the story in which Alex Seattle Geer is right for hating enclosed spaces,

[doubletap]

and Neil Park is blamed for his knowledge of vaults.

---

Terminal Entries:

1st Floor, Vault Entry-Room Computer:
- Data Entry 1: Year 20XX, Month XX; There's no escape.
- Holotape Entry 1: Y#4@ SDhig^8705 H98 [data corrupted]; This is hell and I want out of it.

1st Floor, Cafeteria Luncheon:
- Holotape Entry 2: Private Recording; I've had better?

1st Floor, Cafeteria Supply Room:
- Inventory List: Inventory List; A list of food....
- Data Entry 2: Shift Notes; Maybe I should tear the walls down.

1st Floor, Broken Cave:
- Data Entry 3: Preparations; Everything's fine.
- Data Entry 4: Near the End; I'll tell you the truth, but I won't give up my soul.
- Data Entry 5: Finally, the End is at Hand.; This is far enough.

1st Floor, Office:
- Data Entry 6: Vault-Wide Public Service Announcement; Get back to work everyone.
- Data Entry 7: Locked Administrative Reply; You're reaching for straws.

1st Floor, Administrative Secretary's Office:
- Data Entry 8: Drama Hoes; It is sort of funny that people aren't able to lie, though.
- Holotape Entry 3: Bill Self-Log; Byron's access still works everywhere.

Comments

1st Floor, Vault Entry-Room

[doubletap]

[ Exploring new places is a pasttime of both, and returning from the filthy Capital to the glorious Mojave to collect Alex's things had them hearing mention of a vault rumored to the north--Alex had trauma of plants and radiation and murderous 'bots, but Neil, of course, was curious.

Thus they found the fabled Vault 7, and it opened smoothly.

To reveal piles of corpses much like the ones in Vault 11, and, of course, as they looked on, the door sealed to lock behind them. The lack of air and sunlight made Alex feel passive in a neurological-tic way that he hated, the weight of his weapons and armaments becoming a thicker burden (closed spaces were nothing good).

This, of course, is all portrayed in a look across the small space to the Asian man near to him. ]

...I hate you right now.

[goodfight]

[Neil is a creature of habit. As such a creature, he has no qualms about prancing into multiple death traps in succession, so long as the traps look more or less alike and reek of familiarity.

Of course, to Neil Park, the Lone Wanderer, Vault-Tec vaults fit that bill. Therefore, when whispers of a vault to the north reached his ears, he, of course, wanted to follow the trail. Despite his supposed claustrophobia, the Courier obliged.

And this is how they now are trapped in Vault 7.

Neil stares at the sealed door, then to the bones, before finally settling on Alex.]

It's okay. Once the oxygen runs out, you won't be feeling anything toward me at all.

1st Floor, Cafeteria Luncheon

[doubletap]

[ He chuckles at the quip, then listens to the sound the dead space they're in offers. Nothing--no humans sounds, so it's unlikely they'll run into raiders. Plants and beasts, however... There is the light sound of scuffling, buzzing, and if Alex was outside, he would be more confident at the direction it was coming from. In the closed space, though--

He's uneasy, and still isn't sure why. Vaults, casinos, crypts, all of it, he hates it all, and maybe it's just memories come to haunt. ]

...God, I hate this.

[ He says without meaning to, and takes Neil's prompt as a distraction from his lax mouth. He slips into the luncheon room where the buzzing intensifies easily into something he hates. Dear cazadores, made by his friends at the mount. Normally lax in battle, Alex snarls with hate, taking aim on two of the three. One drops, the other totters. The third flies nearer. ]

[goodfight]

[The emotion from the otherwise collected Alex Seattle Geer surprises the Lone Wanderer. Not for the source of buzzing, of course. There is nothing in the older man that enjoys the sight of cazadores, and Neil knows it.

No, it is frustration itself that is shocking.

Still, Neil manages to raise his rifle quickly enough to fire at the approaching third.]

1st Floor, Cafeteria Kitchen

[doubletap]

Thank god for that.

[ A non sequitur explained when Alex points to the dropped box. ]

I really have got to get you off of radiated food.

[ Despite knowing that Neil gets sick when he's too "clean" now. Alex rolls his eyes and steps into the kitchen. No beasts here at least. Just a locked door directly across and one to the right. ]

[goodfight]

Over my cold, dead body.

[There is enthusiasm in his answer, which the man fails to notice.

Instead, Neil makes note of where is what before wandering toward the door on the right.]

I love the Pre-War food. Sugar Bombs, especially. InstaMash and Potato Crisps, too. Salisbury Steak is a bit questionable with its texture, but I guess that's how it was back then.

1st Floor, Cafeteria Supply Room

[doubletap]

[ Swallowing a snort, Alex presses his lips into the "Neil is so adorable, kawaii~~~" expression before following behind. ]

A food whore. You know, I should have put it together sooner. No wonder you're not interested in me physically. You like food like that instead.

