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

[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."

[goodfight]

The statement gives Neil an idea, despite the slight annoyance at the offer to stay elsewhere. "We should all probably stay somewhere else, actually," he comments as he steps lightly. "I have a place in mind."

At the bottom level, Neil steps over to unlock and open the door for the kids. His eyes first notice Dogmeat, then ED-E. "Hey, guys."

The former barks, happy to see his master.

[doubletap]

"Somewhere not a garbage dump?" Alex calls out, tone full of feigned surprise. "My, you'll spoil me."

However, when Neil opens the door to greet them, ED-E unleashes a torrent of sound. Alex holds up his hands, making a slow down gesture. After a moment, he frowns. "...So someone came to visit again while we were busy," Alex drawls, pointing at the holotape left behind. "Kids did their job keeping people out."

[goodfight]

ED-E virtually explodes into conversation, and Neil looks quizzically at Alex for the translation. When it finally comes, his heart drops. All pleasure, all goodness-- They disappear at the news of a return visit.

Neil looks down at the holotape with veiled disgust, his mind wondering with horror if anything within the house might have been overheard. "You both did well," he mutters before bending down to retrieve the item. His eyes meet ED-E. "He didn't hassle you two, did he?"

[doubletap]

ED-E, in return, gives a high trill, before offering a pleased set of beeps. Alex smiles. "No, he was just pissed. Couldn't get around them so he left a message instead. ED-E says thanks for asking."

Alex hipchecks Neil lightly and steps past him, snagging the object and heading back in. He passes it to Neil as he returns. "C'mon, kid. Let's get this over with."

[goodfight]

Alex grabs the accursed object before Neil can, and the latter finds himself not minding at all. Thanking the older man, Neil slips the holotape into his Pip-Boy and starts downloading its data. "Okay, glad to hear nothing happened."

He reaches down to pat Dogmeat's head before following Alex, dark eyes saying everything his words cannot. "Right," he says. Neil does not look forward to this message, but it must be played, which he waits to initiate until everyone is inside.

Then he presses play.