wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[When the car radiator overheats for the third time in a week, Alfie takes it as a sign that it's finally time for more than just another quick tune-up.

They're in a deserted area, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, most of the dangerous gangs are still in urban areas, the way they had been before the world had gone to shit. Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of fields with only the occasional small copse of trees, they're not likely to run into anyone at all, much less anyone dangerous. But on the other hand, if they do come across anyone, there won't be anywhere to run to or hide. Alfie, as always, has his pistol tucked into his coat pocket, and they have more weapons stashed away in the trunk. But they're a small group - no match for the bigger gangs with armored trucks and heavy artillery. If they meet one of those, they'll be slaughtered.

With his sleeves rolled up and the hood of the car open, he leans in with his tools, carefully tinkering away. He can't afford to make a mistake here - replacement parts are rare and precious. When he hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't dare look away from his work as he says sharply:]

Stay back. You don't want hot steam to the face.

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[ Royce doesn't relax. He crawls into the front seat, staring out into the dark, letting his eyes adjust. Sure, he can't see enough to drive, but the combination of his heightened hearing and seeing will keep them safe. ]

The two of you sleep. [ Royce says, staring out the window. ] I'll keep watch.

[ Mercy doesn't say anything, afraid to, but she glances up at Alfie in the dark. ]

[It's an imperfect solution - but considering everything, it might be the best one. Royce staying up all night after he'd already been up all day is less than ideal, but if he and Alfie were to trade off watch shifts, the simple fact of the matter is that they'd be less protected during Alfie's. At least this way, if someone or something starts to approach them, they should have enough warning to drive off fast and get a head start. It still wouldn't be ideal, and all of their concerns about nighttime driving would still be in effect, but at least it would be better than death - or worse, capture.]

Wake me up if you really can't stay awake, mate. My eyes are better than nothing.

[Gently, he slides Mercy off of his lap and onto the seat next to him. He lowers the seat backs to make lying down more comfortable, and hands her a pillow and blanket before curling up close, lifting an arm to let her tuck under it again if she wants.]

It'll be all right, sweetheart; don't you worry.

Mm. Just make sure you can drive in the morning. [ Because Royce will be exhausted. But this isn't the first time he's had to do something like this, and he's willing. Has had practice enough to know how to keep himself awake. Pulling his cloak around him, Royce settles in for the night, staring out the window.

Mercy holds her pillow close as she waits for Alfie to settle, and the second he offers her a spot, she's there, curling into him. She's not all that scared, just... worried, maybe. Worried about Royce not getting any sleep.

But not scared, because she trusts them more than anything to keep her safe. She's confident when she replies, closing her eyes. ] I know. We'll all protect each other. I'm not scared.

[ Up in the front, Royce maybe smiles a little. ]

[Mercy is a blessing in this world - one bright spot in all the dark. Since things fell apart, all of Alfie's happy or relaxing moments had involved her in some way, and he knows it's the same for Royce. Whether it's finding her little gifts in abandoned stores, giving her a chance to run around and play in secluded areas, or lying with her in the backseat and picking out shapes in the clouds that roll by, making sure she's safe and happy keeps them focused. It's a driving goal. And it's certainly not fear for himself that has Alfie worried now.

He tucks the blanket more securely around her shoulders, closing his eyes as he cuddles her close. Royce is right. He needs to find a way to sleep despite the knot of anxiety in his stomach, because tomorrow's driving will all be on him.

And if something happens in the night, Royce will wake him up.]

[ Thankfully, nothing happens in the night. The car comes by again, slow and steady like the first, and Royce nearly wakes the two of them up. He can hear voices coming from the car, no words he can make out, but voices nonetheless. Arguing.

It's unsettling, but it passes. They drive down the road and further, and Royce doesn't see or hear them for the rest of the night. It's a relief, but a small one. They went in the direction that Royce, Alfie and Mercy had been planning on going, and Royce wouldn't be surprised if they crossed paths again.

The night passes. Mercy sleeps okay, but there are a few times that she squirms or makes little distressed noises as she sleeps - nightmares, like always. She quiets on her own, but it twists Royce up inside every time she does. He trusts Alfie to protect her, but it doesn't stop the ache of wishing he could do it himself. The ache of wishing he could be as good at handling her as he perceives Alfie to be.

When there's enough sunlight to see, Royce climbs out to the roof. He doesn't see any sign of danger, doesn't hear anything, and so he wakes Alfie up cautiously, reaching to touch Alfie's shoulder with his free hand defensively protecting his face. ]

Solomons. Morning. [ Royce says roughly. He looks and sounds exhausted, but it doesn't stop him. ]

[Lying as close as he is, Alfie stirs when Mercy stirs - usually not waking up all the way, but enough to give her a comforting murmur or to stroke her hair. Her nightmares aren't unexpected, but they'll always worry him. As much as he and Royce try to protect her, they can't shield her from everything, and she's seen some horrors.

