Fantasy Dark Desert Highway (1x1)

[egghead]

Drizzling sticky substance over a plate piled high with waffles, Glen coughed in an attempt to get rid of a lump growing in his throat. “Good morning,” he echoed in a frigid tone. “There’s fresh coffee, if you want any.”

A palpable awkwardness hung in the atmosphere after the two men exchanged brief words. An even worse irritation bubbled up within the eldest of them.

Half of Glen wanted to lash out at the blondie and reprimand him for abandoning his son, even if it was only for a few hours. The other half wanted to embrace him and be thankful that he managed to return home safely. Neither urge was stronger than a desire to keep the peace for the sake of a boy’s happiness.

“That should be enough,” he set aside the maple syrup bottle. “Sorry, little guy, but if I pour any more, you’ll be bouncing off the walls.”

 

[Axeykins]

"Great."He returned the cold tone. Not a single thanks or slightest hinting of one coming out of him. Only the thudding of his footsteps as he decided to approach the two and pour himself a mug of the bitter socially acceptable chemical pick me up. Topping it off with a dash of sweet milky cream. Then taking his place at the table among the other two without so much as a glance in their direction. Quickly dragging a rain cloud over the sunny group.

"Aww...okaaay." Yves huffed in defeat. "Mister Glen, can I have a glass a milk to go with my waffles? or some juice? Waffles are always better with em!" He laughed, looking up to the elder with a cheery smile. Trying his best to brighten the mood again.

 

[egghead]

“You’re the boss, kiddo.” After hobbling towards the fridge, Glen lingered there for a longer than necessary amount of time. Unable to choose between either milk or juice, he eventually gave up and poured a glass of both. Glass cups clinked against the table with a clatter that echoed throughout a nearly silent apartment.

“Here,” he returned the boy’s grin with a grimace. “Pick whichever one you want, I’ll drink the other.”

The stomping gallop of feet shattered salvaged tranquility. Once a certain grumbling grump perched on an unoccupied chair, Glen was granted a closer and more revealing look at his compatriot. Bruises, marks, and other discolouration dotted mostly-hidden bare skin. Unlike injuries the blonde had sustained from his last pummelling, these ones were new, and very much fresh.

Suspicious, Glen decided to probe for an explanation. “So...do you usually wear sunglasses indoors?”

 

[Axeykins]

"Hmmm." The boy pursed his lips, squinted his eyes and rubbed his in thought for a moment. Overstuffed cat paws on his feet meowing with every tap of his ankle on the bar of the chair. "Milk!" He eagerly grabbed the glass. "Cause I wanna grow real big and strong like you! Your a giant!" He gave the crusty old gentleman a wide, toothy grin. Glen may have been only a stranger in his life for a short while now but Yves was growing fond of him. May have been a touch of a child's intuition and naivete as well tossed in the mix but it was honest as can ever be.

Lucid on the other hand. Held up a finger to tell Glen to wait for a moment as he sipped his coffee. Sweet sweet bitterness forcibly jolting his body to life once more. "Why do you care?" He grumbled. Quite visibly wincing as he rubbed his eye under the left side of the lenses. Highly uncomfortable. Yet not making a single move to take them off. "I do after I've had a long night...okay? Keeps the headaches from getting too bad. I'll be fine after a shower and nap. Satisfied now? Good, shut up and let me finish my coffee m'kay?" The tone of his voice grew incredibly snappy. To the point of far beyond reason to a simple, harmless question.

"...but. Papa aren't those Jay's? You-"
"SHHT! You stay the Hell out of this. Eat your breakfast this is Adults talking now Yves." Without even thinking his venom was immediately directed towards the poor kid.
"Sorry papa." Yves responded meekly. His head held low and smile disappearing completely.
"Now then."

 

[egghead]

Jaw clenching and fists balling up so tightly that blunt fingernails threatened to break skin, Glen nearly exploded. “Don’t speak to Yves like that.”

