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Feb. 12th, 2023 at 9:15 PM
[An hour's drive outside of the flames of Virginia Beach finally returns them to solid pavement.]
Yes! Oh, fuck yes, finally.
[And Johnnie is sure glad to see it, as he cheers with a fist in the air. Now he can just sit back and let the bike carry them without having to dodge rocks and slide around in the occasional patch of mud. Those old roads are a fun challenge for a little while, no doubt, but they get old fast.
Relieved now, though, Johnnie leans back a little against Chrissy behind him, and looks around in the darkness at what he can make out of the countryside. Lights dot a lot more little plots of land now, the occasional car passes going north, and what was moments ago swamp and forest has definitely turned more toward farmland from what illumination he can get from the headlight of the bike. There's some song on the radio about a place called Margaritaville, which he sure doesn't recognize.]
You know this one?
[Might be more in her wheelhouse. He'll just keep watching for road signs or town names, anything to tell them if they're on a real highway or some shitty side road so he can work out how far they actually traveled in that last hour, and how much longer until they reach the coast.]
Yes! Oh, fuck yes, finally.
[And Johnnie is sure glad to see it, as he cheers with a fist in the air. Now he can just sit back and let the bike carry them without having to dodge rocks and slide around in the occasional patch of mud. Those old roads are a fun challenge for a little while, no doubt, but they get old fast.
Relieved now, though, Johnnie leans back a little against Chrissy behind him, and looks around in the darkness at what he can make out of the countryside. Lights dot a lot more little plots of land now, the occasional car passes going north, and what was moments ago swamp and forest has definitely turned more toward farmland from what illumination he can get from the headlight of the bike. There's some song on the radio about a place called Margaritaville, which he sure doesn't recognize.]
You know this one?
[Might be more in her wheelhouse. He'll just keep watching for road signs or town names, anything to tell them if they're on a real highway or some shitty side road so he can work out how far they actually traveled in that last hour, and how much longer until they reach the coast.]
Comments
[See, he can tease right back, and he laughs.]
We'll get you a nice little car an' you can go to that beach any time you want. Any of 'em. I'm warning you though, LA is a big city. Takes almost half an hour to get to Santa Monica from my place. It's not like having a little cottage right on the seashore.
[Which, he's warned her about that but maybe not quite so explicitly. She can go to the beach all she wants, but she has to get there first.]
Thing is, it just takes half an hour to get anywhere in the area anyway, I guess. Or longer. Even when traffic ain't too bad, it's just big. But I love that, too, you know? Endless shit to do. You can go find record shops or the best damn panaderÃa in each neighborhood, you can go pick fresh oranges, go hang out in a park an' listen to live music any time of day or night 'cause there's always something going on. Never gonna get bored, I can promise you that.
[She's not completely blind to the fact that arriving in LA will come with its own set of complications. But she knows that they have a real chance at having a life together there. It's obvious that he loves his city, and she's in love with the idea of getting to call LA home.]
I guess I need more Spanish lessons, huh?
[Not that his are practical for use outside the bedroom, unless she wants to say fuck a lot.]
[It's honestly one of those words he doesn't think about as being Spanish, though it is. It's like having to translate "burrito".]
There's a lotta stuff like that you'll pick up fast, don't worry. Maybe it's just 'cause it all used to be part of Mexico before it was the US, an' a lot of it didn't really change, I guess? Fuck if I know, though. Real different from the middle of the country in some ways, but still the same country in all the rest of 'em.
[That part doesn't matter much, in his opinion, except that the food's better and he feels like he stands out a lot less. Not that he really cares if he stands out or not, anyway, it's just a different feeling. Kind of like how everything out here is just flat. He's been driving in a straight line forever now without a single hill. One of those weird differences he just happens to notice but otherwise isn't especially bothered by, at least until people start kicking him out of soda parlors and fucking ignoring him when he's trying to ask them something.]
You don't really need to know Spanish to get around in most of California, don't worry. Though, it's not a bad thing to know more. Some parts of the city, you'll know a lot more about what's goin' on around you if you know some, I guess. That's helpful. But nobody's really gonna care if you only speak English, everyone else does too unless they just crossed the border. They're the ones who have a way harder time of it.
[If she's dead and has forever to be a kinda ghost, she wants to make the most out of it.]
