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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You're scared.

[Alfie's voice is calm - almost soothing.]

You didn't want to get wrapped up in this, did you. Yeah? I can see it in your eyes. Take the gun off her, let her go, and we'll let you live.

[It's a lie - Alfie has every intention of shooting the man the moment it's safe to do so. There are no politics to think about here. He will slaughter every last person involved in this.]

[ The man snorts derisively, shaking his head. Mercy whimpers a little, and this is about the point that she can't stop herself from crying anymore. Tears spill down her cheeks and behind Alfie, Royce tenses up so tightly he almost stops breathing. ]

You think I'm gonna believe that? [ The gun man asks, yanking Mercy up to try and make it harder for either of them to shoot him without hurting her. ] I'm not fucking stupid. No, I'm leaving. I'm leaving and taking her with me - call it payment for the trauma you caused.

[ He takes a step forward, and Royce almost hisses at it, but he doesn't move. Mercy bites her bottom lip to keep quiet and then winces - Alfie and Royce are going to be able to see that said bottom lip is busted, split slightly. ]

[Oh, no. Oh no oh no oh no. Not when they're so close. Alfie is a good shot, but he's not going to chance it - not when there would be a risk of hitting Mercy, or of the guy pulling the trigger on her before he goes down.

They have a car, he reminds himself. If he gets away with her now, they'll still be able to follow.]

[ They can still follow, but they won't need to.

The guy isn't expecting Mercy to start struggling again. She won't go - she won't, and she's not going to put up with this. Mercy makes a terribly frightened sound and shoves the gun away from her head, swinging her foot back to kick the man in the groin at the same time. She'll bite him if she has to.

The man isn't expecting it, and the gun clatters to the floor as he grunts in pain and doubles slightly, his grip loosening - Royce doesn't hesitate, swoops in to yank Mercy out of the guy's hands, to at least get her away from him enough for Alfie to take the shot. ]

[When Mercy shoves at the gun, Alfie's heart leaps into his throat. He's sure she's about to get shot for her efforts, and he lunges forward before he can stop himself.]

No!

[But then, the worst doesn't happen after all. As soon as the man drops the gun, and as soon as Mercy is out of the way, Alfie shoots. He goes down, dead instantly. And Alfie drops to his knees, relief overwhelming him.]

[ The gunshot is loud - both Royce and Mercy flinch sharply. But they both hit the ground and they're both okay. They're both okay, Royce finds, hurriedly checking Mercy over for wounds, for any sign of the bullet having hit her, even just a little, but she's clear. She's okay.

Royce wraps his arms tightly around Mercy and holds her, and Mercy finally just collapses into tears. She bawls, and Royce breathes out a little distressed noise of his own.

He scoots the both of them closer to Alfie, and Royce's touch aversion be damned, he reaches in Alfie's direction. ]

[Royce's hand on his arm snaps him out of the shock; the memories. Unwilling to let go of the gun in case there are still others lurking about, he stands.]

To the car. The car.

[He wants to get out of here, as fast as possible.]

[ Royce scoops Mercy up, rocking her slightly as she sobs into his shirt. He smooths her hair back and whispers something against her ear, whispers a little shhh as he stands. She's almost too big for him to do this, but she makes it easier by clinging to him, shaking like a leaf.

Royce keeps one hand on Alfie, because he needs it and because he knows how close this is, how painful the memories that this brings up are. ]

Car. [ Royce agrees, holding onto Alfie's sleeve. He'll follow. ]

[Alfie's hands are shaking as he fumbles for the keys, and he finally puts the gun away. The second they're all settled, he throws the car in drive and heads down the road. Later, he'll wish they'd taken the time to root around for supplies - gas, weapons, food, maybe even a bigger, better vehicle. Now, he doesn't care. They just need to get away.

Fifteen minutes later, after it becomes very clear that they're not being followed, he can't stand it anymore. He pulls off the road and gets out from behind the wheel, climbing into the backseat. He needs to see her face. He needs to know she's really all right.]

[ Royce wraps himself around her once they're in the car, holding her while she cries. She cries so hard so almost doesn't make any noise, cries until she's drained and worn out, and after the fifteen minutes of driving pass, she's mostly gone quiet. She sniffles and sucks in shuddery breaths, and Royce runs his fingers through her hair, calming her down.

