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]

[ 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.]

[doubletap]

Kid, I am too old to play around with you on this. I want to be closer to you. I want to be something to you. Goddamn, I stopped--

[ He grimaces. ]

Using my "powers" as you so quaintly put it once you were in the picture. It's weird to you, but it's right to me. You're it. You're why I've come all this way to this godforsaken place.

[goodfight]

[The term 'kid' speaks volumes. Here, he actually thinks.]

And here I assumed you were looking for something else. Not some Vault-raised hooligan with father issues.

[doubletap]

Vault-raised--

[ He raises a hand; shakes off the incredulity. ]

I wasn't looking for anyone, Wanderer. I was fine in my murderous apathy.

[goodfight]

I didn't say anyone. I said something.

[A sigh.]

And now you're not fine? You want me with you, is that it?

[doubletap]

[ He gives a shrug. ]

Wasn't looking for anything. I was fine with how things were. I don't have a lot of wants, if you haven't noticed.

[ Actual wants, not just whining for non-irradiated food. ]

And I'm still fine.

[ He says, looking at Neil. ]

I'll be fine. I work like that. I continue. But I don't really want to. I'd rather be with you.

[goodfight]

Great.

[There is another breath, another sigh.]

You're fine. You will be fine. I know that. That's why I think I'm just a Fancy of the Hour. I might be wrong-- Hell, my bullshit is sometimes worse than Fucking President Dave of the Fucking Republic of Fucking Dave, but I can't help it.

[He throws up his hands.]

I don't get this, okay? I don't do relationships.

[doubletap]

[ There's a sound near to a growl, as much as a human could make, and it's only a beat later that Alex realizes it's coming from himself.

But by that time, he's already twisted a hand in the collar of Neil's shirt, closed the small distance with a violent rush, and pressed their lips together in an act more aggression than affection.

It's not romantic. It's not sweet. It's pure and simple need and instinct, wrapped in a package of frustration and confusion.

As soon as he realizes it, he's stopped, pushed Neil away and down, and is fighting the urge to do damage in some way. To release everything through some simple glorious violent act. ]

I don't do relationships. I don't do fucking boytoys of the hour. I don't waste my damn time out in nowhere for no goddamn reason. I have better things to do. I have a fucking job, more than one, if you already forgot. But I'm here, you angst-ridden spoiled brat.

And if you keep treating me like I'm taking this lightly, I won't be.

[goodfight]

[It's...not the reaction he expected. Then again, Neil doesn't know what he expected. In a moment, they're locking lips in a violent rush. The next, he's down nearly flat on the ground, fists already clenching in the way of expectation, of waiting for an attack to counter.

But Neil does nothing of the kind. He only listens in silence as Alex rants, until he finishes and silence fills the air between them.

Finally, the younger man straightens, a complicated emotion on his face.]

I'm sorry, Alex. I never should have brought you here.

[Because it was a selfish decision. Because honestly, after everything, Neil was only chasing memories, and he had to bring another into that mess.]

[doubletap]

You don't get it!

[ If he was standing he would pace, but if he gets up, he will... do something, and it's better that he's still. Alex settles for yelling in Neil's face. ]

You didn't bring me here, kid! I chose every damn step!

[goodfight]

[Somehow, that's enough, and the complication shifts to frustration.]

Then you chose wrong, old man!

[If he could shake Alex without losing control, he would-- Right now, he's not going to touch him.]

You followed me for nothing! Absolutely nothing!

[doubletap]

[ Enjoy your control, dick. Because Alex has no problem relinquishing his.

He shoves Neil's shoulder, as hard as a strike, to knock him back to the ground and pin him there. The careless persona is gone. Alex's eyes show a coldness present. ]

Get with the program. You're what I wanted.

[goodfight]

[The force of another slams into him, knocking him flat on the ground, and Neil only allows it. Because he's far too disgusted to try and push the bastard away.

Instead, he just smiles. Like it's all a grand joke.]

To fuck, Mr. Geer? Or to beat to a pulp?

[doubletap]

Because I've ever hit you.

[ He's exasperated, infuriated, and he cannot figure out-- The damn right words to say. Isn't that supposed to be funny?! ]

Because I've ever did something you didn't enjoy.