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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[He wants to tell her don't think about that, but that's naive.]

I won't leave them, not for anything. They'll be taken care of.

[ She smiles, teary. ] I know you won't. You've been there for us from the start, I know you'll take care of them.

Mercy is - Mercy is so young, she won't remember so much. She'll miss me, but it isn't her I'm worried about. Alfie, Royce - if I... [ She's very, very concerned about Royce, because she knows the self-destruct he'll spiral into if she dies. ]

[He closes his eyes.]

Royce is harder to help. I don't know how much I could do.

Just be there. [ She says softly, reaching up to wipe the tears away from her own face. She's a little scared. ] Don't leave him or let him go on his own. Please. He's going to shut down and do whatever he can to find a way to let the awful, terrible world we're in kill him.

[ Shivery breath. ] He won't do it himself, but he'll be so reckless. I don't want that.

I'll never leave him.

[Alfie looks over at Mercy, drawing a short distance away.]

He'll stay for her.

[ She nods a little. ] I think he will. She's... she'll need both of you.

[ But it does soothe her a lot to hear that Alfie won't leave. She rests her head back against the wall, slumping a little. A beat, and then weakly: ] I'm afraid to look at my wound. It hurts badly enough that I don't think there's - there's anything good under the bandages.

Then don't look.

[He takes her hand again.]

I'll clean it, when we need to next.

[ She squeezes his hand, just as weak as her tone. ] Thank you.

And... and thank you for knowing what to say. Especially to Mercy. You've been so good to us, I don't know how I could ever really tell you how I feel.

[He leans in, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.]

You're family. You always have been. There aren't words big enough to describe that properly.

[ Ah, no, she's going to start crying again! She sniffs, trying to smile. ] You're so sweet.

[ She brings her free hand up to cover her face, hair falling down to hide it as well. ] Sorry - I'm sorry, I don't want to let Mercy see me cry.

Gwen, he'll find something.

[He squeezes her hand tighter.]

With his eyes, his hearing, his speed - there's no better supply hunter out there.

No, I know. I - I know, I do believe in him. More than anything. [ Gwen says, voice cracking. Softer: ] I'm just a little frightened, is all.

We're right here with you. Do you want Mercy to come back over?

Yes, I think... I think that might be a good plan. [ She sniffs again, rubbing her eyes stubbornly. She can force her expression back into a smile, it's okay.

Mercy is quietly coloring, far more subdued than usual. ]

Mercy.

[Alfie holds out a hand in her direction.]

Come draw over here, yeah? Your mum wants to see your progress.

[ Mercy jumps a little when Alfie calls her name, but she does ask he asks, taking her crayons and notebook with her and scrambling over to crawl back into Alfie's lap. She sits and carefully shows both of them what she's been drawing - all of her family together, Royce and Gwen holding her hands, with Alfie standing behind all of them.

Gwen smiles a little. ] That's very, very good. That looks just like Royce, doesn't it, Alfie?

It does. You've got a knack for this, Mercy.

[He rests his free hand on top of her head.]

Thank you. [ Mercy says shyly, looking up at Alfie for a second before looking back down at her drawing. She squirms - and then moves so she can press herself up against Gwen's side, hiding. Gwen gets an arm around her, glancing up at Alfie with a sad little look. ]

I drew him with his coat, 'cause I know he misses his coat. [ Mercy says finally, pointing at said coat with her crayon. ] Is your beard big enough, Uncle Alfie? I didn't wanna mess it up.

[ Gwen closes her eyes, resting her head against Mercy's. She's exhausted, but listening. ]

You didn't. It looks even better in your drawing than in real life. Yeah? I'm jealous of this Alfie's beard.

[He taps the paper with a finger, but his eyes are on Gwen.]

[ Mercy smiles at that, pleased, and goes back to coloring Gwen's dress on her picture. Gwen doesn't open her eyes - she looks terrible, sweaty and pale, and she can't stop shivering. Mercy shifts under Gwen's arm, and then makes a face. ]

Mom, you're sweaty. [ Mercy complains a little, and Gwen shifts slightly, eyes glassy again when she tries to pry them open. ]

Sorry, baby. You can sit with Alfie if it's too gross. [ Gwen murmurs. ]

I'm gonna need to clean your wound soon. Change the bandages.

[He lets go of her hand for a moment, feeling her forehead.}

Do you feel hot or cold?

[ Mercy scoots out of the way, but keeps drawing, one eye on her paper and the other on Gwen. Gwen, on the other hand, makes a soft hmmm noise, like she's thinking. ]

Both. The kind of hot-cold that makes it hard to sleep with blankets on. [ Gwen sighs. ] Just tell me when you need me to help. Change the bandages. Now? Or...

You don't need to help.

[He stands, going over to pick through their supplies.]

Yeah, you just rest. All right?

If you're sure. [ Gwen murmurs distantly. She'd usually argue more, but her fever is getting worse, and it makes her feel sick to her stomach. Makes her tongue feel heavy. ] Alfie - would you bring me water? Please.

[Their supplies are limited, but saying no doesn't even cross his mind. He rises, going over to one of their large storage jugs and pouring Gwen a small cup. He brings it over, holding it out but not handing it over completely. He'll let her put her hands around it and guide it over to her mouth as well as she can, but he'll keep his hands over hers, steadying them.]