#plot:daybreakers

[fleetsummers]

-/ T H E R A N C H

we have people here who have absolutely no idea what's coming. all they need to know is that if this goes wrong, they will probably either die, or get captured.

[fleetsummers]

with @vallaurent  | the daybreakers : leading attackers into traps, and trying not to be ensnared themselves. run, rabbits, run.

Val Laurent Oh god. -She isn't sure what she'd imagined the attack would be like, but this isn't it. Her heart is pounding up into her throat, as she presses herself as tight as she can against a wall as a trio of Daybreakers storms by, not noticing her or Fleet as they chase someone down.- Do we... Do we go after 'em? -she breathes slow in an attempt to calm herself, her voice low as she turns her eyes on Fleet- We should help 'em, right? 

fleet summers Yes. -these answers are coming faster now, with the numbers piling up under his belt: those three outside the Ranch with Zack, at least two on his own as he was moving around after Zack and him got separated -- five people whose lives had ended due to Fleet's increasingly rapid reactions- Are you armed? Do you have something with you? -he has his crowbar, tight against his back with the rifle in his hands that he'd taken from that pit-

Val Laurent I got a gun. -she feels the handgun at her side, where she'd crudely holstered it. It felt weird in her hands, but she'd have to get used to that- Zack said we shouldn't try to engage 'em, right? So I shouldn't shoot at them. Think we could try and lure them in and split 'em up somehow?

fleet summers This whole place is a trap exactly so we wouldn't have to engage them. -he knows Val knows this too, but at this point it's sort of like they're repeating what's been drilled into them as a way of steadying themselves, reasserting the plan so they don't even have to think about it or second-guess anything- The garden field. There's the bear trap and the spike board, but we'll still be in sight of each other. Maybe if we make it look like we're trying to hide in the last of the corn? They'll spot us for sure.

Val Laurent That's a good idea. They won't suspect we're lurin' 'em if we look like we're hidin. -Val's heart at least seemed to have calmed down somewhat, remaining steady, albeit quicker- Okay. Let's do this. -she tried to make her voice seem steady as she looked around the bend to make sure it was clear, before she started running in the direction of the cornfield-

fleet summers Fleet follows after a while, scampering in a panicky way but beelining for those few withered cornstalks, and he almost makes it -- two of the Daybreakers have spotted them, and one is trying to make out where Val's headed like a rabbit to the stalks while the other fixes his stare on Fleet, who freezes and then makes an arc through the broken-up soil in the direction of a trap. Before he can get there, the Daybreaker's snagged his ankle with something, and Fleet's crashing to the ground, scrabbling to get onto his back.

Val Laurent -she’d been trying to keep an eye on Fleet, as she ducked through the cornfield, her heart rate quickly jumping up when she felt the Daybreakers’ gaze on her. She kept telling herself to keep going, towards the trap, not think about anything else, not what would happen if she would get caught and- then Fleet went down. Val found herself freezing in that moment, staring at the spot where Fleet had fallen, and the Daybreaker with a rope - bolas, the word appeared in her mind - closing in quickly. Val’s blood ran cold. Her mind went blank, as she crouched there, unmoving. What should she do? Keep running? Help Fleet? How could she even help him?- Oh god, oh god, oh god. -she started running, towards Fleet, desperately trying to unholster her gun, almost dropping it in the process. The Daybreaker behind her called out when Val was a few feet away. His colleague looked up, which made Val stop. She raised the gun, pointing it at the Daybreaker, her hands trembling. She’d never killed anyone. Not a person. Someone who was still human. Her breath went hard as she kept her gun pointed, trying to urge herself to do something, anything, but - she couldn’t.-

fleet summers The Daybreaker who'd felled Fleet laughed at Val's terrified, frozen stance, dropping himself onto Fleet's back and wrenching the rifle he had to one side, twisting Fleet at the waist; he leaned his weight down, hand against Fleet's forehead to hold him down, and said, 'gonna put my brand on you, boy, so when we get you back to the factory everyone'll know exactly what it is you should be used for' and Fleet felt cold terror roll through him but something else with it: an anger that had been dormant for years, with nothing to call itself and nowhere to go. When he opened his mouth, though, it wasn't anger in his voice but tearful shakiness, as he pleaded, "Don't chase me anymore, please, I can't, it's too horrible, just do what you're gonna do with me." 

The other Daybreaker was slowly stalking up to Val, growling something at her, but Fleet couldn't spare too much attention to help, not yet. He whimpered, swallowing hard, and the one on top of him watched with a darkness in his eyes. He divested Fleet of his rifle and crowbar, raising the tool just to watch Fleet flinch and cringe, and then said, 'a rabbit tastes sweeter if you chase it down and tenderize the meat' and reached down to loosen the bolas binding Fleet's ankles. Loosen, not undo. 'run, little rabbit' the Daybreaker sneered, and Fleet started half-crawling away, clawing and kicking at the bola until he'd gotten one foot free and stood, hobbling in a desperate half-run.

Val Laurent Throughout all of it, Val was urging her body to shoot, do anything. All she had to do was pull the trigger, and maybe the Daybreaker would die and then- she heard the steps behind her and swung around, gun still pointed. "Put that down." The Daybreaker had his rifle pointed at her as he closed in, slowly as if he wasn't worried at all. "Try fighting, and I'm gonna blow your brains out. Or I'll make you wish I did, once I'm done with you. Be good and lie down, girl." Val's mouth felt dry as he stalked closer, like a prowling cat, her fingers still trembling. She heard Fleet scramble behind her, the steps of the Daybreaker following him, deliberately slowly, thudding against the ground with what she assumed was Fleet's crowbar. 

The recoil of the gun was harder than she'd expected, and she almost dropped it. The Daybreaker howled, clutching his chest, just below his shoulder. Val stared for the fraction of a second before she dashed off, zig-zagging across the field as fast as she could, in the direction of the trap. Soon enough, she could feel bullets whizzing past her, hitting the dirt behind her. One scraped her side, and she felt warm blood, but she kept running, trying not to stumble on the uneven ground as she dashed off in different directions, like a chased rabbit. Her lungs were protesting by this point - she couldn't keep this up much longer. She had seen Fleet behind her, hobbling along, but she couldn't help him now. Was the Daybreaker still chasing him? She heard the voice calling out, low, in the faint melody of a song "Run rabbit, run rabbit run run run, bang bang bang goes the farmer's gun~" 

fleet summers Fleet was fast; he was like his name, but the bolas had cracked into his shins and ankles, and every step felt like he was splintering those bones right up to his knee. Still, he kept moving, hoping to god that the shot he'd heard was Val getting away, as his own flight across the field got slower and slower and the rifle went off, the ground at Fleet's feet popping -- the Daybreaker chasing him with that blood-chilling song wasn't even rushing, hadn't shot him directly, was playing with him -- and then he was on top of Fleet again, knocking him on his back this time. And there was a pressure against his hip that took only a moment or two to become a searing pain, the barrel of the hot rifle shoved against him and scorching right through his clothes like it was on bare skin. Fleet wailed and the Daybreaker laughed, saying, 'told you i'd brand you, little bunny. now be good while i get myself a better taste' and that was all he had the chance to say because Fleet kicked up his leg between the Daybreaker's, twisting hard, that bola wrapping their ankles together and holding them close while he rolled his weight. 

That trap he'd been leading the Daybreaker towards wasn't far. It was only about five feet away, maybe even just four. But Fleet didn't try to cut through the bola tying him to the man, to keep on leading him into the trap; the rifle had gone beneath the man, and even with its hot metal burning against him the Daybreaker only had eyes for Fleet, bloodthirsty and enraged. Fleet had his hands on his crowbar now, though. And he lifted one knee to his chest, that one small bit of leverage to keep the man from strangling him, and Fleet swung that crowbar. Until he'd smashed another skull, just like his father's, the crunch of bone jarring his hands, until the man fell onto his back and Fleet could raise himself half-kneeling over him, hitting and hitting and hitting, until that skull didn't have any shape anymore. The ankle bound to his went slack and heavy.

Val Laurent The blood was rushing in Val's ears as she bolted, her heart pounding like it wanted to jump out. The Daybreaker was behind her, she could hear him thumping across the field in heavy steps, only slowed by the wound. It wasn't fatal - she probably hit only the soft tissue, like David, when he'd been shot. The grunting behind her came closer and closer, and the adrenaline of it wouldn't able to keep her going much longer. Val swerved sharp to the left, then back to the right. Behind her, she heard the thud. Hard and fleshy, and a choked howl. She turned around. The Daybreaker stared up at her, eyes wide, held in place by the spikes of the spike trap piercing his gut and chest. "No... No..." Val stared down at him, choking on his own blood, breathing hard. Her hand grasped tightly around her own gun, she bent down and pulled his away, from where it was laid out beside him, before she started walking again. 

The Daybreaker that Fleet was chasing was dead. Laid out on the ground, his head a red mushy mess. "Oh god." Val's own voice sounded distant to her as she stared down at the scene, at Fleet, covered in blood and bits of gore. "Are you hurt?" She managed to ask as she dropped to her knees and slipped the knife out of her belt. The bolas was still wrapped around their ankles but loose enough that she could fit the knife below the rope, sawing until the hemp broke. She stared down at it for a moment, then back up at Fleet. "The other one ain't dead. I didn't shoot him. He's dyin'. I got his gun so he can't hurt anyone, but I think he's still... I couldn't do it."

fleet summers "I can do it," Fleet said, still staring at the one he'd killed. The one he'd pulverized, pulped, atomized, his head a mass of nothing, just what might have been a quivering eye in a heap of rapidly greying pink stuff. Some teeth, sticking out of the gore. He wanted to throw up but instead he stood, hissing at the pain in his now-lacerated ankle, that hemp having sawn through some of it. "I can still move," Fleet assured Val, before noticing her bleeding and taking hold of her to look at it. "You're good too?" he asked, seeing it wasn't something that was incapacitating her, but it wasn't really a question. They both had to be good.

That trapped man was screaming -- or trying to, anyhow, mostly making thick wet gurgling sounds. It was like bubbles in mud. The board of the trap he'd stepped on was lying on him, the other end slanted to the side, and Fleet squared up near the man's head, most of his weight on his good food and both hands on his crowbar. "Step on that end," he told Val. "I want it lifted for when I kill him."

Val Laurent Val knew that kind of gurgling, rattling breathing. She'd heard it in the hospital enough times. Fluid, blood, filling the lungs, choking you off. It was like the breath people took just before they were about to die, those last, strained, guttural breaths, but not quite. The Daybreaker wasn't there yet. Val swallowed, stepping around him, trying to not hesitate and tremor as she stepped on it. The Daybreaker groaned as he shifted, clearly in agony. Val hoped he didn't feel a thing, in that moment. That his mind was already far off, somewhere else, just his body left to catch up. 

"Do it. Please." Val breathed, voice strained. Spit pooled in her mouth, her stomach churning. She'd watched people die, before. From walkers, and before that from whatever you could imagine. Death had been a part of her life, initially one she could leave at work, and then a constant, and now, it was this. Val steadied herself. She had to do this. She could. Fleet was there, ready to kill, and she would help. She had to.

fleet summers "Thank you," Fleet said, politely, and somewhere in the back of his head there was a hysterical shriek of laughter at him making sure to thank Val for her help in obliterating a human life, but he could deal with the screaming meemies later. Later later when they were all still alive and maybe shredded in their souls but alive. Right now there was only this, the reek of explosives and blood and ugliness and survival and Fleet brought the crowbar down on the bridge of the man's nose, to stop that gurgling breathing, to stop him from looking up at them. It was over faster this time and he took a long, unsteady step back, the crowbar too heavy for a moment, dragging at his side as he clung to it and rubbed wet blood around his face.

"You can let the board back down if you want," Fleet suggested, like Val might decide there was some other way to do this, to make it more humane, or something. The man was dead, it didn't matter. But still. He'd let her decide.

Val Laurent She closed her eyes as it came down, heard the bloody gurgling stop in an instant. When she opened them, the man was dead, his popped out eyes blankly pointed at the sky. She breathed in, slowly, then out, as Fleet offered her that. A kindness, consideration. Val took a quick step back, letting the board back down, eyes slightly widened, before she turned back to Fleet. "Lemme wrap your ankle. It ain't much, but it's gonna help stabilize it. You're gonna need it." She made her way over to him. Blood spatters covered his face, neck, his shirt, staining it red. The fighting around them seemed distant, as if it were getting less. Val didn't know if they were winning. When she reached Fleet, she wrapped her arms around him. A quick, short, hug, little more than a quick squeeze, before she let go. "The corn's gonna hide us enough if we sit down."

fleet summers The hug was appreciated, and even Fleet's automatic impulse to protest Val touching him when he was covered in blood died on Fleet's tongue in the face of loving human contact. "We're alive," he said, not knowing if it was surprise or affirmation, but then they were moving towards the stand of withered cornstalks, huddling down in it like the rabbits they'd been called. Fleet didn't bother offering any of his clothes to use as a wrapping -- Val was the medic, he'd just follow her lead -- and said, "We should get the rifle on our way back. And your gun. Do you still have your gun?" 

