Iya Writes (One Shot Stories)

Where Home Finds Us

Maxell sat quietly on the rooftop of her apartment, the evening air crisp against her skin. The city below was buzzing with life, the lights flickering like distant stars. She pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them tight as if the cold air could seep into the cracks of her tired soul. She had always come up here when life felt too loud. Tonight, the weight of everything had her feeling smaller than she could explain.

The familiar sound of footsteps echoed from the metal stairs behind her, followed by the unmistakable clink of boots. Without turning, Maxell knew who it was. She smiled slightly, knowing that even in her solitude, she wasn’t alone. Xavier had a way of knowing when she needed him, even if she hadn’t said a word.

He walked up to her, stopping for a moment to watch her in the dim light. Then, as usual, he sat down beside her without asking. No words were needed. That was one of the things Maxell appreciated most about him. He didn’t push; he didn’t demand answers. He just was~a steady, calming presence she could lean on when everything felt like it was spinning out of control.

"Your escape spot again?" Xavier asked softly, glancing at her with that half-smile he always wore.

Maxell sighed, staring at the city. "Yeah. It’s just... a lot."

Xavier nodded, not pressing further. His quiet understanding made her chest tighten with gratitude. For a while, they just sat there, their shoulders lightly touching, staring out at the twinkling city lights. The silence between them was comforting, like they had fallen into a rhythm over the years that no one else could understand.

Xavier was the first to break the silence. "You want to talk about it?"

Maxell hesitated. She didn’t even know how to put her feelings into words. It was all a tangled mess in her mind~work, life, expectations she couldn’t live up to. It all felt so overwhelming that it was easier to just not think about it at all.

"I don’t know," she murmured, hugging her knees tighter. "I just feel like I’m losing myself. Everything’s fine on the outside—work, life~it all looks good. But inside, I’m just… lost."

Xavier didn’t say anything for a moment, and she could feel him processing her words. He had always been the more grounded one, the one who never seemed to waver, no matter how much the world threw at him. But tonight, there was something different about him. She could sense it.

"Max," Xavier said quietly, "you’re not alone in feeling that way."

She turned to look at him, surprised by the depth in his voice. He rarely opened up like this. Maxell had always thought Xavier was the type who never struggled, who had everything figured out. But now, seeing him like this, she realized just how wrong she had been.

"You too?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xavier sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I’ve been feeling it too. Like no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to find my footing. It’s like… everyone expects me to have all the answers, but sometimes, I don’t even know where I’m going."

Maxell blinked, absorbing his words. She had never seen this side of him before~the vulnerable, uncertain side. It was strange, almost disorienting, to think that the person who had always been her rock was struggling too.

"I never would’ve guessed," she said softly, her heart aching for him. "You always seem so… steady."

Xavier let out a humorless laugh. "Steady on the outside, maybe. But inside? It’s a mess."

They fell into silence again, but it was different this time~heavier, filled with the weight of everything left unsaid between them. Maxell’s mind raced as she thought about all the times Xavier had been there for her, supporting her without question, without complaint. She had taken that for granted, assuming he was invincible.

"I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I should’ve seen it. I should’ve asked how you were."

Xavier shook his head. "It’s not your fault. We’re all just trying to get by, right?"

Maxell bit her lip, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. She had always thought she was the one who needed saving, the one who needed Xavier’s strength to keep going. But now she realized how much they had been saving each other, without even realizing it.

"I don’t know what I’d do without you," Maxell admitted quietly. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced at him, her eyes searching his face for some kind of reassurance.

Xavier met her gaze, and for the first time in a long while, there was something soft in his eyes~something vulnerable. "You’re not alone in this, Max. You never were."

Maxell felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, embarrassed by the sudden rush of emotion. But Xavier didn’t seem to mind. He just watched her, his expression filled with understanding.

She took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of everything she had been holding in finally start to lift. And then, without really thinking, the words tumbled out of her mouth.

"If home was a person," Maxell said, her voice trembling, "it would be you."

Xavier blinked, clearly taken aback by her sudden confession. Maxell hadn’t meant to say it, but now that the words were out, she realized how true they were. Xavier had always been her constant, the person she turned to when everything else felt too overwhelming. He had been her anchor, her safe space, her home.

Xavier’s lips twitched into a small, almost shy smile. "Max, you’re being dramatic again."

But Maxell shook her head, her eyes locking with his. "No, I mean it. You’ve always been there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you how much that means to me."

Xavier’s smile softened, and he reached out to take her hand, squeezing it gently. "You don’t have to say it. I already know."

Maxell felt her heart swell with emotion, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at peace. It was as if all the noise, all the chaos in her mind had quieted, leaving behind only the steady, comforting presence of Xavier beside her.

They sat there for a while longer, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. And as the night wore on, Maxell realized something important: she wasn’t lost. She had been searching for something she had already found a long time ago—she had found it in Xavier.

Because if home was a person, it would always be him.

♡♡♡

Later that night, as they made their way down the rooftop stairs, Maxell couldn’t help but feel lighter, like a weight had been lifted off her chest. She glanced at Xavier, who was walking ahead of her, his usual calm, steady self. She smiled to herself, realizing just how much he meant to her.

"You know," she teased as they reached the door, "you could’ve told me you were struggling. Would’ve saved us both some trouble."

Xavier chuckled, turning around to face her. "Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?"

Maxell rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "You’re impossible."

"And yet," Xavier said, his eyes twinkling, "you’re still here."

Maxell’s smile softened as she looked at him. "Yeah. I guess I am."

As they stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind them, Maxell realized that maybe, just maybe, they would both be okay. Because home wasn’t a place—it was a person. And that person was standing right beside her.

And for the first time in a long time, Maxell knew exactly where she belonged.

THE END.