Max had a great time over the next couple of days.
Most of that time was spent with Millie and Loona, just hanging out, relaxing, and enjoying something close to normal life.
Bee and Verosika were busy with their own things, and Poppi had gone off to help Cherri with some… demolition work of the highly destructive variety.
Max stretched lazily, leaning back against the couch.
"Oh—speaking of which," he said, snapping his fingers lightly. "I've got something for you two."
Millie's eyes lit up immediately.
"Ooo! Gifts?!"
Max reached into his shadow and pulled out the axe he had crafted.
He handed it to her.
Millie gasped.
"Yay! A new axe!"
She grabbed it and immediately started swinging it around—despite it being nearly larger than her.
And somehow…
She handled it perfectly.
"Whoa…" she said, testing the weight and balance. "This feels amazing."
She gave it a couple more swings, grinning wider each time.
"Perfect balance… smooth grip…"
She looked at Max, clearly thrilled.
"Thanks, hun!"
She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss.
Max smiled.
"Glad you like it."
He then turned toward Loona.
"And for you…"
He pulled out the custom smartphone and held it out.
"State-of-the-art," he said. "Best security you'll ever find. Nothing from the Vees—or anyone else—is getting into that."
Loona took it.
"…Great," she said flatly. "Now I get to spend hours transferring everything over."
Despite her tone, she held the phone a little tighter than necessary.
Max smirked slightly.
"Oh, that's an easy fix."
Before she could react, he grabbed her old phone—
And the new one.
"Wait—don't—!"
Too late.
Max activated Vox's tech manipulation abilities.
Data streamed instantly from one device to the other.
Clean.
Perfect.
Complete.
The new phone powered on.
And immediately—
The home screen lit up.
A picture.
Max and Loona sitting together on a balcony.
Relaxed.
Close.
In the background, Millie was very clearly burning down part of a party after someone tried to touch her.
There was a brief silence.
Loona stared.
Then immediately snatched the new phone—
And crushed the old one in her hand.
"Forget you saw anything," she said quickly.
Max raised his hands.
"Of course."
He winked.
"Didn't see a thing."
Loona hesitated for just a second—
Then leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Before immediately pulling back and focusing intensely on her new phone like nothing happened.
Millie smirked.
"Ohhh, that was cute."
Loona growled under her breath.
"Say one more word."
Millie just laughed.
Then she turned back to Max, leaning slightly into her exaggerated southern tone.
"So, you got business today, darlin'?"
Max nodded.
"Yeah. I've gotta head across town."
He stretched again.
"Lease runs out today, so I need a new place."
He thought for a moment.
"Maybe I'll check out that Hazbin Hotel."
Millie tilted her head.
"I don't know about that…"
She shrugged.
"I mean, the idea is kinda sweet—helping sinners and all—but…"
"That place hasn't had any real business since it opened a few months ago."
Right on cue, Loona pulled up some stats on her new phone.
"Zero consistent occupancy," she said bluntly. "Minimal traffic. Low funding. Bad reputation."
Max grinned.
"…Which means cheaper rent."
Millie laughed.
"Fair point."
Max grabbed his coat.
"Anyway, I'll see you both later."
He gestured toward the gifts.
"Enjoy."
"Already am!" Millie said, spinning her axe again.
Loona didn't look up, but her tail flicked slightly.
Max stepped out into the streets of Pride.
The moment the door closed behind him—
His expression shifted.
Calm.
Focused.
Serious.
"…Alright."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Where's the ambush waiting for Charlie?"
He stepped forward into the city, already sensing the threads of fate pulling him toward the next key moment.
[A: Sorry for short chapter. Just wanted to post something for you all. Also, has anyone heard of a book series called Micheal Vey? If nots its basically a group of electrical mutated kids (they basically just got electrical powers) who are trying to save family and friends from a group who has way too much control, money, and influence who is trying to dominate the world and create more electrical children. Give me you thoughts if I were to write a fan fic of this. Its more sci fi then fantasy by far. Anyways enjoy]