, you're not gonna lose everything!" The racoon-dog reploid gave him a look. The prototype just grinned. Tanu was one of the very few New Gen reploids left. He claimed that he was created before the decision to add Sigma's DNA was made, but Axl kept a very close eye on him. After Lumine tried to forcibly infect Axl with the Maverick's DNA, he wasn't taking any chances.

  It was only his own anti-virus program that saved his processor on that long elevator ride, after all.

  Didn't stop Axl from treating Tanu like the decent guy he was, though.

  "So is 'Hunter Hold 'Em' like 'Texas Hold 'Em'?" Brook asked. 

  "Indeed it is," Marino answered. "There's just no such thing as a dead hand here. Not unless someone blantantly calls you out. So keep an eye on that one." She gives Axl a sharp look. An easy grin is his reply. "What, little ole me?" Axl winged. "I would never. Brook needs good influences." Tanu and Signas both give him their own dry looks while Brook lets out a snort.

  Wow. Okay. Ouch.

  "We playing or what?" Tanu asked. Axl waved him off, totally not still reeling from the blatant disregard Brook had for his honor. He was totally planning on playing fair! ...This time! Sitting down at the old table that has been their designated meet-up spot for years, Axl brings out the deck of cards. "So, I take it you know how to play Texas Hold 'Em then?" he asked Brook. The ruddy haired girl nodded as she took a seat. "Yep," she said. "Go all in at all times." Marino barely stopped herself from laughing as she pulls out her own chair. "Excellent advice, your highness," Signas mused, and that made Axl lose if for second. Seriously! Since when did Signas make jokes?! 

  "Who's got the chips?" Tanu asked. "I know we aren't playing with zenni, but we still need indicators." 

  "Got 'em right here," Marino drawled, putting the little container up on the table. "You think five hundred each is enough?" 

  "Should be," Axl mused, as Signas nodded in agreement. 

  Turns out it wasn't. 

  "You are terrible at this," Marino observed with a raised brow as she slides all the chips in the middle towards herself. "Thought you said you've played before."

  "I have," Brook said, as Tanu shuffles and passes out cards. "Once. Three years ago. With a bunch of other kids." Axl let out a snicker. Well, that explained it. "It was a New Years Eve party," she continued. "We placed bets with Christmas candy and other snacks. I faired just as well there, too." Signas clicked his tongue as he taps the table, Tanu passing him a card from the deck in response. "You don't need to be learning this anyway, your highness," the commander mused. This, however, just makes Brook give him the side-eye. "Don't tell me what to do," she deadpanned. "Besides, hypocrite." 

  "She's got you there, sir," Tanu chuckled. 

  "'Sides, I like Blackjack better," Brook said. "Getting to twenty one is easier. Although, Slapjack is a lot of fun too." Axl looks at her, utterly confused. He has never heard of a game like that before. And apparently, neither has anyone else. They're all giving her a look. "What the rust is Slapjack?" Marino asks, ignoring Signas' insistence on 'language.' 

  "Oh you've never heard of it?" asked Brook. The petty thief shook her head. "Nope, can't say I have, kid," Marino replied. "Is it... a made up kids game? Or something? I know human kids make things up a lot. Asinine rules and all." The ruddy haired teen lets out a snort. "Yeah, kind of," she affirmed. "You basically just take turns flipping cards over from the deck until you find a jack. Then, you try to be the first person to slap it. If you are, you get the cards. The person with the most cards at the end wins"

  "...Wouldn't you just get hurt?" asked Tanu, incredulous. But Brook just grins. "That's half the fun," she insisted. "Look, you offer kids a chance for violence, they're going to take it with both hands. ...Some friends and I actually made a deck specifically for Slapjack. One with like... eight extra jacks and random other cards. 'Cause if you slap anything other than a jack, you lose your cards."

  "Okay, but like... why?" Marino asked, utterly confused. And honestly, Axl can't say he blames her. It just sounds... silly. Yet Brook just shrugs, pushing some of her chips into the middle. "It was fun," she insisted yet again. "You're not real friends until your slapping the heck out of each other's hands and calling them cheaters." Axl nods slowly, not that he actually understands it. But... he supposes he can comprehend some of it. He often bothered X and Zero solely for the fact of being a pain in their side half the time...