Val Laurent "I still got it." She hadn't even realized she'd been clinging onto it, her hand wrapped around the handle as tight as it could. She put it down on the ground, careful, like a wounded animal before she shouldered off her backpack. She'd had a go-bag since the beginning, but since Zack had come back, since Clint had been captured, she'd tried packing up even more emergency supplies. Gauze, tourniquets, blod clot powder at the top. She tugged off Fleet's boot, as careful as she could, before she began wrapping his ankle. The scrape at her own side had stopped bleeding, but she felt the pain of it, alongside the sense of exhaustion and the clamminess of her sweat. "It's less now. The screams 'n all. The gunfire. I don't know if we're winnin'." Val didn't know how many of them died, how many were injured. "We gotta keep goin'. How fast can you still go? Think you can run?"

fleet summers "I can run fast," Fleet said, automatically, because that was what you said at times like this. He heard himself and took a breath, moving his ankle slightly; it hurt, sharp stinging from where the rope had cut into him and the bola had knocked against bone, but then he said more reasonably, "I'll run because we have to." Val was working fast and efficient and he marvelled at her steady presence of mind for this; the kind of work that was her bailiwick, not like her shaking hands on that gun. This world had made killers of them. "Do you think people will stop seeing us as liabilities now?" Fleet asked suddenly, as Val was tying his ankle tight. "Do you think because we've murdered people, it'll make anybody take us more seriously? We've achieved--" Fleet's voice greened, edged with bile, "--what makes somebody a real survivor, not any of the other things we've survived?"

Val Laurent That made Val pause, mentally rather than physically, because her hands worked steady and automatically. "I don't know." She responded after a second, mechanically. She hadn't really murdered anybody. She hadn't been able to shoot. When she did, it hadn't killed the Daybreaker. In the end, Fleet had to take their lives. Wasn't she a liablity, the way she'd frozen? But she'd lured the Daybreaker into the trap. They had both made it out. Val tightened the gauze and secured it. "We've been through enough. Before this too. I think they will. And if they don't..." She offered a tired smile. "-they can bite us."

fleet summers That last comment cut through the way that Fleet felt like he was freezing and seizing up, the strange numbness taking hold of his brain, and he laughed, startled, and pulled Val into a hug. She smelled like the dirt they were in and like woodsmoke and like toast, with a sharp tang of fear, and he was pretty sure he smelled the same, felt the same, shaking against her. "Okay," he said. "I'll keep that in the back of my mind. Gonna have sooooo many people mentally biting me." He went quiet, listening to the noises around them; trailing off now, as Val had noted. "We should--" Fleet started, then put his hand down on the gun. "We should go around the Ranch and make sure there's no survivors."

Val Laurent Val smiled - not happy, tired, exhausted and worn down - when she pulled away from Fleet. "Gonna be their problem to deal with. Not yours." She patted his knee, but didn't get up just yet, staying crouched among the dried stalks of corn. It was time to get back to this. They couldn't stay cooped up here forever, after all. "Yeah. Yeah, let's do that." She took a long, deep breath as if to steady herself before she reached for her gun, her fingers touching Fleet's hands on top of it. "I can do it now. I gotta."

fleet summers They stayed there for a moment, crouched together and looking into each others' eyes, breathing fast; prey animals, Fleet kept thinking. But the blood all over them wasn't only theirs. Prey animals with fangs. 

"We can do it," he said, and then they were up, and away, the corn stalks shaking in their wake.

[fleetsummers]

with @zackastor  | the daybreakers : the opening salvo of the attack on the ranch. fleet gets blood on his hands; zack opens a vein.

Zack Astor -His body complains with the strain but Zack doesn't stop. He can still hear the Daybreakers hard on his heels. One of them had dropped, but that still left three hunting after him. And then it was two - Zack heard the crack and scream of the pitfall trap, the brief curse, the footsteps stopping for a moment, before they resumed. The outermost of the ranch's defenses, set up in the stretch of forest outside of the farm. Far enough away that he wouldn't lead them there. Zack ducked when a gunshot echoed, and a bullet whizzed past, regaining his footing and running down a route he'd planned out in his head. It was only when the footsteps fully stopped, and stayed gone, that Zack paused, ducking behind a tree, into a little grove. Pressing himself up against the bark, he breathed. Forcing it to slow, and himself to listen. He needed to kill them. Lure them into the traps and end them.-

fleet summers -Fleet had been doing the perimeter walk by himself, with Zack and Clint off on patrol; it needed doing and now that he'd been training to fight, it was good for him to do things like this on his own. Like one of the other people who had some modicum of fighting skill. He was tight against the western fence when he heard the gunshot, and Fleet went to full alert. Nothing followed, and he went along the fence to one of the shaded lights to be switched on for the Ranch residents to see, only visible from in the farmhouse, before letting himself out and taking off at a swift, light run towards the grove. His crowbar felt heavy in his hands, and Fleet only paused to crouch hidden in a clump of bushes and give the birdcall that was the Ranch signal to each other, heart pounding-

Zack Astor -The birdcall. Who was it? Nicki? Didn't matter. Zack answered back, the same call, and a short little trill - Daybreakers. Zack paused, followed it with two short whistles - two enemies. He could hear footsteps again. Behind him and from his left side. Not stealthy, but cautious. Up ahead was a trap. Barbed wire, hidden in a pitfall.  His whistles had been enough to give away his position. Zack took a long breath and bolted again, hearing curses behind him, then running, another gunshot, hitting the forest floor behind him-

fleet summers -even through the mounting terror, at least this was a code that Fleet was naturally attuned to: musical sounds, each with meaning. Daybreakers, two of them, and he was about to head towards the sound when gunshot rang out again. Fleet bit his lip and dropped back again, of course, he wasn't the only one who'd figure out where the calls came from, the enemy did too, of course. But in addition to the birdcalls, they'd all been drilled on the exact positions of the various traps that had been set, and Fleet shut his eyes and mapped, and then took off in the direction Zack had vacated. Out past beyond the trap, in a line from it, and he whistled, light and bright. Another gunshot and Fleet froze, terrified it would hit him somehow, but then there was another sound. The Daybreaker following his whistle, following it directly into the pitfall trap-

Zack Astor -The next time the whistle came, it wasn't a signal. It was bright, almost melodious, and Zack recognized it this time. He heard the shot, and then the shout, transformed into a pained yell, when barbed wire wrapped around flesh. The footsteps stopped again, but this time Zack didn't pause. He continued, circling around, until he saw the familiar figure. Fleet. Tense, back straight. Zack gave a soft whistle, only to catch his attention. He didn't allow himself to go into anything other than fighting mode, feel relief. He whistled, softly, to catch Fleet's attention. As soon as it was he pointed - the remaining Daybreaker would have noticed he needed to be cautious. Taken a step back to recalibrate. They needed to catch him off guard - Zack signaled, pointing for Fleet to circle around in one direction, before moving himself, letting out a far ranging whistle, aiming to draw attention. Trying to lure him into another trap, or at the very least keep his attention-

fleet summers -it's Zack, there in the distance with that soft fluting sound, and Fleet can't hold back the relief in his face, his posture. Zack's immediately conveying information, not a movement or moment wasted, and Fleet nods and then remembers it's better to use a field signal to confirm before he slips off in the direction Zack had indicated. And the intention, naturally, is to provide backup -- Zack is the one with full-on experience, proficiency in fighting -- but something happens. Fleet misses a step, somewhere, and he finds an arm around his throat and a rough voice behind him telling him to drop the weapon. Which he does, putting his hands up with a pleading whimper, and the Daybreaker makes a derisive sound and chokes him for a moment while Fleet's sounds get more panicked. Then the man moves his hand, covering Fleet's face, nose and mouth; they're sadists, Zack had said. They'll take any opportunity to hurt and humiliate, more than anything else. So that hand covers his face and Fleet bucks back, hard, and then drops down and out, reaching for his crowbar and spinning to swing it at the man's ankles- 

Zack Astor -Fleet's sound isn't loud enough to reach him, but the crack resounding through the forest and the pained sound that follows is. Zack moves quick, chasing down the sound and there they were - the Daybreaker crouching on the ground, face twisted in pain, a bent in his ankle that shouldn't be there. And Fleet holding his crowbar.- You fucking- -the Daybreaker spits, then noticing Zack before his gaze flicks back to Fleet.- I give up. Don't hurt me. Please. -The Daybreaker raises a hand, the other still clutching his ankle. Zack just manages to close in a few steps before the Daybreaker slips out a knife, hidden in his boot, and lunges for Fleet-

fleet summers -pleading like that doesn't seem to be much in the line of what Zack's told him about the Daybreakers so despite his intense fear and the absolute banging of his head from being choked like that, Fleet doesn't let his guard down and it's only that prey animal high alert that means he's able to raise his crowbar at the last moment to deflect the brunt of that knife thrust -- aimed pointed low at his side to slice him right open, and sure enough there's an arc of sizzling pain but Fleet twists and catches the man with the curved end of the crowbar, shoving him back long enough so he can scramble backwards, past Zack as the bigger man's lunging forward to finish the job, like they're on a relay team-

Zack Astor -Zack moves instantly, closing the gap that Fleet had left as the Daybreaker stumbles, trying to regain his balance on his one good leg, but doesn't manage before Zack crowds him and slams the knife deep into his gut, slicing it across his soft belly. The Daybreaker makes an almost animalistic noise, not quite human, as his guts unfurl onto the ground. It doesn't kill him instantly - the Daybreaker bucks and falls back, panting, eyes wide with panic, right up until follows in and stabs the knife into his throat. Blood spurts out, coating the dead leaves on the ground, Zack's hand, but it only takes a few seconds before the Daybreaker slacks. Zack gets up, breathing hard as he stares at the body before he turns to Fleet- How bad is it? -He sounds hoarse as he steps closer, then pauses- We got ambushed. They got Clint.

fleet summers -Fleet's still sprawled on his side, crouched and tensed and ready to spring up if needed, but he makes an involuntary sound that overlaps the Daybreaker's when the man's disemboweled. Fleet keeps making sounds, trapped in his throat in wide-eyed horror, watching Zack take the man's life with as much cold efficiency as he would with an elk or a buck. Zack doesn't even pause. He doesn't even say anything. One moment the Daybreaker's a living human being and the next he's suffering, dying meat. When Zack talks to him, Fleet flinches, shoving back along the ground as he stares up at the other man; he stops moving when Zack pauses, trying to let those words sink in- They got ... Clint? Oh no. Oh god. -Fleet scrambles up and feels blood dripping down his side to soak into the waistband of his jeans but it's almost welcome, sharpening his mind a little- What do we do? Why were they -- they followed you here?

Zack Astor -Fleet scrambling backwards like a trapped prey animal makes Zack pause. He stares at Fleet, meeting his wide eyed gaze, similar to the Daybreaker he'd just killed and doesn't move as the younger man scrambles up to his feet. The little spark of relief Zack had felt cools down right in that instant, his eyes narrow as the distance between them remains a steady thing.- I led them here. They let me go to hunt me down. -He's acutely aware of the collar, still set tight around his throat. He reaches up to take it off- You're going back to the ranch to get that cut treated. I got work to do. -The Daybreakers in the pitfalls could still be alive. They couldn't afford prisoners, not now- Don't tell anybody about Clint yet. I'm going to once I'm back. You got that?

fleet summers Look, we'll- -Fleet swallows, jabbing the curved end of his crowbar against the grass, scrubbing the blood from it- It's not a bad cut, I can tell, and we'll get it done faster together. If Clint's captured then every minute spent is valuable, right? With the number of Daybreakers we're up against. -he sets his teeth against each other, chin jutting slightly as he pants for a moment or two- I'm okay. I just -- I 've never seen you -- I'm okay now. I can work.

Zack Astor -his gaze dots over Fleet's face, taking in the tension, the panting, the signs of nervousness. Not a soldier, a civilian- I don't need your help with this. -there is no challenge or derision in his voice, it's matter of fact. He throws the collar off to the side, the air cool on the trickle of sweat om his throat. Right now wasn't the time to feel through the personal implications of this. This was still a battlefield- I'm going to check on the other Daybreakers. If they're not dead yet, I'm killing them. And if you're coming, you're helping. -he meets Fleet's gaze evenly as he cleans the knife off his blood and slides it back into his belt-

fleet summers Then I'm coming. -he prevents himself from his gaze following the arc of that dog collar as Zack discards it, a shiver running down his spine as all of the implications of capture come right back up at the sight of it- I needed a minute, but I'm ready. I know this has to be done and I want us all to come out of this alive and I'll do what you need me to do, Zack. -Fleet thinks he delivers this pretty well; he played a WWII fighter pilot once and did a shit ton of research for it so injecting what he says with confidence comes a tiny bit easier, and maybe he's fooling himself into it being true, but that's all he needs to get going- Let's go. Tell me what to do because I might not know instinctively and I'm not gonna be the one screwing this up for us.

