Election Day

[goodfight]

[Once upon a time, blah, blah, blah, and thus, the Lone Wanderer brings a stray named the Courier from the not-so-radioactive Mojave Wasteland back into the highly radioactive Capital Wasteland.

It has proven to be the worst idea in the history of all ideas. A wanderer and his dog could go into a town and the town would live their silly lives without a care. Two wanderers, a dog, and an eyebot are, to say the least, a walking disaster. Neil really should have kept the tour restricted to Megaton. Neil, however, has been keeping his mouth shut on the matter because a part of him finds the venture very entertaining.

And so the duo are now on their way to the Republic of Dave, a settlement to the north of Washington, D.C. At nineteen, Neil had set foot in the place once and once only. Then, after speaking with its "citizens", he hightailed it out of there as soon as he got what he came for. The place is the headquarters of a cult in the guise of a democracy, the leader has as big of an ego as Eden, and Neil doesn't know why they're going back there.

He says as much to Alex.]

I still don't know why I'm going back there.

[A pointed look to the older man.]

And taking you with me.

Comments

[doubletap]

It's baffling because you're wrong.

[ No, that's not the right way to say it. ]

And an idiot.

[ There we go. ]

[goodfight]

[...The insults are almost insulting to have to listen to.]

Oh, but this idiot didn't trek across continental U.S.A. just to end up in a bigger dump.

[doubletap]

Nope, you just trekked across America to end up in a better place. Then decided to come all the way back for nothing.

But I forgot. You originally left here to die, amirite? That's how it seemed when I found you.

[goodfight]

I didn't leave here to get sun stroke in the middle of the Mojave Wasteland, if that's what you're insinuating.

[Because anything else is just...something he'd rather not think about.]

[doubletap]

No, you left because your shit father died and you fulfilled his dying wish and had nothing left. That's why you don't care about shit.

[goodfight]

[If there ever was a thing to keep in the sealed vault of no reveal, it is what Alex has just said.

And the truth shows clearly on Neil's face.]

[doubletap]

Get your shit straight. You're the one who doesn't want anything from me. Your family died, and you stopped caring about anything.

[goodfight]

Shut up. Shut the fuck up. My family is none of your business.

[doubletap]

Yeah, exactly. That's exactly what I'm saying. This is a fucking waste of my time.

[ And moves to stand to go. This kid is grating on his nerves too hard. ]

[goodfight]

[Let's him. There is no profit to do otherwise.]

Then go back home, Alex.

[doubletap]

[ Oh, using his name. How classy. This kid is so fucking young. It makes him tired. ]

Decide what you want, kid. You can't keep defaulting to nothing in your life. So you think real hard if you want me to go back to the west.

[goodfight]

[Oh, boy, choosing. His head is so turned around by this development that it's spinning skull fragments into his brain. That's probably what the incoming migraine is.]

This is sounding suspiciously like an ultimatum.

[/s]

[doubletap]

And you're coming off as a spoiled brat.

[ But Alex breathes; exhales outward, and drags a hand over his face roughly. He's going to go walk, going to go cool down, but he'll speak first.

Seriously, as he would deign not to nearly any other moment. ]

Neil. You've been dragging me all over your territory. Some's been fun, some's been weird. But you've got no goal in mind, and there's nothing here for you. That life ended, and you know it.

[ Or you should. ]

You came back to me before for a reason. Maybe just think on if that reason still applies. You let me know. And I'll think on what to do from there.

[goodfight]

[Spoiled brat is a good observation, and it's easy to fall into the persona, the child not getting his way.

His head pounds, and still, Neil continues. Because what is now being said is worth answering properly.

For the aforementioned reason.]

Fine. I won't waste any more of your time.

[doubletap]

[ He views the other, breathes in and out, then steps forward, three long strides--and his hand moves to Neil's chin to tilt up even as he moves to kiss him unlike before. Nice and familiar, and he smiles when he moves away. ]

...Eat something non-irradiated, Wanderer.

[goodfight]

[This proves different, a change in direction. For once, like in all romantic stories, everything stops when Alex closes the distance with a kiss.

When life continues once more, Neil finds his ailment has extended to other places in his body. He watches the Courier walk away until the dark swallows the man's form, then shifts his eyes to settle on the fire.

Should Alex return later, Neil is dozing off against a rock, a half-empty box of Dandy Boy Apples in his lap.

So much, then, for eating something non-irradiated.]

[doubletap]

[ What a surprise. Contrary to the bitter end, this one, and Alex wastes no pauses upon return to swoop in and pluck the box from Neil's lap.

The walk had been pleasant, there had been creatures to murder, and after he was reminded that this wasteland actually had the ability to get chilly at night. And he had already made one fire.

He settles beside the younger kid, leaning against him companionably. ]

[goodfight]

[A hiccup occurs somewhere along his otherwise restful sleep, and Neil wakes up with a jolt and his Police Baton in one hand. Instead of an intruder, however, it is Alex Seattle Gear, leaning against him like it's the most natural thing in the entire Wasteland.

Neil lowers his weapon, groaning in recognition.]

I thought you were a mole rat.

[doubletap]

[ Alex raises his eyebrows. ]

I'm sorry to disappoint?

[goodfight]

[Contrary to earlier's mood, Neil laughs.]

Yeah, you're nowhere near as cuddly.

[doubletap]

[ The laugh causes something to shift in his chest. Alex is caught between uncomfortable and something... warm. So he just shrugs. ]

That's not one of my specialties, I'm afraid.

[goodfight]

Probably better that way.

[The man yawns, the motion seeped in exhaustion.]

Heard gunshots. Get anything decent?

[doubletap]

[ He looks over at the yawning man, then reaches his arm around Neil's shoulders, to pull him closer in. ]

Not really. Nothing human--or humanoid--at least. Pure mindlessness.

[ Which was basically what he had needed. ]

[goodfight]

[The gesture is allowed, like most anything regarding Alex lately, and Neil simply tips his head to rest against the other's shoulder.]

That bad, huh?

[Enough to mean nothing. Neil goes silent for a beat.]

You're right, by the way. I don't think there's anything for me here anymore.

[doubletap]

[ He knew that already.

That without a place that was Neil's (that damn vault), or a family of shitty people, this place is just another area. And it has bad memories more than good at this point. Yeah, Alex knows this.

But Neil is accepting affection, and Alex doesn't feel like ruining it by reminding him. ]

Well I'm here right now. So you got that.

[ Hair ruffle. ]