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A Prowler SMG was leveled directly onto her face, close enough that it made Conduit go cross eyed. Smoke was still steaming from the barrel.
“See? Best weapon to eliminate your opponents.”
Rowenna had to bite back a groan of pain, doing her best to sound unaffected from the large peacekeeper wound on her stomach that was slowly bleeding her out. The same peacekeeper lay at her feet, Axle having yanked it from the rookie contestant that had shot her before smashing his nose in with its end.
“God, okay, yeah that was so, so cool.” Rowenna breathed out, the words shaky against her efforts.
The barrel disappeared, and with it Axle’s face came into view. The sun behind her head made her look like an angel, and in her delirium Rowenna almost expected wings to come down around her as Axle crouched down. The red shades of Axle’s hair looked like they were glowing, softening the sharp lines of the Legend’s face, contrasting her dark makeup- dark eyeshadow, and most of all, her dark lips. Dark lips that were moving.
Oh.
“-Get off your knees.”
The health injector being shoved in her chest made Conduit flinch, the world coming back in sharp fragments. Rowenna felt her face beginning to heat as Axle reached for her again, hauling her up. It was a basic thing, lifting each other up when one got down, and still Rowenna felt her nerves sing when it came from her.
Mind whirling, Conduit bumped right into her as she got to her feet, face really heating now as her forehead smacked against Axle’s warm chest. “Ooh, sorry, sorry!” She tried to step back, but Axle’s hold on her kept her close. Oh gosh. “I- I mean thank you!” She tried for a cheery grin, trying to will the embarrassment away. What was wrong with her?
Axle frowned, her grip tightening on Rowenna’s hand that she still hadn’t let go of. Her thumb was unconsciously brushing over her knuckles in a way that felt far too gentle for someone who’d just caved a man’s face in with a shotgun earlier.
“Do not thank me,” Axle said, her accent clipping the words in that precise, commanding way that made Conduit’s chest ache. “I need you if I’m going to win. You understand. It is strategic.”
Strategic. The word should have killed the butterflies rioting in her stomach, but it only made them worse. “Right, right. Yup. Strategic!” she echoed, nodding hastily.
Axle gave a short nod, seemingly satisfied. She finally released Rowenna’s hand and stepped back, turning to reload her Prowler with practiced efficiency. The sun caught her hair again as she started walking.
Rowenna stood there for a moment, swaying slightly still from the bloodloss she thinks, she isnt sure, watching the confident sway of her shoulders.
Her fingers still tingled where Axle had held them. Just strategic, she reminded herself thoughtfully, taking in a deep breath.
Yet her eyes stayed glued to Axle’s back , heart still thumping in her chest, yearning for something she wasn’t sure she was allowed to want.
Conduit does her best not to let these new, awkward emotions get in the way of the games. Because at the end of the day, she’s here to win, she has a family back home depending on her, and some silly crush wasn’t going to get in the way of that.
But it’s so hard to do when said traces of her are everywhere. Well, her little, cute pink speed boosts, she means. Rowenna would be running, panicking over the burning ring nipping at her heels when suddenly she was being swept away.
Mirage’s voice was high pitched in pain, holding onto his bleeding arm as they ran. “Oh my god we’re going to die! There- there’s going to-to be a team camping outside of the ring and-and we have no shields and-!”
“Relax, kapatid!” Rowenna couldn’t help but laugh, her heart pumping as fast her legs were moving. “We’ll be fine, just don't stop run-” She yelped at the ring scalded her calf, instinctively throwing out her radiant transfer to Mirage to help soothe his nerves. “Keep going, keep going!”
“Look!” Mirage whopped, throwing up a small hologram of the Storm Point map. “We’re so close we just keep heading down hill-”
The breath got knocked out of them both as they were both suddenly sliding quickly, causing them both to stumble over each other. The world turned into a blur of pink energy and flailing limbs. Rowenna’s feet left the ground as the boost launched them forward at ridiculous speed, sending them both sliding down the grassy slope. She tried to regain balance, but Mirage’s long legs tangled with hers mid-slide. “W-whoa!”
Rowenna’s elbow smacked into Mirage’s ribs. His knee somehow ended up in her side. The two of them rolled and bounced down the hill in a chaotic tangle of limbs, shouts, and embarrassed laughter.
“Ow! Your L-star is in my face!” Mirage squeaked.
“Your elbow is in my spleen!” Rowenna shot back, half laughing and half groaning as they kept sliding.
A few more moments of chaos, before the slope began to flatten. Rowenna let out a relieved huff, sprawled on her back beside Mirage, both of them panting and dizzy. “Okay.. okay, I think we stopped,” she wheezed, staring up at the clouds with her heart still racing.
Mirage moaned in pain and began to sit up, slamming a hand on the ground beside them to stand.
The ground glowed pink again.
