(no subject)

[devoutish]

[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.

Comments

[devoutish]

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.

[bywolves]

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

[devoutish]

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

[He misses those, too.]

[bywolves]

[ 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?

[devoutish]

[He's talking about Gwen. It's a rare thing, and it has him looking over his shoulder to see what Mercy's reaction is.]

Yeah, mate. I remember.

[bywolves]

[ Mercy is pretending like she isn't listening, but she is.

Royce takes a deep breath, and exhales it slow. ] She would've scolded you for saying you miss McRib sandwiches.

[devoutish]

She might've approved of the fish soup if I made it clear it was the homemade kind that I missed.

[bywolves]

[ He smiles a little. ] Mm. Would've called you a flatterer.

[ And now he lapses into silence, staring out the window. Mercy maybe huffs a little in the backseat, clearly disappointed, but she doesn't say anything about it. She just combs her fingers through her hair, staring out the window. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie's fingers drum idly on the steering wheel. He wants to keep talking about Gwen, for Mercy's sake - but he can't do that to Royce, who is clearly done with the topic. He knows all too well how hard it is to talk about the people who are gone, and how much it hurts to have someone else push the subject. He makes a mental note to tell Mercy some Gwen stories as soon as possible, when Royce is either asleep or otherwise out of earshot.

About an hour into the drive, he breaks the silence again, this time for more practical reasons.]

Still awake enough?

[bywolves]

[ It's a good thing he does, because Royce slowly descends into a thundercloudy sort of mood. He's exhausted and thinking about Gwen hurts, and he can't stop, once he's got himself started. He's glad that Alfie didn't push - it's an understanding between the two of them - but it doesn't stop him from thinking.

Alfie interrupts it, and Royce leans forward again with a sigh. ] Trying. Hard to focus.

[devoutish]

Right. We're stopping. Gonna give you some more time to rest.

[He angles the car off the road again, driving a few hundred feet into one of the grass fields that still border the side of the road.]

[bywolves]

No, keep -- [ But Alfie's already off the road, and Royce scowls slightly. Mercy, on the other hand, is buzzing because maybe this means she gets to go outside! For a while! Explore a little... maybe roll a big rock over and catch bugs.

Royce sits back, tilting his head back. ] Could just keep going. Let me rest while driving.

[ Mercy is already opening the door, though, peeking out into the grass. She's restless! ]

[devoutish]

Mercy.

[Alfie's voice is sharp - he's worried about her running off before they have a chance to scout the area.

He turns back to Royce.]

We need your eyes with that truck nearby. I don't want to drive us into a trap.

[bywolves]

[ She ducks her head a little, but stays in the car. She knows better! She just got a little excited.

Royce sighs, and then waves his hand before pulling his hood up. ] Take Mercy and stretch your legs. I don't need long. [ He needs a while, as long as Alfie's willing to give him, but he won't specify. ]

SO CUTE WHY

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[Alfie gets out of the car and goes to the trunk, pulling out an extra gun to hand to Royce. He makes sure his own pistol is still in his coat pocket - the way it always is, when he leaves the car - and climbs up on the roof to survey.

Everything looks deserted. Safe.]

What do you think, Mercy?

(◡ ‿ ◡ ✿)

[showhim]

[ Royce takes the gun without a word, settling down to sleep.

Mercy scrambles on the roof immediately, grinning at the fact that she gets to be out in the open air. Taking a deep breath, she sets her hands on her hips and stares out into the space before them. She doesn't see anybody, or anything, or... any movement. Which is good. ]

It looks clear to me! Can - can we go explore? [ A pause, and she folds her arms instead, looking at Alfie with a half concerned, half determined sort of look. ] Only if your back doesn't hurt!

[devoutish]

Yeah, but we can't go far. We've got to keep an eye on your dad.

[But look at her - she's surveying, looking for danger. His heart swells with pride.]

[showhim]

Okay. [ She agrees with that, nodding firmly. She squints out into the grass again. ] ... Maybe we can find some animals. Do you think Dad would let me have a pet raccoon?

[devoutish]

[Royce would be more likely to want to eat the raccoon.]

I think the raccoon would take objection to that idea.

[He starts walking, swinging the cane in one hand and holding the other out to Mercy. He wants to let her run and play, but in an unscouted area like this, it's just too risky.]

[showhim]

Not if I was really nice to him and fed him lots of food! [ Mercy argues, taking Alfie's hand. She wants to run and play, but she knows it's dangerous out here. ] I think I'd name him Mr. Rings.

[devoutish]

That's a good name. Very fitting.

[He glances over his shoulder at the car, judging that they're far enough away now.]

You heard us talking about your mother, eh?

[showhim]

[ Oh, that gets her looking a little eager. ] Yes! Yes, I did. I - well. Um. It's just that Dad doesn't like to talk about her a lot, so... so I was curious.

[devoutish]

Well, he's right. Her blueberry pies were spectacular.

[And speaking of food - he pulls a somewhat stale energy bar out of his pocket, snapping it in half and handing a piece to Mercy. What a delicacy.]

You know I'll tell you anything you want to know, yeah?

[showhim]

[ Hold on, she's absolutely distracted by the energy bar. She squeaks happily and is very careful to eat it without dropping any of it.

But she does pause about halfway through her piece, glancing up at Alfie. ]

... I know you will. [ She sighs heavily, though, way too heavily for a girl her age. ] I just don't want to make you sad.

[devoutish]

[He rubs a thumb along the back of her hand.]

Telling you about your mum makes me happy.