beyondtheline | I sure like the feeling of an endless road

[Her love of cherry coke is practically famous. He grins and taps her foot with his. Yeah, he's had it. It's fine.]

Yeah, okay, that's gonna be another mission while we're here, then. Plus, it's San Francisco, they're bound to have stuff you never had, too. Pretty different from the midwest, y'know.

[Considering how different LA was for her, and that's twenty years prior to the time she grew up in. Twenty more years of California making food from all the people who've come here from around the world? Yeah, gotta be something good.]

Other'n food, I dunno what there even is to find here. We'll have to look around. Give it a day or two before we keep goin' north. But I don't wanna stick around too long, 'cause we gotta get on forward in time eventually.

[Yeah, he's right. She's sure there's bound to be plenty of new food opportunities here. She's having one right now, isn't she? His statement about how long he wants to stick around pulls her out of her thoughts, and she nods in agreement.]

We don't have to stay longer than tonight. Let's do what we can here and leave tomorrow. But we gotta find a hotel to stay in, I need a shower. And we need a real bed so we can...well, you know.

[She trails off there as the waitress brings them their drinks, and Chrissy winds up blushing as she averts her eyes until the lady leaves. A quiet giggle escapes her right after, and for a second she leans her head over to rest against his shoulder until the embarrassment leaves her.]

Oh, yeah. I know.

[He mutters, snickering quietly, as their drinks arrive. He pulls his coke closer and has a long drink, then sneaks a hand under the table as the waitress walks off and squeezes Chrissy's thigh.]

Well, soon as we get outta here we'll go look around. Bet there's someplace we can find that'll let us check in early an' relax.

[It's not all that long before their sandwiches arrive, with sides - fries for him, because salad is bullshit. He eagerly chows down, hungry after the previous day's awfully light dinner.]

[Chrissy, on the other hand, seems excited to have a salad as her side. It's been a long time since she's had anything green, and it's pretty refreshing to eat something that feels healthy even when it probably is drowning in dressing. They're both so hungry they eat without talking, and it's surprisingly Chrissy that finishes first.]

Wow, I was so hungry I ate everything.

[She rubs at her stomach as she chuckles, and slouches down in the booth to relax a little.]

Do you wanna see if they have dessert?

Mmph. Yeah, gimme a second.

[Shit, he is full, but in the best way. That was a huge sandwich and he's so satisfied - but there's always room for dessert, he just needs to wash it down first with the last of his soda.

And then he grabs the waitress again for a dessert menu, and slides it between the two of them.]

Fuck, cheesecake? We could split a slice. Sounds like a lot, but it also sounds perfect. Better 'n pound cake.

Cheesecake.

[That's an easy decision, and she gives a firm nod as she gives the waitress their order. It's not like they deprive themselves of anything back home, but meals on the road are special because they get to have things like cheesecake.]

Oh! Can we add cherries on top?

[The question was meant more for Johnnie than the waitress, but she nods and heads off to grab them their cheesecake. That leaves Chrissy to lean over and give him a quick kiss because he's so sweet to go along with dessert just because she wants it.

It doesn't take more than a few minutes for the waitress to come by and drop off a plate and two forks, and Chrissy hands him one before she digs in. She's always starving after using those weird void powers, and it feels like she could probably eat a few pieces all by herself. She'll be good and make sure he gets his fair share though.]

This is really good. I wish we could bring some home, Rigo would love it.

[Man, that's good. The cherries are the right thing to add for sure, they add extra sweet-tart moisture that makes it all so much better. He's a little slower to eat than she is, once again, but hell, she can eat all the cheesecake she wants.]

Mmm. Yeah? Dude still needs to eat more. You shoulda seen him before he got all scrawny. He'll get there, though.

[One more bite, and then he's done. Time to lean back in the booth and give a content sigh.]

Well, that makes all the crazy drive worth it, huh? Ghost trains an' face first in the dirt an' all that bullshit with Papa, to this?

[Okay yeah no it doesn't make up for that last part entirely, but it sure helps.]

[She wasn't ever going to bring up his dad again, but since he's done it she guesses it's okay that she asks some questions. But she still hesitates a little, and takes to pushing cherries around the plate before she gets brave enough to ask.]

Do you know what I like about you? I mean, I like a lot of things about you. But I like that you still call him Papa even though he hasn't earned it and doesn't deserve it.

[What she wants to ask is why he does that. It's hard for her to think of calling her dad something that sounds affectionate, and her dad was only blind and indifferent to her at his worst.]

I wish things had gone differently with him.

[But their visit had been a disaster, and she's not sure it could've possibly gone any other way.]

[That first comment, he's not sure how to answer, so he doesn't. The guy was always Papa when he was growing up and then the guy got kicked out and it's not like it changes what Johnnie has always called him and continues to. Maybe it sounds affectionate to her, but it's just - "father" sounds too fucking weird, "dad" is really... weird too in a way he can't put his finger on. The guy's his Papa, for better or worse.

But, whatever. Johnnie just shrugs.]

