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Dec. 16th, 2023 at 5:56 PM
[Racing down the interstate as fast as they fucking can, Johnnie tugs Chrissy closer and ducks low over his bike. They're streamlined now, they'll pick up just a little bit more speed, and then they can outride this giant evil fucking wasp for sure -
His eyes blink slowly against the light in the room, and then he frowns and lifts his pillow from under his head and flings it at the alarm clock on the bedside table. That shouldn't work, except that it falls off the table and unplugs in the process, leaving the room blissfully silent.
And now he doesn't have a pillow. Shit.]
Ugh. Hey, you up?
[Like Chrissy could sleep through that.
Soon enough though, he rolls on out of bed, gets the water going, tugs fresh clean clothing out of his bag, then checks on that shower. Yep, nice and hot. Time to get clean and ready for the day.]
Whatcha think? Wanna check out the cafe for breakfast? Maybe we can make 'em do some eggs an' pancakes even though they're gonna say it's dinner only now. I hate when places do that, it's such fuckin' bullshit.
His eyes blink slowly against the light in the room, and then he frowns and lifts his pillow from under his head and flings it at the alarm clock on the bedside table. That shouldn't work, except that it falls off the table and unplugs in the process, leaving the room blissfully silent.
And now he doesn't have a pillow. Shit.]
Ugh. Hey, you up?
[Like Chrissy could sleep through that.
Soon enough though, he rolls on out of bed, gets the water going, tugs fresh clean clothing out of his bag, then checks on that shower. Yep, nice and hot. Time to get clean and ready for the day.]
Whatcha think? Wanna check out the cafe for breakfast? Maybe we can make 'em do some eggs an' pancakes even though they're gonna say it's dinner only now. I hate when places do that, it's such fuckin' bullshit.
Comments
Yeah.
[She agrees, panting now.]
We'll find the best club to fuck in, baby.
[There's a pause before she laughs. Only they would get off on talking about fucking in a club while they're fucking in the shower. They're ridiculous, but she loves it.
As she gets more enthusiastic, she tries taking over control from him, changing up the speed and the pace as she grinds back against him.]
So he matches her motions, meets her hips so she can drive back onto him as deep as she likes, and sets his one hand that isn't against the wall to scraping nails up her thigh, then roaming firm and flat up her belly, her breasts, and down again. Finally, his fingers settle on her clit, and he pinches and rolls it as he bucks his hips to make sure she's really taking in every inch of him.]
It'll be like it's just us an' the music. An' the lights, turnin' your hair the prettiest colors. Maybe a nice bright red, so you can be all the fire I need.
I always burn brightest for you.
[His own personal little flame, glowing bright red and gold and keeping him nice and warm. Like right now, it feels like every inch of her is on fire. The tingling heat is building to the breaking point in her center and is spreading out across her limbs, making her have to rely on the wall more for support as her footing slips a little.
Thankfully, he's there to grab her and hold her close to him, and after a few more rolls of her hips she gives in and lets him take back control. Her thighs are quivering by that point, breath coming on faster and harder, with higher pitched gasps sounding off that she's close. A little more of that attention to her clit, and she's falling apart in his arms, left trembling and tense against him and the shower wall.]
And then she does, finally, and he kisses her ear, her shoulder, the back of her neck as he gives her several more good firm thrusts as she rides out that tail end of her orgasm before he comes too with a low, soft moan. Fuck, it's good every time, whether it's fast and rough or slow and sensual. Hardly matters, as long as it's her.
He has to support himself with his hands against the shower wall for a moment before he feels confident of his own balance, and then he kisses a trail down her shoulders before pulling out and away from her. But he takes her in his arms, facing him now, for a kiss as the hot water beats down on them both.]
Feelin' nice an' awake now?
[He sure is, and he snickers.]
Eventually she's able to laugh and duck her head, nodding a little in response to his question. Every time they're together is the best time in her opinion, and this is no exception to the rule.]
Nice and awake. I forgot how much fun sex in the shower could be.
[And now that they're back together with no reason to split apart in the near future, there will be plenty of time for more of it. Now though, they should probably get clean. They aren't limited on hot water here, so they can take their time. But she is feeling nice and content and ready to get washed up. Which means she grabs the motel issue little bottles of shampoo and takes a little for herself before passing it over to him.]
[He laughs as he scrubs shampoo into his hair, working it well to try and get all that hair grease out - so that he can apply more afterward, yeah, sure, but that's important and necessary. And since letting it sit for a minute or two sometimes seems like it helps, he leaves his foamy hair be and instead grabs a washcloth to scrub any remaining smoke off his face, then turns it on Chrissy for a good scrubby sort of impromptu massage all across her back, her neck, her shoulders.]
