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

[teamdonotwant]

Neil is at least twenty-five and seems able to take care of himself. If he had walked in that day two years ago, Ignascio would likely have offered him the same plea. And yet this person is turning red like an innocent, blushing at discussing his first relationship. It shifts something.

"Arcade said you were from DC. That's a long way. Did Alex help you with what was following you?"

The past, the dead, sins, or a melody. For someone to walk across country, there was something chasing him.

[goodfight]

That's a long way. From Vegas to D.C. And Alex Seattle Geer chose to walk that road and back, all on one man's whims.

Neil still doesn't know what he's running from. He couldn't rightfully say what's driving him to wander, what is refusing to settle. It exists, persisting even after part of his grey matter was ripped from him, but--

"He helped," he murmurs. "Yeah."

[teamdonotwant]

"He does that." Help.

It's short and succinct, to the point and nearly painless, but it's acknowledgment all the same. And thus, Rivas considers. Less on what act would be the largest turn on, and more of what would help two people bond further.

"To answer your question," he continues, after a long moment. "Frottage."

[goodfight]

It ends, short and sweet, and Neil Park finds only confusion from the uttered term. Why do these things always sound like a fancy-ass drink?

"Frottage?" he echoes, uncertain.

[teamdonotwant]

"If you've talked to other people, they've probably told you about penetrative sex, masturbation, or oral sex. However, with those, there is always a dominant partner and a submissive partner, though the roles may change depending on personality.

"Frottage is, bluntly, rubbing your organs together. You're face to face, up close and personal, and there's still friction where it needs to be. But you're more able to enjoy the closeness of another. You can use your hands to hold both, or just move your hips, but either way, it can be a nice experience."

[goodfight]

Okay, Neil Park. Try not to picture it in your--

Too late. And it's kinda too bad he's only learning this now because he's pretty sure that they've done the hands-on bit in the past. The blood beneath his skin boils, but Neil continues his scholarly approach.

"...It's more intimate is what you're saying." More equal.

[teamdonotwant]

Rivas stares for a long moment, expression neutral and piercing.

Eventually, he opens his mouth. "That seems to be what you are looking for."

[goodfight]

This guy has to just drive the point home, doesn't he?

Attempting to ignore his body's blatant giveaways, Neil proceeds. "...It is," he mutters. Then allows this awkward moment to straighten to his full average height.

"...Thanks, Ignacio," he gives. "You had every right to throw me out, but you didn't. That means...a lot."

[teamdonotwant]

"Why would I throw you out?" he asks honestly. "You're not hindering my work or threatening people that I know. In fact, I should consider you a friend."

A beat.

"If you're supporting our mutual friend, that means quite a bit with the changes going on within the Mojave."

[goodfight]

Surprise touches Neil's features.

"Well-- You see--"

A pause.

"I kinda hope you would," he says quietly. "Consider me a friend, that is." To set him straight (or otherwise) when it comes to the Courier. Alex, that good guy in a world of suck.

[teamdonotwant]

Another beat of pause.

"...Arcade said you were interested in science. Does that include alternative energy sources through the means of solar panels and Poseidon Energy technology?" Highly specific, but he's trying.

[goodfight]

Science is a magic word. It has the power to brighten a poor, pathetic sap's day.

"Oh, geez, I've wanted to look at those panels since I first laid eyes on HELIOS One." Except thanks to Alex "Secretive" Geer, he was never granted that chance. "I actually designed a mock-up of a photovoltaic cell as a kid, but the Vault didn't have much in the way of that special semiconductor-grade polysilicon for me to put together the actual thing. So yeah. Interested."

He pauses, as if wanting to add more. He, of course, gives in to the urge. "It kinda sucks that most of Poseidon Energy's stuff in the Capital Wasteland were destroyed by the bombs. The stuff that survived here are probably more intricate than the crap the Brotherhood digs up."

[teamdonotwant]

The excited explanation and response is enough to settle the scientist's mind. He smiles, then moves a hand to his mouth.

"...So the next time you visit, we'll have to talk about the weight of the Brotherhood of Steel, the fact that you were apparently a Vault Dweller, and I'm going to have to take you on a tour of HELIOS One so that you can give me new ideas for energy flow. That sound about right?"

[goodfight]

Oh. He smiled. Then hid it, but still-- That kinda has Neil feeling pretty damn good.

He grins back, like they weren't just discussing rubbing junk together mere moments ago. "Sounds perfect."

[teamdonotwant]

The return smile is somewhat nice. Simple, in a landscape that is anything but. He can see the draw of this person.

He moves to the computer in his room, leaning down to type. "Neil Park, right? I'll add your name to the approved list so you can come in whenever. Where do you normally stay?"

[goodfight]

"Neil Park, yeah. Though, hm."

He doesn't really have a permanent or even semi-permanent address around these parts. Neil normally just hangs out in one of Alex's places...like a fucking leech.

The resulting frown cannot be helped. "I kinda roam around at the moment. Maybe...Novac for now? In that dino motel-- I actually don't have the room number."

[teamdonotwant]

Rivas looks back. He starts to ask if Neil is actually homeless--

Then stops, a small look of amusement on his face. "What you mean to say is that you're staying with Alex."

[goodfight]

As stated, like a fucking leech. He smiles, pained.

"At least until I defuse the next atomic bomb, haha," he jokes. Before sighing. "Yes. I am."

[teamdonotwant]

Rivas types that in, then shrugs lightly. "There's a lot of places to live around here. Presumably Nipton and Boulder City will be restored, but other than that, there's Vegas, Novac, Goodsprings... Or you could have no life and live where you work, like I do."

He gestures to the mattress, then shakes his head. "It's not so bad, though. Having someone to go home to."

[goodfight]

Truthfully, Neil hasn't thought about the options. He's had the tour of the places, sure, but only two really registers as anything in his mind. Maybe he should go over them again, especially if he's intending to stay with Alex for good.

And that possibility, combined with Rivas' statement has Neil blushing (again). "No, it's​not," he admits. "But I should still look around for a place. Like a responsible adult."

[teamdonotwant]

"You'll decide what's best for you and the people in your life." He has no doubt that Neil, at least, holds to his choices.

"Isn't that what this is about, after all? You're taking steps to become closer on your own."

[goodfight]

Neil would decide, for good or for ruin. He wonders which they are headed toward. Hopes he will make the correct choice.

The man nods, remaining silence.