ghost of a chance.

[goodfight]

The Capital Wasteland. It's a wasteland. It has dead trees. There are trash, debris, and rotting corpses everywhere. It's Neil's hometown. D.C. ain't pretty, but D.C. is where he comes from. A crappy start, literally.

Neil's hardly phased, though. Despite Alex's clear opinions regarding the area, the younger guy has been looking forward to getting back. Years have passed since he last laid eyes on the Capital Wasteland; some positive change must have occurred. Or any change, really. Anything would be fine.

As they pass through Megaton's gate, however, Neil catches a glimpse of that thing, and he stops dead in his tracks. His eyes widening to show white.

"Da... Dad?"

Comments

[doubletap]

Alex's head whips around to Neil, then follows his line of sight. Wasn't his dad supposed to be a radioactive vegetable in a coma after that retarded stunt pulled. "What, your dad?" he questions Neil, more than a little off-guard. "I thought he--"

[futilemartyr]

The sound of a familiar voice--one he hasn't heard for quite a long time--is unexpected. James turns, as if to be sure, then breaks into a wide smile, moving back up the hill toward his son. "Neil! You're back."

[goodfight]

Alex's voice barely registers in his mind. Where his focus lies is on the impossible--the coma patient walking toward him, smiling widely in greeting. Alive.

Neil's heart threatens to burst out of his chest in pure relief. What comes out of his mouth matches the emotion. "Dad!" He steps forward to meet him, nearly looking ten years younger. "Dad, I thought-- I'm so fu--" Shit, can't swear. "--so glad to see you!"

[doubletap]

Acting ten years younger, he means. Alex tilts his head in something like what the fuck, you stupid kid, because seriously. Just because the man is conscious doesn't erase all of the bullshit.

He lets it be for now. Fighting this fucking battle now will just end up with another fight. Irritated, he stares bluntly.

[futilemartyr]

At the near slip, James frowns slightly. However, the genuine joy from the child he fathered causes the expression to vanish. "Me, as well, son. It's been too long."

A nice moment which doesn't last, leading to the following: "Where in the heavens have you been? I regained consciousness and no one knew where you had ran off to. You didn't leave any information, and why in the world did you think this was a good time to leave? We had just started the project fully, it needed a stable--"

As if finally noticing the man behind Neil, James eyes move to him and back to his son. "...We can talk about that later. Why don't you introduce me?"

[goodfight]

It's funny how quick things shift, how it pivots in an entirely new direction, and Neil looks at James as if he'd been slapped. "Out of town," he stammers defensively. "I just needed a break."

From what, he suddenly can't remember. His father, however, notices Alex, and at the request, he looks back at the other man, the shock still apparent. "Oh, this is Alex," he says, uncertain if the aforementioned person wants his full name revealed. "He's a friend of mine."

[futilemartyr]

"A break." It's out of his mouth before he can think, disapproval radiating from his visage. "You needed a break. This isn't something you can just walk away from--"

He cuts himself off, shaking his head. "Well, good to meet you, Alex. Hopefully Neil hasn't been causing too much trouble for you. He's quite the little instigator." It's said lightly, truthfully.

[doubletap]

...Things change in a heartbeat. Anger rises and crests. When Neil introduces him, and the sperm donor makes an attempt at brevity, Alex steps forward, dropping a hand onto Neil's shoulder. "Your son is a very reliable, extremely strong person. He's helped me countless times and pulled my ass out of the fire when I was up to my ears in trouble. He doesn't instigate or cause trouble, and he wasn't just wasting time."

Because the unsaid is written plainly in this fucking interaction. Whatever Neil does is worthless, unless it's something for his father. Which, hilariously, is the actual worthless work.

[goodfight]

...He can't be serious. Instigator? Has Neil been causing trouble for Alex? Suddenly, Neil has trouble remembering.

It isn't until the pressure on his shoulder that Neil remembers. The Mojave. The journey to D.C. All the aspects experienced. Caught between two uncomfortable perspectives, he swallows thickly. "We're about to head to my house," he offers as a topic shift. "Could we catch up later, Dad? Maybe at the Memorial?"

Where he assumes is James' place of residence.