  Perhaps human children just had that with... certain forms of violence?

  In any case, it doesn't take long for Brook to loose all of her chips, much to Axl's amusement. 
  
  "Signas, give me some of your chips," Brook demanded. "That way I can keep playing." Axl can't stop the raucous laughter that escapes him. And apparently, neither can Marino or Tanu. The prototype has never seen anyone make so many demands from the commander. Signas, to his credit, seems mostly unruffled by everyone's reaction. But he does give Brook a look. "Why me?" Signas asked. Brook shrugged. "I have a better chance at getting them from you than anyone else," she stated plainly.

  Holy-

  Apparently, kids can smell weakness. That's the only explanation Axl has for this. Signas' hand that held his cards dropped to the table as he looked incredulously at Brook. "...Prince Hubert Fitzgerald the Third, I am not sure what ever gave you that indication," he argued. Brook just raises her eyebrow. 

  And Signas-

  Heaves a sigh as he hands over half his chips. 
  "WHERE THE RUST WAS THIS WHEN I WAS A KID?!" Axl exclaimed.

  "You were a criminal," Signas replied simply.

  "I broke more laws than he did," Brook argued. Signas mused on that for a minute. "Yes... I suppose you did..." he drawled. "However, I have favorites." Brook wheezed out laughter at that, as Axl stares at him, aghast at what he just heard. "Signas!" the prototype exclaims. "You can't just say that! You're not supposed to have favorites!" Unfortunately, the commander just shrugs as he begins to shuffle the deck. "And where is that stated?" he retorted. 

  "It came with your job!" Axl insisted. Signas, however, dares to just hum and continue on with the game. Axl cannot believe him...

  Eventually, however, it starts getting a little too late for Axl to be able to defend keeping Brook out. X trusted him, of course, but still had some guidelines he wanted the prototype to follow. Humans are creatures of habit, after all. And he was trying to cultivate good ones in Brook after so long. So, they begin to wrap it up. "Alright, alright," Marino grumbles, beginning to put all the chips back into the carrying case. "Figures the one night we don't put zenni on the table is the day I win..." Never mind the fact that's only because Axl wasn't cheating this time... Axl, on the other hand, passes the deck off to Tanu. "Better luck next time," he grinned, causing the racoon-dog reploid to roll his eyes. 

  "See ya next week, Axl."

  "But I'm working tomorrow?" Axl puzzled, at a loss for what he meant. 

  "Yep, you are," Tanu assures. "See ya next week." 

  Sore loser.

  Axl turns to his charge. "You ready to go back, kiddo?" he grinned, making the sixteen year old girl to give him a look. "I'm not seven," she insisted, but Axl waves her off. Look, he may still look like a teenager, but he's well over fifty years by this point. Sixteen just... seems really young now. He hadn't thought so when he was her age, but looking back?

  She's barely begun to live. 

  "No," he assured her. "But you do still have a curfew. X's rules." Brook huffs at the mention of her guardian, a scowl forming on her face. 

  Things are still rocky it seems. 

  "Hey, he's not bad," Marino insisted. "X is just a worrywort. But he cares." 

  "...I guess," Brook murmered. Axl ropes an arm around her neck (gently, of course,) and pulls her along; ignoring all her half-hearted protests. Signas raised an eyebrow. "Has she had dinner yet?" he asked, causing Axl to stiffen. The commander rolled his eyes. "Figured," he muttered, as he walked towards the door. "Get her something to eat." Brook let out a loud groan. "I'm fine," she insisted. "Missing one meal won't kill me..." The prototype fixed her with a look. "Maybe not," he said. "But I do not need X on my aft about it. You skip enough meals as it is. C'mon, let's go scrounge something up to eat." 

