Axel was starting to feel more integrated into the Dunphys' lives. Between his growing friendship with Alex, his occasional banter with Haley, and his newfound role as Luke's 'cool older friend,' he was surprisingly comfortable in their chaotic household. It was a stark contrast to his secretive, high-tech world, but perhaps that was what made it so refreshing.
This time, Axel had been invited to Luke's poker game at the Dunphy house. Axel initially declined, but Alex had nudged him into agreeing. "It'll be fun," she insisted. "Besides, it's not like you can't afford to lose a few dollars."
As Axel walked into the Dunphy's living room, he saw Luke and his friends sitting around the dining table, trying to act cool. Luke smirked, shuffling a deck of cards. "Alright, fellas, tonight we have a special guest. You guys know him as 'the guy with the coolest bike ever,' but I know him as my future brother-in-law."
Alex choked on her water. "Excuse me?"
Axel just smirked and sat down. "Let's see if your poker skills match your mouth, Luke."
Axel, having a strategic mind and years of analyzing probabilities, was a natural at the game. It didn't take long before he was holding all the chips.
"Alright, last round. Winner takes all," Luke announced dramatically.
Manny sighed. "Why do I feel like Axel's about to walk away with everything again?"
Alex, who had been watching, smirked. "He does have a ridiculous poker face. You're impossible to read."
"It's just a game of numbers," Axel said casually, shuffling his cards with expert precision.
"Alright, what's the final bet?" one of Luke's friends asked.
"Winner gets a kiss from Alex," Luke declared with a grin.
Alex's face turned red. "Excuse me?!"
"You're always so smug, and I know you like him!" Luke argued. "Besides, he's going to win anyway. Just think of it as getting ahead of the inevitable."
Axel chuckled, shaking his head. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Luke.
The game continued. Axel played his hand flawlessly, and as the final cards were laid down, Luke groaned, realizing he had lost.
"Well, well," Axel said, leaning back with a victorious grin. "Looks like I won."
Alex turned red. "You are so smug."
"You could always refuse," Axel teased.
Claire, overhearing from the kitchen, chimed in, "Oh, just kiss the boy and get it over with!"
With an exasperated sigh, Alex rolled her eyes and leaned in, giving Axel a quick, shy peck on the lips before pulling away as fast as possible. The room erupted in cheers and laughter.
Luke groaned. "Ugh, now I regret this whole thing."
Axel just smirked. "That's what happens when you gamble, Luke."
Meanwhile, Phil had been diving deep into his new real estate strategy—focusing on recently divorced women and being their emotional support while selling homes. It sounded like a great idea at first. The problem? He now had way too many clients depending on him emotionally, leaving Claire picking up most of the slack at home.
"I get that you want to help these women, Phil, but do you have to go to brunch with every single one of them?" Claire sighed as she set the table.
"Claire, these women need a friend! Do you know how hard it is to rebuild after a divorce?" Phil asked, dramatically placing a hand over his heart. "They need guidance. Support. A sympathetic ear."
"So you're their therapist now?"
"No, no! Just their real estate angel. A gentle presence who helps them find their dream home!" Phil declared.
Just as Claire was about to argue, Lily stomped into the room, visibly upset.
"My cat is missing!" she announced.
"Wait, you have a cat?" Axel raised an eyebrow. "Since when?"
"It's a stray I've been feeding! And now it's gone!" Lily said, crossing her arms.
Cam and Mitchell walked in, looking equally distressed. "We told her it probably just wandered off, but she's convinced it was kidnapped."
"It was!" Lily insisted.
Axel tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "Well, let's check the security cameras in the neighborhood. If it was taken, there might be footage."
Cam gasped. "You have access to that?"
Axel hesitated. "Uh... let's just say I know where to look."
Later that night, Alex pulled Axel aside to discuss his project. They walked out to the garage, where Axel had parked his prototype combat bike. It was an absolute masterpiece—sleek, reinforced, and nearly silent.
"The bike is nearly ready," Axel said, running a hand over its frame. "But I have a decision to make. Should I attach an existing military-grade firearm to it, or should I design something entirely new?"
"There are too many variables," Axel admitted, adjusting one of the bike's stabilizers. "An existing weapon would be easier to calibrate, but a custom build could optimize its performance. The problem is time."
Alex adjusted her glasses, peering at the schematics on his tablet. "If you go with an existing weapon, it'll be easier to integrate and more cost-effective. But if you design something new, it could revolutionize military combat."
Axel nodded. "Exactly. I'm leaning toward creating something new, something that complements the bike's stealth and maneuverability. Maybe a high-efficiency railgun or a compact energy-based weapon."
Alex's eyes lit up. "A railgun would be amazing, but wouldn't the energy requirements be too high?"
Axel smirked. "Not if I design a new power source for it."
She stared at him. "You're ridiculous."
"But you love it," he teased.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "I do love the science behind it."
Alex studied the schematics. "If time is the issue, why not design an adaptive mount? One that can handle multiple weapon types? That way, you don't have to commit just yet."
Axel paused, considering. "That... could actually work."
Alex smirked. "I'm always right."
Axel chuckled. "I'll give you this one."
She leaned closer, her eyes scanning the blueprints. "So... when are you taking me for a ride?"
"As soon as it's finished."
"Good." Alex turned to leave but stopped at the door. "Oh, and just so you know... I'm deciding on my own terms."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Deciding what?"
She shot him a knowing look before disappearing down the hallway.
For the first time in a long while, Axel felt a genuine smile creep onto his face. Maybe, just maybe, this life wasn't so bad after all.