[futilemartyr]

For a moment, James stares at Neil's friend. Then makes an attempt at a light-hearted expression. "Aren't you an intense young man. I'm certain what you two were up to was very important to you, but Neil has some very important work here that affects many people--"

Neil speaks, and James looks over to him, eyebrows raised. "Of course. We need to speak in private about the progressions we've made at Project Purity. Using the GECK worked beautifully, of course. You did well helping Madison to finish that."

[goodfight]

His instinct tells him to interject before a disaster occurs, and since he's not one to outright ignore his gut, Neil goes with it. "Right, of course. You'll have to let me know how everything's going so far," he says quickly. "It is... It's really good to see you again, Dad. You had me seriously worried."

When Neil had thought that he would never again see him alive.

[doubletap]

Alex moves to respond to that condescending pile of shit when Neil jumps in, obviously cutting Alex off. Alex watches Neil as he speaks, unamused, but when Neil speaks his truth, his concern and his worry, Alex looks away, into the shit town they came to instead. The hand on Neil's shoulder tightens in support.

Or annoyance. It's probably about equal right now.

[futilemartyr]

Side conversations finished, James smiles again at his son. "I'll look forward to seeing you there soon. Come as soon as you've settled."

The concern offered causes something inbetween discomfort and care. His tone softens. "I'm fine now--back to one-hundred percent. There's no need to worry, son."

[goodfight]

The haze that accompanies extreme emotion and sex fades eventually, leaving behind a pleasant emptiness and the beginning that accompanies overworked muscles. Oh, that and a thoroughly used and broken bed, as promised (read: threatened) by another. The brass posts are shattered while the questionable mattress is rendered unusable. For what reasons, Neil's too embarrassed to say.

The aforementioned young man, now redressed and appropriate, stares back into the bedroom, his eyes wide with disbelief, as he scratches the back of his head. "You know," he starts. "I'm kinda surprise we didn't fall through the floor."

[doubletap]

Alex, busy glancing into the other room, comes back behind Neil, wrapping his arms around his waist and leaning his chin on the kid's shoulder. He kisses his cheek--nuzzles his head happily. "Well, then you have good flooring," he says pleasantly. "You should be pleased."

[goodfight]

There they are, two happy people staring into the happiness that was once Neil's bedroom. Now a study, he thinks, since he'll have to throw out that bed.

He moves the hand from his head to run through Alex's hair affectionately. "I am," he returns with no less pleasantness. "Otherwise, we'd be outside. The entire community of Megaton staring at us in our birthday suits."

[doubletap]

"You into that?" he asks innocently, leaning his head against Neil's at the affection. "Because we could gather a group to watch if you want."

[goodfight]

"Only if it's old Walter," Neil says, his voice even. Then he ruins the teasing with a disgusted noise. "No, never mind. I think I need to go and clean out my brain with RadAway now."

He turns around to face Alex, eyebrow raised. "Find anything awesome in my second room?" he asks.

[doubletap]

Neil turns in Alex's arms, and he forgets the question asked momentarily. The second Neil's dark eyes are on him, he leans down to kiss him, arms tightening.

[goodfight]

The question is set aside and for good reason. Neil takes in the kiss with a slow inhale and a smile. The hand in Alex's hair pets the strands slowly.

[doubletap]

To the petting, Alex makes a pleased sound against his will. Embarrassed, he laughs, breaking the kiss. He smiles. Tries not to smile and fails. He gives up, shaking his head. "Nothing interesting over there," he answers. "Only interesting thing here is you."

[goodfight]

The giveaway and the subsequent laughter have Neil pleased, and his smile widens. He thoughtfully keeps Alex's embarrassment to himself, however. For future posterity, of course.

"Aw, I was hoping you'd notice the Time-Space Continuum Harmonizer and the Electric Princess Wand," he gives, laughing. "Though I guess I should be flattered you're only interested in me."

[doubletap]

He kisses him again, lightly, then smiles back. "Nah, still just interested in you." He pauses there, raising his eyebrows. "Well, you and ED-E.

"Which brings us to, we should probably go get our kids from outside before they wreck the trash heap."

[goodfight]

The kiss is quite nice, but they've been neglecting their respective sidekicks. And Neil knows they're likely restless. He groans. "And I forgot to wash Dogmeat's bowl."

The man moves away to descend down the stairs. "I should probably move some of these machines out to make room," continues Neil. "Four people can be quite crowded in this place."

[doubletap]

Alex trails after, enjoying the view from behind. "Well, I don't have to stay here, if you want more space."