Chapter Text
Xilonen was always attractive to those who met her for the first time.
No, scratch that.
She was gorgeous and eye-catching, anyone would turn their heads if she walked into a room unannounced, humans and animals alike, even a god might take a peek or two.
That woman always had a magnetic aura around her, enchanting and captivating without trying too hard to impress.
From the way she carries herself, her movements. Whether it be roller blading on the road or simply jumping off a high cliff, she does everything gracefully, with elegance and confidence.
Not to mention she’s so humble and down to earth, also a good friend, a great blacksmith, a wonderful warrior, and most of all houses a beautiful soul.
So benevolent.
So adorable.
Xilonen might claw her face to pieces if she heard her, but she can’t read minds (hopefully) so she can daydream all she wants right?
Right.
The leader of Natlan smiles proudly to herself, ever so shameless. Except this time, she forgot she wasn’t alone.
“You’re gonna burn through her back if you stare any longer, Mavuika.”
The Pyro Archon yelped from the sudden call-out, glancing at the person to her right.
Citlali smirked at her with a knowing look, face pink from the 10th cup of beer, light work for this granny.
“Oh Citlali…you’re drunk aren’t you.” Mavuika plays it off like she always does.
“I know what you are.”
“H-huh?? W-w-what do you meannn…?”
“You think you can fool this granny? Me? Really?” Citlali rolled her eyes in disbelief. “Your heart eyes said everything, I don’t even need to read your mind to know what’s going on in that indecent head of yours.”
“I think you had enough for tonight, let's get you to bed grandma.” The red head smiled brightly, fanning innocence.
“Gurl, your hair was flaming halfway through mind you.”
“WHAT?”
Mavuika touched her head and it did feel a little hotter than usual. She pouted at Citlali for teasing her when she saw that smug expression on the elder’s face again.
“Don’t tell her.” She mumbled embarrassed.
“Mhm~~” she took another sip of her drink.
“I’m not trying to pry but...”
Mavuika snatched her head to her left, this time seeing another familiar face.
“You should confess before someone else comes and smoother her up.” Kinich said with a dead serious face she can’t even tell him to stop joking.
But she’s an Archon, and a stubborn one too.
“Haha you’re so funny Lil Kinich, we’re just friends.” She proceeds to down her 13th cup of beer.
“Not with the way you eye her all the time, there’s been too much, and I mean too much eye-fucking. I would be fine without seeing whenever you guys are in proximity to each other!” Ajaw screeched from hiding behind Kinich’s back.
“Excuse me?” Mavuika deadpanned.
“You got Ajaw and Kinich agreeing, it’s so over for you.” Citlali freaking laughs.
“I didn’t know my fellow friends cared about my love life this much should I be honored?” Mavuika feels a headache coming and it’s definitely not the alcohol.
“Yes.” Traveler and Paimon pop out of nowhere. Stuffing themselves with today’s delicacies.
“Oh my…” Citali is trying so hard not to laugh as loud as she already is while Mavuika gives all of them a side eye.
“I swear whoever pops into this convo next will get it.” she feels her body fuming from both being busted about her crush and also disappointed at herself for not being secretive enough about it.
Out of all the things she thrives to be perfect in, a crush is what slips out!!!
“Hold on, does this mean Xilonen knows too then??” Oh I’m so screwed.
The Traveler and the others looked among themselves and thought for a second.
“From what I know, Xilonen is too focused in her workshop to notice so you’re safe for now, Archon!” Kachina chimes in happily.
Great now the child knows.
Oh archons, spare me.
“So the whole nation knows.” Mavuika slammed her head on the table with a soft thud.
“Well… not the whole nation but your circle of friends!” Paimon exclaimed joyfully, “Also, Paimon won the bet! Now, pay up Traveler!”
The Traveler handed Paimon a small bag of mora while shaking their head in disappointment.
Really?
“I thought the lesbian bait will stop here but it’s still going strong I see.” Traveler purse their lips in sadness.
“Never that nonsense, when are you gonna confess??” Paimon had sparkles in her eyes as she flew in front of Mavuika, waiting for an answer.
It’s the first time the Pyro Archon felt a chill down her spine. Confess? That never crossed her mind. She was just admiring and yearning from afar.
“Never! We’re simply close friends who've been through a lot together, y’know like normal friends…You guys all love hanging around Xilonen too right? Because she’s literally the best.”
“I know you can handle your drinks so this is you sober talking right.” Iansan pulled a chair up to their table and placed her drink down to stare at Mavuika dead in the face.
“For someone who always goes to her when she needs something you sure are a shy one now Archon.” The dwarf added.
“Welcome to Mavuika’s bullying club, Iansan.” the Traveler exclaimed with glee.