Rising with enough force to nearly topple over both his chair and the table, he levelled an accusatory finger at the patriarch. “Especially after leaving him here to clean up the mess you made. What if I hadn’t come back? Would you even give a damn if a boy his age was alone?!”

Despite being a couple steps away from foaming at the mouth, there were still secrets locked within a dungeon of a ranting man’s maw. Unable to disclose fears of being under surveillance, either by the law or other unsavoury creatures, Glen’s outburst seemed more unnecessarily overemotional than anything rational.

Simmering down to a point where his piercing glare eased into a less severe leer, he concluded with a slight growl: “You are the one who should be apologizing.”

 

[Axeykins]

Lucid flinched at Glen's outburst, but soon returned the wicked glare. Even becoming oddly more aggressive than before. He didn't want to apologize, he wanted left alone. Wanted everything in the world to shut up and leave him alone."The fuck do you even know you old hack!? You need to back off, I can talk to my child however I like! Its MY house!" He barked. "I don't need to fucking apologize, he wasn't left alone. I'm not that ignorant you dumbass! Why does everyone think they know better just at a glance, I know how to care for my own kid!"

Yves, hearing the foul language being flown with escalating volumes now made the smart choice to duck away from the table and off towards the guest room for a while. Least until it simmered down. He never really had to much. His father rarely ever yelled at him, especially like this. But he still knew well enough that it wasn't a pretty sight and would rather not get yelled at again or in the way.

"Shit." Lucid hissed as Yves ran off. Fighting back tears of frustration at seeing him run away from them. "Great! Now look what you caused! Why did YOU have to start this Glen. You could have just kept your mouth shut and pissed off an-" Thr chair Lucid had been slowly rising up on wobbled and gave way. With no good leg to catch himself with the raging youth toppled forward and cracked his chin decently hard against the table. Sending the sunglasses flying away and bringing a shining black and purple eye, mostly swollen shut and gashed near the cheek into the full view of the world.

 

[egghead]

Unable to deal with the truth nukes dropping over his flimsy provocation, Glen crumbled. His show of chivalry closed its curtains sooner than expected when the distressed damsel he meant to defend had fled. All that remained was a deflated ego and and an impossible wish to turn back time.

Before sinking too deeply into self-inflicted despair, he was yanked out by the melodious jingle of a frenemy smashing his face against a table edge. Once the clever disguise slipped off and uncovered a puffy, painful-looking monster, there was nothing to do except openly gawk.

“Christ...” croaked Glen. “What in the world happened to you last night?”

Shaking an empty head in disbelief, he once again limped over to the refrigerator and filled a clean cloth with ice. Returning the improvised cold pack to his fellow chump, he held it out for the battered boyfriend to take. “Here, it will help with the swelling.”

 

[Axeykins]

Wide eyed and heart pounding Lucid slapped the kindly gesture away roughly. Quickly covering the bruised half of his face. "DON'T TOuch me.." He snapped, though. With a distinct waver in his voice as it faltered and fell. Joined by the start of a stream of hot tears. "It's nothing. Nothing at all, just....leave me alone. I'll...I'll be fine." Picking himself up from the table, lip dribbling the slightest bit of blood from his tooth catching a sliver of it, Lucid hobble off hurriedly towards the bathroom. His prosthetic cocked awkwardly to the side after catching the floor at such an odd angle.

Holding his hand firmly to the side of his face until the door was shut firmly. He didn't bother locking it though, not planning on being in there long. He just....needed some makeup. Yeah, out of sight, out of mind. The usual routine, bit rough but it always worked. Least acted as a guard from ever seeing it again, from seeing it all again. Lucid stripped off his shirt as well and got to work. Not really too bad this time! Least not in his perspective. But...God...he was going to to have to make a run to the store for more again soon.

 

[egghead]

After chunks of frozen water shattered against kitchen tile and a door slam reverberated off of every wall in the suite, Glen jolted into emotional overdrive. A switch had been pulled, kickstarting dormant fears lurking inside a paranoid android. Something about the way anyone would retreat into a secluded spot to do who-knows-what bothered him so much that he followed the frantic sound of rummaging.