He's reluctant to let her go, but when Alfie climbs into the backseat, Royce nudges Mercy a little so she knows he's there. Mercy pulls away from Royce and scoots over to Alfie to hug him too, still shaking, arms wrapped around Alfie's neck. She's okay. She's just upset.

Royce watches silently, rubbing at his own face. ]

[Alfie lets out a quiet, pained sound, wrapping his arms around her in turn. She almost lost her life. She endured hours of terror. She had to hear callous discussion of a horrific fate. And he'd almost lost the one thing that's keeping him going. She might not really be his, but dammit, it feels like she is.

His right hand is starting to throb again, but he ignores it. He pulls back enough to get a look at her lip, remembering how hard she'd bitten it.]

[ As far as Royce is concerned, as far as Mercy is concerned - Alfie is family, and they're both his. No question. So Alfie hugs Mercy and she sniffs again, resting the side of her head on his shoulder and letting him comfort her.

It's nothing terrible, her lip - she'd bitten it while she'd been trying to get away. It stings, but it'll heal easily enough on it's own provided she doesn't pick at it. Mercy rubs at her eyes and nose when Alfie pulls her back to look, just watching him with a sad little look.

Royce leans back against the door of the car, expression tight, still. He wishes Alfie hadn't shot the man with the gun, if only because Royce wanted to cut every one of his limbs off and feed them to him.

Mercy speaks, finally, her voice wobbling and cracking: ] Are you okay?

Just fine.

[It's obviously a lie, but his instinct will always be to reassure her. The fear and pain in her voice is almost too much to bear.]

You did-- so well, my girl.

[ She wipes at her face again. She's still crying, unable to really stop, and it's starting to make her head hurt. ] I didn't - I didn't do anything, you guys saved me.

[ Royce's voice is hoarse when he argues: ] You helped us plenty. We were going to chase him to the end of the world until he gave you back. But you stopped him.

You did. He's right. You did just the right thing.

[Alfie closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.]

[ Mercy quietly takes Alfie's hand and holds it tightly. ] I'm okay, Alfie. [ She whispers it, like she's not sure she should keep talking. ] Y-you don't have to worry, you got me back.

[ Because of course she's worried for the two of them. A beat, and then she lifts his hand - the injured one. ] You're - you're hurt!

It's all wrapped up. It's all right.

[He'll have to clean it as often as possible and keep checking it regularly for infection, but he's decided he's really not going to worry about it now.]

But - but you got hurt because of me! [ Her voice breaks again. ]

No, no, no, no.

[He focuses now, reaching up to hold her face in his hands.]

I got hurt because of them. And I would do it again in an instant. Yeah?

[ She clearly does not like that answer, and it shows on her face, but she doesn't argue it. Instead, her mouth twists and she brings her hands up to rest on his.

Royce watches quietly - he's still here, still paying attention, just. Letting Alfie see she's okay. He's still trying to figure it out for himself.

Mercy sniffs, and says stubbornly, determinedly: ] I love you. Both. I love you lots.

And we love you.

[He reaches for Royce again, trying to bring him over to Mercy. Trying to join the three of them together.]

[ Royce slides over quietly, shoulder to shoulder with Alfie. He's too tired to care, and he's mostly just relieved that she's okay. Mercy climbs into Royce's lap, putting her feet in Alfie's, and settles there. Royce presses a kiss to the side of Mercy's head, and then murmurs: ] Need to keep an eye on that hand.

[ A beat, as he rubs Mercy's back. ] We should find a place to rest for a day.

Yeah.

[But he doesn't move. He's too worn out to, but physically and emotionally.]

[ Royce doesn't mind. He doesn't move either, resting his head back against the seat, eyes closing for a moment. Mercy reaches to take Alfie's hand - she's already drifting off, trying not to and failing. ]

Rest for a while. [ Royce murmurs. ] Both of you. I'll wake you up in a while, Solomons.

[ Because both of them need to be careful as far as concussions go. ]

You need the sleep more than I do, Duster.

[he strokes Mercy's hand, still having trouble taking his eyes off of her.]

You sleep first, yeah?