When Royce wakes him up, relief floods through him - it's morning, and they'd gotten through the night without incident. Carefully, he disentangles himself from Mercy, climbing out of the car.]

Anything?

Edited 2016-06-23 18:36 (UTC)

[ Royce drops his hand and shakes his head. ] They came by again. Just passed. Went in the direction we've been going.

[ Mercy mumbles something and curls up more tightly, and Royce sighs before climbing into the backseat. He strokes her hair gently, expression soft the way it only ever does when he's looking at her. He's tired enough that he kind of gets stuck there, dazed, and then he sighs and pulls himself away, slides out of the car. ]

Might run into them if we keep going that way. But we need the parts.

Staying off the road won't help. They'd see the grass moving.

[Alfie does not like this. He watches Mercy sleep, deep in thought.]

What do you think?

Don't know. [ Royce says, leaning against the car. ] Could risk it. Don't see what other choice we have.

Need to find a place to scrounge food, too. We have a few days left but we're going to have to stop somewhere to trade. Need things to trade.

We'll go slowly. Keep an eye on the road up ahead.

[But with Royce sleeping, they won't have the advantage of his eyes. Alfie looks at him.]

How tired are you?

[ He rubs at his temple roughly, making himself focus. ] Tired, but I can do another few hours. [ A beat, and then: ] No, let me sleep for an hour. Then I'll be fine. Need to be there in case there's a fight.

Yeah. I'll keep watch.

[He takes Royce's usual spot on top of the roof of the car, legs dangling down.]

[ Royce crawls back into the car, exhausted. It takes him a few seconds to find the courage to do it, but he settles down where Alfie was, next to Mercy. He shouldn't hesitate about this sort of thing, but he's still not entirely sure how to be a dad. Even after seven years, he feels like he can't get the hang of it, even with stuff like this.

Thankfully, Mercy doesn't even pause. Royce settles down, and she sighs, scooting closer to hide her face against his chest. Royce pauses, and then smiles faintly, wrapping his arms around her.

Anxiety eased, Royce falls asleep in seconds. ]

[Alfie sits quietly, and doesn't stir - for a full hour, like he'd promised. And when that hour is up, he hops down, quietly opening the car door and leaning in to lightly shake Royce's arm.]

Enough?

[One hour of sleep in twenty-four hours will never be enough. But maybe, if they're lucky, he'll be able to drive for a few hours before he has to stop again.]

[ It's not, but Royce forces himself up anyway. He looks worn out as he sits up and scrubs at his face. Mercy finally decides to wake up as well when he stirs, yawning and blinking groggily at the two of them.

Royce pauses, and then leans to press a kiss to her forehead. She smiles a little, still sleepy, even as Royce is dragging himself up to sit in the passenger's seat. ]

How are you doing, Mercy? [ Royce asks quietly, and she hums out a little fine before yawning again. ]

[And Alfie slides behind the wheel, tucking the end of his cane into the door pocket the way he always does when he drives.]

Sleep well?

[He glances over his shoulder at Mercy.]

We're just gonna go slow today. Give your dad a chance to rest up after his long night.

I slept okay! [ Mercy says, as cheerful as she can. She's sensitive to mood, and she can tell Royce is not in a great one, so she doesn't mention her nightmares. Tries not to think about them, either. Instead, she leans forward and peers out the front window. ]

Are we okay now? The other car is gone? [ Mercy asks. ]

We're keeping an eye out for it.

[He starts the car up, heading back towards the road again.]

You wanna help? You've got your dad's eyes.

[ She grins widely. ] Yeah, I can help! Um. Do I just sit back here and look out the window?

[ Royce at least sounds amused when he replies: ] Yes. Look through both of them, and through the back window as well. Tell us if you see anybody or anything.

And tell me if he starts falling asleep. Poke him hard in the shoulder.

[Alfie Solomons - former crime lord, current troll.]

[ Mercy laughs, and sneaks up to pinch Royce, who startles. She might have to do it more than once, honestly - car rides are not good for staying awake. ]

Don't encourage her. [ Royce says to Alfie, a faint smile on his face, and Mercy laughs again before crawling back to stare out through the window.

Royce doesn't fall asleep, but there are several times where he has to shift in his seat, lean forward, fidget, just so he doesn't doze off. After a while of driving, he says in a weary sort of voice: ] What I wouldn't give for coffee.

Coffee.

[God, does Alfie miss coffee. Among many, many other things.]

Just yesterday, right, I was thinking about a piping bowl of hot fish soup.

Ugh. [ Royce says, but he's teasing. ] Of all the things you could miss, you pick that?

I could've said a McRib sandwich, couldn't I.

[He misses those, too.]

[ Royce snorts, and then laughs, rubbing at his face. He pauses for a long, long moment, and then: ] I miss Gwen's cooking.

[ For the first time in a long time, he doesn't sound like he's in pain when he says her name. ] Her pie. Blueberry. You remember?