Zack Astor Alright. -Zack is still staring at Fleet, measuring and calculating, seizing him up in a way he's done countless times before. What he finds seems to satisfy him enough- You're going to follow me. Stay alert. I'll need your help getting their guns and weapons out of the pit. We're gonna have to reset the traps later. -he's already walking in the direction of the barbed wire pit, only casting a quick glance back to make sure Fleet is following-

fleet summers -Fleet does follow, once more light and fast on his feet and almost soundless behind Zack; he thinks for a while about this question and in the end decides to ask it:- What's gonna happen to Clint? Are we gonna try and rescue him? I know we all were prepared that this might happen, getting captured, but I didn't think it would be separate. Like this. I thought it would be when they swarmed the Ranch.

Zack Astor We're not going to rescue him. We don't have the fighters, or the resources. He's gonna have to make it on his own. -his voice sounded hard, the wy it did when he'd made a decision that was set in stone and wouldn't take any arguing on it. It softens up when he continues- They're gonna torture him. I don't know how long he's gonna make it. He's gonna break, and the Daybreakers are gonna be on us. We're gonna keep doing what we always do until then. -he casts another glance over his shoulder, as if to check that Fleet was still there, even though he could feel the younger man's presence on his back- I'm gonna need you to work outside security. Like Hazel does.

fleet summers God. -it's a soft, pained exhalation, but Fleet doesn't perseverate on it; that could be any of them- He might not break. None of us really know how we're gonna react when it happens. I mean, us who haven't been trained for it. But yeah, yeah, Zack, we'll keep doing what we do. Till then. -Fleet squares his shoulders when Zack tells him he's going to need to do outside work, nodding- I can handle that. The more I have to handle this the better I'll get at it. I'm getting ... some blood on my hands. -it's something Zack had promised, each time they'd talked about the hunting trip that kept getting postponed-

Zack Astor Yeah. I suppose we don't. -He didn't have much trust that Clint would hold, and normally he was right about it. If he was proven wrong, all the better. The phrase Fleet uses, getting blood on his hands, makes him pause, consider- You are, aren't you? -when he said it, he'd thought it'd be animal blood.- You did well. Back there. Dropping that guy and reacting when he went for you. You ain't a soldier, but you're already doing better. -Zack breathes out, slowly- You're a damn good weapon, now.

fleet summers -Fleet looks at Zack, then moves up next to him instead of staying a couple of paces behind- I'll cut anyone who touches me. To the bone. -he holds Zack's gaze for a few beats, his own dark and clear, and then lifts his head and looks in a few separate directions before settling on one- The pitfall over there? Near that tree with the huge knot in the trunk, one of the guys chasing you fell in that one?

Zack Astor -he returns Fleet's gaze, equally steady, but with less of the cold hardness, though it's not soft either. He doesn't go back to his rigidity, as he follows Fleet's gaze and pushes ahead- Yes. That one. -he can already hear the moans, pained and low, and once he steps to the edge of it, he sees the Daybreaker, entirely wrapped in threads of barbed wire, skin torn open and bleeding. Staring up at them with both  a hint of fear and absolute fury in his gaze- You only have the crowbar, right? You're gonna go down there.

fleet summers -his heart is absolutely hammering but obedience to Zack comes so naturally at this point that Fleet only waits as long as it takes for him to look down into the pit, assess the situation and how much range of motion the trapped Daybreaker has, before he says- Yes. All right. -he reaches for Zack's arms so he can be lowered down and the Daybreaker's snarling at him, immediately telling Fleet all of the things that'll be done to him when he's taken as a prisoner, and Fleet lifts his crowbar to span against the man's throat; he's wrapped up low enough that Fleet can lift one leg and shove his foot against the crowbar to pin the man against the side of the pit while he scoops up the rifle dropped at the bottom and hand it out to Zack- Now what?

Zack Astor -Zack doesn't immediately grab the rifle as Fleet moves it up. Instead he looks down, at Fleet, his foot shoving the crowbar against the Daybreaker's throat, who is staring up at them with a snarl, even if his threats are choked off- We kill him. -Zack's gaze is trained on Fleet, not on the Daybreaker whose eyes widen- You can use the rifle.

fleet summers -he didn't expect that and Fleet lowers the rifle again, repositioning it in his grasp as he considers; he's a decent aim, but he's not sure if he trusts himself yet with a living man looking at him, even one who's fighting being choked just so he can promise to drown Fleet and fuck his corpse- Make your peace with whatever you believe in. -he doesn't say it like a threat or a coldness; Fleet's voice is firm but sad, and he puts the muzzle of the rifle to the man's heart and shoots him without waiting, before he loses his nerve or the Daybreaker manages to bump him away. The report is muffled and too loud at the same time and Fleet's holding the rifle, breathing hard, and as blood runs from the man's chest and mouth and an odd, wormy smell fills the pit, he leans over and spits a few times before collecting his crowbar and slinging the rifle onto his back, holding his arms up for Zack again-

Zack Astor -He watched, as Fleet took his second life. A moment of hesitation, and then following through. Zack didn't see the Daybreakers eyes go blank. Without a word, Zack bent down and grabbed Fleet's arms to lift him out of the hole, and back onto safe ground.- You did so damn well. -Zack muttered, cupping the back of Fleet's head, holding him- There's one more trap and then we're heading back.

fleet summers -the touch against the back of his head is almost too much for a moment and Fleet doesn't know if he wants to lean back hard into it and stare at Zack, or if he wants to collapse against Zack's chest just to hear a beating living heart, but in the end he does neither; he nods, swings the rifle around to his front and keeps hold of his crowbar as they move towards the last trap- They were going to kill you. They want to kill all of us. And if they don't want to kill us, they want to torture and ... and rape us. -the litany isn't exactly for Zack to confirm, but Fleet recites it as they move at a rapid jog, his voice holding even despite the motion, and by the time they reach the last pit, his face is set, hard at the hinges of his jaw, eyes big but unblinking and with a flat shine to them- I'll do this one too.

Zack Astor -Zack doesn't interrupt Fleet in his mantra. It's something for Fleet to hold on after he just killed a defenseless man. It was probably different than with Cole. Different than with a walker.- Alright, kid. -The Daybreaker in front of them seems on the brink of death. Impaled by wooden spikes at the bottom of the pit, barely holding on- You want to use the gun?

fleet summers -Fleet tilts his head, a sharp motion, as he regards the dying man- Since I can't go down there. -it's over in a moment; faster even than Fleet would have imagined himself doing it, one shot and then the Daybreaker is in a strange position of relaxation with spikes through his body, his vacant eyes staring up at the two men- All right. Back to the ranch. Are they all coming now, do you think? Is this -- is this it, Zack? The big attack?

Zack Astor -It's like he's watched Fleet recalibrate himself. There is no hesitation this time. It's pragmatic and quick, and then the Daybreaker is dead. Zack breathes out, long and slow- This is it. If Clint breaks, they're gonna have all the info they need. Even if he doesn't, they're gonna be on us. We're gonna kill them, or they kill us. -Zack moves, this time next to Fleet, not in front of him- You're ready for it.

fleet summers -Fleet looks at him, then reaches for Zack's head and presses a hard kiss to his mouth; it's mostly pressure and breath and Fleet has to lean way up for it, and when he's done he sticks his crowbar between them like he's prying himself away- You did good work with me. Making me a weapon just like you said you would.-Fleet still has the crowbar there, one end slanted down against his hip, the curved end pressed against Zack's front- Do you love me yet?

Zack Astor -Zack breathes, staring down at Fleet, his lips still warm from the pressure of the kiss. He can feel the cold of the crowbar pressing into his skin- I do. You know I do. -he leans in, as far as the crowbar allows, his voice dark- I love you.

fleet summers Good. -Fleet doesn't move the crowbar, letting them stay there motionless, close but separated, until he says- Now if we die in the next twenty-four hours at least you said it. And yes. I know you do, and I love you too. -his breathing picks up a little, and then he's moving again, towards one of their secret breaks in the fence for the ranch people, not the Daybreakers; the time for these plans to succeed or fail is upon them, now-

[fleetsummers]

with @hazelparsons  | the daybreakers : the price of regret, particularly in the age of the walkers

fleet summers Hi, Hazel, right? I'm Fleet. -he's popped in on her mid-morning, haphazardly changed into some sweatpants and a sweatshirt, his skin damp underneath- Zack says you're one of the medics and I know Val, so it must be you.

Hazel Parsons Not many people I could be then, huh? -she has just finished tidying a stack of bandages in the space they have made into a makeshift examination room- Fleet, right?

fleet summers Yes, that's me. -he looks around at the space they've dedicated as a treatment room- We really have you working with barebones here, huh. Were you a medic in the before times?

Hazel Parsons I was a vet, so kind of like a medic with actually likable patients. -she gives a sarcastic smile- Did something happen to you or did you just drop by to ponder about Redwood’s health services?

fleet summers Something happened to me. -he dials back his surprise at Hazel announcing she was a vet and not a doctor, tugging up his sweatshirt to display a deep scrape up his torso, starting on his right side and arcing to just beneath and a couple of inches past his nipple-Those bulrushes in the duck pond are vicious. Would it help if you thought of me as a poodle who was overzealous retrieving a game bird?

Hazel Parsons -she takes a quick look at the scrape, poking it with a gloved hand to see how deep it run- Let’s clean it up first. -she grabs a gauze and some saline, chuckling at his comment- You think it’s that easy to claim the poodle title?

fleet summers My kidneys get chilled awful easy. And I have a distinct gait and curly hair. -Fleet gives a little abashed laugh, rubbing a palm over his shorn-down head- Well, I normally have curly hair. -his breathing picks up slightly when Hazel starts working on him, and the abashed laugh gets a smile to join it- I'm not as tough as your usual patients, I think. Human or animal.

Hazel Parsons Ah, too much work, I know. -she says, tugging at one of her own curls that she has tried so hard to maintain- Want me to hold your hand? Get you a teddy bear? -she asks as she cleans the wound, but something slightly shifts inside her when she feels him get tense- Sorry, you’re not the reason I’m mad.

fleet summers It's fine. This is a pretty tense situation we're in. -fleet distinctly makes himself breathe slower and deeper- Is that the reason you're mad?

Hazel Parsons Part of it. There seem to be too many reasons nowadays. And I'm not renowned for my good temper. -she admits, finishing up with the cleaning- I can't stitch this up, it's on a body part that moves too much. I will bandage it as well as I can, do you think you can take it easy for a couple of days or are you one of those that jump in front of disaster whenever they get the chance?

fleet summers I don't jump in front of disaster, I'm not really much of an action boy. -Fleet crinkles his nose as he looks down at himself, Hazel completing her ministrations- But resting isn't an option here, is it? I'm gonna have to suck it up and just be careful not to aggravate it while I'm working. -he watches Hazel for a while as she works, busily- I'm mad about stuff too. I don't think I'm very good at expressing it.

Hazel Parsons If you have to fight zombies, I will cut you some slack. -she pulls the bandage tight, then fleet talks about being mad and she immediately considers what she said and under what circumstances- Shit. I’m sorry about what happened to your dad. Didn’t mean to sound like a bitch.

fleet summers No, it's okay. I sound like a bitch most days. It's just that I smile a lot and my voice is very melodious so people tend to miss it. -a slight smile flickers over Fleet's lips- You've been in Redwood since before, that's what I've heard. It must be aggravating that you got sent here, then, to the Ranch, instead of getting to stay there.

Hazel Parsons -hazel smiles faintly for a second, but then clenches her jaw, trying to keep herself calm- Aggravating. Yes, nice word. Was thinking something like ‘I’ll break Apatow’s jaw one day’, but as I don’t smile enough for people to miss that bitchiness.

fleet summers -Fleet smiles outright at that one, his gaze focusing in on her more- Oh, you're not a member of his inexplicably loyal fan club? Good. If you need a lookout when you do it, don't hesitate to ask. -he snickers, then sobers- It's too bad they didn't give you a choice. Or take your feelings into account. I want to be here, but then, I'm a little bit in limbo right now. So I might as well.

Hazel Parsons Kind of the opposite of a fan club, really. -she smirks back at him, liking him more already- Hah, we were all supposedly given a choice, weren’t we? But they sure know how to guilt trip people, and feelings don’t seem to matter all that much when it comes to survival.

fleet summers Tell me about it. I have an excess of feelings even on a dull day, much less with all this Daybreaker threat. Still ... it does feel good to be helpful. I'm one of the very small contingent of people in Redwood who isn't excited to kill walkers and doesn't have any survival skills to speak of.  -he touches his fingertips against the bandage, running them along it lightly- Would you be able to trim my claws while I'm here?