Hey, when we get out, let's grab the map an' take it down with us to the cafe so we can have a good look. I think we might wanna pick a bigger city to get all our camping shit in, an' I dunno what's on the way. I'm thinkin' maybe we even get firewood somewhere, 'cause I've seen pictures of the Grand Canyon an' I gotta say, there ain't a lotta trees out there. An' if we make a nice big fire we can cook our dinners on it an' so we gotta get some food, too.
[In his heart, he really wants to do a bit of cool frontiersman shit. Shoot a rabbit or a deer with his pistol and cook that. He's pretty sure he could figure it out. He's less sure he knows how to actually find a rabbit.]
[Great minds think alike, obviously. Chrissy's fully into the idea of having a wilderness adventure. She's picturing tent camping, sleeping bags, canteens, campfires, tree chopping, hunting, fishing -
Oh gosh, they're going to have so much fun.
She rinses the shampoo out of her hair, before helping him scrub the grease out of his.]
We could even play cards and horseshoes and sing out by the fire every night.
[She's going to need to find some flannel shirts somewhere for the occasion. She almost gets caught up in imagining a cute camping look when she pauses with her fingers in his hair.]
What other camping games are there? [She pauses, gasping a little.]
Do you think we'll see bears?
[He laughs, and bends his head downward so she can reach better while he soaps himself down. Cards would've been smart. Maybe she grabbed some. But if not, they'll find some, easy. And there are tons of other games - drinking games, anyway. And games he played as a kid, like twenty questions.]
I dunno about bears, do you think there's bears in the desert? I thought bears were in mountains. Desert's got, what. Coyotes? Snakes? But I ain't ever been to where we're goin' so who knows. Maybe they got bears. Tell ya what they got though is a big fuckin' crack in the ground. Wonder what it takes to get down there? Maybe we need, I dunno, a big long rope.
His commentary about bears just makes her shrug. Does she look like someone smart enough to know where bears live? She knows about lots of things. Even more now than she used to. But bears aren't one of those things. Her experience with bears is limited to the zoo in New York City.
Remembering that makes her stop and tip her head to the side as she steps back to let him rinse his hair.]
I wonder what happened to Gus. The bear we set free from the zoo? I hope he's doing okay. I bet he'd like to live at the Grand Canyon. Oh! We wouldn't need a rope because we could ride him all the way down to the bottom. Like a donkey!
[Only better because Gus is a bear. With claws. And lots of fur. And a big roar.]
Shit, yeah, that would be so badass! Man, well maybe that dude made it to the river or the sea or somethin' an' swam home. Or he's just livin' in that park, eating tourists! Fuck, I hope so. I guess if we ever end up back in the 90s we can try an' find out what happened.
[If they end up in the same 90s anyway, since it's clear they don't always manage to be in the same version of the world. But hey, it could happen.
Once he's all cleaned up, he hops out of the shower to grab himself a towel, then has a look in the mirror. Yeah, that bruise on his face is clearing up now. Just a funny yellow-green smudge.]
It's funny, her mother spent her entire life telling her how happy she'd be when she was this thin. And now that she is? She thinks she looks sick. But she knows that slowly she'll return back to feeling just right. Those dark circles under her eyes are already starting to fade, but it will take time for them to disappear completely.
The whole concept of her being able to lose weight and gain weight, but some of her other biological functions don't properly work is baffling to her. In a moment where she's confused on how it all works, she takes the towel out of her hair and lets it down. Her fingers brush through her bangs and she examines them critically. They're longer, but not enough that she can say for sure her hair has grown any.]
Has your hair grown at all since you came back?
[She's frowning at her reflection in the mirror, trying to figure out if she likes the person she's become. It'll change back to normal, and she knows that. But she just wishes it would happen now.]
[He takes a second to comb his fingers through his hair, pulls a section of it straight, then grins and lets go as he goes back to toweling off.]
Guess I'll never grow a moustache.
[Gosh, what a tragedy.]
Has yours? Doesn't seem that different.
[But of course when you see someone basically every day, and don't stare deeply at the exact length of something like hair, it doesn't really stand out. Now, they did have plenty of time apart recently, but he can't say it's her hair that makes for the most noticeable difference.]
[She lets her hair go and sighs a little as she leans against the counter.]
I don't get how I can lose and gain weight still, but my hair doesn't grow and other things don't work anymore. Maybe the Ender will know why it's like that. I'll have to talk to him once we're back home.
[There's no point in dwelling over it too much now. Nope, now she just leans over to kiss his cheek before heading back into the room to get dressed. She's craving some 80s fashion back in her life, so hopefully there's a little shop in town they can hit up before they leave. Jeans and a simple white t-shirt are fine for today though.]
[He shrugs, then pulls on the clothes he'd grabbed so he can spend a few minutes fixing up his hair. Might as well look good, especially since the car means the wind won't fuck up his hair so much as on the bike, even if they have the top down.
