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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I suppose you're right. [ She winces at a particularly painful step, sucking in a breath. ] Thank you. I know you wouldn't just leave me behind, but I feel like I should say it anyway.

[ However long it takes to get to the car, Gwen walks. And Royce and Mercy will absolutely be there when they arrive, both completely unharmed and anxious for the return of the rest of their little makeshift family. ]

[Before either of them can say anything, Alfie raises a hand.]

She's all right, she's all right. She'll tell you herself, won't you, Gwen?

[ Royce has already practically sprinted the distance left between the car and the two of them and is grabbing at Gwen, looking her over. His face is pale and tight like it always is when he's panicked and swallowing it. ]

I'm fine, I'm fine - Royce, love. I'm okay. [ Gwen protests, as Royce makes an irritable noise and scoops his wife up, giving Alfie a dirty look before carrying her back to the car. Gwen sighs heavily in annoyance as Mercy races over to Alfie, expression vaguely frightened. ]

What happened? Is Mommy okay? [ Mercy asks Alfie, reaching for his hand. ]

[Royce, how dare you. Even though he knows it's not his fault, that look still stings a little.

He sighs, and reaches down to lift up Mercy into his arms.]

She was hurt, but it's not bad. She walked the whole way here.

[ There will be all sorts of apologies later. For now, Alfie might hear Gwen scolding Royce lightly by the car as Royce cleans and wraps her leg.

Mercy wraps her arms around Alfie tightly. ] ... We heard guns. I got really scared at the noises and Daddy was really angry for a bit. But if Mommy's walking then it's okay, right?

Edited 2016-09-03 21:52 (UTC)

Sure.

[He kisses Mercy's temple.]

And if she's yelling at your dad, she's even more okay.

[ Mercy wrinkles her nose. ] But... it's not good when they yell at each other, though, Alfie. [ Duh! ] Did - did she get shot at? With guns? Did you get shot at with guns?

It's not the bad sort of yelling. It's the sort where she's keeping him in line.

She did get shot with a gun. A bullet grazed her leg. She'll show you, when it's all clean and wrapped up. It's not so scary.

Oh. [ Yeah, okay, she's heard that one before. She also appreciates the honesty, even if it makes her expression a little twisty and scared. Alfie says it's not scary, but she's reserving judgment.

Mercy holds onto Alfie very tightly, with a little sniff. At the car, Gwen reaches to take Royce's face in her hands and kiss him, and when she pulls away, Royce's shoulders come down from around his ears.

With a little smile, Gwen glances over at Alfie and Mercy, and then gestures for them to come over while Royce works. ]

[Alfie wanders over, sitting down next to Gwen and settling Mercy in his lap. He's close enough to talk, but not so close that he'll get in the way of Royce's work.]

Coming along well?

[ Mercy curls up in Alfie's lap happily enough, watching Royce work with big eyes and a thumb in her mouth. Royce spares a glance at the two of them but doesn't say anything until Gwen reaches to card her fingers through his hair pointedly. ]

It's fine. Clean shot. Should be easy to heal. [ Royce says, voice tight. Gwen tugs his hair a little, and Royce mutters. ] Thank you. For helping her.

[ Gwen's expression is very much the facial equivalent of good boy. ]

[Alfie gives a little hm, but doesn't say anything else. He knows those words are coming from Gwen, not from Royce.

He bends down, mouth next to Mercy's ear, and whispers loudly enough for the other two to hear:]

What do you think? Less scary up close?

[ Mercy squirms, kind of grossed out at the sight of blood. ] No... but Daddy said it's okay, so I believe him. It looks gross.

[ Gwen laughs a little, holding out a hand for Mercy. Mercy takes it immediately, holding Gwen's hand tightly. Royce makes a tsk sound and starts to wrap the wound as Gwen looks up at the two of them. ]

It is kind of gross. [ Gwen says. ] But it'll be less gross in no time. Not much worse than a scraped knee, sweetie, Mommy's fine.

We should probably go. The gunfight was still in process when we left.

I can't drive while he's wrapping, and we don't want to rush this. As soon as you're ready, we'll go.

[ Gwen sighs a little, but Royce speaks up at that. ] He's right. Don't. You need rest. Need to make sure this stays clean.

[ He's very meticulous about the cleaning. He glances up at Alfie, and then at Mercy, his expression softening. ] We got a good deal. On the parts for the car and for the supplies. Mercy is good at negotiating.

[ Mercy puffs up proudly, grinning. ]

Course she is.

[Alfie smiles, cuffing Mercy lightly on the arm. But then he catches Royce's eye, and sobers a little.]

Talk tonight, mate?

[ Gwen raises her eyebrows, but she doesn't comment. Royce, on the other hand, doesn't even look up, busy with wrapping Gwen's wound. ]

If you want. [ He answers curtly. Still - as much as he's cold now, he's around later, after they've driven a fair amount, after Gwen and Mercy are settled in for the night. Royce takes his usual spot on top of the car, staring out into the distance, waiting for Alfie to indicate he wants to actually talk. ]

[After kissing Mercy good night, Alfie climbs out of the car quietly, leaning against the door and looking up at Royce.]

How long are you planning to be angry?

A day or two. [ That's mostly wry. Sarcastic. ]

You know what she is to me. What you all are. You know that I would never - never - be negligent with her life.

[ He's quiet for a long moment, and then he slides closer to the edge of the roof of the car so he can look at Alfie more closely. ]

I know. I'm not angry now. [ He tilts his head slightly. ] I was. Gwen being in danger makes me irrational.

She doesn't want you to know what the man looked like. She's worried you'll want to track him down.

[ Icily: ] It's best that I don't know what he looks like. Yes.

[He looks up at Royce, then climbs up onto the car roof next to him.]

She'll heal up well?

It looks like it. [ Royce murmurs. He's fine with Alfie sitting here - maybe even makes him relax a little. ] We need to make sure it stays clean. Otherwise she'll be fine.