Chapter 36: Girl to Girl
No POV:
Axel and Mai made it back to the academy, avoiding prying eyes and probing questions...
’Back here again...’ Upon reaching the infirmary, Axel sat on the bed and exhaled...
"Thanks but you really didn’t need to bring me here yourself... I’m almost done healing. See?" He pointed at his gut, the wound had almost completely closed by now although there were still traces of of blood, he felt a lot better than he had been moments ago.
"Yeah that’s true. Honestly I would’ve taken you to our squad’s healer but since you told me other devil’s healing techniques don’t work on you, I saw it fit to bring you here myself." She replied, walking towards the drawer and returned with a bandage.
"Now, stay still."
She walked over to him and began wrapping the bandages over his injuries. She wrapped it around his torso making sure to be as delicate as possible.
Axel tensed a bit upon feeling her touch. Her fingers were soft, slightly brushing against his bare back. Her fingers threaded lightly on his back, gliding over muscles he never knew he had. It was oddly comforting...
"Alright. Done..." Her fingers lingered for a moment before she pulled back.
"Oh.. Thanks..." He shifted a bit, feeling the bandages on him.
They were wrapped tightly around his torso but they had a comfortable feel.
Comfortable silence settled between them. The tiredness of the day’s event slowly creeping onto him.
However, this peace was rudely interrupted...
**BANG**
The doors flew open as Hayley stormed inside.
"What’s the meaning of this?" She inquired, annoyance etched onto her face...
"Ohh this? Just the usual..." Axel casually answered..
"A few injuries. Nothing that hasn’t already happened to me..."
Hayley’s eyes narrowed. Then she spoke again: "The alarm went off. You fought a devil didn’t you?"
Axel stayed silent for a moment. Before he spoke though, Mai interjected: "That may be true but at least i was there to help." She said with a soft smile.
"’Help’? Look at him! It looks like he fought a meat grinder!"
Mai just shrugged. "It could’ve been worse... He could have *died*." She stated matter-of-factly...
"Still, why didn’t you do anything sooner. You let him be your meat shield. Or were you having too much fun on your little date that you forgot what actually mattered?" Then she turned to Axel. "What kind of devil was that?"
"B rank. Fast. Could create explosions." Axel answered quietly.
"And you let yourself get wounded by that. Why didn’t you call for help? Why didn’t you call me?"
[I mean... That was an option. The dunderhead just didn’t think of it...]
Axel frowned. "I handled it though. Why do you even care anyway?"
"Because I’m supposed to take care of you! Do you know how much trouble I would be in if you died under my watch?!" She answered, raising her voice.
Then quietly, she hissed "You’re too reckless... I don’t like that."
Axel could tell from the sound of her voice that she was frustrated.
And worried...?
No, no, no. That’s not possible... Why would she be worried about someone like him?
She’s just following orders... Yeah.. that’s it. The commander said so. She had no choice but to obey.
"I don’t get why you’re making such a fuss about all this. He’s alive... Well, mostly..." Mai said dismissively while walking towards the door.
"Alright. I’ll get going now... My teammates are probably waiting for me."
Then, she turned back, looked at Axel and said with a smile:
"Thanks for today, I had a great time. Try not to get yourself killed before I get back." With a wink, she opened the door and left.
Axel grimaced.. ’Aghhhh why’d you have to say that? She’s still here!’
Hayley glared at Axel. A long murderous glare. Then, she too, left. Leaving Drex alone in the infirmary...
"She’ll probably get over it in the morning." Laying down, he muttered.
"What was that about?" Hades leaned on one of the walls before asking.
"Beats me... She’s probably in a bad mood. As usual."
"Orrrrr... She’s just jealous. Watching someone else take you and probably have a chance with you must be too much for her to handle." Hades teased with a little chuckle.
"Very funny Hades." He deadpanned. Then, with a sigh, he added: "And I get called out for having terrible humor."
Suddenly, something crossed his mind...
During their whole exchange, Hayley hadn’t insulted him.
Not once...
She didn’t call him a fool.
She didn’t call him an idiot.
She didn’t even call him the ’Noob’ he had grown so fond of hearing.
Now that was weird....
’Well, no point in thinking about it i guess...’ He thought.
Laughing a bit, Hades muttered: "Two girls, one idiot. This will be interesting." Then, she walked out.
.
.
.
.
.
Walking across the halls, she seemed to be pondering something. She stopped by a vending machine...
’I’ll probably need to come back for this..’
As she kept walking, a lot of thoughts crept into her mind. Then, with a sigh, Hades muttered:
"He’s lacking."
Seeing Hayley move around towards the corner infront of her, she smiled sheepishly. "Guess I don’t have a choice."
