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

[goodfight]

Come on. You know quiet and peace are once-in-a-blue-moon kind of deals.

[For them. Neil yawns.]

Just want more even pacing. Definitely less lights.

[doubletap]

[ Alex snorts, and lets his arm curl up to drop his hand onto black hair. ]

Like I like Vegas. I'm fine with Novac, or--

[ Poking. ]

Camping. Like I said at the start.

[goodfight]

[The pressure is nicer than Neil would admit to. Instead, he settles for nuzzling closer.]

...It's weird. I can't get used to it.

[doubletap]

[ ...He's surprised at the open affection. Not that he's complaining, but. ]

Someone else?

[goodfight]

...Yeah. Someone else.

[doubletap]

You're only twenty-two.

[ Dumb kid. ]

You're far too young to be set in your ways.

[goodfight]

[Oh, the age argument again. Neil frowns.]

I'm twenty-two. I could die the next day. How do my "ways" matter?

[doubletap]

It's just a statement, kid. But this is a good example. You should stop being so defensive.

[goodfight]

[A pause.]

I just can't trust you.

[doubletap]

That's dumb. I've saved your ass more than once.

[goodfight]

So have I. Whoop-dee-do.

[doubletap]

I would disagree on that, but--

[ The argumentative brat is returning. ]

I don't see how that changes things. What's not to trust about me?

[goodfight]

[Oh, what a simple question.]

If I can't trust my own father, I can't possibly trust you. It's just how I am.

[doubletap]

[ Despite everything, Alex lets out a groan. ]

Don't compare me to that bastard. I care more about you than he ever did.

[goodfight]

[Every muscle in his body stiffens.]

...I was aiming to say this later, but this is one of many reasons why we'll never reconcile.

[doubletap]

Kid.

[ Alex sits up, and shifts away to face him. ]

What do you want me to say? You want me to lie about what I get from what you've said? When your whole family seems like shit people who should have been there for you more.

[goodfight]

No. Not quite.

[Not as shit as Alex makes them out to be. Neil sighs and rests his chin on his hand.]

Mom and Dad weren't shit people. Mom just died too young, and Dad was just shit at being a dad. No, you can say what you want. That's fine. I'm--

[He cuts off abruptly, uncertain on the wording. In the end, he chances the response.]

I'm just done. With people.

[doubletap]

Fine. You see-- That's fine. You keep to your memories and shit, but your problem, Neil--

[ That's twice in one day now. What a record. ]

Is that you can't let them go. Good people, shitty parents, whatever. Your past is behind you. You gotta move on.

[goodfight]

[Fuck, Alex.]

I thought I was moving on. You think I was just moping around, sobbing about how my stupid, secure vault life was flipped upside-down? Jumping at the next available date with a deathclaw? I am going somewhere, old man. I'm still fucking alive, for Pete's sake! Just what the hell are you expecting from me?

[doubletap]

[ Fine. ]

All right then. So what's your problem with me?

[goodfight]

[The problem isn't much of a problem, but it has been incessant enough for one to entertain separation.

Neil closes his eyes.]

My problem is that you're getting a little too close.

[doubletap]

I would damn well hope so. I haven't been following you around this shithole for kicks.

[goodfight]

[Have a stare of mild disbelief, Alex.]

...You want to be close.

[doubletap]

[ Have some incredulous looks. ]

...Did you really think that I was following you for kicks? Of course I want to be closer to you.

[ It's weird to say, causes a tightness in his chest, but he says it straightout, like everything else he does. ]

[goodfight]

[That touches something that shouldn't be touched.]

But that's...weird!

[Weird for someone, anyone, to close the distance.]