Alternative Methods.

[doubletap]

Has sex become repetitious? Feeling sore in certain areas? Well, good news! Your boyfriend has sent you on a quest to find different ways of having fun gay sex. Yay!

Find the following people and seek out their knowledge:

• Arcade Israel Gannon (=D)
  
• Jimmy (Westside)
  
• Old Ben (Freeside)
  
• Doctor Alex Richards (Novac)
  
• Ignacio Rivas (Helios One)

Good luck, Wanderer!

Comments

[doubletap]

Normally the comments are just a bit grating, like racism from someone that you know has some basis for it. But, like he said. It's been a long ass week, and Alex is tired. ED-E protests that he has emotions, and Alex makes the hand sign for silence.

"Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm really not in the mood, Arcade. Drop it and tell me where Neil is?"

His tone is still friendly, but his eyes have frosted several degrees.

[goodfight]

Due to the amount of sex tips floating around in his brain (among Richards' kind words), Neil would have likely taken his damn time returning to Arcade. It is a most earth-shattering squeal from a familiar source that has the young man jogging over. "Dude, Arcade, what the hell--"

He stops abruptly at the sight of Alex Seattle Geer, looking far too drained and lacking patience for his usual fare. Unexpected.

"Hey, Alex," Neil greets awkwardly. "Wasn't expecting to see you in Novac-- Shit. Did I take too long?" He looks at his Pip-Boy almost frantically, wondering exactly how long he's been talking to Dr. Richards.

[duraframe]

ED-E responds to Neil first, rushing over with delight. Canine-friend-family--Dogmeat--is at home. We got him.

A pause, a turn to Alex, then ED-E twitters in a rush. Alex needs to rest, make him lay down--

"ED-E," comes the warning.

[teamdonotwant]

Ignoring the toaster, Arcade presents Neil. "Ah, here he is. Neil Park as requested."

This is a mess and he wants no part of it.

[doubletap]

Babybot is getting far too nosy for his own good. Alex stares with a lack of amusement at ED-E for a moment, then starts to respond to the humans. "...Thanks, Arcade.

"And no," he responds to Neil. "I was in the area. Came back when ED-E came to get me."

[goodfight]

Oh, good. They picked up Dogmeat; however, that is set aside for all the other details. ED-E goes into full-blown mommy mode until interrupted by his BFF, making Neil wonder at Alex's current state. He watches his boyfriend for a long minute, nearly missing his cue.

"Ah," he says, a beat behind. "Right on time, too. I just finished everything."

Neil spares a glance at Arcade, who also looks unhappy. "Sorry if I kept you. Didn't think he'd have five things for me."

[teamdonotwant]

The thank you is unexpected, but Arcade nods to Alex regardless. The toaster returns to Alex, hovering quietly, but Arcade's attention goes to Neil. "Five?!" God, he wants to know--

Does he want to know? Hmm.

He looks to Alex, then steels himself. "Do you want to discuss it, Neil? If you have any questions on it, we could talk it over now."

[goodfight]

"I know, right?" Neil responds. "I should've had you stay behind--"

Wait, Neil Park. You have someone else to consider. The question Arcade raises brings him to remember that detail.

He also looks to Alex, worry in his eyes. "...Is it alright if I talk to Arcade real quick? I just have a few questions for him."

[doubletap]

ED-E buzzes a protest, a want for Neil to come home with them. But Alex only shakes his head.

"Sure thing, kid. Do your thing. I'll be at the motel room if you want to talk to me." He raises a hand. "See you, Arcade. I'll stop by the 38 in a couple of days."

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade stares after Alex for a beat, then calls to his retreating back. "Don't kill yourself working, you idiot."

Huffing, Arcade turns to Neil. "He still hasn't learned to lean on other people. He needs to stop being so stupid about all of this."

[goodfight]

Neil watches Alex for a moment as the man walks off, nearly mesmerized.

It is Arcade's call that has him crashing back down to earth, a saddened smile neatly tugging at his lips. "You know he'd rather put up with the bullshit than ask," Neil comments. "But I think this is different from the usual."

Something more draining, likely.

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade watches Neil, then shrugs, a smile starting. "...You really do sound like his spouse," he starts. "You're starting to know him so well."