I mean, I can't go to college or anything if I don't exist anymore. So I can learn languages and how to do a lot of new things. And it's like learning, only better because I can actually use it every day.
[She speaks about all of this with a gentle ease, like it's a far fetched dream rather than something that can become reality. So far, everything about LA isn't set in stone. Sure, she knows she'll stay with Johnnie. They'll have a room and it's going to be perfect. But beyond that, she has no idea what California is like. What the World Enders are like, what the people of LA are like. She can imagine it, but until she's really there, nothing will feel real to her.]
Like if I learned Spanish, I could help the people who just cross the border. Give them food and things like that. Maybe help them find someplace to stay.
[She may burn down racist towns, and she may bash in store windows. But she's still a bleeding heart that wants to help people that need it.]
[Sounds like fucking depressing work, in his opinion, but he's not going to tell her it's not worth it. It's the sort of thing people do to feel better about themselves, and if they do feel better doing it then maybe it's worth it for them, and the one or two people they ever manage to make a difference to.
He tends to think, meanwhile, those folks are eager to find work opportunities and easy to recruit, and if she wants to help get them settled so they can have a place to crash between making enough to feed themselves and then helping to dismantle the systems of wealth and authority, then all the better. Their goals can synchronize well. Most of those well-intended volunteers would rather see people assimilate and lead peaceful, boring lives, but that's bullshit.]
Spanish, though, that can happen for sure. Maybe you can't sign up for classes, but there's libraries an' shit. And you'll get a lotta practice whenever you want, just walkin' down the street. That's easy. Promise I can help teach you normal words, too.
You can teach me all the dirty words first, baby.
[A couple of kisses are placed to the back of his neck before she leans up enough to kiss his cheek. He can teach her every single filthy thing he knows before teaching her how to actually talk to other people. It's more important to her she knows all the dirty things she loves hearing him say to her. She's so inspired by remembering their last lesson that she drags her teeth against his earlobe as she hums softly.]
Tócate me chocha. See? I remember that lesson!
[There's probably something to be said about being able to talk about helping people who need the assistance in one breath and then talking dirty in the next. But she figures it's just part of who they are and it's normal for them.]
Yeah. Tócame mi chocha, babe, you basically got it. Oh, goddamn, I love that you're gonna come back knowing that shit and not much else, to begin with. Anyone who finds out, they're really gonna wonder.
[And they'd be right, probably, with whatever they'd be thinking. Very little guessing needs to be done given how they can hardly keep their hands off each other.]
I'd say it's time for another lesson right now, but maybe not while we're shouting over the wind. Once we stop somewhere to get some sleep. Gotta keep you up with your lessons, right?
[She laughs, covering her mouth with on hand to try and muffle her amusement. He's right though, she does need to keep up with her lessons. It's cute how he's able to make it sound academic.]
How much longer until we get to Wilmington? Don't forget I can take over and drive if you need me to.
[Not that she's impatient to get there or anything. But she is curious, mostly out of concern for his leg. It's healing, but she worries it'll be killing him by the time they stop to rest.]
[There's a faint glow to the horizon now. The sun will be up soon, so he figures that just means they'll get a nice coastal sunrise again to enjoy for the last leg of the ride. He doesn't feel tired at all, though, he's going to have a hard time sleeping when he'd rather just push on toward their eventual end goal. But Chrissy has a tough time doing that, and he's willing to compromise here and there.]
Pretty quiet roads out here though, huh? An' we've got a longer way to go tomorrow, so we can switch off tomorrow for sure.
[She watches the scenery as they drive, takes in the way the sky changes colors against the shoreline. It really is quiet and beautiful out here, like they're the only people in the entire world. Her arms tighten around him a little, hands rubbing at his stomach. This life they have together is really good, and it just seems to get better each passing day.]
Do you think we'll be able to see that green flash out here?
[He had mentioned it the day before, and she had seen it with her own eyes. It's another reminder that she's so far from home. But this world is her home now. Anywhere's home to her, as long as he's there with her.]
Yeah, should be able to. Any time you got a clear view of the sunset or sunrise all the way to the horizon, right as the sun is about to pass it up or down. Doesn't show up every time, or maybe it's just too small an' fast sometimes, but there's always a chance. I gotta watch the road, but you watch for it, all right?