Lurking outside of the bathroom, he gripped the handle and, after a few hesitant seconds, twisted. To his surprise, it was unlocked. Behind a rectangular slab of wood and several fresh coats of cosmetics, a broken human being hid from everything and everyone. Despite the mask of perfecting makeup, his suffering transmitted through dull, empty eyes.

Incapable of stitching together the right words to say, Glen instead poured all of his complicated feelings into a single action. Wrapping long, gangly arms around a smaller frame, he pulled the younger man into the universe’s most awkward and unprovoked hug.

 

[Axeykins]

There was no time to react. To snap at the man and shove him away again. Bite his head off with another nasty remark. Only this...lanky, beanpole of a fool ensnaring him tight into a sudden warm embrace. Lucid was in complete shock to say the very least. Frozen in a cocktail of emotions flooding every ounce of his being. He felt himself sinking deeper into the squishy, comfortable embrace but couldn't. He couldn't.

Avoiding any eye contact he pushed the old man away. Though with a much gentler touch. "Don't..I don't need, this. I don't need your...this." He sniffed. Backing himself up to sit on the edge of the tub. Arms wrapped around himself snugly as he fought off crying. He refused to cry in front of Glen, not over something so trivial. "I'm fine...Glen. I told you I'll be fine, just...leave, stay. I don't care...I only need few minutes to freshen up. I'll be back out for breakfast." He searched blindly around the countertop until his slender fingers wrapped around the makep bottle again. Gathering a shaking breath he began to apply it to his face again. Carefully dabbing it all around his eye...then moving to his neck...and wrists. Hiding away each bruise and scrape behind a thick layer of color and chemicals.

 

[egghead]

A friend fighting back more tears and caking on layers of concealer over his wounds was a sight the geezer could not bear to witness. Bloodshot eyes screwed shut, as if shielding themselves from the distressing display. There were no comforting lies to say, and nothing he could do to ease the sorrows of a forsaken sweetheart.

“If you say so,” he conceded. “I’ll...I’ll go take care of things outside.”

Retreating into an uninhabited corridor and leaving the blonde to his own devices, Glen glanced towards the front door. It would be easy to abandon the situation entirely, but obligation kept him firmly rooted to plush carpet. Perhaps it was parental instinct, or a more selfish reason, but something stopped a recently reformed sissy from scuttling away.

Creeping towards the guest room, he gingerly nudged the door slightly open before announcing his presence. “Yves? Yves, are you in here?”

 

[Axeykins]

Lucid looked up as soon as he heard the click of the door shutting again. Sliding himself down into the tub to curl up and let the tears flow. Now that he felt secluded and alone again. He needed a moment to get it all out. Get every last bit possible squeezed out before checking his smile in the mirror. Getting it juuust right, believable. As long as he was able to convince himself he was good as gold. If you can convince yourself you can convince anyone! As far as he had learned throughout the years.


Yves sat on the floor on the side of the bed facing away from the door. Somber look upon his face and hugging Johnny tight. The ball of fluff didn't seem to mind this time. Not making a fuss and laying his head over the shoulder of the sad child and purring comfortingly. Upon hearing the door open he poked his head out from behind the mattress. "Mr. Glen?...Yeah. I'm here.." He stood up and placed the cat on the bed. Resting his chin deep into the floof of the small beast. "...are you alright?" He asked curiously. "I heard a real loud noise out there."

 

[egghead]

Visibly tensing up at the munchkin’s question, Glen lingered awhile longer in a lonely entryway. “A noise? It was...I dropped some ice cubes, that’s all.”

Advancing closer, each step forward producing thuds as hollow as the man creating them, he once again crouched in front of a cherubic creature. His shaky hand hovered over the boy, as if afraid to make contact, before inevitably retracting. Quiet steadily expanded until an unwarranted invitation filled the vacuum. “W-why don’t we head out for ice cream? Just the two of us? Maybe it’s best if we give your father a little privacy for now.”