[ ...Huh. A part of that... was possibly too much information of a minor insecurity. Frowning, he shrugs it off and follows Neil into an apparent supply closet, cans and boxes filling the shelves. ]

[goodfight]

[Something in that statement irks Neil Park, enough to cause the man to look back at the other.]

Look, it's not you--or anything else, for that matter. I'm just not interested in sex.

[It is a mild outburst, but it still rings as unusual. Embarrassment adding to the confusion, Neil glances back to observe their surroundings.

There is, funnily enough, food. Food he would normally reach for, but he's entirely too agitated to take them off the shelves. He does notice a terminal in the back corner, however, and it is this that he approaches.

It probably contains an inventory list, which may be utterly useless to their cause, but considering the circumstances, anything helps. He types a command into the prompt.]

1st Floor, Broken Cave

[doubletap]

[ The flare burns slowly, keeping itself lit as they go. Eventually the tunnel ends, opening into an area about as big as the one they were in before.

Alex picks himself up, brushing off his hands. It's dirt and earth here, near to nothing else. This isn't part of the original vaults, that's for sure. ]

It's from the Divide.

[ He says without thought, more distracted on this area. ]

I guess we know how the Cazadores got in now.

[ Still lit, the flare begins to slowly die, revealing more shelving units, garbage and useless junk on the floor, an unlit campfire, a sleeping bag, a weapons locker, and a computer in the corner.

Ah. Right. And a big freaking hole in the back, like something tore away the back wall. ]

[goodfight]

The Divide?

[This is new--another chip to add to the pile of things he's gathered about Alex.

The tunnel leads to an open area, where someone thought fit to use as a living space. Oh, and to put a giant hole in the back. It is the hole that Neil fixates on first, as he moves to stand.

His attention, however, quickly shifts when he nearly trips over a damn skeleton lounging on the sleeping bag.]

...Found our spelunker.

1st Floor, Cafeteria Supply Room (Part 2)

[doubletap]

[ Alex heaves himself up with a sigh, favoring his leg. He feels around for the weathered rifle he prefers above all others, and visibly relaxes when his hand closes over it. He tugs it out, barely worse for the wear.

That done, he slips through the tunnel, Neil on his heels. He pauses in the supply closet, taking the time to close the hole the switch powers. ]

[goodfight]

[Until they are successfully out of their hole, Neil stays close to the other. It is not until the wall closes that he detaches from the other by a few steps.

Feigning observation on the writing in red, he starts.]

Those 'tunnelers'... They aren't going to find a way out of that cave-in, are they?

1st Floor, Cafeteria Kitchen (Part 2)

[goodfight]

You know I kinda--

[Want that. Of course, the fact is plain as plain can be, but voicing it seems unnecessarily cruel.

Neil swallows his words as he follows Alex.]

Forget it. Let's just get this over with.

[doubletap]

[ He reorients to the room, to the one open door and one locked one. He faces the room instead of Neil.

When he speaks, his tone is deceptively neutral. ]

You "kinda"...?

1st Floor, Power Room

[doubletap]

[ The rifle at his side, he steps into a room full of obsolete technology. At a glance, nothing pops out. ]

You not counting your dog anymore?

[goodfight]

[Beyond the dim lies a generator room. Nothing registers in his senses.]

Dogmeat--

[Bless him. Bless that damn mutt.]

--is simple.

[Humans, ghouls, Alex, not so much.]

Besides, I tell him to go home once in a while.

1st Floor, Office

[goodfight]

[Alex succeeds in opening the door, paving the way for Neil to move into the next room, gun leveled casually toward the interior.

The next room reveals itself to be an office, Pip-Boy light revealing two desks with two terminals and other sundry objects. A visual sweep reveals nothing; ears to the walls and feet to the ground pick up more the same.

He lowers Pa's Fishing Aid.]

Question: Given the possible "influence" in this vault, should we exercise discretion? Keep our mouth shut, basically.

[doubletap]

[ A sight the same as a million other places, the same million other things. It's stuff like this that makes him feel old. ]

...I need to move on soon.

[ Is the murmur, emotionally prompted and almost unnoticed by Alex himself. He moves to answer Neil instead. ]

I don't think we can, not fully. Lax inhibitions and all. We'll end up saying stuff regardless, and anyway--

[ He gives a self-mocking smile. ]

Not like there's anything to hide between us, right?

1st Floor, Office, Continued

[goodfight]

[The downside of sex often rears its ugly head in the aftermath, usually at a most inopportune time. Dressing especially becomes an awkward moment for Neil as he typically feels the full effects while putting on his clothes. Or when he tries to bend down to reach for his pack.

Meanwhile, the Courier, with a smile plastered on his face, is fully dressed and ready to go. Except he appears more interested in staring intently at the younger man, a detail proving to be most difficult to ignore.

Neil is fixing the belt on his Modified Utility Jumpsuit, his peripheral vision locked on Alex, when he groans from unexpected pain in, uh, his lower regions.]

Hey, can't we change it up a bit once in a while? It's hard to exist after sometimes.

[doubletap]

[ The aftermath of something that offers meaning rather than distraction causes the Courier to watch the object of his affections as he gets ready, obviously and effortlessly pleased.