  The teenager rolled her eyes, but followed obediently beside him. Good... Axl cannot believe he forgot about that... Humans need to eat. Unlike him. "So what are you hungry for?" he asked. Brook just shrugged. "We can just pick up a bowl of noodles from the gas station," she mused. "X gave me some money." Axl paused to give the ruddy haired girl a look. "I am not letting you eat five minute noodles under my care," he argued. 

  "Why not?" Brook shot back. "They're cheap and easy." 

  "Yeah, but they're also not very healthy for you!" Axl chastised. "X would have my armor." Brook waved him off. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him," she maintained. But Axl was not having it. "Nope, 'fraid not," he said, as he takes her hand. "We're gonna go get real food. Or something... I don't know. Whatever sounds good that isn't microwaved." Ignoring all of her complaints, he leads the human through the downtown area.

  Deciding what to eat, however, is a task easier said than done... 

  When he's by himself, Axl really only ever gets snacky food when it suits his fancy. Reploids don't get 'hungry,' per se, but they occasionally get cravings. Something their nanites needed, some theorized. It's usually easily cleared up with an E-tank, although some reploids prefer to eat when it happens. For Axl, it usually depends on what's going on. War? He preferred to refrain from eating. Resources were already scarce in those situations, and humans needed it more anyways. But times like these? He'd indulge in his cravings now and then. Brook, however, needed actual food. Not just snacks. Which...

  Hmm...

  "Anything catching your eye?" Axl asked. Brook just shook her head, causing the prototype to huff in frustration. "You do this to X?" he whinged, causing a small smile to break onto her face. 

  "Unfortunately," she admitted. "Worst part of killing your appetite is that it's kind of hard to resurrect..." Axl grumbles under his breath. Seriously... The prototype struggles to remember what X taught him about food groups and stuff... Humans were hard to keep healthy, he's slowly figured out. How does the blue bomber do it? Luckily, however, Brook finally seems to make a decision on something. 

  Too bad it's the worst possible one.

  "We could share a pizza," she suggested, making Axl wince. Right... she was still getting used to Japan... "Brook, a pizza here costs over-" he does the money conversion quickly in his head. "Over thirty bucks. They're kind of a luxury food here." The teenager looks at him, aghast and utterly heartbroken. "That is bullhockey," she ranted. "Especially from that company?! Ten bucks is too much!" The prototype chuckled. "'Fraid so," he mused. "We don't have much American food over here. So it's more expensive. Kind of like how "authentic" Japanese restaurants are more expensive there." Brook let out a scoff. "I mean, I guess that's true," she grudgingly admitted. "But it's still stupid. Especially because now I kind of want a pizza... split the cost?" 

  Typical teenager not quite grasping finances...

  But he can splurge just as little today, sure. 

  "Works for me," Axl grinned.

  Walking into the restaurant, they're greeted with the mouthwatering smells of dough and melted cheese. It's been a while since Axl had ordered one... Not since Zero was awake, he thinks. "So, what toppings fo you like?" the prototype asked. 

  "Anchovies," Brook deadpanned; and for half a second, Axl believed her. 

  "...Your pulling my leg, aren't you?" He really hopes she is. Brook lets out a small laugh. "Yeah, yeah I am," she assures him. "Pepperoni and black olives." That was... a bit more doable, but even then.

  "Black olives? Really?" Axl whinges. "How can you like that?!" The sixteen year old shrugged. "They're salty." she insisted. "Humans like salt."

  "Well, yeah, but too much sodium isn't good for you!" He's proud of himself for remembering that one. 

  "True, but that's true of anything," Brook muttered. "And sodium is kind of important. You can give a person all the food and water they need, but if there's no way to get sodium, we'll still die. We use it to sweat. So it gets used pretty quickly. Especially in summer."

  ...Huh. He hadn't known that.

  "But, if you don't like them, that's fine," Brook continued. "I can go without. Or we can get them on just half."

  "That won't cost extra?"

  "Shouldn't, since we're only getting it on half the pizza." 

  Well... that made sense he supposed. Axl placed their order, and luckily, Brook was right. Getting black olives on only half the pizza didn't cost any more than other toppings. She did, however, wind up paying more than half. The ruddy haired teen insisted that it was her idea, and she didn't have bills to pay. So it was only fair of her. Axl couldn't quite argue with her on that, although he did feel bad about it. 

  He'd make up for it by letting her stay up just a little while longer. 

  She didn't have school in the morning, after all. And X would be picking her up in the afternoon, so hey. If she slept the entire time between Axl heading to work and the blue bomber returning, that was better for their nerves, right? X had expressed concern about this before he left. He'd almost left her in the care of a much stingier Hunter. One Brook likes, sure, but was much more of a stickler for the rules. Axl's so glad he managed to convince X.

  It doesn't take long for the pizza to be finished, so Axl quickly hurries the two of them home. "Go pick out a movie," the prototype insists as he heads for the kitchen. The teenager grins as she hurries over to the cabinet he keeps them in. Meanwhile, Axl sets down the pizza box and grabs two plates. At least there won't be too many dishes... and he can count on the fact that Brook will have them all done before she leaves. He can't say it was a bad idea, all in all. After washing his hands real quick, (a habit X has been far more draconian about. He'd been so before, sure, but now that there's a human around? Yikes.) Axl puts a slice on each plate; one with the cursed black objects, and one without. 

  Then he heads over to the living room. 

  "So what'd you pick out?" Axl asked. Brook held up a horror movie of all things. "Really?" he continued. "That one? Sure it won't give you nightmares?" The teen gives him an exasperated look. "I've told you," she grumbled. "I'm not seven. And this one's funny." The prototype blinked. He's... never heard of a horror movie being described as funny before. He worries about this kid sometimes. "You've seen it before, right?" Brook asked, to which Axl nodded. "Oh good, I won't ruin it then." 

  What did that mean?

  He soon figures it out.

  Because Brook talks through the whole thing. Mostly quips and commentary on the protagonists choices, but man, Axl doesn't think he's ever laughed at a horror movie before. Are all human teenagers like this? Perhaps it's just the morbid nature of humans being mortal that makes them more prone to jokes like that... But Axl finds he can't really stop himself, either. She's just... too funny. "Watch watch watch," Brook said, pointing at the screen. "He's gonna get up. Because why the heck wouldn't you take the axe and make sure? That's far too sensible." 

  "I don't think they can hear you, Brookie," Axl chuckles. "Plus, I don't think they wanted to traumatize themselves any more than necessary."

  "Weak," Brook deadpanned. 

  Which of course sent Axl into another laughing fit.

  Yeah, humans are hilarious; Axl decides. He's honestly glad X gave this kid a chance.

Chapter Text

It's rare for X to drive, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Even now, there was still plenty of infrastructure too damaged and in disrepair after all the Maverick Wars. Meaning there are some places that are simply inaccessible by train. Places he needs to be. Hence why he has bundled Brook into the car and is now driving on the highway. The blue clad reploid is out of some ingredients for a dish he wants to make, and unfortunately, the only shop he knows that sells them is about an hour away. He was expecting Brook to be complaining about it the whole way, yet...

She miraculously seems fine. 

Enjoying it even. 

When he'd asked, she told him that an hour was shorter than the bus ride she used to have to take to school; reminding him yet again that she was used to living in the middle of nowhere. An hour long ride in a car was nothing to her. Which... at least made this easier... As he slows to a stop at a red light, Brook suddenly pipes up.

"A hundred points if you run a red light."

X turns to her with an incredulous look. "What are you talking about?" he asked. She points to the traffic light. "A hundred points on your record if you run it," she said. He raises an eyebrow at that before turning his attention back to the road as the light turns green. "I was unaware that there was a point system in America," he deadpanned, knowing for fact there isn't. 

"There is if you're a part of the secret club," she retorted. X let out a snort, but decides to humor her. "And what secret club is that?"

"The Illuminate."

X has to hold in a laugh from that.

"I see..." he replied. "And how would you know that?" 

"Well you see, that's a secret, too," Brook insisted. "But, my best friend's uncle's roommate's sister said she knows someone who's part of it." And X can't help but chuckle.