“No!” Rowenna barely had time to yelp before they were launched once more. This time they shot forward like bowling pins, sliding across the dirt in a final, undignified heap. They tumbled head over heels one last time and came to a hard stop in a small crater of flattened grass.
Rowenna lay flat on her stomach, cheek pressed to the cool ground, one arm flung over Mirage’s back. Her legs were tangled with his again. She could feel dirt in her hair and a fresh bruise forming on her hip.
Mirage groaned pathetically beside her. “I… I think I broke my everything.”
Rowenna tried to push herself up, but her arms felt like jelly. “Yeah… same. Just… gimme a second…”
A shadow fell over them.
She tilted her head up slowly and felt her stomach do a traitorous little flip.
Axle stood above them, her prowler already raised, the red parts of her hair catching the sunlight like fire. Her dark lips were pressed together in what might have been amusement or mild disappointment. “Nice slide, schatz,” Axle said, voice dry. The corner of her mouth twitched. Not disappointed then, Rowenna would’ve wagged her tail if she had one. “Very strategic.”
Rowenna’s face burned hotter than the ring behind them. She opened her mouth to say something, but only managed a weak, embarrassed little laugh.
Revenant's face slid into view and Conduit managed a little wave. Mirage whimpered in fear bedside her.
Axle’s Prowler barked twice.
Even outside of the games does Rowenna constantly see her. There hasn’t been a new legend in over a year, the games getting harder and harder to get into because of how good her and her legend friends are of course. So Axle being the newest member meant her face being everywhere. On holo ads, on posters, in commercials she clearly didn’t want to be in but was made to like the rest of them were. It didn’t help that her viewers wanted an interview with Axle on the podcast.
Maybe she should call Diwa, ask for advice. But it was hard sometimes, seeing the worry in her face when she caught a glimpse of the glowing green in her veins. Are you pushing too hard again?, that look always asked. Is this worth it?
Rowenna swallowed, looking away from her suit behind the glass to look back outside of her apartment. A large, holographic ad of Axle glowed brightly in the night, passersby continuously stopping by to stare or take pictures.
Rowenna’s chest tightened. She pressed her forehead lightly against the cool glass, biting her lower lip as warmth crept up her neck. Strategic, she reminded herself for the hundredth time. That’s all Axle saw her as; A useful teammat, a means to victory.
Rowenna looked back at the counter that had multiple containers filled with excess food she had made, a habit she’ll most probably never let go of.
Octane and Mirage loved it and now she idly wondered if Axle would too. Just to be friendly. She remembered how lonely she felt when she was new, and didn’t want Axle to feel the same.
The next morning, Rowenna found herself clutching two of the neatly packed containers as she stepped onto the dropship that’ll take them to Kings Canyon, her heart doing that embarrassing little stutter it always did lately. The rest of the team was already boarding. Octane and Ramya were laughing loudly, pointing at highlights from their last match where it showed her and Elliott falling down the hill.
Renee was smiling beside them, with Natalie trying to cover up her giggles.
Elliott was standing in front of them, trying to cover up the screen with his hands with embarrassed squeaks and stutters.
Rowenna felt her cheeks warm, but couldn’t help but giggle as well, watching as Mirage slammed the floor, the editing of the drones making it seem so much more ridiculous than it felt as they got swept away again.
She looked around and found Axle sat near the back, legs stretched out, sharpening a knife with calm, precise movements while she stared at her with a small smirk.
It made Rowenna’s spine straighten, her smile unconsciously stretching out into a grin as she made her way over with a little wave before she could chicken out.
“Hey, Axle,” she said, suddenly feeling unsure of herself as she got close. Her heart was beginning to race again.“I, um… made too much again last night. Figured you might want some for after the match? Or, y’know! Whenever.”
She held out the containers, filled with adobo and a couple of fresh lumpia rolls wrapped carefully. The savory aroma of garlic, soy, and slow cooked pork drifted between them.
Axle’s dark eyes flicking from Rowenna’s glowing green-veined arms to the food. She set the knife aside.
“I’m not hungry,” she said flatly.
“Oh.” The word slipped out soft and disappointed before she could stop it. Rowenna’s shoulders drooped immediately. “Right, of course. Sorry, that was silly of me. I’ll just-”
She turned to leave, cheeks already heating with embarrassment, when a gloved hand caught her wrist. The grip was firm but not rough, pulling her back with surprising gentleness. Rowenna stumbled half a step closer, suddenly very aware of how close they were in the narrow dropship aisle. Axle’s warmth radiated up close and Rowenna could smell the faint trace of.. motor oil? and that subtle scent that was undeniably her that always clinged to her.
Axle’s other hand came up to steady her by the hip, keeping her there. Those dark lips curved into the tiniest hint of a smile.
“I’ll save it for after the match,” Axle murmured, low enough that only Rowenna could hear. Her thumb brushed once over the inside of Rowenna’s wrist, right along one of the glowing veins, before she released her.