Once he's satisfied, he picks up his jacket and gives it a good once-over before pulling that on and giving it a tug to make sure it sits straight. Might be time soon to touch up the paint, but it's still in good shape despite some of the tumbles it's been put through in the past month. Then he swings past Chrissy for a kiss, before poking around in their stuff for the map and his wallet.]
All right babe, I'm fuckin' starving. You ready to get somethin' to eat?
[She's smiling at that point, and hurries to put on her sneakers and her own jacket. Feeling ready to face her reflection by then, she moves into the bathroom to pull her hair up into a ponytail and put on a little eyeshadow and mascara. Some red lipstick tops it all off, and she admires her reflection. It's easier now to admit she looks really fucking cool, and she gives herself a wink for confidence before darting out to join Johnnie and head out.]
It already looks like the town is trying to shut down, doesn't it? There's hardly anyone out. Like everyone goes to sleep at 5pm or something.
[It's not obvious to her what the time is, and she really doesn't care. But it has to be late in the afternoon, bordering on evening. It's definitely different from LA here, which is fine. It's good to see how other places live.]
[She looks so fucking kissable with the makeup on. Not that she didn't earlier, he proved that much, but now she gets another one, then grins and pulls back to make sure he didn't fuck up her lipstick too bad.]
Damn, babe, I ain't tired of seein' you in that jacket, yet. Good thing we had our fun in the shower or I might try an' take it right back off ya.
[He laughs, then locks the door and tugs her along toward the cafe at the front. It smells like grease in the typical diner way, which gets his stomach growling. Inside are a handful of mostly older couples eating, probably motel guests themselves, and he gives the whole place a once-over before picking a booth by the big windows around the front. Best part of the booth is he can - nope, he wanted to stretch his legs out and rest his heels on the seat opposite, but they just don't quite reach. Oh well. He curls an arm around Chrissy's shoulders and waits for the waitress to notice them.
They can see the handful of other buildings easily enough from here, which is handy. The light is still on in the front windows of the store across the street. Doesn't look like they get much business.
A waitress does come by momentarily, with menus and glasses and a pitcher of water, and she doesn't seem like she really gets a good look at them until she's set all that down, but once she does stop to look, he can tell they're being scrutinized. It's just always a mystery as to what. 80s California, it's probably not the public affection (mild as it is) or the race thing, you some places you just don't really know, but he'd guess either they don't look quite normally human or maybe she recognizes what two kids in leather jackets with lightning bolts on the sleeve means. Either option is bound to make for some entertainment, though, and he reaches for the menus and slides them closer.]
Evening, ma'am.
[He raises an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips as he lights a cigarette and waits to see if she'll give away what her problem is or stay professional.]
Hello!
[The waitress looks them over, not saying anything at first. Instead, she flips to the next page on her little pad of paper. If the smoking bothers her, she doesn't say anything about it. She does use the paper pad to fan the air right in front of her face though, something that makes Chrissy have to hold in laughter.
Johnnie gets a little nudge to the ribs with her elbow. He better play nice, or she's going to start laughing.]
Evening, kids.
[Oh, but she sounds so dry and unamused by their presence. That's a little rude, but Chrissy doesn't take it to heart.]
Can I have a chocolate milk, please?
[The waitress isn't expecting that, and gives her a long look over.]
Sure, hun. What about you, kid? What'll it be?
[Chrissy's eyes flicker over toward a tiny square TV resting on the corner of the bar top. It's in color, and she smiles at the sight of it. The news is on, definitely something broadcast in from the next largest city. The words on the screen read something about the 20th Anniversary of the Downtown Los Angeles Fires and that definitely catches her attention.
As soon as Johnnie places his drink order and the waitress leaves, she nudges him again.]
I think we made history again. Look at the TV. Do you think that's the fire we started? Or just a coincidence?
[He levels his gaze at her like he's challenging her right back against whatever attitude she wants to give them, but there's still that grin on his face and laughter in his eyes. He's just being a dick, not really trying to make a scene, and before she can really say anything back to that he gives a wave of his hand.]
But I'll take a coffee.
[And as she leaves, his attention is definitely grabbed by Chrissy and that TV. His eyebrows raise as he watches the footage of the fire, shot from some helicopter as it circled the building while down on the street below, firemen race to douse the flames. It's a little jarring how when the camera jumps back to some newscaster, the shot is crisper, more colorful. Does stuff from the 80s really look that much nicer than in his time? Fucking weird.]
Gotta be ours, that looked like the same block even with all the smoke in the way. Man, I wonder how far that fire spread before they got it out.
[He's keeping his voice low, but there's no hiding the excitement in it at them having started a blaze that probably did a lot more than wipe out the one club building. Hopefully that doesn't bite his brothers and the gang in the ass, hopefully they were quick and quiet enough and none of the cleaners spoke up about who they thought was responsible.]