Despite attempting to come off as altruistic, Glen’s cowardice was transparent. He did not know how to face his friend again after shoving their relationship in a seemingly awkward direction. At least for someone who had no idea how mutual affection worked, it was a mistake.

“Unless you want all of us to go together,” he jabbered, rapidly falling apart. “Then that’s fine, we’ll do whatever you’d like. We don’t even have to get ice cream, it can be milkshakes or burgers. Or waffles, I’m sure anything is better than the ones I made and blah blah blah...”

 

[Axeykins]

"That sounded a lot bigger than ice." He looked up at him with wide, questioning eyes. Though, who was he to say really? He scattered from the the room before witnessing whatever else had happened in there between them. "Ice cream sounds nice." He smile softly. Very quickly changing the subject as soon as sweets were mentioned. "And milkshakes and a burger...but can we finish breakfast first? What you made was real good. I only got a lil taste but I swear it was Mister Glen." He lifted his head from the feline pillow to stare up at the lanky beanpole hovering overhead. "We can all go out! My dad knows the best places to go! and...It'll be good for us to all go."



Lucid gathered what pieces he could of himself and crawled out of the bathtub. wiping his face off with a nearby towel and reapplying the makeup. Smiling to himself in the mirror as the bruising disappeared from sight. Though the swelling and cut shone through like a beacon. He knew Yves wouldn't ask though...he never did. Only gave him the stare for a while but that was for the best. Taking in deep breaths the youth plastered a wide, bright smile on his abused, hangover ridden face and bounced out of the bathroom. Back into the kitchen to fix things. Prepare a little extra dish for breakfast along side Glen's attempt at what he assumed to be brick waffles?

 

[egghead]

The coot frantically shook a filth-infested head. “You’re right, that was a terrible idea I don’t know what I was...” his rambling trailed off. “Wait, you want to do it?”

Glen’s utter shock and disbelief broadcasted through a brain-dead gawk. Not a very attractive look for a guy who already resembled fresh roadkill. Scrambling to an upward stance, he could not stifle laughter directed at the prospect of anyone enjoying his cuisine. “Erm, I’m not sure those things are...safe. We should probably stick to eating food that won’t give us salmonella.”

Dragging his sorry excuse of a body into a disorderly kitchen, he began tidying up. After trashing his failed cooking attempt and plucking half-melted ice chunks from the floor, the unpaid maid wiped grubby hands on an invisible apron and admired his handiwork. Though the marble tile was left unswept and dishes left unwashed, it was still the most housework he had done in months or even years. Glen actually sensed an ember of pride spark.

“Before we go, I should tell your—“ he spun around in time to catch Lucid sauntering into the room. “S-speak of the devil! Your boy and I were just..wondering if you would like to join us for breakfast. A proper one this time. How does that sound?”

 

[Axeykins]

"But you didn't use any slamlon to make it Mr. Glen. So it's gotta be just fine." Yves offered a gentle smile as he picked up the floofy feline in his small arms and carried it gently out the bedroom door as he followed Glen. Letting the creature go at first sign of a struggle. He was taught well not to anger the Johnny. Via a lesson very young by the precocious pussycat himself.

"Well of course! That's why I've dug through the deepest recesses of the storage bins for the crepe maker!" He beamed. Twirling the strange device in his hand. "I was going to make some to compliment your waffles here. Something a bit softer to combat how crunchy they are. I want to help you make it this time as an apology." He teased slightly. Plugging the machine into the wall as he went to prepare some batter. Rubbing his bruised arms thoughtlessly. "And Yves..." He turned his head to glance at the boy through the corner of his eye. Blinking away tears welling up in them. "Mon chou...can we talk later? I..I want...to make sure everything is alright...is that okay?" His voice was soft as ever. He needed to apologize directly to him. Apologize for everything he'd put him through today. Later on he'd have to apologize to Glen as well.