Rowenna blinked, her pulse skyrocketing. “Y-yeah? Okay. Cool. That’s really smart actually.”
She was about to step back when Axle tilted her head, curiosity softening the usual sharpness in her gaze. “What is it, exactly?” she asked, nodding toward the containers now resting on the seat beside her. “It smells… strong. Good strong.”
Rowenna lit up instantly, the familiar joy of sharing food chasing away the awkwardness. “Oh! It’s adobo! Filipino comfort food. Pork slow cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. Super tender. And the lumpia are like crispy spring rolls with veggies and meat inside. My lola’s recipe, mostly. I always make extra when I get restless.” She laughed lightly, rubbing the back of her neck. “Octane calls it ‘victory fuel.’ Mirage just inhales it.”
Axle studied the containers for a moment longer, then looked back at Rowenna. Something almost warm flickered behind her eyes. “I see. Then I will try it. After we win.”
Rowenna’s cheeks ached from smiling so hard, her chest full of that bright, fluttering feeling she couldn’t quite name. “Okay, yay! Tell me what you think- ooh if you want I’ll start bringing you dishes specifically- youknowifyouwant! So you could try out different things. I always make enough for my family back home but, well you know it’s just me now.” Her tone dipped with a pout, before she shrugged and continued. “I’ll just make sure Octane and Mirage don’t try going for thirds- or fourths.”
Axle huffed out what could almost be considered a laugh. “You like to cook then?”
“Yeah! I’ve been doing it almost my whole life, it’s calming you know? And it’s always nice feeding your loved ones.” Conduit froze, eyes widening as her eyes darted over to the food and back to Axle. “I mean-“
“Meine Süße,” Axle sat up, leaning closer. “Come. I would like to show you something.”
Conduit nodded mutely, throat closing up as Axle took her hand into hers. Their fingers intertwined as Axle took the food with her free hand and began to lead her down the hall, where their separate rooms resided.
“You like to cook. I like to clean and fix things. I think we’d be a good match.”
“A good match?”
They stopped at Axle’s room, the taller woman punching in her security code before the door slid open with a hiss.
Axle’s room was sparse but immaculate, everything in its precise place. A low bed, a workbench cluttered with neatly organized tools, and a sleek, custom motorcycle sitting in the center of the room. The air carried a faint scent of oil, metal, and something faintly like Axle’s own clean, sharp presence.
Axle gently set the food containers on a small table near the door, then turned to Conduit with that same quiet intensity.
“Come,” she said, voice low. “I want you to see this.”
She led Rowenna by the hand toward the bike. Conduit’s pulse thrummed in her ears as she took in the machine. It was beautiful and looked dangerous, just like Axle.
Axle swung a long leg over the seat first, then reached for Conduit’s waist, guiding her to sit in front. Conduit’s face burned but went willingly, maybe a bit too eager with how she almost stumbled before Axle’s firm grip steadied her.
Conduit settled between Axle’s thighs, her back nearly flush against the taller woman’s chest. The leather seat was still warm from the room’s ambient heat, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating from Axle behind her. The lack of distance between them made the air feel thick with tension.
Axle’s arms came around her in what almost felt like an embrace, close enough that Conduit’s breath hitched. Strong hands settled over Rowenna’s on the handlebars. “These are the brakes,” Axle murmured against her ear, voice a low rumble as she slowly guided Conduit’s fingers to the levers. “Front and rear. You squeeze gently at first then firm when you need control.” Her fingers pressed lightly over Rowenna’s, demonstrating.
Conduit swallowed, trying to focus on the words instead of the way Axle’s breath brushed the side of her neck.
“And here,” Axle shifted slightly, her chest pressing more firmly against Conduit’s back as she reached for the throttle. “Twist this for power but never rush it. Machines,” she paused for a moment. “People. They both respond better when you take your time.”
Rowenna could feel every point of contact, the firm press of Axle’s thighs bracketing her, the steady heartbeat against her spine, the way Axle’s voice dropped even lower when she spoke. She turned her head slightly, mouth open to ask how long Axle had had her bike, but the movement brought her face dangerously close to Axle’s. Their eyes met.
Isa leaned in and pressed a slow kiss to Conduit’s cheek, right at the corner of her jaw. It lingered just a second longer than a casual kiss should, making Conduit's breath stutter, a small sound escaping her throat. Isa's lips against her jaw pressed stiffly, a small, thick noise escaping her own chest. The butterflies in Rowenna's stomach made her squirm.
When she pulled back, her lips brushed the shell of Conduit’s ear. “Meine Süße,” Isa whispered, “you make me want to show you everything, Divina.”
Rowenna swallowed the lump that had formed at the back of her throat. “I’ve never ridden before,” She managed, voice barely above a murmur.
Isa’s mouth curved against her skin in the ghost of a smile. “Then I will teach you. Slowly.”