This teasing could go on forever, probably. But Arcade would rather someone go check on the idiot. "But let's talk about all the ways you'll sex him up in the future instead."

[goodfight]

Neil yelps, horrified at the mention of being Alex's spouse and sexing him up. At the realization of being teased, however, he steadies himself long enough to clear his throat. Of course, his stupid face is stupid red.

"Well," he begins, "Dr. Richards started on moving the cock in-between a guy's thighs. Then he switched it up with deep throating and 69-ing. Just as I thought he was done, he threw in fingering and sex toys."

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade can't even enjoy Neil's blushing with that kind of explanation. "...Out of context, Neil," he drawls. "That sounds like you had a rambunctious afternoon."

[goodfight]

That stupid red escalates to maroon. "I'd be done at the deep throating if that were the case," he returns, trying not to stammer.

[teamdonotwant]

His body reacts uncomfortably and Arcade clears his throat. "Please stop there," he requests. "That's far too much personal information on your limitations."

[goodfight]

"Right." Neil laughs, not at all nervous. Maybe. "Stopping. Didn't mean to go there."

Back to the clinical facts, which ironically-- "I don't have questions for you, actually. Richards clarified everything I was confused about." He grins up at Arcade, the most honest expression he's had so far. "Just wanted to properly thank you. You went above and beyond for me."

[teamdonotwant]

He's honestly surprised at the bait and switch, but really is quite pleased about all of it. Neil smiles at him, and he chuckles a little, embarrassed. "Above and beyond in your quest for gay sex?"

But seriously-- "I meant what I said earlier, you know. I consider you a friend of mine. I hope the same can be said on your side."

[goodfight]

"In my quest for something way beyond my pay grade," Neil corrects.

Along the way, he has uncovered bits of truth he'd been ignoring. Friendship. Kindness. Altruism. The motions of others that can cause shifts within yourself. Remember these facets, Neil stretches out his hand to Arcade Gannon, the grin softening entirely.

"It's very mutual," he says happily.

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade snorts, reaching to shake Neil's hand. "I know why Alex likes you," he admits. "I would probably like you too if you weren't taken.

"As things are," he grins at Neil. "I'm quite happy to remain your confidant instead."

[goodfight]

"Wow." Whether or not Arcade's kidding, Neil flushes darkly at the comment. "I'm a drama llama," he states, pleased. "So I'm glad we're friends instead."

He squeezes the hand as they shake before releasing entirely.

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade smiles again at Neil. "I'm going to head out first," he says. "Boone will probably start roaming around if I don't check in soon. He's the mommy of the bunch," he gives conspiratorially.

"You probably have a lot to talk about with Alex," Arcade continues. "But a word of advice: Don't forget the asexual aspect. It's important to say, even if it's hard."

[goodfight]

All that statement brings to mind is Craig Boone in a floral apron with his signature beret and shades, grunting about how they're not eating their vegetables. Neil quirks a smile, which falters at the suggestion.

"I won't forget," he says calmly. "Thanks for that, by the way. I thought there was honestly something wrong with me this entire time."

[teamdonotwant]

Arcade's smile changes, becomes something more genuine now. "There's nothing wrong with you, Neil. You're an intelligent, innovative young man who has a lot of opportunities in front of him. I know--"

From Alex, from others, from general learning.

"--That the east is a dying landscape. To come from that probably drills the same thing into your head. But you're here now. And this is anything but dying. Even when you feel like you're in stasis--"

When life drops the bottom out from under you, once, twice, and you lose everything, anything that mattered.

"--This place allows you to grow. To keep going. You're not dead yet."

Neither am I.

"And you still have a lot to learn."

[goodfight]

There is sincerity coming from Arcade Israel Gannon. He offers truth, bringing it straight to the core of Neil's existence, and there's no denying its effect. There is no hiding from the face of it. No running to hide beneath sardonic or playful banter.

Neil nods, once. He recalls the scent of ash and rot that lingers in every part of the Capital Wasteland, in him. He remembers this place, the Mojave, is alive.

"I'm still alive."

Still moving despite the sheer loss behind him.

"I won't forget that."