[He'll glance over, but there's virtually no chance he'll happen to lay eyes on just the right spot at just the right time, it's too brief a moment.
The slow increase in sunlight starts to illuminate the fields around them, though, and the crowns of trees where they cluster in stands between. There's a river to the left that they hadn't been able to see before, but there it winds, wide and slow as it makes its way toward the coast. Somewhere off in the distance toward the sea, a bright light flashes slowly.]
What do you suppose that is? Lighthouse, maybe?
Must be a lighthouse. What else could it be?
[She knows nothing about the ocean and the type of things that would be out lit up like that. But lighthouse makes sense. She hasn't seen that green flash they did the day before. But she doesn't worry too much about it. Her eyes close as she rests her cheek against him and just enjoys the ride.
With as content as she is against him, she has no reason to turn and look back out at the water. Which means she misses the light flickering into darkness, right as a green light flashes on the horizon.]
Hey, do you remember when we went back to Hawkins?
[It's seemingly asked out of nowhere, but she has a point to it. She promises.]
Okay, so the last one is pretty unlikely.]
Yeah, of course. Why?
[That was one hell of a time and it's hard to guess what she means to bring up by asking about it. They got a lot out of that short visit.]
[Maybe that was the moment that cemented the fact she was pretty head over heels for him. The fact that he came to find her and made it so she was able to pull out of her terror. He's made her stronger from the moment they met, but that was a pretty big turning point for her. It was the end of her old life and the start of this new one with him.]
So I guess I just wanted to say that if you're ever lost in your head sometimes and all that darkness? I can do that for you too.
And that place they went to, where they found her body, well - it was exactly the sort of place that still haunts him sometimes. He had a personal vendetta against just being there, and was given a chance to retaliate against one of the things that lurks in the darkness and toys with anyone unfortunate to wander in. Besides, given even the smallest suggestion of the opportunity to fight something bigger than himself and see if he can come out on top, of course he's going to take it.
For her, it was more personal, and sure, he knows that, but hadn't really thought about the impression it must have made on her to see him striding through those twisted landscapes with his knife in hand, ready to kill the thing that threatened them both. Hadn't really put two and two completely together.
He lays an arm across hers and gives one of her hands a squeeze.]
You already do, babe. I don't think you even have to try, really, it's just, I didn't know how much I needed you here until I had you, I guess. Wouldn't trade that for anything, now.
[Is it love? Maybe. Maybe he's finally willing to admit that to himself, even if it startles him. He'll wind up thinking about that the rest of the drive now, probably.]
He has to have some kind of feelings for her, she knows it. He wants to love her. But she just has to keep being a light for him, until he feels warm and safe enough to admit it to himself.]
I'm not going anywhere. Don't worry.
[It's what she chooses to eventually say, before she kisses the spot beneath his ear. She wants to kiss him properly, feels like it's a good moment to. But that will just have to wait until they've stopped for the day and are pulled over somewhere.]
Fuck. Fuck, he really does love her. Goddamnit.
He laughs a little at himself and that sudden wave of warmth at the thought, and keeps his eyes on the road.
Soon enough, the outskirts of Wilmington appear, though with all these thoughts in his head it almost feels like he was hours off in his estimate. There's definitely a lighthouse at the edge of town, too, rather than some idiot with a giant fuckoff mirror playing pranks. Also, a tiny airport, as a little lightweight thing takes off for what must be one of the only flights of the day.
He slows the bike just enough to be able to keep up with signs rather than flying past them, and angles toward the coast. They won't be here long, but they might as well be somewhere by the water. They even cross a bridge over a little slough right before they hit the beach itself.]
Harbor Inn? Sounds like our kinda place.
[She suggests, giving a tug to the sleeve of his jacket. It's obvious he's already interested in doing it, but she's just given her seal of approval. As soon as he parks and they're at a stop, she's pulling at him so he'll turn and look at her. The smile she's wearing is adoring as she guides him in close for a kiss.
It's one she's been waiting what feels like hours to give him. Her palm curls against the back of his neck as she holds him close, and only lets him up for air once she's satisfied.]
Do you want to wait here while I try to grab a room key? We can drop off our stuff and decide what to do next.
Yeah. Go for it, thanks.
[Saves him some walking on his dumb leg, which is sore but nothing awful and maybe he can keep it that way if he actually stays off it a little while. Meanwhile, now that he's got that new fluid in his lighter, time for the cigarette he's been wanting for the last couple hours. He leans against the side of the building and watches the sea.
Which looks a little rough today. Maybe that's what that lighthouse flashing means. Rough waves, stay away from shore? Hell if he knows what lighthouses are ever saying.]
I'll be right back.
[It's a promise, as she hurries her way into the lobby. If she's noticed by the old man behind the counter, he doesn't show it. He only glances around when she creeps back there with him, and looks around until she finds the room keys. One is pulled out, and she almost thinks he notices her. But if anything, he just seems to sense her presence. But he shrugs it off a moment later and she holds her breath as she takes that key and runs back out to Johnnie.]
Watching the water?
[She questions him, an arm wrapping around his waist.]
And you finally get your cigarette. You must be in heaven right now.
A little slice of it, maybe. I can tell you what'd be even more heavenly, though. What room did you get?
[She gets another kiss, and then he hops on the bike to move it and all their stuff closer to the door. It's actually a great room, even if she picked it by chance - their window faces the water directly, rather than being one of those that face up or down the beach, or the weird fake-looking garden courtyard in the middle of the place.
He grabs their bags while she gets the door, and he sets things down between the two beds.]
All right, this feels like a challenge, we gotta find time to use both of these before we leave here.
[Sure, the room has a great view. But she only has eyes for him right now. She caresses his cheek before her hand sweeps back his windblown hair. Her lips seek out his in a sweet kiss. It's really nice to be able to steal these rooms so they have all the privacy they could ever want.]
As excited as I am to get to LA, I'll miss this.
[They really can't keep their hands off each other, and she imagines that will probably have to change somewhat once they're back home.]
[Yeah, sure, he shares an apartment, but who says they have to fuck in his bed all the time, when there's a whole world for that? He's not concerned in the least. Also, it's not like his brother sits around at home all the time either. Not like he doesn't have girls over now and then, himself. Johnnie's been witness to more than one walk of shame, that's for sure.
He snickers into the kiss as he rests both palms on her butt and draws her against him, then pulls away to get his guitar case up and off her so he can set that aside and push her down to the nearest of the two beds. He's quick to pull off her shoes, then his, and leans down over her for another kiss with both hands on either side of her head, though the soft grunt of pain and a grimace on his face says plenty about how well his injured leg is handling this.
It makes him look away from her for a second, though, toward the window. Out to the sea, where there's an upswelling of waves farther out. Water streams off a large, dark shape protruding above the surface of the water. A rock? He doesn't remember there being a rock out there.]
Johnnie?
[He seems to be looking elsewhere now though, out the window. Chrissy halfway sits up beneath him, trying to peek outside to see what he's looking at. Like when they were back on the beach in Virginia, the sight of something in the water makes her feel uneasy.
Johnnie had told her it was just a fish that night, no matter how off things felt. And she realizes how silly her instincts had been. The fact she's feeling them again now make her laugh at herself.]
I think it's just a fish.
[Which means both hands are definitely cupping his cheeks so she can guide him to look back toward her for more kissing.]
[It's a little big for a fish. But fish get big too, right? Like sharks. Or maybe it's a dead whale washing up. Who the fuck knows. It's really not important right now, as he readily tears his eyes off that dark shape and kisses her instead. She's important, and his need for her is nearly all-consuming.
She gets one drawn-out kiss that's nothing more, just lips and heat before he sinks on top of her with elbows now bent and presses his tongue against hers. His hips grind down against her, which pleases his leg not at all, but he's so goddamned tired of being limited by it that he again just chooses to ignore the discomfort - because really, it's nothing like those first couple days now. He can handle it. Completely worth it.
It's when he sits up to pull off his jacket that he glances out the window again. He wouldn't even have looked that way, except that the shape is definitely larger now, and hard not to notice. He pauses, straddling her with his jacket in one hand, and stares with a growing sense of unease.
The shape looks like it's near the beach, now, and it's tall. Tall and chitinous, covered in ridges and leathery tissue, and it's a shape he doesn't understand. He's never seen a fish like that, or a seal, or a whale.]
Hey, babe...
[He's also not sure what exactly to say. "Hey, what kind of fish is that?" like she's some kind of sealife expert? But maybe she read something in a book once. He shifts off of her so she can have a better look.]