Repost! Update on Freeway to Nowhere
A new chapter is out, the longest chapter and the one that comes with the most warning.
Link to Chapter Five: Coming, Going, Gone:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
April 21st
Day One into Yuuji’s Recovery
Megumi completely understands how Yuuji feels.
Well, not all the way, but still.
Taking care of someone and yourself was hard, especially in a timely manner. She had already gotten to that motel around eleven PM, then she had to do all the lugging and caretaking, while still preening herself up.
It took four hours to get finished with herself and Yuuji!
Maybe even closer to five!
She doesn’t know how she does it. Knowing how her grandfather was, she probably did it with him, too, taking care of him and whatnot. And she could only imagine how Yuuji felt whenever Megumi started being all high-maintenance. That was probably the reason why Yuuji ended up in the predicament she was in, stressed and pushed and pressured into decisions that led to bodily failure.
Megumi could only be amazed and find herself respecting Yuuji’s hustle even more.
Megumi grumbles, shifting in bed and trying to huddle up to Yuuji, but the alarm kept blaring, beeping, and beeping until she had no choice but to roll over and force herself to open her eyes. An early morning it will be then.
Her eyes stared, focusing and squinting until she saw the time.
Megumi immediately grumbles. It was way too early for her, especially with only four or so hours of sleep. No, no, she wasn’t having that. With a grunt, she slaps the top of the digital alarm clock and shifts, rolling back over and nuzzling into Yuuji’s breasts.
A deep sigh escapes her lips as she closes her eyes, trying to find the comfort of rest again. She knows she’d be up and moving before noon. She had much to do and wait for.
Medicine, just in case, cleaning supplies for Yuuji’s car, aloe vera to make sure Yuuji’s scalp was no longer irritated, and probably go to the laundry mat-
I should wash Yuuji’s car before the vomit starts to seep in…
“....Mmgh…” Megumi grumbles, caressing Yuuji’s stomach through the thin fabric of the blue gown she was wearing. “Yuu, love…I’m gonna go clean out the car for you, okay? And I’m gonna have to spend some more money, okay? Um…I’ll try to budget, but if you’re gonna be in this state…We’re gonna have to stay longer than two days, okay?”
She nuzzles into Yuuji’s breasts a bit more before reluctantly sitting up with a yawn and stretching.
Megumi wasn’t much of an early riser whenever she went to bed late, but she had things to do, and she was positive that washing a car wasn’t going to be quick. But someone had to clean it out.
Swinging her feet off the bed, Megumi stood up and groaned again, her movements sluggish and jaded, as she was yet to wake up fully. She walked over to rummage through her duffel bag of clothing before pulling out her half of the money, a denim mini skirt, and a crop top. Well, a shirt she cropped herself.
It had Hands Across America on it. Got it when Yuuji tried to get involved with that event.
Usually, girls at the car wash wear something provocative…Then again, Yuuji’s not watching, so what’s the point…?
She looks over her shoulder at Yuuji before peeking outside through the curtains, seeing the sun beginning to rise to something radiant and bright.
“Well…Yuu, I bet you’d just love the idea of me sopping wet in this- I did bring a camera…Uh, maybe I could get a photo taken…Or something…I don’t know…” Megumi looks over her shoulder at Yuuji again, swallowing before giving a weak smile.
“I still remember what you said..About me sitting all pretty in a trailer doing nothing…You know, I’m willing to work too. Even if it’s part-time. I- I don’t need you stressing yourself providing for me, too. This isn’t the 1950s suburbia,” Megumi says before yawning deeply. “I don’t know how you could keep getting up this early. Sure, I’m an early bird myself, but gee…”
Running her hand through her hair, Megumi tousles the strands, hoping she could achieve a wild, promiscuous look without a mirror.
“I’ve decided, I’m gonna wear the skirt and the shirt. I wanna be provocative without doing too much. Yeah?” Megumi hums, flicking her hair back a few times before turning and heading towards the sink.
She gazes at herself in the mirror, tousling her hair more before smiling.
“Good enough. Something natural and light. For once- I- I won’t focus on my meticulous routines. I will be au naturel, like you, Yuu. I gotta- I gotta be in your shoes for once. Not- not saying you don’t take care of yourself, but you don’t dabble as much as you used to…You haven’t let me paint your nails in ages…Or, do your makeup. Or…Dress you up. You used to be my little Barbie, I guess.”
Megumi slides out of her gown with ease, pulling the straps off her shoulders to allow it to pool around her ankles.
“God…When I tell you I- I just want it to be like…How it was in our freshman year. I- I just want to go back to Kentucky and- And- Just…”
A pause. A breath. A moment.
“I don’t know. I just want something secure. I don’t wanna run from the world. Or each other. I just wanna be somewhere safe and sound. I wanna…”
Her eyes slowly close, images crossing her mind before something sticks. A meadow, springtime, full of flowers, with the sun beaming onto her and Yuuji. Their eyes were closed, their bodies sprawled out, adorned in white and silver, butterflies soaring over them, the breeze capturing their hair, cooling their skin.
Trees. Flora. Nature. A warm embrace. Skin-to-skin contact. Intimacy.
“I want our own Garden of Eden. But…Without any Serpents. Without anyone to…hate us for who we are. Without…Man.”
“I want to be naked without an ounce of shame, actually. I want to not have an Adam or Eve- I just- I want an Adama and Eve- I want- I want something beautiful, Yuuji. I wish this room were something grand, something opulent. I want a Heaven on Earth.”
She could only wistfully think, to imagine, to daydream about a life that seemed so ethereal, so out of touch, so- so… Heaven-sent. Dressing herself almost became an afterthought, something automatic and mechanical.
Her eyes open, looking at her figure, her now lopsided hair, the motel room, her reality.
Dreams can only get someone so far.
“Ah…I’m just talking now. I need to freshen up…I- I really should clean this car before the smell lingers. And I still gotta brush your teeth, wash your face, get some medicine stuff in ya- Oh, I have so much to do, Yuu. I- It’s almost overwhelming!”
She shimmies into her mini skirt, adjusting it accordingly to make sure it doesn't ride up too high, before throwing on her off-white shirt, and humming. She fiddles with the fabric a few more times, flicking her hair to look less of a lopsided mess and more of a risque mess–Voila!
“I’ll be right back, Yuu. I’m gonna make things right, and I’m gonna take care of you,” Megumi chimes before grabbing some cash and stepping outside, her feet still bare as she didn’t need to do much walking. It only took a few steps to get to the door labeled twelve.
Thank you, and if you're interested, go ahead and give it a read. And for those who are returning, stay informed.
See you soon, dark children.