Maybe that's why the waitress keeps looking at us weird. Maybe in this time the World Enders are infamous and well known. At least all across California, even out in small towns like this.
[The waitress only catches the tail end of that, as she returns to set down her chocolate milk and Johnnie's coffee.]
Black coffee, for the gentleman.
[Yeah, she's definitely giving him middle aged woman sass right now. And it makes Chrissy laugh, but she's quick to put a straw in her chocolate milk and take a drink. And before he can say anything in retort, she chimes in with another request.]
Actually, can I also have a cherry coke? And a chocolate milkshake with french fries?
[Cue the waitress raising her eyebrows higher and higher. It's obvious she wants to say something, but keeps it to herself. She writes that all down on her pad of paper, and Chrissy keeps on ordering.]
And can I also have some bacon and eggs, and a waffle please?
[The waitress sighs and writes that all down.]
And what about you, sir?
He hasn't even looked at the menu yet and doesn't think he will. Let's see what she'll give him if he just asks for shit.]
Yeah, can I get a bacon an' eggs an' hashbrowns burrito? Extra bacon. Oh, an' hot sauce. An' cream for the coffee. And, uh, how about a slice of pie? Make it cherry.
[To her credit, despite an initial pause, she does actually write down the first part. See, this breakfast burrito thing, they've gotta have all the ingredients whether it's normally offered or not, right? Easy.]
We're out of cherry.
[But there's that, and that's annoying, so he frowns.]
Key lime?
[She does write that down at least.]
I'll check. And I'll be right back with your cream.
[She walks off, and he mutters, "oh, I bet you will," under his breath like an absolute child, then laughs before having a draw from his cigarette and offering it to Chrissy.]
Man, outta cherry, damn. What was I - oh, yeah. Well, I wouldn't be real surprised if she's heard of the Enders, I mean, I know this is pretty far out but obviously we make the news, right? Sure did in my time, anyway. Especially anywhere in California.
I just hope whatever happened, your brothers are okay. I mean, we'll be back in 67 eventually with them. It's weird to see this here, 20 years later. But know we'll be going back to deal with the fallout in a couple of weeks. Right?
[Her legs are kicking, heels bumping against the bottom of the booth. She's got cherry coke and everything is great, and she's in a really good mood. So of course she takes the cigarette from him and takes a drag, but hurries through exhaling the smoke so she can get more cherry coke in her system.]
[And whatever the fallout is, they'll deal with it. It'll be fine. Any worries he'd had at the time have evaporated now that they're here and watching the destruction on TV and he's able to laugh it off. Whatever the fuck the cops do, the Enders survive. There will always be more of them. Life goes on, and their spirit of chaos and destruction is eternal and that's just how the Ender would want it.
He alternates his smoke and his coffee for a moment, chuckling at the TV, then bumps his foot against Chrissy's leg.]
How is it, just like you remembered?
[She twirls her tongue around the tip of the straw and glances over at him through the corner of her eye. She's wearing that toothy grin of hers, and bumps her foot against his in playful retaliation.]
I swear, I should get a job at Coke in our time and get them to invent this stuff early.
[It's a very serious thought, but she's guessing that might be hard to do. She'll just have to stick to buying grenadine and bottles of Coke and making it herself.]
Once we finish up here, do you think we can look around at the couple of stores that are across the street? I want to see if I can grab some 80's things to bring with me.
[Bolt cutters? Spray paint? Actually, a hatchet would be nice for firewood in addition to being a decent weapon. Probably all of the practical stuff like that is going to be easier to find at a larger city down the road, but if they have any of it here there's no harm in grabbing it now and not having to look later.
But mostly, he loves the idea of her getting to look around in a place that's familiar in some way. She can keep little parts of her own decade with her and puzzle people with them, like that camera.
Their food arrives a moment after as their waitress starts removing item after item from the tray she's carrying - including his slice of pie, so that's nice. It's no cherry, but key lime will do. Johnnie doesn't bother thanking her but just goes straight for his burrito packed full of breakfast in order to keep his stomach from leaping out to devour it without him.]
Mmm. Oh man. That's good.
[The thing is the size of his head and he's definitely going to eat it all.]
[She laughs as she grabs some french fries, and goes to swoop one through her milkshake. Salty and sweet and absolutely delicious, it's one of her guilty pleasures. Though she's not guilty about much these days, so maybe it's just one of her secret pleasures. That's probably a better way to think about it.
After the french fries have been sampled, she goes to prep her waffle. The butter has to be spread around, and syrup has to be poured on. And you know what, she might as well try dipping a french fry in syrup. It's pretty darn good. And since that's good, she dips a piece of her bacon in syrup. And that's really good. She makes a mmmmm sound as she chews and laughs at herself as soon as she swallows.
She's going to make herself sick if she isn't careful.]
I wish I had brought my camera over. I would get a before and after picture of that burrito!