Hazel Parsons I don’t think most people are excited about killing. At least I hope they’re not. -she thinks of the occasions when she had to do it, and it sends a shiver down her spine- But you’ve survived, so your skills are better than a whole lotta people. -she pulls off her gloves with a laugh- I am not a groomer and you don’t look like someone with claws.

fleet summers Really? Not even a little clean-up of the hack job I did on myself? -Fleet pouts, rubbing his palm over his shorn-down head, but drops the affectation quickly enough- Is it the whole, um, Reavers thing that's the reason you don't like Isaac? Those scavenger gangs are terrifying.

Hazel Parsons That’s all I ever dreamed of using my fucking DVM for. But unfortunately, I think we left all the good hairdressers back in Redwood. -she tenses up at the mention of the Reavers, grabbing a  falling apart wheeled chair and settling down across from him- We have history. With Ike, with the Reavers. Let’s just say that if someone knows what those terrifying gangs cost to Redwood, it would be me.

fleet summers You must be kept busy doing things that are actually for your DVM, though. With all the horses and dogs, not even counting the assorted farm animals. I'm an actor and singer, there's not much call for all that, in the new world order. -and it seems even less relevant to their current life when Fleet sees how Hazel reacts to him talking about the Reavers, though she does indicate she wants to stay in the conversation when she sits down- I'm friends with Ares, and he was with one of those scavenger groups too. Although with him it's hard to imagine him really committed to the kinds of atrocities they do. Not like with Isaac. After he bit Daddy's head I got an idea of what kind of person he is.

Hazel Parsons Yeah, but I like my work. The animals are a big reason we're all alive, so they're worth the trouble. -she perks up a little when she hears about his occupation, cocking her head curiously- Actor and singer, huh? You did musicals and all that? My dad used to love that shit. -the memory of her father feels incredibly distant and fading, her mind occupied by more recent troubles, like the ones fleet was talking about- Yes, he can be unhinged like that. But if we keep talking shit about him, which trust me, I can do all day, my faith in this mission will lessen even more, and it's not like I have a lot to begin with.

fleet summers Did I do musicals? Honey, I did everything. I would've led a parade in a phone booth if they paid me for it. -it's a small bright spot but Fleet takes advantage of it, preening as he talks about his before-life, until Hazel sweeps up the other topic- No, you're right. It's all as good as done and we're in it now, so we might as well just think about that. -after a moment he says- Zack's good, though. I trust him to know what he's doing when it comes to here, at the Ranch. To keep us all alive.

Hazel Parsons Sounds like a good life. Sorry it got screwed over. -she says, hoping it doesn't sound sarcastic, because she means it; she's slightly surprised at the mention of zack, but it's a pleasant diversion, somewhat soothing her boiling anger- Oh, yeah, I ain't got a problem with Astor. He can have his head up his ass like all the military guys, but he helped us stay alive when we went out lookin' for Ermano and things turned to shit. -she steers her mind away from memories of that day, the trauma still feeling fresh- Also, I love his dog.

fleet summers Ohmigosh. You do that thing? -Fleet sits up, then winces slightly and presses his hand to the bandage- That thing! Where you form your opinion on people based on their pets' personalities. That makes sense, I guess -- since your patients can't talk to you, I'd imagine you have to be really intuitive. And you can tell from examining them if their owners take good care of them and all.

Hazel Parsons What? No, I don't. -hazel feels almost offended, mostly because he could be right- If I judged people based on their pets, I would like everyone, so your theory is already debunked. -she swirls in place for a moment, hoping the chair doesn't fall apart- But I can tell if they're taking care of them, and it's obvious that Rex is in good hands.

fleet summers Rexy's a good boy. -he says it with evident, familiar fondness, before realizing his tone and shifting it a touch- Do you have a pet? I think it's hard for Clint, not being able to bring Luna, considering she's more of a service dog.

Hazel Parsons -hazel notices the familiarity in his voice, the shift in his tone, but doesn't say anything; she was never one to meddle in other people's business when it didn't directly affect her- Well, since you asked. -she smiles and gently kicks the door with her boot without standing up, giving a sharp whistle; within seconds, her dog has come running and sat breathless next to her legs- This is Hooch. There was no way in hell I was leaving him behind. You ain't scared of dogs, are you?

fleet summers I'm not scared of dogs. -Fleet slides off the table and smoothly onto one knee so he can offer Hooch the back of his hand to sniff, then the palm, then gives the dog's head a stroke- In Vancouver where I'm from it's practically a citywide pastime, dog-watching. I always thought I'd get a pomeranian, eventually. Get one of my sugar daddies to buy me one. Hi, Hooch. How ya doing? -he doesn't look up at her for any of this conversation, fixated on the dog-

Hazel Parsons -hooch looks up at hazel to check if he should considers fleet a friend, and happily accepts his pets after getting her nod of approval- You're Canadian? You had sugar daddies? Plural? God, finally someone with a life that's not just death and sadness. -she laughs as the dog licks his new friend's face, tail wagging- I think he likes you. But he likes most people, anyway. He's a shit guard dog. -she says, her voice full of love-

fleet summers -he does look up then, relief sweeping through him that he doesn't show through the sunny smile he gives Hazel as he keeps petting Hooch- Nope, I lived a perfectly self-centered perfectly delightful life full of ski vacations and socialized healthcare. -he laughs, shimmying his shoulders a little, and hugs Hooch as the dog licks his face- Now, don't get it twisted, I'm a respectable girl -- only one sugar daddy at a time. Occasionally they didn't last that long, that's all.

Hazel Parsons Well, you sound like a person with a million stories to tell. When you inevitably set up Redwood's only theater company, I'll come sit in the first row. -she laughs along with him, but a shadow slowly takes over her features- It all feels like a million years ago, doesn't it?

fleet summers Some days it feels like it was all made up, almost. -Fleet gives her a wry smile, noting Hazel's shift in expression- That's all right in some ways, though. No struggling to find parking. No doing taxes. When I set up my theatre you won't have to clamour for tickets, I'll set them aside for you.

Hazel Parsons You're right. No people cutting in line. No alarm clocks. The zombie apocalypse comes with so many silver linings. -she walks to the desk and props herself onto it, her feet dangling a few inches above the floor- What would you say you miss the most? And I am trusting you to give a very shallow and stupid answer.

fleet summers Bubble tea. -Fleet has that almost at the ready, and he continues the list with barely a breath in between each item:- Sheet masks, window shopping, those cute little dangly things you could buy for your phone case, escape rooms, sparkling water. -he gives an exaggerated sound of exhaustion, smiling- You? Or you can tell me about whatever situationship you had going, if any.

Hazel Parsons Please don't tell me that you're the kind of person that orders sparkling water with their food. I know we need each other to survive, but I don't need people like that in my life. -she jokes and earnestly laughs at his comments, her mind off the chaos for a moment- Oh, I've been mostly stuck in Redwood these past years. And situationships in small towns are the recipe for disaster, so I tried to avoid them.

fleet summers The kinds of men I dated would rather die than drink still water with their meals, Hazel. -he laughs, but then amends- I just mean, y'know. Flavoured sparkling water because plain water's boring. -fleet tips his head when she mentions having been in Redwood for a while- Lots of changes, I'd imagine. But also there's so many new people to consider! For hook-ups or anything else.

Hazel Parsons Right. Because water can be boring. Of course. -she grabs the jug from the desk and fills up two glasses, offering him one- This one is still, but our standards nowadays have sunk down to just being clean. Drink up. -she takes a long sip and almost chokes with a laugh when he continues talking- Are you trying to play matchmaker, Fleet? Because you seem exactly like the type.

fleet summers Do not tempt me to break into singing Matchmaker right now, Hazel, because I will. -he accepts the water with one little showy moue of disdain just for show, before sipping it gratefully- It is tempting, though. It's like when you're at camp, or on vacation in a group, and it feels like normal life rules don't apply so you can start seeing yourself in all these brand new configurations. Exciting ones! That you might never have thought of before!

Hazel Parsons -she crosses her legs and leans back against the wall, holding her water like a glass of whisky, choosing not to let him know that she knows all the lyrics to matchmaker, at least for now- I'm listening then. Hit me with your best shot, but just know that I have probably yelled at half the people on your list. Or at least glared at them. Or said, in their face or behind their back, that I like their pets more than them.

fleet summers Okay, well -- since you're not specifying, I'm gonna assume you're a multiflavour kind of person, yes? Yes? -Fleet tilts his head back and forth but sails on without waiting for confirmation- There's Mayra, she likes new age and is a certified genius, if you prefer unusual tastes together. Or there's David, he's a hunter and you're a vet, that's some kind of mutual interest, right? Orrrr, um ... Colin, he's right here so you can start to get to know him now! I don't know what he likes but he's handsome, he's tall! At least from side to side... -he catches himself, cutting off the song with a laugh- I tried.

Hazel Parsons -she lets him go on and on with a small smile playing on her lips, giving him a pat on the back once he seems to be done- You did try. And it was a good effort, seeing how I don't hate any of the people mentioned and I could consider them attractive. -she lets that be enough of an answer for his initial assumption, never having gone into the trouble of putting too much thought into her sexuality anyway- But I think I am mostly focusing on surviving for now. But I'm proud of you if you've managed to make your life a little more interesting than just the psychos and zombies. -she doesn't know if she's overstepping some boundary, but she likes to think fleet won't mind the touch of gossip- ...Have you?

fleet summers -Fleet meets Hazel's eyes for a few moments, weighing out how much of this he can talk about, and settles on- I have something going on. I don't know what it's going to be, really, because that part of it is sort of up to him, but yeah. With our fearless leader. -he leans forward, adopting the gossipy tone that he senses Hazel has opened the door for- I mean, it's brand new for me, too, the idea of being in a thing with somebody that isn't sugaring? I wasn't unhappy, don't get me wrong -- I didn't crave any sort of love relationship, I didn't yearn for a proper boyfriend. And I don't know if that's something Zack wants. But I like spending time with ... we like spending time together, and the sex is mind-blowing, and I didn't even really know until now that I was capable of falling in love. And wanting this badly to make somebody happy.

Hazel Parsons -hazel blinks a couple of times, slightly taken aback by the revelation- Astor? You and Astor are a thing? -she asks without really thinking about it; she could act all sleuth, say she had connected the dots and those lingering glances were making sense, but the truth was that among all of the chaos that their lives have turned into, she has paid no attention; it takes her a second to realize she might have come off as rude and try to correct it- Well, that sounds like a good choice. I don't know him too well, but I believe in him enough to trust my life and the future of my home on his leadership, which is honestly a heavy burden, so I'm glad he's getting some. Love and caring, I mean. -she smirks at him, feeling like he would appreciate keeping it lighthearted- It's nice to see people happily in love, despite all this. Last time I was in love, it was a disaster.

fleet summers I'm in love. -Fleet says this a little forcefully, then dials it back- I'm not saying he's ... for him it's something else. I don't know. I can't speak for him. But whatever it is, that's good until it changes. So, y'know, it could end up a disaster too. -he does laugh then, caught somewhere between self-conscious and dismissive, and shakes his head as he does, indeed, follow along to keep it lighthearted- At any rate, I'm learning stuff about myself and it's a nice change, that it's not stuff to do with hiding from walkers or how to filter wastewater to make it drinkable. -Fleet ticks his tongue along the edges of his slightly prominent front teeth in thought for a moment- Was it before the zombies? When you were in love? Not that I'm prying about the details, just figuring ... it's a whole new set of external factors, isn't it.

Hazel Parsons I mean, if these are not the most 'fuck it, let's just see where this goes' times ever, I don't know when it will be. It can't be more of a disaster than.. all of this. -she shrugs, vaguely gesturing around, unsure whether she means the ranch, redwood, the world- It's good to be on the same page, though. Take it from someone who never said anything about being in love and one day found that person married to someone else. -the past feels so mundane nowadays and she can't find it in her heart to be in pain anymore; it withered somewhere along with the memory of the becketts' faces or the sound of their voice, no matter how hard she has tried to remember- It was way before and then after as well. The wife is dead now, and he's probably dead as well, so you can pry as much as you want, there won't be any new chapters to this.

fleet summers He's ... probably dead? But you don't know for sure. -Fleet fixes her with a round-eyed look, dipping his chin a little- That's one heck of a tagline for building suspense, Hazel. -from how they've been talking, he figures this comment won't strike too sharply; they're keeping things moving from one side of their tongues to the other, sour-salt and back again with only the slightest licks of sweet and bitter- And, funny you should mention that -- Zack does have a wife. I don't know if you've had the pleasure of meeting Vivienne, but then again, I doubt it's a pleasure for anybody.