What becomes obvious is that what is effortless for one is not for the other.

At the stiff movements and the groan, Alex moves to start forward, wondering if Neil was injured. At the question, he pauses; blinks a moment, eyes wide.

Then fails to hide a grin and chokes back laughter. ]

Too hard for you, Wanderer?

1st Floor, Supply Closet West

[doubletap]

[ Neil's efforts are rewarded with the crack of the door into--who would have guessed it--another supply closet. Alex lets Neil walk forward while he stands against the doorway, watching the hall.

The bobby pin isn't mentioned. He will be keeping that in the happy file of his brain. ]

You want reassurance?

[goodfight]

[A supply closet greets them, one stocked with actual useful items. Neil silently takes an inventory of things, wondering how much he can take before his pack breaks.

Much like this exchange.]

At the end of day, Alex, I'm just a kid.

[The same damn kid who once ran amok in Vault 101.]

I just want to be told that shit will be okay.

1st Floor, Administrative Secretary's Office

[doubletap]

[ There is a click, and the door creaks open. Alex makes a pleased sound in his throat and pushes the door further open.

The room looks more office-y--professional, even--than he's used to. It's possible this door stayed locked through all of the chaos and raiding. A neat large desk centers the room, and a smaller one is crowded by the door. Dead plants sit in pots and tasteful art and motivational posters line the walls. ]

...I hate this room. And you would think it would be bad, to promise yourself to a man you don't know anything about.

[goodfight]

[The one called the Courier succeeds in his task while his partner-in-crime reaps the benefits. Of course, by "reaps", he means peers into the room.

Everything is tidy and neat. It also reminds Neil of the robotic Button Gwinnett and his elaborate office.]

Maybe. I also didn't mean to promise myself to you so soon, but feelings happened.

[And this vault. There is a pause as he ruins the interior by tossing the remaining fruit onto the desk.]

To be honest, I had always wanted to ask about things, but I figured you had a very good reason for not volunteering information.

Stairwell, 1st to 2nd Floor

[goodfight]

[Neil walks down the stairs with a bit of a jig in his steps. It's bad form when you're trying to explore an interior, but he's a bit restless. Something about anxiety and happiness colliding together in a train wreck of extremes.

At least he's keeping his senses on alert. Just in case creatures wanting tasty things want to ambush them in the stairwell.

Fortunately for them, at the bottom of the stairs, there's only water leaking from a pipe overhead, leaving a puddle on the floor.]

[doubletap]

[ Silence gives itself from the slightly more darkened space around them, and all that Alex's senses can currently hear is the drip of water from a couple of spaces. ]

Halls are clear.

[ Is the murmur. Rooms he can't say as well for, with the closed metal door. He follows into the main hall after Neil, light water dripping over him.

Normally something he would think nothing of, but as stated, the salt from their... exercises... earlier had already worn away some of his dye. The radiated water dripping down only serves to rush the breakdown along, running a trail of dark water into Alex's eye. ]

--Shit, what--

[ He pauses, scrubbing at his face, watered dark all over his skin. ]

2nd Floor, Theater Room

[goodfight]

[...Fucking Christ.

Neil inhales deeply and lets Alex go. Then without looking at the other, he walks toward the gestured door. The room turns out to be a theater room, the kind you see in a standard vault, with chairs set up with a screen.

He moves to the open area, eyes fixed on the wall.]

[doubletap]

[ Alex moves in behind Neil, eyes casing the room, but nothing is inside. He turns, shutting the door, and using his Pipboy to break the lock, electric sparks popping. It's nothing they won't be able to undo later, but right now, this apparently needs the guaranteed privacy.

...God fucking damn, they keep stopping to get things out. This vault is killing them.

Instead of remaining standing to keep his height advantage, he walks to a row halfway up and slumps into a chair, dropping his head into his hands. His voice is weary; wizened. ]

...I'm not a hero, Neil. You can't believe everything you hear.

2nd Floor, Living Quarters, Room 14

[goodfight]

It has been approximately one day since that theater, Day No. 4 in this abysmal Vault-Tec vault. After hours of going absolutely nowhere, they find a lovely room to hole up in for the evening, conveniently set right next to the restrooms with non-functional showers. Aside from a pipe leak in the corner and the layer of dust covering everything, Neil cannot find a fault with their camp.

The beds are even comfortable, the mattresses retaining some of their Pre-War support. Upon securing the area, he dusts off the sheets and flops down, laying on his back. There, he stays, dark eyes glued to the ceiling and its water damage.

"Can I ask a lot of dumb questions to very uncomfortable subjects?" asks Neil languidly.

[doubletap]

Alex spends a moment more reordering the supplies to be ready in a moment for a quick grab if need be. Favored weapons are placed in reach, bags are cinched tight. Neil speaks, and Alex knows where it's going. He straightens from his crouch with an MRE pack for him and a Salisbury Steak for Neil. This he holds out.

"Of course," he answers, because of course, he'll answer regardless of wants. "But you have to trade for eating all of that and then letting me shamelessly curl up on you."