Chapter 37

Axton's pickup truck was amazing. The ride was smooth at the same time maintaining high speed without any struggle. Crossing through the grasslands with the windows down, the sound of the engine and the wind made the night even more peaceful. From afar, there was a bandit camp and the inhabitants were fighting against each other. Maya chuckled, never would she think that she missed the chaotic nature of Pandora. Ironically, the chaos created a peaceful ambiance.

She glanced at Axton and the man was fixated with Hyperion base beside the moon called Elpis. A cigarette on his right hand and the steering wheel on his left, the empty road was not to be concerned. Maya never saw Axton smoking before; she kept note of it but never wanted to point it out. Part of it because with the beard he was currently having, for The Commando, it was befitting for him. Maybe, a lot of things had happened in Pandora during her time in Tretho. Just like her, just like the seasons, Axton also changed. For the better or worse.

Maya continued to look at the road and enjoy the time spent together in silence. Until.

"You must be wondering why I'm smoking." Axton spoke.

Maya was surprised but continued the conversation. "I don't mind about it, I know you know what you doing."

"That what? Smoking kills?" Axton humoured. "Come on, Handsome Jack almost killed us, no harm on a few sticks of cigarettes."

"But we do a lot of running." Maya retorted. "Might have to rethink that."

"Well…" Axton smoked deep while trying to argue back but as he released a long breath, he shrugged. "You're not wrong about that. I was kinda expected to nag me about how bad smoking is. hehe."

"Seriously Axton?" Maya was disappointed with that comment.

"As if I don't know you Maya." Axton shook his head and giggled alone.

"Like I said, I don't mind about it Ax. But I'm quite curious, when did you start?"

"When did I start eh.." Axton pulled the last bit of the cigarette and litter away, exhaling soon after that. "Honestly I never really wanted to smoke, not a smoker myself. But someone introduced me to it back when I was alone fighting with Alesia. It kinda sticked to me."

"Oh." Maya acknowledged. "And the beard?"

"As for the beard, well I'm lazy to shave so I kinda just let it grow to be honest." Axton scratched his chin. "I've been thinking to shave it off but yeah, I forget about it every time."

"I kinda liked your style, a bit messy but it fits you."

"It that a compliment from Maya?!?!" Axton said loudly.

"Don't say it like that." Maya playfully hit his shoulder.

"No really Maya. Thank you, I really appreciate it." Axton smiled towards her. "Of course, I have to say, you're beautiful with that longer hair."

"Oh!" Maya blushed and looked away, touched her hair and felt it with her fingers. "Thanks…

"A lot of things have changed ever since the Chairwoman is dead." Axton said and looked at the Hyperion base up above the sky. "Moving up the times they say. It's nice to see that you don't have to catch up."

"So what's new in… uhm… Pandora?" Maya tried to be smooth like usual but the compliment she received, she was still flushed by it.

"What's new eh?" Axton thought about it. "This pickup truck, got from Ellie with a better price and more reliable than you can imagine. And Overlook, you know that's our new base right?"

"Yeah, last time I was there, we were busy calling all the Crimson Raiders back to fortify it."

"Now, we have a like a big wall surrounding the whole place. We also extended the base even bigger than ever before with a stronger shield than ever before. Like the wall is so tall, straight out of a fantasy movie."

"Really? How tall?"

"I don't know, I'm not the type of guy to go on specifics…" Axton thought for a moment. "About Five time Bricks' height? Give or take."

"Damn! That's tall!"

"One needlessly large pizza and four soft drinks at table 5!" Said the waiter.

"COMING RIGHT UP!" Answered the kitchen staff.

In a chaotic nature of the borderworlds, Pandora managed to have one Pizzaria that was down to a T. A restaurant that was unlike the clubs and bars of Pandora. Clean yet messy in its own way to make the customers feel welcomed. A sight to be seen for Maya, her face shone in enthusiasm as the woman had spent most of the time in the Abbey. For Axton, it was typical as the man had served Dahl; his deployments across the galaxy so places like this were hard to catch.

The duo stood together side by side in the line where the end was the counter. The pizzeria was packed to the fullest, to have a table will take needless time. So Axton decided to take out, perhaps the line was long but the service was quick by the looks of it. Less time comparative to dine in. Take out was the way to go.

"When did you find this place?" Maya asked.

"The new bar in Overlook was making bad pizzas; Moxxi didn't move in yet at the time. So Sal and me went out to find good bars or at least fast food." Axton explained. "So we found this place and boy the pizzas here are unlike any other!"

"This is the first time I see this type of place." Maya looked down at the bleached white floor who had seen better days. "But for some reason, it feels so familiar. Feels so welcoming."

"Yeah this place is one of a kind." Axton nodded. "The only gripe I have is that they don't sell beer. Soda only."