Hazel Parsons Oh, wait till I tell you that he left in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. Maybe I should be hoping the walkers got to him. -she says, feeling like she has earned the right to some dark humor after being left behind to deal with the aftermath of what happened to the becketts- Yeah, I heard about that. She looks vaguely terrifying, so I figured I shouldn't meddle too much. -she admits, having decided that not meddling in things that didn't directly involve her was the surest way to stay alive and out of trouble- But that does sound like a mess. Is she giving you trouble? Do you want me to beat her up for you?

fleet summers I should be the bigger person and say no, but I would love that, honestly. I would love anybody who isn't me or Zack causing Vivienne problems. -Fleet pulls a face, but it's not one of remorse or embarrassment over this confession of pettiness, only his distaste about the situation- So, wait, wait -- your guy took off from Redwood at night without telling you? And you were currently in a relationship together??

Hazel Parsons The world is ending, love, fuck being the bigger person. -she says with a sympathetic smile, giving his leg a little kick with the tip of her boot- Oh, no. If we were together and he left me like that, I would have hunted him down and killed him myself. But as I said- never told him how I felt, he got married, his brother and wife got killed and he left to seek a greater future in the desert or something.

fleet summers Hazel. Oh my god. -Fleet reaches down to grab her ankle when she playfully kicks him, holding it and rubbing along the bone with his thumb- Okay, that really is the ultimate cautionary tale when it comes to telling somebody how you feel. -he mulls it over and says- I told Zack. And if that's as far as it ever goes, so be it. At least I said my part, right? Even if this has a middle of the night desert ending.

Hazel Parsons -she is taken aback by fleet keeping the spotlight on her for a moment too long, usually letting herself only scratch the surface of bottled up feelings, scared of what might be there if she goes deeper- Well, let's hope it doesn't. If it does, I'll find him and fight him for you. With the pent up rage I have about my situation, I might actually last more than three seconds. -in one swift movement she jumps off where she's sitting, giving him a gentle tap on the back- You're all clear, medically speaking. I don't want your boyfriend to be mad at me for keeping you from being useful.

fleet summers Not my boyfriend! -Fleet sings this as he wags a finger in the air, but he can tell Hazel's reached her limit with this conversation and as much as he's okay letting it go for now, he's storing it away to revisit later- Thank you. For your medical attention, and for the talk. It's nice to just be able to say it to someone. -which he's certain, now, Hazel fully understands, as Fleet smiles at her and goes on his way-

[fleetsummers]

with @vallaurent  | the daybreakers : a bottom dollar conversation about self-identity and parents who've damaged it

Val Laurent Hey there, hun. Am I botherin' ya? -Val felt tired and weary, so she'd decided to step outside and grab a quick breath of her. When she'd stepped into the cool night, she'd found Fleet there- Tryin' to find a quiet spot to be alone or just enjoyin' some fresh air?

fleet summers Just ... spacing out, actually. -he's been standing there with his arms wrapped around himself, watching the Ranch, and smiles at Val- I knew this would all be more physical activity than I'm used to, but it's making my brain work in ways I'm not used to, either.

Val Laurent What do ya mean? -she takes that as an invitation to stand next to him, letting her eyes wander over the ranch. In this moment, she strangely has the urge for a cigarette- You feelin' restless?

fleet summers Restless, jumpy, tired -- a bunch of them all at once. Sore, too. -he gives a groaning laugh at that one- Zack's teaching me how to fight. -Fleet gives a tight sneer and a dismissive toss of his chin, saying bitterly- Like a real man.

Val Laurent -she grimaces- Did he say that to ya? Ya don't sound too happy about it. -she pushes her hands into the pocket of her jacket- If ya feelin' sore, some warmth will do ya good. Or a massage. Or more exercise.

fleet summers Oh -- oh, no, Zack would never say anything like that to me. Not now, anyhow. I was thinking about my dad. -he marches a little in place to keep warm, the movement inevitably becoming more of a dance step than anything else- I'll be getting more exercise tomorrow, no worries about that. Are you a fighter, Val?

Val Laurent Did Cole say that to ya? I'm sorry, hun. -there is a soft hint of surprise in her voice, but no disbelief as she regards him- Nah. What do they say? I'm a lover, not a fighter? -she chuckles, softly- I ain't any good at fightin'. I know how to shoot, but that's it. What 'bout you, sweetie?

fleet summers No, I'm in the same boat as you -- lover, not a fighter. I'm used to other people taking care of me. -he dithers on that for a while; Zack's been making him reconsider what Fleet had always categorized as 'care', but he's not ready to delve into that yet- Daddy said a lot but he didn't say much at all. Which is the worst because then you're left wondering if all those microaggressions were just you blowing things out of proportion.

Val Laurent But it's a big deal to you, ain't it? Ya feel the way ya do for a reason, hun. -she tilts her head upwards, looking at the night sky- Maybe Cole didn't mean anythin' by what he said or didn't say, but it still hurt ya.

fleet summers -Fleet looks over at her, squinting slightly- Yeah, Maybe. -he laughs suddenly, shrugging against his turned chin- And who cares, anyway, right? What anybody thinks about Daddy anymore. Everyone came and told him how wonderful he was on that last day and I'm sure he loved it. Finally, recognition! -he lifts both his hands in fists, shaking them in sarcastic triumph at the sky- What I think about him is just another drop in the pot, good or bad or noncommittal. Who am I? Just his son. I guess. It never mattered to him.

Val Laurent -she turns her head to face him, some of her curls falling onto her forehead- I care about what ya think. -she regards him for a moment- They didn't know him like you did.

fleet summers It's exactly what I never wanted. To meet him and get smacked in the face with this -- this desperation to mean something to him. I've been running from that my whole life and I thought I'd avoided it. -Fleet presses his lips together, folding his arms again and curving his shoulders- Hubris. I'm just another faggot with daddy issues after all.

Val Laurent Aw, sweetheart. -she steps over to him, reaching out to wrap her arms around his shoulders- You're still you, darling. That means something, right? -she gives his shoulder a squeeze- Ya don't gotta be defined by your dad, or how he felt about you.

fleet summers That's the thing! -he's laughing outright now, none of it actually happy or amused- That's what I realized! I have been defined by my dad, my whole life! Everything I've ever done was to create some wonderful magical me who everyone would like so much that they would know, they'd know that it was my dad who was wrong. He was wrong and it wasn't because I wasn't worth staying for. -Fleet's breathing hard now, mouth downturned and distressed, and he wheels away from Val and walks away a few steps, staring up at the sky again-

Val Laurent Oh, honey. -she waits a few moments before she follows him, though this time she doesn't wrap her arms around him again, just offering her company closeby- Everything? What about singin'? You did that to prove your dad wrong, and not because ya like singin'? -she regards him for a moment- I can't say I've been in your situation but... I kinda know what it's like being so tangled up with someone or somethin' ya don't know where ya start and end.

fleet summers No. Singing is all me. -he tosses Val another of those tight smiles, although this time it's paired with softer, sadder eyes, his brows raised towards the middle- That's me being Pilipino. They revoke your heritage if you can't karaoke like a pro by age five. -saying that does make him laugh for real, suddenly overcome with tears- I miss my family. I've lost them all and I thought being a Reznik might help me get through it but ... it hasn't done anything for me. -Fleet wipes his face fiercely with the heel of his hand, sucking in a breath- Who was it for you? Or what was it, that you're tangled up with?

Val Laurent -her heart aches when she sees his sad, big eyes, his choked laugh- My parents, too. My dad and my momma. -she let's her eyes trail over the thick darkness in front of them, barely illuminates by the starts and the farmhouse- Momma left us when I was 10. Dad didn't take it well. Stopped takin' care of himself. So I had to be my dad's momma. And when I couldn't anymore and I left, I became someone else's momma. And that's what I've always been tryin' to be. With everybody. -she chuckles softly- It messed me up, it really did. In ways, I'm glad for it. Because I like helpin' people. I think that's me, in all of that. And you got stuff that's all you. And now, you get to figure it out. Even if it feels bad now.

fleet summers -Fleet's pretty good at reading between the lines so he has some idea of what Val might mean, being her dad's momma, and he makes a hum of contrite sympathy in his throat, reaching to clasp and interlace her hand with his as he steps closer- It sounds messy. I tried to be the most enchanting bauble in the room. That wasn't much better, but ... yeah, I get that. Being glad for it in a way, even though things happened along the way that weren't great. -Fleet stands shoulder-to-shoulder with her as they both look out across the Ranch and at the sky- I don't like not feeling like me. Even with the doubt that meeting Daddy introduced in there, I've still got a hold of myself. Even though it feels bad now. -he looks at Val, eyes half-lidded, and starts to offhandedly, lightly sing:- The sun'll come out, tomorrow...

Val Laurent -Val gently squeezes his hand as their fingers interlace- I know. But eventually, you're gonna feel like you. And then it's gonna be truly you. You're still you, below everythin' else. -she leans her head on his shoulders, her curls brushing up against his neck. She sings the next lines quietly, her voice slightly wavering- Bet your bottom dollar, that tomorrow there'll be sun~

fleet summers -they finish the song together, easily slipping into the harmonies, and when the last strains of their voices have faded, they simply stand together, holding hands, a moment of solace-

[fleetsummers]

with @zackastor   | the daybreakers : fleet checks in with zack about the mission, and gains a middle name

fleet summers So this is the war room, hmm? -Fleet doesn't bother to knock, since Zack's bedroom door is standing open; from the looks of it, the room isn't exactly somewhere private, with all sorts of their extra, more valuable equipment stored around in it- I figured I might as well come report in on what I've been doing. I'm used to having somebody to account to. -despite all of this, Fleet stays in the doorway, watching Zack at his planning desk; he looks so official, preoccupied, almost a different person-

Zack Astor -Zack is slightly bent over the desk, where a plan of the farm is layed out, various markings peppering the paper. He looks up when he hears Fleet's voice coming from the doorframe- Come in. -Zack straightens himself out on the chair, but doesn't rise- How is the orchard coming along? Any more yield?

fleet summers Some. Those late plums you mentioned -- they're not sweet, but I can cook with them and dry them -- and almost a bushel of persimmons. -Fleet comes further into the room, coming over to the table to peer politely at the plan of the ranch- You're working on the traps and things? Fortifications? I found a bunch of root vegetables run wild, that's gonna be useful.

Zack Astor Good. -he makes a quick note, turning around to properly face Fleet- Yes. Weak spots, where to set traps. Root vegetables are good. Need any help digging them up?

fleet summers I think I'm okay to do that. It almost goes faster when it's just me. If somebody could help me with sorting and storing that would be good, though -- somebody else who's not needed for all the big guns stuff. -he puts his hands behind his back, locking one over the other wrist, a little awkward for some reason he can't quite tease out- We broke down the compost bins and got all the rats out. If we're looking for somewhere to bury anything valuable, that might be a good place. The compost is pretty gross and nobody would willingly go look under it.

Zack Astor Mh. Good. -he narrows his eyes slightly at Fleet, taking in the rigidness of his form. He turns back to his plan, making another mark on the map- That all, kid?

fleet summers I guess. If you're busy.

Zack Astor -he doesn't look up from his work- Close the door.

fleet summers -Fleet trots over and does that, going over in his head whether or not he should mention what he wants to ask- 

Zack Astor -he finally looks up again, putting his pen to the side and leaning back on the chair- What's going on?

fleet summers Nothing! -he hears himself and rolls his eyes, snarling up a corner of his lip and a tiny sneer- Sorry. Habit. I'm just ... this is new. I'm used to us being us in town, and even there, everything was really... -he shrugs at the repetition, a little irked at not coming up with a better word- ...new. But this is a whole different configuration, and you're -- you're in charge of this, Zack, you're in charge of our lives. That's a lot of responsibility. 

Zack Astor -his gaze is fixed on Fleet as he listens, unwavering. His fingers tap the edge of the desk- So, you're having doubts. You don't think I can handle that responsibility?

fleet summers What? No! It's not that at all, I think you can handle it better than anybody. I'm- -he presses his mouth to the side, looking at Zack with his eyes scrunched a bit- I want to be helpful. I want to be an asset to what you're doing here, your work, and I'm worried that I might end up being a detriment. A distraction. I don't want to be that. -Fleet gives a sharp exhalation- You know what, I'm probably embarrassing myself even thinking any of this.

Zack Astor -the weariness inside his gaze fades and seeps out of his muscles. He hadn't quite expected that, clearly. He let's out his own long breath, taking a few moments to respond- That's what you were worried about? That you're going to distract me from my work? Do you think I will act reckless because you're here? -he doesn't sound judging, though his tone is not readable-

fleet summers Stop thinking it's something bad. I'm not trying to find weak spots in you, Zack. I'm thinking about me. -Fleet scrubs his palms against his hips, antsy- I don't want it to get to a point where I'm an annoyance to you.

Zack Astor That wasn't what I was thinking. -there's something genuine leaking into his voice. His fingers tap against the desk, before he stops, pads of his thumb resting against the wood- I chose you to be here. When me and Ike talked about who should be here. I could've said I didn't want you here.

fleet summers -Fleet moves his hands behind him again, chewing this over- That's true. But you could've been having second thoughts about it. It's not that I expect... -he glances over at the bed, before catching himself and giving a tight smile, shaking his head once as he looks back at Zack, eyes clear and forthright- I didn't expect anything. But things could've changed.

