covers of a book.

[goodfight]

Somewhere in that long journey back to the Mojave, in that broken and dusty old road, Alex had mentioned a book. There was nothing particularly descriptive in his utterance, nothing that would have a guy running to the local rundown library for it, but it was enough to stick in Neil's thoughts.

Thus, when he "serendipitously" caught sight of the book in a merchant's stock somewhere in Nebraska, he snatched it up. He tucked it carefully away in his pack.

And now, a day later with the sun sitting highest in the sky, while Alex and ED-E are up ahead scouting the area, Neil slips the book into Alex's pack, in a place the other man would find easily. He straightens from his task, a small grin playing on his lips, before he notes that Dogmeat is staring at him in curiosity.

"Not a word," Neil tells his mutt.

Dogmeat wags his tail, as if excited about the prospect of a secret.

Comments

[doubletap]

Alex doesn't try to suppress the shudder that runs through him. "Fuck, kid," he says, pushing a hand through his hair. "You really know how to make a guy off balance."

[goodfight]

Here, Neil does grin. "Learned only from the best," he comments. "Probably also helps you actually like me." As opposed to a casual acquaintance.

[doubletap]

"Always liked you," he mutters in embarrassment. "Said it from the start."

[goodfight]

So he did. From Novac to Vegas, from the Mojave to D.C. and back.

"Weirdo," Neil replies. Decides to shift gears on a whim. "You ready for hours of hiking?"

[doubletap]

In an act almost familiar, Alex reaches to ruffle Neil's hair. "Love you," he says; casually, almost easily.

"Let's get going."

[goodfight]

There is a hand in his hair, the feel of it familiar. "You, too," he says quietly.

Let them continue on.