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Xylo went back home after a long day of running errands.
Years passed since she left the Resistance. She wasn't needed there anymore, anyway. They achieved what they fought for. Besides, she's not getting any younger. Might as well build herself an actual life now that she's able to...
She does still keep in contact with some of them. Christmas cards from Ammonia and the Murderesses, unfrequent yet welcomed calls from Douglas, drawings and letters from Annabeth (those are mostly for F.I.S.M. though) etc. etc. But despite not being part of that group anymore, she was... Happy.
Her life was relaxed. Content, even. She couldn't remember the last time it was like that.
She and her metal partner, now husband, moved into an apartment together. It wasn't anything fancy but it was large enough for the two of them and it was homey. Somewhere near the city center, but far enough from the large crowds. Aka, it was as perfect as perfect gets for a middle-aged woman and her war veteran robot husband. Ammonia made sure of it after everything.
So, Xylo was back home.
Their apartment wasn't big. It was enough for the two. A small hall, living room, dining room that was connected to the kitchen and another small hall that lead to the bathroom and bedroom. Since F.I.S.M. didn't need to sleep, eat nor maintain hygiene. Still, he chose to be in the same bed as Xylo. It helped her sleep better when he was next to her anyway. The living room was filled with many things. Most were gifts like weapons, decoration and trinkets. A couple of framed pictures stood proudly on the slightly dusty shelves. Pictures of a lot of things. The Resistance, her and her husband and pictures of their travels. Another sight that wasn't as proud to see were some plants Ammonia gifted her a while back. They were barely alive (mostly because F.I. took care of them). Some were even dead. Maybe that's why Xylo didn't invite Izra and Ammonia over yet... She's sure Ammonia would at least be disappointed the plants she loved so dearly were hanging by a thread of life.
F.I. probably wasn't home yet. She could tell considering the robot would have already greeted her by the entrance. That and all the lights were out. She took her jacket and boots off, leaving them at the entrance. And yet something felt...
...
Wrong.
Xylo knew that feeling. She felt it a lot throughout her life. Enough to know what it was.
She wasn't alone.
A pleasing smell emitted from deeper inside and she sure as hell didn't cook anything earlier today.
Her knuckles, both actual and mechanical, clenched. Xylo reached for a hunting blade in her pocket. Another housewarming gift she got from the Resistance. From Maxilla, if she remembers right. That girl loves her blades... But it was a good knife. Quality and easy to sharpen. One of the gifts she used most often. Despite the new laws in San Polaris and the rights movement the place was far from safe. Just for other reasons than before.
Xylo carefully made her way through the rest of her apartment. She knew someone else was there. And she was ready.
After going through the living room that she (admittedly) already knew like the back of her hand, she took a few careful steps towards the kitchen/dining room. The scent was more prominent and lingered in the air as she got closer. When she entered the kitchen she saw a silhouette leaning on the counter, their back to her. This was the perfect opportunity for her to strike. She held the blade close, in case she needed it. Just a few steps closer and-
And then the person turned around. And, it must have been an instinct or something, but Xylo decked the person in the face with her metal arm... For a second Xylo thought that something was familiar about the way they yelled after being hit, but her thoughts were soon interrupted by the person speaking.
"BITCH, IS THIS HOW YOU TREAT GUESTS??!!!"
Their voice was feminine yet growly and a bit aggressive.
The person scrambled a bit to hit the light switch, effectively turning the lights on. They- or rather she spoke up again.
"The ONE time I visit you and you punch me with that hunk of ju- OH MY GOD, IS THAT THE KNIFE I GAVE YOU???"
Xylo's face dropped from determined and serious to shocked and bewildered.
Oh FUCK no!! NOT HER. ANYBODY BUT HER.
"What in LORD'S HOLY NAME are YOU doin' here at this UNGODLY hour?!"
Xylo spoke up, obviously distraught.
Maxilla spoke up, a bit of blood still dripping from her nose and down her face.
"I was bored, in town, close by, lonely and missed you. I made myself a toastie you want one-"
"I DON'T WANT NO GODDAMN TOASTIE!!"
Xylo huffed, placing the blade back into her pocket. She wiped the blood off her metal arm, giving Maxilla a glare. Maxilla didn't seem to care, though. She stood up straight and wiped the blood off her face. Her nose healed up within seconds as if the punch didn't even happen. Must be that damned parasite of hers or whatever. There were many times when Xylo wished Maxilla couldn't heal so fast. Maybe then punching her would be more satisfying.
"So... Where's that sexy metal boyfriend of yours?"
Maxilla's tone was dripping with tease and sarcasm, but there was also genuine concern and curiosity there. Xylo could tell. Even if she hated Maxy's guts sometimes, she knows her well.
And so, Xylo sighed before answering:
"He's out. He'll be back in an hour or two. And he's my husband, actually."
"YOU MARRIED??? And you DIDN'T invite me????"
"It was a courthouse weddin'. Just to get it over with."
"Still, you could've called. Does Ammonia know...?"
"I'd be surprised if she didn't... But we didn't tell her."
"Whatever..."
Maxilla was visibly upset.
"I don't owe you anything and you know it."
Xylo spoke up in her usual brash attitude after a few minutes of thick silence between the two.
"I beg to differ. I saved you from dying. If that isn't worth you owing me, I don't know what is!"
Xylo grumbled. Another moment of silence passed between them before Maxilla spoke up again.
"I have missed you, you know. I wanted to ask if I could stay here for a bit more... Y'know, catch up. Quite a bit changed since we saw eachother."
"Nothin' bad, I hope."
"Nah. If it was bad I wouldn't have time to visit."
"You broke into my house."
"Get better security and maybe I won't be able to next time."
Xylo couldn't deny the small twinge of nostalgia as she sighed. Maxilla was grinning.
"I guess we could catch up. Over a beer, maybe. I still don't have the mental capacity to stand you while sober."
"Whatever you say, old hag."
The two sat down on the couch, talked and joked around. Minutes turned into hours. It was a very pleasant night. Maxilla told Xylo everything about the new members of the Resistance. She also soothed some worries about older members that Xylo didn't even notice she had. Max still kept her sense of humor, if nothing. The only thing that made the night better was F.I.S.M.'s confused expression when he came home and saw his wife and the symbiote hostess joking around like old friends. Like old time... Some things just never change.