If anything was gonna go differently it woulda had to go differently fuckin' ages ago. Ten years ago woulda been a good time. Nothin' was gonna go okay yesterday. Coulda been a lot worse, at least we didn't get arrested. Coulda gone worse for him too, 'cause I was about to break that fucker's nose in.

[That's not a particularly funny statement, but she nervously laughs because it feels awkward that she's said anything and she isn't sure how to fix it. There isn't any putting a bandaid on the way your parents mess you up. So she quietly finishes the cheesecake, and doesn't say anything for a minute or so.]

For a while I wanted to go back and see my parents. But I'm not so sure I do anymore. It's not like I can confront them in my own time, they buried me. It would be too messed up. And I can't go back in the past and warn them not to be awful, because if I do, that would probably mean I wouldn't ever meet you.

[And there's not a chance of that happening. She won't let it.]

But you know what? I think maybe I'd probably hit my dad right in the nose too. And my mom in her mouth.

[He chuckles, he can't help it, then takes one last lick of his fork before setting it back down on the plate with a clatter. Mm, sugar.]

I think that's as good a reason to go back there as any. They fuckin' deserve a punch or two. But, maybe what they don't deserve is us spendin' all the time an' energy to drive out there an' back just for that. At this point? They're a fuckin' footnote at best. 'Course, if we happen to find ourselves in the area...

[He smirks. Does he really want to do another cross-country road trip out that way just so she can give them a good thump or two? Not really, not when there's stuff to do that's way more fun. But, well, he can understand the desire real easily. If she decided she definitely wanted it, of course he'd go.]

[She leans over to give him a quick kiss, and grins when it tastes like sugar. The waitress heads over a minute later with the check, and while he's paying she excuses herself to the bathroom. By the time she comes out, he's lingering right near the door and she thinks it's sweet that he's waiting for her. Her hand takes hold of his and they walk out to the bike together.

Now that they're out of the deli she can pull him in close for a lingering kiss. There's no reason for it, other than she wants to. He helps her on the bike before hopping on himself, and they head back onto the road to explore the area and look for a place to stay.]

Do you think we'll find a hotel with a pool? I brought my bikini with me just in case we swim.

[It sounds like a lot of fun to swim for a little while then crash and burn in the hotel room until after dark. They can get all kinds of thieving done then.]

Sure! Just look for a pool sign!

[Won't be too hard, though he intentionally doesn't veer deeper in toward downtown. Affording a motel nice enough to have a pool on their modest pawn shop earnings is probably doable, yeah, but might not leave them with much. The prices in this time period are still sort of shocking even after experiencing them plenty of times.

He picks the first one they see after five minutes of heading south, a motel advertising good rates and a pool, and pulls in.]

I guess if they charge somethin' stupid we just bail without payin' it.

[Always works in his time, why shouldn't it still work now? Check in, get a key, leave without ever approaching the front desk again.]

Of course!

[She laughs as he parks and she hops off the bike, but can't resist hopping forward to hug him as soon as he follows. He didn't have to agree to a place with a pool, but he did. It's going to be a good time.

A smile is still on her face as they head into the tiny lobby to check in, and she leans up against the counter to ask the guy if there's any rooms with a view of the pool.]

None of the rooms have a view, sweetheart, but we'll put you close to the pool if that's what you want.

[Chrissy eagerly nods and he smiles a little as he glances over to Johnnie as if he's asking permission. There's not an extra charge, but maybe he doesn't want to be close to the noisiest part of the motel.]

Yeah yeah, let's do it.

[He easily agrees with a wave of a hand, and the guy flips through a ledger to the page he wants, then thumbs through a box of keys.]

All right, room 104 it is. It's just two doors down to the right when you head back outside. Can I get your names and ID?

[Johnnie blinks as he reaches for his wallet, then fumbles through it. The dates are not going to match up whatsoever. Will he notice or care? Fuck it. He slides over the fake Benny Garcia card anyway. If they get kicked out there's sure to be another motel down the street.

The guy at the desk takes it, writes down his name and license number, and passes it back without so much as glancing at the birth date, and Johnnie breathes a soft chuckle as he tucks that away.]

That's twenty for the night, and any room service is extra, the number's by the phone in your room. Here's your key. Come on by when you check out and we'll square up. Call me if you need anything at all, there's someone here at the desk at all hours.

[Johnnie nods as he pockets the key, and heads back out with a smile on his face.]

There you go, baby girl, you got your pool an' more. Hell, we could order room service, live like kings, then fuck off 'cause he's never gonna find no Benny Garcia anyway.

[She puts her hand up to her mouth to muffle her giggles, and they make their way back to the bike to get their things and get inside. As soon as the door is shut and they set everything down in front of the a/c unit at the window she's running to leap into the big bed. Her arms and legs sprawl out and she lays there like the most comfortable starfish ever.]

I love our bed because it's ours, but it's gonna be so nice to have this much room!

[Her arms and legs move like she's making a blanket angel, and she laughs as she messes up the blankets a little.]

Maybe we'll get one almost this big someday.

[He laughs as he gets his own handful set down, eyes on her as she does that running leap.]

Yeah, maybe. Prob'ly should, lookin' at how happy you are.