 

[egghead]

Face fixed in a blank stare, the out-of-touch outcast gawked at a contraption too fancy for someone of his class to comprehend. Then again, devices that were neither coffee machines nor computers confused him. Releasing a stifled guffaw, he responded. “Um, actually, I meant to take you out to a diner. For breakfast. It’s the least I could do, for causing you so much grief.”

Entangled in a sugary and overly sentimental trap, Glen awkwardly shuffled in place. “B-but if you insist! I never tried a...”cray-pah” before.”

 

[Axeykins]

"Oh?" His voice cracked slightly. That was a genuine surprise to hear, he hadn't been offered something so nice in such a long time. And definitely not a dinner paid by somebody else. "That sounds lovely! I can't wait for it. We can go out and about after breakfast if you want and see the town. Get a less conspicuous ride and pass the time until them?" He grinned brightly as he dipped the machine into the batter. letting it sit for only a few seconds before flipping it over and scraping a thin, sweet cake and plopping it onto a plate.
"This is my apology for some, not so great behavior. Wish I could make them the proper way but it's been forever since I have. I know I'd make them far too thick and get a few stuck on the cabinets." He giggled.

 

[egghead]

A heavenly aroma wafted throughout the room, causing a certain old-timer’s parched mouth to salivate. It smelled better than the charred garbage cooked earlier that morning. Probably tastes much better, too.

Hovering over the plate, Glen gawked at the sheet of steaming yumminess and practically slobbered all over it. “Whoa” he sighed. “It looks so...good?”

Throwing all etiquette and common sense out the window, the starving savage stabbed a fork into the cake. Shoving the entire thing into his gaping maw and swallowing without chewing, he choked for a good two minutes before finally getting everything down. Clearly this was a man who has never eaten crêpes in his entire lifetime.

“That was delicious,” he wheezed after catching his breath somewhat. “C-Can I have another?”

 

[Axeykins]

"Of course Cher!" Lucid smiled happily. Twisting the crepe machine around in his hand. The youth bounced over to the bowl full of batter to whip up a few more of the delicious treat for the man. "I'll make as many as you want. I absolutely love cooking for people." He chuckled. "Only good thing I got from my dad I gotta admit. Well, that and my looks." He flipped a long strip of hair out of his face with a little smirk.
"Don't eat too much though, if we're going out and about then don't want anyone getting sick or spoiling whatever else treats we may get while out." As he bounced around the kitchen his phone buzzed a few times. Making him freeze up and clench his fist for a moment.

 

[egghead]

Glen had already shovelled a few more forkfuls down his gullet before being told not to spoil his appetite. Like an ashamed child, he hung his head and stammered an apology. “Oh, right. Sorry.”

A cellphone’s hum made the wimp flinch slightly, but nothing set him on edge more than watching his friend tense up and grimace at the sound. As much as he wanted to know, he knew better than to inquire about it. Lucid most likely was not in the mood to discuss his issues any more than what had already been said.

“I-I think we should be going now,” Glen blurted, jumping up from his seat. “You know what they say: the early bird catches the worm. We should head out before all the restaurants in town stop serving breakfast.”

Producing an ancient-looking pager, he gave the universe’s most awkward and uncomfortable wink as he turned it off and dumped it onto the table. “We don’t need electronics for this adventure, right?”

 

[Axeykins]

*10 missed calls*
**5 voicemails**

[Txt messagenger]
'Lucid! hey how are you this morning'
'Lucid?
'answer me already??'
'babe come on. I'm sorry. I know I got a little rough last night.'
'wanna make it up to you mmkay? '
'coming over tonight babe gonna see the kiddo and this new friend of yours. you said lots of good things.'
'pls answer asap'
'Love you'

"Great idea!" Lucid looked up at him with a forced smile. Picking up his phone with shaking hands. Staring at it as a clear inner battle raged on before shutting it off entirely. He still stuck it in his pocket but least it was off for now. "We'll have a second breakfast before tearing up the town!!! I know a few grrrreat place you're gonna looooove!" The youth clapped his hands together as he set the dishes in the sink to wash. Carefully rinsing the cooker under water to cool it off quickly with a harsh hiss of steam.