.
.
.
.
.
Hayley closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
"Why’d I react like that?" She rubbed her forehead. "He knew what he was getting himself into when he rushed in so why does it... Bother me so much."
Ever since their argument in the infirmary, Hayley hasn’t really been herself. She saw herself constantly thinking about his safety.
She even had to stop herself from rushing out when they found out that Axel was facing the devil that attacked hours ago.
"Tch..." She gritted her teeth. The position of being his caretaker was slowly warping her mind.
And she didn’t like it one bit.
Heaving a frustrated sigh, she went to her window and opened it, allowing the night air to touch her skin...
Then, her door opened....
It was Hades...
"Are you sure you’re supposed to be here? Aren’t you worried he’d die or something?" Hayley replied without turning back.
"Well, as much as I’d love it to keep him by my side, I’d hate it if he became attached." She replied in a teasing tone.
The silence stretched for a moment then Hayley spoke again.
"So? What’d you want? Why are you here?"
Hades shrugged: "Just wanted us to have a little talk. Girl to girl..."
This time, Hayley turned to her. Narrowing her eyes, she asked: "It’s about the Noob isn’t it?"
"Wow you caught on... Impressive" Hades answered, her smile widening.
Hayley knew this. A contracted devil wouldn’t go out of their way to speak with an outsider if it’s contractor wasn’t involved.
Then, she spoke again. "Honestly, something’s been bothering me. And that’s his lack of experience... Fighting that devil took way more out of him than it should’ve and that pretty concerning..."
Hayley raised an eyebrow. "So? What does that have to do with me..?"
"I’m here to ask for a... Favor if you will..."
"That is?"
"To help me train him."
Hayley’s eyes narrowed. She saw this coming. Well, in a way... Considering how things were going, she knew the Noob would need training sooner or later.
However, she was prepared for this moment...
"That has nothing to do with me."
Hades raised an eyebrow. Then smiled: "Oh?"
"Why didn’t you ask the commander? Or the Jax, or Vax.. or even any other squad?"
"Well as you know the entire school doesn’t know of my existence. It would be a problem if I just casually walked up to someone and asked this don’t you think?" Hades asked, with a hint amusement in her voice she said again: "I thought you were his caretaker."
"I’m only responsible for making sure he doesn’t get himself killed. Anything outside that, is none of my business." Hayley said flatly.
There was uncomfortable silence. For a moment Hayley thought she would leave after saying this. But what happened next, wasn’t something she had expected.
Hades’ face twisted into a mix of anger and amusement... Her voice etched with something akin to disgust: "Are you stupid? What do you think a caretaker does? It’s part of your job to mould him."
"Uh—"
"You’re just hiding behind a mask of pride. Thinking he’s too far below you to be worth your attention... If you think being his caretaker only meant closing a couple of injuries, I ought to blow your head off."
Hayley’s eyes widened. She did not expect this kind of reaction from her.
"I—"
"What? You think I was gonna beg? You’re mistaken. Why would I bring myself that low?" She spat...
She spoke again. Her voice threatening. "I’ll just have to sustain him long enough for him to get used to my power. I’ll bring him from the dead if I have to... Who gives a fuck?"
Then, turning to the door, she added. "You know what that means don’t you? Good thing he’s a strong kid. He’ll learn. Eventually..."
Hayley clenched her fists. The fact that Hades said that meant that Drex was going to be in for an endless cycles of pain and suffering.
She wouldn’t care but that tiny bit of her just couldn’t bear the thought of watching him go through all that.
She had to make a choice.
"Wait."
Just as Hades was about to leave, she called out...
Seeing her turn around, she spoke again: "If I do this... If I help you, He won’t suffer anymore?"
Hades scoffed. "What do you think I’ve been saying?"
She gritted her teeth. "Fine... I’ll— I’ll see what I can do..."
Hades smiled. A very subtle, victorious grin.
Looking up, she said: "See? That wasn’t so hard..."
Facing the door again she said: "I’ll be needing you soon. Make sure you’re prepared by then."
After leaving her with those words, Hades left Hayley who sat on her bed and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
"What am I doing...?"
~~~~~
"Oh you’re back? Where’d you go?"
"I went to get you something..." Saying that, Hades threw a can of cola towards him.
"Ohh sweet. Thanks." Catching it, he began drinking without hesitation...
"Ohh by the way, you’re free tomorrow right?" Hades asked, walking over to him.
"Yeah I think so... Why?"
Then she fell silent, as if letting the tension build before responding:
"We’re going to have a little training session with your captain." She said, a wide grin on her face.
Axel blinked, his drink almost leaking from his mouth..
"What?"
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