 "A very reliable source," he said, to which the ruddy-haired girl sagely nods. Now this... this side of Brook is far easier to deal with than the angry ball of violence and fire she usually is. And he wishes he got to see it more. 

But then... that's not his choice, is it? 

She deserves to decide who and when she grows comfortable with someone. X thinks that with the longer he held on to her and refused to give up on her, he's... become that. Their fights are less frequent. Brook is coming to him with more and more concerns. Opening up to him. He's even slowly been able to convince her to allow him to wash her coat every so often. 

Which... is huge, considering who it's from. Not that he blames her. She just... has so few things left from them... The last thing X wants to do is ruin her father's coat.

In any case, they slip back into a comfortable silence. Up until they pass through a small group of houses. Where X has the misfortune of seeing a poor squirrel on the side of the road. It always makes him feel bad. And he does his best to avoid hitting the small body any more. But of course, Brook has something to say.

"Well, that's a terrible place to take a nap."

X gives her a quick, exasperated glance; refusing to lose focus on the road. "Brook Longsdale," he scolds. "That is horrible." Yet, the seventeen year old is completely unphased, snickering even. 

"Are you saying I'm wrong?" Brook challenged. The brunet reploid rolls his eyes. 

"No, you aren't," he reluctantly agrees. "But that is still horrible. That poor squirrel was not asleep, and you know it!" He'll admit he has a small smile on his face though. The blue clad reploid has never been keen on morbid humor, yet... perhaps it's simply due to how Brook tends to say them that somehow gets a grin out of him. 

Who knows. 

"Boo, spoilsport," the teenager teased. 

"That's right," X affirms good naturedly. "No fun ever allowed." 

Only to then pass by a police vehicle parked off to the side. 

"Ooh!" Brook marvled. "Two hundred points if you honk at the police!" X takes in a deep breath. How much of this is on purpose, he wonders. 

"Brook, I am not honking at police," he deadpanned. 

"But it's how they say hello!" she insisted. And that- (He's so done. Even if it's funny, he's so done.) 

"...I'm beginning to think I can't take you anywhere," X grumbled. The ruddy-haired teen merely hums.

 "Probably shouldn't," she agreed. "I've been told I'm a menace." Yes, by him, and Axl, and Signas, and Alia. Heck, even Marino has called her one. He gives her a fond side eye before taking a hand off the wheel to ruffle her hair. Brook surprisingly doesn't fight him off as much as she normally does. Although... he supposes the fact that he's currently driving is the reason for that. But a part of him wants to think that it could possibly be due to her finally settling. "That's not safe!" she griped. "You're supposed to have two hands on the wheel at all times!" 

"You're right," X conceded. "I shouldn't have done that." Only to then have Brook throw her own exasperated look at him. 

"Lame," she accused, causing the blue clad reploid to sputter. 

"What do you want me to do, then?!" he questioned. But the teenager just shrugs.

 "I dunno," Brook admitted. "But your reaction was funny." 

Oh. 

Oh.

He sees how it is. He takes his hand off the wheel once more to bat at her again, causing the teen to laugh and try to fight him off. He's usually a stickler for all the rules; but honestly, he is confident in his skills. He's been driving for a little over a hundred years now. Including his time trying to navigate through war-torn roads. This little drive is nothing compared to that. Which is the only reason he even thinks to take a hand off. Besides, reploids usually make better drivers than humans; what with their reaction time being much quicker. 

Although, you wouldn't think it looking at someone like Axl...

He can drive, yes, but he's not someone X ever wants to ride with again...

"This isn't what Driver's Ed said to do, X!" Brook retorted, a large grin on her face. 

"Oh, you've been through Driver's Ed?" he asked, finally putting his hand back on the wheel. But... Brook doesn't answer right away, causing him to glance over at her.