"Get away from all the tech too. This time by choice right? Not because of no reception and sooomebody decides to be a desert vagabond right?" He giggled. Flinching as he heard the distinct crunch of sunglasses underfoot. His face drained of color but he kept up the positive appearing attitude as he picked them up and tossed them into the bin. "Woopsie poopsie eh? Remind me to get another pair while we're out and about m'kay? These were real expensive but that's no problem, no problem at all we'll just get a replacement while on our adventure!" Lucid then hopped over to Yves and helped him straighten up so they could leave. "I'm ready to go when you are Glenny boy! Take all the time you need to get ready though. Wouldn't rush you one bit."

 

[egghead]

After what probably felt like eternity, Glen snapped out of a daze brought on by the performer’s dramatic show of enthusiasm. The act appeared as superficially empty as his own flimsy façade. After all, they were liars wearing masks with cracks beginning to show, both equally damaged underneath it all.

“Y-Yeah, of course!” Rushing over to the front entrance, he lead a stock photo-worthy father and son towards the elevator.

Once they were crammed into the cramped space, a chill travelled down Glen’s spine as he watched the doors slide closed. He could nearly visualize that shadowy figure, looming in the distance almost ethereally. Following his every move, watching and most definitely waiting.

“By the way, there’s something I need to tell you,” he muttered, gnawing on his lower lip hard enough to break skin. “Earlier, there was this...I saw, or, um thought I saw...I-I think we’re being—“Ding!

The doors swished ajar, revealing a (thankfully) unpopulated parking lot. No creeps or weirdos around, with the exception of Glen. Just cars, cars, and more cars with ugly paint jobs or hood ornaments.

A hoarse wheeze escaped from the older man as he began stumbling towards their ride. “Actually, it’s not important. I’ll tell you later, let’s just get going.”

 

[Axeykins]

Lucid raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow at the old coot's even more peculiar behavior. "O...kay. haha. If you say so." He wanted to inquire more on what he meant. Knowing full well that Glen had something to say, something eating away at him. Seeing as he was in the very same sort of situation.
However, to keep his facade he let it slide. If push came to shove and it was really really needed information he'd ask. At the moment though they all needed out of that house. Himself to clear his mind and then Yves and Glen to keep them from encountering him....in case he came to visit suddenly. He knew it was inevitable but right now he didn't need the risk of being turned into the enemy yet again.

The young father helped Yves into the car, strapping him in snug and securely before taking a seat in the front himself. "Lead the way Glenny boy! Since you are the only one of use who can actually drive right now. It'll be a nice change of pace not having to walk everywhere to take a cab won't it Yvy?" He chuckled. "I've got some places marked down for us to visit first if you want? I'll let you pick the first spot on the list Glen! Since you're so kindly the driver" Lucid handed him a small city map, old and well worn with many red circles of favorite places in town.

 

[egghead]

After injecting the key into the ignition and giving it a twist, a low rumble signified that their ride had stirred awake. Without wasting a single nanosecond, Glen backed out of the stall and stomped on the gas, hightailing it out of the parking lot. He had even left his seatbelt unbuckled, but in recent weeks that was a ritual he tended to ignore.

Once the trio were melded into traffic, the car slowed to a considerably less breakneck speed. “Sorry about that,” he choked out his hourly apology. “I guess I’m just...excited to explore your home.”

Shooting a quick glance at the map, his vision blurred slightly at the sheer amount of ink spiralled around various landmarks. For a man with a decision-making difficulties, it was impossible to pick which one to visit first. Well, besides somewhere to grab some grub.

“Erm, I’m not sure of where to go,” he admitted, begrudgingly. “Let’s talk about it over breakfast, we’ll figure out what to do from there. I’m sure you both have a lot of stories to tell me about these places. I mean, more than what I can say about my city, ha ha...ha.”