Zack Astor -he takes note of Fleet's glance at the bed, his expression closing off for a moment; his own eyes flash to the bed, his jaw clenching.- So that's it, huh? -he turns back to Fleet, fixating him. It takes a few seconds before he forcibly relaxes his jaw muscles- I'm not having second thoughts. If I did, I would've sent you home.  -his fingers take up their rhythm again, and this time they don't stop as he speaks- I want you here.

fleet summers Okay. I probably shouldn't have brought it up. -Fleet's tight smile gets tighter, but wider, and he takes a step backwards towards the door, pointing at it over his shoulder- Leigh and me are heading out like you said, to check out that cache that the homesteaders here mentioned in their logbook, so. I'll see you when we get back, with a bunch more food, hopefully.

Zack Astor -he blinks, as if that wasn't what he expected. His fingers continue their tapping, faster, a quiet but steady beat filling the room, before it stops- Stay.

fleet summers -Fleet tips his head, considering, and lowers his hands to his sides, looking at Zack- All right. -he comes closer, towards Zack, then veers off towards the window, standing at it and looking down out at the ranch property- It's almost too bad we'll end up destroying this place. It's a good setup they had, whoever it was here before us.

Zack Astor -he takes a long breath as he watches Fleet, eyes fixed on his back, on that spot between his shoulderblades- Not like we could use it. Too far out. We're putting it to good use. -he presses the palm of his hand against his desk, finally standing up, moving towards Fleet but keeping some distance, staying near his desk- Unless you plan on starting a new life.

fleet summers Hmmm. I think about that sometimes. It's not realistic, of course, but tempting, isn't it? -Fleet spans his hand over the glass, moving his thumb to make an L to frame certain features on the landscape- The idea that you could have separate homes again and be with people out of a desire to be with people, not because it's the only way you'll survive.

Zack Astor Yeah. Wouldn't that be great. -his gaze fixed on Fleet's back side, Zack remains where he is- I'll move Viv out of my cabin.

fleet summers -Fleet goes still, then turns to look at Zack, his hand splayed on the windowpane, trying not to sound as breathless as he feels- Because of me?

Zack Astor -he takes a deep breath- Because of you.

fleet summers -Fleet turns back to the window, then reaches over to the pullstring and lowers the blinds before going over to Zack and slipping his arms around the other man, resting his head on Zack's collarbone wordlessly-

Zack Astor -he's equally quiet, reaching up to press the palm of his hand against Fleet's head, feeling the stubble prickle against his palm. His gaze flickers to the door, but he doesn't move-

fleet summers I can lock it if you want. Just in case.

Zack Astor No. -his gaze returns to Fleet and remains there. His thumb trails the line of softer hairs on the back of Fleet's neck- Stay like this.

fleet summers -he hums, locking his hands in the small of Zack's back- I wanted ... when I first got to Redwood and I met my family, I wanted to eventually - once I made him love me - I wanted to get Daddy to give me a middle name. Since he didn't choose my name, Mommy did. -Fleet bumps his nose against Zack's chest, mumbling into him, not his usual precise diction- Obviously that didn't happen.

Zack Astor Mh. -Zack doesn't stop his soft caresses, eyes fixed on the top of Fleet's head- That something you still want?

fleet summers Filipinos make everything more extra than it needs to be and that's one part of the culture that's pretty strong in me- -Fleet leans back enough to give Zack a droll look, shimmying his shoulders slightly- As I'm sure you've noticed. Technically they could've named me some combination of their names, so like ... Perlita and Cole? Colita, or Perco, or some insane thing like that. But I could take one surname from my mom as my middle name. Either Lopez or Liwayway. -he rests his head against Zack again, sounding a little hesitant and hopeful when he ventures- ...do you think one seems more like me? Thoughts?

Zack Astor -there is a slight twitch in his jaw muscles at the initial suggestions. He takes a moment to think, meeting Fleet's eyes at least until the other man droops his head again- Liwayway. -his hand slips down the back of Fleet's neck, coming to rest there, enveloping it- Fleet Liwayway Summers. That sounds like you. Not Fleet Colita Summers.

fleet summers -digs his fingertips into the muscle at the small of Zack's back, quietly thrilled- I like that one too. Do you have a middle name? You must, being from a venerable wealthy family and all. -after a moment he adds- My full first name is Fleetwood, you know. I don't think I ever actually mentioned that. 

Zack Astor Benjamin. Some grandfather or great grandfather's legacy. Zachary Benjamin Astor's a mouthful. -he huffs softly- You didn't. Fleetwood, huh? After Fleetwood Mac?

fleet summers Exactly after Fleetwood Mac! You've already caught on to how my family used to think. -Fleet laughs, just short of a giggle- I like the name Benjamin. The whole thing sounds very proper but I'll settle for calling you Zack Benji. -this time it is a giggle-

Zack Astor You mentioned your mom liked classic rock. -he grimaces slightly, though his gaze is soft when he hears Fleet giggle- Zack Benji, huh? So you're Fleet Liway? -his hand snakes down to Fleet's back and gently prods at the firm muscle there-

fleet summers Oh, no, no. It's the full Liwayway or nothing. Although to be fair ... I do give you plenty of leeway. -Fleet pushes against Zack, still giggling, then slides his hands up Zack's back as he tiptoes to kiss him, softly and joyfully-

Zack Astor Mh. You do. -he hesitates for just a second, the unlocked door prickling at the back of his neck, but then he leans in, pressing his hand against the small of Fleet's back to pull him in closer. When Zack pulls back from the kiss, he meets Fleet's gaze- You know I meant what I said before.

fleet summers About wanting me here? I know you mean it. And I don't mean to freak out. I understand, really- -Fleet nods over to the bed, then looks back up at Zack, holding gazes to keep things clear- About that, needing to keep things separate. It's all right. I think I'm a little jangled overall, with ... everything, so I wanted some extra reassurance.

Zack Astor Good. -Zack nods, not letting go of the other man or making any attempt to untangle himself just yet. The pad of his thumb strokes alongside Fleet's jawline- You're mine. Don't forget that. I'll remind you.

fleet summers Oh? I like the sound of that. -he smiles, but then draws his fingertips along the wrist of Zack's hand where it's brushing Fleet's jaw- Something happened to me once that was ... not as severe as being held by the Daybreakers, but it happened. And I got through it. I haven't thought about it in years but everything that happened with Daddy brought it up again so ... that's why I'm not as scared as I was before, because I know I'd make it. I won't be a liability. -Fleet's eyebrows draw together, slightly- I'm not grubbing for reassurance on that one, I'm letting you know. Because you're the leader of this.

Zack Astor -he nods, a quiet acknowledgement of Fleet's story. There is a tightening in his jaw, something flashing in his gaze. He cups Fleet's face with one hand- Alright. I know you won't. You know you won't. -his thumb trails over Fleet's cheekbone- You want to be here too.

fleet summers Honestly? I think this might be some kind of arc in my narrative that's a turning point for me. Coming to Redwood, Daddy getting bit, meeting you and getting to know you, now this? -Fleet nods, lifting his chin and squaring his shoulders- I do want to be here. I need to be here.

Zack Astor Good. -he pats Fleet's face with the palm of his hand- You're gonna be one hell of a weapon once we get out of this, kid.

fleet summers Mmm. Whenever you're ready to start that training, I am too. Sooner rather than later, I'd imagine.

Zack Astor Tomorrow. I'm gonna send Clint to dig up those root vegetables, so you don't have to worry about that.

fleet summers Okay. I have ... I've been using a crowbar, for a weapon. That crowbar. -he doesn't specify; Fleet had gone to Zack after that night when Cole had turned, and he'd had the gore-encrusted crowbar with him then-

Zack Astor I'm not just gonna teach you weapon fighting. Otherwise you won't know what to do if you loose it. -he remembers that crowbar well enough, and how tightly Fleet had held onto it- You wanna keep using it? The crowbar?

fleet summers I can keep hold of it. But you're right about being able to handle myself when I don't have it. -he snarls up the side of his face slightly- It's kind of sick that I wanna use it, isn't it. Or maybe it doesn't matter to anyone but me. Either way. I'll still keep hold of it.

Zack Astor I don't think it is. -he feels Fleet's muscles shift under the palm of his hand. He regards Fleet's slightly twisted face- I still have the arrow I used on my brother. If you wanna use the crowbar, use it. No shame in surviving.

fleet summers -he blinks, faintly shocked at that revelation- Oh. Oh, Zack. -that does make him feel better, though, so Fleet leans back and pats Zack's chest twice in quick succession- All right. I'm gonna let you get back to what you were doing, I have to go find Leigh and get going. -he presses a kiss to Zack's mouth, soft-lipped but much more certain than before- I love you. See you when I get back. 

Zack Astor Alright. -he returns the kiss, pressing his hand down against the small of Fleet's back, before finally letting go- Don't take too long. -he waits for a moment, before pressing one last kiss to his forehead- Be safe, kid.

fleet summers I will. -he's about to leave, but then Fleet pauses, and pops his fist lightly against Zack's collarbone- How does this sound -- before everyone turns in tonight, we can do a walk around the perimeter and you can talk out anything you want to? About the operations here, and I'll just be a sounding board. I'll be back in time for that.

Zack Astor -he hadn't quite expected that suggestion, and he takes a second to think it over- Alright. Sounds good, kid. -he claps the side of Fleet's neck, patting it, before letting good. His tone gains a slightly commanding tone- Be back on time.

fleet summers Yes, sir. -Fleet lifts his eyebrows a bit, then heads out-

[isaacapatow]

with @davxdalexander & @mayrarcjas  | the daybreakers : david talks about ermano, and ike and mayra close something and consider an opening

ike apatow We got word that Ares was injured. They're gonna be bringing him back to Redwood as soon as he's stable enough to travel. -they're ranging among the junk in the yard, finding salvage that can be repurposed to repair and fortify things in town- The radio system we set up isn't reliable but at least they got that much through. We should start training damn carrier pigeons, man.

David Alexander Ares? Shit. -it seemed just about everyone was getting hurt- How bad is he?

ike apatow They couldn't give too much detail but from what I gather he's down for the count and they're worried his wounds might fester if he stays. Makes sense. Everyone who's there is there to be a target, after all, but targets with a chance of getting out of it alive. -Ike scowls down at the ground for a moment after saying that, his forehead in a pained crease-

David Alexander Well, that's good they can bring him back. Hopefully it ain't anything too bad. -David knows that Ike has a special spot for all of his raiders and he notices the look in his face- Zack won't let anything happen to them. As much of a pain in the ass he is, he's not that kind of guy. But I'm sure you know that.

ike apatow Yeah, no -- it's not that. He's gonna do what he can. It's ... -Ike stops looking around entirely, looking at David instead- They could all be dead a month from now. Or worse, captured. You were a prisoner with the Daybreakers, I mean not for long but long enough to see what it was like.

David Alexander -David waits for Ike to give him his attention and let him spill rather than pry. He crosses his arms and sighs as he nods along- It wasn't long, but yeah. I was glad we were gone as quick as we were. I don't want to think about what would happen if the others are taken.

ike apatow But we have to. That's our job, to think about that.

David Alexander -David nodded- Yeah. I know. But we're not gonna let that happen to them. -it wasn't a question - it was a matter of fact-

ike apatow -Ike stares at him flatly for a moment, then turns back to searching- I don't know how you do it.

David Alexander -his brow raises slightly as he follows Ike- Do what?

ike apatow Never bother thinking anything deeper than what you've been told to think.

David Alexander -David breaths out amusement under his breath- It's not that. It's a success mentality. Used it on missions and it never failed.

ike apatow -Ike snorts, although his interest is piqued by this- Positive thinking, seriously? That's what Uncle Sam taught you when you were in his gang?

David Alexander No, Uncle Sam taught me patience with stupiditiy. Ermano taught me positive thinking.

ike apatow Now I know you're fuckin' with me. Ermano has positive thoughts about trousers that can be let out in the ass and that's about it.

David Alexander -David smirked and shrugged- Am I? Or maybe that's just how close 'Mano and I are.

ike apatow All right, well -- whatever. You and Ermano can have had all the positive thinking personal hand-holding retreats you want, it doesn't mean it's gonna help anything.

David Alexander Might not, but it doesn't hurt either.

ike apatow You sure you didn't learn this from Mayra? That sounds more likely.

David Alexander -David shook his head- No, I learned this from being a leader to a bunch of guys who were terrified about going into war zones.

ike apatow See now -- if you were my CO and I was shit terrified to go get potentially blowed up and you told me to just think nice thoughts and assume success, I'd gank you in the night and go AWOL. -Ike smirks, leaning back at the hips as he jabs a finger at David- And that's why I'm not suited for the military.