 "...No," she confessed. "...I was supposed to take it my sophomore year, but... well... You know what I was up to. And nobody really pays for orphans to do stuff like that, anyways..." X nods slowly, his core clenching in sympathy. But... it would be another thing to try and get her into while here. Japan's driving schools aren't necessarily the same as American Drivers Ed, but it would at least be something... He's unfortunately too busy to really be able to sit down and teach her, and he is not allowing Axl to make a 'mini-me'. Although... perhaps Alia or Layer could be of assistance. Not to mention the fact that Brook would likely struggle in the written portion of the test without help. 

"Well, we can figure that out," he assured her. "That is, if you want to learn to drive?" It wasn't a super necessary skill to have here in Japan, after all. Brook shifts uneasily, but-

"...I would appreciate it," she murmered. 

Another way that he's been making ground. She's accepting his offers to help, his advice, his care far more often now. Allowing herself to swallow her pride to do so. He knows she's capable. And she knows that he knows. But Brook is slowly choosing to allow herself more vulnerabilities around him. 

Meaning they are indeed getting somewhere. He has no idea what he would do without Harbor... The navy haired reploid is a saint.

X can see the grocery store he was looking for off in the distance. And luckily, it isn't all that busy. That surprises him a little bit, but then he supposes it is rather early in the day. He'd promised Brook lunch if she came with him. 

Something that sometimes got her to agree.

"You have your translator on you, right?" X asked, glancing over at Brook. The ruddy-haired teen gives him an exasperated look.

 "Yes, Dad," she deadpanned, causing the reploid to sigh and roll his eyes. "Not sure why you insist on it. Doesn't help me read anything. And I've got the speaking and listening part down pretty well." 

"I just want to be sure," he insisted. Brook just lets out a small huff. 

And also a chuckle. 

She's getting used to his "mother henning", as Axl called it. X knows he can be overbearing, not that he really means to. He just doesn't want Brook to get separated and then be completely and utterly unable to find him again. After all, there are different dialects of Japanese and people aren't as stationary as they used to be. He just worries about something happening, okay?

Stepping through the front doors of the grocery store, X pulls out a shopping cart from the designated area. "Stay close to me, please?" he said to Brook. He knows she's not a little kid. And back home, he doesn't mind her wandering around their local store by herself anymore. She's familiar with the layout, after all, and has generally gotten used to where he frequents when needed. But this is a new place, and fluent or not, he doesn't need to be losing her. The ruddy-haired teen rolls her eyes once more, but a muttered "Yeah, yeah," is his answer. 

Good. 

That's another change he's noticed. Brook is slowly accepting his authority, as well. Even if she's an utter teenager about it. 

Rather than bring attention to it, X simply begins to walk down to aisle he knows holds what he's looking for; Brook dutifully walking besides him. There's only one other customer there, but they pay him little mind. After all, he isn't very recognizable outside of his armor. (Something he so thankful to his creator for.) The only thing that really ever garners attention now is the fact that Brook is noticeably not a reploid. 

After all, there aren't... too many mixed families. Even after all this time. Plenty of Hunters took in foundlings when necessary, sure, but that was more often than not a temporary thing. Reploids adopting humans was something still under a bit of... scrutiny. Some felt that due to their longer lives, there was risk of reploids seeing humans as something more akin to 'pets' than people. Which X scoffed at. He wondered how much of it was projection.

But... He supposes with reploids like Sigma still fresh in the history books, it wasn't completely unfounded... The Maverick had often alluded to that notion with Dr. Cain. Something that even to this day, still boils the blue clad reploid's oil. 

A light gasp from Brook catches his attention, drawing X out of his thoughts. Turning to see what garnered that response, he sees a packet of rice noodles with... 

A white whale mascot. 

...Oh great...

"Thar she is!" she exclaimed quietly, in a sort of whispering yell. "The white whale!" The brunet reploid gives her a fond, but annoyed glance. 

"Very funny," he deadpanned, causing the teenager to grin. She'd recently read through all of Moby Dick (partially in Japanese, he was proud of her), and decided it would be funny if she made a big deal out of every instance of seeing a whale; or the word itself. 

Especially if it were white.

(And it sort of was, not that he'd be encouraging her. Axl does that enough.) 