"We can buy some outside."

Axton shook his head. "Nah I don't think that we need to. The soda is not that bad with the pizza. Pizza with soda gives that kick you know, you should try it Maya."

"Okay."

Axton was focused at the counter, hustle and bustle was entertaining for him. A way to occupy himself while waiting their turn to order and take out. For The Blue Siren, she was enjoying the scenery that was joyous and social. As she looked around the place, she saw a young couple talking and flirting with each other. Smiling, sipping their sodas while hands not far apart. Giggling with glee.

Maya looked at Axton later towards his right hand. Unoccupied and unbothered. The man fixated to the counter and to his thoughts. She wanted to hold his hand and slowly she reached it. Just as she got closer, she slapped her own hand and prevented it from happening. The slap was heard and Axton looked at Maya, the woman looked the other way.

"You heard that?" Axton asked.

"What?" Maya turned to look at him.

"I heard something." Axton looked around the restaurant. "Maybe it's me. Huh."

"What are we gonna eat?" She asked.

"I think pepperoni would be a good start for you. What do you think?"

"I'm good with anything that you want to go."

"Cool. We get the pepperoni, added more cheese, some good soda with some lemons on it. Whoo! That would be a good dinner." Axton was happy with what to come. "What you think?"

"Cool." Maya nodded while rubbing her reddened backhand which she caused.

As the line moved; Axton looked back to the counter and went on to his thoughts. Maya followed by his side but could not let her eyes away from his hand. She knew that it was indecent of her to hold hands on the same day she confessed her feelings. But the opportunity was there for her and her heart could not ignore it.

She bit her lower lip. I don't think that he would realize it.

Maya looked at Axton and the man was still the same. Maybe it's not that wrong to just put a pinky there…

Holding hands seemed to be harmless. She knew that it was the first day but there was no harm to it.

Right?

Let's not lie to ourselves, Maya just wanted to hold Axton's hand.

And Axton doesn't need to know it.

So the plan was simple: slide her pinky finger without Axton acknowledgement. If she could do it flawlessly, then for the rest of the night, she would be happier than a kid getting candy.

As the line moved forward, both Axton and Maya moved forward synchronously. At the same time, she moved closer to him by a few inches. The line moved again and the process repeated. Again it moved but Maya stopped approaching because had she did, she would awkwardly close and Axton would have moved away unconsciously. Close enough that she did not have to reach for it but far enough to respect Axton's space.

The moment she's been waiting and she was about to seize it. Looking forward but conscious where her hand was going, Maya coughed a few times to make it as natural as it could be.

But the moment she wanted to slide her finger, the line moved and Axton moved without her.

Her widened eyes showed her shocked and discontent but she didn't give up. She will persist like her Siren training and she will hold hands tonight!

She stood beside Axton like usual and by the next time they moved, she would surely succeed. She knows it. She looked around and acted as natural as she could to not make it apparent. The line moved again and so Maya made her move. She slid her pinky finger at Axton open hand with precise finesse. Grab hold of his hand just enough to make sure it won't be separated. But suddenly, Axton's hand moved and he grabbed Maya's hand softly yet firm.

Maya quivered and whimpered for a moment. She looked at Axton and the man grinned at her.

"Pervert." He said.

"No I'm not." Maya shook her head to hide her blush. "You're the one that is holding my hand."

"Oh really?" His smile widened even more.

"Duh!" Maya snorted.

"Okay." Axton loosened his hold. "Let go then."

Maya looked at him and looked at his hand. She grimaced and said nothing, she was truly clueless on how to react.

"Oh don't worry, we have all the time that we need." Axton teased.

"Why do you make it harder for me?" Maya looked at him.

"Oh it's my fault?" Axton sarcastically looked shocked. "You could've just Hey Ax, can we hold hands? It's not like is the most horrible thing in the world right?"

"Oh come on, you know me. I'm not good at these things."

"Just be honest, you don't have to keep it deep like you usually do." Axton held her hand firmly.

Maya was surprised seeing how open Axton was and now she found out why she wanted to spend time. Or rather, why she was attracted to him.

Maya squeezed his hand just as much as Axton and nodded. "I will."

Axton nodded and they both looked at the counter, not long from now and they will both be next to be served.

In the meantime, for Maya at least, she was enjoying her time just being with Axton. Nobody knows them both for who they are and nobody cares. And even if the other Vault Hunters suddenly came and found them both together, she didn't mind. Deep down, she hoped the staff would be slower than usual so that they both stay together longer.

For Axton, who was quite experienced in relationships, his smile was different. It had warmth in it. Guess the kiss was not a one time thing.

The line moved again. Dinner was Pepperoni with Extra Cheese with two soft drinks. It seemed to be a pleasant one.