“Poor Xilonen probably thinks she’s just a useful tool for our Archon who only seeks her out to solve her problems~” Citalli fake concerns.
“What?! Never! Xilonen is-”
“What’s this about me?”
Oh shit.
“Um…hiiiiii, if it isn’t my best blacksmith~”
The rest of the ones at the table were trying so hard not to expose her, giggling to themselves.
Xilonen arched her brows and looked at the others around the table suspiciously.
“Hmmm, last time you guys gathered in a group was to discuss how to win the Night Wars, am I intruding on something I’m not supposed to know about?” She crossed her arms and looked at them in a playful manner.
“Of course not! You’re always welcome to join, everyone just started gathering one by one when it was just me and Citlali having a drinking competition.” Mavuika laughed her nervousness away. Eyes darting everywhere but looking straight at Xilonen.
“No thanks, I was just about to leave with Chasca, you guys have fun. Oh and Mavuika, don’t drink too much, or you’re gonna regret it later.” She waves the table farewell and walks towards Chasca who’s already waiting for her to leave Toyac Springs.
The red head policewoman gave them a wave too before they both set off.
“Now that I think about it, Chasca and Xilonen have always seemed pretty close huh?” Paimon said with a hand to her chin.
“Have they been friends for long?” The Traveler asked.
“For a few years, they hit it off pretty quick, I’m not sure exactly when they met, but in Natlan everyone became friends pretty quick.” Kinich took a sip of his juice after stating his statement, Trying to keep it away from Ajaw.
“Uhhuh! She made that cool flying gun for Chasca and made her remember all the safety procedures, she must care about her a lot. It’s so cool whenever I see her ride on it in the air!” Kachina cheered.
“They’ve been close for years, as much as Mualani and Kachina are.” Iansan said while munching on some protein bars. “Wait, aren’t Mualani and Chasca childhood friends? Wouldn’t she know?”
“Well Xilonen has always been an easy person to talk to, I love conversations with that one, she’s one of the few that doesn’t anger me all the damn time.” Citlali grumbled with an eye roll. Started mumbling names in the process displacing her drowsiness.
They all stared at Mavuika noticing the silence, the Archon stared down at her drink with a blank expression, not even gulping it down. With not much to say, she seemed zoned out already.
“Uhh Mavuika?” The Traveler called out to her.
The addressed looked up in surprise, proving her previous daydream state. “Oh, uh, yeah! Wassup, I’m listening!”
“Hey everyone! How’s the party going??” Mualani pops up out from behind and gives Kachina a little hug. “Is the food and drinks to your liking?”
“Yeah, People of the Springs always throw the best parties!” Kachina smiled happily.
“Thanks for inviting all of us.” Iansan mumbles through her chewing.
“Citali sure can agree” Mavuika stared at her fallen comrade, slightly dozing off on the table and continuing mumbling in her sleep.
“It’s a great way to just relax and forget all our heavy duties for a day~ I’m sure we all needed this!” Paimon flew around to snatch some candies on the table.
“Good to hear! Oh and by the way, has anyone seen where Xilonen and Chasca went? I was gonna give them some custom made swimsuits.”
“They just went off not too long ago, what’s with the swimsuits?” Mavuika questions immediately, of course everyone at the table picked up on it.
“Ah, I was gonna give you all one for whenever you guys wanna enjoy the hot springs, a little gratitude gift for my close friends! It’s just theirs that was finished earlier and I thought it would be efficient to just hand it to them now.” Mualani pouted. “It’s fine, they’ll be back another day pretty sure.”
“Huh, so they come often?”
Everyone’s ears perked up a little higher.
“Yeah, they always come together, for the last few months actually. They come once in a while but it seems they come around here way more than before. Probably to relieve the stress after the war and all, I mean I’ll do the same~!”
“Do they do anything else?”
The people remained silent.
“Umm, well they fish together sometimes, and Xilonen always listens to the newly added records at the shop and Chasca plays some on her guitar? But it’s not as often as when they just chill and chat in the hot springs…I mean I join in when I’m not on duty!”
“I see.” Mavuika looked rather pleased, knowing her heroes are so close outside of fighting for the nation.
“Well I have work to get back to, so I’ll leave you guys be, see you all next time!” She said as she hopped and sped away on her motorcycle.
“Oh the tension….” Paimon whispered to the Traveler. Who in turn shook their heads in amusement.
“My poor girl Xilonen is gonna have a big thing coming for her.” Citali spoke one last time before she completely passed out, with Iansan catching her before she hit the floor.
“Easy there Granny Itzli…I don’t know who I should be worrying about to be honest.” The short woman slowly dragged the elder back to her home to rest.
“Uhh did I miss something?” Mualani asked, looking around the table.