Brook at least has the decency not to disturb others with her antics. The other shopper hadn't even looked up from where she scrutinized the shelves. Shaking his head, X simply grabs the item he needs and continues on his way. Brook makes a few more clever comments at things, but nothing really of note. Not until they get close to the checkout. 

"X, look!" Brook exclaimed, causing him to look up. Many local stores have a... pop culture section, nowadays. Selling merchandise of popular animes or manga. X himself had never really gotten into a bunch of them, but Zero had liked a few Shonen. And Axl often enjoyed a few as well. He's not sure which ones are really all that big this decade, however.

But Brook is pointing to a display of what looked like a more Gothic-inspired series. One with monsters and other "creepy" themes. He wondered, with a bit of guilt, if he was supposed to recognize this particular series. That is, until he notices the ruddy-haired teen pointing to a specific object.

A model of a stringed instrument made out of what looked to be a skeletal arm.

"It's my favorite instrument," Brook stated. "The vile-limb." 

X cannot help the ugly laugh that escapes him. It's a pun that only works in English, hence some of the confused looks other patrons give him, but man.

That got him good.

Brook seems proud of the fact that she's made him laugh so hard. Something that surprises him. He would have thought that she'd be annoyed with him for laughing so hard...

Yet apparently, that was the goal...

Shaking his head, X pays for the handful of groceries he picked out and after grabbing the bags, heads back out to the car. Brook following closely behind.

"Alright, food," she insisted. X sighs fondly, opening the back door in order to safely nestle the groceries inside. 

"I know, I know," he assured her. "And we will. We'll stop in the next town over. This one doesn't really... have many good restaurants, according to Axl..." And really, he's inclined to believe the prototype. He eats out a lot more than X does. Granted, he doesn't eat as often as the blue bomber, but it's something. 

Brook, however, groans. But obediently gets into the passenger seat. The ruddy-haired girl taps on the dashboard with her hands as she waits for X to climb in and buckle up. "I'm turning on the music this time," she demanded. "And choosing the station."

Rolling his eyes, X turns the key into the ignition; bringing the vehicle to life with a purr. He doesn't say anything as Brook begins fiddling with the stereo. Already resigned to whatever noise she may choose... If it's too bad, he can always turn down or shut his ears off. Perks of being a reploid. Besides, backing out of the parking space has more of his attention at the moment. 

It doesn't take her long to find one of the English based stations. One that's already playing a song she seems to recognize. Brook gives an excited "Ooh!" as she takes her hand off the nob and-

Begins singing along. 

It's quiet. And X has to turn up his hearing a little in order to hear it- (Brook knows better than to blow her own eardrums out with the volume of the radio.) But it's there.

...He still wishes she would join the school choir instead of the archery team...

But she's made it clear that performance type things aren't within her comfort zone. And he's long since accepted that. But... listening as she sings along, (He thinks it's something from the early 2000s? Really retro stuff... The blue clad reploid is surprised this is stuff Brook knows...) X really does wish she would give it a shot...

Quietly tapping along to the beat of the song on his steering wheel, something suddenly comes out of his peripheral. Fast enough that it flashes warning signals across his vision. Slamming on the breaks, he reactively holds an arm out to brace Brook from the threat. Only to sigh in relief when it turns out to simply be an idiot on the road...

Grumbling under his breath, X debates reporting the license plate in front of him. But ultimately decides against it. 

He does commit it to memory, however. Just in case he comes across this particular driver again and they've learned nothing.

"You alright, Brook?" X asked. Yet he's slightly surprised to hear her snickering. "What?"

"That's such a mom thing," she teased. The blue bomber deadpans at her as the snickering devolves into full-blown laughter. 

"...Yuck it up," he said, fighting not to smile. "See what happens next time."

"Oh you're totally doing it again."

...He "hates" that she's right... 

Finally, they come across one of the restaurants X is familiar with. It's not super busy either, since they're slightly ahead of the lunch rush. But that doesn't mean the streets are empty, either. 

So while X is looking for a spot to park-

"People are bonus points."