David Alexander You'd be surprised how many guys did that. -he laughed under his breath- Yeah, I could see that. Ain't nothing wrong with it.

ike apatow So. Speaking of Mayra, what's up with you and Mayra?

David Alexander Uhhhh. -he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly- I'm just helpin' her out. She asked for some self defense lessons and she came to check up on me with the whole 'Mano incident.

ike apatow Noooooooooo, tell the truth. She made you smile. -Ike jams his fingertips on either side of his mouth, giving a dimply twinkly exaggerated smile and twisting his fingers- I had to hear the girls squealing about it, so now I get to bother you about it.

David Alexander I do know how to smile, y'know. She ain't the only one. -he shakes his head but is amsued nonetheless- We shared a single kiss. Just one.

ike apatow What's stopping you from more?

David Alexander I want to talk with her about things. Gauge her comfort level and everything.

ike apatow Things? What things? Am I a thing? Tell me if I'm a thing because I'm pretty fuckin sure I'm a thing.

David Alexander I don't know if you're a thing. That is more a Mayra answer than me. You might want to talk to her.

ike apatow Don't tell me to talk to her, I've talked to her more than you have and that's a fuckin fact. -he boots over a piece of a wheel well, crouching down to look at it but still talking- She's in love with me. She claims she's in love with me. Did she mention that?

David Alexander -David crossed his arms and stared at him with a brow raised- Not really, no.

ike apatow -Ike hoots, breaking apart some gears from a shaft and inspecting them- Well, now you know. She was probably never even gonna tell you.

David Alexander -David shrugs- Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know. For all I know it was just a kiss and nothing more. Hence why I wanted to talk to her first.

ike apatow What's Ermano say about it?

David Alexander Being happy for me and go for it because we're all on borrowed time.

ike apatow Huh, interesting. He normally has a lot to say about Mayra being slutty, even though she's barely slept with anybody.

Mayra Rojas -she had left sol’s home, dropping off a few items when she had overheard her name being said, by an all too familiar voice. looking through the junkyard fence, mayra saw david and ike talking. crouching, she continued to listen to the conversation, unseen-

David Alexander Honestly, I think Ermano's near brush with death has changed his mind on a few things. I also know he's been trying to get me a girl since as long as I have known him.

ike apatow Even one he thinks is a stone whore?

David Alexander A stone whore? -he raises his brow questioningly- I'm not exactly the most virtuous guy either, y'know.

ike apatow Oh, yeah -- Ermano won't care how many places you dipped your wick, this is entirely one-way judgy traffic,

David Alexander Like I said - Ermano said he was happy for me, even if there's nothing there. And he told me to go for it, but I don't know if there even is anything there.

ike apatow -standing back up, Ike looks at David for a while, then walks ahead a bit- All right. Well, I can handle the rest myself, if you want.

David Alexander -David shook his head as he follows along- Appreciate it but idle hands and all that. Besides, -he reaches down and picks up something Ike walked past- You missed some.

ike apatow Sure. Knock yourself out.

Mayra Rojas -mayra finally stepped out into view, looking over to the men- What’s the matter, Ike? Annoyed David didn’t give in to your instigation? Let me guess, you were the one who brought me up? Real nice. -she crossed her arms, sending a glare toward ike-

ike apatow What instigation? If he knew what one was, that would've been called a conversation.

David Alexander -David looked up as Mayra approached and he felt like he was missing something here- Were you eavesdropping?

Mayra Rojas I was leaving Sol’s and heard my name. A little hard not to when that happens. -her attention was only on david- Don’t listen to him when it has anything to do with me. It’s all false. Well, one thing is right. -she looks to ike with a pointed stare- I don’t love him.

ike apatow -cups his hand to his ear- Say that again? I wanna hear it in front of a witness.

Mayra Rojas Bite me. -she rolls her eyes-

ike apatow -he drops his hand, giving her a dark, serious stare- No. Say it again. I think I deserve that much and David does too.

Mayra Rojas You’re such an insufferable cockroach. -her arms fell to her side- You were right, I don’t love you. -there was so much more she wanted to say, but mayra chose to put a cork in it to not confuse david more than he already looked-

ike apatow Great. Now I'm gonna continue on, and you two can do whatever. -he starts to head off to the other side of the junkyard-

Mayra Rojas -she watches ike as he moves to the over side of the junkyard, frustration growing- Give me a sec and then I’ll answer any questions you might have -she says to david before following ike- Hey, what the hell was that? Why bother bringing me up to someone else when we haven’t even seen each other since before snow fall?

ike apatow -keeps walking, not turning around- That's what us lying cockroaches do.

Mayra Rojas Bullshit. -she catches up to him, and rounds to stop in front of him- Stop! That’s not fair. I’m moving on and trying to find what I need with someone else and this is what you do? I didn’t run to Jemma when I found out about you two. Why try to hinder my happiness?

ike apatow What would you even run to Jemma for?

Mayra Rojas My point.

ike apatow That isn't a point.

Mayra Rojas Yes, it is. You just refuse to see it. Hell, anything I say you refuse to even acknowledge it.

ike apatow That's rich coming from the girl who's refused to listen to a single thing I've said, even if it's about me.

Mayra Rojas -she lets out a sigh, but stays firm- You’re right. I didn’t want to hear you, and I’ll own up to that.

ike apatow -he looks at her directly instead of around at other things, mouth twisted to the side- All I said to him is that Ermano thinks you're a slut, and that you think you're in love with me. The first one's true, that's what Ermano thinks, and the second one has apparently changed, so... -Ike shrugs- So that's that. I'm not a fucking liar and I never have been, but thanks for assuming I would. 

Mayra Rojas -mayra rolled her eyes, two fingers reaching her temples to give them a few rolls- Jesus fucking Crickets, we’re never going to be able to have a decent conversation again, are we? Fuck, I didn’t know you moved to Gin’s place ‘til Lucien told me. Once upon a time, that’s something we would’ve talked about before it happened, and now? I feel like I’m looking at the shell of someone I used to know and I don’t like it.

ike apatow -he shrugs, shoulders slumping a little- I don't like it either. But I don't think there's any way back for us. You can't even talk to me without rolling your eyes and calling me names.

Mayra Rojas Maybe say something not ‘roll my eyes worthy’ -her words were a joke but she could see how they could’ve been taken serious- That was a joke, by the way. -moving a piece of hair behind her ear, mayra looked up at ike- I’m sorry. I’ll try to stifle my defense mechanism around you.

ike apatow -he can't help sounding a little mournful, looking down at her- I don't know why you even feel like you have to be defensive around me. I'm not trying to attack you, Mayra.

Mayra Rojas -she shrugs- Sometimes it feels like it.

ike apatow You know if I ask you to give me examples you wouldn't be able to come up with any. You know that, right.

Mayra Rojas Don't you think I already know it's all in my head?

ike apatow Uh, not really, since you act on it as if it's fact.

Mayra Rojas That's what mental illness is, Ike. I'm sure you can understand that better than most. -she wasn't insinuating ike had one, but to work with addicts ... to be an addict was classified as a mental illness in the old world- I've been seeing Theo. And while he's not a psychiatrist, he certainly presents some affirming information on personality disorders. The highs ... the lows ....

ike apatow Okay, okay. I don't require you to tell me what your diagnosis is, that's your business -- all I want is for you to stop treating me like a cartoon villain out to get you. I do know what mental illness is like, yeah, and rule one is that it's not an excuse for treating other people like shit.

Mayra Rojas I'm not making an excuse.

ike apatow Oh-kay. Congratulations on seeking help, then.

Mayra Rojas -mayra lets out a slow breath, her eyes slightly narrowing at him- How about this? And it might sound corny, but, whenever you're free, stop by for tea and we'll catch up. Maybe do just ten minutes and see how it goes for another tea date, as friends. Just a suggestion, think it over. -she puts a gentle hand on his arm- I do miss you, by the way. You were like one of my best friends ... that I fucked. -she snorts-

ike apatow How about you invite me for tea. I think that would work better than me calling the shots on anything between us. -he raises his eyebrows hopefully, resting his hand over hers on his arm-

Mayra Rojas -a small smile forms- Ike, will you please meet me for tea at my place, tonight? As long as you're not too busy.

ike apatow Yes I will. -he answers without hesitation, then sighs, cupping his other hand to the back of her head and pressing a short kiss to her hair before letting go- I'll see you later, kid. Now go tend to that basset hound of yours.

Mayra Rojas -she briefly folds into him and smiles at his comment. with a shake from her head, mayra walks back toward david, her hands shoved deep in her coat pockets- Hey, sorry about that. You need help?

David Alexander -when Mayra had ran off to do whatever it was with Ike, David had busied himself to avoid watching or listening. It was obviously a private conversation and one he felt like he didn't need to get into the middle of. He only looked up from the broken clock that he was taking apart when he heard Mayra- Just grabbing a couple more parts to pass on for projects. Everything good between you two?

Mayra Rojas -she gave a single-sided shrug- Time will tell, honestly. But - um. I want you to know that there's nothing romantic going on there. In case you were wondering.

David Alexander -David looked over to where Ike had disappeared before back at Mayra- I wasn't, but that's good to know. -he offers her a gentle smile as he finally pulls apart the clock and pulls out the gears- So....just how long were you spying on us?

Mayra Rojas Not long, truthfully. Probably the last minute or so before I stepped out. -she playfully narrowed her eyes at him- Why? Did you finally confess your undying love for Ermano?

David Alexander -David chuckles and shakes his head - Oh, no. Nothing that dramatic. But I did tell him that 'Mano has a crush on him.

Mayra Rojas I knew it -mayra playfully put a finger in the air- That's why he acts like he has a stick up his ass whenever Ike is around, huh?

David Alexander Oh yeah. He just doesn't want Ike to know it. He likes to play hard to get.

Mayra Rojas -she snorted at his joke- Figures.

[fleetsummers]

with @lxighmadxson   | the daybreakers : they find a supply bunker left by the ranch residents and it's a jackpot

fleet summers -he's riding on the horse perched behind Leigh, holding on to her tight but also looking around as they ride, on the verge of being hypervigilant- Are you used to this? I'm not used to this, being outside on my own. Well, with you, but you know what I mean -- I always had somebody to protect me. My army cousin Oneal before he brought me to Redwood, and then Zack after. 

Leigh Madison -Leigh is keeping the horse's pace light and slow as they casually make their way to the cache. She can tell Fleet is uncomfortable behind her- Kind of, not really. I typically don't go out. The only time was with Ike and it wasn't too bad. But I got to Redwood by myself so yeah, I'm kind of used to it.

fleet summers You were able to protect yourself to get to Redwood from, where ... Texas? Is it Texas I hear in your voice? -he leans to one side a bit to look at Leigh before re-settling- I guess you're a genuine cowgirl. Carrying a rifle or a lasso or something. I'm just an actor-slash-store owner.

Leigh Madison Yep, Texas. Right smack dab in the heart of her too. But yeah, I carried it all. But I had to leave the shotgun behind. Too loud. -She glances back at him- Actor, huh? Have I seen ya in anything?

fleet summers If you have to ask, then you probably didn't. -he laughs lightly- That might have upset me before. But now it doesn't even feel like anything, isn't that weird? My whole life's work, the thing that was most important to me, and it just doesn't matter anymore.

Leigh Madison Well, to be fair, if the movie or show didn't have anything to do with ranches or cowboys, I probably didn't see it. Jake is a huge star and I didn't know that until I watched one of his movies with Allison. -she looks over her shoulder at him with a smirk- You know you can loosen up your grip. You ain't gonna fall, sugar.

fleet summers Jake is a huge star, yes. -Fleet gives a twisty little smile to himself, looking up when Leigh looks over her shoulder and teases him- Maybe I'm just trying to get fresh with you. -but he obediently loosens up, sitting back and consciously making an effort to loosen up, let his hips rock with the movement of the horse- Do you know anybody in Redwood, Leigh? That seems to be common for so many people.

Leigh Madison If you are, you might want to move your hand lower. -she laughs as he loosens his grip on her- I knew Alex. He and I worked together. And then I met Vivienne before everything. But that's about it. What about you?

fleet summers Are you close with them, though? Alex is gone, but Vivienne's still in town. Does that mean anything to you? -Fleet makes a conciliatory sound in his throat, expanding:- Not in a judgemental way, I just mean are you close? Would she be worried for you being here? -they're coming up on the coordinates, and Fleet sits up higher, frowning slightly as he thinks he spots some movement- I had my dad and now I have my uncle. Not that I knew them before Redwood.

Leigh Madison -Leigh shrugged as a reply- I doubt she would. I just helped her with a horse. But I think Alex would be. He's Allison's dad. -she keeps her gaze forward and notices some bushes shake- Your dad....he was Cole, right?

fleet summers Did you know him? Seems like most of the attractive women in town knew him.

Leigh Madison Not really, but I heard what happened to him. I'm sorry.

fleet summers Thank you. -Fleet pats one hand against Leigh's side- Stop here. I think we should -- I'm gonna get down and get a little closer. Would the horse run away if you come with me?

Leigh Madison -Leigh brought the horse to a stop- Not if I tether her up. There's a patch of grass she can munch on while I come with you.

fleet summers -Fleet gives another pat of agreement to the plan, swinging himself down off the saddle and unstrapping the crowbar that's become his weapon of choice from his back- Sorry. I don't really wanna go by myself.

Leigh Madison -Leigh keeps the horse steady so Fleet can jump off before sliding out of the saddle and tethering her up. She grabs her hatchet and her knife and straps them to her belt before nodding at him- You don't gotta apologize. I understand. What did ya see?

fleet summers Well, the coordinates say that there should just be a foot-high clearance structure with steps down to a storage cellar. I don't know what would be moving around it but it's best we take a look. -he gives her a sidelong look as they're carefully approaching, an uneven circle of bushes that are concealing most of the cellar structure- It's best we take a look, I think?

Leigh Madison -Leigh nodded- Right behind you. -she followed him, keeping an eye and an ear out for anything. She was pretty sure if something was moving around it was probably something small, but better safe than sorry- Why don't you hang back and I'll look to see if it's clear?

fleet summers -he considers for a moment, then takes a bolstering breath- No. No, we should do it together. I'm scared but I'm not a coward. -they creep closer and soon it becomes clear: there's four walkers with rope harnesses around their chests, tethered to the ground to guard the entrance to the cellar, a set of stairs going steeply downward-

Leigh Madison Alright, together. -She gave him a nod as she approaches with him. She's ready for anything - well, most anything. But when the walkers appear she lowers her hatchet- Jesus.... That's fucked up.

fleet summers Is this the kind of thing people do? With walkers? Ugh. -Fleet shakes himself out, grimacing- So grotesque. I guess we have to ... dispatch them, though. -Fleet hefts his crowbar, pressing his lips together as he considers- I'll take the ones on our left. -he doesn't dawdle, not wanting to lose his nerve, and leaves the bushes at a trot, baring his teeth, and swings his crowbar at the head of the nearest zombie-

Leigh Madison I guess....fucked up people. -She raises her hatchet and strikes the head of one of the zombies on the right- We might want to hurry up once we take care of them. Whoever set this up will know something is wrong when they find their protection detail proper dead.

fleet summers I think we're- -Fleet backpedals when the second walker lunges, getting it in the shoulder and having to wrench his crowbar free to hit it properly in the face- I think we're okay. I think these were put here by the homesteaders from the ranch, since it's their cache. -he watches the two he's felled, suspicious that he might not have got them properly and they'll lurch back to life, but they seem fully dead, and Leigh doesn't look like she needs help- I mean yeah, I do think we should move fast, though. I don't wanna stay out here that long.

Leigh Madison -Leigh notices his struggle and is about to offer help when the one next to the one she killed starts to grab her sleeve. She pries her hand away and swings, killing it in one swing- True....I don't know, maybe I'm just worried someone else found this before we did.

fleet summers We'll know for sure when we take a look at the door. The logbook had a four-digit code in it so I'm guessing we'll find an automated lock. -he huffs to bolster himself, then gives Leigh a little breathless smile before heading down the steep, short stairway to the below-ground doorway of the cellar bunker, trying the code- Bingo! Leigh! We got the right place!

Leigh Madison -Leigh keeps behind Fleet as he leads the way down the stairs to the door. His excitement reassures her and she holsters her hatchet on her hip- Well, let's see what we got!

fleet summers -sensor lights flicker on once they step into the cellar; Fleet can't help but make a small sound of disappointment when he sees that there's some big closed bins towards the back of the room, and the rest of it is a few shelves with dehydrated or dried items- Well. It's better than nothing, I suppose. Is that flour? I could use flour. Oh, and oil, that's good. Pickled eggs, hmm....

Leigh Madison -Leigh followed Fleet in and let him stew by the front as she checked the boxes in the back. They were probably nothing but maybe there was something, or at least something nearby- Well, let's take a look. -she pulled one of the bins down, groaning under the weight as she drops it and opens the lid. Her face turns quickly into a smile as she holds up the bags of MREs- Jackpot.

fleet summers Oh. Ohhhhh no way! -Fleet abandons the things he's been frowning over and mentally slotting into meal plans, coming over and throwing open another of the big bins- They're full of those! And not even just American ones. -he tugs out one with a maple leaf on it, one that's got Chinese characters printed on the outer bag- This is amazing! Leigh!! -still holding his two MREs, Fleet flings his arms around her in a hug, dancing while he's holding on to her-

Leigh Madison -Leigh lets puts her bag back in the bin and gets ready to close it when Fleet is grabbing her and hugging her. She laughs and hugs him back while moving with him as he does his little victory dance- Whoever had this ranch was quite the prepper. Now we just gotta figure out how to get these all back to the ranch.

fleet summers -Fleet jumps up and down a little to expend the last of his overjoyed energy, and then steps back so they can start planning- We have that collapsible sledge we brought but I wasn't counting on this much stuff. Maybe there's something here we can use? There's no vehicles at the Ranch so I don't think they were motorized when they came out here to fetch supplies....

Leigh Madison -Leigh was starting to look around when she found some old duffel bags- I think we found what they were using to cart off stuff. We can fill these and load up Stella, but we'll have to walk back. Shouldn't be too bad, though.

fleet summers Okay. I promised we'd be back not too long after dark, so we'd better start loading up. -he starts packing one of the bags, after a moment of deciding on the most efficient configuration- You're a rancher, right? So all of this is somewhere in your wheelhouse. Packing and hauling and horses and trips.

Leigh Madison That I was. Stella can carry probably about 100 kilos. We'll just have to strap the bags down securely so they don't shift and keep the weight evenly distributed. And try to keep the bag as flat as possible to make it easily stacked.

fleet summers -he finishes packing one bag, standing up over it and looking down at the result- I think we might actually have more food than we strictly need, considering the entire point of us being at the Ranch is as a lure. Maybe some of us won't be going home again.

Leigh Madison -the way he explains it leaves a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that when she had been approached about it she was hesitant but agreed to go along since she could ride back to Redwood faster than anyone else that was going for reinfocements. Still, it reminded her of the last hug she had given Allison and she hoped that she had a chance to do that again- Or we have enough to bring back to Redwood after all of this blows over?

fleet summers -Fleet looks up at her, and it takes half a minute but then he smiles, abruptly, his chin moving forward slightly- Of course! Of course, yes, that's what it'll be. Extra supplies for Redwood once this is all over, you're right, Leigh. -he gets started on packing another bag- They wouldn't have chosen a person with a young child if they didn't expect this plan to work, after all.

Leigh Madison -Leigh offers him a gentle smile, but the worry was still there as she packs a bag- Yeah, course not. They know what they're doing.

fleet summers Of course they do. Just because some of it seems insanely dangerous doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing. -Fleet zips up his next bag, then hefts the two that are filled- I'll start carrying these out to Stella.

Leigh Madison -Leigh laughs a breath as she keeps packing a bag- I'll be right behind you to secure them. How many more bags should we pack?

fleet summers -he pauses on the way out, considering- As many as Stella can carry? And then a couple more, I'll carry those myself. She still has to pull the sledge, too, so I don't wanna overburden her.

Leigh Madison So maybe a few more bags. I'll start packing. -she was feeling a bit ancy the longer they were out here but no one had seen them come here. She was probably worried for nothing-

fleet summers -they work in silence for a while, intent on getting Stella loaded up and starting off home to leave themselves enough time to beat sundown; Fleet shoulders his two bags as they walk- I need to be distracted or I'll get paranoid. Do you like talking about boys? I do. And we have cute ones at the Ranch.

Leigh Madison -Leigh focused on getting her bags set for Stella before throwing one over her shoulders while the other two were picked up by Fleet- Talking about boys? Who doesn't like talking about boys? That's a favorite past time of mine, although normally I have beer in my hand when I do that.

fleet summers We can pretend about the beer. What do you think of ... Ares?

Leigh Madison  Ares? He's cute. Like a little puppy. But I bet he's amazing in the sack. You and him are close, right?

fleet summers We are. I mean, we're getting closer here -- we knew each other a little in town but being in a life-or-death situation, there's nothing like it to bring out the life stories, y'know? -Fleet gives a fond giggle, affirming- He's very much like a puppy. I haven't slept with him, though. I've only slept with one guy here.

Leigh Madison -Leigh breathed a laugh and nodded- Yeah, I guess you're right. -she perks up a bit at his confession- Oh? Which one?

fleet summers Well, don't tell anybody. -Fleet isn't entirely sure who's already figured out he and Zack are sleeping together, but it's best to not be too open about it- It's Zack. We hooked up a few times.

Leigh Madison Wait, really? -the surprise is clearly evident on her face- Zack?! I mean, I won't tell anyone, but seriously? I did not see that coming. What's he like?

fleet summers Oh, you know, -Fleet affects an airy, unconcerned tone, shrugging- He's incredibly gorgeous so that helps, and he knows what he wants so that helps too, I like a take-charge kind of guy. Doesn't say much. It's very much about filling our needs.

Leigh Madison Honestly, none of that is surprising. He seems like the quiet, no pillow-talk kind of guy.

fleet summers -he nods, pleased that he's conveyed what he wanted to and no more- It's good for us both. Sometimes you gotta release the physical tension. You been with anybody in town?

Leigh Madison Me? Oh, no. Not anyone here. Kind of hard to scratch an itch when the threat of death is around the corner.

fleet summers I mean, not the Ranch specifically, in Redwood too. Lots of people with unfulfilled nervous energy to get out.

Leigh Madison Well....Ike and I had a little moment, but honestly it's been dry ever since.

fleet summers -he makes a sympathetic noise in order to be polite about the Isaac situation- Nicki and Ares are open, if you like girls. I can't say I know Colin at all.

Leigh Madison Are you trying to get me laid, Fleet? -she laughs as she adjusts the bags on Stella-

fleet summers It's something to talk about. Plus! -he holds up a finger, then readjusts his bags- It fosters camaraderie among us as a group! Strengthens our bonds! Maybe Hazel or Val if you do like girls? Or Clint? He's lovely.

Leigh Madison -Leigh laughs as she stands back to give Fleet the space to adjust. There was a small bit of color in her cheeks as he mentions Clint- Something tells me Bayou isn't the casual sex kinda guy.

fleet summers Oh, he's not. But for the companionship. He's insanely good at making you feel noticed, and admired.

Leigh Madison And it helps that he's insanely delicious to look at.

fleet summers -murmuring with a little smile- That, too. Those cornflower blue eyes and the way they look at you like you're morning sunrise. The way his hair falls in those soft haystacks.

Leigh Madison Or those little dimples he gets when he's laughing....and don't get me started on that bayou accent he's got.

fleet summers No, get started on it! -Fleet laughs, with even more relief now that the Ranch is within their sights- Sometimes it takes a little close listening to grasp everything he's saying but hey, that's more time looking at that face of his, isn't it?

Leigh Madison Oh, bless your heart. -her Texan accent really came out as she shared the sentiment- He's not even the worst Cajun I've heard. Once you hear enough of it, you really start getting an ear for it. It's a Southern thang.

fleet summers Ah don't do so bad a one my own self, but I'm told it's more Charleston. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, white suits in the height of summertime, mint julep sort of affair. -he drops the affected accent with a laugh- Zack's Texan. Do you find your accents come out more when you talk together?

Leigh Madison -Leigh laughed as she heard his accent start to come out- You should talk like that more. It suits ya. Honestly, my Texan comes out more with certain words and phrases. Or when I'm super tired. I haven't spoken to Zack much but I imagine it might if we really get to talking.

fleet summers We should consider having some group meals. I think that would be nice. Efficient and useful, too. -once they hit the perimeter fence of the Ranch, they let themselves in and start steering Stella towards a storage shed- I know this place isn't meant to be a home but we're sort of personifications of home, right?

Leigh Madison Y'know, I think you're right. That would be really nice. We can talk and laugh and enjoy delicious MREs and pretend that things are somewhat normal. -she guides Stella to the storage before bringing her to a stop and starting to unload the bags- We used to do similar stuff at the ranch I used to work at. All the farm hands would get together and have dinner, drinks and poker. Of course, it wouldn't be a rootin' good time until someone got into a fight.

fleet summers The only people here I can imagine getting into a fight is Zack and Clint, and that would be best avoided. But the rest of it sounds doable. -they work pretty efficiently, Fleet retaining his two extra duffels to take those MREs into the farmhouse- We did really well, Leigh. Better than I hoped for, even.

Leigh Madison Yeah, fair enough. -she helps him unload before starting to loosen the straps on Stella to make it easier to unsaddle her when she got her back to the stables- Yeah we did. We make a pretty good team.

fleet summers -he slips back into the accent, plummily saying- I do declare that's God's own truth. -Fleet leaves her to get Stella squared away, hefting his bags- I'll see you for supper, Leigh.