“Our Archon has a not so subtle crush on our Name Engraver and she’s being in denial but also down bad at the same time.” Kinich explains.
“And now we’re assuming since hearing about how close said crush and the Peacemaker had gotten, it’s a high possibility Archon might be jealous." Kachina continues.
“Even a kid can see the picture as clear as day, and Mavuika still wanna act clueless!” Ajaw bites out.
“Does anyone know if Xilonen likes Mavuika that way?” Traveler asking the real question. “All I know is that she gets frustrated at her a lot.”
“Perhaps our Archon is rizzless when it actually matters.” Kinich sighed.
“Is she what you call only having performative rizz?” Paimon thought out loud.
The Traveler gave her a proud look with tears in their eyes. Nodding their heads excitedly.
“Guys co’mon! Have a little faith in her will you? Mavuika will surely persevere!” Mualani tried to cheer up the atmosphere.
“Wait guys, I just had a great idea.” The traveler huddled them all together in a circle to diversify their plans.
.
.
.
After 30 Minutes:
“Ok, someone is going to relay the message to Citlali and Iansan tomorrow, we’re putting this operation into action as soon as possible!” Traveler announced.
“Roger captain!”
.
.
.
At Xilonen’s Workshop:
“Everything should be normal now.” Xilonen got up from fixing a part of the flying gun Chasca uses and stood to stretch.
“Thanks a lot, care to hang out tomorrow? My treat.”
“Oh it’s fine~ I think I’m gonna stay in and take a big nap, there’s a few commissions that’s half finished. Hit me up next week though, I’ll clear my schedule.”
“If you say so, let me know if you need anything delivered. It’s the least I can do.”
“Sighhhh if everyone was as thoughtful as you Chasca, I wouldn’t be bothered all the time.”
“Is this about a certain pyro user?” The red head teased.
“No comment.”
Just say the devil’s name and they’ll appear.
Xilonen recognizes the sound of an engine coming to a full stop near her workshop. She really hopes she’s hearing things…but her ears have never failed her in the past.
Chasca chuckled at the blonde’s reaction, slowly turning the doorknob to step out.
“I’ll leave you to that client, goodbye Xilonen.”
“Ugh. Bye.” She follows behind as Chasca leaves with her gun, high in the sky, away from sight.
Before any greetings were said, Xilonen spoke up first.
“Commissions are closed.”
“Oh c’mon I didn’t even say anything yet~!”
“If anything is broken again Mavuika, when it was fine back at the party- it’s not getting fixed until next month.”
“Calm down, calm down, nothing's broken! Promise!”
“What do you want then?”
“Um, can I not come see my favorite blacksmith or?”
“Spill it.”
“How mean, are you this grumpy at night?”
“Why yes, since it’s late I’m going back to bed. Goodnight Archon.”
“Wait wait wait, hold on!”
Mavuika steps one foot in to block the slam of Xilonen’s workshop door. The ocelot sighs in defeat, staring up at her archon with tired eyes.
“I uh…Umm oh- how do I say this without sounding pissy?”
“Pissy? You? Oh do enlighten me.” Xilonen perks up at that.
“Why do I feel like you love it when I’m in a bad mood?”
“That’s just your imagination~” She laughs, and Mavuika doesn’t feel pissy anymore.
“So what got you in a bad mood you had to come visit me for? Advice? That’s not my specialty unfortunately… unless it’s Phlogiston or mechanicals related? Hmm, but you’re not here for a commission…”
She’s always so endearing when she rambles off, Mavuika can watch her all day and she’ll be content with her life.
“Mavuika?”
“Oh! Yes. I forgot what I was upset about actually, talking to you was so healing, thanks Xilonen.” She gave her an unwavering smile.
“Really?” Xilonen said in clear sarcasm. “You’re just here to bother me for no reason, aren't you.” She shakes her head in disappointment.
“What are these accusations towards your Archon?”
“Always pulling that Archon card as a last resort to save yourself, be a good Archon and let your favorite blacksmith sleep.”
“Aww bored of me already?”
“I will ban you from talking to me next.”
“Ok ok… goodnight Xilo.”
“Mmhm, you get to bed too, take a longer break, you need it.” She replied with a yawn, “At least you listen to me and not go overboard with the drinking.” Xilonen flicks her forehead gently, she closes her front door without trying to slam this time.
“Right.” The injured let her hand linger a little longer on her forehead than she intended. She hopes there was a little scratch mark from Xilonen’s nail but with that light-feathered flick nothing is leaving actual damage.
A shame really.
Mavuika rode her flamstrider into the distance, back towards the Speakers Chambers. This time, she allows herself a good night sleep without winding up at her desk. Afterall, Xilonen ordered her to.