In which toast is shared all around

Xahssa hummed quietly as she placed bread in their new and shiny toaster. She found herself admiring the lovely thing, pleased and confident that this toaster would not fail them. Just as she was about to push down the lever, she heard heavy breathing and the ungraceful thumping that was Braxyd walking into the kitchen.

"Hey Braxyd. Want some toast?" Glancing behind her, Xahssa saw Braxyd scowl at her and the toaster.

"No."

"Someone's hormonal." She muttered under her breath, getting out the butter.

"I don't need to hear it from you too! Daxjorn and Nexan have been on my back constantly about practicing, Xanhan had tried to get me to help her with fixing the security system and Seycax has been harassing me about our choice of dinner tonight. And on top of that, I have you cracking snide jokes each time my existence sinks lower-"

"All I asked is if you wanted toast. . ."

"- and I already have too much on my hands what with training, Kingdom Hearts and. . ."

Braxyd's angry tirade broke off, his face looking as though he was going to be sick.

"Max?" Xahssa quietly asked, taking the toast that just popped out of the toaster. Braxyd watched her butter it with a highly controlled robotic movement. It seemed like the mention of III bothered her as well.

Swallowing loudly, Braxyd loudly scooted back his seat, the legs scraping against the floor. "Listen, I, uh, didn't mean to bring her up. I just, uh-" Xahssa chuckled quietly, a cold and empty laugh.

"Please. I mentioned her. The fault is mine." They were both silent. "You sure you don't want some toast?" It was a weak attempt at a light mood, but Braxyd jumped at the chance gratefully.

"Yes please." She handed him a plate and his nose was filled with the smell of burning food. Some things never changed. They both sat there and ate their toast in silence, needing to say nothing.

Xahssa brushed the crumbs off of her fingers and said conversationally, "So what did Max mean when she said you "lied"?" Braxyd froze, midway through chew. He swallowed nervously and muttered, "Hmm? What lie? I wasn't lying."

"That's bull and we both know it." Xahssa placed her plate on the counter and turned to him. "So talk. Answers. Now." Braxyd opened his mouth, probably to spout off some lie, but was interrupted by a screech of, "NEXAN!"

It was Max.