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Xio figets with the azabache bracelet on their wrist and paces around, eyes scanning Lago Relámpago's train station for the familiar braids, warm eyes and the teasing smile. Where's Atzi? She was supposed to be here eight minutes ago to pick them up.
They're fairly sure they would be able to get to Tormentoso's temple on their own, but they would still prefer Atzi by their side. She, too, said, she would rather follow them to the temple than have them go alone. Not that I think you would get lost, she said. You're too smart for that. I'd just feel better if I were with you.
Maybe this movie night was a bad idea, Xio thinks after another two minutes pass. Maybe they shouldn't have come. Maybe Atzi hates them, like everyone does. No, not likely. There are two people that Xio knows certainly like them, after all: Teo and Atzi.
Maybe something happened to her? If something happened on her way here to meet them then what? Would it still be their fault?
No, probably not. They remember what their therapist always told them. Not every bad thing that happens around you is your fault. You're not bad luck, Xio. That's what Teo and Atzi said, too.
Someone puts a hand on Xio's shoulder. It's warm and gentle. "Hi!" Atzi beams, panting a bit. Sol, they really love that smile. "Sorry I'm Iate, there was a traffic jam and my bus was late, then it got stuck in some more traffic."
"Oh. Okay," Xio whispers. "I was worried already," they add, in their usual volume.
She cocks her head slightly and smiles, removing the palm from Xio's shoulder. "Oh, Xio was worried," she says in an overly sweet and sarcastic voice.
They return the sarcastic smile. It's always so easy to slip into this kind of banter with Atzi. "Yes, to your surprise, I was."
She puts her arm around their shoulders and starts leading them towards the temple in Lago Relámpago. Currently, she is two inches taller than Xio, but a few months ago, they were an inch taller than her. "Sol, you really care about me, don't you?" she asks, still teasing.
"You say that as if you don't care about me," Xio retorts. "But, seriously."
"Yes, I know you love me. Who wouldn't?"
"The most lovable girl and the most unlovable person in Reino del Sol. Hanging out. Having a movie night. The usual, you know."
"Oh, you're lovable, too." Atzi smiles and looks at Xio. Her brown eyes are full of love the way only Suerte’s were. Not even Teo and Renata look at them with so much love. "I love you, how wouldn't you be lovable?"
"Oh, I was joking," Xio mutters. "I know I'm not unlovable." They've been working on that in therapy. Atzi helped. Teo, too, and Renata from time to time.
A serious expression falls on her face. "I mean it. You are lovable."
"I know."
"And there really was a traffic jam. I wasn’t late on purpose."
Sol, this girl. She knows their insecurities too well. "How do you always know how I feel and what my anxiety is telling me?" they ask.
"Because I know you, dummy," Atzi replies. "I care about you and I pay attention to you."
"That's always nice to know."
•○●○•
Atzi's room is just like Xio imagined it would be. Pictures of her with her family and friends (including Xio) posted on the walls. A few movie posters next to them. Xochi's blue crocheted blanket on the bed. Laptop covered in stickers on the desk. A few stickers Xio shipped from Los Restos, like the AO3 one, and some given to her by Dezi. Lego flowers gifted to her by Marino on the window shelf. A bookshelf filled with comics and fantasy and romance books. A plain black schoolbag next to the door covered in badges, some of them stolen from her sister Lluvia.
Not that they haven't seen bits of it on their video calls and on pictures, but seeing it in person is a whole different experience. It feels so very... Atzi.
Atzi puts the popcorn they brought from the kitchen on her desk and sits down on the edge of her bed. Xio sits down next to her, their shoulders brushing against hers. "So," she says, clapping her hands agaisnt her tights, "what do you want to watch?"
After about fifteen minutes of bickering, they decide on the first Avengers movie. They lay on the bed next to each other, their legs pressed against each other, the movie playing on the laptop. The popcorn is behind the laptop, but close enough that both of them easily can reach for it. It's comfortable. Xio isn't sure if they'd ever been so comfortable with someone. Maybe Teo, but probably not. Close, though.
"You've watched all Marvel movies?" Atzi asks. Her shoulder bumps agasunt Xio's.
"Yes. Most of them more than once, actually. I'm surprised you haven't watched all of them."
"I'm more of a DC kind of person."
Xio fake gasps, putting their palm against their chest. "Ugh. The betrayal. I can't." They put their hand agaisnt their forehead and tilt it back, ironically mimicking a damsel in distress.
"Ah, the traitor speaks of betrayal."
Xio, a smile still lingering on their lips, whispers teasingly, "Low hit."
"You would know a lot about those, wouldn't you?"
Xio lightly punches Atzi in the shoulder. "I can do high hits, too, you see."
"And you're still lower than me."
"Now that was a really low hit."
"Well, it can't be a high one if you're short."
"You're mean."
"And you're short."
•○●○•
Two Avengers movies, three popcorn buckets and over five hours later, Xio is asleep with their head leaned against Atzi's shoulder. They are snoring lightly, their soft breaths tickling her arm. Sleeping like that, they look young, even for their fifteen years of age. They look... younger. Atzi wonders if she, too, looks younger when she's asleep.
Half-asleep herself, Atzi turns off the laptop and puts it on the night stand. She takes the crocheted blanket from the bottom of the bed and throws it over Xio and herself, though they are plenty warm next to her and she isn't cold. Then, she leans her forehead agaisnt their soft curls and drifts off to sleep.