[Bigger bed. Bigger room? Shit, she really is going to make him move eventually. He probably should. Fuck.

Well, those thoughts are too big for right now. He brushes them off easily as he kicks his shoes off and flops down onto the bed with her, then grunts at the irritating lump at his hip and sits up to remove the gun from the waistband of his jeans and toss it onto the side table before flopping back again.]

That's better.

[And what's even better is to then roll on top of her with a smirk and give her a nice long kiss.]

[Her fingers curl around his left wrist and she arches up ever so slightly into that kiss, making a soft sound that catches in the back of her throat.]

I really want to go swimming before we stay in bed for a while.

[They've only slept a few hours and need at least three or four more if they're going to make it through the night. Which they probably won't get if they do spend time in the pool. But he went through the trouble of making sure she gets a pool room so they need to take advantage of it.

Even still, she's the one that initiates a second kiss, this one lingering.]

Mmm, you sure?

[He murmurs against her lips. She's free to go any time, of course - but she'll have to really want it. Swimming in a chlorinated hotel pool is fine and all, but they have this nice big bed they're piled into and it's so much more comfortable than the nap in the park.

So he pulls back just enough to give her an inch or two of space. His breath ghosts against her cheeks.]

Last chance. Go get your bikini on before I decide to keep you here.

[Her head turns to glance over at the window, considering it. That inch or two of space means nothing when she can feel his breath on her cheek and he's warm right over her. A shiver goes from head to toe just from that alone, and she softly laughs because she really is weak when it comes to him.]

I guess I'm not as sure as I thought I was.

[And maybe she always wants him to keep her in bed. Which is silly because that would get old fast, presumably. But she's not ever going to be the one to pull away first. Especially not in a big, comfy bed. So she grabs at his shirt and pulls him back down that inch or so, and fiercely kisses him so he won't have a retort right away.]

[His grunt of surprise turns into quiet laughter in his throat. The moment she relaxes her grip just enough, he sits up to shed his jacket and toss it to the floor, then dips down to kiss a trail down to the hollow of her throat.]

We can go swimming any time, the pool's not goin' anywhere.

[After they sleep, when they wake up. Or they crash it tomorrow, or some other pool, act like they own the place whether they're staying at a hotel or not. Who cares? They have the world to themselves.

He goes straight for her shorts next, slipping his hands between their bodies to unbutton them and tug them down toward her knees. Easier to remove than her top, that's all, but it lets him then grind down against her with just her panties to protect her skin from the rough texture of his jeans.]

[She gasps a little at the initial feel of his jeans against her. The fabric of her panties help buffer that some, but it's still different than skin on skin. It's a good kind of friction though, one that has her leg curling up a little to press against him. It helps to have her legs parted just enough that she can feel him more fully against her.

It's almost embarrassing that she gets wet in just a couple of grinds, but it feels good enough that she whimpers a little in need. He's going to work her up, and she knows it. That's fine by her. She's feeling extra responsive after that little taste of him.]

Oh fuck, you feel good even with pants on.

[That makes her laugh a little, and her hands go straight to trying to get his belt off and his jeans undone.]

You thought I wouldn't?

[He teases, snickering, as he props himself up just enough to make it easy for her to get her hands where they both want them. She gets his belt off, he wriggles out of his jeans and kicks them to the floor, and then sits up on his knees to get his hands under her top and pull that off too. A moment later, her bra is tossed aside, and he bends down to kiss between her breasts and work his lips down her belly.]

Well, you taste good. Even with your panties still on.

[As if that has anything to do with where his mouth is right now, but it's what comes to mind and he laughs as he says it before tugging those off too and centering his lips and tongue over her clit. Time to put those to work.]

[Here she is, softly chuckling at what he's just said. And he goes right to tugging off her panties so he can dive right in. All that prompt attention to where she's so sensitive makes her sharply gasp, and her hips buck to bump against his face. That of course makes her laugh all over again, and her fingers press against his hair as she debates whether or not to hold on.]

Oh my gosh, Johnnie. Baby -

[Another laugh is cut off by a soft whimper as he keeps going, as she tries to control herself and not bump herself against him a second time. That really would be rude.]

You're always so eager, you know that?

[Of course he does. She just needs something affectionately teasing to say as her body betrays her and her hips jerk toward his attention yet again.]

Mmmhmm-

[His hum of agreement right against that sensitive bundle is abruptly cut off as her hips bump upward and smack him in the nose. He pulls away with a laugh, wrinkling his nose a little before nuzzling against that crease between hip and belly.]

Talk about eager, shit.

[He still has his shirt on and that's dumb, so he takes the momentary break to sit up and tug it off. He nearly slings it to the floor, before deciding he'd rather make use of it eventually, so he sets it aside on the bed.

For a long moment, he admires her beneath him, flushed and needy and wet. It's a sight he just about can't take his eyes off of, except that his dick is hard and aching and he needs even more to do something about that. It takes a certain amount of restraint to first reach for his shirt and pull it into a makeshift bandana to wrap around her eyes and tie off at the back of her head.]

Maybe if you play nice an' don't thump me on the nose again, I'll take that off eventually. Maybe.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject