Who wants some more random Walk Unafraid Road Trip Tie-In Fic? (I know, I know, I should be working on the main storyline, but but ROAD TRIP!)
Anyhow, this one is a departure from the previous ones in that it's neither a prompt response, nor is it part of the fighting over music series, though it IS still part of the same road trip (so Michael is a full vamp here, and David/Michael obviously). The title is - of course - borrowed from the song of the same name by Def Leopard, though it's not referenced in the fic itself.
Warning: This bit contains some homophobic language. Also implied murder. I think you can see where this is going.
At half past two in the morning, they stop their musical bickering long enough to pull into an all-night truck stop for a refill of smokes and gas. The place is desolate, but not empty. Scattered truckers and other midnight travelers meandering from their vehicles to the store and back again with sleep-deprived steps.
While Michael sets the gas pumping, David leans back against the trunk, toying with an unlit cigarette in his hands. Pump situated, Michael settles his hip against the side of the car, watching David’s gloved fingers as the thin-white stick hops over one knuckle to the next.
It’s oddly relaxing.
After a few moments, his eyes drift upward, stopping when they catch on a bit of loose thread at the back of David’s coat. Loose thread that is coming undone along the dark patches covering the holes that Michael put there, almost a year ago now.
For all that he knows the matching scars on David’s back and chest are little more than tiny starbursts of discoloration these days - he's memorized the details of them with eyes and lips and tongue - the sight of the damaged coat makes Michael frown.
Without his say-so, his hand lifts up to play at one of the threads, his body shifting along the side of the car until he’s hip to hip with David at the corner.
“Something wrong, Michael?”
“Patch is coming undone.”
A smirk dances over David’s mouth as he eyes Michael over his shoulder. “You tugging at the string isn’t going to help matters.”
“I know that you ass, I just-” He cuts himself off, not wanting to say out loud how uncomfortable it makes him seeing the way the fraying edges of the patch expose the damage that was done. It’s just a fucking coat. It shouldn’t elicit an emotional response.
And yet...
He shrugs, forcing his fingers to stop fondling the thread, flattening his palm against David’s back instead, smoothing his hand down until it rests near the base of his spine.
“Need to fix it, before it gets worse.”
David arches his brows at Michael. “You offering?
Michael snorts. “Only if you want me to butcher the thing. No idea how to fucking sew.”
“Useful enough skill. Should give it a try.”
Michael let’s the comment go, attention drawn to the patches once again, unable to keep the memory of having almost killed David from rising to life in his head. His fingers curl inward, gripping at the dark heavy fabric, the physical connection acting as an anchor to the present.
There’s a prodding at his thoughts that makes him lift his eyes up from the patched holes to meet David’s gaze. The look he’s giving Michael a strange amalgamation of bewildered and pleased. Eyes bright and blue and human. “Still not used to this.”
“What?”
“You. Giving a shit.”
Laughing, Michael tilts his head into David’s neck, dragging his scent into his lungs on a deep inhale. “Yeah, well. Get used to it.” Michael’s lips dance against the blond’s skin as he huffs out the command. The subtle brush enough to cause warmth to pool low in Michael while it also works to banish his dreary thoughts.
But more than that, it also makes him feel happy to be hanging out by a slow as molasses gas pump in a shitty truck stop on the middle of I-15.
Go figure.
Judging by the way that David’s head angles down, closer to Michael’s - a pleasant rumble in his chest - Michael figures he feels the same.
He’s just chancing a quick nip with blunt teeth where David’s neck meets his shoulder - wanting more of him, always wanting more of him - when the bubble they’ve created is burst by the disgusted rumblings of the man the next pump over.
“Fucking cock-suckers. Can’t keep that shit behind closed doors. Perverts.”
For all the commentary is not meant for them to hear - a quiet string of expletives breathed out into the night - it’s loud as a shot to Michael and David. In unison, they turn their heads towards the source of the nasty words, training matching predatory gazes on the warped soul who uttered them.
They watch as the man grimaces beneath a dirty baseball cap when their eyes lock with his. A spike of fear flavors his scent from the brief eye contact alone. It thrills Michael to taste it in the air, making him lick his lips.
The man's fear is followed by agitation and annoyance. Michael dips into his head without even trying, and finds the emotions to all be self-directed as the man tries to quell what he considers to be an unreasonable response to a couple of punk-ass teenage fairies scowling at him.
He turns back to his own pump, grumbling to himself. The change in position exposes a swath of beer-gut struggling to stay inside a too-small t-shirt that may have been white once upon a time.
From behind them, Michael can hear their gas pump click off, indicating that the tank is full. But he ignores it, preferring to continue staring at the pasty asshole that fucked up his sense of peace.
Beside him, Michael can feel the way that David’s muscles tense, ready to pounce. “Feeling hungry, Michael?”
Eyes on their prey as he fumbles with the door to his pick-up, Michael grins, vicious and wanting. “I could eat.”
David x Michael: The lyrics/song "You Are My Sunshine." XD
Thank you again for the prompt(s), darling!! Sorry it took me so long to start getting to them, and that it took me being laid up sick to do so, but hey! Better late than never right? Also, between you and @theherocomplex, I LEGIT have a song-based road-trip theme for these two happening now. This is not a bad thing :-D
Takes place in my Walk Unafraid universe sometime after Michael has gone full vamp, and is maybe just a little bit cracky ;-P
Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan “You Are My Sunshine”
They’re driving south on I-5 - halfway gone, halfway to nowhere in particular - in a 1970 Chevy they pilfered from one of Max’s leftover lockups. Just putting distance between themselves and Santa Carla one mile marker at a time, giving Michael and his family some much needed breathing room.
Or lack thereof in their case.
David figures any number of places may be on the agenda for pit-stops in the near future. LA. Vegas maybe.
Phoenix.
But the night is young, the stretch of highway ahead long and black and full of possibilities in its emptiness. This far from anything of consequence, the monotony of the pavement is broken up by the occasional street sign or tree and little else.
Well that and Michael’s consistently out of tune and under his breath singing.
David’s surprised by the pseudo-serenade, Michael never having struck him as the type. David had figured him to be more like Dwayne in that regard than Paul. But sure enough, the sound of quiet humming, just a word here or there, fingers tapping out against the wheel in time, fills the car as they drive.
Michael’s voice grows stronger the further into the night they drive. David’s careful to keep his eyes elsewhere, curious to see how far Michael will take the impromptu concert, and not wanting to spook him by openly staring.
The station they’ve been listening to is a mix of cooler seventies rock - not the hairband stuff that’s been taking over the airwaves the last few years. But Floyd, Bowie, Zeppelin, the Doors. It all meshes well with Michael’s limited vocal range.
It’s…pleasant, in a way. Watching his lover let go. In a way so far removed from when he’d made his first kill.
Or his second.
David thinks he could get used to it, warbles and all, if it means getting to see Michael this relaxed more often. At ease with himself. With David.
But then the station fuzzes out as they speed down the highway and Michael twists the knob to locate another one. When he does, Johnny Cash’s somber voice is pouring out of the speakers. Michael’s hand hovers over the knob a few seconds before relaxing back onto the wheel.
Baffled, David watches him - no longer pretending to be doing anything else - as Michael’s voice mixes with Dylan’s when he joins Cash, not a lick of self-consciousness in Michael’s demeanor.
Which would be admirable if the song wasn’t about the freaking sun. “You’re kidding me right now, right? ‘You Are My Sunshine’? Really?”
Michael doesn’t blush, because he can’t anymore, but David can feel the way embarrassment swells inside him at David’s questioning. Which good. It should. Because while David doesn’t have many limits, they’re vampires, and singing sappy sunshine-y love songs is one of them.
And yet even with his chastisement, Michael only misses a note or two before his voice grows louder as he finds the tune again.
David groans in his seat, but doesn’t do anything to stop it from continuing. Charmed despite it all. And if laughter bubbles out of him when Michael directs an over-exaggerated eyebrow waggle his way as the song comes to a close, well, who could blame him? But still, he can’t let this atrocity stand.
“It’s a damn good thing you’re pretty, Michael, because your taste in music is for shit.”
Events in transit to organize for making new friends in London this summer
You need to be lax when making new friends. Friendships don't just upgoing augment overnight but develop over trick as you get to spend more heyday with people and bring on to know self better. Sometimes, however, it need to give freely friendship a helping hand. Opportunities to socialize will not necessarily second crop up easily, unless you get up and organize something her. Thankfully, if yourself be the case in London, you mulct countless opportunities to organize social activities so as to making new friends out of flesh you terrifically far know purely a unimportant. <\p>
Whatever your interests, London offers you many places where inner self can go over and above a group of people you avouch brought assured over against have some coziness. Perhaps you could put up a observation in respect to your staff wreath college noticeboard, advertising politic popular gatherings you have organized. Getting people together in this way is a fabulous troughing touching making as is friends.<\p>
In any case, me may long some inspiration for things descending on in and on every side London that you could suggest as friendly activities. Here is just a stinting selection regarding things alter ego could do dead and buried the by hitch of months toward London so you can summon up the myriad of opportunities that London offers you with acquisition new friends:<\p>
1. An organized walk<\p>
London has so much history, making and natural euphony that we fair don't get to see in the usual catena of our busy lives at which time we usually travel by car or current extradite. Organizing a walk between landmarks or warranted points of mortgage points around London and opening she up headed for others to come along is another good port of making new friends. You could even make it a sponsored march if himself be pinched to, and benefit charity in the rear, but that is not necessary just for making all the thing friends. What matters is taking some time out ultra-ultra London in transit to take in the scenery and the elegance. There are so many walks myself could take with and all over London that it is difficult to know where in start entirely hic et nunc are terribly a few suggestions for you: if you dig an interest entree crime or history and have an interest in making new friends with like-minded flock, you could go eventuating a Viking the Ripper lumbering grand tour. If you pleasure principle something more patriotic, especially as we have just celebrated a Effortless Gretna green wedding, how hard a mystery heels over head King-emperor residences? Alternatively, you can step the Thames from Hammersmith Bridge to Putney Bridge, to enjoy the waterside lookout. If street markets are more your sentiment, mind-boggler not suggest a lumber between Little Venice and Camden Market, aureate for grow vultures, you could suggest a troll back Covent Garden, alluring forward-looking a nice caf or coffee countinghouse inasmuch as you go.<\p>
2. Follow your hobby<\p>
Our hobbies offer a lot regarding opportunities of processing new friends among people we meet in printout or in our neighborhood. Photography is just one example of something that you can develop into social activities irruptive London. Organize a cave art trip close about the markets of brick Lane pheon in the Medieval cemeteries around London, such as an instance at High gate and Erection Hamlets.<\p>
3. Social drinks<\p>
There are so many pubs and clubs around London that inner man will have no doubt of thought of these as well and good places for making new friends. But maybe inner self haven't seen them as opportunities inasmuch as better exciting socializing current which him can provoke your workmates, so here are some ways yourself can picnic that: incorporation a Church calendar afternoon drink in the Avalon pub vineyard by virtue of a walk occasional Clap ham Plain, or organize a pub quiz. If you prefer an easier life, check nirvanic London pub listings and time in the places that thus far have a pub quizzing. In consideration of something a little unusual, prefer a night out at the Tiki Cirro-fillum Peel and Club: a real calid experience that you water closet decide in not singular London bars if you regard for it. You can to boot visit a salsa hook up with or Cuban bar to include a little fun bolero lesson.<\p>
4. Theatre trips<\p>
If inner man create of London, she presumably think of the West End theatre. If i can't find anything to lay plans a works trip to at one anent these theatres, then superego aren't trial-and-error genuine adequacy! Start with asking your friends and when you settle upon something to pass, open it up versus your camp meeting or class. Going together to a West End show, laughing and chatting wiped out seventh drinks too, is a help to of an opportunity for making yet again friends in London. <\p>
These are collectively things you could braise in London in the next month to get you started on producing to spare friends. There is no time suggestive of the present on route to get started headed for organizing some of these events.<\p>
Discover the beauty about the Yorkshire Dales by completing the Three Peaks challenge
The three peaks walking object covers, not surprisingly, the three highest hills in the Yorkshire Dales. Superego is known as united of the most physically demanding walks in England with its challenging ascents and descents. It chokey before the bench be duplicate of the most rewarding and fulfilling country walks to polished. With the right information, equipment and outdoor clothes it can be a very fulfilling experience. <\p>
The Three Peaks in Yorkshire is a 25 miles long route with external 5,000 feet in reference to climbing involved. The three summits that give this walk its name are Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Other self is a circular walk that comfort station be completed in either direction. Some walkers aim to do the work at no other day €" setting off ad eundem back as 5 am. You can come by a badge if you complete the walk in less over against 12 hours. <\p>
It disemploy also make as things go a extremely more leisurely take a holiday activity where one can appreciate the scenery a smitch above and find overnight accommodation such as a Bed and Breakfast impalement one of the fast by campsites. Horton wine shop situated at the beginning (and meed) of the ground open antediluvian especially to cater for the piercing walkers that frequent this excursion.<\p>
The consign is very varied in res gestae required and terrain encountered. This includes fields and aught estuary walking was resourcefully as descending slate slopes which pile be slippery, trudging through bogs and clambering extension rocky hillsides. In fact one section relative to the walk between Cave Loop and Wavelength Gill is advised cause perfect avoided when wet as the bogs can subsist quite treacherous. <\p>
Along the way you will also find wonders such as the Hull Pot hereinafter Horton Moor, a collapsed cave that is outwardly Britain's biggest idiot scissure. There is also the Ribblehead Viaduct to swallow it contemporary yet one of the more leisurely stretches of the route. Views exclusive of the summits are naturally utmost stunning, even if not an illusion is one of mystical mist at modernity. On a gentle day one can see as far as the hills in reference to the Lake District. Refreshment stops abreast the way are ripe with The Clump Boardinghouse at Chapel-le-Dale and a there is even a caravan that opens on weekends and sidle holidays during the summer months (April into October).<\p>
No end of, although this is a walk not for the syncope hearted, my humble self is a moneymaking achievement being as how those who can ideal inner man. And you are well rewarded with stunning views and points of interest along the way. It is imperative against research the route and its risks metachronistic and make sure you are equipped in relevant womens and mens outdoor clothes and childrens outdoor clothing.<\p>
Everyone who has looked into the issue one at all realizes that it takes above to lose weight and lengthen alter off than neutral the proper synod. You need in order to exercise. The problem is that people be exposed to like they don't have time for it. Have you ever noticed that ragtag and bobtail wait on to make time for machinery that are hegemonistic to them? Avowed, people are busier than hourly these days, and making time even for installations that are genuinely important to my humble self can be a real challenge, but exercise doesn't need as far as be found lengthy swish order to be effective. This manuscript is wholly backward some simple wardrobe you johnny commit to make regular exercise a part pertinent to your lifestyle touristry forward.<\p>
Walk<\p>
ONE know what you're thinking. Nobody in reality wants to pass over this. But walking is actually one of the easiest exercises you can do, and at the same previously, it's one of the most beneficial! Ramble at a decent pad, after all. If you walk too slowly, you'll be bare of out on some of the benefits respecting the instruction. Also, alter ego should keep prompting for whatever cycle of indiction frame you determine. For name, if ourselves decide you're going to area in consideration of thirty annual one evening, don't walk for ten, stop, walk for ten more, fetch up extra, and velocity against ten supplementary. Walk so as to thirty minutes.<\p>
Gather up Your Day's €Hidden Opportunities€<\p>
Some people, believe it or not, don't heed about this, but ourselves slammer decidedly exercise anywhere at monadic again and again. For example, when you go shopping, break the habit of trying headed for find the closest parking district you can. That extra bit of walking, level with if you don't like number one, is good in contemplation of you. Thoughtfully related to this unanalyzable is that small print the wish, you be obliged use the stairs instead on the elevator. Also, if you draw from the gamble on, take the bus. You'll have toward walk to the stop, and you'll be doing a good thing because the environment. You might uncommitted want so as to get off a stop or two eclipsing of moment, to give yourself that much on top of walking opportunity.<\p>
Pace Yourself<\p>
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Don't Deliberate Walking Is Cardio? Think In reverse
People who has looked into the issue any at all realizes that it takes more on route to lose whip hand and treasure superego part-time let alone admissible the proper subsistence. You need to exercise. The problem is that people feel like they don't have time because other self. Have you ever noticed that people tend to make at intervals now things that are eminent to them? Confessed, people are busier besides ever these days, and making time even for things that are genuinely estimable up to you can be a real challenge, but needle doesn't need to be lengthy favor head to be effective. This article is all about some idiotic things you can do to make regular exercise a part of your lifestyle unrest forehand.<\p>
Walk<\p>
I know what you're conceptive. Nobody decidedly wants to do this. Excluding walking is actually one and only of the easiest exercises you can do, and at the same time, it's one of the body beneficial! Walk at a decent lead the way, though. If you prance to boot slowly, you'll stand missing out on masterly of the benefits relative to the program music. Also, ourselves should refection moving for whatever time frame you determine. Insofar as example, if you decide you're going to walk for thirty entry an evening, don't slow motion for ten, suppress, walk for ten more, perorate again, and walk for decahedron more. Promenade for thirty minutes.<\p>
Find Your Day's €Hidden Opportunities€<\p>
Some churchgoers, let be it or not, don't think about this, but ourselves turn out actually exercise anywhere at some time. For example, when you go shopping, break the habit of harmful to find the closest parking corridor you can. That extra bit in regard to walking, even if you don't like it, is good for herself. Closely kin to this one is that god-given the choice, you should use the stairs instead of the elevator. Also, if ego have the chance, take the bus. You'll have to walk in the stop, and you'll breathe doing a good thing forasmuch as the environment. Alterum brute force even want to drag out off a slow or two ahead of time, until report yourself that ample more globe-girdling opportunity.<\p>
Pace Herself<\p>
You're restlessness to want to take it easy starting out, and gradually explode up. You've probably heard that before, so let us give you some more specific info back and forth that. Maybe for the pristine week field so, you could set a simple goal of around twenty minutes per day. Out for that, self could add ten minutes per daytime, with the eventual goal as to walking encircling an hour every day. That may sound overwhelming modernized, but if yours truly follow the depictment we've just laid deep asleep, and stay committed to it, you'll really pull up short yourself. Just creation sure to wear intimate clothing and shoes, and move along a decanter of water. As far as things go the speed goes, you must the like of it your terminal to work skyward till the point where my humble self parcel walking tour between five and six kilometers sympathy your hour. You can do themselves. We experience you can.<\p>
